Sorting device that decides loading level of output tray by moving sheet sensor

Abstract

A sorting device includes a plurality of output trays, a sheet sensor, a displacement mechanism, and a controller. The plurality of output trays are aligned in a predetermined direction, and configured to receive the sheets. The sheet sensor detects the sheet placed on the output tray. The displacement mechanism is configured to move the first sheet sensor in a predetermined direction along the plurality of output trays, in a predetermined increment of displacement amount. The controller includes a processor, and changes a sheet detecting position of the first sheet sensor in stages, by controlling an operation of the displacement mechanism so as to move the first sheet sensor in the predetermined increment of the displacement amount, and decides a loading level of the output tray, according to whether the first sheet sensor has detected the sheet, when the processor executes a control program.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sorting device that sorts sheets, the sorting device comprising:
 a plurality of output trays aligned in a predetermined direction, and configured to receive the sheets;   a first sheet sensor that detects a sheet placed on the output tray;   a displacement mechanism configured to move the first sheet sensor in the predetermined direction along the plurality of output trays, in a predetermined increment of displacement amount; and   a controller including a processor, and configured to, when the processor executes a control program:   change a sheet detecting position of the first sheet sensor in stages, by controlling an operation of the displacement mechanism so as to move the first sheet sensor in the predetermined increment of the displacement amount; and   decide a loading level of the output tray, according to whether the first sheet sensor has detected the sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The sorting device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the controller causes the displacement mechanism to stop movement of the first sheet sensor, when the first sheet sensor ceases to detect the sheet.   
     
     
         3 . The sorting device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a switching device that changes a transport direction of the sheet and guides the sheet to one of the plurality of output trays,
 wherein the first sheet sensor is provided in the switching device,   the displacement mechanism is configured to move the switching device in the predetermined direction along the plurality of output trays, in the predetermined increment of displacement amount, and   the controller causes the switching device to move, by controlling an action of the displacement mechanism, and causes the displacement mechanism to stop the movement of the switching device, when the first sheet sensor ceases to detect the sheet.   
     
     
         4 . The sorting device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the switching device includes:   a delivery roller that delivers the sheet to the output tray; and   a first guide member and a second guide member provided downstream of the delivery roller in a sheet delivery direction, and configured to guide the sheet from an upper and a lower side, respectively,   the first guide member and the second guide member are curved in a curl direction opposite to a curled shape of the sheet, and   the first guide member and the second guide member are formed such that a gap defined therebetween, for the sheet to pass through, gradually becomes narrower in the sheet delivery direction.   
     
     
         5 . The sorting device according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein a plurality of ribs, extending in a direction orthogonal to the sheet delivery direction, are formed on a guiding surface of each of the first guide member and the second guide member at predetermined intervals.   
     
     
         6 . The sorting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second sheet sensor that detects a leading edge or a trailing edge of the sheet newly delivered to the output tray,
 wherein the controller decides the loading level of the output tray, when a predetermined time, corresponding to a time for the sheet to fall onto the output tray owing to self-weight, has elapsed after the leading edge or the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the second sheet sensor.   
     
     
         7 . The sorting device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the plurality of output trays are aligned in a vertical direction, and   the controller causes, by controlling an action of the displacement mechanism, the first sheet sensor to move upward, from a predetermined lower-limit position of the output tray.