JP3744636B2 - Post-processing method for sheet post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention accepts a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, or a printing machine, performs a post-processing such as a binding process using a stapler, a shift process, and the like, and then uses a discharge unit. Sheet post-processing device for discharging onto a discharge trayPost-processing methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A sheet post-processing device called a finisher is used as a device that collates a plurality of sheets of recorded images discharged from the image forming apparatus for each copy and binds them by a stapler.
[0003]
This finisher is connected to a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and is driven in response to a sequence operation of a copy or print process.
[0004]
Therefore, an image forming apparatus capable of processing a large amount of the image forming process at a high speed requires a finisher capable of performing a large amount of high speed processing that can function according to the processing speed.
[0005]
Regarding finishers capable of such high-speed processing, JP-A-60-142359, JP-A-60-158463, JP-A-62-239169, JP-A-62-228802, JP-A-63-267667, JP-A-2 -276691 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-41991 disclose proposals.
[0006]
The image-recorded sheets carried out from the main body of the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked while being aligned in the intermediate stacker, and after storing one set of sheet bundles, sheet post-processing such as a stapler is performed and the sheets are bound together The bundle is transported on a discharge belt provided at the bottom of the intermediate stacker, and is further sandwiched between a pair of upper and lower discharge rollers and discharged onto a discharge tray.
[0007]
Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-27691 has a configuration in which two fur brushes are rotatably provided and the tip of the fur brush is in contact with a guide plate. The sheet post-processing device disclosed in the paper storage device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-2214565 is configured to rotationally drive a paddle wheel having a plurality of blade members attached radially to align the sheets. In the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-116168, a part of a belt whose lower end is in contact with the intermediate tray is wound around the lower roller of the discharge roller pair, and the belt rotates together with the lower roller. Thus, the sheet conveyed onto the intermediate tray is brought into contact with the stopper.
[0008]
A sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-127556 includes first and second two sheet conveyance paths for conveying a sheet sent from an image forming unit to a sheet post-processing unit, A control unit that controls the transport direction switching unit so that the sheet is sent to the second sheet transport path according to the operation of the sheet processing unit. I have it.
[0009]
The recording paper post-processing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-42728 is provided with one stapler and one paper discharge tray corresponding thereto. A sheet post-processing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-76190 includes two staplers and two paper discharge trays corresponding thereto.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus, an image-formed sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus can be lifted and lowered after being post-processed by a sheet post-processing means (stapler, shift means, bookbinding means, punching means, etc.) The paper is discharged onto a proper paper discharge tray.
[0011]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus. The sheet post-processing device is installed by adjusting the position and height so that the receiving portion of the sheet P is aligned with the paper discharge port of the main body of the image forming apparatus (copier, printer, etc.), and corresponds to the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, it is connected to the control system so as to be driven.
[0012]
The conveyance path of the sheet P connected to the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the inlet roller pair a of the receiving section includes three systems, that is, an upper first conveyance path 100, an intermediate second conveyance path 200, and a lower third conveyance path 300. The sheet P is branched, and the sheet P is fed to one of the conveyance paths by selecting the swing angle of the switching gates g1 and g2.
[0013]
The first conveyance path 100 indicates a conveyance path for discharging the sheet P with the image forming surface facing upward to the uppermost non-post-processing discharge tray T1 without performing post-processing. After the sheet P is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction by the shift means b, the second conveying path 200 is discharged to the sheet discharge tray T2 that can be raised or lowered, or the sheet P is switched back to reverse the sheet P. The conveyance path for conveying to the non-post-processing paper discharge tray T1 is shown. The third conveyance path 300 indicates a conveyance path for conveying the sheet P to the movable discharge tray T2 after the sheet P is accommodated in the intermediate stacker c and the sheet post-processing is performed by the stapler ST.
[0014]
The problems of the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus are listed below.
[0015]
(1) The illustrated sheet post-processing apparatus includes a first post-processing unit including an intermediate stacker c, a stapler ST, and a third conveyance path 300, and a shift unit b provided above the first post-processing unit. And a second post-treatment device composed of the second transport path 200 and two independent mechanisms are required. For this reason, the sheet conveyance path becomes long and complicated, which causes the occurrence of sheet conveyance failure. Further, since branching means for the second transport path 200 and the third transport path 300, a large number of transport rollers, and driving means for these are required, the apparatus becomes complicated and large, and the manufacturing cost increases. There's a problem.
[0016]
(2) In a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of simultaneously moving two sets of staplers ST corresponding to various sheet sizes and stapling staples at two predetermined positions, the two sets of staplers ST are formed by a single drive source. At the same time, the staplers ST approach each other in the sheet width direction and interfere with each other at a close distance, so that it is difficult to staple the sheet P of a small size (for example, A5R, B5R, etc.). Further, in a sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet reversing conveyance drum having a sheet gripper means in the vicinity of the center in the sheet width direction and driving and rotating, when stapling the small size sheet P, the stapler ST and the sheet reversing It is difficult to perform a stapling process due to interference with the transport drum.
[0017]
(3) In the illustrated sheet post-processing apparatus, the intermediate stacker c that conveys and places the sheets P for stapling processing and the elevating and lowering discharge tray T2 on which the stapled sheets P are stacked are completely different. Since it is arranged in series in the configuration, there is a problem that the apparatus becomes large.
[0018]
  The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems., SuThe taper means and the shift means are made compact with a simple configuration, the sheet post-processing apparatus is miniaturized, and the occurrence of sheet conveyance failure is prevented.RuPost-processing equipmentPost-processing methodIs intended to provide.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above objectPost-processing methodThe image-formed sheet carried out from the image forming apparatusTransport to an intermediate output tray and on the intermediate output trayA sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges a sheet bundle to a discharge tray means after post-processingPost-processing methodIn
  A process of transporting an image-formed sheet onto an intermediate discharge tray, on the intermediate discharge trayOn both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance directionMultiple providedAlignment memberIn the width direction of the sheet
A step of performing a width alignment process, a step of stapling a sheet bundle aligned by the plurality of alignment members by a stapler unit, and a step of discharging the stapled sheet bundle to the discharge tray unit. 1 processing step;
A step of transporting an image-formed sheet onto an intermediate paper discharge tray, and a plurality of alignment members provided on both sides of the width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction on the intermediate paper discharge tray in the width direction of the sheet A step of performing two processing operations including a width aligning process and a shift process for sorting by the number of copies, a step of stapling a sheet bundle aligned by the plurality of aligning members by a stapler, and a staple A second processing step comprising a step of discharging the processed sheet bundle to the discharge tray means;
The first processing step and the second processing step are alternately performed by alternately shifting the plurality of alignment members to a plurality of positions.It is characterized by doing.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Next, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present inventionPost-processing methodThe embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus (finisher). The sheet post-processing device is installed by adjusting the position and height so that the receiving portion of the sheet P is aligned with the paper discharge port of the main body of the image forming apparatus (copier, printer, etc.), and corresponds to the operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, it is connected to the control system so as to be driven.
[0022]
P introduced into the movable guide plate 1 of the receiving portion is nipped and conveyed by a conveyance roller pair 2 composed of a driving roller and a pinch roller, passes through the fixed guide plate 3, and is above the sheet reverse conveyance drum 4. Is conveyed between the pair of conveying rollers 5 and conveyed on the peripheral surface of the sheet reversal conveying drum 4. The sheet reverse conveying drum 4 is driven to rotate by a driving source (not shown). A sheet pressing member (gripper) 6 is swingably supported in the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the sheet reverse conveying drum 4. The sheet pressing member 6 is biased by a spring and is swung by a cam mechanism (not shown).
[0023]
The leading end of the sheet P sent out from the nip position of the pair of conveying rollers 5 to the peripheral surface of the sheet reversing conveying drum 4 and the leading end of the sheet pressing member 6 opened by the cam mechanism and the sheet reversing conveying drum 4 The sheet reversing and conveying drum is inserted into and pressed between the peripheral surface of the sheet reversing and conveying drum 4 which rotates into the V-shaped gap between the peripheral surface and the rotating sheet reversing conveying drum 4 and the tip of the spring-pressed sheet pressing member 6. 4 is conveyed on the circumferential surface. During the sheet conveyance, the peripheral speeds of the conveyance roller pair 5 and the sheet reverse conveyance drum 4 are equal.
[0024]
Above the movable guide plate 1 and the conveying roller pair 2, an uppermost sheet discharge means (non-sort tray) 7 is provided. The uppermost sheet discharge means 7 comprises a left discharge tray 7A and a right discharge tray 7B with a fulcrum shaft 7C as the center. These discharge trays 7A and 7B each have a fulcrum shaft 7C. It can be swung in the direction indicated by the one-dot chain line with the rocking center. Since the discharge tray 7B is unitized together with the movable guide plate 1 and the conveying roller pair 2, the movable guide plate 1 and the conveying roller pair 2 also swing together as the movable guide plate 1 swings. The movable guide plate 1, the conveying roller pair 2, and the paper discharge tray 7B indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 1 indicate a path for conveying the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus to the sheet post-processing section. A broken line in FIG. 1 indicates that a unit including the movable guide plate 1, the conveyance roller pair 2, and the paper discharge tray 7B is swung downward so that a sheet that does not require sheet post-processing is placed on the uppermost paper discharge means 7. Indicates the route that enables transport.
[0025]
2 to 7 are partial cross-sectional views showing the sheet conveying process of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, during the process in which the leading end portion of the sheet P is pressed and sandwiched and conveyed by the leading end portion of the spring-pressed sheet pressing member 6 on the peripheral surface of the rotating sheet reversing and conveying drum 4, When the conveying roller pair 5 is accelerated, the leading end of the sheet P is sandwiched between the sheet pressing members 6, but the vicinity of the rear end of the sheet P is accelerated by the conveying roller pair 5 to make the sheet P extra. When the sheet P is fed out, the intermediate portion of the sheet P is spaced apart from the peripheral surface of the sheet reverse conveying drum 4 and bulges outward.
[0027]
In FIG. 3, when the sheet reverse conveyance drum 4 further continues to rotate, the conveyance force of the conveyance roller pair 5 and the sheet P of the sheet P are instantly separated from the nip position of the conveyance roller pair 5. The sheet is reversed due to the rigidity and is separated from the peripheral surface of the sheet reversing conveyance drum 4. When the leading end portion of the sheet P reaches the leading end portion 14A of the discharge arm 14 stopped near the stapler (stapling means) 10 and stops, the sheet pressing member 6 is separated from the sheet P.
[0028]
When the sheet reversing / conveying drum 4 continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 4, two sheet aligning members 8A and 8B rotatably supported at two locations in the sheet reversing / conveying drum 4 are successively arranged. The vicinity of the front end portion of the sheet P is rubbed, the front end portion of the sheet P is brought into contact with the front end portion 14A of the discharge arm 14 and stopped, and the paper P is aligned in the transport direction. The leading edge of the aligned sheet P is placed on the intermediate delivery tray 92A, and the trailing edge is placed on the movable delivery tray 21.
[0029]
  In the process shown in FIG. 5 in which the leading end portion of the sheet P abuts on the leading end portion 14A of the discharge arm 14, the alignment plate of the shift aligning means 9 described later is in the width direction of the sheet P (direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction). Perform paper alignment (width alignment). Alternatively, when the shift mode is set, the alignment plate is alternately shifted to a predetermined plurality of positions,In the first processing stepLine width alignmentIn the second processing step, two processing operations are executed, including the width alignment processing in the width direction of the sheet and the shift processing for sorting by number of copies.. After the sheet reversal conveyance drum 4 makes one rotation and positioning of the first sheet P is completed, the second sheet P is fed into the sheet reversal conveyance drum 4 and is conveyed in the same manner as described above for positioning. And stop. When the number of sheets P positioned in contact with the leading end portion 14A reaches a predetermined number, the stapler 10 drives the staple into a predetermined position of the sheet P and binds them (see FIG. 5).
[0030]
FIG. 6 shows a state in which the sheet P that has been subjected to post-sheet processing such as the stapling process or the shift process is discharged to the movable paper discharge tray 21.
[0031]
The drive motor M2 drives and rotates the disk 12 via a gear train composed of gears G7, G8, G9, and G10. The other end of the crank 13 whose one end is supported at an eccentric position of the disc 12 is pivotally supported by a part of a discharge arm 14 that can swing around a fulcrum shaft 15. The disk 12 driven and rotated by the drive source causes the crank 13 to move eccentrically and further swings the discharge arm 14. By this swinging movement of the discharge arm 14, the leading end portion 14A of the discharging arm 14 presses the leading end portion of the sheet P that has finished the sheet post-processing, and comes into contact with the leading end portion 14A from the position toward the movable discharge tray 21. Push out. After the sheet P pushed out by the discharge arm 14 slides on the upper surface of the movable paper discharge tray 21, the leading end of the sheet P descends by its own weight, and a stopper surface provided on the frame body 23 that supports the movable paper discharge tray 21. It stops in contact with H.231. Since the leading end portion 14A moves forward from the position perpendicular to the stopper surface 231 toward the movable sheet discharge tray 21, the sheet bundle is reliably transferred to the stack portion without remaining in the processing portion.
[0032]
The movable paper discharge tray 21 is swingably supported by a fulcrum shaft 24 planted on the frame body 23. Further, the tip of the swing lever 25 is in contact with the bottom surface of the tip of the movable discharge tray 21 on the right side of the figure, and the movable discharge tray 21 is moved up and down. The base of the swing lever 25 is pivotally supported by a fulcrum shaft 26 and can swing. At one end of the fulcrum shaft 26, a locking member 27 that is integral with the swing lever 25 is swingable. The locking member 27 is biased by a spring 28 and raises the tip of the swing lever 25. As a result, the tip of the movable paper discharge tray 21 is lifted and swings counterclockwise as shown in the figure around the fulcrum shaft 24. Since the tip claw portion of the locking member 27 is detachably locked to the locking portion 232 provided on the frame body 23, the swing lever 25 is prevented from swinging beyond a predetermined position. The tip of the movable paper discharge tray 21 is biased by a spring and is held at a predetermined height.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the post-processed sheets P stacked on the movable paper discharge tray 21 gradually increase, the leading end of the movable paper discharge tray 21 resists the urging force of the spring 28 due to its own weight. Then, when the swing lever 25 is pushed down, the locking of the locking member 27 and the locking portion 232 is released, and the leading end portion of the movable paper discharge tray 21 is gradually lowered. During the lowering process of the movable paper discharge tray 21, the post-processed sheet P is discharged from the post-processing section (stapler, shift processing section) on the uppermost layer of the sheets P stacked on the movable paper discharge tray 21. Held in position.
[0034]
When the post-processed sheets P stacked on the movable paper discharge tray 21 are gradually increased and the movable paper discharge tray 21 is gradually lowered to reach the lower limit position, the illustration is provided at one end of the movable paper discharge tray 21. The non-actuating actuator is detected by the sensor PS2 fixed on the sheet post-processing apparatus main body, and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 80 described later. The sensor PS1 may be installed on the frame body 23 to detect the lower limit position of the movable paper discharge tray 21.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving of the paper discharge tray means in the sheet post-processing apparatus provided with two stages of paper discharge tray means. Since the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 have the same structure, the following description will be given with the same reference numerals. In FIG. 1, the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 are lowered to the bottom dead center, and the post-processed sheets P are stored in the upper discharge tray means 20. Indicates the state. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 are raised to the top dead center, and the post-processed sheets P are stored in the lower discharge tray means 30. . Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the raising and lowering structure and operation of the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 will be described.
[0036]
When the sensor PS2 detects that the post-processed sheet P stacked on the movable discharge tray 21 of the upper discharge tray means 20 is full (upper limit of stacking amount) and generates a signal, The controller that does not drive drives the drive motor M1 for raising and lowering the tray of the raising and lowering drive means 40 to raise the upper discharge tray means 20. That is, the gear train composed of the gears G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, and G6 drives and rotates the drive pulley 41 by driving the drive motor M1. A drive wire 43 is wound between the drive pulley 41 and the upper driven pulley 42. Due to the drive rotation of the drive pulley 41, the drive wire 43 reciprocates in the vertical direction.
[0037]
A base portion of the frame body 23 of the upper discharge tray means 20 is fixed to a part of the drive wire 43 by a discharge tray hanging bracket 44. The frame body 23 of the upper discharge tray means 20 and the frame body 23 of the lower discharge tray means 30 are connected by a connecting bar 45. That is, a long groove portion 451 is formed in the connecting rod 45, and the pin 46 fixed to the frame body 23 of the upper discharge tray means 20 comes into sliding contact (see FIG. 1). Further, the vicinity of the lower end portion of the connecting rod 45 is fixed to the frame body 23 of the lower discharge tray means 30.
[0038]
When the upper discharge tray means 20 is moved upward by the drive wire 43, the pin 46 (see FIG. 1) fixed to the frame body 23 of the upper discharge tray means 20 is the long groove portion of the connecting rod 45. Only the upper discharge tray means 20 is moved upward in sliding contact with 451. When the pin 46 comes into contact with the uppermost end of the long groove portion 451 of the connecting rod 45, the upper discharge tray means 20 that has moved and the lower discharge tray means 30 that has stopped become the maximum separation distance.
[0039]
When the upper discharge tray means 20 is moved further upward by the drive wire 43, the pin 46 of the upper discharge tray means 20 moves the connecting rod 45 upward while being in contact with the long groove portion 451. Then, the lower discharge tray means 30 fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod 45 is lifted and moved. Accordingly, the upper discharge tray unit 20 and the lower discharge tray unit 30 move upward together while maintaining the maximum separation distance.
[0040]
When the upper discharge tray means 20 is moved further upward by the drive wire 43, the upper end of the frame 23 of the upper discharge tray means 20 is discharged on the left side of the uppermost discharge means 8 in the figure. The sheet discharge tray 7A is pushed up by coming into contact with a part of the bottom surface side of the tray 7A. As a result, the paper discharge tray 7A is swung in the clockwise direction about the fulcrum shaft 7C and retracted.
[0041]
When the detection means (sensor PS5) detects that the upper discharge tray means 20 has reached the top dead center, the drive motor M1 is stopped, and the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 stop. . At this time, the lower discharge tray means 30 stops at a position for receiving the sheet P after the post-processing by the stapler 10.
[0042]
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the upper and lower discharge tray means (20, 30). The movable paper discharge tray 21 is disposed at the center position in the width direction of the discharged sheet P and is supported so as to be swingable. Two fixed paper discharge trays 22 are fixed to the frame body 23 on both sides of the movable paper discharge tray 21 in the sheet width direction.
[0043]
A total of four guide rollers 47 are rotatably supported on both sides and upper and lower sides of the base portion of the frame body 23 in the sheet width direction. As the guide roller 47 moves along the sliding surface of the guide rail 48 fixed to the main body of the sheet post-processing apparatus, the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 move up and down, respectively. .
[0044]
FIG. 10 is a front view of the shift matching means 9.
[0045]
The shift alignment means 9 includes a first unit 90A on the left side in the figure for moving one alignment plate 91A and a second unit 90B on the right side in the figure for moving the other alignment plate 91B. Since these two units 90A and 90B have substantially the same structure, the first unit 90A will be described below as a representative.
[0046]
The aligning plate 91A is fixed to a carriage 94A that can move back and forth linearly by sliding on a guide bar 93A that is fixedly supported in the intermediate discharge tray 92A. The carriage 94A is fixed to a part of a timing belt 97A stretched between the driving pulley 95A and the driven pulley 96A by a fixing member 98A. The drive pulley 95A is driven to rotate from a drive motor M3 as a drive source via gears G11 and G12. PS6A is a home position sensor. Similarly, the second unit 90B is linearly reciprocated via the gear train and the timing belt 97B by a drive motor M4 of another drive source. In this way, the alignment plates 91A and 91B are each provided with a dedicated drive motor and can move independently.
[0047]
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the alignment plates 91A and 91B during the stapling process.
[0048]
FIG. 11A shows a state in which a normal size sheet P1 is subjected to stapling processing with width alignment. The alignment plates 91A and 91B are moved from the initial position where the home position sensors PS6A and PS6B are positioned to a position slightly wider than the sheet width of the sheet P1 by the dedicated drive motors M3 and M4, respectively. Each time the sheet P1 is fed to the vicinity of the stapler, the sheet P1 is moved to a position slightly narrower than the sheet width, and the width alignment is performed by hitting the side edge of the sheet P. After a predetermined number of sheets P1 reaches the leading end 14A of the discharge arm 14, the staples SP are stapled by either or both of the staplers 10A and 10B._A, SP_BEither or both of these are hit (staple processing). The trailing end portion of the stapled sheet P1 is discharged by the leading end portion 14A by swinging of the discharge arm 14, and is discharged to the discharge tray means (20 or 30).
[0049]
FIG. 11B shows a state in which staple processing is performed with a width-aligned sheet P2 having a small size (for example, B6 size, A6 size, etc.).
[0050]
When the stapling process is performed on the small-sized sheet P2, the alignment plate 91B starts to move from the initial position each time the sheet is fed from the sheet reverse conveying drum 4 to the stapler 10 and comes into contact with the leading end portion 14A. , The sheet P is shifted to one side, and the other alignment plate 91A starts moving from the initial position and strikes the side edge of the sheet P2 for width alignment.
[0051]
FIG. 11C is a plan view showing sheets of various sizes and stapling positions. The staplers 10A and 10B are moved by a driving source (not shown), stopped at a predetermined position that differs for each sheet size, and stapled SP._A, SP_BHit the needle. When hitting a small-sized sheet P2, the stapler 10A, 10B cannot approach the predetermined hitting position by the discharge arm 14 or the like disposed near the center. Therefore, by shifting one alignment plate 91B, the sheet P2 Is moved to the other alignment plate 91A side, and then stapled.
[0052]
FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the alignment plates 91A and 91B during the shift process.
[0053]
FIG. 12A shows a state where odd-numbered sheet bundles are processed. When the shift mode (offset mode) is set, the alignment plates 91A and 91B move equidistant from the initial position equidistant with respect to the center line R in the transport direction of the sheet P, and the sheet width corresponds to the sheet size. At a slightly wider first position, the sheet bundle is received, post-processed and ejected.
[0054]
FIG. 12B shows a state where the even-numbered sheet bundle is shifted. After the even-numbered sheet bundle is received at the same position as the odd-numbered sheet bundle, the alignment plates 91A and 91B move and stop at a position unequal to the center line R in the conveyance direction of the sheet P. It is post-processed and discharged. Note that the width matching may be performed in this shift mode.
[0055]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0056]
1 and 8, sensors PS1, PS2 and PS3 for detecting the lower limit position of the movable paper discharge tray 21 are located on the movable paper discharge tray 21 at the respective stop positions of the upper and lower paper discharge tray means 20,30. A detection signal indicating that the sheet P is full (upper limit of the stacking amount) is sent to the control unit 80 described later. That is, the sensor PS1 detects the lower limit position of the movable discharge tray 21 at the bottom dead center position of the lower discharge tray means 30. The sensor PS2 detects the lower limit position of the movable discharge tray 21 at a position where the upper discharge tray means 20 and the lower discharge tray means 30 are discharged onto the movable discharge tray 21 after the sheet post-processing. The sensor PS3 detects the lower limit position of the movable discharge tray 21 at the top dead center position of the upper discharge tray means 20.
[0057]
Hereinafter, raising and lowering of the upper and lower discharge tray means 20, 30 and control by the sensors PS1 to 3 will be described.
[0058]
(1) In the sheet post-processing apparatus, the sensor PS2 indicates that the sheet post-processed sheet bundle is stacked on the movable discharge tray 21 of the upper discharge tray means 20, reaches the lower limit position, and the sheet P is full. Is detected, a detection signal is sent to the control unit 80. Based on this detection signal, the control unit 80 drives the drive motor M1 to raise the upper discharge tray means 20 and raise the lower discharge tray means 30 following the upper discharge tray means 20.
[0059]
(2) After the lower output tray unit 30 stops at a predetermined sheet post-processing position, the sheet post-processed sheet bundle is stacked on the movable output tray 21 of the lower output tray unit 30 and is moved to the lower limit position. When the sensor PS2 detects that the sheet P is full, the detection signal is sent to the control unit 80. When the sheets P on both the discharge tray means 20 and 30 are full, the sheet post-processing is stopped.
[0060]
(3) During the above-described sheet post-processing, when the post-processed sheet P on both the paper discharge tray means 20 and 30 is extracted, the weight of the sheet P on the movable paper discharge tray 21 becomes light, and the movable discharge As the paper plate 21 is spring-biased and rises, the sensor PS2 issues a signal indicating that the sheets P can be stacked, and continues the sheet post-processing.
[0061]
(4) During the sheet post-processing or after the sheet post-processing, sheet post-processing is performed from another sheet discharge tray unit (the lower sheet discharge tray unit 30 in FIG. 1 or the upper sheet discharge tray unit 20 in FIG. 8). When the finished sheet P is extracted, the weight of the sheet P on the movable paper discharge tray 21 becomes light, the movable paper discharge tray 21 is lifted by a spring, and the sensor PS1 or PS3 can stack the sheets P. After the signal is output and the sheet discharge tray means moves, the sheet post-processing is continued.
[0062]
In this way, during the sheet post-processing, the sheet post-processed sheet P on the upper and lower discharge tray means 20 and 30 is arbitrarily extracted, so that the sheet post-processing operation is continued, and a large number of sheets P are obtained. Post-processing is possible.
[0063]
Further, a sheet post-processing means comprising one stapler 10 and one shift alignment means 9, and upper and lower discharge tray means 20, 30 for stacking a sheet bundle processed and discharged by the sheet post-processing means, Elevating and lowering driving means 40 for raising and lowering the upper and lower discharge tray means 20 and 30 is provided, and the sheet P formed in the staple processing mode is discharged and stacked on one discharge tray means 20 (or 30), and the discharge is performed. It is also possible to raise and lower the paper tray means 20 (or 30) and to discharge and stack the sheet P formed in the shift processing mode on the other paper discharge tray means 30 (or 20). As a result, the stapling process and the shift process can be easily and continuously performed.
[0064]
  In the embodiment of the present invention, a sheet post-processing apparatus connected to a copying machinePost-processing methodThe sheet post-processing device used by connecting to image forming devices such as printers and facsimiles, and light printersPost-processing methodIt is also applicable to.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
  Sheet post-processing apparatus of the present inventionPost-processing methodThus, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
[0066]
  By making the stapler and shifter compact with a simple structure,Downsizing of post-processing equipmentAt the same time, it is effective in preventing occurrence of sheet conveyance failure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.Sheet post-processing apparatus according to post-processing methodFIG.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveying process (1) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveying process (2) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveyance process (3) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveying process (4) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveyance process (5) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveyance process (6) of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing driving of a paper discharge tray unit in a sheet post-processing apparatus having a two-stage paper discharge tray unit.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a paper discharge tray means.
FIG. 10 is a front view of shift alignment means.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the alignment plate during stapling processing, and a plan view showing sheets of various sizes and stapling positions.
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing the operation of the alignment plate during shift processing.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the control of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Sheet reversing conveyance drum
5 Conveying roller pair
6 Sheet holding member
7 Topmost paper delivery means
9 Shift alignment means (sheet post-processing means)
10, 10A, 10B Stapler (stapling means, sheet post-processing means)
14 Discharge arm (discharge member)
20 Upper discharge tray means
21 Moving paper tray
22 Fixed paper tray
30 Lower output tray means
40 Lifting drive means
44 Output tray hanging bracket
80 Control unit
90A 1st unit
90B second unit
91A, 91B Alignment plate (Alignment member)
92A Unit housing and intermediate output tray
97A, 97B Timing belt
M1, M2, M3, M4 drive motor
P, P1, P2 sheet
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, PS6A, PS6B sensor
R Center line in the transport direction

Claims (1)

A sheet post-processing apparatus that transports an image-formed sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus onto an intermediate sheet discharge tray, performs post-processing on the intermediate sheet discharge tray, and then discharges the sheet bundle to a sheet discharge tray unit . In the post-processing method ,
A step of transporting an image-formed sheet onto an intermediate paper discharge tray, and a plurality of alignment members provided on both sides of the width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction on the intermediate paper discharge tray in the width direction of the sheet of
A step of performing a width alignment process, a step of stapling a sheet bundle aligned by the plurality of alignment members by a stapler unit, and a step of discharging the stapled sheet bundle to the discharge tray unit. 1 processing step;
A step of transporting an image-formed sheet onto an intermediate paper discharge tray, and a plurality of alignment members provided on both sides of the width direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction on the intermediate paper discharge tray in the width direction of the sheet A step of performing two processing operations including a width aligning process and a shift process for sorting by the number of copies, a step of stapling a sheet bundle aligned by the plurality of aligning members by a stapler, and a staple A second processing step comprising a step of discharging the processed sheet bundle to the discharge tray means;
A post-processing method for a sheet post-processing apparatus , wherein the plurality of alignment members are alternately shifted to a plurality of positions to alternately execute the first processing step and the second processing step .

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