JP2006347642A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system improving a storing property of punch chips to solve a problem of enlargement of a storing box. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system is constituted of an image forming apparatus body, and a post-processing device 100 with function of forming a punch hole in a paper sheet. The post-processing device 100 has a punch unit 110 and a punch chip storing box 130. The punch unit 110 is moved to positions C1, C2 for every punching operation of moving down a punch rod 111 of a predetermined number of times to vary positions the punch chips fall. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly, to an image forming system having a function of forming punch holes at predetermined positions on a sheet on which an image is formed.

  Normally, a post-processing device incorporating post-processing means such as paper sorting, punch hole formation, paper folding, and stapling is connected to a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. The unit for forming the punch hole may be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. However, when punch holes are formed in the paper, punch scraps that are inevitably generated are stored by installing a storage box. However, punch scraps accumulate in a mountain shape in the storage box and storage efficiency is poor. This is the actual situation.

  Therefore, conventionally, a pile of punch scraps is broken by applying vibration to the storage box from the outside (see Patent Documents 1 and 2), and a blade member is reciprocated in the storage box to scatter the punch scraps (Patent Document). 3), a paddle-shaped member is provided in the punch box to disperse punch scraps (see Patent Document 4), and a stirring member is provided in the punch box to stir punch scraps (see Patent Document 5). It had been.

However, in recent years, the image forming apparatus main body and the post-processing apparatus have been reduced in size, and the punch waste storage box must be prevented from increasing in size, and the storage box can be vibrated or provided with a paddle or a stirring spring. Has become difficult in terms of space.
JP-A-11-139664 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-255417 JP-A-10-310317 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-20029 JP 2003-117893 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of improving the capacity for storing punch scraps and eliminating the increase in size of the storage box.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention is generated by a punch unit for forming a punch hole in an image-formed paper temporarily stopped on a conveyance path, and the punch unit. A storage box for storing punch scraps, a paper edge detection means for determining the punch hole formation position of the paper, a moving means for moving the punch means to at least two positions in the transport direction, and the punch means a predetermined number of times And a control unit that moves the punch unit by the moving unit every time it operates and changes the stop position of the sheet accompanying the movement of the punch unit.

  In the image forming system according to the first aspect of the invention, since the punching process is performed by moving the punch means to at least two positions, the punch scraps fall at different punch positions, and the punch scraps are piled up in the storage box. The accumulation in the shape is eliminated, and the capacity is improved without increasing the size of the punch box. Further, since the stop position of the sheet is changed with the movement of the punch means, the punch hole can be formed at a predetermined position.

  An image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a punch unit for forming punch holes in an image-formed paper that has been temporarily stopped on a conveyance path, and a storage for storing punch scraps generated by the punch unit. A box, a paper edge detecting means for determining a punch hole forming position of the paper, a moving means for integrally moving the punch means and the paper edge detecting means to at least two positions in the transport direction, and a punch means And a control means for moving the punch means and the sheet edge detection means by the moving means each time the operation is performed.

  In the image forming system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the punching process is performed by moving the punch means to at least two positions. Therefore, the punch scraps fall at different punch positions. The accumulation in the shape is eliminated, and the capacity is improved without increasing the size of the punch box. In addition, since the paper edge detecting means for determining the punch hole forming position of the paper moves integrally with the movement of the punch means, the punch hole is formed at a predetermined position without the need to change the stop position of the paper. Can do.

  In the image forming system according to the first and second inventions, a diffusion guide member for diffusing the falling punch scraps may be provided in the storage box corresponding to the movement position of the punch means. Further, the punching means may be provided with a flattening member extending into the storage box, and the flattening member may be moved and flattened by the movement of the punching means. Due to the diffusion guide member or the flattening member, the accommodation property in the accommodation box is further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including punch means for forming punch holes in an image-formed paper temporarily stopped on a transport path, and accommodation for accommodating punch scraps generated by the punch means. It is characterized by comprising a box and a drop position changing means for changing the drop position of the punch scraps into the storage box every time the punch means is operated a predetermined number of times in synchronism with the operation of the punch means.

  The dropping position changing means may be a means for swinging the entire storage box, or a mechanism for changing the punching direction of the punching means. Further, it may be a guide member that guides the direction in which the punch scrap falls into the storage box.

  In the image forming system according to the third aspect of the invention, since the position where the punch waste falls into the storage box is changed in synchronism with the operation of the punch means or every time the punch means is operated a predetermined number of times, Is eliminated from being piled up in the storage box, and the storage capacity is improved without increasing the size of the punch box. Further, it is not necessary to move the punch means.

  In the image forming system according to the first, second and third inventions, the punching means may be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus or on the paper on which the image is formed on the main body of the image forming apparatus. It may be installed in a post-processing apparatus that performs processing, or any of them.

  Embodiments of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member and part in each Example, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Schematic configuration of image forming system, see FIG. 1)
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 1 and a post-processing apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus main body 1 is an electrophotographic color printer, and synthesizes four color images by a so-called tandem method. And a scanner 2 for reading a document image.

  The scanner 2 is a well-known scanner that reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass (not shown) with an image sensor such as a CCD element. The document image is converted into three primary colors of RGB (red, green, and blue) with the image sensor. It is decomposed and converted into an electrical signal. The image data is further converted into reproduction colors of YMCK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).

  In the image forming apparatus main body 1, a print head 10 (10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K) for forming a YMCK image including a photosensitive drum 11, a laser scanning optical device 12, a developing device 13 and the like is directly below the intermediate transfer belt 15. It is juxtaposed. In each print head 10, the laser scanning optical device 12 receives the transfer of the YMCK image data, forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum 11, and forms a toner image by the developing device 13. Such an electrophotographic process is well known and will not be described.

  In the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 1, a paper feeding cassette 20 that feeds stacked sheets one by one and a manual paper feeding unit 21 for feeding arbitrary paper are installed. Furthermore, a large-capacity automatic paper feeding unit (not shown) is provided at the lower stage of the paper feeding cassette 20.

  The toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 that is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow A, and four color images are combined. On the other hand, the sheets are fed upward one by one, and the composite toner image is secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer unit 16. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the fixing unit 25 where the toner image is heated and fixed, and is transferred from the discharge roller 29 to the post-processing apparatus 100.

  The post-processing apparatus 100 includes a punch unit 110 for punching a sheet, a folding unit 120 for folding the sheet, a staple unit 140 for binding the end of the sheet bundle, and a sorter unit 150 for storing / sorting the sheets. Further, the sorter unit 150 is provided with a staple unit 160 for binding the central portion of the sheet bundle. The configuration and operation of each unit other than the punch unit 110 to be described later are well known and will not be described.

  Further, the post-processing apparatus 100 is provided with rollers for transporting paper, that is, a carry-in roller 101, a transport roller 102, an intermediate roller 103, a storage roller 104, a discharge roller 105, and the like.

(Control unit, see FIG. 2)
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the control unit of the image forming system having the above configuration. The control unit includes an image processing control unit 201, a print control unit 202, and a post-processing apparatus control unit 203, and an operation panel 205 is connected to the image processing control unit 201.

  Various mode settings relating to printing such as setting of the print mode and the number of prints are performed from the operation panel 205. The image processing control unit 201 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1 based on various modes set on the operation panel 205, and gives necessary print instructions to the print control unit 202. The image processing control unit 201 issues a print instruction to the print control unit based on image data or print data received from a computer or the like via a network connection device (not shown).

  Based on the instruction received from the image processing control unit 201, the print control unit 202 performs a printing operation such as paper conveyance and driving of the print head 10. The post-processing device control unit 203 controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 100 in response to an instruction from the image processing control unit 201 or the print control unit 202.

(Refer to the first embodiment, FIGS. 3 to 9)
FIG. 3 shows a punch unit 110 and its peripheral configuration in the post-processing apparatus 100. The punch unit 110 includes a punch rod 111 that is driven in the vertical direction. A conveyance roller 102 and a sheet detection sensor 112 are installed at the entrance, and a conveyance roller 106 is installed at the exit. The punch unit 110 is moved by the moving motor 113 to two positions C1 and C2 in the paper conveyance direction indicated by the arrow B.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the output gear 113a of the moving motor 113 and the gear 114 are engaged with each other, and the pin 114a provided at the eccentric position of the gear 114 is engaged with the elongated hole 110a formed in the case of the punch unit 110. I am letting. Accordingly, the punch unit 110 is moved to the positions C1 and C2 by the rotation of the pin 114a accompanying the rotation of the gears 113a and 114 by the rotation of the motor 113.

  Further, the transport roller 102 is controlled by the entire transport drive system of the post-processing apparatus 100. The transport roller 106 is controlled by a paper transport motor 107.

  A storage box 130 for storing punch scraps is installed below the punch unit 110 across the paper conveyance path. The storage box 130 is open at the top, and punch waste generated when punch holes are formed by the punch rod 111 is dropped and stored.

  Here, the punch hole forming operation will be described. The sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body 1 is fed into the punch unit 110 from the direction of arrow B, and when the rear end of the sheet S is detected by the sensor 112, the punch unit 110 is moved to the punch position C1, The paper transport motor 107 is driven for a predetermined time and the paper S is transported by the transport roller 106 depending on which of the papers is moved.

  The punch hole formation position on the paper is determined to have a predetermined dimension from the end, and the rear end of the paper is detected by the sensor 112 so that the punch hole is formed in the predetermined dimension from the rear edge of the paper S. The sheet conveying motor 107 controls the conveying distances B1 and B2 from the punching positions C1 and C2. The gaps C1 'and C2' are dimensions from the rear end of the sheet to the center of the punch hole.

  A punch hole is formed in the paper S by moving the punch rod 111 up and down, and then the paper S is sent out from the punch unit 110 by re-driving the conveying roller 106.

  The movement of the punch unit 110 to the punch positions C1 and C2 is performed every time a predetermined number of punch operations are performed. As a result, the dropping position of the punch waste is distributed to the positions C1 and C2 every predetermined number of punching operations (see FIG. 5), and the pile waste is eliminated from being piled up in the storage box 130. improves.

  Next, a control procedure in the post-processing apparatus 100 in the above punching operation will be described. FIG. 6 shows a main routine of the post-processing apparatus 100. First, communication processing with the image forming apparatus main body 1 is performed (step S1), and paper conveyance is processed (step S2). Thereafter, the punching operation is processed (step S3), and the movement of the punch unit 110 is processed (step S4).

  FIG. 7 shows a subroutine for the paper conveyance process executed in step S2. First, when the sensor 112 detects the trailing edge of the sheet (YES in step S11), it is confirmed that the punch mode is set (YES in step S12), and the sheet is based on the positions C1 and C2 of the punch unit 110. A timer for determining the stop position is set at a predetermined time (step S13). The predetermined time is a time corresponding to the transport distances B1 and B2.

  Next, when a predetermined time set in the timer elapses (YES in step S14), the conveyance of the paper is stopped, and execution of punching is instructed (step S15). When the punching operation is completed (YES in step S16), the conveyance of the sheet is resumed (step S17).

  FIG. 8 shows a subroutine for the punching process executed in step S3. First, when there is an instruction to execute punching (YES in step S21), a punch motor (not shown) is activated to lower the punch rod 111, that is, start a punching operation (step S22), and count the number of times the punch is executed (step S22). S23). Thereafter, when the completion of the punching operation is confirmed (YES in step S24), the fact that the punching operation is completed is set (step S25).

  FIG. 9 shows a subroutine of punch unit movement processing executed in step S4. First, when it is confirmed that the punching operation has been completed (see step S31 and step S25), it is determined from the punch execution number counter whether the number of punches is a predetermined value or more (step S32). The predetermined value determined here is set to an appropriate number of times for taking the timing of moving the punch unit 110 to the positions C1 and C2 in order to flatten the pile of punch scraps.

  If the number of punches is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in step S32), the motor 113 is driven to move the punch unit 110 from the current position to another position (C1 if C1, C1 if C2). (Step S33). When this movement is completed (YES in step S34), information indicating the current position of the punch unit 110 is updated (step S35).

(Refer to the second embodiment, FIG. 10)
By the way, in the first embodiment, the detection sensor 112 at the rear end of the sheet is fixed, and the punch unit 110 is moved to the positions C1 and C2 independently. Instead of such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, a sheet detection sensor 112 may be attached to the punch unit 110 and both may be moved integrally.

  As described above, when the detection sensor 112 and the punch unit 110 at the trailing edge of the sheet are moved integrally, the punch unit 110 is moved to the positions C1 and C2 in order to disperse punch waste in the storage box 130. However, the distance B3 between the detection point of the sensor 112 and the punch positions C1 and C2 is constant, and there is no need to change the paper transport distances B1 and B2 as in the first embodiment.

(Refer to the third embodiment, FIG. 11)
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an inclined diffusion guide member 131 that diffuses falling punch scraps corresponding to the movement of the punch unit 110 to the positions C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 in the storage box 130 is provided. It is provided. When the punch unit 110 is at the position C1, punch dust is diffused at the inclined surface 131a, and when at the position C2, it is diffused at the inclined surface 131b. Thereby, punch scraps are further diffused, and the accommodation property of the accommodation box 130 is further improved.

(Refer to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 12)
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a flattening member 132 extending in the storage box 130 is attached to the punch unit 110, and flattened as the punch unit 110 moves to positions C1 and C2. The member 132 is also moved, and the piles of punch scraps housed therein are broken and flattened. Thereby, the accommodation property of the storage box 130 is further improved.

(Refer to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 13)
In the fifth embodiment, the punch unit 110 is fixed in position, and the gear 116 is meshed with the output gear 115a of the motor 115 that drives the punch rod 111, as shown in FIG. The storage box 130 is entirely swung with a shaft 130a as a fulcrum by a cam member.

  In the fifth embodiment, the storage box 130 swings as a whole in synchronization with the punching operation. Thereby, the dropping position of the punch scraps into the storage box 130 is changed, and the punch scraps are eliminated from being piled up. It should be noted that the timing at which the entire housing box 130 swings may be every time the punching operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

(See the sixth embodiment, FIG. 14)
In the sixth embodiment, the punch unit 110 is fixed in position, and as shown in FIG. 14, the gear 108 is meshed with the output gear 107a of the motor 107 that drives the conveying roller 106, and is provided integrally with the gear 108. The storage box 130 is entirely swung around the shaft 130a by a cam member that is not used.

  In the sixth embodiment, the storage box 130 is swung as a whole in synchronization with the sheet transport operation associated with the punching operation. Thereby, the dropping position of the punch scraps into the storage box 130 is changed, and the punch scraps are eliminated from being piled up. It should be noted that the timing at which the entire housing box 130 swings may be every time the punching operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

(Refer to the seventh embodiment, FIG. 15)
In the seventh embodiment, the punch unit 110 is fixed in position, and as shown in FIG. 15, the punch rod 111 is swung to change the punching direction to the directions of arrows D1 and D2. Thereby, the dropping position of the punch scraps into the storage box 130 is changed, and the punch scraps are eliminated from being piled up.

  Since the punch rod 111 is swung with its lower end as a fulcrum, the position of forming the punch hole is not changed by the swing, and the punch unit 110 is fixed in position. Further, it is only necessary to transmit the driving force from the motor 115 for the punching operation to be branched by the gears 117a and 117b so that the punching rod 111 is swung, and the punching rod 111 is swung along with the punching operation. Note that the timing at which the punch rod 111 swings may be every time the punching operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

(See the eighth embodiment, FIG. 16)
In the eighth embodiment, the punch unit 110 is fixed in position, and as shown in FIG. 16, the guide member 133 is provided in the housing box 130 so as to be swingable with the support shaft 133 a as a fulcrum. It is intended to guide the falling direction. When the guide member 133 is in the dotted line position, the punch scrap falls without contacting the guide member 133, and when the guide member 133 swings to the solid line position, the punch scrap hits the swing member 133 and the drop position is changed. . This eliminates the accumulation of punch scraps in a mountain shape.

  The swinging of the guide member 133 may be performed by using the transport motor 107 (see FIG. 14) as a drive source, or by using the motor 115 for punching operation (see FIG. 15) as a drive source. The timing at which the guide member 133 operates may be every punching operation or every time the punching operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

(Other examples)
The image forming system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

  For example, the image forming apparatus main body may be a color printer of another type, a printer that forms a monochrome image, or a copying machine. The punch unit may be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Furthermore, the detailed structure of the punch unit and the storage box is arbitrary.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the image forming system. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the principal part of 1st Example. The movement mechanism of the punch unit in 1st Example is shown, (A) is the top view which notched one part, (B) is a front view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of the punch unit in 1st Example, and the fall state of punch waste. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure (main routine) in 1st Example. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure (a subroutine for paper conveyance processing) in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure (subroutine of a punch process) in 1st Example. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure (subroutine of a punch unit movement process) in 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of the punch unit in 2nd Example, and the fall state of punch waste. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of the punch unit in 3rd Example, and the fall state of punch waste. It is explanatory drawing which shows the movement of the punch unit in 4th Example, and the fall state of punch waste. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rocking | fluctuation state of the storage box in 5th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rocking | fluctuation state of the storage box in 6th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rocking | fluctuation state of the punch rod in 7th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rocking | fluctuation state of the guide member in 8th Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus main body 100 ... Post-processing apparatus 110 ... Punch unit 111 ... Punch rod 112 ... Paper detection sensor 130 ... Storage box 131 ... Diffusion guide member 132 ... Flattening member 133 ... Guide member S ... Paper

Claims (10)

Punch means for forming punch holes in the image-formed paper once stopped on the transport path;
A storage box for storing punch scrap generated by the punch means;
A paper edge detection means for determining a punch hole formation position of the paper;
Moving means for moving the punch means to at least two positions in the conveying direction;
Control means for moving the punch means by the moving means every time the punch means is operated a predetermined number of times, and changing the stop position of the paper accompanying the movement of the punch means;
An image forming system comprising: Punch means for forming punch holes in the image-formed paper once stopped on the transport path;
A storage box for storing punch scrap generated by the punch means;
Paper edge detection means for determining the punch hole formation position of the paper;
Moving means for integrally moving the punch means and the paper edge detection means to at least two positions in the transport direction;
Control means for moving the punch means and the paper edge detection means by the moving means each time the punch means is operated a predetermined number of times;
An image forming system comprising:   3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a diffusion guide member that diffuses falling punch scraps is provided in the storage box corresponding to the movement position of the punch unit.   2. The punching means is provided with a flattening member extending into the housing box, and the flattening member moves to flatten the punch scraps accommodated by the movement of the punching means. Alternatively, the image forming system according to claim 2. Punch means for forming punch holes in the image-formed paper once stopped on the transport path;
A storage box for storing punch scrap generated by the punch means;
In synchronization with the operation of the punch means, or every time the punch means is operated a predetermined number of times, a drop position changing means for changing the drop position of the punch scraps to the storage box,
An image forming system comprising:   6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the drop position changing means is means for swinging the storage box as a whole.   6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the drop position changing unit is a mechanism for changing a punching direction of the punch unit.   The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the drop position changing unit is a guide member that guides a direction in which punch scraps drop into the storage box.   9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the punching unit is mounted on an image forming apparatus main body. 9. The image according to claim 1, wherein the punching unit is mounted in a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus main body. Forming system.

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