JP2008213170A - Paper processing device and paper processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably pass helical coils with different coil diameters through a hole in a paper bundle by improving a coil guiding function in a binding mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: This paper processing device includes: a movable feed roller 31, which guides the helical coil 11 by rotating the helical coil 11 inserted in the punched holes 3a of the paper bundle 3 so as to feed its towards a coil advancing direction; a movable adjusting side helical guide 49 for guiding the tip of the helical coil 11 fed towards the coil advancing direction with the feed roller 31 to the punched holes 3a; and a controlling part, in which coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter of the helical coil 11 is input and, based on the coil diameter setting information, which controls the positions of a rotary guiding part and of a first helical guiding part. As a result, the feed roller 31 and the helical guide 49 can be moved to the guiding position of the helical coil 11 shown by the coil diameter setting information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper processing applicable to a coil binder, a finisher, or the like that binds a paper bundle by inserting a spiral coil into a hole of a paper bundle obtained by bundling paper having a plurality of holes provided continuously at a predetermined portion. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a paper processing method. Specifically, when a spiral coil is inserted through the hole in the sheet bundle and the sheet bundle is bound, a control unit for inputting coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter is provided, and the coil diameter setting information is included in the coil diameter setting information. Based on this, the position of the movable rotation guide portion and the spiral guide portion is controlled, and the rotation guide portion and the spiral guide portion can be moved to the guide position of the spiral coil indicated by the coil diameter setting information, and the spirals having different diameters can be moved. The coil can be stably inserted into the hole of the sheet bundle.

  In recent years, punch holes are punched in recording paper on which images have been formed by black-and-white and color copiers, printing devices, etc., and a coil is automatically inserted into the holes of a plurality of sheets (paper bundles) after punching. There is a lot to create. This is because the booklet looks better than manually binding the corners of the sheet bundle using a stapler or the like.

  For example, when a coil is automatically inserted into a hole in a sheet bundle, first, the sheet bundle is set at a predetermined position with the positions of the holes in the sheet bundle being aligned. Next, the spiral coil formed at the pitch of the sheet hole interval is sent out while being rotated toward the sheet bundle. Thereafter, the leading end of the coil is inserted into the hole at the end of the sheet bundle, and the coil advances as the coil rotates and is inserted into the remaining hole of the sheet bundle.

  In relation to such a conventional example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coil binding feeder. According to this coil bookbinding feeder, the spiral coil is held by three rolls mounted so as to be movable up and down, and each roll is rotated to rotate the spiral coil and feed it to the punch holes of the sheet bundle. At this time, the sheet bundle is pressed by the guide shaft. As a result, the spiral coil can be sent out to the sheet bundle guided by the guide shaft in accordance with different coil diameters, and the spiral coil can be reliably guided to the punch hole.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-337474 (page 3 FIG. 1)

  However, according to the coil bookbinding feeder described in Patent Document 1 according to the conventional example, it has a roll function and a guide shaft, and is always set at a fixed position when the spiral coil is fed out by the roll function. The spiral coil is pressed against the sheet bundle by the guide shaft.

  For this reason, when the spiral coil is inserted, the punch hole inserted immediately after the spiral coil is fed can smoothly guide the tip of the spiral coil, but the last punch hole can be There is a risk that the leading end may be caught by the edge of the punch hole, and the insertion accuracy may be lowered, and the spiral coil cannot be passed through the punch hole. In particular, this problem is significant when the coil diameters of the helical coils are different.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problem, and a paper processing device in which a coil guide function in a binding mechanism is devised so that spiral coils of different diameters can be stably inserted into holes of a paper bundle, and It is an object to provide a paper processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 is configured to insert a spiral coil into a hole of a sheet bundle obtained by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes connected to a predetermined portion. A paper processing apparatus for binding the paper bundle, wherein the spiral coil inserted through the hole in the paper bundle rotates and a movable rotation guide unit that guides the spiral coil to send it in the coil traveling direction, A movable first spiral guide that guides the leading end of the spiral coil that is sent in the coil traveling direction by the rotation guide to guide it to the hole of the sheet bundle, and coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter of the spiral coil And a control unit for controlling the positions of the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit based on the coil diameter setting information.

  According to the sheet processing apparatus of the first aspect, the sheet bundle is bound by inserting the spiral coil into the hole of the sheet bundle formed by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes provided continuously at a predetermined portion. In this case, the movable rotation guide unit rotates the spiral coil inserted through the hole of the sheet bundle and guides the spiral coil so as to send it in the coil traveling direction. The movable first spiral guide unit guides the leading end of the spiral coil fed in the coil traveling direction by the rotation guide unit to guide the leading end of the spiral coil to the hole of the sheet bundle. Based on this assumption, the control unit inputs coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter of the helical coil, and based on the coil diameter setting information, positions of the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit are determined. Come to control.

  Accordingly, the rotation guide portion and the spiral guide portion can be moved to the guide position of the spiral coil indicated by the coil diameter setting information. For example, when the coil diameter setting information indicates a small-diameter spiral coil, the rotation guide portion and the first spiral guide portion can be moved to positions separated from the respective standby positions by the first distance, and the coil diameter setting information is Is a medium-diameter spiral coil, the rotation guide portion and the first spiral guide portion can be moved to the positions separated from the respective standby positions by the second distance, and the coil diameter setting information is large diameter. When the spiral coil is shown, the rotation guide portion and the first spiral guide portion can be moved to positions separated from the respective standby positions by the respective third distances. As a result, the spiral coils having different diameters can be stably inserted into the holes of the sheet bundle.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing method for binding a sheet bundle by inserting a spiral coil into a hole of a sheet bundle formed by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes provided continuously at a predetermined portion. A method of inputting coil diameter setting information for setting a coil diameter of a spiral coil, inserting a spiral coil into a hole in a sheet bundle based on the input coil diameter setting information, and a sheet bundle A step of guiding the spiral coil so that the spiral coil inserted through the hole of the sheet is rotated and sent in the coil traveling direction, and a step of guiding the tip of the spiral coil fed in the coil traveling direction to the hole of the sheet bundle. It is characterized by this.

  According to the sheet processing method of the sixth aspect, the sheet bundle is bound by inserting the spiral coil into the hole of the sheet bundle formed by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes provided continuously at a predetermined portion. In this case, the rotation guide unit and the spiral guide unit can be moved to the guide position of the spiral coil indicated by the coil diameter setting information. As a result, the spiral coils having different diameters can be stably inserted into the holes of the sheet bundle.

  According to the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 and the sheet processing method according to claim 6, the spiral coil is inserted into the hole of the sheet bundle obtained by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes continuously provided at a predetermined portion. When the sheet bundle is bound, a control unit for inputting coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter is provided, and based on the coil diameter setting information, the movable rotation guide unit and the spiral guide are movable. The position of the part is controlled.

  With this configuration, the rotation guide unit and the spiral guide unit can be moved to the guide position of the spiral coil indicated by the coil diameter setting information. As a result, the spiral coils having different diameters can be stably inserted into the holes of the sheet bundle.

  Hereinafter, a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a sheet processing apparatus 100 as an embodiment to which a coil forming machine according to the present invention is applied. The paper processing apparatus 100 includes a wire cartridge 10, a coil forming mechanism 20, a connecting portion 30, and a binding mechanism 40, and binds a paper bundle 3 by winding a spiral coil (hereinafter referred to as a helical coil 11). The coil binding device is configured.

  The wire rod cartridge 10 constitutes the function of a wire rod supply unit and is wound with a wire rod for forming the spiral coil 11. The wire cartridge 10 has a drum 12 for winding the wire 1 (consumable). The drum 12 has a bobbin 12a that can be carried (carried). The bobbin 12a is provided with a winding shaft 12b and an opening 12d for mounting.

  For example, an iron core vinyl-coated wire is wound around the drum 12 by about 500 to 1000 m. The diameter of the wire 1 is about 0.8 to 1.2 mm. The amount of consumption of the wire 1 is about 2.1 m for a large diameter coil with a coil diameter = 14 mm in diameter when the size of the paper is A size and 49 punch holes. Similarly, the coil diameter is about 1.6 m for a medium diameter coil having a diameter of 11 mm. The coil diameter is a small diameter coil having a diameter of 8 mm and is about 1.2 m.

  A coil forming mechanism 20 is provided on the downstream side of the wire cartridge 10 and operates to form the spiral coil 11 for binding the sheet bundle 3 with a set coil diameter. A coil forming machine according to the present invention is applied to the coil forming mechanism 20. The coil forming mechanism 20 includes a coil forming portion 28, motors 701, 702, and the like, and drives a coil diameter setting and wire feeding mechanism. In this example, three types of coil diameters, a large diameter coil having a diameter of 14 mm, a medium diameter coil having a diameter of 11 mm, and a small diameter coil having a diameter of 8 mm can be formed. A connecting portion 30 is provided on the downstream side of the coil forming mechanism 20 and guides the helical coil 11 formed corresponding to a preset coil diameter so as to guide it to the binding mechanism 40.

  A binding mechanism 40 is provided on the downstream side of the connecting portion 30, and the spiral coil 11 having a predetermined coil diameter formed by the coil forming mechanism 20 is drawn through the connecting portion 30, and the spiral coil 11 is wound around the sheet bundle 3 and bound. It is made like. The binding mechanism 40 includes a feed roller 31, a movable adjustment side spiral guide 49, motors 703 and 704, etc., and drives the feed roller 31 corresponding to the coil diameter, the position setting of the spiral guide 49, and the feed roller 31. To be made.

  A cutting and bending mechanism 75 is provided on the upstream side of the spiral guide 49, and the end portion of the spiral coil 11 inserted into the sheet bundle 3 is cut and then the end portion is bent. If the sheet processing apparatus 100 is configured in this manner, a booklet in which the bundle of sheets 3 is wound and processed by the spiral coil 11 can be created.

  Next, a paper processing method according to the present invention will be described. 2A to 2C are process diagrams illustrating an example of functions of the sheet processing apparatus 100.

  A sheet bundle 3 shown in FIG. 2A is applied to the sheet processing apparatus 100, and punch holes 3a are already opened at predetermined positions of the sheet. At the time of coil binding, the binding processing is performed after the opening positions of the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 are aligned. The punch holes 3a may be ones that are opened at a predetermined pitch by an automatic punching process or ones that are opened at a predetermined pitch by a manual puncher. As long as the arrangement pitch of the punch holes 3a matches the coil forming pitch, the punch holes 3a may be opened by any method.

  Next, according to the binding process shown in FIG. 2B, the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the spiral coil 11 created in real time by the sheet processing apparatus 100. In this example, the helical coil 11 created by the coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted and wound around the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 in cooperation with the connecting portion 30 and the binding mechanism 40. Then, the rear end of the spiral coil 11 is cut, and the tip and the end after the cut are bent. Thereby, the booklet 90 as shown in FIG. 2C in which the spiral coil 11 is wound can be obtained.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the coil forming mechanism 20. The coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 3 forms the spiral coil 11 for binding the sheet bundle 3 and includes a main body portion 21, a wire rod feeding mechanism 22, a coil forming portion 28, and a pitch adjusting mechanism 29. For example, the spiral coil 11 is created based on the wire 1 drawn out from the predetermined drum 12 shown in FIG.

  The main body 21 includes a convex substrate 21a and a rectangular substrate 21b (partially broken in the figure). The substrates 21a and 21b are made of a metal plate having a predetermined thickness, and both are used in a standing posture. For example, an iron plate or an aluminum plate is used as the metal plate.

  A wire rod feeding mechanism 22 constituting a function of the wire rod feeding portion is attached to the main body portion 21. The wire rod feeding mechanism 22 includes wire rod pushing rollers 23a and 23b, a wire rod insertion guide portion 26, and a wire rod extrusion guide portion 27.

  The wire rod insertion guide portion 26 is disposed on the upstream side of the feed rollers 23a and 23b. The wire rod insertion guide portion 26 is provided with a wire rod insertion port 274 so that the wire rod 1 is inserted (supplied). The wire insertion port 274 is a portion to which the wire 1 is supplied, and forms an opening through which one wire 1 can enter. An iron core vinyl-coated wire is used for the wire 1. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wire 1 may be an aluminum wire, an aluminum core plated wire, an iron core plated wire or the like.

  The feed rollers 23 a and 23 b are provided between the wire rod insertion guide portion 26 and the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27. The feed rollers 23a and 23b have round grooves (grooves having a substantially arc-shaped curved cross section) that match the diameter of the wire 1. The feed roller 23 a has a large diameter gear 232, and the feed roller 23 b has a large diameter gear 236.

  A wire rod extrusion guide portion 27 is provided on the downstream side of the feed rollers 23a and 23b, and the wire rod 1 inserted from the wire rod insertion port 274 is guided (supplied) to the coil forming portion 28. The wire material extrusion guide part 27 has an opening part 273 for mounting a fine pitch adjustment block. When the wire feed mechanism 22 is configured in this way, the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness can be fitted with the round grooves (curved surfaces) of the feed rollers 23a and 23b, so that the wire 1 is not damaged, and The wire 1 can be pushed from the wire insertion guide portion 26 into the coil forming portion 28 via the wire extrusion guide portion 27 without slipping the wire 1.

  The feed rollers 23a and 23b are configured to rotate via large-speed gears 24a and 24b of a vertical interlocking type for deceleration that constitute a drive unit. The motor gear 25 is meshed with the large diameter gear 24a. The motor gear 25 is attached to the shaft of the motor 702. The lower large-diameter gear 24a and the upper large-diameter gear 24b mesh with each other at the outer periphery. The large diameter gear 24a has a small diameter gear 24c.

  The small diameter gear 24c is meshed with the large diameter gear 232 of the feed roller 23a. The large diameter gear 24b has a small diameter gear 24d. The small diameter gear 24d is meshed with the large diameter gear 236 of the feed roller 23b. In this example, when the motor 702 rotates, the large-diameter gears 24a and 24b rotate via the motor gear 25, so that the lower feed roller 23a and the upper feed roller 23b rotate via the small-diameter gears 24c and 24d.

  A coil forming part 28 is attached to the main body part 21 provided with the wire rod feeding mechanism 22. In this example, the coil forming portion 28 has a selection mechanism 28 '. The selection mechanism 28 'is provided with a molding adapter 28a. The molding adapter 28a is rotatably attached to the main body portion 21, and one arc-shaped portion can be selected from the three arc-shaped portions # φ14, # φ11, # φ8.

  Here, the arc-shaped portion # φ14 is an inner shape that forms a large-diameter coil with a coil diameter = 14 mm, and similarly, the arc-shaped portion # φ11 is an inner shape that forms a middle-diameter coil with a coil diameter = 11 mm. The arc-shaped portion # φ8 forms an inner shape for forming a small-diameter coil having a coil diameter = diameter of 8 mm.

  Each of the arc-shaped portions # φ14, # φ11, and # φ8 has a function of picking up when the wire enters. For example, by bringing the wire 1 into contact with the insides of the arcuate portions # φ14, # φ11, and # φ8 having different sizes, the coil diameter = 14 mm, llmm, 8 mm, and the like are set. The In this example, since the structure in which the wire 1 is wound around the core is not employed, the structure of the coil forming machine can be simplified without requiring parts replacement or the like as compared with the conventional method.

  A motor 701 for setting the coil diameter is connected to the molding adapter 28a, and is driven so as to select one arcuate part from among the three arcuate parts # φ14, # φ11, # φ8. A stepping motor is used as the motor 701. The wire rod feeding mechanism 22 described above feeds, for example, the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness to the arc-shaped portion # φ14 selected by the motor 701 so as to come into contact with the arc-shaped portion # φ14 from the wire rod insertion port 274.

  The main body portion 21 is provided with a pitch adjustment mechanism 29 so as to sandwich the end portion of the above-described molding adapter 28a, and is molded by, for example, the arc-shaped portion # φ14 selected by the motor 701, and the arc-shaped portion. The pitch of the spiral coil 11 fed out from # φ14 is adjusted. The pitch adjustment mechanism 29 has a coil discharge port 296 provided in connection with the opening 273 of the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27.

  4 and 5 are perspective views showing examples of assembly of the coil forming mechanism 20 (parts 1 and 2). In this example, the wire forming mechanism 22 constituting the coil forming mechanism 20 and the coil forming portion 28 will be described separately.

  According to the coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 4, the front half portion is configured by attaching the wire feeding mechanism 22 to the main body portion 21. The main body 21 includes a convex substrate 21a and a rectangular substrate 21b. The substrate 21a has shaft holes 212, 213, 220 and a motor mounting hole 206, and the substrate 21b has shaft holes 212, 213 and inspection long holes 216, 217.

  The wire rod feeding mechanism 22 has a U-shaped frame 22a having a longitudinal U shape. The U frame 22a is formed, for example, by bending a rectangular iron plate into a U shape. The U frame 22a has shaft holes 221 and 221 at the lower part of the side surface, shaft holes 222 and 222 at the upper side surface, and engagement holes 223 for bolt insertion on the upper top plate surface. Yes.

  A short U-shaped U frame 22c is attached to an upper portion of the U-shaped U frame 22a. The U frame 22c is formed, for example, by bending a rectangular iron plate into a U shape. The U frame 22c has shaft holes 224 and 224 in the lower portion of the side surface, and has engagement holes 225 for inserting bolts in the upper top plate surface.

  A bolt 22b is inserted into the engagement hole 225 through the engagement hole 223 of the U frame 22a, and a washer 22d, a coil spring 22e, and a washer 22f are fitted into the bolt 22b and fixed with a nut 22g. To be made.

  The wire rod feed mechanism 22 has circular feed rollers 23a and 23b. The feed roller 23 a has a main body portion 231 and a shaft hole 233, and has a large-diameter gear 232 on the outer peripheral portion of the main body portion 231. Adjacent to the large-diameter gear 232 is a round (R) groove 234 (a groove having a substantially arcuate curved cross section). Similarly, the feed roller 23 b has a main body 235 and a shaft hole 237, and has a large-diameter gear 236 on the outer peripheral portion of the main body 235. A round groove 238 is provided adjacent to the large diameter gear 236.

  The round groove 234 of the large diameter gear 232 and the round (R) groove 238 of the large diameter gear 236 are formed according to the outer diameter of the wire 1. Compared with the case where the large-diameter gears 232 and 236 are formed by V-grooves, the wire can be sent so as to be wrapped with the outer diameter of the wire 1, so that coil forming can be performed stably.

  The feed roller 23a is inserted into the lower portion of the U-shaped portion of the U frame 22a, and is rotatably attached to the lower shaft pin 22h through the shaft hole 221 of the U frame 22a. Both ends of the shaft pin 22h are ring groove processed.

  The feed roller 23b is inserted into the upper portion of the U-shaped portion of the U frame 22a, and is rotatably attached to the upper shaft pin 22i through the shaft hole 224 of the U frame 22c and the shaft hole 222 of the U frame 22a. Both ends of the shaft pin 22i are ring-grooved in the same manner as the shaft pin 22h. Both ends of the shaft pin 22h of the wire rod feeding mechanism 22 are fitted into the shaft hole 213 of the substrate 21a and the shaft hole 213 of the substrate 21b, and a C-shaped ring spring (not shown) is fixed (prevented from coming off) in the ring groove. Both end portions of the shaft pin 22i are fitted into the shaft hole 212 of the substrate 21a and the shaft hole 212 of the substrate 21b, and a C-shaped ring spring (not shown) is fixed to the ring groove.

  The wire rod feeding mechanism 22 has upper and lower interlocking large-diameter gears 24a and 24b that constitute a drive unit. The lower large-diameter gear 24a and the upper large-diameter gear 24b mesh with each other at the outer peripheral portion. The large diameter gear 24 a has a small diameter gear 24 c and a shaft hole 241. The large diameter gear 24a is inserted between the substrate 21a and the substrate 21b, and is rotatably attached to the shaft hole 241 and the shaft hole 214 of the substrate 21a through the shaft hole 214 of the substrate 21b with the shaft pin 24e. Ring grooves are also processed at both ends of the shaft pin 24e. The small diameter gear 24c is meshed with the large diameter gear 232 of the feed roller 23a.

  The large diameter gear 24b has a small diameter gear 24d and a shaft hole 242. The large diameter gear 24b is an upper part of the large diameter gear 24a and is inserted between the substrate 21a and the substrate 21b. The shaft pin 24f and the shaft hole 215 of the substrate 21a are inserted by the shaft pin 24f through the shaft hole 215 of the substrate 21b. It can be attached to rotate freely. Ring grooves are also processed at both ends of the shaft pin 24f. The small diameter gear 24d meshes with the large diameter gear 236 of the feed roller 23b. The motor gear 25 meshes with the large diameter gear 24a described above. The motor gear 25 is connected to the motor 702 through the shaft hole 220 of the substrate 21a (see FIG. 1). The motor 702 is attached using the motor attachment hole 206 of the substrate 21a.

  A wire rod insertion guide portion 26 is provided on one side of the feed rollers 23a and 23b, and a wire rod extrusion guide portion 27 is provided on the other side of the feed roller 23a and the feed roller 23b. The motor gear 25 described above is attached to the shaft of the motor 702 shown in FIG. When the motor 702 rotates, the large diameter gear 24a rotates through the motor gear 25, and the large diameter gear 24b rotates. When the large diameter gear 24 a rotates, the small diameter gear 24 c rotates the feed roller 23 a via the large diameter gear 232. At the same time, when the large diameter gear 24b rotates, the small diameter gear 24d rotates the feed roller 23b via the large diameter gear 236. Thereby, the wire 1 sandwiched between the rounded grooves 234 and 238 can be sent out (see FIG. 1).

  The wire rod 1 is drawn from the wire rod insertion guide portion 26, pushed out by the feed rollers 23a and 23b, inserted into the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27, and the arc-shaped portion # φ14, # φ11 or # φ8 of the molding adapter 28a shown in FIG. Abutted on one.

  The coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 5 is configured by attaching the coil forming portion 28 and the pitch adjusting mechanism 29 in the latter half of the body portion 21 shown in FIG.

  The wire rod insertion guide portion 26 shown in FIG. 5 includes guide substrates 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d. The guide boards 26a and 26b are made of a sword-shaped metal plate. The sword tip portion is formed reflecting the outer arc shape of the feed rollers 23a and 23b. Each of the guide boards 26a and 26b has four holes 271 for attachment. The guide substrates 26c and 26d have a thickness set slightly larger than the diameter of the wire. Two guide holes 271 are provided in each of the guide boards 26c and 26d. The guide boards 26c and 26d have a size set slightly smaller than the size of the guide boards 26a and 26b and the like half cut in the longitudinal direction.

  The wire rod insertion guide portion 26 is assembled so that the guide substrates 26c and 26d are sandwiched between the guide substrate 26a and the guide substrate 26b. In this example, in order to secure an insertion path for the wire 1, the longitudinal directions of the guide substrates 26 c and 26 d are opposed to each other, and a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 1 is set. In this state, an unillustrated mounting screw passes through the four holes 271 of the guide board 26b, the two holes 271 of the guide boards 26c and 26d, and the four holes 271 of the guide board 26a. It is attached to each of the four screw holes 201 of the substrate 21a. Thereby, the wire rod insertion guide part 26 can be fixed to the board | substrate 21a.

  The wire rod extrusion guide portion 27 includes guide substrates 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d. The guide boards 27a and 27b are made of a sword tip-shaped metal plate that is shorter than the wire rod insertion guide portion 26. The sword-shaped part is formed for the same reason as that of the wire rod insertion guide part 26. Each of the guide boards 27a and 27b has four holes 272 for attachment. Furthermore, a rectangular opening 273 is provided at a predetermined position on the opposite side of the sword-shaped portion of the guide substrates 27a and 27b.

  The guide boards 27 c and 27 d have a thickness set slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 1. The guide boards 27c and 27d are each provided with two mounting holes 272. The guide boards 27c and 27d have a size set slightly smaller than the size of the guide boards 27a and 27b cut in the longitudinal direction. A rectangular opening 273 is provided on the opposite side of the sword-shaped portion of the guide substrates 27c and 27d. In this example, the rectangular opening 273 of the guide board 27c may not be provided, but the guide board 27c and the guide board 27d have component compatibility.

  The wire rod extrusion guide portion 27 is assembled so that the guide substrates 27c and 27d are sandwiched between the guide substrate 27a and the guide substrate 27b. In this example, in order to secure the wire extrusion path, the longitudinal directions of the guide substrates 27c and 27d are opposed to each other in the same manner as the guide substrates 26c and 26d, and a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 1 is set. The Further, the opening 273 of the guide substrate 27a, the opening 273 of the guide substrate 27d, and the opening 273 of the guide substrate 27b are aligned with each other. In this state, an unillustrated mounting screw passes through the four holes 272 of the guide board 27b, the two holes 272 of the guide boards 27c and 27d, and the four holes 272 of the guide board 27a. It is attached to each of the four screw holes 202 of the substrate 21a. Thereby, the wire extrusion guide part 27 can be fixed to the substrate 21a.

  A pin hole 205, a long hole 218, and a long hole 219 are provided in the above-described substrate 21a, and the coil forming portion 28 is attached using these holes. The coil forming portion 28 includes a forming adapter 28a, a U frame 28b, and an engaging pin 28d. The molding adapter 28a has a shaft engaging hole 282 and pin engaging holes 283 to 285 in a main body 281 having the shape shown in FIG. 5, and has notches # φ14, # φ11 and # φ8 for setting the coil diameter. What you have is used. For example, in the molded adapter 28a, the outer peripheral portion of the circular metal main body 281 is cut into different sizes to form three half-moon arc-shaped portions # φ14, # φ11, # φ8.

  The U frame 28b has a body portion 289 having a longitudinal U-shape. The main body 289 is provided with a pin hole 286 for fixing the main body, a shaft hole 287, and a pin hole 288 for fixing the molding adapter 28a. In this example, the U frame 28b is attached to the substrate 21a with the molding adapter 28a inserted between the U frames 28b. For example, the rotating shaft 28c for mounting the motor shaft is inserted into one shaft hole 287 of the U frame 28b, further fitted into the shaft engaging hole 282, and then inserted into the long hole 219 of the substrate 21a. It is inserted into the other shaft hole 287 of the U frame 28b. The engaging pin 28d is inserted into the pin hole 286 and the long hole 218 of the substrate 21a, and both ends thereof are fixed by a C-type clamp member.

  One end of the rotating shaft 28c is prevented from coming off the U frame 28b, and the other end is attached to the shaft of the motor 701 as shown in FIG. 1 outside the substrate 21a, for example. The motor 701 selects one arcuate part from among the three arcuate parts # φ14, # φ11, # φ8 for setting the coil diameter. Thereby, the selection mechanism 28 ′ having the molding adapter 28 a that is rotatably attached to the main body portion 21 can be configured.

  The fixing pin 28e is inserted into one pin hole 288 of the U frame 28b, and further inserted into any of the pin engagement holes 283 to 285 of the molding adapter 28a, and then the pin hole 205 of the substrate 21a. And further inserted into the other pin hole 288 of the U frame 28b. The fixing pin 28e is detachable. For example, a solenoid is attached to the pin 28e, and the pin 28e is made free when the arc-shaped portion # φ14, # φ11 or # φ8 for setting the coil diameter is selected, and when the coil diameter is selected, the pin 28e is inserted into the pin hole. 205 and the pin hole 288 are inserted to lock the molding adapter 28a. By removing the pin 28e, the molded adapter 28a can move along the long holes 218 and 219 integrally with the U frame 28b, and the coil diameter can be easily changed.

  In addition to the coil forming portion 28, a pitch adjusting mechanism 29 is attached to the substrate 21a. The substrate 21a is provided with an opening 203 and a screw hole 204 for attaching a pitch adjusting mechanism. The pitch adjustment mechanism 29 includes a cover substrate 29a, a guide substrate 29b, a pitch fine adjustment block (hereinafter referred to as a fine adjustment unit) 29c, and an adjustment substrate 29d. The cover substrate 29a is formed of a rectangular sheet metal having a predetermined thickness, and has two mounting screw holes 291 and 291 at predetermined positions. The cover substrate 29a is provided with screw holes 294 for fine adjustment of the coil pitch at predetermined positions.

  The guide substrate 29b is made of a rectangular sheet metal having the same size and thickness as the cover substrate 29a, and has two screw holes 292 and 292 at predetermined positions. The guide substrate 29b has a rectangular opening 293 at a predetermined position. The fine adjustment portion 29 c is fitted in the opening portion 293. The opening 293 is disposed at a position where the screw hole 294 of the cover substrate 29a can be seen. This is because the fine adjustment portion 29c is moved by a fine adjustment screw (male screw) (not shown) engaged with the screw hole 294.

  The adjustment substrate 29d is made of a rectangular sheet metal having substantially the same size as the cover substrate 29a and the guide substrate 29b, and the thickness thereof is made of a member thicker than the cover substrate 29a and the guide substrate 29b. In this example, the adjustment substrate 29 d has a recess that covers the opening 273 of the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27.

  The adjustment board 29d has a coil discharge port 296 and a screw hole 297 for engagement. The coil discharge port 296 has a substantially “shi” shape in which a rectangular opening into which the fine adjustment portion 29 c is inserted and a crescent-shaped opening are integrated. In this example, the spiral coil 11 having a coil diameter = diameter of 8 mm, 11 mm, 14 mm, or the like is fed out from the coil discharge port 296.

  The fine adjustment unit 29c described above constitutes the function of the pitch adjustment correction unit and adjusts the discharge position of the spiral coil 11. The fine adjustment portion 29c has, for example, a rectangular shape having a predetermined thickness, and includes an opening portion 293 of the guide substrate 29b, an opening portion 203 of the substrate 21a, an opening portion 273 of the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27, and an adjustment substrate 29d. It is assembled so that it can move between the coil outlets 296 of the coil.

  The openings 293, 203, 273, and 296 constitute a hollow portion (tunnel) in which the fine adjustment portion 29c can move. This hollow portion is provided so that the coil pitch can be finely adjusted by enabling the fine adjustment portion 29c to move back and forth in the conveying direction of the spiral coil 11. As a result, the pitch of the helical coil 11 adjusted by the pitch adjusting mechanism 29 can be corrected by the fine adjustment unit 29c corresponding to the tensile strength of the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness.

  A stepped pitch adjustment portion 29e is attached to the adjustment substrate 29d above the substantially “shi” -shaped coil discharge port 296. The pitch adjusting portion 29e has a delivery guide portion 298 at one corner (corner) of a rectangular sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. The delivery guide portion 298 has a stepped shape of a ¼ arc such that a plurality of types of spiral coils 11 such as a coil diameter = diameter of 8 mm, llmm, and 14 mm follow. The pitch adjusting unit 29e has a screw hole 299. The pitch adjusting portion 29e is attached to the screw hole 297 of the adjusting substrate 29d through the screw hole 299 with a male screw (not shown).

  The adjustment board 29d has two screw holes 295 for engagement at predetermined positions. The adjustment board 29d is inserted with bolts (not shown) through the screw holes 295, the screw holes 204 of the board 21a, the screw holes 292 of the guide board 29b, and the screw holes 291 of the cover board 29a, and a nut or the like outside the cover board 29a. It is fastened and fixed to the substrate 21a. The other screw holes 295 are similarly fixed. Thereby, the pitch adjustment mechanism 29 can be incorporated in the board | substrate 21a.

  The four screw holes 201 and the four screw holes 202 of the substrate 21a are examples in which female screws are created by tapping the substrate 21a. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a sufficient thickness of the substrate 21a cannot be secured, the wire rod insertion guide portion 26 and the wire rod extrusion guide portion 27 may be fixed with iron plate screws, bolts and nuts. .

  Further, the substrate 21a and the substrate 21b shown in FIG. 4 are attached via four space members 21c (only one is shown in the drawing). For example, a space member 21c as shown in the figure between four screw holes 211 provided at a predetermined position of the substrate 21a and four screw holes 211 provided at a predetermined position of the substrate 21b. And fix with screws (not shown). When the female screw is provided in the space member 21c, the female screw is fixed to the female screw with a male screw (not shown). When a pipe-shaped member is used for the space member 21c, the long bolt is passed from the substrate 21a to the substrate 21b through the pipe-shaped space member to fix the substrate 21a and the substrate 21b. Thus, the coil forming mechanism 20 can be assembled.

  Subsequently, a coil forming example according to the present invention will be described. 6-10 is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 1-5). 6-9, the same figure (B) has each shown the AA arrow sectional drawing of the same figure (A).

  In this example, each of the arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 has a function of picking up when the wire enters, and the coil-shaped portion 28 has an arc-shaped portion # φ8 in the forming adapter 28a. Take the case where it is selected as an example.

  The wire 1 pushed out from the wire extrusion guide portion 27 shown in FIG. 6A is brought into contact with the arc-shaped portion # φ8 of the molding adapter 28a shown in FIG. At this time, the wire 1 is brought into contact with the lower end of the arcuate portion # φ8 shown in FIG. 6B. The lower end is a starting end for drawing a circle having a diameter of 8 mm.

  Further, when the wire 1 is pushed out from the wire extrusion guide portion 27 via the feed roller mechanism 22, the wire 1 shown in FIG. 7A advances so as to rotate along the arcuate portion # φ8 of the molding adapter 28a. At this time, the wire 1 changes in a spiral shape along the arc of the arcuate portion # φ8 shown in FIG. 7B. The traveling direction of the wire 1 at this time is a direction almost reversed from the insertion direction.

  Further, when the wire 1 is pushed out from the wire extrusion guide portion 27 via the feed roller mechanism 22, the wire 1 shown in FIG. 8A rotates along the inside of the arc-shaped portion # φ8 of the molding adapter 28a, and the arc-shaped portion The tip end portion of the wire 1 that has been spirally changed by # φ8 is regulated by the tip end of the fine adjustment portion 29c shown in FIG. 8B and changes its traveling direction.

  At this time, the fine adjustment unit 29c adjusts the discharge position of the spiral coil 11. In this example, a male screw for pitch fine adjustment correction (not shown) screwed into the female screw 294 of the cover substrate 29a is adjusted, and the fine adjustment portion 29c is pushed out by the tip of the male screw. The fine adjustment portion 29c moves in the hollow portion constituted by the openings 293, 203, 273, and 296 shown in FIG. In this example, when the tensile strength of the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness is strong, the fine adjustment unit 29c is adjusted so as to widen the pitch of the spiral coil 11. On the contrary, when the tensile strength of the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness is weak, the pitch of the spiral coil 11 is corrected to be narrowed.

  As a result, the coil pitch can be finely adjusted. Accordingly, the pitch of the helical coil 11a and the like adjusted by the pitch adjusting mechanism 29 can be corrected by the fine adjustment unit 29c corresponding to the tensile strength of the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness. As a result, the pitch of the spiral coil 11 can be finely adjusted (pitch adjustment correction unit).

  In the coil forming mechanism 20, the spiral coil 11 a is discharged in a direction (hereinafter referred to as a coil discharge direction) orthogonal to the traveling direction (insertion direction) of the wire 1. Further, when the wire 1 is pushed out from the wire extrusion guide portion 27 via the feed roller mechanism 22, the wire 1 shown in FIG. 9A rotates from the coil discharge port 296 of the adjustment substrate 29d (draws a circle), and the coil discharge direction. Will be discharged. At this time, the wire 1 whose shape has been changed spirally becomes the helical coil 11a. The leading end portion is transferred to the delivery guide portion 298 of the pitch adjusting portion 29e shown in FIG. 9B. At this time, the spiral coil 11a follows a 1/4 arc step shape for the coil diameter of the delivery guide portion 298 = diameter 8 mm.

  Thereby, the spiral coil 11a having a coil diameter = diameter of 8 mm can be discharged from the coil discharge port 296 shown in FIG. 10A. When the arc-shaped portion # φ11 is selected by the molding adapter 28a, the coil diameter of the delivery guide portion 298 is set along the 1/4 arc step shape for a diameter of 11 mm from the coil discharge port 296 shown in FIG. 10B. It becomes possible to discharge the spiral coil 11b having a coil diameter of 11 mm. Similarly, when the arcuate portion # φ14 is selected by the molding adapter 28a, the coil discharge port shown in FIG. 10C is arranged along the 1/4 arc step shape for the coil diameter of the delivery guide portion 298 = 14 mm in diameter. From 296, the spiral coil 11c having a coil diameter of 14 mm can be discharged. By doing so, the coil pitch can be made substantially constant.

  Thus, since the coil forming mechanism 20 does not employ a structure in which the wire 1 is wound around the core, the coil forming structure can be simplified as compared with the conventional method. Further, since the pitch adjusting mechanism 29 is provided with the delivery guide portion 298 in the pitch adjustment portion 29e, the spiral coil 11 can be delivered along the delivery guide portion 298 from the coil discharge port 296 of the adjustment substrate 29d. . Moreover, the helical coils 11a, 11b, 11c, etc., whose pitch does not change even if the coil diameter changes, can be formed with good reproducibility. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the sheet processing apparatus 100 that performs the binding process by matching the pitch of the spiral coil 11 with the punch hole pitch (binding pitch) of the sheet bundle 3.

  Next, a configuration example of the binding mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the binding mechanism 40.

  A binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 11 constitutes an example of a binding mechanism, receives the helical coil 11 formed by the coil forming mechanism 20, and enters the punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3 installed in the binding mechanism 40. The coil 11 is guided and inserted. In order to realize this function, the binding mechanism 40 includes a feed roller 31, a main body chassis portion 40c, a paper alignment guide 41, side plates 43a and 43b, a paper clamp 45, a paper placement table 46, a paper contact pin 46d (FIG. 16B). 19), a spiral adjusting guide (hereinafter referred to as a spiral guide) 49, a cutting and bending mechanism 75, and motors 703 and 704.

  The outer shape of the binding mechanism 40 is such that the main body chassis portion 40c is arranged substantially horizontally, and a predetermined position of the main body chassis portion 40c, for example, a side plate 43a on the right side and a side plate 43b on the left side with a predetermined interval. And vertically mounted oppositely. The side plate 43a and the side plate 43b have substantially the same shape. Between the side plate 43a and the side plate 43b, a sheet alignment guide 41, a sheet clamp 45, a sheet placing table 46, and a sheet contact pin 46d (see FIGS. 16B and 19) are arranged.

  The sheet placing table 46, the sheet clamp 45, the sheet alignment guide 41, and the sheet contact pin 46d align a plurality of sheets P having punch holes 3a at predetermined positions and clamp the sheet bundle 3. The In this example, the paper mounting table 46 has a predetermined thickness and is installed on the main body chassis portion 40c sandwiched between the side plates 43a and 43b.

  The sheet contact pin 46d constitutes an example of a first sheet aligning section, is attached to the tip of the spiral guide 46a on the fixed side of the sheet placing table 46, and each sheet of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46 It regulates so that the punch hole side end of P may be aligned.

  The sheet aligning guide 41 constitutes an example of a second sheet aligning unit and is attached to one side of the sheet placing table 46. In this example, when the portion where the punch hole 3a is punched in the paper P is used as the leading end, and the portion of the paper P in the direction orthogonal to the leading end is used as the side end 3b, the paper alignment guide 41 is The side edges 3b of the sheets P of the sheet bundle 3 on the sheet placement table 46 restricted by the contact pins 46d are regulated so as to be aligned.

  The paper clamp 45 is supported by a support bar 44 on the paper receiving side, and the support bar 44 is attached to the side plates 43a and 43b. The paper clamp 45 is attached to the side plates 43 a and 43 b so that the paper pressing side facing the paper receiving side can be moved up and down by the link bar 39. For example, when the paper P enters the paper mounting table 46, the paper clamp 45 moves the link bar 39 upward (anti-vertical direction) using the support bar 44 as a rotation axis. It moves downward (vertical direction) and clamps the paper P.

  In addition, when the paper P enters the paper mounting table 46, for example, a multi-spindle-shaped rotating member (not shown) for aligning the front end and the horizontal end of the paper P at the reference position may be used. By applying such a rotating member, the paper P can be urged in the rotation direction. As a result, the side edge 3b of the paper P having the punch hole 3a abuts against the paper alignment guide 41, and the punch hole 3a side of the paper P abuts against the paper contact pin 46d, so that the paper P is aligned with the reference position. be able to.

  In this example, a motor 703 that functions as an example of a drive unit is attached to a predetermined position on the lower left side of the side plate 43a. A gear 33a is coupled to the drive shaft of the motor 703, and a guide switching cam 34a is engaged with the gear 33a. The guide switching cam 34a is in contact with a feed roller 31 that functions as an example of a rotation guide unit. One end of a spiral guide 49 constituting an example of the guide portion is engaged.

  The movement of the spiral guide 49 is restricted by curved cam long holes 35a, 35b provided in the guide switching cams 34a, 34b and horizontal long holes 82a, 82b (see FIG. 13) provided in the side plates 43a, 43b. ing. By rotating the guide switching cams 34a and 34b, the moving direction of the spiral guide 49 is restricted to the horizontal direction by the horizontal long holes 82a and 82b, and moves back and forth along the cam surfaces of the curved cam long holes 35a and 35b. .

  The feed roller 31 includes a push roller 31a and a pick-up roller 31b. The pushing roller 31a is rotatably supported between the right side plate 43a and the left side plate 43b. The pushing roller 31a is provided along the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11, and is attached so as to bridge the right and left side plates 43a and 43b.

  The feed roller 31 is moved by cam long holes 37a and 37b provided in the guide switching cams 34a and 34b and second vertical long holes 80a and 80b (see FIG. 13) provided in the side plates 43a and 43b. It is regulated. The feed roller 31 is always applied with a force in the vertical direction by a belt 36d attached to a driven pulley 36b attached to the tip of the feed roller 31. By rotating the guide switching cams 34a and 34b, the feed roller 31 moves up and down along the cam surfaces of the cam long holes 37a and 37b in a state where the moving direction is restricted to the vertical direction by the vertical long holes 80a and 80b. To do.

  One end of the square link rod 42 is coupled to the shaft center of the gear 33a. The other end of the square link bar 42 is coupled with the shaft center of a gear 33b. The gear 33b is engaged with a guide switching cam 34b. The guide switching cam 34b includes a feed roller 31 and a spiral guide 49. The other end is engaged.

  In this example, when the motor 703 is rotated, the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are rotated via the gears 33a and 33b. By rotating the guide switching cams 34a and 34b, the positions of the feed roller 31 and the spiral guide 49 whose both ends are engaged with the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are adjusted.

  A motor 704 that functions as an example of a drive unit is attached to a predetermined position on the lower right side of the side plate 43a. A pulley 36a is coupled to the drive shaft of the motor 704, and a belt 36d is attached to the pulley 36a. This belt 36d is attached to driven pulleys 36b and 36c. The feed roller 31 is coupled to the driven pulley 36b. As the motor 704 rotates, the pulley 36a coupled to the drive shaft of the motor 704 rotates, the belt 36d attached to the pulley 36a rotates, and the driven pulley 36b rotates. As a result, the feed roller 31 coupled to the driven pulley 36b rotates.

  The feed roller 31 feeds the spiral coil 11 while rotating the spiral coil 11 toward the punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placement table 46, and guides the spiral coil 11 to the punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3. To do. For example, the feed roller 31 includes a cylindrical push roller 31a and a rotary shaft 31c, and is brought into contact with the helical coil 11 so as to rotate the helical coil 11 in a certain direction.

  The pushing roller 31a constitutes an example of a rotating member and is attached to the rotating shaft rod 31c. The pushing roller 31a has a length equal to or longer than the length of the sheet P when the side of the sheet P related to the punch hole 3a of the sheet P is defined as the sheet length. Note that the length may be a little shorter than the paper length as long as it is substantially the same as the paper length. The pushing roller 31a is installed between the side plates 43a and 43b, and guides the spiral coil 11 received from the pick-up guide roller 31b of the connecting portion 30 to the punch hole 3a of the paper P.

  For example, the pushing roller 31 a abuts on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the spiral coil 11, and rotates and guides the spiral coil 11 while pressing the spiral coil 11 against the paper placement table 46. Note that a material such as silicon rubber or natural rubber having a large frictional force with the helical coil 11 is used for the push roller 31a and the pick-up guide roller 31b. The binding mechanism 40 can be configured by these mechanical components. The pushing roller 31a may be a single long bar-shaped roller, or short rollers divided into a certain length may be arranged in series.

  Further, according to the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 11, the sheet bundle 3 is placed on the sheet placing table 46, and the spiral coil 11 is inserted into the sheet bundle 3. To reach this state, first, a predetermined number of sheets are clamped by the sheet clamp 45. For example, a state in which the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 inserted in the first vertical elongated holes 38a and 38b provided in the side plates 43a and 43b is lifted in the anti-vertical direction by the cam surfaces of the guide switching cams 34a and 34b. That is, in a state where the sheet pressing side of the sheet clamp 45 is lifted, the sheet is received and placed on the sheet placing table 46.

  Next, after placing a predetermined number of sheets, the motor 703 is driven to rotate the guide switching cams 34a and 34b via the gears 33a and 33b, and the link of the sheet clamp 45 raised by the cam surface of the cams. The rod 39 is lowered by regulating the moving direction by the vertical long holes 38a and 38b. As a result, the sheet clamp 45 moves the sheet pressing side of the sheet clamp 45 in the vertical direction, and abuts against the sheet bundle 3 at a predetermined position and presses the sheet bundle 3 against the sheet placing table 46 by its own weight. Attach and clamp. It is also possible to apply a spring force or the like to the paper clamp 45 so as to press the paper bundle 3 by the biasing force of the spring in addition to its own weight.

  As described above, according to the feed roller 31 and the spiral guide 49 shown in FIG. 11, the feed roller 31 and the spiral guide 49 are adjusted to a position according to the diameter of the spiral coil 11 inserted through the sheet bundle 3. At this adjusted position, the spiral coil 11 is configured to support and support the movement direction at three locations of the push roller 31a of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the main body chassis portion 40c.

  The binding mechanism 40 includes a cutting and bending mechanism 75 having a function of a coil cutting portion, and cuts the spiral coil 11 of the sheet bundle 3 bound by the binding mechanism 40 at a predetermined position.

  In this example, the cutting and bending mechanism 75 is attached to a predetermined position of the binding mechanism 40, for example, in the vicinity of the side plate 43 b and below one end of the spiral guide 49, and the end of the spiral coil 11 cut at this position. It has a cut folding function to bend the part.

  The cutting and bending mechanism 75 has a lever 75f, and the rear end portion of the spiral coil 11 is cut by moving the lever 75f in a predetermined direction. Currently, the lever 75f is manually operated. Of course, the lever 75f can be operated by a cam (not shown). When such a cutting and bending mechanism 75 is provided in the binding mechanism 40, not only foreign matter is hardly caught on the end of the spiral coil 11, but also the appearance of the cut portion is improved.

  The splicing unit 30 in the sheet processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the connecting portion 30 and its peripheral mechanism.

  12 is a portion that connects the coil forming mechanism 20 and the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. The connecting portion 30 includes a pick-up roller 31b, an introduction guide portion 32a, and a coil introduction wall 32b. The connecting portion 30 has a coil introduction port 83d (opening) shown in FIG. The coil introduction port 83d is provided on the side surface of the binding mechanism 40. In this example, the coil forming mechanism 20 and the bind mechanism 40 are assembled so that the coil traveling direction of the coil forming mechanism 20 and the opening center of the coil introduction port 83d provided in the bind mechanism 40 coincide.

  The pick-up roller 31b is attached to one end of the push roller 31 of the feed roller 31 of the bind mechanism 40, rotates in the same direction as the push roller 31a, and moves up and down in the same direction as the push roller 31a. To be made. A roller member made of the same material as the pushing roller 31a of the binding mechanism 40 is used for the pickup roller 31b. Similarly to the push-in roller 31a of the bind mechanism 40, the pick-up roller 31b has an end surface processed into a trapezoidal shape. In this example, as the pick-up roller 31b, the pick-up roller 31b whose outer shape is set slightly smaller than the push-in roller 31a of the binding mechanism 40 is used. This is to facilitate picking up the spiral coil 11a and the like.

  On the main body chassis portion 40c below the pick-up roller 31b, the introduction guide portion 32a and the coil introduction wall 32b are arranged to face each other. For the introduction guide portion 32a, for example, a resin molded product having a chamfered corner portion on the side facing the coil introduction wall 32b is used. For the coil introduction wall 32b, for example, a sheet metal molded product is used in which a corner portion on the side facing the coil forming mechanism 20 is bent into a divergent shape. This is because the pick-up of the spiral coil 11a and the like is made smooth as in the pick-up roller 31b.

  The paper alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 12 is attached to a predetermined position by a screw or the like on the paper mounting table 46. The sheet aligning guide 41 has a sheet aligning surface 41a having a predetermined inclination with respect to the surface on which the sheet P of the sheet placing table 46 is placed, and the sheet aligning surface 41a is inclined along the inclination of the sheet aligning surface 41a. The end is regulated. The sheet alignment surface 41a can be inclined because of the structure of the spiral coil 11, when the spiral coil 11 is rotated and inserted into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3, the tip of the spiral coil 11 is inclined. This is because the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 are aligned in accordance with the inclination of the leading end of the spiral coil 11 (see FIG. 24).

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of main components on the connecting portion 30 side of the binding mechanism 40. The binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 13 shows only main components in order to facilitate understanding of the component configuration. The main parts are a feed roller 31, a spiral guide 49, side plates 43a and 43b, a guide switching cam 34b, and a gear 33b. In addition to these main components, a spiral coil 11 and a sheet bundle 3 are installed.

  When assembling these main parts, first, one end of the rotary shaft 31c inserted into the pushing roller 31a of the feed roller 31 is inserted into the vertical long hole 80a of the side plate 43a with respect to the side plate 43a, and the spiral guide One end of a shaft rod 49a provided at 49 is inserted into the horizontal elongated hole 82a of the side plate 43a. Similarly, the other end of the rotary shaft 31c of the pushing roller 31a is inserted into the vertical long hole 80b of the side plate 43b with respect to the side plate 43b, and the other end of the shaft rod 49a provided on the spiral guide 49 is on the side. It inserts in the horizontal long hole 82b of the face plate 43b.

  Next, with respect to the side plate 43b, the engaging portion 33c of the gear 33b is engaged with the hole 81a of the side plate 43b, and the engaging portion 34c of the guide switching cam 34b is engaged with the protrusion 81b of the side plate 43b. To do. At this time, the cam long hole 37b of the guide switching cam 34b is engaged with the rotary shaft 31c inserted into the vertical long hole 80b, and the curved cam long hole 35b is inserted into the horizontal long hole 82b. 49a is engaged. Similarly, the guide switching cam 34a and the gear 33a are engaged with the side plate 43a. Thereafter, the pick-up roller 31 a of the connecting portion 30 is press-fitted into the rotary shaft 31 c of the feed roller 31 and fixed.

  By assembling in this way, by rotating the guide switching cams 34a and 34b by the gears 33a and 33b, the feed roller 31 moves in the vertical direction in accordance with the shape of the vertical long holes 80a and 80b, and the spiral guide 49 Moves in the horizontal direction according to the shape of the horizontal elongated holes 82a, 82b. Note that the link rod 39 of the paper clamp 45 shown in FIG. 11 is engaged with the vertical elongated holes 38a and 38b. The driven pulley 36c shown in FIG. 11 is engaged with the hole 86 of the side plate 43b.

  14A to 14C are cross-sectional views illustrating functional examples of the connecting unit 30 of the paper processing apparatus 100.

  In this example, a case where the coil forming mechanism 20 forms a helical coil 11a having a coil diameter = 8 mm in diameter is taken as an example. In this case, in the binding mechanism 40, the pushing roller 31a is set (dropped) at a corresponding position where the coil diameter = diameter 8 mm.

  The spiral coil 11a formed by the coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 14A moves in the coil traveling direction while rotating clockwise. At this time, the pick-up roller 31b rotates in the same counterclockwise direction as the pushing roller 31a of the binding mechanism 40. When the rotational speed of the helical coil 11 delivered from the coil forming unit 28 is V1, and the rotational speed of the helical coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 is V2, V1 ≦ V2. This speed setting is for smoothly passing the spiral coil 11 through the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3.

  Furthermore, when the helical coil 11a formed by the coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 14B is pushed out, the helical coil 11a continues to move in the coil traveling direction while rotating clockwise. In this example, at the initial stage of coil introduction, the main body chassis portion 40c regulates the deflection to the lower portion of the spiral coil 11a, and the introduction guide portion 32a and the coil introduction wall 32b regulate the lateral deflection of the spiral coil 11a. The Thereafter, the trapezoidal portion of the pick-up roller 31b gradually regulates the swing to the upper part of the spiral coil 11a.

  Further, when the helical coil 11a formed by the coil forming mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 14C is pushed out, the helical coil 11a continues to move in the coil traveling direction while rotating clockwise. In this example, in the latter part of the coil introduction, the outer peripheral part of the pick-up roller 31b, the introduction guide part 32a, and the coil introduction wall 32b respectively regulate the vibration to the upper and left and right sides of the spiral coil 11a. In this restricted state, the tip of the helical coil 11 a is inserted into the opening on the side surface of the binding mechanism 40.

  15A and 15B are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of functions of the connecting portion 30 for other coil diameters in the sheet processing apparatus 100. FIG.

  According to the joint portion 30 shown in FIG. 15A, the coil forming mechanism 20 forms the spiral coil 11 b having a coil diameter = diameter of 11 mm. In this case, in the binding mechanism 40, the pushing roller 31a is set to a corresponding position where the coil diameter is 11 mm. Also in this example, at the initial stage of coil introduction, the main body chassis portion 40c regulates the deflection of the spiral coil 11b to the lower portion, and the introduction guide portion 32a and the coil introduction wall 32b regulate the lateral deflection of the spiral coil 11b. The In the latter part of the coil introduction, the outer periphery of the pick-up roller 31b, the introduction guide part 32a, and the coil introduction wall 32b are respectively restricted from swinging up and down and left and right of the spiral coil 11b.

  According to the connecting portion 30 shown in FIG. 15B, the coil forming mechanism 20 forms the spiral coil 11c having a coil diameter = 14 mm in diameter. In this case, in the binding mechanism 40, the pushing roller 31a is set at a corresponding position where the coil diameter is 14 mm. Also in this example, at the initial stage of coil introduction, the main body chassis portion 40c regulates the deflection of the spiral coil 11c to the lower portion, and the introduction guide portion 32a and the coil introduction wall 32b regulate the lateral deflection of the spiral coil 11c. The In the latter part of the coil introduction, the outer peripheral part of the pick-up roller 31b, the introduction guide part 32a, and the coil introduction wall 32b regulate the vertical and horizontal swings of the spiral coil 11c.

  As described above, the connecting portion 30 is provided between the coil forming mechanism 20 and the binding mechanism 40, and the spiral coil 11a having a predetermined coil diameter sent from the coil forming mechanism 20 is left and right corresponding to the external shape. The vertical movement is gradually regulated and guided to the opening of the binding mechanism 40.

  In this example, the pick-up roller 31b, the introduction guide portion 32a, and the coil introduction wall 32b are used to pick up the leading end of the spiral coil 11a and the like. Even if the spiral coil 11c (large diameter coil), the spiral coil 11b (medium diameter coil), or the spiral coil 11a (small diameter coil), the spiral coil 11a having a desired coil diameter sent from the coil forming mechanism 20 is used. 11b and 11c can be introduced into the binding mechanism 40 with good reproducibility.

  16A and 16B are top views showing a configuration example of the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) and the guide protrusion 49b of the spiral guide 49 (movable adjustment side). The spiral guide 46a shown in FIG. 16A constitutes the function of the second spiral guide portion, and is provided on one side of the paper placing table 46 on the main body chassis portion 40c (see FIG. 12), and one side thereof is processed into a comb-teeth shape. Configured. The spiral guide 46 a has a plurality of convex teeth 46 b and has a comb-teeth shape along the width direction of the sheet bundle 3. Each of the convex teeth 46 b is arranged in alignment with the opening pitch of the 49 punch holes 3 a of the sheet bundle 3. The spiral guide 46 a regulates the left side of the traveling direction of the plurality of types of spiral coils 11. Note that the convex teeth 46b having a comb-teeth shape are subjected to a tilting process for adjusting the traveling direction in order to smoothly guide the tip of the spiral coil 11. Thereby, the spiral coil 11 can be smoothly guided.

  In this example, the coil (spiral) pitch of the helical coil 11 is formed in accordance with the opening pitch of the punch holes 3a. The spiral coil 11 advances one pitch with one rotation. One pitch of the spiral coil 11 is about 6 mm regardless of the coil diameter. This is because the opening pitch of the punch holes 3a is constant regardless of the coil diameter. For this reason, the sheet bundle 3 is aligned obliquely without depending on the paper thickness so that the inclination is constant. In other words, the punch holes 3a are arranged obliquely.

  A spiral guide 49 is movably attached at a position facing the spiral guide 46a of the paper mounting table 46, and adjusts the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11 corresponding to a plurality of coil diameters. In this example, the spiral guide 49 is configured to restrict the right side of the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11 with a wall. Similar to the spiral guide 46a, the spiral guide 49 has a guide protrusion 49b having a short comb-like shape along the width direction of the sheet bundle 3.

  The guide protrusion 49 b is provided at a portion where the spiral coil 11 contacts the spiral guide 49. The guide protrusion 49b has a plurality of convex protrusions 49c in accordance with the coil pitch of the helical coil 11, and guides the spiral coil 11 by abutting between the convex protrusion 49c and the convex protrusion 49c. . In this example, in order to smoothly guide the tip of the spiral coil 11, a tilting process for adjusting the traveling direction is performed. As the spiral guide 49, a metal piece having a predetermined length and thickness processed into a short-leg comb shape is used.

  In this example, in order to make a wall surface on the right side in the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11, the spiral guide 49 is designed to be thicker than the thickness of the spiral guide 46a. For example, the thickness of the spiral guide 49 is set to 2 to 7 times the thickness of the spiral guide 46a. The spiral guide 49 moves to the left and right according to the coil diameter of the spiral coil 11. A home position HP is defined in the spiral guide 49, and the position is changed from the home position HP according to the coil diameter. In this example, the position is changed in three stages (three forms) according to the coil diameter = diameter 8 mm, 11 mm, and 14 mm.

  As a result, the helical coil 11 can be supported at the three points of the pushing roller 31a, the helical guide 46a, and the helical guide 49. The pushing roller 31 a operates to rotate the spiral coil 11, advance the coil so as to sew punch holes of the sheet bundle 3, and send the coil bundle 3 from one end to the other end (width direction). As a result of this operation, the sheet bundle 3 can be stably bound by the spiral coil 11 with the spiral coil 11 having a plurality of coil diameters.

  FIG. 16B is an enlarged view showing a configuration example of the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) and the guide protrusion 49b in the broken-line circle shown in FIG. 16A. The convex teeth 46b shown in FIG. 16B have a plate shape having a notch 46c. The notch 46 c is provided along the direction in which the spiral coil 11 enters. This is to prevent the spiral coil 11 from coming into contact with the convex teeth 46b when the spiral coil 11 enters the spiral guide 46a.

  The convex protrusion 49c of the guide protrusion 49b has a trapezoidal cross section with an inclined portion 49d. The inclined portion 49d is provided along the direction in which the spiral coil 11 enters. This is to prevent the spiral coil 11 from coming into contact with the convex projection 49c when the spiral coil 11 enters the guide projection 49b.

  In this example, the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) has been described as an integrated part in which one end of the paper mounting table 46 having a predetermined size and thickness is processed into a comb shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a single component that is processed and combined into a comb shape separately from the main body chassis portion 40c may be used. For example, it is possible to use a structure in which a plurality of substrates that are divided into a certain length and processed on one side of a plurality of substrates in a short comb shape are arranged in series.

  In this example, when the position of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a is set, the spiral guide 49 is moved from the home position HP by a first distance d1 ′ in the direction close to the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3, so that the medium-diameter When setting the position of the spiral coil 11b, the spiral guide 49 is similarly moved in the direction of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 by the second distance d2 ′ to set the position of the large-diameter spiral coil 11. Similarly, the spiral guide 49 is moved by the third distance d3 ′ in the direction of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 (d1 ′> d2 ′> d3 ′). Thereby, the position of the spiral guide 49 can be adjusted by the binding mechanism 40 after clamping.

  Next, a support example of the spiral coil 11b will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17A is a perspective view illustrating a support example of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b.

  The spiral coil 11b shown in FIG. 17A is inserted through the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 and is supported at three points by the push roller 31a, the spiral guide 49, and the main body chassis portion 40c.

  FIG. 17B is a configuration diagram of a support example of the spiral coil 11b illustrated in FIG. 17A as viewed from the arrow direction P2. The upper end of the spiral coil 11b shown in FIG. 17B is brought into contact with the pushing roller 31a of the feed roller 31, the lower end of the spiral coil 11b is supported by the main body chassis portion 40c, and the tip of the spiral coil 11b is spiral. Supported by a guide 49.

  As the feed roller 31 rotates in the arrow direction P3, the spiral coil 11b that is in contact with the pushing roller 31a of the feed roller 31 is supported by the spiral guide 49 and the main body chassis portion 40c, and is opposite to the arrow direction P3. It rotates in the direction and advances toward the punch hole 3a in the subsequent stage, and is inserted into all the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46 of the main body chassis portion 40c. In this example, the support example of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b has been described. However, the small-diameter and large-diameter spiral coils 11a and 11c are also supported in the same manner.

  FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram including a partial cross section showing an example of the clearance between the large-diameter spiral coil 11 c and the punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3.

  According to the support example of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c shown in FIG. 18, it is in a state of being inserted through the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 of about 71 to 100 sheets. In this state, the clearance between the upper end of the sheet bundle 3 and the upper end of the inner diameter of the spiral coil 11c is defined as clearance Q1, and the interval between the lower end of the sheet bundle 3 and the lower end of the inner diameter of the spiral coil 11c is defined as clearance Q2. . The interval between the outer periphery of the opening of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 and the spiral coil 11c is defined as a clearance Q3.

  In this example, when the large-diameter spiral coil 11c is inserted into the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 of about 71 to 100 sheets, it is most difficult to ensure the clearances Q1 to Q3. At this time, the clearances Q1 to Q3 can be secured to such an extent that the spiral coil 11c can be inserted into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 even if variation in paper alignment, component drawing tolerance and molding variation at the time of coil forming are added. To be made.

  Since the large-diameter spiral coil 11c that is most difficult to secure the clearances Q1 to Q3 can be inserted into the punch hole 3a, the medium-diameter and small-diameter spiral coils 11a and 11b can be reliably inserted into the punch hole 3a. It should be noted that the thickness of the paper mounting table 46 is designed so that the clearance Q1 and the clearance Q2 can be secured to the same extent. In this example, the thickness of the paper mounting table 46 is about 2 mm.

  FIGS. 19A to 19C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of supporting the spiral coils 11a to 11c, and show the functions of the coil support portions (the spiral guide 46a and the convex protrusion 49c) in the paper placing table 46 and the spiral guide 49. FIG. A sheet stack 3 made up of 40 sheets or less is mounted on the sheet mounting table 46 shown in FIG. 19A, and a small diameter spiral coil 11a is inserted into each punch hole 3a of the sheet stack 3. .

  In order to insert the spiral coil 11a into the punch hole 3a as described above, first, the spiral guide 49 and the feed roller 31 shown in FIG. 18 are arranged at predetermined positions. For example, the position of the spiral guide 49 is disposed at a position (distance d1 'in FIG. 16B) that contacts the spiral coil 11a. Note that the position of the sheet placing table 46 is fixed.

  Next, the feed roller 31 feeds the spiral coil 11a while rotating it into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46. The sent spiral coil 11 a passes between the convex protrusions 49 c of the guide protrusion 49 b of the spiral guide 49. At this time, the spiral coil 11a is guided by the convex projections 49c of the guide projection portion 49b so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) of the sheet placing table 46, and the traveling direction. Is regulated.

  Thereafter, the spiral coil 11a passes between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and is inserted into the punch hole 3a. After passing through the punch hole 3a, the spiral coil 11a is guided again by the guide projection 49b so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a, the traveling direction is regulated, and the spiral coil 11a passes between the convex teeth 46b. It passes through the punch hole 3a. As a result, the spiral coil 11 a can be reliably inserted into each punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3.

  A sheet bundle 3 composed of 41 to 70 sheets is placed on the sheet placing table 46 shown in FIG. 19B, and a medium-diameter spiral coil 11b is inserted into each punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3. Has been.

  In order to insert the spiral coil 11b into the punch hole 3a in this way, first, the spiral guide 49 and the feed roller 31 shown in FIG. 18 are arranged at predetermined positions. For example, the position of the spiral guide 49 is arranged at a position (distance d2 'in FIG. 16B) that contacts the spiral coil 11b. In this case, the distance between the convex protrusion 49c of the spiral guide 49 and the convex tooth 46b of the paper mounting table 46 is wider than the distance shown in FIG. 19A.

  Next, the feed roller 31 feeds the spiral coil 11b while rotating the spiral coil 11b to the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46. The sent spiral coil 11 b passes between the convex protrusions 49 c of the guide protrusion 49 b of the spiral guide 49. At this time, the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11b is regulated by the guide protrusion 49b so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) of the sheet placing table 46.

  Thereafter, the spiral coil 11b passes between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and is inserted into the punch hole 3a. After passing through the punch hole 3a, the spiral coil 11b is again regulated by the guide projection 49b so that it travels between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and passes between the convex teeth 46b. The punch hole 3a is inserted. As a result, the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b can be reliably inserted into each punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3.

  A sheet stack 3 composed of 71 to 100 sheets is mounted on the sheet mounting table 46 shown in FIG. 19C, and a large-diameter spiral coil 11 c is inserted into each punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3. Has been.

  In order to insert the spiral coil 11c into the punch hole 3a in this way, first, the spiral guide 49 and the feed roller 31 are arranged at predetermined positions. For example, the position of the spiral guide 49 is arranged at a position (distance d3 ′ in FIG. 16B) that contacts the spiral coil 11c. In this case, the distance between the convex protrusion 49c of the spiral guide 49 and the convex tooth 46b of the paper mounting table 46 is wider than the distance shown in FIGS.

  Next, the feed roller 31 feeds the spiral coil 11b while rotating the spiral coil 11b to the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46. The sent spiral coil 11 b passes between the convex protrusions 49 c of the guide protrusion 49 b of the spiral guide 49. At this time, the traveling direction of the helical coil 11c is restricted by the guide protrusion 49b so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the helical guide 46a of the paper placing table 46.

  Thereafter, the spiral coil 11c passes between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and is inserted into the punch hole 3a. After passing through the punch hole 3a, the spiral coil 11c is again regulated by the guide projection 49b so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a, and passes between the convex teeth 46b. The punch hole 3a is inserted. As a result, the large-diameter spiral coil 11 c can be reliably inserted into each punch hole 3 c of the sheet bundle 3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG. 23, an operation example when setting the position corresponding to the coil diameter in the binding mechanism 40 will be described. The binding mechanism 40 according to FIGS. 20 to 23 is a side view of the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG.

  In this example, the explanation will be divided into four parts: a feed roller standby example, a small diameter coil position setting example, a medium diameter coil position setting example, and a large diameter coil position setting example.

  In this example, the feed roller 31 moves diagonally up and down corresponding to the coil diameter. The feed roller 31 stands by at the home position HP and changes its position from the home position HP according to the coil diameter. The feed roller 31 changes its position in three stages according to the coil diameter = diameter 8 mm, 11 mm, and 14 mm. The feed roller 31 is driven so as to press the spiral coil 11 against the spiral guide 49 from an oblique direction, for example.

  FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating an operation example of the binding mechanism 40 during standby. In this example, only the operation example of the guide switching cam 34b and the gear 33b related to the side plate 43b and members related thereto will be described. In addition, about the example of operation | movement of the guide switching cam 34a and the gearwheel 33a which concern on the side plate 43a, and the member relevant to these, since it functions similarly to the member of the side plate 43b, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 20, the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 are in a standby state, and the feed roller 31 and the paper clamp 45 are in the uppermost position. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a standby state of the binding mechanism 40. The reason for providing such a standby state is to allow the maximum number of binder sheets to be accepted. In order to shift to this standby state, the gear 33b is rotated clockwise by a predetermined amount toward the paper surface by the motor 703 shown in FIG. Due to the rotation of the gear 33b, the guide switching cam 34b meshed with the gear 33b rotates counterclockwise. The positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 are simultaneously determined by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b and the holes opened in the side plate 43b.

  For example, the feed roller 31 moves in the vertical direction along the cam surface of the cam long hole 37b, while the moving direction is restricted to the vertical direction by the vertical long hole 80b. In order to set the feed roller 31 to the standby state, the feed roller 31 is set to be positioned at one end of the cam long hole 37b. Thereby, the feed roller 31 is pushed up by the cam surface of the cam long hole 37b and is positioned at the uppermost part of the vertical long hole 80b.

  The spiral guide 49 moves left and right along the cam surface of the curved cam long hole 35b, with the movement direction of the shaft 49a of the spiral guide 49 restricted by the horizontal long hole 82b in the horizontal direction. In this example, the spiral guide 49 is located on one end side of the curved cam long hole 35b and on the right side of the paper surface of the horizontal long hole 82b.

  The movement direction of the paper clamp 45 is regulated to be substantially vertical by the vertical long hole 38b, and the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 moves up and down along the outer peripheral cam surface 34d of the guide switching cam 34b. In order to set the paper clamp 45 in the standby state, the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 is lifted by the outer peripheral cam surface 34d so that the paper clamp 45 is positioned at the top of the vertical long hole 38b. In this manner, the positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 in the standby state can be set.

  FIG. 21 is a side view showing an operation example when setting the position of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a in the binding mechanism 40. FIG. In this example, when setting the position of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a, the feed roller 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the first distance d1.

  According to the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 21, when the small-diameter helical coil 11a is set, the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 are positioned. This state is a case where the number of sheets is 40 or less and the small-diameter spiral coil 11a is inserted. When the spiral coil 11a is inserted, the gear 33b is rotated clockwise by a predetermined amount from the standby state shown in FIG. Due to the rotation of the gear 33b, the guide switching cam 34b meshed with the gear 33b rotates counterclockwise.

  Due to the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b, the feed roller 31 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical long hole 80b (see FIG. 13) of the side plate 43b causes the other end to the other end of the cam long hole 37b of the guide switching cam 34b. And move down to move vertically from the uppermost part of the vertical elongated hole 80b to the lowermost part. As a result, the feed roller 31 can be set at a position in contact with the upper surface of the spiral coil 11a.

  The spiral guide 49 positioned on the right side of the horizontal long hole 82b in the standby state as described above moves from one end to the other end of the curved cam long hole 35b of the guide switching cam 34b by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b. And retreats (close to the spiral coil 11a) and moves horizontally from the right side to the left side of the horizontal long hole 82b. As a result, the spiral guide 49 can be set at a position in contact with the front surface of the small-diameter spiral coil 11.

  In the standby state described above, the paper clamp 45 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical elongated hole 38b is moved vertically by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b, and the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 is lowered by the outer peripheral cam surface 34d. It moves from the uppermost part of the long hole 38b to the lowermost part. Thereby, the paper clamp 45 can be set at a position for clamping the paper bundle 3 composed of 40 sheets or less.

  FIG. 22 is a side view showing an operation example when setting the position of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11 b in the binding mechanism 40. In this example, when setting the position of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b, the feed roller 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the second distance d2.

  According to the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 22, the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 are positioned when the medium-diameter spiral coil 11 b is set. This state is a case where the number of sheets is 41 to 70 and the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b is inserted. When the spiral coil 11b is inserted, the gear 33b is rotated clockwise by a predetermined amount from the standby state shown in FIG. Due to the rotation of the gear 33b, the guide switching cam 34b meshed with the gear 33b rotates counterclockwise.

  Due to the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b, the feed roller 31 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical long hole 80b (see FIG. 13) of the side plate 43b has a hole length of 4 from one end of the cam long hole 37b of the guide switching cam 34b. It moves to the position of about 1 / min and slightly descends, and moves vertically from the uppermost part of the vertical long hole 80b to the middle part. As a result, the feed roller 31 can be set at a position in contact with the upper surface of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b.

  In the above-described standby state, the spiral guide 49 positioned on the right side of the horizontal long hole 82b in the drawing is rotated by one third of the hole length from one end of the curved cam long hole 35b of the guide switching cam 34b by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b. And move slightly backward (close to the spiral coil 11b) and move horizontally from the right side to the left side of the horizontal long hole 82b. As a result, the spiral guide 49 can be set at a position in contact with the front surface of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b.

  In the standby state described above, the sheet clamp 45 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical elongated hole 38b is slightly lowered by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b so that the link bar 39 of the sheet clamp 45 is slightly lowered by the outer peripheral cam surface 34d. It moves from the uppermost part of the vertical long hole 38b to the middle part. As a result, the paper clamp 45 can be set at a position for clamping the paper bundle 3 composed of 41 to 70 sheets.

  FIG. 23 is a side view showing an operation example when the position of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c in the bind mechanism 40 is set. In this example, when the position of the large-diameter spiral coil 11 is set, the feed roller 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the third distance d3 (d1> d2> d3). Thereby, the position of the feed roller 31 can be adjusted by the bind mechanism 40 after clamping.

  According to the binding mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 23, the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49, and the paper clamp 45 are positioned when the large-diameter spiral coil 11c is set. This state is a case where the number of sheets is 71 to 100 and the large-diameter spiral coil 11c is inserted. When the spiral coil 11c is inserted, the gear 33b is rotated clockwise by a predetermined amount from the standby state shown in FIG. Due to the rotation of the gear 33b, the guide switching cam 34b meshed with the gear 33b rotates counterclockwise.

  Due to the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b, the feed roller 31 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical long hole 80b of the side plate 43b moves from one end of the cam long hole 37b of the guide switching cam 34b to a position about half the hole length. And then descends slightly and moves vertically from the top of the vertical slot 80b to the top. As a result, the feed roller 31 can be set at a position in contact with the upper surface of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c.

  In the standby state, the spiral guide 49 positioned on the right side of the horizontal long hole 82b in the drawing is rotated substantially by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b from one end of the curved cam long hole 35b of the guide switching cam 34b. And move slightly backward (close to the spiral coil 11c) and move horizontally from the right side to the left side of the horizontal slot 82b. As a result, the spiral guide 49 can be set at a position in contact with the front surface of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c.

  In the standby state described above, the sheet clamp 45 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical elongated hole 38b is slightly lowered by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b so that the link bar 39 of the sheet clamp 45 is slightly lowered by the outer peripheral cam surface 34d. It moves from the uppermost part of the vertical long hole 38b to the middle part. As a result, the paper clamp 45 can be set at a position where the paper bundle 3 composed of 71 to 100 sheets is clamped.

  As described above, according to the operation example when setting the position corresponding to the coil diameter of the bind mechanism 40, the small-diameter helical coil 11a, the medium-diameter helical coil 11b, and the large-diameter helical coil 11b and the large-diameter helical coil 11b are set in the standby state. The pattern is divided into four patterns when the position of the spiral coil 11c having a diameter is set.

  Accordingly, the spiral coils 11a, 11b, and 11c having different coil diameters can be guided to the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 at positions corresponding to the coil diameters. As a result, the spiral coils 11a to 11c can be stably inserted into the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3.

  Next, a configuration example and a function example of the sheet alignment guide 41 of the binding mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 24A is a top view illustrating a configuration example of the sheet alignment guide 41 illustrated in FIG. In this example, the sheet aligning guide 41 (slide having an inverted trapezoidal cross section is placed on the sheet placing table 46 which is upstream of the spiral coil 11 shown in FIG. 12 and substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11 described above. The case where a guide wall is provided is shown.

  The sheet alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 24A has a sheet alignment surface 41a, a first recess 41b, and a second recess 41c. In this example, when the angle formed by the sheet aligning surface 41a of the sheet aligning guide 41 shown in FIG. 24B and the sheet placing surface 41b of the sheet placing table 46 is the tilt angle θ, the tilt angle θ is more than 90 °. It is set to be smaller. That is, the sheet aligning surface 41a of the sheet aligning guide 41 has an inclination angle θ substantially equal to the coil traveling angle. The sheet aligning guide 41 aligns the side end portion 3b of the sheet bundle 3 obliquely according to the inclination of the sheet aligning surface 41a. As a result, the sheet bundle 3 is aligned obliquely.

  The sheet aligning surface 41a is formed at an inclination angle θ = about 80 ° with respect to the sheet placing surface 46b of the sheet placing table 46 shown in FIG. When the coil pitch is about 6 to 6.5 mm and the coil inner diameter is about 8 to 20 mm, θ is preferably set to 75 ° to 85 °. The support bar 44 of the paper clamp 45 shown in FIG. 11 is engaged with the first recess 41b. Further, the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 shown in FIG. 11 is engaged with the second recess 41c.

  In this way, the sheet bundle 3 is aligned obliquely in accordance with the inclination of the sheet alignment surface 41a, so that the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 are also aligned obliquely in accordance with the inclination of the sheet alignment surface 41a. Therefore, when the spiral coil 11 rotates and enters the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 with a predetermined inclination, the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is adjusted to the opening posture obliquely according to the inclination. The spiral coil 11 can be stably inserted into the punch hole 3a.

  24B is a front view of the sheet alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 24A as viewed from the X direction. In the sheet alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 24B, the inclination angle θ of the sheet alignment surface 41a with respect to the sheet placement surface 46b is set to about 80 °. The side edge portion 3b (see FIG. 12) of the sheet bundle 3 is aligned by the sheet aligning surface 41a formed at the inclination angle of 80 °.

  25A and 25B are a top view and a front view showing a function example (part 1) of the sheet alignment guide 41. FIG. FIG. 25A is a top view showing an example of functions at the time of paper alignment in the paper alignment guide 41, and FIG. 25B is a cross-sectional view of the paper alignment guide 41 shown in FIG.

  According to the paper alignment guide 41 at the time of paper alignment shown in FIG. 25A, the paper is placed on the paper alignment surface 41a of the paper alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 24A, and the paper bundle 3 composed of about 41 to 70 sheets. Is in a state of being aligned.

  In the paper alignment guide 41 shown in FIG. 25B, the side edge 3b of the paper bundle 3 is aligned by the paper alignment surface 41a set at an inclination angle θ = about 80 °, and the paper on which the paper bundle 3 is placed. Similar to the inclination angle θ formed with the paper placement surface of the placement table 46, it is inclined at about 80 ° and aligned. Further, each punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is also aligned (shifted) at about 80 °, as is the angle θ.

  26A and 26B are front views showing a function example (No. 2) of the sheet alignment guide 41, and FIG. 26A is a diagram showing a state before insertion of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b. A spiral coil 11b having a medium diameter shown in FIG. 26A has the side end portions 3b of the sheet bundle 3 aligned by the sheet aligning surface 41a of the sheet aligning guide 41, and the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3 aligned with an inclination. , Inserted while rotating from the arrow direction P1.

  FIG. 26B is a diagram showing a state after insertion of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b. The spiral coil 11b shown in FIG. 26B is in a state of being inserted halfway through the sheet bundle 3 (a state before reaching the end). In order to make it easier to see the insertion state of the spiral coil 11b, the sheet bundle 3 shown in FIG. 26B does not show the cut surfaces of the sheet bundle 3 shown in FIG. 26A.

  As shown in FIG. 26B, the angle of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 having an inclination is substantially equal to the angle of the spiral coil 11b inserted through the punch hole 3a. As a result, a sufficient clearance between the spiral coil 11b and the punch hole 3a can be secured, so that the spiral coil 11b can be stably inserted through the spiral coil 11b without colliding with the wall surface of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3. it can.

  27A and 27B are front views showing an example of functions when the small and large diameter spiral coils 11a and 11c are inserted in the paper alignment guide 41. FIG.

  27A is composed of 40 sheets or less. The side edge 3b of the sheet bundle 3 is aligned with the sheet aligning surface 41a of the sheet aligning guide 41 formed at 80 °, and the angle formed with the horizontal plane is set to about 80 °. Furthermore, the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is also aligned at an angle of about 80 ° with the horizontal plane. The spiral coil 11a shown in FIG. 27A is in a state in which the small-diameter spiral coil 11a is partially inserted into the sheet bundle 3. As shown in FIG. 27A, the angle of the punch hole 3a of the inclined sheet bundle 3 and the angle of the spiral coil 11a inserted through the punch hole 3a are substantially equal.

  The sheet bundle 3 shown in FIG. 27B is composed of about 71 to 100 sheets. The side edge 3b of the sheet bundle 3 is aligned with a sheet aligning surface 41a formed at 80 °, and the angle (inclination angle) formed with the horizontal plane is set to about 80 °. Furthermore, the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is also aligned at an angle of about 80 ° with the horizontal plane. This is a state in which the large-diameter spiral coil 11c is partially inserted into the sheet bundle 3. As shown in FIG. 27B, the angle of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 having an inclination is substantially equal to the angle of the spiral coil 11c inserted through the punch hole 3a.

  In this way, when the sheet bundle 3 is obliquely aligned, the tip of the spiral coil 11 can be smoothly passed through the punch hole of the sheet bundle 3 without the tip of the spiral coil 11 being caught in the punch hole of the sheet bundle 3. It becomes like this. In addition, since the clearance between the small and large diameter spiral coils 11a and 11c and the punch hole 3a can be sufficiently secured, the tip of the spiral coil does not collide with the wall surface of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3, and the small diameter and large diameter can be secured. The spiral coils 11a and 11c having a diameter can be stably inserted. Of course, the inclination angle may be changed according to the sheet thickness when aligning the bundle of sheets.

  Subsequently, a configuration example and an assembly example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29.

  FIG. 28A is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75. A cut and bend mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 28A is provided on one side (coil pickup side) of the spiral guide 49, and after inserting the spiral coil 11 into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3, the end of the spiral coil 11 is inserted. It is made to cut and bend.

  FIG. 28B is an enlarged view of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in the broken-line circle of FIG. 28A. The cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 28B is configured to include a holding part 75a, a holding part 75b, a cutter receiving part 75d, and a lever 75f. A cutter 75c and a bent portion 75e are provided at the tip of the lever 75f.

  The clamping receiving portion 75b and the cutter receiving portion 75d are fixed at predetermined positions of the main body of the spiral guide 49. In this example, the plate-shaped cutter receiving portion 75 d is fixed so as to face the vertical direction with respect to the convex protrusion 49 c of the spiral guide 49. The L-shaped sandwiching receiving portion 75b is fixed so that the rising portion of the sandwiching receiving portion 75b is parallel to the convex protrusion 49c. The lever 75f is movably attached to a predetermined position of the main body of the spiral guide 49. The holding member 75a is attached to cooperate with the lever 75f. The shape of the holding part 75a and the holding part 75b is L-shaped.

  The sandwiching portion 75a and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b constitute an example of a sandwiching portion, and hold the end portion of the spiral coil 11 therebetween. For example, the lever 75f is rotated in a predetermined direction while the helical coil 11 is inserted between the holding member 75a and the holding member 75b, and the holding member 75a is moved to the fixed holding member 75b. The end portion of the spiral coil 11 is sandwiched and held by the abutting portion 75a and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b.

  The cutter 75c and the cutter receiving part 75d constitute an example of a coil cutting part and cut a predetermined position of the sandwiched helical coil 11. For example, when the lever 75f is further rotated in a predetermined direction in a state where the spiral coil 11 is sandwiched between the sandwiching support portion 75a and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b, the fixed cutter receiving portion 75d and the cutter 75c provided at the tip of the lever 75f are provided. By cutting, the end of the spiral coil 11 is sandwiched.

  The bent portion 75e is provided at an extension portion of the cutter 75c, and bends the cut end portion of the spiral coil 11 in a predetermined direction. For example, after the spiral coil 11 is cut by the cutter 75c, the lever 75f is further rotated in a predetermined direction, whereby the bent portion 75e is sandwiched by the sandwiching portion 75a and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b. In this state, the cut end of the helical coil 11 is pushed out in the direction of the arrow P4 and bent.

  After bending, the lever 75f is rotated in the opposite direction to move the cutter 75c away from the cutter 75c, and the gripper 75a is moved away from the clamping receiver 75b and held therebetween. The spiral coil 11 is released and enters a standby state. The end of the spiral coil 11 is processed by such a cutting and bending mechanism 75.

  FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 29, first, the three first pins 75g are passed through the three holes 75n of the main body of the spiral guide 49 and the three main bodies of the cutter receiving portion 75d. The main body of the cutter receiving portion 75d is fixed to the main body of the spiral guide 49 through the pin 75g through the hole 75p.

  The lever 75f is rotatably attached to the main body of the fixed cutter receiving portion 75d. In this example, one projection 758 of the first intermediate member 75h is inserted into the opening 754 at the substantially center of the main body of the cutter receiving portion 75d and the opening 756 of the main body of the lever 75f so as to be rotatably coupled. After the coupling, the other protrusion 755 of the intermediate member 75h is inserted into the opening 759 of the fixing plate 75i, and the tips of the three pins 75g are inserted into the three fixing portions 75q of the fixing plate 75i. In this manner, the main body of the cutter receiving portion 75d is fixed to the main body of the spiral guide 49, and the main body of the lever 75f is rotatably fixed to the main body of the spiral guide 49.

  Thereafter, one protrusion 761 of the second intermediate member 75j is inserted into the opening 757 of the fixing plate 75i, the other protrusion 762 is inserted into the opening 751 of the body of the holding member 75a, and the holding receiving part 75b Insert into the opening 752 of the main body. After the insertion, the main body of the sandwiching and receiving portion 75b is passed through the three second pins 75k through the three reinforcing holes 75r of the body of the sandwiching and receiving portion 75b and the three holes 75s of the fixing plate 75i and the fixing plate 75i. To fix. In this way, the cutting and bending mechanism 75 is assembled by fixing the main body of the holding member 75a to the fixing plate 75i with the intermediate member 75j as the rotation axis.

  Note that a spring 75m, which will be described later, is attached to the spring hooking portion 753 of the main body of the holding member 75a, and a force that always rotates in a predetermined direction is applied by the elastic force of the spring 75m. The presser portion 75t of the main body of the lever 75f is engaged with the presser receiving portion 75u of the main body of the holding portion 75a. With this configuration, by operating the lever 75f, the main body of the holding member 75a rotates in cooperation.

  Subsequently, an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 32.

  In this example, the cut and bend mechanism 75 will be described in three states: a standby state, a cut state, and a bent state. One end side of the spring 75m is attached to the spring hooking portion 753 of the main body of the clamping portion 75a of the cutting and bending mechanism 75, and the other end side of the spring 75m is attached to the hooking portion 753a ′ of the hooking plate 753a. Yes. A clockwise force is always applied by the elastic force of the spring 75m. The operations of the clamping unit 75a and the cutter 75c are adjusted by a lever 75f.

  FIG. 30A is a top view illustrating an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 in the spiral guide 49 during standby. The cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 30A is provided at the end of the spiral guide 49 and is in a standby state. In this example, the position of the lever 75f of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 is set to the initial position. A spiral guide 49 in the drawing guides the spiral coil 11 that has been fed out.

  FIG. 30B is an enlarged view of an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 in the broken-line circle of FIG. 30A. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 30B, the holding portion 75a of the holding member 75a and the holding portion 75t of the lever 75f are engaged with each other by the pulling force of the spring 75m. It faces substantially the same direction as the sandwiching receiving portion 75b. At this time, the interval between the holding part 75a and the holding part 75b is about three times the wire diameter of the spiral coil 11. The end of the spiral coil 11 is located between the sandwiching portion 75a and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b.

  The cutter 75c faces substantially the same direction as the cutter receiving portion 75d. In this example, the distance between the cutter 75c and the cutter receiving portion 75d is also set to about three times the wire diameter of the spiral coil 11. The spiral coil 11 is located between the cutter 75c and the cutter receiving portion 75d.

  FIG. 30C is a perspective view showing an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 30B. In the cut-and-bend mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 30C, the spiral coil 11 passes through the middle of the rising portion of the L-shaped sandwiching receiving portion 75b. Similarly, the spiral coil 11 passes through the middle part of the rising part of the L-shaped clamping part 75a. Thereby, the helical coil 11 can be reliably clamped and held by the clamping receiving portion 75b and the clamping contact portion 75a. Further, the spiral coil 11 passes through the vicinity of the base of the plate-shaped cutter receiving portion 75d.

  FIG. 31A is a top view showing an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 at the time of coil cutting. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 at the time of coil cutting shown in FIG. 31A, the lever 75f is rotated in the direction of arrow P5 from the initial position shown in FIG. 30A and moved to the cutting position.

  FIG. 31B is an enlarged view showing an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 in the broken-line circle of FIG. 31A. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 31B, by rotating the lever 75f in the direction of the arrow P5 (clockwise), the holding portion 75a rotates clockwise in cooperation with the lever 75f. In this example, a clockwise force is always applied to the holding member 75a by the elastic force of the spring 75m hooked on the spring hook 753 of the main body of the holding member 75a.

  Therefore, by rotating the lever 75f clockwise, the holding member 75a rotates clockwise around the protrusion 762 of the intermediate member 75j shown in FIG. 29 and approaches the holding member 75b. When the holding member 75a approaches the holding member 75b, the spiral coil 11 positioned between the holding member 75a and the holding member 75b shown in FIG. 30B is held in the holding member as shown in FIG. 31B. It is sandwiched and held by 75a and the sandwiching receiving part 75b. At this time, the spiral coil 11 is sandwiched between the cutter 75c and the cutter receiving portion 75d.

  Thereafter, in a state where the helical coil 11 is clamped by the clamping pad 75a and the clamping receiver 75b, the lever 75f is further rotated clockwise, so that only the cutter 75c rotates clockwise, and the cutter 75c and the cutter receiver The spiral coil 11 sandwiched between 75d is cut. 11 c ′ in the figure is one cut end of the cut helical coil 11.

  FIG. 31C is a perspective view showing an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 31B. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 31C, the helical coil 11 is clamped by the clamping part 75a and the clamping receiving part 75b, and the arc of the spiral coil 11 is approximately 4 minutes from the clamped helical coil 11 position. The position of the spiral coil 11 separated by about 1 is cut by a cutter 75c.

  FIG. 32A is a top view showing an operation example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 when the coil is bent. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 at the time of coil bending shown in FIG. 32A, the lever 75f is further rotated in the direction of the arrow P5 from the cutting position shown in FIG. 31A to move to the bending position.

  32B is an enlarged view showing a configuration example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 in the broken-line circle of FIG. 32A. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 32B, the holding part 75a and the holding part 75b are spiraled by the elastic force of the spring 75m hooked on the spring hooking part 753 of the main body of the holding part 75a. The state of holding the coil 11 is maintained.

  In this example, the bent portion 75e rotates clockwise by further rotating the lever 75f clockwise, and the cut end of the helical coil 11 sandwiched between the bent portion 75e and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b. The portion 11c ′ is bent toward the inside of the helical coil 11 by about 90 ° from the root.

  FIG. 32C is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 32B. According to the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. 32C, the cut end portion 11c ′ of the helical coil 11 held between the holding portion 75a and the holding portion 75b is bent inside the helical coil 11 by the bent portion 75e. Is made.

  FIG. 33 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a configuration example of the spiral coil 11c that has been subjected to the end processing. According to the end-treated spiral coil 11 shown in FIG. 33, the cut end portion 11c ′ is formed such that about one fifth of the arc of the spiral coil 11 is bent toward the inside of the spiral coil 11. . Thereby, the appearance of the end of the spiral coil 11 can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the tip of the cut end portion 11c 'from being caught by the user's clothes or the like. Of course, the spiral coil 11 can also be prevented from coming out of the sheet bundle 3.

  Next, the wire cartridge 10 in the paper processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 34 is a partially broken sectional view showing a configuration example of the wire cartridge 10 and its peripheral mechanism.

  A wire rod cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 34 constitutes a function of a wire rod supply unit, can be mounted on the paper processing apparatus 100, and supplies the wire rod 1 to the coil forming mechanism 20. In this example, the wire cartridge 10 and the coil forming mechanism 20 are laid out side by side with respect to the traveling direction of the wire 1. Of course, the arrangement position of the wire rod cartridge 10 with respect to the coil forming mechanism 20 is not limited to this.

  A wire 1 (consumable) is wound around the wire cartridge 10. For example, the wire 1 is maintained in a predetermined pitch and is wound in a multi-layer aligned manner. The wire cartridge 10 includes a drum 12 for winding a wire, and a wire rod detection sensor 65 for detecting the presence or absence of a wire rod is disposed in the drum 12. The wire rod detection sensor 65 may be attached to each drum 12, but is attached to the sheet processing apparatus side in order to reduce the cost of the wire rod cartridge 10.

  The drum 12 has a form that can be carried (carried). In this example, the drum 12 includes a bobbin 12a having a window portion 12c and a winding shaft 12b. In the drum 12, one end of a bobbin 12a has a conical shape. For example, an iron core vinyl-coated wire is wound around the drum 12 by about 1000 m. The diameter of the wire 1 is about 0.8 mm.

  The winding shaft 12b has a three-dimensional shape combining a rectangular shape and a tubular shape (see FIG. 1), and is used when the wire 1 is wound around the bobbin 12a at a factory or the like, and the bobbin 12a is not rotated after the drum is mounted. It is used by fixing to. The bobbin 12a and the window 12c of the winding shaft 12b are used when detecting the presence or absence of the wire 1.

  In this example, an opening 12d that receives the lock portion 5 is provided at the other end of the bobbin 12a. The lock unit 5 is provided in a lock mechanism 6 installed on the sheet processing apparatus 100 side. The lock mechanism 6 is attached to a predetermined substrate 2 of the paper processing apparatus 100. The lock unit 5 is engaged with the lock opening 12d of the bobbin 12a so as to fix the drum 12 to the sheet processing apparatus 100. The reason why the bobbin 12a is fixed and used is to prevent the wire 1 from being loosened naturally from the drum 12.

  A mounting detection sensor 64 is provided in the lock mechanism 6 to detect whether the wire cartridge 10 is mounted on the paper processing apparatus 100 and output a mounting detection signal S64. The attachment detection signal S64 is output to the control unit 50 shown in FIG. As the attachment detection sensor 64, a switch element for detecting on / off is used.

  A wire rod detection sensor unit 60 installed on the paper processing apparatus 100 side is set inside the winding shaft 12b. The wire rod detection sensor unit 60 has a sensor case portion 4 provided on the substrate 2. The sensor case portion 4 has, for example, a three-dimensional structure that is slightly smaller than a three-dimensional shape reflecting a rectangular shape and a tubular shape outside the winding shaft 12b. The reason why such a three-dimensional structure is adopted is to insert the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 inside the winding shaft 12b.

  The rectangular portion of the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 is provided with a wire rod detection sensor 65 that constitutes the function of the detection unit, and detects the presence or absence of the wire rod 1 wound around the drum 12 and outputs a wire rod detection signal S65. The wire detection signal S65 is output to the control unit 50. As the wire rod detection sensor 65, a reflection type or transmission type optical sensor is used. The wire rod detection sensor 65 is disposed at a position where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are visible from the bobbin 12a and the window 12c of the winding shaft 12b. The reason why the wire rod detection sensor 65 is disposed at this position is to detect the presence or absence of the wire rod 1 wound around the bobbin 12a.

  A first position restricting roller 13, a wire rod feeding roller 14, a wire rod tension mechanism 15, and a second position restricting roller 16 are provided on the downstream side of the drum 12.

  The position regulating roller 13 includes an upper roller 13a and a lower roller 13b, and is provided near the top of the conical portion of the drum 12. The wire 1 is passed between the upper roller 13a and the lower roller 13b. The position regulating roller 13 regulates the drawing position of the wire 1 drawn out from the drum 12.

  The wire feeding roller 14 includes an upper roller 14 a and a lower roller 14 b and is provided on the upstream side of the wire tension mechanism 15. The wire 1 is passed between the upper roller 14a and the lower roller 14b. The wire feeding roller 14 operates to feed the wire 1 from the drum 12.

  The wire tension mechanism 15 includes a tension roller 15 a, a drive arm 15 b, and a drive unit 15 c, and is provided on the downstream side of the wire feeding roller 14. The tension roller 15a is attached to the drive arm 15b. The tension roller 15a is driven by the drive unit 15c and operates to apply tension to the wire rod 1 fed out from the drum 12. The drive unit 15c operates to apply an acting force to the tension roller 15a based on the tension control signal S15. A solenoid (not shown) or the like is used for the drive unit 15c. The reason why tension is applied to the wire 1 is to prevent the wire 1 from slackening between the drum 12 and the coil forming mechanism 20.

  A position regulating roller 16 is provided on the downstream side of the tension roller 15a. The position restricting roller 16 includes an upper roller 16 a and a lower roller 16 b and restricts the insertion position of the wire 1 for insertion into the coil forming mechanism 20. Thus, a peripheral mechanism between the wire cartridge 10 and the coil forming mechanism 20 is configured.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of mounting the wire cartridge 10. As the wire cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 35, a cartridge in which the wire 1 is maintained at a predetermined pitch and has a drum 12 wound in multiple layers is applied. In this example, the winding shaft 12b of the wire rod cartridge 10 and the sensor case portion 4 of the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 are aligned, and the winding shaft 12b is mounted so as to cover the wire rod detection sensor unit 60.

  At this time, when the lock portion 5 of the lock mechanism 6 on the paper processing apparatus 100 side is aligned with the opening portion 12d of the bobbin 12a and the wire cartridge 10 is inserted into the sensor case portion 4, the lock portion 5 is locked to the opening portion 12d. In addition, the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the wire rod detection sensor 65 can be arranged in a self-aligned manner on the bobbin 12a and the window portion 12c of the winding shaft 12b.

  As a result, the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 on the paper processing apparatus 100 side can be set inside the winding shaft 12b of the wire rod cartridge 10. Moreover, the presence or absence of the wire 1 wound around the bobbin 12a can be detected using the wire detection sensor 65 of the wire detection sensor unit 60.

  36A and 36B are diagrams illustrating an example of the function of the wire rod detection sensor 65 in the wire rod cartridge 10.

  According to the wire rod detection sensor 65 shown in FIG. 36A, when the wire 12 has the wire rod 1, a high level (hereinafter referred to as “H” level) wire rod detection signal S 65 (ON signal) is output. . In this case, for example, the wire 1 is maintained in a predetermined pitch on the bobbin 12a and is more than one line wound with no gap, and the window 12c of the bobbin 12a is covered with the wire 1 is there. In this state, the light emitted from the light emitting element of the wire detection sensor 65 is reflected by the wire 1 on the window 12c and enters the light receiving element. Accordingly, the wire rod detection sensor 65 continues to be turned on and continues to output the “H” level wire rod detection signal S65.

  According to the wire rod detection sensor 65 shown in FIG. 36B, when there is no wire rod 1 on the drum 12, a wire rod detection signal S65 of a low level (hereinafter referred to as “L” level) is output. In this case, the wire 1 wound in one layer with the bobbin 12a is in a state where the consumption of the wire 1 proceeds, the wire 1 existing on the window 12c is lost, and the window 12c is exposed. . In this state, light emitted from the light emitting element of the wire rod detection sensor 65 diverges from the window 12c to the outside, so that light does not enter the light receiving element. As a result, the wire rod detection sensor 65 is turned off and the “L” level wire rod detection signal S65 is output. Note that the signal logic indicating the presence or absence of the wire in the wire detection signal S65 may be an inverted signal, for example, S65 = “L” and S65 = “H” level.

  In this example, the attachment position of the wire rod detection sensor 65 is preferably the maximum coil diameter that can be formed by the coil forming mechanism 20, and the wire rod length that can form the spiral coil 11c having the same length as the paper width remains. It is good to set to the part which can detect a state. The amount of the wire 1 used varies depending on the coil diameter, but if it is set at such a position, even if the wire 1 having a length capable of forming a single helical coil 11c remains on the drum 12, the wire 1 in the middle of coil formation. Can be prevented from being interrupted and the binding process being interrupted.

  In this way, when the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 is configured, for example, an “H” level wire rod detection signal S65 output from the wire rod detection sensor 65 indicates that the wire 12 is in the drum 12 in the wire rod remaining amount display system. It can be displayed. On the contrary, the “L” level wire rod detection signal S65 output from the wire rod detection sensor 65 can indicate that there is no wire rod 1 on the drum 12 in the wire rod remaining amount display system.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating another arrangement example of the wire cartridge 10 and a configuration example of another wire detection sensor 65 ′.

  In this example, the wire cartridge 10 is arranged at a position orthogonal to the coil forming mechanism 20, and the wire 1 fed out from the wire cartridge 10 is guided with its traveling direction deflected by 90 °. By arranging the wire cartridge 10 in this way, the sheet processing apparatus 100 can be designed in a vertically long shape.

  In addition, the case where the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 illustrated in FIG. 34 is provided in the drum 12 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided outside the drum 12. For example, a wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ is disposed in the wire rod tension mechanism 15 provided between the drum 12 and the coil forming mechanism 20.

  A wire rod detection sensor 65 'shown in FIG. 37 is added to the wire rod tension mechanism 15, detects the presence or absence of tension on the wire rod 1 fed out from the drum 12, and outputs a wire rod detection signal S65'. A transmissive optical sensor is used as the wire rod detection sensor 65 '.

  In this example, the lower part of the drive arm 15b of the wire rod tension mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 34 is extended, and this extended portion serves as a light shielding portion 15e to the wire rod detection sensor 65 '. The wire rod detection sensor 65 'is disposed at a predetermined position under the wire rod tension mechanism. For example, it is disposed below the light shielding portion 15e of the extended drive arm 15b. When the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ is configured in this way, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the wire rod 1 fed out from the drum 12 based on the wire rod tension (reaction force) in the wire rod conveyance path.

  38A to 38C are diagrams illustrating examples of functions of the wire rod detection sensor 65 '. The wire tension mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 38A is a case where the tension roller 15a is positioned at the uppermost position (home position). In this case, the home position sensor (hereinafter referred to as HP sensor 15d) provided in the wire rod tension mechanism 15 is turned off, and for example, an “L” level off signal S5d is output. At this time, the wire rod detection sensor 65 'is turned on and outputs, for example, an "H" level wire rod detection signal S65'.

  The wire rod tension mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 38B is a case where tension is applied to the wire rod 1 via the drive unit 15c and the tension roller 15a. In this case, the tension roller 15 is balanced by the reaction force from the wire 1. In this case, the HP sensor 15d is turned on to output, for example, an “H” level on signal S5d. At this time, the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ is still on and continues to output the “H” level wire rod detection signal S 65 ′.

  FIG. 38C shows a case where the wire 1 does not exist, and the drive unit 15c lowers the tension roller 15a to the lowest position. In this case, the HP sensor 15d is on, but there is no reaction force from the wire 1, so that the light shielding portion extending from the drive arm 15b shields the wire detection sensor 65 '. As a result, the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ is turned off, and an “L” level wire rod detection signal S 65 ′ is output.

  As described above, according to the wire cartridge 10 according to the present invention, when the helical coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness, the sheets are bundled, and the binding process is performed with the coil, the wire rod detection sensor unit 60 is provided with the wire rod cartridge 10. The attached wire rod detection sensor 65 and the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ attached to the wire rod tension mechanism 15 detect the presence or absence of the wire rod 1 wound around the drum 12 of the wire rod cartridge 10 mounted on the paper processing apparatus 100. It becomes like this.

  Therefore, whether or not the wire 1 is present on the drum 12 can be read as an electrical signal. In the example described above, the wire 1 from the “L” level wire detection signal S65 output from the wire detection sensor 65, the ON signal S5d = “H” level of the HP sensor 15d, and the wire detection signal S65 ′ = “L” level. It becomes possible to recognize (notify) that there is no. Thereby, in the control system of the paper processing apparatus 100 to which the wire cartridge 10 is mounted, the coil forming system, the binding processing system, and the like based on the wire detection signals S65 and S65 ′ output from the wire detection sensors 65 and 65 ′, The wire presence / absence display system can be controlled.

  FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the sheet processing apparatus 100. 39 includes a control unit 50, a paper sensor 61, an arrival detection sensor 62, a passage detection sensor 63, a wire rod detection sensor 65, an operation unit 66, motor drive units 71 to 74, a cutting and bending mechanism 75, and A monitor 76 is provided.

  The control unit 50 includes an I / O (Input / Output) port 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a work RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a memory unit 54, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 55. And a system bus 56.

  A ROM 52 is connected to the CPU 55 via a system bus 56, and system start program data D52 for controlling the entire apparatus is stored. The RAM 53 is connected to the CPU 55 via the system bus 56. The RAM 53 temporarily stores program data D52, control commands at the time of binding processing with various coil diameters, and the like. When the power is turned on, the CPU 55 reads the program data D52 from the ROM 52 into the RAM 53, starts the system, and controls the entire apparatus.

  A memory unit 54 is connected to the system bus 56 in addition to the ROM 52, RAM 53, and CPU 55 described above, and paper detection data D61, arrival detection data D62, passage detection data D63, attachment presence / absence data D64, wire detection data D65, operation data In addition to D66, motor drive data D71 to D75, display data D76, etc., control data D20 is stored. The memory unit 54 uses an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Program Read Only Memory) or a fixed disk device (HDD).

  The memory unit 54 stores a control program for the binding mechanism 40 and the like. When the system is activated in this example, the CPU 55 reads out and expands the control program from the memory unit 54 to the RAM 53. In the above control program, a reference value for determining the size of the spiral coil 11 according to the number of sheets is set.

  For example, “40”, “70”, “100” or the like of the sheet bundle 3 is set as the reference value. The memory unit 54 stores setting data of the arcuate portion # φ8 for creating the coil diameter = diameter 8 mm corresponding to the number “40” of the sheet bundle 3, and the coil corresponding to the number “70”. The setting data of the arc-shaped portion # φ11 for creating the diameter = 11 mm is stored, and the setting data of the arc-shaped portion # φ14 for creating the coil diameter = 14 mm in diameter corresponding to the number “100” is stored. Stored.

  The CPU 55 reads the setting data corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 and controls the selection mechanism 28 '. In this example, the CPU 55 determines the diameter of the spiral coil 11 to be used based on these reference values and the sheet number information in the control data D20. The control data D20 is received from a higher-level image forming apparatus or the like.

  An operation unit 66 is connected to the CPU 55 via the I / O port 51 and is operated when starting the binding process. In this example, when the paper processing apparatus 100 is managed and used alone (hereinafter referred to as a manual mode), it is under the control of the image forming apparatus 200 such as a copier or a printer, and is centrally managed by the upper control system. The case has two functions (hereinafter referred to as finisher mode).

  When the coil binding process is performed in the manual mode, the operation unit 66 is operated to output operation data D66 such as setting of a coil diameter and an activation command to the CPU 55 via the I / O port 51. As the coil diameter, any one of arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 corresponding to the paper thickness of the sheet bundle 3 is selected (second embodiment).

  When the paper processing apparatus 100 performs the coil binding process in the finisher mode, control data D20 such as paper number information and paper transfer notification information is input from a higher-level control system. The sheet processing apparatus 100 has an input / output terminal 91. The input / output terminal 91 is connected to the I / O port 51. The above-described image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the input / output terminal 91. In the sheet processing apparatus 100, for example, the number of sheets is detected from the control data D20, and coil diameters = diameters 8 mm, 11 mm, and 14 mm corresponding to the number of sheets are automatically selected, and arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 are selected. 1 is set, and the helical coil 11 is formed based on the arcuate portion # φ8 or the like.

  A paper sensor 61 is connected to the I / O port 51. The sheet sensor 61 outputs a sheet presence / absence signal S61 obtained by detecting whether or not the sheet bundle 3 is placed on the binding mechanism 40 to the I / O port 51. The I / O port 51 is provided with an analog / digital converter (not shown), and converts the paper presence / absence signal S61 into paper presence / absence data D61. The sheet presence / absence data D61 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55 of the control unit 50. After confirming that the wire rod 1 is in the wire cartridge 10, the CPU 55 controls the coil forming unit 28 and the binding mechanism 40.

  In this example, a sheet thickness detection sensor having a function of detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 may be applied to the sheet sensor 61. For example, a light-shielding slit is provided at a predetermined position of the arm of the paper clamp 45, and a plurality of transmission type optical sensors for detecting the case where the paper bundle 3 is 40 sheets or less, 70 sheets or less, and 100 or less are disposed and Configure the detection sensor.

  A mounting presence / absence sensor 64 is connected to the I / O port 51, detects whether the wire cartridge 10 is mounted on the coil binding device 100, and outputs a mounting detection signal S64. The attachment detection signal S64 is converted into attachment detection data D64 at the I / O port 51. The attachment detection data D64 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55. For example, the mounting presence / absence sensor 64 outputs mounting detection data D64 = “H” level when the wire cartridge 10 is mounted, and mounting detection data D64 = “L” level when the wire cartridge 10 is not mounted. Is output.

  In addition to the mounting presence / absence sensor 64, a wire rod detection sensor 65 is connected to the I / O port 51, detects the presence or absence of the wire rod 1 wound around the drum 12, and outputs a wire rod detection signal S65. The wire rod detection signal S65 is converted into wire rod detection data D65 at the I / O port 51. The wire detection data D65 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55. For example, the wire rod detection sensor 65 outputs the wire rod detection data D65 = “H” level when there is a wire rod remaining amount, and outputs the wire rod detection data D65 = “L” level when there is no wire rod remaining amount.

  In addition to the paper sensor 61, the mounting presence / absence sensor 64, and the wire rod detection sensor 65, the I / O port 51 is connected to a monitor 76 that functions as a display unit. The CPU 55 inputs the paper presence / absence data D61, the attachment detection data D64, and the wire rod detection data D65, and controls the display of the monitor 76. For example, the monitor 76 displays that the sheet bundle 3 is not placed on the binding mechanism 40 based on the paper presence / absence data D61, or the wire rod cartridge 10 is not based on the mounting detection data D64 = “L” level. The fact that it is mounted is displayed, and the presence or absence of the wire 1 in the drum 12 is displayed based on the wire detection data D65.

  In this example, character information that prompts the user to install the wire cartridge 10 is displayed based on the “L” level attachment detection data D64, and the wire cartridge 10 is displayed based on the “L” level wire detection data D65 without remaining wire. Character information that prompts replacement is displayed. Thereby, the shortage of the wire 1 (consumables) can be known without human intervention (mechanical).

  The CPU 55 is connected to the I / O port 51, and motor drive units 71 to 74 are connected to the I / O port 51. After determining the diameter of the spiral coil 11 to be used based on the reference value and the sheet number information of the control data D20, the CPU 55 drives and controls the motor driving units 71 to 74 based on the determination result.

  In the motor drive unit 71 connected to the I / O port 51 described above, paper is selected from among the three arcuate portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 of the forming adapter 28a in the coil forming mechanism 20 based on the motor control data D71. One arcuate portion corresponding to the thickness is selected.

  For example, a motor 701 is connected to the motor driving unit 71. The motor driving unit 71 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S71 from the motor control data D71 and outputs the motor control signal S71 to the motor 701. The motor 701 rotates counterclockwise based on the motor control signal S71 to rotate the molding adapter 28a for setting the coil diameter, and selects the half-moon notch arc-shaped portion # φ8 and the like. The motor control data D71 is output from the control unit 50 to the motor driving unit 71.

  A motor drive unit 73 is connected to the I / O port 51 in addition to the motor drive unit 71, and the position of the spiral coil 11 in the bind mechanism 40 is set based on the motor control data D73. For example, a motor 703 is connected to the motor driving unit 73. The motor driving unit 73 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S73 from the motor control data D73 and outputs the motor control signal S73 to the motor 703. The motor 703 rotates the guide switching cam 34b counterclockwise to move the spiral guide 49 in a direction orthogonal to the coil traveling direction. This movement is for setting the spiral guide 49 according to the coil diameter. The motor control data D73 is output from the control unit 50 to the motor driving unit 73.

  In this example, the CPU 55 moves the feed roller 31 in the vertical direction by the first distance d1 and at least the spiral guide 49 when the control data D20 from the upper control system indicates the position setting of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a. Is controlled to move by a first distance d1 ′ in the direction approaching the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3.

  When the control data D20 indicates the position setting of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b, the feed roller 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the second distance d2, and the spiral guide 49 is moved in the direction of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3. To move by a distance d2 ′. When the control data D20 indicates the position setting of the large-diameter spiral coil 11, the feed roller 31 is moved in the vertical direction by the third distance d3 (d1> d2> d3). At the same time, the CPU 55 controls the spiral guide 49 to move in the direction of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 by the third distance d3 '(d1'> d2 '> d3'). Thus, after clamping, the positions of the feed roller 31 and the spiral guide 49 can be adjusted by the bind mechanism 40 based on the motor control data D73 (see FIG. 16B).

  A motor drive unit 72 is connected to the I / O port 51 in addition to the motor drive units 71 and 73, and the lower and upper feed roller portions 23a and 23b in the coil forming mechanism 20 are rotated based on the motor control data D72. For example, a motor 702 is connected to the motor driving unit 72. The motor drive unit 72 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S72 from the motor control data D72, and outputs the motor control signal S72 to the motor 702. The motor 702 rotates counterclockwise, rotates the lower feed roller portion 23b clockwise via the lower large-diameter gear 24b, and rotates the upper feed roller portion 23a counterclockwise via the large-diameter gear 24a. Rotate. The motor control data D72 is output from the control unit 50 to the motor driving unit 72.

  The wire tension mechanism 15 is connected to the I / O port 51, and tension control data D15 is output to the drive unit 15c. The drive unit 15c controls the tension roller 15a based on the tension control data D15. An HP sensor 15d is provided in the wire rod tension mechanism 15 according to the installation of the wire rod detection sensor 65 or 65 '. When the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ is mounted on the paper processing apparatus 100, the HP sensor 15 d and the wire rod detection sensor 65 ′ are connected to the I / O port 51. The HP sensor 15d outputs an on / off signal S5d to the I / O port 51 of the control unit 50. In the I / O port 51, the on / off signal S5d is converted from analog to digital, and output to the CPU 55 as on / off data D5d.

  In addition to the motor driving units 71 to 73, a motor driving unit 74 is connected to the I / O port 51. The motor drive unit 74 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S74 from the motor control data D74 and outputs the motor control signal S74 to the motor 704. The motor 704 rotates the helical coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 based on the motor control signal S74. For example, the motor 704 rotates the spiral roller 11 clockwise by rotating the feed roller 31 counterclockwise. The motor control data D74 is output from the control unit 50 to the motor drive unit 74.

  In this example, the CPU 55 sets the rotational speed V1 of the helical coil 11 delivered from the coil forming unit 28 and the rotational speed V2 of the helical coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 to V1 ≦ V2, and sets the binding speed of the helical coil 11. Control. The rotation speed V1 is set in the motor drive unit 73 via the motor control data D73. The motor drive unit 73 controls the motor 702 of the coil forming mechanism 20 to the rotational speed V1 based on the motor control data D73.

  The rotation speed V2 is set in the motor drive unit 74 via the motor control data D74. The motor drive unit 74 controls the motor 704 of the bind mechanism 40 to the rotational speed V2 based on the motor control data D74. Thus, when the rotation speeds V1 and V2 are set to V1 ≦ V2, the tip of the spiral coil 11 inserted from the punch hole at one end of the sheet bundle 3 reaches the punch hole at the other end of the sheet bundle 3 in the middle. The spiral coil 11 can be inserted smoothly without jamming.

  The I / O port 51 is connected to an arrival detection sensor 62 that constitutes the function of the first detection unit. The arrival detection sensor 62 detects the arrival of the tip of the spiral coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 and outputs a tip detection signal S62. The tip detection signal S62 is converted into tip arrival data D62 by the I / O port 51. The leading edge detection data D62 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55.

  The CPU 55 controls the motor drive unit 73 based on the tip detection data D62 obtained from the I / O port 51. When such an arrival detection sensor 62 is arranged in the binding mechanism 40, when the tip of the spiral coil 11 inserted from the punch hole 3a at one end of the sheet bundle 3 reaches the other end of the sheet bundle 3, coil movement stop control is performed. It becomes possible to execute.

  In this example, in addition to the arrival detection sensor 62, a passage detection sensor 63 constituting the function of the second detection unit is connected to the I / O port 51, and the tip passage signal is detected by detecting the passage of the tip of the spiral coil 11. S63 is output. The tip passage signal S63 is converted into tip passage data D63 at the I / O port 51. The tip passage data D63 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55. The CPU 55 controls the motor drive unit 74 based on the tip passage data D63 obtained from the I / O port 51. In addition, regarding the tip passage detection of the spiral coil 11, the feed amount may be detected by the number of rotations of the motor 704.

  When such a passage detection sensor 63 is arranged in the binding mechanism 40, coil movement deceleration control is performed before the tip of the spiral coil 11 inserted from the punch hole 3a at one end of the sheet bundle 3 reaches the other end of the sheet bundle 3. It becomes possible to execute.

  In addition to the four motor driving units 71 to 74, the I / O port 51 is connected to a cutting and bending mechanism 75, and operates to cut the helical coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 based on the cutting control data D75. To do. For example, the cutting and bending mechanism 75 is provided with a motor (not shown), and the motor is rotated in a predetermined direction to operate the cutter to cut the coil, and the front end portion and the terminal end portion are bent. The cutting control data D75 is output from the control unit 50 to the cutting and bending mechanism 75.

  Thus, according to the paper processing apparatus 100, since the coil forming machine according to the present invention is provided, the spiral coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness in the case of binding the paper bundle 3 having a predetermined thickness. In this case, since the coil pitch of the spiral coil 11 can be restricted to a constant pitch, the spiral coil 11 whose pitch does not change even if the coil diameter changes can be sent out with good reproducibility.

  In the binding mechanism 40, the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the helical coil 11a having a predetermined coil diameter and a constant pitch obtained from the coil forming unit 28. Therefore, when the pitch of the punch holes of the paper P is the same and the thickness of the paper bundle 3 is different, the spiral coil 11 having a desired coil diameter corresponding to the thickness can be selected, and the spiral coil 11 is used. The bind process can be performed with good reproducibility. As a result, it is possible to provide a finisher 100 'to which a coil forming machine having a simple configuration is applied.

  In addition, since the structure of the coil forming portion 28 can be simplified, the overall system can be made compact, and the arc-shaped portion is automatically switched. It can be used in conjunction with office equipment.

  Further, the paper processing apparatus 100 includes the control unit 50 that inputs the coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter, and based on the coil diameter setting information, the movable feed roller 31 and the movable adjustment side The position of the spiral guide 49 is controlled.

  Therefore, the feed roller 31 and the movable adjustment side spiral guide 49 can be moved to the guide position of the spiral coil 11a or the like indicated by the coil diameter setting information. As a result, the spiral coils 11a, 11b, and 11c having different diameters, 8 mm, 11 mm, and 14 mm can be stably inserted into the punch holes 3a of the sheet bundle 3.

  Further, according to the paper processing apparatus 100, the paper contact pin 46d for restricting the front end portions of the papers P of the paper stack 3 placed on the paper placement table 46 to be aligned, and the paper contact pin 46d. A sheet aligning guide 41 for restricting the side edges 3b of the sheets P of the sheet bundle 3 on the sheet stacking table to be aligned. A sheet aligning surface having a predetermined inclination is included, and the side end portion 3b of the sheet bundle 3 is regulated obliquely along the inclination of the sheet aligning surface.

  Accordingly, the shape of the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 can be deformed from the vertical to the oblique posture, so that the spiral coil 11a and the like can be smoothly inserted into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 deformed to the oblique posture. became.

  Further, according to the paper processing apparatus 100, the cutting and bending mechanism 75 is provided, and the ends of the spiral coil 11a and the like are sandwiched and held by the sandwiching contact portion 75a and the sandwich receiving portion 75b, and the end of the sandwiched spiral coil 11a is held. The part is cut and bent in a predetermined direction.

  Therefore, the cutting and bending mechanism 75 can be performed at a position where the insertion of the spiral coil 11a into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is started. Moreover, the end portion of the spiral coil 11a inserted through the punch hole 3a can be securely cut and bent while the end portion is held and fixed. As a result, it is possible to provide a finisher or the like that realizes a series of steps from a coil forming process, a coil binding process, and a coil cutting process in one casing.

  Further, according to the sheet processing apparatus 100, since the wire rod cartridge 10 according to the present invention is mounted, the CPU 55 controls the coil forming mechanism 20 and the bind mechanism 40 based on the wire rod detection data D65 obtained from the wire rod detection sensor 65. I can do it now.

  Therefore, based on the wire detection data D65 output from the wire detection sensor 65, it can be determined whether or not the binding process of the sheet bundle 3 by the spiral coil 11 can be continued, or the user can be notified of the replacement of the wire cartridge 10 or the like. Became.

  Next, a paper processing method in the image forming system 101 according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming system 101 as the first embodiment.
An image forming system 101 shown in FIG. 40 includes a finisher 100 ′ according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus 200 such as a copying machine or a printer, and bundles sheets P output from the image forming apparatus 200 and has a predetermined thickness. This is a bind processing system in which a spiral coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 and the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the coil.

The image forming apparatus 200 forms and outputs an image on a predetermined paper P.
The image forming apparatus 200 includes an image forming unit 207, a monitor 208, an operation unit 209, and a control unit 210. The image forming unit 207 inputs the image control data D27, forms a black and white image or a color image on a predetermined paper P, and outputs it. The image forming unit 207 uses an electrophotographic or ink jet image forming unit.

  The monitor 208 inputs the display data D28 and displays image forming conditions such as density, paper type, number of sheets, whether or not a binding process is required, etc., when a monochrome image or color image is formed. The operation unit 209 is operated to set the image forming conditions and the presence / absence of a bind processing request. The operation data D29 set by the operation of the operation unit 209 is output to the control unit 210. For the operation unit 209, a numeric keypad, a touch panel arranged on the monitor 208, or the like is used.

  The control unit 210 controls input / output of the image forming unit 207, the monitor 208, the operation unit 209, and the control unit 210. For example, the control unit 210 inputs the operation data D29 from the operation unit 209, outputs the image control data D27 to the image forming unit 207, executes image formation control, and outputs the display data D28 to the monitor 208. Execute display control.

  In the image forming system 101, the control data D20 is output from the image forming apparatus 200 to the finisher 100 '. The control data D20 includes paper size information, paper transport number information, paper transport start information, paper transport speed information, and / or paper transport end information, and controls the operation of the finisher 100 ′ in the image forming apparatus 200. It is what I did.

  The finisher 100 ′ (post-processing device) constitutes the function of the first paper processing device 100, and includes a wire cartridge 10, a coil forming mechanism 20, a selection mechanism 28 ′, a binding mechanism 40, a punch and paper alignment unit 48, and a control unit 50. The paper sensor 61 and the cutting and bending mechanism 75 are included. The finisher 100 ′ has the functions of the sheet processing apparatus 100 as the embodiment according to the present invention described with reference to FIGS. The punch & paper alignment unit 48 includes the punch processing unit of the paper processing apparatus previously filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-216562), and the paper processing apparatus of the subsequent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-222215). Binder processing unit can be applied.

  In the finisher 100 ', the wire cartridge 10 supplies the wire 1 to the coil forming mechanism 20, and has a shape that can be inserted into and removed from the finisher 100' (see FIG. 1). The selection mechanism 28 'inputs the control data D20 from the image forming apparatus 200, and one coil diameter corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 = diameter 8 mm or the like is set to three types of arc-shaped portions # φ8, # for setting the coil diameter. It operates to select from φ11 and # φ14. At this time, the sheet thickness signal S61 obtained by detecting the presence or absence of the sheet bundle 3 by the sheet sensor 61 is output to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 has one coil diameter corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 = diameter 8 mm or the like. May be selected from three types of arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, and # φ14 for setting the coil diameter.

  In the coil forming mechanism 20, the helical coil 11 is formed by pushing the wire 1 into the arcuate part # φ8 selected by the selection mechanism 28 ′. In the punch and paper aligning unit 48, punched holes 3 a are formed one by one on the image-formed paper P output from the image forming apparatus 200 and aligned so as to form the paper bundle 3. In the binding mechanism 40, the coil binding process is executed on the sheet bundle 3 aligned by the punch and sheet aligning unit 48 with the spiral coil 11 formed by the coil forming mechanism 20.

  In this image forming system 101, when the spiral coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness and the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the coil 11, the arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 are selected. The preceding step includes a step of detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 before the binding process.

  Further, one arc-shaped portion # φ8, # φ11 or # φ14 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 among the three types of arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, and # φ14 for setting the coil diameter before the binding process. A step of pressing the wire 1 into the arc-shaped portion # φ8, # φ11 or # φ14 selected here, and forming the spiral coil 11a, 11b or 11c, and the spiral coil 11a, 11b or 11c to bind the sheet bundle 3.

  When the finisher 100 ′ is controlled from the image forming apparatus 200 by the image forming system 101 in this way, the coil diameter of the spiral coil 11 can be automatically selected, and the sheet bundle 3 can be automatically coil-bound according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. (First control method).

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 100 in the image forming system 101.

  In this example, power is applied to the control unit 50, and the CPU 55 reads out a control program from the memory unit 54 to the RAM 52 and develops it. The CPU 55 controls the binding mechanism 40 so that the feed roller 31 shown in FIG. 20 is positioned at the home position HP (standby state). The control unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 200 such as a printer shown in FIG. 40 is connected to the finisher 100 '. The coil forming mechanism 20 is provided with a wire cartridge 10 around which the wire 1 is wound.

  With these as binding processing conditions, in step T1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 41, the CPU 55 of the finisher 100 'determines whether or not sheet transfer start information indicating the start of the binding processing is input from the image forming apparatus 200.

  In this example, the CPU 55 inputs control data D20 including paper conveyance start information via the input / output terminal 91 shown in FIG. When the control data D20 is not input, the CPU 55 determines whether or not the control data D20 is input again. When the control data D20 is input, the process proceeds to step T2.

  In step T2, the image forming apparatus 200 forms an image on a predetermined sheet P and transfers it to the finisher 100 '. In the finisher 100 ′, the punch hole 3 a is punched one by one by the punch and sheet aligning unit 48, and a plurality of sheets P are aligned and placed on the sheet placing table 46 of the bind mechanism 40.

  For example, when the paper P supplied from the punch and paper alignment unit 48 enters the paper mounting table 46, a multi-rotary rotating member (not shown) for aligning the leading edge and the side edge 3b of the paper P to the reference position. ) Is used. The rotating member urges the paper P, the front end of the paper P having the punch holes 3a abuts against the paper abutting pin 46d, and the side edge 3b of the paper abuts against the paper alignment guide 41. Are aligned with the reference position and the process proceeds to step T3.

  In step T3, the CPU 55 inputs paper conveyance end information indicating completion of paper conveyance from the image forming apparatus 200 and control data D20 including sheet number information indicating the number of sheets P being conveyed, and proceeds to step T4.

  In step T4, the CPU 55 determines whether or not the number of sheets information of the control data D20 input in step T3 is, for example, 40 sheets or less. At this time, the CPU 55 compares the reference value “40” set in the control program stored in the memory unit 54 with the sheet number information input from the image forming apparatus 200. After the comparison, when it is determined that the sheet number information is equal to or smaller than the reference value “40”, the process proceeds to step T5 to execute the position setting of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a.

  In step T5, the CPU 55 selects the small-diameter arcuate portion # φ8 by the selection mechanism 28 'and controls the motor driving unit 73 to bind the small-diameter spiral coil 11a. At this time, in the motor drive unit 71, one arc shape corresponding to the paper thickness among the three arc shape portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 of the forming adapter 28a in the coil forming mechanism 20 based on the motor control data D71. Part is selected. For example, the motor drive unit 71 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S71 from the motor control data D71 and outputs the motor control signal S71 to the motor 701. The motor 701 rotates counterclockwise based on the motor control signal S71 to rotate the molding adapter 28a for setting the coil diameter, and selects the half-moon notch-shaped arc-shaped portion # φ8 (coil diameter selection function). ).

  Further, the CPU 55 outputs small-diameter motor control data D73 to the motor drive unit 73. The motor drive unit 73 creates a small-diameter motor control signal S73 based on the motor control data D73 input from the CPU 55, outputs the motor control signal S73 to the position adjustment motor 703, and proceeds to step T10.

  In step T10, the motor 703 adjusts the positions of the paper clamp 45, the feed roller 31, and the spiral guide 49 based on the motor control signal S73 created for the small-diameter spiral coil 11a. In this example, the motor 703 rotates the rotation shaft of the motor 703 by a predetermined amount to rotate the guide switching cams 34a and 34b (see FIG. 20) engaged with the rotation shaft. As the guide switching cams 34a and 34b rotate, the positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49 and the paper clamp 45 engaged with the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are shown in FIG. 21 from the home position HP shown in FIG. It moves to the set position (first distance d1) of the small-diameter helical coil 11a.

  For example, the feed roller 31 positioned at the uppermost part of the vertical long hole 80b of the side plate 43b of the binding mechanism 40 moves from one end of the cam long hole 34b to the other end of the guide switching cam 34b and descends, thereby moving the vertical long hole. Move vertically from the top of 80b to the bottom. As a result, the feed roller 31 can be set at a position in contact with the upper surface of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a.

  In the standby state shown in FIG. 20, the spiral guide 49 positioned on the right side of the horizontal long hole 82b in the drawing is rotated from the one end of the curved cam long hole 35b of the guide switching cam 34b by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b. It moves to the end and retreats (close to the spiral coil 11a), and moves horizontally from the right side to the left side of the horizontal long hole 82b (first distance d1 ′). As a result, the spiral guide 49 can be set at a position in contact with the front surface of the spiral coil 11a.

  In the standby state described above, the paper clamp 45 positioned at the uppermost portion of the vertical elongated hole 38b is moved vertically by the rotation of the guide switching cam 34b, and the link bar 39 of the paper clamp 45 is lowered by the outer peripheral cam surface 34d. It moves from the uppermost part of the long hole 38b to the lowermost part. Thereby, the paper clamp 45 can be set at a position for clamping the paper bundle 3 composed of 40 sheets or less. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step T11.

  In step T <b> 11, the CPU 55 controls the feed roller mechanism 22 in the coil forming mechanism 20 and the feed roller 31 in the bind mechanism 40 to rotate. For example, the motor drive unit 72 rotates the lower and upper feed roller portions 23a and 23b in the coil forming mechanism 20 based on the motor control data D72.

  In this example, the motor drive unit 72 generates a motor control signal (voltage) S72 from the motor control data D72 and outputs the motor control signal S72 to the motor 702. The motor 702 rotates counterclockwise, rotates the lower feed roller portion 23b clockwise via the lower large-diameter gear 24b, and rotates the upper feed roller portion 23a counterclockwise via the large-diameter gear 24a. Rotate (wire feed control).

  Further, the CPU 55 outputs motor control data D74 to the motor drive unit 74. The motor drive unit 74 creates a motor control signal S74 based on the motor control data D74 input from the CPU 55, and outputs the motor control signal S74 to the roller rotation motor 704. The motor 704 rotates at a predetermined speed based on the motor control signal S74 output from the motor driving unit 74, and is sent through the pulley 36a, the driven pulleys 36b and 36c, and the belt 36d as shown in FIG. The roller 31 is rotated and the process proceeds to step T12.

  At this time, the CPU 55 controls the binding speed of the spiral coil 11 by setting the rotational speed V1 of the spiral coil 11 sent from the coil forming unit 28 and the rotational speed V2 of the spiral coil 11 in the binding mechanism 40 to V1 ≦ V2. To do. The rotation speed V1 is set in the motor drive unit 72 via the motor control data D72. The motor drive unit 72 controls the motor 702 of the coil forming mechanism 20 to the rotation speed V1 based on the motor control data D72. The rotation speed V2 is set in the motor drive unit 74 via the motor control data D74. The motor drive unit 74 controls the motor 704 of the bind mechanism 40 to the rotational speed V2 based on the motor control data D74 (rotational speed control).

  Next, in step T12, the feed roller 31 and the spiral guide 49 guide the spiral coil 11 formed and supplied to a predetermined diameter by the coil forming mechanism 20 to the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 and insert it therethrough. For example, the feed roller 31 feeds the small-diameter spiral coil 11 a supplied from the coil forming mechanism 20 to the punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3 placed on the sheet placing table 46 while rotating it.

  The sent helical coil 11a passes between the convex projections 49c of the guide projection 49b of the spiral guide 49 shown in FIG. At this time, the traveling direction of the spiral coil 11a is regulated by the convex protrusion 49c so as to pass between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a (fixed side) of the paper placing table 46.

  Thereafter, the spiral coil 11a passes between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and is inserted into the punch hole 3a. After the insertion into the punch hole 3a, the spiral coil 11a is again regulated by the guide projection 49b so that it travels between the convex teeth 46b of the spiral guide 46a and passes between the convex teeth 46b. The punch hole 3a is inserted. As a result, the spiral coil 11 a can be reliably inserted into each punch hole 3 a of the sheet bundle 3.

  In this example, the tip detection signal S63 is output from the passage detection sensor 63 to the I / O port 51. The tip passage signal S63 is converted into tip passage data D63 at the I / O port 51. The tip passage data D63 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55. The CPU 55 controls the motor drive unit 74 based on the tip passage data D63 obtained from the I / O port 51 (coil movement deceleration control).

  The CPU 55 detects the passage of the coil tip after rotating the feed roller 31, and when the insertion of the small-diameter spiral coil 11a into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 is completed, the motor drive data 74 for stopping is supplied to the motor drive unit 74. In addition to the output, the motor drive unit 73 is also provided with standby motor control data D73.

  In this example, the tip detection signal S62 is output from the arrival detection sensor 62 to the I / O port 51. The tip detection signal S62 is converted into tip arrival data D62 by the I / O port 51. The leading edge detection data D62 is output from the I / O port 51 to the CPU 55. The CPU 55 controls the motor drive unit 72 based on the tip detection data D62 obtained from the I / O port 51 (coil movement stop control).

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step T13. In step T <b> 13, the CPU 55 controls the motor driving units 72 and 74 so as to stop the rotation of the feed roller mechanism 22 and the feed roller 31. For example, the CPU 55 outputs stop motor control data D 72 to the motor drive unit 72, and outputs stop motor control data D 74 to the motor drive unit 74.

  The motor drive unit 72 creates a stop motor control signal S72 based on the stop motor control data D72 input from the CPU 55, and outputs the motor control signal S72 to the motor 702. The motor drive unit 74 creates a stop motor control signal S74 based on the stop motor control data D74 input from the CPU 55, and outputs the motor control signal S74 to the roller rotation motor 704.

  These motors 702 and 704 stop rotating based on the motor control signals S72 and S74 output by the motor driving units 72 and 74. Thereby, rotation of the feed roller mechanism 22 and the feed roller 31 stops. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step T14.

  Next, at step T14, the end portion of the spiral coil 11a is processed by the cutting and bending mechanism 75 of the spiral guide 49 shown in FIG. 28A. For example, the lever 75f is rotated clockwise to bring the holding member 75a closer to the holding member 75b, and the holding member 75a and the holding member 75b hold the helical coil 11a between them as shown in FIG. 31B. . At this time, the spiral coil 11c is sandwiched between the cutter 75c and the cutter receiving portion 75d.

  Thereafter, in a state where the helical coil 11c is clamped by the clamping pad 75a and the clamping receiver 75b, the lever 75f is further rotated clockwise to rotate only the cutter 75c clockwise, and the cutter 75c and the cutter receiver The spiral coil 11c sandwiched between 75d is cut.

  After the cutting, the lever 75f is further rotated clockwise, and as shown in FIG. 32B, the cutting end portion 11c ′ of the helical coil 11c sandwiched between the bent portion 75e and the sandwiching receiving portion 75b is reduced from the root. Bend about 90 ° to the inside of the spiral coil 11. As a result, a coil-bound booklet 90 can be obtained. Thus, the edge part process of the helical coil 11a is performed and it transfers to step T15. When the end portion of the spiral coil 11 is processed, the lever 75f is operated by a cam, a motor, or a solenoid (not shown). Of course, when the manual mode is used, the lever 75f may be manually operated (see the second embodiment).

  Next, in step T15, the CPU 55 controls the motor drive unit 73 so as to adjust the paper clamp 45, the feed roller 31, and the spiral guide 49 to the standby positions. For example, the CPU 55 outputs standby motor control data D73 to the motor drive unit 73. The motor drive unit 73 creates a standby motor control signal S73 based on the motor control data D73, and outputs the motor control signal S73 to the position adjustment motor 703.

  The motor 703 rotates the rotation shaft of the motor 703 to the right by a predetermined amount, and rotates the guide switching cams 34a and 34b engaged with the gear 33b of the rotation shaft to the left. From the left rotation of the guide switching cams 34a and 34b, the positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49 and the paper clamp 45 engaged with the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are the positions for the small-diameter spiral coil 11a shown in FIG. The process of returning from the set position (first distance d1) to the home position HP (standby position) shown in FIG. 20 and inserting the spiral coil 11a through the sheet bundle 3 is completed.

  If it is determined in step T4 that the sheet number information exceeds “40” and is not equal to or less than the reference value “40”, it is determined that the small-diameter spiral coil 11a is not set, and the process proceeds to step T6. In step T6, the CPU 55 determines whether or not the sheet number information exceeds 40 sheets and is 70 sheets or less. For example, the CPU 55 compares the sheet number information with the reference value “70” stored in the memory unit 54. After the comparison, when it is determined that the sheet number information is equal to or less than the reference value “70”, the process proceeds to step T7 to execute the position setting of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b.

  Next, in step T7, the CPU 55 controls the motor driving unit 73 so as to bind the spiral coil 11b for medium diameter. In this example, the CPU 55 outputs the medium diameter motor control data D <b> 2 to the motor driving unit 73. The motor drive unit 73 creates a medium diameter motor control signal S73 based on the motor control data D2 input from the CPU 55, outputs this motor control signal S73 to the position adjustment motor 703, and proceeds to step T10. . In step T10, the positions of the paper clamp 45, the feed roller 31, and the spiral guide 49 are adjusted based on the motor control signal S73 created for the medium-diameter spiral coil 11.

  In this example, the motor 703 rotates the rotation shaft of the motor 703 by a predetermined amount to rotate the guide switching cams 34a and 34b (see FIG. 20) engaged with the rotation shaft. Due to the rotation of the guide switching cams 34a and 34b, the positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49 and the paper clamp 45 engaged with the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are shown in FIG. 22 from the home position HP shown in FIG. It moves to the set position (second distance d2) of the spiral coil 11b having a medium diameter. After the movement, the spiral coil 11b is inserted into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 and bound through the steps T11 to T15 described above.

  If it is determined in step T6 that the sheet bundle 3 exceeds 40 sheets and the sheet number information is not less than or equal to the reference value “70”, it is determined that the small and medium diameter spiral coils 11a and 11b are not set. The process proceeds to step T8. In step T8, the CPU 55 determines whether or not the sheet number information exceeds 70 sheets and is 100 sheets or less. For example, the CPU 55 compares the sheet number information with the reference value “100” stored in the memory unit 54. After the comparison, when it is determined that the sheet number information is equal to or less than the reference value “100”, the process proceeds to step T9 to execute the position setting of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c.

  Next, in step T9, the CPU 55 controls the motor driving unit 73 so as to bind the large-diameter helical coil 11c. In this example, the CPU 55 outputs large-diameter motor control data D73 to the motor drive unit 73. The motor drive unit 73 creates a large-diameter motor control signal S73 based on the motor control data D73 input from the CPU 55, outputs this motor control signal S73 to the position adjustment motor 703, and proceeds to step T10. . In step T10, the positions of the paper clamp 45, the feed roller 31, and the spiral guide 49 are adjusted based on the motor control signal S73 created for the large-diameter spiral coil 11c.

  In this example, the motor 703 rotates the rotation shaft of the motor 703 by a predetermined amount to rotate the guide switching cams 34a and 34b (see FIG. 20) engaged with the rotation shaft. As the guide switching cams 34a and 34b rotate, the positions of the feed roller 31, the spiral guide 49 and the paper clamp 45 engaged with the guide switching cams 34a and 34b are changed from the home position HP shown in FIG. To the setting position (third distance d3) of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c shown in FIG. After the movement, the spiral coil 11c is inserted into the punch hole 3a of the sheet bundle 3 and bound through the steps T11 to T15 described above. As a result, the sheet bundle 3 can be automatically bound by the helical coil 11c having a coil diameter automatically selected according to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3.

  If it is determined in step T8 that the sheet number information is not equal to or smaller than the reference value “100”, that is, if the sheet number information is equal to or larger than the reference value “101”, the spiral coil 11 having an applicable diameter is used. not exist. In this case, the process proceeds to step T <b> 16, and the CPU 55 transmits the communication data D <b> 10 = “error” to the image forming apparatus 200 via the input / output terminal 91 and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 101 as the first embodiment of the present invention, since the first sheet processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is provided, the image forming apparatus 200 such as a copier or a printer is used. It is possible to provide an image forming system 101 including a finisher 100 ′ having a coil diameter automatic selection function for bundling the output paper P and performing coil binding processing with the helical coil 11 a or the like.

  In addition, the finisher 100 ′ inputs control data D20 such as paper size information, paper transport number information, paper transport start information, paper transport speed information, and / or paper transport end information from the image forming apparatus 200, and these control data Based on D20, the paper P (recording paper) output from the image forming apparatus 200 is bundled, the spiral coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness, and the paper bundle 3 is bound by the coil 11. become able to. Therefore, it is possible to construct an image forming system 101 including a consistent coil binding function that can be used by general users from the image forming apparatus 200 to the finisher 100 ′.

  In the image forming system 101, the communication data D <b> 10 is output from the finisher 100 ′ to the image forming apparatus 200. The communication data D10 includes jam information, coil diameter information, cover open information, wire cutting residue detection information and / or punch residue detection information, and the like. Accordingly, it is possible to visually confirm the jam situation, the coil diameter size, the cover open situation, the wire cutting residue situation and / or the punch residue situation in the finisher 100 ′ on the monitor 208 of the image forming apparatus 200. The user can check the operating state of the finisher 100 ′ with the image forming apparatus 200.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the coil binder 102 as the second embodiment.
The coil binder 102 shown in FIG. 42 constitutes the function of the second paper processing apparatus, and is obtained by removing the punch processing function and the automatic cutting and bending function from the finisher 100 ′ shown in FIG. The manual mode is realized.

  The coil binder 102 is a paper processing apparatus applicable to the second image forming system. In the second image forming system, the paper P output from the image forming apparatus 200 such as a copying machine or a printer described in the first image forming system 101 is individually opened by a dedicated or commercially available puncher, and then opened. The perforated sheets P are handled so as to be bundled and set in the coil binder 102.

  The coil binder 102 includes, for example, a resin casing 226. Various functions described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 39 such as the coil forming mechanism 20 and the binding mechanism 40 are mounted in the housing 226. An operation panel 228 is provided on the top surface of the housing 226. On the operation panel 228, a paper placing table 46, an operation unit 66, a monitor 76, a cutting handle 229, and the like are arranged. As the sheet placement table 46 advances toward the inside with respect to the operation panel 228, the sheet placement table 46 is disposed obliquely with a predetermined inclination angle, and the end thereof is a binder processing port 227. A feed roller 31 and a spiral guide 49 (not shown) are disposed in the binder processing port 227.

  A sheet bundle 3 in which the sheets P with punch holes 3a are bundled is set on the sheet placing table 46. The sheet bundle 3 is aligned so that the side on which the punch holes 3 a are opened faces the binder processing port 227.

  The operation unit 66 selects one arcuate portion # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 from the three types of arcuate portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 for setting the coil diameter. Set to do. For the operation unit 66, a numeric keypad including “0” to “9”, “#” key and “*” key is used.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and one arcuate portion # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 is selected from the arcuate portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14. A selection button may be provided.

  Under the display control of the CPU 55, the monitor 76 inputs and displays the paper presence / absence data D61, the attachment detection data D64, and the wire material detection data D65. For example, the monitor 76 displays that the sheet bundle 3 is not placed on the binding mechanism 40 based on the sheet data D61, or the wire cartridge 10 is not based on the mounting detection data D64 = “L” level. The fact that it is mounted is displayed, and the presence or absence of the wire 1 in the drum 12 is displayed based on the wire detection data D65.

  The cutting handle 229 is provided, for example, on the operation panel 228 between the end of the binder processing port 227 and the monitor 76, and the tip thereof is engaged with the lever 75f of the cutting and bending mechanism 75 shown in FIG. Combined. The handle 229 is operated by the user after the spiral coil 11a or the like is inserted into the sheet bundle 3, and cuts a predetermined position of the spiral coil 11a. When the handle 229 is further pushed in a predetermined direction, the end of the spiral coil 11a is bent (see FIGS. 30 to 33).

  In this example, in the control unit 50 shown in FIG. 39, in the previous step of selecting the arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, # φ14, the arc-shaped portions # φ8, # φ11, A step of inputting an instruction for selecting one arcuate portion # φ8, # φ11, # φ14 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 from # φ14 is included. When the coil binder 102 is controlled in this way, the coil diameter of the spiral coil 11 can be manually selected, and the sheet bundle 3 can be coil-bound according to the manual setting (second control method).

  Subsequently, a control method of the coil binder 102 will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 and 44. FIG. 43 is a process diagram showing an example of handling the coil binder 102. FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing an example of the control.

  In this example, punch holes 3a are opened on the paper P by a dedicated or commercially available puncher, and then the opened paper P is bundled in the coil binder 102 shown in FIG. 43A and set in the coil binder 102. To be treated. Thereafter, it is assumed that the spiral coil 11 is formed from the wire 1 having a predetermined thickness by the coil binder 102 shown in FIG. 43B and the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the spiral coil 11.

  Using these as binding processing conditions, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the sheet bundle 3 is set on the sheet placing table 46 in step ST1 of the flowchart of FIG. At this time, the control unit 50 compares the sheet detection data D61 (signal S61) obtained from the sheet sensor 61 shown in FIG. 39 with a threshold for determining the signal level to detect whether the sheet bundle 3 is set. . When the sheet detection data D61 exceeds the threshold value, it is detected that the sheet bundle 3 has been set.

  Next, the control part 50 performs a coil diameter setting input process by step ST2. At this time, the user operates the operation unit 66 to select one arcuate part # corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3 from the three types of arcuate parts # φ8, # φ11, and # φ14 for setting the coil diameter. φ8, # φ11, and # φ14 are selected. By this selection operation, operation data D66 indicating the coil diameter setting is output from the operation unit 66 to the CPU 55 via the I / O port 51.

  Thereafter, in step ST3, the control unit 50 waits for a start instruction. At this time, the CPU 55 executes a timed input process. The user operates the operation unit 66 to input a start instruction (start command). The operation unit 66 outputs operation data D 66 indicating start to the CPU 55 via the I / O port 51.

  Next, in step ST4, the control unit 50 executes a coil forming process based on the operation data D66. At this time, in the coil forming mechanism 20, the wire 1 is pushed into one arcuate portion # φ8 of the arcuate portion # φ8, # φ11 or # φ14 selected by the operation unit 66, and the helical coil 11a and the like are formed. The The control unit 50 executes wire feed control (see FIGS. 39 and 41).

  Further, in step ST5, the control unit 50 executes a binding process. At this time, in the binding mechanism 40, the sheet bundle 3 is subjected to the binding process by the spiral coil 11a formed by the coil forming mechanism 20. The control unit 50 performs rotational speed control, coil movement deceleration control, coil movement stop control, and the like (see FIGS. 39 and 41). The sheet bundle 3 bound by the spiral coil 11a or the like becomes a booklet 90.

  Thereafter, in step ST6, the control unit 50 executes display control of “the binding process is completed”. For example, the CPU 55 outputs display data D76 to the monitor 76. Based on the display data D76, the monitor 76 displays “completion of binding process”. At the same time, the operation method of the handle 229 is displayed on the monitor 76. The user operates the handle 229 while referring to a message or the like displayed on the monitor 76 to cut the predetermined position of the spiral coil 11a. Further, the handle 229 is pushed in a predetermined direction, and the end of the spiral coil 11a is bent (see FIGS. 30 to 33).

  Next, in step ST <b> 7, the control unit 50 determines whether the booklet 90 has been discharged from the paper placement table 46. At this time, the control unit 50 compares the sheet detection data D61 (signal S61) obtained from the sheet sensor 61 shown in FIG. 39 with a threshold for determining the signal level to detect whether the sheet bundle 3 has been discharged. . When the sheet detection data D61 is below the threshold value, it is detected that the sheet bundle 3 has been discharged. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  If the start is not instructed even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step ST3, the process proceeds to step ST8, and the control unit 50 determines the end of the coil binding process. For example, when the power-off information is detected, the coil binding process is terminated. When the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step ST1 and the above-described process is repeated following the process of determining whether or not the sheet bundle 3 is set on the sheet placing table 46.

  As described above, according to the coil binder 102 as the second embodiment, the second sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided, and the second control method is applied. When the spiral coil 11a and the like are formed from the wire 1 and the sheet bundle 3 is bound by the spiral coil 11a, the sheet bundle 3 is formed by the spiral coil 11a having a coil diameter specified by the user according to the thickness of the sheet bundle 3. Can be bound.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a coil binding processing system including a coil binder with a coil diameter manual selection function for bundling sheets P output from the image forming apparatus 200 such as a copying machine or a printer and performing binding processing with the helical coil 11a or the like. become. In addition, although the cutting & bending mechanism 75 mentioned above showed the structure which cut | disconnects and bends the spiral coil 11 in the same apparatus, the mechanism which performs cutting and the mechanism which performs bending are each provided as an independent mechanism, You may make it perform each in another process.

  The present invention is extremely applicable when applied to a coil binder, a finisher, or the like for binding a sheet bundle by inserting a spiral coil into a hole of a sheet bundle obtained by bundling sheets having a plurality of binding holes at a predetermined portion. Is preferred.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a sheet processing apparatus 100 as an embodiment to which a coil forming machine according to the present invention is applied. FIGS. 4A to 4C are process diagrams illustrating an example of functions of the sheet processing apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a coil forming mechanism 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an assembly example (No. 1) of the coil forming mechanism 20. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembly example (No. 2) of the coil forming mechanism 20. FIG. It is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 1). It is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 2). It is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 3). It is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 4). It is process drawing explaining the coil shaping example (the 5). 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a binding mechanism 40. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the connection part 30 and its periphery mechanism. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly example of main components on the connecting portion side of the binding mechanism 40. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of functions of a connecting portion 30. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the function example of the connection part 30 with respect to another coil diameter. (A) And (B) is a top view which shows the structural example of the convex tooth | gear 46b of the spiral guide 46a, and the guide projection part 49b of the spiral guide 49. FIG. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of support of the spiral coil 11b of medium diameter. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of clearance between a large-diameter spiral coil 11c and a punch hole 3a of a sheet bundle 3. FIG. (A)-(C) are explanatory drawings which show the example of support of the helical coils 11a-11c. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an operation example of the binding mechanism 40 during standby. 6 is a side view showing an operation example when setting the position of a small-diameter spiral coil 11a in the binding mechanism 40. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an operation example when setting the position of the medium-diameter spiral coil 11b in the binding mechanism 40. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an operation example when setting the position of the large-diameter spiral coil 11c in the binding mechanism 40. FIG. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the paper alignment guide 41. FIG. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a function of the paper alignment guide 41 (the 1). (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a function of the paper alignment guide 41 (the 2). (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the function example at the time of insertion of the small diameter and large diameter spiral coils 11a and 11c in the paper alignment guide 41. FIG. (A) And (B) is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the cutting & bending mechanism 75. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly example of the cutting & bending mechanism 75. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example at the time of the standby of the cutting & bending mechanism 75. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example at the time of the coil cutting | disconnection of the cutting & bending mechanism 75. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example at the time of the coil bending of the cutting & bending mechanism 75. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the helical coil 11c by which the edge part process was carried out. It is sectional drawing of partial crushing which shows the structural example of the wire cartridge 10 and its periphery mechanism. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of mounting of the wire cartridge 10. FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows the example of a wire detection in the wire cartridge 10. FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of the wire rod cartridge 10, and the structural example of another wire rod detection sensor 65 '. (A)-(C) are figures which show the example of a wire detection in the wire tension | tensile_strength mechanism 15 '. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the sheet processing apparatus 100. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system 101 as a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the sheet processing apparatus 100 in the image forming system 101. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the coil binder 102 as a 2nd Example. 6 is a process diagram illustrating an example of handling the coil binder 102. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of a coil binder 102.

Explanation of symbols

1 Wire material 3 Paper bundle 10 Wire material cartridge (Wire material supply unit)
11, 11a, 11b, 11c Spiral coil 12 Drum 15 Wire rod tension mechanism 20 Coil forming mechanism 22 Feed roller mechanism 26 Wire rod insertion guide portion 27 Wire rod extrusion guide portion 28 Coil forming portion 28 'selection mechanism 29 Pitch adjustment mechanism 30 Connecting portion 31 Feed Roller 32a Introduction guide part 32b Coil introduction wall 40 Binding mechanism 41 Paper alignment guide (second paper alignment part)
46 Paper placement table 46d Paper contact pin (first paper alignment section)
48 Punch & Paper Alignment Unit 49 Spiral Guide 50 Control Unit 55 CPU (Control Unit)
60 Wire rod detection unit 61 Paper sensor (detection unit)
62 Arrival detection sensor (first detection unit)
63 Passing detection sensor (second detection unit)
64 Wearing presence / absence sensor 65 Wire rod detection sensor (detection unit)
71-74 Motor drive unit 75 Cut and bend mechanism 100 Paper processing device 101 Image forming system 102 Coil binder (paper processing device)
200 Image forming apparatuses 701 to 704 Motor (drive unit)

Claims (6)

A paper processing apparatus for binding a paper bundle by inserting a spiral coil into a hole of a paper bundle in which papers having a plurality of binding holes arranged in a predetermined part are bundled,
A rotatable rotation guide unit that guides the spiral coil so as to rotate the spiral coil inserted through the hole of the sheet bundle and send it in the coil traveling direction;
A movable first spiral guide that guides the tip of the spiral coil that is fed in the coil traveling direction by the rotation guide so as to guide it to the hole of the sheet bundle;
Input coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter of the spiral coil,
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls positions of the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit based on the coil diameter setting information. The rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit have a function of moving from each standby position to each predetermined position,
The controller is
At least when the coil diameter setting information indicates a small-diameter helical coil,
Controlling the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit to move to a position separated from each standby position by a first distance;
When the coil diameter setting information indicates a medium diameter spiral coil,
Controlling the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit to move to a position separated from each standby position by a second distance; and
When the coil diameter setting information indicates a large diameter spiral coil,
2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation guide unit and the first spiral guide unit are controlled to move to a position separated from each standby position by a third distance. A sheet placing table for placing the bundle of sheets having a predetermined thickness;
The paper table is
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second spiral guide portion that has a comb-teeth shape aligned with an opening pitch of the holes of the sheet bundle at one end and guides the spiral coil. The rotation guide part is
A rotating shaft rod;
A cylindrical rotary member attached to the rotary shaft and rotating to push the spiral coil in the direction of the paper;
In the paper, when the portion connecting the binding holes is a paper side,
The rotating member is
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is set to be longer than a length of the sheet side. The first spiral guide part is
A guide protrusion is provided at a portion where the spiral coil is in contact,
The guide protrusion is
A plurality of protrusions provided in accordance with the forming pitch of the helical coil;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spiral coil is guided and guided between each of the protrusions and the adjacent protrusions. A paper processing method for binding a paper bundle by inserting a spiral coil into a hole in a paper bundle formed by bundling paper having a plurality of binding holes provided continuously at a predetermined portion,
Inputting coil diameter setting information for setting the coil diameter of the helical coil;
Based on the input coil diameter setting information, the spiral coil is inserted into the hole of the sheet bundle, and the spiral coil inserted into the hole of the sheet bundle is rotated and sent in the coil traveling direction. Guiding the helical coil;
And a step of guiding the tip of the spiral coil fed in the coil traveling direction to the hole of the sheet bundle.

Images