JP4330309B2 - Paper processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing such as punching, aligning, binding, folding, and the like on a sheet that has been carried in, and a copier provided with the sheet processing apparatus integrally or separately. The present invention relates to an image forming system including image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a printing machine, and a facsimile machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, fax machines, and printers, various demands for post-processing on paper output from them have increased, and even in stapling processing, a predetermined number of sheets are fed along one edge. In addition to end-face binding, there are many requests for saddle stitching at a plurality of locations (generally two locations) at predetermined intervals along a center line that bisects the paper. In addition to these requirements, functions that were conventionally required for relatively high speed machines, such as saddle stitching, folding, and diagonal binding, are also required for low speed machines. There is a growing need to provide processing equipment.
[0003]
Therefore, for example, an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-185868 is known as an apparatus that meets such a requirement. The main object of the present invention is to reduce the load of the driving motor of the sheet post-processing apparatus that enables the sheet sheet corner to be obliquely bound by the stapling means. The stapling means is started to rotate by causing the linear movement driving means and the rotation driving means to cooperate with each other in such a manner that the movement direction by is opposite to the movement direction by the rotation driving means.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the above-described known technique, the split-type stapling means that enables the saddle stitching process enables the oblique binding process, the edge stitching process, and the saddle stitching process to the corner of the paper. Because two sets of front and rear staplers are required, the cost must be high. Further, only the back side stapler can be moved obliquely. However, if the front side stapler is also to be moved obliquely, a mechanism similar to that on the back side is required, and the cost is increased accordingly.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost and compact sheet capable of realizing end-face binding (front parallel, back parallel, front diagonal, back diagonal, parallel two locations) and saddle stitching with a set of split staplers. A processing apparatus and an image forming system are provided.
[0007]
Another object is to realize a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system by simple motor control.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the first means comprises a stitcher portion provided with a staple needle receiving portion and a push-out portion, and a clincher portion for bending the tip of the needle, which are separated from each other, between the two stapler members. First and second movements for causing the stitcher unit and the clincher unit to translate in synchronization with a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction in a sheet processing apparatus that binds a plurality of sheets existing in the sheet with a staple needle A pedestal, first driving means for driving these movable pedestals, first and second rotating pedestals supported coaxially and rotatably with respect to the first and second movable pedestals, respectively. A second driving unit that rotates the first and second rotating bases synchronously, that is, the stitcher unit and the clincher unit are rotated synchronously, and the first driving unit and the second driving unit Rows parallel stapling or oblique stapling at a desired position based on the difference of the dynamic seat and the movement amount or the moving speed of said rotary pedestalThe first and second movable bases and the first drive means, and the first and second rotary bases and the second drive means are engaged. And a control means for setting the relative positional relationship between the two engaging portions and defining the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. A support member that abuts each of the rotating bases and supports a load during stapling is provided over at least the stapler movement range, and the first driving means guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. The second drive means has a second guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and the first and second guide members and The support member was placed in parallelIt is characterized by that.
[0009]
  With this configuration, a pair of split-type staplers are used to bind the end surfaces (front parallel / back parallel / front diagonal / back diagonal / parallel two locations) based on the difference in moving amount or moving speed between the moving base and the rotating base. Saddle stitching can be performed at a desired position. At that time, since one set of the split-type stapler is sufficient, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus that is compact and low-cost, and has high functionality, high accuracy, and high reliability.In addition, by setting the relative positional relationship of the engaging portions, it is possible to take parallel binding and oblique binding postures at arbitrary positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. Further, the recoil during the stapling operation can be surely suppressed, and a stable binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably regardless of the position and posture of the stapler. Also, the posture can be maintained without increasing the output of the motor from the impact during the stapling operation.
[0011]
  First2In the first means, the reduction ratio is set in the first means so that the movement amounts of the driving sources of the first driving means and the second driving means in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction of both are the same. It is characterized by. If comprised in this way, the control at the time of stapler movement will become easy, and it can improve more precisely and reliability.
[0012]
  First3This means is characterized in that, in the first means, the moving speed of the pedestal of the moving pedestal and the moving speed of the rotating pedestal are set at substantially the same speed. With this configuration, control during stapler movement is facilitated, and accuracy and reliability can be improved.
[0013]
  First4The means includes a stitcher portion provided with a staple needle receiving portion and a push-out portion, and a clincher portion that bends the tip of the needle, and separates the plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members. In the paper processing apparatus that performs binding with the staple needle, the first and second moving bases for translating the stitcher unit and the clincher unit in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and driving these moving bases are driven. Rotating the first driving means, the first and second rotating pedestals supported rotatably on the same axis with respect to the first and second moving pedestals, and the first and second rotating pedestals. Second driving means for controlling the first driving means and the second driving means independently for controlling the parallel binding and the diagonal binding by the control means. To be executed in the locationAnd an engaging portion between the first and second movable pedestals and the first driving means, and an engaging portion between the first and second rotating pedestals and the second driving means, respectively. And a control means for setting the relative positional relationship between the engaging portions and defining the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and the first and second rotations. A support member that abuts each of the pedestals and supports a load during stapling is provided at least over the stapler movement range, and the first driving means guides the engagement portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. The second drive means has a second guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction, and the first and second guide members and the support are provided. The member was placed in parallelIt is characterized by that.
[0014]
  With this configuration, the control means performs drive control, and the difference in relative positional relationship between the engagement portion with the first drive means and the engagement portion with the second drive means can be easily set. The binding and oblique binding postures can be easily taken at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction.Further, the recoil during the stapling operation can be surely suppressed, and a stable binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably regardless of the position and posture of the stapler. Also, the posture can be maintained without increasing the output of the motor from the impact during the stapling operation.
[0015]
  First5Means4In the above-mentioned means, the control means causes the first driving means to move the first and second moving pedestals synchronously, and the second driving means synchronizes the rotation operations of the first and second rotating pedestals. Thus, the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding is set to an arbitrary position. If comprised in this way, the 1st drive means and the 2nd drive means will be driven synchronously, respectively, and the position of the 1st and 2nd movement base, and the rotation position of the 1st and 2nd rotation base will be carried out. Can be set easily, and the postures of parallel binding and oblique binding can be easily taken at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.
[0024]
  Sixth means is the first or fourth means, wherein the second driving means.Includes a lead screw or gear train consisting of a worm and worm wheel for drive transmissionWhen the driving force of the driving source is not present, the stop position of the stapling means for performing the edge binding process or the saddle stitching process is held in parallel with the sheet end surface. With this configuration, even when the driving force of the driving source is lost and the restriction from the driving source is lost, the stop position of the stapling means can be reliably defined.
[0025]
  The seventh means is the first or fourth means, wherein the second driving meansIncludes a lead screw or gear train consisting of a worm and worm wheel for drive transmissionWhen there is no driving force of the driving source, the stop position of the stapling means for performing the oblique end binding processing is held at one position of the sheet. With this configuration, even when the driving force of the driving source is lost and the restriction from the driving source is lost, the stop position of the stapling means can be reliably defined.
[0030]
  The eighth means is the first or fourth means,Clutch means is provided on the drive path to the first and second movable pedestals;SaidFirst and secondDriving source of driving meansThesingleWasIt is characterized by that. In this configuration, the movement operation and the rotation operation can be executed even if only one drive source is used.
[0031]
  First9Means of the first to the first8An image forming system comprises the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the above and an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording medium. With this configuration, the first to the first8It is possible to construct an image forming system having the functions of the paper processing apparatus.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0033]
1. First embodiment
1.1 Overall configuration
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1, a paper feeding apparatus 2 that supplies paper to the image forming apparatus 1, and an image reading apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a scanner) 3 for reading an image. , A circulation type automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ARDF) 4 for feeding a document to the scanner 3, a post-processing device 5 having post-processing functions such as a staple and punch function, and a transport / stack device 6. . In this system, the image forming apparatus 1 is positioned on the paper feeding apparatus 2, the scanner 3 is positioned on the image forming apparatus 1, and the post-processing apparatus 5 is disposed in the space between the scanner 3 and the image forming apparatus 1. Has been. The ARDF 4 is located above the scanner 3. If ARDF 4 is not provided, ARDF 4 is simply removed from FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. The post-processing device 5 performs post-processing such as punching, stapling (end-stitching, saddle-stitching), etc., on a sheet on which an image has been formed and discharged from the image forming apparatus 1. The conveyance / stacking device 6 is located on the side surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and conveys and stacks the sheets post-processed by the post-processing device 4. As shown in FIG. 1, a general transfer sheet flow is in the order of the sheet feeding device 2 → the image forming apparatus 1 → the post-processing device 5 → the transport stack device 6.
[0034]
1.2 Post-processing equipment
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the post-processing apparatus.
The post-processing device 5 according to the present embodiment does not perform post-processing on the paper, and transports the paper to the transport / stack device 6, as well as punches the paper, aligns the paper, and staples the sheets (end face binding / saddle binding). ), And a post-processing such as half-folding for folding the saddle-stitched sheet from the center and transporting it to the transport / stack device 6.
[0035]
The paper on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 by the main body discharge roller pairs 102 and 102 ′ and is sent to the inlet roller pairs 104 and 104 ′ of the post-processing device 5. A punch unit 103 is provided on the downstream side of the inlet roller pair 104, 104 ′ in the sheet conveying direction, sandwiched between the inlet roller pair 104, 104 ′ and the conveying rollers 105, 105 ′. Punch processing is performed. As the punch unit 103, for example, a rotary punch or a press punch is used. Further, a switching claw 106 is provided immediately after the conveyance rollers 105 and 105 ′ in the sheet conveyance direction. The switching claw 106 is switched to a solid line position when the staple process is not performed and to a two-dot chain line position when the staple process is performed. Is set, swings as necessary, and switching is performed.
[0036]
When the staple is not stapled, the sheet is conveyed to a conveyance / discharge device 6 to be described later via the conveyance roller pair 116, 116 'and the discharge roller pair 117, 117'. On the other hand, when stapling is performed as end-face binding, the leading edge of the sheet is guided from the conveying roller pairs 105 and 105 ′ to the staple tray 108 by the switching claw 106. That is, when the trailing edge of the sheet comes out of the nip between the conveying rollers 105 and 105 ′, the trailing edge of the sheet is guided toward the staple tray 108 by the trailing edge dropping roller 107. Almost simultaneously with the above operation, the sheet is moved toward the rear end fence 114 by the tapping roller 115 (the position of the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3), and the rear end of the sheet hits the rear end fence 114. Stop at. The rear end fence 114 is provided on a belt 113 stretched between the pulleys 111 and 112, and is controlled by a pulse motor (not shown). The rear end fence 114 detects the home position by the sensor SN2, and waits at a position for aligning the paper (near the rear end dropping roller 107).
[0037]
In this way, the paper that has been waiting with the rear edge of the paper in contact with the rear edge fence 114 is aligned in the direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction by the jogger fence 109, and the paper is placed in a predetermined position (the conveyance direction is the rear direction). The position of the end fence 114 and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction are aligned with the position of the jogger fence). By repeating this operation for each conveyed sheet, the sheets are stacked on the staple tray 108 in a state where the conveying direction is aligned with reference to the rear end fence 114. Next, the aligned sheet bundle is conveyed in the direction of the stapler 118 by the rear end fence 114, and temporarily stops at the predetermined position 114 '. Then, the bundle conveying roller 122 advances onto the staple tray 108 to the position of the two-dot chain line, and sandwiches the sheet bundle with the conveying roller 116, so that the sheet is placed at a predetermined position (generally 6 mm from the end face). ).
[0038]
After that, staple processing is performed on the end of the sheet bundle by the staplers 118 and 118A, and the bundle of sheets after the staple processing is directed to the sheet discharge rollers 117 and 117 ′ by the bundle conveyance roller 122 and the conveyance roller 116. It is transported and transported to the transport / stack device 6. When binding at one location, the stapler 118, 118A is moved diagonally by the rotation means of the stapler 118, 118A at the position of the end of the sheet in accordance with the width of each sheet by the moving mechanism described later if the diagonal binding is necessary. The When binding at two positions, the staplers 118 and 118A move in parallel to perform stapling processing at two predetermined positions.
[0039]
On the other hand, when the saddle stitching is performed by the staplers 118 and 118A, the same as the case of the end binding is performed until the sheets are aligned, but the saddle stitching is performed by changing the feeding amount of the rear end fence 114 of the aligned sheet bundle. Has been done. Specifically, the sheet bundle is conveyed by the rear end fence 114 in the sheet conveying direction until the staples of the staplers 118 and 118A are positioned at the center of the sheet. Next, stapling processing similar to edge binding is performed by the staplers 118 and 118A, the sheet bundle is pushed in the direction of the sheet discharge roller 117 by the rear end fence 114 and the bundle conveyance roller 122, and conveyed to the sheet discharge roller pair 117 and 117 '.
[0040]
A folding conveyance path 123 and a folding plate 119 are provided on the front side in the paper direction of the paper discharge roller pairs 117 and 117 ′, and the folding conveyance path 123 is provided with folding roller pairs 120 and 121 and a sensor SN4. It has been. Therefore, when the center of the sheet is conveyed to the folding surface of the folding plate 119, the extrusion of the sheet is stopped, and the sheet bundle is pushed toward the folding roller 120 by the folding plate 119. 120, 121, and then sent to the paper discharge tray via the folding conveyance 123 and stacked. When the sheet bundle is started to be folded, the leading end side of the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the nips of the pair of discharge rollers 117 and 117 ′, and has a function of pressing the sheet when folded by the folding plate 119. .
[0041]
A sensor SN1 provided in the sheet conveyance direction of the entrance roller pair 104, 104 ′ is an entrance sensor, and detects the conveyance timing of the sheet from the image forming apparatus 1 side by detecting the leading edge of the sheet, and also detects the sheet. The paper size is also detected by detecting the trailing edge. A sensor SN3 provided on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the pair of sheet discharge rollers 117 and 117 ′ is a sheet discharge sensor, and a sheet conveyance / stacking apparatus for sheets that have not been subjected to binding processing and sheets that have been bound at the end of the sheet. 6 detects the state of paper discharge to the upper paper discharge tray 601. The sensor SN4 provided in the folding conveyance path 123 detects the discharge state of the sheet bundle that has been subjected to the folding process.
[0042]
1.3 Transport / stack equipment
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the transport / stack device 6, FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic configuration of the transport / stack device 6, FIG. 4 (b) is a configuration of the paper discharge unit, and FIG. The structure of the shift mechanism is shown respectively.
[0043]
The transport / stack device 6 includes an upper paper discharge tray 601, a paper discharge mechanism 610 (FIG. 4A) that discharges paper to the upper paper discharge tray 601, and an elevating mechanism 620 that lifts and lowers the upper paper discharge tray 601 ( 4B) and a shift mechanism 640 (FIG. 4C) that moves the upper paper discharge tray 601 in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. That is, the upper paper discharge tray 601 functions as a shift tray.
[0044]
The paper discharge mechanism 610 is mainly composed of a paper discharge guide plate 611 and a paper discharge roller 612. The paper discharge guide plate 611 has a swing fulcrum 613 on the upstream side of paper conveyance, and a paper discharge driven roller 614 on the other end side. The paper discharge guide plate 611 moves in the closing direction when a conveyance force is required for the paper or the sheet bundle, and sandwiches the paper or the paper bundle by the paper discharge roller 612 and the paper discharge driven roller 614. Then, the paper discharge driven roller 614 is moved away from the sheet or sheet bundle by moving in the opening direction.
[0045]
The elevating mechanism 620 elevates and lowers the upper discharge tray 601 along the end fence 621 provided in the vertical direction on the outermost part of the transport / stack device 6. The elevating mechanism 620 is provided vertically in parallel with the inner side of the end fence 621. A pair of timing belts 622, timing pulleys 623 and 623 ′ disposed on the upper and lower ends of each of the timing belts 622, and a driving force that transmits a driving force to the upper timing pulley 623. The shaft 633 includes a reduction gear train that is attached to the drive shaft 633 and transmits a driving force to a gear that rotates integrally, and an upper and lower motor 627 that applies the driving force to the reduction gear train. On the main body side of the transport / stack device 6, a paper surface detection sensor 628, a shift (upper discharge) tray upper limit sensor 629, an upper shift tray lower limit sensor, and lower 630 and 631 are provided.
[0046]
In the paper surface detection sensor 628, one end of the paper surface detection filler 632 comes into contact with the uppermost paper surface on the upper discharge tray 601 and detects the position of the other surface to detect the position of the paper surface. The upper discharge tray upper limit sensor 629 detects that a part of the upper discharge tray 601 has come into contact, and detects the upper movement limit of the upper discharge tray 601. The upper discharge tray lower limit sensors upper 630 and lower 631 detect the lower limit of the upper discharge tray 601 in the downward direction. The upper discharge tray 601 temporarily moves downward to free up the paper discharge space. After securing and discharging a predetermined number of sheets, the sensor rises and the paper surface detection sensor 628 detects the height of the paper surface, so sensors are provided in two stages. These sensors 630 and 631 are determined to be at the lower limit when the lower limit sensor is not turned ON when the lower limit sensor lower 631 is turned ON and the upper discharge tray 601 is raised.
[0047]
The shift mechanism 640 sorts the paper for each job. For example, the upper discharge tray 601 is orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction for each operation (job) that takes one copy when copying 10 copies of 10 originals. For example, about 20 mm is moved in the direction to perform sorting for each copy. The movement perpendicular to the paper transport direction transmits the rotation of the shift motor 641 from the worm gear 642 to the crank gear 643 including a worm wheel, and the crank provided on the crank gear 643 is provided on the inner side of the end fence 621. And the rotational motion of the crank gear 643 is converted into the linear motion of the end fence 621. In this case, a home position detection sensor 646 is provided to detect the rotational position of the crank gear 643, and the rotational position of the crank gear 643 is controlled by detecting two notches 647 provided in the crank gear 643.
[0048]
Further, in the transport / stack device 6 according to this embodiment, in addition to the paper discharge tray 601, a lower paper discharge tray 602 is located below the paper discharge tray 601 as shown in FIG. It is provided so as to be located further below the 123 outlet. Since the lower discharge tray 602 is discharged in a folded state, the shift mechanism is unnecessary, and although only the lifting mechanism is not shown, a lower limit sensor and a paper surface not shown are provided. With the sensor, a sheet bundle folded in the range of a predetermined elevation width can be received.
[0049]
1.4 Stapler moving mechanism
1.4.1 Outline of moving mechanism
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the staplers 118, 118A and their drive mechanisms, as viewed from a direction parallel to the paper transport direction.
[0050]
  The stapler includes a stitcher unit 118 and a clincher unit 118A, which are arranged between a front plate 250 and a rear plate 251 of the main body of the post-processing apparatus 5 in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, respectively. , 215, 207, 216(Corresponds to the second guide member)And one slide shaft 206, 205 each provided.(Corresponds to the first guide member)Are respectively movably fitted or loosely fitted. The stitcher portion 118 obtains a driving force by the spiral shafts 208 and 215, and the clincher portion 118A obtains a driving force by the spiral shafts 207 and 216. Further, as shown in the perspective view of the stapler (stitcher portion 118, clincher portion 118A) in FIG. 6, a part of the stitcher portion 118 is loosely fitted to the slide shaft 206, and a part of the clincher portion 118A is loosely fitted to the slide shaft 205. Then, they move along the slide shafts 206 and 205 in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance. Further, slide guides 231 and 230 are similarly provided in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and restrict movement of the other part of the stitcher unit 118 and the other part of the clincher unit 118A around the axis.
[0051]
The spiral shafts 215 and 216 are driven by a reduction gear train 222 and timing pulleys 220B and 220A by a driving force of a stepping motor (hereinafter also referred to as a rotation base drive motor) 223 provided on the outside (front side) of the front plate 250. It is transmitted by the laid timing belt 219 and rotates in the same direction synchronously. Further, the spiral shafts 208 and 207 are transmitted by the timing belt 209 over which the driving force of the stepping motor 213 provided on the outer side (rear side) of the rear plate 251 is stretched over the reduction gear train 212 and the timing pulleys 210B and 210A. And rotate in the same direction synchronously.
[0052]
1.4.2 Details of the clincher part
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the clincher portion 118A, and FIG. 8 is a side view of a cross section of the main part of the clincher portion 118A.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the staplers 118 and 118A are of a type in which a stapler 118 provided with a staple needle accommodating portion and a pushing portion is separated from a clincher portion 118A that bends the tip of the needle.
[0054]
The clincher portion 118A is fixed to a rotation base 221 as a rotation base as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, and a shaft 224 that is a rotation center of the rotation base 221 is fixed to the rotation base 221 so as to rotate. It is connected to a moving base 201 as a moving pedestal as possible. A fan-shaped filler 225 for detecting the tilt state of the rotation base 221 is fixed to the shaft 224 and rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotation base 221. This rotation is detected by detecting the filler 225 with the sensor SN6, thereby detecting the home position (the position of flat stitching) and the tilt direction (whether in the back diagonal state or the front diagonal state). The rotation base 221 is provided with a long hole 221A symmetrically with respect to an axis 224A passing through the center of the rotation shaft 224.
[0055]
The spiral shaft 216 is provided in the vicinity of the rotation base 221 over the stapler moving range, and the spiral shaft 216 is provided with a slider 217 as an engaging portion that fits the spiral shaft 216, and the slider 217. Are provided with a pin-shaped protrusion 217A that loosely fits into the elongated hole 221A of the rotation base 221 and a pin-shaped protrusion 217B (FIG. 8) for preventing rotation. A spiral groove that corresponds to the spiral shape of the spiral shaft 216 and converts the rotational motion of the spiral shaft 216 into a linear motion is formed on the inner surface of the slider 217. As a result, the slider 217 moves in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction while maintaining the posture as the spiral shaft 216 rotates.
[0056]
  The protrusion 217 </ b> B is a slide guide 230 provided in parallel with the vicinity of the spiral shaft 216.(Corresponding to support member)Is loosely fitted in a groove provided in the. Further, the slide guide 230 is formed to have a planar shape 230A in which one side surface of the cross section substantially comes into contact with the rotation base 221 and has a function of receiving an impact at the time of staple driving on the flat surface 230A (see FIGS. 11 and 12 described later). (Corresponding to the shaded area).
[0057]
Further, since the elongated hole 221A and the protrusion 217A are loosely fitted, the rotation base 221 rotates about the shaft 224 as the slider 217 moves. As described above, the spiral shaft 216 is connected to the spiral shaft 215 on the stitcher unit 118 side through the timing belt 219 and the timing pulleys 220A and 220B, and is driven by the stepping motor 223 through the reduction gear train 222. As a result, the clincher unit 118A and the stitcher unit 118 rotate in synchronization with the rotation shafts 224 and 231 by the rotation of the stepping motor 223.
[0058]
On the other hand, the movement base 201 is inserted into the slide shaft 205 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Further, a member 202 fitted to a spiral shaft 207 provided in parallel to the slide shaft 205 is fixed to the other side of the moving base 201, and the clincher portion 118 </ b> A moves along the slide shaft with the rotation of the spiral shaft 207. Translate along 205. Also in this case, the inner surface of the member 202 is formed with a spiral groove corresponding to the spiral shape of the spiral shaft 207 and converting the rotational motion of the spiral shaft 207 into linear motion. The member 202 is provided with a filler 202A for detecting the home position, and the home position is detected by SN5.
[0059]
Further, the spiral shaft 207 for moving the clincher portion 118A is connected to the spiral shaft 208 on the stitcher portion 118 side via the timing belt 209 and the timing pulleys 210A and 210B as described above, and via the reduction gear train 212. Are driven by a stepping motor 213. As a result, the clincher portion 118A and the stitcher portion 118 are moved in parallel on the slide shafts 206 and 205 by the rotation of the stepping motor 213. Further, the movement distance in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is detected by detecting the home position by the home position sensor SN5 and detecting the number of drive pulses of the stepping motor 213 therefrom.
[0060]
1.4.2 Details of stitcher
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a cross-section of the main part of the stitcher portion 118, and FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the stitcher portion 118. The stitcher unit 118 is disposed symmetrically with respect to the clincher unit 118A and the sheet conveyance path.
[0061]
The stitcher unit 118 is fixed to the rotation base 222 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a shaft 231 that is the rotation center of the rotation base 222 is fixed to the rotation base 222. It is connected to the. The rotation base 222 is provided with a long hole 222A symmetrically with respect to an axis 232A passing through the center of the rotation shaft 232.
[0062]
  In the vicinity of the rotation base 222, a steering wheel-The spiral shaft 215 is provided over the plastic movement range. The spiral shaft 215 is provided with a slider 218 as an engaging portion that fits into the spiral shaft 215, and the slider 218 includes the rotation base 222. A pin-shaped protrusion 218A that loosely fits into the long hole 222A and a pin-shaped protrusion 218B for preventing rotation are provided. A spiral groove that corresponds to the spiral shape of the spiral shaft 215 and converts the rotational motion of the spiral shaft 215 into a linear motion is formed on the inner surface of the slider 218. As a result, the slider 218 moves in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction while maintaining the posture as the spiral shaft 215 rotates. In addition, since the slider 218 cannot move unless the spiral shaft 215 rotates, the slider 218 does not move even if an axial force of the spiral shaft 215 is applied to the slider 218. For this reason, as will be described later, even when a reaction force accompanying the binding is applied during the binding operation by the staplers 118 and 118A, the binding position of the staplers 118 and 118A is not affected. In this embodiment, the spiral groove for converting the rotational motion of the spiral shaft 215 into a linear motion is formed. However, the groove of the spiral shaft 215 may be a ball groove, and the ball may be held on the slider 218 side.
[0063]
  The protrusion 218B is a slide guide 231 provided in parallel near the spiral shaft 215.(Corresponding to support member)It fits loosely with the groove provided in the. Further, the slide guide 231 has a planar shape 231A in which one side surface of the cross section substantially comes into contact with the rotation base 221 and has a function of receiving an impact at the time of staple driving on the flat surface 231A.
[0064]
Further, since the elongated hole 222A and the protrusion 218A are loosely fitted, the rotation base 222 also rotates around the shaft 231 as the slider 218 moves. As described above, the spiral shaft 215 is connected to the spiral shaft 216 via the timing belt 219 and the timing pulleys 220A and 220B, and is driven by the stepping motor 223 via the reduction gear train 222, whereby the clincher portion 118A. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the stitcher unit 118 rotates in synchronization with the rotation shafts 224 and 231 as the stepping motor 223 rotates. At this time, the rotation angle of the clincher portion 118A in one direction of the rotation base 201 is denoted by θ1, and the rotation angle in the other direction is denoted by θ2. Further, the displacement amount (difference in movement amount) at this time is d1 and d2, respectively.
[0065]
On the other hand, the moving base 203 is inserted into the slide shaft 206 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Further, a member 204 that is loosely fitted to a spiral shaft 208 provided in parallel to the slide shaft 206 is fixed to the other side of the moving base 203. As the spiral shaft 208 rotates, the stitcher portion 118 moves to the slide shaft. Translate along 206. Also in this case, the inner surface of the member 204 is formed with a spiral groove corresponding to the spiral shape of the spiral shaft 208 and converting the rotational motion of the spiral shaft 208 into linear motion. In addition, as described above, the relationship between the ball and the ball groove can also be configured.
[0066]
Further, the spiral shaft 208 for moving the stitcher unit 118 is connected to the spiral shaft 207 via the timing belt 209 and the timing pulleys 210A and 210B as described above, and by the stepping motor 213 via the reduction gear train 212. Driven. As a result, the clincher portion 118A and the stitcher portion 118 are moved in parallel on the slide shafts 206 and 205 by the rotation of the stepping motor 213.
[0067]
The filler 202A for detecting the home position is provided on the clincher portion 118A side, and the home position is detected on the clincher side, so that the one corresponding to the filler 202A is not provided on the stitcher portion 118 side. In addition, since the rotation base 222 also rotates in synchronization with the rotation base 221 on the clincher side 118A, there is no one corresponding to the filler 225.
[0068]
1.5 Control configuration
FIG. 13 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the post-processing apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. Here, the configuration including the image forming apparatus 11, the post-processing apparatus 6, and the relay apparatus 7 is shown with the paper feeding device 2, the scanner 3, and the ARDF 4 omitted.
[0069]
The relay device 7 has a function of relaying paper when the paper is transported from the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing device 5, and corresponds to the punch unit 103 provided as a post-processing function here. . The relay device 7 includes a punch sensor 701, a punch motor 702, a motor driver 703 for the punch motor, and a drive solenoid 704 for the switching claw 106. The punch motor 702 is driven by the instruction from the image forming apparatus 1 side to make a hole. The solenoid 704 is driven according to whether or not the binding process is performed, and the switching operation of the switching claw 106 is executed. The punching timing is determined based on the detection timing of the leading edge of the sheet from the entrance sensor SN1, and the punch position is detected by the punch sensor 701.
[0070]
The post-processing device 5 is provided with a CPU 150 and an I / O 151, and the CPU 150 and the I / O 151 are connected by a bus. The CPU 150 is connected to a control device (CPU) of the image forming apparatus 1 and controls each part and the whole of the post-processing device 5.
[0071]
The CPU 150 has a solenoid 152, 153, 154, a first vertical motor 627 for moving up and down the upper paper discharge tray 601, a second vertical motor 157 for moving up and down the lower paper discharge tray 602, and a shift for shifting the upper paper discharge tray 601. A motor 641, an entrance roller pair 104, 104 ', a transport roller pair 105, 105', 104, 104 'are connected to a transport motor 158, and a paper discharge roller pair 117, 117' is driven. . Further, in the I / O 151, the staple motor 160 that performs the operation of binding the bundle of sheets by the staplers 118 and 118A, the discharge motor 161 that drives the paper discharge (discharge) roller pair 612 and 614, and the staplers 118 and 118A are translated. Stepping motor (hereinafter also referred to as a movement base drive motor from the function) 213, jogger fence 109 for changing the angle of the paper in the direction orthogonal to the paper direction, jogger motor 163, and changing the angle of the stapler (stitcher 118, clincher 118A) An angle change motor (rotation base drive motor) 223 is connected to output a drive signal. In addition, signals from each sensor and SW are input to the I / O 151 and transmitted to the CPU 150. Each motor is provided with a motor driver 156 in the preceding stage, and the clock generated by the clock generation IC 164 is input to the transport motor 158 and the paper discharge motor 159. In addition, a driving clock is input from the CPU 150 to each motor driver 156 to the movement base drive motor 213, the jogger motor 163, and the angle change motor (rotation base drive motor) 223.
[0072]
1.6 Operation
The basic operation of the binding process in this embodiment is as follows. Since the clincher unit 118A and the stitcher unit operate synchronously, the clincher unit 118A will be described for easy understanding.
[0073]
1.6.1 One end parallel binding
(1) Detection of the home position of the rotation base 221
The rotation base moving motor 223 is driven to move the rotation base 221 so that the staples of the stapler are parallel to the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction.
(2) Detection of the home position of the movement base 201
Until the sensor SN5 detects the filler 202A of the movement base 201, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven to move the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221.
(3) Move to the edge of the paper
Based on the paper size signal, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven so that the staple position is at the sheet edge, and the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 are moved.
(4) Staple operation
When the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 move to the staple position at the end, a staple is driven into the end of the sheet.
[0074]
1.6.2 One end diagonal binding
(1) Detection of the home position of the rotation base 221
The rotation base moving motor 223 is driven to move the rotation base 221 so that the staples of the stapler are parallel to the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction.
(2) Detection of the home position of the movement base 201
The movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven until the sensor SN5 detects the filler 202A of the movement base 201.
(3) Move to the edge of the paper
Based on the paper size signal, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven so that the staple position is at the sheet edge, and the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 are moved.
▲ 4 ▼ diagonal movement
The rotation base moving motor 223 is driven so that the staples of the staples 118 and 118A are at a predetermined angle (45 °).
(5) Staple operation
In the state where the staples 118 and 118A are rotated 45 times, the staple needle is driven into the end portion of the sheet.
[0075]
1.6.3 Binding at two locations on the edge and center of the paper
(1) Detection of the home position of the rotation base 221
The rotation base drive motor 223 is driven so that the staples of the staplers 118 and 118A are parallel to the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and the rotation base 221 is moved.
(2) Detection of the home position of the movement base 201
The movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven until the sensor SN5 detects the filler 202A of the movement base 201.
(3) Move to the first binding position
The movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven by the paper size signal so that the staple position becomes the predetermined first binding position, and the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 are moved to the first binding position. Let
▲ 5 ▼ Staple operation (1st place)
A staple is driven into the first binding position at the end of the paper.
(6) Move to the second binding position
The movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base movement motor 223 are simultaneously driven to move the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 to the second binding position so that the staple position becomes the predetermined second binding position based on the paper size signal. Let
▲ 7 ▼ Taple operation (second place)
A staple is driven into the second binding position at the end of the paper.
[0076]
In this way, the relative positions of the engaging portions (sliders 217 and 218) of the drive means for moving the rotation bases 221 and 222 and the movement bases 201 and 203 are controlled, and d1 in FIG. 11 and FIG. As in d2, the rotation bases 221 and 222 can be rotated at the same angle with respect to the movement bases 201 and 203, and thereby, the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding can be taken at an arbitrary position (paper width direction). Can do. The difference in relative position can be set by the difference in movement distance or the difference in movement speed at the same time.
[0077]
This means that even when the rotation bases 221 and 222 are integrally formed and the movement bases 201 and 203 are formed integrally and the stitcher 118 and the clincher 118A, which are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable, are used, If the driving means on the moving base side is configured as described above, it means that the rotating base side and the moving base side can be configured to rotate relative to each other due to the difference in relative position. However, in such a configuration, it is a matter of course that only end-face binding can be performed, and at the time of paper discharge, the stapler 118 is retracted from outside the paper discharge range, or at a position where it does not interfere with the rear-end fence. It needs to be configured to save.
[0078]
1.7 Control
The control procedure for operating as described above is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0079]
1.7.1 Initial processing
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an overall control procedure of the initial operation. The initial operation is performed when the power is turned on or when the door is closed in order to specify the initial position of the rotation base 221 and to specify the initial position of the movement base. That is, when the power is turned on or when the door is opened and closed, the home position (rotation position) detection operation of the rotation base 221 is executed (step S101), and then the home position of the movement base 201 (paper conveyance) A detection operation of a movement position in a direction orthogonal to the direction is executed (step S102). Detection of the home position of the movement base 201 is performed by the sensor SN5, and detection of the home position of the rotation base 221 is performed by the sensor SN6.
[0080]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the home position detection operation (initial process) of the rotation base 221 in step S101. In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the rotational pace home position sensor SN6 detects the filler 225 and is ON (step S201). If it is ON, the sensor SN6 is ON if it is OFF. The rotation base drive motor 223 is rotated in the forward direction until it becomes (step S203), and the rotation base drive motor 223 is rotated in the reverse direction until the sensor SN6 is turned off (step S203). This state is the state of FIG.
[0081]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the home position detection operation (initial processing) of the movement base 201 in step S102. In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the movement base home position sensor SN5 detects the filler 202A and is ON (step S301), and if it is ON, the sensor SN5 is ON if it is OFF. The movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are rotated forward until the sensor SN5 is turned off until the sensor SN5 is turned off (step S303). This state is the state of the one-dot chain line in FIG. The moving base driving motor 213 and the rotating base driving motor 223 are set to speeds at which the moving base 201 and the rotating base 221 move in parallel without changing their relative positions.
[0082]
1.7.2 End surface parallel single binding
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for binding a bundle of sheets by driving a staple needle in parallel to one place on the end face of the sheet, and corresponds to the operation of 1.6.1 described above.
[0083]
In this process, since the initial process is completed, first, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are driven from the binding mode data and the paper size data to reverse the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221. Then, both are moved in parallel to the binding position of the predetermined paper edge (step S401). In this state, waiting for paper discharge, the paper is discharged, and each time the paper is received, the paper alignment operation is executed by the jogger fence 109 (step S402). When the operation is completed, the stapling motor is operated to drive the needle into the predetermined paper edge (step S403). Next, the bound sheet bundle is pushed out to the discharge roller pair 117, 117 'by the rear end fence 114, and discharged from the discharge roller pair 117, 117' to the transport / stack processing apparatus 6 side (step S404). This operation is repeated until the final part (steps S402 to S404). When the final part is reached (step S405-Y), the home position detection operation of the rotation base 221 (step S406) and the home position detection operation of the movement base 201 are performed. (Step S407) is executed, both are positioned at the home position, and the process is terminated.
[0084]
1.7.3 One edge diagonal binding process
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case of binding a bundle of sheets by obliquely driving a staple needle at one place on the end face of the sheet, and corresponds to the operation of 1.6.2 described above.
[0085]
In this process, since the initial process is completed, first, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are driven from the binding mode data and the paper size data to reverse the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221. Then, both are moved in parallel to the binding position of the predetermined paper edge (step S501). Next, if the binding is performed from the binding mode on the front side of the sheet (step S502-Y), the rotation base drive motor 223 is normally rotated until the predetermined angle (45 ° in this case) is reached, and the binding is performed on the back side of the sheet. If this is the case (step S502-N), the rotation base drive motor 223 is reversely rotated until it reaches a predetermined angle (here 45 °) (step S503).
[0086]
In this state, waiting for paper discharge, the paper is discharged, and each time the paper is received, the paper alignment operation is executed by the jogger fence 109 (step S505). When the operation is completed, the stapling motor is operated to drive the needle into the predetermined paper edge (step S506). Next, the bound sheet bundle is pushed out to the discharge roller pair 117, 117 'by the rear end fence 114, and discharged from the discharge roller pair 117, 117' to the transport / stack processing device 6 side (step S507). This operation is repeated up to the final part (steps S505 to S507). When the final part is reached (step S508-Y), the home position detection operation of the rotation base 221 (step S509) and the home position detection operation of the movement base 201 are performed. (Step S510) is executed, both are positioned at the home position, and the process is terminated.
[0087]
In this embodiment, as can be seen from the processing in step S501, the moving base 201 and the rotating base 221 are translated in parallel, and then the rotating base 221 is rotated in step S503 to enable oblique binding. It is also possible to rotate the rotating base 221 and then rotate the moving base 201.
[0088]
It is also possible to configure the moving base 201 and the rotating base 221 so that the parallel movement and the rotating operation are performed in parallel.
[0089]
1.7.4 End face, saddle stitching, parallel two-point binding processing
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for binding a bundle of sheets by driving the staple needle in parallel to two ends of the sheet or the center, and corresponds to the operation of 1.6.3 described above.
[0090]
In this process, since the initial process is completed, first, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are driven from the binding mode data and the paper size data to reverse the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221. Then, both are moved in parallel to the first binding position (step S601). In this state, waiting for paper discharge, the paper is discharged, and each time the paper is received, the paper alignment operation is executed by the jogger fence 109 (step S602). When the operation is completed, the staple motor 160 is operated to drive the staple to the predetermined paper edge (step S603).
[0091]
Subsequently, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are driven from the paper size data to reversely move the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 and move both in parallel to the second binding position (step S604). Then, the staple motor 160 is operated again to drive the needle into the predetermined second binding position (step S605). Next, the bound sheet bundle is pushed out to the discharge roller pair 117, 117 'by the rear end fence 114, and discharged from the discharge roller pair 117, 117' to the transport / stack processing device 6 side (step S606). Then, it is checked whether or not the sheet discharged in step S606 is the last sheet (step S607). If it is the last sheet, the home position detection operation of the rotating base 221 (step S608) and the home position of the moving base 201 are detected. The detection operation (step S609) is executed, both are positioned at the home position, and the process is terminated.
[0092]
On the other hand, if the sheet bundle discharged in step S606 is not the final sheet in the check in step S607, the next sheet is received and the sheet aligning operation is executed (step S610). Then, when the operation of aligning one sheet bundle is completed, the staple motors 160 of the staplers 118 and 118A located at the second binding position are operated to execute binding at the second binding position (Step S1). S611). Next, the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are driven based on the paper size data to cause the movement base 201 and the rotation base 221 to rotate in the forward direction and move both in parallel to the second binding position. (Step S612). Thereafter, the staple motor 160 is operated to drive the needle into the first binding position (step S613). Next, a paper discharge operation similar to that in step S606 is performed (step S614), and it is checked whether the paper discharged in step S613 is the final paper (step S615). If the paper is the final paper, the same as in steps S608 and 609. The initial processing is executed, the rotation base 221 and the movement base 201 are positioned at the home position, and the processing is completed (steps S616 and S617). On the other hand, if the sheet bundle ejected in the check in step S615 is not the final part, the process returns to step S602 and the subsequent processing is repeated.
[0093]
In this process, after binding at the first binding position and moving to the second binding position, for the next part, the binding process is started from the second binding position without moving the staplers 118 and 118A. When the binding process for the previous part is completed at the first binding position, the binding process is started from the first binding position, thereby efficiently performing the binding process without generating wasted time. Can do.
[0094]
In this embodiment, since the stitcher unit 118 and the clincher unit 118A are provided separately, the rear end fence can be used regardless of whether the binding process is performed on the edge of the sheet or the center process of the sheet. It is possible to cope with this by simply controlling the position 114 and changing the relative position between the sheet bundle and the binding position.
[0095]
As described above, both the movement base drive motor 213 and the rotation base drive motor 223 are provided outside the stapler movement range (outside the front and rear side plates), so that the configuration of the stapler moving portion is simplified and not only can save space. In addition to ease of assembly, maintenance such as replacement can be improved. In this embodiment, the drive sources of the rotation base 221 and the movement base 201 use a stepping motor to set the reduction ratio so that the movement amount per pulse is the same, thereby facilitating the control. The same control is possible even if the movement speed of the rotation base 221 and the movement base 201 is controlled to be the same.
[0096]
2. Second embodiment
This embodiment is an example in which a timing belt is used for the rotation-based drive mechanism in the first embodiment. Since only the configuration related to the use of the timing belt is different from the first embodiment, only the different points will be described, and the overlapping description will be omitted.
[0097]
  FIG. 20 is a view of the stapler and its drive mechanism according to the present embodiment as seen from a direction parallel to the paper transport direction. In this embodiment, the spiral shafts 216 and 215 in the first embodiment are replaced with slide shafts 310 and 311.(Corresponds to the second guide member)And the sliding surfaces of the sliders 217 and 218 with respect to the shafts are changed to a structure that can slide with respect to the slide shafts 310 and 311. One ends of the sliders 217 and 218 are fixed to timing belts 302 and 312 that are stretched between timing pulleys 300, 301, 303, and 304 disposed outside the front plate 250 and the rear plate 251, respectively. 300 and 303 are fixed to the drive shaft 305, the timing pulleys 301 and 304 are fixed to both ends of the driven shaft 304, respectively. A worm wheel 307 is fixed to one end of the drive shaft 305, and the drive shaft of the motor 309 is fixed. And a driving force is obtained from the motor 309. As a result, the clincher unit 118A and the stitcher unit 118 move synchronously and rotate synchronously, and the holding current of the motor is the same as that using the spiral shafts 216 and 215 as in the first embodiment. The posture of the stapler can be maintained even if there is not, and the posture can be maintained without increasing the output of the motor even from the impact during the stapling operation.
[0098]
21 corresponds to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, FIG. 22 corresponds to FIG. 8, FIG. 23 corresponds to FIG. 11, FIG. 24 corresponds to FIG. 12, and details when the drive system is replaced with the timing belt 302 are shown. The operation is as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 described above.
[0099]
In this embodiment, the drive system of the moving bases 201 and 203 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, but is configured in the same manner as the drive system of the rotating bases 221 and 222 shown in FIG. It is also possible.
[0100]
Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.
[0101]
3. Third embodiment
In the first and second embodiments, two drive sources, ie, a motor 223 that drives the rotation bases 221 and 222 and a motor 213 that drives the movement bases 201 and 203 are used as drive sources of the drive system. It is also possible to configure so as to be driven by. This example is shown in FIG.
[0102]
In this embodiment, the moving bases 201 and 203 are driven at the time of parallel movement, and the rotary bases 221 and 222 are further driven after being moved together with the moving bases 201 and 203, so that the spiral shaft 208 in the first embodiment is driven. The motor 213 for transmitting the driving force and the reduction gear train 212 are omitted, the driving system for the spiral shafts 216 and 215 is the main, and the driving force for the spiral shafts 207 and 208 is obtained from the driving system for the spiral shafts 216 and 215. Configured. That is, the timing pulleys 260 and 261 are provided outside the front side plate 250 of the spiral shafts 215 and 208, the timing belt 262 is hung between them, and the electromagnetic clutch 263 is provided between the timing pulley 261 and the spiral shaft 208. The driving of the moving bases 201 and 203 is controlled by connecting / disconnecting the electromagnetic clutch 263.
[0103]
With this configuration, during the parallel movement, the electromagnetic clutch 263 is connected and the motor 223 is driven to rotate the four spiral shafts 207, 208, 216, and 215, and the movement bases 201 and 203 and the rotation base 221 and 222 move in parallel. When the electromagnetic clutch 263 is disengaged when the binding position is reached and the driving of the motor 223 is continued, the transmission of the driving force to the spiral shafts 207 and 208 is cut off, and the moving bases 201 and 203 are stopped. Since the rotation bases 221 and 222 move, the rotation bases 221 and 222 rotate as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 described above, and stop when they reach a predetermined angle. This makes it possible to strike the needle diagonally.
[0104]
With this configuration, the movement control and rotation control of the staplers 118 and 118A can be performed by the single motor 223, so that cost can be reduced and space can be saved.
[0105]
Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize front end binding, front end parallel, front end oblique, back end oblique, and parallel end face binding at a predetermined position and saddle stitching at a predetermined position with a set of split staplers. A compact paper processing apparatus and an image forming system can be provided at low cost.In addition, by setting the relative positional relationship of the engaging portions, it is possible to take parallel binding and oblique binding postures at arbitrary positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction. Further, the recoil during the stapling operation can be surely suppressed, and a stable binding operation can be performed accurately and reliably regardless of the position and posture of the stapler. Also, the posture can be maintained without increasing the output of the motor from the impact during the stapling operation.
[0108]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to set the binding position and the diagonal binding angle only by driving control of a driving means such as a motor.
[0109]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the stop position of the stapling means can be reliably defined even when the driving force of the driving source is lost and the restriction from the driving source is lost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example (example in which ARDF is omitted) of the schematic configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a post-processing apparatus in the image forming system of FIG.
4 is a diagram showing details of a transport / stack device in the image forming system of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view of the stapler according to the first embodiment and its driving mechanism as seen from a direction parallel to the paper transport direction.
6 is a perspective view of the stapler in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a plan view showing details of the clincher portion of FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a cross section of the main part of the clincher portion of FIG. 5;
9 is a side view of a cross section of the main part of the stitcher portion of FIG.
10 is a bottom view showing details of the stitcher portion of FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state when the clincher portion of FIG. 7 is rotated in one direction.
12 is a diagram showing a state when the clincher portion of FIG. 7 is rotated in the other direction. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an overall control procedure of the initial operation of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of a rotation-based home position detection operation (initial process) in step S101 in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of a movement-based home position detection operation (initial process) in step S102 in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case of binding a bundle of sheets by driving a staple needle in parallel to one place on the end face of the sheet.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case of binding a bundle of sheets by obliquely driving a staple needle at one position on the end face of the sheet.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case of binding a bundle of sheets by driving staple needles parallel to two ends of the sheet or in the center.
FIG. 20 is a diagram of a stapler according to a second embodiment and its driving mechanism as viewed from a direction parallel to the paper transport direction.
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing details of a clincher unit according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a side view of a cross section of the main part of a clincher portion according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state when the clincher portion according to the second embodiment is rotated in one direction.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state when the clincher portion according to the second embodiment is rotated in the other direction.
FIG. 25 is a view of a stapler according to a third embodiment and its driving mechanism as seen from a direction parallel to the paper transport direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
2 Paper feeder
3 Scanner
4 ARDF
5 Post-processing equipment
6 Transport stack device
108 Staple tray
109 Jogger fence
114 Rear end fence
118 Stapler (Stitcher)
118A Stapler (Clincher)
119 Folding plate
120, 121 Folding roller pair
123 Folding path
150 CPU
151 I / O
160 Staple motor
201,203 Moving base
205,206 Slide axis
208, 215, 207, 216 Spiral shaft
219 Timing pulley
213 Stepping motor (moving base drive motor)
223 Stepping motor (rotary base drive motor)
217 slider
221, 222 Rotating base
224 axis of rotation
231 Slide guide (axis)
250 Front plate
251 Rear side plate

Claims (9)

A stitcher portion provided with a staple needle accommodating portion and a push-out portion and a clincher portion that bends the tip of the needle are configured separately, and a plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members are formed by a staple needle. In a paper processing apparatus that performs binding,
First and second moving bases for translating the stitcher unit and the clincher unit in synchronization with a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, respectively;
First driving means for driving the first and second movable pedestals;
First and second rotating pedestals supported rotatably on the same axis with respect to the first and second moving pedestals, respectively;
Second driving means for rotating the first and second rotating bases synchronously;
And performing parallel binding or oblique binding at a desired position based on a difference in moving amount or moving speed between the moving base and the rotating base by the first driving means and the second driving means,
An engaging portion between the first and second movable pedestals and the first driving means, and an engaging portion between the first and second rotating pedestals and the second driving means, respectively. A control means for setting the relative positional relationship between the two engaging portions and defining the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction;
A support member for contacting each of the first and second rotating bases and supporting a load during stapling over at least the stapler moving range;
The first driving means includes a first guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to a paper transport direction,
The second driving means includes a second guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction,
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the first and second guide members and the support member are arranged in parallel.   2. A paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduction ratios of the drive sources of the first and second drive means are set so that the amount of movement in the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction of both is the same. .   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving speed of the pedestal of the moving pedestal and the moving speed of the rotating pedestal are set to be substantially the same speed. A stitcher portion provided with a staple needle accommodating portion and a push-out portion and a clincher portion that bends the tip of the needle are configured separately, and a plurality of sheets existing between the two stapler members are formed by a staple needle. In a paper processing apparatus that performs binding,
First and second moving pedestals for translating the stitcher unit and the clincher unit in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction;
First driving means for driving these movable pedestals;
First and second rotating pedestals supported rotatably on the same axis with respect to the first and second moving pedestals, respectively;
Second driving means for rotating the first and second rotating bases;
Control means for independently driving and controlling the first driving means and the second driving means;
And executing the parallel binding and the diagonal binding at a desired position by the control means,
An engaging portion between the first and second movable pedestals and the first driving means, and an engaging portion between the first and second rotating pedestals and the second driving means, respectively. A control means for setting the relative positional relationship between the two engaging portions and defining the posture of parallel binding and oblique binding at an arbitrary position in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction;
A support member for contacting each of the first and second rotating bases and supporting a load during stapling over at least the stapler moving range;
The first driving means includes a first guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to a paper transport direction,
The second driving means includes a second guide member that guides the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction,
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the first and second guide members and the support member are arranged in parallel.   The control means moves the first and second moving pedestals synchronously by the first driving means, and synchronizes the rotational movements of the first and second rotating pedestals by the second driving means, so that they are parallel. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the posture of binding or oblique binding is set to an arbitrary position. The second driving means includes a feed screw or a gear train composed of a worm and a worm wheel for driving transmission, and when there is no driving force of the driving source, the end binding processing or intermediate 5. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stop position of the stapling means for performing the binding process is held. The second driving means includes a feed screw or a gear train composed of a worm and a worm wheel for driving transmission. When there is no driving force of the driving source, the staple for obliquely binding at one position of the sheet 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop position of the means is held. Clutch means on a driving route to the first and second moving base provided, according to the driving source of the first and second drive means to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that a single Paper processing device.   9. An image forming system comprising: the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1; and an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording medium.

Images