JP2006026756A - Stack of sheet pressing device, stack of sheet cutter and sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost, light-weight and compact stack of sheet pressing device, obtaining the pressing force required for pressing a stack of sheets with small driving force, and efficiently obtaining the required pressing force corresponding to each pressing stage. <P>SOLUTION: This stack of sheet pressing device 6C includes: a driving source 70 for supplying the power for generating the pressing force; a pressing means 68 applied to a stack S of sheets to press the stack of sheets to a predetermined support surface 19; and a force converting and transmitting means 72 for converting the power from the driving source 70 to the pressing force in the direction substantially orthogonal to the support surface 19 and transmitting the same to the pressing means 68, and the force converting and transmitting means 72 for doubling the power supplied from the driving source 70 and transmitting the same to the pressing means 68. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet bundle pressing device that presses a sheet bundle and prevents the sheet bundle from shifting due to a cutting force when cutting the sheet bundle, and a sheet bundle cutting device including such a sheet bundle pressing device, and The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus.

  In general, in bookbinding operations, a predetermined number of sheets of paper or the like are stacked in a bundle to form a sheet bundle, and a cutting process is performed to cut the edge of the sheet bundle. The sheet bundle is pressed against a predetermined support surface so that the sheet bundle is not displaced by force.

  Such pressing of a sheet bundle generally requires a pressing force of about 1000 to 2000 kgf, so that it is generated as it is by driving a motor and transmitted by a mechanical transmission member such as a ball screw or a gear. In many cases, this is a problem in terms of strength and cost. In addition, since such a high pressing force acts on the frame that supports the sheet bundle, it is necessary to increase the strength of the frame, which may increase the size of the apparatus.

Therefore, conventionally, generally, a pressing force of about 1000 to 2000 kgf is hydraulically generated and transmitted. Specifically, for example, a pressure plate is connected to a hydraulic cylinder, and an oil pressure generated by the hydraulic cylinder is applied to a sheet bundle in contact with the pressure plate via the pressure plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-71779 A

  However, if the pressing force is to be generated by a hydraulic method, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic piping, and the like are required, and the apparatus itself may become heavy and may be increased in size. In addition, a high pressing force of about 1000 to 2000 kgf is actually obtained from a point in time when an action member such as the pressing plate that directly applies the pressing force to the sheet bundle comes into contact with the sheet bundle. In the conventional hydraulic system, a high pressing force is transmitted over the entire stroke of the pressing operation, although it is only necessary to be transmitted to the sheet bundle in a short time. That is, for example, taking the above-described hydraulic cylinder and pressing plate as an example, not only the moving distance of the pressing plate from when the pressing plate contacts the sheet bundle until a predetermined pressing force is obtained, but also the pressing plate is a sheet bundle. The same high pressing force is transmitted to the pressing plate even in the moving distance of the pressing plate until it comes into contact with (the high pressing force is transmitted to the pressing plate over the entire stroke of the hydraulic cylinder). For this reason, the power consumption of the drive source for operating the pressure generation source such as a hydraulic cylinder is very large.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a current situation, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a pressing force necessary to press the sheet bundle with a small driving force and to meet each pressing step. To provide a low-cost, lightweight and compact sheet bundle pressing device capable of efficiently obtaining the necessary pressing force, and a sheet bundle cutting device and a sheet processing device provided with such a sheet bundle pressing device. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a sheet bundle pressing device according to the present invention includes a drive source that supplies power for generating a pressing force, and a pressure that abuts against the sheet bundle and presses it against a predetermined support surface. Means and force conversion transmission means for converting the power from the driving source into a pressing force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the support surface and transmitting the pressing force to the pressing means, the force conversion transmitting means from the driving source. The power to be supplied is doubled and transmitted to the pressing means.

  According to the above configuration, the power supplied from the drive source can be doubled by the force conversion transmission means and transmitted to the pressing means as a pressing force, so that the pressing force required for the pressing operation of the sheet bundle is less than half. All you need to do is generate power with a drive source. That is, a pressing force necessary for pressing the sheet bundle can be obtained with a small driving force, and only a load equal to or less than half the necessary pressing force acts on the driving source. Therefore, it is sufficiently possible from the viewpoint of strength and cost to generate the power to obtain the required pressing force by driving the motor and to transmit the power by a mechanical transmission member such as a ball screw or gear. (It is possible to construct a drive mechanism that reduces the strength of the drive force transmission system such as frame strength, ball screw, and gear.) As a result, a lighter and more compact pressing device is realized at a lower cost than hydraulic drive sources. it can.

  Further, in the above configuration, the force conversion transmission means is coupled to the pressing means, and is movable and retractable along the direction of action of the pressing force. It is preferable that it comprises an advancing / retreating member for advancing / retreating the movable pulley by advancing / retreating with power. When the force converting means is configured using the principle of the moving pulley in this way, the advance / retreat distance of the advance / retreat member is required twice, but the force for advancing / retreating the advance / retreat member is half of the required pressing force (for example, 1000 kgf) When the pressing force is required, the advance / retreat member may be pulled at 500 kgf), so that the required strength of a driving force transmission system such as a ball screw or a gear connected to the advance / retreat member can be reduced by half.

  Further, in the above configuration, the drive source includes a first drive system that generates a first torque of a predetermined size that causes the advance / retreat member to advance and retreat at a first speed of a predetermined size, and the advance / retreat member. It is desirable to include a second drive system that generates a second torque that is larger than the first torque that advances and retreats at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. In this case, the first and second drive systems may be formed by a gear train formed by meshing a plurality of gears. Further, in this case, provided is a pressing force switching means for changing the magnitude of the pressing force transmitted to the pressing means by selectively switching the driving source between the first driving system and the second driving system, It is desirable that the first and second drive systems are switched by the pressing force switching means when the pressing means comes into contact with the sheet bundle.

  With such a configuration, for example, until the pressing unit moves from a predetermined standby position and comes into contact with the sheet bundle, the first driving system causes the pressing unit to quickly move with a small torque via the advance / retreat member. The second driving system can slowly move the pressing means with a large torque through the advance / retreat member until the pressing means comes into contact with the sheet bundle and a predetermined pressing force is obtained. Thus, the necessary pressing force corresponding to each pressing step can be efficiently obtained without reducing the productivity. That is, since it is not necessary to supply a high pressing force over the entire stroke of the pressing operation, a low-cost pressing device that suppresses power consumption of the drive source can be realized. Generally, when the second drive system on the low speed side and the first drive system on the high speed side are configured by a gear train, there is a gear ratio difference of about 50 times. Therefore, for example, if the drive power is supplied by one motor without switching the drive system, the output of the motor is increased by 50 times because the power of the low speed drive system can only be generated by the productivity of the high speed drive system. It becomes necessary and it becomes very difficult to configure a machine with a motor. In addition, the power source capacity is increased by 50 times, and the cost is increased. However, such a problem is eliminated if a plurality of drive systems are provided and switched as in the above configuration.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a pressing force necessary for pressing a sheet bundle with a small driving force, and to efficiently obtain a necessary pressing force corresponding to each pressing stage, and at a low cost, lightweight and compact. A sheet bundle pressing apparatus, a sheet bundle cutting apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus including such a sheet bundle pressing apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show a sheet processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although this sheet processing apparatus 1 can be used alone, it can be used as a sheet post-processing apparatus provided on the downstream side of a sheet conveyance path in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, or a part of a bookbinding system (for example, sheet bundle cutting). Device) can be configured, and can be applied to any application.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 1 includes a housing 2 as an exterior body that houses various components necessary for sheet processing. The housing 2 includes a sheet bundle introduction port (sheet bundle receiving portion) 3 into which a sheet bundle S in which a predetermined number of sheets are accumulated in a bundle shape is introduced, and a rotatable opening / closing operation for opening and closing the sheet bundle introduction port 3. And a cover 12. The opening / closing cover 12 can be manually or automatically rotated around a rotation fulcrum 5 located in the vicinity of the sheet bundle introduction port 3.

  In the housing 2, a sheet bundle conveyance positioning unit 4, which is one exemplary form of conveyance means for conveying the sheet bundle S introduced through the sheet bundle introduction port 3 and positioning it at a predetermined position, is positioned. A sheet bundle cutting unit 6 that cuts the sheet bundle S and a sheet bundle storage unit 8 that stores the cut sheet bundle S in an accumulated state are provided.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that by opening the opening / closing cover 12, the sheet bundle S to which the cover is bonded is manually introduced into the sheet bundle introduction port 3 in a state where the sheet bundle S is set up in the vertical direction. The sheet bundle S is automatically introduced into the sheet bundle introduction port 3 via a conveyance mechanism (not shown) (for example, a conveyance gripper such as a bookbinding apparatus), or the sheet bundle S is introduced from a direction other than vertical, and further, a cover sheet. May be introduced into the sheet bundle introduction port 3, and the form of introduction is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheet bundle conveyance positioning unit 4 includes a pair of first guide plates 9 and 9 and a pair of second guide plates 19 and 19. These guide plates 9 and 19 are made of a plate material extending in a substantially vertical direction, and cooperatively form a conveyance path that guides the sheet bundle S introduced into the sheet bundle introduction port 3 in the vertical direction while supporting the sheet bundle S from both sides. . Each of the first guide plates 9 and 9 positioned on the upstream side of conveyance (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is directed outward toward the sheet bundle introduction port 3 so that the sheet bundle S can be received smoothly. A taper receiving portion 9a that extends in a taper shape is provided at the tip (in this embodiment, the upper end).

  Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, the first guide plates 9, 9 have a pair of openings 9b, 9b formed on the left and right sides, respectively. In each of the openings 9b and 9b, an inlet conveyance roller 13 that sandwiches and conveys the sheet bundle S introduced through the sheet bundle introduction port 3 is disposed so as to protrude and retract with respect to the conveyance path. In this case, the entrance conveyance rollers 13 and 13 facing each other provided corresponding to the respective guide plates 9 and 9 change their separation distances (that is, change the protrusion amount with respect to the conveyance path (hereinafter referred to as appropriate). By “opening and closing the rollers 13, 13”)), the sheet bundle S conveyed through the guide plates 9, 9 can be clamped or released. In the present embodiment, such opening / closing of the inlet transport rollers 13 is performed by the roller opening / closing drive unit 14.

  In addition, the sheet bundle conveyance positioning unit 4 includes a sheet thickness sensor 15 for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the entrance conveyance rollers 13 and 13. The sheet thickness sensor 15 operates (detects) in conjunction with the opening / closing of the entrance conveyance rollers 13 and 13 and transmits a detection signal (sheet bundle thickness information) to a control unit (not shown).

  On the other hand, a pair of second guide plates 19, 19 located on the downstream side of the conveyance is also formed with a pair of openings on the left and right sides, respectively. A positioning roller 18 that positions a sheet bundle S fed to the two guide plates 19 and 19 with respect to a cutting blade 20 described later is disposed so as to protrude by a predetermined amount from the conveyance path. In this case, the positioning roller 18 is transported while sandwiching the sheet bundle S between the opposing rollers provided corresponding to the respective guide plates 19, 19, thereby cutting the sheet bundle S described later. Apply to the reference plane.

  Further, the entrance conveyance roller 13 and the positioning roller 18 are driven to rotate by the conveyance motor 16. In this case, the driving force from the conveyance motor 16 is transmitted to the rollers 13 and 18 via the corresponding electromagnetic clutches 17 and 119. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the transport electromagnetic clutch 17 is operated (ON) while the transport motor 16 is driven, the rotational force of the transport motor 16 is transmitted to the entrance transport roller 13. When the transport electromagnetic clutch 17 is released (OFF), the rotational force transmission path from the transport motor 16 to the entrance transport roller 13 is interrupted, and the rotational drive of the entrance transport roller 13 is stopped. Similarly, when the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 is operated (ON) while the transport motor 16 is driven, the rotational force of the transport motor 16 is simultaneously transmitted to the positioning rollers 18, and the positioning rollers 18 are interlocked. When the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 is released (OFF), the rotational force transmission path from the transport motor 16 to the positioning roller 18 is interrupted, and the rotational driving of the positioning roller 18 is stopped.

  In the present embodiment, a torque limiter 18 a is provided in the rotational force transmission path from the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 to each positioning roller 18 so as not to apply a force greater than the conveying force necessary for positioning to the sheet bundle S. The torque limiter 18a acts when the sheet bundle S comes into contact with the cutting blade 20 and the positioning roller 18 is locked. Specifically, when the sheet bundle S comes into contact with the cutting blade 20 and the positioning roller 18 is locked, the torque limiter 18a of the positioning roller 18 involved in the locking starts slipping (the torque limiter 18a is idling). For the first time, slip torque is generated, and transmission of torque to the positioning roller 18 involved in locking is limited, so that the positioning roller 18 and sheet bundle S involved in locking do not slip. In this case, if the slip torque of the torque limiter 18a is too high, the sheet bundle S will buckle. Therefore, the slip torque of the torque limiter 18a is larger than the appropriate conveying force of the sheet bundle S, and the seat of the sheet bundle S It is set to be smaller than the bending conveyance force.

  The sheet bundle cutting unit 6 holds the sheet bundle S positioned by the positioning roller 18 and is held by a rotation moving mechanism 6A that rotates and moves the sheet bundle S according to a predetermined cutting process, and a rotation moving mechanism 6A. A cutting mechanism 6B that cuts the edge of the sheet bundle S, and a pair of pressing mechanisms (sheet bundle pressing devices) 6C and 6C that press the edge portions on both sides of the sheet bundle S when the sheet bundle S is cut. Yes.

  The rotational movement mechanism 6A is disposed between the rotary table 21 for contacting and rotating the sheet bundle S positioned by the positioning roller 18 and the rotary table 21 by pressing the sheet bundle S against the rotary table 21. And a rotatable gripper 22 for sandwiching and fixing the sheet bundle S. The gripper 22 is held by the gripper frame 30 and is moved toward the rotary table 21 by the gripper pressing unit 34.

  The rotational movement mechanism 6A rotates the rotary table 21 and freely moves the rotary table 21 to the cutting mechanism 6B to position the sheet bundle S held on the rotary table 21 at a predetermined cutting position. A table rotation moving unit 36 is provided. Furthermore, the rotational movement mechanism 6A moves the gripper 22 freely together with the rotary table 21 to the cutting mechanism 6B in synchronization with the table rotational movement unit 36, for example, so that the sheet bundle sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is moved. A gripper moving unit 32 for positioning S at a predetermined cutting position is provided.

  Further, when the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is rotated via the table rotation moving unit 36, the sheet bundle S comes into contact with the guide plate 19 and the surface of the sheet bundle S is damaged. In order to prevent this, the rotary movement mechanism 6A moves the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle S, thereby separating the sheet bundle S from the guide plate 19 and the guide plate 19 and the sheet. Contact prevention means for preventing contact with the bundle S is provided. In this embodiment, this contact prevention means, for example, advances and retreats the rotary table 21 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the guide plate 19 (in this embodiment, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertically extending guide plate 19). The table advancing / retreating unit 40 to be moved and the above-described gripper pressing unit 34 for moving the gripper 22 toward the rotary table 21 are configured.

  In addition, the sheet bundle S is displaced with respect to the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 while the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is being moved by the table rotary moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately position the sheet bundle S at a predetermined cutting position, and the cutting accuracy is lowered. Further, the deviation of the sheet bundle S with respect to the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 depends on the surface friction coefficient of the sheets forming the sheet bundle S. For example, the sheet bundle S composed of sheets having a small surface friction coefficient is likely to be displaced with respect to the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22, and therefore it is desirable that the moving speed of the sheet bundle S is slowed to some extent so that the sheet bundle S is not vibrated. It is. On the other hand, since the sheet bundle S composed of sheets having a large surface friction coefficient is held against the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 by the frictional force, the sheet bundle S is not displaced even if the moving speed of the sheet bundle S is increased to some extent. Few. Therefore, in this embodiment, an operator inputs information relating to the surface friction coefficient of the sheets forming the sheet bundle S to the sheet processing apparatus 1 in advance, or a sensor that detects the surface friction coefficient of the sheets forming the sheet bundle S. The moving speed of the sheet bundle S by the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32 is controlled based on the input information or the detection information from the sensor.

  When a sensor for detecting the surface friction coefficient of the sheet is provided, for example, the sensor is disposed at a predetermined position along the conveyance path of the sheet bundle S or a member that holds the sheet bundle S, and the detection from this sensor is performed. Based on the information, a control unit (not shown) may control driving (moving speed) of the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32.

  On the other hand, the cutting mechanism 6B for cutting the edge of the sheet bundle S held by the rotational movement mechanism 6A is provided on the downstream side of the sheet bundle conveyance path with respect to the rotational movement mechanism 6A. The cutting blade drive unit 38 that drives the cutting blade 20 is provided. In this case, the cutting blade drive unit 38 moves the cutting blade 20 in a horizontal plane so as to draw an arc.

  Further, the pair of pressing mechanisms 6C and 6C that press the edge portion of the sheet bundle S when the sheet bundle S is cut, respectively, are a drive unit (drive source) 70 that supplies power that generates a pressing force, and the sheet bundle S. One example of a pressing means that abuts against the edge of the sheet bundle S from the side by moving in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and presses it against the guide plate 19 or another opposing member (support surface). It forms one exemplary form of a pressing part 68 that forms a form and a force conversion transmission means that converts a driving force from the driving part 70 into a pressing force in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet bundle S and transmits the pressing force to the pressing part 68. Force conversion transmission unit 72.

  As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the drive unit 70 includes a drive motor (press motor) 52 and a high-speed drive system (small first torque) including, for example, a predetermined gear train in which a plurality of gears are engaged. (A first drive system that generates (low torque)) 54 and a low-speed drive system (second drive system that generates a large second torque (high torque)) 56, and a high-speed drive system 54 that powers the drive motor 52. Alternatively, it is connected to a pressing force switching means (driving switching means) for switching the pressing force transmitted to the pressing portion 68 by selectively transmitting to the low speed driving system 56, and to the high speed driving system 54 and the low speed driving system 56. A power output unit common to the drive systems 54 and 56 is formed, and a ball screw 57 that obtains a rotational force from the drive systems 54 and 56 is screwed into the ball screw 57 so as not to rotate. Ri consisting nut 58. which moves forward and backward with the rotation of the ball screw 57.

  In the present embodiment, the pressing force switching means is connected to the high-speed drive system 54 and detachably engages with the rotation shaft of the drive motor 52 to drive the power (rotational force) of the drive motor 52 at high speed. The first electromagnetic clutch 53 transmitted to the system 54 and the low-speed drive system 56 are coupled to the low-speed drive system 56 and detachably engage with the rotation shaft of the drive motor 52, whereby the power (rotational force) of the drive motor 52 is reduced. The second electromagnetic clutch 55 is connected to the rotary shaft of the drive motor 52 and is configured by a gear that selectively engages with the gear of the high-speed drive system 54 or the low-speed drive system 56 by obtaining a driving force of the motor or the like. The switching mode may be arbitrary.

  In this embodiment, switching between the drive systems 54 and 56 by the pressing force switching means (in this embodiment, switching of ON / OFF of the electromagnetic clutches 53 and 55) is performed by a pressing plate, which will be described later, of the pressing portion 68. Based on detection information from a sensor that detects that 43 is in contact with the edge of the sheet bundle S, a control unit (not shown) performs the operation.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the force conversion transmission unit 72 includes a belt 50 as an advancing / retreating member having one end connected to the nut 58 of the driving unit 70, and a movable pulley 45 around which the belt 50 is stretched. ing. The movable pulley 45 is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat along a direction (direction indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 5) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle S (direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 5). The biasing spring 80, which is an example of the means, is constantly biased in a direction away from the sheet bundle S conveyance path. The other end of the belt 50 is fixed to a stationary member such as the guide plate 19 via a pressure spring 59. In this case, the elastic modulus of the pressure spring 59 is such that the pressure spring 59 extends only when receiving a tensile force (a force generated by the low-speed drive system 56 in the case of the present embodiment) from the belt 50. Is set.

  Further, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the pressing portion 68 is positioned so as to be in direct contact with the edge of the sheet bundle S and press the pressing plate 43, and to face the pressing plate 43. And an action member 41 that abuts against the pressing plate 43 and applies a pressing force thereto.

  The action member 41 is connected to a pressure plate 46 connected to, for example, the center of the movable pulley 45 via a pivot pin 47 so as to be swingable (see arrow A in FIG. 2). A pressure force is received from a pressure plate 46 that is linked to the pressure plate 46. In the present embodiment, the action member 41 is connected to the pressure plate 46 through a pivot pin 47 at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction.

  The pressing plate 43 is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle S, and moves to the sheet bundle conveyance path integrally with the action member 41 when the action member 41 abuts. It is supposed to be.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the length of the pressing plate 43 and the action member 41 is set so that the sheet bundle S can be brought into contact with the entire width thereof.

  In the present embodiment, the pressing mechanism 6 </ b> C is provided with a press end sensor 60 for detecting the extension amount of the pressure spring 59 of the force conversion transmission unit 72. The press end sensor 60 and the pressurizing spring 59 form one exemplary form of a pressing force detection unit that detects that the pressing force applied to the sheet bundle S by the pressing portion 68 has reached a predetermined value. As long as it is possible to detect that the pressing force has reached a predetermined value, the arrangement positions of the pressure spring 59 and the press end sensor 60 are not limited to the other end portion side of the belt 50, for example, an intermediate portion of the belt 50. Further, instead of the pressure spring 59, a moving body (such as a weight of a predetermined weight or more) that moves when receiving a tensile force of a predetermined value or more from the belt 50 may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet bundle storage portion 8 that stores the cut sheet bundle S is a pair of third guide plates that guide the cut sheet bundle S1 in the vertical direction while supporting the cut sheet bundle S1 from both sides. 90, 90, a discharge roller 23 for discharging the cut sheet bundle S1 from the sheet bundle cutting unit 6 along the guide plates 90, 90, and a sheet bundle S1 discharged by the discharge roller 23 are set substantially vertically. A sheet bundle storage case 24 for collecting and storing in a state and a waste storage case 26 for storing chips of the sheet bundle S cut by the cutting blade 20 are provided.

  Further, the sheet bundle storage unit 8 pushes the sheet bundle S discharged from the discharge roller 23 into the sheet bundle storage case 24 and cuts the chips of the sheet bundle S cut by the cutting blade 20 into the waste storage case 26. A flapper 25 for guiding is provided rotatably. This flapper 25 protrudes below the discharge roller 23 and guides the chips of the sheet bundle S cut by the cutting blade 20 to the waste storage case 26 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 9B). 9), and a retracted position (position (a) in FIG. 9; broken line in FIG. 9 (b)) so as not to prevent the discharge roller 23 from discharging the sheet bundle S. (Position shown).

  Next, an example in which the sheet bundle S is cut and stored using the sheet processing apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, the sheet bundle S to which the cover sheet is bonded is set on the sheet processing apparatus 1 in a state where the sheet bundle S is set up in the vertical direction (step S1). As described above, such setting can be automatically performed via a conveyance mechanism (not illustrated) (for example, a conveyance gripper such as a bookbinding apparatus). However, here, the sheet bundle S is manually opened by opening the opening / closing cover 12. This is done by introducing the sheet bundle into the sheet bundle inlet 3. Further, when the sheet bundle is set, information on the cutting dimensions of the sheet bundle S and the surface friction coefficient of the sheets forming the sheet bundle S are input with a numeric keypad.

  When the sheet bundle S is set in this way, this is detected by a sensor (not shown), thereby driving the roller opening / closing drive unit 14 and sandwiching the sheet bundle S by the entrance conveying roller 13 (step S2). At this time, the sheet thickness sensor 15 operates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the entrance transport rollers 13 and 13 to detect the thickness of the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the entrance transport rollers 13 and 13. This detection signal (sheet bundle thickness information) is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) and used for subsequent sheet processing.

  When the thickness of the sheet bundle S is detected by the sheet thickness sensor 15, the conveyance electromagnetic clutch 17 is turned on, the conveyance motor 16 is driven, and the rotational force of the conveyance motor 16 is transmitted to the inlet conveyance rollers 13 and 13. Is done. As a result, the entrance conveying rollers 13 and 13 rotate, and the sheet bundle S1 is conveyed in the vertical direction along the guide plates 9 and 19 to the positioning roller 18 (step S3). Subsequent to this conveyance operation, the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 is turned on, the conveyance electromagnetic clutch 17 is released (OFF), and the sheet bundle S is pressed against the cutting blade 20 while being conveyed by the positioning roller 18. Is positioned (step S4). In this case, since the torque limiter 18 a is provided in the rotational force transmission path from the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 to each positioning roller 18, a force greater than the conveying force necessary for positioning is not applied to the sheet bundle S, and the positioning roller 18. Is prevented from rubbing against the surface of the sheet bundle S to form slip marks on the surface of the sheet bundle S. Specifically, for example, when the sheet bundle S is conveyed in a skewed direction toward the cutting blade 20, it corresponds to one side of the sheet bundle S that has first hit the cutting blade 20 as a positioning reference. The slipping between the positioning roller 18 and the sheet bundle S is prevented until the torque limiter 18a that starts rotating idles and the other side of the sheet bundle S abuts against the cutting blade 20. This is because the torque limiter 18a is configured to operate as described above when the sheet bundle S comes into contact with the cutting blade 20 and the positioning roller 18 is locked. Even the bundle S does not buckle.

  In this way, when the sheet bundle S abuts against the cutting blade 20 which is a positioning reference and is positioned, the positioning electromagnetic clutch 119 is released, the conveyance motor 16 is stopped, and the gripper pressing unit 34 causes the gripper 22 to move. Driven, the sheet bundle S is nipped and fixed between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 (step S5).

  Next, based on the thickness information of the sheet bundle S detected by the sheet thickness sensor 15, the cutting blade 20 moves to a predetermined position and waits to form a gap necessary for the rotation and movement of the sheet bundle S. . Thereafter, the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32 are driven to position the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 at a predetermined cutting position. Specifically, the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is shown in FIG. 10A from the state where the back surface Sa as the edge to which the cover is bonded is directed downward. Thus, the top part Sb as the short side which is the other edge is rotated (90 ° rotation) and moved to a position where it can be cut by the cutting blade 20 (steps S6 to S8). At this time, by rotating at least one of the table advancing / retreating unit 40 and the gripper pressing unit 34 so that the surface of the sheet bundle S is not damaged by the rotation, the sheet bundle S is rotated while being floated from the guide plate 19. When the rotation is completed, the sheet bundle S is brought into contact with the guide plate 19 by the table advance / retreat unit 40 and the gripper pressing unit 34 again. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, both sides of the sheet bundle S are driven by driving both the table advance / retreat unit 40 and the gripper pressing unit 34 (both the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22). Is rotated from the guide plate 19 (see FIG. 11), and when the rotation is completed, the sheet bundle S is brought into contact with the guide plate 19 again by the table advance / retreat unit 40 and the gripper pressing unit 34 (see FIG. 12). Further, when the sheet bundle S is positioned at a predetermined cutting position by the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32 as described above, the table is based on information relating to the surface friction coefficient of the sheet input in advance at the time of activation. The rotation speed and the movement speed of the rotary movement unit 36 and the gripper movement unit 32 are controlled, and a predetermined conveyance mode (a sheet having a large surface friction coefficient and difficult to slide) is prevented so that the sheet bundle S does not shift with respect to the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22. In this case, a high-speed mode in which the moving rotation speed is high; a low-speed mode in which the moving rotation speed is low in the case of a slippery sheet having a small surface friction coefficient is executed. Accordingly, the sheet bundle S can always be accurately positioned at a predetermined cutting position regardless of the surface friction coefficient of the sheets forming the sheet bundle S, and the cutting accuracy can be increased.

  As described above, when the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is positioned and fixed at the cutting position of the top portion Sb, it corresponds to the top portion Sb prior to cutting the top portion Sb. The edge portions on both sides of the sheet bundle S are pressed by the pair of pressing mechanisms 6C and 6C, and the top portion Sb is fixed so as not to move by the cutting force (step S9). This will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the sheet bundle S is set at the cutting position as described above (step S100), the high-speed press mode is executed until the pressing portion 68 of the pressing mechanism 6C contacts the edge of the sheet bundle S. (Step S102). Specifically, the drive motor 52 is driven in a state where the first electromagnetic clutch 53 is turned on and the second electromagnetic clutch 55 is turned off, and the rotational force of the drive motor 52 is passed through the high-speed drive system 54 and the ball screw 57. To be told. As a result, the ball screw 57 rotates at a high speed, the nut 58 advances and retreats at a high speed, and the belt 50 coupled to the nut 58 is pulled at a high speed in the direction indicated by the arrow T in FIG. 45 moves in the direction (pressing direction) of the sheet bundle S against the urging force of the urging spring 80. At this time, the moving amount of the moving pulley 45 is half of the moving amount of the nut 58, but the force applied to the moving pulley 45 (that is, the pressing force) is twice the rotational driving force of the ball screw 57. In other words, only half of the load necessary for pressing acts on the ball screw 57 and, therefore, the drive unit 70.

  In this way, when the movable pulley 45 moves in the direction of the sheet bundle S, the action member 41 moves from the standby position toward the sheet bundle S via the pressure plate 46 connected to the movable pulley 45. Thereby, the action member 41 contacts the pressing plate 43 and moves the pressing plate 43 in the direction of the sheet bundle S (see FIG. 5B). Thereafter, when it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that the pressing plate 43 is in contact with the edge of the sheet bundle S (step S104), the control unit (not shown) turns off the first electromagnetic clutch 53 and the second The electromagnetic clutch 55 is turned on, and the rotational force of the drive motor 52 is transmitted to the ball screw 57 via the low speed drive system 56. That is, the low speed press mode is executed (step S106). In this case, since the edge of the sheet bundle S and the pressing plate 43 are already in contact, the moving pulley 45 does not move, but a large torque is transmitted from the low-speed drive system 56 to the action member 41 via the moving pulley 45. A large pressing force acts on the edge of the sheet bundle S from the action member 41 via the pressing plate 43. That is, the edge of the sheet bundle S is sandwiched between the guide plate 19 and the pressing plate 43 with a predetermined pressing force, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 9A, for example. At this time, the moving pulley 45 does not move despite the belt 50 being pulled, so the pressure spring 59 starts to expand.

  In such a pressing operation, a pressing force acts uniformly over the entire width of the sheet bundle S. This is because, as described above, the action member 41 is swingably connected to the pressure plate 46 via the pivot pin 47. That is, by adopting such a swinging mechanism, the tilt of the action member 41 with respect to the sheet bundle S and the pressing plate 43 is corrected by the swinging operation when the pressing force is transmitted, and the action member 41 and the pressing plate 43 Parallelism is maintained between them (no contact of the pressing plate 43 with the sheet bundle S), and the pressing force is applied uniformly over the entire width of the sheet bundle S. Therefore, when the cutting blade 20 cuts and aligns the edges of the sheet bundle S, a sufficient pressing force can be obtained and the cutting accuracy can be increased.

  When the uniform pressing force applied to the sheet bundle S reaches a predetermined value by the pressing operation as described above, the pressure spring 59 extends to the position of the press end sensor 60, and this is detected by the press end sensor 60 ( The press sensor 60 is turned ON ... Step S108). Thereby, the drive of the drive motor 52 is stopped and a predetermined pressing force is maintained.

  Next, in a state where the predetermined pressing force is maintained, the cutting blade drive unit 38 is driven, and the top portion Sb is cut by the cutting blade 20 (step S110 in FIG. 8; step 10 in FIG. 7). Specifically, the cutting edge 20 is moved in a horizontal plane so as to draw an arc, whereby the edges of the top portion Sb are trimmed (see FIG. 9B). At this time, since the guide plate 19 is provided with a blade receiving member 19a made of a member such as plastic or rubber for receiving the cutting edge of the cutting blade 20, the cutting edge of the cutting plate 20 can be protected. Further, the waste 27 cut by this cutting operation falls by its own weight and is stored in the waste storage case 26 by the flapper 25 (see step S18 in FIG. 7). That is, when cutting is started, the flapper 25 is rotated to the waste receiving position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9B by control means (not shown), and the cutting waste that falls by its own weight along with the cutting. 27 is stored in the waste storage case 26 by the guidance of the flapper 25. Note that the flapper 25 is returned to the original position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 9A; position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 9B) every time the cutting of one sheet bundle S is completed. It is.

  When the edge of the top part Sb is cut as described above, this is detected by a cutting end sensor (not shown) (steps S112 and S114 in FIG. 8), and the cutting blade 20 again returns the sheet bundle S. Based on the thickness information, the sheet bundle S is moved to a predetermined position so as to form a gap necessary for the rotation and movement of the sheet bundle S (step S12 in FIG. 7; step S116 in FIG. 8). At the same time, the pressing force by the pressing portion 68 is also released (step S11 in FIG. 7). That is, the ON / OFF states of the electromagnetic clutches 53 and 55 are switched, the drive motor 52 is driven in reverse, and the action member 41 is returned to its standby position by the high-speed drive system 54 (steps S118 and S120 in FIG. 8). . That is, a series of cutting operations related to the top part Sb is completed (step S122 in FIG. 8).

  Subsequently, the ground portion Sd as a short side which is the other edge of the sheet bundle S is cut. Therefore, the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32 are driven again, and the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the rotary table 21 and the gripper 22 is moved from the state in which the top portion Sb faces downward (b) in FIG. ), The ground portion Sd is rotated (rotated 180 °) and moved to a position where it can be cut by the cutting blade 20 (steps S13 to S15 in FIG. 7. Of course, the sheet bundle S is also in this case). , And rotated while being lifted from the guide plate 19). When the sheet bundle S is fixed at the cutting position of the ground portion Sd, the ground portion Sd is pressed and cut according to the same procedure as the top portion Sb described above (steps S9 to S12 in FIG. 7). Thereafter, the sheet bundle S is rotated by 90 ° in the same manner to cut the fore edge Sc as the long side, which is the remaining edge, in the same procedure (see FIG. 10C). Here, after cutting the top portion Sb, the ground portion Sd is cut, but after cutting the ground portion Sd, the top portion Sb may be cut. In short, the two short sides of the sheet bundle should be cut first, and then the long side should be cut last.

  When the cutting of the three edges is completed as described above, the table rotation moving unit 36 and the gripper moving unit 32 are driven, whereby the sheet bundle S sandwiched between the gripper 22 and the rotary table 21 is discharged. Then, the sheet is conveyed into the sheet storage case 24 (step S16 in FIG. 7). Specifically, the sheet bundle S is conveyed to the discharge roller 23 while being held by the gripper 22 and the rotary table 21 while being floated from the guide plate 19 and with the back surface Sa facing downward. At the same time, when a state located between the discharge rollers 23 is detected by a sensor (not shown), the gripping state by the gripper 22 and the rotary table 21 is released while being held by the discharge roller 23 via a clamping mechanism (not shown), Thereafter, the sheet is fed into the storage case 24 only by the discharge roller 23. In this case, the sheet bundle S discharged by the discharge roller 23 is pushed into the sheet storage case 24 by the flapper 25 and is stacked and stored in a substantially vertical state with the edge Sa to which the cover is bonded down. (Step S17 in FIG. 7).

  As described above, the sheet processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment contacts the drive unit 70 that supplies power for generating a pressing force and the sheet bundle S and presses the sheet bundle S against a predetermined support surface. A pressing unit 68; and a force conversion transmitting unit 72 that converts the power from the driving unit 70 into a pressing force in a direction substantially orthogonal to a predetermined support surface (for example, the guide plate 19) and transmits the pressing force to the pressing unit 68. The conversion transmission unit 72 doubles the power supplied from the drive unit 70 and transmits it to the pressing unit 68.

  According to such a configuration, it is sufficient that the driving unit 70 generates power that is less than half of the pressing force required for the pressing operation of the sheet bundle S. That is, a pressing force necessary for pressing the sheet bundle S can be obtained with a small driving force, and only a load equal to or less than half of the necessary pressing force acts on the driving unit 70. Therefore, as described above, power for obtaining a required pressing force can be generated by motor driving, and the power can be transmitted by a mechanical transmission member such as a ball screw 57 or a gear, so that a hydraulic drive source Compared to the above, a lightweight and compact pressing device can be realized at a low cost.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the force conversion transmission unit 72 is connected to the pressing unit 68, and is stretched over the moving pulley 45 that can advance and retreat along the direction of the pressing force, and the driving unit 45. The belt 50 includes a belt 50 for moving the pulley 45 forward and backward by obtaining power from 70 and moving forward and backward. When the force conversion transmission unit 72 is configured using the principle of the moving pulley as described above, the advance / retreat distance of the belt 50 is required twice, but the force for advancing / retreating the belt 50 is only half of the required pressing force (for example, 1000 kgf Therefore, the required strength of a driving force transmission system such as a ball screw 57 and a gear connected to the belt 50 can be reduced by half.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the pressing force switching means (which changes the magnitude of the pressing force transmitted to the pressing portion 68 by selectively switching the driving source of the driving portion 70 between the high speed driving system 54 and the low speed driving system 56 ( In this embodiment, as an example, electromagnetic clutches 53 and 55) are provided, and when the pressing portion 68 contacts the sheet bundle S, the two driving systems 54 and 56 are switched by the pressing force switching means. It has become. When such a configuration is used, as described above, the pressing unit 68 is moved by the high-speed drive system 54 via the belt 50 until the pressing unit 68 moves from a predetermined standby position and contacts the sheet bundle S. Is moved quickly with a small torque, and the pressing portion 68 is moved with a large torque via the belt 50 by the low-speed drive system 56 until the pressing portion 68 comes into contact with the sheet bundle S and a predetermined pressing force is obtained. It can be moved slowly, whereby the necessary pressing force corresponding to each pressing stage can be efficiently obtained without reducing productivity. That is, since it is not necessary to supply a high pressing force over the entire stroke of the pressing operation, a low-cost pressing device that suppresses power consumption of the drive unit 70 can be realized.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the principle of the moving pulley is used to double the power supplied from the drive unit 70 and transmit it to the pressing unit 68. However, the power supplied from the drive unit 70 is doubled. As long as it can be transmitted to the pressing portion 68, the force conversion transmitting portion 72 may have any configuration. In the above-described embodiment, a dynamic pulley and a belt (advancing / retracting member) are adopted as exemplary forms of the force conversion transmission means. In order to improve the force transmission performance, the dynamic pulley is formed by a sprocket wheel. A chain (advance / retreat member) may be used instead of the belt, and this may be hung around the sprocket wheel.

  The sheet bundle pressing device of the present invention can be applied to any application for pressing a sheet bundle.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a sheet bundle processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet bundle conveyance positioning unit and a cutting unit of the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is an AA direction arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive unit of the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a pressing mechanism of the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) shows a pressed release state, and (b) shows a pressed state. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive system of an entrance conveyance roller and a positioning roller in the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing operations of the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a sheet bundle pressing operation in the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a configuration around a cutting blade of the sheet bundle processing apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) shows a state before cutting, and (b) shows a state after cutting. It is a perspective view which shows the cutting procedure by the cutting part of the sheet | seat bundle processing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which floated the sheet bundle from the guide plate. It is a figure which shows the state which made the sheet | seat bundle contact the guide plate.

Explanation of symbols

6C pressing mechanism (sheet bundle pressing device)
19 Guide plate (support surface)
45 Moving pulley 50 Belt (advance / retreat member)
68 Pressing part 70 Driving part (drive source)
72 Force conversion transmission part S Sheet bundle

Claims (13)

A drive source for supplying power for generating a pressing force;
A pressing means that abuts against the sheet bundle and presses it against a predetermined support surface;
Force conversion transmission means for converting power from the drive source into a pressing force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the support surface and transmitting the pressing force to the pressing means;
With
The sheet bundle pressing device, wherein the force conversion transmitting means doubles the power supplied from the driving source and transmits the power to the pressing means.   2. The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressing force detecting unit that detects that the pressing force applied to the sheet bundle by the pressing unit has reached a predetermined value. The force conversion transmission means is
A movable pulley that is coupled to the pressing means and is movable back and forth along the direction of action of the pressing force;
An advancing and retreating member that is stretched over the moving pulley and advances and retracts the moving pulley by moving forward and backward by obtaining power from the drive source;
The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 1, comprising: The advance / retreat member has one end connected to the drive source and the other end fixed via a spring,
4. The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 3, further comprising: a pressing force detecting unit that detects that a pressing force applied to the sheet bundle has reached a predetermined value by detecting an extension amount of the spring. apparatus.   The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 3, further comprising an urging unit that constantly urges the movable pulley in a direction in which the movable pulley is separated from the sheet bundle.   The drive source includes: a first drive system that generates a first torque of a predetermined magnitude that causes the advance / retreat member to advance and retreat at a first speed of a predetermined magnitude; and 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second drive system that generates a second torque that is greater than the first torque that is advanced and retracted at a slow second speed. The sheet bundle pressing device according to the description.   The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second drive systems are formed by a gear train formed by meshing a plurality of gears.   And a pressing force switching means for changing the magnitude of the pressing force transmitted to the pressing means by selectively switching the driving source between the first driving system and the second driving system. The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 6 or 7.   9. The sheet bundle pressing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressing force switching unit switches the first and second drive systems when the pressing unit contacts the sheet bundle.   The drive source includes a first drive system that generates a first torque having a predetermined magnitude, a second drive system that generates a second torque larger than the first torque, and a first drive system. The sheet bundle pressing device according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching between the first drive system and the second drive system at a predetermined timing. A drive source for supplying power for generating a pressing force;
A pressing means that abuts against the sheet bundle and presses it against a predetermined support surface;
Force conversion transmission means for converting power from the drive source into a pressing force in a direction substantially orthogonal to the support surface and transmitting the pressing force to the pressing means;
With
The drive source includes a first drive system that generates a first torque having a predetermined magnitude, a second drive system that generates a second torque larger than the first torque, and a first drive system. And a second drive system, switching means for switching at a predetermined timing. A sheet bundle pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet bundle pressed and held by the sheet bundle pressing device;
A sheet bundle cutting apparatus comprising: A sheet bundle receiving portion for receiving the sheet bundle;
Conveying means for conveying the sheet bundle received by the sheet bundle receiving unit to a predetermined cutting position;
The sheet bundle pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sheet bundle conveyed to the cutting position by the conveying unit is pressed.
A cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet bundle pressed and held by the sheet bundle pressing device;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising:

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