JP3830653B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a sheet from the discharge port to the entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming system including a relay device to be sent, and more particularly to a structure of the relay device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A sheet post-processing apparatus that receives a copied sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus and performs various post-processing is widely known.
The post-paper processing includes stapling processing for binding a bundle of paper, sorting processing for sorting paper (sorting), punching processing for punching filing holes in paper, stamp processing for stamping paper, folding processing for folding paper, and the like.
If the paper post-processing apparatus is to have a punching function, the punch unit is naturally incorporated in the apparatus. Incidentally, the sheet post-processing apparatus generally has one entrance, and the sheet taken into the apparatus is branched into a plurality of paths according to the sheet passing mode by a branching claw near the entrance.
Therefore, in order to execute punch processing on all sheets in the sheet passing mode, it is necessary to dispose a punch unit in the vicinity of the inlet portion on the upstream side of the branching claw (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 62-32472, special feature). (See Kaihei 6-135620).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, since the conventional paper post-processing apparatus has to arrange the punch unit near the entrance portion, the degree of freedom of design is limited, and the punch unit is located in a complicated place near the branching paper conveyance path. As a result, the entire apparatus becomes large.
By the way, looking at the configuration of a recent image forming apparatus alone, there is an increasing number of types in which the paper discharge port is arranged inside the apparatus in order to speed up the first print (first copy) and reduce the installation area. ing. In this case, a relay apparatus that relays the sheet through the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus is required. However, the added value of this relay device is low, and effective use of the space is required.
In addition, a sheet post-processing apparatus in which a punch unit and a staple unit are integrally incorporated cannot respond to diversified needs of users.
[0004]
The present invention has been made based on such a background, and the problem is that the relay device can be effectively used, and the paper post-processing device can be reduced in size and punch processing can be performed to meet diversified needs of users. An image forming system that can be used is provided.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-described problems include an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, and an entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus from the discharge port to the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system comprising a relay device for feeding paper to the image forming apparatus, a hollow portion is formed in the upper portion of the image forming device, and the discharge port is disposed so as to discharge the paper to the hollow portion. The image forming unit is configured to house the relay device in a hollow portion and receive the paper discharged from the discharge port into the relay device, transport the paper through a transport path of the relay device, and send the paper to the entrance of the paper processing device. the paper transport path of the relay device housed in the hollow portion of the device, is solved by first means installed the punch unit to open a punch hole in the sheet.
Further, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the second means in the first means, in which the discharge roller is provided on the downstream side of the punch unit.
The above-described problem is that, in the second means, the distance between the discharge roller and the conveyance roller on the upstream side of the punch unit and the distance between the entrance roller of the entrance portion of the sheet post-processing device is shorter than the minimum sheet passing size. This is solved by the third means arranged at the position.
The above-described problem is solved by a fourth means characterized in that, in the first means, the punch unit has a function of making a punch hole in the paper that is being advanced.
In the fourth means, the above-described problem is solved by the fifth means having a rotary cut type structure in which the punch unit includes punches and dies opposed to each other with the front and back surfaces of the paper interposed therebetween.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism of a jogger fence and a return roller of the paper post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view centered on the stapling device, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bundle of sheets is discharged by the discharge belt, and FIG. 6 is an electric system. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a partially enlarged tray shift mechanism, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a relay device, FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the entire image forming system, and FIG. 10 is a punch unit control operation. It is a flowchart.
[0007]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system includes a sheet post-processing apparatus A, an image forming apparatus B, and a relay apparatus C. The relay device C has a function of carrying the paper discharged from the image forming device B into the paper post-processing device A.
In the relay device C, a punch unit 100 is arranged. The configuration centered on the punch unit 100 will be described later.
[0008]
Hereinafter, the sheet post-processing apparatus A will be described.
In FIG. 1, an entrance sensor 36, an entrance roller 1, and a branch claw 8 are provided at the entrance of the paper discharge conveyance path from the copying machine. Staple unit) paper that goes in the 11 direction is divided.
The transport path in the direction of the paper discharge tray 12 includes a plurality of upper transport rollers 2, a paper discharge sensor 38, a discharge roller 3, a moving roller 7 that moves the paper to one side, a paper surface lever 13 that moves up and down by the stacked paper, and a stacked paper height. A paper surface sensor 33 to be detected is disposed, and a plurality of lower transport rollers 4, a paper discharge sensor 37, a paper feed roller (brush roller) 6 and the like are disposed in the transport path in the direction of the stapling apparatus 11.
The lower conveyance roller 4 is driven by a conveyance motor 54 described later, and the paper discharge tray 12 is appropriately moved up, down, left, and right by a vertical motor 51 and a shift motor 52 described later.
[0009]
The stapling device 11 is provided below the staple tray 21. The staple tray 21 discharges a bundle of sheets bound to a position behind the jogger fence 9, the return roller 5, and the jogger fence 9 for aligning the sheets. Discharge belts 10 are arranged for each. Reference numeral 39 denotes a discharge belt home sensor.
As shown in FIG. 2, the jogger fence 9 is driven in the paper width direction by a jogger motor 26 via a jogger belt 49, and the return roller 5 is moved in a pendulum manner so as to come into contact with and separate from the paper surface by a return solenoid 30. It is configured to be.
The brush roller 6 is rotated by the brush roller belt 47 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a rear end fence 19 for abutting against the rear end of the sheet is provided below the jogger fence 9.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 4, the stapler 11 is driven by the stapler moving motor 27 via the staple belt 50 and moves laterally. Reference numeral 22 denotes a stapler home sensor. The rear end fence 19 has fixed pieces 19a and 19b and movable pieces 19c and 19d that move together when the stapling apparatus 11 moves.
[0011]
By the way, even if the sheet discharge sensor 37 detects the trailing edge of the sheet and immediately issues an ON command to the return solenoid 30 to operate the returning roller 5, the returning roller 5 can hit the trailing edge of the sheet at that timing. It is arranged at such a position.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the trailing end of the sheet bundle bound by the stapling device 11 is engaged with the discharge claw 10 a provided on the discharge belt 10, and the discharge belt 10 rotated by the discharge motor 57 is rotated. As a result, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12.
[0012]
Next, the electrical system of the sheet post-processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, signals from the switches and sensors in the sheet post-processing apparatus are input to the CPU 70 via the I / O interface 60. In accordance with the input signal, the CPU 70 moves the vertical motor 51, shift motor 52, branch solenoid 53, return solenoid 30, transport motor 54, paper discharge motor 55, staple motor 56, discharge motor 57, stapler moving motor 27, jogger. The motor 26 is driven. The pulse signal of the transport motor 54 is input to the CPU 70 and counted, and the return solenoid 30 is controlled according to this count. The paper alignment control means is constituted by the CPU 70 and various operation programs that operate the CPU 70.
[0013]
Next, in the embodiment described above, an operation when the non-staple mode in which stapling is not performed is selected will be described.
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller 1, sent by the upper transport roller 2, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12 by the discharge roller 3. Then, the vertical alignment of the sheets is performed by the alignment roller 7 and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 12.
At this time, the closing roller 7 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the trailing edge of the paper, and improves the stacking property. Further, as the copied sheets are sequentially discharged, the paper surface lever 13 is raised (swings clockwise), which is detected by the paper surface sensor 33 and driven by the up / down motor 51 to eject the paper discharge tray 12. Is lowered and always kept at the proper height.
In the sort and stack modes, the paper discharge tray 12 is shifted left and right by the shift motor 52 in accordance with a partition signal output from the control panel of the apparatus main body, and sorting is performed until the end of the job. At the end of the job, the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered about 30 millimeters.
[0014]
Next, a case where the staple mode is selected will be described.
When the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 2, the jogger fence 9 moves from the home position and stands by at a position 7 mm away from the sheet width. When the sheet is conveyed by the lower conveyance roller 4 (driven by the conveyance motor 54) and the rear end of the sheet passes the sheet discharge sensor 37, the jogger fence 9 is jogged inward by 5 mm from the standby position (reciprocating movement in the arrow direction). I do.
The paper discharge sensor 37 detects this when the trailing edge of the paper passes, and inputs the signal to the CPU 70. The CPU 70 counts the transmission pulse from the carry motor 54 from the reception time of this signal, and transmits a predetermined pulse. Later, the return solenoid 30 is turned on.
The return roller 5 performs a pendulum motion when the return solenoid 30 is turned on and off. When the return solenoid 30 is turned on, the return roller 5 strikes the paper to return downward, and abuts against the rear end fence 19 to vertically align the paper. Each time the paper stored in the staple tray 21 passes through the entrance sensor 36 (or the paper discharge sensor 37), the signal is input to the CPU 70, and the number of papers is counted.
After the return solenoid 30 is turned off and a predetermined time has elapsed, the jogger fence 9 is moved inward by 2 mm by the jogger motor 26 and temporarily stopped, and the lateral alignment of the paper is completed. The jogger fence 9 then returns 7 millimeters and waits for the next sheet. This operation is performed up to the last page. On the last page, 7 mm jogging is performed again, and both ends of the sheet bundle are pressed to prepare for the stapling operation.
[0015]
Thereafter, after a predetermined time, the stapling apparatus 11 is operated and the binding process is performed. At this time, if a plurality of bindings are designated, after the binding process at one place is completed, the staple moving motor 27 is driven, and the stapling apparatus 11 is moved to an appropriate position along the rear end of the sheet, so that the second place. A binding process is performed.
When the binding process is completed, the discharge motor 57 is driven to drive the discharge belt 10. At this time, the paper discharge motor 55 is also driven to start rotating to receive the sheet bundle lifted by the discharge claw 10a. At this time, the jogger fence 9 is controlled so that the operation differs depending on the size and the number of sheets.
For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is smaller than the set number or smaller than the set size, the rear end of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the discharge claw 10a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 9.
Then, the jogger fence 9 is retracted 2 millimeters after a predetermined pulse from the discharge belt home sensor 39, and the restriction of the paper by the jogger fence 9 is released (this predetermined pulse causes the discharge claw 10a to collide with the rear end of the sheet bundle. From the end of the jogger fence 9).
If the number of sheets to be bound is larger than the set number or larger than the set size, the jogger fence 9 is retracted in advance by 2 millimeters and discharged. In any case, when the sheet bundle passes through the jogger fence 9, the jogger fence 9 moves further 5 millimeters and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sheet. Further, it is possible to adjust the binding force according to the distance of the jogger fence 9 to the paper.
The above series of operations is repeated until the last job.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 7, the engagement protrusion 23a of the tray substrate 23 to which the paper discharge tray 12 is attached is engaged with the spiral groove of the rotating body 24 rotated by the shift motor 52, and the rotating body 24 rotates. Thus, the engaging protrusion 23a moves to the left and right relative to the rotating body 24, and the paper discharge tray 12 is shifted to the left and right.
[0017]
Next, the punch unit of the relay device will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a conveyance roller 201 is provided on the upstream side of the punch unit 100, and a discharge roller 202 is provided on the downstream side of the punch unit 100. A punch sensor 203 is provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the conveying roller 201.
The discharge roller 202 is disposed at a position where the distance from the conveyance roller 201 on the upstream side of the punch unit and the distance from the entrance roller 1 at the entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus A are shorter than the minimum sheet passing size. As a result, the minimum size paper can be reliably conveyed.
The punch unit 100 includes a punch motor 101 shown in FIG. 9, and a punch 102 and a die 103 shown in FIG. Below the punch unit 100, a case 104 for storing the punch residue 105 is provided.
When the punch mode is selected from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus B or a computer connected to the image forming apparatus B, the punch unit 100 is driven by the punch motor 101 every time the sheet passes through the punch unit 100. Make punch holes in the paper. The punch hole is always opened in synchronism with a punch 102 configured to rotate by a punch motor 101 and a die 103, and a punch debris 105 is stored in a case 104.
Specifically, when the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the punch sensor 203, the punch motor 101 is driven after a predetermined time and a punch hole is opened. When the punch mode is not selected, the paper is discharged to the upper surface of the relay device C by the branching claw 204 (see FIG. 1) of the relay device C or the punch unit 100 is driven according to other mode settings. Instead, the paper passes through the punch unit 100 and is sent to the paper post-processing apparatus A.
[0018]
The block of the sheet post-processing apparatus A shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that in FIG. In the relay device C, a punch motor 101, a punch sensor 203, and a solenoid 205 that drives the branching claw 204 of the relay device C are shown.
[0019]
Next, the punch unit control operation will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the paper discharge starts in the image forming apparatus B (S1). If the punch mode is selected (Y in S2) and the punch sensor 203 is turned on (Y in S3), the timer counter is set to 0 (S4), while the punch sensor 203 is on (S5). Y), the timer counter is counted up (S6).
When the timer reaches the set value (Y in S7), the punch motor 101 is turned on (S8), and when the punch 102 and the die 103 make one rotation to open a punch hole (Y in S9), the punch motor 101 is turned off (S10).
Next, it is determined whether or not it is a mode for discharging the sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus (finisher) A (S11). If the mode is the discharging mode (Y in S11), the sheet is discharged to the sheet post-processing apparatus A. (S12). If the mode is not to use the sheet post-processing apparatus A (N in S11), the branch solenoid 205 is turned on (S13), the sheet is discharged to the image forming apparatus B (S14), and the branch solenoid 205 is turned off (S15). ).
[0020]
In such an embodiment, the image forming apparatus B such as a copying machine or a printer, the sheet post-processing apparatus A that performs post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus B, and the image forming apparatus B In the image forming system including the relay device C that feeds the paper from the discharge port to the entrance of the paper post-processing device A, the punch unit 100 that opens punch holes in the paper is installed in the paper transport path of the relay device C. By incorporating the punch unit 100 into the relay device C having a simple structure with many punches, punch processing can be performed without increasing the size of the paper post-processing device A (the machine width) even when a system configuration capable of punching is adopted. It is possible to add possible added value and save space. In addition, it is possible to deal with users who require only punching, and the system construction variation can be increased.
[0021]
In the above embodiment, since the discharge roller 202 is provided on the downstream side of the punch unit 100 in the relay device C, the paper discharge quality can be obtained even when the relay device C is used alone as a punch processing device. (Transport quality) can be stabilized.
[0022]
In the embodiment, the discharge roller 202 has a distance from the conveyance roller 201 upstream of the punch unit 100 and a distance from the entrance roller 1 at the entrance of the sheet post-processing apparatus A from the minimum sheet passing size. Since the relay device C is arranged as a short position, the paper discharge quality (conveyance quality) can be stabilized even when the relay device C is used alone as a punch processing device.
[0023]
In the embodiment, since the punch unit 100 has a function of opening punch holes in the paper that is being advanced, the punching process can be performed without temporarily stopping the paper. The structure is not complicated and productivity can be improved.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the punch unit 100 has a rotary cut type structure including the punch 102 and the die 103 facing each other with the front and back surfaces of the paper interposed therebetween, so that punch processing is performed without temporarily stopping the paper. Since it can be performed, the structure of the relay apparatus C is not complicated, and productivity can be improved.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the hollow portion is formed in the upper portion of the image forming apparatus, and the discharge port is disposed so as to discharge the paper in the hollow portion, and the relay device is accommodated in the hollow portion, By incorporating a punch unit into a relay device with a simple configuration with a lot of space, punch processing is possible without increasing the size of the paper post-processing device (the machine width) even when a system configuration capable of punch processing is adopted. It is possible to add value and save space. In addition, it is possible to deal with users who require only punching, and the system construction variation can be increased.
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, even when the relay device is used alone as a punch processing device, the paper discharge quality (conveyance quality) can be stabilized.
According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention, since the punching process can be performed without temporarily stopping the paper, the structure of the relay device is not complicated and the productivity can be improved. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism of a jogger fence and a return roller of the paper post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram in the vicinity of a rear end fence portion of the paper post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view centering on a stapling apparatus of a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a sheet bundle after binding by the sheet post-processing apparatus is discharged by a discharge belt.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electrical system of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a partially enlarged tray shift mechanism of the paper post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a relay device.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the electrical system of the entire image forming system.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a punch unit control operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Paper post-processing device B Image forming device C Relay device 1 Entrance roller 100 of paper post-processing device A Punch unit 101 Punch motor 102 Punch 103 Die 104 Case 201 Conveying roller 202 Ejecting roller 203 Punch sensor 204 Branching claw 205 Branching solenoid

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a sheet is fed from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus to the inlet of the sheet post-processing apparatus. In an image forming system composed of a relay device,
A hollow portion is formed in an upper portion of the image forming apparatus, and the discharge port is disposed so as to discharge the paper into the hollow portion, and the relay device is accommodated in the hollow portion and discharged from the discharge port. The paper to be received in the relay device, transported through the transport path of the relay device, and sent to the entrance of the paper processing device,
An image forming system, wherein a punch unit that opens a punch hole in a sheet is installed in the sheet conveyance path of the relay apparatus housed in a hollow portion of the image forming apparatus . The image forming system according to claim 1.
An image forming system in the relay apparatus, wherein a discharge roller is provided downstream of the punch unit. The image forming system according to claim 2.
The discharge roller is disposed at a position where the distance from the conveying roller on the upstream side of the punch unit and the distance from the entrance roller of the entrance portion of the sheet post-processing device are shorter than the minimum sheet passing size. An image forming system. The image forming system according to claim 1.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the punch unit has a function of opening a punch hole in the proceeding paper. The image forming system according to claim 4.
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the punch unit has a rotary cut type structure including punches and dies that face each other across the front and back surfaces of the paper.

Images