JP2009051643A - Post-processing device and image forming system with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a post-processing device compact by moving a plurality of processing units to the predetermined processing positions by a single driving motor. <P>SOLUTION: The post-processing device comprises first and second tray mans, first and second processing units which are arranged on the first and second tray means, respectively, to perform the post-processing of stacked sheets, and first and second guide means for supporting the first and second processing units in a positionally movable manner along end faces of the stacked sheets on the first and second tray means, and further comprises a first unit driving means for moving the first processing unit to the predetermined post-processing position along the first guide means, and a second unit driving means for moving the second processing unit to the predetermined post-processing position along the second guide means. The first and second unit driving means are constituted of a single driving motor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, and stamping on sheets stacked on a tray, and an image forming system including the post-processing apparatus, and a processing unit at a predetermined position in the width direction of a sheet bundle. The present invention relates to an improvement of a moving mechanism.

  In general, this type of post-processing apparatus is widely known as an apparatus that performs stapling, punching, stamping, and the like on sheets stacked on a tray. An apparatus configuration is known in which sheets transported from an image forming apparatus or the like are stacked on a tray, and a processing unit is arranged on the processing tray so as to staple, punch, and seal the stacked sheet bundle.

  A stapling apparatus that staples a sheet bundle as a processing unit according to the present invention will be described. Such a stapling apparatus needs to be configured to be movable in the sheet width direction. For example, when stapling (post-processing) at a plurality of places such as two places in the sheet width direction, it is necessary to arrange the driver and the clincher on a guide rail or the like so as to be movable in the sheet width direction. In addition, depending on the configuration of the apparatus, when a sheet is loaded and set, it is necessary to move the sheet to a standby position that is retracted from the path and to move to a binding position that is set after setting.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a first tray is disposed vertically along a sheet carry-in route, and a second tray is disposed below the sheet, and a sheet is stored in the first tray from the sheet carry-in route, and the switchback route is passed from this route. A post-processing apparatus that stores sheets in a second tray is disclosed. The second tray is provided with a saddle stitch stapler for binding the central portion of the stacked sheets.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, an end binding stapler that binds the edge of a sheet is disposed in a first tray positioned above in a similar sheet conveyance path, and a central portion of the sheet is positioned in a second tray positioned below. A saddle-stitching stapler is arranged to perform the binding process. In the first tray, the edge (rear edge) of the stacked sheet bundle is bound and discharged to the downstream stacker, and in the second tray, the center portion of the stacked sheet is subjected to saddle stitching, and the sheet bundle is folded. In addition, an apparatus configuration for discharging to a downstream stacker is disclosed.

When stapling two (or three) positions in the sheet width direction when the sheets are bound in such a post-processing apparatus, the above-described end-stitched stapler or saddle-stitched stapler is disposed at a plurality of positions, or It is necessary to arrange the unit so as to be movable in the sheet width direction. None of the above-mentioned patent documents discloses a configuration of a stapler that performs binding processing at a plurality of locations in the sheet width direction.
JP 2007-045620 A (FIG. 2) JP 2002-214973 A (FIG. 1)

  In the apparatus configuration in which the first and second processing units (such as the stapler apparatus) are arranged in the post-processing apparatus as described above, when the post-processing is performed at two or more locations in the sheet width direction, the processing unit is arranged in the sheet width direction. Need to move to. Further, when post-processing is performed on one position of a sheet with the same apparatus configuration, it is necessary to move the processing unit from the standby position to the processing position after setting the sheet.

  In such a case, conventionally, the first and second processing units are each constituted by individual drive means (drive motor or the like) and control means for controlling them. Therefore, since a plurality of drive motors and a position sensor for drive control are required to move the first and second processing units, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large. At the same time, the control means for controlling the individual motors has a problem that complicated control is required, for example, when a motor load at the time of unit movement is detected to determine malfunction.

  Therefore, the present inventor, based on the knowledge that the drive device is composed of a single motor when moving a plurality of processing units arranged in the apparatus to a predetermined processing position, the movement of each processing unit in this case When the stroke is different, the idea is to change the reduction ratio of the transmission mechanism or to provide a sliding transmission mechanism.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus capable of configuring the apparatus in a compact and compact manner by moving a plurality of processing units to a predetermined processing position with a single drive motor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a drive mechanism for moving a plurality of processing units to different post-processing positions with different movement strokes at a low cost with a simple structure.

  The present invention adopts the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. First and second tray units for stacking sheets, first and second processing units disposed on each of the first and second tray units for post-processing the stacked sheets, and the first and second units First and second guide means for movably supporting the processing unit along the edge of the stacked sheets on the first and second tray means, and along the first guide means. First unit driving means for moving the first processing unit to a predetermined post-processing position, and a second unit for moving the second processing unit to a predetermined post-processing position along the second guide means Drive means. Therefore, the first unit driving means and the second unit driving means are constituted by a single drive motor.

  A sheet carry-in path for feeding sheets to the first tray means and the second tray means is provided, and the sheet carry-in path is a switchback path that reverses the sheet conveyance direction, and the sheet is routed to the first tray means and the second tray means. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are arranged at positions adjacent to each other in the switchback path.

  The second tray means is disposed below the first tray means, the first processing unit is constituted by an edge binding stapling device that binds sheet edges on the tray, and the second processing unit is provided on the tray. It is constituted by a saddle stitching stapling device that binds the center of the sheet. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are supported by the first and second guide means so as to be capable of moving in position so as to staple two or more positions in the edge direction of the sheet on the tray.

  The first and second unit driving means are constituted by a single driving motor, the first unit driving means is connected to the driving motor by first transmission means having a speed reduction mechanism, and the second unit driving means is The drive motor is connected by second transmission means having a speed reduction mechanism. The reduction ratios of the reduction mechanisms of the first and second transmission means are set so that the movement strokes of the first and second processing units that move in position are different.

  The first processing unit includes an edge-binding staple device that binds the sheet edge on the tray, and the second processing unit includes a saddle-stitching device that binds the center of the sheet on the tray. The movement stroke of the processing unit is set to a distance shorter than the movement stroke of the first processing unit.

  The first and second unit driving means are constituted by a single driving motor, the first unit driving means is connected to the driving motor by first transmission means, and the second unit driving means is connected to the driving motor. They are connected by the second transmission means. At least one of the first and second transmission means is provided with a slip transmission mechanism, and the movement strokes of the first and second processing units moved by the first and second transmission means vary depending on the slip transmission mechanism. Set to

  In the guide means, a position sensor for detecting the positions of the first and second processing units is arranged only in one of the first guide means and the second guide means.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms an image on a sheet, and a post-processing apparatus that is connected to a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing on a sheet that is carried out, The post-processing apparatus has the above-described configuration.

  According to the present invention, when post-processing is performed on sheets stacked on the first, second, and plurality of tray means, the unit driving means for moving the processing unit of each tray means to the processing position is a single drive motor. Since configured, the following effects are achieved.

  Since the first and second processing units arranged on the first and second tray means are moved to the processing position by a single drive motor, the apparatus configuration for post-processing at a plurality of locations in the sheet width direction, or the standby position In the apparatus configuration for moving the processing unit from the processing position to the processing position, the drive mechanism is very simple, and the apparatus can be configured in a compact and compact manner.

  In particular, in an apparatus configuration in which the first tray is disposed at the top and the second tray is disposed at the bottom, a drive mechanism is provided in which the first and second processing units are disposed adjacent to each other in the vertical direction and the processing units are moved in the sheet width direction. It is very easy to configure.

  Further, in the present invention, the first processing unit is constituted by an edge-binding staple device, the second processing unit is constituted by a saddle-stitching staple device, and each of them is moved individually in a plurality of processing positions by moving in the sheet width direction. Compared to the apparatus configuration in which the processing unit is arranged, the apparatus can be simplified.

  Further, when the first and second processing units are connected to a single drive motor, the transmission stroke of the first processing unit and the second processing unit are provided by providing a reduction mechanism with a different reduction ratio in each transmission means. The movement stroke can be made different. Therefore, when the processing unit is constituted by the edge binding stapler and the saddle stitch stapler, the movement stroke of the saddle stitch stapler can be set small. The downsizing of the configuration by reducing the movement stroke of the saddle stitching staple device becomes remarkable.

  Further, when the first and second processing units are connected to a single drive motor, a slip transmission mechanism is provided on one of the first and second transmission means to reduce the size of the saddle stitching stapler as described above. Can bring about

The present invention will be described in detail below based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A and a post-processing apparatus B according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed configuration of the post-processing apparatus B. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the tray lifting mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a layout configuration diagram of the first processing unit (edge binding stapler) and the second processing unit (saddle stapler).

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a post-processing apparatus B. The first and second stack trays are formed by stapling sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A using the post-processing apparatus B. It is comprised so that it may accommodate in 21 and 22. The image forming apparatus A sends a sheet from the paper 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 specified 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) 50 shown in FIG. 9, and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, print number designation, single-sided / double-sided printing from the control panel 18. Printout conditions such as designation and enlargement / reduction printing 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 selected.

[Configuration of post-processing equipment]
As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing apparatus B 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 first stack tray 21 (described above). (2) Whether the sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and stapled, and then stored in the first stack tray 21 (the above-mentioned “staple binding mode”) (3) Sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned in a bundle and stapled at the center, and then folded into a booklet and stored in the second stack tray 22 (the aforementioned “sheet bundle folding mode”). ) Is configured to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing apparatus B includes a casing (exterior cover) 20 including the first stack tray 21 and the second stack tray 22. The first stack tray 21 is configured to move up and down according to the sheet stacking amount. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, guide rollers 21r are provided at two upper and lower portions on the base end portion of the first stack tray 21, and these guide rollers 21r are attached to an elevating guide 91 provided on an apparatus frame (not shown). The mating is supported. The base end portion of the first stack tray 21 is connected to an elevating belt 92, and the elevating belt 92 is supported by a pair of upper and lower pulleys 93a and 93b. A lifting motor Ms is connected to one (driving pulley) 93a of this pulley. Accordingly, by controlling the rotation of the lifting motor Ms, the first stack tray 21 moves up and down according to the amount of sheets stacked.

  The second stack tray 22 is fixed to an apparatus frame (not shown), and is disposed so as to protrude outside the casing 20. In addition, 20c shown in FIG. 3 is the opening / closing cover provided in the exterior cover (casing) 20, and forms the opening part for the maintenance of the 2nd processing unit 40 mentioned later.

  In the casing 20, 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 illustrated sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is configured by a linear path that is substantially horizontal to the casing 20. The sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 includes a first sheet path SP <b> 1 that guides the sheet from the carry-in entrance 23 to the first stack tray 21 and a second sheet path SP <b> 2 that guides the sheet to the second stack tray 22. . As shown in the drawing, the first sheet path SP1 is disposed above the apparatus and the second sheet path SP2 is disposed below the apparatus.

  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. A path switching piece (not shown) for guiding the sheet to the second sheet path SP2 is disposed in the sheet carry-in path P1. 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 sheet path]
The first sheet path SP1 described above 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 processing tray 29 (first tray means; hereinafter the same) is provided below the discharge port 25a with a step. ing. The processing tray 29 is composed of a tray member that stacks and stores sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a. Above the processing tray 29, a forward / reverse roller 30 is disposed so as to be movable up and down between a position (operating position) in contact with the sheet on the tray and a separated standby position. A forward / reverse motor (not shown) is connected to the forward / reverse roller 30 and rotates in the paper discharge direction when a sheet enters the processing tray 29, and is opposite to the paper discharge direction after the rear end of the sheet enters the tray. It is controlled so as to rotate (right direction in FIG. 2).

  With the above configuration, the sheet from the paper discharge outlet 25a enters the processing tray 29 and is transferred toward the first stack tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30, and the rear end of the sheet enters the processing tray 29 from the paper discharge outlet 25a. After that, when the forward / reverse rotation 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 the rear end of the processing tray 29 in the paper discharge direction, a rear end regulating member 32 for regulating the position of the rear end of the sheet and a first processing unit (edge binding stapling apparatus; the same applies hereinafter) 33 are disposed. The illustrated first processing unit 33 is configured by an end binding stapler device that binds the end edges of the sheets stacked on the processing tray 29, and staples one or a plurality of the rear end edges of the sheet bundle. Although not shown, the processing tray 29 is provided with a bundle carry-out mechanism for transferring the bound sheet bundle to the first stack tray 21 on the downstream side. The configuration of the edge-binding staple device 33 will be described later.

  Further, the processing tray 29 is provided with a side aligning plate (not shown) for aligning the width direction of the sheets accumulated on the tray, and this side aligning plate is a pair of left and right aligning so as to align the sheets with the center reference. The plate is configured to approach and separate from the center of the sheet.

  When the first sheet path SP1 configured as described above is in the “staple binding mode”, the sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a are aligned on the processing tray 29, and this sheet bundle is rearranged by the edge binding stapler 33. Stitch one or more edges. In the “print-out mode”, the sheet fed from the sheet discharge outlet 25a is not stacked on the processing tray 29, and the sheet fed along the tray is transferred between the forward / reverse roller 30 and the driven roller 30b. It is carried out to the stack tray 21. In this way, the illustrated apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus is made compact by supporting the sheets to be stapled by the processing tray 29 and the first stack tray 21 in a bridge manner.

[Configuration of the second sheet path]
The configuration of the second sheet path SP2 branched from the first sheet path SP1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the second sheet path SP2 is disposed in a substantially vertical direction on the casing 20, and a transport roller 36 is disposed at the path entrance and a transport roller 37 is disposed at the path exit. An accumulation guide 35 (second tray means; the same applies hereinafter) for aligning the sheets fed from the conveyance path is provided on the downstream side of the second sheet path SP2. The illustrated accumulation guide 35 is constituted by a conveyance guide for conveying a sheet. A second processing unit (saddle stitching apparatus; the same applies hereinafter) 40 and folding roll means 45 are disposed in the accumulation guide 35. Hereinafter, these configurations will be sequentially described.

  First, the accumulation guide 35 is formed by a guide member that guides conveyance of the sheet, and is configured to stack and store the sheet on the guide. The illustrated stacking guide 35 is connected to the second sheet path SP2 and is disposed substantially vertically in the center of the casing 20. As a result, the apparatus is made compact and compact. The accumulation guide 35 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 to the side where the second processing unit 40 and the folding roll means 45 described later are disposed. It is configured in shape.

  A switchback entry path 35a that overlaps the exit end of the second sheet path SP2 is connected to the rear end side of the stacking guide 35 in the conveying direction. This is because the leading edge of the loaded (following) sheet sent from the conveying roller 37 in the second sheet path SP2 and the trailing edge of the stacked (preceding) sheet supported by the stacking guide 35 are overlapped. This is for securing the page order. Further, a leading end stopper 38 for regulating the leading end of the sheet is arranged on the downstream side of the guide on the collecting guide 35. The leading end stopper 38 is supported on a guide rail or the like so as to be movable along the collecting guide 35, and shift means (not shown). 2), the position is moved between Sh1, Sh2, and Sh3.

  When the leading end stopper 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh3, the rear end of the sheet (bundle) supported by the stacking guide 35 enters the switchback entry path 35a, and in this state, the subsequent sheet sent from the second sheet path SP2 is It is surely stacked above the accumulated sheets. When the leading end stopper 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh2, the center of the sheet (bundle) supported by the stacking guide 35 is positioned at a binding position X of a saddle stitching staple device (second processing unit) 40 described later. Similarly, when the leading end stopper 38 is positioned at the illustrated position Sh1, the center of the sheet bundle that is stapled and supported by the stacking guide 35 is positioned at a folding position Y of a folding roll means 45 described later. Accordingly, the illustrated positions Sh1, Sh2, and Sh3 are set to optimum positions according to the sheet size (length in the conveyance direction).

  A sheet side edge aligning member 39 is disposed on the accumulation guide 35 on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet side edge aligning member 39 is aligned so that the position in the width direction of the sheet loaded into the stacking guide 35 and supported by the leading end stopper 38 is matched. That is, the sheet side edge is aligned by the sheet side edge alignment member 39 in a state where the sheet front end stopper 38 is positioned at the position Sh3 and the entire sheet is supported by the accumulation guide 35. In the illustrated apparatus, the sheet side edge aligning member 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. Therefore, the sheet side edge alignment member 39 is connected to an alignment motor (not shown).

[Configuration of stapling device]
Next, the configurations of the above-described edge-binding stapler (first processing unit) 33 and saddle stitching stapler (second processing unit) 40 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the edge-bound staple device 33 is disposed on the processing tray 29 (first tray means), and the saddle-stitch device 40 is disposed on the accumulation guide 35. As shown in the figure, the stapling apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “processing unit”) has a first processing unit 33 on the upper side and a second processing unit 40 on the lower side.

[Configuration of First Processing Unit (Edge Binding Stapling Device)]
The first processing unit 33 is composed of a driver 70 and a clincher 60 as shown in FIG. The driver 70 includes a head member 70a for inserting staples into a sheet bundle set at the binding position, a cartridge 71 containing the staples, a drive cam 77, and a staple motor MD for driving the drive cam 77. Has been. The clincher 60 includes a bending groove 62 for bending the tip of the staple needle inserted into the sheet bundle. In the first processing unit 33, the driver 70 and the clincher 60 are integrally attached to the unit frame. The head member 70a is reciprocated by a drive cam 77 in the vertical direction in FIG. 5, and a former 73 and a bending block 74 are incorporated therein. ing. Since the former 73 and the bending block 74 are the same as those of the second processing unit 40 described later, the structure is shown in FIG.

[Configuration of Second Processing Unit (Saddle Stapling Device)]
The configuration of the second processing unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The second processing unit 40 includes a driver 70 and a clincher 60 in the same manner as the first processing unit 33 described above. The driver 70 includes a head member 70a for inserting staples into a sheet bundle set at the binding position, a cartridge 71 containing the staples, a drive cam 77, and a staple motor MD for driving the drive cam 77. Has been. As shown in FIG. 6B, the driver 70 has a driver member 72, a former 73, and a bending block 74 built in the vertical direction in the head member 70a of the frame. The driver member 72 and the former 73 are slidably supported by the head member 70a so as to reciprocate up and down between the top dead center and the bottom dead center, and the bending block 74 has a straight staple. It is fixed to the head member 70a as a mold that can be bent into a letter shape.

  A cartridge 71 containing a staple is mounted inside the frame, and the staple is sequentially supplied to the bending block 74. The driver member 72 and the former 73 are connected to a drive lever 76 that is swingably attached to the frame, and is driven up and down between a top dead center and a bottom dead center. The frame is provided with an accumulator spring (not shown) for driving the drive lever 76 up and down, a drive cam 77 for accumulating the accumulator spring, and a drive motor MD for driving the drive cam 77. .

  The clincher 60 is disposed at a position facing the driver 70 configured as described above across the sheet bundle. The clincher 60 is pivotally supported by the driver 70 so as to be swingable, or has a structure separated from the driver 70. The illustrated apparatus is constituted by a unit in which the clincher 60 is separated from the driver 70. The clincher 60 bends the needle tip inserted into the sheet bundle by the driver 70. For this reason, the clincher 60 is composed of an anvil member 61 having a bending groove for bending the tip of the staple needle. The illustrated clincher 60 includes an anvil member 61 having folding grooves 62a and 62b disposed at positions facing the driver 70 across the sheet bundle. In particular, in the illustrated apparatus, a plurality of folding grooves are formed in the anvil member 61 so that a pair of left and right folding grooves 62a and 62b are positioned at predetermined intervals at two positions in the width direction of the sheet bundle supported by the accumulation guide 35. It is characterized by. With this configuration, it is possible to staple the two left and right portions in a state where the clincher 60 is fixed to the sheet bundle supported on the stacking guide 35 without moving.

  In addition, the clincher 60 is provided with a wing member (not shown) for bending the staple tip of the staple needle, and the wing member is oscillated and rotated in synchronization with the needle tip inserted into the sheet bundle by the driver 70. It is also possible to adopt a configuration. In this case, a pair of folding wings are pivotally supported on the frame of the clincher 60 so as to be swingable at positions facing both ends of the U-shaped needle. Then, the pair of folding wings are swung in conjunction with the operation of inserting the staple needle into the sheet bundle by the driver 70. By swinging the pair of wings, the staple tip of the staple needle is bent in a flat state along the back surface of the sheet bundle. In other words, the needle tip is bent into a U-shape (glasses clinch) when bent in the above-described bending groove, and the needle tip is bent in a straight line (flat clinch) when bent by a wing member described later. Any of the configurations can be adopted in the present invention.

  With such a configuration, the driver member 72 and the former 73 built in the head member 70a rotate the staple motor MD so that the drive cam 77 causes the drive lever 76 to move downward from the top dead center to the bottom dead below. Press on a point. As the drive lever 76 is lowered, the driver member 72 and the former 73 connected thereto are moved from the top dead center to the bottom dead center. The driver member 72 is constituted by a plate-like member so as to push down the back portion of the staple needle folded in a U-shape, and the former 73 is constituted by a U-shaped member as shown in FIG. The staple is folded in a U-shape with the block 74. That is, the staples are supplied from the cartridge 71 to the bending block 74, and the linear staples are press-formed between the former 73 and the bending block 74 in a U-shape, and then bent into the U-shape. The staple member is pushed into the sheet bundle by the driver member 72 toward the sheet bundle.

[Movement mechanism of processing unit]
The driver 70 and the clincher 60 of the first processing unit 33 and the second processing unit 40 described above must be configured to be movable in the sheet width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 6B) with respect to the sheet bundle on the tray unit. There is. The movement in the sheet width direction is as follows: (1) In the case of an apparatus configuration in which the processing unit is moved from the home position to a predetermined binding position after a sheet bundle is loaded and set on the tray means, and a binding operation is executed. Or (2) Necessary when the processing unit is moved in the sheet width direction and the binding processing is performed at two or more different locations. The unit movement in the sheet width direction includes an apparatus configuration (first processing unit 33) for moving the driver 70 and the clincher 60 integrally at the same time, and an apparatus configuration (second processing unit) for fixing one of them and moving the other. 40).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first processing unit 33 and the second processing unit 40 that are adjacently arranged in the vertical direction are guide rails 80 a and 80 b (guides) that are respectively disposed on the apparatus frames 85 a and 85 b (see FIG. 7B). Means; the same shall apply hereinafter) is slidably supported. In this case, in the first processing unit 33, a unit frame 33f including a driver 70 and a clincher 60 is supported by guide rails 80a and 80b (first guide means). In the second processing unit 40, a unit frame 40f having a driver 70 is supported by guide rails 80a and 80b (second guide means). Therefore, the first and second processing units 33 and 40 are supported so as to be movable in the sheet width direction on the tray means along the two guide rails 80a and 80b arranged in parallel to each other.

[Configuration of driving means]
As described above, each of the first processing unit 33 and the second processing unit 40 that are movably mounted in the sheet width direction is provided with a driving unit. A lead screw 86 is arranged in the first processing unit 33 and a lead screw 87 is arranged in the second processing unit 40 in parallel with the guide rails 80a and 80b, respectively, and formed on the unit frames 33f and 40f of the respective processing units. The engaged protrusion 82 is engaged with the screw groove 86a. The lead screw 86 of the first processing unit 33 and the lead screw 87 of the second processing unit 40 are connected to a drive motor M. The transmission mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 7A. The first unit driving means MD1 for moving the first processing unit 33 to a predetermined post-processing position (staple position) is a lead screw 86 and rotationally drives it. The first transmission means G1 and the drive motor M are configured. Similarly, the second unit driving means MD2 for moving the second processing unit 40 to a predetermined post-processing position is composed of a lead screw 87, a second transmission means G2 for rotating this, and a driving motor M.

  In the present invention, the first unit driving unit MD1 that moves the first processing unit 33 in the sheet width direction and the second unit driving unit MD2 that moves the second processing unit 40 in the sheet width direction are combined into a single unit. It is characterized by comprising drive means (drive motor) M. Therefore, the first processing unit 33 can be moved in the sheet width direction by rotating the drive motor M from the home position by a predetermined amount, and at the same time, the second processing unit 40 is moved in the sheet width direction by the rotation control of the drive motor M. It becomes possible to move to.

  As described above, when the positions of the first and second processing units 33 and 40 are controlled by the single drive means (drive motor) M, the movement strokes St of the respective processing units may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first processing unit 33 described above has a position P1a for stapling the left corner of the sheet, a position P1b for stapling the right corner, and a position P2a for stapling the center of the sheet. , P2b and the home position HP, and the staple needle replacement position P3, reciprocate with a movement stroke St01. The second processing unit 40 reciprocates between the positions P4a and P4b for stapling the center portion of the sheet, the left end position P5a, and the right end position P5b with a movement stroke St02. In this case, St01> St02.

  Therefore, the present invention positions the first processing unit 33 at each of the above positions (HP, P1a, P2a, P2b, P1b, P3) by rotation control of a single driving means (driving motor) M, and sets the second processing unit 40 to Positioning is performed at each of the above positions (P5a, P4a, P4b, P5b). For this reason, the reduction gear ratios of the transmission gear G1 constituting the first transmission means and the transmission gear G2 constituting the second transmission means are different. That is, the first processing unit 33 moves between the strokes St01 by the predetermined rotation of the driving means (driving motor) M, and the reduction ratio of the transmission gear G1 and the transmission gear G2 is set so that the second processing unit 40 moves between the strokes St02. It is set. With this configuration, the two processing units 33 and 40 having different strokes can be controlled by the single drive motor M without using a special clutch.

[Different forms of first and second transmission means]
As described above, when the first and second processing units 33 and 40 having different strokes are moved to the respective processing positions by the single drive motor M, the transmission ratio of the first transmission means G1 and the second transmission means G2 is set to the stroke. Explained the case of different according to. In addition, it is also possible to reciprocate the first and second processing units 33 and 40 with their respective strokes by providing sliding transmission means on at least one of the first and second transmission means G1 and G2. This case will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, a slip clutch 84c is provided between the drive motor M (not shown) and the lead screw 87 of the second processing unit 40, and the clutch 84c is constituted by a torque limiter. That is, the rotation of the drive motor M is decelerated from the rotating shaft and transmitted to the lead screw 87 via the torque limiter 84c. The second processing unit 40 is provided with stoppers (frame side frames) 85c and 85d so as to reciprocate between the processing positions P4a and P4b shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, when the second processing unit 40 is moved in the sheet width direction, it hits against the right limit or left limit abutting stopper members 85c and 85d, and the second processing unit 40 is restricted in movement at this position. Even if the drive motor M is continuously rotated in the same direction to move the first processing unit 33, the rotation of the rotation shaft is slid by the torque limiter 84c so that the second processing unit 40 has a predetermined processing position P4a, The position is held at P4b.

[Configuration of folding roll means]
A folding roll means 45 for folding the sheet bundle and a folding blade 46 for inserting the sheet bundle at the nip position of the folding roll means 45 are provided at the folding position Y arranged on the downstream side of the second processing unit 40 described above. Yes. As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the folding roll means 45 is composed of rolls 45a and 45b that are in pressure contact with each other, and each roll is formed to have a substantially maximum sheet width.

  The pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b is 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 rolls 45a and 45b are formed in an uneven shape, and a gap is formed in the sheet value width direction. This gap is arranged so as to coincide with the unevenness of the folding blade 46 described later, and consideration is given so that the tip of the folding blade can easily enter between the roll nips. In other words, the pair of folding rolls pressed against each other is formed in a concavo-convex shape having a gap (gap) in the sheet width direction, and the stapled portion of the sheet and the blade edge of the folding blade similarly formed in the concavo-convex shape enter this gap. It is like that.

  Next, the operation of folding the sheet by the folding roll means 45 will be described with reference to FIGS. The pair of folding rolls 45a and 45b are positioned on the curved or bent protruding side of the stacking guide 35, and a folding blade 46 having a knife edge is provided at a position facing the sheet bundle supported by the stacking guide 35. ing. The folding blade 46 is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be able to reciprocate between the standby position in FIG. 10A and the nip position in FIG.

  Therefore, the sheet bundle supported by the stacking guide 35 in the form of a bundle is locked by the leading edge regulating means 38 in the state shown in FIG. 5A, 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 bundle folding operation control section 64d described later; the same applies hereinafter) turns off the clutch means.

  Therefore, the drive control means 64d moves the folding blade 46 from the standby position toward the nip position at a predetermined speed. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 10B, the sheet bundle is bent at the fold position by the folding blade 46 and inserted between the rolls. At this time, the folding rolls 45 a and 45 b are driven and rotated continuously with the sheet moved by the folding blade 46. The drive control means 64d stops the blade drive motor (not shown) 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. Around this time, the drive control means 64d switches the clutch means to the ON state to drive and rotate 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.

  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, since the folding rolls 45a and 45b follow (follow) the inserted sheet (rotate) and rotate, only the sheet in contact with the roll is not first wound. Further, since the roll follows and rotates following the inserted sheet, the roll surface and the sheet in contact with the roll are not rubbed, and the image is not rubbed.

[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 51 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. The control CPU 61 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 64a that performs conveyance of the sheet sent to the carry-in entrance 23, a sheet accumulation operation control unit 64b that performs sheet accumulation operation, and a binding operation control that performs sheet binding processing. A unit 64c and a sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d that executes a sheet bundle folding operation.

  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 is connected to a drive circuit of a forward / reverse rotation motor of the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and a discharge motor of a rear end regulating member in order to stack sheets on the processing tray 29. Further, the binding operation control section 64c is a drive built in the saddle stitching staple device (second processing unit) 40 of the edge binding staple device (first processing unit) 33 and the second tray means 35 of the first tray means 29. Wired to the drive circuit of the motor MD.

  The sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a drive circuit of a drive motor that drives and rotates the folding rolls 45a and 45b and a drive circuit of the clutch means. Further, the sheet bundle folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a control circuit of shift means for controlling the movement of the conveying rollers 36 and 37 of the second sheet path SP2 and the leading end regulating member 38 of the stacking guide 35 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 from, for example, the first page, and sequentially unloads it from the main body discharge port 3 face down, and the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P1 is guided to the discharge roller 25. It is burned. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the processing tray 29 based on the signal that the leading edge of the sheet is detected at the paper discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. The roller is lowered and rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. Then, the sheet that has entered the processing tray 29 is carried out toward the first stack tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and stored on the tray. The successive sheets are sequentially carried out to the first stack tray 21 and accumulated and stored on the tray.

  Accordingly, in this printout mode, sheets formed with an image by the image forming apparatus A are accommodated in the first stack 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 sheet path SP1 and the second sheet path SP2.

"Staple binding finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents from the first page to the nth page in the same manner as in the above-described mode. The sheet thus fed 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 processing tray 29 based on the signal that the leading edge of the sheet is detected at the paper 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 / reverse roller 30 is rotated clockwise in FIG. Next, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a drives the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 after the estimated time when the trailing edge of the sheet is carried onto the processing tray 29. Then, the sheet that has entered from the paper discharge port 25a is switched back and conveyed onto the processing tray 29 along the first sheet path SP1. By repeating this sheet conveyance, a series of sheets are stacked on the processing tray 29 in a face-down state.

  Each time the sheets are stacked on the processing tray 29, the control CPU 61 operates a side alignment plate (not shown) to align the width direction positions of the stacked sheets. Next, the control CPU 61 operates the edge binding and stapling device (first processing unit) 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 processing tray. After this stapling operation, the control CPU 61 moves the rear end regulating member 32 that also serves as a bundle carrying-out means. Then, the staple-bound sheet bundle is carried out and stored in the first stack tray 21. As a result, a series of sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A is stapled and stored in the first stack tray 21.

"Sheet fold finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image on the sheet, and the post-processing apparatus B finishes the booklet. The sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P1 is guided to the sheet discharge roller 25, where the control CPU 61 passes the path switching piece (not shown) based on the signal that the sheet sensor S1 detects the sheet rear end. At this timing, the paper discharge roller 25 is stopped. Then, the paper discharge roller 25 is reversed. Then, the sheet that has entered the sheet carry-in path P1 is reversed in the conveyance direction and guided from the path switching piece to the second sheet path SP2. Then, it is guided to the accumulation guide 35 by the conveying rollers 36 and 37 arranged in this path.

The control CPU 61 moves the leading edge regulating member 38 to the lowermost Sh1 position at the timing when the sheet is carried into the stacking guide 35 (second tray means) from the second sheet path SP2. Then, the entire sheet is supported by the accumulation guide 35. In this state, the control CPU 61 operates the above-mentioned sheet side edge aligning member 39 to align the sheets by width alignment. (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 front end regulating member 38 to a position Sh3 where the rear end of the sheet enters the switchback entry path 35a. Then, the rear end of the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35 moves backward to the switchback entry path 35a. In this state, the subsequent sheets are fed from the second sheet path SP2 onto the stacking guide 35, and the subsequent sheets are stacked on the preceding sheet. Then, the leading edge regulating member 38 is moved from the Sh3 position to the Sh1 position in accordance with the carry-in of the subsequent sheet.

  Next, the sheet side edge aligning member 39 is operated in the same manner as described above, and the loaded sheet and the sheet supported on the stacking guide are aligned and aligned. By repeating such an operation, the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus A are aligned on the stacking guide 35 through the second sheet path SP2. Therefore, when receiving the job end signal, the control CPU 61 moves the leading edge regulating member 38 to the position Sh2, and sets the center of the sheet to the binding position X.

  Therefore, the control CPU 61 operates the saddle stitching stapling device (second processing unit) 40 to staple one or a plurality of locations in the center of the sheet. In response to this operation completion signal, the control CPU 61 moves the leading edge regulating member 38 to the position Sh1, and positions and sets the center of the sheet at the folding position Y. Therefore, the sheet bundle is folded in the sequence shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D and the sheet bundle is carried out to the second stack tray 22.

  In the present invention, the saddle stitching apparatus (second processing unit) 40 is disposed at the binding position X on the stacking guide 35 described above. However, the sheet processing path is defined by the stacking guide, the binding position, and the folding position. The arrangement may be such that the stacking guide means, then the stapling device, and the sheet folding means are arranged downstream of the stacking guide means. Further, it is also possible to fold the sheet bundle and carry it out to the second stack tray 22 without performing the binding process with the saddle stitching stapler.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the detailed structure of a post-processing apparatus, and the stapling apparatus is integrated as a unit. FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout configuration of a first processing unit and a second processing unit in the apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a first processing unit in FIG. 4, (a) shows a schematic configuration of the unit, and (b) shows a moving mechanism that moves the unit in the sheet width direction. FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a second processing unit in FIG. 4, (a) is a schematic configuration of the unit, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of a unit moving mechanism. Explanatory drawing of the transmission mechanism of the 1st processing unit and the 2nd processing unit in the unit movement mechanism of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the form different from FIG. 7 of the unit moving mechanism of FIG. Explanatory drawing of the control structure in the system of FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of a sheet bundle folding operation in the apparatus of FIG. 2, in which FIG. 2A is a state where the sheet bundle is set at a folding position, FIG. 2B is an initial state of the folding operation, and FIG. (D) shows the unloading state after folding the sheet bundle.

Explanation of symbols

P1 sheet carry-in path SP1 first sheet path SP2 second sheet path 20 casing (exterior cover)
21 First stack tray 21r Guide roller 22 Second stack tray 23 Loading port 24 Loading roller 25 Paper discharge roller 25a Paper discharge port 29 Processing tray (first tray means)
30 Forward / Reverse Roller 32 Rear End Restricting Member 33 Edge Binding Stapling Device (First Processing Unit)
33f Unit frame 35 stacking guide (second tray means)
38 Tip Restriction Member 40 Saddle Stapling Device (Second Processing Unit)
40f Unit frame 45 Folding roll means 50 Paper mount 60 Clincher 61 Anvil member 62 Bending groove 70 Driver 70a Head member 71 Cartridge 72 Driver member 73 Former 74 Bending block 76 Drive lever 77 Drive cam 80a, 80b Guide rail (first guide) Means) (second guide means)
82 Engaging projection 84c Torque limiters 85a, 85b Device frame 85c, 85d Stopper member 86 (First) Lead screw 87 (Second) Lead screw 91 Lifting guide 92 Lifting belt 93a Driving pulley 93b Pulley Ms Lifting motor MD Staple motor MD1 First unit drive means MD2 Second unit drive means M Drive motor (drive means)
A Image forming apparatus B Post-processing apparatus G1 First transmission means (transmission gear)
G2 Second transmission means (transmission gear)

Claims (8)

First and second tray means for stacking sheets;
First and second processing units disposed on the first and second tray means, respectively, for post-processing the stacked sheets;
First and second guide means for supporting the first and second processing units movably along the edge of the stacked sheets on the tray means;
First unit driving means for moving the first processing unit to a predetermined post-processing position along the first guide means;
Second unit driving means for moving the second processing unit to a predetermined post-processing position along the second guide means;
With
The post-processing apparatus, wherein the first unit driving means and the second unit driving means are constituted by a single driving motor. A sheet carry-in path for feeding sheets to the first tray means and the second tray means;
The sheet carry-in path is configured to distribute and convey sheets to the first tray means and the second tray means by a switchback path that reverses the sheet conveyance direction,
2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first processing unit and the second processing unit are arranged at positions adjacent to each other in the switchback path. The second tray means is disposed below the first tray means;
The first processing unit includes an edge binding stapling device that binds the sheet edge on the tray.
The second processing unit is composed of a saddle stitching device that binds the center of the sheet on the tray.
The first processing unit and the second processing unit are supported by the first and second guide means so as to be capable of moving in position so as to staple two or more edges in the edge direction of the sheet on the tray. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein First and second tray means for stacking sheets;
First and second processing units disposed on the first and second tray means, respectively, for post-processing the stacked sheets;
First and second guide means for supporting the first and second processing units movably along the edge of the stacked sheets on the tray means;
First and second unit driving means for moving the first and second processing units to predetermined post-processing positions along respective guide means;
With
The first unit driving means and the second unit driving means are constituted by a single driving motor, and the first unit driving means is connected by the driving motor and first transmission means having a speed reduction mechanism,
The second unit driving means is connected by the driving motor and second transmission means having a speed reduction mechanism,
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction ratio of the speed reduction mechanism of the first and second transmission means is set so that the movement amounts of the first and second processing units that move in position are different. The first processing unit includes an edge binding stapling device that binds the sheet edge on the tray.
The second processing unit is composed of a saddle stitching device that binds the center of the sheet on the tray.
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the moving stroke of the second processing unit is set to a distance shorter than the moving stroke of the first processing unit. The first and second unit driving means are composed of a single driving motor,
The first unit driving means is connected to the driving motor by first transmission means,
The second unit driving means is connected to the driving motor by second transmission means,
At least one of the first and second transmission means is provided with a sliding transmission mechanism,
4. The rear stroke according to claim 1, wherein the moving strokes of the first and second processing units moved by the first and second transmission means are set to different distances depending on the sliding transmission mechanism. Processing equipment. The position sensor which detects the position of the said 1st, 2nd processing unit is arrange | positioned at the said guide means only to one of the said 1st guide means or the 2nd guide means, The 1st thru | or 1st characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of items 6. An image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images on a sheet;
A post-processing device connected to a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus and performing post-processing on a sheet to be carried out;
Consisting of
An image forming system comprising the post-processing apparatus having the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images