JP5920585B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that performs image formation and two or more processing units.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine that combines these, which forms an image based on image data, post-processing or the like is performed on a sheet on which an image has been formed as desired. There are various types of post-processing, for example, stapling, punching, binding, folding processing, and the like, and an image forming apparatus that enables a plurality of post-processing has been proposed. Some post-processing devices include a relay device, a paper stacking unit, and a reversing unit. The post-processing is performed by a post-processing device connected to an image forming apparatus main body that performs normal image formation. In this post-processing apparatus, a post-processing transport path that passes through the post-processing section is provided, and desired post-processing is performed on the paper transported through the post-processing transport path by the post-processing section (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). In some cases, a bypass path that bypasses the post-processing conveyance path is provided, and when the corresponding post-processing is not performed, the sheet can be conveyed through the bypass path (for example, Patent Document 1, 4). The post-processing conveyance path and the bypass path merge to reach a common conveyance path.

JP 2011-184177 A JP 2010-241528 A JP 2009-300536 A JP 2010-111454 A

  By the way, since the image forming apparatus main body and the post-processing apparatus are directly connected, the sheet on which the image has been formed is directly conveyed to the post-processing apparatus and processed efficiently. However, abnormalities may occur due to abnormal image formation on the image forming apparatus main body side. In such a case, it is necessary to exclude it from the printed matter, but the post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus main body are directly connected. Therefore, the sheet having an abnormality (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal sheet) is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus as it is. In the post-processing device, the paper is transported between predetermined papers, and in the devices of Patent Documents 2 and 3 having only the processing transport path, normal paper (hereinafter referred to as normal paper) together with abnormal paper is used. Since it is necessary to discharge all of the paper, a lot of paper is wasted. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to stop the apparatus and remove the abnormal paper from the conveyance path. In Patent Document 2, a plurality of stoppable positions capable of stopping the sheet are provided in the sheet conveyance path. However, if the apparatus is stopped and the abnormal paper is removed, the production efficiency is significantly reduced.

On the other hand, in the apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 and 4 having a plurality of transport paths, there is a case in which abnormal paper can be discharged preferentially even when normal paper is in the post-processing apparatus by properly using the post-processing transport path and the bypass path. Yes (paper is on post-processing transport path). In Patent Document 4, invalid paper generated in the image forming unit is distinguished from valid paper, and both sheets are smoothly discharged by a transport unit separate from the main body.
However, if the previous normal paper is located across the post-processing conveyance path and the common conveyance path, it takes time for the previous normal paper to pass through the post-processing conveyance path. Then, the normal paper and the abnormal paper collide with each other. In particular, if there are two or more combinations of the post-processing conveyance path and bypass path, if there is a paper discharge section between the combinations, it is possible to discharge the abnormal paper from there. There is a possibility of collision between paper and normal paper, and there is a problem that the paper becomes JAM.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently discharging abnormal paper from the apparatus when abnormal paper occurs.

That is, the first aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is:
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data;
A transport path for transporting the paper that has passed through the image forming section to a paper discharge section;
A plurality of processing units that perform processing on paper conveyed from the image forming unit in the middle of the conveyance path;
The transport path includes the processing transport path that passes through the processing unit, a bypass path that bypasses the processing transport path, and a common transport path where the processing transport path and the bypass path merge as one unit. 2 or more consecutively,
Further, each processing unit and a control unit that controls the transport path are provided,
The control unit determines whether the paper conveyed from the image forming unit is normal paper or abnormal paper, and determines that the paper is abnormal paper,
When there is no previous normal paper or normal paper bundle extending from the processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, if the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle is in the processing conveyance path, the processing conveyance path is made to wait, and the abnormality The paper is discharged to the paper discharge section through the bypass path and the common transport path without passing through the processing transport path,
When there is a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is conveyed downstream, and the normal paper or the normal paper is forwarded. Control is performed when an abnormal sheet is generated, in which the abnormal sheet is transported to any one of the processing transport paths positioned upstream of the common transport path where the bundle is present, and then discharged to the paper discharge unit. And

  In the image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, and an abnormal sheet is generated. When transporting the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle to the downstream side by time control, the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle is transported downstream, discharged to the paper discharge unit, and then to the processing transport path. Control is performed to discharge the conveyed abnormal paper to the paper output unit after the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle.

  The image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit includes a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing transport path to the common transport path, and an abnormal paper is generated. When transporting the previous normal paper or the normal paper bundle downstream by time control, the previous normal paper or the normal paper bundle is transported and waited on another post-processing transport path downstream in the transport direction, and Control is performed to discharge the abnormal paper conveyed to the processing conveyance path on the side to the paper discharge unit.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that receives an operation input from an operator according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention,
The control unit can set an operation when an abnormal sheet occurs through the control unit, and in this operation setting, the discharge timing of the previous normal sheet or normal sheet bundle waiting in the processing conveyance path can be set. It is possible.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the paper discharge timing includes one or more immediately before the stop of the image forming apparatus and after the restart of the image forming apparatus. And

  The image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit is configured to control a destination that extends from the processing transport path to the common transport path when the abnormal paper is generated. If there is a normal paper or a normal paper bundle and another normal paper or normal paper bundle is contained in the upstream processing conveyance path before the processing conveyance path, the other normal paper or normal paper bundle Is placed on the processing conveyance path.

  In the image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the control section transports the abnormal paper through the processing transport path in which the other normal paper or the normal paper bundle is waited. When the processing conveyance path is the same, the conveyed abnormal paper is superimposed on the other normal paper or normal paper bundle, and the abnormal paper is discharged together with the other normal paper or normal paper bundle. The paper is discharged to the section.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, at least one of the processing units includes a stacker for depositing sheets.

  The image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit determines whether the paper is normal paper or abnormal paper depending on whether the image is normally formed on the paper. It is characterized by determining.

  An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit is configured so that the sheet reaches the processing conveyance path or the bypass path where the sheet is the most upstream. It is determined whether the paper is normal paper or abnormal paper, and the abnormal paper occurrence control is executed.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet and the paper that is conveyed from the main body of the image forming apparatus according to any of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention. One or two or more post-processing apparatuses to be performed, and the post-processing apparatus has one or more post-processing units.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, at least one of the common transport paths extends between a plurality of post-processing apparatuses.

  An image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the abnormal paper and the previous normal paper or a normal paper bundle are related to the same job or different jobs. It is characterized by.

An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention includes the sheet detection unit according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, which includes a sheet detection unit that detects a sheet straddling the processing conveyance path and the common conveyance path.
The control unit is configured to receive a detection result of the sheet detection unit and determine whether there is a sheet extending from the processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path.

  That is, according to the present invention, when abnormal paper occurs, the abnormal paper is efficiently discharged from the transport path including the post-processing unit without causing paper collision, and the image forming apparatus is in a normal state at an early stage. Can be operated.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the outline of a machine structure. Similarly, it is a control block diagram. Similarly, it is a time chart in paper conveyance when abnormal paper occurs. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the previous normal paper at the time of occurrence of abnormality. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a control procedure when an abnormal sheet occurs. Similarly, it is a diagram showing a screen for setting the discharge timing of normal paper.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a post-processing device 20 capable of folding and saddle stitching is connected to the downstream side of the sheet conveyance of the image forming apparatus main body 10 that performs image formation. Further, a large-capacity paper feeding device 30 is connected to the upstream side of the sheet conveyance of the image forming apparatus main body 10.
The post-processing device 20 is arranged such that a post-processing side 20b for performing saddle stitching processing is arranged in an L shape in a plan view with respect to the pre-processing side 20a for performing superposition / reversal and folding processing. The processing side 20a is connected.

The image forming apparatus main body 10 is provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 on the upper side, and a document fed by the automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 can be read by a scanner unit (not shown). (See FIG. 2). The document can be read on a platen glass (not shown). A document reading unit 140 (shown in FIG. 3) is configured by the scanner unit, automatic document feeder (ADF) 14, platen glass, and the like.
Further, an operation display unit 15 including a touch panel is provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 10 at a position where the platen glass is not located, so that an operation and information display by the operator can be performed. The operation display unit 15 serves both as an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit and the display unit can be configured separately.

A plurality of paper feed trays 12 (two stages in the figure) are arranged on the lower side of the image forming apparatus main body 10, and are further attached to the image forming apparatus main body 10 so as to have a large capacity feed having a large capacity paper feed tray. A paper device 30 is arranged.
In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a transport path 13 for transporting paper fed from one of the paper feed trays is provided, and the image forming unit 110 is located in the middle of the transport path in the image forming apparatus main body 10. Is provided. The image forming unit 110 includes a photoconductor 111, a charger, an LD, a developing device, and a transfer unit (not shown) arranged around the photoconductor 111, and a fixing unit arranged in the conveyance path 13 on the downstream side of the photoconductor 111. The instrument 112 is configured.

In the image forming unit 110, the charger uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 111 before image writing, and the LD irradiates the photoconductor 111 with the surface uniformly charged to irradiate the semiconductor laser 111. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 111 by the LD with the toner member. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 111. The transfer unit transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 111 onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 12 or the large-capacity sheet feeding device 30. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 111 and conveyed to the fixing device 112. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 111 is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).
The fixing device 112 fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet by heating the conveyed sheet. The sheet subjected to the fixing process is transported to the post-processing device 20 through the transport path 13.

The post-processing device 20 performs processing such as superposition / inversion, folding, saddle stitching, and the like. The post-processing apparatus 20 has a transport path 23 that is continuous with the transport path 13 of the image forming apparatus main body 10, and the transport path 23 is branched into a processing transport path 211 and a bypass path 212.
A stacking / reversing unit 210 is provided in the processing transport path 211, and the sheets transported through the processing transport path 211 can be overlapped and reversed. The sheets that are not overlapped / inverted are conveyed downstream through the bypass path 212.
The processing conveyance path 211 and the bypass path 212 are merged downstream to be connected to the common conveyance path 213, and the sheet passing through the bypass path 212 and the sheet passing through the processing conveyance path 211 pass through the common conveyance path 213. Be transported.
In the vicinity of the upstream end of the common transport path 213, a paper detection unit 215 is arranged to detect a paper located on the common transport path 213. When a sheet is detected by the sheet detection unit 215, the sheet straddles the processing conveyance path 211 and the common conveyance path 213. After that, when the sheet passes through the processing conveyance path 211, the sheet detection unit 215 does not detect the sheet.

  The common transport path 213 extends downstream and branches into a processing transport path 221 and a bypass path 222. A folding part 220 is interposed in the processing conveyance path 221. The folding unit 220 can fold or fold the sheet conveyed through the processing conveyance path 221 in half or in three. Note that the sheet that has been subjected to the middle folding process in the folding unit 220 can be transported to the rear processing side 20b by the rear transport unit 242 (shown in FIG. 3) and subjected to post-processing for saddle stitching staples.

  The processing conveyance path 221 and the bypass path 222 merge on the downstream side and continue to the common conveyance path 223. In the vicinity of the upstream end of the common transport path 223, a paper detection unit 225 is provided to detect the paper located on the common transport path 223. When a sheet is detected by the sheet detection unit 225, the sheet straddles the processing conveyance path 221 and the common conveyance path 223, and thereafter, when the sheet passes through the processing conveyance path 221, the sheet detection unit 225 does not detect the sheet.

  The common transport path 223 is branched downstream into a sub-tray path 226 and a tri-fold sub-tray path 227, the sub-tray path 226 is connected to the sub-tray 230, and the tri-fold sub-tray path 227 is connected to the tri-fold sub-tray 231. . The sheet that has passed through the bypass path 222 passes through the common transport path 223 and is further discharged to the sub-tray 230 through the sub-tray path 226. The sheet conveyed in the post-processing conveyance path 221 and folded in three at the folding unit 220 passes through the common conveyance path 223 and is further discharged to the tri-fold sub-tray 231 through the tri-fold sub-tray path 227.

The transport path 23, the processing transport paths 211 and 221, the bypass paths 212 and 222, the common paths 213 and 223, the sub-tray path 226, and the trifold sub-tray path 227 constitute a transport unit 240, and the present invention together with the transport path 13. The transport route is configured.
In this embodiment, the processing conveyance path, the bypass path, and the common conveyance path are regarded as one unit, and two units are continuously located in the same post-processing apparatus. It may be between the processing device and the second post-processing device. Further, three or more units may be continuous. Between the units, there is no intermediate paper discharge unit that can discharge the paper from the conveyance path to the outside.

Next, control blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes an image forming apparatus control unit 100 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 including the image forming apparatus main body 10. The image forming apparatus control unit 100 includes a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, a nonvolatile ROM, a flash memory, and the like. The image forming apparatus control unit 100 functions as a control unit of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus control unit 100 is connected to an image data storage unit 101 and a JOB storage unit 102 made up of a DRAM or the like in a controllable manner. Image data generated by reading a document or the like by the document reading unit 140 is stored in the image data storage unit 101, and the image data is read from the image data storage unit 101 at the time of output or the like. As described above, the document reading unit 140 includes the automatic document feeder (ADF) 14 and the scanner unit.
The JOB storage unit 102 stores JOB data including print settings associated with image data, and image formation output is performed based on the JOB data stored in the JOB storage unit 102. JOB data is generated by initial setting or setting by an operator as image data is generated. The image forming unit 110 described above is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 in a controllable manner, and an image is formed on a sheet based on the JOB data and the image data.

  The conveyance unit 130 includes the conveyance path 13 and is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 in a controllable manner. The conveyance unit 130 conveys the sheets of the paper feed tray 12 and the large-capacity sheet feeding device 30 through the conveyance path 13 under the control of the image forming apparatus control unit 100, forms an image in the image forming unit 110, and then the post-processing device 20. Transport to.

The operation and display in the image forming apparatus main body 10 can be performed through the operation display unit 15.
The operation display unit 15 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 in a controllable manner, and includes an operation unit 15a that receives an operation input from the operator and a display unit 15b that performs display. In this embodiment, the operation part 15a and the display part 15b are comprised integrally.

  A serial communication unit 160 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 in a controllable manner. The serial communication unit 160 is connected to a serial communication unit 260 included in the post-processing device 20 so that serial communication is possible. The serial communication unit 160 can transmit an instruction from the image forming apparatus control unit 100 and information from the image forming apparatus main body 10 to the post-processing device 20 through the serial communication unit 260, and further, information from the post-processing device 20 can be serially communicated. It can be acquired through the part 260.

The post-processing device 20 includes a post-processing device control unit 200 that controls the entire post-processing device 20. The post-processing device control unit 200 includes a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, a nonvolatile ROM, a flash memory, and the like. The post-processing device control unit 200 controls the post-processing device 20 in response to an instruction from the image forming device control unit 100, and has a function as a control unit of the present invention.
The post-processing device 20 includes a serial communication unit 260 that performs serial communication with the serial communication unit 160 of the image forming apparatus main body 10. The serial communication unit 260 is connected to the post-processing apparatus control unit 200 in a controllable manner, and receives control commands, status information, and the like from the image forming apparatus control unit 100 and transmits them to the post-processing apparatus control unit 200. The post-processing device control unit 200 controls the post-processing device 20 in response to this control command, status information, and the like. Further, the post-processing device 20 transmits the status information of the post-processing device 20 and the like to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 through the serial communication unit 260 and the serial communication unit 160. The image forming apparatus control unit 100 receives this state information and performs control of the image forming apparatus 10 and transmission of a control command to the post-processing apparatus 20.
Note that a serial communication unit 261 that performs serial communication with a subsequent apparatus is provided for the case where a separate post-processing apparatus or the like is connected to the subsequent stage of the post-processing apparatus 20. Controllably connected to the device controller 200.

The post-processing apparatus 20 includes a transport unit 240 including a transport path 23, processing transport paths 211 and 221, bypass paths 212 and 222, common paths 213 and 223, a sub-tray path 226, and a trifold sub-tray path 227. The transport unit 240 is connected to the post-processing device control unit 200 in a controllable manner. The transport unit 240 is provided on the front-stage processing side 20a, and a rear-stage transport unit 242 that extends to the rear-stage processing side 20b so as to be continuous with the folding unit 220 is provided. The post-stage transport unit 242 is connected to the post-processing apparatus control unit 200 in a controllable manner, and the post-processing apparatus control unit 200 controls transport and route selection. In addition, a discharge path selection unit 241 for selecting a discharge path for the sub-tray path 226 and the tri-fold sub-tray path 227 and selecting a discharge path for the common transport path 223 and the subsequent transport unit 242 is provided. The discharge path selection unit 241 is connected to the post-processing apparatus control unit 200 so as to be controllable, and selects a discharge path of a sheet conveyed along the conveyance path.
Further, the paper detection units 215 and 225 are controllably connected to the post-processing device control unit 200, and the detection results of the paper detection units 215 and 225 are transmitted to the post-processing device control unit 200. The post-processing apparatus control unit 200 transmits the detection result to the image forming apparatus control unit 100 through the serial communication units 260 and 160.

Further, as described above, the pre-processing side 20a of the post-processing apparatus 20 has the stacking / reversing unit 210 that performs stacking and reversing of sheets, and the stacking / reversing unit 210 is controlled by the post-processing apparatus control unit 200. Connected as possible. The stacking / reversing unit 210 corresponds to the processing unit of the present invention, and includes an alignment unit that performs sheet alignment. Further, the front processing side 20 a of the post-processing device 20 has a folding part 220. The folding unit 220 is connected to the post-processing device control unit 200 in a controllable manner. The folding part can be folded in half for the purpose of saddle stitching, and can be folded in three when the post-processing is completed by the folding process.
Further, the pre-processing side 20a has a crease portion 250 and a slit portion 251 included in the folding portion 220, and the crease portion 250 and the slit portion 251 are controllably connected to the post-processing apparatus control portion 200, respectively. Has been. The streaking unit 250 prepares a sheet by folding a sheet, and the slit unit 251 performs folding processing by pushing the sheet.

Further, the post-processing side 20b includes a cornering unit 252, a saddle stitching staple unit 253, a booklet cutting unit 254, a booklet stacking unit 255, and a booklet discharge unit 256, which are controllably connected to the post-processing device control unit 200, respectively. ing.
The squaring unit 252 prepares a booklet by squaring a cover sheet.
The saddle stitching staple unit 253 performs saddle stitching on the folded sheet conveyed from the folding unit 220.
The booklet cutting unit 254 cuts the periphery of the booklet to adjust the size.
The booklet stacking unit 255 loads the prepared booklet and prepares for discharge.
The booklet discharge unit 256 discharges the booklet stacked on the booklet stacking unit 255 to the main tray 232 (shown in FIG. 1).

Next, a description will be given of an operation when a sheet is conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 10 to the post-processing apparatus 20 and post-processing is performed based on FIG.
This example is an example of a continuous job that operates when, for example, “one set of three folds, one copy → one sub-tray → one set of three folds” is reserved in the image forming apparatus main body 10 in advance.
As shown in the upper row, processing and paper discharge are performed at a time interval of 300 milliseconds in each of the three folds, but when one sheet is discharged to the sub-tray, the paper discharge mode is switched. Sufficient time is required for this switching and sheet discharge.
On the other hand, as shown in the lower row, if an abnormal paper occurs in a job with three folds and three sheets, even if the mode is switched and the abnormal paper is ejected to the sub-tray, the mode cannot be switched in time and the papers collide with each other. I understand that.

The occurrence of abnormal paper can be determined by grasping the operation status in the image forming apparatus control unit 100. An example is shown below.
(1) DF-JAM
(The paper is JAM in the main body ADF, and there is no data to print on the paper that has already been fed, and it becomes a blank paper.)
(2) Main unit memory over (memory for image development is insufficient, eg: A3 is 8in1, A4 size prints out of memory, etc.)

In addition, an image or the like is detected by an appropriate sensor on the paper that has passed through the image forming unit, and whether the image is properly formed by the image forming apparatus control unit 100 that has received the detection result is determined as normal paper or abnormal paper. Can be determined.
That is, in the present invention, the criterion for determining abnormal paper can be set as appropriate, and is not limited to a specific criterion. For example, it is desirable to determine an abnormal paper that is difficult to use as an appropriate printed matter. Note that it is necessary to determine whether normal paper or abnormal paper is present before reaching the upstream processing conveyance path 211 and bypass path 212. In this embodiment, normally, when the paper is in the image forming apparatus main body 10. The above determination is made.

Next, a description will be given of a case where a previous sheet or a sheet bundle (hereinafter referred to as a normal sheet or a normal sheet bundle) is positioned when the conveyance in the post-processing apparatus is controlled depending on whether the sheet is normal paper or abnormal paper.
FIG. 5 shows an outline of the conveyance path in the post-processing apparatus 20 and shows the position of the previous normal paper or the normal paper bundle when the abnormal paper is determined.
Here, when the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is stored in the processing transport path 211 including the stacking / reversing unit 210 in a state before stacking or in a stacked state, or in the processing transport path 211 including the folding unit 220 before post-processing. If the paper is stored in the post-processing state, it is OK, and a normal sheet or a normal paper bundle is straddling the processing transport path 211 and the common transport path 213 during discharge from the processing transport path 211 or the processing transport path 221. Or NG when straddling the processing conveyance path 221 and the common conveyance path 223. In the case of NG, if the abnormal paper is conveyed as it is, there is a possibility that the papers collide with each other.

  Whether the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is located across the processing conveyance path and the common conveyance path is determined by the post-processing device control unit 200 based on the detection results of the paper detection units 215 and 225. That is, if the paper is detected by the paper detection units 215 and 225 and the detection state continues, it is determined that the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is located across the processing conveyance path and the common conveyance path. On the other hand, if the sheet is not detected after the sheet is detected, the sheet is discharged from the processing conveyance path, and the normal sheet or the normal sheet bundle is not located across the processing conveyance path and the common conveyance path. Determined.

Next, Table 1 shows the contents of the conveyance control depending on the position of each sheet.
(Case 1): When there is no NG paper Immediately after detecting the occurrence of abnormal paper, normal paper or a normal paper bundle (simply indicated as normal paper in the table) is kept waiting if it is in the processing conveyance path. Paper is discharged through the bypass path and common transport path. Thereafter, all the normal paper or the normal paper bundle in the processing conveyance path is discharged.
The paper discharge destination is discharged onto a predetermined tray or the like. Further, a sheet including abnormal paper and a sheet including only normal paper may be discharged to different discharge destinations. The same applies to the following.
(Case 2): OK on the overlap / reverse part side and NG on the folding part side Immediately after detecting the occurrence of abnormal paper, normal paper or a normal paper bundle (simply indicated as normal paper in the table) is present in the processing conveyance path. Keep waiting. The abnormal paper is conveyed to the processing conveyance path 211 on the stacking / reversing unit side. If there is a normal paper or a normal paper bundle in the processing conveyance path 211, the paper is superposed on the abnormal paper by the overlap / reverse unit 210. Thereafter, all the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is discharged. At this time, the abnormal paper is discharged together with the normal paper or the normal paper bundle stacked by the stacking / reversing unit 210. Note that the normal paper or the normal paper bundle that is determined to be NG on the folding side may be discharged immediately after the occurrence of abnormal paper or may be discharged thereafter. Further, the normal paper or the normal paper bundle that is determined as NG may be discharged to a different tray from the normal paper or the normal paper bundle including the abnormal paper.
(Case 3): When the overlap / reverse part side and the folding part side are NG (Case 4): When the overlap / reverse part side is NG and the folding part side is OK In Cases 3 and 4, immediately after the occurrence of abnormal paper is detected NG, normal paper bundles or normal paper bundles conveyed to the downstream side and discharged as they are, or when there is a processing conveyance path on the downstream side, conveyed to this processing conveyance path. The abnormal paper is conveyed to the processing conveyance path 211. Thereafter, the abnormal paper in the processing conveyance path 211 is discharged. If there is a normal paper or a normal paper bundle in the processing conveyance path 211, it is discharged together with the abnormal paper. Further, after that, when the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is conveyed to the processing conveyance path 221 on the folding unit side, the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is discharged according to the setting of the user.

Next, the procedure of the conveyance control in the post-processing device 20 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the post-processing device control unit 200.
When an abnormal sheet is detected, the processing is started. First, whether there is a sheet at the downstream junction at the junction of the upstream processing conveyance path and the bypass path, that is, the processing conveyance path 211 and the common conveyance path 213. It is determined whether there is a sheet across (step s1). In the case of [NG], the normal paper is conveyed to the downstream processing conveyance path, and the abnormal paper is conveyed to the upstream processing conveyance path (step s7). Thereafter, the bundle in the stacking section is conveyed to the folding section side and the abnormal paper is unloaded, and then the bundle in the processing conveyance path is unloaded according to the user setting (step s8), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when there is no paper at the downstream junction point at the junction of the processing conveyance path and bypass path in the uppermost stream (step s1, none [OK]), that is, straddling the processing conveyance path 211 and the common conveyance path 213. If there is no sheet, it is determined whether there is a sheet at the junction of the next processing conveyance path and bypass path, that is, whether there is a sheet straddling the processing conveyance path 221 and the common conveyance path 223 (step s2). In the case of [NG], the normal paper is made to stand by on the spot, and the abnormal paper is conveyed to the upstream processing conveyance path. If there is normal paper in this processing conveyance path, it is overlapped with this (step s5). Next, normal paper and abnormal paper are discharged (step s6), and the process is terminated.
If NO [OK] in step s2, if normal paper is present in the processing conveyance path, the process waits on the spot and discharges the abnormal paper first (step s3). Thereafter, the normal paper is discharged (step s4), and the process is terminated.

Next, FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation screen for setting the user shown in step s8.
FIG. 7 shows a discharge timing setting screen 150 displayed on the operation display unit 15 and is operated before printing is started.
On the discharge setting screen 150, normal paper discharge timing can be set as an operation when abnormal paper occurs. An “before image forming apparatus stop” button 151 and an “after image forming apparatus restart” button 152 are provided. A push button can be selectively used. In the figure, the “before image forming apparatus stop” button 151 is pushed and displayed in reverse video.

  Further, an OK button 153, a function OFF button 154, and a cancel button 155 are pressed on the lower side of the discharge setting screen 150. When the OK button 153 is pressed, the setting of the selected “before stopping the image forming apparatus” button 151 or “after restarting the image forming apparatus” button 152 is confirmed. In this case, any one of the buttons may be set by default. When the cancel button 155 is pressed, the setting of the selected “before stop of image forming apparatus” button 151 or “after restart of image forming apparatus” button 152 is canceled. The function OFF button 154 disables the setting of the normal paper discharge timing. In this case, for example, normal paper is discharged immediately after the abnormal paper is discharged.

  When the above setting is confirmed, the setting is stored in a non-volatile storage unit included in the image forming apparatus control unit 100 in a readable manner. Further, the serial communication units 160 and 260 are used to be readable and stored in a nonvolatile storage unit provided in the post-processing device control unit 200. In step s8 described above, after the abnormal paper is discharged, the setting data set in the post-processing apparatus control unit 200 is read, and immediately before the image forming apparatus is stopped and after the image forming apparatus is restarted according to the setting contents. A normal sheet or a bundle of normal sheets in the processing conveyance path is discharged at the timing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, either normal paper or abnormal paper is waited on the conveyance path that must be considered to collide at two or more locations, and the other is appropriately removed from the machine. By discharging, normal paper and abnormal paper do not collide, and the paper can be smoothly discharged outside the apparatus.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to the content of the said embodiment, A suitable change is possible unless it deviates from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Image forming apparatus main body 100 Image forming apparatus control part 110 Image forming part 111 Photoconductor 112 Fixing device 12 Paper feed tray 14 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
15 Operation display unit 150 Discharge timing setting screen 20 Post-processing device 200 Post-processing device control unit 23 Transport unit 210 Overlap / invert unit 211 Processing transport route 212 Bypass route 213 Common transport route 215 Paper detection unit 220 Folding unit 221 Processing transport route 222 Bypass path 223 Common transport path 225 Paper detection unit 30 Large capacity feeder

Claims (14)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data;
A transport path for transporting the paper that has passed through the image forming section to a paper discharge section;
A plurality of processing units that perform processing on paper conveyed from the image forming unit in the middle of the conveyance path;
The transport path includes the processing transport path that passes through the processing unit, a bypass path that bypasses the processing transport path, and a common transport path where the processing transport path and the bypass path merge as one unit. 2 or more consecutively,
Furthermore, a control unit that controls each of the processing units and the transport path is provided.
The control unit determines whether the paper conveyed from the image forming unit is normal paper or abnormal paper, and determines that the paper is abnormal paper,
When there is no previous normal paper or normal paper bundle extending from the processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, if the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle is in the processing conveyance path, the processing conveyance path is made to wait, and the abnormality The paper is discharged to the paper discharge section through the bypass path and the common transport path without passing through the processing transport path,
When there is a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, the normal paper or the normal paper bundle is conveyed downstream, and the normal paper or the normal paper is forwarded. Control is performed when an abnormal sheet is generated, in which the abnormal sheet is transported to any one of the processing transport paths positioned upstream of the common transport path where the bundle is present, and then discharged to the paper discharge unit. An image forming apparatus.   The control unit has a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, and conveys the normal paper or the normal paper bundle downstream by the abnormal paper occurrence control. The previous normal paper or normal paper bundle is conveyed downstream and discharged to the paper discharge unit, and the abnormal paper conveyed to the processing conveyance path is discharged after the previous normal paper or normal paper bundle. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for discharging the sheet to the unit is executed.   The control unit has a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the post-processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path, and conveys the normal paper or the normal paper bundle downstream by the abnormal paper occurrence control. The normal paper or the normal paper bundle is transported and waited on another post-processing transport path downstream in the transport direction, and the abnormal paper transported to the upstream processing transport path is discharged to the paper discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is executed. It has an operation unit that receives operation input from the operator,
The control unit can set an operation when an abnormal sheet occurs through the control unit, and in this operation setting, the discharge timing of the previous normal sheet or normal sheet bundle waiting in the processing conveyance path can be set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is possible.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet discharge timing includes one or more of immediately before the stop of the image forming apparatus and after the restart of the image forming apparatus.   In the control when abnormal paper occurs, the control unit has a normal paper or a normal paper bundle that extends from the processing transport path to the common transport path, and is different from the upstream processing transport path before the processing transport path. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a previous normal paper or a normal paper bundle is received, the other normal paper or a normal paper bundle is made to wait in the processing conveyance path. Image forming apparatus.   When the processing transport path on which the other normal paper or normal paper bundle is waited is the same as the processing transport path for transporting the abnormal paper, the control unit determines that the other normal paper or normal paper is another 7. The control unit according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to superimpose the conveyed abnormal paper on the bundle and discharge the abnormal paper to the paper discharge unit together with the other normal paper or the normal paper bundle. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the processing units includes a stacker for depositing sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the paper is normal paper or abnormal paper depending on whether image formation is normally performed on the paper.   The control unit determines whether the paper is normal paper or abnormal paper before the paper reaches the uppermost processing conveyance path or bypass path, and executes the abnormal paper occurrence control. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a sheet, and one or more post-processing apparatuses that perform post-processing on a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body. The post-processing apparatus includes one or more post-processing The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image forming unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the common transport paths extends between a plurality of post-processing apparatuses.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal paper and the previous normal paper or the normal paper bundle are related to the same job or different jobs. A paper detection unit that detects paper that extends from the processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path;
14. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether there is a sheet that extends from the processing conveyance path to the common conveyance path in response to a detection result of the sheet detection unit. Image forming apparatus.

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