JP4951603B2 - Sheet stacking apparatus, sheet folding processing apparatus, and bookbinding system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet stacking apparatus, a sheet folding processing apparatus, and a bookbinding system having a function of folding a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming unit and stacking the folded sheet bundle.

  In the paragraph [0295] and the drawing [FIG. 63] of Patent Document 1, if the folded end of the next sheet is stacked on the folded end of the previous sheet and stacked sequentially from the top, no matter how strongly the folded end is folded, However, the problem is that the folded end side is extremely bulky because it cannot be crushed due to stiffness, whereas the open end is bulky as much as the paper thickness.

  When the sheets are sequentially stacked in this situation, the sheet pile (sheet bundle pile, sheet bundle group) collapses to the open end side. In order to prevent this, a protrusion 106a having a predetermined height h approximately equal to a height that is considered to be taken by the folded end overlapping side when a predetermined number of sheet bundles p are stacked is provided, and the open end side is raised and bottomed. Yes.

  Further, as the prior art, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the sheet bundle P is sequentially shifted and placed separately using paragraph [0293] and drawing [FIG. 62]. It is stated that the problem with this approach is that a large (long silhouette on the horizontal plane) tray is required to discharge a large number of sheet bundles.

  In Patent Document 2, the height of the sheet bundle on the sheet stacker is detected, and the movement amount of the sheet stopper mechanism is controlled based on the detection signal, thereby increasing the stackable sheet bundle. Are disclosed.

JP-A-11-322163 JP 2003-261256 A

  Since the degree of collapse of the folded edge changes depending not only on the type of sheet but also on the atmosphere such as temperature and humidity, the appropriate height of the protrusion 106a described in paragraph [0295] and drawing [FIG. . Therefore, the sheet pile using the protrusions 106a may not be sufficiently prevented from collapsing.

  Further, the technique of paragraph [0293] and the drawing [FIG. 62], which is the prior art of Patent Document 1, requires a large (long silhouette on the horizontal plane) tray in order to discharge a large number of sheet bundles.

  Furthermore, since the technique of Patent Document 2 only detects the height of a sheet bundle, sheet stacking control cannot be performed unless the sheet bundle becomes high. That is, since the posture of the sheet bundle group that becomes the base of the sheets that are successively loaded cannot be controlled, there remains a problem that the posture tends to be an unstable stacking posture.

To solve the above problems, the present onset Ming, the center-folded sheet bundle sheet bundle supply means and for supplying to the top that occasion edge; supported in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle, the horizontal plane A folding end support means that moves in a direction inclined with respect to the sheet; and a position where the folding end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means in the direction in which the folding end support means moves. Lower surface support means for supporting the open end of the sheet bundle so as to be close to the sheet bundle supply means; and the folded end of the sheet bundle which is moved together with the folded end support means and supported by the folded end support means A member that forms a peak with a peak in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle between the open end of the sheet bundle ; and the number of sheets on the lower surface support means is the first number And a second number greater than the first number. Ruho is the by the weight of the sheet bundle and support means for supporting the folding portion supporting means away from the sheet bundle supply means; sheet stacking apparatus comprising, providing a sheet folding processing apparatus and bookbinding system.

  Stacking is performed so that the folded end of the next sheet pile overlaps the open end of the stack of multiple sheet bundles (= the previous sheet pile) that are stacked and stacked on the tray. Then, since the sheet crest and the sheet crest are only shifted from each other, Patent Document 1 is used for placing the sheets in a posture shifted one by one like the method of paragraph [0293] and the drawing [FIG. There is no need for a tray with an extremely long footprint depending on the number of sheets loaded. Furthermore, it is also possible to avoid a state in which the loading posture changes greatly depending on how the folded edge is crushed. Also, by making a sheet pile and then breaking it while moving it, it is possible to stack the sheets in a posture that is shifted one by one, rather than shifting each sheet bundle.

[1] Definition of Sheet Hereinafter, the definition of terms in the present specification will be described with reference to FIG.

[1-1] Sheet As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a crease is formed around the center of the sheet S as a fold line 101, one sheet surface is inward (facing each other), and the other Letting be on the outside is called “half-fold”. The inner (103 facing) sheet surface is the inner sheet surface 103, and the outer (back-to-back) sheet surface is the sheet outer surface 104. Further, the side that contacts the seat outer surface 104 is the seat outer bottom surface.

The direction along the fold of the middle fold is defined as “the width direction of the sheet S”, and the length of the sheet S in the direction along the fold of the middle fold is defined as “width of the sheet S”. Further, the direction orthogonal to the middle fold fold is defined as “the longitudinal direction of the sheet S”, and the length of the sheet S in the direction orthogonal to the middle fold fold is defined as “the length of the sheet S”.
Folding at an arbitrary position of the sheet S so that one sheet surface is inward and the other sheet surface is outward is simply referred to as “folding”.

  In FIG. 1B showing the sheet after the middle folding, the left side, ie, the outer side of the crease side, is the folding end 105, and the right side, ie, the opening side, is the open end 106. Further, assuming that both ends of the folded end 105 and the open end 106 are side ends, the folded end 105 is assumed to be the front side, the front side end in FIG. 1B is the left side end 115, and the back side end is the right side. Let it be the end 116.

  Similarly, the left and right portions of the fold are shown as pages 111 and 112 in FIG. Each of both sides of the page is defined as a page surface 107, 108, 109, and 110. Here, the page surface 110 is an upper outer side, the page surface 109 is an upper inner side, the page surface 108 is a lower inner side, and the page surface 107 is a lower outer side. The page 111 which is the upper page has page surfaces 107 and 108 as front and back surfaces. The lower page 112 has page surfaces 109 and 110 as front and back surfaces.

  FIG. 1D is a view showing a sheet that has been folded so-called “Z-fold”. The Z-fold sheets shown in these drawings are those in which a crease is formed in parallel with the fold end with a fold line near the center of the upper page.

  Although the shape of the sheet is different from that of the folded sheet, the left side of the drawing, that is, the outer side of the middle fold side is defined as the folded end 113, and the right end side, that is, the non-bulky side is defined as the open end 114. To do.

  When the lower and outer page surfaces of the folded sheet are placed on a plane, the height of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the plane is defined as “sheet height”. In the folded sheet, the vicinity of the position where the height is maximized is referred to as a bulging portion, and the portion where the upper and lower inner surfaces of the sheet are in contact with each other is referred to as a “crushed portion”.

[1-2] Sheet Bundle A plurality of sheets that are stacked without being folded, as in the sheets S1, S2, S3... In FIG. A group of a plurality of sheets in a state in which the outer surfaces of the other folded sheets are placed facing each other on the inner surface of the folded sheet is collectively referred to as a sheet bundle T.

[1-3] Sheet Pile As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of sheet bundles in which the folded end side of the adjacent sheet S is stacked on the folded end of the lower sheet S are collected together as a sheet pile P. And

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a group of a plurality of Z-folded sheets S that are stacked and stacked in the substantially same direction is called a sheet peak P.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d), a group of sheets stacked with the folded end sides of the sheet bundle T stacked in substantially the same direction is collectively referred to as a sheet peak P.

  In addition, regarding the sheet pile, the side on which the folded end is superimposed is referred to as a folded end (side), and the side on which the open end is superimposed is referred to as an open end (side).

[2] Embodiment A form in which the folded end of the next sheet pile overlaps with the open end of a plurality of sheet bundle piles (= first sheet pile) in which the folded ends are stacked and stacked on the tray. Is described below.

  Since the stack of sheets and the stack of sheets are only shifted from each other, the stacking for placing the sheets in a posture shifted one by one like the method of paragraph [0293] and the drawing [FIG. There is no need for a tray with an extremely long footprint depending on the number. Furthermore, it is also possible to avoid a large change in the loading posture due to the degree of collapse of the folded edge.

  For this purpose, it is necessary to place the sheet bundle to be placed next at a position shifted relative to the previous sheet pile. As the method, a method of shifting (moving) the previous sheet pile, a method of shifting the position of placing the next sheet bundle, and the like can be considered, but the former will be specifically described below.

This method will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4A shows a sheet pile 206 formed by the sheet bundles 202, 203, and 204 placed one after another on the bed 201 (lower surface support means). Here, in order to make it easy to see the movement of the bed 201, the sheet bundle to be placed is provided with a guard 205 that reduces the speed of the bed 201 in the direction of the placement surface of the bed 201 and stops on the bed 201. If you don't have a good speed, you don't need a guard.

  In the method described here, the original position where the sheet bundle is given to the bed 201 is not changed. This corresponds to a situation where, for example, the position of the mouth for supplying the sheet bundle to the bed 201 is constant.

  When a sheet pile 206 having a certain height (the number or number of bundles may be used as parameters) is built on the bed 201, the sheet pile 206 is shifted toward the folded end as shown in FIG. This shifting may be performed by moving the bed 201 as shown in FIG. 4 or by moving the sheet mountain relative to the bed 201 without moving the bed 201.

The shifting distance is shorter than the length of the sheet mountain 206. The length of the sheet pile 206 varies slightly depending on the stacking state of the sheet bundles 202, 203, and 204, but may be considered as the length of a single sheet bundle.
If the shifting distance is approximately one third or more of the length of the sheet bundle, the folded end of the next sheet bundle can be prevented from being placed on the bulging portion of the shifted sheet pile.

  After moving the sheet pile 206, the sheet bundle 207 is fed to the bed 201 from the same position as the original position where the sheet bundle 202 was fed to the bed 201. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the folded end of the sheet bundle 207 is placed at a position avoiding the bulging portion of the sheet pile 206.

Since the position where the sheet bundle 208 is given is also the same position as the position where the sheet bundle 207 is given, the sheet pile 209 is built where the sheet bundle 207 exists.
As a result, a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile overlaps with the open end of the sheet pile is realized.

  FIG. 4 shows a mode in which the sheet crest moves without collapsing the sheet crest. When the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet crest is small, as shown in FIG. When the sheet pile formed in the above direction is moved in the direction in which the folded edge is directed, the sheet bundle group forming the sheet pile as shown in FIG. Therefore, each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. If the sheet pile has collapsed neatly in this way, it is naturally possible to stack more sheet bundles after that. When such a mode is displayed, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture.

[2-1] Embodiment 1 of a technique for shifting the previous sheet pile
The configuration of the sheet stacking apparatus 310 as an embodiment of the present technique will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sheet stacking device 310 includes a discharge port 300, an outer wall 301, a bed 302 (lower surface support means), a conveyance path 303, a discharge sensor 304, a guard 305, a rack gear 306, a pinion gear 307, a motor 308, a button 309, a placement sensor 311 and a control. A unit 312.

  The discharge port 300 is open to an outer wall 301 of an apparatus such as a sheet folder. The discharge port 300 discharges the folded sheet or sheet bundle to the bed 302 with the folded end at the top. The discharge port 300 is connected to the conveyance path 303.

  The discharge sensor 304 is on the side of the discharge port 300 that is connected to the transport path 303. The discharge sensor 304 is a sensor for counting the number of sheets and sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port 300.

  The bed 302 is below the discharge port 300. The upper surface of the bed 302 is a placement surface on which a sheet or a sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 300 is placed. The bed 302 moves back and forth horizontally from the outer wall 301 in the direction in which the discharge port 300 discharges the sheet bundle.

  The guard 305 stops the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 300 from overrunning from the bed 302. The guard 305 is in a position such that the surface in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle is located at a position away from the outer wall 301 by the length of the sheet bundle when the bed 302 retreats to the outer wall 301. To do.

  The bed 302 is advanced and retracted when the motor 308 rotates a pinion gear 307 that meshes with the rack gear 306 on the lower surface of the bed 302.

  The button 309 protrudes from the placement surface when the sheet bundle is not placed on the placement surface of the bed 302, and is pressed by the sheet bundle placed on the placement surface and retracted to the placement surface. The placement sensor 311 detects whether the button 309 protrudes from the placement surface or retracts to the placement surface.

Controller 312 turn the motor 308 on the basis of the detection result of the discharge sensor 304 and placed sensor 3 11. The control unit 312 counts the number of sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port 300. The control unit 312 increments the count every time a sheet bundle is detected by the discharge sensor 304, and when the count reaches 3, the motor 308 is rotated to advance the bed 302 after a period of time.
Controller 312 places the sensor 3 11 detects that a transition to a state in which the button 309 protrudes from the mounting surface from a state in which the retracted to the mounting surface, returns the count to zero and turn the motor 308 Retreat bed 302.

  The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 310 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 12 and FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the sheet stacking apparatus 310 until a sheet pile of a folded sheet bundle is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 303. FIG. When the sheet bundle T1 approaches the discharge sensor 304 immediately before the discharge port 300, the control unit 312 starts executing the count routine (step 350).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is placed on the placement surface of the bed 302. FIG. The button 309 is retracted to the placement surface by the sheet bundle T1 placed on the placement surface. When the next sheet bundle approaches the discharge sensor 304 immediately before the discharge port 300 in a state where the button 309 is retracted to the placement surface (Yes in step 351), the control unit 312 does not clear the count once. Increment and hold (step 353).

  When the next sheet bundle approaches the discharge sensor 304 immediately before the discharge port 300 in a state where the button 309 is not retracted to the placement surface (No in Step 351), the control unit 312 once clears the count ( Return to 0: From step 352), increment and hold (step 353). The count becomes 1 at the time of shifting from FIG. 7 to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the second sheet bundle T2 and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially discharged to the bed 302. A sheet bundle T2 and a sheet bundle T3 are stacked on the sheet bundle T1 to form a first sheet pile. Since the sheet bundle T2 and T3 have passed in front of the discharge sensor 304 in a state where the button 309 is retracted to the placement surface by the sheet bundle T1, the control unit 312 increments the count twice and counts at this time. Is 3.

  When the count is less than 3 (less than the threshold value: No in step 354), the count routine is terminated without moving the bed 302. After a predetermined time from when the count reaches 3 (the threshold has been reached: Yes at step 354), the motor 308 is turned as shown in FIG. The bed 302 is advanced in the direction of the folded edge of S1 so that the sheet pile of the distance increases (step 355).

  The predetermined time is approximately earlier than the time when the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged, and the length until the third sheet bundle T3 is stacked on the second sheet bundle T2 and settles. do it. If it is possible to lengthen the time until the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged after the third sheet bundle T3 is discharged (that is, the discharge interval of the sheet bundle is changed), the discharge of the sheet bundle T4 is performed. The time for moving the bed 302 may be secured by delaying the timing.

  The distance by which the bed 302 is advanced may be from about one third to about two thirds of the length of the sheet bundle. If the stiffness of the sheet bundle to be handled is weak and the bulging portion of the folded sheet bundle is small, the distance to advance the bed 302 is not limited to more than one third of the length of the sheet bundle, and may be shorter. . In short, it is sufficient that the bulge portion of the next sheet pile overlaps with the bulge portion of the previous sheet pile and does not become unstable. If the part that was swollen when the next sheet pile is not placed on the previous sheet pile is placed on the next sheet pile and deformed to become a crushed part, allow for the length of the deformation. Thus, the distance for moving the bed 302 may be set short.

  However, if it is a pile of strong sheet bundles, if the next sheet bundle is placed on the swollen part, it will bounce and collapse may occur, so we expected the previous sheet pile to collapse due to the next sheet pile Some care is required in the distance design. Naturally, when the thick sheet bundle or the strong sheet bundle is a thick sheet bundle, the distance to advance the bed 302 is increased, and when the thin sheet bundle or the soft sheet bundle is weak, the distance to advance the bed 302 is decreased. Control according to the sheet type may be performed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the fourth sheet bundle T4 and the fifth sheet bundle T5 are sequentially discharged to the bed 302. FIG. The folded end of the second sheet pile including the sheet bundle T4 and the sheet bundle T5 is placed on the collapsed portion of the first sheet pile. At the time of the state shown in FIG. 11, the count of the control unit 312 is 5.

  Although the collapsed portion of the first sheet pile is low, there is a slight thickness, and the second sheet pile supported by the folded end placed on it has a posture in which the folded end is high and the open end is low. In other words, the maximum number of sheets on which the first sheet crest is stable may differ from the maximum number of sheets on which the second sheet crest is stable. Therefore, it may be designed to stop discharging the sheet bundle when the number of sheet bundles included in the second sheet pile is smaller than the number of sheet bundles included in the first sheet pile.

  In this embodiment, only the second pile is explained, but the third sheet pile is placed on the second pile collapse part so that the folded end is placed. Needless to say, it is possible to place the n + 1 peak so that the fold edge of the n + 1 mountain is placed on.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state after the sheet pile is removed from the bed 302. Since the state after the button 309 is retracted from the placement surface to the state where it protrudes from the placement surface, the control unit 312 returns the count to zero. Further, the control unit 312 rotates the motor 308 to retract the bed 302.

  The bed 302 may be retracted to the position shown in FIG. However, for example, if it is understood that the length of a new sheet bundle to be discharged immediately after removing the sheet pile is longer than the length of the sheet bundle that has been discharged so far, the position of FIG. The length of the new sheet bundle may be retracted only to the distance that can be accommodated in the bed 302, or may not be retracted at all.

  Note that the number of sheet bundles for one sheet pile is not limited to two or three, and may be more or less. Further, the structure for moving the bed 302 back and forth is not limited to the rack and pinion, and may be a worm gear system or any other driving system.

  10 and 11 show a mode in which the sheet crest moves with the guard 305 without collapsing, but when the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet crest is small, FIG. 13 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the sheet bundle group that formed the stack of sheets is displaced, and each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. If such a mode is displayed, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 305, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 303.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the bed 302 may be inclined so that the side close to the discharge port 303 is raised. As a result, the footprint of the bed 303 is reduced. In the sheet bundle group to be placed, the folding end of the bottom sheet bundle is supported by the guard 305, and the sheet bundle placed above it is prevented from sliding off by the bulging portion of the lower sheet bundle. The posture is neatly arranged like a shogi. Furthermore, since the placed sheet bundle group is appropriately pressed downward by the inclination of the bed 303, the placement state of each sheet bundle is dramatically stabilized as compared with the case where the bed 303 is horizontal. In addition, the number of stackable bundles further increases.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the bundle regulating means simply advances and retreats on the horizontal plane with respect to the sheet falling on the inclined surface. Therefore, when the sheet bundle group is arranged, the mounting posture changes in the middle of the row. Since the sliding of the sheet bundle is not hindered, the above effects cannot be obtained.

[2-2] Second Embodiment of Method for Shifting the Previous Sheet Crest
As the second embodiment, a form in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile will be described, but before that, a method of shifting the sheet bundle one by one with each weight will be described so as to facilitate understanding. To do.

[2-2-1] Basic Explanation of the Method of Shifting with the Weight of the Sheet Bundle A configuration of the sheet stacking apparatus 400 having a structure in which the guard is moved with the weight of the sheet bundle will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sheet stacking apparatus 400 includes a discharge port 401, an outer wall 402, a bed 403 (lower surface support means), a conveyance path 404, a guard 405, and a spring 406.

  The discharge port 401 is open on an outer wall 402 of an apparatus such as a sheet folder. The discharge port 401 discharges the folded sheet or sheet bundle to the bed 403 with the folded end at the top. The discharge port 401 is connected to the conveyance path 404.

  The bed 403 is below the discharge port 401, and the upper surface is inclined so that the side close to the discharge port 401 is high and the side far from the discharge port 401 is low.

  The guard 405 contacts the folded end of the sheet bundle that is about to slide down the slope of the bed 403. The guard 405 moves in parallel along the inclination of the upper surface of the bed 403. The width of the guard 405 is about half of the short side of the postcard size from the center in the width direction of the folded end of the sheet bundle to both sides.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 19, the guard 405 is drawn so as to be connected to move together with a base plate 407 having a surface parallel to the bed 403 and having the same width as the guard 405. By arranging the rollers 408 and 409 apart from each other in a structure having a length in the moving direction of the guard 405 like the base plate 407, the moving posture of the guard 405 and the smoothness of the movement can be maintained. It is effective against this. The base plate 407 is supported by the slope 412 via rollers 408 and 409. The rollers 408 and 409 roll along a path indicated by a broken line along the inclination direction of the slope 412. The base plate 407 can move smoothly along the slope 412 thanks to the roller 408.

  The bed cover 413 covers the slope of the slope 412 other than the portion covered with the base plate 407. The height of the upper surface of the bed cover 413 from the slope of the slope 412 is approximately the same as the height from the slope of the slope 412 to the upper surface of the base plate 407. The bed cover 413 is fixed to the slope 412.

  The base plate 407 includes rollers 410 and 411 that rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to the slope of the slope 412. The rollers 410 and 411 roll in contact with a guide wall of the bed cover 413 that is perpendicular to the slope of the slope 412. The guide wall supports the rollers 410 and 411 and prevents the base plate 407 from shifting in a direction other than the direction on the slope 412 to be moved.

  If a groove 415 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the center of the guard 405 as shown in FIG. 19, two points on the folded side of the sheet bundle can be supported on both sides of the groove 415, and further stability of the stacking state of the sheet bundle is expected. it can. Further, it becomes possible to put a finger or hook a nail between the guard 405 and the sheet bundle folding side, and it becomes easier to remove the sheet bundle.

  Of course, the configuration of the guard 405 is not limited to this, and the beam 414 may be attached to the guard 405 instead of the base plate 407 and the rollers 408 to 411 may be attached thereto as shown in FIG. In FIG. 20, the beam 414 is hidden under the bed cover 413 and exposed when the guard 405 is lowered along the slope of the slope 412.

  A spring 406 biases the guard 405 toward the outer wall 402. The guard 405 is pushed below the inclination of the bed 403 by the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 403.

  As the number of sheet bundles placed on the upper surface of the bed 403 increases, the guard 405 moves further away from the outer wall 402 toward the lower side of the inclination of the bed 403.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 404. At this time, the guard 405 is attracted toward the discharge port 401 by the force of the spring 406, and is located closest to the discharge port 401 among the positions that the guard 405 can take.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is placed on the placement surface of the bed 403. The guard 405 is pushed downward in the direction along the slope of the bed 403 by the weight of the sheet bundle T1 placed on the placement surface, the spring 406 is extended, and the guard 405 is displaced downward in the direction along the slope.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the first sheet bundle T1 to the fifth sheet bundle T5 are sequentially discharged to the bed 403. As the number of sheet bundles placed on the placement surface increases, the springs 406 are extended by their weights, and the amount of downward displacement in the direction along the slope of the guard 405 increases. That is, the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 increases, and the number of sheet bundles that can be placed on each other while being shifted from each other increases. As the sheet size increases, the weight of one sheet also increases, so the amount of extension of the spring 406 with respect to one sheet increases, and the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 becomes longer.

  There is no problem even if the distance between the guard 405 and the outer wall 402 is somewhat long and the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 401 does not directly rest on the already discharged sheet bundle. This is because the sheet bundle slides down the inclination of the bed 403. By appropriately designing the inclination angle of the bed 403, the sheet bundle that slides down is decelerated by trying to ride on the bulging portion of the previously discharged sheet bundle, and does not directly collide with the guard 405. And it becomes the attitude | position which overlapped so that the bulging part of the sheet | seat bundle discharged | emitted later may rest on the collapse part of the sheet | seat bundle discharged | emitted previously. If the angle of inclination of the bed 403 is too large, the sheet bundle discharged later gets over the collapsed portion of the sheet bundle discharged first, and shift stacking is not realized. Therefore, the inclination angle of the bed 403 should be designed to such an extent that the sheet bundle discharged later stops in a posture in which the swollen portion is placed on the collapsed portion of the sheet bundle discharged earlier.

[2-2-2] Example of the method of shifting by the weight of the sheet crest A mode of shifting the sheet crest using the weight of the sheet crest will be described.

  A sheet stacking apparatus 500 illustrated in FIG. 24 includes a discharge port 401, an outer wall 502, a discharge port 401, an outer wall 402, a bed 403, a conveyance path 404, a guard 405, and a spring 406 respectively included in the sheet stacking device 400 illustrated in FIG. A bed 503, a conveyance path 504, a guard 505, and a spring 506 are provided. The sheet stacking apparatus 500 further includes a magnet 507 and an iron plate 508.

  However, the spring 506 does not have to be very strong here, and it is sufficient that a force that can attract the guard 505 to the upper side of the inclination of the bed 503 can be generated.

  The movable range of the guard 505 is from the position where the surface of the guard 505 in contact with the folded end of the sheet bundle is separated from the outer wall 501 in the direction along the slope of the bed 503 by about the length of the sheet bundle, which is 3 minutes of the length of the sheet bundle. What is necessary is just to the position distant from about 1 to about 2/3. If the stiffness of the sheet bundle to be handled is weak and the bulging portion of the folded sheet bundle is small, it is not limited to about one third or more of the length of the sheet bundle, and may be shorter. In short, it is sufficient that the bulge portion of the next sheet pile overlaps with the bulge portion of the previous sheet pile and does not become unstable. If the part that was swollen when the next sheet pile is not placed on the previous sheet pile is placed on the next sheet pile and deformed to become a crushed part, allow for the length of the deformation. Thus, the distance for moving the guard 505 may be set short.

  However, if it is a pile of strong sheet bundles, if the next sheet bundle is placed on the swollen part, it will bounce and collapse may occur, so we expected the previous sheet pile to collapse due to the next sheet pile Some care is required in the distance design.

  The magnet 507 is fixed to the guard 505. The iron plate 508 is fixed to the bed 503. The magnet 507 attracts the iron plate 508 with its magnetic force, and prevents the guard 505 from descending below the inclination of the bed 503 until the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 reaches a certain level. Further, the force with which the magnet 507 attracts the iron plate 508 resists the force that the guard 505 attempts to lower the inclination of the bed 503 when the weight of the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 exceeds a certain level. Disappear. That is, when the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 503 exceeds a certain amount, the guard 505 is lowered at a stretch below the inclination of the bed 503.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 504. At this point, the attracting force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506 attract and hold the guard 505 toward the discharge port 501, and the guard 505 is at a position closest to the discharge port 501 among possible positions.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state after the first sheet bundle T1 and the second sheet bundle T2 are sequentially placed on the placement surface of the bed 503. The attracting force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506 can withstand the weight of the sheet bundles T1 and T2 placed on the placement surface, and the position of the guard 505 is not changed at this time. Therefore, the sheet bundle T2 is placed on the sheet bundle T1, and a sheet pile is completed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state after the third sheet bundle T3 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1 and T2. When the sheet bundle T3 is mounted on the sheet pile, the weight of the three sheet bundles cannot withstand the attractive force of the magnet 507 and the force of the spring 506, and the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 is guard 505. Begins to fall, and the folded end of the next sheet bundle overlaps the open end of this sheet crest.

  In this way, after the sheet pile is completed, the next sheet is moved to the open end of the sheet pile by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged is overlapped with the open end of the sheet pile. Ready to load so that the mountain fold ends overlap. FIG. 28 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the sheet pile overlaps with the open end of the previous sheet pile. .

  When the two sheet piles are removed from the bed 503, the guard 505 returns to the position shown in FIG.

  In addition, at the beginning of the lowering of the guard 505 in FIG. 27, for example, the guard 505 may be lowered to the maximum movable position, or may be designed to stop halfway without being lowered so far. For example, the spring strength of the spring 506 may be designed to be weak for the former and strong for the latter.

  27 and 28 show a mode in which the sheet pile does not collapse and descends along the slope of the bed 503 together with the guard 505, but the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet pile is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 29, the sheet bundle group that has formed the sheet pile is shifted, and each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 30, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the sheet crest are placed so as to overlap the open ends of the previous sheet bundle. If such a mode is caused to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 505, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 503.

  Further, the magnet 507 is an electromagnet, the discharge sensor 304, the button 309, and the placement sensor 311 of the sheet stacking device 310 described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like are provided, and the control unit 312 performs the count routine shown in FIG. Step 355 may be the release of the magnetic force of the electromagnet (naturally, the magnetic force of the electromagnet is exhibited before executing step 355). Of course, it is easy for a person skilled in the art to replace the guard 505 with a locking mechanism that releases the lock when the magnetic force of the electromagnet is exerted. .

[2-2-3] Modification 1 of the method of shifting by the weight of the sheet pile
A sheet stacking apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 31 includes a discharge port 501, an outer wall 502, a bed 503, a conveyance path 504, a guard 505, a spring 506, a magnet 507, and an iron plate 508 provided in the sheet stacking apparatus 500 of FIG. An outlet 601, an outer wall 602, a bed 603, a conveyance path 604, a guard 605, a spring 606, a magnet 607, and an iron plate 608 are provided.

  The base plate 609 of the guard 605 in this example has a hill with a peak in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 605. FIG. 32A is a side view thereof. The distance Lp in the moving direction of the guard 605 from the surface in contact with the sheet bundle folding end of the guard 605 to the peak is preferably not more than half the length of the sheet bundle. If a sheet bundle of a plurality of types of sheet sizes is discharged from the discharge port 601, it may be less than half the length of the sheet bundle of the maximum sheet size.

  The bulge portion of the sheet bundle that is initially placed is accommodated between the surface of the guard 605 that contacts the folded edge of the sheet bundle and the peak. The peaks in this example continue in the width direction of the base plate 609 over its entire width. Of course, it may be different from this example, for example, in the form of a plurality of peaks in the width direction without continuing over the entire width. In short, any shape that has a top when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 605 at the position supporting the lower surface of the sheet bundle may be used.

  The surface on the lower side (valley side: Lp section) of the peak in the direction along the slope is more inclined (steep) than the surface on the upper side (mountain side) in the direction along the slope. Since the slope on the valley side of the hill is tighter than the slope of the bed 603, the folded end of the sheet bundle tends to fall toward the valley formed with the guard 605. Therefore, the probability that the folded end of the sheet bundle stops in a posture in contact with the guard 605 is higher, and the sheet bundle is more stable.

  If the peak is on the side closer to the discharge port 601 than the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be initially placed lands, the folded end of the sheet bundle is more likely to fall toward the valley formed by the guard 605. On the other hand, if the peak is on the side farther from the discharge port 601 than the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be initially placed lands, the speed of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 is the peak side of the peak. It is decelerated by resistance, and the possibility that the folded end of the sheet bundle stops in a posture in which the folded end of the sheet bundle does not contact the guard 605 is higher than the point where the vicinity of the folded end of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 lands. . In order to avoid this, it is important to design the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 601 so as not to be too slow.

  The hill has a sufficient height so that the upper outer surface of the sheet bundle to be placed first has a convex or flat posture. Of course, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), the hills may be further raised so that the upper and outer surfaces of the second bundle of sheets to be placed may have a convex or flat posture, or more sheets. Even after stacking the bundles, the upper and outer surfaces of the sheet bundle placed at the top of the sheet bundle group may be raised so as to have an upwardly convex posture or a flat posture. This is to prevent the next sheet bundle from catching on the swollen portion of the sheet bundle being placed and stopping before the folded end comes into contact with the guard 605.

  The mountain side surface of the hill may have a shape that intersects the upper surface of the bed 603 as shown in FIG. Then, the sheet bundle can be in a posture in which both corners on the open end side are closer to the bed 603. As a result, both corners on the open end side are supported by the bed 603 wider than the base plate 609, so that the sheet bundle is further stabilized.

  Of course, as shown in FIG. 32D and FIG. 32E, the end portion on the mountain side of the hill may be above the upper surface of the bed 603. Then, both corners on the open end side of the sheet bundle can be prevented from touching the bed 603, and friction between the sheet bundle and the bed 603 can be prevented from preventing the sheet bundle from moving together with the guard 605. it can.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 600 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 604. At this time, the attracting force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 attract and hold the guard 605 toward the discharge port 601, and the guard 605 is at a position closest to the discharge port 601 among possible positions.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the placement surface of the bed 603. The attracting force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 can withstand the weight of the three sheet bundles placed on the placement surface, and the position of the guard 605 has not changed at this point. For this reason, the sheet bundle T2 and the sheet bundle T3 are placed on the sheet bundle T1, and a sheet pile is completed. Since the base plate 609 has a hill, the upper and outer surfaces of the sheet bundle T2 are in an upwardly projecting posture, so that the sheet bundle T3 thereon is more stable, and as a result, the entire sheet pile is more stable.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundle T1, the sheet bundle T2, and the sheet bundle T3. When the sheet bundle T4 is placed on the sheet pile, the attracting force of the magnet 607 and the force of the spring 606 cannot withstand the weight of the four bundles, and the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, T3, and T4. The guard 605 starts to fall, and the folded end of the next sheet bundle overlaps with the open end of the sheet crest. Compared with the warp of the sheet bundle T3 of FIG. 27, the warp of the sheet bundle T3 of FIG. 35 is smaller, so that it can be understood that the sheet pile is more stable when the base plate 609 is provided with a hill.

  In this way, after the sheet pile is completed, the next sheet is moved to the open end of the sheet pile by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged is overlapped with the open end of the sheet pile. Ready to load so that the mountain fold ends overlap. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundle T5, T6, T7 discharged after shifting the sheet pile overlaps with the open end of the previous sheet pile. It is.

  When the two sheet piles are removed from the bed 603, the guard 605 returns to the position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 show a mode in which the sheet pile does not collapse and descends along the slope of the bed 603 together with the guard 605, but the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet pile is small. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 37, the sheet bundle group forming the sheet pile is shifted, and each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 38, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4 and T5 discharged after shifting the sheet crest are placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous sheet bundle. If such a mode is displayed, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 605, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 603.

[2-2-4] Modification 2 of the method of shifting by the weight of the sheet pile
A sheet stacking apparatus 700 illustrated in FIG. 39 includes a discharge port 701, an outer wall 702, a bed 703, and a discharge port 601, an outer wall 602, a bed 603, a conveyance path 604, and a spring 606 provided in the sheet stacking apparatus 600 of FIG. A conveyance path 704 and a spring 706 are provided.

  The sheet stacking apparatus 700 includes a guard 705 having a configuration different from that of the sheet stacking apparatus 600 of FIG. The sheet stacking apparatus 700 further includes a stopper 707, a lever 707, and a lever arm 709 as shown in a perspective view of the guard 705 of the sheet stacking apparatus 700 shown in FIG.

  The guard 705 of this example has a lever 707 that rotates around the direction at the center of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 705 along the folding end.

  The lever 707 extends to a position higher than the height of the sheet pile that can be supported by the guard 705, and when the sheet pile becomes higher than the upper end of the guard 705, the uppermost sheet bundle of the sheet pile is pushed by a sliding motion. It rotates and it becomes the attitude | position dented from the surface which touches the folding end of the sheet | seat bundle of the guard 705. FIG. The vicinity of the upper end of the lever 707 has a surface in contact with the folding end of the sheet bundle of the guard 705 when the sheet bundle pressing the lever 707 is depressed from the surface of the guard 705 contacting the folding end of the sheet bundle. In order to prevent the sheet crest from forming an unstable shape after passing, the shape of the guard 705 is refracted so as to protrude toward the surface contacting the folded end of the sheet bundle.

  The lower end of the lever 707 is connected to a lever arm 709 extending upward from the inclination of the bed 703. The vicinity of the upper end of the lever arm 709 in the direction along the inclination of the bed 703 is caught by a stopper 708 fixed to the bed 703. When the vicinity of the upper end of the lever 707 is pushed by the uppermost sheet bundle of the sheet crest and is turned to be in a posture recessed from the surface of the guard 705 that contacts the folding end of the sheet bundle, the upper end of the lever arm 709 is the stopper 708. Deviate from.

  For example, if designed in this way, when the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 703 exceeds a certain height, the guard 705 can be lowered at a stretch below the inclination of the bed 703.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 700 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 704. At this time, the lever arm 709 is caught on the stopper 708 fixed to the bed 703, and the guard 705 is held at a position closest to the discharge port 701 among possible positions.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a state after the first sheet bundle T1 and the second sheet bundle T2 are sequentially placed on the placement surface of the bed 703. A lever arm 709 caught on the stopper 708 prevents the guard 705 from moving below the slope due to the weight of the sheet bundles T1 and T2 placed on the placement surface. Therefore, the position of the guard 705 has not changed at this time. Therefore, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1 and T2.

  FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a state after the third sheet bundle T3 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1 and T2. The sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1 and T2 is already high, and the sheet bundle T3 placed thereon slides down a position higher than the guard 705 and pushes the lever 707. Then, the lever arm 709 that rotates together with the lever 707 is detached from the stopper 708. The guard 705 that has been supported by the locking of the lever arm 709 and the stopper 708 loses its support, and the sheet piles including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 begin to fall, and the next end of the sheet pile is next opened. The folded ends of the sheet bundle are overlapped.

  In this way, after the sheet pile is completed, the next sheet is moved to the open end of the sheet pile by moving it to a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged is overlapped with the open end of the sheet pile. Ready to load so that the mountain fold ends overlap. FIG. 44 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundle T4, T5 and T6 discharged after shifting the sheet pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous sheet pile. It is.

  When the two sheet piles are removed from the bed 703, the guard 705 returns to the position shown in FIG.

  43 and 44 show a mode in which the sheet pile does not collapse and descends along the slope of the bed 703 together with the guard 705, but the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet pile is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 45, the sheet bundle group that has formed the sheet pile is shifted, and each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. After that, as shown in FIG. 46, the folded ends of the sheet bundles T4, T5, and T6 discharged after shifting the sheet pile are placed so as to overlap the open ends of the previous sheet bundle. If such a mode is displayed, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 705, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 703.

[2-2-5] Modification 3 of the method of shifting by the height of the sheet mountain
The sheet stacking device 800 shown in FIG. 47 has a discharge port 801, an outer wall 802, a bed 803, respectively corresponding to the discharge port 601, the outer wall 602, the bed 603, the conveyance path 604, and the spring 606 provided in the sheet stacking device 600 of FIG. A conveyance path 804 and a spring 806 are provided.

  Further, the sheet stacking apparatus 800 includes a stopper arm 807, a tongue (buffer member) 812, and a guard 805 having a configuration different from that of the sheet stacking apparatus 600 of FIG. 31, as shown in FIG.

  The central part of the upper side of the guard 805 in this example in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 805 is a protrusion 808 higher than the left and right parts. Hereinafter, the upper end of the guard 805 is not the upper end of the protrusion 808 but the left and right portions of the protrusion 808 that are lower than the protrusion 808.

  A stopper arm 807 locks the protrusion 808 to the outer wall 802. The base of the stopper arm 807 rotates around a shaft 809 supported by a support 810 fixed to the outer wall 802. The stopper arm 807 is formed in a bathtub shape having a space whose bottom surface is open. A hook-shaped rib 811 is formed at the center of the stopper arm 807 on the inner side in the direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 805.

  The left and right walls of the rib 811 of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette such that the notch portion of the rib 811 is filled. The left and right walls cover the left and right sides of the protrusion 808 when the rib 811 is hooked on the protrusion 808, and prevent the stopper arm 807 from shifting in the left-right direction. Further, the left and right walls have a silhouette that approaches the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as the rib 811 is hooked on the protrusion 808 and approaches the protrusion 808 from the base of the stopper arm 807.

  When the sheet pile becomes higher than the upper end of the guard 805, the next sheet bundle that slides down to the top of the sheet pile is smoothly moved from the root of the stopper arm 807 far from the top surface of the bed 803 to the sheet pile. And the stopper arm 807. Since the left and right walls of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette that approaches the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as approaching the protrusion 808 from the base of the stopper arm 807, the interval gradually decreases in the direction in which the sheet bundle moves. Therefore, the bulging portion of the sheet bundle that travels between them pushes up the stopper arm 807 and removes the rib 811 from the protrusion 808.

  For example, by designing in this way, when the sheet bundle placed on the upper surface of the bed 803 exceeds a certain height, the guard 805 can be lowered at a stretch below the inclination of the bed 803.

  Further, the left and right walls of the stopper arm 807 have a silhouette that approaches the inclined upper surface of the bed 803 as the rib 811 is hooked on the protrusion 808 from the tip of the stopper arm 807 toward the protrusion 808. That is, the vicinity of the tip of the stopper arm 807 has a positive angle of attack with respect to the direction in which the guard 805 is pulled up by the spring 806. Thanks to this, when the sheet pile placed on the bed 803 is removed and the guard 805 returns to the standby position, the guard 805 pushes up the vicinity of the tip of the stopper arm 807. When the guard 805 is further raised, the rib 811 is hooked on the protrusion 808.

  The tongue 812 has an angle of attack with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 801, kills the momentum of the hit sheet bundle, and prevents the sheet bundle from directly colliding with the lower side of the stopper arm 807. .

  The tongue 812 in this example rotates around a shaft 809 around which the stopper arm 807 rotates. The tongue 812 rotates so as to enter and exit the space held by the bathtub-shaped stopper arm 807. The tongue 812 has a downwardly convex arc. This arc portion protrudes downward from the lower side of the bathtub-shaped stopper arm 807, and the surface facing the discharge port 801 of the arc has an angle of attack with respect to the traveling direction of the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port 801 Do it. The spring 813 is stretched to push the tongue 812 out of the stopper arm 807.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 64.
FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 804. At this time, the stopper arm 807 is caught on the protrusion 808, and the guard 805 is held at a position closest to the discharge port 801 among positions where it can be taken.

  FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is discharged from the discharge port 801. When the sheet bundle T1 hits the tongue 812, the tongue 812 is pushed up. The reaction weakens the momentum of the sheet bundle T1. As a result, flapping on the bed 803 is reduced even when the sheet bundle T1 falls.

  FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the placement surface of the bed 803. A stopper arm 807 caught on the projection 808 prevents the guard 805 from moving below the slope due to the weight of the sheet bundles T1, T2 and T3 placed on the placement surface. Therefore, the position of the guard 805 has not changed at this time. Therefore, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3.

  FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a state when the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged from the discharge port 801 onto the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The sheet bundle T4 hits the tongue 812 and pushes the tongue 812 upward. The reaction weakens the momentum of the sheet bundle T4. As a result, even if the sheet bundle T4 falls, flapping on the top of the sheet is reduced.

  FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The sheet pile is already high, and the sheet bundle T4 placed thereon slides down a position higher than the guard 805 and pushes up the stopper arm 807. Then, the stopper arm 807 is detached from the protrusion 808. The guard 805 supported by the locking of the stopper arm 807 and the protrusion 808 loses its support and starts to descend with the sheet piles including the sheet bundles T1, T2, T3 and T4, and at the open end of this sheet pile. The folding ends of the next sheet bundle overlap.

  Thus, after the sheet pile is completed, the next sheet is moved to the open end of the sheet pile after that by moving the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged to the open end of the sheet pile. Ready to load so that the mountain fold ends overlap. FIG. 54 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundle T5, T6, and T7 discharged after shifting the sheet pile overlaps the open end of the previous sheet pile. It is.

  When the two sheet piles are removed from the bed 803, the guard 805 returns to the position shown in FIG.

  53 and 54 show a mode in which the sheet pile does not collapse and descends along the slope of the bed 803 together with the guard 805, but the friction between the sheet bundles forming the sheet pile is small. In this case, as shown in FIG. 55, the group of sheet bundles forming the sheet pile shifts, and each sheet bundle is in a posture of riding on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 56, the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundles T5 and T6 discharged after shifting the sheet pile is placed on the open end of the previous sheet pile. Go. If such a mode is displayed, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 805, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held in a stable posture on the bed 803.

[2-2-6] Modification 4 of the method of shifting by the height of the sheet pile
The sheet stacking apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 57 includes a discharge port 801, an outer wall 802, a bed 803, a conveyance path 804, a spring 806, a support 810, a tongue 812, and a spring 813, which are included in the sheet stacking apparatus 800 of FIG. An outlet 901, an outer wall 902, a bed 903, a conveyance path 904, a spring 906, a support 910, a tongue 912, and a spring 913 are provided.

  Further, the sheet stacking apparatus 900 includes an upper arm 907, a forearm 908, and a guard 905 having a configuration different from that of the sheet stacking apparatus 800 of FIG.

  The base of the upper arm 907 rotates around a shaft 909 supported by a support 910 fixed to the outer wall 902. The upper arm 907 is formed in a bathtub shape having a space whose lower surface is open. The tongue 912 rotates so as to enter and exit the space held by the bathtub-shaped upper arm 907.

  The upper arm 907 supports the shaft 914 near the tip thereof. The forearm 908 rotates around the shaft 914. The shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 is guarded in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the bed 903 when a straight line connecting the shaft 914 and the shaft 909 supported by the support 910 is parallel to the top surface of the bed 903. It is below the upper end of the base plate 915 connected to 905 and above the section above the peak of the base plate 915 when the guard 905 is at the position closest to the discharge port 901.

  On the end surface of the upper arm 907 on the shaft 909 side, there is a protrusion 917 protruding from an arc centered on the shaft 909. When the protrusion 917 is caught on the ceiling of the support 910, the straight line connecting the shaft 909 and the shaft 914 is prevented from rotating in a direction closer to the shaft 914 side than the state parallel to the inclined surface of the bed 903. .

  As shown in FIG. 58 which is a vertical sectional view parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905 of the sheet stacking apparatus 900, the base plate 915 connected to the guard 905 is at the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the guard 905. It has a hill with a peak along the direction. The central part in the direction along the peak of the mountain side surface of this hill is depressed. The bottom of the recess is a floor surface substantially parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905. The end on the peak side of the dent is like a cliff standing up with respect to the moving direction of the guard 905.

  The lower end of the forearm 908 hanging from the shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 is fitted into this recess. The forearm 908 is urged around the shaft 914 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 rises upward in the inclination direction of the bed 903. On the other hand, the projection 916 that catches on the upper wall of the upper arm 907 is an arc centered on the shaft 914 of the forearm 908 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 does not rise too much in the tilt direction of the bed 903 due to the biasing force. Protruding from the face. The state in which the lower end of the forearm 908 is excessively raised in the inclination direction of the bed 903 due to the urging force is, for example, a state in which the lower end of the forearm 908 is rolled up above the slope on the mountain side of the base plate 915, In this state, a gap is formed between the lower end and the base plate 915 so that the sheet bundle enters.

  When the sheet bundle is not stacked, the forearm 908 adopts the posture P1 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, and is separated from the cliff at the end of the depression peak to avoid wear due to friction with the cliff.

  The forearm 908 has its surface facing the discharge port 901 (back surface) pressed by a sheet bundle stacked on the peak side of the peak, and the end facing the guard 905 (front surface) is the end on the peak side. Abut against the cliff. Of course, if you are worried about the sound generated when hitting the cliff by being pushed by the sheet bundle loaded on the mountain side of the peak, you may design it to contact the cliff even when the sheet bundle is not loaded, A buffer material may be attached to the cliff.

  The forearm 908 has a back surface that is perpendicular to the moving direction of the guard 905 in a posture in which the tip is in contact with the cliff of the base plate 915 when the forearm 908 is closest to the discharge port 901 among the positions that the guard 905 can take. Alternatively, it is desirable that the angle is slightly inclined to the guard 905 side from the vertical. Furthermore, when the back surface of the guard 905 is pushed by the weight of the sheet bundle loaded on the peak side of the peak and the base plate 915 is lowered, the lower end of the forearm 908 is released from the cliff at the same time. More preferably, the back surface is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the guard 905. However, it is not always necessary to stick to this angle.

  When the length of the sheet bundle blocked by the back surface of the forearm 908 is small, the open end may open if the drop between the folded end and the open end of the sheet bundle is too large. However, by providing a hill on the base plate 915, the slope on the mountain side of the hill is inclined more gently than the inclination angle of the bed 903, so that the drop between the folded end and the open end of the sheet bundle can be reduced. The upper page can be prevented from lifting.

The operation of the sheet stacking apparatus 900 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating a state when the first sheet bundle T1 is in the conveyance path 904. At this time, the straight line connecting the shaft 909 and the shaft 914 of the upper arm 907 is parallel to the slope of the bed 903, and the forearm 908 is caught on the hill of the base plate 915. Further, the guard 905 is held at a position closest to the discharge port 901 among possible positions by the force of the spring 906.

  FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a state after the first sheet bundle T1, the second sheet bundle T2, and the third sheet bundle T3 are sequentially placed on the placement surface of the bed 903. The folded ends of the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 come into contact with the back surface of the forearm 908 that is caught on the cliff of the base plate 915.

  Since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T1 contacts is far from the shaft 914, the descending distance of the guard 905 when the sheet bundle T1 is placed on the placement surface of the bed 903 is large. However, since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T2 contacts is closer to the shaft 914, the moment that the sheet bundle T2 gives to the forearm 908 around the shaft 914 is smaller, and the descending distance of the guard 905 is smaller. Further, since the position where the folded end of the sheet bundle T3 abuts is further closer to the shaft 914, the moment that the sheet bundle T3 gives to the forearm 908 around the shaft 914 is further smaller, and the descending distance of the guard 905 is further smaller. That is, the lowering amount of the guard 905 for each sheet bundle becomes smaller as the sheet bundle is loaded. The higher the sheet crest, the more likely it becomes unstable when a sheet bundle is placed on it. However, as the sheet bundle is placed, the descending amount of the guard 905 for each sheet bundle is made smaller so that the guard 905 Therefore, it is possible to avoid the sheet crest from collapsing due to the movement of the sheet crest accompanying the lowering of the sheet.

  The forearm 908 rotated around the shaft 914 by the weight of the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3 placed on the placement surface pushes the cliff that is caught, so the guard 905 moves down the slope, but still Forearm 908 does not come off the cliff. Therefore, the sheet bundle is further placed on the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3.

  FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating a state after the fourth sheet bundle T4 is discharged on the sheet pile including the sheet bundles T1, T2, and T3. The sheet pile is already high, and the sheet bundle T4 placed thereon slides down on the sheet pile and pushes up the upper arm 907. Then, the upper arm 907 is pulled upward and the forearm 908 is detached from the cliff of the base plate 915.

  In FIG. 61, the mode in which the sheet bundle T4 pushes up the upper arm 907 is shown. However, the mode in which the forearm 908 comes off the cliff is not the only mode. In the forearm 908, for example, the guard 905 moves below the slope of the bed 903 due to the weight of the next sheet bundle on the sheet pile, and the length from the top of the cliff to the shaft 914 becomes sufficiently long. Once off, you will be off the cliff.

  FIG. 62 is a view showing a state after the forearm 908 is detached from the cliff of the base plate 915, and FIG. 63 is a view showing a further subsequent state. The sheet pile supported by the forearm 908 slides down and hits the guard 905. The guard 905 receives all the weight of the sheet pile and further descends downward.

  Thus, after the sheet pile is completed, the next sheet is moved to the open end of the sheet pile after that by moving the folded end of the sheet bundle to be discharged to the open end of the sheet pile. Ready to load so that the mountain fold ends overlap. FIG. 64 shows a state in which the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundle T5, T6, and T7 discharged after shifting the sheet pile is placed so as to overlap the open end of the previous sheet pile. It is.

  If the two sheet piles are removed from the bed 903, the forearm 908 is wound up toward the discharge port 901 by the urging force applied around the shaft 914 and the guard 905 is inclined to the bed 903 as shown in FIG. It is pulled upward and returns to the position shown in FIG.

  62, 63 and 64 show a mode in which the sheet pile does not collapse and descends along the slope of the bed 903 together with the guard 905. When the friction is small, as shown in FIG. 66, the sheet bundle group forming the sheet crest is displaced, and each sheet bundle is placed on the collapsed portion of the lower sheet bundle.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 67, the folded end of the next sheet pile including the sheet bundle T5, T6 and T7 discharged after shifting the sheet pile overlaps with the open end of the previous sheet pile. It will be done. This is a mode that is more likely to appear in the present embodiment in which the sheet bundle at the top of the sheet pile is braked by dragging the forearm 908 by friction. If such a mode is caused to appear, it is not necessary to worry about the stability of the sheet pile after the movement of the guard 905, that is, the sheet bundle group can be held on the bed 903 in a stable posture.

  By the way, the forearm 908 is urged around the shaft 914 so that the lower end of the forearm 908 is moved upward in the tilt direction of the bed 903, but when this urging force is weak, the two seat piles are moved to the bed 903. Even if the forearm 908 is removed from the base plate 915, the forearm 908 cannot climb up the surface of the base plate 915 on the valley side, and cannot return to the position shown in FIG.

  In order to avoid this, as shown in a flap 950 shown in FIG. 68, a portion of the surface of the base plate 915 on the valley side where the forearm 908 is caught may be depressed downward.

  FIG. 69 is an exploded view of a modified example of the sheet stacking apparatus 900. The guard 905 is connected to a base plate 907 having the same width. The guard 905 and the base plate 907 are mounted on a chassis 957 that moves along a plane of the slope 952 parallel to the bed 903. The chassis 957 is supported on the slope 952 via rollers 958 and 959. Rollers 958 and 959 roll along a path indicated by a broken line along the inclination direction of slope 952. The chassis 957 can move smoothly along the slope 952 due to the presence of the rollers 958 and 959.

  A road indicated by a broken line along the inclination direction of the slope 952 is covered with a roller cover 954. Roller rollers 958 and 959 enter between the ceiling of the roller cover 954 and the slope of the slope 952. The upper end and the lower end of the roller cover 954 in the inclination direction of the slope 952 are walls for restricting the rollable range of the rollers 958 and 959.

  The chassis 957 includes rollers 960 and 961 that rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to the slope of the slope 952. The roller cover 954 has a guide wall that stands on the slope of the slope 952 and has a longitudinal direction in a direction along the inclination direction. The rollers 960 and 961 roll against the guide wall. Guide walls support rollers 960 and 961 and prevent chassis 957 from shifting in directions other than the direction of movement on the slope of slope 952.

  The bed cover 953 covers the slope 952 other than the portion covered by the guard 905 and the base plate 907. The height of the upper surface of the bed cover 953 from the slope of the slope 952 is lower than the height from the slope of the slope 952 to the peak of the base plate 907. The bed cover 953 is fixed to the slope 952.

  The flap 950 is rotatably supported by the chassis 957. A portion of the base plate 907 that overlaps the flap 950 and the sheet sensor 965 is cut away. The sheet sensor 965 has a fulcrum supported by the slope 952, and the force point is above the sheet support surface of the base plate 905 when no sheet is placed on the base plate 905. The force point of the sheet sensor 965 is pushed by the sheet placed on the base plate 905 and goes into the base plate 905.

  As shown in FIG. 70 which is a vertical cross-sectional view parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905 of the sheet stacking apparatus 900, the central portion of the surface on the mountain side of the base plate 915 in the direction along the peak is depressed. The bottom of the recess is a floor surface substantially parallel to the moving direction of the guard 905. The cliff at the end of the ridge is the free end of the flap 950.

  The flap 950 rotates around a shaft 962 supported by a stay 963 fixed to the chassis 957. A circular arc track 940 indicated by a one-dot chain line is in a state closest to the discharge port 901 among positions that can be taken by the guard 905, and connects the shaft 914 supported by the upper arm 907 and the shaft 909 supported by the support 910. In a state where the straight line is parallel to the upper surface of the bed 903 (that is, the sheet is not placed on the base plate 915 as in FIG. 59), the upper arm 907 is moved around the shaft 914 without moving. This is a trajectory drawn by the lower end of the arm 908. In the moving direction of the guard 905, the shaft 962 is located below the position P2 where the arcuate track 940 intersects the slope of the hill valley side of the base plate 915. In addition, the shaft 962 is below the position P2 even in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the guard 905.

  In a state where the sheet is not placed on the base plate 915, the upper surface plate of the flap 950 is positioned as a surface substantially coinciding with the slope on the valley side of the hill. A spring 964 stretches between the lower surface of the top plate of the flap 950 and the chassis 957 to bring the flap 950 to that state. On the other hand, in order to prevent the upper surface plate of the flap 950 from jumping out from the slope on the valley side of the hill, the flap 950 is positioned in a state where the upper surface plate of the flap 950 is positioned as a surface substantially coincident with the slope on the valley side of the hill. Has a stopper that abuts against.

  As shown in FIG. 71, in the section from the position P2 where the lower end of the forearm 908 of the arcuate track 940 hits the cliff, the flap 950 is pushed by the lower end of the forearm 908. Is rotated around the axis 962 and retracts from the arcuate track 940. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the forearm 908 cannot fully return to the position shown in FIG. 59 without being able to climb the top surface of the base plate 915. When the forearm 908 is wound up to a position where the front surface of the forearm 908 contacts the cliff, the upper surface plate of the flap 950 jumps up to become a cliff by the biasing force of the spring 964.

[3] Specific Example as a Sheet Folding Device FIG. 72 shows the appearance of a bookbinding system 4000 as an example of utilization of the present invention. The bookbinding system 4000 includes an image reading device 3000, an image forming device 2000, and a sheet folding processing device 1000. In general, the side of the image forming apparatus 9 where the operation unit 9 is located is called the front side, and the opposite side is called the rear side.

FIG. 73 shows a rough cross-sectional view of the bookbinding system 4000.
An image reading device 3000 installed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 2000 reads an image of a document.

  The image forming apparatus 2000 has an operation unit 9 having a button and the like for selecting and setting an image forming mode and a sheet post-processing mode on the upper front side of the image forming apparatus 2000 and causing the image reading apparatus 3000 to start reading a document image. Have.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 2000 has an image in which a charging unit 2, an image exposure unit 3, a developing unit 4, a transfer unit 5 A, a charge removing unit 5 B, a separation claw 5 C, and a cleaning unit 6 are arranged around the rotating image carrier 1. The image exposure unit 3 includes a forming unit, and after the surface of the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2, the image exposure unit 3 performs exposure scanning with a laser beam based on image data read from the document by the image reading device 3000. Then, a latent image is formed, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 4 to form a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1.

  On the other hand, the sheet supplied from the sheet storage means 7A is sent to the transfer position. The toner image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer means 5A at the transfer position. Thereafter, the charge on the back surface of the sheet is erased by the charge removing unit 5B, separated from the image carrier 1 by the separation claw 5C, conveyed by the intermediate conveyance unit 7B, and subsequently heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8, and discharged from the discharge unit 7C. Is done.

  When image formation is performed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet heated and fixed by the fixing unit 8 is branched from the normal discharge path by the transport path switching plate 7D, and is switched back and reversed by the reverse transport section 7E. , Discharged from the discharge unit 7C. The sheet discharged from the discharge unit 7C is sent to the post-processing device FS.

  On the other hand, the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1 after the image processing is removed by the cleaning unit 6 downstream of the separation claw 5C to prepare for the next image formation.

  The sheet folding processing apparatus 1000 receives the sheet discharged from the discharge unit 7 </ b> C by the entrance roller pair 30 and passes it to the intermediate roller pair 32. The intermediate roller pair 32 passes the sheet to the exit roller pair 34. The exit roller pair 34 feeds the sheet to a standing tray 36 having an inclined placement surface with the leading end of the sheet facing the upper side of the inclination.

  A stacker 38 stands by below the standing tray 36, and receives the lower end of the sheet that has fallen by switching back from the top of the standing tray 36.

If stapled in the sheet bundle, the position to be stapled sheet bundle (vertical center of approximately sheet over sheet bundle) is, the stacker 38 is waiting at a position facing the stapler 40 positioned inclined above the standing tray 36 To do.

After the stapler 40 has stapled sheet bundle, located fold to is attached a sheet bundle (a vertical center of the roughly over sheet bundle, staples were implanted position) stacker until, come before the blade 42 38 descends.

  When the position where the fold of the sheet bundle should be made reaches the front of the blade 42, the tip of the blade 42 parallel to the upper and lower ends of the sheet bundle pushes the surface to be the inner surface after the sheet bundle is folded.

  There is a nip portion of the folding roller pair 44 at the tip of the blade 42 in the moving direction. The pair of folding rollers 44 entrains the nip portion of the surface of the sheet bundle pushed by the blade 42 on the side opposite to the side where the blade 42 abuts (the surface that should become the outer surface after the sheet bundle is folded). A crease is formed in the sheet bundle.

  The folding end of the sheet bundle coming out from the nip portion of the folding roller pair 44 is traced by the folding mechanism 46.

  The sheet bundle traced by the folding mechanism 46 is pulled by the discharge roller pair 48 and placed on the sheet stacking device. Here, the sheet stacking apparatus is described as the sheet stacking apparatus 900. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms using the above-described various forms, combined forms, or various technical ideas included in the forms are used. Can do.

  By the way, in this example, the intermediate roller pair 32, the exit roller pair 34, a part of the standing tray 36, the stacker 38, the stapler 40, the blade 42, the folding roller pair 44, the folding mechanism 46, and the discharge roller pair 48 are provided as an inner member. The folding unit 52 is supported by the frame 50 and can be taken out of the outer frame 54.

FIG. 74 shows the sheet folding apparatus 1000 with the inner frame 50 pulled out from the outer frame 54.
The inner frame 50 moves along a rail 58 extending from the front side to the rear side. The rail 58 is also supported by a floor plate 62 at the bottom of the outer frame 54 and fixed to the outer frame 54 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail 58 itself from the front side to the rear side.

  The sheet folding apparatus 1000 has a door 56 on the front side, and when the door 56 is opened, the inner frame 50 can be moved straight along the rail 58 and taken out of the outer frame 54. . Thereby, the sheet jammed in the sheet folding apparatus 1000 can be easily removed.

  A control unit 60 that controls the entire sheet folding processing apparatus 1000 is mounted on the inner frame 50. Since the control unit 60 can be touched only by removing the inner frame 50 from the outer frame 54, maintenance of the control unit 60 such as firmware update is very easy. As shown in FIG. 75, if the force point of the sheet sensor 980 is above the sheet support surface of the base plate 905, the control unit 60 determines that “the sheet is not placed on the base plate 905”, and the sheet If the force point of the sensor 980 is in the base plate 905, it is determined that “the sheet is on the base plate 905”.

  The control unit 60 is placed on the inner frame 50 and the seat sensor 980 is placed on the outer frame 54. Since the inner frame 50 and the outer frame 54 move relatively as described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to handle a harness for electrically connecting the two.

Such a problem is solved as follows in this example.
FIG. 76 shows a partial perspective view of the lower part of the sheet folding apparatus 1000 in a state where the inner frame 50 is pulled out from the outer frame 54. A mechanical sensor unit 64 that rotatably supports the sheet sensor 980 is fixed to the floor plate 62. An electric sensor unit 66 that converts the movement of the sheet sensor 980 into an electric signal is fixed to the inner frame 50. When the inner frame 50 moves straight along the rail 58 from the front side to the rear side and fits in the outer frame 54, the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the electric sensor unit 66 operate the mechanical sensor unit 64 as follows. The positional relationship can be detected.

  FIG. 77 is a diagram showing a state when the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the electric sensor unit 66 are in close proximity. The upper positioning shaft 68 of the mechanical sensor unit 64 enters the upper positioning hole 70 of the electric sensor unit 66. The lower positioning shaft 72 enters the lower positioning hole 74.

  The mechanical sensor unit 64 is fixed to the floor plate 62 by fixing screws 76 and 78. The holes through which the fixing screws 76 and 78 of the mechanical sensor unit 64 pass are elongated holes, and when the fixing screws 76 and 78 are loosened to the floor plate 62, they are shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow 80 in the figure. Can do. The direction indicated by the arrow 80 is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction from the front side to the rear side.

  The electric sensor unit 66 is fixed to the inner frame 50 by a fixing screw 82. The hole through which the fixing screw 82 of the electric sensor unit 66 passes is a long hole, and when the screwing of the fixing screw 82 to the inner frame 50 is loosened, it can be shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow 84 in the drawing. The direction indicated by the arrow 84 is the vertical direction.

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the electric sensor unit 66 as viewed from the rear side.
In FIG. 77, the fixed substrate 86 is fixed to the inner frame 50 by the fixing screw 82. Half screws 88 and 90 are screwed to the fixed substrate 86.

  The movable substrate 92 has a hole having a diameter larger than the necks of the half screws 88 and 90 and smaller than the head, and the necks of the half screws 88 and 90 pass through the holes. The movable substrate 92 can move from the fixed substrate 86 in the section of the neck length of the half screws 88 and 90. The movable substrate 92 supports the light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98 of the photo interrupter on its reference plane. The light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98 are located at a distance from each other, and it is determined whether or not there is a shielding object between them. A column 94 stands on the reference plane so that the tip of the light-receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98 of the photo interrupter is higher than the reference plane.

FIG. 79 shows the electrical sensor unit 66 as viewed from the left side with respect to the front side.
The hole 552 through which the fixing screw 82 of the electric sensor unit 66 passes is a long hole whose vertical direction is the longitudinal direction. When the screwing of the fixing screw 82 to the inner frame 50 is loosened, the hole 552 is shifted in the vertical direction in the figure. be able to. Helical springs 554 and 556 into which the necks of the half screws 88 and 90 are inserted are stretched between the movable substrate 92 and the fixed substrate 86. When the column 94 hits the mechanical sensor unit 64 and is pushed, the movable substrate 92 is pushed toward the fixed substrate 86 and approaches. On the other hand, since the spiral springs 554 and 556 are stretched, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the movable substrate 92 suddenly contacts and separates from the mechanical sensor unit 64.

  In a state where the support column 94 is in contact with the mechanical sensor unit 64, a gap is formed between the contact plane between the mechanical sensor unit 64 and the support column 94 and the light-receiving unit 96 and the light-emitting unit 98 of the photo interrupter. Furthermore, the height of the column 94 is such that a later-described shielding plate of the mechanical sensor unit 64 does not hit the bottom of the valley formed between the light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98.

FIG. 80 shows the mechanical sensor unit 64 viewed from the rear side.
In FIG. 77, the fixed substrate 558 is fixed to the floor plate 62 by the fixing screws 76 and 78. End portions of the upper positioning shaft 68 and the lower positioning shaft 72 are male screws, and the end portions are screwed to the fixed substrate 558.

  An arc-shaped slit 576 is opened in the fixed substrate 558. This arc is centered on the pivot shaft 562. The slit 576 overlaps between the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 of the photo interrupter. The shielding plate 560 rotates around the rotation shaft 562. One end of the shielding plate 560 is bent so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 562 and inserted into the slit 576 (that is, bent to the back side in FIG. 80). The portion of the shielding plate 560 inserted into the slit 576 has an arc shape centered on the rotation shaft 562 so that the inside of the slit 576 can be smoothly moved. A portion of the shielding plate 560 inserted into the slit 576 passes through the slit 576 and enters and exits between the light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit 98 of the photo interrupter.

  The shielding plate 560 is urged in the clockwise direction in FIG. 80 by a spiral spring 572 through which the rotation shaft 562 is passed. One end of the spiral spring 572 is caught on a stay 574 that is bent from the fixed substrate 558 to the front side in FIG. The other end of the spiral spring 572 is caught by the shielding plate 560. The other end of the shielding plate 560 supports the shaft 564. The shaft 564 supports one end of the arm 570 so as to be rotatable. The other end of the arm 570 supports the shaft 568 in a freely rotatable manner. The shaft 568 is supported by the sheet sensor 980. The sheet sensor 980 is rotatably supported on a shaft 566 supported by the fixed substrate 558.

  In a state where the power point of the sheet sensor 980 is above the sheet support surface of the base plate 905, the portion inserted into the slit 576 at one end of the shielding plate 560 by the urging force of the spiral spring 572 is the light receiving unit 96 and the light emitting unit. It will be in the state which left between 98. The shaft 564 at the other end of the shielding plate 560 pulls the arm 570 and the arm 570 pulls the shaft 568 by the urging force of the spiral spring 572, so that the sheet sensor 980 is pulled up around the shaft 566.

  On the other hand, in a state where the force point of the sheet sensor 980 is sinking below the sheet support surface of the base plate 905, the sheet sensor 980 rotates around the axis 566, the axis 568 pulls the arm 570, and the arm 570 is the shielding plate 560. The portion inserted into the slit 576 at one end of the shielding plate 560 enters between the light receiving portion 96 and the light emitting portion 98 against the urging force of the spiral spring 572 by pulling the shaft 564 at the other end. The emitted light is shielded from the light receiving unit 96.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical scope described in the claims.

The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet | seat. The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet | seat bundle. The figure which shows the name of each part of a sheet | seat mountain. The figure explaining the method of moving without destroying the previous sheet | seat pile. The figure explaining the method of breaking and moving the previous sheet pile. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a control unit of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating a modification of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a modification of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet stacking apparatus that shifts according to the weight of a sheet. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet stacking apparatus that shifts sheets by their weights. The disassembled perspective view of the modification of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the method of shifting a sheet | seat with the weight. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a sheet stacking apparatus using a method of shifting a sheet by its weight. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus using the method of shifting the sheet by its weight. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus using the technique of shifting the sheet by its weight. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift a sheet pile by using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile by using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sheet stacking apparatus configured to shift the sheet pile by using the weight of the sheet pile. The perspective view of the modification 1 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet | seat peak using the weight of a sheet | seat peak. Variation of Modification 1 of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the first modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. The perspective view of the modification 2 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet | seat peak using the weight of a sheet | seat peak. FIG. 10 is a partially transparent perspective view of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. The perspective view of the modification 3 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet | seat peak using the weight of a sheet | seat peak. FIG. 10 is a partially transparent perspective view of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a third modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. The perspective view of the modification 4 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet | seat peak using the weight of a sheet | seat peak. Sectional drawing of the modification 4 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet | seat peak using the weight of a sheet | seat peak. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 2 illustrates an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a modified example 4 of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a fourth modification of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. The perspective view at the time of attaching a flap to the modification 4 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet peak using the weight of a sheet peak. The exploded view at the time of attaching a flap to the modification 4 of the sheet | seat stacking apparatus of the form which shifts a sheet peak using the weight of a sheet peak. Sectional drawing 1 in the case where a flap is attached to Modification 4 of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. Sectional drawing 2 in the case of attaching a flap to Modification 4 of the sheet stacking apparatus in which the sheet pile is shifted using the weight of the sheet pile. 1 is an external view of a bookbinding system. Sectional drawing of a bookbinding system. The external view of a folding processing apparatus. The external view of the sheet sensor of a sheet folding processing apparatus. The enlarged view of the mechanical sensor unit and electric sensor unit of a folding processing apparatus. The figure which expanded further by making the mechanical sensor unit and electric sensor unit of a folding processing apparatus adjoined. The perspective view which looked at the electric sensor unit from the rear side. The figure which looked at the electric sensor unit from the left side. The figure which looked at the mechanical sensor unit from the rear side.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... image carrier,
2 ... charging means,
3 Image exposure means,
4 ... Developing means,
5A ... transfer means,
5B: Static elimination means,
5C ... Separation nail,
6 ... cleaning means,
7A: Sheet storing means,
7B: Intermediate transport section,
7C ... discharge part,
7D: Transport path switching plate,
7E ... reverse conveying part,
8: Fixing means,
30 ... Inlet roller pair,
32 ... Intermediate roller pair,
34 ... exit roller pair,
36 ... Standing tray,
38 ... Stacker,
40 ... stapler,
42 ... Blade,
44 ... Folding roller pair,
46 ... Folding mechanism,
48 ... discharge roller pair,
50 ... Inner frame,
52 ... Folding unit,
54. Outer frame,
56 ... Door,
58 ... Rail,
60 ... Control unit,
62 ... Floor plate,
64: Mechanical sensor unit,
66 ... Electric sensor unit,
68: Upper positioning axis,
70: Upper positioning hole,
72 ... lower positioning axis,
74: Lower positioning hole,
82 ... fixing screw,
76, 78, 82 ... fixing screws,
86,558 ... fixed substrate,
88, 90 ... half screw,
92 ... movable substrate,
96 ... light receiving part,
98 ... light emitting part,
201,302,403,503,603,703,803,903 ... bed,
205,305,405,505,605,705,805,905 ... guard,
300,401,501,601,701,801,901 ... discharge port,
301, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902 ... outer wall,
303, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904 ... conveying path,
304 ... discharge sensor,
306 ... Rack gear,
307 ... pinion gear,
308 ... motor,
309 ... button,
310, 400, 500, 700, 800, 900, 600 ... sheet stacking device,
311: Placement sensor,
312 ... control unit,
406,506,606,706,806,813,906,913,964 ... spring,
407, 915 ... base plate,
408, 409, 410, 411, 958, 959, 960, 961 ... roller,
412, 952 ... slope,
413, 953 ... Bed cover,
414 ... Beam,
415 ... groove,
507, 607 ... magnets,
508, 608 ... iron plate,
552 ... hole,
554, 556, 572 ... spiral spring,
560 ... shielding plate,
562 ... Rotating shaft,
564, 566, 568, 914, 962 ... axis,
570 ... arm,
576 ... slit,
574,963 ... Stay,
707 ... Lever,
708 ... stopper,
709 ... Lever arm,
807 ... stopper arm,
812, 912 ... tongue,
907 ... Upper arm,
908 ... Forearm,
910 ... support,
916, 917 ... projections,
940 ... circular arc trajectory,
950 ... flaps,
954 ... Roller cover,
957 ... Chassis,
965, 980 ... Sheet sensor,
1000 ... sheet folding apparatus,
2000: Image forming apparatus,
3000: Image reading device,
4000 ... Bookbinding system.

Claims (14)

Sheet bundle supply means for supplying the folded sheet bundle with the folded end at the top;
Folding end support means that contacts and supports the folding edge of the sheet bundle and moves in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;
The sheet bundle supplied from above in the direction of movement of the folded end support means is a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means, and the open end of the sheet bundle is close to the sheet bundle supply means. Bottom support means for supporting the position;
A top that moves with the folding end support means and has a peak in the direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle between the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end support means and the open end of the sheet bundle. A member to be formed;
When the number of sheets placed on the lower surface support means is a second number greater than the first number than the first number, the folding edge support means is caused to move by the weight of the sheet bundle. Support means for supporting the sheet bundle supply means away from the sheet bundle supply means;
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising:   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the member that forms the top has a peak in a direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end supporting means.   2. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the folded end supporting unit and the top in a moving direction of the folded end supporting unit is equal to or less than half of a length of the sheet bundle.   2. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top forming member has a plurality of tops in a direction along the folded end of the sheet bundle supported by the folded end supporting unit. The member forming the apex is formed in a direction orthogonal to the folded end of the sheet bundle, and the upper and outer surfaces of the sheet bundle placed on the lower surface support means are convex upward when viewed from the folded end of the sheet bundle. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking apparatus has a height as a posture. The member that forms the top is in the direction perpendicular to the folded end of the sheet bundle, and when viewed from the folded end of the sheet bundle, the upper outer surface of the sheet bundle that is initially placed on the lower surface support means faces upward. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking apparatus has a height with a convex posture.   The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top forming member has a height in which an upper outer surface of a sheet bundle that is initially placed on the lower surface support means is in a flat posture. Sheet bundle supply means for supplying the folded sheet bundle with the folded end at the top;
First folding end support means that contacts and supports the folding end of the sheet bundle and moves in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;
The sheet bundle supplied from above in the direction of movement of the folded end support means is a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means, and the open end of the sheet bundle is close to the sheet bundle supply means. Bottom support means for supporting the position;
A top that moves with the folding end support means and has a peak in the direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle between the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end support means and the open end of the sheet bundle. A member to be formed;
When the number of sheets placed on the lower surface support means is a second number greater than the first number than the first number, the folding edge support means is caused to move by the weight of the sheet bundle. First support means for supporting the sheet bundle supply means away from the sheet bundle supply means;
Second support means that rotates above the sheet bundle supply means and extends in the sheet bundle supply direction;
Second folding end support means that rotates at the downstream end of the second support means and abuts and supports the folding end of the sheet bundle supplied to the lower surface support means;
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising:   9. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the sheet bundle is stacked and the support means is rotated upward, the second folding end support means is rotated to release the contact support of the sheet bundle. . Sheet bundle supply means for supplying the folded sheet bundle with the folded end at the top;
Folding end support means that contacts and supports the folding edge of the sheet bundle and moves in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;
The sheet bundle supplied from above in the direction of movement of the folded end support means is a position where the folded end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means, and the open end of the sheet bundle is close to the sheet bundle supply means. Bottom support means for supporting the position;
A top that moves with the folding end support means and has a peak in the direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle between the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end support means and the open end of the sheet bundle. A member to be formed;
When the number of sheets placed on the lower surface support means is a second number greater than the first number than the first number, the folding edge support means is caused to move by the weight of the sheet bundle. Support means for supporting the sheet bundle supply means away from the sheet bundle supply means;
One end rotates around a fixed fulcrum and the other end engages with the upper part of the folding end support means, and the number of sheets on which the lower end support means is placed is the number of sheets on which the bottom support means is placed. An arm member that is held in a fixed position until the number reaches the number, and supports to rotate upward when the second number is reached;
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: A folding means for folding a plurality of sheets together as a sheet bundle;
Sheet bundle discharging means for discharging the folded sheet bundle with the folded end at the top;
Folding end support means for moving in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, supporting the folding end of the sheet bundle in contact with the folding end;
The sheet bundle discharged from above in the moving direction of the folding end support means is a position where the folding end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means, and the open end of the sheet bundle is close to the sheet bundle supply means. Bottom support means for supporting the position;
A top that moves with the folding end support means and has a peak in the direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle between the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end support means and the open end of the sheet bundle. A member to be formed;
When the number of sheets placed on the lower surface support means is a second number greater than the first number than the first number, the folding edge support means is caused to move by the weight of the sheet bundle. Supporting means for supporting the sheet bundle away from the sheet bundle discharging means;
A sheet folding processing apparatus. The center folding means is capable of folding a sheet bundle of a plurality of types of sheet sizes,
The distance between the folding end support means and the top in the moving direction of the folding end support means is less than or equal to half the length of a sheet bundle having the maximum sheet size among the plurality of types of sheet sizes. Sheet folding device. An image forming unit that sequentially forms images on a plurality of sheets forming a sheet bundle;
A folding means for folding the plurality of sheets together as a sheet bundle;
Sheet bundle discharging means for discharging the folded sheet bundle with the folded end at the top;
Folding end support means for moving in a direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, supporting the folding end of the sheet bundle in contact with the folding end;
The sheet bundle discharged from above in the moving direction of the folding end support means is a position where the folding end of the sheet bundle moves away from the sheet bundle supply means, and the open end of the sheet bundle is close to the sheet bundle supply means. Bottom support means for supporting the position;
A top that moves with the folding end support means and has a peak in the direction along the folding end of the sheet bundle between the folding end of the sheet bundle supported by the folding end support means and the open end of the sheet bundle. A member to be formed;
When the number of sheets placed on the lower surface support means is a second number greater than the first number than the first number, the folding edge support means is caused to move by the weight of the sheet bundle. Supporting means for supporting the sheet bundle away from the sheet bundle discharging means;
A bookbinding system. The center folding means is capable of folding a sheet bundle of a plurality of types of sheet sizes,
The distance between the folding end support means and the apex in the moving direction of the folding end support means is equal to or less than half the length of the sheet bundle having the maximum sheet size among the plurality of types of sheet sizes. Bookbinding system.

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