JP4915937B2 - Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention collects sheets carried out from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and performs a binding process such as stapling on the accumulated sheet bundle, or a process such as alternately offsetting a sheet bundle every predetermined width. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus to be performed and an image forming system including the sheet post-processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, a processing tray is disposed on the upstream side of the paper discharge tray, and sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are aligned and stacked on the processing tray, and post processing such as stapling is performed on the stacked sheet bundle. There is known a sheet post-processing apparatus that grips the sheet bundle with gripping means (grippers) after discharging the sheet bundle and discharges the sheet bundle to a sheet discharge tray.

  As an example of such a sheet post-processing apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, a staple tray 121 corresponding to a processing tray is arranged on the upstream side of a paper discharge tray 112, and a copy as an image forming apparatus is formed on the staple tray 121. After the sheets carried out from the machine 2 are collected and the collected sheet bundle is stapled by the stapling device 111, the discharge claw 110a corresponding to a gripper pushes out the rear end portion of the sheet bundle. Thus, a sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges paper onto a paper discharge tray is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a grip unit 21 that circulates a bundle of sheets stored in a sheet stacking plate 5 along a rail groove 3a discharges the sheet from the sheet stacking plate 5 to a stacker tray 4 serving as a discharge tray. An aftertreatment device is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a stapler assembly 10 and a gripper that are integrally mounted on a support that can be moved up and down by a motor 20 in order to perform a stapling process on a sheet bundle that is discharged and stacked on a multi-stage tray 1. Using the assembly 11, the sheet bundle discharged and stacked on the tray 1 is gripped by the pair of gripping arms 28 and 29 of the gripper assembly 11, and this is pulled to the staple position of the stapler assembly 10. After the stapled sheet bundle is stapled, the stapled sheet bundle is again gripped by the pair of gripping arms 28 and 29 of the gripper assembly 11 and returned to the original tray 1. An aftertreatment device is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 4, when the blank P serving as the lower plate is carried out from the conveyor 2, the moving body 29 waiting behind the end stopper 17 is directed toward the conveyor outlet, and is carried out at the outlet position. The front end of the blank material is received from the inlet / outlet 43 by the jaw portion 40 and supported from below by the support portion 44, and the blank material is clamped by the lock claw 53 as the receiving portion 56 is pushed by the blank material end, When the blank material is clamped by 60, the moving body is moved to the standby position so that the jaw portion passes through the end stopper at the same speed as the conveying speed of the conveyor, and when the jaw portion passes through the end stopper, And the end stopper are abutted against each other, and a stacking device configured to release the clamping is disclosed.
JP 2001-158564 A JP 2003-89464 A JP-A-5-155176 JP 2002-128375 A

  However, in the sheet post-processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the stapling device 111 is moved to an appropriate position on the sheet bundle whose rear end is aligned by the rear end fence 119, and the stapling process is performed on a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle. After that, although the sheet bundle subjected to the stapling process is pushed out using the discharge claw 110a and discharged onto the paper discharge tray, the sheet claw is simply hung on the paper discharge tray by the discharge claw 110a. It was difficult to discharge paper with good alignment (first problem).

  Further, in order to move the staple device 111 to an appropriate position, a control mechanism for retracting the discharge claw 110a from the moving region of the staple device 111 is necessary, and it is difficult to make the device compact (second problem). ).

  Here, instead of the above-described discharge claw 110a as the first-order paper discharge method with good alignment, the paper discharge structure by the grip means 21 disclosed in Patent Document 2 is replaced with this paper discharge tray. As for the drive mechanism of the grip means 21, a circulating belt is used similarly to the drive mechanism of the discharge claw 110a of Patent Document 1, and the belt is always connected to the drive mechanism from the rear of the stapling position. Since the grip means 21 is movable in the vicinity of the discharge outlet of the discharge tray, the movement of the grip means 21 is impeded when a movable stapling device is mounted. Similarly to the second problem of Patent Document 1, an apparatus mechanism for retracting the grip means 21 from the moving area of the stapling apparatus 111 is necessary, and the apparatus component is required. And thus interfere with the door of.

  Furthermore, as a method of solving the second problem of preventing the movement of the stapling device 110a disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the gripping means 21 disclosed in Patent Document 2 that is movable, the movement is prevented. As shown in Patent Document 3, the stapler assembly 10 and the gripper assembly 11 are formed as a unitary unit structure and moved simultaneously, so that they can be prevented from interfering with each other during the movement.

  However, when the stapler assembly 10 and the gripper assembly 11 are moved as an integrated unit structure as in Patent Document 3, the gripper assembly 11 must be retracted into the moving region of the stapler assembly 10. As described above, since the sheets are once aligned and accumulated at a position different from the stapling position, the sheet bundle is gripped by the gripper and pulled to the stapling position to perform stapling processing. Not only does it take a long processing time to draw, but when the sheet bundle is gripped by the gripper and pulled to the stapling position, the folded and aligned sheet bundle collapses to cause bundle misalignment and perform appropriate stapling processing. Can't do it (third problem).

  Moreover, in the stacking device described in Patent Document 4, when the blank material is discharged, the blank material is abutted against the end stopper to release the holding state of the blank material by the lock claw. However, it is difficult to deliver paper with good alignment.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the first to third problems described above are taken into consideration, and the stapler means and the gripping means are not simply integrated into a unit structure, but the gripping part constituting the gripping means and the gripping part thereof Are divided into two functional parts, a guide part that guides reciprocating movement, and the two functional parts are structured to be able to be linked and detached in conjunction with the gripping operation of the gripping part. A standby position that does not hinder sheet stacking, a gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray, a discharge position on the discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle, and the discharge tray more than the discharge position Let's solve the above-mentioned first to third problems by continuously moving each of the placement position lowered to the surface side and the grip release position upstream of the placement position in the discharge direction. Things to do A.

  For this reason, the present invention does not disturb the movement of the post-processing means, does not disturb the alignment state at the position where the sheets are aligned and stacked, and can be post-processed in a short time, and the position where the sheets are aligned and stacked. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus having a simple mechanism and a compact size, which can grip a sheet bundle post-processed by the gripping means and discharge the sheet bundle to the discharge tray with good alignment.

  In the present invention, the gripping portion is gently gripped so as not to disturb the alignment of the sheet bundle when the sheet bundle is gripped by changing the moving speed of the gripping portion according to the moving position. To provide a sheet post-processing device capable of discharging at a high speed when moving a bundle to a discharge position and further aligning the sheet bundle at a discharge position when discharging the sheet bundle onto a discharge tray. It is the purpose.

Therefore, the present invention is a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a gripping unit that discharges a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray onto the discharge tray, wherein the gripping unit grips the sheet bundle. A guide portion that is provided on the stacking tray and guides the grip portion so as to be reciprocally movable in the discharge direction, and a crank that reciprocates by engaging the grip portion with a guide path provided in the guide portion. A holding position that does not interfere with sheet stacking on the stacking tray, a gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray, and the sheet discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle. Each of an upper discharge position, a placement position that is lowered to the paper discharge tray surface side from the discharge position, and a grip release position that is provided in a direction in which the grip portion moves backward from the previous placement position in order to move the There is provided a sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim and.

This invention also provides a collection tray provided with a regulating means for matching the incoming sequentially conveyed sheet, and gripping means for discharging the sheet discharge tray by gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray, a The gripping means includes a gripping section that grips the sheet bundle; a guide section that is provided on the stacking tray and guides the gripping section so as to be reciprocally movable in the discharge direction; and A crank mechanism that reciprocates by engaging with a guide path provided in the holding portion, and the opening of the grip portion does not interfere with alignment and stacking of sheets on the stacking tray by the restricting means. A standby position for waiting at a position including the opening of the restricting means, a gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray by the restricting means, and the paper discharge for discharging the sheet bundle And a discharge position on Ray, and placing position of the sheet bundle is lowered to the discharge tray surface than the discharge position, there from the placement position in the direction in which the gripper moves back, the sheet bundle A sheet post-processing apparatus is provided that sequentially moves each of a grip release position that releases a grip by bringing the sheet into contact with an elevation surface that defines a paper discharge position of the paper discharge tray. .

The present invention is further supported so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction along the stacking tray, and a stacking tray provided with a regulating means for aligning sequentially conveyed sheets, A post-processing unit that performs post-processing such as a binding process on the sheet bundle on the stacking tray; and a gripping unit that grips the post-processed sheet bundle and discharges the sheet bundle onto a paper discharge tray. A gripping means is provided on the stacking tray for gripping the sheet bundle, a guide portion for guiding the gripping portion so as to reciprocate in the discharge direction, and the gripping portion provided on the guide portion. A crank mechanism that reciprocates by engaging with the guide path, and the gripping portion does not interfere with the alignment and stacking of the sheets on the stacking tray by the restricting means, and the opening thereof is the restricting means. A standby position for waiting in a position including the frontage; a gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray by the restricting means; a discharge position on the discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle; The sheet bundle is lowered to the discharge tray surface side from the discharge position, and the gripping portion is moved backward from the placement position, and the sheet bundle is discharged from the discharge tray. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that sequentially moves the positions of a grip release position that releases a grip by abutting against an elevation surface that defines a paper position.

  Here, the restricting means aligns the sheets stacked on the stacking tray and forms a front opening capable of receiving up to a predetermined number of sheets, and the gripping means includes a sheet bundle stacked by the restricting means. The sheet bundle is disposed so as to be grippable at the stacking position, and is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheet bundle onto the discharge tray. Is integrally supported by a support that supports the post-processing means.

  The post-processing means includes at least one of a stapling device and a punching device that performs either a stapling process or a punching process on the sheet bundle.

  The gripping means has a guide portion disposed on the stacking tray so as to reciprocate the gripping portion back and forth in the sheet bundle discharging direction, and the gripping portion is detached from the guide portion in the expanded state. Thus, it is supported so as to be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction.

  Further, the guide portion is disposed at a plurality of locations on the stacking tray, and the grip portion is guided by any of the plurality of guide portions installed at the plurality of locations to transfer the sheet bundle to the discharge tray. It is discharged.

The moving speed of the gripper continuously changes due to the swinging motion of the crank mechanism, but the moving average speed from the gripping position to the discharge position is from the discharge position of the gripper. The drive control is performed so as to be lower than the moving average speed up to the mounting position .

  The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus that sends out an image-formed sheet and the above-described sheet post-processing apparatus.

The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet bundle gripped by the grip portion is moved from the discharge position on the discharge tray to the placement position lowered to the discharge tray surface side, and the placement surface The sheet bundle can be discharged with good alignment. In addition, the gripping portion moves from the placement position to a grip release position in the backward movement direction, and the sheet bundle is placed in an aligned state on the elevation surface of the paper discharge tray. It is possible.

  Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, the gripping portion is located at a position where the opening encloses the opening of the regulating means without hindering the alignment and stacking of the sheets on the stacking tray by the regulating means. The restricting means is arranged so that it can be gripped at the stacking position of the aligned and bundled sheet bundle. As described in claim 4, the gripping means is substantially orthogonal to the discharge direction of the sheet bundle. By supporting the movably in the direction, it is not necessary to retract the restricting means from the movement miracle of the grasping means when the grasping means is moved, thereby simplifying the apparatus configuration and making the apparatus compact.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, since the gripping means and the post-processing means do not operate at the same time, by integrating them, it becomes possible to move using a single drive motor. The mechanism could be simplified.

  Here, the post-processing device can move a device that performs a stapling process or a punching process on the sheet bundle using a drive motor that moves a gripping unit, and further includes a drive system mechanism. It was easy to configure.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 7, the gripping unit that moves reciprocally includes a detachable gripping unit and a guide unit, and the gripping unit is moved away from the guide unit to move the gripping unit. It was easy.

  In the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the sheet bundle can be discharged onto the sheet discharge tray in a state where the sheet bundle is gripped and offset by the grip portion.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 9, the third moving average rate of reaching the loading position from the discharging position than the second moving average velocity reaching the discharge position from the gripping position is driven so that the low speed Thus, the sheet bundle can be gently placed on the sheet discharge tray and the consistency of the sheet bundle can be maintained.

In the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect , it is possible to provide an image forming system having the function and effect of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

The details of the sheet post-processing apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention will be described below based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus, and FIG. 3 shows an enlarged part of the sheet post-processing apparatus. Detailed explanatory views are shown, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed explanatory view of a portion of the sheet folding apparatus incorporated in the sheet post-processing apparatus. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a control configuration in the image forming system of FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a sheet post-processing apparatus B, and the sheet post-processing apparatus B incorporates a sheet folding apparatus C as a unit.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 sends a sheet from the sheet feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, prints the sheet on the image forming unit 2, and then carries the sheet out from the main body discharge port 3. The sheet feeding unit 1 stores sheets of a plurality of sizes in sheet feeding cassettes 1 a and 1 b, and separates designated sheets one by one and feeds them to the image forming unit 2. The image forming unit 2 includes, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitter) 5 disposed around the electrostatic drum 4, a developing device 6, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser light emitter 5, toner is adhered to the developer by the developing device 6, the image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 7, and heated and fixed by the fixing device 8. The sheets on which images have been formed in this way are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A. Reference numeral 9 indicates a circulation path, and the sheet printed on the front side from the fixing device 8 is turned upside down via the main body switchback conveying path 10 and then fed again to the image forming unit 2 to be printed on the back side of the sheet. This is the path for duplex printing. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down in the main body switchback conveyance path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

  The image reading device 11 scans a document sheet set on the platen 12 with a scan unit 13 and electrically reads it with a photoelectric conversion element (not shown). This image data is digitally processed by an image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 19 to send an image signal to the laser emitter 5. 15 is a document feeder, which is a feeder device that feeds document sheets stored in the stacker 16 to the platen 12.

  The image forming apparatus A configured as described above is provided with a control unit (controller) shown in FIG. 21, and image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, print number designation, single-sided / double-sided printing from the control panel 18. Printout conditions such as designation and enlargement / reduction printing designation are set. On the other hand, image data read by the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external network is stored in the data storage unit 17 in the image forming apparatus A, and the image data is transferred from the data storage unit 17 to the data storage unit 19. The data signal is sequentially transferred from the data storage unit 19 to the laser emitter 5.

[Description of image formation order]
On the control panel 18, post-processing conditions are input and designated simultaneously with the image forming conditions. The post-processing conditions mean, for example, “print-out mode”, “stapling mode”, “sheet bundle folding mode”, and the like. The image forming apparatus A forms an image on the sheet according to the image forming conditions and the post-processing conditions.

[Configuration of sheet post-processing apparatus]
Next, the sheet post-processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A will be described. The sheet post-processing apparatus B receives the image-formed sheet from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and (1) stores the sheet in the first discharge tray 21 (a “print-out mode” described later). (2) Whether sheets from the main body discharge port 3 are aligned and stapled in a bundle, and then stored in the first discharge tray 21 ("stapling mode" described later). (3) Main body discharge After the sheets from the opening 3 are arranged in a bundle, the sheets are folded into a booklet and stored in the second sheet discharge tray 22 (“sheet bundle folding mode” described later).

  For this reason, the sheet post-processing apparatus B includes a first paper discharge tray 21 and a second paper discharge tray 22 in the casing 20 as shown in FIG. Is provided. The sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is configured by a substantially horizontal straight path in the casing 20. A first switchback conveyance path SP1 and a second switchback conveyance path SP2 that branch from the sheet carry-in path P1 and transfer the sheet in the reverse direction are arranged. The first switchback conveying path SP1 is branched from the sheet downstream path, the second switchback conveying path SP2 is branched from the sheet conveying path P1, and both conveying paths are arranged at a distance from each other. Yes.

  A stacking tray 29 is disposed on the downstream side of the first switchback transport path SP1, and the first paper discharge tray 21 is connected to the downstream side thereof. Further, an accumulation guide 35 is disposed on the downstream side of the second switchback transport path SP2, and the second discharge tray 22 is connected to the downstream side thereof.

  With such a path configuration, the conveyance roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 are arranged in the sheet carry-in path P1, and these rollers are connected to a drive motor M1 (not shown) that can rotate forward and backward. Further, a path switching piece 27 for guiding the sheet to the second switchback conveying path SP2 is disposed in the sheet carry-in path P1, and is connected to an operating means such as a solenoid. Further, a buffer guide 26 is provided in the sheet carry-in path P1 for temporarily staying and holding the sheet reaching the second switchback transport path SP2. A post-processing unit 28 is provided between the carry-in port 23 and the transport roller 24 to perform post-processing such as stamping (stamping means) and punching (punching means) on the sheet from the image forming apparatus A.

[Configuration of the first switchback transport path SP1]
The first switchback transport path SP1 disposed on the downstream side (rear end portion of the apparatus) of the sheet carry-in path P1 is configured as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet carry-in path P1 is provided with a paper discharge roller 25 and a paper discharge outlet 25a at the exit end, and a stacking tray 29 is provided below the paper discharge outlet 25a with a step difference. ing. The stacking tray 29 is a tray that stacks and supports sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a.

  Above the stacking tray 29, a forward / reverse roller 30 is disposed so as to be movable up and down between a position in contact with the sheet on the tray and a separated standby position (a chain line position in FIG. 3). A forward / reverse motor M2 is connected to the forward / reverse roller 30, and when a sheet enters the stacking tray 29, it rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, and after the trailing edge of the sheet enters the tray, it rotates counterclockwise. It is controlled to rotate. Accordingly, the first switchback transport path SP1 is formed on the stacking tray 29. Reference numeral 31 denotes an annular belt, which is pressure-contacted with the paper discharge roller 25 and one end pulley side, and is pivotally supported so that the front end pulley side hangs down on the stacking tray 29 around the pulley shaft 31a. A driven roller 30 b shown in the figure is engaged with the forward / reverse roller 30 and is provided on the stacking tray 29.

  With the above configuration, the sheet from the discharge outlet 25a enters the stacking tray 29 and is transferred toward the first discharge tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30, and the rear end of the sheet is transferred from the discharge outlet 25a to the stacking tray 29. After entering the sheet, when the forward / reverse roller 30 is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in the figure), the sheet on the tray is transferred in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. At this time, the annular belt 31 cooperates with the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 to switch back the sheet trailing edge along the stacking tray 29.

  A rear end regulating member (alignment stopper) 32 for regulating the position of the rear end of the sheet and a stapling device ST1 are arranged at the rear end of the stacking tray 29 in the discharge direction. The illustrated stapling device ST1 is configured by an end-face stitching stapler, and staples at one or a plurality of locations on the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the tray.

  Further, the gripper means (grip means) G10 carries out the sheet bundle stapled by the stacking tray 29 to the first discharge tray 21 disposed on the downstream side of the stacking tray 29, and the discharging direction along the stacking tray 29. It can be reciprocated freely. The gripper means G10 includes a gripper member (gripping portion) G11 that grips the sheet bundle, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction in the drawing along guide grooves (described later) formed in the stacking tray 29. G20 shown in the figure is a gripper drive arm that reciprocates the gripper member G11, and is connected to the paper discharge motor M3.

  Further, the stacking tray 29 is provided with a side alignment plate (alignment side plate) 34 for aligning the width direction of the sheets stacked on the tray. It is composed of a pair of alignment plates, and is configured to approach and separate from the center of the sheet and is connected to an alignment motor M4 (not shown).

  The first switchback conveying path SP1 configured as described above aligns the sheets from the sheet discharge outlet 25a on the stacking tray 29 in the above-described "stapling mode", and this sheet bundle is used for end face binding. The stapling apparatus ST1 staples one or more places on the rear edge. Further, in the above-described “print-out mode”, the sheet fed along the stacking tray 29 is transferred between the forward / reverse roller 30 and the driven roller 30b without switchback conveyance of the sheet from the sheet discharge port 25a. It is carried out to the first paper discharge tray 21. In this way, the apparatus shown in the figure is characterized in that the apparatus is made compact by supporting the sheets to be stapled by the stacking tray 29 and the first discharge tray 21 in a bridge manner.

  In the “print out mode”, a new branch point is provided in the middle of the sheet carry-in path P1, and the first paper discharge tray 21 uses the branch point to discharge the paper discharge tray in the “print out mode”. It is also possible to store the sheet separately from the sheet discharged in the “stapling mode”.

[Configuration of second switchback transport path]
The configuration of the second switchback conveyance path SP2 branched from the sheet carry-in path P1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the second switchback conveying path (sheet processing path) SP2 is arranged substantially vertically in the casing 20, and is provided with a stacking guide (sheet holding means) 35. The accumulation guide 35 includes a sheet entry path 35a, a curved guide part 35b, a switchback entry path 35c, and an exit guide part 35d. The sheet entrance path 35a is configured by the path exit portion of the second switchback conveyance path SP2 described above, and a curved guide portion 35b is disposed so as to form a step with the entrance path. The switchback entry path 35c is connected to the rear end side of the curved guide part 35b.

  The sheets sent from the sheet entrance path 35a configured by the second switchback transport path SP2 to the curved guide portion 35b are sequentially accumulated upward. For this reason, the sheet accumulated in the guide portion is moved backward to the switchback entry path 35c so that the sheet fed from the sheet carry-in path 35a is accumulated on the uppermost sheet of the curved guide section 35b. Yes.

  Next, the configuration of the curved guide portion 35b and the saddle stitching stapling device ST2 and the folding roll means 45 arranged on the curved guide portion 35b will be described in detail. First, the curved guide portion 35b is composed of sheet holding means inclined so as to accumulate the sheets sent from the second switchback conveying path SP2 at the folding position Y, and the binding position X and the folding position Y are connected to the sheet holding means. Is set. A stapling means (saddle stitching stapling device), which will be described later, is disposed at the binding position X, and a folding roll means 45 is disposed at the folding position Y. In particular, the illustrated curved guide portion 35b is constituted by a guide plate that is curved or bent so that the sheet bundle supported thereby protrudes toward the folding roll means 45 at the folding position Y and warps. Accordingly, the sheets from the sheet carry-in path P1 are accumulated so as to be sequentially stacked on the curved guide portion 35b, and the sheet bundle is bent so as to protrude toward the folding roll and bend back.

  An exit guide portion 35d is connected to the folding position Y of the curved guide portion 35b so as to be continuous with the bent guide portion 35b, and the exit guide portion 35d is constituted by an opposing guide piece narrowed so as to gradually bend the sheet bundle. In other words, the curved guide portion 35b is formed to have a length that can accommodate the maximum size sheet, and is configured to sequentially stack and accumulate the sheets from the carry-in entrance 23. The curved guide portion 35b is formed in a curved or bent shape so as to protrude to the side where the saddle stitching stapling device ST2 and the folding roll means 45 described later are disposed. Further, the switchback entry path 35c described above accumulates by overlapping the leading edge of the loaded (following) sheet sent from the sheet entry path 35a and the trailing edge of the stacked (preceding) sheet supported by the curved guide portion 35b. This is for securing the page order of sheets. The accumulation guide 35 is provided with a sheet leading edge regulating means 38 for regulating the sheet leading edge on the downstream side of the guide.

[Configuration of edge binding mechanism]
Next, based on FIGS. 5 to 13, the end portion of the sheet bundle is stapled by the stapling device ST1, and the stapled sheet bundle is gripped by the gripper means G10, and is collected from the stacking tray 29 by the first discharge tray. The configuration of the end binding mechanism that discharges paper onto the paper 21 will be described.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the end binding mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. A rear end regulating member 32 (32a, 32b, 32c) for receiving and aligning the rear end of a sheet carried from the copying machine is fixedly supported on the stacking tray 29, and a side for positioning both side ends of the carried sheet. The alignment plate 34 (34a, 34b) is supported so as to be able to swing left and right with respect to the central portion of the tray. It should be noted that one side of the side alignment plate 34 can be fixed and the other can be swung in accordance with the reference method.

  Further, gripping portions (G11, G16) (G21, G26) of the gripper means G10 are placed on the stacking tray on the support G70 on which the stapling device ST1 for performing the stapling process on the end portion of the sheet bundle and the gripper means G10 are mounted. In order to reciprocate in the sheet bundle discharging direction along the sheet stacking surface 29, the rotation is a square-shaped cross section rotated by a rotation drive motor (not shown) attached to an apparatus frame that movably supports the support G70. A shaft G2 and a timing belt G3 having a tooth-shaped cross section that is moved by a drive source (not shown) for reciprocating the support G70 in the direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet bundle discharge direction along the stacking tray 29 are provided. Yes.

<Configuration of Support G70>
Next, the structure of the support G70 and the gripper means G10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a pair of left and right grips (G11, G16) supported by the support G70 in a swingable manner. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the stapling device ST1 is mounted between (G21, G26) and the moving unit body is configured, and FIG. 7 shows a state in which the stapling device ST1 is removed from the moving unit body. Then, as will be described with reference to FIG. 7, support frame bodies G80 and G90 for mounting the stapling device ST1 at intervals corresponding to the width of the stapling device ST1 are provided in the left-right direction of the support body G70. Groove parts G80a and G90a for guiding the movement of the gripping parts (G11, G16) (G21, G26) using the space area of G90, and the rotation shaft having the square cross section described above on the outer side surface of the support frame G90. A first gear G96 having a square hole with a regular square cross section through which G2 is passed to receive drive transmission, a second gear G95 that receives rotation of the first gear, and rotation of the second gear. A last-stage fan-shaped gear G94 that receives and rotates and swings and a reciprocating rocking lever G91 that reciprocally rocks by rotation of the fan-shaped gear G94 are provided. The support frame body G80 also has a first gear G86, a second gear G85, a fan-shaped gear G84, and a rotation shaft G83 that is the rotation center of the fan-shaped gear G84. The apparatus is provided with a reciprocating rocking lever G81 that forms a slit G82 into which a reciprocating rocking shaft of a gripping part G10, which will be described later, is fitted.

<Configuration of stapling device ST1>
Next, the configuration of the stapling device ST1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. The stapling device ST1 is roughly divided into a head ST11 for driving the stapler into the sheet bundle, and a head ST11 which is driven into the sheet bundle and penetrates the sheet bundle. It comprises an anvil ST12 that bends the staple tip of the stapler, a cartridge ST13 that supplies and replenishes the stapler to the head ST11, and a drive unit ST14 that incorporates a drive motor that drives the head ST11 and the anvil ST12.

<Configuration of gripper means G10>
Next, the configuration of the gripper means G10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. The gripper means G10 is composed of gripping parts G11 to G20 that are separable from each other and a guide part G40, and the previous support G70 is moved to the left and right. When moving, the gripping portion G11 can be moved away from the guide portion G40. In the figure, K0 (K1 to K4) is a crank mechanism, the details of which will be described later.

<Configuration of gripping portions G11 to G20>
The gripping portions G11 to G20 include an upper gripping portion G11 that grips the sheet bundle, a swing shaft G12 that swingably supports the upper gripping portion G11, and the upper gripping portion G11 at the illustrated return position (home position). An expansion lever G13 that abuts against a locking member (not shown) at the return position and rotates counterclockwise in order to overcome the urging force of a spring means (not shown) that is normally urged in the direction of gripping the bundle; An arm lever G14 that moves the upper gripping portion G11 that grips the sheet bundle to the paper discharge portion of the paper discharge tray 21, and a connection that engages with the slit G82 of the previous reciprocating rocking lever G81 to move the arm lever G14. The shaft G15, the lower gripping portion G16, the swinging shaft G17 that supports the lower gripping portion G16 so as to be swingable, and a sheet parallel to the sheet placement surface of the stacking tray 29 even if the lower gripping portion G16 moves. A swing shaft G17 that rotates to maintain a posture to support the bottom of the bundle, an arm lever G18 that moves the lower gripping portion G16 to the paper discharge portion of the paper discharge tray 21, and the arm lever G18 and the arm lever G14 A swinging shaft arm G20 disposed at a position forming a substantially parallelogram in addition to the swinging shaft G12, the connecting shaft G15, and the swinging shaft G17 so as to adjust the posture of the lower gripping portion G16, and a swinging shaft It comprises a swing lever G35 for forcibly turning the gripping portions G11 to G20 around the arm G20.

  Further, on the axis of the swinging shaft G12, the upper gripping portion G11 that engages with an inclined surface of a guide portion G40 described later with reference to FIG. 17 and returns to the return position via the backward movement guide G44 in a direction to grip the sheet bundle. There is provided a release lever G19 that reduces the bias of a spring means (not shown) that always biases, releases the nip force, and makes it easy to separate the sheet bundle.

  As in the expanded state of the head ST11 and the anvil ST12 of the stapler device ST1, when the gripping portions G11 to G20 are in the illustrated return position (home position), the connection state with the guide portion G40 described later is released. In addition, the widening width of the upper gripping part G11 and the lower gripping part G16 is maintained larger than the sheet stacking width of the sheet trailing edge regulating member 32 (32a, 32b, 32c) attached to the stacking tray 29 (see FIG. 5). In addition, when the support G70 is mounted together with the stapler device ST1, the sheet rear end regulating member 32 (32a, 32b, 32c) can be moved regardless of whether it is present.

<Configuration of guide part G40>
The guide portion G40 is provided in each groove formed in the stacking tray 29 at two appropriate intervals, and has substantially the same function although the shape is slightly different at the left and right attachment positions. Here, the guide portion G40 will be described. The rocking shaft G12 is supported in accordance with the forward movement of the grip portions G11 to G20 described above, and is moved toward the stacking tray 29 (see FIG. 5) along the sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray 29. A forward guide G41 that moves and supports, a lowering guide G42 that guides the swing shaft G12 to a lower discharge position in a state where the sheet bundle is discharged above the discharge position of the stacking tray 29, and an upper gripping portion at the discharge position. In order to reduce the nip pressure for swinging the release lever G19 for reducing the nip pressure of the sheet bundle of G11, the release lever G19 has a locking function and a function for facilitating taking in to move the swing shaft G12 backward. It includes a release guide G43, a backward guide G44 that moves and guides the swing shaft G12 to the return position, and a unidirectional restriction guide plate G60 described later.

  The one-way restricting guide plate G60 allows the swinging shaft G12 that returns from the backward guide G44 to the return position so that the forward guide G41 can be returned halfway, so that the compactness of the device can be obtained. The forward guide G41 is guided so as not to drop downward during forward movement, and can be easily returned to the forward guide G41 during backward movement.

<Operation of guide portions G40 and G50>
In this way, by providing the guide portions G40 and G50 on the stacking tray 29, the gripping portions G11 to G20 and G21 to G30 are all retracted downward from the stacking surface of the stacking tray 29 during the backward movement. The sheet discharge operation of the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus A during the movement is received in the stacking tray 29 without being stopped.

<Support structure of guide part G40 and unidirectional regulation guide plate G60>
The one-way restricting guide plate G60 is attached to the guide part G40 as shown in FIG. 10, and a fulcrum G62 supported by the guide part G40 as shown in FIG. An abutting inclined surface G61 that is displaced in accordance with the movement and an arm G63 that is elastically deformed when the swinging shaft G12 is restored to displace the abutting inclined surface G61 are formed by resin molding.

<Support structure of guide part G50 and one-way regulating guide plate (support body) G70>
Similarly, the other unidirectional regulation guide plate G70 is attached to the guide part G50 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and is supported by the guide part G50 as shown in FIG. An abutting inclined surface G71 that abuts on the swinging shaft G22 (similar to the swinging shaft G12 and corresponds to the other member of the left and right object; detailed drawings are omitted) and is displaced along with the movement thereof, An arm G73 that is elastically deformed to displace the contact inclined surface G71 when the moving shaft G22 is restored is formed by resin molding.

<Offset delivery of sheet bundle>
In this embodiment, two places are provided. However, the gripper means (grip means) may be one place or three places or more in consideration of the gripping ability and the transport accuracy when the sheet bundle is transported. Can be gripped at the optimum position of the sheet balance, and while the sheet bundle is gripped, the connection position with the three guide portions is selectively switched and moved to the connection position, and the discharge tray The sheet bundle can be appropriately offset by discharging the sheet bundle.

[Description of edge binding operation]
Next, details of the end binding operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 14. First, when the support G70 on which the stapling device ST1 and the gripper means G10 are mounted at the position shown in FIG. 5, the “stapling mode” is set from the control panel 18 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus A. In the state in which the “end closing mode” is selected, and the stapling device ST1 and the gripper means G10 are both expanded from the integrated width of the sheet trailing edge regulating member 32 (32a, 32b, 32c) as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the sheets are aligned and accumulated by the sheet rear end regulating member 32. At the same time, in FIG. 5, a timing belt G3 that appropriately moves the support G70 to the left and right during the sheet stacking process moves the support G70 to the stapling position. Then, the anvil ST12 is swung downward at the stapling position, and the stapling position of the sheet bundle is nipped by the head ST11 and the anvil ST12. In this state, the head ST11 drives the stapler into the sheet bundle, the anvil ST12 is driven into the sheet bundle, and the staple tip of the stapler penetrating the sheet bundle is bent to perform the stapling process.

  This stapling process is performed by moving the stapling device ST1 to one corner of the sheet bundle, to two places spaced equally from the sheet width center on both sides, or to a plurality of appropriate places.

[Description of gripping motion]
Next, the gripping operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 14 to 20. First, as shown in FIG. 5, a description will be given of a structure in which guide portions G40 and G50 are arranged at two positions spaced apart from each other at equal intervals from the sheet width center of the stacking tray 29. First, the stapling process described above is performed, and the support G70 on which the stapling device ST1 and the gripper means G10 are mounted is positioned in the state of FIG. G2 rotates clockwise from the state of FIG. Under this rotation, the first gear G86 follows and rotates clockwise. The second gear G85 meshing with the first gear G86 rotates counterclockwise, and the fan-shaped gear G84 rotates clockwise. The reciprocating rocking lever G81 integrated with the fan-shaped gear G84 rotates in the clockwise direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15 in response to the clockwise rotation of the reciprocating rocking lever G81, the connecting shaft G15 of the grip portions G11 to G20 fitted in the slit G82 of the reciprocating rocking lever G81 moves, and the connecting shaft G15 When the swing shaft G12 is disengaged from the locking groove G80c of the support frame body G80, the upper gripping portion G11 grips the sheet bundle with the lower gripping portion G16. At this time, the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle can be gripped neatly without being displaced by holding the side edge of the sheet bundle while pressing it with the vertical surface of the lower gripping portion G16.

  Further, when the reciprocating swing lever G81 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 16, the sheet bundle in a state where the upper gripping portion G11 and the lower gripping portion G16 gripping the sheet bundle protrude above the discharge outlet of the discharge tray 21. Is ejected. In this state, the swing lever G35 of the gripping portions G11 to G20 is always urged to the left side of the drawing by the tension spring G87 on the side wall of the support frame body G80, and is urged to the urging shaft G89 that is movably supported along the slit G88. The gripping portions G11 to G20 are forcibly swung clockwise about the swing shaft arm G20 by abutting and forcibly turning clockwise.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the upper gripping part G11 and the lower gripping part G16 in which the swinging shaft G17 of the gripping parts G11 to G20 grips the sheet bundle along the descending guide G42 of the guide part G40 as shown in FIG. The sheet bundle is moved to the vicinity of the sheet discharge surface 29, and the sheet bundle is placed on the placement surface. At the same time, the release lever G19 of the gripping portions G11 to G20 is rotated counterclockwise by the end face of the release guide G43 to reduce the gripping force of the sheet bundle.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 18, the reciprocating rocking lever G81 rocks counterclockwise by rotating the rotation shaft G2 having a regular square cross section by the crank mechanism K0 shown in FIG. Due to the swing of the reciprocating swing lever G81, the swing shaft G17 of the gripping portions G11 to G20 is taken in the backward movement guide G44 while being guided by the release guide G43, and moves backward. At the same time, the sheet bundle is placed on the elevation surface of the paper discharge tray 21 in an aligned state.

  Further, as the reciprocating swing lever G81 swings counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 19, the swing shaft G17 of the gripping portions G11 to G20 pushes the contact inclined surface G61 of the one-way regulating guide plate G60. Return to the forward guide G41. Then, when the reciprocating swing lever G81 returns to the initial position, a series of sheet bundle discharging operation is completed.

  Although not shown, the gripping portions G21 to G30 and G36 coupled to the guide portion G50 also grip the sheet bundle in synchronization and discharge it to the paper discharge tray 21.

  In addition to the guide portions G40 and G50, for example, another third guide portion is disposed at the sheet width center, and the support body 70 is appropriately moved in a state where the sheet bundle is gripped by the gripping portion. By discharging the sheet bundle while alternately switching between discharging the sheet bundle using the third guide portion and discharging the sheet bundle using the third guide portion and the guide portion G50, the discharge is performed. Offset stacking can be performed by appropriately shifting the sheet bundle to be discharged onto the paper tray 21.

<Forward movement control of crank mechanism and gripping part>
Next, FIGS. 14 to 20 show the state of reciprocation by a crank mechanism which will be described later. FIG. 14 shows the operating state of the gripper according to the present invention at the standby position, and FIG. FIG. 16 shows an operation state in which the gripping position is reached, FIG. 16 shows an operation state in which the gripped sheet bundle is discharged to the upper position of the stacking tray 29, and FIG. 17 shows the discharged sheet bundle on the mounting surface of the stacking tray 29. landing the operating state, FIG. 18 is an operation state in which the end portion to release the abutment grip the elevation 21 a of the discharge tray 21 of the sheet bundle, 19 an intermediate operating state during backward movement of the gripper, FIG. 20 sequentially shows the operating state in which the gripping part has returned to the forward path when it moves backward.

  Before explaining the operation, the reciprocating mechanism between the reciprocating rocking lever G81 and the crank mechanism K0 for controlling the forward movement of the gripping portions G11 to G20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the figure, a crank mechanism K0 that converts the rotation of the rotation drive motor M0 into a reciprocating movement has a first gear K1 that rotates following the rotation of the rotation drive motor M0, and an appropriate rotation of the first gear K1. A second gear K2 for adjusting the rotational speed, a crank arm K5 whose one end is rotatably supported by a support shaft provided at a position appropriately separated from the center of rotation of the second gear K2, and the other end is reciprocally moved; A third gear K3 having a support shaft that pivotally supports the other end of the crank arm K5 that reciprocates and half-rotating and reciprocating with the rotation of the second gear K2, and reciprocation of the third gear K3. The rotation is transmitted to the first gears G86 and G96 (see FIG. 6) which are the driving gears of the reciprocating rocking levers G81 and G91 (see FIG. 6) described above.

In addition, since the movement speed of the third gear K3 reciprocally rotated by the crank arm K5 is a crank movement and thus has a function speed similar to a trigonometric function curve, the reciprocation base point initial stage is grasped by the grasping portions G11 to G20. By applying to the operation, the gripping portions G11 to G20 grip slowly so that the bundle of sheets does not collapse, and the gripping portions G11 to G20 that grip the sheet bundle just before reaching the other reciprocating base point are discharged. By applying the lowering operation of the paper tray 21 to the placement surface, the grippers G11 to G20 control the speed so that the sheet bundle is slowly placed on the placement surface of the discharge tray 21 .

That is, the crank mechanism K0 uses the reciprocating swing lever G81 to expand the gripping portions G11 to G20 so as not to hinder the stacking of the sheets behind the stacking position where the regulating means aligns and stacks the sheets in a bundle. A first standby position for waiting, a second gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle aligned and accumulated by the regulating means, and gripping the sheet bundle at the second gripping position and moving it above the placement surface of the discharge tray third and discharge position of the a fourth mounting position for placing the sheet bundle to the discharge tray of the mounting on the surface than the third discharge position, the exhaust from the fourth mounting position After the sheet bundle placed on the paper tray placement surface is brought into contact with the vertical surface of the paper discharge tray and sequentially moved between a fifth grip release position for releasing the grip of the sheet bundle, the first bundle Return to the standby position .

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the relationship between the state speed to each position described above is the first moving average speed V1 from the first standby position P1 to the second gripping position P2, and the second gripping. The second moving average speed V2 from the position P2 to the third discharge position P3, the third moving average speed V3 from the third discharge position P3 to the fourth placement position P4, and the fourth placement When the fourth moving average speed V4 from the position P4 to the fifth grip release position P5 is set, first, the discharged sheet bundle is gently placed so as not to disturb the alignment of the placed sheets on the delivery tray. In order to achieve this, deceleration is started before reaching the third discharge position P3, and the second moving average speed V2 is set to the third moving average speed V3. In addition, the gripping operation is performed before reaching the second moving average speed so as not to cause bundle collapse when gripping the sheet bundle.

  9, the swing shaft G17 of the gripping portions G11 to G20 is in a detached state from the guide portion G40. In this state, the support frame body G80 (see FIG. 6) is shown so as not to rotate clockwise. The structure is supported by a guide surface (not shown) and is guided so as to be easily engageable when engaged with the guide portion G40. Because of this structure, even when the gripping portions G11 to G20 are detached from the guide portion G40 and move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet bundle carrying-out direction, the gripping portions G11 to G20 can move while maintaining the posture.

[Description of control configuration]
The control configuration of the above-described image forming system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “main body control unit”) 50 of the image forming apparatus A and a control unit (hereinafter referred to as “post-processing control unit”) 60 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. Yes. The main body control unit 50 includes an image formation control unit 51, a paper feed control unit 52, and an input unit 53. Then, the “image forming mode” and “post-processing mode” are set from the control panel 18 provided in the input unit 53. As described above, the image forming mode sets the number of printouts, sheet size, color / monochrome printing, enlargement / reduction printing, duplex / single-sided printing, and other image formation conditions. The main body control unit 50 controls the image forming control unit 51 and the paper feed control unit 52 according to the set image forming conditions, and after the image is formed on a predetermined sheet, the sheets are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. .

  At the same time, the post-processing mode is set by input from the control panel 18. The post-processing mode is set to, for example, “print-out mode”, “stapling finishing mode”, “sheet bundle folding finishing mode”, or the like. Therefore, the main body control unit 50 transfers the post-processing finishing mode, the number of sheets, the upper number of copies, and the binding mode (one-point binding or two or more bindings) information to the post-processing control unit 60. At the same time, the main body control unit 50 transfers a job end signal to the post-processing control unit 60 every time image formation is completed.

  The post-processing control unit 60 includes a control CPU 61 that operates the sheet post-processing apparatus B according to a designated finishing mode, a ROM 62 that stores an operation program, and a RAM 63 that stores control data. In the RAM 63, position data of the sheet locking positions Sh1, Sh2, Sh3 of the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is prepared in a data table, for example, in accordance with the size (length in the conveying direction) of the sheet transferred to the sheet processing path P2. ing. The control CPU 61 includes a sheet conveyance control unit 64 a that performs conveyance of the sheet sent to the carry-in entrance 23, a sheet accumulation operation control unit 64 b that performs sheet accumulation operation, and a sheet binding process that performs sheet binding processing. An operation control unit 64c and a sheet folding operation control unit 64d for performing a sheet folding operation are provided.

  The sheet conveyance control unit 64a is connected to the control circuit of the driving motor M1 for the conveyance roller 24 and the discharge roller 25 in the sheet carry-in path P1 and receives a detection signal from the sheet sensor S1 disposed in this path. It is configured as follows. Further, the sheet stacking operation control unit 64b is configured to drive the forward / reverse rotation motor M2 of the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and the discharge motor M3 of the trailing end regulating member 32 in order to stack sheets on the first stacking unit (stacking tray) 29. It is connected to. Further, the sheet binding processing operation control unit 64c is connected to the drive circuit of the drive motor M built in the end-face binding stapling device ST1 of the stacking tray 29 and the saddle stitching stapling device ST2 of the second stacking unit (stacking guide) 35. ing.

  The sheet folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a drive circuit of a roll drive motor M6 that drives and rotates the folding rolls 45a and 45b and a control circuit of the clutch means 45c. The sheet folding operation control unit 64d is connected to a control circuit of a shift unit MS that controls the movement of the conveying rollers 36 and 37 of the sheet entrance path 35a and the sheet leading end regulating unit 38 of the stacking guide 35 to predetermined positions. It is wired so as to receive a detection signal from a sheet sensor arranged in the route.

The control unit configured as described above causes the sheet post-processing apparatus B to execute the next processing operation.
"Printout mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents, for example, from the first page, and sequentially carries out face-down from the main body discharge port 3. Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus B moves the buffer guide 26 of the sheet carry-in path P1 upward in FIG. 3, and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the stacking tray 29 based on the signal detected by the sheet discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. Then, the forward and reverse rollers are rotated clockwise in FIG. Then, the sheet that has entered the stacking tray 29 is carried out toward the first paper discharge tray 21 by the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 and stored on the tray. The successive sheets are sequentially carried out to the first paper discharge tray 21 and accumulated and stored on the tray.

  Accordingly, in this printout mode, the sheets formed with the image by the image forming apparatus A are stored in the first paper discharge tray 21 through the sheet carry-in path P1 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. They are stacked and stored in the order of n pages. In this mode, no sheet is guided to the first switchback transport path SP1 and the second switchback transport path (sheet processing path) SP2.

"Stapling finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image of a series of documents in the order from the first page to the nth page as in the above-described printout mode, and carries out from the main body discharge port 3 in a face-down state. Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus B retracts the buffer guide 26 of the sheet carry-in path P1 to the upper side in FIG. 3 and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, after the expected time that the leading edge of the sheet reaches the forward / reverse roller 30 of the stacking tray 29 based on the signal detected by the sheet discharge port 25a, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a moves the forward / reverse roller 30 from the upper standby position onto the tray. Then, the forward and reverse rollers are rotated clockwise in FIG. Next, the sheet conveyance control unit 64a drives the forward / reverse rotation roller 30 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 3 after the estimated time when the trailing edge of the sheet is carried onto the stacking tray 29. Then, the sheet that has entered from the paper discharge outlet 25a is switched back and conveyed onto the stacking tray 29 along the first switchback conveyance path SP1. By repeating this sheet conveyance, a series of sheets are stacked on the stacking tray 29 in a face-down state.

  Each time the sheets are stacked on the stacking tray 29, the control CPU 61 operates the side alignment plate 34b to align the width direction positions of the stacked sheets. Next, the control CPU 61 operates the end face stapling stapling device ST1 in response to a job end signal from the image forming apparatus A to bind the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray 29. After this stapling operation, the control CPU 61 moves the rear end regulating member 32 that also serves as the bundle carrying-out means from the solid line position in FIG. 3 to the chain line position. Then, the stapled sheet bundle is carried out and stored on the first paper discharge tray 21. As a result, a series of sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A is stapled and stored in the first paper discharge tray 21.

"Sheet fold finish mode"
In this mode, the image forming apparatus A forms an image on a sheet in the order described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the sheet post-processing apparatus B retracts the buffer guide 26 in the sheet carry-in path P1 upward in FIG. 3, and moves the path switching piece 27 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. As a result, the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path P <b> 1 is guided to the paper discharge roller 25. Therefore, the control CPU 61 stops the paper discharge roller 25 at the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the path switching piece 27 with reference to the signal detected by the sheet sensor S1, and at the same time, sets the path switching piece 27 to the position of the broken line in FIG. Moving. Then, the paper discharge roller 25 is reversely rotated (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). Then, the sheet that has entered the sheet carry-in path P1 is reversed in the conveyance direction and is guided from the path switching piece 27 to the sheet entry path 35a. And it guides to the curve guide part 35b with the conveyance rollers 36 and 37 arrange | positioned in this path | route.

  The control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the lowermost position Sh1 at the timing when the sheet is carried into the curved guide portion 35b from the sheet entry path 35a. The control CPU 61 moves the position of the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to an optimum position corresponding to the sheet length from the sheet size information (length in the conveying direction) from the image forming apparatus A and the position data stored in the RAM 63. . Then, the entire sheet is supported by the accumulation guide 35. In this state, the control CPU 61 operates the above-mentioned sheet side edge aligning means 39 to align the sheets (this alignment is not necessary for the first sheet, and is not performed every time the sheet enters. Is also good).

  Next, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to a position Sh3 where the sheet trailing edge enters the switchback entry path 35c described above. As shown in FIG. 12, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet front end regulating means 38 from the position data stored in the RAM 63 to a position Sh3 where the rear end of the sheet enters the switchback entry path 35c. Then, the rear end of the sheet supported by the accumulation guide 35 moves backward to the switchback entry path 35c. In this state, subsequent sheets are fed from the sheet entry path 35a onto the curved guide portion 35b, and the subsequent sheets are stacked on the preceding sheet. Then, the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 is moved from the Sh3 position to the Sh1 position in accordance with the carry-in of the subsequent sheet.

  Next, the control CPU 61 operates the sheet side edge aligning means 39 to align the sheet loaded and the sheet supported on the stacking guide. By repeating such an operation, the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus A is aligned on the curved guide portion 35b through the sheet entrance path 35a.

  Next, when receiving a job end signal, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the position Sh2, and sets the center of the sheet to the binding position X. Then, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to Sh2, and then sends a command signal for executing a stapling operation to the saddle stitching stapling device ST2. Then, the stapling device staples one or a plurality of locations in the center of the sheet.

  In response to the stapling operation completion signal, the control CPU 61 moves the sheet leading edge regulating means 38 to the position Sh1 and positions the sheet center at the folding position Y. Therefore, the sheet bundle is folded, and the sheet bundle is carried out to the second paper discharge tray 22.

  In the present invention, the saddle stitching stapling device ST2 is disposed at the binding position X on the stacking guide 35. However, the sheet processing path is disposed in the order of the stacking guide, the binding position, and the folding position. Further, the stacking guide means, then the stapling device, and the sheet folding means may be arranged on the downstream side thereof. Furthermore, it is also possible to fold the sheet bundle and carry it out to the second paper discharge tray 22 without performing the binding process by the saddle stitching stapling device ST2.

  The present invention collects sheets carried out from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and performs a binding process such as stapling on the accumulated sheet bundle, or a process such as alternately offsetting a sheet bundle every predetermined width. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus to be performed and an image forming system including the sheet post-processing apparatus, and has industrial applicability.

1 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. Detailed explanatory drawing which shows a part of this sheet | seat post-processing apparatus is shown. The detailed explanatory drawing of the sheet folding apparatus in this sheet post-processing apparatus is shown. The principal part perspective view of this sheet post-processing apparatus is shown. It is detailed explanatory drawing which shows the integral structure of the post-processing means and the holding means in this sheet | seat post-processing apparatus. It is detailed explanatory drawing which shows the state which removed the post-processing means. It is detailed explanatory drawing which shows a post-processing means. It is detailed explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the holding part and guide part in this sheet post-processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a detailed explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a guide unit illustrated in FIG. 9. The detailed explanatory view which expanded one side of a guide part is shown. It is detail explanatory drawing which shows one structure of the one-way control guide plate in a guide part. It is detailed explanatory drawing which shows the other structure of the one-way control guide plate in a guide part. The operation | movement explanatory drawing in the 1st standby position of the crank mechanism and the holding part in this sheet post-processing apparatus is shown. The operation | movement explanatory drawing in the 2nd holding position of a crank mechanism and a holding part is shown. The operation | movement explanatory drawing in the 3rd discharge position of a crank mechanism and a holding part is shown. The operation | movement explanatory drawing in the 4th mounting position of a crank mechanism and a holding part is shown. The operation | movement explanatory drawing in the 5th holding | grip release position of a crank mechanism and a holding part is shown. The intermediate operation explanatory view at the time of a return movement of a crank mechanism and a grasping part is shown. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an outward path return operation when the crank mechanism and the gripping part are moved backward. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control configuration of the image forming system. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A: Image forming apparatus B: Sheet post-processing apparatus 21: First paper discharge tray 22: Second paper discharge tray 23: Carriage entrance 24: Conveyance roller 25: Paper discharge roller 29: Stack tray 32: Rear end regulating member (alignment) stopper)
34: Side alignment plate (alignment side plate)
60: Post-processing control unit C: Sheet folding device P1: Sheet carry-in path MS: Shift means SP1: First switchback transport path SP2: Second switchback transport path (sheet processing path)
ST1: End face stitching stapling device ST2: Saddle stitching stapling device G10: Gripper means (gripping means)
G11: Gripper member (gripping part)
G20: Gripper drive arm G40: Guide part G81: Reciprocating rocking lever (crank driven mechanism)

Claims (10)

A sheet post-processing apparatus including a gripping unit that discharges a bundle of sheets stacked on a stacking tray onto a discharge tray,
The gripping means is
A gripping part for gripping the sheet bundle;
A guide portion that is provided on the stacking tray and guides the grip portion so as to reciprocate in the discharge direction;
A crank mechanism that reciprocates by engaging the grip portion with a guide path provided in the guide portion,
The gripping part is
A standby position that does not interfere with sheet stacking on the stacking tray;
A gripping position for gripping a bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking tray;
A discharge position on the paper discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle;
A placement position that is lowered to the paper discharge tray surface side from the discharge position;
A grip release position provided in a direction in which the grip portion moves backward from the placement position;
The sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized by sequentially moving each position. A stacking tray provided with a regulating means for aligning the sequentially conveyed sheets;
And a gripping means for discharging the sheet discharge tray by gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray,
The gripping means is
A gripping part for gripping the sheet bundle;
A guide portion that is provided on the stacking tray and guides the grip portion so as to reciprocate in the discharge direction;
A crank mechanism that reciprocates by engaging the grip portion with a guide path provided in the guide portion,
The gripping part is
A standby position where the opening waits at a position including the opening of the regulating means without interfering with alignment and stacking of the sheets on the collecting tray by the regulating means;
A gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray by the restricting means;
A discharge position on the paper discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle;
A stacking position of the sheet bundle that has been lowered to the discharge tray surface side from the discharge position;
A grip release position for releasing the grip by bringing the sheet bundle into contact with a vertical surface that defines a paper discharge position of the paper discharge tray in a direction in which the grip portion moves backward from the placement position;
The sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized by sequentially moving each position. A stacking tray provided with a regulating means for aligning the sequentially conveyed sheets;
A post-processing unit that is supported so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet along the stacking tray, and performs post-processing such as binding processing on the sheet bundle on the stacking tray;
And gripping means for discharging the sheet discharge tray by gripping the sheet bundle in which the post-processing has been performed,
With
The gripping means is
A gripping part for gripping the sheet bundle;
A guide portion that is provided on the stacking tray and guides the grip portion so as to reciprocate in the discharge direction;
A crank mechanism that reciprocates by engaging the grip portion with a guide path provided in the guide portion,
The gripping part is
A standby position where the opening waits at a position including the opening of the regulating means without interfering with alignment and stacking of the sheets on the collecting tray by the regulating means;
A gripping position for gripping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray by the restricting means;
A discharge position on the paper discharge tray for discharging the sheet bundle;
A stacking position of the sheet bundle that has been lowered to the discharge tray surface side from the discharge position;
A grip release position for releasing the grip by bringing the sheet bundle into contact with a vertical surface that defines a paper discharge position of the paper discharge tray in a direction in which the grip portion moves backward from the placement position;
The sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized by sequentially moving each position. The restricting means aligns the sheets stacked on the stacking tray, and forms a front opening capable of receiving a predetermined number of sheets.
The gripping means is disposed so as to be able to grip the sheet bundle at the stacking position of the sheet bundle stacked by the regulating means, and is substantially orthogonal to the discharge direction of the sheet bundle on the discharge tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is supported so as to be reciprocally movable.   4. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gripping unit is integrally supported by a support body that supports the post-processing unit. The post-processing means, according to stapling device, according to claim 3 comprising at least one among one of the punch and wherein the performing processing of one of stapling processing or punching processing on the sheet bundle Sheet post-processing device. The gripping means has a guide portion disposed on the stacking tray so as to reciprocate the gripping portion back and forth in the sheet bundle discharging direction,
5. The gripping part according to claim 1, wherein the grip part is supported so as to be detached from the guide part in an expanded state and movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The sheet post-processing apparatus as described. The guide portions are disposed at a plurality of locations on the stacking tray,
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the grip portion is guided by any of a plurality of guide portions installed at the plurality of locations, and discharges the sheet bundle to the sheet discharge tray. The gripping unit has a moving average speed from the gripping position to the discharge position due to the swinging motion of the crank mechanism, from a moving average speed of the gripping part from the discharge position to the placement position. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is controlled so as to be low speed . An image forming apparatus for sending an image-formed sheet;
A sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
An image forming system.

Images