JP2005060081A - Document feeder and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document feeder capable of reducing operation burden of an operator stapling delivered documents, and an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: This document feeder sequentially feeds a plurality of documents loaded on a document loading part 62 along a feeding passage and delivers them into a document delivery part 65 after they pass through a document reading position. This device is provided with a stapler 658 arranged at a predetermined position for the document delivery part 65. The document delivery part 65 is provided with a receiving means 651 for receiving the documents delivered from the feeding passage as a bundle of documents by stacking them and a moving means 652 for moving while moving the bundle of documents toward a predetermined side on the receiving means 651 to set a predetermined section of the stacked bundles of documents to a staple position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a document conveying device and an image forming apparatus that read a plurality of documents at a document reading position.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine provided with a stapler for stapling recording paper on which an image is formed is known. This type of image forming apparatus includes a document conveying device including a document placing unit for placing a document bundle, a document reading unit including a scanner for reading documents sequentially conveyed by the document conveying device, and the like. A document discharge unit for discharging the read document, an image forming unit for recording the document image read by the document reading unit on the recording paper, and the recording paper on which the document image is recorded are transported and temporarily stocked. A finisher having a stapler at a predetermined portion, and a recording paper discharge tray on which the stapled recording paper is discharged downstream of the finisher. In this image forming apparatus, the recording paper on which the original image read by the original reading unit is recorded is sequentially conveyed to a predetermined portion inside the finisher and stocked, and a plurality of stocked recording papers are arranged at the predetermined portion. After being stapled automatically by the stapler, it is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray. On the other hand, the document whose document image has been read by the document reading unit is sequentially discharged to the document discharge unit, but since the stapler is built in the finisher, the discharged document bundle cannot be stapled. Separately, a stapler is prepared outside the apparatus (for example, attached to the outside of the apparatus as an option), and the discharged documents are aligned by the operator, set on the stapler, and stapled.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, when the discharged document bundle is stapled, the operator is required to perform the operation of aligning the document bundle and setting it on the stapler.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a document conveying device and an image forming apparatus that can further reduce an operation burden on an operator who staples a discharged document.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document conveying apparatus that sequentially unloads a plurality of documents placed on a document placing unit along a conveyance path, and after passing through a document reading position, carries the document to a document discharge unit. A stapler disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the document discharge unit, the document discharge unit receiving a stack of documents discharged from the conveyance path as a bundle of documents, and a predetermined side on the reception unit And moving means for moving the original bundle while moving the original bundle toward the staple position.

  According to the above configuration, the document ejected from the conveyance path is stacked and received as a document bundle by the receiving unit, and the document bundle is moved toward the predetermined side on the receiving unit by the moving unit. Is set at the stapling position. As a result, the conveyed document bundle is set without the operator manually setting it at the stapling position, thereby reducing the operation burden on the operator.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the document conveying device according to the first aspect, the receiving unit includes a pair of width aligning members which are erected in the width direction as the moving unit, and the width The aligning member moves toward the predetermined side on the receiving means while holding the document bundle, and sets a predetermined portion of the document bundle at a stapling position. According to this configuration, the document bundles are aligned and stacked in the width direction by the width aligning member, and the width aligning member moves toward the predetermined side on the receiving unit while sandwiching the document bundle, so Since the position is set at the stapling position, it is possible for the operator to align the width of the document bundle and set the document bundle at the stapling position without manual alignment.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document conveying device according to the first or second aspect, the stapler is disposed on the downstream side in the document carry-out direction with respect to the receiving means, and the moving means is the receiving means. And an extruding member that aligns the original bundle in the original conveying direction while abutting the rear end of the original original bundle on the receiving means and pushing out to the staple position. According to this configuration, the document bundle is aligned from the trailing edge by aligning the document bundle in the document conveyance direction while the pushing member abuts the trailing edge of the document bundle placed on the receiving unit and pushes it to the stapling position. It is possible to move to the staple position while being aligned.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the document conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the receiving unit is detachably attached to the document discharge portion. In other words, since the receiving means is detachably attached, the receiving means provided with the moving means is attached when the automatic setting of the original is necessary according to the needs of the operator, and when it is unnecessary It is possible to remove and attach receiving means not provided with moving means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the document conveying device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the stapler is detachably attached to a document discharge portion. In other words, the stapler is detachably attached, so that the stapler can be attached when the discharged document bundle needs to be stapled according to the needs of the operator, and can be removed when unnecessary. Become.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the document conveying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an operation receiving unit that receives an operation for instructing an operator's stapling, and a bundle of documents discharged to the receiving unit The automatic mode in which stapling processing is performed by moving the document to the staple position, and the bundle of documents discharged to the receiving means are moved to the staple position or the staple position is first provided that the operation accepting means accepts the operation. And a mode selection means for selecting a mode between the semi-automatic modes for performing stapling processing.

  According to the above configuration, when the automatic mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the bundle of documents discharged to the receiving unit is automatically moved to the stapling position and the stapling process is performed. It is possible to perform the stapling process without setting a document by work. On the other hand, when the semi-automatic mode is selected by the mode selection means, the operator can perform the stapling process by instructing the stapling operation, so the user forgot to staple. It is possible to staple other sheet bundles that are not conveyed on the conveyance path, such as document bundles and recording sheet bundles.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the document conveying device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a mode selection unit capable of selecting a staple prohibiting mode for operating the moving unit and prohibiting the operation of the stapler. And According to this configuration, by selecting the staple prohibiting mode, it is possible to move the document bundle without performing the stapling process, and it becomes easy for the operator to perceive discharge of the document bundle. It becomes possible to prevent forgetting to remove.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the original conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a conveyance control means for carrying out the original on the original placing portion, and an original bundle on the receiving means Original detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document, and the conveyance control means prohibits a carry-out operation when the original detection means detects the presence of an original. According to this configuration, since the carry-out operation is prohibited when the document detection unit detects the presence of a document, the document bundle on the receiving unit and another document to be conveyed next are mixed, or the documents collide with each other. It is possible to prevent the original from being damaged.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which a document is conveyed by the document conveying device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and a document image read at the document reading position is transferred to a recording sheet. . According to this configuration, it is possible to automatically set the document bundle conveyed for image formation at the stapling position without the operator manually setting it.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the unloaded document bundle is set without the operator manually setting the staple position, the operation burden on the operator for stapling the document bundle is reduced. It is possible to provide a document conveying device that can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the width aligning member moves toward the predetermined side on the receiving means with the document bundle sandwiched therebetween, and the predetermined position of the document bundle is set at the staple position. The operator can align the width of the document bundle and set the document bundle at the stapling position without manual alignment, and the operation burden on the operator for stapling can be further reduced.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, for the stapling, the push-out member pushes out the original bundle placed on the receiving means from the rear end to the staple position, and aligns the original bundle in the original conveying direction. The operation burden on the operator can be further reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the receiving means is detachably attached, so that the moving means is arranged when the automatic setting of the original is required according to the needs of the operator. The receiving means can be attached, removed if not necessary, and the receiving means not provided with the moving means can be attached. As a result, it is possible to provide an original conveying apparatus that meets market needs while reducing the manufacturing cost.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the stapler is detachably attached, the stapler is attached when the staple of the discharged document bundle is required according to the needs of the operator. When necessary, it can be removed, and an original conveying apparatus that meets the needs of the market can be provided while reducing the manufacturing cost.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the automatic mode is selected by the mode selecting unit, the document bundle discharged to the receiving unit is automatically moved to the stapling position, and the stapling process is performed. Therefore, the stapling process can be performed without the operator manually setting the document. On the other hand, when the semi-automatic mode is selected by the mode selection means, the operator can perform the stapling process by instructing the stapling operation, so the user forgot to staple. It is possible to staple other sheet bundles that are not conveyed on the conveyance path, such as document bundles and recording sheet bundles. As a result, it is possible to provide an original conveying apparatus capable of stapling an original bundle by various methods by selecting a mode.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to move the document bundle without performing the stapling process by selecting the staple prohibiting mode, and it becomes easy for the operator to perceive discharge of the document bundle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a document transport device that can effectively prevent forgetting to remove a discharged document bundle.

  According to the present invention, since the carry-out operation is prohibited when the original detection unit detects the presence of the original, the bundle of originals on the receiving unit and another original to be carried out next are mixed. In addition, it is possible to provide a document transport device capable of preventing the documents from colliding with each other and damaging the documents.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically set the document bundle conveyed for image formation at the stapling position without the operator manually setting the document bundle. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the operation burden on the operator for stapling.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention when the image reading apparatus of the present invention is used in a copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a main unit 20, a sheet post-processing unit 30 disposed on the left side of the main unit 20, an operation unit 40 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, and an upper part of the main unit 20. The document reading unit 50 is disposed, and a document feeding unit (document transporting device) 60 is provided above the document reading unit 50.

  The operation unit 40 includes a touch panel 41, a start key 42, a numeric keypad 43, a reset key 44, a mode selection key 45, and the like. The touch panel 41 displays various operation screens and various operation buttons for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 42 is used for the user to input a copy execution command for instructing a copy operation, and the numeric keypad 43 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed. The reset key 44 is used to cancel various operation commands of the user. The mode selection key 45 is used to set various modes for stapling processing on the document bundle P from which the document image is read by the document reading unit 50.

  The document feeding unit 60 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), which feeds the set document bundle P one by one in order, conveys the fed document to the document reading unit 50, and reads the document image by the document reading unit 50. A document feeding operation (unloading operation) for discharging the received document is performed.

  The document reading unit 50 includes a first contact glass 51, a second contact glass 52, a first mirror unit 53, a second mirror unit 54, an imaging lens 55, and a CCD unit 56. The first contact glass 51 is for opening the document feeder 60 and placing a document manually. The second contact glass 52 is for reading a document conveyed by the document feeding unit 60. In this case, the document feeding unit 60 is used as a document presser. The first mirror unit 53 is integrally provided with a first lamp 531 that is a light source for irradiating an original and a first mirror 532 that reflects an optical path of an optical image of the original that is reflected from the original, and includes a first contact glass. It is comprised so that a movement between 51 is possible.

  The second mirror unit 54 includes a second mirror 541 that reflects light from the first mirror 532 and a third mirror 542 that are integrated. The imaging lens 55 forms an original light image from the second mirror unit 54 on the light receiving surface of the CCD unit 56. The CCD unit 56 includes an image sensor (CCD) as a line sensor that photoelectrically converts the light image that has passed through the imaging lens 55 to obtain image data.

  The main body 20 includes a transport unit 24 that guides the paper fed from any of the set paper cassettes 21 to 23 to the discharge port 27, and an image forming unit 25 and a fixing unit 26 are provided in the middle of the transport unit 24. Prepare. The image forming unit 25 includes a photosensitive drum 251 and a charging device 252, an exposure device 253, a developing device 254, and a transfer roller 255 disposed around the photosensitive drum 251.

  The photosensitive drum 251 is uniformly charged by the charging device 252 while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 253 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 50 into a laser beam and outputs it, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 251 for each color. The developing device 254 supplies each color developer to the photosensitive drum 251 to form a toner image for each color.

  On the other hand, paper feed rollers 21a to 23a are provided in the device sections of the paper feed cassettes 21 to 23, and the paper feed rollers 21a to 23a feed recording sheets from the corresponding paper feed cassettes 21 to 23, Feed to the transfer roller 255. The transfer roller 255 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 251 to the conveyed recording paper, and the fixing unit 26 heats and transfers the transferred toner image to the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is carried into the recording paper discharge tray 210 or the paper post-processing unit 30 from the discharge port 27 of the main body unit 20 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 30 includes a carry-in port 31, a recording paper transport unit 32, a carry-out port 33, a stack tray 34, and the like. The recording paper transport unit 32 sequentially transports the recording paper carried into the carry-in port 31 from the discharge port 27 and finally discharges the recording paper from the carry-out port 33 to the stack tray 34. The stack tray 34 is configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the arrow according to the number of recording sheets stacked from the carry-out port 33.

  The main body unit 20 includes a main body control unit 102 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The main body control unit 102 includes the main body unit 20, a paper post-processing unit 30, an operation unit 40, a document reading unit 50, and a document feeding unit. The electric signal from each part of the part 60 is received, and the operation of each part is controlled based on the electric signal.

  2 is a schematic side view of the document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of FIG. 3 excluding the document placing unit. 2 is a plan view of the document feeding unit shown in FIG. The document feeding unit 60 is arranged in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 61, an upper part of the main body 61, a document placing unit 62 for placing the document bundle P, and the presence / absence of a document on the document placing unit 62. The document placement sensor 63 to be detected, the document transport unit 64 for transporting the fed document to the second contact glass 52, and the document transported by the document transport unit 64 are arranged in a stacked state. A document discharge unit 65 to be discharged is included. The main body 61 is connected to the main body 20 by a hinge 610 on one side wall in FIG.

  The document placing unit 62 is configured to be inclined downward toward the document conveying unit 64, and a paper feed tray 621 for placing the placed document bundle P on the document conveying unit 64 side, and a document on the paper feed tray 621. It consists of a pair of document regulating members 622 and 623 attached to the conveyance unit 64 side substantially in parallel with the document carry-out direction. The document bundle P is placed on the sheet feed tray 621 with the front side facing up and the vertical and horizontal orientations defined by the mode, for example, with the upper side facing away (see FIG. 3: the letter “K” is displayed). In the case of the original document image, it is arranged as shown in FIG. The document restricting members 622 and 623 sandwich the document bundle P placed on the paper feed tray 621 (width alignment). Although not shown in the figure, a rack is provided in communication with the paper feed tray 621 and a universal structure is formed by a pinion at an intermediate position between the two, so that the width can be adjusted in accordance with the document width. The document placement sensor 63 is arranged through an unillustrated opening of the paper feed tray 621, and can detect the presence of a document by pressing a detection piece exposed on the upper surface of the paper feed tray 621 by the placed document. It is to detect. The document placement sensor 63 may be an optical sensor such as a photo sensor that detects the presence or absence of a document by the presence or absence of reflected light from the document surface through the opening.

  The document transport unit 64 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 641, a document feeding roller 642 that is housed in the housing 641 and that sequentially feeds the document bundle P set on the document placing unit 62 one by one, and document feeding. A document transport path 643 for transporting a document fed by the feed roller 642 and a plurality of document transport roller pairs 644 arranged along the document transport path 643 are provided. The document feeding roller 642 is arranged on the upper surface side of the document bundle P placed on the paper feed tray 621, and is rotated from the upper side of the document bundle P by being rotated by a driving unit (not shown). Are sequentially fed out to the document conveyance path 643. A second contact glass 52 is disposed at a predetermined position in the document transport path 643 so that the sequentially transported documents can be read. The document conveying roller pair 644 is rotated by the document conveying driving unit 107 (see FIG. 5), and the document fed by the document feeding roller 642 is directed to the second contact glass (document reading position) 52 and further to the document discharging unit 65. Transported.

  The document discharge section 65 is disposed downstream of the document transport section 64 in the document transport direction. The document discharge section 65 includes a discharge document moving section (receiving means) 651 that is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the main body section 61 with a mounting tool such as a screw 611. The discharged document moving unit 651 receives the document discharged from the document conveyance path 643 in a posture in which the back surface is the upper side and the upper side is the back side. Restricting members (moving means) 652 (6521, 6522) and 653 for restricting the position of the original are attached to the upper surface of the discharged original moving portion 651.

  The restricting members (width alignment members) 6521 and 6522 are arranged to be opposed to each other in the width direction parallel to the document discharge direction and orthogonal to the document discharge direction. Engaging portions (for example, protrusions) of guide members 654a and 654b formed on the bottom portions of the restriction members 6521 and 6522 so as to extend on the discharged document moving portion 651 in a direction orthogonal to the document discharge direction, respectively. An engagement portion (for example, a recess) (not shown) is formed, and is driven to slide by the width movement drive unit 1081 (see FIG. 5) in a state in which both engagement portions are engaged. The distance between the restricting members 6521 and 6522 is adjusted according to the size of the document to be processed. The restricting member 653 (extrusion member) is a long member that is erected in the same manner as the restricting members 6521 and 6522, and is located upstream of the document carry-out direction (hereinafter referred to as the rear and the opposite side as the front). The position is regulated by abutting against the rear end of the document that is provided and discharged. On the bottom of the restricting member 653, an unillustrated engagement portion (for example, a recess) that engages with an engagement portion (for example, a protrusion) of the guide member 655 formed along the document discharge direction is formed. Driven by the longitudinal movement drive unit 1091 (see FIG. 5) in a state in which both the engagement portions are engaged, the slide moves forward while contacting the rear end of the document bundle P, and the document bundle P is moved to the downstream processing position. It can be extruded.

  A restricting member stopper 656 is fixed to an end in the back direction on the discharged document moving portion 651 (at a boundary position with the main body portion 61). The restriction member stopper 656 is formed with a notch 656a having substantially the same dimension as the long dimension of the restriction member 6522, and the restriction member 6522 that has been slid is fitted into the notch 656a so that the notch 656a is larger than the notch 656a. The movement is regulated. Further, a discharged document conveyance stopper 657 is attached to one end on the front side on the discharged document moving portion 651. The discharged document transport stopper 657 is for abutting the discharged document that has been moved in accordance with the sliding movement of the regulating member 653 and for restricting further movement.

  A stapler unit 658 is detachably attached to the document discharge unit 65 by a screw 658a or the like at a predetermined position at the front end in the back direction (downstream of the discharged document moving unit 651 in the document discharge direction). The stapler unit 658 is provided with a stapler, and staples the original bundle P arranged below the stapler (hereinafter referred to as “stapling process”). The restricting members 6521 and 6522 are on the restricting member stopper 656 side. Is moved by a predetermined distance (a distance until the regulating member 6522 is regulated by the regulating member stopper 656) and the regulating member 653 is moved by a predetermined distance (until the document bundle P is regulated by the discharged document conveying stopper 657). The predetermined position of the stacked document bundle P (for example, the upper left end of the document bundle P) is stapled at the bottom of the stapler unit 658 by sliding forward (hereinafter referred to as “document movement operation”). It is moved to the position. The stapler unit 658 is set while being aligned by the document moving operation of the restricting members 6521, 6522, and 653, and does not give the operator the troublesome operation of manually aligning and arranging the document bundle P. The stapler can be stapled at a suitable position to be stapled.

  A discharged document sensor 659 is disposed in the vicinity of the stapler unit 658 on the discharged document moving unit 651. The discharged document sensor 659 is arranged on the movement trajectory of the document bundle P discharged to the stapler unit 658, and detects the presence or absence of the document bundle P in the upper part thereof. The stapler unit 658 performs a stapling process after the period.

  A staple operation unit 660 is disposed in the discharged document moving unit 651. The staple operation unit 660, a staple key 661 that receives an operation (staple processing command) for instructing a staple process when pressed, and a lamp or the like, for example. And a stapling display section 662 indicating that stapling is instructed by pressing the stapling key 661 by, for example, lighting a lamp when stapling is instructed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. Here, an electrical configuration for processing a document feeding operation, a document moving operation, and a stapling process is mainly shown. The copying machine 1 includes a document placement sensor 101, a main body control unit 102, an operation unit 103, a stapling operation unit 104, a discharged document sensor 105, a paper feed control unit 106, a document conveyance drive unit 107, a width movement drive control unit 108, a longitudinal length. A movement drive control unit 109, a staple control unit 110, and a staple processing unit 111 are provided. The document placement sensor 101 is realized by the document placement sensor 63 and the like, detects the placement of the document bundle P on the paper feed tray 621, and outputs a detection signal to the paper feed control unit 106. As described above, the main body control unit 102 controls the operation of each unit of the copying machine 1 such as the document feeding unit 60 and, for example, based on an operation signal from the operation unit 103, the document feeding unit 60 feeds the document. It controls the operation.

  The operation unit 103 is realized by the operation unit 40 or the like, and includes a copy start key 1031 and a mode selection unit 1032. The operation unit 103 outputs an operation signal based on the received operator's operation to the main body control unit 102 and the paper feed control unit 106. To do. The copy start key 1031 is realized by the start key 42 and the like, and outputs an operation signal for causing the document feeding unit 60 to perform a document feeding operation to the main body control unit 102 on condition that a copy execution command from the operator is received. To do.

  The mode selection unit 1032 is realized by the mode selection key 45 or the like, receives an operation of selecting an operator's mode, and supplies an operation signal indicating the received mode selection (hereinafter referred to as “primary mode selection operation signal”). The data is output to the paper control unit 106. Specifically, an automatic stapling process mode for performing the stapling process by moving the document bundle P discharged to the discharged document moving unit 651 to the stapling position is linked with the document feeding operation, and not linked with the document feeding operation. The document bundle P is moved to the stapling position by the discharged document moving section 651, or the manual stapling mode selection for performing the stapling process by the operator first manually moving to the stapling position is accepted. It has become.

  The staple operation unit 104 is realized by a staple operation unit 660 and the like, and includes a staple key 1041 and a staple display unit 1042. The staple key 1041 is realized by the staple key 661 and receives an operator stapling process command and outputs an operation signal to the paper feed control unit 106. The stapling display unit 1042 is realized by the stapling display unit 662 and the like, and is used to display that the execution of stapling processing is set. The discharged document sensor (document detection means) 105 is realized by a discharged document sensor 659 or the like, detects the presence or absence of the document bundle P on the document discharge unit 65, and outputs a detection signal to the paper feed control unit.

  The paper feed control unit 106 is for controlling the operation of each unit of the document feeding unit 60, and includes a conveyance control unit 1061, a mode processing unit 1062, and a movement control unit 1063. A conveyance control unit (unloading control unit) 1061 receives a detection signal indicating the presence of a document bundle P from the document placement sensor 101, and receives a control signal for performing a document feeding operation from the main body control unit 102. When this happens, the document conveyance driving unit 107 controls the document feeding unit 60 to perform the document feeding operation of the document placed on the sheet feeding tray 621. Further, the conveyance control unit 1061 prohibits the document feeding operation of the document conveyance unit 64 when the discharged document sensor 105 detects the presence of the document from the main body control unit 102, so that the document bundle P is present on the document discharge unit 65. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent another document from being carried out and mixed.

  The mode processing unit 1062 receives an operation signal from the mode selection unit 1032 and an operation signal based on a staple processing command from the staple key 1041, and sets a mode for the document feeding unit 60 based on these signals. Based on the mode setting, the staple control unit 110 controls the staple operation of the stapler unit 658 to control the operation of the movement control unit 1063. For example, when an operation signal for selecting the auto staple processing mode is received, the auto staple processing mode is set. When the auto staple processing mode is set and the operation signal based on the staple processing command is input at a predetermined timing (for example, from the time when the copy execution command is received to the end of the document moving operation), the auto staple mode is set. (Automatic mode) is set. In the auto staple mode, the document bundle P discharged to the discharged document moving unit 651 is moved to the staple position in conjunction with the document feeding operation, and the stapling process is performed. When the operation signal based on the stapling process command is not input by the predetermined timing during the document moving operation, the document moving operation is performed and the staple prohibiting mode in which the discharged document bundle P is not stapled is set.

  Further, when an operation signal for selecting the manual stapling processing mode is received, the manual stapling processing mode is set. When the manual stapling process mode is set and an operation signal based on the stapling process command is input, the manual stapling mode (semi-automatic mode) is set. In the manual stapling mode, the stapling process is performed by receiving an operation signal without being linked with the document feeding operation. Here, the manual stapling mode includes a semi-auto mode in which the document bundle P is moved to the stapling position by the discharged document moving unit 651, and a manual mode in which the operator manually moves the stapling position to the stapling position first. There is. Here, the manual mode is set when an operation signal based on a stapling process command is input in a state where the discharged document bundle P is manually set under the stapler unit 658, and the document bundle P is set. The semi-auto mode is set when an operation signal based on a stapling process command is input while being placed on the discharged document moving unit 651. Since manual stapling mode can be set, stapling can be performed even when stapling is forgotten in auto stapling mode.

  The movement control unit 1063 controls the operations of the width movement drive control unit 108 and the longitudinal movement drive control unit 109 based on the mode setting in the mode processing unit 1062. For example, when the auto stapling processing mode (that is, either the auto stapling mode or the stapling prohibition mode) is set and when the semi-auto mode is set, the width movement drive control unit 108 and the longitudinal movement driving control unit 109 is controlled to cause the regulating members 652 and 653 to move the document.

  The document transport driving unit 107 is realized by a motor (not shown) that rotates the document transport roller pair 644 by the document transport unit 64, and is controlled by the transport control unit 1061 to cause the document transport unit 64 to perform a document feeding operation. . The width movement drive control unit 108 is controlled by the movement control unit 1063 to control the driving of the width movement drive unit 1081 that moves the regulation member 652, thereby controlling the document movement operation of the regulation member 652. The longitudinal movement drive control unit 109 is controlled by the movement control unit 1063 to control the driving of the longitudinal movement drive unit 1091 that moves the regulation member 653, thereby controlling the document movement operation of the regulation member 653.

  The stapling control unit 110 controls the stapling process of the stapling processing unit 111 based on the mode setting of the mode processing unit 1062. For example, when the auto stapling process mode is set and the stapling prohibit mode is set, the stapling process is not executed, and when the auto stapling mode is set and the manual stapling mode is set. The staple processing unit 111 is controlled to perform the stapling process. The staple processing unit 111 is realized by the staple unit 658 and the like, and is controlled by the staple control unit 110 to staple the document bundle P set at the staple position.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the auto-staple processing mode. First, in step S <b> 1, the conveyance control unit 1061 determines whether or not the document stack P is detected by the document placement sensor 63, that is, whether or not the document stack P is placed on the document placement unit 62. If it is not determined that the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62 (NO in S1), step S1 is repeatedly executed, and the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62. If it is determined (YES in S1), step S3 is executed. In step S <b> 3, the conveyance control unit 1061 determines whether an original is detected by the discharged original sensor 659, that is, whether the original bundle P is set in the stapler unit 658. If it is determined that the document bundle P is set in the stapler unit 658 (YES in S3), the conveyance control unit 1061 prohibits acceptance of a copy execution command (S5), and the document bundle P is loaded in the stapler unit 658. If it is not determined that it is set (NO in S3), the conveyance control unit 1061 determines whether a copy execution command has been received (S7). If it is not determined that the copy execution command has been received (NO in S7), step S7 is repeatedly executed. If it is determined that the copy execution command has been received (YES in S7), the conveyance control is performed. The unit 1061 controls the document conveying unit 64 to perform a document feeding operation (S9), and the document is sequentially carried out to the document discharge unit 65.

  Then, the movement control unit 1063 determines whether the document placement sensor 63 has detected the document (S11). If it is determined that the document has been detected (YES in S11), step S9 is repeatedly executed, Is not detected, that is, when all the original bundles P placed on the original placement unit 62 are discharged to the original discharge unit 65 (NO in S11), the movement control unit 1063 controls the width. The movement drive control unit 108 and the longitudinal movement drive control unit 109 are controlled to cause the discharged document moving unit 651 to perform the document moving operation (S13). FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the document feeding unit 60 for explaining the document moving operation, and FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the discharged document moving unit 651 for explaining the document moving operation. As shown in FIG. 7A, the restricting member 653 is slid forward (that is, in the x direction) while pushing the document bundle P, and the document bundle P is discharged to the discharge document conveyance stopper 657 as shown in FIG. 7B. Is moved to a position (a predetermined position at which stapling is possible), so that the document bundle P is disposed at a position suitable for stapling in the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the restricting members 6521 and 6522 are slid to the restricting member stopper 656 side (that is, in the y direction) while sandwiching the document bundle P, and as shown in FIG. 8B. The document bundle P is arranged at a stapling position suitable for stapling in the depth direction by sliding until the regulating member 6522 fits into the notch 656a.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the staple control unit 110 determines whether or not the staple key 661 has been pressed by the predetermined timing during the document moving operation, that is, whether or not the auto staple mode is set by the mode processing unit 1062 (S15). ). If the auto-staple mode is not set (if the stapling prohibit mode is set) (NO in S15), the auto-staple process is completed, and if the auto-staple mode is set (YES in S15) ), The staple control unit 110 controls so that the stapler unit 658 performs the stapling process (S17), the moved document bundle P is stapled, and then the automatic stapling process ends.

  By executing step S5, when the document bundle P is set in the stapler unit 658, the acceptance of the copy execution command is prohibited and the document feeding operation is prohibited. It is possible to prevent the placed document bundle P from being carried out by the document conveying section 64 and mixed with the document bundle P set in the stapler unit 658. Further, when step S13 is executed and all the original bundles P placed on the original placement unit 62 are discharged to the original discharge unit 65, the original movement is performed even if the staple processing command is not accepted. Since the operation is performed, it is possible to effectively prevent the document bundle P from being hidden in the document placement unit 62 and the operator from forgetting to remove the document bundle P. In step S5, the acceptance of the copy execution command is prohibited, but it may be a process in which the document feeding operation is prohibited.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the manual stapling processing mode. In step S 21, the mode processing unit 1062 determines whether or not the document stack P is detected by the document placement sensor 63, that is, whether or not the document stack P is placed on the document placement unit 62. When it is determined that the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62 (YES in S21), the mode processing portion 1062 prohibits acceptance of the staple processing command (S23), and thereafter, step S21. Return to. Here, the prohibition of acceptance of the staple processing command is not canceled until it is determined in step S21 that the document bundle P is not placed on the document placement portion 62. If it is not determined that the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62 (NO in S21), step S25 is executed.

  In step S25, it is determined by the transport control unit 1061 whether a staple processing command has been received by the staple key 661. If it is not determined that the staple processing command has been received (NO in S25), the process returns to step S21, and the staple processing command is If it is determined that the document has been accepted (YES in S25), the document feeding operation is prohibited by the transport control unit 1061 (S27), and step S29 is executed. In step S 29, the mode processing unit 1062 determines whether or not a document is detected by the discharged document sensor 659, that is, whether or not the document bundle P is set in the stapler unit 658, and the document bundle P is set in the stapler unit 658. If it is not determined (YES in S29), step S31 is not executed (manual mode), but step S33 is executed, and if it is determined that the document bundle P is arranged in the stapler unit 658 (NO in S29). ), Step S31 is executed (semi-auto mode).

  The movement control unit 1063 controls the discharged document moving unit 651 to perform the document moving operation (S31). Then, the stapled unit 658 is stapled and the moved document bundle P is stapled (S33), and then the process returns to step S21. Here, the prohibition of the document feeding operation executed in step S27 is canceled after the stapling process is completed.

  When it is determined that the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62 by executing step S23, the original bundle P is placed on the original placement portion 62. Since the acceptance of the stapling process command is prohibited until it is not judged, the discharged document movement processing unit 651 is prevented from performing the document moving operation when the document bundle P is transported and the document is discharged. . If the staple processing command is accepted by executing step S27, the document feeding operation is prohibited until the end of the staple processing in step S25. Can be effectively prevented from being mixed with the original bundle P while the original is moved and discharged and the original moving operation and the stapling process are being performed. In step S27, instead of prohibiting the document feeding operation, prohibition of acceptance of a print execution start command and prohibition of detection by the document placement sensor 63 may be performed.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to automatically staple the document ejected at the time of copying in the auto-staple mode, and in the semi-auto / manual staple mode, the operation burden of manually aligning the document bundle P and setting it on the stapler unit 658 is reduced. The discharged document bundle P can be stapled without giving it to the operator.

  Further, since the discharged document moving unit 651 and the stapler unit 658 are detachably attached to the document discharging unit 65, a discharge tray as shown in FIG. 10 is used instead of the discharged document moving unit 651 according to the demand of the operator. It is possible to attach or not attach the stapler unit 658. Since the main body 61 can be used in common, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. FIG. 10A is a plan view of a document feeding unit 600 to which a discharge tray 651a is attached instead of the discharged document moving unit 651, and FIG. 10B is a schematic side view. In the plan view of (A), the document placing portion 62 is removed for convenience of explanation. The document discharge unit 650 has the same configuration as the document discharge unit 65 except that a discharge tray 651a is attached by screws 612 or the like instead of the discharged document moving unit 651. The discharge tray 651a has only a function of sequentially receiving the discharged documents, has a tapered surface that is inclined downward toward the rear, and is provided with a document position stopper 656a instead of the restriction member stopper 656. The discharged document bundle P is prevented from scattering from the discharge tray 651a. In the document discharge unit 650 shown in FIG. 10, since the document cannot be moved, only the manual mode of the manual stapling mode can be executed. Further, in this case, it is preferable that a stapled document sensor 659 is attached in the vicinity of the stapler unit 658 or the vicinity thereof and stapled when the document bundle P is detected by the ejected document sensor 659. In addition, instead of the discharged document sensor 659, an operation unit for instructing stapling (which may also serve as the operation unit 40) is provided, and stapling may be performed by an operator operating the operation unit. Good.

  In the present invention, the positional relationship among the document placement unit 62, the document transport unit 64, and the document discharge unit 65 is not limited to the above, and the document placed on the document placement unit 62 can be used as the document transport unit. Any positional relationship may be adopted as long as it is arranged to be conveyed at 64 and discharged to the document discharge portion 65. Further, the configuration of the document discharge unit 65 is not limited to the above, and the stapler unit 658 may be attached at any position with respect to the discharged document moving unit 651 and may be a position where the document bundle P can be suitably stapled. That's fine. The document moving operation of the restricting members 6521, 6522, and 653 is not limited to the above, and may be any operation that can move relative to the stapler unit 658 and set the document bundle P at the staple position.

  Further, in the present invention, any configuration may be used as long as the document feeding operation is prohibited when the auto staple processing mode is set and the document bundle P is placed on the document discharge unit 65. As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention is not limited to the processing that prohibits acceptance of a copy execution command when a document is detected by the discharged document sensor 659. For example, the discharged document sensor 659 does not detect whether or not the document bundle P is placed on the discharge unit 65, but a sensor dedicated to the detection of the document bundle P is provided upstream of the document discharge direction separately from the discharged document sensor 659. If the configuration is arranged on the side, the sensor dedicated to detecting the document bundle P is arranged on the upstream side in the document carry-out direction, so that one document in the document bundle P is placed on the document discharge section 65. The document is detected even during a period until all the documents in the document bundle P are carried out to the document discharge section 65, and a sensor dedicated to the detection of the document bundle P detects the document. This is not directly related to the state in which the document bundle P is placed on the document discharge unit 65. In such a case, a sensor dedicated to detecting the document bundle P detects the document and the document bundle P is removed. The detected document placement sensor 63 detects the document. If it becomes Ku, as the original bundle P in the carry-out of all of the original ends of the original bundle P is in a state placed on the document discharge portion 65 may be configured to document feeding operation is prohibited.

  The manual stapling processing mode and the auto stapling processing mode are not limited to the configuration that can be freely set by the operator using the mode selection key 405, and any one is set when the copier 1 is shipped. May be. In addition, the configuration is not necessarily limited to the configuration in which both modes can be selectively set, and only one mode can be set.

  Further, the discharged document moving portion 651, the discharge tray 651a, and the stapler unit 658 are not limited to being fixed by screws 611, 612, and 658a, respectively. For example, these members 651, 651a, and 658 are engaged with the main body portion 61. The structure etc. which a site | part is formed and are detachably fixed by engaging with the main-body part 61 may be sufficient. The engaging portion includes, for example, a receiving member having a recess or the like and a protrusion such as a hook that engages with the receiving member.

  In the present invention, the paper feed control unit 106 is not necessarily built in the document feeding unit 60, and may be disposed in other parts such as the main body unit 20. In the present invention, it is not necessary to provide the paper feed control unit 106 separately from the main body control unit 102, and the main body control unit 102 may have the function of the paper feed control unit 106. The present invention can be applied not only to a copying machine but also to other image forming apparatuses such as a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

1 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a document feeding unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the document feeding unit shown in FIG. 3 excluding the document placing unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in an auto staple process mode. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a document feeding unit for explaining a document moving operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a discharged document moving unit for explaining a document moving operation. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process in manual staple mode. FIG. 4A is a plan view of a document transport unit to which a discharge tray is attached instead of a discharged document moving member, and FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copying machine (image forming device)
60, 600 Document feeder (document feeder)
62 Document Placement Unit 64 Document Transport Unit 643 Document Transport Paths 65 and 650 Document Discharge Unit 651 Discharged Document Movement Unit (Receiving Unit)
653 Restriction member (moving means, extrusion member)
652 (6521, 6522) regulating member (moving means, width aligning member)
658 Stapler unit (stapler)
661, 1041 Staple keys (operation receiving means, mode selection means)
65, 1032 Mode selection unit (mode selection means)
1061 Transport control unit (transport control means)
105 Discharged document sensor (document detection means)

Claims (9)

In a document transport device that sequentially transports a plurality of documents placed on a document placement unit along a transport path, passes through a document reading position, and then transports the document to a document discharge unit.
A stapler disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the document discharge unit, the document discharge unit receiving a stack of documents discharged from the conveyance path as a bundle of documents; An original conveying apparatus comprising: a moving unit that moves the original bundle while moving the original bundle toward a stapling position.   The receiving means includes a pair of width aligning members erected opposite to each other in the width direction as moving means, and the width aligning members move toward the predetermined side on the receiving means with the document bundle sandwiched therebetween. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined portion of the document bundle is set at a stapling position.   The stapler is disposed downstream of the receiving unit in the document carrying direction, and the moving unit is provided at an upstream position of the receiving unit in the document carrying direction, and is disposed at a rear end of the stacked document bundle on the receiving unit. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an extruding member that aligns the document bundle in the document conveying direction while abutting and pushing out to a stapling position.   The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is detachably attached to the document discharge unit.   The document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the stapler is detachably attached to the document discharge unit.   An operation receiving means for receiving an operation for instructing stapling by an operator, an automatic mode in which a document bundle discharged to the receiving means is moved to a stapling position to perform stapling, and a document bundle discharged to the receiving means On the condition that the operation accepting means accepts an operation, or a mode selecting means for selecting a mode during the semi-automatic mode in which the stapling process is performed by moving to the stapling position first. The document conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising:   7. The document conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mode selection unit capable of selecting a staple prohibiting mode for operating the moving unit and prohibiting the operation of the stapler.   A conveyance control unit that unloads the document on the document placement unit; and a document detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a bundle of documents on the reception unit. The conveyance control unit includes: 8. The document conveying device according to claim 1, wherein when the detection is detected, the carry-out operation is prohibited.   An image forming apparatus in which a document is conveyed by the document conveying device according to claim 1 and a document image read at the document reading position is transferred to a recording sheet.

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