JP2001233540A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size of a sheet finisher 3 and the production cost of an image forming system 1 by performing a sheet finishing treatment by the sheet finisher 3 using the information from a sheet delivery sensor incorporated in an image forming device 2 of the image forming system 1. SOLUTION: This image forming system 1 comprises an image forming device 2 having a paper delivery sensor 22 detecting that paper 5 is delivered and a paper finisher 3 performing the paper 5 finishing treatment using a paper delivery signal detected by the paper delivery sensor 22 of the image forming device 2. Thus, a feeding route 48 in the paper finisher 3 can be shortened, and the number of sensors can be reduced by one.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copying machine,
The present invention relates to an image forming system including a sheet finishing device for providing a hole for a binder in a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image forming system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The image forming system 100 generally includes an image forming apparatus 101 and a sheet finishing apparatus 102. Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, the image forming apparatus 101 and the sheet finishing apparatus 102 will be described as being a general copying machine and finisher, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, a copying machine 101 is based on an automatic document feeder (ADF) based on information programmed in advance by a user using an operation panel 110.
The original 103 placed on the original 112 is
While being placed on the automatic document feeder (ADF) 112 again, the document 103
The upper image is read, and the read image is
The image forming section 119 forms an image on a sheet 104 of an appropriate size stored in the sheet 8, and the sheet is conveyed to a sheet discharge path 120. At this time, each of the above-described devices is electrically connected to the copier control unit 130 (not shown), and is controlled by the copier control unit 130. Using this operation panel 110, the user can program in advance the functions relating to the processing such as the number of copies, the sorting processing, and the punching processing according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the operation panel 110 is electrically connected to a copier control unit 130, and the copier control unit 130 drives these devices based on programmed processing contents.

Further, on the paper discharge path 120, for example,
A sheet discharge sensor 122 such as a photo interrupter is provided, and it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the sheet 104 at the position of the sheet discharge sensor 122. Further, as similarly shown in FIG. 9, the paper discharge sensor 122 is electrically connected to the copier control unit 130, and can supply this detection signal to the copier control unit 130. The copier control unit 130 measures the time during which the paper discharge sensor 122 detects that there is a paper, because the paper conveyance speed of the paper conveyed on the paper discharge path 120 is constant. The length of the sheet in the transport direction can be measured.

[0005] Near the paper discharge port 124 of the copying machine 101,
A paper discharge roller 126 is provided, so that the paper 104 on which an image has been formed is reliably discharged out of the paper discharge port 124.

On the other hand, the paper finishing device 102 is a copier 1
01, a finisher 102 capable of punching a hole for a binder in a sheet 104 ejected from the outside (punching processing).
However, in addition to the punch punching process, a sort process and a stapling process may be performed.

Conventionally, various finishers 102 have been proposed. For example, some finishers 102 can form a hole for a binder in a sheet 104 discharged from the copying machine 101. One example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-1860.
No. 98, the finisher 102 is generally
Paper feed sensor 142 provided near 40, transport path 14
4, a punching member 146, a transport roller 148, and a paper discharge tray 152 provided outside the carry-out port 150.
A paper feed sensor 142,
Each component of the piercing member 146 and the transport roller 148 is controlled. In the finisher 102, the punching member 146 punches a hole in the paper 104 after a predetermined time has elapsed with reference to a point in time when the paper feed sensor 142 built in the finisher 102 detects the rear end of the paper 104.

[0008]

However, if the puncher 146 is configured to pierce the paper 104 after a predetermined time has passed since the finisher 102 detected the rear end of the paper 104, Transport path 144
Must be longer than at least the length of the paper 104 in the transport direction. This increases the distance of the transport path 144 from the paper feed sensor 142 to the punching member 146, and increases the length of the finisher 102 in the transport direction (the finisher 102).
Was a very big problem in shortening the width. That is, the size (bulk) of the finisher 102 configured to perform the perforation processing of the paper 104 with reference to the time when the trailing edge of the paper 104 is detected using the paper feed sensor 142 is reduced. Had inherent limitations on its composition.

As described above, the copying machine 101 is usually
Also, a paper ejection sensor 122 is provided, and providing a sensor having a similar function to both the copying machine 101 and the finisher 102 causes an increase in the production cost of the entire image forming (copier) system 100. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to omit a paper feed sensor from a paper finishing apparatus and perform a paper finishing process using information from a paper ejection sensor built in the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of reducing the size of an image forming apparatus and reducing the production cost.

[0011]

An image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having a sheet discharge sensor for detecting that a sheet has been discharged, and a sheet discharge sensor of the image forming apparatus. And a paper finishing device for performing a paper finishing process using the detected paper discharge signal. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the paper finishing apparatus, reduce the number of components of the sensor by one, and reduce the production cost.

Further, in the image forming system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the paper finishing device includes a carry-in roller that constantly rotates so as to carry in the paper in the paper transport direction, and a paper take-out roller that carries out the paper in the paper transport direction. After a lapse of a _first predetermined time (T = T ₁ ) from the time when the paper discharge signal is received from the paper discharge sensor, the paper is temporarily stopped to carry out a curved portion on the paper, and further a second predetermined time (T T = T ₂ ) after a lapse of time, an unloading roller that rotates so as to restart unloading of the sheet;
And punching means for punching a sheet having a curved portion after the first predetermined time (T = T ₁ ) and before the second predetermined time (T = T ₂ ). Thus, even when the sheet is skewed and conveyed, a punch hole can be formed at a position at an accurate distance from the trailing edge of the sheet.

Further, in the image forming system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the user may input a first predetermined time (T = T
By selecting ₁ ), the degree of bending of the bending portion can be adjusted. Thus, for example, a degree of curvature appropriate for the material of plain paper or thick paper can be given to the paper. Further, it is possible to correct a variation in the finishing processing position due to a machine difference.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic diagram and a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 1 generally includes an image forming device 2 and a paper finishing device 3. Hereinafter, for ease of understanding, the image forming apparatus 2 will be described as a general copying machine, but may be a printer, and the present invention is interpreted as being limited by the image forming apparatus 2. Not something.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 2 roughly converts a document 4 placed on an automatic document feeder (ADF) 12 based on information programmed in advance by a user using an operation panel 10. While the document is conveyed on the document cover 14 and placed on the automatic document feeder (ADF) 12 again, the image on the document 4 is read by the document reading device 16 and the read image is stored in the paper tray 18. Size paper 5
An image is formed thereon by the image forming unit 19, and is conveyed to the paper discharge path 20. At this time, each of the above-described devices is operated by the copier control unit 3.
0 (not shown) and the copier control unit 30
Is controlled by The user can use the operation panel 10 to program in advance functions relating to processes such as the number of copies, a sort process, and a punching process according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 is electrically connected to the copier control unit 30, and the copier control unit 30 drives these devices based on programmed processing contents.

Further, a paper discharge sensor 22, such as a photo interrupter, is provided on the paper discharge path 20, so that the paper 5 at the position of the paper discharge sensor 22 is provided.
Can be detected. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge sensor 22 is electrically connected to the copier control unit 30, and outputs this detection signal to the copier control unit 3.
0 can be supplied. The copy machine control unit 3
0 indicates that the paper transport speed of the paper conveyed on the paper discharge path 20 is constant, and thus the paper discharge sensor 22 measures the time during which the paper discharge sensor 22 detects that there is a paper.
Length can be measured.

A paper discharge roller 26 is provided near the paper discharge port 24 of the copying machine 2, whereby the paper 5 on which an image is formed is reliably discharged from the paper discharge port 24.

The paper finishing device 3 of the image system according to the present invention is a finisher 3 capable of punching a hole for a binder (punch punching process) on a sheet 5 discharged from the copying machine 2. In addition, a device that can perform a sort process and a staple process may be used.

The finisher 3 includes a finisher control unit 40, a carry-in port 42 arranged with the paper discharge port 24 of the copying machine 2, a registration roller 44 installed near the carry-in port 42,
Transport rollers 46, transport path 4 provided between these rollers
8 and a punching section 50 provided on the transport path 48. As described above, the punch punching section 50 is for punching a hole for a binder in the sheet 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher control unit 40 includes a registration motor 45 for driving the registration roller 44 and the conveyance roller 46, a conveyance motor 47, and the punching unit 5.
In addition to being electrically connected to an electromagnetic spring clutch 51 for driving the motor 0, it is also electrically connected to the copier controller 30.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the registration roller 44, the punching section 50, and the transport roller 4 will be described.
6 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing these components. The registration roller 44 and the conveyance roller 46 can be rotated by a registration motor 45 and a conveyance motor 47, respectively. Punch punching part 50
Are the registration motor 45 and the electromagnetic spring clutch 51
The punch roller 52 includes a punch roller 52 that can be rotated by operation of the punch roller 52, an eccentric cam 54 provided coaxially with the punch roller 52, and a punch rod 56 that reciprocates vertically with respect to the sheet surface by the eccentric cam 54. . When the electromagnetic spring clutch 51 operates while the registration motor 45 is rotating, the rotational movement of the registration motor 45 is transmitted to the punch roller 52 and the eccentric cam 54, and the punch bar 56 moves up and down. When the sheet 5 is located directly below the punch bar 56, a punch hole for a binder is formed in the sheet 5.

FIG. 4 shows the registration roller 4 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a punch rod 56 and a conveying roller 46 as viewed from a direction parallel to a sheet surface. The sheet 5 carried in from the sheet transport direction is sent out onto a transport path 48 (not shown) by the registration rollers 44 and is transported by the transport rollers 4.
6 is carried out. However, when the trailing end of the sheet 5 is upstream of the registration roller 44 in the transport direction, the registration roller 44 continues to rotate, and once the transport roller 46 stops, as shown in FIG. A curved portion 58 of the sheet 5 (hereinafter, referred to as “punch loop 58”) is formed between the rollers 46. In this state, the punch loop 58 applies an elastic restoring force to the sheet 5 in the transport direction.
Since the sheet 5 is held by the transport roller 46, the rear end of the sheet 5 is pressed against the registration roller 44 by the elastic restoring force. In this way, the position of the rear end of the sheet 5 can be reliably aligned with the position of the registration roller 44. Further, when the punch bar 56 moves up and down in this state, the paper 5
Punch holes can be accurately made at a position separated by a certain distance from the rear end. Thereafter, the transport roller 46 is rotated again to transport the paper 5 downstream in the transport direction,
Paper can be discharged from the carry-out port 60 to the paper discharge tray 62.

By the way, the degree of curvature of the punch loop 58 (hereinafter referred to as “punch loop amount”) is determined from the position of the paper 5 held by the transport roller 46 when the transport roller 46 is once stopped. Depends on the distance to the rear end position. For example, when the paper 5 is held by the transport roller 46 at a position closer to the front end, the distance from the held position of the paper 5 to the rear end of the paper 5 becomes longer. The punch loop amount at this time becomes larger. In other words, the punch loop amount depends on the position of the sheet 5 held by the transport roller 46.

The paper 5 is transported in the transport path 48 at a constant speed. Therefore, by arbitrarily selecting the time until the transport roller 46 is temporarily stopped based on the time when a specific portion of the paper 5 (for example, the rear end of the paper 5) passes through the fixed base point, the transport roller 46 can be selected. Can select the position of the sheet 5 held by this, and thereby the punch loop amount can be adjusted. In the finisher 3 of the present invention, the timing for temporarily stopping the transport roller 46 is measured based on the time when the rear end of the sheet 5 has passed the sheet ejection sensor 22 built in the image forming apparatus 2.

A sensor for detecting the rear end of the sheet 5 built in the conventional finisher 3 is omitted, and the conveyance roller 46 is temporarily stopped by using the sheet discharge sensor 22 of the same function built in the copying machine 2. Since the timing for performing the adjustment is measured, the transport path in the finisher 3 can be shortened, and the number of components of the sensor can be reduced.

Further, the appropriate punch loop amount changes depending on the material of the paper 5 such as plain paper and thick paper. For example, if the same amount of punch loop as that of plain paper is given to thick paper, wrinkles and folds may be generated in the thick paper. Therefore, it is preferable that the punch loop amount can be changed depending on the material of the paper 5.

As described above, in the finisher 3 of the present invention, the rear end of the paper 5 has passed the paper discharge sensor 22 built in the copying machine 2 based on the timing for temporarily stopping the transport roller 46. Because it ’s time,
Compared with the case where the paper ejection sensor 22 built in the conventional finisher 3 is used, the actual punch loop amount is more likely to be slightly different from a predetermined appropriate punch loop amount. Therefore, even if the punch loop amount may vary to some extent, it is sufficient to provide a means for correcting the punch loop amount to an appropriate punch loop amount. That is, it is desirable that the user can finely adjust the punch loop amount.

Next, the operation of the punching process in the image forming system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the timing chart shown in FIG.

As described above, the user operates the operation panel 10.
Can be used to program the processing contents of the image forming system 1. For example, in addition to the number of copies, whether or not to perform punching processing (punch mode), the material of the paper 5 (plain paper, thick paper), and The adjustment amount with respect to the standard punch loop amount can be arbitrarily selected.

In step S1, the user operates the operation panel 10
Is pressed, the copier controller 30 receives a start signal from the operation panel 10, drives each component of the copier 2, and executes a series of copying processes. At this time,
The sheet 5 on which the image has been formed is transported to the sheet discharge path 20.

The start signal is transmitted to the finisher control unit 40 via the copier control unit 30, and in step S2, the finisher control unit 40 drives the registration motor 45 and the transport motor 47 to rotate (FIG. 7). ,
t = T _start ).

In step S3, the copying machine control unit 30 determines whether or not the punch mode has been selected by the user, and transmits the punch mode signal to the finisher control unit 40 only when the punch mode has been selected.

In step S4, the subsequent processing is on standby until the trailing end of the sheet 5 passes the sheet ejection sensor 22 provided on the sheet ejection path 20 of the copying machine 2. Then, a signal indicating that the rear end of the sheet 5 has passed the sheet ejection sensor 22 is transmitted to the finisher control unit 40 via the copier control unit 30 (FIG. 7, t = T ₀ ).

In step S5, the finisher control unit 40
Determines whether the amount of punch loop needs to be adjusted. For example, when the user selects thick paper 5 via the operation panel 10, the finisher control unit 40 determines that the punch loop amount needs to be adjusted. When thick paper 5 is selected, the punch loop amount needs to be smaller than that of plain paper. In order to reduce the punch loop amount, the trailing end of the paper 5 is
2 (FIG. 7, t = T ₀ ),
(T = T _{1 in} FIG. 7) until the paper is once stopped needs to be set longer than in the case of plain paper. That is, (the case of Yes) when the paper 5 cardboard is selected, at step S6, setting the a timing later than a value of T ₁ of the above-described B. If the plain paper 5 is selected (No), in step S7, the timing A that gives a standard punch loop amount of plain paper is set to T _1.
Set as the value of. Thus, a punch loop amount suitable for the material of the paper 5 can be given depending on whether the paper 5 is thick paper or plain paper.

Alternatively, depending on the combination of the copying machine 2 and the finisher 3 (depending on the machine difference, etc.),
The user can fine-tune the punch loop amount using the operation panel 10 even when the actual appropriate punch loop amount slightly varies from the planned standard punch loop amount. If the user has previously input a correction value for the standard punch loop amount using the operation panel 10, the finisher control unit 40 determines in step S5 that the punch loop amount needs to be adjusted. (For Yes) In this case, in step S6, sets the timing at which B such as to provide the punch loop amount which is increased or decreased on the basis of the correction value as the value of T ₁ of the above. Also,
If the correction value for the standard punch loop amount has not been input in advance (No), at step S7, a timing A for providing the planned standard punch loop amount
Setting as the value of T ₁ of the above. Thus, even if
Even if the punch loop amount varies to some extent, the user can make fine adjustments to the punch loop amount using the operation panel 10, which is perfect.

In step S8, the finisher control unit 40
Drives the registration motor 45 and the transport motor 47 to rotate until the time (t = T ₁ ) determined in steps 5 to 7 elapses.

In step S8, when it is detected that the time (t = T ₁ ) has elapsed, in step S9, the finisher control unit 40 maintains the rotation of the registration motor 45 and the rotation of the transport motor 47 only. Is temporarily stopped. Thus, as described above, the sheet 5 is held by the transport roller 46 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and is continuously sent out in the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction, so that a punch loop 58 is formed. In this state, at a predetermined time (FIG. 7,
After elapse of t = T ₂ ), an appropriate punch loop 58 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed.

When it is detected in step S10 that the time (t = T ₂ ) has elapsed, in step S11, the finisher control section 40 operates the electromagnetic spring clutch 51, and in step S12, the predetermined time (t = T ₃ ), the electromagnetic spring clutch 51 is stopped in step S13. That is, the electromagnetic spring clutch 51 is moved from time (t = T ₂ ) to time (t = T ₂ ).
By operating during T ₃ ), the punch roller 52 is operated.
Then, the eccentric cam 54 is driven by one rotation. In this way, the punch bar 56 is reciprocated once in the direction perpendicular to the sheet surface, and a hole for a binder is made in the sheet 5.

When it is detected in step S14 that the time (t = T ₃ ) has elapsed, in step S15, the finisher control unit 40 stops at a predetermined time (FIG. 7, t = T ₄ ). By restarting the rotation of the transport motor 47, the paper 5 is discharged from the discharge port 60 to the discharge tray 62.
Paper.

In step S16, the finisher control unit 4
0 determines whether or not to end the copying process via the copying machine control unit 30. If the copying process is not to be completed and the copying process is to be continued (No), the process from step 3 described above is repeatedly executed. If the copying process is to be completed (Yes), the rotation of the registration motor 45 is also stopped. The process ends.

Note that T ₁ to T ₄ shown in FIG. 7 are times after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start point T _{0. When} the predetermined time is measured, for example, the finisher control unit 4
For example, a timer (not shown) built in the CPU 0 can be used.

[0042]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. That is, according to the image forming system of the first aspect, by performing the paper finishing process using the information from the paper ejection sensor built in the image forming apparatus, the paper finishing apparatus can be downsized and the number of parts of the sensor can be reduced. , And the production cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the image forming system of the present invention, since the punching process is performed after giving a curved portion to the sheet on the conveying path, even if the sheet is skewed and conveyed. In addition, a punch hole can be formed at a position at an accurate distance from the trailing edge of the sheet.

Further, according to the image forming system of the third aspect, for example, a degree of curvature appropriate for the material of plain paper or thick paper can be given to the paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing some components (registration roller, punch punching unit, and transport roller) of the paper finishing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the registration roller, the punch bar, and the transport roller shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from a direction parallel to a sheet surface.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a punching process of the image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of punch punching processing of the image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an operation of punching processing of the image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image forming system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image forming system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming (copier) system, 2 image forming device (copier), 3 paper finishing device (finisher), 4
Documents, 5 papers, 10 operation panel, 12 automatic document feeder (ADF), 16 document reading device, 18 paper tray, 19 image forming section, 20 paper discharge path, 30 copying machine control section, 22 paper discharge sensor, 24 paper discharge Paper Exit, 26
Paper discharge roller, 40 finisher controller, 42 carry-in port, 44 registration roller, 45 registration motor, 4
6 transport rollers, 47 transport motors, 48 transport paths,
50 punch punching part, 51 electromagnetic spring clutch,
52 punch roller, 54 eccentric cam, 56 punch rod, 58 punch loop, 60 carry-out port, 62 paper output tray.

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus having a sheet discharge sensor for detecting that a sheet has been discharged, and a sheet finishing process is performed using a sheet discharge signal detected by a sheet discharge sensor of the image forming apparatus. An image forming system, comprising: a paper finishing device. 2. A paper finishing device comprising: a carry-in roller which rotates so as to carry in a paper in a paper carrying direction; a paper carrying-out roller which carries out a paper in a paper carrying direction; After a predetermined time (T = T ₁ ) has elapsed, the sheet discharge is temporarily stopped to give a curved portion to the sheet, and after a second predetermined time (T = T ₂ ) has elapsed, the sheet discharge is restarted. And a punch roller for punching a sheet having a curved portion after a first predetermined time (T = T ₁ ) and before a second predetermined time (T = T ₂ ). 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The user sets a first predetermined time (T = T ₁ )
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the degree of bending of the bending portion can be adjusted by selecting (b).