JP5565028B2 - Stapler driving device, post-processing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stapler driving device, a post-processing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  A post-processing apparatus may be connected to a subsequent stage of an image forming apparatus such as a printer that prints images or characters on paper. This post-processing device is equipped with a puncher that punches holes in the paper, a stapler that staples a stack of multiple sheets of paper with staples, and a paper folding machine that folds the paper, depending on the user's usage. Is done.

  Focusing on the stapler, a DC motor is mounted on the stapler, and a stapling operation is performed in which a staple is inserted into the sheet bundle and bent by a driving force generated by the rotation of the DC motor.

JP 2008-174382 A

  An object of the present invention is to stabilize staple processing.

The stapler driving device according to claim 1 is:
A power supply unit that includes a motor and supplies power to the motor of a stapler that performs a stapling operation in which a staple is inserted into a bundle of paper sheets composed of a plurality of stacked recording media and bent by a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor. When,
The power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies power corresponding to the water content of the recording medium toward the motor.

The stapler driving device according to claim 2 is:
The motor is a DC motor,
The power supply unit supplies the pulse-width-modulated power to the output ratio based on an instruction from the supply power control unit toward the motor.
The supply power control unit instructs the power supply unit to output a ratio according to the water content of the recording medium.

The post-processing device according to claim 3 comprises:
A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from an image forming apparatus that forms an image and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
A stapler that includes a motor and executes a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
A power supply for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
The power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies power corresponding to the water content of the recording medium toward the motor.

The post-processing device according to claim 4 comprises:
The supply power control unit causes the power supply unit to supply power corresponding to humidity in the image forming apparatus toward the motor.

The post-processing device according to claim 5 comprises:
A heater sensor that detects the presence or absence of a heater that warms a container that stores a recording medium before image formation is provided,
The supply power control unit supplies power corresponding to the detection result of the heater sensor.

The post-processing device according to claim 6 comprises:
The supply power control unit has a power different from that before the event occurs when at least one of the storing and taking out of the container for storing the recording medium before the image formation occurs in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by being made to supply.

The post-processing device according to claim 7 comprises:
When a supply source of a recording medium used for image formation is switched to another supply source, power different from that before switching is supplied.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 comprises:
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from the image forming unit and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
A stapler that includes a motor and executes a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
A power supply for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
The power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies power corresponding to the water content of the recording medium toward the motor.

  According to the stapler driving device of the first aspect, the stapling process can be stabilized.

  According to the stapler driving device of the second aspect, the power supplied to the motor can be controlled accurately and easily.

  According to the post-processing apparatus of the third aspect, the stapling process can be stabilized.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the stapling process can be stabilized as in the third aspect.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the stapling process can be stabilized similarly to the third aspect.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the stapling process can be stabilized similarly to the third aspect.

  The post-processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect can stabilize the stapling process similarly to the third aspect.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the stapling process can be stabilized.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print system. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the mechanism around the stapler of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the guide member in which two rails were formed. It is the schematic diagram which showed the driving force transmission mechanism and sensor of a stapler. It is explanatory drawing of the operation mechanism of the pressing member with which the stapler was equipped. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of a light-shielding plate and HP sensor. It is the figure which showed the shape of the staple. It is a top view which shows the state by which the needle plate was abutted by the needle stopper. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the staple needle is abutted against the needle stopper. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 1st step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 2nd step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 3rd step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 4th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 5th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 5th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 6th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 7th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 8th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 9th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement sound waveform in each process which comprises a series of staple operations. It is a block diagram of the control circuit which bears the operation control of the stapler in the post-processing device. It is a control conceptual diagram. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of humidity and a table. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a group table that classifies a sheet bundle into groups according to the paper type and the number of sheets. It is a figure which shows the content of a table. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which a copying machine and a post-processing apparatus are connected. It is a block diagram of the control circuit which bears the operation control of the stapler in the post-processing device. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the information showing that the toilet heater is arranged, and a table. It is a figure which shows the content of a table. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing system of 3rd Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram. It is a figure which shows the permissible longest time tset permitted for one stapling operation. It is a figure which shows the initial duty for every process. It is a figure which shows the recommended range of the duty for each process. It is a figure which shows the work table constructed | assembled in RAM. It is a flowchart of a staple operation control program. It is an internal block diagram.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system.

  The printing system 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes a printer 10A, a paper transport device 20, and a post-processing device 30A. This print system 1A is the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  The printer 10A is an electrophotographic printer that receives an image signal from a host device (not shown) or the like and forms an image based on the image signal on a sheet. An outline will be described.

  The printer 10A is provided with four sheet storage units 111, and each sheet storage unit 111 stores sheets P having different paper types, dimensions, and orientations (portrait and landscape). . Information on the paper type, size, and orientation of the paper stored in each paper storage unit 111 is set in advance and stored in the main body control unit 120. When a print command is received from the host device, the paper P is taken out by the take-out roll 112 from the paper storage unit 111 that stores the paper corresponding to the command, and the taken-out paper P is supplied by the supply roll 113 and the transport roll 114. The leading edge of the paper is conveyed to the adjustment roll 115.

  On the other hand, the exposure device 121 exposes each photoconductor 122 arranged for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and forms an electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor 122. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor 122 is developed with each color toner by a developing device (not shown) to form a toner image, and each color toner image is stretched by a tension roll 124 by the action of the transfer roll 125. The toner images of the respective colors are transferred so as to overlap each other on the intermediate transfer belt 123 that circulates in the direction of the arrow A in a suspended state.

  The sheet P having the leading end reaching the adjustment roll 115 is sent to the secondary transfer position T together with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 123, and the secondary transfer roll 116 acts on the intermediate transfer belt 123. The toner image is transferred to the paper P. The sheet P that has received the transfer of the toner image is further conveyed, heated and pressurized by the fixing roll 117, and the toner image on the sheet is fixed to the sheet P, and a fixed image is formed on the sheet P. The fixed sheet P is further conveyed by the conveyance roll 118, and is discharged onto the sheet discharge table 119 of the printer 10A when the sheet conveying device 20 is not present.

  The printer 10A includes a humidity sensor 101 that detects the humidity in the vicinity of the paper storage unit 111 stored in the printer 10A, as will be described in detail later.

  In this printing system 1A, since the paper transport device 20 is installed on the paper discharge table 119, the paper P discharged from the printer 10A is inherited by the paper transport device 20 and is transported in the paper transport device 20. 21 is further transported by the post-processing apparatus 30. The post-processing measure 30 will be described later.

  A command for each job is input to the printer 10A from the upper apparatus. Specifically, as an example, when the image signal for 10 sheets and the paper on which the image based on each image signal is formed are 1 to 10 pages, the paper of 1 to 10 pages is regarded as one sheet bundle, An instruction is issued such that ten sheets of paper bundles are created by binding with a staple needle for each paper bundle. For example, in the case of this example, the paper P is sequentially taken out from the paper storage unit 111 that stores paper according to the dimensions of the image, and the first page image, the second page are taken out to each paper P taken out in order. ,..., The 10th page image, the 1st page image, the 2nd page image,..., The 10th page image are sequentially printed for a total of 10 bundles (100 sheets). . The printed paper is sequentially sent to the post-processing device 30 via the paper transport device 20.

  The post-processing device 30 includes a puncher 31, a stapler 32, and a sheet processing control unit 35 that controls their operations and communicates with the printer 10A. The paper taken into the post-processing device 30 is transported by the transport roll 131, and when it is instructed to form punch holes at the edges of the paper, the puncher 31 is activated, and the paper with punch holes is further formed. The paper is conveyed and discharged onto the paper tray 136. The paper tray 136 is movable up and down between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, and descends in accordance with the total thickness of the sheets sequentially stacked on the paper tray 136.

  When the stapler 32 provided in the post-processing device 30 is instructed to bind the sheet bundle, the stapling operation by the stapler 32 is executed as follows.

  FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of a mechanism around the stapler of the post-processing device 30 shown in FIG.

  Here, a fixed plate 137 on which a sheet is placed and a movable plate 135 that can move forward and backward in the direction of arrow XX ′ are provided. In FIG. 2, the movable plate 135 has advanced in the direction of the arrow X. Further, here, a paper discharge roll 132 and a counter roll 133 are provided. The paper discharge roll 132 is movable up and down in the direction of arrow YY ′ shown in FIG. When the paper discharge roll 132 is lowered, the paper is sandwiched between the paper discharge roll 132 and the opposing roll 133, and is rotated to discharge the paper onto the paper tray 136 shown in FIG. Here, the paper discharge roll 132 is in a position raised in the arrow Y direction. Further, a paddle 134 and a lateral support plate 139 are provided here. The paddle 134 rotates in the direction of arrow B and plays a role of pushing the paper toward the stapler 32 side. The sheet pushed toward the stapler 32 is abutted against the abutting wall 138. Further, the lateral support plate 139 receives the contact of the paper struck in the horizontal direction by a striking plate (not shown) disposed so as to sandwich the paper from the left and right sides of the lateral support plate 139, and the paper It plays a role to align the horizontal position of.

  The paper that has passed through the arrangement area of the puncher 31 shown in FIG. 1 proceeds along the paper conveyance path P1 shown in FIG. At this time, the paper discharge roll 132 is in a position raised in the arrow Y direction, and the movable plate 135 is in the state of being advanced in the arrow X direction. The paper that has traveled along the paper transport path P1 is placed across the fixed plate 137 and the movable plate 135, and is abutted against the abutting wall 138 by the paddle 134 and at the same time the horizontal receiving plate 139 by a striking plate (not shown). In this way, positioning is performed both vertically and horizontally. The above operation is repeated while the number of sheets forming one sheet bundle (10 sheets in the above example) is sent, so that a plurality of sheets forming one sheet bundle are vertically and horizontally positioned. Are stacked together. The plurality of stacked sheets are bound by a stapler 32 into one sheet bundle. A staple 33 having two protrusions 331 is attached to the stapler 32, and the two protrusions 331 of the legs 33 are provided on the guide member 34 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Each of the rails 342 enters a groove 341 formed in the rail 342. The stapler 32 is guided by the two rails 342 and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, when the bundle of sheets is bound by the stapler 32, the sheet bundle is guided by the rail 342 and moved, for example, at a designated portion of the bundle of sheets such as two places near the center or one corner.

  The stapling operation itself by the stapler 32 will be described later.

  In synchronism with the binding of the sheet bundle by the stapler 32, the sheet discharge roll 132 descends in the direction of the arrow Y ′ and the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the opposing roll 133, and the movable plate 135 moves in the direction of the arrow X ′. Retreat to. When the binding operation to the sheet bundle is completed, the sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet receiving plate 136 by the rotation of the sheet discharge roll 132.

  During the above binding operation, the printer 10A and the post-processing device 30A are adjusted so that the next sheet is not further conveyed from the printer 10A (see FIG. 1). The printing operation is interrupted.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a guide member on which two rails are formed.

  Grooves 341 are respectively formed in the two rails 342 of the guide member 34, and the protrusion 331 of the foot 33 shown in FIG. 2 enters the groove 341 to guide the movement of the stapler 32. These rails 342 as a whole extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 but have curved shapes near both ends. This is because when corners of the sheet bundle are bound, corners of the sheet are bound obliquely with respect to the sheet.

  Here, the post-processing device 30 </ b> A described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be connected not only to the printer having the form shown in FIG. 1 but also to another form of printer.

  The main body control unit 120 of the printer 10 stores the image signal, stores the command by operating an operation panel (not shown), controls the entire printer 10, and further processes the humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 101. It is responsible for communication with the processing device 30. The main body control unit 120 is also responsible for adjustments in operation with the post-processing device 30.

  In the above, the printer 10A shown in FIG. 1 is shown as an apparatus to which the post-processing apparatus 30A is connected. However, the post-processing apparatus 30A is not limited to the printer 10A, and may be configured to be connectable to, for example, a copying machine. Further, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be configured to be connectable to other printing methods such as an ink jet printer. This post-processing device 30A is a common first embodiment of the stapler driving device of the present invention and the post-processing device of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the stapler itself will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a driving force transmission mechanism and a sensor of the stapler.

  The stapler 32 has a pressing member 328. The stapler 32 is provided with a DC motor 321. When the DC motor 321 rotates, the presser member 328 rotates in the direction of arrow DD ′.

  The driving force transmission mechanism from the DC motor 321 to the presser member 328 is as follows. When the DC motor 321 rotates, the driving force is transmitted in the order of the gear 322, the relay gear 323, and the driving gear 324, and the driving shaft 325 rotates. After the description of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the description will return to FIG. 4 again.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an operation mechanism of a pressing member provided in the stapler.

  The presser member 328 moves up and down between an upper position shown in FIG. 5A and a lower position shown in FIG. 5B by rotating around the rotation center 328a. Here, a drive cam 326 is attached to the drive shaft 325, and the presser member 328 moves up and down via a relay cam 327 that rotates about a rotation center 327a. When the drive shaft 325 rotates once, the presser member reciprocates once, and one stapling operation ends.

  Further, the light shielding plate 51 is attached to the drive shaft 325 at a position different from the drive cam 326 in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5). The light shielding plate 51 is fixed to the drive shaft 325 and rotates by the same rotation angle at the same speed in synchronization with the rotation of the drive cam 326. An HP (home position) sensor 52 is provided in the vicinity of the light shielding plate 51.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the light shielding plate and the HP sensor.

  The HP sensor 52 is a photoelectric sensor that projects and receives light, and is fixed at a position where the rotating light-shielding plate 51 passes so as to block light projection and reception by the HP sensor 52. The HP sensor 52 outputs an L level signal while the light shielding plate 51 is passing, and outputs an H level signal when the light shielding plate 51 is separated from the HP sensor 52. Since the light shielding plate 51 rotates together with the rotation of the drive shaft 325, the rotation position of the drive shaft 325 is detected by the HP sensor 52. Here, this sensor is used to detect the initial position of the drive shaft 325.

  After the electric power is supplied to the DC motor 321 and the stapler 32 starts the stapling operation, the HP sensor 52 indicates that the drive shaft 325 rotates once and returns to the initial position even after a certain threshold time (for example, 500 msec) elapses. If not detected, the stapling operation is defective, the rotation of the DC motor 321 is stopped, and the DC motor 321 is reversed. When the DC motor 321 is reversed, the HP sensor 52 monitors whether the drive shaft 325 returns to the initial position within a certain threshold time (for example, 200 msec). Although the processing contents differ depending on whether or not the HP sensor 52 detects that the drive shaft 325 has returned to the initial position within the threshold time due to the reverse rotation of the DC motor 321, error processing is performed in either case.

  Returning to FIG. 4, various sensors provided in the stapler 32 will be described.

  The stapler 32 is provided with a sensor 53 and a sensor 54 in addition to the HP sensor 52. The sensor 53 is a sensor that detects whether or not a staple needle (described later) is in a state in which a staple operation for binding a sheet bundle can be performed. The sensor 54 is a sensor that detects that the remaining number of staples has decreased.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the shape of the staple needle.

  The staple needle 61 has a linear shape, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the linear staple needles 61 are arranged in a single plate shape and bonded so as not to be easily separated. 60 is formed. Here, as for the staple needle 61 in use, only the leading two staple needles 61 a and 61 b are bent in a direction in which both end portions thereof are erected at right angles from the needle plate 60.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the left and right tip portions of the staple needle 61 are formed in a tapered shape so that the thickness becomes thinner toward the tip, facilitating insertion into the sheet bundle.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the needle plate is abutted against the needle stopper. The staple stopper 62 has a first stopper 62a against which both ends of the linear staple needle 61 before being bent are abutted, and a leading staple needle 61a among the two staple needles 61a and 61b which are bent. And a second stopper 62b to be applied. A guide member 63 is placed on the needle plate 60. The leading end portion of the guide member 63 has a size that enters the inside of the two staple needles 61a and 61b that are bent.

  FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the staple needle is abutted against the needle stopper.

  The guide member 63 is formed with an inclined surface 63a so as to cover the upper part of the bent staple needle 61a and expose the lower part. The guide member 63 is biased in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 9A by a spring (not shown).

  The stapler 32 further includes a needle push-up member 71 having a thickness substantially the same as the width of one staple needle 61 and a needle bending member 72 having a similar thickness. The needle push-up member 71 is disposed immediately below the folded leading staple needle 61a, and the needle bending member 72 is disposed directly below the third staple needle 61 from the leading end, that is, directly below the leading staple needle that has not yet been folded. Has been.

  When the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4) provided in the stapler 32 rotates and the drive shaft 325 rotates, the needle push-up member 71 pushes up the staple needle 61a at the tip in the arrow G direction and inserts it into a sheet bundle (not shown). At the time of pushing up, the guide member 63 is pushed back by the thickness of one staple needle 61 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 9B against the spring bias. Then, by the needle bending member 72 that has been raised following the staple pushed up by the needle push-up member 71, the leading staple needle that has not been bent is bent with the leading end portion of the guide member 63 as a guide. When the staple operation for one bundle of sheets by the staple needle 61a pushed up by the needle push-up member 71 is completed, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 are lowered to the initial position shown in FIG.

  10 to 19 are diagrams illustrating member operations in each step of the staple operation by the stapler. As described above, the stapler 32 is provided with the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4), and the drive shaft 325 is rotated by the rotation of the DC motor 321. The rotation of the drive shaft 325 causes each of the operations related to the stapling operation. The members operate in coordination.

  FIG. 10 shows an initial state immediately after the needle plate 60 is loaded on the stapler. A plurality of needle plates 60 are accommodated in a stacked manner. In addition to the needle stopper 62 composed of the first stopper 62a and the second stopper 62b, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 described with reference to FIGS. 73 is shown. The leaf spring 73 plays a role of feeding the lowermost needle plate 60a of the stacked needle plates 60 to the needle stopper 62 side. Also shown here are a needle bending member 74, a presser member 75, and an upper member 76, which are components constituting the presser member 328 shown in FIG. The needle folding member 74 plays a role of bending both ends of the staple needle penetrating the paper bundle and pressing them against the paper bundle, and the presser member 75 plays a role of pressing the needle folding member 74 from above. ing. The upper member 76 plays a role of pressing the sheet bundle from above.

  FIG. 11 shows the next step of the state shown in FIG.

  Here, the lowermost needle plate 60a is pushed and moved in the direction of arrow H by the leaf spring 73, both ends of the tip of the needle plate 60a are abutted against the first stopper 62a, and the upper member 76 is further bent. The member 74 and the presser member 75 are moved downward in the direction of arrow I while remaining on the top. The upper member 76 is formed with a groove 761 into which the needle bending member 74 is inserted. The lower part of the upper member 76 causes the needle bending member 74 to move relative to the upper member 76 so that the groove 761 is formed. It appears.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the needle push-up member 71 rises in the direction of the arrow J. At this stage, there is no staple needle 61a (see FIG. 8) that is abutted against the second stopper 62b. Therefore, the needle push-up member 71 is idle. As the needle push-up member 71 is raised, the needle bending member 72 is also raised, and both ends of the leading staple needle 61 abutted against the first stopper 62a are bent at right angles to the needle plate 60a. At this time, the leaf spring 73 continues to urge the needle plate 60a in the arrow H direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the presser member 75 is lowered in the direction of arrow K, and the needle bending member 74 is pushed into the groove 761. The leaf spring 73 once moves backward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper member 76 rises in the arrow L direction together with the needle bending member 74 and the presser member 75, and the needle pushup member 71 and needle bending member 72 are lowered in the arrow M direction. The staple plate 61a is pushed by the leaf spring 73 and the first staple needle 61a that is bent rubs through the first stopper 62a, and the second staple needle 61b that is not yet bent from the first is the first staple needle 61b. The state is abutted against the stopper 62a.

  Next, when the steps of FIGS. 12 to 14 are repeated once again, the leading two staple needles 61a and 61b are bent, and the leading staple needle 61a becomes the second stopper 62b as shown in FIG. It will be in a state of being hit.

  The sensor 53 shown in FIG. 4 is a sensor that detects that the leading staple needle 61a of the needle plate 60a bent as described above is in contact with the second stopper 62b. When this state is detected by the sensor 53, the actual stapling operation for binding the sheet bundle can be executed.

  Here, the idle driving operation shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 is repeated up to 13 times. This is because the feeding of the needle plate 60a by the leaf spring 73 may fail. If the sensor 53 does not detect the presence of the leading staple 61a even after repeating the steps of FIGS. 12 to 13 13 times, error processing is executed.

  FIG. 15 shows a state at the start of actual stapling operation.

  Here, the leading two staple needles 61a and 61b of the needle plate 60a are bent, and the leading staple needle 61a is abutted against the second stopper 62b. FIG. 15 also shows a sheet bundle P scheduled to be stapled.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the leaf spring 73 presses the needle plate 60a in the direction of arrow N to press the needle plate 60a against the needle stopper 62, and the upper member 76 moves down in the direction of arrow O to raise the sheet bundle P. It can be pressed from. At this time, a groove 761 is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the needle push-up member 71 rises in the direction of arrow P, and the sheet bundle P is penetrated by the leading staple needle 61a. The needle bending member 72 is also raised, and the both side portions of the two adjacent straight leading staple needles 61 are bent upward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the presser member 75 is lowered in the direction of the arrow Q, the needle bending member 74 is pushed into the groove 761, and both ends of the staple needle 61a are bent inward. The groove 761 is formed slightly obliquely so that both ends of the staple needle 61a bent inward do not collide with each other.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the upper member 76 rises in the direction of arrow R, and accordingly, the needle folding member 74 and the presser member 75 also rise together with the upper member 76. In addition, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 are lowered in the arrow S direction. The needle plate 60a is pushed by the leaf spring 73, and the next leading staple is abutted against the second stopper 62b.

  Thereafter, the sheet bundle P bound by the staples is discharged to the outside of the post-processing device 30 as described with reference to FIG.

  The above steps of FIGS. 15 to 19 are repeated, and the sheet bundle P bound by the staple needle 61 is sequentially formed.

  Another sensor 54 shown in FIG. 4 is a sensor that detects that the number of remaining staples 61 has decreased as a result of consuming the staples 61 as described above. When the remaining staple needles 61 are low, a warning is given to the user.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an operation sound waveform in each process constituting a series of stapling operations. In FIG. 20, a light shielding plate 51 and an HP sensor 52 are also shown.

  Here, a series of stapling operations are divided into a starting step T1, a binding step T2, and a return step T3. In the present embodiment, the time length t1 of the starting process T1 is fixed at t1 = 50 msec. Further, the boundary between the binding process T2 and the return process T3 can be known from the change in the output of the HP sensor 52. Further, the end timing (that is, the initial state) of the return process T3 can be known from the output change of the HP sensor 52.

  The starting process T1 is a time of 50 msec from the time when the power supply to the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4) is started in the initial state shown in FIG. The binding process T2 is a process that continues to the state of FIG. 18 following the activation process T1. The return step T3 is a step for performing the operation described with reference to FIG.

  Here, the time length of the start process T1 is t1, the time length of the binding process is t2, the time length of the return process is t3, and the time for one series of stapling operations from the start of the start process T1 to the end of the return process T3. The length is represented by t123. The total time length t1 + t2 of the starting process T1 and the binding process T2 is represented by t12.

  Below, the device for performing a stable staple process according to the moisture content of the paper which comprises a paper bundle is demonstrated.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a control circuit for controlling the operation of the stapler in the post-processing apparatus.

  Here, a CPU 351, a RAM 352, a motor driving unit 353, and an oscillator 354 are shown. These are some of the components in the sheet processing control unit 35 shown in FIG.

  Also shown here are the DC motor 321, the stapling mechanism 39 including the various mechanical elements described above, and the HP sensor 52 as components of the stapler 32.

  Various data (to be described later) stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) is transferred to the RAM 352 when the power of the post-processing device 30 is turned on, and a stapler operation control program operating on the CPU 351 is also loaded on the RAM 352. . The CPU 351 receives the humidity information in the vicinity of the paper storage unit 111 that stores the paper constituting the paper bundle to be stapled by the post-processing device 30 from the connected printer 10 and the paper used for the current print. Information such as the type (paper type), the number of sheets per bundle, and the number of sheets is input. The CPU 351 also receives the output signal of the HP sensor 52, and the CPU 351 recognizes that the stapler 32 is in the initial state and that it is at the timing of switching from the binding process T2 to the return process T3.

  In the motor drive unit 353, the pulse width modulation power with the duty instructed by the CPU 351 is generated. The oscillator 354 generates a clock signal for generating pulse width modulation power (PWM power) in the motor driving unit 353. The motor drive unit 354 corresponds to an example of the power supply unit referred to in the present invention, and the CPU 351 corresponds to an example of the supply power control unit referred to in the present invention.

  Here, PWM is a technique for modulating power into a periodic pulse-like waveform. The pulse height in the modulated waveform is equal to the rated voltage of the DC motor 321. The ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period in the modulated waveform is the ratio of the effective output to the rated output. This ratio is referred to as PWM power duty (output ratio). By adjusting this duty, the effective output of PWM power is adjusted between 0 and the rated power.

  The PWM power generated by the motor drive unit 353 is supplied to the DC motor 321, and the DC motor 321 rotates with the supplied PWM power. Here, the DC motor 321 rotates at a rotational speed approximately in accordance with the duty of the PWM power supplied to the DC motor 321, but depending on the individual difference of the stapler 32, the paper type and number of sheets to be bound, and the like. It varies greatly, and the duty and the rotational speed are not necessarily in a one-to-one relationship.

  FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of control.

  The control to be performed here is to adjust the duty for each process. The starting step T1 is a step of starting the rotation of the DC motor 321 and requires a large amount of power, and is fixed at a duty of 100% here. The time length t1 of the starting process T1 is fixed at t1 = 50 msec as described above.

  In the next binding step T2, the duty is reduced from 100% within a range where the stapling operation is normally performed, and the operation sound is suppressed.

  Also in the next return step T3, the duty is reduced from 100% within a range where the stapling operation is normally performed, and the operation sound is suppressed.

  The maximum allowable time t123 required for a series of stapling operations including the starting step T1, the binding step T2, and the return step T3 is determined. This is because if a series of stapling operations takes too much time, there is a possibility that the productivity of the sheet bundle may be reduced.

  Here, when the duty is changed as shown by a solid line in FIG. 22, the actual rotational speed of the DC motor 321 follows the change of the duty with a time delay or the like as shown by a broken line here.

  As shown in FIG. 21, between the printer 10A in the online state and the post-processing device 30A, when processing in the post-processing device 30A is designated for a print on which image formation has been performed in the printer 10A. The information on the paper type, the number of sheets, the number of bundles, and the humidity is transmitted from the printer 10A to the post-processing device 30A.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between humidity and a table. This content is loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 22 prior to the operation in the post-processing device 30A.

  FIG. 23 shows the contents stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of the post-processing apparatus 30A. If the humidity detected by the printer 10A is less than 30%, the table 1 is applied, and 30% or more is applied. If so, it is shown that Table 2 is applied. The post-processing device 30A receives a stapling request from the connected printer 10A and refers to a table corresponding to the humidity information sent from the printer 10A.

  Here, FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a group table that classifies the sheet bundle into groups according to the paper type and the number of sheets.

  In the group table shown here, the number of sheets to be stapled (the number of staples) is divided into five sections by dividing 10 sheets. Further, as the types of paper, six types of paper, “thin paper”, “plain paper 1”, “plain paper 2”, “thick paper”, “coated paper”, and “thick paper 2” are assumed in order from the thinnest. Yes. This group table indicates which group of what type of paper is to be bundled when it is bundled.

  As shown in FIG. 21, information on the paper type used for the current print, the number of sheets per bundle, and the number of bundles are input to the post-processing device 30A from the printer 10A. The sheet type and the number of sheets per bundle are used to determine a group of sheet bundles by referring to this group table.

  In the group table shown here, the sheet bundle to be bound is divided into three groups of A group, B group, and C group according to the paper type and the number of sheets. The load required for the stapling operation on the sheet bundle is a low load in the A group, a medium load in the B group, and a high load in the C group. For example, for plain paper 1 having a thin paper thickness, a bundle of 2 to 10 sheets belongs to the A group, and a bundle of 11 to 30 sheets belongs to the B group. If the number is 31 or more, it belongs to the C group. On the other hand, even two coated papers having a thick paper thickness belong to the C group.

  The information shown in FIG. 24 is stored in a non-illustrated nonvolatile memory, and is loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 21 prior to the operation.

  FIG. 25 shows the contents of the table. This content is also loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 21 prior to the operation in the post-processing device 30A.

  FIG. 25 shows the contents of Table 1 and Table 2 shown in FIG. 23. Each of Table 1 and Table 2 has a group in which the duty in three steps belongs (Group A). , B group, C group).

  In FIG. 25, for the sheet bundle belonging to the same group, the same duty is instructed in Table 1 and Table 2 for the start process and the return process, but for the binding process, Table 2 is more than Table 1. A high duty (d2) is indicated. This is because when the humidity of the environment in which the paper constituting the paper bundle was placed before image formation is low, the paper is harder to dry than when the humidity is high. This is because it is difficult to penetrate the sheet bundle. The CPU 351 of the post-processing device 30A uses the sheet type and the number of bundles out of the information on the sheet type, the number of sheets per bundle and the humidity sent from the printer 10A in the table referred to based on the humidity information. With this information, the motor drive unit 353 is instructed with the duty of each process described for the group to which the sheet bundle belongs. As a result, the stapling process is stably executed even when the humidity of the environment in which the sheets constituting the sheet bundle are placed changes.

  Next, a second embodiment common to the stapler driving device of the present invention and the post-processing device of the present invention and the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 26 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which a copying machine and a post-processing apparatus are connected.

  The printing system 1B is composed of a copying machine 40 and a post-processing device 30B. Of the devices and members shown in FIG. 26, the same types of devices and members as the devices and members shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG.

  The copying machine 40 shown in FIG. 26 includes an image reading unit 41, an operation panel 42, and an image forming unit 43.

  The image reading unit 41 includes a transparent document table 411 that reads a document image, and a main body unit 412 that accommodates an optical scanning system including a lamp, a mirror, and the like (not shown). A document is placed on document platen 411 so that the document image is in contact with document platen 411. The document image is read by scanning with an optical scanning system, and an image signal representing the document image is generated. The generated image signal is stored in a memory in the main body control unit 450.

  The operation panel 42 accepts user operations. Here, various operations such as various settings, image reading and image formation start instructions are performed. Various instructions on the operation panel 42 are also stored in the main body control unit 450.

  The image forming unit 43 is an electrophotographic printer that forms an image on a sheet based on the image signal stored in the main body control unit 450.

  The image forming unit 43 is provided with three paper storage units 431 that store paper P having different paper types, dimensions, and orientations (portrait and landscape). Each paper storage unit 431 is provided with a tray heater 430 at the bottom of each paper storage unit 431 in order to dry the paper to be stored. Information on the paper type, dimensions, and orientation of the paper stored in the paper storage unit 431 is set in advance by operating the operation panel 42 and stored in the main body control unit 450. When a print command is received from the operation panel 42, the paper P is taken out by the take-out roll 432 from the paper storage unit 431 in which the paper corresponding to the command is stored, and the taken-out paper P is supplied to the supply roll 433 and the transport roll 434. Is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path R1, and the leading edge of the sheet reaches the adjustment roll 435.

  On the other hand, the exposure device 435 exposes each photoconductor 436 arranged for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and forms an electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor 436. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor 436 is developed with each color toner by a developing device (not shown) to form a toner image, and each color toner image is stretched by a tension roll 438 by the action of the transfer roll 437. The toner images of the respective colors are transferred so as to overlap each other on the intermediate transfer belt 439 that circulates in the direction of the arrow A in a suspended state.

  The sheet P having the leading end reaching the adjustment roll 435 is sent to the secondary transfer position T together with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 439, and the secondary transfer roll 440 acts on the intermediate transfer belt 439. The toner image is transferred to the paper P. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is further conveyed by the conveying belt 441, and the toner image on the sheet is fixed to the sheet P by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 442 by the roll 442a and the belt 442b. A fixed image is formed on P. In the case of single-sided printing, the fixed sheet P proceeds along the sheet conveyance path R2, the sheet correction unit 435 corrects the curvature of the sheet, and is further conveyed and discharged from the copying machine 40. The sheet discharged from the copying machine 40 is passed on to the post-processing device 30B connected to the subsequent stage.

  When printing on both sides of the paper is designated, the paper after the image on the first side fixed by the fixing device 442 is conveyed along the paper conveyance path R3, and further reaches the paper conveyance path R4. Thereafter, the transport direction is reversed, and this time, the paper travels along the paper transport path R5 and further proceeds along the paper transport path R1. At this time, the paper is taken out of the paper storage unit 431 and is reversed from the front and back when the paper travels on the paper transport path R1. An image is formed on the second surface of the paper that has advanced to the paper transport paths R5 and R1 in the same manner as described above, and is discharged from the copier 40 through the paper transport path R2, and is sent to the post-processing device 30B. inherited.

  In this copying machine 40, designation is performed in units of one job by operating the operation panel 42. Specifically, as an example, an instruction is input to create 10 bundles of copy images in which 10 image images sequentially read by the image reading unit 41 are 1 to 10 pages. For example, in the case of this example, the paper P is sequentially taken out from the paper storage unit 111 that stores the paper according to the dimensions of the image, and the first page image and the second page are taken out to each paper 3 taken out in order. , ..., 10th page image, 1st page image, 2nd page image, ..., 10th page image in total in the order of 10 bundles (100 sheets). It is done sequentially. However, one-sided printing is described here as an example. The printed paper is sequentially sent to the post-processing device 30B.

  The main body control unit 450 is responsible for storing image signals, storing commands by operating the operation panel 42, controlling the entire copying machine 40, and communicating with the post-processing device 30B. The main body control unit 450 is also responsible for adjustments in operation with the post-processing device 30B. Further, when the power source of the copying machine 40 is turned on, the main body control unit 450 unconditionally transmits information indicating that the tray heater 430 is provided to the post-processing device 30B.

  FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls the operation of the stapler in the post-processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 27, between the copying machine 40 and the post-processing apparatus 30B in the online state, the processing in the post-processing apparatus 30B is designated for the print on which image formation has been performed in the copying machine 40. In this case, information indicating that the paper type, the number of sheets, the number of bundles, and the tray heater 430 are provided is transmitted from the copying machine 40 to the post-processing device 30B.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between information indicating that a toilet heater is provided and a table. This content is loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 27 prior to the operation in the post-processing device 30B.

  FIG. 28 shows the contents stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) of the post-processing device, and information indicating that the tray heater 430 is provided as in the printer 10A of the first embodiment. When devices that do not transmit are connected, the table 3 is applied, and a device that transmits information indicating that the tray heater 430 is provided is connected as in the copying machine 40 of the second embodiment. If so, Table 4 is applied. In the post-processing device 30B, when a request for stapling processing is received from the copier 40 connected thereto and information indicating that the tray heater 430 is provided is sent from the copier 40, the table 4 is applied.

  FIG. 29 shows the contents of the table. This content is also loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 22 prior to the operation in the post-processing device 30B.

  FIG. 29 shows the contents of the table 3 and the table 4 shown in FIG. 28, respectively. Each of the tables 3 and 4 has a duty of three processes (group A, group A). (Group B, Group C).

  In FIG. 29, for the sheet bundle belonging to the same group, the same duty is instructed in the table 1 and the table 2 for the starting process and the returning process, but the table 2 is more in the table 2 than the table 1 in the binding process. A high duty is indicated. This is because if the environment in which the sheets constituting the sheet bundle are placed before the image formation has a low humidity due to the presence of the tray heater, the sheets become harder than the case where the humidity is high due to drying. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the duty for the staples to penetrate the sheet bundle. The CPU 351 of the post-processing device 30B determines a group of sheet bundles from each piece of information of the sheet type and the number of sheets per bundle sent from the copying machine 40, and indicates the duty obtained with reference to the table 4 To do. As a result, the stapling process is stably executed regardless of whether or not the tray heater 430 at the place where the sheets constituting the sheet bundle are placed.

  Next, a third embodiment common to the stapler driving device of the present invention and the post-processing device of the present invention and the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The difference between the first embodiment and the third embodiment is that, in the post-processing device 30A of the first embodiment, two types of different duty are described depending on whether or not the humidity exceeds 30%. While the duty is determined with reference to one of the tables, in the post-processing device 30C of the third embodiment, in order to extend the time required for one stapling process to the full allowable time, Although the duty is updated every time the stapling process is performed, when the paper storage unit 111 is extracted from the printer 10C, it is highly likely that the stored paper has been changed, and the duty has been updated. It is in the point which returns to the initial value because it cannot be utilized.

  FIG. 30 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print system according to the third embodiment.

  A printing system 1C shown in FIG. 30 includes a printer 10C, a transport device 20, and a post-processing device 30C. The printer 10 </ b> C shows a state in which one detection sensor 1111 for detecting insertion / extraction of the paper storage unit 111 from the main body of the printer 10 </ b> C is provided for each paper storage unit 111.

  FIG. 31 is an internal block diagram.

  FIG. 31 shows that information transmitted from the printer 10C to the post-processing device 30C includes insertion / extraction information of the paper storage unit 111.

  First, the duty update performed in the post-processing device 30C will be described.

  Of the three processes, it has been found that slowing the operating speed of the binding process T2 greatly contributes to the reduction of the operating noise, and therefore, here, within a range that does not fall below the minimum duty in the binding process T2, and When the time required for the entire staple operation does not exceed the allowable maximum time, the operation speed of the binding process T2 is slowed down, and if there is a margin, the operation speed of the return process T3 is set, and this is also the lowest duty in the return process T3. Control is performed such that the time required for the entire stapling operation is relaxed within a range not exceeding the allowable maximum time.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the maximum allowable time tset allowed for one stapling operation.

  In the case of the printing system 1C shown in FIG. 31, the sheet conveyance speed is selected from two types of 35 cpm and 55 cpm. Here, the maximum allowable time tset at 35 cpm is 450 msec and 55 cpm. The allowable maximum time tset = 350 msec is defined. Hereinafter, a case where the paper conveyance speed is 35 cpm will be described.

  The information shown in FIG. 32 is stored in a non-illustrated nonvolatile memory, and is loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 31 prior to the operation.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an initial duty for each process.

  Here, it is divided into three groups of A group, B group, and C group according to the paper type and the number of sheets to be bound.

  As shown in FIG. 31, information on the paper type used for the current print, the number of sheets per bundle, and the number of bundles is input from the printer 10C. One of the groups A, B, and C is employed using information on the number of sheets per page. D1, d2, and d3 shown in FIG. 33 represent the duty of the starting step T1, the binding step T2, and the return step T3, respectively.

  The information shown in FIG. 33 is also stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown), and is loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 31 prior to the operation.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a recommended range of duty for each process.

  Here, three groups of A group, B group, and C group are defined.

  The starting process T1 is fixed at a duty of 100%. In the binding process T2 and the return process T3, the recommended range of the duty has an upper limit and a lower limit. The lower limit is a value that must be observed because a malfunction may occur if the duty is reduced below this value. The upper limit is a value that is desirably kept below this value to reduce the operation sound. In this embodiment, as shown in a flowchart described later, even if this upper limit value is set, the maximum allowable maximum of one stapling operation is performed. When the time is exceeded, the operation sound reduction is given up and priority is given to reliable operation and productivity, and a duty of 100% is adopted.

  The information shown in FIG. 34 is also stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) and loaded into the RAM 352 prior to the operation.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a work table constructed in the RAM.

  Here, the explanation will be given by taking the A group as an example.

  The column “start-up step T1” is a column in which the time of the start-up step T1 is entered, and is fixed at 50 msec here.

  Each column of the “binding step T2” and the “returning step T3” is an actual measurement value of the time required for this execution of the binding step T2 and the returning step T3. Here, as an example, it is recorded that 300 msec is required in the binding step T2, and 75 msec is required in the return step T3.

  In the column of actual measurement t123r, actual measurement values (here, 50 + 300 + 75 = 425 msec) of the entire staple operation are recorded.

  The margin time tf column is a value (here, the value recorded in the actual measurement t123r from the maximum allowable time for one stapling operation (here, the maximum allowable time tset = 450 msec corresponding to the paper conveyance speed 35 cpm shown in FIG. 32). A value obtained by subtracting (425 msec) (here, tf = 25 msec) is entered.

  In the column of prediction t123c, a predicted value of one stapling operation time in a stapler having a typical operation speed is entered, and in the column of initial margin tm, the value of prediction t123c from the allowable maximum time tset = 450 msec is entered. The deducted value is entered. In FIG. 35, the prediction t123c = 420 msec and the initial margin tm = 30 msec for the group A, and in the example shown in FIG. 35, it is shown that the actual measurement t123r takes an extra 5 msec compared to the prediction t123c. .

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the stapler control program. This stapler control program is also stored in a non-illustrated nonvolatile memory, loaded into the RAM 352 shown in FIG. 31 prior to operation, and executed by the CPU 351C.

  Here, first, a job type is selected (step S01). That is, here, it is determined which of the A group, the B group, and the C group shown in FIG. Here, the description will be made assuming that the group A.

  Next, the initial stapling operation is executed with the initial duty shown in FIG. 33 (step S02), the actual operation time t2 of the binding process T2 and the actual operation time t3 of the return process T3 are measured, and the margin time tf is calculated (step). S03). These measured values and calculated values are recorded in the work table of FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the calculated margin time tf is 0 ≦ tf (step S04). When 0 ≦ tf, the process proceeds to step S11, where the duty d2 of the binding process T2 of the table shown in FIG. 33 is d2 = (d2 current state * t2) / (t2 + tf) (1)
To be rewritten. When the stapling operation is executed with the duty shown in FIG. 33 and the numerical value shown in FIG. 35 is obtained, the equation (1) is
d2 = (65 * 300) / (300 + 25) = 60 (2)
It becomes. This means that the duty d2 of the binding process T2 of the group A in FIG. 25 is rewritten from d2 current = 65% to d2 = 60%. In other words, since there is a margin of tf = 25 msec at d2 current state = 65%, it means that the duty of the binding step T2 is lowered from 65% to 60% in the next stapling operation.

  Next, it is determined whether d2 calculated in step S11 is larger than the lower limit d2min of the duty of the binding process T2 (whether d2min <d2) (step S12). Here, d2min is the lower limit d2min = 50% in the duty range 50 to 70 of the binding process T2 of the group A shown in FIG.

  When d2min <d2, the process proceeds to step S13 to determine whether or not there is a next sheet bundle in the current job. If it is not in the next sheet bundle, the process ends. When the next sheet bundle exists, the next stapling operation is driven by the duty table (see FIG. 33) rewritten as described above (step S14), and the actual operation time t2 and return of the binding step T2. The actual operation time t3 of the process T3 is measured, and the margin time tf is calculated using those measured values (step S15). These measured values and calculated values are recorded each time in the work table of FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not 0 ≦ tf (step S16). If 0 ≦ tf, the process returns to step S11, and a new d2 is calculated and the work table shown in FIG. 35 is rewritten according to the above-described equation (1).

  If it is determined in step S16 that tf <0, the process proceeds to step S17, the value of d2 is increased by 2%, and the value of d2 in FIG. 33 is rewritten. Further, it is determined whether or not the value of d2 calculated in step S17 is d2 ≦ d2max (step S18). If d2 ≦ dmax, the process returns to step S13. When d2max <d2, the process proceeds to step S41. The description of each step after step S41 will be given later.

  Here, d2max is the maximum value d2max = 70% in the range 50 to 70 of the duty d2 of the binding process T2 of the group A in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the duty d2 calculated in step S11 is d2 ≦ d2min, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, it is determined whether d2min = d2. When d2 <d2min, the process proceeds to step S22, d2 = d2min, that is, the lower limit is fixed, and the process returns to step S13.

On the other hand, when d2 = d2min, the process proceeds to step S23.
d3 = (d3 current state * t3) / (t3 + tf) (3)
Thus, the new duty d3 of the return process T3 is calculated, and the table shown in FIG. 35 is rewritten.

When the duty 50% of the return process T3 of the A group shown in FIG. 33 is d3 current and the numerical value shown in FIG. 35 is obtained, the equation (3) is
d3 = (50 * 75) / (75 + 25) = 37.5 (%)
It becomes.

  Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not d3min ≦ d3. When d3 <d3min, the process proceeds to step S25, where d3 = d3min, that is, the lower limit is fixed. The table shown in FIG. 33 is rewritten by this value d3 = d3min.

  Here, d3min is the minimum value d3min = 20% within the duty range of 20 to 60 in the returning process T3 of the A group shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S24 that dmin ≦ d3, the process proceeds to step S26 to determine whether or not the next sheet bundle exists in the current job. Thus, the process shown in this flowchart ends. When the next sheet bundle exists, the next stapling operation is executed according to the duty table (see FIG. 33) rewritten as described above (step S27). The actual operation time t2 of the binding process T2 and the actual operation time t3 of the return process T3 are measured, and the margin time tf is calculated using those measured values (step S28). These measured values and calculated values are recorded in the work table of FIG. 35 each time.

  Next, it is determined whether or not 0 ≦ tf (step S29). If 0 ≦ tf, the process returns to step S23, a new d3 is calculated according to the above-described equation (3), and the work table in FIG. 35 is rewritten. It is.

  If it is determined in step S29 that tf <0, the process proceeds to step S30, the value of d3 is increased by 2%, and the value of d3 in FIG. 33 is rewritten.

  Further, it is determined whether or not d3 increased in step S30 is d3 ≦ d3max (step S31). If d3 ≦ d3max, the process returns to step S27. When d3max <d3, the process returns to step S17, and the value of d2 is also increased by 2%.

  Here, d3max is the maximum value d3max = 60% of the duty widths 20 to 60 in the return step T3 of the A group shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S04 that tf is tf <0, or if it is determined in step S18 that d2max <d2, the process proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the columns d2 and d3 of the A group in the duty table shown in FIG. 33 are rewritten to the upper limit values d2max and d3max of the duty, respectively.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a next sheet bundle in the current job. If there is a next sheet bundle, the process ends. If there is a next sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is rewritten to d2max and d3max in step S41. A stapling operation is performed according to the duty table (step S43), t2 and t3 at that time are measured, and a margin time tf is calculated (step S44). These measured values and calculated values are recorded in the work table of FIG. In step S45, it is determined whether or not the margin time tf calculated in step S44 is 0 ≦ tf. When 0 ≦ tf, the process returns to step S11, and when tf <0, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, both the columns d2 and d3 in the A group of the duty table shown in FIG. 33 are rewritten to a duty of 100%.

  When the next sheet bundle does not exist (step S47), the process is finished as it is, and when the next sheet bundle exists (step S47), the stapling operation is performed according to the duty table rewritten to d2 = d3 = 100% in step S46. (Step S48), the times t2 and t3 at that time are measured, and the margin time tf is calculated (Step S49). These measured values and calculated values are recorded in the work table.

  In step S50, it is determined whether or not the margin time tf calculated in step S49 is 0 ≦ tf. If 0 ≦ tf, the process returns to step S11. If tf <0, the maximum allowable time tset (see FIG. 32) has been exceeded even if all the steps d1 to d3 have a duty of 100%. The “stapler failure” is notified, and the operation of the printing system 1C (see FIG. 30) is stopped.

  Here, the duty table shown in FIG. 33 rewritten according to this flowchart is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) at the end of the operation of the current job or when the power of the post-processing device 30C (see FIG. 30) is turned off. The next job is rewritten, and the stapling operation is executed with the duty recorded in the rewritten duty table as the initial duty.

  In the stapler control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36, the duty of the next stapling operation instruction is calculated based on the measurement time and the margin time tf calculated based on the measurement time. Instead of this calculation method, for example, a constant value ( The duty may be decreased (by 2%, for example), or may be changed in proportion to the difference between the current duty and the lower limit values d2min and d3min of the duty (for example, d2 = (d2 current state + d2min) / 2). May be. This completes the description of the duty update.

  In the post-processing device 30C of the third embodiment, the duty of the d2 process and further the duty of the d3 process are updated and changed for each stapling process as described above. However, as shown in FIG. When information indicating that 111 has been extracted is received, the duty that has been updated and changed so far is changed to the initial duty shown in FIG. This is because the moisture content of the paper subjected to the stapling process is considered to change before and after the paper storage unit 111 is extracted.

  By changing to the initial duty, since the duty is set to a high value, even if the moisture content is changed, the stapling process is stably executed.

  Next, a fourth embodiment common to the stapler driving device of the present invention and the post-processing device of the present invention and the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that in the third embodiment, the duty is updated every time stapling is performed, but the sheet storage unit 111 is extracted from the main body of the printer 10C. In the fourth embodiment, the updated duty is discarded and returned to the initial value. In the fourth embodiment, the same size and the same paper type are stored in different paper storage units 111 in the same job. When the paper is used, the water content is considered to change, so the updated value is discarded. The printer 10 </ b> D advances the discussion on the assumption that sheets of the same size and type are prepared in multiple stages.

  FIG. 37 is an internal block diagram.

  FIG. 37 shows a state in which sheet storage unit switching information indicating that the sheet storage unit 111 that is a sheet supply source is switched during printing is transmitted from the printer 10D. In this way, even when sheets of the same type and size are used, even with an updated value that is valid for a sheet bundle made up of sheets supplied from the same sheet storage unit 111, different sheet storage units 111 are used. There is no guarantee that the sheet bundle made up of sheets supplied from is effective. However, when the paper storage unit 111 is switched in this way, the stapling process is stably executed by returning the updated value to the initial value even if the water content of the paper constituting the paper bundle is different. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B Print system 10 Printer 20 Paper conveyance apparatus 30 Post-processing apparatus 31 Puncher 32 Stapler 33 Foot part 34 Guide member 35 Paper processing control part 39 Staple mechanism 40 Copying machine 41 Image reading part 42 Operation panel 43 Image formation part 51 Light-shielding plate 52 HP (Home Position) Sensor 53, 53a, 54 Sensor 60, 60a Needle Plate 61, 61a, 61b Staple Needle 62, 62a, 62b Needle Stopper 63 Guide Member 71 Needle Push-Up Member 72 Needle Bending Member 73 Plate Spring 74 Needle Bending Member 75 Pressing member 76 Upper member 111 Paper storage part 112,432 Take-out roll 113,433 Supply roll 114,118,21,131,434 Transport roll 115,435 Adjustment roll 116,440 Secondary transfer roll 117 Fixing roller 119 Paper discharge table 120,450 Main body control unit 134 Padra 135 Movable plate 136 Paper receiving plate 137 Fixed plate 138 Abutting wall 139 Horizontal support plate 321 DC motor 322 Gear 323 Relay gear 324 Drive gear 325 Drive shaft 326 Drive cam 327 Relay cam 327a, 328a Center of rotation 328 Presser member 331 Protrusion 341, 761 Groove 342 Rail 351 CPU
352 RAM
353 Motor drive unit 354 Oscillator P Paper R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 Paper transport path

Claims (2)

A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from an image forming apparatus that forms an image and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
A stapler that includes a DC motor, and executes a staple operation in which a staple is inserted into the bundle and bent by a driving force generated by the rotation of the DC motor;
A power supply for supplying pulse width modulated power to the DC motor of the stapler;
Based on the type and number of recording media forming the bundle, an initial value of the output ratio of the pulse width modulated power to an output ratio corresponding to the moisture content of the recording medium is determined and used for the stapling operation. And the time required for executing the stapling operation when the power supply unit outputs the power pulse-modulated to the output ratio of the initial value to the DC motor. Based on this, the margin of execution time of the stapling operation is calculated, the output ratio for driving the DC motor is updated to reflect the calculated margin, and the power of the updated output ratio in the next stapling operation is calculated. When the control to be supplied to the motor is repeated and at least one of the storage and removal of the storage body for storing the recording medium before image formation into the image forming apparatus occurs, the next Serial When the execution of the stapler operation, the post-processing apparatus comprising the said initial value of the supply power control unit for supplying to said DC motor pulse width modulated power from the power supply unit to output ratio.   An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
  A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from the image forming unit and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
  A stapler that includes a DC motor, and executes a staple operation in which a staple is inserted into the bundle and bent by a driving force generated by the rotation of the DC motor;
  A power supply for supplying pulse width modulated power to the DC motor of the stapler;
  Based on the type and number of recording media forming the bundle, an initial value of the output ratio of the pulse width modulated power to an output ratio corresponding to the moisture content of the recording medium is determined and used for the stapling operation. And the time required for executing the stapling operation when the power supply unit outputs the power pulse-modulated to the output ratio of the initial value to the DC motor. Based on this, the margin of execution time of the stapling operation is calculated, the output ratio for driving the DC motor is updated to reflect the calculated margin, and the power of the updated output ratio in the next stapling operation is calculated. When the control to be supplied to the motor is repeated and at least one of the storage and removal of the storage body for storing the recording medium before image formation into the image forming apparatus occurs, the next Serial When the execution of the stapler operation, the image forming apparatus, comprising the said initial value of the supply power control unit which power that has been pulse-width modulated output ratio is supplied to the DC motor from the power supply unit.

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