JP2006076146A - Sheet processor and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processor capable of executing proper sheet processing by determining the switching of a copying JOB when switched to another copying JOB different in operation mode and size or the like in one copying JOB, and an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: When a copying start signal is transmitted to a CPU 1001 of the sheet processor 400 from a control part 2 at a printer 200 in a device body 11, the CPU 1001 executes the JOB change determination processing of whether it is changed to another copying JOB different in operation mode and image forming size or the like in the one copying JOB or not. When it is changed to another copying JOB, the CPU 1001 executes the proper sheet processing to another copying JOB that is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a sheet processing apparatus which receives an image-formed sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus and performs sheet alignment processing or the like and discharges the sheet to a discharge tray is provided separately or integrally. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the conventional image forming apparatus having the sheet processing apparatus as described above, a control signal is sent to the sheet processing apparatus so that one job in which an image forming mode, an image size, and the like are specified is processed as one segment. Output. Therefore, the sheet processing apparatus performs predetermined sheet processing control based on a signal for each job input from the image forming apparatus.

JP-A-9-73252

  By the way, in recent years, when a sheet processing apparatus is controlled by a multifunction machine such as a multifunction printer as an image forming apparatus, a plurality of jobs are handled as one job, and a plurality of different image forming modes, image sizes, and the like are changed. An image forming apparatus that handles a job as one job has been proposed. However, in the conventional sheet processing control as described above, it is difficult to perform appropriate sheet processing for a plurality of different jobs within one job.

  Therefore, the present invention treats a plurality of jobs as one job, and treats a plurality of different jobs whose image formation mode, image size, etc. are changed as one job, with respect to a plurality of different jobs within one job. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can perform appropriate sheet processing.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes, the plurality of image forming modes are handled as one job, Job change determination means for determining whether or not the job has been changed to another job in a different image formation mode based on the one job information input from the forming apparatus via the communication means; and the job And a control unit that controls to perform sheet processing according to the changed another job when the change determining unit determines that the job is changed to another job within the one job.

  Further, when the control unit determines that the job change determination unit has changed to another job within the one job, the control unit controls the sheet processing apparatus to return to a predetermined initial state at the time of sheet processing before the change. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, the first sheet stacking unit on which the sheets are stacked, the second sheet stacking unit on which the sheets are discharged and stacked from the first sheet stacking unit, and the first sheet stacking unit are stacked. Sheet discharge means for discharging the sheet to the second sheet stacking means, stacked sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking means, and stacking on the first sheet stacking means Aligning means for aligning the sheet with an aligning member along the sheet conveyance direction, and the control means determines that the stacked sheet is changed to another job within the one job by the job change determining means When the detection unit detects that there is a sheet on the first sheet stacking unit, the sheet discharge unit discharges the sheet to the second sheet stacking unit. When it is detected that there is no sheet on the first sheet stacking means by the stacked sheet detection means is characterized by controlling so as to return said alignment means to a predetermined initial state.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the above that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. It is characterized by that.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a plurality of image forming modes, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet according to each image forming mode, and the plurality of image forming modes are handled as one job, Job change determination means for determining whether or not a change is made to another job in a different image formation mode within the one job, based on the one job information input from the image forming means via a communication means; Control means for controlling to perform sheet processing according to the changed another job when the job change determining means determines that the job has been changed to another job within the one job. Yes.

  According to the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of image forming modes are handled as one job, and different image forming modes within one job are based on one job information input from the image forming apparatus via a communication unit. Even when the job is changed to another job, it is possible to perform appropriate sheet processing for the changed another job.

  Also, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of image forming modes are handled as one job, and different images within one job are based on one job information input from the image forming unit via the communication unit. Even when the job is changed to another job in the forming mode, an appropriate sheet process can be performed on the changed another job.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view showing a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is front sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet processing apparatus 400 for processing a sheet on which a toner image discharged from the apparatus main body 11 is formed is connected to the side surface of the apparatus main body 11 of the copying machine 10 (sheet processing apparatus 400). Will be described later in detail). The apparatus main body 11 of the copying machine 10 includes a reader unit 100 and a printer unit 200.

  The reader unit 100 includes a document table glass 101 on which documents (not shown) are stacked, a scanner unit 106 including an illumination lamp and a mirror for reading a document sent from the automatic document feeder 300, and a document table glass. 101, a scanning reflection mirror (scanning mirror) 103, 104 for irradiating the original on 101 from the scanner unit 106 to change the optical path of the reflected light, a lens system 105 having a function of focusing and scaling the reflected light, It has a CCD image sensor unit 126 and the like.

  The apparatus main body 11 includes a registration roller 107, a photosensitive drum 108 exemplified as an image forming unit, a charger 127, a developing unit 109, a transfer unit 110, and the like, and forms a latent image corresponding to a document on the photosensitive drum 108. A laser unit 122, a polygon mirror 123, a mirror 125 for changing an optical path, and the like. Further, the apparatus main body 11 includes a conveyance belt 111 that conveys a sheet of plain paper or the like on which a toner image is formed to the fixing roller 112 side, a fixing roller 112 that thermocompresses the toner image on the conveyed sheet, and a sheet. Conveying roller 113 for conveying, flappers 114 and 117 for switching the conveying direction of the conveyed sheet, conveying roller 115 for conveying the sheet to the sheet processing apparatus 400 side, flapper 120 and reversing path 116 for reversing the front and back of the sheet, each cassette A pickup roller 119 that picks up a sheet from the sheet 203, a feeding roller 118 that pulls out the sheet from each cassette 203, a conveyance roller 201 that transfers the sheet pulled out from each cassette 203 upward, an intermediate roller 202, and the like.

  During the image forming operation by the copying machine 10, a document placed on the platen glass 101 is optically read by the scanner unit 106, and the CCD is passed through the scanning reflection mirrors (scanning mirrors) 103 and 104 and the lens system 105. Output to the image sensor unit 126. The CCD image sensor unit 126 performs electrical processing such as photoelectric conversion on the input image data and performs digital signal processing. The digitally processed image signal is converted into a modulated optical signal by the laser unit 122, and the photosensitive drum 108 charged by the charger 127 is irradiated with the laser beam L to form a latent image. This latent image is developed by the developing device 109 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 108.

  The sheet P set in each cassette 203 is conveyed to the registration roller 107 by the pickup roller 119, the feeding roller 118, the conveying roller 201, and the intermediate roller 202. The registration roller 107 sends the sheet to the photosensitive drum 108 by aligning the leading edge of the toner image with the leading edge of the sheet at an accurate timing. Thereafter, the sheet passes between the photosensitive drum 108 and the transfer device 110, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 108 is transferred onto the sheet.

  Thereafter, the sheet is separated from the photosensitive drum 108 and conveyed to the fixing roller 112 by the conveying belt 111, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by pressure and heating at the nip portion. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed in this manner is sent into the apparatus main body 400A of the sheet processing apparatus 400 by the guidance of the flapper 114 and the conveyance of the paper discharge roller 115 with the toner image surface facing up. Further, in order to send the toner image side down to the sheet processing apparatus 400, the sheet is once sent to the reversing path 116 by the guidance of the flappers 114, 117, 120 and the rotation of the conveying roller 121, and then the back of the sheet. When the end passes through the flapper 117, the flapper 117 is switched, the conveying roller 121 is reversed, and the sheet passes through the passage on the left side of the flapper 117 and is fed into the sheet processing apparatus 400.

  Further, to form a toner image on the other side of the sheet (double-sided image formation), that is, to form a toner image on both sides of the sheet, the guide of the flappers 114, 117, 120 and the rotation of the conveying roller 121 are used. After the sheet on which the toner image is fixed on one surface is sent to the reversing path 116 by the above image forming operation, the flapper 120 is switched when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the flapper 120, and the conveying roller 121 is reversed. To the return path 124. When the sheet is fed into the return path 124, the sheet is reversed, and the toner image is formed on the other surface by the photosensitive drum 108 through the return path 124 as described above. The sheet is sent to the sheet processing apparatus 400 after being fixed by the fixing roller 112.

  Next, the sheet processing apparatus 400 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet receiving unit 401 is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 400 </ b> A of the sheet processing apparatus 400 connected to the apparatus main body 11 of the copier 10, and is discharged from the apparatus main body 11 side. When a sheet enters the sheet receiving unit 401, the entrance sensor 403 detects the sheet that has entered the sheet receiving unit 401, and rotates the conveying roller 407 by driving the conveying motor 450, so that an intermediate tray as a first sheet stacking unit is used. Drain onto 410. An intermediate tray sheet sensor 415 serving as a stacked sheet detection unit detects the sheets P stacked on the intermediate tray 410.

  By the sheet detection by the inlet sensor 403 and the intermediate tray sheet sensor 415, the bundle discharge motor 473 rotates in the reverse direction to rotate the bundle return member 409. The bundle returning member 409 moves the sheet P to the right in FIG. At this time, a stopper 419 protruding integrally with the bundle discharge belt 417 protrudes on the intermediate tray 410. Note that the position of the stopper 419 shown in FIG. 2 is a retracted position. The stopper 419 receives the rear end portion of the sheet P, which is an edge that intersects the conveyance direction of the sheet P. By the rotation operation of the bundle returning member 409 and the reception of the sheet bundle by the stopper 419, a rear end alignment operation for aligning the rear ends of the sheet bundle is performed.

  Further, the alignment member moving motors 447a and 447b shown in FIG. 3 are also started, and the alignment members 413a and 413b perform a side edge alignment operation for aligning the side edge portions along the sheet conveyance direction. As described above, the sheets P sequentially discharged to the intermediate tray 410 are aligned on the intermediate tray 410 by the bundle return member 409, the stopper 419, and the alignment members 413a and 413b to form a sheet bundle.

  Here, the operation of the aligning unit 490 (see FIG. 3) as an aligning unit for aligning the sheet bundle will be described.

  When the alignment member moving motors 447a and 447b are operated, the pinions 445a and 445b provided on the respective rotation shafts of the alignment member moving motors 447a and 447b are rotated. Then, the racks 443a and 443b meshing with the pinions 445a and 445b move, and the alignment members 413a and 413b integrated with the racks 443a and 443b approach each other. Then, the aligning plate 442 and the aligning member 413b on the aligning member 413a sandwich the sheet bundle from both sides of the sheet bundle and perform the side end alignment of the sheet bundle.

  At this time, when the sheet width varies or the alignment members 413a and 413b move too much, the alignment plate 442 presses the pair of alignment springs 441 and retreats. As a result, the aligning unit 490 reliably aligns the sheet bundle or absorbs excessive movement, so that alignment is performed based on the aligning member 413a. In addition, a clock disk 493 is integrally provided in an alignment member moving motor 447b that moves the alignment member 413b.

  An alignment member clock sensor 492 faces the clock disk 493. The amount of movement of the alignment member 413a is determined by the counter 416 in the CPU 1001 (see FIG. 8) as a control means described later counting the clock pulse generated when the alignment member clock sensor 492 detects the rotation of the clock disk 493. Detected by.

  Therefore, the alignment unit 490 can perform the side edge alignment according to the sheet size by the CPU 1001 controlling the alignment member moving motors 447a and 447b based on the sheet size information input by the user. ing. The alignment members 413a and 413b of the alignment unit 490 of this embodiment are moved by separate alignment member moving motors 447a and 447b, but may be moved by a common motor. Moreover, although both the alignment members 413a and 413b move, you may make it fix only one and move only the other.

  When the sheet bundle is created by the aligning unit 490, the staple unit 600 binds the sheet bundle. Then, the bundle discharge motor 473 rotates forward. A bundle discharge belt 417 exemplified as a sheet discharge means is circulated by a bundle discharge motor 473, and a rear end of the sheet bundle is pushed by a stopper 419 integrally projecting on the bundle discharge belt 417 to serve as a second sheet stacking means. The sheet bundle is discharged onto the upper stack tray 421 illustrated. At this time, the sheet sensor 462 (see FIG. 2) detects a sheet on the upper stack tray 421.

  The upper stack tray 421 is moved up and down by the upper stack tray motor 467 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) rotating the gear 704 provided on the drive shaft of the motor and moving the rack gear 703 engaged with the gear 704 up and down. Is done by letting The upper stack tray motor 467 is provided with a clock disk 700 that detects the rotation of the upper stack tray motor 467 and the amount of movement of the upper stack tray 421. An upper stack tray clock sensor 466 is opposed to the clock disc 700. The raising / lowering position of the upper stack tray 421 is detected by the counter 416 in the CPU 1001 (see FIG. 8) counting the clock pulse generated when the upper stack tray clock sensor 466 detects the rotation of the clock disk 700. .

  Similarly, the lower stack tray 422 exemplified as the second sheet stacking means is moved up and down by a lower stack tray motor 468 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) as a moving means provided on the drive shaft of this motor. This is done by rotating 705 and raising and lowering the rack gear 703 meshing with the gear 705. The lower stack tray motor 468 is provided with a clock disk 701 that detects the rotation of the lower stack tray motor 468 and the amount of movement of the lower stack tray 422. A lower stack tray clock sensor 482 faces the clock disk 701. The raising / lowering position of the lower stack tray 422 is determined by the counter 416 in the CPU 1001 (see FIG. 8) serving as control means counting clock pulses generated when the lower stack tray clock sensor 482 detects the rotation of the clock disk 701. Detected by.

  In FIG. 2, when the sheet bundle is discharged to the upper stack tray 421, the upper stack tray 421 is lowered until the home position detection sensor 461 is turned off, and the bundle discharge belt 417 is moved to the home position (the retracted position of the stopper 419). The upper stack tray 421 is raised until the home position detection sensor 461 is turned on. The descending amount at this time counts the clock pulse by the upper stack tray clock sensor 466, and when rising, the rising amount is similarly detected by the pulse count by the upper stack tray clock sensor 466, and the upper stack tray 421 moves. The CPU 1001 detects the height of the sheet based on the amount difference and completes a series of stapling operations.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheets P stacked on the intermediate tray 410 protrude into the up and down area of the upper stack tray 421 so as not to slip off from the intermediate tray 410, and enter the intermediate tray 410 and the upper stack tray 421. It is designed to be loaded across. This is to reduce the size of the sheet processing apparatus 400 by using the lifting / lowering area of the upper stack tray 421, and accordingly, the alignment members 413 a and 413 b can reliably perform sheet width alignment. 1 and 2, the left end (downstream side in the sheet conveying direction) protrudes outward from the apparatus main body 400 </ b> A of the sheet processing apparatus 400.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the copying machine 10.

  The apparatus main body 11 includes a control unit 1 of the reader unit 100, a control unit 2 of the printer unit 200, and a control unit 3 of an external device. The control unit 1 of the reader unit 100 performs movement control of the scanner unit 106 and the like in the reader unit 100. The control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 performs operation control of a motor that rotates a roller in the printer unit 200 and a plunger that tilts a flapper. The control unit 3 of the external device is connected to a telephone line, a personal computer (PC), a word processor (WS), and the like, and is connected to the control unit 1 of the writer unit 100 to process an external signal and process the reader unit 100. Control such as sending to the control unit 1 or sending the signal of the control unit 1 of the reader unit 100 to the outside is performed.

  The control unit 900 of the automatic document feeder 300 is connected to the control unit 1 of the reader unit 100, and the automatic document feeder 300 is configured to reliably and accurately read a document by cooperative control with the reader unit 100. The automatic document feeder 300 can reliably feed the document to the reader unit 100 by controlling a motor for rotating the inner roller and a plunger for tilting the flapper. A control unit 1000 serving as a control unit of the sheet processing apparatus 400 is connected to the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200, and exchanges data with the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 by a bus or serial communication. By controlling a motor that rotates the motor, a plunger that tilts the flapper, and the like, the sheet is reliably received from the printer unit 200 of the apparatus main body 11, and the width control of the sheet bundle and the control for binding the sheet bundle are performed.

  Note that the control unit 1000 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 may be incorporated into the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 and integrated with the control unit 2. In this case, the sheet processing apparatus 400 may be separate from the printer unit 200 of the copying machine 10 or may be incorporated in the printer unit 200.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 1000 as a control unit in the sheet processing apparatus 400.

The CPU 1001 in the control unit 1000 has a ROM 1005, and the ROM 1005 stores a program corresponding to an operation procedure shown in FIGS. The CPU 1001 reads out and executes these programs, and controls each unit. Further, the CPU 1001 controls each unit based on work data stored in the RAM 1003, calculation data of the CPU 1001 itself, input data from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200, and the like. Further, the CPU 1001 controls each unit based on adjustment data such as a position correction value stored in the E ² PROM 1007. The position correction value includes, for example, a value for correcting variation in the amount of movement of the alignment members 413a and 413b, which are different for each manufactured sheet processing apparatus, from a predetermined reference position.

  The CPU 1001 exchanges data with the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 through the communication IC 1009 to control each unit in the apparatus main body 400A of the sheet processing apparatus 400. Various sensors described later are connected to the input port of the CPU 1001, and various motors described later connected to the output port according to a program stored in the ROM 1005 and plungers (not shown) are connected based on signals from these sensors. Control the load.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the input port of the CPU 1001 includes an inlet sensor 403, a sheet sensor 462 of the upper stack tray 421, a sheet sensor 469 of the lower stack tray 422, a home position detection sensor 461, a stack tray upper limit sensor 465, an intermediate tray. Sensors such as a sheet sensor 415, a stack tray lower limit sensor 463, an upper limit stack tray clock sensor 466, a lower limit stack tray clock sensor 482, and an alignment member clock sensor 492 are connected.

  The entrance sensor 403 detects a sheet that has entered the apparatus main body 400 </ b> A of the sheet post-processing apparatus 400 from the sheet receiving unit 401. The sheet sensor 462 of the upper stack tray 421 detects whether or not sheets are stacked on the upper stack tray 421. A sheet sensor 469 for the lower stack tray detects whether sheets are stacked on the lower stack tray 422.

  The home position detection sensor 461 detects whether or not the upper stack tray 421 and the lower stack tray 422 on which sheets are not stacked are at a home position where the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 410 can be received.

  The stack tray upper limit sunsa 465 detects whether or not the upper stack tray 421 is moved up and down to the top of the lifting range. The intermediate tray sheet sensor 415 detects whether or not the sheet is discharged and stacked on the intermediate tray 410 by the transport roller 407. The stack tray lower limit sensor 463 detects whether or not the lower stack tray 422 is lowered to the lowermost part of the lifting / lowering range.

  The upper limit stack tray clock sensor 466 detects the rotation of the clock disk 700 that rotates as the upper limit stack tray 421 moves up and down, and detects the current position of the upper limit stack tray 421 in cooperation with the counter 416 in the CPU 1001. . The lower limit stack tray clock sensor 482 detects the rotation of the clock disk 701 that rotates as the lower limit stack tray 422 moves up and down, and detects the current position of the lower limit stack tray 422 in cooperation with the counter 416 in the CPU 1001. . The alignment member clock sensor 492 detects the rotation of the clock disc 493 that rotates as the alignment member 413b moves, and detects the current position of the alignment member 413b in cooperation with the counter 416 in the CPU 1001.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the output port of the CPU 1001 includes a transport motor 450, an alignment member moving motor 447a, an alignment member moving motor 447b, a bundle discharge motor 473, an upper stack tray motor 467, and a lower stack tray motor 468. Etc. are connected.

  The conveyance motor 450 rotates the conveyance roller 407 and conveys the sheet that has entered the apparatus main body 400 </ b> A of the sheet processing apparatus 400 from the sheet receiving unit 401 to the intermediate tray 410. The alignment member moving motor 447a rotates the pinion 445a to move the alignment member 413a. The alignment member moving motor 447b rotates the pinion 445b to move the alignment member 413b. The bundle discharge motor 473 rotates the bundle return member 409 and the bundle discharge belt 417. The upper stack tray motor 467 moves the upper stack tray 421 up and down, and the lower stack tray motor 468 moves the lower stack tray 422 up and down.

  Next, the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 400 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

(Operation of the sheet processing apparatus 400 at the start of copying)
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not the printer unit 200 of the copying machine 10 has started a copying operation (image forming operation) (step S1001). This determination is a determination as to whether a copy start signal or a sheet discharge signal is sent from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet is discharged from the apparatus main body 11. If the sheet is not discharged from the apparatus main body 11, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not the copying operation is started again, and Prepare for a stop.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of different copy jobs having different operation modes, image formation (copy) sizes, and the like within one copy operation (hereinafter referred to as a copy job (job)) while the copy start signal is ON. Are continuously executed and one copy job is completed, the copy start signal from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 of the apparatus main body 11 is turned OFF.

  When a copy start signal is sent from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 of the apparatus main body 11 to the CPU 1001 of the sheet processing apparatus 400, the CPU 1001 determines whether or not an operation mode signal has been transmitted next (step). S1002) and whether or not size (image formation size) information has been transmitted (step S1003), and an operation mode and image formation (copy) within one copy JOB, which is a feature of the present invention to be described later. A job change determination process is performed to determine whether the copy job has been changed (changed) to another copy job having a different size or the like (step S1004).

(JOB change judgment process)
In the flowchart of the job change determination process (step S1004 in FIG. 9) as the job change determination unit shown in FIG. 10, Buf_A, Buf_B, Buf_C, and Buf_D are a memory for storing data of the CPU 1001 and the like.

  As shown in the flowchart of the job change determination process shown in FIG. 10, first, the received operation mode data is temporarily stored in Buf_A (step S1101), and then Buf_B and Buf_A are compared (step S1102). Is stored in the operation mode data (step S1103).

  Similarly, after the received size information data is temporarily stored in Buf_C (step S1104), Buf_D and Buf_C are compared (step S1105), and if both are equal, the value of Buf_D is stored in the size information data (step S1104). Step S1106).

  If Buf_B and Buf_A are not equal in step S1102, the value of Buf_A is stored in Buf_B (step S1107). Similarly, if Buf_D and Buf_C are not equal in step S1105, the value of Buf_C is stored in Buf_D (step S1108). As described above, the CPU 1001 has changed to another copy job in which the operation mode, the image formation size, and the like are different in one copy job when the copy start signal is in the ON state based on the determination in step S1102 and step S1105. It is determined whether or not (switched).

  If it is determined that the operation mode, image formation size, or the like has been changed to another copy job within one copy job, the initial process described later is returned to a predetermined initial state at the time of sheet processing before the change. Is performed (step S1109). As described above, even when a plurality of jobs are handled as one job and a plurality of different jobs whose image formation mode, image size, etc. are changed are handled as one job according to the flowchart of the job change determination process shown in FIG. Appropriate sheet processing can be performed for a plurality of different jobs within one job.

(Initial processing)
As shown in the flowchart of the initial process shown in FIG. 11 (step S1109 in FIG. 10), the CPU 1001 determines whether or not the sheet processing for another copy job before the change is detected is completed (step S1111). If it is determined that the data buffer for the previous copy job is cleared (step S1112), alignment initial processing for returning the data to the predetermined reference position of the alignment members 413a and 413b is executed (step S1113).

  Then, after completion of the job change determination process in step S1004 in FIG. 9, transmission of a sheet discharge signal is awaited (step S1005), and when a sheet discharge signal is received in step S1005, sheet processing control described later is executed (step S1006). . When sheet processing control ends in step S1006, the CPU 1001 determines whether the printer unit 200 of the copier 10 has started a copying operation (image forming operation) as in step S1001 (step S1007). This determination is a determination as to whether a copy start signal or a sheet discharge signal is sent from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200.

(Sheet processing control)
As shown in the flowchart of the sheet processing control shown in FIG. 12 (step S1006 in FIG. 9), the CPU 1001 can start the transport motor 450 and transport the sheet whenever the sheet is fed into the sheet processing apparatus 400. As described above, the sheet processing apparatus 400 is set in a standby state (step S1201), and the process waits until the sheet conveyed from the printer unit 200 can be detected by the entrance sensor 403. When the sheet passes the entrance sensor 403 (step S1202), the counter 416 in the CPU 1001 starts counting the conveyance clock (step S1203). The CPU 1001 causes the counter 416 to continue counting until the count number of the counter 416 reaches a predetermined value. When the value of the counter 416 reaches a predetermined value and the clock count ends (step S1204), the CPU 1001 determines that the sheet has reached the intermediate tray 410 and stops the rotation of the transport motor 450 (step S1205). ).

  Then, the CPU 1001 rotates the bundle return member 409 to move the sheet to the right in FIG. 2 to contact the stopper 419 in order to align the trailing edge of the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 410 (step S1206). ). Further, the CPU 1001 operates the alignment members 413a and 413b shown in FIG. 3 to perform sheet side edge alignment (step S1207).

  Thereafter, the CPU 1001 determines the presence or absence of a stapling request signal transmitted from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 (step S1208), and operates the stapling unit 600 to bind the sheet bundle only when there is a stapling request (stapling). (Step S1209).

  The CPU 1001 determines whether there is a signal for discharging the sheet bundle transmitted from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 regardless of whether there is a stapling request (step S1210). When the detection sensor 461 is ON (step S1211), the bundle discharge belt 417 is circulated and the trailing end of the sheet bundle is pushed by the stopper 419 and discharged to the upper stack tray 421 or the lower stack tray 422 (step S1213). If the home position detection sensor 461 is OFF in step S1211, tray home position processing control (tray home position SUB), which will be described later, is performed (step S1212), and the bundle discharge operation is executed to collect the sheet bundle. It discharges (step S1213).

(Tray home position SUB)
As shown in the flowchart of the tray home position SUB (step S1212 in FIG. 12) shown in FIG. 13, when the home position detection sensor 461 is OFF (step S1301), the upper stack tray 421 or the lower stack tray 422 is raised (step S1301). Step S1302). Then, the process waits until the home position detection sensor 461 is turned on (step S1303). When the home position detection sensor 461 is turned on, the rising of the upper stack tray 421 or the lower stack tray 422 is stopped (step S1304).

(Tray switching operation)
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, during the switching operation between the upper stack tray 421 and the lower stack tray 422, the CPU 1001 waits for a determination as to whether or not to switch between the upper stack tray 421 and the lower stack tray 422 (in the case of “NO”). Is in a waiting state) (step S1401). This determination is a determination as to whether a signal for specifying a tray (including a switching instruction) is sent from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200 to the control unit 1000 of the sheet processing apparatus 400.

  In step S1401, if there is an instruction to switch trays from the control unit 2 of the printer unit 200, the above-described sheet processing control (see FIG. 12) is performed (step S1402), and when this sheet processing is completed, the alignment members 413a and 413b. An alignment evacuation process (to be described later) for moving the image to the evacuation position is performed (step S1403), and then a tray switching process to be described later is performed (step S1404). As a result, the tray is switched from the upper stack tray 421 to the lower stack tray 422 or from the lower stack tray 422 to the upper stack tray 421.

(Consistent save processing)
As shown in the flowchart of the alignment saving process (step S1403 in FIG. 14) shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 1001 waits for a determination as to whether the alignment saving operation is permitted (step S1501). When the sheet is no longer sent from the apparatus main body 11 and the sheet alignment is completed, the CPU 1001 determines that the alignment retreat operation is permitted, and determines whether the current position of the alignment members 413a and 413b is the retreat position. (Step S1502).

  If it is determined in step S1502 that the alignment / retraction operation is permitted and the alignment members 413a and 413b are at the retraction position, the alignment / retraction process is terminated. If the alignment members 413a and 413b are not in the retracted position in step S1302, the CPU 1001 controls the motors 447a and 447b for moving the alignment plates to move the alignment members 413a and 413b to the retracted position (step S1503). ).

  The retracted positions of the alignment members 413a and 413b are detected by the cooperative operation of the clock sensor 492 and the counter 416. The retracted positions of the alignment members 413a and 413b are positions wider than the maximum width of the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 410. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper stack tray 421 is formed with, for example, notches 423 and 424 which are interference avoiding portions corresponding to the retracted positions of the alignment members 413a and 413b.

  There may be three or more trays. In this case, it is necessary to form the notches 423 and 424 with respect to a tray that moves to a position (height) that interferes with the alignment members 413a and 413b by at least vertical movement of the plurality of trays. In this embodiment, it is necessary to form notches 423 and 424 in at least the uppermost tray (upper stack tray 421). When the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position (step S1504), the CPU 1001 stops the movement of the alignment members 413a and 413b (step S1505).

(Tray switching process)
As shown in the flowchart of the tray switching process shown in FIG. 16 (step S1404 in FIG. 14), the CPU 1001 takes time T1 until the alignment members 413a and 413b move from the current position where the side edge alignment of the sheet bundle is performed to the retracted position. And the time T2 during which the upper stack tray 421 moves from the current position to the position of the alignment members 413a and 413b (retracted position) is determined to determine whether T1 <T2 is satisfied (step S1601). The current positions of the alignment members 413 a and 413 b can be detected by the clock sensor 492 and the counter 416 in the CPU 1001. Further, the current position of the upper stack tray 421 can be detected by the clock disk 700 and the counter 416.

The time T1 is the amount of movement of the aligning members 413a and 413b (the distance from the current position of the aligning members 413a and 413b where the sheet side edge alignment is performed to the retracted position) W1, and the retracting speed S1 of the aligning members 413a and 413b. Then
T1 = W1 ÷ S1 (Formula 1)
It becomes.

In addition, the time T2 moves down the upper stack tray 421 when the upper stack tray 421 travel distance (lifting distance) L1, the upper stack tray 421 moving speed (lifting speed) S2, and when the sheet is discharged to the upper stack tray 421. If the position is C1, and the distance from the C1 position to the retracted position of the upper stack tray 421 is C2,
T2 = (C1-C2) ÷ S2 (Expression 2)
It becomes. When there is no sheet on the upper stack tray 421, C1 = C2.

  If T1 <T2 in step S1601, the CPU 1001 permits an alignment retreat operation for moving the alignment members 413a and 413b to the retreat position (step S1602), and executes a tray switching operation SUB described later (step S1603). ). When the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position (S1604), the lifting operation of the upper stack tray 421 is finished, and the tray switching is finished (step S1605).

  Since T1 <T2 in the retracting operation of the alignment members 413a and 413b and the lifting operation of the upper stack tray 421, the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position before the upper stack tray 421, Thereafter, the upper stack tray 421 reaches the position of the alignment members 413a and 413b, and the notches 423 and 424 pass through the alignment members 413a and 413b, so that the upper stack tray 421 interferes with the alignment members 413a and 413b. There is no.

  In step S1601, even when T1 <T2 is not satisfied (that is, when T1 ≧ T2), the CPU 1001 permits the alignment retreat operation for moving the alignment members 413a and 413b to the retreat position (step S1606). In this case, since T1 ≧ T2, the upper stack tray 421 reaches the position of the alignment members 413a and 413b and interferes with the alignment members 413a and 413b before the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position. There is a fear.

  Therefore, the CPU 1001 increases the moving speed of the alignment members 413a and 413b, slows the lifting / lowering speed of the upper stack tray 421, delays the start of lifting / lowering of the upper stack tray 421, so that T1 <T2. Control to temporarily stop in the middle of raising and lowering is performed (step S1607). If T1 <T2 based on the control signal from the CPU 1001 in step S1407, a tray switching operation SUB described later is executed (S1608).

  When the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position after the tray switching operation SUB is finished (step S1609), the lifting operation of the upper stack tray 421 is finished and the tray switching is finished (step S1610). Also in this case, the alignment members 413a and 413b move to the retracted position before the upper stack tray 421, and then the upper stack tray 421 reaches the position of the alignment members 413a and 413b, so that the notches 423 and 424 are aligned. Since it passes through 413a and 413b, the upper stack tray 421 does not interfere with the alignment members 413a and 413b.

(Tray switching operation SUB)
As shown in the flowchart of the tray switching operation SUB (step S1608 in FIG. 16) shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 1001 determines whether the upper stack tray 421 or the lower stack tray 422 is in the tray home position detection sensor 461. (Step S1701). In this determination, when the sheet processing apparatus 400 performs an initial operation, either the upper stack tray 421 or the lower stack tray 422 is moved up and down to the position of the home position detection sensor 461 of the tray, and the tray is stored in the RAM 1003. Therefore, it is performed based on the memory.

  When the home position detection sensor 461 determines that the upper stack tray 421 is detected in step S1701, the CPU 1001 operates the upper stack tray motor 467 to raise the upper stack tray 421 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S1702). When the stack tray upper limit sensor 465 detects the upper limit of the upper stack tray 421 (step S1703), the CPU 1001 stops the upper stack tray motor 467, stops the upper stack tray 421, and operates the lower stack tray motor 468. Thus, the lower stack tray 422 is raised (step S1704).

  Then, when the home position detection sensor 461 detects the lower stack tray 422 (step S1705), the CPU 1001 stops raising the lower stack tray 422 (step S1706).

  If the home position detection sensor 461 determines that the lower stack tray 422 is detected in step S1701, the CPU 1001 operates the lower stack tray motor 468 to lower the lower stack tray 422 (step S1707). When the stack tray lower limit detection sensor 463 detects the lower limit of the lower stack tray 422 (step S1708), the CPU 1001 stops the lower stack tray motor 468, stops the lower stack tray 422, and moves the upper stack tray motor 467. The upper stack tray 421 is lowered by operating (step S1709). When the home position detection sensor 461 detects the upper stack tray 421 (step S1710), the CPU 1001 stops the lowering of the upper stack tray 421 (step S1711).

  Note that the tray switching operation of this embodiment starts and ends the operation of one upper stack tray 421 (or lower stack tray 422), and then performs the operation of the other stack tray 422 (or lower stack tray 421). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, a case where both stack trays 421 and 422 are started to operate substantially simultaneously and operated in parallel.

(Tray stop judgment process)
In the tray stop determination process, in the tray switching operation SUB in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, when the alignment members 413a and 413b do not move to the retracted position within a predetermined time, the upper stack tray 466 (or the lower stack tray 467 being lifted / lowered). ) Is stopped urgently so that the upper stack tray 466 (or the lower stack tray 467) does not interfere with the alignment members 413a and 413b.

  In the tray stop determination process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, a timer for a predetermined time for error check is operated (timer set) under the control of the CPU 1001 (step S1801), and the alignment save process of the alignment members 413a and 413b is performed. (Step S1802) When the predetermined time set in step S1801 has elapsed (time up) (step S1803) and the alignment members 413a and 413b do not move to the retracted position, the upper stack tray 466 (or the lower stack tray 467) ) Is prohibited (step S1804). Then, the CPU 1001 notifies the apparatus main body 11 of the state via the communication IC 1009 (see FIG. 8) (S1805), and ends the tray stop determination process. In this case, an error may be displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 11.

  The image forming apparatus includes a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a complex machine of these. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the copying machine described in the above embodiment, but is a facsimile machine. , Printers, and complex machines of these. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in the apparatus main body of the copying machine and is one of the components of the copying machine. However, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus of the copying machine. It is provided not only on the main body but also on the main body of the apparatus such as a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction machine of these.

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is formed separately from the apparatus main body of the copying machine and connected to the apparatus main body of the copying machine, but may be provided in the apparatus main body of the copying machine. Good. The same applies to a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction machine of these, and may be provided in the apparatus main body. As described above, when the sheet processing apparatus is provided in the main body of a copying machine or the like, the structure can be simplified by using the motor, the plunger, the control unit, and the like. Sheets on which an image can be formed by a copying machine include plain paper, pressure paper, thin resin sheets that are substitutes for plain paper, postcards, and paper for overhead projectors.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the alignment part which aligns a sheet | seat bundle in the sheet processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the drive part which raises / lowers the upper stage stack tray and the lower stage stack tray in the sheet processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The top view of the upper stage stack tray in the sheet processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when the upper stack tray is at the upper limit and the lower stack tray is at the home position in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a copier that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing at the start of copying in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing JOB change determination processing in FIG. 9. 11 is a flowchart showing initial processing in FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing sheet processing control in FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a tray home position SUB in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing tray switching operation of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the alignment save process in FIG. The flowchart which shows the tray switching process in FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a tray switching operation SUB in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing tray stop determination processing of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part of reader part 2 Control part of printer part 10 Copying machine 11 Apparatus main body of copying machine 100 Reader part 200 Printer part 300 Automatic document feeder 400 Sheet processing apparatus 400A Apparatus main body of sheet processing apparatus 410 Intermediate tray 413a, 413b Alignment member 421 Upper stack tray 422 Lower stack tray 423, 424 Notch 461 Home position sensor 490 Alignment unit 1000 Control unit of sheet processing apparatus 1001 CPU

Claims (5)

In a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming modes.
The plurality of image forming modes are handled as one job, and are changed to different jobs that are different image forming modes in the one job based on the one job information input from the image forming apparatus via the communication unit. A job change determination unit that determines whether or not the job has been changed, and a control that performs sheet processing according to the changed another job when the job change determination unit determines that the job has been changed to another job. And a control means for
A sheet processing apparatus. When the job change determination unit determines that the job change determination unit has changed to another job, the control unit controls the sheet processing apparatus to return to a predetermined initial state at the time of sheet processing before the change.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. A first sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, a second sheet stacking unit on which sheets are discharged and stacked from the first sheet stacking unit, and a sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking unit. A sheet discharge means for discharging the second sheet stacking means, a stacked sheet detection means for detecting the presence / absence of a sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking means, and a sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking means And aligning means for aligning with the aligning member along the sheet conveyance direction,
When the control unit determines that the job change determination unit has changed to another job within the one job, the control unit detects that there is a sheet on the first sheet stacking unit by the stacked sheet detection unit. When the sheet discharge means discharges the sheet to the second sheet stacking means, and the stacked sheet detection means detects that there is no sheet on the first sheet stacking means, the alignment means is Control to return to the initial state,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 that processes the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus. An image forming unit having a plurality of image forming modes and forming an image on a sheet according to each image forming mode;
Treat the plurality of image forming modes as one job, and change to another job that is a different image forming mode within the one job based on the one job information input from the image forming unit via a communication unit Job change determination means for determining whether or not
Control means for controlling to perform sheet processing according to the changed another job when the job change determining means determines that the job is changed to another job within the one job;
An image forming apparatus.

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