JP6155815B2 - Paper processing apparatus, image forming system, and paper processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on a sheet-like recording medium that has been carried in (referred to as “paper” in the present specification), the paper processing apparatus and a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a digital composite. The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus such as a printing machine, and a sheet processing method executed by the sheet processing apparatus.

  In recent years, with the increase in the speed of image forming apparatuses, the demand for sheet processing apparatuses that increase the number of sheets that can be stapled at one time is increasing in the market. In order to increase the number of sheets that can be stapled at a time, it is necessary to increase the volume of the processing tray used for paper processing. Specifically, it is necessary to increase the size of the sheet in the thickness direction. Further, in this type of sheet processing apparatus, an increasing number of cases are provided with a discharge roller for discharging a bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray to the outside so as to be able to advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the sheet. . In such a case, it is necessary to set the retracting position of the discharge roller in consideration of the amount of sheets to be stacked in order not to disturb the sheet supply to the processing tray.

  However, when the volume of the processing tray is increased, the retracting position of the discharge roller is far from the processing tray, so that the opening is widened and the safety may be impaired when the user puts the hand into the opening. there were.

  Therefore, in order to ensure safety, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-284767 (Patent Document 1) has a technique of providing a switch for turning off the power of the stapler when the discharge roller is in the retracted position. (See paragraphs 0056 and 0057).

  However, in the apparatus that turns off the power of the stapler when the discharge roller is in the retracted position as in the known art, the retracted position of the discharge roller can be set only for each job. For this reason, while the sheets are sequentially stacked on the processing tray, the opening from the upper surface of the sheet on the processing tray to the discharge roller is in a widely opened state. For this reason, it is impossible to deny the possibility that the user mistakenly inserts the hand into the apparatus through the opening.

  However, there are many places in the paper processing apparatus that impair the safety of the user when touched by the user, such as a hot part such as a live part, an edge part, and a motor. Therefore, there was room for improvement in terms of safety.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to protect the user against all dangerous objects within the range that the user's hand can access from the opening of the paper discharge unit of the paper processing apparatus, and to improve the safety of the user. It is to secure.

In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the present invention is provided with a sheet stacking unit that stacks sheets, a sheet discharge roller that discharges sheets from the sheet stacking unit, and a space between the sheet discharge unit and the sheet discharge roller. In a paper processing apparatus that has a paper discharge means including a driven roller and a paper height detection means for detecting a paper surface height of the paper stacked on the paper stacking means, and performs a predetermined process on the paper, Drive means for moving the paper discharge means in the height direction, retraction distance setting means for setting a retraction distance of the paper discharge means with respect to the paper, and paper alignment for aligning paper in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction And a shielding means that shields an opening outside the paper aligning means that appears and moves on a movement path of the paper aligning means in conjunction with the movement of the paper aligning means in the paper width direction. hand Is a distance that is less than a distance through which a hand cannot pass from the sheet surface of the sheet, and varies according to the setting of the retraction distance setting means according to the height of the sheet surface, and a first position that contacts the sheet surface. and moving said sheet discharging means to a second position.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to protect the user and ensure the safety of the user against all dangerous objects within the range that can be accessed by the user's hand from the opening of the paper discharge unit of the paper processing apparatus. Can do. Note that problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified in the following description of embodiments.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of an image forming system according to Example 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state when a sheet enters the sheet processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state of sheet conveyance onto a processing tray according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a sheet alignment state during binding processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state when the binding process is performed by the electric stapler according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state when a bound sheet bundle is discharged to a discharge tray according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state after the discharge of the sheet bundle onto the paper discharge tray in Embodiment 1 is completed. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a distance from a sheet surface at a retracted position of a driven roller according to the first exemplary embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for determining a distance between a driven roller and an upper surface of a processing tray according to the first exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for detecting a paper surface height using a paper sheet count value according to the second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which, after counting up a number counter in the third embodiment, a predetermined number of sheets is discharged until a predetermined number of sheets are discharged, and when the number of sheets is discharged, the sheet is moved upward by one sheet. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for detecting a paper surface height using a measurement value of a paper surface height detection sensor and a paper sheet count value in Embodiment 4. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for shutting off the power of the stapler when the paper height obtained by the paper height detection unit according to the fifth embodiment is equal to or more than a first predetermined value set in advance. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for notifying a user of an abnormality when the thickness of a sheet bundle in Embodiment 6 is larger than an allowable thickness of a sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which movement to a position of a first predetermined value that varies according to the height of a paper surface in Example 7 is performed for each predetermined paper surface height. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an alignment operation in a sheet width direction of a sheet processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of aligning the width direction of a sheet by a width alignment unit according to an eighth embodiment. It is a top view of FIG. FIG. 20 is a plan view of FIG. 19. It is a perspective view of the width alignment unit in Example 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a processing tray and a width aligning unit disposed on the processing tray according to an eighth embodiment.

  The present invention constantly detects the height of the paper stacked on the processing tray, sets the retraction position of the discharge roller according to the height, and widens the opening from the upper surface of the paper on the processing tray to the discharge roller. It is characterized by restricting.

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

1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of an image forming system according to Example 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100, a sheet processing apparatus 200, and an image reading apparatus 300.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is an indirect transfer type tandem color image forming apparatus. In the figure, an image forming unit 110 in which four color image forming stations are arranged at a substantially central portion is adjacent to the lower side of the image forming unit 110. An optical writing unit 111 provided below, a paper feeding unit 120 provided below the image forming unit 110, and a paper feeding conveyance path for conveying the paper picked up by the paper feeding unit 120 to the secondary transfer unit 140 and the fixing unit 150. (Vertical transport path) 130, a paper discharge path 160 for transporting the paper on which the image is fixed to the paper processing apparatus 200 side, and double-side transport for reversing the paper on which the image is formed on one side and forming an image on the other side A path 170 is provided.

  The image forming unit 110 includes YMCK color photosensitive drums of the imaging station, and a charging unit, a developing unit, a primary transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a charge eliminating unit arranged along the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum. And an intermediate transfer belt 112 for intermediate transfer of an image formed on the photosensitive drum by a primary transfer unit. The optical writing unit 111 provided below the image forming unit 110 includes an optical writing unit that writes an image for each color on the photosensitive drum.

  The intermediate transfer belt 112 disposed on the upper side of the image forming unit 110 is rotatably supported by a plurality of support rollers, and one of the support rollers 114 is a secondary transfer unit 140 via the intermediate transfer belt 112 to provide a secondary. Opposite to the transfer roller 115, the image on the intermediate transfer belt 112 can be secondarily transferred to a sheet. The image forming process of the indirect transfer tandem color image forming apparatus is well known and is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The paper feeding unit 120 includes a paper feeding tray 121, a pickup roller 122, and a paper feeding / conveying roller 123, and feeds the paper picked up from the paper feeding tray 121 upward along the vertical conveying path 130. The fed sheet is transferred with an image by the secondary transfer unit 140 and sent to the fixing unit 150. The fixing unit 150 includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller, and heat and pressure are applied in a process in which the paper passes through the nip between the two, and the toner is fixed to the paper.

  A paper discharge conveyance path 160 and a double-sided conveyance path 170 are provided downstream of the fixing unit 150, both of which are branched in two directions by a branching claw 161 and conveyed to the paper processing apparatus 200 side, and a double-sided conveyance path 170. The transport path is selected according to the case where the transport path is transported. A branch conveyance roller 162 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the branch claw 161 on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, and applies a conveyance force to the sheet.

  The sheet processing apparatus 200 is disposed inside the image forming apparatus 100, that is, in a so-called cylinder, and performs predetermined processes such as alignment, binding, and punching on the image-formed sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100. The paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray 212 located on the most downstream side. Details will be described later.

  The image reading device 300 is a known device that optically scans an original set on a contact glass and reads an image on the original surface. Since the configuration and function of the image reading apparatus 300 itself are known and are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 100 configured generally as described above generates image data used for writing based on original data read from the image reading apparatus 300 or print data transferred from an external PC or the like, and the image data Based on the data, optical writing is performed from the optical writing unit 111 to each photosensitive drum, and the images formed for each color at each image forming station are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 112, and are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 112. A color image in which images of four colors are superimposed is formed.

  On the other hand, paper is fed from the paper feed tray 121 according to the image formation. The sheet temporarily stops at a registration roller position (not shown) immediately before the intermediate transfer unit 140, is sent out in time with the leading edge of the image on the intermediate transfer belt 112, and is secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer unit 140. The sheet on which the image is secondarily transferred is sent to the fixing unit 150, and the image is fixed on the sheet.

  In the case of single-sided printing or after double-sided printing of double-sided printing, the paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing unit 150 is transported to the discharge path 160 side by the switching operation of the branching claw 161, and in the case of double-sided printing. It is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 170 side. The sheet conveyed to the duplex conveyance path 170 is reversed and finally sent to the intermediate transfer unit 140, and after an image is formed on the other side, it is returned to the paper discharge path 160 side. The paper transported to the paper discharge path 160 is transported to the paper processing apparatus 200 and is subjected to predetermined paper processing by the paper processing apparatus 200 or discharged to the paper discharge tray 212 without processing.

2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the system according to the first embodiment.

  In the figure, control of the image forming apparatus 100 is executed by an image forming apparatus control unit 410 equipped with a CPU 411, ROM 412, RAM 413, nonvolatile RAM 414, serial I / F 415, timer 416, and the like.

  The program code for control is stored in the ROM 412, and the CPU 411 reads the program code from the ROM 412 and develops it in the RAM 413. The CPU 411 further stores data necessary for control in the RAM 413, and executes control defined by the program code while using the RAM 413 as a work area.

  The image forming apparatus control unit 410 includes a motor used in the image forming unit 110 such as a photosensitive member, various DC loads 450 such as various motors and clutches in the sheet feeding unit 120, the sheet feeding conveyance path 130, and the double-side conveyance path 170, Various sensors 460 such as various AC loads 470, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the fixing roller, and a paper thickness detection sensor 60a that detects the thickness of the conveyed paper are connected. Further, the image reading apparatus 300 and the operation display unit 440 are connected, and each unit is controlled via the image forming apparatus control unit 410.

  Control of the sheet processing apparatus 200 is executed by a sheet processing apparatus control unit 400 equipped with a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a serial I / F 404, a timer 405, and the like. The program code for control is stored in the ROM 402, and the CPU 401 reads the program code from the ROM 402 and develops it in the RAM 403. The CPU 411 further stores data necessary for control in the RAM 403, executes control defined by the program code while using the RAM 403 as a work area, and controls various DC loads 420.

  The image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 send and receive commands necessary for sheet conveyance control via the serial I / Fs 415 and 404. The CPU 401 of the paper processing apparatus 200 controls the driving of the first and second transport rollers 203 and 216, the rotation (up and down movement) of the driven roller 214, and the paper discharge based on the command and the paper position information obtained from the various sensors 430. Various controls including rotation control of the roller 211, drive control in the width direction of the width aligning unit (jogger) 210, and drive control of the electric stapler 208 are executed.

3. Paper Processing Device FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the paper processing device 200 according to the first embodiment. The sheet processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a main body unit 201 and a discharge tray 212 unit. After the sheet S is received from the sheet receiving port 204 into the apparatus main body 201 and subjected to a binding process by the electric stapler 208, It is a device that discharges to a discharge tray 212. Since post-processing is performed on the paper S, it is also referred to as a paper post-processing device or a finisher. In addition, although the example which performs a binding process is illustrated in Example 1, it can also comprise so that processes, such as alignment, punching, and folding, may be performed.

  The first transport roller 203 and the second transport roller 216 are rotated in the direction of arrow D1 by a driving unit (not shown). First and second driven rollers 205 and 207 are provided at positions close to the first and second transport rollers 203 and 216, respectively. The first and second driven rollers 205 and 207 do not have a drive source and rotate freely.

  A first guide plate 202 is provided between the first conveyance roller 203 and the second conveyance roller 216, and a second guide plate is provided between the first driven roller 205 and the second driven roller 207. 206 is provided. The first and second guide plates 202 and 206 are arranged to face each other substantially horizontally.

  A processing tray 209 is provided below the second transport roller 216 and the second driven roller 207. The processing tray 209 is arranged in an inclined state so that the discharge side (downstream side in the paper transport direction) is high and the entrance side (upstream side in the paper transport direction) is low. A paper discharge roller 211 is provided on the paper discharge side of the processing tray 209, and an electric stapler 208 is provided on the inlet side. A width alignment unit 210 is provided on the upper side of the processing tray 209.

  The paper discharge roller 211 is rotated in the direction of arrow D2 by a driving unit (not shown). The electric stapler 208 performs a binding process on the paper S in the paper insertion unit 208a. The width aligning units 210 are provided in pairs in the depth direction of the drawing, and each of them is translated in the depth direction by a driving means (not shown), and is brought close to and separated from the depth direction.

  Above the paper discharge roller 211, a third driven roller 214 (hereinafter referred to as a single driven roller 214) and a paper surface height detection sensor 213 are provided. The driven roller 214 is rotatably supported at the distal end side of the arm 218, and is attached to the shaft 215 at the proximal end side of the arm 218. The shaft 215 serves as a fulcrum according to the rotation of the shaft 215 by the driving means, and the arrow D3 Rotate in the direction. The drive means includes, for example, a driven gear 215a provided on the shaft 215, a drive motor 217, and a drive gear 217a driven by the motor shaft of the drive motor 217, as shown in FIG. Then, the drive gear 217 a is engaged with the driven gear 215 a and the shaft 215 is rotated by the drive motor 217. Thereby, in the direction of arrow D3, that is, a position in contact with or close to the paper discharge roller 211 (second position described later) and a position farthest from the paper discharge roller 211 or the paper surface (maximum separation position of the first position). It becomes possible to rotate between the two. The drive motor 217 is controlled by the CPU 401.

  The paper surface height detection sensor 213 measures the paper surface height of the paper S loaded on the processing tray 209.

  FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state when a sheet enters the sheet processing apparatus 200. That is, a state is shown in which the paper S carried into the main body 201 of the paper processing apparatus 200 from the paper receiving port 204 is transported by the first transport roller 203 and the second transport roller 216.

  In the state of FIG. 3, the driven roller 214 is in the retracted position. The retreat position is a position (first position) away from the sheet surface on the processing tray 209 by a distance d (= retraction distance, the same applies hereinafter). In the case of FIG. 3, since there is no sheet S, the position is a distance d from the upper surface of the processing tray 209. The distance d will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance onto the processing tray 209. In this state, the paper surface height detection sensor 213 detects the paper surface height on the processing tray 209, and the driven roller 214 rotates upward to the position of the distance d from the paper surface Sc. That is, the height of the driven roller 214 is higher than the position of FIG. In FIG. 4, when the paper S is stacked on the processing tray 209, the driven roller 214 rotates upward by the thickness of the paper S, and the driven roller 214 is retracted by a distance d from the upper surface of the processing tray 209. However, when the paper S is, for example, a Z-fold paper, or when the leading edge of the paper is curled, it is necessary to determine the distance between the driven roller 214 and the upper surface of the processing tray according to the state. A method for determining the distance d will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a sheet alignment state during the binding process. Since the processing tray 209 is inclined so that the discharge side is high and the entrance side is low, the paper S on the processing tray 209 slides down to the entrance side due to its own weight. The conveyance direction of the paper S is aligned. This alignment operation is performed, for example, when the trailing edge of the sheet S hits a trailing edge reference fence (not shown). The width aligning unit 210 translates in the depth direction (direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction) in the figure and hits the end surface parallel to the transport direction of the sheet S, thereby aligning the sheets S in the width direction. . Note that, when performing the alignment operation in the transport direction of the paper S, it is also possible to use a hitting roller to forcibly cause the rear end of the paper S to abut the rear end reference fence.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state when the electric stapler 208 performs the binding process. When all the sheets S are stacked on the processing tray 209 as shown in the figure, the electric stapler 208 performs a binding process at a preset position at the end of the sheet S. At this time, since a plurality of sheets S are stacked, the sheet surface Sc becomes higher than the state shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 5, but the driven roller 214 further rotates upward to maintain the distance d.

  FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a state when the bound sheet bundle T is discharged to the discharge tray 212. As shown in the figure, the driven roller 214 descends to an operating position where the driven roller 214 comes into close contact with the sheet bundle T, and the sheet discharge roller 211 rotates in the arrow D2 direction to convey the sheet bundle T in the arrow D4 direction. As a result, the sheet bundle T is discharged to the discharge tray 212.

  FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing a state after the discharge of the sheet bundle T onto the paper discharge tray 212 is completed. After discharging the sheet bundle T, the driven roller 214 rotates (lowers) to a standby position (second position) in close contact with the sheet discharge roller 211 and returns to the initial state.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the distance d from the paper surface Sc at the retracted position of the driven roller 214. FIG. 2A shows the entire sheet processing apparatus 200, and FIG. 2B shows an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.

  The distance d is a distance so that the leading edge Sf of the paper S and the driven roller 214 do not come into contact with each other when the paper S is stacked on the processing tray 209. At the same time, the distance d is such a short distance that a general user's hand cannot pass. That is, the distance is set to be equal to or smaller than the distance at which the hand can be prevented from entering from the sheet surface Sc of the sheet S. This distance d is determined by the CPU 401 of the sheet processing apparatus 200.

  If comprised in this way, since a user's hand does not enter into the paper processing apparatus 100, safety | security improves.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the CPU 401 determines the distance d between the driven roller 214 and the upper surface of the processing tray 209.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, when the paper S is stacked on the processing tray 209, the driven roller 214 rotates upward by the thickness of the paper S, and only a distance d from the upper surface of the processing tray 209. The driven roller 214 retracts away from the distant position. However, when the paper S is, for example, a Z-fold paper, or when the leading end Sf of the paper S is curled, it is necessary to determine the distance between the driven roller 214 and the upper surface of the processing tray 209 according to the state. . In such a case, the leading edge Sf of the paper S collides with the driven roller 214 unless the distance is made larger than usual. When the leading edge Sf of the paper S collides with the driven roller 214, the leading edge Sf may be broken or a paper jam may occur.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance d is determined by the retreat distance setting means. The retreat distance setting means in this embodiment includes a paper surface height detection sensor 213 and a CPU 401. The configuration of the paper surface height detection sensor 213 is not limited, but can be configured by, for example, an analog output reflective photosensor. The paper surface height detection sensor 213 is one of the various sensors 430 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, since the distance K1 between the paper surface height detection sensor 213 and the paper discharge port 220 is determined in advance by the machine configuration for each apparatus, the CPU 401 replaces the initial value K with the distance K1 (step S101). Next, after the first sheet is conveyed to the processing tray 209 (step S102: Yes), the sheet surface height detection sensor 213 measures the distance K2 from the sheet surface height detection sensor 213 to the upper surface of the sheet S on the processing tray 209. (Step 103).

  Next, the measured value K3 of the paper S is replaced with the value of (K2-K1) (step S104). At this time, the measured value K3 (= K2−K1) is, for example, the curled height of the sheet S curled on the processing tray 209 or the thickness of the deflection of the Z folded paper. At this time, the value of K3 may be added with a value including a margin in consideration of variations and shapes of the paper S. Then, a value d2 obtained by adding this value K3 to the normal distance d is set as a retreat distance (step S105), and the driven roller is retreated accordingly.

  Next, when the second sheet S is conveyed to the processing tray 209, the distance K2 to the upper surface of the sheet on the processing tray 209 is similarly measured, and the same processing is performed to determine the retreat distance d2. At this time, it is desirable that the position of the paper surface height detection sensor 213 is located very close to the driven roller 214. This position is desirable because the distance from the upper surface of the sheet S on the trajectory along which the driven roller 214 rotates can be accurately measured.

  In the present embodiment, the distance K1 from the paper discharge port 220 is determined by the discharge roller 211 drawn in the paper discharge direction (arrow D4 direction) from the upper surface of the processing tray 209 that corresponds to the lower end of the paper discharge port 220. The distance from the tangent line St.

  According to the present embodiment, the retreat distance d is set to a distance that the user's hand cannot insert, so that the user's hand can access from the opening (paper discharge port 220) of the paper discharge unit of the paper processing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to protect the user against all dangerous goods and to ensure the safety of the user.

  In FIG. 11, the paper height is detected using the measurement value by the paper height detection sensor 213, but the paper height can also be detected using the paper sheet count value. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the second embodiment in which the paper surface height is detected using the paper sheet count value.

  In FIG. 12, first, it is determined whether or not there is a print (paper passing) request from the user (step S201). In other words, it waits until a print request is received from the user, and when a print request is received (step S201: Yes), the number of jobs Jn is acquired from the image forming apparatus 100 provided on the upstream side of the sheet processing apparatus 200 (step S202). The number of jobs here is the number of sheets corresponding to one copy of the sheet bundle T.

  When the number of jobs Jn is acquired in step S202, the driven roller 214 is moved upward by a distance d from the standby position (step S203). Then, the sheet S sent from the image forming apparatus 100 is detected by an entrance sensor (not shown) (step S204). When the sheet S is detected by the entrance sensor, the sheet counter Pn in the sheet processing apparatus control unit 400 is counted. Up (step S205). The initial value of the number counter Pn is set to 0 and is incremented every time it is detected. The position of the entrance sensor may be anywhere as long as it is upstream of the paper discharge roller 211.

  Next, the driven roller 214 is moved upward by the thickness of one sheet (step S206), and the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S202 is compared with the value of the number counter Pn (step S207). As a result of this comparison, if the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S202 and the value of the number counter Pn are the same, it is determined that there are sheets S of the number of jobs on the processing tray 209, and the process proceeds to step S208. For example, the process returns to step S204, and the processes after the step are repeated.

  In step S208, the stapling process is performed on the paper S on the processing tray 209. Next, the driven roller 214 is moved to a position where it is in close contact with the stapled paper bundle T (step S209). When the driven roller 214 moves to a position where it is in close contact with the sheet bundle T, the sheet bundle T is discharged by the discharge roller 211 and the driven roller 214 (step S210), and the number of jobs Jn and the number counter Pn are cleared (step S211). . Thereafter, the driven roller 214 is moved to the standby position, and the process ends.

  The retreat distance setting means in this embodiment is composed of a number counter Pn and a CPU 401.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to the present embodiment, since the paper height can be detected without separately preparing the paper height sensor 213, the cost can be reduced.

  In FIG. 12, after the sheet counter Pn is counted up in step S205, the driven roller 214 is moved by one sheet. However, after the sheet counter Pn is counted up in step S205, a preset number of sheets are discharged. It is also possible to wait until the number of sheets has been discharged and to move it upward by one sheet when the number is discharged.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure in the third embodiment for processing in this way.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 includes a determination process for determining whether or not the count value of the number counter Pn is 10 or more in the subsequent stage of step 205 in the processing procedure from step S201 to step S212 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, step S206a is used instead of step S206 in the subsequent stage. In step S206a, when the count value of the number counter Pn becomes 10 or more in step S205a, a process of moving the driven roller 214 by one sheet is executed. If the count value is less than 10, the process returns to step S204 and the subsequent processing is repeated until the count value becomes 10.

  That is, the same processing as in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed from step S201 to step S205, and the processing from step S204 is repeated until ten sheets S are carried into the paper processing apparatus 200 in step S205a. When the number of sheets reaches 10, the driven roller 212 is moved upward by the thickness of one sheet (step S206a), and the processing similar to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 is executed after step S207.

  In step S205a, it is determined whether the number counter Pn returns to step S204 based on 10 or after step S206a. The value of the number counter Pn is determined when the sheets S are stacked on the processing tray 209. Any value may be used as long as the distance is such that the leading edge Sf of the sheet S and the driven roller 214 do not come into contact with each other and the distance is short enough that a general user's hand cannot pass through.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments and function in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the sheet height can be detected without separately preparing the sheet height sensor 213, so that the cost can be reduced. At that time, since an operation of moving upward for each preset number of discharged sheets is performed, processing can be performed more efficiently.

  In FIG. 11, the paper height is detected using the measurement value by the paper height detection sensor 213, and in FIG. 12, the paper height is detected using the paper number count value of the number counter Pn. The measurement value 213 and the sheet count value can also be used.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the fourth embodiment that performs the above processing.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 14 is obtained by adding the process of step S203a to the subsequent stage of step S203 in the process procedure of steps S201 to S212 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, and replacing the process of step S206 with the process of step S206b. It is.

  In step S <b> 203 a, the sheet thickness l is acquired from a user print request or a sheet thickness detection sensor (not shown) provided in the preceding image forming apparatus 100. The sheet thickness detection sensor is one of various sensors 460 in FIG.

  In step S206b, after counting up the number counter Pn in step S205, the driven roller 214 is moved upward by the sheet thickness l acquired in step S203a.

  That is, the same processing as the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed from step S201 to step S203. In step S203a, the sheet thickness l is detected. In step S204, the sheet S carried into the sheet processing apparatus 200 is detected by the entrance sensor. In step S205, the number counter Pn is incremented. Next, the sheet is moved upward by the sheet thickness l acquired in step S203a (step S206b), and the processing similar to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 is executed after step S207.

  The retreat distance setting means in this embodiment includes a paper surface height detection sensor 213, a number counter Pn, and a CPU 401.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to accurately detect the height of the sheets S stacked on the processing tray 209, and safety can be further improved.

  By the way, even if the distance d is set in consideration of safety in this way, if the user mistakenly removes the paper S stacked on the processing tray 209 during a job, the opening width (opening of the paper discharge port 220) (Height) increases by the thickness of the extracted paper S, and the user's hand may accidentally enter the paper discharge port 220. In order to avoid such a possibility, in this embodiment, the sheet height obtained by the sheet height detecting means is equal to or greater than a preset first value (hereinafter referred to as a first predetermined value). When there was, the power of the stapler was cut off.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the fifth embodiment for shutting off the power of the stapler in such a case.

  In FIG. 15, first, the presence / absence of a print request from the user is determined (step S301). That is, it waits until a print (pass) request is received from the user, and when a print request is received (step S301: Yes), the number of jobs Jn is acquired from the image forming apparatus 100 provided on the upstream side of the sheet processing apparatus 200 ( Step S302). The number of jobs here is the number of sheets corresponding to one copy of the sheet bundle T.

  When the number of jobs Jn is acquired in step S302, the driven roller 214 is moved upward by a distance d from the standby position (step S303). Next, the sheet thickness la is obtained from the user's print request or the sheet thickness detection sensor provided in the attached image forming apparatus 100 (step S304), and the sheet thickness la and the sheet thickness lb obtained in step S304 are added. Is stored as the paper thickness preservation lb (step S305). The paper thickness lb here is the cumulative amount of paper thickness during the job. Note that the initial value of the sheet thickness lb in step S305 is 0.

  When the sheet S sent from the image forming apparatus 100 is detected by an entrance sensor (not shown) (step S306), the number counter Pn is counted up (step S307). The initial value of the number counter Pn is set to 0 and is incremented every time it is detected. The position of the entrance sensor may be anywhere as long as it is upstream of the paper discharge roller 211. Next, the driven roller 214 is moved upward by the sheet thickness la acquired in step S304 (step S308).

  Then, the distance d + paper thickness lb is compared with the first predetermined value (step S309). If the distance d + paper thickness lb is equal to or larger than the first predetermined value, the electric stapler 208 is turned off (step S310). If it is less than the predetermined value, step S310 is skipped, and the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S302 is compared with the value of the number counter Pn (step S311). As a result of this comparison, if the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S302 and the value of the number counter Pn are the same, it is determined that there are sheets S of the number of jobs on the processing tray 209, and the process proceeds to step S312. For example, the process returns to step S304, and the processes after the step are repeated.

  The first predetermined value is a distance between the processing tray 209 and the driven roller 214, and this distance is an upper limit distance through which a user's hand cannot pass. In step S310, only the power of the electric stapler 208 is turned off. However, it is desirable to turn off all the dangerous materials within the reach of the user from the paper discharge port 220. The power of the electric stapler 208 is turned off by providing a switch in the apparatus for turning on / off the power in conjunction with the movement of the driven roller 214. In S310, the switch may be laid out so that the switch is turned off when the driven roller 214 reaches the first predetermined distance.

  In step S312, it is determined whether the power of the power stapler 208 is on or off. If it is off (step S312: Yes), it is determined whether the driven roller 214 can be moved to a position where the power of the electric stapler 208 is turned on. (Step S313). If it is determined in step S313 that it can move, the driven roller 214 is lowered to a position where the power of the electric stapler 208 is turned on (step S314). Then, stapling is performed on the paper S on the processing tray 209 (step S315). If the power of the electric stapler 208 is not OFF in step S312, steps S313 and S314 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S315, where the paper S on the processing tray 209 is stapled.

  Thereafter, the driven roller 214 is moved to a position in close contact with the sheet bundle T (step S316), and the sheet bundle T is discharged by the discharge roller 211 and the driven roller 214 (step S317). Next, the job number Jn and the number counters Pn and lb are cleared (step S318), and the driven roller 214 is moved to the standby position (step S319).

  On the other hand, when it cannot move at Step S313 (Step S313: No), it judges that it is abnormal and notifies abnormality to a user (Step S320). The abnormality here assumes a state in which foreign matter is mixed on the processing tray 209 or the driven roller 214 cannot move due to a failure of the drive source. The notification is performed by display on the operation display unit 440 of the image forming apparatus 100 and / or an alarm sound.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to this embodiment, even if the user accidentally pulls out the sheets S stacked on the processing tray 209 and the width of the opening (sheet discharge port 220) becomes large during the execution of the job, the electric stapler 208 is used. Therefore, even if the electric stapler 208 or the like is touched, the safety is not impaired.

  When the thickness of the sheet bundle T on which the sheets S loaded from the image forming apparatus 100 are stacked is larger than the allowable thickness that is allowed for processing by the sheet processing apparatus 200, the apparatus is damaged or jammed. There is a risk. In the present embodiment, in such a case, an abnormality is notified to the user.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the sixth embodiment for performing abnormality notification in such a case.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is obtained by adding the determination process of step S310a to the subsequent stage of step S310 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, in the control procedure shown in FIG. 16, the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed from step S301 to step S310. Then, after the power of the electric stapler 208 is turned off in step S310, the distance d + paper thickness lb is compared with a preset second value (hereinafter referred to as a second predetermined value) (step S310a). As a result of this comparison, if the distance d + paper thickness lb is equal to or smaller than the second predetermined value (step S310a: Yes), the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S302 is compared with the value of the number counter Pn (step S311). The processing up to step S320 is continued.

  On the other hand, if the distance d + paper thickness lb is greater than the second predetermined value (step S310a: No), it is determined that there is an abnormality and the abnormality is notified to the user (step S320). Here, the second predetermined value is the distance between the processing tray 209 and the driven roller 214, and this distance is the distance from the position where the driven roller 214 is raised to the upper limit to the processing tray 209.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to the present embodiment, since the abnormality is notified when the thickness of the sheet bundle T carried in from the image forming apparatus 100 is larger than the allowable thickness of the sheet processing apparatus 100, the sheet processing apparatus 200 is damaged or jammed. Can be prevented.

  15 and 16, the driven roller 214 is moved to the position of the first predetermined value every time the sheet S is carried from the image forming apparatus 100 and stacked on the processing tray 209. Thus, if it moves for every sheet of paper, power will be consumed for every moving operation | movement, and there was room for improvement from a viewpoint of energy saving.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the movement to the position of the first predetermined value that fluctuates according to the height of the sheet surface is performed not for each sheet but for each predetermined sheet surface height.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the seventh embodiment in which the position is moved to the position of the first predetermined value for each predetermined paper surface height. The flowchart shown in FIG. 17 is obtained by replacing steps S205, S206, and S207 in steps S201 to S212 in FIG. 12 with steps S205b, S205c, S206c, S206d, and S207a. .

  In the control procedure shown in FIG. 17, the processes from step S201 to step S204 are executed according to the procedure shown in FIG. When the sheet S is detected by the entrance sensor in step S204, the first sheet counter P1n and the second sheet counter P2n are counted up (step S205b). The initial values of the first and second sheet number counters P1n and P2n are set to 0 and are incremented every time they are detected.

  Then, the count value of the first sheet counter P1n is checked (step S205c). If the count value is 10 (step S205c: Yes), the driven roller 214 is moved upward by the thickness of 10 sheets (step S206c). ). If the count value is not 10, the process returns to step S204 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the present embodiment, the count value in step S205c is set to 10, but this value is such that the leading edge Sf of the sheet S and the driven roller 214 do not come into contact with each other when the sheet S is stacked on the processing tray 209. Any value may be used as long as it is a distance d away and a distance that is short enough to prevent a general user's hand from passing through. Moreover, although it is 10 in this embodiment, any value may be used as long as it is the same value as the count value 10 determined in step S205c.

  In step S206c, the sheet is moved upward by the thickness of 10 sheets, and then the first number counter P1n is cleared (step S206d), and the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S202 is compared with the value of the second number counter P2n. (Step S207a). As a result of this comparison, if the number of jobs Jn acquired in step S202 and the value of the second number counter P2n are the same, it is determined that there are sheets S of the number of jobs on the processing tray 209, and steps S208 to S212 are performed. Execute the process. If they are not the same, the process returns to step S204, and the processing after the step is repeated.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to this embodiment, each time the paper S is stacked on the processing tray 209, the paper S is not moved to the position of the first predetermined value, but a predetermined number of sheets, for example, 10 sheets are stacked on the processing tray 209. Since it is moved after that, power consumption can be reduced.

  In the embodiments so far, the distance d or the gap in the direction perpendicular to the sheets S stacked on the processing tray 209 is set so that the user's hand cannot enter from the sheet discharge port 220. However, when the paper size is small, a gap is generated not in the vertical direction of the paper S but also in the width direction. The eighth embodiment is an example in which a gap in the sheet width direction is closed to prevent a user's hand from entering from the sheet discharge port 220.

  FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram of the alignment operation in the width direction of the sheet S of the sheet processing apparatus 200. This figure is a view of the initial state in which the sheet S is not on the processing tray 209 and the width aligning unit 210 is located at the standby position WP, as viewed from the paper discharge side. In the initial state, the width aligning unit 210 stands by at a position equal to or larger than the maximum width of the paper S that is passed through the paper processing apparatus 200. When performing the paper width aligning operation, the width aligning unit 210 moves to the paper width position.

  FIG. 19 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an operation of aligning the width direction of the sheet S by the width aligning unit 210. This figure shows the state when the width direction of the small-size sheet bundle T is aligned, as viewed from the paper discharge side.

  As shown in the figure, the driven roller 214 is moved from the working position by the height of the sheet bundle thickness l + the distance d, and the distance d is maintained with respect to the sheet bundle thickness l. The width aligning unit 210 moves to the width position of the sheet bundle T and performs the aligning operation.

  In the present embodiment, when the width aligning unit 210 moves, a shutter 231 for closing the space of the portion is provided on the path along which the width aligning unit 210 has moved. The height of the shutter 231 is equal to or greater than the sheet bundle thickness K3 (K3 is an allowable maximum sheet bundle thickness) + the distance h from the end surface 214b of the roller shaft 214a to the roller end surface 214c, and from the roller shaft 214a of the driven roller 214 to the shutter 231. Is less than d.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 to 23, the shutter 231 includes first and second shutter portions 231 a and 231 b and has a nested structure with respect to the width aligning unit 210. One of the shutter end surfaces 231 a 1 is connected to the width aligning unit 210. The other 231b1 is connected to the processing tray 209 at the standby position WP of the width aligning unit 210. With this configuration, the width alignment unit 210 is pulled out during the width alignment operation, and the path of the width alignment unit 210 is blocked. That is, according to the width aligning operation of the width aligning unit 210, the first and second shutter portions 231a and 231b appear and disappear from the side surface of the width aligning unit 210 and close the opening (paper discharge port 220).

  The driving mechanism in the width direction of the width aligning unit 210 is a well-known mechanism as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-76775 and others, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  20 is a plan view of FIG. 18, FIG. 21 is a plan view of FIG. 19, FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the width aligning unit 210, and FIG. 23 is a view of the processing tray 209 and the width aligning unit 210 disposed on the processing tray 209. It is a perspective view shown.

  When the width aligning unit 210 is located at the standby position WP, the shutter 231 is stored in the width aligning unit 210 as shown in FIGS. When the width alignment unit 210 is located at the paper alignment position FP, the shutter 231 appears on the moving path of the width alignment unit 210 as shown in FIGS. That is, when the shutter 231 is in the retracted state, the shutter 231 fits in a space inside the groove provided in the width alignment unit 210. When the width aligning unit 210 moves to the sheet aligning position from this state, the first and second shutter portions 231a and 231b move the width aligning unit 210 from within the groove of the width aligning unit 210 as the width aligning unit 210 moves. It is drawn according to the amount. Thereby, the standby position WP of the width alignment unit 210 and the width alignment unit 210 are shielded.

  When the width aligning unit 210 returns from the paper aligning position FP to the standby position WP, the first and second shutter portions 231a and 231b are accommodated in the grooves of the width aligning unit 210 according to the return amount, and finally 20 and the storage state of FIG.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to close a gap generated outside the width alignment unit 210. As a result, even when processing a small-size sheet, the user's hand does not enter the main body 201 of the sheet processing apparatus 200, and post-processing can be performed without sacrificing safety even in a small size. . As a result, the paper handling capability of the paper processing apparatus 200 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the paper in the claims to be described later is denoted by S, the paper stacking means is in the processing tray 209, the paper discharging means is in the paper discharge roller 211 and the driven roller 214, and the paper height detecting means is in paper height detection. Sensor 213, sheet counter Pn, first and second sheet counters P1n, P2n, CPU 401, driving means are driving motor 217, driving gear 217a, driven gear 215a, shaft 215 and lever 218, and paper surface is denoted by Sc. The evacuation distance setting means is the CPU 401 and the sheet height detection sensor, or the CPU 401 and the sheet number counter Pn, or the CPU 401, the sheet height detection sensor and the sheet number counter Pn, and the first position is a standby position separated from the sheet surface by the distance d. The second position is a standby position close to the paper discharge roller 211, and the counting means is a sheet counter P (Steps S205 and S307), the first and second number counters P1n and P2n (Step S205b), the sheet thickness detecting means is one of various sensors 460, the sheet thickness detecting sensor 460a, and the binding means is the electric stapler 208. In addition, the preset first value is the first predetermined value, the blocking means is the CPU 401, the preset second value is the second predetermined value, the notifying means is the CPU 401, 411, and the operation display unit. In 440, the sheet aligning unit is in the width aligning unit 210, the shielding unit is in the shutter 231, the first and second shutter units 231a and 231b, the sheet processing apparatus is in reference numeral 200, and the image forming system is in the image forming apparatus 100 and the sheet. Each corresponds to a system including the processing device 200.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and all the technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are all included. The subject of the present invention. The above-described embodiments show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, and improvements from the contents disclosed in the present specification. These are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Paper processing apparatus 208 Electric stapler 209 Processing tray 210 Width alignment unit 211 Paper discharge roller 213 Paper height detection sensor 215 Shaft 215a Driven gear 217 Drive motor 217a Drive gear 218 Lever 231 Shutter 231a First shutter part 231b First Second shutter unit 401, 411 CPU
440 Operation display section 460a Paper thickness detection sensor d Retraction distance Pn Number counter P1n First number counter P2n Second number counter S Paper Sc Paper surface

JP 2004-284767 A

Claims (9)

Paper loading means for loading paper;
A paper discharge means including a paper discharge roller for discharging paper from the paper stacking means, and a driven roller provided so as to be able to approach and separate from the paper discharge roller ;
A paper height detecting means for detecting a paper surface height of the paper loaded on the paper stacking means;
In a paper processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on the paper,
Drive means for moving the paper discharge means in the height direction;
A retraction distance setting means for setting a retraction distance of the paper discharge means with respect to the paper;
Paper alignment means for aligning paper in the paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction;
Shielding means that shields an opening outside the paper alignment means that appears and moves on the movement path of the paper alignment means in conjunction with the movement of the paper alignment means in the paper width direction;
With
The driving means has a first position that is not more than a distance through which a hand cannot pass from the paper surface of the paper and varies according to the setting of the retraction distance setting means according to the height of the paper surface, and the paper surface. A paper processing apparatus, wherein the paper discharge means is moved to a second position in contact. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
It further comprises a counting means for counting the number of sheets,
The paper processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper height detecting means detects the paper height based on the count value counted by the counting means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2,
A paper thickness detecting means for detecting the paper thickness;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet height detecting unit detects a sheet height based on an output of the sheet thickness detecting unit in addition to the count value. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The predetermined process is a binding process in which sheets are bound by a binding unit;
When the sheet height obtained by the sheet height detection unit is equal to or greater than a first value that is a predetermined upper limit distance that the user's hand cannot pass between the sheet stacking unit and the driven roller , the binding is performed. A sheet processing apparatus comprising a power shut-off means for shutting off the power of the means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
When the sheet height obtained by the sheet height detecting unit is equal to or greater than a second value, which is a distance from the position where the preset driven roller is raised to the upper limit to the sheet stacking unit , an abnormality is given to the user. A sheet processing apparatus comprising an informing means for informing. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the driving unit moves the sheet to the first position for each preset sheet height. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
The sheet height obtained by the sheet height detecting means is greater than or equal to the first value and is less than the first value after the power supply of the binding means is shut off by the power shut-off means. Paper processing comprising: a notifying means for notifying the user of an abnormality when the set driven roller is equal to or greater than a second value which is a distance from the position where the driven roller is raised to the upper limit to the paper stacking means. apparatus.   An image forming system comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. Loading paper by paper loading means,
Paper is discharged from the paper stacking means by the paper discharging means,
In a paper processing method for detecting a paper surface height of paper stacked on the paper stacking means by a paper height detecting means and performing a predetermined process on the paper,
A moving step of moving the paper discharge means in the height direction by a driving means;
A distance setting step of setting a retreat distance of the paper discharge means with respect to the paper by a retreat distance setting means;
A sheet aligning step for aligning the sheet by the sheet aligning means in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction;
A shielding step in which the paper aligning means moves in and out on the movement path of the paper aligning means in conjunction with the movement in the paper width direction, and the opening outside the paper aligning means is shielded by the shielding means;
With
In the moving step, a first position that is equal to or less than a distance through which a hand cannot pass from the sheet surface of the sheet and varies according to the height of the sheet surface by the retraction distance setting unit is in contact with the sheet surface. A paper processing method, wherein the paper discharge means is moved to a second position.

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