JP2012246071A - Paper sheet takeout device and paper sheet processing device provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a paper sheet take-out device and a paper sheet processing device capable of suppressing multiple take-up of paper sheets and stably taking out paper sheets.
According to an embodiment, a paper sheet take-out device moves a plurality of stacked paper sheets in the stacking direction and supplies the paper sheets at the leading end in the moving direction to a take-out position. A supply mechanism 2, a take-out mechanism 56 for taking out the paper sheets supplied to the take-out position one by one from the input section, and a detector 122 for detecting the form of the paper sheets. The take-out mechanism is provided between the take-out member 79 and the air suction source, a take-out member 79 that takes out the paper sheet at the take-out position, an air suction source 61 that sucks air through the take-out member and adsorbs the paper sheet. A valve device 300 for adjusting the suction force, and a control unit for changing the suction force at the time of suction by the valve device in accordance with the form of the paper sheet detected by the detector.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  FIELD Embodiments described herein relate generally to a paper sheet take-out device that picks up and feeds accumulated paper sheets such as postal items one by one, and a paper sheet processing apparatus including the same.

  Paper processing devices such as postal processing machines that handle postal items such as postcards and sealed letters, for example, take-out devices, discriminating devices (OCR), stacking devices, reject (RJ) stacking devices, switchback devices, and between each device And a gate that sorts the conveyed paper sheets (mail) to each device. The plurality of paper sheets set in the supply unit of the take-out device are taken out one by one by the take-out device and sent to the determination device. The discriminating device discriminates the paper sheet and determines the destination of the paper sheet, for example, the RJ stacking device or the stacking device. Thereafter, the paper sheet is conveyed to the determined apparatus through the conveyance path and the gate mechanism, and various processes are performed in this apparatus.

  As a take-out device of the paper sheet processing apparatus, an adsorption take-out type take-out apparatus that picks up and takes out paper sheets by a negative pressure is provided. This take-out device has an air adsorbing structure that adsorbs paper sheets using a perforated belt, an air chamber, and a valve device. It makes it possible to take out the paper sheets that have been taken one by one.

JP 2009-258182 A JP 2008-280139 A

  In the paper sheet take-out device using the air adsorption structure as described above, for example, when taking out a thin and airy letter, the next to the letter to be taken out is compared with taking out a normal letter. Air adsorption is easily affected up to the second letter, increasing the possibility of multiple takeout. In other words, there is a possibility that not only the first letter to be taken out but also the next second letter may have an air adsorption effect, and the second one is attached at the same time as the first one is taken out. Etc., and the possibility of multiple extraction increases.

  In addition, when taking out letters that are smaller than normal letters, that is, letters that are shorter than the take-out direction, the first letter will be removed before the air of the air suction mechanism is cut off. The air adsorption effect of. That is, if the letter has a normal length, there is no problem because the second letter comes to face the suction position after the previous letter that has been taken out reaches a predetermined position and the air suction stops. . However, in the case of a short letter, when the predetermined position is reached, the next second letter may be adsorbed by air and sent out before. That is, the possibility of multiple extraction increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet take-out apparatus capable of reducing multiple take-out and stably taking out paper sheets, and a paper sheet processing apparatus including the same. There is to do.

According to the embodiment, the paper sheet take-out device includes a supply mechanism that moves a plurality of stacked paper sheets in the stacking direction and supplies the paper sheets at the leading end in the moving direction to the take-out position. A take-out mechanism for taking out the paper sheets supplied to the take-out position one by one from the input unit, and a detector for detecting the form of the paper sheets,
The take-out mechanism includes a take-out member that takes out the paper sheet at the take-out position, an air suction source that sucks air through the take-out member and adsorbs the paper sheet to the take-out member, and a space between the take-out member and the air suction source. And a control unit that changes the suction force at the time of suction using the valve device according to the form of the paper sheet detected by the detector.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a mail processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a take-out device of the mail processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a loading portion of the take-out device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a take-out belt and a guide of the take-out device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the guide. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a valve device of the take-out device. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve device. FIG. 8 is a front view of the valve device. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a counter plate and a shielding plate of the valve device. FIG. 10 is a front view showing an opposing plate and a shielding plate in intake mode on and off mode in the normal mode in the valve device. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a counter plate and a shielding plate in intake on and off in the suction force reduction mode in the valve device. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a suction mechanism of the take-out device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit and various sensors of the take-out device. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a change in the integrated value of the thickness of the mail piece per unit time. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of a mail piece in a bulk state loaded in the supply unit of the take-out apparatus. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the valve device of the intake mechanism. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a change in air suction pressure of the suction mechanism and a phase angle of the shielding plate when the intake air is on in the normal mode. FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing an intake-on operation of the valve device in the adsorption force reduction mode in the take-out device according to another embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a change in the air adsorption pressure of the adsorption mechanism and the phase angle of the shielding plate when the intake air is on in the adsorption force reduction mode in the take-out device according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a paper sheet processing apparatus 100 including a paper sheet take-out apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In addition to the take-out device 1, the paper sheet processing apparatus 100 includes a determination unit 102, a rejection unit 104, a switchback unit 106, and a stacking unit 108. In addition, although the paper sheets processed with the processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment are mails, the to-be-processed medium (namely, paper sheets) is not restricted to mails.

  A plurality of postal items such as postcards and sealed letters are set in the take-out device 1 in a stacked state, and are taken out one by one on the conveyance path 101 by operating the take-out device as described later. In the conveyance path 101, a plurality of endless conveyance belts (not shown) are extended so as to sandwich the conveyance path 101. The picked-up postal matter is sandwiched and transported by a transport belt.

  The postal matter taken out on the conveyance path 101 is sent to the determination unit 102 where various information is read from the postal matter. The discriminating unit 102 discriminates a postal item transport posture, a sorting destination, and the like based on the read various information. In particular, the determination unit 102 reads destination information such as a postal code and an address written on a postal matter, and determines a sorting destination.

  After passing through the determination unit 102, the postal matter is sorted in the transport direction via the gate G1. That is, the postal matter that has been determined to be rejected by the determining unit 102 is conveyed to the rejecting unit 104 via the gate G1 and accumulated in the rejecting unit. Other mail items are transported to the stacking unit 108 via the gate G1 and stacked in the stacking unit 108.

  At this time, when the determination unit 102 determines that the transport direction of the postal matter needs to be reversed, the postal matter is sent to the switchback unit 106 via the gate G1 and the gate G2, and the transport direction is reversed here. The Mails that do not need to reverse the transport direction are bypassed the switchback unit 106 via the gate G2 and transported to the stacking unit 108.

  Mails sent to the stacking unit 108 via the transport path 101 are sorted and collected in a sorting / stacking pocket (not shown) according to the determination result in the determination unit 102. Mail pieces that are classified and accumulated in the respective division accumulation pockets are collected with the top and bottom aligned.

Next, the paper sheet take-out device 1 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the take-out device 1. The take-out device 1 is composed of an input unit (supply unit) 51 in which a plurality of mail items P are stacked and set in a standing state in which each mail item stands substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The postal matter P is moved in the stacking direction to supply the postal matter P at the leading end in the moving direction to an unloading position 87, which will be described later, and the postal matter P supplied to the unloading position 87 in the surface direction, here Then, the first postal matter P out of the postal matter P sent through the take-out mechanism 56 and the throwing-in part 51, which is sent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction and taken out on the transport path 10 to be described later, is taken out to the take-out position 87. Suction mechanism 53 for sucking toward the post, and postal mail P taken out from the postal matter P taken out from the takeout position 87 is supplied to the separation mechanism 54 for separating the postal matter P from the first postal matter P, and the takeout position 87. Pick-up mechanism for postal mail P The auxiliary mechanism 55 for assisting the operation of taking out the postal matter P by applying a negative pressure on the upstream side of 6 and rotating in both the forward and reverse directions, and the postage P that has passed through the separation mechanism 54 is slightly faster than the take-out speed. A transport mechanism 58 that pulls out at a high speed and transports it downstream is provided.

  The take-out device 1 includes two sensors 57 a and 57 b that detect the passage of the postal matter P taken out from the take-out position 87 at one end of the input unit 51 onto the carry path 10, and a plurality of carry guides 84. Each of the two sensors 57a and 57b has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed so as to sandwich the conveyance path 10 through which the postal matter P passes, and the postal matter P blocks the optical axis so that the postal matter The passage of P is detected in order. In addition, the plurality of transport guides 84 guide the movement and transport of the postal matter P by contacting the edges and surfaces thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of pieces of mail P are stacked and placed together in a standing position on the input unit 51. The main belt 126 which is brought into contact with the bottom wall 51a of the insertion portion 51 and the lower end side of each postal matter P in the overlapping direction (the direction of arrow F in the figure) and the posture (tilt) of the postal matter P are adjusted. A pair of sub-belts 125 are provided and can be driven independently. The main belt 126 extends along the feed direction F over almost the entire length of the input portion 51. The sub belt 125 is provided on both sides of the main belt 126 in the vicinity of the take-out position 87.

  A backup plate 9 is arranged at a position where the postal matter P at the rear end in the moving direction is in contact with the postal matter P among the plurality of postal items P. For example, the backup plate 9 is simply connected to the main belt 126 and moves in the direction of the arrow F in synchronization with the main belt 126 to take out the postal matter P in the direction of the take-out position. Supply to take-out position 87. The main belt 126, the sub belt 125, the backup plate 9, and a drive motor 90 described later that drives the main belt and the sub belt function as the supply mechanism 2.

  One transport guide 84 is extended to a position that defines one side of the input unit 51 along the direction of arrow F, and guides the end sides of each postal matter P. The plurality of other transport guides 84 are arranged side by side along the take-out position 87 on one end side of the loading unit 51, and stop and position at the take-out position 87 at the front end of the moving direction P supplied in the direction of arrow F. And functions to contact and guide one side of the postal matter P taken out from the take-out position 87.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the take-out mechanism 56 includes a chamber 52, a guide 60, and a vacuum pump 61 (or an equivalent product). The vacuum pump 61 is connected to the inside of the chamber 52 via a pipe 62 and a valve device 300 described later. Further, the take-out mechanism 56 includes an endless take-out belt (take-out member) 79 in which at least a portion of a certain region travels in the direction of the arrow D1 (take-out direction of the postal matter P) in the drawing along the take-out position 87, and the take-out belt. A motor 81 for driving 79 is included. The take-out belt 79 is wound around a plurality of rollers 80 and stretched so that at least a part of the take-out belt 79 travels in the direction of arrow D1 in the drawing along the take-out position 87 and the conveying path 10 continuous from the take-out position 87. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the guide 60 is disposed inside the take-out belt 79 at a position facing the take-out position 87 across the belt. The chamber 52 is disposed on the back side of the guide 60, that is, at a position facing the extraction position 87 with the extraction belt 79 and the guide 60 interposed therebetween. The take-out belt 79 has a large number of suction holes 79a as partially enlarged in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide 60 has a plurality of elongated slits 60 a extending along the running direction D <b> 1 of the take-out belt 79.

  6 and 7 show a rotary type valve device 300 provided between a vacuum pump 61 as an air suction source and a chamber 52. A pipe 62 extending from the suction port of the vacuum pump 61 is connected to the valve mechanism 302 of the valve device 300, and further connected to the chamber 52 after extending from the valve mechanism. The vacuum pump 61, the pipe 62, the valve device 300, and the chamber 52 constitute an adsorption mechanism that takes out mail and adsorbs it to the belt 79.

  The rotary type valve device 300 includes a base 330, a valve mechanism 302 provided on the base, and a motor 306 that rotates a disk-shaped shielding plate 304 as a shielding member incorporated in the valve mechanism. I have. The valve mechanism 302 is disposed rotatably in a substantially rectangular first block 321, a second block 323 facing the first block 321, and a gap S formed between the first and second blocks 321 and 323. The disc-shaped shielding plate 304 is provided.

  A drive shaft 329 of the shielding plate 304 is coaxially connected to the rotation shaft 306 a of the motor 306 supported on the base 330 via a coupling 328. The drive shaft 329 extends through the first block 321 and is rotatably attached to the first block 321 via a plurality of bearings 326. The shielding plate 304 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 329 using a screw 329a.

  The downstream pipe 62a is connected from the back side of the first block 321 through a pipe joint 322a, and the upstream pipe 62b is connected to the back side of the second block 323 through a pipe joint 322b. The upstream pipe 62b and the downstream pipe 62a face each other coaxially with the shielding plate 304 interposed therebetween. In this state, the second block 323 is fastened and fixed to the first block 321 by a plurality of bolts 134 and positioned.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first block 321 has a facing surface 321 a that faces the second block 323, and the second block 323 has a facing surface 323 a that faces the first block 321. These facing surfaces 321a and 323a are formed in a circular shape that is slightly larger than the shielding plate 304, and face each other in parallel.

  A disc-shaped shield member 335 having substantially the same diameter as the shielding plate 304 is attached to the opposing surface 321a of the first block 321. The opposing surface 323a of the second block 323 is also substantially the same as the shielding plate 304. A shield member 336 having a diameter is attached. A gap S is formed between the shield member 335 and the shield member 336 to receive the shielding plate 304 in a rotatable manner. The shielding plate 304 is rotatably arranged in the gap S.

  The first block 321 is formed with a long hole 337a having one end communicating with the pipe 62a. The long hole 337 also penetrates the shield member 335 of the first block 321, and the other end communicates with the gap S.

  The second block 323 is also formed with a long hole 337b having one end communicating with the upstream pipe 62b. The long hole 337 b also penetrates the shield member 336 of the second block 323, and the other end communicates with the gap S. The long hole 337a and the long hole 337b are each formed in a circular cross section and face each other substantially coaxially. The long holes 337a and 337b are formed at positions decentered from the centers of the shield members 335 and 336.

  The distance between the facing surfaces 335a and 336a facing the gap S is slightly larger than the thickness of the shielding plate 304. However, in the portion where the other ends of the long holes 337a and 337b are exposed, the distance between the shielding members 335 and 336 is increased. The distance is getting closer. That is, in addition to the long holes of the shield members 335 and 336, the other end of the long hole 337a and the other end of the long hole 337b are closed by the shielding plate 304 so that the air leaking from the gap S is reduced as much as possible. The end peripheral edge projects slightly toward the gap S in an annular shape.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the shielding plate 304 is formed with a communication hole 325 penetrating at a position eccentric from the center thereof. In the present embodiment, the communication hole 325 is formed in a circular shape having a diameter that is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the pipes 62a and 62b, that is, the long holes 337a and 337b. The shape of the communication hole 325 is not limited to a circle, but since the pipes 62a and 63b are generally cylindrical, they have the same circle as the pipe in order to minimize the air resistance.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the normal mode to be described later, when the intake air is ON, the shielding plate 304 is rotated by the motor 306, and the communication hole 325 is coaxially overlapped with the long holes 337a and 337b of the shielding members 335 and 336. It is moved to the on position (first on position). As a result, the downstream pipe 62a and the upstream pipe 62b communicate with each other through the communication hole 325, thereby opening the pipe 62 and allowing air to flow. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the intake air is OFF, the shielding plate 304 is rotated about 90 degrees, the communication hole 325 is moved to the OFF position, the piping 62 is shielded by the shielding plate 304, and the intake of air is stopped. Is done.

  As described above, by rotating the shielding plate 304 of the valve device 300 in a state where air is sucked by the vacuum pump 61, the pipe 62 is repeatedly opened and closed at a predetermined cycle. Thereby, the chamber 52 of the intake mechanism is intermittently inhaled and stopped at a predetermined cycle via the pipe 62.

  As will be described later, when a thin letter or a short letter is detected, or when the reduction mode is set, the shielding plate 304 is rotated by the motor 306 when the intake air is ON as shown in FIG. Then, the communication hole 325 moves to the second on position. In the second ON position, the communication hole 325 is positioned slightly shifted from the coaxial position with the long holes 337a and 337b of the shield members 335 and 336 and overlaps with the long hole. That is, a part of the communication hole 325 is located away from the long holes 337a and 337b. Thereby, compared with the case where the communicating hole 325 exists in a 1st ON position, the distribution area of the piping 62 reduces and the suction force of the chamber 52 is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, when the intake air is OFF, the shielding plate 304 is rotated about 90 degrees, the communication hole 325 is moved to the OFF position, the piping 62 is shielded by the shielding plate 304, and the intake of the chamber 52 is stopped. The

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, when the inside of the chamber 52 is evacuated by operating the vacuum pump 61 with the communication hole 325 of the valve device 300 moved to the first or second on position, It is supplied to the take-out position 87 through an opening (not shown) of the chamber 52 facing the guide 60, a plurality of slits 60a of the guide 60, and a number of suction holes 79a of the take-out belt 79 running in the direction of arrow D1. A negative pressure (arrow S1 in the figure) acts on the postal matter P, and the postal matter P is adsorbed on the surface of the take-out belt 79. The sucked postal matter P is taken out from the take-out position 87 onto the conveyance path 10 as the take-out belt 79 travels.

  At this time, the suction force in the direction of arrow S1 by the vacuum pump 61 is such that the transport force for feeding out the first postal matter P adsorbed by the takeout belt 79 in the takeout direction D1 is at least 2 with the postal matter P of the first post. It is set to be larger than the frictional force acting between the first mail piece P. The take-out mechanism 56 feeds the postal matter P at the take-out position 87 one by one onto the transport path 10, but the one that has been fed out onto the transport path 10 in a state where a plurality of sheets overlap each other is separated by a separation mechanism 54 described later. Separate into sheets.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the suction mechanism 53 includes a chamber 63 disposed on the back side of the conveyance guide 84 with respect to the take-out position 87, and a blower 65 (or an equivalent) for sucking air in the chamber 63. Product). The blower 65 is connected to the chamber 63 via a pipe 66. The chamber 63 is disposed adjacent to the take-out position 87 between the take-out mechanism 56 and an auxiliary mechanism 55 described later in such a posture that an opening (not shown) faces the back surface of the transport guide 84. Moreover, the conveyance guide 84 has a plurality of elongated holes 84a in accordance with the width of the opening of the chamber 63, as partially enlarged in FIG. The plurality of long holes 84 a are disposed in the opening of the chamber 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, when the blower 65 is operated to suck the air in the chamber 63, an air flow is generated in the direction of the arrow B1 in the drawing through the plurality of elongated holes 84a of the conveyance guide 84, and the input portion Of the plurality of mail items P input to 51, the mail item P closest to the pick-up position 87 is sucked toward the pick-up position 87. After the postal matter P sucked to the take-out position 87 is taken out, the next postal matter P is sucked toward the take-out position 87. That is, by providing the suction mechanism 53, the postal matter P to be taken out next can be quickly supplied to the take-out position 87. Therefore, even if the supply force in the direction of arrow F by the supply mechanism 2 is weakened, only the first mail piece P can always be stably and quickly supplied to the take-out position 87. Thereby, the operation of taking out the postal matter P by the take-out mechanism 56 described above can be speeded up.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the separation mechanism 54 is provided on the opposite side of the above-described take-out mechanism 56 with respect to the conveyance path 10 extending downstream (upward in FIG. 2) from the take-out position 87. The separation mechanism 54 applies a separation torque in the direction opposite to the direction in which the postal matter P is taken out to the postal matter P conveyed through the conveying path 10 while applying a negative pressure. In other words, when the separation mechanism 54 is operated, the second or later mail piece P (which may be picked up by three or more mails) is taken out of the mail piece P taken out from the pick-up position 87. Even so, the second and subsequent mail items P are stopped by the negative pressure and the separation torque described above, or returned in the reverse direction and separated from the first mail item P.

  More specifically, the separation mechanism 54 includes a separation roller 68 that is provided so as to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions along the take-out direction D1 of the postal matter P. The separation roller 68 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by a rigid body such as a metal material, and is positioned and disposed at a position where the outer peripheral surface is exposed to the transport path 10. The separation roller 68 is rotatably attached to a rotation shaft fixedly attached to the conveyance path 10, that is, a cylindrical body 67 having a chamber 64 described later. The separation roller 68 has a large number of suction holes penetrating so as to connect the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface thereof. The cylindrical body 67 has a chamber 64 for generating a negative pressure, and is positioned and fixed in a posture in which the opening of the chamber 64 faces the conveyance path 10.

  The separation mechanism 54 includes an AC servo motor 69 that rotates the separation roller 68 in both forward and reverse directions with a desired torque, and an endless timing belt 70 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 69 to the separation roller 68. The timing belt 70 is wound and stretched around a pulley fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor 69 and a pulley (not shown) fixed to the rotation shaft of the separation roller 68. Further, the separation mechanism 54 includes a vacuum pump 71, and this vacuum pump is connected to the chamber 64 of the cylindrical body 67 via a pipe 72.

  When the inside of the chamber 64 is evacuated by operating the vacuum pump 71, it passes through the conveyance path 10 through a specific suction hole facing the opening of the chamber 64 and a number of suction holes of the separation roller 68. A negative pressure is applied to the surface of the postal matter P to be adhered, and the postal matter P is adsorbed to the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 68. At this time, when the separation roller 68 is rotating, the postal matter P adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 68 is also given a conveying force along the rotation direction of the separation roller 68.

  On the other hand, the AC servo motor 69 drives the separation roller 68 so as to always apply a constant separation torque in the reverse direction D2 to the take-out direction D1 to the separation roller 68. The separation torque is such that when there is one postal matter P transported through the transporting path 10, the separation roller 68 that has adsorbed the single postal matter P and the postal matter P along the take-out direction D1. When it is set to such an extent that it can be rotated together and a plurality of pieces of mail P are taken out on the conveying path 10, the second and subsequent mails P on the separation roller 68 side are stopped. Or it is set to such an extent that it can be separated from the first mail piece P by returning in the reverse direction.

  In a state where one postal matter P is normally taken out from the take-out position 87 and is transported via the transport path 10, the forward direction (arrow D1 direction) transported to the postal matter P by the take-out mechanism 56 is performed. The force becomes larger than the reverse conveyance force applied to the postal matter P by the separation roller 68 given the separation torque in the reverse direction D2, and the postal matter P is conveyed in the forward direction D1. The separation roller 68 rotates together with the postal matter P in the forward direction D1, stops, or idles in the direction opposite to the take-out direction.

  When the separation roller 68 idles in the reverse direction D2, if the constant separation torque is continuously applied, the rotation speed gradually increases, which may adversely affect the removal of the postal matter P. In this embodiment, the separation roller 68 is separated. An upper limit is set for the reverse rotation speed of the roller 68. Specifically, it is set to an upper limit speed whose absolute value is smaller than the speed of taking out the postal matter P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary mechanism 55 disposed below the suction mechanism 53 in the drawing, that is, on the upstream side of the take-out mechanism 56 along the take-out direction D1 of the postal matter P is substantially the same structure as the separation mechanism 54 described above. Have In other words, the auxiliary mechanism 55 includes an auxiliary roller 75 that is provided so as to be rotatable in both the forward and reverse directions D2 along the mail pickup direction D1.

  The auxiliary roller 75 is rotatably attached to a rotation shaft fixedly provided opposite to the take-out position 87, that is, the cylindrical body 74, and penetrates so as to connect the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. Has adsorption holes. The auxiliary roller 75 is formed of a rigid body such as a substantially cylindrical metal material, and is positioned and disposed at a position where the outer peripheral surface is exposed to the take-out position 87. The cylindrical body 74 has a chamber 73 for generating negative pressure, and the opening of the chamber 73 is positioned and fixed in a posture toward the take-out position 87.

  The auxiliary mechanism 55 includes an AC servo motor 88 for rotating the auxiliary roller 75 in both forward and reverse directions with a desired torque, and an endless timing belt 76 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 88 to the auxiliary roller 75. . The auxiliary mechanism 55 includes a vacuum pump 77 connected via a pipe 78 to a chamber of a cylindrical body 74 to which an auxiliary roller 75 is rotatably attached.

  The auxiliary mechanism 55 rotates and stops the auxiliary roller 75 at both desired speeds in the forward and reverse directions and turns on / off the negative pressure by the vacuum pump 77 to support the operation of taking out and separating the postal matter P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport mechanism 58 that transports the postal matter P picked up by the pick-up mechanism 56 to the downstream side includes a plurality of transport rollers 22, 83, a tension roller 26, transport belts 20, 82, 85, a tension mechanism. 21. The conveyance roller 83 is disposed on the downstream side of the separation roller 68 and is adjacent to the conveyance path 10. A conveyor belt 82 is wound around the conveyor roller 83 and another conveyor roller (not shown). The conveying belt 20 is wound around the tension roller 26 and the conveying roller 22, and the conveying belt 20 defines the conveying path 10 together with the conveying roller 83 and is in contact with the conveying belt 82.

  The tension mechanism 21 includes a tension arm 24 whose center is rotatably supported by a pivot 25. The tension roller 26 is rotatably supported at one end of the tension arm 24. A tension spring 27 is installed on the other end of the tension arm 24 and biased by the tension spring 24. As a result, the tension arm 24 is urged counterclockwise around the pivot 25 and elastically contacts the stopper 29. As a result, the tension roller 26 and the conveyor belt 20 are urged in the direction of the conveyor path 10, and the conveyor belt 20 is in contact with the conveyor belt 82 while maintaining tension. Further, a conveyor belt 85 is wound around the other conveyor roller 22 and another conveyor roller (not shown), and the conveyor belt 85 is in contact with the conveyor belt 82. A driving belt 23 that rotates these rollers in synchronization is wound between the two conveying rollers 22. The postal matter P is sandwiched between the conveyor belt 82 and the conveyor belts 20 and 85, and is conveyed by these conveyor belts.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 13, the take-out device 1 includes a thickness detector 120 that detects the thickness of the taken-out mail P, and a count sensor that counts the number of the taken-out mail P ( Counter) 121. The thickness detector 120 and the count sensor 121 are provided in the transport path 10 on the downstream side of the sensors 57a and 57b. The take-out device 1 has a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence / absence and density of the postal matter P placed on the input portion 51, for example, a first letter sensor, at the take-out position 87 or slightly upstream of the take-out position 87. 122 and a second letter sensor 127, and a pushing force detection sensor 123 for detecting the pushing force of the postal matter P by the supply mechanism 2, particularly the pushing force acting on the earliest postal matter P. Note that the thickness detector 120 may also serve as the count sensor 121.

  The sensors 57a and 57b, the thickness detector 120, the count sensor 121, the first letter sensor 122, the second letter sensor 127, and the pushing force detection sensor 123 are connected to the control unit 200 of the take-out device 1, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit. Output to 200. The control unit 200 drives a driver 202 that drives the vacuum pumps 61, 71, 77, a driver 204 that drives the blower 65, a driver 206 that drives the AC servomotors 69, 81, 88, and a motor 306 of the valve device 300. And a driver 107 for driving the drive motor 90 of the supply mechanism 2 are connected to each other, and the control unit 200 drives each driver in accordance with a detection signal from each sensor.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the take-out device 1 includes a mode setting unit 340 that is manually operated by an operator, and the mode setting unit 340 is connected to the control unit 200. The mode setting unit 340 can set a mode for changing the suction force of the valve device 300 according to the thickness or length of the mail to be processed. A normal mode used for processing mail pieces of a normal form, for example, a mail piece of a predetermined thickness and length, and a suction force reduction mode used for processing mail pieces thinner or shorter than a predetermined value. You can choose.

  As the pushing force detection sensor 123, for example, a pressure sensor, a sensor that detects the pushing amount of the lever using a lever and a spring, or the like can be used, and how much the postal matter P is pushed into the take-out position 87. Determine whether. For example, if the postal matter P is not pushed by the detection signal from the pushing force detection sensor 123, that is, if the detected pushing force is smaller than the reference value, the control unit 200 moves the supply mechanism 2 to move the postal matter. Encourage the action of sending P forward. Further, when the postal matter P is pushed too much, that is, when the detected pushing force is smaller than the reference value, the control unit 200 operates the supply mechanism 2 in the reverse direction and the postal matter P is clogged too much. Can be relaxed. The pushing force detection sensor 123 may measure the pushing force itself, or may only detect the presence or absence of the postal matter P.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first letter sensor 122 and the second letter sensor 127 are sensors that detect the presence or absence of paper sheets at the take-out position 87 or slightly upstream thereof from different directions. , At least one is constituted by an optical sensor. In the present embodiment, the first letter sensor 122 is composed of a transmissive optical sensor that detects transmitted light. The first letter sensor 122 applies detection light to the surface direction of the postal matter P accumulated near the take-out position 87, and transmits the detected light that has passed therethrough. It is provided to detect. The first letter sensor 122 detects that the postal matter P is not on the optical axis of the first letter sensor 122, or detects whether the postal matter P is sparse or dense. For example, when the postal matter P is present at the take-out position 87, the detection light from the first letter sensor 122 is blocked by hitting the letter edge of the postal matter P, and the first letter sensor is dark (off). Thereby, the first letter sensor 122 outputs postal matter presence information (dark). When there is no postal matter P at the take-out position 87, the detection light passes through the take-out position and is detected by the first letter sensor 122. Thereby, the first letter sensor 122 outputs postal matter absence information (bright). Further, the first letter sensor 122 can also function as a thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the mail.

  The second letter sensor 127 is composed of a reflective optical sensor that detects reflected light from the postal matter P. The second letter sensor 127 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the front wall of the input unit 51, and applies the detection light to the postal matter P located at the take-out position 87 in a direction intersecting the surface of the postal matter, It is provided to detect reflected light from the mail surface. For example, when the postal matter P is present at the take-out position 87, the second letter sensor 127 reflects the detection light from the second letter sensor 127 against the surface of the postal matter P, and detects the reflected light to detect light ( ON). Accordingly, the second letter sensor 127 outputs postal matter presence information (bright). When there is no postal matter P at the take-out position 87, the second letter sensor 127 does not receive the reflected light and becomes dark (off). As a result, the second letter sensor 127 outputs postal matter absence information (dark). Further, the second letter sensor 127 can also function as a length sensor that detects a postal matter P having a short length.

  According to the take-out device 1 configured as described above, in the normal mode, the control unit 200 controls the travel of the main belt 126 by the drive motor 90, and determines the supply speed or feed amount of the postal matter P by the supply mechanism 2. Control. When the postal matter absence information is output from at least one of the first letter sensor 122 and the second letter sensor 127, the control unit 200 executes the feeding operation of the supply mechanism 2 and sends the postal matter P to the take-out position 87. That is, when it is detected that there is no postal matter P at the take-out position 87, the control unit 200 determines that the postal matter P becomes empty or sparse, and that the postal matter P may be taken out intermittently, and is supplied. Perform the action. Thereafter, the control unit 200 stops the mail P supply operation by the supply mechanism 2 when the mail presence information is output from the first letter sensor 122 and the second letter sensor 127.

  The take-out mechanism 56 operates the vacuum pump 61 in a state where the communication hole 325 of the valve device 300 is moved to the first ON position, and evacuates the chamber 52 with the maximum suction force. Then, an opening (not shown) of the chamber 52 facing the guide 60, a plurality of slits 60a of the guide 60, and a large number of suction holes 79a of the take-out belt 79 traveling in the direction of the arrow D1 reach the take-out position 87. A negative pressure (arrow S1 in the figure) acts on the supplied postal matter P, and the postal matter P is adsorbed on the surface of the take-out belt 79. The sucked postal matter P is taken out from the take-out position 87 onto the conveyance path 10 as the take-out belt 79 travels. After the chamber 52 is sucked in for a predetermined period and the postal matter P is taken out, the communication hole 325 of the valve device 300 is moved to the off position to stop the suction. By repeating this in a predetermined cycle, the postal matter P is taken out one by one. The take-out mechanism 56 feeds the postal matter P at the take-out position 87 one by one onto the transport path 10, but when a plurality of sheets are fed out onto the transport path 10 in a state where a plurality of sheets overlap each other, the separation mechanism 54 takes it one by one. To separate.

  Further, when thin or short is detected as the form information of the postal matter (letter) P to be taken out, the valve device 300 shifts the position of the communication hole 325 in the intake on state from the first on position to the second on position. As a result, the flow area of the pipe 62 is reduced and the adsorption force is reduced slightly. As a result, even if the mail piece P is thin and easily permeable, the second mail piece is prevented from being adsorbed, and the second mail piece immediately after the short mail piece is taken out is removed. By suppressing the adsorbing force, it is possible to reduce the second mail piece from moving forward.

A method for detecting the thickness and length of a mail, for example, a letter will be described.
<Thickness detection method>
1) The operator manually switches the mode setting unit 340.
The operator of the apparatus sets a mode suitable for the thickness by selecting a mode or the like in advance for the mail to be loaded in the supply unit. For example, when a thin or short mail piece is loaded, the mode setting unit 340 sets the intake force reduction mode.

2) The thickness of the mail is detected by the thickness detector.

  By measuring the thickness of the picked-up mail piece P with the thickness detector 120, the thickness of the mail piece P in the vicinity of the pick-up position 87 of the input unit 51 is predicted. Various thickness detectors 120 are conceivable, such as a distance measurement method using a laser displacement meter (optical type) or a contact type thickness detection method. As shown in FIG. 14, the thickness detector 120 measures the thickness of each piece of mail, and calculates the unit time average value TH of the thickness of the piece of mail that has passed per unit time T0. Here, as shown in FIG. 15, when mail pieces having different thicknesses are loaded in the input unit 51 in a bulk state, the thickness information is expected to be almost constant, and the average value TH calculated here is calculated. It can be considered that the thicknesses of the mail pieces at the take-out position 87 of the input unit 51 are the same.

3) The signal of the first letter sensor 122 used for controlling the mail feeding of the input unit 51 is used.

  The thickness of the postal matter is detected using a signal (light / dark information) of the first letter sensor 122 that detects the density of the postal matter loaded in the input unit 51 and controls the feeding of the postage. When a thin bulk of mail is loaded in the input unit 51, the gap between the mails is difficult to open, and the signal of the first letter sensor 122 tends to have a long dark time. The dark time of the first letter sensor 122 per unit time is integrated, and the integrated value is constantly monitored. For example, when the monitoring sampling period is 1 ms and the integrated value of dark time is greater than 0.9 (90%), the control unit 200 determines that the bulk of a mail piece that is thinner than a predetermined thickness is the take-out position 87. It is determined that it exists.

<Length detection method>
1) The operator manually switches the mode setting unit 340.
The operator of the apparatus sets a mode suitable for the length by selecting a mode or the like in advance for the mail to be loaded in the input unit 51. For example, when a mail piece shorter than a predetermined length is loaded, the intake force reduction mode is set by the mode setting unit 340.

2) Use a sensor that detects the mail that has been taken out.
The length of the mail piece P taken out is measured by some optical sensor, for example, the count sensor 121 or the thickness detector 120, and the length of the mail piece at the pick-up position 87 of the input unit 51 is predicted. Here, as shown in FIG. 15, when a plurality of types of mail pieces having different lengths are loaded in a bulk state, the length information detected by the count sensor 121 and the thickness detector 120 is substantially constant. Therefore, it can be considered that the letter length of the mail piece at the take-out position 87 of the input unit 51 is the same as the detection result.

3) A second letter sensor (reflection sensor) 127 or the like is used.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second letter sensor 127 detects the postal matter P at the take-out position 87. If the postal matter in the vicinity of the pick-up position 87 is shorter than the predetermined length, the postal matter cannot be detected by the second letter sensor 127, and it can be expected that a short postal matter will continue for a while.

  In response to the above-described thickness detection and length detection of the mail piece, the valve device 300 controls the adsorption force of the mail piece. The basic operation of the valve device 300 is, for example, as follows. As shown in FIG. 16, when the normal mode is set, first, the valve device 300 is operated in the normal mode (S1). That is, when the intake air is on, the communication hole 325 of the shielding plate 304 is moved to the first on position, and is arranged coaxially with the long holes 377a and 377b of the pipe 62, so that the postal matter P is adsorbed with almost the maximum adsorption force. .

  During the take-out operation, the control unit 200 detects the density of the mail at the take-out position 87 from the first letter sensor 122 and monitors the integrated value of light and dark per unit time (S2). Then, it is confirmed whether the integrated value of the dark time with respect to the unit time is smaller than the constant value α (S3). If smaller than α, it is determined that the mail piece has a normal thickness and the normal mode is continued.

  When the integral value of the dark time with respect to the unit time is larger than a certain value (α), the control unit 200 predicts that the mail piece at the take-out position 87 is thinner than a predetermined thickness, and the operation of the valve device 300 is determined as the suction force. The mode is changed to the reduction mode (S4). In the suction force reduction mode, the valve device 300 moves the communication hole 325 of the shielding plate 304 to the second on position when the intake air is on, so that the suction force is smaller than that in the normal mode.

  Whether or not an abnormality has occurred due to the shift to the suction force reduction mode is confirmed by, for example, confirming the signal of the count sensor 121 on the conveyance path (S5). When the count sensor 121 is not continuously “bright” for a certain time T, for example, 50 ms, the control unit 200 determines that the postal matter has been taken out normally and has passed through the count sensor 121 (S6). Continue in reduced mode. During this time, the control unit 200 monitors the signal of the first letter sensor 122 and determines whether or not the integrated value of the dark time with respect to the unit time is smaller than the constant value β (S7). Here, it is desirable that the integral value β is smaller than the aforementioned integral value α (β <α). As an example, α = 0.9 and β = 0.8.

  When the integral value> β, the control unit 200 determines that a thin mail piece continues, returns to S6, and continues the suction force reduction mode. When the integral value <β, the control unit 200 predicts that the mail piece at the take-out position has returned to a normal thickness mail piece, and returns the operation of the valve device 300 to the normal mode (S8). Here, if α = β, there may be a condition for returning to the original state immediately after the mode change, which may result in unstable control. Therefore, here, the values of α and β are shifted, and β <α is set.

  In step S6 described above, when the count sensor 121 remains “bright” continuously for a certain time T or longer, the control unit 200 determines that the mail cannot be normally taken out due to some influence (abnormal state), Transition to the normal mode (S7). Thereafter, the control unit 200 monitors the signal of the first letter sensor 122 and determines whether or not the integral value of the dark time with respect to the unit time is smaller than the constant value β (S8). When the integral value> β, the control unit 200 returns to step S8 and continues the normal mode. When the integral value <β, the control unit 200 predicts that the mail piece at the take-out position has returned to a normal thickness mail piece, and returns the operation of the valve device 300 to the normal mode S1.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the mail is in an abnormal state, and the postal matter is determined to be thinner than the predetermined value based on the detection information of the first letter sensor 122, the possibility of repeating the abnormal process increases. For this reason, in the present embodiment, after the abnormal state is detected, the first letter sensor 122 does not shift to the suction force reduction mode until it is confirmed that the mail has returned to the normal thickness.

  The thickness of the mail piece is not limited to the case of using the detection information of the first letter sensor, but may be based on the detection information of another sensor such as the thickness detector 120 described above. In the above description, the operation mode of the valve device 300 is changed according to the thickness detection of the mail piece. However, the operation mode is not limited to this, and the operation is performed according to the length of the mail piece detected by the length detection method described above. The mode may be changed. For example, when it is detected that the mail is shorter than a predetermined length, the operation mode of the valve device 300 may be changed from the normal mode to the adsorption force reduction mode.

  According to the paper sheet processing apparatus provided with the take-out device 1 configured as described above, the thickness or length of the postal matter at the takeout position or the postal matter taken out is detected, and based on the information. By adjusting the suction force by controlling the valve device, it is possible to reduce multiple pick-up without being adversely affected by the suction force even for mail pieces that are thicker than predetermined or mail pieces that are shorter than predetermined. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a paper sheet take-out apparatus that can reduce the multiple take-out of paper sheets and stably take out the paper sheets, and a paper sheet processing apparatus including the same.

Next, a take-out device according to another embodiment will be described.
In the above-described embodiment, in the case of simple paper sheets or the like, the multiple holes are prevented by shifting the position of the communication hole 325 of the shielding plate 304 in the valve device 300 and narrowing the suction air. It is conceivable that a series of operations until paper sheets are attracted to the take-out belt 79 and fed out are delayed due to a decrease in the maximum air suction force.

  According to another embodiment, in the normal mode, the valve device 300 operates in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the intake air is ON, the shielding plate 304 of the valve device 300 is rotated by the motor 306, and the communication hole 325 is coaxial with the long holes 337a and 337b of the shielding members 335 and 336. Is moved to the on position (first on position) overlapping with the. As a result, the downstream pipe 62a and the upstream pipe 62b communicate with each other through the communication hole 325, thereby opening the pipe 62 and allowing air to flow. 17a and 17b show the change in the air adsorption pressure of the adsorption mechanism and the phase angle of the shielding plate 304 at that time.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the intake air is OFF, the shielding plate 304 is rotated about 90 degrees, the communication hole 325 is moved to the OFF position, the piping 62 is shielded by the shielding plate 304, and the intake of air is performed. Stopped.

  On the other hand, according to another embodiment, when the suction-on command is issued in the suction force reduction mode, the shielding plate 304 is rotated from the suction-off state by the motor 306 as shown in FIG. Once it passes through the first ON position (position overlapping the long holes 337a and 337b coaxially), the second ON position (position slightly displaced from the long holes 337a and 337b) is moved to the target value. 3 shows the change in the air adsorption pressure of the adsorption mechanism and the phase angle of the shielding plate 304. After the communication hole 325 passes through the first on position, it reaches the second on position, so that the adsorption pressure is instantaneously absorbed during letter adsorption. After reaching the peak, the suction pressure is reduced, so that the suction pressure rises to the peak for a moment when the letter is picked up, so that the operation delay when the first mail piece is picked up by the suction belt 79 is delayed. Is reduced. Then, by the suction pressure decreases, postal second sheet is prevented multiplex sheets up without being adsorbed.

  In another embodiment configured as described above, there is provided a paper sheet take-out apparatus capable of reducing the multiple take-out of paper sheets and stably taking out the paper sheets, and a paper sheet processing apparatus including the same. Can be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The valve device is configured to change the flow area of the piping by changing the rotational position of the shielding plate having the communication hole and change the adsorption force, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the configuration can change the flow area of the pipe. For example, a direct-acting valve device such as a plunger may be used. Paper sheets are not limited to mail, but can be applied to other various paper sheets.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Extraction device, 2 ... Supply mechanism, 10 ... Conveyance path, 51 ... Input part, 53 ... Suction mechanism,
54 ... separation mechanism, 55 ... auxiliary mechanism, 56 ... take-out mechanism, 58 ... transport mechanism,
61 ... Vacuum pump (air suction source), 62 ... Piping, 79 ... Take-out belt,
120 ... thickness detector, 122 ... first letter sensor, 127 ... second letter sensor,
200 ... Control unit, 300 ... Valve device, 304 ... Shielding plate, 306 ... Motor,
325 ... Communication hole, 337a, 337b ... Long hole, P ... Mail

Claims (7)

A supply mechanism for moving a plurality of stacked paper sheets in the stacking direction and supplying the paper sheets at the leading end in the moving direction to the take-out position;
An unloading mechanism for unloading the sheets supplied to the unloading position one by one from the loading section;
A detector for detecting the form of the paper sheet,
The take-out mechanism includes a take-out member that takes out the paper sheet at the take-out position, an air suction source that sucks air through the take-out member and adsorbs the paper sheet to the take-out member, and a space between the take-out member and the air suction source. And a control unit that changes the suction force at the time of suction by the valve device according to the form of the paper sheet detected by the detector. Take-out device.   The detector includes a thickness detector that detects the thickness of the paper sheet, and the control unit adsorbs when a paper sheet thinner than a predetermined thickness is detected by the thickness detector. The paper sheet take-out device according to claim 1, wherein the suction force at the time is changed by the valve device.   The detector includes a length detector that detects the length of the paper sheet, and the control unit adsorbs when a paper sheet shorter than a predetermined length is detected by the length detector. The paper sheet take-out device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction force at the time is changed by the valve device.   The valve device has a shielding member that opens and closes a pipe connecting the air suction source and the take-out member, and when a paper sheet thinner than a predetermined thickness is detected, or a paper shorter than a predetermined length The take-out of paper sheets according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the leaves are detected, the flow area of the pipe is reduced by the shielding member so that the suction force at the time of suction is weaker than normal. apparatus.   The shielding member has a communication hole, and the communication hole is movable to a first on position where the communication hole overlaps the pipe coaxially and a second on position where the communication hole overlaps with the pipe slightly shifted. The shield member is moved to the first ON position during normal suction, and when a paper sheet thinner than the predetermined thickness is detected, or a paper sheet shorter than the predetermined length is detected. The sheet take-out device according to claim 4, wherein when the sheet is detected, the sheet is moved to the second ON position during suction.   The valve device has a first suction force that is maximized when a paper sheet thinner than the predetermined thickness is detected or when a paper sheet shorter than the predetermined length is detected. The paper sheet take-out device according to claim 3, wherein the paper sheet take-out device is controlled to a second on position in which the suction force is weakened after passing the on position once. The paper sheet take-out device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A discriminating device for discriminating paper sheets taken out by the taking-out device;
A distribution mechanism that distributes the paper sheets according to the determination by the determination device;
An accumulating unit for accumulating the sorted paper sheets;
A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising:

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