JP4440849B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a mechanism that superimposes recording sheets such as recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus and conveys them to a post-processing unit.

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine or a printing machine, an image output can be obtained by transferring a visible image such as a toner image carried on a latent image carrier onto a recording sheet. ing.
Separately from the case where the recording sheets are sequentially discharged from the image forming apparatus onto the discharge tray, post-processing such as binding holes for the discharged recording sheets or binding processing for bookbinding is performed. May be executed.
An apparatus for post-processing, a so-called post-processing apparatus, is provided so as to be integrated or connectable to a discharge portion of the image forming apparatus, and is equipped with an apparatus for performing a post-processing step.
By the way, when the recording sheet to be subjected to the post-processing step is discharged without performing the post-processing, the recording sheet is discharged to a discharge tray attached to the post-processing device, but the discharge state to the post-processing device is set. In this case, while the preceding group of recording sheets is being post-processed, the subsequent recording sheets are kept in a bundle (standby pre-stack), Collecting the subsequent recording sheet group so that the subsequent recording sheet group can be consolidated within the post-processing time for the preceding recording sheet group by drawing out after the post-processing operation is performed. The time may be shortened (for example, Patent Document 1).

  As a configuration for holding the subsequent recording sheet group together and waiting, the recording sheet branched from the recording sheet loading path toward the post-processing apparatus and introduced into the loading path is reversed and the subsequent recording is performed. There is a configuration including a reverse conveyance path that stops and waits until a sheet is introduced (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In Patent Document 1, a reverse conveyance path that branches in a substantially Y shape from a branch portion provided in a part of the recording sheet carry-in path to the post-processing apparatus, and a recording sheet carry-in path and a reverse conveyance path are provided. A recording member that is capable of sandwiching and conveying the recording sheet, and the recording sheet previously introduced into the recording sheet carry-in path is temporarily switched back to the reverse conveyance path and waited for the subsequent recording sheet. By feeding the preceding recording sheet that has been waiting on the reverse conveyance path in accordance with the timing at which the recording sheet is introduced into the recording sheet carry-in path, the preceding and subsequent recording sheets are conveyed toward the post-processing device in a state of being overlapped with each other. ing.

  On the other hand, in addition to the post-processing apparatus main body such as a stapler, the post-processing apparatus is provided with a processing tray for mounting the introduced recording sheet bundle, and the introduced recording sheet bundle is loaded with the stacked recording sheets. Configuration in which the work by the main body of the post-processing apparatus is executed by hitting the rear end in the introduction direction with a hitting roller capable of contacting the uppermost one of the bundle and abutting and aligning with an end fence provided on the processing tray (For example, Patent Document 3).

JP 11-199128 A (paragraph "0003" column) JP 2003-2503 A (paragraph “0006” column) JP 2004-1998 A (paragraph “0045” column)

  When a configuration in which the recording sheet bundle is prestacked during the post-processing operation of the preceding recording sheet bundle is used, the recording sheet is carried into and out of each conveyance path. Therefore, there is a possibility that the increase of the driving mechanism and the complexity of the control may be caused due to the necessity of the conveying member for the purpose.

  On the other hand, post-processing operations such as stapling and punching operations executed by the post-processing apparatus may target not only the same size but also recording sheet groups in which recording sheets having different sizes are collected. For this reason, even if the recording sheet bundles have different sizes, it is necessary to align the rear end portions of the recording sheets that are the post-processing symmetrical positions. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, the uppermost one of the recording sheets stacked on the processing tray, which is the recording sheet mounting portion on the post-processing apparatus side, is contacted and separated. In the mixed loading mode, recording sheets having the same width in the recording sheet corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording sheet but having different longitudinal sizes corresponding to the moving direction are mixed. If is selected, the trailing edge may not be aligned.

FIG. 13 shows a case where the recording sheet S1 previously loaded on the processing tray is larger in size in the longitudinal direction than the succeeding recording sheet S2 in the mixed loading mode (FIG. 13A), and the opposite stacking. The state (FIG. 13B) is shown.
In the case shown in FIG. 13A, the uppermost recording sheet S2 is struck and slides down on the lower recording sheet S1 by the contact rotation of the roller A, and the rear end is easily moved toward an end fence (not shown). In the case shown in FIG. (B), since the action of the hitting roller A does not easily reach the small-sized recording sheet S1 positioned at the lower position, the small-sized recording sheet S1 is, for example, between the upper and lower processing trays. If it is difficult for the recording sheet to slide down due to the difference in frictional relationship with the recording sheet, it becomes difficult for the trailing edge to move toward the end fence, and as a result, the trailing edges of the stacked recording sheets cannot be aligned. For this reason, the rear end position to be post-processed is not uniform for each recording sheet, and there is a possibility that the appearance or the like when bound is deteriorated.

  Further, since the recording sheet once moved to the reverse conveyance path needs to be maintained in the process of reaching the reverse conveyance path and the standby state in the reverse conveyance path, conventionally, Patent Document 1 and Patent As described in Document 3, a configuration is used in which a holding state is maintained by a transport member provided in the reverse transport path (corresponding to the carry-out transport member 4 in Patent Document 1 and transport roller 8 in Patent Document 3). It was done. Because of this necessity, a conveyance member is required in the reverse conveyance path, and thus the configuration of the drive system and the control system of the conveyance member may be increased.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, particularly in the recording sheet conveying system, when the recording sheets are conveyed in a state of being put on standby. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of reliably aligning the trailing edge without causing complication.

The invention of claim 1, wherein, in the sheet processing apparatus for post-processing the sheet material conveyed from the preceding apparatus, the first feeding path for carrying the sheet material upward Symbol aftertreatment position, the first is branched from the conveyance path, the boundary and a second transport path for temporarily contrasted by conveying the sheet in the carrying direction and the reverse direction, the branch position in the above first conveying path on said a first conveying member disposed upstream device side capable holding and conveying the sheet material, in the upper Stories first conveying path arranged in the post-processing apparatus the boundary of the branch position, the rotated forward The sheet material can be conveyed to the post-processing apparatus side, or a second conveyance member capable of conveying the sheet material to the second conveyance path by rotating in reverse , the second conveyance member , A forward / reverse transfer member that can move forward and reverse Are switchable to and nipped and conveyed state position and sneak lifting conveying state position of the sheet material in accordance with the carry-order of sheet conveying direction different sizes to be transported to the first transport path, said second transport path The sheet material is used as a nipping and conveying driving member for re-feeding from the retracted state of the sheet material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the first aspect, each of the conveying members is a member whose driving state is set by a control unit , and the control unit has a trailing edge of the sheet on the input side. Is connected to a trailing edge detection means capable of detecting that the first passage has passed through a predetermined position in the first conveyance path, and is connected to at least the drive portion of the conveyance member for forward / reverse movement on the output side. It is characterized in that the nipping and conveying state of the conveying member for forward / reverse movement can be set by setting the timing at which multiple feeding can be performed in a state where the trailing edge of the sheet material and the succeeding sheet material match.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the second aspect , the control unit performs the second conveyance when the preceding sheet material is carried into the first conveyance path and from the first conveyance path. When switching back to the path, the conveying member for forward / reverse movement is set to the nipping and conveying position, and when the sheet material is retracted to the second conveying path, the succeeding sheet material is more than the preceding sheet material. When the size in the conveyance direction is large, when the subsequent sheet material is carried into the first conveyance path, the conveyance member for forward / reverse movement is set to the non-nip conveyance state, and the preceding sheet material is the second sheet material. The forward / reverse moving transport member is switched to the nipping and transporting state at a timing when the rear end position when re-feeding from the transport path matches the rear end position of the subsequent sheet material in the carrying-in process. Yes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the second aspect , the control unit causes the preceding sheet material and the succeeding sheet material to be in the first conveyance path in a state where the rear ends are matched. When the sheet material having a size larger in the conveyance direction than the preceding sheet material is newly loaded into the first conveyance path, the forward / reverse movement conveying member is not used. After setting to the nipping and conveying position, the forward / reverse moving conveying member is switched to the nipping and conveying position based on the timing at which the rear ends of the preceding, succeeding and new sheet materials match.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control unit, the preceding sheet material in the first conveying path to and from the first conveying path when the transportable input of the second When switched back to the conveyance path, the forward / reverse movement conveyance member is set to the nipping conveyance position, and when the sheet material is retracted to the second conveyance path, the subsequent sheet material is more than the preceding sheet material. when also the succeeding sheet when the conveying direction size is large size is carried into the first conveyance path, set the forward and reverse movement conveying member to sneak lifting transport state position, the second conveyor road once stops the subsequent sheet when it is carried to match the trailing edge of the sheet material prior to being emitted repeatedly toward the first conveying path from the newly the subsequent sheet conveyance direction size the first conveyance path is but the sheet material of the same size When it is carried is characterized in that switching the forward and reverse movement conveying member sandwiched and conveyed state position when the tip of the sheet material to be the newly carried is consistent with the tip in the subsequent sheet.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the second aspect , when the preceding sheet material is larger in size in the transport direction than the subsequent sheet material, the preceding sheet material is The transport member for forward / reverse movement is transported in a non-nipping manner until it is brought into the first transport path and is switched back to the second transport path until the rear end is retracted into the second transport path. When the succeeding sheet material that is set in the position and is smaller in the conveying direction size than the preceding sheet material is carried into the first conveying path, the trailing edge of the succeeding sheet material is the preceding sheet material first conveying path in a state the rear together after having continued during the non-nipped and conveyed state position to reach the timing that matches the end of repeated preceding and succeeding sheet member at a timing that matches after Move forward and reverse as above The conveying member is switched to the nipping and conveying position, and when the trailing edge of the preceding and succeeding sheet materials reaches the position of the conveying member for forward / reverse movement, both the preceding and succeeding sheet materials are moved to the second conveying path. The forward / reverse transport member is switched to the non-nipping transport state with the rear end of the preceding and succeeding sheets retracted in the second transport path to the second transport path, and the same as the preceding sheet. When a sheet material of a size is carried into the first conveyance path, the rear end of the newly loaded sheet material and the rear end position of the preceding and subsequent sheet materials that are re-drawn coincide with each other. The forward / reverse movement conveying member is switched to the nipping conveyance state.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first and second transport paths are carried into the first transport path at the branch positions. It is characterized in that there is provided a swingable path switching claw that allows it to be carried into the first transport path by being pushed and moved by the sheet material.

The invention according to claim 8 is the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the second conveyance path is configured to be detoured in an inverted U shape from the branch position, U-shaped portion vertex of the detour path is characterized by being configured such that the weight balance in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material can be taken in the second transport path is located in the longitudinal center of the sheet.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to one of the first to eighth aspects, the rear end of the sheet to be switched back in the conveyance path is pressed against the second conveyance path. A means for holding at the position is provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect , as the means for holding the rear end in the second conveyance path, the rear end is frictionally held with respect to the second conveyance path. It is characterized in that possible members are used.

The invention according to claim 11 is the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a member capable of rolling while being in contact with the rear end is used as means for holding the rear end in the second conveyance path. It is characterized by.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects is used for an image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the forward / reverse moving transport member located on the front side in the sheet loading direction from the position where the first and second transport paths branch is directed toward the second transport path. Since it is configured as a nipping and conveying drive member for retracting and retracting the retracted sheet material from the second conveying path to the first conveying path, it is not necessary to provide a conveying member in the second conveying path. Thereby, unlike the case where a conveyance member is provided for each conveyance path, the number of conveyance members can be reduced, so that it is possible to eliminate an increase in the number of parts and complexity of control.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the conveying member is driven and controlled by the control unit, and the control unit is used for forward / reverse movement at the timing when the rear ends of the sheet material continuously loaded are matched. Since the drive position of the transport member can be set, the rear ends of the transported sheet materials can be matched and fed to the post-processing step regardless of the transport order and size.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sheet materials of different sizes are fed in a state in which the rear end positions of the sheet materials are matched with each other when the sheet materials of different sizes are loaded by setting the position of the conveying member for forward / reverse movement. Can be sent. That is, when the conveyance direction details of the preceding sheet material are smaller than those of the subsequent sheet material , the preceding sheet material is temporarily retracted to the second conveyance path and a state in which the subsequent sheet material can be carried in is set. By feeding the preceding sheet material from the second conveying path toward the first conveying path at a timing that coincides with the trailing edge of the subsequent sheet material in the carrying-in process, the trailing edge can be fed in a state in which the trailing edges are matched. It becomes possible.

According to the fourth to seventh aspects of the invention, it is possible to perform rear end alignment for the third sheet material newly introduced in addition to the preceding and succeeding states by setting the position of the forward / reverse moving conveyance member. Become. That is, in the invention according to claim 4 , the size of the preceding sheet material is small in the conveying direction and the size of the succeeding sheet material is large in the conveying direction size, and the third sheet material newly introduced separately from these sheet materials is When the same size as the subsequent sheet material is combined, the rear end of the preceding and subsequent sheet materials is aligned with the rear end of the third sheet material that is newly carried in a state where it is temporarily retracted to the second conveyance path. It can be fed in a state, in the invention of claim 5, wherein, only the preceding sheet member is retracted to the second conveying path, subsequent sheet material first under the same conditions as the third sheet By feeding the preceding sheet material in the process of being carried into one conveyance path, it is possible to feed the sheet with its rear end aligned. In the invention described in claim 6, in the transport direction size, if the succeeding sheet material small again size sheet size is large preceding, and the third sheet material to be newly carried it is larger hearing size leading and temporarily retracts the rear end of the succeeding sheet to the second conveying path in a state of being matched with the rear end as the target, in this state the process for transferring the third sheet material, the sheet material By feeding the preceding and succeeding sheet materials from the second conveyance path toward the first conveyance path at the timing coincident with the rear end, the rear ends of the three sheets can be matched and fed. .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the path switching claw that can be swung by being pushed and moved by the sheet material carried into the first conveyance path is provided at the branch position of the first and second conveyance paths. Therefore, it is possible to set the sheet material carry-in path without requiring a special drive source, and it is possible to align the trailing ends of the sheet materials of different sizes while preventing the structure from becoming complicated.

According to claim 8 the invention described, the second conveying path is constituted by the detour path that is diverted to the inverted U-shape from the branching position, the longitudinal center position of the U-shaped apex starvation over preparative detour route since the relationship for the sheet material weight balance when a state in which the both longitudinal end hangs down are equalized. As a result, even a sheet material having a small size in the conveyance direction is inadvertently maintained without being moved from the second conveyance path, so that the second conveyance path is held. It is possible to eliminate the need for a special configuration.

According to the ninth to eleventh aspects of the present invention, there is provided means for holding the rear end of the sheet material in the second conveyance path. In particular, in the tenth aspect of the invention, a member capable of frictional holding is used. In the invention of claim 11 , when a rollable member is used, when the rear end position of the sheet material when switched back into the second transport path is biased between both ends, It is possible to prevent the weight balance of the sheet material from being collapsed from the detour due to the center portion of the detour as a reference and slipping off from the detour in a simple configuration or in a state where a low load is applied.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the sheet materials having different sizes are post-processed, they can be fed toward the post-processing step in a state in which the rear end positions are matched. It is possible to prevent the appearance from deteriorating.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus used as a sheet processing apparatus in the present embodiment. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a recording sheet in an image forming processing apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. Although it is used by being connected to the discharge unit, it can also be used by being incorporated in the image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is connected by being attached to a side portion of an image forming apparatus 2, and a sheet as one of recording sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is a sheet post-processing apparatus 1. Led to. The configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 will be described together with the operation as follows.
The sheet S enters the sheet post-processing device 1 from the receiving port 2a, is detected by the inlet sensor SN1, and is transported by the transport rollers 4 and 5 serving as transport members, and the branch claw 2e is moved counterclockwise in the figure. By being rotated, it is guided to the lower transport path 2b.
The sheet S guided to the lower conveyance path 2b rotates the switching claw 9 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure by its own moving force, passes through the first conveyance path A secured thereby, and a conveyance roller as a conveyance member. 6, 7 and 8 are conveyed to the processing tray 13.
After the sheet S passes, the switching claw 9 returns to the illustrated position by the tension of a spring (not shown).
When the sheet S conveyed through the first conveyance path A is introduced into the processing tray 13, the sheet S falls by its own weight in the direction of arrow C, and is struck down by the tapping roller 14. The trailing edge is aligned. When the trailing edge of the sheet S is detected in advance by the sensor SN2, the edge in the width direction is aligned by the alignment fence 10 after a time during which the sheet conveyance direction can be aligned. By repeating this operation, the aligned sheet bundle 1z is formed in the processing tray 13.

The aligned sheet bundle 1 z is stapled by the staple 12 and then moved in the direction of arrow D by the discharge claw 15 provided in parallel with the sheet conveyance direction at the center of the processing tray 13.
The discharge claw 15 is operated by a drive system (not shown) via a discharge belt 17 that is wound between the rollers 16a and 16b.

  The sheet bundle 1z moves in the direction of arrow E while being pushed by the discharge claw 15 at the rear end, and is stacked on the sheet discharge tray 3 by the sheet discharge roller 18.

The first transport path A is connected to a second transport path B that branches in the middle.
The second conveyance path B forms a reversing path that branches from the branch position and is detoured in an inverted U shape from the branch position, and the switching claw 9 described above is disposed at the branch position.

The first conveyance path A, conveyance roller 5 to 8 described above is disposed along the moving direction of the sheet S. In the present embodiment, the arrangement pitch of the conveying rollers 5 to 8 is set to a pitch that allows the sheet to be nipped and conveyed within a small-sized feed direction length (longitudinal length). As a result, the paper can be transported by any of the adjacent transport rollers.
Of conveyance roller, conveyance rollers 6 and 7 located in the moving direction front side of the sheet S of the branch position of the second conveyance path B is a reversible roller, further among them roller, The transport rollers 6 positioned in the vicinity of the switching claw 9 can select a nipping and transporting position in which the sheets S can be nipped and transported in contact with each other and a non-nipping and transporting position in which the sheets cannot be nipped and transported. It is configured to be able to contact and separate. The conveying member is not limited to a roller, and a belt or the like can be used.

  The transport roller 6 located in the vicinity of the switching claw 9 can rotate forward and backward to set the loading state of the paper S into the first transport path A and from the first transport path A to the second. This is used as a forward / reverse moving transport member (hereinafter, the transport roller 6 is referred to as a forward / reverse moving transport member) capable of selecting a carry-out position in which the paper S is switched back toward the transport path B. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the second transport path B has a member that holds the rear end of the sheet S that is retracted by being switched back in the transport path B. A sheet 100 made of an elastic member that can come into contact with the free end and can frictionally hold the inner surface of the conveyance path is disposed. As a member for holding the rear end of the paper S, as shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to use a rolling member 101 that can be held while being in contact with the rear end.
The sheet 100 or the rolling member 101 that holds the rear end of the sheet is retracted in the reversing path constituted by an inverted U-shaped detour so that the longitudinal center is not positioned at the apex of the U-shaped portion. When the rear end position deviates in the meantime, the weight balance is lost and the sliding is prevented by holding. Particularly in the case of the sheet 100, the rear end portion of the bent state can be held by a simple configuration, and in the case of the rolling member 101, the shift of the rear end position is absorbed in a low load state. It is possible to prevent the sheet including the rear end portion from being bent and deformed. In FIGS. 5 and 6 to be described later , the symbol L / 2 indicates a length that is half of the length in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, and the second central portion is positioned at the apex of the U-shaped portion. A relationship is set so that the weight balance of the paper switched back in the conveyance path B can be obtained.

On the other hand, state position setting forward and reverse movement conveying member 6 is performed by the control unit 200 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the control unit 200 uses a control unit that executes an image forming process sequence in the image forming apparatus 2. As a configuration related to the present embodiment, on the input side, there are an operation panel 201, an entrance sensor SN1, and a first one. A trailing edge detection sensor SN2 capable of detecting that the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed through a predetermined position in the conveyance path A is connected, and on the output side, a driving unit for the staple 12 and a driving member 6 for forward / reverse movement part (for convenience, in FIG. 4 there is shown a name of each member) are connected.

The control unit 200 superimposes the sheet material at a timing when the rear ends of the preceding sheet material and the subsequent sheet material carried into the first conveyance path A coincide with each other and feeds the sheet material toward the stapler 13 as a post-processing device. The control is performed as follows.
(1) When the paper S carried into the first conveyance path A is carried in the order of small size and large size.
(2) The paper S carried into the first transport path A is small and large, and a paper S of the same size (large size) as the subsequent sheet is newly carried separately from the preceding and succeeding paper S. If
(3) When the paper S is carried into the first transport path A in the order of small size, large size, and small size.
(4) This is a case where the paper S is carried into the first transport path A in the order of large size, small size, and large size.
In executing such a procedure, the control unit 200 inputs the size of the paper carried into the first transport path A from the operation panel 201 and corrects the size based on the detection signal from the rear end detection sensor SN2. The rotation direction and amount of rotation of the reverse movement conveyance member 6 and the switching setting between the nipping conveyance state and the non-nipping conveyance state are performed.

The case of the control target listed in (1) will be described as follows.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the movement state of the sheet as the control target listed in (1). In FIG. 5A, the trailing edge of the preceding sheet S1 is carried into the first conveyance path A. When passing through the switching pawl 9 is, forward and reverse movement conveying member 6 is Ru is set to clamping state position. When the conveyance roller 7 is switched to rotation in the direction opposite to the rotation direction when the paper S1 is carried in, the conveyance roller 7 moves the paper S1 toward the second conveyance path B (see FIG. 5B).

The sheet S1 that is switched back to the second transport path B is positioned at the center in the longitudinal direction at the apex of the U-shaped portion by the amount of rotation of the transport member 6 for forward / reverse movement and the transport roller 7. That is, when the feed length of the sheet S1 is 210mm of (A size short side), as to shown in FIG. 5 in L / 2, equal in length to the opposite end portions to send to the boundary of the U-shaped portion vertices As a result, the weight balance between the feeding direction ends of the sheet S1 retracted to the second transport path B is balanced, and it is prevented from slipping inadvertently and the other state is maintained. Further, if the rear end moves to a position where the weight balance between both ends in the feed direction is lost, the rear end is held by the holding members 100 and 101 shown in FIGS. Can prevent inadvertent sliding.

On the other hand, when the paper S2 having a size larger than the preceding paper S1 is carried into the first transport path A while the preceding paper S1 is retracted into the second transport path B, the forward / reverse movement amount The conveying member 6 is switched to the non-clamping position, and the subsequent sheet S2 can be carried in (see FIG. 5C).
In the process in which the succeeding sheet S2 is carried into the first transport path A, the rear end position of the preceding sheet S1 re-drawn from the second transport path B and the subsequent position that moves in the first transport path A. The timing at which the trailing edge position of the sheet S2 matches, that is, the length from the forward / reverse moving conveyance member 6 to the trailing edge position of the preceding sheet S1 and the succeeding sheet, as indicated by reference numeral L1 in FIG. At the timing when the lengths from the forward / reverse moving conveyance member 6 to the rear end position in S2 match, the forward / reverse moving conveyance member 6 is switched from the non-nipping state to the holding state, and the preceding and succeeding sheets S1, S2 Nipped and conveyed together.

Even when the sizes of the preceding and succeeding sheets S1 and S2 in the feeding direction are different by such a procedure, the sheets can be fed toward the processing tray 13 (see FIG. 1) with the rear end positions aligned. it can. Thus, in the processing tray 13 is, in the case where the size of the paper rear end with each other even though different aligned, and the conveying direction (longitudinal direction) size, especially the small old paper backward, the tapping roller Even when a large-sized sheet is positioned on the upper side facing each other, the post-processing can be performed without any irregularities at the trailing edge. In addition, the preceding sheet S1 that has been retracted into the second transport path B is driven by the transport member 6 for forward / reverse movement when retracting to the second transport path B and re-feeding from the transport path B. Therefore, the conveyance member in the second conveyance path B that has been conventionally used can be made unnecessary.

Next, the case described in (2) will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of movement of the paper as the control target listed in (2), and FIG. 6 (A) is a procedure that continues from the state shown in FIG. 5 (D).
In FIG. 6A, as shown in FIG. 5, the preceding and succeeding sheets S1, S2 are arranged in the first conveying path A in a state where the trailing ends are aligned and overlapped by the forward / reverse moving conveying member 6. When the paper is carried in, as shown in FIG. 6B, the forward and reverse moving transport member 6 and the transport roller 7 are reversed so that the preceding and succeeding sheets S1 and S2 are switched back toward the second transport path B. Is done.

  When the sheet S3 having the same size as the subsequent sheet S2 is carried into the first conveyance path A with the sheets S1 and S2 retracted into the second conveyance path B, the forward / reverse movement conveyance member 6 is not nipped. The state is switched to the transporting state, and a new sheet S3 is carried in (see FIG. 6C).

  On the other hand, when the trailing edge of the new sheet S3 is detected by the trailing edge detection sensor SN2, the forward / reverse moving conveyance member 6 is synchronized with the timing coincident with the leading edge of the succeeding sheet S2 in the retracted state from the detection timing. By switching to the nipping and transporting position, the three sheets S1 to S3 are fed toward the processing tray in a state where the rear ends are matched (see FIG. 6D).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure in this case (for the sake of convenience, the step portion corresponding to the case of (3) in FIG. 7 means a small size in the transport direction, a large size, and another small size “ In the same figure, the processes indicated by reference characters ST1 to ST4 are processes for the preceding and subsequent sheets. In FIG. This corresponds to the state shown in A). In the flowcharts of FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, the forward / reverse moving transport member 6 is referred to as a forward / reverse transport roller for convenience, and the preceding and succeeding sheets are displayed as the first and second sheets.
When the sheet S3 is newly carried into the first transport path A with the trailing edges of the preceding (first sheet) and subsequent (second sheet) being aligned, the size of the new sheet S3 6 and the succeeding sheet S2 are compared (ST5). If the size is larger than the succeeding sheet S2, the forward / reverse transport roller 6 is switched to the non-nip transporting position (ST6), and FIG. The state shown in FIG.
In this state, the timing at which the rear end of the newly loaded paper S3 coincides with the rear ends of the preceding and subsequent papers S1 and S2 retracted in the second transport path B is set (ST7). Based on the timing, the forward / reverse transport roller 6 is switched to the nipping and transporting position, and the three sheets of paper are fed together with their trailing edges matched (ST8). This state is the state shown in FIG.

In addition to the preceding, succeeding and the above, the size of the newly loaded paper , that is, the size in the transport direction (longitudinal direction) is small (hereinafter referred to as small size) , large (hereinafter referred to as large size) and large. As another procedure in the case of the size, the procedure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be used.
That is, in FIG. 8, instead of retracting the succeeding large size sheet S2 together with the preceding small size sheet S1 to the second transport path B as shown in FIG. 6, it is illustrated in FIG. In other words, the trailing edge of the succeeding sheet S2 carried into the first conveying path A and the small-sized preceding sheet S1 retracted in the second conveying path B from the forward / reverse conveying roller 6 At this time, the switching between the forward and reverse rollers 6 to the nipping and conveying position is interrupted and left unswitched (see FIG. 8A), and in this state, the size is the same as that of the subsequent sheet S2. A large-size sheet S3 is carried into the first conveyance path A, and when the leading edge of the succeeding sheet S2 coincides, the forward / reverse conveyance roller 6 is switched to the nipping conveyance position so that the trailing edges of the three sheets coincide. In this state, the sheet is fed (see FIG. 8B).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure in this case. In FIG. 9, “Small-Large-Large 2” is displayed, and the preceding (first sheet) sheet S1 and the succeeding (first) sheet S1 are displayed. The forward / reverse conveying roller 6 is maintained in the non-nip conveying state with the trailing edge of the second sheet S2 being matched (ST9), and the size of the newly loaded sheet S3 and the succeeding (second sheet) ) Is compared with the size of the sheet S2 (ST10, 11).
In step ST11, when the newly loaded sheet S3 is the same size as the succeeding (second) sheet S2, the rear end of the newly loaded sheet S3 and the preceding (first) and succeeding sheets A match state with the rear ends of the (second sheet) sheets S1 and S2 is determined (ST12), and the forward / reverse transport roller 6 is switched to the nipping / conveying position in accordance with the match timing, and the rear ends of the three sheets of paper. Are fed in a matched state (ST13). This state is the state shown in FIG.

Next, the case of (3) will be described.
FIG. 10 shows the movement state of the sheet in this case. In FIG. 10, the state in which the trailing edges of the preceding sheet S1 and the succeeding sheet S2 coincide with each other is as shown in FIG. The first sheet S1 and the subsequent (second) sheet S2 are retracted to the second transport path B (see FIG. 10A).

  In this state, the sheet S3 carried into the first transport path A is smaller in size than the succeeding sheet S2, so that the leading edge coincides with the preceding sheet S1 retracted in the second transport path B. At the timing when this state is reached, the forward / reverse movement transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is switched to the nipping and transporting position so that the rear ends of the three sheets are aligned (FIG. 10B). reference).

  The procedure in the case of (3) follows the steps indicated as “small-large-small” in FIGS. 7 and 9.

Next, the case mentioned in (4) will be described.
In FIG. 11, when the preceding paper S1 having a large size is carried into the first transport path A, the forward / reverse moving transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 continues until the trailing edge of the preceding paper S1 arrives. When the leading sheet S1 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller 7 and the trailing edge deviates from the position of the switching claw 9, the non-nipping conveying state is set (FIG. 11). A)).
When the leading sheet S1 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller 7 at the leading edge and the trailing edge deviates from the position of the switching claw 9, the preceding sheet S1 is switched back toward the second conveying path B (FIG. 11B). ) And (C)). The retraction amount when the trailing edge of the sheet S1 preceding the second conveyance path B is retracted is a small size sheet S2 having a length from the forward / reverse moving conveying member (forward / reverse conveying roller) 6 to the trailing edge. Is the same amount as the length from the forward / reverse moving conveyance member (forward / reverse conveyance roller) 6 to the rear end (see FIG. 11D). In this embodiment, when the length of the preceding large-size sheet S1 is 420 mm (A3 long side) and the length of the succeeding small-size sheet S2 is 210 mm (A4 short side), the retraction amount in the preceding large-size sheet S1 The length from the forward / reverse moving conveyance member (forward / reverse conveyance roller) 6 to the rear end corresponds to an amount set to approximately 210 mm. At this time, the leading end of the preceding large-size sheet S1 is maintained in a state of being sandwiched by the conveying roller 7.

  At the timing when the preceding large size sheet S1 and the trailing edge of the succeeding small size sheet S2 match, the forward / reverse movement transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is switched to the nipping and transporting position, and both sheets S1, S2 Are carried into the first transport path A with the rear ends aligned (see FIG. 11E), and when the rear end position reaches the forward / reverse transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6, The rotation direction of the reverse movement conveyance member (forward / reverse conveyance roller) 6 is switched, and the trailing ends of both sheets are retracted to the second conveyance path B (see FIG. 11F). The retraction amount at this time corresponds to the amount by which the leading edge of the preceding large-size sheet S1 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller 7.

  When a sheet S3 having the same size as the preceding large size is newly carried into the first transport path A following the succeeding small size sheet S2, the forward / reverse transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is not nipped. When the transport position is switched (see FIG. 11G), the forward / reverse transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is moved together with the new large-size sheet S3 when the leading edge thereof reaches the transport roller 7. In addition to being switched to the nipping and transporting position, the three sheets are stacked and fed (see FIG. 11H).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure in this case. In FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the preceding (first sheet) large-size sheet S1 has reached the nipping position of the transport roller 7 (ST20). ) Based on the result of determination as to whether or not the trailing edge of the sheet S1 has passed through the switching claw 9 (ST21), the forward / reverse transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is switched to the non-nip transport state (ST22). .

When the trailing edge of the preceding (first sheet) large-size sheet S1 passes through the switching claw 9, the transport roller 7 reverses the rotation direction, so that the preceding (first sheet) large-size sheet S1 has the trailing end thereof. With respect to the second transport path B, the above-mentioned predetermined amount is retracted, and the amount of movement is determined (ST23).
When the preceding (first sheet) large-size sheet S1 has its trailing edge retracted to the second conveyance path B, the subsequent (second sheet) small-size sheet S2 is started to be carried into the first conveyance path A. (ST24) The transport member for forward / reverse movement (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is switched to the nipping and transporting position at the timing coincident with the rear end of the preceding (first sheet) large-size sheet S1, and the subsequent (second sheet). ) Is fed into the first transport path A in a state where the rear ends thereof are matched (ST25). This state is the state shown in FIG.

  The size of the sheet S3 that is newly carried into the first transport path is compared with the preceding small size sheet S1 in response to a command from the operation panel 201 (see FIG. 4) (ST26). If it is determined that the size is the same as that of the large-size sheet S2, the forward / reverse moving transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is switched to the nipping position, and the leading and trailing sheets S1, S2 are forward / reverse. When the state of being held between the moving method conveying members (forward / reverse conveying rollers) is obtained, the preceding and succeeding sheets are reversed by reversing the rotational directions of the conveying member for forward / reverse movement (forward / reverse conveying rollers) 6 and the conveying rollers 7. S1 and S2 are switched back toward the second transport path B, and the rear ends of the sheets S1 and S2 are retracted to the second transport path B (ST27 and ST28). This state is shown in FIGS. 11 (E) and 11 (F).

A forward / reverse transport member corresponding to a new large-size sheet S3 being carried into the first transport path A with the preceding and succeeding sheets S1 and S2 being retracted in the second transport path B. The (forward / reverse conveyance roller) 6 is switched to the non-nip conveyance state (ST29), and a new large-size sheet S3 is carried toward the first conveyance path A.
New large size sheet S3 is first conveying path forward and reverse movement conveying member at the rear end and when matches of large size sheet S2 in the subsequent in the process of being carried into the A (2 sheets face) (forward and reverse conveying The roller 6 is switched to the nipping state, and the new sheet S3 is aligned with the preceding and succeeding sheets S1, S2 with the trailing edges matched with the preceding and succeeding sheets S1, S2 whose trailing edges are matched. At the same time, it is fed (ST30, ST31). This state is the state shown in FIG.

When the preceding sheet S1 is carried into the first transport path A, the forward / reverse movement transport member (forward / reverse transport roller) 6 is moved as shown in FIGS. Although it is premised on the state set to the non-nipping conveyance state, a procedure for matching the rear end can be obtained without entering this state, but the following sheet is carried in and the conveyance member for forward / reverse movement (Forward / reverse transport roller) Since the switchback operation is started at the same time as reaching 6, there is a disadvantage in the positioning accuracy of the rear end position due to the accuracy of the contact / separation operation and the ease of control, etc. It is preferable to maintain the position.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set the feeding state to the post-processing unit based on the size of the newly introduced paper in addition to the preceding and succeeding sheets and these two types of sheets as the transport procedure. However, not only the combination of these sheets, but also four types of sheets can be targeted if, for example, the procedure for two types of sheets can be repeated.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to make three or more sheets to be retreated in the second transport path B by combining the above-described procedures. For example, if the third small-size sheet is carried in along with the preceding and succeeding sheets according to the procedure described in (3), and the fourth large-size sheet is carried in, the third sheet When a small-size sheet is carried into the first conveyance path, the preceding and subsequent sheets retracted to the second conveyance path B are fed to the first conveyance path, and then three sheets are fed. After switching back to the second conveyance path B, four sheets with three sheets retracted with the trailing edge aligned when the fourth large-size sheet is carried into the first conveyance path The paper is carried toward the first conveyance path A at the timing when the trailing edge of the eye paper matches. As a result, it is possible to align the rear ends of the sheets conveyed in the order of small size and large size, which are combinations of paper sizes that are difficult to align in the post-processing apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus corresponding to a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the holding member used for the inversion conveyance path of the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a figure which shows the other example of the holding member used for the inversion conveyance path of the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the control part used for the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a figure which shows the movement state of the sheet | seat by the 1st process procedure with respect to the size of the sheet | seat carried in to the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a figure which shows the movement state of the sheet | seat by the 2nd process procedure with respect to the size of the sheet | seat carried in to the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the movement state of the paper by another system regarding the 2nd processing procedure with respect to the size of the paper carried in to the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the movement state of the sheet | seat by the 3rd process sequence with respect to the size of the sheet | seat carried in to the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a figure which shows the movement state of the paper by the 4th process sequence with respect to the size of the paper conveyed in to the sheet processing apparatus by a present Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the malfunction by the paper size on a processing tray.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sheet processing apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus 6 Forward / reverse moving conveying member 7 Conveying roller 9 Switching claw 12 Staple 13 Processing tray 200 Control unit A First conveying path B Second conveying path

Claims (12)

In the sheet processing apparatus for post-processing the sheet material conveyed from the preceding apparatus ,
A first conveyance path for carrying the sheet material upward Symbol aftertreatment position,
Is branched from the first conveying path, a second conveying path for temporarily contrasted by conveying the sheet in the carrying direction and the reverse direction,
The boundary of the branch position In the above first conveying path on the first conveying member capable nipped and conveyed to the sheet material is disposed on the front device side,
In the above SL first conveying path arranged in the post-processing apparatus the boundary of the branch position, the sheet material by forward rotation is transportable to the post-processing apparatus, or rotated reversely And a second transport member capable of transporting the sheet material to the second transport path ,
The second conveying member is a forward / reverse moving conveying member that can move forward and backward, and the nipping and conveying state of the sheet material according to the carrying-in order of the sheets having different sizes in the carrying direction carried into the first carrying path. And a non-nipping and conveying state, and is used as a nipping and conveying driving member for re-feeding from the retracted state of the sheet material retracted to the second conveying path. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Each of the conveying members is a member whose driving state is set by the control unit,
The control unit is connected to a rear end detection unit capable of detecting that a rear end of the sheet has passed a predetermined position in the first conveyance path on the input side, and at least the conveyance member for forward / reverse movement on the output side. The drive unit is connected, and the holding conveyance state of the conveyance member for forward / reverse movement is set by setting a timing at which the trailing edge of the preceding sheet material and the succeeding sheet material can be double fed. Can be set . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
When the preceding sheet material is carried into the first conveyance path and switched back from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path, the control unit holds the forward / reverse movement conveyance member in a nipping conveyance state. When the succeeding sheet material is larger in size in the conveying direction than the preceding sheet material when the sheet material is retracted to the second conveying path, the succeeding sheet material is the first sheet material. The transport member for forward / reverse movement is set to a non-nipping transport position when being transported to the transport path, and the rear end position when the preceding sheet material is re-feeded from the second transport path is in the transport process. A sheet processing apparatus that switches the forward / reverse moving conveying member to a nipping and conveying state at a timing when a rear end position of a subsequent sheet material coincides . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
When the preceding sheet material and the succeeding sheet material are carried into the first conveyance path in a state where the rear ends are matched , the control unit uses the preceding sheet material in the same manner as the succeeding sheet material. When a sheet material having a large size in the transport direction is newly carried into the first transport path, the transport member for forward / reverse movement is set to the non-nip transport state, and then the preceding, succeeding and new sheet materials are set. A sheet processing apparatus that switches the forward / reverse movement conveying member to a nipping and conveying state based on a timing at which rear ends coincide . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
When the preceding sheet material is carried into the first conveyance path and when the control unit is switched back from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path, the controller moves the forward / reverse movement conveyance member in a nipping conveyance state. When the succeeding sheet material is larger in size in the conveying direction than the preceding sheet material when the sheet material is retracted to the second conveying path, the succeeding sheet material is the first sheet material. When the sheet is carried into the conveyance path, the forward / reverse movement conveyance member is set to the non-nip conveyance state, and the preceding sheet material fed from the second conveyance path toward the first conveyance path When the subsequent sheet material is stopped until the trailing edge is matched, the subsequent sheet material is temporarily stopped, and when a sheet material having the same size in the conveyance direction as the subsequent sheet is newly conveyed to the first conveyance path, the new sheet material is newly The leading edge of the loaded sheet material follows Sheet processing apparatus characterized by switching the forward and reverse movement conveying member at the time that matches the tip pinching transport state position in the sheet material. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
When the preceding sheet material is larger in size in the conveying direction than the succeeding sheet material, the control unit performs the switchback of the second conveying path when the preceding sheet material is carried into the first conveying path. Until the trailing edge is retracted into the second conveying path, the conveying member for forward / reverse movement is set to the non-nip conveying state, and the size in the conveying direction is set to the preceding sheet material. When the succeeding sheet material having a small relationship is carried into the first transport path, the non-nipping transport state until the rear end of the succeeding sheet material reaches a timing coincident with the rear end of the preceding sheet material. The transport member for forward / reverse movement is switched to the nipping and transporting position so that the preceding and succeeding sheet materials are stacked in the first transport path at the timing when the rear ends coincide with each other. , The preceding and following When the rear end of the sheet material reaches the position of the forward / reverse movement conveying member, both the preceding and succeeding sheet materials are switched back toward the second conveying path, and the preceding and succeeding sheets are moved to the second conveying path. When the conveying member for forward / reverse movement is switched to the non-nip conveying state with the trailing edge of the sheet retracted, and a sheet material of the same size as the preceding sheet is newly carried into the first conveying path Is characterized in that the forward / reverse movement conveying member is switched to the nipping conveyance state at the timing when the rear end of the newly loaded sheet material coincides with the rear end position of the preceding and subsequent sheet materials that are re-drawn. A sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The branching position in the first and second conveying paths is a swingable path that is allowed to be loaded into the first conveying path by being pushed and moved by the sheet material carried into the first conveying path. A sheet processing apparatus comprising a switching claw . In the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The second conveying path is configured to be detoured in an inverted U shape from the branch position, and the vertex of the U-shaped portion of the detour path is positioned at the center in the longitudinal direction of the sheet so that the sheet material is A sheet processing apparatus configured to achieve a weight balance in the longitudinal direction . The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A sheet processing apparatus , wherein the second conveying path is provided with means for pressing and holding the trailing edge of the sheet to be switched back in the conveying path . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein
2. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a member capable of frictionally holding the rear end with respect to the second transport path is used as means for holding the rear end in the second transport path . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein
A sheet processing apparatus, wherein a member capable of rolling while being in contact with the rear end is used as means for holding the rear end in the second conveyance path . An image forming apparatus using the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images