JP2024091446A - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a sheet binding device that allows manual binding using a staple-free binding unit on the front side of the device. [Solution] A staple-free binding unit 27 is disposed between a front cover 121 and a sheet stacking platform 16, and an insertion port 110 is formed on a first surface 121a of the front cover 121, allowing manual binding using the staple-free binding unit 27 to be performed from the front side of the device. The staple-free binding unit 27 is provided at a position overlapping with a staple unit 17 that is located at the replacement position in the front-rear direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet processing device that performs a binding process to bind sheets, and is equipped with a binding unit that uses staples to bind a sheet stack and a binding unit that does not use staples to bind a sheet stack.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a sheet processing apparatus that performs a binding process on a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.
Such sheet processing devices include a so-called staple binding method, which uses a staple as a binding tool to bind sheets, and a so-called stapleless binding method, which uses no staple as a binding tool to bind sheets. The stapleless binding method includes, for example, a method of binding sheets by pressing the sheets together to entangle the fibers of the sheets, and a method of binding sheets by cutting out a part of the sheet to make a hole and folding back the cut-out part of the sheet to pass through the hole. JP 2015-16970 A discloses a sheet binding device having a staple unit that uses a staple to bind a sheet stack and a stapleless binding unit that binds a sheet stack without using a staple, and a configuration in which the stapleless binding unit is disposed on the rear side of the device.

JP 2015-16970 A

In recent years, there has been a demand for manual binding using a staple-less binding unit. The present invention aims to provide a sheet processing device that can manually bind using a staple-less binding unit on the front side of the device in order to meet this demand.

To solve the above problem, the sheet processing device of the present invention includes a loading section on which sheets are loaded, a first binding unit having a removable cartridge loaded with staples and binding a plurality of sheets loaded on the loading section, the first binding unit being movable between a binding position where the sheets are bound and a replacement position located forward of the binding position in the front-to-rear direction of the sheet processing device and where the cartridge is replaced, a cover having an insertion port through which a bundle of sheets can be inserted from outside the sheet processing device and constituting a part of the exterior of the sheet processing device forward of the loading section and the first binding unit in the front-to-rear direction, and a second binding unit that binds the bundle of sheets inserted from the insertion port without using staples, and the second binding unit is located at a position overlapping the first binding unit located at the replacement position in the front-to-rear direction.

The present invention provides a sheet processing device that allows manual binding using a stapleless binding unit on the front side of the device.

1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sheet processing apparatus in the image forming system of FIG. 1 . FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view of the stack tray and the processing tray, showing a state in which the staple unit is positioned at a cartridge replacement position. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet processing apparatus with a door open. Control block diagram. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a stapleless binding process. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view of the third embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view of a sheet processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, showing a state in which the opening and closing door is open. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, showing a state in which an opening/closing door is open. FIG. 13 is a view of a sheet processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the stack tray side. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a sheet bundle insertion detection sensor mechanism at the manual insertion port. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a support member of the manual insertion slot. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the manual insertion slot. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another modified example of the manual insertion slot. FIG. 13 is a top view showing a modified example in which a manual insertion port is provided on the top cover. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing the design of a pressing portion of a button for executing a manual binding process. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a button for executing a manual binding process.

First Embodiment
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[Image forming system]
1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the image forming system 1000, showing the entire configuration from the front side. In this specification, the front side is the side that the user faces when operating the image forming system 1000, as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified. In other words, the side on which the operation unit 83 operated by the user is located is the front side. In this specification, the left and right sides refer to the left and right sides (the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 1) when the image forming system 1000 is viewed from the front, and the top and bottom sides refer to the top and bottom sides (the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 1: the vertical direction) when the image forming system 1000 is viewed from the front.

The image forming system 1000 includes an image forming device A and a sheet processing device B as a post-processing device that processes sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming device. The image forming system 1000 of this embodiment further includes an external feeding device D that supplies sheets to the image forming device A.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A includes an image forming unit A1, an image reading unit A2, and a document feeding unit A3. The image forming unit A1 is configured to form an image on a sheet by an inkjet printing mechanism, and includes a main body feeding unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a conveying unit 4, and a main body control unit (described later).
An image reading section A2 having an image reading unit 5 therein, and an original feeding section A3 having an original feeding unit that transports an original to the image reading section A2 are provided above the image forming section A1. An operation section 83 that can be operated by a user to perform settings such as selecting a feeding destination is provided on the front side of the image reading section A2. The operation section 83 is provided with a touch panel 83a, and the user can instruct the image forming apparatus A and the sheet processing apparatus B on processing contents by touching the touch panel 83a. In this embodiment, the operation section 83 having only the touch panel 83a is illustrated, but the operation section 83 may also be provided with various hard keys.

The image forming apparatus A of this embodiment is a so-called internal discharge type, in which the image forming section 3, the conveying section 4, and the image reading device A2 are arranged in a roughly U-shape. Therefore, between the image forming section 3 and the image reading device A2 in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus A, an internal space that is open to the left side in the figure (the sheet processing device B side) and the front side is arranged. In this embodiment, the first relay conveying unit A4 is arranged in the internal space. The first relay conveying unit A4 is a conveying unit for conveying sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus A to the sheet processing device B, and is a unit that is attached to the image forming apparatus A when configuring an image forming system 10000 in which the image forming apparatus A and the sheet processing device B are connected. The internal space of the image forming apparatus A becomes a so-called internal discharge space in which sheets on which images are formed by the image forming section 3 are stacked when the first relay conveying unit A4 is not attached.

The main body feeding section 2 is provided with multiple tiers (two tiers in this embodiment) of detachable feeding cassettes 2a, 2b. The feeding cassettes 2a, 2b can also accommodate sheets of different sizes. The main body feeding section 2 feeds sheets of a size specified by the user via the operation section 83 or an external device from the corresponding feeding cassette, and sends them to the image forming section 3 via the feeding path 8.

In addition to the main body feeding section 2, the image forming section A1 is provided with a manual feed section 9. The manual feed section 9 has a manual feed tray 9a provided on the left side of the image forming device A. The manual feed tray 9a can be rotated between an open position (solid line in FIG. 1) and a closed position (dashed line in FIG. 1) around a rotation shaft 54 near its lower end when viewed from the front side. When the manual feed tray 9a is in the open position, the upper surface of the manual feed tray 9a is open almost horizontally, and has a loading surface 9b for stacking sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit A1. The rotation of the manual feed tray 9a opens a manual feed opening (not shown) provided on the left side of the image forming device A. When the manual feed tray 9a is not in use, it can be returned to a closed position along the left side of the image forming device A, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, to close the manual feed opening.

When the manual feed tray 9a is in the open position (feed position), sheets loaded on the loading surface 9b are fed into the image forming section A1 by a feed roller (not shown) provided near the manual feed port of the image forming device A, merge with the feed path 8, and are sent to the image forming unit 3. A feed mechanism can be provided integrally with the manual feed tray 9a so that a larger number of sheets can be loaded in an aligned state.

The feeding device D is removably connected to the left side of the image forming device A, similar to the manual feeding section 9. The feeding device D can accommodate a larger number of sheets (e.g., several hundred to several thousand) than the feeding cassettes 2a and 2b of the main body feeding section 2. The sheets fed from the feeding device D join the feeding path 8, similar to the manual feeding section 9, and are sent to the image forming section 3.

Furthermore, the sheet processing device B is provided with a reversing tray 4f in order to reverse a sheet with an image formed on one side by the image forming unit 3 and form an image on the back side as well. The reversing tray 4f is provided on the left side of the image forming device A, like the manual feed section 9, inside the sheet processing device B and is positioned so as to ensure a certain amount of sheet support space. Note that the reversing tray 4f may be positioned not inside the sheet processing device B but between the sheet processing device B and the manual feed section 9 in the vertical direction.

The image forming unit 3 has units of each color, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and can form images on the transported sheets. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 3 refers to an inkjet head in which each color is unitized. Note that the image forming unit 3 only needs to be configured to form an image on the sheet fed from the main body feed section 2, the manual feed section 9, or the feed device D, and various image forming mechanisms can be adopted. In this embodiment, an inkjet type image forming unit is shown, but it is also possible to adopt various other image forming mechanisms such as an electrophotographic type, an offset printing type, or a silk screen printing type.

The image forming device A has a feed path 8, a first feed path 4a, a second feed path 4b, a third feed path 4c, and a fourth feed path 4d as the feed paths included in the feed section 4. The feed path 8 is a feed path along which the sheets fed from the main body feed section 2, the manual feed section 9, and the feed device D are transported to an image forming position by the image forming unit 3. The first feed path 4a is a feed path along which the sheets are transported while an image is formed by the image forming unit 3. The second feed path 4b is a feed path along which the sheets with an image formed on one side by the image forming unit 3 are transported to the reversing tray 4f. The third feed path 4c is a feed path along which the sheets in a switched-back state transported from the reversing tray 4f and inverted are transported again to the image forming section 3. The fourth feed path 4d is a feed path along which the sheets with images formed on one side or both sides are transported to the relay transport unit A4. Although not explained here, each transport path has multiple transport roller pairs as shown in the figure, and each transport roller pair transports the sheet.

The fourth transport path 4d is connected to the relay transport path 4e provided in the relay transport unit A4 so that the sheet can be delivered to the relay transport path 4e. The relay transport path 4e is a transport path in which multiple transport roller pairs are arranged along the sheet transport direction and transports the sheet toward the feed opening 12 (Figure 2) of the sheet processing device B.

The image reading unit A2 can read the image of the document by irradiating light from a light source onto the document placed on a platen glass (not shown) and inputting the reflected light into a CCD. The image reading unit A2 can also read the image of the document transported by the automatic document feeder by stopping at a flow reading position (not shown). The read document image is converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the image forming unit 3 as image data. The above-mentioned platen glass (not shown) is configured to be exposed by rotating the document feeder upward.
[Sheet Processing Device]

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing device B is supported at the upper left corner of the image forming device A. The sheet processing device B is fixed and supported by the image forming device A so as to be located on the left side of the image reading unit A2 and the document feeding unit A3. The sheet processing device B has an automatic binding function and a manual binding function. The automatic binding function uses the staple unit 17 to bind the sheets conveyed from the image forming device A, and discharges the bound sheets to the stack tray 40. The manual binding function uses the stapleless binding unit 27 to bind the sheets inserted into the manual feed slot from outside the device by the user. The configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the staple unit 17 is an example of a first binding unit, and the stapleless binding unit 27 is an example of a second binding unit.

"Sheet transport path"
The sheet processing device B includes an entrance 12 for receiving the sheet discharged from the relay discharge port of the relay transport unit A4, and a sheet discharge port 13 for discharging the sheet to the stack tray 40. The sheet transport path 11 is configured as a discharge path for transferring the sheet sent from the relay discharge port toward the stack tray 40 described later, and in the path, a sheet end detection sensor Se1 for detecting the leading and trailing ends of the sheet, transport rollers 14a and 14b for transporting the sheet, and an upper transport path guide 28 and a lower transport path guide 29 for guiding the sheet transported by the transport rollers 14a and 14b are appropriately arranged. The upper transport path guide 28 and the lower transport path guide 29 are arranged opposite to each other to form the sheet transport path. Each of the transport rollers 14a and 14b is connected to a drive motor and rotates by being driven. The illustrated sheet transport path 11 is configured as a substantially straight path in a substantially horizontal direction. A processing section 15 is provided upstream of the discharge port 13 of the sheet transport path 11, and a stack tray 40 is provided downstream of the discharge port 13.

Processing tray
As shown in FIG. 2, the processing section 15 includes a sheet stacking table 16, alignment members 25f and 25r, a staple unit 17, and a trailing end regulating stopper 18. The sheet stacking table 16 is disposed so as to form a step with respect to the stacking surface of the stack tray 40, and supports the stacking of sheets. The alignment members 25f and 25r are a pair of alignment members that can move in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 16 (the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 3, which is the front-rear direction of the sheet processing device B) and align the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 16 in the width direction to correct the misalignment of the sheet stack. The staple unit 17 uses staples to perform a stapling process on the sheet stack formed by the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table 16. The trailing end regulating stopper 18 regulates the movement of the downstream end of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction by a friction rotating body 19 described later. In the processing section 15, the sheets are configured to be supported (bridge supported) in a state in which they are straddled between the stack tray 40 and the sheet stacking table 16. In this way, by arranging the stack tray 40 and processing section 15 on approximately the same plane and supporting the leading end portion of the sheet on one tray and the trailing end portion on the other tray, the device can be made smaller than when the sheets are supported by a single tray.

The sheet stacking platform 16 is provided with a rear end regulation stopper 18 that abuts against and regulates the rear end of the sheet, and an alignment member 25 that aligns the sheet by shifting it widthwise in a direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction. Various alignment mechanisms for aligning the sheet width direction are known, but the alignment member 25 of this embodiment is capable of shifting and aligning the sheet width by moving plate-shaped members (front alignment plate 25f and rear alignment plate 25r) protruding from the loading surface of the sheet stacking platform 16 along guide grooves 26 that extend in the sheet width direction. The alignment member 25 positions the sheet brought onto the sheet stacking platform 16 at the aligned position. The illustrated device shows a configuration for aligning based on the center.

In the processing section 15, a staple unit 17 is arranged as a post-processing means for stapling the sheet stack accumulated on the sheet stacking table 16. The staple unit 17 is a device that bends the linear staples loaded in the staple cartridge 170 into a U-shape, inserts them from the top to the bottom of the sheet stack, and bends the tips of the staples (see JP 2015-124069 A). The staple cartridge 170 is configured to be detachable from the staple unit 17. The user pulls out the empty staple cartridge 170 from the front side of the sheet processing device B to the staple unit 17 in the direction of the arrow EX (direction from the rear side to the front side) in FIG. 4, and inserts the staple cartridge 170 loaded with new staples into the staple unit 17 in the direction of the arrow EX (direction from the front side to the rear side) to replenish (replace) the staples.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the staple unit 17 of this embodiment is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction, which is the direction of the arrow Z in the figures. The stapler unit 17 moves in the front-rear direction by moving along a guide groove (not shown) of the support member 32. The staple unit 17 can perform multiple types of binding processes, such as front corner binding, rear corner binding, and two-point parallel binding, on the sheet stack AS (see Figure 9) formed on the sheet stacking table 16. In the front corner binding, the staple unit 17 performs binding processing on the front corner of the sheet stack at the binding position shown by the solid line in Figure 3. In the rear corner binding, the staple unit 17 performs binding processing on the rear corner of the sheet stack at the binding position shown by the dashed line on the rear side in Figure 3. Two-point parallel binding involves binding at two points on the edge of the sheet that the rear end regulating stopper 18 abuts against (the binding position of the staple unit 17 shown by the dashed line between the solid line position on the front side and the dashed line position on the rear side in FIG. 3).

The staple unit 17 is also configured to be movable to the cartridge replacement position shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the cartridge replacement position is set to the front side of the front corner binding position, but it is also possible to replenish staples at the front corner binding position. In that case, the angle of the staple unit 17 may be changed to make it easier to remove the staple cartridge 170 from the front side of the device.

A reversing roller mechanism 20 is disposed at the discharge port 13 of the sheet transport path 11. This reversing roller mechanism 20 reverses the transport direction when the rear end of the sheet (the upstream end in the sheet transport direction by the transport roller 14b) passes the sheet end detection sensor Se1, is transported a predetermined amount, and passes the nip of the discharge roller 14c. As a result, the sheet is transported in the opposite direction to the discharge direction of the discharge roller 14c, and is guided to the rear end regulation stopper 18 along the sheet stacking table 16 of the processing section 15.

The processing section 15 is provided with a friction rotor 19 that cooperates with a reversing roller mechanism 20 arranged at the discharge port 13 to guide the sheet to the trailing end regulating stopper 18. The friction rotor 19 is arranged at a position where it contacts the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 16. The friction rotor 19 is configured as a pick-up roller (which may be a belt) and is driven by a drive belt (not shown) so as to rotate integrally with the discharge roller 14c. The friction rotor 19 contacts the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking table 16 by its own weight. The sheet transported by the reversing roller 20 in a direction approaching the trailing end regulating stopper 18 is transported to the trailing end regulating stopper 18 by the rotation of the friction rotor 19, which is a pick-up roller, and hits the trailing end regulating stopper 18.

"Reversing roller mechanism"
The reversing roller mechanism 20 includes an upper roller 21 that contacts the upper surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 14c, and a lower roller 22 that contacts the lower surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 14c. The reversing roller mechanism 20 conveys the sheet in the sheet discharge direction, which is the same direction as the conveying direction by the conveying roller 14c, and then switches the conveying direction to the opposite direction to convey the sheet to the processing section 15. The upper roller 21 is supported so as to be swingable relative to the device frame F, and is configured to be able to rise and fall between an operating position in which it is pressed against the lower roller 22 and a standby position in which it is separated from the lower roller 22. The upper roller 21 is rotated by the rotation of a roller drive motor (forward and reverse rotation motor) in a first rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) when discharging the sheet toward the stack tray 42, and in a second rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in the figure) that is opposite to the first rotation direction.

A pair of roller brackets (swing arms) 24 are supported on the left and right sides of the device frame F, which is the support frame of the sheet processing device B, so that they can swing around a swing fulcrum 23. A roller rotation shaft is rotatably supported by the pair of roller brackets 24 via bearings. The upper roller 21 is fitted to the rotation shaft supported by the pair of roller brackets 24, and the upper roller 21 can rotate relative to the pair of roller brackets 24 by the rotation shaft. The swing fulcrum 23 is supported by the device frame F so that it can rotate or by a fixed means. The roller bracket 24 is directly fitted to the swing fulcrum 23 or fitted to it via a collar member. As a result, the upper roller 21 supported by the pair of roller brackets 24 is supported so that it can swing around the swing fulcrum 23 in any angle direction. In addition, a collar member is loosely fitted to the rotation shaft 23, and a drive pulley (not shown) that transmits rotation to the rotation shaft of the upper roller 21 is connected to the collar member. A roller drive motor is connected to the drive pulley.

The reversing roller 20 has a "first discharge mode" or a "second discharge mode" as a sheet discharge mode, and selectively discharges sheets to the stack tray 40 and the processing section 15 based on each mode. In the first discharge mode, the sheets are nipped one by one by the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 22 and discharged directly to the downstream stack tray 40. The first discharge mode includes a shift discharge in which the sheets are discharged so that they are stacked on the stack tray 40 in a state where they are shifted in the width direction for each copy, and a straight discharge in which the sheets are discharged without being sorted. In the second discharge mode, the sheets sent from the discharge port are accumulated in a stack on the sheet stacking table 16 and the lower roller 22. In the second discharge mode, when multiple sheets are accumulated on the sheet stacking table 16, an additional sheet is transported on top of the top sheet of the already accumulated sheet stack. In this case, the sheet that is transported further onto the top sheet of the sheet stack on the sheet stacking table 16 is transported once in the discharge direction (from the sheet stacking table 16 toward the stack tray 42) by the upper roller 21, and then transported in the opposite discharge direction (from the sheet stacking table 16 toward the rear end regulation stopper 18). In other words, when sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking table 16, the sheets are switched back and transported. After that, the sheet stack that has been stacked on the sheet stacking table 16 and subjected to various processes such as binding is discharged from the sheet stacking table 16 to the stack tray 40 by the reversing roller mechanism 20.

In the above description, the stack of sheets accumulated in the processing section 15 is bound, and then the stack of sheets is transported to the stack tray 40 by the reversing roller mechanism 20. However, it is also possible to dispose a conveyor mechanism that transports the stack of sheets from the processing section 15 together with the reversing roller mechanism 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear end regulation stopper 18 is composed of a plate-shaped member that abuts against and regulates the rear end of the sheet, and is arranged in one location or multiple locations spaced apart in the sheet width direction (in FIG. 4, the rear end regulation stoppers 18 are provided in multiple locations spaced apart in the sheet width direction). This stopper is arranged on the sheet rear end side of the sheet stacking table 16 together with the staple unit 17, so when the staple unit is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction, the rear end regulation stopper 18 is also configured to move in the sheet width direction in conjunction with the staple unit 17. Also, when the staple unit 17 is fixed and arranged without being moved in the sheet width direction, the rear end regulation stopper 18 can be formed integrally with the staple unit.

[Stack Tray]
Next, the stack tray will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the stack tray 40 is disposed downstream of the discharge port 13. The processing section 15 described above is disposed upstream of the discharge port 13 in the sheet conveying direction by the conveying rollers 14c. In other words, the stack tray 40 is disposed downstream of the processing tray 15 in the sheet conveying direction by the conveying rollers 14c.

The stack tray 40 is composed of a tray stand 41 and a loading tray 42. The tray stand 41 is supported so as to be raised and lowered with a predetermined stroke relative to the frame F of the sheet processing device B. The loading tray 42 is configured in a tray shape having a tray surface on which sheets are loaded. The loading tray 42 is supported by the tray stand 41. A shift mechanism (described later) is provided so that the loading tray 42 can be shifted a predetermined amount in the sheet width direction relative to the tray stand 41.

"Tray lifting mechanism"
5 shows the lifting mechanism of the stack tray 40. A guide rail 145 is provided on the device frame F of the sheet processing device B in the stacking direction (vertical direction) of the sheets. A slide roller (not shown) fixed to a joint plate 144 of the tray stand 41 is fitted into the guide rail 145. The guide rail 145 is composed of a rod-shaped guide, a channel steel, an H-shaped steel, or the like, and the tray stand 41 is slidably fitted into the guide rail 145.

The tray stand 41 is constructed as a frame structure strong enough to support the load of the stacking tray 42 and the sheets loaded thereon, and is supported at one end by a guide rail that is similarly constructed to be sturdy. In addition, a winding pulley 141a is fixed to the lower end of a guide rail 145 on the device frame F of the sheet processing device B, and a suspension pulley 141b is fixed to the upper end of the guide rail 145. A traction member 140, such as a wire or a toothed belt, is suspended between the winding pulley 141a and the suspension pulley 141b. A winding motor (not shown) fixed to the front side metal plate 30f (FIG. 3) of the device frame F is connected to the winding pulley 141a via a reduction mechanism.

At the same time, a weight-reducing coil spring 142 is suspended between the tray stand 41 and the device frame of the sheet processing device. That is, one end 143a of the coil spring 142 is fixed to the device frame F, and the other end 143b is fixed to the tray stand 41 via a traction pulley 143c. An initial tension is applied to this spring 142. Therefore, the weight of the stacking tray 42 and the sheets loaded thereon is reduced according to the elastic force of the coil spring 142, and the load torque of the winding motor is reduced. Alternatively, a weight reduction mechanism in which a weight is suspended from a hanging pulley instead of a coil spring may be used.

"Loading tray"
The stacking tray 42 has a stacking surface 42a on which sheets sent from the discharge port 13 above are stacked. The stacking surface 42a may be parallel to a horizontal plane, but in this embodiment, it is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. This is because the sheets discharged onto the stacking surface 42a move toward the rear end side in the discharge direction under their own weight to maintain alignment in the stacking tray 42. If the inclination angle of the stacking surface 42a is 30 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal line, the sheets do not return under their own weight, making it difficult to correct the position of the sheets. In this embodiment, the stacking tray 42 is set to about 45 degrees. The purpose is to enable a large amount of stacking at a higher speed by setting a large inclination angle to receive the sheets discharged from the discharge port 13 at a high speed and quickly regulate them at the rear end side.

The loading tray 42 is supported by the tray stand 41 and moves up and down along the guide rails 145. In addition, a fence plate having a rear end regulating surface 48f that regulates the rear end of the sheet is arranged on the device frame F. This fence plate may be a wall structure fixed to the device frame, but the one shown is structured so that the loading tray 42 shifts a predetermined amount in the sheet width direction (front-rear direction), so the fence plate shifts at the same time as the loading tray. The shift mechanism is, for example, as described in JP 2014-47026 A.

Each mechanism of the sheet processing device B is supported on an apparatus frame F including a front metal plate 30f and a rear metal plate 30r at a position inside the exterior cover of the sheet processing device B. In this embodiment, the front metal plate 30f and the rear metal plate 30r are shown among the elements that make up the apparatus frame F, but the apparatus frame F also has other metal members such as pillars and a bottom plate (not shown). In addition, the motors and circuit boards for driving each mechanism are supported on the rear side of the rear metal plate 30r and the front side of the front metal plate 30f in the front-to-rear direction of the sheet processing device B.

[Manual binding unit (staple-free binding unit)]
Next, the manual binding function will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The sheet processing device B has a manual binding function that uses a staple-free binding unit 27 to bind sheets inserted into a manual insertion port from outside the device by a user. In this embodiment, the staple unit 17 used when executing the automatic binding function and the staple-free binding unit 27 used when executing the manual binding function are housed in the sheet processing device B, but they may be housed in separate housings. The staple-free binding unit 27 is provided between the front cover 10a and the front metal plate 30f of the sheet processing device B. The staple-free binding unit 27 is for performing staple-free binding on the corners of the sheet stack MS inserted into the insertion port 110 from the outside (front side) of the sheet processing device B.

The stapleless binding unit 27 has a pressure section (clinch section) 127 that performs the binding process by clamping the sheet surfaces of the sheet stack from both sides, a motor 128 for moving the pressure section 127 between a binding position where the sheet stack is pressurized and bound and a separation position where the sheet stack is separated from the sheet stack, a drive transmission section 129 for transmitting the power of the motor 128 to the pressure section 127, and a sensor (not shown).

A detection mechanism (described in detail later) is provided on the inside (rear side) of the front cover 10a to detect that the sheet bundle MS has been inserted into the insertion port 110. When the detection mechanism detects the sheet bundle MS and the user presses the button 111, the stapleless binding unit 27 performs stapleless binding on the sheet bundle MS. As shown in FIG. 6, the button 111 is provided on the front side of the front cover 10a and above the insertion port 110 in the vertical direction. The button 111 is also located closer to the right abutment portion 110a than the center of the insertion port 110 in the direction of the arrow X and to the left of the right abutment portion 110a. In this embodiment, the button 111 is an example of an operation button operated by the user when executing the manual staple function.

By placing the button 111 in this position, the user can easily insert the sheet stack MS into the insertion slot 110 and press the button 111 with the thumb of the right hand while supporting the sheets with the right end of the sheet stack MS against the right abutment portion 110a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the button 111 is connected to a board 130 arranged inside the front cover 10a by a harness 131a. The board 130 is arranged between the front cover 10a and the stapleless binding unit 27.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of each unit when the sheet processing device B is viewed from above. Figure 5 is a front view of the front-side metal plate 30f with the front-side exterior cover of the sheet processing device B removed. The above-mentioned tray lifting mechanism, the motor 147 (Figure 4) for lifting and lowering the tray, the stapleless binding unit 27, and the drive mechanism 146 for moving the staple unit 17 in the front-rear direction are fixed to the front side of the front-side metal plate 30f. A front opening 31f is formed in the front-side metal plate 30f. When the staple unit 17 is in the cartridge replacement position when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170, a part of the staple cartridge 170 (at least the part operated by the user) protrudes further to the front side than the front-side metal plate 30f through the front opening 31f. In other words, the staple unit 17 including the staple cartridge 170 protrudes further to the front side than the front-side metal plate 30f through the front opening 31f.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the cartridge replacement position where the staple unit 17 is located at the most front side, the staple unit 17 including the staple cartridge 170 protrudes further to the front side than the front side sheet metal 30f through the front opening 31f. In this embodiment, in this configuration, the stapleless binding unit 27 is arranged in a position overlapping with a part of the staple unit 17 (specifically, the staple cartridge 170) located at the cartridge replacement position in the front-rear direction of the sheet processing device B. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the sheet processing device B in the front-rear direction compared to a configuration in which the stapleless binding unit 27 is arranged further forward than the staple unit 17 in the state where it is located at the most front side. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sheet processing device in which manual binding by the stapleless binding unit is possible on the front side of the sheet processing device B and staple replacement of the stapler unit 17 is possible on the front side. In addition, in such a sheet processing device B, the size of the device in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

The stapleless binding unit 27 is fixed to the front metal plate 30f at a position that does not overlap with the portion of the staple cartridge 170 that is operated by the user so as not to reduce operability when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170. The harness 131 connected to the board 130 and other harnesses (not shown) are supported and fixed to the front metal plate 30f, avoiding the front opening 31f. The harnesses supported and fixed to the front metal plate 30f are connected to a main board (not shown) located further rearward of the rear metal plate 30r through the opening 132. The harness 131 connected to the stapleless binding unit 27 and the board 130 may be connected to a relay board (not shown) and then connected to the main board from the relay board.

In this embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 27 is positioned so as not to overlap the spring 142 and the drive mechanism 146 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the size of the sheet processing device B can be reduced in the front-rear direction compared to a configuration in which the stapleless binding unit 28 is positioned so as to overlap the spring 142 and the drive mechanism 146 in the front-rear direction.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sheet processing device B and the relay transport unit A4. Figure 7 is a front view of the sheet processing device B seen from the front side, showing a state in which the opening and closing cover 101 described later is open. The sheet processing device B includes at least a front side cover 10a, an upper surface cover 10b, and a rear side cover (not shown). Note that each cover does not need to be flat, and may have a curved surface. In this embodiment, the front side cover 10a is a cover of a portion that covers the front side of the front side sheet metal 30f. In this embodiment, the front cover 10a is shown as one member, but even if the cover is divided into multiple parts, the exterior cover located on the front side of the front side sheet metal 30f is called the front cover. Similarly, the upper surface cover refers to all of the members that cover the upper surface of the device frame F above the frame (not shown) located on the upper side. Similarly, the rear side cover refers to all of the members that cover the rear side of the rear side sheet metal 30r of the device frame F.

An opening 102 (FIG. 7) is formed in the front cover 10a, and an opening/closing cover 101 is provided to cover the opening 102. A handle 101a is provided on the opening/closing cover 101. A user can open and close the opening/closing cover 101 by operating the handle 101a, and access the staple cartridge 170 of the staple unit 17. In addition, the above-mentioned insertion opening 110 and button 111 are provided on the left side of the opening/closing cover 101 in the direction of arrow X (downstream of the discharge direction in which sheets on the processing section 15 are discharged to the stack tray 40).

The insertion opening 110 is a slit-shaped opening extending in the direction of the arrow X in the front cover 10a, and is composed of an upper regulating portion 110b that regulates the upper surface of the sheet stack MS, a lower regulating portion 110c that regulates the lower surface of the sheet stack MS, and a right abutting portion 110a against which the right end of the sheet stack MS abuts.

A protrusion 101b is provided on the inside of the opening/closing door, and the tip of the protrusion 101b is configured to fit into the recess 101c. When the opening/closing cover 101 is in the closed state, the protrusion 101b is inserted into the recess 101c provided in the front cover 10a. Here, whether the opening/closing cover 101 is in the open or closed state is detected by a detection mechanism (not shown) that detects whether the protrusion 101b is inserted into the recess 101c.

When the user opens the opening/closing cover 101, an opening 102 provided in the front cover 10a is exposed. A substantially cylindrical (tunnel-shaped) shielding member 103 is formed from the opening 102 toward the rear side. An opening 105 is provided on the rear side of the shielding member 103. The opening 105 of the shielding member 103 is formed at a position (front side) facing the front opening 31f of the front side sheet metal 30f. The staple cartridge 170 can be removed from the stapler unit 17 by passing through the substantially cylindrical part of the shielding member 103 via the opening 105. In this embodiment, the part of the front cover 10a other than the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of a first cover part, and the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of a second cover part. The substantially cylindrical part of the shielding member 103 is an example of a passing part.

When the staple unit 17 is located at the cartridge replacement position, a part of the staple cartridge 170 protrudes through the opening 105, and the user can insert his/her hand through the opening 102 to access the staple cartridge 170. In other words, the area (staple cartridge passing area) 104 between the opening 105 and the opening 102 in the front-rear direction and covered by the shielding member 103 is the area through which the staple cartridge 170 passes when replacing the staple cartridge 170. In this way, when the staple unit 17 is located at the cartridge replacement position, a part of the staple unit 17 (specifically, the staple cartridge 170) is located further forward than the opening 105, improving the operability when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170.

The left part of the shielding member 103 in the direction of the arrow X is the shielding portion 103a. The staple-free binding unit 27 is disposed on the opposite side of the staple cartridge passing area 104 with respect to the shielding portion 103a in the sheet conveying direction (direction of the arrow X). This prevents the user from accidentally touching the staple-free binding unit 27 when replacing the staple cartridge 170. Therefore, there is no risk of the harness 131 being pulled out or the position of the staple-free binding unit 27 being shifted due to the user accidentally touching it when replacing the staple cartridge 170. The shielding member 103 may be a complete wall member, or may have a hole that is not large enough for the user's fingers to pass through. It is sufficient that the shielding member 103 is configured so that the user cannot touch the staple-free binding unit 27 when inserting his or her hand through the opening 102 to replace the staple cartridge 170. In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned harness 131 is disposed outside the shielding member 103 with respect to the staple cartridge passing area 104, so that the user cannot touch the harness 131.

The left shielding portion 103a of the shielding member 103 may be removable or openable to allow maintenance of the stapleless binding unit 27.

The top cover 10b of the sheet processing device B is provided with an opening/closing cover 10c, and a user can open and close the opening/closing cover 10c by grasping a handle 10d. The opening/closing cover 10c may be opened and closed vertically or diagonally using a link mechanism (not shown), or may be opened and closed by rotating counterclockwise or clockwise using a rotating shaft (not shown). By making the opening/closing cover 10c openable and closable, it is possible to remove stuck sheets when a jam occurs in the sheet transport path 11.

[Control configuration]
The control configuration of the image forming system shown in Fig. 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The image forming apparatus A is provided with a control CPU 75, to which a ROM 76 storing an operation program and a RAM 77 storing control data are connected. The control CPU 75 is further provided with a feed control section 78, an image forming control section 79, and a discharge control section 80. A mode setting section 81 and a control panel 83 equipped with an input section 82 are also connected to the control CPU 75.

The control CPU 75 is also configured to select from a "printout mode," a "shift mode," and a "post-processing mode." The "printout mode" is a mode in which the sheets on which images have been formed are discharged to the stack tray 40 without undergoing any processing. The "shift mode" is a mode in which the sheet stack discharged to the stack tray 40 is discharged so that each set is shifted in the sheet width direction. The "post-processing mode" is a mode in which the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the sheet stacking platform 16, stapled by the staple unit 17, and then discharged to the stack tray 40.

The sheet processing device B is provided with a post-processing control CPU 85, to which a discharge operation control unit, a stacking operation control unit that stacks sheets in the processing unit 15, a binding process control unit, a stapleless binding process control unit using the stapleless binding unit 27, and a stack control unit are connected.

In the sheet processing device B of this embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 27 is provided on the front side of the processing section 15 of the sheet processing device B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the stapleless binding process can be performed by the stapleless binding unit 27 while the operations of the "printout mode," "shift mode," and "post-processing mode" are being performed.

When the staple binding process by the staple unit 17 and the stapleless binding process by the stapleless binding unit 27 are performed simultaneously, the peak current may exceed the maximum value of the power supply specifications of the sheet processing device B. For example, when a power supply with a maximum peak current specification of 10 A is used, the peak current when the stapleless binding process is performed and the motor 128 moves the pressure unit 127 to the binding position is approximately 3 A, and the peak current during the staple binding process is approximately 8 A. Performing these processes simultaneously will exceed the maximum peak current of 10 A in the power supply specifications.

In this case, the stapleless binding process (auto-stapling) by the staple unit 17 and the stapleless binding process (manual binding) by the stapleless binding unit 27 may be prohibited from being performed simultaneously. Figure 10 is a flowchart for performing the stapleless binding process (manual binding).

When the post-processing control CPU 85 detects that the button 111 has been pressed or that a predetermined time has elapsed since the sheet stack MS was inserted into the insertion port 110 and receives a manual binding start command (step St1), it determines whether or not a staple (STP) operation is being performed by the staple unit 17 (step St2). If a staple operation is being performed, it determines in step St3 whether or not the staple operation has ended. When the staple operation has ended, it determines whether or not the next staple operation will start within a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) (step St4). If a staple operation is not performed within the predetermined time, it executes manual binding by the stapleless binding unit 27 (step St5).

If the post-processing control CPU 85 determines in step St2 that the stapling operation is not being performed, it proceeds to step St4 and determines whether the stapling operation will be started within a predetermined time. If it determines in step St4 that the stapling operation will be performed within the predetermined time, it waits for manual binding to be performed by the stapleless binding unit 27 and prioritizes the staple binding process by the staple unit 27.

The above-mentioned predetermined time is the time during which the stapleless binding process is being performed by the stapleless binding unit 27, specifically the time during which the motor 128 is moving the pressure unit 127 to the binding position. Since the peak current while the pressure unit 127 is moving from the binding position to the separation position is lower than when pressure is applied, there is no problem in simultaneously performing the staple process while the pressure unit 127 is performing the separation operation.

Note that, depending on the power supply specifications, performing stapleless binding and shift sorting simultaneously may exceed the upper limit, in which case stapleless binding, shift sorting, and stapling may not be performed simultaneously. Also, depending on the sheet size, different motors are operating at the same time, so even if the same process is being performed, it may or may not be possible to perform them simultaneously with stapleless binding. Therefore, the sheet size may be used to determine whether or not they can be performed simultaneously.

Second Embodiment
11 to 13 show an embodiment in which the insertion port 110 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the angle of the sheet stacking platform 16 of the processing section 15. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described. In this case, the stapleless binding unit 27 shown in FIG. 5 is disposed in a state rotated clockwise, so that the angle of the sheet contact surface of the pressure section 127 is substantially parallel to the angle of the sheet stacking platform 16. As a result, the pressure section 127 is disposed to the right of the direction of the arrow X, and therefore the shape of the opening/closing cover 101 is different from that of the first embodiment, and the upper left portion of the opening/closing cover 101 is shaped to clear the insertion port 110.

The button 111 is disposed above the insertion port 110, to the right of the center of the insertion port 110 in the direction of the arrow X, and to the left of the right abutment portion 110a in the direction of the arrow X (disposed on the front cover 10a), as in the above-described embodiment. Even with this configuration, when the staple unit 17 is positioned in the cartridge replacement position, a part of the staple unit 17 (specifically, the staple cartridge 170) is positioned further forward than the opening 105, improving the ease of operation when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170. Note that, in this embodiment as well, the portion of the front cover 10a other than the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of the first cover portion, and the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of the second cover portion.

The stapleless binding unit 27 is also positioned in a position overlapping with a portion of the staple unit 17 (more specifically, the staple cartridge 170) located at the cartridge replacement position in the front-to-rear direction of the sheet processing device B. This allows the size of the sheet processing device B in the front-to-rear direction to be smaller than a configuration in which the stapleless binding unit 27 is positioned further forward than the staple unit 17 in its front-most position. This makes it possible to provide a sheet processing device in which manual binding is possible using the stapleless binding unit at the front side of the sheet processing device B and in which staples for the stapler unit 17 can be replaced at the front side. Furthermore, the size of the device in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced in such a sheet processing device B.

Third Embodiment
14 to 16 show an embodiment in which the right abutting portion 110d and the left abutting portion 110e of the insertion opening 110 are disposed between the left end of the front cover 10a and the opening/closing cover 101. The same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted. In this case, the stapleless binding unit 27 is disposed so that the pressing portion 127 of the stapleless binding unit 27 is substantially parallel to the cover surface of the front cover 10a, and a corner of the sheet bundle MS is inserted into the insertion opening 110 to form a binding mark at approximately 45 degrees on the corner of the sheet bundle MS. When the user inserts the corner of the sheet bundle MS into the insertion opening 110, the right end of the sheet bundle MS is inserted so that the right end of the sheet bundle MS abuts against the right abutting portion 110d and the left end of the sheet bundle MS abuts against the left abutting portion 110e. In other words, the extension of the abutting surface of the right abutting portion 110d and the extension of the abutting surface of the left abutting portion 110e intersect at approximately 90 degrees. In this way, by making the insertion opening 110 smaller than in the other embodiments, it becomes clear up to what position the sheet stack should be inserted, and this improves the operability when the user manually binds the sheets.

The button 111 is disposed vertically above the center of the insertion port 110, from the top cover 10b to the front cover 10a. In this way, the user can press the button 111 at an angle, improving operability during operation. Even with this configuration, when the staple unit 17 is located in the cartridge replacement position, a part of the staple unit 17 (more specifically, the staple cartridge 170) is located further forward than the opening 105, improving operability when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170.

Furthermore, the stapleless binding unit 27 is disposed at a position overlapping with a portion of the staple unit 17 (more specifically, the staple cartridge 170) that is located at the cartridge replacement position in the front-rear direction of the sheet processing device B. This allows the size of the sheet processing device B in the front-rear direction to be reduced compared to a configuration in which the stapleless binding unit 27 is disposed further forward than the staple unit 17 in the state in which it is located at the most front side. This makes it possible to provide a sheet processing device that allows manual binding using the stapleless binding unit at the front side of the sheet processing device B and allows staple replacement of the stapler unit 17 at the front side. Furthermore, in such a sheet processing device B, the size of the device in the front-rear direction can be reduced.
Fourth Embodiment

The image forming system 1001 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 differs from the image forming system 1000 of the first embodiment in the configurations of the front cover 10a, the top cover 10b, the opening/closing cover 101, and the shielding member. The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the image forming system 1000 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and detailed descriptions are omitted.

As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the exterior cover of the sheet processing device B of the fourth embodiment has a front cover 121, an upper cover 120, a rear cover 123, a main body cover 124, and a stack tray cover 125. A horizontal surface 122 is provided on the front side of the upper cover 120, and a user can align the sheet stack MS to be inserted into the insertion port 110 on this horizontal surface 122. The front cover 121 is arranged approximately parallel to the front sheet metal 30f and is composed of a first surface 121a on which the insertion port 110 is formed, a second surface 121b on the right side of the first surface 121a that is inclined from the first surface 121a toward the rear side, and a third surface 121c that is approximately parallel to the first surface 121a and is located rearward of the first surface 121a. In addition, a retracted surface 135 that is retracted to the rear side of the first surface 121a is formed below the first surface 121a.

An insertion opening 110 is formed in the first surface 121a of the front cover 121, and a button 111 is disposed above the insertion opening 110. Because the insertion opening 110 is formed in the first surface 121a, the pressure section 127 of the stapleless binding unit 27 is provided between the first surface 121a and the front sheet metal 30f. Note that in this embodiment as well, the portion of the front cover 121 other than the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of the first cover section, and the opening/closing cover 101 is an example of the second cover section.

19 and 20 are top views of the staple unit 17 and a part of the stapleless binding unit 27 in the cartridge replacement position. A bracket 126 is fixed to the front side sheet metal 30f. The manual binding unit 27 is attached to the bracket 126. The manual binding unit 27 includes a pressure unit 127, a motor 128, a drive transmission unit 129, and a board 1300. As shown in FIG. 19, the staple cartridge 170 of the staple unit 17 in the cartridge replacement position is disposed on the right side (right side in the direction of arrow X) of the pressure unit 127 of the stapleless binding unit 27, and on the rear side in the direction of arrow Z. Also, in this embodiment, the staple cartridge passing area 104 is formed by the shielding member 103, and the stapleless binding unit 27 is disposed on the opposite side of the staple cartridge passing area 104 by the shielding portion 103a, which is the left part of the shielding member 103 in the direction of arrow X. In other words, when the opening/closing cover 101 is open, the staple-free binding unit 27 is shielded by the shielding member 103 so that it cannot be seen from outside the device. This prevents the staple cartridge 170 and the user's fingers from coming into contact with it as they pass through the staple cartridge passing area 104. This means that there is no risk of the user accidentally touching the harness (not shown) when replacing the staple cartridge 170, causing the position of the staple-free binding unit 27 to shift.

The opening/closing cover 101 of this embodiment is provided to cover the opening 102 formed from the second surface 121b to the third surface 121c of the front cover 121. The opening/closing cover 101 has a rotation axis on the second surface 121b side, and when it is rotated clockwise in FIG. 19 around the rotation axis, it is in the open state (FIG. 20), and when it is rotated counterclockwise to cover the opening 102, it is in the closed state (FIG. 19).

In this embodiment, the third surface 121c is disposed to the right of the first surface 121a (the side of the staple cartridge passing area 104 from the staple-free binding unit 27 in the direction of the arrow X), and the third surface 121c is disposed on the rear side of the first surface 121a, and a second surface 121b is provided connecting the first surface 121a and the third surface 121c. The opening/closing cover 101 is provided from the second surface to the third surface. Therefore, compared to the embodiment in which the opening/closing cover 101 (i.e., the opening 102) is located at the same position as the first surface 121a in the front-rear direction as shown in the first embodiment, the shortest distance from the opening 102 to the staple cartridge 170 at the cartridge replacement position is shorter. In other words, the length of the staple cartridge passing area 104 in the direction of the arrow EX (the cartridge removal/insertion direction) is short. This improves operability during staple replacement.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of sheet processing device B with the opening/closing cover 101 open. When the opening/closing cover 101 is open, the user can see the staple cartridge 170 protruding from the rear opening 105 of the shielding member 103 to the front side through the staple cartridge passing area 104 from the opening 102. The shielding member 103 that forms the staple cartridge passing area 104 has a protrusion 103b formed above the left shielding part 103a that protrudes to the right of the shielding part 103a. The motor 128 of the stapleless binding unit 27 is located inside this protrusion 103b (inside the sheet processing device B).

The motor 128 is positioned vertically above the staple cartridge 170 at the cartridge replacement position, so even if the upper part of the staple cartridge passing area 104 is somewhat narrowed by the convex part 103b that shields the motor 128 from the outside of the device, there is no problem because the staple cartridge 170 passes underneath it. Therefore, the motor 128 can be protected without impairing the ease of use when the user replaces the staple cartridge 170.

An opening/closing detection sensor 106 (FIG. 20) is disposed on the inside (rear side) of the opening 102 to detect whether the opening/closing cover 101 is open or closed. The opening/closing detection sensor 106 is a switch-type sensor. The opening/closing detection sensor 106 has a pressing pin 106a that is spring-biased from the rear side to the front side, and determines that the opening/closing cover 101 is in a closed state when the pressing pin 106a is pressed by a locking portion 107 provided on the opening/closing door 101 and is in contact with the opening/closing detection sensor 106. In contrast, when the opening/closing cover 101 is opened, the pressing of the pressing pin 106a by the locking portion 107 is released, and the pressing pin 106a is biased by the spring and protrudes to the front side. As a result, the pressing pin 106a moves away from the opening/closing detection sensor 106, and it is determined that the opening/closing cover 101 is in an open state.

In the image forming system 1001 of this embodiment, a manual feed unit 9 is disposed below the sheet processing device B. Since a user places a sheet on the loading surface 9b of this manual feed unit 9, the formation of the retraction surface 135 improves visibility of the manual feed unit 9.

The retraction surface 135 is formed downward and toward the rear side from the lower end of the first surface 121a of the front cover 121, and may be a curved surface as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 22, or may be formed in a straight line. The retraction surface 135 may be formed in an L-shape so that it extends from the lower end of the first surface 121a toward the rear side substantially parallel to the top cover 122 and then bends vertically downward. In this embodiment, on the inside of the retraction surface 135 (front side sheet metal 30f side), there are arranged members for operating the automatic binding unit B1, such as a guide rail 145 for raising and lowering the stack tray 40, a pulling member 140, a winding pulley 141a, a spring 142, and one end 143a of the spring. In other words, the staple-free binding unit 27 is disposed inside the first surface 121a that protrudes toward the front side, and the processing section 15 including the stapler unit 17 is disposed in the rear portion of the staple-free binding unit 27 and inside the third surface 121c and retreat surface 135 formed on the rear side of the first surface 121a.

Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the insertion port 110 as viewed from above. Figure 23 shows the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 that detects whether the sheet stack MS is set at the binding position of the insertion port 110. The insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 has a right sensor mechanism 112a and a rear sensor mechanism 112b. The right sensor mechanism 112a and the rear sensor mechanism 112b are each composed of levers 113a, 113b against which the sheets come into contact, sensor flags 114a, 114b, rotating shafts 115a, 115b, and sensors 116a, 116b (transmissive sensors).

The right sensor mechanism 112a is a sensor mechanism corresponding to the right restriction surface 110a, and detects whether the sheet bundle MS inserted into the insertion port 110 abuts against the right restriction surface 110a (or the movable restriction surface 117). The rear sensor mechanism 112b is a sensor mechanism corresponding to the rear restriction surface 110f, and detects whether the sheet bundle MS abuts against the rear restriction surface 110f. When both sensor mechanisms detect that the sheet bundle MS abuts against each restriction surface, the control unit (described later) determines that the sheet bundle MS is set in the correct binding position and that the stapleless binding unit 27 can perform the stapleless binding process.

Since each sensor mechanism has the same configuration, the rear sensor mechanism 112b will be used for explanation. A lever 113b and a sensor flag 114b are formed on the rotating shaft 115b, and when the rotating shaft 115b rotates, the lever 113b and the sensor flag 114b also rotate. A spring member (not shown) is provided on the rotating shaft 115b, and the spring is biased so that the state shown in FIG. 23(a) is assumed when no sheets are in contact. When a sheet stack MS is inserted into the insertion port 110 and the rear end of the sheet stack MS abuts against the lever 113b (FIG. 23(C)), the rotating shaft 115b rotates against the biasing force of the spring member, and the sensor flag 114b moves to a position where it blocks the optical axis of the sensor 116b, and it is detected that the sheet stack MS has abutted against the rear regulating surface 110f. The right sensor mechanism 112a has a similar mechanism, and when the sensor flag 114a moves to a position where it blocks the optical axis of the sensor 116a, it detects that the sheet stack MS has hit the right regulation surface 110a (or the movable regulation surface 117, which will be described later).

The movable restricting surface 117 can move left and right in the direction of the arrow X, and can move between a first position shown in FIG. 23(a)(c) and a second position shown in FIG. 23(b)(d). By moving the movable restricting surface 117 to the first position and the second position, the position where the pressure unit 127 abuts against the sheet stack MS can be changed by a distance L1. For example, if it is desired to strengthen the fastening force of the stapleless binding process, the fastening force can be strengthened by performing the stapleless binding process at two different positions. Also, if it is desired to unfasten the stapleless binding process of the sheet stack MS once, read it as a document in the image reading unit A2, and perform the stapleless binding process again, the fastening force is weak even if the stapleless binding process is performed at the exact same position. Therefore, in that case, the sheet stack MS can be fastened again by shifting the position and performing the stapleless binding process (see FIG. 23(e)).

Moveable restricting surface 117 moves integrally with right sensor mechanism 112a to the first and second positions. This makes it possible to detect whether the right end of sheet stack MS is set in the correct binding position in both the first and second positions. Movement of movable restricting surface 117 and right sensor mechanism 112a may be performed manually by the user using a lever (not shown) provided on front cover 121, or a separate drive mechanism may be provided and the movement may be performed by operating a button.

Figure 24 is a diagram that explains the operation when the user moves the sheet stack MS when the sheet stack MS is once set at the binding position by the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 and then the user presses the button 111 to execute the binding process operation.

First, when the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 detects that the sheet bundle MS has been set in the binding position and then the button 111 is pressed, the control unit drives the motor 128 to move the pressure unit 127 from the separation position toward the binding position. Normally, the pressure unit 127 moves to the binding position to bind the sheet bundle MS, and then moves back to the separation position to complete the binding operation. However, if the user moves the sheet bundle MS while the pressure unit 127 has moved to the binding position and is gripping the sheet bundle MS, as shown in FIG. 24(b), the sheet bundle MS is pulled while the pressure unit 127 is gripping the sheet bundle MS, which may cause the sheets to tear. Therefore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the button 111 was pressed, that is, after the pressure unit 127 comes into contact with the sheet stack MS (or the tips of the teeth overlap vertically) as shown in FIG. 24(c) and the right sensor mechanism 112a or the rear sensor mechanism 112b goes into the OFF state, the control unit drives the motor 128 in the reverse direction to move the pressure unit 127 toward the separation position (FIG. 24(d)).

If any of the insertion detection sensor mechanisms 112 turn OFF before a predetermined time has elapsed since the button 111 was pressed, the control unit stops driving the motor 128 and waits for the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 to turn ON until a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed (Figure 24(e)). If the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 turns ON within the predetermined time, the control unit executes the binding process. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit determines that the sheet stack MS has been pulled out, returns the pressure unit 127 to the home position, and causes a binding error.

Figure 25 is an enlarged view of the insertion port 110, with the stack tray side cover 125 facing forward, showing the support member 118 that supports the underside of the sheet stack MS inserted into the insertion port 110. The support member 118 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction from the first surface 121a of the front-side cover 121, and the user can manually pull it out to the support position (Figure 25(a)) by hooking their finger in a recess formed in the tip portion (front side) of the support member 118. When not in use, it can be stored in the storage position (Figure 25(c)) by pushing it toward the rear side.

This support member 118 reduces sagging of the portion that comes off the lower regulating portion 110c when a weak sheet stack MS, such as thin paper, is inserted, improving user operability when performing manual binding. If the lower regulating portion 110c were to extend to the front end position when the support member 118 is in the support position, the device size would increase on the front side, so the device size can be made compact by configuring the support member 118 to be pulled out only when necessary.

Figure 25(b) is a top view of the support member 118 in the support position, and Figure 25(d) is a top view of the support member 118 in the storage position. As can be seen from this figure, the right end of the support member 118 is located a distance L2 to the left (to the right in the direction of arrow X) of the right restriction surface 110a of the insertion opening 110. By locating the support member 118 in this position, it is possible to prevent the right hand grasping the sheet stack MS from hitting the support member 118 when the user inserts the sheet stack MS into the insertion opening 110.

Figure 26 shows a modified example of the insertion port 110. The upper and lower regulating portions 110b and 110c of the insertion port 110 shown in Figure 26 are each configured to incline downward from the front side to the rear side. Therefore, the sheet stack MS is inserted diagonally downward and the user supports the sheet stack MS with their hands in this state, making it easier to support the sheet stack MS compared to a configuration in which the lower regulating portion 110c is horizontal in the front-rear direction.

In addition, in this modified example, the rear regulating surface 110f (similar to FIG. 23) is disposed approximately vertically, so that the rear end of the sheet stack MS inserted at an angle abuts against the rear regulating surface 110f and is supported in a state where the rear end of the sheet stack MS is slightly curved toward the front side. This makes the sheet stack MS more stiff, making it easier for the user to support the sheet stack MS. Note that the rear regulating surface 110f and the pressure section 127 may be inclined to match the inclination of the lower regulating section 110c.

Figure 27 shows another modified example of the insertion port 110. In Figures 27(a) and (b), when the above-mentioned insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 detects that the sheet stack MS has been set in the binding position, the pressing member 119a moves to the pressing position shown in Figure 27(b) by a drive (solenoid, etc.) not shown, and the sheet stack MS is clamped between the pressing member 119a and the lower regulating portion 110c. This ensures that the sheet stack MS set in the binding position does not shift, and the binding process can be performed reliably.

It is also desirable to place the pressing member 119a somewhere in the right half of the insertion port 110 in the direction of the arrow X. This allows the user to release the right hand from the sheet stack MS and press the button 111 after pressing the sheet stack MS with the pressing member 119a.

The pressing member 119b shown in FIG. 27(c) is a pressing member made of a flexible material such as Mylar, and extends from the upper regulating portion 110b to the lower regulating portion 110c and from the front side to the rear side. This pressing member 119b does not prevent the insertion of the sheet bundle MS, and stabilizes the position of the inserted sheet bundle MS by pressing the upper surface of the inserted sheet bundle MS. Note that this pressing member 119b is disposed at a predetermined distance from the right regulating surface 110a so that the corners of the sheet bundle MS (the portion where the binding process has been performed) do not come into contact with the pressing member 119b when the bound sheet bundle MS is pulled out of the insertion port 110. Note that by setting the tip of the pressing member 119b slightly upward so as to be separated from the lower regulating portion 110c, the corners of the bound sheet bundle MS will not get caught by the pressing member 119b even if the corners of the bound sheet bundle MS pass through.

In the above embodiment, the insertion opening 110 and the button 111 are arranged on the front cover 121 (10a), but as shown in FIG. 28, the insertion opening 110 and the button 111 may be arranged on the top cover 122. In that case, if the insertion opening 110 is arranged on the front side of the horizontal surface 122a of the top cover 122, the sheet stack MS aligned on the horizontal surface 122a can be inserted into the insertion opening 110 with almost no change in its position.

When the insertion opening 110 is formed in the top cover 122, it is desirable to position the insertion opening 110 so that the sheet stack MS can be inserted with its sheet surface facing the front side, as shown in FIG. 28. It is also desirable for the lower regulating surface that regulates the downstream end of the sheet stack MS in the insertion direction to be inclined downward from the left side to the right side. In that case, if the right regulating surface is also formed in a direction perpendicular to the lower regulating surface to match the inclination of the lower regulating surface, the corners of the sheet stack MS can be easily positioned at the binding position.

In the first embodiment, the stapleless binding unit 27 is connected to a board provided on the rear side metal plate 30r, and the entire sheet post-processing device B is controlled by that board, but the control unit of the control board 1300 provided on the bracket 126 may control manual binding, and only the power may be supplied from the board provided on the rear side metal plate 30r. In that case, the stapleless binding unit 27 performing manual binding is a so-called stand-alone type sheet binding device that does not exchange information with either the image forming device A or the automatic binding unit B1. In other words, the motor 128 of the stapleless binding unit 27, the sensor of the drive transmission unit 129, the button 111, and the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 are connected to the control board 1300, and when the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 detects that a sheet has been inserted and further detects that the button 111 has been pressed, the motor 128 is driven to perform stapleless binding processing on the sheet stack set in the insertion port 110. In addition, in the case of a stand-alone type, even if the opening and closing cover 101 is opened or a jam occurs in the image forming device A and the jam release cover of the image forming device A is opened, the stapleless binding unit 27 can perform the binding operation as long as the power is not turned off.

Here, the button 111 may be provided with an illuminating member that emits light in multiple colors and connected to the control board 1300, so that the status of the manual binding unit B2 is notified to the user by the button illuminating.

For example, when the insertion detection sensor mechanism 112 detects that a sheet has been set, the control unit causes the light-emitting member to emit green light to inform the user that the stapleless binding unit is in a standby state (binding process can be performed). After that, when the user presses the button 111, the light flashes, for example, until the binding process is completed, to alert the user not to pull out the sheets during the binding process. When the binding process is completed, the light-emitting member is turned off, or it emits a strong light once or a different color and then turns off to inform the user that the binding process is completed. Alternatively, the light may be emitted until the binding process is completed and the insertion detection sensor mechanism detects that it has turned off (the sheets have been pulled out).

In addition, when the sensor of the drive transmission unit 129 detects that the pressure unit 127 does not move even when the button 111 is pressed to drive the motor 128, the control unit determines that an error has occurred and causes the light-emitting member to emit red light to notify the user of the error. Note that the light-emitting member may be arranged closer to the first surface 121a of the front cover 121 than the control board 1300, and a portion of the first surface 121a facing the portion where the light-emitting member is arranged may be made of a translucent material so that the light-emitting state of the light-emitting member can be confirmed through the front cover 121.

Figures 29(a) to (l) show examples of designs that can be applied to the pressing portion 111a of the button 111. Figure 30 is a perspective view of the button 111 viewed from three directions.

In the second embodiment, the retreat surface 135 is formed below the first surface 121a of the front cover 121, but the first surface 121a does not have to be extended downward to form the retreat surface 135.

In the above embodiment, the staple cartridge 170 is replaced by opening the opening/closing cover 101 provided on the front side covers 10a and 121, but this is not the only possible configuration. For example, the opening/closing cover 101 may not be provided, and the staple cartridge 170 may be replaced by opening the front covers 10a and 121 that form the exterior of the sheet processing device B. In this case, the shielding portion 103 need not be provided integrally with the front covers 10a and 121, but may be fixed to the front side metal plate 30f.

The present specification and drawings disclose the following image forming apparatus.
[Configuration 1]
A sheet processing apparatus that performs a binding process on sheets,
a loading section on which sheets are loaded;
a first binding unit having a detachable cartridge loaded with staples and binding a plurality of sheets loaded on the loading section, the first binding unit being movable between a binding position where the sheets are bound and a replacement position that is located forward of the binding position in a front-rear direction of the sheet processing device and where the cartridge is replaced;
a cover having an insertion opening through which a sheet bundle can be inserted from outside the sheet processing apparatus, the cover constituting a part of an exterior of the sheet processing apparatus on a front side of the stacking portion and the first binding unit in the front-rear direction;
a second binding unit that performs a staple-free binding process on the sheet stack inserted through the insertion opening,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the second binding unit is provided at a position overlapping in the front-rear direction with the first binding unit located at the replacement position.

[Configuration 2]
The sheet processing device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the cover has a first cover portion in which the insertion port is provided and which covers the second binding unit, a second cover portion that can be opened and closed relative to the first cover portion and covers the first binding unit located at the replacement position, the second cover portion being openable and closable relative to the first cover portion, and a shielding member provided between the second binding unit and the first binding unit located at the replacement position.

[Configuration 3]
the shielding member has a passage portion through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the first binding unit,
3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the first binding unit is located at the replacement position, a portion of the binding unit overlaps with the passing portion in the front-rear direction of the sheet processing apparatus.

[Configuration 4]
an operation button that is operated by a user to instruct execution of a binding process by the second binding unit;
4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation button is provided above the insertion opening in the vertical direction.

[Configuration 5]
The sheet processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising a control unit that, when performing the binding process by the second binding unit and when the binding process by the first binding unit is being performed, performs the binding process by the second binding unit after the binding process by the first binding unit is completed.

[Configuration 6]
The sheet processing device described in configuration 5, characterized in that when the control unit receives a request for execution of a stapleless binding process by the second binding unit and the binding process by the first binding unit is to be executed within a predetermined time, the control unit executes the binding process by the first binding unit as a priority, and executes the binding process by the second binding unit after the binding process by the first binding unit is completed.

[Configuration 7]
7. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising a pressing unit provided at the insertion opening and configured to press the sheet stack inserted through the insertion opening.

[Configuration 8]
an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
A sheet processing apparatus according to configuration 1, which performs a binding process on sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus;
an accommodation device that is provided below the sheet processing device and overlaps with the sheet processing device in a vertical direction, and that accommodates sheets to be supplied to the image forming device;

[Configuration 9]
9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a stacking tray disposed between the sheet processing apparatus and the storage apparatus in the vertical direction and on which sheets to be transported to the image forming section are stacked.

A Image forming apparatus B Sheet processing apparatus 17 Staple unit 27 Staple-less binding unit 40 Stack tray 101 Opening door 102 Opening 103 Shielding member 110 Manual feed slot 121 Front cover 122 Top cover

Claims (9)

A sheet processing apparatus that performs a binding process on sheets,
a loading section on which sheets are loaded;
a first binding unit having a detachable cartridge loaded with staples and binding a plurality of sheets loaded on the loading section, the first binding unit being movable between a binding position where the sheets are bound and a replacement position that is located forward of the binding position in a front-rear direction of the sheet processing device and where the cartridge is replaced;
a cover having an insertion opening through which a sheet bundle can be inserted from outside the sheet processing apparatus, the cover constituting a part of an exterior of the sheet processing apparatus on a front side of the stacking portion and the first binding unit in the front-rear direction;
a second binding unit that performs a staple-free binding process on the sheet stack inserted through the insertion opening,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the second binding unit is provided at a position overlapping in the front-rear direction with the first binding unit located at the replacement position. The sheet processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover has a first cover part in which the insertion opening is provided and which covers the second binding unit, a second cover part which can be opened and closed relative to the first cover part and which covers the first binding unit located at the replacement position, the second cover part being openable and closable relative to the first cover part, and a shielding member provided between the second binding unit and the first binding unit located at the replacement position. the shielding member has a passage portion through which the cartridge passes when the cartridge is inserted into or removed from the first binding unit,
3 . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when the first binding unit is located at the replacement position, a part of the binding unit overlaps with the passing portion in the front-rear direction of the sheet processing apparatus. and further comprising an operation button that is operated by a user to instruct execution of a binding process by the second binding unit.
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation button is provided above the insertion opening in the vertical direction. The sheet processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that, when performing the binding process by the second binding unit and the binding process by the first binding unit is being performed, performs the binding process by the second binding unit after the binding process by the first binding unit is completed. The sheet processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the control unit receives a request for execution of stapleless binding processing by the second binding unit and the binding processing by the first binding unit is to be executed within a predetermined time, the control unit executes the binding processing by the first binding unit as a priority, and executes the binding processing by the second binding unit after the binding processing by the first binding unit is completed. The sheet processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing unit provided at the insertion opening and pressing the sheet stack inserted through the insertion opening. an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
a sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , which performs binding processing on the sheets on which the images are formed by the image forming apparatus;
an accommodation device that is provided below the sheet processing device and overlaps with the sheet processing device in a vertical direction, and that accommodates sheets to be supplied to the image forming device; The image forming system according to claim 8, characterized in that the image forming device further has a stacking tray that is provided between the sheet processing device and the storage device in the vertical direction and on which sheets to be transported to the image forming unit are stacked.