JP2004175530A - Finisher, image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily solve paper jam even when paper jam occurs, which cannot be solved unless a center-folding unit 40 is drawn out in a finisher X with a plurality of delivery trays 50 in addition to a main tray 501, and the center-folding unit 40 to be drawn from a discharge tray 50 fitting side fitted thereto. <P>SOLUTION: The finisher X having at least one post-treatment unit to perform post-treatment to carried sheets comprises one or two or more elevatable delivery trays 50, and a detection means to detect paper jam within a tray inside the finisher X. The post-treatment unit is the tray within the finisher X which is drawn from the discharge tray 50 fitting side. When the detection means detects paper jam in the tray within the finisher X, a means is provided which automatically elevates the delivery tray 50 so as to draw the tray within the finisher. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a finisher that performs predetermined post-processing such as stapling or center folding (folding) on a sheet of recording paper or the like on which an image is formed, and an image forming apparatus to which the finisher can be attached. The present invention relates to a finisher for improving maintenance work and an image forming apparatus to which the finisher can be attached.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, finishers for performing post-processing such as stapling, punching, and center folding on a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus have become widespread.
Generally, in such a finisher, when a sheet is to be folded in the middle, first, the sheets sequentially conveyed to a predetermined sheet receiving portion are stacked, and the sheets are folded along a folding margin near the center portion of the stacked sheets. The position is stapled (so-called saddle stitching), the stapled sheet bundle is conveyed to another location, subjected to center folding, and discharged out of the apparatus. Hereinafter, a portion where sheets are stacked on the sheet receiving portion and staple processing is performed is referred to as an intermediate processing portion, and a portion where the center folding process is performed is referred to as a center folding processing portion. The intermediate processing section can also perform staple processing (so-called edge binding) near the edges of the sheets stacked on the sheet receiving section. In this case, usually, the sheets after the staple processing are in the middle. The sheet is discharged out of the apparatus without being folded.
[0003]
Generally, such a finisher has a discharge port on the outer wall of the finisher opposite to the finisher carrying-in port for receiving a sheet from the image forming apparatus, and the staple processing and the like discharged from the finisher are performed. One or more discharge trays for receiving sheets (sheet bundles) or sheets not subjected to stapling or the like are mounted.
Recently, in order to realize various functions, a finisher having a plurality of discharge trays has been provided in addition to a normally used discharge tray (hereinafter, referred to as a “main tray”). For example, with the networking of information processing devices such as personal computers, a plurality of mail trays called so-called mailboxes can be attached to the finisher. In this case, one of the plurality of mail trays is associated with the user on a one-to-one basis, and the plurality of discharge trays are moved up and down along the outer wall of the finisher by the elevating mechanism, so that the discharge tray of the user who has sent the print information is changed. Some take the configuration positioned at the outlet.
Also, a finisher having a so-called sort function for sorting sheets into a plurality of discharge trays has become widespread. In this case, in addition to the main tray or including the main tray so that a predetermined discharge tray receives sheets discharged from the finisher. In general, the plurality of discharge trays are moved up and down along the outer wall of the finisher by an elevating mechanism.
[0004]
On the other hand, in such a finisher, various technologies for improving the jam removal and maintenance work, ensuring safety, and the like have been put to practical use.
For example, when clearing jams and performing maintenance in the finisher, it is difficult to reach into the narrow space inside the finisher, and the danger of malfunctioning equipment due to forgetting to turn off the power to the equipment has been eliminated. For this purpose, a method is generally known in which the intermediate processing unit in the finisher is unitized, and a so-called front cover at the front of the finisher is opened and pulled out (see Patent Document 1 below).
[0005]
Further, recently, in the finisher including the intermediate processing unit and the center folding processing unit, not only the intermediate processing unit but also the center folding processing unit are unitized, and the unit of the intermediate processing unit (hereinafter, “unit”) An intermediate processing unit) and a unit of the center folding unit (hereinafter, referred to as a "center folding unit") have been proposed that can be pulled out of the apparatus body. The inventors of the present application have described a finisher in which the center folding processing unit is configured to be able to be pulled out from the conveyance direction and the forward direction of the sheet from the intermediate processing unit to the center folding processing unit, that is, from the side of the discharge tray. An application has been filed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-291027; hereinafter, referred to as “prior application”).
[0006]
Here, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section of a finisher X according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the invention according to the above-mentioned prior application will be described with reference to FIG.
In the finisher X, the intermediate processing unit 30 is configured to be able to be pulled out toward the front of the apparatus, and the center folding processing unit 40 is configured to be able to be pulled out toward the side where the discharge tray is mounted (the side opposite to the image processing apparatus (not shown)). . In this configuration, the main unit is provided with a slide rail that can be extended and retracted in the direction in which the units 30 and 40 are pulled out, and the units 30 and 40 can be pulled out by supporting the units 30 and 40 on the slide rails.
As described above, since each of the intermediate processing unit 30 and the center folding processing unit 40 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the apparatus main body, jam processing in the intermediate processing unit 30 and the center folding processing unit 40 can be performed. When performing maintenance, it is not necessary to work by putting a hand in a narrow space, and it is very easy to work. Further, the discharge roller pair Ro4 of the center folding processing unit 40 is also configured to be able to separate the roller pair, so that the jam in the conveyance path r6 and the discharge roller pair Ro4 is easy.
[0007]
Here, the sheet (sheet bundle) conveyed from the intermediate processing unit 30 to the center folding processing unit 40 is conveyed toward the left side direction (see the conveyance path r5 in FIG. 1). Therefore, the pulling-out direction of the center folding processing unit 40 is the forward direction of the sheet conveyed from the intermediate processing unit 30 to the center folding processing unit 40.
Thereby, even if a sheet jam occurs at a position straddling the intermediate processing unit and the center folding processing unit, first, if the center folding processing unit is pulled out, an excessive force is applied to the sheet. It is possible to release the sheet smoothly from the conveyance path without any trouble, and it is possible to easily remove a jammed sheet or a member such as a sheet guide without damaging the sheet.
[0008]
In addition, as described above, the finisher that can be pulled out from the side where the discharge tray is mounted is not only capable of improving the jam processing and the like, but also is capable of selectively performing various types of post-processing in accordance with recent multifunctional finishers. It is also necessary as a part of the enhancement of so-called optional functions that can be attached to the camera. For example, if a post-processing function unit such as a center folding unit that is relatively infrequently used is selectively attached to the finisher as an option, it is necessary to remove A finisher in which a tray and a folding unit processing unit are unitized is provided. In this case, since the discharge tray, which is a part of the unit, is exposed to the outside of the finisher, the discharge tray cannot be taken out from the front portion of the finisher.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-128382
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, in addition to the main tray, in a finisher in which a plurality of discharge trays and a half-folding processing unit configured to be able to be pulled out from the side where the discharge tray is mounted are mounted, an upper stage of the plurality of discharge trays If the jam that cannot be released without pulling out the center-folding unit occurs when the discharge tray of the finisher is positioned lower at the sheet discharge port of the finisher so as to receive the sheet, the center-folding unit is left as it is. Because there was no means to pull out the jam, it was difficult to clear the jam.
[0011]
In other words, when a plurality of output trays are installed in the finisher, if the upper output tray is lowered to the output port, the part connected and supported by the finisher lifting / lowering means of the lowermost main tray is hooked to the center folding processing unit drawer port. Would. In this case, the discharge tray and the main tray must be artificially lifted upward to pull out the center folding processing unit, which causes a problem that jamming and maintenance work are hindered.
[0012]
The present invention, in addition to the main tray, the plurality of discharge trays, in the finisher mounted together with a folding unit configured to be able to be pulled out from the discharge tray mounting side, among the plurality of discharge trays, Even if a jam that cannot be cleared without pulling out the center folding processing unit occurs when the upper discharge tray is positioned lower at the sheet discharge port of the finisher so as to receive the sheet, the discharge tray and the main tray It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the trouble such as artificially lifting the upper part of the paper, and to easily and quickly pull out the center folding processing unit to more easily perform the jam processing.
[0013]
As another object of the present invention, even when the post-processing function unit other than the center folding process is unitized and configured to be able to be pulled out from the side where the discharge tray is mounted, a plurality of discharge trays mounted on the finisher are used. When the main tray is lowered and the support portion of the main tray hangs over the outlet of the unit of the other post-processing function unit, and a jam that cannot be released without pulling out the unit of the other post-processing function unit occurs. However, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the trouble of artificially lifting the discharge tray and the main tray upward, and to easily and quickly pull out the center folding processing unit to more easily perform the jam processing.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The technical measures taken by the present inventors to solve the above-mentioned problems are as follows.
That is, according to the present invention, in a finisher having at least one post-processing unit that performs post-processing on a conveyed sheet, one or two or more vertically movable discharge trays and a jam in the finisher internal tray. When the post-processing unit is a finisher internal tray that can be pulled out from the discharge tray mounting side, and when the detection unit detects a jam in the finisher internal tray, A finisher is provided, which is provided with means for automatically raising a discharge tray so that the tray inside the finisher can be pulled out. According to this aspect, it is possible to further facilitate the jam processing in the finisher internal tray.
[0015]
In this aspect, the post-processing unit is preferably a center folding unit. According to this aspect, a case where the draw-out opening of the center folding unit is provided on the discharge tray mounting side so as to be in the forward direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the intermediate processing unit to the center folding processing unit so that the sheet can be easily removed or Further, even when the center folding unit which is relatively infrequently used is optional, the jam clearance in the center folding unit can be further facilitated.
[0016]
Further, in this aspect, the finisher internal tray is provided with a means for elastically biasing in the pull-out direction, and when the end of the rise of the discharge tray is detected, the lock of the finisher internal tray is released and automatically. It is preferable that the finisher inner tray is drawn out. According to this aspect, it is possible to further facilitate the jam processing in the finisher internal tray.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic cross section of a finisher X according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a case where a portion where the lower discharge tray is connected to and supported by the elevating means by the lowering of the upper discharge tray hangs on a center folding processing unit drawer outlet;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a lifting operation of a discharge tray constituting the finisher X according to the embodiment of the present invention;
It is.
[0018]
The finisher X according to the embodiment of the present invention has a cross section as shown in FIG. 1 and receives an image-formed sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus (not shown) on a right side surface. A sheet carry-in port 11 is provided.
The transport path r1 is branched into a transport path r2 for guiding the sheet upward and a transport path r3 for guiding the sheet downward, and is switched by a movable guide g1 provided so as to be able to guide the sheet. I will be.
The transport path r2 is further connected to a transport path r22. Then, the sheet conveyed to the conveyance path r22 is temporarily retracted along the peripheral surface of the large evacuation drum 21 and then sent out to the conveyance path r3 by the rotation of the evacuation drum 21.
The sheet guided to the conveyance path r3 heading downward is guided to the intermediate processing unit 30 provided below the movable guide g1 (at the center of the finisher).
[0019]
The intermediate processing unit 30 is a unit formed by integrating a well-known intermediate processing unit including an intermediate tray 31 provided obliquely and staple means (not shown) for performing staple processing on sheets. is there.
The sheet (sheet bundle) on which the staple processing has been performed in the intermediate processing unit 30 is conveyed from the intermediate processing unit 30 to the central folding processing unit 40 provided below the intermediate processing unit 30 in the case where the center folding processing is further performed. The sheet is conveyed to the path r5 and sent out to the upper conveying path r4 when the center folding process is not performed.
[0020]
The sheet (sheet bundle) is sent out to the transport path r5 by a transport roller Ro2 that is swingably supported below the intermediate processing unit 30. When feeding the sheet to the conveyance path r5, the conveyance roller Ro2 swings from a predetermined retracted position to a position close to the driven roller Ro2 ′, sandwiches the sheet between the driven roller Ro2 ′, and The sheet is conveyed to the conveyance path r5 by the rotation force of the conveyance path roller Ro2.
[0021]
The center-folding processing unit 40 is a unit formed by integrating a conventional center-folding processing unit, and a sheet (sheet bundle) guided to the transport path r5 in the center-folding processing unit 40 includes The sheet is further conveyed by the conveying roller pair Ro3 in the folding processing unit 40 and stopped at a predetermined position. Then, the pressing die 41 is pressed against the center of the sheet (sheet bundle) in the conveying direction, and the sheet (sheet bundle) is opposed to the pressing surface of the pressing die 41 so as to face and rotate. The sheet is sandwiched between the roller pair 42 while being folded in two, and the sheet is creased. The sheet that has been subjected to the half-folding process in this manner is conveyed in the direction in which the folded portion becomes the top by the rotational force of the center-folding roller pair 42, and passes through the conveyance path r6 above the center-folding roller pair 42. The sheet is discharged from a lower sheet discharge port 14 provided on a side surface opposite to the sheet carry-in port 11 to a center-folded sheet discharge tray 60 provided outside the lower sheet discharge port 14 by the discharge roller pair Ro4 in the center folding processing unit 40. Is done. At this time, the sheet folded in the middle is suppressed and aligned by the sheet holding member 61 rotatably provided above the lower sheet discharge port 14.
[0022]
On the other hand, sheets (sheet bundle) sent from the intermediate processing unit 30 to the transport path r4 are discharged from the middle sheet discharge port 13 by the rotational force of the discharge roller pair Ro6 and a plurality of discharge trays 50 and main trays 501 provided outside the sheet tray. Is discharged to any of
Each of the discharge tray 50 and the main tray 501 has a sheet mounting surface 51 that is inclined upward in the sheet (sheet bundle) discharge direction and linearly extends.
[0023]
The discharge tray 50 and the main tray 501 are arranged to be able to move up and down along the outer wall of the finisher (the side wall opposite to the image forming apparatus (not shown)) by the elevating means 52. That is, the lifting / lowering means 52 is configured to move up and down by forward / reverse rotation of an endless belt (not shown), and the discharge tray 50 and the main tray 501 are connected and supported by the endless belt.
Then, a predetermined discharge tray or main tray 501 of the discharge tray 50 and the main tray 501 is moved up and down by the well-known control means so as to be positioned at the middle-stage sheet discharge port 13. Further, the upper surface of the sheet (sheet bundle) is lowered to a predetermined position each time the sheet (sheet bundle) is discharged and placed on the sheet placing surface 51 by a known detection sensor and control means.
[0024]
In the finisher X, the intermediate processing unit 30 can be pulled out toward the front side of the apparatus, and the center folding processing unit 40 can be pulled out toward the side where the discharge tray is mounted (the side opposite to the image processing apparatus (not shown)). Is done. This configuration facilitates the jam processing. However, since the configuration of the center folding unit 40 has been described in [Prior Art], it will not be described to avoid redundant description.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a case where the lower main tray 501 is lowered when the upper discharge tray 50 is lowered and positioned at the discharge port 13, and a portion connected and supported by an endless belt (not shown) of the main tray 501 is FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the center folding processing unit drawer port 14 is engaged. In such a case, when a jam occurs in the center folding unit 40, the center folding unit 40 can be quickly and easily pulled out by the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. Be composed. The configuration of the finisher that realizes such a procedure is a characteristic part of the present invention.
[0026]
That is, referring to FIG. 3, first, in Step 1, it is detected whether or not a jam has occurred in the finisher X. If it is detected that a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to Step 2, and the center folding process is performed. Whether the jam is in the unit 40 is detected by a known detection sensor. If it is detected in Step 2 that a jam has occurred in the center folding processing unit 40, the process proceeds to Step 3 in which the endless belt is reversed by well-known control means, and the plurality of discharge trays 50 connected and supported by the belt are rotated. If all of the discharge trays 50 are detected to be raised in Step 4, the process proceeds to Step 5, and the main tray 501 is raised by the same means as the above-described discharge tray 50 raising means. Next, when the end of the rise of the main tray 501 is detected in Step 6, the center folding processing unit 40 can be pulled out. The display is performed, and the predetermined processing ends. Through these steps, the center folding processing unit 40 can be pulled out quickly and easily.
[0027]
In order to further improve the jam processing function of the center folding processing unit 40 configured to be able to be pulled out from the side of the discharge tray, the center folding processing unit 40 is elastically urged in the pulling-out direction, and is held and released in that state. It is also possible to provide a lock means for enabling the half-folding processing unit 40 to be automatically pulled out by automatically releasing the lock when the end of the rise of the main tray is detected in Step 6. . In this case, the operability is better than when the unit is pulled out while manually releasing the lock.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the discharge tray is automatically raised, it is possible to easily and quickly pull out the internal tray of the finisher to perform jam processing without having to manually lift the discharge tray. This has the effect that it can be performed. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the finisher internal tray is a center folding unit, the tray can be easily and quickly pulled out to perform the jam processing. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the tray inside the finisher is automatically pulled out after the discharge tray is automatically raised, so that it is possible to draw out the jam more easily and quickly and to perform the jam processing. Play.
[0029]
Although the center folding unit is presented as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to other post-processing units that can be pulled out from the side of the discharge tray. It is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a finisher X according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a part where a lower discharge tray is connected to and supported by an elevating means when an upper discharge tray is lowered. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the finisher X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
11: sheet carry-in port 13: middle sheet discharge port 14: lower sheet discharge port (draw-out port of the center folding processing unit)
21 Evacuation Drum 30 Intermediate Processing Unit 31 Intermediate Tray 40 Center Folding Unit 41 Push Die 42 Middle Folding Roller Pair 50 Discharge Tray 51 Sheet Loading Surface 52 Elevating Means 501 Main Tray 60 Center folded sheet discharge tray 61: sheet holding members Ro2, Ro2 ': transport rollers Ro1, Ro3: transport roller pair Ro4, Ro6: discharge roller pairs r1, r2, r22, r3, r4, r5, r6: sheet transport path g1 … Movable guide

Claims (4)

In a finisher having at least one post-processing unit that performs post-processing on a conveyed sheet,
One or more vertically movable discharge trays;
Detecting means for detecting that the jam in the finisher internal tray, and a finisher,
The finisher internal tray that the post-processing unit can be pulled out from the discharge tray mounting side,
A finisher comprising: means for automatically raising the discharge tray so that the tray inside the finisher can be pulled out when the detection unit detects a jam in the tray inside the finisher. The finisher according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit is a center folding processing unit. Means for elastically urging the finisher internal tray in the pulling-out direction are provided, and when the end of the rise of the discharge tray is detected, the lock of the finisher internal tray is released to automatically pull out the finisher internal tray. The finisher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In a finisher having at least one post-processing unit that performs post-processing on a conveyed sheet,
One or more vertically movable discharge trays;
An image forming apparatus provided with a finisher having detection means for detecting a jam in the finisher internal tray;
The finisher internal tray that the post-processing unit can be pulled out from the discharge tray mounting side,
An image forming apparatus provided with a finisher having means for automatically raising a discharge tray so as to be able to pull out the internal tray of the finisher when the detection unit detects a jam in the internal tray of the finisher; .

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