Sheet conveying device

Abstract

A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a carrying-in section that feeds a sheet into a loading section; an ejection section that ejects a sheet loaded in the loading section; a lower conveying section that moves the sheet by applying a force to a lower side of the sheet loaded in the loading section; a lifting section that lifts an end of the lower conveying section on at least one side close to the carrying-in section to a lower stage, a middle stage, and an upper stage; an upper conveying section that moves the sheet by applying a force to an upper side of the sheet sandwiched between the lower conveying section moved to the upper stage; and a stopper that protrudes toward the lower conveying section placed to the lower stage and hits an end on a downstream side in a feeding direction of the sheet.

Description

[0001] This application is an application that entered the Chinese national phase of international application PCT / JP2021 / 028572 (international application date: August 2, 2021), and the aforementioned international application is cited in this specification. Furthermore, this application is based on Japanese patent application JP2020-147904 (application date: September 2, 2020) and claims priority to that application. The entire contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sheet conveying device. Background Technology

[0003] Previously, there existed a sheet conveying device that was located at the rear of a printer that printed on the sheet, aligning, overlapping and discharging the printed sheet.

[0004] In a sheet conveying device, there exists a sheet conveying device that is designed for at least two lengths of the sheets being processed. Such conventional sheet conveying devices include: a stacker on a return conveying path that overlaps and temporarily holds the printed sheets until a predetermined number of sheets have been printed; and a swing arm that moves existing sheets back and forth within the stacker to overlap newly printed sheets onto existing sheets.

[0005] Traditional sheet conveying devices with stackers and swing arms are complex in structure, and the devices are prone to being large-scale due to their shape and movement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device that is simple in structure and small in size compared with the past.

[0007] The sheet conveying device of this embodiment includes a loading section, a receiving section, a discharging section, a lower conveying section, a lifting section, an upper conveying section, and a limiter. Sheets are fed in one by one and sequentially loaded into the loading section. The receiving section moves the sheets along the length direction and feeds them into the loading section. The discharging section is located downstream of the receiving section in the sheet feed direction and discharges the sheets loaded in the loading section. The lower conveying section forms at least a portion of the bottom of the loading section and applies a force along the length direction to the lower side of the sheets loaded in the loading section. The lifting section raises and lowers at least one end of the lower conveying section near the receiving section to at least three stages: a lower section suitable for handling a first length where the sheet length is shorter than the distance from the receiving section to the discharging section; a middle section suitable for handling a second length where the sheet length is longer than the first length; and an upper section suitable for discharging the sheets. The upper conveying section is opposite the lower conveying section, and a force is applied along the length direction to the upper side of the sheet sandwiched between the upper and lower conveying sections that have moved to the upper section via the lifting section. A limiter protrudes onto the lower conveying section that has been placed to the lower section via the lifting section, and abuts against the downstream end of the sheet of the first length in the feed direction. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the sheet conveying device and printer in the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of a sheet conveying device.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a sheet conveying device that positions the lower conveying section in the middle.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a sheet conveying device that positions the lower conveying section at the upper section.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sheet conveying device.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sheet conveying device.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the discharge section in the closed state.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the discharge section in the open state.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the structure of the sheet conveying device in the second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10This is a diagram showing a sheet conveying device that positions the lower conveying section in the middle.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing a sheet conveying device that positions the lower conveying section at the upper section. Detailed Implementation

[0019] (First Embodiment)

[0020] The first embodiment will be described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This diagram schematically illustrates the structure of the sheet transport device 100 and the printer 200 according to the first embodiment. The printer 200 includes a paper supply unit 210, a printing unit 220, and a transport unit 230. Furthermore, for ease of explanation below, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is provided in the diagram. In the diagram, the direction indicated by the arrow is the positive direction, and the opposite direction is the negative direction.

[0021] The paper supply unit 210 has two paper supply paths 211 and 212, which supply sheets taken from each paper supply path 211 and 212 to the printing unit 220. The paper supply unit 210 uses the two paper supply paths 211 and 212 according to the type of sheet. The sheet is, for example, folded paper.

[0022] The printing unit 220 includes a print head and a pressure roller, which prints on a sheet sandwiched between them. A cutter is provided at the rear of the printing unit 220 to cut the printed sheet into a predetermined length. The conveying unit 230 transports the printed and cut sheet to the sheet conveying device 100.

[0023] The sheet conveying device 100 overlaps and aligns multiple sheets of printed and cut sheets to a predetermined length, and then discharges them. The sheet conveying device 100 is suitable for both long and short sheets.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the structure of the sheet conveying device 100. The sheet conveying device 100 includes a loading section 110, a conveying section 120, a discharge section 130, a lower conveying section 140, a lifting section 150, an upper conveying section 160, a limiter 170, and a recycling bin 180.

[0025] The loading section 110 is the space between the lower conveying section 140 and the upper conveying section 160. The loading section 120 has a pair of rollers 121 and 122. The rollers 121 and 122 take over the conveying of the sheet material transported by the conveying section 230, causing the sheet material to move along its length and be fed into the loading section 110. Sheets fed in one by one by the loading section 120 are sequentially loaded into the loading section 110.

[0026] The lower conveying section 140 is inclined relative to the upper conveying section 160 in such a way that the downstream side of the sheet feed direction is closer to the upper conveying section 160 and the upstream side of the sheet feed direction is further away from the upper conveying section 160.

[0027] The lifting section 150 in this embodiment is a cam mechanism having a cam 151 that contacts the lower surface of the lower conveying section 140 and a shaft 152 that rotates the cam 151. By rotating the cam 151 around the shaft 152, the lifting section 150 raises and lowers the end of the lower conveying section 140 at least on the side closest to the loading section 120 (the upstream side in the feed direction) to at least three stages: lower section, middle section, and upper section.

[0028] Figure 2 The lower conveying section 140 is located in the lower section. The lower section is suitable for handling the case where the length of the sheet is shorter than the first length of the distance from the loading section 120 to the discharge section 130. Figure 3 This diagram shows a sheet conveying device 100 with the lower conveying section 140 positioned in the middle section. The middle section is suitable for handling sheet lengths that are second lengths, longer than the first length described above. Figure 4 This figure shows a sheet conveying device 100 with the lower conveying section 140 positioned in the upper section. The upper section is positioned approximately parallel to the upper conveying section 160 and clamps the sheet loaded in the loading section 110 between the upper conveying section 160 and the upper conveying section 160, suitable for discharging the sheet.

[0029] Limiter 170 (reference) Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The limiter 170 protrudes onto the lower conveyor 140, which is placed on the lower section via the lifting section 150, and abuts against the downstream end of the first length sheet in the feed direction. That is, it positions the shorter sheet that is loaded onto the loading section 110. When the lower conveyor 140 is in the middle or upper section, the limiter 170 does not protrude onto the lower conveyor 140.

[0030] The lifting and lowering of the limiter 170 is implemented by the operation of the lifting section 150, which uses a transmission mechanism such as gears to move the lower conveyor section 140 up and down. However, the lifting and lowering direction of the limiter 170 is opposite to that of the lower conveyor section 140; when the lower conveyor section 140 moves upward, the limiter 170 moves downward, and when the lower conveyor section 140 moves downward, the limiter 170 moves upward.

[0031] Figure 5 and Figure 6These are perspective views showing the appearance of the sheet conveying device 100 from different directions. The lower conveying section 140 has annular belts 141 and 142 that form at least a portion of the bottom of the loading section 110. The annular belts 141 and 142 are tensioned at a predetermined tension by a drive shaft and a driven shaft rotated by an electric motor, and abut against the lower side of the sheet loaded in the loading section 110, applying a force to the sheet to move it along its length.

[0032] The upper conveying section 160 has annular belts 161 and 162 opposite to the lower conveying section 140. The annular belts 161 and 162 are tensioned at a predetermined tension by a drive shaft and a driven shaft rotated by an electric motor, and apply a force along the length direction to the upper side of the sheet sandwiched between them and the lower conveying section 140.

[0033] Here, both the lower conveyor section 140 and the upper conveyor section 160 are equipped with multiple annular belts 141, 142, 161, and 162 that are oriented along the length direction in the sheet feeding direction. The annular belts 141 and 142 are arranged alternately in the width direction. In addition, the downstream ends of the annular belts 141 and 142 in the sheet feeding direction overlap with the downstream ends of the annular belts 161 and 162 in the sheet feeding direction at least when the lower conveyor section 140 is in the middle section in the lifting direction of the lower conveyor section 140.

[0034] More specifically, the annular belts 141, 142 and 161, 162 are arranged alternately in the Y-axis direction and do not overlap in the XY plane. In addition, the annular belts 141, 142 and 161, 162 are arranged such that their end heights (positions in the Z-axis direction) on the discharge section 130 side are slightly overlapped when viewed from the ZX plane.

[0035] Therefore, when the lower conveying section 140 is in the middle section, the downstream end of the second length sheet is slightly clamped between the downstream ends of the annular belts 141 and 142 and the downstream ends of the annular belts 161 and 162 (semi-clamped state).

[0036] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the discharge section 130 in the closed state. Figure 8 The diagram shows the discharge section 130 in its open state. The discharge section 130 is located downstream of the loading section 120 in the sheet feeding direction, discharging a bundle of sheets (sheet bundles) that are aligned and loaded in the loading section 110. Here, when discharging the sheet bundle, the upper conveyor section 160 and the lower conveyor section 140 stop with the rear end of the sheet bundle clamped, waiting for the user to remove the front end. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the waiting period without the user removing the sheet bundle, the upper conveyor section 160 and the lower conveyor section 140 return the sheet bundle to the loading section 110.

[0037] The recycling bin 180 is the space in the loading section 110 where the sheet bundle is recycled and returned to the discharge section 110 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge section 130 has discharged the sheet but the user has not removed it.

[0038] The discharge section 130 includes a gate component 132 and a cam mechanism 133. The gate component 132 has a discharge port 131. The end opposite to the side where the discharge port 131 is provided of the gate component 132 is rotatably supported. The cam mechanism 133 includes a cam 134 and a shaft 135 for rotating the cam 134. The cam mechanism 133 abuts against the lower surface between the rotation shaft of the gate component 132 and the discharge port 131. The shaft 135 is rotated by transmitting the movement of the lifting section 150 using, for example, gears. Thus, when the lower conveying section 140 moves from the lower section or middle section to the upper section, the cam 134 pushes up and rotates the gate component 132, and the discharge port 131 is located on the extension line of the sheet feed direction (see reference). Figure 4 That is, the discharge section 130 changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0039] The operation of the printer 200 and the sheet transport device 100 configured as described below will be explained. In the printer 200, firstly, the paper supply unit 210 supplies the sheet material taken from the paper supply path 211 or the paper supply path 212 to the printing unit 220. The printing unit 220 prints on the sheet material sandwiched between the print head and the pressure roller. Then, the transport unit 230 transports the printed sheet material, which has been cut to a predetermined length, toward the sheet transport device 100.

[0040] In the sheet conveying device 100, firstly, the loading section 120 takes over the sheet conveying from the conveying section 230, and moves the sheet along its length direction and feeds it into the loading section 110 by a pair of rollers 121, 122. The sheet fed into the loading section 110 is loaded onto the lower conveying section 140, which constitutes part of the bottom of the loading section 110.

[0041] Here, when the length of the cut sheet is the first length, the sheet conveying device 100 uses the lifting part 150 to position the lower conveying part 140 in the lower section. In this state, the limiter 170 protrudes upward from between the annular belts 141 and 142. The downstream end of the first length sheet fed by the loading part 120 abuts against the limiter 170 and is positioned. Thus, the sheets are aligned and overlapped using the downstream ends.

[0042] Furthermore, when the length of the cut sheet is the second length, the sheet conveying device 100 uses the lifting part 150 to position the lower conveying part 140 in the middle. In this state, the limiter 170 does not protrude from between the annular belt 141 and the annular belt 142. The sheet of the second length fed by the loading part 120 is positioned by its downstream end in the feed direction abutting against the gate member 132. Thus, the sheet is aligned using its downstream end.

[0043] Here, since the first-length sheet is relatively short, the force of feeding through the loading section 120 alone can reach and abut against the limiter 170. On the other hand, since the second-length sheet has a certain length, depending on the thickness and stiffness of the sheet, the force of feeding through the loading section 120 alone may not be able to reach the predetermined abutment position (gate member 132). Regarding this, according to this embodiment, since the lower conveyor section 140 is located in the middle when loading the second-length sheet, the distance between the lower conveyor section 140 and the upper conveyor section 160 is narrowed. In addition, since the lower conveyor section 140 is inclined relative to the upper conveyor section 160, the lower conveyor section 140 and the upper conveyor section 160 are closer to each other as they move downstream in the feed direction. With this configuration, the second-length sheet abuts against the annular belts 161 and 162, and auxiliary conveying force can be obtained. Furthermore, the second length sheet is fed in the direction by the annular belts 161 and 162 and moves until the front end (downstream end) is half-clamped.

[0044] When a predetermined number of sheets are aligned and overlapped in the loading section 110, the sheet conveying device 100 discharges the sheet bundle. During discharge, the sheet conveying device 100 moves the lower conveying section 140 to the upper section via the lifting section 150. As a result, the sheet bundle is clamped between the upper conveying section 160 and the lower conveying section 140. In addition, as the lower conveying section 140 moves to the upper section, the gate member 132 of the discharge section 130 is pushed up and rotated, thereby moving the discharge outlet 131 along the extension line of the sheet feed direction, and the discharge section 130 changes from a closed state to an open state.

[0045] In this state, the upper conveying section 160 and the lower conveying section 140 transport the sheet bundle from the discharge port 131 in the outward direction. The sheet conveying device 100 stops with the upper conveying section 160 and the lower conveying section 140 clamping (locking) the rear end of the sheet bundle, waiting for the user to remove the front end. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the discharge section 130 has discharged the sheet bundle but the user has not removed it, the upper conveying section 160 and the lower conveying section 140 of the sheet conveying device 100 return the sheet bundle to the loading section 110. The returned sheet bundle is then recycled into the recycling bin 180.

[0046] Thus, in the first embodiment, sheets that have been printed and cut to a predetermined length are overlapped flat, and the front ends are aligned. With this configuration, a sheet conveying device 100 with a simpler structure and smaller size compared to conventional devices can be realized.

[0047] (Second Implementation)

[0048] The second embodiment will be described using the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment described above; therefore, the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described, while the same reference numerals will be used for the parts that are the same as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the structure of the sheet conveying device 101 in the second embodiment, showing the state in which the lower conveying section 140 is located in the lower segment. Figure 10 The figure shows a sheet conveying device 101 that positions the lower conveying section 140 in the middle. Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the sheet conveying device 101 that positions the lower conveying section 140 in the upper section. These Figures 9-11 Compared with the first embodiment Figures 2-4 correspond.

[0050] The sheet conveying device 101 of this embodiment includes two limiters 171 and 172. Limiter 171 performs the same operation as limiter 170 in the first embodiment. Limiter 172 positions the front end of the second-length sheet. That is, in this embodiment, when aligning the front end of the second-length sheet, it abuts against limiter 172 instead of gate member 132. When the lower conveying section 140 is in the middle and lower sections, limiter 172 protrudes upwards from the lower conveying section 140. Similar to limiter 170, limiters 171 and 172 are raised and lowered by transmitting the movement of lifting section 150.

[0051] In this configuration, when the length of the cut sheet is the first length, the sheet conveying device 101 uses the lifting part 150 to position the lower conveying part 140 in the lower section. In this state, the limiters 171 and 172 protrude upwards from between the annular belts 141 and 142. The downstream end of the first length sheet fed in by the loading part 120 abuts against the limiter 171. Thus, the first length sheet is aligned and overlapped by the downstream end.

[0052] Furthermore, when the length of the cut sheet is the second length, the sheet conveying device 101 uses the lifting part 150 to position the lower conveying part 140 in the middle. In this state, the limiter 171 does not protrude from between the annular belt 141 and the annular belt 142, while the limiter 172 protrudes from between the annular belt 141 and the annular belt 142. The downstream end of the second-length sheet fed in by the loading part 120 abuts against the limiter 172 in the feed direction. Thus, the second-length sheet is aligned and overlapped using the downstream end.

[0053] Thus, according to the second embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. The distinction between the second and first embodiments is preferably made by selecting the most suitable one based on the material of the sheet used in the apparatus. For example, the first embodiment is suitable if it is undesirable to leave marks on the front end of the sheet from the stopper 172, while the second embodiment is suitable if it is undesirable to have the front end of the sheet partially clamped and scraped by the upper conveyor 160 and the lower conveyor 140.

[0054] While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A sheet conveying device, comprising: The loading section loads the sheets that are fed in one by one in sequence; The loading section moves the sheet along its length and feeds it into the loading section; The discharge section is located downstream of the sheet feed direction from the loading section, and discharges the sheet loaded in the loading section. The lower conveying section, which forms at least a portion of the bottom of the loading section, applies a force that moves along the length direction to the lower side of the sheet loaded in the loading section; The lifting section raises and lowers at least one end of the lower conveying section near the receiving section to at least three stages: a lower section suitable for handling a first length where the sheet length is shorter than the distance from the receiving section to the discharge section, a middle section suitable for handling a second length where the sheet length is longer than the first length, and an upper section suitable for discharging the sheet. An upper conveying section, which is opposite to the lower conveying section, applies a force along the length direction to the upper side of the sheet sandwiched between the lower conveying section and the lifting section that moves to the upper section. as well as A limiter protrudes onto the lower conveyor section placed below the lifting section, and abuts against the downstream end of the sheet of the first length in the feed direction. The discharge section includes a discharge port for discharging the sheet and a gate component for opening and closing the discharge port. The gate component opens the outlet when the lower conveying section is in the upper section, closes the outlet when the lower conveying section is in other positions, and positions the downstream end of the sheet of the second length in the feeding direction when the lower conveying section is in the middle section.

2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The limiter moves along with the movement of the lower conveyor by receiving the transmission of the action of the lifting part that causes the lower conveyor to rise and fall.

3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Both the upper conveying section and the lower conveying section have multiple annular belts in the feeding direction of the sheet and oriented in the length direction. The annular belts are arranged alternately in the width direction. The downstream end of the sheet in the feeding direction overlaps with the position of the lower conveying section in the lifting direction at least when the lower conveying section is in the middle section.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, It also includes: a second limiter that protrudes onto the lower conveyor section placed in the middle section via the lifting section, and abuts against the downstream end of the sheet of the second length in the feeding direction.

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