JP4533326B2 - Sheet member processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and return member for sheet member processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet member processing apparatus that performs post-processing of a sheet member discharged from an image forming apparatus.

In the “sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus / image forming apparatus” of Patent Document 1, the image-formed paper is discharged across the discharge tray and the auxiliary tray. Align and staple with stapler. When the stapling is completed, the return roller is reversely rotated and the auxiliary tray is stored. The storage time of the auxiliary tray is changed according to the sheet size so that the rear end of the sheet bundle does not buckle. As a result, the configuration of the sheet medium post-processing apparatus can be made compact and the cost can be reduced, and the swell due to the staple can be satisfactorily performed without being affected by the curl. In addition, the rear end portion of the auxiliary tray can be stacked in an orderly manner on the paper discharge tray without leaving the rest.
JP 2003-182921 A

  In a sheet member processing apparatus for horizontally stacking sheet members, it is essential to perform an operation of abutting the end surface of the sheet member and the rear end of the sheet member against the stop member in order to align the sheet members. As one of the means of the work, there is one in which the sheet member is conveyed in the direction of the stop member by the return means, and the sheet member is abutted against the stop member. Then, since the return means slips on the sheet member, it is possible to align the conveying direction of the sheet member without buckling.

  However, when the sheet member is transported from the transport unit that transports the sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus to the discharge stacking unit that stacks the transported sheet member, contact between the return unit and the sheet member May cause damage or jamming of the sheet member. A large sheet member processing apparatus can avoid the sheet member if it is operated largely to escape the return means. However, when aiming to reduce the size of the sheet member processing apparatus, it is necessary to secure such a space to reduce the size. It becomes an obstacle to. As in Patent Document 1, even if an auxiliary tray is used, contact between the sheet member and the return roller is inevitable, and damage to the sheet member and induction of jamming cannot be alleviated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a sheet member processing apparatus that contributes to downsizing of the entire apparatus by preventing damage to the sheet member and inducing jamming without causing the return means to perform a large operation.

In order to achieve the above object, an aspect of the sheet member processing apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus, and a discharge stacking unit that discharges and stacks the conveyed sheet member. A return unit that conveys the sheet member discharged to the discharge stacking unit in a predetermined direction, and a guide unit that guides the sheet member conveyed by the transfer unit to the discharge stacking unit. The sheet member processing apparatus includes a shielding means provided on the return means, a detection means for detecting the shielding means, and a solid member provided on the return means. The sheet discharge stacking means is moved up and down and the sheet discharge surface of the sheet discharge stacking means is brought into contact with and abutted against the solid member to swing the shielding means, By knowledge means detects the shielding means swings, and controlling the stop position of the sheet discharge stacking means.

  Here, the return means is configured to be swingable and swings by using an electromagnetic solenoid or a pulse motor. The return means is controlled to swing according to the size and thickness of the sheet member.

The return means is an elastic member.

  In the above aspect, the stop position of the discharge stacking unit, the transport amount by the return unit, or the operation timing of the return unit is changed according to the size or thickness of the sheet member.

  Further, the transporting unit controls the stop position of the paper discharge stacking unit by transporting one sheet member. Alternatively, the stop position of the paper discharge stacking unit is controlled by the transport unit transporting a plurality of the sheet members at a time. At this time, the number of sheets conveyed by the conveying unit at a time is changed according to the size or thickness of the sheet member.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with the sheet member processing apparatus.

  In the sheet member processing apparatus according to the present invention, the return unit includes a guiding unit, thereby minimizing a retracting operation of the return unit and discharging the sheet member to the discharge stacking unit without colliding with the return unit. After that, the sheet member can be abutted against the stop member by the returning means to be aligned. By processing in this way, damage to the sheet member and jamming are prevented, contributing to downsizing of the entire sheet member processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the sheet member processing apparatus of the present invention will be described. In the description, the drawings submitted at the same time as this specification will be referred to as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 200 on which a sheet member processing apparatus 100 is mounted. A sheet member such as paper that has undergone image forming processing in the image forming apparatus 200 is discharged to the sheet member processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the internal configuration of the sheet member processing apparatus 100. The apparatus includes an entrance roller 101, a paper discharge tray 102, a return roller 103, a jogger 104, a rear end fence 105, a stapler 106, a discharge link 107, an upper guide 108, and a stacking portion 109.

  The entrance roller 101 functions as a conveying unit that conveys the sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus 200 into the sheet member processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 102 or the loading unit 109 of the jogger 104. A paper discharge tray 102 is a tray that stacks and receives the conveyed sheet members.

  The return roller 103 functions as a return means including a roller 103b that conveys the sheet member and an arm 103a that supports the roller 103b. The arm 103a has a center of rotation at the end that does not support the roller 103b. When the return roller 103 is driven to rotate forward, the sheet member is conveyed in the direction of the rear end fence 105, and when it is driven in reverse rotation, the sheet member is conveyed in the direction of the paper discharge tray 104.

  The jogger 104 includes a stacking unit 109 that stacks sheet members, an upper guide 108 that adjusts the stacking amount of the sheet members stacked on the stacking unit 109, and a front jogger and a rear jogger (not shown) that align the side surfaces of the sheet members.

  The rear end fence 105 is a stop for aligning and stopping the sheet members by abutting the rear end of the sheet member discharged onto the discharge tray 102 or the jogger 104 and conveyed by the return roller 103. Functions as a member. The stapler 106 is installed in the vicinity of the rear end fence 105 and has a function of performing a binding process on the vicinity of the end portion of the sheet member aligned by the rear end fence 105. The discharge link 107 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 102 and the jogger 104 and has a function of moving the sheet member abutted against the rear end fence 105 onto the paper discharge tray 102.

  3 illustrates operations (a) to (d) of post-processing of the sheet member by the sheet member processing apparatus 100 of FIG. First, in (a), the sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 passes through the entrance roller 101 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 102 or the jogger 104. At this time, the return roller 103 is in a position retracted onto the paper discharge tray 102.

  Next, in (b), the return roller 103 swings and is placed on the sheet member discharged onto the discharge tray 102 or the jogger 104, and the roller 103b rotates to remove the sheet member from the rear end fence. Transport to 105.

  Next, in (c), after the sheet member is abutted against the rear end fence 105 and vertically aligned, the return roller 103 is raised again to the retracted position. Then, the jogger 104 waiting at a position away from the side surface of the sheet member by a preset distance pushes the side surface of the sheet member to perform horizontal alignment.

  Finally, in (d), after the operations (a) to (c) are repeated for the designated number of jobs, the sheet member bundle is moved to the discharge tray 102 by the discharge link 107. When performing the binding process, the stapler 106 performs binding, and similarly, the binding bundle is moved to the paper discharge tray 102 by the discharge link 107.

  As described above, regardless of the binding mode or the non-binding mode, the sheet members are stacked across the jogger 104 and the paper discharge tray 102. The jogger 104 has not only a horizontal alignment operation of sheet members but also a sheet stacking function. The swinging motion of the return roller 103 is a solenoid or pulse motor, the alignment operation of the jogger 104 is a motor, the roller 103b of the return roller 103 and the entrance roller 101 are motors, the discharge link 107 is a motor, etc. The details are omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for conveying a sheet member to the stacking unit 109 for stapling. The following operation process is executed. In other words, the sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus 200 is detected by the entrance sensor, and the conveyance motor that drives the entrance roller 101 is driven by the designated pulse until the sheet member is discharged to the discharge tray 102 and the detection is eliminated. (S01 to S04). When the paper discharge is completed, the return roller solenoid is operated, and the return roller motor is driven by a specified pulse (S05 to S06). After that, the return roller solenoid is stopped, the return roller motor is also stopped, and then the jogger motor is driven in the forward direction for the designated pulse and reversely for fine adjustment of the sheet member, and the sheet member is conveyed to the stacking unit 109. And stack (S07 to S11).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for stapling the sheet members stacked on the stacking unit 109. Description of the same processing as in FIG. 4 is omitted. The stapler 106 staples after the jogger motor is driven forward (S10). After the jogger motor is driven in reverse, the discharge link motor is driven to discharge the stapled sheet member to the paper discharge tray 102 (S11 to S15).

  FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of the return roller 103 of this embodiment. The return roller 103 has a configuration in which a guide member 103 c for guiding the sheet member conveyed from the entrance roller 101 to the paper discharge tray 102 is mounted. The return roller 103 swings around the center of the guide member 103c. By providing the guide member 103 c, the retracting operation of the return roller 103 is minimized, and the sheet member is discharged to the discharge tray 102 without colliding with the return roller 103, and then the sheet member is moved by the return roller 103. The rear end fence 105 can be abutted and aligned. Further, by swinging, a guide function for conveying the seed member can be exhibited at a certain position, and a function of performing a return operation can be exhibited at a certain position. Further, this swinging is automatically performed, and the swing operation timing of the return roller 103 can be controlled by the size and thickness of the sheet member. This swing can be easily controlled by using an electromagnetic solenoid or a pulse motor.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the states (a) to (d) in which the sheet member is guided to the guide member 103c. In (a), it can be seen that the front end of the sheet member passes through the entrance roller 101 and tries to pass through the lower end of the return roller 103. Next, in (b), it can be seen that the leading edge of the sheet member passes through the entrance roller 101 and is conveyed in the direction of the paper discharge tray 102 along the shape of the guide member 103b. Next, in (c), it can be seen that the front end of the sheet member passes through the return roller 103 and is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 102 while being guided by the guide member 103c. Finally, in (d), after a predetermined time has passed since the rear end of the sheet member has passed through the inlet sensor (at this time, paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 102 has been completed), the return roller 103 automatically returns. The position is shown where the sheet member is swung to the position where the sheet is moved and returned to the sheet member.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a configuration in which the filler 103d is mounted on the guide member 103c of the return roller 103 of the present embodiment. The filler 103d is a member to be detected by a paper surface detection sensor (corresponding to 110 and 111 in FIG. 9) provided in the vicinity of the guide member 103c. The sheet discharge tray 102 is controlled to be movable up and down, and the height of the sheet member stacked on the sheet discharge tray 102 can be detected to adjust the position of the sheet discharge tray 102.

  FIG. 9 illustrates how the filler 103d is detected by the paper surface detection sensors 110 and 111 and the position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted. In (a), since the sheet member stacked on the paper discharge tray 102 comes into contact with the roller 103b and pushes up and swings the guide member 103c, the filler 103d is put on the sensor detection position of the paper surface detection sensor 110, thereby detecting the paper surface. The sensor 110 blocks light that should be detected. In (b), since the sheet member is not stacked on the paper discharge tray 102 and the paper discharge tray 102 is in contact with the roller 103b, the paper surface detection is performed without the filler 103d covering the paper surface detection sensors 110 and 111. The sensor 110 does not block the light that is to be detected. The position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted according to the presence or absence of light shielding.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102. First, if the paper surface position detection sensor is valid, the discharge tray 102 is raised until it becomes invalid (S01 to S03). When a certain time Ams has elapsed from when the paper surface position detection sensor becomes invalid, the raising of the paper discharge tray is stopped (S04 to S06). First, if the paper surface detection sensor is not valid, the discharge tray 102 is lowered until it becomes valid (S01, S07, S08). When 50 ms elapses when the paper surface detection sensor becomes valid, the lowering of the discharge tray is stopped and the discharge tray is raised (S09 to S11, S02).

  By this operation process, the paper discharge tray 102 stops at a position suitable for the return operation by the return roller 103. That is, the positioning of the paper discharge tray 102 is determined. Accordingly, the sheet member processing apparatus can be reduced in cost and size by providing the guide member 103c of the return roller 103 with the function without adding a new height detection mechanism.

  On the other hand, by using an elastic member such as a sponge for the roller 103b of the return roller 103 of this embodiment, even if the return roller 103 comes into contact with the paper discharge tray 102, the impact sound can be suppressed and the contact sound can be reduced. Prevent damage to the material sheet.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration in which the filler 103d and the abutting disk 103e are mounted on the guide member 103c of the return roller 103 (the roller 103b is made of an elastic member) according to this embodiment. The filler 103d is the same as that of FIG. The abutting disk 103e is a plastic disk attached coaxially with the roller 103b. Even in this configuration, the discharge tray 102 is controlled to be able to move up and down, and the height of the sheet member stacked on the discharge tray 102 can be detected to adjust the position of the discharge tray 102.

  FIG. 12 illustrates how the filler 103d is detected by the paper surface detection sensors 110 and 111 and the position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted. In (a), the paper discharge tray 102 is in contact with the abutting disk 103e, and the filler 103d is placed on the sensor detection position of the paper surface detection sensor 110 to block the light emitted from the paper surface detection sensor 110. ing. In (b), the discharge tray 102 is raised from the state of (a), the discharge tray 102 contacts and pushes up the butting disk 103e and swings the guide member 103c. 110 and 111 are no longer covered, and light that should be detected by the paper surface detection sensor 110 is not blocked. The position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted according to the presence or absence of light shielding.

  When the paper discharge tray 102 is abutted against the return roller 103 to position the paper discharge tray, if the return roller 103 is an elastic member, it is abutted against a sheet member and a paper tray The distortion of the return roller 103 changes, and the position of the paper discharge tray 102 changes. In order to prevent this, the positioning of the discharge tray 102 can be stabilized by adding a solid abutting disk 103e that abuts against the discharge tray 102 to the return roller 103.

  If the discharge tray 102 is stopped at a fixed position regardless of the thickness of the sheet member, the return force of the return roller 103 is too large when the sheet member is thin, and the rear end of the sheet member hits the rear end fence 105. When applied, the return roller 103 is further fed without slipping, and the sheet member is cramped. On the contrary, when the sheet member is thick, the conveying force of the return roller 103 is insufficient, and the return roller 103 is driven while slipping, so that the amount of advancement of the sheet member is reduced, and the rear end of the sheet member becomes the rear end fence 105. There is a possibility of not reaching. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the above-described problem from occurring by changing the stop position of the discharge tray 102 according to the thickness of the sheet member.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member. The description of the same contents as those in FIG.

  If the sheet member is thick paper (YES in S05), the raising of the discharge tray is stopped after a certain time Ams has elapsed from when the paper surface position detection sensor is disabled (S06, S07). If the sheet member is thin paper (YES in S13), the raising of the paper discharge tray is stopped after a certain time Bms has elapsed from when the paper surface position detection sensor is disabled (S14, S15). If it is neither thick paper nor thin paper (NO in S13), it is treated as plain paper, and when the paper position detection sensor is disabled, the discharge tray rise is stopped after a certain time Cms has passed (S16, S17). The information that the sheet member is thick paper, plain paper, or thin paper is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By processing in this way and changing the stop position of the paper discharge tray 102, it is possible to stably align the sheet member in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

  When comparing the large size and the small size of the sheet of the sheet member, the larger size has a larger frictional force with the paper discharge tray 102 and requires a conveying force than the small size. However, if the conveying force is set in accordance with the large size, the conveying force of the return roller 103 is too large for the small size, and when the rear end of the sheet member abuts against the rear end fence 105, the returning force is returned. The roller 103 is further fed without slipping, and the sheet member is bent. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the above-described problem from occurring by changing the stop position of the discharge tray 102 according to the size of the sheet member.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the size of the sheet member. A description of the same contents as those in FIG. 10 is omitted.

  When the sheet member is large (YES in S05), the raising of the discharge tray is stopped after a certain time Ams has elapsed from when the paper surface detection sensor is disabled (S06, S07). If the sheet member is not a large size (NO in S05), the raising of the discharge tray is stopped after a certain time Bms has elapsed since the paper surface position detection sensor is disabled (S13, S14). Note that information on the size of the sheet member is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By processing in this way and changing the stop position of the paper discharge tray 102, it is possible to stably align the sheet member in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

  When the sheet member is discharged from the entrance roller 101 to the discharge tray 102, the discharge path changes depending on the thickness of the sheet member, and the landing position of the rear end of the sheet member changes. When a thick sheet member is compared with a thin sheet member, the thin sheet member lands at a position far from the rear end fence 105 when discharging. Therefore, in the case of a thin sheet member, a return amount (conveyance amount) is required to be larger than that of a thick sheet member. On the other hand, if the return amount is made constant based on the thick sheet member, there is a high possibility that the rear end fence 105 will be buckled when the return operation is performed on the thin sheet member. It is necessary to solve the above-mentioned problem by changing the return amount of the return roller 103 according to the thickness of the sheet member.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  If the sheet member is thick paper (YES at S06), the A pulse of the return roller motor is driven (S07). If the sheet member is thin paper (YES in S08), the B pulse of the return roller motor is driven (S09). If the sheet member is plain paper (NO in S09), the C roller of the return roller motor is driven (S10). The information that the sheet member is thick paper, plain paper, or thin paper is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By performing the processing in this way and changing the conveyance amount of the return roller 103, the sheet member can be stably aligned in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

  When the sheet member is discharged from the entrance roller 101 to the discharge tray 102, the discharge track changes depending on the size of the sheet member, and the landing position of the rear end of the sheet member changes. When the large size is compared with the small size, the small size will land at a position far from the rear end fence 105 when discharging. Therefore, in the case of a small size, a larger return amount (conveyance amount) is required than in the case of a large size. If the return amount is made constant with the large-size sheet member as a reference, there is a high possibility that the rear end fence 105 will be buckled when the return operation is performed on the small-size sheet member. It is necessary to solve the above-described problem by changing the return amount of the return roller 103 according to the size of the sheet member.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the thickness of the sheet member. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the sheet member is large (YES in S06), the A roller pulse of the return roller motor is driven (S07). When the sheet member is not a large size (NO in S06), the B pulse of the return roller motor is driven (S08). Note that information on the size of the sheet member is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By performing the processing in this way and changing the conveyance amount of the return roller 103, the sheet member can be stably aligned in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

  When the sheet member is discharged from the entrance roller 101 to the discharge tray 102, the time until the discharge to the discharge tray 102 is completed varies depending on the thickness and size of the sheet member. If the return operation is not started after the trailing edge of the sheet member has landed on the paper discharge tray 102, the trailing edge of the sheet member may abut against a place other than the trailing edge fence 105, and the sheet member may be bent. However, if the time required for the sheet member to land on the paper discharge tray 102 is set to be long, productivity is lowered. It is necessary to solve the above-mentioned problem by controlling the start timing of the returning operation according to the thickness and size of the sheet member.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the drive of the conveyance motor is started and the sheet member is discharged to the discharge tray 102 and the detection of the entrance sensor is lost, if the sheet member is thick paper (YES in S04), the A pulse of the conveyance motor is Drive (S07). If the sheet member is thin paper (YES in S08), the B pulse of the transport motor is driven (S09). If the sheet member is plain paper (NO in S08), the C pulse of the carry motor is driven (S10). Thereafter, the return roller solenoid is operated, and the return roller motor is driven by the designated pulse (S06, S07). The information that the sheet member is thick paper, plain paper, or thin paper is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By processing in this way and changing the operation timing of the return roller 103, it becomes possible to stably align the sheet member in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the size of the sheet member. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the conveyance motor is started to discharge the sheet member to the discharge tray 102 and the detection of the entrance sensor is lost, if the sheet member is large (YES in S04), the A pulse of the conveyance motor Is driven (S05). If the sheet member is not a large size (NO in S04), the B pulse of the transport motor is driven (S08). Thereafter, the return roller solenoid is operated, and the return roller motor is driven by the designated pulse (S06, S07). Note that information on the size of the sheet member is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By processing in this way and changing the operation timing of the return roller 103, it becomes possible to stably align the sheet member in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction).

  When the sheet member is discharged from the entrance roller 101 to the discharge tray 102 and is returned by the return roller 103, the distance between the return roller 103 and the discharge tray 102 is shortened by the amount of the thickness of the sheet member, and the return is performed. The contact force between the roller 103 and the paper discharge tray 102 increases, and the conveying force of the return roller 103 also increases. When the conveying force of the return roller 103 is increased, the force with which the rear end of the sheet member abuts against the rear end fence 105 is increased, and the sheet member may be bent. Each time a sheet member is discharged to the discharge tray 102, the discharge tray 102 is positioned to stabilize the conveying force of the return roller 103, thereby solving the above-described problem. There is a need.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102 for each sheet member according to the thickness of the sheet member. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the jogger motor is stopped and one sheet member is conveyed to the stacking unit 109 and stacked (S11), the position of the paper discharge tray 102 is adjusted. This adjustment is performed every time the sheet member is conveyed (S12, S13). By performing the processing in this manner and positioning the sheet discharge tray 102 for each sheet member, it is possible to stably align the sheet member in the vertical direction (conveyance direction).

  However, if the sheet discharge tray 102 is positioned for each sheet member as described above, power consumption due to the operation of the sheet discharge tray 102 increases. Therefore, a certain number (N) of sheet members are received in the discharge tray 102, and when the fixed number (N) of sheets are received, the discharge tray 102 is positioned to reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process for adjusting the position of the discharge tray 102 for every N sheet members. The description of the parts whose contents overlap with those of FIG. 4 is omitted.

  When the jogger motor is stopped and one sheet member is conveyed to the stacking unit 109 and stacked (S11), the counter A is incremented (S12), and when A = N (S13), Positioning is performed (S14, S15). Power consumption can be reduced by performing the processing in this manner and positioning the paper discharge tray 102 for every N sheet members.

  The acceptance of the fixed number (N) described above varies depending on the thickness and size of the sheet member to be received. The influence on the post-processing of the sheet member depending on the thickness or size of the sheet member has been described above. Therefore, it is necessary to change the fixed number (N sheets) according to the thickness and size of the sheet member to prevent unnecessary positioning of the paper discharge stacking unit and to reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation process for changing the number of sheet members conveyed at one time in order to adjust the positioning of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member. A description of the same parts as those in FIG. 20 is omitted.

  If the sheet member is thick paper (YES in S13), the position of the paper discharge tray 102 is determined when A = A (S14) (S15, S16). If the sheet member is thin paper (YES in S17), the position of the discharge tray 102 is determined when A = B (S18) (S19, S20). If the sheet member is plain paper (NO in S17), when A = C (S21), the paper discharge tray 102 is positioned (S22, S23). The information that the sheet member is thick paper, plain paper, or thin paper is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By changing the number of sheet members to be conveyed at one time in order to position the discharge tray 102 according to the thickness of the sheet member by processing in this way, a stable sheet member in the vertical direction (conveying direction). As well as aligning, power consumption can be reduced.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation process for changing the number of sheet members conveyed at one time in order to adjust the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the size of the sheet member. A description of the same parts as those in FIG. 20 is omitted.

  If the sheet member is large (YES in S13), the position of the discharge tray 102 is determined when A = A (S14) (S15, S16). If the sheet member is not a large size (NO in S13), when A = B (S17), the sheet discharge tray 102 is positioned (S18, S19). Note that information on the size of the sheet member is sent from the image forming apparatus 200. By changing the number of sheet members to be conveyed at one time in order to position the discharge tray 102 according to the size of the sheet member after processing in this way, the sheet member can be stably aligned in the vertical direction (conveying direction). Power consumption can be reduced.

  In addition, although the form mentioned above is the best thing for implementing the sheet | seat member processing apparatus of this invention, it is not the meaning limited to this implementation form. That is, the implementation form can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a finisher, a sorter, or the like that includes an aligning device that acts on the end portion of the sheet member to align the sheet member.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 200 on which a sheet member processing apparatus 100 is mounted. The internal structure of the sheet member processing apparatus 100 is illustrated. The operations (a) to (d) of the post-processing of the sheet member by the sheet member processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 2 are illustrated. An operation process for conveying a sheet member to the stacking unit 109 for stapling is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for stapling the sheet members stacked on the stacking unit 109 is illustrated as a flowchart. The structure of the return roller 103 of this form is illustrated. The sheet members are guided by the guide member 103c and (a) to (d) are illustrated. A configuration in which a filler 103d is mounted on the guide member 103c of the return roller 103 of this embodiment is illustrated. The state in which the filler 103d is detected by the paper surface detection sensors 110 and 111 and the position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted is illustrated. An operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray is illustrated as a flowchart. A configuration in which a filler 103d and an abutting disk 103e are mounted on a guide member 103c of a return roller 103 (the roller 103b is made of an elastic member) of this embodiment is illustrated. The state in which the filler 103d is detected by the paper surface detection sensors 110 and 111 and the position of the paper discharge tray is adjusted is illustrated. An operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the size of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the thickness of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the thickness of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the thickness of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the conveyance amount of the return roller 103 according to the size of the sheet member is illustrated as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the positioning of the sheet discharge tray 102 according to the thickness of the sheet member for each sheet member is shown as a flowchart. An operation process for adjusting the position of the discharge tray 102 for every N sheet members is shown as a flowchart. An operation process for changing the number of sheet members conveyed at one time in order to adjust the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the thickness of the sheet member is shown as a flowchart. An operation process for changing the number of sheet members conveyed at one time in order to adjust the position of the paper discharge tray 102 in accordance with the size of the sheet member is shown as a flowchart.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Sheet member processing apparatus 200 Image forming apparatus 101 Entrance roller 102 Discharge tray 103 Return roller 103a Arm 103b Roller 103c Guide member 103d Filler 103e Abutting disk 104 Jogger 105 Rear end fence 106 Stapler 107 Discharge link 108 Upper guide 109 Stacking part 110 Paper surface detection sensor 111 Paper surface detection sensor

Claims (10)

Conveying means for conveying a sheet member discharged from the image forming apparatus;
Paper discharge stacking means for discharging and stacking the conveyed sheet members;
A return means for conveying the sheet member discharged to the discharge stacking means in a predetermined direction;
In the sheet member processing apparatus, wherein the returning unit is provided with a guiding unit that guides the sheet member conveyed by the conveying unit to the discharge stacking unit .
Shielding means provided on the return means;
Detecting means for detecting the shielding means;
Having a solid member provided in the return means;
The discharge stacking means is configured to be movable up and down,
The shielding means is swung by moving the discharge stacking means up and down and bringing the discharge surface of the discharge stacking means into contact with and abutting against the solid member, and the detecting means detects the swinging shielding means. Thereby controlling the stop position of the paper discharge stacking means .   The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return unit is configured to be swingable.   The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the return means is swung by using an electromagnetic solenoid or a pulse motor.   4. The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the return means is controlled to swing according to the size and thickness of the sheet member.   The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return means is an elastic member. The size or thickness of the sheet member, the stop position of the sheet discharge stacking means, the sheet member processing according to claim 1, characterized in that changing the operation timing of the conveyance amount or the return means by said return means apparatus. The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveyance unit controls the stop position of the paper discharge stacking unit by conveying one sheet member. The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveyance unit controls a stop position of the paper discharge stacking unit by conveying a plurality of the sheet members at a time. The sheet member processing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the number of sheets conveyed by the conveying unit at a time is changed according to the size or thickness of the sheet member. Image forming apparatus including the sheet member processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9.

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