JP3596206B2 - Finisher - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention performs post-processing such as sorting, binding, folding, punching, and the like of recording materials such as recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as paper for simplicity) discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printing machine or a copying machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to control of a stopper of a sheet folding unit that forms a loop by applying a leading end of a sheet to a stopper and engages the loop with a roller to perform sheet folding.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, various finishers for performing various post-processing on image-formed paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printing machine or a copying machine have been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 8-66143). Here, the post-processing means sorting the sheets into a number of copies, binding them using staples, folding them into two or three in a Z-shape (hereinafter referred to as Z-fold), punching holes for files, and so on. It refers to various tasks such as opening a day.
[0003]
In such a finisher, a conventional sheet folding means for folding a sheet generally includes a mechanism for forming a loop by applying the leading end of the sheet to a stopper and engaging the loop with a roller to perform a sheet folding process. The position of the stopper is moved according to the folding mode and the sheet size.
[0004]
Further, the finished state of the paper folding slightly changes depending on the position of the stopper, but such fine adjustment of the stopper position has been performed manually.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, the stopper for positioning the paper folding can be moved as soon as the size of the paper discharged from the copying machine or the like and the folding mode are known. Therefore, if the copying machine or the like gives the information to the finisher immediately after recognizing the folding mode and the paper size, if the image-formed paper discharged from the copying machine or the like has only the same size, the first sheet Since the stopper can be moved before the paper is carried into the finisher, the drive source for stopper movement does not operate simultaneously with another drive source such as a paper conveyance drive source, and current consumption per unit time is reduced. Need not be large.
[0006]
However, for example, a document of A3 size and a longitudinal direction in the transport direction (hereinafter, used with a suffix T like A3T) and a document of A4 size with the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the transport direction (hereinafter A4Y) When using a combination of originals having the same width direction length and a conveyance direction length ratio of 2: 1 as shown in FIG. However, in such a case, the first few sheets may be replaced by a small-size sheet and a large-size sheet in the middle. When the stopper is moved when it is determined that the paper of the small size has already been conveyed, the driving source for stopper movement and other driving sources such as the paper conveyance driving source operate simultaneously, and There is a problem that the current consumption is increased.
[0007]
Further, some users may want to slightly change the folding position of the paper and adjust the finished state of the paper folding. The finished state of the paper folding can be changed by changing the position of the stopper, but the transport direction size in the folded state after folding is not exactly half the transport direction size in the unfolded state before folding. In addition, when documents such as A4Y and A3T are mixed as described above, there is a problem that the finished products do not have the same size, and that there is a possibility that the accommodating ability when stacking the folded sheets may be deteriorated. .
[0008]
Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to reduce current consumption per unit time without lowering productivity even when originals in a combination having the same width direction length and different conveyance direction length are mixed. To make it happen.
[0009]
A second object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily adjust the finished state of the sheet folding process without changing the size in the transport direction in the folded state after the folding process.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which is connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and outputs various images to the recording material discharged from the image forming apparatus. In a finisher that performs post-processing, at least two stoppers that form a loop in the recording material by abutting the leading end of the recording material, a folding roller that folds the recording material by biting the loop, A drive source that moves the position of the stopper, and another recording material having the same width direction length and a large conveyance direction length that becomes the same size as the recording material when folded on the recording material on which an image is formed is folded. And a control means for operating a drive source to move the position of the stopper in advance to a position where the other recording material is folded when it exists. According to the present invention, when an image is formed on A4Y or B5Y paper, for example, when the originals are mixed, for example, when each of the stoppers is driven by a drive source, the Z-folding position at A3 or the Z-folding at B4 is performed. By moving the stopper in advance to the position and waiting, the movement of the stopper can be completed before the sheet is conveyed into the finisher. This eliminates the need to move the stopper midway in the mixed loading mode, and avoids simultaneously operating the drive source for moving the stopper and the drive source for transporting the paper.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, wherein the image forming apparatus discharges the image-formed recording material from the image forming apparatus. A finisher for performing various post-processing steps, at least two stoppers for forming a loop in the recording material by contacting the leading end of the recording material, and a folding roller for folding the recording material by engaging the loop. And correcting and independently moving the positions of the at least two stoppers independently based on information from a driving source for moving the position of the stopper and an image forming apparatus in which a finished state of folding processing on a recording material is set. Control means for operating the drive source. According to the present invention, the drive source can be operated to independently correct and move the position of each stopper, so that the folding position can be changed without changing the size in the transport direction in the folded state after folding. By changing it, it is possible to easily adjust to the set finishing state. Thus, for example, in the case of Z-folding, even if the first folding position is changed, the length of the sheet in the folded state after the Z-folding processing is always half of the total length of the sheet in the expanded state before the Z-folding processing. Can be
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a copying machine to which a finisher according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the finisher, and FIG. 4A to 4C are schematic perspective views illustrating a paper folding mode, and FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a sheet stacking unit and a stapling unit of the finisher.
[0013]
《Copier configuration》
The copying machine 10 to which the finisher 1 is connected forms an image on a sheet by a well-known electrophotographic method, and discharges the copied sheets one by one from a discharge unit 10b. The copying machine 10 has an automatic document feeder 850 (hereinafter, referred to as ADF) mounted on an upper part thereof. The ADF 850 feeds a group of documents set on a tray 815 one by one onto a platen glass (not shown) of the copying machine 10 and discharges the documents onto a tray 856 after image reading is completed to be stacked. .
[0014]
The image of the original set on the platen glass by the ADF 850 or the like is read by an image reader (not shown) built in the copying machine 10, converted into digital data, and stored in the memory of the control unit. The copy operation is executed by reading out the image data and adding necessary editing, for example, changing the page order, image inversion processing, or copy processing to the front and back surfaces.
[0015]
《Schematic configuration of finisher》
As shown in FIG. 1, the finisher 1 generally includes a non-sort tray 11a and a sheet stacking unit 11b for stacking and aligning the sheets P discharged from a sheet discharging unit 10b of the copying machine 10, and discharging the sheets P from the sheet discharging unit 10b. A sheet folding unit 2 for performing folding processing such as two-folding or three-folding (Z-folding) into the folded sheet P as necessary, and a sheet folding unit 11b that is installed downstream from the sheet stacking unit 11b in the sheet conveying direction and stacks. Stapling means 3 for performing stapling processing on the aligned sheets P, a sorting unit 4 for receiving and storing the stapled sheet bundle, and a sheet bundle or stapling processing after the stapling processing. It comprises a binding means 5 for attaching a cover to a sheet bundle which has not been provided, and a punch means 7 provided in the sheet transport path for punching holes in the sheet as required. The sheet discharged from the copier 10 is conveyed to each unit in the finisher by the sheet conveying unit 6.
[0016]
《Paper transport section》
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper transport unit 6 includes a transport path 61 that receives the paper P from the paper discharge unit 10b of the copier 10 and transports the paper P downward, and a switchback transport that reverses the front and back and front and back of the paper P. A path 62, a transport path 63 for transporting the paper P to the non-sort tray 11a, a transport path 64 branching off from the transport path 63 and transporting the paper P to the paper stacking unit 11b, and a substantially starting end of the transport path 63 A transport path 65 for branching and transporting the sheet P to the binding unit 5 or the sorting unit 4, and a transport path 66 for transporting the sheet bundle from the sheet stacking unit 11 b to the sorting unit 4 or the binding unit 5, P is transported on each of these transport paths with reference to the center.
[0017]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 61 has transport roller pairs 611, 612, and 613. The switchback transport path 62 includes a transport roller 621 that can rotate forward and reverse, a driven roller 622 that rotates in contact with the transport roller 621, and the transport path 63, the transport path 64, or the transport path It has a pair of conveying rollers 623 and 624 for conveying in the 65 direction, and a sensor SE1 for detecting a sheet.
[0018]
The sheet P conveyed downward in the conveyance path 61 is first introduced into the switchback conveyance path 62. For example, when the sheet P is not folded, a predetermined time elapses after the trailing edge of the sheet P is detected by the sensor SE1, that is, when the trailing edge of the sheet enters the transport path 62, the transport roller 621 switches to reverse rotation. Is transported upward from the switchback transport path 62 toward the transport path 63.
[0019]
The transport path 63 is provided with pairs of transport rollers 631, 632, 633, and 634 and a pair of discharge rollers 635. If there is an instruction to form a punch hole at the leading end or the trailing end of the paper P, the punching means 7 Drilling is performed.
[0020]
The transport path 64 is provided with a switching claw 641 for switching the transport destination of the paper P, a transport roller pair 642, and a discharge roller pair 643, and discharges the paper P to the non-sort tray 11a or the paper stacking unit 11b.
[0021]
The transport path 65 is provided with a switching claw 651 for switching the transport destination of the paper P and a transport roller pair 652, and leads the paper P directly to the binding unit 5 or the sort unit 4 without sending the paper P to the paper stacking unit 11b.
[0022]
The switching pawls 641 and 651 are rotated by solenoids (not shown), and the sheet P conveyed from the switchback conveying path 62 is guided to either the conveying path 63 or 65 by the switching pawl 651. Become.
[0023]
The sheets P stacked and aligned in the sheet stacking unit 11b are guided to the sorting unit 4 through a transport path 66, which is a relatively thick path, if the sheets P are stapled and discharged as they are, if necessary. . On the other hand, in the case of bind bookbinding, after the stapling process is performed as required, the sheet is guided to the binding unit 5 through the transport path 66.
[0024]
The transport path 66 is provided with transport roller pairs 661, 662, and 663 that can be separated from each other, and a discharge roller 664 at the tip.
[0025]
《Sort section》
As shown in FIG. 2, the sorting section 4 includes a sort tray 41 and a drive mechanism 42 that moves the sort tray 41 up and down. The sheets P are fed into the sort tray 41 through the transport path 65 one by one at the time of large-volume copying, or sent to the staple unit 3 from the sheet stacking unit 11b, and the stapled sheet bundle passes through the transport path 66. Is sent. The sheet P or sheet bundle conveyed from the conveyance path 65 or the conveyance path 66 is guided to the tray 41 or the binding unit 5 by the switching claw 665.
[0026]
Each time the sheet P stored and stacked on the tray 41 is detected by the sensor SE2, the tray 41 is lowered by a certain amount by the driving mechanism. When the sensor SE3 detects that the tray 41 has been lowered to the lower limit, the tray 41 is full at this time, and the subsequent copy operation is interrupted. The configuration of the drive mechanism 42 for lowering the tray 41 by a fixed amount is well known, and the description is omitted.
[0027]
《Paper folding》
Outline the paper folding.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper folding means 2 is provided directly below the paper transport unit 6 of the finisher 1 and engages with a rail member (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in the drawing). The finisher 1 is configured to be movable from the front side to the back side (from the near side to the back side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing) by a plurality of rollers (not shown) provided in the paper folding means 2 so as to be detachable from the finisher 1.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet folding unit 2 receives the sheet P from the switchback unit 620 and the sheet escape conveyance path 26 when the sheet P is switched back by the switchback unit 620 without performing the sheet folding process. A first transport path 25 for performing the first fold, a second transport path 27 for performing the second fold, a paper fold unit 20 for performing several types of paper folds, A pair of switchback rollers 291 for reversing the front and back, a third conveyance path 28 for conveying to the pair of switchback rollers 291, and a switch for conveying the transfer sheet after being reversed by the pair of switchback rollers 291. And a back conveyance path 29.
[0029]
The paper folding means 2 has a function of folding the image-formed paper P in two at the center in the transport direction and a function of folding the paper P in a Z-fold. The paper folding unit 20 includes reversible folding rollers 21, 22, and 23 and a backup roller 24, and the paper P is transmitted and received by a plurality of paper transport paths 25 to 29 around these rollers 21 to 24. It is supposed to be.
[0030]
Then, a first stopper 252 for forming a loop on the sheet P by abutting the leading end of the sheet P to perform the first folding, and a sheet stopper for performing the second folding in the same manner. A second stopper 272 that forms a loop in P is provided, and the folding process is performed on the sheet P by the folding rollers 21, 22, and 23 engaging the loop. Further, a first stopper drive motor and a second stopper drive motor are provided as drive sources capable of independently moving the first stopper 252 and the second stopper 272 in the direction of the arrow in the figure (not shown). .
[0031]
According to the paper folding means 2, three paper folding modes that can be selected by an operation on the input unit of the copying machine main body 10, that is, a Z-folding mode in which the paper P is folded in a Z-shape (see FIG. 4A), A center folding (bag binding) mode in which P is folded in two at the center (see FIG. 4B), and a saddle stitching mode in which the center of a group of creased sheets P is creased for stapling. 4 (C)), the details of the paper folding means 2 including these paper folding modes will be described later.
[0032]
《Stapling device》
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the stapling means 3 performs stapling at a predetermined position of the sheet bundle after the sheet P discharged from the transport path 64 is aligned in the sheet stacking section 11b. A stapling section 31 for striking a needle and a stapling section 32 for receiving and bending the stapled staples.
[0033]
The paper stacking unit 11b aligns the leading end of the sheet P discharged onto the tray 12 (the rear end when viewed from the direction of discharge to the tray 12) by receiving the leading end stopper 12a, and the side aligning plate 13 moves in the transport direction. The paper P reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the paper P to align the paper P in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in the center folding (bag binding) mode, the side with the fold of the paper comes to the leading end stopper 12a side. Then, the first chucking means 14a and the second chucking means 14b alternately grip the sides of the sheet P to prevent the sheet P from floating, and the first chucking means 14a grips the sheet bundle and staples 3 To be sent out.
[0034]
The needle driving section 31 operates the needle cutting member and the needle bending member 312a via the cam link mechanism 312 driven by the motor M1, cuts and separates the staples of the needle cartridge 311 one by one, and bends them into a U-shape. , Projecting toward the needle receiving portion 32 side. The staple receiving portion 32 has a staple receiving member 321 that bends the protruded staples to bind the sheet bundle.
[0035]
The driving position of the staple in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction h is set in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction h by the stepping motor M2 with the staple driving portion 31 slidably mounted on the two guide shafts 313 and 314. The needle receiving portion 32 is slidably mounted on the two guide shafts 322 and 323 so that the spiral shaft 324 is driven by the stepping motor M3. This is performed by moving in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction h with the reverse rotation.
[0036]
The position where the staples are driven in the paper transport direction is determined by the movement of the chuck means 14a. Therefore, the stapling process can be performed at any of the leading end and the trailing end of the stacked sheets by the feeding amount of the first chuck means 14a. In the case of the bag binding, the folded end of the sheet (the leading end when viewed from the discharge direction to the tray 12) is pushed out until it comes to the position of the staple contact portion 31.
[0037]
Then, after the stapling process, the sheet is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers 661 that can be separated from each other, and is transported by the transport path 66.
[0038]
The above is the configuration and operation of the stapling means, which are well known and will not be described in detail (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 8-66143).
[0039]
《Binding method》
The binding means 5 bundles the sheets after copying and glues them using a commercially available cover. As shown in FIG. 2, the binding means 5 includes a cover accommodating portion 51 for accommodating a plurality of commercially available binding covers, and a cover transporting portion 52 for taking out and transporting one cover C from the cover accommodating portion 51. A sheet insertion unit 53 for holding the cover C conveyed from the cover conveyance unit 52 in an open state, a sheet conveyance unit 54 for inserting the sheet bundle conveyed in the conveyance path 67 into the cover C, A heating unit 55 for performing a heating process on the cover C in which the paper P is inserted by the insertion unit 53, and a discharging unit 56 for discharging the booklet bound by the cover C after binding out of the binding device and storing the booklet. Have been. As a result, the sheet bundle aligned in the sheet stacking unit 11b is sent to the binding unit 5 via the transport paths 66 and 67 and is subjected to the binding process as it is or after the stapling process is performed. After the sheet is folded, the sheets are sent one by one to the binding means 5 via the transport path 65, and a plurality of sheets are bound.
[0040]
In the cover accommodating portion 51, a space for accommodating the cover C is formed by the opening / closing door 511, the cover holding member 514, and the accommodating lower guides 512 and 513. When the cover C is supplied thereto, the opening / closing door 511 is opened. The cover group is housed in a V-shape with the cover group opened (the state shown in FIG. 2).
[0041]
The cover transport unit 52 contacts the back cover of the accommodated cover C and transports the front end of the cover C with a pickup roller 521, a roller pressing member 522 that presses the pickup roller 521 against the cover C, and a cover C. Sabaki roller pair 523 that conveys only one sheet, front Sabaki member 524 arranged upstream of Sabaki roller pair 523, cover detection means 525 arranged downstream of Sabaki roller pair 523, and cover arranged downstream of Sabaki roller pair 523. It has a pair of transport rollers 526, and cover transport guides 527 and 528 configured to connect the cover accommodating section 51 and the sheet insertion section 53.
[0042]
The paper insertion section 53 includes guide plates 531, 532, 533, and 534 that form an inverted triangular paper insertion space, a pair of cover resist rollers 535 disposed below the paper insertion space, and an upper portion of the paper insertion space in the cover conveyance direction. And a lateral alignment member 537 disposed in the paper insertion space above the cover registration roller pair 535.
[0043]
The distal end of the cover C transported from the cover transport unit 52 is directed upward along the guide plate 512 and abuts against the distal end stopper 536. Further, the cover C is transported, and the back of the cover is bent downward. The lower end is regulated by the cover registration roller pair 535 passing through the space 532.
[0044]
The passage of the back of the cover is detected by a cover detection sensor 538 provided above the pair of cover registration rollers 535, and the cover detection roller 535 is in contact with the cover registration roller pair 535 for a certain period of time. Thereafter, at least the upper roller of the pair of cover transport rollers 526 is retracted outside the cover transport path.
[0045]
With the retreat of the cover transport roller 526, the front end of the cover C of the cover C is engaged with the concave portion 527a of the cover transport guide 527 by the stiffness, and the rear end position of the cover C is regulated. As a result, as shown by the broken line in the figure, the cover C is set in the paper insertion portion 53 in a V-shape with the back placed on the cover registration roller pair 535.
[0046]
After the cover is set on the paper insertion portion 53, the horizontal alignment member 537 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the cover, and the end face of the cover is aligned with an alignment reference plate (not shown) provided so as to face the horizontal alignment member 537. And the position is regulated.
[0047]
The paper transport unit 54 includes a transport roller pair 541 that transports the sheet bundle to the paper insertion unit 53 in the transport path 67 extended to above the registration roller pair 535, and a detection that detects the paper P in the transport path 67. The sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying roller pair 541 has a sensor 543 and falls by its own weight into the cover C which is open upward in the sheet insertion section 53. The end to which the sheet is bonded is adjusted by the weight drop.
[0048]
The heating unit 55 includes a heating plate 551 for heating the back of the cover C conveyed from the paper insertion unit 53, a heater 552 disposed below the heating plate 551, and a periphery of a lower portion of the heater 552. A reflecting plate 553 formed to concentrate heat on the heating plate 551; a heater supporting plate 554 for integrally holding the heating plate 551, the heater 552 and the reflecting plate 553; and a shield attached to the heater supporting plate 554. And a temperature detecting sensor 556.
[0049]
When the sheet bundle is inserted into the cover C in the sheet insertion section 53, the pair of cover transport rollers 526 presses the end of the cover C, and then at least one of the pair of cover registration rollers 535 retreats outside the sheet insertion space. . Then, the cover resist roller pair 535 is rotated forward and simultaneously, the cover transport roller pair 526 is rotated, and the cover C and the sheet bundle are sent to the heating unit 55 below the sheet insertion unit 53. The drive of the pair 535 is stopped, the cover transport roller pair 526 is separated, and at the same time, the cover C and the sheet bundle are pressed against each other by the cover resist roller pair 535. By this operation, the end of the sheet bundle in the cover C is further adjusted.
[0050]
After the alignment operation, the cover resist roller pair 535 heats the back of the cover on the heating plate 551 at an appropriate temperature for a certain time in a state where the cover C and the sheet bundle are pressed against each other to melt the adhesive adhered to the back of the cover. Then, the cover C and the sheet bundle are bonded. Thereafter, the time when the cover C and the sheet bundle are securely bonded is measured, and the cover registration roller pair 535 is rotated forward and discharged.
[0051]
The discharge unit 56 includes a discharge guide 561, a closing plate 562, and a discharge tray 563. The cover C conveyed from the heating unit 55 slides down the inclined surface of the discharge guide 561 by its own weight, and the discharge tray 563.
[0052]
《Control unit》
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a copying system including a finisher, and mainly includes a copying machine CPU 910 for controlling the copying machine 10 and a finisher CPU 980 for controlling the finisher 1 (corresponding to control means). .
[0053]
A drive system and a sensor system of various motors and the like installed in the copier 10 are connected to the copier CPU 910, and perform overall control of the copier 10. The copying machine CPU 910 includes an input unit including a mode input switch for setting various operation modes such as a paper folding mode and a staple mode, a number input switch for setting the number of copies, and the like, and a display unit for performing various displays. Is connected. A portion enclosed by a broken line in the drawing indicates a document transport system, and a sensor system such as a document size detection sensor and a drive system such as a transport motor for transporting the document are connected to the CPU 910 for the copying machine.
[0054]
On the other hand, the finisher CPU 980 receives each operation mode, paper size, and the like from the copier CPU 910, and controls the operation of each part of the finisher 1 according to the information. Here, the finisher CPU 980 receives a detection signal from a sensor system such as a paper detection sensor and outputs a control signal to a drive system such as various motors and solenoids.
[0055]
This embodiment is particularly characterized by the control of the stopper of the paper folding means 2. Next, the paper folding means 2 will be described in detail.
[0056]
《Details of paper folding》
As described above, the paper folding unit 2 performs the paper escape transport path 26 when switching back without performing the paper folding process, the first transport path 25 for performing the first folding, and the second folding. , A paper folding section 20 for performing several types of paper folding, a pair of switchback rollers 291 for performing flipping after folding, a third transportation path 28 for transporting to a pair of switchback rollers 291 and a switch. A switchback transport path 29 for transporting from the back roller pair 291 to the next process is provided.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 7, the escape transport path 26 includes transport guides 261 and 262. The first transport path 25 is formed of transport guides 253, 254, 255 and 256 configured to be openable and closable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It is provided between the folding unit 20 and adjacent to the folding rollers 21 and 22.
[0058]
The first transport path 25 is provided with a backup roller 24 which is pressed against the folding roller 22 to assist the transport of the sheet in the first transport path 25 and facilitate the engagement of the sheet in the folding section 20. .
[0059]
Further, the first transport path 25 is provided with a first stopper 252 movable in the paper transport direction in accordance with the paper folding mode and the paper size. The first stopper 252 is operated by a stepping motor as a drive source (not shown). 252 is performed.
[0060]
A switching member 251 is provided upstream of the first transport path 25 for selectively switching the paper transported from the switchback unit 620 to the release transport path 26 or the first transport path 25, and a solenoid (not shown) is provided. It is turned by.
[0061]
The second conveyance path 27 is formed by conveyance guides 273 and 274, and is provided with a second stopper 272 for abutting the leading end of the sheet. The second stopper 272 is operated by a stepping motor as a driving source (not shown). In the paper transport direction.
[0062]
A switching member 271 that can selectively guide the leading end of the sheet in the direction of the second stopper 272 or in the direction in which the sheet is engaged with the folding rollers 21 and 23 is provided near the folding roller 21 in the second conveyance path 27. The switching is performed by a solenoid (not shown).
[0063]
The paper folding section 20 is composed of three folding rollers 21, 22, 23. The three folding rollers 21, 22, 23 are arranged such that the folding rollers 21 and 22, 21 and 23 are pressed against each other. The motor is configured to be rotatable forward and backward by a drive source (not shown).
[0064]
In addition, a heating unit is provided inside each of the folding rollers, and a better folding process can be performed on the sheet by heating the rollers themselves.
[0065]
The third conveyance path 28 is formed by conveyance guides 281 and 282, and is configured to be coupled from the vicinity of the folding rollers 21 and 23 to the upstream of the switchback roller pair 291 of the switchback conveyance path 29.
[0066]
The switchback roller pair 291 is capable of normal and reverse rotation by a drive source (not shown).
[0067]
The switchback transport path 29 is formed to include transport guides 292, 293, and 294, and is configured to merge with the transport path 653 (see FIG. 3). Transport roller pairs 295 and 296 for feeding are arranged.
[0068]
Further, at a connection portion between the third transport path 28 and the switchback transport path 29, a reverse feed preventing member 297 composed of a mylar or the like attached to the transport guide 282 is provided. This prevents entry into the third transport path 28.
[0069]
《Paper folding mode》
The paper folding means 2 has the following four paper folding modes, including a mode in which the paper folding process is not performed, and is controlled so that it can be automatically selected by an operation on the input unit of the copying machine body 10. .
[0070]
The first mode is a through mode in which the paper P is evacuated and conveyed without being folded into the folding unit 20 when the paper P is switched back by the upstream switchback unit 620 (see FIG. 3) without performing the paper folding process. This is a mode in which the sheet is conveyed to the path 26, and FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams sequentially illustrating the sheet processing in the through mode.
[0071]
In this mode, the switching member 251 is rotated so as to release the sheet P and to be conveyed to the conveying path 26 by a signal from the copying machine main body 10 indicating that no folding process is performed. The paper P carried into the means 2 is conveyed to the escape conveyance path 26, and thereafter, is switched back by the switchback unit 620 according to a switchback signal, and is conveyed downstream.
[0072]
The second mode is a Z-fold mode (see FIG. 4A) for folding a large-size sheet into a Z shape. FIGS. 9A to 9C and FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram sequentially illustrating sheet processing in a Z-fold mode.
[0073]
The sheet P discharged from the copying machine main body 10 and conveyed into the sheet folding means 2 is conveyed by the switchback roller pairs 621 and 622 toward the first conveying path 25 so as to be subjected to the first folding. The signal passes through the switching member 251 which is rotated so as to be conveyed to the first conveyance path 25 side by a signal from the machine body 10. At this time, the rotation of the folding roller 22 of the folding unit 20 is stopped, and the leading end of the sheet P is stopped by the folding roller 22 and the backup roller 24 to form a slight loop. As a result, the leading edge of the sheet P is aligned at the folding roller 22 and the backup roller 24, and the fold is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet P when the folding process is performed. (1)).
[0074]
The paper P having the aligned leading ends is fed by a signal from the paper detection sensor SE1 disposed upstream, with the folding roller 22 and the backup roller 24 starting to rotate in the direction of arrow a immediately after the paper P forms a slight loop. As a result, the sheet is conveyed toward the first stopper 252 which has been moved and stopped at a predetermined position in response to the folding mode / paper size signal from the copying machine main body 10, and the leading end comes into contact with the first stopper 252 (FIG. 9 ( 2)). When the paper P is transported as it is, a loop is formed near the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 22 that perform the first folding (FIG. 9C), and when the paper P is further transported, the paper P is caught in the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 22. Thus, the first folding is completed (FIG. 9D).
[0075]
Needless to say, the first transport path 25 is configured to bend toward the nip side of the folding rollers 21 and 22 when the sheet P comes into contact with the first stopper 252 to form a loop.
[0076]
The sheet P, for which the first folding has been completed, is switched by the switching member 271 rotated to guide the sheet P to the second conveying path 27 in response to a Z-folding instruction signal from the copier main body 10. The leading end of the second stopper 272 which has been conveyed to the position corresponding to the sheet size is brought into contact with the second stopper 272 (FIG. 9 (5)). The paper P further transported by the folding rollers 21 and 22 forms a loop near the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 23 for performing the second folding, and this loop is caught in the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 23. The second folding is completed by being transported as it is (FIG. 10 (6)). Also in this case, it goes without saying that the second transport path 27 is configured to bend to the nip side of the folding rollers 21 and 23 that perform the second folding when forming the loop of the paper P.
[0077]
After the second folding is completed, the sheet P that has been Z-folded is conveyed to the third conveyance path 28 and further conveyed toward the switchback conveyance path 29. Here, after a lapse of time from the trailing end of the sheet P passing through the sensor SE4 (see FIG. 7) by the switchback roller pair 291 and passing through the reverse feed prevention member 297, the rotation of the switchback roller pair 291 is shown in FIG. The switch is switched back by changing from the direction of arrow c shown in FIG. 7) to the direction of arrow d shown in FIG. 10 (8), and by a pair of transport rollers 295 and 296 driven by a drive source (not shown) toward the downstream transport path 653. It is transported (FIG. 10 (9)).
[0078]
In the Z-fold mode, which is the second mode, the first folding position is configured to be arbitrarily selectable by the user, and is folded to half the length of the sheet according to the first folding position. By controlling the second folding position, the length of the sheet in the folded state after the Z-folding process can always be reduced to half the total length of the sheet even when the first folding position is changed. Time consistency can be ensured.
[0079]
That is, since the finish of the paper folding, particularly the Z-fold, may be slightly different depending on the user, an input for fine-adjusting the finish of the paper folding by the user is provided in the input unit of the copying machine 10. A switch is provided. Therefore, when the user specifies the amount of deviation (Lc in FIG. 11B) of the sheet P after the completion of the Z-folding, the position La of the first stopper 252 for performing the first folding is changed to the regular position La. = L / 4 to La = L / 4−Lc / 2, and it is moved to that position (see FIG. 11A). Here, L represents the entire length of the sheet in the spread state, La represents the distance from the nip between the rollers 21 and 22 to the first stopper 252, and Lb represents the distance from the nip between the rollers 21 and 23 to the second stopper 272. Further, the position Lb of the second stopper 272 is changed from the regular position Lb = L / 4 to Lb = L / 4 + Lc / 2, and is moved to this position. As a result, even when the first folding position is changed, the length of the sheet in the folded state after the Z-folding process is always half the length of the sheet L in the unfolded state before the Z-folding process.
[0080]
In the Z-folding mode of the second mode, in the post-processing stage after the folding process, the post-processing is performed by mixing the Z-folded paper and the A4 paper at A3 or the Z-folded paper and the B5 paper at B4. Mixed loading becomes possible.
[0081]
That is, in preparation for the mixed loading mode, the first stopper 252 and the second stopper 272 of the sheet folding means 2 are previously moved to the Z-folding position at A3 for A4Y copying and to the Z-folding position at B4 for B5Y copying. By making the printer stand by, it is not necessary to move the stopper in the middle of the mixed mode, so that the peak value of the current consumption can be reduced and the wait time during copying can be eliminated.
[0082]
In the mixed mode, as for the sheet of the Z-folding process after the sheet without the Z-folding process, the sheet can be carried in at an interval of a normal sheet, but the Z-folding process after the sheet after the Z-folding process is not performed. Cannot be carried in until the Z-folding process of the previous sheet to be Z-folded is completed. Therefore, by providing a wait time, it is possible to prevent the order of pages and the collision between sheets from occurring.
[0083]
The third mode is a center-folding (bag-binding) mode in which the sheet is folded in two at the center, and FIGS. 12A to 12F are diagrams sequentially illustrating sheet processing in the center-folding mode.
[0084]
The center folding mode is similar to the Z-folding mode except that the position of the first stopper 252 is different from that of the first folding operation in the Z-folding mode. (FIGS. 12 (1) and 12 (2)), the switching member 271 provided at the entrance of the second transport path 27 transfers the sheet P to the second transport path 27 after the first folding is completed. Since it is not rotated so as to be guided, it is directly conveyed toward the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 23 for performing the second folding. (FIG. 12 (3)). In other words, if the paper P is immediately caught in the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 23 for performing the second folding after passing through the folding rollers 21 and 23, the sheet P is directly conveyed to the third conveyance path 28 and then switched back. The sheet is transported to the transport path 29 (FIG. 12 (4)), where it is turned over by the switchback roller pair 291 in the same manner as in the Z-folding, and transported to the downstream transport path 653 (FIG. 12 (5)).
[0085]
The fourth mode is a saddle stitching mode in which creases for stapling are performed at the center of a group of creased sheets, such as a weekly magazine, and FIGS. 13 (1) to (5) show saddle stitching modes. FIG. 6 is a diagram sequentially illustrating sheet processing in FIG.
[0086]
In the saddle stitching mode, the sheet P discharged from the copying machine main body 10 is positioned so as to be folded in two at the center according to the size of the sheet P, as in the third mode. The sheet is conveyed toward the first stopper 252 of the path 25 and forms a loop as in the third mode (FIG. 13 (2)), and this loop bites into the nip of the rollers 21 and 22 performing the first folding. In rare cases, the conveyance is continued downstream until the set time of the timer started at the timing when the sensor SE1 disposed upstream detects the rear end of the sheet P (FIG. 13 (3)).
[0087]
After the lapse of the set time, the folding rollers 21 and 22 and the pair of switchback rollers 621 and 622, which have been rotating in the direction of arrow a so as to convey the sheet P downstream, rotate in the direction of arrow b. The folded portion comes out of the nip of the folding rollers 21 and 22 and is opened with a crease in the center, and is then switched back so that the former end is the leading end, and is conveyed again to the upstream side Then, the sheet is further conveyed to the next process section of the finisher 1 via the conveying path 653 (FIGS. 13 (4) and (5)).
[0088]
If the above operation is repeated up to the number of sheets set by the user and the saddle stitching process is performed in the next process processing section, a desired group of sheets that have been subjected to the saddle stitching process can be obtained.
[0089]
《Mixed operation》
FIG. 14 shows a copying operation when originals having a combination of the same length in the width direction and different lengths in the transport direction, such as A3T and A4Y (or B4T and B5Y), are mixed. Description will be made with reference to a flowchart showing the movement control of the stopper when the originals are mixed.
[0090]
The finisher CPU 980 of the finisher 1 receives, from the copy machine CPU 910 of the copy machine 10, various signals representing the size of the paper P on which an image is to be formed and the mode set by the user. The finisher CPU 980 performs an operation according to the paper size and the operation mode, such as movement of the stoppers 252 and 272 of the paper folding means 2 based on the information.
[0091]
The main body of the copying machine 10 has storage means for storing images, and it is possible to form images after reading the images of all the originals. The image forming operation is performed in parallel.
[0092]
The copier CPU 910 also detects the size of the original when reading the image of the original, determines the paper size on which to form an image based on information such as the magnification set by the user, and determines the size of each paper determined for each original. A signal representing the paper size is transmitted to the finisher CPU 980 each time. The finisher CPU 980 controls the movement of the stoppers 252 and 272 of the sheet folding means 2 based on the signal.
[0093]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the finisher CPU 980 first determines whether or not the paper folding mode is set for the sheet to be processed (step S1), and the paper folding mode is set. In this case, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0094]
In step S2, it is determined whether the folding mode corresponding to the sheet to be processed is the Z folding mode. If the folding mode is the Z folding mode, the position of the first stopper 252 of the folding unit 2 is set to La = L. The first stopper 252 is moved by operating a drive source (not shown) so that (paper size) / 4 (step S3). Note that L is the length of the sheet in the transport direction (the same applies hereinafter). Further, when the sheet size is B4, the drive source (not shown) is operated to move the second stopper 272 so that the position of the second stopper 272 of the sheet folding means 2 is set to La = L (B4 size) / 4. (Step S5), and when the paper size is not B4, that is, when the paper size is A3, the drive source is operated so that the position of the second stopper 272 of the paper folding means 2 becomes La = L (A3 size) / 4. Then, the second stopper 272 is moved (Step S6).
[0095]
When the paper folding mode is set and the mode is not the Z folding mode, that is, in the case of the center folding mode or the saddle stitching mode, the position of the first stopper 252 is set to La = L (paper size) / 2. Then, the drive source is operated to move the first stopper 252 (step S7).
[0096]
On the other hand, when the sheet folding mode corresponding to the sheet to be processed is not set (NO in step S1), the processing is performed as follows. In other words, when the paper size is A4Y (YES in step S8), the drive source is operated by operating the drive source so that the position of the first stopper 252 of the paper folding unit 2 becomes La = L (A3 size) / 4. The first stopper 252 is moved (step S9), and the second stopper 272 is moved by operating the drive source so that the position of the second stopper 272 is set to La = L (A4 size) / 4 (step S9). S10). If the paper size is B5Y instead of A4Y (YES in step S11), the drive source is operated so that the position of the first stopper 252 of the paper folding unit 2 is set to La = L (B4 size) / 4. Then, the first stopper 252 is moved (step S12), and the drive source is operated to move the second stopper 272 so that the position of the second stopper 272 becomes La = L (B4 size) / 4. Perform (Step S13).
[0097]
As described above, first, in the mode in which an image is formed only on sheets of the same size, the movement of the stoppers 252 and 272 of the sheet folding means 2 starts when a signal indicating the size of the first sheet is received. Therefore, the movement of the stoppers 252 and 272 can be completed before the image of the first sheet is formed and carried into the finisher 1.
[0098]
Here, when only one of A4Y and A3T is Z-folded and an image is formed on a combination of sheets of the same size in a folded state, some of the first sheets do not need to be folded. When an image is formed on a sheet that needs to be folded, the finisher CPU 980 receives a signal indicating the size of the sheet that needs to be folded from the copying machine CPU 910, and then moves the stoppers 252 and 272. In this case, the stoppers 252 and 272 are moved while the sheet is being conveyed in the finisher 1. In such a case, as a method of not operating both the driving source of the stopper movement and the driving of the sheet conveyance at the same time in order to reduce current consumption per unit time, for example, a method of recognizing all document sizes before the start of image formation, For example, a method of delaying image formation of a sheet of a larger size and moving a stopper after completing conveyance and discharging of a sheet of a smaller size can be considered. However, all of these methods reduce productivity.
[0099]
Thus, in the present embodiment, as described above, the finisher CPU 980 determines that the signal transmitted from the copier CPU 910 has the same width in the width direction as A4Y, B5Y, or the like, when Z-folded. When there is another sheet (A3T, B4T in this case) having a large length in the transport direction, control is performed to activate a drive source to move the stoppers 252 and 272 to the position where the other sheet is Z-folded in advance. Is performed, it is possible to complete the movement of the stoppers 252 and 272 before the paper is always conveyed into the finisher 1. As a result, it is possible to avoid simultaneously operating the driving source for the stopper movement and the driving source for the paper conveyance, and it is possible to reduce the current consumption per unit time without lowering the copy productivity. Become.
[0100]
However, depending on the user, it may be better not to Z-fold a large-size sheet when a combination of originals is mixed, as described above. And a mode in which Z-folding is not performed. Therefore, when the mode that does not perform Z-folding is set by the input unit, there is no need to move the stopper, and the stoppers 252 and 272 are not moved.
[0101]
In a device provided with paper folding means, in one operation mode, the size of the paper after folding is the same, and the combination of the normally used paper and the folding mode is the combination of paper such as A3T and A4Y. There is only a combination in which only the larger size sheet is Z-folded. Other combinations of paper and folding mode are combinations that do not become the same size after folding or that are not normally used such as mixed folding and Z-folding. In such a case, It is preferable to provide a function of prohibiting reception or changing the size of the paper on which an image is formed and performing processing.
[0102]
As described above, Z-folding means that only one of the sheets folded inward at a half position in the sheet transport direction is folded outward at a half position, that is, a quarter of the sheet before being folded. In the folding method, the end face of the folded portion that is folded inward and the end face of the sheet that is folded outward are slightly displaced toward the inside of the sheet. This is to prevent the shifted portion from being folded together when folded inward when the end face is shifted to the outside of the sheet.
[0103]
Depending on the user, adjustment of the shift amount may be required. However, the flowchart of FIG. 14 shows a case where the shift amount is not adjusted. Here, in the case of adjusting the shift amount, the user specifies the shift amount (Lc in FIG. 11B) on the sheet P after the Z-folding is completed, thereby setting the first folding position. The position La of the first stopper 252 for performing the correction is moved to La = L / 4−Lc / 2 with respect to the regular position La = L / 4 by the driving means, and the position Lb of the second stopper 272 is The driving unit corrects and moves the normal position Lb = L / 4 to Lb = L / 4 + Lc / 2.
[0104]
Thus, even when the first folding position is changed, the length of the sheet in the folded state after the Z-folding process can always be made half of the total length L of the sheet in the unfolded state before the Z-folding process. Therefore, when the originals are mixed as described above, the completed ones can be folded to have the same size in a folded state, and the accommodating ability when stacking the folded sheets is not deteriorated.
[0105]
The embodiments described above are not described to limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the position of the second stopper 272 is moved by driving means such as a stepping motor (not shown). However, when the deviation amount is not adjusted, the second stopper 272 is simply moved. The stopper 272 may be configured to be able to move forward and backward in a direction orthogonal to the transport path by a driving means such as a solenoid. However, in this case, the edge of the second conveyance path 273 is formed at the position in the case of Z-folding at A3, and the position where the solenoid is turned on and the second stopper 272 is protruded to block the conveyance path is set. It is necessary to provide a configuration in which the position of the second stopper 272 in the sheet conveyance direction can be switched by setting the position in the case of Z-folding at B4.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to move the stopper midway in the mixed loading mode, and it is possible to avoid simultaneously operating the drive source for moving the stopper and the drive source for transporting the paper. be able to.
Therefore, the wait time during copying can be eliminated, so that the copy productivity does not decrease and the overlap of the peak values of the current consumption can be eliminated, so that the current consumption per unit time can be reduced. It becomes possible.
[0107]
According to the second aspect of the invention, for example, in the case of Z-folding, even when the first folding position is changed, the sheet length in the folded state after the Z-folding processing is always the same as before the Z-folding processing. It can be reduced to half of the total length of the paper in the spread state. That is, the folded recording material can be made the same size in the folded state. Therefore, the accommodating ability when stacking the folded recording materials does not deteriorate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a copier to which a finisher according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of the finisher.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a paper folding unit of the finisher.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic perspective views illustrating a paper folding mode.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a paper stacking unit and stapling means of the finisher.
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a copying system including a finisher.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating details of a paper folding unit of the finisher.
FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams sequentially illustrating sheet processing in a through mode.
FIGS. 9 (1) to 9 (5) are diagrams sequentially illustrating sheet processing in the Z-fold mode.
FIGS. 10 (6) to (9) are diagrams sequentially showing sheet processing in the Z-folding mode following FIGS. 9 (1) to (5).
11A is a diagram for explaining a stopper position, and FIG. 11B is a diagram for explaining a spread state of a sheet before Z folding and a finished state after Z folding.
FIGS. 12 (1) to (5) are diagrams sequentially illustrating sheet processing in the center folding mode.
13 (1) to 13 (5) are diagrams sequentially illustrating sheet processing in the saddle stitching mode.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating movement control of a stopper when originals are mixed.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Finisher,
2. Paper folding means
3. Staple means,
4 ... sorting section,
5… Binding means,
6. Paper transport unit
7 ... punch means,
10. Copier (image forming apparatus)
20: paper folding section,
21 to 23: folding roller,
25 ... first transport path,
27: second transport path,
252: first stopper,
272: second stopper,
910: CPU for copier,
980: Finisher CPU (control means),
P: paper (recording material).

Claims (2)

A finisher that is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording material and performs various post-processing on the image-formed recording material discharged from the image forming apparatus;
At least two stoppers for forming a loop in the recording material by abutting the leading end of the recording material;
A folding roller for folding the recording material by biting the loop,
A drive source for moving the position of the stopper,
If a recording material on which an image is to be formed is folded, if there is another recording material having the same width direction length and a large conveyance direction length that becomes the same size as the recording material, the other recording material is removed. Control means for operating a drive source to move the position of the stopper in advance to a position for folding. A finisher that is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the recording material and performs various post-processing on the image-formed recording material discharged from the image forming apparatus;
At least two stoppers for forming a loop in the recording material by abutting the leading end of the recording material;
A folding roller for folding the recording material by biting the loop,
A drive source for moving the position of the stopper,
Control means for activating a drive source to independently correct and move the positions of the at least two stoppers based on information from the image forming apparatus in which a finished state of folding processing on the recording material is set. Finisher.

Images