JP2892688B2 - Paper processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus provided in a copying machine, a printing machine, and the like.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, the stapling mode for copiers includes the auto staple mode (combined with the ADF mode, which automatically performs stapling after the last original copy) and the manual staple mode (combined with the platen mode or SADF mode). , Copy operation in normal sort mode,
After the last original copy, a stapling operation is started by key operation.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the two staple modes described above, even when the number of copies is changed during the copying operation, stapling is performed on all the copied sheets. For this reason, there is a problem that an incomplete set is bound, contrary to the operator's will.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper processing apparatus capable of performing a binding operation on sheets on a sheet set in which all pages are aligned as much as possible and performing a binding operation without waste.

[Means for solving the problem]

In a paper processing apparatus having a plurality of bins and a binding unit that binds the sheets on the bins after discharging the sheets, the binding unit is operated for a bin from which a sheet corresponding to a final document has been discharged. This is achieved by means provided with control means for controlling not to operate the binding means for a bin from which a sheet corresponding to the final document is not discharged.

[Action]

By employing the above-described means, the binding operation is performed in the bin from which the sheet corresponding to the final document has been discharged, and it is possible to bind a sheet set including all pages as much as possible.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in the front view of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, entrance guide plates 104a and 104b are provided at the entrance of a copy discharged from a copying machine which is an example of the main body of the apparatus. Are provided with guide plates 107, 109, 110, 111 for conveying the sheet, conveying rollers 106, 108, 112, 113, and a switching claw 115. The upper path by the operation of the switching claw 115 is
A pair of paper discharge rollers 117 and 118 and a paper discharge tray 119 are provided.
And a vertical copy feed path along the copy insertion side of a plurality of (in the example of FIG. 20, 20) bins 300 provided in parallel in the vertical direction.

At a position corresponding to each bin in the vertical feed path, a roller pair of a deflection claw 164, a transport roller 162, and a discharge roller 163 are provided, and a plurality of rollers provided at appropriate intervals of the transport roller 162 include: A driven roller across the copy vertical feed path
165 is in pressure contact. The above transport rollers 106, 108, 112, 11
3, paper discharge rollers 117, 118, transport roller 162, discharge roller 163
Are driven by the drive motor 200.

As shown in the plan view of this embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the side of the group of bins 300 is a stapler which is a stapling means to be described later.
401, a device for moving a sheet to a stapler (hereinafter referred to as a "catching unit") 402, a stapler 401, and a chucking unit 402
A stapler device (binding means) 400 composed of a vertical movement mechanism for moving the paper to each bin is arranged.

Further, on the side of the group of bins 300 on the opposite side where the stapler device 400 is located, a pressing member 502 (to be described later) serving as an aligning unit for aligning the sheets before stapling, and the pressing member 502 is reduced to the size of the sheet. An oscillating device 500 including a device for moving to a joint place is arranged.

FIG. 3 is a rear view as viewed from the opposite side of FIG. In FIG. 3, what cannot be expressed in FIG. 1 will be described.

The sorter of this embodiment is a 20-bin sorter, which is divided into two blocks of first sorter means 100 and second sorter means 101 each having 10 bins, and the upper block (first sorter means). 100 has bin sensors 176 and 179 and paper ejection sensors 177 and 178, and the lower block (second sorter means) 1
01 has bin sensors 181 and 184 and paper ejection sensors 180 and 183. These sensors 176 to 184 are transmission type optical detection sensors including an LED and a phototransistor. Copy (= paper)
The paper ejection sensors 177 and 17 detect whether or not paper has been ejected.
The bin sensors 176, 179, 181 and 184 determine whether there is a copy in the bin 300. With such bin sensors 176, 179, 181 and 184, the upper block 102
It is possible to use the lower block 101 if a copy is on the.

 Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described.

The copy discharged from the copier is supplied to the entrance guide plates 104a, 104a.
It is inserted from 04b, and is transported upward by guide plates 107, 109, 110, 111 and transport rollers 106, 108, 112, 113.

Now, assuming that the mode is the normal paper discharge mode (a mode in which paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 119), the switching claw 115 is lowered, and copying is performed along the guide plate 114 by the paper discharge roller pair 117, 118. Is discharged.

Further, if it is assumed that the mode is a sort mode (a mode for sorting pages in order) and a stack mode (a mode for sorting pages), the switching claw 115 is on the upper side and is conveyed downward along the guide plate 120. The copy transported by the transport roller 162 and the driven roller 165 is discharged to the bin 300 where the deflecting claw 164 operates. Deflection claw 164
Performs the motion according to the mode (sort or stack).

In the sort mode, the deflecting claw 164 of the first bin is operated to discharge the sheet to the first bin 300, and the second copy of the first page is operated by the deflecting claw 164 of the second bin. Discharge to bin 300. The first page of the second page is placed in the first bin 300
The first sheet is discharged to the second bin 300, respectively. Thus, in the sort mode, one bin 300 contains 1, 2, 3, ...
・ ・ Ejected in page order.

In the stack mode, the deflecting claw 164 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, copies of the same page are discharged to one bin, and sorted for each page.

The configuration required to perform stapling on such sorted copies will be described below. In order to staple copies, the copies must be aligned. For this reason, the sorter of this embodiment is provided with a swinging device which will be described below with reference to FIGS.

4 and 5 are a perspective view schematically showing the swinging device and a plan view showing the relationship between the swinging device and the bin 300, respectively.

On one side edge of each bin 300, a bin fence 316 is provided upright, and on the other side edge which is orthogonal to the edge where the bin fence 316 is provided, a bin rear end rising portion 308 is provided. It is erected. A cutout 311 is provided at the edge opposite to the edge where the bin fluence 316 is provided. The notch 311 is provided so as to extend toward the fence 316 over a predetermined length. A main shaft 501 having a square cross section is erected so as to vertically penetrate the inside of each cutout 311 provided in each of the bins 300. A plurality of pressing members 502 for abutting on the end face of the sheet bundle and aligning the positions thereof are attached to a position corresponding to each bin 300 at an intermediate portion of the main shaft 501. As shown in FIG. 6, each of these pressing members 502 has a pressing elastic member 5 facing the fence 316.
02a and 502b are provided.

The elasticity of the pressing elastic member 502a absorbs variations in mounting the pressing member 502 and the bin 300. When the sheet curls upward, the curl of the sheet is pressed by the pressing elastic member 502b, and the pressing member 502 is securely brought into contact with the end surface of the sheet bundle to perform the alignment.

Further, at the upper end and the lower end of the main shaft 501, pieces of brackets 505 and 506 formed in an L shape are respectively attached, and the cutouts are formed in the upper area and the lower area of the bin 300. Timing belts 507 and 508 extending in substantially the same direction as the direction in which 311 extends.
Are arranged respectively. Then, for each of the timing belts 507 and 508, each of the brackets 505 and 506 is provided.
Are fixed to each other. Pulleys on which the timing belts 507 and 508 are respectively mounted
Of the 509,510 and 511,512,513, the pulley 50 on the drive side
9 and 511 are fixed to both ends of a drive shaft 514 provided to extend in the vertical direction. The lower timing belt 508 is hung on a pulley 513 provided on the output shaft of the size movement motor 515.

As shown in FIG. 4, the position of the pressing member 502 is detected by a size detection plate 530 fixed to a sorter and a size detection sensor 531 as size information detection means on the lower bracket 506. .

On the lower bracket 506, a swing motor 520 is installed as shown in FIG. An eccentric shaft 520a is provided at an output portion of the swing motor 520 so as to protrude upward. On the other hand, a swing arm 5 is provided at the lower end of the spindle 501.
21 is attached so as to protrude toward the swing motor 520 side. The eccentric shaft 520a is loosely fitted in the long groove 521a formed in the swing arm 521. Accordingly, the rocking arm 521 is rocked by the rotation of the rocking motor 520, and the rocking power is transmitted to the pressing members 502 corresponding to the bins 300 via the main shaft 501. Each pressing elastic member 502a of the member 502 is
Between the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 and the position shown by the dashed line, as shown in FIG. 8, the swing is sinusoidal, so that the swing speed becomes slow at the upper fulcrum. ing. The position indicated by the dashed line of the pressing elastic member 502a is set so as to have a certain bite from the sheet end surface in order to reliably press the sheet bundle against the fence 316.

As described above, the oscillating device is unitized so that the entire oscillating unit can be moved by the size moving motor 515.

Upon receiving the size signal sent from the image forming apparatus side in the swinging device, the upper and lower timing belts 507, 508 are conveyed by the size moving motor 515, whereby the pressing member 502 attached to the main shaft 501 moves the sheet bundle. It is reciprocated toward one end face. Then, the swing unit is moved to a predetermined position by the size detection plate 530 and the size detection sensor 531.

Next, the swing motor 520 rotates forward by half a turn (180 °),
Thereafter, the swing arm 521 swings once by returning to the inverted home position, and the swing power is transmitted to each pressing member 502 via the main shaft 501. This causes the pressing elastic member 502a to swing from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the position shown by the dashed line. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the swing motor 520 makes a forward rotation of 180 ° or more and then returns to the inverted home position, whereby the swing can be easily performed twice in one process.

Then, the pressing elastic member 502a of the pressing member 502 is brought into contact with one end surface of the sheet bundle by the above-described swing, so that the opposite end surface of the sheet bundle is pressed against the fence 316 side. The position of one end face of the sheet bundle is aligned, and the other end face that is orthogonal to the one end face of the sheet bundle by the oscillating force of the pressing member 502,
The sheet bundle is pushed in the direction of arrow A so as to be in contact with the bin rising portion 308, and as a result, the other end face of the sheet bundle is aligned.

Therefore, the sheet bundle is properly aligned in both directions. Since the swinging is performed by the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the rocking motor 520, even if the sheet is not completely pushed by the forward rotation, the home position can be easily returned by the reverse rotation.

By the above operation, the paper discharged onto the bin 300 can be aligned well to the end.

The aligned sheet bundle is taken out in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 5 after various post-processing such as a stapling operation is performed. Since there is no obstacle in the take-out direction in the take-out direction, the paper take-out operation is easily performed.

The bin 300 is also provided with various devices for satisfactorily aligning and stapling sheets.

Hereinafter, the structure of the bin 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 28. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bottle 300, and FIG. 11 is a side view thereof. A notch 311 substantially at the center of FIG. 10 is for the main axis of swing to move in accordance with the sheet size. Two convex portions 301 located beside the notch 311
Is a swing plate 502 (fifteenth) attached to the swing main shaft 501.
(Fig.) To make a groove. As shown in FIG. 15, the paper P is lifted up by providing the convex portion 301, so that the paper P can be surely brought close during swinging.

The same effect can be obtained by providing the recess 321 as shown in FIG.

In addition, when the convex portion 301 is provided as shown in FIG. 15, the rolled and aligned paper P can be satisfactorily performed by simultaneously performing the role of stiffening the discharged paper P.

The rib 302b of the bin 300 is designed to prevent the discharged paper from getting into the notch 311.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the rib 302b near the notch 311.
As can be seen from FIG. 13, the ribs 302b protrude above and below the bin 300, and prevent the paper P to be stacked from sneaking down and at the same time prevent the paper P from entering the cutout belt of the upper bin. The layout is also set near 10 mm from the edge of the paper size.
Consideration has been given to reliably guide the end face of the paper that easily enters.

Further, in FIG. 13, the shape of the rib on the upper side of the bin forms a gentle triangular shape on one side because after the stapled bundle of sheets that have been chucked and then ejected, the ejected sheet P This is for guiding so as not to be caught on a rib such as. The rib 302b is a low rib near the bin rising portion 308, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, and is gradually raised to the notch. This is performed to secure a large number of sheets to be loaded.

The bin 300 of this embodiment is provided with a neutralization brush 322 as shown in FIG. 16 in order to increase the number of copies to be stacked.
There is a risk of catching the 322 and adversely affecting the stackability and alignment. However, by providing the ribs 302c, the discharged paper P is guided so as not to be caught on the charge removal brush 322, so that the above-mentioned problem can be solved. The ribs 302c are also arranged so as to press both ends of each size of the paper P.

In FIG. 11, the rib 302e protruding downward serves to press the end face of the sheet P as shown in FIG.
When the chuck portion advances to a curl-sized sheet or the like, the chuck lever 421 is surely prevented from hitting the stacked sheets P.
Can be checked.

The guide member 317 attached to the bin 300 in FIG.
This is a member that guides the sheet P to be surely entered into the frontage 323 of the stapler section when the sheet P stacked on 300 is moved to the stapler section by the chucking section. Without the guide member 317, as shown in FIG. 22, when the paper P moves from the position shown in FIG.
There is a risk of getting caught on 3. In particular, when the number of stacked sheets P or the number of curled sheets P as shown in FIG. 19 increases, this problem increases. However, by attaching the guide member 317, the sheet P is reliably guided to the stapler frontage 323 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, a convex portion 307 protruding below the bin 300 is used for curling the sheet P. Paper P discharged onto bin 300
Are aligned in one direction, but the paper P with a large curl gets over the bin fluence 316 (FIG. 12) provided on the side of the bin, thereby deteriorating the alignment. The protrusion 207 is a sheet P
It is installed so that curls and the like can be suppressed and alignment can be performed well. FIGS. 23 and 24 show model cases with and without the curl pressing portion 307. FIG. In the sheet P in the figure, the state of, indicates a stepwise state over time when the sheets P are aligned.

The notch 310 shown in FIG. 10 is a notch for checking the sheet P whose chucking portion is aligned on the bin 300.

The bin 300 is attached to the sorter at an angle. This is for the purpose of aligning the discharged paper P in the discharge direction by rotating the rocking plate 502 and by dropping the paper P by its own weight. For example, at this time, it has a 25 ° inclination.

The shape of the rising portion 308 of the bottle 300 is as shown in FIG. 25 in order to improve the system of aligning the discharging direction and to improve the stacking property. An arbitrary vertical portion is provided on the bottom surface of the bottle 300, and a portion which is at an acute angle to the bottom surface of the bin 300 at an angle of more than 90 ° is provided. This is because when the paper P is loaded on the rising portion 308, the curl or the like is suppressed at the bent portion B so that the sheets P are aligned well and the stacking is performed. FIG. 26 shows a state in which the sheets are stacked.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show a shape in which the rising portion only extends vertically, and a state in which sheets P are stacked. With this shape, when the curled paper comes out,
The paper P rides on the rising portion without the curl being cut off, and a problem such as a jam occurs.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the bottle 300, showing an attached state. In the figure, 315a, 315b indicates a side plate, 312a, 312b
Indicates a bin support. Bin tray 3 on Binfuence 316 side
The bin 300 is fixed at 12a, and the other bin support 312b is only supported with a slight gap from the bin 300. By fixing the bin fuence 316 side, the position of the staple can be prevented from being varied. In addition, bin support 31
The slight gap provided on the 2b side allows the thermal expansion of the bottle 300 to be absorbed. Next, the stapler 400 will be described. A stapler as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is arranged on the side of the paper stacking bins provided in multiple stages. This stapler 400
, The stapler 401 and the sheet pulling device 402
Are fixed so that they hang down from the lower surface of the plate-like bracket 403. The stapler 401
Staples are driven into each of the sorted sheet bundles deposited on the respective bins (not shown), and the sheet pulling device 402 grasps the sheet bundles on the respective bins and moves in a substantially horizontal direction. It is to be transferred to.

Both ends 403a and 403b of the bracket 403 are bent upward and downward, respectively, and rollers 404a and 404b are rotatably attached to the both ends 403a and 403b. The rollers 404a and 404b are mounted so as to be rolled up and down in grooves of two guide rails 405a and 405b erected substantially in parallel along the side of the bin. The 401 and the sheet pulling device 402 are reciprocated integrally in the vertical direction along the side of each bin. Further, two drive belts 406a and 406b are erected substantially in parallel along the side of the bin. Both end portions 403a and 403b of the bracket 403 are fixed to these drive belts 406a and 406b by screws. Each drive belt 406a, 406b
Are two pulleys separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction
It extends between 407a, 407c and 407b, 407d, respectively. The lower pulleys 407c and 407d are connected by a common support shaft 408 so as to be integrally rotated.

A pulley 410 fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 409
And transmitted to the pulley 412 via the power transmission belt 411,
A rotational driving force is transmitted to a driving pulley 414 fixed to one end of the support shaft 408 via a driving gear 413 fixed coaxially and a gear 414 meshed with the driving gear 413 in order. It has become. With such a driving force transmission mechanism, the driving belts 406a and 406b are transported and driven,
Accordingly, the stapler 401 and the sheet pulling device 402
Is carried out in the vertical direction.

Further, a position sensor 415 is attached to one end portion of the bracket 403 with respect to 403a, and a detection plate 416 is erected so as to be sandwiched by the position sensor 415. On the detection plate 416, projections 416a indicating positions are formed at predetermined intervals so as to correspond to the respective bin positions. By such a position detecting mechanism, the stapler 401 and the sheet pulling device 402 are provided.
Is stopped at the installation position of each bin.

The protrusion 403c and the sensor 403d in FIG.
This is for determining the upper limit position of 403. When 403c enters the sensor 403d, the motor 409 stops ascending.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram for making it easier to understand the movement of the above-described stapler device 400. The movement of the paper 423c and the checker 421 discharged onto the bin 300 and the position of the stapler 401 will be described.

The sheet 423c discharged onto the bin 300 is discharged to a position indicated by 423d. Thereafter, it is aligned at a position where it comes into contact with the fence 316 by a swinging device described separately. Thereafter, when copying is completed and stapling is started, the check section 421
Moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.
Close 421, sandwich paper 423c, and return to the position indicated by the solid line.
By this operation, the sheet 423c moves to the position of 423f, and a certain number of sheets are stapled on the bin 300 by the stapler 401. Thereafter, the chuck portion 421 is opened, and the sheet 423c is returned from the position of 423e to the position of 423d by the return plate described later.
This completes the work for one bin 300, goes to the next bin, and repeats this operation. Details of these operations will be described later. Paper pulling device 402 described above
32, as shown in FIG. 32, includes a check section 421 for gripping a sheet bundle, and a reciprocating mechanism 422 for reciprocating the check section 421 in a substantially horizontal direction. In the check section 421, a pair of swing arms 4
The swing arms 421z and 421s are operated by a solenoid 421c so that the chucks 422y and 421m operate so as to grip the sheet.

The reciprocating mechanism 422 is provided with a feed shaft 422a for moving the check section 421 toward and away from the sheet bundle. Both support shafts protruding from both ends of the feed shaft 422a are rotatably supported on both pieces of a frame 422b formed in a U-shape. One side of each support shaft of the feed shaft 422a further penetrates one part of the frame body 411b, and further protrudes by a predetermined amount, and the protruding portion has a pulley 42 as shown in FIG.
2c is fixed, and two round belts 422d are hung on the pulley, and have a structure driven by a drive motor 422f via a relay pulley and a gear 422e.

Further, a feed screw portion constituting a ball screw is engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the feed shaft 422a, and a boss portion 421h fixed to the substrate 421a side is screwed to the feed screw portion. I have. That is, the output of the drive motor 422f
2a is rotationally driven, and the substrate 421a is reciprocated by this rotational force. In the frame body 422b, two position sensors 422j and 422k are installed at a front position and a rear position, respectively, separated by a predetermined distance, and the two position sensors 422j and 422k are provided on the boss portion 421h side.
A detection plate 422m is set up as a detection target of k, and the check section 421 is interposed between these position sensors 422j and 422k.
Is reciprocated.

In the embodiment having such a configuration, when the staple mode is started, first, the drive belt 40 shown in FIG.
6a and 406b, the stapler 401 and the sheet pulling device 40
2 is moved up and down integrally, the stapler 401 and the paper pulling device 402 are transported toward a predetermined bin 300 where a bundle of sheets to be stapled is deposited, and based on a signal from the position sensor 415, the predetermined bin 300 is moved. Is stopped at a position close to. At this time, the solenoid 421c is turned off, and accordingly, both the swinging arms 421z and 421s and the checks 421y and m are placed in an open state.

Next, the feed shaft 422a is rotationally driven by the output of the drive motor 422f, and the chuck portion 421 moves forward toward the sheet bundle by this rotational force.

FIG. 45 is a view showing a groove 430 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the feed shaft 422a. The ball 431 that has entered this groove 430 is the feed axis
The reciprocation is performed by the rotation of 422a guided by the groove 430. Both ends of the feed shaft 422a are provided with idling portions 432 of 180 ° or more, and groove ends of the idling portions 432 serve as stoppers, thereby eliminating variations in stop positions due to rotational inertia.

By performing the drive transmission direction with the round belt 422d, the impact when the ball 431 hits the end of the groove can be absorbed by the slip, and the problem caused by the impact can be eliminated. Although the present embodiment has been described with the round belt 422d, the same applies to a friction transmission system such as a flat belt.

FIG. 51 is a developed view showing another embodiment of the groove in FIG. 45. In the figure, speed control during movement is performed by changing the amount of advance with respect to the rotation angle. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the entire moving amount is moved by two rotations (720 °), and if the moving amount A is assumed to be 42 mm, the moving amount B when rotating by 90 ° is B = 3 mm, and the next 90 ° Movement amount when rotated C = 4 mm, movement amount when rotated 90 ° next D = 6 mm, next
The moving amount E at the time of 90 ° rotation is E = 7 mm, the acceleration is gradually accelerated in the first rotation, and the rotation is decelerated and stopped in the next rotation in the same manner as the rate of acceleration in the one rotation. FIG. 52 is a graph of the above description. By performing the speed control as described above, the chuck unit 421 grips the aligned sheet bundle 423c with the chucks 421y and 421m, and moves the sheet bundle 423c due to the inertia at the time of start and stop when returning to the staple position. Prevents variation.

Then, when the chucks 421y and 421m are moved to a position where they can grip the sheet bundle, they are stopped there, and at the same time, the solenoid 421c is turned on. When the solenoid 421c is turned on, the chucks 421y and 421m are closed as shown in FIG. 35, and the edges of the sheet bundle are gripped by the chucks 421y and 421m.

The movement at this time will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The apparatus moves from the state shown in FIGS. 32 and 34 to the state shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.
That is, when the solenoid 421c is turned on, the lever 421l is moved to 421d.
Is pivoted on the fulcrum. Spring hooked on lever 421l
421k causes lever 421j to rotate clockwise about 421w. Further, a gear A421g is fixed to the lever 421j, and is in mesh with the gear B421w, so that the movement is transmitted. Gear B421w is fixed to lever: upper 421z, lever:
The upper 421z pivots counterclockwise about the 421x, and moves downward at the 421t portion, and is pivotally supported at the 421t:
The upper 421y moves down. In addition, since the check portion is in a state of protruding forward, as shown in FIG.
It falls into the notch 422w of 422z.

Further, since the gear B421w is meshed with the gear C421p, the gear C421p also rotates clockwise, and the lever fixed thereto: the lower 421s also rotates clockwise around the 421r as a fulcrum, and is pivotally supported at the 421n portion. Check: 421m below, as shown in Fig. 35,
Move upward. The spring 421f pulls the lever: the lower 421s counterclockwise, but moves in this manner because it is weak.

Check: Upper 421y and Check: Lower 421m The amount of movement from the fixed position is determined by the number of teeth of the gears A421g, B421w, 421p, the rotation fulcrum, and the length of the action point.

In the case of the present embodiment, the number of teeth of the gear A421g is 40, the number of teeth of the gear B421w is 32, and the number of teeth of the gear C421p is 56, so that when expressing the movement amount of each gear by a ratio, a: b: c = 1: 1.25: 0.7
Becomes Lever: The distance between the fulcrum 421x of the upper 421z and the action point 421t is 52 mm, and the distance between the fulcrum 421r of the lower 421s and the action point 421n is 37 mm, so that the movement ratio is 1.25 × 52:
It becomes 0.7 × 37 and moves at a ratio of 2.5: 1. That is, when the check: the top moves 2.5 down, the check: the bottom moves 1 up.

Further, the chucking force sandwiched between the upper and lower 421y and 421m is determined by the force of a spring 421k attached to the solenoid 421c.

As can be seen in FIG. 32, the upper and lower parts of the chuck are 421y and 421m.
The spring 421k extends as the thickness sandwiched between the springs increases. That is, as the number of sheets sandwiched between the check units 421 increases, the check force is considered to increase, thereby eliminating problems such as displacement due to insufficient check force.

Next, due to the reverse rotation of the drive motor 422f, the check portion 421
While holding the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is returned to its original position as shown in FIG. 37, whereby the sheet bundle is translated in a substantially horizontal direction and drawn toward the stapler 401 side. When the edge portion of the bundle of recording sheets is transported to a position where stapling is possible, it is stopped there.

34, 36, and 38 are views in which the return plate portion is visible.

At this time, since the notch 422w and the pin 421v are hooked on the return plate, the return plate moves to the position shown in FIG. 38 by the reverse rotation of the motor. Return plate 422z is notch 422t of return plate bracket 422x
The pin provided on the return plate 422z is inserted into the notch 422r, and the pin 422p provided with the return plate bracket 422x is inserted into the notch 422r provided on the return plate 422z.

The return plate bracket 422x is fixed to the frame 422b, and the return plate bracket 422x and the return plate 422z are
It is engaged at 2n. Therefore, the return plate 422z is a drive motor
The state shown in FIG. 36 is changed from FIG. 38 to the state shown in FIG. 38 by the reverse rotation of 422f, and the return plate 422z itself is pulled to the left in FIG. 38 by a spring 422n. After that, the stapler 401 drives the staples into the edge portion of the sheet bundle.

When stapling is completed, solenoid 421c is turned off.
I do. As a result, the previously closed check: upper 421y,
Chuck: The lower 421m will be open. The movement at this time returns from the state of FIG. 37 to the state of FIGS. 32 and 34 by the force of the spring 421f.

Also, since the pin 421v hooked on the return plate 422z also comes off, the return plate 422z is pulled by the spring 422n,
Returning from the state of FIG. 38 to the state of FIG. 34, at this time, it functions to return the sheet bundle to the original position.

FIG. 43 shows the relationship between the return plate 422z, the return plate bracket 422x, and the spring 422n. The leading end of the return plate 422z is designed to be wider than the distance between the pins, so that the sheet is surely returned onto the bin 300. Also, return plate bracket 422x
Are projecting obliquely toward the bin 300.
As shown in FIG. 44, when returning a sheet having a low rigidity or a sheet P having a large curl, there is a possibility that the sheet may escape upward even if pressed by the return plate 422z. is there. Thus, the stapled paper P is surely returned to the bin.

Thereafter, the stapler 401 and the sheet pulling device 402 are transported downward toward the next bin, where the same stapling operation is repeatedly performed.

As shown in FIG. 39, a bin fence 316 for aligning a recording sheet bundle is provided at an edge portion of each bin 300 facing the stapler 401 so as to stand up from the bin 300. . This bin Fuence 31
The lower edge of 6 is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 425 provided along the lower surface side of the bin 300, so that the bin fence 316 is tilted to the open position shown in FIG. ing. Both ends of the support shaft 425,
Both ends of the bottle 300 are rotatably supported by bearing pieces 423b formed to face downward. A winding spring 426 is mounted on the support shaft 425. This winding spring
Both winding end portions of 426 are abutted and locked on the lower surface side of the bin 300 and the rear surface side of the bin fence 316, respectively, and the rotational force of the winding spring 426 causes the bin fence 316 to receive a biasing force in the rising direction. It is like that.

Further, the bin fence 316 is opened according to the vertical movement of the stapler 401 via the fence tilting member. The fluence tilting member is provided on the support shaft.
It comprises a fence movable plate 427 attached to the 425 side and a fence release plate 428 provided on the stapler 401 side.

The fence movable plate 427 is a part of bin fence 316
A part of the fence movable plate 427 is inserted into the fan-shaped hole of 424a, and when the fence movable plate 427 is rotated downward, the lower part of the fan-shaped hole of one piece 316a of the bin fence 316 contacts. The bin fence 316 is tilted along the fence movable plate 427. Also, when the fence movable plate 427 is rotated upward, it is rotated so as to be separated without contacting the bin fence 316 side, so that the fence movable plate 427 is freely rotated. Becomes

The roller 428a of the fence release plate 428 extends to a position where it comes into contact with the fence movable plate 427, and comes into contact with the fence movable plate 427 when the stapler 401 moves up and down to rotate the fence movable plate 427. It has become.

In the apparatus in such an embodiment, when the sort operation is performed first, as shown in FIG. 39, the bin fluence 316 is maintained at the rising position by the rotational force of the helical spring 426, and the sort operation is performed. By the operation, the edge of the sheet discharged onto the bin 300 comes into contact with the bin fence 316 so that the sheets are aligned. When this sort operation is completed, the above-described stapler 401 starts to descend, and the roller 428a of the fence release plate 428 on the stapler 401 side.
Is brought into contact with the fence movable plate 427 on the bin 300 side. Then, the fence movable plate 427 is rotated to the lower position as shown in FIG. With the rotation of the fence movable plate 427, the bin fence 316 is tilted against the rotational force of the winding spring 426, whereby the bin 300 is opened. At this time, the bin fence 316 and the fence movable plate 427 are pushed down to a position below the surface position A of the bin 300 surface indicated by the dashed line in FIG. Then, in this state, the stapling operation as described in the above embodiment is executed.

At the same time as the stapling operation is completed and the sheet bundle is returned to the original position of the bin 300, or while the sheets are returned,
The stapler 401 is moved downward toward the next bin. Then, when the fence release plate 428 is detached from the fes movable plate 427 side by the lowering operation of the stapler 401,
The bin fluence 316 rises due to the rotational force of the helical spring 426 and returns to its original position. Such an opening operation and a stapling operation of the bin 300 are performed on all of the sorted bins 300.

When stapling has been performed on all the recording sheet bundles, the stapler 401 is raised and returned to the highest home position. The home position is located further above the first-stage bin 300 disposed at the top. When the stapler 401 returns, the fence release plate 428 of the stapler 401 contacts the fence movable plate 427 from below, but in this case, the fence movable plate 427 is moved upward as shown in FIG. 41. The bin fluence 316 is not rotated at all once in the idle state. Due to the rising operation of the stapler 401, the fence release plate 428 on the stapler 401 side is moved to the fence movable plate 427.
When detached from the side, the fence movable plate 427 is returned to its original position shown in FIG. 39 by its own weight.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 42, an elastic body 429 that receives a fence movable plate 427 is provided on the bin fence 316 side. In such an embodiment, when the stapler 401 returns and the fence movable plate 427 is rotated upward and escapes in an idling state, the fence movable plate 427 is brought into contact with the elastic body 429 and received. Due to the repulsive force of the elastic body 429, the fence movable plate 427 is returned to its original position.

Next, about needle cartridge exchange of stapler 401,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 to 50.

In this embodiment, the PPC body (not shown) has a sheet reversing device, and the sheet is discharged downward from the first sheet of the document bundle to the image surface. Therefore, the stapler 401 is mounted in reverse.

FIG. 46 shows the configuration of the stapler 401. In the same figure, by pushing the release lever 480C upward, the shaft 480F moves clockwise around the shaft, and the shaft 480E slides in the groove, so that the release claw 380B moves counterclockwise around the shaft 480D,
The shaft 481E is released (FIG. 47).

Further, as shown in FIG. 48, since the shaft 481E is released, the stapler portion 481 can be moved clockwise around the shaft 483, and the release claw 480B is returned to the initial state by the spring 480G. The stapler section 481 moved in the clockwise direction is also locked when the shaft 482A slides in the groove and is locked in the groove. In this state, the stapler section 481 stops slightly obliquely from the vertical, almost comes out of the outer appearance of the sorter body, and the user can easily replace the needle cartridge 481C. After the replacement of the needle cartridge 481C, as shown in FIG. 49, when the release lever 480C is pushed upward, the shaft is moved clockwise about the shaft 480F and the lock of the shaft 482A is released. Since the lock on the shaft 482A is released, the stapler 481 can be moved counterclockwise around the shaft 483, and the release lever 480C is returned to the initial state by the spring 480G.

As shown in FIG. 50, the stapler portion 481 moved in the counterclockwise direction has the shaft 481E hit against the release claw 480B, and the release claw 480B is opened by the force of the shaft 481E, and after the shaft 481E passes, the release claw is released. 480B is closed by spring 480G and stapler section 48
1 is locked. By such an operation, the needle cartridge of the stapler can be easily replaced.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram of the control system in the present embodiment. This control is based on the CPU 600 as the control means, ROM 601 and RAM
602, I / O ports 603, 606, clock timer controller 60
4 (hereinafter abbreviated as CTC), universal, asynchronous,
This is a microcomputer control system including a receiver transceiver (hereinafter abbreviated as UART) 605. A signal from each input system to be described later is multiplexer-multiplexed while using the RAM 602 by the ROM 601 in which the program is written.
Upon receiving an input signal from a sensor switch (SW) group input from the I / O port 606 via the multiplexer 607 via the 607, various drivers 608, 611, 615, 616, 617, and phase signals are output from the I / O ports 603 and CTC604. Generator 614, SSR60
Each load described later is controlled via 9. Further, the status and instruction signals are exchanged with the copying machine by the UART 605 via the receiver 612 and the driver 613.

Specific members of the sensor switch group include a bin sensor upper 631, a bin sensor lower 630, an entry sensor upper 62
9, lower entry sensor 628, size home sensor 627,
Size detection sensor 531, swing home sensor 626, vertical home sensor 403d, vertical position sensor 415, pre-check sensor 4
22j, post-check sensor 422k, staple home sensor 6
25, a needle presence sensor 624, a paper presence sensor 623, a cover upper switch 622, a door left switch 621, a door right switch 620, an entrance sensor 619, a paper ejection sensor 618, and the like.

The load (output system) is as follows: drive motor (AC motor) 200, needle non-display 656, stapling operation display 655,
Deflection solenoid (SOL) 635, switching SOL 634, electromagnetic clutch (CL) 421c, staple motor (DC motor) 632, chuck motor (DC motor, forward / reverse rotation) 422f, vertical movement motor (stepping motor) 409, size movement motor ( There are a stepping motor 515, a swing motor (stepping motor) 520, and the like.

Among the signals exchanged with the copier, the signals sent from the copier to the sorter and the stapler include a sorter start signal, a copier discharge signal, a mode signal, a size signal, a staple start signal, a staple end signal, Service call reset signal (SC reset), etc.
Signals sent from the stapler to the copying machine include a discharge signal, a door cover open signal, a JAM signal, a bin count over signal, an abnormal signal, a staple no signal, a staple end signal, a staple permission signal, a sort permission signal, and the like.

Hereinafter, the operation and control of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in accordance with a flowchart. The overall operation flow is shown in FIG.
This is shown in FIG. 54 (b). First, an operation mode signal sent from the copying machine is received (54-1), and a set number signal sent from the copying machine is received (54-2). After the start of copying, a sorter start signal is sent from the copying machine (54-3), and upon receiving the signal, the drive motor 200 is turned on (54-4), and the sort mode is set (54-6). When a sorter start signal is not sent, a wait state is set. The operation of the sort mode is 54th
A size signal indicating the size of the sheet fed from the copying machine is transmitted slightly after the sorter start signal (54-3) as shown in FIG. (54-10).
Receives the size signal and judges whether swing is possible or not (54-
11) If the swing is possible, move the swing device to the position corresponding to the received size signal (54-12).

Hereinafter, each operation will be described with reference to subroutines shown in FIGS. 56 (a) and 56 (b).

The preset operation of the size counter in FIG.
If the size signal has been received (56-1), the size position data is set in the size counter based on the received size signal (56-2), and the swing unit movement instruction (56-).
3) Turn (RET) (56-4). If the size signal has not been received, RET is performed as it is.

The moving operation of the oscillating device (unit) shown in FIG. 56 (b) is performed if the oscillating unit does not move (56-
5), RET as it is (56-6). Since the swinging unit moves (56-5), it is determined whether swinging is possible or not. If it is possible (56-7), the size movement motor 515 is clockwise turned ON at high speed (56-8). It is determined whether the size detection sensor 531 has changed from OFF to ON.

If the size detection sensor 531 has not changed from OFF to ON (56-9), RET is performed as it is (56-6). If it has changed, the size counter is decremented by 1 (56-10), and the size counter is determined (56-11).

If the size counter is 1, the size movement motor 515
Change the speed to low (56-12) and RET (56-1)
3). If the size counter is 0 (56-14), the size moving motor 515 is turned off (56-15), the movement of the swing unit is terminated (56-16), and RET is performed.

Next, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 54 (b), when a copy (paper) is discharged from the copying machine, a discharge signal is sent (54-13). The electromagnetic clutch (CL) 633 is turned on at the timing of receiving this paper discharge signal (54-14). Next, a copy is carried in from the copying machine, and the entrance sensor 619 is turned on (54-1).
5) When this inlet sensor 619 is turned ON, SOL634 is switched.
Turns on (54-16), and preparations for paper discharge to the sort bin are complete. When the entrance sensor 619 is turned ON, the discharge bin is slightly turned on and one of the discharge bin changes SOL635 to 654 is turned ON, and the copy is guided to the bin (54-17). After an appropriate time has passed before the copy is ejected and placed on the bin (for example, 300 msec
Thereafter, 54-18), the paper is aligned by turning on the rocking motor 520 and moving the rocking plate (54-19). The timing of moving the rocking plate is based on the detection of the trailing edge of the copy and the reference thereto.

The swinging operation will be described below with reference to FIG. 57 showing a subroutine. At the time of copy discharge, the upper 629 or lower 628 of the entry sensor for detecting discharge to the bin is first turned ON. Next, when the ejection is completed, 629 above the entry sensor or 6 below
28 changes from ON to OFF (57-1). The point where the state changes from ON to OFF is the trailing edge of the paper. On the entry sensor
Change from ONO to OFF at 629 or below 628 with timing
Start the timer provided in the U600 (57-
2). Next, the timer value is monitored, and when it is determined that 300 mSEC has elapsed from the timer start in this embodiment (57-3),
If the timer is stopped (57-4) and the swing is possible at the same time (57-5), the swing motor 520 is turned on to start the swing (57-6). Thereafter, the above operation is performed for each copy exclusion, and paper alignment is performed.

However, after the stacking number of copies to the bin exceeds the stapleable number (30 sheets in this embodiment), the swing that hinders the sorting is stopped, and the swing unit is retracted to the home position. Prohibits stapling of discharged copies.

The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. 58 of a subroutine.

The number of copies loaded on the bin is counted by counting when the copy is discharged to the first bin (58-1) (58-
2) Detect. When it is determined that the discharge count value of the leading bin has exceeded the stapleable number (58-3), the swing operation is stopped (58-4), and the swing unit is retracted to the home position (58-5). Thereafter, no paper alignment is performed for the discharged copy. At the same time, staples are also prohibited (58-6) for previously ejected copies.

Next, the stapling operation will be described. Fig. 54 (b)
, When the staple start signal is received (54-2
0), the stapling operation is started (54-21), and when the stapling operation is completed (54-22), the staple moving unit moves to the home position (54-23). The stapling operation is performed according to a command from software (54-24). There are two types of staple operation modes. After sorting,
"Manual staple operation mode" for stapling
In addition, there is an "auto-staple operation mode" in which after the sorting of one bin is completed, the stapling operation is automatically started while the sorting operation is continued.

First, the manual stapling operation will be described with reference to FIG. 55 (a) showing a subroutine. After the sorting, if a copy is placed on the bin, a staple start signal is transmitted from the copying machine, and the operation is started by receiving this signal. First, the stapler 401 in the home position is moved to the first bin to be stapled. After the stapler 401 moves to the first bin, the operation proceeds based on the value of the stapling operation sequence counter described in FIG. 55 (a).

When the stapler 401 has finished moving to the first bin, the value of the staple sequence counter is set from 0 to 1 (55-1). The value of the staple sequence counter is 1
In this case, the check motor 422f is turned on, and the check unit is advanced (55-2). When the pre-chuck sensor 422j that detects the end of the forward movement of the chuck unit is turned on (55−
3), the advance of the check unit is completed (55-4), and 2 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-).
5) Then, the operation proceeds.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 2, (55-
6), the check SOL421c is turned ON (55-7), 3 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-8), and the operation proceeds.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 3, (55-
9) Hold the state for 0.2 seconds, and after 0.2 seconds (55-10),
Set 4 to the staple sequence counter (55-1
1), proceed to the next operation. When the value of the staple sequence counter is 4 (55-12), the check motor 422f is turned off.
Turn ON and move the check unit to the home position (55-13). The post-check sensor 422k which detects the end of the home movement of the chuck unit is turned on (55-14), the home movement of the chuck unit ends (55-15), 5 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-16), and the next operation is performed. Advance.

When the value of the staple sequence count is 5, (55
−17), check the output of paper presence sensor 623 (55−18),
When paper is present, staple binding is performed (55-1
9). The end of the binding operation is detected (55-20), 6 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-12), and the operation proceeds to the next. When the output of the paper presence / absence sensor 623 indicates that there is no paper, the next operation proceeds without performing the staple binding operation.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 6, (55
-22), turns off the check SOL421c (55-23), counts up the stapled bin counter, and moves the rocking motor to perform the approach (55-24). Then, the value of the staple reservation bin memory indicating the total number of bins to be stapled is compared with the value of the stapled counter, and if the values match (55-25), the staple sequence counter 0
Is set to end the stapler operation (55-26), and then the vertical movement motor 409 is turned on to move the stapler unit to the home position (55-27). The method of calculating the value of the staple reservation bin memory and the staple paper shifting will be described later. If the value of the stapled counter is smaller than the value of the staple reservation bin memory, 7 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-28), and the operation proceeds to the next step.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 7, the state is held for 0.34 seconds, and after 0.3 seconds has elapsed (55-30), the counter is set to 0 (55-31), and the subroutine returns to the next bin shown in FIG. 55 (b). Instruct stapler movement start (55-3
2).

The operation of the subroutine shown in FIG. 55 (b) will be described below. First, the start of the stapler movement is judged, and when the start of the stapler movement is instructed (55-50), the vertical movement motor is started.
Start the timer at the same time as turning ON 409 (55-5
1). Judgment of time over and when the time is over (5
5-52), the staple sequence counter 1 is set (55-53), and the staple operation of the next bin is started. The ON / OFF of the vertical position sensor 415 is determined (55-54), and when it is ON, the vertical movement motor 409 is turned OFF (55-55), and the movement between bins ends.

In this embodiment, the stapler finishes moving to the next bin.
By starting the stapling operation of the next bin 100 mSEC before, the time is shortened. The above operation is repeated until the value of the staple bin reservation counter matches the value of the stapled counter.

Next, the autostable operation will be described with reference to FIG. During sorting, a staple start signal is transmitted at a timing when the copier discharges the first copy of the final document. After receiving this signal, the first copy of the final document is discharged from the machine, and The stapling operation starts when the copy is rocked. First, the stapler 401 in the home position is moved to the first bin to be stapled. After the stapler 401 moves to the first bin, the operation proceeds based on the value of the stapling operation sequence counter described in the subroutine FIG. 55 (a). When the stapler 401 finishes moving to the first bin, the value of the staple sequence counter is changed from 0 to 1.
(55-1). When the value of the staple sequence counter is 1, the check motor 422f is turned on and the check unit is advanced (55-2). When the pre-chuck sensor 422j for detecting the end of the forward movement of the chuck unit is turned ON (55-3), the forward movement of the chuck unit is completed (55-).
4), 2 is set to the staple sequence counter,
Proceed to the next operation. When the value of the staple sequence counter is 2 (55-6), the check SOL421c is turned ON (55).
-7), 3 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-8), and the operation proceeds to the next step.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 3, (55
-9), hold the state for 0.2 seconds, and after 0.2 seconds elapse (55-1)
0), set 4 to the staple sequence counter (5
5-11), proceed to the next operation.

If the value of the staple sequence counter is 4, (55
-12), the check motor 422f is turned on, and the check unit is moved to the home position (55-13). The after-check sensor 422k for detecting the end of the home movement of the check unit is turned on (55-14), the home movement of the check unit is completed (55-15), and 5 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-16). Proceed to the next operation.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 5, (55
−17), check the output of paper presence sensor 623 (55−18),
If paper is present, the staple binding operation is performed (55-19). The completion of the binding operation is detected (55-20), 6 is set to the staple sequence counter (55-12), and the operation proceeds to the next.
When the output of the paper presence / absence sensor 623 indicates that there is no paper, the staple binding operation is not performed, and the next operation proceeds.

When the value of the staple sequence counter is 6, (55
-22), the check SOL421c is turned off (55-23), the stapled bin counter is counted up, and the swing motor is moved to move (55-24). Then, the value of the staple bin reservation memory indicating the total number of bins to be stapled is compared with the value of the stapled counter, and if the values match (55-25), 0 is added to the staple sequence counter.
Is set to terminate the stapling operation (55-26), and then the up / down motor 409 is turned on to move the stapler 400 to the home position (55-27).

The method of calculating the value of the staple reservation bin memory and the staple paper shifting will be described later. When the value of the stapled counter is smaller than the value of the staple bin reservation memory, it indicates how many bins have been rocked. Compare the oscillated bin memory with the stapled counter (55
-33) If the bin memory value is large, 7 is set in the staple sequence counter, and the operation proceeds to the next step. If the value of the rocked bin memory is small or equal (55-33), the stapler holds the state, cancels the rocking inhibition processing (55-38), and prompts rocking. If the value of the oscillated bin memory is 2 or more than the value of the stapled bin memory at the determined size (55-35), 7 is set to the staple sequence counter and the next operation proceeds (55-36). . If the value is 1 or less, the stapler holds the state, cancels the swing prohibition process (55-37), and prompts the swing.
The swing prohibition process and the calculation of the swing bin memory will be described later.

When the swinging is performed and the value of the swung bin memory becomes larger than the value of the stapled bin memory, or when it becomes 2 or more in the predetermined size, 7 is set to the staple sequence counter ( 55-28) Next, the operation proceeds. When the value of the staple sequence counter is 7, the state is held for 0.3 seconds, and after elapse of 0.3 seconds, the start of stapler movement to the next bin is instructed to FIG. 55 (b) which is the above-described subroutine.

The calculation of the staple reservation bin will be described according to a subroutine shown in FIG. For this calculation, in the present embodiment, in the sort mode operation, the number of bins of the original copy discharge bin which stores the number of bins in which the copy paper of the original is discharged is stored for each original. The maximum number of bins to be discharged before storing the number of bins discharged The memory has a staple bin number reservation memory for instructing how many bins to staple, and the contents of the memory are moved at the following timing. The copy operation is started in the sort mode (59-1), and at the timing when the copy paper is discharged from the leading bin of the sorter (59-2), the contents of the previous original copy discharge bin number memory and the previous discharge maximum bin number memory are changed. Are compared (59-
3) If the value of the memory of the number of bins of the previous document copy is larger than the value of the maximum bin number of the previous discharge, the value of the memory of the number of bins of the previous document copy is substituted for the maximum bin number of the previous discharge (59-4). 1), 1 is assigned to the memory of the number of bins for discharging the previous original copy (59-5).

When the copies are discharged to the second original bin, the third bin,..., The value of the preceding original copy discharge bin number memory increases to 2, 3,. The staple bin number reservation memory always compares the contents of the currently discharged bin number memory and the previous discharged maximum bin number memory (59
-6), the content of the smaller memory is substituted into the staple bin number reservation memory (59-7). Since the contents of the staple bin number reservation memory change depending on the situation, it is possible to cope with the case where the stapling operation is performed while the copy is discharged as in the auto staple mode.

By doing so, the bin for operating the binding means 400 can be the bin from which the paper corresponding to the final document has been discharged, and it is possible to bind a paper set in which all pages are aligned as much as possible.

In addition, by preventing the binding unit 400 from operating in a bin where only one sheet of paper is discharged from the bin corresponding to the final document, even when the number of copies of the final document is changed, In addition, unnecessary binding operation can be prevented.

The swing prohibition process with the priority of the step will be described with reference to a subroutine shown in FIG.

First, check whether the stapling operation is being executed (60-1), and if YES, check SOL (solenoid) is ON.
Check (60-2) if YES, check if the time has reached 0.3SEC or more after the check has been moved to the home position (60-3), and if ON, check
Permit swing (60-4). If the check SOL is not ON, the swing is prohibited (60-5). If the time has reached 0.3 SEC or more after the check has been moved to the home position, the swing is prohibited and RET is performed. If the stapling operation is not being executed, the swing is unconditionally permitted and the RE is
T.

Next, the calculation of the swung bin memory will be described according to a subroutine shown in FIG.

First, it is checked whether or not the swing has been performed once (61-1). If the swing has not been performed once,
RET as it is. If the swinging operation has been performed once, the value of the number of output bins is entered in the swinging bin memory (61-2), and RET is performed. The number of discharged bins indicates the number of the currently discharged bin, and the oscillated bin memory indicates the number of the bin currently oscillated.

The staple paper shifting will be described with reference to a subroutine shown in FIG.

Stapling end (62-1), chisatsu solenoid 42
When 1c is turned off, the stapled copy (paper) slides on the bin by the paper return bracket 422z and is pushed back into both the rotation regions of the rocking plate, thereby completing the staple 1 operation. At this time, the staple 1 operation end flag is set in the subroutine shown in FIG. 55 (a). The staple 1 operation end is determined based on the contents of the staple 1 operation end flag. After determining that the staple 1 operation has been completed, moving to the next bin and determining that the check SOL421c has been turned ON while performing the staple 1 operation again (62-
2), swinging is started (62-3). Then, the stapled paper in the front bin is moved to a predetermined position. By this staple paper shifting operation, the stapled paper on the bin is moved to a predetermined position so as not to adversely affect the alignment of the paper discharged after the next bin.

In this embodiment, in addition to the functions and operations described above, there are some performances and operations described below.

Each will be described based on the flow of the subroutine.
First, the two-system stapling process divides the sorter bin into upper and lower two systems, sorts them into one system, performs staple processing, sorts the other systems without opening the bin in the first system, and performs staple processing. This is a function that can be performed, and the mode A is that the upper and lower systems have the same copy size, and the upper and lower systems that have the copy size of the system to be processed later are larger than the preprocessed system. Has a mode B, which can be switched according to the user.

The mode A-2 stapling process will be described with reference to the subroutine flow of FIG.

Here, sorting using the other system after the first system processing is referred to as dual sort. When performing dual sort, if dual sort is not possible (63-
1) The sorting mode is prohibited (63-2), and a warning is issued. If dual sort is possible, the paper size is detected and
When the paper size at the time of the previous sort is the same as the paper size to be subjected to the dual sort, the operation is continued as it is. When the paper size at the time of the previous sort and the paper size to be dual-sorted are different sizes (63-3), the swinging part is retracted (63-4), stapling is prohibited (63-5), and the operation is stopped. continue.

Next, regarding the mode B-2 stapling process, the 64th stapling process will be described.
Description will be made based on the subroutine flow shown in FIG. When performing dual sort, if dual sort is not possible (64-1), the sort mode is prohibited (64-
2), warn. If dual sort is possible,
The paper size is detected, and if the paper size to be subjected to the dual sort is larger than the paper size at the time of the previous sort or the paper size is the same, the operation is continued as it is. If the paper size to be dual-sorted is smaller than the paper size in the previous sort (64-3), the swinging part is retracted (64-4), and staples are prohibited (64-).
5) Continue the operation.

In the above processing, the staple prohibition of the stapling means 401 has been described.
It is conceivable that the operation release for 02 is performed by the same processing.

Regarding door opening during stapling,
Description will be made based on the subroutine flow shown in FIG. If all of the stapler door, sorter door, and sorter upper cover are closed during the stapling operation (65-1), the operation is continued as it is, and if the stapler door is opened (65-2),
The staple sequence counter is set to 0 (65-3), and the full load is turned off (65-4).

The process when the stapler door is closed during the stapling operation and either the sorter door or the upper sorter cover is opened (state 1; 65-5) will be described below.

If the chuck unit is moving forward in state 1, (65-
6) Set the staple sequence counter to 0 (65-
7) Turn off the check motor (65-8).

After the check unit has advanced in state 1 and within 0.2 seconds after the check SOL421c is turned on (65-9), the staple sequence counter is set to 0 (65-10) and the check SOL421c is turned off (65-11). ).

The processing in the case where the check unit is advanced in the state 1 and 0.2 seconds or more after the check SOL is turned on (hereinafter referred to as state 2) will be described below.

If the check unit is retreating in state 2, (65-1
2), set the staple sequence counter to 4 (65-1)
3), continue operation.

If the stapler close operation is in progress (65-14) after the check unit has retreated in state 2, the staple sequence counter is set to 5 (65-15), and the operation is continued.

If the stapler closing operation has been completed after the check unit has retreated in state 2, the staple sequence counter is set to 0 (65-3), and the full load is turned off (6).
5-4).

If the vertical movement motor 409 is operating in state 1, (6
5-16), set the staple sequence counter to 0 and turn off all loads.

The variable lowering speed corresponding to the staple start bin will be described with reference to the subroutine flow of FIG.

If the currently stopped position is other than the home position (66-1), the motor speed is set to high speed (66-).
2) The up / down motor 409 is turned on and descends (66-3).

If the currently stopped position is the home position, the descending speed is varied according to the number of bins to be stopped next. That is, when the bin to be stopped is the first bin (66-4), the rotation speed is set to high speed (66-2), and the vertical movement motor 409 is turned on (66-3). If the bin to be stopped is the second bin or more (66-4), the rotation speed is set to a low speed (66-5), and the vertical movement motor 409 is turned on (66-3).

Next, a description will be given of the function of the vertical up / down slowdown. In this function, when the vertical movement starts, the moving speed is gradually increased, and when the set value is reached, the moving speed is made constant, and when the vertical movement is stopped, the moving speed is gradually reduced from before the bin position to stop. When the value has been reached, it is moved at a constant speed and stopped at the stop bin position.

A description will be given based on the subroutine flow of FIG. 67. 1mSE
In the subroutine called for each C, after the vertical movement motor 409 is turned on (67-1), if the slow-up operation is not completed (67-2), the slow-up counter increments by one for each subroutine call (67). -3).
The speed data is set in the CTC 604 from the speed data group in the ROM 601 which is set so that the speed gradually increases based on the value of the slow up counter (67-4) (67-5). A frequency based on the set speed data is generated from the CTC 604, and the phase signal generator 61 shown in FIG. 53 is generated.
Sent to 4. The phase signal is sent from the phase signal generation unit 614 to the constant current driver 615, and the up / down moving motor 409 operates at the rotation speed corresponding to the speed data.

When the throw-up counter reaches a certain set value (67-6), the throw-up is terminated (67-13), and the vertical movement motor 409 operates at a constant rotation speed thereafter.

After a certain time, the slowdown operation starts (67-7),
The slowdown counter increments by one for each subroutine call (67-8). The speed is set to decrease gradually based on the value of the slowdown counter (67
-9) The speed data is set in the CTC 604 from the speed data group in the ROM 601 (67-10). This CTC604
, A frequency based on the set speed data is generated and sent to the phase signal generator 614. Phase signal generator 614
Sends a phase signal to the constant current driver 615, and the vertical movement motor 409 operates at the rotation speed corresponding to the speed data.

When the slowdown counter reaches a certain set value (67-11), the slowdown ends (67-12), and the vertical movement motor 409 thereafter operates at a constant rotation speed. When the stapler reaches the stopped bin,
409 turns off and stops, and the slow up counter and slow down counter are cleared (67-14).

The vertical movement abnormality mitigation routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flow of FIG.

When the abnormality of the vertical movement motor 409 is detected, when the count number of the abnormality detection (68-1) is the second time (68-2), the abnormal signal is transmitted to clear the count (68-6), and the serviceman call (68-7). However, when the abnormality is detected for the first time (68-2), if the vertical movement motor 409 is rising (68-3), the motor 409 is restarted (68-).
4) The operation is continued, and if it is descending, a jam signal is transmitted (68-5), and the process proceeds to the next processing.

Specifically, when any abnormality occurs in the stapling unit 401 or the aligning unit 502, for example, a first interruption signal for simply interrupting the paper ejection from the copying machine body, interrupting the paper ejection from the copying machine body, and A second interruption signal requesting an abnormality reset signal is generated, the first interruption signal is transmitted when the first abnormality is detected, and the second interruption signal is transmitted when the second and subsequent abnormalities are detected. It is possible to do. It is also conceivable that the first interruption signal is a jam signal and the second interruption signal is an abnormal signal. Note that the abnormality is not limited to the one in the vertical movement motor 409, but also includes the abnormal state in each unit constituting the stapling unit 401 or the aligning unit 502. In addition, FIG.
The flowchart of FIG. 79 shows the processing operation corresponding to various abnormal conditions.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the binding unit is operated with respect to the bin from which the paper corresponding to the final original is discharged, and the bin corresponding to the bin from which the paper corresponding to the final original is not discharged. On the other hand, since the binding means is controlled so as not to be activated, even when the number of copies is changed in the middle of copying, the binding operation is performed on the paper having all pages as much as possible, so that the binding operation can be performed reliably and without waste. Can be provided. In addition, since the binding means is not operated for the bin where the number of sheets on the bin from which the sheet corresponding to the final document is discharged is only one, even if the number of copies for the final document is changed, it is unnecessary. The binding operation can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a swinging device, 5 is a plan view showing the relationship between the swinging device and the bin, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the pressing member portion, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the swinging motor portion, and FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the dynamic motor and the amount of movement, FIG.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the bottle, Fig. 11 is a side view of the bottle, Fig. 12 is a right side view of the bottle, Figs. 13, 14, and 15 are cross-sectional views of each part of the bottle, and Fig. 16 is a bottle. Side view of the static elimination brush part, No. 17
The figure is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the bottle, FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing the action of the rib, FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one state of the paper,
FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the guide portion, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG.
Fig. 24, Fig. 24, Fig. 25, Fig. 26, Fig. 27, Fig. 28 are explanatory views showing the state of the paper in the bin, Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the entire stapler, and Fig. 30 is the bracket part. Plan view, No.
FIG. 31 is a plan view of the stapler portion, FIG. 32 is a front view of the stapler portion, FIG. 33 is a side view of the stapler portion, and FIG.
Fig. 35, Fig. 36, Fig. 37, Fig. 38, Fig. 39, Fig. 40
Fig. 41, Fig. 42, Fig. 43, Fig. 44 are front views for explaining the operation of each member of the stapler portion, Fig. 45 is a front view of the feed shaft, Fig. 46, Fig. 47, 48, 49, and 50 are front views illustrating the operation of exchanging the stapler needle cartridge, FIG. 51 is a front view of another embodiment of the feed shaft, and FIG.
Fig. 51 is a diagram showing the relationship between the speed and the amount of movement when using the feed shaft, Fig. 53 is a block diagram of the control system, and Figs. 54, 55, 56, 57.
Fig. 58, Fig. 59, Fig. 60, Fig. 61, Fig. 62, 63
FIG. 64, FIG. 65, FIG. 66, FIG. 67, FIG. 68 are flow charts for explaining the operation of this embodiment, FIG.
70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76
FIG. 77, FIG. 78, and FIG. 79 are flowcharts for explaining the processing operation when an abnormal situation occurs. 300: bottle, 400: binding means, 600: control means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Umeda Shin 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hirofumi Yoshino 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masashi Shimada 2-28-24 Izumi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Inside Yoko Tabiru Ricoh Elemex Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-244869 (JP, A) JP-A Sho 62-239173 (JP, A) JP-A-62-196676 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 37/04, 39/11 G03G 15/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] In a paper processing apparatus having a plurality of bins and a binding unit for binding sheets on the bin after the sheet is discharged, the binding unit is operated for a bin from which a sheet corresponding to a final document has been discharged. A paper processing apparatus, further comprising control means for controlling not to operate the binding means for a bin from which a sheet corresponding to the final document is not discharged. 2. A paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said binding means is not operated for a bin having only one sheet on a bin from which sheets corresponding to said final original have been discharged. A paper processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.