JP2010047331A - Punch processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a punch processing device capable of precisely judging whether an accommodation part accommodating punched chips is full or not. <P>SOLUTION: In this punch processing device, when punching is done (S204), a full detection part recognizes whether two or three holes are punched based on signals from a drive control part. Then, the full detection part executes calculation, Y1=(2*N1*a1)+(3*N2*a)+(4*N3*a3)+-+(10*N10*a10), (S205). Here, for example, N1 is the frequencies for the two-hole punching, and N2 is the frequencies for the three-hole punching. Also, a1, a2, a3-a10 indicate coefficients associated with each punch processing or coefficients associated with each punch unit. Then, the full detection part judges whether a calculation value Y1 is not less than a predefined number K2 (S206). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a punching processing apparatus that punches paper.

  If the drilling operation is performed when the container for storing the perforated waste is full, the perforated waste is scattered outside and inside the body, and the surrounding mechanisms are likely to fail. Therefore, there has been proposed a detecting means for detecting whether or not the scrap receiving portion is full, and a sheet processing apparatus which cancels the punching mode by a signal when the detecting means detects full (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-212677

By the way, since the perforation processing apparatus enables various numbers of perforations such as 2 holes or 4 holes, there are cases where a plurality of types of perforation units having different numbers of perforation blades can be mounted. The perforation processing apparatus is equipped with a perforation unit capable of selectively executing, for example, a first perforation process for perforating paper with 2 holes and a second perforation process for perforating paper with 3 holes. There is a case. Here, in the perforation processing apparatus, perforation waste is generated by the perforation processing, and this perforation waste is usually stored in a storage unit that stores perforation waste.
Here, whether or not the accommodating portion is full of perforated waste can be determined, for example, based on whether or not the number of perforations by the perforation unit has reached a predetermined number. By the way, for example, when a plurality of types of drilling units having different numbers of drilling blades can be mounted as described above, the number of generated drilling scraps is different for each drilling unit. In some cases, it may be determined that the accommodating portion is full even though perforated waste can be accommodated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a perforation processing apparatus capable of more accurately determining whether or not the accommodating portion for accommodating the perforated waste is full.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body portion on which a plurality of types of perforation units having different numbers of perforation blades for perforating paper, and a perforation generated by perforation processing of the perforation unit attached to the main body portion. Whether the storage unit is full based on the storage unit that stores the waste, the acquisition unit that acquires information related to the number of perforated scraps stored in the storage unit, and the information acquired by the acquisition unit A perforation processing apparatus including a determination means for determining whether or not.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the acquisition means obtains the number of drilling scraps by multiplying the number of drilling blades of the drilling unit mounted on the main body by the number of times the drilling unit has performed drilling processing. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforation processing apparatus is acquired as information relating to the number.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the one drilling unit attached to the main body is replaced with another drilling unit having a different number of the drilling blades, the acquisition unit is configured to drill the one drilling unit. Multiplying the number of blades multiplied by the number of times the one perforation unit performed the perforation process, and the number of perforation blades of the other perforation unit and the number of times the other perforation unit performed the perforation process The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to the number of the perforated scraps is acquired based on the number.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the acquiring means includes the number of perforating blades of the perforating unit mounted on the main body, the number of times the perforating unit performs perforation processing, and a coefficient associated with the perforating unit. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number obtained by multiplying is acquired as information related to the number of perforated scraps.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the one drilling unit mounted on the main body is replaced with another drilling unit having a different number of drilling blades, the acquisition unit is configured to drill the one drilling unit. The number obtained by multiplying the number of blades, the number of times the one perforation unit has performed perforation processing, and the coefficient associated with the one perforation unit, the number of perforation blades of the other perforation unit, and the other perforation The information related to the number of the drilling scraps is obtained based on the number of times the unit has performed the punching process and the number multiplied by the coefficient associated with the other punching unit. A perforation processing device.
The invention according to claim 6 further includes storage means for storing information relating to the number of times the punching unit mounted on the main body has performed punching processing in a memory provided in the punching unit. It is a punching processing apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the punching unit includes a memory for storing the number of punching processes performed by the punching unit, and reads the number of punching processes from the memory of the punching unit attached to the main body. Read means; and life determination means for determining the life of the perforation unit based on the number of times read by the read means and the number of times the perforation unit mounted on the main body has performed perforation processing. A perforation processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first perforation process in which a first number of perforations are applied to a sheet and a second perforation process in which a second number of perforations different from the first number is applied to a sheet. A main body portion on which a selectively executable perforation unit is mounted, an accommodating portion for storing perforation waste generated by the perforation processing of the perforation unit mounted on the main body portion, and the first perforation processing. Acquiring means for acquiring information related to the number of perforated scraps accommodated in the accommodating portion based on the first number of perforations to be obtained and the second number of perforations to be applied by the second perforating process; And a judging means for judging whether or not the accommodating portion is full based on the information obtained by the obtaining means.
The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the obtaining means obtains a number obtained by multiplying the first number and the number of times of the first punching process, the second number and the number of times of the second punching process. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein information related to the number of perforated scraps is acquired based on the number multiplied by.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit is configured to multiply the first number, the number of times of the first punching process, and a coefficient associated with the first punching process, and the first Information relating to the number of drilling scraps is acquired based on the number of 2 and the number of times of the second drilling process multiplied by a coefficient associated with the second drilling process. A punching processing apparatus according to claim 8.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a perforation processing apparatus that can more accurately determine whether or not the accommodating portion that accommodates the perforated waste is full, as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more easily obtain information related to the number of drilling scraps than in the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the drilling unit is replaced with another drilling unit, it is possible to accurately acquire information related to the number of drilling scraps.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as the perforated waste being unevenly distributed and accumulated in the accommodating portion and the perforated waste overflowing outside the accommodating portion.
According to claim 5 of the present invention, even when the drilling unit is replaced with another drilling unit, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as drilling waste overflowing outside the housing portion.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, by reading information on the number of times the punching process has been performed from the memory, it is possible to determine the lifetime of the punching unit and whether the punching unit is reusable. it can.
According to claim 7 of the present invention, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the perforation unit has reached the end of its life, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a perforation processing apparatus that can more accurately determine whether or not the accommodating portion that accommodates the perforated waste is full as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more easily acquire information related to the number of drilling scraps than in the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the perforated waste being unevenly distributed and accumulated in the accommodating portion and the perforated waste overflowing outside the accommodating portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in the image forming system.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment forms an image with an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copier that forms a color image on a sheet by, for example, electrophotography, and the image forming apparatus 1. And a sheet post-processing apparatus 2 that performs post-processing such as binding on the sheet that has been printed.

The image forming apparatus 1 is configured in a so-called tandem system, and forms four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K (also collectively referred to as “image forming unit 100”) that perform image formation based on each color image data. A laser exposure apparatus 101 that exposes a photosensitive drum 107 provided in the unit 100 is provided.
In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an intermediate transfer belt 102 onto which the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units 100 are transferred, and the intermediate transfer belt 102 to which the respective color toner images formed by the respective image forming units 100 are transferred. Primary transfer roll 103 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to each other, secondary transfer roll 104 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 to each sheet, and each color toner image that is secondarily transferred A fixing device 105 for fixing the image on the sheet, and a main body control unit 106 for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In each image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, the charging process to the photosensitive drum 107, the electrostatic latent image forming process on the photosensitive drum 107 by the scanning exposure from the laser exposure apparatus 101, and the formed electrostatic latent image The toner image of each color is formed through the development process of each color toner. Each color toner image formed on each image forming unit 100 is sequentially electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the primary transfer roll 103. Each color toner image is conveyed toward the position where the secondary transfer roll 104 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P1 to P4 (collectively referred to as “sheet P” and “sheet bundle P”) of different sizes and types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating portions 110A to 110D, respectively. Yes. For example, when the paper P1 is designated by the main body control unit 106, the paper P1 is taken out from the paper storage unit 110A by the pickup roll 111, and conveyed one by one to the position of the registration roll 113 by the conveyance roll 112. The same applies to the case where the sheets P2 to P4 are designated by the main body control unit 106.
Then, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 113 in accordance with the timing when each color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 104. As a result, the toner images of each color are collectively electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 104.

  Thereafter, the paper P onto which the color toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. In the fixing device 105, each color toner image is fixed on the paper P by a fixing process using heat and pressure, and an image is formed. Then, the sheet P on which the image is formed is discharged from the sheet discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roll 114 and is transported to the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a UI 300 on the upper portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 that displays information to the user and receives information input from the user, as shown in FIG. Although not shown in detail, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading device 400 above the sheet post-processing device 2. The image reading apparatus 400 includes a CCD image sensor and the like, and reads an image on a document by scanning.

  Here, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 includes a first cover 211 and a second cover 212 that constitute a part of the transport unit 21 described later. The first cover 211 can swing upward with the back side of the image forming apparatus 1 as a fulcrum, and the second cover 212 moves toward the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 with one end portion in the width direction as a fulcrum. Can be swung. Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 includes a cover opening detection sensor (not shown) that detects that the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 are opened.

The sheet post-processing device 2 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit T (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs post-processing such as punching and binding on the paper P on which the image is formed.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 includes a transport unit 21 connected to the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and a finisher that performs post-processing on the paper P taken into the transport unit 21. A unit 22 and a processing device control unit 23 that controls each mechanism unit of the sheet post-processing device 2 are provided. The processing device control unit 23 is connected to the main body control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) via a signal line (not shown), and transmits and receives control signals and the like.
In the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, the processing apparatus control unit 23 is provided in the casing of the finisher unit 22, but the processing apparatus control unit 23 may be provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus 1. Good. Further, the main body control unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to have the control function of the processing device control unit 23.

The transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 includes a punch function unit 30 for punching (punching, punching) such as 2 holes and 4 holes, and a sheet P after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. A plurality of transport rolls 213 for transporting toward 22 are provided.
On the other hand, the finisher unit 22 includes a folding function unit 40 that forms a fold in the central portion of the paper P, a compile tray 60 that accumulates a required number of paper P to generate the paper bundle P, and staples at the end of the paper bundle P. An end binding stapling function unit 50 for performing binding (end binding) is provided. In addition, the saddle stitching function unit 70 that executes staple binding (saddle stitching) at the center portion of the sheet bundle P that has been creased by the folding function unit 40, holds the sheet bundle P, and the amount of the sheet bundle P that is held. A stacker portion 80 that moves up and down in response to the above is provided.

  Further, the finisher unit 22 is provided with a carry-out roll 61 for carrying out the sheet bundle P collected on the compilation tray 60. Further, with the rotation shaft 62a as the movement center, the paper P is moved to a position retracted from the carry-out roll 61 when the paper P is accumulated on the compile tray 60, and is pressed against the carry-out roll 61 when the paper P is carried out from the compile tray 60. A movable roll 62 is provided that moves to a position where it moves.

Subsequently, post-processing of the paper P performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 will be described.
In the sheet post-processing device 2, an instruction signal is output from the main body control unit 106 to the processing device control unit 23 to execute post-processing on the paper P after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. Then, various post-processing for the paper P is executed. Here, a case will be described in which an instruction signal for executing post-processing on the paper P is output from the main body control unit 106.

  First, the paper P after the image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is carried into the transport unit 21 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2. In the transport unit 21, punching by the punch function unit 30 is performed according to an instruction signal from the processing device control unit 23, and then the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 213. If there is no punching instruction from the processing device controller 23, the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 213 without being punched by the punch function unit 30.

  When the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 and an instruction signal for instructing saddle stitching is transmitted from the processing device control unit 23, the folding function unit 40 forms a crease at the center portion of the paper P. When there is no saddle stitch instruction from the processing device control unit 23, the folding function unit 40 does not perform the crease formation process, and the sheet P passes through the folding function unit 40 as it is. Then, the sheets P carried out from the folding function unit 40 are sequentially accumulated on the compilation tray 60. When the sheets P are stacked on the compile tray 60 and the sheet bundle P is formed, the end binding staple function unit 50 staples the end of the sheet bundle P (end binding) or the saddle stitch staple function unit 70 folds the sheets. Staple binding (saddle stitching) is performed on the central portion of the sheet bundle P that has been creased by the function unit 40.

  After the end binding of the sheet bundle P is executed by the end binding stapling function unit 50, the movable roll 62 moves to a position where it is pressed against the carry-out roll 61 with the rotation shaft 62a as the movement center. Then, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 start to rotate, and the end-bound paper bundle P is conveyed from the compilation tray 60 toward the stacker unit 80 and stacked on the stacker unit 80. In this case, the saddle stitching stapling function unit 70 has moved to a position retracted from the transport path of the transported sheet bundle P.

  On the other hand, when the processing device control unit 23 has transmitted an instruction signal for saddle stitching processing, the saddle stitching staple function unit 70 executes staple binding (saddle stitching) on the central portion of the sheet bundle P. In this case, the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 convey the sheet bundle P by a predetermined amount in accordance with an instruction signal from the processing apparatus control unit 23 that has acquired information on the size of the sheet P from the main body control unit 106. The central portion of the sheet bundle P on which the fold is formed is aligned with the arrangement position of the staple head (not shown). The staple head then performs binding (saddle stitching) on the sheet bundle P at two locations in the central portion where the folds are formed. Thereafter, the sheet bundle P is conveyed by the carry-out roll 61 and the movable roll 62 and loaded on the stacker unit 80.

Next, the punch function unit 30 will be further described.
Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the punch function unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the punch function unit 30 includes a punch unit (perforation unit) 31 that performs punching (perforation) such as 2 holes or 4 holes on the paper P, and a punch unit 31. A scrap receiver 32 is provided as an example of a storage unit that stores punch scraps (perforated scraps) generated by the punch.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the punch unit 31 is provided so as to be removable from the transport unit 21 (see FIG. 3) by being pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, it is detachably attached to the transport unit 21. Further, in the present embodiment, by preparing different types of punch units 31, for example, the punch unit 31 with two holes can be replaced with the punch unit 31 with four holes. In other words, a plurality of types of punch units 31 can be attached to the transport unit 21 that functions as a main body.

  The punch unit 31 is mounted with an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) (not shown) which is a nonvolatile memory. Further, the punch unit 31 includes a motor M and a cable 311 that electrically connects the punch unit 31 and the transport unit 21. Through this cable 311, power is supplied to the motor M, information is read from the EEPROM, and information is written to the EEPROM. Further, the sheet post-processing device 2 is provided with a waste receiver detection sensor (not shown) that detects the attachment of the waste receiver 32 to the transport unit 21 and the removal of the waste receiver 32 from the transport unit 21.

  Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is provided with a type determination sensor (not shown) used for determining the type of the punch unit 31 attached to the transport unit 21. That is, whether the installed punch unit 31 is a punch unit 31 for two holes, whether it is a punch unit 31 for three holes, whether it is a punch unit 31 for four holes, 10 A type discriminating sensor used for discriminating whether or not the punch unit 31 is a hole is provided.

The type determination by the type determination sensor is performed, for example, by changing the shape of the punch unit 31 for each type of the punch unit 31, while a plurality of pressed parts that are pressed and moved by the punch unit 31 toward the type determination sensor side. Is provided. And classification discrimination can be performed based on the location where the pressed part was pressed (the location where the pressed part moved).
The type determination of the punch unit 31 is not limited to the above method, and can be performed by, for example, writing information on the punch unit 31 in an EEPROM and reading this information.

The punch unit 31 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a front view of the punch unit 31, and FIG. 6 is a top view of the punch unit 31. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the punch unit 31.
The punch unit 31 shown in FIG. 5 is a punch unit 31 that can selectively execute 2-hole punch and 3-hole punch. In other words, a first punching process (punching process) that performs the first number (2) of punches on the paper and a second number (3) of punches that differs from the first number are performed on the paper. 2 shows a punch unit 31 that can selectively execute two punching processes.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the punch unit 31 includes a chute frame 566 including an upper chute 564 and a lower chute 565. Further, a slit-shaped passage 567 for allowing the paper P to pass therethrough is provided between the upper chute 564 and the lower chute 565.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the punch unit 31 is integrally provided with a first punching mechanism portion 568 for making two holes in the paper P and a second punching mechanism portion 569 for making three holes. Is provided.
The first drilling mechanism 568 includes two two-hole drilling blades 570, two two-hole cams 571 that drive the two-hole drilling blades 570 to advance and retreat, and two upper-end portions of the two-hole drilling blade 570. And a compression spring 572 that presses against the hole cam 571. Here, the two 2-hole punching blades 570 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P and are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line of the paper P.

  The second drilling mechanism 569 includes three three-hole drilling blades 573, three three-hole cams 574 for driving the three-hole drilling blades 573, and the three-hole drilling blades 573 into a three-hole cam 574. And a compression spring 575 for pressing. Here, the three three-hole punching blades 573 are arranged along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. One three-hole punching blade 573 is arranged at a position corresponding to the center line of the paper P. Further, the remaining two three-hole drilling blades 573 are arranged in a line-symmetric relationship with the center line as the target axis.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the 2-hole drilling blade 570 and the 3-hole drilling blade 573 are vertically movable through the chute frame 566 including the upper chute 564 and the lower chute 565. . The upper chute 564 and the lower chute 565 are formed with a through-hole 576 and a through-hole 577 that are larger than the diameters of the 2-hole drilling blade 570 and the 3-hole drilling blade 573. The periphery of the lower through hole 577 functions as a receiving blade for the 2-hole drilling blade 570 and the 3-hole drill 573.
Here, in the punching process (piercing process) for the paper P, first, the paper P is carried into the passage 567 between the upper chute 564 and the lower chute 565 and the paper P is stopped in the passage 567. Then, the 2-hole drilling blade 570 and the 3-hole drilling blade 573 are projected. As a result, two punch holes or three punch holes are formed in the paper P. The punch scraps of the paper P generated by the 2-hole punching blade 570 and the 3-hole punching blade 573 are accommodated in a scrap receiver 32 (see FIG. 4B) arranged below the punch unit 31.

The punch unit 31 will be further described.
The two-hole cam 571 and the three-hole cam 574 are attached to a common cam shaft 580 as shown in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the two-hole cam 571 and the three-hole cam 574 are each formed in a substantially elliptical shape and have the same shape. However, the two-hole cam 571 and the three-hole cam 574 are different from each other in the attachment position with respect to the cam shaft 580 by 180 degrees. That is, the two-hole cam 571 and the three-hole cam 574 are provided at positions that are 180 degrees out of phase.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cam shaft 580 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 581 provided on the upper chute 564. The driving force from the motor M (see FIG. 4A) is transmitted to the cam shaft 580 supported in this manner. Note that a DC motor or a pulse motor capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation is used as the motor M in the present embodiment. Then, by rotating the cam shaft 580 in a direction different by 180 degrees, a punching process with two holes and a punching process with three holes are selectively performed.

  5 to 7, the punch unit 31 capable of punching with two holes and punching with three holes has been described as an example. However, the punch unit 31 can have two punch functions in this way. . On the other hand, one punch unit 31 can have one punch function of only two holes or only three holes. In the above description, the punch unit 31 capable of 2-hole punch and 3-hole punch has been described. However, by providing a plurality of perforation blades, punches corresponding to 4-holes, 5-holes, 10-holes, and loose leaves can be performed. The punch unit 31 can be configured.

  By the way, the punching blade provided in the punch unit 31 is worn as punching (drilling) is performed, and the punching performance is lowered. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lifetime of the drilling blade is determined, and when the lifetime is reached (when the lifetime is reached), the UI 300 (see FIG. 2) indicates that the lifetime has been reached, and the punch unit 31 A message to prompt the exchange is displayed. Further, as punching is performed, punch scraps accumulate in the scrap receiver 32 (see FIG. 4B) and eventually become full. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fullness detection of the waste receptacle 32 is also performed.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for realizing the functions of life determination and fullness detection executed by the processing device control unit 23.
The processing device control unit 23 includes a type determination unit 23A, a writing / reading unit 23B, a punch number grasping unit 23C, a drive control unit 23D, a life determination unit 23E, a transmission / reception unit 23F, a cover opening detection unit 23G, a full detection unit 23H, a scrap A receiving detector 23J is provided. The processing device control unit 23 actually includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Then, according to the program stored in the ROM, the CPU executes the processing while exchanging data with the RAM, thereby realizing the above functions.

Here, the type determination unit 23A determines (recognizes) the type of a new punch unit 31 mounted on the transport unit 21 based on an output from a type determination sensor (not shown).
The writing / reading unit 23 </ b> B reads information from the EEPROM provided in the punch unit 31. Further, the number of punches held by the punch number grasping unit 23 </ b> C is written in the EEPROM provided in the punch unit 31.
The punch number grasping unit 23C grasps the number of punches to date of the new punch unit 31 mounted on the transport unit 21 based on the information output from the writing / reading unit 23B. In addition, when the drive control unit 23D performs punching on the paper P, the punch number grasping unit 23C adds 1 to the grasped number of punches so far and holds the number of punches after the addition. Further, information regarding the number of punches after the addition is output to the life determination unit 23E.

The drive control unit 23D controls the motor M provided in the punch unit 31 based on the information from the transmission / reception unit 23F, and punches the paper P. In addition, a signal indicating that punching has been performed is output to the punch number determination unit 23C and the full detection unit 23H.
The life determination unit 23E determines whether or not the number of punches held by the punch number grasping unit 23C is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If it is determined that the number of punches is equal to or greater than the specified number, information indicating that the punch unit 31 has reached the end of its life is output to the transmitting / receiving unit 23F.
The transmission / reception unit 23F receives the determination result from the type determination unit 23A. Further, information such as that the punch unit 31 has reached the end of its life is received from the life determination unit 23E. Further, information indicating that the waste receiver 32 is full is received from the full detection unit 23H. Also, a control signal from the main body control unit 106 is output to the drive control unit 23D. In addition, the determination result from the type determination unit 23A, the information received from the life determination unit 23E, and the like are transmitted to the main body control unit 106.

The cover open detection unit 23G detects the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 based on the output from the cover open detection sensor. When the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 is detected, the detection result is output to the writing / reading unit 23B.
The fullness detection unit 23H receives the type of the punch unit 31 determined by the type determination unit 23A from the type determination unit 23A. Further, when the drive control unit 23D performs punching, the fullness detection unit 23H receives a signal indicating that punching has been performed from the drive control unit 23D. Furthermore, when the full detection unit 23H receives a signal indicating that the punch has been performed from the drive control unit 23D, the full detection unit 23H executes a predetermined calculation and acquires a calculation value. Further, it is determined whether or not the calculated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Further, when it is determined that the number is greater than the specified number, information indicating that the waste receptacle 32 is full is output to the transmission / reception unit 23F.
The scrap receiver detection unit 23J detects the attachment / detachment of the scrap receiver 32 based on the output from the scrap receiver detection sensor.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the life determination of the punch unit 31 executed by the processing device control unit 23. In this flowchart, a process when one punch unit 31 is replaced with another punch unit 31 will be described.
In this case, the type discriminating unit 23A first recognizes (discriminates) the type of the new punch unit 31 attached to the transport unit 21 based on the output from the type discriminating sensor (not shown) (step 101). For example, when the new punch unit 31 is a 4-hole punch unit 31, the type determination unit 23A recognizes that the new punch unit 31 is a 4-hole punch unit 31.

  Next, the writing / reading unit 23B, which functions as one of the reading means, reads information from the EEPROM provided in the punch unit 31 (step 102), and the punch number grasping unit 23C until the current time of the punch unit 31. The number of punches is grasped (step 103). Next, when the drive control unit 23D punches the sheet P based on an instruction from the main body control unit 106 (step 104), the punch number grasping unit 23C sets 1 to the current punch number grasped in step 103. Are added (step 105), and the number of punches after the addition is held. Thereafter, the life determining unit 23E functioning as a life determining unit determines whether or not the number of punches held by the punch number grasping unit 23C is equal to or greater than a predetermined number K1 (step 106).

  When the life determination unit 23E determines that the number of punches is equal to or greater than the specified number K1, the life determination unit 23E transmits information such as the fact that the punch unit 31 has reached the end of life to the main body control unit 106 via the transmission / reception unit 23F ( Step 107), the process is terminated. Here, the main body control unit 106 that has received information such as the end of the service life displays, for example, on the UI 300 a display that the punch unit 31 has reached the end of life or a display that prompts the replacement of the punch unit 31. If it is determined in step 106 that the number of punches is not equal to or greater than the specified number K1, the process waits for further punching (step 104).

  When the punch unit 31 capable of punching two holes and three holes shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is attached by replacement, the two-hole drilling blade 570 has been performed up to now in step 103. The number of punches of the punch and the number of punches performed by the three-hole punching blade 573 so far are grasped. For example, when the two-hole punching blade 570 performs punching in step 104, 1 is set in the number of punches grasped in step 103 (the number of punches punched by the two-hole punching blade 570 so far). After that, the process of step 106 is executed. In addition, when the 3-hole punching blade 573 punches in step 104, 1 is added to the number of punches grasped in step 103 (the number of punches of the punch that the 3-hole punching blade 573 has made so far). Thereafter, the process of step 106 is executed. If it is determined in step 106 that the number of punches is equal to or greater than the specified number K1, information such as that the punch unit 31 has reached the end of its life is transmitted to the main body control unit 106.

Next, processing related to full detection executed by the processing device control unit 23 will be described.
10 and 11 are flowcharts showing processing relating to fullness detection executed by the processing device control unit 23. In this process, it is assumed that one punch unit 31 is replaced with another punch unit 31. More specifically, it is assumed that the punch unit 31 capable of punching 10 holes is replaced with the punch unit 31 capable of punching 2 holes and 3 holes shown in FIGS. In this process, it is assumed that the punch unit 31 is replaced with another punch unit 31 from the state in which the punch unit 31 is housed in the transport unit 21.

  Here, the punch unit 31 of the present embodiment is housed inside the transport unit 21, and forms the transport unit 21 when the punch unit 31 is removed and replaced with another punch unit 31. The first cover 211 and the second cover 212 are opened (see FIG. 4A). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the cover open detection unit 23G detects the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 (step 201). When the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 is detected, the writing / reading unit 23B provides the punch unit 31 with the current number of punches held by the punch number grasping unit 23C. Write to the EEPROM (step 202).

  In the present embodiment, when the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212 is detected, the number of punches is written in the EEPROM. However, regardless of the opening of the first cover 211 and the second cover 212, Each time a punch is made, the number of punches may be written in the EEPROM. Further, when the punch unit 31 capable of punching 2 holes and 3 holes is mounted as in the punch unit 31 of FIGS. The number of punches performed in the above and the number of punches performed so far by the three-hole punching blade 573 are written in the EEPROM. Note that the writing / reading unit 23B in the present embodiment can be regarded as a storage unit that stores information on the number of times the punch unit 31 has punched (punching processing) in an EEPROM as a memory.

  After that, when a new punch unit 31 is mounted, the type determination unit 23A recognizes (determines) the type of the new punch unit 31 mounted (step 203), as described above. The recognized type of the new punch unit 31 is output to the full detection unit 23H, and the full detection unit 23H also recognizes the type of the new punch unit 31 attached.

  Here, in this embodiment, when the punch unit 31 is removed as in the above step 202, the number of punches up to the present is written in the EEPROM of the punch unit 31 to be removed. As a result, for example, when the punch unit 31 is discarded, it is possible to determine whether or not the punch unit 31 can be reused by reading information on the number of punches from the EEPROM. For example, when the number of punches read from the EEPROM is smaller than a predetermined number, it can be determined that the punch unit 31 can be reused.

Returning to FIG.
When punching is performed by the drive control unit 23D (step 204), the fullness detection unit 23H recognizes whether 2-hole or 3-hole punching has been performed based on a signal from the drive control unit 23D. Thereafter, the fullness detection unit 23H executes the calculation of the following equation (1) (step 205). In other words, the fullness detection unit 23 </ b> H functioning as an acquisition unit executes the calculation represented by Expression (1), and acquires information related to the number of punch scraps accommodated in the scrap receiver 32. More specifically, the number of punching blades of the punch unit 31, the number of times the punch unit 31 performs punching, and a coefficient determined for each punching process by the punch unit 31 (or a coefficient determined for each punch unit 31). ) To obtain information related to the number of punch scraps.
(1) Y1 = (2 · N1 · a1) + (3 · N2 · a2) + (4 · N3 · a3) + ... + (10 · N10 · a10)

  Here, N1 is the number of times a 2-hole punch has been made, and N2 is the number of times a 3-hole punch has been made. N3 indicates the number of punches when, for example, a four-hole punch unit 31 is mounted and punched by the punch unit 31. Further, N10 indicates the number of punches when, for example, a punch unit 31 with 10 holes is mounted and punching is performed by the punch knit 31. Further, a1, a2, a3,..., A10 indicate coefficients (or coefficients determined for each punch unit) obtained by experiments and determined for each punching process by the punch unit 31. (Details will be described later). In other words, a 1, a 2, a 3,..., A 10 indicate coefficients associated with each punch process or coefficients associated with each punch unit 31.

  In this example, as described above, a case is described in which the punch unit 31 with 10 holes is replaced with the punch unit 31 capable of punching with 2 holes and 3 holes. In such a case, the fullness detection unit 23H holds the number of times the 10-hole punch unit 31 has punched as N10. Then, when a new punch unit 31 capable of punching two holes and three holes is mounted and, for example, a punching process of two holes is performed, the fullness detection unit 23H sets the punch of two holes to N1 in the equation (1). Is substituted to obtain a new calculated value Y1. More specifically, (2 · N1 · a1) + (10 · N10 · a10) is performed to obtain a new calculation value Y1.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, when the detachment of the waste receptacle 32 is detected by the waste receptacle detection portion 23J (step 301), the full detection portion 23H is replaced with N1 in the above equation (1). , N2, N3,..., N10 are reset to 0 (step 302). Then, based on the number of punches N1, N2, N3,..., N10 made after the reset, the calculation of the above formula (1) is executed to obtain the calculated value Y1.

  Next, the fullness detection unit 23H obtains the calculated value Y1, and then determines whether or not the calculated value Y1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number K2 (step 206). If it is determined that the calculated value Y1 is equal to or greater than the specified number K2, full information (information indicating that the waste receptacle is full) is transmitted to the main body control unit 106 via the transmission / reception unit 23F (step 207). Exit. Here, the main body control unit 106 that has received the full information displays on the UI 300 that the scrap receiver 32 is full or prompts removal of punch scraps from the scrap receiver 32. If it is determined in step 206 that the calculated value Y1 is not equal to or greater than the specified number K2, the process waits for further punching (step 204). In addition, the fullness detection part 23H in this embodiment can be regarded as a determination means for determining whether or not the waste receptacle 32 is full.

The specified number K2 is a number determined based on the number of punch scraps that can be accommodated in the scrap receiver 32. For example, when 5000 punch scraps can be accommodated in the scrap receiver 32 in the present embodiment, the specified number K2 is set to 5000, for example.
Here, for example, when a 10-hole punch unit 31 is mounted, 5000/10 (hole) = 500, and the waste receptacle 32 is filled with 500 punches. For example, when a two-hole punch unit 31 is mounted, 5000/2 = 2500, and theoretically, the waste receptacle 32 is filled with 2500 punches. Further, for example, when a three-hole punch unit 31 is mounted, 5000/3 = 16666.7, and theoretically, the waste receptacle 32 is filled with 1666 punches.

For this reason, it is possible to determine whether or not the waste receptacle 32 is full based on the number obtained by multiplying the number of punching blades of the punch unit 31 and the number of punches (the number of punching processes). That is, whether or not the waste receptacle 32 is full can be determined based on whether or not the calculated value Y2 obtained by the following equation (2) has reached a specified number K2 (for example, 5000).
(2) Y2 = (2 · N1) + (3 · N2) + (4 · N3) +... + (10 · N10)
(N1: Number of times punched with 2 holes, N2: Number of times punched with 3 holes, N3: Number of times punched with 4 holes, N10: Number of times punched with 10 holes)

By the way, for example, punch scrap generated by the punch unit 31 having two holes is deposited on the scrap receiver 32 in a partially concentrated state. On the other hand, for example, punch scraps generated by the punch unit 31 having 10 holes are partially concentrated and accumulated in a dispersed state.
Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of accumulation of punch scraps in the scrap receiver 32.
For example, when a two-hole punch unit 31 is used, as shown in FIG. 5A, punch scraps accumulate below the two punching blades 578, and the punch scraps concentrate at two locations. On the other hand, for example, when a 10-hole punch unit 31 having 10 punching blades 579 is used, as shown in FIG. It becomes distributed and deposited.

  Here, for example, when a two-hole punch unit 31 is mounted and full detection is performed using the above equation (2), the fullness of the scrap receiver 32 is detected when the number of punches N1 reaches 2500. It becomes. However, when the punch unit 31 having two holes is used, as described above, punch scraps are concentrated and accumulated in two places, and before the number of punches N1 reaches 2500, punch scraps are collected from the scrap receiver 32. There is a risk of overflow. In other words, the punch scraps may overflow from the scrap receiver 32 before the punch scraps reach 5000. That is, when the above equation (2) is used, there is a possibility that the fullness detection of the waste receptacle 32 cannot be performed. Therefore, the arithmetic expression is calculated by multiplying each of N1, N2, N3,..., N10 by coefficients a1, a2, a3,. More preferably, the formula is used.

  As described above, when the punch unit 31 with two holes is used (when punching with two holes is performed), the scrap receiver 32 is theoretically filled with 2500 punches. There is a possibility that punch scraps overflow from the scrap receiver 32 with a small number of punches. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of punches N1 is multiplied by a coefficient a1 larger than 1. In other words, when using the 2-hole punch unit 31 (when 2-hole punch processing is performed), it is assumed that the number of punches is greater than the actual number of punches N1 by multiplying by a coefficient a1 larger than 1.

  Also, since the 3-hole punch unit 31, the 4-hole punch unit 31, and the 10-hole punch unit 31 have a considerable amount of local accumulation of punch scraps, similarly, the number of punches is made larger than the actual number of punches. Are multiplied by coefficients a2, a3, a10 and the like. However, as the number of punches (the number of punching blades) increases, the punch scraps in the scrap receiver 32 are dispersed and accumulated. For this reason, the tendency of a1> a2> a3>...> A10 is seen in the magnitude relationship of the coefficients a1, a2, a3,.

  By the way, the accumulation mode of the punch scraps in the scrap receiver 32 varies depending on the shape of the scrap receiver 32. When the depth of the waste receptacle 32 is constant in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P as in the present embodiment (see FIG. 4B), the coefficients a1, a2, a3,. As described above, the trend of a1> a2> a3>...> A10 is seen in the magnitude relationship. However, when the waste receptacle 32 is locally deep, a1> a2> a3>...> A10 may not be satisfied. In such a case, coefficients a 1, a 2, a 3,..., A 10 corresponding to the scrap receiver 32 are obtained by an experiment for observing the punch scrap accumulation profile. In the present embodiment, the fullness of the waste receptacle 32 is detected by calculation using the above formula (1). For example, the ROM defines the number of punches and the state of the waste receptacle 32 (whether it is full or not). It is also possible to determine whether the table is full by storing the table and referring to this table.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus in an image forming system. It is the figure which showed the structure of the sheet | seat post-processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating a punch function part. It is a front view of a punch unit. It is a top view of a punch unit. It is sectional drawing of a punch unit. It is a functional block diagram for implement | achieving the function of the lifetime determination performed by a processing apparatus control part, and a full detection. It is the flowchart which showed the lifetime determination of the punch unit performed in a processing apparatus control part. It is the flowchart which showed the process regarding the full detection performed by a processing apparatus control part. It is the flowchart which showed the process regarding the full detection performed by a processing apparatus control part. It is the figure which showed the accumulation condition of the punch waste in a waste receptacle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Sheet post-processing apparatus, 21 ... Transport unit, 23B ... Writing / reading part, 23E ... Life judgment part, 23H ... Full detection part, 31 ... Punch unit, 32 ... Waste receptacle, 570 ... 2 hole drilling blade, 573 ... 3 hole drilling blade

Claims (10)

A main body portion on which a plurality of types of perforating units with different numbers of perforating blades for perforating paper can be mounted;
An accommodating portion for accommodating perforated waste generated by perforating processing of the perforating unit mounted on the main body;
An acquisition means for acquiring information related to the number of perforated scraps stored in the storage unit;
Determination means for determining whether or not the storage unit is full based on the information acquired by the acquisition means;
A perforation processing apparatus including:   The acquisition means acquires the number obtained by multiplying the number of drilling blades of the drilling unit mounted on the main body unit and the number of times the drilling unit has performed drilling processing as information related to the number of drilling scraps. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the one punching unit mounted on the main body is replaced with another punching unit having a different number of punching blades, the acquisition means is configured so that the number of punching blades of the one punching unit and the one punching unit are the same. Based on the number multiplied by the number of times the drilling process has been performed and the number multiplied by the number of drilling blades of the other drilling unit and the number of times the other drilling unit has performed the drilling process. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to the number is acquired.   The acquisition means is configured to multiply the number of perforated scraps by a number obtained by multiplying the number of perforation blades of the perforation unit mounted on the main body, the number of times the perforation unit performs perforation processing, and a coefficient associated with the perforation unit. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the perforation processing apparatus is acquired as information relating to the number of the punches.   When the one punching unit mounted on the main body is replaced with another punching unit having a different number of punching blades, the acquisition means is configured so that the number of punching blades of the one punching unit and the one punching unit are the same. The number of times that the perforation process has been performed and the coefficient associated with the one perforation unit, the number of perforation blades of the other perforation unit, and the number of times the other perforation unit performed the perforation process, The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information related to the number of perforations is obtained based on a number multiplied by a coefficient associated with the other perforation unit.   6. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store, in a memory provided in the perforation unit, information regarding the number of times the perforation unit attached to the main body has performed perforation processing. The punching processing apparatus as described. The punching unit includes a memory for storing the number of punching processes performed by the punching unit;
Read means for reading out the number of times of the punching process from the memory of the punching unit mounted on the main body,
Life determination means for determining the life of the perforation unit based on the number of times read by the reading means and the number of times the perforation unit attached to the main body has performed perforation processing;
The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: There is provided a perforation unit capable of selectively executing a first perforation process for applying a first number of perforations to a sheet and a second perforation process for applying a second number of perforations to a sheet different from the first number. A main body to be mounted;
An accommodating portion for accommodating perforated waste generated by the perforating process of the perforating unit mounted on the main body;
Number of perforated scraps accommodated in the accommodating portion based on the first number of perforations applied by the first perforation process and the second number of perforations applied by the second perforation process Acquisition means for acquiring information related to
Determination means for determining whether or not the storage unit is full based on the information acquired by the acquisition means;
A perforation processing apparatus including:   The acquisition means is based on the number obtained by multiplying the first number and the number of times of the first perforation process, and the number obtained by multiplying the second number and the number of times of the second perforation process. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein information related to the number of perforations is acquired.   The acquisition means is configured to multiply the first number, the number of times of the first perforation process, and a coefficient associated with the first perforation process, the second number, and the second perforation. 9. The perforation processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein information related to the number of perforations is obtained based on the number of times of processing and a number multiplied by a coefficient associated with the second perforation processing.

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