JP2004210418A - Paper carrying device, paper processing device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the breakage of a device due to operation error of an user, by a simple structure and control. <P>SOLUTION: This paper carrying device comprises a staple tray temporary storing a bundle of paper, a rear end fence 51 and a jogger fence 53 aligning the bundle of the paper stored in the staple tray, an end surface binding stapler S1 and a saddle stitching stapler S2 conducting binding processing to the aligned bundle of the paper, a discharging hook 52a engaged with a rear end of the bound bundle of the paper and carrying the bundle of the paper, and a CPU controlling each of these means. When the device in a stopping state or a mode that does not bind the bundle of the paper, the discharging hook is moved to a first standby position that does not prevent movement in a direction orthogonal to a paper carrying direction of the end surface binding stapler. When the device is in a mode that binds the bundle of the paper, the discharging hook is moved to a second standby position that does not prevent the paper from entering the staple tray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conveying device that binds and conveys a bundle of sheets, and includes the conveying device, and is provided integrally or separately with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a printing machine, and is a sheet (recording medium) on which an image is formed The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus that performs at least binding to and discharges paper, and an image forming system including the paper processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various paper post-processing apparatuses for automatically performing processing such as sorting / punching / stapling on paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer have been provided. Regarding the binding quality, high productivity and high quality are required. For this reason, Patent Document 1 proposes an invention in which a pressing member movable in the thickness direction of a sheet bundle stacked on a staple tray improves the alignment state at the time of binding, and Patent Document 2 discloses a binding process. There has been proposed an invention in which the standby position of a discharge unit for discharging a bundle of sheets is changed according to the sheet size to improve the productivity at the time of staple. Note that Patent Document 3 is also a related invention.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-130338
[0004]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-247533 A
[0005]
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-11-60038
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, although the alignment quality at the time of the binding process is improved, a pressing member for pressing down the thickness direction of the sheet bundle is added, so that the apparatus becomes large and complicated, and the cost is accordingly reduced. It cannot be denied that it will be higher.
[0007]
Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, the productivity proposed during the binding processing, particularly during pre-stacking, is improved by the control proposed in the invention, but the alignment quality during the binding processing depends on the curl state of the paper and the strength of the waist. The state of alignment varies depending on the type, and may deteriorate.
[0008]
That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in the related art, when the rear end portion of the sheet bundle is aligned by the rear end fence 51, the sheet bundle may be curved into an S shape depending on the waist of the sheet bundle. When curved in this manner, staple binding is performed by the staple staple N in a state where the end face is obliquely shifted as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 56a denotes a discharge idler pulley, 310 denotes a paper presence / absence sensor, 40 denotes a guide rod, 43 denotes a stapler moving bracket, and S1 denotes an end-face stapling stapler.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation of the related art, and a first object of the present invention is to prevent a device from being damaged due to a user's operation error by a simple configuration and control, and to exhibit a desired function. The goal is to prevent loss.
[0010]
It is a second object of the present invention to prevent the conveyance means from hindering the entry of the sheet into the staple tray.
[0011]
A third object is to improve the alignment quality at the time of binding processing by a simple configuration and control.
[0012]
Further, a fourth object is to exhibit the highest production performance according to the binding mode while securing the alignment quality at the time of the binding process.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first unit includes a storage unit that temporarily stores a sheet bundle, an alignment unit that aligns the sheet bundle stored in the storage unit, and a sheet bundle that is aligned by the alignment unit. A sheet conveying device that includes a binding unit that performs a binding process, a conveying unit that engages with a rear end of the bound sheet bundle, and conveys the sheet bundle, and a control unit that controls these units. The control unit moves the transport unit to a first standby position that does not hinder the movement of the binding unit in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction when the apparatus is in a stopped state or in a mode in which the bundle of paper is not bound. In a mode for binding a bundle of sheets, the sheet is moved to a second standby position which does not hinder entry of the sheet into the storage means.
[0014]
A second means is the first means, wherein the control means changes the second standby position based on a binding mode and the number of sheets to be bound.
[0015]
A third means is the second means, wherein the second standby position is changed such that the rear ends of the sheet bundle are aligned on the same plane.
[0016]
A fourth means is the first to third means, wherein the aligning means includes a trailing end fence for aligning the trailing end of the sheet, and the sheet stacking width of the transporting means is greater than the sheet stacking width of the trailing end fence. It is characterized by being formed narrow.
[0017]
A fifth means is the first to fourth means, wherein the control means changes the moving speed of the transport means after completion of the aligning operation by the aligning means according to a binding mode.
[0018]
Sixth means is a storing means for temporarily storing a sheet bundle, an aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle stored in the storing means, and a binding means for performing a binding process on the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning means. And a conveying unit that engages with the rear end of the bound sheet bundle and conveys the sheet bundle, wherein the aligning unit includes a rear end fence that aligns the rear end of the sheet, The paper loading width of the conveying means is formed to be narrower than the paper loading width of the rear end fence.
[0019]
A seventh means is the paper transport apparatus based on the same premise as the sixth means, wherein the aligning means adjusts a trailing end fence for aligning the trailing edge of the sheet, and the transporting means is narrower than the sheet stacking width of the trailing end fence. When the thickness of the sheet bundle is equal to or less than the sheet stacking width of the transport unit, the sheet stacking unit receives a sheet bundle rear end by the sheet stacking unit, and includes a sheet stacking unit. Is larger than the paper stacking width of the transporting means, the paper is received by the rear end fence regulated by the width set by the paper regulating unit of the transporting means.
[0020]
In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the width set by the paper regulating section is set according to a standby position of the transporting section.
[0021]
The ninth means is characterized in that the sheet processing apparatus includes the sheet conveying device according to the first to eighth means and a sheet processing means for executing a predetermined process on a sheet or a sheet bundle. I do.
[0022]
The tenth means includes an image forming system including the sheet processing apparatus according to the ninth means and an image forming apparatus which is provided integrally or separately with the sheet processing apparatus and forms a visible image on a recording medium. Is constituted.
[0023]
According to the first means, when the apparatus is in the stop state and in the mode in which the sheet bundle is not bound, the first standby position which does not hinder the movement of the binding means in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction. In the mode in which the sheets are stapled, the sheet is moved to the second standby position which does not hinder the entry of the sheet into the storage means. Therefore, there is a risk that the apparatus may be damaged due to a user's operation error or a desired function may not be exhibited. At the same time, when the paper enters the staple tray, the paper bundle conveying means can be prevented from hindering the advance.
[0024]
According to the second means, the standby position of the sheet bundle conveying means is changed according to the binding mode and the number of sheets to be bound, so that various binding conditions such as the edge binding mode, the saddle stitching mode, and the front / interleaf mode can be used. Also, it can be made to stand by at the optimal position, and the alignment quality can be improved.
[0025]
According to the third means, the second standby position is changed so that the rear ends of the sheet bundle are aligned on the same plane, so that when the aligning operation is performed, the rear end of the sheet bundle is cleaned neatly. Alignment and good-looking binding processing can be performed.
[0026]
According to the fourth means, the paper stacking width of the conveying means is formed narrower than the paper stacking width of the rear end fence, so that when the aligning operation is performed, the rear ends of the sheet bundle are aligned neatly, Good-looking binding processing becomes possible.
[0027]
According to the fifth means, the moving speed of the transporting means after the completion of the aligning operation by the aligning means is changed in the binding mode, so that the maximum production performance according to the binding mode is ensured while securing the alignment quality at the time of the binding processing. Can be demonstrated.
[0028]
According to the sixth means, the aligning means includes a trailing end fence for aligning the trailing end of the sheet, and the sheet stacking width of the transporting means is formed narrower than the sheet stacking width of the trailing end fence. When the aligning operation is performed, the trailing end portions of the sheet bundle are aligned neatly, and a good-looking binding process can be performed.
[0029]
According to the seventh aspect, when the thickness of the sheet bundle is equal to or smaller than the sheet stacking width of the conveying unit, the trailing end of the sheet bundle is received by the sheet stacking unit, and the thickness of the sheet bundle is set to the sheet width of the conveying unit. When the width is larger than the stacking width, the sheet is received by the rear end fence regulated by the width set by the sheet regulating unit of the transporting means, so that the rear end of the sheet bundle is aligned neatly when the aligning operation is performed. This makes it possible to perform good-looking binding processing.
[0030]
According to the eighth means, since the width set by the paper regulating unit is set according to the standby position of the transport means, the rear ends of the paper bundle are aligned neatly when the aligning operation is performed, and the appearance is improved. Good binding processing becomes possible.
[0031]
According to the ninth means, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus exhibiting the effects of the sheet conveying apparatus according to the first to eighth means.
[0032]
According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming system exhibiting the effects of the sheet transport device according to the first to eighth aspects.
[0033]
In the following embodiments, the storing means is provided on the staple tray F, the aligning means is provided on the rear end fence 51 and the jogger fence 53, the binding means is provided on the end face binding stapler S1 and the center binding stapler S2, and the carrying means is provided on the discharge belt 52. The control means corresponds to the CPU 360, the sheet stacking section corresponds to the sheet stacking section 52a-1, and the sheet regulating section corresponds to the sheet regulating section 52a-2.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
<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.
[0036]
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 transporting path C for guiding and a transporting path D for guiding to a processing tray F (hereinafter also referred to as a staple processing tray) for performing alignment and stapling.
[0037]
The sheet guided to the staple processing tray F via the conveyance paths A and D, and subjected to alignment, staples, 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 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 branch claw 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). After the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the branch, the transport rollers 9 and 10 and the staple discharge roller 11, at least the conveying roller 9 is rotated in reverse, the rear end of the sheet is guided to the sheet storage section E by the pre-stack roller 8, and after being stagnated, the sheet can be conveyed while being superimposed on the next sheet. . By repeating this operation, two or more sheets can be conveyed in a superimposed manner.
[0038]
A transport path A common to each of the transport path B, the transport path C, and the transport path D has an entrance sensor 301 that detects 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.
[0039]
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.
[0040]
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 sorting of sheets (shift tray 202) and center folding (folding plate 74, folding roller 81) can be performed.
[0041]
≪Shift tray section≫
The shift tray discharge unit located at the most downstream part of the sheet post-processing device PD includes a shift discharge roller 6, a return roller 13, a paper surface detection sensor 330, and a shift tray 202, and includes a shift mechanism and a shift tray. A shift operation and a tray elevating operation are performed by the elevating mechanism.
[0042]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a sponge-made return roller for contacting the paper discharged from the shift paper discharge roller 6 and abutting the rear end of the paper against an end fence to align the same. The return roller 13 is configured to rotate by the rotational force of the shift discharge roller 6. A tray raising limit switch is provided in the vicinity of the return roller 13, and when the shift tray 202 is raised and pushes up the return roller 13, the tray raising limit switch is turned on and the tray raising / lowering motor stops. Thus, overrun of the shift tray 202 is prevented. In the vicinity of the return roller 13, a paper surface detection sensor 330 is provided as a paper surface position detecting means for detecting the paper surface position of the sheet or sheet bundle discharged onto the shift tray 202.
[0043]
≪Stiple processing tray≫
The configuration of the staple processing tray F that performs staple processing will be described in detail.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a staple processing tray F and a driving mechanism thereof, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sheet bundle discharging mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the staple processing tray F viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance surface. It is. First, as shown in FIG. 2, 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-face stapling stapler S1 is driven by a stapling signal from a control device (see FIG. 8) described later 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.
[0045]
≪Paper discharge mechanism≫
As shown in FIG. 3, 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. On the outer periphery of the discharge belt 52, two discharge claws 52a, 52a are arranged at opposing positions, and alternately move and convey the sheet bundle stored in the staple processing tray F. If necessary, the discharge belt 52 is rotated in the reverse direction, and a staple is formed on the back surface of the discharge claw 52a on the opposite side provided at a symmetrical position on the side opposite to the discharge claw 52a waiting to move the sheet bundle. The leading end in the transport direction of the sheet bundle stored in the processing tray F may be aligned. Therefore, the ejection claws 52a, 52a also function as means for aligning the sheet bundle in the sheet conveying direction.
[0046]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the width of the sheet stacking section 52a-1 for stacking sheets of the ejection claw 52a is configured to be narrower than the sheet stacking width of the rear end fence 51 for abutting the sheets and aligning the conveyance direction. A sheet inclined section 52a-2 is provided following the sheet stacking section 52a-1.
[0047]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, on the drive shaft of the discharge belt 52 driven by the discharge motor 157, the discharge 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.
[0048]
≪Processing mechanism≫
As shown in FIG. 2, 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 fed to the staple processing tray F, thereby causing the sheet to move to the rear end fence. Hit 51. The hitting roller 12 rotates counterclockwise.
[0049]
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.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 4, the end-face stapling stapler S1 is driven by a stapler moving timing belt 46 by a stapler moving motor 159 which can be rotated forward and backward, and binds a predetermined position of an end of the sheet in the sheet width direction (perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction). Direction). A stapler movement HP sensor 312 for detecting the home position of the end face stapling stapler S1 is provided at one end of the moving range. Controlled.
[0051]
The movement of the end stapling stapler S1 in the paper width direction is guided by cam surfaces provided on the guide rod 40 and the guide stay 41, as shown in FIG. 5, and moves the lower end of the staple tray 50 and the discharge idler pulley 56a. When passing, the S1 swings around the guide rod 40 to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 5 (in the direction of the arrow A) and retreats, after passing through the lower end of the staple tray 50 and the discharge idler pulley 56a. It returns to the position shown by the solid line again.
[0052]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the distance from the rear end fence 51 to the staple position of the saddle stitch stapler S2 is a distance corresponding to a half of the transport direction length of the maximum 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 is aligned by the rollers 12, the ejection belt 52 is driven to lift the rear end of the sheet bundle by the ejection claws 52a, 52a, and to the center of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction at the binding position of the saddle stapler S2. The unit is positioned, stopped at this position, and the binding operation is executed. Then, the bound sheet bundle is conveyed to the center folding processing tray G side and is folded in the middle.
[0053]
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.
[0054]
≪Paper 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.
[0055]
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, and a rotatable pressure roller 57 is provided downstream thereof, and is pressed against the discharge roller 56 by a spring (not shown). The movable guide 55 is swingably supported by a rotation shaft of the discharge roller 56 and is driven to swing around a rotation shaft 65 of the discharge roller 56 by a driving source (not shown). A path along the outer peripheral surface of the discharge roller 56 is formed between the right end in the drawing of FIG. 56 and the sheet bundle is guided to the center folding processing tray G side. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 161 denotes a bundle branch drive motor as a drive source for driving the movable guide 55, and reference numeral 61 denotes a cam forming a drive mechanism.
[0056]
<Control>
≪Control device≫
As shown in FIG. 8, 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, jogger fence home position sensor, bundle arrival sensor 321, after moving Signals from sensors such as the end fence home position sensor 322, the folding section passage sensor 323, the lower sheet ejection sensor 324, and the sheet surface detection sensor 330 are input to the CPU 360 via the I / O interface 370.
[0057]
The CPU 360 controls a tray elevating motor (not shown) for the shift tray 202, a discharge guide plate opening / closing motor for opening / closing the opening / closing guide plate 33, a shift motor 169 for moving the shift tray 202, and a hitting roller 12 based on the input signal. A driving roller (not shown) for driving, a solenoid such as a tapping 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 moving the end face binding stapler S1. A stapler moving motor 159, a jogger motor 158 for moving the jogger fence 53, a bundle branch drive motor 161 for rotating the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55, a bundle transport motor (not shown) for driving a transport roller for transporting the bundle, Rear end fence that moves the movable rear end fence 73 Moving motor, the folding plate driving motor moves the folding plate 74, the folding the folding roller drive motor for driving the roller pairs 81, and controls the driving and the like.
[0058]
A pulse signal of a staple transport motor (not shown) that drives 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.
[0059]
Further, the punch unit 100 also performs the drilling according to the instruction of the CPU 360 by controlling the clutch and the motor.
[0060]
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.
[0061]
≪ operation ≫
Hereinafter, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is executed by the CPU 360, will be described.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, the following discharge modes are adopted according to the post-processing mode.
[0063]
(1) Non-stipple mode A
(2) Non-staple mode B
▲ 3 ▼ Sort, stack mode
▲ 4 ▼ Stipple mode
▲ 5 ▼ Saddle stitching mode
Hereinafter, each mode will be described.
[0064]
(1) Non-stipple mode A
The non-staple mode A is a mode in which sheets are discharged from the transport path A through the transport path B to the upper tray 201 without binding.
[0065]
(2) Non-staple mode B
The non-staple mode B is a mode in which sheets are discharged from the transport path A to the shift tray 202 via the transport path C without binding.
[0066]
③ sort, stack mode
The sort and stack mode is a mode in which sheets are discharged from the transport path A to the shift tray 202 via the transport path C. At this time, the shift tray 202 is swung in a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction for each section. In this mode, the sheets discharged onto the shift tray 202 are sorted.
[0067]
▲ 4 ▼ Stipple mode
In the staple mode, the end face of the sheet bundle is bound, the sheet is transported to the staple processing tray F via the transport path A and the transport path D, and the alignment and binding processing is performed on the staple processing tray F, and then the sheet passes through the transport path C. In this mode, the sheet is discharged to the shift tray 202. 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.
[0068]
In this mode, when the operation starts and the paper is brought in from the image forming apparatus PR, the entrance roller 1 and the transport roller 2 of the transport path A of the paper post-processing apparatus PD, the transport rollers 7 of the transport 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.
[0069]
Next, the end face stapling stapler S1 is detected by the stapler moving HP sensor 312, and after confirming the home position, the stapler moving motor 159 is driven to move the end face stapling stapler S1 to the binding position. 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. The jogger fence 53 is also moved to the standby position after detecting the home position with the jogger fence HP sensor. Further, the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 are moved to the home position.
[0070]
If the entrance sensor 301 turns on and off, the staple discharge sensor 305 turns on, and the shift discharge sensor 303 turns off, the sheet is discharged to the staple processing tray F, and the sheet is present. The solenoid 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. As a result, the length and width of the paper fed to the staple processing tray F (the direction orthogonal to the direction parallel to the transport direction) is aligned. These operations are repeated for each sheet, and when the final sheet of the set is reached, the jogger fence 53 is moved inward by a predetermined amount so that the sheet end face does not shift, and in this state, the end stapling stapler S1 is turned on to perform the end face stapling. Execute.
[0071]
On the other hand, the shift tray 202 is lowered by a predetermined amount to secure a paper discharge space, the shift discharge motor is driven to start the rotation of the shift discharge roller 6, and the discharge motor 157 is turned on to release the discharge belt 52. The fixed rotation is performed, and the bound sheet bundle is pushed up in the direction of the transport path C. As a result, the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the nips of the shift sheet discharging rollers 6 and the sheet discharging operation to the shift tray 202 is performed. When the shift sheet discharge sensor 303 is turned on, the sheet bundle enters the position of the sensor 303, and the shift sheet discharge sensor 303 is turned off and it is confirmed that the sheet bundle has passed the sensor 303 position, the sheet bundle is detected. Is in a state where the discharge to the shift tray is completed by the shift discharge roller 6, so that the discharge belt 52 and the jogger fence 53 are moved to the standby position, and the rotation of the shift discharge roller 6 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the shift tray 202 is raised to the sheet receiving position. The rising position is controlled by detecting the upper surface of the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle stacked on the shift tray 202 by the sheet surface detection sensor 330. These operations are repeated until the last part of the job.
[0072]
Then, at the final portion, the end face binding stapler S1, the release belt 52, and the jogger fence 53 are moved to their home positions, respectively, and the entrance roller 1, the transport rollers 2, 7, 9, 10, the staple discharge roller 11, and the striking roller 12 are moved. Is stopped, the branch solenoid of the branch claw 15 is turned off, and the process returns to the initial state and the process is completed.
[0073]
In this way, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are bound by the staple processing tray F, discharged to the shift tray 202, and stacked. Note that, in this case as well, it is possible to perform a binding process on a sheet punched by the punch unit 100.
[0074]
The operation of the staple processing tray F in the staple mode will be described in more detail.
[0075]
When the staple mode is selected, the ejection claw 52a moves from the position of the ejection belt HP sensor 311 shown in FIG. 5 to the standby position. This standby position is near the position of the ejection claw 52 shown in FIG. 6, and can be adjusted according to the binding mode and the number of sheets to be bound. As shown in FIG. 2, the jogger fence 53 moves from the home position and stands by at a standby position 7 mm away from the width of the sheet discharged to the staple processing tray F on one side. 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.
[0076]
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, the standby position of the ejection claw 52a is set to the position shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, so that the sheet is sandwiched between the rear end fence 51 and the inclined portion of the sheet regulating portion 52a-2 of the ejection claw 52a. The loading width (L1, L2) to be loaded can be adjusted.
[0077]
For example, when the saddle stitching mode or the number of sheets to be bound is small, the rear end portion of the sheet bundle is received within the placement width L1 of the sheet stacking unit 52a-1 as shown in FIG. 7B, the rear end portion of the sheet bundle is received by the rear end fence 51 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the thickness direction is regulated by the sheet regulating portion 52a-2. The ejection claw 52a also has a function of guiding the sheet bundle at the center, and is formed in a shape that can be guided. The position of the ejection claw 52a is controlled by the pulse count of the ejection motor 157, and can be adjusted at one pulse pitch. 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.
[0078]
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.
[0079]
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. 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 edge of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the ejection claw 52a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 53.
[0080]
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.
[0081]
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.
[0082]
(5) Saddle stitching mode
In the saddle stitching mode, the sheet is transported to the staple processing tray F via the transport path A and the transport path D, and the alignment and the central binding are performed on the staple processing tray F, and then the sheet is folded in the center folding processing tray G. In this mode, the sheet bundle folded in half 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, and the sheet bundle is guided to the center folding processing tray G, and the center folding is performed.
[0083]
In this mode, the operation starts, and when the horizontal alignment operation is completed as in the staple mode described above, the jogger fence 53 moves inward by 5 mm and stops. Then, after the ejection motor 157 is driven to convey the sheet bundle to the binding position by the ejection claw 52a, the ejection claw 52a is stopped, and the jogger fence 53 is again moved inward by 2 mm to prepare for the stapling operation. Next, after a predetermined time, the saddle stapling stapler S2 is operated by a staple motor (not shown) to perform a binding process. When the binding process is completed, the jogger fence 53 returns to the standby position, drives the ejection motor 157 again to operate the ejection claw 52a, and conveys the sheet bundle to the folding processing unit via the sheet bundle deflection unit, where the folding process is performed. Is done.
[0084]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the release claw 52a in each binding mode.
[0085]
In this flowchart, first, it is checked whether or not the binding mode is set in step S101, and if it is the binding mode, it is further checked whether the binding is end face binding or saddle binding (step S102). Next, it is checked whether or not the cover mode is set, that is, the mode in which the cover is provided on the first side of the sheet bundle (step S103). Is moved to the first standby position (TH) (step S105), and it is checked whether the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed (step S106).
[0086]
On the other hand, if the cover mode is not set in step S102, the ejection motor 157 is turned on (step S107), and the ejection claw 52a is moved to the second standby position (T) (step S108). It is checked whether it is (step S106). The alignment of the sheet bundle is completed in step S106 regardless of whether the mode is the cover mode or not, and after a predetermined time for moving the end face stapler S1 to the binding position has elapsed (step S109), the end face stapler S1 is turned off. The binding operation is performed (step S110), and the discharge motor 157 is driven at the speed V1 (step S111) to discharge the bound sheet bundle to the shift tray 202 side. After the discharge, the discharge belt HP sensor 311 is turned on (step S112), the discharge motor 157 is turned off, and the discharge belt 52 is stopped (step S113). This position is the position shown in FIG.
[0087]
If the saddle stitching is performed in step S102, it is checked whether or not the cover mode is set as in step S103 (step S114). If the cover mode is set, the release motor 157 is turned on (step S115) and the release claw 52a is moved to the second position. It is moved to the standby position (NH) 3 (step S116), and it is checked whether the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed (step S117). On the other hand, if the mode is not the cover mode, the ejection motor 157 is turned on (step S118), the ejection claw 52a is moved to the fourth standby position (N) (step S119), and it is checked whether the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed. (Step S117).
[0088]
Then, if the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed, the discharge motor a157 is turned on and the sheet is conveyed at the speed V2 (step S120), and the discharge claw 52 moves by a predetermined distance, and the central portion of the sheet bundle reaches the saddle stitching position. Then (step S121), the release motor 157 is turned off (step S157), and after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S123), when the saddle stitching stapler S2 reaches the saddle stitching position, the saddle stapling stapler S2 is turned on to perform saddle stitching. (Step S124). When the saddle stitching is completed, the discharge motor 157 is turned on, the sheet is conveyed at the feeding speed V3, and the process proceeds to step S112 and subsequent steps.
[0089]
If the binding mode is not set in step S101, the non-staple mode A or B, or the sort or stack mode is executed in step S126.
[0090]
Here, the first to fourth standby positions are preset positions, and each position may be further divided according to the number of sheets to be bound. The transport speeds V1, V2, and V3 of the sheet bundle are set arbitrarily.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being damaged due to a user's operation error or not being able to perform a desired function by a simple configuration and control, and at the same time, to convey the sheet when entering the staple tray. Will not hinder the approach.
[0092]
Further, according to the present invention, the alignment quality at the time of binding processing can be improved with a simple configuration and control.
[0093]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to exhibit the highest production performance according to the binding mode while securing the alignment quality at the time of the binding process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image processing system including a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus mainly showing a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a staple processing tray of a sheet post-processing apparatus and a driving mechanism thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 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. 4 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 conveyance surface.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of a staple processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows a first standby position when a binding mode is not selected or the apparatus is not operating. This shows a state where the ejection claw is located.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating details of a staple processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a state where a discharge claw is positioned at a second standby position when a binding mode is selected; Is shown.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between a discharge claw and a sheet bundle of a rear end fence.
FIG. 8 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. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the ejection claw for each binding mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a shift of a sheet bundle during a rear end aligning operation of the sheet bundle.
[Explanation of symbols]
40 Guide rod
42 Guide rollers
43 Stipula moving bracket
46 Stipula moving belt
51 Rear end fence
52 Release Belt
52a release claw
52a-1 Paper Loading Unit
52a-2 paper regulation unit
53 Jogger fence
56 Release Roller
56a Release idler pulley
62 Release belt drive pulley
157 Release motor
159 Stipula moving motor
161 Bundle branch drive motor
A, B, C, D transport path
F staple processing tray
G Half-fold processing tray
PD paper post-processing device
S1 End-face stapler
S2 Saddle Stapler

Claims (10)

Storing means for temporarily storing a sheet bundle;
Alignment means for aligning the sheet bundle accommodated in the accommodation means;
A binding unit that performs a binding process on the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit;
Transport means for engaging the rear end of the bound sheet bundle and transporting the sheet bundle;
Control means for controlling each of these means;
In a paper transport device provided with
The control unit moves the transport unit to a first standby position which does not hinder the movement of the binding unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction when the apparatus is in a stopped state or in a mode in which the sheet bundle is not bound. And a second standby position that does not hinder the entry of the sheet into the storage unit when the sheet bundle is in the binding mode. 2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the second standby position based on a binding mode and the number of sheets to be bound. 3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the second standby position is changed such that rear ends of the sheet bundle are aligned on the same plane. The aligning means includes a trailing edge fence for aligning the trailing edge of the sheet,
4. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet loading width of the transport unit is formed to be smaller than a sheet loading width of the rear end fence. 5. 5. The sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a moving speed of the transport unit after completion of the alignment operation by the alignment unit in a binding mode. 6. Storing means for temporarily storing a sheet bundle;
Alignment means for aligning the sheet bundle accommodated in the accommodation means;
A binding unit that performs a binding process on the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit;
Transport means for engaging the rear end of the bound sheet bundle and transporting the sheet bundle;
In a paper transport device provided with
The alignment means includes a rear end fence for aligning a rear end of the sheet,
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet stacking width of the conveying means is formed to be narrower than a sheet stacking width of the rear end fence. Storing means for temporarily storing a sheet bundle;
Alignment means for aligning the sheet bundle accommodated in the accommodation means;
A binding unit that performs a binding process on the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit;
Transport means for engaging the rear end of the bound sheet bundle and transporting the sheet bundle;
In a paper transport device provided with
The aligning unit includes a trailing end fence that aligns the trailing end of the sheet, and the transport unit includes a sheet stacking unit that is narrower than the sheet stacking width of the trailing end fence, and a sheet regulating unit that regulates the thickness direction of the sheet.
When the thickness of the sheet bundle is equal to or less than the sheet stacking width of the conveying unit, the rear end of the sheet bundle is received by the sheet stacking unit, and when the thickness of the sheet bundle is larger than the sheet stacking width of the conveying unit. Wherein the sheet is conveyed by the rear end fence regulated by the width set by the sheet regulating section of the conveying means. The sheet conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the width set by the sheet regulating unit is set according to a standby position of a conveying unit. A sheet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Paper processing means for performing predetermined processing on paper or a bundle of paper;
A paper processing apparatus comprising: A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9,
An image forming apparatus that is provided integrally or separately with the sheet processing apparatus and forms a visible image on a recording medium;
An image forming system comprising:

Images