JP6004268B2 - Sheet binding apparatus, sheet processing apparatus, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper binding device that performs binding processing on paper, a paper processing device including the paper binding device, and an image forming system including the paper processing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming system, paper binding in which sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus are stacked on a paper stacking tray to form a paper bundle, and binding processing is performed on the paper bundle using a binding tool that is a binding unit. There is known one provided with a paper processing apparatus provided with the apparatus.

  In the paper processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, paper fibers are entangled by tightly engaging a paper bundle with a crimping tooth which is a crimping member having a pair of concave and convex shapes without using a metal needle, and the papers are crimped together. Thus, there is provided a paper-binding device of a pressure-binding type that binds a paper bundle. By binding the sheet bundle by crimping without using the metal needle, it is possible to save the trouble of removing the metal needle from the sheet bundle when discarding the sheet bundle or applying a shredder.

  In the paper binding device provided in the paper processing device, it is possible to perform binding processing on papers having different thicknesses such as thin paper, plain paper, and thick paper. The sheet binding device needs to bind the pair of pressure-bonding teeth with a greater force to bind the sheet bundle as the thickness of the sheet bundle increases. For this reason, when the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle in the image forming system, the user inputs the sheet type and the number of sheets in the sheet bundle, and the binding process can be performed based on the sheet bundle thickness according to the specifications of the sheet binding apparatus. If there is, the binding process is performed.

  However, if a sheet having a thickness different from that of the sheet input by the user is used, if a sheet thinner than the input sheet is used, the force for binding the sheet bundle is too great. End up. Therefore, if the binding operation is continuously performed with an excessive force and a large pressure is continuously applied to the sheet bundle, the sheet may be torn. On the other hand, when a sheet thicker than the input sheet thickness is used, the magnitude of the force for binding the sheet bundle is too small, and the pressure applied to the sheet bundle is reduced. For this reason, the binding operation is continuously performed without completing the crimping and binding to the sheet bundle, and there is a possibility that the sheet binding apparatus continues to be loaded and the sheet binding apparatus breaks down.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet binding device capable of suppressing the abnormal binding operation from being continuously performed, a sheet processing device including the sheet binding device, and An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system including the paper processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a sheet stacking means for stacking sheets, and a binding means having a pair of crimping members having a concavo-convex shape, and a stack of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means. In the paper binding apparatus of the pressure binding method that binds the paper bundle by the binding means, based on the detection result of the pressure detection means for detecting the pressure applied to the paper bundle during the binding operation of the paper bundle by the binding means, and the detection result of the pressure detection means A determination unit that determines whether a predetermined pressure is applied to the sheet bundle, and a binding operation by the binding unit when a predetermined pressure is not applied to the sheet bundle according to a determination result of the determination unit. It has a control means which performs control to stop.

  In the present invention, when a predetermined pressure is not applied to the sheet bundle during the binding operation of the sheet bundle by the binding unit, the binding operation by the binding unit is stopped, so the binding operation is performed with a force that is too large or too small. It is not performed continuously. Accordingly, a device in which a binding operation is continuously performed without pressure binding being completed because a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure continues to be applied to the paper bundle and the paper is torn or a pressure applied to the paper bundle is lower than the predetermined pressure. It is possible to prevent the load from being continuously applied. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sheet tearing or device failure due to continuous abnormal binding operation.

  As mentioned above, according to this invention, there exists the outstanding effect that it can suppress that an abnormal binding operation | movement is performed continuously.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow for determining an abnormality in a sheet bundle binding process performed by a sheet binding device. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. The block diagram regarding control of a paper post-processing apparatus. The figure explaining the crimping | binding method in a paper post-processing apparatus. The figure explaining the uneven | corrugated shape of a crimping tooth. The figure which shows an example of the operation mechanism of the edge part binding part by a crimping tooth. The graph which shows the relationship between the drive amount of a motor and the pressure added to a sheet | seat at the time of the binding process in an edge binding part. The block diagram which concerns on control of a paper binding apparatus. (A) A graph showing a target speed for driving the binding DC motor, (b) a graph showing an actual operation waveform when the binding DC motor is moved at a high pressure, and (c) a binding DC motor being moved at a low pressure. The graph which shows the actual operation waveform in the case, (d) Explanatory drawing of the frequency fluctuation frequency. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a sheet bundle when a normal binding operation cannot be performed. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in a sheet bundle binding process performed by the sheet binding device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in a sheet bundle binding process performed by the sheet binding device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in a sheet bundle binding process performed by the sheet binding device.

  Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to an image forming system will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a sheet post-processing apparatus 3 as a sheet processing apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 2 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 are connected so as to communicate with each other. In the image forming system 1, the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a sheet, and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 receives the sheet from the image forming apparatus 2 and performs various sheet processes on the received sheet.

  Various types of paper processing are, for example, edge binding processing, center folding processing, and the like. The center folding process includes a saddle stitching process. In the present embodiment, in the end binding process, the sheet post-processing device 3 strongly engages with the crimping teeth that are a pair of crimping members without using a needle, entangles the sheet fibers, and crimps the sheets to form a bundle of sheets. Bind.

  The sheet post-processing device 3 that performs various types of sheet processing has a discharge mode, an end binding mode, and a middle folding mode as operation modes.

  The image forming apparatus 2 has a known configuration. For example, the image forming apparatus 2 can be configured as an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 2 includes, for example, a control unit, an image forming unit, an optical writing unit, a paper feeding unit, a paper feeding conveyance path, an image reading unit, an intermediate transfer unit, a fixing unit, a paper discharge conveyance path, a double-side conveyance path, etc. And an image is formed on one side or both sides of the paper.

  The paper post-processing device 3 is provided with a transport path Pt1 for receiving the paper discharged from the image forming device 2 and discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 10. Further, a conveyance path Pt2 for branching from the conveyance path Pt1 to perform edge binding processing or the like on the sheet bundle, and a conveyance path Pt3 connected to the conveyance path Pt2 for performing saddle stitching and middle folding processing on the sheet bundle. And are provided. Each of the transport paths Pt1, Pt2, and Pt3 is formed by, for example, a guide member (not shown).

  In the transport path Pt1, an entrance roller 11, transport rollers 12 and 13, and a paper discharge roller 14 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path Pt1 in the paper transport direction. The entrance roller 11, the transport rollers 12 and 13, and the paper discharge roller 14 are rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) to transport the paper.

  An inlet sensor 15 is disposed upstream of the inlet roller 11 in the sheet conveyance direction. The entrance sensor 15 detects that a sheet has been carried into the sheet post-processing device 3. A rotatable branching claw 17 driven by, for example, a motor or a solenoid is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 12 in the sheet conveying direction. The branching claw 17 rotates and switches its position, thereby selectively guiding the paper to either the part of the conveyance path Pt1 downstream of the branching claw 17 in the paper conveyance direction or the conveyance path Pt2. .

  In the discharge mode, the paper carried into the transport path Pt1 from the image forming apparatus 2 is transported by the entrance roller 11, the transport rollers 12, 13 and the paper discharge roller 14, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 10.

  On the other hand, in the end binding mode and the middle folding mode, the sheet carried into the transport path Pt1 is transported by the entrance roller 11 and the transport roller 12 and is transported to the transport path Pt2 with the advancing direction changed by the branch claw 17. The

  Conveying rollers 20, 21, and 22, a paper stacking tray 23, a first jogger fence 24, and an end binding portion (first binding portion) 25 are arranged in the transport path Pt 2.

  The transport rollers 20, 21, and 22 are driven by a motor (not shown) to transport the paper. The first jogger fence 24 is driven by a motor (not shown).

  Further, rotatable branch claws 26 and 27 driven by, for example, a motor or a solenoid are disposed downstream of the sheet stacking tray 23 in the sheet conveyance direction. The branching claws 26 and 27 are rotated to switch their positions, thereby selectively feeding the paper to either the part of the conveyance path Pt1 on the downstream side of the branching claw 17 in the paper conveyance direction or the conveyance path Pt3. invite.

  In the edge binding mode, the sheets are sequentially stacked on the sheet stacking tray 23. Thereby, a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is formed. At this time, the rear end of the paper comes into contact with a first movable reference fence (not shown) provided on the paper stacking tray 23, the paper transport direction position is aligned, and the first jogger fence 24 positions the width direction position. Are aligned. Note that the first movable reference fence is driven by a motor.

  Here, the sheet stacking tray 23, the first jogger fence 24, and the first movable reference fence constitute a first bundling unit 28 as a bundling unit that stacks a plurality of sheets to form a sheet bundle. The first bundling unit 28 includes a motor that drives the first jogger fence 24 and a motor that drives the first movable reference fence. Then, the sheet bundle is conveyed to the end binding unit 25 by the first movable reference fence.

  In the end binding portion 25, a pair of crimping teeth having a concavo-convex shape are arranged with a sheet bundle interposed therebetween. In a state where there is a sheet bundle, the sheet bundle is bound by a crimping binding method in which one crimping tooth is applied in the direction of the other crimping tooth. Details of the binding method will be described later.

  The sheet bundle whose end is bound is transported to the transport path Pt1 by the first movable reference fence, and thereafter transported by the transport roller 13 and the paper discharge roller 14 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 10.

  Here, the paper discharge roller 14 is an example of a paper discharge unit that discharges the sheet bundle bound by the end binding unit 25. On the other hand, in the middle folding mode, the sheet conveyed to the conveyance path Pt2 is conveyed to the conveyance path Pt3 by the conveyance rollers 20, 21, 22 and the first movable reference fence.

  Conveying rollers 31 and 32 and a saddle stitch folding part 33 are arranged on the conveying path Pt3. The transport rollers 31 and 32 are driven by a motor (not shown) to transport the paper.

  The saddle stitch folding part 33 includes a center folding part 34, a saddle stitching part (second binding part) 35, and a second bundling part 36. The saddle stitch folding part 33 is an example of a binding part forming part.

  The sheets conveyed to the conveyance path Pt3 are sequentially accumulated in the second bundling unit 36 by the conveyance rollers 31 and 32. Thereby, a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is formed. That is, the second bundling unit 36 superimposes a plurality of sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit 51 to form a sheet bundle. At this time, the front end of the sheet comes into contact with the second movable reference fence 37, the position in the sheet conveyance direction is aligned, and the position in the width direction is aligned by the second jogger fence (not shown). Then, the sheet bundle is bound by the saddle stitching unit 35 in the vicinity of the center in the sheet transport direction, and is subjected to saddle stitching. The saddle stitched sheet bundle is returned to the center folding position by the second movable reference fence 37. The second movable reference fence 37 is driven by a motor (not shown).

  The sheet bundle moved to the center folding position is folded at the center in the sheet transport direction by the center folding section 34 and subjected to center folding. In the middle folding section 34, a blade 38 facing a central portion in the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet bundle positioned at the middle folding position is driven by a motor (not shown) and moves from right to left in FIG. It pushes between a pair of press rollers 39 and 40, bending the direction center part. The folded sheet bundle is pressed from above and below by pressing rollers 39 and 40 driven by a motor (not shown). The sheet bundle folded in this way is discharged onto a discharge tray 42 by pressing rollers 39 and 40 and a discharge roller 41 driven by a motor (not shown).

  Here, the entrance roller 11, the transport rollers 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32 and the paper discharge rollers 14, 41 constitute a transport unit 51 together with a motor for driving them. Further, the branch claws 17, 26, 27 constitute a path switching unit 52 together with a motor or a solenoid for driving them.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to the control of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet post-processing device 3 includes a control unit 66. The control unit 66 is a computer having a CPU, a storage unit, a communication interface, and the like. The control unit 66 is connected to the inlet sensor 15, the end binding unit 25, the first bundling unit 28, the saddle stitch folding unit 33, the transport unit 51, the path switching unit 52, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 66 controls each unit of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 according to a program stored in the storage unit. The control unit 66 is connected to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 2 so that data communication is possible.

  4 and 5 are explanatory views of the main part of the sheet binding apparatus 6 using the crimping binding method which is an example of the stapleless staple means provided in the end binding part 25 and the like.

  With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a pressure binding method in the sheet binding device 6. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the crimping binding, a pair of crimping teeth having a concavo-convex shape, an upper crimping tooth 101 and a lower crimping tooth 102 are arranged at positions facing each other so as to sandwich the sheet bundle. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, at least one of the crimping teeth is moved, and as shown in FIG. 4C, the upper crimping tooth 101 and the lower crimping tooth 102 are engaged so as to sandwich the sheet bundle. Apply pressure to the stack of paper. When the pressure is increased, the uneven shape is transferred to the paper as shown in FIG. 4D, and the binding of the paper bundle is completed. In this crimping binding, it is possible to bind a bundle of sheets by fitting irregularities, entanglement or fixation of fibers between sheets.

  The concavo-convex shape of the upper pressure-bonding tooth 101 and the lower pressure-bonding tooth 102 has a slope portion having an arbitrary angle. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the top and bottom of the concavo-convex shape are different from each other, and when the upper crimping tooth 101 and the lower crimping tooth 102 mesh with each other, for example, the apex of the upper crimping tooth 101 And the valleys of the lower pressure-bonding teeth 102 are not in contact with each other. This non-contacting portion is a gap necessary for crimping the slope portion between the sheets. As a result, the sheet bundle is pressure-bonded only by the concave and convex slope portions of the upper pressure-bonding teeth 101 and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 102, and the coupling between the sheets can be strengthened.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation mechanism of the sheet binding device 6.
As this operation mechanism, the upper pressure-bonding tooth 101 is disposed on the upper tooth arm 111, the upper pressure-bonding tooth 101 is disposed on the upper tooth arm 111, and the lower tooth arm 112 is rotatable around the arm rotation center portion 113. Is provided.

  When the upper pressure-bonding teeth 101 and the lower pressure-bonding teeth 102 are meshed with each other, the cam drive gear 115 is rotated by rotating the gear 114 by a driving source (not shown), and the tooth pushing cam 116 fixed thereto is nonlinearly rotated. do. As a result, the end of the lower tooth arm 112 opposite to the side where the lower pressure-bonding teeth 102 are disposed is pushed down by the tooth pushing cam 116. As a result, the lower crimping tooth 102 moves upward and comes into contact with the upper crimping tooth 101, and the upper crimping tooth 101 and the lower crimping tooth 102 can be engaged with each other. In addition, a tooth return spring 117 is installed to return the lower crimp tooth 102 to its original position.

  As the stapleless staple means, there are means for binding with adhesive binding means, half-out stitching means, toner-type binding means, tape-based staples, paper staples, etc. in addition to the above-described crimp binding means using the crimping teeth.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the driving amount of the motor and the pressure applied to the paper during the binding process in the end binding unit 25. Each of section (1), section (2), and section (3) in FIG. 7 corresponds to the motor drive amount and paper in each state of FIGS. 3 (b), 3 (c), and 3 (d). The relationship with the applied pressure is shown.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram relating to the control of the sheet binding device 6. The control unit 66 provided in the sheet binding device 6 controls the binding driving unit 61 for operating the binding DC motor 60 by the binding control unit 62 to instruct the operation of the binding DC motor 60.

  Control of the binding driving unit 61 by the binding control unit 62 is performed by first comparing a result of comparison with the target pressure by the pressure fluctuation detecting unit 64 from the fluctuation detected by the binding motor fluctuation detecting unit 63 that detects the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60. Calculated as pressure fluctuation. Then, based on the calculation result, the abnormality determination unit 65 determines whether the applied pressure is normal, and the binding control unit 62 controls the binding DC motor 60 according to the determined result. Examples of the motor fluctuation detection include current value fluctuation and speed fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60.

  As an example of motor fluctuation detection, a case where the speed fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is performed will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D.

  FIGS. 9A, 9 </ b> B, and 9 </ b> C are waveforms relating to constant speed driving of the binding DC motor 60. FIG. 9A shows a target speed for driving the binding DC motor 60, FIG. 9B shows an actual operation waveform when the binding DC motor 60 is moved at a high pressure, and FIG. 9C is low. It is an example of an actual operation | movement waveform at the time of moving the binding DC motor 60 at the time of pressurization.

  When FIG. 9 (a) is compared with FIG. 9 (b) or FIG. 9 (c), it can be seen that the actual operation speed varies with respect to the target speed.

  Next, when FIG. 9B is compared with FIG. 9C, the actual operating waveform when the applied pressure shown in FIG. 9B is higher is lower in the applied pressure shown in FIG. 9C. It can be seen that the number of occurrences of a large difference with respect to the target speed is larger than the actual operation waveform.

  Here, “a large difference with respect to the target speed” means that the speed fluctuates outside the range of the dotted line shown in FIG. 9D. When the pressure is high, the number of speed fluctuations is large, and when the pressure is low. The number of speed fluctuations decreases (the number of speed fluctuations is 5 in FIG. 9D). For this reason, in the present embodiment, the pressure applied during the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding device 6 is determined using this characteristic.

  Here, in the conventional binding and binding paper binding device, the normal binding operation cannot be performed depending on the position of the paper bundle or the paper specifications, and the paper bundle is torn, scratched, dirty, or wrinkled. As a result, there is a problem that paper is wasted and time and effort for removing a bundle of paper are increased.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the state of the sheet bundle when the normal binding operation cannot be performed, and the binding failure due to the sheet bundle position will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the position of the sheet bundle is deviated from the binding range (the range where the crimping teeth are in contact with the sheet bundle). In this state, the binding process cannot be performed on the sheet bundle. For this reason, the next processing (conveying and discharging) is performed while the sheets in the sheet bundle are separated, causing the paper to get in the way and be caught on the conveyance path, etc. May occur. In addition, a sheet that is not transported is determined as a remaining sheet, and the process is stopped, so that the user is burdened with a process for removing the sheet from the apparatus.

  Next, a binding failure due to paper specifications will be described. In the image forming system, the user designates the thickness of the paper and the number of paper bundles, and determines whether the designated processing is possible. However, there is a case where a sheet different from the designated sheet is set in the sheet feed tray of the image forming apparatus, and normal binding processing may not be performed even if the processing is attempted. When the binding process is forcibly performed, the crimping teeth of the sheet binding device are pressed more strongly than necessary, and the sheet is torn or wrinkled. Further, the binding process is not completed, the binding process is stopped, and the user is burdened with the sheet removal process from within the apparatus.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, the sheet binding device 6 is configured so as to prevent the abnormal binding operation from being continuously performed.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a flow for determining an abnormality in sheet bundle binding processing by the sheet binding device 6. This flow is described with reference to the binding operation in which the characteristics shown in FIG. 7 are observed and the operations in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D.

  First, binding processing in the sheet post-processing device 3 is set (S1). Next, the sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the end binding unit 25 (S2). When the sheet arrives at the end binding unit 25, the binding DC motor 60 of the sheet binding device 6 is driven to start the binding process of the sheet bundle by the sheet binding device 6 (S3). Then, variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is started (S4).

  As the fluctuation result, the temporary result is N, the latest result is n1, and the previous result is n2.

  The fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S5), and if there is a fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (YES in S5), the fluctuation result is set as N and the previous result is reflected (n2 = n1) (S6). The temporary result is reflected in the latest result (n1 = N) (S7). Then, it is determined whether a certain distance has been driven from the start of driving (S8). Note that the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S5), and even when there is no fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (NO in S5), it is determined whether a certain distance has been driven from the start of driving (S8). If driving a certain distance from the start of driving (YES in S8), the variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is terminated (S9). On the other hand, if the fixed distance has not been driven since the start of driving (NO in S8), the fluctuation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is continuously performed.

  After measuring the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60, n1 and n2 are compared to determine whether there is an abnormality in the applied pressure (S10). If it is determined that there is no abnormality (YES in S10), the binding process is continued. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an abnormality (NO in S10), control of an abnormality process described later is executed.

<Abnormal processing>
First, the binding DC motor 60 is stopped (S1 ′). Next, the binding DC motor 60 is moved to the initial position to release the sheet bundle (S2 ′). Then, discharge processing is performed on the released sheet bundle (S3 ′).

  As described above, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, the binding process is not forcibly continued, so that the paper is not significantly damaged. Further, since the sheet bundle is discharged even in an abnormal state, it is possible to save the user from having to remove the sheet bundle from the apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding device 6.
In the section (1) in FIG. 7, the crimping teeth are in contact with the sheet bundle and the sheet is gradually pushed in. As an operation, as shown in FIG. 3B, the crimping teeth are in contact with the paper and a force is applied to the paper surface. At this time, the control flow for determining abnormality is as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, binding processing in the sheet post-processing device 3 is set (S1). Next, the sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the end binding unit 25 (S2). When the sheet reaches the end binding unit 25, the sheet bundle is aligned by the alignment unit (S3). When the alignment of the sheet bundle is finished, the binding DC motor 60 of the sheet binding apparatus 6 is driven to start the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding apparatus 6 (S4). Then, variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is started (S5).

  As the fluctuation result, the temporary result is N, the latest result is n1, and the previous result is n2.

  The fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and if there is a fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (YES in S6), the fluctuation result is set as N and the previous result is reflected (n2 = n1) (S7). The temporary result is reflected in the latest result (n1 = N) (S8). Then, it is determined whether a certain distance has been driven from the start of driving (S9). Note that the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and even when there is no fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (NO in S6), it is determined whether or not a fixed distance has been driven (S9). If driving a certain distance from the start of driving (YES in S9), the variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is terminated (S10). On the other hand, if the fixed distance is not driven from the start of driving (NO in S9), the fluctuation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is continuously performed.

  After measuring the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60, n1 and n2 are compared to determine whether there is an abnormality in the applied pressure (S11). If n1> n2, it is determined that there is no abnormality (YES in S11), and the binding process is continued. On the other hand, if n1> n2 is not satisfied, that is, if n1 ≦ n2, it is determined that there is an abnormality (NO in S11), and it is determined whether abnormality processing is being performed (S12). If abnormal processing is in progress (YES in S12), the processing status flag is set to EX = 0 (S13), and control of abnormal processing described later is executed. On the other hand, when the abnormal process is not in progress (NO in S12), the process state flag is set to EX = 1 (S14), and the control of the abnormal process described later is executed.

<Abnormal processing>
Seriously, the binding DC motor 60 is stopped (S1 ′). Next, the binding DC motor 60 is moved to the initial position to release the sheet bundle (S2 ′). Then, the processing flag is determined (S3 ′). When EX = 0 (YES in S3 ′), the discharged sheet bundle is discharged (S4 ′). On the other hand, if the processing flag is determined (S3 ′) and EX = 0 is not satisfied, that is, if EX = 1 (NO in S3 ′), the process returns to the normal binding processing control flow to perform sheet bundle alignment. (S3) A series of control is repeated.

  Thereby, since the sheet bundle is reliably aligned with the crimping tooth, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a binding failure in which the binding position is shifted or the binding process is performed on only one sheet.

FIG. 12 shows another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding device 6.
In section (1) and section (2) in FIG. 7, the sheet bundle is gradually deformed in accordance with the shape of the pressure-bonding teeth. The operation starts from the state shown in FIG. 3B and before the sheet is deformed so as to conform to the shape of the crimp tooth as shown in FIG. 3C. At this time, the flow of control for determining abnormality is as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, binding processing in the sheet post-processing device 3 is set (S1). Next, the sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the end binding unit 25 (S2). When the sheet reaches the end binding unit 25, the sheet bundle is aligned by the alignment unit (S3). When the alignment of the sheet bundle is finished, the binding DC motor 60 of the sheet binding apparatus 6 is driven to start the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding apparatus 6 (S4). Then, variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is started (S5).

  As the fluctuation result, the temporary result is N, the latest result is n1, and the previous result is n2.

  The fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and if there is a fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (YES in S6), the fluctuation result is set as N and the previous result is reflected (n2 = n1) (S7). The temporary result is reflected in the latest result (n1 = N) (S8). Then, it is determined whether a certain distance has been driven from the start of driving (S9). Note that the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and even when there is no fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (NO in S6), it is determined whether or not a fixed distance has been driven (S9). If driving a certain distance from the start of driving (YES in S9), the variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is terminated (S10). On the other hand, if the fixed distance is not driven from the start of driving (NO in S9), the fluctuation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is continuously performed.

  After measuring the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60, n1 and n2 are compared to determine whether there is an abnormality in the applied pressure (S11). If n1 <n2, it is determined that there is no abnormality (YES in S11), and the binding process is continued. On the other hand, if n1 <n2, that is, if n1 ≧ n2, it is determined that there is an abnormality (NO in S11), and control of an abnormality process described later is executed.

<Abnormal processing>
First, the binding DC motor 60 is stopped (S1 ′). Next, the binding DC motor 60 is moved to the initial position to release the sheet bundle (S2 ′). Then, discharge processing is performed on the released sheet bundle (S3 ′).

  Accordingly, the binding process is not continued forcibly, so that it is possible to suppress the tearing of the paper surface due to the crimping teeth. Further, since the sheet bundle is discharged even in an abnormal state, it is possible to save the user from having to remove the sheet bundle from the apparatus.

FIG. 13 shows another example of a flow for determining an abnormality in the sheet bundle binding process by the sheet binding device 6.
In the section (2) and the section (3) in FIG. 7, the sheet bundle is crushed in accordance with the shape of the crimp tooth. The operation starts from the state shown in FIG. 3C and before the sheet is deformed so as to follow the shape of the pressure-bonding teeth as shown in FIG. 3D. At this time, the control flow for determining abnormality is as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, binding processing in the sheet post-processing device 3 is set (S1). Next, the sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the end binding unit 25 (S2). When the sheet reaches the end binding unit 25, the sheet bundle is aligned by the alignment unit (S3). When the alignment of the sheet bundle is completed, the binding DC motor 60 of the sheet binding apparatus 6 is driven to start the binding process of the sheet bundle by the sheet binding apparatus 6 (S4). Then, variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is started (S5).

  As the fluctuation result, the temporary result is N, the latest result is n1, and the previous result is n2.

  The fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and if there is a fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (YES in S6), the fluctuation result is set as N and the previous result is reflected (n2 = n1) (S7). The temporary result is reflected in the latest result (n1 = N) (S8). Then, it is determined whether a certain distance has been driven from the start of driving (S9). Note that the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60 is monitored as needed (S6), and even when there is no fluctuation in the binding DC motor 60 (NO in S6), it is determined whether or not a fixed distance has been driven (S9). If driving a certain distance from the start of driving (YES in S9), the variation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is terminated (S10). On the other hand, if the fixed distance is not driven from the start of driving (NO in S9), the fluctuation measurement of the binding DC motor 60 is continuously performed.

  After measuring the fluctuation of the binding DC motor 60, n1 and n2 are compared to determine whether there is an abnormality in the applied pressure (S11). If n1> n2, it is determined that there is no abnormality (YES in S11), and the binding process is continued. On the other hand, if n1> n2 is not satisfied, that is, if n1 ≦ n2, it is determined that there is an abnormality (NO in S11), and control of an abnormality process described later is executed.

<Abnormal processing>
First, the binding DC motor 60 is stopped (S1 ′). Next, the binding DC motor 60 is moved to the initial position to release the sheet bundle (S2 ′). Then, discharge processing is performed on the released sheet bundle (S3 ′).

  As a result, the binding process is not forcibly continued, so that it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle from being wrinkled or torn due to the crimping teeth. Further, since the sheet bundle is discharged even in an abnormal state, it is possible to save the user from having to remove the sheet bundle from the apparatus.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
A sheet stacking unit such as a sheet stacking tray 23 for stacking sheets, and a binding unit including a pair of crimping members such as an upper crimping tooth 101 and a lower crimping tooth 102 having a concavo-convex shape, and loaded on the sheet stacking unit In a paper binding apparatus such as the pressure binding type paper binding apparatus 6 that binds the paper bundle by the binding means, a binding motor fluctuation detecting means 63 that detects a pressure applied to the paper bundle during the binding operation of the paper bundle by the binding means, A pressure detection unit such as a pressure fluctuation detection unit 64; a determination unit such as an abnormality determination unit 65 for determining whether a predetermined pressure is applied to the sheet bundle based on a detection result of the pressure detection unit; and the determination unit Binding control means for performing control to stop the binding operation by the binding means when a predetermined pressure is not applied to the sheet bundle according to the determination result And a any control means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress the abnormal binding operation from being continuously performed.
(Aspect B)
(Aspect A) includes sheet aligning means such as a first jogger fence 24 for aligning sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means, and a predetermined pressure is applied to the sheet bundle by the determining means. If it is determined that there is not, the control means stops the binding operation by the binding means, performs the alignment operation by the paper alignment means, and then restarts the binding operation by the binding means. According to this, as described in the above-described embodiment, the sheet bundle is not bound while the alignment is poor, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the binding failure such as the end of the sheet being folded.
(Aspect C)
In (Aspect A) or (Aspect B), a discharge unit that discharges the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is provided, and the determination unit applies a predetermined pressure even after a predetermined time has passed. When it is determined that the sheet continues to rise, the control unit stops the binding operation by the binding unit, and the stack of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit is discharged by the discharge unit. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, even if the specifications of the paper binding device exceed the specifications of the paper binding apparatus due to mixed loading of different types of paper or setting mistakes, it is possible to suppress tearing of the paper due to the crimping teeth. Can do.
(Aspect D)
In (Aspect A), (Aspect B), or (Aspect C), when the determination unit determines that the pressure on the sheet bundle has not fluctuated for a certain period of time, the control unit performs the binding operation by the binding unit. Is stopped, and the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet stacking means is discharged by the discharging means. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, even if the specifications of the paper binding device exceed the specifications of the paper binding apparatus due to mixed loading of different types of paper or setting mistakes, it is possible to suppress tearing of the paper due to the crimping teeth. Can do.
(Aspect E)
In a sheet processing apparatus such as the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 that includes at least a sheet binding apparatus that performs a binding process on a bundle of sheets, as the sheet binding apparatus, (Aspect A), (Aspect B), (Aspect C), or ( The paper binding apparatus of aspect D) was used. According to this, as explained about the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to suppress an abnormal binding operation from being continuously performed and to perform a favorable binding process.
(Aspect F)
An image forming apparatus such as an image forming apparatus 2 that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet post-processing apparatus 3 that includes at least a sheet binding apparatus that performs a binding process on a bundle of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus. In an image forming system such as the image forming system 1 including a paper processing device, the paper processing device of (Embodiment E) is used as the paper processing device. According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to suppress an abnormal binding operation from being continuously performed, and to perform a favorable binding process on a bundle of sheets on which images are formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Image forming apparatus 3 Paper post-processing apparatus 6 Paper binding apparatus 10 Paper discharge tray 11 Entrance roller 12 Conveyance roller 13 Conveyance roller 14 Discharge roller 15 Inlet sensor 17 Branching claw 20 Conveyance roller 21 Conveyance roller 22 Conveyance roller 23 Paper stacking tray 24 Jogger fence 25 End binding unit 26 Branch claw 27 Branch claw 28 Bundling unit 31 Conveying roller 32 Conveying roller 33 Saddle folding unit 34 Middle folding unit 35 Saddle binding unit 36 Bundling unit 37 Movable reference fence 38 Blade DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 Press roller 40 Press roller 41 Paper discharge roller 42 Paper discharge tray 51 Conveying part 52 Path | route switch part 60 Binding DC motor 61 Binding drive part 62 Binding control means 63 Binding motor fluctuation | variation detection means 64 Applied pressure fluctuation | variation detection means 65 Abnormality determination means 66 Control unit 101 Upper crimping tooth 02 Press upper lower crimping teeth 111 teeth arm 112 lower teeth arm 113 arm rotation center 114 gear 115 cam drive gear 116 tooth cam 117 teeth return spring

JP 2010-184769 A

Claims (6)

Paper loading means for loading paper;
Binding means having a pair of crimping members having an uneven shape,
In the paper binding apparatus of the pressure binding method that binds the paper stack loaded on the paper stacking means by the binding means,
Pressure detecting means for detecting pressure applied to the sheet bundle during the binding operation of the sheet bundle by the binding means;
Determination means for determining whether a predetermined pressure is applied to the sheet bundle based on a detection result of the pressure detection means;
And a control unit configured to control to stop a binding operation by the binding unit when a predetermined pressure is not applied to the sheet bundle according to a determination result of the determination unit. In the paper binding apparatus according to claim 1,
Paper aligning means for aligning the paper loaded on the paper stacking means,
When the determination means determines that a predetermined pressure is not applied to the sheet bundle, the control means stops the binding operation by the binding means, and after the alignment operation by the paper alignment means is performed, the binding means The sheet binding apparatus is characterized by restarting the binding operation by the printer. In the paper binding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A discharge means for discharging the paper loaded on the paper stacking means;
If it is determined by the determination means that the pressure on the sheet bundle continues to rise above a predetermined pressure even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control means stops the binding operation by the binding means, and the sheet stacking means A sheet binding device, wherein the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet is discharged by the discharge unit. In the paper binding apparatus according to claim 3 ,
If the determination means determines that the pressure on the sheet bundle has not fluctuated for a certain period of time, the control means stops the binding operation by the binding means, and removes the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet stacking means. A paper binding apparatus, wherein the paper is discharged by the discharge means. In a paper processing apparatus including at least a paper binding device that performs a binding process on a paper bundle,
5. A sheet processing apparatus using the sheet binding apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 as the sheet binding apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
In an image forming system comprising: a sheet processing apparatus including at least a sheet binding apparatus that performs a binding process on a bundle of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system using the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5 as the sheet processing apparatus.

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