JP3548276B2 - Sorting device for discharged recording paper - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an improvement of a sorting device as a post-processing device of an image forming apparatus, and particularly, a case where a bin is bent due to an excessively large amount of recording paper discharged onto the bin or due to a large size. The present invention relates to a device for sorting discharged recording paper, which does not affect the storage capacity of another bin located immediately below.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a printing machine, when copying a plurality of copies from the same bundle of documents, use an automatic document feeder or the like to copy only the required number of copies for each page of the document. A plurality of recording papers on which continuous copying is performed and the original image is recorded are respectively discharged to a discharge tray or the like.However, when the recording paper corresponding to each original page is continuously discharged onto a single tray, Since the sheets cannot be stacked in the order of the pages, a later sorting operation for arranging the pages is necessary, which is complicated. For this reason, a sorting device (sorter) in which a plurality of bins are arranged in a vertical direction is often used, and in the case of using the sorting device, a plurality of sets of recording paper corresponding to each document are provided one by one for each bin. Since the paper is discharged, the recording papers stacked on each bin can be finally arranged in a page order. In addition, a stapling apparatus that automatically staples a bundle of recording paper stacked on each bin may be used, and the stapling apparatus is fixed and supported so as not to move in the vertical direction, and each bin is stapled. The chuck unit (upper and lower claws) chucks the ends of the stack of recording sheets stacked on each bin by moving vertically, and draws them to the stapler unit, and staples the stack of recording sheets chucked by the chuck units. And a staple unit for applying the staple.
[0003]
By the way, the bin of the conventional sorting device has a constant vertical movement amount regardless of the size of the recording paper and the number of stacked recording paper on the bin, and the stop position of the bin is determined according to the number of stacked paper. Could not be changed. For this reason, due to the bending of the bin caused by the increase in the number of recording sheets stacked on the bin, the bin immediately above a certain bin is bent downward, and as a result, the recording paper to be discharged to the certain bin is directly above the bin. It was easy to cause a jam when hitting a bottle. In the case where the above stapling apparatus is provided, the recording paper bundle in which the lower one of the upper and lower claws constituting the chuck unit is displaced downward due to the bending of the bin during the operation of chucking the recording paper bundle. Cannot be grasped accurately, and as a result, stapling becomes impossible.
[0004]
FIGS. 11A and 11B are plan views showing the configuration of the bin, wherein FIG. 11A shows a moving bin type bin and FIG. 11B shows a fixed bin type bin. The fixed-type bin shown in (b) has a long supported portion 1 on both side edges, and the movable bin shown in (a) has a plurality of small-projected supported portions 2. For this reason, the moving bin type bin has a smaller supported area than the fixed bin type bin due to the smaller supported area, and is likely to bend by depositing paper on the bin. Even if the amount of movement is the same, if the stacking amount is excessive and warping occurs, the bin bends downward, hindering the work of stacking the recording paper stored in the bin immediately below. Exert. In addition, the above-mentioned problem occurs when the stapling apparatus is used.
[0005]
[Object of the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a moving bin type sorting apparatus, even when the number of stacked sheets increases and the bins are bent, discharge of recording paper to the lower bin, It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for sorting discharged recording paper, which can perform storage, chucking and stapling by a stapler without any trouble.
[0006]
Configuration of the Invention
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is , Painting A plurality of bins arranged vertically in order to sort recording paper discharged from a paper discharge opening of an image forming apparatus, and a movable stapling apparatus for performing stapling on a bundle of recording paper stacked on each bin. A movable stapling unit that chucks an edge of a recording paper bundle on each bin, and a movable stapling unit that performs stapling on the recording paper bundle. And a control unit capable of changing the amount of vertical movement of the stapling apparatus according to the number, size, and the like of the recording sheets stacked on each bin.
[0007]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a sorting device (post-processing device) to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of a fixed stapling device provided in the sorting device. The sorting device 10 has a function of receiving recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus (not shown) located on the right side and sorting and storing the recording paper on each bin. Further, a stapling device (not shown) is provided as needed. Each of these devices is controlled by a control unit such as a microcomputer provided in the sorting device or in the image forming device. According to the present invention, by controlling the drive mechanism of the bin by the control unit, the stop position of the bent bin is corrected to be higher (than the normal stop position) by a distance corresponding to the amount of deflection. The configuration described above is characteristic.
[0008]
A plurality of bins 11 are arranged in the vertical direction, and a roller 12 provided at the base end of each bin 11 is supported by a crank-shaped guide rail 13 so as to be vertically movable. As shown in the drawing, the guide rail 13 has an upper portion 13a on the image forming apparatus side from a substantially central portion in the height direction, a lower portion 13b on the discharge side, and an inclined connecting portion 13c at an intermediate position between the two portions. . The receiving port 14 for receiving the recording paper from the paper output port of the image forming apparatus is located in the lateral direction of the communication section 13c. Therefore, the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 14 is discharged onto the bin B1 whose base end is directed to a position corresponding to the communication portion 13c.
[0009]
The bin 11A in which the base roller 12 is located in the upper portion 13a of the guide rail is retracted toward the image forming apparatus, and the bin 11B in which the roller 12 is located in the lower portion 13b of the guide rail projects in the opposite direction. I have. An elevating mechanism for elevating the bin is fixed at one end to a bin vertical drive motor 15, a pulley 16 rotationally driven by the motor 15, other pulleys 17 and 18, and a support member 20a that moves up and down inside another guide 19. And a wire 21 wound around each of the pulleys 16, 17, 18. In addition, the wire 21 is fixed in place with respect to a support member 20b which is disposed in the guide rail lower part 13b so as to be able to move up and down, and the motor 15 rotates a predetermined number of times to wind up or rewind the wire 21. The bin 11B at the protruding position is moved (raised) to the retracted position, and the bin 11A at the retracted position is moved (down) to the protruding position. The movement amount of the bin at this time is determined by counting the number of times that the encoder (light shield plate such as a slit plate) 22 provided on the output shaft of the motor 15 shields the photo interrupter 23 from light.
[0010]
In the present embodiment, each bin 11 basically just rides on the bin immediately below by its own weight, and simply moves up and down along the guides 13 and 19 with the winding and winding operations of the wire 21. . The connecting portion 13c of the guide rail 13 is inclined and its width W1 is the same as the vertical interval W2 of the bins in the stacked state, but the interval between the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14 and the bin B2 immediately above. (Recording paper loading space) is large. That is, a side plate 11a having a predetermined height is provided at the base end of each bin, and the bin B2 immediately above the bin B1 is horizontally moved toward the image forming apparatus (rightward in the drawing) along the side plate 11a of the bin B1 immediately below. Since they are placed out of alignment, the spacing between bins B1 and B2 increases as shown. That is, when the bin 11B at the projecting position is pulled up by a predetermined distance using a wire, the uppermost bin B1 of the bins 11B located at the position of the lower guide rail 13b moves to the upper guide rail 13a through the inclined connecting portion 13c. However, at this time, the bin B1 slides on the side plate 11a of the bin B3 immediately below and slides rightward in the drawing to move to the position of the bin B2 in FIG. 1, so that the connecting portion 13c is sandwiched as shown in FIG. The space between the bins in the up-down positional relationship becomes wider.
[0011]
The interval between the bins B1 and B2 is such that when the number of recording sheets stacked on the bin B2 is excessive, the bin B2 is likely to hang down due to the weight of the recording sheet, and the recording sheet introduced from the receiving port 14 is In consideration of the fact that the bin B2 is easily caught, it is necessary to set the bin B2, which is above the sag, higher. The adjustment of the position of the bin B2 is different from the case where the bin B1 moves up to the position B2 and the case where the bin B2 moves down to the position B1. This will be described later.
[0012]
When the copy of the image forming apparatus starts, all the bins have been lowered to the lower side of the guide rail 13b, and when the first sheet of recording paper is discharged from the receiving port on the uppermost bin, each support is stopped. The members 20a and 20b are lifted by a predetermined distance by wires. At this time, the uppermost bin containing the first sheet is pushed up to the upper portion 13a of the guide rail via the connecting portion 13c. Subsequently, the second sheet of recording paper is discharged from the receiving port onto the second-stage bin. In this way, when the recording paper corresponding to the first document to be copied is discharged onto each bin by the determined number of copies, the bin receiving the last recording paper stays at the receiving position of B1 in FIG. The first sheet of recording paper corresponding to the second document is accepted. Subsequently, when the entire bin is lowered by a predetermined distance and the bin immediately above reaches the position B1 in FIG. 1, the second recording sheet is discharged onto the bin. By repeating this operation sequentially, it is possible to stack the required number of copies of all the originals on each bin in the page order.
When the ejection of all the recording papers corresponding to all the originals is completed, for example, each bin stops at the position where the last recording paper was ejected.
[0013]
Note that the operation after the completion of the paper ejection is merely an example. In addition, for example, after the ejection of the recording paper is completed, all the bins are controlled to move down to the position corresponding to the lower portion 13b of the guide rail and stop. It may be.
[0014]
The stapling apparatus 30 (chuck unit 30A, staple unit 30B) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is fixed at a predetermined position, for example, in a posture inclined at the same inclination angle as each bin, and holds a bundle of recording sheets for receiving staples. After the bins (stapled bins) have been moved to the same height position as the stapling device 30, the edges of the recording paper bundle exposed from the notches (not shown) provided at the front edge of each bin are moved up and down (not shown). The stapling is performed by the stapling unit 30B after the chucking is performed by the chuck unit 30A including the claws.
[0015]
In the above description, the case where the chuck unit 30A and the staple unit 30B cannot be moved in the vertical direction (the direction orthogonal to each bin surface) is exemplified. However, the stapler is not moved in the vertical direction, for example, in a direction parallel to the bin surface. The device may be configured to be movable, and such a configuration is within the scope of the present invention. Although the configuration in FIG. 2 is slightly different from that in FIG. 1 (for example, the path of the wire 21), both are not contradictory in the main part.
[0016]
Next, FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention. The control section 25 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) has a reception processing section 26 and a motor control section 27. The motor control unit 27 controls the driving of the motor 15, and the sheet discharge detection unit 28 counts the number of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus and inputs the counted number to the control unit. Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 25 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of sheets discharged based on the information on the sheet discharge from the sheet discharge detection unit 28.
[0017]
Based on information such as size data sent from the image forming apparatus and information on the number of sheets discharged from the sheet discharge detecting unit 28, the recording paper currently loaded on the bin is excessively large so as to exceed a predetermined weight. In the case of, the control unit 25 outputs to the motor 15 a control signal for correcting the height position of the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14. That is, in the present embodiment, the size and the number of recording papers currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and information such as the number of discharged sheets, so that the weight of the recording paper loaded on the bin is (For example, correction is performed when 10 or more sheets are loaded on the bin for B4, LG and above. Correction is performed for 20 or more sheets for A4 and LT and below). Is determined.
[0018]
Here, the correction of the moving distance of the bin refers to the correction of the height position of the bin newly moving to the position of the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14 (or the bin moving to the position B2). Since the bin B2 immediately above the bin B1 bends downward due to the weight of the loaded recording paper, the recording paper to be received is directly above the bin B1 when a normal number of recording papers are stored. Since there is a risk of jamming due to being caught on the bin B2, it is necessary to set the height position of the bin B2 immediately above to a position higher than usual. Therefore, when the bin rises from the position B1 to the position B2, the moving distance is set slightly longer (by the amount of the deflection of the bin), and conversely, when the bin descends from the position B2 to the position B1. The distance is set short so that the bin directly above does not interfere with the receiving port 14.
[0019]
That is, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of bin position correction in the sorting apparatus. If it is determined in step 1 that correction is necessary, the control unit proceeds to step 2 to increase bin movement. It is checked whether it is an operation or a descending operation. If the bin goes up, the pulse count number of the encoder is increased (for example, +10 counts, step 3), and the ascending distance of the bin is increased. As a result, the bent bottle which has been located at the position B1 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving port 14. In the case of bin lowering, the pulse count number of the encoder is reduced (for example, -10 count, step 4), and the bin moving distance is reduced. As a result, when the bin that has been at the position B2 moves to the position B1, the bin that has just moved to the position B2 stops at a position that does not interfere with the receiving port.
[0020]
In the above-described embodiment, the size and the number of recording sheets requiring bin height correction are exemplified as the criteria for determining the bin moving distance. However, other criteria may be used as the criteria. The above-described pulse count correction value is also merely an example. Also, an encoder is used as the bin movement amount detection means, but this is only an example.
[0021]
After stapling of all staples, the stapling device 30 moves the stapled bin (the bin holding the recording paper receiving the staples) to the same height as the stapling device 30 and then moves the stapled bin out of the cutout provided in the bin. The stapling is performed after the exposed edges of the bundle of recording paper are chucked by the upper and lower claws. However, when the bin is bent, the lower claws may be caught on the lower end of the recording paper. Therefore, in the present invention, when the staple bin moves to the same height as the stapling device 30, the height position at which the staple bin stops is slightly higher than usual, for example, by the amount of bending of the bin. For example, when ascending, it is stopped at a position higher by +10 counts, and when it is lowered, it is stopped at a position higher by 10 counts (descent by 10 counts). In the case where there are a plurality of staple bins, the bin for starting staples may be started from the uppermost one of the staple bins, or may be started from the lowermost one. . This prevents the lower claw of the chuck unit from being caught on the lower part of the recording paper bundle.
[0022]
Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an example of a stapling device used in the sorting device. The sorting device 31 has a function of receiving recording paper discharged from a discharge port of an image forming apparatus (not shown) arranged adjacent to the right side of the drawing from a receiving port 32 and sorting and storing the recording paper on each fixed type bin 33. Have. Further, the sorting device is provided with a movable stapling device 34 (chuck unit 34A, staple unit 34B) as shown in FIG. 6 as necessary.
[0023]
In the sorting apparatus 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the bins move up and down so that each bin receives the recording paper at the receiving port. On the other hand, in the sorting apparatus 31 of this embodiment, The difference is that the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 32 is fed one by one onto each bin 33 by moving the discharge unit 35 up and down while the bins are fixed immovably up and down. ing. Similarly, the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B constituting the stapling device 34 are similarly moved up and down to individually chuck the edges of the bundle of recording papers on the fixed bins before stapling. Each drive mechanism of the discharge unit 35 and the stapling device 34 is controlled by a control unit such as a microcomputer provided in the sorting device or in the image forming apparatus. In the present invention, by controlling the respective drive mechanisms of the discharge unit 35 and the stapling device 34 by the control unit, the stop position of the discharge unit 35 and the stapling device 34 with respect to the bent bin is set to the bin that has not bent. A characteristic feature is that the correction is made so as to be reduced by a required distance compared to the stop position when discharging.
[0024]
A plurality of bins 33 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and the discharge unit 35 is located to the right of each bin 33 (upstream in the paper discharge direction), and can be moved up and down by a drive mechanism 40 of the discharge unit. Supported. The discharge unit 35 is driven up and down from a home position facing the receiving port 32. That is, when the recording paper discharged from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus is received, the recording paper is at the illustrated home position, and immediately after receiving the recording paper at this position, moves toward the bin for receiving the recording paper, and When it reaches the position, it stops and discharges (stores) the recording paper on the bin. After the ejection, it moves to return to the home position again. At this home position, the recording paper is again discharged. By repeating this operation, after all the recording papers corresponding to all the originals have been discharged (stored) in each bin, the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are moved up and down as necessary to move the top of each bin. Staple the edges of the bundle of recording paper.
[0025]
The drive mechanism 40 of the discharge unit 35 includes a discharge unit drive motor 41, a pulley 42 driven to rotate by the motor 41, a timing belt 43 wound around the pulley 42, and a support 44 that guides the discharge unit 35 to move up and down. And A discharge unit 35 is fixed at an appropriate position of the timing belt 43, and the motor 41 controlled by the control unit rotates a predetermined number of times to drive the timing belt 43, so that the discharge unit 35 is moved to a predetermined bin position. Move. The movement amount of the discharge unit 35 at this time is determined by counting the number of times that the encoder 45 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 41 shields the photo interrupter 46 from light.
[0026]
The drive mechanisms 50 and 60 of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are respectively wound around the drive motors 51 and 61, the pulleys 52 and 62 rotated by the motors 51 and 61, and the pulleys 52 and 62, respectively. Timing belts 53 and 63, and columns 54 and 64 for guiding the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B to move up and down. A chuck unit 34A and a staple unit 34B are fixed to appropriate positions of the timing belts 53 and 63, respectively, and the motors 51 and 61 controlled by the control unit rotate a predetermined number of times to drive the timing belts 53 and 63. Thus, the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are moved to predetermined bin positions. At this time, the moving amounts of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are determined by counting the number of times that the encoders 55 and 65 fixed to the output shafts of the motors 51 and 61 shield the photo interrupters 56 and 66 from light.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, the interval between two bins in a vertical positional relationship, for example, bins B5 and B6 is such that when the number of recording paper stacked on the upper bin B5 is excessive, bin B5 is It becomes narrower because it hangs down due to the weight. Therefore, when the recording paper is discharged from the discharge unit 35 onto the bin B6 immediately below, the discharged recording paper is easily caught by the bin B5 immediately above. Also in the present embodiment, in consideration of this point, control is performed so that the stop position of the discharge unit 35 is set lower by the amount of the dripping of the bin 5B immediately above. The operation of adjusting the stop position of the discharge unit 35 differs depending on whether the bin B6 receiving the sheet discharged from the discharge unit 35 is located above or below the receiving port 32. This point will be described later. I do.
[0028]
When the copy operation of the image forming apparatus (not shown) located on the right side of the sorting apparatus 31 starts, the discharge unit 35 has stopped at the position facing the receiving port 32 (the position in FIG. 5 = home position). When the recording paper is discharged from the receiving port 32 to the discharging unit 35, the discharging unit 35 moves up and down to the position of the bin on the receiving side, and discharges the first recording paper onto the bin. After the ejection is completed, the ejection unit 35 moves to the receiving port 32 and waits for the ejection of the second recording sheet. By repeating this operation, after all the recording papers corresponding to all the originals have been discharged to the respective bins, the recording paper is moved to the home position and stopped.
[0029]
Next, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the apparatus of the present embodiment. The control unit 70 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) includes a reception processing unit 71 and a discharge unit vertical drive motor. A motor controller 72 controls the driving of the discharge unit vertical drive motor 41, and a paper discharge detector 73 counts the number of recording papers discharged from the image forming apparatus and inputs the count to the controller. I do. Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 70 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of sheets discharged based on the information on the sheet discharge from the sheet discharge detection unit 73. The control unit 70 does not need to be configured separately from the control unit 25 of the bin driving mechanism, and may be configured as a common control unit.
[0030]
Based on information such as size data sent from the image forming apparatus and information on the number of sheets discharged from the sheet discharge detection unit 73, the recording paper currently loaded on the bin is excessively large so as to exceed a predetermined weight. In the case of, the control unit 70 outputs a control signal to the motor 41 for correcting the height position of the discharge unit 35 corresponding to the discharge bin. That is, in this embodiment, the size and the number of recording papers currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and information such as the number of discharged papers. (For example, B4, LG and above are corrected when 10 or more sheets are stacked on the bin. A4, LT and below are corrected with 20 or more sheets.) Etc.).
[0031]
Here, the correction of the moving distance of the discharge unit 35 is a correction of a stop position when the discharge unit 35 moves from a home position facing the receiving port 32 to a target bin. That is, when the bin B5 (B7) immediately above the bin B6 (B8) is bent downward due to the weight of the loaded recording paper, it is assumed that the weight of the recording paper is not excessive enough to cause the deflection. When the paper is discharged onto the bin B6 (B8) from the stop position of the discharged unit, the bin B5 (B7) immediately above the bent unit may be interfered with and cause a jam. It is necessary to set the stop position of 35 to a position slightly lower than the normal case. That is, when the discharge unit 35 moves up from the home position and moves to the bin B6, the moving distance is set slightly shorter (by the amount of the deflection of the bin B5), and the discharge unit 35 moves down from the home position to the bin B6. When moving to B8, the moving distance is set to be longer by the deflection of the bin B7 so that the discharge unit is not interfered by the bin immediately above.
[0032]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the stop position of the discharge unit. The control unit 70 determines that the weight of the recording paper discharged onto the bin becomes excessive based on the size data and the information such as the number of discharged sheets. If it is determined that correction is necessary (step 11, YES), it is checked whether the discharge unit is moving up or down (step 12). When the discharge unit 35 rises, the pulse count number of the encoder 45 is reduced (for example, −10 counts), and the rising distance of the discharge unit 35 is reduced. As a result, for example, when the discharge unit 35 moves toward the bin B6, the discharge unit 35 stops at a position where the bin B5 immediately above the bin B6 does not receive interference. When the discharge unit 35 descends, the pulse count number of the encoder is increased (for example, +10 counts), and the descending distance of the discharge unit is increased. As a result, when the discharge unit 35 moves to, for example, the bin B8, it is possible to stop at a position where the bin B7 immediately above the bin B8 does not receive interference.
[0033]
Next, after the stacking of all the recording papers is completed by the chuck unit 34A constituting the stapler device 34 shown in FIG. 6, the edge of the recording paper bundle exposed from the notch (not shown) provided in the bin 33 is moved up and down. The stapling unit 34B performs stapling after chucking with the claw, but if the bin is in a bent state, the lower claw may be caught on the lower end of the recording paper bundle. Therefore, in this embodiment, similarly to the case of the discharge unit 35, the stop positions of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are set lower by the amount of the bending of the bin, and the stop position of the recording paper bundle on the staple bin is reduced. There is no.
[0034]
Next, FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the stapling apparatus shown in FIG. 6, and a control unit 80 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) includes a reception processing unit 81, a stapling apparatus driving motor The control unit 82 includes a chuck unit drive motor control unit 82A and a staple unit drive motor control unit 82B. The motor control unit 82 controls the drive of a discharge unit vertical drive motor 83, and the sheet discharge detection unit 83 includes an image forming apparatus. The number of recording sheets discharged from the printer is counted and input to the control unit. Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 80 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus and counts the number of sheets discharged based on the information on the sheet discharge from the sheet discharge detection unit 83. The control unit 80 does not need to be configured separately from the control unit 25 of the bin driving mechanism and the control unit 70 of the discharge unit, and may be configured as a common control unit.
[0035]
Based on information such as size data sent from the image forming apparatus and information on the number of sheets ejected from the sheet ejection detection unit 83, the recording sheet currently loaded on the bin is excessively large so as to exceed a predetermined weight. In this case, the control unit 80 outputs to the motors 51 and 61 control signals for correcting the height position of the stapling device 34 (chuck unit 34A and staple unit 34B) corresponding to the discharge bin. That is, in this embodiment, the size and the number of recording sheets currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and information such as the number of discharged sheets, so that the weight of the recording sheets loaded on the bin is reduced by the stapling apparatus. (For example, B4, LG or more, when 10 or more sheets are loaded on the bin, the correction is performed. A4, LT In the following, correction is performed on 20 or more sheets).
[0036]
Here, the correction of the moving distance of the stapling device 34 is defined as a stop position when the stapling device 34 is moved from a current position (a predetermined home position or a stop position at the time of the previous stapling) to a target bin. It is a correction. That is, when the bin B5 (B7) immediately above the bin B6 (B8) is bent downward due to the weight of the loaded recording paper, it is assumed that the weight of the recording paper is not excessive enough to cause the deflection. When the bundle of recording paper on the bin B6 (B8) is chucked and stapled at the stopped position of the stapling device, the claw of the chuck unit is caught at the lower end of the bundle of recording paper. In this case, the stop position of the stapling device is changed. It is necessary to set the position slightly lower than usual. That is, when the stapling device 34 moves up from the current position to the bin B6 and moves to the bin B6, the moving distance is set slightly shorter (by the amount of the deflection of the bin B5), and the stapling device 34 moves down from the current position to the bin B6. When moving to B8, the moving distance is set to be longer by the deflection of the bin B7 so that the stapler does not receive the interference of the bin immediately above.
[0037]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the stop position of the stapling apparatus. The control unit 80 determines that the weight of the recording paper discharged onto the bin becomes excessive based on the size data and information such as the number of discharged sheets. If it is determined that correction is necessary (step 21, YES), it is then checked whether the stapling device is moving up or down (step 22). When the stapling device 34 moves up, the pulse counts of the encoders 55 and 65 are reduced (for example, -10 counts), and the rising distance of the stapling device 34 is reduced. As a result, for example, when the stapling device 34 moves toward the bin B6, the lower claw of the chuck unit stops at a position where it does not catch on the lower end of the recording paper bundle on the bin B6. When the stapling device 34 descends, the pulse count of the encoder is increased (for example, +10 counts), and the descending distance of the discharge unit is increased. As a result, for example, when the stapling device 34 moves toward the bin B8, the lower claw of the chuck unit stops at a position where it does not catch on the lower end of the recording paper bundle on the bin B8.
[0038]
In the above-described embodiment, the weight of the recording paper loaded on the bin (the size of the recording paper, the number of recording papers, the number of recording papers, the number of recording papers, the number of Is used as an example), but this is merely an example, and a standard such as a result of measuring an actual deflection amount may be used. Further, the example of the increase / decrease of the pulse count number by the encoder is only one example. In addition, although the encoder is used as the movement amount detecting means, this is merely an example, and any means may be used as long as the movement amount can be detected with the same accuracy as the encoder.
[0039]
In the actual apparatus configuration, the positional relationship between the receiving port 14 of the sorting apparatus and the discharge unit 35 at the home position may not be aligned in the horizontal direction as shown in the example of FIG. The home position in this case refers to a position at which the discharge unit 35 receives the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 14.
[0040]
As described above, according to the present invention, in the sorting apparatus of the moving bin type, the sorting apparatus of the discharge unit moving method which is the bin fixing method, and the sorting apparatus of the stapling apparatus moving method, the number of stacked sheets increases and the bin is bent. Even in this case, discharge and storage of the recording paper in the bin, and chucking and stapling operation by the stapling apparatus can be performed without any trouble.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the sorting apparatus of the moving bin type, even when the number of stacked sheets is increased and the bin is bent. , The chuck and staple operation by the stapler can be performed without any trouble.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a sorting device (with a stapler device) as a post-processing device to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of a fixed stapler provided in the sorting apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a bin moving operation by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic structural explanatory view of a sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main configuration of an example of a movable stapling apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit in the embodiment of FIG. 5;
8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the discharge unit according to the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit of the embodiment of FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the stapling apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 6;
11A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a moving bin type bin, and FIG. 11B is a configuration diagram of a fixed bin type bin.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 Supported portion, 10 sorting device, 11 bins, 12 rollers, 13 guide rails, 13a Upper guide rail, 13b Lower guide rail, 13c communication portion, 14 receiving port, 15 bin vertical drive motor, 16, 17, 18 Pulley, 19 guide rail, 20a, 20b support member, 21 wire, 22 encoder, 23 photo interrupter, 25 control unit, 26 reception processing unit, 27 bin vertical drive motor control unit, 28 paper discharge detection unit, 30 stapling device, 30A Chuck unit, 30B staple unit, 31 sorting device, 32 receiving port, 33 bin, 34 staple device, 34A chuck unit, 34B staple unit, 35 discharge unit, 40 drive mechanism, 41 discharge unit drive motor, 42 pulley, 43 timing belt , 44 Support, 45 encoder, 46 photo interrupter, 50, 60 drive mechanism, 51, 61 drive motor, 52, 62 pulley, 53, 63 timing belt, 54, 64 support, 55, 65 encoder, 56, 66 photo interrupter, 70 control Unit, 71 reception processing unit, 72 discharge unit vertical drive motor control unit, 73 paper discharge detection unit, 80 control unit, 81 reception processing unit, 82 stapling device drive motor control unit (chuck unit drive motor control unit 82A, staple unit drive Motor control unit 82B), 83 paper discharge detection unit.

Claims (1)

A plurality of bins arranged in the vertical direction for sorting recording paper discharged from a paper discharge opening of an image forming apparatus, and a movable stapling apparatus for performing stapling on a bundle of recording paper stacked on each bin. A movable stapling unit, wherein the movable stapling apparatus is a movable stapling unit that chucks an edge of a recording paper bundle on each bin, and a movable stapling unit that performs stapling on the recording paper bundle. In those equipped with
A discharged recording paper sorting apparatus, comprising: a control unit capable of changing a vertical movement amount of the stapling apparatus according to the number, size, and the like of recording paper stacked on each bin.

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