JP2001026353A - Sheet ejection device and image forming device equipped with the sheet ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To load a large number of sheets on an upper ejection sheet loading means. SOLUTION: This sheet ejection device has a large number of sheet discharge ports which are arranged vertically to eject sheets. The device is provided with a shutter 613 and an upper ejection sheet loading means 700. The shutter 613, capable of elevating to open and close a lower sheet ejection port 611, holds the lower sheet ejection port 611 in the opened state being always energized in an elevating direction. The upper ejection sheet loading means 700, capable of elevating and lowering loads the sheets ejected from an upper sheet ejection port 618. When the upper ejection sheet loading means 700 lowers the lower sheet ejection port 611, the upper ejection sheet loading means 700 pressed down the shutter 613, which closes the lower sheet ejection port 611.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet discharge device having a plurality of sheet discharge ports from which sheets are discharged in a vertical direction, a copying machine provided with the sheet discharge device,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, and a composite device thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet discharge port of this type of sheet discharge apparatus is kept open.

[0003] For this reason, the upper discharge sheet stacking means for stacking the sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port is moved down to the lower sheet discharge port while loading the sheets.
There is a possibility that the sheet on the upper discharge sheet stacking means may enter the lower sheet discharge port.

Therefore, the upper discharge sheet stacking means in the conventional sheet discharge device is configured not to descend to the lower sheet discharge port.

[0005]

However, in the conventional sheet discharging apparatus, since the upper discharge sheet stacking means does not descend to the lower sheet discharge port, many sheets are transferred to the upper discharge sheet stacking means. Could not be loaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet discharge device capable of stacking a large number of sheets on a higher-order discharge sheet stacking means, and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet discharge device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet discharging apparatus capable of moving up and down to open and close a lower sheet discharging port among a plurality of sheet discharging ports which are arranged vertically and discharge sheets. A shutter that is constantly urged in the ascending direction and is held in a state in which the lower sheet discharge port is opened; and a vertically movable upper discharge sheet stacking unit that stacks sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port. When the upper discharge sheet stacking means descends the lower sheet discharge port, the upper discharge sheet stacking means pushes down the shutter and closes the lower sheet discharge port by the shutter.

In the sheet discharging apparatus according to the present invention, a lower discharge sheet stacking means for projecting outward and stacking sheets discharged from the lower sheet discharge port, and the upper discharge sheet stacking means includes a lower sheet discharge port. And a retracting means for retracting the lower discharge sheet stacking means to a position where the lower discharge sheet stacking means does not interfere with the upper discharge sheet stacking means.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a sheet stacking unit for stacking sheets, an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet supplied from the sheet stacking unit, and folding the sheet on which the image is formed. Sheet folding means, sheet supply means capable of changing a mounting position for supplying a sheet downstream of the image forming means, and any one of the above-described sheet discharge means for discharging the folded sheet and the unfolded sheet And a device.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
000 is a schematic front sectional view showing the internal structure of the 000.

The copying machine 1000 includes a document feeding unit 100, an image reader unit 200 and an image forming unit 300, a three-fold processing unit 400 for folding a sheet into a Z-shape, a two-fold processing unit 500 for folding a sheet into two, and a finisher. 600, an inserter 900, and the like.

The sheets include plain paper, thin resin sheets which are substitutes for plain paper, postcards, cardboard,
There are sealed letters and plastic thin plates.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying machine 1000.

The CPU circuit section 301 includes a CPU (not shown).
And a document feed control unit 304, an image reader control unit 305, an image signal control unit 306, an image forming unit control unit 307, and a 3-fold control unit 160 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 302 and the settings of the operation unit 303. , 2
The folding control unit 217, the finisher control unit 525, the inserter control unit 911, and the like are controlled.

The document feed control unit 304 controls the document feed unit 100, the image reader control unit 305 controls the image reader unit 200, the image forming unit control unit 307 controls the image forming unit 300, and the tri-fold control unit 160 controls the image forming unit 300. The three-fold processing unit 400, the two-fold control unit 217 controls the two-fold control unit 500, the finisher control unit 525 controls the finisher 500, and the inserter control unit 911 controls the inserter 900.

An operation unit 303 has a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying the setting status, and the like, and outputs a key signal corresponding to an operation of each key by a user to the CPU circuit unit 301. In addition, based on a signal from the CPU circuit unit 301, corresponding information is displayed on the display unit.

The RAM 308 is used as an area for temporarily storing control data and as a work area for operations involved in control. The external I / F 309 is an interface between the copying machine 1000 and an external computer 310, and develops print data from the computer 310 into a bitmap image and outputs it to the image signal control unit 306 as image data. .

An image of a document read by the image sensor 109 is output from the image reader control unit 305 to the image signal control unit 306.

The image forming unit control section 307 outputs the image data from the image signal control section 306 to the exposure control section 110.

(Original Document Feeding Unit 100, Image Reader Unit 2
00) Referring to FIG.
It is assumed that an original is set on 01 in an upright state as viewed from the user and in a face-up state (a state where an image is formed is facing upward). The binding position of the document is located at the left end of the document.

The original set on the tray 1001 is
The originals are conveyed one by one in the leftward direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure) from the first page by the document feeder 100, that is, with the binding position at the leading end. Then, the document is conveyed from the left to the right on the platen glass 102 via the curved path, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 112.

At this time, the scanner unit 104
Is held at a predetermined position, and a document is read by passing the document from left to right on the scanner unit 104. This reading method is referred to as “flowing original reading”.

When the document passes over the platen glass 102, the document is
And the reflected light from the original is mirror 10
The light is guided to the image sensor 109 via 5, 106, 107 and the lens 108.

It is also possible to temporarily stop the original conveyed by the original feeding unit 100 on the platen glass 102 and move the scanner unit 104 from left to right in this state to perform the original reading process. This reading method is referred to as original fixed reading.

When reading a document without using the document feeding unit 100, the user lifts the document feeding unit 100 and sets the document on the platen glass 102. In this case, the fixed original reading described above is performed.

(Image Forming Unit) Image Sensor 10
The image data of the original read by 9 is subjected to predetermined image processing and sent to the exposure control unit 110. Exposure control section 110 outputs a laser beam according to the image signal. The laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 111 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 110a. Photosensitive drum 111
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser light is formed on the upper surface.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is developed by the developing device 113 and is visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, sheets are cassettes 114 and 115,
The sheet is conveyed to the transfer unit 116 from one of the manual sheet feeding unit 125 and the double-sided conveyance path 124.

Then, the visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer unit 1.
At 16 it is transferred to a sheet. The sheet after transfer is
The fixing unit 117 performs a fixing process.

The sheet passing through the fixing section 117 is rotated by the operation of the plunger 123 to guide the sheet once to the path 122, and after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 121, the sheet is switched back. To the discharge roller pair 118. And
The sheet is discharged from the image forming unit 300 by the discharge roller pair 118.

Thus, the image forming unit 300 has the surface on which the toner image is formed facing downward (face down).
Can be discharged from This is referred to as reverse paper discharge.

As described above, when the sheet is discharged face-down to the outside of the apparatus, the image forming process is performed sequentially from the top page, for example, when the image forming process is performed using the document feeding unit 100, When performing image forming processing on image data from a computer, the page order can be aligned.

Note that O conveyed from the manual paper feeder 125
When performing an image forming process on a hard sheet such as an HP sheet, the image forming process is performed by the discharge roller pair 118 with the surface on which the toner image is formed facing upward (face up) without guiding the sheet to the path 122. It is discharged from the unit 300.

When the image forming process is performed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet is guided straight from the fixing unit 117 toward the discharge roller pair 118, and the rear end of the sheet is flapper 121.
Switch back the seat immediately after passing through the flapper 1
21 leads to a double-sided conveyance path.

However, the sheet may curl while being switched back by the flapper 121 when the sheet is inverted and discharged. For example, if the sheet is
It is sometimes curled and deformed into an upper curl (U-shape).

In such a case, the tri-fold processing unit 400
After passing through the half-fold processing section 500, the finisher 60
The sheet discharged to the zero sample tray 701 or the stack tray 700 is deformed into an upper curl shape, and obstructs a sheet to be discharged next.

Therefore, the sheet that has reached the pair of discharge rollers 509 of the sample tray 701 or the pair of discharge rollers 680 of the stack tray 700 is discharged at a higher speed than when the above-mentioned reverse discharge is not performed. Prevents clogging.

In order to discharge a sheet at a speed higher than when the above-mentioned reverse discharge is not performed, when the plunger 123 performs the above-described reverse discharge operation, a finisher control unit 525 described later will be described.
Controls the high-speed rotation of the discharge roller pair motor 523 that rotates the discharge roller pair 509 of the sample tray 701 or the discharge roller pair motor 524 that rotates the discharge roller pair 680 of the stack tray 700, and discharges the sheet quickly.

The sheet discharge speed when the sheet is not inverted is about 350 mm / s, but the sheet discharge speed when the sheet is inverted is about 450 mm / s.

In the copying machine described above, the sheet curls in a U-shape, but when the sheet curls in an inverted U-shape (in this case, referred to as "lower curl"), the sheet is similarly curled. Clogging can be prevented.

There is also a copying machine in which when a sheet curls upward or downward due to heat and is turned over, the sheet is curled in a direction opposite to the curl and cancels the curl.

In this case, since the sheet discharged without reversing is curled, the sheet discharging speed when discharging the sheet without reversing is made faster than the conveying speed of the sheet when discharging the sheet after reversing. In addition, sheet jamming can be prevented.

Also, the sheet may be curled when the sheet passes through a later-described three-fold processing unit 400, a two-fold processing unit 500, an inserter 900, and the like. Further, a sheet passing through the finisher 600 may be curled. These cases can be dealt with similarly.

(Tri-Fold Processing Unit 400) Referring to FIG. 1, image forming unit 300 is driven by discharge roller pair 118.
The sheet discharged from is fed into the transport path 150 of the three-fold processing unit 400. The tri-fold processing unit 400 performs tri-fold processing so as to fold the sheet into a Z-shape. For example, when the folding process is designated by the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) for the A3 size or B4 size sheet, the folding process is performed on the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 300.

On the other hand, in other cases, the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 300 is sent to the two-fold processing unit 500 without performing the folding process, or is passed through the two-fold processing unit 500 without any processing. Then, it is sent to the finisher 600 as it is.

The tri-folding section 400 guides the sheet to be tri-folded by the flapper 151 to the receiving and conveying path 152 shown in FIG. 3A, and conveys the sheet by the conveying roller pair 153. Take it.

At this time, if the sheet violently hits the sheet leading end receiving stopper 154 and vibrates, or jumps on the sheet leading end receiving stopper 154 and becomes oblique, the sheet is folded by the first and second bending rollers 155 and 156.
When folded, the sheet cannot be folded parallel to the leading edge of the sheet, causing the sheet to wrinkle, or the sides of the sheet cannot be aligned, and one side is the other side. The sheet may protrude, hinder the subsequent sheet conveyance, and cause a jam.

In order to prevent the conveyed sheet from jumping over the sheet leading end stopper 154, when the leading end of the sheet reaches slightly upstream from the sheet leading end stopper 154, the sheet leading end detection sensor 15
7, the tri-fold control unit 160 (see FIG. 5) causes the transport motor M21 rotating the transport roller 153 to stop for the first time, and after a predetermined time, starts (1).
Then, the leading end of the sheet is brought into contact with the sheet leading end stopper 154.

Thus, the sheet gently lands on the sheet leading end stopper 154 without jumping over the sheet leading end stopper 154.

After that, the transport rollers 153 and 153 continue transporting the sheet while keeping the leading end of the sheet P in contact with the sheet leading end stopper 154 by the transport motor M21 rotating at the original rotation speed. Seat is guide wall 158
Of the first and second bending rollers 155 and 156 in a buckled state.

When the sheet approaches the nip, the tri-fold control unit 160 causes the conveying motor M21 to stop for the second time, and then starts the second time after the vibration of the loop-shaped portion stops. For this reason, the loop-shaped portion is fed into the nip in a stable state. The timing of the second stop of the transport motor M21 is detected by the sheet leading edge detection sensor 157 before the leading edge of the sheet comes into contact with the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154, and thereafter, the transport motor M21 starts the first time. This is performed based on the number of rotations from.

When the sheet approaches the sheet leading end stopper 154 or approaches the nip portion, the transport motor M21 is temporarily stopped (the first and second stops). You may.

Accordingly, the sheet is decelerated or temporarily stopped immediately before contacting the sheet leading end stopper 154 and immediately before being fed into the nip portion of the first and second folding rollers 155 and 156. Is exactly folded in two without being caused.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
The second folding rollers 155 and 156 fold and convey the sheet P in two. Immediately before the bent end of the sheet comes into contact with the sheet bent end receiving stopper 161, the sheet is detected by the sheet bent end detection sensor 162, and the three-fold control unit 160 (see FIG. 5) controls the second folding roller 15.
6 is stopped for the third time by the bending drive motor M22. This allows the folded edge of the sheet to:
Due to the inertial rotation of the folding rollers 156 and 159, the folding rollers 156 and 159 are gently brought into contact with the sheet folding end receiving stopper 161 and do not lean or jump against the sheet folding end receiving stopper 161.

The folding drive motor M22 rotates the three folding rollers 156, 159, 164.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the bent end of the sheet is
, The three-fold control unit 160 causes the bending drive motor M22 to start a third time. The third start is performed a predetermined time after the sheet bent end detection sensor 162 detects the bent end of the sheet.

Although the conveying motor M22 is stopped for the third time when the sheet approaches the sheet bent end receiving stopper 161, it may be rotated at a reduced speed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the sheet portion facing the lower end of the folding guide 163 starts to buckle, and the portion becomes a loop, and the sheet has already been folded.
It approaches the nip of the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164 together with the folded part.

When the looped portion approaches the nip portion of the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164 to some extent, the three-fold control unit 160 activates the folding drive motor M2.
Let 2 make a fourth stop. Thereby, the vibration of the looped portion is eliminated. Bending drive motor M
22 is stopped by the bending drive motor M22.
Is performed a predetermined time after the third start is started.

After a predetermined period of time after the folding drive motor M22 has stopped rotating for the fourth time for a predetermined time, the folding drive motor M22 starts the fourth time and removes the loop portions of the sheet from the second and third loops. The folding rollers 156 and 164 are made to enter. As a result, the sheet is accurately folded into three without being wrinkled, and is discharged from the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164.

After that, the sheet passes through the delivery conveyance path 165 shown in FIGS.
By 6, it is sent to the half-fold processing section 500.

The above operation is automatically performed by the tri-fold control unit 160 shown in FIG.

In the operation of the three-fold processing unit 400, the folding drive motor M22 is stopped and started four times. However, even if only the fourth stop and start are performed, wrinkles are generated on the sheet. It is possible to bend accurately without causing it to be bent.

The bent end detection sensor 162
Is not necessarily required, and the sheet leading edge detection sensor 157
Only by this, the sheet can be controlled to be bent.

That is, the folding drive motor M22
The first and fourth stops are performed after the sheet comes into contact with the sheet leading end stopper 154, and then the sheet leading end stopper 154 is moved.
The rear end of the sheet when moving away from the sheet (the portion that was the front end) may be determined based on the time when the sheet front end detection sensor 154 detects the rear end.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tri-fold processing unit 400 is connected to a receiving conveyance path 152 so that a sheet can be received and folded in three from an inserter 900 described later. Auxiliary transport path 16
7 and a pair of auxiliary transport rollers 168, 168.

In the above three-fold processing section 400, the first to third bending rollers 155, 156, 164
When pinching the sheet at the nip, it is better to pinch the entire width direction of the sheet to the two rollers.
The sheet can be folded accurately.

For this purpose, if the friction coefficient of the first to third folding rollers 155, 156, 164 with respect to the sheet is too large, the roller may draw in the sheet before the entire sheet in the width direction is in close contact with the roller. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the friction coefficient of the first to third bending rollers 155, 156, 164.

First to third bending rollers 155, 15
When the friction coefficient of 6,164 is reduced, when the roller starts to pinch the sheet, the roller slides on the sheet, and the sheet is less likely to be pulled.

Therefore, the sheet is pressed between the rollers so that the entire width thereof is brought into close contact with the rollers, and then pushed into the nip portion, so that the sheet is folded into three parts accurately and without wrinkles. .

Specifically, the coefficient of friction of each roller is about 0.5.
It may be in the range of 7 to about 0.8. Preferably, the third folding roller has a coefficient of friction of about 0.6. In this case, for example, when silicone oil is applied to the surface of the rubber roller, the above-mentioned coefficient of friction is obtained. Of course, the above-mentioned coefficient of friction can also be obtained by changing the material and the surface roughness of the roller surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the roller is made of CR (neoprene) rubber having a hardness of about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees, and the diameter at the center of the roller is set smaller than the diameter at the end. About 0.11 from the end of the roller toward the center
When the slope is twice lowered, the sheet is conveyed while being pulled in the width direction at both ends of the roller, and the sheet can be bent accurately without wrinkling of the sheet. The hardness is a value based on JIS K6301.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the clearances 174 and 174 are provided on the outer periphery of the first to third rollers 171, 172 and 173 while leaving a part in the direction parallel to the axis of the rollers and the rotation direction. 174 is formed, and when the sheet is started to be pinched, the sheet is pinched between the axial remaining portions 175 in the direction parallel to the axis of the roller left by the escape portion 174, and the sheet is left by the escape portion 174 during rotation of the roller. When the sheet is nipped and conveyed by the remaining portion 176 in the rotation direction of the roller in the rotation direction, the sheet does not pinch and be conveyed by the entire roller during the conveyance of the sheet. No more.

The remaining portion 176 in the rotation direction shown in FIG.
Are formed in FIG. 7 and two in FIG. 8, and the number is not limited. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, three rollers may be formed, the sheet may be pinched and conveyed by one in the center, and two rollers on both ends may be brought into direct contact to prevent the rollers from tilting.

Further, the relief portion may be formed on one of the rollers. In this case, at the start of the rotation of the roller pair, the roller pair sandwiches the sheet between the remaining roller portion in the direction parallel to the axis of the roller remaining by the clearance portion and the other roller, folds the sheet, and rotates the roller pair. Inside, the sheet is nipped and conveyed by the remaining roller in the rotation direction of the roller remaining in the escape portion and the other roller.

(Folding Processing Unit 500) Referring to FIG.
(See FIG. 1)
Based on the instruction from FIG. 2 (see FIG. 2), the sheet bundle is bound or folded into two without being bound and discharged to the outside of the copying machine 1000.

The sheet that has passed through the tri-fold processing unit 400 is conveyed by the entrance rollers 201, 201, guided by the flapper 202, and stored in the storage guide 204 via the conveyance rollers 203, 203. If the processing for folding the sheet into two is not performed by the two-fold processing unit 500, the flapper 202 outputs the sheet to the finisher 6
Guide to 00.

The sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 203 has a movable sheet positioning member 2 whose leading end is movable.
A predetermined number of sheets are sequentially conveyed until they come into contact with the sheet 05, and are stored in a bundle in the sheet positioning member 205.

The downstream side of the transport roller 203, that is,
In the middle position of the storage guide 204, two pairs of staplers 2
06 is provided, and an anvil 207 is provided at a position facing the stapler 206. The stapler 206 binds the center of the sheet bundle in cooperation with the anvil 207.

A folding roller pair 208 is provided on the downstream side of the stapler 206, and a projecting member 209 is provided at a position facing the folding roller pair 208. By projecting the projecting member 209 toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 204, the sheet bundle is
It is extruded between the folding roller pair 208 and the folding roller pair 20
8 folded. Then, the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 211 via a sheet discharge roller 210.

When the sheet bundle bound by the stapler 206 is folded, the positioning member 823 is moved so that the staple position of the sheet bundle comes to the center position (nip point) of the folding roller pair 208 after the stapling process is completed. The sheet is lowered a predetermined distance from the place where the stapling process is performed according to the size of the sheet. Thus, the sheet bundle can be folded around the position where the stapling process has been performed.

Similarly to the three-fold processing unit 400, the two-fold processing unit 500 can receive a sheet from the inserter 900 described later and can fold the sheet into two sheets, or without folding the sheet. Finisher 6
The auxiliary conveyance rollers 212 and the auxiliary conveyance rollers 213 and 213 are connected to the entrance roller 201 for setting the position of the sub conveyance rollers.

At the entrance of the folding unit 500,
An entrance sensor 214 for detecting the entry of the sheet is provided,
A sheet size detection sensor 215 for detecting the size of a sheet passing therethrough is provided downstream of the conveyance roller 203.
A discharge sensor 21 that detects the discharge of the sheet bundle is located near the exit.
6 are provided.

The half-folding processing section 500 includes the two-fold processing section shown in FIG.
It is controlled by the folding control unit 217.

(Inserter 900) In FIG. 10, the inserter 900 is used, for example, to supply a cover sheet without passing through the image forming unit 300.

The sheet bundle stacked on the tray 901 is conveyed by a paper feed roller 902 to a separation section including a conveyance roller 903 and a separation belt 904. Then, the sheet is separated one by one from the uppermost sheet by the conveying roller 903 and the separation belt 904. Then, the separated sheet is separated by a pair of pulling rollers 905 close to the separation unit.
The sheet is transported to the auxiliary transport path 212 of the folding processing section 500.

The paper feed roller 902 and the transport roller 90
A paper set sensor 910 for detecting whether or not a sheet is set is provided between them. In the vicinity of the pair of pull-out rollers 905, a pair of pull-out rollers 905
A paper feed sensor 907 for detecting whether or not a sheet is conveyed by the printer is provided.

Further, the inserter 900 can be provided not only in the two-fold processing unit 500 but also in the three-fold processing unit 400 to supply a sheet to the auxiliary transport path 167 of the three-fold processing unit 400.

The inserter 900 is controlled by an inserter control section 911 shown in FIG.

(Finisher 600) In FIG.
The finisher 600 takes in the sheet from the image forming unit 300 conveyed via the half-folding unit 500, aligns the plurality of taken-in sheets, and bundles it as one sheet bundle, and staples the rear end side of the sheet bundle. Post-processing such as staple processing (binding processing), sort processing, non-sort processing, bookbinding processing, and the like are performed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the finisher 600
Has a finisher path 504 provided with an inlet roller pair 502 for taking in the sheet from the image forming unit 300 conveyed via the folding processing unit 500 into the apparatus, and a conveying roller pair 503.

The sheet guided to the finisher path 504 is transferred to a buffer roller 505 via a pair of conveying rollers 503.
Conveyed toward. Note that the transport roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505 can be rotated forward and backward.

Inlet roller pair 502 and transport roller pair 503
Between them, an entrance sensor 531 is provided.

The transport roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 50
5, a punch unit 508 to be described later is provided. The punch unit 508 is operated as needed, and punches (punches) near the rear end of the sheet conveyed via the conveying roller pair 503. Processing is performed.

The buffer roller 505 includes a transport roller pair 5
The roller 505 is a roller capable of winding a predetermined number of sheets conveyed through the roller 503. The rollers 505, 513, and 514 press the sheet while the roller 505 is rotating. The sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is conveyed in a direction in which the buffer roller 505 rotates.

A switching flapper 510 is provided between the pressing roller 513 and the pressing roller 514.
A switching flapper 511 is provided on the downstream side of 14. The switching flapper 510 separates the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guides the sheet to the non-sort path 521 or the sort path 522.

The switching flapper 511 is
The sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is separated from the buffer roller 505 and guided to the sort path 522, and the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is guided to the buffer path 523 in a wound state. .

The sheet guided to the non-sort path 521 by the switching flapper 510 is discharged onto the sample tray 701 via the discharge roller pair 509. In the middle of the non-sort path 521, a paper ejection sensor 533 for detecting a jam is provided.

On the other hand, the sheet guided to the sort path 522 by the switching flapper 510 is
07 and is loaded on the intermediate tray 630. The sheet bundle stacked in a bundle on the intermediate tray 630 is
03 (see FIG. 2), alignment processing and stapling processing are performed, and then the discharge rollers 680a,
The sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 700 by 680b.

The above stapling process is performed by the stapler 601. The sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are configured to be able to run in the vertical direction.

From the intermediate tray 630 to the stack tray 70
When the sheet bundle is discharged to 0, the processing tray 631 (see FIGS. 1 and 10) projects outside the copying machine 1000,
The sheet bundle can be reliably stacked on the stack tray 700.

(Punch Unit 5 of Finisher 600)
08) In FIG. 1 and FIG. 10, the punch unit 508 is disposed to be elongated in the front and back directions of the drawing.

FIG. 11 shows the copying machine 10 shown in FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the punch unit 508 when 00 is viewed from the front. FIG. 12 shows the copying machine 100 shown in FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a left side view of the punch unit 508 when 0 is viewed from the left side. FIG. 13 is a front partial sectional view of the punch unit 508 of FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
It is a 4 arrow view. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a punch and a die of the punch unit 508. 16 to 18 are views for explaining the operation of the punch and the die.

The punch unit 508 includes a punch 541,
It is composed of a die 542, a punch waste screw 543, a punch waste box 544, and the like.

The punch unit 508 includes a transport roller pair 5
03 at the rear end of the sheet conveyed by
The hole is punched by the punch 541 and the die 542 on the basis of a punching instruction from the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) of the 000 and the buffer roller 505 is fed.

Further, as shown by arrows in FIG.
0, falls from the punch waste discharging portion 579 onto the screw 543, is conveyed to the punch waste box 544 by the screw 543, and when a predetermined amount is accumulated, it is detected by the punch waste detection sensor 545 provided on the inner wall of the punch waste box 544. , Can be disposed of together. Note that a circulating belt may be used instead of the screw.

In FIGS. 12, 13, 15 and 18, the punch 541 and the die 542 are connected to the rotating shafts 559, 56.
0, and the rotating shafts 559 and 560
0, the gears 551 and 552 mesh with each other so that the gears 551 and 552 are interlocked with each other. The gear 551 receives the rotational force of the punch drive motor 553 via the idle gear 553, and rotates synchronously in the directions of arrows B and C. It is supposed to. Normally, the punch 541 and the die 542
6 is held in the hope position.

In FIG. 9, after a sheet trailing edge detection sensor 555 disposed between the conveying roller pair 502 and the punch unit 508 detects the trailing edge of the sheet, the punch driving motor 553 is driven at a predetermined timing. By doing so, the punch 541 and the die 542 make holes near the rear end of the sheet P while rotating synchronously in the directions of arrows B and C as shown in FIGS. The perforated sheet is
It is wound around the buffer roller 505.

Meanwhile, a groove-shaped relief portion 556 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip of the punch 541. The escape portion 556 is formed to prevent the punch 541 from coming into contact with the corner of the die hole 546 of the die 542 when entering the die 542 and when exiting from the die 542.

However, after the punch 541 makes a hole in the sheet P with the die 542, when the punch 541 separates from the die 542, the escape portion 556 is caught on the edge of the hole just made and damages the sheet P. There is.

Therefore, the punch unit 50 of the present embodiment is
8 is a pair of opposing guide plates 557a and 557b for guiding the sheet between the punch 541 and the die 542.
, A sheet position regulating guide plate 558 is provided. In the schematic diagram of FIG. 19, a pair of guide plates 557a and 557b
Are the circle C1 of the rotation locus of the center of the tip of the punch 541 and the die 5
42 rotation circle C2 (the rotation circle C2 of the die 542)
Is the outer shape of the circular cross section of the die itself is the rotation locus.)
Are located at the same distance (L2) from the path center PC passing through the two intersections O1 and O2. The sheet position regulating guide plate 558 is disposed between the guide plate 557 a on the punch 541 side and the outer periphery of the die 542.

Therefore, the distance (L1) between the path center PC and the sheet position regulating guide plate 558 is equal to the distance (L1).
2) It is set shorter and the sheet position regulating guide plate 558 is separated from the rotation locus circle C2.

As a result, the sheet is guided by the sheet position regulating guide plate 558 toward the die side as compared with the conventional case, so that the punch having completed the hole is forever engaged with the hole of the sheet. Thus, it is possible to get out of the hole of the sheet faster and faster than before. Therefore, the escape portion 556 of the punch 541 does not catch on the edge of the hole where the escape portion 556 has just opened, and the punch 541 does not damage the sheet.

Note that the sheet position regulating guide plate 558 may be omitted, and the guide plate 557a may be provided at the position of the sheet position regulating guide plate 558.

The escape portion 556 is not always required to be formed depending on the thickness and length of the punch 541, the diameter of the die 542, and the diameter of the hole 546. Also in this case, the tip of the punch does not catch on the hole of the sheet, and the sheet is not damaged.

Note that instead of providing the sheet position regulating guide plate 558 on the guide plate 557a, the guide plate 557a itself may be arranged at the position of the sheet position regulating guide plate 558.

As shown in FIG. 21, two punches 541 are protruded from the rotating shaft 559 at 180-degree intervals in the rotation direction at 180-degree intervals, and the holes 546 of the die are inserted into the die 542 by approximately 180 degrees in the rotation direction. Two may be formed at intervals. Or,
Although not shown, three punches 541 may be provided at intervals of 120 degrees to form three holes 546 of the die.

That is, the holes of the punch and the die are provided at positions where the holes of the next punch and the die do not fit with each other before the holes of the punch and the die that have finished making holes in the sheet are not completely separated. It should just be.

As described above, the punch 541 and the die hole 54
If a plurality of 6s are provided in the rotation direction, it is not necessary to rotate the punch or the die once each time a hole is formed in the sheet, and accordingly, the hole can be formed in the sheet at a high speed. Also,
If a plurality of punch and die holes are provided,
Wear of the punch and the die hole is reduced, and the punch and the die can be used for a long time.

Further, the punch unit 508 described above is used.
In order to meet Japanese specifications, punch 541 and die 54
2 are arranged in the axial direction of the rotating shafts 559 and 560 so as to make two holes in the sheet at one time. 3 holes may be drilled at a time, and four sets may be drilled on the sheet at a time to arrange four sets to meet the specifications of European countries. The number of holes that can be made is not limited.

Further, as shown in FIG.
9 and 560, the five punches 541 and the die 542 are provided apart from each other and are provided so that the directions thereof are opposite to each other, so that one punch unit 541 makes two holes in a sheet; It is possible to cope with the case where one hole is formed, and to widen the range of use.

In this case, the two-hole punch rows 541A and 3
The initial positions of the two-hole hole array 546A and the three-hole hole array 546B of the punch and the die with the punch hole array 541B are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a flag 56 provided on the rotating shaft 449 is provided.
1 is detected by one of the two-hole sensor 562 and the three-hole sensor 563, and is set.

The punch and die are rotated by 360 degrees to make two or three holes in the sheet. Since the hole is made in the rear end of the sheet, the punch and die for two holes are formed in the sheet. Then, when the rotating shafts 559 and 560 rotate and the punch and the die for three holes are fitted with each other, the sheet with the two holes is finished passing between the punch and the die. Thus, the punch and die for three holes do not make three holes in the sheet. Similarly, when three holes are drilled in a sheet, two holes are not drilled.

Furthermore, the die 542 is provided separately for each hole 546 on the rotating shaft 560, but may be a single cylindrical die having a plurality of holes formed in the die.

(Punch Unit of Another Embodiment) In the above punch unit, the punch 541 and the die 542 rotate only in one direction, but as shown in FIG. Punch 5 on rotating shaft 580
A plurality of punch rows 541A and 541B having different numbers of 41 are provided in the rotation direction, and the rotation shaft 580 thereof is reciprocated to rotate.
There is also a unit in which holes 542 of a different punch and die 581 are opposed to each other, and the entire rotating shaft 580 is lowered to make holes in a sheet. Also in this case, there is an advantage that a hole can be efficiently formed in the sheet similarly to the above-described punch unit. <Process of Punch Debris> Punch debris generated when a hole is formed in a sheet by the punch 541 and the die 542 are shown in FIG.
Of the casing 55
12 and collected by a screw shaft 570 rotated by a screw drive motor 571 toward the left in FIG.
And is collected in a punch waste box 544 described below, which is disposed below the punch waste outlet 572 and is detachably attached to the rear part of the main body of the copying machine. Punch 54
The rotation shafts 559 and 560 of the die 1 and the die 542 and the screw shaft 570 are arranged in parallel with each other.

When the punch waste box 544 is removed from the copying machine in order to dispose of the punch waste accumulated in the punch waste box 544, the punch waste remaining in the casing is received by the screw shaft 570 and the punch waste is received. Outlet 57
It hardly falls from zero.

The punch dust may be charged with static electricity and solidified in the punch waste outlet 572, and may block the punch waste outlet 572. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, four blades 574 for forcibly discharging and dropping punch chips are provided radially at the end of the screw shaft 570 located at the punch chip discharge port 572. Further, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of vertical protrusions 575 are formed in the punch dust discharge port 572 so that the punch dust hardens and adheres.

By providing the blades 574 and the ridges 575 in this manner, the punch chips are solidified and adhered to the punch chip discharge port 572 and the periphery thereof so as not to hinder the discharge of the punch chips. Can be. The ridge 57
Instead of 5, a plurality of protrusions may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 32, the punch waste box 544 is detachably provided on the rear surface of the finisher 600 by a magnet (not shown).

In the punch dust box 544, there is provided an inclined inverted V-shaped dispersion plate 576 for dispersing the punch dust falling from the punch dust receiving port 573. The punch chips falling from the punch chip receiving port 573 are dispersed in the left and right direction in FIG. 11 by the dispersion plate 576 and collect in the punch chip box 544.

Without the dispersion plate 576, the punch dust accumulates just below the punch dust receiving port 573 in a mountain shape.
While the punch waste box 544 is not full of punch waste,
The punch debris detection sensor 545 is activated, and there is a possibility that a false report will be given as a full condition.

However, if the dispersing plate 576 is provided, the punch dust is dispersed in the punch dust box 544 and accumulates on average, so that the space in the punch dust box 544 is sufficiently utilized.
Is stored.

Note that the dispersion plate 576 shown in FIG. 11 can scatter the punch dust only in the left and right directions in FIG. 11, but the dispersion plate 576 shown in FIG.
When inclined in three directions, punch waste can be guided in three directions indicated by arrows and more reliably dispersed.

Further, the punch dust detection sensor 545 detects that the punch dust box 544 is full of punch dust, and the user operates the finisher 60 to discard the punch dust.
When the punch dust box 544 is removed from the rear surface of the punch tray 0, the punch unit control unit 578 operates the sample tray lifting motor 714 and the stack tray lifting motor 702 (see FIG. 26) by the operation of the punch dust detection sensor 545. By moving the sample tray 701 to the highest position and the stack tray 700 to the lowest position, the visibility and operability of the punch dust box 544 are improved.

When the punch dust box 544 is removed, the punch dust box detection sensor 582 provided in the copying machine 1000 (see FIG. 32) operates, and the punch unit control unit 578 prevents the scattering of the punch dust. Screw 5
43 is stopped, and the punch unit 5 is stopped.
Operation 08 is enabled for a predetermined number of sheets (for example, 100 sheets) stored in the casing 550, and then stopped.
In this case, the other mechanisms continue to operate, and unlike the related art, can be used continuously without stopping the entire copying machine 1000 including the punching operation.
00 without stopping the copying operation.
The copying operation efficiency of 0 can be improved.

The punch unit 508 described above is
The operation is performed by a punch unit control unit shown in FIG.

(Stapler Unit 800 of Finisher 600) In FIG.
Is a unit for aligning and binding sheets.

The sheet perforated by the punch unit 508, or the punch unit 50 without the perforated hole
The sheets passing through 8 are sequentially stacked on the buffer roller 505 and wound three times. Buffer roller 505
The reason why three sheets are wound around is that when a stapler 601 to be described later binds a sheet bundle stacked on the intermediate tray 630, the sheets cannot be sent to the intermediate tray 630, and during that time, the sheets sequentially sent in Is stored in the buffer roller 50.

The sheet is guided on the sort path 522 and is sent out onto the intermediate tray 630 by the pair of conveying rollers 507.

Upper transport roller 507 of transport roller pair 507
a and the lower transport roller 507b are elastically deformable made of rubber or resin, and the lower transport roller 507b.
A larger diameter knurled belt 602 is clamped.
The sheet is discharged onto the intermediate tray 630 while being sandwiched between the knurl belt 602 and the upper transport roller 507a.

When the knurl belt 602 is moved to the upper transport roller 5
The distance L between the surface that is in contact with the lower conveying roller 507b and the rotation center 507c of the lower conveying roller 507b is calculated from the conveying speed of the sheet when the sheet is sent out from the conveying roller pair 507, and is slightly calculated from the calculated value. (For example, about 10% based on experimental results). As a result, the sheet P is sent out so as to fly onto the intermediate tray 630 at the target conveyance speed as shown by the two-dot chain line,
It lands on a predetermined position of the intermediate tray 630.

The radius of the knurl belt 602 is set to a design value, and the rotation speed of the roller drive motor 534 for rotating the lower transport roller 507b is provided between the roller drive motor 534 and the lower transport roller 507b. The lower transfer roller 507 may be rotated by setting the rotation transmission ratio of the rotation force transmitting gear train (not shown) such that the peripheral speed of the lower transfer roller 507 is higher than the calculated value.

The rear end of the intermediate tray 630 (right side in FIG. 25,
The side near the half-fold processing section 500) is lower than the front end. For this reason, the sheet P discharged to the intermediate tray 630 retreats to the rear end side as shown by the solid line, and is received by the sheet receiving piece 518. When the sheets P are stacked on a certain number of intermediate trays 630, the rear end becomes a aligned sheet bundle, and the lower portion of the knurl belt 602 obstructs the retreating sheet. For this reason, the knurled belt 602 is pulled to the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction by the displacement roller 516 whose position is changed, and is deformed flat as shown by a two-dot chain line.

While a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the intermediate tray 630, a pair of alignment plates 517 (one not shown) for adjusting the width of the sheets approach the sheets from both sides in the width direction of the sheets. The separation is repeated to adjust the width of the sheet.

When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the intermediate tray 630, the sheet receiving piece 518 descends as shown by a two-dot chain line, the stapler 601 approaches the anvil 519, and the sheets are moved by the stapler 601 and the anvil 519. The bundle is held and stapled with staples 520.

The sheet bundle bound by the staple is released from the pulling of the displacement roller 516 and returned to the original circular shape by the knurl belt 602 and the intermediate tray 630.
680 (680a, 680a)
By the rotation of b), the sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 700 or the sample tray 701.

When the sheet bundle is discharged from the intermediate tray 630, the discharge roller 680a tilts upward to the position indicated by the solid line in the direction away from the intermediate tray 630, and the sheet receiving piece 518 also tilts upward to the position indicated by the solid line. The standby state is set so that the discharged sheet can be received.

(Sample tray 7 of finisher 600)
01, stack tray 700) FIGS. 10, 26, 27
In the above, the two trays 701 and 700 are properly used depending on the situation, and the stack tray 700 below is
The sample tray 701 above is selected when receiving a copy output, an output of the image forming unit, and the like, and the sample tray 701 above includes a copy sample output, an interrupt output, an output when a stack tray overflows, a function sorting output, a job mixed output, and the like. Selected when receiving.

Each of the two trays 701 and 700 has a sample tray elevating motor 714 and a stack tray elevating motor 702 (see FIG. 26) so that both can move independently in the vertical direction. 6
The frame 750 is attached to a rack 710 which also serves as a roller receiver which is vertically attached to the frame 750. Further, the trays 700 and 701 are controlled by the regulating member 715.
In front of and behind.

The stack tray 700 and the sample tray 701 are vertically movable along a position regulating member 600a which is a wall plate on the tray side of the finisher 600 and which is disposed vertically.

In the tray moving mechanism, an elevating motor 714 for the sample tray is attached to the frame 711 of the sample tray 701, and the pulley press-fitted on the motor shaft is connected to the pulley 7 via a timing belt 712.
03 to the driving force. A shaft 713 connected to the pulley 703 by a parallel pin transmits drive to a ratchet 705 also connected to the shaft 713 by a parallel pin, and the ratchet 705 is urged by a spring 706 to an idler gear 704.

The ratchet 705 is connected to the idler gear 704 to transmit the drive, and the idler gear 704 is connected to the gear 707.
And the tray is placed in the rack 7
Another gear 707 is mounted via a shaft 708 so that the driving force can be transmitted to the gear 10. Gear 707
Can move along the rack 710 via the gear 709. The rollers 714, which are two on one side of the tray support portion, are accommodated in a roller receiver which also serves as the rack 710.

Also, when the tray is lowered, the spring 706 of the ratchet 705 is pushed only in the direction in which the tray is lifted so that the tray driving system is not damaged by foreign matter, so that the tray runs idle. This ratchet 705
When the idle rotation of the idler gear 704 is performed, the idle rotation detection sensor S701 for immediately stopping the drive is provided by the idler gear 704.
Detects the slit incorporated in the. The idling detection sensor S701 is normally used also for step-out detection.

The stack tray 700 also has a frame 716, and this frame 716 has a moving mechanism similar to that of the sample tray 701.

The area detecting sensor S703 is provided on the sample tray 701, and is fixed to the frame 750 of the finisher near the upper surface of the sample tray 701 at the highest position slightly below the upper limit sensor S704 for stopping the sample tray 701 from rising too much. Area flag F70
The range from 3a to the area flag F703d is detected.

The area detection sensor S702 is provided on the stack tray 700, and is provided on the finisher frame 75.
Area flag F702a fixed to 0 to area flag F
The area up to 702d is detected.

The point sensor S707 is fixed to the frame 750 of the finisher.
01 is activated by the area flag F707 provided on the sample tray 701 when about 1000 sheets stacked and discharged from the intermediate tray 630 are stacked regardless of the sheet size.

Further, when about 1000 sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700 when the size of the sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630 is large, the point sensor S707 is also activated by the area flag F706 provided on the stack tray 700. It is supposed to work.

The area flag F703b is provided in the sample tray 701 as an area flag F70 for detecting the non-sorted paper surface.
It is provided at a position where about 1000 sheets are stacked from 3a, and cooperates with the area detection sensor S703 to limit the stacking amount of sheets on the sample tray 701 by height.

The area flag F703b is provided slightly above the sheet discharge port 618 of the intermediate tray 630, and cooperates with the area detection sensor S703 to set an upper limit of an area that obstructs sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630. To inform you of the location.

The area flag F703c, in cooperation with the area detection sensor S703, indicates that the area is at the lower limit position of the area that obstructs the sheet discharged from the intermediate tray 630.

An area flag F703d is a flag for limiting the height of the sample tray 701 when the sample tray 701 receives a sheet from the intermediate tray 630 in cooperation with the area detection sensor S703.
It is provided at a position corresponding to about 1000 sheets below 03c.

The area flag F702a is a flag that, in cooperation with the area detection sensor S702, reports the upper limit of the elevating area of the stack tray 700 when the stack tray 700 receives a sheet from the intermediate tray 630.

The area flag F702b is provided below the position detection sensor S702a at a position where about 1000 sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700.

The area flag F702c is provided below the position detection sensor S702a at a position where about 2,000 sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700.

The area flag F702d is a flag for notifying the lower limit of the elevating area of the stack tray 700 in cooperation with the area detection sensor S702.

Sample Tray 701, Stack Tray 7
1 and FIG.
0, discharged sheet detection sensors 586 and 58 for detecting whether or not sheets are stacked on each tray.
The stack tray 700 further includes a discharge sheet detection sensor 58, as shown in FIG.
3 are provided.

(Flowchart of Sample Tray 701 and Stack Tray 700) Next, the sample tray 7
2 and the stack tray 700 are moved up and down as shown in FIG.
8, FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 will be described.

The lifting operation is performed by a finisher control unit 525 (see FIGS. 2 and 35) which will be described later.

The area from the area flag F703a to the area flag F703b is defined as area 1, the area from the area flag F703b to the area flag F703c is defined as area 2, and the area flag F702a to the area flag F703a is defined as area 2.
The area up to 702c is designated as area 3, and the area flag F
The area from 702c to the area flag F702d is defined as area 4.

<Discharge of Sheet to Discharge Tray 211> First, when sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 211 (section (abbreviated as S, abbreviated as 1) 1), the sample tray 70
The point sensor 7 determines whether or not 1 is in the area 4, that is, whether or not it is outside the moving range of the sample tray 701.
06 and the area flag F706, and whether or not the stack tray 700 is in the area 4 is detected by the area flag F702d and the area detection sensor S702 (S2).

The sample tray 701 and the stack tray 7
If 00 is not in area 4, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray. Until a predetermined number of sheets are discharged (S4),
When the discharge operation is repeated and a predetermined number of sheets are discharged, the discharge operation to the discharge tray 211 is completed (S5).

If the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are located in the area 4, both trays 70
1 and 700 to area flags F703a and F70, respectively.
It is raised to 2a by the lifting motors 714, 702 (see FIG. 26) (S6, S7).

When the stack tray 700 is no longer in the area 4, the flow shifts to S3, where the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 211 (S3).

When the stack tray 700 is in the area 4, it means that sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700, and the user is instructed to remove the sheets on the stack tray (S9).

The fact that the sheets on the stack tray 700 have been removed indicates that the discharged sheet detection sensor 5 on the stack tray has
85 (see FIGS. 1, 10 and 35) (S10), the stack tray is set to the area flag 702.
After that, the sheets are stacked and discharged onto the discharge tray 211 (S3).

<Discharge of Sheet to Sample Tray 701> When the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 619 to the sample tray 701 (S1, S20, S21), the sample tray 701 receives the sheet while receiving the sheet. And descend. Sample tray 701 is in area 2
When the sample tray 701 is lowered (S22), the sample tray 701 closes the sheet discharge port 618 of the intermediate tray 630, and it becomes impossible to discharge the sheet bundle from the intermediate tray 630 onto the stack tray 700. (S23), and after the sheet is removed from the sample tray (S24),
The sample tray is raised to the area flag F703a (S25). Then, the sheet can be discharged to the sample tray again.

When the discharge of the sheet is completed while the sample tray 701 is descending to the area 2, the sample tray 701 stops at that position, and the discharge processing of the sheet is completed (S26, S27).

<Discharge of Large Size Sheets to Stack Tray 700> The stapled sheets are mainly discharged to the stack tray 700 from the intermediate tray 630.

When the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 700 (S1, S20), when the sheets are of a large size (for example, A3, B4 size) according to a user's instruction (S3).
0), the stack tray is lowered to the point sensor S707 in order to stack large-size sheets on the stack tray (S31, S32). When the discharge of the large-sized sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray stops (S33, S34).

When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the point sensor S707, the large size becomes about 1000
That is, it is loaded. At this time, the discharge tray 211
Is detected by the discharged sheet detection sensor 584 (see FIGS. 1, 10, and 35) on the discharge tray 211 (S35), and the user is instructed to remove the sheet (S36). . Discharge tray 21
If there is no sheet in 1, the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702d (S37).

Thereafter, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703c (S38), and sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701 (S39). Further, the sample tray 701 is discharged while discharging large-sized sheets.
Is lowered to the point sensor S707 (S40).
If the discharge of the large-sized sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray is stopped at that time (S4).
1, S42).

The sample tray is moved to the point sensor S707.
When the stack tray 700 is lowered, if large size sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700 (S43), the user is instructed to remove the sheets from the stack tray (S44).

After that, the sample tray and the stack tray are raised to the area flags F703a and F702a (S45, S46).

However, when sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701, the sample tray 70 is in area 3 and does not rise, so that neither tray rises. Therefore, the user is caused to remove the sheet (S47, S48).

<Discharge of Normal Size Sheets to Stack Tray 700> When sheets are discharged to the stack tray 700 (S1, S20), if the sheets are of a normal size (for example, A4, B5 size) according to a user's instruction (S3).
0), the stack tray is lowered to area 4 in order to stack normal-size sheets on the stack tray (S5).
1, S52). When the discharge of the normal size sheet is completed during the lowering, the stack tray stops (S53, S5).
4).

When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the lower area of the area 3, about 200 sheets of normal size
This means that 0 sheets have been loaded. At this time, the discharge tray 21
When the discharged sheet detection sensor 584 detects that a sheet is stacked on the sheet No. 1 (S35), the user is instructed to remove the sheet (S36). If there is no sheet on the discharge tray 211, the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702d (S37). As a result, 3000 sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700.
That is, it is loaded.

After that, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703c (S38), and sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701 (S39). Further, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the point sensor S707 while discharging the normal size sheet (S40). If the discharge of the normal size sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray is stopped at that time (S4).
1, S42).

The sample tray is moved to the point sensor S707.
When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the normal size and the normal size sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700 (S43), the user is instructed to remove the sheets from the stack tray (S43).
44).

After that, the sample tray and the stack tray are raised to the area flags F703a and F702a (S45, S46).

However, when sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701, the sample tray 700
Because both trays do not rise, neither tray rises. Therefore, the user is caused to remove the sheet (S47, S4).
8).

<Number of Sheets Loaded on Sample Tray and Stack Tray> In raising and lowering the sample tray 701, the sample tray 701 sets the area flag F703.
b, when about 1,000 normal-size sheets can be stacked, and when the sheet falls to the area flag F703c,
Approximately 2,000 normal-size sheets can be stacked, about 1000 large-size sheets can be stacked, and about 3000 normal-size sheets can be stacked when lowered to the area flag F703d. When the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703d, about 1000 sheets stapled from the intermediate tray 630 can be stacked.

When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702b, about 1000 sheets of bound normal size sheets can be stacked, and the area flag F702c can be stacked.
When it is lowered to about 200 sheets,
0 sheets can be stacked and about 1000 sheets of stapled large size sheets
When sheets can be stacked and the area flag is lowered to the area flag F702d, about 3000 stapled normal size sheets can be stacked.

Therefore, when the sample tray 701 descends to the area flag F703b and the stack tray descends to the area flag F702c, about 3000 sheets
Can be loaded on a tray.

When the sample tray 701 descends to the area flag F703d and the stack tray descends to the area flag F702d, about 3000 sheets can be stacked on the tray for convenience.

When the sheet is lowered to the area flag F702d, the normal size sheet is
It can load up to 00 sheets.

The positions of the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are detected by sensors, flags, and the like so that the trays 701, 700, and 211 do not interfere with each other, and are controlled by the finisher control unit 525 and the like. ing.

<Sheet Discharge Port 611 of Discharge Tray 211
As shown in FIGS. 1, 31, and 32, in the above operation, when the stack tray 700 is lowered, the sheet discharge port 611 of the discharge tray 211 is set to the shutter 613.
To prevent the sheets on the stack tray 700 from entering the sheet discharge port 611, so that many sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700.

The shutter 613 is provided so as to be able to move up and down by a pair of guide plates 614 and 614 provided inside the outer wall 612, and is usually pulled upward by tension springs 615 and 615 to open the sheet discharge port 611. I have.

When the stack tray 700 descends,
The lower end of the stack tray comes into contact with a tray receiver 616 formed by bending the lower end of the shutter 613 outward,
The shutter 613 descends integrally with the stack tray 700 against the tension springs 615 and 615.

When the stack tray 700 rises, the shutter 613 is pulled by the tension springs 615 and 615, rises following the stack tray 700, and opens the sheet discharge port 611.

When the stack tray 700 is lowered and the shutter 613 closes the sheet discharge port 611, if the discharge tray 211 projects from the sheet discharge port 611, the lowering operation of the stack tray 700 is hindered. For this reason, the discharge tray 211 is moved to the home position (the position in FIG. 1) by the discharge tray moving motor 617 shown in FIG.

<Sample Tray 701 and Sub Tray 62
Action of 0> When stacking unbound three-fold sheets on the stack tray 700, the folded portion is located at the leading end side of the stack tray 700, so that the folded portion rises and the subsequent three-fold sheet is difficult to be discharged. There is a fear.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 33, the sub-tray 620 provided on the root side of the stack tray 700 is raised, and the unfolded side of the sheet is lifted.
Bring the trifold sheet as horizontal as possible. Then, as much as the sub-tray 620 is raised, the stack tray 700
The whole is lowered to make it easier to discharge the sheet.

[0205] When the folding mode is selected by the operation unit 303, the sub-tray 620 becomes the finisher control unit 525.
2 and 35, the plunger 621 (see FIG. 33) is operated to move the sub tray 620 up and down by the rack 622 and the pinion 623 (the up and down operation may be performed by a link mechanism). ).

In this case, the discharged sheet detection sensor 5
The sub-tray 620 may be moved up and down and tilted by a counter (not shown) that counts the tri-folded sheets without detection by 83.

The sub-tray 620 is a stack tray 70
0 and the stack tray 700 as a base end.
(The upstream end side in the sheet discharging direction) is tilted up and down.

Further, in the case where unfolded sheets (small-sized sheets are referred to as “straight sheets”) and three-folded sheets are mixedly loaded on the stack tray 700 in the unbound mode, the ratio of three-folded sheets to straight sheets (“ When the mixed ratio is less than a predetermined value, for example, when the mixed ratio of five 3-fold sheets to 95 straight sheets is less than 5%, the fold of the folded portion of the sheet is small, Sub tray 620
Is raised, the root side of the stack tray 700 of the sheets becomes higher, and when the straight sheet is a lower curled sheet (a sheet curled in an inverted U shape), there is a possibility that the sheet slides down from the leading end side of the stack tray 700.

In such a case, when discharging to the stacking tray, the sub-tray 620 is lowered as shown in FIG. 34 to lower the root side of the stack tray so that the top sheet is always almost horizontal or Make sure that the bottom side of the stack tray is lower.

As a result, the leading end of the stack tray for sheets is raised, so that even if the sheet is a lower curl sheet, it does not slip down from the leading end of the stack tray.

The tilting and raising and lowering of the sub-tray 620 are automatically performed based on the mixed loading ratio of the unfolded sheet and the tri-fold sheet stored in the finisher control unit 525 (see FIGS. 2 and 35).

That is, the mixed loading ratio based on the number of unfolded sheets and the number of tri-folded sheets input by the user selecting the non-binding mode on the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) and inputting the data to the finisher control unit 525 in advance. The finisher control unit 525 compares the mixed loading ratio with the preset loading ratio. If the previously loaded loading ratio is smaller (for example, when it exceeds 5%), the sub-tray 620 is at the position where it is lowered, and it is larger ( For example, when it is 5% or less), it is in the raised position.

When the tri-folded sheet is discharged, the sub-tray 620 may be tilted up beforehand regardless of the number of sheets, and then lowered according to the mixing ratio, or may be lowered beforehand. You may raise it according to a consolidation ratio.

In addition to the stack tray 700,
Similarly, the sample tray 701 is provided with a sub-tray,
You may make it correspond to a mixed sheet.

Further, if the sample tray 701 is not provided with the sub-tray 620, when the tri-folded sheet is discharged, the sheet is thin and the waist is weak. Exit 6
If the sheet discharge speed of the discharge roller pair 509 from the sheet discharge port 19 (see FIG. 1) is low, the sheet does not advance even if the leading end of the sheet comes out of the sheet discharge port 619, and stays at one place. Discharge may be incomplete. Conversely, if the sheet discharge speed by the discharge roller pair 509 is too fast, the sheet may jump out of the sample tray 701 with excessive force and fall. For this reason, when the user instructs the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) to input three-fold thin sheets, the finisher control unit 5 described later
No. 25 (see FIG. 35) controls the rotation speed of the discharge roller pair motor 523 rotating the discharge roller pair 509 so that the thin trifold sheet can be discharged at an optimum speed. I have.

As a result, even when a sheet having a small thickness and a stiff sheet is folded into three, the sheet can be reliably discharged and stacked.

(Finisher Control Unit 525) In FIG. 35, the finisher control unit 525 includes a finisher 60.
0 is a control circuit.

The finisher control section 525 is
6, CPU composed of ROM 527, RAM 528, etc.
A circuit portion 529 is provided. The CPU circuit unit 529 is connected to a CP provided on the copying apparatus main body via the communication IC 530.
The data conversion is performed by communicating with the U circuit unit 301, and various programs stored in the ROM 527 are executed based on an instruction from the CPU circuit unit 529 to execute the finisher 600.
Drive control is performed.

When the drive control of the finisher 600 is performed, detection signals from various sensors are input to the CPU circuit section 529. As various sensors, the idling detection sensor S
701, area detection sensor S702, area detection sensor S703, upper limit sensor S704, point sensor S70
6, point sensor S707 and the like.

The CPU circuit section 529 includes a driver 531
The driver 531 is connected to the CPU circuit unit 5.
Various motors and solenoids are driven based on signals from the control unit 29.

As various motors, there are a discharge roller pair motor 523, a discharge roller pair motor 524, a movement motor 617, a sample tray lift motor 714, a stack tray lift motor 702, and the like. As the solenoid, there is a plunger 621 for sub-tray and the like.

[0222]

According to the sheet discharging apparatus of the present invention, when the upper discharge sheet stacking means descends the lower sheet discharge port, the upper discharge sheet stacking means pushes down the shutter and closes the lower sheet discharge port by the shutter. Therefore, even if the upper discharge sheet stacking means is lowered to the lower sheet discharge port, the sheets stacked in the upper discharge sheet stacking means do not enter the lower sheet discharge port, and the upper discharge sheet stacking means does not enter the lower sheet discharge port. More sheets can be stacked on the means than before.

In the sheet discharging apparatus according to the present invention, when sheets discharged from the lower sheet discharging port are stacked on the lower discharging sheet stacking means, the upper sheet stacking means descends to the lower sheet discharging port. When the lower discharge sheet stacking means is retracted by the retracting means to a position where the lower discharge sheet stacking means does not interfere with the upper discharge sheet stacking means, the upper sheet stacking means and the lower sheet stacking means may interfere with each other and be damaged. And the lowering amount of the upper sheet stacking means is not limited by the lower sheet stacking means, so that more sheets can be stacked on the upper sheet stacking means than before.

Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned sheet discharge device capable of stacking a large number of sheets, it is possible to process a large number of sheets continuously, and to increase the processing capacity. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a copying machine which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the entire copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a tri-fold processing unit. (A) It is a state diagram just before a sheet is folded into two. (B) is a state diagram when the sheet is folded into two.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the tri-fold processing unit. (A) is a state diagram immediately before folding a sheet into three. (B) is a state diagram when the tri-folding of the sheet is started. (C) is a state diagram when the sheet is folded in three and discharged.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a tri-fold processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a view of a roller according to another embodiment of the tri-fold processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of the three-fold processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of the tri-fold processing unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of the tri-fold processing unit.

FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a folding processing unit and a finisher.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the punch unit.

12 is a view of the punch unit in FIG. 11 as viewed from the left side.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway view of the vicinity of a punch dust discharge port of the punch unit.

14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 14-14 in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a punch and a die of the punch unit.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the operation of the punch and the die in the punch unit, and is a view before punching.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the punch and the die in the punch unit, and is a diagram during a punching operation.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the operation of the punch and the die in the punch unit, and is a view showing the completion of punching.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a mounting position of a sheet position forming guide plate in the punch unit.

FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of a punch unit.

FIG. 21 is a view of another embodiment of the punch unit.

FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a punch and a die according to another embodiment in a punch unit.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the punch of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a dispersion plate in the punch unit.

FIG. 25 is a schematic front view of the stapler unit.

FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view of a finisher.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the elevating operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the elevating operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the elevating operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining the elevating operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a finisher.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of the vicinity of a sheet discharge port of a finisher.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a mixed state of three-folded sheets and unfolded sheets on a stack tray, and is a diagram in which many three-folded sheets are stacked.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a mixed state of three-folded sheets and unfolded sheets on the stack tray, and is a diagram showing a state in which a small number of three-folded sheets are stacked.

FIG. 35 is a control block diagram of a finisher.

FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of a punch unit according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

P sheet 100 Document feeding unit 111 Photosensitive drum (image forming unit) 114 Cassette (sheet stacking unit) 115 Cassette (sheet stacking unit) 200 Image reader unit 211 Discharge tray (lower-order discharged sheet stacking unit) 300 Image forming unit unit 400 3 Folding processing section (sheet folding means) 500 2-fold processing section (sheet folding means) 508 Punch unit 525 Finisher control section 600 Finisher 611 Sheet discharge port (lower sheet discharge port) 613 Shutter 614 Guide plate 615 Tension spring 616 Tray receiver 617 Discharge tray drawing motor (drawing means) F702c Area flag (drawing means) S702 Area detection sensor (drawing means) 618 Sheet discharge port (upper sheet discharge port) 700 Stack tray (upper discharge sheet) Stacking means) 701 sample tray 800 stapler unit 900 inserter (sheet supply means) 1000 copier (image forming apparatus)

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Yamanaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsuaki Hirai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Seichiro Adachi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mitsuru Uezuru 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Iwamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kenichi Hayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Sekine 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F-term (reference) 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BA02 BB01 BD02 BF09 DA01 DA22

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sheet discharge ports, which are arranged in a vertical direction and from which sheets are discharged, can be moved up and down so as to open and close a lower sheet discharge port, and are always urged in an ascending direction so as to be urged upward. A shutter that holds the discharge port in an open state; and an upper discharge sheet stacker that can move up and down to load the sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port, wherein the upper discharge sheet stacker is the lower sheet. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the discharge port is lowered, the upper discharge sheet stacking means pushes down the shutter and closes the lower sheet discharge port by the shutter. 2. A lower discharge sheet stacking means for projecting outward and stacking sheets discharged from the lower sheet discharge port, wherein the upper discharge sheet stacking means descends to the lower sheet discharge port. The sheet discharging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a retracting unit that retracts the lower discharge sheet stacking unit to a position that does not interfere with the upper discharge sheet stacking unit. 3. A sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet supplied from the sheet stacking unit, a sheet folding unit for folding the sheet on which an image is formed, 3. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet supply unit configured to supply a sheet at a downstream side of the image forming unit is configured to change a mounting position, and the bent sheet and the unfolded sheet are discharged. 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: