JP2004099236A - Sheet handling device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet handling device for efficiently loading bundles of folded sheets in large quantity by using a small-sized tray. <P>SOLUTION: In this sheet handling device, sheet bundles are piled up, aligned, interfolded, and loaded onto a lower tray 203 disposed in a substantially horizontal position. This device is equipped with an auxiliary tray 204 projecting at a prescribed angle with a sheet loading surface 203a of the tray 203 and a presser roller 205 for sandwiching a bundle of discharged sheets between itself and the tray 204. The tray 205 is movable parallel to the surface 203a, and an angle formed by the tray 204 with the surface 203a of the tray 203 is changeable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is provided integrally or separately in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a printing machine, and the like, and performs predetermined processing on paper (recording medium) on which an image is formed, for example, sorting, stacking, binding, saddle stitching. The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs bookbinding and discharges a sheet, and an image forming system including the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Post-processing devices, such as copiers and printers, which are arranged downstream of an image output device and bind to output recording paper, are widely known. In addition, a device that enables saddle stitching has been devised. Therefore, when the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is discharged to the discharge tray and stacked, the stacked amount of the sheet bundle becomes a problem. In view of this, the following publicly known examples are known as inventions in consideration of the load amount.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-153958 A
[0004]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-255882 A
[0005]
The inventions described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 aim to enable a folded sheet bundle to be stacked at an appropriate position on a stopper tray, and a half-sheet bundle to be discharged onto a discharge tray by a pair of discharge rollers. The leading end of the folded sheet bundle is applied to a sheet stopper, and the half-folded sheet bundle is stacked vertically thereon. That is, in order to reliably stack the sheet bundle in the vertical direction, in the known example, the position of the sheet stopper is changed according to the sheet size, and the stacking position of the sheet is defined, so that more sheet bundles are stacked. It is intended to be able to.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a sheet bundle subjected to saddle stitching is discharged to the output tray and stacked, the larger the number of sheets bound in the sheet bundle, the more the center fold tends to be loosened. Due to the large difference in thickness, it was not possible to orderly load large quantities. If the sheets are not stacked neatly, it will have an adverse effect on the ability to take out the sheet bundle and the usability will be poor. The problem here is that the degree of center-folding varies depending on the number of sheets to be bound, and this affects the stacking quality, causing variations in quality.
[0007]
Also, with regard to a saddle stitching machine dedicated to a trader, since a bundle of saddle stitches is horizontally loaded on a belt that can be moved substantially horizontally, and the upper surface of the discharge tray is conveyed, if a large amount of paper is to be stacked, Paper trays tended to be larger.
[0008]
Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system that can efficiently stack a large number of folded sheet bundles on a small-sized tray.
[0009]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of stacking sheets in a fixed state regardless of the number of sheets to be bound.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first means is a sheet processing apparatus for stacking, aligning, folding and stacking a sheet bundle, discharging the sheet bundle, and stacking the sheet bundle on the stacking means, wherein the stacking means is disposed substantially horizontally. A discharge tray, an auxiliary tray protruding at a predetermined angle with respect to a stacking surface of the discharge tray, and holding means for holding the discharged bundle of sheets between the auxiliary tray. Features. When the paper discharge tray and the auxiliary tray are arranged as in the first means, and the discharged paper bundle is pushed to the auxiliary tray side by the pressing means and nipped, a large number of paper bundles can be efficiently produced even with a small discharge tray. Can be loaded.
[0011]
A second means is the first means, further comprising an auxiliary tray moving means for moving the auxiliary tray in parallel with the loading surface. When the position of the auxiliary tray is moved as the stacking amount of the sheet bundle increases as in the second means, a large number of sheet bundles can be stacked without significantly changing the sandwiching state of the sheet bundle.
[0012]
The third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, an angle changing means for changing an angle of the auxiliary tray with respect to the stacking surface of the discharge tray is provided.
[0013]
A fourth means is the third means, wherein the angle is set in accordance with the number of sheets of the sheet bundle.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the angle is set so that the smaller the number of sheets to be bound, the smaller the angle with respect to the stacking surface.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect, in the third aspect, the angle is changed according to a stacking amount of the sheet bundle.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the angle is set such that the smaller the stacking amount of sheets, the smaller the angle with respect to the stacking surface.
[0017]
If the angle of the auxiliary tray is configured to be changeable as in the third to seventh means, and the angle is set according to the number of sheets to be bound and the stacking amount, a larger number of sheets can be stacked neatly. It becomes.
[0018]
Eighth means is the first or second means, further comprising a sheet bundle moving means for moving the sheet bundle in a state where the open side of the sheet bundle is in contact with the stacking surface. It is conceivable that the sheet bundle does not move in an orderly manner due to the friction between the open end of the sheet bundle and the discharge tray simply by nipping and moving the sheet bundle by the auxiliary tray and the holding means. Therefore, when the sheet bundle is moved in a state where the open ends thereof are in contact with each other as in the eighth means, a frictional force acts on the open ends of the sheets and the sheets can be moved together without being separated. ,
A ninth means is the image processing apparatus according to the eighth means, wherein the sheet bundle moving means comprises the auxiliary tray moving means. According to the eighth means, the auxiliary tray moving means can also serve as the sheet bundle moving means, and the structure is simplified accordingly.
[0019]
A tenth means is the eighth or ninth means, wherein the sheet bundle moving means protrudes upward from the stacking surface. When the sheet bundle moving means is protruded upward from the sheet bundle placement surface as in the tenth means, the open end of the sheet bundle does not contact the placement surface, and the frictional force is applied to the sheet bundle. No longer works. Therefore, the sheet bundle is not disturbed by the contact with the mounting surface.
[0020]
An eleventh means is characterized in that in the eighth to tenth means, the sheet bundle moving means has an uneven portion with which an open end of the sheet bundle is engaged. By providing the uneven portion with which the open end of the sheet bundle engages as in the eleventh means, the open end of the sheet bundle can be reliably moved by being hooked on the uneven portion.
[0021]
According to a twelfth aspect, in the eighth to eleventh aspects, the sheet bundle moving means includes a timing belt and a motor driving mechanism for driving the timing belt. When the timing belt is used as in the twelfth means, the unevenness is formed for driving. Therefore, the unevenness is used as the engaging portion at the open end of the sheet bundle and the transmitting portion of the driving force. can do.
[0022]
The thirteenth means includes an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image on a recording medium and a sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth means provided integrally with or separately from the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a forming system.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
1. Mechanical configuration
1.1 Overall configuration
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system including a sheet post-processing apparatus as a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shows part of the device.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, a sheet post-processing apparatus PD is attached to a side of the image forming apparatus PR, and a recording medium, here, a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus PR is guided to the sheet post-processing apparatus PD. The sheet passes through a conveyance path A having a post-processing unit (a punch unit 100 as a punching unit in this embodiment) for performing post-processing on one sheet, and is conveyed to a conveyance path B leading to an upper tray 201 and a shift tray 202. A branching claw 15 and a branching claw 16 are arranged so as to be distributed to a conveyance path C for guiding and a conveyance path D for guiding to a processing tray F (hereinafter also referred to as a staple processing tray) for performing alignment and stapling.
[0026]
The sheet guided to the staple processing tray F via the conveyance paths A and D, and subjected to alignment, stapling, and the like in the staple processing tray, is guided to the shift tray 202 by the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 serving as deflecting means. The path C is configured to be sorted to a processing tray G for performing folding and the like (hereinafter, also referred to as a center folding processing tray). Led to. A branching pawl 17 is disposed in the transport path D, and is held in a state shown in the figure by a low-load spring (not shown). By rotating at least the transport roller 9 out of 11, the rear end is guided to the paper storage unit E, stays there, and can be transported while being superimposed on the next paper. By repeating this operation, two or more sheets can be conveyed in a superimposed manner.
[0027]
A transport path A common to each of the upstream of the transport path B, the transport path C and the transport path D has an entrance sensor 301 for detecting a sheet received from the image forming apparatus, and an entrance roller 1, a punch unit 100, and a punch downstream thereof. The scrap hopper 101, the transport roller 2, the branch claws 15, and the branch claws 16 are sequentially arranged. The branch claw 15 and the branch claw 16 are held in a state shown in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). By turning on a solenoid (not shown), the branch claw 15 rotates upward and the branch claw 16 rotates downward. Thus, the sheet is distributed to the transport path B, the transport path C, and the transport path D.
[0028]
When guiding the sheet to the transport path B, the branch claw 15 is turned on in the state of FIG. 1 and when the sheet is guided to the transport path C, the solenoid is turned on from the state of FIG. When the sheet is guided to the conveyance path D, the solenoid is turned off while the branch claw 16 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, and the branch claw 15 is moved from the state shown in FIG. When the solenoid is turned on, the solenoid is turned upward.
[0029]
In this sheet post-processing apparatus, a sheet is punched (punch unit 100), sheet alignment + edge binding (jogger fence 53, end face binding stapler S1), paper alignment + saddle binding (jogger fence 53, saddle stapler stapler). S2), various processes such as sheet sorting (shift tray 202) and center folding (folding plate 74, folding rollers 81 and 82) can be performed.
[0030]
1.2 Shift tray section
The shift tray discharge unit I located at the most downstream portion of the sheet post-processing device PD includes a shift discharge roller 6, a return roller 13, a sheet surface detection sensor 330, a shift tray 202, and a shift mechanism shown in FIG. J and a shift tray elevating mechanism K shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing details of the shift mechanism J, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the shift tray elevating mechanism K.
[0031]
In FIGS. 1 and 3, reference numeral 13 denotes a sponge roller for contacting the sheet discharged from the shift sheet discharge roller 6 and aligning the rear end of the sheet with the end fence 32 shown in FIG. The return roller 13 is configured to rotate by the rotational force of the shift discharge roller 6. A tray raising limit switch 333 is provided near the return roller 13, and when the shift tray 202 is raised to push up the return roller 13, the tray raising limit switch 333 is turned on and the tray lifting motor 168 stops. Thus, overrun of the shift tray 202 is prevented. As shown in FIG. 1, near the return roller 13, there is provided a paper surface detection sensor 330 as a paper surface position detecting means for detecting the paper surface position of the sheet or sheet bundle discharged on the shift tray 202. I have.
[0032]
Although not shown in detail in FIG. 1, the paper surface detection sensor 330 includes the paper surface detection lever 30 shown in FIG. 3, a paper surface detection sensor (for stipple) 330a, and a paper surface detection sensor (for non-stipple) 330b. I have. The paper surface detection lever 30 is provided rotatably about a shaft portion of the lever, and includes a contact portion 30a that contacts the upper surface of the rear end of the sheets stacked on the shift tray 202 and a fan-shaped shielding portion 30b. The paper surface detection sensor (for staples) 330a located above is mainly used for staple discharge control, and the paper surface detection sensor (for non-stipple) 330b is mainly used for shift paper discharge control.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the paper surface detection sensor (for stipple) 330a and the paper surface detection sensor (for non-stipple) 330b are turned on when blocked by the shielding unit 30b. Therefore, when the shift tray 202 moves up and the contact portion 30a of the paper surface detection lever 30 rotates upward, the paper surface detection sensor (for staple) 330a turns off, and when the contact portion 30a further rotates, the paper surface detection sensor (for non-staple) 330b turns on. I do. When the sheet stacking sensor (for staples) 330a and the sheet surface detection sensor (for non-stipples) 330b detect that the stacking amount of sheets has reached a predetermined height, the shift tray 202 is driven by the tray lifting motor 168 to move the sheet tray to a predetermined amount. Descend. As a result, the paper surface position of the shift tray 202 is kept substantially constant.
[0034]
1.2.1 Lift mechanism for shift tray
The lifting mechanism of the shift tray 202 will be described in detail.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the shift tray 202 moves up and down when the drive shaft 21 is driven by the drive unit L. A timing belt 23 is tensioned between the drive shaft 21 and the driven shaft 22 via a timing pulley, and a side plate 24 supporting the shift tray 202 is fixed to the timing belt 23. With this configuration, the unit including the shift tray 202 is suspended on the timing belt 23 so as to be able to move up and down.
[0036]
The drive unit L includes a tray elevating motor 168 and a worm gear 25, and the motive power generated by the forward / reversely rotatable tray elevating motor 168 as a driving source is a gear train fixed to the drive shaft 21 via the worm gear 25. The transmission is transmitted to the final gear, and the shift tray 202 is moved up and down. Since the power transmission system is via the worm gear 25, the shift tray 202 can be held at a fixed position. With this gear configuration, it is possible to prevent the shift tray 202 from being accidentally dropped.
[0037]
A shielding plate 24a is integrally formed on the side plate 24 of the shift tray 202, and a fullness detection sensor 334 for detecting a full load of stacked sheets and a lower limit sensor 335 for detecting a lower limit position are disposed below the shielding plate 24a. Accordingly, the fullness detection sensor 334 and the lower limit sensor 335 are turned on / off. The full detection sensor 334 and the lower limit sensor 335 are photo sensors, and are turned on when blocked by the shielding plate 24a. In FIG. 3, the shift discharge roller 6 is omitted.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2, the swing (shift) mechanism of the shift tray 202 includes a shift motor 169 and a shift cam 31, and by rotating the shift cam 31 using the shift motor 169 as a driving source, the shift tray 202 can discharge the paper. Reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the direction. A pin 31a is provided on the shift cam 31 at a position away from the center of the rotation shaft by a fixed amount, and the other end of the pin 31a is loosely fitted in the elongated hole 32b of the engaging member 32a of the end fence 32. The engaging member 32a is fixed to the back surface of the end fence 32 (the surface on the side where the shift tray 202 is not located), and reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction according to the turning position of the pin 31a of the shift cam 31. Accordingly, the shift tray 202 also moves in a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharging direction. The shift tray 202 is stopped at two positions on the front side and the back side in FIG. 1 (corresponding to an enlarged view of the shift cam 31 in FIG. 2), and the stop control is performed by detecting a notch of the shift cam 31 by the shift sensor 336. This is performed by controlling ON / OFF of the shift motor 169 based on the detection signal.
[0039]
On the front side of the end fence 32, a ridge 32c for guiding the shift tray 202 is provided, and the rear end of the shift tray 202 is loosely fitted to the ridge 32c so as to be freely movable up and down. 202 is supported by the end fence 32 so as to be able to move up and down and to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The end fence 32 has a function of guiding the rear end of the stacked paper on the shift tray 202 and aligning the rear end.
[0040]
1.2.2 Paper discharge unit
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a sheet discharging unit to the shift tray 202.
[0041]
1 and 4, the shift discharge roller 6 has a drive roller 6a and a driven roller 6b, and the driven roller 6b is supported on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction, and is provided with an opening / closing guide plate provided to be swingable in the vertical direction. 33 is rotatably supported at the free end. The driven roller 6b comes into contact with the drive roller 6a by its own weight or biasing force, and the sheet is nipped and discharged between the rollers 6a and 6b. When the bound sheet bundle is discharged, the open / close guide plate 33 is lifted upward and returned at a predetermined timing. This timing is determined based on a detection signal of the shift discharge sensor 303. Is done. The stop position is determined based on a detection signal of the sheet ejection guide plate opening / closing sensor 331, and is driven by the sheet ejection guide plate opening / closing motor 167. The discharge guide plate opening / closing motor 167 is driven and controlled by turning on / off a discharge guide plate opening / closing limit switch 332.
[0042]
1.3 Stipple processing tray
1.3.1 Overall configuration of stipple processing tray
The configuration of the staple processing tray F that performs staple processing will be described in detail.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the staple processing tray F viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying surface. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the staple processing tray F and its driving mechanism. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sheet bundle discharging mechanism. It is. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheets guided to the staple processing tray F by the staple discharge rollers 11 are sequentially stacked on the staple processing tray F. In this case, alignment in the vertical direction (paper transport direction) is performed by the hitting roller 12 for each sheet, and alignment in the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction-also referred to as the paper width direction) is performed by the jogger fence 53. The end stapling stapler S1 is driven by a stapling signal from the control device (see FIG. 16) between the end of the job, that is, from the last sheet of the sheet bundle to the leading sheet of the next sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed. The sheet bundle on which the binding process has been performed is immediately sent to the shift discharge roller 6 by the discharge belt 52 having the discharge claw 52a protruding therefrom, and discharged to the shift tray 202 set at the receiving position.
[0044]
1.3.2 Paper ejection mechanism
As shown in FIG. 7, the home position of the discharge claw 52 a is detected by a discharge belt HP sensor 311, and this discharge belt HP sensor 311 is turned on by the discharge claw 52 a provided on the discharge belt 52.・ Turn off. Two ejection claws 52a are arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the ejection belt 52, and alternately move and convey the sheet bundle accommodated in the staple processing tray F. If necessary, the discharge belt 52 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the stack of sheets stored in the staple processing tray F on the back surface of the discharge claw 52a and the discharge claw 52a 'on the opposite side are waiting to move the sheet bundle. The leading ends in the transport direction may be aligned. Therefore, the ejection claw 52a also functions as a unit for aligning the sheet bundle in the sheet conveying direction.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 5, on the drive shaft of the ejection belt 52 driven by the ejection motor 157, the ejection belt 52 and its driving pulley 62 are disposed at the alignment center in the sheet width direction. The discharge rollers 56 are symmetrically arranged and fixed. Further, the peripheral speed of the discharge rollers 56 is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the discharge belt 52.
[0046]
1.3.3 Processing mechanism
As shown in FIG. 6, the hitting roller 12 is given a pendulum motion by a hitting SOL (solenoid) 170 about the fulcrum 12a, and acts intermittently on the sheet sent to the staple processing tray F to cause the sheet to be fenced. Hit 51. The hitting roller 12 rotates counterclockwise.
[0047]
The jogger fence 53 is driven via a timing belt by a jogger motor 158 capable of rotating forward and backward, and reciprocates in the sheet width direction.
[0048]
As can be seen from the perspective view showing the stapler S1 in FIG. 8 together with the moving mechanism, the end-face stapling stapler S1 is driven via a timing belt by a stapler moving motor 159 that can be rotated forward and backward to bind a predetermined position of the sheet end. Moves in the paper width direction. At one end of the moving range, a stapler moving HP sensor 312 for detecting the home position of the end stapling stapler S1 is provided, and the stapling position in the paper width direction is the moving amount of the end stapling stapler S1 from the home position. Is controlled by As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 9, the end-face stapling stapler S1 allows the stapling angle to be changed to be parallel or oblique to the paper end, and furthermore, only the stapling mechanism of the stapler S1 is predetermined at the home position. The staple is rotated obliquely so that the staple can be easily replaced. The stapler S1 is rotated obliquely by the oblique motor 160, and when the needle replacement position sensor 313 detects that the needle has reached a predetermined oblique angle or reaches the needle replacement position, the oblique motor 160 stops. When the oblique driving is completed or the needle replacement is completed, the needle is rotated to the original position to prepare for the next staple.
[0049]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the distance from the rear end fence 51 to the staple position of the saddle stitch stapler S2 is a distance corresponding to half the transport direction length of the largest sheet size that can be saddle stitched. The two arrangements are made symmetrically with respect to the alignment center in the paper width direction, and are fixed to the stay 63. Since the saddle stitching stapler S2 itself is a known configuration, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, when performing saddle stitching, the jogger fence 53 aligns the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and strikes the rear end fence 51. After the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle is aligned by the rollers 5, the ejection belt 52 is driven to lift the rear end of the sheet bundle with the ejection claw 52, and the center of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction is positioned at the binding position of the saddle stapler S2. Position and stop at this position to execute the binding operation. Then, the bound sheet bundle is conveyed to the center folding processing tray G side and is folded in the middle. Details will be described later.
[0050]
In the drawing, reference numeral 64a denotes a front side plate, 64b denotes a rear side plate, and reference numeral 310 denotes a paper presence / absence sensor for detecting presence / absence of paper on the staple processing tray F.
[0051]
1.4 Sheet bundle deflection mechanism
The sheet bundle on which the saddle stitch has been performed on the staple processing tray F is folded at the center of the sheet. This center folding is performed on the center folding processing tray G. For that purpose, it is necessary to transport the bound sheet bundle to the center folding processing tray G. In this embodiment, a sheet bundle deflecting unit is provided at the most downstream side in the transport direction of the staple processing tray F, and transports the sheet bundle to the center folding processing tray G side.
[0052]
The sheet bundle deflecting mechanism includes a branch guide plate 54 and a movable guide 55 as shown in the enlarged views of the staple processing tray F and the center folding processing tray G in FIGS. The branch guide plate 54 is provided so as to be vertically swingable about a fulcrum 54a as shown in the operation explanatory views of FIGS. 10 to 12, and a rotatable pressure roller 57 is provided downstream thereof, and a spring 58 As a result, pressure is applied to the discharge roller 56 side. Further, the position of the branch guide plate 54 is defined by the contact position of the cam 61 rotating with the driving force obtained from the bundle branch driving motor 161 with the cam surface 61a.
[0053]
The movable guide 55 is swingably supported by the rotation shaft of the discharge roller 56, and a link rotatably connected to one end of the movable guide 55 (an end opposite to the branch guide plate 54) by a connecting portion 60 a. An arm 60 is provided. The link arm 60 includes a shaft fixed to the front side plate 64a shown in FIG. 5 and an elongated hole 60b, whereby the swing range of the movable guide 55 is restricted. 10 is held at the position shown in FIG. 10 by being urged downward by the spring 59. Further, when the link arm 60 is pressed by the cam surface 61b of the cam 61 which rotates by being driven by the bundle branch drive motor 161, the connected movable guide 55 rotates upward. The bundle branch guide HP sensor 315 detects the shielding portion 61c of the cam 61 and detects the home position of the cam 61. Thus, the stop position of the cam 61 is controlled by counting the drive pulses of the bundle branch drive motor 161 based on the home position.
[0054]
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 when the cam 61 is located at the home position. The guide surface 55 a of the movable guide 55 has a function of guiding a sheet in a path to the shift sheet discharge roller 6.
[0055]
In FIG. 11, when the cam 61 rotates, the branch guide plate 54 rotates counterclockwise (downward) in the figure about the fulcrum 54a, and the pressure roller 57 comes into contact with the discharge roller 56 and pressurizes. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which the state is in the state of FIG.
[0056]
FIG. 12 shows that, when the cam 61 further rotates, the movable guide 55 rotates clockwise (upward) in the figure, and a path leading from the staple processing tray F to the center folding processing tray G is formed by the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide. 55 is an operation explanatory view showing a state formed by the steps 55 and 55. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship in the depth direction.
[0057]
In this embodiment, the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 are operated by a single drive motor. However, a separate drive motor is provided so that the movement timing and the stop position can be controlled according to the sheet size and the number of sheets to be bound. You may.
[0058]
1.5 Folding tray
1.5.1 Configuration of each part
13 and 14 are explanatory views of the operation of the moving mechanism of the folding plate 74 for performing the half-folding.
[0059]
The folding plate 74 is supported by loosely fitting a long hole portion 74a to each of two shafts 64c set on the front and rear side plates 64a and 64b. Further, a shaft portion 74b erected from the folding plate 74 is connected to a link arm 76. When the link arm 76 swings around the fulcrum 76a, the folding plate 74 reciprocates left and right in FIGS. 13 and 14. That is, the shaft portion 75b of the folding plate drive cam 75 is loosely fitted in the long hole portion 76c of the link arm 76, and the link arm 76 swings due to the rotational movement of the folding plate drive cam 75. At 15, the folding plate 74 reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the upper and lower bundle transfer guide plates 91 and 92.
[0060]
The folding plate driving cam 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The stop position is determined by detecting both ends of the half-moon-shaped shielding portion 75a by the folding plate HP sensor 325.
[0061]
FIG. 13 shows the home position where the processing tray G is completely retracted from the sheet bundle storage area. When the folding plate driving cam 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the folding plate 74 moves in the direction of the arrow and projects into the sheet bundle accommodating area of the processing tray G. FIG. 14 shows a position where the center of the sheet bundle of the processing tray G is pushed into the nip of the folding roller 81. When the folding plate driving cam 75 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the folding plate 74 moves in the direction of the arrow, and retreats from the sheet bundle storage area of the processing tray G.
[0062]
In this embodiment, it is assumed that a sheet bundle is folded for center folding, but the present invention can be applied to a case where one sheet is folded. In this case, since saddle stitching is unnecessary for only one sheet, when one sheet is discharged, the sheet is sent to the side of the center-folding processing handle G, the folding process is performed by the folding plate 74 and the folding roller, and the sheet is discharged to the lower tray. To do.
[0063]
2. Control device
As shown in FIG. 16, the control device 350 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 360, an I / O interface 370, etc., and switches and the like of a control panel of the image forming apparatus PR main body, an entrance sensor 301, and an upper paper ejection sensor 302. , Shift discharge sensor 303, pre-stack sensor 304, staple discharge sensor 305, paper presence / absence sensor 310, release belt home position sensor 311, staple movement home position sensor 312, stippler oblique home position sensor 313, jogger fence home position sensor 314. , Bundle branch guide home position sensor 315, bundle arrival sensor 321, movable rear end fence home position sensor 322, folding section passage sensor 323, lower sheet ejection sensor 324, folding plate home position Yonsensa 325, the sheet sensor 330,330A, 330b, signals from the sensors such as the sheet discharge guide plate close sensor 331 is inputted to the CPU360 through the I / O interface 370.
[0064]
The CPU 360 drives a tray elevating motor 168 for the shift tray 202, a discharge guide plate opening / closing motor 167 for opening and closing the opening / closing guide plate, a shift motor 169 for moving the shift tray 202, and a hitting roller 12 based on the input signal. (Not shown), a solenoid such as a hitting SOL 170, a conveying motor for driving each conveying roller, a discharging motor for driving each discharging roller, a discharging motor 157 for driving the discharging belt 52, and an end surface binding stapler S1. A stapler moving motor 159, an oblique motor 160 that obliquely rotates the end stapling stapler S1, an jogger motor 158 that moves the jogger fence 53, a bundle branch drive motor 161 that rotates the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55, and transports the bundle. Not shown to drive the transport roller Conveying motor, the rear end fence moving motor, the folding moves the folding plate 74 plate drive motor 166 (not shown) for moving the movable rear fence 73, and controls the driving such as the folding roller drive motor (not shown) that drives the folding rollers 81. A pulse signal of a staple transport motor (not shown) for driving the staple discharge roller is input to the CPU 360 and counted, and the hitting SOL 170 and the jogger motor 158 are controlled according to the count. The folding roller drive motor is formed of a stepping motor, and is controlled directly by the CPU 360 via a motor driver or indirectly via an I / O 370 and a motor driver.
[0065]
Further, the punch unit 100 also performs the drilling according to the instruction of the CPU 360 by controlling the clutch and the motor.
[0066]
The control of the sheet post-processing device PD is performed by the CPU 360 executing a program written in a ROM (not shown) while using a RAM (not shown) as a work area.
[0067]
3. motion
Hereinafter, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is executed by the CPU 360, will be described.
[0068]
3.1 Operation according to processing mode
In the present embodiment, the following discharge modes are adopted according to the post-processing mode.
[0069]
(1) Non-stipple mode A
(2) Non-staple mode B
▲ 3 ▼ Sort, stack mode
▲ 4 ▼ Stipple mode
▲ 5 ▼ Saddle stitching mode
▲ 6 ▼ Simple binding mode
Hereinafter, each mode will be described.
[0070]
3.1.1 Non-stipple mode A:
In this mode, the paper is discharged from the transport path A through the transport path B to the upper tray 201 without binding. In this mode, the branch claw 15 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, and the transport path B side is opened.
[0071]
In this mode, when the operation is started and the paper is brought in from the image forming apparatus PR side, the entrance roller 1 and the transport roller 2 of the transport path A of the paper post-processing apparatus PD, the transport roller 3 of the transport path B and The upper discharge roller 4 starts rotating. Then, the ON / OFF of the entrance sensor 301 and the ON / OFF of the upper paper ejection sensor 302 are checked to confirm that the paper has passed, and when the final paper has passed and a predetermined time has elapsed, the entrance roller 1, the transport roller 2, The rotation of the transport roller 3 and the upper discharge roller 4 is stopped. As a result, all the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are discharged and stacked on the upper tray 201 without being bound. In this embodiment, since the punch unit 100 is provided between the entrance roller 1 and the transport roller 2, the punch unit 100 can also make a hole during this.
[0072]
3.1.2 Non-stipple mode B:
In this mode, sheets are discharged from the transport path A to the shift tray 202 via the transport path C without binding. In this mode, the branch claw 15 rotates counterclockwise and the branch claw 16 rotates clockwise, and the transport path C is opened.
[0073]
In this mode, when the operation starts and the sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus PR side, the entrance roller 1 and the conveyance roller 2 of the conveyance path A of the sheet post-processing apparatus PD, the conveyance roller 5 of the conveyance path C, and The shift discharge rollers 6 each start rotating. Then, the solenoid for driving the branch claws 15 and 16 is turned on (step S202), and the branch claw 15 is rotated counterclockwise and the branch claw 16 is rotated clockwise. Next, the ON / OFF state of the entrance sensor 301 and the ON / OFF state of the shift sheet discharge sensor 303 are checked to confirm the passage of the conveyed sheet.
[0074]
When the last sheet has passed and a predetermined time has elapsed, the rotation of the entrance roller 1, the transport roller 2, the transport roller 5, and the shift paper discharge roller 6 is stopped, and the solenoid that drives the branch claws 15, 16 is turned off. As a result, all the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus PR are discharged and stacked on the shift tray 202 without binding. In this embodiment, since the punch unit 100 is provided between the entrance roller 1 and the transport roller 2, the punch unit 100 can also make a hole during this.
[0075]
3.1.3 Sort, Stack mode:
In this mode, the sheet is discharged from the conveyance path A to the shift tray 202 via the conveyance path C. At this time, the shift tray 202 is swung in a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharging direction for each section of the copy. This is a mode in which sheets discharged onto the shift tray 202 are sorted. In this mode, as in the non-staple mode B, the branch claw 15 rotates counterclockwise and the branch claw 16 rotates clockwise, and the transport path C is opened.
[0076]
In this mode, when the operation starts and the sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus PR side, the entrance roller 1 and the conveyance roller 2 of the conveyance path A of the sheet post-processing apparatus PD, the conveyance roller 5 of the conveyance path C, and The shift discharge rollers 6 each start rotating. Then, the solenoid for driving the branch claws 15 and 16 is turned on, and the branch claws 15 are rotated counterclockwise and the branch claws 16 are rotated clockwise. Then, the ON / OFF of the entrance sensor 301 and the ON of the shift sheet ejection sensor 303 are checked.
[0077]
As a result of this check, if the sheet passing through the shift sheet ejection sensor 303 is the leading sheet of the set, the shift motor 169 is turned on, and the shift tray 202 is moved perpendicular to the sheet transport direction until the shift sensor 336 detects the shift tray 202. In the direction you want. Then, the sheet is discharged to the shift tray 202, and the shift sheet discharge sensor 303 is turned off. When the sheet is confirmed to pass through the shift sheet discharge sensor 303, it is checked whether the sheet is the last sheet. If it is not the last sheet, it is the leading sheet in this case, so if the number of copies is not one, the shift motor 169 is turned on to perform the shift operation and the sheets are discharged to the last sheet. If the unit is constituted by one sheet, the solenoids for stopping the rotation of each of the rollers, namely, the inlet roller 1, the transport roller 2, the transport roller 5, and the shift discharge roller 6, and driving the branch claws 15, 16 are used. Turn off.
[0078]
On the other hand, if the sheet that has passed the shift sheet ejection sensor 303 is not the top sheet of the set, the shift tray 202 has already moved, so the sheet is ejected as it is, and it is checked whether the ejected sheet is the last sheet. If it is not the last sheet, the operation of discharging the next sheet to the moving shift tray 202 is repeated. The rotation of the rollers, that is, the entrance roller 1, the transport roller 2, the transport roller 5, and the shift paper discharge roller 6 is stopped, and the solenoid that drives the branch claws 15, 16 is turned off. As a result, all the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are discharged to the shift tray 202 without binding, sorted, and stacked. Also in this case, the sheets punched by the punch unit 100 can be sorted or stacked.
[0079]
3.1.4 Stipple mode:
In this mode, the sheet is conveyed to the staple processing tray F via the conveyance path A and the conveyance path D, and is aligned and bound on the staple processing tray F, and then discharged to the shift tray 202 through the conveyance path C. It is. In this mode, both the branch claws 15 and the branch claws 16 rotate counterclockwise, and the path from the transport paths A to D is opened.
[0080]
The operation of the staple processing tray F in the staple mode will be described.
[0081]
When the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 6, the jogger fence 53 moves from the home position and stands by at a standby position 7 mm apart from the width of the sheet discharged to the staple processing tray F. When the sheet is conveyed by the staple discharge roller 11 and the trailing end of the sheet passes through the staple discharge sensor 305, the jogger fence 53 moves inward from the standby position by 5 mm and stops.
[0082]
Further, the staple discharge sensor 305 detects this at the time of passing the trailing edge of the sheet, and the signal is input to the CPU 360. The CPU 360 counts the number of pulses transmitted from a staple conveyance motor (not shown) that drives the staple discharge roller 11 from the time when this signal is received, and turns on the tapping SOL 170 after transmitting a predetermined pulse. The hitting roller 12 performs a pendulum motion by turning on / off the hitting SOL 170. When the hitting SOL 170 is turned on, the hitting roller 12 hits the sheet to return downward, and hits the rear end fence 51 to perform sheet alignment. At this time, each time a sheet stored in the staple processing tray F passes through the entrance sensor 301 or the staple discharge sensor 305, a signal thereof is input to the CPU 360, and the number of sheets is counted.
[0083]
After a predetermined time has elapsed after the hit SOL 170 is turned off, the jogger fence 53 is further moved inward by 2.6 mm by the jogger motor 158 and temporarily stopped, thereby completing the horizontal alignment. The jogger fence 53 then moves outward by 7.6 mm, returns to the standby position, and waits for the next sheet. This operation is performed up to the last page. Thereafter, the sheet bundle is again moved inward by 7 mm and stopped, and both sides of the sheet bundle are pressed to prepare for the stapling operation. Then, after a predetermined time, the end-face stapling stapler S1 is operated by a stapling motor (not shown), and the stapling process is performed. At this time, if two or more bindings are specified, the stapling movement motor 159 is driven after the binding processing at one location is completed, and the end-face binding stapler S1 is moved to an appropriate position along the rear end of the sheet. The binding process at the fourth position is performed. If the third and subsequent locations are specified, this is repeated.
[0084]
When the binding process is completed, the ejection motor 157 is driven, and the ejection belt 52 is driven. At this time, the sheet discharge motor is also driven, and the shift sheet discharge roller 6 starts rotating to receive the sheet bundle lifted by the discharge claw 52a. At this time, different control is performed on the jogger fence 53 based on the sheet size and the number of sheets to be bound. For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is smaller than the set number or smaller than the set size, the trailing end of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the ejection claw 52a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 53.
[0085]
Then, after a predetermined pulse from the detection by the paper presence sensor 310 or the release belt HP sensor 311, the jogger fence 53 is retracted by 2 mm, and the constraint on the paper by the jogger fence 53 is released. The predetermined pulse is set during a period from when the ejection claw 52a comes into contact with the trailing edge of the sheet and passes through the tip of the jogger fence 53.
[0086]
If the number of sheets to be stapled is larger than the set number or larger than the set size, the jogger fence 53 is retracted by 2 mm in advance, and the discharge is performed. In any case, when the sheet bundle passes through the jogger fence 53, the jogger fence 53 moves further 5 mm outward, returns to the standby position, and prepares for the next sheet. Note that the binding force can be adjusted by the distance of the jogger fence 53 to the sheet.
[0087]
3.1.5 Saddle stitching mode:
In this mode, the sheet is conveyed to the staple processing tray F via the conveyance path A and the conveyance path D, and is aligned and center-stitched on the staple processing tray F, and is further folded in the center folding processing tray G, and then folded in the center. This is a mode in which the bundle of sheets thus discharged is discharged to the lower tray 203 via the transport path H. In this mode, both the branch claws 15 and the branch claws 16 rotate counterclockwise, and the path from the transport paths A to D is opened. Further, the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide plate 55 are closed as shown in FIG. 24 to be described later, and the sheet bundle is guided to the center folding processing tray G, and the center folding is performed.
[0088]
In this mode, when the operation starts and the sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus PR side, the entrance roller 1 and the conveyance roller 2 of the conveyance path A of the sheet post-processing apparatus PD, the conveyance rollers 7 of the conveyance path D, 9, 9 and the staple discharge roller 11 and the tapping roller 12 of the staple processing tray F start rotating. Then, the solenoid for driving the branch claw 15 is turned on, and the branch claw 15 is rotated counterclockwise.
[0089]
Next, the home position of the discharge belt 52 is also detected by the discharge belt HP sensor 311, and after confirming the position, the discharge motor 157 is driven to move the discharge belt 52 to the standby position, and the jogger fence 53 is also moved to the jogger fence HP sensor. After detecting the home position, the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 are moved to the home position, respectively.
[0090]
If the entrance sensor 301 is turned on and off, the staple discharge sensor 305 is turned on, and the shift discharge sensor 303 is turned off, the sheet is discharged to the staple processing tray F and the sheet is present. 170 is turned on for a predetermined time, the tapping solenoid 12 is brought into contact with the sheet, and is urged toward the rear end fence 51 to align the rear end of the sheet. Next, the jogger fence 53 is moved inward by a predetermined amount by driving the jogger motor 158 to perform an aligning operation in the sheet width direction (a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction), and then returns to the standby position. Thereby, the length and width (the direction orthogonal to the direction parallel to the transport direction) of the sheet fed to the staple processing tray F are aligned (FIG. 17).
[0091]
These operations from step S506 to step S512 are repeated for each sheet. When the last sheet of the set is reached, the jogger fence 53 is moved inward by a predetermined amount so that the sheet end surface does not shift, and in this state, the discharge motor 157 is set. Then, the discharge belt 52 is rotated by a predetermined amount, and the sheet bundle is raised to the binding position of the saddle stapler S2. Then, the saddle stapler S2 is turned on at the center of the sheet bundle to perform saddle stitching (FIG. 18). Next, a path toward the center folding processing tray G is formed by displacing the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 by a predetermined amount, and rotation of the upper and lower bundle transfer rollers 71 and 72 of the center folding processing tray G is started. After detecting the home position of the movable rear end fence 73 provided on the center folding processing tray G, the movable rear end fence 73 is moved to the standby position.
[0092]
In this way, when the sheet bundle receiving system of the center folding processing tray G is prepared, the discharge belt 52 is further rotated by a predetermined amount, and is held by the discharge roller 56 and the pressure roller 57 (FIG. 19). The sheet bundle is conveyed to the folding processing tray G side. When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the position of the bundle reaching sensor 321, the folding roller 81 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the sheet is conveyed downward without being folded at the Q portion shown in FIG. Thereafter, the folding roller 81 is stopped when a certain period of time when it is considered that the leading end of the sheet has completely passed through the portion Q has elapsed. Then, after the conveyance by the predetermined distance, the rotation of the upper and lower bundle transfer rollers 71 and 72 is stopped, and the pressurized state of the lower bundle transfer roller 72 is released (FIG. 21). Next, the folding operation by the folding plate 74 is started, and the rotation of the folding rollers 81 and 82 and the lower discharge roller 83 are started (FIG. 22). The passage of the middle-folded sheet bundle is monitored by the folding-section passage sensor 323 (FIG. 23), and when the rear end of the sheet bundle passes the position of the folding-section passage sensor 323, the lower part 72 of the bundle conveyance roller is pressurized and folded. The plate 74, the branch guide plate 54, and the movable guide plate 55 are moved to the home position (FIG. 24).
[0093]
In this state, the passage of the sheet bundle is monitored by the lower sheet ejection sensor 324, and when the trailing end of the sheet bundle passes through the lower sheet ejection sensor 324, the folding rollers 81 and 82 and the lower sheet ejection roller 83 are further rotated for a predetermined time. And stop. Next, the discharge belt 52 and the jogger fence 53 are moved to the standby position, and it is checked whether the job is the last part. If the last part is not, the above operation is repeated. 53 is moved to the home position, the rotations of the entrance roller 1, the transport rollers 2, 7, 9, 10 and the staple discharge roller 11 and the hitting roller 12 are stopped, and the branch solenoid of the branch claw 15 is turned off. And the process is completed.
[0094]
After the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus is saddle stitched in the staple processing tray F and center-folded in the center folding processing tray G, the sheet bundle folded in the lower tray 203 is discharged. Load.
[0095]
3.1.6 Auxiliary tray
In this embodiment, an auxiliary and a tray 204 are provided on the lower tray 203, and the stack of sheets to be received and stacked by the lower tray 203 and the auxiliary tray 204 is stacked more in a state of being aligned. Therefore, a saddle-stitched sheet bundle is stacked as described below. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the lower tray, the auxiliary tray, and the pressing roller, and FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of sheet bundles are pressed.
[0096]
The bundle of sheets (FIG. 24) that has been saddle-stitched, folded in the middle, and discharged is stacked on the auxiliary tray 204. As shown in FIG. 25, the auxiliary tray 204 can be translated in the direction of the arrow along the stacking surface of the lower tray 203 disposed substantially horizontally, and the sheet bundle is placed on the lower tray 203 of the auxiliary tray 204 at that time. The angle with respect to the surface 203a is changeable. Further, the discharged sheet bundle is always pressed by the pressing roller 205, and the discharged sheet bundle is sandwiched between the auxiliary tray 204 and the pressing roller 205. The auxiliary tray 204 can move parallel to the sheet bundle mounting surface 203a of the lower tray 203 at different angles. The angle of the auxiliary tray 204 with respect to the sheet stacking surface 203a in FIG. 26 is smaller than that in FIG. 28 (α ° <β °), and the smaller the number of saddle-stitched sheets, the lower the sheet stacking surface of the lower tray 203. The angle with respect to 203a is reduced.
[0097]
This is for the following reasons. That is, when the number of sheets to be stapled is large, the end surface side (open side) of the sheet bundle folded in half tends to be opened. This tendency occurs because the larger the number of sheets to be bound in the sheet bundle, the weaker the folding of each sheet. Therefore, when stacking a bundle of loosely folded paper sheets, in other words, when stacking a large number of bound sheet bundles in which the end face side (open side) of the middle-folded sheet bundle tends to open, When a stack of sheets is stacked on the auxiliary tray 204 set at the same stacking angle (α °) as when the number of sheets is small, the state shown in FIG. 27 results. That is, as the stack of sheets is stacked on the auxiliary tray 204, the stacking angle of the stack of sheets gradually becomes sluggish (in a lying state), which eventually leads to a decrease in the number of stacked sheets and a disorder of the stacked state. On the other hand, when the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is raised as shown in FIG. 28, the disturbance of the sheet bundle is suppressed, and more sheet bundles can be stacked. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is changed according to the number of sheets to be bound in order to prevent such a variation in the stacking quality due to the number of sheets to be bound and to increase the amount of sheets to be stacked.
[0098]
29 to 35 are views showing an angle changing mechanism and a moving mechanism of the auxiliary tray 204.
[0099]
29 and 30, the auxiliary tray 204 is mounted on an auxiliary tray bracket 219 (FIG. 35), and a guide 230 (FIG. 32) formed of a long hole provided on the discharge tray bracket 227 is moved by the moving shafts 220a, 220b, and 220. The slide of 220c and 220d moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Here, since the moving shafts 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d are mounted on the auxiliary tray bracket 219, the auxiliary tray bracket 219 moves with the movement of the moving shafts 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d. The auxiliary tray bracket 219 is fixed to the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214 via fixing plates 217 and 218 as shown in FIG. 35, and moves with the driving of the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214. The auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214 are attached to the auxiliary tray driving pulleys 210 and 213 and the auxiliary tray driven pulleys 215 and 216, respectively, and the auxiliary tray driving pulleys 210 and 213 are rotated by the rotation of the auxiliary tray driving shaft 212. Power is transmitted. Then, the auxiliary tray drive shaft 212 is rotated by transmitting the drive from the auxiliary tray moving motor 207 mounted on the paper discharge tray bracket 227 to the worm 208 and to the worm wheel 209.
[0100]
With this configuration, the auxiliary tray 204 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 25. However, a sheet bundle is stacked as shown in FIG. 26 or FIG. 28, and the full detection sensor 224 shown in FIG. It is determined that the section is full when the section is shielded and detected by the full detection sensor 224. When the sheet bundle is removed from this state, the auxiliary tray 204 moves in the direction opposite to the moving direction accompanying the stacking of the sheet bundle. This movement is performed until a part of the auxiliary tray guide 206 mounted on the base end side of the auxiliary tray 204 shields the paper surface sensor 226. In the state of being shielded and detected (ON state), it moves again in the opposite direction, moves to the OFF state, and stops. This state is the home position of the auxiliary tray 204. The initial operation is the same operation. Details are shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36 described later.
[0101]
The auxiliary tray 204 moves as described above. Further, the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is also changed according to the load amount. As shown in FIG. 35, a hole (not shown) is formed in the auxiliary tray bracket 219 of the auxiliary tray 204, and a shaft (not shown) is inserted into this hole and is rotatably supported so that the sheet loading on the lower tray 203 of the auxiliary tray 204 is performed. The angle with respect to the placing surface 203a can be changed. In the auxiliary tray 204, a worm gear-shaped projection 204a is formed at a distal end portion indicated by a circle in FIG. 35. The drive is transmitted from the angle changing motor 222 to change the angle of the auxiliary tray 204. In the present embodiment, the default angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is set to 30 ° in a state where the angle detection sensor 225 is shielded by the detection plate 204c formed on the auxiliary tray 204 (a state from OFF to ON). . The auxiliary tray 204 is rotated from the state of the default angle by pulse driving the auxiliary tray angle changing motor 222, and changes the initial stacking angle according to the number of sheets to be bound. As the initial operation, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36, the detection state of the angle detection sensor 225 is checked, and if the state is OFF, the auxiliary tray 204 is rotated in a direction to loosen the angle (left direction in the figure). It is turned on, and if it is in the ON state, it stops in that state. This state is the home position of the auxiliary tray 204.
[0102]
That is, in this process, first, in step S101, it is checked whether the paper surface sensor 226 is on or off. If the paper surface sensor 226 is off, the auxiliary tray 204 is moved toward the paper discharge port (step S102). Check off (8 step S103). If the paper surface sensor 226 is turned on, or if the paper surface sensor 226 is turned on in step S101, the auxiliary tray 204 is moved in the direction opposite to the paper discharge port direction (the leading end of the lower tray 203) (step S105). If the paper surface sensor 226 is turned off (step S105), the auxiliary tray 204 is stopped (step S106).
[0103]
Then, it is checked whether the angle detection sensor 225 is on or off (step S107). If the angle detection sensor 225 is on, the auxiliary tray 204 is tilted in the direction of decreasing the angle until the angle detection sensor 225 is turned on if it is off (step S107). In steps S108 and S109), the rotation (tilting operation) of the auxiliary tray 204 is stopped at that position (step S110). Thus, the home position of the auxiliary tray 204 and the initial position of the home position are defined.
[0104]
The initial state is set as described above, and the sheet bundle is discharged from this initial state, and the auxiliary tray 204 is stacked while moving. Hereinafter, the loading operation will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0105]
First, when a stack of sheets is stacked, a signal of the number of sheets to be bound is received before the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is discharged to the lower tray 203, and the number of sheets is checked (step S201). Thereafter, the sheet bundle is discharged to the auxiliary tray 204, and is held between the auxiliary tray 204 by the holding roller 205 (step S202). In the sandwiched state, the auxiliary tray 204 moves toward the paper discharge port until the paper surface sensor 226 in FIG. 30 detects the trailing end of the stacked sheet bundle (ON state) (step S203), and is turned on again. The sheet is moved in the direction opposite to the sheet discharge port while holding the sheet bundle by the holding roller 205 from the state to the OFF state (step S204). If the sheet bundle is turned on at the time when the sheet bundle is discharged, the sheet is immediately moved in the direction opposite to the sheet discharge port until it is turned off.
[0106]
Here, the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is changed from the signal of the number of sheets received before the bundle of saddle-stitched sheets is discharged to the tray 203 (step S205-Yes). For example, if the number of sheets to be bound is the set value A (five sheets) (steps S206-yes, S207-yes), the angle is changed from the default (home position) angle to a direction in which the Δθ1 ° (5 °) angle becomes larger (tighter). It is changed (step S208). If the angle is less than the set value A (five-sheet binding), the stacking of the sheet bundle is continued without changing the angle (step S206-no). If the number of sheets to be bound is equal to or more than the set value A (five sheets) and equal to or less than the set value B (ten sheets) (step S207-yes, step S210-no), the angle Δθ2 ° (10 °) is obtained from the default (home position) angle. ) The angle is changed in a direction in which the angle becomes larger (tighter) (step S211), and when the angle exceeds the set value B (ten sheets bound) (step S210-yes), the angle θ3 ° (15 °) is larger (tighter). (Step S213). The greater the number of sheets bundled to be discharged first in this way, the tighter the angle of the auxiliary tray 204, and the stacking is continued in that state, so that more sheets can be stacked. I do. After the angle is changed, the binding counters are cleared (steps S209, S212, and S214), and the process returns to prepare for the next sheet discharging operation.
[0107]
Also, as described in the flowchart of FIG. 37, the ON / OFF detection operation of the paper surface sensor 226 is performed each time the bundle of saddle stitches is discharged to the auxiliary tray 204. Therefore, when the sheet bundle is discharged even if the sheet bundle is removed during the job, the auxiliary tray 204 moves in the direction of the paper discharge port until the sensor 226 is turned on, so that the auxiliary tray 204 can be surely mounted without causing a stacking defect. Loaded on top.
[0108]
This series of operations is repeated each time the sheet bundle is discharged. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the holding roller 205 is rotatable by inserting the support shaft 205 a into the support hole 228 a of the holding roller bracket 228. When it is moved by the roller 205, it is in a rotating state. Further, since the holding roller bracket 228 is rotatable by inserting the support shaft 228b into the support hole 229a of the holding roller rotating guide 229, it can cope with a change in the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the auxiliary tray 204. To rotate, and always hold the sheet bundle.
[0109]
FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are views showing the state of changing the angle of the auxiliary tray 204. As is clear from comparison between the two, the setting of the loading angle of the auxiliary tray 204 is different between FIG. 33 and FIG. α °, β ° in FIG. 34, α <β), the holding roller bracket 228 rotates about the support hole 229a of the holding roller bracket rotation guide 229 as a fulcrum in this state, and the sheet bundle is held by the auxiliary tray 204 and the holding roller 205. It can be pinched.
[0110]
2. Second embodiment
38 to 41 are schematic configuration diagrams of the lower tray 203 and the auxiliary tray 204 according to the second embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
[0111]
In FIG. 38, auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214 for moving the auxiliary tray 204 are configured to protrude from the upper surface of the lower tray 203. That is, in the first embodiment, the timing belts 211 and 214 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 are located above the sheet placement surface 203a of the lower tray 2003, and the auxiliary trays as described in the first embodiment. The end face side (open side) of the sheet bundle discharged so as to be sandwiched by the holding roller 204 and the holding roller 205 is stacked on the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214 (FIG. 39). That is, the end surface side (open side) of the sheet bundle is loaded on the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214, and the rest is loaded on the auxiliary tray 204, is sandwiched by the holding rollers 205, and moves together with the auxiliary tray 204.
[0112]
Since the end surface side (open side) of the sheet bundle is stacked on the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214, the sheet bundle can be reliably moved. Further, since the loading surfaces of the auxiliary tray movement timing belts 211 and 214 on which the end surface side (open side) of the sheet bundle is stacked are uneven (FIG. 38), it is ensured that the end surface side (open side) is caught. As a result, the movement of the sheet bundle is ensured (FIG. 39). With such a configuration, the number of stacked paper bundles can be increased.
[0113]
Also in this embodiment, the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 can be changed as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, and the angle of the auxiliary tray 204 can be changed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The angle is changed. At this time, since the end surface side (open side) of the sheet bundle is securely locked by the uneven portions of the timing belts 211 and 214, disturbance of the stacked sheet bundle is minimized, and Loading becomes possible.
[0114]
In addition, each unit that is not particularly described is configured and functions equivalently to the above-described first embodiment.
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of efficiently stacking a large number of folded sheet bundles in a small-size tray.
[0116]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system capable of stacking paper sheets in a fixed state regardless of the number of sheets to be bound.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image processing system mainly including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing details of a shift mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a shift tray elevating mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a sheet discharging unit to a shift tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a staple processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying surface.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a staple processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and a driving mechanism thereof.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sheet bundle discharging mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an end binding stapler of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, together with a moving mechanism.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an oblique rotation mechanism of the end stapling stapler in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet bundle deflecting mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which sheets or a sheet bundle are discharged to a shift tray.
11 is an explanatory view of the operation of the sheet bundle deflecting mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which the branch guide plate has turned to the discharge roller side from the state of FIG.
12 is an explanatory view of the operation of the sheet bundle deflecting mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the movable guide is turned to the branch guide plate side from the state of FIG. The state which formed the path | route which deflects a bundle is shown.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a folding plate moving mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before a center folding operation is started.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a folding plate moving mechanism of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state when returning to an initial position after middle folding.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating details of a staple processing tray and a center folding processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, together with an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a sheet bundle stacked on a staple processing tray in the saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the sheets are stacked on the staple processing tray and saddle-stitched in the saddle stitching mode;
FIG. 19 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an initial state in which a sheet bundle deflected by a staple processing tray is deflected by a sheet bundle deflection mechanism in the saddle stitch binding mode.
FIG. 20 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sheet bundle bound in a staple processing tray is deflected by a sheet bundle deflecting mechanism and sent to a center folding processing tray in the saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet bundle is positioned at a center folding position on the center folding processing tray in the saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 22 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the center folding plate tray is operated in the center folding processing tray to start the center folding operation of the sheet bundle in the saddle stitch bookbinding mode;
FIG. 23 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the center folding plate is operated in the center folding processing tray in the saddle stitching mode and the sheet bundle is folded by the second-stage folding roller after the center folding operation is started; It is.
FIG. 24 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state in which a bundle of sheets is folded in the middle by a middle folding roller and discharged from a center folding processing tray in the saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a lower tray, an auxiliary tray, and a pressing roller in the first embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the sheet bundle discharged and stacked on the lower tray is held between the auxiliary tray and the holding roller in the first embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of a sheet bundle when the auxiliary tray is set at a small angle with respect to the mounting surface of the lower tray in the first embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of a sheet bundle when the auxiliary tray is set at an angle larger than the state illustrated in FIG. 27 with respect to the mounting surface of the lower tray in the first embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism and a moving mechanism of the auxiliary tray.
30 is a perspective view of the angle changing mechanism and the moving mechanism of the auxiliary tray viewed from an angle different from FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an angle changing mechanism and a moving mechanism of the auxiliary tray.
FIG. 32 is a front view of a lower tray and an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 33 is a front view of a lower tray and an auxiliary tray corresponding to the state of FIG. 27;
FIG. 34 is a front view of a lower tray and an auxiliary tray corresponding to the state of FIG. 28;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the angle changing mechanism and the moving mechanism of the auxiliary tray viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 29;
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an initial operation of a position and an angle of an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an auxiliary tray angle changing operation.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a lower tray, an auxiliary tray, and a pressing roller according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a stack of sheets discharged and stacked on a lower tray is held between an auxiliary tray and a holding roller in the second embodiment.
FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of a sheet bundle when the auxiliary tray is set at a small angle with respect to the mounting surface of the lower tray in the second embodiment.
FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of a sheet bundle when the auxiliary tray is set at an angle larger than the state illustrated in FIG. 27 with respect to the mounting surface of the lower tray in the first embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
74 folding plate
81, 81a, 81b Folding (pressure) roller
83 Bundle transport roller
203 Lower tray
203a Mounting surface
204 auxiliary tray
204a Worm gear shaped protrusion
205 Holding roller
206 Auxiliary tray guide
207 Auxiliary tray moving motor
210,213 Auxiliary tray drive pulley
211, 214 Auxiliary tray movement timing belt
212 auxiliary tray drive shaft
215,216 Auxiliary tray driven pulley
220a, 220b, 220c, 220d Moving axis
221 Warm
222 Auxiliary tray angle changing motor
223 Timing belt
350 control device
360 CPU
370 I / O
F staple processing tray
G Half-fold processing tray
PD paper post-processing device
PR image forming device
S1 End-face stapler
S2 Saddle stapler

Claims (13)

In a paper processing apparatus that stacks and aligns a bundle of sheets, folds the sheets, discharges the sheets, and stacks them on a stacking unit,
The loading means,
An output tray arranged substantially horizontally,
An auxiliary tray protruding at a predetermined angle with respect to a stacking surface of the discharge tray;
Holding means for holding the ejected sheet bundle between the auxiliary tray and
A paper processing apparatus comprising: 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary tray moving unit configured to move the auxiliary tray in parallel with the loading surface. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an angle changing unit configured to change an angle of the auxiliary tray with respect to a stacking surface of the discharge tray. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the angle is changed according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle. 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the angle is set such that the smaller the number of sheets to be bound, the smaller the angle with respect to the stacking surface. 4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the angle is changed according to a stacking amount of the sheet bundle. 7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the angle is set such that the smaller the stacked amount of sheets, the smaller the angle with respect to the stacking surface. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet bundle moving unit configured to contact an opening side of the sheet bundle with the stacking surface and move the sheet bundle in the abutting state. 9. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said sheet bundle moving means comprises said auxiliary tray moving means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sheet bundle moving unit protrudes upward from the stacking surface. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the sheet bundle moving means includes an uneven portion with which an open end of the sheet bundle is engaged. 12. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sheet bundle moving unit includes a timing belt and a motor driving mechanism that drives the timing belt. An image forming apparatus for forming a visible image on a recording medium,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is provided integrally with or separate from the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system comprising:

Images