JP5824990B2 - Post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  As a sheet post-processing device, in a stapler for passing a needle of a predetermined shape through a bundle of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus and collecting the staple, and bending the end of the needle to bind the sheet bundle, the needle is made into a sheet bundle. A pressing plate to be pressed, and a pressing plate that is provided on the opposite side of the pressing portion with respect to the sheet bundle and collides with an end portion of a needle penetrating the sheet bundle to bend the end portion and receive a needle tip pressure. A folding movable member that moves to a predetermined position in the pressing direction, a movable piece that follows the movement of the folding movable member, and a detection unit that optically detects the amount of movement of the movable piece. There exist some which provide the determination means which determines a quality (refer patent document 1).

  Further, as the sheet bundle binding device, a sheet bundle binding unit that binds the sheet bundle with a needle, a sheet bundle binding detection unit that detects whether the sheet bundle binding unit has bound the sheet bundle, and a sheet bundle binding unit that detects whether the sheet bundle is bound. There is a device provided with notifying means for notifying that a sheet bundle is not bound when the sheet bundle binding detection means detects that the sheet bundle is not bound (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-4-344293 JP 2002-60122 A

  The present invention better detects a binding failure in a sheet bundle in which a portion bound by a binding needle is folded.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sheet bundle forming unit that bundles a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle, a binding needle that penetrates the sheet bundle formed by the sheet bundle forming unit, and an end of the binding needle A binding means for binding the sheet bundle by folding a portion, a folding means for folding a portion of the sheet bundle bound by the binding needle, a folding means that is downstream of the binding means in the sheet bundle conveyance direction and the folding means disposed in the sheet bundle conveyance direction upstream side than, possess a staple detecting unit for detecting the staples used in the sheet bundle by the binding means, the staple detecting unit with respect to the sheet bundle And detecting the binding needle that is provided on the side where the end of the binding needle that is bent by the binding means is disposed and passes through the region on the binding needle detection unit side of the sheet bundle. , post-processing device A.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the binding needle detection unit is arranged on a surface side which is an inner side of the sheet bundle when folded by the folding means with respect to the sheet bundle. The post-processing apparatus according to Item 1.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the staple detecting unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is arranged on the sheet bundle forming paper side supplied to the first to the portion with respect to the sheet bundle It is a post-processing apparatus of description.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the binding needle is provided downstream of the folding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and detects the binding needle passing through an area including the entire thickness of the sheet bundle folded by the folding unit. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a binding needle detection unit.
The invention according to claim 5 further comprises notification means for notifying that the sheet bundle is not bound when the binding needle detector does not detect the binding needle. Device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet bundle forming unit that forms a sheet bundle by bundling a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and the sheet bundle. A binding means for passing the binding needle through the sheet bundle formed by the forming unit and bending the end of the binding needle to bind the sheet bundle, and folding the portion of the sheet bundle bound by the binding needle. The folding means and the binding means are disposed downstream of the binding means in the sheet bundle conveying direction and upstream of the folding means in the sheet bundle conveying direction, and the binding means detects the binding needle used for the sheet bundle. possess a staple detecting unit, the staple detecting unit is provided on the side of said end portion of said staple arranged bent by the binding means relative to said sheet bundle is arranged, the paper Than bundle Detecting the staple passing through the staple detecting portion side of the area, which is an image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to better detect a binding process defect in a sheet bundle in which a portion bound by a binding needle is folded compared to a case where the present configuration is not provided. it can. Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the state of the end of the binding needle as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the state of the binding needle positioned inside the sheet bundle can be detected more satisfactorily than when the present configuration is not provided.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the binding needle detection unit can be disposed at a position that is not in contact with the sheet bundle and closer to the binding needle as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the binding failure of the sheet bundle folded by the folding unit more satisfactorily than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably notify the user that a binding failure has occurred as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to better detect a binding process failure in a sheet bundle in which a portion bound by a binding needle is folded compared to a case where the present configuration is not provided. it can.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is a figure explaining the function of a post-processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the structure of the saddle stitch bookbinding function part of this Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a sheet bundle. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which folding processing is performed on a sheet bundle. It is the figure which showed the structure of the stapler of this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the 1st needle | hook detection sensor of this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the thickness of a sheet bundle, and arrangement | positioning of a 2nd needle | hook detection sensor. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of staples in the thickness direction of a sheet bundle. It is a figure which shows the binding defect of a staple. It is a figure which shows the modification of a 1st needle | hook detection sensor.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Description of Image Forming System 100>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system 100 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for an image forming apparatus 1 such as a printer or a copying machine that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method, and a recording material (paper) S on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1. And a post-processing device 2 that performs post-processing.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10 that forms an image based on each color image data, an image reading unit 11 that reads an image from a document and generates read image data, and a sheet that supplies the sheet S to the image forming unit 10. A supply unit 12, a user interface 13 that receives an operation input from the user and notifies the user of an abnormality in the image forming system 100, and a main control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100 are provided.

  The post-processing apparatus 2 includes a transport unit 3 that receives and conveys the sheet S on which an image is formed from the image forming apparatus 1, a folding unit 4 that performs a folding process on the sheet S carried in from the transport unit 3, and And a finisher unit 5 that performs final processing on the paper S that has passed through the folding unit 4. Furthermore, an interposer 6 for supplying slip sheets for constituting a cover of a booklet and the like, and a sheet processing control unit 7 for controlling each function unit of the post-processing device 2 are provided. 1 shows the configuration in which the paper processing control unit 7 is provided in the post-processing device 2, the paper processing control unit 7 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the main control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100 in the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to have the control function of the sheet processing control unit 7.

<Description of Post-Processing Device 2>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of the post-processing device 2. In the post-processing apparatus 2, a punch function unit 70 for punching (punching) the paper S into the finisher unit 5 such as 2-holes or 4-holes, and a bundle of sheets B (see FIG. 4), and the end binding function unit 40 that executes stapling (edge binding) at the end of the sheet bundle B and the required number of sheets S are stacked to generate the sheet bundle B. A saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 is provided for binding the booklet into a booklet by binding the center part (saddle stitching process). Further, the folding unit 4 is provided with a folding function unit 50 that performs folding such as inner three-fold (C-fold) and outer three-fold (Z-fold) on the paper S. Further, the interposer 6 and the transport unit 3 are provided with a slip sheet supply function unit 90 that supplies slip sheets such as cardboard and window empty sheets used for the cover of the sheet bundle B.

<Description of Saddle Stitch Binding Function Unit 30>
Next, the saddle stitching function unit 30 provided in the finisher unit 5 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the saddle stitching function unit 30 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 that binds the sheet bundle B into a booklet accumulates a predetermined number of sheets S after image formation, and the sheet S on the compile tray 31. The sheet bundle B (see FIG. 4) is placed on a loading roll 39 that carries the sheets one by one, and a positioning stopper that protrudes on the compilation tray 31 and moves along the compilation tray 31. And an end guide 32 for determining the position. Furthermore, a sheet alignment paddle 33 for aligning the sheets S (see FIG. 1) stacked on the compilation tray 31 toward the end guide 32, and a sheet width for aligning the sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 31 in the width direction. And an alignment member 34.

  Further, the saddle stitching function unit 30 performs a stapler process on the sheet bundle B stacked on the compilation tray 31 while penetrating metal stapler spelling needles 51 (staple needles, binding needles, which will be described later). (Binding means) 80 and a folding knife 35a that moves so as to protrude from the back surface side of the compilation tray (paper bundle forming unit) 31 toward the storage surface side (z direction) with respect to the sheet bundle B subjected to the binding process. A folding mechanism (folding means) 35 and a folding roll 36 composed of a pair of rolls that sandwich the sheet bundle B that has been folded by the folding knife 35a. Further, on the downstream side of the folding roll 36, a folding mechanism 35 and a transport roll member 37 that transports the bound sheet bundle B that has been folded by the folding roll 36 and a booklet on which the bound sheet bundle B is stacked. A tray 45 and an unloading roll member 38 for unloading the sheet bundle B to the booklet tray 45 are provided.

Further, the saddle stitch binding function unit 30 is an example of a binding needle detection unit, and a needle detection sensor 92 (first needle detection sensor 921 and second needle detection sensor) that detects the staple needle 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B. Sensor 922, third needle detection sensor 923, and fourth needle detection sensor 924) (described later).
In FIG. 3, the upstream direction when the paper S is carried in the storage surface of the compile tray 31 is the y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the paper S is carried in the storage surface (the width direction of the paper S). ) Is the x direction, and the direction orthogonal to the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31 is the z direction. The same applies to the following drawings.

<Description of the operation of the saddle stitching function unit 30>
Next, the operation of the saddle stitch bookbinding function unit 30 will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of the sheet bundle B. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where the folding process is performed on the sheet bundle B. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the finisher unit 5 receives the image-formed (printed) paper S output through the discharge roll 46 of the folding unit 4 at the paper carry-in port 71 when the booklet is created, After passing the inlet roll 41 provided in the vicinity of the mouth 71, the punch function unit 70 performs punching (drilling) processing as necessary. Then, the paper S that has passed through the punch function unit 70 is sorted by the first gate 42 to the saddle stitching function unit 30, the upper sheet storage tray 49, or the end binding function unit 40.

When the image-formed paper S is discharged to the outside or an edge-bound booklet is created, the paper S is directed upward at the first gate 42 based on a control signal from the paper processing control unit 7. The paper is further conveyed upward by the conveyance roll 43 and is sent to the upper paper storage tray 49 and the end binding function unit 40. On the other hand, when creating a saddle-stitched booklet, based on a control signal from the paper processing control unit 7, the paper S is directed downward at the first gate 42 and sent to the carry-in roll 39 via the transport roll 44. .
The carry-in roll 39 sequentially stacks the conveyed paper S on the compilation tray 31 so that the paper S is collected on the compilation tray 31. For example, the number of sheets set by the main control unit 14 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 such as five sheets, ten sheets, and fifteen sheets is accumulated in the compile tray 31. At this time, for example, the end guide 32 moves in accordance with the size of the sheet S so that the central portion in the transport direction of the sheet S placed on the end guide 32 becomes the binding position by the stapler 80 and stops. Further, at that time, the sheet alignment paddle 33 rotates toward the end guide 32 and presses the stacked sheets S against the end guide 32 to assist the sheet alignment. The sheet width aligning member 34 slides in the width direction of the sheets S stacked on the compile tray 31 each time the sheets S are conveyed one by one, and from the width direction with respect to the stacked sheets S. The paper is aligned.

Then, after a sheet bundle B in which a predetermined number of sheets S are stacked on the compile tray 31 is formed, a binding process is performed by the stapler 80 (described later). As shown in FIG. 4A, the sheet bundle B that has been subjected to the binding process by the stapler 80 is in a state where the center portion in the transport direction (y direction) is bound by the staple needle 51.
Then, the end guide 32 moves in the upstream direction (y direction) of the sheet S on the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31, thereby moving the sheet bundle B subjected to the binding process. When the portion of the sheet bundle B to which the binding process has been performed (the center in the transport direction) reaches a position facing the folding mechanism 35, the folding process by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36 is performed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the folding knife 35 a is pushed out from the back surface side of the compilation tray 31 in the direction toward the accommodation surface side (z direction). The folding knife 35 a is directed upward (z direction) in a direction orthogonal to the accommodation surface of the compilation tray 31, and the tip of the folding knife 35 a is in contact with the sheet bundle B. The tip of the folding knife 35a is further pushed upward (z direction), and the sheet bundle B is lifted and sandwiched between the folding rolls 36 to be folded. As shown in FIG. 4B, the sheet bundle B that has been subjected to the folding process by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36 is in a state in which the portion subjected to the binding process by the staple needle 51 is folded. is there.
Thereafter, the sheet bundle B that has been folded by the folding roll 36 is stacked on the booklet tray 45 (see FIG. 3) by the transport roll member 37 and the carry-out roll member 38.

  Here, the folding mechanism 35 is configured to move the folding knife 35 a to a position where the sheet bundle B sufficiently enters the folding roll 36, and also includes a sheet stacking stage on the compile tray 31 and a saddle stitching stage by the stapler 80. In addition, in the sheet conveyance stage after saddle stitching, the leading end of the sheet is retracted in the back surface direction (−y direction) of the compile tray 31 and does not appear on the front surface (accommodating surface) of the compile tray 31. ing.

  Further, in the sheet bundle B, a portion subjected to the folding process by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36 is defined as a folded portion R (see FIG. 4B). Furthermore, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the folded portion R of the folded sheet bundle B, and the end portion 511 of the staple needle 51 is formed on the inner surface of the folded portion R. 512 are arranged. On the other hand, on the outer surface of the folded portion R in the sheet bundle B, a base portion 510 which is a portion sandwiched between the end portion 511 and the end portion 512 of the staple needle 51 is disposed.

<Description of stapler 80>
Next, the stapler 80 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the stapler 80 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 6A is a schematic configuration diagram around the stapler 80 viewed from the VI direction of FIG. 3, and FIGS. 6B-1 to 6B-3 are diagrams of the stapler 80. It is a figure which shows operation | movement.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, two staplers 80 are provided on the front side and the back side of the image forming system 100 (see FIG. 1) in order to perform binding processing at two locations in the sheet bundle B. . In the illustrated example, the two staplers 80 are each configured in the same structure at the same position in the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle B.

The stapler 80 has a stapler body 80a that is disposed on the opposite side to the compilation tray 31 with respect to the sheet bundle B collected on the compilation tray 31 and supplies the staple needles 51 to the sheet bundle B one by one. The stapler 80 is disposed on the compile tray 31 side with respect to the sheet bundle B collected on the compilation tray 31 and at a position facing the stapler body 80a with the sheet bundle B interposed therebetween, and is supplied from the stapler body 80a. A stapler receiving portion 80b for receiving the staple needle 51 to be used.
Here, the stapler main body 80a is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the stapler receiving portion 80b by being driven by a stapler motor (not shown). The stapler receiving portion 80b is configured to receive the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 supplied from the stapler main body 80a side and penetrating the sheet bundle B, and bend the end portions 511 and 512.

<Description of operation of stapler 80>
Next, the operation of the stapler 80 will be described.
First, when the sheet S is conveyed to the compile tray 31, the stapler main body 80a is arranged apart from the stapler receiving portion 80b.
When the sheet bundle B is accumulated on the compile tray 31, the stapler body 80a is driven by a stapler motor (not shown) while supplying the staple needles 51 one by one and approaches the sheet bundle B.

  6B-1, the stapler main body 80a approaches the sheet bundle B while pressing the base 510 of the staple needle 51, so that the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 penetrate the sheet bundle B. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (b-2), the stapler main body 80a and the stapler receiving portion 80b come closer to each other (see the arrow in FIG. 6 (b-2)), whereby the ends 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 are obtained. Is bent by receiving a force from the stapler body 80a and the stapler receiving portion 80b. As a result, the sheet bundle B is bound. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (b-3), the stapler body 80a is separated from the stapler receiving portion 80b by reverse rotation of a stapler motor (not shown) (see the arrow in FIG. 6 (b-3)).

<Description of the needle detection sensor 92>
Next, the needle detection sensor 92 (the first needle detection sensor 921, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924) will be described. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first needle detection sensor 921 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the thickness of the sheet bundle B and the arrangement of the second needle detection sensors 922. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the staple needles 51 in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B. More specifically, FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining the relationship between the folded portion R and the staple 51, and FIG. 9C is a detection region of the second needle detection sensor 922. It is a figure explaining Dz.

First, a known sensor can be used as the sensor used as the needle detection sensor 92 in the present embodiment. As the needle detection sensor 92, for example, a magnetic field sensor that detects the presence of metal by detecting a change in magnetic field due to a metal piece magnetized by geomagnetism can be used.
In addition, each of the needle detection sensors 92 is electrically connected to the paper processing control unit 7. When the needle detection sensor 92 detects the presence of metal, the needle detection sensor 92 sends a signal to the paper processing control unit 7.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first needle detection sensor (first binding needle detection unit) 921 is provided between the stapler 80 and the folding mechanism 35 in the direction in which the sheet bundle B is conveyed (y direction). . Here, as described above, two staplers 80 are provided on the near side and the far side of the image forming system 100 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the first needle detection sensor 921 detects the staple needles 51 arranged by the staplers 80 provided on the front side and the back side, respectively (see FIG. 7). Two are provided on the near side and the far side of (see 1). Note that other metal detection sensors (second needle detection sensor 922, third needle detection sensor 923, and fourth needle detection sensor 924) are also connected to the front side and the rear side of the image forming system 100 (see FIG. 1), respectively. Two are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first needle detection sensor 921 is configured to feed the sheet bundle from the compile tray 31 side with respect to the sheet bundle B that is bound and conveyed by the stapler 80 so as to directly detect the staple needle 51. It is provided toward B. More specifically, the first needle detection sensor 921 is provided toward a region through which the staple needle 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B passes. In the illustrated example, the first needle detection sensor 921 is provided toward a region through which the ends 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 that has been bent pass.

  As described above, the first sheet S1 (see FIG. 6) is first supplied on the compile tray 31 among the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B, and is placed in contact with the compile tray 31. Here, when the number of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B changes, the thickness of the sheet bundle B changes. Therefore, if the first needle detection sensor 921 is provided on the opposite side of the sheet bundle B from the side on which the first sheet S1 is disposed, the thickness of the sheet bundle B changes. The distance between the first needle detection sensor 921 and the staple needle 51 when the first needle detection sensor 921 detects the staple needle 51 changes.

  On the other hand, even if the number of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B changes for each sheet bundle B, the position of the first sheet S1 (see FIG. 6) arranged in contact with the compilation tray 31 does not change. Therefore, by providing the first needle detection sensor 921 on the compile tray 31 side as described above, the first needle detection sensor 921 detects the staple needle 51 regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle B. The distance between the first needle detection sensor 921 and the staple needle 51 does not change. The first needle detection sensor 921 can be arranged closer to the position through which the staple needle 51 passes. Thereby, for example, the accuracy with which the first needle detection sensor 921 detects the staple 51 can be improved.

  Further, since the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 are arranged on the first sheet S1, the end portion 511 of the staple needle 51 is obtained even when the number of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B is changed. The position through which 512 passes does not change. Therefore, as described above, the distance between the first needle detection sensor 921 provided fixed to the compile tray 31 side with respect to the sheet bundle B to be conveyed and the region through which the staple needle 51 passes is as follows. It does not change when the number of bundles B increases or decreases. Thus, the first needle detection sensor 921 provided on the compile tray 31 side can detect the staple needle 51 stably.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the detection area Dz, which is an area for detecting the metal of the first needle detection sensor 921, is an area through which the staple needle 51 passes, and the needle detection sensor 92 rather than the sheet bundle B. Set to detect metal present on the side. More specifically, the region through which the ends 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 pass through the detection region Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921, that is, the width through which the staple needle 51 that is normally arranged passes (in the X direction in the figure). Length) and a region existing on the first needle detection sensor 921 side of the sheet bundle B. For example, the detection area Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921 is an area having a detection distance of 1 mm from the tip of the first needle detection sensor 921 and a diameter of 5 mm.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second needle detection sensor (second binding needle detection unit) 922 includes a folding roll 36 and a conveyance roll member 37 in the direction (z direction) in which the sheet bundle B is conveyed. It is provided in between. The second needle detection sensor 922 is provided toward a region through which the staple needle 51 disposed in the folding portion R of the sheet bundle B formed by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36 passes.

Now, as shown in FIG. 3, the third needle detection sensor 923 is located between the transport roll member 37 and the carry-out roll member 38 and is disposed in the sheet bundle B in which the folded portion R is formed. It is provided toward the region through which the needle 51 passes.
In addition, the fourth needle detection sensor 924 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the carry-out roll member 38 and toward the region through which the staple needle 51 disposed in the sheet bundle B on which the folded portion R is formed passes. It has been. Note that the fourth needle detection sensor 924 may be arranged so as to face the booklet tray 45 and detect the staple needles 51 in the sheet bundle B stacked on the booklet tray 45.

  Here, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 detect the staple needle 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B in which the folded portion R is formed. . As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the height of the sheet bundle B changes according to the number and type of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle B. Accordingly, the second needle detection sensor 922 does not come into contact with the sheet bundle B when the thickest sheet bundle B of the sheet bundle (booklet) B created by the saddle stitching function unit 30 passes. Is provided. Similarly, the third needle detection sensor 923 and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 are also arranged so as not to contact the sheet bundle B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness direction of the sheet bundle B depends on the relationship between the variation in the position of the staple 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B and the variation in the position of the folded portion R formed in the sheet bundle B. The arrangement of the staple needles 51 can be changed. That is, the staple needle 51 is disposed on the front side (upper side in the figure) of the sheet bundle B (see FIG. 9A) or the rear side (lower side in the figure) of the sheet bundle B. (See FIG. 9B).
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the detection area Dz of the second needle detection sensor 922 is set so that the entire thickness direction of the sheet bundle B is included in the area. Similarly, in the third needle detection sensor 923 and the fourth needle detection sensor 924, each detection region Dz is set so that the entire thickness direction of the sheet bundle B is included in the region.

<Description of Operation of Needle Detection Sensor 92>
Next, the operation of the needle detection sensor 92 (the first needle detection sensor 921, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924) will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a binding failure of the staple needle 51.

As described above, the needle detection sensor 92 sends a signal to the paper processing control unit 7 when metal is detected. When the paper processing control unit 7 receives a signal from the needle detection sensor 92 at a specific time, the paper processing control unit 7 determines that the staple needle 51 is disposed in the paper bundle B, and transports the paper bundle B. Etc. will continue.
On the other hand, when the sheet processing control unit 7 does not receive a signal from the needle detection sensor 92 at a specific time, the sheet processing control unit 7 determines that the staple needle 51 is not disposed in the sheet bundle B, and the stapler 80 The fact that the staple needle 51 is not arranged is displayed on the user interface 13 which is an example of a notification means, for example, to notify the user.

  Further, the sheet processing control unit 7 stops the image forming system 100, stops the operation of the post-processing apparatus 2, and as a result of the detection, the sheet processing control unit 7 applies to the sheets S subsequent to the sheet bundle B determined that the staple needle 51 is not disposed. Image formation and conveyance of the paper S are stopped. Note that the sheet bundle B determined that the staple needle 51 is not arranged as a result of detection is conveyed to the booklet tray 45 so that the user can easily take out the sheet bundle B. After the abnormality of the stapler 80 is resolved by the user, for example, the user interface 13 receives an instruction from the user, and the sheet processing control unit 7 resumes the operation of the post-processing device 2.

  Here, the above-mentioned specific time refers to a time when each of the needle detection sensors 92 is set as a reference time, and the staple needle 51 normally provided in the sheet bundle B from the reference time is a detection area of the needle detection sensor 92. This is the time when the time required to pass normally passes. Since each needle detection sensor 92 is arranged at a different position, the reference time and / or the specific time are individually set for each needle detection sensor 92.

A description will be given using the first needle detection sensor 921 as an example. In this example, the time when the stapler 80 starts the binding process for the sheet bundle B is set as a reference time. The time required for the staple needles 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B to pass through the first needle detection sensor 921 from this reference time is defined as the specific time. Note that, based on the variation in the conveyance speed of the sheet bundle B, a predetermined period width is given to the specific time.
When the sheet processing control unit 7 does not receive a signal from any one of the two first needle detection sensors 921 provided on the near side and the far side of the image forming system 100 (see FIG. 1) at this specific time. Alternatively, when a signal is received from only one of the first needle detection sensors 921, the paper processing control unit 7 determines that the staple needle 51 is not disposed in the paper bundle B.

Here, the first needle detection sensor 921 is provided between the stapler 80 and the folding mechanism 35 as described above (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the first needle detection sensor 921 is a staple needle 51 disposed on the unfolded sheet bundle B, that is, the sheet bundle B (see FIG. 4A) in a state before the folded portion R is formed. Is detected. Further, the staple needle 51 is detected on the inner side of the folded portion R when the sheet bundle B is subjected to the folding process.
More specifically, the first needle detection sensor 921 determines the arrangement of the staple needles 51 inside the folded portion R, which is a portion that is difficult to visually recognize from the outside after the folding process is performed on the sheet bundle B. It arrange | positions so that it may detect before a folding process is performed to the bundle B.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the folding mechanism 35. . Accordingly, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 are the folded sheet bundle B, that is, the sheet bundle B (the folded portion R is formed). The staple needle 51 arranged in FIG. 4B is detected. Further, the staple needle 51 is detected from the outside of the sheet bundle B subjected to the folding process. Note that the first needle detection sensor 921, the second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 detect the staple needles 51 from both sides of the sheet bundle B, respectively. Thus, the state of the staple needle 51 can be detected more reliably.

  The first needle detection sensor 921 is close to the stapler 80 on the downstream side of the stapler 80 in the direction (y direction) in which the sheet bundle B subjected to the binding process along the compilation tray 31 is conveyed. Placed in position. As a result, the presence or absence of the staple 51 can be detected at an early stage. By detecting the presence or absence of the staple 51 at an early stage, the image forming system 100 is stopped at an early stage, and further, the formation of a sheet bundle B with a poor binding is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the deterioration rate of the sheet bundle B formed by the image forming system 100 from deteriorating.

Here, by arranging the needle detection sensors 92 at a plurality of locations along the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle B, even if some of the needle detection sensors 92 malfunction, the staple needles 51 can be surely connected. It is possible to detect that they are not arranged.
Further, when the staple detection sensors 92 are disposed at a plurality of locations, the staple needle 51 that is insufficiently fixed to the sheet bundle B due to abnormality of the stapler 80 or the like is detached during conveyance of the sheet bundle B. In addition, the needle detection sensor 92 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the sheet bundle B from the disengaged portion can detect it. For example, even when the staple needle 51 that has not been sufficiently fixed is detached from the sheet bundle B due to the folding operation by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36, the sheet bundle B is more than the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roll 36. The second needle detection sensor 922, the third needle detection sensor 923, and the fourth needle detection sensor 924 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction can detect.

  As described above, the detection area Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921 is an area through which the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 pass. As a result, the first needle detection sensor 921 can detect the user interface when the staples 51 are arranged in the sheet bundle B but the binding of the sheet bundle B by the staple needle 51 is defective (abnormal). 13 to notify the user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the staple needle 51 is arranged on the sheet bundle B but is bent with the ends 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 open, the staple needle 51 is When the first needle detection sensor 921 passes, the first needle detection sensor 921 does not detect the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51. Therefore, since the sheet processing control unit 7 does not receive a signal from the first hand detection sensor 921 at a specific time, the sheet processing control unit 7 can notify the user by displaying an abnormality on the user interface 13.

<Modification>
Next, a modified example of the needle detection sensor 92 will be described. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the first needle detection sensor 921. More specifically, FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the first needle detection sensor 921 in the first modification, and FIG. 11B is the first needle detection sensor in the second modification. FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating the staple needle 51 with poor binding in the second modified example.

First, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the first end sensor 9211 and the second end sensor 9212 are passed through the first needle detection sensor 921 in the regions through which the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 pass. The structure which provides may be sufficient.
The detection region Dz of the first end sensor 9211 is a width (length in the X direction in the drawing) through which the end portion 511 of the staple needle 51 that is normally disposed passes, and is the first end than the sheet bundle B. An area on the side sensor 9211 side. The detection region Dz of the second end sensor 9212 is a width (length in the X direction in the drawing) through which the end portion 512 of the staple needle 51 that is normally disposed passes, and is a second end than the sheet bundle B. An area on the side sensor 9212 side is set as a detection area Dz. The sheet processing control unit 7 receives signals from the first end sensor 9211 and the second end sensor 9212.

  With this configuration, for example, a state in which one of the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 is open can be detected as an abnormality. More specifically, when one of the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51 arranged in the conveyed sheet bundle B is in an open state, the first end sensor 9211 and the second end sensor 9212 are used. One of these does not detect the end portions 511 and 512 of the staple needle 51. Then, the sheet processing control unit 7 does not receive a signal from one of the first end sensor 9211 and the second end sensor 9212 at a specific time, so that the user interface 13 displays an abnormality. The user is notified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first needle detection sensor 921 has been described as being configured on the compile tray 31 side with respect to the sheet bundle B to be conveyed, but is not limited thereto. For example, the first needle detection sensor 921 may be disposed on the side opposite to the compile tray 31 side with respect to the sheet bundle B being conveyed. As shown in FIG. 11B, in this configuration, the first needle detection sensor 921 is disposed on the base 510 side of the staple needle 51 disposed in the sheet bundle B with respect to the sheet bundle B.

More specifically, the detection area Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921 is equal to or smaller than the width (length in the X direction in the drawing) through which the base 510 of the staple needle 51 that has been normally stapled passes. , And a region existing on the sensor side of the sheet bundle B.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the base 510 of the staple needle 51 is bent and disposed, when the binding process is normally performed (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11C). Compared with the staple needle 51 shown in FIG. 2), the timing at which the staple needle 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B reaches the detection area Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921 changes.

  In the illustrated example, the time for the staple needles 51 arranged in the sheet bundle B to reach the detection area Dz of the first needle detection sensor 921 is shortened. Accordingly, since the sheet processing control unit 7 does not receive a signal from the first needle detection sensor 921 at a specific time, the sheet processing control unit 7 detects that the binding failure of the staple needle 51 has occurred. When the paper processing control unit 7 detects that a binding failure has occurred, the paper processing control unit 7 displays on the user interface 13 that the binding failure of the staple 51 has occurred and notifies the user. To do.

  More specifically, the first needle detection sensor 921 is arranged on the compile tray 31 side with respect to the conveyed paper bundle B and on the side opposite to the compile tray 31 side with respect to the conveyed paper bundle B. May be. By detecting the staple needle 51 from both sides of the sheet bundle B, the state of the staple needle 51 can be detected more reliably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Post-processing apparatus, 3 ... Transport unit, 4 ... Folding unit, 5 ... Finisher unit, 6 ... Interposer, 7 ... Paper processing control part, 10 ... Image forming part, 14 ... Main control part , 30 ... Saddle-stitch binding function part, 31 ... Compilation tray, 32 ... End guide, 35 ... Folding mechanism, 36 ... Folding roll, 51 ... Staple needle, 80 ... Stapler, 92 ... Needle detection sensor, 100 ... Image forming system

Claims (6)

A sheet bundle forming unit that bundles a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle;
Binding means for passing a binding needle through the paper bundle formed by the paper bundle forming unit and bending the end of the binding needle to bind the paper bundle;
Folding means for folding a portion bound by the binding needle in the sheet bundle;
A binding needle detection unit that is disposed downstream of the binding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction and upstream of the folding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and detects the binding needle used for the sheet bundle by the binding unit. It has a door,
The binding needle detection unit is provided on a side where the end portion of the binding needle that is bent by the binding unit with respect to the sheet bundle is disposed, and is closer to the binding needle detection unit than the sheet bundle. A post-processing device that detects the binding needle passing through the region .   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding needle detection unit is arranged on a surface side that is an inner side of the sheet bundle when the sheet bundle is folded by the folding unit. 3. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding needle detection unit is arranged on a sheet side first supplied to the sheet bundle forming unit with respect to the sheet bundle. Another binding needle detection unit that is provided downstream of the folding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction and detects the binding needle passing through an area including the entire thickness of the sheet bundle folded by the folding unit, The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   2. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that the sheet bundle is not bound when the binding needle detection unit does not detect the binding needle. An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
A sheet bundle forming unit that forms a sheet bundle by bundling a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit;
Binding means for passing a binding needle through the paper bundle formed by the paper bundle forming unit and bending the end of the binding needle to bind the paper bundle;
Folding means for folding a portion bound by the binding needle in the sheet bundle;
A binding needle detection unit that is disposed downstream of the binding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction and upstream of the folding unit in the sheet bundle conveyance direction, and detects the binding needle used for the sheet bundle by the binding unit. It has a door,
The binding needle detection unit is provided on a side where the end portion of the binding needle that is bent by the binding unit with respect to the sheet bundle is disposed, and is closer to the binding needle detection unit than the sheet bundle. An image forming apparatus that detects the binding needle passing through the region .

Images