JP2022001516A - Sheet processing device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device that can increase the degree of freedom in binding processing of multiple types even if it is small.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device includes loading means for loading a sheet-like medium to form a sheet bundle, first binding means for performing a first binding process for binding a bundle of sheets using a binding member, and second binding means for performing a second binding process for binding a bundle of sheets without using a binding member. The loading means operates so that the end of the sheet bundle and the first binding means are relatively close to each other when the binding process selected for the sheet bundle is the first binding process, and operates so that the end of the sheet bundle and the second binding means are relatively close to each other when the binding process selected for the sheet bundle is the second binding process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

In recent years, the digitization of information has tended to be promoted, and the image forming apparatus used for the output of the digitized information has become an indispensable device. Such an image forming apparatus is provided with a reading function for reading information attached to a sheet-shaped medium, an image forming function for forming an image on a sheet-shaped medium, a communication function for communicating information including an image, and the like, and is a printer. , Scanners, and facsimiles are often configured as multifunction devices that can be used as copiers.

Further, a multifunction device provided with a binding processing device for binding a plurality of media on which an image is formed into a bundle is also known. As the binding process that can be performed in the binding processing device, a "needle binding process" that uses a binding member such as a metal needle and a "needle-free binding process" that does not use a binding member such as a metal needle are known.

For binding processing devices that can perform both "needle-attached" and "needle-less" binding processing, the "needle-bound binding unit" that performs needle-bound binding or the "needle-free binding unit" that performs needle-free binding The selected binding unit is moved to a predetermined binding position to perform the binding process. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide a space that allows a plurality of types of binding units to be moved with respect to a bundle of media, and the binding processing apparatus becomes large. In addition, the entire multifunction device equipped with a binding processing device capable of performing both binding processing becomes large.

For the purpose of downsizing the binding processing device that performs both binding processes, a needle-attached binding means and a needle-less binding means are arranged on the rotating member, and the rotating member is rotated to perform needle binding. A technique for selecting needle-free binding is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, the binding means cannot be arbitrarily moved with respect to the binding position of the bundle, so that the binding process at a plurality of positions cannot be performed. Further, in the technique disclosed in the patent document, if a configuration for moving the binding means is provided, the apparatus becomes large. That is, in the prior art, although it is possible to perform different types of binding processing, it is not possible to perform arbitrary binding processing selected at any position or at a plurality of positions, and there is a problem in enabling further miniaturization. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of increasing the degree of freedom of a plurality of types of binding processing even if it is small in size.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, in which a loading means for loading a sheet-shaped medium to form a sheet bundle and a binding member for binding the sheet bundle are first. The loading means includes a first binding means for binding and a second binding means for binding the sheet bundle without using a binding member, and the loading means is selected for binding the sheet bundle. When the process is the first binding process, the end portion of the sheet bundle and the first binding means are operated so as to be relatively close to each other, and the binding process selected for the sheet bundle is the second binding process. In the case of, it is characterized in that the end portion of the sheet bundle and the second binding means operate so as to be relatively close to each other.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in binding a plurality of types even if the size is small.

The figure which illustrates the whole image of the MFP which is the embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. The figure which illustrates the whole image of the post-processing unit which is the embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. An enlarged side view showing an enlarged example of the main part of the post-processing unit. An enlarged side view of another example of the main part of the post-processing unit. An enlarged plan view of another example of the main part of the post-processing unit. An enlarged plan view of another example of the main part of the post-processing unit. The hardware configuration diagram of the control block of the above-mentioned MFP. The functional block diagram of the control block of the above-mentioned MFP. Functional configuration diagram of the control block of the above post-processing unit. The flowchart which shows the example of the processing flow of the post-processing control program executed in the said post-processing unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) 1 as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 is composed of an image forming unit 2, a post-processing unit 3, and a scanner unit 4.

The image forming unit 2 as an image forming means generates drawing information of, for example, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, KeyPlate) based on the input image data, and is in the form of a sheet based on the generated drawing information. Image formation output is executed on the sheet as a medium to form an image. The image forming unit 2 is provided with a supply sheet unit 21 for supplying a sheet on which an image based on image data is formed.

The image forming unit 2 has a known configuration, and as an example, it can be configured as an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus. The image forming unit 2 includes, for example, a control unit, an image forming unit, an optical writing unit, a paper feeding unit, a paper feeding transport path, an image reading section, an intermediate transfer section, a fixing section, a paper ejection transport path, a double-sided transport path, and the like. Has to form an image on both sides or one side of the paper.

The post-processing unit 3 as a sheet processing device is a device that executes predetermined post-processing on the image-formed sheet conveyed from the image forming unit 2. Post-processing executed in the post-processing unit 3 includes a matching process of bundling a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle, a binding process of executing a predetermined binding process on the matched sheet bundle, and the like. The post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment has a function of performing the binding process, that is, a "needle-shaped binding process" that uses a "needle-shaped member" as a binding member, and a sheet bundle that is bound without using the needle-shaped member. It is equipped with "needle-free binding processing". Therefore, the post-processing unit 3 is provided with a needle-attached binding means and a needle-less binding means.

The scanner unit 4 reads a document by a linear image sensor in which a plurality of photodiodes are arranged in a row and a light receiving element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is arranged in parallel with the photodiode. By doing so, the manuscript is digitized. The MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, a copying machine, and the like by being provided with an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

[Embodiment of Sheet Processing Device]
Next, the overall configuration of the post-processing unit 3 as a sheet processing device will be described with reference to FIG. The post-processing unit 3 and the image forming unit 2 described above have a connection configuration capable of communicating information with each other.

In the MFP 1, after the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the sheet, the post-processing unit 3 receives the sheet from the image forming unit 2 and executes various post-processing on the accepted sheet. The post-processing unit 3 that performs various post-processing has a plurality of operation modes, for example, a discharge mode and an end binding mode that performs end binding processing. In the end binding process, the received sheets are loaded to form a sheet bundle, the ends of the sheet bundle are aligned, and the sheets are not peeled off from the edges of the aligned sheet bundle. It is a process of binding to. As described above, the end binding process includes a needle binding process and a needleless binding process. The post-processing unit 3 is controlled by a control unit included in the MFP 1 or a post-processing control unit 300 included in the post-processing unit 3, and is configured to be able to execute an arbitrary binding process selected by the user at an arbitrary position of the sheet bundle. There is.

As a sheet transporting means, the post-processing unit 3 has a first transport path 310 for receiving the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 2 and discharging the sheet to the first discharge tray 316, and a first transport path 310. A second transport path 320 for branching and performing end binding processing on the sheet bundle, and a third transport path 320 for branching from the first transport path 310 by a branch claw 341 and discharging the sheet to the second discharge tray 333. A route 330 is provided. Each transport path is formed by, for example, a guide member or the like.

In the first transport path 310, an inlet roller 311, a first transport roller 312, a second transport roller 313, and a first discharge roller 314 are arranged in order from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the first transport path 310. The inlet roller 311, the first transfer roller 312, the second transfer roller 313, and the first discharge roller 314 are rotationally driven by a motor to transfer the sheet. An inlet sensor for detecting that the sheet has been carried into the post-processing unit 3 is arranged upstream of the inlet roller 311.

A branch claw 341 is arranged downstream of the first transfer roller 312. The branch claw 341 selectively guides the sheet to either the downstream portion of the branch claw 341 in the first transport path 310 or the third transport path 330 by rotating and switching its position. .. The branch claw 341 is driven by, for example, a motor or a solenoid.

A third transfer roller 331 is arranged in the third transfer path 330, and a second discharge roller 332 is arranged on the downstream side of the third transfer roller 331.

In the discharge mode as an operation mode in which the binding process for the sheet bundle is not executed, the sheets carried into the first transfer path 310 from the image forming unit 2 are transferred to the inlet roller 311, the first transfer roller 312, the second transfer roller 313, and the sheet. It is conveyed by the first discharge roller 314 and discharged to the first discharge tray 316. Alternatively, the sheet carried into the first transport path 310 is conveyed by the inlet roller 311, the branch claw 341, the third transfer roller 331, and the second discharge roller 332, and is discharged to the second discharge tray 333.

On the other hand, in the end binding mode as an operation mode in which sheets are stacked to form a sheet bundle and the end binding process for the sheet bundle is executed, the sheets carried into the first transport path 310 are the inlet roller 311 and the second. It is conveyed by the first transfer roller 312 and the second transfer roller 313, the traveling direction is changed by the transfer direction changing unit 342, and the transfer is performed to the second transfer path 320.

In the second transport path 320, a sheet loading tray 321 as a loading means for loading sheets to form a sheet bundle and an end processing portion 350 as a binding means are arranged. The sheet loading tray 321 has a first tray end 322 as an upstream end in the sheet transport direction and a second tray end 323 as a downstream end in the sheet transport direction. It has a loading surface 324 for loading a sheet between the end of the first tray 322 and the end of the second tray 323 to form a sheet bundle.

Further, a sheet aligning portion 325 as a matching means is arranged on the side surface portion of the sheet loading tray 321. The sheet alignment portion 325 aligns the side edges of the sheet bundle formed by the loaded sheets. The sheet alignment portion 325 is arranged at the end of the loading surface 324 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction, and aligns the side ends so as to sandwich both ends of the sheet bundle.

Further, a reference fence 326 as a matching means for aligning the tips of the sheet bundles in the transport direction is arranged at the end of the loading surface 324 which is on the downstream side in the transport direction of the seats. Further, in order to bring the tip of the sheet into contact with the reference fence 326 and align it, a transfer roller 328 for transporting the sheet on the loading surface 324 is arranged. The transport roller 328 operates so as to abut the tip portion of the sheet loaded on the loading surface 324 against the reference fence 326.

Further, the sheet loading tray 321 is provided with a discharge claw 327 as a sheet bundle discharging means for carrying out the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the matching treatment and the binding treatment. The sheet bundle placed on the loading surface 324 is discharged toward the upstream side of the sheet loading tray 321 by the release claw 327. Then, the sheet bundle subjected to the predetermined post-treatment is discharged to the first discharge tray 316 by the first discharge roller 314 and the discharge driven roller 315 arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side of the first tray end portion 322. ..

[First Embodiment of end processing unit 350]
Next, the configuration of the end processing unit 350 included in the post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the configuration including the end processing unit 350. The post-processing unit 3 includes a binding processing unit as a binding means composed of units capable of performing different types of binding processing. As an example of a unit that performs different types of binding processing, a stapled binding unit 351 as a first binding means and a needleless binding unit 352 as a second binding means are provided. The binding unit 351 with a needle corresponds to a "binding portion with a needle" in which a needle-shaped binding member is penetrated in the stacking direction of the sheet bundle to fix the end portion of the sheet bundle. The needleless binding unit 352 corresponds to a "needleless binding portion" in which the end portion of the sheet bundle is fixed by crimping in the loading direction of the sheet bundle without using a binding member.

The needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 are mounted on the base 353. The base 353 is a member that can move along the base shaft 354. The base shaft 354 is installed along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet bundle and along the surface direction of the seat surface, that is, along a second direction corresponding to the width direction of the sheet and the sheet bundle. Therefore, the base 353 is held movably along the base shaft 354 in the second direction.

That is, the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 can be moved in the second direction by moving the base 353. As described above, since the second direction corresponds to the direction along the end of the sheet bundle, the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 can be moved to any position on the end of the sheet bundle. That is, according to the post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment, the binding process can be performed at an arbitrary position of the sheet bundle.

The needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 are arranged in a predetermined direction on the base 353. This arrangement direction is a direction orthogonal to the second direction and intersects the surface direction of the loading surface 324. The arrangement direction of the plurality of different binding means is set as the first direction. In FIG. 3, the needle-less binding unit 351 is arranged on the needleless binding unit 352 placed on the base 353. That is, the needle-attached binding unit 351 is arranged above the needle-less binding unit 352 with respect to the surface of the sheet bundle placed on the loading surface 324.

In the post-processing unit 3, the arrangement order of the binding units is not limited to this. The needleless binding unit 352 may be arranged on the needle binding unit 351 placed on the base 353.

In the binding processing unit illustrated in FIG. 3, the sheet loading tray 321 as a staple tray is rotatably held with the end of the first tray 322 as a rotation fulcrum. As a result, the position where the binding process is performed at the tip portion of the sheet bundle formed on the loading surface 324 in the transport direction changes according to the rotation of the sheet loading tray 321. In other words, the relative positions of the end of the sheet bundle formed on the loading surface 324 and the binding unit 351 with a needle and the binding unit 352 without a needle as binding means change according to the rotation of the sheet loading tray 321. do.

If the type of binding process selected for the formed sheet bundle is the needle-attached binding process as the first binding process, the state is illustrated in FIG. 3 (a). That is, the sheet loading tray 321 rotates the second tray end 323 with the first tray end 322 as a rotation fulcrum, so that the position of the tip of the sheet bundle in the transport direction approaches the needle binding unit 351. As a result, the tip end portion of the sheet bundle is moved to a position where the binding process can be performed in the binding unit 351 with a needle.

Further, if the type of the binding process selected for the formed sheet bundle is the needleless binding process as the second binding process, the state is illustrated in FIG. 3 (b). That is, the sheet loading tray 321 rotates the second tray end 323 with the first tray end 322 as a rotation fulcrum, so that the position of the tip of the sheet bundle in the transport direction approaches the needleless binding unit 352. As a result, the end portion of the sheet bundle is moved to a position where the stitching process can be performed in the needleless binding unit 352.

As described above, according to the end binding process according to the present embodiment, the relative positions of the end to which the sheet bundle binding process is executed and the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 are relative to each other. Can be changed arbitrarily. Both the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 are configured to be movable in the second direction along the end of the sheet bundle. Therefore, depending on the type of binding process selected, the tip of the sheet bundle is relatively close to the binding means that executes the binding process, so that the arbitrarily selected binding process can be performed on any of the sheet bundles. Can be done for a position. Further, the binding process can be performed at a plurality of positions at the end of the sheet bundle.

Since the first tray end 322 as the rotation fulcrum of the sheet loading tray 321 does not move and stays at a fixed position, the binding process is performed regardless of the rotation state of the sheet loading tray 321. The sheet bundle can be released after the above is executed. In other words, even if the position of the free end of the sheet loading tray 321 is an arbitrary position, the sheet bundle can be discharged after the binding process is executed.

[Second Embodiment of Edge Processing Unit 350]
Next, a second embodiment of the end processing unit 350 included in the post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the end processing unit 350 shown in FIG. 4, the position of the loading surface 324 of the sheet loading tray 321 is relatively in the first direction with respect to the needle binding unit 351 or the needleless binding unit 352 mounted on the base 353. It is configured to move with.

For example, when executing the binding process with needles, the sheet loading tray 321 is relatively raised to the state illustrated in FIG. 4A, and the tip end portion of the sheet bundle is brought closer to the binding unit 351 with needles. After that, the base 353 is moved in the second direction, which is the direction along the end portion (tip portion) of the sheet bundle. After the base 353 moves to a position corresponding to a predetermined binding position, the needle-attached binding unit 351 is operated to execute the needle-attached binding process.

When the needleless binding process is executed, the sheet loading tray 321 is relatively lowered to the state illustrated in FIG. 4B, and the tip end portion of the sheet bundle is brought closer to the needleless binding unit 352. Then move it in the second direction. After the base 353 moves to a position corresponding to a predetermined binding position, the needleless binding unit 352 is operated to execute the needleless binding process.

Further, for example, when performing the needle binding process or the needleless binding process, the base 353 is first moved relative to the tip of the sheet bundle in the second direction, and then the loading surface 324 is raised or processed. You may. By such control, the tip end portion of the sheet bundle can be relatively moved in the first direction with respect to the binding unit mounted on the base 353, and an arbitrary binding process can be selectively executed. In other words, when changing the position of the end (tip) of the sheet bundle in the sheet loading direction of the sheet bundle, the sheet loading tray 321 used as a configuration for forming the sheet bundle is moved as a whole. Do it by doing.

The second movement of the sheet loading tray 321 is moved to the first tray end 322, which is one end of the sheet loading tray 321 near the end of the sheet bundle on the opposite side of the end of the sheet bundle to be bound. A guide plate 329 that follows the movement in the direction is arranged. The guide plate 329 is in contact with the upstream end of the seat loading tray 321 in the transport direction. A part of the lowermost sheet loaded on the sheet loading tray 321 is placed on the guide plate 329. Therefore, regardless of whether the position of the sheet loading tray 321 is the position corresponding to FIG. 4A or the position corresponding to FIG. 4B in the first direction, the sheet after the binding process is performed. When the bundle discharge operation is performed on the discharge claw 327, the upstream end of the sheet bundle is guided by the guide plate 329 toward the first discharge roller 314 and discharged.

[Movement of base 353 in the second direction]
Here, a configuration in which the base 353 can be moved at an arbitrary position in the second direction with respect to the sheet bundle formed on the sheet loading tray 321 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base 353 constituting the end processing unit 350 is movably held along the base shaft 354. A drive belt 355 is fixed to the base 353. The drive belt 355 is an endless belt, and is infinitely rotated in an arbitrary direction by the driving force of the drive source 356. By controlling the operation of the drive source 356, the movement of the base 353 in the second direction is controlled. The second direction corresponds to the main scanning direction in the image forming process for the sheet.

The needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352 mounted on the base 353 are configured to be integrally movable in the second direction by the rotation of the drive belt 355. With this configuration, it is possible to perform an arbitrary binding process at an arbitrary position without providing individual moving means (moving configuration) for the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352. Further, as described above, the end portion (position where the binding process is performed) of the sheet bundle can be made relatively variable with respect to the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352, so that the size is smaller than that of the conventional example. It is feasible by the configuration of. That is, a plurality of different types of binding processing can be performed without expanding the installation volume of the end processing unit 350 including the needle binding unit 351 and the needleless binding unit 352. Therefore, according to the post-processing unit 3, it is possible to realize a sheet processing apparatus that is small in size and can perform binding processing by a plurality of different binding means at an arbitrary position.

[Alignment of sheet bundles and movement of base 353]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the base 353 also includes a drive configuration that moves in a direction orthogonal to the base axis 354 and along the surface direction of the loading surface 324. As a result, the position of the base 353 constituting the end processing unit 350 with respect to the end of the sheet bundle Pb can be moved along the sheet transport direction. For example, when the binding process is performed at the very limit of the end of the sheet bundle Pb (at the end), the position of the base 353 is set to the end of the sheet bundle so as to be as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Move in the direction away from. Further, when the binding process is performed inside the end of the sheet bundle Pb, the position of the base 353 is moved closer to the end of the sheet bundle Pb so as to be as illustrated in FIG. 6 (b). Move it. That is, by moving the base 353 in the sub-scanning direction in the image forming process, the binding process at an arbitrary position becomes possible.

[Configuration of control system of MFP 1 and post-processing unit 3]
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 and the post-processing unit 3 that enable the above operation to be executed will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the control system of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, folding processing, binding processing, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as a general server, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like. That is, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, the RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, the ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and the I / F 50 pass through the bus 90. Is connected. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60, an operation unit 70, and a dedicated device 80 are connected to the I / F 50.

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

The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 90 with various hardware, networks, and the like. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to confirm the state of the MFP1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input information to the MFP 1.

The dedicated device 80 is hardware for realizing dedicated functions in the image forming unit 2, the supply sheet unit 21, the post-processing unit 3, and the scanner unit 4, and the image forming unit 2 forms an image on the surface of the sheet. A plotter device that performs output.

Further, the post-processing unit 3 is a binding processing mechanism that executes a binding process on a plurality of sheets of paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 2. Further, the scanner unit 4 is a reading device that reads an image displayed on a paper surface.

In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM 30, an HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program loaded in the RAM 20, thereby performing a calculation in the software control unit. Is configured. By combining the software control unit configured in this way with the hardware, a functional block that realizes the function of the MFP 1 and the function of the post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment is configured.

Next, the functional configuration of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of a sheet or a bundle of sheets is indicated by a broken line arrow.

As shown in FIG. 8, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, a print engine 200, a post-processing control unit 300, a scanner engine 400, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 600, a paper ejection tray 700, and the like. It has a display panel 800 and a network I / F 900. Further, the controller 100 has a main control unit 101, an engine control unit 102, an input / output control unit 103, an image processing unit 104, and an operation display control unit 105.

The print engine 200 is an image forming unit provided in the image forming unit 2, and draws an image by executing an image forming output on the paper conveyed from the feed sheet unit 21. As a specific embodiment of the print engine 200, it is possible to use an image forming mechanism by an inkjet method, an image forming mechanism by an electrophotographic method, or the like. The image-formed sheet on which the image is drawn by the print engine 200 is conveyed to the post-processing unit 3 or discharged to the second discharge tray 333.

The post-processing control unit 300 is provided in the post-processing unit 3, and is a predetermined post-processing for the image-formed paper conveyed from the print engine 200, and performs the binding processing according to the present embodiment. The post-processing control unit 300 according to the present embodiment controls both the needle binding process and the treatment needle unbinding process. The sheets and sheet bundles that have been bound by the post-processing control unit 300 are discharged to the first discharge tray 316.

The ADF 600 is provided in the scanner unit 4, and automatically conveys the document to the scanner engine 400, which is a document reading unit. The scanner engine 400 is a document reading unit provided in the scanner unit 4 and including a photoelectric conversion element that converts optical information into an electric signal, and is set on a document automatically conveyed by the ADF 600 or a platen glass (not shown). Image information is generated by optically scanning and scanning the original document. The originals automatically conveyed by the ADF 600 and read by the scanner engine 400 are ejected to the output tray built in the ADF 600.

The display panel 800 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the MFP 1, and is also an input interface when the user directly operates the MFP 1 or inputs information to the MFP 1 as a touch panel. That is, the display panel 800 includes a function of displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 800 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG. 7.

The network I / F900 is an interface for the MFP1 to communicate with other devices such as an administrator terminal via a network, such as Ethernet (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like. Interfaces such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) and Felica (registered trademark) are used. The network I / F900 is realized by the I / F50 shown in FIG.

The controller 100 is composed of a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a control program such as firmware stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as ROM 30 or HDD 40 is loaded into RAM 20, and a software control unit and an integrated circuit configured by the CPU 10 performing an operation according to those programs. The controller 100 is configured by such hardware. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire MFP1.

The main control unit 101 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. Further, the main control unit 101 controls the input / output control unit 103 to access other devices via the network I / F 900 and the network. The engine control unit 102 controls or drives a drive unit such as a print engine 200, a supply seat unit 21, a post-processing control unit 300, and a scanner engine 400. The input / output control unit 103 inputs signals and commands input via the network I / F 900 and the network to the main control unit 101.

The image processing unit 104 generates drawing information based on the document data or image data included in the input print job according to the control of the main control unit 101. This drawing information is data such as CMYK bitmap data, and is information for drawing an image to be formed by the print engine 200, which is an image forming unit, in an image forming operation. Further, the image processing unit 104 processes the image pickup data input from the scanner engine 400 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the MFP 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to other devices via the network I / F900 and the network. The operation display control unit 105 displays information on the display panel 800 or notifies the main control unit 101 of the information input via the display panel 800.

[Functional block of control system of post-processing unit 3]
Next, a detailed functional block of the post-processing control unit 300 constituting the control system of the post-processing unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The functional block shown in FIG. 9 is realized by executing a post-processing control program that controls the operation of the post-processing unit 3 by using the same hardware resources as the control configuration of the MFP 1 described with reference to FIG. 7. It is a thing.

The post-processing control unit 300 of the post-processing unit 3 includes at least a binding operation selection unit 301, a sheet loading tray moving unit 302, a binding means moving unit 303, a binding control unit 304, and a sheet bundle discharging unit 305. Have.

The binding operation selection unit 301 configures each configuration so as to execute the binding process with needles or the binding process without needles according to the type of binding process selected or set for the sheet received from the image forming unit 2. Control the processing to operate. If the binding operation with a needle is selected, the binding operation selection unit 301 has a binding unit with a needle so that the end of the sheet bundle placed on the loading surface 324 is relatively close to the end of the sheet bundle placed on the loading surface 324 by the rotation or movement of the sheet loading tray 321. After approaching 351, the binding process with needles is executed. Further, in the binding operation selection unit 301, if the needleless binding process is selected, the end of the sheet bundle placed on the loading surface 324 by the rotation or movement of the sheet loading tray 321 is relatively needleless. After approaching the binding unit 352, the binding process with needles is executed. Further, the binding operation selection unit 301 moves the base 353 along the base shaft 354 to execute the binding process at an arbitrary position at the end of the sheet bundle.

The sheet loading tray moving unit 302 rotates or moves the sheet loading tray 321 according to the type of binding processing selected or set for the sheet received from the image forming unit 2, and the selected binding is performed. Bring the edges of the sheet bundle closer to the process.

The binding means moving unit 303 moves the base 353 along the base shaft 354 to execute the binding process at an arbitrary position at the end of the sheet bundle.

The binding control unit 304 controls the binding operation of the binding unit 351 with a needle and the binding unit 352 without a needle.

The sheet bundle discharging unit 305 controls the operation of the discharging claw 327 to discharge the sheet bundle from the loading surface 324.

[Flow of binding process]
Next, the flow of post-processing executed by the post-processing control unit 300 described above will be described using the floater of FIG. The post-processing unit 3 determines the binding unit to be selected based on the information obtained from the image forming unit 2 through the communication means. The position of the sheet loading tray 321 is selected according to the determination result (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4).

When the sheet loading tray 321 is returned to the home position as the initial position after executing a series of post-processing described later, it is controlled to return to a position relatively close to the frequently used binding means. That is, a position that is relatively close to the frequently used binding unit is set as the home position of the seat loading tray 321. As a result, it is possible to reduce the processing time for moving the sheet loading tray 321 to the binding means selected based on the information notified from the image forming unit 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the frequently used unit is the "needle binding unit 351" as an example.

First, the image forming process, that is, the printing process is executed in the image forming unit 2, and the type of the binding process selected in the process is received together with the print instruction (S1001).

Subsequently, the binding operation selection unit 301 determines whether or not the instructed type of binding process is "needleless binding" (S1002). If the specified type of binding process is "needleless binding" (S1002: YES), the sheet loading tray 321 as a staple tray is moved in the sheet loading tray moving unit 302, and the tip is moved to the needleless binding unit 352. (S1003). After that, the base 353 is moved to a predetermined binding position by the binding means moving unit 303 (S1004).

In S1002, if the designated type of binding process is "without needle" (S1002: NO), the sheet loading tray 321 in the sheet loading tray moving unit 302 is not moved and is based by the binding means moving unit 303. The 353 is moved to the binding position as the designated position in the main scanning direction (S1004).

Subsequently, the sheet on which the image has been formed is received from the image forming unit 2, the sheet is conveyed to the second transport path 320, and the sheet is loaded on the sheet loading tray 321 (S1005). With the sheet loaded on the loading surface 324, the transfer roller 328 as the sheet matching means abuts the tip of the sheet in the transport direction against the reference fence 326, and the matching operation in the sub-scanning direction is performed (S1006). Subsequently, the sheet alignment unit 325 performs alignment in the main scanning direction, that is, alignment operation in the width direction of the sheet (S1007).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of sheets for which the matching operation has been completed has reached the number of sheets (number of sheets to be printed) specified in the print instruction (S1001) (S1008). If the number of sheets to be passed has not been reached (S1008: NO), the process is returned to S1005.

When the number of sheets to be passed is reached (S1008: YES), the binding operation by the selected binding means is executed (S1009). After the binding operation is completed, the discharge claw 327 is operated by the sheet bundle discharge unit 305 to transport the sheet bundle on the loading surface 324 to the upstream side in the transport direction (S1010). As a result, the sheet bundle reaches the first discharge roller 314. As a result, the sheet bundle is discharged to the first discharge tray 316 by the first discharge roller 314 (S1011).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of sheets formed has reached the number of copies specified in the print instruction (S1001) (S1012). If the formation and discharge of the specified number of sheets have not been completed (S1012: NO), the process is returned to S1005. If the formation and discharge of the specified number of sheets are completed (S1012: YES), the sheet loading tray 321 is returned to the initial position (S1013), and the process is completed.

The post-processing unit 3 according to the present embodiment described above arranges the binding means corresponding to each binding process in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the sheet as a configuration capable of executing a plurality of different binding processes, and arranges the arrangement. It is provided with a configuration that enables movement to the binding position as a unit. Further, the plurality of binding means can be integrated and moved to an arbitrary position in the end direction in which the sheet bundle binding process is performed, and the binding process can be performed at a plurality of binding positions. This enables binding processing with a high degree of freedom even in a small size.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and the technical concept included in the claims is described. All of the matters are the subject of the present invention. Although the above embodiment shows a suitable example, those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1: MFP
2: Image forming unit 3: Post-processing unit 70: Operation unit 80: Dedicated device 100: Controller 101: Main control unit 102: Engine control unit 103: Input / output control unit 104: Image processing unit 105: Operation display control unit 200: Print engine 300: Post-processing control unit 301: Operation selection unit 302: Sheet loading tray moving unit 303: Means moving unit 304: Control unit 305: Sheet bundle discharging unit 310: First transfer path 311: Inlet roller 312: First transfer Roller 313: Second transport roller 314: First discharge roller 315: Discharge driven roller 316: First discharge tray 320: Second transport path 321: Sheet loading tray 322: First tray end 323: Second tray end 324 : Loading surface 325: Sheet alignment portion 326: Reference fence 327: Discharge claw 328: Transport roller 329: Guide plate 330: Third transport path 331: Third transport roller 332: Second discharge roller 333: Second discharge tray 341: Branch claw 342: Transport direction changing unit 350: End processing unit 351: Needle binding unit 352: Needleless binding unit 353: Base 354: Base shaft 355: Drive belt 356: Drive source

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-168435

Claims (13)

A loading means for loading a sheet-shaped medium to form a sheet bundle,
A first binding means for performing a first binding process for binding the sheet bundle using a binding member,
A second binding means for performing a second binding process for binding the sheet bundle without using a binding member,
Equipped with
When the binding process selected for the sheet bundle is the first binding process, the loading means operates so that the end of the sheet bundle and the first binding means are relatively close to each other. When the binding process selected for the bundle is the second binding process, the end of the sheet bundle and the second binding means operate so as to be relatively close to each other.
A sheet processing device characterized by this. The first binding means and the second binding means are arranged along the first direction which is a direction orthogonal to the sheet surface of the sheet bundle.
The loading means moves the end of the sheet bundle in which the binding process is performed in the first direction, so that the binding means corresponding to the selected binding process and the end of the sheet bundle are relatively relative to each other. Get closer,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. The loading means rotates so as to move the end of the sheet bundle in the first direction.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2. In the loading means, the distance from the rotary fulcrum to the first binding means and the distance from the rotary fulcrum to the second binding means are constant.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3. The loading means moves so as to move the end of the sheet bundle in the first direction.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2. The first binding means and the second binding means are arranged in the first direction orthogonal to the sheet surface of the sheet bundle.
The first binding means and the second binding means are moved in the first direction to bring the binding means corresponding to the binding process closer to the end of the selected sheet bundle.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2. The loading means includes matching means for aligning the end portion of the sheet bundle corresponding to the downstream side in the transport direction of the medium with the end portion in the second direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The loading means and the matching means move in conjunction with each other.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7. The first binding means and the second binding means are mounted on a moving means that can move in a direction along the end of the sheet bundle.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The moving means can move to the upstream side of the surface direction of the sheet bundle, which is orthogonal to the direction along the end portion of the sheet bundle, in the transport direction of the medium.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9. The initial position of the loading means is a position close to the frequently used binding means.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The loading means includes a sheet bundle discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle for which the binding process has been completed.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet-like medium,
A sheet transporting means for transporting the medium to a loading position,
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which performs a predetermined binding process on the loaded medium.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

Images