JP2706264B2 - Sheet post-processing control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a post-processing control device for stapling sheets discharged from a copying machine onto a bin.

2. Description of the Related Art A device that automatically staples copies ejected in a page order from a copying machine is known, but in a conventional device, a stapler is used regardless of the thickness of a copy bundle to be stapled. If the copy bundle exceeds the stapler processing limit thickness, stapling cannot be performed reliably, or staple processing errors such as dropping into the device due to stapling failure may occur. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been described below. A sheet post-processing control device capable of solving a problem caused by performing a stapling operation when a thickness of a sheet bundle discharged to one bin exceeds a stapler binding limit thickness in the processing control device. The purpose is to provide.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, according to the present invention, one or a plurality of bins capable of receiving and stacking an image-formed sheet, and post-processing a sheet bundle stacked on the bin for each bin A sheet post-processing control device having sheet post-processing means, a detecting means for detecting a thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the bin, and a post-processing set to the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detecting means. Comparing means for comparing the maximum possible thickness with a possible limit thickness; and performing no post-processing operation when the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detecting means exceeds the post-processable limit thickness. Control means for controlling the sheet conveyance, and sheet conveyance holding means for holding the sheet stack stacked on the bin from above and below and conveying the sheet bundle to a position where the sheet bundle is post-processed by the sheet post-processing means. This is solved by a sheet post-processing control device characterized in that the holding means is provided with the detection means.

Further, according to the present invention, one or a plurality of bins capable of receiving and stacking an image-formed sheet, and a sheet post-processing means for post-processing a sheet bundle stacked on the bin for each bin In the sheet post-processing control device having, the detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the bin, the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detecting means and the set post-processable limit thickness, Comparing means for comparing the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detection means with the thickness of the sheet bundle when the thickness of the sheet bundle is determined to have exceeded the post-processable limit thickness. Warning means for warning that the sheet bundle has been exceeded, and a sheet conveyance holding means for holding the sheet bundle stacked on the bin from above and below and conveying the sheet bundle to a position where the sheet post-processing means performs post-processing, The system Is solved by the sheet post-processing control unit, characterized in that a said detection means preparative conveying clamping means.

Advantageously, the detecting means detects the thickness of the sheet bundle by detecting the amount of displacement of a member which is displaced when the sheet conveying and clamping means clamps the sheet bundle.

Examples Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of the overall configuration of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the side view shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fourth mirror of the exposure system,
2 is a dust-proof glass for preventing contamination of the lens, mirror, etc. by toner, 3 is an ADF (automatic document feeder), 4 is a contact glass, 5 is an eraser (erase lamp), 6
Is a charged charger, 7 is a photosensitive drum using a selenium photoconductor, 8 is a drum thermistor for detecting the surface temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 9 is a discharge lamp, 10 is a lens, and 11 is a quenching charger (charger after cleaning). ), 12
Is a cleaning unit, 13 is a bias roller, 25 is a PC
C (charger before cleaning), 14 is an exposure illumination unit including a halogen lamp or the like, 15 is a first scanning mirror integrally forming a first carriage with the illumination unit 14 or the like, 1
Reference numerals 6 and 17 denote second and third mirrors forming a second carriage, 18 denotes a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer sheet, 19 denotes a discharge direction of the transfer sheet after fixing by the fixing unit 18 and A reversing unit that controls the discharge surface, 20 is a sorter (with a post-processing function) that sorts transfer paper after discharge, 26 is a separation claw, 21
Indicates a conveyor belt. The post-processing function refers to processing such as stapling or punching with a punch.

Further, 22, 23, 24, and 33 are trays for stocking and supplying transfer paper, 22 is a double-sided paper tray, 23 is a first paper tray, 24 is a second paper tray, and 33 is a third paper tray. Paper tray, 29 is a paper feed roller unit, 30 is a vertical paper transport unit, 32 is a horizontal paper transport unit,
31 is a paper dust removing roller for removing paper dust from the transfer paper, 27 is a separation charger, 28 is a transfer charger, 35 is a registration roller, and 34 is a developer collection container for collecting old developer when replacing the developer. And 36, a PTC (pre-transfer charger), 38, a drum heater for raising the temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 37, a developing unit, 39, a toner cartridge for replenishing consumable toner, and 40, a photosensitive drum 7. 3 shows a drum shaft rotatably supported.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus having the above configuration will be briefly described. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported by the drum shaft 40 and rotates counterclockwise in response to a copy command or the like. At the same time as the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7, the charge removing lamp 9 and the PTC 3 are used so that the toner attached to the photosensitive drum 7 and the uneven potential do not reach the charging charger 6 and the developing unit 37.
6, separation charger 27, transfer charger 28, eraser 5, cleaning unit 12, bias roller 13, PCC2
5. The quenching charger 11 is driven. After passing through the cleaning unit 12 and the neutralizing lamp 9, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes zero.

The photosensitive drum 7 is driven by a main motor (not shown). At this time, the leading end of the image is a portion after the position where the control unit has passed the cleaning unit 12.

When the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated to the home position, the original placed on the contact glass 4 by the ADF 3 is scanned by the first carriage integrated with the first scanning mirror 15, the illumination unit 14, and the like. The reflected light image is the first scanning mirror
The image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the second mirror 16, the third mirror 17, the lens 10, the fourth mirror and the dustproof glass 2.

After the photosensitive drum 7 is charged by the charging charger 6, light is applied to an unnecessary portion by an eraser, that is, an erase lamp 5, to form an image frame suitable for a transfer paper or a projected image. 7, a latent image is formed. At this time, in order to obtain a 1: 1 image, the photosensitive drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed.

The latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 37. In this case, a dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential to the developing unit 37.

On the other hand, the two-sided paper tray 22, the first paper tray 2
3. The transfer paper stocked in the second paper feed tray 24 or the third paper feed tray 33 is sent by the paper feed roller unit 29 until a paper detection (not shown) is activated.

Next, at the paper feed timing, the paper feed roller unit 29 is operated again, and the transfer paper is sent to the registration roller 35 stopped in advance through the vertical paper transport unit 30 or the horizontal paper transport unit 32, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred. The registration roller 35 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the transfer paper and the leading edge of the transfer paper match.

The toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to a transfer sheet by a transfer charger 28. At this time, the surface of the photoconductor 7 is very smooth, and therefore, the adhesion between the photoconductor drum 7 and the transfer paper is large. Decreases adhesion to transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 7 by the separation claw 26, and the transfer paper thus separated is sent to the fixing unit 18 by the transport belt 21. The transfer paper sent to the fixing unit 18 is applied with heat and pressure to the toner here, whereby the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed on the transfer paper. Discharged to 20. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the sheet is discharged to the double-sided paper feed tray 22 via the reversing unit 19.

Since a small amount of the toner image remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after the transfer, the PCC 25 is operated, and the cleaning unit 12 is operated.
The surface is cleaned with a cleaning brush and a cleaning blade inside, and the surface potential is made constant by the next quenching charger 11 and static elimination lamp 9.

These control timings are mainly determined by the photosensitive drum 7
Or a reference pulse for driving the photosensitive drum 7.

Next, the configuration of the sorter 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, an entrance guide plate 43 is provided at the entrance of the copy discharged from the copying machine, and subsequently, upper and lower transport belts 44 and 42 for transporting the copy upward, and a switching claw 46. , Switching guide plates 45 and 47 are provided. Switching claw 4
A pair of paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 and a paper discharge tray 54 are provided in the upper path by 6, and the lower path by the switching claw 46 is a plurality of sheets ( 20
Of paper 55 along the copy vertical feed path along the copy insertion side of the bin 55.

A roller pair of a deflecting claw 64, a transport roller 62, and a discharge roller 63 is provided at a position for each bin in the vertical feed path, and a plurality of transport rollers 62 provided at appropriate intervals are provided with a copy vertical feed. The driven roller 65 is in pressure contact with the path. The transport belts 44 and 42, the discharge rollers 48 and 49, the transport roller 62, and the discharge roller 63 are driven by a drive motor 41.

Two pulleys 53 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the bin group, respectively.
The shaft provided with 69 is supported by the machine frame, and the lower shaft is connected to a motor 68 for moving the post-processing unit. A post-processing unit moving belt 66 is stretched over two pairs of upper and lower pulleys.
A chuck unit 60 and a post-processing unit 61 are attached to these belts via a guide unit 51.
To guide the guide unit 51, a guide rail 67 is provided on the side of the bin group in the vertical direction over almost the entire height of the sorter.

The copy discharged from the copying machine is inserted from the entrance guide plate 43, is sandwiched by the pair of transport belts 42 and 44, and is transported upward.

Now, assuming that the mode is a normal paper discharge mode (a mode in which the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54), the switching claw 46 is lowered, and copying is performed along a switching guide plate: upper 47 and a paper discharge roller pair 48, 49.
Is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54.

Further, assuming that a sort mode (a mode in which pages are sorted in order) and a stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted), the switching claw 46 is raised, and the sheet is conveyed downward along the copy switching guide plate: lower 45. You. The copy transported by the transport roller 62 and the driven roller 65 is discharged to the bin 55 where the deflecting claw 64 operates. The deflecting pawl 64 performs a movement according to the mode (sort or stack).

In the sort mode, the deflecting pawl 64 of the first bin operates to discharge to the first bin 55, and the second copy of the first page is operated by the deflecting pawl of the second bin to operate the second bin 55. To be discharged.
The first page of the second page is in the first bin 55, and the second page is in the second bin 55.
Each is discharged to the bin 55. In this way, in the sort mode, the bins are discharged to one bin in the order of pages, such as 1, 2, 3,....

In the stack mode, the deflecting pawl 64 operates so that all copies of the first page are discharged to the first bin, and copies of the second page are discharged to the second bin. In this way, in the stack mode, a copy of the same page is discharged to one bin and sorted for each page.

Also, deflected claws during sort mode or stack mode
In the case where a copy jam occurs near 64, there is a function of discharging the copy in front of the switching claw 46 from the sorter in the copy after the jam copy. In this case, the switching claw 46 is switched at the time of a paper jam, and the copy that comes later is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54 without being jammed. The copy discharged to the output tray 54 is removed from the manual feed table 52 after the jam is removed.
Can be put into a predetermined bin by the manual feed roller 50.

In addition to the jam, when a copy is inserted from the manual feed table 52, the copy can be discharged to each bin according to the mode and sorted. A post-processing function for performing post-processing on the copy sorted in this manner will be described below.

The post-processing unit 61 means a stapler, a puncher, or the like. In order to move the post-processing unit to a position corresponding to each bin, the post-processing unit motor 68 is rotated, and the post-processing unit moving belt 66 is moved up and down via the pulleys: lower 69 and upper 53, and the guide is accordingly moved. The unit 51 is moved up and down. Guide unit
51 has a car that moves along a guide rail 67.

Chuck unit 60 is a post-processing unit that
It is a device that carries it to the position 61 and returns it to the original position again after the execution of post-processing.

In FIG. 2, the home sensor 56
Is turned on, and post-processing can be performed on the copy of the first bin. When the post-processing is executed from this state, the post-processing unit 61 is lowered by turning on the post-processing unit moving motor 68 after the execution, and the bin position sensor 58 is turned on by the bin position detecting piece 59 of the second bin, so that the post-processing unit The moving motor 68 is turned off, and the post-processing unit 61 is stopped. Then, post-processing of the second bin is performed. Then, when the execution of the post-processing for the copy of the predetermined bin is completed, the post-processing unit 61 is moved to the home position.
In this way, post-processing of a plurality of copy bundles can be executed.

FIG. 3 is a view seen from the opposite side of FIG. In FIG. 3, description will be given of those which could not be expressed in FIG.

The sorter of this embodiment is a sorter of 20 bins, each of which is divided into two blocks of 10 bins, and the upper block has bin sensors 76, 79 and a paper ejection sensor 77, 78.
The lower block has sensors 81 and 84 and paper ejection sensors 80 and 83. A paper discharge sensor (not shown) is also provided in the paper discharge tray 54.
There is. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. The paper ejection sensors 77, 78, and 8 detect whether a copy has been ejected.
0,83, and the bin sensors 76, 79, 81, 88 determine whether there is a copy in the bin. With such a bin sensor, it is possible to use the lower block if a copy is on the upper block.

In order to perform post-processing of the copy, the plurality of copies must be aligned. Therefore, the sorter of the present invention is provided with a jogger described below.

The jogger drive belt 86 is rotated by the jogger moving motor 82 via the pulley 85, and the drive shaft 96 is rotated. Jogger moving belt through pulley 74,87 thereby: Top 7
3: The lower 88 moves, and the shaft fixing unit 72 and the shaft drive unit 95 fixed thereto move. The size detection sensor 93 detects one of the predetermined size detection pieces 92, and the jogger drive motor 82 stops. Then, when the copy is discharged to the bin, the paper discharge sensors 77, 78 or 80, 83 detect it, the alignment shaft drive unit 95 is operated, and the alignment plate 70 is moved by the alignment shaft 71 to align the copies. After the post-processing is completed, the jogger moving motor rotates in the reverse direction,
It stops at the position where the home sensor 91 is turned on by 94.
This position is the position for the maximum size. In this way, each time a copy is ejected, it is aligned and prepared for a post-processing operation.

 FIG. 4 is a view as seen from above in FIG.

The bin 55 has a notch so that the alignment shaft 71 can be moved to a position where the minimum size copy alignment is possible. Further, the alignment plate 70 rotates as indicated by an arrow, and aligns the copies. At this time, there is an end face pressing plate 97 for keeping the other end of the copy at a fixed position. The end face holding plate 97 moves in response to the movement of the chuck unit 60.

 FIG. 5 is a view seen from the right side of FIG.

With the jogger moving belt 88, it moves like an arrow,
It can be stopped at the size detection piece 92 in accordance with each copy size. When moving to the right, the home sensor 91 that matches the maximum copy size is
Up to the position activated by 92.

 FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the chuck unit 60.

The chuck unit 60 grasps the copy bundle on the bin 55 and moves it to the post-processing unit (not shown in FIG. 6) 61. After the post-processing is completed, the chuck unit 60 is discharged onto the bin 55 again. Has the role of returning to the same state as.

First, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the worm gear 100 rotates and the gear 101 moves in the I direction. Then, the spiral shaft 106 rotates, and the moving plate 113 and the chuck: upper 109, lower 110 and push plate 112 move in the B direction via the moving rod (there is a hole in the spiral) 105. I do. When moving in the direction B, the home sensor 102 is turned on by the position detecting piece 103, and the motor 107 is stopped.

Conversely, when the motor 107 rotates in the G direction, the gear 101
Move in the J direction, and the moving rod 105, the moving plate 113, the chuck: upper 109, the lower 110 and the push plate 112 move in the A direction. When moving in the direction A, the position detecting piece 103 turns on the front end position sensor 104 and stops the motor 107. And
When the solenoid 114 is turned on, the upper chuck 109 is pulled.
It is lowered in the direction D by 108 to grab a bundle of copies (not shown). At this time, the end face holding plate 97 is
As a result, it is lowered in the F direction so as not to hinder the movement of the copy bundle.

When the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the copy bundle is brought in the B direction. When the pressing plate 112 returns in the direction B, the end face pressing plate 97 attempts to return to its original state by the spring 111, but stops at the copy bundle because the copy bundle is already on the upper side. When the moving plate reaches the home position, the motor 107 is stopped, and then the post-processing unit 61 is operated. After the post-processing is completed, the motor is rotated again in the G direction to return the copy bundle to the A direction. When the position detecting piece 103 turns on the tip position detecting sensor again, the motor 107 stops, the solenoid 114 turns off, and the chuck is operated by the coil spring 115:
The upper part 109 is raised, the copy bundle returns to the original position, and the end face pressing plate 97 also returns to the original position. Then, the motor 107
To move the moving plate 113 to the home position and stop. Thus, the chuck unit 60 carries out the operation of transporting the copy bundle discharged onto the bin to the post-processing device and returning it to the original position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the post-processing unit 61. As an example, a stapler will be illustrated and described.

In this stapler, the motor 116 is turned on by an electric signal.
When N is performed, the staples 119 in the cartridge 117 are pushed and bent. The staples 119 are connected in a strip shape with a thin tape, and are rolled up in the cartridge 117. When the end of the staple passes through a near-end sensor (reflective sensor for optically reading) 118, a near-end signal is output.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the alignment shaft drive unit 95 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

When the motor 120 makes one rotation, the aligning plate 70 rotates fan-shaped in the direction of arrow AB via the cam 121, the lever 122, and the aligning shaft 71. In this way, each time a copy is discharged to a bin, the motor 120 makes one revolution to align the copies.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system in the present invention.

This control is based on CPU300, ROM301, RAM302, IN port
This is a microcomputer system including a 303, an OUT port 304, and an I / O port 305. I wrote the program
The ROM 301 allows the IN port 303 to be used while using the RAM 302 as needed.
, And outputs a controlled signal to the OUT port 304 to control the copier and the sorter.
The control of the sorter also includes a post-processing operation (such as a stapling operation) after sorting the copies. The control unit of ADF3 is connected to the I / O port 305,
Exchange signals with CPU300. The ADF 3 feeds the document onto the contact glass according to a signal from the CPU, and discharges the document when the exposure is completed. In the case of a double-sided original mode (double-sided single-sided mode, double-sided double-sided mode), after the exposure of the first side is completed, the document is reversed and fed again onto the contact glass,
After the exposure of the surface is completed, the sheet is inverted and discharged. In addition, a backup battery 306 is connected to the RAM 302 and is a nonvolatile memory.

 FIG. 9 shows a part of the operation unit of the above copying machine.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a start key for instructing a copy start, 2
02 is a numeric keypad for entering the number of copies, etc., 203
Is a clear / stop key for instructing clearing of a set number and copy stop, 204 is a set number display for displaying the number of copy sets, 205 is a copy number display for displaying the number of copies, and 206 is a document number display. The number-of-documents display 207 is a paper size display that displays the copy paper size set in each tray, the 208 is a paper remaining amount display that displays the remaining copy paper set in each tray, and 209 is Automatic paper selection mode indicator that indicates that the mode for automatically selecting the optimal copy paper (automatic paper selection mode) is set based on the document size information, etc., and 210 is the paper for selecting the copy paper Key, 211 is a paper size selection display that indicates which copy paper size is selected, 212 is a display that the copier is being prepared,
Wait indicator, 213 indicates that the copy machine is ready, can be copied Indicator, 214 indicates the sort key to indicate the sort mode, 215 indicates that the sort mode is set Sort mode indicator, 21
6 is a stack key for instructing the stack mode, 217 is a stack mode indicator for displaying that the stack mode is set, 218 is a DF key for instructing the automatic document feeder (ADF) mode, and 219 is Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
DF mode display that indicates that the mode is set, 220 is a staple key to indicate the staple binding mode, 221 is that the staple binding mode is set, staple mode display, 222 is 2
A single-sided double-sided mode key for instructing that one single-sided original be copied from one single-sided original, a single-sided double-sided mode display 223 indicating that the single-sided double-sided mode is set, 22
4 is a two-sided single-sided mode key for instructing that two single-sided copies are made from one two-sided original, 225 is a two-sided one-sided mode indicator for displaying that the two-sided one-sided mode is set, and 226 is one sheet A double-sided double-sided mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from a double-sided original, a double-sided double-sided mode indicator 227 that indicates that the double-sided double-sided mode is set, and a copy paper 228 on the saw turbine Warn that there is left, saw turbine paper forget indicator, 229 warns of jam in the sorter, sorter jam indicator, 330 warns of jam in the copier body, jam indicator, 231 Indicates that there is no selected copy paper, paper supply indicator, 232 warns that there is no staple (needle), staple supply indicator, 233 warns that stapling cannot be performed, stapling not possible Noh indicator, 23
4 is a staple limit indicator that warns the staple limit.

Description of Operation and Control Flow Next, the operation and control of the sheet post-processing control device of the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts.

(Explanation of Overall Operation) The overall operation flow will be sequentially described with reference to FIG.

○ The number of sets is input from the numeric keypad 202 by the set number input routine.

○ Select sort or stack mode.

○ Place a document on ADF3. It is in a wait state until it is set.

Check the copy prohibition status. If copying is prohibited, the process ends. Here, the copy prohibition means, for example, after copying is interrupted as described later.

○ Waiting until the start key is pressed.

○ When the start key is turned ON, the drive system motor such as the main motor is turned ON.

Send a document feed signal to the ADF, and set the document on the contact glass at a copyable position.

○ Clear the copy counter. In the sort or stack mode, the switching claw 46 is raised to discharge the bin. (When the switching claw 46 is lowered, the discharge tray 54
Emission. ○ Perform copy operation.

○ The copying operation and subsequent steps are repeated until the number of copies reaches the set number.

○ Send the document discharge signal to ADF3 and discharge the document on the contact glass.

If there is still an original, the next original is fed, and the above-described copying operation is repeated.

If there is no original, wait until the original is discharged to the sorter, and then turn off the transport drive motor.

Check the ON state of the stapling impossible display, and if it is ON, end and do not execute post processing. If it is not ON, execute post processing and end.

Hereinafter, each salbutin will be described in detail.

(Explanation of Set Number Input) The set number input flow is shown in FIG.

Check whether the numeric keypad 202 has been pressed.

○ Store the pressed numeric key data in the RAM 302.

○ Set number display 204 according to the set RAM data
Lights up.

○ Turn off the stapling impossible display 233 and return.

(Description of Sorter Mode Set Flow) The sorter mode set flow is shown in FIG.

Check whether the sort key 214 or the stack key 216 has been pressed.

For a sort key.

○ Check if you are already in sort mode.

If the mode is already the sort mode, the sort mode is reset, the sorter paper forget indicator 228 is turned off, and the routine returns.

○ If not in sort mode, set sort mode and reset stack mode.

For a stack key.

○ Check if you are already in stack mode.

If already in the stack mode, the stack mode is reset, the sorter paper forget indicator 228 is turned off, and the routine returns.

○ If not in stack mode, set stack mode and reset sort mode.

○ Bin sensor: Check the top 76, if there is no paper, 1st
The deflection claw of the bin is turned on, the first bin discharge is selected, and the routine returns.

○ If there is paper, check the bottom of the bin sensor. If there is no paper, turn on the deflection claw of the 11th bin, select the 11th bin discharge, and return.

When both the upper and lower bin sensors detect the presence of paper, the sorter paper forget device 228 is turned on and the process returns.

(Explanation of Discharge Control Flow) FIG. 14 shows a discharge control flow.

○ Check the paper ejection sensor.

○ When the paper ejection sensor is turned on, count up the paper ejection counter.

○ Return if not in sort or stack mode.

○ In the stack mode, check whether all copies for one original have been ejected, and if ejected, turn off the current bin deflection claw for the next stack operation.
F, Turn ON the current bin deflection claw one bin below and return.

In the case of the sort mode, the current bin deflection claw is turned off, and the current bin deflection claw below the current bin is turned on.

Check whether all copies for one original have been ejected, and if they have been ejected, turn off the current bin deflection claw and turn on the bin deflection claw of the first bin of the block for the next sort operation, To return.

(Description of Post-Processing Control Flow) The post-processing control flow is shown in FIG.

○ A drive signal (forward) is transmitted to the chuck unit, and the chuck is advanced in the bin direction.

○ A drive signal (close) is transmitted to the chuck unit to sandwich the copy bundle.

○ Send a drive signal (retract) to the chuck unit and pull the copy bundle toward the staple unit.

○ Detect the thickness of the copy bundle. If the thickness cannot be stapled, set the over status.

If it is not the over status (stapling disabled), a staple drive signal is transmitted to the staple unit to perform the stapling operation. If the status is over, turn on the stapling impossible display.

○ Send a drive signal (forward) to the chuck unit and return the copy bundle to the bin.

○ Send a drive signal (open) to the chuck unit and release the copy bundle.

Return if over status (stapling disabled).

A post-processing end check is performed, and if there is still a copy bundle to be processed, the post-processing unit is moved to the next bin and the stapling operation is repeated. When all processing is completed, return.

(Explanation of Discharge Thickness Check Flow) FIG. 16 shows the discharge thickness check flow.

○ Reset the over status (staple limit condition).

○ Check whether the staple limit sensor (paper thickness sensor) 128 is ON. If it is ON, set the over status and return.

The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the apparatus for stapling the sheet bundle discharged to each bin of the sorter with the stapler has been described above.
The present invention is also applicable to an apparatus in which a sheet bundle discharged to a paper discharge tray of a copying machine or a stapler attached to the paper discharge tray can be stapled.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, when it is detected that the thickness of the sheet bundle exceeds the stapleable limit thickness,
Since the stapling operation is controlled so that the stapling operation is not performed, or a warning to that effect is made, or both are performed, stapling processing errors are prevented, and the stapling apparatus is also protected. At this time, since the sheet conveying holding means for conveying the sheet bundle stacked on the bin to the position where the post-processing is performed is also the detecting means for measuring the thickness of the sheet bundle, the thickness detection is performed in parallel during a series of operations. This can be performed, and it is not necessary to provide a new member constituting the detecting means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing the overall configuration of a copying system having a sorter to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the sorter, FIG. 4
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the sorter with a part cut away, FIG. 5 is a side view of the sorter viewed from the right in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the chuck unit, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the aligning shaft drive unit, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of the operation unit of the copying machine, and FIG. 10 is a control system related to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a portion, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an overall operation flow of the sheet post-processing control device of the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the subroutine. 3 Automatic document feeding means 20 Sorter 55 Bin 61 Post-processing unit (staple binding means) 109, 110 Chuck (sheet bundle holding and conveying means) 128 Sheet bundle thickness detecting means 206 Document number display 214… Sort key 220… Staple key 233… Stapling impossible display 234… Staple limit display 300… CPU 301… ROM 302… RAM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyasu Sumita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hoshi, etc. 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kimiiku Ishii 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Ricoh Company (72) Atsushi Komazawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Masao Moriya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Ricoh Company (56) References JP-A-60-197398 (JP, A) JP-A-61-24498 (JP, A) JP-A-63-235257 (JP, A) JP-A-63-116169 (JP, A) JP-A-57-63561 (JP, A)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet comprising: one or a plurality of bins capable of receiving and stacking an image-formed sheet; and sheet post-processing means for post-processing a sheet bundle stacked on the bin for each bin. In the post-processing control device, a detection unit that detects the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the bin, and a comparison that compares the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detection unit with a set post-processing possible limit thickness. And control means for controlling not to perform a post-processing operation when it is determined by the comparing means that the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detection means exceeds a post-processable limit thickness; A sheet conveyance nipping means for nipping a sheet bundle stacked on the bin and conveying the sheet bundle to a position where the sheet is post-processed by the sheet post-processing means, wherein the sheet conveyance nipping means is provided with the detection means. Sheet post-processing control device according to claim. 2. A sheet comprising: one or a plurality of bins capable of receiving and stacking an image-formed sheet; and sheet post-processing means for post-processing a sheet bundle stacked on the bin for each bin. In the post-processing control device, a detection unit that detects a thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the bin, and a comparison that compares the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detection unit with a set post-processing-capable thickness. Means, when it is determined by the comparing means that the thickness of the sheet bundle detected by the detection means exceeds the post-processable limit thickness, the sheet bundle thickness exceeds the post-processable limit thickness. Warning means for warning that the sheet is stacked, and sheet conveying and holding means for holding the sheet bundle stacked on the bin and conveying the sheet bundle to a position where the sheet is post-processed by the sheet post-processing means. Before Sheet post-processing control apparatus characterized in that a detection means. 3. The sheet detecting device according to claim 2, wherein said detecting means detects a thickness of the sheet bundle by detecting a displacement amount of a member which is displaced when the sheet conveying and holding means holds the sheet bundle.
The sheet post-processing control device according to claim 1.