JP3532859B2 - Sorter - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine and the like.
Each of which receives a sheet supplied from the sheet supply device of
Has a bin that can move freely with respect to the orientation port
It relates to a bin moving type sorter. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, copying as a sheet feeding apparatus
The device feeds and sets multiple documents at once, and
Automatically sorts sheets processed according to the original
Align (collate or sort) or per page
Sorter for sorting (sorting or grouping)
It is becoming increasingly popular. On the other hand, the size of the copying apparatus has been reduced year by year.
As a result, the sorter must be made even more compact.
I'm getting up. In response to such demands, recently, for example,
For example, a plurality of bins are movably arranged adjacent to each other and supplied from a copying machine.
Orientation ports for receiving the fed sheet and orienting to each of the bins
A spiral cam body with a cam groove
Then, the bin is moved along the cam groove, and the spiral cam body is moved.
Each bin is rotated one time around the axis to guide each bin sequentially to the alignment port.
Are used to store sheets
Was. In such a sorter, a spiral cam body is generally used.
Cam grooves with different inclination angles
Then, rotate the spiral cam body once around the axis, and
The spacing is different for each spiral groove
You. [0006] However, this problem
In such a conventional sorter, for example, it is supplied from the copying machine itself.
Orientation port for orienting the sheet in each bin after receiving the sheet
The bin at the position (sheet storage position) opposite to
During storage operation, remove the stored sheets from each bin.
During the unloading operation, it is always wider than other bins
And the other bins also have bin spacing in both operations.
Were identical. Therefore, conventional sorters include, for example,
Wide bin between sheet storage positions during sheet storage operation
The gap is wasted when taking out the sheet.
there were. On the other hand, during the unloading operation,
The take-out property has been improved by widening the
To reduce the bin interval at the time of removal,
Increase the number of bins to improve sheet extraction efficiency
Mode of the sorter, the position of the
The layout of each bin, in other words, each
It is not possible to change the bin interval
There was no problem to use it. An object of the present invention is to provide a bin-moving sorter.
Mode of the sorter, the position of the
The layout of each bin, in other words, each
By changing the bin interval of the
To provide a new sorter. [0008] The above object has been achieved by the present invention.
This is achieved by the following sorter. Arranged adjacent to each other
Bins for sequentially moving the bins
A sheet storage device having moving means,
Position to store sheets when storing sheets in bin
The distance between the bin at
While taking out the sheet to take out from the bin,
The bin at the sheet removal position and its
The bin moving hand so as to widen the interval with the bin directly above
Control means for controlling the stage.
Storage device. Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
You. In this embodiment, a copying apparatus is used as a sheet feeding apparatus.
A is used, and the sorter 10 is
Used as a means to sort and store copied sheets discharged from
It has been. The main part of the copying apparatus A has a well-known structure.
Yes, internally processed copied sheets (hereinafter simply
Is referred to as a sheet) from the discharge port 1 to the sorter 10.
You. The sorter 10 is placed on a base 14 as shown in FIG.
A plurality of vias are provided inside the pair of upright frame side plates 15 and 16.
30 is provided. The cover 11 is shown in FIG.
I haven't. Also, the frame side plates 15 and 16 are
a and 19b. A mounting slot 15 formed in the frame side plate 15
a includes a spiral cam constituting the bin moving means 50 described later.
The support member 17 for rotatably supporting the memory body 51 is fitted and fixed.
Have been. One of the frame side plates 16 has two mounting long holes.
16a and 16b are drilled, and the support members 18a and 1
8b is fitted and fixed. In FIG. 1, a front surface facing copying apparatus A is shown.
Is provided with a feed path 20 for receiving and sending sheets from the sheet discharge port 1.
The outlet of the feed path 20 on the bin 30 side is
The orientation port 20a is provided. A pair of receiving rollers is provided at the entrance side of the feeding path 20.
21 and an orientation roller pair 22 at the orientation port 20a.
Each is arranged. These roller pairs 21 and 22 are
Driven by the feed motor 23 and a series of belts, gear trains, etc.
ing. The feed motor 23 has a speed sensor S1.
A sheet supply / discharge sensor S2 is disposed in front of the orientation roller pair 22.
Is established. The paper supply / discharge sensor S2 passes through the alignment port 20a.
Also functions as a sheet counter for sheets to be oriented
I have. In this embodiment, ten bins 30 are vertically arranged.
They are arranged adjacent to each other. So here,
3010, etc.
I will do it. Each bin 30 is deeply cut as shown in FIG.
The mounting portion 31 having the cutout 31a and the leading end of the sheet
And a receiving plate 32 to be received and aligned.
Swing lever 4 that constitutes each sheet presence sensor S10
A notch 35 for 1 is drilled. And said
As shown in FIG. 4, a screw (described later) is
Engagement with the cam grooves 51A, B, C, D of the turning cam body 51
Mating pins 33, 34a, 34b are protruded. FIG. 1 shows a sheet presence / absence detection sensor S10 for each bin.
As shown in FIG.
Swing lever 4 pivotally supported at the center in a vertical plane
1. A photocoupler fixed to the base of the swing lever 41
And a sector 43 that cuts off the optical axis.
When there is a sheet in the bin 30, the notch 35 is closed.
When the swing lever 41 is lifted, the sector 43 is
Cuts the optical axis of the photocoupler body 40 and detects the presence of a sheet
I do. If no sheets are stored in the bin 30,
The swing lever 41 falls into the hole 35 and the sector 43 is
The optical axis of the main body 40 is opened to detect the absence of a sheet. Here, the leading and trailing ends of the sheet in this embodiment
Definition of the end and the top, back end or back of bin 30
Keep it. When a sheet is traveling along the feeding path 20
Means that the leading and trailing edges of the sheet are determined in the direction of travel.
However, the rear end of such a sheet forms the orientation roller pair 22.
From the moment you move away, reverse the top and back ends,
The front end is the rear end or the rear end, and the rear end is the front end or the front end
Shall be referred to as And the top and bottom of this sheet
Corresponding to the definition, the bin 30 also has the front end at the receiving plate 32 side,
Side or front, opposite side is called rear, rear, etc.
It shall be. Such a definition applies to the entire sorter.
And the side facing the copying apparatus A is referred to as the front.
And the opposite side is the rear. This is a sorter 10
At the center, the accessory to the copying machine A
It came out of the idea. FIG.
Sheet storage mode for storing the discharged sheets in each bin 30
FIG. 4 is a view showing the state of the sorter at the time of loading, and the bin 30
As shown in the figure, the receiving plate 32 is placed on its side,
The mounting portion 31 has an inclination angle α that is raised upward. Thus, the bin 30 is moved by the bin moving means 50.
It is configured to be freely controlled by
The bin moving means 50 includes support members 17, 18a, 18b.
Three spiral cam bodies 51 rotatably supported upright
And a drive comprising a drive motor 61, a drive transmission member 62, etc.
And an apparatus 60. The spiral cam body 51 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body as shown in FIGS.
~ As shown in Fig. 15, four different lead angles
Spiral cam grooves 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D having
, And each of the cam grooves 51A to 51D is
Is also right-handed, so that a clockwise rotation will cause
Ascending and descending by counterclockwise rotation. And of each cam groove
The inclination angles from the bottom are θ1 for 51A, θ2 for 51B,
51C is θ3, and 51D is θ4. Of these,
Groove 51C is formed between two different inclination angles θ31 and θ32.
Θ3 = θ31 + θ32.
In the present embodiment, in the half rotation (180 °) of the spiral cam body 51,
θ31 = 0 degrees. Then, between the inclination angles, θ2 ≒ θ32> θ
1 ≒ θ4. Accompanying this, sheet revenue
Each cam groove with a rotation angle of 0 degree of the spiral cam body 51 in the delivery mode
L2>L3> L
1 ≒ L4. As described above, the lead angle θ1 of the cam groove 51A
Is small, and the interval between the bins 30 is
The interval is set to a small interval L1, and as shown in FIG.
The number of cam grooves matches the number (10 in this embodiment)
ing. The position of the cam groove 51A corresponds to the home position of the bin 30.
Name. The inclination angle θ2 of the next cam groove 51B is large.
The bin interval L2 is maximized as shown in FIG. Sheet
Receives the sheet orientation when bin 30 is in this position.
You. This position is referred to as a sheet storage position. Note that this
One cam groove 51B at the port storage position, that is, once
It only has diversion. As described above, the cam groove 51C has a compound inclination angle.
And θ31 of θ3 is shown in FIGS. 6B to 15B.
As shown, until the spiral cam body 51 rotates by 180 degrees.
The inclination angle of 0 degrees is maintained. Therefore, the cam groove 51
Difference between the inclination angle of C and the inclination angle of the adjacent cam groove 51B
The interval between the bins on both cam grooves is changed by the spiral cam body 51
It will narrow with the rotation of. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14B, the spiral cam body 51 stops.
Compare when the rotation angle is 0 degree and when it is 180 degree.
Then, within the same space X, the stop rotation angle 180
Add bin γ as a bin to take out the sheet
The number of bins for sheet removal is increased by one.
And Therefore, in this embodiment, the sheet is stored.
The distance between the rotating bins increases.
"At 0 degree" as the sheet storage mode and take out the sheet
Increase the number of bins [The rotation angle of the spiral cam body 51 is 180 degrees
Is the sheet take-out mode.
Details will be described later. On the cam groove 51C, the interval between the bins 30 is set.
A cam groove 51D having an interval substantially equal to the cam groove 51A is formed.
You have set. In this embodiment, the spiral cam body 51 has three
Reference position for starting and stopping when rotating by 60 degrees
(Hereinafter referred to as the stop position), the sheet storage mode and the sheet
One rotation of the spiral cam body 51 according to the take-out mode
There are two locations, which allow the seat storage mode
And a take-out mode for taking out sheets from each bin 30
To make the stop position around the axis of the spiral cam body 51 different.
Can be done. More specifically, in this embodiment, one example will be described.
After completion of the sheet storage mode as described above, the spiral cam body 51
To the stop position in the sheet removal mode, that is, the sheet storage
Half rotation from the stop position of the spiral cam body 51 in the mode,
By rotating it to a position of 180 degrees.
After setting the reference of the stop position as the extension mode
Spiral cam body 51 every 360 degrees according to taking out sheet
By controlling the rotation and stop of the motor in the seat storage mode
The bin interval at the sheet storage position
And increase the number of ejection bins substantially
It has become. Therefore, the spiral cam body 51 is placed on the sheet.
Stop position in delivery mode (hereafter referred to as origin position)
Or from the sheet removal position
Need to be discriminated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the spiral
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a spiral cam
Half-moon-shaped cam plate 52 and photo as body rotation control means
A phase discrimination sensor S7 serving as a coupler is provided. This place
According to the phase discrimination sensor S7, for example, the origin position is as follows.
(Stop angle position 0 °) or a position 180 degrees from the origin position
Can be determined. When bin rises (Motor 61 correct
Sensor S7 ON → OFF 0 ° Sensor S7 OFF → ON 180 ° When the bin descends (motor 61 reverse rotation) Sensor S7 ON → OFF 180 ° Sensor S7 OFF → ON 0} Alternatively, a spiral cam body 1 on 51 axis of rotation
Two projections provided with a phase of 80 degrees are provided.
Of which are detected when each bin is at the home position
Starting from the starting point
180 degrees from the position, the even-numbered projection
Always store the number of detections as the origin position
In the sheet storage mode and the sheet removal mode.
The rotation of the spiral cam 51 may be controlled. Each of the spiral cams 51 is provided to provide an inclination angle α.
Have the same rotational phase and their mutual vertical positions
The support members 17, 18a, 18b already described with a slight shift
Each is rotatably supported. The drive transmission member 62 is an output of the drive motor 61.
The drive pulley 63 attached to the shaft, and each spiral cam body 5
1 belt pulleys 64 fixed to the lower shaft end
.. and teeth wound on these pulleys 63, 64 ..
And an attached belt 65. The driving motor 61 further includes a spiral cam 51
A rotation sensor S3 for detecting the number of rotations is provided.
You. The rotation sensor S3 shows a rotation signal of the spiral cam body 51.
Ascending or descending via
Also acts as a counting means for counting the number of sheets 30
are doing. It should be noted that all the bins 30 are lowered and the home position P
1, the bin detecting the lowest bin 3010
When the beam position sensor S5 and all the bins 30 are raised,
The upper limit sensor S6 for detecting the upper limit position of
It is installed in. S4 is in all bottles 30
Sheet presence / absence detection sensor
And light-receiving and light-emitting elements through each bin 30.
You. Here, the sheet removal inspection will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 13 shows another configuration example of the intellectual sensor S10 different from the above embodiment.
You. In the above embodiment, the swing lever 41 is attached to the tip.
Despite having rollers, trying to take it out of bin 30
If you try to return the sheet that was
The tip of the port is caught on the swing lever 41. The above problem is improved in this embodiment.
Then, as shown in FIG.
Is provided. Then, the roller 74 is guided
71a is attached to the base. With the above configuration, the take-out
When returning to the original sheet, the sheet is guided
Guided by the portion 71a, and safely return to below the swing lever 71.
Can be attributed. Next, referring to FIG. 17 to FIG.
A modified example of the position sensor will be described. The position sensor S12 includes a pair of photocaps.
Home position, upper limit position, lower limit position
To form the logic of a particular bin,
For example, a lever 80 connected to the lower bin 3010,
Home position shield plate 80a fixed to lever 80, below
The upper limit position shield plate 80c, the upper limit position shield plate 80c,
A photocoupler 81 and a lower photocoupler 82.
ing. FIG. 17 shows the state of the home position.
The home position shielding plate 80a cuts the lower photocoupler 82.
However, the lower limit position shielding plate 80b is still above the photocap.
La 81 is not shielded. In contrast, the lower limit of FIG.
In this case, the home position shielding plate 80a is
2, and the lower limit position shielding plate 80b is also
The photocoupler 81 has been cut. In other words, the lower photocoupler
82 alone indicates the home position, and the upper and lower photocouplers 8
The lower limit position is indicated by the product logic that simultaneously cuts 1 and 82
According to this information, the movement of the bin 30 is
You can build logic that is directional. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
80c cuts upper photocoupler 81 to the upper limit
This information is confused with any of the above information
Instead, the logic can be a bin-oriented logic.
Next, the operation will be described. First, the storing operation will be described. The sorter 10 has a non-sort mode and a
Mode can be selected according to the selection on the main unit side.
I have. Then, in sort mode, further align each page
Collating (sorting) and the specified page for each bin
Sorting (collating or grouping)
Is well known. Initially, the bin 30 is shown in the cam groove 51A of FIG.
It is assumed that the user is in the home position. In this case the top
The first bin 301 receives a sheet from the orientation roller pair 22.
Therefore, it is located at the sheet storage position indicated by the cam groove 51B.
The upper part is widely open. Therefore, if the non-sort mode is selected
In this case, the sheet is stored in the first bin 301 as it is.
Will be. If the first bin 301 is not enough
The spiral cam body 51 is automatically or manually operated by a manual button (not shown).
Is driven to make one rotation (in the embodiment, left rotation), and the first bin
When the upper bin 301 is moved upward, the second bin 302 and lower bins become younger.
And the second bin 302 comes to the sheet storage position.
Therefore, the sheet orientation may be continued as it is. Next, with reference to FIGS.
The case of the sorting mode in the delivery operation will be described. First, in the case of sorting (grouping),
Is the bin 30 manually specified in the non-sort mode.
The page will be sent automatically by the number of pages. Each of the bins 301 to 3010 is as shown in FIG.
All are in the home position. In this case, the spiral cam body 51
Engaging pin 3 provided in each bin to engage with each cam groove
3, 34a and 34b are spiral cam bodies 5 as shown in FIG.
1 is engaged with each cam groove when the rotation angle is 0 degree.
You. Therefore, the sheet sent from the copying apparatus A is
Is detected by the paper supply / discharge sensor S2 before the orientation roller pair 22.
When the sheet is detected, the feeding motor 23 is started, and the sheet is oriented low.
It is sent to the first bin 301 by the pair of rollers 22. A predetermined number of sheets are fed into the first bin 301
From the sheet supply / discharge sensor S2 as a sheet counter.
The drive motor 61 of the bin moving means 50 is started by the signal of
Moves, makes one rotation (360 °) and raises the first bin 301
7A, the second bin 302 is in the sheet storage position.
And a second page sheet is fed. Spiral cam body
51, engagement pins 33, 34a, 34 of each bin 30
The rotation position of the spiral cam body 51 is 0 degree when the engagement position b is set.
The engagement with each cam groove at the time remains unchanged. on the other hand,
The first bin 301 has the maximum inclination angle θ2 of the cam groove 51B.
Rise along. A predetermined number of sheets are fed to the second bin 302.
When it is inserted, the spiral cam body 51 rotates to the left by the signal.
Then, the second bin 302 is sent upward, and the third bin 3
03 comes to the storage position. On the other hand, the first bin 301 has the cam groove 5
Move to a higher rank along 1C. At this time it is noteworthy
Means that the inclination angle θ3 in the cam groove 51C is actually the rotation angle.
Combination of inclination angles θ31 and θ32 at every 180 °
In particular, in this embodiment, is θ31 0 degree?
In addition, until the spiral cam body 51 rotates 180 degrees,
Maintains the tilt angle. Therefore, from the cam groove 51B
Bins adjacent to the cam groove 51C, for example, the first bin
301 and second bin 302, second bin 302 and third bin 3
The interval such as 03 is narrow. This is the cam groove 51C
Between the inclination angle of the cam groove 51B and the inclination angle of the adjacent cam groove 51B.
This is what is occurring. In the same manner, storage is completed up to the fourth bin 304
Then, as described above, the fifth bin 305 is further rotated by one turn and stored.
Position, but one of the first bins 301 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The bin interval between the two bins 302 is very small as in the home position.
It has become a bad thing. In this way, a sheet of a predetermined page is fed.
Sorting is completed when it is entered. Not used for sorting
Sharp bin 30 is the number of revolutions of spiral cam body 51 (integer times)
Rise and the top bin 30 among the remaining bins 30
It is stopped at the home position as the seat storage position. When the sorting is completed, the bins are stored in the bins 30.
It shifts to the take-out operation to take out the stored sheet
However, this will be described later. Next, collation (sorting)
G) The operation will be described. In the case of collation, sheets are arranged for each page
Therefore, the first bin 301 corresponds to the desired number of copies.
Bins, for example, up to the fifth bin 305,
Sheet, that is, the sheets of the first page are sequentially stored and
Good. The lifting operation of each of the bins 301 to 305 at this time is described above.
Similar to the case of the division operation, except that the fifth bin 305
When it is received, it stops at the sheet storage position.
Then, at that position, the orientation of the second page sheet is
You. First, the trailing edge of the first sheet of the first page is
Detected by the paper supply / discharge sensor S2, and after a short time, this sensor
The drive motor 61 rotates forward by the signal of S2, and the first
To the position where it engages with the helical cam 51C, and the second
Sheet storage position where bin 302 engages with helical cam 51B
Raise to And here, the second sheet of the first page is collected
After that, the sheet is similarly oriented to each bin 30.
Good. Next, in the orientation of the second page of the sheet, the second page
The trailing edge of the first sheet of the page is detected by the paper feed / discharge sensor S2.
Some time after being known, by the signal of this sensor S2
The drive motor 61 rotates in the reverse direction, and
30 moves downward, and the fourth bin 304
To the storage position. And the second on the second page
The sheet is oriented to the fourth bin 304. In this manner, the second bin is moved to the first bin 301.
Once the second sheet has been oriented,
In the same manner as the sheet orientation operation of the first bin 301,
The sheets of the third page are sequentially oriented. When the number of pages of the storage sheet is an odd number,
The bins 30 containing the trays are not the lowest
(301 to 304) are located above the sheet storage position.
Only the lowest bin 305 is in the sheet storage position.
You. During the above operation, the spiral cam body 51
Every rotation of a bin by 360 degrees
Of course. During the storage operation, the sheet take-out detection cell is set.
The sensor S10 is configured not to operate. Next, FIGS. 6 (a) and 7 (a) to
10 (a), 11 (b), 12 (b) to 15
The sheet taking-out operation will be described with reference to FIG.
You. First, at the time of completion of the sheet storing operation,
In the sorter of the present embodiment, the sheet storage mode up to that point is used.
Transfer to the sheet take-out mode from the sheet storage mode
From the switch signal to the sheet take-out mode
Has been done. This signal is a signal from the copying apparatus A side.
However, an unillustrated take-out switch provided on the sorter 10 side
It may be a signal from a switch. Up to which bin
The information on whether the sheet is stored is based on the drive device 60 side.
(Not shown) by a signal from the rotation sensor S3 of FIG.
The device has memorized. In the sheet storage mode,
The sheet removal detection sensor S10 which has stopped functioning also
It functions in the sheet take-out mode. When the number of sorted sheets is odd (the number of copies is 2)
Copies), each of which is at the end of the sheet storage mode.
The storage bin is as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 10 (a).
At the upper part of the sorter. So copy
In response to a signal from device A or the extraction switch,
When the output signal is issued, the signal is used as a trigger,
First, the spiral cam body 51 is rotated half a turn by the drive motor 61.
(180 degrees). And the position rotated by 180 degrees
From the sheet take-out detection sensor-10.
360 degrees x N (N = integer) until no sheet is detected
Rotate each bin downward to remove the sheet
When the absence of the sheet by the sensor 10 is detected, the spiral cam
The rotation of the body 51 is stopped. Then, when stopping, the
Rotated to raise each bin again by the amount of rotation
Then, the spiral cam body 5 is moved in the state shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b).
1 stops. Thus, the number of sorted sheets is odd.
(Except when the number of copies is 2 or less)
All bins are temporarily moved to the home position when moving to the take-out mode.
It is possible to shift to the sheet removal mode without returning
There is no time loss. In this state, the first three bins
Have appropriate spaces above and below them.
Therefore, the sheets stored in these bins are extremely
It is easy to take out, for example, the number of sorting
If more than 3 copies, it is possible to take out 3 bins at a time
Has become. When the sheet is taken out, take out the sheet
The swing lever 41 of the detection sensor S10 is notch 3 of each bin.
5 and the sensor body (photocoupler) 40 is turned off.
→ Switch to ON. At this time, the sheet presence / absence
If the sensor S4 still has a sheet, the other
Helical cam
By rotating the body 51 by a positive multiple of 360 degrees,
The bin 30 holding the sheet is in the sheet removal detection
The bin up to the position detected by sensor S10
Let it. The rotation speed of the spiral cam body 51 at this time is
According to the bins taken out and the number of sheets taken out
Is decided. Thereafter, this operation is repeated. Then, all sheets are taken out of each bin.
Then, based on the signal of the sheet presence sensor S4 of all the bins,
In order to return all the bins to the home position, the spiral cam body 51
After rotating 180 degrees clockwise (downward),
Number of copies -1) x 360 degrees to rotate all bins 30
Complete the operation by placing it in the home position. Used at this time
The number of sorting units to be installed is provided in the sorter itself or in the main unit.
This is drawn from the control device
The number of copies is determined by the control device at the end of sorting.
At the end of the session. When the number of sorted sheets is even,
If the number of copies is odd and the number of copies is within 2 copies,
The storage bins at the end of the storage mode are shown in FIGS.
(B), as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).
The motor stops at the lower part of the sorter. And Saw
In the same way as when the number of copies is odd,
The extraction signal is generated by the signal from the extraction switch.
When this is done, the signal is used as a trigger to
The spiral cam body 51 is rotated half a turn (180 degrees)
You. And the rotational position control of the spiral cam is also the odd number
The same as in the case where the spiral cam body 51 is rotated by 180 degrees.
From the sheet take-out detection sensor-10
360 degrees x N (N = integer) until a sheet is detected
13) and rotated in the state of FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b).
The turning cam body 51 stops. In this state, the first three bins
Have appropriate spaces above and below them.
Therefore, the sheets stored in these bins are extremely
It is easy to take out, for example, the number of sorting
If more than 3 copies, it is possible to take out 3 bins at a time
Has become. Thereafter, bin movement control according to sheet removal
Is the same as in the case of the odd numbered sheet. The number of sorting copies
If the number of sheets is 2 or less and the number of sheets is even,
The storing operation ends in this state. In this case, the storage mode ends
Thereafter, the process proceeds to the take-out mode shown in FIGS.
However, since the number of copies at the take-out position does not change,
If the number of copies is 2 or less and the number of sheets is even,
After the storage mode ends, do not shift to the removal mode.
Alternatively, the sheet may be taken out. Usually a sheet
At the time of removal, the system is detected by the removal detection sensor S10.
-The bin is moved at the detection position, ie, the state shown in FIG.
Stop and take out the sheet by the take-out detection sensor S10.
Each time a roll is detected, the bin moves.
But the number of sheets is less than 5 and the number of sheets
If the number is even, after the storage mode is completed,
After the transition, do not stop at the position of FIG.
State. That is, in the state of FIG.
Shows the top five bins of the bin group, so the top
While the bin 301 is in the non-removal position,
Has enough space and can be used as a take-out bin.
Further, the lowest bin 3 in the bin group containing the sheet
Since sheets are not stored in each bin under 05,
Through the notch 31a shown in FIG.
There is ample space and can also be used as a takeout bin
You. Therefore, if the number of sorting copies is 5 or less, the number of sheets
If the number is even, after the storage mode is completed,
After the transition, do not stop at the position of FIG.
To take out 5 sheets at a time
Can be If the number of sorting copies is 3 or less,
When the number of sheets is even, after the storage mode ends, FIG.
Without stopping at the position shown in FIG.
At the time of shifting to the mode, take out the sheet and
-You may try to shorten the time required to remove
No. Further, in the sorter of the present embodiment, the sheet storage mode is used.
-Seat removal by take-out detection sensor S10
After detecting the output, the bin is counted after counting the timer for a predetermined time.
To move the bins,
Prevents accidents such as hands being pinched in bottles. But
Then, the operator removes the sheet inside the bottle
While being ready to take out the next sheet, the sorter
Waiting for the timer count will cause operator discomfort.
A separate manual bin move button
Is pressed by the operator, the timer of the sorter
Even if counting is not completed, take out the next bin
May be moved. In this embodiment,
The bottle was moved using three spiral cams, but two
A screw cam may be used. In this embodiment, the pitch of the spiral groove is
Since one bin was provided, it hit one rotation of the spiral cam body.
Multiple stop positions, but multiple
In the case where bins are provided at a rate of one bin, for example, a spiral
Multiple stop positions per cam rotation
May be. <Modification> In the present embodiment, the screws shown in FIGS.
The rotation angle of the turning cam body 51 is indicated by 0 degree and 180 degrees 2
The position was set as the stop position of the spiral cam body 51.
There are more than two stop positions, and cams that are adjacent to each stop position
Even if you make the inclination angle of the groove different and make each bin interval different
It goes without saying that it is good. Also, this stop position increases
Increases the number of protrusions of the rotation control means of the spiral cam body 51
Then, the rotation stop position of the spiral cam body 51 at less than 180 degrees
May be detected. In this embodiment, the sheet
Because the bin interval of the storage position is wide, the sheet storage mode and the sheet
The bin interval in the take-out mode is different as follows.
However, bin interval in sheet storage mode> sheet removal
Conversely, bin interval at the time of mode Bin interval at the time of sheet storage mode
<As the bin interval in the sheet removal mode,
The protrusion property may be improved. In the present embodiment, in the sheet storage mode,
The bin spacing of the bins that should be in the storage position
-Changed at intervals, but changed at intervals
The target does not need to be limited to the bin in the storage position,
For example, set the bin interval for taking out in the sheet storage mode.
So that it is wider in the sheet take-out mode.
To make it easier to take out the sheet,
May be changed, or the sheet may be taken.
In the feeding mode, the interval between all bins is expanded and all bins are sheeted.
For example, it can be used as a bin for taking out.
In the take-out mode, the interval of all bins is changed.
May be. In this embodiment, in the seat storage position,
By narrowing the bin interval in the take-out mode,
Increasing the number of bins for unloading increases the efficiency of unloading sheets
The sheet is taken out at the time of taking out mode.
Widening the space between bins for easy sheet removal
And the like are also possible. Further, the bin interval is changed for each predetermined stop position.
According to the obtained sorter using the present invention, the same spiral cam can be used.
While using, at a certain stop position, the upper part of the
Set a sheet storage position with a bin interval, and set another stop position.
The seat storage position at the center or lower part of the sorter.
Main units such as multiple types of copiers
Can be easily adapted to

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a sorter. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an assembled state of a spiral cam body and a bin. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a bin, a spiral cam body, and a driving device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottle. FIG. 5 is a cam plate for a phase discrimination sensor of a spiral cam body. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet storing operation. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet storing operation. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet storing operation. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet storing operation. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet storing operation. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet take-out operation. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet removing operation. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet removing operation. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet removing operation. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a bin moving state during a sheet removing operation. FIG. 16 is another structural example of a bin-by-bin sheet presence / absence sensor. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing position detection of a bin. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing position detection of a bin. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing position detection of a bin. [Description of Signs] 10 Sorter 20a Orientation port 30 Bin 51 Helical cam bodies 51A to 51D Cam grooves θ1 to θ4 Cam groove lead angle S3 (Drive motor) Rotation sensor (means for counting the number of bins) S7 (Spiral cam body) Phase discrimination sensor (helical cam body rotation control means) n Number of bins at set position

Claims (1)

(57) Claims: A plurality of bins arranged adjacent to each other;
A bin moving means for sequentially moving the bin, wherein the sheet is stored in the bin and the interval between the bin at the position where the sheet is stored and the bin immediately above the bin is stored in the bin. A sheet storage device comprising: a control unit that controls the bin moving unit so that the bin is narrowed at the time of taking out the sheet to be taken out and the interval between the bin at the sheet taking out position and the bin immediately above the sheet is taken out at the time of taking out the sheet. .