JP4048940B2 - Paper post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as folding processing on sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Paper post-processing devices that perform post-processing such as punching processing and folding processing on paper on which an image has been recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine are provided. This sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to and driven by the print function of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0003]
A sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-148983 includes a pair of conveyance rollers on the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path, a pair of conveyance rollers on the downstream side, and a folding branching arrangement disposed between these conveyance roller pairs. It consists of a pair of rollers and folds the paper in half.
[0004]
In the sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-72321, a sheet bundle folding process unit that performs folding processing of a plurality of sheets performs Z-folding, inner winding tri-folding, and middle folding for one sheet. The folding process was performed.
[0005]
In the paper post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-261220, the first post-processing unit performs a Z-folding process on one sheet and is disposed downstream of the binding processing unit. The post-processing unit 2 performs a folding process such as a half-folding process on a plurality of sheets and an inner winding tri-folding process or a middle folding process on one sheet.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-148983 A (paragraph number 0011 and FIG. 2)
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-72321 A (Claims)
[0008]
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-261220 A (Claims)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The paper post-processing apparatus that performs the conventional folding process has the following problems.
[0010]
(1) In the paper processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the following problems may occur.
[0011]
(A) When a sheet is folded, since there is no guide member for guiding the sheet, the first folding is performed when performing a second folding process such as a three-fold, an inner four-fold (also referred to as a kannon fold), or a double parallel fold. The edge of the folded paper interferes and stable folding processing cannot be executed.
[0012]
(B) The folding position is not stable because the distance between the conveying roller pair that buckles the paper to form a loop and the paper folding roller pair that performs folding is long.
[0013]
(C) Since the upstream side conveyance roller and the downstream side conveyance roller are arranged at positions separated from each other, it is difficult to save space.
[0014]
(D) Since the guide plate at the folding processing position has a planar shape, multiple folding is likely to occur.
[0015]
(2) In the paper post-processing devices disclosed in Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3, since the paper is once stored in the intermediate stacker and then folded, there is a problem that the device becomes complicated and large.
[0016]
Further, folding processing such as tri-folding, middle folding, and Z-folding for one or a plurality of sheets is conveyed to a sheet bundle middle folding processing unit disposed on the downstream side of the binding processing unit, and the folding processing is performed. For this reason, there is a possibility that a paper conveyance failure may occur in a long paper conveyance path inclined and refracted.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above problems are solved by the following sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention.
[0019]
( 1 ) Paper folding comprising a pair of folding rollers that convey the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus and press it with a predetermined load and rotatably support the paper, and a pair of folding conveyance rollers that press with the pair of folding rollers with a predetermined load. In the paper post-processing apparatus that performs the folding process by the processing unit,
A guide member for guiding a sheet to a holding position of the pair of folding rollers;
An urging means for pressing the distal end portion of the guide member toward the holding position of the pair of folding rollers;
Guide member driving means for releasing the urging force by the urging means;
Folding roller moving means for moving the pair of folding rollers to a pressure contact position and a separation position;
Drive switching means for conveying the sheet at the separation position and folding the sheet at the pressure contact position;
Common drive means for driving the guide member drive means and the drive switching means;
Have
At the time of paper conveyance for introducing the paper into the paper folding processing section, the folding roller moving means moves the pair of folding rollers to a separated position and operates the guide member driving means to remove the guide member from the paper conveyance path. Move it to the waiting position,
When the folding process is performed on the sheet, the pair of folding rollers are moved to the pressure contact position by the folding roller moving unit, the operation of the guide member driving unit is released, and the sheet is pressed by the biasing unit to press the sheet. A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein a sheet is pushed into a holding position of a pair of folding rollers.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A and a sheet post-processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a post-processing apparatus) B.
[0022]
[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A includes a charging device 2, an image exposure device (image writing unit) 3, a developing device 4, and a transfer device 5 A around a rotating electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter referred to as an image carrier) 1. And an image forming portion in which the charge removing / separating device 5B and the cleaning device 6 are arranged. The image forming unit uniformly charges the surface of the image carrier 1 by the charging device 2, and then performs exposure scanning based on image data read from the document by the laser beam of the image exposure device 3 to form a latent image. Then, the latent image is reversed and developed by the developing device 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.
[0023]
On the other hand, paper is fed from the paper feed cassettes 7A and 7B arranged in the middle stage of the image forming apparatus A, the large capacity paper feed trays 7C and 7D arranged in the lower stage, the manual paper feed tray 7E arranged on the side, and the like. The recording sheet S is sent to the transfer position via the registration roller 7F.
[0024]
The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper S by the transfer device 5A at the transfer position. Thereafter, the charge on the back surface of the recording sheet S is erased by the charge removing / separating device 5B and separated from the image carrier 1 and conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 7G. Subsequently, the toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing device 8. The recording sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 8 passes through the sheet passing path on the right side of the conveyance path switching plate 9B, is sent to the reverse conveyance section 9C, and is then lifted in the reverse direction. The paper passes through the other paper passing path and is discharged by the paper discharge roller 9A.
[0025]
When image formation is performed on both sides of the recording paper S, the recording paper S heated and fixed by the fixing device 8 is branched from the normal paper discharge path by the transport path switching plate 9B and switched back in the double-side transport section 9D. After reversing the front and back, the image passes through the image forming unit again, forms an image on the back surface of the recording paper S, passes through the fixing device 8, and is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 9A.
[0026]
On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1 after image processing is removed by the cleaning device 6 to prepare for the next image formation.
[0027]
[Post-processing equipment]
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the post-processing apparatus B according to the present invention.
[0028]
The post-processing apparatus B includes a receiving unit 10, a paper discharge unit 20, a cover sheet paper feeding unit 30, a punching processing unit 40, a transport unit 50, and a paper folding processing unit 60.
[0029]
<Receiving part 10>
The entrance roller 11 of the receiving unit 10 is installed at a position and height that substantially match the paper discharge roller 9A of the image forming apparatus A.
[0030]
In the receiving unit 10, the recording paper S subjected to the image forming process from the image forming apparatus A and the cover sheet K supplied from the cover sheet feeding unit 30 are introduced.
[0031]
The recording paper S and the cover paper K introduced into the entrance roller 11 are branched to either the paper discharge unit 20 or the punching processing unit 40 by the conveyance path switching means G1.
[0032]
<Discharge unit 20>
When the sheet conveyance is set, the conveyance path switching unit G1 blocks the conveyance path to the punching processing unit 40 and opens the conveyance path to the paper discharge unit 20.
[0033]
The recording paper S passing through the transport path of the paper discharge unit 20 is sandwiched between the transport rollers 21 and 22, travels straight, is discharged by the paper discharge roller 23, and is placed on the lift paper discharge tray (main tray) 24. It is loaded sequentially. When discharging and stacking a large number of recording sheets S on the lifting / discharging tray 24, the lifting / discharging tray 24 is configured to sequentially descend, and can accommodate a maximum of 3000 recording sheets S. is there.
[0034]
The recording sheet S branched upward in the figure on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance roller 22 by the conveyance path switching means G2 passes through the conveyance roller 25 and is fixed by a fixed discharge table (sub-tray) 27 outside the apparatus by the discharge roller 26. Drained and stored on top. A maximum of about 200 recording sheets S can be stacked on the fixed discharge tray 27.
[0035]
A conveyance path switching unit G3 disposed downstream of the conveyance roller 25 branches the recording sheet S to be conveyed and discharges it to a fixed sheet discharge tray (internal tray) 29 inside the post-processing apparatus.
[0036]
<Cover Paper Feeding Unit 30>
The cover sheet K accommodated in the sheet tray 31 of the cover sheet sheet feeding unit 30 is separated and fed by the sheet feeding means 32, and is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 33, 34, 35, and 36, and is received by the receiving unit 10. be introduced. The cover sheet paper feeding unit 30 can be loaded with an insert sheet.
[0037]
It is also possible to load the cover sheet paper supply unit 30 with the cover sheet K, the insert sheet, or the recording sheet S and perform the punching process and the folding process offline.
[0038]
Hereinafter, the recording paper S, the cover paper K, and the insert paper are collectively referred to as paper S.
[0039]
<Perforation processing unit 40>
The paper S branched by the conveyance path switching unit G1 of the receiving unit 10 is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 41 disposed below the conveyance path switching unit G1 and conveyed to the punching processing unit 40. The punching device of the punching processing unit 40 is composed of a punch driven by a driving means and a die that fits into the blade portion of the punch. The perforated paper S is sent to the lower conveyance unit 50. Alternatively, the paper S after the punching process is sent back to the paper discharge unit 20 by the transport path switching means G4 and discharged.
[0040]
<Conveyor 50>
The sheet S sent to the conveying unit 50 is nipped by the conveying rollers 51, 52, 53, and 54 and conveyed to the sheet folding processing unit 60.
[0041]
<Paper folding processing unit 60>
The sheet S conveyed from the conveyance unit 50 to the sheet folding processing unit 60 is nipped and conveyed by the entrance roller 601, and the first folding unit 61, the second folding unit 62, and the third folding unit 63 perform outer and middle folding. Folding processes such as inner and middle folds, Z folds, outer trifolds, middle trifolds, kannon folds, and double parallel folds are performed, and the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20.
[0042]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the paper folding processing unit 60 according to the present invention.
The first folding unit 61 includes a folding roller 611 and a folding roller 612, a pair of folding rollers that can be pressed and separated, a folding conveyance roller 613 that is pressed against the folding roller 611, a folding conveyance roller 614 that is pressed against the folding roller 612, and The guide member 615 pushes the crease portion of the sheet S into the holding position of the pair of folding rollers.
[0043]
The second folding part 62 and the third folding part 63 have substantially the same configuration as the first folding part 61.
[0044]
The sheet folding processing unit 60 includes a plurality of conveyance paths (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) connecting the first folding unit 61, the second folding unit 62, and the third folding unit 63. A plurality of transport rollers 602, 6O3, 604, 605, 606, 607, and 608.609 that sandwich and transport the paper S are disposed.
[0045]
Since the sheet conveying means of the first fold 61, the second fold 62, and the third fold 63, the paper leading edge detection sensors PS1, PS2, PS3, and the driving means have substantially the same configuration, The first folding part 61 will be described as a representative.
[0046]
<First folding part 61>
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a state in which the sheet S passes through the first folding unit 61 and the conveyance path (1).
[0047]
Before the sheet S conveyed from the entrance roller 601 passes through the first folding unit 61, a cam 616A disposed coaxially with the folding roller 611 is rotated by a driving unit shown in FIG. The folding roller 611, the disc-shaped follower 616 </ b> B arranged coaxially with the folding roller 611, and the folding conveyance roller 614 are rotatably supported by the swing plate 617. The swing plate 617 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 617A and is urged in one direction by a spring 617B.
[0048]
By this spring bias, the outer peripheral surface of the folding roller 612 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the folding roller 611, and the cam 616A is pressed against the follower 616B. When the cam 616A rotates and reaches the maximum radius portion, the folding roller 611 and the folding roller 612 are held at the maximum separation position at the opposing positions.
[0049]
A backup roller 618A is disposed on the upstream side of the sheet conveyance at a position where the cam 616A and the follower 616B are in pressure contact with each other. The backup roller 618A urged by the spring 618B presses the cam 616A from the back, presses the cam 616A and the follower 616B, and ensures separation between the folding roller 611 and the folding roller 612.
[0050]
A spring urging means (not shown) is provided on the back side of the folding conveyance roller 613, and holds the folding conveyance roller 613 in pressure contact with the folding roller 611. A spring urging means (not shown) is also provided on the back side of the folding conveyance roller 614, and holds the folding conveyance roller 614 in pressure contact with the folding roller 612.
[0051]
The folding rollers 611 and 612 are rotated counterclockwise in the same direction by driving means shown in FIG. The folding conveying rollers 613 and 614 are also rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure by the driving means described above.
[0052]
The sheet S conveyed to the straight path of the first folding unit 61 is nipped between the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613, and the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614, and conveyed linearly.
[0053]
After the passage of the leading edge of the conveyed paper S is detected by the sensor PS1, the paper S is stopped at a predetermined position after counting a predetermined pulse.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the sheet S is folded by the first folding unit 61.
[0055]
After the sensor PS1 detects the passage of the leading edge of the sheet S conveyed to the conveying path (1) and counts a predetermined pulse, the control means stops the sheet S at a predetermined position. The stop position of the paper S is determined by the selection setting of the paper size and folding processing.
[0056]
After the sheet S is stopped, the cam 616A is rotated by 180 degrees by the driving means, and when the minimum radius portion of the cam 616A reaches the clamping position, the folding roller 611 and the folding roller 612 are held in a pressure contact state.
[0057]
The folding rollers 611 and 612 are driven and rotated in directions opposite to each other by switching of driving means described later. The folding conveying rollers 613 and 614 are also driven and rotated in opposite directions by switching of the driving means shown in FIG.
[0058]
The folding rollers 611 and 612 are the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet S sandwiched between the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613 and the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet S sandwiched between the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614. Are pushed and folded, and discharged in a direction perpendicular to the transport path {circle around (1)} with the fold as the head.
[0059]
<Paper Conveyance Driving Unit of First Folding Unit 61>
FIG. 6A is a front view of the driving unit in a state where the sheet S is introduced into the first folding unit 61 and is moved straight.
[0060]
The paper conveyance driving means of the first folding unit 61 is disposed on the back side of the post-processing apparatus B. The gear Z1 fixed on the rotating shaft of the drive source motor M1 rotates the gear Z3 and the folding roller 611 fixed on the rotating shaft of the gear Z3 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing via the gear Z2. The gear Z3 rotates the folding roller 612 fixed on the rotating shaft of the gear Z5 and the gear Z5 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing via the idler gear Z4.
[0061]
Further, the gear Z3 rotates the folding conveyance roller 613 fixed on the rotation axis of the gear Z6 and the gear Z6 in the clockwise direction in the drawing. The gear Z5 rotates the gear Z7 and the folding conveying roller 614 fixed on the rotation shaft of the gear Z7 in the clockwise direction in the drawing.
[0062]
By the driving means described above, the two pairs of folding rollers including the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613 and the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614 sandwich the sheet S and advance straight in the arrow direction.
[0063]
FIG. 6B is a front view of the driving unit in a state in which the sheet S is folded in the first folding unit 61.
[0064]
During the folding process, the idler gear Z4 is swung around the rotation axis of the gear Z5 by the driving means shown in FIG. . As a result, the gear Z3 directly meshes with the gear Z5 and rotates the folding roller 612 fixed on the rotation shaft of the gear Z5 in the clockwise direction in the drawing. At the same time, the gear Z7 meshed with the gear Z5 rotates the folding conveyance roller 614 in the counterclockwise direction shown in the drawing.
[0065]
By the driving means described above, the two pairs of folding rollers including the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613, and the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614 sandwich the sheet S and perform the folding process, and are orthogonal to the straight line direction of the sheet. Transport in the direction of the arrow.
[0066]
<Folding roller drive switching means>
FIG. 7 shows a front view of the folding roller drive switching means, and FIG. 7 (a) shows a state in which the sheet S is introduced into the first folding portion 61 and straightly moved.
[0067]
The drive switching means of the first folding unit 61 is disposed on the front side of the post-processing apparatus B. The gear Z11 fixed on the rotating shaft of the motor M2 as the driving source rotates the gear Z14 and the cam 616A fixed on the rotating shaft of the gear Z14 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing via the gears Z12 and Z13. The cam 616A presses the follower 616B. When the maximum radius portion of the cam 616A comes into contact with the follower 616B by the rotation of the cam 616A, the follower 616B is pushed up, and the folding roller 612 on the shaft of the follower 616B is separated from the folding roller 611.
[0068]
FIG. 7B is a front view of the driving unit in a state where the sheet S is folded in the first folding unit 61.
[0069]
When the minimum radius portion of the cam 616A comes into contact with the follower 616B by the rotation of the cam 616A, the follower 616B is lowered, and the folding roller 612 on the shaft of the follower 616B comes into pressure contact with the folding roller 611.
[0070]
<Folding roller pair forward / reverse switching drive means>
FIG. 8 shows a front view of the forward / reverse switching drive means of the pair of folding rollers, and FIG. 8 (a) shows a state in which the sheet S is introduced into the first folding part 61 and straightly moved.
[0071]
On the front side of the post-processing apparatus B, a cam 620 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the gear Z13 shown in FIG. The cam 620 is in pressure contact with a roller 622 that is rotatably supported at one end of a lever 621 that can swing around a rotation shaft 612 </ b> A of the folding roller 612.
[0072]
An idler gear Z4 is rotatably supported at an intermediate portion of the lever 621. A spring 623 locked to the other end of the idler gear Z4 presses the roller 622 against the cam surface of the cam 620. With the roller 622 in contact with the minimum radius portion of the cam surface of the cam 620, the gear Z4 is engaged with the gear Z3 and the gear Z5, the folding rollers 611 and 612 are rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and the sheet S is moved in the straight direction. Transport.
[0073]
FIG. 8B is a front view of the driving unit in a state where the sheet S is folded in the first folding unit 61.
[0074]
With the rotation of the cam 620, the idler gear Z4 is separated from the gear Z3 while the roller 622 is in contact with the maximum radius portion of the cam surface, and the gears Z3 and Z5 are directly meshed with each other by driving the cam 616A. The sheet S is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure, and the sheet S is folded and conveyed in the direction of the arrow orthogonal to the sheet straight direction.
[0075]
FIG. 9 is a front view of the drive system of the guide member drive means.
The motor M2 rotates the rotating shaft 624 via a gear train drive transmission means including gears Z11, Z12, Z13, Z15, and Z16. In the axial direction of the rotation shaft 624, one end portion of the plurality of wires 625 is wound and fixed to the rotation shaft 624. The wire 625 bypasses along the shaft 626, and the other end is locked to the fixing pin 615 </ b> A of the guide member 615.
[0076]
A roller 627 is rotatably supported at one end of the guide member 615. Further, the guide member 615 is fixed and swingable on a swing plate 628 that is rotatably supported by the shaft 613A of the folding conveying roller 613. The swing plate 628 is connected to the spring 629 and is biased in one direction.
[0077]
When the folding rollers 611 and 612 are held in pressure contact and the sheet S is folded, the driving of the motor M2 is stopped as shown in FIG. 7B. At the same time, the rotation of the rotating shaft 624 of the guide member driving means is stopped. However, the rotation is stopped until the slack is generated, and the wire 625 is slackened.
[0078]
FIG. 10A is a front view of the guide member driving means in the paper folding process.
During the paper folding process, the guide member 615 is biased by the spring 629, and the roller 627 presses the paper S and guides it to move to the pressure contact position N of the folding rollers 611 and 612.
[0079]
FIG. 10B is a front view of the guide member driving means in the paper introduction process.
The folding rollers 611 and 612 are held apart by the rotation of the cam 616A of the folding roller moving means. At the same time, the wire 625 is stretched by the rotation of the rotating shaft 624, and the rocking plate 628 and the guide member 615 are rotated counterclockwise in the figure about the shaft 613A against the bias of the spring 629. A roller 627 disposed at the end of the guide member 615 is retracted from the conveyance path of the paper S and does not prevent the paper S from passing.
[0080]
The guide member driving unit and the folding roller moving unit of the second folding unit 62 have the same configuration as the first folding unit 61. However, the rotation center of the guide member 615 is the shaft 614A.
[0081]
FIG. 11A is a front view of the guide member driving unit in the paper introduction process in the third folding portion 63.
[0082]
The folding rollers 631 and 632, the folding conveying rollers 633 and 634, and the folding roller moving unit of the third folding unit 63 are the same as the configuration of the first folding unit 61.
[0083]
The guide member driving means of the third folding portion 63 is similar to the configuration of the first folding portion 61, and includes a guide member 635, a wire 636, a shaft 637, a rotating shaft 638, a biasing means 639, and the like. However, the guide member 635 is supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the common tangential direction at the holding position of the folding rollers 631 and 632.
[0084]
When the sheet S is introduced into the third folding part 63, the guide member 635 is pulled by the rotation shaft 638, the shaft 637, and the wire 636 driven by the driving means, and retracts from the sheet conveyance path.
[0085]
FIG. 11B is a front view of the guide member driving means in the paper folding process.
When the folding process is started, the guide member 635 is urged by the urging means 639 to press the sheet S and guide it to the pressure contact position N of the folding rollers 631 and 632.
[0086]
Both side surfaces of the leading end portion of the guide member 635 have an umbrella shape formed in an inclined arc surface or tapered surface, and reliably guide both sides of the fold of the paper S and move straight to the press contact position N. In particular, when forming a third fold line n of the Kannon folding process, which will be described later, it is effective to guide both ends of the paper S to the press contact position N while pressing both ends.
[0087]
<Control of the paper folding processing unit 60>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the control of the paper folding processing unit 60.
[0088]
In the operation unit of the image forming apparatus A, setting of the paper size and selection of various folding processes are set. As the various folding processes, the control means 90 includes seven types of two-side open outer and inner folds, three-side open Z-folds, outer three-folds, inner three-folds, four-sided open folds and double parallel folds. It is feasible.
[0089]
When the paper size and selection of the folding process are set, the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus A to the lower side of the image surface and introduced into the post-processing apparatus B is first fed by the paper folding processing unit 60. Various folding processes are performed by selectively passing the folding unit 61, the second folding unit 62, the third folding unit 63, the conveyance rollers 602 to 609, and the conveyance paths (1) to (8).
[0090]
<Outside center folding>
The outer folding process on the outer side of the sheet image surface of the sheet S is performed in the first folding unit 61.
[0091]
FIG. 13 is a front view showing the processing path of the sheet S during the outer and middle folding processing, FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are schematic views showing the outer and middle folding processing steps of the paper S, and FIG. ) Is a perspective view of the folded sheet S. FIG.
[0092]
Hereinafter, the middle folding process step on the outside of the sheet image surface will be described.
(A) The sheet S formed and discharged by the image forming apparatus A with the image surface t facing down (face down) passes through the receiving unit 10 and the conveyance unit 50 of the post-processing device B, and then the image surface t The paper is sandwiched between the entrance rollers 601 and introduced into the paper folding processing unit 60 with the upper side facing up.
[0093]
The leading end of the sheet S conveyed to the first folding unit 61 passes through the nipping position between the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613 that are driven and rotated, and is nipped and conveyed by the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614 that are driven and rotated. And go straight on the transport path (1). After the passage of the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor PS1, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the driving of the folding rollers 611 and 612 is stopped by the control means 90, and the sheet S is stopped at a predetermined position. The sheet stop position is an intermediate position between the folding rollers 611 and 612 near the center of the sheet S in the transport direction (see FIG. 14A).
[0094]
(B) When reverse rotation driving of the folding roller 612 and the folding conveyance roller 614 is started, a half position in the leading end direction of the paper S is pushed into the press contact position N of the folding rollers 611 and 612 and is pressed, and the folding line a Is formed (see FIGS. 14B and 14C).
[0095]
(C) The sheet S on which the folded fold line a is formed is sandwiched and discharged by the driving folding rollers 611 and 612, passes through the conveyance paths (2) and (3) with the fold line a as the head, Proceed to the second fold 62.
[0096]
(D) The sheet S transported to the second folding unit 62 passes through the clamping position between the folding roller and the folding conveyance roller that is driven to rotate, and passes through the clamping position between the folding roller and the folding conveyance roller that is driven to rotate.
[0097]
(E) The sheet S in which the fold line a is formed and the half-folding process is completed is sandwiched by the driving conveyance rollers 603 and 607 and discharged through the conveyance path (4), and is discharged with the fold line a as the head. Proceed to section 20.
[0098]
<Inner folding process>
The inner folding process on the inner side of the sheet image surface of the sheet S is performed in the third folding unit 63.
[0099]
FIG. 15 is a front view showing the processing path of the sheet S during the inner / folding process, and FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D are schematic views showing the inner / folding process of the sheet S. FIG. 16E is a perspective view of the folded sheet S. FIG.
[0100]
The sheet S introduced into the sheet folding processing unit 60 passes through the first folding unit 61 without being processed, and is sent to the third folding unit 63 through the transport paths (2) and (6). In the third folding unit 63, the sheet S that has been subjected to the folding process with the image surface t set inward passes through the conveyance path (4) with the fold line a at the top, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20.
[0101]
<Z-folding process>
In the Z-folding process on the paper S, the first folding part 61 performs the first folding process of the Z-folding, and the third folding part 63 performs the second folding process of the Z-folding.
[0102]
FIG. 17 is a front view showing the processing path of the paper S during the Z-folding process, and FIGS. 18A to 18F are schematic views showing the Z-folding process steps by the first folding part 61 and the third folding part 63. is there.
[0103]
The leading edge of the sheet S sandwiched between the entrance rollers 601 and conveyed to the first folding unit 61 passes through a position where the folding roller 611 and the folding conveyance roller 613 that are driven to rotate, and is folded and conveyed to the folding roller 612 that is driven to rotate. It is nipped by the roller 614 and conveyed. After the passage of the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor PS1, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the driving of the folding rollers 611 and 612 is stopped by the control means 90, and the sheet S stops at a predetermined position. This sheet stop position is a position where the leading edge of the sheet S has advanced by a quarter of the total length L in the sheet conveyance direction from the position where the folding rollers 611 and 612 are opposed (see FIG. 15A).
[0104]
By pressing the folding roller 612 against the folding roller 611 and driving the reverse rotation start of the folding roller 612 and the folding conveying roller 614, a quarter of the leading edge of the sheet S is brought to the pressure contact position N of the folding rollers 611 and 612. The first fold line b of Z-folding is formed by being pushed in and pressurized (see FIG. 18B).
[0105]
The sheet S on which the first fold line b of the Z fold is formed is sandwiched and discharged by the fold rollers 611 and 612 that are driven and rotated, and proceeds to the third fold portion 63 with the first fold line b as the head (see FIG. 18 (c)).
[0106]
The first fold line b of the sheet S conveyed to the third folding unit 63 passes through the facing position between the pair of driving and rotating folding rollers, and after the passage of the leading end of the sheet is detected by the sensor PS3, after a predetermined time has elapsed, The drive of the pair of folding rollers is stopped by the control means 90, and the sheet S stops at a predetermined position. In this sheet stop position, the distance between the rear end portion of the sheet S and the facing position of the pair of folding rollers is one half of the total length L of the sheet S (see FIG. 18D).
[0107]
In the same manner as the first folding unit 61, the center of the sheet S in the conveyance direction is pushed into the pressure contact position of the folding roller pair and pressed by the pressing of the folding roller pair and the start of reverse rotation. Is formed (see FIG. 18E). At this time, the leading end of the sheet S reaches the pressure contact position of the pair of folding rollers first, and then the curved portion serving as the second fold c reaches the pressure contact position.
[0108]
The sheet S in which the second fold c is formed and the Z-folding process is completed is sandwiched and discharged by the pair of driving and rotating fold rollers and the transport roller 606, and the transport path {circle around (4)} with the second fold c as the head. And is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20 (see FIG. 18F).
[0109]
FIG. 18G is a perspective view of the paper S that has been Z-folded. b is a first fold of the sheet S that has been subjected to Z-folding, c is a second fold, and t is an image surface. The Z-folded paper S has a shape suitable for file loading.
[0110]
<Outer tri-fold processing>
In the outer tri-folding process on the paper S, the first folding process is performed in the first folding unit 61 and the second folding process is performed in the second folding unit 62.
[0111]
FIG. 19 is a front view showing the processing path of the sheet S during the outer tri-fold process, and FIGS. 20A to 20F are schematic diagrams showing the outer tri-fold process step by the first fold part 61 and the second fold part 62. FIG.
[0112]
In the first folding unit 61, after the sensor PS2 detects passage of the conveyed paper S through the leading end and counts a predetermined pulse, the control unit 90 stops the paper S at a predetermined position.
[0113]
After the leading end of the sheet S stops at a position corresponding to two-thirds of the total length L of the sheet from the position facing the pair of folding rollers, the first folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers to form the first fold d on the sheet S. (See FIGS. 20A to 20C).
[0114]
In the second folding unit 62, after the first fold line d of the sheet S stops at a position that is one third of the total length L of the sheet from the position opposed to the pair of folding rollers, the second folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers, A second crease e is formed on the sheet S (see FIGS. 20D to 20F).
[0115]
The sheet S in which the second fold e is formed and the outer tri-fold process is completed is sandwiched between the pair of folding rollers of the second fold portion 62 that is driven to rotate and the conveying rollers 604 and 605, and the second fold e is set to the top. , Passes through the third fold 63, is sandwiched and discharged by the transport rollers 608 and 609, passes through the transport path (4) with the second fold c as the head, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20. (See FIG. 19).
[0116]
FIG. 20G is a perspective view of the paper S that has been subjected to outer three-fold processing into a Z shape. d indicates the first fold of the sheet S that has been subjected to outer fold processing, e indicates the second fold, and t indicates the image surface.
[0117]
<Tri-fold processing inside>
In the inner fold process for the paper S, the first fold process is performed in the first fold part 61, and the second fold process is performed in the second fold part 62.
[0118]
Since the inner tri-fold process has the same sheet conveyance path during the outer tri-fold process, a front view showing the process path of the sheet S is omitted.
[0119]
FIGS. 21A to 21F are schematic views showing an inner tri-fold process step by the first fold portion 61 and the second fold portion 62.
[0120]
At the time of the inner fold processing, the stop position of the paper S in the first fold portion 61 and the second fold portion 62 is different.
[0121]
In the first folding unit 61, after the leading end of the sheet S stops at a position that is one third of the total length L of the sheet from the opposed position of the pair of folding rollers, the first folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers. A first fold line f is formed (see FIGS. 21A to 21C).
[0122]
In the second folding unit 62, after the first fold line d of the sheet S stops at a position that is one third of the total length L of the sheet from the position opposed to the pair of folding rollers, the second folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers, A second fold line g is formed on the sheet S (see FIGS. 21D to 21F).
[0123]
FIG. 21G is a perspective view of the sheet S that has been subjected to the inner three-fold process. f is the first fold of the sheet S that has been subjected to the inner folding process, g is the second fold, and t is the image plane.
[0124]
<Double parallel folding>
In the double parallel folding process on the paper S, the first folding process is performed in the first folding unit 61, and the second folding process is performed in the second folding unit 62.
[0125]
In the double parallel folding process, the paper conveyance path during the outer tri-folding process is the same, so the front view showing the processing path of the paper S is omitted.
[0126]
FIGS. 22A to 22F are schematic views showing a double parallel folding process performed by the first folding part 61 and the second folding part 62. FIG.
[0127]
In the double parallel folding process, the paper conveyance path during the outer trifold process and the inner trifold process is the same, but the stop position of the paper S is different.
[0128]
In the first folding unit 61, after the leading end of the sheet S stops at a position that is a half of the total length L of the sheet from the position where the pair of folding rollers is opposed, the first folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers. One fold line h is formed (see FIGS. 22A to 22C).
[0129]
In the second folding unit 62, after the first fold h of the paper S stops at a position that is a quarter of the total length L of the paper from the position facing the pair of folding rollers, a second folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers, An inner second fold line i and an outer third fold line j are simultaneously formed on the sheet S (see FIGS. 22D to 22F).
[0130]
FIG. 22G is a perspective view of the paper S that has been subjected to the double parallel folding process. h is a first fold of the sheet S that has been subjected to double-parallel folding processing, i is a second fold, j is a third fold, and t is an image plane.
[0131]
<Kannon folding process>
In the folding folding process on the paper S, the first folding process is performed in the first folding part 61, the second folding process is performed in the second folding part 62, and the third folding process is performed in the third folding part 63. .
[0132]
FIG. 23 is a front view showing a processing path of the paper S during the folding process, and FIGS. 21A to 21F are a folding process by the first folding unit 61, the second folding unit 62, and the third folding unit 63. It is a schematic diagram which shows a process.
[0133]
In the first folding unit 61, after the leading end of the sheet S stops at a position that is a quarter of the total length L of the sheet from the position where the pair of folding rollers is opposed, the first folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers. A first fold k is formed (see FIGS. 24A to 24C).
[0134]
The sheet S on which the first fold line k is formed stops at the second folding part 62 at a position where the distance between the rear end portion of the sheet S and the opposed position of the pair of folding rollers is a quarter of the total length L of the sheet. Thereafter, a second folding process is performed by the pair of folding rollers, and a second fold m is formed on the sheet S (see FIGS. 24D and 24E).
[0135]
The sheet S on which the first fold line k and the second fold line m are formed is the third fold part 63, after the central part in the conveyance direction of the sheet S stops at the position opposite to the fold roller pair, Trifold processing is performed, and a third fold n is formed on the paper S (see FIGS. 24F and 24G).
[0136]
The sheet S that has undergone the kannon folding process is sandwiched and ejected from the third folding unit 63 by the transport rollers 606 and 607, and is ejected to the paper ejection unit 20 with the third fold n as the head (see FIG. 23). .
[0137]
FIG. 24 (h) is a perspective view of the paper S that has been subjected to the double folding process. k is the first fold of the paper S, m is the second fold, n is the third fold, and t is the image plane.
[0138]
In the post-processing apparatus B of the present invention, a conveyance path switching means 55 is provided in the conveyance unit 50, and two sheets of small size paper S are accumulated and conveyed, whereby two sheets are simultaneously folded. Can do.
[0139]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the paper post-processing apparatus connected to the copying machine main body has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a paper post-processing apparatus used by connecting to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral. . It is also possible to perform various folding processes as a single post-processing device.
[0140]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the post-processing apparatus of the present invention provides the following effects.
[0141]
(1) Since the folding roller is contacted and separated and the drive is switched, an accurate and stable folding operation can be performed.
[0142]
(2) By providing a retracted position that is retracted from the transport path and a guide member that can be moved to the paper guide position during folding, a variety of complicated folding processes such as tri-folding, kannon folding, and double parallel folding are possible. became.
[0143]
(2) Various folding processes such as outer and inner folds, inner and middle folds, Z folds, outer trifolds, inner trifolds, double parallel folds, and kannon folds can be selected and executed on the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus. It is possible to realize a post-processing device that saves space.
[0144]
(3) Since the paper can be folded without using a folding knife, the fold of the paper is prevented from being damaged, and the appearance quality of the folded paper is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a paper folding processing unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a state in which a sheet passes through a first folding unit and a conveyance path.
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a state in which a sheet is folded by a first folding unit.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views of the driving unit in a state where a sheet is introduced into the first folding unit and straightly moved, and in a state where the sheet is folded in the first folding unit.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a pressing release release switching driving unit for a pair of folding rollers.
FIG. 8 is a front view of forward / reverse switching drive means for a pair of folding rollers.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a drive system of a guide member drive unit.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a guide member driving unit in a paper folding process and a front view of a guide member driving unit in a paper introduction process.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are a front view of a guide member driving unit in a paper introduction process in a third folding unit, and a front view of a guide member driving unit in a paper folding process.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating control of a sheet folding processing unit.
FIG. 13 is a front view showing a paper processing path during an outer and middle folding process.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet outer folding process, and a perspective view of the folded sheet.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing a paper processing path during an inner and middle folding process;
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an inner folding process of a sheet, and a perspective view of the folded sheet.
FIG. 17 is a front view showing a paper processing path during Z-folding processing;
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a Z-folding process, and a perspective view of a folded sheet.
FIG. 19 is a front view showing a paper processing path during an outer tri-fold process.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outer tri-fold process, and a perspective view of a sheet that has been subjected to outer tri-fold processing.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an inner tri-folding process performed by a first folding unit and a second folding unit, and a perspective view of a sheet that has been subjected to an inner tri-folding process.
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a double parallel folding process, and a perspective view of a sheet subjected to double parallel folding.
FIG. 23 is a front view showing a paper processing path at the time of folding of a kannon.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of folding a kannon and a perspective view of a sheet subjected to a kannon folding process.
[Explanation of symbols]
60 Paper folding processing section
61 First fold
611,612,631,632 folding roller
613, 614, 633, 634 Folding conveyance roller
615,635 Guide member
616A cam
616B Follower
617 Swing plate
62 2nd folding part
620 cam
621 lever
625 wire
628 Swing plate
629 Spring
63 3rd folding part
635 Guide member
636 wire
639 Energizing means
A Image forming apparatus
PS1, PS2, PS3 sensors
S Recording paper (paper)

Claims (2)

A sheet folding process comprising a pair of folding rollers that convey and discharge a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus with a predetermined load and rotatably support the pair of folding rollers with a predetermined load. In a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs folding processing by a section,
A guide member for guiding a sheet to a holding position of the pair of folding rollers;
An urging means for pressing the distal end portion of the guide member toward the clamping position of the pair of folding rollers;
Guide member driving means for releasing the urging force by the urging means;
Folding roller moving means for moving the pair of folding rollers to a pressure contact position and a separation position;
Drive switching means for conveying the sheet at the separation position and folding the sheet at the pressure contact position;
Common drive means for driving the guide member drive means and the drive switching means;
Have
At the time of paper conveyance for introducing the paper into the paper folding processing unit, the folding roller moving means moves the pair of folding rollers to a separated position and operates the guide member driving means to remove the guide member from the paper conveyance path. Move it to the waiting position,
When the folding process is performed on the sheet, the pair of folding rollers are moved to the press contact position by the folding roller moving unit, the operation of the guide member driving unit is released, and the sheet is pressed by the biasing unit to press the sheet. A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein a sheet is pushed into a holding position of a pair of folding rollers. 2. The sheet folding processing unit includes a plurality of sets arranged in a sheet conveying direction, and enables folding processing such as middle folding, Z folding, three folding, inner four folding, and double parallel folding. The paper post-processing device as described in 1.

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