Sheet conveying device, sheet conveying medium, and computer program product

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device and a sheet conveying medium that can suppress conveying defects with a low-cost structure compared to a case where the conveying speed of the sheet is always fixed. The sheet conveying device of the present invention includes a processor that adjusts the dynamics of a conveying unit that conveys the sheet based on the conveying load of the conveyed sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device and a sheet conveying medium. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a paper feeding device that feeds paper from a paper stack to a processing unit.

[0003] The paper feeding device includes a paper tray for holding a paper stack, and an air plenum located above the paper stack and having a sealing mechanism around its periphery. The paper feeding device also includes a blower that generates vacuum pressure within the air plenum, sucking the paper from the stack into contact with the air plenum and the sealing mechanism. The air plenum includes a corrugated surface that corrugates the paper into a plurality of ridges, and the sealing mechanism conforms to the ridges of the paper.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-019978 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device and a sheet conveying program capable of suppressing conveyance defects with a low-cost structure compared to a case where the conveyance speed of a sheet is always constant.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] Technical solution 1 is a sheet conveying device including a processor that adjusts the dynamics of a conveying portion that conveys the sheet in a conveying direction based on a conveying load of the conveyed sheet.

[0011] Technical Solution 2 is a sheet conveying device according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the processor obtains the conveying load based on dimension information indicating the size of the sheet and grammage information indicating the weight per unit area of ​​the sheet.

[0012] Technical solution 3 is the sheet conveying device according to technical solution 1 or technical solution 2, wherein the conveying section sucks the sheet and conveys it.

[0013] Technical Solution 4 is a sheet conveying device according to Technical Solution 3, wherein, when the conveying load exceeds a predetermined specified value, the processor adjusts the dynamics by reducing the conveying speed of the conveying part in the conveying direction compared to when the conveying load is below the specified value.

[0014] Technical Solution 5 is a sheet conveying device according to Technical Solution 3, wherein the processor adjusts the dynamics by reducing the conveying acceleration that moves the conveying part in the conveying direction when the conveying load exceeds a predetermined specified value compared to when the conveying load is below the specified value.

[0015] Technical solution 6 is the sheet conveying device according to technical solution 4, wherein the processor increases a return speed when returning to the opposite side of the conveying direction compared to a conveying speed when moving the conveying portion in the conveying direction.

[0016] Technical solution 7 is the sheet conveying device according to technical solution 6, wherein the processor increases the return speed compared to the conveying speed when the conveying load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0017] Technical solution 8 is the sheet conveying device according to technical solution 5, wherein the processor increases a return acceleration when returning the conveying portion to the side opposite to the conveying direction, compared to a conveying acceleration when moving the conveying portion in the conveying direction.

[0018] Technical solution 9 is the sheet conveying device according to technical solution 8, wherein the processor increases the return acceleration compared to the conveying acceleration when the conveying load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0019] Technical solution 10 is a sheet conveying program for causing a computer to execute processing for adjusting the dynamics of a conveying portion conveying the sheet in a conveying direction based on a conveying load of the conveyed sheet.

[0020] [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the first aspect of the invention, compared with a case where the conveyance speed of the sheet is always constant, conveyance defects can be suppressed with a low-cost structure.

[0022] In the second aspect, compared with the case where the weight information of the sheet needs to be input in addition to the size information and the basis weight information, the information input workability can be improved.

[0023] In the third aspect, compared with the case where the sheet is conveyed by rollers, the mechanism for rotating the rollers can be reduced.

[0024] In the fourth aspect, the time required to reach the predetermined speed can be shortened compared to the case where the acceleration is reduced.

[0025] In the fifth aspect, compared with the case where the transport speed is reduced, it is possible to facilitate the countermeasures against suction errors that may occur during acceleration.

[0026] In the sixth aspect, the time required for the transport cycle can be shortened compared to the case where the transport speed and the return speed are the same.

[0027] In the seventh aspect, the time required for the transport cycle can be further shortened compared to the case where the transport speed and the return speed are the same.

[0028] In claim 8, the time required for the transport cycle can be shortened compared to the case where the transport acceleration and the return acceleration are the same.

[0029] In claim 9, the time required for the transport cycle can be further shortened compared to the case where the transport acceleration and the return acceleration are the same.

[0030] According to claim 10, compared with a case where the sheet conveyance speed is always constant, conveyance defects can be suppressed with a low-cost structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus including the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the interior of the housing portion according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4 It is a plan view showing the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 Yes Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the main parts.

[0036] Figure 6 Yes Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of another main part.

[0037] Figure 7 It is a side view showing the main part of the accommodating portion according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 8 It means continuing Figure 7 This figure illustrates the following actions.

[0039] Figure 9 It is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sheet conveying device according to one embodiment.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing an example of the dynamic adjustment process (1) according to the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the transport speed setting process according to the first embodiment.

[0043] Figure 13 This is a flowchart showing an example of the return speed setting process according to the first embodiment.

[0044] Figure 14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the dynamic adjustment process (2) according to the second embodiment.

[0045] Figure 15 This is a flowchart showing an example of the conveyance acceleration setting process according to the second embodiment.

[0046] Figure 16 This is a flowchart showing an example of the return acceleration setting process according to the second embodiment.

[0047] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0048] 10: Sheet conveying device

[0049] 42: Pallet

[0050] 54: Floating device

[0051] 80: Transport Department

[0052] 82: Mobile devices

[0053] 96: Adsorption position

[0054] 98: Handover position

[0055] 150: Floating process

[0056] 152: Adsorption stroke

[0057] 154: Separation process

[0058] 156: Handover process

[0059] 158: Send itinerary

[0060] 210: CPU

[0061] 212: Memory

[0062] 214: Storage Department

[0063] 214A: Sheet transport procedure

[0064] 216: Input

[0065] 224: Adsorption Department

[0066] 226: Mobile Department

[0067] 228: Separation Department

[0068] 234: Recording Media DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] (First embodiment)

[0070] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0071] In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow X in the drawings is defined as the device width direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Y is defined as the device height direction. Furthermore, the direction indicated by arrow Z, which is orthogonal to the device width direction X and the device height direction Y, is defined as the device depth direction.

[0072] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus 14 provided with a sheet conveying apparatus 10 (see FIG. Figure 3 ) of the sheet feeding device 12. The image forming device 14 is a device for forming an image on a sheet P. The image forming device 14 includes: an image forming unit (not shown) for forming an image on the sheet P; and a conveying unit (not shown) for conveying the sheet P to the image forming unit.

[0073] The sheet feeding device 12 has an upper storage section 16 and a lower storage section 18 for storing sheets P, which can be drawn out from the main body 12A. The main body 12A is configured so that an extension section 22 can be optionally attached to a surface 20 on one side HI in the width direction. Figure 1 3 shows a state where the extension portion 22 is attached.

[0074] Here, the sheet material P can be referred to as a medium or film on which an image is formed. Examples of the sheet material P include paper sheets or overhead projector (OHP) sheets made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin. Examples of the sheet material P on which an image is formed include ordinary paper sheets fed from the respective storage sections 16 and 18 and long strips of paper fed using the extension section 22. Furthermore, various types of sheet materials P can be used, including sheets P of varying thicknesses, widths, and lengths.

[0075] The upper portion of the upper storage portion 16 can be opened and closed by a cover 30 supported by the device body 12A and an extension cover 32 supported by the extension portion 22. A damper 34 extending from the device body 12A is connected to the cover 30 to assist the opening and closing operation.

[0076] Figure 2 This figure shows the inside of the sheet feeding device 12, showing a state where the extension portion 22 is removed from the sheet feeding device 12 and the end bar 36 is erected. A sheet storage portion 40 for storing sheets P is provided in the sheet feeding device 12.

[0077] The sheet storage section 40 includes a tray 42 forming a bottom plate and side walls 44 standing on both sides of the tray 42 . The rear edge of the sheet P placed on the tray 42 is positioned by the end bar 36 , and the side edges are positioned by the side walls 44 .

[0078] (Side wall)

[0079] A blower fan 46 (only one of which is shown) is provided on the outer surface of each side wall 44. A first duct 48 and a second duct 50 extend from the blower fan 46. The first duct 48 is connected to a blower hole 52 (only one of which is shown) formed in the upper portion of the side wall 44 on the image forming device 14 side. The first duct 48 blows air blown from the blower fan 46 toward the sheet P placed on the tray 42 from both sides.

[0080] The air holes 52 are formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape and blow air onto the sheets P stacked on the tray 42 and positioned within a predetermined height range on the upper portion, thereby causing them to float. Thus, the air blower fan 46, the first duct 48, and the air holes 52 formed in the side wall 44 constitute a floating device 54 for floating the sheets P on the tray 42.

[0081] A laterally bent front edge flange 44A extends from the front edge of each side wall 44 on the image forming device 14 side, and a laterally bent upper edge flange 44B extends from the upper edge of each side wall 44. Furthermore, a laterally bent rear edge flange 44C extends from the rear edge of each side wall 44. A low-volume detector 56 is provided on the rear edge flange 44C of one of the side walls 44. This low-volume detector 56 detects a decrease in the number of sheets P on the tray 42 based on the height of the tray 42.

[0082] (tray)

[0083] The tray 42 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. Support members 58 (only one is shown) extending in the width direction are provided on the lower surface of the front edge portion on the image forming device 14 side and the rear edge portion away from the image forming device 14. The ends of each support member 58 extend from the tray 42 (only one is shown), and the distal end of a wire 60 is fixed to each end.

[0084] A wire 60 extending from the support member 58 provided at the rear edge of the tray 42 is wound around a first pulley 62, a second pulley 64, and a third pulley 66 provided on a frame (not shown) and is then wound around a winding pulley 70 of a lifting unit 68. Furthermore, the wire 60 extending from the support member provided at the front edge of the tray 42 is wound around the winding pulley 70 of the lifting unit 68 via the third pulley 66. For example, a height sensor (not shown) is provided in the lifting unit 68 for detecting the height position of the tray 42.

[0085] The winding pulley 70 is disconnectably connected to the rotating shaft of the drive motor 72 via a clutch, for example. By rotating the winding pulley 70 using the drive motor 72, the tray 42 suspended by the wires 60 can be raised or lowered. Furthermore, by operating the clutch to disconnect the drive motor 72 and the winding pulley 70, the tray 42 suspended by the wires 60 can be lowered by its own weight.

[0086] Thus, the lifting device of the tray 42 is composed of the wires 60 extending from the support member 58 of the tray 42, the pulleys 62, 64, 66, 70 supporting the wires 60, the drive motor 72 that rotates the winding pulley 70, and the clutch between the drive motor 72 and the winding pulley 70.

[0087] The rear end of the tray 42 is formed with an extension 42A extending laterally. The extension 42A rises and falls along the rear edge flanges 44C of the side walls 44 as the tray 42 rises and falls. The extension 42A activates the small amount detector 56 when the tray 42 rises.

[0088] (End bar)

[0089] The end bar 36 is disposed on the rear edge side of the tray 42, and a sheet height detector 76 is provided at the upper end of the end bar 36. The sheet height detector 76 detects the height position of the uppermost sheet P placed on the tray 42, thereby detecting when the uppermost sheet P has fallen below a height position suitable for feeding.

[0090] (Sheet conveying device)

[0091] On the upper part of the tray 42, as Figure 3As shown, a sheet conveying device 10 for conveying sheets P on a tray 42 is provided on the image forming apparatus 14 side.

[0092] The sheet conveying device 10 includes: a conveying portion 80 for sucking and conveying the sheet P floated by the floating device 54; a negative pressure device (not shown) for supplying negative pressure to the conveying portion 80; a moving device 82 for moving the conveying portion 80 in the device width direction X; a feeding device 84 for delivering the sheet P conveyed by the conveying portion 80 to the image forming device 14; and a separating device 86 (see Figure 7 ), when the conveying section 80 adsorbs a plurality of sheets P, the sheet P next to the top sheet P is torn off. The conveying section 80, the moving device 82, and the feeding device 84 constituting the sheet conveying device 10 are provided in a horizontally long rectangular unit frame 88 and are unitized.

[0093] [Transportation Department]

[0094] Transport department 80 e.g. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, it is arranged in the center portion in the width direction of the tray 42. The conveying portion 80 is movably supported by a pair of support shafts 92 provided in the short-side direction of the unit frame 88 via sliders 90 provided on the upper surface.

[0095] The conveyor unit 80 includes a negative pressure chamber to which negative pressure is supplied via a conduit 94 from a negative pressure device (not shown). A plurality of suction holes leading to the negative pressure chamber are formed on the lower surface of the conveyor unit 80. Thus, the conveyor unit 80 uses the negative pressure from the suction holes to suck and hold the floating sheet P.

[0096] Alternatively, the conveying portion 80 may be of an electrostatic attraction type that attracts the sheet P using static electricity.

[0097] Here, in this embodiment, the conveying section 80 that sucks and conveys the sheet P is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the conveying section may be constituted by a mechanism that conveys the sheet P by sandwiching it between rollers.

[0098] [Mobile device]

[0099] The moving device 82 moves the conveying unit 80 to the suction position 96 (see FIG. 1 ) of the sheet P on the suction tray 42. Figure 9 ), and the delivery position 98 (refer to the delivery position 98 of the delivery device 84) where the sheet P conveyed by suction is delivered. Figure 9 ) moves back and forth between.

[0100] As a result, the conveying section 80 sucks the sheet P and conveys it.

[0101] Mobile device 82 such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, it includes a moving motor 100 fixed to the unit frame 88, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, a driving pulley 102 is provided on a rotating shaft 100A of a moving motor 100. A moving wire 104 is wound around the driving pulley 102. A ball (not shown) fixed to the moving wire 104 by caulking is inserted into a hole 102A formed in the driving pulley 102 to prevent the moving wire 104 from slipping.

[0102] Moving wire 104 as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the moving wire 104 is hung on a first moving pulley 108 , a second moving pulley 110 , and a third moving pulley 112 provided on the unit frame 88 , and both ends of the moving wire 104 are connected via a coil spring 114 .

[0103] The portion of the moving wire 104 disposed between the first moving pulley 108 and the second moving pulley 110 extends along the support shaft 92. Figure 6 As shown, the caulking has a ball 106 secured thereto.

[0104] The ball 106 is housed in a cylindrical portion 116 provided in the conveying unit 80. The conveying unit 80 moves in response to the movement of the moving wire 104 to which the ball 106 is fixed. The end of the cylindrical portion 116 housing the ball 106 is sealed by a fixing plate 122 to prevent the ball 106 from escaping. The fixing plate 122 is fixed to a support 118 of the conveying unit 80 by a bolt 120.

[0105] Thus, the moving device 82 rotates the moving wire 104 in the forward and reverse directions in the winding direction by the moving motor 100 , thereby reciprocating the conveying unit 80 between the suction position 96 and the delivery position 98 .

[0106] [Send to device]

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding device 84 includes a feeding motor 130 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the unit frame 88, and a driven pulley 134 connected to a rotating shaft 130A of the feeding motor 130 via a belt 132. Furthermore, the feeding device 84 includes a rotating shaft 136 connected to the driven pulley 134 and rotatably supported by the unit frame 88, and a pair of driving rollers 138 fixed to a portion of the rotating shaft 136 near the conveying unit 80.

[0108] And, as Figure 7As shown, the feeding device 84 includes a driven roller 140, which is arranged to face the driving roller 138 and is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown). Thus, the feeding device 84 rotates the driven roller 140 using the feeding motor 130, thereby sandwiching the driving roller 138 and the driven roller 140 between the sheet P conveyed by the conveying section 80, receiving the sheet P, and then feeding it toward the image forming device 14.

[0109] [Separation device]

[0110] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the separator 86 is disposed on the image forming device 14 side relative to the tray 42 and includes an air chamber 142 and an air supply device (not shown) for supplying air to the air chamber 142. A hollow nozzle 144 extends from the air chamber 142 and is disposed between a pair of driven rollers 140.

[0111] The nozzles 144 eject air from obliquely below the image forming apparatus 14 side toward the lower surface of the sheet P conveyed by the conveying section 80. Thus, when a plurality of sheets P are attracted to the conveying section 80, the separating device 86 separates and drops the sheets P except for the sheet P on the conveying section 80 side by ejecting air from the nozzles 144.

[0112] Moreover, a separation wall 146 is provided between the air chamber 142 and the sheet storage portion 40 . When a plurality of sheets P are adsorbed by the conveying portion 80 , the sheets P other than the sheet P on the conveying portion 80 side interfere with the separation wall 146 and are separated and fall.

[0113] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the operation of the sheet conveying device 10. When the sheet P is supplied from the sheet supply device 12 to the image forming device 14, the floating device 54 is operated to blow air from the side of the sheet P placed on the upper part of the tray 42 to make the upper sheet P float (floating process 150).

[0114] Then, the negative pressure device is operated to supply negative pressure to the conveying section 80 to suck the floating sheet P to the lower surface of the conveying section 80 arranged at the suction position 96 (suction process 152 ), and the moving device 82 is operated to move the conveying section 80 to the delivery position 98 .

[0115] When the conveyor 80 starts moving, the separating device 86 is operated to eject air from the nozzle 144 toward the lower surface of the sheet P conveyed by the conveyor 80, thereby separating and dropping the sheets P from the plurality of sheets P adsorbed on the conveyor 80, excluding the sheet P on the conveyor 80 side (separating step 154). At this time, the sheets P that have not fallen from the conveyor 80 side are caused to interfere with the separating wall 146, thereby being separated and dropping onto the tray 42.

[0116] Then, the conveying section 80 is moved to the handover position 98, whereby the adsorbed sheet P is clamped between the driving roller 138 and the driven roller 140 of the running feeding device 84 and handed over (handover process 156), and the sheet P clamped by the driving roller 138 and the driven roller 140 is sent to the image forming device 14 (sending stroke 158).

[0117] When the sheet P is delivered to the feeding device 84 , the negative pressure device is stopped to release the sheet P sucked by the conveying unit 80 , and the moving device 82 is reversed to move the conveying unit 80 to the suction position 96 .

[0118] (Hardware Structure of Sheet Transport Device)

[0119] like Figure 10 As shown, the sheet conveying device 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 210 as a control unit and a processor, a memory 212 as a temporary storage area, a nonvolatile storage unit 214, an input unit 216, and a display unit 218 including a liquid crystal display.

[0120] The sheet conveying device 10 also includes a notification unit 220 including a speaker, etc., a communication interface (I / F) unit 222 for communicating with an external device, etc., and a suction unit 224 including a negative pressure device. Furthermore, the sheet conveying device 10 includes a moving unit 226 including the moving device 82, a separating unit 228 including the separating device 86, and a feeding unit 230 including the feeding device 84.

[0121] Furthermore, the sheet conveying device 10 includes a medium reader / writer (R / W) 232 as an example for inputting a program.

[0122] CPU 210, memory 212, storage unit 214, input unit 216, display unit 218, notification unit 220, communication I / F unit 222, adsorption unit 224, movement unit 226, separation unit 228, and delivery unit 230 are interconnected via bus B1. A medium reader / writer 232 reads information written to a recording medium 234 and writes information to the recording medium 234.

[0123] The input unit 216 is connected to the small amount detector 56 , the sheet height detector 76 , and the operation panel provided in the sheet conveying device 10 . The input unit 216 transmits the states of the small amount detector 56 and the sheet height detector 76 and input information to the operation panel to the CPU 210 .

[0124] The user inputs dimension information indicating the size of the sheets P stored in the storage sections 16 and 18 and grammage information indicating the weight per unit area of ​​the sheets P on the operation panel, and these input information are stored in the memory 212 .

[0125] Here, the so-called gram weight refers to the weight per unit area of ​​the sheet material P (g / m 2 ), the thickness of the sheet P can be determined based on the gram weight.

[0126] The storage unit 214 is implemented by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, etc. A sheet conveying program 214A for operating the sheet conveying device 10 is stored in the recording medium 234 serving as the storage unit.

[0127] The sheet conveying program 214A is read from the recording medium 234 provided in the medium reading / writing device 232 and stored in the storage unit 214. The sheet conveying program 214A can also be downloaded via a network.

[0128] The CPU 210 reads the sheet conveying program 214A from the storage unit 214 and expands it into the memory 212. The CPU 210 sequentially executes the processes of the sheet conveying program 214A, thereby forming a processor and a control unit. The sheet conveying device 10 operates by the CPU 210 operating according to the sheet conveying program 214A.

[0129] (Action Description)

[0130] Next, refer to Figures 11 to 16 The operation of the sheet conveying device 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0131] (Dynamic Adjustment Processing (1))

[0132] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the dynamic adjustment process (1).

[0133] When the CPU 210 of the sheet conveying device 10 executes the sheet conveying program 214A and calls the dynamic adjustment process (1) in the process of conveying the sheet, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown, a transport speed setting process (S1) is executed.

[0134] (Conveyance speed setting process)

[0135] During the transport speed setting process, Figure 12 As shown, the size information and weight information stored in the memory 212 are input to determine the load during transportation (SB1), and it is determined whether the transportation load exceeds the load specified value pre-stored in the memory 212 (SB2).

[0136] Here, the grammage information input from the memory 212 indicates the weight per unit area, and the size information indicates the size of the sheet material P. Therefore, the weight of the sheet material P being transported can be determined based on the grammage information and the size information. Furthermore, the transport load during transport of the sheet material P increases in proportion to the weight of the sheet material P. Therefore, the transport load of the sheet material P being transported can be determined based on the grammage information and the size information.

[0137] If it is determined in step SB2 that the transport load does not exceed the load specification value, the transport speed (HS) value set in the memory 212 is set to the normal speed (TS) pre-stored in the memory 212 (SB3), and after returning to the dynamic adjustment process (1) that called the transport speed setting process, the return speed setting process (S2) is executed.

[0138] The transport speed (HS) indicates the speed at which the transport unit 80 is moved from the suction position 96 to the delivery position 98. When the sheet transport device 10 moves the transport unit 80, with the sheet P suctioned thereto, toward the image forming device 14, the transport unit 80 is moved at the speed indicated by the transport speed (HS). Furthermore, the normal speed (TS) indicates a reference speed, indicating the movement speed of the transport unit 80 when transporting a sheet P of a reference weight.

[0139] Therefore, the value of the transport speed (HS) when it is determined that the transport load does not exceed the specified load value is set as the normal speed (TS).

[0140] If it is determined in step SB2 that the transport load exceeds the load specification value, the transport speed (HS) value set in the memory 212 is set to a value obtained by subtracting the subtraction amount (α1) pre-stored in the memory 212 from the normal speed (TS) pre-stored in the memory 212 (SB4), and after returning to the dynamic adjustment process (1) that called the transport speed setting process, the return speed setting process (S2) is executed.

[0141] Thus, when the transport load exceeds the specified load value, the transport speed (HS) is set to a value slower than the normal speed (TS) by the normal speed (TS) minus the subtraction amount (α1).

[0142] In this manner, the dynamics of the conveying section 80 that conveys the sheet P is adjusted based on the conveyance load of the sheet P being conveyed.

[0143] Examples of the dynamics of the conveying unit 80 include the speed or acceleration of the conveying unit 80 . In the present embodiment, the speed of the conveying unit 80 is adjusted as the dynamics of the conveying unit 80 .

[0144] Specifically, when the transport load exceeds a predetermined load regulation value, the transport speed of the transport unit 80 moving in the transport direction is reduced compared to when the transport load is equal to or less than the load regulation value, thereby adjusting the dynamics.

[0145] (Return speed setting process)

[0146] Return to speed setting process, such as Figure 13 As shown, the value of the return speed (RS) set in advance in the memory 212 is set to a value (SC1) obtained by adding the addition amount (β1) stored in the memory 212 to the value set as the transport speed (HS).

[0147] The return speed (RS) indicates the speed at which the conveying section 80 returns from the handover position 98 to the adsorption position 96. The sheet conveying device 10 increases the return speed (RS) when the conveying section 80 returns to the opposite side of the conveying direction by an additional amount (β1) compared to the conveying speed (HS) when the conveying section 80 moves in the conveying direction.

[0148] Then, it is determined whether the value of the return speed (RS) is less than or equal to the normal speed (TS) stored in the memory 212 (SC2). If, in the determination of step SC2, the value of the return speed (RS) exceeds the normal speed (TS) stored in the memory 212, the process returns to the dynamic adjustment process (1) that called the return speed setting process.

[0149] On the other hand, if, in the judgment of step SC2, the value of the return speed (RS) is lower than the normal speed (TS) stored in the memory 212, the value of the return speed (RS) is set to the value obtained by adding the normal speed (TS) stored in the memory 212 and the addition amount (γ1) stored in the memory 212 (SC3), and the dynamic adjustment process (1) that called the return speed setting process is returned.

[0150] As a result, the return speed (RS) is increased compared to the transport speed (HS) when the transport load is equal to or less than the specified load value.

[0151] In the dynamic adjustment process (1), the routine that called the dynamic adjustment process (1) is returned to continue the process of conveying the sheet P. When the conveying unit 80 is moved from the suction position 96 to the delivery position 98, the moving speed of the conveying unit 80 is controlled so as to reach the value set as the conveying speed (HS). Furthermore, when the conveying unit 80 is moved from the delivery position 98 to the suction position 96, the moving speed of the conveying unit 80 is controlled so as to reach the value set as the return speed (RS).

[0152] (Function and Effect)

[0153] The operation of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

[0154] In the present embodiment, the dynamics of the conveying section 80 that conveys the sheet P is adjusted based on the conveyance load of the sheet P being conveyed.

[0155] Therefore, compared with a case where the conveyance speed of the sheet P is always constant, conveyance defects can be suppressed with a low-cost configuration.

[0156] Specifically, in order to suck and hold heavy sheets P such as thick paper and convey them at high speed, the conveying section 80 must overcome the acceleration load and increase its suction force on the sheets P. This inevitably increases the size and cost of the negative pressure device that supplies negative pressure to the conveying section 80.

[0157] However, in this embodiment, the dynamics of the conveying section 80 that conveys the sheet P are adjusted based on the conveying load of the conveyed sheet P. This can avoid the enlargement or cost increase of the negative pressure device and suppress conveying defects such as adsorption errors or falling of the sheet P during conveyance.

[0158] Then, the transport load is acquired based on the dimension information indicating the size of the sheet P and the basis weight information indicating the weight per unit area of ​​the sheet.

[0159] Therefore, compared with a case where the weight information of the sheet P needs to be input in addition to the size information and the basis weight information, the workability can be improved.

[0160] Furthermore, the conveying section 80 sucks the sheet P and conveys it.

[0161] Therefore, compared with the case where the sheet P is conveyed by rollers, the number of mechanisms for rotating the rollers can be reduced, and further, the sheet is less likely to be affected by paper dust during conveyance.

[0162] In addition, when the transport load exceeds a predetermined load value, the transport speed (HS) for moving the transport unit 80 in the transport direction (HH) is reduced compared to when the transport load is below the predetermined value to adjust the dynamics.

[0163] Therefore, compared with the case where the acceleration is reduced to adjust the dynamics, the time until the predetermined speed is reached can be shortened.

[0164] Furthermore, the return speed (RS) when the conveying unit 80 is returned to the side opposite to the conveying direction is increased compared to the conveying speed (HS) when the conveying unit 80 is moved in the conveying direction (HH).

[0165] Therefore, the time required for the transport cycle can be shortened compared to a case where the transport speed and the return speed are the same.

[0166] Furthermore, the return speed (RS) is increased compared to the transport speed (HS) when the transport load is equal to or less than the specified load value.

[0167] Therefore, the time required for the transport cycle can be further shortened compared to the case where the transport speed and the return speed are the same.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, all Figure 11 , but is not limited to this, and part of the processing can also be executed.

[0169] (Second embodiment)

[0170] Figures 14 to 16 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the sheet conveying device 10 according to the second embodiment. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the different parts will be described.

[0171] (Dynamic Adjustment Processing (2))

[0172] That is, when the CPU 210 of the sheet conveying device 10 executes the sheet conveying program 214A and calls the dynamic adjustment process (2) in the process of conveying the sheet P, as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown in FIG. 1 , a transport acceleration setting process ( SD1 ) is executed.

[0173] (Conveyance acceleration setting process)

[0174] In the transport acceleration setting process, if Figure 15As shown, the size information and weight information stored in the memory 212 are input to determine the load during transportation (SF1), and it is determined whether the transportation load exceeds the load specified value pre-stored in the memory 212 (SF2).

[0175] If it is determined in step SF2 that the transport load does not exceed the load specification value, the value of the transport acceleration (HA) set in the memory 212 is set to the normal acceleration (TA) pre-stored in the memory 212 (SF3), and after returning to the dynamic adjustment process (2) that called the transport acceleration setting process, the return acceleration setting process (SD2) is executed.

[0176] The value of the transport acceleration (HA) indicates the acceleration at which the transport unit 80 is accelerated when moving the transport unit 80 from the suction position 96 to the delivery position 98. When the sheet transport apparatus 10 moves the transport unit 80, which has suctioned the sheet P, toward the image forming apparatus 14, it accelerates the transport unit 80 at the acceleration indicated by the transport acceleration (HA). Furthermore, the normal acceleration (TA) indicates a reference acceleration, representing the acceleration of the transport unit 80 when transporting a sheet P of a reference weight.

[0177] Therefore, the value of the transport acceleration (HA) when it is determined that the transport load does not exceed the specified load value is set to the normal acceleration (TA).

[0178] If it is determined in step SF2 that the transport load exceeds the load specification value, the transport acceleration (HA) value set in the memory 212 is set to a value obtained by subtracting the subtraction amount (α2) pre-stored in the memory 212 from the normal acceleration (TA) pre-stored in the memory 212 (SF4), and after returning to the dynamic adjustment process (2) that called the transport acceleration setting process, the return acceleration setting process (SD2) is executed.

[0179] Thus, when the transport load exceeds the specified load value, the transport acceleration (HA) is set to a value smaller than the normal acceleration (TA) by the normal acceleration (TA) minus the subtraction amount (α2).

[0180] In this manner, the dynamics of the conveying section 80 that conveys the sheet P is adjusted based on the conveyance load of the sheet P being conveyed.

[0181] Examples of the dynamics of the conveying unit 80 include the speed and acceleration of the conveying unit 80 . In the present embodiment, the acceleration of the conveying unit 80 is adjusted as the dynamics of the conveying unit 80 .

[0182] Specifically, when the transport load exceeds a predetermined load value, the transport acceleration (HA) when moving the transport unit 80 in the transport direction (HH) is reduced compared to when the transport load is below the predetermined value, thereby adjusting the dynamics.

[0183] (Return to acceleration setting process)

[0184] In the return acceleration setting process, if Figure 16 As shown, the value of the return acceleration (RA) preset in the memory 212 is set to a value (SG1) obtained by adding the addition amount (β2) stored in the memory 212 to the value set as the transport acceleration (HA).

[0185] The return acceleration (RA) indicates the acceleration when the conveying unit 80 returns from the transfer position 98 to the adsorption position 96. Compared with the conveying acceleration (HA) when the conveying unit 80 moves in the conveying direction (HH), the return acceleration (RA) when returning to the side opposite to the conveying direction is increased by an additional amount (β2).

[0186] Then, it is determined whether the value of the return acceleration (RA) is less than or equal to the normal acceleration (TA) stored in the memory 212 (SG2). If, in the determination of step SG2, the value of the return acceleration (RA) exceeds the normal acceleration (TA) stored in the memory 212, the dynamic adjustment process (2) that called the return acceleration setting process is returned.

[0187] On the other hand, if, in the judgment of step SG2, the value of the return acceleration (RA) is lower than the normal acceleration (TA) stored in the memory 212, the value of the return acceleration (RA) is set to the value obtained by adding the value of the normal acceleration (TA) stored in the memory 212 and the addition amount (γ2) stored in the memory 212 (SG3), and the dynamic adjustment process (2) that called the return acceleration setting process is returned.

[0188] As a result, the return acceleration (RA) is increased compared to the transport acceleration (HA) when the transport load is equal to or less than the specified load value.

[0189] In the dynamic adjustment process (2), the routine that called the dynamic adjustment process (2) is returned to continue the process of conveying the sheet P. When the conveying unit 80 is moved from the suction position 96 to the delivery position 98, the acceleration of the conveying unit 80 is controlled so as to reach the value set as the conveying acceleration (HA). Furthermore, when the conveying unit 80 is moved from the delivery position 98 to the suction position 96, the movement acceleration of the conveying unit 80 is controlled so as to reach the value set as the return acceleration (RA).

[0190] (Function and Effect)

[0191] In the present embodiment having the above configuration, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained also with respect to the same parts.

[0192] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transport load exceeds a predetermined load value, the transport acceleration (HA) for moving the transport unit 80 in the transport direction (HH) is reduced compared to when the transport load is below the predetermined value, thereby adjusting the dynamics of the transport unit 80.

[0193] Therefore, compared with the case where the transport speed (HS) is reduced to adjust the dynamics of the transport unit 80 , it is possible to facilitate measures to suppress suction errors that may occur during acceleration.

[0194] Furthermore, the return acceleration (RA) when the conveying unit 80 returns to the side opposite to the conveying direction is increased compared to the conveying acceleration (HA) when the conveying unit 80 moves in the conveying direction (HH).

[0195] Therefore, the time required for the transport cycle can be shortened compared to a case where the transport acceleration and the return acceleration are the same.

[0196] Furthermore, the return acceleration is increased compared to the transport acceleration (HA) when the transport load is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0197] Therefore, the time required for the transport cycle can be further shortened compared to a case where the transport acceleration and the return acceleration are the same.

[0198] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the so-called processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as a central processing unit (CPU)) or a special-purpose processor (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0199] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by a plurality of processors located in physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0200] In addition, in this embodiment, all Figure 14 , but is not limited to this, and part of the processing can also be executed.

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device, characterized in that: Including processor, The processor adjusts the dynamics of a conveying unit that conveys the sheet based on a conveying load of the conveyed sheet, wherein the conveying unit reciprocates between a suction position for sucking the sheet and a delivery position for delivering the sucked and conveyed sheet to a feeding device for delivering the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit to an image forming device; The processor adjusts the dynamics by reducing a transport speed of the transport unit in a transport direction when the transport load exceeds a predetermined value compared to when the transport load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor acquires the transport load based on dimension information indicating the size of the sheet and grammage information indicating the weight per unit area of ​​the sheet.

3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The conveying section sucks and conveys the sheet.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: When the transport load exceeds a predetermined value, the processor adjusts the dynamics by further reducing a transport acceleration for moving the transport unit in a transport direction compared to when the transport load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor increases a return speed when returning the conveying portion to a side opposite to the conveying direction, compared to a conveying speed when the conveying portion moves in the conveying direction.

6. The sheet conveying device according to claim 5, wherein: The processor increases the return speed compared to a transport speed when the transport load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

7. The sheet conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The processor increases a return acceleration when returning the conveying unit to a side opposite to the conveying direction, compared to a conveying acceleration when moving the conveying unit in the conveying direction.

8. The sheet conveying device according to claim 7, wherein: The processor increases the return acceleration compared to the transport acceleration when the transport load is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

9. A sheet transport medium, characterized in that: for causing a computer to execute processing for adjusting the dynamics of a conveying section that conveys a sheet based on a conveying load of the conveyed sheet, wherein the conveying section reciprocates between a suction position for sucking the sheet and a delivery position for delivering the sucked and conveyed sheet to a feeding device for delivering the sheet conveyed by the conveying section to an image forming apparatus; When the transport load exceeds a predetermined value, the dynamics are adjusted by reducing a transport speed of the transport unit in a transport direction compared to when the transport load is below the predetermined value.

10. A computer program product, characterized in that The invention includes a program for causing a computer to function as a processor of the sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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