JP2007070096A - Image forming device and sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device of a small installation area, small size and light weight capable of selectively performing various sheet processings, being assembled as needed at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet processing device for performing bookbinding processing and the sheet processing device for performing end stitching processing are stored and unitized in separate box body structure 401 of common specification and are vertically superposed and arranged below a device body of a color printer. Since a receiving part 402 for mechanically connected to the device body and the sheet processing device at an upper stage and receiving the sheet; and a connector 493 electrically connected to the device body and the sheet processing device at the upper stage to complete wiring are arranged on an upper surface of the box body structure 401, the sheet processing using the sheet processing device can be immediately performed by selectively superposing the sheet processing device for performing the required processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs a designated sheet processing by connecting a plurality of unitized sheet processing apparatuses.

  2. Description of the Related Art A sheet processing apparatus that accepts a sheet on which an image is formed by an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and performs various sheet processing has been put into practical use. Examples of sheet processing include simple stacking processing in which sheets are simply stacked one by one without forming a sheet bundle, so-called end binding processing in which one end of a sheet bundle formed by stacking sheets is stapled, and formed sheet bundle A so-called bookbinding process in which a sheet bundle is folded in two along a fold line (bundle folding) after a saddle stitch (needle stitching) is performed on the folding line, and a punching process for forming a file hole in the sheet or sheet bundle. .

  In some types of image forming apparatuses, a sheet processing apparatus capable of bookbinding processing is integrated in the downstream of the apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet, or connected as a purchase option (so-called option).

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dedicated processing unit that performs bookbinding processing is added below a general-purpose processing unit that can perform edge binding processing and simple stacking processing. One process can be selected and executed.

  An image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is placed under the image reading apparatus (scanner apparatus) on the plane of the image reading apparatus, and an apparatus main body that forms an image using a photosensitive drum, and a processing tray that forms a sheet bundle. And a stacking space for processed sheet bundles, and after binding the trailing end of the sheet bundle formed by stacking sheets on the processing tray, the sheet bundle is discharged from the processing tray to the stacking space. Loading.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, a plurality of stages of sheet cassette units are connected under a common specification apparatus main body for forming an image on a sheet. The multi-stage sheet cassette unit is housed in the plane of the apparatus main body and is made into a common unit, and the sheet supply from the lower sheet cassette unit to the apparatus main body is relayed to the middle sheet cassette unit adjacent to the apparatus main body. The supply path is provided.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-279163 JP 2001-72311 A JP 2000-72262 A

  In recent years, in order to save the installation space of the image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus and increase the degree of freedom of the indoor layout around the installation space, downsizing of the image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus is desired. The so-called in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus that reduces the number of possible sheet processings, downsizes the processing mechanism, and discharges the sheet bundle into the in-cylinder space secured in the plane of the image forming apparatus. It has become.

  However, in the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus, the stacking space for sheets and sheet bundles is secured in the plane of the apparatus while suppressing the overall height of the apparatus, so that the arrangement space of the mechanism in the sheet processing apparatus is limited. It is impossible to additionally arrange a huge dedicated processing unit for performing bookbinding processing as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  However, if only an exclusive processing unit that performs bookbinding processing, which is only an additional function convenient for a normal user, is provided, and the essential edge binding processing unit is eliminated, the merchantability of the image forming apparatus is greatly impaired. .

  However, in recent years, along with the improvement in color printing accuracy of image forming devices, the opportunity to create presentation materials and booklet materials including photographs has increased, and ordinary images that can be edge-bound can be processed. If bookbinding processing can be incorporated into the forming apparatus, it is certain that the merchandise of the image forming apparatus will be greatly increased. Can be aroused.

  Therefore, with reference to the sheet cassette unit shown in Patent Document 3, the applicant of the present application is to stack and connect the sheet processing apparatuses unitized by storing them in the plane of the apparatus main body under the apparatus main body of the common specification. Although proposed, in the case of a sheet cassette unit, the destination of a sheet is limited to the apparatus main body, whereas in the case of sheet processing, the destination of a sheet is not limited to one sheet processing apparatus.

  In other words, in the sheet cassette unit, the middle sheet cassette unit sandwiched between the image forming apparatus and the lower sheet cassette unit is provided with a supply path that vertically penetrates the sheet cassette unit, and the lower sheet cassette unit is passed through the supply path. Although the sheet is supplied from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus, the sheet discharged (taken out) from the lower sheet cassette unit cannot be transferred to the middle sheet cassette unit. Therefore, in a sheet processing apparatus that is simply stacked with reference to the sheet cassette unit, whether the sheet processing apparatus performs processing by the sheet processing apparatus or transports to another sheet processing apparatus in accordance with the selected sheet processing. I can't control it. Accordingly, a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses cannot be added in a complex manner and controlled in an integrated manner.

  Therefore, it has been proposed to install a dedicated conveyance path unit with sorting devices for the number of stages along the vertical conveyance path on the side of multiple sheet processing apparatuses. Since the path unit cannot be used, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated transport path unit corresponding to the number of stages.

  A first object of the present invention is to assemble an image forming apparatus capable of selecting and executing various sheet processes as needed, and to provide a small installation area, a small size, a light weight, and a low cost.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has expandability and can easily add a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet cassette unit as necessary.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide a high degree of freedom in the surrounding indoor layout with a small installation area in which a sheet processing apparatus for performing bookbinding processing and edge binding processing and a sheet cassette unit are placed in a plane of the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus is provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and a plurality of processing units each provided with a processing mechanism unit that processes a sheet image formed by the image forming unit. In the apparatus, the plurality of processing means are arranged one above the other, and the processing means capable of receiving a sheet from the image forming means distributes the received sheet to its processing mechanism and another processing means. And a control unit that controls the sorting unit to guide the sheet to the processing mechanism unit of the selected processing unit when one of the plurality of processing units is selected. Is.

  The sheet processing apparatus of the present invention is a sheet processing apparatus that can be accommodated in a plane of an image forming unit and connect a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses to the image forming unit, and that processes a sheet received from the image forming unit A mechanism that can receive a sheet from the image forming unit, and a conveyance path that penetrates in a vertical direction and guides the sheet to the opposite side of the reception direction; This includes a mechanism unit and a sorting unit capable of sorting to the opposite side.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control unit switches the sorting unit in accordance with the designated processing type and the designation of the processing unit (sheet processing device), whereby the image-formed sheet is designated. It leads to a processing means for performing processing or a designated processing means. Further, if each processing means is provided with a sorting means, it can be integratedly controlled whether the processing is performed by its own processing mechanism or by another connected downstream sheet processing apparatus.

  Accordingly, it is possible to add necessary sheet processing to the image forming apparatus and to remove unnecessary processing means (sheet processing apparatus) simply by stacking the processing means without providing a dedicated conveyance path unit or the like.

  Accordingly, the image forming means (apparatus main body) and the processing means (sheet processing apparatus) can be standardized and mass-produced, and the housing structure of the processing means, the conveyance path, the sorting means, etc. can be shared. Can do. As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of selecting and executing various sheet processes can be assembled as necessary. Both the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus have a small installation area, a sophisticated design, a small size, a light weight, and a high Reliability, high precision, and low cost can be provided.

  In addition, in the case of an image forming apparatus with an additional sheet cassette unit, the processing means is provided with a supply path for guiding the sheet taken out from the sheet cassette unit toward the image forming means, thereby adding or changing the processing means (sheet processing apparatus). , Easy to remove.

  Hereinafter, a color printer 500 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the color printer 500 of the present embodiment, and may be implemented by a copying machine, a facsimile, a monochrome printer, a complex machine of these, or the like. The image forming method is not limited to the electrostatic photography method, and other image forming methods such as an image forming device using ink, an ink jet image forming device, a printing device, or the like may be used.

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment may be used as an automatic saddle stitch binding machine in which the sheet processing apparatus 400 is covered with a single casing structure (exterior case) and combined with an automatic paper feeder or the like. You may implement as a saddle stitch bookbinding machine inserted one by one manually.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 600 that controls the apparatus main body 500A also controls the sheet processing apparatus 400 to control each unit related to sheet processing. However, a separate microcomputer control device or the like independent from the control unit 600 is used. In the sheet processing apparatus 400, the sheet processing may be controlled while performing bidirectional communication with the control unit 600 of the apparatus main body 500A.

  In the following description, the upstream end in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet is the rear end, the downstream end is the leading end, the end along the sheet conveying direction is the side end, and the direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction is the sheet. Aligning the rear end of the sheet is the rear end alignment, and aligning the side end is the side end alignment.

<Image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a color printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color printer 500 according to the present embodiment has, for example, sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400 as processing units stacked in two stages below an apparatus main body 500A that is an image forming unit. A switching unit 491 is provided in the sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400, and a control unit 600 serving as a control unit is provided in the apparatus main body 500A.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 500A of the color printer 500 has a photosensitive drum 202 capable of forming a color image on sheets taken out one by one from the sheet cassette 204 (or 205). An unprocessed sheet stacking portion (stacking tray) 530 is formed on the upper surface, which can discharge and stack sheets formed and used as they are. The four photosensitive drums 202 are arranged in a line corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and a light emitter array exposure head and a developing unit (not shown) are respectively provided for the four photosensitive drums 202. 203 are arranged.

  In the color printer 500 having such a configuration, when original data is received from an external device such as a personal computer to form an image, the light emitter array exposure head is operated based on the original data transmitted from the personal computer or the like to perform photosensitivity. A latent image is formed on the body drum 202. Then, the formed latent images are developed by the respective developing units 203, whereby toner images of respective colors are formed on the photosensitive drum 202.

  Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner images respectively formed on the four photosensitive drums 202 using the light emitter array exposure head and the developing unit 203 are transferred to a sheet conveyed in one direction by a conveying belt 206. The images are successively transferred onto the surface, and are fixed to the sheet by being heated and pressed by the fixing unit 207.

  The sheet on which the image has been formed proceeds from the discharge unit 208 to the conveyance path switching unit 510, is guided downward by the conveyance path switching unit 510 deflected upward, and enters the sheet processing apparatus 400 (or 1400).

  However, when these processes are not performed, the control unit 600 deflects the conveyance path switching unit 510 downward and switches the sheet conveyance direction upward. The sheets on which the images are formed are discharged and stacked one by one on the unprocessed sheet stacking unit 530 through the unprocessed sheet discharge unit 520.

  The sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400 have the same appearance (FIG. 2) and are stacked below the apparatus main body 500A without protruding from the planar outline of the apparatus main body 500A.

  The sheet processing apparatus 400 can perform a so-called bookbinding process in which image-formed sheets are stacked to form a sheet bundle, and the center of the formed sheet bundle is subjected to saddle stitching and then folded in half to finish a booklet. On the other hand, the sheet processing apparatus 1400 can perform an end binding process in which images formed sheets are stacked to form a sheet bundle, and the edge or corner on the rear end side of the formed sheet bundle is stapled.

  Note that the color printer 500 can be replaced with a model compatible with double-sided printing, and after the images are formed on both sides of the sheet, the bookbinding processing can be performed by the sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400.

<Configuration of sheet processing apparatus>
2 is an explanatory view of the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the appearance of the sheet processing apparatus, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a driving mechanism of the transport roller, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of positioning of the transport direction alignment reference portion. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the transport direction alignment reference unit, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the transport destination switching unit. The sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400 according to the present embodiment are unitized into a common appearance size by being stored on the plane of the apparatus main body 500A, and are transport paths such as transport paths 490 and 1490, and distribution means such as a transport destination switching unit 491. 1491, a bundle forming unit, for example, a conveyance direction alignment reference portion 430, a staple binding unit, for example, a stapler 480, a bi-folding unit, for example, folding rollers 446a, 446b, and a thrust plate 445.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus 400 forms a sheet bundle by buffering a plurality of sheets in the conveyance path 436 using the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430, performs saddle stitching with the stapler 480, The sheet is folded in half by 445 and folding rollers 446a and 446b. Further, the sheet processing apparatus 1490 stacks sheets on the processing tray 1440 to form a sheet bundle, and performs end binding with the stapler 1480.

  The conveyance rollers 410 a and 410 b and the discharge roller 410 c arranged in the conveyance path 436 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 are rotationally driven by a common pulse motor (not shown) to convey the sheet along the conveyance path 436. The conveyance rollers 410a and 410b and the discharge roller 410c have their respective rotation shafts supported so as to be rotatable, and contact / separation with respect to the sheet is controlled by a lifting mechanism (not shown).

  A conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 that aligns the sheet in the conveyance direction is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path 436. The conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 holds the upstream side (rear end) of the sheets received one by one in the conveyance path 436 so as to resist the friction of the subsequent sheets, and the subsequent sheets are nipped one after another and overlapped. A predetermined number of sheets are buffered in the path 436 to form a sheet bundle.

  The conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 is movable along the conveyance path 436 as indicated by an arrow, and is rotated in accordance with the sheet size prior to the start of sheet bundle formation, that is, the center folding of the nipped sheet bundle. The line is positioned at a rotational position that matches the staple binding position of the stapler 480. Accordingly, the saddle stitching can be performed by operating the stapler 480 immediately after forming the sheet bundle.

  The alignment unit 420 is a pair of members supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and reciprocates up to the sheet width interval to align the sheet width direction. The discharge roller 410c is in pressure contact with the discharge roller 410g to form a discharge roller pair, and discharges and stacks the sheet bundle conveyed on the conveyance path 436 to the stacking unit 470.

  A transport direction switching unit 441 is disposed at an upstream position of the stapler 480. When the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is conveyed to the stapler 480, the conveyance direction switching unit 441 rotates upward to open the branch path 440, and enables switchback conveyance of the sheet bundle to the branch path 440.

  Folding rollers 446 a and 446 b are disposed near the entrance of the branch path 440. The folding rollers 446a and 446b rotate in a direction in which the sheet bundle is drawn into the nip in the pressure contact state, and rotate in a direction in which the sheet bundle is conveyed to the back side of the branch path 440 in the separated state. The pushing plate 445 protrudes into the nip of the folding rollers 446a and 446b in the pressure contact state, and folds the sheet bundle in two.

  The branch path 440 is bent along the bottom surface of the housing structure 401 with a large radius on the tip side of the folding rollers 446a and 446b. Holding in a state of being substantially U-shaped bent along the branch path 440, the folding is started.

  The discharge path 451 joins the output side of the folding rollers 446a and 446b to the transport path 436 before the discharge roller 410c.

  The bundle conveyance unit 450 is arranged on the output side of the folding rollers 446a and 446b, conveys the sheet bundle bundled by the folding rollers 446a and 446b along the discharge path 451, and joins the sheet bundle to the discharge roller 410c.

  In this embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus 400 is connected exclusively for bookbinding processing. However, the sheet processing apparatus 400 forms a sheet bundle by the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 and then forms a sheet at the staple binding position of the stapler 480. By conveying the sheet bundle by the conveying rollers 410a and 410b until the end binding position of the bundle comes (see FIG. 10B), the end binding process using the stapler 480 is also possible. The edge-bound sheet bundle is discharged to the stacking unit 470 by the transport roller 410b and the discharge roller 410c.

  In addition, the sheets received from the apparatus main body 500A are sequentially transferred to the transport rollers 410a and 410b and the discharge roller 410c without being bundled using the transport direction alignment reference unit 430, and discharged one by one to the stacking unit 470. Simple loading processing is also possible.

  The stacking unit 470 (1470) collects the processing mechanism unit 405 (1405) for processing sheets on the left side viewed from the front side of the housing structure 401 (1401), and thereby the right side of the housing structure 401 (1401). This is a sheet bundle stacking space formed to occupy a large part, and after the bookbinding process is completed, the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge roller 410c (offset roller 1412) is stacked, and the sheet bundle can be viewed from the front side and taken out. Hold as possible.

  A conveyance roller 1411 disposed on a conveyance path 1436 of the sheet processing apparatus 1400 discharges the sheets conveyed on the conveyance path 1436 one by one to the processing tray 1440. On the upstream side of the processing tray, a sheet clamp member 1430 capable of sandwiching the discharged sheet on the processing tray is disposed.

  The offset roller 1412 disposed on the upper downstream side of the processing tray 1440 can be moved up and down by rotating its rotating shaft, waits in the raised state, and forwards when the sheet is discharged to the processing tray 1440. The sheet descends while rotating and comes into contact with the sheet discharged to the processing tray 1440. When the sheet passes through the conveying roller 1411, the rotation stops and rotates in the reverse direction to convey the sheet to the upstream side until the sheet clamping member 1430 is reached. Pull back.

  The sheet clamp member 1430 sandwiches the end of the sheet discharged to the processing tray 1440 to form a sheet bundle. That is, in the process in which the succeeding sheet is pushed out to the processing tray 1440 by the conveying roller 1411, the trailing end of the sheet bundle is pinched to resist friction with the succeeding sheet, and when the offset roller 1412 stops, it opens upward to open the succeeding sheet. Allows pinching. Then, the end portion of the succeeding sheet pulled back on the processing tray 1440 by the offset roller 1412 is overlapped with the sheet bundle and sandwiched.

  The stapler 1480 performs end binding by binding the edge of the rear end of the sheet bundle held by the sheet clamp member 1430. The edge-bound sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the stacking unit 1470 by the offset roller 1412.

  The sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) forms a conveyance path 490 (1490) in correspondence with the sheet discharge position of the apparatus main body 500A and is shifted to the left side when viewed from the front to form the conveyance path 490 (1490). A transfer destination switching unit (so-called flapper) 491 (1491) is attached to a branch position with the path 436 (1436). Prior to the start of sheet processing in the processing mechanism unit 405 (1405), the transport destination switching unit 491 (1491) is tilted to the left in the drawing, opens the transport path 436 (1436), and the processing mechanism unit 405 (1405). Guide the sheet to.

  The conveyance path 490 and the conveyance path 1490 are configured such that the sheet receiving unit 402 is inserted into a recess (see FIG. 1) on the apparatus main body 500A side, and the sheet receiving unit 1402 is inserted into the recess 403 of the sheet processing apparatus 400. By stacking the apparatus main body 500A, the sheet processing apparatus 400, and the sheet processing apparatus 1400, the apparatus main body 500A is connected to the sheet discharge portion of the apparatus main body 500A to form a vertically continuous sheet conveyance path. The sheet receiving unit 402 (1402) is provided with a receiving roller 471 (1471) that conveys the sheet received by the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) to the downstream side.

  A recess 1403 is also formed in the lower sheet processing apparatus 1400, and when another sheet processing apparatus that is similarly unitized is added below the sheet processing apparatus 1400, the transport destination switching unit 491, By tilting both 1491 to the right side in the figure, the sheet can be entered into the processing mechanism of another additional sheet processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) has the same external appearance as the housing structure 401, and has a box shape that can be freely attached to, detached from, combined with, added to, and removed from the apparatus main body 500A (FIG. 1). It is unitized.

  On the upper surface of the housing structure 401, a receiving portion 402 protrudes, and an input / output wiring connector 493 and a positioning portion 492 are disposed. Although not shown, a recess 403 corresponding to the receiving portion 402 is formed on the lower surface of the housing structure 401, and a connection connector coupled to the connection connector 493 and a positioning opening corresponding to the positioning portion 492 are disposed. Yes.

  The connection connector 493 uses a part of the connector pins to form a cord (16 pins 4 pins) by a combination of an open terminal and a ground terminal. The connection connector 493 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 and the sheet processing apparatus 1400 are formed. Different predetermined codes are assigned to the connection connector 493.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transport rollers 410a and 410b and the discharge roller 410c are supported by the transport roller support portions 413a and 413b and the discharge roller support portion 413c, respectively. The transport roller support portions 413a and 413b and the discharge roller support portion 413c are transport roller separation springs 412a and 412b, and the discharge roller separation drive portions (electromagnetic solenoids) 411a and 411b and the discharge roller separation drive portion 411c are not driven. The state is held by the drive transmission support portions 414a, 414b, and 414c biased by the roller separation spring 412c, and the conveying rollers 410a and 410b and the discharge roller 410c are lifted away from the sheet.

  However, when the conveyance roller separation drive units 411a and 411b and the discharge roller separation drive unit 411c are driven, the drive transmission support units 414a, 414b, and 414c rotate around the fulcrum shafts 415a, 415b, and 415c to support the conveyance roller. The latches with the portions 413a and 413b and the discharge roller support portion 413c are retracted, and the transport rollers 410a and 410b and the discharge roller 410c fall by their own weight.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the conveyance direction alignment reference drive unit (electromagnetic solenoid) 432 is operated, the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 closes up the conveyance path 436 and is fed back through the conveyance path 436. The sheet is aligned with the conveyance direction. The conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 is previously positioned at a rotation position corresponding to the sheet size, and FIG. 5A is an alignment reference position for forming a large-size sheet bundle, and FIG. Is the alignment reference position of the small size sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the conveyance direction alignment reference portion 430 is always pressurized in the direction of nipping the sheet by the conveyance direction alignment reference spring portion 431, and the conveyance direction alignment reference drive unit (solenoid). When 432 does not operate, a pressurized state is maintained with respect to the guide plate 433. However, when the conveyance direction alignment reference driving unit 432 operates, it rises through the thickness direction of the conveyance path 436, and the guide plate 433 The sheet can be received at a distance from the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the end binding process is selected, the transport destination switching unit 491 is tilted to the right side in the figure and the transport destination switching unit 1491 is tilted to the left side in the figure, and the sheet processing apparatus The sheet that has entered the 400 conveyance path 490 enters the conveyance path 1490 and is guided to the processing mechanism unit 1405 through the conveyance path 1436.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the bookbinding process is selected, the sheet that has entered the conveyance path 490 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 when the conveyance destination switching unit 491 is tilted to the left in the drawing is transferred to the conveyance path. It is guided to the processing mechanism unit 405 through 436.

<Operation of sheet processing apparatus>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of sheet processing control.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 600, which is a microcomputer control device mounted on the apparatus main body 500A of the copier 500, controls the printer unit 200 to form an image on a sheet. When the sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400 are connected to the apparatus main body 500A, each part of the sheet processing apparatus 400 (or 1400) that performs the specified sheet processing is controlled to perform the specified sheet processing.

  The control unit 600 stores various processing programs and various data necessary for executing the program in a built-in read-only memory, and transmits and receives necessary data to and from an external device through a built-in communication unit. The necessary calculation program and various data are stored in the calculated memory each time, and various sensors and communication data are read according to the program and necessary calculations are performed. The selected sheet processing is executed. However, since image formation is as described above, description thereof is omitted here.

  In the control unit 600, a sheet processing program of the sheet processing apparatus 400 and a sheet processing program of the sheet processing apparatus 1400 are prepared in advance, and the control unit 600 reads the codes of the respective connection connectors 439 (FIG. 3). The sheet processing apparatus 400 and the sheet processing apparatus 1400 are automatically recognized, and the sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus 400 and the sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus 1400 are performed on an operation panel (not shown) disposed on the front side of the color printer 500. Is displayed as an option.

  As shown in FIG. 8 with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when sheet processing is designated through the operation panel and the start of image formation is instructed, the control unit 600 designates sheet information such as sheet size and the like. Sheet processing is read (S110).

  Then, the control unit 600 determines whether or not sheet processing is performed (S120), and when the simple stacking process is designated (NO in S120), the control unit 600 tilts the conveyance path switching unit 510 of the apparatus main body 500A downward. Preparations for stacking sheets on the unprocessed sheet stacking unit 530 are made, and then image formation is started. Sheets are discharged from the unprocessed sheet discharge unit 520 to the unprocessed sheet stacking unit 530 one by one (s260). ).

  When the edge binding process or the bookbinding process is designated in step S120 (YES in S120), the control unit 600 determines whether or not the bookbinding process is further designated (S130), and the bookbinding process is designated. If YES in step S130, the conveyance path switching unit 510 of the apparatus main body 500A is tilted upward (S210), and the conveyance destination switching unit 491 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 is tilted to the left so that the sheet processing apparatus 400 Preparation for conveying the sheet to the processing mechanism unit 405 is performed, image formation is started, and bookbinding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus 400 (S230).

  However, when the edge binding process is designated (NO in S130), the control unit 600 tilts the conveyance path switching unit 510 of the apparatus main body 500A upward (S140), and at the same time the conveyance destination switching unit 491 of the sheet processing apparatus 400. , To the right, and further, the conveyance destination switching unit 1491 of the sheet processing apparatus 1400 is tilted to the left to prepare for conveying the sheet to the processing mechanism unit 1405 of the sheet processing apparatus 1400, to start image formation, and the sheet processing apparatus An end binding process according to 1400 is performed (S180). Since the edge binding process is as described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Bookbinding process>
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of each part from sheet reception to widthwise alignment, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of each part from sheet bundle formation to folding line positioning, and FIG. 11 is from half-folding to sheet bundle ejection. It is explanatory drawing of each part operation | movement. When the bookbinding process is selected, based on the acquired sheet information, the control unit 600 moves the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 of the sheet processing apparatus 400 to a position corresponding to the sheet size, and forms a sheet bundle. Start.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the sheet S pushed out by the receiving roller 409 (FIG. 2) reaches the conveying rollers 410a and 410b, the conveying rollers 410a and 410b retracted upward are moved in the forward direction. The rotation starts and drops, and as shown in FIG. 9B, the sheet S is nipped, conveyed to a predetermined position on the downstream side, and stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, when the conveying rollers 410a and 410b are separated upward and the sheet S can freely move in the width direction, the conveying direction alignment reference portion 430 is opened and the width direction is increased. The alignment unit 420 reciprocates in the width direction to align the width direction of the sheets.

  When the alignment in the width direction is finished, as shown in FIG. 9B, the conveyance rollers 410a and 410b fall again and rotate in the reverse direction for a predetermined time this time, and the sheet S is pushed into the conveyance direction alignment reference portion 430. Touch to align in the transport direction. At this time, the conveying force F applied to the sheet S by the conveying roller 410b is set to such an extent that the sheet S does not buckle, and after the sheet S is pressed against the conveying direction alignment reference portion 430, the conveying roller 410b moves on the surface of the sheet S. It slips and removes the skew of the sheet S.

  After the conveyance roller 410b is stopped, as shown in FIG. 10A, the conveyance direction alignment reference portion 430 is closed and the rear end of the sheet bundle S1 is sandwiched. When the conveying roller 410b is retracted upward, the subsequent sheet S is received. The control unit 600 repeats the operations of FIGS. 9A to 10A until the formation of a predetermined number of bundles is completed, and superimposes the subsequent sheets S on the preceding sheet bundle S1. The sheet bundle S1 is formed by sandwiching the sheet bundle.

  The conveyance path 436 and the conveyance direction alignment reference part 430 are designed so that a space is formed in the conveyance path 436 even when about 10 to 20 sheet bundles S1 are sandwiched, and subsequent sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 500A. S is conveyed on the sheet bundle S1 sandwiched between the conveyance direction alignment reference parts 430 by the conveyance rollers 410a and 410b, and the alignment and bundle formation are repeatedly performed, so that the conveyance including the conveyance direction alignment reference part 430 is performed. In the path 436, as shown in FIG. 10A, the sheet bundle S1 is formed.

  When the sheet bundle S1 is formed in this way, the stapler unit 480 is operated while the sheet bundle S1 is sandwiched by the conveyance direction alignment reference portion 430, thereby automatically stitching the staple bundle onto the center folding line of the sheet bundle. Processing is executed.

  Next, the conveyance rollers 410a and 410b drop to nip the sheet bundle S1, and the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430 releases the nipping of the sheet bundle S1. Next, the transport rollers 410a and 410b rotate, and the sheet bundle S1 is transported to a position where it exits the transport path switching unit 441 and stops, as shown in FIG. 10B.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, the conveyance path switching unit 441 is deflected upward, the conveyance rollers 410a and 410b start to rotate in the reverse direction, and the saddle stitched sheet bundle is transferred to the branch path 440. After entering and delivering the sheet bundle to the nip between the bundle conveying roller 443 and the folding rollers 446a and 446b, the conveying rollers 410a and 410b are retracted upward.

  Thereafter, the sheet bundle is conveyed to the back side by the bundle conveying roller 443 and the folding rollers 446a and 446b, and the folding line of the sheet bundle is positioned at the nip of the folding rollers 446a and 446b as shown in FIG. In this state, the conveyance of the sheet bundle is stopped.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11A, the sheet bundle S1 is pushed into the nip of the folding rollers 446a and 446b by the pushing plate 445, and is conveyed to the folding rollers 446a and 446b in a folded state. Is creased. At this time, the bundle conveying roller 443 is separated from the sheet.

  However, the conveyance rollers 410a and 410b and the bundle conveyance roller 443 may be rotationally driven in a direction in which the sheet bundle S1 is pushed into the nip of the folding rollers 446a and 446b. In this case, the rotation speed of the folding rollers 446a and 446b is set to a value as low as the protruding speed of the abutting plate 445 so that the sheet folding does not slip so much with respect to the folding rollers 446a and 446b. Also good.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the sheet bundle folded and folded by the folding rollers 446a and 446b is sent to the bundle conveyance unit 450, and the bundle conveyance unit 450 passes the discharge path 451 to the discharge roller 410c. Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, the sheet is discharged onto the stacking portion 470 by the discharge roller 410c.

<Modification of Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another modified example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In the color printer 500 of the present embodiment, the positioning unit 492 is provided in the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) for positioning during stacking. By stacking, the upper and lower sheet processing apparatuses 400 (1400) and the apparatus main body are stacked. The positional relationship of 500A is fixed.

  Although not shown, a communication connector 493 including wiring for supplying power to a driving source for conveyance is provided on the upper part of the frame of the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400). Since the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) to which the processing unit 600 is connected is automatically recognized by being automatically connected, the sheet is immediately detected without performing wiring processing, setting of the control unit 600, software update, or the like. Sheet processing using the processing apparatus 400 (1400) can be used.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12A, if the bookbinding process is not required, the sheet processing apparatus 400 can be removed and the sheet processing apparatus 1400 can be used by being overlapped with the apparatus main body 500A. Further, when the frequency of the edge binding process is high, as shown in FIG. 12B, the sheet processing apparatus 400 and the sheet processing apparatus 1400 are stacked in reverse, and the convenience of taking out the sheet bundle from the sheet processing apparatus 1400 is convenient. You may plan.

  Further, when the frequency of bookbinding processing is high, as shown in FIG. 13, the sheet processing apparatuses 400 that perform bookbinding processing may be stacked in two stages. In this case, it is possible to delay the full load time by determining that a predetermined number of sheet bundles have been discharged to the upper sheet processing apparatus 400 and continuing the remaining number of sheets in the lower sheet processing apparatus 400.

  Note that, as described above, the sheet processing apparatus 400 can also perform an end binding process using the stapler 480. Therefore, when the end binding is designated, the sheet processing apparatus 400 performs the end binding process.

  The color printer 500 according to the present embodiment is an example in which bookbinding processing by saddle stitching and folding and edge binding processing for binding the trailing end of a sheet bundle are possible. However, a processing mechanism unit that performs other sheet processing, for example, a sheet The sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) includes a punching processing mechanism unit that performs punching processing for punching a file hole, a cutting processing mechanism unit that performs cutting processing on a sheet edge, and a glue binding processing mechanism unit that performs glue binding processing. Alternatively, a sheet processing apparatus incorporating such a processing mechanism unit may be further added one stage below the sheet processing apparatus 1400.

  As described above, since the sheet processing apparatus 400 that performs bookbinding processing is downsized and stacked with the sheet processing apparatus 1400 that performs edge binding processing, the sheet processing apparatus 400 can be installed with the same occupation area as the apparatus main body 500A of the color printer 500. The installation area for the additional sheet processing apparatus is not required, and other sheet processing apparatuses, for example, a sheet processing apparatus 1400 for performing edge binding processing, and a plurality of post-processing apparatuses such as a punching apparatus for punching a sheet are provided. The color printer 500 including a user-friendly sheet processing apparatus that can be arbitrarily selected and purchased by the user can be provided.

  In addition, by using this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a vertical conveyance path in the apparatus main body 500A, and a conveyance path can be simply configured with the shortest distance by simply stacking a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 400 and 1400. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small color printer 500 which has no waste of space and is highly reliable and has a low probability of jamming.

  The sheet processing apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment performs stacking and alignment processing for bookbinding processing in the conveyance path 436, performs saddle stitching as it is, switches back to the branch path 440, performs folding in half, and then discharges to the discharge roller 410 c. Since they are merged and discharged from a high position to the stacking unit 470, a very compact bookbinding mechanism that is slightly larger than the maximum size A3 sheet that can be handled can be configured. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the layout flexibility of the sheet processing apparatus 400 with respect to the apparatus main body 500A, and it is an advantage of the apparatus main body 500A, for example, an image forming apparatus excellent in operability, or a compact image formation. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus system capable of bookbinding without damaging the apparatus.

<Another embodiment>
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a color printer according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an appearance of the sheet processing apparatus. A color printer 1500 according to another embodiment includes, for example, sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 that are processing units arranged in two stages below an apparatus main body 1500A that is an image forming unit, and is a sorting unit, for example, a transport destination. A switching unit 491 and a control unit 600 that is a control unit are provided, and a sheet cassette unit 700 that is a sheet cassette unit, for example, is arranged at the lowest level, and for example, supply paths 482 and 1482 that are sheet supply paths are displayed in the sheet processing apparatus 2400. 3400.

  The apparatus main body 1500A shown in FIG. 14 has the same configuration and function as the apparatus main body 500A shown in FIG. 1 except for the supply path 301 that joins the sheets from the additional sheet cassette unit 700. Also, the sheet processing apparatus 2400 has the same configuration and functions other than the periphery of the sheet supply path 482 added to the right side of the drawing as in the sheet processing apparatus 400 shown in FIGS. The configuration and functions of the apparatus 3400 other than those around the sheet supply path 1482 are the same as those of the sheet processing apparatus 1400 shown in FIGS. Therefore, constituent members having the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. 14, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the sheet processing apparatus 2400 forms a sheet bundle by superimposing sheets received from the apparatus main body 1500 </ b> A by the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430, and after saddle stitching by the stapler 480, the abutting plate 445 and the folding roller Fold it in half with 446a and 446b. The sheet processing apparatus 3400 stacks sheets received from the apparatus main body 1500A on the processing tray 1405 to form a sheet bundle, and performs an end binding process on the rear end of the sheet bundle.

  A sheet cassette unit 700 is connected below the sheet processing apparatus 3400. Here, since the sheet cassette unit 700 is arranged at the lowermost stage, it is not necessary to provide the sheet processing apparatus 3400 with the conveyance path 1490 penetrating to the lower surface and the conveyance destination switching unit 1491, and the conveyance destination switching unit 1491 is provided. Even in the case where it is provided, the transport destination switching unit 1491 may be fixed in such a manner that it always tilts to the left in the drawing and guides the sheet to the processing mechanism unit 1405.

  However, here, in consideration of the addition of another sheet processing apparatus below the sheet processing apparatus 3400, a conveyance path 1490 that penetrates to the lower surface is provided and a conveyance destination switching unit 1491 is prepared. A processing device can be added. Similarly, in order to make it possible to add another sheet processing apparatus below the sheet cassette unit 700, the sheet cassette unit 700 is also formed with a conveyance path 508 penetrating to the lower surface, and accepts the sheet to be pushed downward. A roller 507 is provided.

  The sheet feeding table 501 of the sheet cassette unit 700 can swing around a rotation shaft 502 and can place a sheet bundle lifted upward by a spring 503. The sheet on the sheet feed table 501 is held at a predetermined height by an upper limit stopper (not shown).

  The pickup roller 504 is formed in a half-moon shape and rotates once for each sheet taken out. When the sheet supply signal is received, the pickup roller 504 makes one rotation, contacts the sheet with a predetermined pressure, conveys the sheet, and delivers it to the separation roller pair 505. The sheets reliably separated one by one by the separation roller pair 505 are sent to the sheet processing apparatus 3400 by the conveyance roller pair 506 disposed further downstream.

  The sheet processing apparatus 3400 is provided with a supply path 1482 and a supply roller pair 1481, and the sheet that has entered the supply path 1482 from the sheet cassette unit 700 is pushed out to the sheet processing apparatus 2400 by the supply roller pair 1481. . The sheet processing apparatus 2400 is provided with a supply path 482 and a supply roller pair 481. A sheet that has entered the supply path 482 from the sheet processing apparatus 3400 is pushed out to the supply path 301 of the apparatus main body 1500A by the supply roller pair 481. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the sheet processing apparatus 2400 (3400) has the same external appearance as the casing structure 401, and has a box shape that can be freely attached to, detached from, combined with, added to and removed from the apparatus main body 1500A (FIG. 14). It is unitized.

  On the upper surface of the housing structure 401, a receiving portion 402 protrudes on the left side when viewed from the front, and a delivery portion 406 protrudes on the right side. The input / output wiring connection connector 493 and the positioning portion 492 are as described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a recess 403 corresponding to the receiving unit 402 and a recess 407 corresponding to the sending unit 406 are formed on the lower surface of the housing structure 401, and the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400, the sheet When the cassette units 700 are stacked, the receiving unit 402, the recess 403, the delivery unit 406, and the recess 407 are connected to each other to form an integrated color printer 1500.

  According to another embodiment of the color printer 1500, the sheet processing apparatus 2400 and the sheet processing apparatus 3400 are provided with a supply path 482 and a supply roller pair 481 so that the sheet fed from the sheet cassette unit 700 can be transferred to the apparatus. It feeds into the supply path 301 of the main body 1500A.

  In addition, the sheet cassette unit 700 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 507 for receiving sheets from the sheet processing apparatus 3400 disposed above and a conveyance path 508, so that a sheet processing apparatus can be added on the lower surface.

  Furthermore, the supply path 509 is prepared on the assumption that another sheet cassette unit having the same external appearance as the sheet cassette unit 700 is added below the sheet cassette unit 700. Therefore, the sheet cassette unit 700 is prepared. It is also possible to add another sheet cassette unit below.

  The sheet cassette unit 700 and the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 are provided with positioning portions 492 for positioning at the time of stacking. By stacking, the positions of the upper and lower sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 and the apparatus main body 1500A are positioned. Is fixed. Further, a drive source for conveyance and a connector 493 for communication are provided on the upper portion of the housing structure 401 of the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400, and are coupled by being stacked.

  As described above, a configuration in which a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses and sheet supply apparatuses can be stacked allows functions to be expanded with an occupied area equivalent to that of the image forming apparatus, so that an easy-to-use image forming system can be constructed. Become.

  Further, by using this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a conveyance path in the vertical direction in advance for the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400, and even if a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 are used, the shortest path is provided. Since the sheet conveyance path and the supply path can be configured easily and at a distance, it is possible to provide a small and low-cost product that has no waste of space and has a low probability of jamming and is excellent in reliability.

<Modification of another embodiment>
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment.

  In the color printer 1500 of another embodiment, as described above, the positioning portion 492 leads, mechanically connects the receiving portion 402 and the recess 403, and mechanically connects the delivery portion 406 and the recess 407. And the connector 493 is connected to complete the electrical wiring, and the controller 600 automatically recognizes the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 and the sheet cassette unit 700 through the connector 493, so that an appropriate sheet processing apparatus, sheet cassette unit, By simply selecting and stacking, sheet processing using the sheet processing apparatus and sheet supply by the sheet cassette unit can be performed immediately.

  Accordingly, when the edge binding process is unnecessary, the sheet processing apparatus 3400 that performs the edge binding process is removed, and the system is changed to a system that includes only the sheet processing apparatus 2400 that performs the bookbinding process, as illustrated in FIG. Is also easy.

  Further, when the frequency of the edge binding process is high, as shown in FIG. 16B, the sheet processing apparatus 2400 and the sheet processing apparatus 3400 are stacked in reverse, and the convenience of taking out the sheet bundle from the sheet processing apparatus 3400 is convenient. You may plan.

  The color printer 1500 according to the present embodiment is an example that enables bookbinding processing by saddle stitching and folding, and edge binding processing that staples the trailing end of a sheet bundle, but a processing mechanism unit that performs other sheet processing, for example, a sheet The sheet processing apparatus 2400 (3400) includes a punching processing mechanism unit that performs punch processing for opening a file hole, a cutting processing mechanism unit that performs cutting processing on a sheet edge, and a glue binding processing mechanism unit that performs glue binding processing. Alternatively, a sheet processing apparatus incorporating such a processing mechanism unit may be further added one stage below the sheet processing apparatus 3400.

<Effect of this embodiment>
As described above, the color printers 500 and 1500 of this embodiment are
(1) The processing mechanism unit 405 that performs saddle stitching is downsized.
(2) A plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 400, 1400, 2400, and 3400 are stacked.
(3) The sheet processing apparatuses 400, 1400, 2400, and 3400 are provided with a substantially vertical conveyance path 490 and are connected by stacking to form a downward conveyance path.
(4) A plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 and a sheet cassette unit 700 can be stacked.
(5) The sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 are provided with a supply path 482 for supplying sheets from the sheet cassette unit 700 that can be disposed below the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400 to the apparatus main body 1500A.
(6) The sheet supply apparatus 2400 is provided with a conveyance path 490 that conveys the sheet to the sheet processing apparatus 3400 that can be disposed below the sheet supply apparatus 2400.
(7) The conveyance path 490 and the supply path 482 are configured vertically on mutually opposing surfaces.
(8) The conveyance path 490 is disposed on the sheet discharge side of the apparatus main body 1500A, and the supply path 482 is disposed on the sheet supply side.

  With the configurations (1) to (3), the occupation area can be equal to that of the apparatus main body 500A regardless of the number and type of sheet processing apparatuses, and the user arbitrarily selects a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses. And can be purchased. In addition, since downsizing and cost reduction are realized, it is possible to provide a small and inexpensive product that is easy to install even in a limited space such as an office desk or a general home. In addition, since they can be stacked, it is possible to provide a user-friendly product.

  With the configurations (4) to (8), even if the occupation area is the same as that of the apparatus main body 500A, an image forming system can be constructed by arbitrarily selecting a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet cassette unit according to the needs of the user. It becomes.

  By the way, in recent years, a product has been proposed in which a sheet processing apparatus that performs edge binding and sorting processing and a small-size sheet stacking unit are accommodated within the floor area of the image forming apparatus. It goes out of the forming device. In addition, when a general user tries to create a booklet, the booklet that binds the end can be substituted with a handy type stepper that is available at general mass retailers, although it depends on the number of sheets to be bound. On the other hand, when trying to create a saddle-stitched booklet, a special needle-stitching device having a large span or a large-scale positioning device is required, and it is difficult to easily create a saddle-stitched booklet. Therefore, a product that can produce a saddle stitch booklet at low cost has been desired.

  However, the current saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus is incorporated in the option of the edge stitch bookbinding apparatus or the edge stitch bookbinding apparatus. As a result, if you do not purchase the edge stitch bookbinding apparatus, you can obtain the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus. I can't.

  Further, when it is considered to add a saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus in addition to the already obtained edge stitch bookbinding apparatus, it is necessary to replace the edge stitch bookbinding apparatus with each other, which causes unnecessary expenses for the user.

  Further, when considering a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses including a saddle stitch bookbinding unit, the occupied area is required to be larger than the occupied area of the image forming apparatus, and it is difficult to install in a narrow place.

  The color printer 500 (1500) of the present embodiment solves these problems and sufficiently meets the market demands. The purpose of the color printer 500 (1500) is to increase bookbinding with the spread of color printing. The sheet processing apparatus 400 (2400) capable of processing is placed in the occupied floor area of the apparatus main body 500A (1500A), and is expandable. The sheet processing apparatus can be replaced or added at any time. An image forming apparatus and an image forming system including the image forming apparatus are provided.

  That is, the conveyance destination switching unit 490 (1490) is provided in the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400), and the control unit 600 operates the conveyance destination switching unit 490 (1490) according to the processing content, so that the necessary processing mechanism unit 405 ( 1405) can be conveyed without fail to execute the sheet processing as specified.

  Further, since the sheet cassette unit 700 is disposed so as to overlap the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400, and the supply path 482 and the supply roller pair 481 are provided in the sheet processing apparatuses 2400 and 3400, the sheet cassette unit 700 can be removed from the sheet cassette unit 700 only by stacking. Sheet supply to the apparatus main body 1500A becomes possible.

  In addition, since the sheet processing apparatuses 400, 1400, 2400, and 3400 are housed in the planes of the apparatus main bodies 500A and 1500A and unitized to have a common appearance size, the order, combination, processing contents, and number of stacked stages can be freely selected. .

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus forms a sheet bundle by the conveyance direction alignment reference unit 430, saddle-stitches the sheet bundle by the stapler 480, and folds the sheet bundle in two by the folding rollers 446a and 446b and the folding plate 445. Since the unit 405 is provided, the bookbinding process can be performed with the area occupied by the apparatus main body 500A.

  Further, since the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) is provided with the conveyance path 490 (1490) and the conveyance destination switching unit 491 (1491), it is not necessary to provide a conveyance path or a conveyance destination switching unit outside, and only stacking is performed. The conveyance paths of the sheet processing apparatus 400 (1400) are connected.

  Then, since the electrical and control connection is completed only by providing and stacking the connectors 493, it is not necessary to make an electrical connection separately, and the sheet processing apparatus can be incorporated without electrical knowledge.

  Furthermore, the control unit 600 automatically recognizes the sheet processing apparatus through the connector 493, prepares a processing program, and displays it on the operation unit as a sheet processing option, so that the assembled sheet processing apparatus can be used immediately without adding a program. Is possible.

  Further, since the conveyance paths 490 and 1490 are arranged so as to be shifted to the sheet discharge side of the apparatus main body 500A, the conveyance paths on the apparatus main body 500A side can be short and formed vertically, and the sheet can be easily taken out when a paper jam occurs.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a copying machine and a printing machine but also to any product using an image forming apparatus such as a fax machine.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a color printer that is an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a sheet processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the external appearance of a sheet processing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of a conveyance roller. It is explanatory drawing of positioning of a conveyance direction alignment reference | standard part. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a conveyance direction alignment reference | standard part. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a conveyance destination switching part. It is a flowchart of control of sheet processing. It is explanatory drawing of each part operation | movement from reception of a sheet | seat to alignment of the width direction. It is explanatory drawing of each part operation | movement from formation of a sheet bundle to positioning of a folding line. It is explanatory drawing of each part operation | movement from folding to sheet bundle discharge | emission. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of another modification of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of the color printer which is another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the external appearance of a sheet processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the modification of the image forming apparatus of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

400, 1400 Processing means (sheet processing apparatus)
401 Housing structure 410a, 410b Conveying roller 410c, discharge roller 420 Alignment unit 430 Bundle forming means (conveying direction alignment reference unit)
436 Conveyance path 440 Branch path 441 Conveyance direction switching unit 445, 446a, 446b Folding means (abutting plate, folding roller)
450 Bundle conveying unit 470 Stacking unit 480 Needle binding means (stapler)
490 Transport route 491 Sorting means (transport destination switching unit)
493 Connector 500 Image forming apparatus 500A Image forming means (apparatus body)
600 Control means (control unit)
700 Sheet cassette means (sheet cassette unit)

Claims (9)

Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of processing units each provided with a processing mechanism unit that processes a sheet image-formed by the image forming unit;
The plurality of processing means are arranged one above the other,
The processing unit capable of receiving a sheet from the image forming unit includes a sorting unit capable of sorting the received sheet between the processing mechanism unit and another processing unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the sorting unit when one is selected from the plurality of processing units, and guides the sheet to the processing mechanism unit of the selected processing unit. .   A supply path for guiding a sheet taken out from a sheet cassette unit disposed on the opposite side of the image forming unit across the plurality of processing units to the image forming unit is provided in the processing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing units are unitized to have a common external dimension stored in a plane of the image forming unit.   The at least one processing unit includes a bundle forming unit that forms a sheet bundle by stacking received sheets, a needle binding unit that performs saddle stitching on a folding line of the sheet bundle formed by the bundle forming unit, and the needle binding unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a folding unit that folds the sheet bundle that is saddle-stitched by the folding line. The control means is provided in the image forming means,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically recognizes the connected processing unit and displays processing options that can be performed by the processing unit on an operation unit. 6. . A sheet processing apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses to the image forming means in a plane of the image forming means,
A processing mechanism for processing a sheet received from the image forming unit;
A conveyance path capable of receiving a sheet from the image forming unit and guiding the sheet to the opposite side of the receiving direction through the vertical direction;
A sheet processing apparatus, comprising: a sorting unit arranged in the transport path and capable of sorting the received sheet to the processing mechanism unit and the opposite side. The transport path is arranged to be shifted to one end side in the left-right direction viewed from the front side,
The supply path for guiding the sheet from the sheet cassette means arranged on the opposite side of the image forming means across the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses to the image forming means is arranged to be shifted to the opposite side of the conveying path. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:   8. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the conveyance path is arranged so as to be shifted to a discharge side of an image-formed sheet on a plane of the image forming unit. It has a housing structure that is unitized in common with the appearance of the image forming means,
A common connector means is disposed on the upper surface of the housing structure;
9. The sheet according to claim 6, wherein the connector means can be commonly connected to another connector means arranged on the lower surface of the image forming means or another sheet processing apparatus. Processing equipment.

Images