JP2019142634A - Image forming system, post-processing unit, and control method of image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming system capable of simplifying and speeding up alignment position adjustment of an alignment plate of a post-processing unit and adjusting the alignment position of the alignment plate automatically and in real time with respect to a change of sheet size, and to provide a post-processing unit and control method of the image forming system.SOLUTION: An image forming system 100 has a sheet conveyance unit 420, an alignment plate 462, a vibration detection unit, and a control unit. The alignment plate moves from a standby position not in contact with a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contact with a sheet end part. The vibration detection unit detects vibration of the alignment plate itself or vibration of air around the alignment plate, which is caused by contact of the alignment plate with the sheet end part. The control unit changes at least one of the standby position, the movement amount of the alignment plate due to an alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and alignment operation start timing as an amount to be changed in accordance with the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, a post-processing device, and an image forming system control method.

  The post-processing apparatus has a function of aligning the sheet conveyed from the upstream side in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. For example, the paper discharge unit of the post-processing apparatus has an alignment plate that can move in the paper width direction, and aligns the paper with the alignment plate to align the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray in the paper width direction. Further, the post-processing apparatus having the function of the side binding process stacks a plurality of sheets in the sheet width direction by aligning the sheets conveyed to the stacker unit with an alignment plate.

  In relation to this, for example, in the following Patent Document 1, a side guide 104 (which is installed so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the document placed on the document table and regulates the width direction of the document is described. An original conveying apparatus having an alignment plate is disclosed.

  In such a post-processing apparatus and document conveying apparatus, in order to accurately align a sheet or document with the alignment plate, it is necessary to appropriately control the position of the alignment plate in the sheet width direction. That is, during the alignment operation, it is necessary to move the alignment plate to an appropriate alignment position and bring the side surface of the alignment plate into contact with the edge of the sheet so that the sheet is oriented in the correct direction with respect to the sheet conveyance direction.

  Generally, the alignment position is adjusted by aligning the alignment sheet with the alignment plate at a predetermined alignment position, and then visually confirming the aligned sheet, and changing the alignment position settings as necessary. Is performed repeatedly.

JP 2014-43306 A

  However, when aligning the paper in the stacker unit, the user opens the front door, pulls out the stacker unit, etc., visually checks the positional relationship between the alignment plate and the paper, accommodates the stacker unit, and closes the front door. It is necessary to change the setting related to the alignment position as necessary. This is a very time-consuming operation for the user.

  In addition, even if the same paper is used in different environments, the shrinkage rate may change when the paper size changes during printing operations, or when multiple sheets of the same size and different paper types are passed continuously. There may be a case where there is a difference in the paper size during the printing operation due to the difference in the number. However, the conventional technique cannot accurately match in such a case.

  Further, conventionally, the alignment plate is based on the position of the alignment plate detected by a home position sensor (hereinafter referred to as “HP (Home Position) sensor”) and the operation time of the motor for driving the alignment plate. An abnormal operation was detected. However, the HP sensor does not return to the home position during the printing operation, and the operation time of the motor is short to detect the operation abnormality. For example, the abnormality of the alignment plate cannot be detected during the printing operation. There is also.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The present invention simplifies and speeds up the alignment position adjustment of an alignment plate of a post-processing apparatus, and can adjust the alignment position of the alignment plate automatically and in real time with respect to a change in sheet size, and an after-processing apparatus And an image forming system control method.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system, a post-processing apparatus, and an image forming system control method that can detect an abnormality of an alignment plate during a printing operation.

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

  (1) A sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet, and an alignment for aligning the sheet by contacting the end of the sheet from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. An alignment plate that moves to a position; a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the alignment plate itself or contact air between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate; and vibration detection unit According to the vibration detected by the control unit, the amount to be changed includes the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the start timing of the alignment operation. An image forming system comprising: a control unit configured to change at least one.

  (2) The control unit compares a reference vibration that is a reference with respect to the vibration of the alignment plate itself or the air around the alignment plate with the detected vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, and The image forming system according to (1), wherein the change target amount is changed according to a comparison result between vibration and the detected vibration.

  (3) The vibration detection unit includes a sound collection unit that detects sound generated by contact between an end of the paper and the alignment plate, and the control unit responds to the paper information of the paper as the reference vibration. The reference sound set in advance and the detection sound detected by the sound collecting unit are compared, and the change target amount is changed according to the comparison result between the reference sound and the detection sound, The image forming system according to 2).

  (4) When the control unit compares the reference sound and the detection sound with respect to at least one of a sound pressure, a sound wave amplitude, and a frequency, the detection sound is equal to or less than a first threshold value. Increases the amount of movement due to the initial movement of moving the alignment plate from a predetermined initial position to the standby position, while the detection sound is equal to or higher than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. The image forming system according to (3), wherein the moving amount is reduced.

  (5) When the control unit compares the reference sound and the detection sound with respect to at least one of sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, and frequency, the detection sound is equal to or less than a first threshold value. Increases the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation, while decreasing the amount of movement when the detected sound is equal to or greater than a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, The image forming system according to (3) or (4).

  (6) The image forming system according to (3), wherein the control unit compares the reference sound and the detection sound with respect to at least one of sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, frequency, and waveform.

  (7) The control unit moves the alignment plate by the initial movement or the alignment according to a difference between the detection sound and the first threshold or a difference between the detection sound and the second threshold. The image forming system according to (4) or (5), wherein an amount of movement of the alignment plate by operation is determined.

  (8) The image forming system according to (3), wherein the control unit delays a start timing of the alignment operation when the detection sound is equal to or lower than a first threshold value.

  (9) The image forming system according to any one of (3) to (8), wherein the sheet information includes the form of the sheet, the number of sheets aligned at a time, or the state of the sheet. .

  (10) A sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet, and an alignment for aligning the sheet by contacting the end of the sheet from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. An alignment plate that moves to a position; a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the alignment plate itself or contact air between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate; and vibration detection unit And a control unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit that moves the alignment plate or the vibration detection unit when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the control unit is smaller than a third threshold value.

  (11) A sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet, and an alignment for aligning the sheet by contacting the end of the sheet from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. An alignment plate that moves to a position; a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the alignment plate itself or contact air between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate; and vibration detection unit According to the vibration detected by the control unit, the amount to be changed includes the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the start timing of the alignment operation. When at least one is changed and the magnitude of the vibration is smaller than a third threshold, an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit or the vibration detection unit that moves the alignment plate It determines a control unit, an image forming system.

  (12) The image forming system according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the vibration detection unit is installed on the alignment plate.

  (13) A sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet, and the sheet by contacting the first end of the sheet from a first standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. A first alignment plate that moves to a first alignment position for aligning the sheet and a second standby position that does not come into contact with the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit, and a second end of the sheet. A second aligning plate that moves in a direction opposite to the first aligning plate to a second aligning position for aligning the paper by contacting the sheet, the first end, and the first end A vibration detection unit for detecting a sound generated by contact with the matching plate and a sound generated by contact between the second end portion and the second alignment plate; and a sound detected by the vibration detection unit. Accordingly, as the amount to be changed, the first and second Movement of the first and second alignment plates by an alignment operation of moving the first and second alignment plates from the first and second standby positions to the first and second alignment positions, respectively. A control unit that changes at least one of the amount and the start timing of the alignment operation.

  (14) The vibration detection unit includes a first sound collection unit installed on the first matching plate, and a second sound collection unit installed on the second matching plate, The control unit compares the detected sounds detected by the first and second sound collecting units for the first and second alignment plates, and detects the first and second alignment plates. The image forming system according to (13), wherein a movement amount by the alignment operation with a smaller sound is increased.

  (15) A sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet, and an alignment for aligning the sheet by contacting the end of the sheet from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit. An alignment plate that moves to a position; a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the alignment plate itself or contact air between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate; and vibration detection unit According to the vibration detected by the control unit, the amount to be changed includes the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the start timing of the alignment operation. And a control unit that changes at least one of the post-processing devices.

  (16) Step (a) for transporting the paper, and an alignment plate from a standby position where the paper is not contacted to an alignment position for aligning the paper by contacting the end of the paper Detecting the vibration of the alignment plate itself or the vibration of the air around the alignment plate caused by the contact between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate. Further, at least one of the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the start timing of the alignment operation as the amount to be changed according to the vibration And a step (d) of changing one of the above, a method for controlling the image forming system.

  According to the present invention, since the alignment position adjustment of the alignment plate of the post-processing apparatus is simplified and speeded up, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user related to the alignment position adjustment of the alignment plate of the post-processing apparatus. In addition, the alignment position of the alignment plate can be adjusted automatically and in real time with respect to changes in the paper size. Further, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the alignment plate during the printing operation.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image forming system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a paper discharge alignment plate shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming system. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for adjusting the alignment position in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a home position, a standby position, and an alignment position of a paper discharge alignment plate. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a case where a paper discharge alignment plate moves from a home position to a standby position. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a case where a paper discharge alignment plate moves from a standby position to an alignment position. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnitude of the sound pressure of contact sound caused by contact between a sheet and a paper discharge alignment plate when the alignment positions of the paper discharge alignment plates are different. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnitude of the sound pressure of contact sound due to contact between a sheet and a sheet discharge alignment plate when the thickness of the sheet is different. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnitude of the sound pressure of contact sound due to contact between a sheet and a sheet discharge alignment plate when the number of sheets is different. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the magnitude of the sound pressure of contact sound due to contact between a sheet and a paper discharge alignment plate when the degree of curl of the sheet is different. In a 2nd embodiment, it is a flow chart which shows an example of a processing procedure which adjusts an alignment position. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for adjusting the alignment position in the third embodiment. 15 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating an example of a process (step S409) for resetting the adjustment value in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 15 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating processing for resetting adjustment values (S409 in FIG. 14) in the fourth embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the magnitude | size of the sound pressure of the contact sound by the contact with the paper and the stacker alignment board which fall to a stacker part bottom face. FIG. 20 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating processing for resetting adjustment values (S409 in FIG. 14) in the fifth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, it is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection of abnormality in the drive unit or the sound collection unit of the discharge alignment plate. FIG. 20 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating processing for resetting adjustment values (S409 in FIG. 14) in the sixth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming system 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 shown in FIG.

<Image Forming System 100>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a paper feeding device 200, an image forming device 300, and a post-processing device 400 that are connected in series along the X direction (paper transport direction). Have The configuration of the image forming system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example, and the type and number of apparatuses included in the image forming system 100 are not limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

<Paper Feeder 200>
The paper feeding device 200 supplies paper to the image forming apparatus 300 in accordance with instructions from the image forming apparatus 300. The paper feeding device 200 is arranged at the uppermost stream in the image forming system 100 and includes a paper feeding unit 210, a paper transport unit 220, a communication unit 230, and a control unit 240. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus 201 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The paper supply unit 210 includes a plurality of paper trays 211 to 213 and supplies paper as a recording material used for printing. Each of the paper trays 211 to 213 can store paper of different sizes such as A4 size and A3 size.

  The paper transport unit 220 transports the paper along the transport path and supplies it to the image forming apparatus 300. The communication unit 230 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 300 through the communication line 202, and transmits and receives data.

  The control unit 240 includes a CPU 241, a RAM 242, and a ROM 243, and controls the paper feed unit 210, the paper transport unit 220, and the communication unit 230.

  The CPU 241 executes a control program for the sheet feeding device and realizes various functions. The RAM 242 stores calculation results and processing results of the CPU 241. The ROM 243 stores the control program, various parameters, and the like.

<Image forming apparatus 300>
The image forming apparatus 300 reads an image from a document and forms (prints) the read image on a sheet. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 receives a print job including print data and print setting data in a PDL (Page Description Language) format from an external client terminal via a network, and forms an image on a sheet based on the print job. The client terminal can be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

  The image forming apparatus 300 is disposed between the paper feeding device 200 and the post-processing device 400, and includes an image reading unit 310, an image processing unit 320, an image forming unit 330, a paper feeding unit 340, a paper transport unit 350, and a fixing unit 360. A communication unit 370, an operation display unit 380, and a control unit 390. These components are connected via an internal bus 301 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The image reading unit 310 includes an optical system including a mirror and a lens, and a reading sensor. The image reading unit 310 reads an original placed on a reading surface or an original conveyed by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and outputs an image signal.

  The image processing unit 320 performs various types of image processing on the image signal received from the image reading unit 310 to generate print image data. Further, the image processing unit 320 generates print image data based on the print setting data and the print data included in the print job received by the communication unit 370. The generated print image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 330.

  The image forming unit 330 forms an image on a sheet based on print image data using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic method including charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes.

  The image forming unit 330 includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier and a charging unit, an optical writing unit, a developing device, and a transfer unit arranged around the photosensitive drum.

  The photosensitive drum is rotated at a predetermined speed by a drum motor (not shown). The charging unit includes a corona discharge electrode arranged around the photosensitive drum, and charges the surface of the photosensitive drum with the generated ions. The optical writing unit incorporates a scanning optical device, and exposes the charged photosensitive drum based on the input print image data, thereby reducing the potential of the exposed portion, and print image data A charge pattern (electrostatic latent image) corresponding to is formed. The developing device develops the formed electrostatic latent image, visualizes it with toner, and forms a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to a sheet.

  The paper feed unit 340 supplies paper as a recording material to the image forming unit 330. The paper feed unit 340 includes an upper tray 341 and a lower tray 342, and each tray can store sheets of different sizes such as A4 size and A3 size.

  The paper transport unit 350 transports paper in the image forming apparatus 300. The paper transport unit 350 includes a transport path, a plurality of transport rollers including the registration roller pair 351, and a paper detection sensor (not shown) installed in the transport path. A plurality of sheet detection sensors can be arranged so that the sheet conveyance can be detected at a plurality of positions such as immediately before the branch of the conveyance path. The detection result of the paper detection sensor is transmitted to the control unit 390.

  In addition, the paper transport unit 350 includes a paper reversing unit 352 and a circulation transport unit 353, which can reverse and discharge the front and back of the fixed paper, or can form images on both sides of the paper. it can.

  The paper supplied from the paper supply device 200 or the paper supply unit 340 is conveyed toward the image forming unit 330 along the conveyance path. The sheet is synchronized with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum in the registration roller pair 351, and the timing at which the sheet is conveyed to the transfer unit is controlled. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit is conveyed to the fixing unit 360.

  The fixing unit 360 fixes the toner image formed on the paper. The fixing unit 360 includes a hollow heating roller having a heater disposed therein, and a pressure roller facing the heating roller. The heating roller and the pressure roller are controlled to a predetermined temperature (for example, 100 ° C. or higher) by a heater, and heat / pressurize the paper to fix the toner image. The paper on which the image is fixed is supplied to the post-processing device 400 through a paper discharge unit (not shown).

  The communication unit 370 includes a network I / F 371, a paper feeding device I / F 372, and a post-processing device I / F 373. The network I / F 371 is connected to a client terminal such as a personal computer via the network and transmits / receives data such as a print job.

  The paper feeding device I / F 372 is communicably connected to the communication unit 230 of the paper feeding device 200 through the communication line 202, and transmits and receives data. The post-processing device I / F 373 is communicably connected to the post-processing device 400 through the communication line 302, and transmits and receives data.

  The operation display unit 380 has an input unit and an output unit. The input unit includes, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel, and is used by the user to perform various instructions (input) such as character input, various settings, and a start instruction. The output unit includes a display, and is used to present to the user the device configuration, the execution status of the print job, the error occurrence status, the settings that can be changed at present.

  The control unit 390 controls the image reading unit 310, the image processing unit 320, the image forming unit 330, the paper feeding unit 340, the paper conveying unit 350, the fixing unit 360, the communication unit 370, and the operation display unit 380. The control unit 390 includes a CPU 391, an auxiliary storage device 392, a RAM 393, and a ROM 394.

  The CPU 391 executes a control program for the image forming apparatus and realizes various functions. The control program is stored in the auxiliary storage device 392 and loaded into the RAM 393 when executed by the CPU 391. The auxiliary storage device 392 includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory. The RAM 393 stores calculation results, print jobs, and the like associated with the execution of the CPU 391. The ROM 394 stores various parameters, various programs, and the like.

<Post-processing device 400>
The post-processing apparatus 400 conveys or post-processes the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus 300 and discharges the paper to the outside of the image forming system 100. The post-processing apparatus 400 is disposed on the most downstream side in the image forming system 100, and includes an insertion paper feed unit 410, a paper transport unit 420, a post-processing unit 430, a paper discharge unit 440, a purge unit 450, an alignment unit 460, and a vibration detection unit 470. A communication unit 480 and a control unit 490. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus 401 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The insertion sheet feeding unit 410 includes one or a plurality of sheet feeding trays. The paper feed tray of the insertion paper feed unit 410 is loaded with, for example, preprinted paper, colored paper, and the like, and these are used, for example, as cover sheets for printed bundles or inserted paper for chaptering. The paper placed on the paper feed tray is fed at a predetermined timing based on the print setting data.

  The paper transport unit 420 includes a transport path and a plurality of transport rollers, and transports the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 or the paper supplied from the insertion paper supply unit 410 along the transport path. Further, the paper transport unit 420 transports the paper post-processed by the post-processing unit 430 to the paper discharge unit 440. The paper discharge unit 440 is located at the end of the conveyance path of the paper conveyance unit 420. In addition, paper detection sensors (not shown) for detecting paper are arranged at a plurality of positions on the conveyance path. The detection result of the paper detection sensor is transmitted to the control unit 490. The control unit 490 monitors the position of the paper in the conveyance path based on the detection result.

  The post-processing unit 430 performs post-processing on the paper. In the present embodiment, the post-processing unit 430 functions as a side stitching unit that performs a side stitching process. The post-processing unit 430 is located in the middle of the conveyance path, and includes a stacker unit that accumulates sheets and a staple unit that staples a bundle of sheets. The post-processing unit 430 staples the end of the stack of sheets stacked on the stacker unit with the staple unit, thereby binding the stack of sheets into a booklet.

  The paper discharge unit 440 includes a paper discharge roller 441, a paper discharge tray 442, and a paper stopper 443 (see FIG. 3), and among the paper conveyed by the paper conveyance unit 420, effective paper is output by the paper discharge roller 441. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 442. The paper discharge tray 442 is installed in the housing of the post-processing apparatus 400, and is inclined so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side (larger in the Z direction) with respect to the X direction. As shown in FIG. 3, a paper stopper 443 that stops paper that has slipped upstream due to the inclination of the paper discharge tray 442 is installed on the upstream side in the X direction of the paper discharge tray 442. Further, the purge unit 450 discharges invalid paper out of the paper conveyed by the paper conveyance unit 420 to the purge tray 451.

  The alignment unit 460 aligns the conveyed paper. The alignment unit 460 includes a pair of discharge alignment plates (first alignment plates) 461 and a discharge alignment plate (second alignment plate) 462 on the discharge tray 442, a drive unit (not shown), and an HP sensor. 463, 464. The control unit 490 controls the stepping motor of the driving unit to move the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 independently in directions (−V direction and V direction) orthogonal to the paper transport direction (U direction). Can do. Details of processing for aligning sheets using the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 will be described later.

  The HP sensors 463 and 464 detect the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 located at predetermined home positions. The home positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 will also be described later.

  The alignment unit 460 includes a pair of stacker alignment plates (first alignment plates) 465 and a stacker alignment plate (second alignment plate) 466 in the stacker portion of the post-processing unit 430 (see FIGS. 1 and 10). ). Since the functions of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are similar, the alignment operation of the alignment unit 460 will be described below by taking the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 as an example. The stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 also perform alignment operations in the same manner as the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. In this specification, the alignment plates of the post-processing apparatus 400 including the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 are also simply referred to as “alignment plates”.

  The vibration detection unit 470 detects a contact sound generated by contact (collision) between the paper 500 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. The vibration detection unit 470 includes a pair of sound collection units (for example, microphones) 471 and 472. The sound collection unit 471 is disposed on the paper discharge alignment plate 461, and the sound collection unit 472 is disposed on the paper discharge alignment plate 462. The sound collection units 471 and 472 include vibration plates that detect vibration of air around the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, respectively, and detect sounds around the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. More specifically, the sound collecting portions 471 and 472 include one end portion (first end portion) 501 and the other end portion (second end portion) 502 of the paper 500, and paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. The contact sound produced by each contact is detected.

  It is preferable that the sound collecting portions 471 and 472 are embedded in the facing surfaces of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 that are positioned in parallel to each other so that the sensitivity increases in the direction in which the end portions 501 and 502 are present. By arranging the sound collecting portions 471 and 472 as described above, the sound collecting portions 471 and 472 can effectively detect the vibration of the air caused by the contact between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the end portions 501 and 502. .

  The sound collecting portions 471 and 472 are preferably arranged on the upstream side in the U direction with respect to the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. By arranging the sound collection units 471 and 472 in this way, sufficient contact sound can be collected even when the paper size of the paper 500 conveyed to the paper discharge tray 442 is small.

  Further, the vibration detection unit 470 detects vibrations of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 themselves caused by contact between the end portions 501 and 502 of the paper 500 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 instead of the sound collection units 471 and 472. A piezoelectric element can also be provided. The piezoelectric elements are preferably embedded in the opposing surfaces of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 that are positioned in parallel to each other so that the sensitivity increases in the direction in which the end portions 501 and 502 are present. One or a plurality of piezoelectric elements can be arranged on each of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462.

  In addition, sound collecting portions 473 and 474 are also arranged on the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466, respectively (see FIG. 12).

  The communication unit 480 is communicably connected to the post-processing apparatus I / F 373 of the image forming apparatus 300 through the communication line 302, and transmits and receives data.

  The control unit 490 controls the insertion paper feed unit 410, the paper transport unit 420, the post-processing unit 430, the paper discharge unit 440, the purge unit 450, the alignment unit 460, the vibration detection unit 470, and the communication unit 480. The control unit 490 includes a CPU 491, a RAM 492, and a ROM 493.

  The CPU 491 executes a control program for the post-processing device and realizes various functions. For example, in this embodiment, the control unit 490 moves according to the alignment operation that moves the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 from the standby position to the alignment position during the alignment operation in accordance with the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 470 ( Change the change target amount). The standby position is a position on the paper discharge tray 442 that does not come into contact with the conveyed paper 500, and the alignment position is on the paper discharge tray 442 for aligning the paper 500 by contacting the end of the paper. Is the position.

  More specifically, the control unit 490 compares the reference sound that is a reference for the sounds around the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the detection sound detected by the sound collection units 471 and 472, and compares the reference sound. The amount of movement by the matching operation is changed according to the comparison result between the detected sound and the detected sound. That is, the movement amount by the matching operation is changed according to the difference between the detected sound and the reference sound. For example, a predetermined lower threshold (first threshold) and an upper threshold (second threshold) are set according to the reference sound, and the movement amount by the matching operation is changed according to the comparison result with each threshold. Also good. Alternatively, the control unit 490 compares the reference vibration that serves as a reference with respect to the vibration of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the detected vibration detected by the piezoelectric element, and according to the comparison result between the reference vibration and the detected vibration. Then, the movement amount by the alignment operation is changed.

  The RAM 492 stores calculation results and processing results of the CPU 491, adjustment values described later, and the like. The ROM 493 stores the control program, various parameters, and reference sound information. The reference sound information is converted into data as sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, frequency, and waveform for each paper information with respect to the reference sound (reference vibration) that is a reference of the contact sound generated by the contact between the paper edge and the alignment plate. Is. The sheet information includes, for example, the form, state, or number of sheets. A specific example of the sheet information will be described later.

  In the case where a piezoelectric element is used instead of the sound collecting portions 471 and 472, the amplitude of the reference vibration, which serves as a reference for the vibration of the alignment plate itself caused by the contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate, is determined for each piece of paper information. , Frequency and waveform data are prepared.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the post-processing unit 430 has a configuration for performing the side stitching process as the post-processing is illustrated, but the post-processing unit 430 includes a saddle stitching process, a folding process, a punching process, a decurling process, and the like. You may have the structure of post-processing other than a flat stitching process.

<Control Method of Image Forming System 100>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming system 100. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU 391 and the CPU 491 executing the control program for the image forming apparatus and the control program for the post-processing apparatus, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the paper is first transported (step S101). The image forming apparatus 300 supplies the paper supplied from the paper supply apparatus 200 or the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 340 of the image forming apparatus 300 to the post-processing apparatus 400. The paper transport unit 420 of the post-processing device 400 transports the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 to the paper discharge unit 440.

  Subsequently, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved from the standby position to the alignment position (step S102). The sheets are aligned by contact with the sheet discharge alignment plates 461 and 462.

  Subsequently, the vibration generated by the contact between the sheet and the sheet discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is detected (step S103). The vibration detection unit 470 detects vibrations of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 themselves or vibrations of the air around the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 caused by the contact between the edge of the paper and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. To detect. More specifically, the vibration detection unit 470 of the present embodiment includes sound collection units 471 and 472, and the sound collection units 471 and 472 are contacts generated by contact between the sheet and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. Detect sound.

  Subsequently, the alignment position is adjusted according to the detected vibration (step S104). More specifically, the control unit 490 adjusts the alignment position by changing the movement amount by the alignment operation in accordance with the detected vibration.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, a specific procedure for adjusting the alignment positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 of the present embodiment will be described.

<Adjustment of alignment position of paper discharge alignment plates 461, 462>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for adjusting the alignment position in the first embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 391 and the CPU 491 executing the control program for the image forming apparatus and the control program for the post-processing apparatus, respectively. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the home position, standby position, and alignment position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461, 462. FIG. 7 illustrates the movement of the paper discharge alignment plates 461, 462 from the home position to the standby position ( Hereinafter, it is a schematic view illustrating “initial movement”. FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the movement of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 from the standby position to the alignment position. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the magnitude of the sound pressure of the contact sound caused by the contact between the paper and the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 when the alignment positions of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are different.

  In the image forming system 100, in addition to a mode in which a serviceman or the like visually inputs the adjustment values while visually checking the positions of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the alignment of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is performed. It has an automatic adjustment mode that adjusts the position automatically. The user can switch from a plurality of modes including the automatic adjustment mode to a desired mode by operating a touch screen displayed on the client terminal or the operation display unit 380.

  In this embodiment, in the automatic adjustment mode, it is possible to adjust the alignment position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 or the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466. The user selects the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 or the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 through the client terminal or the operation display unit 380. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, the case where the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are selected will be described as an example.

  The user instructs the image forming system 100 to start adjustment of the alignment position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 when adjustment of the alignment position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is required.

  When the adjustment processing of the alignment positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is started, as shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 300 executes adjustment printing (step S201). More specifically, the image forming apparatus 300 prints an image on a sheet based on the adjustment print job, and supplies the image to the post-processing apparatus 400. The adjustment print job is a test print job used when adjusting the alignment position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, and is stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device 392 of the control unit 390. The paper supplied to the post-processing device 400 is transported toward the paper discharge unit 440 by the paper transport unit 420.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are set at predetermined home positions so as to be parallel to each other in an initial state such as immediately after the image forming system 100 is turned on or at the start of a new print job. (Initial position) Moved to HP1 and HP2. The values of home positions HP1 and HP2 with the center position (CP) as the origin 0 (zero) are stored in the ROM 493. Detection of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the home positions HP1 and HP2 is performed by HP sensors 463 and 464.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 490 acquires the current adjustment value, paper information, and reference sound information (step S202). As will be described later, the adjustment value of the present embodiment is the amount of movement when moving the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 from the standby position to the alignment position during the alignment operation (hereinafter referred to as “movement amount during alignment operation”). It is a value for adjusting. The current adjustment value is a value manually input by a serviceman or the like in the previous adjustment, a value previously set in the adjustment in the automatic adjustment mode or the print mode described later, and is stored in the RAM 492. The default value of the adjustment value is 0 (zero) and is stored in the ROM 493.

  In addition, the control unit 490 acquires paper type information, paper size, and the like as paper information based on the print setting data of the print job. Also, the control unit 490 acquires reference sound information according to the paper information.

  Subsequently, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved to the standby position (step S203). As shown in FIG. 7, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved from the home positions HP1 and HP2 to the standby position (first standby position) SP1 and the standby position (second standby position) SP2, respectively. The movement amount D1 of the discharge alignment plate 461 from the home position HP1 to the standby position SP1 is expressed by the following formula (1), where SW is the paper width, AD is the alignment amount, and the center position CP = 0. During the alignment operation, the alignment amount AD is such that the discharge alignment plate 461 is moved from the standby position SP1 to the alignment position (first alignment position) AP1, and the discharge alignment plate 462 is moved from the standby position SP2 to the alignment position (second alignment position) AP2. This is the amount of movement that serves as a reference when moving to.

D1 = HP1- (SW / 2) -AD (1)
Similarly, the movement amount D2 of the paper discharge alignment plate 462 from the home position HP2 to the standby position SP2 is expressed by the following formula (2).

D2 = HP2- (SW / 2) -AD (2)
The standby positions SP1 and SP2 are positions closer to the center position CP of the paper discharge tray 442 than the home positions HP1 and HP2, respectively, but are positions on the conveyance path of the paper 500 that do not come into contact with the paper 500. .

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not it is time to start alignment of the sheet 500 (step S204). The control unit 490 starts alignment of the paper 500 in accordance with the timing when the paper 500 reaches the position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. For example, the control unit 490 determines that the paper 500 is discharged from the discharge alignment plate 461 based on the transport speed of the paper 500 in the transport path of the post-processing device 400 and the time when a predetermined paper detection sensor in the transport path detects the paper 500. , 462 is estimated. Then, the control unit 490 sets the timing for starting the alignment of the paper 500 based on the estimated arrival time of the paper 500, and does not reach the timing for starting the alignment of the paper 500 until the arrival time of the paper 500 is reached. (Step S204: NO).

  It should be noted that the timing for starting the alignment of the paper 500 is various amounts related to the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 (moving speed, length in the longitudinal direction, position in the U direction on the discharge tray 442, and positions of the sound collecting portions 471 and 472. ) And the like can be adjusted. For example, the timing can be adjusted so that the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are in contact with the edges 501 and 502 of the paper 500 in the vicinity of the sound collecting portions 471 and 472. Further, the timing can be adjusted so that the entire end portions 501 and 502 of the paper 500 are in contact with the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462.

  The paper 500 that has reached the paper discharge unit 440 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 442 by the paper discharge roller 441, and stops at the positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 by the paper stopper 443.

  When it is time to start alignment of the sheet 500 (step S204: YES), the control unit 490 discharges alignment plates from the standby positions SP1 and SP2 toward the alignment positions AP1 and AP2, respectively, as shown in FIG. The movement of 461, 462 is started (step S205).

  The paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 can be moved independently of each other, but at the time of alignment operation, the paper 500 is sandwiched from both sides toward the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 from the standby positions SP1 and SP2, respectively. Start moving in opposite directions simultaneously.

  The movement amount D3 during the alignment operation of the discharge alignment plate 461 is expressed by the following formula (3), where an adjustment value for the alignment amount AD is a1.

D3 = AD + a1 (3)
Similarly, the movement amount D4 during the alignment operation of the paper discharge alignment plate 462 is expressed by the following formula (4), where the adjustment value for the alignment amount AD is a2.

D4 = AD + a2 (4)
As described above, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are values for adjusting the movement amount during the alignment operation of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. In the first adjustment, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are values acquired in step S202 in FIG.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not it is time to start collecting contact sounds between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the paper 500 (step S206). The control unit 490 starts collecting contact sounds between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the end portions 501 and 502 of the paper 500 after the movement of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is started (collection start time). ) (Step S206: NO). The control unit 490 determines whether the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the end portions 501 and 502 are based on the arrival time of the paper 500 to the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the moving speed of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, and the like. The contact time is estimated, and the time immediately before this time is set as the collection start time. By setting the collection start time in this way, it is possible to prevent the RAM 492 from overflowing with the detected sound data while reliably detecting the contact sound.

  The control unit 490 collects the contact sound when the timing for starting the collection of the contact sound between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the end portions 501 and 502, that is, the collection start time is reached (step S206: YES) (step S206: YES). Step S207). The sound collection units 471 and 472 collect sounds around the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 for a predetermined collection time from the collection start time.

  The paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved toward the alignment positions AP1 and AP2, respectively, and come into contact with the end portions 501 and 502 of the paper 500, respectively. As a result, the paper 500 on the paper discharge tray 442 is aligned with the paper transport direction (U direction) and faces the correct direction. At this time, a contact sound is generated when the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 come into contact with the end portions 501 and 502 of the paper 500.

  The control unit 490 samples the electrical signals output from the sound collection units 471 and 472 at a predetermined sampling period, converts them into digital values, obtains them as detected sound data, and stores them in the RAM 492. Further, the control unit 490 analyzes the acquired detection sound data, extracts the contact sound, and acquires at least one of the sound pressure of the contact sound, the amplitude, the frequency, and the waveform of the sound wave.

  Subsequently, the contact sound and the reference sound are compared (step S208). The control unit 490 compares, for each contact sound detected by the sound collection units 471 and 472, any one of sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, frequency, and waveform with a reference sound. For example, the control unit 490 compares the sound pressure of the contact sound with the sound pressure of the reference sound. The control unit 490 sets a predetermined lower threshold (first threshold) and an upper threshold (second threshold) for the reference sound, and the sound pressure of the contact sound is between the lower threshold and the upper threshold The sound pressure of the contact sound is determined to be within the reference range.

  Note that the magnitude of the sound pressure corresponds to the magnitude and volume of the sound as a sense amount, so convert the measured sound pressure into a volume such as the volume and volume of the sound and compare it with the reference sound. Also good.

  When the sound pressure of the contact sound is within the reference range as a result of the comparison, the control unit 490 determines that the current adjustment values a1 and a2 are appropriate values, and stores the current adjustment values a1 and a2 ( Step S209). Thereafter, the control unit 490 ends the process (end).

  On the other hand, if the comparison result shows that the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value, the control unit 490 increases the adjustment values a1 and a2 by one step, and adds the adjustment values a1 and a2 to the matching amount AD. This is reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S210). For example, when the shrinkage rate of the paper 500 is large, the width SW of the paper 500 may be reduced. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is small (small asterisk 601), that is, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, the width SW of the paper 500 is reduced. The distance between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is considered to be long. Accordingly, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one step (Δd), and the movement amount during the alignment operation is increased by Δd, thereby bringing the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 closer to the center position CP by Δd, respectively. As a result, in the next alignment, the interval between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 can be narrowed. In the present embodiment, Δd is a value corresponding to one step of the stepping motor of the drive unit, and can be set to 0.1 mm, for example.

  Subsequently, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved to the standby positions SP1 and SP2 (step S211). The control unit 490 moves the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 from the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 to the predetermined standby positions SP1 and SP2, respectively, and retracts the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462.

  Subsequently, adjustment printing is executed (step S212). Similar to step S <b> 201, the image forming apparatus 300 prints an image on a sheet based on the adjustment print job, and supplies the image to the post-processing apparatus 400. And the control part 490 transfers to the process of step S204.

  On the other hand, in step S208, if the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the control unit 490 reduces the adjustment values a1 and a2 by one step and adjusts the adjustment value a1 to the adjustment amount AD. a2 is added and reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S213). For example, when the shrinkage rate of the paper 500 is small, there is a possibility that the width SW of the paper 500 is not shrunk more than expected. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the sound pressure increases (large star symbol 602), that is, when the sound pressure is equal to or greater than the upper limit threshold, the alignment positions AP1, AP2 with respect to the width SW of the paper 500 The distance between the sheet discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is considered to be short. Therefore, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced by one step (Δd), and the movement amount during the alignment operation is decreased by Δd, so that the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are respectively set to the center position CP by a predetermined adjustment width Δd. Keep away from. As a result, in the next alignment, the interval between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 can be widened. Then, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved to the standby positions SP1 and SP2 respectively and retracted. Then, adjustment printing is executed, and the process proceeds to step S204.

  As described above, in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 490 adjusts the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 as the amount to be changed according to the contact sound detected by the sound collection units 471 and 472. Change the amount of movement. Then, the control unit 490 repeatedly adjusts the alignment positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 until the sound pressure of the contact sound falls within the reference range.

  In this embodiment, since the movement amounts of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 during the alignment operation can be set independently, according to the contact sounds collected by the sound collection units 471 and 472, the discharge alignment is performed. The alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the plates 461 and 462 can be individually adjusted. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the sound pressure of the contact sound between the end portion 501 and the paper discharge alignment plate 461 is small, and the sound pressure of the contact sound between the end portion 502 and the paper discharge alignment plate 462 is large. It is considered that the center position of the paper 500 is deviated from the center position between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. More specifically, it is considered that the paper 500 is close to the paper discharge alignment plate 462 side. In this case, the control unit 490 can increase the magnitude of the adjustment value a1 by one step (Δd) while reducing the magnitude of the adjustment value a2 by one step (Δd).

  In the above-described example, the case where one sound collecting unit is installed on each of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 has been described. However, a plurality of sound collection units are installed on each of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. It may be configured. For example, by installing sound collecting units at the upstream and downstream portions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, even if the paper size is small or large, or even when the paper is slanted, contact is made. It becomes easy to collect sound. On the contrary, the sound collecting unit may be installed in one of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, and the sound collecting unit may not be installed in the other. In that case, the same adjustment value can be used for the movement amounts D3 and D4.

  Moreover, although the case where the sound pressure of the contact sound is used for comparison with the reference sound has been described in the above example, the amplitude of the sound wave may be used. When using the amplitude of a sound wave, the amplitude value is within the reference range, lower than the lower threshold, or higher than the upper threshold by comparing the lower and upper thresholds of the reference sound as in the case of sound pressure. It is determined whether or not the adjustment values a1 and a2 can be changed according to the determination result.

  Moreover, you may change adjustment value a1, a2 according to the frequency component contained in the sound wave of a contact sound. When the contact between the paper 500 and the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is weak, that is, when the distance between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is long, the sound wave of the contact sound is higher than the sound wave of the reference sound. It is considered to contain a lot of frequencies. Therefore, the control unit 490 determines that the distance between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is long when the frequency of the main frequency component included in the sound wave of the contact sound is equal to or greater than the predetermined upper limit threshold. Then, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased. On the other hand, when the contact between the paper 500 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is strong, that is, when the distance between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is short, the sound wave of the contact sound is higher than the sound wave of the reference sound. Is considered to contain many low frequencies. Therefore, the control unit 490 determines that the distance between the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 at the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is short when the frequency of the main frequency component included in the sound wave of the contact sound is equal to or less than the predetermined lower limit threshold. Then, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced in size.

  The waveform patterns may be compared by image analysis of the waveform of the contact sound wave and the waveform of the reference sound wave.

<Changes in contact sound depending on the form of the paper, the number of sheets aligned at one time, and the state of the paper>
FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact sound when the thin paper is aligned, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact sound when the thick paper is aligned. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact sound when the number of sheets aligned at a time is small, and FIG. 11B is the contact sound when the number of sheets aligned at a time is large. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates this. FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact sound when there is no curl or the curl amount is small, and FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating the contact sound when the curl amount is large.

  Even when the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are the same, the alignment plate and the paper are different depending on the form of the paper (for example, paper type and paper size), the number of sheets to be aligned at a time, the state of the paper (for example, the presence or absence of curl), etc. The contact sound with can vary.

  For example, when the thin paper 510 (low stiffness) (FIG. 10A) and the thick paper 520 (high stiffness) (FIG. 10B) are compared, the contact sound between the thin paper 510 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is reduced. The sound pressure is small, and the sound pressure of the contact sound between the thick paper 520 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is large.

  Further, when comparing the case where the number of sheets aligned at a time is small (FIG. 11A) and the case where there are many sheets (FIG. 11B), the sound pressure when the number of sheets 500 is small is small. When the number of 500 is large, the sound pressure of the contact sound increases.

  Further, if the paper is curled even with the same paper size, the contact sound with the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 is reduced. For example, when comparing the case where there is no curl or the curl amount is small (FIG. 12A) and the case where the curl amount is large (FIG. 12B), the contact sound when there is no curl or the curl amount is small. The sound pressure of the contact sound when the curl amount is large is small.

  The control unit 490 obtains the form of the sheet 500 and the number of sheets 500 aligned at one time, and compares the contact sound with the reference sound, so the form of the sheet 500 and the number of sheets 500 aligned at a time are considered. The appropriate adjustment values a1 and a2 thus obtained can be acquired. Therefore, the paper 500 can be aligned with high accuracy. In addition, although it is difficult to detect the curl amount of the paper 500 with a normal sensor configuration, in the present embodiment, the alignment positions of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 465 according to the curl amount of the paper 500 with a simple configuration. Can be adjusted with high accuracy.

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects.

  The alignment position of the alignment plate is automatically adjusted by changing the amount of movement of the alignment plate during the alignment operation in accordance with the contact sound between the paper 500 and the alignment plate during the alignment operation. And speed up. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user for adjusting the alignment position.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the case where the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are adjusted by changing the movement amount during the alignment operation has been described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the alignment position is adjusted by changing the standby positions SP1 and SP2.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for adjusting the alignment position in the second embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is realized by the CPU 391 and the CPU 491 executing the control program for the image forming apparatus and the control program for the post-processing apparatus, respectively.

  The processing in steps S301, S303, S304, S306 to S309, and S312 is the same as the processing in steps S201, S203, S204, S206 to S209, and S212 in FIG. To do.

  In step S302, the control unit 490 acquires current adjustment values a1 and a2, paper information, and reference sound information. The adjustment values a1 and a2 of the present embodiment are values for adjusting the standby positions SP1 and SP2, and the default values are stored in the ROM 494.

  In step S305, the control unit 490 starts to move the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 toward the alignment positions AP1 and AP2. The movement amounts D3 and D4 of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are both alignment amounts AD.

  In step S308, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, in step S310, the control unit 490 increases the adjustment values a1 and a2 by one step, and sets the adjustment values a1 and a2 to the standby positions SP1 and SP2. Reflect a2. On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, in step S313, the control unit 490 decreases the adjustment values a1 and a2 by one step, and sets the adjustment values a1 and a2 to the standby positions SP1 and SP2. To reflect.

  In step S311, the control unit 490 moves the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 from the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 to the updated standby positions SP1 and SP2.

  The moving amount D1 'from the home position HP1 to the standby position SP1 is expressed by the following mathematical formula (5).

D1 '= HP1- (SW / 2) -AD + a1 (5)
Similarly, the movement amount D2 ′ from the home position HP2 to the standby position SP2 is represented by the following mathematical formula (6).

D2 '= HP2- (SW / 2) -AD + a2 (6)
The image forming system 100 of this embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  By changing the standby positions (change target amounts) SP1 and SP2 of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 according to the contact sound between the paper 500 and the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 during the alignment operation, the discharge alignment plate 461 is changed. , 462 alignment positions AP1, AP2 are automatically adjusted. Therefore, the alignment position adjustment can be simplified and speeded up. As a result, the burden on the user for adjusting the alignment position can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are adjusted in the automatic adjustment mode has been described. In the third embodiment, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plates (the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 or the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466) are adjusted in a print mode in which an image is printed on a sheet based on a user print job. The case where it does is demonstrated. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, detailed description is omitted about the same structure as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for adjusting the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 in the third embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is realized by the CPU 391 and the CPU 491 executing the control program for the image forming apparatus and the control program for the post-processing apparatus, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, in the print mode, the contact sound between the alignment plate and the paper is acquired during the printing process, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are adjusted in real time according to the comparison result between the contact sound and the reference sound. The amount of movement is reflected.

  In the third to sixth embodiments, the case where the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate are adjusted by changing the movement amount of the alignment plate during the alignment operation is illustrated. It is also possible to adjust the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate by changing.

  The user switches the mode to the print mode through the client terminal or the operation display unit 280 and instructs printing. The image forming apparatus 300 executes a print job generated based on a user's print instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 490 acquires current adjustment values a1 and a2 of the alignment plate (step S401). The adjustment values a1 and a2 of this embodiment are values for adjusting the amount of movement of the alignment plate during the alignment operation.

  Subsequently, the control unit 490 moves the alignment plate to the standby positions SP1 and SP2 (step S402), and determines whether it is time to start alignment of the paper 500 (step S403). When it is time to start alignment of paper 500 (step S403: YES), control unit 490 starts moving the alignment plate toward alignment positions AP1 and AP2 (step S404). More specifically, the control unit 490 aligns the pair of alignment plates from the standby positions SP1 and SP2 to the alignment positions AP1 and AP2, respectively, in order to align the paper 500 in the stacker unit of the paper discharge tray 442 or the post-processing unit 430. Start moving towards.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not to collect the contact sound and adjust the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate (step S405). The control unit 490 collects the contact sound and aligns the plate when a predetermined condition (paper type, paper size, environment) or the like changes for every predetermined number of sheets to be passed or when execution of a new print job is started. The alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are adjusted. Thereby, the frequency with which the collection of contact sounds and the adjustment of the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate are performed can be adjusted. Note that contact sound collection and alignment plate alignment positions AP1 and AP2 may be adjusted for each sheet.

  When the collection of the contact sound and the adjustment of the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate are performed (step S405: YES), the control unit 490 determines whether or not it is the timing to start the collection of the contact sound between the alignment plate and the paper 500. Judgment is made (step S406). After starting the movement of the alignment plate, the control unit 490 waits until the timing (collection start time) for starting the collection of the contact sound between the alignment plate and the paper 500 comes (step S406: NO).

  On the other hand, the control unit 490 collects the contact sound when the timing for starting the collection of the contact sound between the alignment plate and the sheet 500, that is, when the collection start time is reached (step S406: YES) (step S407). The control unit 490 collects contact sounds for a predetermined collection time from the collection start time.

  Subsequently, paper information and reference sound information are acquired (step S408). In a normal printing process, the paper type and the number of sheets to be passed change depending on the printing conditions and the like. Therefore, the control unit 490 performs the paper information and the reference sound information corresponding to the paper information immediately before the comparison between the contact sound and the reference sound. To get. Regarding the number of sheets to be passed, when the alignment plates are the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466, a predetermined number of sheets are bundled for the purpose of stapling stapling, and therefore, once for each sheet until the stapled sheet bundle is completed. The number of sheets that are aligned with each other increases.

  Subsequently, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reset (step S409). The control unit 490 resets the adjustment values a1 and a2 according to the contact sound. The adjustment values a1 and a2 are set to default values before the adjustment of the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate for the first time. Details of the resetting of the adjustment values a1 and a2 will be described later.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not printing is completed (step S410). When the printing is finished (step S410: YES), the control unit 490 moves the alignment plate to the home positions HP1 and HP2, and finishes the process (end). On the other hand, if printing has not ended (step S410: NO), the process proceeds to step S402.

  On the other hand, when the collection of the contact sound and the adjustment of the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate are not performed (step S405: NO), it is determined whether or not the printing is finished (step S410).

<Adjustment value a1, a2 resetting (S409) processing>
FIG. 15 is a subroutine flowchart showing an example of the process (step S409) for resetting the adjustment values a1 and a2 in the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is realized by the CPU 491 executing a control program for the post-processing device.

  First, the contact sound and the reference sound are compared (step S501). For example, the sound pressure of the contact sound extracted from each detection sound collected by the sound collection units 471 and 472 is compared with the sound pressure of the reference sound.

  As a result of the comparison, if the sound pressure of the contact sound is within the reference range, the process ends (returns), and the process proceeds to step S410 in FIG. On the other hand, as a result of comparison, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one step, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are added to the matching amount AD to move during the matching operation. The amount is reflected (step S502).

  On the other hand, as a result of comparison, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced by one step, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are added to the matching amount AD to move during the matching operation. The amount is reflected (step S503). And it transfers to the process of step S410 of FIG.

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments.

  In the print mode, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 can be automatically adjusted in real time with respect to the change in the size of the aligned paper 500.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the case where the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate are adjusted each time contact sound is collected has been described in the print mode. In the fourth embodiment, instead of adjusting the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the alignment plate every time contact sound is collected, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are adjusted when a predetermined condition is satisfied after collecting the contact sounds. The case will be described. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the third embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating the process of resetting adjustment values a1 and a2 (S409 in FIG. 14) in the fourth embodiment. The process shown in the subroutine flowchart of FIG. 16 is realized by the CPU 491 executing a control program for the post-processing device.

  As described above, in the print mode, the frequency of collecting contact sounds can be reduced by collecting contact sounds every predetermined number of sheets. However, if adjustment of the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 is excessively performed every time the contact sound is collected, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are adjusted when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the collection of the contact sound. May be. For example, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 may be adjusted when the number of times that the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower threshold or higher than the upper threshold reaches a predetermined number (for example, five times). .

  The processes in steps S601, S605, and S609 in FIG. 16 are the same as the processes in steps S501 to S503 in FIG. 15, and thus detailed description of these processes is omitted.

  In step S601, the sound pressures of the contact sound and the reference sound are compared, and if the sound pressure of the contact sound is within the reference range, the process ends (return). On the other hand, as a result of comparison, if the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, the lower limit threshold or lower counter is incremented (+1), and the upper limit threshold or higher counter is cleared (step S602). The lower limit threshold value counter counts the case where the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value for each sheet conveyed. The upper limit threshold or more counter counts the case where the sound pressure of the contact sound is greater than or equal to the upper limit threshold for each sheet conveyed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the lower limit threshold value counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S603). If the counter value below the lower threshold is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S603: NO), the process ends (return). On the other hand, when the counter value below the lower threshold is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S603: YES), the counter below the lower threshold is cleared (step S604). Then, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one step and reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S605). Then, the process ends (return).

  On the other hand, if the result of the comparison in step S601 is that the sound pressure of the contact sound is greater than or equal to the upper threshold, the counter greater than the upper threshold is incremented (+1), and the counter lower than the lower threshold is cleared (step S606).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the counter above the upper threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S607). When the counter below the upper threshold is not more than a predetermined number (step S607: NO). End processing (return). On the other hand, if the counter below the upper threshold is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S607: YES), the counter below the upper threshold is cleared (step S608). Then, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced by one step and reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S609). Then, the process ends (return).

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first to third embodiments.

  After the contact sound is collected, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 are adjusted when a predetermined condition is satisfied, so that the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 can be prevented from being frequently adjusted.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, a case where the start timing of the alignment operation is changed in the stacker unit of the post-processing unit 430 will be described. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the third embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram for explaining the alignment operation when the sheet 500 falls to a position where the entire end portion of the sheet 500 comes into contact with the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466. FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram for explaining the alignment operation when the sheet 500 falls to a position where a part of the end portion of the sheet 500 comes into contact with the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466. FIG. 18 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating the process of resetting adjustment values a1 and a2 (S409 in FIG. 14) in the fifth embodiment. The processing shown in the subroutine flowchart of FIG. 18 is realized by the CPU 491 executing a control program for the post-processing device.

  In the post-processing unit 430, the paper falls by its own weight toward the bottom surface of the stacker unit and is stacked. Normally, when sheets are aligned in the stacker unit, the alignment is performed with the sheets completely falling on the bottom surface of the stacker unit or the top surface of the stacked sheets. However, for example, a lightweight A4 size thin paper or a large area A3 size plain paper has a lower drop speed than the A4 size plain paper, and the time it takes to completely fall to the bottom surface of the stacker unit. Can be long. When the alignment is not performed in a state where the paper is completely dropped, even if the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 are the same, the contact between the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 and the paper due to the difference in the state of the paper. The sound can change.

  17A, the stacker aligning plate 465 is in the state of being completely dropped, or as shown in FIG. 17A, in the sheet 500 in which the entire edge is dropped to a position where it contacts the stacker aligning plates 465 and 466 during the aligning operation. , 466 increases the sound pressure of the contact sound. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17B, in the paper 500 in a state where a part of the end portion is dropped to a position where it contacts the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 during the alignment operation, the contact sound with the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 is obtained. The sound pressure of becomes small.

  In FIG. 18, the processing in steps S701, S702, and S705 is equivalent to the processing in steps S501 to S503 in FIG.

  In step S701, the sound pressures of the contact sound and the reference sound are compared, and if the sound pressure of the contact sound is within the reference range, the process ends (return). On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or higher than the upper threshold, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced by one step, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S702). Is terminated (return).

  On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value, it is determined whether or not the start timing of the alignment operation has been adjusted in the previous adjustment (step S703). When the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value of the reference sound, there are a case where the distance between the stacker aligning plates 465 and 466 is long with respect to the paper 500 and a case where the aligning operation is early with respect to the fall of the paper 500. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value of the reference sound, the adjustment of the timing for starting the movement of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 and the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 are performed. The control is performed so as to alternately perform the adjustment.

  If the start timing of the alignment operation is not adjusted in the previous adjustment (step S703: NO), the start timing of the alignment operation is delayed by one step (step S704). Since the movement start timing of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 is earlier than the falling of the paper 500, it is determined that the sound pressure of the contact sound is below the lower threshold of the sound pressure of the reference sound, and the alignment operation start timing Is delayed one step. One stage here is, for example, about 10 ms. Then, the process ends (return).

  On the other hand, when the start timing of the alignment operation is adjusted in the previous adjustment (step S703: YES), the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one step, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation. (Step S703). That is, since the distance between the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 is long with respect to the paper 500, it is determined that the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value of the sound pressure of the reference sound. The magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one step, and the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S705). Then, the process ends (return).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 18, the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466 and the alignment operation start timing are adjusted alternately, but only the alignment operation start timing may be adjusted.

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first to fourth embodiments.

  Since the start timing (the amount to be changed) of the alignment operation is changed according to the contact sound between the paper 500 and the stacker alignment plates 465 and 466, the alignment is prevented from being performed without the paper 500 being completely dropped. Or it can be suppressed.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, in addition to adjusting the alignment positions AP1 and AP2 of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, whether or not the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is abnormal and the sound collection unit 471 A case where the presence / absence of abnormality 472 is determined will be described. In addition, in order to avoid duplication of description, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the third embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 19A is a schematic view illustrating the case where the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are positioned at the home positions HP1 and HP2. FIG. 19B is the position of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 during the printing operation. It is the schematic diagram illustrated about. FIG. 19C is a schematic view illustrating the positions of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 during the alignment operation. FIG. 19D is a schematic view illustrating a case where the driving unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is not operating. FIG. 19E is a schematic view illustrating the case where the sound collection unit 471 is not operating. FIG. 20 is a subroutine flowchart illustrating the process of resetting adjustment values a1 and a2 (S409 in FIG. 14). The processing shown in the subroutine flowchart of FIG. 20 is realized by the CPU 491 executing a control program for the post-processing device.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the control unit 490 moves the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 to the home positions HP1 and HP2 immediately after the power is turned on or at the start or end of the print job. The paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 moved to the home positions HP1 and HP2 are detected by HP sensors 463 and 464, respectively. When the HP sensors 463 and 464 cannot detect the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the control unit 490 determines that some abnormality such as a failure has occurred in the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462.

  However, as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C, the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are not moved to the home positions HP1 and HP2 during the printing operation (including the alignment operation). Therefore, the control unit 490 cannot detect an abnormality of the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 during the printing operation based on the detection result of the HP sensors 463 and 464. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the presence / absence of abnormality in the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the presence / absence of abnormality in the sound collection units 471 and 472 are determined based on the contact sounds of the sound collection units 471 and 472.

  In FIG. 20, the processes in steps S801, S802, and S804 are the same as the processes in steps S501 to S503 in FIG.

  In step S801, the contact sound and the reference sound are compared with respect to the sound pressure. If the sound pressure of the contact sound is within the reference range, the process ends (return). On the other hand, as a result of comparison, if the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are reduced by one step and reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S802), and the process is terminated. (Return)

  On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold value, it is further determined whether or not the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the abnormality determination threshold value (third threshold value) (step S803). The abnormality determination threshold is smaller than the lower limit threshold, and is a value that is not normally possible as the sound pressure of the contact sound.

  When the sound pressure of the contact sound is not less than the abnormality determination threshold (step S803: NO), since the distance between the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is large with respect to the paper 500, the sound pressure of the contact sound is the sound of the reference sound. It is determined that the pressure is below the lower limit threshold. The magnitudes of the adjustment values a1 and a2 are increased by one level and reflected in the movement amount during the alignment operation (step S804). Then, the process ends (return).

  On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound is equal to or lower than the abnormality determination threshold (step S803: YES), the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the sound collection unit 471 (first sound collection unit), and the sound collection There is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the sections 472 (second sound collection section). Further, in order to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the first sound collecting unit 471, and the second sound collecting unit 472, the first sound collecting unit 471 It is determined whether or not the contact sound is equal to or lower than an abnormality determination threshold value (step S805). If the contact sound of the first sound collection unit 471 is not less than or equal to the abnormality determination threshold value (step S805: NO), the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the first sound collection unit 471 are operating normally, and 2 is determined to be abnormal (step S806). Then, the process ends (return).

  On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound of the first sound collection unit 471 is equal to or lower than the threshold for abnormality determination (step S805: YES), the contact sound of the second sound collection unit 472 is equal to or lower than the threshold for abnormality determination. It is determined whether or not there is (step S807). When the contact sound of the second sound collecting unit 472 is not less than or equal to the abnormality determination threshold (step S807: NO), the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 and the second sound collecting unit 472 operate normally. Judge that That is, as shown in FIG. 19E, in this case, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the first sound collection unit 471 (step S808). Then, the process ends (return).

  On the other hand, when the sound pressure of the contact sound of the second sound collecting unit 472 is equal to or lower than the threshold value for abnormality determination (step S807: YES), as shown in FIG. 20D, the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are driven. It is determined that there is an abnormality in the part (step S809). Then, the process ends (return).

  In step S809, it is assumed that the possibility that an abnormality will occur in both the first and second sound collection units 471 and 472 is very low. Therefore, when the sound pressures of the contact sounds of the first and second sound collection units 471 and 472 are both equal to or lower than the abnormality determination threshold, it is determined that the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is abnormal. However, the possibility that an abnormality has occurred in both the first and second sound collecting units 471 and 472 cannot be denied. Therefore, it may be determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit of the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 depending on whether or not the discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 can be moved to the home positions HP1 and HP2, respectively. it can.

  If the sound collecting unit is installed on one of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, the processing in steps S801 to S804 is executed. In step S803, the contact sound is equal to or lower than the abnormality determination threshold value. Then, it is temporarily determined that there is an abnormality in the driving unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462. Thereafter, in order to confirm that there is an abnormality in the drive unit, the step paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 are moved to the home positions HP1 and HP2, respectively. If the HP sensors 463 and 464 cannot detect the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, it is determined that the drive unit of the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is abnormal. On the other hand, when the HP sensors 463 and 464 can detect the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the sound collection unit.

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects in addition to the effects of the first to fifth embodiments.

  The image forming system 100 determines whether the contact sound due to the contact between the paper 500 and the paper discharge alignment plates 461 and 462 is equal to or lower than a threshold value for abnormality determination during the printing operation. Abnormalities of the first and second sound collection units 471 and 472 can be detected.

  As described above, in the embodiments, the image forming system, the post-processing device, and the control method for the image forming system of the present invention have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately added, modified, and omitted by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the case has been described in which the pair of alignment plates are moved from the standby position to the alignment position and come into contact with both ends of the sheet to align the sheets. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and one of the pair of aligning plates is fixed at the aligning position, and the other is moved from the standby position to the aligning position so that one end of the sheet You may comprise so that a paper may be aligned by contacting.

  Further, in the first to sixth embodiments described above, the case where the alignment plate is installed in the post-processing apparatus has been exemplified to explain the change of the alignment position and the change of the start timing of the alignment operation. It is not limited to the case where the alignment plate is installed in the post-processing apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to an alignment plate of an image forming apparatus, for example, when an alignment plate is installed on a paper discharge tray of the image forming apparatus.

  In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the initial movement is changed as the amount to be changed according to the comparison between the contact sound and the lower limit threshold or the comparison between the contact sound and the upper limit threshold. The case where the movement amount of the alignment plate by the alignment operation or the start timing of the alignment operation is changed has been described. However, not only in such a case, but also the change target amount can be determined according to the difference between the contact sound and the lower limit threshold or the difference between the contact sound and the upper limit threshold. The control unit can also change the adjustment range of the adjustment value in multiple steps instead of one step in accordance with the difference amount. Further, the control unit compares the difference between the contact sound and the reference sound with a predetermined threshold instead of comparing the lower limit threshold value or the upper limit threshold value of the contact sound and the reference sound, and determines the amount to be changed according to the comparison result. It can also be determined.

  The control program for each device may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a memory or storage. Further, this control program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of each apparatus as one function of the image forming system.

100 image forming system,
200 paper feeder,
210 paper feeder,
220 paper transport section,
230 communication unit,
240 controller,
300 image forming apparatus,
310 image reading unit,
320 image processing unit,
330 Image forming unit,
340 paper feeder,
350 paper transport section,
360 fixing section,
370 communication unit,
371 Network I / F,
372 Paper feeder I / F,
373 Post-processing device I / F,
380 operation display section,
390 control unit,
400 aftertreatment devices,
410 Insert paper feed unit,
420 paper transport section,
430 post-processing section,
440 discharge section,
441 paper discharge roller,
442 discharge tray,
443 Paper stopper,
450 purge section,
451 purge tray,
460 matching section,
461, 462 discharge alignment plate,
463,464 HP sensors,
465, 466 stacker alignment plate,
470 vibration detection unit,
471-474 sound collection part,
480 communication unit,
490 control unit,
500 paper,
501,502 Edge of paper.

Claims (16)

A paper transport unit for transporting paper,
An alignment plate that moves from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contacting an end of the sheet;
A vibration detector for detecting vibration of the alignment plate itself or vibration of air around the alignment plate caused by contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate;
In accordance with the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the alignment operation as change target amounts A control unit that changes at least one of the start timings of the image forming system. The controller is
Compare the reference vibration as a reference with respect to the vibration of the matching plate itself or the vibration of the air around the matching plate, and the detected vibration detected by the vibration detector,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the change target amount is changed according to a comparison result between the reference vibration and the detected vibration. The vibration detector is
A sound collection unit for detecting sound generated by contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate;
The controller is
Comparing the reference sound preset as the reference vibration according to the paper information of the paper and the detection sound detected by the sound collection unit;
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the change target amount is changed according to a comparison result between the reference sound and the detection sound. The controller is
When comparing the reference sound and the detected sound for at least one of sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, and frequency,
When the detected sound is equal to or lower than the first threshold, the amount of movement due to the initial movement of moving the alignment plate from a predetermined initial position to the standby position is increased, while the detected sound is The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the moving amount is decreased when the amount is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the threshold value. The controller is
When comparing the reference sound and the detected sound for at least one of sound pressure, sound wave amplitude, and frequency,
When the detected sound is equal to or lower than the first threshold, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation is increased, while the detected sound is equal to or higher than a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein in some cases, the movement amount is decreased. The controller is
The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the reference sound and the detection sound are compared with respect to at least one of sound pressure, amplitude, frequency, and waveform of sound waves. The controller is
The alignment plate by an initial movement that moves the alignment plate from a predetermined initial position to the standby position according to a difference between the detection sound and the first threshold or a difference between the detection sound and the second threshold. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein a movement amount of the alignment plate or a movement amount of the alignment plate by the alignment operation is determined. The controller is
The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein when the detected sound is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, a start timing of the alignment operation is delayed.   The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the sheet information includes a form of the sheet, the number of sheets aligned at a time, or a state of the sheet. A paper transport unit for transporting paper,
An alignment plate that moves from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contacting an end of the sheet;
A vibration detector for detecting vibration of the alignment plate itself or vibration of air around the alignment plate caused by contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate;
A control unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit that moves the alignment plate or the vibration detection unit when the magnitude of the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit is smaller than a third threshold; Image forming system. A paper transport unit for transporting paper,
An alignment plate that moves from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contacting an end of the sheet;
A vibration detector for detecting vibration of the alignment plate itself or vibration of air around the alignment plate caused by contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate;
In accordance with the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the alignment operation as change target amounts Changing at least one of the start timings of
And a control unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the drive unit that moves the alignment plate or the vibration detection unit when the magnitude of the vibration is smaller than a third threshold value.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the vibration detection unit is installed on the alignment plate. A paper transport unit for transporting paper,
Moving from the first standby position where the paper transported by the paper transport unit does not come into contact with the first end of the paper to the first alignment position for aligning the paper A first alignment plate that
From the second standby position that does not come into contact with the paper conveyed by the paper conveyance unit, to the second alignment position for aligning the paper by contacting the second end of the paper, A second alignment plate that moves in a direction opposite to the first alignment plate;
A vibration detection unit for detecting a sound generated by contact between the first end and the first alignment plate and a sound generated by contact between the second end and the second alignment plate;
In accordance with the sound detected by the vibration detector, the first and second standby positions and the first and second alignment plates are changed from the first and second standby positions, respectively, as change target amounts. And a controller that changes at least one of the amount of movement of the first and second alignment plates and the start timing of the alignment operation by the alignment operation for moving to the first and second alignment positions. system. The vibration detection unit includes a first sound collecting unit installed on the first matching plate, and a second sound collecting unit installed on the second matching plate,
The control unit compares the magnitudes of the detected sounds detected by the first and second sound collecting units for the first and second alignment plates, and the control unit compares the detected sound levels of the first and second alignment plates. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein a movement amount by the alignment operation with a smaller detection sound is increased. A paper transport unit for transporting paper,
An alignment plate that moves from a standby position that does not contact the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contacting an end of the sheet;
A vibration detector for detecting vibration of the alignment plate itself or vibration of air around the alignment plate caused by contact between the edge of the paper and the alignment plate;
In accordance with the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the alignment operation as change target amounts A control unit that changes at least one of the start timings. A step (a) of conveying a sheet;
(B) moving the alignment plate from a standby position where it does not contact the conveyed sheet to an alignment position for aligning the sheet by contacting the end of the sheet;
Detecting the vibration of the alignment plate itself or the vibration of the air around the alignment plate caused by the contact between the edge of the sheet and the alignment plate;
According to the detected vibration, as the amount to be changed, the standby position, the amount of movement of the alignment plate by the alignment operation for moving the alignment plate from the standby position to the alignment position, and the start timing of the alignment operation And (d) changing at least one of the steps, a method for controlling the image forming system.