JP2022017940A - Sheet processing apparatus, control method of sheet processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing apparatus, a control method of the sheet processing apparatus, and a program capable of suppressing an occurrence of a momentary large power consumption of a drive source of a drive unit.SOLUTION: A post-processing apparatus as an example of a sheet processing apparatus includes a tray that mounts a sheet bundle, and a post-processing mechanism 33 that performs post-processing at a first position P1 and a second position P2 of the tray. The post-processing apparatus includes a drive mechanism 38 that performs first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by driving, and a bias spring 66 as an example of a bias member that perform second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by biasing. A first movement duration which is a duration of the first movement is longer than a second movement duration which is a duration of the second movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet bundle, a control method and a program of the sheet processing apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses a stapling system as an example of a sheet processing apparatus that performs stapling (needle binding treatment) as an example of post-treatment on a sheet. The stapler ring system is provided with a motor that is a drive source, a lead screw that rotates by the driving force of the motor, a stapler mounting system that moves along the lead screw, and a stapler mounting system that can rotate around the rotation axis. It is equipped with a stapler. As described above, the stapler mounting system (an example of the post-processing mechanism) having a stapler reciprocates by the driving force of the drive source.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-73021

However, in the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the stapler moves back and forth in both directions by driving the motor, and when the stapler is moved at high speed, the load on the motor increases momentarily. There is a problem. If you want to move the stapler at high speed instantaneously, you need to use a large or expensive motor that supports high speed. It should be noted that not only the stapler that performs the staple processing but also the post-processing mechanism that performs other post-processing such as punch processing and folding processing has the same problem.

The sheet processing apparatus for solving the above problems includes a tray on which a bundle of sheets is placed, a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing at the first position and the second position of the tray, and a post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position. It is provided with a drive unit that performs the first movement of the post-processing mechanism directed by driving, and an urging member that performs the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by urging. The period of the first movement is longer than the period of the second movement.

The method for controlling the sheet processing device that solves the above problems is a method for controlling the sheet processing device provided with a post-processing mechanism that performs post-processing at the first position and the second position of the tray on which the sheet bundle is placed. A first movement step in which the first movement of the post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position is performed by driving the drive unit, and the post-processing mechanism is rearward with respect to the second position of the sheet bundle. The first post-processing step for processing, the second movement step for performing the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member, and the post-processing mechanism It includes a second post-processing step for performing post-processing on the first position of the sheet bundle, and the period of the first moving step is longer than the period of the second moving step.

The program for solving the above problems is a program executed by a computer in a sheet processing apparatus provided with a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing at the first position and the second position of the tray on which the sheet bundle is placed. In addition, a first movement step in which the first movement of the post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position is performed by driving the drive unit, and the post-processing mechanism moves with respect to the second position of the sheet bundle. The first post-processing step for performing post-processing, the second moving step for performing the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member, and the post-processing. A second post-processing step in which the mechanism performs post-processing on the first position of the sheet bundle is executed.

The schematic side sectional view which shows the printing system which comprises the post-processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. A side view showing a main part of an aftertreatment device. The plan view which shows the main part of the post-processing apparatus. Bottom view showing the post-processing unit when the post-processing mechanism is in the first position. Bottom view showing the post-processing unit when the post-processing mechanism is in the second position. The front view which shows the post-processing unit when the post-processing mechanism is in the 1st position. The front view which shows the post-processing unit when the post-processing mechanism is in a 2nd position. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a printing system. A flowchart showing sheet alignment control and post-processing control. The flowchart which shows sheet alignment control and post-processing control in 2nd Embodiment. The side view which shows the connection state of the electromagnetic clutch in the modification example. The side view which shows the disconnection state of the electromagnetic clutch in the modification example.

Hereinafter, a printing system, which is an example of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment, will be described with reference to the drawings. The printing system, for example, performs a post-processing operation in which a plurality of printed sheets are loaded and a bundle of the loaded sheets is post-processed. For example, the printing system may perform a printing operation of printing on a sheet such as paper prior to the post-processing operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 11 includes a post-processing device 14 that performs post-processing on the printed sheet 12. The printing system 11 may include a printing device 13 for printing on the sheet 12, and may further include an intermediate device 15 arranged between the printing device 13 and the post-processing device 14. The printing device 13 is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a sheet 12 to print characters and images. The post-processing device 14 performs staple processing or the like for binding a plurality of sheets 12 as post-processing to be applied to the printed sheet 12. The intermediate device 15 internally inverts the printed sheet 12 carried in from the printing device 13 and then discharges it to the post-processing device 14. The post-treatment applied to the sheet 12 by the post-treatment device 14 may be a punching treatment, a saddle stitching treatment, a folding treatment, or the like, in addition to the staple treatment. Here, the punching process is a process of punching punch holes in the sheet 12 in units of a predetermined number of sheets.

Here, the post-processing is a process applied to a sheet bundle in which a predetermined number of sheets 12 are loaded, and the post-processing mechanism 33, which will be described later, moves relative to the tray and the sheet bundle on the tray. Any process may be applied as long as it is performed at a predetermined position. For example, even if there is only one post-processing location for the sheet bundle, post-processing is included in which the post-processing mechanism 33 moves relative to the tray according to the sheet width size. Further, the post-processing in which the post-processing points for the sheet bundle are two or more and the post-processing mechanism 33 moves relative to the tray and the sheet bundle according to the positions of the two or more places is included. Not limited to the sheet bundle, if the post-processing mechanism 33 moves with respect to the tray according to the location of the post-processing, the post-processing may be applied to one sheet 12. The predetermined number of sheets 12 to be post-processed includes one or a plurality of sheets.

The printing system 11 is provided with a transport path 17 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, which continues from the printing device 13 to the inside of the post-processing device 14 via the intermediate device 15. The printing device 13 and the intermediate device 15 include one or a plurality of transfer roller pairs 19 that transfer the sheet 12 along the transfer path 17 by driving the transfer motor 18. Further, the post-processing device 14 includes a transport mechanism 30 for transporting the sheet 12 from the intermediate device 15. The transport mechanism 30 includes transport roller pairs 19A and 19B, and transports the sheet 12 above the tray 32. The intermediate device 15 includes a transfer motor 18 that drives one or more transfer roller pairs 19.

In the drawings, the direction of gravity is shown on the Z-axis as if the printing system 11 were placed on a horizontal plane, and the two axes that intersect each other along the plane that intersects the Z-axis are shown on the X-axis and the Y-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are preferably orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X axis is referred to as the width direction X, the direction of gravity parallel to the Z axis is referred to as the vertical direction Z, and the direction perpendicular to the width direction X and along the transport path 17 is referred to as the transport direction Y0. The transport direction Y0 is the direction in which the transport roller pairs 19, 19A, and 19B transport the sheet 12, and changes depending on the position of the sheet 12 transported from the printing device 13 toward the post-processing device 14.

The printing apparatus 13 is provided with a detachable cassette 20 for accommodating the sheets 12 in a laminated state. There may be a plurality of cassettes 20. The printing apparatus 13 includes a pickup roller 21 that feeds out the highest-level sheet 12 among the sheets 12 housed in the cassette 20, and a separation roller 22 that separates the sheets 12 fed by the pickup roller 21 one by one.

The printing apparatus 13 includes a support portion 23 provided at a position along the transport path 17 to support the sheet 12, and a liquid discharge head 25 provided at a position facing the support portion 23 with the transport path 17 interposed therebetween. The liquid discharge head 25 discharges liquid from the nozzle 24 to the sheet 12 to perform printing. The liquid discharge head 25 is a line head capable of simultaneously discharging liquid over the entire width direction X of the sheet 12. The liquid discharge head 25 may be a serial head that discharges the liquid while moving in the width direction X.

As a part of the transport path 17, the printing apparatus 13 has a discharge path 101 in which the sheet 12 is discharged, a switchback path 102 in which the sheet 12 is switchback-transported, and an inversion path 103 in which the posture of the sheet 12 is reversed. Be prepared. The sheet 12 printed by the liquid discharge head 25 is discharged to the discharge unit 104 through the discharge path 101, or is conveyed toward the intermediate device 15.

When performing double-sided printing, the sheet 12 printed on one side is conveyed to the switchback path 102, then in the reverse direction, and is conveyed from the switchback path 102 to the inversion path 103. The sheet 12 inverted by the inversion path 103 is fed to the liquid discharge head 25 again, and is printed by the liquid discharge head 25 on the surface opposite to the already printed surface. In this way, the printing apparatus 13 performs double-sided printing on the sheet 12. The printing device 13 conveys the printed sheet 12 toward the discharging unit 104 or the intermediate device 15.

The printing device 13 includes a maintenance device 26 that performs maintenance on the liquid discharge head 25. The maintenance device 26 includes a cap 27, a pump (not shown), a moving mechanism for moving the cap 27 (not shown), and a wiping device (not shown) for wiping the liquid discharge head 25. Then, the printing device 13 uses the maintenance device 26 to eject a liquid unrelated to printing from the nozzle 24 or forcibly force the liquid from the nozzle 24 in order to prevent or eliminate the ejection defect of the liquid ejection head 25. Perform maintenance operations such as cleaning to discharge the liquid.

In the present embodiment in which the liquid discharge head 25 is a line head, when the liquid discharge head 25 is maintained, the support portion 23 and the cap 27 are replaced by a moving mechanism. That is, during printing by the printing device 13 to print on the sheet 12, as shown in FIG. 1, the support portion 23 faces the liquid discharge head 25, and the cap 27 does not face the liquid discharge head 25. When the maintenance time comes, the support portion 23 retracts to the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 where the support portion 23 does not face the liquid discharge head 25, and the cap 27 is shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 facing the liquid discharge head 25. Move to the capping position.

Further, the pump is driven in a state where the cap 27 at the capping position closes the nozzle 24, and a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle 24 to perform cleaning for forcibly sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24. Further, with the cap 27 arranged at the capping position or the empty discharge position slightly separated from the liquid discharge head 25, the liquid discharge head 25 discharges the liquid toward the cap 27. After the completion of empty discharge or the completion of maintenance, the nozzle surface on which the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25 opens is wiped with a wiper, if necessary. The cap 27 is an example of a liquid receiving unit that receives an empty discharged liquid.

The intermediate device 15 has a reversing processing unit 200 that reverses the printed sheet 12 carried in from the printing device 13 and discharges it to the post-processing device 14. The inversion processing unit 200 includes an introduction path 201, a first switchback path 202, a second switchback path 203, a first merging path 204, a second merging path 205, and a derivation path 206 as a part of the transport path 17. .. Further, the reversing processing unit 200 transports a plurality of transport roller pairs 19 (only one is shown) that transports the sheet 12 along the respective routes 201 to 206, and one of the sheet 12 at the branch portion of each route 201 to 203. It has a flap (not shown) that guides it forward. The destination of the sheet 12 transported on the introduction path 201 is switched between the first switchback path 202 and the second switchback path 203 by the flap.

The sheet 12 conveyed to the first switchback path 202 is switched back and conveyed in the first switchback path 202, then inverted in the first merging path 204, inverted, and then conveyed to the out-licensed path 206. .. On the other hand, the sheet 12 conveyed from the introduction path 201 to the second switchback path 203 is switched back and conveyed in the second switchback path 203, then inverted in the second merging path 205, inverted, and then derived. It is transported to the route 206. As a result, the sheets 12 sequentially carried into the intermediate device 15 are inverted one by one by alternately using the routes 202 and 204 and the routes 203 and 205. The sheet 12 led out from the intermediate device 15 to the post-processing device 14 through the lead-out path 206 is in a posture in which the surface printed immediately before by the printing device 13 faces downward. Further, the drying time of the sheet 12 is secured by being conveyed in the intermediate device 15, and curling of the sheet 12 due to the moisture of the liquid adhering to the sheet 12 can be suppressed. The sheet 12 in which curl and the like are suppressed is carried into the post-processing device 14.

Next, an embodiment of the aftertreatment device 14 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing device 14 carries the sheet 12 that has been reversed and discharged by the reversing processing unit 200 into the housing 14A, and carries the above-mentioned transport mechanism 30 that conveys the carried-in sheet 12. Have. The transport mechanism 30 has a transport roller pair 19A for carrying the sheet 12 discharged from the intermediate device 15 into the post-processing device 14 and a transport roller pair 19B for carrying the carried sheet 12 into the sheet matching unit 40. Have. A sensor 34 for detecting the sheet 12 transported by the transport mechanism 30 is arranged at a position near the transport mechanism 30.

The post-processing device 14 includes a sheet matching unit 40 for matching the sheets 12 carried in from the transport roller pair 19B. The sheet matching unit 40 includes a tray 32 for loading the sheet 12 to be post-processed, and forms a sheet bundle by aligning the sheets loaded on the tray 32 in a state where there is no deviation. Further, the post-processing device 14 includes a post-processing unit 60 having a post-processing mechanism 33 that performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B (see FIG. 3) loaded on the tray 32 in a aligned state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the post-treatment device 14 includes a discharge mechanism 36 for carrying out the post-treated sheet bundle 12B toward the discharge stacker 35. The discharge mechanism 36 of this example adopts a roller transport method. The discharge mechanism 36 is not limited to the roller transfer method, and may be an extrusion method having a pusher for discharging the sheet bundle 12B on the tray 32 from the tray 32 to the discharge stacker 35.

The sheet matching unit 40 includes a sheet support member 37 that supports the tip end portion of the sheet 12 received by the tray 32 in the discharge direction. The seat support member 37 is located vertically above the discharge stacker 35 and also has a function of temporarily supporting the seat 12 in the process of being discharged from the tray 32.

Next, a detailed configuration of the post-processing device 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the post-processing apparatus 14 has a transport roller pair 19B and a transport roller pair 19B, which are examples of transport rollers that transport the sheet 12 at a position upstream of the tray 32 in the transport direction Y0. It is provided with a transport motor 31 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) which is a drive source for driving the above. The transfer motor 31 is used as a drive source constituting a drive mechanism 38 (see FIG. 4) as an example of a drive unit that moves the post-processing mechanism 33 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the width direction X. That is, the post-processing mechanism 33 is driven by the power from the transfer motor 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet matching unit 40 includes the tray 32, the receiving mechanism 41, the feeding mechanism 43, the matching mechanism 51, the support mechanism 55, and the discharge mechanism 36 described above. The sheet matching unit 40 loads the sheet 12 printed by the printing device 13 on the tray 32 in a matching state by using the receiving mechanism 41, the feeding mechanism 43, the matching mechanism 51, and the support mechanism 55. The tray 32 has a loading surface 32A on which the received sheet 12 is loaded. The loading surface 32A (see FIG. 2) is a slope whose upstream end is located below the vertical direction Z than the downstream end in the transport direction Y0.

The receiving mechanism 41 changes the path of the sheet 12 carried in from the transport roller pair 19B at a predetermined carry-in speed to a path along the loading surface 32A of the tray 32. The receiving mechanism 41 has a variable guide 42 that operates to knock down the sheet 12 (the sheet 12 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2) that is carried in from the transport roller pair 19B at a predetermined carry-in speed. As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving mechanism 41 guides the sheet 12 to the tray 32 by knocking down the sheet 12 carried in from the transport mechanism 30 by the variable guide 42. That is, the receiving mechanism 41 performs a part of the receiving operation of receiving the sheet 12 into the tray 32.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feeding mechanism 43 guides the sheet 12 whose route has been changed by the receiving mechanism 41 onto the tray 32, while the sheet 12 received by the tray 32 is loaded on the loading surface 32A. In the second transport direction Y2, which is the direction opposite to the first transport direction Y1. Here, the first transport direction Y1 is the direction on the tray 32 from the abutting portion 47, which will be described later, to the discharge mechanism 36. The feeding mechanism 43 includes a first paddle 45 and a second paddle 46 that come into contact with the sheet 12 while rotating and apply a feeding force to the sheet 12 in the second transport direction Y2. Of the two types of paddles 45 and 46, the first paddle 45 located on the Y1 side in the first transport direction also has a function of receiving the seat 12 to the loading surface 32A together with the variable guide 42 by rotating.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion of the tray 32 in the second transport direction Y2 is brought into contact with the rear end 12r of the sheet 12 received by the loading surface 32A to bring the sheet 12 into the second transport direction. An abutting portion 47 that matches Y2 is provided. The abutting portion 47 extends upward from the end portion of the tray 32 in the second transport direction Y2 into a predetermined shape, and has a surface portion orthogonal to the loading surface 32A in the side view of FIG. The paddles 45 and 46 described above exert a feeding force on the sheet 12 on the tray 32 in the direction toward the abutting portion 47.

The sheet 12 fed to the second transport direction Y2 by the feed mechanism 43 has the rear end 12r, which is the end of the second transport direction Y2, abutting against the abutting portion 47, so that the sheet 12 is abutted against the abutting portion 47, so that the sheet 12 is fed in the transport direction Y0 with reference to the abutting position. Positioned to. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of abutting portions 47 are provided at intervals in the width direction X. The distance between the plurality of abutting portions 47 is set so that the sheet 12 having the minimum width can be abutted at a plurality of locations.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the matching mechanism 51 aligns the sheet 12 on the tray 32 in the width direction X. The matching mechanism 52 includes a pair of matching members 54 that can move in the width direction X along the loading surface 32A of the tray 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tray 32 has a predetermined length longer than the width of the maximum width sheet 12 in the width direction X. The variable guide 42 is located above the center of the width of the tray 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the variable guide 42 changes the path of the sheet 12 by hitting the central portion of the sheet 12 discharged from the transport mechanism 30 in the width direction X. A plurality of variable guides 42 may be provided at different positions in the width direction X. In this case, the variable guide 42 at the center may be operated when the seat 12 has a small size including the minimum width, and a plurality of variable guides 42 may be operated when the seat 12 has a large size equal to or larger than a predetermined width.

The variable guide 42 shown in FIG. 2 is a rotary type that rotates within a predetermined angle range around the downstream end portion in the transport direction Y0. The variable guide 42 rotates between the standby position shown in FIG. 2 and the operating position rotated by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in the figure from the standby position. The tip of the variable guide 42 when in the standby position is located near the upper side of the discharge port of the transport roller pair 19B. The variable guide 42 rotates from the standby position toward the operating position to knock down the central portion of the width of the sheet 12 carried in from the transport roller pair 19B, and the sheet 12 is received by the loading surface of the tray 32. Guide to 32A.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support mechanism 55 moves in the width direction X while being supported by the support frame 53 extending above the discharge stacker 35 in the first transport direction Y1 and the support frame 53. It has a possible pair of seat support members 37. The seat support member 37 supports the tip end portion of the seat 12 loaded on the tray 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of seat support members 37 has a support surface 37A that supports the lower surface of the seat 12 and a guide surface 37B that guides the side ends of the seat 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of seat support members 37 cannot hold the seat 12 on the pair of support surfaces 37A and the holding position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 where the seat 12 can be held on the pair of support surfaces 37A. It moves in the width direction X between the retracted position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when the pair of seat support members 37 are arranged at the holding positions, the tip end portion of the seat 12 received by the tray 32 is supported by the pair of support surfaces 37A and the pair of guides. Guided by the surface 37B, the deviation of the sheet 12 in the width direction X is within the allowable range.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of first paddles 45 are fixed to a rotating shaft 48 pivotally supported in a state of extending in the width direction X at an upper position of the tray 32. The pair of first paddles 45 are arranged at each position separated by a predetermined interval (first interval) in the width direction X. The pair of first paddles 45 are in positions where they can come into contact with a large-sized sheet 12 having a width equal to or larger than a predetermined dimension at two points in the width direction X. On the other hand, the second paddle 46 is fixed to the rotating shaft 49 axially supported in a position extending in the width direction X at a position above the tray 32 and at a position in the second transport direction Y2 with respect to the rotating shaft 48. The pair of second paddles 46 are located in the width direction X with a second spacing narrower than the first spacing of the pair of first paddles 45. The pair of second paddles 46 are positioned so as to be in contact with a small-sized sheet 12 having a width smaller than a predetermined dimension at two points in the width direction X. The first paddle 45 may be provided so as to be movable in the width direction X, and may be configured to be able to contact a small-sized sheet 12 having a width smaller than a predetermined dimension at two points in the width direction X.

The rotary shaft 48 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to an electric motor (both not shown), which is a drive source, via, for example, a belt-type power transmission mechanism in a state in which power can be transmitted. Further, the rotary shaft 49 is connected to an electric motor (both not shown) which is a drive source via, for example, a belt-type power transmission mechanism in a state where power can be transmitted. The first paddle 45 and the second paddle 46 are independently rotationally driven.

The first paddle 45 has a plurality of blades having a length that reaches the loading surface 32A. Further, the second paddle 46 has a plurality of blades having a length reaching the loading surface 32A. The blade of the first paddle 45 is longer than the blade of the second paddle 46. The first paddle 45 and the second paddle 46 rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, so that the seat 12 whose path has been changed by the rotation of the variable guide 42 abuts the rear end 12r against the abutting portion 47. Performs a feed operation to send in the direction. That is, the large-sized sheet 12 is fed in the second transport direction Y2 by two types of paddles 45 and 46, large and small. The small-sized sheet 12 is fed in the second transport direction Y2 by the second paddle 46. As a result, the sheet 12 received by the tray 32 is pulled back in the second transport direction Y2 toward the abutting portion 47.

In FIG. 3, after the sheet 12 whose route has been changed by the operation of the receiving mechanism 41 is received by the loading surface 32A, the sheet is sent by the paddles 45 and 46 until the rear end 12r of the sheet 12 abuts on the abutting portion 47. 12 or the sheet bundle 12B is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. That is, by rotating the paddles 45 and 46, the sheet 12 on the tray 32 is sent to the second transport direction Y2, and the rear end 12r is abutted against the abutting portion 47, so that the sheet 12 is aligned with the transport direction Y0. Is done.

The matching mechanism 51 includes two electric motors (not shown) that are drive sources for individually driving a pair of matching members 54 that match the seat 12 on the tray 32 in the width direction X. The pair of matching members 54 perform a matching operation for matching the sheet 12 in the width direction X. The pair of matching members 54 hit both ends of the sheet 12 in the width direction X, so that the sheet 12 is aligned in the width direction X.

As shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves on the stage member 61 along the guide groove 61A, and flatly and diagonally strikes a predetermined position on the sheet 12 of any size on the tray 32. It is possible to perform staple processing such as post-processing. The post-processing mechanism 33 may have a function of "punch processing" or "saddle stitching processing" in addition to or in addition to the "staple processing".

As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge mechanism 36 has a roller pair including a drive roller 36A and a driven roller 36B capable of sandwiching the sheet bundle 12B on the tray 32. In this example, the driven roller 36B is pivotally supported at the base end of the variable guide 42. The driven roller 36B moves between the separation position shown in FIG. 2 separated from the drive roller 36A and the nip position (not shown) where the sheet 12 or the sheet bundle 12B can be nipated between the drive roller 36A. The movement of the driven roller 36B between the nip position and the separated position is performed by rotating the variable guide 42 around a position near the tip thereof as a rotation fulcrum to change the posture. The driven roller 36B is urged in a direction approaching the driving roller 36A by a spring (not shown).

The number of stacked sheets 12 loaded on the tray 32 changes according to the number of sheets set in the post-processing condition information set by the user. Therefore, the thickness of the sheet bundle 12B after the post-treatment changes according to the set number of sheets 12 to be post-treated. When the driven roller 36B moves from the separation position shown in FIG. 2 to the nip position with the sheet bundle 12B loaded on the tray 32, the sheet bundle 12B is nipped between the drive roller 36A and the driven roller 36B. .. The discharge mechanism 36 is driven, and the rollers 36A and 36B that nip the sheet bundle 12B rotate, so that the sheet bundle 12B is discharged in the first transport direction Y1. The sheet bundle 12B is supported by a pair of seat support members 37 until the middle of the carry-out process, and then the pair of seat support members 37 move to the retracted position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3 to widen the interval. , Drops onto the discharge stacker 35. The discharge stacker 35 has a loading surface 35A having a slope whose base end side is lower in the vertical direction Z than the tip end side. The sheet bundle 12B discharged to the discharge stacker 35 slides down on the upper surface of the loading surface 35A or the preceding sheet bundle 12B previously loaded on the loading surface 35A, and the rear end 12r abuts on the standing wall 14B in the transport direction Y1. It is loaded on the loading surface 35A in an aligned state.

The pair of seat support members 37 support the tip portion of the seat 12 loaded on the tray 32, thereby suppressing the sagging of the tip portion. If the tip portion of the sheet bundle 12B (see FIG. 3) is in a hanging state when it is discharged, the tip portion may be caught inward and breakage may occur. A pair of seat support members 37 are provided in order to prevent the tip portion from hanging down, which causes this kind of bending. The pair of seat support members 37 hold the seat 12 until the middle of the process in which the seat 12 is ejected from the tray 32, and then retract the seat bundle 12B to a retracted position where the seat 12 cannot be supported in the width direction X. Drop it on the stacker 35.

The post-processing mechanism 33 of this example performs staple processing as an example of post-processing. The post-processing performed on the sheet bundle 12B in which a plurality of sheets 12 are stacked on the tray 32 may be replaced with a staple process, a punch process, a saddle stitch process, a fold process, or the like. , Or, a stapler processing function may be added with another function. The post-processing performed by this post-processing mechanism includes at least one of staple processing, punching processing, saddle stitching processing, folding processing and the like.

The post-processing device 14 includes a post-processing mechanism 33 that performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the tray 32 on which the sheet bundle 12B is loaded. The post-processing device 14 has a drive mechanism 38 that performs the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by driving, and post-processing from the second position P2 to the first position P1. An urging spring 66 is provided as an example of an urging member that performs the second movement of the mechanism 33 by urging. The first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement, is longer than the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement.

That is, in the first movement period T1 in which the post-processing mechanism 33 first moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by driving the motor, the post-processing mechanism 33 starts from the second position P2 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. It is longer than the second movement period T2 in which the second movement is performed to the first position P1. The first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 driven by the motor is performed at a lower speed than the second movement using the urging force of the urging spring 66. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a large-sized or expensive motor that can be driven at high speed by the transport motor 31 that is a drive source. That is, a small electric motor having a relatively small rated current can be used as the transfer motor 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the urging spring 66 urges the post-processing mechanism 33 in the second direction X2, which is the direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1. The urging spring 66 urges the post-processing mechanism 33 at the first position P1 in the second direction X2 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. As an example of a regulatory wall that is in contact with the post-processing mechanism 33 at the first position P1 and that regulates the post-processing mechanism 33 from moving from the second position P2 to the second direction X2 toward the first direction X1. The first regulation wall portion 64 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 receives a force in the first direction X1 from the transfer motor 31 via the power transmission mechanism 70 and the timing belt 69. The urging spring 66 urges the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 in the second direction X2 from the second position P2 toward the first position P1. The motor driving force received by the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 is larger than the urging force of the urging spring 66. Therefore, the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 continuously receives the force of the first direction X1 based on the motor drive. A wall that comes into contact with the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 may be provided with a second regulating wall portion 65 that restricts the post-processing mechanism 33 from moving from the second position P2 to the first direction X1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the post-processing unit 60 includes a long stage member 61 long in the width direction X and a post-processing mechanism 33 movable along the longitudinal direction of the stage member 61. On the back surface of the stage member 61, a guide shaft 62 as an example of the two guides is supported in a state where both ends in the axial direction are fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stage member 61. The two guides may be replaced with two guide rails instead of the two guide shafts 62.

The post-processing mechanism 33 includes a base 33A and a post-processing main body 33B rotatably provided with respect to the base 33A. Two guide cylinders 63 into which two guide shafts 62 are inserted are fixed to the back surface of the base 33A. Therefore, the post-processing mechanism 33 is provided so as to be movable in the width direction X along the two guide shafts 62. The post-processing mechanism 33 can move between the first position P1 and the second position P2 along the two guide shafts 62. The urging spring 66 urges the post-processing mechanism 33 between the two guide shafts 62. It should be noted that two guide shafts 62 may be provided, and a total of three or more guide shafts 62 may be provided by further providing one or more guide shafts 62.

On the back surface of the stage member 61, a pair of pulleys 67 and 68 are rotatably supported at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof. An endless timing belt 69 is wound around the pair of pulleys 67 and 68.

A power transmission mechanism 70 and the above-mentioned timing belt 69 that is rotated by the power transmitted by the power transmission mechanism 70 are provided between the post-processing mechanism 33 and the transfer motor 31 that is a drive source. The power transmission mechanism 70 has a predetermined torque between the post-processing mechanism 33 and the transport motor 31, which is a drive source, to hold the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 against the urging force of the urging spring 66. A torque limiter 71 that limits the output torque is provided.

A position on the power transmission path between the transfer motor 31 as a drive source and the post-processing mechanism 33 is provided with an electromagnetic clutch 72 that switches between a connection state for connecting the power transmission path and a disconnection state for disconnecting the power transmission path.

The power transmission mechanism 70 includes a torque limiter 71, an electromagnetic clutch 72, and a composite gear 73. The torque limiter 71 has a gear 71A, and the gear 71A meshes with the large gear 74 of the electromagnetic clutch 72. The electromagnetic clutch 72 has a small gear 75 provided coaxially with the large gear 74. The small gear 75 meshes with the gear 76 of the composite gear 73. A pulley 68 is rotatably provided coaxially with the gear 76 of the composite gear 73. The transfer motor 31 drives the transfer roller pair 19B in a forward rotation direction (forward rotation direction) in which the sheet 12 can be conveyed in the transfer direction Y0. When the transport motor 31 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, the timing belt 69 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 due to the power transmitted via the power transmission mechanism 70. That is, when the transport motor 31 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, the post-processing mechanism 33 is given a driving force to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the first direction X1 via the timing belt 69. The driving force that causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to move in the first direction X1 causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to move in a direction that causes the urging spring 66 to extend against the urging force.

The restricting wall portions 64, 65 may be provided so as to be movable in the width direction X so as to change the position in the width direction X according to the width size of the sheet 12. For example, an actuator (not shown) may be used to change the position of the regulation wall portions 64, 65 in the width direction X according to the width size of the sheet 12. Further, in the post-processing mechanism 33, the post-processing main body 33B is engaged at a position where the post-processing main body 33B rotatably provided with respect to the base 33A moves until the base 33A hits the regulation wall portions 64 and 65. An engaging rod (not shown) is provided so as to be able to appear and disappear. By further moving outward in the width direction while the post-processing main body 33B is engaged with the engaging rod, the post-processing main body 33B is tilted by an angle of 45 degrees to the tilted posture shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Be placed. Therefore, the post-processing mechanism 33 enables flat striking in which the staple needles are bound in a direction parallel to the end of the sheet bundle 12B, as well as slanting striking in which the staple needles are slanted at the corners of the sheet bundle 12B. It has become. When the width size of the sheet bundle 12B is different, the corner portion of the sheet bundle 12B is moved by moving the sheet bundle 12B in the width direction X by using the sheet support member 37 and the matching mechanism 51 in the same procedure as the shift process. May be configured to shift to a position where diagonal striking is possible by the post-processing mechanism 33. Further, a plunger (not shown) may be used to move the regulated wall portions 64 and 65 back and forth, and the regulated wall portions 64 and 65 may switch between a state in which the movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 is restricted and a state in which the movement is not regulated.

A tray 32 is provided in which sheets are sequentially placed and a plurality of sheets are used as a sheet bundle 12B.
The post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B placed on the tray 32. Here, the preceding sheet bundle 12B is referred to as the first sheet bundle 12B, and the succeeding sheet bundle 12B is referred to as the second sheet bundle 12B. In the present embodiment, the first movement is performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle 12B and before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle 12B. That is, the first movement period T1, which is the period in which the first movement is performed, corresponds to a part of the period in which the plurality of sheets 12 are bundled to form the second sheet bundle 12B.

Specifically, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first post-processing on the first sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2, and after the second movement from the second position P2, the second post-processing at the first position P1. Perform processing. Then, the post-treatment mechanism 33 performs the first movement after performing the post-treatment on the first sheet bundle 12B twice and before performing the post-treatment on the second sheet bundle 12B. The first movement period T1 can be used during the period when a plurality of sheets form a bundle. Then, when the second sheet bundle 12B is formed, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first post-processing on the second sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2 after the first movement, and the second. After performing the second movement from the position P2, the second post-processing is performed at the first position P1.

Therefore, after the first post-processing is completed at the second position P2, the second movement from the second position P2 to the second position P2 is performed by using the urging force of the urging spring 66. In the present embodiment, in the first movement period T1, which is the period during which the post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the motor drive, the post-processing mechanism 33 is in the second position. It is longer than the second movement period T2, which is the period during which the second movement to move from P2 to the first position P1 in the second direction X2 is performed.

Since the first movement period T1 is longer than the second movement period T2, the transport motor 31 as a drive source may be a relatively small one having a low speed rotation. Further, even if the transfer motor 31 which is the drive source of the transfer roller vs. 19B is shared as the drive source, it is not necessary to use such a large motor.

Further, the second movement period T2 is short, and the first post-processing and the second post-processing can be performed in a short time after the final sheet is completed for matching. Therefore, after the matching of the final sheets is completed, the sheet bundle 12B that has been subjected to the post-treatment twice can be quickly discharged from the tray 32.

Then, after discharging the first sheet bundle 12B, the subsequent formation of the second sheet bundle 12B is performed in the process of moving the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Here, assuming that the sheet interval time for one sheet 12 to be carried onto the tray 32 is Δt seconds, the first of the second sheet bundle 12B after the matching of the final sheet 12 of the first sheet bundle 12B is completed. It takes a sheet interval time of Δt seconds for the sheet 12 to be carried onto the tray 32. That is, if the two post-processings, the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33, and the ejection of the first sheet bundle 12B can be completed during the sheet interval time Δt seconds, the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B can be completed. It is not necessary to provide a waiting time for the first sheet to be waited before being carried in until the first sheet is carried onto the tray 32.

In the present embodiment, the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 is performed at high speed by using the urging force of the urging spring 66. Here, the post-processing time required for each post-processing is t1, and the second movement period T2, which is the period for performing the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33, is the second time. The movement required time is t2, and the discharge required time, which is the required time for discharging the sheet bundle 12B from the tray 32, is t3. The total time required for post-processing AT required for the two post-processing, the second movement, and the discharging operation of the first sheet bundle 12B is represented by AT = 2t1 + t2 + t3. Then, if AT <Δt is established between the total required post-processing time AT and the sheet interval time Δt, the timing of carrying the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B onto the tray 32 is delayed. It is not necessary to provide a waiting time for the first sheet 12 to stand by at a position upstream of the tray 32 in the transport direction Y0.

In the present embodiment, since the second movement between the first post-treatment and the second post-treatment is performed by using the urging force of the urging spring 66, the second movement, which is the time required to perform the second movement, is performed. The required time t2 can be shortened, and as a result, the total post-processing required time AT can be shortened. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a waiting time in order to delay the timing of carrying the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B onto the tray 32.

Here, in the present embodiment, the sheet interval time Δt, which is the interval time per sheet carried onto the tray 32, is a time in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 second, for example, 0.6. Seconds. Since AT <Δt is established between the sheet interval time Δt and the total post-processing required time AT, it is not necessary to provide a waiting time prior to the delivery of the first sheet 12.

In this way, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B sequentially loaded on the tray 32. The first movement is performed after the first sheet bundle 12B has been post-processed and before the second sheet bundle 12B has been post-processed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first movement from the first position P1 shown in FIG. 6 to the second position P2 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6 by driving a motor. Further, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the second movement from the second position P2 shown in FIG. 7 to the first position P1 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7 by the urging force of the urging spring 66.

The post-processing mechanism 33 has a recess 33C for staple processing in which the rear end portion (rear end 12r of the sheet) of the sheet bundle 12B aligned on the tray 32 is inserted in the front surface of the post-processing main body portion 33B. In the present embodiment, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2 and the second post-processing at the first position P1. Specifically, in this example in which the post-processing mechanism 33 is a staple mechanism, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first staple processing (needle binding processing) on the sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2, and 2 at the first position P1. Perform the stapling process for the second time.

<Electrical configuration of printing system>
Next, the electrical configuration of the printing system 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the printing system 11 has a first control unit 110 as an example of a control unit of the printing device 13 and a second control unit of the post-processing device 14 as an example of the control unit of the printing system 11. It has a control unit 120. The first control unit 110 controls each component of the printing device 13 and the intermediate device 15. In addition, the second control unit 120 controls the components of the post-processing device 14. That is, the second control unit 120 controls the operation of the processing unit in the sheet matching unit 40. The first control unit 110 and the second control unit 120 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication through a communication cable (not shown). The first control unit 110 and the second control unit 120 may be configured to enable wireless communication. Further, the first control unit 110 may control each component of the post-processing device 14, or the second control unit 120 may control the components of the printing device 13 and the intermediate device 15. Further, the first control unit 110 may control the second control unit 120, or the second control unit 120 may control the first control unit 110.

The second control unit 120 performs sheet matching control for controlling the sheet matching unit 40 and post-processing control for controlling the post-processing unit 60. In FIG. 9, the processing flow of the sheet matching control executed by the second control unit 120 is shown on the right side, and the processing flow of the post-processing control executed by the second control unit 120 is shown on the left side.

In the printing system 11, the power supply for the printing device 13 and the post-processing device 14 is common. Specifically, the printing device 13, the post-processing device 14, and the intermediate device 15 constituting the printing system 11 have a common power supply.

<Electrical configuration of printing device 13>
The first control unit 110 receives, for example, the print data PD from the host device 150. The print data PD includes print condition information and, for example, CMYK color system image data that defines print contents. The print condition information includes information on the sheet size, sheet type, presence / absence of double-sided printing, print color, print quality, total number of prints, and post-processing condition information. As the post-processing condition information, the content and the number of sheets for one post-processing can be acquired.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first control unit 110 transmits a control signal to the liquid discharge head 25, the transport unit 100, the maintenance device 26, the nozzle inspection device 28, and the intermediate device 15. As a result, the first control unit 110 controls the operations of the liquid discharge head 25, the transport unit 100, the maintenance device 26, the nozzle inspection device 28, and the intermediate device 15.

The first control unit 110 periodically performs maintenance during the printing operation. As maintenance by the maintenance device 26, empty discharge (flushing) of discharging a liquid unrelated to printing from the liquid discharge head 25 is executed. In this case, the first control unit 110 controls the support unit 23 and the maintenance device 26 at a predetermined time to move the support unit 23 from the support position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 to the retracted position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. The cap 27 is moved from the retracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 to the capping position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Here, the predetermined time is when the elapsed time from the end of the previous flushing has elapsed a predetermined interval time.

Then, the first control unit 110 controls the liquid discharge head 25 and executes empty discharge from the liquid discharge head 25 to discharge a liquid unrelated to printing. The liquid discharged by the empty discharge is received by the cap 27. In this respect, the liquid discharge head 25 for empty discharge also constitutes a part of the maintenance unit.

Here, the liquid ejection head 25 has a predetermined number of nozzles 24 in the range of, for example, 100 to several 10,000 for each liquid type such as ink color. The ink in the unused nozzle 24, which is not used for ejecting liquid during printing, gradually thickens. By empty ejection, the thickening ink in all the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection head 25 is discharged to prevent clogging of the nozzles 24.

The first control unit 110 manages the maintenance implementation time. In addition, the first control unit 110 manages the empty ejection timing during printing at predetermined interval times. By slightly vibrating and stirring the liquid (for example, ink) in the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25, a micro-vibration operation for suppressing thickening of the liquid in the nozzle 24 is performed. The micro-vibration operation of the liquid discharge head 25 is performed by driving a discharge drive element provided corresponding to each nozzle 24 with a strength such that the liquid is not discharged from the nozzle 24. The discharge drive element is, for example, a piezoelectric element, a heat generating element, or an electrostatic drive element.

Further, the first control unit 110 executes cleaning for forcibly discharging the liquid in the liquid discharge head 25 as maintenance by the maintenance device 26. In this case, the first control unit 110 controls the support unit 23 and the maintenance device 26 to move the support unit 23 to the retracted position and the cap 27 to the capping position. Then, the first control unit 110 drives the suction pump to create a negative pressure in the closed space surrounded by the nozzle opening surface where the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25 opens and the cap 27, whereby the liquid discharge head 25 The liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzle 24 of the above. The liquid discharged into the cap 27 is collected in a waste liquid container (not shown).

Further, the first control unit 110 shown in FIG. 8 includes a computer (not shown). The first control unit 110 includes a timer 111, a first counter 112, and a memory 113 in the computer. The timer 111 measures the elapsed time T from the time of the previous maintenance execution. That is, the timer 111 measures two types of elapsed time, that is, the elapsed time from the previous empty discharge execution time and the elapsed time from the previous cleaning execution time. The first control unit 110 determines whether or not the empty discharge time has been reached and whether or not the cleaning time has been reached based on each elapsed time measured by the timer 111. Further, the first counter 112 is controlled by the first control unit 110, and counts the number of prints printed by the liquid discharge head 25 in the printing device 13 from a predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, the previous maintenance execution time, and the first counter 112 counts the number of prints until the next maintenance execution time.

The printing device 13 may include a nozzle inspection device 28 that inspects the nozzle 24 during printing. The first control unit 110 also sets the cleaning time when one or a predetermined plurality of nozzles 24 having defective ejection are detected as a result of the nozzle inspection by the nozzle inspection device 28. The first control unit 110 performs cleaning by forcibly sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24 when the cleaning time comes during printing.

The first control unit 110 performs continuous printing in which, for example, a sheet 12 made of cut sheet is continuously conveyed and sequentially printed on the sheet 12, and when post-processing is set, the first control unit 120 is subjected to continuous printing. By sending the job JD, the second control unit 120 of the post-processing device 14 is instructed to perform post-processing. The job JD includes post-processing condition information such as the type of post-processing and the set number of sheets.

<Electrical configuration of aftertreatment device 14>
The transport mechanism 30, the receiving mechanism 41, the feeding mechanism 43, the matching mechanism 51, the support mechanism 55, the post-processing mechanism 33, and the discharging mechanism 36 are electrically connected to the second control unit 120. The second control unit 120 controls the operation of each mechanism 30, 33, 36, 41, 43, 51, 55.

A sensor 34 is electrically connected to the second control unit 120. The sensor 34 detects the presence or absence of the seat 12 and outputs a detection signal. The second control unit 120 detects the tip 12f of the sheet 12 by switching from the non-detection state in which the sensor 34 does not detect the sheet 12 to the detection state in which the sheet 12 is detected. Further, the second control unit 120 detects the rear end 12r of the sheet 12 by switching from the detection state in which the sensor 34 detects the sheet 12 to the non-detection state in which the sheet 12 is not detected.

The second control unit 120 executes sheet matching control and post-processing control based on the post-processing condition information instructed by the job JD received from the first control unit 110.
Further, the second control unit 120 shown in FIG. 8 includes a computer (not shown). The second control unit 120 includes a second counter 121 and a second memory 122 in the computer. The second counter 121 is controlled by the second control unit 120, and counts the number of sheets 12 loaded on the tray 32 of the post-processing device 14. The second control unit 120 determines whether or not the number of sheets loaded on the tray 32 has reached the target set number based on the count value of the second counter 121. When the number of sheets 12 loaded on the tray 32 reaches the set number, the second control unit 120 performs post-processing instructed by the job JD on the sheet bundle 12B loaded on the tray 32 in a aligned state. conduct. The post-processing condition information includes information on the type of post-processing, the number of post-processing, and the position. 4 to 7 show an example in which the post-processing is performed twice at the first position P1 and the second position P2.

The second memory 122 stores a program PR including a seat control routine and a post-processing control routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. The computer in the second control unit 120 controls the transfer mechanism 30, the sheet matching unit 40, the post-processing unit 60, and the discharge mechanism 36 by executing the program PR.

An input unit 125 for inputting a program PR from the storage medium SM is connected to the second control unit 120. The program PR is stored in the storage medium SM. The storage medium SM is, for example, a storage disk such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, but may be a USB memory, a portable hard disk, or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

The computer performs sheet matching control by executing the program PR to control the receiving mechanism 41, the feeding mechanism 43, the matching mechanism 51 and the support mechanism 55, and the discharging mechanism 36 constituting the sheet matching unit 40. Post-processing control is performed by controlling the post-processing mechanism 33 and the electromagnetic clutch 72 constituting the post-processing unit 60. In FIG. 9, the sheet matching control routine processed in parallel by the computer and the post-processing control routine are arranged in parallel so that the processing timing can be understood, and the notification signal exchanged between the two controls is indicated by a broken line arrow. ing.

The first movement is performed after accepting the job JD and before the post-processing is performed on the first sheet bundle 12B. The first control unit 110, which is the controller of the printing device 13, sends a job JD instructing the second control unit 120, which is the controller of the post-processing device 14, to perform post-processing. The post-processing mechanism 33 stays at the first position P1 which is the home position until the second control unit 120, which is the controller of the post-processing device 14, receives the job JD from the first control unit 110, which is the controller of the printing device 13. To position.

When the second control unit 120 receives the job JD from the first control unit 110, the second control unit 120 switches the electromagnetic clutch 72 from the disconnected state to the connected state. When the electromagnetic clutch 72 is switched to the connected state, the power of the conveyor motor 31 is transmitted to the post-processing mechanism 33 via the torque limiter 71, the electromagnetic clutch 72, the compound gear 73, and the timing belt 69. As a result, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first movement to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in the first direction X1.

In this embodiment, the printing system 11 includes a liquid ejection head 25 that ejects a liquid. A liquid discharge head 25 for discharging liquid to the sheet 12 is provided at a position upstream of the post-processing device 14 in the transport direction Y0 of the sheet 12. The post-treatment mechanism 33 performs post-treatment on the sheet bundle formed by loading the sheets 12 on which the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge head 25.

During the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement, the liquid discharge head 25 performs an empty discharge operation for discharging a liquid unrelated to printing. That is, the liquid discharge head 25 performs an empty discharge operation during the second movement period T2 in which the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the second movement. The empty discharge operation is also called a flushing operation.

Further, during the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement, a micro-vibration operation is performed in which the liquid in the nozzle is slightly vibrated with a strength that the liquid discharge head 25 does not discharge the liquid. Here, one of the micro-vibration operations is performed as maintenance. That is, by slightly vibrating the liquid in the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25, the liquid in the nozzle 24 is agitated and the thickening of the liquid is suppressed. Another micro-vibration operation is performed in the nozzle inspection. The printing device 13 of the present embodiment includes a nozzle inspection device 28 that performs a nozzle inspection for inspecting the presence or absence of clogging of the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25. The nozzle inspection device 28 inspects nozzle clogging by utilizing the slight vibration of the liquid in the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25.

Next, the operation of the printing system 11 will be described.
The user inputs and sets print condition information and post-processing condition information by operating a pointing device (both not shown) such as a keyboard or a mouse of the host device 150. The print condition information includes the medium size, medium type, print color, total number of prints, and the like. Further, the post-processing condition information includes the presence / absence of post-processing, the content of post-processing, and the set number of sheets 12 constituting one sheet bundle 12B. Examples of post-processing include staple processing, punch processing, saddle stitching processing, folding processing and the like.

The first control unit 110 of the printing device 13 receives the print data PD from the host device 150. The first control unit 110 acquires information such as a medium size, a medium type, a print color, a print quality, and a total number of prints from the print condition information included in the print data PD. Further, the first control unit 110 acquires the type of post-processing, the set number of sheets, the position of post-processing, and the like from the post-processing condition information included in the print data PD.

Hereinafter, the sheet matching control and the post-processing control executed by the second control unit 120 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the sheet alignment control routine is shown on the right side, and the post-processing control routine is shown on the left side. Before the start of the printing operation, the cap 27 is in the capping position covering the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25, and the support portion 23 is in the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

Upon receiving the print data PD, the first control unit 110 determines the presence or absence of post-processing from the post-processing condition information contained therein, and if there is post-processing, the type of post-processing, the position and setting of post-processing. The job JD including the number of sheets and the like is transmitted to the second control unit 120. In addition, printing of the print data PD is executed based on the print condition information. Specifically, the sheet 12 housed in the cassette 20 is started to be sent out by the pickup roller 21.

When the second control unit 120 receives the job JD, the computer executes the program PR to start the sheet matching control and the post-processing control. Hereinafter, sheet alignment control and post-processing control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The sheet alignment control is a control in which the sheets 12 that are sequentially carried in are loaded on the tray 32 to form the sheet bundle 12B. The sheet alignment control includes a sheet alignment operation in which a plurality of sheets 12 are aligned on the tray 32 to form a sheet bundle 12B and a sheet bundle ejection operation in which the post-processed sheet bundle 12B is discharged from the tray 32. Is included. The sheet matching operation includes a sheet 12 receiving operation by the variable guide 42, a sheet 12 feeding operation by the paddles 45 and 46, and a sheet 12 matching operation by the matching mechanism 51. In the sheet alignment control, the three processes of steps S51 to S53 are set as one cycle, and this cycle is repeated.

In the post-processing control, the computer of the second control unit 120 drives and controls the post-processing unit 60 to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B formed on the tray 32. In this post-processing control, the processing of steps S11 to S27 is set as one cycle, and this cycle is repeated.

First, in step S51, the computer of the second control unit 120 performs the seat matching operation by driving and controlling the seat matching unit 40. This sheet matching operation includes a receiving operation, a feeding operation, and a matching operation. When the sensor 34 detects the sheet 12, the computer clocks a predetermined time from the detection time, and the time is set to a set time corresponding to the time required for the rear end 12r of the sheet 12 to be discharged from the transport roller pair 19B. When it reaches, the seat 12 is knocked down by rotating the variable guide 42 in the clockwise direction in the figure from the retracted position shown in FIG. As a result, the transport path of the sheet 12 discharged from the transport mechanism 30 is changed in the direction (downward) toward the tray 32. The sheet 12 is received on the tray 32 by the receiving mechanism 41.

Further, following the receiving operation, a feeding operation is performed in which the sheet 12 received on the tray 32 is sent to the second transport direction Y2 along the loading surface of the tray 32 by the rotation of the paddles 45 and 46 of two types, large and small. Then, the rear end 12r of the sheet 12 is abutted against the abutting portion 47 by rotating the paddles 45 and 46 of two types, large and small, so that the sheet 12 is aligned with the transport direction Y0. Next, the pair of matching members 54 constituting the matching mechanism 51 hit both ends of the sheet 12 to align the sheet 12 in the width direction X. As a result, the sheet 12 is aligned on the tray 32 in two directions, the transport direction Y0 and the width direction X. In this way, the receiving operation, the feeding operation, and the matching operation are sequentially performed on the sheets 12 sequentially carried in from the transport mechanism 30, and the plurality of sheets 12 are loaded in the matching state on the loading surface 32A so that the sheets 12 are loaded on the tray 32. The bundle 12B is formed.

On the other hand, when the computer of the second control unit 120 receives the job JD, the computer first connects the electromagnetic clutch 72 in step S11. As a result, the power of the transfer motor 31, which is a drive source, is transmitted via the power transmission mechanism 70, so that the timing belt 69 rotates in the direction of moving the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. do.

In the next step S12, the post-processing mechanism 33 is driven by the motor. That is, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first movement to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the first position P1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to the second position P2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 in the first direction X1. Since this first movement is driven by a motor, the first movement period T1 which is the period in which the first movement is performed is longer than the second movement period T2 which is the period in which the second movement described later is performed. That is, the first movement is performed at a lower speed than the second movement. Therefore, the load applied to the transport motor 31 is relatively small. The power consumption of the transfer motor 31 is increased by the load for the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33, but the amount of increase in the power is relatively small. In this embodiment, the processes of steps S11 and S12 correspond to an example of the first movement step. Further, after accepting the job JD, the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 in the post-processing device 14 may be performed during the period of transporting the sheet 12 in the printing device 13.

When the computer determines that the post-processing mechanism 33 has reached the second position P2 in step S13, the computer performs the first post-processing in the next step S14. The computer drives an actuator for post-processing (not shown) included in the post-processing mechanism 33, and causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2 as shown in FIG. .. As a result, for example, a staple treatment is applied to a portion of the sheet bundle 12B corresponding to the second position P2. In this embodiment, the process of step S14 corresponds to an example of the first post-processing step.

In the next step S15, the computer disengages the electromagnetic clutch 72 and moves the post-processing mechanism 33 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. When the electromagnetic clutch 72 is disengaged, the power transmission path of the power transmission mechanism 70 is disengaged, so that the power transmitted from the transfer motor 31 via the power transmission mechanism 70 is lost. As a result, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. In this embodiment, the process of step S15 corresponds to an example of the second movement step.

In step S16, when the computer determines that the post-processing mechanism 33 has reached the first position P1, the computer performs the second post-processing in the next step S17. The computer drives an actuator for post-processing (not shown) included in the post-processing mechanism 33, and causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the first position P1 as shown in FIG. .. As a result, for example, a staple treatment is applied to a portion of the sheet bundle 12B corresponding to the first position P1. In this embodiment, the process of step S17 corresponds to an example of the second post-processing step.

Since the movement between the first post-processing and the second post-processing of the post-processing mechanism 33 is the second movement using the urging force of the urging spring 66, it moves at a higher speed than the first movement. Therefore, the two post-treatments can be completed in a short time. That is, after the alignment of the sheet bundle 12B is completed, the operation until the post-processed sheet bundle 12B is discharged from the tray 32 is performed in a short time. The total post-processing time AT required for this operation is shorter than the sheet interval time Δt. Therefore, the first sheet bundle 12B can be ejected from the tray 32 before the first sheet 12 constituting the next second sheet bundle 12B is carried onto the tray 32. As a result, the next sheet 12 is quickly carried onto the tray 32 without waiting.

The first control unit 110 determines that the empty discharge timing is reached when the elapsed time from the previous empty discharge end time managed by the timer 111 reaches a predetermined time. The first control unit 110 acquires the timing of the second movement period T2 based on the post-processing information regarding the operation status of the post-processing unit 60 acquired from the second control unit 120. The first control unit 110 adjusts the empty discharge timing so that the empty discharge timing and the timing of the second movement period T2 match. The first control unit 110 temporarily stops the printing operation by the liquid discharge head 25 at a timing that matches the adjusted empty discharge timing, and performs a replacement operation between the support unit 23 and the cap 27. When the cap 27 is arranged at the capping position facing the liquid discharge head 25, the first control unit 110 performs an empty discharge operation of discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head toward the cap 27. At this time, the empty discharge by the liquid discharge head 25 and the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 are performed at the same timing. That is, the empty discharge is performed within the second moving period T2.

The second control unit 120 may acquire the empty discharge timing information regarding the empty discharge timing from the first control unit 110, and may adjust the timing at which the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the second movement according to the empty discharge timing. In the present embodiment, the second movement period T2 is shorter than the first movement period T1. Therefore, if the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 is adjusted, the post-processing completion time may be delayed, which may cause a delay in the ejection operation of the first sheet bundle 12B. In this case, it becomes necessary to provide a waiting time on the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. Therefore, the first control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a delay in which it is necessary to provide a waiting time for the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. When the second control unit 120 determines that a delay occurs, the second control unit 120 requests the first control unit 110 to adjust the empty discharge timing. On the other hand, when it is determined that the delay does not occur, the second control unit 120 adjusts the timing of the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first control unit 110 and the second control unit 120 exchange information regarding the control contents of each other, the empty discharge timing of the liquid discharge head 25, and the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33. Adjust the timing to match the timing.

Further, the first control unit 110 slightly vibrates the liquid in all the nozzles 24 of the liquid discharge head 25 during a predetermined period other than when the liquid discharge head 25 is in the non-capping state and printing is in progress. This suppresses the thickening of the liquid in all the nozzles 24 of the liquid discharge head 25. In the present embodiment, the timing is adjusted so that the timing of the micro-vibration operation in which the liquid discharge head 25 slightly vibrates the liquid in all the nozzles 24 and the timing of the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 are matched.

Here, the period during which the liquid discharge head 25 vibrates slightly is a page in which the pages of the sheet 12 are switched during the period before the start of printing from the time when the liquid discharge head 25 is in the non-capping state to the start of printing on the sheet 12. Examples thereof include a switching period, a period after the end of printing until the liquid discharge head 25 is capped after the end of printing, and the like.

The first control unit 110 acquires the timing of the second movement period T2 based on the post-processing information regarding the operation status of the post-processing unit 60 acquired from the second control unit 120. The first control unit 110 adjusts the micro-vibration timing so that the micro-vibration timing and the second movement timing match. The first control unit 110 adjusts the start timing of the operation of removing the cap 27 at a timing that matches the adjusted micro-vibration timing. For other micro-vibrations, it is preferable that the second control unit 120 adjusts the timing of the second movement in accordance with the micro-vibration timing.

That is, the second control unit 120 acquires the micro-vibration timing information regarding the micro-vibration timing from the first control unit 110, and adjusts the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 according to the micro-vibration timing. In the present embodiment, the second movement period T2 is shorter than the first movement period T1. Therefore, if the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 is adjusted, the post-processing completion time may be delayed, which may cause a delay in the ejection operation of the first sheet bundle 12B. In this case, it becomes necessary to provide a waiting time on the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. Therefore, the first control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a delay in which it is necessary to provide a waiting time for the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. When the second control unit 120 determines that a delay occurs, the second control unit 120 requests the first control unit 110 to adjust the micro-vibration timing. On the other hand, when the second control unit 120 determines that the delay does not occur, the second control unit 120 adjusts the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 according to the micro-vibration timing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the nozzle inspection by the nozzle inspection device 28 is performed by using the slight vibration of the liquid discharge head 25. Micro-vibration is generated by driving a discharge drive element such as a piezoelectric element provided for each nozzle 24 with a strength that does not discharge liquid from the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25. Due to the slight vibration of the liquid in the liquid chamber through which the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25 communicates, the reverberation that the micro vibration gradually attenuates remains even if the micro vibration is stopped. This damped vibration is detected as an electric signal by an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element. The signal waveform of the electric signal that detects this damped vibration differs between the normal nozzle and the defective nozzle. Further, the signal waveform of the defective nozzle differs depending on the type of defective mode. Causes of the defective nozzle that causes ejection failure include thickening of the liquid in the nozzle 24, paper dust adhering to the opening surface of the nozzle 24, air bubbles mixed in the liquid in the nozzle 24, and the like.

The first control unit 110 acquires the timing of the second movement based on the post-processing information acquired from the second control unit 120. The first control unit 110 adjusts the inspection timing so that the micro-vibration timing at the time of inspection and the second movement timing match. The first control unit 110 adjusts the capping operation start timing of the cap 27 at a timing that matches the inspection timing after the adjustment.

Further, the second control unit 120 can acquire the inspection time information regarding the inspection time from the first control unit 110 and adjust the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 according to the inspection timing. In the present embodiment, the second movement period T2 is shorter than the first movement period T1. Therefore, if the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 is adjusted, the post-processing completion time may be delayed, which may cause a delay in the ejection operation of the first sheet bundle 12B. In this case, it becomes necessary to provide a waiting time on the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. Therefore, the first control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a delay in which it is necessary to provide a waiting time for the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B. When the second control unit 120 determines that a delay occurs, the second control unit 120 requests the first control unit 110 to adjust the inspection time. On the other hand, when the second control unit 120 determines that the delay does not occur, the second control unit 120 adjusts the second movement timing of the post-processing mechanism 33 according to the inspection time. As a result, the slight vibration of the liquid in all the nozzles 24 and the second movement at the time of inspection are performed at the same timing.

Since the above-mentioned micro-vibration is a micro-vibration performed on all the nozzles 24, the power consumption of the printing system 11 is larger than that of the micro-vibration performed on some of the nozzles 24. For example, when the inspection is performed at the timing of the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 driven by the motor, the load applied to the transfer motor 31 increases, so that the power consumption of the transfer motor 31 increases. When the increase in the power consumption of the transfer motor 31 and the increase in the power consumption due to the slight vibration of the liquid discharge head 25 at the time of the nozzle inspection occur at the same timing, the maximum power consumption of the printing system 11 temporarily increases. In this case, it is necessary to increase the rated power of the printing system 11. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the timing adjustment for matching the timing of the second movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 performed by utilizing the urging force of the urging spring 66 and the timing of the slight vibration of the liquid discharge head 25 is performed. conduct. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a temporary increase in the maximum power consumption of the printing system 11. In this case, it is not necessary to increase the rated power of the entire printing system 11.

The first control unit 110 inspects the nozzle 24 for ejection defects by the nozzle inspection device 28 during the printing operation, and when one or more or a predetermined plurality of defective nozzles are detected, it is said that the cleaning time has been reached. judge. The first control unit 110 replaces the cap 27 with the support unit 23, and performs cleaning for forcibly sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24 of the liquid discharge head 25.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The printing system 11 as an example of the sheet processing apparatus includes a tray 32 on which the sheet bundle 12B is placed, and a post-processing mechanism 33 that performs post-processing at the first position P1 and the second position P2 of the tray 32. .. The post-processing device 14 has a drive mechanism 38 that performs the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by driving, and post-processing from the second position P2 to the first position P1. An urging spring 66 is provided as an example of an urging member that performs the second movement of the mechanism 33 by urging. The first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement, is longer than the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement.

That is, in the first movement period T1 in which the post-processing mechanism 33 is driven by a motor and moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the second position P2 to the first position by the urging force of the urging spring 66. The second movement period toward P1 is longer than T2. The first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 driven by the motor can be moved at a lower speed than the second movement using the urging force of the urging spring 66. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a large motor capable of driving the transport motor 31 as a drive source at high speed. A transfer motor 31 having a small rated current can be used. According to this configuration, the first movement period T1 which is the period of the first movement is longer than the second movement period T2 which is the period of the second movement, so that the maximum speed of the second movement is higher than that of the first movement. Also tends to be fast. The second movement is performed by urging the urging spring 66, and the first movement is performed by driving the drive mechanism 38. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the load on the transport motor 31, which is the drive source of the drive mechanism 38, from being momentarily increased. For example, a small motor having a small driving force that can be output can be used. This contributes to the miniaturization of the aftertreatment device 14.

(2) As shown in FIG. 4, the urging spring 66 urges the post-processing mechanism 33 in the second direction X2 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 at the first position P1. The first regulatory wall portion 64, which is a wall in contact with the post-processing mechanism 33 at the first position P1, is an example of a regulatory wall that restricts the movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second direction X2. Be prepared. According to this configuration, since the post-processing mechanism 33 is urged while being in contact with the first regulation wall portion 64 at the first position P1, the post-processing mechanism 33 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1. Can be positioned with high accuracy.

(3) Sheets are sequentially placed on the tray 32, and a plurality of sheets are used as a sheet bundle 12B. The post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B placed on the tray 32. Here, the preceding sheet bundle 12B is referred to as the first sheet bundle 12B, and the succeeding sheet bundle 12B is referred to as the second sheet bundle 12B. In the present embodiment, the first movement is performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle 12B and before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle 12B. That is, the first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement, corresponds to at least a part of the period in which the plurality of sheets 12 are bundled to form the second sheet bundle 12B. According to this configuration, the first moving period T1 is a period during which a plurality of sheets 12 are bundled after the post-processing for the first sheet bundle 12B, so that the number of sheets 12 constituting the sheet bundle 12B is large. And, it is easy to set the time used for the second movement to be relatively long.

(4) The first movement is performed after the job is accepted and before the post-processing is performed on the first sheet bundle. According to this configuration, since the first movement is performed after the job JD is accepted, the deterioration of the urging spring 66 can be reduced. Here, the deterioration of the urging spring 66 means that, in the case of the present embodiment in which the urging spring 66 is, for example, a spring, the spring is plastically deformed and stretched. When the urging spring 66 is stretched due to plastic deformation, the elastic modulus changes small, and the maximum speed of the second movement decreases. In the case of this first embodiment, the time required for the post-processing mechanism 33 to perform the first post-processing and the second post-processing becomes long.

(5) The post-processing mechanism 33 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2 along the two guide shafts 62. The urging spring 66, which is an example of the urging member, urges the post-processing mechanism 33 between the two guide shafts 62. Therefore, the inclination of the post-processing mechanism 33 due to urging can be reduced.

(6) In the present embodiment, the printing system 11 includes a liquid ejection head 25 for ejecting a liquid. A liquid discharge head 25 for discharging liquid to the sheet 12 is provided at a position upstream of the post-processing device 14 in the transport direction Y0 of the sheet 12. The post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B on which the printed sheet 12 from which the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge head 25 is loaded. During the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement, the liquid discharge head 25 performs an empty discharge operation of discharging the liquid to the cap 27. That is, the empty discharge operation is performed during the second movement period T2. According to this configuration, the liquid ejection head 25 applies a high frequency voltage to a ejection driving element such as a piezoelectric element to eject ink from the nozzle 24. Therefore, by performing the empty ejection operation of ejecting droplets close to the maximum droplet amount from all the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection head 25 in the second moving period T2, the total instantaneous power consumption of the printing system 11 is totaled. The value can be reduced.

(7) During the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement, a micro-vibration operation is performed in which the liquid of the nozzle 24 is slightly vibrated with a strength that the liquid discharge head 25 does not discharge the liquid. According to this configuration, since the slight vibration and the second movement are performed in parallel, downtime can be reduced.

(8) The aftertreatment device 14 includes a transport roller pair 19B that transports the sheet 12 at a position upstream of the tray 32 in the transport direction Y0, and a transport motor 31 that is a drive source for driving the transport roller pair 19B. The drive mechanism 38 is driven by power from the transfer motor 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated motor for the post-processing mechanism 33.

(9) In the power transmission path between the post-processing mechanism 33 and the transport motor 31 which is the drive source, the torque is set to a predetermined torque to hold the post-processing mechanism 33 at the second position P2 against the urging force of the urging spring 66. A torque limiter 71 that limits the output torque from the drive source is provided. According to this configuration, the post-processing mechanism can be held in the second position without being pressed in the first direction by an excessive force.

(10) The power transmission path between the transfer motor 31 as a drive source and the post-processing mechanism 33 is provided with an electromagnetic clutch 72 that switches between a connection state for connecting the power transmission path and a disconnection state for disconnecting the power transmission path. According to this configuration, by receiving the driving force from the driving mechanism 38 under the connected state of the electromagnetic clutch 72, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first movement to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2. conduct. After the first movement, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the first position of the sheet bundle 12B. Next, when the electromagnetic clutch 72 is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the second movement of moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. After the second movement, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the second position P2 of the sheet bundle 12B. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch between the first movement by driving and the second movement by urging.

(11) The control method of the post-processing device 14 includes a first movement step (step S12), a first post-processing step (step S14), a second movement step (step S15), and a second post-processing step (step S17). Be prepared. The first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement step, is longer than the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement step. According to this control method, the effect of the above (1) can be obtained as in the post-processing device 14.

(12) The computer constituting the second control unit 120 of the post-processing device 14 executes the program PR. The program PR causes the computer to execute the first movement step (step S12), the first post-processing step (step S14), the second movement step (step S15), and the second post-processing step (step S17). According to this program, when the computer executes the program, the effect of (1) above can be obtained as in the post-processing device 14.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, when the post-treatment is performed on the sheet bundle 12B at two different positions, the first post-treatment is performed at the second position P2 and the second post-treatment is performed at the first position P1. On the other hand, in this second embodiment, when the post-processing is performed on the sheet bundle 12B at two different positions, the first post-processing is performed at the first position P1 and the second post-processing is performed at the second position. Perform on P2. Therefore, the processing contents of the sheet matching control and the post-processing control executed by the computer constituting the second control unit 120 are different from those of the first embodiment. Although the control contents are different, the configurations of the printing apparatus 13, the intermediate apparatus 15, and the post-processing apparatus 14 constituting the printing system 11 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the post-processing control and the sheet matching control executed by the second control unit 120 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the sheet alignment control routine is shown on the right side, and the post-processing control routine is shown on the left side. Before the start of the printing operation, the cap 27 is in the capping position and the support portion 23 is in the retracted position.

When the first control unit 110 receives the print data PD, the first control unit 110 determines the presence or absence of post-processing from the post-processing condition information included in the print data PD, and if the type of post-processing is instructed, the second control unit 110 determines the content thereof. Notify 120. The first control unit 110 sends a job JD to the second control unit 120. Further, the first control unit 110 prints the print data PD based on the print condition information.

The second control unit 120 waits until the sheet 12 carried into the aftertreatment device 14 is detected. When the sheet 12 is detected, the sheet alignment control and the post-processing control are started. Hereinafter, sheet alignment control and post-processing control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The computer of the second control unit 120 performs sheet matching control and post-processing control. In this second embodiment, the sheet alignment control is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, in the sheet matching control, the three processes of steps S51 to S53 are set as one cycle, and this cycle is repeated.

In the post-processing control in the second embodiment, the processing of steps S21 to S27 is set as one cycle, and this cycle is repeated.
When the computer of the second control unit 120 receives the job JD from the first control unit 110, the computer executes the program PR to start the sheet matching control and the post-processing control. Hereinafter, the processing contents of the post-processing control executed by the computer of the second control unit 120 will be mainly described. The post-processing mechanism 33 is waiting at the first position P1 which is the home position.

In the post-processing control, when the computer of the second control unit 120 receives the job JD, the computer first performs the first post-processing in step S21. The computer drives an actuator for post-processing (not shown) included in the post-processing mechanism 33, and causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the first position P1 as shown in FIG. .. As a result, for example, a staple treatment is applied to a portion of the sheet bundle 12B corresponding to the first position P1. In this embodiment, the process of step S21 corresponds to an example of the first post-processing step.

In the next step S22, the electromagnetic clutch 72 is connected. As a result, the power of the conveyor motor 31, which is a drive source, is transmitted via the power transmission mechanism 70, so that the timing belt 69 rotates. The timing belt 69 rotates in the direction of moving the post-processing mechanism 33 from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

In the next step S23, the post-processing mechanism 33 is driven by the motor. That is, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the first movement to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2. That is, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves in the first direction X1 from the first position P1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 to the second position P2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Since this first movement is driven by a motor, the first movement period T1 which is the period in which the first movement is performed is longer than the second movement period T2 which is the period in which the second movement described later is performed. That is, the first movement is performed at a lower speed than the second movement. Therefore, the load applied to the transport motor 31 is relatively small. The power consumption of the transfer motor 31 is increased by the load for the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33, but the amount of increase in the power is relatively small. In this embodiment, the processes of steps S22 and S23 correspond to an example of the first movement step.

When the computer determines that the post-processing mechanism 33 has reached the second position P2 in step S24, the computer performs the second post-processing in the next step S25. The computer drives an actuator for post-processing (not shown) included in the post-processing mechanism 33, and causes the post-processing mechanism 33 to perform post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B at the second position P2 as shown in FIG. .. As a result, for example, a staple treatment is applied to a portion of the sheet bundle 12B corresponding to the second position P2. When the second post-processing is completed, the second control unit 120 notifies the first control unit 110 that the post-processing is completed. In this embodiment, the process of step S25 corresponds to an example of the second post-processing step.

The computer of the second control unit 120 discharges the sheet bundle 12B in step S53 of the sheet alignment control. That is, the computer drives the discharge mechanism 36 to discharge the sheet bundle 12B for which the post-processing has been completed from the tray 32.

On the other hand, after completing the two post-processings, in step S26, the computer disengages the electromagnetic clutch 72 and moves the post-processing mechanism 33 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. When the electromagnetic clutch 72 is disengaged, the power transmission path of the power transmission mechanism 70 is disengaged, so that the power transmitted from the transfer motor 31 via the power transmission mechanism 70 is lost. As a result, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the urging force of the urging spring 66. For example, in the process of discharging the first sheet bundle 12B and carrying in the first sheet 12 of the second sheet bundle 12B into the tray 32, the post-processing mechanism 33 performs the urging force of the urging spring 66. The second movement is performed by. In this embodiment, the process of step S26 corresponds to an example of the second movement step.

In step S27, when the computer determines that the post-processing mechanism 33 has reached the first position P1, the computer ends one cycle.
Similar to the first embodiment, at the timing of this second movement, the printing device 13 performs empty discharge, slight vibration, and nozzle inspection of the liquid discharge head 25. Therefore, the power consumption of the printing system 11 can be suppressed to be smaller than that in the configuration in which the second movement timing and the empty discharge, slight vibration, and nozzle inspection timing of the liquid discharge head 25 are deviated from each other.

In this second embodiment, the movement between the first post-processing and the second post-processing of the post-processing mechanism 33 is the first movement driven by the motor, so that the movement is slower than the second movement. Therefore, the two post-treatments are performed over a longer period of time than in the first embodiment. That is, after the alignment of the sheet bundle 12B is completed, the operation until the post-processed sheet bundle 12B is discharged from the tray 32 is performed over a relatively long time as compared with the first embodiment. If the total post-processing required time AT required for this operation is shorter than the sheet interval time Δt, a waiting time may occur before the next sheet 12 is carried in. Therefore, a waiting time is generated in the first sheet 12 before the first sheet 12 constituting the next second sheet bundle 12B is carried onto the tray 32. When the sensor 34 detects the sheet 12, the transport roller pair 19B is temporarily stopped at that position, and the sheet is temporarily retained in the intermediate device 15.

Further, unlike the first embodiment, the printing device 13 may perform an empty discharge, a slight vibration, and a nozzle inspection of the liquid discharge head 25 at the timing of the first movement. That is, while these empty ejections, slight vibrations, and nozzle inspections are being performed, the sheet 12 cannot be printed and the sheet 12 cannot be carried into the post-processing device 14. Therefore, using this downtime, the first movement may be performed while the empty discharge, the slight vibration, and the nozzle inspection are performed. Even in this case, since the first movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 driven by the motor is slower than the second movement using the urging force of the urging spring 66, the transport motor 31 as the drive source has a high speed. You don't have to use a large motor that can be driven. Therefore, the transfer motor 31 having a small rated current can be used.

Similar to the first embodiment, the post-processing device 14 includes a tray 32 in which the sheets 12 are sequentially placed and the plurality of sheets 12 are used as the sheet bundle 12B. The post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B placed on the tray 32. The second movement is performed after the first sheet bundle 12B is post-processed and before the second sheet bundle 12B is post-processed.

Since the second movement period T2 is a period for bundling a plurality of sheets 12, if the number of sheets 12 constituting the sheet bundle 12B is large, it is easy to set a relatively long time for the second movement. On the contrary, if the number of sheets 12 constituting the sheet bundle 12B is small, the time used for the second movement has to be set relatively short. However, since the second movement utilizes the urging force of the urging spring 66, the second movement period T2 can be shortened. Since the second movement is performed during the period in which the plurality of sheets 12 are bundled, the post-processing mechanism 33 is moved to the first position P1 where the first post-processing is performed before the formation of the second sheet bundle 12B is completed. Can be moved.

Further, the sheets 12 may be sequentially placed on the tray 32, and the sheet bundle 12B may be placed on the tray 32 instead of the configuration in which the plurality of sheets 12 are the sheet bundle 12B. That is, a tray on which the sheets 12 are sequentially placed may be separately provided, the plurality of sheets 12 may be used as the sheet bundle 12B, and the sheet bundle 12B may be conveyed to the tray 32. Thereby, the period from the post-treatment to the first sheet bundle 12B to the post-treatment to the second sheet bundle 12B can be shortened.

Hereinafter, the control contents executed by the computer in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the processing flow shown in FIG.
According to the second embodiment, the effects described in (1) to (10) in the first embodiment can be obtained in the same manner, and the effects shown below can be obtained in the same manner.

(13) The post-processing mechanism 33 of the post-processing device 14 constituting the printing system 11 which is an example of the sheet processing device performs post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B placed on the tray 32. The second movement is performed after the first sheet bundle 12B is post-processed and before the second sheet bundle 12B is post-processed. According to this configuration, the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement, is a period in which a plurality of sheets 12 are bundled after the post-treatment for the first sheet bundle 12B. Therefore, if the number of sheets 12 constituting the sheet bundle 12B is large, it is easy to set the time used for the second movement to be relatively long. The first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement, is a period during which a plurality of post-processing on the sheet bundle 12B is performed.

(14) The control method of the post-processing device 14 includes a first post-processing step (step S21), a first moving step (step S23), a second post-processing step (step S25), and a second moving step (step S26). Be prepared. The first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement step, is longer than the second movement period T2, which is the period of the second movement step. According to this control method, the effect of the above (13) can be obtained as in the post-processing device 14.

(15) The computer constituting the second control unit 120 of the post-processing device 14 executes the program PR. The program PR causes the computer to execute the first post-processing step (step S21), the first moving step (step S23), the second post-processing step (step S25), and the second moving step (step S26). According to this program, when the computer executes the program, the effect of (13) above can be obtained as in the post-processing device 14.

In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment can be changed to the form like the modification shown below. Further, a further modification example may be a combination of the above embodiment and the modification examples shown below, or a combination of the modification examples shown below may be a further modification example.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the electromagnetic clutch 72 provided at a position on the power transmission path between the transfer motor 31 as a drive source and the post-processing mechanism 33 may be configured to mesh two gears. The electromagnetic clutch 72 includes an input gear 81 and an output gear 82. The electromagnetic clutch 72 engages the input gear 81 and the output gear 82 to connect the power transmission path, and disengages the engagement between the input gear 81 and the output gear 82 to disconnect the power transmission path. The input gear 81 is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 74A of the gear 74 that meshes with the gear 71A of the torque limiter 71. Further, the output gear 82 is attached to the rotating shaft 75A of the gear 75 constituting the composite gear so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, and is urged by the spring 84 in a direction approaching the input gear 81. The input gear 81 and the output gear 82 are in a state where their teeth face each other, and when the output gear 82 approaches the input gear 81, both gears 81 and 82 mesh with each other, and when the output gear 82 separates from the input gear 81. The meshing of both gears 81 and 82 is released. The output gear 82 has a collar portion 82A at its base (upper portion), and the engagement portion 87A of the hook-shaped engaging member 87 fixed to the tip end portion of the output shaft 86 of the solenoid 85 engages with the collar portion 82A. ing. As shown in FIG. 11, when the solenoid 85 is in the non-excited state, the output gear 82 meshes with the input gear 81 by the urging force of the spring 84, so that the power transmission mechanism 70 is in the connected state. In this connected state, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 against the urging force of the spring 66 by the driving force of the transport motor 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, when the solenoid 85 is in the excited state, the engaging portion displaces the output gear 82 upward so that the output gear 82 resists the urging force of the spring 84 from the input gear 81. Move away. As a result, the meshing with the input gear 81 is released, and the power transmission mechanism 70 is in a disconnected state. In this cut state, the post-processing mechanism 33 is moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1 by the urging force of the spring 66.

The post-processing by the post-processing mechanism 33 is performed at the first position and the second position of one sheet bundle 12B and at the first position of the first first sheet bundle 12B, and the second second. This includes the case of performing at the second position of the sheet bundle 12B of. Regarding the latter, the first position may be the end position of the sheet bundle 12B, and the second position may be the corner position of the sheet bundle 12B. In addition, such staple processing may be performed alternately, or may be sorted later.

-The slight vibration and the second movement were performed at the same timing, but they may be performed in order.
-The urging member is not limited to a spring, and may be, for example, a magnet.
A motor for purposes other than the transfer motor 31 may be diverted as a drive source for moving the post-processing mechanism 33. It is preferable that the motor is always driven at least while the post-processing of the post-processing device 14 is being executed, but it is not necessary to be constantly driven as long as the post-processing control is not hindered.

When the post-processing device 14 does not have a motor suitable for moving the post-processing mechanism 33, the post-processing mechanism 33 may be moved by using the motor of the printing device 13 as a drive source.
The movement of the post-processing mechanism 33 by the drive source is not limited to the first movement from the first position P1 to the second position P2, but is the first movement and the second reciprocation between the first position P1 and the second position P2. It may be both with 2 movements.

-The urging by the urging member may be any of a spring, a magnet, and both a spring and a magnet.
-The urging member is not limited to a spring or a magnet, and may be an elastic member such as rubber.
A dedicated motor may be provided as a drive source for the post-processing mechanism 33.

The post-processing mechanism 33 may perform post-processing at three or more locations (first position to third position) of the sheet bundle. In that case, the movement of the first position to the third position may be performed by the urging member.
-Instead of the support mechanism 55 having a pair of seat support members 37, a pressing portion for suppressing the lifting of the sheet bundle 12B discharged by the discharge mechanism 36 may be provided at the lower part of the support frame 53.

The receiving mechanism 41 that receives the sheet 12 into the tray 32 is not limited to the configuration including the variable guide 42 and the first paddle 45. For example, it may be a suction transport belt that transports while adsorbing to the suction belt. Examples of the suction method of the suction transfer belt include negative pressure and static electricity. In this case, the suction transport belt sucks the sheet 12 discharged in the transport direction Y0 from the transport mechanism 30 to the upper position of the tray 32 and transports it to the upper position of the tray 32, and then releases the suction or uses a variable guide or the like. The sheet 12 may be forcibly peeled off from the belt and dropped onto the tray 32 to be accepted. Further, after the sheet 12 adsorbed on the suction transport belt is transported in the transport direction Y0, the sheet 12 is transported in the second transport direction Y2, which is the direction opposite to the transport direction Y0, by reversing the moving direction of the belt. Transport. Then, in the process of being transported in the second transport direction Y2, the sheet 12 may be peeled off from the suction transport belt or the suction of the sheet 12 may be released, and the sheet 12 may be accepted by dropping it on the tray 32.

-The empty discharge operation and the slight vibration operation performed during the second movement are not limited to the configuration for all nozzles. For example, it may be configured to target 90% or more of all nozzles, 50% or more of nozzles, or 30% or more of nozzles. Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the empty ejection operation and the slight vibration operation are simultaneously performed on all the target nozzles. For example, the target nozzle may be divided into a plurality of groups, and the target nozzles may be time-divisioned for each group.

-The printing device 13 is not limited to the line printer, but may be a serial printer. In the serial printing apparatus 13, the liquid discharge head 13 reciprocates in the width direction X by the carriage having the liquid discharge head 25, so that the liquid discharge head is intermittently transported in the transport direction Y0 intersecting the width direction X. An image or the like is printed on the sheet 12 by ejecting the liquid from the nozzle 24 of the 25. When the maintenance time comes during the printing operation, the carriage moves to the home position set at one end on the movement path, and the liquid is liquid from the nozzle 24 toward the cap of the maintenance device located below the carriage when the carriage is in the home position. Is discharged to perform empty discharge. Further, in the serial printing apparatus 13, slight vibration is performed in the process of moving the carriage from the home position to the printing area. Then, the slight vibration may be performed at the timing of the second movement.

The intermediate device 15 may be omitted in the printing system 11. That is, the printing system 11 may be configured by the printing device 13 and the post-processing device 14. Further, the inversion processing unit 200 of the intermediate device 15 may be incorporated into the post-processing device 14. In this case, the post-processing device 14 internally inverts the sheet 12 carried in from the printing device 13 and then receives the sheet 12 in the tray 32 for post-processing. Further, the reversing processing unit 200 of the intermediate device 15 may be incorporated in the printing device 13. In this case, the post-processing device 14 receives the inverted sheet 12 carried in from the printing device 13 on the tray 32 to perform post-processing.

In the above embodiment, the printing system 11 includes the printing device 13 and the post-processing device 14, but the printing device 13 may be configured to include the post-processing device 14.
-The empty discharge operation may be performed during the first movement period T1, which is the period of the first movement.

-The first movement may be performed by the urging force of the spring, and the urging at the second position may be performed by the magnet.
-Instead of the configuration of software in which a computer such as a CPU executes a program PR, control may be performed by hardware using an electronic circuit such as an ASIC. Further, the control may be performed by the cooperation between the software and the hardware.

-The sheet 12 is not limited to paper, and may be a synthetic resin film, sheet, cloth, non-woven fabric, laminated sheet, or the like.
The printing device 13 is not limited to the inkjet printer, and may be an inkjet printing device. Further, the printing device 13 may be a multifunction device having a scanner mechanism and a copying function in addition to the printing function.

Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described together with the effects.
(A) A tray on which a bundle of sheets is placed, a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing at the first and second positions of the tray, and a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing from the first position to the second position. A drive unit that performs one movement by driving and an urging member that performs a second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by urging are provided, and the period of the first movement is , Longer than the period of the second movement.

According to this configuration, the period of the first movement is longer than the period of the second movement, so that the maximum speed of the second movement tends to be higher than that of the first movement. Since the second movement is performed by urging the urging member and the first movement is performed by driving the drive unit, it is possible to prevent the load on the drive source of the drive unit from being momentarily increased. For example, a small drive source having a small driving force that can be output can be used.

(B) In the sheet processing apparatus, the urging member urges a post-processing mechanism in the first direction from the second position to the first position at the first position, and the urging member at the first position. The regulation wall portion that comes into contact with the post-treatment mechanism may be provided, and the regulation wall portion that restricts the movement of the post-treatment mechanism from the first position to the first direction may be provided.

According to this configuration, since the post-processing mechanism is urged while contacting the wall at the first position, the post-processing mechanism is positioned with high accuracy when moving from the second position to the first position. be able to.

(C) In the sheet processing apparatus, the trays are sequentially placed with sheets to form a plurality of sheets into a sheet bundle, and the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the sheet bundles placed on the tray. The first movement may be performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle and before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle.

According to this configuration, the period of the first movement is the period for bundling a plurality of sheets after the post-processing for the first sheet bundle. Therefore, if the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is large, the first It is easy to set the time used for movement to be relatively long. The period of the second movement is a period in which a plurality of post-processings on the sheet bundle are performed.

(D) In the sheet processing apparatus, the first movement may be performed after the job is accepted and before the post-processing is performed on the first sheet bundle.
According to this configuration, since the first movement is performed after the job is accepted, deterioration of the urging member can be reduced. Here, the deterioration of the urging member means that, when the urging member is, for example, a spring, the spring is plastically deformed and stretched.

(E) In the sheet processing apparatus, the post-treatment mechanism performs post-treatment on the sheet bundle placed on the tray, and the second movement is performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle. It may be performed before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle.

According to this configuration, the period of the second movement is the period for bundling a plurality of sheets after the post-processing for the first sheet bundle. Therefore, if the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is large, the second It is easy to set the time used for movement to be relatively long. The period of the first movement is a period in which a plurality of post-processing on the sheet bundle is performed.

(F) In the sheet processing apparatus, the post-processing mechanism moves between the first position and the second position along two guides, and the urging member is between the two guides. The post-treatment mechanism may be urged at. According to this configuration, the inclination of the post-processing mechanism due to urging can be reduced.

(G) In the sheet processing device, the sheet to which liquid is discharged by a liquid discharge head provided at a position upstream of the sheet processing device in the transport direction is carried in, and a plurality of the sheets are loaded. The post-treatment mechanism performs post-treatment on the sheet bundle, and even if the liquid discharge head performs an empty discharge operation of discharging liquid to a liquid receiving portion other than the sheet during the second movement period. good.

According to this configuration, the empty discharge operation of discharging the liquid from almost all the nozzles of the liquid discharge head, which consumes a large amount of instantaneous power, is performed instantaneously during the second movement period of the post-processing mechanism. The total value of power consumption can be reduced.

(H) In the sheet processing device, a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid to the sheet is provided at a position upstream of the sheet processing device in the sheet transport direction, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle of the liquid discharge head. The post-treatment mechanism performs post-treatment on the bundle of sheets on which the sheets are loaded, and during the period of the second movement, the liquid of the nozzle is finely squeezed with a strength that the liquid discharge head does not discharge the liquid. A slight vibration operation that vibrates may be performed. According to this configuration, since the slight vibration and the second movement are performed in parallel, downtime can be reduced.

(I) A transport roller that transports the sheet at an upstream position in the transport direction from the tray and a drive source that drives the transport roller may be provided, and the drive unit may be driven by power from the drive source. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated motor for the post-processing mechanism.

(J) A torque limiter is provided in the power transmission path between the post-processing mechanism and the drive source of the drive unit, and the torque limiter installs the post-processing mechanism against the urging force of the urging member. The output torque from the drive source may be limited to a predetermined torque held in the second position. According to this configuration, the post-processing mechanism can be held in the second position without being pressed in the first direction by an excessive force.

(K) The power transmission path between the drive source of the drive unit and the post-processing mechanism is provided with an electromagnetic clutch that switches between a connection state for connecting the front power transmission path and a disconnection state for disconnecting the power transmission path. You may.

According to this configuration, the post-processing mechanism performs the first movement to move from the first position to the second position by receiving the driving force from the driving unit under the connected state of the electromagnetic clutch. After the first movement, the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the first position of the sheet bundle. Next, when the electromagnetic clutch is switched from the connected state to the disconnected state, the post-processing mechanism performs a second movement that moves from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member. After the second movement, the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the second position of the sheet bundle. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch between the first movement by driving and the second movement by urging.

(L) A control method for a sheet processing apparatus provided with a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing at the first position and the second position of a tray on which a bundle of sheets is placed, from the first position to the second position. A first movement step in which the first movement of the post-processing mechanism to be directed is performed by driving the drive unit, and a first post-processing step in which the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the second position of the sheet bundle. The second movement step of performing the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member, and the post-processing mechanism with respect to the first position of the sheet bundle. A second post-processing step for performing post-processing is provided, and the period of the first moving step is longer than the period of the second moving step. According to this structure control method, the same effect as that of the sheet processing apparatus can be obtained.

(M) A program executed by a computer in a sheet processing apparatus provided with a post-processing mechanism for performing post-processing at the first position and the second position of a tray on which a bundle of sheets is placed, and the first position is executed by the computer. The first movement step of the post-processing mechanism from the position to the second position is performed by driving the drive unit, and the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the second position of the sheet bundle. The first post-processing step, the second movement step of performing the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging member, and the post-processing mechanism are the sheet bundle. The second post-processing step of performing post-processing on the first position of the above is executed. According to this program, when the computer executes the program, the same effect as that of the sheet processing apparatus can be obtained.

11 ... printing system, 12 ... sheet, 12B ... sheet bundle (first sheet bundle, second sheet bundle), 12f ... front end, 12r ... rear end, 13 ... printing device, 14 ... as an example of a sheet processing device. Post-processing device, 14B ... standing wall, 15 ... intermediate device, 17 ... transfer path, 18 ... transfer motor, 19A ... transfer roller pair, 19B ... transfer roller pair as an example of transfer roller, 20 ... cassette, 21 ... pickup roller, 22 ... Separation roller, 23 ... Support part, 24 ... Nozzle, 25 ... Liquid discharge head, 26 ... Maintenance device, 27 ... Cap, 28 ... Nozzle inspection device, 30 ... Conveyance mechanism, 31 ... Drive unit An example of a transfer motor, 32 ... tray, 32A ... loading surface, 33 ... post-processing mechanism, 33A ... base, 33B ... post-processing main body, 34 ... sensor, 35 ... discharge stacker, 35A ... loading surface, 36 ... discharge mechanism , 36A ... drive roller, 36B ... driven roller, 37 ... seat support, 38 ... drive mechanism as an example of drive, 40 ... seat matching unit, 41 ... acceptance mechanism, 42 ... variable guide, 43 ... feed mechanism, 45. ... 1st paddle, 46 ... 2nd paddle, 47 ... abutment part, 51 ... matching mechanism, 54 ... matching member, 55 ... support mechanism, 60 ... post-processing unit, 61 ... stage member, 62 ... as an example of a guide Guide member, 63 ... Guide cylinder, 64 ... First regulation wall part which is an example of the regulation wall part, 65 ... Second regulation wall part, 66 ... Basis spring as an example of the urging member, 69 ... Timing belt, 70 ... Power transmission mechanism, 71 ... Torque limiter, 72 ... Electromagnetic clutch, 73 ... Composite gear, 100 ... First transport unit, 110 ... First control unit, 120 ... Second control unit as an example of control unit, 111 ... Timer , 112 ... 1st counter, 113 ... 1st memory, 121 ... 2nd counter, 122 ... 2nd memory, PR ... program, P1 ... 1st position, P2 ... 2nd position, PD ... print data, JD ... job, X ... width direction, X1 ... first direction, X2 ... second direction, Y0 ... transport direction, Y1 ... first direction (transport direction), Y2 ... second direction, Z ... vertical direction, AT ... total time required for post-processing , Δt ... Sheet interval time.

Claims (13)

A tray on which a bundle of sheets is placed and
A post-processing mechanism that performs post-processing at the first and second positions of the tray,
A drive unit that drives the first movement of the post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position.
It is provided with an urging member that performs the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position by urging.
The sheet processing apparatus, characterized in that the period of the first movement is longer than the period of the second movement. The urging member urges the post-treatment mechanism in the first direction from the second position toward the first position at the first position.
It is a regulation wall portion that comes into contact with the post-treatment mechanism at the first position, and is characterized in that the post-treatment mechanism includes the regulation wall portion that restricts movement from the first position to the first direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. In the tray, sheets are sequentially placed, and a plurality of sheets are made into a sheet bundle.
The post-treatment mechanism performs post-treatment on the sheet bundle placed on the tray.
The first movement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first movement is performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle and before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle. Sheet processing equipment. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first movement is performed after the job is received and before the post-processing is performed on the first sheet bundle. .. The post-treatment mechanism performs post-treatment on the sheet bundle placed on the tray.
The second aspect of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second movement is performed after the post-treatment is performed on the first sheet bundle and before the post-treatment is performed on the second sheet bundle. Sheet processing equipment. The post-treatment mechanism moves between the first position and the second position along the two guides.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the urging member urges a post-processing mechanism between two guides. The post-treatment mechanism is provided for the sheet bundle in which the liquid is discharged by a liquid discharge head provided at an upstream position in the sheet transport direction from the sheet processing device, and the sheet bundle on which a plurality of the sheets are loaded is loaded. Is a configuration that performs post-processing,
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid discharge head performs an empty discharge operation for discharging a liquid to a liquid receiving portion other than the sheet during the second movement period. Sheet processing equipment. A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid to the sheet is provided at a position upstream of the sheet processing device in the sheet transport direction, and the sheet bundle on which the sheet discharged from the nozzle of the liquid discharge head is loaded. On the other hand, the post-processing mechanism is configured to perform post-processing.
One of claims 1 to 7, wherein during the second movement period, the liquid discharge head performs a micro-vibration operation of slightly vibrating the liquid of the nozzle with a strength that does not discharge the liquid. The sheet processing apparatus according to. A transport roller that transports the sheet at an upstream position in the transport direction from the tray,
A drive source for driving the transfer roller is provided.
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drive unit is driven by power from the drive source. A torque limiter is provided in the power transmission path between the post-processing mechanism and the drive source of the drive unit.
The torque limiter is characterized in that the output torque from the drive source is limited to a predetermined torque for holding the post-processing mechanism at the second position against the urging force of the urging member. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9. The power transmission path between the drive source of the drive unit and the post-processing mechanism is provided with an electromagnetic clutch that switches between a connection state for connecting the front power transmission path and a disconnection state for disconnecting the power transmission path. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. It is a control method of a sheet processing apparatus provided with a post-processing mechanism that performs post-processing at the first position and the second position of the tray on which the sheet bundle is placed.
A first movement step in which the first movement of the post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position is performed by driving the drive unit, and
A first post-processing step in which the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the second position of the sheet bundle,
A second movement step in which the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position is performed by the urging force of the urging member, and
The post-treatment mechanism comprises a second post-treatment step of performing post-treatment on the first position of the sheet bundle.
A method for controlling a sheet processing apparatus, wherein the period of the first moving step is longer than the period of the second moving step. It is a program executed by a computer in a sheet processing apparatus provided with a post-processing mechanism that performs post-processing at the first position and the second position of the tray on which the sheet bundle is placed.
On the computer
A first movement step in which the first movement of the post-processing mechanism from the first position to the second position is performed by driving the drive unit, and
A first post-processing step in which the post-processing mechanism performs post-processing on the second position of the sheet bundle,
A second movement step in which the second movement of the post-processing mechanism from the second position to the first position is performed by the urging force of the urging member, and
A program in which the post-processing mechanism executes a second post-processing step of performing post-processing on the first position of the sheet bundle.

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