JP2011105425A - Post-processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To overcome problems of a conventional post-processing device wherein, when the curl of a recording sheet is large, the recording sheet cannot be inserted into the opening of a stapler and rides on the upper part of the stapler, and resultant pages missing. <P>SOLUTION: This post-processing device includes an end wall abutting on the rear end of a sheet supplied to a compiling tray and a paddle which is installed near the end wall and moves the sheet supplied to the compiling tray to the end wall. The paddle includes a first blade member in which a plurality of elastic blades for moving the sheet to the end wall are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and a third blade member in which rigid blades and elevation brushes for inserting the sheet into the opening of the stapler are disposed, near the stapler, at generally equal intervals in the circumferential direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus, the following technique is known as a technique related to a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as alignment, edge binding, and saddle stitching on a sheet (paper). That is, during the period in which the recording sheet (S) is accommodated in the compilation tray (7) and aligned, the recording sheet (S) discharged from the compilation tray (7) is stacked on the stacker tray (TH1). This is a technique in which the set clamp paddle (83) comes into contact with the upper surface of the recording sheet (S) and is pressed so as not to disturb the recording sheet (S) (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-69746 A ("0032" to "0039", FIG. 2)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce misalignment and / or binding failure of sheets stacked on a compilation tray.

(First invention)
The first invention is provided with a compile tray that receives and stacks sheets (paper) that are sequentially supplied, an end wall that abuts the rear end of the sheets supplied to the compile tray, and is provided in the vicinity of the end wall. A paddle that brings the sheets supplied to the tray to the end wall, a tamper that aligns the sheets stacked on the compile tray in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, and a bundle of sheets aligned by the tamper and the paddle are end-bound. The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus including a stapler having an opening.

  The paddle includes a first blade member in which a plurality of elastic blades for bringing the sheet to the end wall are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, a rigid blade for inserting the sheet into the opening of the stapler in the vicinity of the stapler, and 3. A third blade member provided with elastic brushes at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction; and a rotary shaft in which the first blade member and the third blade member are arranged and fixed in the longitudinal direction. . Here, the paddle refers to a rotating member having a plurality of sheet shifting members (blades, brushes, etc.) that can intermittently contact the sheet.

(Second invention)
In the second invention, the diameter of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the rigid blades is smaller than the diameter of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the elastic blades, and the diameter of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the brushes. It relates to a small aftertreatment device.

(Third invention)
A third invention includes an image forming apparatus main body for recording an image on a sheet, and a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus main body, into which a sheet on which an image is recorded is carried in. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to stably put a bundle of sheets into the opening of the stapler, thereby reducing binding defects.

Overall view of the image forming apparatus (Example 1) It is an expanded sectional view of a post-processing apparatus, and is explanatory drawing (Example 1) which shows the up-and-down movement of an opposing member It is an expanded sectional view of a post-processing apparatus, and is explanatory drawing (Example 1) which shows the vertical motion of a drawing-in member Explanatory drawing of discharge member, pressing member and auxiliary support (Example 1) Block Diagram of Functions Provided by Control Unit of Image Forming Apparatus (Example 1) FIG. 5 is a continuation of the block diagram (Example 1). Flowchart of processing for storing recording sheet bundle on compilation tray (Example 1) Flowchart of processing for discharging a bundle of recording sheets to a stacker tray (Example 1) FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a recording sheet is started to be loaded into a compile tray, FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a recording sheet is further conveyed from FIG. 9C is an explanatory view showing a state in which the rear end in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet has passed through the compile discharge roller. FIG. 10A is a continuation of the operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the discharge roller rotates reversely and the first recording sheet is pulled in, and FIG. 10B is a further recording from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the second recording sheet is carried into the compilation tray. FIG. 11 is a continuation of the operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the rear end of the second recording sheet has passed through the compile discharge roller, and FIG. FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the third recording sheet is carried into the compilation tray. FIG. 12 is a continuation of the operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a preset number of recording sheets are accommodated in the compile tray, and FIG. 12B is a recording with the clamp roller lowered. FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which discharging of a bundle of sheets is started, and FIG. 12C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a bundle of recording sheets is discharged to the stacker tray side from the state illustrated in FIG. FIG. 13 is a continuation of the operation explanatory view of the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view showing a state in which a bundle of recording sheets is further discharged to the stacker tray side from the state shown in FIG. 12C, and FIG. FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of a state where the stacker tray has been raised and stopped from the state shown in FIG. 13B. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in the conventional configuration, FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram of a state of being ejected from the compile tray corresponding to FIG. 12C of the first embodiment, and FIG. 14B is an uppermost surface corresponding to FIG. FIG. 14C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the next recording sheet corresponding to FIG. 9B of the first embodiment is loaded. 15A is a front view of the first blade member, and FIG. 15B is a side view of the first blade member (a view of the first blade member in FIG. 15A viewed from the left side of the drawing). 16A is a front view of the second blade member, and FIG. 16B is a side view of the second blade member (a view of the second blade member in FIG. 16A viewed from the left side of the drawing). Paddle perspective view The figure for explaining the trouble in the conventional paddle The figure for demonstrating the effect of a 2nd blade | wing member Side view of third blade member (enlarged view) The figure explaining the positional relationship of a 3rd blade | wing member and a stapler The figure explaining the positional relationship of a 3rd blade | wing member and a stapler

Next, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction of the paper is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction of the paper is the Y-axis direction, the vertical direction of the paper is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y , Z, and -Z, respectively, are designated as the front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower sides, respectively. In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back. Furthermore, in the description using the following drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 1, a copying machine U as an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a user interface UI as an operation unit, an image input device U1 as an image reading unit, a paper feeding device U2, and an image forming device. It has a main body U3 and a post-processing device U4.

[User interface UI]
The user interface UI has input keys such as a display unit UI1, a copy start key (operation start button) UI2, a copy number input key (number input button) UI3, a numeric keypad UI4, a staple processing setting key (post-processing setting button) UI5. is doing.

[Image input device U1]
The image input device U1 includes an automatic document feeder and an image scanner as a reading unit main body. The document information read by the image input device U1 is input to the image forming apparatus body U3.

[Paper Feeder U2]
The paper feeding device U2 includes a plurality of paper feeding trays TR1 to TR3 that accommodate recording sheets S as sheets (paper). The recording sheet S taken out from each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR3 is conveyed to the image forming apparatus main body U3 through a paper supply path SH1 as a conveyance path.

[Image forming apparatus body U3]
The image forming apparatus main body U3 includes an image recording unit that records an image on the recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding device U2, a toner dispenser device U3a as a developer supply device, and a sheet conveyance path SH2 as a medium conveyance path. A sheet discharge path SH3, a sheet inversion path SH4, a sheet circulation path SH5, and the like are provided.

  Further, the image forming apparatus main body U3 includes a controller C as a control unit, a laser drive circuit D as a writing circuit controlled by the controller C, a power supply circuit E, and the like.

  The laser drive circuit D controlled by the controller C has drive signals corresponding to image information of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, and K: black input from the image input device U1 at a preset time. And output to the latent image forming devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSk of the respective colors.

  In a K (black) toner image forming apparatus UK as a visible image forming apparatus, a charging device CCk, a developing device Gk, a cleaner CLk as a cleaning device, and the like are arranged around a photosensitive drum Pk as an image holding member. Has been.

  Further, around the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, and Pc of other toner image forming apparatuses UY, UM, and UC, chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc and the like are arranged.

  The photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are uniformly charged by the chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCk, respectively, and then used as writing light output from the latent image forming apparatuses ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSK. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk.

  The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are developed into toner images of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, and K: black by developing units Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. Is done.

  The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are sequentially stacked on an intermediate transfer belt B as an intermediate transfer member by primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k as primary transfer units. As a result, a multicolor image, that is, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.

  When the input image information is only black image information, only the K (black) photosensitive drum Pk and the developing device Gk are used, and only a black toner image is formed. After the primary transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk is cleaned by the cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk for the photosensitive drums.

  The intermediate transfer belt B includes a belt driving roller Rd as a driving member, a tension roller Rt as a stretching member, a walking roller Rw as a meandering correction member, a plurality of idler rollers Rf as driven members, and a secondary opposing member. It is supported by a belt support roller Rd + Rt + Rw + Rf + T2a as an intermediate transfer support system including the backup roller T2a.

  The intermediate transfer belt B is supported by a belt support roller Rd + Rt + Rw + Rf + T2a so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow Ya. The intermediate transfer belt B, belt support rollers Rd + Rt + Rw + Rf + T2a, and primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k constitute a belt module BM as an intermediate transfer unit.

  A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roller T2a. The secondary transfer unit Ut has a secondary transfer roller T2b as a secondary transfer member. The secondary transfer roller T2b is disposed so as to be able to contact and separate (separate and approach) the backup roller T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. Region Q4 is formed.

  Further, a contact roller T2c as a contact power supply member is in contact with the backup roller T2a. The contact roller T2c has a charging polarity of the developer toner at a preset time from a power supply circuit controlled by the controller C. A secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity is applied.

  A secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the rollers T2a to T2c. The primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, and the secondary transfer unit T2 constitute transfer devices T1y to T1k + B + T2 that transfer the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk to the recording sheet S. The toner image forming devices UY to UK and the transfer devices T1y to T1k + B + T2 constitute the image recording unit of the first embodiment.

  Below the belt module BM, a sheet conveyance path SH2 in which a conveyance roll Ra as a medium conveyance member, a registration roll Rr as a timing adjustment member, and the like are arranged. The recording sheet S supplied from the sheet feeding path SH1 of the sheet feeding device U2 is conveyed to the registration roller Rr of the sheet conveying path SH2, and matches the timing when the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B moves to the secondary transfer area Q4. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4 through the registration-side sheet guide SGr as a guide member and the pre-transfer sheet guide SG1. The registration-side sheet guide SGr is supported by the image forming apparatus main body U3 together with the registration roller Rr.

  The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer unit T2 when passing through the secondary transfer region Q4. Note that in the case of a full-color image, the toner images primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B are secondarily transferred onto the recording sheet S at once. The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLB as a cleaner for the intermediate transfer member.

  The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device F through the post-transfer sheet guide SG2 as a guide member and the sheet conveying belt BH. The fixing device F includes a heating roller Fh as an example of a heat fixing member and a pressure roller Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member, and a fixing region Q5 that is a region where the pair of fixing rollers Fh and Fp are in contact with each other. It is conveyed to.

  The toner image on the recording sheet S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5. On the downstream side of the fixing device F, a switching gate G1 as a switching member is provided. The switching gate G1 selectively switches the recording sheet S conveyed in the sheet conveying path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5 to either the sheet discharge path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4. The sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH3 is discharged to the post-processing device U4 by a conveyance roll Ra, a discharge roller Rh as a main body discharge member, and the like.

  A sheet circulation path SH5 is connected to the sheet reversing path SH4, and a Mylar gate G2 as a switching member is provided at the connecting portion. This mylar gate G2 once passes the recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 as it is, and then guides the recording sheet S switched back to the sheet circulation path SH5 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH5 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the sheet feeding path SH1.

  The sheet conveyance path SH is configured by the elements indicated by symbols SH1 to SH5. In addition, the sheet conveying device SU is constituted by elements indicated by symbols SH, Ra, Rr, Rh, SG1, SG2, SGr, BH, G1, and G2.

[Post-processing device U4]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the post-processing device U4 is provided with a carry-in port 1 for carrying in the recording sheet S copied by the image forming apparatus main body U3 on the surface connected to the image forming apparatus main body U3. .

  The recording sheet S carried in from the carry-in entrance 1 is switched by the switching gates 2 and 3 serving as switching members, and the upper end discharge path SH6 extending upward, the end binding discharge path SH7 extending rightward, and the middle extending downward. It is conveyed to any one of the binding discharge paths SH8.

  The recording sheet S conveyed to the upper end discharge path SH6 is discharged as it is from the upper end discharge port P0 to the top tray TH0 as the upper end stacking portion by the upper end discharge roller 4 as the upper end discharge member without being subjected to post-processing. The

(End binding device)
The recording sheet S conveyed through the end binding discharge path SH7 is discharged to the medium storage unit 7 by a compile discharge roller 6 as a discharge member for end binding. In the vicinity of the compile discharge roller 6, a compile discharge sensor SN0 that detects the recording sheet S conveyed through the end binding discharge path SH7 is disposed.

  The medium storage unit 7 includes a compile tray 8 that is inclined downward as it goes to the left with respect to the horizontal, and an end wall 9 as an abutting portion formed at the left end of the compile tray 8. Therefore, the recording sheet S discharged from the compile discharge roller 6 can be stored in the compile tray 8, and the left end of the recording sheet S (the rear end when viewed from the sheet conveying direction) is abutted against the end wall 9. The left edge is aligned. The compile tray 8 is provided with a sheet sensor SN4 that detects the recording sheet S stored in the medium storage unit 7 as a medium detection member.

  A tamper 10 as an example of an aligning member that contacts and aligns the front and rear side edges of the recording sheet S accommodated in the medium accommodating portion 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the central portion in the left-right direction of the compile tray 8 in the front-rear direction (sheet conveying direction). In a direction orthogonal to the direction). Also, on the upper left side of the compile tray 8, a paddle 11 is rotatably supported as an abutting member that feeds and abuts the recording sheet S carried into the medium storage unit 7 toward the end wall 9. On the left side of the end wall 9, a stapler 12 is supported as an end binding member for binding the end of the bundle of recording sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 8.

  Note that the tamper 9 and the stapler 12 can employ known techniques (for example, configurations described in JP-A-2006-69746, JP-A-2006-69749, etc.), and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

(Paddle 11)
Next, the paddle 11 that is a feature of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 17, the paddle 11 is a rigid body that puts the recording sheet S into the opening 80 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the stapler 12 and the first blade member 51 that brings the recording sheet S to the end wall 9. A third blade member 71 composed of a blade 73 and a brush 74 and a rotating shaft 50 in which the first blade member 51 and the third blade member 71 are arranged and fixed in the longitudinal direction are provided. FIG. 17 shows the second blade member 61 for preventing the recording sheet S from being entangled with the first blade member 51, but the recording sheet S is entangled with the first blade member 51. It is unnecessary when there is no.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the first blade member 51 protrudes from the first main body portion 52 having a substantially cylindrical first main body portion 52 having a through hole for attaching the rotation shaft 50 to the center. And a plurality of elastic blades 53. All elastic blades 53 project radially from the equally spaced positions in the circumferential direction of the first main body 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the third blade member 71 includes a substantially cylindrical third main body 72 having a through hole for attaching the rotation shaft 50 to the center, and the third blade member 71. It comprises a plurality of rigid blades 73 protruding from the main body 72 and a plurality of elastic brushes 74 protruding from the third main body 72.

  All the rigid blades 73 project radially from the equally spaced positions in the circumferential direction of the third main body 72. Further, all the elastic brushes 74 protrude between the rigid blades 73 radially from the circumferentially spaced positions of the third main body 72. In the first embodiment, six rigid blades 73 are provided at equal intervals of 60 ° around the rotation center of the third main body 72, and between the rigid blades 73, An elastic brush 74 is provided at a position equidistant from the rigid blade 73. That is, the rigid blades 73 and the elastic brushes 74 are provided around the third main body 72 alternately at equal intervals of 30 °. The brush 74 used was a bundle of six brushes made of resin (for example, PP) with a diameter of 0.1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first blade member 51 and the third blade member 71 have the following relationship in the paddle 11.
(Configuration 1) The diameter C (see FIG. 20) of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the rigid blades 73 is smaller than the diameter E (see FIG. 15A) of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the elastic blades 53. In Example 1, C = 10 mm and E = 15 mm.
(Configuration 2) The diameter C (see FIG. 20) of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the rigid blades 73 is smaller than the diameter D (see FIG. 20) of the circle formed by connecting the tips of the brush 74. In Example 1, E = 25 mm.
(Configuration 3) The elastic blades 53 are made of rubber or the like, and the rigid blades are made of a harder material (for example, hard resin such as POM, metal, etc.) than the first blades 53.
(Configuration 4) The first blade member 51 and the third blade member 71 are both fixed to the rotary shaft 50, and the third blade member 71 is an opening 80 of the stapler 12, as shown in FIG. It is located in the vicinity. Note that the stapler 12 only needs to be fixed to the post-processing device so that the corners of the recording sheet S can be bound, and as shown in FIG. It may be fixed to the processing apparatus.

  With this configuration, since the recording sheet S brought to the end wall 9 can be stably put into the opening 80 of the stapler 12 by the tamper 10 and the paddle 11, binding failure of the bundle of recording sheets S by the stapler 12 is reduced. can do. This effect will be described in detail.

  Conventionally, when the curl of the recording sheet S is large, there is a problem that the upper surface of the opening 80 of the stapler 12 and the upper surface of the recording sheet S are rubbed and the upper surface of the recording sheet S is scratched. Also, when the curl of the recording sheet S is large, there is a problem that the recording sheet S does not enter the opening 80 of the stapler 12 but rides on the upper part of the stapler 12 and drops. However, with the configurations 1 to 4 described above, even when the curl of the recording sheet S is large, the curled portion of the recording sheet S is moved to the opening 80 of the stapler 12 with a weak force by the brush 74 of the third blade member 71. Can be directed. For this reason, it is possible to reduce binding defects (scratches and riding on the stapler 12) of the recording sheet S.

The paddle 11 is preferably provided with a second blade member 61 as shown in FIG. 17, and the second blade member will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 16, the second blade member 61 has a substantially cylindrical second main body portion 62 having a through hole for attaching the rotation shaft 50 at the center, and projects from the second main body portion 62. And a plurality of second blades 63. All the second blades 63 protrude radially from the equally spaced positions in the circumferential direction of the second main body 62.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first blade member 51 and the second blade member 61 have the following relationship in the paddle 11.
(Configuration A) The outer diameter (outer diameter) 54 of the first main body 52 and the outer diameter (outer diameter) 64 of the second main body 62 are substantially the same. In Example 1, the outer diameter of both was 20 mm.
(Configuration B) The elastic blade 53 is longer than the second blade 63. In the first embodiment, the length of the elastic blade 53 (projection amount from the first main body portion 52) is 20 mm, and the length of the second blade 63 (projection amount from the second main body portion 52). Was 3 mm.
(Configuration C) The protruding direction (projecting direction) of the blade 53 of the elastic body from the first main body 52 and the projecting direction (projecting direction) of the second blade 63 from the second main body 62. Is the opposite.

Furthermore, it is desirable to have the following relationship.
(Configuration D) In the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 50, the length of the second blade member 61 is longer than the length of the first blade member 51. In the first embodiment, the length of the first blade member 51 is 10 mm, and the length of the second blade member 61 is 40 mm. This is to increase the effect of the second blade member 61 described later on the recording sheet S.
(Configuration E) The base 55 of the elastic blade 53 and the base 65 of the second blade 63 are positioned substantially in a straight line in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the rotary shaft 50.

  With this configuration, the recording sheet S can be stably brought to the end wall 9, so that the binding failure of the bundle of recording sheets S by the stapler 12 can be further reduced. This effect will be described in detail below.

  Since the conventional paddle does not have the second blade member 61 in the first embodiment and is only the first blade member 51, as shown in FIG. There is a problem in that the recording sheet S runs on and is caught (tangled) between the first main body 52 and the elastic blades 53. When such a problem occurs, the recording sheet S is conveyed by the first blade member 51, and therefore the recording sheet S cannot be neatly arranged on the compilation tray 8.

  However, as shown in FIG. 17, by attaching the second blade member 61 to the rotary shaft 50, even if the recording sheet S rides on the elastic blade 53, the second blade member remains in the recording sheet S. Is scraped off by the second blade 63. For this reason, the second blade member 61 functions to prevent the recording sheet S from being entangled with the first blade member 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, even when the recording sheet S is curled at the rear end in the sheet conveyance direction, the second blade member 61 works to scrape the recording sheet S to the compilation tray 8. do.

(Discharge member, holding member, auxiliary support)
Next, the discharge member, the pressing member, and the auxiliary support will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows only one discharge member, pressing member, and auxiliary support for the sake of simplicity.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an end binding discharge port P1 is formed at the right end of the compile tray 8, and a plurality of discharge rollers 16 are supported by the discharge port P1. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the discharge roller 16 is rotatably supported by the first shaft 17, and a gear portion 16 a as a drive transmission portion is formed. A second shaft 18 extending in parallel with the first shaft 17 is supported below the first shaft 17, and the second shaft 18 is engaged with the gear portion 16 a of the discharge roller 16 and driven. A discharge roll gear 19 is supported as a gear for transmitting the power.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a set clamp paddle 21 as a pressing member is fixedly supported at a position shifted in the axial direction of the first shaft 17 with respect to the discharge roller 16. Further, a shelf 22 as an example of an auxiliary support is supported at a position shifted in the axial direction of the first shaft 17 with respect to the discharge roller 16 and the set clamp paddle 21.

  The shelf 22 has a shelf body 22a formed in an arc shape as an auxiliary body. The shelf main body 22a is provided with an arc-shaped guide hole 22b that is guided through the first shaft 17 and is guided along the shelf main body 22a. The shelf main body 22a is formed with a rack portion 22c having a hook-like shape protruding forward as a driven transmission portion, and rack teeth 22d as an example of gears are formed on the lower surface of the rack portion 22c. ing.

  A shelf moving gear 23 that meshes with the rack teeth 22d is supported on the second shaft 18 as a gear that transmits driving to a position corresponding to the rack teeth 22d. Note that a plurality of discharge rollers 16, discharge roller gears 19, set clamp paddles 21, shelves 22, and shelf movement gears 23 are supported at intervals in the axial direction of the first shaft 17, but FIG. As shown, one by one is shown.

  Power is transmitted to the first shaft 17 and the second shaft 18 by motors 26 and 27 as drive sources, respectively. In addition, although the structure which uses the two motors 26 and 27 was illustrated, it is not limited to this, It can also be set as the structure which combined one motor, a gear, a clutch, etc.

  When power is transmitted to the first shaft 17, the set clamp paddle 21 rotates integrally with the first shaft 17, and the discharge roller 16 and the shelf 23 do not move. When the drive is transmitted to the second shaft 18, the discharge roller 16 is rotated via the discharge roller gear 19 and the shelf moving gear 23, and the shelf 22 is moved to the support position shown in FIG. 2 and the storage shown in FIG. Move between positions.

  The shelf moving gear 23 incorporates a torque limiter that rotates idly when a torque exceeding a preset value is applied, and the shelf 22 moves until the end of the guide hole 22b contacts the first shaft 17. In the state, the shelf moving gear 23 rotates idly with respect to the first shaft 17 to protect it from damage due to overload.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a clamp roller 31 is disposed above the compilation tray 8 as an opposing member corresponding to each discharge roller 16. The clamp roller 31 is supported at a tip end portion of a clamp arm 33 supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 32, and the clamp roller 31 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 as the clamp arm 33 rotates. 2 is supported so as to be movable (rotatable) between an ascending position that is spaced from the discharge roller 16 and a clamp roller 31 indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pull-in paddle 36 is disposed at a position shifted in the front-rear direction of the clamp arm 33. The pull-in paddle 36 is supported at the tip of a paddle arm 38 supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 37, and the pull-in paddle 36 is pulled from the upper surface of the compile tray 8 shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 as the paddle arm 38 rotates. Between the raised position where 36 is separated and the drawing position where the pull-in paddle 36 approaches the upper surface of the compile tray 8 indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3 and pulls the recording sheet S on the compile tray 8 toward the abutting portion 9. It is supported movably.

  The lifting mechanism for the clamp roller 31 and the pull-in paddle 36 uses a solenoid (not shown), and the drive transmission mechanism for the pull-in paddle 36 uses a belt (not shown). Since various known configurations (for example, configurations described in JP-A-2006-69746, JP-A-2006-69749, etc.) can be employed, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a stacker tray 41 extending obliquely upward to the right is disposed below the end binding discharge port P <b> 1. On the upper surface of the stacker tray 41, the front part in the discharge direction of the bundle of recording sheets S before being processed which is accommodated in the compile tray 8 can be supported, and is aligned with the compile tray 7 without being bound or end-bound. Only one of the post-processed recording sheets S is stacked.

  A slider 42 as an elevating body is connected to the left end portion of the stacker tray 41. The slider 42 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a guide rail 43 as a guide portion formed in the post-processing device U4. On the left side of the slider 42, an elevating belt 48 stretched around rollers 46 and 47 as a pair of upper and lower rotating members is disposed, and the slider 42 is fixedly supported on the belt 48. Therefore, the stacker tray 41 moves up and down as the elevating belt 48 rotates forward and backward.

  A top surface sensor SN1 capable of detecting the top surface of the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking surface 41a of the stacker tray 41 or the stacking surface 41a is disposed below the end binding discharge port P1. Further, a lower end sensor SN3 capable of detecting the slider 42 is disposed at the lower end portion of the guide rail 43. The end binding devices 6 to 48 of the first embodiment are configured by the members denoted by reference numerals 6 to 48.

(Saddle stitching device)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the lower portion of the saddle stitching discharge path SH8, the recording sheet bundle is aligned, and the central portion in the sheet conveying direction is bound and then folded into the saddle stitching discharge tray TH2. A saddle stitching device NTS for discharging is disposed. The saddle stitching device NTS is conventionally known, and various configurations described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-089462 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-089463 can be employed.

(Control part)
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the controller C includes an I / O (input / output interface) that performs input / output of signals with the outside and adjustment of the input / output signal level, a program and data for performing necessary processing. ROM (read-only memory) in which are stored, RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing necessary data, and CPU (central processing unit) that performs processing corresponding to the program stored in the ROM ), And a microcomputer having a clock oscillator and the like, and various functions can be realized by executing programs stored in the ROM.

(Signal input element connected to controller C)
The controller C is supplied with an output signal such as the next signal output element UI.
(1) UI (user interface)
The user interface UI includes a display unit UI1, a copy start key UI2, a copy number input key UI3, a numeric keypad UI4, a staple process to be executed, that is, a staple process setting for performing settings such as saddle stitching, corner binding, side edge binding, and no binding. Key UI5 etc. are provided.

(2) SN0 (compiled discharge sensor)
The compilation discharge sensor SN0 detects the recording sheet S carried into the compilation tray 8.
(3) SN1 (top sensor)
The upper surface sensor SN1 detects the stacking surface 41a of the stacker tray 41 or the uppermost surface of the recording sheets S stacked on the stacking surface 41a.
(4) SN3 (lower end sensor)
The lower end sensor SN3 detects the slider 42.
(5) SN4 (Seat sensor)
The sheet sensor SN4 detects the recording sheet S on the compilation tray 7.

(Controlled element connected to controller C)
The controller C outputs a control signal for the next controlled element.
(1) DL (laser drive circuit)
The laser driving circuit D drives the latent image forming devices ROSy to ROSk to form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk.
(2) D0 (Main motor drive circuit)
The main motor drive circuit D0 drives the main motor M0 to drive the photosensitive drums Py to Pk and the developing units Gy to Gk through a gear (not shown), a developing roller (not shown), a heating roller Fh, a transport roller Ra, a registration roll Rr, etc. Is driven to rotate.

(3) E (Power circuit)
The power supply circuit E has the following power supply circuit.
E1y to E1k: Developing power supply circuit The developing power supply circuits E1y to E1k apply a developing voltage to the developing rollers of the developing devices Gy to Gk.
E2y to E2k: Charging power supply circuit The charging power supply circuits E2y to E2k apply a charging voltage to the chargers CCy to CCk.
E3y to E3k: Primary transfer power supply circuit The primary transfer power supply circuits E3y to E3k apply a primary transfer voltage to the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k.
E4: Secondary transfer power supply circuit The secondary transfer power supply circuit E4 applies a secondary transfer voltage to the contact roller T2c for secondary transfer.
E5: Fixing power supply circuit The fixing power supply circuit E5 supplies heating power to the heating roller Fh.

D1: discharge roller drive circuit A discharge roller drive circuit D1 as an example of a discharge member drive circuit controls forward / reverse rotation drive of the discharge roller drive motor 26 to rotate the discharge roller 16 forward / reversely, The shelf 22 is moved between the storage position and the support position.
D2: Set clamp paddle operation circuit The set clamp paddle operation circuit D2 as an example of a drive circuit of the pressing member controls the rotation of the motor 27 to set the set clamp paddle 21 to the pressing position shown in FIGS. It moves between the separated positions accommodated in the post-processing device U4.

D3: Clamp roller lifting / lowering circuit A clamp roller lifting / lowering circuit D3 as a lifting / lowering circuit for the opposing member controls on / off of a solenoid (not shown) to move the clamp roller 31 between the raised position and the lowered position.
D4: Pull-in paddle lift circuit The pull-in paddle lift circuit D4 as an example of a pull-up member lift circuit controls on / off of a solenoid (not shown) to move the pull-in paddle 36 between the lift position and the pull position. .

D5: Conveying roller driving circuit A conveying roller driving circuit D5 as an example of a conveying member driving circuit of the post-processing device U4 controls the motor M5 to control sheet conveying rollers such as the upper discharge roller 4 and the compile discharging roller 6. Drive.
D6: Stacker Elevating Circuit A stacker elevating circuit D6 as an example of the elevating circuit of the stacker tray 41 controls the stacker tray elevating motor M6 to move the stacker tray 41 up and down.
D7: Saddle Stitching Device Control Circuit The saddle stitching device control circuit D7 controls a control device such as a stapler of the saddle stitching device NTS to perform saddle stitching of the recording sheet bundle.

(Payment of controller C)
The controller C has function realization means that is a program that realizes a function of executing a process according to the output signal from each signal output element and outputting a control signal to each control element. The function realization means for realizing various functions of the controller C will be described below.
(1) C1 (main motor rotation control means)
The main motor rotation control means C1 as the main drive source control means controls the main motor drive circuit D1 to control the rotation of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk, the developing rollers of the developing devices Gy to Gk, the fixing device F, and the like. .

(2) C2 (power supply circuit control means)
The power supply circuit control means C2 includes the following means C2a to C2d, and controls the power supply circuit E to control the development voltage, the charging voltage, the transfer voltage, the heater on / off of the heating roller Fh, and the like.
(3) C2ay to C2ak (developing voltage control means)
The developing voltage control means C2ak to C2ak control the developing voltage applied to the developing rollers of the developing devices Gy to Gk by controlling the operations of the developing power supply circuits E1y to E1k.
(4) C2by to C2bk (charging voltage control means)
The charging voltage control means C2by to C2bk control the charging voltages applied to the chargers CCy to CCk by controlling the operation of the charging power supply circuits E2y to E2k.

(5) C2cy to C2ck (primary transfer voltage control means)
The primary transfer voltage control means C2cy to C2ck control the transfer voltages applied to the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k by controlling the operations of the transfer power supply circuits E3y to E3k.
(7) C2d (secondary transfer voltage control means)
The secondary transfer voltage control means C2d controls the operation of the transfer power supply circuit E4 to control the secondary transfer voltage applied to the secondary transfer contact roller T2c.
(8) C2e (fixing power control means)
The fixing power source control means C2e controls the fixing temperature by controlling the operation of the fixing power source circuit E5 to turn on / off the heater of the heating roller Fh.

(9) C3 (job control means)
The job control means C3 as the operation control means controls the operations of ROSy to ROSk, the photosensitive drums Py to Pk, the transfer rollers T1y to T1k, T2c, the fixing device F, etc. according to the input of the copy start key UI2. Then, a job that is an image recording operation is executed.

(10) C4 (tamper control means)
The tamper control means C4 as the side edge alignment control means operates the tamper 10 according to the size of the recording sheet S carried into the compile tray 8 to align the side edges of the recording sheets carried into the compile tray 8. .
(11) C5 (stapler control means for end binding)
A stapler control unit C5 as an end binding control unit operates a stapler 12 for end binding in response to a user input with the staple processing setting key UI5 of the user interface UI, and performs a stapling operation to bind the recording sheet bundle. .

(12) C6 (discharge roller control means)
The discharge roller control means C6 as the discharge member control means includes a discharge execution determination means C6A, a discharge flag FL1, a normal rotation time storage means C6B, a reverse rotation time storage means C6C, a discharge time storage means C6D, and a discharge And a timer TM1, and controls the discharge roller drive circuit D5 to rotate the discharge roller 16 forward and backward to discharge the recording sheet to the stacker tray 41 or draw it to the compile tray 8 side. In the first embodiment, the shelf 22 moves between the storage position and the support position in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16.

  The discharge roller control unit C6 according to the first embodiment drives the discharge roller 16 to rotate forward to discharge the bundle of recording sheets S when discharging the bundle of recording sheets S aligned or stapled on the compilation tray 8 to the stacker tray 41. The shelf 22 is discharged and moved to the storage position. In addition, after the bundle of recording sheets S is discharged, when the first recording sheet S accommodated in the compile tray 8 is next pulled to the paddle 11 side, the discharge roller 16 is driven to rotate reversely so that the recording sheet S is removed. At the same time, the shelf 22 is moved to the support position.

(13) C6A (discharge execution determination means)
The discharge execution determination unit C6A determines whether it is time to execute the discharge of the bundle of recording sheets S from the compile tray 8 to the stacker tray 41. The discharge execution determination unit C6A according to the first exemplary embodiment sets the alignment only when the staple operation is performed by the stapler control unit C5, or when the staple processing setting key UI5 is used, and only the alignment is set and the set number of sheets is recorded. When the sheet S is stacked on the compilation tray 8, it is determined that it is time to execute discharge.

(14) FL1 (discharge flag)
The initial value of the discharge flag FL1 is “0”, which is “1” when it is determined that it is time to execute discharge by the discharge execution determining means C6A, and “0” when discharge is completed.

(15) C6B (forward rotation time storage means)
The normal rotation time storage unit C6B stores a normal rotation time t1, which is a time during which the discharge roller 16 rotates normally when the first recording sheet S is carried into the compilation tray 7. In the first embodiment, during the normal rotation time t1, the front end in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S by the compile discharge roller 6 passes through the compile discharge sensor SN0, and the rear end in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S passes through the compile discharge roller 6. It is set to the time until.

(16) C6C (reverse rotation time storage means)
The reverse rotation time storage means C6C stores a reverse rotation time t2 that is a time during which the discharge roller 16 rotates reversely when the first recording sheet S carried into the compile tray 7 is pulled to the abutting portion 9 side. . In the first embodiment, the reverse rotation time t <b> 1 is set to a time from when the trailing end of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction passes through the compile discharge roller 6 until the trailing end reaches the paddle 11.

(17) C6D (discharge time storage means)
The discharge time storage unit C6D stores a discharge time t3 that is a time during which the discharge roller 16 rotates forward when the bundle of recording sheets S is discharged from the compilation tray 7 to the stacker tray 41. In the first embodiment, the discharge time t3 is set to a time until the rear end in the discharge direction of the bundle of recording sheets S by the discharge roller 16 passes through the discharge port P1 from the abutting portion 9.

(18) TM1 (discharge timer)
The discharge timer TM1, which is an example of the discharge time measuring means, is set with any one of the forward rotation time t1, the reverse rotation time t2, and the discharge time t3, and measures the time related to the control of the discharge roller 16.

(19) C7 (set clamp paddle control means)
The set clamp paddle control means C7 as the press control means has a press time storage means C7A and a press timer TM4. The set clamp paddle 21 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 via the set clamp paddle operation circuit D2. It moves between the pressing position shown and the separation position. The set clamp paddle control means C7 of the first embodiment moves to the separation position before the bundle of recording sheets S is discharged from the end binding discharge port P1, and the bundle of discharged recording sheets S is stacked on the stacker tray 41. When loaded on top, it moves to the holding position.

(20) C7A (pressing time storage means)
The holding time storage means C7A stores a holding time td that is a time until the set clamp paddle 21 is moved from the holding position to the separated position. In the first embodiment, the pressing time td is set to a time from when the discharge of the bundle of recording sheets S from the compilation tray 7 to the stacker tray 41 is started until the set clamp paddle 21 is moved to the separation position. . That is, at the time of ejection, there is a possibility that the bundle of recording sheets S already stacked on the stacker tray 41 is pushed and disturbed by the bundle of recording sheets S ejected from the compile tray 7, but the pressing time td In the meantime, the bundle of recording sheets S already stacked is pressed by the set clamp paddle 21. In the first embodiment, the hold time td <the discharge time t3.

(21) TM4 (pressing timer)
A pressing timer TM4 as a pressing timing unit is set with a pressing time td and measures the time related to the control of the set clamp paddle 21.
(22) C8 (clamp roller lifting control means)
The clamp roller lifting / lowering control means C8 as the lifting / lowering control means for the opposing member controls the clamp roller lifting / lowering circuit D8 so that the clamp roller 31 is set to the raised position in accordance with the timing when the aligned or stapled recording sheet S bundle is discharged. Move to and from the lowered position.

(23) C9 (retraction paddle control means)
The pull-in paddle control means C9 as the pull-in member control means has a pull-in time storage means C9A, controls the pull-in paddle lifting / lowering circuit D4, and pulls in according to the timing when the recording sheet S is carried into the compile tray 7. The paddle 36 is moved between the raised position and the retracted position, and the retractable paddle 36 is driven to convey the recording sheet S to the main paddle 11 side.

(24) C9A (retraction time storage means)
The pull-in time storage means C9A stores a pull-in time tb that is a time during which the pull-in paddle 36 pulls the recording sheet S toward the abutting portion 9 side. In the first embodiment, the pull-in time tb is set to a time during which the trailing edge of the compile discharge roller 6 is pulled to the position of the paddle 11 after the trailing edge of the recording sheet S is pulled out.

(25) TM2 (retraction timer)
The pull-in timer TM2 as a pull-in time measuring means is set with a pull-in time tb and measures the time related to the pull-in paddle 36.

(26) C10 (conveying roller control means)
A conveyance roller control unit C10 as a conveyance member control unit of the post-processing device U4 controls the conveyance roller driving circuit D5 in accordance with the time when the sheet S is carried into the post-processing device U4, and conveys the recording sheet S.

(27) C11 (stacker tray control means)
The stacker tray control means C11 as the raising / lowering control means for the stacker tray 41 includes a descending time storage means C11A, a descending timer TM3, an ascending end judging means C11B, and a lower end movement judging means C11C, and a stacker raising / lowering circuit D6. And the stacker tray 41 is moved up and down. The stacker tray 41 according to the first embodiment descends by a descending amount L every time a bundle of recording sheets S is discharged, and then raises the stacker tray 41 according to the position of the uppermost surface of the stacked recording sheets S. .

(28) C11A (Descent time storage means)
The descending time storage means C11A stores a descending time tc that is a time required for the stacking tray 41 to descend by the descending amount L. In the first embodiment, the falling time tc <the holding time td.

(29) TM3 (Descent timer)
The descent timer TM3 as descent time measuring means is set with a descent time tc and measures the descent time tc.

(30) C11B (rising end determination means)
Based on the detection result of the upper surface sensor SN1, the rising end determining means C11B is configured such that the uppermost surface of the recording sheets S stacked on the stacker tray 41 or the stacking surface 41a when the recording sheets S are not stacked is the upper surface sensor SN1. It is determined whether or not it is time to finish the ascent.

(31) C11C (lower end movement determination means)
The lower end movement determination means C11C determines whether or not the stacker tray 41 has been lowered to the lower end position based on the detection result of the lower end sensor SN4, that is, whether or not the stacker tray 41 has become full.

(32) C12 (saddle stitching device control means)
The saddle stitching device control means C12 controls the saddle stitching device control circuit D7 when the saddle stitching device control circuit D7 is designated by a user input with the staple processing setting key UI5 of the user interface UI, and the saddle stitching device NTS records the recording sheet. Perform saddle stitching on the bundle.

[Processing flow of image forming apparatus U]
Next, the processing flow of the image forming apparatus U of the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart (flow chart).

(Compilation tray accommodation processing)
The processing of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed according to a program stored in the ROM of the controller C. This process is executed in a multitasking manner in parallel with other various processes of the image forming apparatus. 7 is started when the image forming apparatus U is turned on.

  In ST1 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the compile tray discharge sensor SN0 is turned on, that is, whether or not the recording sheet S is conveyed toward the compile tray 7. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST2. If no (N), ST1 is repeated. In ST2, it is determined whether or not the sheet sensor SN4 is on, that is, whether the recording sheet S is stored in the compile tray 7 or the first recording sheet S. If no (N), the process proceeds to ST3, and if yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST8.

In ST3, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST4.
(1) The forward rotation of the discharge roller 16 is started.
(2) The normal rotation time t1 is set in the discharge timer TM1.

  In ST4, it is determined whether or not the discharge timer TM1 has timed up, that is, whether or not the forward rotation time t1 has elapsed. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST5, and if no (N), ST4 is repeated.

In ST5, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST6.
(1) The clamp roller 31 is moved to the lowered position.
(2) The reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16 is started. At this time, the shelf 22 moves to the support position.
(3) The reverse rotation time t2 is set in the discharge timer TM1.

In ST6, it is determined whether or not the discharge timer TM1 has expired. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST7, and if no (N), ST6 is repeated.
In ST7, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process returns to ST1.
(1) The rotation of the discharge roller 16 is stopped.
(2) The clamp roller 31 is moved to the raised position.

In ST8, it is determined whether or not the compilation discharge sensor SN0 is turned off. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST9, and if no (N), ST8 is repeated.
In ST9, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST10.
(1) The retractable paddle 36 is moved to the retracted position.
(2) The pull-in time tb is set in the pull-in timer TM2.
(3) The rotation of the pull-in paddle 36 is started.

In ST10, it is determined whether or not the pull-in timer TM2 has timed up. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST11, and if no (N), ST10 is repeated.
In ST11, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process returns to ST1.
(1) The pull-in paddle 36 is moved to the raised position.
(2) The rotation of the pull-in paddle 36 is stopped.

(Stacker tray discharge processing)
The process of each ST (step) in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed according to a program stored in the ROM of the controller C. This process is executed in a multitasking manner in parallel with other various processes of the image forming apparatus. The flowchart of the stacker tray discharge process shown in FIG. 8 is started when the power is turned on.

In ST21 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the discharge flag FL1 is “1”. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST22, and if no (N), ST21 is repeated.
In ST22, the following processes (1) to (6) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST23.
(1) The clamp roller 31 is moved to the lowered position.
(2) The forward rotation of the discharge roller 16 is started.
(3) The discharge time t3 is set in the discharge timer TM1.
(4) The stacker tray 41 starts to descend.
(5) The falling time tc is set in the falling timer TM3.
(6) The pressing time td is set in the pressing timer TM4.

In ST23, it is determined whether or not the descent timer TM3 has expired. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST24. If no (N), ST23 is repeated.
In ST24, the lowering of the stacker tray 41 is finished and stopped. Then, the process proceeds to ST25.
In ST25, it is determined whether or not the pressing timer TM4 is up. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST26, and if no (N), ST25 is repeated.
In ST26, the pressing paddle 21 is moved to the separation position. Then, the process proceeds to ST27.

In ST27, it is determined whether or not the discharge timer TM1 is up. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST28, and if no (N), ST27 is repeated.
In ST28, the following processes (1) to (4) are executed, and the process proceeds to ST29.
(1) The clamp roller 31 is moved to the raised position.
(2) Stop the rotation of the discharge roller 16.
(3) The pressing paddle 21 is moved to the pressing position.
(4) The stacker tray 41 starts to rise.

  In ST29, it is determined whether or not the upper surface sensor SN1 is turned on, that is, whether or not the uppermost surface of the bundle of recording sheets S stacked on the stacker tray 41 is detected. If yes (Y), the process proceeds to ST30, and if no (N), ST29 is repeated.

In ST30, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed, and the process returns to ST21.
(1) Finish raising the stacker tray 41.
(2) The discharge flag FL1 is set to “0”.

(Function)
In the image forming apparatus U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when a job as an image forming operation is executed, the recording sheet S is fed from the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4, and the secondary transfer area Q4. The toner image is transferred, fixed by the fixing device F, and conveyed to the post-processing device U4. In the user interface UI, when a user, a so-called user, performs setting without post-processing, the user is discharged to the top tray TH0, and when setting saddle stitching, saddle stitching is performed by the saddle stitching device NTS. It is discharged to the saddle stitch discharge tray TH2.

  When saddle stitching is set in the user interface UI, the process of ST3 in FIG. 7 is performed, and when the front end in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S passes through the compilation discharge sensor SN0 as shown in FIG. To start. In this state, the shelf 22 is held in a state of being stored in the storage position shown in FIG. 9A. When the recording sheet S is further conveyed, the state shown in FIG. 9C is obtained after the state shown in FIG. 9B.

  Next, the process of ST5 in FIG. 7 is performed, and as shown in FIG. 10A, the discharge roller 16 rotates reversely with the recording sheet S sandwiched between the clamp roller 31 and the discharge roller 16 at the lowered position. The recording sheet S is pulled into the end wall 9 side. At this time, the shelf 22 starts moving toward the support position in conjunction with the reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the recording sheet S is sufficiently drawn up to the paddle 11, the process of ST7 in FIG. 7 is performed, the reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16 is stopped, and the clamp roller 31 is directed to the raised position. Move. In this state, as shown in FIG. 10B, the shelf 22 has moved to the support position. Accordingly, when the reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16 is stopped, the recording sheet S is subsequently drawn only by the paddle 11, and the rear end in the transport direction is abutted against the end wall 9 as shown in FIG.

  In this state, the recording sheet S is supported on the top surface of the bundle of recording sheets S already stacked on the compilation tray 8 and the shelf 22 and the stacker tray 41. Although not shown in the flowchart, the tamper 10 contacts the side edge of the recording sheet S in the state shown in FIG.

  10C, when the second recording sheet S is carried in, the process of ST8 in FIG. 7 is performed, and when the rear end in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S passes through the compile discharge roller 6 as shown in FIG. 7 is performed, the pull-in paddle 36 moves to the pull-in position as shown in FIG. 11B, and the second recording sheet S is pulled into the end wall 9 side. Then, when the pull-in time tb has elapsed and the recording sheet S is sufficiently pulled up to the paddle 11 as shown in FIG. 11C, the process of ST11 in FIG. 7 is performed, and the pull-in paddle 36 moves to the raised position.

  For the third and subsequent recording sheets S, the steps of FIG. 10C to FIG. 11C are repeated, and a preset number of recording sheets S are accommodated as shown in FIG. 12A. In this state, when the setting for performing the end binding is performed on the user interface UI, the stapler 12 is operated to perform the end binding, the discharge flag FL1 is set to “1”, and the setting for not performing the end binding is performed. If it is, the discharge flag FL1 is immediately set to “1”.

  When the discharge flag FL1 becomes “1”, the process of ST22 of FIG. 8 is executed, and the clamp roller 31 is lowered and the forward rotation of the discharge roller 16 is started as shown in FIG. 12B. At this time, the stacker tray 41 starts to descend as shown in FIGS. 12B, 12C, and 13A. In FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C, and FIG. 13A, at this time, the shelf 22 starts moving from the support position toward the storage position in conjunction with the forward rotation of the discharge roller 16.

  When the descent time tc elapses, as shown in FIG. 13A, the stacker tray 41 is lowered by a preset lowering amount L, and the descent of the stacker tray 41 is stopped. In the state shown in FIG. 13A, the shelf 22 is moved to the storage position so as not to prevent the bundle of discharged recording sheets S from being dropped.

  Then, when the pressing time td elapses, the processing of ST26 in FIG. 8 is performed, and the set clamp paddle 21 moves from the pressing position shown in FIG. 12C to the separation position shown in FIG. 13A. That is, in the state shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the bundle of recording sheets S is pressed by the set clamp paddle 21, and it is reduced that the position is disturbed by being pushed by the bundle of recording sheets S to be discharged. When the bundle of recording sheets S discharged from the compile tray 7 is sufficiently discharged, the recording sheet S moves to a separation position as shown in FIG. 13A so as not to prevent the bundle of discharged recording sheets S from dropping. ing.

  Then, when the discharge time t3 has elapsed, the process of ST28 of FIG. 8 is executed, and as shown in FIG. 13B, the clamp roller 31 moves to the raised position, and the rotation of the discharge roller 16 stops. Then, the set clamp paddle 21 moves to the pressing position, and the stacker tray 41 starts to rise. Then, when the top surface of the stack of stacked recording sheets S is detected by the upper surface sensor SN1 as shown in FIG. 13C, the process of ST30 in FIG. 8 is performed, and the raising of the stacker tray 41 is completed. At this time, the set clamp paddle 21 comes into contact with and is pressed against the uppermost surface of the bundle of recording sheets S, returning to the state of FIG. 9A. Therefore, when the post-processing of the next bundle of recording sheets S is performed, the same process is repeated again from the state of FIG. 9A.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in the conventional configuration, FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram of a state of being ejected from the compile tray corresponding to FIG. 12C of the first embodiment, and FIG. 14B is an uppermost surface corresponding to FIG. FIG. 14C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the next recording sheet corresponding to FIG. 9B of the first embodiment is loaded.

  In the conventional configuration, when the recording sheet S is discharged from the compile tray 7 to the stacker tray 41, the trailing end of the recording sheet S is curved, so-called curled, or the bundle of recording sheets S bounces. As shown in FIG. 14B, the rear end of the recording sheet S0 may be caught by the discharge port P1 and remain. In this state, as shown in FIG. 14C, when the next recording sheet S1 is carried in, the recording sheets S0 and S1 may be disturbed by interference with the remaining recording sheet S0.

  On the other hand, in the above-described configuration, when the recording sheet S is discharged to the stacker tray 41, the stacker tray 41 is lowered so that the trailing edge of the recording sheet S hardly remains, and the recording sheet S is disturbed. Has been reduced. In particular, in the configuration described above, even when the trailing edge of the recording sheet S discharged to the stacker tray 41 is curled, it is pressed by the set clamp paddle 21 when the stacker tray 41 is raised. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a situation in which the curled rear end is caught in the discharge port P1 after the stacker tray 41 is raised and remains in the discharge port P1 due to reverse rotation of the discharge roller 16 or the like.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the copying machine U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a printer, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. Further, the present invention is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to a post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a lithographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a method of lowering the descent amount L, the descent amount L is lowered by measuring the corresponding descent time tc. However, the method is not limited to this method, and the number of rotations of the motor, It is possible to move down by the lowering amount L by an arbitrary method such as detection by a sensor.

  In the above-described embodiment, when raising the stacker tray 41, the stacker tray 41 is raised until the position of the uppermost surface is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and the stacker tray 41 can be raised by the amount of lowering. At this time, it is desirable to raise by the amount of lowering and then lower by the amount of the additionally stacked recording sheets S.

  In the above-described embodiment, the set clamp paddle 21 and the shelf 22 are provided, but these may be omitted. Further, although the motors 26 and 27 are illustrated as the moving mechanism of the set clamp paddle 21 and the shelf 22, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and an arbitrary moving mechanism such as a solenoid can be adopted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the post-processing device having the saddle stitching device NTS and the top tray TH0 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and one or both of the saddle stitching device NTS and the top tray TH0 are omitted. Post-processing devices, devices that form binding holes, so-called punch holes, and post-processing devices to which devices that perform three-folding such as Z-folding and C-folding instead of half-folding are added. Applicable.

8 Compile tray 9 End wall 10 Tamper 11 Paddle 12 Stapler 51 First blade member 53 Elastic blade 71 Third blade member 73 Rigid blade 74 Brush S Sheet U Image forming device U4 Post-processing device

Claims (3)

A compile tray for receiving and stacking sequentially supplied sheets;
An end wall that abuts the rear end of the sheet supplied to the compilation tray;
A paddle provided in the vicinity of the end wall and bringing the sheet supplied to the compile tray to the end wall;
A tamper that aligns the sheets stacked on the compile tray in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction;
A post-processing apparatus comprising a stapler having an opening for binding the bundle of sheets aligned by the tamper and the paddle;
The paddle is
A first blade member provided with a plurality of elastic blades that bring the sheet to the end wall at equal intervals in the circumferential direction;
In the vicinity of the stapler, a third blade member provided with a rigid blade and an elastic brush for inserting the sheet into the opening of the stapler at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction;
A post-processing apparatus, comprising: a rotary shaft in which the first blade member and the third blade member are arranged and fixed in the longitudinal direction.   The diameter of a circle formed by connecting the tips of the rigid blades is smaller than the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the tips of the elastic blades and smaller than the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the tips of the brushes. Item 2. Post-processing device An image forming apparatus main body for recording an image on a sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet on which an image is recorded is carried in, connected to the image forming apparatus main body.

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