Sheet removal device and sheet removal method

Abstract

To provide a sheet take-out device and a sheet take-out method that easily separate and take out sheets.SOLUTION: A sheet take-out device has a bottom part, a drive mechanism, a transport part and a control part. The bottom part has a loading space where a sheet is loaded in an upper part. The drive mechanism has a suction part that can suck a sheet from the upper part and can move the suction part. The transport part can transport the sheet and is provided downstream of the bottom part in a transport direction of the sheet. The control part can control the drive mechanism and the transport part. The suction part sucks an upstream end of the sheet in the transport direction and bends the upstream end of the sheet upward to an angle equal to or greater than a maximum separation angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sheet removal device and a sheet removal method. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, printed materials such as advertisements, point-of-sale displays, notices, and decorative sheets have utilized magnetic paper, including magnetic sheets. These printed materials are printed by feeding the paper (sheets) into the manual feed tray of a digital multifunction printer (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral). With magnetic sheets and other sheets that have strong inter-sheet adhesion, it is difficult to separate only one sheet from a stack, and it may be time-consuming to manually feed each sheet into the manual feed tray one by one. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-178708 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a sheet removal device and a sheet removal method that can easily separate and remove sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sheet dispensing device of the embodiment comprises a bottom portion, a drive mechanism, a transport portion, and a control portion. The bottom portion has a loading space above on which sheets are loaded. The drive mechanism has a suction portion capable of picking up the sheets from above, and the suction portion is movable. The transport portion is capable of transporting the sheets and is located downstream of the bottom portion in the transport direction of the sheets. The control portion can control the drive mechanism and the transport portion. The suction portion picks up the upstream end of the sheet in the transport direction, While suppressing the position of the downstream end of the sheet from being pulled towards the upstream side The upstream end of the sheet is bent upward to an angle greater than the maximum separation angle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet removal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic perspective view showing the sheet dispensing device according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 3] Functional block diagram of the sheet removal device. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view showing the separation angle in the sheet removal device. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view showing the maximum separation angle and the operating angle of the suction part in the sheet removal device. [Figure 7] A plan view showing the sheet bending direction in the sheet removal device. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] A schematic perspective view showing a sheet removal device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Hereinafter, a sheet ejection device and a sheet ejection method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of these components may be omitted. Also, in the present application, "based on XX" means "based at least on XX", and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Further, "based on XX" is not limited to the case of directly using XX, and includes cases where it is based on something obtained by performing operations or processing on XX. "XX" is an arbitrary element (for example, arbitrary information).

[0008] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus including a sheet ejection device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the sheet ejection device according to the present embodiment.

[0009] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the vertical direction in the sheet ejection device 160 is defined as the "vertical direction V", the vertically upward direction is defined as the "upper side UP" in the vertical direction V, and the vertically downward direction is defined as the "lower side LO" in the vertical direction V. Also, the conveyance direction in the sheet conveyance path is defined as the "conveyance direction D", the direction in which the sheet is conveyed is defined as the "downstream side FR" in the conveyance direction D, and the opposite direction is defined as the "upstream side RR" in the conveyance direction D. Further, the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in the sheet is defined as the "width direction H", the leftward direction when viewed from the downstream side FR is defined as the "left side LT" in the width direction H, and the opposite direction is defined as the "right side RT" in the width direction H.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet (paper). For example, the image forming apparatus 100 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals), a printer, a copier, or the like. Hereinafter, an example in the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is an MFP as shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display 110, a control panel 120, a printer unit 130, a sheet storage unit 140, an image reading unit 150, and a sheet removal device 160.

[0012] The display 110 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display 110 displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] The control panel 120 has multiple buttons. The control panel 120 accepts user input. The control panel 120 outputs signals corresponding to the user's input to a control device (not shown) that controls the image forming apparatus 100. The display 110 and the control panel 120 may be configured as a single touch panel.

[0014] The printer unit 130 performs a series of printing operations using various information output from the display 110, control panel 120, and image reading unit 150, etc. The series of printing operations includes operations such as inputting image information, forming an image, transferring the formed image to a sheet, and transporting the sheet.

[0015] The sheet storage section 140 is a sheet cassette that stores sheets. The user can pull out the sheet storage section 140 and store sheets in it. The image forming apparatus 100 may be provided with multiple sheet storage sections 140. Sheets stored in the sheet storage section 140 are transported to the printer section 130 and printed.

[0016] The image reading unit 150 reads the image information to be read, for example, using a CCD sensor. The image reading unit 150 records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to other information processing devices via a network. The recorded image information may be used to form an image on a sheet by the printer unit 130.

[0017] The sheet removal device 160 is installed inside the sheet storage section 140 and performs the transport operation of the stored sheets.

[0018] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the sheet removal device 160, whose external appearance is shown in Figure 2. The sheet removal device 160 comprises a bottom section 10, a first side wall section 21, a second side wall section 22, a front wall section 23, a transport section 30, a detection section 40, a drive mechanism 50, a suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70, and a control section 90. Note that the detection section 40 is not shown in Figure 2.

[0019] The bottom portion 10 is a base for accommodating the sheet bundle S and has a loading space 10s on its upper side UP on which the sheets are stacked. The bottom portion 10 is a flat plate-shaped member with sufficient area on its upper surface UP to load the sheet bundle S. In this embodiment, the upper surface UP of the bottom portion 10 has an area capable of loading A4-sized sheets. Also, in a plan view from above UP, the bottom portion 10 is rectangular, with its long side extending in the transport direction D. The shape of the bottom portion 10 is not limited to this, and it is sufficient as long as it has a shape that allows the sheet bundle S to be stacked on its upper side UP.

[0020] Furthermore, the bottom portion 10 is movable in the vertical direction V. For example, the bottom portion 10 may be provided with a device that drives it in the vertical direction V by an electric motor below LO. Alternatively, it may have a compression spring below LO, and move in the vertical direction V by the biasing force of the compression spring. Details of the movement of the bottom portion 10 in the vertical direction V will be described later.

[0021] The first side wall portion 21 is a flat plate-shaped member provided on the left side LT (one side in the width direction H) of the bottom surface portion 10 and extending in the transport direction D. As shown in Figure 2, the height of the first side wall portion 21 in the vertical direction V is higher than the upper surface UP of the bottom surface portion 10. Therefore, the first side wall portion 21 has a guide function to regulate the position in the width direction H of the sheets loaded in the loading space 10s of the bottom surface portion 10. The height of the first side wall portion 21 can be set to any height depending on the number and thickness of the sheets to be loaded.

[0022] Furthermore, the dimensions of the first side wall portion 21 in the transport direction D only need to be long enough to function as a guide for the sheet, and any dimensions can be adopted depending on the size of the sheet to be loaded.

[0023] The second side wall portion 22 is a flat plate-shaped member provided on the right side RT (the other side in the width direction H) of the bottom surface portion 10 and extending in the transport direction D. As shown in Figure 2, the height of the second side wall portion 22 in the vertical direction V is higher than the upper surface UP of the bottom surface portion 10. Therefore, the second side wall portion 22 has a guide function for regulating the position in the width direction H of the sheets loaded in the loading space 10s of the bottom surface portion 10. The height of the second side wall portion 22 can be set to any height depending on the number and thickness of the sheets to be loaded.

[0024] Furthermore, the dimensions of the second side wall portion 22 in the transport direction D only need to be long enough to function as a guide for the sheet, and any dimensions can be adopted depending on the size of the sheet to be loaded.

[0025] The front wall portion 23 is a flat plate-shaped member provided on the downstream side FR of the bottom surface portion 10 and extending in the width direction H. As shown in Figure 2, the height of the front wall portion 23 in the vertical direction V is higher than the upper surface UP of the bottom surface portion 10. Therefore, the front wall portion 23 has a guide function to regulate the position of the sheets loaded in the loading space 10s of the bottom surface portion 10 in the transport direction D. The height of the front wall portion 23 can be set to any height depending on the number and thickness of the sheets to be loaded.

[0026] Furthermore, the dimension of the front wall portion 23 in the width direction H only needs to be long enough to function as a guide for the sheet, and any dimension can be adopted depending on the size of the sheet to be loaded.

[0027] Furthermore, in the sheet bundle S loaded in the loading space 10s, the sheet located at the very top UP is transported to the downstream side FR by the transport unit 30. At this time, the front wall portion 23 has the function of preventing the sheets located second and subsequent from the top UP from moving to the downstream side FR. For this reason, the height of the front wall portion 23 in the vertical direction V is lower than the sheet located at the very top UP in the stacked sheets, and it is desirable that it be about the same height as the sheet located second from the top UP.

[0028] The transport unit 30 comprises a first transport unit 31, a second transport unit 32, and a third transport unit 33. The transport unit 30 transports the sheet located at the top UP of the sheet bundle S loaded in the loading space 10s to the downstream side FR. The sheet transported by the transport unit 30 is sent to the printer unit 130 for printing.

[0029] The first conveying section 31 is located at the downstream end (front end) of the bottom section 10 FR. Furthermore, the first conveying section 31 is positioned above the sheets loaded in the loading space 10s.

[0030] The first conveying unit 31 is a roughly cylindrical or cylindrical roller extending in the width direction H, and is rotatable about its central axis. In this embodiment, the first conveying unit 31 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left LT.

[0031] When viewed from the left LT, the first conveying unit 31 rotates counterclockwise, and when it comes into contact with the upper surface UP of the sheet, the sheet is conveyed downstream FR by the first conveying unit 31.

[0032] The second conveying section 32 is located on the downstream side FR of the front wall section 23. Furthermore, the second conveying section 32 is located above the upper end UP of the front wall section 23. Also, the positions of the first conveying section 31 and the second conveying section 32 in the vertical direction V are approximately the same.

[0033] The second conveying section 32 is a roughly cylindrical or cylindrical roller extending in the width direction H, and is rotatable about its central axis. In this embodiment, the second conveying section 32 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left LT.

[0034] The third conveying section 33 is located downstream FR of the front wall section 23. Furthermore, the third conveying section 33 is located below LO of the second conveying section 32.

[0035] The third conveying section 33 is a roughly cylindrical or cylindrical roller extending in the width direction H, and is rotatable about its central axis. In this embodiment, the third conveying section 33 rotates clockwise when viewed from the left LT.

[0036] The sheet, transported to the downstream FR by the first transport unit 31, is then transported further downstream to the FR by the second transport unit 32 and the third transport unit 33. The sheet is sandwiched vertically in the V direction between the second transport unit 32, which rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left LT, and the third transport unit 33, which rotates clockwise when viewed from the left LT, and is transported to the downstream FR by contacting the second transport unit 32 and the third transport unit 33. Therefore, the position of the third transport unit 33 in the vertical direction V relative to the second transport unit 32 can be set to any position depending on the thickness of the sheet.

[0037] Furthermore, the third conveying unit 33 may rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the left LT to prevent two sheets from being conveyed together to the downstream FR. For example, the third conveying unit 33 may be provided with a one-way clutch structure so that when there is one sheet passing between the second conveying unit 32 and the third conveying unit 33, it rotates clockwise when viewed from the left LT, and when there are two sheets, it rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left LT to prevent the second sheet (lower LO) from being conveyed to the downstream FR.

[0038] The detection unit 40 is a detector capable of detecting the height of the sheet located at the top UP of the sheet bundle S loaded in the loading space 10s. The detection unit 40 is, for example, a photosensor. Specifically, by using a sensor that integrates a transmissive photosensor and a rotating lever, when the top surface of the sheet bundle S reaches a predetermined height, the lever comes into contact with the photosensor and rotates, thereby blocking the optical path of the photosensor with the lever and enabling height detection.

[0039] Alternatively, the first conveying unit 31 may be positioned so that it is in contact with the upper surface of the sheet before conveying, and the height of the sheet may be detected by detecting the height of the first conveying unit 31 with the detection unit 40. In this case, the first conveying unit 31 may move in the vertical direction V so that it is always in contact with the upper surface of the sheet before conveying, or the upper surface of the sheet may be brought into contact with the first conveying unit 31 by vertical movement V at the bottom surface 10.

[0040] For example, the aforementioned compression spring is provided below LO of the bottom surface 10. When the number of sheets in the stacked sheet bundle S decreases as the sheets are transported downstream FR, the upward pushing force of the compression spring on the bottom surface 10 becomes stronger than the downward pushing force of the sheet bundle S on the bottom surface 10, causing the bottom surface 10 to move upward, and the height of the bottom surface 10 in the vertical direction V remains constant. Therefore, even if the number of sheets in the sheet bundle S decreases, the height of the first transport section 31 can remain unchanged, and the upper surface of the sheet can come into contact with the first transport section 31. The detection result detected by the detection unit 40 is transmitted to the control unit 90.

[0041] The drive mechanism 50 has a suction part 60 at its tip, and the suction part 60 can be moved along any desired trajectory. The drive mechanism 50 is, for example, a multi-axis link mechanism, which can hold the suction part 60 at its tip in various positions and orientations. The drive mechanism 50 only needs to be able to move the suction part 60 along a predetermined trajectory, and may be a rail mechanism or the like that enables the suction part 60 to move along a fixed trajectory.

[0042] The suction part 60 is a suction pad capable of adsorbing a sheet. The suction part 60 moves to a predetermined position by the drive mechanism 50, adsorbs and holds the sheet. For example, it may be made of rubber or resin, have a bellows-like body, and the tip of the suction part can easily conform to the object being gripped.

[0043] The suction / desorption mechanism 70 is a device that controls the suction and release operations in the suction section 60. The suction / desorption mechanism 70 is, for example, a vacuum pump and is in communication with the suction section 60 via an intake pipe 61. When the suction / desorption mechanism 70 is driven, the pressure inside the suction section 60 becomes lower than atmospheric pressure, and the sheet is held in place by the suction section 60.

[0044] Furthermore, the adsorption / desorption mechanism 70 is equipped with a release valve for releasing to the atmosphere. The adsorption / desorption mechanism 70 releases the sheet from the adsorption part 60 by opening the release valve and releasing to the atmosphere, thereby bringing the pressure inside the adsorption part 60 to approximately the same as atmospheric pressure.

[0045] The control unit 90 can control the transport unit 30, the detection unit 40, the drive mechanism 50, and the suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70. The control unit 90 may also be able to control the bottom surface 10. In the vertical movement of the bottom surface 10 in the vertical direction V, for example, a device driven in the vertical direction V by an electric motor may be provided below LO of the bottom surface 10, and the height of the bottom surface 10 may be changed by controlling the electric motor with the control unit 90. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may change the height of the bottom surface 10 based on the detection result detected by the detection unit 40.

[0046] The sheet removal device 160 is controlled by the control unit 90 and performs sheet transport (removal) operations. The control unit 90 may control the entire image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may not be included in the sheet removal device 160, but may be included in a control device that controls the printer unit 130, etc., of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0047] The control unit 90 is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and a storage unit. Each function of the control unit 90 is realized, for example, by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0048] Next, the sheet removal method in the sheet removal device 160 will be described. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device 160. Here, the sheets loaded on top of the bottom surface 10 are A4-sized magnetic sheets. The sheets are not limited to magnetic sheets; any sheet that is more rigid than ordinary paper and has a strong adhesive force between sheets will suffice.

[0049] The control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 and the suction / detachment mechanism 70 to cause the suction unit 60 to perform the following sheet removal operation. First, the suction part 60 adheres to the upper part of the sheet (UP) and holds the sheet in place (Figure 4(a)). At this time, the suction part 60 adheres to and holds the end (rear end) of the upstream side RR of the sheet.

[0050] Here, the sheet held by the adsorption unit 60 is the first sheet S1, located at the very top UP of the sheet bundle S. The second sheet, located below the first sheet S1 LO, is designated as the second sheet S2.

[0051] Next, the suction unit 60 rotates while lifting the first sheet S1 upwards, bending the first sheet S1 upwards (Figure 4(b)). Here, the suction unit 60 rotates clockwise when viewed from the left LT, bending the first sheet S1. At this time, the suction unit 60 takes a trajectory such that the force pulling the downstream end FR of the sheet towards the upstream RR is minimized. Also, at this time, because the adhesion force between the sheets is large, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 often remain in close contact.

[0052] Next, the suction part 60 rotates further clockwise to bend the first sheet S1 upward (Figure 4(c)). At this time, the suction part 60 is operated to bend the first sheet to an angle greater than the angle at which the second sheet S2 separates from the first sheet S1 (separation angle). The separation angle will now be explained in detail using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation angle α in the sheet removal device 160. The separation angle α is the angle between the suction surface and the reference surface when the suction part 60 holds the upstream end (rear end) of the top sheet of the sheet bundle S (first sheet S1), and the first sheet S1 is bent clockwise in Figure 5 with the top sheet bundle S as the reference, and the subsequent sheet (second sheet S2), which is in close contact with the first sheet S1 and bent together with it, separates from the first sheet S1. This separation angle α varies from sheet to sheet. Therefore, the maximum value of the separation angle α that a sheet can take is measured in advance, and the maximum separation angle is determined. By bending the tip of the suction part 60 (the tip of the suction part 64, described later) that holds the first sheet S1 by adsorption, beyond the maximum separation angle, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated, and only the first sheet S1 is held by the suction part 60. Here, when operating the suction part 60, it is desirable to use a large bending radius R so as not to cause damage such as creases to the sheet by bending. However, if the bending radius does not damage the sheet, a smaller bending radius R has the advantage of allowing the height of the suction part to be lowered.

[0053] In this case, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are sheets with higher rigidity than ordinary paper. Therefore, due to the rigidity of the second sheet S2, the second sheet S2 does not follow the first sheet S1 which is bent beyond the maximum separation angle, and separates from the first sheet S1.

[0054] The force that separates the second sheet S2 from the first sheet S1 due to the rigidity of the sheets (sheet separation force) is greater than the adhesion force between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 (inter-sheet magnetic force). Also, the force that the adsorption part 60 exerts on the first sheet S1 (sheet adsorption force) is greater than the sheet separation force.

[0055] In this embodiment, the separation angle α of the magnetic sheet was measured to be 100 degrees ± 15 degrees. (Note that in some cases the second sheet did not adhere to the first sheet from the beginning.) In the case of this sheet, the maximum separation angle, including the error, was considered to be 120 degrees. The sheets can be reliably separated by moving the tip of the suction part 60 to an angle greater than or equal to the maximum separation angle. Here, the angle at which the suction part is moved and the separation angle of the sheets may be different. Figure 6 shows the maximum separation angle α. max This is a cross-sectional view showing the suction part operating angle β. As shown in Figure 6, the suction part 60 has a suction support part 62, a suction part body 63, and a suction part tip 64. The suction part operating angle β is the angle made between the suction support part 62 and the reference plane. If the suction part body 63 has a bellows shape or the like and is deformable, the maximum separation angle α is the angle made between the suction part tip 64 that holds the sheet by suction and the reference plane. max Therefore, the suction part operating angle β does not necessarily coincide with this. max To achieve a greater angle (for example, 120 degrees), it should be noted that the angle at which the suction part operates (suction part operating angle β) needs to be set to be larger than necessary, taking into account the deformation of the suction pad. The maximum separation angle α is predetermined depending on the type, size, and orientation of the sheet being transported. max By determining the allowable bending radius R, setting the suction part operating angle β and the operating trajectory of the suction part 60 according to the sheet, and operating under conditions optimal for the sheet, the versatility is greatly increased. The adsorption unit operating angle β is the angle at which the first sheet S1 can be bent upward UP in the process shown in Figure 4(c), causing the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 to separate. At this time, the upstream ends RR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated, while the downstream ends FR remain in close contact.

[0056] Furthermore, the bending radius R for bending the first sheet S1 and the operating angle β of the suction part are set within a range that does not cause creases in the sheet.

[0057] Here, the suction part 60 separates the first sheet S1 at the maximum separation angle α max The bending direction when bending is explained above. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the sheet bending direction in the sheet removal device 160. Figure 7(a) is a plan view when the suction unit 60 is adsorbing and holding the center in the width direction H at the end of the upstream RR of the first sheet S1. Figure 7(b) is a plan view when the suction unit 60 is adsorbing and holding the left end LT in the width direction H at the end of the upstream RR of the first sheet S1.

[0058] When the adsorption part 60 bends the first sheet S1 that it has adsorbed and held upwards, it is preferable to bend it in a direction toward the center O of the first sheet S1. In the adsorption part 60 that adsorbs and holds the end of the upstream side RR of the first sheet S1, by bending the first sheet S1 in a direction toward the center O of the first sheet S1, the first sheet S1, which is in close contact with the second sheet S2, can be easily lifted upwards. Furthermore, the first sheet S1 can be bent at the maximum separation angle α max When bending the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 to separate them, bending the first sheet S1 in the direction toward the center O of the first sheet S1 makes it easy to separate the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

[0059] The direction in which the suction part 60 bends the first sheet S1 is not limited to the direction toward the center O of the first sheet S1. For example, in the case of the suction part 60 shown in Figure 7(b), it may be bent toward the center in the width direction H of the first sheet S1 (rightward RT), or it may be bent in a direction inclined 45 degrees downstream FR with respect to rightward RT.

[0060] Furthermore, the end of the upstream RR on the first sheet S1 that the adsorption portion 60 adsorbs and holds is not limited to the outermost end of the upstream RR. For example, the adsorption portion 60 may adsorb and hold a portion of the first sheet S1 that extends 10 mm downstream from the end of the upstream RR. It is preferable for the adsorption portion 60 to adsorb and hold the RR upstream of the center O on the first sheet S1, and it is even more preferable for it to adsorb and hold the area near the end of the upstream RR. In this specification, the end of the upstream RR of the first sheet S1 (sheet) refers to the vicinity of the end of the upstream RR in the first sheet S1.

[0061] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet dispensing device 160. Figure 8 is a continuation of the sheet transport operation shown in Figure 4.

[0062] The adsorption section 60 has a maximum separation angle α in Figure 4(c). max In the first sheet S1 bent as described above, the first sheet S1 is curved so that it is convex upwards (Figure 8(a)). At this time, the suction part 60 moves the first sheet S1 to the maximum separation angle α max It rotates in the opposite direction to when it was bent. That is, when viewed from the left LT, the suction part 60 rotates counterclockwise, causing the first sheet S1 to curve so that it is convex upward UP.

[0063] The adsorption section 60 separates the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 downstream FR by curving the first sheet S1 so that it is convex upward UP.

[0064] In this case, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are sheets with higher rigidity than ordinary paper. Therefore, due to the rigidity of the second sheet S2, the second sheet S2 does not follow the first sheet S1, which is curved to be convex upwards, but moves away from the first sheet S1.

[0065] Next, the suction unit 60 transports the first sheet S1 to the downstream side FR. It is even better if the first transport unit 31 can move to some extent in the vertical direction V, as the rigidity of the first sheet S1 makes it easier for the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 below the first transport unit 31 to separate. Almost simultaneously with transporting the first sheet S1 to the downstream side FR, the transport unit 30 is rotated to transport the first sheet S1 to the downstream side FR (Figure 8(b)). At this time, the control unit 90 controls the suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70 and, almost simultaneously with rotating the transport unit 30, releases the suction unit 60 to the atmosphere, releasing the first sheet S1 from the suction unit 60. The first sheet S1, released from the suction unit 60, is then taken out to the downstream side FR by the transport unit 30. In Figure 8(b), after the suction unit 60 releases the first sheet S1, the suction unit 60 returns to a position above the end (rear end) of the upstream side RR of the next top sheet (in this case, the second sheet S2) while returning its operating angle to the initial 0 degrees (this position is called the home position). Thereafter, by repeating the operations shown in Figures 4 and 8 from the home position, sheets can be picked up one after another. Here, the operation of picking up the next sheet (Figure 4(a)) is performed before the trailing end (upstream RR side) of the previous sheet passes the first conveying section 31, thereby shortening the sheet conveying time. Furthermore, by picking up the next sheet while the previous sheet is being conveyed, it is possible to prevent the next sheet from being dragged by the previous sheet, thus preventing double feeding. Furthermore, the operation of deforming the next sheet upwards into a convex shape and moving it forward (Figure 8) is performed only after the rear end of the previous sheet has passed the space between the second conveying section 32 and the third conveying section 33, thereby preventing double feeding of sheets.

[0066] As a result of the sheet removal method described above, the upstream RR and downstream FR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated, and almost the entire surface of the first sheet S1 is separated from the second sheet S2. By transporting the first sheet S1, which has been separated from the second sheet S2, to the downstream FR by the transport unit 30, only the first sheet S1 can be separated and removed from the sheet bundle S.

[0067] Also, by repeating the above-described sheet extraction method, the first sheet from the top UP in the sheet bundle S is separated from the second sheet, and the sheets are conveyed one by one from the sheet bundle S to the downstream side FR. As the number of sheets in the sheet bundle S decreases, the height of the sheet bundle S in the vertical direction V decreases, but the height of the top UP in the sheet bundle S can be maintained by moving the bottom surface portion 10 upward UP. At this time, without changing the height of the bottom surface portion 10, the positions of the conveying portion 30 and the front wall portion 23 in the vertical direction V may be controlled by the control portion 90.

[0068] According to the sheet extraction device 160 of the present embodiment, the sheet extraction device 160 includes a bottom surface portion 10 having a loading space 10s above UP where sheets are loaded, a suction portion 60 provided in the drive mechanism 50 and capable of sucking sheets, a conveying portion 30 capable of conveying sheets to the downstream side FR, and a control portion 90. By controlling the drive mechanism 50 by the control portion 90 and moving the suction portion 60 that has sucked the first sheet S1 along a predetermined orbit, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated, and only the first sheet S1 is taken out to the downstream side FR by the conveying portion 30.

[0069] Specifically, the suction portion 60 sucks the end portion on the upstream side RR of the first sheet S1, and bends the first sheet S1 upward UP by a maximum separation angle α max or more to separate the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. In the first sheet S1 bent by the maximum separation angle α max or more, by curving the first sheet S1 so as to be convex upward UP, the entire surface of the first sheet S1 can be separated from the second sheet S2. As a result, even in the case of a sheet such as a magnet sheet having a large adhesive force between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, only the first sheet S1 can be separated from the sheet bundle S and taken out to the downstream side FR by the conveying portion 30.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) The sheet extraction device 160A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 9. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those already described, and the overlapping description will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, the sheet removal device 160A comprises a bottom portion 10, a first side wall portion 21, a second side wall portion 22, a front wall portion 23, a transport portion 30, a detection portion 40, a drive mechanism 50, a suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70, a separation portion 80A, and a control portion 90A.

[0072] The separation unit 80A is an air supply device provided on the upstream RR of the bottom surface 10 and capable of supplying air to the downstream FR. The separation unit 80A supplies air to the downstream FR from the air supply unit 81A provided on the downstream FR of the separation unit 80A.

[0073] The control unit 90A can control the transport unit 30, the detection unit 40, the drive mechanism 50, the suction / detachment mechanism 70, and the separation unit 80A. By controlling the separation unit 80A with the control unit 90A, air is supplied from the air supply unit 81A to the downstream FR.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 90A may control the bottom portion 10 and change its height. Alternatively, the control unit 90A may change the height of the bottom portion 10 based on the detection result detected by the detection unit 40.

[0075] The sheet removal device 160A is controlled by the control unit 90A and performs sheet transport (removal) operations. The control unit 90A may control the entire image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the control unit 90A may not be included in the sheet removal device 160A, but may be included in a control device that controls the printer unit 130, etc., of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0076] The control unit 90A is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and storage unit. Each function of the control unit 90A is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0077] Next, the sheet removal method in the sheet removal device 160A will be described. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet removal device 160A. Figure 9(a) shows the maximum separation angle α by the suction part 60, similar to Figure 4(c) of the first embodiment. max This is a cross-sectional view showing the first sheet S1 bent as described above. In the sheet removal method according to this embodiment, the first sheet S1 is bent to the maximum separation angle α max The bending motion described above is the same as that of the suction part 60 shown in Figure 4, which was explained in the first embodiment.

[0078] In the sheet removal device 160A according to this embodiment, the separation unit 80A has a maximum separation angle α maxThe first sheet S1 bent as shown above and the maximum separation angle α max By bending the sheet as described above, air is supplied from the air supply unit 81A between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which are separated from each other (Figure 9(b)). At this time, as shown in Figure 9(b), the adsorption unit 60 moves the first sheet S1 to the maximum separation angle α. max When bent as described above, it rotates in the opposite direction. That is, when viewed from the left LT, the adsorption part 60 rotates counterclockwise. At almost the same time as the adsorption part 60 rotates counterclockwise, air is supplied from the air supply part 81A to the downstream FR.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9(a), the first sheet S1 is set to the maximum separation angle α max By bending them as described above, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated at the upstream RR. By supplying air from the air supply unit 81A between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which are separated at the upstream RR, the air pressure of the supplied air causes the downstream FR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 to be separated.

[0080] Also, at this time, the maximum separation angle α max By rotating the adsorption portion 60 counterclockwise at the upstream end RR of the first sheet S1, which has been bent as described above, the angle of the first sheet S1 is restored, thereby suppressing the leakage of air supplied from the air supply portion 81A above the first sheet S1, and allowing a sufficient amount of air to be supplied between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2.

[0081] Furthermore, since the left LT and right RT of the sheet bundle S are covered by the first side wall 21 and the second side wall 22, leakage of the supplied air to the left LT or right RT can be suppressed. The flow rate and flow velocity of the air supplied from the air supply unit 81A can be set to arbitrary values ​​depending on the adhesion force and weight of the sheets being conveyed.

[0082] Next, the first sheet S1 is released from the suction unit 60, and almost simultaneously with the release of the first sheet S1, the transport unit 30 is rotated to transport and remove the first sheet S1 to the downstream side FR (Figure 9(c)).

[0083] According to the sheet removal device 160A of this embodiment, the sheet removal device 160A comprises a bottom portion 10 having an upward UP loading space 10s on which sheets are loaded, a suction portion 60 provided on the drive mechanism 50 that can adsorb sheets, a transport portion 30 that can transport sheets to the downstream side FR, a separation portion 80A having an air supply portion 81A that can supply air to the downstream side FR, and a control portion 90A. Maximum separation angle α max By supplying air from the air supply section 81A between the first sheet S1, which has been bent as described above, and the second sheet S2, the ends of the downstream FR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated by air pressure.

[0084] As a result, even with magnetic sheets or other sheets where the adhesion force between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 is high, only the first sheet S1 can be separated from the sheet bundle S and taken out to the downstream side FR by the conveying unit 30. The advantage of this embodiment is that by using air separation to create a gap, the movement of the suction part 60 shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b) becomes unnecessary, and its range of motion is reduced, allowing the drive unit (drive mechanism 50) to be made smaller, and the drive mechanism 50 to be placed in a space-saving manner within the narrow space near the cassette.

[0085] (Third embodiment) The sheet dispensing device 160B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. In the following description, components that are common to those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0086] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the sheet dispensing device 160B according to the third embodiment. The sheet removal device 160B comprises a bottom section 10, a front wall section 23, a transport section 30, a detection section 40, a drive mechanism 50, a suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70, a separation section 80B, and a control section 90B. Note that the detection section 40 is not shown in Figure 10.

[0087] The separation section 80B comprises a rail section 82B, a support section 83B, a movable member 84B, and a guide section 85B.

[0088] The rail section 82B is a linear slider composed of, for example, an electric motor, a ball screw, and a linear guide. As shown in Figure 10, the rail section 82B is a flat plate-shaped member provided on the right side RT of the bottom surface 10 and extending in the transport direction D. The rail portion of the linear slider is also provided on the upper surface UP of the rail section 82B.

[0089] Furthermore, the height of the rail section 82B in the vertical direction V is higher than the upper surface UP of the bottom surface section 10. Similar to the second side wall section 22 in the first embodiment, the rail section 82B may have a guide function for regulating the position H in the width direction of the sheet bundle S loaded in the loading space 10s of the bottom surface section 10. The height of the rail section 82B can be any height depending on the number and thickness of the sheets to be loaded.

[0090] The support section 83B is movable on a rail extending in the transport direction D on the rail section 82B. The support section 83B is, for example, the carriage (block) of a linear slider, and moves along the rail section 82B in the transport direction D by the rotation of a ball screw by an electric motor.

[0091] The movable member 84B is a substantially rod-shaped member extending left LT from the support portion 83B. The movable member 84B is also provided on the upstream side RR of the bottom portion 10. In this embodiment, the movable member 84B has an elliptical cross-sectional shape with its major axis extending in the conveying direction D. The shape of the movable member 84B is not limited to this, and it may have a triangular or rectangular cross-sectional shape. In the width direction H, the movable member 84B extends up to above the guide portion 85B. The movable member 84B is movable in the transport direction D together with the support member 83B.

[0092] The guide portion 85B is a flat plate-shaped member provided on the left side LT of the bottom portion 10 and extending in the transport direction D. The height of the bottom portion 10 in the vertical direction V is higher than the upper surface UP of the bottom portion 10. The guide portion 85B may have a guide function to regulate the position in the width direction H of the sheet bundle S loaded in the loading space 10s of the bottom portion 10, similar to the first side wall portion 21 in the first embodiment. The height of the guide portion 85B can be any height depending on the number and thickness of the sheets to be loaded, but it is desirable that it be the same height as the rail portion 82B.

[0093] The guide portion 85B supports the left end (tip) of the movable member 84B, which moves in the conveying direction D, from below LO. By being supported from below LO by the guide portion 85B, the movable member 84B can move stably in the conveying direction D. The movable member 84B and the guide portion 85B may be in contact in the vertical direction V, or there may be a small gap between them.

[0094] The arrangement of the rail section 82B and the guide section 85B may be reversed; in the bottom section 10, the rail section 82B may be provided on the left side LT, and the guide section 85B may be provided on the right side RT. In that case, the movable member 84B extends from the support section 83B to the right side RT.

[0095] The control unit 90B can control the transport unit 30, the detection unit 40, the drive mechanism 50, the suction attachment / detachment mechanism 70, and the separation unit 80B. By controlling the separation unit 80B with the control unit 90B, the movable member 84B is moved in the transport direction D.

[0096] Furthermore, the control unit 90B may control the bottom portion 10 and change its height. Alternatively, the control unit 90B may change the height of the bottom portion 10 based on the detection result detected by the detection unit 40.

[0097] The sheet removal device 160B is controlled by the control unit 90B and performs sheet transport (removal) operations. The control unit 90B may control the entire image forming apparatus 100. Alternatively, the control unit 90B may not be included in the sheet removal device 160B, but may be included in a control device that controls the printer unit 130, etc., of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0098] The control unit 90B is, for example, a program-executable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and storage unit. Each function of the control unit 90B is realized by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0099] Next, the sheet removal method in the sheet removal device 160B will be described. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet transport operation in the sheet removal device 160B. Figure 11(a) shows the maximum separation angle α by the suction part 60, similar to Figure 4(c) of the first embodiment. maxThis is a cross-sectional view showing the first sheet S1 bent as described above. In the sheet removal method according to this embodiment, the first sheet S1 is bent to the maximum separation angle α max The bending motion described above is the same as that of the suction part 60 shown in Figure 4, which was explained in the first embodiment.

[0100] In the sheet removal device 160B according to this embodiment, the separation unit 80B has a maximum separation angle α max A movable member 84B is inserted between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which have been bent as shown above (Figure 11(b)).

[0101] As shown in Figure 11(a), the first sheet S1 is set to the maximum separation angle α max By bending them as described above, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated at the upstream side RR. By moving the movable member 84B in the transport direction D and inserting the movable member 84B between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, whose upstream side RR is separated, the downstream side FR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 is separated by the movable member 84B.

[0102] In this case, by restricting the position of the tip of the movable member 84B in the vertical direction V with the guide portion 85B, the movable member 84B can move stably between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2. If the movable member 84B has sufficient rigidity and can move stably in the transport direction D even without being restricted by the guide portion 85B, the sheet removal device 160B does not need to have the guide portion 85B.

[0103] Next, the first sheet S1 is released from the suction unit 60, and almost simultaneously with the release of the first sheet S1, the transport unit 30 is rotated to transport the first sheet S1 to the downstream side FR and remove it (Figure 11(c)).

[0104] According to the sheet removal device 160B of this embodiment, the sheet removal device 160B comprises a bottom portion 10 having an upward UP loading space 10s on which sheets are loaded, a suction portion 60 provided on the drive mechanism 50 that can suction sheets, a transport portion 30 that can transport sheets downstream FR, a movable member 84B extending in the width direction H, and a control unit 90B. The movable member 84B has a maximum separation angle α max By moving the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, which have been bent as described above, in the transport direction D, the ends of the downstream FR of the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are separated.

[0105] As a result, even with magnetic sheets or other sheets where the adhesion force between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 is high, only the first sheet S1 can be separated from the sheet bundle S and taken out to the downstream side FR by the conveying unit 30.

[0106] In the third embodiment described above, the support portion 83B and the movable member 84B moved in the transport direction D along the rail portion 82B. The movable member 84B may be inserted between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 by the rotation of the support portion 83B. For example, the support portion 83B does not move in the transport direction D, but rotates in place around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction V as the center of rotation. The movable member 84B connected to the support portion 83B rotates together with the support portion 83B, and the tip of the movable member 84B moves downstream FR by the rotational movement. As a result, the movable member 84B is inserted between the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2, and the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 can be separated at the downstream FR.

[0107] In each of the above embodiments, the sheet removal device had a front wall portion 23 capable of restricting the position of the sheet bundle S in the transport direction D. The sheet removal device may also have a flat plate-shaped rear wall portion provided on the upstream side RR of the bottom portion 10 and extending in the width direction H. By providing a rear wall portion on the upstream side RR, the user can position the sheet bundle S in the transport direction D using the rear wall portion when loading the sheet bundle S into the loading space 10s. The advantage of this embodiment is that the movement of the suction part 60 shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b) to create a gap is eliminated, and its range of motion is reduced, allowing the drive unit (drive mechanism 50) to be made smaller and the drive mechanism 50 to be placed in a space-saving manner within the narrow space near the cassette. Furthermore, there is a cost advantage compared to the second embodiment.

[0108] According to at least one embodiment described above, the first sheet and the second sheet can be separated and the first sheet removed by moving the adsorption part that has adsorbed the upstream end of the first sheet along a predetermined trajectory.

[0109] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100…Image forming apparatus, 160…Sheet removal device, 160A…Sheet removal device, 160B…Sheet removal device, 10…Bottom section, 10s…Loading space, 21…First side wall section, 22…Second side wall section, 23…Front wall section, 30…Conveying section, 40…Detection section, 50…Drive mechanism, 60…Adsorption section, 70…Adsorption / detachment mechanism, 80A…Separation section, 81A…Air supply section, 80B…Separation section, 84B…Movable member, 90…Control unit, 90A…Control unit, 90B…Control unit, V…Vertical direction, UP…Upward, LO…Downward, D…Conveying direction, RR…Upstream side, FR…Downstream side, H…Width direction, LT…Left side, RT…Right side, S1…First sheet, S2…Second sheet, α max …Maximum separation angle

Claims

1. The bottom section has a loading space above where the sheets are loaded, The aforementioned suction portion has a suction part capable of adsorbing the sheet from above, and a drive mechanism that can move the suction portion, A conveying section is provided downstream of the bottom surface in the direction of conveying the sheet, and is capable of conveying the sheet. A control unit capable of controlling the drive mechanism and the transport unit, Equipped with, The adsorption portion adsorbs the upstream end of the sheet in the transport direction, and while suppressing the position of the downstream end of the sheet being pulled towards the upstream side, bends the upstream end of the sheet upward to an angle greater than the maximum separation angle. Sheet removal device.

2. The adsorption portion curves the first sheet, which is the sheet bent beyond the maximum separation angle, so that it is convex upward, and separates the first sheet from the second sheet, which is the sheet located below the first sheet. The sheet removal device according to claim 1.

3. The rigidity of the aforementioned sheet is higher than that of ordinary paper. The sheet removal device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned sheet is a magnetic sheet. The sheet removal device according to claim 3.

5. The separation section further comprises an air supply section provided on the upstream side of the bottom surface and having an air supply section capable of supplying air to the downstream side, The separation unit supplies air between the first sheet, which is the sheet bent beyond the maximum separation angle, and the second sheet, which is the sheet located below the first sheet, thereby separating the first sheet and the second sheet. The sheet removal device according to claim 1.

6. The bottom portion is provided on the upstream side and further comprises a movable member that extends in the width direction of the sheet, substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, The movable member moves in the transport direction between the first sheet, which is the sheet bent beyond the maximum separation angle, and the second sheet, which is the sheet located below the first sheet, thereby separating the first sheet and the second sheet. The sheet removal device according to claim 1.

7. A front wall portion is provided on the downstream side of the bottom portion and extends in the width direction of the sheet, which is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction, A first side wall portion is provided on one side of the bottom surface in the width direction and extends in the transport direction, A second side wall portion is provided on the other side of the bottom portion in the width direction and extends in the transport direction, A detection unit capable of detecting the height of the sheet in the vertical direction, Furthermore, The bottom portion is movable in the vertical direction. A sheet dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A sheet removal method in a sheet removal device that separates and removes multiple sheets stacked on top of the bottom surface, While suppressing the position of the downstream end of the first sheet, which is the sheet, in the transport direction from being pulled upstream, the upstream end is bent upward to an angle greater than the maximum separation angle, The first sheet is curved so that it is convex upwards, The first sheet is separated from the second sheet, which is located below the first sheet, and the first sheet is removed. How to remove the sheet.

9. A sheet removal method in a sheet removal device that separates and removes multiple sheets stacked on top of the bottom surface, Air is supplied between the first sheet, which is the sheet in which the upstream end is bent upward beyond the maximum separation angle while suppressing the position of the downstream end of the sheet in the conveying direction from being pulled upstream, and the second sheet, which is the sheet located below the first sheet, to separate the first sheet and the second sheet and remove the first sheet. How to remove the sheet.

10. A sheet removal method in a sheet removal device that separates and removes multiple sheets stacked on top of the bottom surface, A first sheet, which is the sheet in which the downstream end of the sheet in the conveying direction is bent upward to the maximum separation angle or more, while suppressing the position of the downstream end of the sheet in the conveying direction from being pulled upstream, and a second sheet, which is the sheet located below the first sheet, are separated by moving a movable member that extends in the width direction of the sheet substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction in the conveying direction, thereby separating the first sheet and the second sheet and removing the first sheet. How to remove the sheet.

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