JP2003002510A - Sheet-like medium post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a stapled sheet bundle from wrinkling or breaking caused by a returning means in a sheet-like medium post-processing device with the returning means to be brought into contact with or separated from a sheet-like medium delivered on a stacking means for adjusting the sheet-like medium by sending the sheet-like medium in the direction facing a standing wall and making the sheet-like medium abut on the standing wall while the returning means is in contact with the just delivered sheet-like medium. SOLUTION: When the sheet-like medium delivered from a delivery means 3 is a sheet-like medium bundle stapled by a staple means 11, the returning means 121 is held in the state separated from the top face of the sheet-like medium bundle delivered on a tray 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped medium post-processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conveying means for conveying a sheet-like medium received from an image forming apparatus, means for aligning and stapling a plurality of sheet-like mediums successively conveyed by the conveying means, and conveying means for conveying the sheet-like medium. Sheet-shaped medium and a discharging means for discharging the sheet-shaped medium bundle stapled by the stapling means, a stacking means for stacking the sheet-shaped medium discharged by the discharging means, and a sheet-shape discharged on the stacking means There is known a sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus that includes a returning unit that feeds the medium and abuts against the standing wall to align the medium.

For example, in FIG. 22, a pair of rollers, a lower roller 3a and an upper roller 3b, discharges from a discharge roller 3 as a discharging means toward a tray 12 as a stacking means in a discharging direction a. The sheet S1, which is a sheet-like medium,
Since there is variation in the landing position on the tray 12, the rear end of the tray 12 is abutted against the standing wall (hereinafter referred to as an end fence) 131 by its own weight by using the inclination of the tray 12 to align the paper. Depending on the type of paper, or the paper may not return to the end fence due to curling of the paper, the consistency of the end portion in the discharge direction a may deteriorate. To solve this problem, a returning means is provided. .

As the returning means, for example, a returning roller is used, which is in contact with the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the tray 12 under its own weight and is rotating while slipping, and the sheet is returned toward the end fence 131 side and thrust. Match by hitting.

However, the known return roller always rotates in contact with the upper surface of the sheet at a fixed position, whereas the drop position of the sheet discharged onto the tray 12, that is, the trailing edge position, varies. Depending on the paper, the trailing edge of the paper cannot be caught by the return roller, and if the paper is curled, the inclination of the tray 12 is relaxed and the paper does not return to the position where it is caught by the return roller. Will not be returned by the return roller and will not be aligned.

Therefore, the present inventor has proposed, as an unknown return means, one which can be brought into and out of contact with the paper on the tray 12 and can be displaced in the discharge direction.

FIG. 23 shows an example thereof. The return roller 121 is near the end fence 131 and is separated from the upper surface of the stacked sheets on the tray 12 by a first position (I) and the first position (I). Between the second position (II), which is a contact position that can always catch the trailing edge of the sheet even if the trailing edge of the sheet discharged onto the tray varies from the downstream side in the discharge direction a. It is configured to be displaceable.

In FIG. 23, the return roller 121 is replaced with the paper S.
The sheet S1 is kept at the first position (I) until it is ejected, and the sheet S1 is dropped onto the stacked sheets on the tray 12 before the first position.
By shifting from the position (I) to the second position (II), the rear end of the sheet S1 is reliably caught and the sheet S1 is
Since the sheet can be abutted against the end fence 131, the sheet can be properly aligned with the end fence 131.

As described above, the conventional paper returning means ejects the paper conveyed to the paper post-processing device to the tray 12 and stacks the paper, and then the return roller 121 installed below the paper ejection roller 3 is used. It was brought into contact with the upper surface of the rear end portion and pulled back and aligned by the rotational force. This pullback alignment operation is performed every time the sheets are discharged and stacked one by one,
Even when a large number of sheets are stacked on the tray 12, the state in which the sheets are stacked in an orderly manner is created.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus having such returning means, in the stipple mode, that is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus, the returning roller is brought into contact with the trailing end of the stapled sheet bundle to pull back the sheet. However, if there is no guarantee that the entire sheet bundle will be pulled back, and conversely, only the sheet in contact with the return roller 121 will be pulled back, and the sheet that has been stapled together with that sheet will remain without being returned. This causes damage in the vicinity of the stipple needle of the paper sheet 121 which is in contact. A specific example is shown below.

In FIG. 24, which shows the tray 12 from above,
Sheet bundle S bound by staple needle 20 at only one place
S1 has been discharged onto the tray 12. Return roller 121
Is composed of a return roller 121a and a return roller 121b, and is connected to a displacement means (not shown). Reference numeral 1200 is a paper surface lever for detecting the height of the tray 12, and the height from the upper surface of the stacked paper to the nip portion of the paper discharge roller 3 is constant even if the paper is stacked by the control using this paper surface lever. It is controlled to be the value of.

In FIG. 24A, the sheet bundle SS1 is the tray 1
Immediately after it has been discharged and dropped onto the second position, the return roller 121 is
Position (I) and is separated from the upper surface of the sheet bundle SS1. In FIG. 24B, the return roller 121 comes into contact with the upper surface of the sheet bundle SS1 on the upstream side in the discharge direction a and rotates in the return direction to pull back only the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle, while Since the sheet of No. 2 does not change its position on the tray 12, a wrinkle 23 is formed at the site of the staple needle 20 of the uppermost sheet, and further rotation of the return roller 121 breaks the uppermost sheet.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus capable of preventing wrinkles and breakage of a sheet-shaped medium bundle by the returning means for a stapled sheet bundle. is there.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following constitution. (1). Conveying means for conveying the sheet-like medium received from the image forming apparatus, means for aligning and stapling a plurality of sheet-like medium sequentially conveyed by the conveying means, sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveying means, and Discharging means for discharging the sheet-like medium bundle stapled by the stapling means, stacking means for stacking the sheet-like media discharged by the discharging means, and contacting and separating from the sheet-like media discharged on the stacking means A sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus comprising a returning means for abutting against the standing wall by feeding the sheet in the direction toward the standing wall under a state of contacting the sheet-shaped medium immediately after discharge,
When the sheet-shaped medium discharged from the discharging unit is a sheet-shaped medium bundle stapled by the stapling unit, the returning unit is controlled so as to maintain a state of being separated from the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium bundle. (Claim 1). (2). In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to (1), the control is performed when there is only one stipple portion of the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle (claim 2). (3). In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to (2), when the number of sheet-shaped mediums forming the bundle is less than a predetermined number, even if the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle has only one stipple portion. Decides to perform the control (claim 3). (4). In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device according to (2), when the size of the sheet-shaped medium forming the bundle does not reach a predetermined size even if the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle has only one stipple portion. Decides to perform the control (claim 4). (5). In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device according to (1), the sheet-shaped medium has at least two stipple points.
When it is a place, after the sheet-shaped medium bundle discharged from the discharging means is stacked on the stacking means, the returning means is brought into contact with the sheet-shaped medium bundle to feed the sheet-shaped medium bundle. It was decided to control so as to apply (claim 5). (6). In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device according to any one of (1) to (5), the returning unit includes a rotating body and has a first position (home position) separated from the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium. It is configured to be movable between a second position downstream of the first position in the discharging direction and capable of contacting the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium (claim 6).

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS There is a sheet-like medium post-processing device for carrying out at least post-processing by stapling on an image-formed sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus. For stapled paper bundles, it is easier to handle when the paper bundles are neatly aligned and stacked on the tray.
Good alignment accuracy is required.

If the sheet bundle has a poor alignment accuracy, it is necessary to manually align the sheet bundle taken out from the tray and then wrap and transport it, or punch it as necessary, and in terms of work efficiency. Waste is generated. For this reason, the upper segment, for example, a so-called copy trader, requires alignment accuracy for the stacked stapled sheet bundle. Below, an example of a sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus and its control means will be described.

[1] Sheet-shaped medium post-processing device a. Outline of Sheet-Shaped Medium Post-Processing Apparatus A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

In FIG. 1, a sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 as post-processing means for performing post-processing on a sheet is connected to an image forming device 50.

In the image forming apparatus 50, the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming means is sent to the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus 51 in accordance with the post-processing content designated by the operator.

The post-processing contents of the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 include the following modes when the image forming device 50 is a copying machine. Normal mode that simply stacks paper in the order it is ejected. In this mode, the processing is executed by instructing the paper size and the number of copies. Staple mode for stapling. In this mode, the processing is executed by instructing the number of sheets to be bound, the binding position, etc. in addition to the paper size and the number of copies. Sorting mode for sorting. In this mode, the processing is executed by instructing the paper size and the number of copies. Punch mode. Drilling is performed in this mode. In addition, other processing can be performed if necessary.

The work instructions relating to these post-processings are transmitted from the operation panel of the copying machine to the control means including the CPU by key operation, so that the control means includes the image forming apparatus 50 and the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus 51. A signal for performing the post-processing is transmitted and received, and the post-processing is executed. This sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus is equipped with an aligning unit and a sorting unit, but the relevance to the present invention is weak, so the description thereof will be omitted.

In the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus, it is possible to select whether or not to perform the post-processing, and the post-processing is performed by selecting the post-processing execution or the post-processing execution not selected. The paper that has not been printed is discharged onto the tray 12.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall structure of a sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 according to this embodiment. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 50 reaches the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus 51. The presence or absence of post-processing can be selected, and the paper that has been post-processed by selection or the paper that has not been post-processed by selection is aligned on the tray 12.

The sheet-like medium post-processing device 51 has a tray 12 as a stacking means which can be raised and lowered, and
A proof tray 14 as a position fixing tray is provided on the upper part of the device.

An entrance sensor 36 and an entrance roller pair 1 are provided in the vicinity of the paper delivery portion with the image forming apparatus 50, and the paper taken in by the entrance roller pair 1 corresponds to each post-processing mode. It is transported on the transport path.

A punch unit 15 for punching holes is provided downstream of the pair of inlet rollers 1.
A transport roller pair 2 a is provided downstream of the transport roller 5. A branch claw 8a is provided downstream of the pair of transport rollers 2a,
The sheet is selectively guided by the branching claw 8a to a transport path toward the proof tray 14 and a substantially horizontal transport path. When the sheet is conveyed toward the proof tray 14, the sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 60, and is ejected to the proof tray 14 by the sheet ejection roller pair 62.

A branch claw 8b is provided downstream of the branch claw 8a, and the sheet is selectively guided by the branch claw 8b to a non-stipple route E and a staple route F. The positions of the branch claws 8a and 8b can be switched by on / off control of a solenoid (not shown).

The sheet guided to the non-stipple route E is conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 2b, and is ejected to the tray 12 by the ejection roller 3 as an ejecting means. A return roller 121, which will be described later, is provided so as to overlap with the lower portions of the pair of paper discharge rollers 3 or at a lower position. The left side surface of the apparatus main body in the drawing is an end fence (standing wall) 131 that aligns the rear ends of the sheets with respect to the tray 12.

The paper discharge roller 3 includes an upper roller 3a and a lower roller 3b.
The lower roller 3b is rotatably supported by a free end portion of a support member 66 that is supported on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction a and is rotatably provided in the vertical direction. The lower roller 3b comes into contact with the upper roller 3a by its own weight or urging force, and the sheet is sandwiched between both rollers and discharged. When the sheet-shaped medium bundle subjected to the binding processing (stipple processing), that is, the sheet bundle, is discharged, the support member 66 is rotated upward and returned at a predetermined timing. This timing is determined based on the detection signal of the paper discharge sensor 38. The paper discharge sensor 38 is arranged immediately upstream of the paper discharge roller 3.

The paper guided to the stipple route F is
It is transported by the transport roller pair 2c. Transport roller pair 2c
A branch claw 8c is provided on the downstream side of the sheet, and the sheet is selectively guided to the staple main route G and the retract route H by the branch claw 8c. The position of the branch claw 8c can also be switched by on / off control of a solenoid (not shown).

The paper guided to the staple main route G is detected by the stipple entrance sensor 37 through the conveying roller pair 4, and is stacked on a stipple tray (not shown) by the paper discharge roller pair 68. In this case, the return rollers 5 align the sheets in the vertical direction (sheet conveying direction), and the pair of joggers 9 arranged to face each other in the sheet width direction laterally (sheets orthogonal to the discharge direction a). Alignment in the width direction is performed. The stapler 11 is driven by a stipple signal from a control unit (not shown) between a job break, that is, between the final sheet bundle and the next leading sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed.

When the distance between the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 50 is short and the next sheet comes during the binding process, the next sheet is guided to the evacuation route H and temporarily. Evacuated. The paper guided to the evacuation route H is
It is transported by the transport roller pair 16.

The bundle of sheets subjected to the binding process is immediately sent to the paper discharge roller 3 via the guide 69 by the discharge belt 10 having the discharge claw 10a and discharged to the tray 12. The discharge claw 10a is adapted to be detected at a predetermined position by the sensor 39.

The return roller 5 is given a pendulum motion about a fulcrum 5a by a solenoid (not shown), and intermittently acts on the paper fed to the staple tray to hit the paper against the end fence. Although not shown, the paper discharge roller pair 68 has a brush roller, which prevents backflow at the trailing edge of the paper. The return roller 5 rotates counterclockwise. The above is the outline of the configuration and operation of the essential functional parts of the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus.

The sheet-like medium post-processing device 51 can perform post-processing including a binding process, which is an essential function, and aligns and sorts the sheets stacked on the tray 12 as described below. You can This alignment has two meanings, namely, aligning the ends in the discharge direction a and aligning the ends in the shift direction d. The former alignment is a return means for abutting against the end fence 131. This is performed by the function of the roller 131, and the latter alignment is performed by the alignment members 102a and 102b as alignment means.

In FIG. 2, a sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 5
The reference numeral 1 designates a discharge roller 3, a tray 12 on which the sheets S discharged from the discharge roller 3 are stacked, a tray elevating means 95 for elevating the tray 12, a positioning means 96 for controlling the vertical position of the tray 12, and a tray. A tray moving unit as a sorting unit for reciprocating 12 in a shift direction d (direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG. 1) orthogonal to the discharge direction a of FIG.
2, a returning roller 121 as a returning means for abutting the sheets stacked on the end fence 131 against the end fence 131, a displacing means for displacing the returning roller 121 in the discharge direction a, aligning members 102a, 102b as an aligning means, and a driving means thereof It is equipped with

B. 1. Tray In FIG. 1, the paper S is conveyed from the branching claw 8b toward the tray 12 by the conveyance roller pair 2b which is a conveyance means of the paper, through the paper ejection sensor 38, and is ejected by the paper ejection roller 3 in the ejection direction a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface of the tray 12 is inclined such that the height of the upper surface increases as it goes in the discharging direction a. An end fence 131 having a vertical surface is located at the lower base end of the inclined surface of the tray 12.

In FIG. 2, the paper S discharged from the paper discharge roller 3 is aligned with the aligning member 102 waiting at the receiving position.
The rear end is aligned and aligned by entering between a and 102b, sliding on the tray 12 along the above-mentioned inclination by gravity, and hitting the rear end against the end fence 131. The sheets S on the tray 12 whose rear ends are aligned are aligned by the aligning member 10.
By the aligning operation of 2a and 102b, the shift direction d (width direction) is aligned.

As shown in FIG. 2A, on the upper surface of the tray 12, a concave portion 80a is provided at a portion facing the aligning member 102a, and a concave portion 80b is provided at a portion facing the aligning member 102b.
Are formed respectively and are partially lower than the upper surface of the tray 12. At least these recesses 80a,
When the sheets are not stacked on the 80b, the alignment members 102a and 102b at the receiving position are provided with the recesses 8a and 8b.
Part of 0a, 80b has entered and holds the state of overlapping with the tray 12. This is to ensure that the aligning members 102a and 102b are applied to the end surfaces of the sheets S during the aligning operation.

In FIG. 2A, the tray 12 is moved up and down by the tray elevating means 95 and is constantly controlled by the positioning means 96 to a position suitable for landing the paper S.

That is, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge roller 3 into the tray 12
When the tray 12 is discharged to the upper side and the stacking surface rises, the tray 12 is lowered by an appropriate amount by the tray elevating means 95 and the tray elevating direction positioning means 96 so that the position of the uppermost surface of the paper is a certain height from the nip portion of the paper ejection roller 3. Is maintained and the landing position is maintained at a constant level.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the paper discharge roller 3 is in a fixed position. Therefore, if the tray 12 does not move up and down, the height of the sheet bundle increases when the sheets S are discharged and stacked on the tray 12, and this sheet bundle blocks the discharge of the sheets, so that the sheet S is finally discharged. It cannot be discharged.

The tray 12 is moved up and down by providing an elevating means, and the tray 12 is moved from the nip portion of the paper discharge roller 3.
The distance to the upper surface, or the distance from the nip portion of the paper discharge roller 3 to the uppermost surface of the paper S on the tray 12 can be maintained by the positioning means 96 to be a proper distance for proper paper discharge. As a result, the paper S is transferred to the upper surface of the tray 12.
Can be discharged with a small variation in landing position.

C. Tray Elevating Means and Positioning Means As shown in FIG. 2A, the tray 12 is hung by a vertical lift belt 70. The vertical lift belt 70 is driven by a vertical motor 71 via a gear train and a timing belt, and is raised or lowered by the forward or reverse rotation of the vertical motor 71. The upper and lower lift belts 70, the upper and lower motors 71, the gear train, the timing belt and the like are the main constituent elements of the elevating means 95 for raising and lowering the tray.

In FIG. 2A, return rollers 121a and 121b are located near the paper discharge roller 3. The sheet S sent onto the tray 12 slides down along the inclined surface of the tray 12, and the rear end side of the sheet S returns to the return rollers 121a, 12a.
1b, these return rollers 121a, 121b
Is fed and abutted against the end fence 13 to perform alignment in the discharge direction a.

In this way, the sheets S on which images have been formed are successively discharged onto the tray 12 and the uppermost surface of the sheets S is raised by stacking. In the vicinity of the return rollers 121a and 121b and on the uppermost surface of the stacked sheets, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), one end of a paper surface lever 1200 swingably supported by a shaft 73a is provided so as to come into contact with its own weight, and the other end side of the paper surface lever 1200 is a paper surface sensor 130a composed of a photo interrupter or It is adapted to be detected by the paper surface sensor 130b.

The paper surface sensor 130b is for controlling the vertical position of the tray 12 in the normal stacking mode, and the paper surface sensor 130a is in the staple mode.
This is for performing similar control, and the sheet discharge position is changed according to the mode.

The paper surface lever 1200 is configured to rotate about the fulcrum shaft 73a by a moment due to its own weight. When the sheets are stacked on the tray 12 and the upper surface position becomes higher, the leading end of the bent portion of the sheet surface lever 1200 is pushed up by the stacking surface and rotated about the shaft 73a as a fulcrum.
The paper surface sensor 130b detects a fan-shaped plate portion formed on the other end side of the paper surface lever 120 and is turned on. At this point, the vertical motor 71 is driven to lower the tray 12. When the tray 12 is lowered, the paper surface lever 1200 is rotated and the paper surface sensor 130b is turned off. By repeating such an operation, the distance between the tray 12 and the nip portion of the paper discharge roller 3 is controlled to a predetermined distance. In the normal mode, control is performed by the paper surface sensor 130b, and in the staple mode, the paper surface sensor 130b.
The control by a is performed.

For example, in the normal mode, the stacking surface of the paper S rises every time the paper S is discharged one by one, and the free end portion of the paper surface lever 120 overlaps with the paper surface sensor 130b.
The vertical motor 71 is driven to control the tray 12 to descend until the paper surface sensor 130b is turned off. As a result, the condition of the landing position of the paper S on the tray 12 is that the distance between the paper discharge roller 3 and the tray 12 (the uppermost surface of the paper) is controlled to the proper distance. Paper sensor 130a, 1
30b, the paper surface lever 1200, etc. are the main constituent elements of the tray positioning means 96 for controlling the height of the tray 12 to a constant height, and detect information for positioning and send it to the control means.

The height position of the tray 12 under such proper intervals is referred to as a proper ejection position, and is a proper position for receiving a sheet in a normal state other than a sheet sent in a special mode such as curling. The position is set as.

Naturally, the discharge conditions are different between the case where the sheets are discharged one by one in the normal mode and the case where the stapled sheet bundle is discharged in the staple mode. Proper discharge position is different. This is also apparent from the fact that the paper surface sensors 130a and 130b have different positions. At the end of the post-processing, the discharge tray 12 is set to 30 m in preparation for taking out the paper.
The operation of lowering by about m is performed.

In each of the normal mode and the stapling mode, the post-processing mode, the paper S from the paper ejection roller 3 is ejected onto the tray 12 at the reference height suitable for each, and the paper S is ejected every time the paper S is stacked. 12 descends, and finally the lower limit position is detected by the lower limit sensor 76. Further, when the tray 12 is raised, the tray 12 detects the paper surface sensor 130a,
130b, the paper surface lever 1200 and other positioning means based on the detection information of the paper surface, the height is raised to the reference height.

In order to perform the sorting operation, the tray 12 moves to one end in the shift direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG. 1, that is, in the direction indicated by the symbol d in FIG. 2A, and then to the other end.
Further, although it is slidably supported on the pedestal 18 so as to move from the other end side to the one end side, a description thereof will be omitted.

Alignment members 102a and 102b shown in FIG.
The upper end of is supported in the frame 90. The frame 90 has means for moving the aligning members as means for performing the aligning operation of the aligning members 102a and 102b and the aligning operation and other operations to be performed in association therewith,
The aligning member retracting means, the aligning member driving device, and the like are configured, but a description thereof will be omitted.

[2] Returning means a. Configuration of Returning Means 1st Example Returning Roller 121 ′ as this Returning Means and this Returning Roll 1
An example of the displacement means for displacing 21 'in the discharging direction will be described. In FIG. 3, a return roller 121 ′ is made of a sponge-like elastic material having an uneven surface and is pivotally supported by the moving body 500 so as to return the sheet by using frictional force. The moving body 500 has an L-shaped front shape, and an upper portion thereof is slidably fitted to a guide member 501 which is long in the displacement direction. The return roller 121 ′ is axially supported by the moving body 500, and the pulley 502 is integrally provided on the shaft integral with the return roller 121 ′. A motor 503 is fixed to the moving body 500, and a pulley 504 is fixed to its shaft.

On the moving body 500, the pulley 502 and the pulley 5
An idle pulley 505 is axially supported at an intermediate position of 04, a belt 506 is hung between the idle pulley 505 and the pulley 502, and the idle pulley 505 and the pulley 5 are
A belt 507 is hung between 04. With such a configuration, the rotation of the motor 503 can be transmitted to the return roller 121 ′ and the return roller 121 ′ can be rotated independently of the rotation of the paper ejection roller 3. A rack 508 is formed on the lower surface of the moving body 500. A pinion 509 meshes with the rack 508. The pinion 509 is fixed to a rotating shaft of a motor 510 that is axially supported by a stationary member.

In the displacing means having such a structure, the motor 510 is driven to reciprocate the moving body 500 along the guide member 501 through the meshing of the rack 508 and the pinion 509 according to the rotation direction thereof. By controlling the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the motor 510, the return roller 121 ′ can be moved to an arbitrary position in the discharge direction a (displacement direction).

In the displacement means of this example, the displacement is performed by utilizing the meshing relationship between the rack and the pinion.
21 'is characterized in that the movement locus is linear, and the first position (I) separated from the upper surface of the tray 12 or the stacked sheets on the tray 12 and the discharging direction than the first position (I). a
It is possible to displace between two positions of the second position (II) which is on the downstream side of the tray 12 or in contact with the upper surface of the tray 12 or the stacked paper on the tray 12 and can send the paper back toward the end fence 131. It is possible.

Since the motor 504, which is the rotational drive system of the return roller 121 ', is independent of the rotational drive system of the paper ejection roller 3, it is interlocked with the displacement operation without being controlled by the rotational speed of the paper ejection means. Then, the rotation speed of the return roller 121 can be controlled to be increased or decreased.

The second example includes return rollers 121a and 121b as return means,
An example of another displacing means for displacing in the discharge direction will be described.
In addition, for convenience of description, the return rollers 121a and 121b
One is collectively referred to as the return roller 121. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the essential parts of the displacement means together with the return rollers in an assembled state, and FIG. 5 is a view showing the displacement means together with the return rollers in a disassembled state. In these figures, the components are attached to the frame 200 and assembled.

The return roller 121 has the same material and schematic shape as the return roller 121 'described in the above example. Return roller 1
The means for displacing 21a and the means for displacing the return roller 121b have exactly the same configuration in the common part. Therefore, in order to avoid complication of the description, regarding the structure of the common portion, the relationship between the return rollers 121a will be described by adding a letter "a" to the reference numeral of the member.
Regarding the relation of b, the letter b is added to the reference numeral of the member, and the explanation is omitted.

The basic structure of the displacement means is as follows.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, a first member (hereinafter referred to as a drive lever) 123a is a vertically long member, and an intermediate position thereof is pierced by a shaft 129 so that the first member 123a is pivotally attached to the frame 200 which is a non-moving member. Has been done. Here, the shaft 129 is rotatable with respect to the drive lever 123a,
The both ends of the
Is supported by. Drive lever 123a about shaft 12
The portion pierced by 9 is a pivot portion, and this portion is referred to as a first pivot portion 522a. The drive lever 123a is the first
It is possible to swing within a fixed angle range with the pivot portion 522a as the swing center.

Second member (hereinafter referred to as driven lever) 1
Reference numeral 22a is a vertically long member, and the shaft portion 524a projecting at an intermediate position thereof is separated from the first pivotal attachment portion 522a on the drive lever 123a and is the second pivotal attachment portion 523a which is one free end side. Is pivotally attached by fitting into. The driven lever 122a can swing about the second pivot portion 523a within a certain angle range.

The second pivot portion 523a of the driven lever 122a.
A shaft portion 525a is integrally formed on an arbitrary free end side deviated from the center of rotation (center of the shaft portion 524a) in FIG.
The return roller 121a is pivotally attached to the shaft portion 525a.

The first pivot portion 5 of these drive levers 123a
22a as a center and the second of the driven lever 122a
It is assumed that the return roller 121a pivotally attached to the free end side of the driven lever 122a is displaced to a different position in the discharging direction a by the combined operation with the swinging movement about the pivot attachment portion 523a.

As a result, as compared with the configuration (not shown) in which the return roller is provided at the tip of the swingable single lever or the displacement means by the combination of the rack and the pinion described with reference to FIG. It is possible to displace the roller 121a to a distant position, and a flexible structure of the drive lever 123a and the driven lever 122a can achieve a compact structure as compared with other structures for achieving the same stroke. It is also possible to make vertical displacements such as drawing a mountain locus, and it is also possible to hit the paper on the tray beyond the part where the rear end jumped up due to face curl.

The drive lever 123a is connected to the first pivot portion 522a.
The bracket 1 made of sheet metal on the free end side opposite to the side on which the driven lever 122a is provided
24 is fixed by screws 526a. As a result, the drive lever 123a is integrated with the plate-shaped bracket 124.

A peripheral surface of an eccentric cam 125 for swinging the drive lever 123a is in contact with a side surface portion of the bracket 124 on the upstream side in the discharging direction a. The eccentric cam 125 is adapted to be rotated integrally with a shaft 528 which is rotatably supported by a support plate 527 which is integrally formed with the frame 200. A torsion coil spring 529a is provided as a first contact means for elastically pressing the cam surface of the eccentric cam 125 against the bracket 124. This torsion coil spring 5
Of the 29a, one end of the torsion coil spring 529a, which is loosely wound around the outer periphery of the boss-shaped first pivoting portion 522a, is hooked on the side of the drive lever 123a, and the other end of the torsion coil spring 529a is attached to the frame 200. It is hung on a hook 530a formed as a part.

Due to the elasticity of the torsion coil spring 529a, the drive lever 123a is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow around the first pivot portion 522a and is elastically pressed by the eccentric cam 125. Therefore, when the eccentric cam 125 is rotationally driven, the drive lever 123 is moved according to the displacement amount of the cam surface.
a swings around the first pivot portion 522a.

Since the eccentric cam 125 has an endless cam surface, the rotational movement of the eccentric cam 125 can give a periodic displacement to the drive lever 123a, and thus to the return roller 121a.

Torsion coil spring 5 as first contact means
29a and the eccentric cam 125 constitute a first oscillating means. By this first oscillating means, sliding contact between the eccentric cam 125 and the drive lever 123a (bracket 124) on the free end side is obtained. Drive lever 1 according to the rotation of 125
23a can be swung at a predetermined angle according to the amount of eccentricity.

By swinging the drive lever 123a by a predetermined angle by the first swing means in this way, the driven lever on the drive lever 123a is returned to the return roller 1.
21a, it is possible to give an arcuate displacement in the discharge direction a to the return roller 121a.

The shaft 528 fixing the eccentric cam 125 has a shield plate 531 formed by cutting out a part of the disk in a semicircular shape at its shaft center, and the gear 532 has its shaft center. The part is fixed. A gear 533 is meshed with the gear 532, and this gear 533 is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 126 fixed to a support plate 527. Further, a sensor 127 is fixed to a portion of the shield plate 531 where the cutout portion passes, and the eccentric cam 1 is detected by the detection information of the shield plate 531 by the sensor 127.
It is possible to detect the amount of rotation of 25 and control the drive stop of the stepping motor 126. The combination of the sensor 127 and the shielding plate 531 constitutes an encoder, and the eccentric cam 125 is controlled by the encoder with the stepping motor 126 as a drive source. By adopting the configuration of the combination of the stepping motor and the encoder in this way, the position of the return roller 121a can be properly managed. For example, the return roller 121a can be positioned so as to be in the first position (I), the second position (II), etc. as shown in FIG.

The first position (I) is the standby position in which the return roller 121 is located above the tray 12 or the stack of sheets on the tray 12 and is located above, and can be set as the home position. The second position (II) is located on the downstream side of the first position (I) in the discharging direction a and is a position where the tray 12 or the stacked sheets on the tray 12 can be contacted.

The driven lever 122a corresponds to the driven lever 1
22a on the second pivot portion 523a (shaft portion 524a)
It is swung by the second swinging means provided so as to act on the free end side 534a opposite to the side on which the return roller 121a is provided.

The second swing means is a drive lever 123a.
The driven lever 122a is swung by a predetermined angle amount around the second pivoting portion 523a, and the second pivoting portion 523a is centered by providing the second swinging means. The driven lever 12 with respect to the drive lever 123a
By displacing the angle of 2a, the return roller 121a can be moved between desired positions along a desired locus. In addition, by combining the swing motion of the driven lever 122a and the swing motion of the drive lever 123a, the return roller 121a
Can make a stroke.

The second swing means is a projection 5 formed on the free end side 534a opposite to the side on which the return roller 121a is provided, which is displaced from the center of the second pivot portion on the driven lever 122a.
35a, which is a cam that slides on the plate 35a, and has a trapezoidal protrusion 536 formed on a part of the peripheral surface of infinite curvature.
7 and second contact means for contacting the flat cam 537 with the projection 535a. As the second contact means, a torsion coil spring is wound around the shaft portion 524a, one end side of the torsion coil spring is hooked on the driven lever 122a, and the other end side of the torsion coil spring is hooked on the immovable member. be able to.

Since the second contact means allows the projection 535a to be in contact with the plate-shaped cam 537, the return roller 121a can be periodically moved up and down in response to the swing of the drive lever 123a. Since the return roller 121a can be displaced in a locus of a mountain shape in combination with the swing of the lever 123a and the driven lever 122a, the sheets stacked on the tray 12 are not pushed out in the discharge direction a, and the second position ( You can move to II).

As shown in FIG. 8, the flat plate cam 53 is provided.
7 is located above the free end side 534a of the driven lever 122a. In such a positional relationship, the return roller 121a
The tray 12 is located below the.

As described above, in order to keep the distance between the upper surface of the stacked sheets and the sheet discharge roller 3 constant, the tray 12 increases as the sheet is discharged and the height on the tray 12 increases. The motor is driven so as to descend.

Limit switches are provided at the upper and lower limits of the tray 12 as a safety measure, and are controlled so as to stop even when the motor for vertical movement of the tray goes out of control, but before reaching the limit switch. Even if the tray 12 rises due to an abnormal situation for some reason, the flat plate cam 537 does not move the driven lever 1 as in this example.
If the tray 12 is located above the free end side 534a of the 22a, even if the ascending tray 12 pushes up the return roller 121a, the driven lever 12 is centered around the second pivot portion 523a.
2a can escape from the flat cam 537, and since the driven lever 122a only rotates and does not interfere with other members, damage to the members can be avoided.

A power transmission system for rotationally driving the return roller 121a will be described. The power transmission system has as its main elements a pulley whose rotation center is each pivot center of each of the first pivot portion 522a and the second pivot portion 523a, and a belt hung on these pulleys. Here, the pulleys and belts include gears and chains as similar power transmission means.

In FIG. 5, a pulley 538a that rotates integrally with the shaft 129, a pulley 539a pivotally attached to the shaft portion 524a, the pulley 538a and the pulley 539.
There is a combination of a belt 540a wrapped around a.

Further, the pulley 541a pivotally attached to the shaft portion 524a and the return roller 121 pivotally attached to the shaft portion 525a.
a, a pulley 542a formed integrally with a, and a belt 5 wound around the pulleys 541a and 542a.
There is a combination of 43a. In addition, the pulley 541
When a and the pulley 539a are fitted to the common shaft portion 524a, the meshing portions formed on the side surfaces are meshed with each other to be integrally rotated.

A stepping motor 556 is fixed to the frame 200 via a joint 555 at the shaft end of the shaft 129 to rotate the shaft 129. When the shaft 129 rotates, the pulley 538a → the belt 540a → the pulley 5
39a → pulley 541a → belt 543a → pulley 54
The return roller 121a is rotated by transmitting power in the order of 2a → return roller 121a, and rotation for return is performed.

As described above, the pulleys are arranged at the swing fulcrums of the drive lever 123a and the driven lever 122a, and the power is transmitted to the return roller 121a through these pulleys. Since it is shared with the swing fulcrum shaft for the roller displacement, the power transmission system can be simply constructed, and the power can be easily taken in from the outside of the drive lever 123a, and the displacement means can be made lightweight and compact.

As described above, in FIG. 5, the return roller 1
The power for rotating 21a is the pulley 538a that is integrally provided with the shaft 129 that is concentric with the first pivot portion 522a, and the pulley 539a that is pivotally attached to the shaft portion 524a that is concentric with the second pivot portion 523a. , These pulleys 538a and pulleys 539
It includes a structure in which it is transmitted via a belt 540a that is wound around a.

In FIG. 6 showing the cross section of this power transmission system, the pulley 538a is integrally fixed to the shaft 129. The pulley 539a is pivotally attached to the shaft portion 524a.
In this example, in particular, these pulley 538a and pulley 539a
By appropriately selecting the tension of the belt 540a that is wound around and pressing the pulley 539a against the shaft portion 524a by this tension, an appropriate frictional force acts between the inner diameter portion of the pulley 539a and the shaft portion 524a. Let Due to this frictional force, the rotational force of the pulley 539a is also transmitted to the shaft portion 524a, and the driven lever 122a is urged to rotate about the second pivotally attached portion 523a.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the direction of rotation for causing the returning roller 121a to perform the returning function of returning the sheet to the side of the end fence 131 is counterclockwise. When the return roller 121a is rotated in this rotation direction, the pulley 539a rotates counterclockwise.
The rotational biasing force applied to the driven lever 122a by the frictional force during the rotation in this direction is also the second pivot portion 5a.
23a is a counterclockwise direction with respect to 23a, and the rotation urging force urges the protrusion 535a of the driven lever 122a in a direction in which it is pressed by the flat plate cam 537.

As in this example, the protrusion 535a of the driven lever 122a is moved by the rotational biasing force of the driven lever 122a utilizing the frictional force between the pulley 539a and the shaft portion 524a due to the tension of the belt 540a and the rotational force of the pulley 539a. The function of the second urging means for pressing the flat cam 537 can be fulfilled, and the structure can be simplified as compared with the case of using the torsion coil spring. It is assumed that the tension of the belt 540a is set appropriately so that the pulley 539a and the shaft portion 524a slip while the protrusion 535a is pressed by the flat plate cam 537 with an appropriate pressing force.

In this example, the returning means composed of the rotating member is surely displaced to a different position in the discharging direction by the combined operation of the swinging of the first member and the swinging of the second member, and the returning function of the returning means is achieved. Obtainable.

B. Returning Operation Here, the returning operation of displacing the returning roller 121 between the first position (I) and the second position (II) by the displacement means having the configuration described in FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described. In addition, the return roller 121 'by the displacement means in FIG.
The above control is based on the following description, and is performed by the rotation of the motor 510. Return roller 1 in FIG.
21 is located in the vicinity of the lower portion of the paper discharge roller 3 at the first position (I), and is arranged so as to face the central portion in the shift direction d (paper width direction) orthogonal to the paper discharge direction a.

A paper surface lever 1200 for detecting the paper surface height of the stacking surface is located between the return rollers 121a and 121b. As a result, the contact point between the paper surface lever 1200 and the paper stacking surface on the tray 12 is always controlled to a constant height.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the return roller 121 moves from the first position (I) (home position) to the second position (II) (return position) indicated by the chain double-dashed line. Then, the trailing edge of the sheet dropped on the tray 12 is brought into contact with the trailing edge of the sheet to the end fence 131 by its rotational force, and the trailing edge can be aligned.

The eccentric cam 125 for displacing the bracket 124 joined to the drive levers 123a and 123b in the direction of arrow J is provided from the stepping motor 126 to the gear 53.
It rotates by receiving the transmission drive by 3, 532, and the above displacement is performed by this rotation.

The eccentric cam 125 has a semicircular shield plate 531.
Is added, and the stop position of the eccentric cam 125 is regulated by detecting the shield plate 531 by the sensor 127, that is, the stop position of the return roller 121 is regulated.

FIG. 9 shows a structural example of the rotational drive of the return roller 121.
This will be described with reference to (a). As shown in FIG. 5, the return roller 121a is integrally formed with a pulley 542a, and these pulleys are connected to the pulley 541a on the shaft portion 524 by a belt 543a. Further, the pulley 541
a pulley 539a that is coaxial with and integral with a is a belt 540a.
It is connected to the drive side pulley 538a via.

The belt 540a is rotated by the pulley 538a which rotates integrally with the shaft 129 connected to the drive source, and the pulleys 539a and 541a are rotated, which causes the pulley 542a to rotate through the belt 543a and return roller 121a. Is a mechanism that rotates. The same applies to the pulley 542b.

Here, the belt 543a (543b) is placed inside the driven lever 122a (122b) and the belt 540
a (540b) is housed inside the drive lever 123a (123b). These structures are as described with reference to FIG.

In this example, the shaft 129 is the lower roller 3 on the drive side.
The stepping motor 132 rotating a is rotated via the belt 557. That is, the stepping motor 1 that rotates the paper discharge roller 3
The return roller 121 is also rotated by 32.

Alternatively, as described above, the stepping motor 1
As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the shaft 12
It is also possible to provide a stepping motor 556 dedicated to rotating the motor 9. In the case of FIG. 9A, since the stepping motor 132 is also used, only one motor is required, but there is a drawback that the drive of the paper discharge roller 3 and the drive of the return roller 3 cannot be controlled individually. In the example in which the drive motors are individually provided as in (1), there is an advantage that the drive of the discharge roller 3 and the drive of the return roller 3 can be individually controlled.

In any case, the return roller 121 is made to stand by at the first position (I) until the paper passes through the paper discharge roller 3 and drops on the tray 12, and at a predetermined timing, the second position (II). It is possible to perform the return function by displacing up to.

The point that the angle (engagement angle) between the drive lever 123 and the driven lever 122 is changed between the first position (I) and the second position (II) will be described.
By changing the engagement angle between the driven lever 122 and the drive lever 123, which is a displacement means for supporting and displacing the return roller 121, between the first stop position and the second stop position of the return roller 121. The moving distance of 121 can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drive lever 123 and the driven lever 12 at the first position (I) of the return roller 121 are arranged.
Since the engagement angle θ ° at the second position (II) is larger than the engagement angle η ° of No. 2, the shaft 12 is more likely to be disposed than the return roller 121 is directly arranged on the drive lever 123.
If the rotation angle is the same around 9, the return roller 121
It is possible to increase the moving distance X of.

If the moving distance X can be increased,
In particular, when the returning function is exerted, it is possible to reliably bring the trailing end portion of the paper dropped on the tray 12 into contact with the returning roller 121, and improve the alignment accuracy. For example, even if a sheet is dropped and stacked at a position away from the return roller 121 for some reason, the larger the moving distance of the return roller 121, the more reliable the contact with the rear end of the sheet.

Here, the swing amount of the driven lever 122 is determined by the cam characteristic of the flat plate cam 537. By sliding the protrusion 535a formed on the free end side 534a separated from the second pivot portion 523a, which is the swing center of the driven lever 122, to the flat plate cam 537, the flat protrusion 536 of the flat plate cam 537 is projected. The rotation amount of the driven lever 122 is regulated by the amount of pressing down. Therefore, the movement locus of the return roller 121 is inevitably determined by the contact locus of the flat plate cam 537 and the protrusion 536.

The return roller 121 contacts the paper in the vicinity of the paper surface lever 73 that detects the height of the rear end of the paper.
Since the trailing edge of the paper is always controlled to a constant height,
When the return roller 121 moves to the second position (II) due to the protrusion 535a riding on the protrusion 536, the return roller 121 comes into contact with the trailing edge of the sheet, and the return portion (sponge portion) of the return roller 121 moves. It can be slightly deformed to perform the returning function.

As described above, the drive lever 123 is configured to rotate about one end side as a fixed center, and the driven lever 122 is pivotally mounted on the other end side, and the driven lever 122 is centered on the pivotally mounted portion. A return roller 121 is provided on one end side, and cam means for restricting the swing amount is provided on the opposite side. When the return roller 121 is at the first position (I) and the engaging angle at the second position (II) is larger than the engaging angle of both the drive lever 123 and the driven lever 122, a single It is possible to operate farther with the same rotation amount than when the return roller 121 is supported by the swing support member. Further, since the engagement angle of both the drive lever 123 and the driven lever 122 is made variable by the cam means, it is possible to move the drive lever 123 and the driven lever 122 to the optimum return position while checking the positional relationship with the tray 12. Therefore, it is possible to realize a return roller that swings between the first position (I) and the second position (II) in a small space, and improve the alignment accuracy in the discharge direction.

The trajectory of the return roller 121 when it is displaced will be described with reference to FIG. When the trailing edge of the paper is face curled (upward curl), the return roller 121 is pressed from the first position (I), which is the standby position, or moved to the second position (II) for returning. At the time of returning roller 12
There is a possibility that the rear end of the sheet curled up by 1 and pushed up may be pushed out to deteriorate the alignment accuracy.

As a countermeasure against this, a protrusion 535a is formed on the free end side of the driven lever 122 at the tip of 534a, and the protrusion 535a is slidably contacted with the protrusion 536 formed on a part of the flat plate cam 537. As a result, the driven lever 122a
Before the protrusion-shaped portions of both the protrusion 535 and the protrusion 536 come into contact with each other along with the swinging of the driven lever 122,
34a is displaced upward, and accordingly, the return roller 121 on the opposite side of the rotation center is raised, and when both convex portions contact each other, the return roller 121 is lowered.

Until the curl at the trailing edge of the paper is overcome, the above-mentioned cam is used to raise the return roller 121, and after passing over, the above-mentioned cam is used to lower the return roller 121. That is, using the cam, the return roller 121
Let's draw a trace of Yamagata. As a result, the risk of pushing out the paper with the face curled at the rear end is reduced, and the alignment accuracy is not deteriorated.

The timing of displacement of the return roller 121 will be described. Normally, the sheet is ejected from the sheet ejection roller 3 at the first position (I), and the rear end portion of the sheet is the lower roller 3a.
Immediately after it is dropped onto the tray 12 along the outer periphery thereof, it is displaced to the second position (II). The return roller 121 displaced along a locus of a mountain according to the shape of the flat cam 537.
Comes into contact with the trailing edge of the sheet from above and stays at that position for a certain period of time, and when the sheet is pulled back to the end fence 131 by the rotational force, the eccentric cam 125 is rotated again to the first position (I). Displace until. By such an operation, it is possible to reliably pull back the ejected paper as shown by the reference sign S ′ in FIG. 30 and improve the alignment accuracy in the discharge direction a.

[3] Control Example by Control Means a. Control Circuit As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus includes a sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus 51, an image forming apparatus 50, and an image forming apparatus 50.
Are connected to perform various controls related to post-processing, the acceleration and deceleration of the discharge roller 3, and the returning operation of the sheet and the sheet bundle by the displacement of the returning roller 121.

FIG. 11 shows the control circuit of the control means, CP
U700 is a ROM 710 in which a control program is stored.
Information is transmitted and received, and a clock signal is input from the clock 720 to execute the control shown in the following flowcharts.

Therefore, the CPU 700 exchanges signals with the image forming apparatus 50, and the sensor group 730.
Information is input and the information is output to the stepping motor control driver 740, the motor driver 750, and the driver 760.

The sensor group 730 is a collective expression of various sensors used in the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51, and corresponds to various sensors that appear in the control according to the following flowchart.

The stepping motor control driver 740 controls various stepping motors used in the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 and the sheet-shaped medium aligning device according to the present invention, and specifically, the flowchart described below. The various stepping motors that appear in the above are applicable. In FIG. 11, the symbol M is illustrated.

The driver 760 controls various solenoids used in the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 and the sheet-shaped medium aligning device according to the present invention, and specifically, it appears in the flow chart described below. Various solenoids are applicable. In FIG. 35, the symbol SOL is illustrated. The CPU 700 in FIG. 11 is the main part that executes the flow shown below, and forms the center of the control means in the present invention.

When the stippling mode for stapling a set number of sheets in the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus 51 is selected, the sheet conveyed from the sheet discharge roller 560 of the image forming apparatus 50 is fed into the entrance. When a predetermined number of sheets of paper are stacked on the stipple tray after being received by the roller pair 1, passing through the conveyance roller pair 2a and the conveyance roller pair 2c, the stapler 11 performs stippling processing, and a sheet discharging roller that is the final conveyance means. Tray 1 by 3
It is discharged to 2.

B. Control Example Initial Routine (FIG. 12) The following flow shows only the part related to the present invention in the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device. By turning on a main switch that controls the image forming apparatus 50 and the sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus 51 shown in FIG. 1, the initial routine shown in FIG. 12 and the subsequent main routine are executed.

In the initial routine, the "return colloidal control" is performed in step P1, and the return roller 12
1 is moved to the first position (I), and each flag is reset to 0.

When step P1 ends, the process jumps to the main routine. In the main routine, if the staple mode is selected, the "stipple mode sheet conveyance control" in steps P2 to P3 (see FIG. 13 for details),
Step P4 "Jogger & Stipple & Emission Control"
(See FIGS. 14 and 15 for details), and proceed to “Return roller return control” in step P5 (details in FIG. 20). If the staple mode is not selected, steps P2 to P6 “shift mode sheet conveyance control” are performed. Via step P5
“Return roller return control” (details are shown in FIG. 20). In the following, assuming that the stipple mode is selected,
Only control examples relevant to the present invention will be described.

Stipple Mode Paper Conveyance Control (See FIG.
3) "Stipple mode sheet conveyance control" will be described with reference to FIG. After detecting the leading edge of the paper in step P7,
When it is confirmed in step P8 that the paper has passed the stipple entrance sensor 37 by detecting the trailing edge of the paper, in step P9 the number of papers stored in the stipple tray is counted by the "stipple tray number counter". Up (step P9).

In step P10, the "stipple tray jogger operation flag" is set. As a result, the determination in step P14 of FIG. 14 becomes YES, and the horizontal alignment operation is performed by the jogger in the staple tray.

By resetting the "stipple tray jogger operation timer" in step P11, the timekeeping for comparison with the time T1 used in step P15 (FIG. 14) described later is started.

At step P12, the "stipple tray returning roller operation flag" is set, and at the same time, step P13
Resets the "stipple tray return roller operation timer" and manages the operation time of the vertical alignment return roller for vertically aligning the sheets in the staple tray. Illustration of the staple tray returning roller and its operation is omitted.

Jogger & Stipple & Emission Control (Fig. 1
(4, FIG. 15) In step P14, since the "stipple tray jogger operation flag" has already been set in step P10, the process proceeds to step P15 and waits for the lapse of time T1.
The time T1 is set as an elapsed time from when the trailing edge of the paper passes through the stipple entrance sensor 37 to when the paper is stored in the stipple tray. When the time T1 elapses, the lateral alignment operation by the jogger 9 in the stipple tray is performed. To execute.

This horizontal alignment operation is an operation for aligning the sheets on the staple tray by moving a pair of joggers (alignment members) arranged so as to face each other in the width direction of the sheets in the opening / closing direction. It is executed by each operation of P22. Although not shown in the flow chart, vertical alignment by the return roller 5 is performed.

In Step P23, the image forming apparatus 5
When the stipple command from 0 is received, the stipple is executed. The stipple command is transmitted to the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 side at the timing when the final sheet of the set is ejected from the image forming apparatus, and the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 51 executes stipple by this command.
Whether or not it is the last sheet of the copy is determined based on the count-up information in step P9.

The stipple is executed by driving the stipple motor in step P24.
At 25, the end of the stipple is checked. After the stippling is performed, the ejection pawl drive motor is driven to drive the ejection pawl 10a (step P26), and the paper ejection motor (stepping motor 132) is driven to drive the paper ejection roller 3 to perform the staple processing. The sheet bundle is sent out toward the sheet discharge roller 3.

When the staple sheet bundle passes through the paper ejection sensor 38 (steps P28 and 29), the paper ejection motor is decelerated (step P30), the paper ejection motor stop timer is reset (step P31), and time measurement is started. After a lapse of time T3 sufficient for the staple sheet bundle to drop onto the tray 12 (step P32), the sheet discharge motor is stopped (step P33) and the "stipple tray number counter" which has been incremented at step P9. Reset the count value of.

Return roller return control (FIG. 16): Claim 1
16, the "return roller return operation flag" remains reset in step P1 in step P35, and the process immediately returns. Here, since the return roller 121 remains in the first position (I) in step P5, in the staple mode,
The return roller 121 is maintained in a state of being separated from the staple sheet bundle.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24A, the return roller 121 operates to contact the upper surface of the staple sheet bundle with respect to the bundle of staple sheets stacked on the tray 12 (single-position binding in the back). As a result, it is possible to avoid the situation as shown in FIG. 24B in which only the uppermost sheet that is in contact with the return roller is pulled back to cause wrinkles and folds near the staple 20.

Description of Claims 2 and 5 (FIG. 17) In this example, between step P31 and step P32 in FIG. 15 describing "jogger & staple & discharge control",
It is executed by inserting the flow shown by the broken line in FIG.

In FIG. 17, in step P45, the stapler 11 determines the number of binding positions for binding sheets. The CPU 700 obtains information on how many places to bind in advance by a work instruction from the operator.

If the binding is one-point binding, step P4
6 and P47 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step P32. this is,
In FIG. 15, the process is the same as that from step P31 to step P32, and the “return roller return operation flag” remains reset.

Therefore, in FIG. 16, step P35
Immediately exits to return. Since the return roller 121 remains in the first position (I) in step P5, the return roller 121 remains separated from the staple sheet bundle when the number of stipple points is one in the staple mode. Has been done. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation as shown in FIG. 24 (b) in which wrinkles and folds are generated in the vicinity of the staple 20 in single-point binding.

In FIG. 17, it is checked in step P45 how many binding modes are set, and if it is determined that the stapler 11 is in the mode of two or more stippling points, step P46 is performed.
Then, the "return roller return operation flag" is set, and the "return roller return operation timer" is reset in step PP47, and the time counting of the comparison time is started in step P36.

Thus, in FIG. 16, step P
35, the process proceeds from step P36 to step P36. For example, the stapling sheet bundle bound at two positions may be completely dropped on the tray 12 and the returning roller 121 may be operated. When the time T4 is compared with the actual time count and the time elapses, the "return roller return operation flag" is reset in step P37, and then the return roller 121 is returned to the first position shown in FIG. The position (I) is moved to the second position (II) shown in FIG. 20B (steps P38 and P39).

At the second position (II), when the set time T5 has passed until the staple sheet bundle SS2 is sufficiently abutted against the end fence 131 (step P
40, P41) and the return roller 121 to the second position (II).
To the first position (I).

In the invention of claim 1, the staple sheet bundle S
In order to prevent damage to the vicinity of the staple needle for S1, the pullback alignment by the return roller 121 is not performed, but if such a problem does not occur, the stapled sheet bundle is also pulled back and aligned. It is better to arrange and the quality is better.

In this example, when the staple sheet bundle SS2 is bound at two places (two or more places are also possible), the return roller 121
Was brought into contact with the rear end of the sheet bundle and pulled back to be aligned. As a result, even at the very least, only the two-point binding is neatly stacked on the discharge tray. Further, in the case of binding at two points, even if the return roller 121 is brought into contact with the rear end of the staple sheet bundle SS2 and pulled back, the staple needle 20 is struck on both sides of the contacting point, so the entire staple sheet bundle is Pulled. Therefore, unlike the case where the number of stipple points is one, the problem that damages the vicinity of the stipple needle 20 does not occur.

Description Corresponding to Claim 3 (FIG. 18) As shown in FIG. 24A, even if a stapled sheet bundle for single-point binding is loaded, if the number of stapled sheets is small, the return roller 121 operates. When the user tries to pull back the stapled sheet bundle, the state as shown in FIG. 24 (b) does not occur, and since there is little resistance to pull back, the entire stapled sheet bundle can be pulled back. Therefore, if the number of sheets to be bound is less than or equal to a predetermined number, it is better to operate the swing-back roller 121 to align them.
Alignment quality is stable.

Based on such a concept, the present example has a description of "jogger & staple & discharge control" in FIG.
The process shown in the broken line in FIG. 18 is executed between step P31 and step P32. Here, in the flow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 18, the step P45 “What is the stipple location?” In the flow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 17 is changed to the step P48 “(Stipple tray number counter) <A?”. The contents are replaced with.

In FIG. 18, when the sheet discharge sensor 38 is detected to be off when the staple sheet bundle is discharged after the stapling is executed, the "stipple tray number counter" is selected in step P48.
By checking the value, you can check the number of paper stacks,
If the number of staple sheets concerned is smaller than the predetermined value A experimentally obtained in advance as the number of sheets that can be pulled back without the state shown in FIG. 24 (b), the "return roller return operation flag" is selected in step P46. And the "return roller return operation timer" is reset in step P47, and the return roller 121 is operated according to the flow of FIG.

In this example, even when there is only one stipple portion, when the number of sheets to be bound is less than the predetermined number, the return roller 121 is brought into contact with the trailing end of the staple sheet bundle and pulled back. If the number of stapled sheets is less than a predetermined value, the pullback force is also small, and therefore even in the case of single-point binding, the staple needle portions can be aligned before being damaged.

Description Corresponding to Claim 4 (FIG. 19) As shown in FIG. 24 (a), even if a stapled sheet bundle bound at one location is stacked and the sheet size is small, the return roller 121 contacts. Since the distance from the position to the staple needle is short, the moment applied to the staple needle portion when the return roller 121 is brought into contact with the trailing edge of the paper is small,
Does not cause damage near the staple needle. Therefore, if the paper size is small even when binding at one location, the return roller 1
Since 21 can be operated, alignment can be improved.

Explaining in a concrete example, as shown in FIG. 21B, even if a stapled sheet bundle bound at one location is stacked, if the size of the stapled sheet bundle is small, the return roller 121 is operated to operate the stapled sheet. Even when trying to pull back the bundle SS4, the state as shown in FIG. 24 (b) does not occur, and the resistance to pull back is small, so that the staple sheet bundle SS
The whole 4 can be pulled back.

A specific reason why wrinkles and creases do not occur at the staple needle portion is that the size of the paper is large.
1 (a) and FIG. 21 (b) in which the paper size is small, it can be seen that the paper of smaller size shown in FIG.
Because the distance from 1 to the staple 20 is short (B <
A), the moment applied to the staple needle portion, which is a multiplier of this distance (A or B) and the pullback force F by the return roller 121, is small (BF <Af).

Based on such a concept, the present example has the following description of "jogger & staple & discharge control" in FIG.
It is executed by inserting the flow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 19 between step P31 and step P32. Here, the flow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 19 has the contents obtained by replacing Step P45 “How many stipple points?” In the flow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 17 with Step P49 “Paper size?”. There is.

In FIG. 19, when the sheet discharge sensor 38 is detected to be off when the staple sheet bundle is discharged after the stapling is performed, the sheet size of the staple sheet bundle is checked in step P49. If the roller 121 does not function and the size is B5 or smaller, the "return roller return operation flag" is set in step P46, and the "return roller return operation timer" is reset in step P47. I decided to make it work.

In this example, even when there is only one stipple portion, when the paper size is smaller than the predetermined value, the return roller 121 is brought into contact with the trailing end of the staple paper bundle and pulled back. If the paper size is small, the return roller 121 can function and can be aligned without damaging the staple needle portion.

[0154]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent wrinkles and breakage of the sheet-shaped medium bundle by the returning means with respect to the sheet-shaped medium bundle subjected to the stippling process.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent wrinkles and breakage of the sheet-shaped medium bundle by the returning means for the sheet-shaped medium bundle that has been stapled at one stipple portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sheet-shaped medium bundle less than the predetermined number can be favorably aligned by the function of the returning means.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the sheet-like medium bundle having a size smaller than the predetermined size can be favorably aligned by the function of the returning means.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, a sheet-like medium bundle having two or more stipple points can be favorably aligned by the function of the returning means.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the returning means can be reliably brought into contact with the rear end portion of the sheet-shaped medium by the positional displacement of the returning means, and the sheets can be properly aligned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet-shaped medium post-processing device, and FIG. 2B is a schematic perspective view of a sensor peripheral part that controls the height of a tray.

FIG. 3 is a front view around a return roller according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a main part around a return roller.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a main part around a return roller.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a power transmission unit illustrating a rotary drive system of a return roller.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a return roller and its driving means.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating the operation of the return roller.

FIG. 9 (a) is a front view illustrating a drive system in the case where the driving sources of the returning roller and the paper discharging roller are common, and FIG. 9 (b) is an independent driving source of the returning roller and the paper discharging roller. It is a front view explaining the drive system in the case.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating an operation range of a return roller.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 (a) is a view of the return roller in the first position, and FIG. 20 (b) is a view of the return roller in the second position.

FIG. 21 (a) is a diagram for explaining the moment caused by the return roller for large size paper, and FIG. 21 (b) is a diagram for explaining the moment due to the return roller for small size paper.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a sheet alignment state when there is no returning unit.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a sheet alignment state when there is a returning unit.

FIG. 24 (a) is a diagram showing a return roller positioned at a first position to return a sheet bundle with one stipple position, and FIG. 24 (b) is returned at a second position. It is the figure which showed the state where the wrinkle generate | occur | produced at the staple position at time.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 trays 20 staples 121 Return roller

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideya Nagasako             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, stock             Company Ricoh (72) Inventor Kazuya Tsutsui             1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, stock             Company Ricoh F term (reference) 2H072 CA01 CB01 FB01 FB08 FB09                       GA08 JA02                 3F054 AA01 AC00 BA04 BD02 BH04                       DA01 DA12 DA16                 3F108 GA10 GB01 HA02 HA32

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for transporting a sheet-shaped medium received from an image forming apparatus, a means for aligning and stapling a plurality of sheet-shaped media sequentially transported by the transporting means, and a transporting means for transporting by the transporting means. Sheet-shaped medium and a discharging unit that discharges the sheet-shaped medium bundle stapled by the stapling unit, a stacking unit that stacks the sheet-shaped medium discharged by the discharging unit, and a sheet-shaped medium discharged on the stacking unit A sheet-like medium post-processing device having a returning means that is capable of coming into contact with and separating from a medium and abutting against the standing wall to align the sheet-shaped medium immediately after being discharged by feeding the sheet in a direction toward the standing wall. When the sheet-shaped medium discharged from the discharging unit is a sheet-shaped medium bundle stapled by the stapling unit, A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus, characterized in that the returning means is controlled so as to maintain a state of being separated from the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium bundle. 2. A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed when the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle has only one stipple point. Sheet media post-processing device. 3. The sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stipple portion of the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle is 1
A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus, which performs the control when the number of sheet-shaped mediums forming a bundle does not reach a predetermined number even at only one location. 4. The sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stipple position of the stapled sheet-shaped medium bundle is 1
A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus, wherein the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device is configured to perform the above control even when the number of sheets is smaller than a predetermined size. 5. The sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-shaped medium bundle discharged from the discharging means is placed on the stacking means when the sheet-shaped medium has at least two stipple points. A sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus, characterized in that, after being stacked, the returning means is brought into contact with the sheet-shaped medium bundle so as to feed the sheet-shaped medium bundle. 6. The sheet-shaped medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the returning unit is made of a rotating body, and is located at a first position (home) separated from the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium. Position) and a second position downstream of the first position in the discharging direction and capable of contacting the upper surface of the sheet-shaped medium. Media post-processing device.