JP5665368B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that are provided integrally or separately in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and perform post-processing such as binding on a sheet that has undergone printing processing. An image forming system comprising:

  2. Description of the Related Art A sheet processing apparatus that is disposed downstream of an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer and performs post-processing such as binding on a sheet (paper) output from the image forming apparatus is widely known. In recent years, sheet processing apparatuses have been made multifunctional, and those capable of performing saddle stitching in addition to the conventional end face binding have been proposed. Some sheet processing apparatuses capable of such saddle stitching have a function of folding and binding from the saddle stitching portion. For example, an invention has been proposed in which folding is strengthened by folding a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are stacked from the center, and rolling the press unit in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to the method described in Patent Document 1, folding quality can be reliably improved by the press unit. However, if a jam occurs during the operation of the press unit for some reason, the operation of the press unit stops with the press unit nipping the sheet bundle. Therefore, there is a problem that when the user releases the jam, the sheet bundle is prevented from being taken out. In order to solve this problem, an invention has been proposed in which the operation of the press unit is monitored, and when it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the press unit during the operation of the press unit, the press unit is moved to the home position ( For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A 62-16987 JP 2004-059306 A

  The press unit described above waits at a standby position positioned on the sheet bundle conveyance path before the sheet bundle reaches the press position (see FIG. 4A), and presses as soon as the sheet bundle reaches the press position. To start. For this reason, there is a case where the user's jam release is prevented in addition to the case where an abnormality occurs in the press unit during the operation of the press unit. For example, when a sheet bundle is conveyed to a press position, or when a jam occurs in a device downstream of the sheet bundle conveying means or a press unit such as a trimmer during pressing. When such a jam occurs, the user manually operates a handle for driving the bundle conveying unit to convey the sheet bundle downstream in the sheet conveying direction, and removes the jam by removing the sheet bundle.

  However, since the press unit stands by on the sheet bundle conveyance path, if the sheet bundle is conveyed downstream in the sheet conveying direction, it interferes with the press unit and cannot be removed. Therefore, after the user moves the press unit to a position where it does not interfere with the sheet bundle, it is necessary to convey the sheet bundle downstream in the sheet conveying direction and remove the sheet bundle.

  However, to move the press unit, the user needs to turn the handle by hand. Depending on the position of the press unit, the amount of movement is large, and when the press unit nips the sheet bundle, the load for turning the handle is large. , It is a hassle for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can improve the usability of jam release even when the press unit is in a position that prevents the user from releasing jam, and the burden on the user at the time of jam release It is an object to provide a technique capable of reducing the problem.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a center folding unit for folding a sheet bundle, a bundle conveying unit for conveying the folded sheet bundle, and a pressing unit for pressing a folded portion of the sheet bundle, In a sheet processing apparatus comprising a press control means for moving the press means in a direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveyance direction, it is determined whether a paper jam has occurred on the downstream side in the sheet bundle conveyance direction from the position of the center folding means. A paper jam determination unit, a sheet bundle detection unit that detects a sheet bundle in the bundle conveyance unit, and the sheet processing when the paper jam determination unit determines that a paper jam has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus. is determined interrupting processing suspension unit the operation of the apparatus, a paper jam in the downstream side of the sheet bundle conveyance direction from the position of the means folding in the by the paper clogging determination means has occurred And the sheet bundle detecting if the sheet bundle is detected by means, and a first determining means for determining that there is a position where the pressing means obstructs the sheet bundle conveyance path, the sheet processing by the processing suspension unit When the operation of the apparatus is interrupted, the press control means does not block the sheet bundle conveyance path when the first determination means determines that the press means is in a position that blocks the sheet bundle conveyance path. The press means is moved to a position.

  According to the present invention, when the press unit is in a position that prevents the user from releasing the jam, the usability of the jam release can be improved by moving the press unit to a position that does not prevent the user from releasing the jam. Downtime can be reduced.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus that constitutes an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of the finisher of FIG. (A)-(c) is a schematic fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the bookbinding process in a finisher. (A), (b) is the schematic block diagram which looked at the folding conveyance roller periphery in a finisher from right above the apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit that controls the entire image forming system of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a finisher control unit illustrated in FIG. 5 and functional units controlled by the finisher control unit. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an operation display device in an image forming apparatus. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the example of a transition of the display screen at the time of bookbinding mode setting in an operation display apparatus. 10 is a flowchart of a bookbinding process in a finisher bookbinding mode. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the bookbinding process interruption flow in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an open / closed state of a bookbinding intermediate processing tray in a finisher. (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the movement position of the press unit at the time of bookbinding processing interruption in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the bookbinding process interruption flow in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the movement position of the press unit at the time of bookbinding processing interruption in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the bookbinding process interruption flow in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A), (b) is a figure for demonstrating the movement position of the press unit at the time of bookbinding processing interruption in 3rd Embodiment.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a finisher 500 connected to a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, an image forming system in which only the finisher 500 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. However, another apparatus (for example, a paper feeding apparatus) may be connected.

  First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reader unit 200 that reads an image from a document, and a printer unit 350 that forms an image read by the image reader unit 200 or the like on a sheet.

  The document feeder 100 in the image reader unit 200 feeds documents set upward on the document tray 101 one by one in order from the first page to the left in FIG. 1, and the platen glass 102 through a curved path. The upper part is conveyed from the left to the right through a predetermined sink reading position. Thereafter, the paper is discharged toward the external paper discharge tray 112.

  The sink reading position is a predetermined reading position of the platen glass provided in the image reader unit 200, and the scanner unit 104 is fixed. When the original passes through the sink reading position on the platen glass 102 from the left to the right, the original image is read by the scanner unit 104 held at a position corresponding to the sink reading position. When the original passes through the reading position, the original reading surface is irradiated with the light from the lamp 103 of the scanner unit 104, and the reflected light from the original is guided to the lens 108 via the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The light that has passed through the lens 108 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 109.

  In this way, by transporting the document so that it passes from the left side to the right of the sink reading position, the document reading scan in which the direction orthogonal to the document transport direction is the main scanning direction and the transport direction is the sub-scanning direction. Is done. That is, when the document passes the flow reading position, the document image is read in the sub-scanning direction while reading the document image by the image sensor 109 line by line in the main scanning direction. The optically read image is converted into image data by the image sensor 109 and output. Image data output from the image sensor 109 is input to the exposure unit 110 in the printer unit 350 as a video signal.

  It is also possible to read the document by transporting the document onto the platen glass 102 by the document feeder 100 and stopping it at a predetermined position, and scanning the scanner unit 104 from left to right in this state. This reading method is a so-called fixed original reading method.

  When reading a document without using the document feeder 100, the user first lifts the document feeder 100 and places the document on the platen glass 102. Next, the image forming apparatus 10 (internal control unit) reads the document by causing the scanner unit 104 to scan from left to right. That is, when reading a document without using the document feeder 100, a fixed document reading is performed.

  The exposure unit 110 in the printer unit 350 modulates and outputs laser light based on the video signal input from the image reader unit 200. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 111 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 110a. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 111. Here, the exposure unit 110 outputs laser light so that an upright image (an image that is not a mirror image) is formed at the time of fixed document reading. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111 is visualized as a developer image (toner image) by the developer supplied from the developing device 113.

  On the other hand, a sheet fed from the upper cassette 114 or the lower cassette 115 in the printer unit 350 by the pickup rollers 127 and 128 is conveyed to the registration roller 126 by the sheet feeding rollers 129 and 130. When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the registration roller 126, the registration roller 126 is driven at an arbitrary timing, and the sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation. To do. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is transferred by the transfer unit 116 onto the fed sheet. The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 117. The fixing unit 117 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heating and pressing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is discharged from the printer unit 350 to the outside of the image forming apparatus (finisher 500) through the flapper 121 and the discharge roller 118.

  Here, when the sheet is discharged with its image forming surface facing down (face down), the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is once guided into the reversing path 122 by the switching operation of the flapper 121. After the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the flapper 121, the sheet is switched back and discharged from the printer unit 350 by the discharge roller 118. This paper discharge form is called reverse paper discharge. This reverse paper discharge is performed when forming an image in order from the first page, such as when forming an image read using the document feeder 100 or when forming an image output from a computer. The sheet order after the discharge is correct page order.

  Further, when double-sided recording for forming an image on both sides of the sheet is set, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 124 after being guided to the reverse path 122 by the switching operation of the flapper 121. Then, control is performed to feed the sheet guided to the duplex conveyance path 124 again between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116 at the timing described above.

  The operation display device 600 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions relating to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the finisher 500 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 (a) to 3 (c), 4 (a), and 4 (b).

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the finisher 500 of FIG. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are schematic partial longitudinal sectional views for explaining the bookbinding process in the finisher 500. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic configuration diagrams of the fold conveyance roller periphery in the finisher 500 as viewed from directly above the apparatus.

  The finisher 500 is a sheet processing apparatus that sequentially takes in sheets (paper sheets) discharged from the image forming apparatus 10, aligns the plurality of taken-in sheets, and bundles them into one bundle. Further, the finisher 500 performs post-processing such as stapling processing for binding the rear end of the bundled sheet bundle with staples, and bookbinding processing for folding the sheet bundle in half (middle folding) from the center.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the finisher 500 takes in the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 to the inside by a pair of entrance rollers 511. An entrance sensor 570 for detecting the passage of the sheet is installed on the conveyance path before the entrance roller pair 511. The sheet taken inside by the entrance roller pair 511 is sent through the transport roller pair 520, the buffer front roller pair 530, the buffer back roller pair 532, and the transport roller pair 513. A pre-buffer sensor 574 for detecting the passage of the sheet is installed on the conveyance path in front of the pre-buffer roller pair 530.

  Further, a switching flapper 540 that guides a sheet reversely conveyed by the rear buffer roller pair 532 to the buffer path 524 is disposed between the front buffer roller pair 530 and the rear buffer roller pair 532. Further, a switching flapper 541 for switching between the transport path to the paper discharge tray 700 and the discharge path 522 is disposed downstream of the post-buffer roller pair 532. A post-buffer sensor 575 for detecting the passage of the sheet is installed on the conveyance path between the post-buffer roller pair 532 and the flapper 541.

  The sheet conveyed to the paper discharge tray 700 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 700 by the paper discharge roller pair 512. A paper discharge sensor 572 for detecting the passage of the sheet is installed on the conveyance path in front of the paper discharge roller pair 512. A switching flapper 542 that switches between the processing tray 550 and the bookbinding path 523 is disposed downstream of the discharge path 522. A path sensor 573 is installed in the middle of the discharge path 522. The sheet guided to the buffer path 524 is conveyed by the buffer roller pair 531. The sheet conveyed to the processing tray 550 is discharged to the discharge tray 701 by the bundle discharge roller 551.

  The sheet guided to the bookbinding path 523 is conveyed to the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 via the conveyance roller pair 801. A bookbinding entrance sensor 571 is provided in the middle of the bookbinding path 523. The bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 is provided with a sheet gripping member 802, a movable sheet positioning member 804, and a leading edge aligning member 805. An anvil 820b is provided at a position facing the stapler 820a, and the stapler 820a and the anvil 820b cooperate to perform a stapling process on the sheet bundle P stored in the bookbinding intermediate processing tray. ing.

  On the downstream side of the stapler 820a, folding rollers 810a and 810b (folding roller pair 810) and a protruding member 830 are provided at positions facing the folding roller pair 810. By protruding the protruding member 830 toward the sheet bundle P stored in the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560, the sheet bundle P stored in a bundle on the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 is pushed out between the folding rollers 810a and 810b (FIG. 3). (A)). Thereafter, a pressing (pressing) process is performed on the folded portion of the sheet bundle P folded by the folding roller pair 810.

  First, the folded sheet bundle P is transferred to the folding conveyance rollers 811a and 811b (folding conveyance roller pair 811), 812a and 812b (folding conveyance roller pair 812) via the folding roller pair 810. In order to stop the sheet bundle P at the press position, the sheet bundle P stops after the bundle discharge sensor 577 detects the leading edge of the sheet bundle and then conveys a predetermined amount (FIG. 3B). After the folding unit of the sheet bundle P is pressed by the press unit 840, the pair of folding conveyance rollers 811 and 812 are driven, and the sheet bundle P is discharged to the bookbinding tray 850 (FIG. 3C). A sheet bundle detection sensor 576 for detecting the sheet bundle between the folding conveyance roller pair 811 and 812 is installed.

  Here, the operation of the press unit 840 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B when the folding roller pair 810, the folding conveying roller pairs 811a and 812, and the press unit 840 are viewed from the upper side.

  The press unit 840 has a pair of press rollers that move along the front end side of the sheet bundle. The press unit 840 nips the crease part of the sheet bundle with the press roller pair and moves along the crease part while applying pressure. To strengthen. Before the sheet bundle P reaches the press position, as shown in FIG. 4A, the press unit 840 is located at the standby position on the sheet bundle conveyance path from the home position located outside the sheet bundle P conveyance path. Wait at. When the sheet bundle P is conveyed by the pair of folding conveyance rollers 811 and 812 and stopped at the press position, the press unit 840 performs pressing on the sheet bundle as shown in FIG. And it stops at the press end position outside the conveyance path of the sheet bundle P. This end position is located closer to the transport path than the home position.

  Next, the configuration of the controller that controls the entire image forming system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit that controls the entire image forming system in FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit (controller) includes a CPU circuit unit 900, and the CPU circuit unit 900 includes a CPU 901, a ROM 902, and a RAM 903. A CPU 901 is a CPU that performs basic control of the entire image type system, and a ROM 902 in which a control program is written and a RAM 903 for processing are connected by an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 901 comprehensively controls each of the control units 911, 921, 922, 904, 931, 941, and 951 with a control program stored in the ROM 902. The RAM 903 temporarily stores control data and is used as a work area for arithmetic processing associated with control.

  The document feeder control unit 911 drives and controls the document feeder 100 based on an instruction from the CPU circuit unit 900. The image reader control unit 921 performs drive control on the scanner unit 104 and the image sensor 109 described above, and transfers the image signal output from the image sensor 109 to the image signal control unit 922.

  The image signal control unit 922 performs each process after converting the analog image signal from the image sensor 109 into a digital signal, converts the digital signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the printer control unit 931. In addition, the digital image signal input from the computer 1000 via the external I / F 904 is subjected to various processes, and the digital image signal is converted into a video signal and output to the printer control unit 931. The processing operation by the image signal control unit 922 is controlled by the CPU circuit unit 900.

  The printer control unit 931 controls the exposure unit 110 and the printer unit 350 based on the input video signal, and performs image formation and sheet conveyance.

  The finisher control unit 951 is mounted on the finisher 500, and performs drive control of the entire finisher by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 900. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 and the finisher 500 are connected to be communicable.

  The operation display device controller 941 exchanges information between the operation display device 600 and the CPU circuit unit 900. The operation display device 600 outputs a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key to the CPU circuit unit 900 and displays corresponding information on the operation display device 600 based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 900.

  Next, a schematic configuration and control operation of the finisher control unit 951 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the finisher control unit 951 and the functional units controlled by the finisher control unit 951 in FIG.

  The finisher control unit 951 includes a CPU 952, a ROM 953, a RAM 954, and the like as shown in FIG. Data is exchanged by communicating with a CPU circuit unit 900 provided on the image forming apparatus main body side via a communication IC (not shown), and various programs stored in the ROM 953 are executed based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 900. The drive control of the finisher 500 is performed.

  Next, various inputs / outputs of the CPU 952 will be described.

  The CPU 952 includes an inlet motor M1 that drives the inlet roller pair 511 and the transport roller pair 520, a pre-buffer motor M2 that drives the pre-buffer roller pair 530, a paper discharge roller pair 512, and a paper discharge motor M3 that drives the transport roller pair 513. Output a control signal. The CPU 952 outputs control signals to the buffer motor M4 that drives the buffer roller pair 531 and the buffered roller pair 532, and the like.

  The CPU 952 drives, as means for driving various members of the processing tray 550, a bundle discharge motor M5 that drives the bundle discharge roller 551, a swing guide motor M6 that drives the swing guide (not shown) up and down, and an alignment member (not shown). A control signal is output to the matching motor M7 and the like. Further, the CPU 952 receives input signals from an inlet sensor 570, a path sensor 573, a pre-buffer sensor 574, a post-buffer sensor 575, and the like for detecting the passage of the sheet.

  The CPU 952 outputs control signals to a buffer path switching solenoid SL1 that drives the switching flapper 540, a discharge path switching solenoid SL2 that drives the switching flapper 541, and a bookbinding path switching solenoid SL3 that drives the switching flapper 542.

  The CPU 952 outputs control signals to the conveyance motor M8 that drives the conveyance roller pair 801, the folding roller pair 810, the folding motor M9 that drives the folding conveyance roller pair 811 and 812, and the like as input and output for the bookbinding function. Further, the CPU 952 outputs a control signal to a thrust motor M10 that drives the ejecting member 830, a press motor M11 that drives the press unit 840, a tip aligning member moving motor M12 that moves the tip aligning member 805, and the like.

  The CPU 952 also detects a sheet bundle between the folding conveyance roller pair 811 and the folding conveyance roller pair 812, a sheet bundle detection sensor 576, and a bundle discharge sensor 577 that detects whether the sheet bundle has passed through the folding conveyance roller. Receive input signal from. Furthermore, an input signal is received from a press home position sensor 578 for detecting the presence / absence of the press unit 840 at the home position, a press end position sensor 579 for detecting the presence / absence of the press unit 840 at the press end position, and the like.

  Next, the bookbinding process in the finisher 500 will be described.

  First, the flow of bookbinding mode setting in the operation display device 600 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8A to 8D.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the operation display device 600 in the image forming apparatus 10. FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating transition examples of display screens when the bookbinding mode is set in the operation display device 600. FIG.

  In FIG. 7, an operation display device 600 includes a start key 602 for starting an image forming operation, a stop key 603 for interrupting the image forming operation, ten keys 604 to 613 for setting numerical values, a clear key 614, A reset key 615 and the like are arranged. In addition, an application mode key or the like is arranged on the display unit 620 having a touch panel formed thereon.

  The bookbinding mode is set by the user from the display unit 620. When the user selects the “applied mode” key, which is a soft key, on the initial screen shown in FIG. 8A, the CPU 901 transitions to an application mode selection screen shown in FIG.

  Next, the user sets the application mode.

  When the user selects the “bookbinding” soft key on the application mode selection screen shown in FIG. 8B, the CPU 901 transits to the paper feed stage selection screen shown in FIG. When the user presses the “close” key on the application mode selection screen of FIG. 8B, the CPU 901 transitions to the initial screen shown in FIG.

  Next, the user selects a paper feed stage to be bound.

  When the user presses the “Next” soft key after the user has selected a paper feed stage on the paper feed stage selection screen shown in FIG. 8C, the CPU 901 causes the saddle stitch setting screen shown in FIG. Transition to. When the user presses the “Return” soft key on the paper feed stage selection screen in FIG. 8C, the CPU 901 transits to the application mode selection screen in FIG.

  Next, the user selects whether or not saddle stitching is set.

  When performing binding and binding, the user selects the “saddle stitching” key. In the case of unbound binding, the user selects a “do not saddle stitch” key. After the user selects either “saddle stitching” or “not saddle stitching” on the saddle stitching setting screen in FIG. 8D, the product mode setting is completed by pressing the “OK” soft key. When the user presses the “Return” soft key on the saddle stitch setting screen in FIG. 8D, the CPU 901 transitions to the paper feed stage selection screen in FIG. When the bookbinding mode setting is completed and the user presses the start key 602, the bookbinding process is started in the finisher 500.

  Next, the bookbinding process in the bookbinding mode in the finisher 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the bookbinding process when the finisher 500 is in the bookbinding mode.

  In step S101, the CPU 952 drives and controls the press unit 840 to move to the standby position when all the sheets forming the sheet bundle are stacked on the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560. The CPU 952 functions as a press control unit that moves the press unit 840 serving as a press unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle conveyance direction. Specifically, the CPU 952 counts the number of sheets based on an input signal from the bookbinding entrance sensor 571 and, when determining that the predetermined number has been reached, drives the press motor M11 to move the press unit 840 to the standby position. .

  In step S <b> 102, the CPU 952 determines whether a jam (paper jam) has occurred in the printer unit 350 or the finisher 500 while the press unit 840 is moving. If a jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S103. If a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S111. Note that a known method and configuration for detecting whether or not a jam has occurred may be used.

  In step S103, the CPU 952 drives the protruding member 830 and the folding roller pair 810 to fold the sheet bundle, and proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the CPU 952 determines whether or not a jam has occurred in the printer unit 350 or the finisher 500 while the sheet bundle is being folded. If a jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S105. If a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S105, the CPU 952 drives the folding and conveying rollers 811a, 811b, 812a, and 812b, conveys the folded sheet bundle to a position where pressing is performed, and proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the CPU 952 determines whether or not a jam has occurred in the printer unit 350 or the finisher 500 during conveyance of the sheet bundle. If a jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S107. If a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S107, the CPU 952 drives the press unit 840 to press the sheet bundle, and proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the CPU 952 determines whether or not a jam has occurred in the printer unit 350 or the finisher 500 during pressing. If a jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S109. If a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S <b> 109, the CPU 952 drives the pair of folding conveyance rollers 811 and 812 to discharge the sheet bundle to the bookbinding tray 850.

  In step S110, the CPU 952 determines whether a jam has occurred in the printer unit 350 or the finisher 500 while the sheet bundle is being discharged. If no jam has occurred, the bookbinding process is terminated after the discharge of the sheet bundle is completed. On the other hand, if a jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S111, the CPU 952 executes a bookbinding process interruption flow to be described later, and proceeds to step S112. That is, the CPU 952 functions as a process stop unit that interrupts the operation of the sheet processing apparatus in response to the occurrence of a paper jam in the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus.

  In step S112, the CPU 952 displays the fact that a jam has occurred on the display unit 620 in order to notify the user that a jam has occurred, and ends this processing.

  In the finisher 500, when a jam or the like occurs during the conveyance of the sheet bundle P and the operation is interrupted, it is necessary for the user to manually operate the handles that drive the pair of folding conveyance rollers 811 and 812. This handle is an operation member for manually rotating gears provided on the shafts of the folding conveyance roller pair 811 and 812. When the user performs a handle operation, the sheet bundle P is conveyed downstream in the sheet bundle conveyance direction. Then, the user can remove the jam by removing the sheet bundle P.

  However, if the press unit 840 is positioned at the standby position on the conveyance path of the sheet bundle P, the press unit 840 interferes with the sheet bundle P conveyed by the user by the handle operation, thereby preventing the user from releasing the jam. End up.

  Therefore, when the CPU 952 determines that the press unit 840 is blocking the sheet bundle conveyance path, the press unit 840 is moved out of the sheet bundle conveyance path by the method described below. That is, the CPU 952 functions as a first determination unit.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the bookbinding stop flow in the first embodiment of the present invention. This process corresponds to step S111 in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an open / close state of the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 in the finisher 500. FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C are diagrams for explaining the movement position of the press unit 840 when the bookbinding process is interrupted in the first embodiment.

  In step S1001, the CPU 952 determines whether a jam has occurred upstream of the folding roller pair 810 (folding position) in the sheet bundle conveyance direction or downstream of the sheet bundle conveyance direction. That is, the CPU 952 also functions as a paper jam determination unit that determines whether or not a paper jam has occurred on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the position of the center folding unit. If the CPU 952 determines that a jam occurs upstream in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the bookbinding process can be continued, so the bookbinding process is not stopped, and the process returns after the bookbinding process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a jam has occurred downstream of the folding roller pair 810 in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the CPU 952 stops the bookbinding process because the sheet bundle cannot be conveyed downstream ( The process proceeds to step S1002) and step S1003.

  In step S1003, the CPU 952 determines whether or not the sheet bundle is between the folding roller pair 810 and the press unit 840 (hereinafter referred to as “in the bundle conveying unit”) based on the detection result by the sheet bundle detection sensor 576. judge. If it is determined that the sheet bundle is not in the bundle conveying means, it is determined that the press unit 840 does not prevent the user from releasing the jam, and the process returns. For example, if the sheet bundle P is in the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 when a jam occurs, the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 can be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. It is possible to remove the sheet bundle. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sheet bundle is in the bundle conveying means, it is determined that the press unit 840 may hinder the user from releasing the jam, and the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1004, the CPU 952 determines whether or not the press unit 840 is at the press end position based on the detection result by the press end position sensor 579 as the press means detection unit. If it is determined that the press unit 840 is at the press end position, as shown in FIG. 12A, the press unit 840 is outside the sheet bundle conveyance path and does not prevent the user from releasing jam. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the press unit 840 is not at the press end position, the press unit 840 is on the sheet bundle conveyance path between the standby position and the press end position shown in FIG. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S1005.

  In step S1005, as shown in FIG. 12C, the CPU 952 moves the press unit 840 to the home position and returns.

  In the present embodiment, when the press unit 840 blocks the sheet bundle conveyance path and prevents the user from releasing the jam, the press unit 840 is moved to a home position located outside the sheet bundle conveyance path. Thereby, even if a press unit exists in the position which prevents a user's jam cancellation, the usability of jam cancellation can be improved and the burden of the user at the time of jam cancellation can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
The image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different only in the bookbinding processing interruption flow of FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 1 to 9, 11, and 12 are used. The description of the contents described with reference to the reference is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the bookbinding interruption flow in the second embodiment of the present invention. This process corresponds to step S111 in FIG. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are diagrams for explaining the moving position of the press unit when the bookbinding process is interrupted in the second embodiment.

  In step S2001, the CPU 952 determines whether a jam has occurred upstream of the folding roller pair 810 position (folding position) in the sheet bundle conveyance direction or downstream of the sheet bundle conveyance direction. If it is determined that a jam occurs upstream in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the bookbinding process can be continued, so the bookbinding process is not stopped and the process returns after the bookbinding process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a jam has occurred downstream of the folding roller pair 810 in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the CPU 952 stops the bookbinding process because the sheet bundle cannot be conveyed downstream ( Step S2002), the process proceeds to step S2003.

  In step S2003, the CPU 952 determines whether or not the sheet bundle is in the bundle conveying unit based on the detection result by the sheet bundle detection sensor 576. If it is determined that the sheet bundle is not in the bundle conveying means, it is determined that the press unit 840 does not prevent the user from releasing the jam, and the process returns. For example, if the sheet bundle P is in the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 when a jam occurs, the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 can be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. It is possible to remove the sheet bundle. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sheet bundle is in the bundle conveying unit, it is determined that the press unit 840 may hinder the user from releasing the jam, and the process proceeds to step S2004.

  In step S2004, the CPU 952 determines whether or not the press unit 840 is at the press end position based on the detection result by the press end position sensor 579. If it is determined that the press unit 840 is at the press end position, as shown in FIG. 12A, the press unit 840 is outside the sheet bundle conveyance path and does not prevent the user from releasing jam. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the press unit 840 is not at the press end position, the press unit 840 is on the sheet bundle conveyance path between the standby position and the press end position shown in FIG. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S2005.

  In step S2005, the CPU 952 determines whether the press unit 840 is closer to the home position or the press end position. That is, the CPU 952 also functions as a second determination unit. First, when pressing in a direction away from the home position, Y is the distance from the home position to the press end position, as shown in FIG. Then, from the amount D of movement of the press unit 840 per pulse and the number x of movement pulses of the press unit 840 from the home position, the press unit 840 is located near the press end position when the following expression is satisfied. Is determined.

x ≧ Y−Dx
If the above equation is established and it is determined that the press unit 840 is close to the press end position, the process proceeds to step S2006. On the other hand, if it is determined that the press unit 840 is close to the home position, the process proceeds to step S2007. When pressing in a direction away from the home position, the press unit 840 moves outside the sheet bundle conveyance path by determining whether the press unit 840 is closer to the home position outside the sheet bundle conveyance path or the press end position. Time can be shortened.

  In step S2006, the CPU 952 moves the press unit 840 to the press end position and returns, as shown in FIG.

  In step S2007, the CPU 952 moves the press unit 840 to the home position and returns, as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the press unit 840 blocks the sheet bundle conveyance path and prevents the user from releasing the jam, the press unit 840 is moved to the home position or the press end position located outside the sheet bundle conveyance path. Thereby, even if a press unit exists in the position which prevents a user's jam cancellation, the usability of jam cancellation can be improved and the burden of the user at the time of jam cancellation can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment]
The image forming system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different in the bookbinding process interruption flow of FIG. 10 in the first embodiment, and refer to FIGS. 1 to 9, 11, and 12. Description of the contents described above will be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the bookbinding stop flow in the third embodiment of the present invention. This process corresponds to step S111 in FIG. FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are diagrams for explaining the movement position of the press unit when the bookbinding process is interrupted in the third embodiment.

  In step S3001, the CPU 952 determines whether a jam has occurred upstream of the folding roller pair 810 (folding position) in the sheet bundle conveyance direction or downstream of the sheet bundle conveyance direction. If it is determined that a jam occurs upstream in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the bookbinding process can be continued, so the bookbinding process is not stopped, and the process returns after the bookbinding process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a jam has occurred downstream of the folding roller pair 810 in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, the CPU 952 stops the bookbinding process because the sheet bundle cannot be conveyed downstream ( Step S3002) and the process proceeds to step S3003.

  In step S3003, the CPU 952 determines whether or not the sheet bundle is in the bundle conveyance unit based on the detection result by the sheet bundle detection sensor 576. If it is determined that the sheet bundle is not in the bundle conveying means, it is determined that the press unit 840 does not prevent the user from releasing the jam, and the process returns. For example, if the sheet bundle P is in the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 when a jam occurs, the bookbinding intermediate processing tray 560 can be opened and closed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. It is possible to remove the sheet bundle. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sheet bundle is in the bundle conveying unit, it is determined that the press unit 840 may hinder the user from releasing jamming, and the process advances to step S3004.

  In step S3004, the CPU 952 determines whether the press unit 840 is on the sheet bundle conveyance path. That is, the CPU 952 also functions as a third determination unit. First, as shown in FIG. 16A, the width of the sheet bundle is L, and the width of the press unit 840 is ΔL. Further, when the following expression is established from the movement amount D of the press unit 840 per pulse and the number of movement pulses x of the press unit 840 from the press standby position, the press unit 840 is out of the sheet bundle conveyance direction path. judge.

Dx ≧ L + 1
When the above equation is established (YES in step S3004), the process returns, as shown in FIG. 16B, because the press unit 840 is outside the sheet bundle conveyance path and does not prevent the user from releasing the jam. On the other hand, if the above equation does not hold, the press unit 840 is on the sheet bundle conveyance path between the standby position and the press end position, which hinders the user from clearing the jam, and the process advances to step S3005.

  In this way, it is determined whether or not the press unit 840 is outside the sheet bundle conveyance path from the width of the sheet bundle P, the width of the press unit 840, and the movement amount of the press unit 840. Thereby, even when the press end position has not been reached, when the press unit 840 is outside the sheet bundle conveyance path, the moving time of the press unit 840 can be omitted.

  In step S3005, the CPU 952 moves the press unit 840 to the home position as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the press unit 840 blocks the sheet bundle conveyance path and prevents the user from releasing the jam, the press unit 840 is moved to a home position located outside the sheet bundle conveyance path. Thereby, even if a press unit exists in the position which prevents a user's jam cancellation, the usability of jam cancellation can be improved and the burden of the user at the time of jam cancellation can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming system in which the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are configured separately has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are integrated to form an image. It may be a system.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 500 Finisher 600 Operation display apparatus 810 Folding roller pair 811 and 812 Folding conveyance roller pair 830 Extruding member 840 Press unit 951 Finisher control part 952 CPU
576 Sheet bundle detection sensor

Claims (6)

Folding means for folding the sheet bundle, a bundle conveying means for conveying the folded sheet bundle, a pressing means for pressing the folded portion of the sheet bundle, and a direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveying direction. In a sheet processing apparatus provided with a press control means to move to
A paper jam judging unit for judging whether a paper jam has occurred on the downstream side in the sheet bundle conveying direction from the position of the center folding unit;
Sheet bundle detection means for detecting the sheet bundle in the bundle conveying means;
Processing stop means for interrupting the operation of the sheet processing apparatus when it is determined by the paper jam determination means that a paper jam has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus;
When it is determined by the paper jam determination means that a paper jam has occurred downstream from the position of the center folding means in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and the sheet bundle is detected by the sheet bundle detection means, the pressing means and a first determining means for determining to be in a position to intercept the sheet bundle conveyance path,
When the operation of the sheet processing apparatus is interrupted by the processing stop unit, when the first determination unit determines that the press unit is in a position blocking the sheet bundle conveyance path, the press control unit includes: A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the pressing unit is moved to a position that does not block the sheet bundle conveyance path. A press detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the pressing means at a press end position where the pressing means moves after the pressing of the sheet bundle is completed;
When it is determined by the paper jam determination means that a paper jam has occurred downstream from the position of the center folding means in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and the sheet bundle detection means detects the sheet bundle, the press detection means If the pressing means is not detected by the press control unit, the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving the pressing means at a home position located outside the sheet bundle conveyance path. A pressing means detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the pressing means at a press end position where the pressing means moves after the pressing of the sheet bundle is completed;
A second determination means for determining whether the press means is closer to either the press end position or the home position located outside the sheet bundle conveyance path;
When it is determined by the paper jam determination means that a paper jam has occurred downstream from the position of the center folding means in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and the sheet bundle detection means detects the sheet bundle, the second The determination means is configured such that the press means is located near the press end position from the distance from the home position to the press end position, the movement amount of the press means, and the number of movement pulses of the press means from the home position. determining whether it is a sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein. The press control means moves the press means to the press end position when the second determination means determines that the press means is located near the press end position, and 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when the determination unit determines that the press unit is not located near the press end position, the press unit is moved to the home position. A third determination unit that determines whether or not the pressing unit is on the sheet bundle conveyance path;
The third determining means determines from the width of the sheet bundle, the width of the pressing means, the amount of movement of the pressing means, and the number of movement pulses of the pressing means from the standby position where the pressing means waits. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 . Further comprising a sheet processing apparatus, wherein communicably connected to the sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus for discharging sheets of image formation on the sheet processing apparatus in any one of claims 1 to 5 An image forming system.

Images