JP2781183B2 - Image forming apparatus with post-processing function - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine, and more particularly to a method of sequentially discharging sheets after image formation into a plurality of bins and collating them. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of performing the following.

2. Related Art In the image forming apparatus described above, a plurality of bins and a sheet discharge tray separately provided in addition to the bins are provided. In the case of a collation mode, sheets are collated in the plurality of bins. In such a case, an image forming apparatus that discharges a sheet to the above-described sheet discharge tray is known.

In this type of image forming apparatus, it is convenient if a post-processing means such as a stapler is provided and the sheet bundle stored in each bin can be sequentially stapled by the stapler or the like.

By the way, it is necessary to automatically perform post-processing such as stapling mainly when sheets are collated in each bin, and the sheets are discharged to the sheet discharge tray instead of each bin. In the case of the normal sheet discharge mode, there is little demand for performing the post-processing automatically.

Therefore, when the post-processing means is attached to a plurality of bins as described above, according to a general technique, the post-processing means is attached to the plurality of bins, and the sheet discharge tray has It is common that a post-processing function by the post-processing means is not provided.

Therefore, in this case, the post-processing mode can be specified only when the collation mode is specified, and the post-processing mode cannot be automatically specified when the normal sheet discharge mode other than the collation mode is specified. The control program will be adopted.

However, in some cases, it may be desired to perform post-processing such as stapling even when discharging sheets to one sheet discharge tray without performing sheet collation. The inability of a completely automatic post-processing is inconvenient for the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and is directed to an image forming apparatus that discharges sheets to a single sheet discharge tray instead of a plurality of collating bins in a normal sheet discharge mode. It is an object to enable post-processing such as stapling even in a sheet discharging mode.

Means for Solving the Problems The above problems are solved by the following image forming apparatus.

A plurality of bins and a separately provided sheet discharge tray are provided.In a collation mode, sheets are collated in the plurality of bins.In a normal sheet discharge mode, the sheets are collated in the sheet discharge tray. In the image forming apparatus that discharges sheets, the image forming apparatus includes a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the sheet bundle in the bin, and when the collation mode and the post-processing mode are selected,
The sheet bundles collated in the plurality of bins are sequentially post-processed by the post-processing means. On the other hand, when only the post-processing mode is selected, one of the plurality of bins is selected. An image forming apparatus wherein one sheet is discharged, and the sheet is subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means.

In the above configuration, a paper sheet, a plastic sheet, or any other sheet material can be used as the sheet.

The place where the sheet discharge tray is placed is not limited to a special place, but generally, it is often arranged further above the uppermost bin among a plurality of collating bins.

The collation mode is a mode in which an operation of distributing and discharging a large number of sheets in a plurality of bins is performed. Modes such as sorting in page order (sometimes referred to as a source mode) and sorting per page (sometimes referred to as a stack mode) are conceivable.

The normal sheet discharge mode is a generally performed sheet discharge mode in which sheets are sequentially discharged to one sheet discharge tray.

As the post-processing means, there are a stapler for driving a stitch into a sheet bundle and bundling it, a punch for punching a hole in the sheet bundle, and the like.

In the present image forming apparatus, the collation mode, the normal sheet discharge mode, and the post-processing mode can be selected alone or in any combination. Of course, the collation mode and the normal sheet discharge mode cannot be simultaneously selected. The selection of the mode is performed by the operator pressing a predetermined key on the operation panel.

Operation When the normal sheet discharge mode is selected, sheets are discharged to the sheet discharge tray. Since the sheet discharge tray is not provided with a post-processing function by the post-processing means, no post-processing is performed.

Even in the normal sheet discharge mode, if the post-processing mode is selected at the same time, the sheet is discharged to any one of the plurality of bins. Since this bin has a post-processing function of the post-processing means, it is possible to execute post-processing.

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. , 36PTC (charger before transfer), 38 is a drum heater for raising the temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 37 is a developing unit, 39 is a toner cartridge for replenishing consumable toner, and 40 is a rotatable photosensitive drum 7. Shows the drum shaft to be 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 1, 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, the photosensitive drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed in order to obtain a 1: 1 image.

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 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 provided in parallel with the up and down direction (in the example of FIG. 20
Of paper 55 along the copy vertical feed path along the copy insertion side of the bin 55.

At a position corresponding to each bin in the vertical feed path, a roller pair of a polarizing claw 64, a transport roller 62, and a discharge roller 63 is provided, and a plurality of rollers provided at appropriate intervals of the transport roller 62 are copied. The driven roller 65 is in pressure contact with the vertical feed 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, and the chuck unit 60 and the post-processing unit
61 are attached 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 copy is conveyed downward along the switching guide plate: lower 45. Is done. The copy transported by the transport roller 62 and the driven roller 65 is
It is discharged to the bin 55 where the deflection claw 64 is operating. 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 the 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.
Bin sensors 81 and 84 and paper ejection sensors 80 and 83 in the lower block
There is. The paper ejection tray 54 also has paper ejection sensors 98 and 99. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. The paper ejection sensors 77, 78, 80, and 8 detect whether a copy has been ejected.
The bin sensors 76, 79, 81, and 84 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 alignment shaft driving unit 95 fixed thereto move. Then, one of the predetermined size detection pieces 92 is
Is detected, and the jogger drive motor 82 stops. When the copy is discharged to the bin, a discharge sensor 77, 78 or 80,
When the detection is made by 83, the alignment shaft drive unit 95 is operated, and the alignment plate 70 is moved by the alignment shaft 71 to align the copies. And
After the completion of the post-processing, the jogger moving motor rotates in the reverse direction, and stops at the position where the home sensor 91 is turned on by the home detection piece 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 holding plate 97 for keeping the other end of the copy at a fixed position. The end face holding plate 97 is
It moves in response to the movement of

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

With the jogger moving belt 88, the alignment shaft drive unit 95
Moves as indicated by the arrow, and can be stopped at the size detecting piece 92 according to each copy size. The rightward movement is to a position where the home sensor 91 adjusted to the maximum copy size is operated by the home detection piece 94.

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

The chuck unit 60 has a function of holding the copy bundle on the bin 55 and moving it to the post-processing unit 61, and returning to the same state as when the copy was discharged onto the bin 55 after the completion of the post-processing.

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 moved in the direction B, the position detecting piece 103
Home sensor 102a or second home sensor 102b is ON
Then, 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 pressing plate 97 is lowered in the F direction by the pressing plate 112 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 104 again, the motor 107 stops, the solenoid 114 turns off, and the coil spring 115 chucks:
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 rotates in the H direction, returns the movable plate 113 to the home position, and stops. In this manner, the chuck unit 60 carries out the operation of transporting the copy bundle discharged onto the bin 55 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 in the direction of the arrow AB in a fan shape 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 document mode (double-sided single-sided mode, double-sided double-sided mode), the document is turned over after the exposure on the first side is completed and fed again onto the contact glass, and then reversed after the exposure on the second side is completed. It is designed to eject paper. The RAM 302 has a backup battery.
306 is connected and is a non-volatile 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 a copy stop, 204 is a set number display for displaying the number of sets for displaying the number of copy sets, 205 is a number display for the number of copies for displaying the number of copies, 205 is a copy number display A document number display 207 displays the number of documents, a paper size display 207 displays the copy paper size set in each tray, 20
8 is a paper remaining amount display that shows the remaining amount of copy paper set in each tray, and 209 is a mode (automatic paper selection mode) that automatically selects the optimal copy paper based on document size information etc. Automatic paper selection mode display to indicate that paper is being printed, 210 is a paper key for selecting copy paper, 211 is a paper size selection display that shows which copy paper size is selected, and 212 is copy Indicating that the machine is being prepared, please wait display, 213 indicates that the copier is ready, can be copied, 214 is a sort key for indicating the sort mode, 2
15 is a sort mode indicator that indicates that the sort mode is set, 216 is a stack key for indicating the stack mode, 217 is a stack mode indicator that indicates that the stack mode is set, and 218 is DF key for indicating the ADF mode, 219 for indicating the automatic document feeder (ADF) mode is set, 220 for indicating the staple binding mode A staple key 221 indicates that the staple binding mode is set. A staple mode indicator 222 indicates a one-sided duplex mode key for instructing to perform one-sided copying from two one-sided originals.
Is a single-sided duplex mode display that indicates that the single-sided duplex mode is set, 224 is a double-sided single-sided mode key for instructing two single-sided copies from one double-sided original, and 225 is a double-sided single-sided mode Is set, 226 is a two-sided duplex mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from one double-sided original, and 227 is a two-sided duplex mode set. 228 is a warning that there is copy paper left in the saw turbine, a saw turbine paper forgotten display, 229 is a warning of jam in the sorter, a sorter jam display, 230 is a warning for a jam in the body of the copying machine, etc., a jam warning device, 231 is a warning that there is no selected copy paper, a paper supply indicator, 232 is a warning that there is no staple (needle), S Replenishment indicator, 233 warns that stapling is not possible, staple not possible indicator, 234 warns of staple limit, staple limit indicator, 250 indicates start of stapling for copy paper on sorter bin 251 is a manual staple mode indicator indicating that the manual staple mode is being performed, 235 is a reverse paper discharge mode key for instructing the reverse paper discharge mode, and 236 is a reverse paper discharge mode. 5 is a back side discharge mode indicator.

Further, 237, 239, 241 is a stapling process as post-processing, particularly a normal stapling process display showing staple processing when not performing both image shift and image reduction, especially 239 and 241 are staple position indicators that display different staple positions, 238, 240, and 242 are image shift indicators that indicate stapling when image shifting is performed, particularly 240 and 242 are staple position indicators that indicate different staple positions, and 243 is that image reduction is being performed. (Especially in the case of the embodiment
This is an image reduction display showing that a reduction of 93% has been performed. Reference numeral 244 denotes a staple position change key for instructing a staple position change.

The operation in the case where the copy copied by the copying machine is discharged to the bin 55 of the sorter 20, stacked and stapled by the stapler as a post-processing unit provided in the sorter using the apparatus described above will be described in detail.

The staple mode is the staple mode key 22 in FIG.
0 can be selected. If the button is pressed again at the time of selection, it is released. When the staple mode is selected, the staple mode indicator 221 lights up, and the DisSW 145 (control board 1 in FIG. 1)
Depending on the state (provided within 50), any of automatic setting of image shift, automatic setting of reduced image shift, or no automatic setting is performed. Further, the back side discharge mode is automatically set. In addition, a stapling display 237 to 243 and a backside discharge mode display 236 are displayed according to these states.

Copying in staple mode is based on the use of ADF in sort mode. That is, the set number of copies is treated as the number of copies, and the job is considered to be completed when there are no more documents on the ADF, and the sorted sheets are automatically stapled one copy at a time.

In the staple mode and the copy mode in which the ADF is not used in the sort mode, the end of the document, that is, the end of the job cannot be automatically determined, so that the stapling operation is not automatically started. At this time, when the operator determines that the job is finished, the operator instructs the start of the stapling operation by using the manual stapling key 250. This operation instruction is to press the staple mode key 220 again or the clear / stop key 2
There are various thoughts such as pressing 03.

In the staple mode, in the stack mode, the set number of copies for each document is 1 regardless of whether the ADF is used or not.
The start of the stapling operation can be automatically determined. That is, the stapling operation is started when the copying for the set number of copies is completed. The copy for the next document is stored in the next bin and stapled at the end of the copy for the set number of copies.

In the staple mode, when neither the sort mode nor the stack mode is used, the following operation is performed regardless of whether the ADF is used or not.

Normally, when the mode is not the staple mode, the sort mode or the stack mode is not used, all the copied sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 54 shown in FIG. 2, but this is a sheet storage section where the stapling operation cannot be performed. Must not be discharged here to Staple Mode Temple. The paper storage section capable of stapling is limited to the bin 55 shown in FIG. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge to any of the plurality of bins (here, there are 20 bins).

For this reason, in this mode, instead of discharging to the paper discharge tray 54, an empty bin having no remaining paper is searched for and discharged there. Here, the first bin is divided into 10 bins from 1 bin, and the second block is divided into 20 bins from 11 bins.
If there is no paper remaining in the block, one bin is provided, and if there is paper in the first block but no paper is provided in the second block, 11 bins are used instead of the output trays to prepare for the stapling operation. . If paper remains in both blocks, it is conceivable to perform processing such as copy inhibition or staple inhibition.

In this mode, the start of the stapling operation is completely left to the manual instruction of the operator, and the stapling operation is executed by the above-described stapling instruction operation.

Staple processing display The staple processing display is composed of 37 to 43 in FIG. 9 as described above. First, in the simple staple mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, 237 is turned on and 239 is made to blink. When the image shift is automatically selected during stapling, 237 and 238 are turned on and 239 and 240 are turned on and off as shown in FIG. 14B. This shows how the image is shifted. When the reduction mode and the image shift are automatically selected at the time of stapling, as shown in FIG.
Turn on 38,243 and blink 239,240. This shows that the image is reduced to 93% and the image is simultaneously shifted.

In any of the above cases, the staple position key
When the stapling position is changed by 244, 239 or 239 and 240 is turned off and 241 or 241 and 242 is turned on and off. This shows a state where the staple position has been changed. 14D, 14E, and 14F are respectively FIG. 14A,
This corresponds to FIGS. 14B and 14C.

Selection of staple position In the embodiment, there are two staple positions, and either one can be selected.

For example, when the stapling is performed in the staple mode, but the stapling of the staple causes a stapling error, the same location cannot be stapled again. In such a case, the stapling position can be changed, and the stapling can be performed again by the manual staple key 250. In addition, if a mechanism for detecting a stapling error is provided, the position may be automatically changed by the error detection and re-executed, which is effective.

In the embodiment, the staple position is alternately changed between two different positions by pressing the staple position key 44 in FIG. The operation for changing the staple position will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C. First, in FIG. 12A, the chuck 109 for moving the paper is opened and the sensor 104 is opened.
The chuck 109 is moved in the transfer paper P direction until the shielding plate 103 shields the sheet. When the sensor 104 is shielded, the movement of the chuck is stopped, and then the transfer paper P is gripped by closing the chuck.

When the stapling position is the initial position (normal position), as shown in FIG.
The chuck is stopped when the shielding plate 103 shields the first home sensor 102a, and the staple 61 is driven to perform the stapling operation.

If the staple position has been changed to a position other than the initial position, as shown in FIG. 12C, the first home sensor 102a is ignored, and the
The same operation as in the case of FIG.

By selecting either the operation of FIG. 12B or FIG. 12C, two different staple positions are selected.

Image Shift Copy During normal copying, the transfer paper is sent by a register roller at a timing such that the leading edge of the image on the photoconductor 7 and the leading edge of the transfer paper coincide. If this timing is shifted, the leading edge of the transfer paper and the leading edge of the image do not match. The image shift is a positive use of this. In this image shift, image movement in the transfer paper feed direction can be realized. This will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.

In this example, a case where the paper feed timing is set as a reference of the sequence is illustrated. In normal copying, the paper feed rollers are driven at a predetermined timing at the paper feed timing. Thereafter, the exposure system is scanned at timing Ts, and the register roller is driven at T. This timing is the timing at which the leading edge of the transfer paper coincides with the leading edge of the image.

Next, the image shift a picture precedes the transfer sheet, advancing the scanning timing of the exposure system is realized by a (Ts-t _1). When the transfer paper reaches the transfer point on the photoconductor 7 by the register roller, the leading end of the image on the photoconductor 7 has already exceeded the transfer point. Therefore, the image with the leading edge is transferred.

Next, in the image shift b preceding the image on the transfer paper, the scan timing of the exposure system is delayed, and (Ts + t ₂ )
This is realized by: When the transfer paper reaches the transfer point on the photoconductor 7 by the register roller, the leading end of the image on the photoconductor 7 has not yet reached the transfer point. Therefore, the leading edge of the image comes in the middle of the transfer paper.

In both the image shifts a and b, if the electric charge is removed by the eraser at the place where the image cannot be obtained due to the shift, a margin can be formed at the rear end or the front end of the transfer paper. In image shift a, the timing from turning on the side lamps to turning on all lamps in the eraser is advanced by t ₁ , while in image shift b, the timing from turning on all lamps in the eraser to turning on the side lamps is delayed by t _2. Good.

Reduced Copy The copying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can obtain a scaled copy by a scaling mode selecting means (not shown). That is,
The rotation speed of the photoconductor is constant, and the scanning speed of the original and the lens position change depending on the magnification.

As shown in FIG. 16, the scaled copy is scaled using the original set reference position Q as an invariable origin. In the staple mode, if the image is shifted so that the image does not come to the staple position, the image may be lost due to the shift. In such a case, image reduction can be prevented by reducing the size. That is, by transferring the reduced image to the effective image area on the transfer paper which has been reduced by securing the staple position, it is possible to prevent image missing.

As described above, the staple position can be secured by combining the image shift and the image reduction. However, if the staple position can be secured only by the image reduction, it is also possible to perform only the image reduction without performing the image shift. it can.

Mode Selection by Dip Switch 145 A control unit printed circuit board 150 (the internal configuration is as shown in FIG. 10) is housed on the lower left side of the copying machine in FIG. 1, and an 8-bit DipSW 145 (10th (Fig.)
Is installed. Two of these bits are used for selecting a mode automatically set when the staple mode is selected. This is mainly operated by a service person at the request of the user.

First, the first bit of DipSW145 is ON, the second bit is OFF
, The image shift mode is automatically set (first mode). Next, the first bit of DipSW145 is OFF, the second bit is O
If N, the 93% reduction mode and the image shift mode are automatically set (second mode). Next, the first bit of DipSW145, 2
When both bits are OFF, neither of the above modes is automatically set (third mode).

Depending on the document used by the user, an image may come to the staple position. The first or second mode is set for such a user having many originals. In this way, the image is automatically shifted during stapling, and the stapling position is a margin, so that an error such as stapling on the image can be prevented. However, when an image is present on the entire surface of the document, the staple position becomes a margin by the image shift alone (in the first mode), but the rear end of the image is cut off by the shift amount. The second mode is set for the user who has trouble. In this case, the image is shifted and then the image is reduced, so that all the document information is copied on the paper without loss. In addition, the third mode may be set for a user who has a large number of general originals, such as writing with margins at the edges as originals.

By setting in advance such that the optimum mode is automatically set according to the user's request, it is possible to prevent erroneous copying and staples.

Backside Discharge The copying apparatus according to the embodiment discharges the copied paper to the paper storage unit (discharge tray 54, bin 55) with the image side up, and discharges the image side down. There are two paper discharge modes, a back paper discharge mode.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ADF 3 is a type in which the original D is set with the image side down and the original is fed from the bottom of the set of originals. As described above, when copying is performed in the normal paper discharge mode, the pages are discharged with the image surface facing upward from one page, so that the page order is reversed. If the back side discharge mode is selected here, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the pages are discharged in order from one page with the image side down, so if this sheet bundle is turned over after the copy is completed, the page order is changed. I will not come.

FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the document placement and the sheet discharge position.

When a stapling function is provided, the page order is a particularly important item.

It is not easy to fix page order out of order after binding. Therefore, when selecting the staple mode,
By automatically setting the backside discharge mode regardless of other modes such as the sorter and the ADF, it is possible to prevent erroneous copying and staples and improve operability.

Normal discharge or back discharge is selected by the sheet reversing unit 19 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the paper reversing section 19 is provided with a main reversing roller 400 that rotates in the paper conveying direction, and two reversing rollers 401 and 402 that press the main reversing roller 400 across the paper path. When the paper is ejected without reversing, the reversing rollers 401 and 40 are
2 with the sheets partially overlapping
And between the front reversing roller 401 and the main reversing roller 400 and the rear reversing roller
Paper is sequentially passed between 402 and discharged. To reverse the front and back, use a reversing solenoid (not shown) to reverse the front and rear rollers 401 and 402.
Is opened as shown by a broken line in the figure, and the sheet conveyed between the main reversing roller 400 and the front reversing roller 401 is turned between the front and rear reversing rollers 401, 402 and between the pair of guide plates 403. When the trailing edge of the paper escapes between the main reversing roller 400 and the front reversing roller 401, the reversing roller 404 provided in the reversing unit 403 is used to return the reversing roller 405 to the return solenoid 405.
The sheet is pressed against at 406 to feed the sheet in the reverse direction, and the sheet is discharged from between the main reversing roller 400 and the rear reversing roller 402 with the rear end up to now, so that the sheet is reversed.

Hereinafter, an example of operation control when performing the stapling process will be described with reference to a flowchart.

The staple mode set routine shown in FIG. 18 is executed while the copying apparatus is on standby, and represents a function of selecting the staple mode by pressing the staple key 220.

When the staple key 220 is pressed to change from off to on, if the staple mode has already been set, a staple mode reset routine (not shown) is executed. On the other hand, if you are not already in staple mode,
Set the staple mode. At the same time, the backside discharge mode is set. After that, the DisSW 145 is checked, and the first mode (image shift mode) described above is determined according to the combination of ON / OFF of the first bit and the second bit.
One of a second mode (a mode in which image shift and image reduction is performed simultaneously) and a third mode (a mode in which neither image shift nor image reduction is performed) are executed. At that time, the display corresponding to each (see Fig. 14)
Is performed. In this case, the staple position is set to the initial position.

The staple position selection routine shown in FIG. 19 is executed while the copying apparatus is on standby, and when the staple position key 244 is pressed, the staple position is changed to the first position (the initial position determined by the first home sensor 102a). ) And a second position (a shift position determined by the second home sensor 102b).

When the staple position key 244 is pressed during the staple mode to change from off to on, the staple position is set to the second position mode if the first position mode, and to the first position mode if the staple position is the second position mode. At the same time, the stapling position display (239, 241, 240, 242) is changed.

The timing calculation routine such as scanning shown in FIG.
This function is executed when the button is pressed, and indicates a function of determining a scan start timing, a register timing, a side erase timing, and an end erase timing.

At the time of copy start or normal copy, the scan timing is Ts, the register timing is T _R , the side erase timing is T _ES , and the end erase timing is T _EE . On the other hand, if the image shift when the staple mode is selected is automatically selected, if represents the shift amount at a timing value and t _2, the scanning timing Ts +
t _2, register timing T _R (no change), the side erase timing T _ES + t _2, end erase timing is a T _EE (no change). During copying, each load is controlled by the count value of the drum drive pulse and this timing value. This timing relationship is as shown in FIG. The side erase timing is a timing at which the eraser is switched from full lighting to lighting outside the effective image area determined by the transfer paper size and the magnification. The end erase timing is a timing at which all lights are switched from side erase.

The sequence control routine shown in FIG. 21 performs sequence control in synchronization with a drive pulse for driving the photosensitive drum, that is, in synchronization with the photosensitive member. This flow is a part of a process executed by interruption by a reference clock for generating a drive pulse. Here, it is shown that the reference clock is counted during copying and a predetermined process is executed when the count reaches a predetermined count value. The predetermined count value is, for example, a value corresponding to the timing determined in the timing calculation routine (FIG. 20).

The bin switching routine shown in FIG. 22 is executed at the start of copying,
It has a function to switch between discharging to the bin and discharging to the bin 55. In the normal mode where stapling is not performed, bin 55 is used in the sort mode and stack mode.
On the other hand, in the case of ordinary paper discharge in which sorting is not performed, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 54. However, in the staple mode, the paper is discharged to the bin 55 even when not in the sort mode or the stack mode. This is because the discharge tray 54 has no staple function. Switching of the paper discharge direction is performed by a switching claw 46.

The reversal preparation routine shown in FIG. 23 is executed at the start of copying, and guides the copy sheet to the reversing unit 403 in the backside discharge mode.

The post-reversal discharge routine shown in FIG. 24 is always checked during copying, and guides the copy sheet guided to the reversing unit 403 to the paper discharge port in the back side discharge mode.

The stapling process routine shown in FIG. 25 is executed at the timing of stapling the sheet bundle stored in the bin 55, and represents the control of the chuck unit 60 and the stapler 61.

First, the chuck unit 60 is at an initial position where the first home sensor 102a is turned on. When this flow is executed, the solenoid 114 is turned off and the chuck 1 is turned off.
Open 09 to prepare for the operation of inserting a stack of paper. Next, the motor 107 is rotated in the G direction until the leading end position sensor 104 is turned on, and the chuck 109 is turned to the paper side. When the tip position sensor 104 is turned on, the motor 107 is turned off and the solenoid 11 is turned off.
Turn on 4. Thus, the chuck 109 is closed to hold the sheet bundle. Here, after a delay for the chuck 109 to securely hold the sheet bundle, the chuck 109 is moved to bring the sheet bundle to the staple position.

If the first position mode is selected as the staple position, the second home sensor 102a is turned on until the first home sensor 102a is turned on.
In the position mode, the motor 107 is rotated in the H direction until the second home sensor 102b is turned on. When each home sensor is turned on, the motor 107 is turned off. Thus, the sheet bundle moves to the staple position (first / second).
Here, when the motor 116 is turned on, the stapler 61 executes the stapling operation once. After a delay until the stapling operation is completed, the motor 116 is turned off. Thereafter, an operation for returning the stapled sheet bundle to the bin after the delay is started.

That is, until the tip position sensor 104 is turned on, the motor 1
07 is rotated in the G direction to move the chuck and the sheet bundle in the bin direction. When the tip position sensor 104 is turned on, the motor 107
Is turned off, the solenoid 114 is turned off, the chuck 109 is opened, and the sheet bundle is returned to the original bin. Chuck 10
After a delay until the 9 is securely opened, return the chuck to the initial position. The motor 107 is rotated in the H direction until the first home sensor 102a is turned on, and when turned on, the motor 107 is turned off. The chuck returns to the initial position and stops.

Effects According to the present invention, when the normal sheet discharging mode is selected and the post-processing mode is selected, the sheet is discharged to any one of the plurality of bins. Since the bin has a post-processing function of the post-processing means, the post-processing is executed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side sectional view of one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a post-processing section of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is the same post-processing section as FIG. FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a front view according to the arrow V of FIG. 2 and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an essential part of FIG. 3, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a part of an operation panel, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device, FIG.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the main part of FIG. 1, FIGS. 12A to 12C are plan views showing the state of post-processing over time, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between how to place a document and how to discharge a sheet. Schematic diagram, Fig. 14A ~
FIG. 14F is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of a display method relating to a post-processing state, FIG. 15 is a timing chart of an example of an operation for performing image shift, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the situation, FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between how to place the original and the sheet discharge position, FIG.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an example of the control operation. P: Transfer paper (sheet) 55: Bin 61: Stapler (post-processing means) 214: Sort key 216: Stack key 220: Staple key

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyasu Sumita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Masao Moriya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. Inside Ricoh (72) Inventor Umeda Shin Ricoh, 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh (72) Inventor Hideo Kikuchi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh (72) Inventor Atsushi Komazawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-244869 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. . ^6, DB name) B65H 37/00 - 37/06 B65H 39/00 - 39/16 G03G 15/00 534

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of bins and a sheet discharge tray separately provided in addition to the bins, wherein sheets are collated in the plurality of bins in a collation mode, and the sheets are collated in a normal sheet discharge mode. An image forming apparatus that discharges sheets to the sheet discharge tray of (1) further includes a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the sheet bundle in the bin, and when the collation mode and the post-processing mode are selected, The sheet bundle collated in the plurality of bins is sequentially post-processed by the post-processing means. On the other hand, when only the post-processing mode is selected, one of the plurality of bins is selected. An image forming apparatus, wherein a sheet is discharged to one sheet, and the sheet is post-processed by the post-processing means.