JP2008265973A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a linear speed, printing efficiency and durability. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming system has an image forming device 2 ejecting transfer paper by transferring an image to paper based on a job command of a plurality of copies, and a postprocessing device 4 capable of performing staple processing with every copy number on the transfer paper ejected from the image forming device 2. The postprocessing device 4 has a trouble occurrence determining means for determining whether or not predetermined trouble is caused in a state of the setting for performing the staple processing, a postprocessing setting releasing means for releasing the setting of the staple processing when the trouble occurrence determining means determines that the predetermined trouble is caused, and an ejecting destination changing means for changing an ejecting destination of the transfer paper on and after the next copy number to a predetermined ejecting destination on the image forming device side when the postprocessing setting releasing means releases the setting of the staple processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system in which an image is formed by a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine that combines these, and a sheet on which the image is transferred is stapled and discharged.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that transfers an image onto a sheet and discharges the transfer sheet, and a post-processing apparatus that can execute a staple process on the transfer sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is known. .

As this type of prior art, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus capable of handling a stapling mechanism by moving the stapling mechanism to an appropriate position even if the paper size is different. According to this image forming apparatus, when the designated staple position is outside the movement range of the staple mechanism, the staple instruction itself is automatically deleted from the print command data. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the printing stop and the inoperability due to an unreasonable stapling instruction, and to forcibly advance the printing process (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3766164

  However, in the above-described prior art, for example, in a state where stapling processing is performed by the post-processing apparatus after image forming processing on a plurality of copies of transfer paper, for example, the number of transfer paper per copy can be stapled. When a predetermined failure occurs, such as when it is determined that the limit number has been exceeded, all the transfer sheets of the plurality of copies pass through the post-processing device without being stapled, and the post-processing device The paper is discharged to the paper output tray. For this reason, there has been a problem that the conveyance path becomes long, the occurrence rate of jam increases, the linear speed and printing efficiency decrease, the wear of conveyance parts and the like are accelerated, and the durability is difficult to improve.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system capable of improving linear speed, printing efficiency, and durability.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that transfers an image onto a sheet based on a job command for a plurality of copies and discharges the transfer sheet, and a transfer sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus for each copy. An image forming system including a post-processing device capable of performing stapling processing; a failure occurrence determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined failure has occurred in a state where the post-processing device is set to perform stapling processing; A post-processing setting canceling unit that cancels the stapling setting when the fault occurrence determining unit determines that a predetermined fault has occurred, and the next processing when the post-processing setting canceling unit cancels the stapling setting. Discharge destination changing means for changing the discharge destination of the transfer paper after the number of copies to a predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus side.

  When the post-processing setting canceling unit cancels the stapling setting, whether or not the discharge destination changing unit changes the discharge destination of the transfer sheets after the next number of copies to a predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus side. There may be further provided selection instruction means for allowing the user to select the above.

  The predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus side may be the shortest discharge destination.

  The failure occurrence determination means determines whether or not the number of sheets per copy measured at the time of image formation by the image forming apparatus exceeds a limit number of sheets that can be stapled, and the post-processing setting release means When the failure occurrence determination unit determines that the measured number of sheets per copy exceeds a limit number of sheets that can be stapled, the staple processing setting is canceled, and the discharge destination changing unit When the processing setting canceling unit cancels the staple processing setting, the transfer paper discharge destination for the next and subsequent copies may be changed to the paper discharge tray of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when a predetermined failure occurs, the discharge destination of the transfer paper after the next number of copies is changed to the shortest discharge destination, so that the conveyance path can be shortened, and the jam occurrence rate is reduced. In addition, the linear speed and printing efficiency can be improved, and the durability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a post-processing apparatus 4, and operates in a state where the post-processing apparatus 4 is connected adjacent to the image forming apparatus 2 in the paper discharge direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 4 are equipped with an image forming control unit 120 and a post-processing control unit 250, respectively. These control units 120 and 250 are composed of, for example, an electronic circuit provided with a central processing unit (CPU), and these electronic circuits are formed on a circuit board in the image forming apparatus 2 or the post-processing apparatus 4. Built into each. The control units 120 and 250 are connected to storage units 130 and 280, respectively. The storage units 130 and 280 include a storage device (ROM, RAM), a large-capacity storage device (hard disk), and the like. Yes.

  In the image forming apparatus 2, data set by operating the operation / display unit 110 is stored in the storage unit 130 via the image formation control unit 120. This setting includes settings of the image forming apparatus 2 such as paper size, type and feeding direction, document density, and 4in1 aggregation processing, as well as post-processing apparatus settings such as necessity of stapling processing. Image processing and post-processing are performed according to the setting. The storage unit 130 coupled to the image formation control unit 120 stores a multi-function application program that performs multi-thread processing.

  For example, in image processing involving copying of a document, a document is placed on the tray 140 of the auto sheet feeder 400, and when a user presses a start button (not shown) of the operation / display unit 110, the operation is performed. The following processing is performed. First, while the paper sensor 143 built in the auto sheet feeder 400 detects a document sheet and measures the number of sheets, the auto sheet feeder 400 feeds the document one by one and discharges it. The original image is scanned by 144. The image data read at this time is stored in the storage unit 130 via the image formation control unit 120 in units of one job.

  The image formation control unit 120 performs preprocessing such as image noise removal on the image data, performs image processing according to various settings, and supplies the data to the print engine 150 for each page. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum of the print engine 150, and this is developed with toner.

  On the other hand, inside the image forming apparatus 2, the sheet taken out from the sheet feeding unit 160 is sent to the registration roller 170 and is temporarily stopped here. When the photosensitive drum of the print engine 150 reaches a predetermined rotation angle, the sheet is conveyed again by the registration roller 170 at this timing, and thereby the toner image is transferred to the sheet. The sheet is heated and pressurized through the fixing device 180, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet.

  The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred becomes a transfer sheet, and this transfer sheet is transferred by the switching member 190 between the upper and lower discharge roller pairs 191 to the post-processing device 4 and the post-processing transport path. The path is switched to the branch conveyance path 194 branched from the path 192 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 196 which is the shortest discharge destination on the image forming apparatus 2 side.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view in front sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the post-processing device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 4 punches a filing hole on the transfer paper P (punching process), and binds the temporarily stocked paper bundle P1 with staples (binding needles). (Staple processing). The transfer paper P that has been subjected to such punching and binding is discharged from the post-processing device 4 as post-processed paper.

  The post-processing device 4 includes a housing (device main body) 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the housing 11, a paper carry-in port 111 is formed at a portion facing the discharge roller pair 191 of the image forming apparatus 2. A discharge device 20 that receives the transfer paper P discharged from the post-processing device 4 is provided on the side surface of the housing 11 opposite to the paper carry-in port 111.

The discharge device 20 has two trays arranged in two upper and lower stages. In the present embodiment, the lower tray is the main tray 30, and the upper tray is the sub-tray 40. Among them, the sheet bundle P1 after the stapling process is discharged to the main tray 30. Staple processing is performed in a state where the discharge mode of the post-processing device 4 is set to the staple mode. When the stapling mode is set, the post-processing device 4 temporarily stores the sheet bundle P1 in the central portion of the housing 11, and performs an operation of discharging the main stack 30 after performing stapling processing. It has become. On the other sub-tray 40, the transfer paper P that is discharged one by one without being subjected to stapling is discharged. Between the main tray 30 and the sub-tray 40, an alignment member 50 for aligning the sheet bundle P1 on the main tray 30 is installed. The trays 30 and 40 are inclined so as to rise toward the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. In addition to the staple mode described above, the discharge mode set by the post-processing device 4 includes a non-staple mode, a sorting mode, and a non-sorting mode in which no staple processing is performed.
The transfer paper P discharged from the discharge roller pair 191 of the image forming apparatus 2 is introduced into the post-processing device 4, where punching processing and stapling processing are performed, and then the main tray 30 or sub-tray 40 to be discharged. Will be discharged. The transfer paper P includes tracing paper, OHP sheets and other sheet-like recording media in addition to plain paper.

  A pair of upper and lower guide plates 112 are provided at the paper carry-in port 111, and these guide plates 112 are arranged in a tapered shape (tapered shape) from upstream to downstream as viewed in the discharge direction of the transfer paper P. In order to perform the punching process described above, the punching machine 12 is disposed at a position adjacent to the paper carry-in entrance 111. The transfer paper P discharged from the discharge roller pair 191 is conveyed to the punching machine 12 while being guided by these guide plates 112.

  The punching machine 12 includes, for example, two punching rods 121 for punching. The punch rods 121 are arranged at a constant interval (for example, an interval defined for binding two holes) in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the transfer paper P. When the transfer paper P is conveyed, the punching machine 12 temporarily stops the leading end position of the transfer paper P with a stopper (not shown), and lowers the punch rod 121 in a state where the transfer paper P is positioned there. A punching hole is drilled at a predetermined position. As the punch rod 121 descends, the punch rod 121 passes through the transfer paper P, and is inserted into a predetermined punch receiving hole provided on the lower pedestal. A punch scrap receiver 122 is disposed below the punching machine 12, and punch scrap generated by punching (a portion removed by punching) is accommodated in the punch scrap receiver 122. After the punching process is performed on the transfer paper P in this way, when the stopper of the punching machine 12 is retracted, the transfer paper P is then sent to the curl removal device 13 by driving the discharge roller pair 191.

  The curl removing device 13 is for removing the curl (curved bend) generated on the transfer paper P in the fixing process by heating of the image forming apparatus 2. The decurling device 13 includes two sets of decurling roller pairs 131 and 132. The two sets of decurling roller pairs 131 and 132 restore the transfer paper P to a flat state by correcting curls in opposite directions. The curl direction differs depending on the image formation state on the transfer paper P (whether the image is copied on one side or both sides of the transfer paper P), but the image forming apparatus 2 has a double-sided printing mechanism. In some cases, correction in both directions is particularly effective.

  A large and small transport roller pair 14 is disposed in the housing 11 at a downstream position of the curl removal device 13 when viewed in the paper discharge direction. Further, a first paper transport path 113 extending obliquely upward toward the sub-tray 40 and a second paper transport path 114 extending diagonally downward on the contrary are formed downstream of the transport roller pair 14. The first paper transport path 113 and the second paper transport path 114 are branched up and down at the position of the transport roller pair 14. Branching claws 141 are arranged at these branching points, and the transfer destination of the transfer paper P is switched to the first or second paper transporting path 113, 114 by the branching claw 141. That is, when the branching claw 141 closes the second paper transport path 114, the first paper transport path 113 is opened. In this state, the transfer paper P sent out from the conveyance roller pair 14 is guided to the branch claw 141 and the first paper conveyance path 113 and conveyed to the nip portion of the sub-tray discharge roller pair 142, and the sub-tray discharge roller pair 142. It is discharged toward the sub-tray 40 by driving. On the other hand, when the branching claw 141 closes the first paper transport path 113, the second paper transport path 114 is now opened, and the transfer paper P sent out from the transport roller pair 14 is transferred to the branch claw 141 and the second paper. It is guided to the conveyance path 114 and carried into the intermediate tray 15.

  In the second paper conveyance path 114, four paper carry-in mechanisms 151 are sequentially arranged in series. By these paper carry-in mechanisms 151, the transfer paper P is guided onto the paper tray 152 of the intermediate tray 15 through different paths depending on the size. The capacity of the paper receiving tray 152 is set so that a plurality of (for example, about 20 plain paper) transfer sheets P can be held. The transfer paper P that has been fed onto the paper tray 152 is fed further downward by the pressing roller 153, and rests while being positioned on the receiving member 154. Next, the transfer paper P transported through the second paper transport path 114 is positioned by the receiving member 154 so that the transfer surface (in the case of single-sided printing) is superimposed on the back surface of the previous transfer paper P. In this way, when the sheet bundle P1 is formed in a state where the plurality of transfer sheets P are aligned on the sheet receiving base 152, the stapler 16 performs the stapling process on the sheet bundle P1.

  A driving pulley 154 a is installed in the vicinity of the upper end of the second paper transport path 114, that is, at the uppermost position of the paper tray 152. On the other hand, a driven pulley 154 b is installed at the lowermost position of the paper receiving tray 152 near the lower end of the second paper transport path 114. An endless belt 155 is wound around the pulleys 154a and 154b, and the receiving member 154 is fixed to the endless belt 155. Accordingly, when the driving pulley 154a is rotated after stapling the sheet bundle P1, the sheet bundle P1 supported by the receiving member 154 is lifted upward and conveyed to the nip portion of the main tray discharge roller pair 156. The sheet bundle P1 is discharged onto the main tray 30 by driving the main tray discharge roller pair 156.

The main tray 30 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction along the side surface of the post-processing device 4. In the post-processing device 4, the upper surface position of the main tray 30 is detected by the sensor 17, and the upper surface position of the main tray 30 is always controlled to be an optimal height position for stacking the sheet bundle P1. . As a result, even when a large amount of transfer paper P is discharged onto the main tray 30, the newly discharged paper bundle P1 is obstructed by the paper bundle P1 stacked on the discharged main tray 30. It is discharged without.

  Between the main tray 30 and the sub-tray 40, an alignment member 50 for aligning the leading ends of the sheet bundle P1 discharged to the main tray 30 is provided. The sheet bundle P1 sequentially discharged onto the main tray 30 through the main tray discharge roller pair 156 by driving the endless belt 155 from the sheet receiving base 152 is subjected to alignment processing by the operation of the alignment member 50. The inconvenience that a plurality of stacked paper bundles P1 are not aligned is eliminated.

  As described above, the post-processing device 4 has a post-processing function for performing stapling on the transfer paper P after image transfer. In the image forming system, whether the stapling process is executed in the post-processing device 4 can be set for each job by the user operating the operation / display unit 110 of the image forming device 2, for example.

  That is, when the user requests to bind the transfer paper P in a bundle in a job to be executed from now on, the user performs a predetermined operation (for example, button operation, touch operation, etc.) through the operation / display unit 110, and later Staple setting for executing staple processing can be performed in the processing device 4. Furthermore, the user can also make settings for executing both the punching process and the stapling process in a job to be executed.

  The settings (setting values) set by the user for each job are received by the image formation control unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 2 and temporarily stored in the storage unit 130. The image formation control unit 120 controls the operation of the switching member 190 and the like in addition to transmitting an operation instruction signal to the post-processing control unit 250 based on the setting for each job. This operation instruction signal includes information such as a paper type and a paper size for each job, the number of printed sheets, a printing form (single-sided or double-sided), and instruction content related to the staple processing described above. The single-sided or double-sided printing mode is a setting that is effective when the image forming apparatus 2 includes a double-sided printing mechanism.

  The post-processing control unit 250 controls the operations of the punching machine 12 and the stapler 16 according to the received instruction signal, and also performs the operations of the branching claw 141, the paper carry-in mechanism 151, the drive pulley 154a, the vertical operation of the main tray 30, and the like. Control. As a result, when the user performs an operation for individually setting the content of the post-processing for each job, the post-processing device 4 performs various necessary operations according to the setting.

  The basic configuration and operation of the image forming system have been described above. In addition, the present embodiment has the following characteristics regarding various obstacles that occur in performing post-processing.

  First, an example of a failure that occurs during post-processing will be described.

  When the staple processing is set for the job to be executed by the user, the transfer paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is sequentially transported to the second paper in order to perform the staple processing by the stapler 16 in the post-processing device 4 in principle. It is sent to the road 114. However, since the stapler 16 has a limited number of sheets (for example, about 20 sheets) as described above, with respect to a job for which stapling processing has been set exceeding the limited number, all the pages are stapled by the post-processing device 4. Cannot be performed, and a failure occurs in post-processing.

Alternatively, when the user sets the staple process and the stapler 16 is not stocked (or used up), the staple process cannot be executed for the job, and post-processing is performed. Is an obstacle.

  Furthermore, the size and type of paper used in a job may not be suitable for stapling. For example, when stapling is set despite the use of relatively thick paper, envelopes, postcards, etc., the post-processing itself becomes nonconforming (prohibited), which again becomes an obstacle in post-processing.

  In the present embodiment, optimal operation control of the image forming system is performed in anticipation of failures that may occur in post-processing. Hereinafter, the system operation control performed in the present embodiment will be described with an example. In addition, the following description will clarify an example of an image forming method that is performed along with the operation of the image forming system.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of system operation control executed by the image formation control unit 120. When the image forming process (drawing) is completed, the image forming control unit 120 executes the system operation control shown in FIG. A specific procedure will be described below.

  (Step S <b> 101) The image formation control unit 120 reads out the printing conditions set in the current job from the storage unit 130. The printing conditions are determined based on the content set by the user for each job through the operation / display unit 110 as described above, and stored in the storage unit 130.

  (Step S <b> 102) The image formation control unit 120 determines whether or not the read print condition includes a setting related to staple processing. As a result, if there is no setting relating to stapling (No), the image forming control unit 120 continues the printing processing as it is (step S107 in the figure), and here, the system operation control is terminated. On the other hand, if the setting related to the staple processing is included (Yes), the image forming control unit 120 proceeds to the next step S103.

  (Step S <b> 103) The image formation control unit 120 determines whether any of the various faults (NG) on the staple processing described above has occurred in the current job. For example, in this case, it is determined whether or not the number of sheets per copy measured by the sheet sensor 143 at the time of image formation by the image forming apparatus for the current job has exceeded the limit number of sheets that can be stapled. As a result, when it is determined that no failure has occurred (No), the image forming control unit 120 continues the printing process as it is (step S107 in the figure), and the system operation control is terminated for the time being. On the other hand, if it is determined that a failure has occurred (Yes), the image formation control unit 120 proceeds to the next step S104.

  (Step S104) The image formation control unit 120 cancels the staple processing setting.

  (Step S <b> 105) The image formation control unit 120 operates a message as to whether or not the second and subsequent transfer paper discharge destinations may be changed to the paper discharge tray 196 on the image forming apparatus 2 side that is the shortest discharge destination. -Display on the display unit 110. On the other hand, when the user selects to reject the change of the discharge destination of the transfer paper P (No), the printing process is continued as it is (step S107 in the figure), and the transfer paper P is transported in the post-process. In the path 192, the paper passes through the pair of discharge rollers 191 and is delivered to the post-processing device 4, and is discharged to the sub-tray 40 one by one without being subjected to stapling, and the system operation control is terminated for the time being. On the other hand, if the user has selected to permit the change of the transfer paper discharge destination (Yes), the image forming control unit 120 proceeds to the next step S106.

  (Step S <b> 106) The image forming control unit 120 switches the second and subsequent transfer sheets that have passed through the fixing unit 180 to be discharged to the discharge tray 196 on the image forming apparatus 2 side through the branch conveyance path 194. 190 is switched. As a result, the paper transport path is shortened, the jam generation rate is reduced, the linear speed and the printing efficiency are improved, and the durability of the transport parts and the like can be increased.

  In this case, when the setting for stapling is canceled in step S104, the image formation control unit 120 selects whether to change the second and subsequent transfer paper discharge destinations as in step S105. Instead, the switching member 190 may be controlled so that the transfer paper discharge destination is immediately changed to the paper discharge tray 196 on the image forming apparatus 2 side which is the shortest discharge destination.

  In this case, as described above, it is preferable to discharge the transfer paper to the paper discharge tray 196 which is the shortest discharge destination. However, when the image forming apparatus 2 is provided with another paper discharge tray, The transfer paper may be discharged to a paper discharge tray.

  Further, the various faults in the staple processing described in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and when another fault is assumed depending on the configuration of the image forming system, the system operation control is executed according to the fault. can do.

1 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of front sectional view for demonstrating the internal structure of the post-processing apparatus of the image forming system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of system operation control executed by an image formation control unit in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Image forming device 4 Post-processing device 16 Stapler 120 Image forming control unit 196 Paper discharge tray

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that transfers an image onto a sheet based on a job command of a plurality of copies and discharges the transfer sheet; and a post-processing apparatus that can execute a staple process for each copy on the transfer sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system,
Failure occurrence determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined failure has occurred in a state where the post-processing device is set to perform stapling;
Post-processing setting release means for releasing the setting of staple processing when the failure occurrence determination means determines that a predetermined failure has occurred;
A discharge destination changing means for changing the discharge destination of the transfer paper after the next number of copies to a predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus when the post-processing setting releasing means cancels the staple processing setting;
An image forming system comprising:   When the post-processing setting canceling unit cancels the staple processing setting, the discharge destination changing unit determines whether or not to change the discharge destination of the transfer paper after the next number of copies to a predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus side. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising selection instruction means for allowing a user to select.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined discharge destination on the image forming apparatus side is a shortest discharge destination.   The failure occurrence determination means determines whether or not the number of sheets per copy measured at the time of image formation by the image forming apparatus exceeds a limit number of sheets that can be stapled, and the post-processing setting release means When the failure occurrence determination unit determines that the measured number of sheets per copy exceeds the limit number that can be stapled, the stapling processing setting is canceled, and the discharge destination changing unit is configured to perform the post-processing setting. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the canceling unit cancels the staple processing setting, the discharge destination of the transfer paper after the next number of copies is changed to a discharge tray of the image forming apparatus. Forming system.

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