JP2015011117A - Post-processing device, post-processing program and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a conveyance path between punching means and discharge means.SOLUTION: A post-processing device includes: a conveyance roller 27 for conveying a recording sheet S; a punching device 28 for forming through-holes in the recording sheet S; a compile discharge roller 6 for holding and discharging the recording sheet S; a standby roller 29 for allowing the recording sheet S to stand by on a saddle-stitched conveyance path SH8 as a standby recording sheet S1; and a control part for allowing the compile discharge roller 6 to hold the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 with their edge parts aligned before the edge parts of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 reach the compile discharge compiler 6, and for allowing the punching device 28 to form holes in the recording sheet S by switching back the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S, and for allowing the compiler discharge roller 6 to discharge the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1.

Description

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

  In Patent Document 1, at least a pair of conveyance rollers that pinch and convey a sheet carried from a carry-in passage, a guide member that guides the paper fed from the carry roller to a discharge passage or a non-discharge passage, and a conveyance roller through the discharge passage And a drive means for driving the transport roller in both forward and reverse directions, and a switchback transport device characterized in that it is moved between a position facing the non-discharge passage and a position facing the non-discharge passage. ing.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 is a device that folds a sheet from a carry-in unit and carries it out to a carry-out unit, and includes a first conveyance path that guides the sheet from the carry-in unit to the carry-out unit without folding the sheet. A second conveyance path that is arranged so as to intersect the conveyance path and folds the sheet from the carry-in unit, a path switching unit that is disposed between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, and a second conveyance path A folding roller that is arranged at the folding position and folds the sheet from the carry-in portion, a drive motor that drives the carry-in roller that is placed in the carry-in portion and the carry-out roller that is placed in the carry-out portion, and controls the drive motor A second end of the second conveyance path, the path end for guiding the sheet to the folding position, and the path end for guiding the folded sheet folded at the folding position downstream. Placed in the opposite area through the route The first conveyance path is provided with a sheet guide for guiding a sheet between a carry-in roller arranged in the carry-in section and a carry-out roller arranged in the carry-out section. The sheet guide is a path of the second conveyance path. The control means is configured to move between a first guide attitude for guiding the sheet from the end portion to the folding position and a second guide attitude for guiding the sheet from the carry-in roller toward the carry-out roller, A first transport mode for controlling the switching means to transport the sheet from the carry-in section to the second transport path and a second transport mode for transporting the sheet to the carry-out section without being transported to the second transport path The sheet folding apparatus is characterized in that the control means changes the posture of the sheet guide to the first guide posture in the first conveyance mode and to the second guide posture in the second conveyance mode.

  In Patent Document 3, an image is written on the first surface of a conveyed sheet, the image is fixed on the sheet by a fixing rotating body, the sheet is guided to a reversing path and switched back by a reversing rotating member. The image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming apparatus that returns to the image writing position via the image writing unit, writes an image on the second surface of the sheet, fixes the image on the sheet by a fixing rotator, and then guides the sheet to a discharge path and discharges it by a discharge rotation member. A sheet discharge driving device having a first driving source, having a first driving means for rotating a fixing rotator by a rotational driving force of the first driving source, a second driving source, and a second driving source The second driving means that switches the rotation direction of the reversal rotating member between the forward and reverse directions by the rotational driving force and changes the rotational speed, and the rotational driving force from the first driving source and the rotational driving force from the second driving source are discharged and rotated. Transmission mechanism for transmitting to members And the transmission mechanism has a positive direction of the discharge rotation member of the first drive source and the second drive source when the rotation direction when the discharge rotation member rotates in the same direction as the conveyance of the sheet is a positive direction. A sheet discharge driving device is disclosed in which a rotational driving force from a drive source having a higher rotational speed is transmitted to a discharge rotation member.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-28157 JP 2011-178504 A JP 2012-237899 A

  In the present invention, when the recording medium is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the recording medium to form the perforations in the recording medium, the end portions of the plurality of recording media are formed after the perforations are formed in the plurality of large recording media. It is an object of the present invention to provide a post-processing device, a post-processing program, and an image forming apparatus that can shorten the conveyance path between the punching unit and the discharging unit as compared with the case of aligning and superimposing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a conveying means for conveying a recording medium, a punching means for forming a through hole in the recording medium, and A discharge unit that is located downstream in the transport direction and sandwiches and discharges the recording medium; a standby unit that waits as a standby recording medium without discharging the recording medium in which the through hole is formed; Before the respective end portions of the recording medium and the standby recording medium conveyed by the conveying means on the downstream side in the conveying direction reach the discharge means, the positions of the respective end portions are aligned, and the discharge means After sandwiching the recording medium and the standby recording medium, the recording medium and the standby recording medium are transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction to form the through hole in the recording medium, and the recording medium and the standby recording medium Said conveying means so as to discharge the recording medium, the piercing means, and and a control means for controlling the discharge means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a detection unit that detects an end of the recording medium is provided downstream of the punching unit in the conveyance direction, and the control unit is downstream of the recording medium in the conveyance direction by the detection unit. The positions of the respective end portions are aligned by adjusting the transport start time from the detection of the side end portion to the transport of the standby recording medium by the transport means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the distance in the transport direction between the punching means and the discharge means is shorter than the length of the recording medium in the transport direction.

  The invention of the post-processing program according to claim 4 causes the computer to function as control means constituting the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect includes an image forming unit that forms an image according to image data on a recording medium, and the post-processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, when the recording medium is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the recording medium and the perforations are formed in the recording medium, the perforations are formed in a plurality of recording media having large dimensions. As compared with the case where the end portions of a plurality of recording media are aligned and overlapped later, the conveyance path between the punching means and the discharging means can be shortened.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to align the positions of the end portions of the recording medium and the standby recording medium with higher accuracy than when the standby recording medium is conveyed without detecting the end of the recording medium. It has the effect of being able to.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the post-processing device can be made smaller compared to the case where the distance in the recording medium conveyance direction between the punching means and the discharging means is equal to or longer than the length in the recording medium conveyance direction. It has the effect of being able to.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the principal part structure of a post-processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of a post-processing apparatus. It is a flowchart of the superimposition process which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a recording sheet in an overlay process according to the embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In order to facilitate the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction of the paper is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction of the paper is the Y-axis direction, the vertical direction of the paper is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, Z , −Z or the direction indicated by −Z is defined as front, rear, right, left, upper, lower, or front side, rear side, right side, left side, upper side, and lower side, respectively. In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back. Furthermore, in the description using the following drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus U according to the present embodiment includes a user interface UI as an operation unit, an image input device U1 as an image reading unit, a paper feeding device U2, an image forming apparatus main body U3, and post-processing. It is configured to include the device U4.

  The user interface UI includes, for example, a display unit UI1 indicating the operation status of the image forming apparatus U, a copy start key (operation start button), a numeric keypad for inputting information such as the number of copies, and a recording sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus body U3. In addition, an input key such as a perforation processing setting key for setting whether or not to provide perforation for storage in a binder or the like is included.

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

  The sheet feeding device U2 includes, for example, a plurality of sheet feeding storage units TR1, TR2, and TR3 that store the recording sheet S. The recording sheet S taken out from each of the sheet storage units TR1 to TR3 is conveyed to the image forming apparatus main body U3 through a sheet supply path SH1 as a conveyance path.

  The image forming apparatus main body U3 includes, for example, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording sheet S conveyed from the sheet feeding device U2, a toner dispenser device U3a as a developer supply device, a sheet conveyance path SH2 as a medium conveyance path, A sheet discharge path SH3, a sheet reversal path SH4, a sheet circulation path SH5, and the like are included.

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

  The laser drive circuit D controlled by the controller C has drive signals corresponding to image information of Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, and K: black input from the image input device U1 at a preset timing. And output to the latent image forming devices RSy, RSm, RSc, and RSk of each color.

  The K (black) toner image forming apparatus UK as a visible image forming apparatus includes, for example, a charging device CCk, a developing device Gk, a cleaner CLk as a cleaning device, etc. around a photosensitive drum Pk as an image holding member. Is arranged.

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

  The photosensitive drums Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk are charged by the chargers CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCk, respectively, and then laser beams Ly as writing light output from the latent image forming devices RSy, RSm, RSc, and RSk. , Lm, Lc, and Lk form an electrostatic latent image on the surface.

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

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

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

  The intermediate transfer belt B includes, for example, a belt driving roller Rd as a driving member, a tension roller Rt as a bridging member, a walking roller Rw as a meandering correction member, a plurality of idler rollers Rf as driven members, and secondary opposing members. The backup roller T2a and the like (hereinafter, these roller groups are referred to as belt support rollers) are supported so as to rotate and move in the direction of the arrow Ya.

  The intermediate transfer belt B, belt support roller, and primary transfer rollers T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k constitute a belt module BM as an intermediate transfer unit.

  A secondary transfer unit Ut is disposed below the backup roller T2a. The secondary transfer unit Ut includes, for example, a secondary transfer roller T2b as a secondary transfer member. The secondary transfer roller T2b is disposed so as to be in contact with and separated (separated and approached) from the backup roller T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roller T2b depends on a region where the secondary transfer roller T2b contacts the intermediate transfer belt B. A transfer region Q4 is formed.

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

  In the present embodiment, the secondary transfer device T2 includes, for example, a backup roller T2a, a secondary transfer roller T2b, and a contact roller T2c. In addition, for example, a transfer device that includes the primary transfer rollers T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like and transfers the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums Py to Pk to the recording sheet S is configured. Yes. Further, for example, the image forming unit of the present embodiment includes the toner image forming apparatuses UY to UK and the transfer apparatus.

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

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

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

  The toner image on the recording sheet S is heated and fixed by the fixing device F when passing through the fixing region Q5. On the downstream side of the fixing device F, a switching gate G1 as a switching member is provided. This switching gate G1 is routed to either the sheet discharge path SH3 or the sheet reversing path SH4 depending on whether or not the recording sheet S conveyed through the sheet conveyance path SH2 and heated and fixed in the fixing region Q5 has a duplex printing instruction. Switch to selectively transport. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet discharge path SH3 is discharged to the post-processing device U4 by a circulation path conveyance roll Ra, a discharge roller Rh as a main body discharge member, and the like.

  A sheet circulation path SH5 is connected to the sheet reversing path SH4, and a Mylar gate G2 as a switching member is provided at the connecting portion. This mylar gate G2 once passes the recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet reversing path SH4 as it is, and then guides the recording sheet S switched back to the sheet circulation path SH5 side. The recording sheet S conveyed to the sheet circulation path SH5 is retransmitted to the secondary transfer area Q4 through the sheet conveyance path SH2.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the sheet conveyance path SH is configured to include elements indicated by symbols SH1 to SH5. In addition, as an example, the sheet conveying device SU is configured to include elements indicated by symbols SH, Ra, Rr, Rh, SG1, SG2, SGr, BH, G1, and G2.

  Next, the configuration of the post-processing device U4 will be described.

  The post-processing device U4 is provided with a carry-in roller 26 for carrying the recording sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus main body U3, on a surface connected to the image forming apparatus main body U3. Note that the carry-in roller 26 is not essential, and the recording sheet S may be conveyed to the post-processing apparatus by a conveyance force such as the discharge roller Rh of the image forming apparatus main body U3.

  The recording sheet S carried in from the carry-in roller 26 forms a perforation for storing it in a binder or the like at a predetermined position of the recording sheet S according to an instruction from a user using the user interface UI, for example. After passing through the forming device 28, the upper end discharge path SH <b> 6 extending upward and the end binding end discharge path SH <b> 7 extending rightward by switching the switching gate 2 via the transfer roller 27 provided in the common transfer path. Then, the sheet is conveyed to one of the saddle stitch discharge paths SH8 for the saddle stitch extending downward.

  Here, the common conveyance path refers to the conveyance path of the recording sheet S from the carry-in roller 26 to the switching gate 2.

  The recording sheet S conveyed to the upper end discharge path SH6 is discharged from the upper end discharge port P0 to the upper end discharge portion TH0 as the upper end stacking portion by the upper end discharge roller 3 as the upper end discharge member via the upper end conveyance roller 30. .

  The recording sheet S conveyed to the end binding discharge path SH <b> 7 is sandwiched between a pair of compile discharge rollers 6 as discharge members and discharged to the medium storage unit 7.

  The medium accommodating portion 7 includes, for example, a compile accommodating portion 8 whose left side is inclined downward, and an end wall 9 as an abutting portion formed at the left end of the compile accommodating portion 8.

  When the recording sheet S discharged from the compile discharge roller 6 is stored in the compile storage unit 8, the recording sheet S is provided on the upper surface of the central part in the left-right direction of the compile storage unit 8, and the front-rear direction (the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S). ) Is moved so as to contact the front and rear side edges of the recording sheet S, and the position of the recording sheet S in the front-rear direction is adjusted to a predetermined position.

  Furthermore, as the paddle 11 provided on the upper left side of the compile storage unit 8 rotates, the left end of the recording sheet S (upstream when viewed from the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S) is pushed toward the end wall 9 side. The recording sheets S are stacked in the compilation storage unit 8 with the ends of the bundle of recording sheets S aligned.

  On the left side of the end wall 9, a stapler 12 is provided as an end binding member for binding one end of a bundle of recording sheets S stacked on the compile storage unit 8. One end of the bundle of stacked recording sheets S is bound.

  Thereafter, the clamp arm 33 is lowered so that the position of the clamp roller 31 provided at the tip of the clamp arm 33 supported so as to rotate about the rotation shaft 32 becomes a position in contact with the end binding discharge roller 16. In addition, the end binding discharge roller 16 is driven by a motor (not shown), and the recording sheet S on which the end binding processing has been performed on the compilation storage unit 8 is sandwiched between the clamp roller 31 and the end binding discharge roller 16 to discharge the stacker. It discharges to the part 41.

  The left end of the stacker discharge part 41 is connected to a slider 42 as an elevating body, and the slider 42 is supported so as to move in the vertical direction along a guard rail 43 as a guide part formed in the post-processing device U4. . Further, on the left side of the slider 42, an elevating belt 48 is provided on rollers 46 and 47 that are a pair of upper and lower rotating members, and the slider 42 is fixed to the elevating belt 48. Accordingly, the stacker discharge unit 41 moves up and down in accordance with the reverse rotation of the elevating belt 48 by the rotation of the rollers 46 and 47, so that the number of recording sheets S stacked on the stacker discharge unit 41 is increased. The position of the stacker discharge unit 41 is adjusted.

  On the other hand, a pair of standby rollers 29 are provided on the path of the saddle stitch discharge path SH8, and the recording sheet S is held between the standby rollers 29 and conveyed to the saddle stitching apparatus NTS. The saddle stitching device NTS aligns the bundle of recording sheets S and binds the central portion in the conveyance direction of the recording sheets S, and then discharges them to the saddle stitch discharge unit TH2 in a folded state.

  The saddle stitch discharge path SH8 serves as a path for transporting the recording sheet S to the saddle stitching apparatus NTS, and temporarily stores the recording sheet S in which the perforations are formed by the perforation forming apparatus 28, as will be described later. It also has a role as a standby route for waiting.

  A carry-in detection sensor 4 is provided on the left side of the conveyance roller 27 (upstream when viewed from the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S), and detects an end of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction. Further, a discharge detection sensor 5 is provided on the left side of the compile discharge roller 6, and detects the end portion of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction, similarly to the carry-in detection sensor 4.

  The carry-in detection sensor 4 and the discharge detection sensor 5 according to the present embodiment may be either a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The operation related to the post-processing device U4 described above is controlled by an instruction from the control unit 50.

  Next, the conveyance of the recording sheet S in the upper end discharge path SH6, the end binding discharge path SH7, and the saddle stitch discharge path SH8 of the post-processing device U4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The post-processing device U4 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a transport motor M1, a discharge motor M2, and a solenoid M3. For example, the transport motor M1 is connected to the transport roller 27 and the upper transport roller 30 provided in the upper discharge path SH6 via a gear or the like, and rotationally drives the transport roller 27 and the upper transport roller 30. On the other hand, the discharge motor M2 includes, for example, an upper end discharge roller 3 provided in the upper end discharge path SH6, a compile discharge roller 6 provided in the end binding discharge path SH7, and a standby roller 29 provided in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8. The upper end discharge roller 3, the compile discharge roller 6, and the standby roller 29 are rotationally driven by being connected via a gear or the like. The solenoid M3 is connected to the switching gate 2 through a gear or the like, for example, and drives the switching gate 2.

  In addition, although it is desirable to use DC (Direct Current) inner rotor excellent in quietness compared with a stepping motor etc. for the conveyance motor M1 and the discharge motor M2, for example, it is not restricted to this.

  One end of the switching gate 2 is supported by the conveyance path, and the other end of the switching gate 2 is attached so as to move up and down around one end of the switching gate 2.

  When the switching gate 2 is moved upward by the solenoid M3, the carry-in entrance to the upper end discharge path SH6 is closed, and the recording sheet S is conveyed from the common conveyance path to the end binding discharge path SH7. On the other hand, when the switching gate 2 is moved downward, the entrance to the end binding discharge path SH7 is closed and the switching gate 2 functions as a guide member for guiding the recording sheet S to the upper end discharge path SH6. S is transported from the common transport path to the upper end discharge path SH6.

  Further, when the compile discharge roller 6 is driven in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S by the discharge motor M2, and the recording sheet S is reversely conveyed from the end binding discharge path SH7 to the common conveyance path, the switching gate When 2 is moved upward, since the carry-in entrance to the common conveyance path is opened, the recording sheet S is conveyed from the end binding discharge path SH7 to the common conveyance path. On the other hand, when the switching gate 2 is moved downward, the carry-in entrance to the common conveyance path is closed and the switching gate 2 functions as a guide member for guiding the recording sheet S to the saddle stitch discharge path SH8. Is conveyed from the end binding discharge path SH7 to the saddle stitch discharge path SH8.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the post-processing device U4 according to the present embodiment.

  The control unit 50 of the post-processing device U4 is configured as a computer 50, for example. The computer 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 50B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 50C, a non-volatile memory 50D, and an input / output interface (I / O) 50E via a bus 50F. The I / O 50E includes a transport motor M1, a discharge motor M2, a solenoid M3, a carry-in detection sensor 4, a discharge detection sensor 5, a communication I / F (InterFace) 27, a perforation forming device 28, and an end binding process. The unit 55 and the saddle stitching processing unit 56 are connected to each other.

  The communication I / F 27 is an interface for performing data communication with other devices such as the controller C of the image forming apparatus main body U3.

  The end binding processing unit 55 includes, for example, a tamper 10, a paddle 11, a stapler 12, and the like, and performs a series of operations for binding one end of a bundle of recording sheets S stacked on the compilation storage unit 8 with the stapler 12. Implement related processes.

  The saddle stitching processing unit 56 includes, for example, a saddle stitching device NTS, and performs a series of operations for aligning a bundle of the recording sheets S and binding the central portion in the conveyance direction of the recording sheets S, and then folding them. Implement related processes.

  Further, a member related to the conveyance of the recording sheet S such as the conveyance roller 27 and the upper end conveyance roller 30 is connected to the conveyance motor M1 through a gear or the like. Similarly, members related to the discharge of the recording sheet S, such as the upper end discharge roller 3, the compile discharge roller 6, and the standby roller 29, are connected to the discharge motor M2 through a gear or the like. Further, a member for switching the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S such as the switching gate 2 is connected to the solenoid M3 through a gear or the like.

  Next, conventional superposition when an instruction to form perforations in a plurality of recording sheets S from the image forming apparatus body U3 and to bind the ends of a bundle of recording sheets S (hereinafter referred to as continuous perforation instructions) is received. The control will be described.

  The superposition control based on the continuous punching instruction means that the recording sheets S with punched holes are not discharged from the compilation discharge roller 6 one by one, but the end portions of the recording sheets S are aligned and plural sheets (in the following example, two sheets). ) Conveyance control for discharging from the compilation discharge roller 6 in an overlapped state, and is used to increase the number of punch forming processes per unit time and increase productivity.

  In this case, first, the switching gate 2 is moved upward, and the recording sheet S is removed from the common conveyance path until an upstream end (hereinafter referred to as a rear end) of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction passes through the punch forming device 28. After being conveyed to the end binding discharge path SH7, the conveyance roller 27 and the compilation discharge roller 6 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording sheet S is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S (hereinafter referred to as a reverse conveyance direction).

  Then, the end of the recording sheet S on the downstream side in the reverse conveyance direction (upstream side in the conveyance direction) is abutted against a stopper (not shown) of the punching device 28 to correct the deviation in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S and the punching device. 28, the punching unit (not shown) is moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S (hereinafter referred to as the width direction of the recording sheet S), and the deviation in the width direction of the recording sheet S is corrected. Perforations are formed in the recording sheet S by a provided perforation blade (not shown).

  Thereafter, the recording sheet S in which perforations are formed (hereinafter referred to as a perforated recording sheet) is conveyed from the common conveyance path to the end binding discharge path SH7, and is conveyed to a position where the rear end of the recording sheet S passes through the switching gate 2. Then, the switching gate 2 is moved downward, and the compilation discharge roller 6 and the standby roller 29 are rotated in the reverse direction, and the recording sheet S is conveyed to the saddle stitch discharge path SH8. When the end of the recording sheet S upstream in the reverse conveyance direction (downstream in the conveyance direction) reaches a predetermined position in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8, the switching gate 2 is moved upward and the standby roller 29 is stopped. Then, the recording sheet S is put on standby in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8. Hereinafter, the punched recording sheet S that has been waiting in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8 is particularly referred to as a standby recording sheet S1.

  Then, after the perforations are formed in the subsequent recording sheet S by the same process as described above, the recording sheet S is conveyed to the end binding discharge path SH7.

  At this time, the rotation speed and the rotation start timing of the transport roller 27 and the standby roller 29 are controlled, and before the end portion (hereinafter referred to as the front end) of the recording sheet S in the transport direction is sandwiched between the compilation discharge rollers 6. Then, the positions of the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned, and the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are overlapped. Thereafter, the superimposed recording sheet S and standby recording sheet S1 are discharged to the compile storage unit 8 by the compile discharge roller 6.

  As described above, in the overlay control based on the conventional continuous perforation instruction, after the perforation forming device 28 forms perforations in the subsequent recording sheet S, the positions of the leading ends of the subsequent recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are detected. Are aligned. In this case, if any one of the leading edge of the subsequent recording sheet S or the leading edge of the standby recording sheet S1 is first sandwiched between the compilation discharge rollers 6, the position of the leading edge of the subsequent recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1. It will be difficult to align.

  That is, in the conventional overlay control based on the continuous punching instruction, it is necessary to align the positions of the leading ends of the subsequent recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 at the upstream side of the compile discharge roller 6 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. there were.

  Accordingly, the length of the recording sheet S in the conveyance direction used for the overlay control based on the conventional continuous punching instruction (hereinafter simply referred to as the length of the recording sheet S) is recorded by the punch forming device 28 and the compile discharge roller 6. The sheet S is limited by a distance in the conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as a conveyance length), and the end of the recording sheet S whose length is longer than the conveyance length is aligned, and two sheets are stacked and discharged from the compile discharge roller 6. Was difficult. That is, the productivity of punching formation for the recording sheet S in which the length of the recording sheet S is longer than the transport length is reduced.

  In this case, if the transport length is made longer, accordingly, the superposition control based on the continuous punching instruction is supported up to the recording sheet S having a longer recording sheet S length.

  However, if the transport length is made longer, another problem that leads to an increase in the size of the post-processing device U4 occurs.

  Therefore, in the following, when the continuous punching instruction is received without increasing the size of the post-processing device U4, the overlay control corresponding to the recording sheet S in which the length of the recording sheet S is longer than the transport length is performed. The operation of the post-processing device U4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the recording sheet S overlay program executed by the CPU 50A. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 50B, and is executed by the CPU 50A, for example, when a continuous punching instruction is received from the image forming apparatus body U3 via the communication I / F 27.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance state of the recording sheet S accompanying the execution of the recording sheet S overlapping program by the CPU 50A.

  The superposition program for the recording sheet S is not limited to a form provided by being preinstalled in the ROM 50B, but is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, A form distributed via a wired or wireless communication means may be applied.

  First, in step S100, the first punched recording sheet is made to wait in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8 as the standby recording sheet S1 by the same control as the overlay control based on the conventional continuous punching instruction already described.

  In step S105, it is determined whether the carry-in detection sensor 4 has detected the leading edge of the recording sheet S being conveyed. The determination result is notified to the CPU 50A, for example, when the carry-in detection sensor 4 updates a predetermined area of the RAM 50C to a predetermined value. In the case of negative determination, the process of step S105 is repeated until the carry-in detection sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet S. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S110.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a conveyance state of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 corresponding to the processing in step S105. In this case, the recording sheet S is conveyed in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow, while the standby recording sheet S1 is not conveyed but is waiting in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8.

  In step S110, first, the conveyance start is the time from when the leading edge of the recording sheet S is detected in step S105 until the standby roller 29 is driven and the standby recording sheet S1 starts to be conveyed in the conveyance direction at a predetermined speed. Get time.

  The conveyance start time is a standby recording sheet S1 so that the leading edge of the recording sheet S and the leading edge of the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned at a position upstream of the installation position of the compilation discharge roller 6 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. It is the adjustment time until it starts to transport.

  The conveyance start time is acquired according to the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S, for example, from a conveyance start time table stored in advance in a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory 50D. The conveyance start time table is a table in which the conveyance start time with respect to the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S is described, and is a table determined by an experiment with an actual machine of the post-processing apparatus U4 or a computer simulation based on a design specification of the post-processing apparatus U4. It is.

  On the other hand, the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S is acquired from, for example, a conveyance speed table stored in advance in a predetermined area of the non-volatile memory 50D according to, for example, the rotation speed instructed by the CPU 50A to the conveyance motor M1. .

  The conveyance speed table is a table in which the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S with respect to the rotation speed of the conveyance motor M1 is described. Depending on the gear ratio of the gear or the like connecting the conveyance motor M1 and the conveyance roller 27, the diameter of the conveyance roller 27, and the like. It is a calculated and predetermined table.

  For example, the CPU 50A acquires the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S from the conveyance speed table based on the rotation speed instructed to the conveyance motor M1, and starts conveyance from the conveyance start time table based on the acquired conveyance speed of the recording sheet S. Get time.

  Needless to say, the acquisition method of the conveyance start time is not limited to the above example. For example, the conveyance speed of the recording sheet S may be directly acquired using a speed sensor or the like.

  Then, the CPU 50A notifies the discharge motor M2 of a rotation instruction so as to start rotation at a predetermined rotation speed after the acquired conveyance start time has elapsed, and compiles and discharges the standby recording sheet S1 at a predetermined conveyance speed. Transport toward.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned at a position upstream of the installation position of the compilation discharge roller 6 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S.

  Furthermore, even after the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned, the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are conveyed until the trailing end of the recording sheet S passes through the perforation forming device 28. In this case, when the recording sheet S is transported longer than the transport length, as shown in FIG. 5C, the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are compiled and discharged. The recording sheet S is conveyed from the roller 6 to a position downstream in the conveying direction.

  Next, in step S115, when the recording sheet S can be regarded as having been conveyed to a predetermined position, for example, a notification that the trailing edge of the recording sheet S has been detected from the carry-in detection sensor 4, the conveyance motor The M1 and the discharge motor M2 are instructed to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction so far, and the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are respectively conveyed in the reverse conveyance direction. FIG. 5D shows the conveyance state of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 in this case.

  At this time, the rotational speeds of the transport motor M1 and the discharge motor M2 are controlled so that the rotational speeds of the compilation discharge roller 6, the transport roller 27, and the standby roller 29 are equal. Here, the rotational speeds of the compile discharge roller 6, the transport roller 27, and the standby roller 29 are equal. The rotational speed difference among the compile discharge roller 6, the transport roller 27, and the standby roller 29 falls within a predetermined allowable range. Including cases.

  In step S120, the end of the recording sheet S on the downstream side in the reverse conveyance direction (upstream side in the conveyance direction) is a stopper (not shown) of the perforation forming device 28 by the same control as the superposition control based on the conventional continuous punching instruction already described. The punching unit (not shown) of the punching device 28 is moved in the width direction of the recording sheet S to correct the deviation in the conveyance direction and the width direction of the recording sheet S, and then the punching is formed in the recording sheet S.

  When the recording sheet S is abutted against a stopper (not shown) of the perforation forming apparatus 28, the conveying motor M1 and the discharging motor M2 are instructed to stop the rotation, and the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are conveyed. Interrupt.

  In step S125, the conveyance motor M1 and the discharge motor M2 are notified of a rotation instruction, and the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 in which perforations are formed are in a direction opposite to the reverse conveyance direction instructed in step S115, that is, perforation. The recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are conveyed from the forming device 28 toward the compilation discharge roller 6 and discharged from the compilation discharge roller 6 to the compilation storage unit 8. FIG. 5E shows the conveyance state of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 in this case.

  At this time, the rotation speeds of the conveyance motor M1 and the discharge motor M2 are controlled so that the rotation speeds and rotation start timings of the compilation discharge roller 6, the conveyance roller 27, and the standby roller 29 are equal.

  Therefore, since the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are already aligned in step S110, the control for aligning the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 shown in step S110 again is not performed. The recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are overlapped with the end portions thereof aligned, and are discharged to the compile storage unit 8.

  As described above, in the overlay control based on the overlay program for the recording sheet S according to the present embodiment, the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned before the perforation is formed in the subsequent recording sheet S. Therefore, even if the length of the recording sheet S is longer than the transport length, the ends of the punched recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned and overlapped and discharged to the compilation storage unit 8. The

  Therefore, even when the post-processing apparatus U4 is downsized by further shortening the transport length, the length of the recording sheet S used in the overlay control based on the continuous punching instruction is limited by the transport length. There is nothing.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the overlay control of the recording sheet S is realized by a software configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an embodiment in which the control is realized by a hardware configuration. It is good.

  As an example of the form in this case, for example, there is a form in which a functional device corresponding to the process executed by the control unit 50 is created and used. In this case, the processing speed is expected to be higher than in the case of the present embodiment.

  Further, the post-processing device U4 according to the present embodiment adjusts the timing at which the standby recording sheet S1 starts to be transported based on the transport speed of the recording sheet S so that the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 are aligned. However, the method of aligning the leading ends of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 is not limited to this.

  For example, a protrusion member that temporarily dams the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1 to be conveyed is provided on the end binding discharge path SH7 upstream of the compilation discharge roller 6 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. Alternatively, when the leading edge of the standby recording sheet S1 hits the protruding member and the end portions of the respective sheets are aligned, the protruding member may be moved to resume the conveyance of the recording sheet S and the standby recording sheet S1.

  Furthermore, in the post-processing apparatus U4 according to the present embodiment, it has been described that two punched recording sheets are stacked and discharged from the compilation discharge roller 6. However, three or more punched recording sheets are stacked and discharged from the compilation discharge roller 6. You may make it discharge | emit.

  For example, when three sheets are stacked and discharged from the compile discharge roller 6, the process of step S100 is performed on the first recording sheet S according to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the two recording sheets S are loaded in step S105. If detected, the processing of step S110 to step S120 is performed as it is. Then, a process for determining whether or not the overlay control has been performed on the third recording sheet S is added between step S120 and step S125. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S100. May be shifted to step S125.

  In this case, in the saddle stitch discharge path SH8, a plurality of standby recording sheets S1 are overlapped and waited with their ends aligned.

2 switching gate 4 carry-in detection sensor 5 discharge detection sensor 6 compilation discharge roller 8 compilation storage unit 27 transport roller 28 punch formation device 29 standby roller 50 control unit (computer)
S Recording sheet S1 Standby recording sheet M1 Conveyance motor M2 Discharge motor M3 Solenoid SH7 End binding discharge path SH8 Saddle stitch discharge path U Image forming apparatus U1 Image input apparatus U2 Paper feeding apparatus U3 Image forming apparatus main body U4 Post-processing apparatus

Claims (5)

Conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
Punching means for forming a through hole in the recording medium;
A discharge means that is positioned downstream of the punching means in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and holds and discharges the recording medium;
Standby means for waiting as a standby recording medium without discharging the recording medium in which the through-hole is formed from the discharging means;
Before the respective end portions of the recording medium and the standby recording medium conveyed by the conveying means on the downstream side in the conveying direction reach the discharge means, the positions of the respective end portions are aligned, and the discharge means After sandwiching the recording medium and the standby recording medium, the recording medium and the standby recording medium are transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction to form the through hole in the recording medium, and the recording medium and the standby recording medium Control means for controlling the conveying means, the punching means, and the discharging means so as to discharge the medium;
A post-processing apparatus. A detection means for detecting an end of the recording medium on the downstream side in the transport direction of the punching means;
The control unit adjusts a transport start time from when the detection unit detects the downstream end of the recording medium in the transport direction to when the standby recording medium is transported by the transport unit. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the end portions are aligned. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance in the transport direction between the punching unit and the discharge unit is shorter than a length of the recording medium in the transport direction.   The post-processing program for functioning a computer as a control means which comprises the post-processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3. Image forming means for forming an image according to image data on a recording medium;
The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus.