JP6683760B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that binds sheets on which images are formed.

  Generally, this type of sheet post-processing apparatus is known as an apparatus that is connected to a sheet discharge port of an image forming apparatus, temporarily holds an image-formed sheet, post-processes the sheet, and then stores the sheet in a stack tray. A binding mechanism for binding the accumulated sheet bundle, a punch mechanism for punching punch holes, a folding processing mechanism for folding processing, a marking mechanism for marking processing, and the like are known.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242242, image-formed sheets that are connected to a sheet discharge port of an image forming apparatus are guided from a carry-in path to a processing tray, stacked in a bundle, bound, and then stored in a downstream stack tray. A device is disclosed. In this document, a punch unit for punching a punch hole in a sheet is arranged in a carry-in path, and a sheet sent to a carry-in port is temporarily stopped and punched, and then a sheet is discharged from a sheet discharge port to a processing tray or a stack tray. A punch mechanism for guiding has been proposed.

  Further, at the same time as post-processing (binding processing) is performed on the sheets carried in from the upstream side in the sheet post-processing apparatus, a manual binding mechanism is provided for binding the sheet bundle set by the operator by providing a manual setting section on the outer casing. An equipped device is proposed in Patent Document 2, for example.

Japanese Patent No. 5010526 JP, 2005-096392, A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of binding processes.

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for processing a sheet , the sheet transporting section transporting the sheet, a stacking section on which the sheet transported in the transport direction by the transporting section is stacked, and a sheet stacked on the stacking section. A first regulation unit that regulates the position of the sheet bundle in the intersecting direction by contacting an end portion of the bundle in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction ; and a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking unit, Second regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction by contacting the end portion in the conveying direction, and one side of the sheet processing apparatus to the other side by moving in the intersecting direction. To the one side while moving to the other side, and the one side end of the sheet bundle, which is in contact with the first regulating means, and the second regulating means. A first binding unit that binds a corner portion of the sheet bundle including an end portion of the sheet bundle in contact with the conveyance direction at a first position with a needle, a first pressing unit, and a second pressing unit. A sheet bundle having a pressure portion, which clamps the sheet bundle by the first pressure portion and the second pressure portion when binding the sheet bundle, the sheet bundle being in contact with the first regulating means. Second binding means for binding the corner portion of the sheet bundle including the one end portion and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second restricting means without using a needle When having a second binding unit, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit , configured to be movable in a state remote from the first binding means, said first binding means, said stacking means The corner portion of the sheet bundle, which includes the other end portion of the placed sheet bundle and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second restricting unit, is located at the second position. And the second position is set to the other side of the first position in the intersecting direction, and the second binding means is configured to bind to the second position in the intersecting direction. It is movable on the one side and does not move to the other side of the second position in the intersecting direction.

  The present invention can execute a plurality of binding processes.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of a sheet post-processing device in the image forming system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of a route of the device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a manual feed setting unit in the sheet post-processing device of FIG. 2. 3 is an overall perspective view of a punch unit in the apparatus of FIG. Explanatory drawing of the shift mechanism of a punch unit. The state figure which moved the punch unit to the front side of an apparatus from the state of FIG. Movement loci of the staple unit and the eco-stapling means. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between an alignment position and a staple unit in the apparatus of FIG. 2. Explanatory drawing of the differential means of the binding means in the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a stack tray lifting mechanism in the apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 7A is an operation explanatory view of the sheet bundle unloading means, FIG. 7A shows a state in which the sheet bundle is positioned at the binding position on the processing tray, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the sheet bundle is being transferred from the processing position to the downstream side. 9C shows the state immediately before the sheet bundle is carried out to the stack tray on the downstream side. The structure of the binding means which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is a structure explanatory drawing of a staple unit, (b) is a structure explanatory drawing of an eco-binding unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a binding process and sheet discharge operation in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an operation flow chart of a jog sorting paper discharge mode. 2 shows a flow of a paper discharge mode in the apparatus of FIG. 1, (a) shows a bookbinding processing paper discharge mode, and (b) is an operation flow chart of a printout paper discharge mode.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus A in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. An image forming apparatus A shown in the figure shows an electrostatic printing mechanism, and includes an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a feeder unit A3. The device housing 1 is provided with a mounting leg 25 to be installed on an installation surface (for example, a floor surface). Further, inside the apparatus housing, a paper feeding unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper discharging unit 4, and a data processing unit 5 are incorporated.

  The paper feeding unit 2 is composed of cassette mechanisms 2a to 2c for accommodating sheets of a plurality of sizes for forming an image, and feeds a sheet of a size designated by the main body control unit 90 to the paper feeding path 6. For this reason, a plurality of cassettes 2a to 2c are detachably arranged in the apparatus housing 1, and each cassette has a separation mechanism for separating the internal sheets one by one and a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding out the sheets. The sheet feeding path 6 is provided with a conveying roller 7 that feeds the sheets supplied from the plurality of cassettes 2a to 2c to the downstream side, and a registration roller pair 8 that aligns the leading ends of the sheets at the end of the path. .

  A large-capacity cassette 2d and a manual feed tray 2e are connected to the paper feed path 6 described above. The large-capacity cassette 2d is configured by an option unit that stores a large amount of sheets to be consumed, and the manual feed tray 2e is Special sheets such as cardboard sheets, coating sheets, and film sheets, which are difficult to separate and feed, can be supplied.

  The image forming unit 3 shows an electrostatic printing mechanism as an example, and includes a photoconductor 9 (drum, belt), a light emitter 10 that emits an optical beam to the photoconductor, a developing device 11 (developer), and a cleaner (non-conductive). (Shown) is arranged around the rotating photoreceptor. The one shown in the figure shows a monochrome printing mechanism, in which a light emitting device optically forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum 9, and a toner ink is attached to the latent image by a developing device 11.

  Then, the sheet is fed from the paper feed path 6 to the image forming section 3 at the timing of forming an image on the photoconductor 9 and the image is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 12, and the fixing unit (roller) arranged on the paper discharge path 14 is provided. ) 13 is fixed. A sheet discharge roller 15 and a sheet discharge port 16 are arranged in the sheet discharge path 14 to convey the sheet to a sheet post-processing apparatus B described later.

  The scanner unit A2 described above has a platen 17 on which an image original is placed, a carriage 18 which reciprocates along the platen, a light source mounted on the carriage, and reflected light from the original on the platen to a photoelectric conversion means 19. It is composed of a reduction optical system 20 (a combination of a mirror and a lens) for guiding. 21 is a second platen (traveling platen), and the sheet sent from the feeder unit A3 is imaged by the carriage 18 and the reduction optical system 20. The photoelectric conversion unit 19 photoelectrically converts the image data, but electrically transfers the image data to the image forming unit 3.

  The feeder unit A3 is composed of a paper feed tray 22, a paper feed path 23 for guiding the sheet sent out from the paper feed tray to the traveling platen 21, and a paper discharge tray 24 for accommodating the original document image-read by the platen.

  The image forming apparatus A is not limited to the above-described mechanism, and an offset printing mechanism, an inkjet printing mechanism, an ink ribbon transfer printing mechanism (thermal transfer ribbon printing, sublimation ribbon printing, etc.) can be used.

[Sheet processing device]
The sheet post-processing device B is a device that post-processes the sheet carried out from the paper discharge port 16 of the image forming apparatus A, and (1) has a function of stacking and storing the image-formed sheets (first and third processing units B1). , B3; printout mode), (2) a function of storing image-formed sheets in sets (third processing unit B3; jog sorting mode), and (3) collating and accumulating image-formed sheets. A function of binding processing (first processing unit B1; binding processing mode), and (4) a function of aligning the sheets on which images are formed, binding processing, and then folding processing to finish bookbinding (second processing unit B2; bookbinding) Processing mode).

  In the present invention, the sheet post-processing apparatus B does not have to have all the above-mentioned functions, and may be appropriately configured according to the apparatus specifications (design specifications). Also in this case, a processing unit (first processing unit B1) for aligning and accumulating sheets, and first and second binding means (a staple binding unit 47 and a stapleless binding unit 51 described later) are provided in this processing unit, There is a need for a stack configuration that stores the sheets after the binding processing by the selected binding means.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. The sheet post-processing apparatus B has a carry-in port 26 connected to the sheet discharge port 16 of the image forming apparatus A, and a storage unit (a first stack tray 49 and a second stack tray 61 described later) after post-processing a sheet carried in from the carry-in port. , The third stack tray 71).

  The illustrated apparatus transfers the sheets sent to the sheet carry-in path 28 from the first processing unit B1 to the first stack tray 49 (hereinafter referred to as “first tray”) and from the second processing unit B2 to the second stack tray 61 ( Hereinafter, it is transferred from the third processing section B3 to the third stack tray 71 (hereinafter referred to as “third tray”).

  The first processing unit B1 is disposed at the path exit (paper discharge port) 35 of the sheet carry-in path 28, and sequentially stacks and sequentially stacks the sheets to perform a binding process, and then the first tray (first storage unit; The same) 49. The second processing unit B2 is arranged at a path outlet 62 (end of a second switchback path described later) branched from the sheet carry-in path 28, and sequentially sheets are collated and accumulated, bound, and then folded. The paper is stored in two trays (second storage portion; the same applies hereinafter) 61. The third processing unit B3 is incorporated in the sheet carry-in path 28, and moves the conveyed sheet in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction (the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed to the sheet carry-in path 28) (the direction orthogonal to the present embodiment). After being offset by a predetermined amount and sorted, they are stored in a third tray (third storage portion; hereinafter the same) 71. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

"Device housing"
As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus B includes an apparatus housing 27, a sheet carry-in path 28 having a carry-in port 26 and a sheet discharge port 35 built in the apparatus housing, and a sheet sent from this path. It is provided with a first processing unit B1 and a second processing unit B2 for post-processing, a third processing unit B3, and first, second, and third trays 49, 61, 71 for storing sheets sent from the respective processing units. ing. The illustrated apparatus housing 27 is arranged at substantially the same height as the housing 1 of the image forming apparatus A located on the upstream side, and from the installation surface, the sheet discharge port 16 of the image forming apparatus A and the carry-in port 26 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B. Are connected.

  The housing 27 of the device shown in FIG. 2 includes a device frame 70 and an exterior cover 73. The device frame 70 forms the framework of a box-type device as shown in the drawing, and in the state of FIG. 1, a front side frame frame 70f is located on the front side, and a rear side frame frame 70r is located on the back side. It is configured by a stay member 70s (connection reinforcing member) that connects the both side frame frames. A sheet loading path 28, a processing tray 37, a stack tray 49, and the like, which will be described later, are attached between the left and right side frame frames.

  The exterior cover 73 is composed of a front cover 73f that covers the front side frame frame 70f and a rear cover 73r that covers the rear side frame frame. The device housing 27 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings and may have a suitable design, and the device frame 70 is not limited to the left and right side frames and the connecting stay structure, and various frame structures such as a monocoque structure can be adopted. Is.

"Sheet carry-in route"
The sheet carry-in path 28 is configured by a linear path that traverses the apparatus housing 27 in a substantially horizontal direction, and has a carry-in port 26 that is continuous with the paper discharge port (main body paper discharge port) 16 of the image forming apparatus A, and the apparatus from this carry-in port. A sheet discharge port 35 is provided on the opposite side across the sheet. In the sheet carry-in path 28, a conveying roller 29 (sheet conveying means such as a roller or a belt) that conveys a sheet from the carry-in port 26 toward the sheet discharge port 35, and a sheet discharge roller 36 arranged at the sheet discharge port 35. (Although it may be a belt), an entrance sensor S1 for detecting the front and rear ends of a sheet to be carried into the path, and a discharge sensor S2 for detecting the front and rear ends of the sheet at the path discharge port are arranged.

  The above-described sheet carry-in path 28 is connected so as to sort and transfer the sheet from the carry-in entrance 26 to the first processing section B1 and the second processing section B2, and the second processing section B2 is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction on the downstream side. The first processing unit B1 is connected to the side. The substantially linear sheet carry-in path 28 is branched so as to transfer the sheet from the carry-in entrance 26 toward the second processing section B2, and is then arranged on the downstream side of the path discharge port 35. The route is configured to guide the processing unit B1.

  Further, a third paper discharge path (print-out paper discharge path) 30 that guides a sheet not subjected to post-processing by the first and second processing units B1 and B2 to the third tray 71 is connected to the above-described sheet carry-in path 28. Then, the sheet is guided to the third tray (overflow tray) 71. A third processing unit B3 is built in the sheet carry-in path 28, and this processing section offsets the sheet conveyed on the path in a direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge to perform jog sorting. That is, the sheet carry-in path 28 has the third processing unit B3 built therein, and the sheets jog-sorted by this processing unit are stored in the third tray 71.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet carry-in path 28 is arranged downstream from the carry-in entrance 26 in the order of “third paper discharge path 30”, “second paper discharge path 32”, and “first paper discharge path 31”. The first path switching means 33 and the second path switching means 34 are arranged at the illustrated positions. Further, the second paper ejection path 32 and the first paper ejection path 31 are constituted by a switchback path which reverses the sheet conveying direction and guides it to each processing section.

  The third sheet discharging path 30 guides the sheet sent from the carry-in port 26 to the third tray, and the second sheet discharging path 32 guides the sheet sent from the carry-in port 26 to the second tray 61. The paper discharge path 31 guides the sheet discharged from the carry-in port 26 to the first tray 49. Then, the sheets guided to the third tray 71 are subjected to the jog sorting process in the third processing section B3 in the path, and the sheets guided to the second tray 61 are subjected to the bookbinding processing in the second processing section B2, and then to the first tray 49. The guided sheets are bound by the first processing unit B1.

  The first path switching means 33 is composed of a flapper guide for changing the sheet conveying direction, and is connected to a driving means (electromagnetic solenoid, mini motor, etc.) not shown. The switching unit 33 selects whether to guide the sheet from the carry-in port 26 to the third paper ejection path 30 or the first and second paper ejection paths 31 and 32. The second path switching means 34 selects whether to guide the sheet sent from the carry-in port 26 to the second processing section B2 or to the first processing section B1 on the downstream side. A drive means (not shown) is also connected to the second path switching means 34. A punch unit 100 for punching punched holes in the carried-in sheet is arranged in the sheet carry-in path 28.

[First processing unit]
The first processing unit B1 includes a processing tray 37 that is arranged on the downstream side of the sheet carry-in path 28 and that stacks and stacks the sheets sent from the paper discharge port 35, and a binding processing mechanism that performs binding processing on the stacked sheet bundle. To be done. As shown in FIG. 2, a step is formed at the sheet discharge port 35 of the sheet carry-in path 28, and a processing tray 37 is arranged below the step, and the sheet is conveyed from the sheet discharge port between the sheet discharge port 35 and the processing tray. A first paper discharge path (first switchback path) 31 which reverses the direction and guides the sheet onto the tray is formed.

  Between the paper discharge port 35 and the processing tray 37, a sheet carry-in mechanism for carrying a sheet onto the tray from the paper discharge port, a positioning mechanism for positioning the sheet at a predetermined binding position on the processing tray 37, A sheet-bundle carry-out mechanism that carries out the bound sheet bundle to the first tray 49 on the downstream side is arranged. Each configuration will be described later.

  The processing tray 37 shown in FIG. 2 bridge-supports the sheet sent from the paper discharge port 35 between the processing tray 37 and the first tray 49 on the downstream side. That is, the sheet sent from the sheet discharge port 35 is configured so that the leading end portion thereof bridges the uppermost sheet of the downstream first tray 49 and the trailing end portion thereof bridges the processing tray 37. There is.

[Second processing unit]
A second paper discharge path (second switchback path) 32 is branched and connected to the above-described sheet carry-in path 28 on the upstream side of the first paper discharge path (first switchback path) 31. Guides the sheet to the second processing unit B2. The second processing unit B2 aligns and stacks the sheets sent from the sheet carry-in path 28, binds the central portion, and internally folds it (hereinafter referred to as "magazine finishing"). Then, a second tray 61 is arranged on the downstream side of the second processing section B2 to store the sheet bundle subjected to the bookbinding process.

  The second processing section B2 includes a guide member 66 for accumulating the sheets in a bundle, a regulation stopper 67 (the tip regulation stopper in the figure) for positioning the sheets at a predetermined position on the guide member, and positioning by the stopper. The stapling device 63 (saddle-stitching staple unit) that binds the central portion of the formed sheet and the folding processing mechanism (folding roll pair 64 and folding blade 65) that folds the sheet bundle at the central portion after the binding processing are performed. .

  As described in JP 2008-184324 A, JP 2009-051644 A, and the like, the saddle stitching staple unit 63 has a sheet central portion (line) in a state in which a sheet bundle is sandwiched between a head unit and an anvil unit. ) Is adopted and a mechanism for binding processing is adopted. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the folding processing mechanism adopts a structure in which the folding roll pair 64 pressed against each other is inserted with the folding crease of the sheet bundle by the folding blade 65 and is folded by rolling of the roll pair. Such a mechanism is also disclosed in JP 2008-184324 A, JP 2009-051644 A, and the like.

  The illustrated first processing unit B1 and the sheet carry-in path 28 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the second paper discharge path 32 that guides the sheet to the second processing unit B2 is arranged in the vertical direction to collate and stack the sheets. The guide member 66 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction. By thus arranging the sheet carry-in path 28 in the direction traversing the apparatus housing 27 and arranging the processing paths (sections) 32 and B2 in the vertical direction, the apparatus can be made slim.

  A second tray 61 is arranged on the downstream side of the second processing section B2, and stores a sheet bundle folded in a magazine shape. The illustrated second tray 61 is arranged below the first tray 49. This is a device specification in which the first tray 49 is used more frequently than the second tray 61 is used. Therefore, the height position where the sheet on the tray is easily taken out is set to the first tray 49.

"Third processing unit"
In the sheet carry-in path 28, a third sheet discharge path 30 is formed on the upstream side of the first sheet discharge path 31 and the second sheet discharge path 32, and guides the sheet from the carry-in port 26 to the third tray 71. A roller shift mechanism (not shown) that offsets the sheet to be conveyed by a predetermined amount in the orthogonal direction is disposed in the path for guiding the sheet from the carry-in port 26 to the third tray 71 (the carry-in path or the third sheet discharge path). ing.

  Then, the posture of the sheet conveyed to the third tray 71 in the orthogonal direction is displaced (offset) so as to separate the sheet from the carry-in port 26 and stored on the tray. Since various mechanisms are known for this jog sorting mechanism, description thereof will be omitted.

[Structure of manual feed set section]
In the apparatus housing 27, a sheet processing mechanism unit that guides the sheet from the sheet carry-in path 28 to the processing tray 37 for post-processing and then stores the sheet in the stack tray 49, and an external cover 73 in which an externally created sheet bundle is inserted and set. A manual feed setting unit 77 for performing the binding process is provided. It is convenient for the manual sheet feeding setting unit 77 to be provided with a binding processing mechanism on the exterior of the sheet post-processing apparatus B when the operator aligns and binds original sheets of which images have been read, for example. For this reason, the operator sets a bundle of sheets aligned in a part of the casing, and is equipped with a mechanism for binding processing with a stapling device and other binding processing devices incorporated therein.

  The manual feed setting unit 77 arranged for the above purpose is composed of a slit-shaped opening 77a, a setting surface 77b and a regulation surface 77c, and a binding processing unit for binding the sheet bundle set on the setting surface is arranged inside the apparatus. To be done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a slit-shaped opening 77a is arranged in the front cover 73f, and a set surface 77b and a restriction surface 77c are arranged in the side frame 70f so that the sheet bundle S can be inserted from the outside. . The illustrated apparatus is arranged at a position for supporting the sheet bundle at a position adjacent to each other on the same plane as the processing tray 37 described according to FIG.

  This is a sheet manually set by moving a binding processing unit 47 (stapler unit), which can be moved along the edge of the processing tray 37, which will be described later, to a setting surface 77b arranged adjacent to the processing tray 37. This is for binding the bundle. Therefore, the setting surface 77b is arranged so as to be flush with the paper mounting surface 47a of the processing tray.

  The slit-shaped opening 77a is formed in the front cover 73f so that the sheet bundle can be inserted into the set surface 77b (the same plane as the processing tray). The front cover 73f (whole or part) in which the slit-shaped opening 77a is formed is hinged to the device frame 70 so as to be openable and closable.

  The sheet bundle S manually inserted from the slit-shaped opening 77a is inserted at the binding position along the setting surface 77b, and the end surface is abutted and regulated by the regulation surface 77c at the binding position. As a result, the sheet bundle S inserted from the outside is positioned at a predetermined binding position by having its lower surface supported by the set surface 77b and being regulated by abutting its end surface against the regulation surface 77c. A stapling device (binding unit) 47 is built inside the setting surface 77b and the regulation surface 77c, and the illustrated device can move between the binding position of the processing tray 37 and the binding position of the setting surface 77b. It is supported by a guide rail and moved by a drive mechanism equipped with a shift motor.

[Binding operation of the manual feed setting section]
The binding processing operation will be described below. The control unit 95 described later waits the binding unit 47 at or near the manual binding position in the operation mode in which the binding processing is not performed on the processing tray 37 (post-processing in the second and third processing units B2 and B3 described above). Let In the illustrated apparatus, the home position of the binding unit 47 is set to the manual binding position Mp where the binding position is located on the front side of the side frame 70f.

[Punch unit]
The punch unit 100, which is arranged in the sheet carry-in path 28 and punches a punch hole in the sheet sent from the carry-in port 26, will be described. The punch unit 100 arranges a plurality of punch members 101a to 101e at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the sheet carry-in path 28, and punches a selected number of holes in the sheet.

  FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the punch unit 100. The punch unit 100 includes a unit frame 102, a plurality of punch members 101a to 101e that are vertically movable in the unit frame, a drive cam 103 that vertically moves (reciprocates in the punching direction) each punch member, and The drive motor M7 drives the drive cam.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a waste box, which is disposed below the punch member 101 and stores punched waste paper pieces. The waste box 104 is slidably attached to the guide rail 105 on the apparatus frame 70 (different from the unit frame). Reference numeral 106 denotes a rotation operation member. When a jam occurs in the punch member 101 or when an abnormality occurs in the drive motor M7, the drive cam 103 is forcibly rotated and the punch member 101 that has bitten into the sheet is separated (peeled off). ). For this reason, the rotary operation member 106 is configured by a manual rotary knob connected to the rotary shaft 107 of the drive cam 103.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the unit frame 102 is composed of an upper frame 102a and a lower frame 102b each having a predetermined length in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the carry-in path 28. In the upper frame 102a, a plurality of punch members 101a to 101e are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction (hereinafter referred to as "transport orthogonal direction") so as to be reciprocally movable (movable up and down) in the punching direction. . The lower frame 102b is provided with perforation holes (dies) at positions facing the punch portions 101. A drive rotary shaft 107 is arranged on the unit frame 102, and a drive cam 103 for vertically moving each punch member 101 is attached to the rotary shaft. A drive motor M7 is connected to the drive rotation shaft 107 via a transmission mechanism.

  The illustrated drive cam 103 is a cylindrical cam member that is attached to the drive rotating shaft 107 and corresponds to the plurality of punch members 101, and each punch member is connected to this cam member by a connecting pin. The punch member 101 moves up and down in the punching direction when the drive rotary shaft 107 rotates by a predetermined angle. At this time, the first groups 101b and 101d (for example, two-hole drilling) of the plurality of punch members move up and down in the drilling direction at the first rotation angle of the drive rotation shaft 107, and the second groups 101a and 101c at different second rotation angles. 101e (for example, 3-hole drilling) moves up and down in the drilling direction.

  Therefore, the control means 95, which will be described later, causes the first group of punch members 101b and 101d to perform a punching motion when the drive rotary shaft 107 reciprocally rotates within a preset angle range, and the second group of punch members 101a when reciprocates within a different angle range. , 101c, 101e can be drilled.

  The waste box 104 is arranged below the punch member 101, is supported by a guide rail 105 provided on the apparatus frame, and is attached and detached from the apparatus front side (the front cover 73f in the figure). That is, the front cover 73f described above is hingedly connected to the device frame 70 so as to be openable and closable, and the waste box 104 can be taken out of the device with the front cover opened.

  The drive motor M7 is connected to the drive rotation shaft 107 through the speed reduction mechanism (gear transmission mechanism), and the rotation shaft 107 is rotated so that the operator can manually rotate the rotation shaft 107. The member is arranged on the front side of the side frame 70f through the opening 70x provided in the side frame 70f. The front cover 73f described above is arranged on the front side of the apparatus so as to be openable and closable, and the rotation operation member 106 can be operated with the lid open. In this cover open state, the drive power is not supplied (interrupted) to the drive motor M7.

[Punch unit shift mechanism]
The punch unit 100 described above is attached to the apparatus frame 70 so as to be movable in position. For example, the upper frame 102a of the unit frame penetrates and slides on the guide rail 108 through the opening 70x provided in the side frame 70f, which is attached to the stay member 70s that connects the both side frame 70f and 70r of the device frame 70. It is movably fitted. The rack 109 is integrally formed on a part of the upper frame 102a, and the entire unit frame is moved from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 7 by the shift motor M8 and the drive pinion 110 mounted on the apparatus frame side.

  In this way, the punch unit 100 is configured to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance because the sheet carried into the carry-in path 28 has (1) sheet size error and (2) sheet misalignment in the image forming unit. Due to the above, the state is shifted in the transport orthogonal direction. If punch holes are punched without correcting the amount of positional deviation, the finish quality is extremely poor. In order to correct the positional deviation of the carried-in sheet, it is necessary for the punch unit 100 to move in the conveying orthogonal direction or to move the sheet in the orthogonal direction.

  According to the present invention, the punch unit 100 is moved in the conveyance orthogonal direction according to the sheet sent to the sheet carry-in path 28, and the movement direction is the same direction as the above-mentioned manual feed setting section 77 (the apparatus front side). It is characterized in that the setting area is set and the moving area of the punch unit 100 and the sheet setting area of the manual feed setting section 77 overlap each other in the transport orthogonal direction.

[Shift control of punch unit]
The punch unit 100 described above moves to a punching hole position that conforms to the side edge of the sheet that has entered the carry-in path 28 as a reference. This is to prevent the perforation hole position from being displaced for each sheet due to the dimensional error of the sheet and the positional deviation of the sheet carried into the carry-in port as described above. The method is as follows: (1) A sensor array for submitting the side edge of the sheet is arranged in the carry-in path 28, and the amount of movement of the unit from the sheet size information sent from the image forming apparatus A and the array signal for detecting the sheet edge. And move the position. Alternatively, (2) the unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the sheet-side edge, and the unit is moved in the conveyance orthogonal direction at the timing when the sheet enters the carry-in path, and the sensor detects the sheet-side edge. Then, the movement amount of the unit is calculated from the detection signal and the sheet size information, and the position is moved. Alternatively, (3) a plurality of sensors corresponding to the sheet size are arranged in the unit, and the unit is moved in the conveyance orthogonal direction at the timing when the sheet enters to detect the side edge of the sheet. At the same time, the sheet size is discriminated from the sensors that are detected, and the sheet is moved in the unit conveyance orthogonal direction.

  The illustrated apparatus employs the above method (3). As a result, the movement amount of the unit can be set to the minimum, and the device can be made compact. Therefore, on the unit frame 102, sensors S3 (for example, JIS B5 vertical), S4 (A4 vertical), S5 (B5 horizontal), S6 (A4 horizontal, A3 vertical) are arranged for each size on the unit frame 102. Has been done. In the figure, S1 is an entrance sensor arranged in the sheet carry-in path 28, and S2 is an exit sensor (paper discharge sensor). Further, HpS shown in the figure is a home position sensor attached to the unit frame 102.

  The control means 95, which will be described later, detects the timing when the leading edge of the sheet enters the carry-in path 28 by the entrance sensor S1, and moves the punch unit 100 in a predetermined direction from the home position based on the detection signal. Then, the detection signal of the sensor that has detected the sheet side edge is received, it is determined which sensor has transmitted the signal, the sheet size and the side edge are recognized, and the punching position according to the size is determined. Then, the punch unit 100 is moved to the punching position. For this reason, the shift motor M8 is composed of a stepping motor or an encoder that detects the amount of rotation is connected to the rotary shaft.

  Particularly, the control means 95 shown in the figure moves the punch unit 100 to the outside of the sheet (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7) based on the signal obtained by detecting the leading edge of the sheet by the entrance sensor S1, and detects the side edge of the sheet. Then, the unit is overrun by a predetermined amount, stopped, and moved to the seat center side (arrow B direction). Then, the side edge of the sheet is detected again, and based on the detection signal, the unit is moved to the sheet center side by a predetermined amount and positioned at the punching position. In this way, the punch unit 100 is moved to the position outside the sheet (from the small size to the large size) and then moved to the sheet center side to detect the sheet side edge. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the position error due to the back crash in the drive mechanism.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the punching unit 100 moves in the transporting orthogonal direction moving area (FIG. 6; Px) and the sheet setting area (FIG. 6; Sx) of the setting surface 77a of the manual feeding setting unit in the sheet feeding direction 28 in the front and rear direction. Are placed at different positions. At the same time, the moving area Px of the punch unit 100 and the setting area Sx of the setting surface are arranged at different positions where the step Y is formed.

  That is, the region Px and the region Sx are arranged at different positions (interval X) in the sheet conveying direction, and at the same time, different positions (step Y) in the height direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Along with this, the region Px and the region Sx are arranged at positions where they overlap each other in the sheet width direction (overlap amount z). This makes the device compact and compact by the amount of overlap.

"Configuration of the first processing unit"
The respective configurations of the sheet loading mechanism, the sheet positioning mechanism, the binding processing mechanism, and the sheet bundle unloading mechanism of the above-described first processing unit B1 will be described.

"Sheet loading mechanism"
As shown in FIG. 3, between the sheet discharge port 35 and the processing tray 37, reversing conveyance mechanisms 41 and 42 for switching back the sheet from the sheet discharge port in the sheet discharge direction and the sheet discharge opposite direction, and the sheet tray. A guide mechanism (sheet guide member) 44 that guides the sheet to the side and a scraping rotating body 46 that guides the sheet to the leading edge regulating unit are arranged.

  The reversing conveyance mechanism is configured by an elevating roller 41 that moves up and down between an operating position that engages a sheet to be loaded onto the processing tray and a standby position that is separated, and a paddle rotator 42 that conveys the sheet in a direction opposite to sheet ejection. The lifting roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42 are attached to the swing bracket 43.

  A swing bracket 43 is arranged on the apparatus frame 27a so as to swing around a rotary shaft 36x (the discharge roller shaft is shown in the figure), and the rotary shafts of the elevating roller 41 and the paddle rotor 42 are supported by the bracket as bearings. ing. An elevating motor (not shown) is connected to the swing bracket 43, and the elevating roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42 mounted thereon are moved up and down between an operating position for engaging the sheet and a standby position separated from the sheet.

  A drive motor (not shown) is connected to the lift roller 41 and the paddle rotating body 42, and the drive is transmitted so that the lift roller 41 rotates in the forward / reverse direction and the paddle rotating body 42 rotates in the reverse direction (opposite direction of paper discharge). ing. Further, the processing tray 37 is provided with a driven roller 48 that is in pressure contact with the elevating roller 41, and nips a single sheet or a bundle of sheets to carry it out to the downstream side.

  A guide mechanism for guiding the rear end of the sheet carried on the processing tray toward the regulating means 38 is arranged between the elevating roller 41 and a scraping rotary member 46, which will be described later. It is composed of a sheet guide member 44 that moves up and down from the dotted line state to the solid line state. The guide member 44 retracts to the dotted line position when the sheet is carried out from the sheet discharge port 35, and the rear end of the sheet passes through the sheet discharge port 35. After that, the trailing edge of the sheet is guided onto the processing tray. For this reason, a drive mechanism (not shown) is connected to the sheet guide member 44, and the sheet guide member 44 moves up and down in accordance with the timing of guiding the rear end of the sheet from the sheet discharge port 35 onto the processing tray.

"Seat positioning mechanism"
Positioning mechanisms 38 and 39 for positioning the sheets at a predetermined binding position are arranged on the processing tray 37. In the illustrated example, the sheet end regulating means 38 for regulating the sheet rear end by abutting and the sheet side edge as a reference ( It is composed of side edge aligning means 39 for positioning at the center reference and one side reference.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet end regulating means 38 is composed of a stopper member for abutting and regulating the sheet rear end. Further, the side edge aligning member 39 will be described later with reference to FIG. Position.

"Side edge matching means"
As shown in FIG. 9, the side edge aligning plates 39F and 39R project upward from the paper placing surface 37a of the processing tray 37, have a restricting surface 39x that engages with the side edge of the sheet, and are arranged so as to face each other in a pair of left and right. To do. Then, the pair of side edge aligning means 39 is arranged on the processing tray 37 so as to be capable of reciprocating with a predetermined stroke. This stroke is set by the size difference between the maximum size sheet and the minimum size sheet and the offset amount by which the aligned sheet bundle is moved (offset-conveyed) in the left or right direction.

  That is, the moving strokes of the left and right side edge aligning means 39F and 39R are set by the moving amount for aligning different size sheets and the offset amount of the aligned sheet bundle. In the offset movement of the side edge aligning plates 39F and 39R, the sheets carried out with reference to the center in the case of corner binding are moved to the right side in the case of right corner binding and to the left side in the case of left corner binding by a predetermined amount. This offset movement is performed one by one each time a sheet is loaded into the processing tray 37 (for each loaded sheet), or is moved by the bundle for binding processing after aligning the sheets into a bundle. To adopt.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the side edge aligning means 39 includes a right edge aligning member 39F (apparatus front side) and a left edge aligning member 39R (apparatus rear side). The restriction surfaces 39x that engage with the ends are supported by the processing tray 37 so as to move toward or away from each other. The processing tray 37 is provided with a slit groove (not shown) penetrating the front and back sides, and a side edge aligning means 39 having a regulation surface 39x engaging with a side edge of the sheet is slidably fitted from the slit to the upper surface of the tray. ing.

  The side edge matching members 39F and 39R are slidably supported by a plurality of guide rollers 80 (may be rail members) on the back side of the tray, and a rack 81 is integrally formed. Matching motors M1 and M2 are connected to the left and right racks 81 via pinions 82. The left and right alignment motors M1 and M2 are configured by stepping motors, and position sensors (not shown) detect the positions of the left and right side edge alignment members 39F and 39R. , Is configured to be able to move the position by a designated movement amount.

  Instead of using the illustrated rack-pinion mechanism, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the side edge matching members 39F and 39R are fixed to the timing belt and connected to a motor that reciprocates the belt by a pulley.

  With such a configuration, the control unit 95, which will be described later, sets the left and right side edge alignment members 39F and 39R to a predetermined standby position (sheet width size + α position) based on the sheet size information provided from the image forming apparatus A or the like. Make it stand by. Then, in the case of “multi-binding”, the sheet is loaded onto the processing tray 37, and the aligning operation is started at the timing when the sheet edge hits the trailing edge regulating means 38. This alignment operation rotates the left and right alignment motors M1 and M2 by the same amount in opposite directions (approaching directions).

  Then, the sheets carried into the processing tray 37 are positioned on the basis of the sheet center and stacked in a bundle. By repeating the sheet loading operation and the aligning operation, the sheets are collated and collected in a bundle on the processing tray 37. At this time, sheets of different sizes are positioned on the basis of the center. Further, in the case of “corner binding”, the sheet is carried onto the processing tray 37, and the aligning operation is started at the timing when the sheet edge hits the trailing edge regulating means 38. This alignment operation causes the alignment plate on the binding position side and the alignment plate on the opposite side to the binding position to have different amounts of movement. Then, the movement amount is set so that the sheet corner is located at the preset binding position.

"Binding processing mechanism"
On the processing tray 37, binding processing mechanisms 47 and 60 for binding the bundle of sheets stacked on the paper placing surface 37a are arranged. The processing tray 37 is positioned at a predetermined binding position on the paper mounting surface 37a by a positioning mechanism (sheet edge regulating means 38 and side edge aligning means 39). The binding processing mechanisms 47 and 51 include a first binding unit 47 (first binding unit; “stapling unit” and the same hereinafter) that staples a sheet bundle with staples, and a second binding unit 51 (second binding that does not staple). Means; “eco-binding unit” and so on) are selectively arranged at the binding position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the processing tray 37 is provided with binding processing mechanisms 47 and 51 for binding the trailing end portion of the sheet carried in from the paper discharge port 35, and the binding mechanism has the processing tray 37 as shown in FIG. It is composed of a staple unit (first binding unit) 47 and an eco-binding unit (second binding unit) 51 which can be moved along the rear end of the paper mounting surface 37a.

  FIG. 8 shows a staple unit (first binding unit) 47 and an eco-binding unit (second binding unit) 51 arranged on the processing tray. In the illustrated apparatus, the binding position Cp1 is set at the sheet corner located on the left side of the drawing. The first binding unit 47 and the second binding unit 51 reciprocally move to the binding position Cp1.

  Therefore, the first binding unit 47 moves with a predetermined stroke SL1 along the first traveling rail 53 and the second traveling rail 54 formed on the device frame 27b, and similarly, the second binding unit 51 is arranged on the device frame 57. The first guide rod 56a and the second guide rod 56b (see FIG. 12) are arranged so as to move with a stroke SL2.

  FIG. 9 shows the sheets carried into the processing tray 37 and the movement strokes of the first and second binding units 47 and 51. Sheets of different sizes from the maximum size sheet to the minimum size sheet are carried into the processing tray 37 based on the center. A pair of left and right side edge aligning members 39F and 39R align this sheet with reference to the binding side edge (left side edge in the figure) of the sheet (so that sheets of different sizes are aligned). Therefore, the left and right aligning members 39F and 39R are connected to different drive motors M1 and M2, respectively, and the control means 95 described later sets the moving amounts of the left and right aligning members 39F and 39R according to the sheet size.

  The control unit 95 described later aligns the sheets on the basis of the center in the binding processing other than the binding processing of the sheet corners, for example, in the multi-binding mode described below. In this case, the right and left aligning members 39F and 39R move the same amount toward the sheet center from the standby position to position the sheets at the binding position.

  Explaining according to FIG. 9, the first binding unit 47 has the first stroke SL1 between the standby position Wp1 (first standby position) and the binding position Cp1, and the second binding unit 51 has the standby position Wp2 (second standby position). And the binding position Cp1 are moved in the second stroke SL2. That is, the first binding unit 47 reciprocates between the standby position Wp1 and the binding position Cp1 along the traveling rails 53 and 54 (guide grooves, guide rods, etc.), and the second binding unit 51 guide rods 56a and 56b ( It reciprocates between the standby position Wp2 and the binding position Cp1 along the guide groove).

The binding position Cp1 is set at the sheet corner (hereinafter referred to as "set binding position"), and the first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 have the following relationship with respect to this position.
(1) The first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 are set on opposite sides of the set binding position Cp1.
(2) The first standby position Wp1 is outside the maximum size sheet to be bound on the processing tray, or the binding processing position farthest from the set binding position Cp1 on the processing tray (multi-binding position Ma or manual binding position described later). Mp; maximum remote binding position).
(3) The second standby position Wp2 is set outside the side edge of the sheet aligned with the set binding position (outside the sheet placement area on the sheet placement surface).
(4) The first stroke length SL1 between the first standby position Wp1 and the set binding position Cp1 is set to be larger (longer) than the second stroke length SL2 between the second standby position Wp2 and the set binding position Cp1. To do.

  In this way, by setting the first standby position Wp1 and the second standby position Wp2 to the opposite sides with respect to the set binding position Cp1, when one unit approaches, the other unit moves in the direction to move away (reciprocal retract approach). motion). By setting SL1> SL2, the binding processing position of the first binding unit 47 (multi-binding position Ma described later) can be set relatively freely. On the other hand, the second binding unit 51 performs the binding process only at the preset binding position. As a result, the total movement stroke length of the first and second binding units 47 and 51 can be set small, and the device can be downsized.

  When the first binding unit 47 is at the set binding position Cp1, the second binding unit is at the standby position Wp2, and when the second binding unit 51 is at the set binding position Cp1, the control unit 95, which will be described later, sets the first binding unit at the standby position Wp1. Move both units reciprocally so that they are located at.

  The reciprocal position movements of the first and second binding units 47 and 51 can be performed by (1) varying the amount of rotation with independent drive motors according to the movement stroke, or (2) using the same drive source to bind the first binding unit. Either of the moving amounts of 47 and the second binding unit 51 is made different.

  FIG. 10 shows a mode in which the first binding unit 47 and the second binding unit 51 have the same drive source but different movement amounts. A pair of left and right pulleys 58a and 58b are arranged on the device frame 27b along the movement region of the first unit (horizontal direction in FIG. 10), and a timing belt 59 (toothed belt) is laid between both pulleys. A drive motor M3 (stepping motor) is connected to the pulley 58a of.

  A transmission pinion 75 is connected to the other pulley 58b via a differential means (transmission means) 74, and a rack 76 fixed to the frame of the second binding unit 51 is meshed with this pinion. The differential means 74 is composed of a gear mechanism having a transmission ratio suitable for the stroke difference between the first and second strokes SL1 and SL2, a slip clutch mechanism, or a combination of these two mechanisms.

"Staple moving mechanism"
As shown in FIG. 3, a staple unit is attached to a staple device frame (chassis frame) 27b fixed to the side frame frames 70f and 70r by penetrating an opening 70x provided in the side frame frame 70f of the device frame 70. 47 is mounted so as to be movable with a predetermined stroke. A first traveling rail 53 and a second traveling rail 54 are arranged on the device frame 27b. A traveling rail surface 53x is formed on the first traveling rail 53, and a traveling cam surface 54x is formed on the second traveling rail 54. The traveling rail surface 53x and the traveling cam surface 54x cooperate with each other to form the staple unit 47 (hereinafter referred to as this section). Then, the "moving unit" is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating with a predetermined stroke, and at the same time, its angular posture is controlled.

  The first traveling rail 53 and the second traveling rail 54 are formed with rail surfaces 53x and traveling cam surfaces 54x so as to reciprocate within the moving range of the moving unit (see FIG. 5). A timing belt 59 connected to a drive motor (travel motor) M3 is fixed to the moving unit 47 (staple unit). The timing belt 59 is wound around a pair of pulleys 58a and 58b pivotally supported by the device frame 27b, and the drive motor M3 is connected to one of the pulleys. Therefore, the staple unit 47 reciprocates with the stroke SL1 by the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor M3.

  The moving unit 47 is engaged with the first and second traveling rails 53 and 54 as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, the moving unit 47 includes a first rolling roller 83 (rail fitting member) that engages with the traveling rail surface 53x and a second rolling roller 84 (that engages with the traveling cam surface 54x. A cam follower member) is provided. Along with this, the moving unit 47 is formed with ball-shaped sliding rollers 47x (two positions are shown) that engage with the support (support) surface of the frame 27b. Further, the moving unit 47 is formed with a guide roller 47y that engages with the bottom surface of the bottom frame part frame, and prevents the moving unit 47 from floating above the bottom frame frame 27b.

  With the above configuration, the moving unit 47 is movably supported by the bottom frame 27b by the sliding rollers 47x and the guide rollers 47y. At the same time, the first rolling roller 83 moves along the traveling rail surface 53x, and the second rolling roller 84 travels along the traveling cam surface 54x while moving along the rail surface 53x and the cam surface 54x.

"Stack tray lifting mechanism"
As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet post-processing apparatus B is provided with the first tray 49 on the exterior cover 73. The first tray 49 is configured to move up and down according to the stacking amount of sheets. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, guide rollers 85 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the base end portion of the first tray 49, and these guide rollers are fitted and supported by an elevating guide 86 provided on the apparatus frame 27. . The base end of the first tray 49 is connected to a lifting belt 87, and the lifting belt is supported by a pair of upper and lower pulleys 88a and 88b. A lifting motor M4 is connected to one of the pulleys (driving side pulley) 88a. Therefore, by controlling the rotation of the lifting motor M4, the first tray 49 moves up and down according to the stacking amount of sheets.

"Sheet bundle unloading mechanism"
The above-mentioned processing tray 37 is provided with a sheet bundle unloading mechanism for unloading the bound sheet bundle toward the first tray 49 on the downstream side. As a means for conveying the sheet bundle to the downstream side, a method of conveying with a pair of rollers that are in pressure contact with each other (delivery roller means), and a conveyor that pushes out the rear end of the sheet with an extrusion member that moves from the upstream side to the downstream side along the tray surface The means are known. The illustrated device employs both of these means.

  FIG. 12 shows the sheet bundle unloading mechanism, which moves the pushing protrusions 38 that move from the binding position (processing position) located on the upstream side along the processing tray 37 to the stack tray (first tray) 49 on the downstream side, and the pushing protrusions. The conveyor belt 38v and its drive motor M6 constitute a conveyor means. A driven roller 48 is disposed on the processing tray 37 (boundary between the paper placing surface 37a and the first tray 49), and an elevating roller 41 that comes into pressure contact with the driven roller is disposed opposite to the driven roller in the above-described configuration. The carry-out roller means is constituted by 48 and the elevating roller 41.

  Therefore, the processing tray 37 is provided with the conveyor means 38, 38v for transferring the sheet bundle from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the carry-out roller means 48, 41 for nipping the sheet bundle and carrying it out. . FIG. 12A shows a state in which the sheet bundle is positioned at the binding position on the processing tray, and at this time, the conveyor means 38, 38v and the carry-out roller means 48, 41 are placed in the operating state. FIG. 11B shows a state in which the sheet bundle is being transferred from the processing position to the downstream side, and the sheet bundle is sent to the downstream side by the position movement of the extrusion protrusion 38 and the rotation of the carry-out roller means 48, 41. FIG. 6C shows a state immediately before the sheet bundle is carried out to the first tray 49 on the downstream side, and the sheet bundle is gradually moved to the downstream side (low speed) by rotation of the carry-out roller means 48, 41 on the processing tray. Sent). At this time, the push-out projection 38 stands by at the position shown in the figure and returns (reverses) to the initial position.

"Stapling Unit Configuration"
The structure of the above-mentioned staple unit will be described with reference to FIG. The stapling unit 47 is configured separately from the sheet post-processing apparatus B. A box-shaped unit frame 47a, a drive cam 47d pivotally supported by the frame, and a drive motor M4 for rotating the drive cam are mounted on the unit frame 47a.

  A staple head 47b and an anvil member 47c are arranged on the drive cam 47d so as to face each other at the binding position, and the staple head 47b is biased by the drive cam 47d by an urging spring (not shown) from an upper standby position to a lower staple position (anvil member). ) Move up and down. A needle cartridge 52 is detachably attached to the unit frame.

  A linear blank needle is stored in the staple cartridge 52, and the staple feeding mechanism supplies the staple to the staple head 47b. The staple head portion 47b has a built-in former member that bends a linear needle into a U-shape, and a driver that presses the bent needle into the sheet bundle. With such a configuration, the drive motor M4 rotates the drive cam 47d to store energy in the biasing spring. Then, when the rotation angle reaches a predetermined angle, the staple head portion 47b vigorously descends to the anvil member 47c side. By this operation, the staple is bent into a U shape and then inserted into the sheet bundle by a driver. Then, the tip end thereof is bent by the anvil member 47c and stapled.

  Further, a staple feeding mechanism is built in between the staple cartridge 52 and the staple head 47b, and a sensor (empty sensor) for detecting the absence of staples is arranged in the staple feeding portion. Alternatively, the unit frame 47a is provided with a cartridge sensor (not shown) that detects whether or not the needle cartridge 52 is inserted.

  The illustrated needle cartridge 52 has a structure in which staples connected in a belt shape in a box-shaped cartridge are stacked and stored, and a structure in which they are stored in a roll shape. The unit frame 47a is provided with a circuit for controlling the above-mentioned sensors and a circuit board for controlling the drive motor M4 so that a warning signal is issued when the staple cartridge 52 is not housed and the staples are empty. It has become. Further, the staple control circuit controls the drive motor M4 to execute the stapling operation with the staple needle signal, and when the staple head moves from the standby position to the anvil position and returns to the standby position again, the "operation end signal" is issued. Is configured to originate.

"Structure of stapleless binding unit"
The structure of the stapleless binding unit 51 described above will be described with reference to FIG. As a needleless binding means for binding a sheet bundle without using metal needles, means for binding the sheet bundles by pressing the sheet bundle from the front and back sides with a pressure member having an uneven surface that meshes with each other (press bind binding device) And a means for forming slit-like cuts in the sheet bundle to fold and bind the paper sheets (cutting and binding device; see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-256008), and means for binding with a vegetable resin string ( Resin string binding devices) and the like are known. These binding methods are known as eco-binding binding methods because they are bound using a sheet bundle without using metal needles. The press bind mechanism will be described below as an example.

  As a press binding mechanism, uneven surfaces are formed on pressure surfaces 51b and 51c which can be pressed and separated from each other, and the sheet bundle is pinched from the front and back sides to deform and bind the sheets. FIG. 13B shows a press bind unit 51 in which a movable frame member 51d is swingably supported by a base frame member 51a, and both frames are swung by a support shaft 51x so that they can be pressed and separated from each other. A follower roller 60a is arranged on the movable frame member 51d, and a drive cam 60b arranged on the base frame member 51a is engaged with this follower roller.

  A drive motor M5 arranged on the base frame member 51a is connected to the drive cam 60b via a reduction mechanism, and the drive cam 60b rotates by the rotation of the motor, and the cam surface (the eccentric cam shown in the drawing) moves the movable frame. It is configured to swing the member 51d.

  The lower pressing surface 51c is arranged on the base frame member 51a, and the upper member pressing surface 51b is arranged on the movable frame member 51d. An urging spring (not shown) is arranged between the base frame member 51a and the movable frame member 51d, and urges the pressing surfaces in a direction in which they are separated from each other.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 13 (b), the upper pressing surface 51b and the lower pressing surface 51c are formed with a protrusion on one side and a concave groove on the other side, which is adapted to this. The ridge and the concave groove are formed in a ridge (rib) shape having a predetermined length. Therefore, the sheet bundle pinched by the upper pressure surface 51b and the lower pressure surface 51c is transformed into a corrugated plate shape and comes into close contact. A position sensor (not shown) is arranged on the base frame member 51a (unit frame), and is configured to detect whether the upper and lower pressing surfaces 51b and 51c are at the pressing position or the separating position.

  The press bind unit (eco-stitching unit; second stapling unit) 51 configured as described above includes the first and second guide rods 56a and 56b (with grooves) arranged on the device frame 57 attached to the side frame 70r. May be present), and as described above, the set binding position Cp1 of the sheets stacked on the processing tray 37 located between the side frame frames 70f and 70r and the rear side of the side frame frame 70r. It reciprocates between itself and the second standby position Wp.

[Description of control configuration]
A control configuration in the image forming system in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 14 includes a control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus A (hereinafter referred to as “main body control unit”) and a control unit 95 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B (hereinafter referred to as “binding process control unit”). . The main body control unit 90 includes a print control unit 91, a paper feed control unit 92, and an input unit 93 (control panel).

  Then, the "image forming mode" and the "post-processing mode" are set from the input unit 93 (control panel). The image forming mode includes mode settings such as color / monochrome printing, double-sided / single-sided printing, and image forming conditions such as sheet size, sheet quality, number of printouts, and enlarged / reduced printing. The "post-processing mode" is set to, for example, "print-out mode", "staple binding processing mode", "eco-binding processing mode", "jog sorting mode", or the like. The illustrated apparatus is provided with a "manual binding mode", and in this mode, a binding processing operation of a sheet bundle is executed off-line, separately from the main body control unit 90 of the image forming apparatus A.

  Further, the main body control unit 90 transfers the post-processing mode, the number of sheets, copy number information, paper thickness information of sheets to be image-formed, and the like to the binding processing control unit 95. At the same time, the main body control unit 90 transfers a job end signal to the binding processing control unit 95 each time image formation is completed.

  Explaining the above-mentioned post-processing mode, in the "print-out mode", the sheets from the paper discharge port 35 are accommodated in the stack tray 49 via the processing tray 37 without binding processing. In this case, the sheets are stacked on the processing tray 37 and stacked, and the stacked sheet bundle is carried out to the stack tray 49 by a jog end signal from the main body control unit 90.

  In the "staple binding processing mode", the sheets from the sheet discharge port 35 are stacked on the processing tray and aligned, and the bundle of sheets is bound and stored in the stack tray 49. In this case, as a general rule, the sheets to be imaged are designated by the operator as sheets having the same paper thickness and the same size. In this staple binding processing mode, any one of “multi-binding”, “right corner binding”, and “left corner binding” is selected and designated. Each binding position is as described above.

  The "jog sorting mode" is divided into a group in which sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus A are stacked by offsetting, and a group in which sheets are stacked without being offset, and the stack trays are offset by turns. And stacks of sheets that are not offset are stacked.

"Manual binding mode"
On the front side of the apparatus, the exterior cover is provided with a manual feed setting unit for setting a sheet bundle to be bound by an operator. A sensor for detecting the set sheet bundle is arranged on the setting surface of the manual feed setting unit, and a binding processing control unit 95, which will be described later, moves the stapler unit 47 to the manual binding position by a signal from the sensor. When the operator depresses the operation switch, the binding process is executed.

  Therefore, in this manual binding mode, the binding processing control unit 95 and the main body control unit 90 are controlled off-line. However, when the manual binding mode and the staple binding mode are executed at the same time, the mode is set so that one of them takes precedence.

[Binding control unit]
The binding processing control unit 95 operates the sheet post-processing apparatus B according to the post-processing mode set by the image forming control unit 90. The binding processing control unit 95 shown in the figure is composed of a control CPU (hereinafter, simply referred to as control means). A ROM 96 and a RAM 97 are connected to the control CPU 95, and the control program stored in the ROM 96 and the control data stored in the RAM 97 execute a paper discharge operation described later. Therefore, the control CPU 95 is connected to the drive circuits of all the drive motors described above, and controls the start, stop, and forward / reverse rotation of each motor.

[Paper ejection operation mode]
The control section (main body control section) 90 of the image forming apparatus A sets the post-processing (finishing processing) mode of the image-formed sheet at the same time as the image forming conditions. The illustrated apparatus is set to "staple binding mode", "eco binding mode", "jog sorting mode", "bookbinding finishing mode", "printout mode", "interruption mode" and "manual binding mode". The operation of each mode will be described below.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation flow of stapling or eco-stitching the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray 37 of the first processing unit B1 and storing the sheet bundle in the first tray 49 on the downstream side. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet discharge mode in which the sheets are jog-sorted for each set, and the sheets are offset in the sheet discharge orthogonal direction by the jog mechanism (roller shift mechanism; not shown) of the third processing unit (sheet carry-in path) B3. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement flow which stores in the downstream 3rd tray 71 later. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a bookbinding processing sheet discharge mode in which the sheets are booklet-finished by the second processing unit B2.

"Staple binding mode and eco-binding mode in the first processing unit"
Explaining according to FIG. 15, the post-processing mode is set by the control panel 93 of the image forming apparatus A (St01). The control means 95 of the sheet post-processing apparatus B moves the second binding unit 51 when eco-binding processing is designated based on the post-processing mode setting information (St02) (St05). When the staple binding process is designated, the first binding unit 47 is moved (St06).

  When performing the staple binding process, the first binding unit 47 is moved to the set binding position Cp1 and the second binding unit 51 is moved to the second standby position Wp2. When this unit position is set as the home position, each unit moves after confirming whether or not each unit is at the home position.

  Next, the image forming apparatus A forms an image and discharges the sheet (St07, St08). The sheet post-processing device B receives the image forming sheet sent to the carry-in port 26 and conveys it to the downstream side (St09). At this time, when the punching process is designated (St10), the control means 95 temporarily stops the sheet at the punching position (St11). Then, the punch unit 100 is moved in the direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge, the side edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor to determine a predetermined punching position, and then the punch unit 100 is stopped to perform the punching operation (St13).

  When the punching process is not designated, the control unit 95 accepts the sheet on the carry-in side and conveys the sheet to the sheet discharge port. Then, it is carried into the processing tray 37 and positioned at a predetermined position by the positioning means (St15). The control unit 95 stacks the sheets sent to the sheet discharge port 35 on the sheet mounting surface of the processing tray 37 and stores them (St07 to St15). When the jog end signal is received from the image forming apparatus A (St16), the control means 95 sends a binding processing instruction signal to the first binding unit 47 or the second binding unit 51. Then, the first binding unit 47 or the second binding unit 51 executes the binding process (St17).

  When the control unit 95 receives the binding processing end signal from the first (or second) binding unit 47, 51, the sheet bundle bound by the sheet bundle unloading unit is stored in the first tray 49 on the downstream side (St18). . Then, a stacking height detection sensor (not shown) arranged on the first tray 49 detects the stacking height, and when the stack height exceeds a predetermined angle, the first tray 49 is lowered (St20). Next, the control means 95 determines whether or not there is a next job (St21) and completes the operation.

  The jog sorting paper discharge mode will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 95 temporarily stops the sheet (St22 to St24) sent to the carry-in port 26 of the sheet carry-in path 28 at the punching position when the punching process is designated (St25) (St26). To do. Then, the punch unit 100 is moved in the paper discharge orthogonal direction (St27), the side edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor to determine a predetermined punching position, and then the punch unit 100 is stopped to perform the punching operation (St28). )

  Next, the control unit 95 rotates the roller unit in the paper discharge direction to carry out the sheet from the third paper discharge path 30 to the third tray 71 (St29) (St30). When the sheet is an even-numbered page (St31, St32), the roller unit is stopped (St33), and the position of the sheet is moved in the sheet discharge nipping direction by a preset offset amount (St34). After that, the control means 95 rotates the roller unit again in the paper discharge direction (St35). At this time, the first path switching unit 33 is shifted in the direction of guiding the sheet from the carry-in port 26 to the third sheet discharge path 30, and the sheet is accumulated on the third tray 71 (St36).

  The bookbinding processing discharge mode will be described with reference to FIG. The image-formed sheet is guided to the sheet carry-in path 28 in the same manner as described above. This sheet is guided from the carry-in port 26 to the second processing section B2, and is abutted and regulated by the leading edge regulating stopper 67. At this time, the control unit 95 has previously received information on the size of the sheet in the sheet discharge direction from the image forming apparatus A and set the position of the leading edge regulation stopper 67.

  The sheets accumulated in the second processing unit B2 are subjected to the binding process by moving the binding unit (saddle binding unit) to the central portion of the sheet in response to a job end signal from the image forming apparatus A. The sheet bundle is moved to the folding position and the folding roll 64 is rotated when the binding process is completed at one or two places. When the folding blade 65 is inserted in the folding direction and the folding roller 64 is rotated by a predetermined amount, the folding blade 65 is retracted. Then, the folding processing sheet is delivered in the sheet ejection direction by the sheet ejection roller 69 on the downstream side and is stored in the second tray 61.

26 carry-in port 27 device housing 28 sheet conveyance path 37 processing tray 47 binding means 49 stack tray 70 device frame 70f side frame frame (front side)
70r Side frame (rear side)
73f Front cover (open / close cover)
73r Rear cover 77 Manual feed setting part 77a Slit-shaped opening 100 Punch unit 101 Punch member (101a to 101e)
102 unit frame 103 drive cam 104 waste box 105 guide rail 106 rotation operation member 107 rotary shaft 108 guide rail 109 rack 110 pinion M7 drive motor M8 shift motor (shift means)

Claims (9)

A sheet processing apparatus for processing a sheet ,
Transporting means for transporting the sheet,
Stacking means for stacking the sheets conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying means,
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the direction intersecting the transport direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the intersecting direction, and the first regulating means,
Second regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the transport direction by contacting an end portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means in the transport direction;
By moving in the intersecting direction, the sheet processing apparatus is configured to move from one side to the other side and move from the other side to the one side. The corner portion of the sheet bundle including the one end portion and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second restricting unit, is bound at the first position by using a needle. First binding means,
A first pressure unit and a second pressure unit, wherein the first pressure unit and the second pressure unit clamp the sheet bundle when binding the sheet bundle; The corner portion of the sheet bundle, including the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the regulating means and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second regulating means, A second binding means for binding without using
The second binding means, said first pressure and said second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, wherein the first binding unit It is configured to be movable away from
The first binding means includes an end portion of the other side of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second regulating means, It is possible to bind the corner portion of the sheet bundle at the second position,
The second position is set to the other side of the first position in the intersecting direction,
The second binding means is movable on the one side of the second position in the intersecting direction, and does not move to the other side of the second position in the intersecting direction. Sheet processing device. Has control means,
The control means is
A corner portion of the sheet bundle including an end portion of the sheet bundle on the one side in contact with the first regulating means and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction on which the second regulating means contacts. and may give binding by the first binding means, said second binding unit, are positioned on the one side than the first binding means,
A corner portion of the sheet bundle including an end portion of the sheet bundle on the one side in contact with the first regulating means and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the conveying direction on which the second regulating means contacts. When the second binding means is used for binding, the first binding means is positioned on the other side of the second binding means,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The control means includes an end portion of the sheet bundle on one side with which the first regulating means contacts, and an end portion of the sheet bundle with respect to the transport direction on which the second regulating means contacts. When the corner portion of the sheet bundle is bound by the second binding means, the first binding means is located on the other side of the other end of the sheet bundle. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to item 2. The second binding means is configured to move in the intersecting direction,
The control means includes an end portion of the sheet bundle on one side with which the first regulating means contacts, and an end portion of the sheet bundle with respect to the transport direction on which the second regulating means contacts. In the case where the corner portion of the sheet bundle is bound by the first binding means, the second binding means is arranged on the one side of the one end portion of the sheet bundle and on the one side of the first binding means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is located on one side.   The second regulating means regulates the position of the sheet bundle in the transport direction by contacting an upstream end of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means in the transport direction. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The discharge unit that moves the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking unit in the transport direction and discharges the sheet bundle from the stacking unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to.   7. The first binding means is capable of binding a plurality of positions of an end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second regulation means, at a plurality of positions. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to item 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet,
Stacking means for stacking sheets conveyed in the conveying direction from the image forming means,
Of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, by contacting the end portion in the direction intersecting the transport direction, of the sheet bundle, to regulate the position of the intersecting direction, and the first regulating means,
Second regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet bundle in the transport direction by contacting an end portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means in the transport direction;
By moving in the intersecting direction, the image forming apparatus is configured to move from one side to the other side and from the other side to the one side. The corner portion of the sheet bundle including the one end portion and the end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second restricting unit, is bound at the first position by using a needle. First binding means,
A first pressure unit and a second pressure unit, wherein the first pressure unit and the second pressure unit clamp the sheet bundle when binding the sheet bundle; The corner portion of the sheet bundle, including the one end of the sheet bundle in contact with the regulating means and the end of the sheet bundle in the transport direction in contact with the second regulating means, A second binding means for binding without using
The second binding means, said first pressure and said second pressure is configured to be movable integrally Rutotomoni, without moving integrally with the first binding unit, wherein the first binding unit It is configured to be movable away from
The first binding unit includes an end portion of the other side of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking unit, and an end portion of the sheet bundle in the transport direction, which is in contact with the second restricting unit, It is possible to bind the corner portion of the sheet bundle at the second position,
The second position is set to the other side of the first position in the intersecting direction,
The second binding means is movable on the one side of the second position in the intersecting direction and does not move to the other side of the second position in the intersecting direction. Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
A sheet processing device for accumulating and binding the sheets sent from the image forming apparatus,
An image forming system, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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