EP1244066A1 - Franking machine with clamping device for a mail piece - Google Patents

Abstract

A clamping device has a clamping unit (3) to work together with an item of post (9) and a gearing device (6,8) linked to the clamping unit and a driving mechanism for moving the clamping unit towards a stop element. The clamping unit and/or the gearing device have a compensating section (15).

Description

The invention relates to a franking machine with a drive device drivable clamping device for clamping a piece of mail to be franked against a stop element, the clamping device one for cooperation provided with the mail piece and a clamping unit with the clamping unit and Drive device connected gear device for moving the clamping unit in the direction of the stop element

Conventional franking machines can be based on the volume of mail to be processed can be roughly divided into two groups. The ones designed for a larger volume of mail Franking machines are usually equipped with a transport mechanism for the equipped for processing letter. On the other hand, the letter must be sent to franking machines for a smaller volume of mail, for example in the range of less than 20 to 30 letters per day, usually manually inserted and removed.

In order to reliably position a letter in relation to the printhead when Ensuring that the franking is printed is manual with the franking machines Letter feed usually provided a clamping device that the letter during of the print clamps against a stop plate in order to fix it. In this stop plate a print window is provided through which the print head carries the letter can print on the franking.

In this context, it is usually necessary to ensure that a particular Area letters of different thicknesses can be processed. The too processing maximum thicknesses are usually in the range of 10mm. The Clamping mechanism and / or its drive must therefore be designed so that they can compensate for different letter thicknesses.

A generic franking machine is known from EP 0 825 563 A2, in which this thickness compensation is achieved in that the letter against the stop plate pressing clamping plate through two on the foundation of the franking machine supporting spiral springs is pressed against the letter. Depending on the thickness of the Briefes results in a corresponding spring travel of the coil springs. The drive device, via which the clamping device can be opened or closed can, is coupled to the clamping plate via a rocker arm, the End facing away from the clamping plate on an end connected to the drive device Cam disc is running. The drive device does not apply the clamping force, but rather the force to open the clamping device against the spring force of the coil springs. at each time the letter is clamped, the drive device always passes one predetermined drive path, which corresponds to half a turn of the cam disc

However, this design has the disadvantage, on the one hand, that due to the required support the spiral springs on the foundation of the franking machine comparatively much Space in the interior of the franking machine is taken up by the clamping mechanism is, whereby the overall space required by the franking machine is increased.

Last but not least, this is not desirable from an aesthetic point of view. Just in smaller offices or the like for which this type of franking machine is intended there is often also a space problem, so this too The reason is to look for the smallest possible design.

Another disadvantage of this known design is that the achieved Clamping force varies greatly depending on the thickness of the letter to be clamped. Depending on the nature of the letter is then more or less strongly in the print window pressed in, causing a possibly widely varying distance between Print head and letter results, which adversely affect the print result can.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of a franking machine to provide the type mentioned above, which the above Does not have disadvantages, or at least to a lesser extent, and in particular one configuration as small as possible with little variation in the clamping force.

This task is based on a franking machine according to the preamble of claim 1 by those specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 Features solved.

The invention is based on the technical teaching that a small-scale Franking machine receives when the clamping unit and / or the gear device has at least one compensation section which is designed to be elastic, compensation for a given drive path of the drive device different thicknesses of the mail item due to elastic deformation of the compensation section he follows.

Through the inventive integration of the compensation mechanism in the The clamping unit or the gear mechanism can be compared to the known franking machine to be saved considerably in installation space, which is then used for the arrangement other functional units of the franking machine is available, which in a smaller franking machine is advantageously achieved.

Furthermore, by means of a suitable arrangement or design of the compensation section a configuration with significantly less variation in the clamping force for achieve different mail piece thicknesses.

The compensation section can thus easily have a sufficiently large length have a soft characteristic of its elastic deformation behavior leads, which in turn leads to a slight variation in the clamping force even with larger ones Thickness variations d. H. leads to larger variations in the clamping path. Furthermore can the compensation section also far away from the clamping device in one Area to be arranged, which is only relative anyway in the entire clamping movement experiences small deflections, so that the one mentioned is sufficiently soft Characteristic of its elastic deformation behavior comparatively less variations result in the clamping force.

Another advantage of the design according to the invention is that through the integration of the compensation mechanism in the clamping unit or the transmission device always a positive or positive connection between the links of the Knitting chain can exist, while interacting with the cam disc End of the rocker arm of the known franking machine depending on the thickness of the to be processed Mail piece when clamping more or less far from the cam takes off. This has an advantageous effect on the noise behavior as well favorably on the wear behavior of the clamping mechanism.

The arrangement of the compensation section can be anywhere within or on the Clamping unit and additionally or alternatively the transmission device.

In preferred because of the particularly simple design variants of the invention Franking machine, the gear device comprises a first lever arm, wherein a first compensation section is then arranged on the lever arm is.

The first compensation section can seamlessly change the contour of the first lever arm continue and only from a correspondingly more elastic material consist. The required for the low clamping force variation or soft characteristic To achieve length, it can preferably be provided that the compensation section extends over at least approximately the entire first lever arm or forms this.

The first compensation section is preferably of a leaf spring-like design Spring section of the first lever arm formed, since such a configuration can be realized particularly easily.

It is further preferably provided that the spring section has at least one bending section has a U-shaped course. As a result, on the one hand a particularly long compensation section can be achieved in a confined space has particularly soft characteristic curve with little variation in clamping force. On the other hand This allows relatively large spring travel even in confined spaces achieve, with which a large thickness variation of the processable mail pieces is possible.

As mentioned, a compensation section can also be arranged in the region of the clamping unit his. For example, the clamping unit can interact with the mail item Include clamping plate that is movable in or on a clamping plate carrier is arranged and depending on the thickness of the mail piece to be clamped has a more or less large distance from the clamping plate carrier. Between these both can then have a compensation section, for example a spring, a elastic liner or the like, may be arranged depending on the distance between the clamping plate and the clamping plate carrier more or less elastic is deformed.

In further preferred variants of the franking machine according to the invention the clamping unit has a clamping plate, a second compensation section is arranged on the clamping plate. For example, the clamping plate itself consist entirely or in sections of a correspondingly elastic material

In further advantageous variants of the franking machine according to the invention, that the gear device and at least a first gear element comprises a second transmission element coupled to it via a coupling element, wherein a third compensation section is arranged on the coupling element. In other words, simple components, such as lever arms, Gears or the like with each other via a coupling element connected between them to couple with each other, which then the elastic deformation Thickness compensation causes.

In the case of variants of particularly simple construction, the first gear element comprises or the second gear element, preferably both gear elements, a lever arm.

It is understood that the compensation section consists of different components, Layers or layers or elements can be composed, because the desired properties of the compensation section with regard to the deformation characteristic, the service life etc. can be set within wide limits.

Any sufficiently elastic materials can be used for the compensation section are used, which ensure a sufficiently long service life. Preferably there is the compensation section is at least partially made of one or more spring materials, since these materials usually meet this requirement particularly well fulfill.

Corresponding metals, metal alloys etc. can be used as spring materials Find. The compensation section is provided in other inexpensive variants at least partially of an elastic plastic or plastic mixture. This can be brought into any shape particularly easily and with appropriate reinforcement inserts or reinforce the like.

Figur 1

eine Teilansicht eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Frankiermaschine;

Figur 2

einen Teilschnitt durch die Frankiermaschine aus Figur 1 entlang Linie II-II;

Figur 3

einen Teilschnitt durch die Frankiermaschine aus Figur 1 entlang Linie II-II;

Figur 4

einen Teilschnitt durch ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Frankiermaschine;

Figur 5

einen Teilschnitt durch ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Frankiermaschine;

Figur 6

einen Teilschnitt durch ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Frankiermaschine;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Variante aus Figur 6 in Richtung VII.

Further preferred variants result from the subclaims or the description below of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which refers to the attached drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a partial view of a preferred embodiment of the franking machine according to the invention;

Figure 2

a partial section through the franking machine of Figure 1 along line II-II;

Figure 3

a partial section through the franking machine of Figure 1 along line II-II;

Figure 4

a partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the franking machine according to the invention;

Figure 5

a partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the franking machine according to the invention;

Figure 6

a partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the franking machine according to the invention;

Figure 7

a plan view of the variant of Figure 6 in the direction VII.

Figure 1 shows a partial view of a preferred embodiment of the invention Franking machine 1, namely its clamping device 2 for clamping one too franking mail piece, for example a letter.

The clamping device 2 has one intended for cooperation with the mail item Clamping unit in the form of a clamping plate 3. This clamping plate 3 is over a transmission device 4 is connected to a drive device in the form of a motor 5. The transmission device 4 comprises a gear transmission 6, which one Drives cam 7, which in turn has a first free end 8.1 of a interacts first lever arm in the form of a rocker arm 8, on the second Free end 8.2, the clamping plate 3 is arranged.

The rocker arm 8 is pivotable in the housing 1.1 of the franking machine 1 Pillow blocks 1.2 stored. The free end 8.1 of the rocker arm 8 is by a - Not shown - spring device biased against the cam 7, so that always contact between the contact element 8.3 at the first free end 8.1 of the Rocker arm 8 and the cam surface 7.1 of the cam disc 7.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the clamping plate 3 presses a piece of mail, for example a letter 9 against a stop plate 10 in which there is a printing window 11. This print window 11 is a - including perpendicular to the plane of the drawing - movable print head 12 assigned, with which the franking imprint by the Printing window 11 can be printed on the letter 9 through.

For clamping the through an insertion slot 13 in the housing 1.1 of the franking machine 1 introduced letter 9, the rocker arm 8 with the clamping plate 3 of one indicated by the contour 14 in the first position shown in the second position pivoted. The cam disk 8 carries out driven by the motor 5 to which it is connected via the gear transmission 6, half a turn about its Axis 7.2.

This travel path of the cam disc 7 and the associated drive path or angle of rotation the motor 5 are identical for each mail item, regardless of the thickness of the respective mail item inserted through the insertion slot 13. The compensation Different thickness dimensions of the imported mail pieces are made by elastic Deformation of a first compensation section in the form of a leaf spring trained spring section 15 of the rocker arm 8.

This spring section 15 becomes more or more depending on the thickness of the mail piece being inserted less deformed, as can be seen in Figure 3, which the same partial section as Figure 2 shows. In Figure 3, however, the contour 16 is the deformation of the spring section 15 indicated that this when clamping through experiences the contour 17 indicated mail piece with maximum thickness to be processed.

The spring section 15 is arranged and designed such that it is also minimal Thickness of the inserted mail piece in the second position of the rocker arm 8 also undergoes a certain deformation. The deformation is so great that a predetermined one minimal clamping force is ensured. This ensures that too then a sufficiently high clamping force is achieved if, for example, only one single sheet, for example a franking strip for a package, etc., can be printed should.

The spring section 15 also has a bending section 15.1 with a U-shaped Course on. This bending section 15.1 is not only one from the point of view of deformation favorable force introduction into the spring section 15 guaranteed. Created also ensure that the spring section 15 despite the small distance between the Clamping plate 3 and the fastening point 15.2 of the spring section 15 on the Rocker arm 8 has a relatively large length. This has a beneficial effect in so far the deformation characteristic of the spring section 15, as a special one soft deformation characteristic is achieved, which ensures that when clamping of mail pieces of different thickness only a comparatively small one Variation of the clamping force that arises.

Another advantage of the U-shaped design of the spring section 15 is that that the clamping plate 3 when clamping the letter 9 due to the progressive deformation increasing reduction in the radius of curvature of the Bending section 15.1 moves in the insertion direction 18 towards the letter stop 19. hereby the letter 9 is pressed against the letter stop 19 in an advantageous manner or even pulled against this.

In the example shown, the spring section 15 consists of a conventional spring steel. However, it goes without saying that in the case of other variants, any other, materials or material mixtures which have a corresponding elasticity or Material combinations can be used.

It is also understood that in other variants of the invention, the entire or approximately the entire rocker arm consist of such a spring section can, whereby a particularly high length of the spring section with the described beneficial effects can be achieved.

Figure 4 shows a partial section through a further preferred embodiment of the Franking machine 1 'according to the invention, which in its basic structure our basic function of the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 1 to 3 is the same, so only the differences will be dealt with here. Accordingly, are otherwise identical components with the same reference numerals as in the figures 1 to 3.

The difference is that at the second free end 8.2 'of the rocker arm 8' a clamping plate 3 'formed by a U-shaped, elastic plastic component is provided. This clamping plate 3 'represents a second compensation section, which ensures that with the end position always constant, i.e. H. with always the same second position of the second end 8.2 'of the rocker arm 8' mail items 9, 17th different thickness can be clamped.

Depending on the thickness of the mail piece being inserted, the elastic clamping plate 3 'becomes Thickness compensation deformed more or less, as can be seen in Figure 4 is indicated by the contour 20, the deformation of the elastic clamping plate 3 ' is which this is indicated by the contour 17 when clamping Experiences mail piece with maximum thickness to be processed.

It is understood that in other variants of the franking machine according to the invention only a part of the clamping plate can be made correspondingly elastic. For example, in the area of the free end 3.1 'of the clamping plate rigid section may be provided on the clamping plate.

Figure 5 shows a section through part of a further variant of the invention Franking machine, namely by an articulated at the second end 8.2 "one essentially rigid rocker arm 8 "arranged clamping unit 21. This Rocker arm 8 "is described in the same manner as in the previous examples actuated to clamp a mail item 9 "against a stop plate 10", so that this will not be discussed in more detail.

The clamping unit 21 comprises a bowl-shaped clamping plate 22 and one with it connected, also bowl-shaped carrier 23, which define a cavity 24. In this cavity 24 leaf springs 25 are arranged, which are fixed at one end are connected to the carrier 23 while being freely movable at their other end press against the inside of the clamping plate 22. To prevent the Clamping plate 22 in the open state of the clamping device (not shown) stops 22.1 and 23.1 are provided.

Depending on the thickness of the mail piece being inserted, the clamping plate 22 becomes a thickness compensation with more or less strong deformation of the second in this case Compensating section leaf springs 25 more or less strongly on the Carrier 23 moves to, as can be seen in Figure 5, in which by the contour 26 Deflection of the clamping plate 22 is indicated, which this when clamping a indicated by the contour 27 mail piece with maximum to be processed Experiences thickness.

The length of the leaf springs 25 ensures that it is sufficiently soft Deformation characteristic of the clamping unit 21 results in the smallest possible variation the clamping force guaranteed over the thickness range of the mail pieces to be processed.

Figures 6 and 7 show views of part of a further variant of the invention Franking machine, namely in the area of the bearing blocks 1.2 "', over the a rocker arm 8 '' 'shown in its second position on the housing 1.1' '' of the franking machine is pivotally mounted. This rocker arm 8 "'is made in the same way as described in the previous examples for clamping a mail piece actuated so that this will not be discussed in more detail. Here is at his second end one of the clamping units described above, via which the Mail piece is clamped against a stop plate.

The specialty of the rocker arm 8 '' 'lies in its two-part design from one a lever arm 28 representing a first gear element and a second gear element representing lever arm 29, which has a coupling element in the form of a are coupled in the manner of a clothespin spring formed spring 30.

Depending on the thickness of the piece of mail to be clamped, this will be the third in this case Compensation section representing spring 30 for thickness compensation more or less deformed. This creates a more or less obtuse angle between the two lever arms 28 and 29, as can be seen in FIG. 6, in which by the contour 31, the angular position between the two lever arms 28 and 29 is indicated, which this when clamping a mail piece with maximum Take thickness to be processed.

In the - not shown - first position of the rocker arm 8 '' ', that is when it is open Clamping device, abut the two stop surfaces 32 and 33 of the two lever arms 28 and 29 under the influence of the restoring forces of the spring 30 against one another, so that a defined rest position of the two lever arms 28 and 29 to each other results.

The length of the spring wire used overall for the spring 30 ensures that there is a sufficiently soft deformation characteristic of the spring 30, which has the smallest possible variation of the clamping force over the thickness range of the guaranteed mailpieces to be processed.

Although in the above examples only one compensation section for each the respective variant of the franking machine according to the invention has been described it is the case that with other variants also several such compensation sections can be used in any combination.

Claims (9)

Franking machine with a clamping device (4), which can be driven by a drive device (5), for clamping a mail piece (9) to be franked against a stop element (10; 10 "), the clamping device (4) being a clamping unit provided for cooperation with the mail piece (9) (3; 3 '; 21) and a gear device (6, 8; 8'; 8 "; 8 ''') connected to the clamping unit (3; 3'; 21) and the drive device for moving the clamping unit (3; 3 '; 21) in the direction of the stop element, characterized in that the clamping unit (3; 3'; 21) and / or the gear mechanism (6, 8; 8 '; 8 ";8''') comprises at least one compensation section (15 ; 3 ';25; 30), which is designed to be elastic in such a way that, for a given drive path of the drive device (5), compensation of different thicknesses of the mail item (9) by elastic deformation of the compensation section (15; 3';25; 30) he follows. Franking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear device (6, 8) comprises a first lever arm (8), a first compensation section (15) being arranged on the lever arm (8). Franking machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first compensation section is formed by a spring section (15) of the first lever arm (8) which is designed like a leaf spring. Franking machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring section (15) has at least one bending section (15.1) with a U-shaped course. Franking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping unit comprises a clamping plate (3 '), a second compensation section being arranged on the clamping plate (3') or being formed by the latter. Franking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear device (8 ''') comprises at least a first gear element (28) and a second gear element (29) coupled to it via a coupling element (30), a third compensation section on the coupling element (30) is arranged or formed by this. Franking machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the first gear element (28) and / or the second gear element (29) comprise a lever arm. Franking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation section (15; 3 ';25; 30) consists at least partially of a spring material. Franking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensation section (3 ') consists at least partially of an elastic plastic or plastic mixture.

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