JP2000169029A - Sheet post-processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a sheet storing capacity of an elevating paperdischarge tray stackable with a large number of sheets in a sheet post-processor having plural sheet post-processing modes. SOLUTION: This sheet post-processor has an elevating paperdischarge tray 82 movable up and down for receiving a large number of sheets S discharged by a discharge means 26 to be stacked with them; a fixed paper-discharge tray 83 fixedly provided under the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 for storing the sheets S discharged from a discharge opening 69 after saddle stitching and middle folding; a first detection means PS3 for detecting a first stop position L1 at which the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 does not block the discharge opening 69; a second detection means PS4 for detecting a second stop position L2 at which the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 blocks the discharge opening 69; a control means 90 for selectively setting the first detection means PS3 and the second detection means PS4; and a driving means 80 for moving the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 up and down. The control means 90 selectively sets a stop position of the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 according to a set sheet processing mode. When the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 is set to the second stop position L2, the control means 90 forbids the saddle stitching and the middle folding, and enables the elevating paper-discharge tray 82 to move up to the first stop position L1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to bookbinding such as binding (staple processing) and center folding on recording paper on which an image is recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine of these machines. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a sheet post-processing device that performs processing and is stacked on a sheet discharge tray.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sheet post-processing apparatus called a finisher is used as an apparatus for collating and stapling a plurality of image-recorded recording sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus by the number of copies and stapling them. .

The finisher has a function connected to an image forming apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a printer, and is driven in response to a sequence operation of a copy or print process.

Therefore, for an image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming process at a high speed, a finisher capable of performing a function following the processing speed is required.

[0005] Such finishers have already been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 60-142359 and 60-158463.
No. 62-239169 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-288.
002, 63-267667, JP-A-2-276
No. 691, JP-A-8-319054, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-41
No. 991.

[0006] The bookbinding apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-183449 has a cover supply device, and performs a bookbinding finishing operation such as punching or staple binding after superposing a group of copy sheets and a cover. .

JP-A-6-72064 and 7-1874
No. 79 and No. 8-192951 are sheet post-processing apparatuses having a saddle stitching function.

[0008]

(A) An ascending and descending discharge tray for receiving and stacking a large amount of sheets discharged by a discharge means of a sheet post-processing apparatus, and a fixed lower part of the lift and lower discharge tray. Processing in the set and set sheet processing mode,
For example, in a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus including a fixed sheet discharge tray that stores a sheet discharged from a discharge opening after the saddle stitching processing and the center folding processing, a sheet stacked on the elevating discharge tray is As the stacking amount increases, the elevating sheet tray lowers, and stops at a predetermined position where the discharge opening for discharging the processed sheet in the set sheet processing mode is not blocked.

That is, the lowermost lower limit position of the elevating sheet tray is fixed, and the maximum sheet stacking amount on the elevating sheet tray is limited.

(B) FIG. 9 shows a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus F
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet discharge unit of S. When the sheet P2 processed and discharged in the subsequent sheet processing mode is stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82 on which the group of sheets P1 processed and discharged in the preceding sheet processing mode is stacked, the sheet P1 , And P2 are in a mixed state, making it difficult to determine. In addition, when a succeeding large sheet P2 is placed on a bundle of preceding small sheets P1, the large sheet P2 falls as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in a sheet post-processing apparatus for processing sheets in a set sheet processing mode and storing the processed sheets in a plurality of discharge trays. The present invention provides a sheet post-processing apparatus having the following units.

(1) The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention which solves the above-mentioned problem (a) sequentially introduces the recorded sheets conveyed from the paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus, and sets the sheets. A sheet post-processing apparatus that processes and conveys a sheet in a sheet processing mode and stores the sheet in a discharge tray outside the apparatus by a discharge unit. A plate, and a fixed sheet discharge tray fixed to a lower portion of the elevating sheet discharge tray and accommodating a sheet discharged from a discharge opening after being processed in a set sheet processing mode. First detection means for detecting a first stop position that does not block the discharge opening;
A second detecting means for detecting a second stop position at which the elevating paper tray closes the discharge opening; a first detecting means for detecting a second stop position;
Control means for selectively setting the detection means, and drive means for moving the elevating sheet tray up and down, wherein the control means sets a stop position of the elevating sheet tray by setting the sheet processing mode. Is selectively set, and when the lift tray is set to the second stop position, processing in the set sheet processing mode is prohibited, and the lift tray is moved to the first stop position. (Claim 1).

(2) The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem (b) sequentially introduces recorded sheets carried out from a paper discharge section of an image forming apparatus, and sorts the sheets into a plurality of types. In a sheet post-processing apparatus in which a sheet is processed and conveyed in a sheet processing mode and is stored in a plurality of discharge trays corresponding to the plurality of types of sheet processing modes by a discharge unit, a plurality of sheets discharged corresponding to the plurality of types of sheet processing modes Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet placed on each of the plates is provided, and sheet discharge in a newly set sheet processing mode is prohibited for a discharge tray on which sheets are already placed, and sheets are placed. It is characterized in that sheet discharge in a sheet processing mode to a discharge tray that is not placed is permitted (claim 3).

(3) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of the above (1) and (2). ).

[0015]

Next, a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a sheet sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sheet post-processing apparatus (finisher).
Image forming apparatus A including FS and automatic document feeder DF
FIG.

The illustrated image forming apparatus A includes an image reading unit 1, an image processing unit 2, an image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4,
A cassette paper feed unit 5, a large capacity paper feed unit (LCT) 6, a fixing device 7, a paper discharge unit 8, and an automatic duplex copy paper feed unit (ADU) 9 are provided.

An automatic document feeder DF is mounted above the image forming apparatus A. A sheet post-processing device (finisher) FS is connected to the left side of the image forming apparatus A in FIG.

The document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder DF is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, and an image on one side or both sides of the document is read by the optical system of the image reading unit 1.
It is read by the CD image sensor 1A.

The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing and the like in the image processing section 2, and then sent to the image writing section 3. .

In the image writing section 3, the output light from the semiconductor laser is applied to the photosensitive drum of the image forming section 4 to form a latent image. In the image forming section 4, charging,
Processing such as exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning is performed, and an image is transferred to the recording paper S transported from the cassette paper supply unit 5 or the large-capacity paper supply unit 6. The recording paper S carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 7 and sent from the paper discharge unit 8 to the sheet post-processing device FS. Alternatively, the single-sided image-processed recording sheet S sent to the automatic double-sided copy sheet feeding section 9 by the conveyance path switching plate 8A is again subjected to the double-sided image processing in the image forming section 4 and then from the sheet discharging section 8 to the sheet post-processing device F.
It is sent to S.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus FS, a fixed sheet discharge tray 81, a cover sheet feeding means 40, a shift processing conveyance section (large capacity discharge conveyance section) 20, a first sheet stacking section (stacking means) ) 30, stapling means 50, folding means 60
Are arranged in tandem in a substantially vertical direction.

At the upper right of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS in the figure, an entrance conveying section 10 is disposed. On the left side in the figure of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS, an elevating sheet discharge tray 82 for stacking sheets that have undergone edge binding and shift processing, and a fixed sheet discharge tray 83 for stacking sheets that have undergone saddle stitching and folding processing are provided. Are located.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sheet conveying path of a sheet post-processing apparatus FS provided with a sheet sorting apparatus.

The sheet post-processing apparatus FS is installed with its position and height adjusted so that the receiving section 11 of the recording sheet S carried out from the image forming apparatus A coincides with the sheet discharging section 8 of the image forming apparatus A. .

The transport path of the recording paper S connected downstream of the sheet transport of the pair of rollers 12 at the entrance of the receiving unit 11 includes an upper first transport path, an intermediate second transport path, and a lower third transport path. And the switching gate G1,
Depending on the selection of the angle occupied by G2, the recording paper S is fed to one of the transport paths.

(1) First conveyance path (non-staple, non-sort mode, paper discharge to fixed paper discharge tray 81 at the top of the apparatus) Image-formed recording paper S discharged from image forming apparatus A
Is introduced into the receiving portion 11, is conveyed by the entrance roller pair 12, passes through the right passage 13 of the upper first switching gate G1, passes through one of the holding portions of the upper conveyance roller pair 14, and The sheet is conveyed and raised by being conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 15, further discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 16 and discharged onto a fixed paper discharge tray 81 at the upper part outside the machine, and sequentially stacked.

In the sheet conveying process, the switching gate G1 is swung by the driving of the solenoid SD1, and the switching gate G1 is moved.
7 is closed and the passage 13 is opened so that the recording paper S can pass through the fixed paper discharge tray 81.

The fixed paper discharge tray 81 can store a maximum of about 200 sheets of recording paper S, and can be easily taken out from the upper part of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS.

(2) Second transport path (shift processing mode or non-sort mode, paper is discharged to the elevating discharge tray 82) When this transport mode is set, the switching gate G1 is turned on when the solenoid SD1 is off. 13 closed,
The passage 17 is kept open to allow the recording paper S to pass through the passage 17.

The image-formed recording paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus A is supplied to the receiving section 11 and the entrance roller pair 12.
, Passes through a passage 17 formed in an open state below the switching gate G1, and is sandwiched by a pair of conveying rollers 18, and is disposed obliquely below a second switching gate G2, which is a second conveying path. After passing through the passage 21,
2, and between the shift roller pair 24 of the shift means 70, and by the discharge roller pair 26, the ascending and descending discharge tray 8 outside the machine.
2 is discharged and placed. The up-and-down paper tray 82 can accommodate up to about 3,000 (A4, B5) recording sheets S.

(3) Third transport path (edge binding mode,
The recording paper S, which has been subjected to the image forming process in the image forming apparatus A and sent to the receiving section 11 of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS, receives the image-formed recording paper S in the entrance roller pair 12, 1 through the passage 17 below the switching gate G1, and
8 and transported to the third transport path.

In the third transport path, the recording paper S passes through a path below the switching gate G2, and is nipped and transported by the downstream transport roller pair 32. The recording paper S is nipped and sent out by a further downstream conveying roller pair 34, is discharged to the space above the inclined intermediate stacker 35, and is discharged from the intermediate stacker 35 or the recording paper S stacked on the intermediate stacker 35. After the paper S comes into contact with the upper surface and slides up, the trailing end portion of the recording paper S in the traveling direction is discharged from the pair of transport rollers 34, and then starts to descend due to the weight of the recording paper S, and slides down on the inclined surface of the intermediate stacker 35. Then, a movable stopper member for edge binding near the stapling means (binding means) 50 (hereinafter, referred to as a “stapling means”)
The leading end of the recording paper S in the traveling direction abuts on the sheet abutting surface of the edge binding stopper 51) and stops.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a pair of upstream width adjusting means (width adjusting members) movably provided on both side surfaces of the intermediate stacker 35. The width aligning member 36 is movable in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and when receiving the sheet where the recording paper S is discharged onto the intermediate stacker 35, it is opened wider than the sheet width and conveyed on the intermediate stacker 35, When the sheet S is stopped by contacting the edge binding stopper 51, the side edge of the recording sheet S in the width direction is lightly hit to align the width of the sheet bundle (width alignment). At this stop position, when a predetermined number of recording papers S are stacked and aligned on the intermediate stacker 35, a stapling process is performed by the stapling unit 50, and the sheet bundle is stapled.

A cutout portion is formed in a part of the sheet stacking surface of the intermediate stacker 35, and the driving pulley 37A
And a plurality of discharge belts 38 wound around the driven pulley 37B
Are rotatably driven. In part of the discharge belt 38,
The discharge claw 38a is formed integrally. The stapled sheet bundle is placed on the discharge belt 38 with the trailing end of the recording sheet S held by the discharge claws 38a of the discharge belt 38, and slid on the mounting surface of the intermediate stacker 35 to move diagonally upward. To the nip position of the discharge roller pair 26. The sheet bundle nipped by the rotating discharge roller pair 26 is discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82.

(4) Fourth Conveying Path (Cover Sheet Feeding Mode) The cover sheet feeding means 40 includes a cover sheet placing portion 41 composed of a sheet feeding tray, a movable bottom plate, a push-up lever, and the like, a pickup roller,
Cover feed unit 42 including a feed roller, a separating roller, and the like.
It is composed of

One cover sheet (cover sheet) K fed from the cover sheet feeding means 40 passes through the other nip position of the pair of transport rollers 14, passes through the pair of transport rollers 18, and then passes through the third transport path. Reaches the intermediate stacker 35 through the pair of transport rollers 32 and 34. Alternatively, the cover K can be sent to the second transport path.

(5) Fifth Transport Path (Saddle Stitching Mode) The stapling means 50 includes an upper mechanism 50A and a lower mechanism 50.
B, and a passage 52 through which the sheet S can pass.

The stapling means 50 are arranged in two sets in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction by driving means (not shown).
By this stapling means 50, staples are driven into two places at the center in the sheet width direction.

When the saddle stitching mode is set, the end stapling stopper 5 near the stapling position of the stapling means 50 is set.
1 is retracted from the transport path, and almost at the same time, a saddle stitching stopper member (hereinafter referred to as a saddle stitching stopper) 53 downstream thereof.
Is activated to shut off the passage 52.

When the size (length in the transport direction) of the cover sheet K and the recording sheet S is set or detected, the saddle stitching stopper 53 moves to a predetermined position and stops.

After the cover K is placed at a predetermined position on the intermediate stacker 35, the recording paper S carried out from the image forming apparatus A
Are passed through the third transport path from the entrance transport section 10 of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS, are sequentially stacked on the upper surface of the cover K placed on the intermediate stacker 35, and the end of the recording paper S is It is positioned in contact with 53. Reference numeral 56 denotes a downstream width aligning means for regulating the width direction of the recording paper S at the time of the saddle stitching process. Like the upstream width aligning means 36, the width of the recording paper S is changed every time one recording paper S is carried in. Width alignment is performed by tapping the side edge of the direction.

In the saddle stitching process, the intermediate stacker 35
First, the upstream side width aligning means 36 performs width alignment on the recording paper S which is conveyed above and advances on the upstream side of the stapling means 50 to align the sheets, and then passes through the stapling means 50 to perform saddle stitching. The downstream side width aligning means 56 performs width alignment on the recording paper S that advances toward the stopper 53 to align the sheets. Thus, the intermediate stacker 35
The recording paper S and the cover K, which advance on the upper side and are stacked so as to extend from the staple means 50 to the upstream side and the downstream side.
The width of the recording paper S is precisely aligned over the entire length of the recording paper S by the upstream width matching means 36 and the downstream width matching means 56.

After the final recording sheet S is positioned and placed on the intermediate stacker 35, the sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and all pages of the recording sheet S is subjected to saddle stitching by the stapling means 50. By this saddle stitching process, the staples SP are driven into the center of the cover K and the recording paper S in the transport direction. The staples are driven from the lower mechanism 50B having the staple driving mechanism to the upper mechanism 50A having the staple clinch side.

(6) Sixth Conveying Path (Folding Mode) (See FIG. 2) After the saddle stitching, the saddle stitching stopper 53 swings and the path 5
2. Open the downstream passage. The sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and the recording sheet S subjected to the saddle stitching process passes through the curved path and the intermediate conveying roller pair 61, is guided on the conveying belt 62 obliquely below by the guide plate 63, and is conveyed. The sheet bundle is conveyed on the second sheet stacking unit (stack base) 64, and the leading end of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction abuts on the folding unit stopper 650 of the folding unit movable stopper unit 65, and stops at a predetermined position. The folding section stopper 650 can be moved to a predetermined position by setting or detecting the sheet size and driving means.

A central portion of the stopped sheet bundle in the conveying direction,
That is, the sheet protruding means 6 is provided diagonally below the saddle stitching position.
6 are installed. A folding roller pair 67 and a two-fold sheet conveying means 68 are provided diagonally above the saddle stitching position.

The folding means 60 includes the sheet ejecting means 6
6, folding roller pair part 67, two-fold sheet conveying means 68
And so on.

In response to the two-fold start signal, the protruding plate 661 of the sheet protruding means 66 advances straight obliquely upward, and the leading end of the protruding plate 661 pushes up the center of the sheet bundle composed of the cover sheet K and the recording sheet S, and The nip portion of the folding roller pair 67 is pushed and spread through the bundle to swing and separate.

After the leading end of the protruding plate 661 has passed through the nip portion, the protruding plate 661 retreats, and the central portion of the sheet bundle is nipped by the folding roller pair 67 to form a fold. This fold substantially coincides with the position where the staples are driven into the sheet bundle by the saddle stitching process.

The pair of rotating first rollers of the folding roller pair 67
The central portion of the sheet bundle having a fold formed by being nipped by the pressing roller (folding roller) 671 is nipped and conveyed by a pair of conveying belts 672, and a pair of second pressing rollers (pressure rollers) 676 is provided. The fold is further firmly attached at this position, and is fed to the two-fold sheet conveying means 68.

The sheet bundle sent to the two-fold sheet conveying means 68 is fed into a lower conveying belt 681 and an upper conveying belt 682.
And is conveyed by being pinched between the paper tray and discharged onto a fixed paper discharge tray 83 outside the machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the entrance conveying section 1 of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drive system of a shift processing transport unit 20, a stacking unit 30, and a lifting and lowering tray driving unit 80.

The motor M1 includes timing belts B1 and B
Drive roller (lower roller) of the transport roller pair 18 via the second roller 2
18A, drive roller (upper roller) for shift roller pair 24
24A, the drive roller (left roller) 32A of the transport roller pair 32 of the third transport path and the transport roller pair 2 of the second transport path
The second drive roller (lower roller) 22A is rotated. Further, the drive roller (right roller) 12A of the entrance roller pair 12 is rotated via the timing belt B3, and the drive roller (lower roller) 16A of the discharge roller pair 16 is further rotated via the timing belt B4.

The motor M2 includes timing belts B5 and B
6 and the upper drive roller (hereinafter referred to as upper roller) 26A of the discharge roller pair 26 via the intermediate pulley 28A, and the lower drive roller of the discharge roller pair 26 via the timing belts B7, B8 and the intermediate pulley 28B. (Hereinafter referred to as lower roller) 26B is rotated. Motor M2
Further, the driving pulley 37A is rotated via the intermediate pulley 28B and the timing belt B9, and the discharge belt 38 that winds the driving pulley 37A and the driven pulley 37B is rotated.

The motor M3 is driven by a driving roller 34A and a driven roller 34 at the entrance of the intermediate stacker via a belt B10.
The transport roller pair 34 composed of B and 34C is rotated, and the transport auxiliary rotation member 34D is further rotated via the belt B11.

The motor M4 drives and rotates the driving pulley 84A via the illustrated gear train, and rotates a wire 85 that winds the driving pulley 84A and the upper driven pulley 84B. The base of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 is fixed to a part of the wire 85 by a locking member 86.

The elevating sheet discharge tray 82 is moved along the rail member 88 by the rollers 87A and 87B rotatably supported at the base thereof sliding on the rail member 88 and the wire 85 being rotated by the motor M4. It is possible to go up and down.

A discharge roller pair 26 of the paper discharge means is connected to a motor M2 shown in FIG. 3 and is driven by an upper drive roller (upper roller) 26A and a lower drive roller (lower roller).
26B and a sponge roller 26C. The lower roller 26B is driven and rotated at a fixed position. The upper roller 26A is supported by an arm member of a swinging means 27 (see FIG. 2), is swingable about a support shaft, and is swingably driven by a drive source (not shown).

FIG. 4A is a sectional view showing the upper limit position of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 in the non-staple mode. Above the sheet rear end reference member 89, a photo interrupter type upper limit sensor PS1 and a swingable actuator 9 are provided.
1 is installed. When the ascending / descending sheet tray 82 is driven up and one end portion 91A of the actuator 91 comes into contact with the upper surface of the ascending / descending sheet tray 82 or the upper surface of the sheet S placed on the ascending / descending sheet tray 82, The other end portion 91B of the 91 opens the light detecting portion of the uppermost sensor PS1 to be in the switch-off state, and stops the driving of the elevating sheet discharge tray. The stop position of the elevating sheet tray 82 is determined by the upper surface of the elevating sheet tray 82 or the sheet S placed on the elevating sheet tray 82.
Is a position where the upper surface is pressed against the sponge roller 26C with a predetermined pressure. In this state, the rotating sponge roller 26C is constantly pressed against the sheet S with a predetermined pressure to feed the sheet S to the sheet rear end reference member 89 and align the rear end. As the number of sheets S stacked on the elevating sheet tray 82 increases, the elevating sheet tray 82 is driven downward, and the uppermost surface of the sheets S stacked on the elevating sheet tray 82 is the uppermost sensor PS1. In addition, the sponge roller 26 is constantly detected and controlled by the actuator 91, and is kept at a constant upper surface height and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sponge roller 26C with a predetermined pressure.

FIG. 4B is a sectional view showing the upper limit position of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 in the edge binding mode. A photointerrupter type upper limit sensor PS2 and a swingable actuator 92 are installed above the sheet rear end reference member 89 and below the uppermost limit sensor PS1 shown in FIG. 4A. When the ascending / descending sheet tray 82 is driven up and one end portion 92A of the actuator 92 comes into contact with the upper surface of the edge-stitched sheet bundle S placed on the ascending / descending sheet tray 82, The other tip 92B opens the light detection unit of the upper limit sensor PS2 to switch off,
The drive of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 is stopped. This lifting paper tray 8
The stop position 2 is a position having a gap a at which the sheet bundle S placed on the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 does not contact the sponge roller 26C. In this state, the sheet bundle S discharged from the discharge roller pair 26 is placed on the elevating sheet discharge tray 82, and the trailing end of the sheet bundle S enters below the sponge roller 26C and moves to the sheet trailing end reference member 89. Stop by contact.
As the number of the sheet bundles S stacked on the elevating sheet tray 82 increases, the elevating sheet tray 82 is driven to be lowered, and the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle S stacked on the elevating sheet tray 82 is an upper limit sensor. It is detected and controlled by the PS 2 and the actuator 92 and is always kept at a constant gap a.

A zero sheet detection sensor PS5 is provided on the sheet placing surface of the elevating sheet tray 82 to detect whether or not the sheet S is placed on the elevating sheet tray 82.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the movement and stop positions of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 of the sheet post-processing apparatus FS.

The illustrated U1 is in the non-staple mode (FIG. 4).
(A)) shows the initial maximum position of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 in (a). U2 indicates the initial upper limit position of the elevating and lowering discharge tray 82 in the edge binding mode (see FIG. 4B). L1 indicates the lower limit position (first stop position) of the elevating and lowering discharge tray when the saddle stitching and folding mode is set. L2 is the time when the non-staple mode and the edge binding mode are set.
The lowermost position (second stop position) of the lifting sheet tray is shown.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the sheet post-processing apparatus showing the lower limit position of the elevating and lowering discharge tray 82 when the saddle stitching and folding mode is set.

A part of the base 820 of the elevating discharge tray 82 includes
The optical path shielding plate 821 is fixed and integrated. On the other hand, a lower limit sensor (first detection means) PS3 is fixed at a predetermined position above the discharge opening 69 of the sheet rear end reference member 89 fixed to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body. The lower limit sensor PS3 is a photo interrupter type optical sensor.

The elevating sheet discharge tray 82 is lowered, and the light path shielding plate 8 is moved.
When the lower end of 21 cuts off the optical path of the lower limit sensor PS3, the control means 90 stops the motor M4 of the elevating discharge tray driving means 80, and the elevating discharge tray 82 stops at the predetermined lower limit position L1. This lower limit position L1
Is a position where the discharge opening 69 is not closed. With the recording paper S1 being stacked until the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 stops at the lower limit position L1, the saddle-stitched half-folding process is continuously performed from the discharge opening 69 through the sixth transport path in the saddle-stitching half-folding mode. Of recording paper S2 can be discharged to the fixed paper discharge tray 83.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sheet post-processing apparatus showing the lowermost position of the elevating sheet discharge tray 82.

At a predetermined position below the discharge opening 69 of the sheet trailing end reference member 89 fixed to the sheet post-processing apparatus main body, a lower limit sensor (second detecting means) PS4 is fixed. The lowermost limit sensor PS4 is the same photointerrupter type optical sensor as the lower limit sensor PS3.

As a large amount of recording paper S1 is stacked on the elevating sheet tray 82, the elevating sheet tray 82 is gradually lowered along the rail member 88. If the saddle stitching half-folding mode is not set, the control unit 90 sets the lower limit sensor P
The signal passing through the optical path shielding plate 821 in S3 is turned off, and the motor M4 is continuously driven to move the elevating discharge tray 82 past the lower limit position L1 and further descend.

When the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 continues to descend and the lower end of the optical path shielding plate 821 blocks the optical path of the lower limit sensor PS4, the control means 90 controls the motor M of the elevating sheet discharge tray driving means 80.
By stopping at 4, the elevating sheet discharge tray 82 stops at the predetermined lowermost position L2. In this lowermost position L2, a maximum of about 3000 sheets of recording paper S1 can be stacked on the elevating discharge tray 82.

During the process of lowering and lowering the ejection tray 82 from the lower limit position L1 to the lowermost position L2, the lower limit sensor PS
3 remains off.

FIG. 8 shows a processing mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for controlling recording paper conveyance and paper discharge.

By setting the sensors PS1 to PS4 and the various post-processing modes, the control means 90 controls the driving of various post-processing, recording paper conveyance, paper discharge and movement of the elevating discharge tray 82.

When a part of the recording paper S1 on the lifting / lowering discharge tray 82 is removed with the lifting / lowering discharge tray 82 at or near the lowermost position L2 and the discharge opening 69 closed, the uppermost sensor (the (3) Detecting means) When the uppermost layer position of the recording paper is detected by the PS1 or the upper limit sensor PS2, the motor M4 operates to raise the recording paper by the thickness of the recording paper from which the elevating discharge tray 82 is removed.

The elevating sheet discharge tray 82 rises, and the lower limit sensor P
When the lower limit position L1 is reached in S3, the discharge opening 69 is opened, and the saddle stitching and folding process can be performed.

In FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, a zero sheet detection sensor PS5 is provided on the recording paper placing surface of the elevating discharge tray 82, and whether the recording paper S1 is mounted on the elevating discharge tray 82 or not. Is detected. A zero sheet detection sensor PS6 is installed on the fixed sheet ejection tray 83 below the lifting sheet ejection tray 82. A zero sheet detection sensor PS7 is provided on the fixed sheet discharge tray 81 above the sheet post-processing apparatus FS.

Of these discharge trays 81, 82, 83,
When any of the zero sheet detection sensors PS5 to PS7 detects that the recording paper S is placed on any one of the paper discharge trays, the recording paper S is placed on the paper discharge tray on which the recording paper S is already placed. The processing and discharge of the recording sheet S in the newly set sheet processing mode is prohibited, and the sheet processing and discharge in the sheet processing mode for another discharge tray on which the recording sheet S is not placed is permitted.

For example, the recording paper S1 is discharged from the second transport path in the preceding non-sort processing mode and placed on the elevating discharge tray 82, or the recording paper S1 from the third transport path in the edge binding processing mode. When the sheet is ejected and placed on the elevating sheet tray 82, the subsequent execution of another sheet processing mode newly set and the discharge of the recording sheet S1 onto the same elevating sheet tray 82 are prohibited. Then, the execution impossible is displayed on the warning display means 93. Therefore, it is prohibited to mix a plurality of types of recording paper discharged in different sheet processing modes on one elevating discharge tray 82.

However, the state in which the recording paper S has already been placed on the elevating discharge tray 82 in a processing mode different from the preceding sheet processing mode, for example, the preceding processing mode, is set on the elevating discharge tray 82. When the zero sheet detection sensor PS5 detects that the recording sheet S is not placed in another different processing mode and the zero sheet detection sensor PS6 or PS7 detects that the recording sheet S is not placed, the fixed sheet ejection tray 81 or the fixed sheet ejection tray 81 Recording paper S at 83
Is enabled in a processing mode for discharging the image.

As described above, the zero sheet detection sensors PS5 to PS7
Thus, by controlling the processing mode, it is possible to prevent differently processed recording papers from being mixedly loaded on the same discharge tray. Further, in a state where the recording paper is placed on any one of the plurality of paper output trays, all the processing modes do not stop operating, and other processing modes can be executed. Is improved.

[0081]

As described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained by the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.

(1) Sheets processed in a plurality of types of sheet processing modes can be selected and accommodated in each corresponding discharge tray to the maximum extent.

(2) In a sheet post-processing apparatus having a plurality of types of sheet processing modes and a plurality of sheet discharge trays,
In the state where the processed sheet is already placed on one sheet discharge tray, subsequent different sheet post-processing can be executed, so the sheet post-processing apparatus does not interrupt,
Operability is improved.

Further, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile,
Desired digital processing is performed by an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, and the discharged recording paper is processed in various sheet processing modes by the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, and is discharged onto a corresponding discharge tray. Is done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a sheet post-processing apparatus and an automatic document feeder.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path of a sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drive system of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating respective upper limit positions of the elevating sheet discharge tray in the non-staple mode and the edge binding processing mode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a movement and a stop position of an elevating sheet discharge tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the saddle stitching and folding mode is set.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet post-processing device showing a lower limit position of the elevating sheet discharge tray.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet post-processing apparatus showing the lowermost position of the elevating sheet discharge tray.

FIG. 8 illustrates a processing mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus, recording paper conveyance,
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for controlling paper discharge.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet discharge unit of a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inlet conveyance part (conveyance means) 20 Shift processing conveyance part (large-capacity discharge conveyance part) 24 Shift roller pair 30 1st sheet stacking part (stacking means) 40 Cover sheet feeding means 50 Staple means (binding means) 60 Folding means REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 70 shift means 80 elevating discharge tray driving means 81 fixed discharge tray 82 elevating discharge tray 820 base 821 light path shielding plate 83 fixed discharge tray 90 control means 91, 92 actuator 93 warning display means first transport path second transport path Third transport path Fourth transport path Fifth transport path A Image forming apparatus L1 Lower limit position (first stop position) L2 Lower limit position (second stop position) U1 Upper limit position U2 Upper limit position FS Sheet post-processing device ( Finisher) M1, M2, M3, M4 Motor PS1 Uppermost limit sensor (third detection means) PS2 Upper limit sensor PS3 Lower limit sensor (First detection Means) PS4 lowest limit sensor (second detecting means) S, S1, S2 recording paper (sheet, the sheet bundle)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaru Otsuka 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Tetsuhiro Kodera 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2H072 AA26 CA01 CA05 GA01 GA08 3F108 GA02 GA03 GA04 GB01 GB03 HA02 HA39 HA44 HA54

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording sheet is sequentially introduced from a discharge section of said image forming apparatus, processed and transported in a set sheet processing mode, and a discharge tray outside said apparatus by discharge means. In the sheet post-processing apparatus to accommodate a large number of sheets discharged by the discharge means, a liftable discharge tray which can be lifted and lowered, and fixed below the lift discharge tray, A first paper discharge tray for storing a sheet discharged from a discharge opening after being processed in the sheet processing mode, wherein a first stop position at which the elevating discharge tray does not block the discharge opening is detected. Detection means, second detection means for detecting a second stop position at which the elevating sheet discharge tray closes the discharge opening, and control for selectively setting the first detection means and the second detection means Means for raising and lowering the lifting tray A driving unit, wherein the control unit selectively sets a stop position of the elevating discharge tray by setting the sheet processing mode, and the elevating discharge plate is set to the second stop position. The sheet post-processing apparatus may be configured to prohibit the processing in the set sheet processing mode and to enable the elevating discharge tray to move upward to the first stop position. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third detecting unit configured to detect a position of an uppermost layer of the sheets stacked on the elevating sheet tray, wherein a part of the sheets stacked on the elevating sheet tray is removed. When the third detecting means detects that, the driving means moves the elevating discharge tray up to the first stop position, opens the discharge opening, and performs the saddle stitching processing and the center folding processing. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a completed sheet can be discharged. 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sequentially introducing the recorded sheets discharged from the sheet discharge section of the image forming apparatus, processing the sheets in a plurality of types of sheet processing modes, and conveying the sheets. In a sheet post-processing apparatus that accommodates in a plurality of discharge trays corresponding to a mode, a detecting unit that detects presence or absence of a sheet is provided in each of the plurality of discharge trays corresponding to the plurality of types of sheet processing modes, Prohibit sheet ejection in the newly set sheet processing mode for the output tray that has already been placed, and allow sheet ejection in the sheet processing mode for the output tray where no sheets are placed. A sheet post-processing device. 4. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing device according to claim 1. Description: