JP4574072B2 - Sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet-like medium post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling on a sheet-like medium such as copy paper, and a copier, printer, and facsimile equipped with the sheet-like medium post-processing device inseparably or detachably. Image forming equipment such as In place Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Staples (binding processing) on sheet-like media (including copy paper, transfer paper, recording paper, cover, cover paper (partition paper), computer form, special paper, OHP sheet, etc., hereinafter simply referred to as “paper”) In a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing such as punching and stamping, post-processing means is provided inside the apparatus, and post-processing is performed by the post-processing means on paper on which images have been formed and discharged from the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus by a discharge unit such as a pair of discharge rollers and stacked on a discharge tray.
[0003]
For example, in a post-processing apparatus having a stapling means, a stapling tray is provided inside the apparatus, and after stacking on the stapling tray, alignment is performed and stapling is performed by the stapler. The paper is pushed up by a claw or sandwiched between a pair of paper discharge rollers to be discharged to a paper discharge tray outside the apparatus.
[0004]
Such a post-processing apparatus has a function of discharging paper to the paper discharge tray without performing post-processing, and also has a function of aligning and sorting after discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray. ing. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-245148, two alignment members that can move independently on both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction are provided, and the sheet alignment processing in the width direction is performed by these alignment members. And a technique for executing two processing operations, that is, a shift processing for sorting sheets by number of copies.
In general, in order to make use of the function of discharging to the paper discharge tray without post-processing, the paper transport path is selected according to the processing form, and the post-processing means is guided to this. The dedicated paper transport path is branched.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the post-processing apparatus having the stapling means as described above, a stapling tray for performing stapling and a discharge tray for discharging and stacking the stapled bundle of sheets are separately required, and post-processing is performed. Since a dedicated sheet conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the means is necessary, the apparatus configuration is inevitably increased in size, and the cost is increased.
[0006]
Therefore, the applicant of the present invention performs operations such as sheet alignment, post-processing, and sorting only on the discharge tray in order to realize a compact configuration, low cost, and improvement in the degree of freedom of the apparatus layout accompanying the downsizing. A sheet-type media post-processing device was proposed.
According to this apparatus, since the discharge tray also serves as a stapling tray, and all operations can be performed within the area of the discharge tray, the conventional stapling-related configuration can be greatly compressed and compactized. Can be realized.
However, since the work is performed only on the paper discharge tray, the stapled paper bundle must be aligned and stapled on the paper bundle while the stapled paper bundle is stacked on the paper discharge tray. .
[0007]
By the way, the stapling portion of the stapled sheet bundle rises as it overlaps. Since the sheet alignment accuracy is ensured by the flatness of the paper discharge tray, if the next section is aligned on the stapled sheet bundle, the alignment will be affected by the rise, and the alignment will be reduced. When the number of sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray is large, the swell is large, and the aligned sheets may not be placed in the processing space of the stapling means (inside the clincher).
The same problem occurs when the curl is large due to changes in the quality of the paper and the environment.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention can perform operations such as sheet alignment, post-processing, and sorting only on the paper discharge tray, and can satisfactorily stap all parts without being affected by swell or curling by the staples. Sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus capable of being performed, and image forming apparatus provided with the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus inseparably or detachably Set The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, operations such as paper alignment, post-processing, and sorting are performed on the paper discharge tray, and paper alignment and post-processing are already loaded on the paper discharge tray. It was decided to do so in isolation.
Specifically, in the first aspect of the invention, the post-processing means for performing post-processing on the sheet-like medium, the discharging means for discharging the sheet-like medium, and the sheet-like medium discharged by the discharging means are stacked. Can raise and lower the output tray When In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus having the above, the sheet-like medium stacked on the discharge tray is orthogonal to the discharge direction width An aligning means for aligning the direction, a stapling means as a post-processing means for stapling the sheet-shaped medium aligned by the aligning means, and a discharge direction rear end of the sheet-shaped medium discharged to the discharge tray. Auxiliary tray for stacking in a state separated from the stacking surface of the output tray When And aligning by the aligning means only on the paper discharge tray and the auxiliary tray, and performing stapling by the stapling means. An end fence for abutting the rear end of the sheet-like medium discharged on the discharge tray, and the auxiliary tray is integrally provided on the end fence, and the auxiliary tray has an upper end portion thereof A stapling mode position which is provided as a pivot point so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction of the paper discharge tray and can stack the rear end portion of the sheet-like medium by the auxiliary tray driving means, and only the paper discharge tray. Can be selectively set to a non-staple mode position that is substantially vertical downward along the end fence, and is provided so as not to hinder the passage of the paper discharge tray at the non-staple mode position. Return means for returning the sheet-like medium discharged across the discharge tray and the auxiliary tray in a direction opposite to the discharge direction and hitting the alignment surface to align the discharge direction. Are , Is adopted.
[0010]
In the invention according to claim 2, in the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, There is an abutment surface of the end fence above the rotation fulcrum of the auxiliary tray, and the abutment surface serves as the alignment surface. , Is adopted.
[0011]
In the invention of claim 3, the claim of claim 1 or 2 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, The auxiliary tray is stored in the storage recess formed in the end fence at the non-staple mode position so as to be substantially flush with or inward of the alignment surface of the end fence, and The lower end of the auxiliary tray and the end fence mesh in a comb-teeth shape. , Is adopted.
[0012]
In the invention according to claim 4, the claim Any one of 1 to 3 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, After stapling by the stapling means, the stapled bundle of sheet-like media is dropped onto the paper discharge tray by setting the auxiliary tray to the non-staple mode position. , Is adopted.
[0013]
In the invention according to claim 5, in the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 4, After moving the stapled bundle of sheet-like media in the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction and away from the stapling means, the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position. , Is adopted.
[0014]
In the invention according to claim 6, in the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, The bundle of stapled sheet-like media is moved by the aligning means. , Is adopted.
[0015]
In the invention according to claim 7, in the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 6, The aligning means has a pair of aligning members disposed at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet-form medium discharge direction, and the movement of the bundle of stapled sheet-form media is performed by the pair of aligning members. It is performed with the end face parallel to the discharge direction of the sheet medium sandwiched between the aligning members , Is adopted.
[0016]
In the invention of claim 8, the claim of claim Any one of 5 to 7 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, The distance for moving the stapled sheet-like medium bundle is larger than the moving distance from the discharge position of the sheet-like medium to the staple position by the stapling means. , Is adopted.
[0017]
In the invention of claim 9, the claim Any one of 1 to 8 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, The return means includes a return roller and a return roller drive means for driving the return roller. The return roller is swung between a return position and a standby position by the return roller drive means, and the sheet-like medium is discharged. Each time it is swung to the return position, the return roller is displaced so as to push the sheet-like medium from the upper surface while drawing an arc-like locus on the vertical surface when swinging to the return position. , Is adopted.
[0018]
In the invention of claim 10, the claim of claim 9 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, When the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position, the return roller is moved to the return position to press the stapled bundle of sheet-like media downward. , Is adopted.
[0019]
In the invention of claim 11, the claim 10 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, Rotate the return roller in the opposite direction to the return operation , Is adopted.
[0020]
In the invention of claim 12, the claim of claim 11 The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tray Is set to the non-staple mode position according to the size of the sheet-like medium. , Is adopted.
[0021]
In the invention of claim 13, the claim 11 The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tray Is set to the non-staple mode position according to the number of stapled sheet-like media. , Is adopted.
[0022]
In the invention of claim 14, the claim of claim Any one of 1 to 8 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, The alignment means can be arbitrarily set to an alignment position and a retraction position positioned above the sheet-like medium stacked on the auxiliary tray set to the staple mode position, and the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple. When setting the mode position, the bundle of sheet-like media stapled by the aligning means is pressed downward. , Is adopted.
[0023]
In the invention according to claim 15, the claim Any one of 1 to 14 In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus described, When the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position, the discharge tray is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the auxiliary tray. , Is adopted.
[0024]
In the invention of claim 16, Image forming apparatus having image forming means and having a sheet-like medium post-processing device inseparably or detachably In The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus is one according to any one of claims 1 to 15. , Is adopted.
[0045]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (viewed from the direction of arrow m in FIG. 1), an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming unit 2 having an image forming unit therein, and the image forming unit. 2 has a sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 provided in a top-mount manner.
In this type of sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus, a form attached to the side surface of the image forming apparatus is common, but in this embodiment, the configuration of the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus 4 is compact due to the characteristic configuration of the present invention described later. As a result, a top-mount type attachment form of the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 to the image forming unit 2 is realized.
[0046]
Although not shown, the image forming unit 2 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, visualizes the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by a developing unit, and transfers the toner image to a sheet by a transferring unit. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by a fixing unit, and a known image forming configuration is provided.
The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 2 is discharged in the direction of the arrow n (vertical direction), and is conveyed by a branching claw 5 driven by a solenoid (not shown) toward the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4. It is selectively guided to a horizontally extending conveyance path. The sheet guided to the conveyance path extending substantially horizontally is discharged to a housing tray 7 as an upper surface of the main body of the image forming unit 2 by a pair of discharge rollers 6.
[0047]
The sheet guided to the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 14 and is discharged to a discharge tray 12 that can be moved up and down by a discharge roller pair 3 as discharge means. In addition to the above, the sheet-shaped medium post-processing device 4 returns a sheet discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 12 in a direction opposite to the discharge direction (direction a) and forms a pair of return means that align the discharge direction. The return rollers 72a and 72b and the return roller driving means 11, the end fence 13 against which the rear end of the paper is abutted by the return rollers 72a and 72b, and the alignment in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 , A stapler 9 as a stapling means for stapling the sheets aligned by the aligning means 99, and an auxiliary tray for stacking the trailing edge of the sheets discharged on the discharge tray 12 in the staple mode. 55 etc.
[0048]
The aligning unit 99 includes a pair of aligning members 102a and 102b located on both sides in the paper discharge direction, and an aligning member driving unit 90 that drives the aligning members 102a and 102b. The paper discharge tray 12 is supported by a base 8 that is raised and lowered by a lifting means (not shown) and can be raised and lowered. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 38 denotes a paper discharge sensor.
[0049]
As described above, in this embodiment, all the elements for returning, aligning, and stapling the sheets are substantially integrated downstream of the discharge roller pair 3, and all these operations are performed on the discharge tray 12. To be done.
For this reason, the stapling tray provided in the conventional apparatus is also used as the paper discharge tray 12, and is not necessary, and a dedicated conveyance path to the stapling means is not required, so that significant downsizing or simplification is achieved. Thus, the top mount method as described above is realized.
[0050]
The post-processing contents in the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 include the following modes when the image forming unit 2 is a copying machine.
(1) Normal mode in which sheets are simply stacked in the discharge order. In this mode, processing is executed by designating the paper size and the number of copies.
(2) Staple mode for performing stapling. In this mode, the processing is executed by instructing the number of sheets, the number of copies, the number of bindings, the binding position, and the like.
(3) Sorting mode for sorting process. In this mode, processing is executed by designating the paper size and the number of sorting copies.
[0051]
Work instructions relating to these post-processing are transmitted from a control panel of the image forming unit 2 to a control unit as a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O interface, and the like by key operations. Post-processing signal is exchanged between the medium post-processing device 4 and the control means, and post-processing is executed.
Regardless of the mode, the image-formed paper discharged from the image forming unit 2 is transported on the same transport path, discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, and then discharged on the paper discharge tray 12 for each mode. Is performed.
[0052]
Of the various operations after being discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12, the discharge direction alignment operation by the return rollers 72a and 72b in the normal mode and the sorting mode and the configuration thereof will be described first. As shown in FIG. 3, the paper S that is nipped and conveyed by the paper discharge roller pair 3 falls freely on the distance h in the direction of the arrow f and lands on the paper discharge tray 12. The landed sheet S is pulled back in the direction opposite to the discharge direction by the rotational force of the return rollers 72 a and 72 b existing in the discharge center part surrounded by the circle 16, and the rear end is abutted against the end fence 13. Thereby, the discharge direction (vertical direction) of the sheets S is aligned. The return rollers 72a and 72b are arranged so as to be substantially symmetric with respect to the discharge center of the paper S so as not to give a rotational moment to the paper S when the paper is pulled back.
Between the return rollers 72a and 72b, a paper surface detecting means 10 is provided for making the distance of dropping of the paper S from the paper discharge tray 12 constant.
[0053]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the return roller driving means 11 includes a stepping motor 18, a gear 19 fixed to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 18, a gear 20 that meshes with the gear 19, and a gear 20 One end side is rotatably supported by a cam 21a that is eccentrically fixed, a shielding plate 21b, a frame 22 that is swung in the direction of arrow g by the cam 21a, and a shaft 24 that is held by brackets 23a and 23b. Lever 25a, 25b joined to the frame 22 and lever 26a, 26b joined to the other end of the lever 25a, 25b, respectively. The return rollers 72a and 72b are supported on the side opposite to the fixed side of the levers 26a and 26b.
[0054]
The home position of the cam 21a is detected by the photosensor 27, and the return rollers 72a and 72b are selectively positioned at a standby position indicated by a solid line and a return position indicated by a two-dot chain line by pulse control. The frame 22 is always urged so as to be in a position indicated by a two-dot chain line (a position where the return rollers 72a and 72b become the return position).
When the frame 22 swings in the direction of the arrow g, the lever 25 joined to the frame 22 swings about the shaft 24, thereby levers 26 a and 26 b joined to the other end side of the lever 25, and The return rollers 72a and 72b swing.
Restricting members 28a and 28b extending upstream in the discharge direction are integrally formed at the joint portions of the levers 26a and 26b with the levers 25a and 25b. The restricting members 28a and 28b are respectively formed as convex portions 28a-1 and 28a-1. 28b-1. These convex portions 28a-1 and 28b-1 are always in contact with the lower surface having the convex portion 29a of the cam 29 (not shown in FIG. 4) provided on the upper surface during the swinging operation, and are fixed to the lever 25. The rotation operation of the lever 26 around the point is restricted.
[0055]
At the point of contact between the convex portions 28a-1 and 28b-1 of the regulating members 28a and 28b of the levers 26a and 26b and the convex portion 29a of the cam 29 during the swinging operation, the lever 26 is centered on the joint point with the lever 25. Although it rotates in the rotation direction, the return rollers 72a and 72b move from the standby position to the return position while drawing an arc as shown by an arrow j by rotating the lever 26 while swinging. To do.
Due to the movement of the circular arc trajectory, the return rollers 72a and 72b are displaced so as to cover the rear end portion of the paper S dropped on the paper discharge tray 12, and reliably come into contact with each other. Thereby, the alignment of the discharge direction can be stabilized.
[0056]
Next, position detection of the paper surface height will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the paper surface detection means 10 includes a filler 31 that is rotatably supported by a shaft 30 and a photosensor 32 that is turned on and off by the filler 31. An end portion 31 a in the discharge direction of the filler 31 is bent in an L shape and faces the upper surface of the rear end of the discharge tray 12. The end 31a rises as the sheets are stacked. The opposite side 31b of the filler 31 is formed in a fan shape, and when it is blocked by this portion, the photo sensor 32 is turned off and the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered.
When the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered, the filler 31 rotates counterclockwise by its own weight, and the photo sensor 32 is turned on. In response to this ON signal, the lowering of the discharge tray 12 is stopped. By this control, the paper surface height of the paper discharge tray 12 (the top surface of the tray when no paper is stacked, the top surface of the paper when the paper is stacked) is kept constant, that is, the drop from the paper discharge roller pair 3. The distance is kept constant, so that when the return rollers 72a and 72b move to the return position, they can reliably contact the rear end of the sheet.
[0057]
Next, the rotational drive configuration of the return rollers 72a and 72b will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the transport roller pair 14 and the paper discharge roller pair 3 are driven by a transport drive motor 34 via a timing belt 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the pulley 35 fixed to the shaft 24 is also driven by the conveyance drive motor 34 via the timing belt 33. Thereby, the rotational force is transmitted to the shaft 24.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the lever 25, a pulley 36 fixed to the shaft 24, a shaft 37, a pulley 39 fixed to the shaft 37, and a timing belt 40 for synchronously rotating these pulleys 36, 39 are housed. ing. Housed in the lever 26 are a shaft 37, a pulley 41 fixed to the shaft 37, a pulley 43 fixed to the shaft 42, and a timing belt 44 that rotates these pulleys 41 and 43 synchronously. The return rollers 72 a and 72 b are fixed to the shaft 42 and are rotationally driven by the transport drive motor 34.
The levers 25a and 25b and the levers 26a and 26b are each independently configured to rotate the return rollers 72a and 72b by independent driving. The swinging and rotating operations of the return rollers 72a and 72b are common to the staple mode and the sorting mode.
[0059]
Next, the aligning means 99 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the aligning members 102 a and 102 b are supported by the aligning member driving means 90 at their upper ends. In FIG. 7, when the discharge tray 12 is viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the discharge direction a, if the left side of the direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction is the front side and the right side is the rear side, the alignment member 102a is aligned on the front side. It is a member, and the alignment member 102b is a rear alignment member.
First, the moving configuration of the front alignment member 102a will be described. In FIG. 7, the aligning member 102a is slidably mounted on a cylindrical shaft 108 parallel to a direction c orthogonal to the discharge direction. Both ends of the shaft 108 are fixed to the frame 91.
[0060]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper end portion of the aligning member 102a is fitted in a slit 105a1 parallel to a plane perpendicular to the shaft 108 formed on the cradle 105a.
The cradle 105 a is slidably fitted to the shaft 108 and slidably fitted to a guide shaft 109 parallel to the shaft 108. Further, the upper part of the cradle 105a is fixed to the timing belt 106a.
The timing belt 106a is stretched between the pulleys 120a and 121a as shown in FIG. The pulley 120 a is pivotally supported on a shaft fixed to the frame 91. The pulley 121a is fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 104a fixed to the frame 91.
The stepping motor 104a, the cradle 105a, the timing belt 106a, the shaft 108, and the guide shaft 109 are main members that form a moving configuration in the driving means of the aligning member 102a.
[0061]
Next, the moving configuration of the rear alignment member 102b will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the aligning member 102b is pivotally attached to the same shaft 108 as the aligning member 102a. Further, the alignment member 102b is fitted in the slit 105b1 of the cradle 105b in the same manner as the engagement relationship between the alignment member 102a and the cradle 105a.
The upper part of the cradle 105b is fixed to the timing belt 106b. The timing belt 106b is stretched between the pulleys 120b and 121b as shown in FIG. The pulley 120b is pivotally supported on a shaft fixed to the frame 90. The pulley 121b is fixed to the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 104b fixed to the frame 90.
The stepping motor 104b, the cradle 105b, the timing belt 106b, the shaft 108, and the guide shaft 109 are main members that form a moving configuration of the receiving member 102b.
[0062]
In this embodiment, the shaft 108 and the guide shaft 109 are shared so as to have a function of stably supporting and guiding the cradles 105a and 105b. However, the area used for the movement of the alignment members 102a and 102b is as follows. Since they are displaced on the front side and the rear side, they can be provided independently.
[0063]
As described above, the alignment members 102a and 102b can be said to have independent moving configurations. Therefore, the timing belts 106a and 106b are driven by switching the stepping motors 104a and 104b independently for forward rotation and reverse rotation, respectively. The cradles 105a and 105b are respectively rotated independently of each other, and the aligning members 102a and 102b sandwiched between the slits 105a1 and 105b1 formed in the cradles 105a and 105b are moved in a direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction. Move alone.
[0064]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shaft 108 is a guide for guiding the aligning member 102a in a direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction, and is also a support shaft for rotatably supporting the aligning member 102a. As described above, the upper end portion of the aligning member 102a is fitted in the slit 105a1, and the lower end side of the aligning member 102a extends from the shaft 108 toward the discharge direction a. For this reason, the position of the center of gravity of the aligning member 102a is also shifted in the discharge direction a, and the aligning member 102a receives a moment in the direction of the arrow K about the shaft 108 by its own weight.
[0065]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the inner part of the slit 105 a 1 is not opened and is closed. For this reason, the rotation of the aligning member 102a due to the moment in the direction of the arrow K causes the upper end edge 102a3 of the aligning member 102a to abut the inner portion of the slit 105a1 as long as there is no interference with the paper S on the paper discharge tray 12. To be prevented. In FIG. 10, the alignment member 102a in a state in which the rotation is prevented is indicated by a solid line.
Since the slit 105a1 is formed in the cradle 105a, the cradle 105a is also a regulating member that regulates the amount of rotation of the alignment member 102a around the shaft 108. Exactly the same structure and action are also established between the aligning member 102b and the cradle 105b.
The pair of aligning members 102a and 102b is restricted from rotating due to its own moment due to the action of the rotation amount regulating member by the cradle 105a having the slit 105a1 closed at the back and the cradle 105b having the slit 105b1. Thus, a certain position in the rotation direction is automatically held, and it is not necessary to provide a special rotation direction positioning mechanism.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 9, a concave portion 80a is formed on the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 12 at a portion facing the aligning member 102a, and a concave portion 80b is formed at a portion facing the aligning member 102b. Not partially), and is partially lower than the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 12. At least in a state where sheets are not stacked on the recesses 80a and 80b, the alignment members 102a and 102b at the receiving position partially enter the recesses 80a and 80b and overlap the discharge tray 12 Is supposed to hold. This is because the alignment members 102a and 102b are surely applied to the end surface of the paper S in the alignment operation.
[0067]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, when no sheets are stacked on the concave portions 80a and 80b, the lower end portions of the alignment members 102a and 102b are below the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 12, that is, the concave portions 80a. , 80b, the alignment members 102a, 102b are set to be locked by the deep portions of the slits 105a1, 105b1.
If the sheets are stacked so as to close the recesses 80a and 80b, the aligning members 102a and 102b come into contact with the upper surface of the sheets by the contact force due to their own weight.
[0068]
The aligning members 102a and 102b always rotate with a moment due to their own weight, and can rotate within the recesses 80a and 80b when there is no paper on the paper discharge tray 12, so that the slit 105a1 as shown in FIGS. , 105b1 at the back. Thus, the rotation in the direction of the arrow K is prevented, but the rotation in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow K is not prevented. Therefore, when sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 12 so as to block the recesses 80a and 80b, the aligning members 102a and 102b come into contact with the sheets on the discharge tray 12 by their own weight. .
[0069]
As described above, the lower ends of the aligning members 102a and 102b are positioned in the recesses 80a and 80b by their own weight if there is no sheet on the paper discharge tray 12, and if there is a sheet, they contact the uppermost surface of the sheet by their own weight. It becomes a state. In any of these states, it is possible to shift to the alignment operation by movement in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction. Therefore, these states are referred to as an alignment operation position for convenience of the following description. In FIG. 12 shown as a representative example, the position of the aligning member 102a when there is no paper is shown as the aligning operation position. However, when there is paper, the lower end of the aligning member 102a abuts on the upper surface of the paper by its own weight. It will be in the state.
Also, the alignment member 102b can assume the same operating position as in the alignment member 102a.
[0070]
Next, the retracting configuration of the alignment members 102a and 102b will be described.
As described above, the aligning member 102a is pivotally attached to the shaft 108, but as shown in FIG. 10, an L-shaped notch is formed at a portion upstream of the discharge direction a from the pivoted portion. Is formed. Of these notches, when the aligning member 102a is in the aligning operation position shown in FIG. 11, the surface that is in a state along the substantially horizontal direction is referred to as a pushing surface, and is indicated by reference numeral 102a4. Similarly, the pushing surface 102b4 is formed also about the alignment member 102b.
A shaft 110 parallel to the shaft 108 is in contact with the pushing surfaces 102a4 and 102b4 by its own weight. As shown in FIG. 8, both end portions of the shaft 110 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 110 are fitted in vertically elongated holes 91 a and 91 b formed in the side plate portion of the frame 91 so as to be movable up and down.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 11, one end side of an L-shaped lever 113 on which a shaft 112 is pivotally supported on a frame 90 rides on the center portion of the shaft 110 with its own weight. The other end of the lever 113 is connected to the plunger of the solenoid 115 via a spring 114. The solenoid 115 is provided on the frame 91.
When the solenoid 115 is off (non-excited), the aligning members 102a and 102b are brought into contact with the back of the slit 105a1 as shown in FIG. 11 is in the aligning operation position shown in FIG. 11 where the upper edge 102a3 is slightly separated from the inner part of the slit 105a1 by contacting the lower end of the sheet with the paper on the paper discharge tray 12.
In this aligning operation position, as described above, the aligning members 102a and 102b are in contact with the top surface portion of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray 12 or in the recesses 80a and 80b on the upper surface of the discharge tray 12. is there.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 12, when the solenoid 115 is turned on (excited), the plunger of the solenoid 115 is pulled and the lever 113 rotates. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, the shaft 110 is guided and pushed down by the levers 113 into the long holes 91a and 91b provided in the frame 90.
As shown in FIG. 10, since the shaft 110 is engaged with the pushing surfaces 102a4 and 102b4 among the notches formed in the alignment members 102a and 102b, the shaft 110 is pushed down as shown in FIG. The aligning members 102a and 102b rotate in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow K, and are arranged on the paper discharge tray 12 that is far away from the concave portions 80a and 80b or from the top surface of the paper stacked on the paper discharge tray 12. Move to the upper position.
[0073]
The positions of the aligning members 102a and 102b when moved above the paper discharge tray 12 are indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 and by a solid line in FIG. 12, and this position is referred to as a retracted position. The shaft 110, the lever 113, the solenoid 115, and the like form a retraction configuration that positions the alignment members 102a and 102b at the retraction position.
[0074]
Next, the configuration of the auxiliary tray 55 will be described with reference to FIG.
The auxiliary tray 55 includes a shaft portion 55b that is rotatably supported in the storage recess 13b of the end fence 13, and a paper stacking portion 55a. In the staple mode, the auxiliary tray 55 is set to a position where the paper stacking portion 55a is substantially horizontal (staple mode position) indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the non-staple mode, the stapled prepared bundle is placed on the discharge tray 12. When dropped (described later), it is housed in the housing recess 13b as shown by the solid line (non-staple mode position).
[0075]
The lower end portion 55a-2 of the paper stacking portion 55a and the portion of the end fence 13 corresponding thereto are both rounded and meshed in a comb shape, and the rear end of the paper on the paper discharge tray 12 is It does not enter the storage recess 13b.
In the non-staple mode position, the auxiliary tray 55 is provided so as not to prevent the passage of the paper discharge tray 12. That is, in the non-staple mode position, the stacking surface 55a-1 of the sheet stacking unit 55a is set to be substantially flush with the aligning surface 13a of the end fence 13 or inside the aligning surface 13a. .
[0076]
An alignment surface 13a of the end fence 13 is also present on the upper portion of the shaft portion 55b on the rotation fulcrum side, and the rear ends of the sheets stacked on the auxiliary tray 55 are aligned by the alignment surface 13a.
The length W in the discharge direction of the stacking surface 55a-1 of the paper stacking portion 55a is set to a size extending downstream from the return rollers 72a and 72b and the return position R, and the trailing edge of the discharged paper Among the variations of the falling position (obtained experimentally), the size is set to extend to the downstream side from the falling position located most downstream.
Since the position of the auxiliary tray 55 is fixed substantially horizontally on the paper surface in the staple mode, the control based on the detection by the paper surface detection means 10 is basically not performed. This is because if the number of staples is small, the thickness of the sheet bundle can be absorbed by the swinging width (swinging height width) of the return rollers 72a and 72b.
[0077]
The paper S discharged from the paper discharge roller pair 3 is placed on the paper discharge tray 12 at the front end in the discharge direction, but is placed on the auxiliary tray 55 at the rear end. For this reason, the rear end portion of the sheet S is separated from the sheet bundle SB already stacked on the sheet discharge tray 12 in a non-contact state. Since they are aligned and stapled in an isolated state, they are not affected at all by the rise of staples or curls of the already stacked paper bundle SB.
FIG. 14 shows the sheet S being discharged and aligned in a state where the auxiliary tray 55 is in the staple mode position.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 15, the auxiliary tray 55 is set to a staple mode position and a non-staple mode position by a solenoid 57 as an auxiliary tray driving means. Arms 55 c are formed at both ends of the auxiliary tray 55, and the arms 55 c are engaged with levers 58 connected to the movable rod of the solenoid 57.
The shaft portion 55b of the auxiliary tray 55 is provided with a torsion spring 59 that constantly urges the auxiliary tray 55 to be positioned at the non-staple mode position. When the solenoid 57 is turned on (suctioned), the lever 58 presses the arm 55c, and the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the stapling mode position that is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG.
When the stapling of the aligned sheets S is completed, the solenoid 57 is turned off to drop the stapled sheet bundle SB onto the sheet discharge tray 12. When the solenoid 57 is turned off, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pressing by the lever 58 is released, and the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the non-staple mode position (storage position) by the urging force of the torsion spring 59. .
[0079]
Next, the operation when the staple mode is selected will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23 are views as seen from the downstream side in the discharge direction.
Although not described above, the cradles 105a and 105b are provided with shielding plates 105a2 and 105b2 extending in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction, and home position sensors 107a and 107b are provided in these protruding directions, respectively. It has been.
The position where the cradle 105a is moved and the home position sensor 107a is shielded by the shielding plate 105a2 is the home position of the alignment member 102a. Similarly, the cradle 105b is moved and the home position sensor 107b is shielded by the shielding plate 105b2. This position is the home position of the aligning member 102b.
[0080]
18 shows a state in which the alignment members 102a and 102b are located at the home position, and FIG. 19 shows that the alignment members 102a and 102b have moved from the home position to a standby position relative to the paper width (depending on the paper size). Indicates the state. As shown in FIG. 19, the standby position of the aligning member 102 a is a position moved from the home position to the X1 ′ stapler 9 side and having a gap X1 with respect to the paper S. The standby position of the aligning member 102b is a position moved from the home position to the X2 ′ aligning member 102a side, and is a position having a gap of X2 with respect to the paper S.
The alignment member 102b in the present embodiment functions as an alignment fence that abuts the paper S when aligning in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction, and the inner surface thereof becomes an abutment surface and serves as a reference surface for the staple position.
[0081]
When the paper S is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12 and the auxiliary tray 55, the above-described return rollers 72a and 72b are set at the return position, and the discharge directions are aligned. Thereafter, alignment in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction is performed. As shown in FIG. 20, the alignment is performed by moving the alignment member 102a X3 (jogging) toward the stapler 9 side. When the end surface of the sheet S hits the aligning member 102b, the aligning member 102a returns to the standby position and prepares for the next sheet S. This operation is performed every time the paper S is discharged. Since the alignment member 102b functions as an alignment fence, it is stopped during the alignment operation.
When the alignment of the predetermined number of sheets is completed, the staple needle 50 is driven by the stapler 9 as shown in FIG. In this case, the aligning member 102a is stopped at the position where the last sheet S is abutted against the aligning member 102b so that the sheet does not shift during stapling.
[0082]
When stapling is performed, as shown in FIG. 22, the alignment members 102a and 102b move in a direction away from the stapler 9 in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction with the stapled sheet bundle SB sandwiched therebetween, and the sheet bundle SB is moved. Move.
In this case, the distance by which the stapled sheet bundle SB is moved is set to be larger than the movement distance from the discharge position of the sheet S to the staple position by the stapler 9. That is, the movement amount X4 of the sheet bundle SB is set to be larger than the distance X from the discharge center (center at the discharge position of the paper S) in FIG. 21 to the center (alignment center) at the alignment position for stapling. Yes.
[0083]
When the movement is completed, as shown in FIG. 23, the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered and retracted to a position that does not hinder the rotation of the auxiliary tray 55, and the auxiliary tray 55 is stored in the non-staple mode position to be stapled. The rear end of the sheet bundle SB is dropped onto the paper discharge tray 12.
Thus far, the stapling operation for the first copy is completed.
[0084]
When the first stapling operation is completed, the aligning member 102a moves X5 toward the stapler 9 while moving in the retracting direction. As a result, the aligning member 102a rides on the upper surface of the first sheet bundle SB without contacting the end surface of the first sheet bundle SB, and has a gap X1 with respect to the second sheet of the first sheet S as in the first sheet. Wait in position.
As with the first copy, the alignment member 102b is returned to the position having the gap X2 and waits.
[0085]
The dropping operation by the auxiliary tray 55 will be described with reference to FIGS.
24 to 26 are views seen from the front side (the operation surface side of the image forming unit 2). FIG. 24 shows a state in which the sheet bundle SB is moved after the stapling is completed. From this state, as shown in FIG. 25, the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered to a position where it does not hinder the rotation of the auxiliary tray 55, and the auxiliary tray 55 is rotated to the non-staple mode position. As the auxiliary tray 55 rotates, the rear end of the sheet bundle SB falls onto the paper discharge tray 12.
If the distance between the auxiliary tray 55 and the paper discharge tray 12 is too large, there will be a problem of dropping due to the folding of the paper, which will be described later. Is desirable.
When the dropping of the sheet bundle SB is completed, as shown in FIG. 26, the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the staple mode position again, and the discharge tray 12 is raised. In this case, it is desirable to raise the discharge tray 12 together with the upward movement of the auxiliary tray 55 in order to eliminate waste of control time.
[0086]
The height of the paper discharge tray 12 in the staple mode is controlled based on detection information from the rear end detection sensor 56 (not shown in FIG. 1 and the like). When the detection filler of the rear end detection sensor 56 protrudes from the end fence 13 in the discharge direction, and when the paper is not stacked on the paper discharge tray 12, it is stacked by the rear end of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 12. Is turned on / off by the rear edge of the upper surface of the paper.
When the paper discharge tray 12 is raised and the trailing edge detection sensor 56 is turned on, it is stopped. This position is a standby position when paper is discharged from the paper discharge tray 12 in the staple mode. This standby position is a position that affects the degree of bending (collapse) when the rear end portion of the sheet straddles the auxiliary tray 55, and should be as far as possible from the sheet stacking portion 55a of the auxiliary tray 55.
[0087]
The retracting operation of the aligning member 102a will be described with reference to FIGS.
27 to 29 are views seen from the front side (the operation surface side of the image forming unit 2). 27 shows the state of the aligning member 102a at the time when the stapling operation for the first copy is completed, FIG. 28 shows the state where the solenoid 115 is turned on and the aligning member 102a is retracted, and FIG. 29 shows the state where the solenoid 115 is turned off. 102a shows a state in which the second sheet of the first sheet S is discharged after the first sheet bundle SB is lowered.
The alignment operation for the second copy is performed in the same manner as the first copy by moving the alignment member 102a on the first sheet bundle SB while contacting the upper surface of the sheet bundle SB. The stapled sheet bundle SB of the second copy is moved so as to overlap with the first sheet bundle SB, and the alignment of the third copy is performed on the second set of sheet bundle SB. In this way, a plurality of staple modes are executed.
[0088]
Next, the control operation in this embodiment will be described in detail based on the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the main switch that controls the image forming unit 2 and the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 is turned on, an initial routine shown in FIG. 30 is executed. In this initial routine, a subroutine “initial control of alignment members 102a and 102b” is executed in SP (step) 1, and a subroutine “initial control of return rollers 72a and 72b” is executed in SP2.
In the initial control of the aligning members 102a and 102b, the aligning members 102a and 102b are set at the standby positions described above. In the initial control of the return rollers 72a and 72b, the return rollers 72a and 72b are set at the standby positions described above. When the initial control ends, the process jumps to the main routine (SP3).
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 31, in the main routine, first, it is checked whether or not there is paper on the paper discharge tray 12 (SP11). This check is made based on the detection signal of the paper detection sensor 52 provided on the paper discharge tray 12 in FIG. If there is a sheet on the sheet discharge tray 12, there is a possibility that the aligning operation and stapling operation may be hindered. Therefore, if there is a sheet, a warning is issued (SP2). This warning is given, for example, by displaying “Please remove the paper on the paper discharge tray 12” or the like on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel (not shown) of the image forming unit 2.
Next, it is checked whether or not the staple mode is selected (SP13). If the staple mode is selected, the tray control subroutine (SP14) at the start of the job and the movement control for each paper size at the standby position of the alignment members 102a and 102b are performed. A subroutine (SP15), a paper conveyance control subroutine (SP16), a vertical alignment control subroutine (SP17) using the return rollers 72a and 72b, and a horizontal alignment and staple control subroutine (SP18) using the alignment members 102a and 102b are executed.
[0090]
When the staple mode is not selected in SP13, a tray control subroutine (SP19) at the start of the job, a subroutine (SP20) for movement control according to the sheet size at the standby position of the alignment members 102a and 102b, and a subroutine for sheet conveyance control (SP21) ), A vertical alignment control subroutine (SP22) using the return rollers 72a and 72b, a shift control subroutine (SP23), a horizontal alignment control subroutine (SP24) using the alignment members 102a and 102b, and an in-operation tray control subroutine (SP25). Executed.
[0091]
The job start tray control will be described with reference to FIG.
First, control of positioning the paper discharge tray 12 and setting the auxiliary tray 55 to the staple mode position is performed. In the “tray lowering control”, the paper discharge tray 12 is lowered (SP31), and after the trailing edge detection sensor 56 is turned off (SP32), it is further lowered by a certain amount.
The amount of further lowering is an amount (time T1) for retracting the auxiliary tray 55 so as not to hinder the movement of the auxiliary tray 55 from the non-staple mode position to the staple mode position (vertical state to horizontal state). When the trailing edge detection sensor 56 is turned off, the tray timer is reset (SP33), and when the tray timer value becomes larger than T1 (SP34), the lowering of the discharge tray 12 is stopped (SP35).
[0092]
When the rear end detection sensor 56 is in the off position in the initial state, control for lowering the fixed amount from the position is performed.
After the lowering of the discharge tray 12 is stopped, the solenoid 57 as the auxiliary tray driving means is turned on (SP36), and the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the staple mode position.
After the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the staple mode position, the paper discharge tray 12 is raised (SP37), and when the trailing edge detection sensor 56 is turned on (SP38), the paper discharge tray 12 is stopped (SP39), and return is performed. Exit this routine. This completes preparation for paper discharge.
[0093]
Based on FIG. 33, movement control for each paper size at the standby position of the alignment members 102a and 102b will be described.
This routine is performed only at the start of the job. At the start of the job, information such as paper size is transmitted from the image forming unit 2 to the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 together with a command indicating “startup”. This routine is executed immediately after the “startup” command is transmitted, and is otherwise ignored.
First, the “paper size” transmitted from the image forming unit 2 is checked (SP41), and processing such as setting a flag according to each paper size is performed. Thereafter, the aligning members 102a and 102b are moved to a standby position corresponding to the sheet size. However, since sheets may be stacked on the paper discharge tray 12, the solenoid 115 is turned on to align the aligning members 102a and 102b. After retracting 102b upward (SP42), the alignment members 102a and 102b are moved.
[0094]
In the movement of the alignment members 102a and 102b, first, movement control according to size of the alignment member 102a as the previous jogger is performed (SP43). The stepping motor 104a is operated for a pulse corresponding to the distance corresponding to the previously checked paper size, and the operation is ended by setting an operation end flag when the setting pulse operation is completed.
In the check of the operation end of the aligning member 102a, an operation end flag or the like that is set when the stepping motor 104a ends the operation of the set pulse is checked to confirm the operation end (SP44). With the above operation, the operation of the movement amount X1 ′ from the home position shown in FIG. 19 is completed.
[0095]
Next, the stapler position movement control of the alignment member 102b as the rear jogger is performed (SP45), and the alignment member 102b is moved to the position of the movement amount X2 ′ from the home position shown in FIG. In this control, the aligning member 102b is moved by a fixed distance regardless of the paper size. Then, the operation end of the aligning member 102b is checked by an operation end flag or the like in the same manner as the aligning member 102a (SP46), and the operation end is confirmed. When it is confirmed that the operation has been completed, the solenoid 115 is turned off (SP47), and the routine exits with a return.
The standby position of the aligning member 102b is constant regardless of the paper size. However, since the alignment member 102b is moved by the stepping motor 104b, the standby position can be finely adjusted. Therefore, the user can set a desired stapling position or correct a mechanical error.
[0096]
Based on FIG. 34, the paper conveyance control in the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 will be described.
First, it is checked whether or not the ON flag of the paper discharge sensor 38 is 1 (SP51). The “paper discharge sensor on flag” is a flag that is set when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the leading edge of the paper, and the “paper discharge sensor on flag = 1?” Check repeatedly performs an operation that is triggered by the paper discharge sensor 38 being turned on. In order to avoid this, when the flag is “1”, the process proceeds to “paper discharge sensor off”.
When the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit 2, the sheet discharge sensor 38 is checked in the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4. First, it is checked whether or not the paper discharge sensor 38 is turned on (SP52). When the front end of the paper is detected by the paper discharge sensor 38, 1 is set to the “paper discharge sensor on flag” (SP53). Then, “paper discharge motor acceleration control” is performed to accelerate a paper discharge motor (not shown) at the same speed as the conveyance linear speed (SP54), and “return roller operation flag” is set to 1 for vertical alignment of the discharged paper. At the same time (SP55), the "return roller operation timer" is reset (SP56).
[0097]
“Paper discharge motor acceleration control”, as described below, performs control to decelerate the paper discharge roller pair 3 in order to improve stackability when paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12. When the leading edge of the paper reaches the paper discharge roller pair 3, the paper discharge motor is controlled to increase to the conveyance speed. After the job is started, the paper discharge motor is activated so that the paper discharge roller pair 3 is driven at the conveyance speed.
[0098]
After the “return roller operation timer” is reset, it is checked whether or not the paper discharge sensor 38 is turned off (SP57). When the trailing edge of the paper passes the paper discharge sensor 38, the “paper discharge sensor on flag” is reset to 0 (SP58), and at the same time, the “paper discharge motor for decelerating the paper and discharging it to the paper discharge tray 12” “Deceleration control” is performed (SP59), and “alignment member operation flag” is set to 1 in order to perform horizontal alignment (alignment in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction) of the discharged paper (SP60), and “alignment member operation timer” Is reset (SP61).
Next, it is checked whether a staple command has been received (SP62).
A staple command transmitted from the image forming unit 2 to the final sheet of the copy is checked. When the command is received, a “staple operation flag” is set to 1 (SP63), and a process (not shown) is performed. After executing, exit this routine with return.
The conveyance control in the sheet-like medium post-processing device 4 for one sheet is thus completed.
[0099]
Next, the vertical alignment control (control of the discharge direction) of the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 will be described based on FIG.
First, in the check of “return operation flag = 1?”, The “return roller operation flag” set when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the leading edge of the paper in FIG. 34 is checked (SP71). This routine is executed only in the case of.
Next, the "return roller operation timer" value is compared with T2 (SP72), and if it becomes larger than T2, the next control is started, and after the "return roller operation flag" is reset to 0 (SP73), "return roller on control" (SP74), the return rollers 72a and 72b are operated. The value of T2 is set as the time from when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the front edge of the paper until the front edge of the discharged paper comes into contact with the paper stack 12 or the paper stacked on the paper discharge tray 12, and based on this. The return rollers 72a and 72b are operated.
The set time T2 needs to be set in consideration of the distance from the paper discharge sensor 38 to the paper discharge roller pair 3 and the conveyance linear velocity. The timing is counted by a timer count by the CPU of the control means or a clock count of a paper discharge motor (stepping motor).
[0100]
In “return roller on control”, the stepping motor 18 which is a return roller driving motor is operated, and the return rollers 72a and 72b are controlled to move to the return position in FIG. The return rollers 72a and 72b use, as the home position, the moment when the photo sensor 27 as the home position sensor shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. It is waiting, and the return position is a position where the photo sensor 27 is turned off from on (a position opposite to HP by 180 °).
Therefore, it is checked whether or not the photo sensor 27 is turned off (SP75). When the photosensor 27 is turned off, "return roller stop control" is performed to stop the stepping motor 18 (SP76), and the return roller 72a at the return position in FIG. 72b are stopped.
[0101]
After the return operation is completed, the “return roller operation timer” is reset (SP77), and then the “return roller operation timer” value is compared with the set value T3 (SP68), and the return rollers 72a and 72b for a certain time are returned to the return position. Stop. The value of T3 is determined from the number of rotations of the return rollers 72a and 72b and the return distance.
After the set time has elapsed, the process proceeds to “return roller of control” (SP79). In “return roller of control”, the stepping motor 18 is driven and the return rollers 72a and 72b are moved to the home position. Next, it is checked whether or not the photo sensor 27 is turned on (SP80), and if it is turned on, "return roller stop control" is performed (SP81), and the stepping motor 18 is stopped. This completes the vertical alignment control for one sheet.
[0102]
Next, the horizontal alignment and stapling control will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in FIG. 34, the “aligning member operation flag” set when the paper discharge sensor 38 detects the trailing edge of the paper is checked (SP91), and this routine is executed only when the flag is 1. When the flag is 1, the paper size is checked (SP92), the "aligning member operation timer" value is compared with T4 (SP93), and if it becomes larger than T4, the next control is performed, and the "aligning member operation flag" is set to 0. After resetting, the aligning operation by the aligning member 102a as the previous jogger is performed (SP94).
The value of T4 is set as the time from when the trailing edge of the paper passes through the paper discharge sensor 38 to the time when it passes through the nip of the paper discharge roller pair 3, and after the paper leaves the restraint of the paper discharge roller pair 3, the alignment member 102a is It is operating.
[0103]
The timing is counted by a timer count by the CPU of the control means or a clock count of a paper discharge motor (stepping motor). In the “aligning member 102a aligning operation”, the aligning member 102a is moved from the position of FIG. 19 by a distance X3, the sheet is brought into contact with the aligning member 102b, and the horizontal alignment is controlled. Variable according to size.
On the other hand, the aligning member 102b only excites the stepping motor 104b and is fixed so that the position does not shift when the sheet hits by the aligning operation of the aligning member 102a.
[0104]
Next, the end of the aligning member operation is checked (SP95). In this check, as in FIG. 33, the operation end flag and the like are checked to confirm the operation end of the distance X3.
Next, after resetting the “staple operation timer” (SP96), the “alignment member operation timer” value is compared with T5 (SP97), and the alignment member 102a is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 20 until it becomes larger than T5. Next, it is checked whether or not the staple operation flag is 1 (SP98).
[0105]
The subsequent operations differ depending on whether or not the sheet is the final sheet (determined by the “stapling operation flag” set in FIG. 34), and each will be described.
Other than the last sheet (when the staple operation flag is set to 0)
The returning operation of the aligning member 102a is performed (SP99), and the aligning member 102a is again returned to the standby position in FIG. This drives the stepping motor 104a in the opposite direction of the same distance as the aforementioned “alignment operation of the alignment member 102a”. Next, the end of the aligning member operation is checked (SP100). When the operation is completed, the aligning member operation flag is set to 0 (SP101), and this routine is exited.
The horizontal alignment control for one sheet is thus completed.
[0106]
For the last sheet (when the staple operation flag is set to 1)
When the stapling operation flag is set to 1, the stapling operation is executed. First, a staple motor (not shown) is turned on (SP102), the stapler 9 is driven to perform a stapling operation, and the stapler 1 rotation detection sensor built in the stapler 9 is checked to determine the end of stapling (SP103). .
After completion of the stapling, the “alignment member 102a, staple bundle moving operation” control is performed (SP104), and as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the front and rear alignment members 102a and 102b are simultaneously moved by the distance X4. Here, the movement amount X4 is such that the relationship between the distance X between the center of the discharged paper and the center of the staple bundle in FIG. 21 satisfies X4> X (see FIG. 22), and the next discharged paper is horizontally aligned. At this time, the aligning member 102a can completely get on the upper surface of the staple bundle (sheet bundle SB) moved (see FIG. 23), and the staple bundle can be prevented from obstructing the movement of the aligning member 102a during the horizontal alignment operation.
[0107]
Next, the end of the aligning member operation is chucked by checking the operation end flag or the like (SP105), and after the bundle movement is finished, the tray timer is reset to drop the bundle (SP106), and the discharge tray 12 is lowered (SP106). SP107). When the value of the tray timer becomes larger than T1 (SP108), the solenoid 57 is turned off (SP109), and the auxiliary tray 55 is set to the non-staple mode position. That is, the auxiliary tray 5 is rotated downward. As a result, the rear end portion of the bundle falls onto the paper discharge tray 12.
[0108]
Next, it is checked whether or not a stop command is transmitted from the image forming unit 2 (SP110). If no stop command is transmitted, the paper discharge tray 12 and the auxiliary tray 55 are prepared for paper discharge again. Control.
First, it is checked whether or not a fixed time (T6) has passed since the solenoid 57 is turned off (SP111), and when it has passed, the solenoid 57 is turned on to position the auxiliary tray 55 at the horizontal position (staple mode position) (SP112). Next, the discharge tray 12 is raised (SP113), and when the rear end detection sensor 56 is turned on, the discharge tray 12 is stopped (SP114).
Next, control for moving the alignment members 102a and 102b to the respective standby positions is performed. First, the solenoid 115 is turned on (SP115), the alignment members 102a and 102b are retracted upward, and then the stapler position movement control of the alignment member 102b as a rear jogger is performed (SP116). As shown in FIG. 23, the aligning member 102b is moved backward by X4, and then the operation end of the aligning member 102b is checked (SP117).
[0109]
Next, the alignment member 102a as the front jogger is moved to the standby position (SP118). As shown in FIG. 23, the aligning member 102a is moved backward by X5, and then the operation end of the aligning member 102a is checked (SP119).
When the movement of the alignment members 102a and 102b to the standby position is completed, the solenoid 115 is turned off to cancel the retraction (SP120), the staple operation flag is reset to 0 (SP121), and the alignment member operation flag is reset to 0. Then exit this routine.
With the above, the stapling operation is finished, and the next part is prepared for horizontal alignment.
[0110]
In the above embodiment, the aligning operation is performed every time the sheet is discharged. However, the aligning operation may be performed every certain number of sheets, such as every second or third sheet.
[0111]
When the sorting mode is selected, with the auxiliary tray 55 set to the non-staple mode position, one of the aligning members 102a and 102b is fixed and the sheet is brought into contact with the other aligning member. Align. When the alignment of the predetermined number of sheets is completed, the alignment members 102a and 102b are retracted, the alignment member that has been stationary is placed on the upper surface of the sheet bundle, and the alignment member that has been moved is set at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the end surface of the sheet bundle. This is used as the stationary side, and the alignment member that has been stationary is moved on the sheet bundle to perform the alignment.
[0112]
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and the already demonstrated structural and functional description is abbreviate | omitted unless there is particular need. Only the main part will be described (the same applies to other embodiments below).
As described above, in the first embodiment, the trailing end of the bundle of sheets stapled by the storage operation of the auxiliary tray 55 (operation to the non-staple mode position) is naturally dropped onto the discharge tray 12. ing.
However, in such a natural fall method, as shown in FIG. 39, in the case of paper with a low back, the rear end portion buckles and the rear end leans against the end fence 13 or the auxiliary tray 55 accommodated. And may not fall completely onto the paper discharge tray 12. The present embodiment aims to eliminate such problems and to reliably drop the rear end of the sheet bundle onto the paper discharge tray 12.
[0113]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 38, when the auxiliary tray 55 is stored in the non-staple mode position, the rear end portions of the stapled sheet bundle SB are moved downward by moving the return rollers 72a and 72b to the return position. It is characterized by pressing.
This control operation will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. Only the portions corresponding to the portions after SP 106 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 36 and 37 are displayed, and only different portions will be described (the same applies to the other embodiments below).
[0114]
When the tray timer value exceeds T1, before the auxiliary tray 55 is stored, the return rollers 72a and 72b are turned on (SP204), and the photo sensor 27, which is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b, is checked. (SP205).
When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, the solenoid 57 is turned off (SP206).
If the tray timer value exceeds T6, before the auxiliary tray 55 is leveled, the return rollers 72a and 72b are turned off (SP209), and the photo sensor 27 that is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b is turned on. Check (SP210). When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, the solenoid 57 is turned on (SP211).
[0115]
According to the present embodiment, the rollers 72a and 72b come into contact with the rear end of the bundle of sheets SB stapled simultaneously with the storing operation of the auxiliary tray 55 from above, so the rear end of the bundle of sheets SB is on the auxiliary tray 55. In this case, it is forcibly dropped onto the paper discharge tray 12.
[0116]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, in the same manner as in the second embodiment, in addition to pressing the rear end portion of the sheet bundle SB with the return rollers 72a and 72b, the return rollers 72a and 72b are rotated in the direction opposite to that during the return operation. It is characterized by that.
This control operation will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. When the tray timer value exceeds T1, before the auxiliary tray 55 is stored, the reverse roller drive motor (stepping motor 18) is controlled to rotate backward (SP234), and the return rollers 72a and 72b are turned on (SP235). ), It is checked whether the photosensor 27 which is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b is off (SP236).
When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, that is, when the return rollers 72a and 72b are located at the return positions, the tray timer is reset (SP237), and it is checked whether or not the tray timer value exceeds T (SP238). That is, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time (T) has elapsed since the return rollers 72a and 72b moved to the return position, and when it has elapsed, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 (SP239).
[0117]
In SP241, if the tray timer value exceeds T6, before the auxiliary tray 55 is leveled, the rotation of the return roller driving motor (stepping motor 18) is controlled (SP242), and the return rollers 72a and 72b are turned off. Is performed (SP243), and it is checked whether the photosensor 27 which is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b is turned on (SP244). When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, that is, when the return rollers 72a and 72b are located at the home position, the solenoid 57 is turned on to make the auxiliary tray 55 horizontal (SP245).
According to the present embodiment, when the auxiliary tray 55 is stored, the sheet bundle SB is pressed downward by the return rollers 72a and 72b and is given a conveying force in the discharge direction by reverse rotation. The separation action is promoted, and the fall to the paper discharge tray 12 is ensured.
[0118]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In the case of paper with low stiffness, it has been described that the rear end portion buckles and the rear end leans against the end fence 13 or the auxiliary tray 55 stored therein. It becomes easy to buckle because the end part is overloaded.
In view of this point, in the present embodiment, as the paper size increases, the time during which the conveying force by the return rollers 72a and 72b acts is lengthened, and the trailing edge of the paper bundle SB is surely dropped regardless of the paper size. It is an object. Only the portions corresponding to the portions SP237 to 239 in the flowchart of FIG. 41 will be described.
[0119]
When the tray timer is reset (SP237), the paper size is checked (SP238). If the paper size is A4 or less, for example, it is checked whether the tray timer value exceeds Ta (SP239). If it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 (SP240).
In SP238, if the paper size is B4 or more, it is checked whether or not the tray timer value has exceeded Tb (> Ta) (SP241). If it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 (SP240).
The paper size standard and the tray timer value are determined experimentally.
[0120]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
Even when the paper sizes are the same, if the number of staples is different, the effect of the conveying force due to the reverse rotation of the return rollers 72a and 72b changes, and if the number of sheets is small, there is a problem that the paper is pushed too far downstream of the paper discharge tray 12.
In view of this point, in this embodiment, as the number of sheets increases, the time during which the conveying force by the return rollers 72a and 72b acts is lengthened, and the trailing edge of the sheet bundle SB is surely dropped regardless of the number of sheets. It is an object. Only portions corresponding to the portions from SP237 to SP239 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 42 and 43 will be described. In addition, it demonstrates as a form which also performs control of 4th Embodiment simultaneously.
[0121]
When the tray timer is reset (SP237), the paper size is checked (SP238). If the paper size is, for example, A4 or less, the number of sheets in the sheet bundle SB is subsequently checked (SP239). For example, when the number of sheets is 15 or less, it is checked whether or not the tray timer value has exceeded Tc (SP240), and if it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 (SP241).
In SP239, if the number of sheets is 16 or more, it is checked whether or not the tray timer value exceeds Td (> Tc) (SP242), and if it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 ( SP241).
[0122]
In SP238, if the paper size is B4 or more, the number of sheets in the sheet bundle SB is checked (SP243). If the number of sheets is, for example, 15 or less, the tray timer value has exceeded Te (> Td). A check is made (SP244).
If it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 (SP241).
In SP243, if the number of sheets is 16 or more, it is checked whether or not the tray timer value has exceeded Tf (> Te) (SP245), and if it exceeds, the solenoid 57 is turned off to store the auxiliary tray 55 ( SP241).
[0123]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 47 and 48.
In this embodiment, when the auxiliary tray 55 is stored in the non-staple mode position, the sheet bundle SB stapled by the aligning means 99 is pressed downward. In other words, when the auxiliary tray 55 is stored, the aligning members 102a and 102b are moved from the retracted position to the aligning position so that the weight of the aligning members 102a and 102b is applied to the sheet bundle SB and pressed.
The control operation in this embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, it demonstrates as control which also performs the pressing operation by the return rollers 72a and 72b simultaneously.
[0124]
When the tray timer value exceeds T1 (SP263), the solenoid 115 is turned on to retract the alignment members 102a and 102b (SP264), and the alignment members 102a and 102b are moved to the discharge center (SP265). Next, it is checked whether or not the movement of the aligning members 102a and 102b has been completed (SP266), and when completed, the reverse roller drive motor (stepping motor 18) is controlled to rotate in reverse (SP267) and the return rollers 72a and 72b. On control is performed (SP268), and it is checked whether the photosensor 27 which is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b is off (SP269).
[0125]
When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, that is, when the return rollers 72a and 72b are located at the return positions, the tray timer is reset (SP270), and it is checked whether or not the tray timer value exceeds T (SP271). That is, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time (T) has elapsed after the return rollers 72a and 72b move to the return position. When the time has elapsed, the solenoid 115 is turned off (SP272), and the solenoid 57 is stored to accommodate the auxiliary tray 55. Is turned off (SP273).
[0126]
In SP275, if the tray timer value exceeds T6, before the auxiliary tray 55 is leveled, the return roller drive motor (stepping motor 18) is controlled to rotate forward (SP276), and the return rollers 72a and 72b are turned off. Is performed (SP277), and the on-state of the photosensor 27 which is the home position sensor of the return rollers 72a and 72b is checked (SP278). When the photo sensor 27 is turned off, that is, when the return rollers 72a and 72b are located at the home position, the solenoid 57 is turned on to level the auxiliary tray 55 (SP279).
[0127]
In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the conveyance drive motor 34 rotates the conveyance roller pair 14, the discharge roller pair 3, and the return rollers 72a and 72b. However, as shown in FIG. The conveyance roller pair 14 may be separated and only the discharge roller pair 3 and the return rollers 72a and 72b may be rotationally driven. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 60 denotes a timing belt.
Further, as shown in FIG. 50, only the discharge roller pair 3 may be rotationally driven by the conveyance drive motor 34, and the return rollers 72a and 72b may be separately rotationally driven by the motor 62. In FIG. 50, reference numeral 61 denotes a timing belt.
[0128]
A method may be used in which the end faces of the sheet bundle SB are sandwiched between the aligning members 102a and 102b, that is, in a state of being moved after stapling. In this case, the dropping action is promoted by the vibration of the stepping motors 104a and 4b, which are the rotational drive sources of the aligning members 102a and 102b.
[0129]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described based on FIGS.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the sheet is brought into contact with the aligning member 102b and aligned in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction. However, in the present embodiment, a matching fence 51 dedicated to butting is provided separately. The alignment fence 51 is provided so as not to prevent movement of the alignment member 102b in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction.
In the present embodiment, the aligning operation is performed by the aligning member 102a and the aligning fence 51, and the aligning member 102b is not involved.
[0130]
As shown in FIGS. 51 to 53, the alignment operation similar to that in each of the above embodiments is performed only by replacing the butting member with the alignment fence 51 from the alignment member 102b.
When the alignment of the predetermined number of sheets is completed, the staple needle 50 is struck by the stapler 9 as shown in FIG. In this case, the aligning member 102a is stopped at the position where the last sheet S is abutted against the aligning member 102b so that the sheet does not shift during stapling.
When stapling is performed, as shown in FIG. 55, the aligning member 102b moves to sandwich the sheet bundle SB stapled with the aligning member 102a, moves away from the stapler 9, and moves the sheet bundle SB. The amount of movement, the subsequent dropping operation of the sheet bundle SB, and the like are the same as in the above embodiments.
[0131]
Next, an eighth embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 56 to 58.
The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, in order to eliminate waste of the operation of moving and hitting the paper every time the paper is discharged, the paper is aligned as it is at the paper discharge position. It is characterized in that it is moved in a bundled state toward the stapler 9 after finishing.
[0132]
Although not described in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 56, the pair of aligning members 102a and 102b is formed of a plate-like body, and the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 are arranged at the lowermost portions of the aligning members 102a and 102b. The opposing surfaces are flat surfaces perpendicular to the direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction. With this configuration, by moving the aligning members 102 and 103 in the direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction, the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 are reliably brought into and out of contact with the end surfaces of the sheets S stacked on the tray 12. Can align the paper. Moreover, it can be set as a compact structure by having set it as the plate-shaped object.
[0133]
The aligning members 102a and 102b are arranged above the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 so that the paper S discharged from the paper discharge roller pair 3 can be easily guided into the facing interval between the aligning members 102a and 102b. , 102b1 have clearance portions 102a2 and 102b2 formed at a distance F ′ wider than the facing distance F of 102b1.
When the sheet S is discharged onto the tray 12 during the aligning operation, the aligning members 102a and 102b are moved in a standby state in which the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 are moved in advance to a receiving position having a predetermined interval wider than the sheet width. At this receiving position, it waits for the paper S to be discharged from the paper discharge roller pair 3. In FIG. 57, this receiving position is, for example, a position that is 7 mm wider on one side than the paper width of the sheet bundle SS made of A4 size paper.
[0134]
The alignment members 102a and 102b stand by at a receiving position with a minimum interval at which paper discharged with some variation in the direction c orthogonal to the discharge direction can be received, and the paper is discharged and the tray 12 is discharged. When stacked on the upper side, the sheet is moved from the receiving position to the position shown in FIG.
The reason why the receiving position is set in this way is that it takes time to return to the home position with a wide interval for each aligning operation.
[0135]
When a predetermined time elapses when the sheet S is discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 3 and falls onto the tray 12 and completely stops, the aligning members 102a and 102b are moved toward each other as indicated by arrows in FIG. 58, the alignment member 102a1 or 102b1 is discharged as shown in FIG. 58 by moving the remaining alignment member in the direction of the arrow while either one of the alignment member 102a or the alignment member 102b is fixed. The two ends of the sheet bundle SB parallel to the direction are in contact with each other at an alignment position that is slightly fitted to the sheet width.
[0136]
The degree of the fit is, for example, a state in which the alignment portions 102a1 and 102b1 are in pressure contact with the end surface of the sheet bundle SB so that the amount of biting is 1 mm on each side of the paper width. It is done. Thereafter, the aligning members 102a and 102b return to the receiving position shown in FIG. 57 and wait for the discharge and stacking of the next sheet S.
In the same job, the aligning members 102a and 102b move between the receiving position shown in FIG. 57 and the aligning position shown in FIG. 58 until all the sheets constituting the section are discharged.
[0137]
When the alignment members 102a and 102b are waiting at the receiving position shown in FIG. 57, the position in the direction c perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheet S discharged from the discharge roller pair 3 is not exactly a fixed position. There are variations due to skew. Accordingly, the wider the receiving position determined by the facing distance between the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1, the easier the paper can be received. However, if the receiving position is too large, the amount of movement of the aligning members 102a and 102b in the aligning operation increases. Takes time and cannot be adapted to high-speed delivery models.
[0138]
Therefore, the facing distance between the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 is set as much as possible, that is, the receiving position of the aligning members 102a and 102b is made as small as possible, and the facing distance between the upper portions of the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 is widened. By accepting, the opposing interval at the top of the aligning portions 102a1 and 102b1 is widened so that the paper S can be accepted. In the high speed machine, the sheet S can be discharged even during the aligning operation. Even in this case, if the escape portions 102a2 and 102b2 are provided, the sheet S does not collide with the aligning members 102a and 102b.
[0139]
When the alignment of the predetermined number of sheets is completed, the sheet bundle SB is sandwiched between the alignment members 102a and 102b, the sheet bundle SB is moved to the stapler 9 side, and the stapling operation is performed as it is. When the stapling is completed, the stapled sheet bundle SB is moved by X4 by the aligning members 102a and 102b as in the first embodiment, and the process proceeds to aligning the next part.
In the present embodiment, the alignment operation is performed on all discharged sheets. However, from the viewpoint of eliminating waste of the alignment operation, the alignment operation may not be performed on the first sheet of the job. Further, from the same viewpoint, the aligning operation may be performed every certain number of sheets, such as every second or third sheet.
In this embodiment, the alignment members 102a and 102b are individually driven. However, the alignment members 102a and 102b may be simultaneously driven by one drive source.
[0140]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention According to ,rear The processing functions can be consolidated, and the function of the conventional staple tray can be shared by the paper discharge tray, and there is no need to provide a dedicated transport path for staples in the device, thereby reducing the size and cost of the configuration. realizable.
In addition, the realization of a compact configuration can improve the degree of freedom of the apparatus layout in combination with the image forming apparatus and the like, such as enabling a top mount system for the image forming apparatus.
In the staple mode, the trailing end of the sheet-like medium can be aligned and separated from the sheet-like medium already loaded on the paper discharge tray by the auxiliary tray, so that stapling can be performed. Good alignment and stapling can be performed for each part without being affected by the rise of the needle or curl.
[0141]
The present invention According to ,rear Further integration of processing functions can be realized.
[0142]
The present invention According to , Exhaust The roller can be reliably brought into contact with the discharged paper, and the vertical alignment accuracy can be improved.
[0143]
The present invention According to , Non Problems due to the presence of the auxiliary tray in the staple mode can be prevented.
[0144]
The present invention According to , Structure An auxiliary tray can be provided without increasing the size.
[0146]
The present invention According to , Already The rear end of the sheet-like medium can be aligned by the existing configuration, and the auxiliary tray can be provided without increasing the size and complexity of the configuration.
[0147]
The present invention According to , Exhaust It is possible to prevent the rear end of the sheet-like medium stacked on the paper tray from entering the auxiliary tray structure and causing a jam.
[0148]
The present invention According to , Non The discharge height of the sheet-like medium to the paper discharge tray in the staple mode can always be made constant.
[0149]
The present invention According to , Exhaust There is no hindrance in the passage of the paper tray, and the discharge height of the sheet-like medium to the paper discharge tray in the non-staple mode can always be made constant.
[0152]
The present invention According to , Exhaust The apparatus can be made compact without the need to move the bundle of sheet-like media in the outgoing direction.
[0154]
The present invention According to , Transfer It is not necessary to provide a moving means separately, and the configuration can be simplified.
[0155]
The present invention According to , Transfer The moving accuracy can be increased, and consequently the loading accuracy on the paper discharge tray can be increased.
[0156]
The present invention According to ,Next It is possible to reliably perform the aligning operation by the aligning means for the sheet-like medium of the job.
[0159]
The present invention According to ,new It can be reliably dropped to the paper discharge tray without adding a new member.
[0160]
The present invention According to , Supplement The detachment action from the auxiliary tray can be enhanced, and the certainty of dropping onto the paper discharge tray can be further enhanced.
[0161]
The present invention According to , Regardless of the size of the sheet medium, it can be surely dropped onto the paper discharge tray.
[0162]
The present invention According to , Regardless of the number of staples in the sheet medium, it can be surely dropped onto the paper discharge tray.
[0164]
The present invention According to , Exhaust The dropping operation to the paper tray can be performed smoothly.
[0171]
The present invention According to , That In this case, waste of the operation of moving the sheet-like medium to the stapling means can be eliminated, and an efficient alignment operation can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus as viewed from the direction m in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a return means.
FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of return means.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a driving force transmission configuration of a return roller.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the aligning means.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of the driving structure of the aligning member.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of the driving structure of the aligning member.
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view showing the retracting operation of the aligning member.
FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the aligning member is in the aligning operation position.
FIG. 12 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the aligning member is in the retracted position.
FIG. 13 is a front view of an essential part showing a mounting configuration of an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the auxiliary tray in a staple mode position.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a driving configuration of an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the auxiliary tray in a non-staple mode position.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a driving configuration of the auxiliary tray in a state where the auxiliary tray is in the non-staple mode position.
FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the aligning member is at the home position.
FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the aligning member is at the standby position.
FIG. 20 is a schematic side view showing a state where one of the alignment members abuts the discharged sheet against the other alignment member.
FIG. 21 is a schematic side view showing a stapled state after completion of alignment.
FIG. 22 is a schematic side view illustrating a state in which a stapled sheet bundle is moved.
FIG. 23 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a moved sheet bundle is dropped onto a paper discharge tray and an alignment member is set at a standby position.
FIG. 24 is a schematic front view showing a state where stapling is performed on the auxiliary tray.
FIG. 25 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a stapled sheet bundle is moved and dropped.
FIG. 26 is a schematic front view showing a state where the auxiliary tray is set to the staple mode position again and aligned.
FIG. 27 is a schematic front view illustrating a state in which a stapled sheet bundle is moved.
FIG. 28 is a schematic front view showing a state where the sheet bundle is moved and then dropped, and the aligning member is retracted.
FIG. 29 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the aligning member is on the sheet bundle.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart of an initial routine.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a main routine.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing tray control at the start of a job.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart of standby position movement control of the aligning member for each paper size.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart of paper conveyance control.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart of vertical alignment control.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart of horizontal alignment and stapling control.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart of horizontal alignment and stapling control.
FIG. 38 is a main part schematic front view according to a second embodiment.
FIGS. 39A and 39B are schematic front views showing problems due to the folding of the paper on the auxiliary tray, where FIG. 39A is a diagram showing the waist folding state, and FIG. It is a figure which shows a state.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the control of the second embodiment.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the control of the second embodiment.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the control of the third embodiment.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the control of the third embodiment.
FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing control of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the control of the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 46 is a schematic front view of the main part in the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the control of the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing control of the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 49 is a view showing a modification of the drive force transmission configuration of the return roller.
FIG. 50 is a diagram showing another modification of the driving force transmission structure of the return roller.
51 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the aligning member is at the home position, showing the aligning means in the seventh embodiment. FIG.
52 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the aligning member is in the standby position in the seventh embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 53 is a schematic side view showing a state in which one of the alignment members abuts the discharged sheet against the other alignment member in the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 54 is a schematic side view showing a stapled state after completion of alignment in the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 55 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a stapled bundle of sheets is moved in the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 56 is a schematic side view showing the aligning means in the eighth embodiment and showing a state in which the aligning member is at the home position.
FIG. 57 is a schematic side view showing a state where the aligning member is in the receiving position in the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 58 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the aligning member is at the alignment position in the eighth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
S Paper as sheet media
3 Paper discharge roller pair as discharge means
9 Stapler as post-processing means
11 Return roller driving means
12 Output tray
51 Alignment fence
55 Auxiliary tray
57 Solenoid as auxiliary tray driving means
72a, 72b Return roller
99 Alignment means
102a, 102b Alignment member

Claims (16)

Sheet-like medium having a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the sheet-like medium, and discharge means for discharging the sheet-like medium, and a vertically movable discharge tray for stacking the sheet-like medium discharged by the discharging means In the aftertreatment device
Aligning means for aligning in the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheet-like medium stacked on the paper discharge tray, stapling means as post-processing means for stapling the sheet-like medium aligned by the aligning means, an auxiliary tray for stacking the discharge direction rear end portion of the sheet-like medium discharged to the discharge tray in a state of being isolated from the loading surface of the tray, the paper discharge tray and the auxiliary tray align by said aligning means only above, have rows stapled by the stapling means,
Having an end fence for abutting the rear end of the sheet-like medium discharged onto the discharge tray, and the auxiliary tray is provided integrally with the end fence;
The auxiliary tray is provided so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction of the paper discharge tray with the upper end portion as a rotation fulcrum. A mode position and a non-staple mode position that is substantially vertical downward along the end fence when only the discharge tray is used can be selectively set. In the non-staple mode position, the discharge tray Provided so as not to obstruct the passage of
The sheet-like medium discharged across the discharge tray and the auxiliary tray is returned in a direction opposite to the discharge direction and abuts against the alignment surface to align the discharge direction. A sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus. In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an abutting surface of the end fence exists above the rotation fulcrum of the auxiliary tray, and the abutting surface serves as the alignment surface . In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The auxiliary tray is stored in the storage recess formed in the end fence at the non-staple mode position so as to be substantially flush with or inward of the alignment surface of the end fence, and A sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus , wherein a lower end portion of the auxiliary tray and the end fence mesh with each other in a comb shape . In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
After stapling by the stapling means, the stapled sheet-like medium bundle is dropped onto the paper discharge tray by setting the auxiliary tray to the non-staple mode position. . The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The stapled sheet-like medium bundle is moved in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction in a direction away from the stapling means, and then the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position. Processing equipment. In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 5,
A sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus , wherein the stapled sheet medium is moved by the aligning means . The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 6,
The aligning means has a pair of aligning members disposed at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet-form medium discharge direction, and the movement of the bundle of stapled sheet-form media is performed by the pair of aligning members. An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium, wherein the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus is performed with an end face parallel to the discharge direction of the sheet-like medium sandwiched between the aligning members . In the sheet-like medium post-processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium, wherein a distance for moving a bundle of stapled sheet-like media is larger than a moving distance from a discharge position of the sheet-like medium to a staple position by the stapling means . In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The return means includes a return roller and a return roller drive means for driving the return roller. The return roller is swung between a return position and a standby position by the return roller drive means, and the sheet-like medium is discharged. The sheet-like medium is swung to the return position every time, and the return roller is displaced so as to push the sheet-like medium from the upper surface while drawing an arcuate locus on the vertical surface when swinging to the return position. Post-processing device. The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 9 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein when the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position, the return roller is moved to a return position to press the stapled bundle of sheet-like media downward . The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 10 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein the return roller is rotated in a direction opposite to that during a return operation . The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 11 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein the time for setting the auxiliary tray to the non-staple mode position is changed according to the size of the sheet-like medium. The sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to claim 11 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein a time for setting the auxiliary tray to the non-staple mode position is changed according to the number of stapled sheet-like media. In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The alignment means can be arbitrarily set to an alignment position and a retraction position positioned above the sheet-like medium stacked on the auxiliary tray set to the staple mode position,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein when the auxiliary tray is set at the non-staple mode position, a bundle of sheet-like medium stapled by the aligning means is pressed downward . In the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 ,
An apparatus for post-processing a sheet-like medium , wherein when the auxiliary tray is set to the non-staple mode position, the paper discharge tray is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the auxiliary tray . In an image forming apparatus having image forming means and having a sheet-like medium post-processing device inseparably or detachably ,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the sheet-like medium post-processing apparatus is one .

Images