JP2005089105A - Paper binding device, image formation system, computer program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce catching and resistance of a paper in conveying, to ensure an accurate binding position, to carry out protection of the device with a simple constitution by restricting motion of a stapler and to improve space-saving and reliability. <P>SOLUTION: A photo-interrupter (sensor) SN1 is provided on a clincher part 5b and a detection plate 500 is provided in a range in which a connection guide part 28a and operation of the stapler 5 are not interfered. A non-operation area d of the stapler 5 can be detected and motion of the staple is forbidden upon detection of the sensor SN1. Further, the detection range of the sensor SN1 requires a non-interfering area (non-operation area d) even if at least staple binding is carried out relative to the connection guide part 28a and the detection position is made to a position taking a room of +α relative to the non-operation area (d). <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, or a printing machine, and performs predetermined processing, such as sorting, stacking, binding, and saddle stitching, on an image-formed sheet (recording medium). Paper processing apparatus that performs bookbinding and discharges paper, an image forming system that includes the paper processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, a paper processing method that executes the predetermined process, a computer program for executing the method by a computer, and the computer program The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded.

  In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copying, faxing, and printers, there has been an increasing demand for post-processing on documents output from them, and in stapling processing, in addition to end binding that binds a predetermined number of sheets along one edge. Thus, there is an increasing demand for saddle stitching at a plurality of locations (generally, two locations) at predetermined intervals along a center line that bisects the paper. In addition, conventionally, functions such as saddle stitching and folding in relatively high-speed machines have been required for low-speed machines, and there is an increasing need to provide them at a lower price and space saving.

  In order to address this need, several post-processing devices that use the split-type stapler corresponding to both the saddle stitching process and the end stitching with a single stapler and correspond to the various binding positions by parallel translation are devised. However, securing the reliability when transporting the paper around the staple when passing the paper is important in adopting this method.

  For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 uses a split-type stapling means that enables saddle stitching processing, connects a sheet guide disposed opposite to the needle launching portion and the needle bending portion at a predetermined interval, and staples them. An invention is disclosed in which a stapling movement is performed in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction as a guide when a sheet passes between sheets.

As related techniques, for example, the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4 are also known.
Japanese Patent No. 3189536 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-247263 JP-A-8-192405 Japanese Patent No. 2698149

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a split-type stapling means that enables saddle stitching processing is used, and a sheet guide that is disposed to face the needle launching portion and the needle bending portion at a predetermined interval is connected. Staple movement is performed in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction as a guide when the sheet passes through the sheet.

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a guide is provided in connection with the stapler, but only the peripheral portion of the staple can be guided due to the structure (the paper is not guided because the others are spaces). Since it cannot be guided or supported in the entire width direction, the end of the sheet in the width direction may hang down during transport or binding, or the end may be caught by other parts in the device. The binding position may be disturbed, and in the worst case, troubles such as jamming may occur. Further, when trying to guide the entire area in the paper width direction, it is necessary to increase the guide width, and the machine must be enlarged, which is not realistic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art of the present invention, and its purpose is to reduce the catching and resistance of the sheet during conveyance, to ensure an accurate binding position, and to operate the stapler. To provide a sheet processing apparatus, an image forming system, a sheet processing method, a computer program, and a recording medium that can realize the protection of the apparatus with a simple configuration by limiting the space and improve the reliability. .

In order to achieve the above object, the first means comprises a driver portion provided with a staple needle receiving portion and a push-out portion, and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle, which are separately provided between the two stapler members. In a sheet binding device comprising: a sheet binding unit that binds a plurality of existing sheets with a staple, and a moving unit that moves the binding unit in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle. It is characterized by comprising a detecting means for detecting the staple position and a control means for prohibiting the staple operation when the staple position is detected by the detecting means.

  The second means comprises a driver part provided with a staple needle accommodating part and a pushing part, and a clincher part that bends the tip of the needle as separate bodies for a plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members. In the sheet binding device, the sheet binding device includes a sheet binding unit that performs binding with a staple, and a moving unit that moves the binding unit in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle. It is characterized by comprising switch means and control means for disabling staple operation when the switch means is activated.

  The third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, the detection range includes at least an interference portion with the paper transport guide means during a stapling operation.

  The fourth means includes a stacking means for stacking sheets, and an end on the downstream side of the stacking direction of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means in contact with the sheet bundle regulating means to change the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle. An alignment unit that contacts the sheet bundle from a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and aligns the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle, and a sheet bundle conveyance unit that conveys the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit to a binding position. And a sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  The fifth means comprises an image forming system comprising a paper processing apparatus according to the fourth means and an image forming apparatus provided integrally or separately from the paper processing apparatus and forming a visible image on an image forming medium. It is characterized by that.

  The sixth means is characterized in that the computer program includes a procedure for executing the function of the control means in the paper binding apparatus according to the first to third means by the computer.

  The seventh means is characterized in that the computer program according to the sixth means is read out by a computer and recorded on a recording medium in an executable manner.

  In the following embodiments, the sheet binding means corresponds to the stapler 5, the control means corresponds to the CPU 360, and the detection means corresponds to the sensor SN1 and the switch SW1.

  Reduces paper catch and resistance during transport, secures an accurate binding position, and restricts stapler operation to protect the device with a simple configuration, saving space and improving reliability Can be achieved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system including the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is. The form shown in FIG. 2 shows an outline of a system as a copying machine, and includes an image forming apparatus PR, a paper feeding apparatus PF that supplies paper to the image forming apparatus, a scanner SC for reading an image, and a circulating automatic document. 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 the scanner SC and the circulation type automatic document feeder ARDF, and other configurations are the same as those of the copying machine. The sheet post-processing device indicated as the finisher FR is attached to the side portion of the image forming apparatus PR as described above, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus PR is guided to the paper post-processing device FR, and the rear of the paper Various post-processing are performed by the function of the processing device FR. 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 an inkjet print head. .

  In the paper post-processing apparatus FR as the paper processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper received from the image forming apparatus PR is a post-processing means that performs post-processing on one paper (in the embodiment, a punch unit as a punching means). 3) through an inlet conveyance path A having an intermediate conveyance path B, branching to an upper conveyance path B leading to the proof tray 18, an intermediate conveyance path C leading to the shift roller 9, and a lower conveyance path D leading to the staple tray 10 for alignment and stapling. The claw 24, the turn guide 36, the branch claw 25, and the turn guide 37 are configured to be distributed. The paper transported onto the staple tray 10 by the transport rollers 33, 34, and 35 is aligned on the staple tray 10 in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by the jogger fence 12. It is matched to the standard. Thereafter, in the case of end face binding, a stapling process is performed at a predetermined position, the paper is conveyed upward by the discharge claw 11, and is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15. FIG. 10 shows an outline of the drive portion of the discharge claw 11. 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 discharge belt 14 is wound. The driving force is obtained from the stepping motor 106 through the gear trains 104 and 105 provided on the drive shaft 103.

  On the other hand, in the case of saddle stitching, after a bundle of sheets is aligned on the staple tray 10, the bundle is conveyed downward by the bundle conveying roller pairs 13a and 13b, and the staple unit 5 performs the binding process at the saddle stitching position. When the saddle stitching process is completed, the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b carry the sheet to the folding position, the folding plate 19 and the folding roller pair 20 perform the middle folding process, and the middle folding discharge roller 22 performs the middle folding discharge. The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 23 and stacked.

2. Conveying Structure An inlet conveying path A that is common to the upstream of the upper conveying path B, the intermediate conveying path C, and the lower conveying path D includes an inlet sensor 301 that detects a sheet received from the image forming apparatus PR, and a conveying roller downstream thereof. 31, the punch unit 3 and the punch waste hopper 4, and the branching claw 24 and the turn guide 36 are sequentially arranged downstream thereof.

  The branching claw 24 is held in the state of the solid line in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). When the solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the branching claw 24 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure (in the state of the one-dot chain line). If the solenoid is OFF, the paper is distributed to the upper conveyance path B. The branching claw 25 is held in a solid line state in FIG. 1 by a spring (not shown). When the solenoid (not shown) is turned on, the branching claw 25 is rotated clockwise (in a one-dot chain line state), and the sheet is fed to the intermediate conveyance path C. Distribute. If the solenoid is OFF, the sheet is sent to the lower conveyance path D as it is and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 33 and 34. The turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of helping to sort the paper by the branch claws 24 and 25, respectively. The turn guides 36 and 37 have a function of reducing the sheet conveyance resistance at the small-diameter branching portion by being rotated by the sheet bent in the conveyance direction by the branch claws 24 and 25. 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 means (not shown). The sheet sent to the intermediate conveyance path C through the conveyance roller 32 and the turn roller 37 moves by a certain amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction while being conveyed by the shift roller 9, so that the sheet becomes a certain amount in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. In this state, the paper is discharged by the discharge roller 15 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 17. The timing is determined based on paper detection information of the roller shift sensor 303, paper size information, and the like.

  A staple tray discharge sensor 305 is provided in the lower transport path D, and serves as a trigger for the alignment operation when the paper is present in the transport path and the paper is discharged to the staple tray 10. The sheets sent to the conveyance path D are sequentially conveyed by the conveyance rollers 33, 34, and 35 and are aligned after being stacked on the staple tray 10.

3. Sheet alignment mechanism The trailing edge of the sheet discharged to the staple tray 10 is aligned with reference to the trailing edge 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 conveying roller 13a as shown in FIG. 14, and the solenoid-side end portion 27a of the rear end fence 27 is driven by the solenoid 70, The tip 27b is retracted from the conveyance path. Thereby, it is comprised so that conveyance of a sheet bundle may not be prevented. Reference numeral 71 is a tension spring for holding the stopper 27 in the paper restricting position, and the end 27a on the solenoid side is always elastically biased in the direction opposite to the solenoid operating direction. 27 regulates the end of the sheet bundle.

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

  The bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be pressurized and released by the mechanism shown in FIG. 13, and after passing the sheet bundle in the released state, pressurize and convey the sheet bundle. . The bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be freely pressed and separated by a pressure release motor 63. The transport rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b are rotationally driven by a stepping motor 50. By controlling the number of rotations of the stepping motor 50, the transport amount of the sheet bundle is controlled. Each of the bundle conveying rollers 13a, 13b and 26a, 26b can be independently pressed and moved apart. Since the pressure release mechanism of each bundle conveying roller is the same, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b are connected to a drive system so that the rotation directions are opposite and rotate at the same speed. The drive is transmitted to a timing pulley 53 and a gear pulley 54 that are arranged coaxially with the bundle conveying roller 13a using the stepping motor 50 as a drive source. Further, driving is transmitted from the gear pulley 54 to the timing pulley 58 disposed coaxially with the bundle conveying roller 13b via the arm 56 via the idler pulley 55, and the bundle conveying roller 13b rotates. The transmission of the driving force is performed by a timing pulley 51 on the driving side provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 50 and a timing belt 52 stretched between the timing pulley 53 and the gear pulley 54.

  The arm 56 is rotatable about the gear pulley 55 and acts in a direction in which the arm 56 is pressed against the sheet by a tension spring 64 provided on the shaft of the bundle conveying roller 13b. Further, a link 59 is connected to the shaft of the bundle conveying roller 13b, and a long hole 59a is provided on the other side of the link, so that it can freely rotate on a convex portion 60p provided on the circumference of the gear 60. It is fitted. A sensor 61 is provided at one end of the gear 60 to detect the open state of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b by the filler 60a. By rotating the stepping motor 63 counterclockwise and clockwise, Release pressure. FIG. 13A shows a pressure release state, and FIG. 13B shows a pressure contact state. The power transmission from the stepping motor 63 is transmitted from the drive gear 62 of the stepping motor 63 to the gear 60. The driving force from the idler pulley 55 is transmitted to the timing pulley 58 by the timing belt 57 to drive the bundle conveying rollers 13b and 26b.

4). Binding mechanism 4.1 Stapler and stopper The staple unit 5 includes a stitcher unit 5a that ejects a needle and a clincher unit 5b that bends the tip of the needle that has been driven into a sheet bundle. In the staple unit 5 in the present embodiment, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are configured separately, and can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle conveyance direction by the stapler moving guide 6, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are illustrated. A relative positioning mechanism and a moving mechanism are provided, which are controlled by a CPU 360 described later. The staple position in the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle is set by sheet bundle conveyance control by the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b. Thus, stapling can be performed at various positions of the sheet bundle.

  Further, an intermediate folding mechanism is provided on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction of the staple unit 5 (the downstream side when folding the paper, and the lower side in terms of position). This is composed of a pair of folding rollers 20, a folding plate 19, a stopper 21, and the like until the sheet bundle stapled at the center in the sheet conveying direction in the upstream staple unit 5 hits the stopper 21 by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. By conveying and temporarily releasing the nip pressure of the bundle conveying roller 13b, the position of the folding reference position of the sheet bundle is determined. Thereafter, the nip pressure of the bundle conveying rollers 26a and 26b is applied to hold the sheet bundle, the stopper 21 moves backward and comes off from the rear 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 put out. The sheet bundle that has been conveyed to the folding position (usually the center in the sheet bundle conveyance 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 pressurizes the sheet bundle and rotates. And then folded in half. At this time, if the paper size is large, the paper bundle is sent downstream of the stopper 21 in the paper transport direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end of the sheet bundle is guided in the horizontal direction by curving the conveyance path downstream from the position where the stopper 21 is disposed. With this configuration, it is possible to transport a sheet even if it is a large sheet size, and it is possible to make the size of the sheet post-processing device 2 in the height direction compact.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the stopper 21 as the second sheet bundle restricting means is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the bundle conveying roller 26a, and the solenoid-side end 21a is moved by the solenoid 72. Driven, the front end portion 21b is retracted from the conveyance path. The folded sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the half-fold discharge tray 23 by the half-fold discharge roller 22. The sensors 310 and 311 at the folded portion detect the presence or absence of paper. In addition, the sensor 313 of the half-folded paper discharge tray 23 detects the presence or absence of a paper bundle on the middle-folded paper discharge tray 23, and counts the number of paper bundles discharged from the state where there is no paper bundle. This is used to detect the fullness of the paper discharge tray 23 in a pseudo manner. 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. Reference numeral 73 denotes a tension spring for holding the stopper 21 in the paper restricting position, and the end 21a on the solenoid side is always elastically biased in the direction opposite to the solenoid operating direction. 21 regulates the end of the sheet bundle.

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

  16 and 17 show the outline of the staple moving unit in the staple unit 5, FIG. 16 is a front view of the staple moving unit, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the staple unit 5 structure includes a front side plate 214, a rear side plate 215, a pair of guide shafts 200a, 200b as a stapler moving guide 6 fixed to the front and rear side plates 214, 215 by screws, and front and rear side plates. The guide shafts 200a and 200b are formed of round bars in consideration of strength and cost. A stitcher 5a and a clincher 5b are disposed across a binding portion τ for binding a bundle of sheets, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are movably supported by the pair of guide shafts 200a and 200b located on the back side of each. . The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are provided so that the staple needle of the stitcher 5a advances along the center line M connecting the centers of the guide shafts 200a and 200b. The needle advancing portion of the stitcher 5a is most preferably on the line of the center line M as described above. However, it is difficult to always match the line on the line due to mechanical error, paper thickness, aging deterioration due to use, and the like. It is sufficient if it is in the vicinity of the line M. This position may be a position where the moment (rotational force about the guide shafts 200a and 200b) generated by the reaction force at the time of stapling is small, and if arranged on the line, no moment is generated, If there is, it becomes minute. In consideration of the moment, the pair of guide shafts 200a and 200b may be positioned within a range of a line N connecting the outer shapes as shown in FIG. 16 when viewed from the axial direction.

  The stays 204 and 205 are formed of a thin metal plate material based on a shape that becomes a U-shaped cross section when crossed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a part of the flat portion is positioned at a position (rotation) described later. ) It is used as a regulating means, and as an attachment passage when the internal spaces A and B roll around the stapler motor / sensor harness. This makes it possible to function as a means for restricting the rotation of the harness passage and the stapler 5 at the same time as ensuring the rigidity of the frame as a stay material, thereby contributing to a reduction in the number of parts. Further, as described above, since the moment at the time of stapling operation is also minimized, it is only necessary to have a minimum strength that can maintain the posture of the stapler 5, and even a thin plate (0.8 to 1.2) has a sufficient strength. Can be secured. As a result, a lightweight housing for the stapler 5 can be configured.

  In addition, the degree of freedom with respect to the arrangement of the stays 204 and 205 is high, and the stitcher 5a side is clinched on the back side of the stapler 5 in a lateral direction (a state parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214 and 215). The side 5b is combined in a state of standing on the back surface (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214 and 215), and the strength of the stapler 5 as a casing is twisted only by the side plates 214 and 215 and the stays 204 and 205. It can be ensured including strength. Furthermore, by considering the mounting positions and dimensions of the stays 204 and 205, it can be easily designed according to the form of the stapler 5 (the needle replenishment direction, the position of the needle jam operation knob, etc.), and the paper processing apparatus A combined binding device can be configured. At this time, since the degree of freedom of attachment of the stays 204 and 205 is high as described above, it is easy to construct a small size, and it is possible to promote space saving, and a sheet bundle is guided to the binding portion τ to guide the stitcher. 5a and the clincher 5b move, and a sufficient space for the paper to pass between the guide shafts 200a and 200b and the stays 204 and 205 can be secured.

  In this embodiment, the handle 221 of the staple cartridge 220 is located on the back side of the stitcher 5a as shown in the perspective view of the main part when the stitcher 5a of FIGS. 18 and 19 is viewed from the back side. The stay 204 is arranged so as to ensure a space V that exposes the side.

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

  The clincher 5b is configured in substantially the same manner as the stitcher 5a, and is connected to the bearing 201b via a fixed bracket 203. However, since the stay 205 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side plates 214 and 215, the roller 203a as a restricting means for restricting the circumferential movement of the guide shaft 200b of the clincher 5b is provided in the stay 205. The rotation of the clincher 5b is regulated by sandwiching a flat portion formed for position regulation in a part of the clincher 5b. Accordingly, the clincher 5b can also move in parallel along the center line of the guide shaft 5b.

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

  The timing pulleys 206 and 207 are provided symmetrically in the vicinity of the guide shafts 200a and 200b corresponding to the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b, and one set is arranged along the axial direction of the guide shafts 200a and 200b. Of these, 206a and 207a are the driving side, 206b and 207b are the driven side, the timing belt 208 is adjusted between the timing pulleys 206a and 206b, and the timing belt 209 is adjusted between the timing pulleys 207a and 207b. The driven timing pulleys 206b and 207b are provided on the guide shafts 200a and 200b, respectively. The timing belts 208 and 209 are provided at symmetrical positions (here, opposite positions to the binding portion τ) on the stitcher 5a side and the clincher 5b side with the guide shafts 200a and 200b interposed therebetween. . The timing pulleys 207 a and 206 a are connected by a drive shaft 210 as shown in FIG. 17, and a driving force is transmitted from the stepping motor 212 through the speed reduction mechanism (reduction gear train) 211 and the drive shaft 210.

  Thus, by providing the timing belts 208 and 209 in parallel with the guide shafts 200a and 200b, the driving resistance for movement can be minimized, and the drive is achieved by providing them symmetrically with respect to the guide shafts 200a and 200b. The system can be configured simply and inexpensively. Further, since the dead space near the back surfaces of the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b and the guide shafts 200a and 200b is used, the operability when replenishing the needle (operability when replenishing the cartridge) can be obtained. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the timing belt 208 is connected to the stapler fixing bracket 202 by a fixing member 213, and the stitcher 5a moves along the guide shaft 200a as the timing belt moves. The clincher 5b has a similar configuration although not shown.

  With this configuration, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b can be synchronized along the guide shafts 200a and 200b and moved in parallel with the arrow direction in FIG. The home position of the stitcher 5a is detected by a sensor 216 as shown in FIG. 19, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved to a predetermined position by driving the stepping motor 212 with a predetermined number of pulses by the CPU 360 based on this position. It is possible to move and perform the binding operation.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the staple unit 5 is provided with rollers 222 and 223 on the stays 204 and 205, respectively, and rolls on a rail (not shown) provided in the main body of the recording paper post-processing device (paper processing device) 2. It can be slid between the binding position and the needle replacement position. As a result, during normal use in which the binding operation is performed, it is accommodated in the main body of the recording paper post-processing apparatus 2, the binding operation is executed in accordance with an instruction from the image forming apparatus 1, and the needle needs to be replaced. The staple unit 5 can be pulled out, the handle 221 can be grasped from the space V between the guide shaft 200a and the stay 204 as described above, the staple cartridge 220 can be pulled out, and a new staple cartridge 220 can be attached. At this time, since the stay 204 is provided in parallel with the direction in which the staple cartridge 220 is attached and detached (parallel to the staple needle driving direction), the space V can be made large, and the staple having excellent workability at the time of replacement. Unit 5 can be used. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 223a indicates a mounting hole for the shaft of the roller 223, and reference numeral 222a indicates a mounting hole for the shaft of the roller 222.

4.3 Stapler guide plate When performing saddle stitching or two-point binding, the stapler 5a and the clincher 5b of the staple unit 5 are stapled in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position by the stapler moving guide 6. Move up. At that time, first and second stapler guide plates 28 and 29 (shown as stapler guide plates a and b in the figure) are provided in order to smoothly introduce the sheet bundle between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. . The first stapler guide plate 28 is attached to the stitcher 5a side, and the second stapler guide plate 29 is attached to the clincher 5b side at a position facing the sheet conveyance path. FIG. 20 is a side view showing the relationship between the first and second stapler guide plates 28 and 29, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b, the staple tray 10 and the like, and shows a state where the sheet bundle is regulated by the rear end fence 27. .

  21A is a front view of the first stapler guide plate 28, FIG. 21B is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 22A is a front view of the second stapler guide plate 29, and FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the first stapler guide plate 28 is formed in a mountain shape when viewed from the front, and a groove 28a is formed at the center so as not to interfere with the binding position when the stitcher 5a is bound. In this manner, the chevron, that is, the edge of the first stapler guide plate 28 that faces the sheet bundle conveyance direction is the end parallel to the sheet conveyance direction from the sheet scooping surface 28b forming portion on both sides of the groove 28a forming portion. When the sheet bundle is formed as an inclined surface 28c that is inclined so that the downstream side in the sheet bundle conveyance direction is downwardly inclined toward the sheet side (side edge side), the sheet bundle is guided to the sheet side edge when the sheet bundle is conveyed downward in the drawing. Is possible. Similarly, an inclined surface 28e inclined to one side is also provided at an edge portion of the groove portion 28a facing in the sheet bundle conveyance direction so as to exhibit a sheet edge guide function. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, guide surfaces 28d and 29c (FIG. 22B) are formed on the guide plates 28 and 29 over the entire staple movement range, and the guide plates 28 and 29 are side plates of the unit. 214 and 215 are fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the second stapler guide plate 29 is set so that the portion of the second stapler guide plate 29 that contacts the leading edge 29a with respect to the sheet bundle conveying direction is set parallel to the direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveying direction. 29a is provided so as to protrude slightly from the front edge 5b 'of the clincher 5b. Further, a taper is provided on the downstream side in the paper transport direction from the front edge 29a on the side facing the paper transport path of the second stapler guide plate 29 to form an inclined surface 29b. Thus, the guidance of the sheet bundle is performed smoothly.

  However, since the staple unit 5 is separated into the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b and must move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, the first stapler guide plate 28 cannot be formed to cover the stitcher 5a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the sheet bundle 30 may curl toward the stitcher 5a, and the sheet bundle 30 may not be normally conveyed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b grip the lower end of the sheet bundle and the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface, the sheet bundle is already sandwiched between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. As shown in FIG. 25, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 to the center position of the sheet length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position to guide the sheet bundle. I have control. Accordingly, the sheet bundle can be prevented from being disturbed with a simple configuration, and the sheet bundle can be passed. Details will be described later.

  Further, as shown in the side view of the stitcher 5a in FIG. 26, the guide surface 28d is formed in substantially the same plane as the needle ejection surface 5d of the stitcher 5a, and the first staple guide plate 28 and the stitcher 5a in FIG. As shown in the perspective view, a sheet scooping surface 28b that is inclined with respect to the needle launching surface 5d of the stitcher 5a is provided on the upstream side in the sheet bundle conveying direction with the groove 28a at the center. This inclination is such that the tip side is close to the stitcher 5a. In addition, the groove 28a also serves as a space for the rear end fence 27 and the discharge claw 11 to enter.

  Similarly, the second stapler guide plate 29 is formed in a mountain shape, but its cross-sectional shape is tapered so that the space between the guide plates becomes narrower from the clinch center CL toward the downstream side in the paper transport direction (see FIG. 20, FIG. 24).

  When the sheet is moved to the saddle stitching position, the stapler unit 5 is positioned at the sheet conveyance center. As a result, the sheet bundle is guided along the stapler unit 5 and the staple guide plates 28 and 29. At that time, even if the end of the sheet is swollen due to curling or the like, it is smoothly guided by the edges of the angled inclined surfaces 28c and 28e. Further, since the guide surface 28d is formed on a flat surface during conveyance, there is no protrusion on the conveyance path, and the sheet bundle can move linearly. As a result, the conveyance accuracy is improved and binding can be performed at an accurate binding position.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the auxiliary guide plate 300 having the same shape as the needle ejection surface 5d of the driver 5a serving as a reference in the staple binding direction is provided with the groove portion 28a of the first stapler guide plate 28 and the stapler. 5 is provided at both ends of the stitcher 5c, that is, before and after the moving direction of the stitcher 5c, at a position where the gap 5 is filled (when the stapler is at the transport center), thereby further improving the reliability of paper transport. ing.

  In addition, inclined surfaces 300a and 5c are provided on the most upstream side in the sheet bundle conveying direction of the auxiliary guide plate 300 and the stitcher 5a, and a mylar 310 is provided on the inclined surfaces 300a and 5c as an auxiliary guide piece made of an elastic member. It is pasted. The mylar 310 reduces friction with the sheet bundle so that the sheet bundle can be smoothly carried into the staple guides 28 and 29, and the sheet is moved when the staple unit 5 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction. Friction with the bundle is reduced so that no obstacles occur during movement. The mylar 310 has at least the clinch center CL where the needle is pushed out, and is formed in a so-called U-shape. As shown in FIG. 26, the mylar 310 is attached to the inclined surfaces 300a and 5c, so that it protrudes into the conveyance path at an angle of the inclined surfaces 300a and 5c, but is pushed by the sheet bundle and bent toward the guide surface 28d. To guide you. At that time, as shown in FIG. 24, the swelled paper portion is pushed back, and the occurrence of paper jam can be minimized.

  In this embodiment, since the sheet conveyance is performed on the basis of the center, a groove portion 28e is provided at the center of the sheet conveyance, and the inclined surface 28c is formed symmetrically from the groove portion 28e to the side edge of the sheet. However, when the sheet conveyance is performed on the basis of the edge, an inclined surface having a downward slope may be formed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the side edge on the reference side to the side edge on the other side. . In this case, the stitcher 5a is positioned at the end on the reference side to guide the paper.

  With this configuration, when the sheet is moved to the saddle stitching position, the stapler is positioned at the center of the sheet conveyance. Therefore, the sheet bundle is curled along the stapler 5 and the guide plate 28 at the end of the sheet. Even if there is swelling due to the like, the connecting portion (groove portion 28a) in the central portion of the guide and the inclined portion 28c of the mountain shape are formed, so that the guide can be smoothly conducted. Further, when carrying, since there is no protrusion on the carrying path and it can move linearly, the binding process can be performed at an accurate binding position.

  When the guide plate 29 is positioned at the sheet conveyance center as shown in FIG. 23, the guide connecting portion 28a exists, and the stapling operation is performed when the stapler operating portion is in this range. Problems such as damage to the plate 28 and failure of the stapler 5 may occur, and it is necessary to limit the operation of the stapler at least in this operation range.

  In general, the movement of the stapler 5 in the paper conveyance vertical direction is performed by pulse control by an open loop by driving a stepping motor from a home position detection sensor. There is a possibility of stopping at a different position. If this position stops at a position where it interferes with the guide plate, which is not the actual stapling enabled position, and a stapling operation is performed, a problem will occur.

  Therefore, in order to prevent the above problem, a photo interrupter (sensor) SN1 is provided in the clincher portion 5b as shown in FIG. 29, a detection plate 500 is provided in a range where the connection guide portion 28a and the operation of the stapler 5 do not interfere with each other, and the stapler 5 inactive areas d can be detected. When the sensor SN1 is detected, stapling operation is prohibited as shown in a flowchart of FIG. Note that the detection range of the sensor SN1 needs to be an area that does not interfere even when stapling is performed on the connection guide portion 28a (herein referred to as the inoperative area d as described above), and the detection position is The position is set to have a margin of + α with respect to the inactive area d.

  On the other hand, as another means, the current of the staple operating motor can be cut off. The configuration in this case is shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 30, the micro switch SW1 is provided in the clincher portion 5b, and the detection plate 501 is provided in the operation prohibition range. For example, the circuit configuration can be configured as shown in FIG. With such a circuit configuration, when the SW1 is operating, even if a stapling operation signal is sent, the current of the stepping motor (stapling motor) that performs stapling is cut off, so that the stitching operation Is not performed (see the flowchart of FIG. 41 described later).

  In any case, when the energization to the staple motor is cut off and the staple driving operation is not performed, the stapler 5 described later moves to the binding position and stops. At this time, if the sensor SN1 or the switch SW1 is in an OFF state, it is determined that the stapling operation is possible, and the stapling operation is performed. If the sensor SN1 (switch SW1) is on and it is the first time, it moves to the home position, and again moves to the designated position. At this time, if the sensor SN1 (switch SW1) is off, a stapling operation is performed. On the other hand, if the sensor SN1 (switch SW1) is turned on for the second time, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and an abnormality signal is output (see the flowchart of FIG. 42 described later).

5). FIG. 33 shows a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment together with the image forming apparatus. The control apparatus 350 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 360, an I / O interface 370, and the like, and the image forming apparatus PR. Each switch on the control panel of the main body, an inlet sensor 301, an upper discharge sensor 302, a roller shift sensor 303, a staple discharge sensor 305, a staple tray paper presence sensor 306, a discharge claw position detection sensor 307, a discharge sensor 308, Signals from various sensors such as the paper surface detection sensor 309, the folding unit paper presence / absence detection sensor 310, the folding roller arrangement detection sensor 311, the folding end stopper position detection sensor 312, and the paper presence / absence detection sensor 313 are transmitted to the CPU 360 via the I / O interface 370. Is input. The CPU 360 controls various motors and solenoids based on the input signal. The punch unit 3 also performs punching according to the instruction of the CPU 360 by controlling the clutch and the motor.

  The sheet post-processing apparatus FR is controlled by the CPU 360 executing a program written in a ROM (not shown) while using a RAM (not shown) as a work area. The program can be executed by the microcomputer by downloading from a server or reading a program stored in a known recording medium such as a CD-ROM or SD card and downloading it to a storage device such as an HDD. It is also possible to do.

  The actual post-processing operation will be described below by taking a specific post-processing mode as an example.

  5.1 Non-Processing Mode (Proof Discharge) The paper output from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through the entrance transport path A and is guided to the upper transport path B by the first branch claw 24, and punching is performed if necessary. Then, the paper is discharged onto the proof tray 18 by the paper discharge roller 7.

5.2 Shift stacking mode When stapling is not performed even when a bundle of sheets is output in units of copies, stacking can be performed by shifting each unit, making it easy to understand the unit of copies. In this mode, the paper output from the image forming apparatus PR passes through the entrance conveyance path A and is guided in the lower conveyance path D direction by the first branching claw 24. At this time, a punch hole is made at the end of the sheet by the punch unit 3 according to the user's selection. Thereafter, the sheet is guided to the intermediate conveyance path C by the second branch claw 25, conveyed while being shifted in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the shift roller 9, guided to the sheet discharge guide plate 16, and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 17 by the discharge roller 15. The paper is discharged and stacked. The punch residue after the punch hole is opened by the punch unit 3 is accommodated in the hopper 4.

5.3 Edge stitching mode (Small size 1 place, 2 places)
The end face binding mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed on the end face of the sheet bundle in units of copies. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the end face binding mode.

  The paper output from the image forming apparatus passes through the entrance conveyance path A and is guided in the lower conveyance path D direction by turning on the first branching claw 24 (step S101), and drives each conveyance roller and the discharge roller 35. (Steps S102 and S103) and move along the transport path D. Then, the staple unit 5 is moved to the standby position (step S104), the stacking number counter for counting the sheets stacked on the staple tray 10 is cleared (step S105), and the punch unit 3 selects the sheet end by the user's selection. A punch hole is opened (step S106). Thereafter, the sheet is stacked on the staple tray 10 through the lower conveyance path D as it is.

  The process of moving the staple unit 5 to the standby position in step S104 is performed according to the procedure of a subroutine shown in FIG. 47 described later, and the punch control in step S106 is performed according to the procedure of a subroutine shown in FIG. 43 described later. Further, the hitting roller 8 control in step S108 and the folding plate 19 control in step S157 are also performed in accordance with the subroutine procedures shown in FIGS.

  The sheets discharged to the staple tray 10 are aligned by the tapping roller 8 with the rear end fence 27 as a reference (sheet bundle is position in FIG. 4-steps S107 and S108). Alignment in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheet bundle is performed by reciprocating the jogger fence 12 to narrow the width of the sheet stacking portion of the staple tray 10 (position of the sheet bundle in FIG. 4-step S109). When the alignment operation is completed, the stacking number counter is counted up (step S110), and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (step S111), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle. Then, the sheet is held (step S112), and the trailing edge fence 27 is retracted from the sheet stacking surface (step S113).

  The bundle of sheets is stapled at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (normal edge binding is 5 mm in the sheet conveyance direction) (step S114). The stapler binding position in the end binding mode can be mainly selected from the front, two locations, and the back. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are positioned relative to each other by the stapler moving guide 6 according to the selected binding position. The stapler binding is performed by moving in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the above. The staple unit 5 is divided into a stitcher 5a for punching a needle and a clincher 5b for performing a process of bending a needle penetrating the sheet bundle, and the sheet can pass between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b. It is a feature.

  When the end face binding is completed in this way, the discharge claw 11 moves in the paper discharge direction (step S115), and at the same time as coming into contact with the paper edge, the pressure contact state of the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b is released (step S116). When the binding process is completed, the paper discharge guide plate 16 is opened by a predetermined angle (step S117), and the bound sheet bundle is lifted upward by the discharge claw 11 that moves together with the discharge 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 sheet discharge guide plates 16, the sheet discharge guide plate 16 is closed, and the sheet bundle is discharged from the discharge roller 15. (Step S118), the sheet is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 17 (step S119). The discharge guide plate 16 can be adjusted with respect to the discharge roller according to the thickness of the sheet bundle.

  When the paper discharge is completed, the discharge roller 15 is stopped (step S120), and the discharge belt 14 is driven until the discharge position detection sensor is turned on, that is, until the discharge claw 11 is located at the home position (step S121). Stop when the position is reached (step S122). This operation is repeated from step S104 until the predetermined number of copies is completed.

  Here, the operation of the staple unit 5 will be described in more detail.

  As for the position of the staple unit 5 in the moving direction, the home position HP is first detected by the staple unit home position sensor 314 (FIG. 5), and further the amount of movement from the home position HP (the number of drive pulses of the staple unit moving stepping motor not shown). ) (Step S104).

  When binding at one end, the size is wider in the width direction than the A4 vertical size or A4 vertical size (when the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 are in a binding position where they do not interfere (contact)), the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the binding position. After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed at the place. When the binding position is opposite to the staple unit home position with the rear end fence 27 interposed therebetween, the rear end fence 27 is retracted before starting the first aligning operation, and the staple unit 5 is moved to the rear end fence 27. Move to the opposite binding position. Thereafter, the rear end fence 27 is returned, and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed at the place (FIG. 6).

  When the size is narrower in the width direction than the A4 vertical size by binding at one end (in the case of the binding position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 interfere (contact)), the staple unit 5 is previously positioned in the A4 vertical position (staple). Waiting at the nearest position (W1) where the unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not contact each other, and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b pick up the lower end of the sheet bundle and remove the sheet. The trailing edge fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface. Thereafter, according to the paper size, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction while maintaining the relative position of the stapler 5a and the clincher 5b. When the binding position is on the opposite side of the home position of the staple unit 5 with the rear end fence 27 interposed therebetween, the rear end fence 27 is retracted before starting the first aligning operation, and the staple unit 5 is moved to the rear end fence 27. To the standby position (the nearest position W2 on the opposite side of the home position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)). Thereafter, the rear end fence 27 is returned, and after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the stapler binding is performed in the same manner as described above (FIG. 7).

  In the case of binding at the two end faces, the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)) in the same manner as in the single binding small size described above. After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface, and the staple unit 5 moves. Perform binding. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the standby position W4 opposite to the previous standby position W3 across the rear end fence 27 in preparation for the binding of the next bundle (FIG. 8).

  FIG. 11 shows the end face binding operation. In FIG. 11A, the rear end portion in the paper transport direction and the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction are aligned (steps S108 and S109), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S111). From this state, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), it is picked up by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S112), and as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S113). 5 moves to the binding position, and the binding operation is performed at the binding position as shown in FIG. 11D (step S114). As described above, when the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere with one end face binding, the rear end fence 27 is not retracted.

5.4 Saddle Stitching Mode The saddle stitching mode is a mode in which staple binding is performed at the center of the sheet bundle. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitching mode. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to operations equivalent to those in the end face binding mode. In this saddle stitch binding mode, steps S101 to S113 and steps S116 to S122 are the same as those in the end face binding 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 guide in the lower conveyance path D direction. In step S112, the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S113, the rear end fence 27 is moved to the sheet stacking surface. The bundle transport rollers 13a and 13b transport the sheet bundle downward (step S131). The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle during saddle stitching) (steps S132 and S133), and stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S134).

  In the saddle stitching mode, the stapler usually has two binding positions. According to the binding position, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are kept in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction while maintaining their relative positions by the stapler moving guide 6. Move to staple the stapler. The bundle of sheets for which the binding process has been completed is conveyed upward by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S135), and when returned to the sheet bundle alignment position (step S136), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b are stopped (step S137). ), The paper is discharged upward by the discharge claw 11 (step S138). And the process after step S116 is performed.

5.5 Saddle-stitch binding mode (saddle-stitching and folding mode)
The saddle stitch binding mode is a mode in which the central portion of the sheet bundle is stapled and folded in half at the center to perform simple binding like a so-called weekly magazine. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the saddle stitch binding mode. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to operations equivalent to the end face binding mode. In this saddle stitch binding mode, steps S101 to S113 are the same as in the end face binding mode, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  In step S101, the first branch claw 24 is turned on to guide in the lower conveyance path D direction. In step S111, the bundle conveyance rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and in step S113, the rear end fence 27 is moved to the sheet stacking surface. When further retracted, the staple unit 5 starts to move (step S141), and stops when it reaches the binding position (step S142-Y) (step S143). The movement start timing of the staple unit 5 is performed based on a movement start command from the CPU of the image forming apparatus PR following an instruction to retract the rear end fence 27. Next, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b convey the sheet bundle downward (step S144). The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle at the time of saddle stitching) (steps S145 and S146), and stapled by the staple unit 5 (step S147). The binding operation in step S147 is as a subroutine shown in FIG.

  At that time, after the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (FIG. 20), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, and the rear end fence 27 is retracted from the sheet stacking surface, and the stitcher 5a. The clincher 5b is moved by the stapler moving guide 6 to the stapler binding position in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position to each other. The sheet bundle is conveyed downward by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b. At that time, the sheet bundle is guided by the first stapler guide plate 28 and the second stapler guide plate 29.

  In the saddle stitching mode, the stapler usually has two binding positions. According to the binding position, the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are moved by the stapler moving guide 6 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position of each other. Then, stapler binding is performed (FIG. 9). The bundle of sheets for which the binding process has been completed is conveyed by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b until it further abuts against the stopper 21.

  The sheet bundle is once positioned by abutting the rear end position by the stopper 21 (steps S148 and S149), and the center of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction is again placed on the folding plate 19 by the bundle conveyance rollers 26a and 26b. It is sent to the contact position (step S150-step S156). Thereafter, the folding plate 19 pushes the sheet bundle toward the nip of the middle folding roller pair 20 (steps S157 and S158), and the sheet bundle is pressed between the nips by the spring force (not shown) applied to the middle folding roller pair 20. (Step S159) Folded in half, and discharged and stacked on the half-folded paper discharge tray 23 by the half-fold paper discharge roller 22 immediately after (Step S160). Then, the center folding roller 20 is stopped (step S161), and the rear end fence 27 is returned to the aligned position (step S162). This operation is repeated from step S105 until the predetermined number of copies is completed.

  Note that the alignment in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle in step S109 is performed by the operation of narrowing the width of the sheet stacking portion of the staple tray 10 by the jogger fence 12. At this time, similarly to the above-described two-point binding, the staple unit 5 waits in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not interfere (contact)). After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle, the rear end fence 27 is retracted from the sheet stacking surface, and the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b are bundled. Is transported downward. The sheet bundle is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle at the time of saddle stitching) and stapled by the staple unit 5. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the opposite standby position across the previous standby position and the rear end fence 27 in preparation for the binding of the next bundle. The nearest position is a position close to the rear end fence 27 although there is no preset interference.

  The operation of saddle stitching is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12A, the rear end portion in the paper transport direction and the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction are aligned (steps S108 and S109), and the required number of sheets of one copy is aligned (step S111). From this state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the sheet is caught by the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b (step S121), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S113), and the sheet bundle is moved toward the folding plate 19 (downward). Transport. Then, the sheet bundle is stopped at the center of the conveyance direction length of the sheet bundle, which is a binding position by the staple unit 5, and is saddle-stitched.

  As shown in FIG. 12C, the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is further conveyed downward, positioned after being brought into contact with the stopper 21 (steps S148 and S149), and then the binding position is the position of the folding plate 19 (folding). It is further conveyed until it reaches (position). Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, the sheet bundle is stopped at the position, and the folding plate 10 is protruded and pushed into the nip into the folding roller 20 (steps S157 to S159). In this way, it can be folded in half at the binding position. If the front end of the folding plate 19 protrudes to contact the sheet bundle, the staple is brought into contact with the folding plate 19 when the folding position is reached, so that the position accuracy of the folding position can be ensured.

5.6 Saddle Stitching / Folding Mode (Paper Center Position Stop)
In the saddle stitching / folding mode process shown in FIG. 36, the staple unit 5 is separated into the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b, and must move in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. One stapler guide plate 28 cannot be formed to cover the stitcher 5a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the sheet bundle 30 may curl toward the stitcher 5a, and the sheet bundle 30 may not be normally conveyed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 37, the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle (step S112), and when the rear end fence 27 moves backward from the sheet stacking surface (step S113), The sheet bundle is sandwiched between the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b, and the stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b are held in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while the sheet bundle 30 is sandwiched while the relative position is maintained by the stapler moving guide 6. The sheet is moved to the center position of the sheet length (steps S142a and S143), and the sheet bundle 30 is guided. As a result, as shown in FIG. 25, the sheet bundle can be prevented from being disturbed with a simple configuration, and the sheet bundle can be passed.

  Subsequently, the sheet bundle 30 is stopped at the binding position by the staple unit 5 (the center of the length of the sheet bundle in the conveyance direction at the time of saddle stitching) (steps S145 and S146), and the staple unit 5 moves to the binding position and staples. Is performed (step S147). The binding operation in step S147 is as a subroutine shown in FIG. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the original standby position (steps S148 to S162).

  Since the processing is the same as that of the flowchart of FIG. 36 except for the processing of step S142a, the same processing (step) is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description is omitted.

5.7 Saddle stitching / Folding mode (with stapler movement when transporting paper bundle)
In the mode of stopping at the sheet center position shown in the flowchart of FIG. 37, the sheet bundle can be prevented from being disturbed and the sheet bundle can be passed without causing a sheet jam, but the efficiency of processing is not taken into consideration. Therefore, the processing procedure of the mode in consideration of the processing efficiency is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In this processing mode, only the processing from the subsequent stage of step S141 to the previous stage of step S145 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Also in this mode, the staple unit 5 stands by in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not contact) (steps S101 to S104). After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (steps S104 to S111), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle (step S112), and the rear end fence 27 is moved from the sheet stacking surface. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b move backward to the center position of the sheet length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position with the stapler moving guide 6 (step S141).

  The timing at which the moving staple unit 5 stops at the center position of the sheet length perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction and the timing at which the leading end of the sheet bundle reaches the leading end of the stapler guide plate 28a are the same. The conveyance of the bundle is started (steps S142b and S142c). When the staple unit 5 reaches the sheet center position (step S142d), the staple unit 5 stops moving (step S142e), waits for the sheet bundle 30 to reach the saddle stitching position, and the sheet bundle 30 reaches the saddle stitch position. Then (step S145), the sheet bundle 30 is stopped (step S146). Next, the staple unit 5 moves to the binding position and performs stapling (step S147). The binding operation in step S147 is as a subroutine shown in FIG. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the original standby position (steps S148 to S162).

  As a result, it is possible to shorten the movement time until the leading end of the sheet bundle reaches the leading end of the first stapler guide plate 28, and productivity can be improved.

5.8 Saddle Stitching / Folding Mode (with stapler binding position movement when transporting paper bundle)
In the mode of moving the stapler during conveyance of the sheet bundle shown in the flowchart of FIG. 38, the staple unit 5 is moved after the sheet bundle 30 is stopped at the saddle stitching position. Is a mode for processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In this processing mode, only the processing from the subsequent stage of step S142e to the previous stage of step S145 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Also in this mode, the staple unit 5 stands by in advance at the A4 vertical binding position (the nearest position where the staple unit 5 and the rear end fence 27 do not contact) (steps S101 to S104). After the necessary number of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 10 (steps S104 to S111), the bundle conveying rollers 13a and 13b hold the lower end of the sheet bundle (step S112), and the rear end fence 27 is moved from the sheet stacking surface. The stitcher 5a and the clincher 5b move backward to the center position of the sheet length in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction while maintaining the relative position with the stapler moving guide 6 (step S141).

  The timing at which the moving staple unit 5 stops at the center position of the sheet length perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction and the timing at which the leading end of the sheet bundle reaches the leading end of the stapler guide plate a28 are the same. The conveyance of the bundle is started (steps S142b and S142c). When the staple unit 5 reaches the sheet center position (step S142d), the staple unit 5 stops moving (step S142e).

  When the sheet bundle reaches the predetermined position (step S142f), the staple unit 5 starts to move (step S142g). When the staple unit 5 reaches the binding position (step S142h), the staple unit 5 stops moving (step S142h). In step S142i, the process waits for the sheet bundle 30 to reach the saddle stitch position. When the sheet bundle 30 reaches the saddle stitch position (step S145), the sheet bundle 30 stops (step S146). Next, the staple unit 5 moves to the binding position and performs stapling (step S147). The binding operation in step S147 is as a subroutine shown in FIG. When the two bindings are completed, the staple unit 5 moves to the original standby position (steps S147 to S162).

  In this manner, the staple unit 5 moves to the center position of the sheet and waits during the movement of the sheet bundle 30 (steps S142c to S142e), and the staple unit 5 moves to the center in accordance with the timing when the sheet bundle 30 reaches the saddle stitch position. The staple unit 5 is moved from the position to the binding position (steps S142f to S142i), and when the sheet bundle 30 reaches the saddle stitching position, the sheet bundle 30 is stopped and staple binding is executed (steps S145 to S147). The movement time to reach the binding position can be further shortened compared to the case shown in the flowchart of FIG. 34, and the productivity can be further improved.

5.9 No Binding / Folding Mode The no binding / middle folding mode is a mode in which folding processing is performed at the center without performing a binding operation on a sheet bundle. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the non-binding / middle folding mode.

  This mode is equivalent to a mode in which the saddle stitching operation is deleted from the saddle stitch binding mode. Therefore, the subroutine for moving the staple unit 5 in step S104 in the saddle stitch bookbinding mode shown in FIG. 36 and the processing from step S142 to step S145 are omitted, and the trailing edge fence 27 is moved from the sheet placement surface in step S113. After retreating, the sheet bundle is immediately conveyed downward, and once the rear end position is abutted and positioned by the stopper 21 (steps S146 and S147), the folding operation is performed (steps S148 to S159). .

  Other operations not specifically described are the same as those in the saddle stitching mode shown in FIG.

5.10 Control in the Inactive Area of the Stapler As described above, the inoperative area d is set for the stapler 5, and when the stapler 5 is located in this area d, the staple driving operation by the stapler 5 is performed. I am trying not to. Therefore, in this control, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 41, the stapling operation is performed only when the sensor SN1 or the switch SW1 is off (step S701-Y) (step S702). When it is on, the stapling operation is not performed.

  Further, when the staple signal is output in a state where the stapler does not reach the staple position due to some abnormality, the processing is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the processing to move to the binding position is executed (step S801) and stopped at the designated position for binding (step S802), if the sensor SN1 is off (step S803-Y), in other words, the inoperative area If not, the stapling operation is executed (step S804) and the process returns.

  If sensor SN1 is turned on in step S803, it is checked whether sensor SN1 is turned on for the first time (step S805). If it is the first time, it indicates that it is located in the non-operating area d, so that it moves to the home position (step S806) and the processing from step S801 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is not the first time in the check in step S805, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and an abnormality signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus PR side (step S807).

6). Control Function Here, the punch control, the hitting roller 8 control, the staple unit 5 control, the folding plate 9 control, and the staple unit 5 in each mode will be described with respect to the standby position movement control subroutine.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the punch control processing procedure in step S105. In this process, first, when the paper reaches the punch position (step S201), the presence / absence of a punch request is checked (step S202), and the punch is executed only when there is a punch request (step S203).

  FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for hitting roller 8 control in step S107. In this process, first, when the paper reaches the strike position (step S301), the strike roller 8 is driven for a predetermined time to move the paper to the rear end fence 27 side (steps S302 and S303), and the operation is stopped (step S301). S304).

  FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for controlling the staple unit 5 in steps S134 and S147. In this process, first, the stapler unit 5 is moved to the binding position (step S401). When the stapler unit 5 is positioned 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 position is completed (step S405), the stapler unit 5 is retreated (step S406), and the stapler unit 5 is retracted (step S406).

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the folding plate 19 control in step S157. 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 is moved. Is stopped (step S503) and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for moving the staple unit 5 to the standby position in step S104. In this process, first, the stapler position is confirmed (step S601). If the stapler position is on the opposite side of the binding position with respect to the rear end fence 27 (step S601-Yes), the rear end fence 27 is retracted (step S602). If they are on the same side (step S601-No), the stapler unit 5 is moved without retracting the rear end fence 27 (step S603), and the stapler unit 5 is positioned at the designated position (standby position) (step S604-Yes). ) If the rear end fence 27 is in the retracted state in the stapler unit 5 (step S606-Yes), the rear end fence 27 is returned to the stopper function position (step S607), and this process is terminated. In step S606, the rear end fence is If 27 is moving backward, the process is finished as it is.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the paper post-processing apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image forming system (copier form) provided with the paper post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image forming system (printer form) provided with the paper post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the mechanism around a staple tray. It is a figure which shows the position of the staple unit before entering into binding operation. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of binding at one large size. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of binding at a single small size. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of two-point binding. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a sheet bundle and a staple unit in the case of saddle stitching. It is a figure which shows the outline of the drive part of a discharge | release belt and a discharge | release nail | claw. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of an end surface binding. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of saddle stitching. It is a figure which shows the contacting / separating mechanism and operation | movement of a bundle conveyance roller. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of a rear-end fence. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of a stopper. It is a front view of a staple moving part. It is a perspective view of a staple moving part. It is the principal part perspective view which looked at the stitcher from the back side. It is the principal part perspective view which put the side plate also into the stitcher and was seen from the back side. It is a side view which shows the relationship between the 1st and 2nd stapler guide plate, a stitcher, a clincher, and a staple tray. It is the front view and perspective view of a 1st stapler guide plate. It is the front view and perspective view of a 2nd stapler guide plate. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a pair of stapler guide plates and a staple unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when a leading end of a sheet bundle is curled and enters between staple guide plates. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet is guided by a staple guide plate. It is a side view of a stitcher. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between a 1st staple guide plate and a stitcher. It is a principal part front view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a guide plate, a non-operation position, and a sensor. It is a figure which shows the detection operation by a switch. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a connection guide part and a non-operation area | region. It is a circuit diagram of a control circuit using a switch. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control circuit of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment together with the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of end surface binding mode (small size 1 place, 2 place binding). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of saddle stitching mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of saddle stitching and center folding mode. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a saddle stitching / folding mode (sheet center position stop). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a saddle stitching / folding mode (with stapler movement during sheet bundle conveyance). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a saddle stitching / folding mode (with stapler binding position movement during sheet bundle conveyance). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a bindingless / center folding mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of punch control. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure between the action | operation of a switch, and the staple operation by a staple unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the entire sheet processing apparatus when the staple unit is stopped at an inoperative position. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of tapping roller control. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of staple unit control. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of folding plate control. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control which moves a staple unit to a standby position.

Explanation of symbols

2 Paper Post-Processing Device 5 Staple Unit 5a Stitcher 5b Clincher 5c Inclined Surface 8 Tapping Roller 10 Staple Tray 11 Release Claw 12 Jogger Fence 13a, 13b Bundled Conveying Roller 19 Folding Plate 20a, 20b Middle Folding Roller 21 Stopper 22 Folding Roller 26a, 26b Bundle conveying roller 27 Rear end fence 28 First stapler guide plate 28b Second stapler guide plate 28c, 28d Inclined surface 28e Groove 28f Paper scoop surface 29 Second stapler guide plate 300 Auxiliary guide plate 300a Inclined surface 310 Guide piece 350 Control device 360 CPU

Claims (7)

A driver unit provided with a staple needle storage unit and a push-out unit and a clincher unit that bends the tip of the needle are configured separately, and a plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members are bound by a staple needle. Paper binding means to perform;
Moving means for moving the binding means in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle;
In the sheet binding device provided with
Detection means for detecting the staple position in the staple movement direction;
Control means for prohibiting stapling operation when the stapling position is detected by the detecting means;
A sheet binding device comprising: A stapling needle housing portion and a pushing portion provided with a pushing portion and a clincher portion that bends the tip of the needle are configured separately, and a plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members are bound by a staple needle. Paper binding means to perform;
Moving means for moving the binding means in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle;
In the sheet binding device provided with
Switch means for cutting off the staple driving current in the staple moving direction;
Control means for disabling staple operation when the switch means is activated;
A sheet binding device comprising:   The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the detection range includes at least an interference portion with a sheet conveyance guide unit during a stapling operation. Stacking means for stacking paper,
The end of the sheet bundle stacked in the stacking unit on the downstream side in the conveying direction is brought into contact with the sheet bundle regulating unit, and the sheet conveying direction of the sheet bundle is brought into contact with the sheet bundle from the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Aligning means for aligning the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle;
A sheet bundle conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means to the binding position;
A sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4;
An image forming apparatus that is provided integrally with or separately from the sheet processing apparatus and that forms a visible image on an image forming medium;
An image forming system comprising:   A computer program comprising a procedure for causing a computer to execute a function of a control unit in the sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 6 is read and recorded so as to be executable.

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