JP2011126620A - Sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To excellently align sheets on a tray regardless of the number of sheets. <P>SOLUTION: A sheet processing device includes: a pair of alignment members 51, 52 that abut on and separate from the opposite edges of the sheets for alignment; and a regulation member that is provided to at least one of the alignment members 51, 52, and moves in a direction approaching the upper surface of sheets according to abutting operation of the pair of alignment members to the sheet edges for restricting the sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that aligns sheets received from an image forming apparatus main body and performs post-processing on the sheets.

  A sheet processing device that stacks sheets on the intermediate stacking unit and aligns the sheet width (aligns the direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction) is close to a pair of lateral alignment reference walls and lateral alignment reference walls. Those having joggers that are spaced apart are known. The jogger aligns the width direction of the sheet from both sides of the sheet.

  This sheet processing apparatus includes, for example, a lateral alignment reference wall having a U-shaped cross section for receiving a sheet side end portion and a jogger for preventing sheet lifting and slipping of the sheet side end portion as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Is provided. The sheet processing apparatus may be provided in the apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

JP 2003-246525 A

  When performing sheet alignment with a U-shaped jogger, the size of the upper and lower gaps of the jogger needs to be increased as the number of sheets to be bound increases. For example, in the case of an apparatus that binds 50 sheets, a gap in the thickness direction that is sufficiently wider than 50 sheets is required. However, when two sheets are aligned with a jogger having a sufficiently wide gap for the thickness of 50 sheets, the gap is too wide. In particular, when trying to align a curled sheet, the sheet escapes to the upper and lower gaps, resulting in poor alignment.

  This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional sheet processing apparatus. In the conventional jogger configuration, as shown in FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b), it is necessary to accept the maximum number of sheets to be bound, and therefore the gap amounts of the joggers 551 and 552 are required to some extent.

  However, because of this gap amount, as shown in FIGS. 24C and 24D, when aligning a small number of sheets in the width direction, the alignment jogger 552 moves to the right in the figure. However, the sheet S escapes upward. Then, since the sheet end portion does not reach the reference wall 551b of the reference jogger 551, a misalignment may occur.

  An object of the present invention is to satisfactorily align sheets on a tray, not limited to the number of sheets.

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention is as follows.
A pair of alignment members that align against and separate from the opposite ends of the sheet,
A regulating member that is provided on at least one of the pair of alignment members and moves in a direction approaching the upper surface of the sheet in accordance with a contact operation of the pair of alignment members to the sheet end portion to regulate the sheet. And

  With the above configuration, not only the number of sheets but also the alignment of sheets on the tray can be performed satisfactorily.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus. The figure explaining the whole structure of a sheet processing apparatus. The perspective view which looked at the intermediate loading part from the conveyance direction downstream side. The top view which shows the position which a jogger can take. The figure explaining the drive part and guide guide of a jogger. The block diagram of a sheet processing apparatus. The perspective view explaining the regulating member in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The perspective view of the control member in 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the regulating member in a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The perspective view explaining the regulating member in a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The perspective view explaining the regulating member in a 5th embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of a sheet processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. The perspective view explaining the regulating member in a 6th embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram of a sheet processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. The sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment. The sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in 3rd Embodiment and 4th Embodiment. The sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in 5th Embodiment and 6th Embodiment. The side view explaining the moving mechanism in other embodiments. The side view explaining the moving mechanism in other embodiments. The figure explaining the structure of the conventional sheet processing apparatus.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus to which a sheet processing apparatus is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet processing apparatus 1 is connected to an image forming apparatus main body and selectively performs predetermined processing such as stapling on an image-formed sheet. Here, a stapler (binding unit) is illustrated as a processing unit for processing the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be another processing unit such as a punch unit for punching or a folding unit for folding, or a combination of these processing units may be used as appropriate.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 2 that forms an image on a sheet, and an image reading unit 3 that is connected to the image forming unit 2 and reads description information of a document.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 2 separates and feeds a plurality of sheets S stacked on the feeding cassette 4 one by one by the feeding roller 6 and the separation conveyance roller 7, and the conveyance guide 8 Transport to process cartridge 9.

  The process cartridge 9 forms an image (toner image) by electrophotography. Specifically, a laser scanner 11 irradiates light onto a photosensitive drum 10 as a charged image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the sheet S.

  The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 10 is conveyed to the fixing device 12 and applied with heat and pressure, thereby fixing the image.

  The sheet S on which the image has been fixed is switched by the conveyance path switching member 13 to either the face-up conveyance path 14 or the switchback conveyance path 15 that reverses the sheet up and down.

  The sheet sent to the switchback conveyance path 15 is conveyed by the switchback conveyance roller 16 until the trailing edge of the sheet passes the reverse switching member 17. Thereafter, the switchback conveyance roller 16 is reversed, and the sheet is conveyed in a vertically inverted state with the rear end side thus far as the front end side. At this time, when the reverse switching member 17 is switched, the reversed sheet is sent to the face-down conveyance path 18.

  The face-up conveyance path 14 and the face-down conveyance path 18 merge before the discharge roller 19. Both the sheet guided to the face-up conveyance path 14 and the sheet that has passed the face-down conveyance path 18 from the switchback conveyance path 15 are discharged from the image forming unit 2 by the discharge roller 19.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading unit 3 includes a scanner unit 21 and an automatic document feeding unit (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 22. The ADF 22 separates and feeds a plurality of documents stacked on the document stacking tray 23 one by one by a feeding roller 24 and passes the document reading position 25 where the optical carriage 27 of the scanner unit 21 is stopped. Is. The ADF 22 can be opened and closed rearward around a hinge (not shown) at the rear of the apparatus, and is opened and closed when a document is placed on the document table glass 26.

  The scanner unit 21 is provided with a movable optical carriage 27 and reads information described in a document. In the scanner unit 21, the document description information is read while the optical carriage 27 scans the document placed on the document table glass 26 in the horizontal direction, and is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 28. Further, when the original is read by the ADF 22, the optical carriage 27 stops at the original reading position 25 and reads the description information of the original being conveyed as described above.

  2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the overall configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view. The sheet processing apparatus 1 is connected to the side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus, receives a sheet discharged from the image forming unit 2 by a discharge roller 19 and performs a stapling process.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the sheet processing apparatus 1 includes an intermediate conveyance roller 31, a discharge upper roller 32, and a discharge lower roller 33, and processes a sheet processed by a stapler (processing unit) described later. Discharge. An intermediate stacking unit 34 as a first stacking unit on the downstream side of the intermediate transport roller 31 temporarily stacks received sheets.

  A first stacking tray 35 serving as a second stacking unit stacks sheets that have been stapled (aligned) processed by the rollers 32 and 33 or discharged without being stapled (aligned).

  The alignment roller 36 performs alignment in the conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34. The alignment roller 36 can move up and down with respect to the sheet stacking surface of the intermediate stacking section 34. When the aligning roller 36 is lowered, the alignment roller 36 contacts the surface of the sheet on the intermediate stacking section 34 and moves the sheet. Evacuates to a position where there is no hindrance to being carried into the intermediate loading section 34.

  Further, the intermediate stacking unit 34 includes a first alignment reference wall 37 and an upper conveyance guide 38 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Downstream of the rollers 32 and 33, a stack height detection flag 39 for detecting the stack height by contacting the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the first stack tray 35 is provided. The upper discharge roller 32 can be separated from the lower discharge roller 33 to the position indicated by the broken line. When the roller is separated, the upper discharge discharge roller 32 pushes the stack height detection flag 39 to the position indicated by the broken line. is there.

  As will be described later, a reference jogger 51 (first alignment) is provided downstream of the discharge upper roller 32 and the discharge lower roller 33 as an alignment member pair that contacts and separates opposite ends in the width direction of the sheet to align the sheets. Member) and an alignment jogger 52 (second alignment member) are arranged. The reference jogger 51 serves as an alignment reference, and the alignment jogger 52 presses the sheet toward the reference jogger 51.

  On the upper part of the alignment jogger 52, a moving mechanism 100 having an arm 100A (regulating member) provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the upper surface of the sheet is disposed. The arm 100A is driven by the drive unit 101. In the present embodiment, the drive unit 101 is a solenoid. As will be described later, the drive unit may be a motor. The restricting member presses the upper surface of the sheet in accordance with the abutting operation of the joggers 51 and 52 to the sheet end, and restricts the sheet with respect to the support surface.

  In addition to the first stacking tray 35 described above, the sheet processing apparatus 1 includes a second stacking tray 44 and a third stacking tray 45 for sorting and stacking sheets. The stacking trays 44 and 45 are provided vertically above the joggers 51 and 52. In order to convey the sheets to the upper stacking trays 44 and 45, a switching member 41 is provided at the entrance of the apparatus. By switching the direction of the switching member 41, the sheets sent to the sheet processing apparatus 1 are stapled in the staple conveyance path 42. Or it is sent to the sorting conveyance path 43. Then, the transport path is switched to a sorting member 46 provided in the sort transport path 43, and discharged and stacked on the second stack tray 44 or the third stack tray 45 as the upper stack tray by the respective discharge rollers.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the intermediate stacking unit as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 1 includes two joggers (reference jogger 51 and alignment jogger 52) that are alignment members that perform alignment in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. Each of the joggers 51 and 52 includes a sheet support surface 51a and 52a that can support the lower surface of the sheet stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34, and a sheet alignment surface 51b and 52b that can contact an end portion in the width direction of the sheet. The top surfaces 51c and 52c prevent the sheet from lifting up. The joggers 51 and 52 are movable in the sheet width direction in order to perform alignment in the sheet width direction, and constitute an alignment unit together with a drive unit described later. A first stacking tray 35 is provided below the joggers 51 and 52, and a second stacking tray 44 and a third stacking tray 45 shown in FIG. Further, the intermediate stacking unit 34 is provided with a second alignment reference wall 53 in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and a stapler 54 for binding the aligned sheet bundle.

  The arm 100A moves up and down its tip 100a by rotating around the rotation fulcrum 100b. FIG. 3 shows a state where the tip 100a of the arm 100A is retracted above the jogger top surface 52c.

  A reference jogger 51 and an alignment jogger 52 are disposed downstream of the rollers 32 and 33 in the sheet conveyance direction. The shapes of the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 include a support surface that contacts the sheet edge and supports the lower surface of the sheet, an alignment surface that contacts the sheet edge and performs alignment in the width direction of the sheet, and an upper surface of the sheet. It is an approximately U-shape that consists of an opposing top surface. With this shape, the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet S can be supported.

  FIG. 4 is a top view showing positions that the jogger can take. The joggers 51 and 52 are moved in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction by the driving unit, and take a plurality of positions as shown in FIG. The positions are the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 (a), the receiving position shown in FIG. 4 (b), and the alignment position shown in FIG. 4 (c). The position is determined by the control unit, and the joggers 51 and 52 are moved by an instruction from the control unit to the drive unit.

  The retracted position shown in FIG. 4A is a position where the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a of the joggers 51 and 52 are retracted to the outside of the sheet conveying path. The joggers 51 and 52 at this position move so that the sheet support surface of the jogger is outside the width of the sheet S in order to discharge the stapled sheets to the stacking tray 35.

  The receiving position shown in FIG. 4B is a position where the lower surface of the sheet S is supported by the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a when the sheet S is conveyed to the intermediate stacking unit 34. The joggers 51 and 52 at this position are at a position wider than the width of the sheet S by a predetermined amount so that the sheet alignment surfaces 51b and 52b do not hinder the conveyance of the sheet.

  The alignment position shown in FIG. 4C is a position where the sheet alignment surfaces 51b and 52b come into contact with the end portions of the sheet S supported by the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a to align the sheets. At this position, the alignment jogger 52 moves the sheet S until it contacts the sheet alignment surface 51 b of the reference jogger 51 and the second alignment reference wall 53 in order to align the sheets.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, when the reference jogger 51 moves to substantially the same position as the second alignment reference wall 53, it stops at the receiving position shown in FIG. 4B by a stopper (not shown). Thereafter, only the alignment jogger 52 moves until reaching the alignment position shown in FIG. That is, the receiving position of the reference jogger 51 and the alignment position are the same position. However, this is not necessarily the case, and the receiving position of the reference jogger 51 and the alignment position may be set separately.

  The home positions (standby positions) of the joggers 51 and 52 when the power is turned on or when waiting between jobs are inward by a predetermined amount from the retreat position that is the outermost in the range in which the joggers 51 and 52 can move. It is set to be the position of.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the driving units and guide guides of the joggers 51 and 52. The jogger motor 64 (drive unit) shown in FIG. 5 drives the pulley 66, the pulley 67, and the timing belt 68. Sliders 71 and 72 are fixed to the timing belt 68. The slider 72 and the alignment jogger 52 are fixed, and the slider 71 and the reference jogger 51 are connected via a spring 70. The joggers 51 and 52 are guided by a guide guide 69 and can move in the width direction of the sheet (the left-right direction in the figure). The positions of the joggers 51 and 52 are detected by the jogger position sensor 62.

  From the retracted position to the receiving position, the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 move in synchronization with the movement of the timing belt 68. When the reference jogger 51 is moved to substantially the same position as the second alignment reference wall 53, it is stopped by a stopper (not shown), and then the spring 70 is extended so that only the slider 71 and the alignment jogger 52 are moved to the alignment position. Move until you reach it. Therefore, here, the reference jogger 51 is in the same position as the second alignment reference wall 53 in the alignment position.

  Next, a sheet processing operation in the sheet processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the control of the sheet processing apparatus, based on information from the jogger position sensor 62 and the roller separation sensor 63, the control unit 61 controls the motors such as the jogger motor 64, the roller separation motor 65, and the conveyance motor 80. It is the composition of issuing a command.

  Next, the control operation will be described. During standby, the home positions of the joggers 51 and 52 are set to the receiving positions shown in FIG.

  When the sheet processing apparatus 1 receives a print signal from the image forming unit 2, the control unit 61 provided in the sheet processing apparatus 1 drives a jogger motor 64. At the same time, the joggers 51 and 52 are moved to the retracted position shown in FIG.

  Next, the joggers 51 and 52 are moved to the receiving position shown in FIG. 4B. If the jogger is moved to the receiving position as it is, there is a possibility of a collision depending on the position of the loading height detection flag 39. Therefore, before operating the joggers 51 and 52, the controller 61 drives the roller separation motor 65, moves the discharge upper roller 32 to the separation position based on the information of the roller separation sensor 63, and raises the stacking height detection flag 39. Let In this state, the joggers 51 and 52 are moved to the receiving position, and after the movement, the discharge upper roller 32 once returns from the separation position to the conveyance position. However, the loading height detection flag 39 is supported by the lower surfaces of the joggers 51 and 52 and remains inside the substantially U-shape.

  Before the sheet is conveyed into the sheet processing apparatus, the conveyance motor 80 is activated to rotate the conveyance roller in the apparatus. When the sheet is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 1, the sheet sent to the staple conveyance path 42 by the switching member 41 is discharged to the intermediate stacking unit 34 by the intermediate conveyance roller 31. In the first sheet to be processed, the discharge upper roller 32 is positioned at the transport position at this time, so that the sheet is reliably transported toward the substantially U-shape of the joggers 51 and 52. After the leading edge of the first sheet is transferred to the joggers 51 and 52, the discharge upper roller 32 moves to the separation position, and the sheet is conveyed even after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the intermediate conveying roller 31, The sheet is retracted so as not to hinder the movement of the sheet by the subsequent alignment operation. Therefore, after the second sheet, the discharge upper roller 32 is held at the separated position until a predetermined number of sheets to be stapled are aligned.

  Sheets are aligned one by one, and when the sheets are stacked on the intermediate stacking unit 34, first, the joggers 51 and 52 are moved to align the width direction of the sheets. At this time, the reference jogger 51 is fixed at a position where the sheet alignment surface 51 b is flush with the second alignment reference wall 53. Then, the alignment jogger 52 is moved in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to the alignment position (FIG. 4C) where the sheet abuts against the second alignment reference wall 53, and alignment in the width direction of the sheet is performed.

  Next, the alignment roller 36 descends and abuts against the surface of the sheet and rotates in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and the sheet is moved until it abuts against the first alignment reference wall 37, thereby aligning in the sheet conveyance direction. Is called.

  As described above, the second sheet is carried in and aligned with the upper discharge roller 32 held in the separated position.

  The same operation is repeated until the predetermined number of sheets to be stapled is reached. When the alignment of the final sheet is completed, the conveyance motor 80 is stopped, and the stapler 54 is driven to bind the aligned sheet bundle. Thereafter, the upper discharge roller 32 is moved to the conveying position, the conveying motor 80 is activated to convey the sheet bundle, and the lower surfaces of the joggers 51 and 52 are retracted to the retracted position (FIG. 4A) wider than the sheet width. evacuate. As a result, the sheet bundle is dropped on the stacking tray 35 and stacked. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the control unit 61 is provided in the sheet processing apparatus 1 has been described. However, the control unit 61 is integrated with a control unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body in order to control the entire image forming apparatus. And may be directly controlled from the image forming apparatus main body side.

  The operation of the restricting member in the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 19. FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining a regulating member in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7A, the arm 100A is urged counterclockwise around the fulcrum 100b by a spring (not shown). For this reason, the distal end 100a of the arm 100A is retracted above the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger 52 (retracted position).

  In FIG. 7B, the solenoid plunger 101a which is the drive unit 101 is moved to the left in the drawing. By this operation, the arm 100A is urged to the left in the drawing by the engaging portion 101b with the plunger. The arm 100A rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing around the fulcrum 100b. By this rotation, the leading end 100a comes into contact with the sheet support surface 52a of the jogger (regulatory position).

  The operation in each state of the arm 100A will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E and the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 are in the receiving position and the sheet S is loaded from the image forming apparatus. There is a distance aa between the alignment surface 52b of the alignment jogger 52 and the sheet end, and bb between the sheet alignment surface 51b of the reference jogger 51 and the sheet end. The arm 100 </ b> A is retracted above the top surface 52 c of the jogger 52.

  FIG. 8B shows a state (aa = 0) in which the alignment jogger 52 is slightly moved toward the reference jogger 51 and the alignment surface 52b is in contact with the end of the sheet. Thereafter, the arm 100A starts to descend. That is, after the alignment surface 52b of the alignment jogger 52 contacts the sheet end, the arm 100A moves to the restriction position.

  FIG. 8C shows a state where the tip 100a of the arm 100A is in contact with the sheet. The alignment jogger 52 further moves toward the reference jogger 51 while the tip 100a of the arm 100A holds the sheet.

  FIG. 8D shows a state in which the other end portion of the sheet S moved with one end portion being pressed by the tip 100a of the arm 100A has reached the sheet alignment surface 51b which is the reference surface of the reference jogger 51 (bb). = 0). When bb = 3 mm or less, the arm 100A starts to retract. That is, before the alignment jogger 52 reaches the alignment position, the arm 100A moves to the retracted position. Since the retreat start distance varies depending on the speed of the jogger, the retreat start bb is not limited to 3 mm or less.

  FIG. 8E shows a state where the alignment jogger 52 has moved by a predetermined amount after bb = 0, stopped, and the alignment is completed. The arm 100A is in the retracted position. By shortening the jogger interval from the sheet width, the joggers 51 and 52 rotate along the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a so that the sheet that hits the reference wall follows the reference surface.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, during sheet alignment, alignment is performed while suppressing the sheet lift by the arm 100A. As a result, the alignment is improved without the sheet edge escaping. Further, when the sheet is pushed in, the arm 100A is retracted. This ensures that the sheet follows the reference wall and improves the consistency.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a sheet processing apparatus having a U-shaped alignment jogger, curling at the time of alignment can be regulated by the regulating member interlocked with the jogger operation. Then, regardless of the width of the gap in the thickness direction of the jogger, a small number of sheet bundles with large curls will not escape upward during alignment, and alignment will be improved. Since the jogger gap is not limited, the number of sheets that can be aligned in the sheet processing apparatus can be increased.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the restricting member in the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 19. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a regulating member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 9B is an assembled view. FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a regulating member in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The moving mechanism 100 of this embodiment also includes the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger 52, and the top surface 52c as a regulating member directly presses the sheet. The configuration will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the alignment jogger 52 has a base 103 at the top, and the drive unit 101 is fixed to the base 103. The base 103 has a connecting boss 103a. The connecting boss 103a is coupled and fixed to the hole 52e of the alignment jogger 52.

  The rail concave portion 52f and the rail convex portion 52d of the top surface 52c are slidably fitted. The alignment jogger 52 has a spring 104 that urges the alignment jogger top surface 52c upward.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger is biased upward by a spring 104 (biasing member). Thus, the top surface 52c is held at the uppermost position (upper position) where sliding is possible. The arm 120 is above the top surface 52c. As the arm 120 rotates around the fulcrum 120b, the tip 120a of the arm 120 pushes down the top surface 52c of the jogger 52. Thereby, the top surface 52c moves up and down with respect to the support surface.

  FIG. 10A shows the retracted position of the top surface 52 c of the alignment jogger 52. FIG. 10B shows a restriction position where the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger is pushed down by the tip 120a of the arm 120. FIG.

  The operation in each state of the arm 120 will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 11A to 11E and the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 are in the receiving position and the sheet S is loaded from the image forming apparatus. There is a distance aa between the alignment surface 52b and the sheet end. Further, in this state, the arm 120 is retracted above the jogger top surface 52c.

  FIG. 11B shows a state where the alignment jogger 52 has moved slightly toward the reference jogger 51 and the alignment surface 52b is in contact with the sheet end (aa = 0). Thereafter, the arm 120 rotates, and the top surface 52c of the aligning means starts to descend by the tip 120a.

  FIG. 11C shows a state where the top surface 52c of the jogger pushed down by the rotation of the tip 120a of the arm 120 is in contact with the support surface.

  In FIG. 11D, the jogger 52 further moves while the top surface 52c of the jogger holds the sheet S, and the opposite end of the sheet reaches the sheet alignment surface 51b as the reference surface of the reference jogger 51, The alignment position (bb = 0) is obtained. When bb = 3 mm or less, the arm 120 rotates and the top surface 52c starts to retract. That is, before the alignment jogger 52 reaches the alignment position, the arm 120 moves to the retracted position. The retreat start distance varies depending on the jogger speed, and is not limited to 3 mm.

  FIG. 11 (e) shows a state in which the alignment jogger 52 is further stopped by moving a predetermined amount after bb = 0, and the alignment is completed. The top surface 52c is in the retracted position. By shortening the jogger interval from the sheet width, the sheet abutting on the reference wall rotates along the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a of the joggers 51 and 52 so as to follow the reference wall.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the top surface of the alignment jogger itself slides up and down, so that curling can be regulated in a wider range while realizing the same effect as in the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the restricting member in the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 20. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a regulating member in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the restricting member of this embodiment includes an arm part 140 and a support part 130 that is pivotally supported by the arm part 140 and configured integrally. The support portion 130 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation center 130a. The drive part 101 is a solenoid here. The drive unit 101 includes a solenoid plunger 101 a and is engaged by an engagement unit 101 b with the support unit 130. When the drive unit 101 pulls the plunger 101a to the left in the figure, the support part 130 of the drive unit 101 rotates counterclockwise in the figure.

  The arm part 140 has a front end 140a that abuts against the seat, and the front end 140a of the arm part 140 is pivotally supported with respect to the support part 130 about a fulcrum 140b. The arm portion 140 includes a torsion coil spring 140c, and urges the arm portion 140 counterclockwise in the drawing with respect to the support portion 130.

  When a force is applied to the tip 140a from below, the tip 140a rotates clockwise around the fulcrum 140b while resisting the biasing force of the spring 140c, as shown in FIG. 12 (b).

  The operation in each state of the arm unit 140 will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 13A to 13E and the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 are in the receiving position and the sheet S is loaded from the image forming apparatus. There is a distance aa between the alignment surface 52b and the sheet end. Moreover, the arm part 140 and the support part 130 are retracted above the top surface 52c of the jogger.

  FIG. 13B shows a state (aa = 0) in which the alignment jogger 52 is slightly moved to the right in the drawing and the alignment surface 52b is in contact with the sheet end. Thereafter, the arm portion 140 and the support portion 130 rotate, and the top surface 52c of the aligning means starts to descend by the tip 140a. That is, after the alignment surface 52b of the alignment jogger 52 starts to contact the sheet, the arm unit 140 moves to the restriction position.

  FIG. 13C shows a state where the arm part 140 and the support part 130 are rotated and the tip 140a is in contact with the support surface.

  In FIG. 13D, the jogger 52 further moves while the front end 140a of the restricting member holds the sheet, and the opposite end of the sheet reaches the sheet alignment surface 51b of the reference jogger 51 (bb = 0).

  FIG. 13E shows a state in which the alignment jogger 52 further moves by a predetermined amount and stops after the alignment bb = 0. By shortening the jogger interval from the sheet width, the sheet abutting on the reference wall rotates along the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a of the joggers 51 and 52 so as to follow the reference wall.

  The arm part 140 and the support part 130 move to the retracted position thereafter. That is, after the alignment jogger 52 reaches the alignment position, the arm part 140 and the support part 130 move to the retracted position.

  In the third embodiment, the distal end 140a of the arm part 140 is urged by a spring so as to be rotatable with respect to the support part 130, and the distal end 140a can swing when receiving a reaction force by the sheet. For this reason, even if the leading edge 140a is aligned in the aligned position, it does not prevent the sheet from rotating along the reference wall. Thus, the regulating member can be brought into contact with the sheet until the alignment is completed. As described above, more stable alignment is possible with respect to the curled sheet than in the first and second embodiments.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In addition, the relationship of the structure of the support part 150 and the arm part 160 of this embodiment is the same as that of the structure of the support part 130 and the arm part 140 of 3rd Embodiment. The restricting member of this embodiment includes a support part 150 and an arm part 160.

  The operation in each state of the arm unit 160 will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 14A to 14E and the flow of FIG. FIG. 14 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the reference jogger 51 and the alignment jogger 52 are in the receiving position and the sheet S is loaded from the image forming apparatus. There is a distance aa between the alignment surface 52b and the sheet end.

  As in the second embodiment, the alignment jogger 52 can slide the top surface 52c up and down. Moreover, the arm part 160 is retracted above the top surface 52c of the jogger.

  FIG. 14B shows a state (aa = 0) in which the alignment jogger 52 is slightly moved toward the reference jogger 51 and the alignment surface 52b is in contact with the sheet end. Thereafter, the arm portion 160 and its support portion 150 rotate, the tip 160a of the arm portion 160 pushes down the upper surface of the top surface 52c of the jogger 52, and the top surface 52c of the aligning means starts to descend.

  FIG. 14 (c) shows a state in which the top surface 52 c of the jogger 52 has been moved to the restriction position by the arm unit 160.

  In FIG. 14D, the jogger 52 further moves while the top surface 52c holds the sheet, and the opposite end of the sheet reaches the sheet alignment surface 51b as the reference surface of the reference jogger 51 (bb = 0). ).

  FIG. 14E shows a state in which the alignment jogger 52 further moves by a predetermined amount and stops after bb = 0, and the alignment is completed. By shortening the jogger interval from the sheet width, the sheet abutting on the reference wall rotates along the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a of the joggers 51 and 52 so as to follow the reference wall.

  Thereafter, the arm portion 160 and the support portion 150 rotate counterclockwise in the drawing, so that the top surface 52c moves to the retracted position.

  In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the tip 160a of the arm portion 160 is urged by a spring so as to be rotatable with respect to the support portion 150, and the top surface 52c as an alignment surface is warped by a sheet. When it receives force, it can move directly and evacuate. For this reason, even if alignment is performed with the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger 52 in the restricted position, it does not prevent the sheets from rotating along the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a of the joggers 51 and 52 so as to follow the reference wall. Thus, the regulating member can be brought into contact with the sheet until the alignment is completed. When the top surface of the alignment jogger slides up and down, curling can be regulated in a wider range while realizing the same effect as in the third embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the above-described embodiment, only one of the joggers 51 and 52 has a moving mechanism. However, in the present embodiment, the jogger includes the lifting restriction unit 210 and the lifting restriction unit 260.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining a regulating member in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, there is a lifting restriction unit 210 at the top of the alignment jogger 52. The lifting restriction unit 210 includes a gear box 200, a motor gear 201, an idler gear 202, a lever gear 203, and a lifting restriction lever 204 (a restriction member). The lifting restriction lever 204 rotates around the pressing lever gear shaft. A motor (drive unit) is disposed in the gear box 200.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (b), there is a lifting restriction unit 260 at the top of the reference jogger 51. The lifting restriction unit 260 includes a gear box 250, a motor gear 251, an idler gear 252, a lever gear 253, and a lifting restriction lever 254 (a restriction member). The floating restriction lever 254 rotates around the lever gear shaft. A motor (drive unit) is disposed in the gear box 250.

  The operation in each state of the lifting restriction units 210 and 260 will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 16A to 16C and the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 16A shows a state where the joggers 51 and 52 are in the receiving position. In this state, the intervals between the alignment surface 52b of the alignment jogger 52, the sheet alignment surface 51b as the reference surface of the reference jogger 51, and the sheet end are aa and bb, respectively.

  The distance between the jogger sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a and the tips 204a and 254a of the lifting restriction unit at the retracted position is a predetermined distance cc.

  FIG. 16B shows a state when the joggers 51 and 52 are aligned. The left and right lifting control levers 204 and 254 are rotated by the action of the gear boxes 200 and 250. The ends 204a and 254a of the left and right lifting restriction levers are lowered to the restriction position.

  As a result, the distances between the leading ends 204a and 254a of the lift control levers 204 and 254 at the control position and the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a become a distance dd smaller than the predetermined distance cc, and the lift when the sheets S are aligned is controlled.

  FIG. 16C shows the state of the alignment positions of the joggers 51 and 52. The alignment jogger 52 moves while the lifting restriction levers 204 and 254 are lowered, and the sheet end comes into contact with the sheet alignment surface 51b of the reference jogger 51 to complete the alignment.

  In this embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, the drive source of the regulating member is not a solenoid but a motor. Thereby, a control member can be stopped at a desired angle. For example, the angles of the curl holding levers 204 and 254 are preferably changed in proportion to the number of sheets to be aligned.

  As a result, in the case of minority binding, the alignment is performed while maintaining the distance dd, and in the case of majority binding, the alignment can be performed with a wide interval of dd.

  As described above, by narrowing the distance between the regulating member and the support surface according to the number of jobs, the alignment is improved without occurrence of alignment failure due to the floating of the sheet as in the above-described embodiment. Further, the regulating member being aligned may remain lowered. For this reason, simpler control than the above-described embodiment is possible.

[Sixth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment will be described. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The present embodiment includes a lifting restriction unit 210 and a lifting restriction unit 260, a reference jogger top surface 51c, and a matching jogger top surface 52c.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view for explaining a regulating member in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of the sheet processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, there is a lifting restriction unit 210 at the top of the alignment jogger 52. The lifting restriction unit 210 includes a gear box 200, a motor gear 201, an idler gear 202, a lever gear 203, and a lifting restriction lever 204. The lifting restriction lever 204 rotates around the pressing lever gear shaft. A motor (drive unit) is disposed in the gear box 200.

  As shown in FIG. 17 (b), there is a lifting restriction unit 260 at the upper part of the reference jogger 51. The lifting restriction unit 260 includes a gear box 250, a motor gear 251, an idler gear 252, a lever gear 253, and a lifting restriction lever 254. The lifting restriction lever 254 rotates around the pressing lever gear shaft. A motor (drive unit) is disposed in the gear box 250.

  The top surfaces 51c and 52c (regulating members) of the alignment jogger are fitted with the alignment surfaces 51b and 52b, the rail convex portion 52d, and the rail concave portion 52f as in the second embodiment. The lift control levers 204 and 254 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction.

  The operation in each state of the lifting restriction units 210 and 260 will be described along the structure shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C and the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 17A shows a state where the jogger is in the receiving position. In this state, the intervals between the alignment surface 52b of the alignment jogger 52, the sheet alignment surface 51b as the reference surface of the reference jogger 51, and the sheet end are aa and bb, respectively.

  The distance between the jogger sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a and the top surfaces 51c and 52c of the joggers 51 and 52 at the retracted position is a predetermined distance cc.

  FIG. 17B shows a state at the time of matching. The left and right lifting restriction levers 204 and 254 are rotated by the gear box, and the top surfaces 51c and 52c are lowered to the restriction positions by the ends 204a and 254a of the left and right lifting restriction levers.

  As a result, the distance between the lifting restriction tips 204a and 254a and the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a at the restriction position is dd smaller than the predetermined distance cc, and the sheet lifting during alignment is restricted.

  FIG. 17C shows the state of the alignment position. The alignment jogger 52 moves while the top surfaces 51c and 52c of the joggers 51 and 52 are lowered, and the sheet end abuts against the sheet alignment surface 51b as a reference wall, and the alignment ends.

  In the present embodiment, similar to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment is obtained by stopping the lifting control levers 204 and 254 at a desired angle. Furthermore, it is possible to hold the curl in a wider range by pressing the curl with the jogger top surface itself. Thereby, the consistency is further stabilized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the distance from aa to dd and the angles of the lifting control levers 204 and 254 are detected by a sensor (not shown), and the detection information is processed by the control unit. It is preferable that the height of the top surfaces 51c and 52c moved up and down by the lifting restriction levers 204 and 254 from the sheet support surfaces 51a and 52a is changed in proportion to the number of sheets to be aligned, for example.

[Other Embodiments]
In the moving mechanism of the first embodiment described above, the arm 100A presses the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this. This will be described with reference to FIG. 22A and 22B are side views for explaining a moving mechanism according to another embodiment. FIG. 22A is a view showing a state where the arm 100A is in the retracted position, and FIG. 22B is a view showing a state where the arm 100A is in the lowered position. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the stopper 105 is disposed in the movable range at the upper end of the arm 100 </ b> A of the moving mechanism 100. Then, the upper end of the arm 100A hits the stopper 105 when the tip 100a of the arm 100A descends. As a result, the lowering of the tip 100a of the arm 100A is restricted, and a predetermined interval ee remains at the lowering position of the arm 100A. As described above, the arm 100A may be moved in the direction of reducing the distance from the upper surface of the sheet, and may be stopped at an interval from the sheet support surface 52a of the alignment jogger 52.

  In the moving mechanism of the second embodiment described above, the top surface 52c pressed by the arm 100A presses the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a side view for explaining a moving mechanism in another embodiment, in which (a) shows a state where the arm 100A and the top surface 52c are in the retracted position, and (b) shows that the arm 100A and the top surface 52c are lowered. It is a figure which shows the state in a position.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the stopper 105 is disposed in the movable range at the upper end of the arm 100 </ b> A of the moving mechanism 100. Then, as described above, the lowering of the tip 100a of the arm 100A and the top surface 52c of the alignment jogger 52 is restricted, and a predetermined interval ff remains at the lowered position of the arm 100A and the top surface 52c. As described above, the arm 100A and the top surface 52c may be moved in the direction of reducing the distance from the sheet upper surface, and may be stopped at an interval from the sheet support surface 52a of the alignment jogger 52.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet processing apparatus 51 ... Reference | standard jogger, 51c ... Top surface, 52 ... Alignment jogger, 52c ... Top surface, 100A ... Arm, 120 ... Arm, 140 ... Arm part, 160 ... Arm part, 204 ... Lifting control lever, 210 ... Lifting restriction unit, 250 ... Gear box, 251 ... Motor gear, 252 ... Idler gear, 253 ... Lever gear, 254 ... Lifting restriction lever, 254a ... Tip, 260 ... Lifting restriction unit

Claims (10)

A pair of alignment members that align against and separate from the opposite ends of the sheet,
A regulating member that is provided on at least one of the pair of alignment members and moves in a direction approaching the upper surface of the sheet in accordance with a contact operation of the pair of alignment members to the sheet end portion to regulate the sheet. A sheet processing apparatus. The alignment member pair includes a first alignment member that serves as an alignment reference, and a second alignment member that presses the sheet toward the first alignment member,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction member is provided at least on the second alignment member.   The alignment member pair includes a support surface that contacts the sheet end and supports the lower surface of the sheet, an alignment surface that contacts the end of the sheet and performs alignment in the width direction of the sheet, and a top surface facing the upper surface of the sheet The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus has a U shape. The top surface is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the support surface, and is biased upward by a biasing member,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the restriction member is the top surface.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating member includes a support portion and an arm portion that is pivotally supported with respect to the support portion.   6. The drive unit for moving the restriction member is a motor, and changes the height of the restriction member relative to the alignment member pair in proportion to the number of sheets to be aligned. The sheet processing apparatus according to 1. The second alignment member is movable between a receiving position for receiving the sheet on the support surface and an alignment position for aligning the sheet on the alignment surface;
The restriction member is movable between a retracted position that does not contact the sheet and a restricted position that contacts the sheet,
After the alignment surface of the second alignment member starts to contact the sheet, the restriction member moves to the restriction position, and before the second alignment member reaches the alignment position, the restriction member The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus moves to a retreat position. The second alignment member is movable between a receiving position for receiving the sheet on the support surface and an alignment position for aligning the sheet on the alignment surface;
The restriction member is movable between a retracted position that does not contact the sheet and a restricted position that contacts the sheet,
After the alignment surface of the second alignment member starts to contact the sheet, the restriction member moves to the restriction position, and after the second alignment member reaches the alignment position, the restriction member retracts. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus moves to a position. The second alignment member is movable between a receiving position for receiving the sheet on the support surface and an alignment position for aligning the sheet on the alignment surface;
The restricting member is movable to a retracted position separated from the support surface by a predetermined distance, and a restricting position in which the distance from the support surface is smaller than the predetermined distance,
After the alignment surface of the second alignment member starts to contact the sheet, the restriction member moves to the restriction position, and before the second alignment member reaches the alignment position, the restriction member The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus moves to a retreat position. The second alignment member is movable between a receiving position for receiving the sheet on the support surface and an alignment position for aligning the sheet on the alignment surface;
The restricting member is movable to a retracted position separated from the support surface by a predetermined distance, and a restricting position in which the distance from the support surface is smaller than the predetermined distance,
After the alignment surface of the second alignment member starts to contact the sheet, the restriction member moves to the restriction position, and after the second alignment member reaches the alignment position, the restriction member is in the retracted position. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

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