JP4938487B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620 includes a binding processing unit (post-processing unit) that performs a binding process (post-processing) on a transfer material that has undergone image formation, and performs the binding process when the binding process is impossible. In addition, a technique is disclosed in which the transfer material is directly discharged to a discharge tray outside the apparatus.

JP 11-189365 A

  However, when a color image such as a photographic image is formed on the transfer material, the frictional force between the transfer materials is reduced, and the transfer materials are easily slipped. When the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray, there is a problem in that the transfer material is scattered at the time of discharge, resulting in a conveyance failure such as clogging of the transfer material.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can easily remove a transfer material that is not subjected to post-processing by a post-processing unit without causing a conveyance failure.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a transfer material, and a post-processing means for performing post-processing on a transfer material after image formation, the post means Counting means for counting the number of transfer materials loaded on the sheet and detecting whether or not the number exceeds a predetermined number, or over-thickness detection means for detecting whether or not the thickness of the transferred transfer material exceeds a predetermined thickness when, a conveying means for conveying the transfer material, when the count number obtained by the number of stacked sheets counting means is place Gomata exceeding a predetermined number of sheets is detected that the thickness over detecting means exceeds a predetermined thickness , if there are remaining transfer material in the conveyance path stops the image forming operation is an imaging system for conveying the transfer material was Tsu remaining until the post-processing unit, obtained by the number of stacked sheets counting means A display unit that displays that the transfer material remaining in the post-processing unit is to be removed when the counted number exceeds the predetermined number or when the over-thickness detecting unit detects that the predetermined thickness has been exceeded An operation panel, transfer material detecting means for determining whether or not the transfer material in the post-processing means has been removed, and standby job canceling means for canceling a waiting job, and counting the number of stacked sheets A transfer material in the post-processing means by the transfer material detection means when the count number obtained by the means exceeds a predetermined number or when the over-thickness detection means detects that the predetermined thickness is exceeded. If it is detected that the job is removed, the waiting job is canceled .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect , the predetermined number of sheets detected by the stacked number counting unit and the predetermined thickness detected by the over-thickness detecting unit can be changed. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, when the transfer material stacked on the post-processing means exceeds a predetermined number or a predetermined thickness, the image forming operation is stopped, and the transfer material remains in the conveyance path. Since the remaining transfer material is transported to the post-processing unit, the transfer material transported to the post-processing unit is discharged from the post-processing unit, so that no transfer failure occurs for the transfer material that is not subjected to post-processing. Can be easily removed.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the staple processing tray viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying surface, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the image forming system according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the binding processing is not performed, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are sheets in the staple processing tray. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing until the bundle is discharged to the shift tray, and FIGS. 9 to 12 are plan views showing display on the display unit of the operation panel.

  The paper post-processing device PD is attached to the side of the image forming apparatus PR, and the paper (transfer material) discharged from the image forming apparatus PR is guided to the paper post-processing device PD. The paper passes through the conveyance path A having the punch unit 100 that performs punching processing on a single sheet, the conveyance path B that leads to the upper tray 201, the conveyance path C that leads to the shift tray 202, the stapling process that performs alignment, stapling, and the like. The paper is distributed to the conveyance path D leading to the tray F by the branching claws 15 and the branching claws 16, respectively.

  The sheet guided to the staple processing tray F through the transport paths A and D, and aligned and stapled by the staple processing tray F is guided to the shift tray 202 by the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 which are deflecting means. The sheet is distributed to the conveyance path C, a processing tray G that performs folding or the like (hereinafter also referred to as a middle folding processing tray). Further, the sheet that is folded in the middle folding processing tray G is guided to the lower tray 203 through the conveyance path H. Further, a branching claw 17 is disposed in the conveyance path D, and after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through it, the sheet is conveyed by reversing at least the conveyance roller 9 among the conveyance rollers 9 and 10 and the staple paper discharge roller 11. The rear end is guided to the paper storage unit E so that the paper stays and can be transported while being overlapped with the next paper. By repeating this operation, two or more sheets can be stacked and conveyed.

  In the conveyance path A, an inlet sensor 301 that detects a sheet received from the image forming apparatus, and an inlet roller 1, a punch unit 100, a hopper 101, a conveyance roller 2, a branching claw 15, and a branching claw 16 are sequentially arranged downstream thereof. . When the solenoid is turned on, the branching claw 15 is rotated upward and the branching claw 16 is rotated downward, so that the paper is distributed to the conveyance path B, the conveyance path C, and the conveyance path D.

  When the sheet is guided to the conveyance path B, the branching claw 15 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 and the solenoid is OFF. When the sheet is guided to the conveyance path C, the branching claw 15 is turned upward by turning on the solenoid. When the sheet is guided to the conveyance path D, the branch claw 16 is turned upward by turning off the solenoid and the branch claw 15 is turned on by turning on the solenoid.

In this paper post-processing apparatus, punching (punching unit 100), paper alignment + edge binding (jogger fence 53, edge binding stapler S1), paper alignment + saddle stitching (jogger fence 53, saddle stitching stapler) is performed on the paper. S2), paper sorting (shift tray 202),
Each process such as the middle folding (folding plate 74, folding roller 81) can be performed.

  The image forming apparatus PR performs optical writing on an image forming medium such as a photoconductive drum based on input image data to form a latent image on the surface of the photoconductive drum, and develops the formed latent image with toner to form paper. The paper is then transferred to a paper post-processing apparatus.

  Next, the configuration of the processing tray F that performs sheet alignment and stapling will be described. The sheets guided to the processing tray F by the staple paper discharge roller 11 are sequentially stacked. In this case, vertical alignment (paper conveyance direction) is performed with the tapping roller 12 for each sheet, and horizontal alignment (paper width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction) is performed with the jogger fence 53. The end-face stitching stapler S1 is driven by a staple signal from the control unit between the end of the job, that is, from the last sheet of the sheet bundle to the first sheet of the next sheet bundle, and the binding process (post-processing) is performed. The sheet bundle subjected to the binding process is immediately sent to the shift paper discharge roller 6 by the discharge belt 52 having the discharge claw 52a, and is discharged to the shift tray 202 set at the receiving position. In the figure, reference numeral 64a denotes a front side plate, 64b denotes a rear side plate, and reference numeral 310 denotes a paper presence / absence sensor that detects the presence / absence of paper on the staple processing tray F.

  Next, a paper discharge mechanism will be described. The discharge claw 52 a is configured such that its home position is detected by a discharge belt HP sensor 311, and this discharge belt HP sensor 311 is turned on / off by a discharge claw 52 a provided on the discharge belt 52. Two discharge claws 52a are arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the discharge belt 52, and the sheet bundle stored in the staple processing tray F is moved and conveyed alternately. Further, if necessary, the discharge belt 52 is reversely rotated, and the sheet bundle accommodated in the staple processing tray F is placed on the back surface of the discharge claw 52a opposite to the discharge claw 52a waiting to move the sheet bundle. You may align the front-end | tip of a conveyance direction.

  On the drive shaft of the discharge belt 52 driven by the discharge motor 157, the discharge belt 52 and its drive pulley 62 are arranged at the alignment center in the paper width direction, and the discharge roller 56 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the drive pulley 62. It is fixed. Further, the peripheral speed of the discharge roller 56 is higher than the peripheral speed of the discharge belt 52.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main body control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus PR includes an image forming unit 22 for forming an image on a sheet, a display unit 23 for displaying that the number of sheets exceeds the processing capacity, and a sheet. The number of times of transfer to the transfer count counting means 24, the job search means 25 for searching whether there is an executable job in standby, and the binding processing means (post-processing) by the transfer material detection means in the post-processing apparatus. A waiting job canceling means 26 is connected to cancel the waiting job when it is detected that the sheet in the processing means) has been removed.

  The post-processing device control unit 31 includes a binding processing unit (stipple processing tray) F that performs binding processing on paper, and a stacking number counting unit (entrance) that counts the number of sheets stacked on the staple processing tray F. Sensor) 301, discharge control means 32 for controlling discharge of sheets in the staple processing tray F onto the shift tray 202, transfer material detection means (stipple discharge) for determining whether or not the sheets in the staple processing tray F are removed. A paper sensor 305, a transport unit (entrance roller 1, each of the transport rollers 2, 7, 9, 10, and a staple discharge roller 11) that transports the paper transported into the post-processing apparatus PR toward the staple processing tray F. ) Is connected.

  The staple processing tray F can stack a plurality of sheets, and after the binding process is performed up to a sheet within a range not exceeding the binding processing capacity, the sheet bundle is discharged to the shift tray 202 which is an external tray. On the other hand, when the binding processing capacity is exceeded, processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed. That is, when a sheet exceeding the binding processing capacity is conveyed to the staple processing tray F, the number of sheets conveyed to the staple processing tray F and the number of times of transfer (the number of sheets copied on both sides and the sheet copied on one side) It is confirmed whether the apparatus can determine the number of sheets (steps S11 and S12).

  If it is possible to determine the number of sheets conveyed to the staple processing tray F and the number of transfers, it is determined in the next step S13 whether the number of sheets conveyed and the number of transfers are equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If it is determined in step S13 that the number of conveyed sheets and the number of transfers are within a predetermined number, automatic sheet discharge from a stapling tray T described later is performed (step S14). At this time, the predetermined number of sheets conveyed and the number of times of transfer (that is, the number of sheets copied on one side and the number of sheets copied on both sides) can be changed by the operation unit of the main body.

  If it is determined that the number of sheets conveyed and the number of times of transfer are not within a predetermined number of times, or if the number of sheets conveyed to the staple processing tray F and the number of times of transfer cannot be determined, a new While prohibiting the image forming operation, it waits for the paper remaining in the system (image forming apparatus + post-processing apparatus) to be conveyed to the staple processing tray F (steps S15 to S17). For example, when double-sided copying is set and a sheet on which single-sided copying has been completed is in the image forming apparatus, the sheet is conveyed directly to the staple processing tray F without performing copying on the other side.

  When all the sheets in the system are stacked on the staple processing tray F, the number of sheets to be bound is displayed on the operation unit 91 (see FIG. 9) of the image forming apparatus PR, the screen of the personal computer that performed the output, or the display unit 23 of the image forming main body. A display notifying that the processing capacity has been exceeded is displayed and, as shown in FIG. 9, a display for removing the paper in the staple processing tray F is performed (step S18). At this time, since it may take time until the paper in the staple processing tray F is removed, it is determined whether or not the next job on standby can be output (step S19). If the job can be output, the output is output. This is performed first (steps S24 and S25). During the output of this job, the paper in the staple processing tray F is removed.

  After the paper in the staple processing tray F is removed, a display for determining whether to cancel the job currently being output is displayed on the display unit (step S20). A display for determining whether to cancel the job is displayed, and it is selected whether to cancel the job or to continue the job as it is (steps S22 and S23).

  Next, an operation of automatically discharging the sheets stacked in the processing tray F and not subjected to the binding process to the shift tray 202 will be described. As shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 6 to 8, when the paper in the processing tray F is automatically discharged, each roller (entrance roller 1, each transport roller 2, 7, 9, 10, The paper discharge rollers 11 and 12) are rotated (step S31). Then, the branching claw 15 rotates upward by turning on the solenoid (step S32). Next, after the end face binding stapler S1 detects the home position, it moves to the binding position (step S33). Similarly, after the discharge belt 52 and the jogger fence 53 detect the home position, they move to the standby position (steps S34 and S35). Further, the branch guide plate 54 and the movable guide 55 are moved to the home position (position where the sheet bundle is conveyed to the shift tray 202) (step S36). In subsequent step S37, the destination information is acquired.

Then, when the sheet passes through the entrance sensor 301, information on the number of sheets and the sheet size that pass through is acquired (steps S38 to S40). Next, when the paper passes through the staple paper discharge sensor 305 (the shift paper discharge sensor 303 is OFF), the paper discharge speed is determined based on the number of papers that passed the sensor, the paper size, and the destination information (steps S41 to S43). ). When the sheet is conveyed by a certain distance, the conveyance speed is reduced and the sheet is guided into the processing tray (steps S44 and S45). Next, the hitting roller 12 hits the fulcrum 12 a as a center and is given a pendulum motion by a SOL (solenoid) 170, acting on the paper fed to the staple processing tray F and hitting the paper against the rear end fence 51.

  Next, the jogger fence 53 is driven via the timing belt by the jogger motor 158, and reciprocates in the paper width direction (steps S46 and S47). If the paper is the final paper of the set, the process proceeds to the next step S49. If the paper is not the final paper of the set, the steps are repeated from step S38.

  In step S49, the jogger fence 53 moves inward by a predetermined amount from the standby position to align both ends of the sheet bundle. Subsequently, the shift tray 202 is lowered by a predetermined amount, and the rotation of the shift paper discharge roller 6 is also started (Steps S50 and S51). Then, the discharge belt 52 rotates by a predetermined amount and the sheet bundle loaded in the processing tray F is discharged to the shift tray 202.

  When the sheet bundle passes through the shift discharge sensor 303 and is discharged to the shift tray 202, the discharge belt 52 moves from the discharge position to the standby position, and the jogger fence 53 also returns to the standby position (steps S53 to S56). Then, after a predetermined time elapses after the sheet bundle passes through the shift sheet discharge sensor 303, the rotation of the shift sheet discharge roller 6 stops and the shift tray 202 moves up to the sheet receiving position (steps S57 and S58). In the next step S59, the count value of the number of sheets is deleted. In the subsequent step S60, if the discharged sheet bundle is not the final part of the job, the process returns to step S38 and the operations after S38 are repeated. On the other hand, if the discharged sheet bundle is the final part, the process proceeds to the next step S61, where the end-face stitching stapler S1, the discharge belt 52, and the jogger fence 53 move to the home position, and each roller (entrance roller 1, each roller in the apparatus). The rotation of the transport rollers 2, 7, 9, 10 and the staple discharge rollers 11, 12 is also stopped (step S64). Then, the branching claw 15 rotates downward by turning off the solenoid (step S65).

  According to the present embodiment, when the number of sheets stacked on the staple processing tray F exceeds a predetermined value, the image forming operation is stopped and the user collects the sheets in the apparatus on the staple processing tray F and allows the user to It can be removed. Therefore, the sheet that is not subjected to the binding process is not discharged as it is, and the occurrence of conveyance failure can be prevented.

  When the number of sheets stacked on the staple processing tray F exceeds a predetermined value, not only an instruction to remove the sheets stacked on the staple processing tray F but also a subsequent job can be canceled. When a plurality of processes are set, it is possible to prevent the remaining jobs from being executed and stacked on the staple processing tray F. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the operation of removing the sheet bundle for each job, which is convenient.

  It is determined whether the next job waiting can be output before the paper in the staple processing tray F is removed, and if the job can be output, the output is performed first. Even if it takes time to remove the sheet, it is not necessary to wait for the next job until the sheet is removed, and the time can be shortened.

  When it is necessary to perform a discharge operation without performing the binding process, it is automatically determined whether or not the sheet can be discharged to the shift tray 202 based on the information on the number of sheets and the number of times of copying. When the number of sheets in F is small, the sheet is automatically discharged out of the apparatus, so that the user can remove the sheet. In this case, the setting of the number of sheets and the number of times of copying, which are criteria for determining whether or not the sheets can be automatically discharged to the shift tray 202, can be changed, so that the user can freely change the settings according to the use environment. Can do.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In this modification, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 10, “Perform binding processing” and “Do not perform binding processing” are displayed on the display unit 23 of the operation unit (operation panel) in step S 20. When a person touches any of them with a finger, the processing is executed.

  If “Do not bind” is selected (if touched with a finger), “Do you want to change the job to a copy?” Is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, and if “Yes” is selected, Then, as shown in FIG. 12, various copy forms are displayed, and when the copy form is selected and the screen is touched with a finger, the selected process is executed. In FIG. 11, when “No” is selected, the binding process is performed. Note that “aggregated copy” in FIG. 12 refers to, for example, forming a copy image of a plurality of originals such as two or four on one side of a transfer material.

  In this modified example, the display unit of the operation panel displays a message indicating that the transfer member is to be removed (see FIG. 9) and a message indicating whether or not to perform the binding process (see FIG. 10). When the job (binding process) is finished and changed, various copy modes can be selected and the operation can be continued. In particular, since double-sided copying and consolidated copying can be selected, the degree of freedom of selection according to the operator's specifications is high.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment described below, parts having the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Now, differences mainly from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, whether or not the thickness of the transfer material stacked on the binding processing means F exceeds a predetermined thickness is detected. Processing and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the control block of the image forming system according to the present embodiment is loaded on the binding processing means F instead of the stacked number counting means 301 (see FIG. 4) of the first embodiment. Further, an over-thickness detecting means 93 for detecting an over-thickness of the transfer material is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the over-thickness detecting means 93 includes a photosensor 97 and a shielding member 99. The shielding member 99 is fixed to the drive shaft 95 of the tapping roller 12 as shown in FIG. The shielding member 99 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the drive shaft 95. The shielding member 99 is formed with a cut portion (light transmission portion) 98 in a predetermined region, and shields the photo sensor 97 if the rotation angle of the shielding member 99 is large (FIG. 16B). Each time the tapping roller 12 is driven, the photo sensor 97 does not transmit a detection signal when it is shielded by the shielding member 99 (FIG. 16B), but when the tapping roller 12 is driven, there is no shielding by the shielding member 99 (FIG. 16). 16 (c)) and over-thickness are detected, and an over-thickness detection signal is issued. FIG. 16A shows the positional relationship between the photosensor 97 and the shielding member 99 when the hitting roller 12 is in the initial position.

  When the control unit receives the over-thickness detection signal, as shown in FIG. 14, in the processing flow, it is determined that the thickness is over in step S96, and in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 5), the following step S15 is performed. Then, the same steps as in the first embodiment 1 are performed.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. However, particularly when one transfer material is thicker or thinner than usual, only the number of transfer materials is obtained. Since it is not possible to determine whether or not the binding process is over, it is possible to determine whether or not the binding process is possible according to the type of transfer material (thickness is different).

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. In the above-described embodiment, the determination as to whether or not to automatically discharge the paper from the staple processing tray F is made based on the number of conveyed sheets and the number of times of transfer. Whether the color mode or the black-and-white mode is used may be included in the determination criteria.
In the above-described embodiment, the binding process is described as an example of the post-processing on the sheet (transfer material) after the image formation. Other processes may be used.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a staple processing tray as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance surface. It is a perspective view which shows a staple processing tray and its drive mechanism. 1 is a control block diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a process when not performing a binding process. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing until a sheet bundle in a staple processing tray is discharged to a shift tray (processing from the start of rotation of each roller until immediately before the sheet is conveyed to the staple processing tray). 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing until a bundle of sheets in a staple processing tray is discharged to a shift tray (processing from when a sheet is conveyed to a staple processing tray until it is discharged to a shift tray). 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing until a sheet bundle in a staple processing tray is discharged to the shift tray (processing until rotation of each roller is stopped after the sheet bundle is discharged to the shift tray). 4 is a plan view showing display on a display unit provided on an operation panel of the image forming main body. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing display on a display unit provided on an operation panel of the image forming main body. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing display on a display unit provided on an operation panel of the image forming main body. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing display on a display unit provided on an operation panel of the image forming main body. FIG. FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows a process when not performing a binding process. In 2nd Embodiment, it is sectional drawing which extracts and shows the hitting roller and its peripheral part of a staple processing tray. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a front view which shows the relationship between the photo sensor which detects the thickness over of a transfer material, and a shielding member, (a) is when a hit roller is in an initial position, (b) is loaded When the thickness of the transfer material does not exceed the predetermined value, (c) is the case where the thickness of the stacked transfer material exceeds the predetermined knowledge.

Explanation of symbols

22 Image forming means 23 Display means 24 Transfer count counting means 25 Job search means 26 Standby job release means 32 Discharge control means 91 Operation unit (operation panel)
93 Over-thickness detection means 301 Stacked sheet count means 305 Transfer material detection means F Binding processing means (post-processing means)
PD paper post-processing device PR image forming device

Claims (2)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a transfer material, and a post-processing means for performing post-processing on a transfer material after image formation, Taka not exceed a predetermined number by counting the number of the transfer material to be stacked on the post-processing unit A stacking number counting means for detecting whether or not the thickness of the stacked transfer material exceeds a predetermined thickness, and a transporting means for transporting the transfer material. by when the count number obtained is the place Gomata exceeding a predetermined number of sheets is detected that the thickness over detecting means exceeds a predetermined thickness, the transfer material is left in the conveying path to stop the image forming operation If it is in an image forming system for conveying the transfer material was Tsu remaining until the post means,
When the counted number obtained by the stacked number counting means exceeds a predetermined number or when the thickness over detecting means detects that the predetermined thickness is exceeded, the transfer material remaining in the post-processing means is removed. An operation panel having a display unit for displaying the effect, a transfer material detecting unit for determining whether or not the transfer material in the post-processing unit has been removed, and a standby job canceling unit for canceling a waiting job. And the case where the counted number obtained by the stacked number counting means exceeds a predetermined number, or the case where the thickness over detecting means detects that the predetermined thickness is exceeded, and the transfer material detecting means An image forming system, wherein a waiting job is canceled when it is detected that the transfer material in the post-processing means has been removed . The image forming system according to claim 1.
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of sheets detected by the stacked number counting unit and the predetermined thickness detected by the over-thickness detecting unit can be changed .

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