JP2019144388A - Sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device that can prevent backlash of a bundle processing device 80 when a sheet bundle is struck against a striking surface of the bundle processing device 80 that is not parallel with a surface direction of a surface to be fixed 28b of an image forming apparatus 30.SOLUTION: In a sheet processing device including an image forming apparatus 30, including a bundle processing device 80 that has an insertion part into which a sheet bundle comprising a plurality of sheets is inserted, and having a surface to be fixed 28b to which the bundle processing device 80 is fixed on the image forming apparatus 30, a surface to be contacted 28c extending in a direction not parallel with a surface direction along the surface of the surface to be fixed 28b is provided on the image forming apparatus 30 to which the bundle processing device 80 is fixed, and a contact part 45a in contact with the surface to be contacted 28c is provided on the bundle processing device 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet processing apparatus including an image forming apparatus or a peripheral device thereof and a bundle processing apparatus having an insertion portion into which a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets is inserted is known.

  For example, a copying machine described in Patent Document 1 includes an image forming apparatus, a scanner, and an external stapler that is a bundle processing apparatus fixed to the scanner. The external stapler has a paper insertion slot as an insertion portion into which a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of recording sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus, and drives a binding needle into the sheet bundle inserted into the paper insertion slot. By this driving, the sheet bundle is bound as one bundle.

  In this copying machine, only one fixed surface to which the external stapler in the scanner is fixed is brought into close contact with the external stapler. In such a configuration, even if a worker hits the external stapler and applies a force to move the external stapler toward the fixed surface of the scanner, the external stapler abuts against the fixed surface of the scanner, The rattling of the external stapler can be prevented.

  However, depending on the apparatus layout or the like, it is conceivable that the operator can easily touch or hit the external stapler in a mode in which a force in a direction different from the direction toward the fixed surface of the scanner is applied to the external stapler. In such a configuration, the movement of the external stapler that attempts to move in a direction different from the fixed surface of the scanner cannot be prevented, and the external stapler may be rattled.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image or a peripheral device therefor, and a bundle processing apparatus that includes an insertion portion into which a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets is inserted. And a sheet processing apparatus having a fixed surface to which the bundle processing apparatus is fixed in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device, extending in a direction non-parallel to a surface direction along the surface of the fixed surface. The contact processing surface is provided in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the bundle processing device is fixed, and the contact processing portion that contacts the contacted surface is provided in the bundle processing device. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, even if a worker mistakenly applies a force in a direction different from the direction toward the fixed surface of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to the bundle processing apparatus, the backlash of the bundle processing apparatus is suppressed. There is an excellent effect of being able to.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the copying machine according to the embodiment from the front side. The perspective view which shows the sheet | seat bundle inserted in the insertion part of the binding apparatus of the copying machine in order to bind a corner with the binding apparatus. The perspective view which shows the sheet | seat bundle inserted in the insertion part in order to bind the back cover side with the binding device. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a printer of the copier from the right side of the copier. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the copying machine with the binding device removed from the front side. The perspective view which shows the same binding apparatus of the state removed from the printer. The perspective view for demonstrating the main body removal | desorption of the binding device. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the base part of the holding body of the binding apparatus, and the main body of the binding apparatus slidably moved on the base part for attachment to the holding body. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the same base part in the state with which the base part and the normal mounting position of the holding body were mounted | worn. The rear view which shows the same holding body. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the holding body attached to a right side exterior cover of the printer. The front view which shows the same holding body of the state which removed the external thread from the flame | frame of the printer. The front view for demonstrating the state of the holding body when the right side surface exterior cover is removed from the main body of the printer. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a middle stage of the mounting operation of the main body with respect to the holding body fixed to the printer. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the main body in a state where a mounting operation on the holding body fixed to the printer is finished. The perspective view which shows the same main body removed from the holding body from the back side. The block diagram which shows the principal part of the electric circuit of the printer and the binding apparatus. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the sheet | seat bundle in which the staple was driven in, and the circumference | surroundings of the insertion part of the main body. The perspective view which shows the same main body of the state which removed the upper cover. The perspective view which shows the body with the sheet | seat bundle inserted in the insertion part of the binding apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the partial plane cross section of the right side exterior cover of the printer, and the plane cross section of the top plate part of the holding body in the binding apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the partial cross section of the right side exterior cover of the printer of the printer in the copying machine which concerns on a 1st modification, and the top cross section of the top-plate part of the holding body in the binding apparatus of the copying machine. The side view which shows the copying machine which concerns on a 2nd modification from the right side surface side.

A copier as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below.
First, a basic configuration of the copying machine according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a copying machine 100 according to an embodiment from the front side. The copying machine 100 reads an image of an original by a printer 30 that plays a role of forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation panel 35 including a touch panel, a binding device 80 that is a bundle processing device, and a known optical system. And a scanner 90.

  The scanner 90 includes a reading unit 95 equipped with a reading optical system, and an automatic document conveying device (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 99 that automatically conveys original sheets one by one to a reading position by an image reading element of the reading unit 95. ing. The ADF 99 is fixed to the reading unit 95 with a hinge so as to open and close with respect to the reading unit 95.

  When the operator manually scans the document by the scanner 90, the operator opens the ADF 99 with respect to the reading unit 95 and places the document on the contact glass fixed at the upper surface position of the reading unit 95. Thereafter, after the ADF 99 is closed, a manual reading command is issued to the scanner 90 by a touch operation on the operation panel 35. Then, the traveling optical system mounted under the contact glass in the reading unit 95 travels and reads the image on the document surface while scanning the document surface of the document. Image data obtained by reading is sent to the printer 30. The printer forms an image on the recording sheet based on the image data. As a result, the document is copied.

  In addition, when the operator reads the images of a plurality of document sheets automatically by the scanner 90, the operator sets the document sheets on the document tray of the ADF 99 in a state of being overlapped. Thereafter, an automatic reading command is issued to the scanner 90 by a touch operation on the operation panel 35. Then, the ADF 99 sequentially passes the original sheets one by one above the reading position by the image reading element of the reading unit 95, and causes the image reading element to read the image of the original sheet. As the image reading element, an element for reading an image on the first side of an original sheet and an element for reading an image on the second side are provided. For this reason, it is possible to read images on both sides of the original sheet with one pass.

  An arrow A in FIG. 1 indicates a pulling direction from the main body of the paper feed cassette 10 mounted on the printer 30.

  The binding device 80 has a slit-like insertion part. When a bundle of recording sheets manually inserted into the insertion portion by an operator is detected by a manual detection sensor, an electric stapler serving as a binding unit is driven to staple a bundle of recording sheets P (hereinafter referred to as a sheet bundle). ). In this way, the sheet bundle is bound.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion of the binding device 80 for binding corners together with the binding device 80. When binding a corner of a sheet bundle, the corner portion of the sheet bundle is inserted into a slit-like insertion portion of the binding device 80 as illustrated.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion of the binding device 80 in order to bind the back cover side together with the binding device 80. When binding the back cover side of the sheet bundle, the end part of the back cover side of the sheet bundle is inserted into the slit-like insertion portion of the binding device 80 as shown in the figure. By repeating this insertion while shifting the insertion portion along the longitudinal direction of the sheet, it is possible to bind the end portion on the spine cover side at a plurality of locations.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 30 from the right side of the copying machine 100. An arrow A in the figure also indicates a pulling direction from the main body of the paper feed cassette 10 mounted on the printer 30.

  In the figure, a printer 30 includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 as a latent image carrier, a developing device 3 as a developing means, a charging device 4 as a charging means, a transfer roller 5 as a transferring means, an optical writing device 6, and a toner cartridge 7. , A paper feed roller 8, a resist roller pair 9, and the like. Also provided are a paper feed cassette 10, a fixing device 11, a paper discharge roller pair 12, a drum cleaning device 13, a static elimination lamp 14, and the like.

  The photoreceptor 1 is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. In the charging device 4, a charging roller to which a charging bias is applied is brought into contact with or close to the surface of the photoreceptor 1. By generating a discharge between the charging roller and the photoreceptor 1, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is charged. As a result, of the entire area in the circumferential direction of the surface of the photoconductor 1, the area that has passed through the position facing the charging roller as a result of rotational driving is uniformly charged to, for example, a negative high voltage (for example, −700 V). To do.

  The optical writing device 6 optically scans the surface of the uniformly charged photoreceptor 1 by a known laser optical system. Of the entire area on the surface of the photoreceptor 1, the portion irradiated with light by the above-described optical scanning attenuates the potential. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a lower potential (for example, −50 V) than the background portion (a portion that is uniformly charged) is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1.

  The electrostatic latent image passes through a position facing the developing device 3 as the photosensitive member 1 is rotated. In the developing device 3, a developing sleeve 3 a as a developing member is opposed to the photoreceptor 1. The developing sleeve 3a carries a developer containing toner and a magnetic carrier, and brings the developer into contact with the surface of the photosensitive member 1 in accordance with the rotation of the developing sleeve 3a. A developing bias having the same polarity (negative polarity in this example) as the background portion potential or electrostatic latent image potential of the photosensitive member 1 is applied to the developing sleeve 3a.

  The absolute value of the developing bias is smaller than the absolute value of the background portion potential and larger than the electrostatic latent image potential. For this reason, a developing potential for electrostatically moving negatively charged toner from the sleeve side to the photosensitive member side acts between the developing sleeve 3a and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 1. Further, a ground potential that electrostatically moves the negatively charged toner from the photosensitive member side to the sleeve side acts between the developing sleeve 3 a and the background portion of the photosensitive member 1. By these actions, the toner on the developing sleeve 3a selectively adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.

  The developer on the developing sleeve 3a passes through a position facing the photoreceptor 1 as the developing sleeve 3a is driven to rotate, contributes to the development of the electrostatic latent image, and then returns to the inside of the developing device 3. The toner density is detected by the toner density sensor of the developing device 3. When the detection result is lower than the target toner concentration, the toner cartridge 7 is driven and the toner in the toner cartridge is replenished into the developing device 3.

  The transfer roller 5 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in the drawing while being in contact with the photoreceptor 1 and forming a transfer nip. The transfer roller 5 is applied with a transfer bias having a polarity (positive in this example) opposite to the charge polarity of the toner, the background portion of the photoreceptor 1, and the electrostatic latent image.

  The paper feed cassette 10 stores a plurality of recording sheets P in a stacked state. Among these recording sheets P, the paper feeding roller 8 is pressed against the uppermost recording sheet P. The uppermost recording sheet P is sent out from the paper feed cassette 10 by rotating the paper feed roller 8 at a predetermined timing. At the timing when the leading edge of the recording sheet P hits the registration nip of the registration roller pair 9, the rotational driving of the paper supply roller 8 is temporarily stopped.

  Thereafter, the registration roller pair 9 and the paper feeding roller 8 start to rotate at a timing at which the recording sheet P is synchronized with the toner image on the photoconductor 1 at the transfer nip. By this start, the toner image on the photoreceptor 1 is transferred to the surface of the recording sheet P passing through the transfer nip by the action of the transfer electric field formed by applying the nip pressure or the transfer bias.

  The transfer residual toner that has not been transferred to the recording sheet P is slightly adhered to the surface of the photoreceptor 1 that has passed through the transfer nip. This transfer residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by the drum cleaning device 13.

  When the surface of the photosensitive member 1 that has been subjected to the cleaning process by the drum cleaning device 13 passes through a position facing the neutralizing lamp 14 by the rotational driving of the photosensitive member 1, residual charges are eliminated. The surface of the photoreceptor 1 initialized by this charge removal is then uniformly charged again by the charging device 4.

  The recording sheet P that has passed through the transfer nip is sent to the fixing device 11. The fixing device 11 forms a fixing nip by contact between a fixing roller 11a including a heat source such as a halogen lamp and a pressure roller 11b pressed toward the fixing roller 11a. When the recording sheet P sent to the fixing device 11 passes through the fixing nip, the toner image is fixed on the surface by the action of the nip pressure or the pressure by the fixing roller 11a.

  After passing through the fixing device 11, the recording sheet P passes through the paper discharge nip of the paper discharge roller pair 12, and then on the stack portion 29 formed on the upper surface of the casing of the printer 30 as indicated by an arrow R in the figure. Stacked.

  In the copying machine 100 having the above-described basic configuration, a recording sheet is provided by a sheet feeding roller 8, a registration roller pair 9, a photoconductor 1, a transfer roller 5, a fixing device 11, a paper discharge roller pair 12, a conveyance guide member, and the like. Conveying means for conveying P along the conveying path is configured. The conveyance path is a path that sequentially passes through a registration nip, a transfer nip, a fixing nip, and a paper discharge nip from a contact position between the sheet feeding roller 8 and the recording sheet P in the sheet feeding cassette 10.

  In the copying machine 100, the printer 30 functions as a recording unit that is a processing unit that performs an image recording process on the recording sheet P.

Next, a characteristic configuration of the copying machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the copying machine 100 with the binding device removed from the front side. Comparing FIG. 1 with FIG. 5, it can be seen that the binding device 80 fixed to the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 can be removed from the right side exterior cover 28.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the binding device 80 in a state where it is detached from the printer 30. As shown in these drawings, the binding device 80 includes a main body 75 having an electric stapler and a holding body 50 that detachably holds the main body 75. The main body 75 is provided with an insertion portion 51. The bundle of recording sheets P stacked on the stack unit (29 in FIG. 4) of the printer 30 is picked up from the stack unit by the operator and then inserted into the insertion unit 51 of the binding device 80 as necessary. Then, the staples are driven and bound as one bundle.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the main body detachment of the binding device 80. 6 shows the binding device 80 with the main body 75 attached to the holding body 50, the main body 75 can be detached from the holding body 50 as shown in FIG.

  The holding body 50 includes a pedestal portion 36, a top plate portion 45, a metal first side plate 39, a metal second side plate 40, and the like. The first side plate 39 and the second side plate 40 support the pedestal portion 36 and the top plate portion 45 so as to face each other with a certain distance in the vertical direction.

  On the upper surface of the pedestal 36, two convex rails 37 projecting from the upper surface and extending in the left-right direction of the copying machine 100 (the arrow direction in FIG. 7 = the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4) are provided. Are arranged at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 4). On the other hand, two concave grooves 52 extending in the left-right direction are provided at the bottom of the main body 75 so as to be arranged at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. When the main body 75 is attached to the holding body 50, the main body 75 is slid on the pedestal portion 36 so that the bottom of the main body 75 is rubbed against the upper surface of the pedestal portion 36 of the holding body 50. Along with this sliding movement, the two convex rails 37 of the pedestal portion 36 engage with the two concave grooves 52 of the main body 75 to guide the sliding movement of the main body 75 in the normal mounting direction.

  As described above, the binding device 80 includes the main body 75 and the holding body 50 so that the main body 75 is attached to and detached from the holding body 50 by sliding movement.

  In addition to the two convex rails 37, two locking concave portions 38 are formed on the upper surface of the pedestal portion 36. These locking recesses 38 are for locking the main body 75 correctly mounted on the holding body 50 at a regular mounting position.

  FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the pedestal portion 36 of the holding body 50 (see FIG. 7) and the main body 75 slidably moved on the pedestal portion 36 for attachment to the holding body 50. A pin 54 urged by a spring 60 is provided at the bottom of the main body 75. The pin 54 of the main body 75 slidably moved on the pedestal portion 36 for mounting is slid against the upper surface while being pressed against the upper surface of the pedestal portion 36 by the urging force of the spring 60.

  FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the pedestal portion 36 of the holding body 50 (see FIG. 7) and the main body 75 in a state where the holding body 50 is mounted at a regular mounting position. When the main body 75 is mounted at the proper mounting position of the holding body 50, the pin 54 of the main body 75 fits into the locking recess 38 of the pedestal portion 36 and is restrained in the locking recess 38 by the biasing force of the spring 60. The As a result, the main body 75 is locked at the regular mounting position of the holding body 50.

  FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the holding body 50. The first side plate 39 of the holding body 50 is provided with a rectangular through opening 39a and a through hole 39b. A double-sided tape 39c as a fixing means is attached to the back surface of the first side plate 39.

  FIG. 11 is a front view showing the holding body 50 attached to the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 (see FIG. 4). A frame 27 of the printer 30 exists inside the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 (left side in the figure). An electric circuit board 26 is fixed to the frame 27. A drawer connector (female) 25 is fixed to the electric circuit board 26. The frame 27, the electric circuit board 26, and the drawer connector (female) 25 are all components of the printer 30.

  The drawer connector (female) 25 erected on the electric circuit board 26 is exposed to the outside through a rectangular through-opening 28 a provided in the right side exterior cover 28.

  The holding body 50 of the binding device 80 (see FIG. 7) is separate from the right side exterior cover 28, and the double sided tape 39c attached to the first side plate 39 is attached to the right side of the printer 30 (see FIG. 4). By affixing to the outer surface of the surface exterior cover 28, the surface exterior cover 28 is fixed to the right surface exterior cover 28. Since the fixing with only the double-sided tape is fragile, the holding body 50 is also fixed with screws. Specifically, the screw portion 41 a of the male screw 41 as a fixing means inserted into the through hole 39 b of the first side plate 39 of the holding body 50 is also passed through the through hole of the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30. Thereafter, it is screwed onto the female screw of the frame 27. By this screwing, the holding body 50 is fixed to the frame 27 with screws.

  The printer 30 shown in FIG. 1 has a right side exterior cover 28 that can be removed from the main body for maintenance. This removal makes it possible to perform various maintenance operations by exposing the internal device of the printer 30 to the outside. This maintenance is not user-level maintenance but serviceman-level maintenance.

  FIG. 12 is a front view showing the holding body 50 with the male screw 41 removed from the frame 27 of the printer 30. When removing the right side exterior cover 28 from the main body of the printer 30, first, the male screw 41 of the holding body 50 is removed from the frame 27 of the printer 30 as shown in the figure. In this state, the holding body 50 is not fixed to the frame 27 of the printer 30, but is simply attached to the outer surface of the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 by the double-sided tape 39c.

  FIG. 13 is a front view for explaining the state of the holding body 50 when the right side exterior cover 28 is removed from the main body of the printer 30 (see FIG. 1). By removing the male screw 41 as shown in FIG. 12, the right side exterior cover 28 can be removed from the main body of the printer 30 as shown in FIG. 13. After the maintenance is completed, the right side exterior cover 28 is attached to the main body of the printer 30, and then the screw portion 41 a of the male screw 41 is screwed into the female screw of the frame 27 to fix the holding body 50 to the frame 27.

  FIG. 14 is a front view showing an intermediate stage of the mounting operation of the main body 75 to the holding body 50 fixed to the printer 30 (see FIG. 1). The main body 75 of the binding device 80 is attached to the holding body 50 by being slid in the direction of the arrow in the figure on the upper surface of the pedestal portion 36 of the holding body 50. A drawer connector (male) 53 of the main body 75 protrudes from the side surface of the main body 75 and faces the drawer connector (female) 25 of the printer 30 (see FIG. 1) when attached.

  FIG. 15 is a front view showing the main body 75 in a state where the mounting operation on the holding body 50 fixed to the printer 30 (see FIG. 1) is finished. As illustrated, when the main body 75 is attached to the holding body 50, the drawer connector (male) 53 of the main body 75 passes through the through-opening 39 a provided in the first side plate 39 of the holding body 50. Then, the printer 30 (see FIG. 1) enters the through-opening 28a provided in the right side exterior cover 28. Then, it engages with a drawer connector (female) 25 of the printer 30. By this engagement, the printer 30 and the main body 75 of the binding device 80 are electrically connected.

  As described above, in the binding device 80, the main body 75 is provided with a drawer connector (male) 53 that engages with a drawer connector (female) 25 that is an external connector provided in the printer 30 as the image forming apparatus. Further, a through-opening 39 a for allowing the drawer connector (male) 53 to pass therethrough is provided in the first side plate 39 of the holding body 50. In accordance with the mounting operation of the main body 75 with respect to the holding body 50, the drawer connector (male) 53 is engaged with the drawer connector (female) 25 through the opening 39a for penetrating, so that the printer 30 and the main body 75 are bound together. The electric stapler is electrically connected. In such a configuration, that is, as the main body 75 is attached to the holding body 50, the electric connection between the main body 75 and the electric stapler can be automatically performed. Can be improved.

  In a state where electrical connection is made, when a bundle of recording sheets P is inserted into the slit-like insertion part 51 of the main body 75, an insertion detection sensor (55 in FIG. 17 described later) mounted on the main body 75 pulls the sheet bundle. Detect. Based on this detection, a stapler drive motor (57 in FIG. 17 described later) of the electric stapler is driven to drive staples into a bundle of recording sheets P.

  When removing the main body 75 from the holding body 50, a procedure reverse to the mounting operation may be performed. The main body 75 removed from the holding body 50 can be carried freely.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the main body 75 removed from the holding body 50 (see FIG. 15) from the back side. As illustrated, the main body 75 removed from the holding body 50 is in a state where the staple storage unit 61 is exposed. The replacement needle (staple) can be easily replenished to the main body 75 by inserting the replacement needle unit 74 into the staple storage unit 61 as necessary. This replenishment work can be performed in a free posture while the operator holds the main body 75 in his / her hand, so that maintainability can be improved unlike the case where the posture of bending or stretching is forced.

  Further, in the copying machine 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the binding device 80 may be shipped in a state of being fixed to the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30, or the binding device 80 is shown in FIG. The copying machine 100 that is not fixed to the printer may be shipped. That is, the binding device 80 can be separated from the main body side of the copying machine 100 and shipped independently as an optional product. Since the user who does not wish to purchase the binding device 80 can purchase the copying machine 100 in FIG. 5 without the binding device 80 mounted thereon, the user can flexibly respond to the user's wishes. be able to.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of an electric circuit of the printer 30 and the binding device 80. When the drawer connector (female) 25 of the printer 30 and the drawer connector 53 (male) of the main body 75 of the binding device 80 are engaged as illustrated, the various electrical contacts of the drawer connector (female) 25 and the drawer connector ( Male) 53 contacts with various electrical contacts. The former electrical contact includes a power output electrical contact. The latter electrical contact includes a power input electrical contact. When the two come into contact with each other, power is supplied from the printer 30 to the main body 75 of the binding device 80.

  The main body 75 of the binding device 80 is mounted with an electric stapler 59 as a binding means, an insertion detection sensor 55, and a motor drive control circuit 56. The electric stapler 59 includes a stapler driving motor 57 and a needle driving mechanism 58 serving as a driving machine. By driving the needle driving mechanism 58 with the driving force of the stapler driving motor 57, the staple driving operation is performed.

  A motor power circuit 24 and a sensor power circuit 23 are mounted on the electric circuit board 26 of the printer 30. The electric power output from the motor power supply circuit 24 is supplied to the stapler drive motor 57 and the motor drive control circuit 56 of the main body 75 of the binding device 80 via the drawer connector (female) 25 and the drawer connector (male) 53. . The power output from the sensor power supply circuit 23 of the printer 30 is supplied to the insertion detection sensor 55 of the main body 75 of the binding device 80 via the drawer connector (female) 25 and the drawer connector (male) 53.

  When a bundle of recording sheets P is inserted into the slit-like insertion part 51 of the main body 75 shown in FIG. 15, the insertion detection sensor 55 shown in FIG. 17 detects the recording sheet P and controls the drive of the detection signal by motor drive. Output to the circuit 56. Then, the motor drive control circuit 56 drives the stapler drive motor 57 by a predetermined drive amount to cause the needle driving mechanism 58 of the electric stapler 59 to perform a single driving operation. As a result, staples are driven into the recording sheet P inserted into the insertion portion 51.

  When the main body 75 is removed from the holding body 50 (see FIG. 14) in order to replenish the electric stapler 59 of the main body 75 with the replacement needle unit 74 (see FIG. 16), the power supply from the printer 30 to the main body 75 is stopped. Specifically, when the drawer connector (male) 53 of the main body 75 is disconnected from the drawer connector (female) 25 of the printer 30, the power supply from the printer 30 to the main body 75 via both connectors is cut off. Thereby, the electric stapler 59 is not driven. That is, when the main body 75 is removed from the holding body 50, the electric stapler 59 cannot be driven at the same time.

  If the electric stapler 59 malfunctions while holding the main body 75 in the hand, the hand may be injured. However, in the configuration in which the power supply to the electric stapler 59 of the main body 75 is cut off as the main body 75 is removed from the holding body 50 as in the binding device 80, the electric stapler 59 of the main body 75 held in the hand is removed. There is no malfunction. In such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the cost by avoiding malfunction without providing a dedicated mechanism or sensor for preventing erroneous operation.

  In addition, although the structure which connected the drawer connector (male) 53 of the main body 75 directly to the drawer connector 25 of the printer 30 was demonstrated, you may make it connect indirectly. For example, when the direct connection as described above cannot be performed due to the slide movement direction of the main body 75, the following may be performed. That is, as the main body 75 is attached to the holding body 50, the drawer connector of the main body 75 and the first drawer connector of the holding body 50 are engaged. The holding body 50 is provided with a second drawer connector separately from the first drawer connector, and both are connected by a harness. The second drawer connector of the holding body 50 is engaged with the drawer connector of the printer 30 as the holding body 50 is fixed to the outer surface of the printer 30.

  FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sheet bundle in which staples are driven and the periphery of the insertion portion 51 of the main body 75. In the figure, the insertion portion 51 forms a slit-like space between a first wall 65a that is a part of the upper cover 65 and a second wall 66a that is opposed to the first wall 65a with a gap therebetween. doing. The second wall 66 a is a part of the main body case 66 of the main body 75.

  A white arrow in the drawing indicates a driving direction of the staple 79 by a needle driving mechanism (58 in FIG. 19 described later). Of the first wall 65a and the second wall 66a of the insertion portion 51, the first wall 65a is present on the staple 79 driving side.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the main body 75 with the upper cover (65 in FIG. 7) removed. The main body 75 can expose the inside by removing the upper cover as shown. An electric stapler 59 is disposed inside. The electric stapler 59 can reciprocate a needle driving mechanism 58 as a driving machine in the direction of arrow B in the figure by driving a stapler driving motor (57 in FIG. 17). The arrow B direction is a direction along the vertical direction. The staple driving operation of the needle driving mechanism 58 is an operation of moving from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction. The needle driving mechanism 58 that has moved to the lower limit position sandwiches the sheet bundle with the cradle 62. At this time, staples are driven into the sandwiched sheet bundle. Note that a line with a symbol Ps shown in the cradle 62 in the figure indicates a staple driving position.

  The second wall 66a constituted by a part of the main body case 66 plays a role of supporting the sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion (51 in FIG. 7) from below. From the surface of the second wall 66a, an abutting surface 66b which is a part of the main body case 66 rises vertically.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the main body 75 in a state where the sheet bundle is inserted into the insertion portion (51 in FIG. 7). In the drawing, for convenience, the main body 75 is shown with the upper cover (65 in FIG. 7) removed, but in reality, the sheet bundle is inserted into the insertion portion of the main body 75 with the upper cover attached. Is inserted. The sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion is abutted against the abutting surface 66b of the main body case 66 as illustrated. The white arrow in the figure indicates the abutting direction of the sheet bundle against the abutting surface 66b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the exterior cover of the printer 30 has a horizontal direction on the back surface (surface facing the other side) rather than a size in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) on the front surface (the surface facing this side). The size of is larger. This is because an installation space for the control board that does not exist on the front side is provided on the back side in the housing. That is, the space in the housing of the printer 30 is larger in the left-right direction on the back side than on the front side. By making the front side smaller than the back side, the design can be improved while giving the impression that the size of the printer 30 is visually small.

  A stepped surface 28 c is formed on the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 because the space in the housing of the printer 30 is larger in the left-right direction on the back side than on the front side. A surface existing on the front side of the stepped surface 28c is a front side surface 28b. Further, the surface present on the back side with respect to the step surface 28c is the back side surface 28d.

  In this copying machine 100, the front side surface 28b of the right side exterior cover 28 is a fixed surface for fixing the binding device (80 in FIG. 1) with a male screw (41 in FIG. 11) or a double-sided tape (39c in FIG. 11). It has become.

  21 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial flat cross section of the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 and a flat cross section of the top plate portion 45 in the holding body (50 in FIG. 7) of the binding device 80. As shown in FIG. In the drawing, the arrow α direction indicates the attachment direction when the holding body of the binding device 80 is attached to the front side surface 28 b that is the fixed surface of the right side exterior cover 28. This attachment direction is the same as the extending direction of the male screw (41 in FIG. 11) as the fixing means.

  The holding body of the binding device 80 fixed to the front side surface 28b, which is the fixed surface of the right side exterior cover 28, brings the fixing surface 39d of the first side plate 39 into close contact with the front side surface 28b of the right side exterior cover 28.

  The binding device 80 fixed to the front side surface 28b of the right side exterior cover 28 of the printer 30 causes the curved contact surface 45a of the top plate portion 45 of the holding body to be a curved stepped surface 28c of the right side exterior cover 28. It is in contact. Since the curvature of the contact surface 45a is the same as the curvature of the step surface 28c, these surfaces are in close contact with each other.

  Further, although not shown in the drawing, the binding device 80 fixed to the front side surface 28b has the curved contact surface of the pedestal portion (36 in FIG. 7) of the holding body at the right side exterior cover 28. It is made to contact | abut to the curved level | step difference surface 28c. Since the curvature of the contact surface is the same as the curvature of the stepped surface 28c, these surfaces are in close contact with each other.

  The binding device 80 is in close contact with the fixing surface of the first side plate 39 extending in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction even when a force in the mounting direction indicated by the arrow α in the drawing is applied from the outside. The right side exterior cover 28 is in contact with the front side surface 28b. This prevents movement in the mounting direction without rattling.

  The dotted line in the drawing indicates the extending direction of the abutting surface (66b in FIG. 19) provided on the main body (75 in FIG. 19) of the binding device 80. In this copying machine 100, the front side surface 28b as a fixed surface of the printer 30 extends in the direction of arrow γ in the figure, whereas the abutting surface of the main body of the binding device 80 is the direction of arrow γ. It extends in the direction of different dotted lines. In such a configuration, the sheet bundle is in contact with the abutting surface (66b in FIG. 19) of the main body (75 in FIG. 19) of the binding device 80 (indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 20). Direction). Then, although the binding device 80 tries to move in the abutting direction (arrow β direction), the contact surface 45a provided on the top plate portion 45 of the binding device 80 or the pedestal portion of the binding device 80 (36 in FIG. 7). ) Is in contact with a stepped surface 28c which is a contacted surface of the right side exterior cover 28. As a result, rattling of the binding device 80 is prevented, and damage to the binding device 80 due to rattling can be avoided.

  The operator stands in front of the copying machine 100 and operates the operation panel (35 in FIG. 1). At this time, the operator touches the binding device 80 and applies a force in the direction of arrow γ in FIG. There is a risk of granting. Then, the binding device 80 tries to move in the direction of the arrow γ. In this case as well, the contact surface 45a provided on the top plate portion 45 of the binding device 80 or the pedestal portion of the binding device 80 (36 in FIG. 7). ) Is in contact with a stepped surface 28c which is a contacted surface of the right side exterior cover 28. Thereby, the backlash of the binding device 80 can be prevented, so that the binding device 80 can be prevented from being damaged due to the backlash caused by the operator touching the binding device 80.

  Although an example in which the step surface 28c is a curved surface has been described, as shown in FIG. 22, it may be a plane that intersects the front side surface 28b and the back side surface 28d perpendicularly.

  Moreover, although the upper surface of the top plate part (45 in FIG. 7) of the holding body in the binding device 80 fixed to the printer 30 and the lower surface of the scanner fixed to the upper end part of the printer 30 have been described, As shown in FIG. 23, both may be brought into close contact with each other. In this case, even if the operator erroneously touches the binding device 80 and applies a force from below to above, the upper surface that is the contact surface of the top plate portion 45 of the binding device 80 is the contacted surface of the scanner 90. It is possible to prevent the binding device 80 from rattling by being brought into contact with the lower surface.

  Although the example in which the holding body (50 in FIG. 7) of the binding device 80 is fixed to the right side surface of the printer 30 has been described, the holding body may be fixed to another location (for example, the left side surface) of the printer 30. Good.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the binding apparatus 80 as a bundle processing apparatus was demonstrated, it is also possible to apply this invention to bundle processing apparatuses, such as a punch punching apparatus different from the binding apparatus 80, for example. .

  Further, although the copying machine 100 in which the binding device 80 is fixed to the printer 30 as the image forming apparatus has been described, the binding device 80 may be fixed to peripheral devices of the printer 30. Examples of the peripheral device include a scanner 90, a post-processing device such as punching a recording sheet, and a sheet inserter.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
[First aspect]
The first aspect includes an image forming apparatus (for example, the printer 30) for forming an image or a peripheral device thereof, and an insertion unit (for example, an insertion unit) into which a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets (for example, recording sheets P) is inserted. 51) and a sheet processing apparatus (for example, the front side surface 28b) to which the bundle processing apparatus is fixed is provided in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device. In the copying machine 100), the image forming unit to which the bundle processing device is fixed is a contacted surface (for example, a step surface 28c) extending in a direction non-parallel to the surface direction along the surface of the fixed surface. The bundle processing device is provided with a contact portion (for example, a contact surface 45a) that is provided in the apparatus or the peripheral device and contacts the contacted surface.

  In the first aspect, when the operator applies a force in a direction different from the direction toward the fixed surface of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to the bundle processing apparatus, the contact surface of the bundle processing apparatus becomes the image forming apparatus or It abuts against a surface to be abutted provided in the peripheral device and extending in a direction different from the surface to be fixed. By the contact, the movement of the bundle processing apparatus in a direction different from the direction toward the fixed surface is prevented, thereby suppressing the play of the bundle processing apparatus.

[Second embodiment]
A 2nd aspect is a 1st aspect or a 2nd aspect, Comprising: The said contact part is a contact surface (for example, contact surface 45a), It is characterized by the above-mentioned. In such a configuration, it is possible to reliably suppress backlash (particularly backlash in the rotational direction) of the binding device 80 as compared with the case where a point-like contact portion or a point-like contact portion is provided.

[Third aspect]
A third aspect is the second aspect, wherein the abutment surface (for example, the abutment surface 66b) that is non-parallel to the fixed surface and against which the sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion is abutted is the difference. The contacted surface is provided with respect to the contact surface of the bundle processing apparatus which is provided in the insertion portion and is about to move in a direction different from the abutting direction as the sheet bundle is abutted against the abutting surface. It is characterized by abutting. In such a configuration, even if the bundle processing apparatus that has a sheet bundle abutted against its own abutting surface tries to move in a direction different from the fixed surface of the image forming apparatus or peripheral device, the contact surface of the bundle processing apparatus is The movement is prevented by abutting against the abutted surface of the forming apparatus or peripheral device. As a result, it is possible to suppress backlash of the bundle processing apparatus due to the sheet bundle hitting the abutting surface of the bundle processing apparatus.

[Fourth aspect]
The fourth aspect is such that, in the second aspect or the third aspect, the size in the horizontal direction on the back surface is made larger than the size in the horizontal direction on the front surface in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the bundle processing device is fixed. It is characterized by. With this configuration, the internal layout capacity of the image forming apparatus or peripheral device can be increased without giving the user a feeling of large size of the image forming apparatus or peripheral device.

[Fifth Aspect]
A fifth aspect is a fourth aspect according to the fourth aspect, wherein a step surface (for example, a step surface) located at a step between a rear side surface (for example, the rear side surface 28d) and a front side surface (for example, the front side surface 28b) in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device. The step surface 28c) is used as the contacted surface. In such a configuration, by using the stepped surface as the contacted surface, an increase in cost due to the provision of a dedicated contacted surface can be avoided.

[Sixth aspect]
A sixth aspect is any one of the second, third, fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the fixed surface is provided in the image forming apparatus, the peripheral device is fixed to an upper end portion of the image forming apparatus, and the image The upper surface of the bundle processing apparatus fixed to the forming apparatus is used as the contact surface, and is in close contact with the lower surface, which is the contacted surface of the peripheral device. In such a configuration, even if an operator mistakenly applies a force from the lower side to the upper side to the bundle processing apparatus fixed to the image forming apparatus, the upper surface of the bundle processing apparatus is brought into contact with the lower surface of the peripheral device to bundle the bundle processing apparatus. The backlash of the processing apparatus can be suppressed.

[Seventh aspect]
A seventh aspect is the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect, wherein the bundle processing device is a binding device that performs a binding process for binding a bundle on a sheet bundle.

[Eighth aspect]
An eighth aspect is the seventh aspect according to the seventh aspect, wherein the main body having the insertion portion and the housing of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the binding device is fixed are separated from each other, and fixing means (for example, double-sided) The binding device is provided with a holding body (for example, holding body 50) that detachably holds the main body while being fixed to the fixed surface by a tape (fixing means) 39c and a male screw (fixing means) 41). It is characterized by this. In such a configuration, an operator who has the main body removed from the holding body in his / her hand can perform a replacement needle replenishment operation on the main body in a free posture. Unlikely, maintainability can be improved. Furthermore, the binding device can be fixed to the casing of the sheet processing apparatus by the fixing means, and can be detached from the casing by releasing the fixing means. Thus, the binding device can be separated from the sheet processing device and shipped independently as an optional product. Since a user who does not wish to purchase a binding device can purchase a sheet processing device that is not equipped with a binding device, the user can flexibly respond to the user's wishes.

[Ninth aspect]
The ninth mode is provided in the eighth mode in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device in which the binding needle is electrically driven into the sheet bundle (for example, the needle driving mechanism 58) and the binding device is fixed. A connector (for example, a drawer connector (male) 53) that engages with an external connector (for example, a drawer connector (female) 25) is provided in the main body, and a through opening (for example, for penetration) through which the connector or the external connector passes. From the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device, an opening 39a) is provided in the holding body, and the connector is engaged with the external connector through the through-opening as the main body is attached to the holding body. The power source is supplied to the main body. In such a configuration, since the power supply to the binding means of the main body is cut off as the main body is removed from the holding body, the binding means of the main body held in the hand does not malfunction. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the cost by avoiding malfunction without providing a dedicated mechanism or sensor for preventing erroneous operation.

1: Photoconductor 3: Developing device 4: Charging device 5: Transfer roller 6: Optical writing device 7: Toner cartridge 8: Paper feed roller 9: Registration roller pair 10: Paper feed cassette 11: Fixing device 12: Paper discharge roller Pair 13: Drum cleaning device 14: Static elimination lamp 25: Drawer connector (external connector)
27: Frame 28: Right side exterior cover 28b: Front side surface (fixed surface)
28c: Step surface (contacted surface)
28d: Back side surface 29: Stack part 30: Printer 35: Operation panel 36: Base part 37: Convex rail 38: Locking concave part 39: First side plate 39a: Opening for opening 39b: Through hole 39c: Double-sided tape (fixing means) )
39d: Fixing surface 40: Second side plate 41: Male screw (fixing means)
45: Top plate part 45a: Contact surface 50: Holding body 51: Insertion part 52: Groove 53: Drawer connector (connector)
58: Needle driving mechanism (driving machine)
59: Electric stapler 65: Upper cover 66: Main body case 66a: Second wall 66b: Abutting surface 75: Main body 79: Staple (binding needle)
80: Binding device 90: Scanner 100: Copying machine

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-230457

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image or a peripheral device for the image forming apparatus, a bundle processing apparatus having an insertion portion into which a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets is inserted, and the bundle processing apparatus fixed In a sheet processing apparatus having a surface in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device,
A contact surface extending in a direction non-parallel to the surface direction along the surface of the fixed surface is provided in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the bundle processing device is fixed, and the The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion that contacts the contact surface is provided in the bundle processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the contact portion is a contact surface. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The abutting surface is non-parallel to the fixed surface, and has an abutting surface against which the sheet bundle inserted into the insertion portion is abutted, and the sheet bundle is abutted against the abutting surface. The sheet processing apparatus is characterized in that the contacted surface is in contact with the contact surface of the bundle processing apparatus that is going to move in a direction different from the abutting direction. In the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size in the horizontal direction on the back side is larger than a size in the horizontal direction on the front side in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the bundle processing apparatus is fixed. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein a stepped surface located at a step between a rear side surface and a front side surface in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device is used as the contacted surface. In the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 5,
The fixing surface is provided in the image forming apparatus, the peripheral device is fixed to an upper end portion of the image forming apparatus, and the upper surface of the bundle processing apparatus fixed to the image forming apparatus is used as the contact surface. A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is in close contact with the lower surface, which is the contacted surface of the apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the bundle processing apparatus is a binding apparatus that performs a binding process for binding a bundle to a sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7.
The main body having the insertion portion and the housing of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the binding device is fixed are separated from each other, and are fixed to the fixed surface by fixing means. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a holding body that detachably holds the sheet binding apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
A driving machine that electrically drives a binding needle into a sheet bundle, and a connector that engages with an external connector provided in the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device to which the binding apparatus is fixed are provided in the main body,
A through opening for penetrating the connector or the external connector is provided in the holding body,
As the main body is mounted on the holding body, the connector is engaged with the external connector through the through-opening to supply power to the main body from the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device. A sheet processing apparatus.

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