JP2015140238A - Sheet processing device, image forming system and sheet processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing device that reinforces a fold of a sheet to be conveyed while being folded, which is high in productivity and decreased in size and cost.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device comprises a pressing portion that presses a fold of a sheet while being folded by rotating taking a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet and also a direction parallel to the surface of the sheet as an axis. The pressing portion comprises a plurality of pressing groups that are arranged at predetermined intervals in a rotating direction with the axis as a rotation axis so as to press multiple times the same region in a direction parallel to the axis while rotating one time taking the axis as the rotation axis. Each of the plurality of pressing groups comprises pressing members that are arranged in a plural number in a direction parallel to the axis at a predetermined angle difference in the rotating direction with the axis as the rotating axis. The pressing members arranged in a plural number each press the fold in a direction parallel to the axis by one time pressing at different timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a sheet processing method, and more particularly to a method for processing a sheet conveyed in a folded state.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Among such multi-function machines, a multi-function machine equipped with a folding processing device that draws an image by forming an image on a fed sheet and then folds the image-formed paper is known. It has been. When a folding process is performed on a sheet in such a folding processing apparatus, the fold is weak and incomplete, and the fold height is high. Therefore, in such a multi-function machine, in addition to the folding processing device, by applying an additional folding process to reinforce the fold by pressing the fold formed by the folding process, the fold is reinforced and the fold height is increased. There is known a multi-function machine equipped with an additional folding device that reduces the thickness (for example, see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  By the way, when a folding process is performed on a sheet in the above-described folding processing apparatus, generally, the fold line is a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as “sub-scanning direction”) ( (Hereinafter also referred to as “main scanning direction”).

  Therefore, as a method of performing the additional folding process in the additional folding apparatus as described above, for example, a sheet having a length of about the width of a sheet horizontally mounted in a direction parallel to the fold formed by the folding process (main scanning direction). There is a method of pressing a crease formed on the sheet while the sheet is conveyed by the additional folding roller.

  Further, as another method of performing the additional folding process in the additional folding apparatus as described above, for example, the conveyance of the paper is temporarily stopped at the position where the additional folding process is performed, and the direction perpendicular to the fold formed by the folding process is performed. By moving the additional folding roller that rotates about the (sub-scanning direction) in the main scanning direction on the stopped paper, the folds formed on the paper are sequentially pressed in the main scanning direction. A method is mentioned.

  However, in the former of the above-described additional folding processing methods, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of additional folding rollers in the sheet conveyance direction. This is because the entire crease is simultaneously pressed by one additional folding roller, and the pressing force is distributed over the entire crease, so that the pressing force per unit area is reduced, and a single additional folding roller has a sufficient additional folding effect. This is because cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the method of pressing a crease formed on a sheet while the sheet is conveyed by an additional folding roller having a length of about the width of the sheet horizontally mounted in the main scanning direction, a plurality of additional folding rollers are arranged. Therefore, there is a problem in that the multifunction machine becomes large and the drive system and the control system for driving those additional folding rollers increase, so that the initial cost and the running cost are increased.

  On the other hand, in the latter of the above-described additional folding processing methods, the entire crease area is sequentially pressed by one additional folding roller in the main scanning direction, so that a concentrated pressing force can be applied over the entire crease area. Therefore, although the pressing force is not dispersed, it is necessary to move the paper in the main scanning direction with the additional folding roller, so the paper must be stopped for a long time. Therefore, by moving the additional folding roller rotating around the sub-scanning direction as the rotation axis in the main scanning direction on the stopped paper, the folds formed on the paper are sequentially pressed in the main scanning direction. The method has a problem that productivity is lowered. The above-described problem is not limited to the sheet for image formation output, and can be similarly a problem if it is a sheet-like object.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and is a highly productive, small, and low-cost sheet processing apparatus as a device for reinforcing a fold of a sheet conveyed in a folded state. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, by rotating a crease of a sheet conveyed in a folded state with a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed and parallel to the sheet surface as an axis A sheet processing apparatus including a pressing unit that presses the shaft so that the pressing unit presses the same range in a direction parallel to the shaft a plurality of times while making one rotation with the shaft as a rotation shaft. A plurality of pressing groups arranged at predetermined intervals in the rotation direction with the rotation axis as the rotation axis, and each of the plurality of pressing groups is parallel to the axis with a predetermined angular difference in the rotation direction with the axis as the rotation axis. A plurality of pressing members arranged in a certain direction, and the folds are pressed at different timings in a direction parallel to the axis by a single pressing by the plurality of pressing members.

  According to the present invention, as a device for reinforcing a fold of a sheet conveyed in a folded state, it is possible to provide a sheet processing device that is highly productive and small in size and low in cost.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit when the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention are executing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, as viewed from the main scanning direction. . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit when the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention are executing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, as viewed from the main scanning direction. . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit when the folding processing unit and the additional folding processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention are executing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, as viewed from the main scanning direction. . It is a figure which shows an example of the shape of the folding-processed paper which was folded by the folding processing unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side of the main scanning direction. It is the front view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the subscanning direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side of the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the press group concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the main scanning direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side of the main scanning direction. It is the front view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the subscanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side of the main scanning direction. It is the front view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the subscanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the diagonally upper side of the main scanning direction. It is the front view which looked at the press group which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the subscanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the figure which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the subscanning direction. It is the figure which looked at the pressing force transmission part which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction in the state arrange | positioned at the additional folding roller rotating shaft. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the additional folding method for the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention to reinforce a fold more effectively. It is a figure for demonstrating the additional folding method for the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention to reinforce a fold more effectively. It is a graph which shows the load to the additional folding roller rotating shaft when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process operation. It is a figure for demonstrating the rotational moment concerning an additional folding roller rotating shaft when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process operation. It is a graph which shows the load torque to the additional folding roller drive motor when the additional folding process unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process operation. It is the figure which looked at the additional folding roller drive device concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the main scanning direction. It is a perspective view of the additional folding roller drive device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is the side view which looked at the additional folding roller which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the main scanning direction. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process at the time of the additional folding process unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention performing an additional folding process. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at only the mechanism part in connection with the additional folding process in the additional folding process unit when the additional folding process unit which concerns on other embodiment of this invention is performing the additional folding process from the main scanning direction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, after an image is formed on a fed sheet, a direction (hereinafter referred to as “main scanning direction”) perpendicular to the sheet transport direction (hereinafter also referred to as “sub-scanning direction”) with respect to the image-formed sheet. In order to reinforce the crease formed by the folding process and reduce the folding height, the crease formed by the folding process is increased and pressed by the folding roller. Thus, an image forming apparatus that performs additional folding processing will be described as an example.

  In such an image forming apparatus, one of the gist according to the present embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, in the main scanning direction by rotating about an axis parallel to the main scanning direction. A plurality of pressing groups that press the folds of the sheet formed toward the front side include an additional folding roller arranged in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit according to the present embodiment can press a plurality of sheets by rotating one set of additional folding rollers once, or can further fold a single fold several times. It becomes. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a simplified overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 2, a folding processing unit 3, an additional folding processing unit 4, and a scanner unit 5.

  The image forming unit 2 generates CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Key Plate) drawing information based on the input image data, and performs image forming output on the fed paper based on the generated drawing information. Run. The folding processing unit 3 executes folding processing on the image-formed paper conveyed from the image forming unit 2. The additional folding processing unit 4 performs additional folding processing on the folds formed on the folded paper that has been conveyed from the folding processing unit 3. That is, in the present embodiment, the additional folding processing unit 4 functions as a sheet processing apparatus.

  The scanner unit 5 reads a document by a linear image sensor in which a plurality of photodiodes are arranged in a line and a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is arranged in parallel. This will digitize the manuscript. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. .

  Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, a folding process, an additional folding process, and the like in addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as a general server, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. 90 is connected. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60, an operation unit 70, and a dedicated device 80 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 90 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The dedicated device 80 is hardware for realizing dedicated functions in the image forming unit 2, the folding processing unit 3, the additional folding processing unit 4, and the scanner unit 5. In the image forming unit 2, an image is formed on a paper surface. A plotter device that executes output. The folding processing unit 3 includes a transport mechanism for transporting paper and a folding processing mechanism for folding the transported paper.

  Further, the additional folding processing unit 4 is an additional folding processing mechanism for reinforcing the folds of the paper that is conveyed after being folded by the folding processing unit 3. The scanner unit 5 is a reading device that reads an image displayed on a sheet. The configuration of the additional folding processing mechanism included in the additional folding processing unit 4 is one of the gist according to the present embodiment.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program loaded into the RAM 20, whereby the software control unit Is configured. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of a sheet or a document bundle is indicated by a broken arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, a paper feed table 110, a print engine 120, a folding processing engine 130, an additional folding processing engine 140, a scanner engine 150, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). : Automatic document feeder) 160, paper discharge tray 170, display panel 180, and network I / F 190. The controller 100 includes a main control unit 101, an engine control unit 102, an input / output control unit 103, an image processing unit 104, and an operation display control unit 105.

  The paper feed table 110 feeds paper to the print engine 120 that is an image forming unit. The print engine 120 is an image forming unit provided in the image forming unit 2, and draws an image by executing an image forming output on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding table 110. As a specific aspect of the print engine 120, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. The image-formed paper on which an image is drawn by the print engine 120 is conveyed to the folding processing unit 3 or discharged onto the paper discharge tray 170.

  The folding processing engine 130 is provided in the folding processing unit 3 and performs a folding process on the image-formed paper conveyed from the image forming unit 2. The folding-processed paper that has been subjected to the folding process by the folding processing engine 130 is conveyed to the additional folding processing unit 4. The additional folding processing engine 140 is provided in the additional folding processing unit 4, and performs additional folding processing on the folds formed on the folded paper conveyed from the folding processing engine 130. The additional folding processed paper subjected to the additional folding processing by the additional folding processing engine 140 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 170, or post-processing (not shown) that executes post-processing such as stapling, punching, and bookbinding processing. It is transported to the unit.

  The ADF 160 is provided in the scanner unit 5 and automatically conveys a document to a scanner engine 150 serving as a document reading unit. The scanner engine 150 is a document reading unit that is provided in the scanner unit 5 and includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts optical information into an electric signal. The scanner engine 150 is set on a document that is automatically conveyed by the ADF 160 or a document table glass (not shown). The original is optically scanned and read to generate image information. A document that is automatically conveyed by the ADF 160 and read by the scanner engine 150 is discharged to a discharge tray 170.

  The display panel 180 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and is an input when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1 as a touch panel. It is also an interface. That is, the display panel 180 includes a function for displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 180 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 190 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices such as an administrator terminal via the network. The network I / F 190 is an Ethernet (registered trademark), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, or a Bluetooth (registered). Trademarks), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), FeliCa (registered trademark), and other interfaces are used. The network I / F 190 is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a software control unit and an integrated circuit configured by loading a control program such as firmware stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 or the HDD 40 into the RAM 20 and performing an operation by the CPU 10 according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by hardware such as the above. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 101 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The main control unit 101 also controls the input / output control unit 103 to access other devices via the network I / F 190 and the network. The engine control unit 102 controls or drives driving units such as the print engine 120, the folding processing engine 130, the additional folding processing engine 140, and the scanner engine 150. The input / output control unit 103 inputs signals and commands input via the network I / F 190 and the network to the main control unit 101.

  The image processing unit 104 generates drawing information based on document data or image data included in the input print job in accordance with control of the main control unit 101. The drawing information is data such as CMYK bitmap data, and is information for drawing an image to be formed by the print engine 120 serving as an image forming unit in an image forming operation. Further, the image processing unit 104 processes image data input from the scanner engine 150 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to other devices via the network I / F 190 and the network. The operation display control unit 105 displays information on the display panel 180 or notifies the main control unit 101 of information input via the display panel 180.

  Next, an operation example when the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment perform the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 are main scans of the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 when the folding processing unit 3 and the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment are executing the folding processing and the additional folding processing, respectively. It is sectional drawing seen from the direction. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs the folding processing operation in the folding processing unit 3, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the folding processing unit 3 starts from the image forming unit 2 to the entrance roller pair 310. Thus, the image-formed sheet 6 conveyed to the folding processing unit 3 is conveyed toward the conveyance path switching claw 330 while correcting the lateral registration by the registration roller pair 320 and measuring the conveyance timing.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the folding processing unit 3 uses the conveyance path switching claw 330 to transfer the sheet 6 conveyed to the conveyance path switching claw 330 by the registration roller pair 320 to the first folding processing conveyance roller pair 340. To guide. As shown in FIG. 4C, the folding processing unit 3 causes the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 to feed the sheet 6 guided to the first folding processing transport roller pair 340 by the transport path switching claw 330. It is conveyed toward the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the folding processing unit 3 conveys the sheet 6 conveyed to the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350 by the first folding processing conveyance roller pair 340 in the first folding processing conveyance. Further conveyance is performed by the roller pair 340 and the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350. As shown in FIG. 5B, the folding processing unit 3 measures the timing of folding the paper 6 at a predetermined position and reverses the rotation direction of the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350 to thereby remove the paper 6. The first folding processing conveyance roller pair 340 and the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350 make the sheet 6 into a creased conveyance roller pair 360 so that the bending position is not changed while the deflection is made at the predetermined position. Transport toward you.

  At this time, in the folding processing unit 3, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the conveyance speed of the paper 6 and the sensor information input from the sensor 370 so that the timing is measured. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the folding processing unit 3 transfers the sheet 6 conveyed to the crease conveying roller pair 360 by the second folding processing conveyance roller pair 350 and the crease conveying roller pair 360 in the conveying direction. , The sheet 6 is bent and the crease is formed at the predetermined position, and the sheet 6 is conveyed toward the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the sheet support plate 420 of the additional folding processing unit 4. . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, one of the first folding processing conveyance roller pair 340 also serves as one of the creased conveyance roller pair 360.

  An example of the shape of the paper 6 subjected to the folding process in this way is shown in FIGS. FIGS. 7A to 7H are diagrams illustrating an example of the shape of the folded paper 6 that has been subjected to the folding processing by the folding processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment.

  Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the additional folding processing unit 4 transports the paper 6 that has been conveyed to the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 by the pair of crease-conveying rollers 360. Thus, the folds formed on the paper 6 are supported in the pressing direction, and the folding roller 410 is pressed while rotating in the conveying direction to perform additional folding. That is, in this embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 functions as a pressing portion, and the paper support plate 420 functions as a sheet support portion.

  At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 have the folding information regarding the folding method in the folding processing unit 3, the sheet information regarding the size of the sheet 6, the conveyance speed of the sheet 6, and the additional folding roller 410. By controlling each part based on the rotation speed, the timing for pressing the paper 6 is measured. Alternatively, at this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 make the respective units based on the conveyance speed of the paper 6, the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410, and sensor information input from the sensor 430. By controlling, the timing of pressing the paper 6 is measured.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the additional folding roller 410 is driven by the driving force of the additional folding roller driving motor 471 transmitted from the additional folding roller driving device 470 via the timing belt 472. The paired feed roller pair 360 is driven by a crease feed roller driving motor (not shown). The driving of the additional folding roller driving motor 471 and the driving of the crease-conveying roller driving motor are performed under the control of the engine control unit 102. That is, in this embodiment, the additional folding roller drive motor 471 functions as a rotation drive braking unit, and the engine control unit 102 functions as a rotation control unit and a conveyance control unit. If the additional folding roller drive motor 471 is a stepping motor, the engine control unit 102 controls the rotation angle based on the number of steps, and also controls the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410, that is, the number of additional folding. Will do.

  As described above, when the additional folding processing unit 4 performs additional folding by pressing the fold formed on the paper 6 with the additional folding roller 410, the additional folding processing conveyance roller 4 Transport toward pair 440.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the additional folding processing unit 4 discharges the additional folded paper 6 conveyed from the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 as it is. The sheet 6 is added and conveyed toward the paper discharge roller pair 450 by the folding processing conveyance roller pair 440. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 discharges the additional folding processed paper 6 conveyed to the discharge roller pair 450 by the additional folding processing conveyance roller pair 440 to the discharge tray 170 by the discharge roller pair 450. . Thereby, the folding processing operation and the additional folding processing operation in the folded image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment are completed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6C, the additional folding processing unit 4 performs stapling, punching, etc. on the additional folding processed paper 6 conveyed from the gap between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420. When post-processing such as bookbinding processing is performed, the sheet 6 is added and conveyed toward the post-processing conveyance roller pair 460 by the folding processing conveyance roller pair 440. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 transfers the sheet 6 subjected to the additional folding process, which has been conveyed to the post-processing conveyance roller pair 460 by the additional folding processing conveyance roller pair 440, to a post-processing unit (not shown) by the post-processing conveyance roller pair 460. Transport. Thereby, the folding processing operation and the additional folding processing operation in the folded image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment are completed.

  Next, structural examples of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, 12 to 14, FIGS. 15 to 17, and FIGS. 18 to 20.

  First, a first structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment when viewed obliquely from above and in the main scanning direction. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment when viewed obliquely from above and in the main scanning direction. FIG. 11 is a front view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as seen from the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a first structural example. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each of the pressing groups 410A and 410B includes a plurality of pressing force transmitting portions 412 including a fixing portion 412a, an elastic body 412b, a pressing roller 412c, and an attaching portion 412d. The additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is arranged around the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 at a constant interval in the main scanning direction with a certain angular difference in the rotation direction. The fixing portion 412a, the elastic body 412b, the pressing roller 412c, and the mounting portion 412d constituting the pressing force transmitting portion 412 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Here, the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is a rotating shaft of the additional folding roller 410 that is horizontally mounted on the additional folding processing unit 4 in the main scanning direction and rotates around an axis penetrating in the main scanning direction. Reference numeral 412 denotes a pressing member for expanding and contracting in a specific direction and transmitting a pressing force to a fold formed on the paper 6 by an elastic force when expanding and contracting.

  When the pressing groups 410A and 410B are configured as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 sequentially moves the fold from one end to the other end. Since it can press, generation | occurrence | production of a folding wrinkle can be prevented.

  Next, a second structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and in the main scanning direction. FIG. 14 is a front view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment viewed from the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a second structural example. In the pressing groups 410A and 410B, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the odd number of pressing force transmitting portions 412 are symmetrical with respect to the center of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 in the main scanning direction. In addition, the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is arranged around the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 at a constant interval in the main scanning direction with a certain angular difference in the rotation direction.

  When the pressing groups 410A and 410B are configured as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 sequentially presses the fold from the center toward both ends. Therefore, the occurrence of folding wrinkles can be prevented.

  Next, a third structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment when viewed obliquely from above and in the main scanning direction. FIG. 17 is a front view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment as viewed from the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a third structural example. Then, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pressing groups 410A and 410B are configured so that the even number of pressing force transmission portions 412 are symmetrical with respect to the center of the additional folding roller 410 in the main scanning direction. The additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is arranged around the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 at a constant interval in the main scanning direction with a certain angular difference in the rotation direction.

  When the pressing groups 410A and 410B are configured as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively, in the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 sequentially presses the fold from the center toward both ends. Therefore, the occurrence of folding wrinkles can be prevented.

  Next, a fourth structure example of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment when viewed obliquely from above and in the main scanning direction. FIG. 20 is a front view of the pressing group 410A or 410B according to the present embodiment as viewed from the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a fourth structural example. Then, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the pressing groups 410A and 410B are arranged on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 of the pressing force transmitting portion 412 shown in FIGS. The arrangement of the pressing force transmission unit 412 on the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 shown in FIG. 17 is configured in an arrangement manner in which the rotation direction of the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is combined with a predetermined angle difference.

  If the pressing groups 410A and 410B are configured as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, respectively, in the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 has no gap in the main scanning direction, that is, a sheet. It becomes possible to press the entire crease formed in 6 without any gap.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is formed toward the main scanning direction by rotating about the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as a rotation axis. The gist of the invention is that the pressing groups 410A and 410B for pressing the folds of the paper are arranged in the rotational direction of the rotary shaft. In the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 is configured in this way, so that a plurality of sheets can be pressed by rotating the pair of additional folding rollers once or It is possible to further fold the fold at a plurality of times. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  When the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, the additional folding processing unit 4 is configured so that the pressing groups 410A and 410B exist in the rotation direction of the additional folding roller 410 (hereinafter referred to as “pressing”). ”) And the area where the pressing groups 410A and 410B do not exist (hereinafter referred to as“ retraction area ”) and the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410 are detected. Based on this, it is necessary to control the additional folding roller drive motor 471.

  Therefore, a method in which the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment detects the positions of the pressing area and the retreat area and the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 22 is a view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as seen from the sub-scanning direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes an infrared irradiation unit 413a, an infrared light receiving unit 413b, and an infrared shielding unit 413c, and detects the positions of the pressing region and the retreat region. A position detection sensor 413 is provided.

  The infrared irradiation unit 413a emits infrared rays. The infrared light receiving unit 413b receives the infrared light irradiated from the infrared irradiation unit 413a, and when the infrared light irradiated from the infrared irradiation unit 413a toward the infrared light receiving unit 413b is shielded by the infrared shielding unit 413c, the engine is notified of that fact. Notify the control unit 102. The infrared shielding unit 413c is an additional folding roller rotation shaft so as to shield the infrared rays irradiated from the infrared irradiation unit 413a toward the infrared light receiving unit 413b at a position corresponding to the pressing region with respect to the rotation direction of the additional folding roller 410. 411 and rotates together with the additional folding roller 410.

  The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has such a configuration, so that the infrared shielding unit 413c shields infrared rays emitted from the infrared irradiation unit 413a toward the infrared light receiving unit 413b. With respect to the rotation direction of the folding roller 410, it becomes possible to detect the position of the pressing area and the retreat area and the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410, and to control the additional folding roller drive motor 471 based on them. Is possible.

  In addition, as a method for the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment to detect the position of the pressing area and the retreat area and the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410, the rotation angle of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is used. There is a method to detect based on. Specifically, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment first detects the rotation angle of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a correspondence relationship between the rotation angle of the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 and the pressing area, and a correspondence relationship between the rotation angle of the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 and the retreat area. With reference to the detected rotation angle of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, the positions of the pressing area and the retreat area and the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410 are detected.

  Next, a structural example of the pressing force transmission unit 412 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B are views of the pressing force transmission unit 412 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction in a state where the pressing force transmission unit 412 is disposed on the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411. FIG. As shown in FIG. 23A, the pressing force transmission unit 412 according to the present embodiment is attached to the fixing unit 412a and the fixing unit 412a for fixing the pressing force transmission unit 412 around the rotary shaft 411. A pressing roller 412c, an elastic body 412b, and an elastic body 412b that is attached to the elastic body 412b and the elastic body 412b and that rotates about an axis penetrating in the main scanning direction. It is comprised by the attaching part 412d which attaches the press roller 412c. That is, in the present embodiment, the pressing roller 412c functions as a pressing force acting part.

  As described above, the pressing force transmission unit 412 is configured to include the elastic body 412b. Assuming that the elastic body 412b is a rigid body, the additional folding roller 410 has any one of the pressing force transmission units 412. This is because it becomes impossible to rotate at the point of contact with the paper support plate 420. That is, in the present embodiment, the elastic body 412b functions as an elastic body that generates an elastic force corresponding to the amount of change when the physical shape changes.

  FIG. 23A shows an example in which the elastic body 412b is configured by a leaf spring, but the elastic body 412b may also be configured by an elastic body such as a compression spring, rubber, sponge, or a plastic resin. good.

  The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment rotates the additional folding roller 410 configured as described above with the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as the rotation axis during the additional folding processing, so that the main folding direction of the sheet is increased in the main scanning direction. The formed folds can be sequentially pressed in the direction of the folds by the respective pressing force transmission portions 412.

  This is because the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of pressing force transmission portions 412 mainly around the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 with a certain angular difference in the rotation direction of the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411. This is because they are arranged at regular intervals in the scanning direction.

  For this reason, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment does not distribute the pressing force over the entire region in the main scanning direction during the additional folding process, and the concentrated pressing force by each pressing force transmitting unit 412 Can be applied over the entire area.

  The elastic body 412b may be provided with a simple pressing rod 412e as shown in FIG. 23B, instead of the pressing roller 412c formed of a rotating body. However, when the pressing force transmitting portion 412 is configured in this way, the pressing rod 412e damages the paper 6 during pressing, and the contact portion of the pressing rod 412e with the paper 6 is severely worn. However, if the contact portion of the pressing bar 412e with the paper 6 is formed in a smooth shape and the frictional force of the contact portion is reduced, the above problem can be reduced.

  The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment rotates the additional folding roller 410 configured as described above by using the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as a rotation axis, thereby causing each pressing force of the fold formed in the main scanning direction to be The transmission part 412 can be sequentially pressed toward the crease direction.

  Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply the pressing force of each pressing force transmitting portion 412 in a concentrated manner over the entire fold in a short time. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fold without reducing the productivity while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. . As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  Next, details of an operation example when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. 24 and 25 are cross-sectional views of only the mechanism part related to the additional folding process in the additional folding processing unit 4 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the additional folding process, as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102.

  When the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding processing, first, as shown in FIG. 24A, when the conveyance of the paper 6 is started in the additional folding processing unit 4, FIG. ), The timing until the pressing group 410A comes into contact with the crease 6a formed on the paper 6 is calculated, and the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 is started without waiting for the paper 6 to stop. As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment starts the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 without waiting for the stop of the sheet 6 because the pressing group 410A starts rotating after the additional folding roller 410 starts rotating. This is to shorten the time lag until contact with the paper 6. Thereby, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

  At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 have the folding information regarding the folding method in the folding processing unit 3, the sheet information regarding the size of the sheet 6, the conveyance speed of the sheet 6, the additional folding roller 410. The timing until the pressing group 410A comes into contact with the crease 6a formed on the paper 6 is calculated by controlling each part based on the rotation speed of the sensor and the sensor information input from the position detection sensor 413. . Alternatively, at this time, the additional folding processing unit 4 is configured so that the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 receive the sheet 6 conveyance speed, the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410, and sensor information input from the sensor 430 and the position detection sensor 413. By controlling each part based on the above, the timing until the pressing group 410A comes into contact with the crease 6a formed on the paper 6 is calculated.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 24C, when the additional folding processing unit 4 conveys the sheet 6 until the fold 6a is positioned immediately below the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411, the conveyance of the sheet 6 is completely stopped. After that, the pressing group 410A starts to contact the fold 6a formed on the paper 6 to start pressing the fold 6a. Then, as shown in FIG. 24 (d), the additional folding processing unit 4 continues to rotate the additional folding roller 410 while the sheet 6 is stopped, thereby applying the fold 6a formed on the sheet 6 by the pressing group 410A. Continue pressing.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 24 (e), the additional folding processing unit 4 calculates the timing until the pressing group 410A is separated from the sheet 6, and does not wait for the additional folding roller 410 to stop. When 410A is separated from the sheet 6, the conveyance of the sheet 6 is started. As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment does not wait for the additional folding roller 410 to stop, and the conveyance of the sheet 6 starts when the pressing group 410A is separated from the sheet 6. This is because the time lag from when the paper 6 is separated until the additional folding roller 410 completely stops is shortened. Thereby, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

  At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410, and the timing until the pressing group 410 </ b> A is separated from the paper 6. Is supposed to calculate.

  Then, when the additional folding processing unit 4 conveys the paper 6 separated from the pressing group 410A as shown in FIG. 24 (f), the additional folding roller 410 stops rotating as shown in FIG. 25 (a). Then, the conveyance of a new sheet 6 'on which the crease 6a' is formed is started, and as shown in FIGS. 25 (b) to 25 (f), the pressing group 410B is used instead of the pressing group 410A, and FIGS. The same operation as that shown in (f) is performed.

  As described above, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is constituted by the pressing groups 410A and 410B as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18. . Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a pair of additional folding rollers 410 that rotate only once with the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as a rotation axis. A sheet of paper can be pressed. That is, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can press the paper at a speed twice as high as that of the additional folding roller 410 only by including one set of additional folding rollers 410. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  Next, details of another operation example when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. FIG. FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are cross-sectional views of only the mechanism portion related to the additional folding process in the additional folding processing unit 4 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the additional folding process, as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102. 26 and 27, the main control unit 101 is configured to determine the number of additional folds based on the paper information and the fold information. That is, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 101 functions as a pressing number determination unit.

  When the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding processing, first, as shown in FIGS. 26 (a) to (d), the operations shown in FIGS. 24 (a) to (d) are performed. The same operation is performed. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment stops the paper 6 as shown in FIG. 26 (f) when the pressing group 410A is separated from the paper 6 as shown in FIG. 26 (e). The additional folding roller 410 is continuously rotated in the same direction.

  The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment continues to rotate the additional folding roller 410 in the same direction while the paper 6 is stopped. As a result, as shown in FIG. By starting contact with the formed fold line 6a, the pressing on the fold line 6a is started again. Then, as shown in FIG. 27 (b), the additional folding processing unit 4 continues to rotate the additional folding roller 410 while the paper 6 is stopped, thereby applying the fold 6a formed on the paper 6 by the pressing group 410B. Continue pressing.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 27C, the additional folding processing unit 4 calculates the timing until the pressing group 410B is separated from the paper 6, and does not wait for the additional folding roller 410 to stop. When 410B is separated from the sheet 6, the conveyance of the sheet 6 is started. As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment does not wait for the additional folding roller 410 to stop and the conveyance of the sheet 6 starts when the pressing group 410B is separated from the sheet 6. This is because the time lag from when the paper 6 is separated until the additional folding roller 410 completely stops is shortened. Thereby, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can improve the productivity.

  At this time, in the additional folding processing unit 4, the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102 control each unit based on the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410, and the timing until the pressing group 410 </ b> A is separated from the paper 6. Is supposed to calculate.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 27D, the additional folding processing unit 4 completes the additional folding processing by conveying the paper 6 that is separated from the pressing group 410B. In FIGS. 26 and 27, an example in which one fold is additionally folded twice by rotating the additional folding roller 410 once is shown, but by increasing the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410. One fold may be configured to be repeatedly folded several times.

  As described above, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is constituted by the pressing groups 410A and 410B as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18. . Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment uses a pair of additional folding rollers 410 with the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 as a rotating shaft while the sheet is stopped. A single fold can be additionally folded twice by only one rotation. That is, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes only one set of additional folding rollers 410, and can reinforce the folds more effectively without conveying the paper. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment relates to the thickness of the sheet when it is configured to be additionally folded at a plurality of times at one place. If the number of additional folds is changed based on the sheet information and the fold information related to the number of folds, the fold height, the folding method, etc., both productivity and crease reinforcement can be achieved. Specifically, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment increases the number of foldings as the sheet thickness is thick, the number of foldings is increased, and the folding height is increased, so that the folding line is more effectively processed. Can be reinforced. Although the productivity of the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment decreases when the number of additional folding is increased, the fold line is more effectively maintained while maintaining higher productivity than the conventional additional folding processing unit. Can be reinforced.

  Next, another additional folding method for the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment to reinforce the fold more effectively will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29. FIG. FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are diagrams for explaining an additional folding method for the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment to reinforce the fold more effectively. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102. 26 and 27, the main control unit 101 is configured to determine the rotation speed of the additional folding roller based on the paper information and the folding information. That is, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 101 functions as a rotation speed determination unit.

  First, as shown in FIG. 28A, the additional folding roller 410 has a thickness as a first additional folding method for the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment to reinforce the fold more effectively. The rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment of contact with the sheet 6 of less than X mm is V4, and as shown in FIG. 28B, the additional folding roller 410 at the moment of contact with the sheet 6 having a thickness of X mm or more is used. When the rotation speed of the roller 410 is V5, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment has a rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6 so that V4 <V5. Is controlled in accordance with the thickness of the paper 6 to be pressed. Note that the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment acquires paper information on the thickness of the paper 6 by a user operation on the display panel 180 or by a sensor (not shown) for measuring the thickness of the paper 6. It is supposed to be.

  As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment changes the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6 according to the thickness of the paper 6 to be pressed. Thus, the crease can be reinforced more effectively. That is, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 abuts on the paper 6 is smaller when pressing thick paper than thin paper. By controlling, it becomes possible to reinforce the fold more effectively. This is because the time for pressing the paper becomes longer as the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 is lower.

  In this case, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a longer paper stop time than the case of pressing thin paper, and thus the productivity is lowered. It is possible to reinforce the fold more effectively while maintaining high productivity.

  Next, as a second additional folding method for the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment to more effectively reinforce the fold, as shown in FIG. The rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment of contact with the folded paper 6 is V6, and as shown in FIG. When the rotation speed is V7, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6 so that V6 <V7. This is a method of controlling the sheet 6 to be changed according to the number of times of folding of the sheet 6 to be performed. Note that the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment acquires folding information regarding the number of folding of the paper 6 from the folding processing unit 3.

  As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment changes the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6 in accordance with the number of folding times of the paper 6 to be pressed. Thus, the crease can be reinforced more effectively. In other words, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses the rotation speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6 to press the paper having a larger number of folding times than the paper having the smaller number of folding times. By controlling so that the case becomes smaller, the crease can be reinforced more effectively. This is because the time for pressing the paper becomes longer as the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 is lower.

  In this case, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a longer stop time than the case of pressing a sheet having a small number of folding times, and thus the productivity is lowered. The folds can be reinforced more effectively while maintaining higher productivity than the unit.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment is configured to press the rotational speed of the additional folding roller 410 at the moment when the additional folding roller 410 contacts the paper 6. The folds can be reinforced more effectively by being configured to change according to the thickness of the sheet 6 or the number of folding of the sheet 6 to be pressed.

  Note that, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured as described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, the rotational speed of the additional folding roller can be varied in an analog manner. As compared with the case where the additional folding effect is improved by setting the number of rotations of the additional folding roller 410, it is possible to perform an additional folding process more suitable for the paper information or the folding information.

  Further, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured as described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, it is possible to suppress the collision sound between the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420. It becomes. This is because the sheet 6 functions as a cushioning material when the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 collide, so that the impact force when the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420 collide is buffered. It is. This is because such a buffering effect increases as the thickness of the paper 6 increases, and increases as the number of folding of the paper 6 increases.

  It should be noted that the rotational speed control as described in FIGS. 28 and 29 may be configured to be performed in combination with each other, or may be configured to be performed only partly. good. Further, the setting as to whether or not to control the rotation speed as described in FIGS. 28 and 29 and the setting as to which control can be performed can be appropriately set by the user by operating the display panel 180. It may be configured as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, the display panel 180 functions as a rotation speed setting unit. With such a configuration, the user can freely make a setting that suits his / her preference in consideration of the balance between productivity, suppression of collision noise, and additional folding effect.

  Next, the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is performing the additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 is a graph showing a load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation. In FIG. 30, the total load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 in the configuration of the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is shown by a solid line graph.

  In addition, the broken line graph in FIG. 30 indicates the additional folding when it is assumed that each set of the pressing force transmitting portions 412 constituting the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 presses the sheet 6 alone. It is a graph which shows the load to the roller rotating shaft 411, and from the left toward FIG. 30, the first set, the second set, the third set, etc. in the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. , 15 is a graph of the 15th set of pressing force transmission part 412.

  In the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the first set of pressing force transmission parts 412 is different from the second to fifteenth sets including two pressing force transmission parts 412. Only one pressing force transmission part 412 is included. Therefore, assuming that the first set of pressing force transmission parts 412 is pressing the paper 6 alone, the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is the same as that of the other set of pressing force transmission parts 412. It is half of the assumption that 6 is pressed.

  30 is a graph showing the load on the rotation shaft of the additional folding roller when the conventional additional folding processing unit is performing the additional folding processing operation.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 30, it is assumed that each set of pressing force transmission parts 412 constituting the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 presses the sheet 6 alone. The load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is smaller than the load on the rotating shaft of the additional folding roller in the conventional additional folding processing unit.

  Further, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 30, the total load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 in the configuration of the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is also the same as that of the additional folding roller in the conventional additional folding processing unit. It is smaller than the rotation axis. As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, each set of pressing force transmission units 412 constituting the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment presses the sheet 6 in order in the main scanning direction at different timings. This is because it is configured to continue.

  Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can obtain the same or more additional folding effect with a smaller pressing force than the additional folding roller in the conventional additional folding processing unit. The load on the folding roller rotation shaft 411 can be reduced. That is, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fold while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411.

  Next, the load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment is performing the additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the rotational moment applied to the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 31, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is in the additional folding processing operation, the elastic body after the pressing roller 412 c of the pressing force transmitting portion 412 starts to contact the paper 6. A rotational moment is generated in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the additional folding roller 410 until the expansion / contraction direction of 412b becomes parallel to the perpendicular line extending from the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 to the paper support plate 420. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation, the pressing force transmission unit 412 is not moved until the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic body 412 b is parallel to the perpendicular. Until the pressing roller 412c separates the paper 6, a rotational moment is generated in the same direction as the rotational direction of the additional folding roller 410.

  Accordingly, when it is assumed that each set of the pressing force transmission units 412 constituting the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is pressing the sheet 6 independently, these rotational moments are increased and applied to the folding roller driving motor 471. It becomes load torque.

  However, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, 15 to 17, and 18 to 20. The rotational moment generated by the pressing force transmission unit 412 and the rotational moment generated by the other set of pressing force transmission units 412 are generated in opposite directions, so that the rotational moments cancel each other and the total rotational moment is reduced. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce the load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding process is being performed. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fold while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 31, the angle formed by the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic body 412b that constitutes a certain set of pressing force transmitting portions 412 and the perpendicular is α, and the other set of pressing force transmitting portions 412 is configured. When the angle formed by the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic body 412b and the perpendicular is β, when α and β are the same, the rotational moment generated by the pressing force transmission unit 412 of the certain set, and the other The rotational moments generated by the pair of pressing force transmission parts 412 completely cancel each other, and the sum is zero.

  On the other hand, the canceling force is a force in the rotational direction about the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, and the sheet support plate is caused by the downward force from the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, that is, the elastic force of the elastic body 412b. The pressing force to 420 is not affected. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fold while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411.

  Here, FIG. 32 shows a change in load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation. FIG. 32 is a graph showing the load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation. In FIG. 32, a solid line graph represents the total load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is rotated in the configuration of the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. Is shown.

  Further, the dotted line graph in FIG. 32 indicates the additional folding when it is assumed that each set of the pressing force transmitting portions 412 constituting the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 presses the sheet 6 alone. It is a graph which shows the load torque to the roller drive motor 471, and in order from the left toward FIG. 32, the first set, the second set, the third set in the additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. -It is a graph about the 15th set of pressing force transmission parts 412.

  The additional folding roller 410 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is different from the first set of pressing force transmission portions 412 in that the second to fifteenth sets include two pressing force transmission portions 412. Only one pressing force transmission part 412 is included. Therefore, assuming that the first set of pressing force transmission units 412 is pressing the sheet 6 alone, the load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 is determined by the other set of pressing force transmission units 412 alone. This is half of the assumption that the paper 6 is being pressed.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the absolute value of the load torque applied to the additional folding roller drive motor 471 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment is performing the additional folding processing operation is the rotation of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. When the angle is from about 38 ° to about 173 °, it can be seen that each set of pressing force transmission portions 412 is smaller than the case where it is assumed that the pair 6 is pressing the paper 6 alone. This is because, as described above, the rotational moment generated by a certain set of pressing force transmission units 412 and the rotational moment generated by another set of pressing force transmission units 412 cancel each other. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply a sufficient pressing force to the fold while reducing the load on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411.

  Next, the structure of the additional folding roller driving device 470 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34. FIG. FIG. 33 is a view of the additional folding roller driving device 470 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the additional folding roller driving device 470 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the additional folding roller driving device 470 according to this embodiment is provided at one end of the additional folding roller 410 in the main scanning direction, and includes an additional folding roller driving motor 471, a timing belt 472, and a reverse gear. 473, an additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474, and an additional folding roller rotation pulley 475.

  The additional folding roller drive motor 471 is a motor that rotates the reverse gear 473. The additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474 is a pulley having a gear that meshes with the reverse gear 473, and rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the reverse gear 473 when the reverse gear 473 rotates. The timing belt 472 is an endless belt for increasing the rotation of the additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474 and transmitting it to the folding roller rotation pulley 475. The additional folding roller rotation pulley 475 is connected to the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411, and is rotated in the same direction as the additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474 by the timing belt 472 by the rotation of the additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474. The additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 is rotated in the rotating direction.

  When the additional folding roller driving device 470 configured as described above rotates the additional folding roller 410 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 34, first, the additional folding roller driving motor 471 is controlled according to the control of the engine control unit 102 as shown in FIG. , The reverse gear 473 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow direction shown in FIG. Accordingly, the additional folding roller rotation gear pulley 474 rotates in the same direction as the arrow shown in FIG. 34 and transmits the rotation to the additional folding roller rotation pulley 475 via the timing belt 472.

  When the additional folding roller rotating pulley 475 rotates, the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 rotates in conjunction with the rotation, whereby the additional folding roller 410 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. When the additional folding roller driving device 470 rotates the additional folding roller 410 in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in FIG. 34, each rotates in the opposite direction.

  As described above, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment performs main scanning by rotating about the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 as the rotation axis, as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18. The gist of the invention is that the pressing groups 410A and 410B that press the folds of the sheet formed in the direction are arranged in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft. In the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, the additional folding roller 410 is configured in this way, so that a plurality of sheets can be pressed by rotating the pair of additional folding rollers once or It is possible to further fold the fold at a plurality of times. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18, two sets of pressing groups 410A and 410B are arranged in the rotational direction of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411. Explained the example. In addition, as shown in FIG. 35, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment includes three sets of pressing groups 410A, 410B, 410C arranged in the rotational direction of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, or Even if a larger number of pressing groups are arranged in the rotational direction of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411, a plurality of sheets can be pressed by only one rotation, or a single fold can be repeated several times. Additional folding is possible. FIG. 35 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction.

  When the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, the infrared shielding unit 413c in the position detection sensor 413 is irradiated from the infrared irradiation unit 413a toward the infrared light receiving unit 413b as shown in FIG. The infrared rays are fixed to the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 so as to be shielded at all positions where the pressing area exists with respect to the rotation direction of the additional folding roller 410, and rotate together with the additional folding roller 410.

  However, when the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment is configured in this manner, the structure of the additional folding roller 410 becomes complicated and the weight increases when the number of sets of pressing groups is too large. On the other hand, if the number of sets of pressing groups is too small, for example, if there is only one set, only one place can be folded in one rotation and productivity is lowered. Therefore, when the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, it is preferable that the number of sets of the pressing group is not too large and is not too small, for example, two.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, two sets of press groups 410A and 410B have the same structure. An example has been described. In addition, as shown in FIG. 36, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has an arrangement mode of the pressing force transmitting portion 412 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 on the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 as a pressing group 410B. 19 and FIG. 20, the arrangement mode of the pressing force transmission unit 412 on the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 is configured as the pressing group 410A, or the other arrangement mode is configured as the pressing group 410A. Even when the other arrangement form is configured as the pressing group 410B, it is possible to press a plurality of sheets by only one rotation, or to fold one fold more than once. FIG. 36 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, two sets of press groups 410A and 410B have the same structure. An example has been described. In addition, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment may be configured to include a pressing force transmitting portion 412 over the entire circumference of the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 as shown in FIG. FIG. 37 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction. When the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, there is no retraction area, so the additional folding processing unit 4 always conveys the sheet while pressing the sheet. There is a risk of tearing.

  Therefore, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, if the additional folding roller 410 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper support plate 420 as shown in FIG. The roller 410 does not contact the paper. Further, when the additional folding roller 410 is configured in this way, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses a plurality of sheets by rotating the additional folding roller 410 once, or at one place. It becomes possible to fold the folds more than once. This is because the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment moves the additional folding roller 410 to a position in contact with the paper support plate 420 at the timing of pressing the paper, while at the timing of conveying the paper. This is because the additional folding roller 410 can be moved to a position where it does not contact the paper support plate 420.

  However, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured in this manner, there is a drive unit (not shown) for moving the additional folding roller 410 in the vertical direction and a space enough for the additional folding roller 410 to move. Necessary. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38, such a problem can be avoided if a retraction area is provided in at least one position of the additional folding roller 410.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the additional folding processing unit 4 presses the single folding line from a specific direction only by rotating the additional folding roller 410 only once in one direction has been described. The additional folding roller 410 may be configured to be pressed a plurality of times from both the paper conveyance direction and the opposite direction with respect to one fold by rotating the additional folding roller 410 in both directions. With this configuration, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to this embodiment can obtain a larger additional folding effect.

  Further, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has not only the structures shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, 12 to 14, 15 to 17, and 18 to 20, but also a plurality of pressing forces. Each of the transmission units 412 has a timing different from that of at least one of the other pressing force transmission units 412 according to the positional relationship with the paper support plate 420 that changes as the additional folding roller rotation shaft 411 rotates. The same effect can be obtained if the elastic body 412b is configured to be arranged around the additional folding roller rotating shaft 411 in the main scanning direction so as to expand and contract by receiving stress from 420.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the image forming unit 2, the folding processing unit 3, the additional folding processing unit 4, and the scanner unit 5 are provided in the image forming apparatus 1 has been described. These devices may be connected to constitute an image forming system.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 15, and 18, the example in which the pressing force between the pressing group 410 </ b> A and the pressing group 410 </ b> B is the same has been described. In this case, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the first embodiment presses a plurality of sheets only by rotating one set of additional folding rollers once, or additionally folds one fold several times. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the pressing forces of the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B are different will be described. In this case, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment includes only one set of additional folding rollers 410, and has an optimal pressing force according to the thickness of the paper, the folding height, the number of folding, the folding method, and the like. Additional folding can be performed. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive and is small in size and low in cost, and at the same time, it is possible to improve both the additional folding effect and the quality of the paper after additional folding. Details will be described below. In addition, about the structure which attaches | subjects the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, it shall show the same or an equivalent part, and abbreviate | omits detailed description.

  First, structural examples of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, respectively.

  Therefore, a first structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 39 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a first structural example. The radius of each pressing roller 412c in the pressing group 410A is configured to be larger than the radius of each pressing roller 412c in the pressing group 410B. As described above, the distance from the rotation center of the additional folding roller 410 to the tip of the pressing roller 412c can be changed only by changing the radius of the pressing roller 412c between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B.

  Thereby, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment can have different pressing forces between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B with a simple configuration. In the example shown in FIG. 39, since the radius of the pressing roller 412c is larger in the pressing group 410A than in the pressing group 410B, the pressing force is stronger in the pressing group 410A.

  Next, a second structural example of the additional folding roller 410 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 40 is a side view of the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the main scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 40, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment is configured by pressing groups 410A and 410B as a second structural example. And the length of each attachment part 412d which comprises the press group 410A is comprised longer than the length of each attachment part 412d which comprises the press group 410B. As described above, the distance from the rotation center of the additional folding roller 410 to the tip of the pressing roller 412c can be changed only by changing the length of the attachment portion 412d between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B.

  Thereby, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment can have different pressing forces between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B with a simple configuration. In the example shown in FIG. 40, the pressing group 410A has a longer mounting portion 412d than the pressing group 410B, and therefore the pressing group 410A has a stronger pressing force. In the following description, it is assumed that the pressing group 410A has a stronger pressing force than the pressing group B.

  Next, processing when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing. As shown in FIG. 41, according to the present embodiment, when the additional folding process is performed, first, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not the thickness of the sheet to be pressed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S4101). . That is, here, the main control unit 101 functions as a rotation speed determination unit. In this embodiment, at this time, the main controller 101 determines the sheet to be pressed based on the sheet information input by the user operation on the display panel 180 or the sheet information input via the network I / F 190. It is determined whether or not the thickness of the sheet is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  If the main control unit 101 determines in the determination process in S4101 that the thickness of the sheet to be pressed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S4101 / YES), the main control unit 101 controls the engine control unit 102 to change the additional folding roller 410. By rotating, the crease of the sheet is pressed by the pressing group 410A having a strong pressing force (S4102). Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment ends the additional folding processing.

  On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines in the determination process in S4101 that the thickness of the sheet to be pressed is less than a predetermined value (S4101 / NO), the number of folding of the sheet to be pressed is a predetermined number or more. It is determined whether or not (S4103). In the present embodiment, at this time, the main control unit 101 is notified from the folding processing unit 3 of folding information input by a user operation on the display panel 180, folding information input via the network I / F 190, and so on. Based on the folded information, it is determined whether or not the number of sheets to be pressed is a predetermined number or more.

  When the main control unit 101 determines in the determination processing in S4103 that the number of times the sheet to be pressed is folded (S4103 / YES), the main control unit 101 controls the engine control unit 102 to move the additional folding roller 410. By rotating, the crease of the sheet is pressed by the pressing group 410A having a strong pressing force (S4102). That is, here, the main control unit 101 functions as a pressing force determination unit. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment ends the additional folding processing.

  On the other hand, if the main control unit 101 determines in the determination process in S4103 that the number of times the sheet to be pressed is folded (S4103 / YES), the main control unit 101 controls the engine control unit 102 to increase the folding roller. By rotating 410, the crease of the sheet is pressed by the pressing group 410B having a weak pressing force (S4104). That is, here, the main control unit 101 functions as a pressing force determination unit. Then, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment ends the additional folding processing.

  As described with reference to FIG. 41, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs pressing with the pressing group 410A having a strong pressing force based on at least one of the sheet information and the folding information, or the pressing force. It is comprised so that it may select whether it presses with the weak press group 410B.

  Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment does not need to apply excessive pressing force to thin paper that does not require much pressing force or to a sheet that has a small number of foldings, so that there are no folding wrinkles or pressing marks. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the occurrence, and it is possible to improve the quality of the sheet after the additional folding. Further, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can apply sufficient pressing force to thick paper that requires a strong pressing force or a sheet that has a large number of foldings, and effectively reinforces the fold. It becomes possible to do.

  As described above, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding process with the optimal pressing force according to the thickness, folding height, number of folding, folding method, etc. It is possible to achieve both improvement and improvement of the quality of the sheet after additional folding.

  Next, details of an operation example when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 42 and 43. 42 and 43 are cross-sectional views of only the mechanism part related to the additional folding process in the additional folding processing unit 4 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the additional folding process, as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102. FIGS. 42 and 43 show an example in which thin paper or a sheet with a small number of foldings is continuously pressed over a plurality of sheets by a pressing group 410B having a weak pressing force, but a thick paper sheet is pressed by a pressing group 410A having a strong pressing force. The same applies to the case where a plurality of sheets are pressed continuously over a plurality of sheets.

  First, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing, first, as shown in FIGS. 42 (a) to (e), as in FIGS. 24 (a) to (e), The crease 6a formed on the sheet 6 is pressed by the pressing group 410A, and the sheet 6 separated from the pressing group 410A is conveyed as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 43A, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment rotates the additional folding roller 410 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction so far, and the result shown in FIG. Thus, when the additional folding roller 410 returns to the same state as before pressing, the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 is stopped, and the conveyance of a new sheet 6 ′ on which the fold line 6a ′ is formed is started. As shown in FIGS. 42C to 42G, as in FIGS. 42B to 42F, the crease 6a ′ formed on the sheet 6 ′ is pressed by the pressing group 410A, and the sheet 6 separated from the pressing group 410A is pressed. Transport.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 42 and 43, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is always the same even when a thin sheet or a sheet with a small number of foldings is pressed continuously over a plurality of sheets. Since it can be pressed by the pressing group 410B, it is not necessary to apply an excessive pressing force, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of folding wrinkles and pressing marks, thereby improving the quality of the paper after additional folding. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can always press the same pressing group 410A even when a plurality of sheets of thick paper or a large number of folding sheets are continuously pressed. Therefore, it is possible to apply a strong pressing force and effectively reinforce the crease.

  Furthermore, as described with reference to FIGS. 42 and 43, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses the paper and then rotates the additional folding roller 410 by rotating it in the direction opposite to that during pressing. It is configured to return to the same state as before pressing. Accordingly, the pressing group other than the pressing group used for the processing for the additional folding does not come into contact with the paper support plate 420, so that the wear and deterioration of the additional folding roller 410 can be reduced.

  In particular, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment continuously presses a thin sheet or a sheet with a small number of foldings over a plurality of sheets, the pressing group 410B having a weak pressing force is used for additional folding. The strong pressing group 410A does not come into contact with the paper support plate 420. Therefore, in such a case, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can more effectively reduce the wear and deterioration of the additional folding roller 410, and the additional folding roller 410 and the paper support plate 420. It becomes possible to reduce the noise at the time of collision.

  Next, details of another operation example when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs additional folding processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45. FIG. 44 and 45 are cross-sectional views of only the mechanism part related to the additional folding process in the additional folding processing unit 4 when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is executing the additional folding process, as viewed from the main scanning direction. FIG. The operation of each operation unit described below is performed under the control of the main control unit 101 and the engine control unit 102. 44 and 45 show an example in which a thin sheet or a sheet with a small number of foldings is continuously pressed over a plurality of sheets by a pressing group 410B having a weak pressing force. However, a thick paper sheet is pressed by a pressing group 410A having a strong pressing force. The same applies to the case where a plurality of sheets are pressed continuously over a plurality of sheets.

  First, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs the additional folding processing, first, as shown in FIGS. 44 (a) to (e), as in FIGS. 24 (a) to (e), The crease 6a formed on the sheet 6 is pressed by the pressing group 410A, and the sheet 6 separated from the pressing group 410A is conveyed as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 45A, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment continues to rotate the additional folding roller 410 in the same direction as the previous rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 45B. In addition, when the additional folding roller 410 returns to the same state as before pressing, the rotation of the additional folding roller 410 is stopped, and conveyance of a new sheet 6 ′ on which the fold line 6a ′ is formed is started. ) To (g), as in FIGS. 44B to 44F, the crease 6a ′ formed on the sheet 6 ′ is pressed by the pressing group 410A, and the sheet 6 separated from the pressing group 410A is pressed. Transport.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is always the same even when a thin sheet or a sheet with a small number of foldings is pressed continuously over a plurality of sheets. Since it can be pressed by the pressing group 410B, it is not necessary to apply an excessive pressing force, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of folding wrinkles and pressing marks, thereby improving the quality of the paper after additional folding. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment can always press the same pressing group 410A even when a plurality of sheets of thick paper or a large number of folding sheets are continuously pressed. Therefore, it is possible to apply a strong pressing force and effectively reinforce the crease.

  Furthermore, as described with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment presses the additional folding roller 410 by pressing the paper and then rotating it in the same direction as during pressing. It is configured to return to the same state as before. Therefore, the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment only needs to rotate the additional folding roller 410 only in one direction, so that it can be realized with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

  44 and 45, in the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment, a pressing group that is not used for additional folding is also in contact with the paper support plate 420. By lowering the rotational speed of the folding roller 410 than during pressing, it is possible to reduce wear and deterioration of the additional folding roller 410 and noise when the additional folding roller 410 collides with the paper support plate 420. At this time, since the paper is being conveyed, productivity does not decrease.

  As described above, the additional folding roller 410 according to the present embodiment has a gist that the pressing force between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B is different with a simple configuration. The additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured in this manner, and only includes one set of additional folding rollers 410, and can be used according to the thickness, folding height, number of folding, folding method, and the like of the paper. Additional folding can be performed with an optimum pressing force. As a result, it is possible to provide an additional folding device that is highly productive, small, and low in cost, and it is possible to improve both the additional folding effect and the quality of the paper after the additional folding.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the radius of the pressing roller 412c or the length of the mounting portion 412d is changed between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B has been described. However, the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B are elastic bodies. It is possible to change the pressing force between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B by changing the elastic force of 412b or changing its material.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the method of changing the configuration between the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B to make the pressing force different from each other has been described. However, the additional folding roller 410 is moved in the vertical direction, that is, the pressing target. It may be configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper. When the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, the additional folding roller 410 is moved in the vertical direction, so that the rotation center of the additional folding roller 410 and the sheet support plate 420 in the vertical direction. It becomes possible to change the distance arbitrarily.

  Therefore, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured in this way, the position of the additional folding roller 410 in the vertical direction is determined even if the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B have the same configuration. It is possible to change the pressing force of the pressing group 410A and the pressing group 410B in multiple stages only by changing them. However, when the additional folding processing unit 4 according to the present embodiment is configured in this manner, there is a drive unit (not shown) for moving the additional folding roller 410 in the vertical direction and a space enough for the additional folding roller 410 to move. Necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming unit 3 Folding processing unit 4 Additional folding processing unit 5 Scanner unit 6 Paper 6a First fold 6b Second fold 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 70 Operation part 80 Dedicated device 90 Bus 101 Main control part 102 Engine control part 103 Input / output control part 104 Image processing part 105 Operation display control part 110 Paper feed table 120 Print engine 130 Folding processing engine 140 Incremental folding processing engine 150 Scanner engine 160 ADF
170 Output tray 180 Display panel 190 Network I / F
310 entrance roller pair 320 registration roller pair 330 transport path switching claw 340 first folding processing transport roller pair 350 second folding processing transport roller pair 360 creasing transporting roller pair 370 sensor 410 additional folding roller 411 additional folding roller rotating shaft 412 Pressing force transmission unit 412a Fixing unit 412b Elastic body 412c Pressing roller 412d Mounting unit 412e Pressing bar 413 Position detection sensor 413a Infrared irradiation unit 413b Infrared light receiving unit 413c Infrared shielding unit 414 Pressing roller 420 Paper support plate 430 Sensor 440 Additional folding processing roller Pair 450 Discharge roller pair 460 Post-processing transport roller pair 470 Additional folding roller driving device 471 Additional folding roller driving motor 472 Timing belt 473 Reverse gear 474 Additional folding roller rotating gear pump 475 additional folding roller pulley

JP 2007-045331 A JP 2009-149435 A JP 2009-208849 A

Claims (20)

A sheet having a pressing portion that presses a fold of a sheet conveyed in a folded state by rotating about a direction that is orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed and parallel to the sheet surface A processing device comprising:
The pressing portion has a predetermined interval in the rotation direction with the shaft as the rotation axis so as to press the same range in the direction parallel to the axis a plurality of times during one rotation with the shaft as the rotation axis. Provided with a plurality of pressed groups,
Each of the plurality of pressing groups includes a plurality of pressing members arranged in a direction parallel to the axis with a predetermined angular difference in a rotation direction with the axis as a rotation axis. The sheet processing apparatus is characterized in that the folds are pressed at different timings in a direction parallel to the axis by pressing once.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit presses the folds of the plurality of sheets by rotating about the axis.   3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit presses the fold of one sheet a plurality of times by rotating about the axis as a rotation axis. 4. A pressing number determination unit that determines the number of times to press the crease of the sheet, based on at least one of the fold information about the fold of the sheet and the sheet information about the sheet;
4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit presses the crease of the sheet by the determined number of times by rotating about the axis as a rotation axis. 5. A rotation speed determination unit that determines a rotation speed of the pressing unit based on at least one of folding information about the fold of the sheet and sheet information about the sheet;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit presses a fold of the sheet at the determined rotation speed.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit moves in a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit has a different pressing force in each pressing. A pressing force determining unit that determines a pressing force when pressing the fold of the sheet, based on at least one of the fold information about the fold of the sheet and the sheet information about the sheet;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressing unit presses a crease of the sheet with the determined pressing force.   The pressing portion, after pressing the crease of the sheet, returns to the same state as before pressing the sheet by rotating in a direction opposite to that during pressing, and then the sheet that has been conveyed to the pressing position. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sheet processing apparatus presses another different sheet.   The pressing portion is different from the sheet that has been conveyed to the pressing position after returning to the same state as before pressing the sheet by rotating in the same direction as during pressing after pressing the crease of the sheet. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sheet processing apparatus presses another sheet.   11. The sheet according to claim 9, wherein the pressing portion rotates at a slower speed than during pressing when returning to the same state as before pressing the sheet after pressing the fold of the sheet. Processing equipment.   The pressing portion includes a rotation center of rotation about the axis as a rotation axis and a pressing point at which a pressing force is applied when pressing the fold of the sheet so that the pressing force is different in each pressing. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein distances in a direction perpendicular to the axis are different for each of the plurality of pressing members. Each of the plurality of pressing members includes an elastic body that generates an elastic force according to the amount of change due to a change in physical shape,
The pressing portion is configured to press the folds of the sheet at different timings by the elastic force generated by the elastic body included in each of the plurality of pressing members by rotating about the shaft as a rotation axis. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pressing portion has different elastic forces of the elastic bodies so that the pressing force is different in each pressing.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the pressing portion has a different material for the elastic body so that the pressing force is different for each pressing.   Each of the plurality of pressing members is characterized in that a pressing force acting portion to which a pressing force acts when pressing a fold of the sheet is a rotating body that rotates about an axis parallel to the axis. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pressing unit has different radii of the rotating bodies so that the pressing force is different in each pressing. The rotating body and the elastic body are attached by an attachment portion,
18. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the pressing portion has a different length in the mounting direction of the mounting portion so that the pressing force is different in each pressing. An image forming apparatus for performing image forming output on the sheet;
A folding device that forms the folds on the sheet by performing a folding process on the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming device;
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which presses the fold formed by the folding processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: A sheet having a pressing portion that presses a fold of a sheet conveyed in a folded state by rotating about a direction that is orthogonal to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed and parallel to the sheet surface A sheet processing method in a processing apparatus,
The pressing portion has a predetermined interval in the rotation direction with the shaft as the rotation axis so as to press the same range in the direction parallel to the axis a plurality of times during one rotation with the shaft as the rotation axis. Provided with a plurality of pressed groups,
Each of the plurality of pressing groups includes a plurality of pressing members arranged in a direction parallel to the axis with a predetermined angular difference in a rotation direction with the axis as a rotation axis. A sheet processing method in a sheet processing apparatus, wherein the folds are pressed at different timings in a direction parallel to the axis by pressing twice.

Images