JP2008247534A - Sheet folding device, and post-processing device and image forming system with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly carry out a sheet bunch from a folding roll onto a delivery tray through a route curved upward or downward. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet folding device comprises a sheet bunch support means for holding a sheet bunch in a folding position, a pair of folding rolls, a folding blade for inserting a sheet bunch to a nip position on the folding rolls, a stacker for housing the sheet bunch from the folding roll, a carry-out guide for guiding the sheet bunch from the folding roll to the stacker, a roll driving means for driving a first and a second folding rolls for rotation, a blade driving means for moving the folding blade from a waiting position to the nip position, and a drive control means for controlling drive of them. The stacker is arranged upstream or downstream in the sheet bunch transferring direction, and the carry-out guide means is structured of a route curved upward or downward. When carrying out the sheet bunch folded by the folding roll to the carry-out guide means, the drive control means sets the sheet feeding quantity of the first and the second rolls structuring the folding roll different from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet folding apparatus that folds a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer at a predetermined fold position, and a post-processing apparatus including the sheet folding apparatus, and forms a bundle of sheets with a pair of folding rolls. The present invention relates to an improvement of a folding mechanism.

  In general, an apparatus that folds a bundle of sheets stacked on a plurality of sheets at a predetermined fold position is widely known as a sheet folding apparatus. Such a folding apparatus is used as a single-function (stand-alone) apparatus, and is incorporated and used as a sheet folding unit in a post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus, for example. For example, a device that aligns and binds sheets formed with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine into a bundle, and folds the sheet bundle at a 1/2 position or a 1/3 position to complete a booklet. It is used for.

Therefore, as a sheet folding mechanism for folding a sheet at a predetermined crease, a mechanism for folding a sheet by inserting the sheet from a crease position between a pair of pressure-contacting rolls is widely adopted as a relatively simple structure. For example, in Patent Document 1, sheets from an image forming apparatus are aligned in a bundle, and a stapling unit is disposed on the alignment tray to bind the sheet center. A mechanism is disclosed in which the saddle-stitched sheet bundle is inserted between a pair of rolls by being bent by a flade (folded plate), and folded at a crease position when the sheet bundle is fed out by a roll. Further, as seen in FIG. 1 of the publication, the folded sheet bundle is discharged out of the apparatus straight in the direction of insertion by the blade.
JP 2001-2317 A (FIGS. 1 and 6)

  As described above, when a sheet bundle accumulated in a laminated form is sandwiched and folded between a pair of rollers pressed against each other, conventionally, the sheet bundle nipped between the pair of rollers is carried out in a linear direction perpendicular to the nip direction. Yes. This is because the normal folding roll is composed of a round / cylindrical roll longer than the width of the sheet, and the folded sheet bundle will be folded unless it is carried out to a tray outside the apparatus through a straight path perpendicular to the nip direction. This is because of the above.

  For example, as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the folded sheet bundle is carried out of the apparatus through a straight straight path perpendicular to the nip direction from the folding roll, the layout of the apparatus is contracted in space. For example, the apparatus configuration disclosed in the publication requires a paper guide that holds the sheet back and forth around the folding roll. For this reason, the sheets sent in the horizontal direction from the image forming apparatus are bent in the vertical direction and accumulated in a bundle in a standing posture, and when the sheet bundle is folded and conveyed by a folding roll, it is orthogonal to the roll pair. The paper discharge tray must be placed in the path to be used. This is because the sheet bundle folded in a booklet shape is not easily bent and deformed, so that the sheet discharge tray cannot be arranged at a position away from the folding roll, for example, above or below the apparatus.

  For this reason, attempts have been made to force the sheet bundle from the folding roll to be bent by a discharge roller and a guide, but there is a problem that the surface layer of the sheet bundle is folded. At the same time, the leading edge of the sheet bundle is bent and deformed while rubbing the guide surface, so a heavy sheet bundle, such as thick paper, increases the transport load, causing jams or driving a larger capacity than necessary. There are problems such as using a motor and increasing the size and manufacturing cost of the device.

  In view of this, the present inventor has a configuration in which the folded sheet bundle is carried out from the discharge guide bent upward or downward to the sheet discharge tray with respect to the direction in which the sheet is inserted by the blade. As a result, the above-mentioned problem of bending with the downstream guide member can be solved by controlling the rotation in this manner.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the sheet bundle can be smoothly carried out from the folding roll obtained by folding the sheet bundle to the paper discharge tray disposed above or below the apparatus without being lost, thereby reducing the apparatus layout in a space-saving and compact manner. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet folding apparatus that can be configured as described above.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact and inexpensive image forming system in which sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are aligned and collected in a bundle and folded into a booklet.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration. First, a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet bundle supporting means for holding a sheet bundle at a predetermined folding position, and a folding roll means having first and second folding rolls arranged at the folding position and pressed against each other. A folding blade means for inserting the sheet bundle held by the sheet bundle supporting means toward a nip position of the folding roll means, a stack means for accommodating the sheet bundle from the folding roll means, and the folding roll means. Unloading guide means for guiding the sheet bundle to the stack means, roll drive means for rotationally driving the first and second folding rolls, and the folding blade means from the standby position toward the nip position of the folding rolls. A moving blade driving means; a roll driving means; and a drive control means for controlling the blade driving means. The stacking means is disposed above or below the sheet bundle transfer direction of the folding blade means, and the carry-out guide means curves upward or downward so as to guide the sheet bundle from the folding roll means to the stacking means. Configure the route. Therefore, when the sheet control unit folded by the folding roll unit is carried out to the carry-out guide unit, the drive control unit varies the sheet feed amounts of the first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll unit. Configure.

  The roll driving means is configured to transmit the drive detachably to the first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll means, and the drive control means is (1) the folding blade means. When the sheet bundle is inserted between the roll nips, drive control is performed so that the first and second folding rolls are rotated by following the sheets, and (2) the first folding roll is stopped at the nip position. The second fold roll is driven and rotated so that the sheet bundle is carried out toward the stack means.

  When the drive control means makes the sheet feeding amounts of the first and second folding rolls different, the folding roll is located on the outside with the circumferential speed of the folding roll located on the inner side with respect to the bending direction of the carry-out guide means. It is driven to rotate at a lower speed than the peripheral speed.

  Further, the first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll means are pressed against each other at a predetermined pressure, and at this time, the friction coefficient between each folding roll and the sheet is set larger than the friction coefficient between the sheets, The friction coefficient between the folding blade means and the sheet is configured to be smaller than the friction coefficient between the sheets.

  The roll drive means includes a drive motor and a one-way rotary clutch that transmits the rotation of the drive motor to the first and second folding rolls. The drive control means stops the drive motor when the folding blade is moved from the standby position to the nip position, or is configured as follows.

  The roll driving means includes a roll driving motor and transmission means for transmitting the rotation of the roll driving motor to the first and second folding rolls. The transmission means has a one-way rotation clutch, and the roll drive motor makes the peripheral speed of the first and second folding rolls lower than the speed at which the folding blade means inserts the sheet bundle at the nip position. Configure. Therefore, when the sheet bundle is inserted into the nip position by the folding blade means, the drive control means causes the first and second folding rolls to be driven and rotated by the sheet bundle by the one-way rotation clutch, and the folding blade means. The sheet bundle is carried out toward the carrying-out guide means by the first and second folding rolls in a state where the sheet is stationary at the nip position.

  Next, a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing by aligning sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and transports the sheet from the image forming apparatus to a predetermined folding position. It comprises a carry-in path, sheet stacking means for aligning sheets fed in sequence in the sheet carry-in path, and a sheet folding device arranged at the folding position. The sheet folding apparatus is configured as described above. In addition, a stapling unit for binding the sheet bundle reaching the folding position is disposed between the sheet stacking unit or the sheet stacking unit and the folding position.

  Next, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images on a sheet, and a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling, stamping, and punching on sheets from the image forming apparatus. The post-processing apparatus is configured as described above.

  In the present invention, the carry-out guide means disposed on the downstream side of the first and second folding rolls pressed against each other is curved upward or downward in the apparatus, and the sheet feeding amount (speed) of the first and second folding rolls is determined by the sheet bundle. Since the sheet bundles are different so as to follow the curved path, the sheet bundle fed from the folding roll is naturally curved along the path guide. As a result, it is possible to reduce the conveyance load and smoothly carry out the sheet. Therefore, the sheet bundle folded in a booklet shape is clogged in the curved path on the downstream side, and the driving load for carrying out is remarkably reduced, so that the apparatus can be configured to be small and compact.

  That is, for example, a sheet bundle that is conventionally carried out by niping the entire length in the width direction of the sheet with a cylindrical folding roll, for example, is fed out in a posture orthogonal to the roll pressing direction, and is folded when it is bent against the curved guide, While a jam or the like occurs, the sheet bundle is fed out from the folding roll in a bending direction following the guide. Therefore, the occurrence of folding and jamming is reduced, and at the same time, the driving load is reduced.

  In addition, the configuration for this purpose is only required to change the peripheral speed of the folding rolls that are in pressure contact with each other, and it is possible to provide a device that can be folded with a simple structure and has little unloading jam at a low cost. Has an effect.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a post-processing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of a sheet folding unit. Therefore, the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a post-processing apparatus B. The post-processing apparatus B incorporates a sheet folding apparatus C as a unit. This will be sequentially described below.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 sends a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, prints the sheet on the image forming unit 2, and then carries the sheet out from the main body discharge port 3. The sheet feeding unit 1 stores sheets of a plurality of sizes in sheet feeding cassettes 1 a and 1 b, and separates designated sheets one by one and feeds them to the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 includes, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitting device) 5 and a developing device 6 arranged around the electrostatic drum 4, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the light emitting device 5, toner is adhered to the developing device 6, an image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 7, and heat fixing is performed by the fixing device 8. The sheets on which images are formed in this way are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. 9 is a circulation path, and the sheet printed on the front side from the fixing device 8 is turned upside down through the main body switchback path 10 and then fed again to the image forming unit 2 to print on the back side of the sheet. This is the path for duplex printing. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down by the main body switchback path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

  11 is an image reading apparatus, which scans a document sheet set on a platen 12 with a scanning unit 13 and electrically reads it with a photoelectric conversion element (not shown). The image data is digitally processed by an image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 14 to send an image signal to the laser emitter 5. 15 is a document feeder, which is a feeder device that feeds document sheets stored in the stacker 16 to the platen 12.

  The image forming apparatus A configured as described above is provided with a control unit (controller) shown in FIG. 11, and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, print number designation, single-sided / double-sided printing designation from the control panel 18. The printout conditions such as enlargement / reduction print designation are set. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus A, image data read by the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external network is accumulated in the data storage unit 17, and the image data is transferred from the data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 19. The data signal is sequentially transferred from the buffer memory 19 to the laser emitter 5.

From the control panel 18, post-processing conditions are also input and specified simultaneously with the image forming conditions. As the post-processing conditions, for example, “print-out mode”, “staple binding mode”, “sheet bundle folding mode”, or the like is designated. The image forming apparatus A forms an image on the sheet according to the image forming condition and the post-processing condition. This image forming mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When “single-sided printing” is set as the image forming condition and “print out mode” or “staple binding mode” is set as the post-processing condition, the image forming unit 2 designates A predetermined image is formed on the sheet, and the sheet is turned upside down by the main body switchback path 10 and then carried out to the main body discharge port 3.

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus A sequentially forms a series of sheets from the first page to the nth page. A post-processing apparatus B, which will be described later, receives sheets carried out face down from the first page. When in the “print-out mode”, the sheets are sequentially stacked and stored in the first paper discharge tray 21 arranged in the post-processing apparatus B. In the “staple binding mode”, the sheets are stacked and stored in the first stacking unit (stacking tray) 29 disposed in the post-processing apparatus B. Then, the sheets stacked on the tray are bound together by an end face binding and stapling device 33 which will be described later in response to a job end signal, and stored in the first paper discharge tray 21.

Also, when double-sided printing and 2-in-1 printing are specified in the image forming conditions and “sheet bundle folding mode” is set as post-processing, when the last page is n pages as shown in FIG. (N / 2) page image and (n / 2 + 1) page image on the front side of the sheet, and (n / 2-1) page image and (n / 2 + 2) page on the back side. Are formed and carried out from the main body discharge port 3. Then, the post-processing apparatus B described later stores the sheet from the sheet carry-in path P1 into the second stacking unit (stacking guide) 35b.
Next, the image forming apparatus A prints the (n / 2-2) page image and the (n / 2 + 3) page image on the front side of the next sheet, and the (n / 2-3) page on the back side. And the (n / 2 + 4) th page image are printed out from the main body discharge port 3. Then, the post-processing apparatus B stacks and accumulates the sheets on the previous sheet. In this manner, the image forming apparatus A forms an image in an order suitable for the stacking tray structure of the post-processing apparatus B. Such a page order controls the print head (laser emitter) 5 by calculating the print order when transferring image data from the data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 19.

[Configuration of post-processing equipment]
The post-processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A described above receives a sheet on which an image is formed from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and (1) whether the sheet is accommodated in the discharge tray 21 ( (2) Whether the sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and stapled, and then stored in the discharge tray 21 (described above “staple binding mode”) ( 3) After the sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle, they are folded into a booklet and stored in the second discharge tray 22 (the above-described “sheet bundle folding mode”).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing apparatus B includes the first paper discharge tray 21 and the second paper discharge tray 22 in the casing 20, and a sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 having a carry-in port 23 connected to the main body discharge port 3. Is provided. The sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is configured by a substantially horizontal straight path in the casing 20. A first switchback conveyance path SP1 and a second switchback conveyance path SP2 that branch from the sheet carry-in path P1 and transfer the sheet in the reverse direction are arranged. The first switchback transport path SP1 is branched from the sheet carry-in path P1 on the downstream side and the second switchback transport path SP2 is branched on the upstream side of the path, and the both transport paths are arranged at a distance from each other.

  The second switchback transport path SP2 is provided with a stacking guide 35b described later, and a sheet processing path for feeding the sheet to a predetermined folding position Y is formed in the second switchback transport path SP2.

  In such a path configuration, the carry-in roller 24 and the paper discharge roller 25 are arranged in the sheet carry-in path P1, and these rollers are connected to a drive motor M1 (not shown) that can be rotated forward and backward. Further, a path switching piece 27 for guiding the sheet to the second switchback conveying path SP2 is disposed in the sheet carry-in path P1, and is connected to an operating means such as a solenoid. Further, a buffer guide 26 is provided in the sheet carry-in path P1 for temporarily staying and holding the sheet reaching the second switchback transport path SP2. A post-processing unit 28 is provided between the carry-in port 23 and the carry-in roller 24 to perform post-processing such as stamping (stamping means) and punching (punching means) on the sheet from the image forming apparatus A.

[Configuration of the first switchback transport path SP1]
As described above, the first switchback conveyance path SP1 disposed on the downstream side (rear end portion of the apparatus) of the sheet carry-in path P1 is configured as follows. A discharge roller 25 and a discharge port 25a are provided at the exit end of the sheet carry-in path P1, and a first stacking unit 29 is provided below the discharge port 25a with a step difference. The first stacking unit 29 includes a tray (hereinafter referred to as “stacking tray 29”) for stacking and supporting sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a. Above the stacking tray 29, a forward / reverse roller 30 is disposed so as to be movable up and down between a position in contact with the sheet on the tray and a separated standby position (a chain line position in FIG. 3). A forward / reverse motor M2 is connected to the forward / reverse roller 30 and rotates in the clockwise direction when the sheet enters the stacking tray 29, and rotates in the counterclockwise direction after the trailing edge of the sheet enters the tray. To be controlled. Accordingly, a first switchback transport path SP1 is formed on the stacking tray 29. 31 is a caterpillar belt, and the discharge roller 25 and one end pulley side are pressed against each other, and the end pulley side is pivotally supported so as to be suspended from the collecting tray 29 around the pulley shaft 31a. A driven roller 30 b shown in the figure is engaged with the forward / reverse roller 30 and is provided on the stacking tray 29.

  With the above configuration, the sheet from the discharge port 25a enters the stacking tray 29 and is transferred toward the first discharge tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30, and the rear end of the sheet is transferred from the discharge port 25a to the stacking tray 29. After entering, when the forward / reverse roller 30 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in the figure), the sheet on the tray is transferred in the direction opposite to the paper discharge direction. At this time, the caterpillar belt 31 switches back and conveys the sheet trailing edge along the stacking tray 29 in cooperation with the forward / reverse roller 30.

  A trailing edge regulating member 32 and a stapling device 33 for regulating the position of the trailing edge of the sheet are disposed at the trailing edge of the stacking tray 29 in the paper discharge direction. The illustrated stapling device 33 is constituted by an end-face binding stapler, and staples the staple at one place or a plurality of places on the rear end edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the tray. Further, the trailing edge regulating member 32 reciprocates in the paper discharge direction along the stacking tray 29 in order to share the function of carrying out the staple-bound sheet bundle to the first paper discharge tray 21 disposed on the downstream side of the stacking tray 29. It is configured to move freely. The carry-out mechanism of the illustrated rear end regulating member 32 includes a grip claw 32a for holding the sheet bundle and a rear end regulating surface 32b for regulating the rear end of the sheet against the sheet bundle, and moves in the left-right direction along the guide rail provided on the apparatus frame. It is configured to be movable. Reference numeral 34a in the figure denotes a drive arm that reciprocates the rear end regulating member 32, and is connected to the paper discharge motor M3.

  The stacking tray 29 is provided with a side alignment plate 34b for aligning the width direction of the sheets stacked on the tray. The side alignment plate 34b is arranged on the left and right sides (around FIG. 3) so as to align the sheets with the center reference. It is composed of a pair of alignment plates, is configured to approach and separate from the center of the sheet, and is connected to an alignment motor M4 (not shown).

  The first switchback conveying path SP1 configured as described above aligns the sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a on the stacking tray 29 in the “staple binding mode”, and this sheet bundle is rear-bound by the end surface binding stapler 33. One or more edges are stapled. In the “print-out mode”, the sheet fed along the stacking tray 29 is conveyed between the forward / reverse roller 30 and the driven roller 30b without the switchback conveyance of the sheet from the sheet discharge port 25a. It is carried out to the paper tray 21. In this way, the illustrated apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus is compactly configured by supporting the sheets to be stapled by the stacking tray 29 and the first discharge tray 21 in a bridge manner.

[Configuration of second switchback transport path]
The configuration of the second switchback conveyance path SP2 branched from the sheet carry-in path P1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the second switchback conveyance path (sheet processing path) SP2 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction in the casing 20, and includes a sheet entry path 35a, a stacking guide (stacking guide means; the same applies hereinafter) 35b, and a switch. And a back approach path 35c. The sheet entry path 35a and the accumulation guide 35b are connected to form a step as illustrated, and the switchback entry path 35c is connected to the rear end side of the accumulation guide 35b. In the sheet entrance path 35a, a transport roller 36 is disposed at the path entrance, and a transport roller 37 is disposed at the path exit. A saddle stitching stapling device 40 and folding roll means 45 are disposed on the accumulation guide 35b. Hereinafter, these configurations will be sequentially described.

  First, the accumulation guide 35b is formed by a guide member for guiding the conveyance of the sheet, and is configured to stack and store the sheet on the guide. The illustrated accumulation guide 35 b is configured as a part of the second switchback conveyance path (sheet processing path) SP <b> 2, and is disposed in a substantially vertical direction at the center of the casing 20. As a result, the apparatus is made compact and compact. The accumulation guide 35b is formed in a length shape that accommodates the maximum size sheet therein, and in particular, the illustrated guide is bent or bent so as to protrude toward the side where the saddle stitching staple device 40 and the folding roll means 45 described later are disposed. It is configured in shape.

  A switchback entry path 35c that overlaps the exit end of the sheet entry path 35a is connected to the rear end side in the transport direction of the stacking guide 35b. This stacks by overlapping the leading edge of the loaded (following) sheet sent from the conveying roller 37 of the second switchback conveying path SP2 and the trailing edge of the stacked (preceding) sheet supported by the stacking guide 35b. This is for securing the page order of sheets. The accumulation guide 35b is provided with a sheet leading edge regulating means 38 for regulating the sheet leading edge on the downstream side of the guide.

[Configuration of sheet tip regulating means]
As shown in FIG. 12, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 holds a locking member 38a that locks the leading edge of a sheet carried along the stacking guide 35b, and a sheet bundle that is stacked and supported by the locking member 38a. The grip member 38b is used. The sheet front end regulating means 38 is supported by a guide rail 38g so as to be movable along the accumulation guide 35b. The grip member 38b is axially supported by the locking member 38a and nips the sheet supported by the locking member 38a. An energizing spring 38s and an actuating solenoid 38L are connected to the grip member 38b, and the energizing spring 38s always operates in the grip releasing direction of the seat so that the sheet is gripped and gripped when the actuating solenoid 38L is energized. It has become.

  The sheet leading edge regulating means 38 configured in this way is configured to move between the sh1, sh2, and sh3 shown in the figure by the shift means MS. The shift means MS is composed of a stepping motor 38M, a pinion 38p connected to the motor, and a rack gear 38r integrally formed with the sheet leading edge restricting means 38, and drives the stepping motor 38M for a predetermined rotation by a detection signal from the home position sensor. Accordingly, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is configured to move to Sh1, Sh2, and Sh3 shown in the drawing. The grip member 38b grips the sheet bundle accumulated in the accumulation guide 35b by turning on and off the operation solenoid 38L. In this case, when the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side (Sh3 → Sh1, etc.), the operation solenoid 38L is turned on to control the grip of the sheet bundle. The locking member 38a for supporting the leading edge of the sheet and the grip member 38b for gripping the sheet bundle supported by the sheet are integrally formed as shown in the figure, but they are separated and individually attached to the apparatus frame. Also good.

  The shift means MS moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 at least between the illustrated positions Sh1, Sh2, and Sh3. (1) When a sheet enters the stacking guide 35b from the sheet entrance path 35a, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved to the illustrated position Sh3 so that the rear end of the sheet supported by the stacking guide 35b is returned to the switchback entrance path 35c. (2) When the sheets are stapled by the saddle stitching stapling device 40, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved to the illustrated position Sh2 so as to position the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35b at the binding position X. 3) When folding by the folding roll means 45, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved to the illustrated position Sh1 so that the sheet supported by the stacking guide 35b is positioned at the folding position Y.

  That is, when the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh3, as shown in FIG. 13B, the rear end of the sheet (bundle) supported by the accumulation guide 35b enters the switchback entry path 35c, and in this state Subsequent sheets sent from the sheet entry path 35a are surely stacked above the accumulated sheets. When the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh2, the center of the sheet (bundle) supported by the stacking guide 35b is positioned at the binding position X of the saddle stitching staple device 40 as shown in FIG. Similarly, when the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh1, the center of the sheet bundle stapled and supported by the stacking guide 35b as shown in FIG. 14D is set to a folding position Y of a folding roll means 45 described later. It is designed to be positioned. Accordingly, the illustrated positions Sh1, Sh2, and Sh3 are set to optimal positions according to the sheet size (length in the conveyance direction), and are prepared in advance on a memory table or the like.

  In the stacking guide 35b, a sheet side edge aligning unit 39 is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet side edge aligning means 39 aligns so that the position in the width direction of the sheet carried into the stacking guide 35b and supported by the sheet leading edge restricting means 38 is matched. In other words, the sheet side edge regulating means 38 is positioned at the position Sh3, and the sheet side edges are aligned by a pair of alignment plates (sheet side edge alignment means) 39 with the entire sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35b. In the illustrated apparatus, the sheet side edge aligning means 39 is composed of a pair of left and right aligning plates so that the sheets are aligned with respect to each other based on the center reference. The sheet bundle supported on the sheet is aligned and aligned. For this reason, the sheet side edge aligning means 39 is connected to an alignment motor M5 (not shown).

  That is, the sheet side edge aligning means 39 is composed of a pair of aligning plates that engage with the sheet side edges, and an operating means (the above-described aligning motor M5) that moves the aligning plates toward and away from each other. The aligning motor M5 is configured so that the pair of aligning plates align and align the sheets in a state in which the sheet front end restricting means 38 restricts the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35b to the sheet binding position X or the folding position Y. The alignment plate approaches and separates.

[Configuration of Saddle Stitcher]
A binding position X is set on the upstream side and a folding position Y is set on the downstream side along the stacking guide 35b, and the saddle stitching staple device 40 is disposed in the binding position X. This apparatus is composed of a driver unit 40A and an anvil unit 40B, and each unit is configured to be separated at opposing positions with the integrated guide 35b interposed therebetween. A needle cartridge is mounted on the driver unit 40A, and a needle connected in a belt shape is built in the cartridge. The needle member at the tip is bent into a U shape by the former member by a driver member that moves up and down between the upper dead center and the lower bottom dead center, and then this needle is inserted into the sheet bundle. Has been. Accordingly, the driver unit 40A includes a drive motor M, a drive arm that moves the driver member up and down, a drive cam that drives the arm, and the like.

  On the other hand, the anvil unit 40B is provided with a bending groove (not shown) for bending the tip of the staple needle inserted into the sheet bundle. The saddle stitching and stapling apparatus 40 configured as described above is configured such that the driver unit 40A and the anvil unit 40B are separated from each other so that a sheet bundle can pass between them. Accordingly, it is possible to staple the central portion of the sheet bundle and other arbitrary positions.

[Configuration of folding roll means]
A folding roll means 45 that folds the sheet bundle and a folding blade 46 that inserts the sheet bundle at the nip position NP of the folding roll means 45 are provided at the folding position Y arranged on the downstream side of the saddle stitching stapler 40 described above. It has been. As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the folding roll means 45 is composed of folding rolls 45a and 45b that are in pressure contact with each other, and each roll is formed substantially in the width of the maximum sheet. The pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b are fitted with the long grooves of the device frame so that the rotary shafts 45ax and 45bx are pressed against each other, and are urged in the press-contact direction by the compression springs 45aS and 45bS. The folding rolls 45a and 45b may be structured such that at least one of them is axially supported so as to be movable in the press-contact direction, and a biasing spring is stretched over one of the folding rolls 45a and 45b.

  The pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b are formed of a material having a relatively large friction coefficient such as a rubber roller. This is because the sheet is bent and transferred by a soft material such as rubber, and may be formed by lining the rubber material. The folding roll means 45 is formed in an uneven shape as shown in FIG. 6B, and a gap 45g is formed in the sheet value width direction. The gap 45g is arranged so as to coincide with the unevenness of the folding blade 46, which will be described later, and consideration is given so that the tip of the folding blade can easily enter between the roll nips. At the same time, the gap 45g is arranged at a width position that coincides with a staple binding portion for binding the sheet bundle. In other words, the pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b that are in pressure contact with each other are formed in a concavo-convex shape having a gap (gap 45g) in the sheet width direction. The blade edge is designed to enter.

  As described above, the pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b are located on the curved or bent protruding side of the stacking guide 35b, and are separated from the sheet bundle supported by the stacking guide 35b by a distance h shown in FIG. It is arranged at the position. That is, the sheet (bundle) supported by the accumulation guide 35b is arranged at a position where the roll surface does not come in contact with the distance h. And the folding blade 46 which has a knife edge is provided in the position which opposes on both sides of a sheet | seat bundle. The folding blade 46 is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be able to reciprocate between the standby position in FIG. 9A and the nip position (or in the vicinity of the nip position) in FIG. Blade driving means BM is connected to the folding blade 46. The folding blade 46 is configured to reciprocate by a blade drive motor M7 between a standby position retracted from the sheet bundle supported by the stacking guide 35b and a nip position between the pressure contacts of the folding roll means 45. The folding blade 46 is formed in a plate shape with a material having a relatively small coefficient of friction such as metal, and the tip is formed in an uneven surface as shown in FIG. As described above, the blade tip is formed in a shape that enters the cap 45g of the folding rolls 45a and 45b.

  Therefore, in the figure, the relationship between the friction coefficient ν1 between the folding rolls 45a and 45b and the sheet, the friction coefficient ν2 between the sheets, and the friction coefficient ν3 between the sheet and the folding blade 46 is “ν1> ν2> ν3. "Is set. Therefore, in the state where the sheet bundle shown in FIG. 9D is inserted between the first folding roll 45a and the second folding roll 45b by the folding blade 46, the pressure contact force acting on the both folding rolls 45a and 45b is the same as the roll. It reaches each as a force equal to the sheet bundle and blade. At this time, since the friction coefficient is set to the above relationship, the sheet bundle is smoothly fed in the feeding direction (left side in the figure).

[Folded sheet output path configuration]
A carry-out guide 48 is disposed on the downstream side of the folding roll unit 45 described above, and the sheet bundle folded by the folding roll unit 45 is carried out and stored in the second paper discharge tray 22 from the carry-out guide 48. The present invention is characterized in that the carry-out guide 48 is formed so as to be curved downward in the apparatus as shown by a solid line in FIG. 4, or is formed so as to be curved upward in the apparatus as shown by a chain line in FIG. In the case where the sheet bundle is carried out in a direction orthogonal to the nip direction of the folding roll means 45, the installation position of the paper discharge tray 22 is limited. Due to this restriction, for example, when the paper discharge tray 22 is arranged at the bottom of the apparatus, an operation of bending the sheet bundle is required, and when the paper discharge tray 22 is arranged at the top of the apparatus, the work closes to the first paper discharge tray 21 described above. The operation of taking out the sheet bundle from the tray becomes difficult. Accordingly, the second paper discharge tray 22 requires a space (mainly in the vertical direction of the casing 20) in which a sheet can be easily taken out and a maximum stock amount to be stored is secured.

  Therefore, the present invention is characterized in that the carry-out guide 48 for carrying out the sheet bundle from the folding roll means 45 is bent upward or downward in the apparatus. At this time, the sheet folded in the form of a booklet from the folding roll means 45 is not easily bent, increasing the driving load and causing problems that cause sheet jamming. Therefore, the present invention solves this problem by the following configuration.

  A form in which the carry-out guide 48 is bent downward (hereinafter referred to as “first embodiment”) will be described with reference to FIG. The carry-out guide 48 is composed of a pair of curved guide plates 48a and 48b for guiding the sheet bundle, and the pair of curved guide plates 48a and 48b is a direction perpendicular to the nip direction of the folding roll means 45 (Y-Y line in the figure). Are arranged so as to curve downward with a curvature R1. The second paper discharge tray 22 is disposed downstream of the curved guide plates 48a and 48b. In addition, 22L in the figure is a pressing member for folded sheets (bundles) stored on the paper discharge tray 22.

  Next, a mode of bending the carry-out guide 48 upward (hereinafter referred to as “second embodiment”) will be described. As shown by a chain line in FIG. 4, the carry-out guide 48 includes a pair of curved guide plates 48 a and 48 b that guide the sheet bundle, and the pair of curved guide plates 48 a and 48 b are orthogonal to the nip direction of the folding roll means 45. It arrange | positions so that it may curve with curvature R2 upwards with respect to (YY line in the figure). A second paper discharge tray 22 (not shown) is disposed downstream of the curved guide plates 48a and 48b.

  In the present invention, the carry-out guide 48 disposed on the downstream side of the folding roll means 45 is formed in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The folding roll means 45 is controlled to rotate as follows. When the sheet control unit folded by the folding roll unit 45 is carried out to the carry-out guide 48, the drive control unit to be described later differs in the sheet feed amount between the first folding roll 45a and the second folding roll 45b that are in pressure contact with each other. To be configured.

  This sheet feed amount is rotationally driven at a lower peripheral speed of the folding roll positioned inside the carry-out guide 48 than the peripheral speed of the folding roll positioned outside. In other words, in the case of the first embodiment (solid line in FIG. 4), the rotational speed of the second folding roll 45b located inside the curve in FIG. 4 is controlled to be lower than the circumferential speed of the first folding roll 45a located outside the curve. To do. Similarly, in the case of the second embodiment (the chain line in FIG. 4), the peripheral speed of the first folding roll 45a located on the curved inner side in FIG. 4 is made lower than the peripheral speed of the second folding roll 48b located on the curved outer side. Control rotation.

  Further, in the present invention, as a method of changing the feeding amount of the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b in accordance with the curve of the carry-out guide 48, (1) as described above, the peripheral speed of the folding roll inside the curve Is set slower than the peripheral speed of the folding roll outside the curve, or (2) the rotation amount of the folding roll inside the curve is set smaller than the rotation amount of the folding roll outside the curve.

  Explaining the method (2) above, when carrying out the folded sheet, the drive control means, which will be described later, intermittently rotationally drives the folding roll located on the inside of the curve and continuously rotates the folding roll located on the outside of the curve. The first or second folding rolls 45a and 45b are driven to rotate intermittently, and the intermittent drive length (time) is set shorter on the inner side than on the outer side.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (f) and 10 (g), the sheet bundle fed from the pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b has a difference in feed amount between the inner roll and the outer roll (speed difference or transport amount difference). ), The layered bundle sheet naturally curves. The curvature of the sheet bundle caused by the difference in feed amount (speed difference or conveyance amount difference) is set to follow the curve of the carry-out guide 48 described above. Accordingly, it is possible to remarkably reduce the conveyance load of the sheet bundle carried out along the conveyance guide 48. A specific configuration will be described below.

[Configuration of Driving Unit of Folding Roll Unit]
Each of the folding rolls 45a and 45b is connected to roll driving means. FIGS. 7A to 7C show the transmission mechanism. The illustrated transmission mechanism is (1) when the sheet bundle is inserted into the roll nip position by the folding blade 46, the first and second folding rolls 45a, 45b is provided with a clutch means (a one-way clutch described later) 45c so as to rotate following the sheet inserted by the blade, and (2) the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are formed in the sheet bundle. It is characterized by being configured to intermittently transmit the drive (electromagnetic clutch 45d described later) so that the feed amount to be applied is different.

  The illustrated roll drive means RM is composed of a roll drive motor M6 and a transmission mechanism (transmission means) 47V as shown in FIGS. The rotation shaft of the roll drive motor M6 and the rotation shafts 45ax and 45bx of the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are connected by a transmission means 47V. 47X shown in the figure is a transmission shaft, and is connected to a roll drive motor M6 by a transmission belt (transmission means) 47V. The transmission shaft 47X, the rotation shaft 45ax of the first folding roll 45a, and the rotation shaft 45bx of the second folding roll 45b. Are coupled via a clutch means (one-way clutch in the figure) 45c. This clutch means 45c is an one-way clutch, an electromagnetic clutch, a sliding friction clutch (spring clutch), etc., so that the drive rotation of the roll drive motor M6 can be turned on and off to the first folding roll 45a and the second folding roll 45b. Constitute.

  The illustrated clutch means 45c is constituted by a one-way clutch, and is configured to transmit the rotation of the transmission shaft 47X to the transmission collar 47Z only in one direction between the transmission shaft 47X and the transmission collar 47Z. The first folding roll 45a is gear-connected to the transmission collar 47Z, and the second folding roll 45b is belt-connected. At this time, an electromagnetic clutch 45d is provided between the rotating shaft 45bx of the second folding roll 45b and the belt pulley, and the rotation of the transmission shaft 47X is rotated only when the electromagnetic clutch 45d is ON. To communicate. Thus, only one direction of rotation of the roll drive motor M6 is transmitted to the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b connected to the roll drive motor M6 via the clutch means (one-way clutch) 45c, and at the same time, The first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are configured to be freely rotatable in the sheet feeding direction. The rotation of the transmission shaft 47X is transmitted to the second folding roll 45b via the electromagnetic clutch 45d.

  Accordingly, the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b follow the sheet bundle inserted between the nips with the roll driving motor M6 stopped, and the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are driven to rotate. When the roll drive motor M6 is driven to rotate, the first folding roll 45a rotates, and the second folding roll 45b rotates when the electromagnetic clutch 45d is “ON” and does not rotate when the electromagnetic clutch 45d is “OFF”. ing. Accordingly, when the sheet bundle is inserted between the roll nips by the folding blade 46, the drive control means (a control CPU 61 described later) stops the roll drive motor M6 and rotates the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b (one-way). Action of clutch 45c). When the sheet bundle is carried out by the folding roll means 45, the first folding roll 45a is continuously rotated, and the second folding roll 45b is intermittently rotated at a predetermined cycle (operation of the electromagnetic clutch 45d). As a result, a difference occurs in the sheet feed amounts of the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b, and the sheet bundle to be carried out is naturally curved.

  Further, an electromagnetic clutch 45d is provided between the rotation shaft 45bx of the second folding roll 45b and the transmission belt 47V, and the rotation of the transmission shaft 47X is selectively transmitted to the rotation shaft 45bx selectively ON / OFF. Has been. With the above configuration, when the first and second folding roll means 45a and 45b carry out the sheet bundle, the first folding roll 45a is continuous, and the second folding roll 45b is controlled by ON / OFF control of the electromagnetic clutch 45d. It becomes possible to drive the rotation intermittently.

  The above-described roll driving means RM "continues the first folding roll 45a and intermittently rotates the second folding roll 45b so that the sheet feeding amounts of the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are different". In this case, the first and second folding rolls may be driven to rotate intermittently, and the intermittent feed amount in this case may be varied. Alternatively, the first and second rolls may be rotated continuously to vary the speed between them.

  The speed difference control between the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b will be described with reference to FIG. 7B. The illustrated roll drive means RM includes a roll drive motor M6 and a transmission mechanism (transmission means) 49V. The rotation shaft of the roll drive motor M6 and the rotation shafts 45ax and 45bx of the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are connected by a transmission means 49V. 49X shown in the figure is a transmission shaft, which is connected to a roll drive motor M6 by a transmission belt (transmission means) 49V. This transmission shaft 49X is connected to the rotation shaft 45ax of the first folding roll 45a and the rotation shaft 45bx of the second folding roll 45b. Are connected by a gear reduction mechanism G. A one-way clutch 45c is built in between the rotary shaft 45ax and the first folding roll 45a and between the rotary shaft 45bx and the second folding roll 45b. The one-way clutch 45c is for the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b to be driven and rotated when the folding blade 46 inserts the sheet bundle between the roll nips.

  The gear reduction mechanism G transmits the forward / reverse rotation of the roll drive motor M6 to the first folding roll 45a at the same reduction ratio, and the second folding roll 45b has a forward rotation and a reverse rotation of the motor. The reduction gear ratio is different. For this reason, one-way rotation of the roll drive motor M6 is reduced and transmitted to the first folding roll 45a by the gear g1, and the reverse rotation is reduced and transmitted by the belt V1. The gear g1 and the belt V1 are configured to transmit the first folding roll 45a at the same speed and in the same direction (in the direction indicated by the arrow). On the other hand, the one-way rotation of the roll drive motor M6 is transmitted to the second folding roll 45b by the gear g2, and the reverse rotation of the motor is decelerated and transmitted by the belt V2. The gear g2 and the belt V2 are configured to transmit the second folding roll 45b in the same direction at different peripheral speeds. The peripheral speed of the second folding roll 45b at this time is configured to rotate at the same speed when the roll drive motor M6 is in the forward direction with respect to the first folding roll 45a and at a low speed when the roll driving motor M6 is in the reverse direction. Accordingly, the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b are configured to rotate in the same direction at peripheral speeds with different speed ratios by forward and reverse rotation of the roll drive motor M6.

  Next, the configuration of the blade driving means BM of the folding blade 46 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the folding blade 46 is supported on the apparatus frame by a guide rail 46g so as to be movable in the sheet folding direction. The folding blade 46 is supported so as to reciprocate between a standby position retracted from the sheet supported by the stacking guide 35b and a nip position of the folding rolls 45a and 45b. The blade drive means BM for reciprocating the folding blade 46 is constituted by a blade drive motor M7 and a transmission means 46V for transmitting the rotation thereof, and the illustrated one is transmitted to the transmission rotation shaft 46X by a transmission belt. The transmission rotation shaft 46X is provided with a transmission pinion 46P and meshed with a rack gear 46L attached integrally to the folding blade 46.

  Therefore, when the blade drive motor M7 rotates forward and backward, the folding blade 46 reciprocates between the standby position and the nip position along the guide rail 46g. The folding blade 46 is composed of a plate-like member having a knife edge in the sheet width direction, and its tip is formed in an uneven shape as shown in the figure.

[Description of sheet folding operation by folding roll means]
Next, the sheet folding state by the folding roll means 45 and the folding blade 46 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) to 10 (g). First, the sheet bundle supported by the stacking guide 35b in the form of a bundle is locked by the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 in the state of FIG. 9A, and the fold position is positioned at the folding position Y in the stapled state. . Upon obtaining this sheet bundle setting end signal, the drive control means (sheet folding operation control section, which will be described later) 64d turns off the clutch means 45c. In the illustrated one-way clutch configuration, the roll drive motor M6 is stopped, or the motor is rotated at a lower speed than the moving speed of the folding blade 46. This is to create a condition for the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b to be driven and rotated by the sheet bundle inserted into the nip position by the folding blade 46, as will be described later.

  Accordingly, the drive control means 64d moves the folding blade 46 from the standby position toward the nip position (or near the nip position) at a predetermined speed. The rotational peripheral speed VR of the folding rolls 45a and 45b is set to zero or VB> VR with respect to the moving speed VB. 9C, the sheet bundle is bent at the fold position by the folding blade 46 and inserted between the rolls. At this time, the first folding roll 45a and the second folding roll 45b are driven to rotate following the sheet moved by the folding blade 46. The drive control means 64d stops the blade drive motor M7 after the expected time for the sheet bundle to reach the predetermined nip position, and stops the folding blade 46 at the position shown in FIG. Before and after this, the drive control means 64d switches the clutch means 45c to the ON state and drives and rotates the folding rolls 45a and 45b. Then, the sheet bundle is sent out in the feeding direction (left side in the figure). Thereafter, the drive control means 64d moves and returns the folding blade 46 located at the nip position to the standby position in parallel with the feeding of the sheet bundle by the folding rolls 45a and 45b in the state shown in FIG.

  Next, the drive control means 64d varies the peripheral speed / intermittent feed amount of the first folding roll 45a and the second folding roll 45b. In the configuration of FIG. 7A, the electromagnetic clutch 45d is turned ON / OFF, and the second folding roll 45b is intermittently rotated at a predetermined cycle. In the configuration of FIG. 7B, the roll drive motor M6 is reversed. Then, the circumferential speed VR2 of the second folding roll 45b is lower than the circumferential speed VR1 of the first folding roll 45a. Therefore, the sheet bundle carried out between the rolls is curved inward on the second folding roll side as shown in FIG. Next, the sheet bundle is smoothly carried out toward the second paper discharge tray 22 following the curved curve of the carry-out guide 48 as shown in FIG. In the process of shifting from the state of FIG. 9D to FIG. 10F, the first and second folding rolls 45a and 45b may be rotated at the same speed as shown in FIG. 9E.

  When the sheet bundle thus folded is first engulfed between the pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b, the sheet in contact with the roll surface is not drawn between the rolls by the rotating roll. That is, the folding rolls 45a and 45b follow (follow) the sheet to be inserted (pressed) and rotate, so that only the sheet in contact with the roll is not first wound. Further, since the folding rolls 45a and 45b follow and rotate following the inserted sheet, the roll surface and the sheet in contact therewith are not rubbed, and image rubbing is not caused.

[Description of control configuration]
The control configuration of the above-described image forming system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “main body control unit”) 50 of the image forming apparatus A and a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “post-processing control unit”) 60 of the post-processing apparatus B. The main body control unit 50 includes an image formation control unit 51, a paper feed control unit 52, and an input unit 53. Then, the “image forming mode” and “post-processing mode” are set from the control panel 18 provided in the input unit 53. As described above, the image forming mode sets the number of printouts, sheet size, color / monochrome printing, enlargement / reduction printing, duplex / single-sided printing, and other image formation conditions. The main body control unit 50 controls the image forming control unit 51 and the paper feed control unit 52 according to the set image forming conditions, and after the image is formed on a predetermined sheet, the sheets are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. .

  At the same time, the post-processing mode is set by input from the control panel 18. The post-processing mode is set to, for example, “print-out mode”, “staple binding finishing mode”, “sheet bundle folding finishing mode”, or the like. Therefore, the main body control unit 50 transfers the post-processing finishing mode, the number of sheets, the upper number of copies, and the binding mode (one-position binding or two or more bindings) information to the post-processing control unit 60. At the same time, the main body control unit 50 transfers a job end signal to the post-processing control unit 60 every time image formation is completed.

  The post-processing control unit 60 includes a control CPU 61 that operates the post-processing apparatus B in accordance with a designated finishing mode, a ROM 62 that stores an operation program, and a RAM 63 that stores control data. In the RAM 63, position data of the sheet locking positions Sh1, Sh2, Sh3 of the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is prepared in a data table, for example, in accordance with the size (length in the conveying direction) of the sheet transferred to the sheet processing path P2. ing. The control CPU 61 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 64 a that performs conveyance of the sheet sent to the carry-in entrance 23, a sheet accumulation operation control unit 64 b that performs sheet accumulation operation, and a sheet binding process that performs sheet binding processing. An operation control unit 64c and a sheet folding operation control unit 64d for performing a sheet folding operation are provided.

  The sheet conveyance control unit 64a is connected to the control circuit of the driving motor M1 of the conveyance roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 of the sheet conveyance path P1 and receives a detection signal from the sheet sensor S1 disposed in this path. It is configured as follows. Further, the sheet stacking operation control unit 64b drives the forward / reverse rotation motor M2 of the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and the discharge motor M3 of the trailing end regulating member 32 in order to stack sheets on the first stacking unit (stacking tray) 29. Connected to the circuit. Further, the sheet binding processing operation control unit 64c is connected to a driving circuit of a driving motor M built in the saddle stitching stapling device 40 of the end stacking stapling device 33 and the second stacking unit (stacking guide) 35b of the first stacking unit 29. Has been.

  The sheet folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a drive circuit of a roll drive motor M6 that drives and rotates the folding rolls 45a and 45b and a control circuit of the clutch means 45c. The sheet folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a control circuit of a shift unit MS that controls the movement of the transport rollers 36 and 37 of the sheet entrance path 35a and the sheet leading end regulating unit 38 of the stacking guide 35b to predetermined positions. It is wired so as to receive a detection signal from a sheet sensor arranged in the route.

The control unit configured as described above causes the post-processing apparatus B to execute the next processing operation.
"Printout mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents, for example, from the first page, and sequentially carries out face-down from the main body discharge port 3. Therefore, the post-processing apparatus B retracts the buffer guide 26 in the sheet carry-in path P1 upward in FIG. 3, and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the stacking tray 29 based on the signal detected by the sheet discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. Then, the forward and reverse rollers are rotated clockwise in FIG. Then, the sheet that has entered the stacking tray 29 is carried out toward the first paper discharge tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and stored on the tray. The successive sheets are sequentially carried out to the first paper discharge tray 21 and accumulated and stored on the tray.

  Accordingly, in this printout mode, the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus A are accommodated in the first paper discharge tray 21 via the sheet carry-in path P1 of the post-processing apparatus B. The pages are stacked and stored in the order of the pages. In this mode, no sheet is guided to the first switchback transport path SP1 and the second switchback transport path (sheet processing path) SP2.

"Staple binding finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents in the order from the first page to the nth page as in the above-described printout mode, and carries out from the main body discharge port 3 in a face-down state. Accordingly, the post-processing apparatus B retracts the buffer guide 26 of the sheet carry-in path P1 upward in FIG. 3 and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the stacking tray 29 based on the signal detected by the sheet discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. Then, the forward and reverse rollers are rotated clockwise in FIG. Next, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a drives the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 3 after the estimated time when the trailing edge of the sheet is carried onto the stacking tray 29. Then, the sheet that has entered from the paper discharge outlet 25a is switched back and conveyed onto the stacking tray 29 along the first switchback conveyance path SP1. By repeating this sheet conveyance, a series of sheets are stacked on the stacking tray 29 in a face-down state.

  Each time the sheets are stacked on the stacking tray 29, the control CPU 61 operates the side aligning plate 34b to align the width direction position of the sheets to be stacked. Next, the control CPU 61 operates the end-face stitching and stapling device 33 in response to the job end signal from the image forming apparatus A to bind the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray 29. After this stapling operation, the control CPU 61 moves the rear end regulating member 32 that also serves as a bundle carrying-out means from the solid line position in FIG. 3 to the chain line position. Then, the staple-bound sheet bundle is carried out and stored on the first paper discharge tray 21. As a result, a series of sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A are stapled and stored in the first paper discharge tray 21.

"Sheet fold finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image on a sheet in the order described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the post-processing apparatus B retracts the buffer guide 26 of the sheet carry-in path P1 upward in FIG. 3, and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, the control CPU 61 stops the paper discharge roller 25 at the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the path switching piece 27 with reference to the signal detected by the sheet sensor S1, and at the same time, sets the path switching piece 27 to the position of the broken line in FIG. Moving. Then, the paper discharge roller 25 is reversely rotated (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). Then, the sheet that has entered the sheet carry-in path P1 is reversed in the conveyance direction and is guided from the path switching piece 27 to the sheet entry path 35a. And it guides to the accumulation | aggregation guide 35b with the conveyance rollers 36 and 37 arrange | positioned in this path | route.

  The control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the lowermost position Sh1 at the timing when the sheet is carried into the stacking guide 35b from the sheet entry path 35a (state shown in FIG. 13A). The control CPU 61 moves the position of the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to an optimum position corresponding to the sheet length from the sheet size information (length in the conveying direction) from the image forming apparatus A and the position data stored in the RAM 63. . Then, the entire sheet is supported by the accumulation guide 35b. In this state, the control CPU 61 operates the aforementioned sheet side edge aligning means 39 to align the sheets in the width direction. (Note that this width-alignment alignment does not have to be performed on the first sheet, and does not have to be performed every time the sheet enters).

  Next, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to a position Sh3 where the sheet trailing edge enters the switchback entry path 35c described above. Although this state is shown in FIG. 13B, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 from the position data stored in the RAM 63 to the position Sh3 where the trailing edge of the sheet enters the switchback entry path 35c. Then, the rear end of the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35b moves backward to the switchback entry path 35c. In this state, subsequent sheets are fed from the sheet entry path 35a onto the accumulation guide 35b, and the subsequent sheets are stacked on the preceding sheet. Then, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved from the Sh3 position to the Sh1 position in accordance with the carry-in of the succeeding sheet (the state shown in FIG. 13A).

  Next, the control CPU 61 operates the sheet side edge aligning means 39 in the state shown in FIG. 13A to align the loaded sheet and the sheet supported on the stacking guide. By repeating such an operation, the sheets formed with the image by the image forming apparatus A are aligned on the stacking guide 35b through the sheet entrance path 35a.

  Next, when receiving a job end signal, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the position Sh2, and sets the center of the sheet to the binding position X. FIG. 14C shows this state, and the control CPU 61 sends a command signal for executing a stapling operation to the saddle stitching stapler 40 after moving the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to Sh2. Then, the stapling device 40 staples one or more places in the center of the sheet.

  In response to the staple operation completion signal, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the position Sh1 and positions the sheet center at the folding position Y (state shown in FIG. 14D). Therefore, the sheet bundle is folded in the sequence shown in FIGS. 9A to 10G and the sheet bundle is carried out to the second paper discharge tray 22.

  In the present invention, the saddle stitching stapling device 40 is disposed at the binding position X on the stacking guide 35b. However, the sheet processing path is disposed in the order of the stacking guide, the binding position, and the folding position. The stacking guide unit, then the stapling device, and the sheet folding unit may be arranged downstream thereof. Further, it is possible to fold the sheet bundle and carry it out to the second paper discharge tray 22 without performing the binding process by the saddle stitching stapling device 40.

1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention. 1 is an overall explanatory view of a post-processing apparatus provided with a sheet folding apparatus according to the present invention. Detailed explanatory drawing which shows a part of post-processing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed explanatory diagram of a sheet folding apparatus incorporated in the post-processing apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an image forming order in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the folding roll unit of FIG. 4, in which FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional structure, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism of a folding roll means, (a) is the aspect in the case of rotating the 1st, 2nd folding roll intermittently, (b) is different in the speed difference of the 1st, 2nd folding roll. (C) is a structural explanatory view of a one-way clutch. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism of a folding blade. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a sheet bundle folding operation in the apparatus of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 3A is a state diagram in which the sheet bundle is positioned and set at a folding position, FIG. 2B is an initial state diagram of the sheet bundle folding operation; FIG. 4 is a state diagram in which the sheet bundle is inserted into the nip position of the folding roll unit, FIG. 3D is a state diagram in which the sheet bundle is folded by the folding roll unit, and FIG. 3E is an initial state diagram in which the sheet bundle is unloaded from the folding roll. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation state in which the sheet bundle is carried out from the folding roll toward the carry-out guide in the apparatus of FIG. It is a state figure which carries out a rear-end part. Explanatory drawing of the control structure in the system of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet leading edge regulating unit in the apparatus of FIG. 4. FIGS. 5A and 5B are operation state explanatory diagrams of the sheet leading edge regulating unit in the apparatus of FIG. 4, in which FIG. 5A is a state in which the first sheet enters the stacking guide, and FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are operation state explanatory views of the sheet leading edge regulating means in the apparatus of FIG. 4, in which FIG. 5C is a state diagram for positioning the sheet bundle accumulated in the accumulation guide at a binding position, and FIG. The state figure which positions a bundle in a folding position.

Explanation of symbols

A Image forming apparatus B Post-processing apparatus P1 Sheet carry-in path SP1 First switchback conveyance path SP2 Second switchback conveyance path (sheet processing path)
MS shift means 21 first discharge tray 22 second discharge tray 22L holding member 23 carry-in port 24 carry-in roller 25 discharge roller 29 first stacking unit (stacking tray)
30 Forward / Reverse Roller 33 End Face Binding Stapling Device 35a Sheet Entrance Path 35b Accumulation Guide (Accumulation Guide Means)
35c Switchback entry path 36 Conveying roller 37 Conveying roller 38 Sheet leading edge regulating means 40 Saddle stitching stapling device 45 Folding roll means 45a First folding roll 45ax Rotating shaft 45b Second folding roll 45bx Rotating shaft 45c Clutch means 45d Electromagnetic clutch 46 Folding blade 47V Transmission means (transmission belt)
48 Unloading guides 48a, 48b Curved guide plate 49V Transmission means (transmission belt)
64d Drive control means RM Roll drive means M6 Roll drive motor

Claims (10)

Sheet bundle support means for holding the sheet bundle in a predetermined folding position;
A folding roll means disposed at the folding position and having first and second folding rolls pressed against each other;
A folding blade means for inserting the sheet bundle held by the sheet bundle supporting means toward the nip position of the folding roll means;
Stacking means for storing the sheet bundle from the folding roll means;
Unloading guide means for guiding the sheet bundle from the folding roll means to the stack means;
Roll driving means for rotationally driving the first and second folding rolls;
Blade driving means for moving the folding blade means from the standby position toward the nip position of the folding roll; and
A drive control means for controlling the roll drive means and the blade drive means,
The stack means is disposed above or below the sheet bundle transfer direction of the folding blade means,
The carry-out guide means constitutes a path curved upward or downward so as to guide the sheet bundle from the folding roll means to the stack means,
The drive control means includes
When the sheet bundle folded by the folding roll unit is carried out to the carry-out guide unit, the sheet feeding amount of the first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll unit is made different. Sheet folding device. The roll driving means is configured to transmit the drive to the first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll means in a releasable manner,
The drive control means includes
(1) When the sheet bundle is inserted between the roll nips by the folding blade means, the first and second folding rolls are driven and controlled so as to follow the sheet and rotate,
(2) Driving and controlling the first and second folding rolls to drive and rotate the sheet bundle toward the stack means while the folding plate is stationary at the nip position;
Along with this, the sheet feeding amount of the first and second folding rolls is made different when the sheet bundle is carried out by the first and second folding rolls. Sheet folding device. The drive control means includes
When making the sheet feeding amounts of the first and second folding rolls different, the circumferential speed of the folding roll positioned inside with respect to the curving direction of the carry-out guide means is lower than the circumferential speed of the folding roll positioned outside. The sheet folding device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet folding device is driven to rotate. The first and second folding rolls constituting the folding roll means are pressed against each other at a predetermined pressure, and the friction coefficient between each folding roll and the sheet is set to be larger than the friction coefficient between the sheets,
The sheet folding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a friction coefficient between the folding blade means and the sheet is configured to be smaller than a friction coefficient between the sheets. The roll driving means includes a drive motor and a one-way rotation clutch that transmits the rotation of the drive motor to the first and second folding rolls.
5. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit stops the drive motor when the folding blade is moved from a standby position to a nip position. 6. The roll driving means includes a roll driving motor and transmission means for transmitting the rotation of the roll driving motor to the first and second folding rolls.
The transmission means has a one-way rotation clutch, and the roll drive motor makes the peripheral speed of the first and second folding rolls lower than the speed at which the folding blade means inserts the sheet bundle at the nip position. Configured,
The drive control means includes
When inserting the sheet bundle into the nip position by the folding blade means, the first and second folding rolls are driven and rotated by the sheet bundle by the one-way rotation clutch,
5. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding blade means is configured to carry out the sheet bundle toward the carry-out guide means by the first and second folding rolls in a state where the folding blade means is stationary at the nip position. The sheet folding apparatus according to any one of the items. A post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing by aligning sheets carried out from an image forming apparatus,
A sheet carry-in path for transferring the sheet from the image forming apparatus to a predetermined folding position;
Sheet stacking means for aligning the sheets arranged in a bundle in the sheet carry-in path and sequentially fed;
A sheet folding device disposed at the folding position;
With
A post-processing apparatus, wherein the sheet folding apparatus includes the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a stapler for binding the sheet bundle reaching the folding position is disposed between the sheet stacking unit or the sheet stacking unit and the folding position. First sheet stacking means and second sheet stacking means are arranged in the sheet carry-in path,
The first sheet stacking unit is connected to an end surface binding staple unit that binds the edge of the sheet bundle and a sheet discharge tray that stores the sheet bundle after the binding process.
The second sheet stacking means is connected to a saddle stitching staple means for binding the center of the sheet bundle reaching the folding position and a sheet bundle conveying path for guiding the sheet bundle after the binding process to the folding position. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 8. An image forming apparatus for sequentially forming images on sheets;
A post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling, stamping, and punching on the sheet from the image forming apparatus,
An image forming system comprising the post-processing apparatus having the configuration according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

Images