JP2014097854A - Recording member processing device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability of a movement of a binding functional section that moves by being guided by a guide part formed in curvature, the section including a rotary member that has an outer circumferential surface in contact with a contacted part and performs rotary-driving.SOLUTION: In a portion of a guide channel 710 where a straight-line portion 711 is positioned, a rack gear 740 is arranged apart from the guide channel 710, while in a portion of the guide channel 710 where a first curve portion 731 is positioned, the rack gear 740 is arranged close to the guide channel 710. A separation distance between the straight-line portion 711 of the guide channel 710 and the rack gear 740 is set at a distance A, while a separation distance between the first curve portion 731 of the guide channel 710 and the rack gear 740 is set at a distance B smaller than the distance A.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording material processing apparatus and an image forming system.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a pinion attached to a stepping motor fixed to a mounting base meshes with the rack, and when the motor is driven, the stapler moves along the rack together with the mounting base. .

JP-A-9-194121

  The object of the present invention is to move the binding mechanism portion provided with a rotating member that rotates and drives the outer peripheral surface in contact with the contacted portion while being guided by a guide portion formed with a curvature. It is to increase certainty.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotating member having the outer peripheral surface moves in a predetermined moving direction and is arranged at different positions in the moving direction and is guided by other members in the movement. A binding mechanism portion that includes a plurality of guided portions, and performs binding processing on a plurality of recording materials, and is arranged along a movement path of the binding mechanism portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is in contact with the binding mechanism portion. A contacted portion; and a guide portion that is arranged along a movement path of the binding mechanism portion and guides the plurality of guided portions. The guide portion includes a first portion that is linearly formed. A guide portion and a second guide portion that is disposed at a position different from the first guide portion in the moving direction of the binding mechanism portion and has a curvature, and the contacted portion Is arranged along the guide And when passing by the side of the first guide part, it is provided so as to pass through a location separated from the first guide part by a first distance, and passes by the side of the second guide part. In this case, the recording material processing apparatus is provided so as to pass through a portion separated by a second distance different from the first distance.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the contacted portion is provided so that the contacted portion passes outside in the radial direction of the second guide portion formed with a curvature. The second distance is smaller than the first distance, and the contacted part approaches the second guide part when the contacted part passes by the side of the second guide part. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the contacted portion is provided so that the contacted portion passes through the inner side in the radial direction of the second guide portion formed with a curvature. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and the contacted part is separated from the second guide part when the contacted part passes by the side of the second guide part. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide portion is configured by a groove, and the plurality of guided portions are guided by an inner wall surface of the groove, and the groove width in the first guide portion, 4. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed so that a groove width in the two guide portions is equal.
The invention according to claim 5 includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a binding processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a plurality of recording materials on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus. An image forming system, wherein the binding processing apparatus includes the recording material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the binding mechanism portion including the rotating member that rotates and drives the outer peripheral surface in contact with the contacted portion moves while being guided by the guide portion formed with a curvature. It is possible to improve the certainty of movement.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it may occur when the contacted portion is provided so that the contacted portion passes the outer side in the radial direction of the second guide portion formed with a curvature. It is possible to suppress the separation between the contact portion and the rotating member.
According to the invention of claim 3, the contacted portion may be generated when the contacted portion is provided so that the contacted portion passes through the inside in the radial direction of the second guide portion formed with a curvature. It is possible to suppress an increase in contact pressure between the contact portion and the rotating member.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, noise can be reduced as compared with the case where the groove width in the second guide portion is different from the groove width in the first guide portion.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the binding mechanism portion including the rotating member that rotates and drives the outer peripheral surface in contact with the contacted portion provided in the image forming system is formed with a curvature. It is possible to improve the certainty of movement when moving while being guided by the above.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is the figure which showed the structure of the post-processing apparatus of this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure inside a finisher unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the staple head when the staple head executes staple binding at the end of the sheet bundle. It is a front view of a head guide member. It is the figure which expanded and showed the one end part in the longitudinal direction of a head guide member. It is the figure which expanded and showed the one end part in the longitudinal direction of a head guide member. It is the front view of the head guide member which showed the head guide member with the pinion gear etc. It is the figure which showed the comparative example of a head guide member and a staple head. It is the figure which showed operation | movement of the staple head in a comparative example. It is the figure which showed the motion of the 1st rotation member in a comparative example-a 3rd rotation member. It is the figure which showed the state at the time of the 1st rotation member colliding with the head guide member.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copier that forms a color image on a sheet as an example of a recording material, and a sheet after an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, it is composed of a post-processing device 2 that performs post-processing such as binding.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with four image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K (also collectively referred to as “image forming unit 100”) that perform image formation based on each color image data. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a laser exposure apparatus 101 that exposes the photosensitive drum 107 provided in each image forming unit 100. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 102 on which the toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 100 are transferred in a multiple manner.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a primary transfer roll 103 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) each color toner image formed by each image forming unit 100 to the intermediate transfer belt 102, and each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102. A secondary transfer roll 104 that batch-transfers (secondary transfer) toner images to a sheet, and a fixing device 105 that fixes each toner image that has been secondarily transferred onto the sheet are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body control unit 106 configured by a program-controlled CPU and controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

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

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P1 to P4 (collectively referred to as “sheet P” and “sheet bundle P”) of different sizes and types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating portions 110A to 110D, respectively. Yes. For example, when the paper P1 is designated by the main body control unit 106, the paper P1 is taken out from the paper storage unit 110A by the pickup roll 111, and conveyed one by one to the position of the registration roll 113 by the conveyance roll 112. The same applies to the case where the sheets P2 to P4 are designated by the main body control unit 106.

  Then, the paper P is supplied from the registration roll 113 in accordance with the timing when each color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 104. As a result, the toner images of the respective colors are collectively electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roll 104. Thereafter, the paper P onto which the color toner images are secondarily transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. In the fixing device 105, each color toner image is fixed on the paper P by a fixing process using heat and pressure, and an image is formed. The paper P on which the image is formed is discharged from the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the transport roll 114 and is supplied to the post-processing apparatus 2.

On the other hand, the post-processing device 2 as an example of the recording material processing device and the binding processing device is disposed on the downstream side of the paper discharge unit T of the image forming device 1 and punches or binds the paper P on which the image is formed. Perform post-processing.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the post-processing device 2 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 2 includes a transport unit 21 connected to the paper discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1 and a predetermined process for the paper P taken into the transport unit 21. A finisher unit 22 is provided. Further, the post-processing device 2 is configured by a program-controlled CPU, and is provided with a paper processing control unit 23 that controls each mechanism unit of the post-processing device 2. The paper processing control unit 23 is connected to the main body control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) via a signal line (not shown), and transmits and receives control signals and the like.

  In the post-processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the paper processing control unit 23 is provided in the case of the finisher unit 22, but the paper processing control unit 23 may be provided in the case of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the main body control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to have the control function of the paper processing control unit 23.

The transport unit 21 of the post-processing apparatus 2 has a punch function unit 30 for punching (punching) such as 2 holes or 4 holes, and the sheet P after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 toward the finisher unit 22. A plurality of transport rolls 211 are provided.
On the other hand, the finisher unit 22 has a finisher unit main body 221 that functions as an apparatus main body, a paper stacking unit 60 that stacks a required number of sheets P to generate a sheet stack P, and a sheet stack P generated by the sheet stacking unit 60. A binding processing unit 50 is provided for executing staple binding (edge binding) on the end of the sheet.

  Further, the finisher unit 22 is provided with a transport roll 61 that is rotatably provided and used for transporting the sheet bundle P generated by the sheet stacking unit 60. Further, a movable roll 62 is provided that is swingable about the rotation shaft 62 a as a movement center, and that can move to a position retracted from the transport roll 61 and a position in pressure contact with the transport roll 61. Further, a stacker 80 on which the sheet bundle P conveyed by the conveyance roll 61 and the movable roll 62 is stacked is provided. The stacker 80 moves up and down according to the amount of the sheet bundle P to be held.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an internal structure of the finisher unit 22.
When processing by the post-processing apparatus 2 is performed, first, the paper P is carried from the image forming apparatus 1 into the transport unit 21 (see FIG. 2) of the post-processing apparatus 2. In the transport unit 21, punching by the punch function unit 30 is performed, and then the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the transport roll 211. When there is no instruction for punching, the paper P is sent to the finisher unit 22 as it is without being punched by the punch function unit 30.

  The paper P sent to the finisher unit 22 is conveyed to the paper stacking unit 60 as shown in FIG. More specifically, the paper P is transported to above the paper stacking unit 60 and then drops onto the paper stacking unit 60. The paper P is supported from below by a support plate 67 provided in the paper stacking unit 60, and slides on the support plate 67 due to the inclination applied to the support plate 67.

  Thereafter, the sheet P comes into contact with the end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. In addition, in the present embodiment, an end guide 64 that extends upward in the figure is provided at the end of the support plate 67, and the paper P that has moved on the support plate 67 hits the end guide 64. . Thereby, in this embodiment, the movement of the paper P is stopped. Thereafter, this operation is performed every time the paper P is conveyed from the upstream side, and a paper bundle P in which the rear end portions of the paper P are aligned is generated on the paper stacking unit 60.

  In the present embodiment, a rotating paddle 63 for moving the sheet P on the support plate 67 toward the end guide 64 is also provided. The sheet P is fed by the tilt applied to the support plate 67 and the rotating paddle 63. Move to the end guide 64. Although not described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a sheet width position aligning member 65 that aligns the position of the sheet bundle P in the width direction is provided. In this embodiment, every time the paper P is supplied onto the support plate 67, the end (side) in the width direction of the paper P is pressed by the paper width alignment member 65, and the paper P (paper bundle P) The position in the width direction is also aligned.

  In the present embodiment, when a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the support plate 67 and the sheet bundle P is generated on the support plate 67, the staple head 51 provided in the binding processing unit 50 is used. Then, stapling for the end portion of the sheet bundle P is executed. The staple head 51, which functions as a binding mechanism, has a drive motor (not shown), and drives the drive motor to drive metal staples (U-shaped needles) into the sheet bundle P. . Thereafter, in this embodiment, the movable roll 62 advances toward the transport roll 61, and the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the movable roll 62 and the transport roll 61. Thereafter, the movable roll 62 rotates and the sheet bundle P is conveyed to the stacker 80.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the staple head 51 when the staple head 51 executes staple binding (end binding) to the end portion of the sheet bundle P. In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the staple head 51 when the paper stacking unit 60 is viewed from above.

  Although not described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of end guides 64 are provided as shown in FIG. The end guides 64 are arranged at different locations in the width direction of the paper P (direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper P). Although not described above, in the present embodiment, the staple head 51 is moved along the width direction of the paper P. In the present embodiment, the sheet processing control unit 23 moves the staple head 51 and stops the staple head 51 at a predetermined position. Thereafter, the sheet processing control unit 23 causes the staple head 51 to perform a binding process. Thereby, the binding process is performed on a predetermined portion of the sheet bundle P.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the staple head 51 of the present embodiment has, for example, two points ((A) position and (B) in FIG. 4 at different positions in the width direction of the sheet bundle P. ) Position) and the binding process (two-point end binding process) is performed at these two points. Further, for example, the staple head 51 stops at one end of the sheet bundle P (one corner of the sheet bundle P) (position (D) in FIG. 4), and at the stop position, the staple processing (one point) is performed. Edge binding).

  The staple head 51 stops at, for example, the other end of the sheet bundle P (the other corner of the sheet bundle P) (the position (C) in FIG. 4), and the binding process (one point) is performed at this stop position. Edge binding). The staple head 51 moves linearly between the (A) position and the (B) position, but between the (A) position and the (C) position and between the (B) position and (D). ) Position, the staple head 51 moves, for example, with 45 ° rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end guide 64 is arranged in a relationship orthogonal to the support plate 67, the end portion of the paper P abuts against it and restricts the movement of the paper P, and the restriction portion 641. And a facing piece 642 disposed so as to face the support plate 67. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the restricting portion 641 is formed so as to extend along the width direction of the sheet bundle P. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the opposing piece 642 is provided so that one end thereof is connected to the restricting portion 641 and extends from the one end to the sheet bundle P side.

  Although not described above, when the stapling process is performed at the position (A) in FIG. 4 by the staple head 51, the counter piece 642 positioned in the center in FIG. 4 and the right end in the figure are positioned. The binding process is performed through a gap formed between the opposing piece 642 and the opposite piece 642. When the staple processing is performed at the position (B) in FIG. 4 by the staple head 51, the gap between the facing piece 642 positioned at the left end in FIG. 4 and the facing piece 642 positioned in the center in FIG. A binding process is performed through the formed gap.

  Although not described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the staple head 51 is arranged along the width direction of the sheet bundle P and moves along the width direction of the sheet bundle P. A head guide member 700 that performs guidance is provided. Here, the head guide member 700 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the head guide member 700.
The head guide member 700 of this embodiment is formed in a thin plate shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the head guide member 700 is arranged along the width direction of the sheet bundle P stacked on the support plate 67. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the head guide member 700 is provided with a guide groove 710 that is arranged along the movement path of the staple head 51 and guides the staple head 51.

  Here, the guide groove 710 functioning as a guide portion is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700 (the width direction of the sheet bundle P) and is formed in a straight line, and serves as a first guide portion. A functioning straight line portion 711 is provided. Further, the guide groove 710 is provided with a first inclined portion 721 that is disposed at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700 and is disposed with an inclination of, for example, 45 ° with respect to the linear portion 711. . Further, the guide groove 710 is provided with a second inclined portion 722 that is disposed at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700 and is disposed with an inclination of, for example, 45 ° with respect to the linear portion 711. Yes.

  The guide groove 710 is formed with a curvature, and is provided so as to connect the linear portion 711 and the first inclined portion 721, and a first curved portion 731 that functions as a second guide portion is provided. Is provided. Similarly, the guide groove 710 is provided with a second curved portion 732 that has a curvature and connects the straight portion 711 and the second inclined portion 722.

  Here, although not described above, the staple head 51 includes a movement motor (not shown) that moves the staple head 51 along the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the staple head 51 is provided with a pinion gear 511 as an example of a rotating member whose outer peripheral surface is in contact with the head guide member 700 and rotated by the moving motor. . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the staple head 51 has a guided portion 512 that contacts the head guide member 700 and is guided by the head guide member 700.

  The guided portion 512 is disposed in the guide groove 710 of the head guide member 700. The guided portion 512 is configured by two rotating members (rollers) 512A and 512B that are formed in an annular shape and rotatably provided. The two rotating members 512A and 512B are provided such that their installation positions are shifted from each other in the moving direction of the staple head 51. One rotating member 512A (hereinafter referred to as “first rotating member 512A”). Is disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700, and the other rotating member 512B (hereinafter referred to as “second rotating member 512B”) is disposed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the head guiding member 700. Has been placed.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the head guide member 700 of this embodiment is provided with a rack gear 740 that meshes with a pinion gear 511 provided on the staple head 51 on one side surface. Here, the rack gear 740 as an example of the contacted portion is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700. In other words, they are arranged along the movement path of the staple head 51.

  In the present embodiment, the rack gear 740 is provided so as to pass outside in the radial direction of the first curved portion 731 and the second curved portion 732 that are formed with curvature. Furthermore, the rack gear 740 has a linear portion 741 formed in a linear shape at the center in the longitudinal direction. In addition, a first curved portion 745 curved along the guide groove 710 is provided at one end portion in the longitudinal direction, and a second curved shape curved along the guide groove 710 at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. Part 746.

  Here, when the staple head 51 is moved, the sheet processing control unit 23 drives a moving motor (not shown) provided in the staple head 51. When the moving motor is driven, rotation of the pinion gear 511 in one direction is started. As a result, the staple head 51 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 5A in FIG. 5, for example. At this time, the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are guided by the head guide member 700 (the inner wall surface of the guide groove 710 provided in the head guide member 700), and the staple head 51 Moves along a predetermined route.

  Further, when the moving motor is reversed and the pinion gear 511 is rotated in the direction opposite to the one direction, the staple head 51 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 5B in FIG. . Also at this time, the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are guided by the head guide member 700, and the staple head 51 moves along a predetermined path. By performing such an operation, in the present embodiment, the staple head 51 is arranged at each of the four positions ((A) position to (D) position) described above.

  6 and 7 are enlarged views of one end portion of the head guide member 700 in the longitudinal direction. In the following description, the operation of the staple head 51 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700 will be described. However, the staple head 51 is also at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700. Perform the same operation as the operation. Further, in FIG. 6, the first rotating member 512A, the second rotating member 512B, and the pinion gear 511 are not shown, and in FIG. 7, the first rotating member 512A, the second rotating member 512B, and the pinion gear 511 are omitted. Is illustrated.

  Although not described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740 is partially reduced. Specifically, the rack gear 740 is separated from the guide groove 710 at the location where the linear portion 711 of the guide groove 710 is located, but at the location where the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710 is located, The rack gear 740 is brought close to the guide groove 710.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the separation distance between the linear portion 711 of the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740 is the distance A, and the separation distance between the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740 is this distance. The distance B is smaller than the distance A. In addition, in the present embodiment, the rack gear 740 is arranged along the guide groove 710, and when passing by the side of the straight portion 711, it passes through a place separated from the straight portion 711 by a distance A, Further, when passing by the side of the first curved portion 731, a portion separated from the first curved portion 731 by a distance B smaller than the distance A is passed.

Next, the reason why the separation distance between the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740 is partially narrowed will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, consider a case where the staple head 51 moves toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700 as indicated by an arrow 7A in FIG. In this case, since the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are located in the guide groove 710, as indicated by a two-dot chain line (see reference numeral 7B) in the figure, the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are arranged along the guide groove 710. Move. On the other hand, the pinion gear 511 does not move along the guide groove 710 but moves so as to pass inside the guide groove 710 as indicated by a one-dot chain line (see reference numeral 7C) in the drawing.

  As a result, in the present embodiment, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear 511 that meshes with the rack gear 740 (the portion indicated by reference numeral 7D in FIG. 7) does not move on the movement path along the guide groove 710, and the guide It moves toward the groove 710 side. In such a case, if the rack gear 740 is simply disposed along the guide groove 710, the pinion gear 511 is separated from the rack gear 740.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, as described above, the rack gear 740 is brought closer to the guide groove 710 at the position where the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710 is located. In addition, in this embodiment, the rack gear 740 is brought close to the first curved portion 731 when the rack gear 740 passes by the side of the first curved portion 731. Thereby, the meshing between the rack gear 740 and the pinion gear 511 is maintained.

  The distance B (see FIG. 6), which is the distance between the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740, is the distance between the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B (hereinafter referred to as “rotation”). It is inversely proportional to the “distance between members”). That is, when the distance between the rotating members is small, the distance B increases (becomes closer to the distance A), and when the distance between the rotating members is large, the distance B decreases (difference from the distance A). Becomes larger).

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 (a front view of the head guide member 700 showing the head guide member 700 together with the pinion gear 511 and the like), the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are combined. The rotation center of the pinion gear 511 is located on the perpendicular bisector 8B with respect to the connecting straight line 8A.

  In the present embodiment, the pinion gear 511 is positioned such that the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear 511 is located at a distance C (the same distance as the distance A in FIG. 6) from the intersection of the straight line 8A and the vertical bisector 8B. Is arranged. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the rack gear 740 (the pitch circle) is arranged on a line connecting places separated by this distance C. Thereby, in this embodiment, even if the 1st rotation member 512A and the 2nd rotation member 512B reach the 1st curve part 731, the meshing | engagement of the rack gear 740 and the pinion gear 511 comes to be maintained.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a comparative example of the head guide member 700 and the staple head 51.
Here, in this comparative example, the second guide groove 720 along the guide groove 710 provided in the head guide member 700 is further provided. Further, in this comparative example, a third rotating member 512C that is attached to the staple head 51 and provided in the second guide groove 720 and guided by the head guide member 700 when the staple head 51 moves is further provided. It has a configuration.

  Furthermore, in this comparative example, the width of a part of the guide groove 710 is larger than the width of the guide groove 710 in this embodiment (the guide groove 710 shown in FIG. 5). Specifically, as indicated by reference numerals 9A and 9B, the width of the guide groove 710 is increased at locations where both ends of the linear portion 711 provided in the guide groove 710 are located. More specifically, one of the two inner wall surfaces facing the guide groove 710 bulges outward at the location where both end portions of the linear portion 711 are located. The width is partially increased.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the staple head 51 in the comparative example.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the staple head 51 moves toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the head guide member 700, it is positioned in the guide groove 710 as described above. The first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B to be guided are guided by the head guide member 700, and the staple head 51 moves to the left in the drawing along a predetermined movement path.

  Thereafter, in this comparative example, the third rotating member 512C shown in FIG. 10A hits the inner wall surface 720B of the curved portion 720A provided in the second guide groove 720 and its movement is restricted, The pinion gear 511 tries to travel while being guided by the rack gear 740. As a result, the staple head 51 rotates around the position indicated by reference numeral 10B in FIG. As a result, also in this comparative example, the binding process for the sheet bundle P can be performed at the position (D) in FIG.

  By the way, in this comparative example, as a result of the position indicated by reference numeral 10B in FIG. 10B being the center of rotation, when the staple head 51 is rotated, FIG. 11 (first rotation member 512A to third rotation in the comparative example). As shown in the drawing showing the movement of the member 512C, the second rotating member 512B moves away from the linear movement path and swells outward. For this reason, in this comparative example, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the width of the guide groove 710 is widened at both ends of the linear portion 711 of the guide groove 710. As a result, the rotation of the staple head 51 is restrained from being restricted by the head guide member 700, and the staple head 51 moves downstream while rotating.

  By the way, in the configuration of this comparative example, as a result of expanding the width of the guide groove 710, a collision sound between the staple head 51 and the head guide member 700 is likely to be generated. Specifically, in the case of this comparative example, as shown in FIG. 12A (a diagram showing a state when the first rotating member 512A collides with the head guide member 700), the first rotating member 512A is The angle α formed by the traveling direction of the first rotating member 512A and the inner wall surface of the guide groove 710 when it collides with the inner wall surface of the guide groove 710 is large, and the collision noise is likely to increase.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the width (groove width) of the linear portion 711 of the guide groove 710 is equal to the width (groove width) of the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710, and FIG. ), The angle α formed by the traveling direction of the first rotating member 512A and the inner wall surface of the guide groove 710 is small. In this case, the collision sound is smaller than in the comparative example.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the width of the guide groove 710 is not expanded, and an increase in collision noise that can be caused by increasing the width of the guide groove 710 can be prevented.
In the configuration of the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the pinion gear 511 does not move along the guide groove 710, and accordingly, the engagement between the pinion gear 511 and the rack gear 740 does not partially occur. In this embodiment, the rack gear 740 is partially brought close to the guide groove 710 as described above. As a result, the meshing between the pinion gear 511 and the rack gear 740 is maintained, and the staple head 51 moves to the end of the head guide member 700.

  Although the description has been omitted above, in the case of the comparative example, the third rotating member 512C is close to the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B due to the dimensional tolerance of the member. It can happen to be placed. In this case, the first rotation is performed from one side of the island-like portion (the portion indicated by reference numeral 9D in FIG. 9) located between the guide groove 710 and the second guide groove 720 in the head guide member 700. The member 512A and the second rotating member 512B are pressed, and the third rotating member 512C is pressed from the other side surface side of the island-shaped part. In this case, a load is applied to the movement of the staple head 51, and a sliding noise is easily generated between the staple head 51 and the head guide member 700.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the island-shaped portion as described above is not generated, the load applied to the staple head 51 is reduced, and the sliding noise is hardly generated. In the comparative example, the load applied to the staple head 51 is reduced and the sliding noise is reduced by increasing the width of the guide groove 710 and the second guide groove 720. In this case, in this case, the first rotating member A gap between 512A to third rotating member 512C and head guide member 700 is increased, and vibration noise and the like are easily generated.

  Further, in the case of the comparative example, three rotating members of the first rotating member 512A to the third rotating member 512C are provided, and the number of parts is increased. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, only two rotating members, the first rotating member 512A and the second rotating member 512B, are required, and thus the manufacturing cost of the present embodiment is reduced compared to the comparative example. become. In addition, in the case of providing three rotating members of the first rotating member 512A to the third rotating member 512C, a total of six parts including the three rotating members and the three shafts supporting them are required. In the embodiment, a total of four parts including two rotating members and two shafts are sufficient.

  Although not described above, as shown in FIG. 6, in the head guide member 700 of this embodiment, one of the two inner wall surfaces facing the guide groove 710 at the end of the guide groove 710. A recess 716 is provided on the inner wall surface of the. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, an elastic piece 717 is provided that is connected to one edge of the recess 716 and arranged so as to straddle the recess 716.

  Here, the elastic piece 717 has a protruding portion 717A protruding toward the guide groove 710 at the tip. Here, in the present embodiment, after the first rotating member 512A is moved to a location beyond the protrusion 717A of the elastic piece 717 (location indicated by reference numeral 6C in FIG. 6), the post-processing device 2 is shipped. Made. As a result, the staple head 51 is positioned and then transported, and the member is not easily damaged.

  In the above description, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the case where the rack gear 740 passes the outside of the guide groove 710 (the outside in the radial direction of the first curved portion 731) has been described, but the inside of the guide groove 710 (the first curve) The rack gear 740 may be provided so that the rack gear 740 passes through the inside of the portion 731 in the radial direction). In this case, the separation distance between the first curved portion 731 of the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740 is made larger than the separation distance between the linear portion 711 of the guide groove 710 and the rack gear 740, and the first curved portion 731. When the rack gear 740 passes by the side, the rack gear 740 is separated from the first curved portion 731.

  The reason will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the pinion gear 511 enters inside the first curved portion 731 (inside in the radial direction) at the location where the first curved portion 731 is provided. It becomes a shape. In such a case, if the separation distance between the linear portion 711 and the rack gear 740 is equal to the separation distance between the first curved portion 731 and the rack gear 740, the portion where the first curved portion 731 is provided is located at the staple head 51. , The pinion gear 511 is pressed against the rack gear 740. In this case, the staple head 51 becomes difficult to move or the staple head 51 stops.

  On the other hand, as described above, when the rack gear 740 moves away from the first curved portion 731 when the rack gear 740 passes by the first curved portion 731, the pinion gear 511 is not pressed against the rack gear 740, and the first curved portion The staple head 51 passes through the portion where the portion 731 is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Post-processing apparatus, 51 ... Staple head, 221 ... Finisher unit main body, 511 ... Pinion gear, 512A ... 1st rotation member, 512B ... 2nd rotation member, 710 ... Guide groove, 711 ... Straight line Part, 731 ... first curve part, 740 ... rack gear

Claims (5)

A rotating member having an outer peripheral surface moves in a predetermined movement direction by rotating, and includes a plurality of guided portions arranged at different positions in the movement direction and guided by other members in the movement. A binding mechanism that performs a binding process on a plurality of recording materials;
A contacted part that is arranged along a movement path of the binding mechanism part and that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member;
A guide unit that is arranged along a movement path of the binding mechanism unit and guides the plurality of guided units;
With
The guide portion is formed with a curvature while being arranged at a position different from the first guide portion in the moving direction of the first guide portion formed in a straight line and the binding mechanism portion. A second guide, and
The contacted portion is arranged along the guide portion, and when passing by the side of the first guide portion, the contacted portion passes through a location separated from the first guide portion by a first distance. The recording is provided so as to pass through a portion separated by a second distance different from the first distance when passing by the side of the second guide portion. Material processing equipment.   The contacted part is provided so that the contacted part passes outside in the radial direction of the second guide part formed with a curvature, and the second distance is more than the first distance. 2. The contacted part approaches the second guide part when the contacted part passes by the side of the second guide part. The recording material processing apparatus described.   The contacted portion is provided so that the contacted portion passes through the inside in the radial direction of the second guide portion formed with a curvature, and the second distance is greater than the first distance. The contacted part is separated from the second guide part when the contacted part passes by the side of the second guide part. Recording material processing equipment. The guide part is constituted by a groove, and the plurality of guided parts are guided by an inner wall surface of the groove,
4. The guide part according to claim 1, wherein the guide part is formed so that a groove width in the first guide part is equal to a groove width in the second guide part. 5. Recording material processing equipment. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, and a binding processing device that performs a binding process on a plurality of recording materials on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus,
An image forming system, wherein the binding processing apparatus includes the recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images