Stacking device for stacking substrates

Abstract

The invention relates to a stacking device (1) for stacking substrates (2; 2'), comprising: a frame (10), an inlet region (11), and an outlet region (12). The stacking device comprises at least one conveyor element (13A, 13B) which is mounted on the frame (10) in a completely rotatable manner about a rotational axis (D1, D2) and which comprises a gripping section (130) for conveying a substrate (2; 2') located in the inlet region (11) to the outlet region (12).

Description

[0001] Stacking device for stacking substrates

[0002] The invention relates to a stacking device for stacking substrates, a printing system with such a stacking device and a method for stacking substrates.

[0003] For example, print media printed consecutively by a printer is typically output into a stack. The stack, or part of it, can be removed by a user. Several stacking principles are conceivable. For example, the most recently printed print media can be placed on top of a stack. Alternatively, the most recently printed print media can be fed into a stack from the bottom. Feeding from the bottom into a stack accessible to a user from above has the advantage that the first printed print media is also available first.

[0004] DE 10 2020 120 256 A1 describes a printer for printing on plate-like media, namely for printing marker cards with markers for marking electrical devices. The printer comprises a housing and at least one input station for the marker cards to be printed, a printing station with a printing device, and an output station for the printed marker cards. The output station has a magazine device that has one or more guide devices. Each guide device further comprises a stacking unit that is pivotally mounted and can be pivoted back and forth for stacking.

[0005] DE 10 2013 104 780 A1 describes a magazine device for printed marking element mats. It comprises a horizontal conveyor and a vertical lifting device that moves in a shaft. The shaft has two symmetrical flaps that can be pivoted back and forth.

[0006] What the known devices have in common is that they are based on a complex mechanism that is prone to jamming.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to enable the simplest and most reliable stacking of print media.

[0008] This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a stacking device for stacking substrates, in particular printing media, comprises a frame, an input area and an output area, wherein at least one conveying element mounted on the frame so as to be completely rotatable about a rotation axis is provided, having a gripping section for conveying a substrate, in particular printing medium, located in the input area to the output area.

[0009] This is based on the idea of ​​providing a FIFO principle ("first in - first out"), in which the substrate, in particular print medium, that is fed in first is also the first to be dispensed, with a particularly simple and robust mechanism. By providing a conveyor element that can rotate completely about the axis of rotation and which grips and transports the respective substrate, in particular print medium, with the gripping section, no change in direction of movement is necessary. This makes the mechanism particularly simple and at the same time robust and therefore reliable. The substrates, in particular print media, can in particular be rigid objects that, unlike paper, for example, do not deform or only deform insignificantly due to their own weight.

[0010] The at least one conveying element can have a recess adjacent to the gripping section. A substrate can engage in this recess during transport by the at least one conveying element. This enables a particularly compact design, as the rotational axis can be positioned particularly close to the substrate.

[0011] Optionally, the at least one conveying element has an outer circular arc section. A substrate arranged in the output area can be supported on the circular arc section. This allows the conveying element to be repositioned after conveying a first substrate in order to convey a second substrate into the output area. The circular arc section then slides past the first substrate, with the position of the first substrate, for example, remaining unchanged. The conveying element thus has a dual function.

[0012] The at least one conveyor element can be configured to vertically lift one or more substrates against gravity into the output area. This allows for the creation of a stack that can be removed particularly easily. The output area can have a guide for guiding a stack of substrates. This allows for the orderly stacking of a large number of substrates.

[0013] The stacking device can comprise a drive unit that is laterally offset relative to the output area. This enables a particularly compact design that can also be easily implemented in a modular manner.

[0014] The at least one conveying element can be rotated unidirectionally multiple times, in particular any number of times, around the rotation axis, e.g., to transport multiple substrates one after the other to the output area. For example, one substrate is transported with each complete rotation. This enables continuous and uniform conveyance.

[0015] At least one conveying element can be disc-shaped. This allows for a narrow design and, at the same time, a simple construction.

[0016] The stacking device can comprise two conveyor elements that rotate in opposite directions, between which a substrate can be arranged. This allows for a particularly smooth-running construction.

[0017] Furthermore, the stacking device can comprise a first pair of conveyor elements that can rotate in the opposite direction to a second pair of conveyor elements. This allows each substrate, for example, to be lifted at four corners simultaneously, allowing for particularly orderly stacking without tilting.

[0018] Furthermore, the stacking device can have a second output area which is separate from the output area already mentioned, wherein the substrates can be output from the input area into the separate output area as an alternative to the output area.

[0019] Optionally, the stacking device is configured to stack flat and rigid substrates, in particular print media. For example, the stacking device is configured to stack print media in the form of sign mats, each with a plurality of breakable identification labels. Such sign mats are also referred to as marking element mats. The stacking device is particularly well suited for the efficient stacking of such print media. The stacking device can comprise at least one flat, rigid substrate, in particular a print medium, in particular in the form of a sign mat with a plurality of breakable identification labels. This can be arranged in the input area and the output area.

[0020] According to one aspect, a printing system is provided. The printing system comprises the stacking device according to any embodiment described herein. Furthermore, the printing system comprises a printer and a transport device for transporting the substrates in the form of print media from the printer to the stacking device. Regarding the advantages, reference is made to the above information regarding the stacking device.

[0021] The transport device of the printing system comprises, for example, at least one rail for guiding the print media. A recess for engagement by the at least one conveyor element can be formed in the at least one rail. This results in a particularly compact design.

[0022] According to one aspect, a method for stacking substrates, in particular print media, is specified, in particular using the stacking device according to any embodiment described herein. The stacking device comprises a frame, an input area, an output area, and at least one conveyor element mounted on the frame so as to be completely rotatable about a rotation axis. The method comprises the following steps: arranging a substrate, in particular a print medium, in the input area; and conveying the substrate, in particular a print medium, arranged in the input area with a gripping section of the at least one conveyor element to the output area by rotating the at least one conveyor element at least once about the rotation axis. With regard to the advantages, reference is again made to the above information on the stacking device.

[0023] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a printing system for printing on print media; Fig. 2 is a view of a print medium in the form of a sign mat with several break-out labels;

[0025] Fig. 3A to 3C are views of a stacking device of the printing system according to Fig. 1 in different stages of conveying a printing medium;

[0026] Fig. 4 is a view of a stack of print media in a

[0027] Output area of ​​the stacking device according to Fig. 3A to 3C;

[0028] Fig. 5 is a view of the stacking device according to Figs. 3A to 3C, showing an additional output area;

[0029] Fig. 6 is a view of the stacking device according to Figs. 3A to 3C, showing a drive unit of the stacking device; and

[0030] Fig. 7 is a view of a passage of the stacking device according to Figs. 3A to 3C.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a printing system 3 for printing on several individually printable substrates in the form of print media. For this purpose, the

[0032] Printing system 3 a separating device 30 into which a stack of print media can be fed automatically or manually.

[0033] Transport device 31 transports individual print media output by the separating device 30 to a printer 32 of the printing system 3.

[0034] The printer 32 prints the individual print media one after the other. From the printer 32, the print media are transported to a stacking device 1 by means of the transport device 31. The stacking device 1 stacks the individual printed print media into a stack, which can then be removed from the stacking device 1 manually or automatically.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows an example of such a substrate in the form of a printing medium 2. The printing medium 2 comprises a plurality of identification plates 20. The identification plates 20 are each formed on (at least) one of a plurality of webs 21. The webs 21 are arranged parallel to one another and with the identification plates 20 between two guides 22. The webs 21 are each fixed to both guides 22. The printing medium 2 is formed in one piece. For example, it is an injection-molded part. In particular, the printing medium 2 can consist of a plastic or comprise a plastic. The individual identification plates 20 can be broken off from the webs 21. For example, an identification plate 20 printed with the printer 32 can be attached to an electrical or electronic component in order to identify it. For this purpose, the identification plates 20 each have locking elements for locking onto a respective component.

[0036] The print medium 2 can also be referred to as a mat or card. It is plate-shaped and rigid. Due to its own weight, the print medium 2 does not bend, or only slightly, when held, for example, only on one side or corner.

[0037] The print medium 2 has a length, a width, and a height. The height is smaller than the length and the width. The width is smaller than the length. The guides 22 extend along the length. The end faces of the print medium 2 extend across its width.

[0038] Depending on the required shape and size of the identification labels 20, the printing medium 2 can have a larger or smaller number of identification labels 20 and webs 21 for holding the identification labels 20.

[0039] Fig. 3A to 3C show the stacking device 1 and its operation.

[0040] The stacking device 1 comprises a frame 10, an input area 11, and an output area 12. The output area 12 is arranged vertically above the input area 11 when the stacking device 1 is used as intended. By means of the transport device 31, a printing medium 2' can be moved, in this case displaced, from the printer 32 into the input area 11. For this purpose, the transport device 31 has a pair of rails 310, wherein each of the guides 22 of the respective printing medium 2' sits on one of the rails 310 and is thus guided for longitudinal displacement. Fig. 3A uses an arrow to illustrate the conveyance of the printing medium 2' shown in Fig. 3A into the arrangement of the printing medium 2' in the input area 11 shown in the figure. The rails 310 of the transport device 31 are spaced apart from one another. The rails 310 of the transport device 31 run parallel to one another.During the intended use of the stacking device 1 (and the printing system 3), the rails 310 extend horizontally.

[0041] Furthermore, the stacking device 1 generally comprises at least one conveyor element 13A, 13B, in the example shown exactly four conveyor elements 13A, 13B. Each of the conveyor elements 13A, 13B is mounted on the frame 10 so as to be completely rotatable, i.e. by 360 degrees, about a respective axis of rotation D1, D2. As can be seen in particular in Figs. 5 and 7, the stacking device 1 comprises a first pair of conveyor elements 13A, which is rotatable in a first direction (counterclockwise in the view according to Fig. 3A), and a second pair of conveyor elements 13B, which is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction (clockwise in the view according to Fig. 3A).Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable, for example, for the stacking device to have exactly two conveying elements, which are arranged, for example, on opposite sides of the entrance area 11, so that they are arranged on opposite sides of a printing medium 2' located in the entrance area 11.

[0042] Of the four conveying elements 13A, 13B shown here, two (namely the first pair) are arranged on one side of the entrance area 11, and two more (namely the second pair) are arranged on an opposite side of the entrance area 11, and thus also correspondingly on opposite sides of a printing medium 2' positioned in the entrance area 11. In the example shown, the conveying elements 13A, 13B engage the end faces of the printing medium 2'. Specifically, the conveying elements 13A, 13B are arranged in the example shown such that they are located at four corners of a rectangular printing medium 2' positioned in the entrance area 11.

[0043] In this case, the conveyor elements 13A, 13B are identical to each other. The first pair is oriented inversely to the second pair.

[0044] Each of the conveying elements 13A, 13B has a gripping section 130 for gripping a printing medium 2' located in the input area 11 and for conveying the printing medium 2' to the output area 12. The gripping section 130 is in the form of a projection. By rotating the respective conveying element 13A, 13B about the corresponding rotation axis D1, D2, the gripping section 130 grips under the printing medium 2' positioned in the input area 11 and lifts it, as will be explained in more detail below. Adjacent to the gripping section 130, a recess 131 is formed in each conveying element 13A, 13B. When conveyed by the conveying elements 13A, 13B, the printing medium 2' engages in the respective recesses 131.

[0045] Furthermore, the conveying elements 13A, 13B each have a circular arc section 132. A print medium 2' arranged in the output area 12 can be supported on the circular arc section 132 while the conveying element 13A, 13B continues to rotate. The circular arc section 132 is arranged concentrically to the respective axis of rotation D1, D2. The gripping section 130 is formed eccentrically to the circular arc section 132 (and to the axis of rotation D1, D2). The gripping section 130 extends further outwards in the radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation D1, D2 than the circular arc section 132. The gripping section 130 of a respective conveying element 13A, 13B is aligned such that it points in the respective direction of rotation of the conveying element 13A, 13B. The extended gripping sections 130 enable the print media 2' to be picked up without having to lift them by separate elements.The respective printing medium 2' remains at a transport height in the entrance area 11 until it is picked up by the gripping sections 130. No additional mechanism is required.

[0046] The conveyor elements 13A, 13B are flat (along the rotation axes D1, D2). In this case, the conveyor elements 13A, 13B are disc-shaped. The conveyor elements 13A, 13B can also be referred to as profiled discs. Stacking is therefore achieved by profiled discs.

[0047] The stacking device 1 is mounted on the transport device 31. The conveying elements 13A, 13B are each aligned with one of the rails 310 of the transport device 31. In each of the two rails 310, a recess 311 is formed for each two of the conveying elements 13A, 13B (i.e., one recess 311 per conveying element 13A, 13B). The gripping sections 130 of the conveying elements 13A, 13B engage in these recesses 311 when they rotate about the respective rotational axes D1, D2. This allows the gripping sections 130 to easily grip under the printing medium 2' resting on the rails 311. In doing so, the conveying elements 13A, 13B each engage in the guides 22 of the printing medium 2'. This ensures that the printing medium 2' is securely seated during conveyance.

[0048] With reference to Figs. 3A to 3C and 4, a method for stacking print media 2' using the stacking device 1 will now be explained. In a first step, a print medium, for example the print medium 2 shown in Fig. 2 or the print medium 2' shown in Figs. 3A-3C, is conveyed into the input area 11, as illustrated in Fig. 3A by the arrow. In the example shown, this displacement occurs in a horizontal direction. The print medium 2' is then ready in the input area 11. The conveying elements 13A, 13B were previously arranged such that the gripping sections 130 do not obstruct the displacement of the print medium 2 along the rails 310. For example, the conveying elements 13A, 13B are rotated such that the gripping sections 130 point upwards.

[0049] Next, the print medium 2' arranged in the input area 11 is conveyed to the output area 12 by the gripping sections 130 of the conveying elements 13A, 13B by rotating the at least one conveying element 13A, 13B about the rotation axis D1, D2. In this case, the conveying elements 13A, 13B each mesh with the end faces of the print medium 2' in a rotating manner. In the present case, the conveying elements 13A, 13B are rotated completely once about the rotation axis D1, D2, i.e., by 360 degrees, for each print medium 2' to be stacked. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the conveying elements 13A, 13B to each have two (or more) gripping sections, so that two (or more) print media 2' can be conveyed per complete rotation. Because the conveying elements 13A, 13B are completely rotatable about the rotation axes D1, D2, the stacking of several print media 2' can be carried out by a unidirectional rotational movement, i.e. without switching the direction of rotation.This allows for a particularly simple drive mechanism, which will be described in more detail below, and which, due to the lack of a switching of the direction of rotation, is also not prone to jamming. The rotational movement can be stopped between the conveyance of two print media 2' or, alternatively, can continue continuously. All conveying elements 13A, 13B move synchronously. The movements of the conveying elements 13A, 13B are coupled to one another.

[0050] Fig. 3B shows a moment in which the gripping sections 130 dip into the recesses 311 in the rails 310 of the transport device 31, shortly before they grip under one of the webs 21 (and / or one of the guides 22) of the printing medium 2' by further rotation about the axes of rotation D1, D2. As soon as the gripping sections 130 come into contact with the webs 21, the printing medium 2' is lifted by a further rotation of the conveying elements 13A, 13B in the vertical direction, against the direction of gravity, as illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 3C. Fig. 3C shows a moment in which the gripping sections 130 have already rotated further and their ends are no longer in contact with the printing medium 2'. Rather, the printing medium 2' rests on the respective conveying element 13A, 13B at a transition to the circular arc section 132. Upon further rotation of the conveying elements 13A, 13B, the pressure medium 2' therefore slides on the circular arc sections 132.These rotate beneath the pressure medium 2', while the pressure medium 2' remains stationary in the output area 12. The pressure medium 2' then rests on the respective outer diameter of the conveying elements 13A, 13B.

[0051] Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of a plurality of print media 2' to form a stack in the output area 12. The stacking device 1 always feeds further print media 2' to the stack from below, thus lifting the stack above it.

[0052] The output area 12 has a guide 120 for guiding a stack of print media 2'. The guide 120 borders the sides of the output area 12. The guide 120 forms a chute for the print media 2'. The guide 120 is open at the top so that the stack of printed print media 2' can be removed. To facilitate removal, the guide 120 has two opposing lateral slots, as can be seen, for example, in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0053] Fig. 5 also shows an optional separate output area 14 of the stacking device 1. A respective print medium 2; 2' can either be selectively stacked by the stacking device 1 in the output area 12 or transported individually from the input area 11 into the separate output area 14, e.g., by means of the transport device 31. In the present case, the separate output area 14 is inclined relative to the rails 311 to facilitate removal. The separate output area 14 can also be referred to as a discharge area. If, for example, it is determined that an individual print medium has been incorrectly printed or is of the wrong type, it can be discharged into the separate output area 14 so that it does not end up in the stack. Even if a print medium is to be processed with priority, it can be guided past the stack in this way.

[0054] 6 and 7 show a drive unit 15 of the stacking device 1. The drive unit 15 comprises a motor 150 and a plurality of gears 151, 152. It can also be seen that each pair of conveyor elements 13A, 13B is each fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to a shaft 133. Furthermore, one of the gears 152 is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to each of the two shafts 133. In order to effect the opposite directions of rotation of the pairs of conveyor elements 13A, 13B (and of the two shafts 133), the drive unit 15 has a number of gears 151, 152 connected in series for the first pair and the second pair, which differs by one. Thus, a drive pinion of the motor 150 drives the shaft 133 shown on the left in Fig. 6 via a total of two gears 151, 152, while the drive pinion drives the shaft 133 arranged on the right in the view of Fig. 6 via a total of three gears 151, 152.

[0055] A sensor (e.g., in motor 15) detects the position of the conveyor elements 13A, 13B, in particular, a current angle of rotation (e.g., relative to frame 10). This allows motor 15 to coordinate stacking with the conveying by transport device 31.

[0056] As can be seen particularly from Figs. 6 and 7, the frame 10 has two arms 100. While the guide 120 of the output area 12 extends vertically upward, the arms 100 extend vertically downward. A passage 101 is formed between the arms 100. The passage 101 is designed to accommodate a portion of the transport device 31 of the printing system 3. In the assembled state, the transport device 31 of the printing system 3 extends in the passage 101.

[0057] The drive device 15 is arranged laterally offset from the output area 12. This frees up the installation space below the output area 12. This enables a particularly compact and modular design. Furthermore, this arrangement allows the use of the separate output area 14 because the installation space is not blocked at the transport height. Furthermore, the installation space in front of and behind the end faces of the print media 2 is not blocked by the drive.

[0058] When rotated in the opposite direction, the stacking device can also be used as a separating device for separating and feeding stacked print media 2. This results in a large number of identical parts.

[0059] Specifically, the drive device 15 is mounted on one of the arms 100. The drive device 15 is arranged below the output area 12. The stacking device 1 shown enables stacking according to the FIFO principle, so that the first-printed print medium 2, 2' is also available first.

[0060] The conveying elements 13A, 13B actively lift the printing media 2, 2' and no external force is necessary which could deform the printing media 2, 2'.

[0061] Furthermore, the print media 2, 2' are raised at the front, which enables a very simple and cost-effective construction.

[0062] Since the picking up, lifting, and retention of the print media 2, 2' is achieved by a rotational movement (per conveying element 13A, 13B) in only one direction of rotation, an idle stroke can be avoided. Furthermore, alternating loads and the associated wear are eliminated. Furthermore, very few components are required, thus achieving low complexity and susceptibility to failure. The concept underlying the invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments, but can in principle also be implemented in completely different ways.

[0063] List of reference symbols

[0064] 1 stacking device

[0065] 10 frames

[0066] 100 arms

[0067] 101 passage

[0068] 11 Entrance area

[0069] 12 Output area

[0070] 120 Guide

[0071] 13A, 13B Conveyor element

[0072] 130 gripping section

[0073] 131 recess

[0074] 132 circular arc section

[0075] 133 Wave

[0076] 14 separate output area

[0077] 15 Drive unit 150 Motor 151 Gear

[0078] 152 gear

[0079] 2, 2' print medium

[0080] 20 Identification plate

[0081] 21 jetty

[0082] 22 Guide

[0083] 3 Printing system

[0084] 30 Separation device

[0085] 31 T ransport device 310 Rail 311 Recess

[0086] 32 printers

[0087] D1 , D2 rotation axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Stacking device (1) for stacking substrates (2; 2'), comprising: a frame (10), an input area (11) and an output area (12), characterized by at least one conveyor element (13A, 13B) mounted on the frame (10) so as to be completely rotatable about an axis of rotation (D1, D2) and having a gripping section (130) for conveying a substrate (2; 2') located in the input area (11) to the output area (12).

2. Stacking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) has a recess (131) adjacent to the gripping section (130) so that a substrate (2; 2') engages therein during conveyance by the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B).

3. Stacking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) has an outer circular arc section (132) on which a substrate (2; 2') arranged in the output area (12) can be supported.

4. Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) is designed to lift the substrates (2; 2') vertically into the output area (12).

5. Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output area (12) has a guide (120) for guiding a stack of substrates (2; 2').

6. Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drive unit (15) arranged laterally offset from the output area (12). Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) is unidirectionally rotatable multiple times about the rotation axis (D1, D2) in order to convey a plurality of substrates (2; 2') one after the other to the output area (12). Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) is disc-shaped. Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two oppositely rotatable conveying elements (13A, 13B), between which a substrate (2; 2') can be arranged. Stacking device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by a first pair of conveying elements (13A) which is oppositely rotatable to a second pair of conveying elements (13B).Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a separate output area (14) into which substrates (2; 2') can be output from the input area (11). Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stacking unit (1) is configured to stack substrates (2; 2') in the form of flat, rigid printing media, in particular in the form of sign mats, each with a plurality of break-out identification plates. Stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one rigid substrate (2; 2'), in particular in the form of a sign mat with a plurality of break-out identification plates.Printing system (3) comprising: the stacking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a printer (32) and a transport device (31) for transporting the substrates (2; 2') in the form of print media from the printer (32) to the stacking device (1). Printing system (3) according to claim 14, characterized in that the transport device (31) comprises at least one rail (310) for guiding the substrates (2; 2'), in which a recess (311) is formed for engagement by the at least one conveyor element (13A, 13B). A method for stacking substrates (2; 2') with a stacking device (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a frame (10), an input area (11), an output area (12), and at least one conveyor element (13A, 13B) mounted on the frame (10) so as to be completely rotatable about a rotation axis (D1, D2), the method comprising the following steps: Arranging a substrate (2; 2') in the entrance area (11); and Conveying the substrate (2; 2') arranged in the entrance area (11) with a gripping section (130) of the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) to Discharge area (12) by rotating the at least one conveying element (13A, 13B) completely around the axis of rotation (D1, D2).

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