JP2003118924A - Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize the size of a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of moving a register mark according to sheet size, while preventing a registration failure due to the collision of sheets stacked and registered on a processing tray. SOLUTION: The sheet post-processing apparatus, which is adapted to receive, stack and register the sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus while moving the register mark according to the size of the sheets, includes the processing tray for receiving the sheets and performing the process of registering the sheets thereon; a pressing means for moving the sheets in a direction perpendicular to sheet discharge direction in order to align the ends of the sheets on the processing tray with the register mark; and a stapler means for stapling the aligned ends of a bundle of sheets on the processing tray by moving as the register mark moves. The processing tray has a cutout for securing a space for movement of the stapler means. Also a slide tray is provided for filling the cutout in the processing tray by moving after the stapling means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention collects and aligns a plurality of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying apparatus or a printing apparatus, and further binds the aligned sheet bundle (staple). The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus for performing processing such as the above, and an image forming apparatus including such a sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus receives image data to be printed from a data processing apparatus such as an image reading apparatus, a facsimile apparatus or a computer, and forms a printed image on a sheet based on the image data.

The sheet post-processing device receives an image-formed sheet from such an image forming device and discharges it onto a sheet discharge tray. When the number of sheets after the image formation is plural. Performs the post-processing such as aligning the end portions of the sheet bundle, stapling the end portions of the sheet bundle, and punching holes as the case requires. Then, the sheet bundle subjected to such post-processing is finally sequentially stacked on the stack tray and taken out by the operator.

Such a sheet post-processing apparatus similarly performs post-processing of various wide-sized sheets in response to the fact that the image forming apparatus can handle sheets of various sizes. There is a need.

Correspondingly, the sheet post-processing apparatus also handles sheets of various sizes, but the alignment reference position of the sheet bundle is usually orthogonal to the sheet ejection direction of the sheet ejection port to the stack tray. It is adapted to one end side (hereinafter referred to as "reference side"). Therefore, the document forming apparatus delivers the image forming sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus at a position along the reference side.

Therefore, the position of the stapling means in the sheet post-processing apparatus is naturally arranged at the reference side position in the processing tray for performing post-processing such as sheet alignment on the stapling means. The pressing means for pressing the other end of the sheet to align one end of the sheet to be aligned with the alignment reference is arranged on the opposite side of the reference side in the processing tray. Then, the alignment standard of the sheet bundle is usually set at one fixed position, and for this reason, the alignment reference section for defining the alignment standard is provided on the reference side of the processing tray.

By the way, in the sheet conveying mechanism in the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus, the sheet is conveyed in a state of being nipped by the upper and lower paired rollers which are usually arranged at two places. Here, it is desirable that the two paired rollers are arranged at positions equidistant from the center of the sheet. This is because if the two paired rollers are located at positions that are significantly different from the center of the sheet, the risk of the sheet conveying direction becoming unstable or the sheet skewing and jamming increases. However, as described above, the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus handle a wide variety of sheets of various sizes, and the sheets of such various sizes are conveyed while being shifted to the reference side at one end of the apparatus. It is discharging. Therefore, a sheet smaller than a predetermined size in the widthwise direction is nipped in a state where it is significantly offset from the center of the arrangement position of the pair of rollers, or the nip by the pair of rollers on the opposite side to the reference side. It will come off.

For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-27669.
No. 1 (first prior art) is an image forming post-processing apparatus configured so that a pair of jogger fences (pressing means) from both sides of the apparatus align the sheets so that the sheets are moved to the center of the apparatus. Is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-109809 (second
As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet post-processing apparatus described in (Prior Art) of FIG. 10 separates a side fence 408 that defines an alignment standard and a jogger fence 402 that corresponds to a pressing unit of the present application by individual drive units to copy a copy sheet. The stapler 400 can be moved depending on the size and the side fence 408 can be used.
I am trying to move together with. Therefore, this second
In the related art, the jogger fence 402 and the side fence 408 move along a guide shaft 417 fixed to the staple tray 401 in a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction. The jogger fence 402 uses the drive stepping motor 414 to drive the timing belt 415.
The side fence 408 is moved by the drive stepping motor 411 and the timing belt 412. Then, when the copy sheet is conveyed to the staple unit and the trailing edge of the copy sheet fits in the staple tray, the jogger fence 402 moves the end surface of the copy sheet in the direction of the side fence 408 to align the copy sheet.

[0010]

As described above, in these post-processing apparatuses according to the prior art, the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are received and stacked, and the stacked sheets are aligned on the upper surface thereof. And a staple tray (processing tray) for performing staple processing, in which the staple means arranged at the home position provided on the reference side of the staple tray moves in the central direction from the home position on the reference side. To do. For this reason, in order to ensure the movement of the stapling means, the stapling means is attached to the staple tray at a position projecting to the front side in the sheet conveying direction.

Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the prior art configured such that the alignment reference moves and the stapler (stapling means) moves in accordance with the movement of the alignment reference is compared with a normal apparatus in which the alignment reference does not move. Inevitably, the external size has been increased.

Further, in such a conventional technique,
Since at least one jogger fence (pressing means), side fence (alignment plate), and stapler are configured to move on the surface or the end of the staple tray, the tray surface contacting the sheet of the staple tray is Has a notch. For this reason, when the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus or aligned and moves on the tray surface, the leading edge or corner of the sheet falls into the notch on the tray surface and is caught in the notched portion, which disturbs the aligned state. It caused the occurrence of jams and jams.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus which is configured so that the alignment reference can be moved according to the sheet size in order to enable the handling of a wide range of sheets, the stapling means that moves is moved to the tray. A sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reducing the size of the apparatus by arranging the sheet on the upstream side of the sheet discharge on the surface and preventing misalignment due to a sheet caught on the processing tray and aligned. The purpose is to provide.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and is a storage means for storing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, and a storage means on the storage means. Alignment reference means serving as a reference for aligning the sheets, alignment reference position changing means for changing the alignment reference position for aligning the sheets by the alignment reference means, and alignment means for aligning the sheets by moving the sheets to the alignment reference means. A post-processing means for performing post-processing on the sheet by moving to a post-processing position corresponding to the alignment reference position of the alignment reference means, a movement path for the post-processing means to move, and a sheet in the movement path. A sheet post-processing apparatus is provided, which is configured to have a supporting unit for supporting.

Thus, it is possible to prevent the sheet from falling and caught in the movement path along which the post-processing means moves, which may disturb the alignment of the sheets or cause a jam.

According to the present invention, the moving path is constituted by a cutout portion provided in the sheet placing portion of the accommodating means. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the apparatus as compared with a case where the movement path along which the post-processing means moves is provided outside the sheet storage section.

According to the present invention, the supporting means is characterized in that a region for supporting the sheet changes in accordance with an alignment reference position of the alignment reference means. As a result, the supporting means does not always fill the entire moving path by filling the moving path only with the portion required for the sheet to be supported by the change in the alignment reference position, and thus the supporting means itself. It can be made compact.

According to the present invention, the supporting means moves along with the post-processing means and enters the lower side of the sheet placing section, and the sheet has a height substantially the same as that of the sheet placing section. And an inclined support portion that connects the lower support portion and the upper support portion with each other. As a result, the lower support portion enters below the sheet stacking portion, so that the region in which the support means supports the sheet can be changed, and at the time of alignment, the edge of the sheet has a height difference between the lower support portion and the upper support portion. Even when the sheet falls, the sheet is guided along the inclined portion and is guided to the upper support portion at substantially the same height as the sheet placing portion.

The present invention is characterized in that the supporting means is fixed to the post-processing means. Accordingly, the supporting means can be moved together with the post-processing means, and it is not necessary to provide a driving means for moving separately from the post-processing means, so that the supporting means can be made compact.

The present invention is characterized in that the supporting means has a regulating member for aligning one end of the sheets aligned by the alignment reference means with the other end of the adjacent sheet. As a result, the supporting means moves in accordance with the alignment reference, and the regulating member that aligns one end of the sheet aligned by the alignment reference means and the other end adjacent to the sheet also moves.
Even if the alignment standard changes, the other end of the sheet can be properly regulated and aligned.

The present invention is characterized in that the supporting means has a weight means for preventing the curling of the sheet. As a result, the supporting means moves in accordance with the alignment standard, and the weight means also moves, so that even if the alignment standard changes, the curl of the sheet is appropriately suppressed and the sheet maintains a proper posture at the post-processing position. It can be post-processed as is.

In the present invention, the weight means presses the sheet by the upper support portion. As a result, the weight means presses the sheet by the upper support portion that is substantially at the same height as the sheet placing portion, so that the sheet is pushed into the lower support portion that is lower than the upper support portion, and the posture of the sheet collapses. Never.

The present invention is characterized in that the aligning position changing means changes the aligning reference position according to a discharge reference or a sheet size when the sheet is discharged into the storing means. As a result, when the sheet is discharged based on its center, left edge, and right edge, or
When the sheet size itself is different even with the same discharge standard, the position of one end of the discharged sheet on the side of the alignment standard means is different.

As described above, by making the alignment reference different for one end having a different position, it is possible to reduce the risk of jamming due to the reduction of the distance that the sheet moves to the alignment reference position, and it is possible to shorten the time required for alignment.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus equipped with the above sheet post-processing apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet alignment state from being disturbed or causing a jam.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus G such as a copying machine or a printer and a sheet post-processing apparatus 11 as a sheet discharging apparatus are included. The sheet post-processing device 11 has a structure attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus G.

An image forming apparatus G shown in FIG. 1 shows a main part configuration of a known copying machine, printer, etc., and a scanner (image reading apparatus) 2 is provided under an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1.
Is provided. An image generation unit (printer engine) 3 is arranged below the scanner 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus 11 with the cover removed.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a main part of the sheet post-processing device 11.

1 and 2, the sheet post-processing device 11 includes a main body device 12, a staple unit 13 for binding a sheet bundle arranged on one side frame of the main body device 12, and a main body device. A driving force transmission mechanism 14 disposed on the other side frame 12 is provided.

The apparatus is provided with a receiving port 18 to which the image-formed sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus G is supplied, a reversing tray 50 for reversing the sheet S supplied from the receiving port 18, and a receiving port 18. Discharge port 20 formed on the surface opposite to
Then, a stacking tray 15 for stacking the sheets S discharged from the discharge port 20 is provided.

The reversing tray 5 for reversing the sheet S
0 is provided below the stacking tray 15. The stacking tray 15 is provided above the sheet post-processing device 11, and a space below the stacking tray 15 is an empty space. By arranging the reversing tray 50 in this empty space, space saving on the image forming apparatus G side can be realized and the sheet post-processing apparatus 11 can be downsized.

Depending on the image forming apparatus G, it is not necessary to provide a switchback path and a reversing means for reversing the front and back of the sheet, but in the present embodiment, it will be described below as having a reversing function.

The stapling unit 13 is for binding the ends of the sheet S bundle by stapling. Instead of this, a punching unit for punching punch holes, a glue unit for gluing the ends of the sheet S bundle, and the like. Other post-processing means may be arranged. Here, it will be described as having a stapling unit.

Inside the main body device 12, a first conveying path 300 for introducing the sheet S from the receiving port 18 into the inside and guiding it to the reversing tray 50, and from the reversing tray 50 through the discharge port 20 to the stacking tray 15. And a second transport path 302 for reversing and discharging the sheet, and a sheet S is transported into the processing tray 39 that separates a step from the second transport path 302 and switches back the transport direction to temporarily store the sheet S. And a third transport path 303 that operates.

In the processing tray 39, the stapling unit 13 performs stapling, and the end faces of the bundle of sheets S are aligned with each other by, for example, a pressing drive member (not shown).

Next, a description will be given of a flow of receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus side, stacking, aligning and stapling the sheets in the present apparatus.

The sheet S has a second to a third transport path 303.
A plurality of sheets are placed on the placement surface of the processing tray 39 and aligned with each other. Then, after stapling is performed by the staple unit 13, the stack of sheets S is discharged to the stacking tray 15.

The first conveyance path has the entrance sensor 21 for detecting the edge of the sheet and the entrance roller 180 and extends to the switchback conveyance path 301. The switchback conveyance path 301 has a switchback roller 181 and a reversal sensor 185 that detects the edge of the sheet, and extends to the reversal tray 50.

In the second transport path 302, the third transport path 3
It has an endless transport belt 28 for transporting the sheet S to 03. A processing tray unit 30 is provided below the endless transport belt 28. The processing tray unit 30 temporarily holds the sheets S so that the endless transport belt 28 rotates to sequentially pull in the sheets S and the staple unit 3 performs stapling for each bundle of a predetermined number of sheets S. . Further, one reference side of the processing tray 39 forms a fixed alignment reference.

The second transport path 302 as the reversing means is
The switchback transport path 301 is curved to reach the transport roller 182, and the transport roller 182 to the transport roller 183.
The second conveyance path 302 is provided upright substantially vertically, is curved from the conveyance roller 183, and is provided toward the discharge port 20.

Further, above the second conveying path 302, there is provided a rotating unit 24 which rotates up and down with the paddle drive roller shaft as a shaft fulcrum. This rotation unit 24
Moves to the lower position when discharging the bundle of sheets S in the processing tray unit 30 to the stacking tray 15, and moves to the upper position when guiding the sheet S to the third transport path 303 to the processing tray unit 30. Moving.

A driven discharge roller (bundle discharge roller) 25 is provided in the rotating unit 24. The driven discharge roller 25 is for discharging the sheet S or the bundle of sheets S from the discharge port 20 to the stacking tray 15. A discharge roller 36 is arranged at the discharge port 20 so as to face the driven discharge roller 25.

Below the discharge roller 36, a sheet abutting member 12a that regulates the edge of the sheets S stacked on the stacking tray 15 is formed integrally with the front frame of the main body device 12. A sheet pressing lever 78 is provided which protrudes and retracts from the position above the sheet abutting member 12a of the sheet abutting member 12a close to the discharge roller 36 toward the stacking tray 15. The sheet pressing lever 78 allows the sheet S or the bundle of sheets S to be discharged from the discharge roller 36.
Every time it is discharged by the driven discharge roller 25, it moves so as to project toward the stacking tray 15.

The details of the stapling unit 13 and the processing tray 39 in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

As described above, the sheet S transported from the second transport path via the first transport path 300 is placed on the processing tray 39 by the endless transport belt 28 via the third transport path. There are multiple sizes of sheet S,
The discharge standard for ejecting the sheet S includes a plurality of discharge standards such as a center standard, a front one side standard, and a rear one side standard. Alignment is performed at the alignment reference position corresponding to the sheets having different sizes and discharge standards, and the predetermined position of the sheet S is bound by the staple moved to the post-processing position corresponding to the alignment reference position.

The sheet S is aligned by pressing means 2 for applying a pressure to align the edge of the sheet S placed on the placing surface of the processing tray 39 with the alignment reference or the aligning member 101.
The sheet is pressed by 05 to the alignment reference side and aligned.

In the present invention, the processing tray 39 is provided with the aligning member 101 as a movable aligning reference means for moving up and down according to the size of the sheet S, and the stapling unit 13 is arranged in front of the main body apparatus 12 according to the size of the sheet S. Move from side to side as seen from. In addition, the slide tray 202, which is a part of the processing tray, is integrally configured with the staple unit 13 so as to interlock with each other. In the example of this embodiment, the number of the aligning member 101 is one, but it is needless to say that the aligning member 101 can be provided in a plurality of places depending on the range of the sheet size to be handled by the same configuration.

4 and 5 are enlarged perspective views of the processing tray 39 portion of the sheet post-processing device 11, the slide tray 202, and the stapling unit 13.

Staple unit 13 of processing tray 39
A part of the side is notched so that the staple unit 13 can move, and a notch 201 is formed as a movement path of the staple unit 13. If there is no notch, the moved staple unit 13 staples the processing tray 39. The staple unit 13 is integrally formed with a slide tray 202 corresponding to the cutout portion.

Further, the processing tray 39 has an inclined surface for guiding the sheet to the stapler position. The sheet S conveyed to the processing tray 39 is configured to be guided to the stapler position along the inclined surface.

When the sheet S is conveyed from the image forming apparatus G, a shift operation (here, stapling in the shift operation described above), a size of the sheet S, and a request signal for the operation of the staple unit 13 based on the discharge standard of the sheet S are transmitted after the sheet. It is transferred to the processing device 11. The shift operation mode and the straight operation mode are switched by this signal, and when it is necessary to move based on the current stop position of the staple unit 13 and the newly requested position, the staple unit 13 is moved to the position corresponding to the request. 13 moves.

In FIG. 4, the processing tray 39, the slide tray 202, and the stapling unit 13 show a state in which a large size sheet S is processed. The alignment member 101 descends, and the tray surface of the processing tray 39 and the movable tray surface of the alignment member 101 form the same plane. The position of the staple unit 13 is the home position of the staple unit 13.

In FIG. 5, the processing tray 39, the slide tray 202, and the stapling unit 13 show a state in which a small size sheet S is processed. The lower support portion 202b of the slide tray 202 is inserted under the lower surface of the processing tray 39. The movable aligning member 101 of the processing tray 39 is pushed upward by a push-up member 102 provided in the staple unit 13 as the staple unit 13 moves, and is raised. The alignment member 101, which is moved up and pushed up by the staple unit 13, serves as an alignment reference matched to the sheet S size.

4 and 5, the area of the supporting surface for supporting the sheet of the slide tray 202 as the supporting means for supporting the sheet in the movement path of the staple unit 13 extends over the entire cutout portion 201 in FIG. It is wide, and in FIG. 5, it is narrow because the lower support portion 202b enters under the processing tray 202.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the driving force transmission mechanism 14 for driving the rotary shaft 107 formed in the sheet post-processing device 11 and moving the staple unit 13.

Next, the structure for moving the staple unit 13 will be described. A request signal for an operation corresponding to the small-sized sheet S is transferred from the image forming apparatus G to the sheet post-processing apparatus 11. The inlet motor 110 starts reverse rotation. The entrance motor 110 drives the entrance roller 180 during normal rotation. The rotation is transmitted to the one-way clutch gear 108 via the rotating shaft 107 driven by the belt 111. The rotation is transmitted to the worm gear 106 via the one-way clutch gear 108, and further the worm gear 1
06 rotates the worm wheel 104.

A crank lever 103 having one end rotatably connected thereto is provided in contact with the inner surface of the peripheral wall of a concave rotary disk 105 provided on the worm wheel 104. The other end of the crank lever 103 is rotatably connected to the staple unit 13.

When the worm wheel 104 rotates, the connecting portion of the crank lever 103 moves along the edge of the rotary disc 105 as the rotary disc 105 rotates. The rotary motion of the turntable 105 is converted into a linear motion by the crank lever 103. The crank lever 103 will make a piston movement.

The connecting portion between the crank lever 103 and the worm wheel 104 in FIG. 5 is outside the staple unit 13, and the staple unit 13 is at the home position. In FIG. 6, the connecting portion with the crank lever 103 is on the side of the staple unit 13 as the worm wheel 104 rotates. As a result, the crank lever 103 is pushed toward the staple unit 13 side. The staple unit 13 connected to the crank lever 103 is pushed by the crank lever 103, and the processing tray 39 side (main unit 1
2 side).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the staple unit 13 includes a slide tray 202 and an alignment member 101.
A push-up member 102 for moving up and down is provided. When the sheet post-processing device 11 receives a request signal for the operation of the staple unit 13 from the image forming apparatus G, the operation of moving the staple unit 13 starts. When the staple unit 13 moves, the slide tray 202 and the push-up member 102 provided in the staple unit 13 are released from the home position sensor 108 and the staple unit 13 is released.
Move with. One end of the aligning member 101 is the processing tray 3
9 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 9.

The push-up member 102 is formed such that a push-moving portion 120 that pushes up the contact portion 109 of the aligning member 101 is provided with a predetermined angle, and pushes up the contact portion 109 of the aligning member 101 as it moves. The matching member 101 has a matching surface and has a matching reference function similar to a fixed matching reference.

On the contrary to the above-described operation, when switching from the A5 size sheet S processing position to the A3 size sheet S processing, the image forming apparatus G corresponds to a large size sheet S such as A3 size. An operation request signal is transferred to the sheet post-processing device 11. Sheet post-processing device 11
When a request signal is received from the image forming apparatus G for the operation of the staple unit 13, the operation of moving the staple unit 13 is started. When the staple unit 13 moves, the slide tray 20 provided in the staple unit 13
2 and the push-up member 102 move together with the staple unit 13 to join the home position sensor 108.
In the slide tray 202, the lower support portion 202b that has entered the lower surface of the processing tray is pulled out, and the cutout portion 201 is formed.
To join. At this time, the pushing portion 120 of the pushing member 102
Is separated from the contact portion 109 of the alignment member 101, and the alignment member 10
1 rotates and moves downward. The surface of the alignment member 101 is the same level surface as the tray surface of the processing tray 39.

Here, the slide tray 202 provided integrally with the staple unit 13 will be described.

The processing tray 39 is the staple unit 1
A cutout portion 201 is formed to secure a moving space of 3. If there is no notch, the moved staple unit 13 staples the processing tray 39. And if there is a notch, the seat surface cannot be held stably. In the present embodiment, the staple unit 1
A slide tray 202 is formed at 3 to follow the staple unit 13 and fill the notch 201 of the processing tray. The staple unit 13 and the slide tray 202 are integrally configured. With the movement of the staple unit 13, the slide tray 202 also moves and fills the notch 201 of the processing tray 39 to secure a sheet path surface.

Small size sheet S such as A5 size
During processing, the staple unit 13 moves to the alignment member 101 side, but the slide tray 202 provided in the staple unit 13 also moves and enters the lower surface side of the processing tray 39.

The slide tray 202 in this embodiment
Serves as a supporting means for preventing the sheet from falling into the cutout portion 201 serving as the movement path, and as its configuration, a lower support that enters below the lower surface of the processing tray 39 as the staple is moved. Section 202b
And an upper supporting portion 202a forming a substantially same plane as the processing tray and a lower supporting portion 20 of the slide tray 202.
2b and the upper support portion 202a connect the inclined support portion 20
2c.

The sheet supporting surface of the slide tray 202 is
The lower support portion, the upper support portion, and the support surfaces provided on the inclined support portion are provided.
The support surface 2c prevents the edge of the sheet S from being caught at the boundary between the slide tray 202 and the processing tray 39. In addition, the support surface of the inclined support portion 202c is
Prevents troubles such as jams when the sheet is conveyed,
It also has an effect that the sheet can be reliably guided to the processing unit of the staple unit.

Lower support portion 202 of slide tray 202
When the sheet on the processing tray 39 is aligned at the fixed alignment reference portion (when processing a large size sheet), the sheet b is pulled out from the lower surface of the processing tray 39 and can be moved up and down. When any one of the members 101 is aligned (when processing a small size sheet), a part of the member 101 enters below the lower surface of the processing tray 39. In this way, the stapling unit 13 is moved according to the sheet size, and along with the movement, the notch 201 of the processing tray 39 is moved to the slide tray 20.
2 expands and contracts freely to secure the seat surface. In this way, even if the staple unit 13 moves, the alignment movement of the sheet on the processing tray 39 is not hindered.

The processing tray 39 is provided with a leading edge regulating member 209 for aligning the edges in the sheet discharging direction, and the slide tray 202 also regulates the edge in the sheet discharging direction in cooperation with the leading edge regulating member. The same restricting member is provided. Furthermore, at least one of the slide trays 202 of the processing tray 39 is further provided with a weight 204 for preventing the aligned sheets from bending up. The weight 204 is configured to move following the movement of the staple unit 13 and does not come off from the sheet surface even if the sheet size is changed.
Further, since the weight 204 is set at a position where the upper support portion 202a of the slide tray 202 presses the sheet, the weight 204 and the upper support portion 202a and the lower support portion 202b of the slide tray 202 are pressed downward from the upper support portion 202a. The sheet S can be reliably guided to the processing unit of the staple unit 13 without interfering with the aligning action of the pressing unit 205 as the aligning unit by pushing down the sheet S in the gap in the height direction with the supporting unit 202b.

The present invention changes the alignment reference position at which the sheets are aligned according to the sheet size and the discharge standard in order to enable handling of a wide range of sizes of sheets, and after the alignment reference position is dealt with. By arranging the stapling means that moves to the processing position on the upstream side of the sheet discharge on the tray surface, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and at the same time, misalignment occurs due to the sheets stacked and aligned on the processing tray being caught. It was configured so that it would not exist.

In this way, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention moves the stapling unit 13 based on the operation signal sent from the image forming apparatus G corresponding to the sheet S to be processed, and moves the aligning member 101 up and down. . The sheet conveyed from the first conveying path is placed on the placing surface of the processing tray 39, and the pressing unit 205 presses the edge of the sheet for alignment.

When a predetermined number of sheets are conveyed and the alignment is completed, the stack of sheets is bound by the stapling means and the discharge roller 36 and the rotating unit 24 which rotates up and down with the paddle drive roller shaft as a pivot point inside the processing tray unit 30. The stack of the sheets S is discharged to the stacking tray 15.

Next, the control of the above-mentioned operation in this apparatus will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

When the stapling process is started (S1), the necessity of moving the stapling unit 13 is determined based on the information such as the sheet S size and the discharge standard (S2). If it is necessary to move the staple unit 13, the staple unit 13 is moved (S3). The stapling unit 13 is moved when the size of the sheet S is changed or when the discharge standard is changed. For example, when the sheet size is changed from A3 to A4SEF, the stapling unit 13 is moved. Also, when the A4SEF is changed to the A3, the stapling unit 13 is similarly moved.

The moving condition of the staple unit 13 is set according to the size of the sheet S. For example, the group of large sheets is group A and the group of small sheets is group B.

As an example, the sheet size of the A group is A3, B4, A4LEF, B5LEF, LD, LT.
LEF, Yakai, 7.25X10.5LEF (Select
ive). Also, the sheet size of the B group is
A4SEF, B5SEF, A5LEF, 8.5x14
(LG), 8.5 × 13, LTSEF, STLEF.

For group A, staple unit 1
3 is a home position, and the alignment member 101 is not pushed up. For group B, staple unit 1
3 is pushed into the main body device 12 side, and the matching member 101 is pushed up.

Next, the inlet motor 110 and the carry motor (not shown) start forward rotation drive (S4).

First, the entrance sensor 21 detects the presence or absence of the sheet S (S5). When the sheet S is present, the sheet is conveyed to the first conveying path 300 by the entrance roller. A reverse motor (not shown) is detected when the sheet S is conveyed for a predetermined distance.
Starts to rotate forward. (S6, S7).

When it is detected that the rear end of the sheet has separated from the entrance sensor, the reversing motor accelerates the rotation. (S
8, S9). The sheet S is guided to the reversing tray 50 by the switchback roller 181. The reversing motor is stopped (S11) when transported by a predetermined distance (S11). Next, the reversing motor starts reverse driving (S12). The upper surface of the sheet S when it is taken in from the entrance is reversed and is conveyed from the reversal tray 50 to a second conveyance path as a reversing unit. When the conveyance for a predetermined distance is detected (S22), the paddle solenoid is turned on, the rotating unit 24 is rotated to the upper position, and the sheet S is guided to the processing tray 39 (S2).
3, S24). When the conveyance of the sheet S by a predetermined distance is detected (S25), the sheet S is accumulated on the processing tray 39.

Next, the stacked sheets S are aligned (S26). To align the sheet S, the sheet S is processed into the processing tray 3
The reference side of 9 is pressed by the pressing means 205 to be aligned. If it is not the final sheet S, the same operation is repeated from step S5 until the final sheet S is detected (S29). In the case of the final sheet S, the rotation unit 24 starts descending (S28). When the paper is conveyed for a predetermined distance, the conveyance motor is stopped (S31). Here stapler motor (not shown)
Is turned on and stapler binding is performed (S32). At this point, the transport motor (not shown) starts forward rotation driving (S3).
3). The drive is transmitted to the discharge roller 25 of the rotating unit 24 located at the lower side first (S34).

The stapled sheet S bundle is discharged to the stacking tray 15. When the discharge of the bundle of sheets S is completed, the entrance motor 110 and the conveyance motor are stopped and the stapling process is completed (S36, S37).

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, the moving stapling means is disposed on the sheet discharge upstream side of the tray surface, and a part of the processing tray is provided to secure the moving space of the stapling unit. Notches and notches are formed by the amount of movement, and a slide tray that complements the notches is formed integrally with the staple unit 13 so as to move simultaneously.

With such a structure, in the present invention, a dedicated drive means for raising and lowering the aligning member and moving the slide tray is not required, and it is possible to simplify the drive mechanism and save labor. In addition, the device size has been reduced without impairing the alignment quality of the sheets.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a main part of the sheet post-processing apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a processing tray portion and a stapling unit constituting portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus, showing a state in which a slide tray is pulled out from a lower surface of the processing tray.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a processing tray portion and a stapling unit constituting portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus, showing a state in which the slide tray is inserted into the lower surface of the processing tray.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a driving force transmission mechanism 14 that drives a conveyance roller and moves a staple unit formed in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory block diagram (No. 1) of the operation of the shift operation mode (stapling) in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory block diagram (No. 2) of the operation of the shift operation mode (stapling) in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory block diagram (No. 3) of the operation in the shift operation mode (stapling) in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

G image forming apparatus GA, 11A microprocessor 3 Image generator 11 Sheet post-processing equipment 12 Main unit 13 Staple unit 15 Stacking tray 25 Driven discharge roller 30 processing tray unit 36 Ejection roller 39 Processing tray 40 sensor lever 50 reverse tray 101 matching member 102 Push-up member 103 crank lever 104 worm wheel 106 worm gear 108 Home Position Sensor 109 contact part 110 inlet motor 202 slide tray 202a Upper support part 202b lower support 202c inclined support 201 Notch

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kawamoto             Fujize, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture             Rocks Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Kazuhisa Mochizuki             1 430 Kobayashi, Masuho-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture             Within ska corporation F-term (reference) 2H072 AB07 GA08                 3F053 HA03 HB11 LA02 LA07 LB03                 3F054 AA01 AC01 BA04 BB02 BF03                       BF08 BF09 BH05 BH08 BH14                       BH15 CA04 DA02                 3F108 GA02 GA04 HA02 HA32

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus, an alignment reference unit serving as a reference for aligning sheets on the storage unit, and an alignment reference position for aligning sheets by the alignment reference unit. Alignment reference position changing means for changing, alignment means for aligning sheets by moving the sheets to the alignment reference means, and moving to a post-processing position corresponding to the alignment reference position of the alignment reference means for post-processing the sheet A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a post-processing unit, a moving path for moving the post-processing unit, and a supporting unit that supports a sheet in the moving path. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement path is constituted by a cutout portion provided in a sheet placing portion of the storage means. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit changes a region for supporting the sheet in accordance with an alignment reference position of the alignment reference unit. 4. The support means supports the sheet at a height substantially the same as that of the lower support portion that moves following the post-processing means and enters below the sheet placement portion. 4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet post-processing device is configured by an upper support portion that performs the above operation and an inclined support portion that connects the lower support portion and the upper support portion. 5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is fixed to the post-processing means. 6. The rear seat according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means has a regulating member for aligning one end of the sheet aligned by the alignment reference means and the other end of the adjacent sheet. Processing equipment. 7. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting unit has a weight unit for preventing curling of the sheet. 8. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weight means presses the sheet with the upper support portion. 9. The aligning position changing means changes the aligning reference position according to a discharge reference or a sheet size when a sheet is discharged into the storing means. Sheet post-processing device. 10. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.