Sheet conveying device and sheet conveying method

Abstract

Provided is a sheet conveying device (100) comprising: a first conveying unit (10) that conveys a sheet (S1) along a first conveyance direction (TD1) and drops the sheet (S1) downward from a fall position (P0); a sheet accumulation unit (20) that accumulates sheets (S1) falling from the fall position (P0); a second conveying unit (30) that conveys the sheets (S1) accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit (20) along a second conveyance direction; a stopper (60) against which the front edge, in the first conveyance direction (TD1), of the sheets (S1) falling from the fall position (P0) abuts; and a switching unit (70) that switches the positions of a conveyance member (31) and the stopper (60) with respect to the fall position (P0) such that the conveyance member (31) is disposed at an intermediate position between the front edge of the sheets (S1) and the rear edge of the sheets (S1) in the first conveyance direction (TD1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus and a sheet conveying method. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a card stacking apparatus that stacks cards at a predetermined position by discharging a plurality of rows of cards aligned in a predetermined direction from a card discharge mechanism to a card support mechanism, and then a card stacking mechanism pushes the plurality of rows of cards received by the card support mechanism in a card pushing direction parallel to the predetermined direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the plurality of card receiving portions provided in the card support mechanism are switched from a horizontal state to a state of being obliquely supported such that a row of cards located on the upstream side in the card pushing direction rides onto a row of cards located on the downstream side. By pushing out the plurality of rows of cards in a state where the plurality of card receiving portions obliquely support the cards, the plurality of rows of cards are stacked together. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-119255 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, as shown in Fig. 4, a groove for moving a pushing member that pushes a card in the pushing direction is formed at the central position of the card receiving portion in the direction in which the card is discharged from the card discharge mechanism to the card support mechanism. In the card discharge direction, if the length from the card abutting portion against which the leading end of the card abuts to the groove is approximately half the length of the card, the intermediate position between the leading end and the trailing end of the card is pushed by the pushing member, and the card can be pushed in the pushing direction without rotating.

[0005] However, when using a card whose length in the card ejection direction differs from that shown in Figure 4, the length from the card abutment point to the groove will not be approximately half the length of the card, and the extrusion member will not be able to push out the card at an intermediate position between the leading and trailing ends. In this case, the card against which the extrusion member abuts may rotate, and it may not be possible to properly push the card out in the ejection direction.

[0006] Furthermore, when using a card whose length in the card ejection direction differs from that shown in Figure 4, it is necessary to replace the card receiving part with one of a different shape to match the card length in order to ensure that the length from the card abutment to the groove is approximately half the length of the card. In this case, the card can be properly ejected in the ejection direction, but it requires preparing multiple card receiving parts according to the card length in advance, and the card receiving part must be replaced each time the type of card is changed.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a sheet conveying device and a sheet conveying method that can appropriately convey sheets dropped from the drop position to the sheet loading section by the first conveying section along a second conveying direction intersecting the first conveying direction using a conveying member, even when sheets of different sizes are used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A sheet conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a first conveying unit that conveys a sheet along a first conveying direction and drops it downward from a drop position; a sheet accumulation unit that collects the sheets that have fallen from the drop position; a second conveying unit that conveys the sheets collected in the sheet accumulation unit along a second conveying direction by moving a conveying member along a second conveying direction intersecting the first conveying direction; a stopper that is positioned downstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and in the height direction, and against which the leading edge of the sheet in the first conveying direction that has fallen from the drop position abuts; and a switching unit that switches the positions of the conveying member and the stopper relative to the drop position such that the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit falls downward from a drop position and is accumulated in a sheet accumulation unit. The sheets accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit are conveyed along the second conveying direction by moving the conveying member of the second conveying unit along the second conveying direction. The switching unit switches the positions of the conveying member and the stopper relative to the drop position, so that the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet. As the conveying member conveys the sheet along the second conveying direction, the conveying member abuts against an intermediate position between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet, so that the sheet can be properly conveyed along the second conveying direction by the conveying member without rotating the sheet.

[0010] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, even when sheets of different sizes are used, the sheets dropped from the drop position to the sheet loading section by the first conveying unit can be appropriately conveyed by the conveying member along a second conveying direction that intersects the first conveying direction.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sheet conveying device may be configured to include a positioning unit that is arranged upstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and the height direction, and which positions the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction as it falls from the drop position.

[0012] With this sheet conveying device configuration, even if the sheet moves away from the stopper along the first conveying direction due to the reaction force when the leading edge of the sheet falls from the drop position and collides with the stopper, the rear end of the sheet can be positioned by the positioning unit. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately maintain a state in which the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet.

[0013] In a sheet conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first conveying unit conveys the sheets in multiple rows along the first conveying direction, and the sheet stacking unit has a first stacking unit having a first inclined surface whose height position gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second conveying direction, and a second stacking unit having a second inclined surface whose height position gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second conveying direction, and the sheets of the first row falling from the drop position are stacked in the first stacking unit, and the sheets of the second row falling from the drop position are stacked in the second stacking unit, and the second conveying unit may be configured to move the conveying member along the second conveying direction so that the first group of sheets stacked on the first inclined surface is stacked on top of the second group of sheets stacked on the second inclined surface, and the stacked sheets are conveyed along the second conveying direction.

[0014] In this sheet conveying device, multiple rows of sheets conveyed by the first conveying unit fall downward from the drop position, the first row of sheets is accumulated in the first accumulation unit, and the second row of sheets is accumulated in the second accumulation unit. By moving the conveying member along the second conveying direction, the first group of sheets accumulated in the first accumulation unit moves upward in the height direction along the first inclined surface and is stacked on top of the second group of sheets accumulated in the second accumulation unit, and the stacked sheets are conveyed along the second conveying direction. Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, the sheets accumulated in multiple accumulation units can be stacked and conveyed along the second conveying direction.

[0015] In the sheet conveying device with the above configuration, a sheet guide section may be provided, which is positioned above the sheet accumulation section and between the first accumulation section and the second accumulation section in the second conveying direction, extending in the height direction, and having a guide member that guides the first row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the first accumulation section, and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the second accumulation section.

[0016] According to the sheet conveying device of this embodiment, a sheet guide is arranged above the sheet accumulation section so as to extend in the height direction between the first accumulation section and the second accumulation section in the second conveying direction. The sheet guide can guide the first row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the first accumulation section, and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the second accumulation section.

[0017] In the sheet conveying device according to the above embodiment, the guide member may be positioned at the downstream end of the first inclined surface of the first accumulation section in the second conveying direction.

[0018] Since the guide member is positioned at the downstream end of the first inclined surface in the second conveying direction, the first inclined surface and the guide member face each other at the highest point of the first inclined surface. Therefore, the height distance between the lower end of the guide member and the first inclined surface is shortest in the second conveying direction. Thus, the problem of sheets accumulating in adjacent accumulation areas from between the lower end of the guide member and the first inclined surface can be effectively prevented.

[0019] A sheet conveying method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of conveying a sheet using a sheet conveying device, the sheet conveying device comprising: a first conveying unit that conveys the sheet along a first conveying direction and drops it downward from a drop position; a sheet accumulation unit that accumulates the sheet that has fallen from the drop position; a second conveying unit that conveys the sheet accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit along a second conveying direction by moving a conveying member along a second conveying direction intersecting the first conveying direction; and a stopper that is positioned downstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and in the height direction, and against which the leading edge of the sheet in the first conveying direction that has fallen from the drop position abuts; a switching step of switching the positions of the conveying member and the stopper with respect to the drop position such that the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction; a first conveying step of controlling the first conveying unit to drop the sheet from the drop position; and a second conveying step of controlling the second conveying unit to unload the sheet that has accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a switching step, the positions of the conveying member and the stopper are switched relative to the drop position, and the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet. In the first conveying step, the sheet to be conveyed falls downward from the drop position and is accumulated in the sheet accumulation section. The sheets accumulated in the sheet accumulation section are conveyed along the second conveying direction by moving the conveying member along the second conveying direction in the second conveying step. As the conveying member conveys the sheet along the second conveying direction, the conveying member abuts against a position intermediate between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet, so that the sheet can be properly conveyed along the second conveying direction by the conveying member without rotating it.

[0021] As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, even when using sheets of different sizes, the sheets dropped from the drop position to the sheet loading section by the first conveying unit can be appropriately conveyed by the conveying member along a second conveying direction that intersects the first conveying direction.

[0022] In a sheet conveying method according to one aspect of the present invention, a positioning unit may be provided which is arranged upstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and the height direction, and which positions the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction as it falls from the drop position.

[0023] With this sheet conveying method, even if the sheet moves away from the stopper along the first conveying direction due to the reaction force when the leading edge of the sheet falls from the drop position and collides with the stopper, the rear end of the sheet can be positioned by the positioning unit. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately maintain a state in which the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet.

[0024] In the sheet conveying method according to one aspect of the present invention, the first conveying section conveys the sheets in a plurality of rows along the first conveying direction, the sheet stacking section includes a first stacking section having a first inclined surface where a position in the height direction gradually increases from an upstream side to a downstream side in the second conveying direction, and a second stacking section having a second inclined surface where a position in the height direction gradually increases from an upstream side to a downstream side in the second conveying direction, the sheets in a first row falling from the dropping position are stacked on the first stacking section, the sheets in a second row falling from the dropping position are stacked on the second stacking section, and the second conveying section may be configured to move the conveying member along the second conveying direction, thereby stacking a first group of the sheets stacked on the first inclined surface above a second group of the sheets stacked on the second inclined surface, and moving the stacked sheets along the second conveying direction.

[0025] According to the sheet conveying method of the present configuration, sheets in a plurality of rows conveyed by the first conveying section fall downward from the dropping position, the sheets in the first row are stacked on the first stacking section, and the sheets in the second row are stacked on the second stacking section. By moving the conveying member along the second conveying direction, the first group of sheets stacked on the first stacking section moves upward in the height direction along the first inclined surface, is stacked above the second group of sheets stacked on the second stacking section, and the stacked sheets move along the second conveying direction. As described above, according to the sheet conveying apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, sheets stacked in a plurality of stacking sections can be stacked and moved along the second conveying direction.

[0026] In the sheet conveying method having the above configuration, an embodiment may be adopted that includes a sheet guide section provided with a guide member that is disposed above the sheet stacking section between the first stacking section and the second stacking section in the second conveying direction so as to extend in the height direction, and guides the first-row sheets falling from the dropping position to drop onto the first stacking section and the second-row sheets falling from the dropping position to drop onto the second stacking section.

[0027] According to the sheet conveying method of the present embodiment, a sheet guide portion is arranged above the sheet stacking portion so as to extend in the height direction between the first stacking portion and the second stacking portion in the second conveying direction. The sheet guide portion can guide the first row of sheets falling from the dropping position to fall onto the first stacking portion, and guide the second row of sheets falling from the dropping position to fall onto the second stacking portion.

[0028] In the sheet conveying method of the above aspect, the guide member may be arranged at an end portion of the first inclined surface of the first stacking portion on the downstream side in the second conveying direction.

[0029] Since the guide member is arranged at the end portion of the first inclined surface on the downstream side in the second conveying direction, the first inclined surface and the guide member face each other at the highest position of the first inclined surface. Therefore, the distance in the height direction between the lower end of the guide member and the first inclined surface becomes the shortest in the second conveying direction. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately prevent the problem that sheets are stacked on another adjacent stacking portion from between the lower end of the guide member and the first inclined surface. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet conveying device and a sheet conveying method that allow a conveying member to appropriately convey, along a second conveying direction intersecting a first conveying direction, sheets dropped from a dropping position to a sheet stacking portion by a first conveying section even when sheets of different sizes are used. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a sheet processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the sheet processing system in Fig. 1 viewed from above. [Figure 3] It is a front view showing the sheet conveying device in Fig. 1, showing a state where the distance from a stopper to a positioning portion is a first distance. [Figure 4] It is a front view showing the sheet conveying device in Fig. 1, showing a state where the distance from a stopper to a positioning portion is a second distance. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a left side view of the sheet conveying device, showing the loading state where sheets are being accumulated in the sheet accumulation section. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a left side view of the sheet conveying device, showing the unloading state of sheets being unloaded from the sheet accumulation section. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a left side view of the sheet conveying device, showing the unloading state of sheets being unloaded from the sheet accumulation section. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a left side view of the sheet conveying device, showing the unloading state of sheets being unloaded from the sheet accumulation section. [Figure 9] Figure 3 is a plan view of the sheet conveying device as seen from above. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing a control method for a sheet transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] A sheet processing system 1 including a sheet conveying device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the sheet processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the sheet processing system 1 of Figure 1 as seen from above. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet processing system 1 of this embodiment includes a sheet conveying device 100, a paper feeding device 200, a paper cutting device 300, a separation device 400, and a discharge conveyor 500.

[0033] The paper feeder 200 is a device that feeds multiple sheets S0 accumulated in the stacking unit 210 one by one to the paper cutting device 300 along the first transport direction TD1 via the sheet feeding unit 220.

[0034] The punching device 300 is a device that extracts multiple sheets S1 from a sheet S0 by passing the sheet S0 through punching rollers 310 and 320, which rotate in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1, at opposing positions. The punching rollers 310 and 320 have punching dies formed on them that are inserted into the sheet S0 in order to extract multiple sheets S1 from the sheet S0.

[0035] The sheet removal device 300 transports the sheet S0, which is fed by the sheet feeding unit 220, along the first transport direction TD1 using the transport roller 330 and the transport belt 340 to a position where the sheet removal roller 310 and sheet removal roller 320 face each other. The sheet S0 that has passed through the sheet removal roller 310 and sheet removal roller 320 is transported to the separation device 400.

[0036] The separation device 400 is a device that separates the multiple sheets S1 extracted from the sheet S0 by the extraction device 300 from the sheet S0. The separation device 400 transports the sheet S0 conveyed from the extraction device 300 to the separation unit 420 by the transport belt 410. The separation unit 420 separates the multiple sheets S1 from the sheet S0 and transports them to the transport belt 430, and discharges the sheet S0 with the multiple sheets S1 separated downwards. The transport belt 430 transports the multiple sheets S1 along the first transport direction TD1 to the sheet transport device 100.

[0037] The sheet conveying device 100 collects multiple rows of sheets S1 that are conveyed from the separation device 400 along the first conveying direction TD1, stacks the multiple rows of sheets S1 together, and conveys them toward the discharge conveyor 500 along the second conveying direction TD2. As shown in Figure 2, when viewing the sheet conveying device 100 from the downstream side of the first conveying direction TD1, the sheet conveying device 100 conveys the sheets S1 toward the discharge conveyor 500 along the second conveying direction TD2, which is from left to right (from top to bottom of the paper in Figure 2).

[0038] The discharge conveyor 500 is a device that transports the sheets S1 transported from the sheet transport device 100. The discharge conveyor 500 receives the sheets S1 from the sheet transport device 100 in a state where multiple rows of sheets S1 are stacked together.

[0039] Next, the sheet conveying device 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 3 is a front view of the sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front view of the sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figure 1, showing the state where the distance from the stopper 60 to the positioning part 65 is set to a second length L2. The second length L2 is longer than the first length L1.

[0040] Figure 5 is a left side view of the sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figure 3, showing the loading state in which sheets S1 are accumulated in the sheet accumulation section 20. Figures 6 to 8 are left side views of the sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figure 3, showing the unloading state in which sheets S1 accumulated in the sheet accumulation section 20 are unloaded. Figure 9 is a top view of the sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figure 5. Some components of the sheet conveying device 100 are not shown in Figures 5 to 9.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the sheet conveying device 100 includes a first conveying unit 10, a sheet stacking unit 20, a second conveying unit 30, a sheet guide unit 40, an adjustment unit 50, a stopper (end plate) 60, a positioning unit 65, a switching unit 70, and a control unit 80.

[0042] The first conveying unit 10 is a device that conveys sheets S1 in multiple rows along the first conveying direction TD1 and drops them downward in the height direction HD from the drop position P0. The first conveying unit 10 has a pair of conveying rollers 11, a pair of conveying rollers 12, and a pair of conveying rollers 13, facing from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first conveying direction TD1. As shown in Figure 9, the first conveying unit 10 conveys sheets S1 in multiple rows (five rows in the example shown in Figure 9) in the width direction WD and drops the sheets S1 downward from the drop position P0 toward the sheet accumulation unit 20.

[0043] The sheet stacking unit 20 is a device for stacking multiple rows of sheets S1 that fall from a drop position P0. As shown in Figure 9, the sheet stacking unit 20 includes a pair of first stacking units 21 for stacking the sheets S1 of the first row Co1, a pair of second stacking units 22 for stacking the sheets S1 of the second row Co2, a pair of third stacking units 23 for stacking the sheets S1 of the third row Co3, a pair of fourth stacking units 24 for stacking the sheets S1 of the fourth row Co4, a pair of fifth stacking units 25 for stacking the sheets S1 of the fifth row Co5, a pair of support units 26 for supporting the stacked sheets S1, and a main body unit 27. The first stacking units 21, second stacking units 22, third stacking units 23, fourth stacking units 24, fifth stacking units 25, and support units 26 are attached to the main body unit 27.

[0044] The second transport direction TD2 shown in Figures 5 to 8 is the direction in which the sheets S1 to be accumulated in the sheet accumulation section 20 are transported, and is perpendicular (intersecting) to the first transport direction TD1. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the first accumulation section 21 has a first inclined surface 21a in which the position of the height HD gradually increases at a constant gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side of the second transport direction TD2. The second accumulation section 22 has a second inclined surface 22a in which the position of the height HD gradually increases at a constant gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side of the second transport direction TD2.

[0045] The third accumulation section 23 has a third inclined surface 23a on which the position of the height HD gradually increases at a constant gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction TD2. The fourth accumulation section 24 has a fourth inclined surface 24a on which the position of the height HD gradually increases at a constant gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction TD2. The fifth accumulation section 25 has a fifth inclined surface 25a on which the position of the height HD gradually increases at a constant gradient from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction TD2. The support section 26 has a support surface 26a on which the position of the height HD is constant from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction TD2.

[0046] The second transport unit 30 is a device that moves a transport member 31 along the second transport direction TD2 to stack the sheets S1 accumulated in the first stacking unit 21, second stacking unit 22, third stacking unit 23, fourth stacking unit 24, and fifth stacking unit 25, and transports the stacked sheets along the second transport direction TD2. The second transport unit 30 is equipped with a drive mechanism 32 that moves the transport member 31 along the second transport direction TD2 by rotating along the rotation direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 5 to 8.

[0047] The second transport unit 30 moves the transport member 31 from the upstream position in the second transport direction TD2 shown in Figure 5 toward the first accumulation unit 21, stacking the first group of sheets S1 accumulated on the first inclined surface 21a on top of the second group of sheets S1 accumulated on the second inclined surface 22a. The second transport unit 30 further moves the transport member 31 along the second transport direction TD2, stacking the sheets S1 accumulated on the second inclined surface 22a on top of the third group of sheets S1 accumulated on the third inclined surface 23a.

[0048] Furthermore, the sheets S1 accumulated on the third inclined surface 23a are stacked on top of the fourth group of sheets S1 accumulated on the fourth inclined surface 24a. Also, the sheets S1 accumulated on the fourth inclined surface 24a are stacked on top of the fifth group of sheets S1 accumulated on the fifth inclined surface 25a to reach the state shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 8, the second transport unit 30 moves the sheets S1 accumulated on the fifth inclined surface 25a along the support surface 26a of the support unit 26 and transports them to the discharge conveyor 500 outside the sheet transport device 100.

[0049] The conveying member 31 is a rod-shaped member with a rectangular cross-section. The conveying member 31 is positioned to extend along the height direction HD when it moves along the second conveying direction TD2 from the first accumulation section 21 toward the support section 26. The conveying member 31 moves the sheet S1 along the second conveying direction TD2 by abutting the sheet S1 with a surface perpendicular to the second conveying direction TD2.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the main body 27 of the sheet stacking section 20 has a slit 27a that extends along the second transport direction TD2 from the upstream side of the first stacking section 21 to the support section 26. The transport member 31 moves along the second transport direction TD2 from the upstream side of the first stacking section 21 to the support section 26 while inserted into the slit 27a.

[0051] The sheet guide unit 40 is a device that guides multiple rows of sheets S1 falling from the drop position P0 of the first transport unit 10 so that they fall into the first accumulation unit 21, second accumulation unit 22, third accumulation unit 23, fourth accumulation unit 24, and fifth accumulation unit 25, respectively. The sheet guide unit 40 comprises guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 formed in the shape of plates, and a main body 46 to which the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 are attached.

[0052] The guide member 41 is positioned above the sheet stacking section 20, extending in the height direction HD between the first stacking section 21 and the second stacking section 22 in the second transport direction TD2, and guides the sheets S1 of the first row Co1 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the first stacking section 21, and the sheets S1 of the second row Co2 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the second stacking section 22. The guide member 41 is positioned at the downstream end of the first inclined surface 21a of the first stacking section 21 in the second transport direction TD2.

[0053] The guide member 42 is positioned above the sheet stacking section 20, extending in the height direction HD between the second stacking section 22 and the third stacking section 23 in the second transport direction TD2, and guides the sheets S1 of the second row Co2 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the second stacking section 22, and the sheets S1 of the third row Co3 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the third stacking section 23. The guide member 42 is positioned at the downstream end of the second inclined surface 22a of the second stacking section 22 in the second transport direction TD2.

[0054] The guide member 43 is positioned above the sheet stacking section 20, extending in the height direction HD between the third stacking section 23 and the fourth stacking section 24 in the second transport direction TD2, and guides the sheets S1 of the third row Co3 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the third stacking section 23, and the sheets S1 of the fourth row Co4 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the fourth stacking section 24. The guide member 43 is positioned at the downstream end of the third inclined surface 23a of the third stacking section 23 in the second transport direction TD2.

[0055] The guide member 44 is positioned above the sheet stacking section 20, extending in the height direction HD between the fourth stacking section 24 and the fifth stacking section 25 in the second transport direction TD2, and guides the sheets S1 of the fourth row Co4 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the fourth stacking section 24, and the sheets S1 of the fifth row Co5 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the fifth stacking section 25. The guide member 44 is positioned at the downstream end of the fourth inclined surface 24a of the fourth stacking section 24 in the second transport direction TD2.

[0056] The guide member 45 is positioned above the sheet stacking section 20, extending in the height direction HD between the fifth stacking section 25 and the support section 26 in the second transport direction TD2, and guides the sheets S1 of the fourth row Co4 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the fourth stacking section 24, and the sheets S1 of the fifth row Co5 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the fifth stacking section 25. The guide member 45 is positioned at the downstream end of the fifth inclined surface 25a of the fifth stacking section 25 in the second transport direction TD2.

[0057] The adjustment unit 50 is a device that adjusts the position of the sheet guide unit 40 in the height direction HD relative to the second transport unit 30 so as to switch between an input state in which the upper end of the transport member 31 in the height direction HD is positioned above the lower end of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 in the height direction HD, and an output state in which the upper end of the transport member 31 in the height direction HD is positioned below the lower end of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 in the height direction HD.

[0058] The adjustment unit 50 includes a pair of adjustment mechanisms 51 and 52 that move both ends of the main body 46 of the sheet guide unit 40 in the second transport direction TD2 along the height direction HD, and a pair of adjustment mechanisms 53 and 54 that move both ends of the main body 27 of the sheet stacking unit 20 in the second transport direction TD2 along the height direction HD.

[0059] In Figure 5, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the position of the sheet guide section 40 relative to the second transport section 30 so that the upper end of the height HD of the transport member 31 is positioned above the lower end of the height HD of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 in the loading state. On the other hand, in Figures 6 to 8, the adjustment unit 50 adjusts the position of the sheet guide section 40 relative to the second transport section 30 so that the upper end of the height HD of the transport member 31 is positioned below the lower end of the height HD of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 in the unloading state.

[0060] The adjustment unit 50 operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 51 and 52 so that, in the unloading state shown in Figures 6 to 8, the main body 46 is positioned higher than in the loading state shown in Figure 5. The adjustment unit 50 also operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 53 and 54 so that, in the unloading state shown in Figures 6 to 8, the main body 27 is positioned lower than in the loading state shown in Figure 5.

[0061] Adjustment mechanism 51 is connected to the sheet guide section 40 by a connecting member 51a. Adjustment mechanism 52 is connected to the sheet guide section 40 by a connecting member 52a. Adjustment mechanism 53 is connected to the sheet stacking section 20 by a connecting member 53a. Adjustment mechanism 54 is connected to the sheet stacking section 20 by a connecting member 54a. Adjustment mechanisms 51 and 52 adjust the position of the sheet guide section 40 in the height direction HD by moving the connecting members 51a and 52a along the height direction HD.

[0062] The adjustment mechanisms 53 and 54 adjust the position of the sheet stacking section 20 in the height direction HD by moving the connecting members 53a and 54a along the height direction HD. The adjustment mechanisms 51, 52, 53, and 54 generate the power to move the connecting members 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a along the height direction HD, for example, by a motor, air cylinder, solenoid, etc.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the stopper 60 is a plate-shaped member positioned downstream of the sheet accumulation section 20 in the first transport direction TD1, and is the object against which the leading edge of the sheet S1 falling from the drop position P0 in the first transport direction TD1 abuts. The stopper 60 is positioned to extend in the second transport direction TD2 and the height direction HD.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the positioning section 65 is a plate-shaped member positioned upstream of the sheet accumulation section 20 in the first transport direction TD1 and positioning the rear end of the sheet S1 falling from the drop position P0 in the first transport direction TD1. The positioning section 65 is positioned to extend in the second transport direction TD2 and the height direction HD.

[0065] The switching unit 70 is a device that switches the positions of the transport member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 so that the transport member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60 in the first transport direction TD1. Here, the intermediate position between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60 refers to the position in the first transport direction TD1 where the distance from the positioning unit 65 and the distance from the stopper 60 are the same. "The transport member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position" means that the transport member 31 is positioned in an intermediate position in the first transport direction TD1.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 3, the distance along the first transport direction TD1 from the stopper 60 to the positioning unit 65 is the first length L1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the distance along the first transport direction TD1 from the stopper 60 to the positioning unit 65 is the second length L2. The second length L2 is longer than the first length L1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the switching unit 70 switches the distance along the first transport direction TD1 from the stopper 60 to the positioning unit 65 so that it is slightly longer than the length of the sheet S1 along the first transport direction TD1 (for example, about 1 to 3 mm).

[0067] When the conveying member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60, the conveying member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge of the sheet S1 (the end on the stopper 60 side) and the rear edge of the sheet S1 (the end on the positioning unit 65 side). In other words, the switching unit 70 switches the positions of the conveying member 31 and the stopper 60 with respect to the drop position P0 so that the conveying member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge of the sheet S1 and the rear edge of the sheet S1 in the first conveying direction TD1.

[0068] Here, we will describe a mechanism in which the switching unit 70 switches the positions of the transport member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 so that the transport member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the switching unit 70 comprises an operating handle 71, a rotating shaft 72, a first feed screw 73, and a second feed screw 74.

[0069] The rotating shaft 72 is rotated by the power generated when the operator rotates the operating handle 71. When the rotating shaft 72 rotates, the timing pulley 72a fixed to the rotating shaft 72 and the timing belt 72b wrapped around the timing pulley 72a rotate. When the timing belt 72b rotates, the timing pulley 73a around which the timing belt 72b is wrapped rotates.

[0070] The timing pulley 73a has a female thread that engages with a male thread formed on the first feed screw 73. When the timing pulley 73a rotates, the first feed screw 73 moves back and forth along the first transport direction TD1. A stopper 60 is fixed to the end of the first feed screw 73. The position of the stopper 60 in the first transport direction TD1 changes in accordance with the rotation of the timing pulley 73a.

[0071] When the rotating shaft 72 rotates, the timing pulley 72c fixed to the rotating shaft 72 and the timing belt 72d wrapped around the timing pulley 72c rotate. When the timing belt 72d rotates, the timing pulley 74a around which the timing belt 72d is wrapped rotates.

[0072] The timing pulley 74a has a female thread that engages with a male thread formed on the second lead screw 74. The second lead screw 74 is fixed to the stationary part 75 so as not to rotate. When the timing pulley 74a rotates, the trolley 90, to which the timing pulley 74a is rotatably connected, moves back and forth along the first transport direction TD1. The position of the trolley 90 in the first transport direction TD1 changes in accordance with the rotation of the timing pulley 74a. As the trolley 90 moves, the sheet stacking section 20 and the second transport section 30, which are fixed to the trolley 90, move in the first transport direction TD1.

[0073] The operator rotates the operating handle 71 to switch the positions of the conveying member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 so that the conveying member 31 is positioned midway between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60 in the first conveying direction TD1. When the operating handle 71 is rotated once, the amount the conveying member 31 moves in the first conveying direction TD1 is half the amount the stopper 60 moves in the first conveying direction TD1. Therefore, even if the position of the stopper 60 in the first conveying direction TD1 is moved to an arbitrary position by rotating the operating handle 71, the state in which the conveying member 31 is positioned midway between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60 is maintained.

[0074] The control unit 80 is a device that controls each part of the sheet conveying device 100. The control unit 80 controls the adjustment unit 50 so that it enters a loading state when the first conveying unit 10 drops the sheet S1 from the dropping position P0, and enters a discharge state when the second conveying unit 30 discharges the sheets S1 that have been accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit 20.

[0075] The control unit 80 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and a computer-readable storage medium. A series of processes for realizing various functions are stored in the storage medium in the form of a program, for example. The CPU reads this program into the RAM and performs information processing and calculations to realize the various functions.

[0076] Next, with reference to Figure 10, the control method of the sheet transport device 100 executed by the control unit 80 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the control method of the sheet transport device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] In step S101, the operator operates the operating handle 71 of the switching unit 70 to switch the positions of the conveying member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the drop position P0 so that the conveying member 31 is positioned midway between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet S1 in the first conveying direction TD1.

[0078] In step S102, the control unit 80 controls the adjustment unit 50 to switch from an unloading state, where the upper end of the height-direction HD of the transport member 31 is positioned below the lower end of the height-direction HD of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, to an loading state, where the upper end of the height-direction HD of the transport member 31 is positioned above the lower end of the height-direction HD of the guide members 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. The adjustment unit 50 operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 51 and 52 so that the distance of the height-direction HD of the sheet guide member 40 relative to the second transport unit 30 is shortened, resulting in the loading state shown in Figure 5.

[0079] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 53 and 54 so that the height HD distance from the main body 27 of the sheet stacking unit 20 to the drop position P0 becomes a first distance D1. The first distance D1 from the main body 27 to the drop position P0 is shorter than the second distance D2 from the main body 27 to the drop position P0 in the unloading state, which will be described later. The reason why the first distance D1 from the main body 27 of the sheet stacking unit 20 to the drop position P0 is shorter than the second distance D2 in the unloading state in the loading state is to ensure that the sheets S1 are stably loaded onto the sheet stacking unit 20 by making the first distance D1 from the drop position P0 to the sheet stacking unit 20 shorter than in the unloading state.

[0080] In step S103, the control unit 80 drives the first transport unit 10 to transport the sheets S1 in multiple rows (five rows in the example shown in Figure 8) in the width direction WD, and drops the sheets S1 downward from the drop position P0 toward the sheet accumulation unit 20.

[0081] In step S104, the control unit 80 determines whether to change the loading state to the unloading state. If the control unit 80 determines that it is OK, it proceeds to step S105; otherwise, it maintains the loading state and continues driving the first transport unit 10. In step S105, the control unit 80 controls the first transport unit 10 to stop. In addition, in step S104, the paper feeding operation from the paper feed device 200 may be stopped in advance, and the driving of the first transport unit 10 may be continued.

[0082] In step S106, the control unit 80 controls the adjustment unit 50 to switch the loading state to the unloading state. The adjustment unit 50 operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 51 and 52 so that the height HD of the sheet guide unit 40 relative to the second transport unit 30 increases, resulting in the unloading state shown in Figure 6.

[0083] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 50 operates a pair of adjustment mechanisms 53 and 54 so that the height HD distance from the sheet accumulation unit 20 to the drop position P0 becomes the second distance D2. The second distance D2 from the main body 27 to the drop position P0 is longer than the first distance D1 from the main body 27 to the drop position P0 in the loading state. The reason why the second distance D2 from the sheet accumulation unit 20 to the drop position P0 is longer than the first distance D1 in the loading state in the unloading state is to ensure a sufficient number of sheets S1 that can be accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit 20 by making the second distance D2 from the drop position P0 to the sheet accumulation unit 20 longer than in the loading state.

[0084] In step S107, the control unit 80 drives the second transport unit 30 to stack the sheets S1 that have been stacked in the first stacking unit 21, second stacking unit 22, third stacking unit 23, fourth stacking unit 24, and fifth stacking unit 25, and moves the stacked sheets S1 along the second transport direction TD2. In step S108, the control unit 80 controls the second transport unit 30 to stop.

[0085] In step S109, the control unit 80 determines whether to terminate the transport operation of the sheet S1. If it is YES, it terminates the process in this flowchart; otherwise, it repeats the process from step S102 onward.

[0086] The sheet transport device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following functions and effects. According to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, the sheet S1 conveyed by the first conveying unit 10 falls downward from the drop position P0 and is accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit 20. The sheet S1 accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit 20 is conveyed along the second conveying direction TD2 by moving the conveying member 31 of the second conveying unit 30 along the second conveying direction TD2. The switching unit 70 switches the positions of the conveying member 31 and the stopper 60 with respect to the drop position P0, so that the conveying member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear edge of the sheet S1. As the conveying member 31 conveys the sheet along the second conveying direction TD2, the conveying member 31 abuts against an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear edge of the sheet S1, so that the sheet S1 can be properly conveyed along the second conveying direction TD2 by the conveying member 31 without rotating the sheet S1.

[0087] As described above, according to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, even when sheets S1 of different sizes are used, the sheet S1 dropped by the first conveying unit 10 from the drop position P0 to the sheet accumulation unit 20 can be appropriately conveyed by the conveying member 31 along the second conveying direction TD2 which intersects the first conveying direction TD1.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, even if the sheet S1 moves away from the stopper 60 along the first conveying direction TD1 due to the reaction force when the leading edge of the sheet S1 falling from the dropping position P0 collides with the stopper 60, the rear end of the sheet S1 can be positioned by the positioning unit 65. Therefore, the state in which the conveying member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet S1 can be appropriately maintained.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, multiple rows of sheets S1 conveyed by the first conveying unit 10 fall downward from the drop position P0, the sheets S1 of the first row Co1 are accumulated in the first accumulation unit 21, and the sheets S1 of the second row Co2 are accumulated in the second accumulation unit 22. By moving the conveying member 31 along the second conveying direction TD2, the first group of sheets S1 accumulated in the first accumulation unit 21 move upward in the height direction HD along the first inclined surface 21a, and are stacked on top of the second group of sheets S1 accumulated in the second accumulation unit 22, and the stacked sheets S1 are conveyed along the second conveying direction TD2. In this way, according to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, the sheets S1 accumulated in multiple accumulation units 21 and 22 can be stacked and conveyed along the second conveying direction TD2.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the sheet conveying device 100 of this embodiment, a sheet guide section 40 is positioned above the sheet accumulation section 20 and extends in the height direction between the first accumulation section 21 and the second accumulation section 22 in the second conveying direction TD2. The sheet guide section 40 can guide the sheets S1 of the first row Co1 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the first accumulation section 21, and the sheets S1 of the second row Co2 falling from the drop position P0 to fall into the second accumulation section 22.

[0091] Furthermore, since the guide member 41 is positioned at the downstream end of the first inclined surface 21a in the second transport direction TD2, the first inclined surface 21a and the guide member 41 face each other at the highest point of the first inclined surface 21a. As a result, the distance HD in the height direction between the lower end of the guide member 41 and the first inclined surface 21a is shortest in the second transport direction TD2. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent the sheet S1 from accumulating in adjacent accumulation areas from between the lower end of the guide member 41 and the first inclined surface 21a.

[0092] [Other embodiments] In the above description, the switching unit 70 was configured to allow an operator to manually switch the positions of the transport member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 by operating the operating handle 71, so that the transport member 31 is positioned at an intermediate position between the positioning unit 65 and the stopper 60. However, other configurations are also possible. For example, the switching unit 70 may be configured to switch the positions of the transport member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 by the driving force of a motor (not shown) driven by the control unit 80.

[0093] In this case, the control unit 80 receives information from the operator via an input unit (not shown) to specify the length of the sheet S1 in the first transport direction TD1, and controls the motor to switch the positions of the transport member 31 and the stopper 60 relative to the positioning unit 65 according to the length of the sheet S1 in the first transport direction TD1. Although the information to specify the length of the sheet S1 in the first transport direction TD1 is received from the operator via an input unit, other configurations are also possible. For example, sensors (not shown) that detect the leading and trailing ends of the sheet S1 may be provided, and the length of the sheet S1 in the first transport direction TD1 may be determined based on the timing of the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet S1 detected by the sensors and the transport speed of the sheet S1 in the first transport direction TD1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 1 Sheet Processing System 10. First Conveyor Unit 11, 12, 13 Conveyor rollers 20 Sheet stacking section 21. First Accumulation Unit 21a 1st slope 22 Second Accumulation Unit 22a 2nd slope 26 Support part 26a Support surface 27 Main body 27a Slit 30 Second Conveyor Unit 31 Conveying Member 32 Drive mechanism 40 Seat Guide Section 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 Guide members 46 Main body 50 Adjustment section 51,52,53,54 Adjustment mechanism 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a Connecting members 60 Stopper 65 Positioning section 70 Switching section 71 Operating handle 72 Rotation axis 72a, 72c, 73a, 74a Timing pulleys 72b, 72d Timing belt 73 First lead screw 74. Second lead screw 75 Fixed part 80 Control Unit 90 trolleys 100 Sheet Conveyor 200 Paper feeder 210 Accumulation Unit 220 Sheet feeding section 300 extraction device 400 Separation equipment 500 Discharge Conveyor D1 1st distance D2 2nd distance HD Height Direction P0 Falling position S0, S1 seats TD1 First conveying direction TD2 Second conveying direction WD width direction

Claims

1. A first conveying unit that conveys the sheet along the first conveying direction and drops it downward from the drop position, A sheet accumulation unit for accumulating the sheets that fall from the aforementioned drop position, A second conveying unit that moves a conveying member along a second conveying direction intersecting the first conveying direction, thereby conveying the sheets accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit along the second conveying direction, A stopper is positioned downstream of the sheet accumulation section in the first transport direction and extends in the second transport direction and in the height direction, and the leading edge of the sheet in the first transport direction that falls from the drop position is struck by it. A sheet conveying device comprising: a switching unit that switches the positions of the conveying member and the stopper with respect to the drop position such that the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction.

2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning unit that is arranged upstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and the height direction, and which positions the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction as it falls from the drop position.

3. The first conveying unit conveys the sheets in multiple rows along the first conveying direction, The sheet stacking section comprises a first stacking section having a first inclined surface whose height gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction, and a second stacking section having a second inclined surface whose height gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction, the first row of sheets falling from the drop position is stacked in the first stacking section, and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position is stacked in the second stacking section. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second conveying unit moves the conveying member along the second conveying direction, thereby stacking the first group of sheets accumulated on the first inclined surface on top of the second group of sheets accumulated on the second inclined surface, and conveying the stacked sheets along the second conveying direction.

4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 3, further comprising a sheet guide section positioned above the sheet accumulation section and extending in the height direction between the first accumulation section and the second accumulation section in the second conveying direction, and having a guide member that guides the first row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the first accumulation section and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the second accumulation section.

5. The sheet conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the guide member is arranged at the downstream end of the first inclined surface of the first accumulation section in the second conveying direction.

6. A sheet conveying method in which a sheet is conveyed by a sheet conveying device, The aforementioned sheet transport device, A first conveying unit that conveys the sheet along the first conveying direction and drops it downward from the drop position, A sheet accumulation unit for accumulating the sheets that fall from the aforementioned drop position, A second conveying unit that moves a conveying member along a second conveying direction intersecting the first conveying direction, thereby conveying the sheets accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit along the second conveying direction, The system includes a stopper positioned downstream of the sheet accumulation section in the first transport direction, extending in the second transport direction and the height direction, and against which the leading edge of the sheet falling from the drop position in the first transport direction abuts, A switching step is performed to switch the positions of the conveying member and the stopper relative to the drop position such that the conveying member is positioned at an intermediate position between the leading edge and the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction, A first transport step involves controlling the first transport unit to drop the sheet from the aforementioned drop position, A sheet conveying method comprising: a second conveying step of controlling the second conveying unit to unload the sheets accumulated in the sheet accumulation unit.

7. The sheet conveying method according to claim 6, further comprising a positioning unit that is arranged upstream of the sheet accumulation unit in the first conveying direction and extends in the second conveying direction and the height direction, and which positions the rear end of the sheet in the first conveying direction as it falls from the drop position.

8. The first conveying unit conveys the sheets in multiple rows along the first conveying direction, The sheet stacking section comprises a first stacking section having a first inclined surface whose height gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction, and a second stacking section having a second inclined surface whose height gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second transport direction, the first row of sheets falling from the drop position is stacked in the first stacking section, and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position is stacked in the second stacking section. The sheet conveying method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second conveying unit moves the conveying member along the second conveying direction, thereby stacking the first group of sheets accumulated on the first inclined surface on top of the second group of sheets accumulated on the second inclined surface, and moving the stacked sheets along the second conveying direction.

9. The sheet transport method according to claim 8, further comprising a sheet guide section positioned above the sheet accumulation section and extending in the height direction between the first accumulation section and the second accumulation section in the second transport direction, and having a guide member that guides the first row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the first accumulation section and the second row of sheets falling from the drop position to fall into the second accumulation section.

10. The sheet conveying method according to claim 9, wherein the guide member is arranged at the downstream end of the first inclined surface of the first accumulation section in the second conveying direction.

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