EP1148444A1 - Device for the detection of a postal item - Google Patents

Device for the detection of a postal item Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1148444A1
EP1148444A1 EP01250131A EP01250131A EP1148444A1 EP 1148444 A1 EP1148444 A1 EP 1148444A1 EP 01250131 A EP01250131 A EP 01250131A EP 01250131 A EP01250131 A EP 01250131A EP 1148444 A1 EP1148444 A1 EP 1148444A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
distance
light guide
arrangement according
circuit board
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01250131A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1148444B1 (en
Inventor
Ulrich Hetzer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Francotyp Postalia GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Francotyp Postalia GmbH filed Critical Francotyp Postalia GmbH
Publication of EP1148444A1 publication Critical patent/EP1148444A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1148444B1 publication Critical patent/EP1148444B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
    • B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
    • B65H7/14—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors by photoelectric feelers or detectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/50—Occurence
    • B65H2511/51—Presence
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
    • B65H2515/60—Optical characteristics, e.g. colour, light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/41—Photoelectric detectors
    • B65H2553/412—Photoelectric detectors in barrier arrangements, i.e. emitter facing a receptor element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2553/00—Sensing or detecting means
    • B65H2553/40—Sensing or detecting means using optical, e.g. photographic, elements
    • B65H2553/44—Involving light guide, e.g. optical fibres
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00467—Transporting mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
    • G07B2017/00258—Electronic hardware aspects, e.g. type of circuits used
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00669—Sensing the position of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an arrangement for detecting mail items of the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention comes for franking machines and other mail processing devices with mail piece transport for use.
  • Modern franking machines such as those from US 4,746,234 well-known thermal transfer franking machine, set fully electronic digital printing devices. In principle it is possible to use any Texts and special characters in the franking stamp printing area and a any or an advertising cliché assigned to a cost center to press.
  • the applicant's franking machine T1000 a microprocessor, which is surrounded by a secured housing which has an opening for feeding a letter. At a letter feed is transmitted by a mechanical letter sensor (microswitch) a pressure request signal to the microprocessor.
  • the Franking imprint contains a previously entered and saved postal information for the transport of the letter.
  • an optical mail piece sensor triggers the printing process.
  • the optical mail piece sensor is as Reflective light barrier designed. The surface of the letter should therefore be from Be as flat as possible from the start. Otherwise, a reflex light barrier has Disadvantages in the detection of the leading edge of thick mail pieces.
  • the printing process for the JetMail® is preferably carried out by a Transmitted light barrier of the franking machine (EP 901 108 A2) triggered.
  • a Transmitted light barrier of the franking machine EP 901 108 A2
  • the JetMail® uses optical sensors Mail item jam detection for use.
  • the arrangement of the main circuit board at a distance behind the guide plate requires shielded Copper cable.
  • Both reflex sensor and transmitted light sensor included their assembly with fixation on the guide plate, with connectors and with cables to the main circuit board in the base, however, require high Manufacturing costs.
  • the invention has for its object to develop an arrangement which is a robust sensor system for letter detection at low manufacturing costs having.
  • a franking machine or another mail processing device with Mail item transport has a housing with an opening for the mail item feed with a main circuit board arranged inside the control.
  • a main circuit board arranged inside the control.
  • the distance from the main circuit board to The measurement location in the opening is determined by the use of rigid light guide elements bridged.
  • the rigid light guide elements and the transmission and reception means on the main circuit board are used for Detection of the franking good at the measuring location according to the known Transmitted light principle, the measuring point upstream from one in Print position positioned print head is arranged.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an open one at the top Franking machine 1.
  • the mail item is fed through a slot-shaped Opening 3 in the housing 4, which in the closed state Arrangement for mail piece detection encloses except at the opening.
  • the transport direction for a supplied - not shown - mail item is marked by an arrow and runs from top left to right below.
  • the mail piece comes to rest during transport Guide plate 2.
  • the housing 4 opened at the top shows two in Print position positioned print heads 21, 22.
  • FIG. 2 shows a front view of the franking machine 1, which here - only for the sake of clarity - with a transparent top Lid 14 is equipped.
  • One side of the opening 3 is a guide plate 2 formed, on which the mail piece 12 rests and from which starting from a drive device 5 a transport force on the mail item 12 in the transport direction (arrow).
  • the counter-pressure device 6 is vertical on the side of the opening 3 arranged resilient to the direction of transport. The direction of transport for one fed mail piece 12 runs from left to right.
  • FIG. 3 shows a section through the franking machine Side view shown, with the section running through the measurement site.
  • the franking machine 1 has a housing 4 inside it Main circuit board 11 with transmitting and receiving means 7 and 8 and with associated rigid light guide elements 9 and 10 is arranged.
  • the main circuit board 11 is at a distance A from the guide plate 2 on the one side and at a distance B from the opposite side of the Opening arranged, distance A> B applies.
  • Nearby at the measuring location of the transport path are rigid light guide elements 9, 10 on both sides of the Opening 3 arranged.
  • Light guide element 9 has an I-shape and approximately corresponds in length the distance B. It is provided that for minimizing extraneous light and Increased scanning reliability a clocked light emitting diode LED in a franking machine is used as the transmission means 7.
  • Another rigid light guide element 10 has a U-shape, wherein one of the in the length of the leg lying near the transport path is shortened approximately according to the distance A.
  • the other leg is approximately up to its length Receiving means 8 trained sufficiently.
  • the rigid light guide elements 9, 10 for fixation and bundling the light beam (white arrow) as a transparent one Plastic light guides are formed.
  • the plastic light guide is made preferably made of polycarbonate and is known under the name "acrylic".
  • a drive device 5 can, for example, a drive roller and a Back pressure device 6 can, for example, a back pressure roller include.
  • the broadcast and Receiving means 7 and 8 can be laser diode, LED and photodiode, Photo transistor or another suitable light source or opto / electrical converter his.
  • a transmitter diode 7 is very narrow Beam angle, high pulse resistance and reliability used.
  • a GaAs infrared light emitter diode for example, is suitable Siemens type LD 274.
  • As a photo transistor for example an NPN silicon phototransistor from Siemens, type SFH 300 be used.

Abstract

Arrangement comprises optical emitter and receiver devices (7, 8). At a distance from emitter and receiver is the main guide support plate (11) that also holds the control device. Emitter and receiver devices are held in the plane of the main guide plate and are connected via rigid optical wave guides (9, 10) to the measurement location for detection of mail items (12).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Anordnung zur Poststückdetektierung gemäß des Oberbegriffs des Anspruchs 1. Die Erfindung kommt für Frankiermaschinen und andere Postverarbeitungsgeräte mit Poststücktransport zum Einsatz.The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting mail items of the preamble of claim 1. The invention comes for franking machines and other mail processing devices with mail piece transport for use.

Moderne Frankiermaschinen, wie beispielsweise die aus US 4.746.234 bekannte Thermotransfer-Frankiermaschine, setzen vollelektronische digitale Druckvorrichtungen ein. Damit ist es prinzipiell möglich, beliebige Texte und Sonderzeichen im Frankierstempeldruckbereich und ein beliebiges oder ein einer Kostenstelle zugeordnetes Werbeklischee zu drucken. Beispielsweise die Frankiermaschine T1000 der Anmelderin hat einen Mikroprozessor, welcher von einem gesicherten Gehäuse umgeben ist, welches eine Öffnung für die Zuführung eines Briefes aufweist. Bei einer Briefzuführung übermittelt ein mechanischer Briefsensor (Mikroschalter) ein Druckanforderungssignal an den Mikroprozessor. Der Frankierabdruck beinhaltet eine zuvor eingegebene und gespeicherte postalische Information zur Beförderung des Briefes. Modern franking machines, such as those from US 4,746,234 well-known thermal transfer franking machine, set fully electronic digital printing devices. In principle it is possible to use any Texts and special characters in the franking stamp printing area and a any or an advertising cliché assigned to a cost center to press. For example, the applicant's franking machine T1000 a microprocessor, which is surrounded by a secured housing which has an opening for feeding a letter. At a letter feed is transmitted by a mechanical letter sensor (microswitch) a pressure request signal to the microprocessor. The Franking imprint contains a previously entered and saved postal information for the transport of the letter.

In der DE 196 05 015 C1 (US 5.949.444) ist bereits eine Ausführung für eine Druckvorrichtung (JetMail® ) vorgeschlagen worden, die bei einem nichtwaagerechten annähernd vertikalen Brieftransport einen Frankierdruck mittels einem hinter einer Führungsplatte in einer Ausnehmung stationär angeordneten Tintenstrahldruckkopf durchführt. Ein Auslöse-Sensor für den Druckprozess ist zur Briefanfangserkennung kurz vor der Tintenstrahldruckkopf-Ausnehmung angeordnet und wirkt mit einem Inkrementalgeber zusammen.In DE 196 05 015 C1 (US 5,949,444) there is already a version for a printing device (JetMail®) has been proposed, which at a non-horizontal approximately vertical letter transport a franking imprint by means of a behind a guide plate in a recess performs stationary ink jet print head. A trigger sensor for the printing process is just before the letter recognition Ink jet printhead recess arranged and acts with a Incremental encoder together.

Gemäß der EP 673 001 B1 (US 5.495.103) löst ein optischer Poststücksensor den Druckprozess aus. Der optische Poststücksensor ist als Reflexlichtschranke ausgebildet. Die Briefoberfläche sollte deshalb von Anfang an möglichst eben sein. Eine Reflexlichtschranke hat anderenfalls Nachteile bei der Detektierung der Vorderkante dicker Poststücke.According to EP 673 001 B1 (US 5,495,103) an optical mail piece sensor triggers the printing process. The optical mail piece sensor is as Reflective light barrier designed. The surface of the letter should therefore be from Be as flat as possible from the start. Otherwise, a reflex light barrier has Disadvantages in the detection of the leading edge of thick mail pieces.

Deshalb wird bei der JetMail® der Druckprozess vorzugsweise durch eine Durchlichtschranke der Frankiermaschine (EP 901 108 A2) ausgelöst. Damit wird die Vorderkante sogar besonders dicker Poststücke eindeutig erkannt. Ausserdem kommen bei der JetMail® optische Sensoren zur Poststück-Stauerkennung zum Einsatz. Die Anordnung der Hauptleiter-platte im Abstand hinter der Führungsplatte erfordert abgeschirmte Kupferkabel. Sowohl Reflexsensor oder Durchlichtsensor einschliesslich ihrer Montage mit Fixierung an der Führungsplatte, mit Steckverbindern und mit Kabeln zur Hauptleiterplatte in der Base erfordern allerdings hohe Herstellungskosten.For this reason, the printing process for the JetMail® is preferably carried out by a Transmitted light barrier of the franking machine (EP 901 108 A2) triggered. In order to the front edge of even particularly thick mail items is clearly recognized. In addition, the JetMail® uses optical sensors Mail item jam detection for use. The arrangement of the main circuit board at a distance behind the guide plate requires shielded Copper cable. Both reflex sensor and transmitted light sensor included their assembly with fixation on the guide plate, with connectors and with cables to the main circuit board in the base, however, require high Manufacturing costs.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Anordnung zu entwickeln, die eine robuste Sensorik zur Briefdetektierung bei geringen Herstellungskosten aufweist. The invention has for its object to develop an arrangement which is a robust sensor system for letter detection at low manufacturing costs having.

Die Aufgabe wird mit den Merkmalen der Anordnung nach dem Anspruch 1 gelöst.The task is performed with the features of the arrangement according to the claim 1 solved.

Eine Frankiermaschine oder ein anderes Postverarbeitungsgerät mit Poststücktransport hat ein Gehäuse mit einer Öffnung für die Poststückzuführung mit einer im Inneren angeordneten Hauptleiterplatte für die Steuerung. Durch die Platzierung möglichst aller elektronischen Bauteile auf der Hauptleiterplatte entfällt der kostenaufwendige Einbau von Sende- und Empfangsmitteln nahe dem Transportpfad in der Öffnung für die Poststückzuführung. Der Abstand der Hauptleiterplatte zum Messort in der Öffnung wird durch den erfindungsgemässen Einsatz von starren Lichtleiterelementen überbrückt. Die starren Licht-leiterelemente und die Sende- und Empfangsmittel auf der Hauptleiter-platte dienen zur Detektierung des Frankiergutes am Messort nach dem bekannten Durchlichtprinzip, wobei der Meßort poststromaufwärts von einem in Druckposition positionierten Druckkopf angeordnet ist.A franking machine or another mail processing device with Mail item transport has a housing with an opening for the mail item feed with a main circuit board arranged inside the control. By placing as many electronic as possible Components on the main circuit board do not require the costly installation of transmission and reception means near the transport path in the opening for the mailpiece feed. The distance from the main circuit board to The measurement location in the opening is determined by the use of rigid light guide elements bridged. The rigid light guide elements and the transmission and reception means on the main circuit board are used for Detection of the franking good at the measuring location according to the known Transmitted light principle, the measuring point upstream from one in Print position positioned print head is arranged.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen gekennzeichnet bzw. werden nachstehend zusammen mit der Beschreibung der bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung anhand der Figuren näher dargestellt. Es zeigen:

Figur 1,
perspektivische Ansicht einer oben offenen Frankiermaschine,
Figur 2,
Vorderansicht einer oben durchsichtigen Frankiermaschine,
Figur 3,
Schnitt durch die Frankiermaschine bei Seitenansicht.
Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:
Figure 1,
perspective view of an open franking machine,
Figure 2,
Front view of a franking machine which is transparent at the top,
Figure 3,
Section through the franking machine in side view.

Die Figur 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer oben geöffneten Frankiermaschine 1. Die Poststückzuführung erfolgt durch eine schlitzförmige Öffnung 3 im Gehäuse 4, das im geschlossenen Zustand die Anordnung zur Poststückdetektierung ausser an der Öffnung umschließt. Die Transportrichtung für ein zugeführtes - nicht gezeigtes - Poststück ist durch einen Pfeil gekennzeichnet und verläuft von links oben nach rechts unten. Das Poststück kommt beim Transport zum Anliegen an eine Führungsplatte 2. Das oben geöffnete Gehäuse 4 zeigt zwei in Druckposition positionierte Druckköpfe 21, 22.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an open one at the top Franking machine 1. The mail item is fed through a slot-shaped Opening 3 in the housing 4, which in the closed state Arrangement for mail piece detection encloses except at the opening. The transport direction for a supplied - not shown - mail item is marked by an arrow and runs from top left to right below. The mail piece comes to rest during transport Guide plate 2. The housing 4 opened at the top shows two in Print position positioned print heads 21, 22.

Die Figur 2 zeigt eine Vorderansicht der Frankiermaschine 1, die hier - nur der besseren Anschaulichkeit wegen - mit einem oben durchsichtigen Deckel 14 ausgestattet ist. Eine Seite der Öffnung 3 ist als Führungsplatte 2 ausgebildet, an welcher das Poststück 12 anliegt und von welcher ausgehend eine Antriebsvorrichtung 5 eine Transportkraft auf das Poststück 12 in Transportrichtung (Pfeil) ausgeübt wird. An der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Öffnung 3 ist die Gegen-druckvorrichtung 6 senkrecht federnd zur Transportrichtung angeordnet. Die Transportrichtung für ein zugeführtes Poststück 12 verläuft von links nach rechts.FIG. 2 shows a front view of the franking machine 1, which here - only for the sake of clarity - with a transparent top Lid 14 is equipped. One side of the opening 3 is a guide plate 2 formed, on which the mail piece 12 rests and from which starting from a drive device 5 a transport force on the mail item 12 in the transport direction (arrow). On the opposite The counter-pressure device 6 is vertical on the side of the opening 3 arranged resilient to the direction of transport. The direction of transport for one fed mail piece 12 runs from left to right.

In der Figur 3 wird ein Schnitt durch die Frankiermaschine bei Seitenansicht dargestellt, wobei der Schnitt durch den Messort verläuft. Die Frankiermaschine 1 hat ein Gehäuse 4 in dessen Inneren eine Hauptleiterplatte 11 mit Sende- und Empfangsmitteln 7 und 8 sowie mit zugehörigen starren Lichtleiterelementen 9 und 10 angeordnet ist.FIG. 3 shows a section through the franking machine Side view shown, with the section running through the measurement site. The franking machine 1 has a housing 4 inside it Main circuit board 11 with transmitting and receiving means 7 and 8 and with associated rigid light guide elements 9 and 10 is arranged.

Die Hauptleiterplatte 11 ist im Abstand A von der Führungsplatte 2 auf der einen Seite und im Abstand B von der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Öffnung angeordnet, wobei gilt Abstand A > B. Am Meßort in der Nähe des Transportpfades sind starre Lichtleiterelemente 9, 10 beidseitig der Öffnung 3 angeordnet. Ein am Sendemittel 7 angeordnetes starres Lichtleiterelement 9 hat I-Form und entspricht in der Länge annähernd dem Abstand B. Es ist vorgesehen, dass zur Fremdlichtminimierung und Erhöhung der Abtastsicherheit eine getaktete Leuchtemitterdiode LED in einer Frankiermaschine als Sendemittel 7 eingesetzt wird.The main circuit board 11 is at a distance A from the guide plate 2 on the one side and at a distance B from the opposite side of the Opening arranged, distance A> B applies. Nearby at the measuring location of the transport path are rigid light guide elements 9, 10 on both sides of the Opening 3 arranged. A rigid arranged on the transmission means 7 Light guide element 9 has an I-shape and approximately corresponds in length the distance B. It is provided that for minimizing extraneous light and Increased scanning reliability a clocked light emitting diode LED in a franking machine is used as the transmission means 7.

Ein anderes starres Lichtleiterelement 10 hat U-Form, wobei einer der in der Nähe des Transportpfades liegenden Schenkel in seiner Länge annähernd entsprechend dem Abstand A verkürzt ist. Another rigid light guide element 10 has a U-shape, wherein one of the in the length of the leg lying near the transport path is shortened approximately according to the distance A.

Der andere Schenkel ist bezüglich seiner Länge annähernd bis zum Empfangsmittel 8 reichend ausgebildet.The other leg is approximately up to its length Receiving means 8 trained sufficiently.

Es ist vorgesehen, dass die starren Lichtleiterelemente 9, 10 zur Fixierung und Bündelung des Lichtstrahles (weisser Pfeil) als transparen-te Kunststofflichtleiter ausgebildet sind. Der Kunststofflichtleiter besteht vorzugsweise aus Polycarbonat und ist unter dem Namen "Acryl" bekannt.It is provided that the rigid light guide elements 9, 10 for fixation and bundling the light beam (white arrow) as a transparent one Plastic light guides are formed. The plastic light guide is made preferably made of polycarbonate and is known under the name "acrylic".

Eine Antriebsvorrichtung 5 kann zum Beispiel eine Antriebsrolle und eine Gegendruckvorrichtung 6 kann zum Beispiel eine Gegendruckrolle umfassen. Die Antriebsvorrichtung 5 und eine Gegendruckvorrichtung 6 können aber auch beliebig anders ausgebildet sein. Die Sende- und Empfangsmittel 7 und 8 können Laserdiode, LED und Fotodiode, Fototransistor oder eine andere geeignete Lichtquelle bzw. Opto/Elektro-Wandler sein. Vorzugsweise wird eine Sendediode 7 mit sehr engem Abstrahlwinkel, hoher Impulsbelastbarkeit und Zuverlässigkeit eingesetzt. Geeignet ist beispielsweise eine GaAs-Infrarot-Leucht-Emitter-Diode der Firma Siemens vom Typ LD 274. Als Fototransistor kann beispielsweise ein NPN-Silizium-Fototransistor der Firma Siemens vom Typ SFH 300 eingesetzt werden. Natürlich kann die Zuordnung der starren Lichtleiterelemente 9, 10 zu den Sende- und Empfangsmitteln 7 und 8 vertauscht werden, d.h. ein am Sendemittel 7 angeordnetes starres Lichtleiterelement 9 hat U-Form und ein am Empfangsmittel 8 angeordnetes starres Lichtleiterelement 10 hat I-Form.A drive device 5 can, for example, a drive roller and a Back pressure device 6 can, for example, a back pressure roller include. The drive device 5 and a counter pressure device 6 but can also be designed in any other way. The broadcast and Receiving means 7 and 8 can be laser diode, LED and photodiode, Photo transistor or another suitable light source or opto / electrical converter his. Preferably, a transmitter diode 7 is very narrow Beam angle, high pulse resistance and reliability used. A GaAs infrared light emitter diode, for example, is suitable Siemens type LD 274. As a photo transistor, for example an NPN silicon phototransistor from Siemens, type SFH 300 be used. Of course, the assignment of the rigid light guide elements 9, 10 exchanged for the transmission and reception means 7 and 8 become, i.e. a rigid light guide element arranged on the transmission means 7 9 has a U-shape and a rigid one arranged on the receiving means 8 Light guide element 10 has an I shape.

Die Erfindung ist nicht auf die vorliegenden Ausführungsform beschränkt. Vielmehr ist eine Anzahl von Varianten im Rahmen der Ansprüche denkbar. So können offensichtlich weitere andere Ausführungen der Erfindung entwickelt bzw. eingesetzt werden, die vom gleichen Grundgedanken der Erfindung ausgehend, die von den anliegenden Ansprüchen umfaßt werden.The invention is not limited to the present embodiment. Rather, a number of variations are within the scope of the claims conceivable. So obviously other other versions of the Invention are developed or used by the same Basic ideas of the invention, starting from the attached Claims are included.

Claims (9)

Die Anordnung zur Poststückdetektierung, mit Sende- und Empfangsmitteln (7, 8) und mit einer vom Meßort entfernt angeordneten Hauptleiter-platte (11), die Mittel für die Steuerung aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sende- und Empfangsmittel (7, 8) auf der Hauptleiterplatte (11) angeordnet sind, dass die Hauptleiterplatte (11) im Abstand A vom Meßort und dass starre Lichtleiterelemente (9, 10) zwischen dem Messort und den Sende- und Empfangsmitteln (7, 8) auf der Hauptleiterplatte (11) angeordnet sind, wobei die Lichtleiterelemente (9, 10) am Meßort zur Detektierung von Postgut (12) nach dem an sich bekannten Durchlichtprinzip ausgebildet sind.The arrangement for mail piece detection, with transmitting and receiving means (7, 8) and with a main circuit board (11) which is arranged at a distance from the measuring location and which has means for the control, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving means (7, 8) arranged on the main circuit board (11), that the main circuit board (11) at a distance A from the measuring location and that rigid light guide elements (9, 10) between the measuring location and the transmitting and receiving means (7, 8) are arranged on the main circuit board (11) are, the light guide elements (9, 10) at the measuring location for detecting mail (12) are designed according to the known principle of transmitted light. Anordnung, nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Gehäuse (4), in deren Inneren die Hauptleiterplatte (11) mit den Sende- und Empfangsmitteln (7, 8) und mit zugehörigen starren Lichtleiterelementen (9, 10) angeordnet ist, eine schlitzförmige Öffnung (3) aufweist und die Anordnung zur Poststückdetektierung ausser an der Öffnung (3) umschließt, dass die starren Lichtleiterelemente (9, 10) beidseitig der Öffnung am Meßort in der Nähe des Transportpfades angeordnet sind.Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a housing (4), in the interior of which the main circuit board (11) with the transmitting and receiving means (7, 8) and with associated rigid light guide elements (9, 10) is arranged, a slot-shaped Has opening (3) and encloses the arrangement for mail piece detection except at the opening (3) that the rigid light guide elements (9, 10) are arranged on both sides of the opening at the measuring point in the vicinity of the transport path. Anordnung, nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Seite der Öffnung (3) als Führungsplatte (2) ausgebildet ist, an welcher das Poststück (12) anliegt und von welcher ausgehend eine Transportkraft auf das Poststück in Transportrichtung ausgeübt wird, dass die Hauptleiterplatte (11) im Abstand A von der Führungsplatte (2) auf der einen Seite und im Abstand B von der gegenüberliegenden Seite der Öffnung (3) angeordnet ist, wobei gilt Abstand A > B. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that one side of the opening (3) is designed as a guide plate (2) on which the mail piece (12) rests and from which a transport force is exerted on the mail piece in the transport direction, that the main circuit board (11) at a distance A from the guide plate (2) on one side and at a distance B from the opposite side of the opening (3), where distance A> B applies. Anordnung, nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein am Sendemittel (7) bzw. Empfangsmittel (8) angeordnetes starres Lichtleiterelement (9) eine I-Form aufweist und in der Länge annähernd dem Abstand B entspricht.Arrangement according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a rigid light guide element (9) arranged on the transmitting means (7) or receiving means (8) has an I-shape and approximately corresponds to the distance B in length. Anordnung, nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein starres Lichtleiterelement (10) eine U-Form aufweist, wobei einer der in der Nähe des Transportpfades liegenden Schenkel in seiner Länge annähernd entsprechend dem Abstand A verkürzt und der andere Schenkel bezüglich seiner Länge annähernd bis zum Empfangsmittel (8) bzw. Sendemittel (7) reichend ausgebildet ist.Arrangement according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a rigid light guide element (10) has a U-shape, one of the legs lying in the vicinity of the transport path being shortened in length approximately in accordance with the distance A and the other leg with respect to it Length is approximately sufficient to reach the receiving means (8) or transmitting means (7). Anordnung, nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die starren Lichtleiterelemente (9, 10) zur Fixierung und Bündelung des Lichtstrahles als transparente Kunststofflichtleiter ausgebildet sind.Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid light guide elements (9, 10) for fixing and bundling the light beam are designed as transparent plastic light guides. Anordnung, nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zur Fremdlichtminimierung und Erhöhung der Abtastsicherheit eine getaktete Leuchtemitterdiode (LED) als Sendemittel (7) eingesetzt wird.Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a clocked light emitting diode (LED) is used as the transmission means (7) for minimizing extraneous light and increasing the scanning reliability. Anordnung, nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Frankiermaschine (1) das Gehäuse (4) aufweist, welches die Anordnung zur Poststückdetektierung ausser an der Öffnung umschließt.Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a franking machine (1) has the housing (4), which encloses the arrangement for mail piece detection except at the opening. Anordnung, nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Meßort poststromaufwärts von einem in Druckposition positionierten Druckkopf (21, 22) der Frankiermaschine (1) angeordnet ist.Arrangement according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the measuring location is arranged upstream from a print head (21, 22) of the franking machine (1) positioned in the printing position.
EP01250131A 2000-04-22 2001-04-12 Device for the detection of a postal item Expired - Lifetime EP1148444B1 (en)

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DE10021250 2000-04-22
DE10021250A DE10021250A1 (en) 2000-04-22 2000-04-22 Arrangement for mail item detection

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DE50112097D1 (en) 2007-04-12
US20010041041A1 (en) 2001-11-15
DE10021250A1 (en) 2001-10-25
EP1148444B1 (en) 2007-02-28
US6456776B2 (en) 2002-09-24

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