JP2007084271A - Branching device, sheet treatment device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet treatment device for eliminating the need for expanding a casing structure to an inlet side, even when adding a receiving roller pair 137, by adopting a branching device which has simple construction for easily shortening a distance in a carrying direction. <P>SOLUTION: A pair of flappers 122a, 122b are arranged on the downstream side of the receiving roller pair 137 for changing the carrying direction of sheets P from a normal carriage path R2 into an escape carriage path R1 or a saddle carriage path R3. The flappers 122a, 122b are individually driven by solenoids SL3, SL4 to open the normal carriage path R2 in the state that both are off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention accepts a sheet discharged from a branching apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral, or other image forming apparatus or other office machine that is arranged in a sheet conveying path and branches the conveying path into a plurality of parts. The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for branching a conveyance path by a branching apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having a built-in / connected sheet processing apparatus.

  Accepts sheets delivered from image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, and performs various processes such as alignment, sorting, stacking, staple binding, folding, envelope filling, binding processing, bookbinding, punching, inspection, and processing. A sheet processing apparatus to be used has been put into practical use. Also, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, such a sheet processing apparatus is built in or connected as a purchase option.

  Further, recent image forming apparatuses have not only a function as a simple copying machine but also a function as a network printer shared by many users.

  A sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus that receives a sheet from an image forming apparatus and guides the sheet to one of three conveyance paths, and includes a first conveyance path that branches upward and toward a buffer roller; A second transport path that goes straight to the processing tray that performs the staple binding process, and a third transport path that branches downward and goes to the bookbinding apparatus that performs the needle binding / bending, the second transport path and the third transport path A first branch device including a first guide member at the branch point and a second branch device including a second guide member at the branch point of the second transport path and the first transport path are disposed.

JP-A-10-194582

  However, the sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first branch device (first guide member) that branches the third transport path from the second transport path, and a second branch that branches the first transport path from the second transport path. Since the device (second guide member) is connected in series to form a branching device in three directions, the size of the entire branching device increases in the transport direction, and a receiving roller pair is added upstream of the branching device. When trying to do so, it is necessary to expand the size of the sheet processing apparatus toward the entrance.

  In addition, since the rotation range of the first guide member and the rotation range of the second guide member are arranged in series and the width of the conveyance path is expanded over a considerably long distance, the rotation range is fixed in parallel with the guide member. It is necessary to arrange a guide plate to prevent sheet flapping. In addition, the entire conveyance path is complicated and has a lot of unevenness, and even if the design is slightly mistaken, a trouble that the leading end of the curled sheet collides and bends easily occurs.

  The present invention provides a branching device that is simple in structure and easy to shorten the distance in the conveyance direction, and provides a sheet processing device that does not require the housing structure to be extended to the inlet side even if a receiving roller pair is added. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of maintaining the current occupied floor area while obtaining the advantages of the receiving roller.

  The branching device of the present invention includes a pair of conveying members that sandwich and convey a sheet, a conveyance path of the sheet that is branched in three or more directions based on a contact position of the pair of conveying members, and the adjacent conveyance Two or more guide members that are arranged to be rotatable at each boundary position of the path and can be rotated to oppose the respective rotation ends to the pair of transport members, respectively, and according to the selection of the transport path, Control means for rotating the guide member to connect the selected transport path to the contact position.

  The branching structure of the present invention includes a pair of transport roller members that are in contact with each other, three transport paths that branch in three directions from the contact position of the pair of transport roller members, and a boundary position between adjacent transport paths. Each of the pair of conveying roller members, and each of the pair of conveying roller members can be opposed to each of the pair of conveying roller members. When the transport path is opened with respect to the contact position, the remaining two transport paths are blocked from the contact position by the two guide members.

  In the branching device of the present invention, n guide members arranged on the outlet side of the pair of transport members select / branch n + 1 transport paths. And by the structure which the rotation end of a guide member can oppose to each of a pair of conveyance member, the rotation range of an adjacent guide member overlaps mutually, and the length of the conveyance direction of the whole structure is shortened.

  In addition, since the rotation range of the guide member is adjacent to the pair of conveyance members, and the nipping by the pair of conveyance members prevents the sheet from flapping in this adjacent range, the sheet flutters in the rotation space of the guide member. Do not wake up. Therefore, even if there is no structure for preventing sheet flapping in the rotation space of the guide member, even curled sheets and thin sheets can be safely and reliably conveyed and branched and guided with little collision bending or flapping.

  Hereinafter, a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus having the sheet processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an optional apparatus configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus as an independent apparatus, but the present invention is provided integrally with the image forming apparatus. Although the present invention is also applied to a form controlled by the control unit of the image forming apparatus, it is not particularly functionally different from the case of the sheet processing apparatus of the present embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The image forming apparatus includes a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine of these. The image forming apparatus provided with the sheet processing apparatus is not limited to the copying machine. Furthermore, the dimensions, numerical values, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the description of the present embodiment do not limit the scope of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the sheet processing apparatus. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a partial configuration of the sheet processing apparatus, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the branching apparatus, FIGS. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of switching operation of the branching apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus. 9 is an explanatory view of a conveyance path when the saddle tray is ejected, FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of an alignment mechanism, FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory views of an operation of a rear end assist, and FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16. 17, 18, and 19 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus.

  The sheet processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes, for example, a roller pair 137 that is a conveyance member or a conveyance roller member, a normal conveyance path R2, an escape conveyance path R1, a saddle conveyance path R3 that are conveyance paths, and a flapper that is a guide member, for example. 122a, 122b. The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes, for example, a photosensitive drum 114 that is an image forming unit and a sheet processing device 119 that is a sheet processing unit.

(Image forming device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the copier 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 and a sheet processing apparatus 119, and a document feeder 102 is mounted on the upper part of the apparatus main body 101.

  The document D to be copied is placed on the document placing unit 103 by the user, and sequentially separated one by one by the feeding unit 104 and supplied to the registration roller pair 105. The document D is temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 105 to form a loop to correct skewing. Thereafter, the document D passes through the introduction path 106 and passes through the reading position 108, whereby the image formed on the surface of the document is read. The document D that has passed the reading position 108 passes through the discharge path 107 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 109.

  On the other hand, when reading both the front and back sides of the document, the image on the front and side surfaces of the document is read as the document D passes through the reading position 108. Thereafter, the document D passes through the discharge path 107, is switched back by the reverse roller pair 110, and is sent again to the registration roller pair 105 in a state where the front and back are reversed.

  As in the case of reading the image on the front side, the document D is corrected in skew by the registration roller pair 105, passes through the introduction path 106, and is read on the back side at the reading position 108. 107 is discharged to a discharge tray 109.

  On the other hand, the image of the original passing through the reading position 108 is irradiated with light from the illumination system 111. Reflected light reflected from the document is guided to an optical element 113 (CCD or other element) by a mirror 112 to form an image and converted into an electric signal to form image data.

  Then, a laser beam generated based on the image data is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 114 by a scanning mirror (not shown), whereby a latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 114. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 114 is formed with a toner image by toner supplied from a toner supply device (not shown).

  Note that the mirror 112 may be configured to directly irradiate the photosensitive drum 114 with reflected light obtained by reading an original to form a latent image.

  In the cassette 115, sheets P which are recording media such as paper or plastic film are stacked. The sheet P is sent out from the cassette 115 and enters between the photosensitive drum 114 and the transfer device 116 at a predetermined timing by the registration roller pair 150. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 114 is transferred to the sheet P by the transfer device 116. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed with the toner image by the heat and pressure of the fixing device 117 while passing through the fixing device 117.

  When images are formed on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet on which the image is fixed on one side by the fixing device 117 passes through the double-sided path 118 provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 117, and again, the photosensitive drum 114 and the transfer device. The toner image is also transferred to the back surface. Then, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 117 and discharged to a sheet processing device (finisher) 119.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the entire copying machine 100 is controlled by a CPU circuit unit 200. The CPU circuit unit 200 is provided with a ROM 202 in which the sequence of each unit, that is, a control procedure is recorded, and a RAM 203 in which various information is temporarily stored as necessary. The document feeder control unit 204 controls the document feeding operation of the document feeder 102. The image reader control unit 205 controls the illumination system 111 and the like to control reading of a document. The image signal control 206 receives reading information of the image reader control unit 205 or image information sent from the external computer 207 via the external I / F 208, processes the information, and processes the printer control unit 209. Send a processing signal to. The printer control unit 209 controls the photosensitive drum 114 and the like based on the image processing signal from the image signal control unit 206 to form an image on the sheet P.

  The operation unit 210 can input sheet size information when the user uses the copier, what kind of processing is performed on the sheet, for example, information on stapling, and the like. Information such as the operating state of the sheet processing apparatus 119 and error messages can be displayed. The finisher control unit 211 is configured as an independent arithmetic device, and communicates data and commands with the CPU circuit unit 200 to control operations in the sheet processing apparatus 119. The FAX control unit 212 controls the copying machine so that the copying machine can be used as a fax, and exchanges signals with other faxes via a telephone line.

(Sheet processing device, branch device, branch structure)
As shown in FIG. 3, a branching device 180 is disposed immediately after the sheet receiving port 190 to simultaneously branch the escape conveyance path R1 upward and the saddle conveyance path R3 downward from the horizontal normal conveyance path R2. The escape conveyance path R1 is a conveyance path to the escape tray 172 for stacking sheets P subjected to interrupt printing, and the saddle conveyance path R3 is a conveyance path to the saddle discharge tray 169 from the folding unit 160 for centrally binding the sheet bundle. The conveyance path R <b> 2 is a conveyance path from the processing tray 129 that executes various processes described later to the stack tray 128.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the normal transport path R2 includes an entrance roller pair 121 driven by an entrance transport motor M2, a first paper discharge roller pair, and a swing roller pair 127 driven by a bundling motor M3. Etc. are arranged. In the escape conveyance path R1, an escape conveyance roller pair 170 and an escape discharge roller pair 171 driven by an escape conveyance motor M5 are disposed. In the saddle transport path R3, a saddle transport roller pair 164 driven by a saddle transport motor M6 is disposed.

  The branching device 180 forms a contour of a pair of receiving rollers 137, a normal transport path R2, an escape transport path R1, and a saddle transport path R3 arranged immediately after the sheet receiving port 190, and guides 181 for guiding the sheet P, A pair of upper and lower flappers 122a and 122b for controlling the traveling direction, and solenoids SL3 and SL4 for driving the flappers 122a and 122b, respectively, are included.

  The finisher control unit 211 of the sheet processing apparatus 119 shown in FIG. 8 controls the solenoids SL3 and SL4 to change the rotation state of the flappers 122a and 122b, thereby changing from the normal conveyance path R2 to the escape conveyance path R1. Then, the conveyance path of the sheet P is switched from the normal path R2 to the saddle conveyance path R3.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the flapper 122a is rotatably arranged at a branch point between the normal conveyance path R2 and the escape conveyance path R1, and can set two rotation angles corresponding to ON / OFF of the solenoid SL3. is there. The flapper 122b is rotatably arranged at a branch point between the normal conveyance path R2 and the saddle conveyance path R3, and can set two rotation angles corresponding to ON / OFF of the solenoid SL4.

  When both solenoids SL3 and SL4 are OFF, the flapper 122a faces the upper roller 137a and closes the entrance of the escape transport path R1, and the flapper 122b faces the lower roller 137b and closes the entrance of the saddle transport path R3. To do. As a result, the sheet P sandwiched between the receiving roller pair 137 is guided between the flappers 122a and 122b and guided to the normal transport path R2.

  On the other hand, when the solenoid SL3 is ON and the solenoid SL4 is OFF, as shown in FIG. 6, the flapper 122b keeps closing the inlet of the saddle conveyance path R3 facing the lower roller 137b and the flapper 122a is lowered. The entrance of the normal transport path R2 is closed facing the roller 137b. As a result, the sheet P sandwiched between the receiving roller pair 137 is guided to the upper surface of the flapper 122a and guided to the escape conveyance path R1.

  Further, when the solenoid SL3 is OFF and the solenoid SL4 is ON, as shown in FIG. 7, the flapper 122a faces the upper roller 137a and keeps closing the entrance of the escape conveyance path R1, and the flapper 122b moves to the upper roller 137a. Oppositely, the entrance of the normal transport path R2 is closed. As a result, the sheet P sandwiched between the receiving roller pair 137 is guided to the lower surface of the flapper 122b and guided to the saddle conveyance path R3.

  In the branching device 180 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the flappers 122a and 122b that switch the transport direction to the escape tray 172, the stack tray 128, and the saddle tray 169 are independently operated to change the transport path in three directions. Therefore, the configuration is simple and the space can be saved. Further, by arranging the flappers 122a and 122b having the same shape in the vertical direction, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  In the branching device 180 of this embodiment, the two flappers 122a and 122b arranged on the exit side of the receiving roller pair 137 select / branch / guide the normal transport path R2, the escape transport path R1, and the saddle transport path R3 downward. Let

  Since the rotation ranges of the flappers 122a and 122b overlap and are limited to a short distance range in the transport direction that is less than the length of the flappers 122a and 122b, the rotation ranges of the flappers 122a and 122b are arranged in series. Compared to the case, the total length of the branching device 180 is shortened.

  In other words, the receiving roller pair 137 can be provided in the receiving port 190 without expanding the housing structure of the sheet processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, and the entire conveyance path of the sheet P is simplified. It is simpler and less uneven than the sheet processing apparatus, and the number of places where the curled sheet tip collides and bends is reduced.

  Further, the rotation range of the flappers 122a and 122b is adjacent to the outlet of the receiving roller pair 137. In this adjacent range, the pinching by the receiving roller pair 137 prevents the sheet P from flapping. The sheet P does not flutter in the moving space. Therefore, even if there is no guide structure for preventing the flapping of the sheet P in the rotation space of the flappers 122a and 122b, even a curled sheet or a thin sheet is less likely to be bent or fluttered by collision, and can be safely and reliably conveyed to the normal conveying path R2. The sheet P can be branched and guided to the escape conveyance path R1 and the saddle conveyance path R3 downward. And the sheet | seat guide parallel to the flapper provided with the sheet processing apparatus of patent document 1 could be abbreviate | omitted. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the sheet conveyance path of the sheet processing apparatus 119 is increased, and it is easy to cope with further downsizing and high-speed processing.

  Further, two flappers are arranged with the number of branches of the conveyance path being 3, and the normal conveyance path R2 having the highest conveyance frequency of the sheet P is arranged in the center, so that the remaining solenoids SL3 and SL4 are driven without driving one of the solenoids SL3 and SL4. One side can be driven to switch the transport path, and overcurrent due to driving both at the same time can be prevented.

  Further, since the flappers 122a and 122b are driven by independent solenoids SL3 and SL4, one branch can be used by the remaining one even if one fails.

  In addition, since the most frequently used normal transport path R2 can be selected with both the solenoids SL3 and SL4 turned off, the energization time of the solenoids SL3 and SL4 can be minimized, and power saving and the life of the solenoids SL3 and SL4 can be minimized. Extension is achieved.

  Further, since the flappers 122a and 122b are symmetrical with the same dimensions, common parts can be reversed and used together, and the number of parts and the manufacturing cost are reduced.

  Further, since the flappers 122a and 122b are arranged symmetrically around the normal transport path R2, the rotation ranges of the flappers 122a and 122b are completely overlapped, and the length of the branching device 180 in the transport direction is the shortest. Become.

  In addition, since the outer side surfaces of the flappers 122a and 122b are curved inwardly, the collision angle with respect to the leading edge of the sheet P becomes small, and even a curled sheet P or a thin sheet P hardly bends at the time of collision.

  Further, since the downstream side surfaces of the flappers 122a and 122b protrude inward from the guide 181 and the conveyance path is partially narrowed, flapping of the sheet P in the conveyance path is suppressed, and the sheet P by the flappers 122a and 122b is suppressed. The guidance of is demonstrated stably.

  In addition, since the branching structure 180 capable of stably branching and guiding the sheet P is employed in this way, the transport state of the sheet P in the entire sheet processing apparatus 119 is more stable, and at least the trouble of transporting the sheet P in the branching structure 180 (jam) The reliability, processing quality, and operation rate of the sheet processing apparatus 119 are improved only by the reduction of paper jams, tears, and the like. As a whole image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus 119, reliability, image forming quality, and operation rate are improved.

  In this embodiment, the flappers 122a and 122b are operated by individual drive sources, but the operation may be distributed by a mechanism (for example, right rotation / left rotation) using a common drive source (for example, a motor).

  In addition, one or both of the upper roller 137a and the lower roller 137b of the receiving roller pair 137 may be replaced with another conveying member, for example, a belt.

  Further, the branch structure 180 is not limited to the sheet processing apparatus 119 of the present embodiment and the sheet receiving port 190 of the present embodiment, and can be employed at various positions on the conveyance path in various office machines that convey the sheet P. .

  As shown in FIG. 8, the finisher control unit 211 of the sheet processing apparatus 119 includes a ROM 221 in which various processing sequences and constants are written, and a RAM 222 that temporarily stores calculation results. The finisher control unit 211 communicates bidirectionally with the CPU circuit unit 200 of the apparatus main body 101, reads various settings through the operation unit 210, and outputs them to various sensors (not shown) arranged in each unit of the sheet processing apparatus 119. Based on this, various motors (M1 to M9), various solenoids (SL1 to SL4) and other motors and actuators are controlled to cause the sheet processing apparatus 119 to perform the following operations.

(When ejecting the escape tray)
When the user selects the escape tray discharge processing display of the operation unit 210 of the apparatus main body 101 or when an interrupt job signal is input during a job that has already been continued on the processing tray 129, the CPU circuit unit 200 controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101 to move the copying machine 100 to a copying operation and sends an escape tray discharge processing signal to the finisher control unit 211.

  The finisher control unit 211 starts the common transport motor M1 and the escape transport motor M5 based on the escape tray discharge processing signal and operates the solenoid SL3 to rotate the upper flapper 122a downward as shown in FIG. Move. As a result, the flapper 122a closes the normal conveyance path R2, and the sheet P is guided to the escape conveyance path R1.

  The first sheet P sent from the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101 of the copying machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 is transferred to the receiving roller pair 137 and guided by the flapper 122a shown in FIG. It is conveyed to the escape conveyance roller pair 170 shown. The sheet P conveyed to the escape conveyance roller pair 170 is discharged from the escape discharge roller pair 171 onto the escape tray 172. The second and subsequent sheets are similarly loaded on the escape tray 172. The escape conveyance roller pair 170 and the escape discharge roller pair 171 are driven by an escape conveyance motor M5.

(When saddle stitching)
As shown in FIG. 9, the folding device 160 includes two pairs of saddle staplers 161 as binding means and a folding roller pair 162 as folding means for folding a sheet bundle. When the user selects the saddle stitch binding mode process display of the operation unit 210 of the copying machine 100, the CPU circuit unit 200 controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101 to move the copying machine 100 to a copying operation and finisher control. A saddle stitch bookbinding mode processing signal is sent to the unit 211.

  The finisher control unit 211 starts the common transport motor M1 and the saddle transport motor M6 based on the saddle stitch bookbinding mode processing signal, and operates the solenoid SL4 to rotate the flapper 122b upward as shown in FIG. Move. As a result, the flapper 122b closes the normal conveyance path R2, and the sheet P is guided to the saddle conveyance path R3.

  The first sheet P sent from the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101 of the copying machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 passes through the saddle conveyance path by the conveyance of the reception roller pair 137 and the guidance of the flapper 122b shown in FIG. Transported to R3. The sheet P from the saddle transport path R3 is stored in the storage guide 165 by a pair of saddle transport rollers 164, and then transported to a position where the leading end is in contact with a positioning member 166 that can move in the vertical direction. The second and subsequent sheets are similarly transported and stored.

  Here, on the storage guide side of the pair of folding rollers 162, a protrusion member 167 as a protrusion means is provided with the storage guide 166 interposed therebetween. The protruding member 167 provided opposite to the folding roller pair 162 is projected toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 166, whereby the sheet bundle is pushed out to a nip that is a folding portion of the folding roller pair 162. After being folded by the pair of folding rollers 162, the folded paper is discharged onto a saddle discharge tray 169, which is a folded sheet stacking portion, via an origami paper discharge roller 168.

  When folding the sheet bundle bound by the saddle stapler 161, the positioning member 166 is lowered by a predetermined distance so that the staple position of the sheet bundle becomes the center position of the folding roller pair 162 after the stapling process is completed. I have to.

(When stack tray is ejected)
In various modes for discharging the sheet P to the stack tray 128 of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the solenoids SL3 and SL4 are not operated, the flapper 122a closes the escape transport path R1, and the flapper 122b opens the saddle transport path R3. The sheet P is closed and guided to the normal conveyance path R2 through the gap between the flapper 122a and the flapper 122b.

  The two-stage stack tray 128 is driven by an upper tray motor M8 and a lower tray motor M9, respectively, and moves up and down independently, and can be stopped at an arbitrary height position of the sheet processing apparatus 119. The finisher control unit 211 lowers the stack tray 128 based on the output of a paper surface detection sensor (not shown) in the process of stacking the sheets P, and maintains the stacking surface at a certain height position.

(In the staple mode)
When the user selects the sheet binding process display on the operation unit 210 of the apparatus main body 101, the CPU circuit unit 200 controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101 to move the copying machine 100 to a copying operation, and finisher control unit 211. To send a sheet binding processing signal.

  The finisher control unit 211 starts the entrance conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 based on the sheet binding processing signal and operates the buffer roller separation plunger SL1 to move the buffer roller 124 of FIG. 4 to the lower conveyance guide plate 123b. Further, the plunger (not shown) is operated to move the upper roller 127a of the swing roller pair 127 away from the lower roller 127b. The start / stop of the entrance conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 may be controlled step by step in accordance with the movement of the sheet P.

  The first sheet sent from the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101 of the copying machine 100 of FIG. 1 is conveyed by the receiving roller pair 137 and guides of the flappers 122a and 122b of FIG. It is conveyed to. The receiving roller pair 137 is driven by a common transport motor M1 that rotates the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the inlet roller pair 121 is rotated by the inlet conveyance motor M2 in FIG. 4 to convey the first sheet P1. The sheet P1 is conveyed to the first paper discharge roller pair 126 by the guide 123 formed by the upper conveyance guide plate 123a and the lower conveyance guide plate 123b.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the sheet P1 is further conveyed by the rotation of the first paper discharge roller pair 126, and is discharged to the stack tray 128 as shown in FIG. The sheet P1 falls across the stack tray 128 and the processing tray 129 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the upper roller 127a is lowered by a plunger (not shown), and the sheet P1 is sandwiched between the lower roller 127b.

  At this time, the upper roller 127a has already been rotated in the direction of the arrow by the bundling motor M3 in FIG. Further, the return roller 130 that can freely contact and separate from the processing tray 129 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow by the bundling motor M3. However, the lower roller 127b is connected to the first sheet by the operation of the lower bundle clutch CL in FIG. 4, but the second and subsequent sheets are turned off and idle. This is because if the lower roller 127b is rotated when the second and subsequent sheets P are stacked after the first sheet P1 is stacked on the processing tray 129, the lower roller 127b is rotated by the first sheet P1. This is because P1 may also be pushed toward the stopper 131 to cause wrinkles on the first sheet P1.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the sheet P <b> 1 slides down on the processing tray 129 that is lowered to the right by the rotation of the swing roller pair 127 and the return roller 130. At that time, the rear end assist 134 is in a standby position. Then, before the sheet P1 comes into contact with the stopper 131, the upper roller 127a is separated from the sheet P1. The sheet P1 is abutted against the stopper 131 by the return roller 130. Thereafter, the width alignment of the sheet P1 is performed by the pair of alignment plates 144a and 144b shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the subsequent sheets P are similarly stacked on the processing tray 129. As shown in FIG. 17, when a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the processing tray 129, the bundled sheets P are bound by the stapler unit 132 shown in FIG. The sheet bundle P may be punched by a punch unit (not shown) instead of being bound by the stapler unit 132.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, after the upper roller 127a is lowered by a plunger (not shown) and the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the lower roller 127b, the alignment plate 144 (144a, 144b) in FIG. Retreat from the bundle P. At this time, the stack tray 128 moves to a position detected by the paper surface detection lever 133, then moves to a discharge position, and stands by at a position where it can easily receive the discharged sheet bundle P.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, the upper roller 127a rotates in the direction of the arrow with the sheet bundle P sandwiched between the lower roller 127b, and the rear end assist 134 pushes the rear end of the sheet bundle P to P is discharged to the stack tray 128. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the rear end assist 134 is provided on a belt 142 that rotates forward and backward by a rear end assist motor M4.

(In sort mode)
When the user selects the sort mode processing display on the operation unit 210 of the apparatus main body 101, the CPU circuit unit 200 controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101 to move the copying machine to a copying operation, and causes the finisher control unit 211 to perform the copying operation. Send sort mode processing signal.

  The finisher control unit 211 starts the inlet conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 based on the sort mode processing signal, and operates the buffer roller separation plunger SL1 to move the buffer roller 124 of FIG. 4 to the lower conveyance guide plate 123b. Further, the plunger (not shown) is operated to move the upper roller 127a of the swing roller pair 127 away from the lower roller 127b. Note that the start and stop of the inlet conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 may be controlled one by one in accordance with the movement of the sheet.

  The first sheet sent from the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101 of the copying machine 100 in FIG. 1 is transferred to the pair of entrance rollers by the conveyance of the receiving roller pair 137 and the guidance of the flappers 122a and 122b shown in FIG. It is conveyed to 121.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the inlet roller pair 121 is rotated by an inlet conveyance motor M2 to convey the first sheet P1. The sheet P1 is conveyed to the first paper discharge roller pair 126 by the guide 123 composed of the upper conveyance guide plate 123a and the lower conveyance guide plate 123b.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the sheet P1 is further conveyed by the rotation of the first paper discharge roller pair 126, and is discharged to the stack tray 128 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14B, the sheet P1 falls across the stack tray 128 and the processing tray 129. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the upper roller 127a is lowered by a plunger (not shown), and the sheet is sandwiched between the lower roller 127b.

  At this time, the upper roller 127a in FIG. 4 has already been rotated in the direction of the arrow by the bundling motor M3. Further, the return roller 130 that can freely contact and separate from the processing tray 129 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow by the bundling motor M3. However, the lower roller 127b is connected to the first roller by the operation of the lower bundle clutch CL of FIG. 4, but the second roller and the subsequent rollers are turned off and idle. This is because if the lower roller 127b is rotated when the second and subsequent sheets P are stacked after the first sheet P1 is stacked on the processing tray 129, the lower roller 127b is rotated by the first sheet P1. This is because P1 may also be pushed toward the stopper 131 to cause wrinkles on the first sheet P1.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the sheet slides in the direction of the arrow on the processing tray 129 that is lowered to the right by the rotation of the swing roller pair 127 and the return roller 130. At that time, the rear end assist 134 is in a standby position. Then, before the sheet P1 comes into contact with the stopper 131, the upper roller 127a is separated from the sheet P1. The sheet P1 is abutted against the stopper 131 by the return roller 130. Thereafter, the width alignment of the sheet P1 is performed by the pair of alignment plates 144a and 144b shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the subsequent sheets P are similarly stacked on the processing tray 129. As shown in FIG. 17, a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the processing tray 129. The sheet bundle P may be punched by a punch unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the upper roller 127a is lowered by a plunger (not shown) and the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the lower roller 127b, and then the alignment plate 144 is retracted from the sheet bundle P. At this time, the stack tray 128 moves to a position detected by the paper surface detection lever 133, then moves to a discharge position, and stands by at a position where it can easily receive the discharged sheet bundle.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, the upper roller 127a rotates in the direction of the arrow with the sheet bundle P sandwiched between the lower roller 127b, and the rear end assist 134 pushes the rear end of the sheet bundle P to P is discharged to the stack tray 128.

(In non-sort mode)
When the user selects the non-sort mode processing display on the operation unit 210 of the apparatus main body 101, the CPU circuit unit 200 controls each unit of the apparatus main body 101 to move the copying machine 100 to a copying operation, and finisher control unit A non-sort mode processing signal is sent to 211.

  The finisher control unit 211 starts the inlet conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 based on the sort mode processing signal, and operates the buffer roller separation plunger SL1 to move the buffer roller 124 of FIG. 4 to the lower conveyance guide plate 123b. Move away from. The start and stop of the entrance conveyance motor M2 and the bundling motor M3 may be controlled step by step in accordance with the movement of the sheet P.

  The first sheet sent from the discharge roller pair 120 of the apparatus main body 101 of the copying machine 100 is conveyed to the inlet roller pair 121 by the conveyance of the reception roller pair 137 and the guidance of the flappers 122a and 122b shown in FIG. Is done. The receiving roller pair 137 is driven by a common transport motor M1 that rotates the discharge roller pair 120.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the inlet roller pair 121 is rotated by the inlet conveying motor M2 in FIG. 4 to convey the first sheet P1. The sheet P1 is conveyed to the first paper discharge roller pair 126 by the guide 123 composed of the upper conveyance guide plate 123a and the lower conveyance guide plate 123b.

  As shown in FIG. 19B, the sheet P <b> 1 is further conveyed by the rotation of the first paper discharge roller pair 126 and the rotation of the swing roller pair 127 and is discharged to the stack tray 128. The second and subsequent sheets are similarly stacked on the stack tray 128.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus main body. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a sheet processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the partial structure of a sheet processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a structure of a branch apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the switching operation | movement of a branch apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the switching operation | movement of a branch apparatus. It is a control block diagram of a sheet processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the conveyance path | pass at the time of saddle tray discharge | emission. It is explanatory drawing of a matching mechanism. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of rear-end assistance. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of rear-end assistance. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sheet processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

P sheet R1 escape conveyance path (conveyance path)
R2 Normal transport path (transport route)
R3 saddle transport path (transport route)
M1 Common transport motor M2 Inlet transport motor M3 Bundling motor M5 Escape transport motor M6 Saddle transport motor SL3 Solenoid SL4 Solenoid 100 Copying machine (image forming apparatus)
101 apparatus main body 114 photosensitive drum (image forming means)
119 Sheet processing device 121 Inlet roller pair (a pair of conveying members)
122a Upper flapper (guide member)
122b Lower flapper (guide member)
128 Stack tray (sheet stacking member)
129 Processing tray 160 Folding device 161 Saddle stapler unit 162 Folding roller pair 169 Saddle discharge tray 172 Escape tray 180 Branching device 210 Operation unit 211 Finisher control unit

Claims (11)

A pair of conveying members that sandwich and convey the sheet;
A conveyance path of the sheet branched in three or more directions based on the contact position of the pair of conveyance members;
Two or more guide members, which are rotatably arranged at each boundary position of the adjacent conveyance paths, and which can be rotated to oppose each rotation end to each of the pair of conveyance members;
And a control unit that rotates the guide member in accordance with the selection of the transport path to connect the selected transport path to the contact position. Three transport paths are arranged based on the contact position,
The independent drive element which rotates each said guide member separately with respect to the two said guide members arrange | positioned for every boundary position of the said adjacent conveyance path | route is provided. Branch device.   3. The branching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a conveyance path having the highest conveyance frequency of the sheet is arranged in the center.   4. The branching device according to claim 2, wherein the two guide members are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central conveyance path. 5.   The branching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a side surface of the guide member is curved inward.   The guide member is formed with an increasing thickness toward the downstream side of the transport path, and the downstream side surface of the guide member substantially reduces the height of the selected transport path. The branching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A branching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
Sheet stacking means on which the sheets are stacked,
A processing means for performing a predetermined process or operation on the sheet is disposed in the transport path,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the sheet is received through the pair of conveying members, and is stacked on the sheet stacking unit after the predetermined processing or operation is performed. A branching device according to claim 3;
Sheet stacking means on which the sheets are stacked,
In the first conveying path branched upward, escape conveying means for stacking sheets on a fixed stacking tray is arranged,
A normal stacking unit that stacks the sheet on the processing tray and stacks the sheet on the sheet stacking unit after performing a predetermined process is disposed in the second transport path that is moved straight in the horizontal direction,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein bookbinding means for bookbinding the sheet is arranged in the third conveyance path branched downward. Image forming means for forming an image on the sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet processing unit that receives the sheet imaged by the image forming unit and performs the predetermined processing or operation;
9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said sheet processing means is the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
A pair of conveying members that sandwich and convey the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit;
A conveyance path of the sheet branched in three or more directions based on the contact position of the pair of conveyance members;
Two or more guide members, which are rotatably arranged at each boundary position of the adjacent conveyance paths, and which can be rotated to oppose each rotation end to each of the pair of conveyance members;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that rotates the guide member according to the selection of the conveyance path to connect the selected conveyance path to the contact position. A pair of conveying roller members in contact with each other;
Three transport paths branched in three directions from the contact position of the pair of transport roller members,
Two guide members, which are rotatably arranged at each boundary position of the adjacent conveyance paths, and whose rotation ends can face each of the pair of conveyance roller members,
When the two guide members are rotated to open one transport path with respect to the contact position, the remaining two transport paths are blocked from the contact position by the two guide members. Branch structure characterized by being made.

Images