JP2004292163A - Paper handling device, image forming system, paper handling method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compactly form a stapling mechanism at low cost and operate the mechanism at high speeds. <P>SOLUTION: This device accepts paper on a staple tray (S601), determines the stacked number of sheets of paper (S602), when the number of sheets reaches a specified one, presses a bundle carrying roller to press a paper bundle between both rollers and rotates the bundle carrying roller to allow the paper bundle to abut on a rear end fence (S603'), and after the abutting operation is maintained for a specified time (S604), releases the pressurization and turns off the rotating operation of the bundle carrying roller (S605'). The operations above are repeated to the final sheet of paper (S607). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is provided integrally or separately in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a printing machine, and the like, and performs predetermined processing on paper (recording medium) on which an image is formed, for example, sorting, stacking, binding, saddle stitching. A paper processing apparatus for performing bookbinding and discharging, an image forming system including the paper processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, a paper processing method performed by the paper processing apparatus, a computer program for performing the paper processing method, and a computer program The present invention relates to a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  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, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-250909, as means for performing end face binding and saddle stitching, a conveying roller capable of pressing and separating the stapler is provided before and after the stapler. There is disclosed an invention in which a bundle of sheets is conveyed to a staple position by combining them.

Also, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-72328, similarly, a transport roller that can be pressed and separated before and after the stapler is provided, and the transport roller is pressed and separated from the staple position by combining the operation and the transport. There is disclosed an invention in which a bundle is conveyed, and a folding unit is further provided on the downstream side to convey the bundle to a folding position.
JP-A-10-250909 JP 2001-72328 A

  However, in the inventions disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents, the first sheet bundle conveying means is used only for conveying the sheet bundle. Due to bending or the like, the rear end of the paper aligned by the stopper in the paper transport direction is easily expanded or spread, and the gap into which the paper bundle enters is narrowed. As a result, the stacked paper does not hit the stopper later. In some cases, the alignment of the sheet in the transport direction may be deteriorated. It is effective to correct the curl of the sheets and stack them if the gap into which the sheet bundle enters is narrow to some extent. However, if there are many sheets to be stacked, the sheet may not hit the stopper this time.

  Further, in order to convey the sheet bundle before the staple binding, the sheet bundle must be pinched so as not to be shifted and sent. For this reason, the operation of pressing and separating the transport roller from and against the sheet bundle and the transport operation by the transport roller affect the alignment quality of the bound booklet.

  However, in the pressurizing mechanism disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the rollers are pressed against the linearly opposed rollers, but the position of the pivot point of the swing arm-shaped arm supporting the rollers also moves and pressurizes. As the position moves, it is difficult to finely adjust the pressure contact and the pressure release. Further, in the pressurizing mechanism disclosed in Patent Literature 2, details of the roller press-contact mechanism are not described.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the related arts and to realize the saddle stitching and center folding functions at a compact size and at a low cost. And at the same time, to improve the reliability thereof.

  It is another object of the present invention to minimize the deviation of the sheet bundle and create a high-quality sheet bundle.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first unit includes a stacking unit that stacks sheets in a sheet processing apparatus having a processing unit that performs a predetermined process including a binding process on a sheet after image formation; The downstream end of the sheet bundle stacked in the conveying direction is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member to contact the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle and the sheet bundle from a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and a conveying means comprising a pair of rollers for conveying the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning means to the second sheet bundle regulating member side; Conveying force applying / releasing means for applying a conveying force to a sheet bundle sandwiched between the rollers by pressing a pair of rollers of the conveying means, control means for controlling operation of the conveying force applying / releasing means, Equipped with The control means applies a conveying force to the conveying force applying / releasing means when the sheet bundle is conveyed, and pinches the sheet bundle stacked on the stack means at a predetermined timing when the sheet bundle is not conveyed. Is held.

  The second means is characterized in that the predetermined timing is a timing at which a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on a stacking means.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the predetermined number is one or more.

  A fourth means is the first to third means, wherein the control means is configured to, when the sheets are stacked on the stacking means, adjust the interval between the rollers into which the sheet bundle enters as the number of stacked sheets increases. It is characterized in that it is increased.

  A fifth means is the first to third means, wherein the transport means abuts the sheet bundle against the first sheet bundle regulating member in parallel with the operation of holding the sheet bundle. .

  A sixth means is the first to fifth means, wherein the conveying force applying / releasing means always elastically urges one roller side of the roller pair to bring the roller pair close to each other; And an electric drive mechanism for separating the roller pair against the elastic force of the elastic urging member.

  According to a seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the electric drive mechanism includes a motor.

  Eighth means is the sixth means, wherein the one roller is swingably supported by a shaft of a roller for discharging a sheet to the stacking means.

  In a ninth aspect, in the first to eighth aspects, the sheet bundle regulating member is swingably supported by one roller shaft of a pair of rollers of the first transport unit that transports the sheet bundle. It is characterized by being.

  A tenth means is characterized in that, in the first to ninth means, a binding means for binding a sheet bundle at a position aligned by the alignment means is provided.

  An eleventh means is the tenth means, further comprising folding means for folding the sheet bundle bound by the binding means at the predetermined position.

  A twelfth means is the first means, wherein the conveying force applying / releasing means guides one roller of the conveying means in a direction perpendicular to the stacking means, A link mechanism for causing the one roller to move close to and away from the stacking means along with the stacking means, or to press and separate the sheet or sheet bundle on the stacking means.

  The thirteenth means is characterized in that, in the twelfth means, an elastic urging means for constantly urging the one roller toward the stacking means is provided.

  According to a fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the elastic urging means elastically urges the drive shaft of the one roller.

  The fifteenth means is the fourteenth means, wherein the link mechanism moves the drive shaft of the one roller along the guide portion against the urging force of the elastic urging means when releasing the conveying force. And moving the one roller away from the stacking means.

  The sixteenth means is characterized in that an image forming system is constituted by the sheet processing apparatus according to the first to fifteenth means, and an image forming apparatus provided integrally with or separately from the sheet processing apparatus.

  A seventeenth means is a paper processing method for performing a predetermined process including a binding process on the paper after image formation, wherein the paper is stacked on a stacking means, and then the downstream end of the stacked paper bundle in the transport direction is transported. The sheet bundle in contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member, and the direction in which the sheet bundle is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. When the aligned sheet bundle is transported to the second sheet bundle regulating member side, the transport roller pair that transports the sheet bundle is pressurized to apply a transport force to the sheet bundle when the aligned sheet bundle is transported to the second sheet bundle regulating member side. Is characterized in that the end of the sheet bundle is held at a predetermined timing to hold the sheet bundle.

  The eighteenth means is characterized in that, in the seventeenth means, when holding the sheet bundle during the non-conveyance, the sheet bundle abuts on the first sheet bundle description member.

  The nineteenth means includes a first procedure for stacking the sheets on the stacking means, and a sheet conveyance of the sheet bundle by bringing an end of the stacked sheet bundle on the downstream side in the conveyance direction into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member. A second procedure for abutting the sheet bundle from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction with respect to the sheet bundle and aligning the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction of the sheet bundle; When the sheet bundle is conveyed to the bundle regulating member side, the conveying roller pair that conveys the sheet bundle is pressurized to apply a conveying force to the sheet bundle, and when the sheet is not conveyed, the end of the sheet bundle is pinched at a predetermined timing. And a third procedure for holding the sheet processing, wherein the program is downloaded to a sheet processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus and causes the sheet processing to be performed in the above procedure.

  In a twentieth aspect, in the nineteenth aspect, in the third procedure, when the sheet bundle is held by appropriately nipping the edges of the sheet bundle during non-conveyance, the sheet bundle is moved to the first sheet bundle regulating member. Is characterized in that a procedure for hitting is included.

  A twenty-first means is characterized in that the computer program according to the nineteenth or twentieth means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium in an executable manner.

  According to the first, seventeenth, and nineteenth means, in addition to applying a conveying force to the sheet bundle by pressing the conveying force applying / releasing means when conveying the sheet bundle, the conveying force imparting / releasing means also applies the conveying force when the sheet bundle is not conveyed. Since the sheet bundle is held by appropriately nipping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, even when the sheet bundle is not conveyed, the press-contact and the pressure-disengagement are appropriately performed between the rollers paired with the conveying means, so that the stacking is performed. The swelling and curling of the paper can be corrected and aligned with the end of the formed paper bundle interposed therebetween.

  According to the second and third means, the holding is executed every time a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the stacking means, so that the swelling and curl of the paper can be corrected and aligned reliably.

According to the fourth means, when the sheets are stacked on the stacking means, the interval between the rollers into which the sheet bundle enters is changed as the number of sheets of the sheet is increased. Is set to be narrow, curling or bending of the end of the sheet restricts rounding of the end, improving the stackability of the sheet, and consequently improving the consistency of the end of the sheet bundle. According to the fifth, eighteenth, and twentieth means, the transport means abuts the sheet bundle against the first sheet bundle regulating member in parallel with the operation of holding the sheet bundle, thereby curling the sheet edge. The leading end of the sheet bundle can be aligned in a state in which rounding of the end portion due to bending or bending is suppressed, and excellent alignment can be exhibited.

  According to the sixth and seventh means, the conveying force applying / releasing means always elastically urges one roller side of the roller pair to bring the roller pair close to each other; Since it consists of an electric drive mechanism that separates the roller pair against the elastic force, in normal conditions the transfer force is applied only by the elastic force of the elastic urging member, and the electric drive mechanism is used only when the transfer force is released Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the eighth and ninth means, the number of components can be reduced by using a common support shaft, the mechanism can be simplified, and the device can be made compact.

  According to the tenth means, it is possible to perform a binding process on the aligned sheet bundle.

  According to the eleventh means, the bound sheet bundle can be folded for simple bookbinding.

  According to the twelfth to fifteenth means, the sheet is moved close to or away from the stacking means or the sheet bundle in the direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle. Can be created.

  According to the sixteenth means, it is possible to perform the processing according to the first to fifteenth means on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and finally print a copy original or information transmitted from a computer. And simple bookbinding can be performed by a series of operations.

  In an embodiment to be described later, the stacking means is provided on the staple tray 10, the sheet bundle regulating member is provided on the rear end fence 27, the aligning means is provided on the rear end fence 27 and the jogger fence 12, and the elasticity constituting the driving means of the sheet bundle regulating member is provided. The urging member is provided to the tension spring 71, the driving mechanism is provided to the solenoid 70, the conveying means is provided to the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b, the elastic urging member constituting the conveying force applying / releasing means is provided to the tension spring 64, and the electric driving mechanism is provided. Is a stepping motor 63, a gear 60, a link 59, an arm 56, a roller for discharging a sheet to a stacking means is a transport roller 35, a binding means is a staple unit 5, a folding means is a folding plate 19, a center folding roller pair. 20, the control means is provided to the CPU 360, and the link mechanism is provided as a four-barrel including the first to third arms 93a, 93b, 92a. The click mechanism, resilient biasing means for spring 94b, the guide portion correspond to the third guide groove 94.

  According to the present invention, the timing of the pressing and releasing operations of the roller pair as the conveying means and the setting of the sandwiching position are merely set, and further, the rear end of the sheet is abutted against the first sheet regulating member by driving the roller pair. By adding the operation, the saddle stitching and center folding functions can be realized compactly and at low cost, and the reliability thereof can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the pressing and releasing of the sheet bundle are performed in a direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle, the sheet shift can be minimized, and a high-quality sheet bundle can be created.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of 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 the sheet post-processing apparatus FR as a sheet processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR is subjected to post-processing means for performing post-processing on one sheet (in the embodiment, a punch unit as a punching means). 3), the upper conveyance path B leading to the proof tray 18, the intermediate conveyance path C leading to the shift roller 9, and the lower conveyance path D leading to the staple tray 10 performing alignment and staple binding. It is configured to be sorted by the branch claw 24, the turn guide 36, the branch claw 25, and the turn guide 37. The paper conveyed onto the staple tray 10 by the conveyance rollers 33, 34, 35 is aligned on the staple tray 10 by the jogger fence 12 in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction. Is matched to the criteria.

  Thereafter, the bundle transport roller 13b supported by a bundle transport guide plate (not shown) that rotates about one axis of the staple paper discharge roller pair 35 moves toward the bundle transport roller 13a due to the rotation of the bundle transport guide plate. 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, staple 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 between the bundle conveying guide plate and the pair of bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b, and then the sheet bundle is conveyed downward, conveyed to the saddle stitching position and held. Then, 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.

  In addition, an entrance sensor 301 for detecting a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR is provided on an entrance conveyance path A common to each of the upper conveyance path B, the intermediate conveyance path C, and the lower conveyance path D, and a conveyance roller downstream thereof. 31, a punch unit 3, and a branch claw 24 and a 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), and is turned counterclockwise (a state shown by a one-dot chain line) by turning on a solenoid (not shown) in the direction of the lower conveying path D. If the solenoid is OFF, the sheet is distributed to the upper conveyance path B. The branching claw 25 is held in a state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown), and is turned clockwise (a state shown by a dashed line) by turning on a solenoid (not shown) to transfer the sheet to the intermediate conveyance path C. Distribute. 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 ejection sensor 305 is provided in the lower conveyance path D. The paper ejection sensor 305 detects the presence / absence of paper in the conveyance path, and a paper detection signal outputs a paper alignment signal when the paper is discharged to the staple tray 10. Used as a trigger for The sheets sent to the conveyance path D are sequentially conveyed by conveyance rollers 33, 34, and 35, and are stacked on the staple tray 10 and 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 intermittently applies to the sheet fed to the staple tray 10. To hit the paper against 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 jog fence 12 aligns the sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 in the direction perpendicular to the conveying 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 in the staple tray 10 is a so-called paper 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 timing belt 57 via the idler pulley 55, and the bundle transport roller 13b rotates. The arm 56 is rotatable about a gear pulley 55, and is elastically urged in a direction in which the arm 56 comes into pressure contact with a 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 59, and the link 59 is rotatably provided on a convex portion 60p provided on the circumference of the gear 60. It is loosely 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, the pressing and pressing are performed. 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. Reference numeral 51 denotes a gear pulley that is mounted on a drive shaft of the stepping motor 50, and drives a timing belt 52. Reference numeral 62 denotes a drive gear that is mounted on the drive shaft of the stepping motor 63, and drives the link 59 by meshing with the gear 60.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the staple unit 5 is composed of a stitcher section 5a for punching a staple and a clincher section 5b for bending the tip of the staple driven into the sheet bundle. In the stapling unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are formed 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 not shown. It has a relative positioning mechanism and a moving mechanism. The stapling position in the transport direction of the sheet bundle is performed by transporting the sheet bundle by the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b. Thus, stapling can be performed at various positions on 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, lower in position). This mechanism includes a pair of folding rollers 20, a folding plate 19, a stopper 21, and the like, and a bundle of sheets stapled at the center of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction in the upstream staple unit 5 abuts against the stopper 21 by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. The folding reference position of the sheet bundle is determined by once releasing the nip pressure of the bundle conveying roller 13b. 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. Switches on 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, and a paper surface detection Signals from sensors 309, folding unit paper presence / absence detection sensor 310, folding roller arrangement detection sensor 311, folding end stopper position detection sensor 312, paper presence / absence detection sensor 313, etc. are input to CPU 360 via I / O interface 370. Is done. 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. Also, program data including a processing procedure in each control mode described below is downloaded from a server via a network (not shown) or recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or an SD card via a recording medium driving device (not shown). The CPU 360 can execute the program data by reading and downloading the program data.

  Hereinafter, the actual post-processing operation 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 sets, when staple binding is not performed, the sheets are shifted and stacked for each set, so that the set unit can be easily identified. 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 in copy units. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing 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 pass through the lower transport path D and are stacked on the staple tray 10 as they are. The sheets discharged to the staple tray 10 are aligned with the rear fence 27 by the hitting rollers 8 (the sheet bundle is positioned in FIG. 4—steps S106 and S107).

  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 aligning 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 hold the lower end of the sheet bundle. Then, the sheet is held (step S111), and the rear end fence 27 retreats from the sheet loading surface (step S112).

  The sheet bundle is stapled at the stapling position by the stapling unit 5 (normal edge 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 side. 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 stapling, and stapling is performed. The staple unit 5 is divided into a stitcher 5a for punching a staple and a clincher 5b for bending a staple penetrating a sheet bundle, and a sheet can pass between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. It is 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 rollers 15. Is obtained (step S117), the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 17 and stacked (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). 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 stapling is performed at the center of a sheet bundle. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing 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 binding position by the staple unit 5 (the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the transport direction-L / 2 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. In accordance with the stapling positions, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction while maintaining their relative positions by the stapler moving guide 6. Move and perform stapling. 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 at the center to perform a simple bookbinding such as a so-called weekly magazine. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing 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 usually has two stapling positions. According to the stapling positions, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction while maintaining their relative positions. Then, stapling is performed.

  After the sheet bundle is once positioned by abutting the rear end position by the stopper 21 (steps S135 and S136), the center (L / 2) of the length of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction is again set by the bundle conveyance rollers 26a and 26b. Is sent to a position where it comes into contact with the folding plate 19 (step S137 to 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 protruded to the extent that it comes into contact with the sheet bundle, the staples contact 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. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing 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. 17 is omitted, and after the rear end fence 27 has retreated from the sheet placement surface in step S112, the sheet bundle is immediately conveyed downward, 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. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the punch control process 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. 20 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. 21 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). When the stapler unit 5 is located at the designated binding position (step S402), the stapler unit 5 is stopped (step S403), and the stapling operation is performed. Is executed (step S404). When the stapling at the designated location is completed (step S405), the stapler unit 5 is moved 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. 22 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 moving 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. 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 where two end faces are 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 end binding mode, the stapler binding position can be selected mainly from the near side, two places, and the back side. 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 a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction while stapling. At this time, if the binding position is such that the staple unit 5 and the trailing end fence 27 are in contact (small size binding at one place, binding at two places, saddle stitching), the trailing end fence 27 is retracted from the sheet stacking surface. Then, 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.

  FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts showing the operation of the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b in step S111. FIG. 23 shows a processing procedure of pressurizing control of a bundle transport roller for sandwiching and holding a sheet for each sheet or every several sheets, and FIG. 24 shows a gap into which a sheet bundle enters as the number of sheets stacked increases. 3 shows a processing procedure for controlling the position of the bundle conveying roller in which is changed.

  First, in the flowchart of FIG. 23, in step S601, sheets on the staple tray 10 are received, and in step S602, it is determined how many sheets have been stacked. For example, whether to operate every one sheet, every two sheets, every three sheets, etc., that is, every n sheets (n is a natural number) is given in advance by a program (not shown). When the prescribed number of sheets, that is, n sheets, is reached, the bundle conveying roller 13b is pressed in step S603 to hold the sheet bundle between the rollers 13a and 13b, and is held for a certain time in step S604, and then the pressure is released in step S605. You. Then, in step S606, it is determined whether the sheet is the last sheet. If not, the sheet is accepted. If it is the last sheet, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b are pressurized in step S607, and the processing is transferred to the next processing.

  In the process shown in FIG. 24, information on the number of sheets of one copy is received in step S701, and in step S702, the initial interval between the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b is determined based on the received number information. It is moved by the pressurizing mechanism. These mechanisms are as described with reference to FIG. When the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b move to the prescribed positions in step S702, the sheet is received on the staple tray 10 in step S703, and the next operation is performed on each sheet or every few sheets (every n sheets) in step S704. I'm checking the number to do. This number is set in advance by a program in the same manner as in the processing in step S602 described above.

  Then, in step S705, when the specified number of sheets is reached, the bundle conveying rollers 13b are moved for each number of sheets to change the interval between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. This change is, for example, to increase the interval between the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b as the number of sheets increases. Next, in step S706, it is determined whether the sheet is the last sheet. If not, the sheet is accepted. If the sheet is last, the pressing operation of the bundle conveying roller 13b toward the bundle conveying roller 13a is performed in step S707, and the next process is performed. Passed.

  These operations in FIGS. 23 and 24 can be performed in combination. For example, while changing the interval between the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b, the pressing operation can be performed by pressing every few sheets. This is effective for improving the stackability and alignment of paper.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to performing the pressing operation and the releasing of the pressing between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b as the conveying means to perform the conveying operation of the sheet bundle and the case where the conveying of the sheet bundle is not performed. Pressing and releasing the pressing between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b at any time (appropriately) sandwiches the end of the stacked sheet bundle and corrects the swelling and curl of the sheet to achieve alignment. Become. In addition, since the interval of the gap between the stacks at the end of the paper is changed depending on the number of sheets to be stacked, the interval is set to be narrow especially in the initial stage of the stack where the number of sheets is small, so that the end of the paper due to the curl or deflection of the end of the paper is set. The curl is limited, and the stackability of the sheets is improved, and as a result, the alignment of the ends of the sheet bundle can be improved.

  In the second embodiment, even when the first embodiment does not convey a bundle of sheets, the stacked sheets are appropriately pressed and released between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b as conveying means. While the end of the bundle is sandwiched to correct and align the swelling and curl of the sheet, the sheet bundle is abutted against the first sheet bundle regulating member in parallel with the operation of holding the sheet bundle, This makes it possible to align the leading edge of the sheet bundle in a state in which the curl of the sheet edge and the rounding of the edge due to the bending are suppressed. The first embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the operation of abutting the sheet bundle against the first sheet bundle regulating member in parallel with the operation of holding the sheet bundle, and the other components and each control are the same. Therefore, only different points will be described.

  In the second embodiment, in the sheet bundle transport mechanism shown in FIG. 11, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b perform the pressing and releasing operations not only when the sheet bundle is transported, but also when the staple tray 10 is transported. By executing the processing as needed even when stacking the sheets, the swelling due to the curl or bending of the lower end of the sheets is suppressed, and the alignment accuracy of the lower end of the sheet bundle at the time of stacking is improved. Then, when performing pressure contact with the sheet bundle, the bundle conveying rollers 13 a and 13 b are driven such that the sheet end (the rear end in the conveying direction along the lower conveying path D) abuts against the rear end fence 27. As a result, it is possible to prevent the alignment of the rear end of the paper from being deteriorated due to the rising of the paper, and to further improve the alignment of the paper.

  This operation is performed every time each sheet is stacked or every several sheets, and the stacking property is controlled to be in a good state. When many sheets are stacked, the interval between the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b is set. By keeping the stack narrow at the beginning of the stack and gradually increasing the interval as the number of stacks increases, the alignment accuracy can be improved while preventing the lower end of the paper from being rounded or bulging.

  The operation procedure at this time is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 25, in step S603 in the flowchart of FIG. 23, the transport operation is turned on when performing the pressing operation of the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b (step S603 ′), and the pressing operation is released in step S605. In this case, the transport operation is turned off, and the pressing operation to the rear end fence 23 is performed in parallel with the pressing / releasing operation (step S605 ′). The other operation procedures are the same as the operation procedures of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and the configuration itself is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to performing the pressing operation and the releasing of the pressing between the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b as the conveying means to perform the conveying operation of the sheet bundle and the case where the conveying of the sheet bundle is not performed. Also, by pressing (releasing) the pressing and releasing with the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b at any time (appropriately), the ends of the stacked sheet bundle can be sandwiched, and the swelling and curl of the sheets can be corrected and aligned. Become. In addition, since the interval of the gap between the stacks at the end of the paper is changed depending on the number of sheets to be stacked, the interval is set to be narrow especially in the initial stage of the stack where the number of sheets is small, so that the end of the paper due to the curl or deflection of the end of the paper is set. The curl is limited, and the stackability of the sheets is improved, and as a result, the alignment of the ends of the sheet bundle can be improved.

  The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments only in the pressure and pressure release mechanisms of the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b, and the other components (mechanisms) and control are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. Since the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment, only different points will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a main part showing a driving mechanism of a discharge belt and a bundle transport driving mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the mechanism will be described in detail following transmission of power from a drive source.

  The driving force of the stepping motor 106 moves the timing belt 82 by the pulley 80 of the motor to rotate the pulley 81. The pulley 81 is connected to one end of the discharge belt drive shaft 103, and rotates the discharge belt drive pulley 101 provided at the other end of the drive shaft 103. The pulley 101 moves the discharge belt 14, and the discharge belt 14 is formed of a wide timing belt, and has a capability of transmitting power reliably. The discharge claw 11 is attached to the discharge belt 14 and has a function of discharging the stacked sheets. The discharge belt 14 is hung on a discharge belt idler pulley 102 and a link rotation shaft 83 described later, and the idler pulley 102 is directly connected to the bundle conveyance shaft 90. Two bundle transport rollers 13a are attached to the bundle transport shaft 90 with the idler pulley 102 interposed therebetween, and rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the idler pulley 102.

  The bundle transport shaft 90 transmits power of the same rotational speed to the opposed bundle transport shaft 91 by reverse rotation by gear trains 84 to 87 provided at the shaft end. The gear trains 84 to 87 are rotatably held by rotation holding arms 88 and 89, and follow a change between axes by a bundle transport roller contacting / separating pressing mechanism (not shown) to rotate the bundle transport shaft 90. , 91 is maintained. The bundle transport shaft 91 is provided with two bundle transport rollers 13b at a position opposed to the bundle transport roller 13a, whereby the discharging claw and the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b are mutually moved in the sheet transport direction. Generates driving force in the same direction. The bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b are formed to be larger than the pitch circle diameter of the pulley 102. Therefore, the transport speed of the sheet is higher than that of the ejection claw 11 by the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b. It is possible to set as follows. As a result, when the sheet is ejected by the ejection claw 11, the sheet is conveyed sandwiched between the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b, and is driven by the ejection claw 11 after the end of the sheet is removed from the conveyance nip by the rollers 13a and 13b. Handing operation can be done smoothly. Even when the sheet edge is placed on the ejection claw 11 and conveyed while being sandwiched between the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b, the ejection speed of the rollers 13a and 13b is faster. This is because things do not occur. The standby position of the ejection claw 11 is managed by detecting the position of the claw by the sensor 307. In the figure, the sheet discharging operation is performed by CW of the stepping motor 106, and the sheet bundle is conveyed by CCW.

  27 and 28 are diagrams showing the details of the main part of the pressurizing / pressure releasing mechanism of the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b according to the present embodiment. FIG. 27 shows a pressurized state, and FIG. 28 shows a state in which the pressure is released. Are respectively shown. In each case, the sheet bundle 100 is stacked on the staple tray 10, and the rear end of the sheet bundle 100 is aligned by the rear end fence 27.

  The pressurizing / releasing mechanism of the bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b includes first to third arms 93a, 93b, 92a, first and second rotatable shafts 92, 93 rotatably supported, This is a four-node link mechanism including a rotation support shaft 93d for rotatably connecting the first and second arms 93a and 93b, and a connection shaft 92b for connecting the arms 92a and 93b. A first guide groove 92c through which the bundle transport shaft 91 of the movable bundle transport roller 13b is inserted is provided on the swing end side of the third arm 92a along the axial direction of the arm 92a. The connection shaft 92b is provided upright from the third arm 92a. A second guide groove 93c that slidably connects the connection shaft 92b and the second arm 92 is provided at an end of the second arm 92 (an end opposite to the side on which the rotation shaft 93d is installed). A connecting portion 93e is provided, and the connecting shaft 92b is movable along the longitudinal direction of the second guide groove 93c.

  A third guide groove 94 is formed in the front plate 95 and the rear plate of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment in a direction perpendicular to the staple tray 10 or the sheet bundle 100. In this third guide groove 94, a bearing 94a for supporting the bundle transport shaft 91 is slidably mounted. The bearing 94a is constantly elastically urged toward the bundle conveying roller 13a by a spring 94b. The second rotating shaft 93 is driven to rotate by a driving source (not shown) (for example, a stepping motor). When the sheet bundle is pressurized by this, the bundle transport roller 13b moves toward the bundle transport roller 13a by the elastic force of the spring 94b, and the link mechanism rotates clockwise in FIG. The spring 94b is pressurized by the elastic force. Note that the first to third guide grooves 92c, 93c, and 94 move the moving range of the shaft member inserted in the guide grooves 92c, 93c, and 94 in the longitudinal direction of the guide grooves 92c, 93c, and 94. Regulated by head.

  On the other hand, when the pressurization is released, the second rotary shaft 93 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 28 by the drive source. As a result, the first arm 93a pulls the second arm 93b rightward in the drawing, and the second arm 93b pulls the third arm 92a by the second guide groove 93c with respect to the first rotating shaft 92 in the counterclockwise direction. Rotate in the direction. Thereby, the third arm 92a moves the bundle conveying shaft 91 rightward in FIG. 28 along the third guide groove 94 against the elastic force of the spring 94a. At this time, since the movement trajectory of the bundle transport shaft 91 and thus the bundle transport roller 13b is regulated by the third guide groove 94, the bundle transport roller 13b moves in a direction perpendicular to the staple tray 10 or the sheet bundle 100. . Here, it is described that the third arm 92a also rotates clockwise in FIG. 27 by the elastic force of the spring 94b, but the second rotation shaft 93 is rotated clockwise in the drawing to The third arm 92a may be driven together with the elastic force of the third arm 92a.

  In addition, each unit not particularly described is configured and functions equivalently to those of the above-described first and second embodiments.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bundle conveying roller pair 13a, 13b can be pressed at right angles to the sheet bundle 100 and depressurized. Can be minimized. This makes it possible to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of producing a higher quality booklet.

  Further, since the sheet bundle 100 is sandwiched between the pair of bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b having a constant pressing force by the spring 94a and the link mechanism is used for releasing the pressing force, the pressing force is strong according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. This eliminates the need for adjusting the pressing force by electrical or mechanical control.

  FIGS. 29 and 30 are diagrams showing the details of the main part of the pressurizing / pressure releasing mechanism of the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 29 shows a pressurized state, and FIG. The respective states are shown. In any case, the sheet bundle 100 is stacked on the staple tray 10 as in the third embodiment, and the rear end of the sheet bundle 100 is aligned by the rear end fence 27.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the link mechanism uses the connecting shaft 92b to connect the second arm 93b and the third arm 92a to indirectly drive the bundle conveying shaft 91. In the embodiment, the bundle transport shaft 91 is used as a connection shaft, and the second arm 93b drives the bundle transport shaft 91 directly. This fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment only in the mechanism related to the second arm 93b of the link mechanism, and the other components (mechanisms) and control are the same as those in the third embodiment. Only the points will be described.

  The bundle transport shaft 91 is rotatably supported at the end of the second arm 93b (the end opposite to the side on which the rotating shaft 93d is installed), and further supports the bundle transport shaft 91 on the slide embodiment seat. The bearing 94a is elastically urged in the direction of the bundle transport roller 13a by a spring 94b attached to a spring holder 93f of the second arm 93b. Thus, the bundle transport shaft 91 can be directly driven by the second arm 93b.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the second rotating shaft 93 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 29 by a driving source (not shown) at the time of pressurization, the first arm 93a is rotated clockwise in FIG. 93b rotates clockwise with respect to the first rotation shaft 92, and at the same time, the elastic force of the spring 94b is released to move the bundle drive shaft 91 in the direction of the bundle transport roller 13a along the third guide groove 93c. , Generate pressure. When the pressing force is released, when the second rotating shaft 93 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 30, the first arm 93a also rotates counterclockwise, The second arm 93b is pulled rightward in the figure by the first arm 93a, and moves the bundle transport shaft 91 leftward in the figure along the third guide groove 93c against the elastic force of the spring 94b. Thereby, the bundle transport roller 13b is separated from the bundle transport roller 13a, and the pressing force is released.

  In addition, each unit not particularly described is configured and functions equivalently to those of the above-described first and second embodiments.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressing force can be arbitrarily changed regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle by pushing the second arm 93b including the spring 94b by the link mechanism. Can be easily performed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to a first 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. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanism around a staple tray. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a position of a staple unit before a binding operation is performed. 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. 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. 9 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. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of pressure control of a bundle conveyance roller in the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of position control of a bundle conveyance roller in the first and second embodiments. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of pressure control of a bundle conveyance roller according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part showing a driving mechanism of a discharge belt and a bundle conveyance driving mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating details of a main part of a pressurizing / pressure releasing mechanism in a state where a bundle conveying roller is pressurized according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating details of a main part of a pressure / pressure release mechanism in a state where pressure of a bundle transport roller is released according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating details of a main part of a pressurizing / pressure releasing mechanism in a state where a bundle conveying roller is pressurized according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating details of a main part of a pressure / pressure release mechanism in a state where pressure of a bundle conveyance roller is released according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Recording paper post-processing apparatus 5 Staple unit 5a Stitcher 5b Clincher 6 Stipler movement guide 10 Staple tray 11 Discharge claw 12 Jogger fence 13a, 13b Bundle transport roller 14 Discharge belt 15 Discharge roller 19 Fold plate 20 Middle folding Roller pair 20a Center folding roller 20b Center folding roller 21 Stopper 22 Center folding discharge roller 23 Center folding discharge tray 26a Bundle transport roller 26b Bundle transport roller 27 Rear end fence 35 Transport rollers 90, 91 Bundle transport shafts 92, 93 Rotating shaft 92a, 93a, 93b Arm 92b Connecting shaft 92c, 93c, 94 Guide groove 93d Rotating support shaft 93e Connecting portion 93f Spring holder 94a Bearing 94b Spring 100 Sheet bundle 350 Control device 360 CPU

Claims (21)

In a sheet processing apparatus having processing means for performing a predetermined process including a binding process on a sheet after image formation,
Stacking means for stacking paper;
The end of the sheet bundle stacked in the stacking means on the downstream side in the conveying direction is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member so that the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle is perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Aligning means for adjusting the directions orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle by contacting the sheet bundle;
Conveying means comprising a pair of rollers for conveying the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning means to the second sheet bundle regulating member;
Conveying force applying / releasing means for applying a conveying force to a sheet bundle held between the rollers by pressing a pair of rollers of the conveying means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the conveying force applying / releasing means,
With
The control means applies a conveying force to the conveying force applying / releasing means during conveyance of the sheet bundle, and pinches the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means at a predetermined timing when the sheet bundle is not conveyed. A sheet processing apparatus for holding a bundle. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on a stacking unit. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined number is one or more. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sheets are stacked on the stacking unit, the control unit increases the interval between the rollers into which the sheet bundle enters as the number of stacked sheets increases. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit abuts the sheet bundle against the first sheet bundle regulating member in parallel with an operation of holding the sheet bundle. 5. apparatus. The conveying force applying / releasing means is an elastic urging member that always elastically urges one roller side of the roller pair to bring the roller pair close to each other,
6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electric drive mechanism for separating the roller pair against the elastic force of the elastic urging member. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electric drive mechanism includes a motor. 7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said one roller is swingably supported by a shaft of a roller for discharging a sheet to said stacking means. 9. The sheet bundle regulating member according to claim 1, wherein the sheet bundle regulating member is swingably supported by one roller shaft of a pair of rollers of a first conveying unit that conveys the sheet bundle. A paper processing apparatus according to the item. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle at a position aligned by the alignment unit. 11. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a folding unit that folds the sheet bundle bound by the binding unit at the predetermined position. A guide unit that guides one roller of the conveying unit in a direction perpendicular to the stacking unit, and
A link mechanism that moves the one roller toward and away from the stacking means along the guide portion;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 13. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an elastic urging means for constantly urging the one roller toward the stack means. 14. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the elastic urging unit elastically urges the drive shaft of the one roller. The link mechanism moves the drive shaft of the one roller along the guide portion against the urging force of the elastic urging means when releasing the conveying force, and moves the one roller from the stacking means. The paper processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the paper processing apparatuses are separated from each other. A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An image forming apparatus provided integrally with or separately from the sheet processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: In a sheet processing method for performing a predetermined process including a binding process on a sheet after image formation,
Stack paper on stacking means,
Then, the end of the stacked sheet bundle on the downstream side in the conveying direction is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member to adjust the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle from the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the sheet bundle. Contact each other in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction of the paper bundle,
When the aligned sheet bundle is conveyed to the second sheet bundle regulating member side, a conveying roller pair that conveys the sheet bundle is pressed to apply a conveying force to the sheet bundle, and a predetermined force is applied when the sheet bundle is not conveyed. A sheet processing method comprising: holding a sheet bundle by holding an end of the sheet bundle at a timing. 18. The sheet processing method according to claim 17, wherein when holding the sheet bundle during the non-conveyance, the sheet bundle is abutted against the first sheet bundle describing member. A first procedure for stacking sheets on stacking means,
The downstream end of the stacked sheet bundle in the transport direction is brought into contact with the first sheet bundle regulating member so that the sheet transport direction of the sheet bundle is abutted from the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet bundle. A second procedure for aligning a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle,
When the aligned sheet bundle is conveyed to the second sheet bundle regulating member side, a conveying roller pair for conveying the sheet bundle is pressed to apply a conveying force to the sheet bundle, and at a predetermined timing during non-conveyance. A third procedure for holding the sheet bundle by nipping the ends of the sheet bundle;
A computer program which is downloaded to a sheet processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus and causes the sheet processing to be performed in the above procedure. The third step includes a step of abutting the sheet bundle against the first sheet bundle regulating member when holding the sheet bundle by appropriately nipping the end of the sheet bundle during non-conveyance. Item 19. A computer program according to Item 19. A recording medium, wherein the computer program according to claim 19 or 20 is read by a computer and recorded so as to be executable.

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