JP4939333B2 - Paper transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus in an image forming apparatus or a sheet post-processing apparatus connected downstream thereof.

  Conventionally, the main paper transport path, at least three sub-paper transport paths branched from the main paper transport path, and a branch section between the main paper transport path and the sub-paper transport path are provided, and the transported paper is transferred to any sub-paper. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a paper transport device having at least two swingable branch claws including a main branch pawl that can be switched to be guided to a paper transport path, and swinging means that swings the main branch pawl. For example, a straight path for receiving a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer and discharging the sheet as it is, a proof path for applying a predetermined proof, and a staple for performing an end binding process using a stapler. Some of them are selectively branched to a route to perform various sheet post-processing. In this case, a branching claw for switching the paper path is provided at the branching portion of the conveyance path so as to be able to swing. By switching, the paper is sent to the straight path, sent to the proof path, or sent to the staple path. To do.

Conventionally, in Patent Document 1, when switching one branch claw, it is swung using a solenoid, and at that time, the switched branch claw maintains its position without continuing the solenoid suction state. As described above, a technique is known in which a so-called knock mechanism is attached to a branching claw so that the position of the branching claw can be fixed even if the solenoid releases the suction.
JP 2004-131253 A

  However, when switching the transport path, the branching claws are swung. However, when there are a wide variety of branching claws, a large number of claws are required at the branching position, and a swinging means for swinging the branching claws is provided for each branch. Necessary for each nail. For example, when an electrical component such as a solenoid is used as the swinging means, not only the cost is increased, but also the branch claw unit is increased in size.

  Particularly in recent years, various processes such as punching, binding, sorting, and Z-folding have been performed on paper copied by a copying machine. Therefore, the paper post-processing apparatus that receives and processes the paper conveyed from the copying machine has a machine configuration equipped with each processing unit, and the paper conveyance path is a multi-branch path. Thus, there is a demand for a technique for increasing the cost of means for driving each of the plurality of branch claws and improving the size of the branch claw unit.

  The present invention is to reduce the number of swinging means for swinging a plurality of branch claws when the branch path has a wide range of three or more, thereby reducing the cost and reducing the size of the branch pawl unit.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The present invention is provided in a main paper transport path, at least three sub transport paths branched from the main paper transport path, and a branch portion between the main paper transport path and the sub transport path, and arbitrarily transported paper. A paper transport device having at least two swingable branch claws including a main branch pawl, and swinging means for swinging the main branch claws, which are switched so as to be guided to the sub-transport path.
When the main branching claw connected with the swinging means swings, the swinging main branching claw comes into contact with the other branching claw, and the other branching claw has the main branching claw in contact with the main branching claw. A knock mechanism is provided to switch between a state in which the position of the other branching claw is held and a state in which the holding is released each time the branching claw is pushed and swung, and the other branching claw is connected to the main branching claw. Urging means for urging to the side approaching is provided, the other branching claw is held in position by the knock mechanism, and the position holding is released by the knock mechanism and the urging means The fixed position of the other branching claw is switched according to the number of swings of the main branching claw by a combination with the state of moving in conjunction with the main branching claw.

  In this way, the fixed position of the plurality of branching claws can be determined by one swinging means, so that it is possible to provide an inexpensive and small branching claw unit and consequently a sheet transport device.

  As the swinging means, a solenoid can be used. According to the solenoid, the fixed positions of the plurality of branch claws can be determined by a simple operation of suction and release. Also, a stepping motor can be used as the swinging means. According to the stepping motor, it is possible to speed up the switching operation to increase the speed of paper conveyance, and to reduce or increase the speed during the swinging process. For example, the efficiency and accuracy of the swinging operation can be increased.

  Further, a silencer member can be disposed at a contact portion between the main branch claw and the other branch claw to which the swinging means is connected. In this way, since the collision sound between the branching claws is reduced, it is possible to provide a quieter and higher quality paper transport apparatus.

  Further, the stepping motor can be provided with a swing control means for slowing the swing operation when the main branch claw to which the swing means is connected contacts the other branch claw. In this way, by controlling the speed of the branch claw swinging operation, it is possible to reduce the collision noise between the branch claws without necessarily providing the above-mentioned silencer member.

  Further, a mechanism for stopping the swinging operation at a position where the main branching claw to which the swinging means is connected does not come into contact with the other branching claw can be provided by controlling the driving of the stepping motor. Therefore, the position of the branching claw can be controlled, and an extra operation at the time of branch switching can be omitted or contact noise can be avoided, so that the paper conveyance can be speeded up and quieted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to some examples shown in the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, a paper transport device 200 is connected to the discharge side of an image forming apparatus 100 such as a copier or a printer. The paper transport device 200 refers to a transport mechanism in the paper post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the paper sent from the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, various processing units are attached to the paper transport apparatus 200. A punch unit 201 is installed on the main sheet conveyance path A of the sheet receiving unit, and sub conveyance paths are provided in three directions downstream thereof. The three-direction sub-transport paths B, C, and D are divided into directions for performing “proof”, “straight”, and “staple” processing. Of these, the sub-transport path B is connected to the proof tray 1 and has a predetermined proof. The processed paper is stacked on the proof tray 1. The sub-transport path C is a transport path for discharging the paper straight and stacking it on the shift tray 2. As is well known, the shift tray 2 moves up and down according to the sheet stacking amount, and shifts a predetermined amount to the left and right when sorting sheets. The sub-conveying path D is a path for performing a stapling process and the like, and a sheet bundle in which end portions of a plurality of sheets are bound with a binding needle is discharged to the shift tray 2.

  Prior to stapling, this sub-transport path D has a pre-stack tray 4 that stores a predetermined number of sheets, and a pre-stack branch claw 303 that switches between a path that leads the sheets to the pre-stack tray 4 and a path that flows downstream. Is provided. Further, an end binding stapler 202 is provided further downstream, and one or more stapling processes are performed on a bundle of sheets stacked on the prestack tray 4, and the stapling process is performed as described above. A sheet bundle is discharged to the shift tray 2.

  In this example, a saddle stitching stapler 203 is provided further downstream of the auxiliary conveyance path D having the end binding stapler 202, and a plurality of sheets can be bound at, for example, the central portion of the sheet. Further, further downstream of the saddle stitching stapler 203, a conveying path E different from the path discharged to the shift tray 2 is provided, and a folding plate 204 and a folding roller 205 are provided on the conveying path E. The saddle-stitched sheet bundle can be folded into two, for example, at the center thereof, and the saddle-stitched and folded sheet bundle is discharged to the saddle-stitching tray 3.

  A proof branch claw 101 and a staple branch claw 102 are provided at a branch portion between the main paper transport path A and the sub transport paths B, C, and D. The proof branching claw 101 is a branching claw that is switched so as to guide the paper sent from the main paper transport path A to, for example, the proof tray 1 side, and the staple branching claw 102 is a paper sent from the main paper transport path A. For example, a branch claw that is switched to lead to the sub-transport path D for stapling. The proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 also perform switching to discharge the paper sent from the main paper transport path A straight to the sub transport path C. The proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw Depending on the combination of the positions 102, the sheet sent from the main sheet conveyance path A is distributed to any one of the sub conveyance paths B, C, and D. FIG. 3 shows the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 in an enlarged manner.

  In FIG. 3, the paper is fed by the transport rollers 10 and 11 in the direction of the arrow shown at the right end. The paper distributed to the sub-transport path B is transported by the transport rollers 12 and 13 and reaches the proof tray 1. In addition, the paper distributed to the sub-transport path C is guided to the shift tray 2 by the transport rollers 14 and 15. In addition, the paper distributed to the sub-transport path D of the staple process is sent to the downstream side by a plurality of transport rollers including the transport roller 16. The transport rollers 13 and 15 function as discharge (discharge) rollers.

  The proof branching claw 101 can be switched between proof conveyance and straight conveyance, and the staple branching claw 102 is swingable so as to be able to switch between straight conveyance and staple conveyance. 4 to 6 show specific forms of the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102. FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the proof branching claw 101 includes a band plate-shaped main body 20, and the cross section of the main body 20 is formed so as to become narrower from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. Proof branching claw shafts 21 and 21 are provided at the part. On one proof branch claw shaft 21, a lever 22 and a lever 23 are fixed in a direction perpendicular to the shaft, and a tension spring 104 as an elastic member is connected to the lever 22, and the other end of the tension spring 104 is a device. Fixed to the frame, the proof branching claw 101 is urged counterclockwise in the figure. The lever 23 is connected to an output shaft 103a of a solenoid 103 as a swinging means directly or via a predetermined tension spring 103b. Further, a protrusion 107 is formed at one end of the main body 20 of the proof branch claw 101 so as to protrude to one side of the proof branch claw 101 in the swinging direction (clockwise in this case). If the non-operating state (non-suction state) of the solenoid 103 is set to the initial position of the proof branch claw 101, the above-described tension spring 104 urges the proof branch claw 101 toward the initial position. The lever 23 is rotated against the elastic force of the tension spring 104, and the proof branch claw 101 is swung clockwise in the figure.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the staple branch claw 102 includes a band-plate-shaped main body 30 having substantially the same shape and size as the proof branch claw 101, and staple branch claw shafts 31 are provided at both ends of the main body 30. , 31 are formed. One staple branching claw shaft 31 is provided with a tension spring 105 as an elastic member on a lever 32 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the other end of the tension spring 105 is fixed to the apparatus frame. Due to the elastic force of the tension spring 105, the staple branching claw 102 is urged counterclockwise in the drawing. If the position at which the staple branch claw 102 overlaps (contacts) with the proof branch claw 101 at the initial position is the initial position of the staple branch claw 102, the tension spring 105 biases the staple branch claw 102 to the initial position. It can be said that it is an elastic member. The staple branching claw 102 swings (turns) about the staple branching claw shafts 31 and 31 as a fulcrum. One end of the main body 30 has one side in the swinging direction (in this example, a clock). The knock mechanism 106 is provided so as to protrude in the direction).

  The knock mechanism 106 and the protrusion 107 of the proof branching claw 101 are set so as to protrude in the same direction, and the formation positions thereof also correspond to each other. Further, a switch 108 for detecting the swinging end of the staple branching claw 102 (in this case, the clockwise swinging end in the figure) is provided in the vicinity of the staple branching claw 102 so as to be fixed on the apparatus frame (apparatus body) side. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the proof branch claw shafts 21 and 21 and the staple branch claw shafts 31 and 31 are provided adjacent to each other in parallel. As a result, the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 are The projections 107 of the proof branching claws 101 can be brought into contact with (contact with) one surface of the main body 30 of the staple branching claws 102. If both the proof branching claw 101 and the staple branching claw 102 are at the above-described initial position, both the branching claws are brought into contact with the projection portion 107 of the proof branching claw 101 in contact with one surface of the main body 30 of the staple branching claw 102. The initial positions of 101 and 102 are simultaneously defined via the protrusion 107.

  The knock mechanism 106 is a well-known one. In short, each time the staple branch claw 102 is pushed by the proof branch claw 101 and swings, the staple branch claw 102 is held in a predetermined fixed position, and the fixed state is determined. It switches to the state to cancel. Although not described in detail because it is a well-known one, as shown in FIG. 7A, the knock mechanism 106 is formed so as to protrude along the swinging direction of the staple branching claw 102, and the staple branching is formed inside thereof. A guide groove 40 that circulates so as to extend long in the swinging direction of the claw 102 is formed, and a predetermined follower, for example, a pin (or ball) 41 is attached to the guide groove 40, and the pin 41 is inserted into the guide groove 40. It moves around in only one direction along.

  Further, a concave portion 42 is formed in one end portion of the guide groove 40 so as to be recessed in the groove direction, and this is a positioning portion for positioning and locking the pin 41, and the guide groove on the opposite side thereof Forty portions are the moving end region of the pin 41 or the other positioning portion. The pin 41 is provided at the free end of the arm 43, and the arm 43 is supported so as to be swingable around a fixed shaft 45 on the apparatus main body side. Although not shown in detail, based on the shape of the bottom surface of the guide groove 40 and the mechanism for urging the arm 43, as is well known, the pin 41 has the guide groove 40 only in one direction as shown in FIG. 7B. If it goes around and fits into the recess 42, it will be stable and locked at this position.

  As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the pin 41 escapes from the recess 42 of the guide groove 40 and moves relative to the guide groove 40, so that the pin 41 moves to the other side of the guide groove 40 as shown in FIG. 7E. Transition to the end side. Thus, every time the staple branching pawl 102 is pushed and moved by the proof branching pawl 101, the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branching pawl 102 is alternately switched to the position shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the knock mechanism 106 is in the locked state, even if the proof branch claw 101 is separated from the staple branch claw 102 as shown in FIG. 7C, the staple branch claw 102 maintains its locked state.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7E, when the locked state of the knock mechanism 106 is released, the staple branching claw 102 follows the proof branching claw 101 by the elastic force of the tension spring 105, and the proof branching claw 101. The initial position of the staple branching pawl 102 is also determined by bringing one surface of the staple branching pawl 102 into contact with the projection 107.

  In the knock mechanism 106, if the pin 41 is also positioned and locked at the end of the guide groove 40 opposite to the concave portion 42, this state is caused by the elastic force of the tension spring 105 of the staple branching claw 102. Therefore, the initial position of the staple branching claw 102 can be determined in a state of being very close to the proof branching claw 101.

  Here, the flow of operation in FIGS. 7A to 7E will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the solenoid 103 of the proof branch claw 101 is OFF (non-excited), the proof branch claw 101 is held at the initial position (upper side) by the tension spring 104. Further, when the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branching pawl 102 is in the unlocked state, the staple branching pawl 102 is biased toward the proof branching pawl 101 by the tension spring 105 of the branching pawl 102. Reference numerals 102 denote claw positions held at the initial position (upper position).

  Thus, when both the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 are on the upper side, the staple conveyance shown in (3) of FIG. 8 is performed, and the sheet is transferred from the main sheet conveyance path A to the staple conveyance path D which is the sub conveyance path. Led. In FIG. 8, the white circle indicates the upper position of the branch claw, and the black solid circle indicates the lower position. When the solenoid 103 is turned on (excited) from the state of FIG. 7A, the proof branch claw 101 swings, and the staple branch claw 102 is also swung in the same direction so as to be pushed by the protrusion 107. FIG. 7B shows this state. If this is the first knock, the pin 41 is seated and locked in the recess 42 of the guide groove 40 in the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branching claw 102. At this time, the tip of the knock mechanism 106 touches the switch 108 to turn it on. When the proof branch claw 101 is maintained at the lower position and the staple branch claw 102 is maintained at the lower position in this way, the proof conveyance of (2) in FIG. 8 is performed, and the sheet sent from the main sheet conveyance path A is It is guided to a proof conveyance path B which is a sub conveyance path.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7C from the state of FIG. 7B, when the proof branch pawl 101 is returned to the initial position by the spring 104 by turning off (demagnetizing) the solenoid 103, the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branch pawl 102 is guided by the pin 41. Since it is in the lock holding state by fitting into the recess 42 of the groove 40, the position (lower position) is held regardless of the urging force of the spring 105. When the proof branch claw 101 is held at the upper position and the staple branch claw 102 is held at the lower position in this way, the straight conveyance shown in (1) in FIG. It is guided to a straight conveyance path C which is a conveyance path.

  When the solenoid 103 of the proof branching claw 101 is excited from the state shown in FIG. 7C and the proof branching claw 101 pushes and moves the staple branching claw 102 as shown in FIG. 7D, if this is the second knock, In the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branch claw 102, as a result of the pin 41 coming out of the recess 42 of the guide groove 40 and being unlocked, the proof branch claw 101 is moved to the initial position (upper side) by the spring 104 as shown in FIG. The staple branching claw 102 is also moved to its initial position (upper position) by the elastic force of the spring 105 as it swings to (position). At this time, since the staple branching claw 102 is separated from the switch 108, the switch 108 is turned OFF.

  Depending on whether this switch 108 is ON or OFF, it can be determined whether the staple branching claw 102 is in the upper (initial) position or the lower position. That is, if the switch 108 is ON, the staple branching claw 102 is in the lower position, and if the switch 108 is OFF, the staple branching claw 102 is in the upper position.

  Next, the cycle of the switching operation of each branch claw will be described based on FIG. As in the case described above, the white circle indicates that the branch claw is fixed on the upper side, and the solid black circle indicates that the branch claw is fixed on the lower side. In FIG. 9A, when the solenoid 103 is driven from the state where both the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 are on the upper side, as shown in FIG. When the solenoid 103 is released in this state, the staple branch claw 102 is in the locked state (ON) as described above, as shown in (3). Holds the lower position, but the proof branching claw 101 becomes the upper position by the spring elastic force described above.

  When the solenoid 103 is driven again from this state, as shown in (4), the proof branch claw 101 occupies the lower side and the staple branch claw 102 also occupies the lower side. As shown in (5), the proof branch claw 101 is returned to the upper position and the staple branch claw 102 is also returned to the upper position as shown in (5). It has returned to the state. Thereafter, the same cycle is repeated, and each time the proof branch claw 101 is swung, the claw switching operations (1) to (5) are periodically (cyclically) executed.

  FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which a silencing member 110 is interposed at the contact portion between the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102. The sound deadening member 110 is a member having flexibility or shock relaxation properties such as rubber or soft plastic, for example, and is in contact with the projecting portion 107 of the staple branching claw 102 (or the projecting portion 107). For example, by sticking, embedding, vulcanizing adhesion or the like. As a result, the shock when the proof branching claw 101 swings and the projection 107 comes into contact with the staple branching claw 102 is alleviated, thereby reducing the impact sound and the like. Generation of switching sound can be suppressed.

  FIG. 11 shows what kind of switching operation is performed in order to obtain the necessary branching claw switching operation from the current branching claw position in the switching operation of the branching claw. Similarly to the above, the case where the fixing position of the branching claw is on the upper side is indicated by a white circle, and the case where it is on the lower side is indicated by a black solid circle. First, as shown in FIG. 11 (1), it is assumed that the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the upper side (the switch 108 is OFF). When the paper is passed in this state, if proof passing is required, the staple branching claw 102 needs to swing downward. In this case, the process proceeds to (2). When staple passing is necessary, the sheet can be passed in the state (1). It is maintained in this state even after the end of paper feeding.

  Further, when straight paper feeding is necessary from the state (1), it is necessary to swing the staple branching claw 102 downward, so the process proceeds to (2) first. (2) assumes a state where the proof branch claw 101 is on the lower side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the lower side (switch 108 is ON). If proof passing is necessary in this state, it can be passed as it is. Then, after completion of the sheet passing, the proof branching claw 101 returns to the upper side by turning off the solenoid 103 (becomes the state (3)).

  (3) is a state in which the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the lower side (switch 108 is ON). Straight paper can be passed in this state, and this state may be maintained even after paper is passed. Assuming that sheet passing is started in this state, when proof passing is necessary, the proof branching claw 101 needs to be swung downward, and therefore the operation (4) is caused. (4) is a state where the proof branch claw 101 is on the lower side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the lower side (switch 108 is ON). If proof passing is necessary in this state, it is possible to pass the sheet as it is, and after completion of the passing, the proof branching claw 101 returns to the upper side by turning off the solenoid 103 (becomes the state (3)).

  When it is necessary to pass staples in (4), it is necessary to return the proof branching claw 101 to the upper side, so that the state (5) is generated. (5) is a state in which the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the upper side (the switch 108 is OFF). This is the same as (1). Here, whether the knock mechanism is ON or OFF means whether the position of the staple branching claw 102 is locked (fixed) by fitting the pin 41 into the concave portion 42 by the above-described knock mechanism 106 or the state in which the lock is released. I mean.

  Next, another embodiment of the branch claw control mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, a stepping motor 109 is used in place of the solenoid 103 as the swinging means of the proof branch claw 101. By driving the stepping motor 109 with a predetermined number of pulses, the swing angle of the proof branch claw 101 is uniquely determined. For example, as shown in this example, the lever 23 fixed to the proof branch claw shaft 21 is attached to the lever 23. A stepping motor 109 is connected via the link member 111 and the crank plate 112. One end of the link member 111 is connected to a position eccentric from the center of the crank plate 112, and the other end is connected to the free end of the lever 23.

  When the stepping motor 109 is driven, the crank plate 112 is rotated, the lever 23 is rotated via the link member 111, and the proof branching claw 101 is integrated with the elastic force of the spring 104 together with the rotation of the lever 23. Swings in the direction to resist (in this case, clockwise). When the stepping motor 109 rotates in the reverse direction, the proof branch claw 101 swings in a direction according to the elastic force of the spring 104 (in this case, counterclockwise).

  The stepping motor 109 is connected to the control unit 130. The control unit 130 includes a CPU 130a, a ROM 130b, and a RAM 130d. A branch claw control program 130c, which will be described later, is stored in the ROM 130b, and the CPU 130a reads this program 130c and reads the stepping motor. 109 is activated. When the above-described switch 108 is connected to the control unit 130 and the above-described solenoid 103 is provided instead of the stepping motor 109, the solenoid 103 is connected to the control unit 130, and the solenoid 103 is set based on a command from the CPU 130a. It will be turned on and off.

  Next, an example of the branch claw control program 130c stored in the control unit 130 of FIG. 12 will be described based on FIG. First, it is assumed that the branch claws 101 and 102 are on standby. Here, “standby” means that the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side (solenoid (swinging means) OFF), and the staple branch claw 102 is on the upper side or the lower side (determined by the output of the switch 108). When the switch 108 is OFF, it is determined that the staple branching claw 102 is at the upper position, and when the switch 108 is ON, it is determined at the lower position. Then, it is determined in step S1 (hereinafter referred to as S1) how the sheet passing mode is started and how the sheet passing mode is set.

  In the determination of the sheet passing mode, data input from the input unit of the image forming apparatus 100 is supplied from the image forming apparatus 100 to the sheet conveying apparatus (sheet post-processing apparatus) 200 by communication, and is transmitted to the control unit 130 described above. This can be determined by reading out by the CPU 130a. Alternatively, a mode in which a corresponding paper passing mode is uniquely determined based on a command for a predetermined image forming output may be used.

  In any case, if it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is straight paper passing, the output state of the switch 108 is determined in S2, and if the switch 108 is ON, the state shown in FIG. As shown, the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the lower side, and straight paper can be passed in this state. If it is determined that the switch 108 is OFF, the swinging means such as the solenoid 103 is turned ON in S3 because the staple branching claw 102 is in the upper position as shown in FIG. 8 (3). After that, if switching is made as shown in FIG. 8A by turning OFF at S4, the branch claw setting is completed at S9. If the sheet passing is completed in S10, it is determined whether or not the swinging means such as the solenoid 103 is ON in S11. If it is OFF, the sheet passing is ended as it is, and if it is ON, the swinging means is moved in S12. It is turned off and paper passing is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is proof passing, the driving means such as the solenoid 103 is turned on in S5, and the staple branching pawl 102 is proof branching pawl 101 as shown in FIG. And both the claws 101 and 102 are held at the lower position, and the branching claw setting in S9 is completed. Then, after the sheet passing is completed in S10, it is determined whether or not the swinging means is ON in S11. In this case, since the swinging means is ON, it is turned OFF in S12 and the sheet passing is ended.

  Further, if it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is staple passing, the output state of the switch 108 is determined in S6, and if it is OFF, the proof branching claw 101 is also shown in FIG. 8 (3). Since both the staple branching claws 102 are in the upper position, the branching claw setting is finished in S9, and when the sheet passing is finished in S10, it is determined whether or not the swinging means is ON in S11. Is OFF, the paper passing flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S6 that the switch 108 is ON, it is determined that the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is on the lower side, as shown in FIG. In this case, the swinging means such as the solenoid 103 is turned on in S7, and then the swinging means is turned off in S8, thereby switching from the state (1) to the state (3) in FIG. In step S9, the setting of the branching claw is completed. In step S10, the sheet passing is completed. After step S11, the sheet passing flow is completed.

  Next, another embodiment of the branch claw control program 130c will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same steps as those in FIG. 13 are given the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 14 is the same as that in FIG. 13, the proof branch claw 101 is on the upper side (the swinging means is OFF), the staple branch claw 102 is on the upper side or the lower side (determined by the output of the switch 108), When the switch 108 is OFF, the staple branching claw 102 is determined as the upper side, and when the switch 108 is ON, it is determined as the lower side. In this example, it is assumed that the stepping motor 109 shown in FIG. 12 is employed as the swinging means. In S1, the paper passing mode is determined. If it is straight paper passing, the output determination of the switch 108 is performed in S2. If this is ON, the state shown in FIG. When the branching nail setting is completed and the sheet passing is completed in S10, it is determined in S13 whether the sheet passing mode is proof or other than proof. In the case other than the proof (in this case, straight sheet passing), the sheet passing flow is ended. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the output of the switch 108 is OFF, since the state shown in S8 (3) is reached, the stepping motor 109 is turned ON (forward rotation) in S3a, and the number of pulses specified in S3b is the same. When driven, the stepping motor 109 is turned off in S3c, the motor is turned on (reversely rotated) in S3d, and when the specified number of pulses are driven in S3e, the motor is turned off in S3f. As shown in FIG. 7B, the proof branch claw 101 once swings so as to push and move the staple branch claw 102, and the knock mechanism 106 of the staple branch claw 102 is turned on (locked). As shown in FIG. 7C, this means that the proof branch claw 101 swings in the opposite direction so as to be separated from the staple branch claw 102. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 8A is obtained, so that the branching claw setting is finished in S9, and the sheet passing is finished in S10. In S13, it is determined whether the sheet passing mode is proof or other than proof. In this case, since the sheet passing mode is straight sheet passing, the sheet passing flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the paper passing mode is proof paper passing, the stepping motor 109 is turned on in S5a in order to move from (1) or (3) to (2) in FIG. In step S5b, the stepping motor 109 is turned off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, both the proof branch claw 101 and the staple branch claw 102 are in the lower position, the branch claw setting is finished in S9, and the sheet passing is finished in S10. In S13, the sheet passing mode is determined. In this case, since the proof is passed, the stepping motor 109 is turned ON (reverse rotation) in S14, and when the specified number of pulses are driven in S15, the stepping motor 109 is driven in S16. It is turned OFF and the paper passing flow is completed. Thereby, the positional relationship of a branch nail | claw becomes a state shown to (1) or (3) from the state of FIG. 8 (2).

  Here, when the proof branch claw 101 is swung from the state (1) to the state (2) in FIG. 8, the swing of the proof branch claw 101 stops just before the proof branch claw 101 hits the staple branch claw 102. As shown, the number of designated pulses in S5b of FIG. 14 can be set. By stopping the proof branch claw 101 just before hitting the staple branch claw 102 in this manner, the abutment (collision) sound between the branch claws can be eliminated, and the chance of the abutment (collision) can be reduced. Can increase the durability. It should be noted that when performing the “stop immediately before (non-contact)” control of S5b, a step of determining whether the switch 108 is ON or OFF as in S2 is inserted before S5a, and the switch 108 is turned ON (FIG. 8). Only in the case of (1) state), the “stop immediately before” control in S5b can be performed. However, the claw swing from (1) to (2) in FIG. 8 and the claw swing from (3) to (2) in FIG. 8 are performed at the specified number of pulses in S5b without any distinction. Since there is no particular problem, the flow of S1, S5a, S5b, and S5c in FIG.

  Furthermore, if it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is staple passing, the output of the switch (108) is determined in S6. If it is OFF, the state shown in FIG. The setting is completed, and the flow of paper passing is completed through S10 and S13. On the other hand, if it is determined in S6 that the switch output is ON, the state shown in FIG. 8 (1) is reached. Therefore, the stepping motor 109 is turned ON (forward rotation) in S7a and the specified number of pulses are driven in S7b. Then, the stepping motor 109 is turned on (reversely rotated) in S7d, and when the designated number of pulses are driven in S7e, the driving of the stepping motor 109 is turned off in S7f. Thus, as described above, the state shown in FIG. 8 (1) is changed to the state (3), the setting of the branching claw is completed in S9, and the paper passing is finished in S10. However, in this case, since the staple paper is passed, the flow of paper ends.

  Next, another embodiment of the branch claw control program 130c will be described with reference to FIG. This flowchart is characterized in that in the driving of the stepping motor 109, the difference in the number of driving pulses is made according to the flow of the step, and a deceleration step is provided when the stepping motor 109 is stopped. . The waiting condition is the same as in the previous embodiments, and the proof branch claw 101 may be on the upper side, and the staple branch claw 102 may be on either the upper side or the lower side depending on the output of the switch 108. If the sheet passing mode is started and it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is straight sheet passing, the output state of the switch 108 is determined. If it is ON, the state is (1) in FIG. The branching claw setting is completed in S9, the sheet passing is completed in S10, the sheet passing mode is determined in S13, and the sheet passing flow is ended except for the proof passing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the switch output is OFF, it is in the state of (3) in FIG. 8. Therefore, in order to switch to the state of (1), the stepping motor 109 is turned on (forward rotation) in S3a. Then, when the designated number of pulses are driven in S3b ′ (in this case, a small number of pulses are applied), the stepping motor 109 is decelerated in S3bc, and then the stepping motor 109 is turned off in S3c. Then, the stepping motor 109 is turned on (reverse) in S3d, and when the predetermined number of pulses are driven (reverse) in S3e, the motor is turned off in S3f, and the branching pawl setting in S9 is completed.

  In this flow, the state is switched from the state (3) of S8 to the state (1). However, as shown in FIG. 7A, the proof branch claw 101 is moved with the branch claws 101 and 102 on the upper side. As shown in FIG. 7B, the knock mechanism 106 is turned on (locked) by once swinging both the proof branching pawl 101 and the staple branching pawl 102 to the lower position. At this time, the driving of the stepping motor 109 is suppressed and decelerated in S3b ′ and S3bc so that the pin 41 of the knock mechanism 106 fits properly in the recess 42 of the guide groove 40 (the pin 41 is recessed in the guide groove 40). (Decelerate quickly so that there is no overshoot). Thereafter, when the stepping motor 109 is reversed, as shown in FIG. 7C in S3d to S3f, the proof branch claw 101 is held on the upper side and the staple branch claw 102 is held on the lower side, and the state shown in FIG. . When the sheet passing is completed in this state, the sheet passing mode is determined in S13 through S10. In this case, since the sheet passing is straight, the sheet passing flow is ended.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is staple passing, the output of the switch 108 is determined in S6. If it is OFF, the state shown in FIG. Is finished, and the flow of paper passing is finished through S9, S10, and S13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S6 that the output of the switch 108 is ON, since it is in the state of (1) in FIG. 8, the stepping motor 109 is turned ON in S7a in order to change this to the state of (3). When the specified number of pulses are driven in S7b ′ (the number of pulses in this case is greater than S3b ′), the stepping motor 109 decelerates in S7ab, the motor stops in S7c, and the stepping motor in S7d. 109 is now reversed, and when the specified number of pulses are driven in S7e, the motor is stopped in S7f. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7C, the process of turning the knock mechanism 106 from the ON state to the OFF state (the process of releasing the pin 41 from the recess 42 of the guide groove 40 to release the knock mechanism 106 from the locked state). Therefore, the deceleration timing of the stepping motor 109 may be closer to the motor OFF side than in the case of S3bc. Therefore, the deceleration start in S7ab starts at a timing later than that of S3bc. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7E and FIG. 8 (3), the branch claws 101 and 102 are both in the upper position, and the sheet passing flow is completed through S9, S10, and S13.

  Furthermore, when it is determined in S1 that the sheet passing mode is proof passing, the output state of the switch 108 is determined in S1a. If the switch 108 is ON, the state shown in FIG. 8A is obtained. If the switch 108 is OFF, the state shown in FIG. 8C is obtained. When the switch 108 is OFF, the stepping motor 109 is turned ON (forward rotation) in S5a to drive from the state shown in FIG. In this case, the number of pulses is set to a small value), and then the stepping motor 109 is decelerated in S5b ′, and the motor is stopped in S5c. In this case, this means that the state shown in FIG. 7A shifts to the state shown in FIG. 7B. At this time, as described above, the knock mechanism 106 functions properly (the pin 41 is inserted into the recess 42 of the guide groove 40). (Step S5b and S5b ′), the stepping motor 109 is decelerated from an early stage.

  On the other hand, when the output of the switch 108 is ON in S1a, it is in the state of FIG. 8 (1). In order to switch the state of (1) to the state of (2), the stepping motor 109 is in S'5a. When the motor rotates in the forward direction and is driven by the specified number of pulses at S′5b (in this case, the number of pulses is set to be larger than S5b), then enters the deceleration step at S′5b ′, and stops the motor at S′5c. Become. Since this is a swing in the direction of turning off (unlocking) the knock mechanism 106 from the state of FIG. 7C, the deceleration start of S′5b ′ may be on the side close to the motor stop (for example, immediately before). Thus, even if the deceleration start is late, there is no problem. In any case, when the branch pawl setting for proof passing is completed in S9, the process proceeds to S13 via S10. In this case, since the paper passing mode is proof passing, the stepping motor 109 is reversed in S14, and S15 When the specified number of pulses are driven, the stepping motor 109 is stopped in S16, and the program for the sheet passing flow is completed.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a sheet post-processing apparatus including a sheet conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a discharge side of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing an internal mechanism of the paper transport device (paper post-processing device). The expanded sectional view which expands and shows the branch claw periphery of FIG. The perspective view which shows the specific example of the proof branch claw as an example of the main branch claw. The perspective view which shows the specific example of the staple branch nail as an example of another main branch nail. The perspective view which shows the proximity | contact arrangement | positioning form of these proof branch claws and staple branch claws. Explanatory drawing which shows notionally an example of an action | operation with a proof branch nail and a staple branch nail. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 7A. Explanatory drawing following FIG. 7B. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 7C. Explanatory drawing following FIG. 7D. The conceptual diagram which shows the switching state of the straight conveyance of a branch nail, proof conveyance, and staple conveyance. The conceptual diagram which shows the change of switching operation | movement of a proof branch nail and a staple branch nail. The perspective view which shows the example which attaches a silencing member to the contact part of two branch claws. The conceptual diagram which shows the switching operation | movement required in order to obtain a desired switching state from the predetermined position state of a proof branch nail | claw and a staple branch nail | claw. The perspective view in the case of using a stepping motor as a rocking | fluctuation means of a proof branch nail, and the block diagram of a control system. The flowchart which shows Example 1 of a branch claw control program. The flowchart which shows Example 2 of a branch claw control program. The flowchart which shows Example 3 of a branch claw control program.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image forming apparatus 200 Paper transport device (paper post-processing device)
101 Proof branch claw (Main branch claw)
102 Staple branch claw (the other branch claw)
A Main paper transport path B, C, D Sub transport path 103 Solenoid (swinging means)
104, 105 Tension spring 106 Knock mechanism 40 Guide groove 41 Pin 42 Recess 107 Projection 108 Switch 109 Stepping motor (swinging means)

Claims (6)

A main paper transport path, and at least three sub transport paths branched from the main paper transport path;
At least two swingable branch claws including a main branch claw provided at a branch portion between the main paper transport path and the sub transport path and switched to guide the transported paper to an arbitrary sub transport path And a paper conveying device having a rocking means for rocking the main branching claw,
When the main branching claw connected with the swinging means swings, the swinging main branching claw comes into contact with the other branching claw, and the other branching claw has the main branching claw in contact with the main branching claw. A knock mechanism is provided to switch between a state in which the position of the other branching claw is held and a state in which the holding is released each time the branching claw is pushed and swung, and the other branching claw is connected to the main branching claw. Urging means for urging to the side approaching is provided, the other branching claw is held in position by the knock mechanism, and the position holding is released by the knock mechanism and the urging means A sheet conveying apparatus characterized in that the fixing position of the other branching claw is switched according to the number of swings of the main branching claw by a combination with a state of moving in conjunction with the main branching claw.   The paper conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a solenoid is used as the swinging unit.   2. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a stepping motor is used as the swinging means.   4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a silencing member is disposed at a contact portion between the main branching claw and the other branching claw to which the swinging unit is connected. 5. .   When the main branching claw to which the swinging means is connected comes into contact with the other branching claw, swinging control means for slowing the swinging operation is provided for the stepping motor. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3.   4. The paper transport according to claim 3, wherein the main branching claw to which the swinging means is connected stops the swinging operation at a position where the main branching claw is not in contact with the other branching claw by driving control of the stepping motor. apparatus.

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