JP3639381B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a collating unit that collates an image-formed sheet discharged from the image forming unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit such as a copying machine or a printing machine and a sorter for collating sheets discharged from the image forming unit is known. The sorter includes a plurality of bins for receiving paper, a transport collating mechanism for transporting the received paper and storing it in each bin, and a passing transport mechanism for passing the received paper and feeding it to an adjacent sorter. The sorter can be used by connecting two or more towers. In that case, collation is performed from each bin of the first tower sorter close to the image forming means, and the paper that has entered the first tower sorter is collated into each bin by the transport collation mechanism of the first tower sorter. Combined. When collation with the sorter for the first tower is completed, the transporting mechanism for the sorter for the first tower is switched, and the paper entering the first tower is sent to the sorter for the second tower via the sorter for the first tower. Is done. The paper that has entered the sorter of the second tower is collated with each bin by the transport collating mechanism of the sorter of the second tower.
[0003]
In the image formation and collation of sheets using the multiple tower sorters as described above, the image forming apparatus is temporarily stopped after forming the number of sheets that can be fed into the first tower. A predetermined number of sheets formed and discharged from the image forming apparatus are fed into the first tower sorter, and it is confirmed that the sheet has entered the last bin of the first tower sorter. The sorter passing conveyance mechanism was switched, the image forming apparatus was started again, and the paper was sent to the second tower.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to conventional paper image formation and collation using a multi-column sorter, the image forming apparatus is stopped to check whether or not the paper is properly stored in all bins of the sorter. There was a problem that it took a long time. Therefore, if the number of sheets to be collated with the sorter of the first tower is discharged, it is necessary to change the passing transport mechanism of the sorter of the first tower and perform image formation continuously without interrupting image formation. It should be possible to form an image on a number of sheets and collate with a multi-column sorter.
[0005]
However, when multiple tower sorters are connected and used as described above, they are not necessarily stored in the bins in the order in which they are discharged. When the paper is transported toward the lower bin, a state in which a sheet discharged later is already stored in the upper bin of the second tower may occur.
[0006]
In such a state, when a paper jam occurs in the first sorter, conventionally, the paper discharged after the jammed paper is properly collated in the bin by the second sorter. In spite of this, they had to be treated as if they were not properly collated.
[0007]
For example, a case where two towers having 20 bins are used and 30 sheets are collated one by one will be described as an example. The number of sheets on which an image is to be formed is set in the image forming means, and image formation is started. The sheets sequentially discharged from the image forming means are sent to the transport collating mechanism of the first tower sorter and sequentially collated from the bin near the entrance. When the 16th sheet is collated with the 16th bin of the first tower sorter, the 17th to 20th sheets are already fed into the first tower sorter and conveyed by the conveyance collating mechanism. In addition, the passage transport mechanism of the first tower is switched to the sorter of the second tower, and the 21st to 25th sheets are fed from the top of the second tower to the 5th bottle. Collation is complete.
[0008]
This is because the transport collating mechanism from the top of the second tower to the fifth bin is longer than the length of moving the transport collating mechanism until the 16th sheet enters the 16th bin of the first tower sorter. This is because when the 16th sheet enters the 16th bin of the first tower, the 21st to 25th sheets are contained in the 1st to 5th bins of the second tower.
[0009]
Under these conditions, if a jam occurs in the 16th bin of the first tower sorter, the five sheets of paper that have passed through the first tower sorter and entered the second tower sorter are: In the second tower sorter, it should be treated as an illegal collation even though it has been collated normally from the top to the 5th bin (or at least it may have been collated normally). I had to. As described above, the 16th and subsequent sheets discharged from the image forming unit, that is, 10 sheets out of 25 sheets discharged from the image forming unit have to be discarded as jammed sheets.
[0010]
According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that uses a plurality of tower sorters connected together, the paper is collated with the second tower sorter before the paper collation with respect to the final bin of the first tower sorter is completed. In the case where a jam occurs in the first sorter, the paper that has been collated normally to the second sorter can be effectively handled as a correctly collated paper without being jammed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing collation while minimizing the number of removed sheets.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a plurality of tower collating units, a detecting unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a predetermined number of sheets for image formation and sequentially discharges the image. The plurality of tower collating means has a plurality of bins to which the paper ejected from the image forming means is collated, respectively, so that the paper ejected from the image forming means can pass sequentially. They are connected in series and attached to the image forming means. The detection unit detects a jam of the paper discharged from the image forming unit. The storage means stores the set number of image formations and the number of regular collation bins representing the number of bins in which the paper has been properly collated for each collating means. The control unit obtains a new image formation set number from the difference between the image formation set number stored in the storage unit and the regular collation bin number when the detection unit detects a jam, and the jam is released. After that, the image forming means is controlled based on the new set number of image formation, and the collation means in which jam has occurred starts collation from the bin where regular collation is not performed. Each collating means is controlled so that collation is performed from the bin next to the collated bin in the collating means subsequent to the collating means in which a jam has occurred.
[0012]
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the presence or absence of the sheet, and the control unit is within a predetermined reference time starting from a predetermined reference time. If the detection unit does not detect the paper, it is determined that a jam has occurred.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a plurality of tower collating units, a switching mechanism, a detecting unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a predetermined number of sheets for image formation and sequentially discharges the image. The plurality of tower collating means is provided with a plurality of bins to which the paper discharged from the image forming means is collated and movably provided in the vicinity of the bin to guide the paper to a desired bin. And a guide unit for collating, and the sheets discharged from the image forming unit are connected in series so as to be sequentially passed and attached to the image forming unit. The switching mechanism selectively sets the transport direction of the paper received by the collating means to either the bin of the collating means that has received the paper or the adjacent collating means. The detecting means detects a jam of the paper discharged from the image forming means. The storage means stores the set number of image formations and the number of regular collation bins representing the number of bins in which the paper has been properly collated for each collating means. The control unit obtains a new image formation set number from the difference between the image formation set number stored in the storage unit and the regular collation bin number when the detection unit detects a jam, and the jam is released. After that, the image forming means is controlled based on the new set number of image formation, and the collation means in which jam has occurred starts collation from the bin where regular collation is not performed. Each collating means is controlled so that collation is performed from the bin next to the collated bin in the collating means subsequent to the collating means in which a jam has occurred.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the detecting means detects the presence or absence of the paper, and the control means is within a predetermined reference time starting from a predetermined reference time. When the detection unit does not detect the paper, it is determined that a jam has occurred.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the detecting unit detects the presence or absence of the sheet in the bin of the collating unit.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the detection unit detects the presence or absence of the paper in the switching mechanism.
[0017]
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the number of regular collation bins stored in the storage unit is calculated from the position of the guide unit of each collation unit. It is characterized by that.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a stencil printing apparatus 1 as image forming means, and a plurality of sorters 2 as collating means for collating printed paper. First, the configuration of the stencil printing apparatus 1 will be described.
[0019]
The stencil printing apparatus 1 includes a cylindrical plate cylinder 4 rotatably supported on a machine frame (not shown) around its central axis. At least a part of the peripheral wall of the plate cylinder 4 is porous so that ink can pass through it. A clamp mechanism 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the plate cylinder 4. The clamp mechanism 6 locks one end of the stencil sheet 8.
[0020]
The plate cylinder 4 is connected to a sprocket 10 provided coaxially with the central axis 4a. The sprocket 10 is connected to the drive sprocket 11 of the plate cylinder drive motor 14 a of the plate cylinder drive mechanism 14 by an endless belt 12. The plate cylinder 4 is driven to rotate intermittently or continuously in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by the power of the plate cylinder drive motor 14a of the plate cylinder drive mechanism 14.
[0021]
A printing ink supply means 16 is provided in the cylinder of the plate cylinder 4. The printing ink supply means 16 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 4. The printing ink supply means 16 includes a squeegee roller 20 that can rotate about its own central axis 18, and a doctor roller 22 that extends along the generatrix direction of the roller with a predetermined distance from the outer peripheral surface of the squeegee roller 20. have. The printing ink supply means 16 supplies the printing ink in the ink reservoir 24 to the inner peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 4 when the squeegee roller 20 is driven to rotate in the same direction as the plate cylinder 4 in synchronization with the rotation of the plate cylinder 4. To do.
[0022]
The printing ink in the ink reservoir 24 passes through the gap between the squeegee roller 20 and the doctor roller 22 as the squeegee roller 20 rotates, and is measured at that time to print on the outer peripheral surface of the squeegee roller 20 with a uniform thickness. An ink layer is formed. The printing ink layer is supplied to the inner peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 4 along with the rotation of the squeegee roller 20 for printing. A press roller 26 that presses the printing paper P against the plate cylinder 4 is provided at a position outside the plate cylinder 4 facing the squeegee roller 20.
[0023]
A paper feed base 28 for setting printing paper P to be fed between the plate cylinder 4 and the press roller 26 is provided obliquely to the left of the plate cylinder 4. The paper feed table 28 is moved up and down by a driving device (not shown) corresponding to the amount of stacked printing paper P.
[0024]
A paper feed mechanism 30 is provided in the vicinity of the paper feed table 28. The paper feed mechanism 30 includes a paper feed roller 32 made of rubber or the like and a pair of timing rollers 34. The paper feed roller 32 picks up one sheet at a time from the top of the printing paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 28 and conveys it to the timing roller 34 side. The timing roller 34 temporarily holds the print paper P sent from the paper feed roller 32 during printing, and sends the print paper P between the plate cylinder 4 and the press roller 26 at an appropriate timing.
[0025]
A plate discharging mechanism 48 is provided around the plate cylinder 4 and above the paper feed table 28. The plate discharge mechanism 48 peels and stores the used stencil sheet wound around the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 4 as the plate cylinder 4 rotates. A printed paper separation claw 50 is provided around the plate cylinder 4 at a position facing the paper feeding mechanism 30.
[0026]
The printed paper separation claw 50 is for removing the printed paper that has been printed from the plate cylinder 4. The printed paper peeled off by the printed paper separation claw 50 is conveyed to the paper discharge port 54 side by the paper discharge device 52. The paper discharge device 52 includes a belt conveyor device 56 and a suction device 58. The paper discharge port is formed by the belt conveyor device 56 while the printed paper peeled off from the plate cylinder 4 by the separation claw 50 is sucked by the suction device 58. It is transported to the 54 side.
[0027]
Behind the paper discharge port 54, a paper discharge table 60 as a stacker unit is provided. The paper discharge table 60 stores printed paper conveyed from the paper discharge device 52 when a non-sort mode that does not use the sorter 2 described later is selected.
[0028]
A base paper storage unit 62 is provided above the paper discharge device 52. The base paper storage unit 62 stores a continuous sheet of stencil base paper 8 wound in a roll.
[0029]
A plate making mechanism 64 is provided between the base paper storage unit 62 and the plate cylinder 4. The plate making mechanism 64 has a thermal head 66 and a platen roller 68 facing the thermal head 66. The plate making mechanism 64 performs the plate making of the stencil paper 8 supplied from the base paper storage section 62 in a heat sensitive manner.
[0030]
Although not shown in the drawing, the thermal head 66 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in a horizontal row, that is, in the main scanning direction at regular intervals. The heating element of the thermal head 66 selectively generates heat according to an image information signal read by a reading device (not shown). The stencil stencil sheet made by the plate making mechanism 64 is conveyed to the plate cylinder 4 side by the stencil sheet conveying roller pair 70. A cutter device 72 is provided between the plate making mechanism 64 and the plate cylinder 4 to cut the stencil sheet 8 when a predetermined amount of the stencil sheet has been wound around the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 4.
[0031]
Next, the configuration of the sorter 2 that collates the printing paper P printed by the stencil printing apparatus 1 will be described. The sorter 2 includes a bin row 76 made up of a number of bins that store printed paper conveyed from the stencil printing apparatus 1 in a housing 74 that forms an outer housing. The sorter 2 is configured to be capable of multistage connection to the stencil printing apparatus 1. In the illustrated example, two sorters 2 of a first sorter 2 </ b> A at the front stage and a second sorter 2 </ b> B at the rear stage are connected to the stencil printing apparatus 1 in series.
[0032]
The first sorter 2A and the second sorter 2B have the same configuration except that only the first sorter 2A is provided with an introduction transport mechanism 80 described later. Therefore, the configuration of the first sorter 2A will be described in detail with reference to the enlarged view of FIG.
[0033]
The bin row 76 is composed of a plurality of bins 78 each made of the same rectangular plate member. The bins 78 are arranged in a layered manner at regular intervals d in the height direction (vertical direction) of the housing 74 and fixedly arranged near the rear portion inside the housing 74.
[0034]
On one side of the housing 74 facing the paper discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1, an introduction transport mechanism 80 for introducing and transporting the printed paper from the stencil printing apparatus 1 into the housing 74 is provided. ing. The introduction transport mechanism 80 includes two belt conveyor devices, a front belt conveyor device 82 and a rear belt conveyor device 86.
[0035]
Each of the belt conveyor devices 82 and 86 is driven by driving means such as a DC motor, for example. Each of the belt conveyor devices 82 and 86 is provided with a plurality of suction devices 88 such as a blower at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction of the printed paper.
[0036]
The front belt conveyor device 82 takes in the printed paper discharged from the paper discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 while sucking it by the suction device 88 and conveys it to the rear belt conveyor device 86. The rear-stage belt conveyor device 86 conveys the printed paper taken in from the front-stage belt conveyor device 82 obliquely upward to the paper inlet 84 at the upper end of one side of the housing 74 while being sucked by the suction device 88.
[0037]
A bin guiding transport mechanism 92 is provided along the height direction (vertical direction) of the housing 74 at a lower portion of the paper introduction port 84 in the housing 74. Similarly to the introduction conveyance mechanism 80, the bin guide conveyance mechanism 92 includes a belt conveyor device 94 and a suction device 96, and is driven by a driving means such as a DC motor. The bin guide conveying mechanism 92 makes a U-turn at a corner portion bent by the belt conveyor device 94 while sucking the printed paper conveyed from the rear belt conveyor device 86 to the paper introduction port 84 by the suction device 96, The column 76 is conveyed downward in the vertical direction. In the vicinity of the outer periphery of the top portion of the belt conveyor device 94, a fan 97 is provided as a spraying device for pressing the printed paper conveyed from the introduction conveying mechanism 80 against the belt surface to bring it into close contact.
[0038]
Above the bin row 76, a sorter passage transport mechanism 102 is provided for transporting the printed paper to the second sorter 2B connected to the subsequent stage. The sorter passage transport mechanism 102 includes a belt conveyor device 104 and a suction device 106 as in the case of the introduction transport mechanism 80 and the bottle guide transport mechanism 92, and is driven by a driving means such as a DC motor. The sorter passage transport mechanism 102 sucks the printed paper transported from the rear-stage belt conveyor device 86 to the paper introduction port 84 by the suction device 106, and the paper discharge port at the upper end of the other side surface of the housing 74 by the belt conveyor device 104. The paper is discharged from 108 and conveyed to the paper inlet 84 of the second sorter 2B. The sorter passing conveyance mechanism 102 is not necessary when only one sorter 2 is connected to the stencil printing apparatus 1.
[0039]
A paper passage sensor 109 is provided on the exit side of the belt conveyor device 104 in the sorter passage transport mechanism 102. The paper passage sensor 109 detects the presence or absence of passage of printed paper that is conveyed on the belt conveyor device 104 and introduced from the paper discharge port 108 to the paper introduction port 84 of the second sorter 2B.
[0040]
A sorter switching mechanism 115 having a sorter switching plate 110, a sorter switching sensor 112, and a solenoid 114 is provided on the inlet side of the sorter passage transport mechanism 102 and in the vicinity of the paper inlet 84. The sorter switching plate 110 selectively sets the transport direction of the printing paper received by the sorter 2A, or is sent to the bin of the sorter 2A or is passed through the sorter 2A to the adjacent sorter 2B. The sorter switching plate 110 is driven by a solenoid 114. A sorter switching sensor 112 is provided in the vicinity of the paper inlet 84 on the inlet side of the sorter switching plate 110 as detection means for detecting the presence or absence of printing paper. The sorter switching sensor 112 detects a printed sheet introduced and conveyed from the introduction conveyance mechanism 80 to the sheet introduction port 84.
[0041]
In the sorter switching plate 110, the solenoid 114 is turned on and off in accordance with the number of printed sheets to be collated to the first sorter 2A connected to the stencil printing apparatus 1 and the mode setting state indicating the collation mode. Therefore, switching control is performed.
[0042]
An indexer 116 is provided in the gap between the bin row 76 and the bin guide transport mechanism 92 so as to be movable along the bin row 76. The indexer 116 is a guiding unit that guides the printing paper conveyed to the bin guiding conveying mechanism 92 and inserts the printing paper into the desired bin 78 of the bin row 76. The indexer 116 is a rectangular member having substantially the same width as the width of the bin 78, and waits at the home position HP1 set at a position slightly above the uppermost bin 78 (78A) in the initial state. An indexer HP sensor 118 that detects the presence or absence of the indexer 116 is provided at the home position HP1.
[0043]
The indexer 116 is connected to driving means such as a DC servo motor, for example, via a driving belt 122 provided in the vertical direction of the bin row 76 in parallel with the bin guiding transport mechanism 92. An indexer sensor 124 serving as a detection unit composed of a transmissive photosensor is provided at the vertical position of the casing 74 with the indexer 116 interposed therebetween.
[0044]
The indexer sensor 124 detects the presence or absence of the printed paper P on the indexer 116, thereby monitoring the non-reaching or staying of the printed paper P passing through the indexer 116, and detecting a jam error. Here, the indexer 116, the drive belt 122, and the indexer sensor 124 constitute an indexer lifting mechanism 125.
[0045]
Note that the indexer sensor sensor 124 may be configured by a photo interrupter and provided in the indexer 116 to detect the printed paper P passing through the indexer 116.
[0046]
The indexer 116 is driven via a driving belt 122 by a DC servo motor serving as driving means, and is set to a predetermined bin 78 in the bin row 76. The printed sheet conveyed by the bin guide conveying mechanism 92 is guided by the guide surface on the upper surface of the indexer 116 and enters the bin 78. When the indexer sensor 124 detects that the printed paper is securely stored in the bin 78 of the bin row 76, the indexer 116 moves in units of pitch between the bins 78 with the home position HP1 as a reference position. As a result, the printed sheets are sequentially inserted into the bins 78 of the bin row 76 one by one.
[0047]
A switching plate 126 is provided on the inlet side of the upstream belt conveyor device 82 in the introduction transport mechanism 80. The switching plate 126 is controlled to be switched by turning on / off the solenoid 128 according to the mode setting state. Specifically, when the non-sort mode is set, the switching plate 126 is switched so that the printed paper is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 60 of the stencil printing apparatus 1. On the other hand, when the mode for using the sorter 2 is set, the switching plate 126 is switched so as to convey the printed paper to the first sorter 2A. Here, a switching mechanism 129 is configured by the switching plate 126 and the solenoid 128.
[0048]
A sheet body 130 wound in a roll shape is provided at a position immediately above the introduction end in the uppermost bin 78A. One end of the sheet body 130 is fixed to the housing 74 side, and a tip portion that is an open end is attached to the indexer 116. The sheet body 130 is wound up and rewound in conjunction with the up-and-down movement of the indexer 116. When the printed paper P is stored in the bin 78, it collides with a sub-scanning alignment plate 140 of the alignment mechanism 136 described later. Prevents jumping out of the bin when bounced.
[0049]
Each of the bins 78 constituting the bin row 76 has a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of a printed sheet inserted from the indexer 116 and a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (main scanning direction). An alignment mechanism 136 is provided for aligning the printed paper inserted in the bin 78 with a predetermined alignment reference surface.
[0050]
The alignment mechanism 136 includes a main scanning alignment plate 138 that moves in a main scanning direction in a cutout portion that extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of printed paper, and a cutout portion that extends in the conveyance direction of printed paper. And a sub-scanning alignment plate 140 that moves in the sub-scanning direction.
[0051]
As the main scanning alignment plate 138 and the sub-scanning alignment plate 140 move according to the size of the printing paper, the printed paper inserted from the indexer 116 into each bin 78 of the bin row 76 matches a predetermined alignment reference plane. To be aligned.
[0052]
The stencil printing apparatus 1 and the sorter 2 configured as described above are connected by attaching the introduction transport mechanism 80 to the paper discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1. Then, the collating and storing operation of the printing paper with respect to the bin row 76 of the sorter 2 is performed by a specific key operation provided on the operation panel 146 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 and described below.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is a view showing an operation panel provided in the stencil printing apparatus. The operation panel 146 is provided with a numeric keypad 148, a number LED 150, a display 158 such as a liquid crystal panel, a sort mode key 160, a mode LED 162, a start key 164, and a stop key 166.
[0054]
The numeric keypad 148 is composed of numeric keys 0 to 9, and is pressed when setting the number of prints (image formation set number). The number-of-sheets LED 150 displays the number of printed sheets set by the ten key 148. The display value of the number LED 150 is displayed by subtracting one from the set value in synchronism with discharge of printed paper by the printing operation by the stencil printing apparatus 1. The display 158 displays an error display when an error such as a jam occurs.
[0055]
The sort mode key 160 has three modes (sort mode, group mode, and continuous mode) for storing printed paper using the paper discharge tray 60 and storing printed paper using the sorter 2. It is pushed when selecting either one. Each time the sort mode key 160 is pushed from the time of power-on, the mode is switched in a loop in the order of non-sort mode, sort mode, group mode, continuous mode, and non-sort mode.
[0056]
Here, the non-sort mode is a mode in which printed paper discharged from the paper discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 is directly discharged onto the paper discharge tray 60.
[0057]
The sort mode is a mode in which printed paper discharged from the paper discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 is stored in the bin 78 for each page and collated with a printed matter consisting of a plurality of pages.
[0058]
The group mode is a mode in which printed sheets discharged from the sheet discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 are sorted into several groups for each document and stored in the bin 78. “Number of sheets × number of sets” for each document. Multiple sorting is possible.
[0059]
The continuous mode is a mode in which printed sheets discharged from the sheet discharge port 54 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 are stored exactly one by one in each bin 78 to avoid show-through of printed matter.
[0060]
The mode LED 162 displays the mode (sort mode, group mode, continuous mode) selected by the sort mode key 160. When the mode LED 162 is not displayed, the non-sort mode is selected.
[0061]
The start key 164 is pushed when the stencil printing apparatus 1 and the sorter 2 are operated. The stop key 166 is pushed to stop the operations of the stencil printing apparatus 1 and the sorter 2.
[0062]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the above-described image forming apparatus. In the figure, a control means (CPU) 170 constituted by a microprocessor or the like controls each mechanism in the apparatus based on a program and setting information stored in a ROM 172 as a storage means. The control unit 170 is connected to a RAM 174 as a storage unit that stores settings such as the number of printed sheets and various sort modes input from the operation panel 146 as needed.
[0063]
The control means 170 outputs a rotation command to the plate cylinder drive mechanism 14 to control the rotation of the plate cylinder 4. A plate making command to the stencil sheet 8 is output to the plate making mechanism 64. A command for locking / releasing the stencil sheet 8 to the plate cylinder 4 is output to the clamp mechanism 6. A command for peeling the used stencil sheet 8 from the plate cylinder 4 is output to the plate discharging mechanism 48. A paper feed command for feeding the printing paper P is output to the paper feed mechanism 30 in conjunction with the plate cylinder drive mechanism 14.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 4, a control device 176 is provided on the sorter 2 side as control means for controlling the operation of each mechanism of the sorter 2. The control device 176 and the control means 170 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 are electrically connected via a cable or the like, and exchange control information with each other. This control device 176 controls the sorter 2 in synchronism with the drive of the stencil printing device 1 in order to sequentially take in the printed paper P discharged from the stencil printing device 1 on the sorter 2 side. The sorter 2 is controlled based on a control command from the control means 170.
[0065]
When an error occurs in the sorter 2, the fact is output to the control means 170, and an error handling process is performed based on a control command from the control means 170. For this reason, the control device 176 includes an introduction transport mechanism 80, a bin guide transport mechanism 92, a sorter passage transport mechanism 102, a sorter switching mechanism 115, an indexer lifting mechanism 125, a switching mechanism 129, and an alignment mechanism 136 provided in the sorter 2. A control command is output to each. The printed paper P discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 1 is collated with each bin 78 in the sorter 2 in a predetermined form to be described later by control commands to these mechanisms.
[0066]
Further, although the operation panel 146 is provided on the stencil printing apparatus 1 side, a similar operation panel is provided on the sorter 2 side, and setting contents by operation of the operation panel are sent to the control means 170 of the stencil printing apparatus 1. It is good also as a structure. Further, the operation panel 146 may be provided in both the stencil printing apparatus 1 and the sorter 2.
[0067]
Next, the sorting operation of the sorter 2 configured as described above will be described.
When the printed paper P printed by the stencil printing apparatus 1 is sorted in various sort modes, the sorter 2 is used. First, the mode switching plate 126 is switched to the sorter 2 side, and the sorter switching plate 110 is switched to the bin guide transport mechanism 92 side. As a result, the printed paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 1 is conveyed to the bin guide conveying mechanism 92 via the introducing conveying mechanism 80.
[0068]
When the printed paper is guided and conveyed to the indexer 116 by the bin guide conveying mechanism 92, the indexer 116 moves in units of pitch between the bins 78 with the home position as a reference position, and one sheet for each bin 78. The printed paper P is inserted. The indexer 116 sequentially moves to a predetermined bin 78 according to the mode (sort mode, group mode, continuous mode) selected by the sort mode key 160.
[0069]
The second sorter 2B is used to sort more printed sheets P. When the sorter switching plate 110 of the first sorter 2A is switched to the sorter passage transport device 102 side, the printed paper P that has entered the first sorter 2A is transported to the second sorter 2B at the subsequent stage via the sorter passage transport device 102, It is inserted into each bin 78 of the second sorter 2B by the same action as that of the first sorter 2A.
[0070]
In both the first and second sorters 2A and 2B, after the printed paper P is accommodated in the bin 78, the alignment mechanism 136 operates to align the printed paper P on each bin 78 at once. Thereafter, the cover member is opened, and the printed paper P that is aligned on each bin 78 can be taken out.
[0071]
A control operation in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. For the sake of simplicity, the number of bins in the bin row 76 is set to 20, the set number of sheets to be printed (the number of set sheets for image formation) is set to 30, and the first sorter 2A and the second sorter 2B are used. A case where collation and printing operations are performed for the purpose of collation will be described. Further, in this operation state, a jam occurs on the 16th sheet of the first sorter 2A. At that time, five printed sheets are already stored in the second sorter 2B, and the number LED 150 of the operation panel 146 is Suppose that the remaining number 5 is displayed.
[0072]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for shifting from the standby state to the sort printing operation. First, in the operation panel 146, it is confirmed whether or not the sort mode is set with the sort mode key 160 (step 111). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the set number is set with the numeric keypad 148 (step 112). It is confirmed whether or not the start key 164 has been pressed (step 113). When the above conditions are satisfied, the sort printing operation is started.
[0073]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the sort printing operation. When the sort printing operation is started, the printing operation of the stencil printing apparatus 1 (step 114) and the sorting operation of the first sorter 2A and the second sorter 2B (step 115) The sorter 2 is simultaneously processed.
[0074]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the sort operation. When the sorting operation is started, the switching plate 126 is turned on by the solenoid 128, and the sheet is switched so as to be conveyed to the first sorter 2A and the second sorter 2B (step 121). Next, the DC motors of the transport mechanisms (the introduction transport mechanism 80, the bin guide transport mechanism 92, and the sorter passage transport mechanism 102) are turned on, and the printed paper P discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 1 is fed to the sorters 2A and 2B. Can be conveyed to each bin row 76 (step 122). In this state, the subroutines 1, 2, 3 (SUB1, 2, 3) are executed simultaneously. When the printed paper P is inserted into each bin 78 (steps 123, 124, and 125) and all the paper has been inserted, the transport mechanism is turned off (step 126), and the switching plate 126 is turned off (step 127). Exit.
[0075]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of subroutine 1 (SUB1). This subroutine 1 is a procedure for deciding how to allocate printed sheets to the two tower sorters when various parameters necessary for printing and collation are set in the image forming apparatus. First, the set number of sheets and the number of bins (20 sheets) are compared (step 131). If the set number is smaller, the set number is set in the register M (step 132), and 1 is set in the register B (step 131). 133). If the set number is larger, the number of bins (20 sheets) is set in the register M (step 134), the value obtained by subtracting the register M from the set number is set in the register N (step 135), and 1 is set in the register B. It is set (step 133a), 1 is set in the register C (step 136), and the subroutine 4 is started (step 137). Then, 0 is set in the register A (step 138), and the process ends.
[0076]
The registers M, N, A, B, and C are in the RAM 174. The register M stores data indicating the number of sheets collated with the first sorter 2A. The register N stores data indicating the number of sheets to be collated with the second sorter 2B. The register A stores data on the number of printed sheets detected by the sorter switching sensor 112, that is, the number of printed sheets in the sorter 2. The register B stores data indicating the position of the bin 78 to be collated in the first sorter 2A. The register C stores data indicating the position of the bin 78 to be collated in the second sorter 2B. The indexer 116 is set at the position of the bin 78 that is one ahead of the bin 78 in which the printed paper P is stored. The data of these registers M, N, A, B, and C are used in subroutines 2 and 3. Further, for the set number of sheets 30 this time, M = 20, N = 10, A = 0, B = 1, and C = 1.
[0077]
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the subroutine (SUB2). This subroutine 2 is a procedure for determining whether the printed paper is put into the first sorter 2A or sent to the second sorter 2B by the sorter switching plate 110 and the sorter switching sensor 112. First, the sorter switching plate 110 is turned on by the solenoid 114 so that the printed paper can be conveyed to the first sorter 2A (step 141). Next, the sorter switching sensor 112 confirms the presence or absence of paper (step 142), and when the printed paper cannot be detected, the unreached degree is monitored by a timeout process (step 143). The timeout process is a procedure for dealing with, for example, a case where a jam occurs, and will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If the printed paper can be confirmed, a value obtained by adding 1 to the register A is set (step 144). Next, register A and register M are compared (step 145). If register A is less than register M, the process returns to step 142. When the register A becomes equal to the register M, the sorter switching plate 110 is turned OFF (step 146), and the printed paper is passed through the first sorter 2A so that it can be conveyed to the second sorter 2B. In normal operation, since the set number of sheets is 30 and M = 20, the sorter switching sensor 112 sends 20 printed sheets to the first sorter 2A, and then switches the sorter switching plate 100, and the remaining 10 sheets are second. Send to sorter 2B.
[0078]
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the subroutine 3 (SUB3). This subroutine 3 is a procedure for determining the operation of the indexer 116 in the first sorter 2A. First, the indexer 116 is moved to the B-th bin by the DC servo motor (step 151). In the normal operation, since B = 1, it moves to the first-stage bin 78A. Next, the indexer sensor 124 checks whether or not there is a printed sheet (step 152). If the printed sheet cannot be detected, the unreached degree is monitored by a timeout process (step 153). If the printed paper is confirmed, the register B is compared with the register M (step 154). If the register B is less than the register M, the register B is set with 1 added (step 155). Return to step 151. When the register B becomes equal to the register M, the indexer 116 is moved to the first-stage bin 78A. In the normal operation, M = 20 and B = 1, so in the first sorter 2A, the printed sheets are sequentially inserted from the first bin 78A of the bin row 76 and printed in the 20th bin 78. When the sheet is inserted, the indexer 116 returns to the first bin 78A.
[0079]
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of subroutine 4 (SUB4). This subroutine 4 is a procedure for determining the operation of the indexer 116 in the second sorter 2B. First, the indexer 1162 is moved to the C bin by the DC servo motor (step 161). In the normal operation, since C = 1, it moves to the first-stage bin 78A. Next, the indexer sensor 124 confirms the presence or absence of printed paper (step 162). If the printed paper cannot be detected, the unreached degree is monitored by a timeout process (step 163). If the printed paper can be confirmed, the register C and the register N are compared (step 164). If the register C is less than the register N, the register C is added with 1 (step 165). Return to step 161. When the register C becomes equal to the register N, the indexer 116 is moved to the first-stage bin 78A. In normal operation, since N = 10 and C = 1, printed paper is inserted into the second sorter 3 in order from the first bin 78A of the bin row 31 and printed on the tenth bin 78. When the sheet is inserted, the indexer C22 returns to the first-stage bin 78A.
[0080]
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the timeout process. This time-out process is a processing procedure for determining that a jam has occurred when the sorter switching sensor 112 or the indexer sensor 124 does not detect a printed sheet between a predetermined reference time and a predetermined reference time. For example, when the indexer sensor 124 detects the printed paper in the 16th bin 78 of the first sorter 2A, the actual time t from the predetermined reference time until the indexer sensor 124 detects the printed paper is obtained. The measured time is compared with a preset time T (step 171), and if the elapsed time t is small, the process returns to step 152 in FIG. If the elapsed time t is large, it is considered that a jam error has occurred, and the operation of the printing press main body 1, the first sorter 2A, and the second sorter 2B is stopped (step 172). At this time, a total of 15 printed sheets are inserted into the 15th bin of the first sorter 2A one by one, and a total of 5 sheets are placed in the second sorter 2B, one sheet from the top to the 5th bin. Printed paper was inserted, and five printed papers were jammed on the belt conveyor device 94 of the bin guide transport mechanism 92. Therefore, the remaining set number of 5 is displayed on the number LED 150. Next, a jam error is displayed on the display 158 (step 173). Next, it is monitored whether or not the jam error has been cleared (step 174). If the error has been cleared, the error display on the display 158 is cleared (step 175). Next, a value obtained by subtracting (B-1) and (C-1) from the set number is set as a new set number (step 176) and displayed on the number LED 150. In this case, since B = 16 and C = 6, the newly set number is 10. As a result, the number of printed sheets staying on the belt conveyor device 94 is corrected. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the start key 164 has been pressed (step 177). When it is confirmed that the start key 164 has been pressed, the sort continuing operation is started.
[0081]
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the sort continuation operation. This operation is basically the same as the sort operation of FIG. 7, except that subroutine 1 (SUB1) shown in step 123 is replaced with subroutine 5 (SUB5) shown in step 128. In the normal operation, if a jam error or the like occurs in the middle according to the procedure of FIG. 7 having the subroutine (SUB1), the flowchart of FIG. 13 having the subroutine 5 (SUB5) is followed.
[0082]
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the subroutine 5 (SUB5). First, a numerical value obtained by subtracting (B-1) from M is set in the register L (step 181), and then the set number (10) newly set by the occurrence of a jam is compared with the register L (step 181). 182) If the set number is smaller, the process is terminated as it is. If the set number is larger, the subroutine 4 is started (step 183), and then the process is terminated. Register L is in RAM 174. The register L stores data indicating the new set number of the sorter 2A for the first tower after the jam release, that is, the remaining collated number after the jam. For a set number of sheets 10, L = 5, M = 20, N = 10, A = 15, B = 16, and C = 16. As a result, the remaining printed sheets that should continue to be printed and collated are 5 sheets, one for each bin 78 of the 16th to 20th stages of the first sorter 2A, and the second sorter 2B. There are a total of 10 sheets, one for each bin 78 from the 6th stage to the 10th stage.
[0083]
In the example described above, the case where the two sorters 2A and 2B connected in series to the stencil printing apparatus 1 are used and the sort printing operation is performed for the purpose of collation has been described. Is effective for all operations for sorting sheets by connecting two or more sorters having a plurality of bins to printing means. For example, a jam can be detected by the timeout process in any of the group mode and the continuous mode in addition to the sort mode.
[0084]
In the example described above, the presence / absence of printed paper is detected by the sorter switching sensor 112 and the two indexer sensors 124, and the time-out process is performed at each location. However, the time-out process is not necessarily performed by all sensors. Further, the position of the sensor for detecting the presence or absence of printed paper is not limited to the example in the embodiment, and a sensor can be provided as needed at a position where the printed paper being conveyed is easily jammed.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the printing / collating of paper performed by connecting collating means having a plurality of bins in series to the image forming apparatus, when a paper jam occurs in the preceding collating means, the latter stage If the paper is already collated in the collating means, the remaining image forming set number is calculated from the original image forming set number and the number of bins of each collating means in which the paper is properly collated, Each collating means is configured so that collation can be started from the next required bin. Therefore, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of tower sorters connected to each other, before the paper collation with respect to the final bin of the first tower sorter is completed, the sheet is fed to the second tower sorter. In the case where a jam occurs in the first tower sorter, the paper collated normally with the second tower sorter is effectively used as the paper collated without being jammed. This is advantageous in that the collation can be continued with the number of removed sheets being minimized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a sorter in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation panel in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for shifting from a standby state to a sort printing operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of sort printing operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of sort operation in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention;
[Fig. 8]
9 is a flowchart of a subroutine 1 (SUB1) showing a procedure for deciding how to allocate printed paper to each sorter in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a subroutine (SUB2) showing a procedure for deciding whether to put printed paper into the first tower sorter 2A or to send it to the second tower sorter 2B in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention; .
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine 3 (SUB3) which is a procedure for determining the operation of the indexer 116 in the first sorter 2A in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of subroutine 4 (SUB4) showing a procedure for determining the operation of the indexer 116 in the second sorter 2B in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of timeout processing for determining occurrence of a jam in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of sort continuing operation after a jam error is released in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of subroutine 5 (SUB1) showing a procedure for deciding how to allocate printed sheets to each sorter after the jam error is canceled in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stencil printing apparatus as image forming means 2, 2A, 2B ... Sorter as collating means, 78 ... Bin, 112 ... Sorter switching sensor as detection means, 115 ... Sorter switching mechanism, 124 ... Detection means Indexer sensor, 170 ... control means, 174 ... RAM as storage means.

Claims (7)

Image forming means for forming an image on a predetermined number of sheets for image formation and sequentially discharging the image;
The image forming means has a plurality of bins to which the paper discharged from the image forming means is collated, and is connected in series so that the paper discharged from the image forming means can pass through sequentially. Collating means of multiple towers attached to,
Detecting means for detecting a jam of the paper discharged from the image forming means;
Storage means for storing the set number of image formations and the number of regular collation bins representing the number of bins in which the paper has been properly collated for each collating means;
When the detection unit detects a jam, a new image formation set number is obtained from the difference between the image formation set number stored in the storage unit and the regular collating bin number. The image forming unit is controlled based on the set number of image formations, and the collating unit in which jam has occurred starts collation from the bin where regular collation has not been performed, and jam has occurred. Control means for controlling each collating means so that collation is performed from the bin next to the bin that has been collated in the collating means subsequent to the collating means,
An image forming apparatus. 2. The detection unit detects presence or absence of the sheet, and the control unit determines that a jam has occurred when the detection unit does not detect the sheet within a predetermined reference time starting from a predetermined reference time. Image forming apparatus. Image forming means for forming an image on a predetermined number of sheets for image formation and sequentially discharging the image;
A plurality of bins for collating the paper ejected from the image forming unit; and a guide unit that is movably provided in the vicinity of the bin and guides the paper to collate with the desired bin. And a plurality of tower collating means attached to the image forming means and connected in series so that the paper discharged from the image forming means can pass through sequentially,
A switching mechanism that selectively sets the conveyance direction of the paper received by the collating means to either the bin of the collating means that received the paper or the adjacent collating means;
Detecting means for detecting a jam of the paper discharged from the image forming means;
Storage means for storing the set number of image formations and the number of regular collation bins representing the number of bins in which the paper has been properly collated for each collating means;
When the detection unit detects a jam, a new image formation set number is obtained from the difference between the image formation set number stored in the storage unit and the regular collating bin number. The image forming unit is controlled based on the set number of image formations, and the collating unit in which jam has occurred starts collation from the bin where regular collation has not been performed, and jam has occurred. Control means for controlling each collating means so that collation is performed from the bin next to the bin that has been collated in the collating means subsequent to the collating means,
An image forming apparatus. 4. The detection unit detects presence / absence of the sheet, and the control unit determines that a jam has occurred when the detection unit does not detect the sheet within a predetermined reference time starting from a predetermined reference time. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detecting unit detects the presence or absence of the sheet in the bin of the collating unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects the presence or absence of the sheet in the switching mechanism. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the number of regular collation bins stored in the storage unit is calculated from a position of the guide unit of each collation unit.

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