JP2004277173A - Binding device, image processing apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and multifunctional binding device with high accuracy and credibility at low costs. <P>SOLUTION: The device has a pair of guide shafts 200a, 200b fixed to front and rear side plates by a screw, and a pair of stays 204, 205 fixed between the plates. In the guide shafts 200a, 200b, a stitcher 5a and a clincher 5b are supported movably along a longitudinal direction while a binding part T for binding a paper bundle is interposed between them. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are disposed so that the staple needle of the stitcher 5a advances along the center line M connecting the centers of the guide shafts 200a, 200b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a binding device for binding a bundle of sheets, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a printing machine, which is provided integrally with or separately from the image forming apparatus. For example, the present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing including, for example, sorting, stacking, binding, saddle stitching, and discharging, and an image forming system including the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for post-processing of documents output from image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, and printers. In stapling processing, in addition to edge stapling, a predetermined number of sheets are stapled along one edge. Accordingly, the demand for saddle stitching at a plurality of positions (generally, two positions) at predetermined intervals along a center line that divides a sheet into two is increasing. In addition, conventionally, functions such as saddle stitching and folding in a relatively high-speed machine have been required for a low-speed machine, and the need to provide such a device at a lower price and in a smaller space has been increasing.

  Therefore, as a binding device capable of performing such saddle stitching and edge stitching, for example, an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2703315 is known. The present invention relates to a paper binding apparatus having a storage portion for storing staple needles, an extruding portion for extruding the staple needles one by one, and a crunch portion for bending the tip of the staple needle, wherein the staple having the storage portion and the extruding portion is provided. The main body and the crunch portion are formed as separate members, and are separately supported by parallel guide shafts so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-309662 proposes a configuration in which a split stapling unit that enables a saddle stitching process is used, and can be stapled at a plurality of positions by moving in parallel. According to the present invention, a guide shaft provided in the moving direction of the stapler and a support member (channel member) parallel to the guide shaft and provided on the back side receiving the reaction force are provided to secure rigidity and maintain a posture during binding. It is characterized by:
Japanese Patent No. 2703315 JP-A-9-309662

  By the way, the former invention relates to a split type stapler in which the staple main body and the clinch portion are formed as separate members, and the latter invention relates to a guide shaft provided in the moving direction of the stapler in the split type stapler. A support member is provided on the back side which is parallel to the guide shaft and receives a reaction force, so as to secure rigidity and maintain a posture during binding.

  However, in the latter configuration, the following points are not sufficiently considered.

(1) In order to receive the reaction force at the time of the stipple operation, the shape of the support member is set to “U-shaped” in order to secure its rigidity, but in order to increase the strength, the dimension in the height direction must be increased. , But not downsizing.

(2) Apart from the support member, a dedicated member for supporting the direction opposite to the reaction force of the stapler is required over the entire moving range, and the configuration is not simple.

(3) Due to the configuration, there is a gap between the support member and the carriage of the stapler, and an impulsive sound is generated between the both during the stapling operation, which is not preferable.

(4) Since the binding position of the staple and the guide shaft for parallel movement are far apart, the ratio of the displacement of the binding position to the inclination of the shaft becomes large, and the binding failure due to the displacement of the clincher portion and the stitcher portion is reduced. The likelihood increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the related art, and has as its object to provide a compact, high-performance, high-accuracy, highly-reliable binding device, a sheet post-processing device provided with the binding device, and an image. It is to provide a forming system at low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first means comprises a binding means for binding a plurality of sheets with staples and a moving means for moving the binding means in one housing, and Wherein the housing comprises a pair of side plates and a pair of stays joining the side plates, and the stay is constituted by the moving means.

  A second means is the first means, wherein the stay is formed of a pair of thin plates formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section.

  The third means is that, in the second means, a portion corresponding to the rear surface of the substantially U-shaped cross section of the thin plate is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side plate in one thin plate and substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side plate. It is characterized by being provided in various directions.

  A fourth means is the first to third means, wherein the binding means is arranged between the two thin plates, and a space is provided for a sheet to pass through.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the first to third aspects, a part of the stay includes a pair of shaft members having a substantially circular cross section.

  A sixth means is the fifth means, wherein the shaft member functions as position regulating means for regulating a position of the binding means movably supported by the shaft member around the axis of the shaft member. And

  According to a seventh aspect, in the first to sixth aspects, the stay includes only a pair of thin plates formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section and a pair of shaft members having a substantially circular cross section. .

  Eighth means is provided with a stitcher portion provided with an accommodating portion for the staple needle and a push-out portion, and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle separately, and a plurality of clinchers present between the stitcher portion and the clincher portion. A binding unit that binds a sheet with staples, a support member that supports the binding unit and guides the stitcher unit and the clincher unit in parallel, and a movement that moves the binding unit along the support member A pair of the support member and a pair of position regulating members for regulating the position of the binding means around the support member with the support member as a center, wherein the support member is viewed from the axial direction. In this case, an advance position of the binding needle pushed out from the stitcher portion is provided in the vicinity of a line connecting the centers of the support members when the stitching section is pushed.

  The ninth means is provided with a stitcher portion provided with an accommodating portion for the staple needle and a push-out portion, and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle, and a plurality of clinchers present between the stitcher portion and the clincher portion. A binding unit that binds a sheet with staples, a support member that supports the binding unit and guides the stitcher unit and the clincher unit in parallel, and a movement that moves the binding unit along the support member And a position regulating member for regulating the position of the binding member around the support member with the support member as a center is provided, and the two support members are axially It is characterized in that a binding needle advance position from the stitcher portion is provided in a space area sandwiched by both support members when viewed.

  According to a tenth aspect, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the binding needle advance position is set on a line connecting a center of the support member.

  According to an eleventh aspect, in the eighth or the ninth aspect, the support member and the position regulating member are provided between the side plates to form one housing.

  According to a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the position regulating member is formed of a thin plate (sheet metal) having a U-shaped cross section.

  A thirteenth means is that, in the twelfth means, a portion of the position regulating member corresponding to the back surface of the U-shaped cross section is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plate in one rotation regulating member, Are characterized in that they are provided in substantially parallel directions.

  A fourteenth means is characterized in that in the thirteenth means, the position regulating member accommodates a harness connected to the binding means.

  The fifteenth means is the eighth means, wherein the moving means comprises a timing belt, a driving mechanism for driving the timing belt, and a motor for applying a driving force to the driving mechanism, wherein the timing belt is When the member is viewed from the axial direction, the member is provided near the line connecting the centers of the support members and in parallel with the support member.

  Sixteenth means is the ninth means, wherein the moving means comprises a timing belt, a driving mechanism for driving the timing belt, and a motor for applying a driving force to the driving mechanism. When the support member is viewed from the axial direction, the support member is provided in parallel with the support member on an extension of a space sandwiched between the support members.

  A seventeenth means is the device according to the fifteenth or sixteenth means, wherein the moving means comprises a stitcher moving means and a clincher moving means, and both moving means are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the support member. It is characterized by having.

  According to an eighteenth aspect, in the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the driving mechanism includes a driving pulley and a driven pulley, and the driven pulley is provided on the support member.

  A nineteenth means is the device according to the eighth or ninth means, wherein a space for needle exchange is provided between the support member for supporting the stitcher portion and the position regulating member on the side where the support member is provided. It is characterized by having.

  A twentieth means is characterized in that, in the nineteenth means, the position regulating member is provided substantially parallel to the advance direction of the binding needle.

  According to a twenty-first means, a sheet processing apparatus is constituted by the binding device according to the first to seventh means, and a sheet processing means for receiving a sheet on which an image has been formed and performing a predetermined process including a binding process. Features.

  According to a twenty-second means, a sheet processing apparatus is constituted by the binding device according to the eighth to twentieth means, and a sheet processing means for receiving a sheet on which an image has been formed and performing a predetermined process including a binding process. Features.

  A twenty-third means according to the twenty-second means, further comprising a roller for movement provided on a housing of the binding device and a rail provided on a main body of the paper processing apparatus, and rolling the roller on the rail. The binding device is attached to the sheet processing device so as to be able to be pulled out by a predetermined amount, and the back side of the stitcher is open over the entire moving direction of the binding device when the binding device is pulled out.

  A twenty-fourth means is characterized in that an image forming system is constituted by the sheet processing apparatus according to the twenty-first to twenty-third means, and an image forming apparatus for forming a visible image on a recording medium based on input image information. And

  According to the first means, since the housing of the binding device is constituted only by the pair of side plates and the pair of stays, a small and lightweight binding device can be realized.

  According to the second means, since the stay is formed of a thin plate having a substantially U-shaped cross section, it is possible to realize a lightweight and low-cost binding device while ensuring strength.

  According to the third means, since the stay is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section and the mounting direction of the stay is different, a torsional rigidity is increased, and a lightweight and high-strength housing can be formed.

  According to the fourth means, a space through which the sheet passes while maintaining the strength can be ensured, so that the binding device can be set to cross the sheet transport path, which hinders downsizing of the sheet processing apparatus. Nothing.

  According to the fifth means, since the supporting member is a shaft member having a substantially circular cross section, the supporting member can be formed at low cost.

  According to the sixth means, since the stay also functions as a position regulating member, there is no need to add a member for position regulation, and the binding device can be configured at a small size, light weight and low cost.

  According to the seventh means, the stay is composed of only a pair of thin plates having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a pair of shaft members having a substantially circular cross section, so that a small and lightweight binding device can be realized. .

  According to the eighth means, a pair of support members and a position regulating member for regulating the position of the binding means around the support member with the support member as the center are provided, and the support member is viewed from the axial direction. The advancing position of the binding needle pushed out from the stitcher is arranged near the line connecting the centers of the stitches, so that the reaction force applied to the stitcher can be received near the center of the support member. Since the vicinity of the center of the support member is large in strength and the component force does not increase, the support member can reliably receive the reaction force, and the binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably.

  According to the ninth means, a pair of a support member and a position regulating member for regulating the position of the binding means around the support member around the support member are respectively provided, and when the two support members are viewed from the axial direction, the two members are provided. Since the binding needle advance position from the stitcher portion is provided in the space region sandwiched by the support members, the component force of the reaction force applied to the stitcher portion does not become so large, so that the support member can reliably receive the reaction force. In addition, the binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably.

  According to the tenth means, since the needle advance position is set on the line connecting the center of the support member, no component force acts on the reaction force applied to the stitcher portion. A reaction force can be received, and the binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably.

  According to the eleventh means, since the support member and the position regulating member are provided between the side plates to form one housing, the housing can be made simple.

  According to the twelfth means, since the position regulating member is formed of a thin plate (sheet metal) having a U-shaped cross section, a light-weight and low-cost binding device can be realized while ensuring strength.

  According to the thirteenth means, a portion corresponding to the back surface of the U-shaped cross section of the position regulating member is substantially parallel to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plate in one rotation regulating member and substantially parallel to the other stay. Since it is provided in the direction, the torsional rigidity is increased, and a lightweight and high-strength housing can be configured.

  According to the fourteenth means, since the harness connected to the binding means is accommodated in the position regulating member, the number of parts can be reduced, and interference between the harness and members near the harness when the binding means moves. Can be minimized, thereby improving the reliability of the binding device.

  According to the fifteenth means, since the moving means is provided near the line connecting the centers of the support members and parallel to the guide shaft, it is possible to minimize the sliding resistance associated with the movement. Further, by arranging the respective moving means symmetrically in the dead space, it is possible to obtain a highly efficient configuration with a simple driving system and a small driving load.

  According to the sixteenth means, the moving means is provided in parallel with the support member on the extension of the space sandwiched between the support members when the support members are viewed from the axial direction, so that the sliding resistance accompanying the movement is provided. Can be minimized. Further, by arranging the respective driving means symmetrically in the dead space, it is possible to obtain a highly efficient configuration with a simple driving system and a small driving load.

  According to the seventeenth means, the moving means comprises a stitcher moving means and a clincher moving means, and both moving means are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the support member. The part can be easily moved symmetrically in synchronization with each other, whereby it is possible to move the part in a well-balanced manner, and it becomes easy to secure the binding accuracy.

  According to the eighteenth means, since the driven mechanism is provided with the driven pulley on the support member, it is possible to drive the timing belt near the support member, and secure the movement accuracy of the stitcher and the clincher. It will be easier.

  According to the nineteenth aspect, a space for needle replacement is provided between the support member for supporting the stitcher portion and the position regulating member on the support member disposition side, and this position is provided on the back surface of the stitcher portion. Accordingly, it is possible to easily cope with a problem with the needle supply to the stitcher and the needle.

  According to the twentieth means, since the position regulating member is provided substantially parallel to the advance direction of the binding staple, a sufficient space for staple replacement can be ensured.

  According to the twenty-first and twenty-second means, it is possible to configure a sheet processing apparatus that exhibits the effect of the binding device according to each means.

  According to the twenty-third means, the binding device is detachably attached to the sheet processing device, and the back side of the stitcher is opened over the entire moving direction of the binding device when the binding device is pulled out. With the device pulled out, it is possible to easily cope with a problem with the needle supply and the needle.

  According to the twenty-fourth means, it is possible to construct an image forming system capable of performing the processing of the sheet processing device according to the twenty-first to twenty-third means on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus.

  In the embodiments described later, the binding means is the staple unit 5, the moving means is the timing pulleys 206 and 207, the timing belts 208 and 209, the drive shaft 210, the speed reduction mechanism 211 and the stepping motor 212, and the side plate is the front side plate. 214, rear side plate 215, stays are guide shafts 6 (200a, 200b) and stays 204, 205, support members are guide shafts 6 (200a, 200b), stitcher portions are stitcher portions 5a, and clincher portions are clincher portions. 5b, the position regulating members correspond to the stays 204 and 205, the harness receiving portions correspond to A and B, the space sandwiched by both supporting members corresponds to V, and the rollers for movement correspond to the rollers 222 and 223, respectively.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact, high-performance, highly accurate, and highly reliable binding device, a sheet post-processing device including the binding device, and an image forming system at low cost.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system including the sheet post-processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. . The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 schematically shows a system as a copying machine, which includes an image forming apparatus PR, a paper feeder PF for supplying paper to the image forming apparatus, a scanner SC for reading an image, and a circulating automatic original. It consists of a feeding device ARDF. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus PR is conveyed to the entrance guide plate of the finisher FR via the relay unit CU. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a printer-type system without a scanner SC and a circulating automatic document feeder ARDF. The other configuration is the same as that of the above-described copying machine.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus shown as the finisher FR is attached to the side of the image forming apparatus PR as described above, and the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus PR is guided to the sheet post-processing apparatus FR, and the sheet Various post-processing is performed by the function of the processing device FR. Note that the image forming apparatus PR may be any apparatus having a known image forming function, such as an apparatus for an electrophotographic image forming process or an apparatus having a print head of an ink jet system, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. .

  In a sheet post-processing apparatus FR (hereinafter, indicated by reference numeral 2) as a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR is a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on one sheet as shown in FIG. (In the embodiment, the upper transport path B leading to the proof tray 18 through the entrance transport path A having the punching unit 3 as a punching means), the intermediate transport path C leading to the shift roller 9, and the staple tray 10 for performing alignment and stapling. Is configured to be distributed to the lower transport path D to be guided by the branch claw 24, the turn guide 36, the branch claw 25, and the turn guide 37. The sheet conveyed on the staple tray 10 by the conveying rollers 33, 34, 35 is aligned on the staple tray 10 by the jogger fence 12 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, and the conveying direction is adjusted by the hitting roller 8 at the rear end. The matching is performed based on the fence 27.

  Thereafter, the bundle transport roller 13b supported by the bundle transport guide plate 28 that rotates about one axis of the stipple paper discharge roller pair 35 moves toward the bundle transport roller 13a by the rotation of the bundle transport guide plate 28, The sheet bundle is held and held, and the rear end fence 27 is retracted to the position indicated by the broken line. In the case of end face binding, stapling processing is performed at a predetermined position, the sheet is conveyed upward by the discharge claw 11, discharged to the discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15, and stacked. FIG. 8 schematically shows a drive unit of the release claw 11, and a drive shaft 103 is connected to the timing pulley 101 on the drive side of the timing pulleys 101 and 102 around which the release belt 14 is wound. The driving force is obtained from a stepping motor 106 via gear trains 104 and 105 provided on the drive shaft 103.

  On the other hand, in the case of the saddle stitching, the sheet bundle is aligned, the sheet bundle is sandwiched by the bundle conveying guide plate 28, and the sheet conveying roller pair 13a, 13b, and then the sheet bundle is conveyed downward and conveyed to the saddle stitching position. It is held and the binding process is performed. When the saddle stitching process is completed, the bundle is conveyed to the folding position by the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b, the folding is performed by the folding plate 19 and the pair of folding rollers 20, and the folding is performed by the folding paper discharge roller 22. The paper is discharged to the paper tray 23 and stacked.

  An inlet sensor 301 for detecting a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR, a feed roller 31 downstream thereof, and a common inlet feed path A upstream of the upper feed path B, the intermediate feed path C, and the lower feed path D. The punch unit 3, the branch claw 24, and the turn guide 36 are sequentially arranged downstream of the punch unit 3.

  The branching claw 24 is held in a state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). When a solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the branching pawl 24 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. Then, the sheet is distributed to the upper transport path B. The branching claw 25 is held in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown), and turns clockwise by turning on a solenoid (not shown) to distribute the sheet to the intermediate conveyance path C. If the solenoid is OFF, the sheet is sent to the lower conveying path D as it is, and is conveyed by the conveying rollers 33 and 34. The turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of assisting the distribution of sheets by the branch claws 24 and 25, respectively. These turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of reducing the conveyance resistance of the paper in the small-diameter branch portion when the paper whose conveyance direction is bent by the branch claws 24 and 25 hits and rotates.

  The intermediate transport path C is provided with a shift roller 9 that can move the paper by a fixed amount in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The shift roller 9 exhibits a shift function by being moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by a driving unit (not shown). The sheet conveyed to the intermediate conveyance path C via the conveyance roller 32 and the turn roller 37 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction while being conveyed by the shift roller 9, so that the sheet is moved by a certain amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The sheet is discharged by the discharge roller 15 in that state, and is stacked on the sheet discharge tray 17. The timing is determined based on sheet detection information of the roller shift sensor 303, sheet size information, and the like.

  A staple tray paper discharge sensor 305 is provided in the lower conveyance path D. The paper discharge sensor 305 detects the presence or absence of a sheet in the conveyance path, and generates a sheet detection signal when a sheet is discharged to the staple tray 10. Used as a trigger for alignment operation. The sheets sent to the conveyance path D are sequentially conveyed by the conveyance rollers 33, 34, and 35, are stacked on the staple tray 10, and are aligned.

  The trailing end of the sheet discharged to the staple tray 10 is aligned with the trailing end fence 27 as the first sheet bundle regulating means.

  The rear end fence 27 is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the bundle transport roller 13a as shown in FIG. 12, and is normally retracted from the paper transport path by a tension spring 71, and When loading, the solenoid 70 drives the end 27a of the rear end fence 27 on the solenoid side, and the front end 27b projects into the transport path.

This enables stacking of a sheet bundle.

  The sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 are dropped at any time by the hitting rollers 8 so that the lower ends are aligned. As shown in FIG. 4 which is a perspective view showing a mechanism around the staple tray 10 around the fulcrum 8a, the striking roller 8 is given a pendulum motion by a striking solenoid 8s, and is applied to the sheet fed to the staple tray 10. The sheet intermittently acts to hit the rear end fence 27. The hitting roller 8 is rotated by the timing belt 8t in a direction to move the sheet counterclockwise to the rear end fence 27. The jogger fence 12 aligns the paper stacked on the staple tray 10 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The jogger fence 12 is driven via a timing belt 12b by a jogger motor 12m capable of rotating forward and reverse as shown in FIG. 4, and reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. By performing the operation of pressing the end face of the sheet by this movement, the sheets are aligned in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. This operation is performed at any time during the sheet loading and after the final sheet is loaded. The sensor 306 provided on the staple tray 10 is a so-called sheet detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray 10. The hitting roller 8, the rear end fence 27 and the jogger fence 12 constitute an aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle in a direction perpendicular to a direction parallel to the sheet conveying direction.

  The bundle transport rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be pressurized and released by the mechanism shown in FIG. 11, and after the sheet bundle is passed in the released state, the paper is transported by pressing. . The bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be freely pressed and separated by a pressure releasing motor 63. The transport rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b are rotationally driven by a stepping motor 50, and the transport amount of the sheet bundle is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the stepping motor 50. Both of the bundle transport rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b are provided separately and independently, and can be freely pressed and separated between them.

  Since the pressure release mechanism of each bundle transport roller is the same, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a drive system is connected to the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b so that the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b rotate in opposite directions and at the same speed. The driving is transmitted to the timing pulley 53 and the gear pulley 54 arranged coaxially with the bundle transport roller 13a using the stepping motor 50 as a driving source. Further, the drive is transmitted from the gear pulley 54 to the timing pulley 58 disposed coaxially with the bundle transport roller 13b via the arm 56 through the idler pulley 55, and the bundle transport roller 13b rotates. The arm 56 is rotatable about a gear pulley 55, and acts in a direction of pressing against the sheet by a tension spring 64 provided on the shaft of the bundle transport roller 13b. A link 59 is connected to the shaft of the bundle transport roller 13b, and a long hole 59a is provided on the other side of the link, and a rotatable play is provided on a convex portion 60p provided on the circumference of the gear 60. It is fitted. At one end of the gear 60, a sensor 61 for detecting the open state of the bundle transport rollers 13a, 13b by the filler 60a is provided, and by rotating the stepping motor 63 counterclockwise and clockwise, pressure contact and Release the pressure. FIG. 11A shows a state where pressure is released, and FIG. 11B shows a state where pressure is applied. When the stepping motor 63 is not excited, it returns to the pressure contact position by the force of the tension spring 64. The bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b perform the above-described pressing and releasing operations not only when conveying the sheet bundle but also when stacking the sheets on the staple tray 10, thereby curling the lower end of the sheet. Swelling due to bending can be suppressed, and the alignment accuracy of the lower end of the sheet bundle during stacking can be improved. This operation is executed every time each sheet is stacked or every several sheets, and the stacking property can be controlled so as to be good. Further, when stacking a large number of sheets, the interval between the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b is kept narrow in the initial stage of stacking, and the interval is gradually widened as the number of stacked sheets increases, so that the rounding of the lower end of the sheet is reduced. It is also possible to improve alignment accuracy while preventing the occurrence of swelling.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stapling unit 5 includes a stitcher (a stitcher is also referred to as a stitcher in the present specification) 5a for punching a staple, and a clincher 5b for bending the tip of the staple driven into the sheet bundle. I have. In the stapling unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are configured separately, and can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveying direction by the stapler moving guide 6, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are illustrated. It does not have a relative positioning mechanism and a moving mechanism. The staple position in the transport direction of the sheet bundle is determined by transporting the sheet bundle by the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b. Thus, stapling can be performed at various positions of the sheet bundle.

  In FIG. 1, the center folding mechanism is located downstream of the staple unit 5 in the sheet transport direction (downstream when folding the sheet, and lower in position). This mechanism includes a pair of folding rollers 20, a folding plate 19, a stopper 21, and the like. The bundle of sheets stapled at the center of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction is pushed to the stopper 21 by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. The sheet is conveyed until it hits, and once the nip pressure of the bundle conveying roller 13b is released, the folding reference position of the sheet bundle is determined. Thereafter, the sheet bundle is held by applying the nip pressure of the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b, and the stopper 21 is retracted and detached from the trailing end of the sheet bundle, and the necessary distance is determined by the sheet size signal sent from the image forming apparatus main body. It is conveyed and the folding position is set. The sheet bundle conveyed to the folding position (usually the center in the sheet bundle conveying direction) and stopped is pushed into the nip of the pair of folding rollers 20 by the folding plate 19, and the pair of folding rollers 20 presses and rotates the sheet bundle. It is folded in the middle. At this time, if the sheet size is large, the sheet bundle is sent downstream of the stopper 21 in the sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the transport path on the downstream side of the position where the stopper 21 is provided is curved to guide the end of the sheet bundle in the horizontal direction. With such a configuration, the paper can be transported even if the paper size is large, and the size of the paper post-processing device 2 in the height direction can be made compact.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the stopper 21 as the second sheet bundle regulating means is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the bundle conveying roller 26a, and the end 72a on the solenoid side is moved by the solenoid 72. When driven, the distal end 21b is retracted from the transport path. The folded sheet bundle is discharged to a center-fold discharge tray 23 by a center-fold discharge roller 22 and stacked. The sensors 310 and 311 in the center folding section detect the presence or absence of a sheet. Further, the sensor 313 of the center-folded sheet discharge tray 23 detects the presence or absence of a sheet bundle on the center-folded sheet discharge tray 23, and counts the number of sheet bundles discharged from the state where there is no sheet bundle. It is used to simulate the full detection of the paper discharge tray 23. The folding end stopper position detection sensor 312 detects the operation of the stopper 21 and the end position of the sheet bundle when the stopper is released.

  FIG. 14 shows a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment together with an image forming apparatus. The control apparatus 350 includes a microcomputer having a CPU 360, an I / O interface 370, and the like. Each switch of the control panel, etc., and an entrance sensor 301, an upper paper ejection sensor 302, a roller shift sensor 303, a staple paper ejection sensor 305, a staple tray paper presence / absence sensor 306, an ejection pawl position detection sensor 307, a paper ejection sensor 308, a paper surface Signals from the detection sensor 309, the folding unit paper presence detection sensor 310, the folding roller arrangement detection sensor 311, the folding end stopper position detection sensor 312, the paper presence detection sensor 313, and the like are sent to the CPU 360 via the I / O interface 370. Will be entered. The CPU 360 controls various motors and solenoids based on the input signals. Further, the punch unit 3 also performs the drilling according to the instruction of the CPU 360 by controlling the clutch and the motor.

  The control of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 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.

  Here, the binding device of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

  15 and 16 schematically show a staple moving unit in the staple unit. FIG. 15 is a front view of the staple moving unit, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the stipple unit has a front plate 214 and a rear plate 215, a pair of guide shafts 200a and 200b as a stapler moving guide 6 fixed to the front and rear plates 214 and 215 by screws, and a front and rear plate. It is composed of a pair of stays 204 and 205 fixed between the side plates 214 and 215. The guide shafts 200a and 200b are composed of round bars having a substantially circular cross section in consideration of strength and cost. The guide shafts 200a and 200b also have a function as a stay. That is, the stay includes guide shafts 200a and 200b in addition to the stays indicated by reference numerals 204 and 204. A stitcher 5a and a clincher 5b are provided so as to sandwich a binding portion T for binding a sheet bundle, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are movably supported by the pair of guide shafts 200a and 200b located on the back side of each. . The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are provided so that the staple needle of the stitcher 5a advances along the center line M connecting the centers of the guide shafts 200a and 200b. As described above, it is most preferable that the stylus advance portion of the stitcher 5a is on the center line M. However, it is difficult to make the needle advance portion always coincide with the center line M due to mechanical errors, paper thickness, and aging due to use. It is sufficient to be near the line M. This position may be a position where a moment (rotational force around the guide shafts 200a and 200b) generated by a reaction force at the time of the stipple operation is small. If it is, it will be very small. In consideration of the moment, the paired guide shafts 200a and 200b only need to be located within the range of the line N connecting the outer shapes as shown in FIG. 15 when viewed from the axial direction.

  Each of the stays 204 and 205 is formed of a metal thin plate based on a shape having a substantially U-shaped cross-section when cross-sectioned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and partially has a flat portion at a position described below. It is used as a (rotation) regulating means and as an attachment passage when the internal spaces A and B crawl around the stapler motor / sensor harness. This makes it possible to secure the rigidity of the frame as a stay member, and at the same time, to function as a means for restricting the rotation of the harness passage and the stapler 5, thereby contributing to a reduction in the number of components. Further, since the moment at the time of the stipple operation is also minimized as described above, it is sufficient if the stipula 5 has the minimum strength that can maintain the posture, and even if the thin plate (0.8 to 1.2) is used, the strength can be increased without any problem. Can be secured. Thereby, a lightweight housing for the stapler 5 can be configured.

  Further, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the stays 204 and 205 is increased, and the stitcher 5a is clinched in a state of being laid horizontally on the back of the stapler 5 (a state parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214 and 215). The side 5b is combined in a state of standing on the back (in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214, 215), and the strength of the housing of the stapler 5 is twisted only by the side plates 214, 215 and the stays 204, 205. It can be secured including the strength. Furthermore, by considering the mounting positions and dimensions of the stays 204 and 205, the stapler 5 can be easily designed in accordance with the form (needle replenishing direction, position of the needle jam operation knob, and the like), and can be used in a paper processing apparatus. A combined binding device can be configured. At this time, since the degree of freedom in mounting the stays 204 and 205 is high as described above, it is easy to make the apparatus compact, and space saving can be promoted. A space for the paper 5a and the clincher 5b to move and for the paper to pass through can be sufficiently provided between the guide shafts 200a and 200b and between the stays 204 and 205.

  In this embodiment, the handle 221 of the staple cartridge 220 is located on the back side of the stitcher 5a as shown in the main part perspective view of the stitcher 5a in FIGS. The stay 204 is arranged such that a space V where the back side is exposed is secured.

  Bearings 201a and 201b are attached to the guide shafts 200a and 200b so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The stitcher 5a is connected to the bearing 201a via a fixed bracket 202, and is configured to be slidable along the guide shaft 200a. At the other end of the fixed bracket 202 (the end opposite to the side where the bearing 201a is provided), a roller 202a as a restricting means for restricting the circumferential movement of the guide shaft 200a of the stitcher 5a is provided. The rotation of the stitcher 5a is restricted by sandwiching the flat portion 204a formed on a part of the stay 204 described above, and the stitcher 5a can move in parallel along the center line of the guide shaft 5a. .

  The clincher 5b has substantially the same configuration as the stitcher 5a, and is connected to the bearing 201b via a fixing bracket 203. However, since the stay 205 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214 and 215, the roller 203a as a restricting means for restricting the circumferential movement of the guide shaft 200b of the clincher 5b includes the stay 205. The rotation of the clincher 5b is restricted by sandwiching a flat portion formed for position control in a part of the. Thereby, the clincher 5b can also move in parallel along the center line of the guide shaft 5b.

  The moving mechanism for moving the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b is basically composed of timing pulleys 206 and 207, timing belts 208 and 209, a drive shaft 210 for driving the drive side of the timing pulleys 206 and 207, a reduction mechanism 211 and a stepping motor 212. Is configured.

  The timing pulleys 206 and 207 are symmetrically provided near the guide shafts 200a and 200b corresponding to the stitchers 5a and the clinchers 5b, and are arranged in pairs along the axial direction of the guide shafts 200a and 200b. Of these, 206a and 207a are on the driving side, 206b and 207b are on the driven side, and the timing belt 208 is adjusted between the timing pulleys 206a and 206b, and the timing belt 209 is adjusted between the timing pulleys 207a and 207b. The driven timing pulleys 206b and 207b are provided on the guide shafts 200a and 200b, respectively. Further, the timing belts 208 and 209 are provided at symmetrical positions (here, positions opposite to the binding portion T) on the stitcher 5a side and the clincher 5b side with the guide shafts 200a and 200b interposed therebetween. . The timing pulleys 207a and 206a are connected by a drive shaft 210 as shown in FIG. 16, and a driving force is transmitted from a stepping motor 212 via a reduction mechanism (reduction gear train) 211 and the drive shaft 210.

  By providing the timing belts 208 and 209 in parallel to the guide shafts 200a and 200b in this manner, the driving resistance for movement can be minimized, and the drive can be performed by providing the timing belts symmetrically with respect to the guide shafts 200a and 200b. The system can be constructed simply and inexpensively. Further, since the dead space near the back surfaces of the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b and near the guide shafts 200a and 200b is used, the configuration is advantageous for operability at the time of replenishing the needle (operability at the time of replenishing the cartridge). be able to.

  The timing belt 208 is connected to the stapler fixing bracket 202 by a fixing member 213, and the driver 5a moves along the guide shaft 200a as the timing belt moves. Although not shown, the clincher 5b has the same configuration.

  With such a configuration, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b can be moved in synchronization with the guide shafts 200a and 200b and in parallel in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The home position of the stitcher 5a is detected by the sensor 216 as shown in FIG. 18, and the CPU 360 drives the stepping motor 212 by a predetermined number of pulses based on this position, thereby setting the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b to the predetermined positions. It can be moved to perform the binding operation.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the staple unit 5 is provided with rollers 222 and 223 for stays 204 and 205, respectively, and moves on a rail (not shown) provided on a main body of the recording paper post-processing device (paper processing device) 2. It can roll and slide between a binding position and a staple replacement position. Accordingly, during normal use for performing the binding operation, the recording sheet is stored in the main body of the recording paper post-processing apparatus 2, the binding operation is performed according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus 1, and the staple needs to be replaced. The user can pull out the staple unit 5 and pull out the staple cartridge 220 by holding the handle 221 from the space V between the guide shaft 200a and the stay 204 as described above, and a new staple cartridge 220 can be attached. At this time, since the stay 204 is provided in parallel with the mounting and dismounting direction of the staple cartridge 220 (parallel to the staple needle driving direction), the space V can be made large, and the workability at the time of replacement is excellent. The staple unit 5 can be used. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 223a indicates a mounting hole for the shaft of the roller 223, and in FIG. 18, reference numeral 222a indicates a mounting hole for the shaft of the roller 222.

  Hereinafter, the post-processing operation including the stipple processing will be described using a specific post-processing mode as an example.

(1) No processing mode (proof discharge)
The sheet output from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the entrance conveyance path A, is guided to the upper conveyance path B by the first branch claw 24, is subjected to punching if necessary, and is discharged to the proof tray 18 by the discharge roller 7. The paper is ejected.

(2) Shift stacking mode Even when a bundle of sheets is output in units of copies, when staple binding is not performed, sheets are shifted and stacked for each set, so that it is possible to easily determine the set of copies. In this mode, the sheet output from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the entrance conveyance path A and is guided by the first branch claw 24 in the direction of the lower conveyance path D. At this time, a punch hole is formed in the end of the sheet by the punch unit 3 according to the user's selection. Thereafter, the sheet is guided by the second branching claw 25 to the intermediate conveyance path C, is conveyed while being shifted by the shift roller 9 in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, is guided by the sheet ejection guide plate 16, and is guided by the ejection roller 15 to the sheet ejection tray 17. Is discharged and stacked. The punch residue after the punch holes are punched by the punch unit 3 is stored in the hopper 4.

(3) End-face binding mode The end-face binding mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed on the end face of the sheet bundle for each copy. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the end face binding mode.

  The paper output from the image forming apparatus passes through the entrance conveyance path A, is guided in the direction of the lower conveyance path D by turning on the first branch claw 24 (step S101), and drives the respective conveyance rollers and the discharge rollers 35. (Steps S102 and S103), it moves along the transport path D. At this time, the stacking number counter for counting the number of sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 is cleared (step S104), and a punch hole is formed in the end of the sheet by the punch unit 3 according to the user's selection (step S105). Thereafter, the sheets are directly stacked on the staple tray 10 through the lower conveyance path D. The sheets discharged to the staple tray 10 are aligned with the trailing end fence 27 by the hitting rollers 8 (the sheet bundle is positioned in FIG. 4—steps S106 and S107).

  The alignment of the sheet bundle in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is performed by an operation of narrowing the width of the sheet stacking portion of the staple tray 10 by the jogger fence 12 (the position of the sheet bundle in FIG. 4—step S108). In conjunction with this operation, the operation of sandwiching the sheet bundle by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b is executed as needed, thereby improving the alignment accuracy of the lower end portion of the sheet bundle. The roller interval between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b can be controlled so as to be narrow in the initial stage of sheet stacking, and to be widened as the number of stacked sheets increases. It is set by doing. When the alignment operation is completed, the stacking number counter is counted up (step S109), and after the required number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (step S110), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b move the lower end of the sheet bundle. The user holds the sheet and holds the sheet (step S111), and the rear end fence 27 retreats from the sheet stacking surface (step S112).

  The sheet bundle is stapled at the stapling position by the stapling unit 5 (normal end stapling is 5 mm in the sheet conveying direction) (step S113). In the end binding mode, the stapler binding position can be selected mainly from the near side, two places, and the back. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are positioned relative to each other by the stapler moving guide 6 according to the selected binding position. Is moved in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction while maintaining the paper stapling. The stapling unit 5 is divided into a stitcher 5a for punching a staple and a clincher 5b for performing a process of bending a staple penetrating a sheet bundle, and a sheet can pass between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. It is a characteristic.

  When the end face binding is completed in this way, the ejection claw 11 moves in the sheet discharging direction (step S114), and simultaneously releases the press-contact state of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S115). When the binding process is completed, the paper ejection guide plate 16 is opened at a predetermined angle (step S116), and the bound sheet bundle is lifted upward by the ejection claw 11 that moves integrally with the ejection belt 14. The discharge claw 11 can lift the sheet bundle to the upper end of the staple tray 10 by the discharge belt 14. When the sheet bundle enters between the discharge guide plates 16, the discharge guide plate 16 is closed, and the sheet bundle is released by the discharge roller. The drive force is obtained from the output tray 15 (step S117), and the sheet is discharged and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 17 (step S118). The interval between the paper discharge guide plate 16 and the discharge roller can be adjusted according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.

  When the discharge is completed, the discharge roller 15 is stopped (step S119), and the discharge belt 14 is driven until the discharge position detection sensor is turned on, that is, until the discharge claw 11 is at the home position (step S120). It stops when it is located at the position (step S121). This operation is repeated from step S104 until a predetermined number of copies are completed.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation of the end face binding. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the rear end of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction is aligned with the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction (steps S107 and S108), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S110). From this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the bundle is held by the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b (step S111), and as shown in FIG. 9C, the rear end fence 27 retreats (step S112). The unit 5 moves to the binding position, and the binding operation is performed at the binding position as shown in FIG. 9D (step S113).

(4) Saddle stitching mode The saddle stitching mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed at the center of a sheet bundle. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitching mode. In the following description, the same operation as the end face binding mode is denoted by the same reference numeral. In this saddle stitching mode, steps S101 to S112 and steps S114 to S121 are the same as those in the end face stitching mode, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In step S101, the first branch claw 24 is turned on to be guided in the lower transport path D direction. In step S111, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S112, the rear end fence 27 connects the sheet stacking surface. The sheet bundle is further retracted, and the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b transport the sheet bundle downward (step S122). The sheet bundle is stopped at the stapling position by the staple unit 5 (the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the transport direction at the time of saddle stitching) (steps S123 and S124), and stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S125).

  The stapler in the saddle stitching mode normally has two stapling positions. According to the stapling position, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction while maintaining their relative positions by the stapler moving guide 6. Move and perform stapler binding. The sheet bundle on which the binding process has been completed is transported upward by the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b (step S126). When the sheet bundle is returned to the sheet bundle alignment position (step S127), the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b are stopped (step S128). ), The sheet is ejected upward by the ejection claw 11 (step S114). Then, the processing after step S115 is executed.

(5) Saddle Stitching Mode The saddle stitching mode is a mode in which a central portion of a sheet bundle is stapled and folded in the center to perform a simple bookbinding such as a so-called weekly magazine. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitching mode. In the following description, the same operation as the end face binding mode is denoted by the same reference numeral. In the saddle stitching mode, steps S101 to S112 are the same as those in the end face stitching mode, and a description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In step S101, the first branch claw 24 is turned on to be guided in the lower transport path D direction. In step S111, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S112, the rear end fence 27 connects the sheet stacking surface. The sheet bundle is further retracted, and the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b convey the sheet bundle downward (step S131). The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the transport direction at the time of saddle stitching) (steps S132 and S133), and is stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S134).

  The stapler in the saddle stitching mode normally has two stapling positions, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining their relative positions by the stapler moving guide 6 according to the stapling position. And perform stapler binding.

  After the sheet bundle is once positioned by abutting the rear end position by the stopper 21 (steps S135 and S136), the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction is again set to the folding plate 19 by the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b. The sheet is sent to the contact position (step S137-step S143). Thereafter, the folding plate 19 pushes the sheet bundle toward the nip of the pair of center folding rollers 20 (steps S144 and S145), and the sheet bundle is pressed between the nips by the force of a spring (not shown) applied to the pair of center folding rollers 20. (Step S146) The sheet is folded in two, and is discharged onto the center-fold discharge tray 23 by the center-fold discharge roller 22 immediately afterward, and is stacked (Step S147). Then, the center folding roller 20 is stopped (step S148), and the rear end fence 27 is returned to the aligned position (step S149). This operation is repeated from step S104 until a predetermined number of copies are completed.

  FIG. 10 shows the saddle stitching operation. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the rear end portion of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction and the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction are aligned (steps S107 and S108), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S110). From this state, as shown in FIG. 10B, the sheet bundle is held by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S111), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S112), and the sheet bundle is moved toward the folding plate 19 (downward). Transport. Then, the sheet bundle is stopped at the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is the binding position by the staple unit 5, and saddle-stitched.

  The saddle stitched sheet bundle is conveyed further downward as shown in FIG. 10C, and is positioned by abutting against the stopper 21 (steps S135 and S136), and then the binding position is the position of the folding plate 19 (folding). Until it reaches position). Then, as shown in FIG. 10D, the sheet bundle is stopped at the position, and the folding plate 10 is protruded and pushed into the nip by the folding roller 20 (steps S144 to S146). In this way, it is possible to fold the sheet at the binding position. If the tip of the folding plate 19 is made to protrude to the extent that it contacts the sheet bundle, the staple needle comes into contact with the folding plate 19 when the folding position is reached, so that the positional accuracy of the folding position can be ensured.

(6) No binding / center-folding mode The binding-less / center-folding mode is a mode in which folding processing is performed at the center without performing a binding operation on a sheet bundle. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the no binding / center folding mode.

  This mode is equivalent to the saddle stitching mode in which the saddle stitching operation is deleted. Therefore, the processing from step S131 to step S134 in the saddle stitching mode shown in FIG. 21 is omitted, and the sheet bundle is immediately conveyed downward after the rear end fence 27 retreats from the sheet placement surface in step S112. The folding operation is performed after the rear end position is once abutted and positioned by the stopper 21 (steps S135, S136) (steps S137-S149).

  Other operations of each unit not particularly described are the same as those in the saddle stitching mode.

  Here, subroutines of punch control, hitting roller 8 control, staple unit 5 control, and folding plate 9 control in each mode will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the punch control in step S105. In this process, first, when the sheet reaches the punch position (step S201), it is checked whether or not there is a punch request (step S202), and the punch is executed only when there is a punch request (step S203).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the hitting roller 8 control in step S107. In this process, first, when the sheet reaches the hitting position (step S301), the hitting roller 8 is driven for a predetermined time to move the sheet toward the rear end fence 27 (steps S302 and S303), and the operation is stopped (step S301). S304).

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for controlling the staple unit 5 in steps S113, S124, and S134. In this process, first, the stapler unit 5 is moved to the binding position (step S401), and when the stapler unit 5 is located at the designated binding position (step S402), the stapler unit 5 is stopped (step S403). Then, a stapling operation is performed (step S404). When the stapling at the designated location is completed (step S405), the process moves to the next stapling position, and when the stapling at all the stapling positions is completed, the stapler unit 5 is retracted and this processing ends.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for controlling the folding plate 19 in step S144. In this process, first, the folding plate 19 is moved in the nip direction of the folding roller 20 (step S501). When the leading end of the folding plate 19 reaches the nip position of the folding roller 20 (step S502), the folding plate 19 moves. Is stopped (step S503), and this process ends.

  Here, since the staple is moved in the subroutine for controlling the staple unit 5, the movement operation of the staple unit will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the position of the staple unit 5 before the binding operation is started. The staple unit 5 waits at a position where it does not contact the rear end fence 27 and at a position closest to the next binding position. This position is indicated by a solid line or a two-dot chain line.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the position of the staple unit 5 with two end faces bound. As described above, in the end face binding mode, the sheet bundle is stapled at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (normal edge binding is 5 mm in the sheet transport direction). In the edge binding mode, the stapler binding position can be selected mainly from the near side, two places, and the back side. Is moved in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction while maintaining the paper stapling. At this time, if the binding position is such that the staple unit 5 and the trailing end fence 27 are in contact with each other (small size binding at one place, binding at two places, saddle stitching), the trailing end fence 27 retreats from the sheet stacking surface, Thereafter, the stapling unit 5 moves in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction to perform stapling. This operation is the same for the saddle stitching shown in FIG. When the binding mode is two-point binding (two-end binding and saddle-stitching), the unit waits at a standby position on the opposite side in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction for each binding of one bundle. The standby position is the position indicated by the solid line and the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, and these positions are alternately the standby positions. Thereby, it is possible to move to the standby position in the shortest distance from the second binding operation.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system (copying machine) including the sheet post-processing device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system (printer type) including the sheet post-processing device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view showing a mechanism around a staple tray. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a position of a staple unit before a binding operation is started. It is a figure showing the position of the staple unit of two end faces binding. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the position of a staple unit for saddle stitching. It is a figure which shows the outline of the drive part of a discharge belt and a discharge claw. It is a figure showing operation of end face binding. It is a figure showing operation of saddle stitching. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a contact and separation mechanism and operation of a bundle transport roller. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of a rear end fence. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a driving mechanism of a stopper. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment together with an image forming apparatus. 5 is a front view illustrating a structure of a staple moving unit of the staple unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a stipple moving unit of the stipple unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main part of the stitcher of the stapling unit of FIG. 16 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main part of the stitcher of the stapling unit of FIG. 16 as viewed from the rear side, and shows a side plate position with respect to FIG. 17; It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of an end surface binding mode. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a saddle stitching mode. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a saddle stitching / folding mode. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of a no binding / center folding mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of punch control. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of a hit roller control. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of staple unit control. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of a folding plate control.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Recording paper post-processing apparatus 5 Stipple unit 5a Stitcher 5b Clincher 6 Stipler movement guide 10 Stipple tray 200a, 200b Guide shaft 202, 203 Fixing bracket 202a, 203a Roller 204, 205 Stay 206, 207 Timing pulley 208 , 209 Timing belt 210 Drive shaft 211 Reduction mechanism 212 Stepping motor 214, 215 Side plate 220 Stipple cartridge 222, 223 Roller 350 Control device 360 CPU
M Line connecting the center of the guide shaft T Binding part V Space for binding needle replacement

Claims (24)

A binding unit that performs binding with a staple on a plurality of sheets;
Moving means for moving the binding means;
Is supported by one housing and constitutes one unit.
The housing comprises a pair of side plates, and a pair of stays joining the side plates,
The binding device, wherein the stay is constituted by the moving unit.   2. The binding device according to claim 1, wherein the stay is formed of a pair of thin plates having a substantially U-shaped cross section.   A portion corresponding to the rear surface of the substantially U-shaped cross section of the thin plate is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plate in one thin plate and in a direction substantially parallel to the other thin plate. The binding device according to claim 2.   The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the binding unit is disposed between the two thin plates, and a space through which a sheet passes is provided.   The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of the stay includes a pair of shaft members having a substantially circular cross section.   The binding device according to claim 5, wherein the shaft member functions as a position regulating unit that regulates a position of the binding unit movably supported by the shaft member around an axis of the shaft member.   The binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stay comprises only a pair of thin plates having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a pair of shaft members having a substantially circular cross section. . A stitcher portion provided with a stapling portion accommodating portion and a pushing portion and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle are provided separately, and a stapling portion is provided for a plurality of sheets existing between the stitcher portion and the clincher portion. Binding means for performing binding by
A support member that supports the binding means and guides the stitcher portion and the clincher portion in parallel,
Moving means for moving the binding means along the support member;
In the binding device provided with
The support member and a pair of position regulating members that regulate the position of the binding member around the support member around the support member are provided in a pair, respectively.
A binding device, wherein an advancing position of a binding needle pushed out from the stitcher is provided near a line connecting a center of the support member when the support member is viewed from an axial direction. A stitcher portion provided with a stapling portion accommodating portion and a pushing portion and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle are provided separately, and the stapling portion is provided for a plurality of sheets existing between the stitcher portion and the clincher portion. Binding means for performing binding by
A support member that supports the binding means and guides the stitcher portion and the clincher portion in parallel,
Moving means for moving the binding means along the support member;
In the binding device provided with
The support member and a pair of position regulating members that regulate the position of the binding member around the support member around the support member are provided in a pair, respectively.
A binding device, wherein a binding needle advance position from the stitcher portion is provided in a space region sandwiched between the support members when the support members are viewed from the axial direction.   10. The binding device according to claim 8, wherein the binding needle advance position is set on a line connecting a center of the support member.   The binding device according to claim 8, wherein the support member and the position regulating member are provided between side plates to form one housing.   The binding device according to claim 11, wherein the position regulating member is formed of a thin plate having a U-shaped cross section.   A portion corresponding to the back surface of the U-shaped cross section of the position regulating member is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plate in one rotation regulating member and in a direction substantially parallel to the other stay. The binding device according to claim 12, characterized in that:   14. The binding device according to claim 13, wherein a harness connected to the binding unit is accommodated in the position regulating member.   The moving means comprises a timing belt, a driving mechanism for driving the timing belt, and a motor for applying a driving force to the driving mechanism, wherein the timing belt has a supporting member when viewed from the axial direction. 9. The binding device according to claim 8, wherein the binding device is provided near a line connecting the centers and parallel to the support member.   The moving means comprises a timing belt, a driving mechanism for driving the timing belt, and a motor for applying a driving force to the driving mechanism, wherein the timing belt supports both when the support members are viewed from the axial direction. The binding device according to claim 9, wherein the binding device is provided in parallel with the support member on an extension of a space sandwiched by the members.   17. The binding device according to claim 15, wherein the moving means includes a stitcher moving means and a clincher moving means, and both moving means are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the support member. .   17. The binding device according to claim 15, wherein the driving mechanism includes a driving pulley and a driven pulley, and the driven pulley is provided on the support member.   The binding device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a space portion for needle replacement is provided between a support member that supports the stitcher portion and a position regulating member on a side where the support member is provided. .   20. The binding device according to claim 19, wherein the position regulating member is provided substantially in parallel with a direction in which the binding needle advances. A binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Sheet processing means for receiving a sheet on which an image has been formed and executing a predetermined process including a binding process;
A paper processing apparatus comprising: A binding device according to any one of claims 8 to 20,
Sheet processing means for receiving a sheet on which an image has been formed and executing a predetermined process including a binding process;
A paper processing apparatus comprising: A roller for movement is provided on a housing of the binding device, and a rail is provided on a main body of the paper processing device. It is attached so that it can be pulled out,
23. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the back side of the stitcher is open over the entire moving direction of the binding unit when the binding device is pulled out. A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23,
An image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a sheet based on input image information;
An image forming system comprising:

Images