JP2002211837A - Sheet post-processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a sheet loading capacity on an ejected paper tray and simplify a paper ejecting structure in a sheet post-processor having a direct paper ejection mode and post-processing paper ejection mode. SOLUTION: First detecting means for detecting an uppermost surface of sheets contained in the ejected paper tray are placed in the vicinity of a first ejection opening portion for ejecting a paper in the direct paper ejection mode. Second detecting means for detecting an uppermost surface of a sheet bundle are placed in the vicinity of a second ejection opening portion for ejecting the sheet bundle made in the post-processing paper ejection mode. When by lowering the ejected paper tray, the uppermost surface of the sheets ejected form the first ejection opening portion and loaded in the ejected paper tray moves to the vicinity of the second ejection opening portion, the top surface of the sheets is detected by the second detecting means, and when by raising the ejected paper tray, the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle ejected from the second ejection opening portion and loaded in the ejected paper tray moves to the vicinity of the first ejection opening portion, the top surface of the sheet bundle is detected by the first detecting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing such as stapling or gluing on an image-formed sheet discharged from the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet post-processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, post-processing, such as gluing or stapling, is performed on a predetermined position of a sheet on which an image is recorded by the main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral thereof, thereby binding a book. A sheet post-processing apparatus is provided.

[0003] As a sheet post-processing apparatus for performing a gluing process, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-500907 has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-48550 and 9-48557 disclose a sheet stacking apparatus for storing sheets discharged from a sheet post-processing apparatus for performing staple binding processing.
And JP-A-9-48560 and JP-A-9-48551.

[0005]

The conventional sheet post-processing apparatus has the following problems.

(First Problem) In a sheet post-processing apparatus in which post-processed sheets are discharged from a discharge port and stored in a plurality of discharge trays, the sheets are sequentially transferred from an upper discharge tray to a lower discharge tray. After loading the maximum amount of sheets on a certain output tray, move the output tray above the output port, and move the lower output tray to below the output port. Need to raise.

However, when a plurality of stacked paper trays are moved, means for retracting the actuators of a plurality of sensors for detecting sheet height when the paper tray is moved up and down is required, and the structure becomes complicated. There was a problem.

(Second problem) When the paper discharge tray is moved up and down, a shielding member is moved to make the discharge port openable and closable, and the sheet on the paper discharge tray is prevented from entering the discharge port. In the post-processing device, when the position of the lower surface of the discharged sheet changes according to the number of sheets, the distance from the upper surface of the lower discharge roller changes, and the discharging operation becomes unstable.

(Third Problem) A sheet for moving a shielding member when opening and closing a sheet discharge tray so that the discharge port can be opened and closed to prevent sheets on the sheet discharge tray from entering the discharge port. In the post-processing device, when the upper surface position of the lower discharge roller is changed according to the number of sheet bundles, the distance to the sheet upper surface sensor installed at the fixed position changes, and the paper discharging operation becomes unstable.

(Fourth Problem) A sheet discharge receiving member having an abutting surface on the side wall surface of the sheet post-processing device for holding the sheet in contact with the rear end of the sheet stacked on the sheet discharge tray. The sheet receiving member is provided with a large discharge opening through which the post-processed maximum sheet width and the maximum thickness of the sheet bundle can easily pass. The shielding member has a sheet abutting surface that is the same extension plane as the abutting surface of the paper discharge receiving member, and has a cutout portion that allows the shielding member to move maximally. For this reason, the sheet receiving member has a problem in strength due to the perforation of the discharge opening and the notch.

[0011]

The above first object is solved by the following (1).

(1) A first mode in which a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus is introduced, conveyed by a first conveying means, discharged from a first discharge opening, and stored in a vertically movable discharge tray. Introduce the sheet discharged from the device and
A second mode in which the sheet is conveyed by a conveying means to perform sheet post-processing to form a sheet bundle, and then discharged from a second discharge opening and stored in the vertically movable discharge tray. A first detecting means for detecting the uppermost surface of the sheet stored in the sheet discharge tray is disposed near the sheet discharge tray, and a first sheet detecting means of the sheet bundle stored in the sheet discharge tray is disposed near the second discharge opening. A second detection means for detecting an upper surface is provided, and when the sheet discharge tray is lowered, the uppermost surface of the sheet discharged from the first discharge opening and stacked on the sheet discharge tray is positioned at the second discharge opening. When the sheet is moved to the vicinity, the upper surface of the sheet is detected by the second detecting means, and the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle discharged from the second discharge opening and stacked on the sheet discharge tray due to the rise of the sheet discharge tray. When the upper surface moves near the first discharge opening,
A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the first detecting means detects an upper surface of a sheet bundle.

The second problem described above is as follows (2),
(3) is solved. (2) Introduce the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus,
In the sheet post-processing apparatus, after performing a sheet post-processing to form a sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is sandwiched between a pair of discharge rollers, discharged from a discharge opening, and stored in a vertically movable discharge tray. A sheet post-processing device wherein the lower discharge roller of the discharge roller can be variably moved in the vertical direction according to the number of sheets.

(3) The sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is introduced, the sheet is post-processed to form a sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is pinched by a pair of discharge rollers and discharged from a discharge opening. In a sheet post-processing device that is housed in a paper tray that can be lifted and lowered, the uppermost surface of a sheet bundle that is housed in the paper tray is detected by a detection unit, and the sheet is discharged regardless of the number of sheets of the sheet bundle that is discharged. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising a control unit for keeping a top surface of a sheet bundle stored in a plate at a fixed position with respect to a lower discharge roller.

The above-mentioned third problem is solved by the following (4). (4) Introduce the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus,
A sheet post-processing device that performs sheet post-processing to form a sheet bundle, and then holds the sheet bundle by a pair of discharge rollers and discharges the sheet bundle from a discharge opening, and stores the sheet bundle in a vertically movable discharge tray. A movable discharge receiving member movable to an open position and a closed position of the unit, first driving means for driving the movable discharge receiving member to move up and down, and a rotatable support for the movable discharge receiving member for discharging. A lower discharge roller for holding the lower surface of the sheet bundle to be driven, a second driving unit for rotating and driving the lower discharge roller, and a movable sheet receiving member which moves up and down independently of the sheet bundle to be discharged. An upper discharge roller for pressing the upper surface, a detection unit attached to the movable discharge receiving member for detecting the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle stored in the discharge tray, and a third drive for driving the discharge tray up and down Means and said first drive And a control unit for controlling the driving of the second drive unit and the third drive unit, wherein the detection unit detects an uppermost surface of the sheet bundle stored in the sheet discharge tray, and the control unit includes: The first drive unit is driven in accordance with the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to raise and lower the lower discharge roller, and the lower surface of the sheet bundle discharged from the lower discharge roller is placed on the discharge tray. A sheet post-processing device that controls the distance between the sheet bundle and the uppermost surface of the placed sheet bundle to be kept constant.

The above-mentioned fourth problem is solved by the following (5). (5) Introduce the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus,
A first mode in which the sheet is conveyed by the first conveyance unit and is discharged from the first discharge opening and stored in a vertically movable discharge tray, and a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is introduced and conveyed by the second conveyance unit A second mode in which a sheet bundle is produced by performing sheet post-processing and then discharged from a second discharge opening and housed in the vertically movable discharge tray; and a sheet placed on the discharge tray Alternatively, a fixed discharge receiving member having an abutting surface with which the rear end of the sheet bundle abuts, a movable discharge receiving member movable to a position where the second discharge opening is opened and a position closed, and A plurality of paper ejection butting members fixed to a paper receiving member and having a sheet abutting surface flush with the abutting surface of the fixed paper ejection receiving member. A discharge opening, and the discharge sheet abutment below the second discharge opening. To expose the sheet abutting surface of the member, the sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized in that bored a plurality of long holes which can move up and down.

(6) The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention introduces and conveys the sheet discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus, discharges the sheet from the first discharge port, and places the sheet on a discharge tray that can be moved up and down. The first conveying path and the introduced sheet are branched and conveyed from the first conveying path, and a glue applying section is formed at the side edge of the sheet by the glue discharging means, and the sheet is aligned, and the glue applying section is added. And a second conveyance path for discharging the produced booklet from the second discharge port by performing the pressure treatment and placing the booklet on the discharge tray, and further comprising the steps (1) to (5). A detecting means, a driving means, or a paper discharge receiving member according to any one of the preceding claims.

(7) The image forming apparatus of the present invention performs post-processing on an image forming apparatus main body including an image writing unit, an image forming unit, and a sheet conveying device, and a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body. (1) wherein the image forming apparatus includes a sheet post-processing device that discharges the sheet to a discharge tray.
A sheet post-processing device according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a glue binding apparatus as an embodiment of a sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention and an image forming apparatus provided with the glue binding apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

(One Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body A, an image reading apparatus B, and a glue binding apparatus (sheet post-processing apparatus) C.

The image forming apparatus main body A includes a charging means 2, an image exposing means (writing means) 3, a developing means 4, and a transferring means 5 around a rotating image carrier (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive body) 1.
A, the charge removing means 5B, the separating claw 5C, and the cleaning means 6 are arranged, and the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is uniformly charged by the charging means 2 and thereafter, the image read from the original by the laser beam of the image exposing means 3 A latent image is formed by performing laser beam scanning based on the data, and the latent image is reversely developed by the developing unit 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 1.

On the other hand, the transfer sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet) S fed from the sheet storage means 7A is sent to a transfer position. At the transfer position, the toner image is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer unit 5A. Thereafter, the sheet S is erased from the photoreceptor 1 by the separation claw 5C, and the sheet S is conveyed by the intermediate conveyance unit 7B.
Subsequently, the sheet is heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8,
Discharged by C.

When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, the sheet S heated and fixed by the fixing means 8 is branched from a normal discharge path by a transfer path switching plate 7D, and is switched back in a reverse transfer 7E. After the sheet is turned upside down, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus by the sheet discharge roller 7C. The sheet S discharged from the discharge roller 7C is bonded to the glue binding apparatus C.
Is sent to the receiving section.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 after image processing is removed by the cleaning means 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C, and the surface is prepared for the next image formation.

An image reading device B provided with an automatic document feeder of a document moving type reading system is installed above the image forming device main body A.

The glue binding apparatus C includes a direct discharge means 10 at the uppermost stage, a horizontal transfer means 20, a direction change transfer means 30, a stacking means 40, a discharge means 50, a discharge means 60,
The sheet feeding system includes a cover sheet feeding unit 70, and a glue applying device including a glue discharging unit 80 and a glue supplying unit 81.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the glue binding apparatus C. The sheet S introduced into the receiving unit 11 is the switching plate 1
According to 2, the selection is made to either the direct sheet discharging means 10 or the horizontal conveying means 20.

(Discharge directly to the fixed discharge tray 16 at the top of the apparatus)
The sheet S directly introduced into the sheet discharging means 10 is conveyed upward, is sandwiched by conveying rollers 13 and 14, and is
5 discharges the paper onto the fixed paper discharge tray 16.

(Shift processing or non-sorted large-volume discharge, discharge to elevating discharge tray 63) When this transport mode is set,
The switching plate 12 directly closes the transport path of the sheet discharging means 10,
The transport path of the horizontal transport unit 20 is opened to allow the sheet S to pass.

Sheet S introduced into horizontal transport means 20
The sheet S, which is nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 21, 22, 23, and 24, and is not subjected to the glue coating process, is nipped by the first discharge roller 61 via a shift means (not shown).
The paper is discharged from the first discharge opening 62 (straight / shift discharge port) onto the elevating paper discharge tray 63 outside the machine (first transport path).

A first discharge opening 62 is provided in the elevating discharge tray 63.
The sheets S discharged from the printer are stacked, and a maximum of 3000 sheets S can be accommodated by the vertical drive.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the glue binding apparatus C, and FIG. 4 is a plan view. FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views illustrating the sheet conveying path and the glue application process during the glue application process.

When the mode is set to the glue binding process, the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A is transported by the transport roller 21 driven and rotated by the motor M1. -24 to be conveyed. When the leading end of the sheet S comes into contact with the abutting member 25, the driving of the motor M1 is stopped, and the conveying roller 21 is stopped.
24 are retracted upward from the sheet surface, the bending of the sheet S is corrected, and positioning in the transport direction is performed (first transport path in the X1 direction in FIG. 2). After the stop of the sheet S, the pressing of the conveying rollers 22 to 24 is released.

Thereafter, the sheet S is nipped by conveying rollers 31 and 32 driven and rotated by a driving source (not shown),
The paper is conveyed in the conveyance direction deflected by 90 degrees (the second conveyance path in the Y1 direction in FIG. 3). Sheet S continues to be transported by roller 3
Loading means 4 which is conveyed by U-turn while being sandwiched by
0 (third transport path in the Z direction in FIG. 3).

Cover Cover Feeding Unit Below the glue binding apparatus C, a two-stage cover sheet feeding unit 70 is provided.
Is arranged. The cover sheet feeding means 70 includes a sheet feeding cassette 71, a sheet feeding member 72, a sheet feeding path 73, a conveying roller 74,
75. The cover sheet K (see FIG. 2) accommodated in the paper feed cassette 71 is fed out by the paper feed member 72, passed through the paper feed path 73, and nipped by the transport rollers 74 and 75. Conveyed first
It is introduced into the transport rollers 21 of the transport path. The cover sheet K introduced into the first transport path is subjected to a glue binding process as a front cover, a back cover, or an intermediate sheet of a plurality of sheets S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A.

Glue coating process on the sheet The glue coating device comprises a glue discharging means 80, a glue supplying means 81, and a supply pipe 8 for supplying the glue in the glue supplying means 81 to the glue discharging means 80.
Consists of two. The glue discharging means 80 sends the supplied glue to the nozzle 8
Discharge from 3.

The glue discharging means 80 includes conveying rollers 31 to 34
Discharges glue in a linear or intermittent broken line shape on one side edge of the sheet S traveling from the second transport path in the Y1 direction to the third transport path in the Z direction. N is formed (see FIG. 5).

The glue used in the embodiment of the present invention is a vinyl acetate adhesive having a viscosity of 750 to 1500 m at room temperature.
Pa · s.

Sheet loading, alignment, and pressure processing The first sheet S on which the glue application processing is not performed is transported by the transport roller 3
The sheets are nipped and conveyed by 3 and 34, conveyed to a fourth conveying path in the Y2 direction, and placed on the sheet stacking table 41. Subsequent 2
The subsequent sheets S on which the glue application processing has been performed are transported by the transport rollers 3
The sheet is conveyed in the Y2 direction by being pinched and transported by the sheets 3 and 34 and is stacked on the preceding sheet S on the sheet stacking table 41.

That is, the leading end of the sheet S nipped and conveyed by the conveying rollers 34 is gripped by the gripper means 43 held by the rotating endless belt 42, and conveyed above the sheet stacking table 41 in the Y2 direction. Is done. The pressing means 44 held by the moving gripper means 43 is
The back side of the glue application portion N forming surface of the preceding sheet bundle placed on 1 is pressed and moved to ensure the adhesion between the sheets. The leading end of the sheet S gripped by the gripper means 43 contacts the leading end stopper 45 and the leading end is aligned. The leading end stopper 45 can be moved by a driving unit (not shown), and stops at a predetermined position according to the size setting of the sheet S. The trailing edge of the sheet S is movably driven by the trailing edge aligning and pressing means 46 which is movably driven to align the trailing edge of the sheet and press the upper surface of the trailing edge of the sheet. Both end portions of the sheet S are positioned by the side end stopper 47 and an unillustrated aligning means. The alignment and positioning of the leading end, the trailing end, and both side ends of the sheet S are performed before the pressing process by the pressing unit 44. The pressing process of the sheet S by the pressing unit 44 may be performed each time the second and subsequent sheets S are placed on the sheet stacking table 41. Alternatively, the pressing process may be performed each time a plurality of sheets S are stacked.

Through the above-mentioned steps, one book bound by gluing is completed. In this glue binding apparatus C, for example,
A maximum of 200 sheets S can be glued and bound.

(Sheet Bundle Discharge) A driving roller 51 and a driven roller 5
A plurality of discharge belts 53 wound around 2 are rotatably arranged. The motor M2 drives and rotates the drive roller 51, and rotates the discharge belt 53.

The sheet bundle Sa on which the last sheet S is stacked on the sheet stacking table 41, is subjected to pressure processing, and is glued and bound, is discharged from the rear end portion of the sheet bundle Sa by the discharge claw 53 a of the discharge belt 53. The sheet is held, slides on the mounting surface of the sheet stacking table 41, and is nipped by a second discharge roller 64 provided at a second discharge opening (sheet bundle discharge port) 65 of the sheet discharge means 60, and is lifted and lowered. The sheet is discharged and stacked on the paper plate 63 (the fifth conveyance path in the X2 direction). Prior to the paper discharging process, the pressing means 4
4 and the side end stopper 47 are retracted above the transport path.

A second discharge opening 65 is provided in the elevating discharge tray 63.
Can be stacked, and a large amount of the sheet bundle Sa can be accommodated by the elevation drive.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the drive for raising and lowering the discharge tray 63. As shown in FIG.

The motor M3 installed near the bottom of the glue binding apparatus C is driven by a drive pulley 68 via a reduction gear train g1.
A, the driving pulley 68A and the driven pulley 68A
B is wound around the wire 66. Wire 6
6, the base of the elevating discharge tray 63 is fixed by a locking member 67, and the base of the elevating discharge tray 63 is fixed by the locking member 67. The forward / downward discharge tray 63 connected to the wire 66 that is rotated by the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M <b> 3 moves up and down along the guide rail 69.

(Detection of the Position of the Discharge Plate) FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the upper limit position of the elevating discharge tray 63 in the straight discharge mode or the shift discharge mode.

The sheet S discharged from the first discharge opening 62 and the sheet bundle S discharged from the second discharge opening 65
A first sensor PS1 of a photo-interrupter type and an actuator 602 that is swingably supported are arranged above the fixed paper discharge receiving member 601 with which the respective rear ends of the members a contact.

When the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is driven upward, one end 602A of the actuator 602 is moved to the upper surface of the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 or the sheet S placed on the ascending / descending sheet tray 63.
8A in contact with the upper surface of the first sensor PS1, the rear end portion 602B of the actuator 602 shields the light detecting portion of the first sensor PS1 to be in the detection state, and stops driving of the lifting and lowering discharge tray 63. . The stop position of the elevating sheet tray 63 is determined by the upper surface of the elevating sheet tray 63 or the upper surface of the sheet S placed on the elevating sheet tray 63.
1A is a position where it comes into pressure contact with a predetermined pressure. In this state, the rotating sponge roller 61 </ b> A
The sheet S placed thereon is always pressed against the sheet S with a predetermined pressure, and the sheet S is abutted against the fixed sheet receiving member 601 to align the rear end. Reference numeral 61B denotes an upper roller which is pressed against the sponge roller 61A and is driven to rotate.

Every time a predetermined number of sheets S are discharged, the operation of lowering the elevating discharge tray 63 by a predetermined amount and then raising the same is repeated, thereby increasing the number of sheets S stacked on the elevating discharge tray 63. As a result, the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is driven to descend, and the top surface of the sheets S stacked on the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is detected and controlled by the first sensor PS1 and the actuator 602, so that the upper surface is always at a constant top surface height. Held
The sponge roller 61 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sponge roller 61A with a predetermined pressure.

FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing the upper limit position of the elevating and lowering discharge tray 63 in the glue application processing mode.

In the vicinity of the second discharge opening 65 for discharging the sheet bundle Sa subjected to the glue application processing, a vertically movable discharge guide means 610 is provided so as to be vertically movable. Above the movable frame 611 of the paper discharge guide means 610, a lower discharge roller 64A connected to the driving means is supported. The movable frame 611 includes a photo-interrupter type second sensor PS2.
And an actuator 612 that can swing.

FIG. 8 (b) shows that the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is driven up and the tip 612A of the actuator 612 is in contact with the upper surface of the glue-coated sheet bundle Sa placed on the ascending / descending sheet tray 63. In the state shown in FIG.
The rear end portion 612B opens the light detecting portion of the second sensor PS2 to be in the switch-off state, and stops the drive of the elevating sheet discharge tray 63. The stop position of the lifting / lowering discharge tray 63 is such that the sheet bundle Sa placed on the lifting / lowering discharge tray 63 is
This is a position having an interval that does not make contact with 4A.

In this state, the lower discharge roller 64A
The sheet bundle Sa discharged by being pressed against the upper discharge roller 64B is placed on the elevating sheet discharge tray 63, and the rear end of the sheet bundle Sa comes into contact with the fixed sheet discharge receiving member 601 and stops and is aligned at the rear end. You. Each time one sheet bundle Sa is discharged, the operation of lowering the elevating discharge tray 63 by a predetermined amount and then raising the same is repeated, so that the sheet bundle S stacked on the elevating discharge tray 63 is repeated.
As the number of “a” increases, the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is driven to descend, and the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle Sa stacked on the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 becomes the second sensor PS2 and the actuator 612.
, And is always kept at a constant interval.

(Large Sheet Discharge to the Elevating Discharge Tray) FIG. 9
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet discharging means showing a state in which a large amount of sheets S are discharged to the elevating sheet discharging tray 63 and stacked.

When a large number of sheets S discharged from the first discharge opening 62 are discharged and stacked on the elevating discharge tray 63, the elevating discharge tray 63 is lowered according to the signal of the first sensor PS1. Go on. The rear end portion of the sheet S on the elevating sheet tray 63 also comes into contact with the fixed sheet receiving member 601 and descends, and passes through the second discharge opening 65. The second discharge opening 65 is previously held in a closed state by a movable discharge receiving member 613 in a state shown in FIG. 11 described later, and is disposed on the same surface as the fixed discharge receiving member 601. The end does not enter the second discharge opening 65, and the movable discharge receiving member 6
13 descends along the surface. The lowering of the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 is stopped when the lower limit is detected by the third sensor PS3.

(Discharge Guide) FIG. 10 is a front view of the fixed discharge receiving member 601. FIG.

The fixed sheet receiving member 601 has a sheet bundle S
A second discharge opening 65 that discharges a, and a plurality of slits 603a and 603b that allow the movable discharge receiving member 613 shown in FIGS. Second
The discharge opening 65 and the plurality of slits 603 are separated by a bridge 606. The second discharge opening 65 and the plurality of slits 603 are not connected to each other, but are separated by the bridge 606 to maintain the strength of the fixed discharge receiving member 601.

The height of the second discharge opening 65 has a height that covers the distance that the sheet bundle Sa having the maximum thickness easily passes and that the lower discharge roller 64A described later moves up and down.

A groove 60 is provided above the second discharge opening 65.
4a is a groove 604b below the second discharge opening 65.
Is provided. These grooves 604a, 604b
Is fitted with a protrusion provided at the rear end of the elevating sheet discharge tray 63. The engagement between the grooves 604a and 604b and the protrusion prevents the sheet S and the sheet bundle Sa from falling between the elevating sheet discharge tray 63 and the fixed sheet discharge receiving member 601. The grooves 604a and 604b are provided in the fixed sheet receiving member 60.
1 is also effective for reinforcement. Also, the slit portion 603a,
The periphery of 603b is also drawn and reinforced so as to be concave.

The sheet S discharged from the first discharge opening 62 and the sheet bundle Sa discharged from the second discharge opening 65 are provided above and below the second discharge opening 65 shown in FIG. A sheet abutting surface 607 is formed to contact the rear end of the sheet.

FIG. 11A is a front sectional view of the sheet discharge guide means 610, FIG. 11B is an exploded sectional view of the sheet discharge guide means 610, and FIG. 11C is a right side view of the movable sheet discharge receiving member 613. FIG.

The paper discharge guide means 610 includes the movable frame 61
1, an actuator 612, a movable discharge receiving member 613,
It comprises a pin 614 and a second sensor PS2.

A lower discharge roller 64A of the second discharge roller 64 is rotatably supported above the movable frame 611. A pin 614 is rotatably supported below the movable frame 611 (see FIGS. 8, 11, and 12).

The leading end 612 A of a shape protruding above the actuator 612 rotatably supported on the shaft 615 of the movable frame 611 is provided with the sheet S placed on the elevating sheet discharge tray 63 and the sheet bundle Sa. Contact the top surface. A rear end portion 612B below the actuator 612 turns on and off the detection optical path of the photointerrupter type second sensor PS2.

The upper end portion 613A of the movable discharge receiving member 613
The lower end 613B is fixed to the movable frame 611. The outer surface of the flat portion 613C of the movable discharge receiving member 613 and the outer surface of the fixed discharge receiving member 601 are arranged on the same plane.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the sheet discharging means near the second discharge opening. The motor M4 rotates the drive pulley 616A forward / reverse via the reduction gear train g2. The belt 617 wound around the driving pulley 616A is
B, 616C is rotated forward and reverse. A lever 618B fixed to the driven pulley 616B is connected to a connected crank 619.
B is rotated. One end of the crank 619B is engaged with the shaft of the pin 614. Lever 618C connected to driven pulley 616C, crank 619C, pin 61
4 also has the same configuration as the above-described lever 618B, crank 619B, and pin 614.

When the lever 618B and the lever 618C rotate in the direction shown by the one-dot chain line in the drawing, the crank 619B,
The crank 619C is swung to push up the pin 614,
The movable frame 611 supporting the pin 614 is pushed up vertically upward along the two guide bars 620. Movable frame 61
The lower discharge roller 64A supported by the first roller 1 also moves up. The lower discharge roller 64A is connected to the belts b1 and b2 from the motor M5.
Is driven and rotated.

The rotating shaft of the upper discharge roller 64B is supported so as to be able to move up and down along two guide bars 621.
22 to move the upper discharge roller 64B to the booklet Sa.
Is pressed against the upper surface of.

The motor M6 rotates the rotation shaft 623 by the reduction gear train g3, swings the lever 624, pulls up the two suspension rods 625, and supports and raises the rotation shaft of the upper discharge roller 64B.

The upper discharge roller 64B is lowered when the sheet bundle Sa does not pass, but is pulled up by the drive of the motor M6 prior to the passage of the sheet bundle Sa, and immediately after the leading end of the sheet bundle Sa passes. The sheet bundle Sa is lowered by the reverse rotation drive of the motor M6 and is urged by the spring 622 to press the upper surface of the sheet bundle Sa in pressure and discharge the sheet bundle Sa in cooperation with the lower discharge roller 64A.

FIG. 13 shows that the paper ejection guide means 610
It is sectional drawing which shows the process which changes the discharge opening part 65 from an open state to a closed state.

FIG. 13A shows an initial state in which the paper discharge guide means 610 is at the lowered position and the movable paper discharge receiving member 613 has fully opened the second discharge opening 65. In this fully opened state, the maximum number of sheets, for example, 200 sheets bundle Sa can be discharged.

FIG. 13B shows an intermediate position in which the paper discharge guide means 610 has risen from the lowered position and the movable paper discharge receiving member 613 has the second discharge opening 65 in a half open state. At this intermediate position, the intermediate or small number of sheet bundles Sa are discharged.

FIG. 13C shows a state in which the paper discharge guide means 610 is at the upper limit position where it is raised and the second discharge opening 65 is closed. In this closed state, the elevating discharge tray 63 loaded with the sheets S discharged from the first discharge opening 62
When the sheet S descends, the trailing end of the sheet S comes into contact with the fixed sheet ejection receiving member 601 and descends. When the sheet S reaches the second ejection opening 65, the movable ejection tray closed with the second ejection opening 65 closed. Member 6
13 is in contact with the surface.

FIG. 14A is a sectional view of the sheet discharging means in a state of discharging a large number of sheet bundles Sa, and FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the sheet discharging means in a state of discharging a small number of sheet bundles Sa. It is sectional drawing. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the control of the glue binding apparatus C.

After the gluing process, the sheet bundle Sa can be moved up and down in a state where the height of the upper surface U of the sheet bundle Sa produced by the alignment and pressurization processing is kept constant regardless of the number of sheets. The sheet is slid on the sheet stacking table 41 and discharged. Accordingly, the position of the lower surface L of the sheet bundle Sa on the sheet stacking table 41 moves up and down depending on the number of the sheet bundle Sa (see FIG. 3).

In FIG. 12, an encoder disk 616D is fixed to the rotation shaft of the driving pulley 616A, and the position is detected by the third sensor PS3. When the drive pulley 616A is rotated by the drive of the motor M4 and the paper ejection guide means 610 is driven up and down, the position of the notch of the rotating encoder disk 616D is detected by the fourth sensor PS4, and the paper ejection guide means 610 is detected. Is stopped at a predetermined position by the control means 9.

When the sheet bundle Sa discharged from the second discharge opening 65 is stacked on the elevating sheet discharge tray 63, the sheet discharge guide means 610 is controlled by the encoder disk according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle Sa subjected to the gluing process. 616D, 4th sensor PS
4, the lower surface L of the sheet bundle Sa to be discharged, and the ascending / descending sheet tray 63 by the actuator 612 of the sheet ejection guide means 610.
Is always substantially constant. As a result, stable paper discharge is possible.

The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the glue binding apparatus C, but also includes a post-processing apparatus for performing a staple binding process.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof. After the desired digital processing is performed by the image forming apparatus, and after the processing such as single-sided recording, double-sided recording, and page editing, the discharged sheet S is subjected to sheet post-processing by the image forming apparatus including the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention. Is performed accurately and efficiently, and a booklet is produced.

The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention can be formed as an independent apparatus, and post-processing can be performed on a sheet processed by another image forming apparatus to produce a booklet.

[0083]

As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by the sheet post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

(1) The sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has two sheet discharge openings and one elevating discharge tray, and is capable of handling a large number of sheets in the straight / shift discharge mode. And the discharge of the booklet in the sheet post-processing discharge mode can be stacked on one elevating discharge tray, which is effective for increasing the sheet stacking capacity and simplifying the discharge structure. is there.

(2) Even if the position of the lower surface of the sheet bundle changes according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to be post-processed and discharged by the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the lower side Since the discharge roller moves while keeping a certain distance from the upper surface position of the elevating discharge tray, stable sheet bundle discharge is possible.

(3) With the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, when the lower discharge roller moves according to the number of sheets in the sheet bundle, the second sensor moves the fixed distance from the lower discharge roller. , And the upper surface of the sheet bundle discharged onto the elevating discharge tray is always at the same position with respect to the lower discharge roller, so that stable sheet bundle discharge is possible.

(4) According to the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, the slit portion for movably guiding the sheet discharge guide means for opening and closing the second discharge opening for discharging the sheet bundle is provided. Since the fixed discharge receiving member having the second discharge opening is secured separately from the second discharge opening, the strength is secured.

(5) The sheet post-processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is particularly effective as a sheet discharging means applied to a glue binding apparatus.

(6) With the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, stable sheet post-processing is performed on a large number of sheets continuously discharged from the image forming apparatus main body at a high speed. Thus, a large number of sheet bundles can be stably manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus main body, an image reading device, and a glue binding device.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the glue binding apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a sheet conveying path and a glue application process during the glue application process.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a sheet conveying path and a glue application process during the glue application process.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the elevation drive of the elevation tray.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an upper limit position of a lifting and lowering discharge tray in a straight / shift discharge mode and a glue application processing mode.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet discharging means showing a state in which a large number of sheets are discharged and stacked on an elevating sheet discharging tray.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a fixed sheet ejection receiving member.

FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view and an exploded cross-sectional view of the paper discharge guide means,
5 is a right side view of the movable paper discharge receiving member. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a sheet discharging unit near a second discharge opening.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which the paper discharge guide unit shifts a second discharge opening from an open state to a closed state.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet discharging unit in a state of discharging a large number of sheet bundles and a small number of sheet bundles.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating control of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 9 control means 40 stacking means 41 sheet stacking table 50 discharge means 60 discharge means 61 first discharge roller 62 first discharge opening (straight / shift discharge port) 63 elevating discharge tray 64 second discharge roller 64A lower discharge roller 64B Upper discharge roller 65 Second discharge opening (sheet bundle discharge port) 80 Glue discharge means 601 Fixed discharge receiving member 603 Slit section 606 Bridge section 610 Discharge guide means 611 Movable frame 612 Actuator 613 Movable discharge receiving member 616D Encoder disk A Image forming apparatus main body C Glue binding apparatus K Cover sheet L Lower surface M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6 Motor PS1 First sensor PS2 Second sensor PS3 Third sensor PS4 Fourth sensor S Transfer paper (sheet ) Sa sheet bundle (booklet)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534 (72) Inventor Katsunori Takahashi 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica shares In-company (72) Inventor Toshitaka Matsumoto 3-51-4 Kanamecho, Toshima-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2H072 AA07 AA17 AA21 CA01 CB01 FB01 FB09 GA09 JA02 JA04 3F048 AA02 AA05 AB01 BA04 BA23 BB05 CB12 DA09 DB01 DC05 EB40 3F049 AA10 CA31 DA12 LA02 LA07 LA14 LB03 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC05 BA04 BB04 BD02 BD06 BF07 BF21 CA11 CA15 CA23 CA33 DA01 DA13 3F108 GA02 GA03 GB01 HA02 HA13

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first mode in which a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus is introduced, conveyed by first conveying means, discharged from a first discharge opening, and stored in a vertically movable discharge tray, and an image forming apparatus. A second mode in which the sheet discharged from the second feeding unit is introduced, conveyed by a second conveying unit, subjected to sheet post-processing to form a sheet bundle, and then discharged from the second discharge opening and stored in the vertically movable discharge tray. And a first detecting means for detecting an uppermost surface of a sheet accommodated in the sheet discharge tray is disposed near the first discharge opening, and the first detecting means is disposed near the second discharge opening. A second detection unit for detecting the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle accommodated in the sheet discharge tray is provided, and the sheet discharged from the first discharge opening and stacked on the sheet discharge tray when the sheet discharge tray is lowered. When the uppermost surface of the sensor moves to the vicinity of the second discharge opening, the second detection The upper surface of the sheet is detected by the means, and the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle discharged from the second discharge opening and stacked on the discharge tray is raised by the elevation of the discharge tray. A sheet post-processing device, wherein the upper surface of the sheet bundle is detected by the first detecting means when the sheet is moved to the vicinity. 2. A sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is introduced, a sheet bundle is prepared by performing sheet post-processing, and the sheet bundle is pinched by a pair of discharge rollers, discharged from a discharge opening, and moved up and down. In the sheet post-processing apparatus that can be accommodated in a discharge tray, a lower discharge roller of the discharge roller can be variably moved in a vertical direction according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle. Processing equipment. 3. A sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is introduced, a sheet bundle is produced by performing sheet post-processing, and the sheet bundle is pinched by a pair of discharge rollers, discharged from a discharge opening, and moved up and down. In a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of storing sheets in a discharge tray, the uppermost surface of a sheet bundle stored in the discharge tray is detected by a detection unit, and the discharge tray is detected regardless of the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to be discharged. A sheet post-processing apparatus having control means for keeping the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle stored in the sheet bundle at a fixed position with respect to the lower discharge roller. 4. A sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is introduced, and a sheet bundle is prepared by performing a sheet post-processing, and the sheet bundle is nipped by a pair of discharge rollers, discharged from a discharge opening, and moved up and down. In a sheet post-processing apparatus accommodated in a discharge tray, a movable discharge receiving member movable to an open position and a closed position of the discharge opening, and a first drive for driving the movable discharge receiving member up and down Means, a lower discharge roller rotatably supported by the movable discharge receiving member and holding a lower surface of a sheet bundle to be discharged, second driving means for rotating and driving the lower discharge roller, An upper discharge roller which moves up and down independently of the paper receiving member and presses the upper surface of the discharged sheet bundle, and an uppermost surface of the sheet bundle attached to the movable discharge receiving member and accommodated in the discharge tray. Detecting means for detecting, A third drive unit for driving the paper ejection tray up and down; and a control unit for controlling the driving of the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the third drive unit. Detecting the uppermost surface of the sheet bundle accommodated in the sheet bundle, the control means drives the first drive means in accordance with the number of sheets of the sheet bundle to raise and lower the lower discharge roller, and A sheet post-processing device that controls a distance between a lower surface of a sheet bundle discharged from a roller and an uppermost surface of a sheet bundle placed on the sheet discharge tray to be constant. 5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an upper discharge roller that opposes the lower discharge roller and presses the upper surface of the discharged sheet bundle. 6. A first mode in which a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus is introduced, conveyed by a first conveying means, discharged from a first discharge opening, and stored in a vertically movable discharge tray, and an image forming apparatus. A second mode in which the sheet discharged from the second feeding unit is introduced, conveyed by a second conveying unit, subjected to sheet post-processing to form a sheet bundle, and then discharged from the second discharge opening and stored in the vertically movable discharge tray. A fixed discharge receiving member having an abutting surface with which a rear end of a sheet or a bundle of sheets placed on the discharge tray abuts, and an open position of the second discharge opening. A movable paper ejection receiving member movable to a closed position, and a plurality of paper ejection buttresses fixed to the movable paper ejection receiving member and having a sheet abutting surface flush with the abutting surface of the fixed paper ejection receiving member. A fixed discharge receiving member. A discharge opening and a plurality of long holes that allow the sheet abutting surface of the paper discharge abutting member to be exposed and movable up and down below the second discharge opening are provided. Sheet post-processing equipment. 7. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is introduced and conveyed, discharged from a first discharge port, and placed on a vertically movable discharge tray. Path, the introduced sheet is branched and transported from the first transport path, and a glue applying unit is formed at a side edge of the sheet by the glue discharging unit, and the sheet aligning process and the pressing process of the glue applying unit are performed. And discharging the produced booklet from the second outlet,
A second transport path placed on the paper discharge tray; and
A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: the detection unit, the driving unit, and the sheet discharge receiving member according to claim 1. 8. An image forming apparatus main body comprising an image writing means, an image forming means, and a sheet conveying device, and after a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is subjected to post-processing and discharged to a sheet discharge tray. An image forming apparatus comprising a processing device, comprising the sheet post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.