JPS60102364A - Sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the taking-out for a sheet bundle by intermittently shifting the bin which completes the collation and accommodation for a sheet successively to the position opposite to a sheet pushing-out member and operating said sheet pushing-out member at each shift. CONSTITUTION:A sheet pushing-out member 25 and sheet-bundle taking-out detecting sensors 43a and 43b are installed onto a pillar body 22, and the bins 131-13n which complete collation and accommodation for a sheet are intermittently shifted successively to the position opposed to the sheet pushing-out member 25 through the receiving of the detection signals supplied from the sheet- bundle taking-out detecting sensors 43a and 43b, and then the sheet pushing-out member 25 is operated at each shift, and the sheet is pushed-out from over the bins 131-13n. Therefore, taking-out of sheet bundle is facilitated even with a sorter in which the number of bin stage is increased and the intervals between bins are reduced.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 本発明はソータ、特に複写機、印刷機等の画像形成装置
に適用し１例えばページ数が１０ページの原稿のコピー
を５部作成するような場合１画像形成装置から送り出さ
れたシートを５つのビンにページ順に揃えて収納するソ
ータ（分類装置）に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is applied to a sorter, particularly an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine, and is applicable to a case where, for example, five copies of a 10-page original are to be made from one image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a sorter (sorting device) that arranges and stores sent out sheets in five bins in page order.

第１図は従来のソータの１例を示す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional sorter.

ソータＡは多数のビン１］〜１ｎを水平方向に傾斜させ
て列設し、このビン群の上部には水平にシート搬送ベル
ト２が下部には水平にシート束搬送ベルト６が配設され
ている。シート搬送ベルト２は通気部（図示せず）を有
し、ファン４でピン群側の空気を吸込むようになってい
る。このため９画像形成装置Ｂから送シ出しローラ５で
送り出されたシートＰは、上記吸込み空気流で搬送ベル
ト２の下面に吸着保持されて搬送される。The sorter A has a large number of bins 1] to 1n arranged in a horizontally inclined row, and a sheet conveying belt 2 is disposed horizontally above the bin group, and a sheet bundle conveying belt 6 is disposed horizontally below the bin group. There is. The sheet conveyance belt 2 has a ventilation section (not shown), and a fan 4 sucks air from the pin group side. Therefore, the sheet P sent out from the image forming apparatus B by the feed roller 5 is attracted and held on the lower surface of the conveyor belt 2 by the suction air flow and is conveyed.

上記搬送ベルト２に沿って移動可能に設けられたデフレ
クタは２画１象形成装置Ｂからシー）Ｐが送り込まれる
たびにビン間隔分だけ間欠移動して。The deflector, which is movably provided along the conveyor belt 2, moves intermittently by the distance between the bins each time the sheet P is sent from the two-image one-image forming device B.

シートＰを各ビン１１〜１ｎに順次に仕分収納する。The sheets P are sorted and stored in each bin 11 to 1n sequentially.

各ビンに対するシートＰの仕分収納が終了すると。When the sorting and storage of sheets P for each bin is completed.

ステーブル止め６を矢示方向に間欠移動させて各ビン内
に収納されたシートを一束にとじた後、各ビン１１〜１
ｎの一端に設けられ蓋１丘〜１うを順次に開いてシート
束を搬送ベルト６上に落下させ。After binding the sheets stored in each bin into a bundle by intermittently moving the stable stopper 6 in the direction of the arrow, each bin 11 to 1
The sheet bundle is dropped onto the conveyor belt 6 by sequentially opening the lids 1 to 1 provided at one end of the sheet.

ソータＡに並設した運搬兼用載置台Ｃに搬送排出させて
いる。The materials are transported and discharged to a transport/mounting table C installed in parallel with the sorter A.

上記第１図に示すソータは自動的にシートの仕分け、と
じ合せ、排出等の一連の動作が行なわれるため取扱いが
容易であるが、構成が複雑で高価である。The sorter shown in FIG. 1 is easy to handle because it automatically performs a series of operations such as sorting, stitching, and discharging sheets, but it has a complicated structure and is expensive.

第２図は従来のソータの他の例を示す極く概略の構成図
である。多数のビン１１〜１ｎは図示し々い連結板にシ
ート収納空間をあけて取付け、ビン群全体をビン間隔分
づつ間欠的に昇降移動させて。FIG. 2 is a very schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a conventional sorter. A large number of bins 11 to 1n are attached to connecting plates (not shown) with seat storage spaces provided therebetween, and the entire bin group is moved up and down intermittently by the distance between the bins.

画像形成装置Ｂから送υ出されたシー）Ｐを各ビンに順
次に収納する。そして、各ビンからシート束を取出すに
は、全てのビン１１〜１ｎ上のシートに同時に作用する
長さのシート束押し出し棒７を矢示方向に水平移動させ
、シート束を押圧しながら各ビン１１〜１ｎの凹部８１
〜８ｎに進入させ、ビン１１〜′１ｎの縁から突出させ
たシート束Ｐｏを指先でつまんで取り出す。The sheets P sent out from the image forming apparatus B are sequentially stored in each bin. In order to take out the sheet bundle from each bin, the sheet bundle pushing rod 7, which has a length that simultaneously acts on the sheets on all the bins 11 to 1n, is moved horizontally in the direction of the arrow, and while pressing the sheet bundle, each bin is 11 to 1n recess 81
~8n, the sheet bundle Po protruding from the edges of the bins 11~'1n is pinched with fingertips and taken out.

ところが、上記第２図のソータは全てのビン１１〜１ｎ
Ｊ：のシートが同時に押し出されるため、シート収納空
間つまクビン間隔が狭い場合はシート束を取シ出しにく
いという欠点があった。However, the sorter shown in FIG.
Since the sheets of J: are pushed out at the same time, there is a drawback that it is difficult to take out the sheet bundle if the sheet storage space or space between the bins is narrow.

本発明は上記欠点を解消し、ビン間隔が狭くても容易に
シート束を１束づつ収り出せるソータを比較的簡単々構
成で安価に得ることを目的とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a sorter with a relatively simple structure and at low cost that can easily store sheet bundles one by one even if the bin interval is narrow.

以下１本発明の実施例を図面について説明する。An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

第６図は本発明ソータＡを複写機Ｂに組付けた状態の正
面図、第４図はそのソータ部の斜視図である。ソータＡ
はビン群１０を柱体２２に沿って昇降させる。このビン
群１０は、平板の１側部を略直角に折曲げてシート整列
片１１とし、このシート整列片と直女する平板側部に切
欠き８＄成したビン１６１〜１３ｎの多数を所定間隔毎
江連結部材１４に取付け、その取付は側を基部として板
面を上向き傾斜に折曲げた構成である。FIG. 6 is a front view of the sorter A of the present invention assembled into a copying machine B, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sorter portion thereof. Sorter A
moves the bottle group 10 up and down along the column 22. This bin group 10 consists of a large number of bins 161 to 13n each having a sheet alignment piece 11 formed by bending one side of a flat plate at a substantially right angle, and having an 8-cut notch formed on the side of the flat plate directly adjacent to the sheet alignment piece 11. It is attached to the spacer connecting member 14, and its attachment is made by bending the plate surface upwardly with the side as the base.

柱体２２は中空で基台２１の上面両側に立設してあり、
複写機Ｂのシート排出ローラ５から排出されたシートを
受取るように左右の柱体２２・２２間に１対のシート搬
入ロー２２３・２３が回転可能に設けである。そして、
このシート搬入ロー２と略同−高さ位置において、一方
の柱体にはシート取出し凹部２４を他方の柱体にはシー
ト押し出し部材２５が設けである。また１両柱体２２・
２２０対向面に縦方向に形成されたスリット２０には。The pillar body 22 is hollow and stands on both sides of the upper surface of the base 21.
A pair of sheet carry-in rows 223, 23 are rotatably provided between the left and right columns 22, 22 to receive sheets discharged from the sheet discharge roller 5 of the copying machine B. and,
At approximately the same height as the sheet carry-in row 2, one column is provided with a sheet take-out recess 24, and the other column is provided with a sheet push-out member 25. Also, 1 double pillar body 22.
220 in the slit 20 formed in the vertical direction on the opposing surface.

上記ビン群１０の連結板両端部が嵌入されている。Both ends of the connecting plate of the bottle group 10 are fitted.

上記柱体２２内の上部に軸支したプーリ５１．と基台２
１上に設置したモータ５２の軸と一体のプーリ５３間に
はベルト５４が懸回してあり、このベルト５４の一端は
上記スリットに嵌入した連結板１４の上部に他端は該連
結板の下部に取付けてあシ、モータ５２を正逆回転させ
ることでビン群が昇降する。A pulley 51 is pivotally supported in the upper part of the column 22. and base 2
A belt 54 is suspended between the shaft of a motor 52 installed on the shaft of the motor 52 and a pulley 53 integrated with the pulley 53. One end of the belt 54 is attached to the upper part of the connecting plate 14 fitted into the slit, and the other end is attached to the lower part of the connecting plate. The bottle group is raised and lowered by rotating the motor 52 in forward and reverse directions.

上記シート押し出し部材２５は第５，６図に示すように
線材をコ字状に折曲げ、さらに、その両端部の直角折曲
部をコ字状取付金具２６の両辺の穴２７に嵌合させ、か
つ、各辺の切起し片２６ａ。The sheet push-out member 25 is made by bending a wire into a U-shape as shown in FIGS. , and cut and raised pieces 26a on each side.

２６ｂで一体的に固定しである。この取付金具２６は柱
体内に回転自在に並設した軸２Ｂ・２９の一方の軸２８
に取付けられ他方の軸２９には取付金具２６に当接する
カム３０が取付けられると共にその下部に設けたギヤ（
図示せず）に基台２１に設けた駆動源（図示せず）から
動力が伝達される構成である。It is fixed integrally with 26b. This mounting bracket 26 is connected to one shaft 28 of the shafts 2B and 29 that are rotatably arranged in parallel within the columnar body.
A cam 30 that comes into contact with the mounting bracket 26 is attached to the other shaft 29, and a gear (
The configuration is such that power is transmitted from a drive source (not shown) provided on the base 21 to the base 21 (not shown).

第８図は本発明ソータを駆動する電気回路のブロック図
で、マイクロ・プロセッサ・ユニット回路（以下、ＭＰ
Ｕ回路と称す）１００には、入力インタフェイス（以下
、バッファ回１）１０１を介して、ビン群が一番下の位
置に下っている状態を検知するだめのノンソート位置セ
ンサ、各ビンにシートの収納が行なわれるようにビン群
を所定の位置に停止させるビン位置上ンブ、シート押し
出し部材駆動用モータの１回転検知センサ（これ等のセ
ンサは図示せず）あるいはシート取出し、七−ドをスタ
ートさせるように柱体上面に設けたモードスイッチ４１
．シート搬入ローラ５の近傍に配設されてシートの通過
を検知するシートセンサ４２．ビンからシートが取り出
されたことを検知するように凹部２４の対向壁に設けた
発光素子４６ａと受光素子４３ｂとからなるシート取出
しセンサ、複写機Ｂ等からの信号の供給を受ける。そし
て、出力インターフェイス（以下、ドライブ回路）１０
２を介してピン群昇降モータ５２９図示しないビン群停
止ブレーキ（通電によってブレーキが解除される無励磁
作動型であって、上記モータ５２と同時に通電１通電停
止をすることによりビン群の昇降を停止させることがで
きる。また２通電停止している間はその位置でビン群を
停止させることができる。）、シート搬入ローラを駆動
する搬送モータ（図示せず）、シート押し出し部材２５
を駆動するシート押し出しモータ（図示せず）。FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electric circuit that drives the sorter of the present invention.
A non-sort position sensor (referred to as U circuit) 100 is provided with a non-sort position sensor for detecting the state in which a group of bins is lowered to the bottom position via an input interface (hereinafter referred to as buffer circuit 1) 101, and a sheet is attached to each bin. A bin positioning button stops the bin group at a predetermined position so that the bins can be stored, a one-rotation detection sensor for the sheet push-out member drive motor (these sensors are not shown), or a sheet removal and seven-door Mode switch 41 provided on the top of the column to start
．． A sheet sensor 42 disposed near the sheet carry-in roller 5 to detect the passage of the sheet. A sheet take-out sensor consisting of a light-emitting element 46a and a light-receiving element 43b provided on the opposite wall of the recess 24 so as to detect that a sheet is taken out from the bin receives signals from the copying machine B and the like. And output interface (hereinafter referred to as drive circuit) 10
The pin group lifting motor 529 is connected to the pin group lifting motor 529 via the pin group stop brake (not shown) (a non-excited operating type in which the brake is released by energization, and by stopping the energization 1 at the same time as the motor 52, the raising and lowering of the bin group is stopped. (Also, while the current supply is stopped, the bin group can be stopped at that position.), a conveyance motor (not shown) that drives the sheet carry-in roller, and a sheet push-out member 25.
A sheet extrusion motor (not shown) that drives the.

複写機Ｂ等に制御信号を供給する。A control signal is supplied to copying machine B, etc.

本発明ソータは上記の構成であって、以下、その作用を
説明する。複写機Ｂのコピーボタン（図示せず）が押さ
れると、最下部位置にビン群がない場合はノンソート位
置センサがノンシート位置（最下部位置）を検知するま
でビン群を下げる。The sorter of the present invention has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below. When the copy button (not shown) of copying machine B is pressed, if there is no bin group at the bottom position, the bin group is lowered until the non-sort position sensor detects the non-sheet position (bottom position).

このとき、ビン群が下シ終るまではソータＡから被写機
Ｂヘウェイト信号を送ってコピースタートを待たせる。At this time, the sorter A sends a wait signal to the object B to wait for the start of copying until the bottom of the bin group is finished.

ビン群が最下部位置に下って準備を完了すると。Once the bin group has descended to its lowest position and is ready.

複写機Ｂに対するウェイト信号をオフにしてコピースタ
ートさせる。複写機Ｂからシート排出ローラ５により排
出されたシートは、シート搬入ローラ２６・２３で対応
する最上位ビンゴｌに送り込まれ、該シート後端の通過
を上記搬入ローラ直前に設けた紙センサ４２が検知する
と、その検知信号をＭ　Ｐ　Ｕに入力し該ＭＰＵから制
御信号をビン昇降モータに送ってビン群を上方−・１段
（ビン間隔距離）シフトさせ９次のシートを上がら２段
目のビン１２Ｊ：に送り込まれ、以下同様に複写機のセ
ット枚数だけこの動作を繰返す。次に原稿を交換して再
びコピーボタンを押すと、上記の動作を繰返す。同様に
して最後の原稿をコピーし終ると。The wait signal for copying machine B is turned off to start copying. The sheet discharged from the copying machine B by the sheet discharge roller 5 is sent to the corresponding uppermost bingo L by the sheet carry-in rollers 26 and 23, and a paper sensor 42 provided just before the carry-in roller detects the passage of the trailing edge of the sheet. When it is detected, the detection signal is input to the MPU, and the MPU sends a control signal to the bin lifting motor to shift the bin group upward by one step (bin spacing distance), move up the 9th sheet, and move up the 2nd step. This operation is repeated for the number of sheets set in the copying machine. Next, if you replace the original and press the copy button again, the above operation will be repeated. After copying the last original in the same way.

ビン群はセット枚数（図示例は４部）分だけ上方にシフ
トして停止する。The bin group is shifted upward by the set number (four in the illustrated example) and then stopped.

上記の状態において、モードスイッチ４１を押すことに
よりシート取出しモードになシ、シート押出しモータが
作動してカム軸２９を１回転させる。この回転に伴なっ
てカム６ｏが取付金具２６を介してシート押出し部材２
５を回動させ、該シート押出し部材をビン１１（〜ｉｎ
）の切欠き８１（〜８ｎ　）に進入させて該ビン上のシ
ート束Ｐ。In the above state, pressing the mode switch 41 enters the sheet take-out mode, and the sheet push-out motor operates to rotate the camshaft 29 once. With this rotation, the cam 6o is inserted into the sheet pushing member 2 through the mounting bracket 26.
5, and the sheet extrusion member is pushed into the bin 11 (~in
) into the notch 81 (~8n) of the sheet bundle P on the bin.

を第４図鎖線示のように押出す（なお、第４図は便宜的
に最終段っまシ最上位ピンのシート束を押出し状態を示
す）。この場合、ビン１１〜１１には切欠き８１〜８ｎ
を設けた側縁に上向きにガイド片１５１〜１５ｎが折曲
げ形成されてお）、シート押出し部材はそれ自体弾性を
有しているため、該シート押出し部材はシートを押出す
べきビンの上側のビンのガイド下面に当接し該ガイド下
面に沿って第７図に示すように回動する。従って、仮に
ビン間隔に不揃い−があってもシート押出し部材２５は
円滑に回動する。is pushed out as shown by the chain line in FIG. 4 (for convenience, FIG. 4 shows the state in which the sheet bundle on the topmost pin of the final stage is pushed out). In this case, the bottles 11-11 have notches 81-8n.
Guide pieces 151 to 15n are bent upward on the side edges provided with the sheets.Since the sheet extrusion member itself has elasticity, the sheet extrusion member It comes into contact with the lower surface of the guide of the bottle and rotates along the lower surface of the guide as shown in FIG. Therefore, even if the bin intervals are uneven, the sheet pushing member 25 rotates smoothly.

上記押出されたシート束Ｐｏけ柱体２２の凹部２４から
外部へ出てくるので、これを操作者が指先でつまんで取
出すことができる。シート束Ｐ。Since the extruded sheet bundle Po comes out from the recess 24 of the pillar body 22, the operator can take it out by pinching it with his fingertips. Sheet bundle P.

が取出されたことがシート束検知センサ４３ａ・４３ｂ
によシ検知されると、この検知信号を受けたＭＰＵ１０
０からの制御信号でビン昇降モータ５２を作動させ、ビ
ン群を１段下にシフトさせると共に、このシフト終了後
にシート押出しモータを作動させてカム軸２９を１回転
させ、再びシート押出ｌ一部材２５を作動させて次位の
ピン上のシート束Ｐ。を押出す。以下、同様にして前記
第４図に示すように最上位ビンのシート束Ｐｏまで各ビ
ン毎に順次に取出すことができる。第９図は上記の作動
順序を示すフローチャートである。The sheet bundle detection sensors 43a and 43b detect that the sheet has been taken out.
When the detection signal is detected, the MPU 10 receives this detection signal.
The bin lift motor 52 is activated by the control signal from 0 to shift the bin group down one step, and after this shift is completed, the sheet extrusion motor is activated to rotate the camshaft 29 once, and the sheet extrusion l member is moved again. 25 to move the sheet bundle P onto the next pin. extrude. Thereafter, in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheets can be sequentially taken out from each bin up to the sheet bundle Po in the uppermost bin. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the above operation sequence.

以上詳述したように２本発明によれば、ビン移動型のソ
ータにおいて、シートの７合収納を完了したビンを順次
にシート押出し部材と対向する位置に間欠的に移動させ
、この移動毎にシート押出し部材を作動させてピン上か
らシートを押出すものであるから、ビン段数を増やして
ビン間隔を狭くしたソータであってもシート束は非常に
取出しやすいものである。As detailed above, according to the present invention, in the bin moving type sorter, the bins that have completed storing 7 sheets are intermittently moved one after another to a position facing the sheet pushing member, and each time the bins are moved, Since the sheet extrusion member is actuated to push out the sheets from above the pins, it is very easy to take out the sheet bundles even if the sorter has an increased number of bin stages and a narrow bin interval.

なお、シート押し出し部材２５はビンとビンの間に進入
してシートを押出す形状であれば、ビン１１〜１０には
切欠き８１〜８ｎを設ける必要がない。Note that if the sheet pushing member 25 has a shape that enters between the bottles and pushes out the sheets, it is not necessary to provide the notches 81 to 8n in the bins 11 to 10.

また、ビン群１０を柱体２２の前面に沿って昇降させる
ときは該柱体には押し出されたシートが通る凹部２４を
設けなくともよい。Further, when the bottle group 10 is moved up and down along the front surface of the column 22, the column does not need to be provided with the recess 24 through which the extruded sheet passes.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は従来のソータの１例を示す正面図、第２図は従
来のソータの他の例を示す極く概略の斜視図、第３図は
本発明ソータを複写機に組付けた状態の正面図、第４図
は本発明ソータ部の斜視図。 第５図はシート押出し部材部の拡大平面図、第６図はそ
の側面図、第７図はビン群の端面図、第８図は本発明ソ
ータを駆動する電気回路のブロック図、第９図はフロー
グ・ヤードである。 Ａはソータ、Ｂは複写機、２５けシート押出し部材、４
３ａ・４３ｂはシート束取出し検知センサ。 特許出願人　キャノン株式会社FIG. 1 is a front view showing one example of a conventional sorter, FIG. 2 is a very schematic perspective view showing another example of a conventional sorter, and FIG. 3 is a state in which the sorter of the present invention is assembled into a copying machine. FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sorter section of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the sheet extrusion member, FIG. 6 is a side view thereof, FIG. 7 is an end view of the bin group, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electric circuit that drives the sorter of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is Frog Yard. A is a sorter, B is a copying machine, a 25 sheet extrusion member, 4
3a and 43b are sheet bundle removal detection sensors. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （１）　シート収納空間をあけて多段に構成した数多の
ビンよりなるビン群を、シート搬入に関連して順次に各
ビンをシート搬入ロー２と対向する位置に移動させて該
各ビンにシートを仕分収納するビン群移動型のソータに
おいて、上記シート搬入ローラから最後にシートが送シ
込まれたビン上のシートを押出すように設けられたシー
ト押出し部材と、この押出されたシートがビン上から取
出されたことを検知するシート取出しセンサと、このシ
ート取出し検知信号を受けて上記ビン群を上記シートの
仕分収納時とは反対方向にビン間隔分づつシフトさせて
２次位のビンを上記シート押出し部材と対向する位置に
移動させるビン群移動制御手段とを備え、各ビン上のシ
ートを各ビン毎に順次に押し出すように構成したことを
特徴とするソータ。(1) A bin group consisting of a large number of bins configured in multiple stages with sheet storage space is opened, and each bin is sequentially moved to a position facing the sheet carry-in row 2 in connection with sheet carry-in. In a bin group moving type sorter for sorting and storing sheets, a sheet extrusion member is provided to extrude the sheet on the bin into which the last sheet was fed from the sheet carry-in roller, and the extruded sheet is A sheet take-out sensor detects that the sheet has been taken out from above the bin, and in response to this sheet take-out detection signal, the bin group is shifted by the bin interval in the opposite direction from when the sheets were sorted and stored, and the bins are placed in the second bin. a bin group movement control means for moving the sheet to a position facing the sheet pushing member, and the sorter is configured to sequentially push out the sheets on each bin one by one.