JP2016210536A - Sheet conveyance device, sheet feeding apparatus and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet conveyance device, a sheet feeding apparatus and an image formation system which can properly discharge a sheet even in a case where the sheet is long and the sheet has high stiffness.SOLUTION: A sheet conveyance device comprises: a sheet conveyance path 221; conveyance members 225, 226, 227; a sheet discharge part; a purge guide 228; a sheet division part 229; and a control part. The sheets are conveyed in the sheet conveyance path 221. The conveyance members 225, 226, 227 convey the sheets along the sheet conveyance path 221. The sheet discharge part discharges the sheets in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 221. The purge guide 228 guides the sheets conveyed in the sheet conveyance path 221 and is openable/closable with respect to the sheet discharge part 221. The sheet division part 229 divides the sheets. The control part determines whether or not to divide the sheets so as to facilitate discharging of the sheets through the sheet discharge part in accordance with the state and property of the sheets on the purge guide 228.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device, a sheet feeding device, and an image forming system.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for printing on long paper, and it has become necessary to deal with production printing apparatuses (so-called PP machines). Long paper is paper that is longer in the paper transport direction (sub-scanning direction) than cut paper such as normal A4 size and B3 size. In such a printing device, it is time-consuming to change the paper transport path to one for long paper only when printing long paper. The same paper transport path as that for ordinary cut paper is used.

  Incidentally, a paper jam (or paper jam, hereinafter simply referred to as “jam”) may occur in the paper transport path. Conventionally, when a jam occurs, the printing apparatus stops operating, and the user performs an operation of removing the sheet from the printing apparatus according to a predetermined procedure. When the paper is a cut paper, the removal of the paper is often easy, but when the paper is a long paper, the paper may be difficult to remove.

  In order to deal with such a long paper jam, a technique in which a user removes paper remaining in the printing apparatus and an operation in which the printing apparatus cuts the paper is known (for example, the following) (See Patent Document 1). However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it takes time for the user to remove the paper from the printing apparatus, and the paper is always cut when the paper is removed.

  Further, in recent printing apparatuses, when a jam occurs, the conveyance direction of a sheet conveyed subsequent to the sheet related to the jam is changed by a conveyance path switching claw, and the sheet is discharged to the stack tray ( (See, for example, Patent Document 2 below). However, in the above technique, if the paper is long and has high rigidity, the transport path switching claw and the transported paper may collide, and the paper may not be discharged properly.

JP 2005-335886 A JP 2010-168210 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper conveying device, a paper feeding device, and an image forming system that can appropriately eject paper even when the paper is long paper and the paper has high rigidity. is there.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following.

  (1) A paper transport path for transporting paper, a transport member that transports the paper along the paper transport path, a paper discharge section that discharges the paper in the middle of the paper transport path, and the paper transport path Depending on the state and nature of the sheet on the purge guide, a purge guide that can be opened and closed with respect to the sheet discharge unit, a sheet dividing unit that divides the sheet, And a control unit that determines whether or not to divide the paper so that the paper can be easily discharged through the paper discharge unit.

  (2) In the case where one sheet is present straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the purge guide, the control unit uses the sheet as the first sheet on the downstream side and the second sheet on the upstream side. The sheet conveying device according to (1), wherein the sheet dividing unit is controlled to divide into sheets.

  (3) The control unit conveys the first sheet on the downstream side of the purge guide in the sheet conveyance direction toward the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path, and is on the upstream side of the purge guide in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the conveying member is controlled to convey a second sheet toward a downstream side of the sheet conveying path.

(4) The control unit
(1) to (3), wherein when the stiffness of the first sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold, the sheet dividing unit is controlled to divide the first sheet a plurality of times. The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of the above.

  (5) The control unit controls the sheet dividing unit to divide the second sheet a plurality of times when the rigidity of the second sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold. The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) above.

  (6) When the stiffness of the first sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold, the control unit divides the first sheet at a position downstream of the purge guide in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet conveying device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the sheet dividing unit is controlled to do so.

  (7) When the stiffness of the second sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold, the control unit divides the second sheet at a position upstream of the purge guide in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet conveying device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the sheet dividing unit is controlled to do so.

  (8) The purge guide includes a fulcrum part for opening and closing the paper discharge part at an upstream part or a downstream part in the paper conveyance direction, and the paper discharge at a part opposite to the side where the fulcrum part is located. And an opening joint for joining with the paper transport path when closed with respect to the section, and is disposed below the paper transport path along the paper transport direction. The sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

  (9) The sheet dividing unit divides the sheet in the width direction of the sheet on a side near the opening joint between the fulcrum part and the opening joint of the purge guide. (8) The sheet conveying apparatus according to (8).

  (10) The purge guide includes a first purge guide located on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction and a second purge guide located on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction, and the purge guide is arranged along the paper conveyance direction. The first purge guide is disposed on the lower side of the sheet conveyance path, and the first purge guide is disposed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction with a first fulcrum part for opening and closing with respect to the sheet discharge unit and on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction A first opening joining portion for joining with the second purge guide when closed with respect to the paper discharge portion, and the second purge guide is located upstream of the paper transport direction. A second fulcrum portion for opening and closing the discharge portion, and a second opening joint portion for joining with the first purge guide when closed to the paper discharge portion on the downstream side in the paper transport direction And the above, 1) sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of - (3).

  (11) In the paper dividing unit, the second purge guide is closed with respect to the first opening joint when the first purge guide is closed with respect to the paper discharge unit, or with respect to the paper discharge unit. The sheet transporting device according to (10), wherein the sheet is divided in a width direction of the sheet at a position corresponding to the second opening joint portion in the closed state.

  (12) The sheet conveyance according to (10) or (11), wherein the control unit controls the purge guide to open the second purge guide after the first purge guide is opened. apparatus.

  (13) A paper feeding device having the paper transport device according to any one of (1) to (12).

  (14) An image forming system having the sheet feeding device according to (13).

  According to the present invention, since the paper is divided so as to be easily discharged through the paper discharge unit according to the state and properties of the paper on the purge guide, this is a case where the paper is long paper and has high rigidity. However, the paper can be appropriately discharged from the front end portion or the rear end portion.

1 is a side view for explaining a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the paper feeding device shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the horizontal conveyance part shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the sheet conveying device according to the embodiment. It is a subroutine flowchart for demonstrating the purge process shown to FIG. 4A. FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of an output signal of a paper detection unit illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the state of the paper on a purge guide. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a paper discharge method when the paper on the purge guide is in the fifth state in the embodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 6B. FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 6C. FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 6D. It is the schematic diagram which follows FIG. 6E. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sheet dividing position when the opening joint of the purge guide is on the downstream side. It is a figure following FIG. 7A. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sheet dividing position when the opening joint of the purge guide is on the upstream side. It is a figure following FIG. 8A. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of paper discharge when the paper is long paper and has high rigidity. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a purge operation when a sheet is divided a plurality of times. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 10B. It is a schematic diagram following FIG. 10C. FIG. 10D is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 10D. It is a schematic diagram following FIG. 10E. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement which discharges | emits a sheet | seat using the purge guide of a double door opening form. FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 11A. FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram subsequent to FIG. 11B.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a sheet conveying device, a sheet feeding device, and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same members. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 500 includes an upstream paper feeding device 100, a paper feeding device 200, an image forming device 300, and a post-processing device 400. Various control signals, status signals, and the like are transmitted between the devices. Signal lines are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

  The upstream paper feeding device 100 is positioned at the uppermost stream in the paper transport direction of the image forming system 500 and supplies paper to the paper feeding device 200. The upstream paper feeding device 100 has a long paper tray, and supplies the long paper held in the tray to the paper feeding device 200 one by one. Note that the upstream side paper feeder 100 may be configured to have a manual paper feed tray for long paper. The long paper of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but preferably has a length of, for example, about 60 to 120 [cm] in the paper transport direction.

  The paper feeding device 200 is positioned between the upstream paper feeding device 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 and supplies paper to the image forming apparatus 300. For example, when a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 300, the sheet feeding device 200 is configured to discharge a sheet related to the jam or a sheet following the sheet and remaining in the sheet conveyance path from the sheet conveyance path (purge). Function). Details of the configuration of the sheet feeder 200 will be described later.

  The image forming apparatus 300 prints an image on a sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 300 generates print image data based on a print job received from a client terminal or the like via a network or image data obtained by reading a document as an image, and a toner image based on the print image data is generated as an image carrier. Form on top. The image forming apparatus 300 transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to a sheet, fixes the image transferred on the sheet, and fixes the sheet on which the image is fixed to the post-processing apparatus 400. Supply. Since the image forming apparatus 300 has the same configuration as that of the conventional image forming apparatus, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The post-processing device 400 is located on the most downstream side in the paper conveyance direction of the image forming system 500, and various types of paper such as folding, punching, binding, cutting, insertion, and stapling are performed on the paper supplied from the image forming device 300. Post-processing is performed. Since the post-processing apparatus 400 has the same configuration as that of the conventional post-processing apparatus, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the sheet feeding device 200 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the sheet feeding device 200 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the horizontal transport unit H shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed device 200 includes a paper feed tray unit 210, a paper transport unit 220, a paper discharge unit 230, and a control unit 240.

  The paper feed tray unit 210 includes an upper tray 211, a middle tray 212, and a lower tray 213, and holds paper. The paper feed tray unit 210 can hold normal cut sheets such as A4 size and B3 size. Further, the middle tray 212 receives the long paper supplied from the upstream paper supply device 100 at the paper supply port F.

  The paper transport unit 220 transports the paper in the paper feed tray unit 210 to the image forming apparatus 300. The paper transport unit 220 includes a paper transport path 221 through which paper is transported and a plurality of transport rollers 222 (transport members) that transport the paper. The paper transport path 221 includes a guide member that is disposed between the plurality of transport rollers 222 and guides the transported paper. Further, the transport roller 222 includes a drive unit (not shown), and in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 240, the paper is fed along the paper transport path 221 from the upstream side (upstream side supply device 100 side) to the downstream side (image forming device 300 side). ) Or from the downstream side to the upstream side.

  Ends T1 to T3 of the paper transport unit 220 are connected to the upper tray 211, the middle tray 212, and the lower tray 213, respectively, and the relay unit R is connected to a paper feed port F that feeds long paper. The horizontal conveyance unit H of the paper conveyance unit 220 is connected to a paper discharge port E for discharging the paper toward the image forming apparatus 300. The paper conveyance path 221 extends from the end portions T1 to T3, and merges to reach the horizontal conveyance portion H. For this reason, the horizontal conveyance unit H is commonly used for conveyance of cut sheets and long sheets. The control unit 240 controls the paper transport unit 220 so that paper (cut paper or long paper) is supplied to the image forming apparatus 300 from any one of the upper tray 211, the middle tray 212, and the lower tray 213. To do.

  The end portions T <b> 1 to T <b> 3 are each provided with a transport belt 223 and transport the paper toward the horizontal transport unit H. For example, in the lower tray 213, the cut sheet P held on the tray is pushed up by air and conveyed while being stuck to the conveying belt 223. Note that the upper tray 211 and the middle tray 212 also have the same cut paper conveyance form as the cut paper conveyance form of the lower tray 213, and thus illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal conveyance unit H includes a guide member 224, a horizontal conveyance roller 225, a loop roller 226, a registration roller 227, a purge guide 228, a paper dividing unit 229, and paper detection units PS1 and PS2. The horizontal conveyance roller 225, the loop roller 226, and the registration roller 227 function as a conveyance member.

  The sheet conveyed to the horizontal conveyance unit H is conveyed in the sheet conveyance direction along the guide member 224 by the horizontal conveyance roller 225, the loop roller 226, and the registration roller 227.

  The purge guide 228 is configured to guide the paper conveyed along the guide member 224 and to be openable and closable with respect to the paper discharge unit 230. Specifically, the purge guide 228 has a fulcrum part SP for opening and closing the paper discharge unit 230 at an upstream part or a downstream part in the paper transport direction. Further, the purge guide 228 has an opening joint portion J for joining with the guide member 224 (paper transport path 221) in a state where the purge guide 228 is closed with respect to the paper discharge portion 230 on the side opposite to the side where the fulcrum portion SP is present. . That is, the purge guide 228 is configured to open and close with respect to the paper discharge unit 230 in a cantilever support form. In the present embodiment, the purge guide 228 is disposed below the paper transport path 221 from the loop roller 226 to the registration roller 227 along the paper transport direction.

  The paper dividing unit 229 cuts the paper in the width direction on the paper conveyance path 221 and divides it. The sheet dividing unit 229 is arranged at a predetermined position on the sheet conveyance path 221 or configured to be movable in a predetermined section on the sheet conveyance path 221. Details of operations of the purge guide 228 and the sheet dividing unit 229 will be described later.

  The paper detection units PS1 and PS2 detect paper on the paper transport path 221. In the present embodiment, the paper detection unit PS1 is disposed upstream of the purge guide 228 in the paper conveyance direction, that is, in the vicinity of the loop roller 226, and the paper detection unit PS2 is downstream of the purge guide 228 in the paper conveyance direction, that is, a registration roller. 227 is arranged in the vicinity. The paper detection units PS1 and PS2 are, for example, reflective or transmissive optical sensors, and are configured to output high when a paper is detected and output low when no paper is detected. Is done. Alternatively, conversely, a low may be output when a paper is detected, and a high may be output when no paper is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge unit 230 discharges paper in the middle of the paper transport path 221. The paper discharge unit 230 includes a purge box 231 and a paper discharge path from the opening of the purge guide 228 to the purge box 231. The purge box 231 accommodates paper that has fallen due to its own weight through the paper discharge path. The purge box 231 may be provided with a mechanism for scraping the paper downward in order to efficiently store the paper that has fallen.

  The control unit 240 controls the paper feed tray unit 210, the paper transport unit 220, and the paper discharge unit 230. The control unit 240 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an auxiliary storage device, and a memory (not shown).

  The CPU executes various arithmetic processes and determination processes in accordance with a control program for controlling each unit of the sheet feeding device 200. The auxiliary storage device stores various software such as the control program and the operating system. The auxiliary storage device stores the stiffness of the paper for each paper type such as plain paper and coated paper. The memory is loaded when the above-described various programs are executed by the CPU, and the calculation results and processing results of the CPU are temporarily stored therein. For example, when a jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 300, the control unit 240 causes the paper transport unit 220 and the purge guide 228 to discharge the paper remaining in the paper transport path 221 of the paper feed device 200 to the paper discharge unit 230. And controls the sheet dividing unit 229.

  In the present embodiment, the horizontal transport unit H, the paper discharge unit 230, and the control unit 240 function as a paper transport device. In addition, each structure of the horizontal conveyance part H with which the said paper conveying apparatus is equipped, the paper discharge part 230, and the control part 240 may be abbreviate | omitted or changed partially.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a control method of the sheet conveying apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4A is a flowchart for explaining the control method of the sheet conveying apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a subroutine flowchart for explaining the purge process shown in FIG. 4A. 4A and 4B is realized by the CPU executing the control program.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, first, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred (step S101). The control unit 240 periodically receives a status signal from the image forming apparatus 300 in a state where the paper transport unit 220 sequentially transports the paper, and determines whether or not a jam has occurred. If no jam has occurred (step S101: NO), the control unit 240 ends the process (end) because it is not necessary to discharge the sheet.

  On the other hand, if a jam has occurred (step S101: YES), the conveyance of the paper is stopped (step S102). The control unit 240 controls the paper transport unit 220 to stop the paper transport. As a result, the paper that has been transported on the paper transport path 221 stops on the paper transport path 221.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S103). In the present embodiment, the control unit 240 acquires the paper state on the purge guide 228 based on the detection results of the paper detection units PS1 and PS2 in a state where the paper conveyance is stopped, and the paper is on the purge guide 228. It is judged whether it is in. A method for acquiring the state of the sheet on the purge guide 228 is as follows.

  FIG. 5A is a waveform diagram showing an example of output signals of the paper detection units PS1 and PS2 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the paper on the purge guide 228. For convenience of explanation, the guide member 224 of the paper transport path 221 is not shown in the drawings after FIG. 5B. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the long first sheet and the second sheet are continuously conveyed from the upstream sheet feeding device 100, and for convenience of explanation, the output signals of the sheet detectors PS1 and PS2 are output. The signal waveform is divided into (I) period to (V) period. FIG. 5A illustrates a case where the paper detection units PS1 and PS2 output high when the paper is detected, and output low when the paper is not detected.

  In the period (I), since the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 have not reached the loop roller 226 and the registration roller 227, both the sheet detection units PS1 and PS2 output low. During this period, the control unit 240 determines that there is no sheet on the purge guide 228 (hereinafter referred to as “first state”) (see FIG. 5B).

  In the period (II), since the first sheet S1 reaches the loop roller 226, the output of the sheet detection unit PS1 changes from low to high, and then the high state is maintained. On the other hand, since the first sheet S1 has not reached the registration roller 227, the sheet detection unit PS2 outputs low. In this period, the control unit 240 determines that one sheet of the first sheet S1 exists on the upstream side (loop roller 226 side) on the purge guide 228 (hereinafter referred to as “second state”).

  In the period (III), the first sheet S1 reaches the loop roller 226 and the registration roller 227. The output of the paper detection unit PS1 is maintained in a high state, the output of the paper detection unit PS2 is changed from low to high, and then the high state is maintained. During this period, the control unit 240 is in a state where the first sheet S1 is straddling from the upstream side (loop roller 226 side) to the downstream side (registration roller 227 side) in the sheet conveyance direction on the purge guide 228 (hereinafter, “ It is determined that it is written as “third state”.

  In the period (IV), the first sheet S1 has passed the loop roller 226, and the second sheet S2 has not yet reached the loop roller 226. After the output of the paper detection unit PS1 changes from high to low, the low state is maintained, and the output of the paper detection unit PS2 is maintained high. During this period, the control unit 240 determines that there is one first sheet S1 on the downstream side (registration roller 227 side) on the purge guide 228 (hereinafter referred to as “fourth state”).

  In the period (V), since the second sheet S2 reaches the loop roller 226, the output of the sheet detection unit PS1 changes from low to high, and then the high state is maintained. On the other hand, since the first sheet S1 exists on the registration roller 227 side, the output of the sheet detection unit PS2 is maintained in a high state. In this period, the control unit 240 is in a state where the first sheet S1 is on the registration roller 227 side and the second sheet S2 is on the loop roller 226 side, that is, the first sheet S1 and the second sheet S2 are two sheets. It is determined that the state exists on the purge guide 228 (hereinafter referred to as “fifth state”).

  As described above, the control unit 240 acquires the first state to the fifth state as the state of the sheet on the purge guide 228. If the sheet is not on the purge guide 228 (step S103: NO), the process is terminated (end). When the paper on the purge guide 228 is in the first state, that is, when the paper is not on the purge guide 228, the control unit 240 ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S103: YES), a purge process is performed (step S104). The control unit 240 is configured to perform a purging process on the paper when a jam occurs when the paper on the purge guide 228 is in any of the second state to the fifth state. 220, the purge guide 228, and the sheet dividing unit 229 are controlled. More specifically, the control unit 240 determines whether to divide the sheet so that the sheet can be easily discharged through the sheet discharge unit 230 according to the state and properties of the sheet on the purge guide 228. Then, the control unit 240 controls the sheet dividing unit 229 to divide the sheet based on the determination result, opens the purge guide 228, discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging unit 230, and ends the process (END). The procedure of the purge process is as follows.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 240 discharges the paper without dividing it or divides it depending on whether the paper on the purge guide 228 is in the second state to the fifth state. Determine whether to discharge. Hereinafter, a case where the sheet is discharged without being divided first will be described, and then a case where the sheet is divided and discharged will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, it is determined whether or not the sheet is straddling the purge guide 228 (step S201). Based on the state of the sheet on the purge guide 228, the control unit 240 determines whether the sheet is straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side on the purge guide 228, that is, whether the sheet is in the third state. When the sheet does not straddle the purge guide 228 (step S201: NO), that is, when the sheet is in the second state, the fourth state, or the fifth state, the purge guide 228 is opened (step S213), and the sheet Is discharged (step S214). A paper discharge method will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6F.

  6A to 6F are schematic views for explaining an example of a paper discharge method when the paper on the purge guide 228 is in the fifth state in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the paper on the purge guide 228 is in the fifth state, the second paper S2 exists on the loop roller 226 side, and the first paper S1 exists on the registration roller 227 side.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit (not shown) of the purge guide 228 to open the purge guide 228, and controls the paper transport unit 220 to transfer the second paper S2 in the paper transport direction. That is, it is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the second sheet S2 is discharged from the front end portion to the sheet discharge section 230.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6E and 6F, the first sheet S1 is conveyed from the rear end to the sheet discharge unit 230 by conveying the first sheet S1 in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, that is, from the downstream side to the upstream side. Discharge.

  Although not shown, the paper can be similarly discharged when the paper on the purge guide 228 is in the second state or the fourth state. When the paper is in the second state, the first paper S1 exists on the loop roller 226 side. The control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the purge guide 228 to open the purge guide 228, and controls the sheet conveying unit 220 to convey the first sheet S1 in the sheet conveying direction, that is, from the upstream side to the downstream side. The sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 230.

  When the sheet is in the fourth state, the first sheet S1 exists on the registration roller 227 side. The control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the purge guide 228 to open the purge guide 228, convey the first sheet S1 in the direction opposite to the sheet conveyance direction, that is, from the downstream side to the upstream side, and discharge the sheet from the rear end portion. Discharged to the unit 230.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S215). When the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S215: YES), the control unit 240 determines that the discharge of the sheet on the purge guide 228 has not been completed, and returns to the process of step S214.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is not on the purge guide 228 (step S215: NO), the control unit 240 determines that the discharge of the sheet on the purge guide 228 has been completed, and closes the purge guide 228 (step S210). End processing (END).

  As described above, when the sheet does not extend from the upstream side to the downstream side on the purge guide 228, that is, when the sheet is in any of the second state, the fourth state, and the fifth state, the sheet is divided. The sheet can be discharged from the front end or the rear end of the sheet to the sheet discharge unit 230.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side on the purge guide 228, that is, when the sheet is in the third state, the sheet cannot be discharged from the front end portion or the rear end portion of the sheet to the sheet discharge portion 230 as it is. The paper is divided and then discharged.

  A case where the paper is divided and then discharged will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9, and 10A to 10F. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining the sheet dividing position when the opening joint of the purge guide 228 is on the downstream side, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are the upstream side of the opening joint of the purge guide 228 on the upstream side. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the division position of the sheet in the case of FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of paper discharge when the paper is long paper and the rigidity is high. FIGS. 10A to 10F are examples of the purge operation when the paper is divided into a plurality of times. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the sheet is straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side on the purge guide 228 (step S201: YES), it is determined whether the stiffness of the sheet is higher than a predetermined threshold (step S202). ). The stiffness of the paper is stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device of the control unit 240 for each paper type such as plain paper or coated paper. If the stiffness of the sheet is not higher than the predetermined threshold, that is, not more than the predetermined threshold (step S202: NO), the division position of the sheet is set to the first position. The control unit 240 sets the division position at which the sheet on the purge guide 228 is divided by the sheet dividing unit 229 to the first position. The first position can be any position on the purge guide 228. In the present embodiment, the first position can be set according to the position of the opening joint portion of the purge guide 228.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the purge guide 228 has a fulcrum SP on the upstream side and an opening joint J on the downstream side, the first position is close to the opening joint J on the downstream side of the purge guide 228. Preferably it is a position. As shown in FIG. 7B, by dividing the sheet at the first position, the second sheet S2 can be conveyed even while the purge guide 228 is being opened. Further, since the second sheet S2 hangs down along the purge guide 228, the discharge time of the second sheet S2 can be shortened.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the purge guide 228 has a fulcrum SP on the downstream side and an opening joint J on the upstream side, the first position is the opening joint J on the upstream side of the purge guide 228. It is preferable that the position is close to. As shown in FIG. 8B, by dividing the sheet at the first position, the first sheet S1 can be conveyed even while the purge guide 228 is being opened. Further, since the first sheet S1 hangs down along the purge guide 228, the discharge time of the first sheet S1 can be shortened.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the stiffness of the sheet is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the sheet is divided once at the first position and then discharged.

  On the other hand, if the paper is long and the stiffness of the paper is higher than a predetermined threshold, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, even if the discharged paper does not enter the purge box 231 or does not enter, There is a high possibility that the discharged paper will be difficult to enter. In the present embodiment, when the paper is long and the rigidity is higher than a predetermined threshold, the paper is divided into a plurality of times, and is sized to be easily discharged before being discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the stiffness of the paper is higher than a predetermined threshold (step S202: YES), the paper division position is set to the second position (step S203). As shown in FIG. 10A, the second position is a position upstream of the position of the purge guide 228 in the paper transport path 221.

  Next, the paper is divided (step S204). As shown in FIG. 10B, the control unit 240 controls the sheet dividing unit 229 to divide the sheet S, and controls the sheet conveying unit 220 to convey the divided second sheet S2 in the sheet conveying direction.

  Next, the purge guide 228 is opened (step S205). As shown in FIG. 10C, the control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the purge guide 228 to open the purge guide 228.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet has been conveyed by a predetermined distance (step S205). If the sheet is not conveyed by a predetermined distance (step S205: NO), the second sheet S2 is conveyed in the sheet conveying direction until the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined distance. The measurement of the transport distance of the second sheet S2 can be acquired by measuring the transport time with the transport speed of the second sheet S2 being constant, for example.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined distance (step S205: YES), the sheet is divided (step S207). As shown in FIG. 10C, the control unit 240 controls the paper dividing unit 229 to divide the second paper S2.

  Next, the paper is discharged (step S208). As shown in FIG. 10D, the divided second sheet S <b> 2 slides down on the purge guide 228 due to its own weight and falls from the front end toward the sheet discharge unit 230.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S209). If the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (step S209: YES), there is a sheet to be discharged on the purge guide 228, and the process proceeds to step S206.

  As shown in FIG. 10E, the control unit 240 controls the paper transport unit 220 to transport the third paper S3 by a predetermined distance, and then controls the paper split unit 229 to divide the third paper S3. Then, the divided third sheet S3 is discharged to the sheet discharge unit 230.

  As described above, the control unit 240 repeats conveyance, division, and discharge of the sheet while the sheet is on the purge guide 228 (see FIG. 10F).

  On the other hand, when the sheet is not on the purge guide 228 (step S209: NO), the purge guide 228 is closed (step S210). The control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the purge guide 228 to close the purge guide 228. Then, the control unit 240 returns (returns) to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4A and ends the process (end).

  As described above, in the process illustrated in FIG. 4B, it is determined whether or not to divide the sheet through the sheet discharge unit 230 according to the state of the sheet on the purge guide 228. Further, it is determined whether or not to divide the sheet into a size that is easy to discharge according to the property (for example, stiffness) of the sheet. Then, the control unit 240 divides the paper according to the determination result and discharges the paper to the paper discharge unit 230. Therefore, even if the paper is straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side on the purge guide 228 and cannot be discharged from the front end portion or the rear end portion to the paper discharge portion 230, the paper discharge portion 230 can be easily discharged. The paper is divided.

  The operation of dividing and discharging the sheet on the upstream side of the purge guide 228 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10F. However, the sheet on the downstream side of the purge guide 228 can be similarly divided and discharged. When discharging the sheet on the downstream side of the purge guide 228, the sheet division position is set downstream of the position of the purge guide 228 in the sheet conveying path 221, and the sheet is conveyed in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the purge guide 228 has one fulcrum part SP and one opening joint J, and is configured to be opened and closed with respect to the paper discharge unit 230 in a cantilever support form. did. On the other hand, in this modification, a case will be described in which the purge guide is configured to open and close with respect to the paper discharge unit 230 in a double-spread form. In this modification, the configuration other than the configuration and control of the purge guide is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted to avoid duplication of description.

  FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of an operation of discharging a sheet using a purge guide in a double-spread form.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the purge guide 228 ′ of the present modification includes a first purge guide 228A located on the downstream side in the paper transport direction and a second purge guide 228B located on the upstream side in the paper transport direction. . The purge guide 228 'is disposed below the paper transport path 221 along the paper transport direction.

  The first purge guide 228A has a first fulcrum portion for opening and closing the paper discharge section 230 on the downstream side in the paper transport direction and a state where the first purge guide 228A is closed with respect to the paper discharge section 230 on the upstream side in the paper transport direction A first opening joint for joining to the second purge guide 228B.

  In addition, the second purge guide 228B is in a state of being closed with respect to the paper discharge unit 230 on the downstream side in the paper conveyance direction and the second fulcrum part for opening and closing the paper discharge unit 230 on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction. A second opening joint for joining to the first purge guide 228A.

  In the present modification, the sheet dividing unit 229 includes the second purge guide 228 </ b> B with respect to the first opening joint portion when the first purge guide 228 </ b> A is closed with respect to the sheet discharge unit 230 or the sheet discharge unit 230. The paper is cut and divided in the width direction of the paper at a location corresponding to the second opening joint when the is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the first purge guide 228A to open the first purge guide 228A.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 11C, the control unit 240 controls the opening / closing drive unit of the second purge guide 228B to open the second purge guide 228B. Then, the control unit 240 controls the paper transport unit 220 to transport the first paper S1 from the downstream side to the upstream side, and transports the second paper S2 from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  In this way, by controlling the second purge guide 228B to open after the first purge guide 228A is opened, it is possible to prevent the second sheet S2 conveyed in the sheet conveyance direction from being caught by the first purge guide 228A. . Further, the purge guide 228 'has a double-spread form, and the divided upstream sheet is discharged to the downstream side, and the downstream sheet is discharged to the upstream side, so there is no wasteful operation.

  The sheet conveying device, the sheet feeding device 200, and the image forming system 500 according to the present embodiment described have the following effects.

  According to the state and nature of the paper on the purge guides 228 and 228 ′, the paper is divided so that it can be easily discharged through the paper discharge unit 230. Therefore, the paper is a long paper and has high rigidity. In addition, the sheet can be appropriately discharged from the front end portion or the rear end portion. Further, since the paper is divided according to the state of the paper on the purge guides 228 and 228 ′, there is no wasteful operation, and the posture of the paper entering the paper discharge unit 230 can be made constant. As a result, inconveniences such as the purge box 231 becoming full immediately can be avoided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the paper conveying device in the paper feeding device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and other devices, for example, the upstream paper feeding device, the image forming device, or the post-processing. The present invention can also be applied to a sheet conveying device in the apparatus.

J opening joint,
H horizontal transport section,
PS1, PS2 paper detection unit,
S, S1-S4 paper,
SP support part,
T1-T3 end of the paper transport section,
R Relay section of the paper transport section,
100 upstream paper feeder,
200 paper feeder,
210 Feed tray section,
220 paper transport section,
221 paper transport path,
222 transport rollers,
223 transport belt,
224 guide members,
225 horizontal transport roller,
226 loop roller,
227 registration roller,
228, 228 ′ purge guide,
229 paper dividing unit,
230 paper discharge section,
231 purge box,
240 controller,
300 image forming apparatus,
400 aftertreatment devices,
500 Image forming system.

Claims (14)

A paper transport path through which paper is transported, and
A transport member for transporting the paper along the paper transport path;
A paper discharge section for discharging the paper in the middle of the paper transport path;
A purge guide that guides the paper transported through the paper transport path and is openable and closable with respect to the paper discharge unit;
A paper dividing unit for dividing the paper;
And a control unit that determines whether to divide the sheet so that the sheet is easily discharged through the sheet discharge unit according to the state and properties of the sheet on the purge guide. The controller is
When one sheet exists straddling from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction of the purge guide,
2. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet dividing unit is controlled to divide the sheet into the first sheet on the downstream side and the second sheet on the upstream side. The controller is
Transporting the first paper downstream of the purge guide in the paper transport direction toward the upstream of the paper transport path;
3. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member is controlled to convey a second sheet upstream of the purge guide in the sheet conveying direction toward the downstream side of the sheet conveying path. Conveying device. The controller is
4. The sheet dividing unit is controlled to divide the first sheet a plurality of times when the stiffness of the first sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold value. The sheet conveying apparatus according to item 1. The controller is
5. The sheet dividing unit is controlled to divide the second sheet a plurality of times when the rigidity of the second sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold. The sheet conveying apparatus according to item 1. The controller is
When the stiffness of the first sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold, the sheet dividing unit is configured to divide the first sheet at a position downstream of the purge guide in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying device is controlled. The controller is
When the stiffness of the second sheet on the purge guide is higher than a predetermined threshold, the sheet dividing unit is configured to divide the second sheet at a position upstream of the purge guide position in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying device is controlled. The purge guide is
A fulcrum part for opening and closing the paper discharge part at an upstream part or a downstream part in the paper transport direction;
An opening joint for joining to the paper transport path when the fulcrum is on the opposite side of the side where the fulcrum is located with respect to the paper discharge section;
The paper transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper transport device is disposed below the paper transport path along the paper transport direction. The paper dividing unit is
9. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sheet is divided in the width direction of the sheet on a side near the opening joint portion between the fulcrum portion of the purge guide and the opening joint portion. The purge guide is
A first purge guide located downstream in the paper transport direction;
A second purge guide located on the upstream side in the paper transport direction,
Arranged below the paper transport path along the paper transport direction,
The first purge guide includes
A first fulcrum portion for opening and closing the paper discharge portion on the downstream side in the paper transport direction;
A first opening joint for joining with the second purge guide when closed with respect to the paper discharge portion on the upstream side in the paper transport direction;
The second purge guide includes
A second fulcrum portion for opening and closing with respect to the paper discharge portion on the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction;
The second opening joint portion for joining to the first purge guide when closed with respect to the paper discharge portion on the downstream side in the paper transport direction. The paper conveying apparatus of any one of Claims. The paper dividing unit is
The first opening joint when the first purge guide is closed with respect to the paper discharge portion, or the second opening when the second purge guide is closed with respect to the paper discharge portion 11. The sheet transport device according to claim 10, wherein the sheet is divided in a width direction of the sheet at a position corresponding to a joint portion. The controller is
12. The sheet conveying device according to claim 10, wherein the purge guide is controlled to open the second purge guide after the first purge guide is opened.   A paper feed device comprising the paper transport device according to claim 1.   An image forming system comprising the paper feeding device according to claim 13.