JP2004035228A - Sheet conveyance device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect the thickness of the sheet such as papers and insert sheets when the sheet is conveyed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system 1 is equipped with a pair of conveying rollers 909 to deliver the special paper C to downstream side, a pair of conveying rollers 906 which are arranged at the downstream side of the pair of rollers 909 and deliver the special paper C to further downstream side, and a sheet thickness detection unit 920 which is arranged between the pair of conveying rollers 909 and the pair of conveying rollers 906 and can detect the thickness of the special paper C conveyed between them. The sheet thickness detection unit 920 is controlled by a finisher control part 501 so as to detect the thickness of the special paper C when the sheet strides over both the pair of conveying rollers 909 and the pair of conveying rollers 906. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet conveying technique that enables the thickness of a conveyed sheet to be measured while conveying the sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming system such as a copying system, the first page, the middle page, or the last page of a bundle of sheets on which an image has been formed is moved from a cassette provided in the image forming system or a paper feed tray to a “ What can insert special paper (insertion sheet) used as "cover", "interleaf", or "back cover" is known. In such a system, special paper can be inserted not only from a single paper feed stage but also from another paper feed stage as a “cover”, “interleaf”, or “back cover”. There is also known a system configured to feed special paper from a dedicated tray. Further, a post-process such as a so-called bundle discharge process, a binding process, a folding process, and a bookbinding process may be performed on a bundle of sheets into which such special paper is inserted, by a finisher or the like included in the image forming system. is there.
[0003]
In an image forming system that supplies an insertion sheet from a cassette, when it is time to insert the insertion sheet into a bundle of sheets, the insertion sheet is supplied from the cassette to a transport path through which a sheet on which an image is formed passes, and the supplied insertion sheet is supplied. The sheet is discharged through the conveyance path. Here, since a fixing unit is usually provided in the middle of the conveyance path through which the sheet on which the image is formed passes, the inserted sheet also passes through the fixing unit similarly to the sheet.
[0004]
In this case, when a sheet on which a color image is recorded is used as the insertion sheet, the insertion sheet receives heat and pressure when passing through the fixing unit, and the quality of the recorded image on the insertion sheet may be impaired. . In addition, color copy paper or color print paper is often used as the above-mentioned insertion sheet. However, it has been pointed out that the transport mechanism is contaminated, and the reliability of transporting the paper is significantly reduced.
[0005]
In order to solve such a problem, an image forming system in which an insert sheet feeder (sheet conveying device) for supplying an insert sheet is provided in a finisher has been developed. As this type of apparatus, for example, those disclosed in JP-A-60-180894, JP-A-60-191932, JP-A-60-204564 and the like are known. In the systems described in these publications, an insertion sheet is supplied from an insertion sheet feeder to a finisher at a desired timing, and the insertion sheet is conveyed and stored (stacked) on a processing tray in the finisher. The paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus is also guided into the finisher, and is conveyed and stored (stacked) on the processing tray. In this case, the sheets are ejected from the image forming apparatus in a so-called face-down state in order from the first page, and the insertion sheets and the sheets are stacked and aligned on the processing tray in an inverted state.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the interleaving process is performed using the above-described insert sheet feeder, the sheets fed from the insert sheet feeder must be reliably supplied one by one to the finisher. However, special paper and the like used as an insertion sheet have various types of paper and images, and are inferior to transfer paper and the like in stability when automatically separated / transported. For this reason, actually, a so-called "double feed" may occur in which two or more insertion sheets, which should have been originally fed by the insertion sheet feeder, are simultaneously fed to two or more sheets.
[0007]
When such a double feed occurs, not only does the page order in the final sheet bundle including the insertion sheet deviate from the original one, but also an unnecessary image forming operation may be performed. In addition, when the mixing process of the insertion sheet and the sheet from the image forming apparatus is performed again after the double feed occurs, there is another problem that a new insertion sheet must be prepared. As described above, the occurrence of the double feed causes a great waste in paper and inserted sheets, processing time, power consumption, and the like, and increases a user's monitoring burden during work.
[0008]
Further, the double feeding as described above may also occur when sheets are fed from a sheet cassette or the like of the image forming apparatus. Such double feeding of paper stops the entire system due to a so-called jam, and greatly reduces the productivity of the system. Furthermore, if the inserted insertion sheets or sheets are double-fed in a state where they are exactly overlapped, it is no longer possible to detect the jam as a jam, and wasteful sheets or insertion sheets may be inserted into the created sheet bundle. There is also.
[0009]
On the other hand, in recent years, a system having a sheet thickness detection sensor capable of detecting the thickness of an insertion sheet or a sheet has been developed. In such a system, the insertion sheet or the sheet is detected by the sheet thickness detection sensor. Double feeds can be detected. However, when the conventional sheet thickness detection unit is used, erroneous detection of the sheet thickness often occurs, and the sheet may be damaged depending on the conveyance state of the sheet or the inserted sheet in the conveyance path. was there.
[0010]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately and reliably detect the thickness of a sheet or an inserted sheet when the sheet is conveyed.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a sheet conveying device that can measure the thickness of a conveyed sheet while conveying the sheet, and the sheet conveying device includes a first sheet driving unit that feeds a sheet to a downstream side. And a second sheet driving unit disposed downstream of the first sheet driving unit and feeding the sheet further downstream, and between the first sheet driving unit and the second sheet driving unit. A sheet thickness detecting unit that is disposed and is capable of detecting the thickness of a sheet conveyed between the two, and a sheet that straddles both the first sheet driving unit and the second sheet driving unit. And control means for causing the sheet thickness detecting means to detect the thickness of the sheet.
[0012]
According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to form a desired image on a sheet, create a bundle of sheets on which an image is formed, and insert a predetermined insertion sheet into a desired position of the sheet bundle. According to the image forming system, the image forming system is provided with a first sheet driving unit that sends out a sheet and / or an inserted sheet to a downstream side and a downstream side of the first sheet driving unit, and the sheet and / or the sheet is inserted. The second sheet driving means for sending the inserted sheet further downstream is disposed between the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means, and the sheet and / or the sheet conveyed between the two are driven. When a sheet or an inserted sheet is straddling both the sheet thickness detecting means capable of detecting the thickness of the sheet and the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means, the sheet thickness detecting means Ma It is characterized by having a control means for detecting the thickness of the insert sheet.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention.
[0014]
〔overall structure〕
The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes an image forming apparatus 10, a folding apparatus 400, and a finisher 500. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reader 200 for reading a document image, and a printer 300.
[0015]
The image reader 200 has a document feeder 100 mounted thereon. The document feeder 100 feeds the documents set on the document tray 119 one by one from the top page one by one to the left in the drawing with the image recording surface facing up, and the platen through a curved path. After the document is conveyed from left to right in the drawing so as to pass through the flow reading position on the glass 102, the document is discharged to the external discharge tray 112. When a document passes through the scanning reading position on the platen glass 102 from left to right, the image of the document is read by the scanner unit 104 arranged so as to correspond to the scanning reading position. Such a reading method is generally referred to as “document skimming”. That is, when the document passes the flow reading position, the image recording surface of the document is irradiated with the light of the lamp 103 of the scanner unit 104, and the reflected light from the document is guided to the lens 108 via the mirrors 105, 106 and 107. I will The light that has passed through the lens 108 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 109.
[0016]
As described above, when the document is conveyed so as to pass through the scanning reading position from left to right in the figure, the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction is set as the main scanning direction, and the document conveyance direction is set as the sub-scanning direction. Is read. More specifically, when the document passes through the scanning reading position, the image sensor 109 reads the image of the document line by line in the main scanning direction, and conveys the document in the sub-scanning direction. The read image, which has been read, is converted into image data by the image sensor 109 and then sent to the image signal control unit 202. The image data output from the image sensor 109 is subjected to predetermined processing in the image signal control unit 202 and then input to the exposure control unit 110 of the printer 300 as a video signal.
[0017]
Note that, instead of the above-described original flow reading method, the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102 by the original feeding device 100 and stopped at a predetermined position, and the scanner unit 104 is scanned from left to right in the drawing in this state. Alternatively, a method of reading the original may be employed. Such a reading method is generally called “document fixed reading”.
[0018]
When reading a document without using the document feeder 100, first, the user lifts the document feeder 100 and places the document on the platen glass 102. Then, the scanner unit 104 is caused to scan from the left to the right in the drawing, whereby the original is read. That is, when reading a document without using the document feeder 100, the fixed document reading described above is performed.
[0019]
The printer 300 has an exposure control unit 110 that modulates and outputs a laser beam based on an input video signal. The laser light output from the exposure control unit 110 is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 111 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 110a, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 111. Here, as described below, the exposure control unit 110 outputs a laser beam so that a correct image, that is, an image that is not a mirror image is formed on the photosensitive drum 111 in the case of fixed original reading.
[0020]
The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 113. The paper is fed to the photosensitive drum 111 from any of the cassettes 114 and 115, the manual feed unit 125, or the double-sided conveyance path 124 at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation. The sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116, and the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer unit 116.
[0021]
The sheet on which the developer image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 117. The fixing unit 117 heats and presses the sheet to fix the developer image on the sheet. The sheets that have passed through the fixing unit 117 are discharged one by one from the printer 300 to the outside (to the folding device 400 in this embodiment) via the flapper 121 and the discharge roller 118.
[0022]
Here, when the sheet is discharged with the image forming surface facing downward (so-called face-down), the flapper 121 is switched, and the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is once guided into the reversing path 122. Then, after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 121, the sheet is switched back, and is ejected from the printer 300 by the ejection roller 118. Hereinafter, such a paper discharge mode is referred to as “reverse paper discharge”. Reversed paper ejection is performed when images are formed in order from the first page, such as when forming an image read using the document feeder 100 or when forming an image output from a computer. . In these cases, the sheet on which the image is formed is ejected in the correct page order by performing the reverse ejection.
[0023]
When a relatively hard sheet such as an OHP sheet is fed from the manual feed unit 125 and an image is formed on such a sheet, the sheet is not guided to the reversing path 122 and the image forming surface is The sheet is discharged by the discharge roller 118 in an upward state (a so-called face-up state).
[0024]
Further, in the case of double-side recording in which an image is formed on both sides of a sheet, the flapper 121 is switched as in the case of face-down. Then, the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is transported to a two-sided transport path 124 via a reversing path 122. The sheet guided to the double-sided conveyance path 124 is again fed between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116 at the above-described predetermined timing.
[0025]
The sheet discharged from the printer 300 is sent to the folding device 400. The folding device 400 can execute a process of folding a sheet into a Z shape. For example, when the paper size is A3 size or B4 size and the folding process is designated, the folding device 400 performs the folding process. In other cases, the sheet discharged from the printer 300 passes through the folding device 400 and is sent to the finisher 500. The finisher 500 is capable of executing various processes such as bookbinding, binding, and punching, and feeds an insertion sheet (special paper) such as a cover, an interleaf, etc. inserted between sheets on which images are formed. And an inserter 900 to be used.
[0026]
(Control system)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller that controls the entire image forming system illustrated in FIG.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 has a CPU (not shown), a CPU circuit unit 150 having a ROM 151 and a RAM 152 as a controller. The CPU circuit unit 150 controls the blocks 101, 153, 201, 202, 209, 301, 401 and 501 as a whole using a control program stored in the ROM 151. The RAM 152 is used as a work area for temporarily storing control data and for performing arithmetic processing associated with various controls.
[0028]
In each of the blocks 101 to 501 in FIG. 2, the document feeder control unit 101 controls the drive of the document feeder 100 based on an instruction from the CPU circuit unit 150. The image reader control unit 201 controls driving of the above-described scanner unit 104, image sensor 109, and the like. Further, the image reader control unit 201 transfers the analog image signal output from the image sensor 109 to the image signal control unit 202.
[0029]
The image signal control unit 202 converts an analog image signal from the image sensor 109 into a digital signal and performs various processes, converts an input digital signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the printer control unit 301. Further, the image signal control unit 202 performs various processes on the digital image signal received from the computer 210 via the external interface 209, converts the input digital image signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the printer control unit 301. The operation of the image signal control unit 202 is controlled by the CPU circuit unit 150. The printer control unit 301 drives and controls the above-described exposure control unit 110 based on the input video signal.
[0030]
The operation unit 153 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like. The operation unit 153 sends key signals corresponding to various key operations to the CPU circuit unit 150, and displays information corresponding to the signals on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 150.
[0031]
The folding device control unit 401 is mounted on the folding device 400. The folding device control unit 401 performs drive control of the entire folding device 400 by transferring information with the CPU circuit unit 150.
[0032]
The finisher control unit 501 is mounted on the finisher 500. The finisher control section 501 exchanges information with the CPU circuit section 150 to control the drive of the entire finisher 500 as described later.
[0033]
[Folding device]
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the folding device 400 and the finisher 500 included in the image forming system 1 of FIG.
[0034]
As shown in the figure, the folding device 400 has a folding conveyance horizontal path 402 for receiving a sheet discharged from the printer 300 and introducing the sheet into the finisher 500. On the folding conveyance horizontal path 402, a conveyance roller pair 403 and a conveyance roller pair 404 are arranged. Further, a folding path selection flapper 410 is provided at an exit portion (the finisher 500 side) of the folding transport horizontal path 402. The folding path selection flapper 410 switches paths so as to guide the sheet on the folding transport horizontal path 402 to either the folding path 420 or the finisher 500.
[0035]
When the folding process is performed, the folding path selection flapper 410 is turned on, whereby the sheet is guided to the folding path 420. The sheet guided to the folding path 420 is conveyed to the folding roller 421 and folded into a Z shape. On the other hand, when the folding process is not performed, the folding path selection flapper 410 is turned off, and the sheet is sent directly from the printer 300 to the finisher 500 via the folding transport horizontal path 402.
[0036]
(Finisher)
The finisher 500 sequentially takes in the sheets ejected from the folding device 400, aligns a plurality of sheets taken in and bundles them into one bundle, staples the stapling of the rear end of the bundled sheet bundle, and takes in Various types of post-processing such as punching, sorting, non-sorting, and bookbinding for punching near the rear end of the paper can be executed.
[0037]
As shown in the figure, the finisher 500 has an inlet roller pair 502 for taking in the paper discharged from the printer 300 and passed through the folding device 400. A switching flapper 551 for guiding a sheet to the finisher path 552 or the first bookbinding path 553 is provided downstream of the entrance roller pair 502.
[0038]
The sheet guided to the finisher path 552 is sent to a buffer roller 505 via a pair of conveying rollers 503. The transport roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505 can rotate forward and reverse, respectively.
[0039]
An entrance sensor 531 is provided between the entrance roller pair 502 and the transport roller pair 503. The second bookbinding path 554 is branched from the finisher path 552 near the upstream side of the entrance sensor 531 in the sheet transport direction. Hereinafter, this branch point is referred to as “branch portion A”. The branching portion A is a branching point from a pair of entrance rollers 502 to a conveyance path for conveying a sheet to a pair of conveyance rollers 503, and has a one-way mechanism. That is, when the transport roller pair 503 rotates in the reverse direction and the sheet is transported from the transport roller pair 503 side to the entrance sensor 531 side, the sheet is transported only from the branch portion A to the second bookbinding path 554 side.
[0040]
A punch unit 550 is provided between the transport roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505. The punch unit 550 forms a predetermined hole near the rear end of the sheet that has been operated and conveyed as needed.
[0041]
The buffer roller 505 is a roller capable of laminating a predetermined number of conveyed sheets around the outer periphery thereof and winding the same. The sheet is wound by the pressing rollers 512, 513 and 514 from the outer periphery of the buffer roller 505 as necessary. The paper wound around the buffer roller 505 is conveyed in the rotation direction of the buffer roller 505.
[0042]
A switching flapper 510 is disposed between the pressing rollers 513 and 514, and a switching flapper 511 is disposed downstream of the pressing rollers 514. The switching flapper 510 peels the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guides the sheet to the non-sort path 521 or the sort path 522. In addition, the switching flapper 511 separates the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guides the sheet to the sort path 522, or alternatively, the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is wound around the buffer roller 505. 523.
[0043]
The sheet guided to the non-sort path 521 by the switching flapper 510 is discharged onto the stack tray 701 via the discharge roller pair 509. In the middle of the non-sort path 521, a paper discharge sensor 533 for performing jam detection and the like is provided.
[0044]
On the other hand, the sheets guided to the sort path 522 by the switching flapper 510 are stacked on the processing tray 630 via the conveyance rollers 506 and 507. The sheets stacked in a bundle on the processing tray 630 are subjected to alignment processing, stapling processing, and the like as necessary, and then are discharged onto the stack tray 700 by discharge rollers 680a and 680b. For this reason, the finisher 500 includes a stapler 601 for binding sheets stacked on the processing tray 630 in a bundle. The stack tray 700 is configured to be able to run in the vertical direction in the figure.
[0045]
(Bookbinding department)
As described above, the finisher 500 has the first bookbinding path 553 and the second bookbinding path 554, and the bookbinding section 800 capable of binding paper is provided downstream of these paths 553 and 554. I have. Hereinafter, the bookbinding unit 800 of the finisher 500 will be described. The sheet from the first bookbinding path 553 or the second bookbinding path 554 is introduced into the storage guide 820 by the conveying roller pair 813, and is conveyed so that the leading end of the sheet comes into contact with the movable sheet positioning member 823. A bookbinding entrance sensor 817 is arranged upstream of the transport roller pair 813. Further, two pairs of staplers 818 and an anvil 819 facing the staplers 818 are arranged at an intermediate position of the storage guide 820. The stapler 818 can bind the center of the sheet bundle in cooperation with the opposing anvil 819.
[0046]
A folding roller pair 826 is arranged at a downstream position of the stapler 818, and a projecting member 825 is provided at a position facing the folding roller pair 816. When the projecting member 825 is made to protrude toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 820, the sheet bundle is pushed out between the folding roller pair 826 and folded by the folding roller pair 826, and then the origami sheet discharging roller pair 827 is moved. The sheet is discharged to the saddle discharge tray 832 through the hopper. A bookbinding discharge sensor 830 is arranged downstream of the origami discharge roller pair 827.
[0047]
When folding the sheet bundle bound by the stapler 818, the positioning member 823 is lowered by a predetermined distance so that the staple position of the sheet bundle is located substantially at the center of the folding roller pair 826 after the stapling process is completed.
[0048]
[Inserter]
Further, the inserter 900 included in the finisher 500 will be described. The inserter 900 is provided above the finisher 500, as shown in FIG. The inserter 900 sequentially separates the inserted sheets used as a cover sheet, a slip sheet, and the like stacked on the tray 901, and transports the inserted sheets to the finisher path 552 or the bookbinding path 553. In this case, an insertion sheet (special paper) is stacked on the tray 901 of the inserter 900 in a normal view when viewed from the operator. That is, the insertion sheet is stacked on the tray 901 with its surface facing upward.
[0049]
The inserted sheet on the tray 901 is conveyed by a paper feed roller 902 to a separation section constituted by a conveyance roller 903 and a separation belt 904, and is sequentially separated and conveyed one by one from the sheet located at the top. The paper feed roller 902, the transport roller 903, and the separation belt 904 function as a feeding unit that can feed a plurality of inserted sheets stacked on the tray 901 one by one.
[0050]
A pull-out roller pair 905 is arranged on the downstream side of the separation unit including the transport roller 903 and the separation belt 904. The inserted sheet separated by the separation unit by the pull-out roller pair 905 is sent out to the transport path 908 of the finisher 500 on the downstream side in a stable state by the transport roller pair 909 (first sheet driving unit). A transport roller pair 906 (second sheet driving unit) for guiding the special paper on the transport path 908 to the entrance roller pair 502 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 909. The transport roller pair 906 sends out the special paper C to the finisher path 552 further downstream.
[0051]
Further, a paper feed sensor 907a is disposed on the downstream side of the pair of conveying rollers 909 near the inserter 900 so as to be located near the pair of conveying rollers 906, and the downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 906 near the finisher path 552. On the side, a paper feed sensor 907b is arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of the conveying roller pair 906. In addition, the finisher 900 includes a sheet thickness detection unit 920 disposed between the pair of conveyance rollers 909 and the pair of conveyance rollers 906.
[0052]
[Finisher control system]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the finisher control unit 501 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the finisher control unit 501 includes a CPU circuit unit 50 including a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and the like. The CPU circuit unit 50 performs data communication with the CPU circuit unit 150 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication IC 54, and various programs stored in the ROM 52 based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 150. To control the drive of the finisher 500.
[0053]
At the time of driving control of the finisher 500, detection signals from various sensors are taken into the CPU circuit section 150. The sensors connected to the CPU circuit unit 150 include a paper set sensor 910 in addition to the above-described entrance sensor 531, bookbinding entrance sensor 817, bookbinding discharge sensor 830, and paper feed sensors 907 a and 907 b. The paper set sensor 910 is for detecting whether or not an insertion sheet is set on the tray 901 of the inserter 900. The driver 520 is connected to the CPU circuit unit 50. The driver 520 drives various motors and various solenoids based on signals from the CPU circuit unit 50. Further, the CPU circuit section 150 drives various clutches.
[0054]
The motors controlled by the driver 520 include an inlet roller pair 502, a transport roller pair 503, an inlet motor M1 for driving the transport roller pair 906, a buffer motor M2 for driving the buffer roller 505, a transport roller pair 506, and a discharge roller pair 507. A discharge motor M3 for driving the discharge roller pair 509; a bundle discharge motor M4 for driving the discharge rollers 680a and 680b; a conveyance motor M10 for driving the conveyance roller pair 813; a positioning motor M11 for driving the sheet positioning member 823; The folding motor M12 that drives the member 825, the folding roller pair 826, and the origami paper discharging roller pair 827, the paper feeding roller 902 of the inserter 900, the transporting roller 903, the separation belt 904, the drawing roller pair 905, and the feeding roller 906 Paper motor M2 It is included.
[0055]
As the entrance motor M1, the buffer motor M2, and the paper discharge motor M3, stepping motors are used. Accordingly, these motors M1, M2 and M3 are controlled so that the roller pair to be driven rotates at a constant speed or at their own speed by controlling the excitation pulse rate. obtain. Further, the inlet motor M1 and the buffer motor M2 can be driven by the driver 520 in each of the forward and reverse rotation directions.
[0056]
A stepping motor is used as the transport motor M10 and the positioning motor M11, while a DC motor is used as the folding motor M12. The transport motor M10 can transport a sheet in synchronization with the speed of the entrance motor M1. The sheet feeding motor M20 is composed of a stepping motor, and can convey the sheet in synchronization with the speed of the entrance motor M1.
[0057]
The solenoids controlled by the driver 520 include a solenoid SL1 for switching the switching flapper 510, a solenoid SL2 for switching the switching flapper 511, a solenoid SL10 for switching the switching flapper 551, and a sheet feeding shutter of the inserter 900 (FIG. (Omitted), and a solenoid SL21 that drives the feed roller 902 of the inserter 900 up and down.
[0058]
The clutch controlled by the CPU circuit unit 150 includes a clutch CL1 for transmitting the driving force of the folding motor M12 to the protruding member 825 and a clutch CL1 for transmitting the driving force of the sheet feeding motor M20 to the sheet feeding roller 902. Is included.
[0059]
[Mode selection]
As described above, the finisher 500 of the image forming system 1 can perform various types of post-processing on paper. That is, the finisher 500 has a non-sort mode, a sort mode, a staple sort mode (binding mode), and a bookbinding mode as post-processing modes for performing various post-processing. These various post-processing modes can be set using the operation unit 153 described above. When setting the post-processing mode, a menu selection screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 153. The user sets a desired post-processing mode according to the menu selection screen illustrated in FIG.
[0060]
Further, the finisher 500 has a slip sheet mode for inserting an insertion sheet into the sheet bundle as a cover sheet, final sheet, or slip sheet. When setting the slip sheet mode, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 153. The user sets whether to insert the insertion sheet (special paper) from the inserter 900 or to insert the insertion sheet from the manual feeder 125 according to the screen illustrated in FIG. When the supply unit of the insertion sheet is selected, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 153. Using this setting screen, the user can set the number of the sheet bundle to be inserted. For example, the user selects only “1” on the screen when supplying (inserting) the insertion sheet only as the cover, and when inserting the insertion sheet into a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle, the user can select the desired number of insertion destinations. Select an eye on the screen.
[0061]
When the supply of the insertion sheet from the inserter is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 5B, the number of interrupted copies is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 5D regardless of the screen shown in FIG. 5C. It is possible to temporarily suspend the processing by selecting that the setting is made. When setting to set the number of interrupted copies is selected on the screen of FIG. 5D, the number of interrupted copies can be input from the ten keys in the screen shown in FIG. 5E.
[0062]
[Basic operation of finisher]
Next, a procedure for conveying a sheet from the printer 300 and the inserter 900 to the processing tray 630 of the finisher 500 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0063]
When the special paper C as an insertion sheet is inserted as a cover into a sheet on which an image has been formed by the printer 300, as shown in FIG. 6B, the special paper C (a bundle of) is inserted into the tray 901 of the inserter 900. Is set to At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the special paper C is set so that the binding position is on the left side of the drawing when viewed from the user with the image surface facing upward. Paper. Since the setting state of the special paper C is the same as the setting state of the original in the original feeding apparatus 100, the operability in setting the special paper C can be improved.
[0064]
When the special paper C is set on the tray 901, as shown in FIG. 7, the conveyance of the top special paper C1 is started, and the switching flapper 551 is switched to the finisher path 552 side. The special paper C1 is guided from the conveyance path 908 to the finisher path 552 via the pair of entrance rollers 502. Then, when the leading edge of the special paper C1 is detected by the entrance sensor 531, the feeding of the paper P1 (see FIG. 8) on which an image has been formed by the printer 300 is started.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 8, at the stage when the sheet P1 sent from the printer 300 is introduced into the finisher 500, the special sheet C1 is guided to the sort path 522 via the buffer roller 505. At this time, both of the switching flappers 510 and 511 are switched to the sort path 522 side.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 9, the special paper C1 is stored on the processing tray 630 via the sort path 522. At this time, the sheet P1 from the printer 300 is guided into the finisher path 552. After that, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet P1 is guided to the sort path 522 via the buffer roller 505 and conveyed to the processing tray 630, similarly to the special sheet C1. At this stage, the sheet P2 following the first sheet P1 is guided into the finisher path 552 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the paper P1 is stored so as to be stacked on the special paper C1 already stored in the processing tray 630, and the subsequent paper P2 is stored so as to be stacked on the paper P1. Is stored in.
[0067]
As described above, mirror-processed images are formed on the sheets P1 and P2 from the printer 300, and the sheets P1 and P2 are ejected by reverse ejection. Therefore, each of the sheets P1 and P2 is stored in the processing tray 630 with its image surface facing down and its binding position facing the stapler 601 as in the case of the special sheet C1. Although not shown in FIG. 11, if it is necessary to insert the special sheet C into the next sheet bundle, the special sheet C is not fed during the feeding of the sheets P1 and P2 constituting the current bundle. The special paper C to be transported is fed to the transport path 908 and kept in a standby state. By employing such a configuration, the productivity in the sort mode can be improved.
[0068]
[Image formation in bookbinding mode]
12A to 12D show an example of an image forming procedure in the bookbinding mode in the image forming system of FIG.
[0069]
When the bookbinding mode is set in the operation unit 153, the originals set in the original feeder 100 are read by the scanner unit 104 in order from the first page. The images of the read originals are sequentially stored on a hard disk (not shown), and the number of read originals is counted at the same time.
[0070]
When the reading of the document is completed, the read document images are classified according to the following equation (1), and the image forming order and the image forming position are determined.
M = n × 4-k (1)
However,
M: number of documents n: number of sheets (an integer of 1 or more)
k: any one of 0, 1, 2, and 3. A detailed description of the image forming order and the image forming position control is omitted.
[0071]
The image forming procedure in the bookbinding mode will be described on the assumption that the number of read documents is eight. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, eight pages of original image data (R1 to R8) are stored in the hard disk in the order in which they were read.
[0072]
Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, an image forming order and an image forming position are determined for each image data (R1 to R8). According to the example of FIG. 12B, after the above-described mirror image processing is performed, the image based on the data R4 is placed on the first half (front side) of the sheet P1 of the first page, and the data R5 Is formed on the right half thereof, and then the sheet P1 is guided to the double-sided conveyance path 124. Then, the sheet P1 is again fed to the transfer unit 116, and an image based on the data R6 is formed on the left half of the second side (back side) of the sheet P1, and an image based on the data R3 is formed on the right half of the sheet P1. . The sheet P1 on which images are formed on both sides in this manner is sent to the bookbinding path 553 of the finisher 500 after being inverted and discharged. As shown in FIG. 12C, the sheet P1 is turned upside down on the second surface on which the image based on the data R6 and the image based on the data R3 is formed and the image based on the data R6 is placed at the top as shown in FIG. In the direction of the arrow in the figure.
[0073]
Next, an image based on the data R2 is formed on the left half and an image based on the data R7 is formed on the right half of the first surface (front surface) of the second page of paper P2. It is led to 124. The sheet P2 is also fed to the transfer unit 116 again, and an image based on the data R8 is formed on the left half of the second side (back side) of the sheet P2, and an image based on the data R1 is formed on the right half of the sheet P2. Then, after the sheet P2 is inverted and discharged, it is sent to the first bookbinding path 553 of the finisher 500. As shown in FIG. 12C, the sheet P2 is turned upside down on the second side on which the image based on the data R8 and the data R1 is formed and the image based on the data R8 is placed at the top as shown in FIG. It is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure in the state.
[0074]
Further, the sheets P1 and P2 are guided into the storage guide 820 via the bookbinding path 553 of the finisher 500, and stored therein. In the storage guide 820, as shown in FIG. 12D, the sheet P1 is located on the protruding member 825 side, and the sheet P2 is located on the folding roller pair 826 side. Each of the sheets P1 and P2 is stored in the storage guide 820 with the first surface (front surface) facing the protruding member 825.
[0075]
The positioning of each sheet P1 and P2 in the storage guide 820 is performed by a positioning member 823.
[0076]
[Slip-sheet processing in bookbinding mode]
Further, a procedure for transporting special paper as an insertion sheet from the printer 300 and the inserter 900 to the storage guide 820 of the finisher 500 in the above-described bookbinding mode will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0077]
When the special paper C as an insertion sheet is inserted as a cover into a sheet on which an image has been formed in the bookbinding mode by the printer 300, the special paper C1 is placed on the tray 901 of the inserter 900 as shown in FIG. Set. At this time, the special paper C1 is set on the tray 901 with the image surfaces on which the images R and F are formed facing upward, as shown in FIG. Sent. That is, the special paper C1 is set in a normal view when viewed from the operator, and the setting state of the special paper C1 is the same as the setting state of the document in the document feeding apparatus 100. As a result, the operability when setting the special paper C1 can be improved.
[0078]
When the special paper C1 is set on the tray 901, as shown in FIG. 14, feeding of the top special paper C1 is started, and the switching flapper 551 is switched to the finisher path 552. The special paper C1 is guided from the transport path 908 to the finisher path 552 via the entrance roller pair 502. Then, when the leading edge of the special paper C1 is detected by the entrance sensor 531, the feeding of the paper P (see FIG. 15) on which an image has been formed by the printer 300 is started.
[0079]
As shown in FIG. 15, when the paper P sent from the printer 300 is introduced into the finisher 500, the special paper C1 is guided to the non-sort path 521 via the buffer roller 505. At this time, the switching flapper 510 has been switched to the non-sort path 521 side.
[0080]
When the special paper C1 is further guided to the non-sort path 521 and conveyed to a position where the rear end passes through the entrance sensor 531, the special paper C1 is temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. At this time, the paper P from the printer 300 is guided into the finisher 500. Then, in a state where the special paper C1 is stopped, the paper P is guided to the first bookbinding path 553 by the switching flapper 551 as shown in FIG. 16 and stored in the storage guide 820. P is similarly guided to the first bookbinding path 553. At this time, the special paper C2 following the special paper C1 is separated and conveyed to a position short of the conveying roller pair 906, and is kept there until a predetermined number of papers P are stored in the storage guide 820.
[0081]
When a predetermined number of sheets P are stored in the storage guide 820, the special paper C1 is reversed and fed into the storage guide 820 via the branching section A and the second bookbinding path 554 as shown in FIG. Be guided. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the special paper C1 is conveyed with the image R side at the top, and is placed on the storage guide 820 so as to be superimposed on the bundle of paper P already stored in the storage guide 820. Is stored. When the special paper C1 is stored in the storage guide 820, feeding of the special paper C2 following the special paper C1 is started. Note that, for example, when the special paper C2 is an inappropriate paper having a size different from a desired size, as shown in FIG. 19, the special paper C is temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. It is discharged to the stack tray 701 as it is.
[0082]
When the special paper C1 is stored in the storage guide 820 in a state of being superimposed on the bundle of the paper P, the protruding member 825 protrudes from the bundle of the special paper C1 and the paper P as shown in FIG. You. Thus, the bundle of the special paper C1 and the paper P is extruded toward the folding roller pair 826. As a result, the bundle of sheets C1 and P is discharged to the saddle discharge tray 832 while being folded at the center of the bundle (the image boundary portion of the image surface) by the folding roller pair 826. In the folded state, as shown in FIG. 20B, when the image F of the special paper C1 is arranged on the cover page, the image R is arranged on the last page. Then, the images on each sheet P are arranged in a predetermined page order, and the orientations of the images on the special sheet C1 and the sheet P match. According to the feed control of the special paper C from the inserter 900 and the transport control of the paper P from the printer 300 as described above, the print quality of the special paper C from the inserter 900 and the transfer quality of the paper The book can be bound by combining the paper P and the special paper C without deteriorating the durability.
[0083]
In the sort mode, the special paper C is temporarily made to stand by in the finisher path 552 by the finisher 500, and then the paper P is stored in the storage guide 820. Then, after the paper P is stored in the storage guide 820, the special paper C waiting in the finisher path 552 is stored in the storage guide 820. Therefore, the productivity when binding the paper P and the special paper C for bookbinding can be improved. Further, if necessary, in a state where the special paper C is superimposed on the bundle of the paper P and stored in the storage guide 820, the bundle can be bound at the center by the stapler 818.
[0084]
[Sheet thickness detection]
As described above, the image forming system 1 can execute the slip sheet processing of inserting the special sheet C as an insertion sheet into a desired position of the sheet bundle. It is possible that the paper C is double-fed to the finisher path 552. In order to prevent such troubles, the finisher 500 is provided with a sheet thickness detecting unit 920, and the image forming system 1 uses the sheet thickness detecting unit 920 to perform multi-feed of the special paper C. Can be recognized. Hereinafter, the sheet thickness detecting unit 920 included in the image forming system 1 and the sheet thickness detecting process using the same will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0085]
As shown in FIG. 21, the sheet thickness detecting unit 920 includes a movable magnetic body 921 and a magnetic field sensor 922, and a pair of conveying rollers 909 (first sheet driving unit) on the upstream side and a conveying roller on the downstream side. It is arranged between the roller pair 906. In the present embodiment, the sheet thickness detection unit 920 is disposed so as to be close to the downstream conveying roller pair 906 (second sheet driving unit) (upstream of the conveying roller pair 906 and in the vicinity thereof). By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to detect the sheet thickness for approximately the entire length of the special paper C in the sheet conveyance direction.
[0086]
The movable magnetic body 921 is vertically movably arranged so as to be positioned above the special paper C in the same drawing, and the magnetic field sensor 922 is movable in the same drawing so that the surface thereof can contact the special paper C. It is positioned (fixed) below the magnetic body 921. The movable magnetic body 921 is connected to an actuator 923 (omitted in FIG. 21 and the like, see FIG. 4) and is urged toward the magnetic field sensor 922 by its own weight or by an elastic body such as a spring.
[0087]
When the thickness of the special paper C is not detected by the actuator 923, the movable magnetic body 921 is maintained in a state of being retracted to a standby position away from the magnetic field sensor 922. On the other hand, when detecting the thickness of the special paper C, the actuator 923 is operated to release the position of the movable magnetic body 921 at the standby position, and the movable magnetic body 921 moves forward from the standby position toward the magnetic field sensor 922. And comes into contact with the surface of the special paper C. That is, when detecting the sheet thickness, the special paper C is sandwiched between the movable magnetic body 921 and the magnetic field sensor 922. The operation of the actuator 923 is controlled by the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501, as can be seen from FIG. In addition, various types of actuators 923 such as a drive system including a solenoid and a motor can be used.
[0088]
In the sheet thickness detection unit 920 configured as described above, when the sheet is sandwiched between the movable magnetic body 921 and the magnetic field sensor 922, the position of the movable magnetic body 921 changes according to the thickness of the special paper C. Accordingly, the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor 922, that is, the magnitude of the magnetic field from the movable magnetic body 921 exerted on the magnetic field sensor 922 changes. Therefore, the value indicated by the output signal of the magnetic field sensor 922 is a value (proportional) according to the thickness of the special paper C.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field sensor 922 is connected to the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501, and an output signal of the magnetic field sensor 922 is given to the CPU circuit unit 50. The CPU circuit unit 50 obtains the thickness of the special paper C according to the output value of the magnetic field sensor 922 from a table indicating the relationship between the output value of the magnetic field sensor 922 and the thickness of the special paper C stored in a predetermined storage area in advance. Of the special paper C passing through the transport path 908 is obtained.
[0090]
As described above, immediately after the upstream conveying roller pair 909 (first sheet driving unit), the paper feed sensor 907a that detects the passage of the special paper C is disposed, and the downstream conveying roller 909 is disposed. Immediately after the pair 906 (second sheet driving unit), a paper feed sensor 907b that detects passage of the special paper C is arranged. Each of the paper feed sensors 907a and 907b is turned on when it comes into contact with the leading edge of the special paper C, and sends out a detection signal to the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501. The magnetic field sensor 922 is provided with a guide plate 924 for guiding the leading end of the special paper C to a gap between the movable magnetic body 921 and the magnetic field sensor 922.
[0091]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the thickness detection processing of the special paper C using the above-described sheet thickness detection unit. FIG. 23 is a timing chart for explaining the thickness detection processing of the special paper C. It is a chart.
[0092]
In the interleaving mode in which the special paper C is inserted from the inserter 900 in the image forming system 1, a screen for confirming whether or not to detect the thickness of the special paper C is displayed as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 153. The CPU circuit unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 10 monitors whether or not the measurement of the thickness of the special paper C is selected by the operation unit 153 (S10), and the measurement of the thickness of the special paper C is selected by the operation unit 153. If not, an instruction is given to the finisher control unit 501 so that the movable magnetic body 921 of the sheet thickness detection unit 920 is kept at the standby position (S12).
[0093]
On the other hand, when it is determined in S10 that the detection of the thickness of the special paper C is selected from the operation unit 153, the CPU circuit unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the detection of the sheet thickness by the sheet thickness detection unit 920. A signal to the effect is given to finisher control section 501. When the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501 receives the instruction to execute the sheet thickness detection, the CPU circuit unit 50 determines whether or not the sheet feed sensor 907b located immediately downstream of the downstream conveying roller pair 906 has been turned on, It is determined whether or not the special paper C from 900 has reached the downstream conveying roller pair 906 (second sheet driving means) (S14).
[0094]
In step S14, the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501 feeds the special paper C by contacting the leading end of the special paper C with the paper feed sensor 907b on the downstream side of the downstream conveying roller pair 906 as shown in FIG. When it is determined that the sensor 907b has been turned on, the actuator 923 is operated and the built-in timer 55 (see FIG. 4) is turned on (S16).
[0095]
At the stage when the downstream paper feed sensor 907b is turned ON, the special paper C straddles both the upstream transport roller pair 909 and the downstream transport roller pair 906 (the upstream transport roller pair 909 and the downstream transport roller pair 909). In this state, when the actuator 923 is actuated, the position of the movable magnetic body 921 at the standby position is released, and the movable magnetic body 921 is moved to the standby position. To the magnetic field sensor 922 side and comes into contact with the surface of the special paper C. That is, in S16, as shown in FIG. 26, the special paper C is sandwiched between the movable magnetic body 921 and the magnetic field sensor 922, and is in a state where its thickness can be measured.
[0096]
After the process in S16, the CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501 confirms whether or not the timer 55 has timed out. When the timer has timed out (S18), the CPU circuit unit 50 executes the magnetic field sensor. 922, and reads the thickness of the special paper C corresponding to the output value of the magnetic field sensor 922 from a table stored in a predetermined storage area in advance based on the output signal, and reads the special paper C passing through the transport path 908. The thickness of C is obtained (S20).
[0097]
In other words, in the image forming system 1, the predetermined time T, which is the time set by the timer 55, after the special paper C has straddled both the upstream conveying roller pair 909 and the downstream conveying roller pair 906 (FIG. 23). ), The detection of the sheet thickness is performed. This is for the following reasons. In other words, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the leading end of the special paper C reaches the pair of transport rollers 906 on the downstream side, the bound when the movable magnetic body 921 contacts the special paper C (fluttering, Is sufficiently accommodated, and erroneous detection of the sheet thickness can be effectively prevented.
[0098]
Further, at least while the sheet thickness is detected, the sheet conveying speed of the downstream conveying roller pair 906 (second sheet driving unit) is increased to the upstream conveying roller pair 909 (first sheet driving unit). It is preferable that the speed is set to be higher than the sheet conveyance speed. This is for the following reasons. That is, if the sheet conveyance speed (rotation speed of the motor M1) by the downstream conveyance roller pair 906 is faster than the sheet conveyance speed (rotation speed of the motor M20) by the upstream conveyance roller pair 909, the conveyance roller pair 909 is used. A state in which the special paper C does not bend between the sheet and the conveying roller pair 906 can be obtained at an early stage. This is because it is possible to detect
[0099]
The CPU circuit unit 50 of the finisher control unit 501 determines whether or not the sheet feed sensor 907a located immediately after the pair of conveying rollers 909 on the upstream side has been turned off during the detection of the sheet thickness. It is monitored whether or not the sheet has passed the upstream conveying roller pair 909 (first sheet driving means) (S22). If the CPU circuit unit 50 determines in S22 that the special paper C has passed the upstream conveying roller pair 909 (first sheet driving unit), the CPU circuit unit 50 terminates the detection of the sheet thickness and returns to FIG. As shown, the actuator 923 is actuated to move the movable magnetic body 921 to the standby position (S24), and returns to the standby state.
[0100]
As described above, in the image forming system 1, when the special paper C is straddling both the upstream conveyance roller pair 909 and the downstream conveyance roller pair 906, the finisher control unit 501 causes the sheet thickness detection unit 920 to operate. , The thickness of the special paper C to be conveyed is accurately and reliably detected. At this time, since the special paper C is sandwiched between the movable magnetic body 921 and the magnetic field sensor 922, erroneous detection of the sheet thickness is reliably prevented.
[0101]
In the image forming system 1, the sheet thickness detection unit 920 is disposed on the transport path 908 between the transport roller pair 909 and the transport roller pair 906 in the finisher 500, but is not limited thereto. . That is, the sheet thickness detection unit 920 may be disposed between the pair of transport rollers 403 and the pair of transport rollers 404 in the folding device 400 in order to confirm double feeding of the sheet P from the image forming apparatus 10. . In addition, the sheet thickness detection unit 920 performs image formation for guiding the sheet P fed from the cassettes 114 and 115 to the photosensitive drum 111 in order to check whether or not the sheet P is double-fed in the image forming apparatus 10. It may be arranged between the pair of conveying rollers of the apparatus 10 or the like. In other words, the configuration according to the present invention is effective when provided at a position where it is necessary to determine the presence or absence of multifeed in the transport path of a sheet such as the special paper C or the paper P.
[0102]
In the present embodiment, the paper feed sensor 907b is used to detect that the special paper C has reached the pair of transport rollers 906 on the downstream side in S14, but the invention is not limited to this. That is, in S14, after the upstream paper feed sensor 907a detects that the special paper C has reached the upstream conveyance roller pair 909, the conveyance speed and conveyance of the special paper C by the upstream conveyance roller pair 909 are performed. Based on the distance between the roller pairs 909 and 906, etc., it may be detected that the special paper C has reached the downstream conveying roller pair 906. Similarly, after the downstream paper feed sensor 907b detects that the special paper C has reached the downstream conveyance roller pair 906 (S14), the conveyance of the special paper C by the upstream conveyance roller pair 909 is thereafter performed. It may be detected that the special paper C has passed the upstream conveying roller pair 909 based on the speed, the distance between the conveying roller pairs 909 and 906, and the like (S22).
[0103]
Further, in the present embodiment, the movable magnetic body 921 is moved from its standby position to the measurement position by using the weight of the movable magnetic body 921 itself or the force of a spring, and the movable magnetic body 921 is moved from the measurement position to the standby position by the actuator 923. Although 921 is returned, it is not limited to this. That is, the actuator 923 may perform all the movements of the movable magnetic body 921 toward and away from the magnetic field sensor 922.
[0104]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a sheet is conveyed, it is possible to accurately and reliably detect the thickness of a sheet, an insertion sheet, or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a folding device and a finisher included in the image forming system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a finisher control unit that controls the finisher of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are schematic diagrams illustrating setting screens displayed on a display unit of an operation unit;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying a sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a processing tray of a finisher.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying a sheet from the image forming apparatus and an inserter to a processing tray of a finisher.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for transporting a sheet from the image forming apparatus and the inserter to a processing tray of the finisher.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for transporting a sheet from the image forming apparatus and the inserter to a processing tray of the finisher.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying a sheet from the image forming apparatus and an inserter to a processing tray of a finisher.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for transporting a sheet from the image forming apparatus and the inserter to a processing tray of the finisher.
FIGS. 12A to 12D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of an image forming procedure in a bookbinding mode in the image forming system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from the image forming apparatus and the inserter to a storage guide of the finisher.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a storage guide of a finisher.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a storage guide of a finisher.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a storage guide of a finisher.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a storage guide of a finisher.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from an image forming apparatus and an inserter to a storage guide of a finisher.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure for conveying an insertion sheet from the image forming apparatus and the inserter to the storage guide of the finisher.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example in which bookbinding is performed by folding processing and binding processing in a finisher.
FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration for detecting a sheet thickness of the image forming system according to the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a sheet thickness detecting operation in the image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a timing chart for explaining a sheet thickness detecting operation in the image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating a setting screen for instructing execution of sheet thickness detection.
FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sheet thickness detecting operation in the image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sheet thickness detecting operation in the image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sheet thickness detecting operation in the image forming system of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image Forming System 10 Image Forming Apparatus 50 CPU Circuit 51 CPU
52 ROM
53 RAM
55 Timer 100 Document feeder 111 Photosensitive drum 116 Transfer unit 117 Fixing unit 150 CPU circuit unit 153 Operation unit 500 Finisher 501 Finisher control unit 502 Inlet roller pair 552 Finisher pass 900 Finisher 901 Tray 902 Feed roller 903 Separation belt 904 906, 909 transport roller pair 907a, 907b paper feed sensor 907b paper feed sensor 908 transport path 920 sheet thickness detection unit 921 movable magnetic body 922 magnetic field sensor 923 actuator 924 guide plate C special paper P paper

Claims (5)

In a sheet conveying device that can measure the thickness of the conveyed sheet while conveying the sheet,
First sheet driving means for feeding the sheet downstream,
A second sheet driving unit that is disposed downstream of the first sheet driving unit and feeds the sheet further downstream;
Sheet thickness detecting means disposed between the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means and capable of detecting the thickness of a sheet conveyed therebetween;
When a sheet is straddling both the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means, a control means is provided for causing the sheet thickness detecting means to detect the sheet thickness. Sheet conveying device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the sheet thickness detecting means to detect the sheet thickness after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet is fed by the second sheet driving means. The sheet conveying device as described in the above. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet conveying speed of the second sheet driving unit can be set higher than a sheet conveying speed of the first sheet driving unit. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet thickness detecting unit is disposed so as to be close to the second sheet driving unit. In an image forming system, a desired image is formed on a sheet, a bundle of sheets on which an image is formed can be created, and a predetermined insertion sheet can be inserted into a desired position of the sheet bundle.
First sheet driving means for feeding the sheet and / or the inserted sheet to the downstream side;
A second sheet driving unit that is disposed downstream of the first sheet driving unit and feeds a sheet and / or an inserted sheet further downstream;
Sheet thickness detecting means disposed between the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means and capable of detecting the thickness of a sheet and / or an inserted sheet conveyed therebetween;
Control means for causing the sheet thickness detection means to detect the thickness of the sheet or insertion sheet when a sheet or insertion sheet is straddling both the first sheet driving means and the second sheet driving means; An image forming system comprising:

Images