JP2018079997A - Recording material processing apparatus and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent trouble such as breakage of a component etc., caused by caught foreign matter etc., from occurring to an apparatus which presses and binds a recording material bundle.SOLUTION: Pressing processing on a recording material bundle is divided into two stages of pressing with first force (first-stage pressing) and pressing with second force larger than the first force (second-stage pressing stage), and the second-stage pressing is performed after the first-stage pressing so as to bind the recording material bundle. The first force is, for example, force by a spring and the second force is force by rotational motion of a drive cam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for binding a recording material bundle by applying pressure to the recording material bundle.

JP 2011-201653 A

  By the way, in a device that binds recording material bundles by applying pressure to the recording material bundle, when pressure is applied in a state where foreign matter or the like is sandwiched in the portion to which the pressure is applied (opening), the portion to be pressurized and the portion are related. Failures such as part damage may occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of troubles such as breakage of parts due to pinching of foreign matters in an apparatus for pressurizing and binding a recording material bundle.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a first force, and after the recording material bundle is pressurized with the first force, more than the first force. And a second pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a large second force, and the recording material bundle is bound by the second force.

  The invention according to claim 2 further includes binding means for binding the recording material bundle by pressure across the recording material bundle, and the first pressurizing means is for the binding means to hold the recording material bundle. The first force is applied to the binding means, and the second pressure means applies a second force larger than the first force after the first force is applied to the binding means. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding unit is configured to bind the recording material bundle by the second force.

  The invention according to claim 3 is that the first force is a force for moving the binding means from the retracted position to a processing position for the binding means to bind the recording material bundle. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, when the first force is applied to the binding means, the binding means has a force greater than a preset force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material bundle is sandwiched. 4. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second pressure unit does not apply the second force to the binding unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the binding means includes a first member and a second member that is bound together with the first member with the recording material bundle interposed therebetween, and the first pressurizing means is The first member and the second member are brought close to each other at the position where the first member and the second member bind the recording material bundle by the first force, and the second pressure is applied. The means brings the first member and the second member closer to each other at the binding position than the case where the first force is applied by the second force. The recording material bundle is bound by the first member and the second member, and the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. In the case, the second pressurizing means applies the second force to the binding means. It is a recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the first force is applied to the binding means, the binding means has a force equal to or greater than a preset force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material bundle is sandwiched. 6. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a restricting unit that does not reduce a distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position when the sheet is added. It is.

  The invention according to claim 7 is directed to the first member or the first member when a distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold value. When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is transmitted to the second member and exceeds the preset threshold, the first member or The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a transmission member that does not transmit the second force to the second member.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the transmission member contacts the intermediate member, thereby transmitting the second force generated by the motor to the first member or the second member via the intermediate member. And when the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold, the cam contacts the intermediate member, The cam is not in contact with the intermediate member when a distance between the first member and the second member at a binding position exceeds the preset threshold value. Recording material processing apparatus.

  In the invention according to claim 9, the cam is a member that rotates by the operation of the motor, and the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is set in advance. When the threshold value is exceeded, the intermediate member is arranged outside the trajectory of the rotational movement of the cam, and the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold value. 9. The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate member is arranged on a trajectory of the rotational movement of the cam.

  The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the first force is a force caused by a spring and the second force is a force caused by a rotational movement of a cam. The recording material processing apparatus according to one item.

  The recording material processing according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the second force is a force corresponding to a rotation amount of the cam. Device.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the recording material processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a larger second force is transmitted as the amount of rotation of the cam increases.

  The invention according to claim 13 further comprises a control means for controlling the amount of rotation of the cam based on the thickness of the recording material bundle. It is a processing device.

  The invention according to claim 14 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, a recording material processing apparatus that performs a preset process on a recording material bundle including a plurality of recording materials on which images are formed, The recording material processing apparatus includes: a first pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a first force; and after the recording material bundle is pressurized with the first force, An image forming system comprising: a second pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a second force greater than a force; and the recording material bundle is bound by the second force. is there.

  According to the first, second, third, tenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, in the apparatus for pressurizing and binding the recording material bundle, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble such as breakage of parts due to the pinching of foreign matter or the like. Become.

  According to the inventions according to claims 4, 5, 6, and 7, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied to the binding means.

  According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the invention, it is possible to prevent the pressurizing process by the cam from being performed in a situation where an excessive force can be applied to the binding means.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 11, 12, it becomes possible to change 2nd force according to the rotation amount of a cam.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the recording material bundle can be bound by a force suitable for the thickness of the recording material bundle.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a recording material binding device. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a recording material binding apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a recording material binding apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a recording material binding apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of a binding action | operation part. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of a binding action | operation part. It is a perspective view which shows a delivery spring. It is a perspective view which shows a support spring. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a binding action | operation part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a binding action | operation part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a binding action | operation part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a binding action | operation part. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a binding action | operation part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system 11 including a recording material binding device 10 as a recording material processing device according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 11 includes, for example, an image forming apparatus 12 having an electrophotographic printing function, a copying function, and the like, and a recording material after an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 12, for example, after punching or binding. A recording material post-processing device 13 that performs processing is provided. The recording material binding device 10 of this embodiment can be mounted on the recording material post-processing device 13.

  The image forming apparatus 12 includes an image forming unit 14 that forms a toner image based on the acquired document information. The document information may be acquired by reading a document by the document reading unit 15 provided in the image forming apparatus 12 or may be acquired from an external device. The image forming apparatus 12 further includes a recording material feeding mechanism 16. The recording material to be sent is a sheet-shaped recording material cut into a rectangle, and the material is, for example, paper. The recording material feeding mechanism 16 includes a supply tray 17 that holds the stacked recording materials, and a conveyance path 19 that sends the recording material from the supply tray 17 to the discharge port 18. The recording material receives the toner image formed by the image forming unit 14 in the process of being conveyed through the conveyance path 19 and the toner image is fixed. The recording material sent out from the discharge port 18 is received by the recording material post-processing device 13.

  In the recording material post-processing device 13, the received recording materials are stacked on the stacking tray 20 as necessary to form a recording material bundle. When the accumulation is not necessary, the recording material is sent to the discharge tray 21. When a predetermined number of recording materials are stacked on the stacking tray 20, the recording materials are bound by the recording material binding device 10. The recording material binding apparatus 10 includes two tooth molds 22 and 24 that form a pair in which a plurality of teeth are arranged. In order to distinguish the two tooth molds, for convenience, the upper tooth mold 22 is referred to as the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 is referred to as the lower tooth mold 24 in FIG. The two tooth molds 22 and 24 may be disposed so as to face each other with the recording material to be bound therebetween, and may be disposed on the left and right, for example.

  One or both of the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are advanced and retracted toward the mating tooth mold by the drive mechanism, and the tooth molds mesh with each other when advanced. When the tooth molds are engaged with each other, the sandwiched recording material is deformed into a waveform, and the recording materials are joined and bound. After being bound, the recording material bundle is sent out to the discharge tray 21.

  Further, the image forming system 11 includes a control unit 100 that controls operations of each unit and each mechanism of the image forming apparatus 12 and the recording material post-processing apparatus 13.

<Appearance of recording material binding device>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the recording material binding apparatus 10. The outer shape of the recording material binding apparatus 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. In order to simplify the description, the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions are defined according to the direction in which the sides of the rectangular parallelepiped extend. The vertical direction generally coincides with the direction in which the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are opposed to each other, and the front and rear direction is an upper arm 26 and a lower arm 28 (see FIG. 3) substantially coincides with the extending direction. The front upper corner of the rectangular parallelepiped that is the outer shape of the recording material binding apparatus 10 is near the corner where the apparatus upper surface 32 defined by the upper surface plate 30a of the upper frame 30 and the apparatus front surface 36 defined by the front plate 34a of the front frame 34 intersect. The upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are arranged in the region 38. In the front upper corner area 38, the recording material is sandwiched and bound by the upper and lower tooth molds 22 and 24. The upper tooth mold 22 corresponds to an example of a first member, and the lower tooth mold 24 corresponds to an example of a second member. The left and right sides of the recording material binding apparatus 10 are generally covered by two side frames, that is, a left side frame 40L and a right side frame 40R.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording material binding apparatus 10 in which the right side frame 40R is removed so that the inside can be seen. The upper frame 30 includes a back plate 30c provided with an opening 30b and a support plate 30d extending forward from the lower edge of the back plate 30c. The back plate 30c is curved at the portion where the opening 30b is provided, whereby the outer shape of the recording material binding apparatus 10 is rounded in the rear upper corner region. A home position sensor 42 is disposed on the support plate 30d. The home position sensor 42 is a sensor that detects a home position of a binding operation unit described later. The detection of the home position will be described together with the operation of the binding operation unit.

  The motor 46 is disposed at a diagonal position of the front upper corner area 38, that is, at the rear lower corner area 44. The motor 46 includes a motor pinion 46a (see FIG. 5) on the output shaft, and the motor pinion 46a meshes with one gear of a gear train 48 disposed outside the left side frame 40L. The gear train 48 constitutes a reduction gear train, and the motor 46 rotationally drives the cam shaft 50 via the gear train 48.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording material binding apparatus 10 in which the motor 46 is further removed from the state of FIG. An encoder bracket 52 is fixed to the left side frame 40L, and an encoder 54 that detects the rotation angle of the motor 46 is disposed on the encoder bracket 52. The encoder 54 includes a rotor 54 a that is rotatably supported by the encoder bracket 52, and a photo sensor 54 b that is fixed to the encoder bracket 52. The rotor 54a has an impeller shape having a rotation shaft, and an encoder pinion 54c is provided at the end of the rotation shaft. The encoder pinion 54c meshes with one gear 48a (see FIG. 5) of the gear train 48, and when the motor 46 rotates, the rotor 54a rotates. The gear 48 a with which the encoder pinion 54 c meshes may be the first gear of the gear train 48. The photosensor 54b has two portions facing each other, and detects that the blades of the rotor 54a pass between them. The rotation angle of the output shaft of the motor 46 is detected by counting the number of times the blades have passed. The photo sensor 54b may be replaced with a sensor that can detect passage of the blades of the rotor 54a.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the recording material binding apparatus 10, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a main part of the binding operation unit. The binding operation unit includes the above-described upper arm 26, lower arm 28, a lever link 56, a support lever 72, and a connecting pin 58, an arm pin 64, a guide pin 70, and the like. The binding operation unit corresponds to an example of a binding unit.

  The upper arm 26 has an arm portion 26 a that extends substantially forward and has an upper tooth mold 22 attached to the tip portion, and a connecting portion 26 b that branches from the arm portion 26 a and extends downward and is connected to the lever link 56. The connecting portion 26b and the lever link 56 are connected by a connecting pin 58 so as to be rotatable around the pin. An upper guide plate 60 is attached to the tip of the upper arm 26 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the upper tooth mold 22. The portions located on the left and right of the upper tooth die 22 of the upper guide plate 60 have a V-shaped portion 60a that is opened forward and formed by bending a steel plate such as a spring steel plate. The V-shaped portion 60a is closed when the recording material is bound, and the recording material after binding is pulled away from the upper tooth mold 22 by the force of opening the V-shape by elasticity. The connecting pin 58 has a cylindrical shaft portion 58a and guide protrusions 58b protruding from both ends of the shaft portion 58a.

  The lower arm 28 has two arm plates 28a and 28b extending forward with a space therebetween, and a tip base 28c disposed at the tip of the arm plates 28a and 28b so as to couple them. The lower tooth mold 24 is mounted on the tip table 28c. A lower guide plate 62 is disposed so as to surround the lower tooth mold 24. The lower guide plate 62 is formed in a V shape in which a steel plate such as a spring steel plate is bent to open the front. When the recording material is closed, the V-shape of the lower guide plate 62 is closed, and the recording material after being closed is pulled away from the lower tooth mold 24 by the force of opening the V-shape by elasticity.

  The upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 are connected to each other by an arm pin 64 at their rear ends so that they can be rotated independently of each other. When connected, the upper arm 26 is located between the two arm plates 28a, 28b of the lower arm 28. Due to the rotation of the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 around the arm pin 64, the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 approach and move away from each other. The arm pin 64 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 64a and guide protrusions 64b protruding from both ends of the shaft portion 64a.

  An opening 28d through which the cam shaft 50 passes is formed in the two arm plates 28a and 28b of the lower arm 28. Fixed to the camshaft 50 are two drive cams, that is, a left drive cam 66L and a right drive cam 66R, which are positioned on the left and right sides of the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 when assembled. In addition to the circular cross section, the cam shaft 50 is provided with two deformed cross section shaft portions 50a having fan-shaped cross sections, for example, with the central portion removed. , 66R. A fixed pin 68 is erected or penetrated in a direction intersecting the axis line in the deformed cross-section shaft portion 50a of the cam shaft, and a pin receiving groove 66b for receiving the fixed pin 68 is formed in the left and right drive cams 66L and 66R. Provided (see FIG. 7). The left and right drive cams 66 </ b> L and 66 </ b> R are fixed with respect to the cam shaft 50 in the rotational direction by engaging the deformed cross section shaft portion 50 a of the cam shaft and the fixing pin 68. The left and right drive cams 66L, 66R are more firmly fixed in the rotational direction by engaging with the fixing pin 68 in addition to the engagement with the deformed cross-section shaft portion 50a.

  A fitting portion 50b having two parallel planes is provided at the left end of the cam shaft 50. The fitting portion 50 b is fitted into a fitting hole 48 c provided in one gear of the gear train 48, for example, the last gear 48 b of the gear train 48. By this connection, the cam shaft 50 is rotationally driven by the motor 46 via the gear train 48.

  The lever link 56 is further connected to a support lever 72 by a guide pin 70. The guide pin 70 includes a shaft portion 70a and guide protrusions 70b extending from both ends of the shaft portion. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 70a is non-circular. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a non-circular cross-sectional shape composed of one chord of a circle and a larger arc of arcs divided by the chord is formed. Have. The hole for receiving the guide pin 70 of the lever link 56 has a shape that fits the shaft portion 70a of the lever link. Thereby, the guide pin 70 is fixed to the lever link 56 in the rotation direction.

  When the recording material is bound, the support lever 72 supports the lower arm tip base 28c from below and receives a reaction force due to the binding operation. The support lever 72 includes a support base 72a positioned below the lower arm tip base 28c when binding the recording material, and two lever portions 72b extending rearward from the support base 72a to the outside of the lower arm 28. A support bar 74 is fixed on the support base 72a. The support bar 74 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 74a and guide protrusions 74b protruding from both ends of the shaft portion 74a. Cam followers 72c that can contact the left and right drive cams 66L and 66R are provided at the rear ends of the two lever portions 72b.

  The left side frame 40L includes a left side panel 76L and a left guide plate 78L. When assembled, the left side panel 76L and the left guide plate 78L are overlapped and integrated. The right side frame 40R includes a right side panel 76R and a right guide plate 78R. When assembled, the right side panel 76R and the right guide plate 78R are overlapped and integrated.

  The cam shaft 50 is rotatably supported by the left and right side frames 40L and 40R by passing through a bearing bush 80 attached to the left side frame 40L and a bearing hole 78a provided in the right guide plate 78R.

  Each of the left and right guide plates 78L, 78R is provided with guide grooves 82, 84, 88 and guide holes 86 for guiding the movement of the connecting pin 58, the arm pin 64, the guide pin 70 and the support bar 74.

  Guide protrusions 58b provided at both ends of the connecting pin 58 are fitted in the left and right connecting pin guide grooves 82, respectively. The guide protrusion 58b has a stepped cylindrical shape, and the connecting pin guide groove 82 has a stepped groove shape that is deep at the center of the groove and shallow near the edge of the groove. The connecting pin guide groove 82 has a bottom and does not open on the outer surfaces of the left and right guide plates 78L and 78R. The connecting pin guide groove 82 is bent, but extends substantially in the vertical direction.

  Guide protrusions 64b provided at both ends of the arm pin 64 are fitted in the arm pin guide grooves 84, respectively. The arm pin guide groove 84 extends substantially in the front-rear direction, and guides the movement of the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 in the front-rear direction. The arm pin guide groove 84 is provided through the thickness of the left and right guide plates 78L, 78R.

  Guide protrusions 70 b provided at both ends of the guide pin 70 respectively enter the guide holes 86. The guide protrusion 70b has an approximately elliptical irregular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 86 is generally trapezoidal and larger than the guide protrusion 70b as a whole. Therefore, the guide protrusion 70b is allowed to move up and down and back and forth within the range of the guide hole 86. The guide hole 86 is extended in the left-right direction by an extension wall 86a erected on the outer surfaces of the left and right guide plates 78L, 78R.

  Cylindrical guide protrusions 74 b are provided at both ends of the support bar 74 integral with the support lever 72, and are fitted in the support lever guide groove 88. The support lever guide groove 88 extends substantially in the vertical direction, and guides the vertical movement of the support lever 72, particularly the support base 72a. The support lever guide groove 88 is provided through the thickness of the left and right guide plates 78L and 78R.

  The left and right drive cams 66L and 66R have a first cam surface 66c that contacts the arm pin 64 and a second cam surface 66d that contacts a cam follower 72c provided on the support lever 72 (see FIG. 7). The first cam surface 66c and the second cam surface 66d protrude from a cam base bottom surface 66e which is a part of a cylindrical surface having an axis common to the axis of the cam shaft 50. Further, the first cam surface 66c protrudes from the second cam surface 66d.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a home position detector 90 is attached to the left end portion of the arm pin 64 so as to be rotatable around the arm pin 64. The home position detector 90 includes a detection piece 90a that is a detection target portion of the home position sensor 42, and a cam follower 90b that comes into contact with the second cam surface 66d of the left drive cam 66L. As the left drive cam 66L rotates, the home position detector 90 swings, and the detection piece 90a moves forward and backward with respect to the home position sensor 42. As the home position sensor 42, a photo sensor can be used, and when the detection piece 90a enters between the two parts, the home position of the binding operation unit is detected.

  FIG. 8 shows a delivery spring 92 (corresponding to an example of a spring). The delivery spring 92 abuts on the upper arm 26 and urges the entire binding operation portion forward and downward. The delivery spring 92 has an operating portion 92a that abuts against a spring receiving surface 26c (see FIG. 5) provided slightly above the upper arm 26. The operation part 92a has a substantially U-shape, and the fixed part 92c is connected via the coil parts 92b at both ends. The fixed portion 92c is fixed to the inner surface of the upper surface plate 30a of the upper frame, and the operating portion 92a is rotatable about the coil portion 92b. The delivery spring 92 urges the binding operation part so as to send the entire binding operation part forward and downward.

  FIG. 9 shows a support spring 94. The support spring 94 supports the support lever 72 so that the position of the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is not lowered too much when the support lever 72 is separated from the drive cams 66L and 66R. By supporting the support lever 72, the second cam surface 66d comes into contact with the cam follower 72c when the drive cams 66L and 66R rotate. The support spring 94 has a cylindrical coil portion 94a attached to a boss 78Ra (see FIG. 6) of the right guide plate 78R. The bent tip of the fixed arm 94b extending from the coil portion 94a engages with an engagement hole 78Rb provided on the outer surface of the right guide plate 78R, and the support spring 94 is fixed in the rotational direction. The support arm 94c of the support spring 94 extends along the inner surface of the right guide plate 78R from the coil portion 94a. The tip of the support arm 94 c supports the lower surface of one lever portion 72 b of the support lever 72. The support arm 94 c may be separated from the support lever 72 when the drive cams 66 </ b> L and 66 </ b> R are in contact with the support lever 72.

<Description of the operation of the binding operation unit>
10 to 13 are operation explanatory views of the binding operation unit of the recording material binding apparatus 10. The binding operation unit operates to bind the recording paper by the drive cam 66. In the description of the operation, when there is no need to distinguish between the left and right drive cams 66L and 66R, the drive cam 66 is simply referred to for simplicity.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the binding operation unit is at the home position (corresponding to an example of a retracted position). At the home position, the first cam surface 66 c of the drive cam is in contact with the shaft portion 64 a of the arm pin 64. As a result, the first cam surface 66c most retracts the arm pin 64, and the entire binding operation portion is in the retracted position. The upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are also in a retracted position and are located farthest from each other. The connecting portion 26 b of the upper arm is also pulled up until the guide protrusion 58 b of the connecting pin 58 is positioned near the upper end of the connecting pin guide groove 82. Depending on the position of the connecting pin 58, the guide protrusion 70b of the guide pin 70 is positioned at the center of the upper side of the guide hole 86, and the guide protrusion 74b of the support bar 74 is positioned near the upper end of the support lever guide groove 88. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, in the home position detector 90, the cam follower 90 b comes into contact with the second cam surface 66 d and the detection piece 90 a is positioned at the detection target position by the home position sensor 42. Based on detection of the detection piece 90a of the home position sensor 42, the control unit 100 recognizes that the binding operation unit is at the home position.

  When the drive cam 66 rotates counterclockwise F in the drawing from the home position, the shaft portion 64a of the arm pin 64 is disengaged from the first cam surface 66c and shifts to the contact state of the cam base surface 66e at a certain position. .

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a state immediately after the shaft portion 64a of the arm pin 64 is detached from the first cam surface 66c. Since the engagement between the shaft portion 64a and the first cam surface 66c is released, the binding operation portion is entirely fed forward and downward (lower right in the drawing) by the urging force U of the delivery spring 92. The position where the binding operation unit is sent out corresponds to an example of the processing position (position to be bound). That is, the binding operation unit moves from the home position (retracted position) to the processing position by the biasing force U of the delivery spring 92. The arm pin 64 moves forward along the arm pin guide groove 84, and accordingly, the upper arm 26 also moves forward. At the same time, the upper arm 26 moves downward as the guide protrusion 58b of the connecting pin 58 at the lower end of the connecting portion 26b is guided downward along the connecting pin guide groove 82. For this reason, the upper tooth type | mold 22 goes to the downward direction, advancing ahead. The lower arm 28 moves forward as the arm pin 64 moves forward. The lower arm 28 is guided by the cam shaft 50 that passes through the opening 28d, and moves substantially forward without rotation. For this reason, the lower tooth mold 24 also advances forward. As the upper tooth mold 22 advances forward and downward and the lower tooth mold 24 advances forward, the upper and lower tooth molds 22 and 24 approach each other while moving forward. The delivery spring 92 corresponds to an example of the first pressurizing unit, and the force (biasing force U) by the delivery spring 92 corresponds to the first force.

  Since the upper portion of the connecting pin guide groove 82 extends obliquely downward and forward, the lever link 56 also moves forward and downward as the connecting pin 58 moves along the connecting pin guide groove 82. However, when the guide projection 70b of the guide pin 70 hits the front edge of the guide hole 86, the lever link 56 cannot move further forward, and thereafter, the guide pin 70 rotates counterclockwise around the guide pin 70 as an axis. As the guide pin 70 moves forward and downward, the support lever 72 also moves. Since the support bar 74 integral with the support lever 72 moves along the support lever guide groove 88 extending substantially vertically, even if the guide pin 70 moves forward, it does not move forward. As shown in the drawing, the support lever guide groove 88 extends rearward as it goes downward, so that the support lever 72 is rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the cam follower 72c at the rear end of the support lever 72 moves downward. At this time, the support spring 94 supports the rear portion of the support lever 72 from below so that the cam follower 72c does not move too much.

  The home position detector 90 moves forward together with the arm pin 64, and the detection piece 90 a deviates from the detection target position of the home position sensor 42.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the drive cam 66 further rotates counterclockwise F and the second cam surface 66 d is in contact with the cam follower 72 c of the support lever 72. The arm pin 64 abuts on the cam base 66e of the drive cam 66 and is positioned further forward than the position shown in FIG. Accordingly, the upper arm 26 also moves further forward and downward from the state of FIG. 11, and the lower arm 28 also moves further forward. As the upper arm connecting portion 26 b moves downward, the guide protrusion 58 b of the connecting pin 58 is guided along the connecting pin guide groove 82. The connecting pin guide groove 82 is bent, and the lower part extends backward from the bending point as it goes downward. Since the lower part of the connecting pin guide groove 82 extends rearward, the upper arm 26 rotates clockwise. Further, the lever link 56 is pulled downward by the connecting pin 58, while the downward movement of the guide projection 70 b of the guide pin 70 is restricted by the guide hole 86, and thus rotates counterclockwise. The guide projection 70 b of the guide pin 70 moves to the center portion of the guide hole 86 by the downward movement of the connecting pin 58 and the counterclockwise rotation of the lever link 56. At the same time, the guide protrusion 74b of the support bar 74 moves upward along the support lever guide groove 88, and the support lever 72 moves upward. Further, since the guide protrusion 74 b of the support bar 74 is restricted from moving rearward by the support lever guide groove 88, the guide pin 70 moves rearward to rotate clockwise around the support bar 74. As the support lever 72 rotates clockwise, the cam follower 72c rises to a position where the second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 can contact. A support spring 94 assists the raising of the cam follower 72c. When the second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 comes into contact with the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72, the support lever 72 rotates clockwise by the further rotation of the drive cam 66. Further, the support bar 74 contacts the lower surface of the lower arm 28.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where the drive cam 66 further rotates counterclockwise and the recording material is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24. The cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is pushed upward further by the second cam surface 66d from the state of FIG. On the other hand, the guide protrusion 74b of the support bar 74 reaches the upper end of the support lever guide groove 88, and the support lever 72 rotates clockwise around the support bar 74. As the support lever 72 rotates, the guide projection 70b of the guide pin 70 moves to the rear end of the guide hole 86, and the lever link 56 further rotates counterclockwise. By these operations, the connecting pin 58, the guide pin 70, and the support bar 74 are substantially aligned. Further, the support bar 74 pushes up the lower arm 28 so that the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are engaged with each other.

  When the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are engaged with each other, a bundle of recording materials sandwiched between them is deformed into a waveform, and the recording materials are joined and bound together. The second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 is shaped to gradually push up the cam follower 72c as it rotates. When the bundle of recording materials is thin, it is necessary to engage the upper and lower tooth dies 22 and 24 deeper than when the recording material is thick, so the control unit 100 rotates the drive cam 66 more greatly. Information relating to the thickness of the recording material bundle is input to the control unit 100 by an input of the user of the image forming system 11, and the control unit 100 determines the rotation angle (rotation amount) of the drive cam 66 based on this information. That is, the rotation angle of the motor 46 is determined. When the rotation angle of the motor 46 from the home position is detected by the encoder 54 and reaches the rotation angle corresponding to the thickness of the recording material bundle at that time, the control unit 100 stops the rotation of the motor 46. When recording materials having the same thickness are used, the control unit 100 may control the rotation amount of the drive cam 66 based on the number of recording materials included in the recording material bundle. For example, when the number of recording materials is small (for example, three), the control unit 100 may rotate the drive cam 66 more than when the number of recording materials is large (for example, ten). The drive cam 66 corresponds to an example of a second pressurizing unit, and the force generated by the rotation of the drive cam 66 corresponds to an example of a second force. The force (second force) caused by the rotation of the drive cam 66 is larger than the biasing force (first force) caused by the delivery spring 92, and the recording material bundle is bound by the force caused by the rotation of the drive cam 66.

  Thereafter, the motor 46 rotates reversely, and the drive cam 66 rotates counterclockwise R. When the drive cam 66 rotates in the reverse direction and reaches the position of FIG. 12, for example, the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are separated. Due to the action of the upper guide plate 60 and the lower guide plate 62 arranged around the upper and lower tooth molds 22, 24, the recording material bundle is pulled away from the upper tooth mold 22 or the lower tooth mold 24. Further, when the drive cam 66 rotates in the reverse direction and the first cam surface 66c comes into contact with the shaft portion 64a of the arm pin 64, the arm pin 64 is moved in the direction along the arm pin guide groove 84. Accordingly, the entire binding operation unit is moved upward and rearward. When the home position is detected by the home position sensor 42 after returning to the position of FIG. 10, the rotation of the motor 46 is stopped.

  In the state shown in FIG. 11, foreign matter or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, and the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are preset in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material bundle is sandwiched. When a force greater than the above force is applied and the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 does not decrease, the drive cam 66 as the second pressurizing means does not apply a force to the binding operation portion. This operation will be described in detail. In the state shown in FIG. 11, when a foreign object or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the opening between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 cannot be closed. As a result, the downward movement of the connecting portion 26b of the upper arm 26 is restricted, and the connecting portion 26b does not move downward, so that the connecting pin 58 connected to the connecting portion 26b extends along the connecting pin guide groove 82. The movement is restricted, and the connecting pin 58 does not move downward along the connecting pin guide groove 82. Thereby, the operation | movement of the lever link 56 shown by FIG. 12 is controlled. That is, since the connecting pin 58 does not move downward, the lever link 56 is not pulled downward by the connecting pin 58 and does not rotate counterclockwise. Since the connecting pin 58 does not move downward and rearward, and the lever link 56 does not rotate counterclockwise, the guide protrusion 70 b of the guide pin 70 does not move to the center portion of the guide hole 86. Therefore, the guide protrusion 74b of the support bar 74 does not move upward along the support lever guide groove 88, and the support lever 72 does not move upward. Further, since the guide pin 70 does not move backward, the guide protrusion 74b of the support bar 74 does not rotate clockwise. Therefore, the support lever 72 does not rotate clockwise, and the cam follower 72c does not rise to a position where the second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 can contact. As a result, the second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 does not contact the cam follower 72c. That is, the drive cam 66 swings the support lever 72 idle. In FIG. 14, the drive cam 66 in an idling state is indicated by a broken line. The drive cam 66 (66 </ b> R) indicated by a broken line in FIG. 14 swings the support lever 72 and rotates up to above the support lever 72. Therefore, the force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the support lever 72, and the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is not pushed upward from the state of FIG. As a result, the upper arm 26 is not pushed down, the lower arm 28 is not pushed up, and the force (second force) by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24. That is, a force is applied to the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 so that the cam follower 72c does not rise to a position where the cam follower 72c can be abutted (a position where the second cam surface 66d of the drive cam 66 can abut on the cam follower 72c). When the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 does not decrease, the force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation portion.

  In this way, when the urging force U (first force) by the delivery spring 92 is applied to the binding operation portion, foreign matter or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, and the upper tooth mold. When a force greater than a preset force is applied in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material bundle is sandwiched between the upper teeth 22 and the lower teeth mold 24, and the distance between the upper teeth mold 22 and the lower teeth mold 24 does not decrease. The force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation unit. That is, in this case, the connecting pin 58, the connecting pin guide groove 82, the lever link 56, the guide pin 70, and the guide hole 86 function as an example of a restricting unit, and bind the force (second force) by the drive cam 66. The distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 is not further reduced without transmission to the operating portion.

  In a state where foreign matter or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the force (second force) generated by the drive cam 66 is transmitted to the binding operation unit, so that the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 are moved. When engaged, an excessive force may cause a failure such as damage to parts such as the drive cam 66. According to the present embodiment, when a foreign object or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the force (second force) by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation unit, so the foreign object or the like is caught. Occurrence of troubles such as breakage of parts caused by

  The operation when a foreign object or the like is sandwiched between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 will be described from another viewpoint. In the present embodiment, when the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 is longer than the threshold value, that is, the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 can be abutted. When the distance corresponds to such a distance that the cam follower 72c does not rise to the position, the force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation unit. On the contrary, when the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 is equal to or less than the threshold value, that is, the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 can be abutted. In the case where the distance corresponds to a distance that the cam follower 72c is raised to the position, the force by the drive cam 66 is transmitted to the binding operation unit. That is, when a recording material bundle, foreign matter, or the like having such a thickness that the cam follower 72c does not rise to the abuttable position is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, that is, When a recording material bundle, foreign matter, or the like having a thickness larger than the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation section. On the contrary, when the recording material bundle having such a thickness that the cam follower 72c is raised to the position where it can be contacted is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, that is, When the recording material bundle having a thickness equal to or less than the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the force by the drive cam 66 is transmitted to the binding operation section.

  Thus, when the opening amount of the frontage formed by the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 (the distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24) is equal to or less than the threshold value, the second pressure is applied. A force (second force) by the drive cam 66 as a means is transmitted to the binding operation unit, and the recording material bundle is bound by the second force. On the other hand, when the opening amount (distance between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24) exceeds the threshold value, the force (second force) generated by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation unit. Thus, the drive cam 66 as a transmission member transmits a force to the binding operation unit when the opening amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, and does not transmit a force to the binding operation unit when the opening amount exceeds the threshold value.

  Further, from another viewpoint, when the opening amount is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the drive cam 66 contacts the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 as an intermediate member, and thereby the force (second force) by the drive cam 66 is obtained. Is transmitted to the binding operation unit. In other words, when a recording material bundle having a thickness such that the opening amount is equal to or less than the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the drive cam 66 contacts the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72. Thus, the force generated by the drive cam 66 is transmitted to the binding operation unit. On the other hand, when the opening amount exceeds the threshold value, the drive cam 66 does not come into contact with the cam follower 72c, whereby the force by the drive cam 66 is not transmitted to the binding operation unit. In other words, when a recording material bundle or a foreign material having a thickness such that the opening amount exceeds the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the force by the drive cam 66 is applied to the binding operation section. Not transmitted.

  Further, from another viewpoint, when the opening amount is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is arranged on the trajectory of the rotational movement of the drive cam 66, and thereby the drive cam 66 contacts the cam follower 72c. The force by the drive cam 66 is transmitted to the binding operation unit. That is, when the recording material bundle having a thickness that allows the opening amount to be equal to or less than the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the cam follower 72 c of the support lever 72 Arranged on the orbit of rotational movement. On the other hand, when the opening amount exceeds the threshold value, the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is disposed outside the orbit of the rotational movement of the drive cam 66, whereby the drive cam 66 does not contact the cam follower 72c and the drive cam 66 Is not transmitted to the binding operation unit. That is, when a recording material bundle, foreign matter, or the like having a thickness such that the opening amount exceeds the threshold value is disposed between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24, the cam follower 72c of the support lever 72 is driven cam. 66 is arranged outside the activation of the rotational movement.

  For example, when the opening between the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 is made wider, foreign matter or the like may be easily caught between the openings, but in this embodiment, in such a case In this case, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles such as breakage of parts due to the trapped foreign matter. The same applies to a case where a recording material bundle having a thickness exceeding the thickness that can be bound by the binding operation unit or a recording material bundle having a thickness increased due to bending or the like enters the opening.

  The upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 correspond to swinging members that can swing around the shaft portion 64a (rotation fulcrum) of the arm pin 64. The drive cam 66 corresponds to a transmission member that transmits a force for swinging the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28. The support lever 72 and the lever link 56 are members constituting an intermediate member, and the force from the drive cam 66 is applied to the binding operation unit as a pressure for the upper tooth mold 22 and the lower tooth mold 24 to sandwich the recording material bundle. It transmits to the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 which are included. The lever link 56 is a link that converts the force generated by the rotational movement of the drive cam 66 into a force for bringing the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28 closer to each other, that is, a force for bringing the upper tooth die 22 and the lower tooth die 24 closer to each other. It corresponds to a member. That is, the intermediate member converts the force from the drive cam 66 into a force acting in a direction different from the direction in which the drive cam 66 pushes the support lever 72 and transmits the force to the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the cam follower 72 c of the support lever 72 is in contact with the drive cam 66 and transmits the force from the drive cam 66 to the upper arm 26 and the lower arm 28, the drive cam 66 has the arm pin 64. The shaft portion 64a (corresponding to an example of a shaft member) and the support lever 72 are sandwiched. As a result, the reaction force generated when the pressure in the binding direction is applied to the binding operation unit is received by the drive cam 66 for applying pressure to the binding operation unit. In other words, the driving cam 66 is sandwiched between the shaft portion 64 a installed at the rotation fulcrum and the support lever 72, so that the shaft portion 64 a of the arm pin 64 pushes the driving cam 66 and the support lever 72 pushes the driving cam 66. And are offset. More specifically, the shaft portion 64a of the arm pin 64 pushes the drive cam 66 from the rear to the front, and the support lever 72 pushes the drive cam 66 from the opposite direction (the support lever 72 pushes the drive cam 66 from the front to the rear. Therefore, the driving cam 66 receives forces from opposite directions. As a result, forces from opposite directions cancel each other at the drive cam 66. Since the force cancellation is completed in the binding operation unit, the support member of the binding operation unit (for example, the frame (for example, the left side frame 40L and the right side frame 40R)) is compared with the case where the force cancellation is not completed in the binding operation unit. The force (reaction force) applied to becomes weaker. That is, according to the present embodiment, since the reaction force of the pressure for binding the recording material bundle is received by the drive cam 66, the reaction force is applied to the support member as compared with the case where the reaction force is received by the support member (for example, the frame) itself. Reaction force is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the strength of the support member as compared with a case where the reaction force is received by the support member such as a frame.

  As a comparative example, the cam shaft 50 (rotating shaft) of the drive cam 66 and the rotating shaft (shaft portion 64a) of the binding operation unit may be the same shaft. Also in this case, the force that the shaft portion 64a of the arm pin 64 pushes the drive cam 66 and the force that the support lever 72 pushes the drive cam 66 cancel each other out in the cam shaft 50. This completes and the force (reaction force) applied to the support member of the binding operation portion is weakened.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording material binding apparatus, 11 Image forming system, 12 Image forming apparatus, 22 Upper tooth type, 24 Lower tooth type, 26 Upper arm, 28 Lower arm, 30 Upper frame, 46 Motor, 50 Cam shaft, 58 Connecting pin, 64 Arm pin, 66L Left drive cam, 66R Right drive cam, 70 Guide pin, 72 Support lever, 74 Support bar, 82 Connecting pin guide groove, 84 Arm pin guide groove, 86 Guide hole, 88 Support lever guide groove, 92 Delivery spring, 94 Support spring, 100 Control unit.

Claims (14)

A first pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a first force;
A second pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a second force larger than the first force after the recording material bundle is pressurized with the first force;
Have
The recording material bundle is bound by the second force.
A recording material processing apparatus. Further comprising a binding means for binding the recording material bundle by pressure across the recording material bundle,
The first pressurizing unit applies the first force for the binding unit to sandwich the recording material bundle to the binding unit,
The second pressurizing unit applies a second force larger than the first force to the binding unit after the first force is applied to the binding unit,
The binding means binds the recording material bundle by the second force;
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first force is a force for moving the binding means from the retracted position to a processing position for the binding means to bind the recording material bundle.
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 2. When the first force is applied to the binding means, if a force greater than a preset force is applied in a direction opposite to the direction in which the binding means sandwiches the recording material bundle, the first force is applied. 2 pressurizing means does not apply the second force to the binding means;
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus. The binding means includes a first member and a second member that binds the recording material bundle together with the first member,
The first pressurizing unit moves the first member and the second member to each other at a position where the first member and the second member bind the recording material bundle by the first force. Close
The second pressurizing means brings the first member and the second member closer to each other at the binding position than when the first force is applied by the second force. Thereby, the recording material bundle is bound by the first member and the second member,
When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the second pressing unit applies the second force to the binding. Add to the means,
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus. When the first force is applied to the binding means, the binding means applies a force that is greater than a preset force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material bundle is sandwiched. Further comprising restricting means that does not reduce the distance between the first member and the second member in position,
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 5. When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold, the first member or the second member has the second When the distance between the first member and the second member that transmits force and binds exceeds the preset threshold, the first member or the second member receives the first A transmission member that does not transmit the force of 2;
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 6. The transmission member is a cam for transmitting the second force by the motor to the first member or the second member through the intermediate member by contacting the intermediate member,
When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold, the cam contacts the intermediate member, and the first at the binding position. If the distance between the member and the second member exceeds the preset threshold, the cam does not contact the intermediate member;
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 7. The cam is a member that rotates by the operation of the motor,
When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position exceeds the preset threshold, the intermediate member is disposed outside the orbit of the rotational movement of the cam,
When the distance between the first member and the second member at the binding position is equal to or less than the preset threshold value, the intermediate member is disposed on the trajectory of the rotational movement of the cam. ,
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 8. The first force is a spring force;
The second force is a force generated by the rotational movement of the cam.
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus. The second force is a force corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cam.
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus. The greater the amount of rotation of the cam, the greater the second force transmitted.
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 11. Control means for controlling the amount of rotation of the cam based on the thickness of the recording material bundle,
The recording material processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recording material processing apparatus is a recording material processing apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material;
A recording material processing apparatus that performs a preset process on a recording material bundle including a plurality of recording materials on which images are formed;
Including
The recording material processing apparatus comprises:
First pressing means for pressing the recording material bundle with a first force;
A second pressurizing unit that pressurizes the recording material bundle with a second force larger than the first force after the recording material bundle is pressurized with the first force;
Have
The recording material bundle is bound by the second force.
An image forming system.