JP6971556B2 - Sheet processing device and image forming device equipped with this - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus for processing a sheet, and more particularly to to improve consistency when the sheet is temporarily placed on a mounting tray for processing the sheet.

Conventionally, some image forming devices such as copiers, laser beam printers, facsimiles, and multifunction devices thereof are provided with a sheet processing device that performs sheet processing such as binding on a sheet on which an image is formed.

In such an image forming apparatus, when binding a sheet stack by the sheet processing apparatus, will create a sheet bundle that is not aligned with the sheet bundle placed on the loading tray are not aligned, once to fix this It is necessary to re-stitch the bound sheet. Therefore, in the sheet processing apparatus, it is an important factor to arrange the sheets in an orderly manner.

On the other hand, recent devices are required to have a large capacity and high speed sheet processing.
As an answer to this request, the apparatus shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This apparatus is shown in FIG. 22 attached, and is a sheet processing apparatus BO attached to the image forming apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus BO is to discharge as a bundle with a relatively large volume of sheet is placed on the tray T perform binding with binding unit TSP by stacking tray AT the discharge roller R. Further, a saddle stitching tray NT and a saddle stitching unit NSP for binding the saddle stitch to the sheet transport are also provided in the middle of the tray by branching the transport path at the entrance of the device for saddle stitching of the sheets.

In this device, in order to realize the above-mentioned large-capacity and high-speed sheet processing, when the bundle of sheets placed on the mounting tray T is bound by the binding unit TSP, the subsequent sheets are placed in front of the temporary mounting tray. The standby tray BT is on standby. The standby tray BT (generally also referred to as a buffer tray) waits for about 1 to 3 sheets, and during this standby, a bundle of sheets of the mounting tray T is bound.

Further, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), this apparatus shifts the sheet bundle BP that has been bound by the mounting tray T and the subsequent sheet bundle that has been waiting in the standby tray BT by a predetermined amount for higher speed processing. Is nipped by the discharge roller R (upper discharge roller R1, lower discharge roller R2) and moved to the integration tray AT side. As a result, the sheet bundle BP is first removed from the discharge roller R and accumulated in the accumulation tray AT.

On the other hand, the succeeding sheets (WP1 to WP3) are niped in the discharge roller R. This timing temporarily stop the discharge rollers R, when now is rotated in the reverse direction, the succeeding sheet is switchback transport in tray T above, are placed on the tray T. This discharging method is generally called simultaneous bundling, and the subsequent sheets can be unloaded from the standby tray BT faster, so that the speed of the apparatus can be increased.

Further, in the apparatus of the cited document 1, the last succeeding sheet WP3 is closer to the tip end side of the sheet bundle BP than the previous succeeding sheets WP1 and 2. This is because the rotation of the discharge rollers, the succeeding sheet may be around, is provided et shift amount wpl1 To prevent this in advance is set. (See FIG. 47 of Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent No. 4298360

In Patent Document 1, only the third sheet of the succeeding sheet is displaced from the previous succeeding sheet to the tip end side of the sheet bundle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), when the number of sheet bundle BPs that have been bound is about 50 to 70, the upper discharge roller R1 of the roller arm RA immediately after the sheet bundle BP is discharged by the discharge roller R. It will move toward the mounting tray T (upstream side) around the fulcrum PR. At this time, when the upper discharge roller R1 rotates with its upstream side as a fulcrum, the succeeding sheet WP3 in contact with the upper discharge roller R1 also moves significantly in the direction of the arrow PM in the figure due to this rotation.

By this movement, the uppermost succeeding sheet WP3 in contact with the upper discharge roller R1 also moves to the right side in the drawing. Further, due to this movement, the second succeeding sheet WP2 may be displaced to the right side of the figure from the succeeding sheet WP1 due to the movement of the succeeding sheet WP3, and may not be corrected by the scraping roller KR on the tip side of the mounting tray. In other words, what should be the last sheet of the succeeding sheet on the leftmost side was disturbed by being reversed in that order. When this occurs, the top succeeding sheet WP3 sent by the scraping roller KR comes into contact with the tip reference KJ first, and the succeeding sheets WP2 and WP1 below it do not reach the tip reference KJ and are aligned on the mounting tray T. It causes a defect.

Further, when there are two succeeding sheets, the shift amount of the succeeding sheet WP may be increased in advance, but this time, when the sheet bundle thickness of the mounting tray is thin, the movement amount becomes too large and the matching is performed. There was a situation where it took a long time or could not be matched.

Accordingly, the present invention is, depending on the thickness of the bundle of sheets placed on the tray above (number of sheets), and change the shift amount of the subsequent sheet between, reducing the inconvenience of alignment due to the thickness of the sheet bundle It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

Therefore, the present invention comprises a transport roller that transports sheets in a predetermined transport direction, a mounting tray that integrates the sheets transported from the transport rollers and mounts them in a predetermined position as a sheet bundle, and the above-mentioned mounting tray. a discharge port for discharging the sheet bundle in a predetermined discharge direction from, in the discharge direction, is provided on the downstream side of the upper the placement tray, and the stacking tray for stacking the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port , The sheet bundle of the above-mentioned placing tray and the succeeding sheet conveyed by the above-mentioned transport roller are niped in a staggered state, the above-mentioned sheet bundle is discharged to the above-mentioned stacking tray, and the succeeding sheet is switched back to the above-mentioned placement tray. The swingable discharge roller left in the above-mentioned placement tray, the feed member for sending the successor sheet left in the above-mentioned placement tray to the predetermined position, and the above-mentioned discharge roller switch back the successor sheet to the above-mentioned placement tray. The switchback position is set when the sheet bundle discharged from the above-mentioned storage tray has the first thickness, as compared with the case where the sheet bundle has a second thickness less than the first thickness. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the changing portion for changing a position between the transport roller and the discharge roller in the discharge direction and close to the discharge roller.

According to the present invention, the amount of displacement between subsequent sheets is changed according to the thickness (number of sheets) of the bundle of sheets previously placed on the mounting tray to prevent a problem of matching due to the thickness of the sheet bundle. It is possible to provide a reduced sheet processing device and an image forming device.

Explanatory drawing which showed the whole structure which combined the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. The whole explanatory view of the sheet processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. Enlarged side view around the mounting tray (first processing tray) of the sheet processing device. Explanatory drawing for driving a transport roller, a branch roller, and a discharge roller. In a series of operation explanatory views in which relatively thin bundles (3 sheets) are stored in a mounting tray and subsequent sheets (3 sheets) are made to stand by, FIG. 5A shows the sheets from the transfer path being conveyed by a transfer roller. Explanatory drawing. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of a state in which the discharged sheets are continuously switched back and stored in the mounting tray. A state diagram following FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (a), the state diagram first three sheets were placed on the tray. FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of a state in which the first subsequent sheet wp1 is continuously carried in. In the state explanatory diagram following FIG. 6, FIG. 7A is a state explanatory diagram in which the first subsequent sheet wp1 is switched back by a transport roller and waits in a branch path (standby path). FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the first succeeding sheet wp1 is waiting in the branch path and the second succeeding sheet wp2 is being carried in. In the state explanatory diagram following FIG. 7, FIG. 8A is a state explanatory view in which two succeeding sheets wp1wp2 are waiting in a branch path and a third succeeding sheet wp3 is being carried in. FIG. 8B is an explanatory view of a state in which the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray is discharged, and the three subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 and the sheet bundle BP1 are combined and niped in the middle of the discharge, and are simultaneously discharged. A state diagram following FIG 8, FIG. 9 (a), the state diagram succeeding sheet wp1~wp3 the sheet bundle BP1 from the loading tray is left behind on one tray to be discharged is started switchback .. FIG. 9B shows a state in which the first sheet bundle BP1 is placed on the stacking tray, the second sheet bundle PB2 is placed on the mounting tray, and the subsequent seventh subsequent sheet wp1 is carried in. figure. FIG. 10A is a series of operation explanatory views following FIG. 5 in which a relatively thick bundle (65 sheets) is stored in a mounting tray and the subsequent sheets (3 sheets) are made to stand by. FIG. 10A is the first sheet of the second part. The state explanatory view which the succeeding sheet wp1 of an eye is carried in. FIG. 10B is a state explanatory view in which the rear end of the subsequent sheet wp1 of the first sheet of the second part is detected and the switchback is started. In the state explanatory diagram following FIG. 10, FIG. 11A is a state explanatory diagram in which the first sheet wp1 of the second part is carried into the branch path as a standby sheet. FIG. 11B is an explanatory view of a state in which the second succeeding sheet wp2 is carried in. In the state explanatory diagram following FIG. 11, FIG. 12A is a state explanatory view in which two succeeding sheets wp1wp2 are waiting in a branch path and a third succeeding sheet wp3 is being carried in. FIG. 12B is an explanatory view of a state in which the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray is discharged by the discharge roller, and is niped together with the three subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 in the middle and discharged at the same time. A state diagram following FIG 12, FIG. 13 (a), the subsequent sheet wp1~wp3 of three sheet bundle BP1 from the loading tray is left behind on one tray to be discharged is started switchback State explanatory diagram. FIG. 13B is an explanatory view of a state in which the first sheet bundle BP1 is placed on the stacking tray, the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 are placed on the mounting tray, and the subsequent fourth succeeding sheet is carried in. 13 (a) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the thick sheet bundle and the succeeding sheet, and FIG. 14 (a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship with the succeeding sheet immediately after the sheet bundle is ejected from the mounting tray. FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram in which the amount of displacement between subsequent sheets increases in proportion to the thickness of the sheet bundle. FIG. 14 (c) is an explanatory diagram in which the amount of displacement of the succeeding sheet is gradually increased with respect to the thickness of the sheet bundle. 13 (a) and 14 (a) are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the succeeding sheet and the succeeding sheet at the time of discharging the thick sheet bundle. A flow chart of setting the amount of displacement between the succeeding sheets and setting the switchback position on the mounting tray of the succeeding sheets. The block diagram of the control configuration in the whole configuration of FIG. The block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 19A is a state explanatory view of a sheet bundle and a succeeding sheet of the sheet processing apparatus of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 19A is a state explanatory view in the case of a relatively thin sheet bundle. FIG. 19B is a state explanatory view in the case of a relatively thick sheet bundle. The block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a state explanatory view of a sheet bundle and a succeeding sheet of the sheet processing apparatus of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 20, and FIG. 21A is a state explanatory view in the case of a relatively thin sheet bundle. FIG. 21B is a state explanatory view in the case of a relatively thick sheet bundle. Explanatory drawing of the conventional sheet processing apparatus . It is a figure explaining the problem of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 (a) is a state explanatory view in the case of a relatively thin sheet bundle. FIG. 23B is an explanatory view of a relatively thick sheet bundle.

Hereinafter , embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming system including an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed configuration of the sheet processing apparatus B. In the accompanying drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the present specification.

[Image formation system]
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B. Then, the carry-in inlet 30 of the sheet processing device B is connected to the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and the sheet image-formed by the image forming apparatus A is stapled by the sheet processing apparatus B to the first integrated tray 24 or the first. 2 It is configured to be stored in the accumulation tray 26. Further, above the first integrated tray 24, an escape tray 22 for directly storing the sheets without binding processing is arranged.

[Image forming apparatus A]
The image forming apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus A is configured to send a sheet from the feeding unit 1 to the image forming unit 2, print on the sheet by the image forming unit 2, and then eject the sheet from the main body ejection port 3. In the paper feed unit 1, a plurality of size sheets are stored in the paper feed cassettes 1a and 1b, and the designated sheets are separated one by one and fed to the image forming unit 2.

In the image forming unit 2, for example, an electrostatic drum 4, a print head (laser light emitter) 5 and a developing device 6 arranged around the electrostatic drum 4, a transfer charger 7, and a fixing device 8 are arranged. The image forming unit 2 forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic drum 4 with a laser light emitter 5, adheres toner to the electrostatic latent image with a laser emitter 6, transfers an image onto a sheet with a transfer charger 7, and fixes the image. Heat fixing at 8 to form an image. The sheets image-formed in this way are sequentially carried out from the main body discharge port 3. FIG. 9 shows a circulation path, and the sheet printed on the front surface side from the fuser 8 is turned upside down via the switchback path 10, and then fed to the image forming unit 2 again to be printed on the back surface side of the sheet. This is the printing route. The sheet printed on both sides in this way is turned upside down in the switchback path 10 and then carried out from the main body discharge port 3.

FIG. 11 is an image reading device, in which a document sheet set on a platen 12 is scanned by a scanning unit 13 and electrically read by a photoelectric conversion element (for example, a CCD) 14. This image data is digitally processed by the image processing unit, for example, and then transferred to the data storage unit 17 to send an image signal to the laser light emitter 5. Further, FIG. 15 is a document feeder, which feeds the document sheet housed in the document stacker 16 to the platen 12.

The image forming apparatus A having the above configuration is provided with the image forming control unit 200 shown in FIG. 17, and the image forming conditions such as sheet size designation, color / monochrome printing designation, and number of print copies are provided from the control panel 18 via the input section 203. Printing conditions such as designation, single-sided / double-sided printing designation, and enlarged / reduced printing designation are set. Further, in the image forming apparatus A, the image data read by the scan unit 13 or the image data transferred from the external network is stored in the data storage unit 17. The image data is transferred from the data storage unit 17 to the buffer memory 19, and the data signal is sequentially transferred from the buffer memory 19 to the laser emitter 5.

From the control panel 18, sheet processing conditions are input and specified at the same time as image formation conditions such as single-sided / double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction printing, and monochrome / color printing. For this sheet processing condition, for example, "printout mode", "end face binding mode", "partitioning (jog) mode", "saddle stitching mode" and the like are set. These processing conditions will be described later.

[Sheet processing device B]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheet processing apparatus B integrates a sheet carry-in inlet 30 provided on one side of the apparatus frame 20 and a single sheet or a relatively thick sheet provided on the opposite outer side. The escape tray 22 is arranged. Below the escape tray 22, a first stacking tray 24 that can be raised and lowered to stack sheets that have been subjected to end face binding and a relatively large amount of sheets is located. Further, below the first stacking tray 24, a second stacking tray 26 for stacking saddle-stitched or folded sheets is provided. In the present invention, the end face refers to the surface around the end of the sheet, that is, the front and back surfaces of the edge of the sheet. Therefore, the end face binding process means binding the ends of the sheet bundle.

[Sheet transport route]
The from the entrance 30 of the sheet processing apparatus B, the conveying path 42 extending substantially linearly toward the tray outlet (discharge port) 50 from the carry path 32 is disposed. A punch unit 31 is provided in the carry-in path 32, and punching is performed on the end face of the sheet and, if necessary, in the middle of the carrying direction. A punch dust box 31b for collecting punch scraps generated during punch processing is detachably provided on the apparatus frame 20 below the carry-in path 32 of the punch unit 31.

A carry-in roller 34 for transporting the sheet is arranged on the downstream side of the punch unit 31 to transport the sheet at a relatively high speed. The transport path 42 on the downstream side of the carry-in roller 34 is provided with a forward-reversible transport roller 44 that guides the sheet to the mounting tray 54, which is the first processing tray, and the first integrated tray 24 on the downstream side thereof. .. Behind the transport roller 44 is a seat transport path outlet 46.

A discharge roller 48 capable of forward / reverse rotation is provided on the downstream side of the transport path outlet 46. The discharge roller 48 switches back the sheets to carry the sheets into the mounting tray 54, discharges the sheets straight to the first stacking tray 24, or bundles the sheets that have been end-face bound by the mounting tray 54. It is discharged from the mounting tray 54 to the first accumulation tray 24. Further, it is also possible to shift the position of each bundle without binding with the mounting tray 54 and discharge (jog discharge) so that the first stack tray 24 can be divided.

[Escape route, branch route]
Further, the transport path 42 is provided on an escape path 38 that guides the sheet to the escape tray 22 and a stacker 84 that is a second processing tray (second mounting tray) for saddle stitching and folding of a relatively long sheet. It is branched at the branch position 36 to the branch path 70 to be guided. At this branch position 36, switching of a route for selecting whether to transport the sheet as it is to the transport path 42, to transport to the escape path 38, or to switch back on the transport path 42 to guide the sheet to the branch path 70. A gate 37 is provided.

The branch path 70 is a path that is curved on the lower side so as to surround the tray 54 at the side of the loading tray 54 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 were switched back to later follow It is also used as a standby route for waiting for a seat. Further, the escape path 38 is provided with an escape roller 39 for conveying the sheet and an escape discharge roller 40 for discharging the sheet to the escape tray 22.

[End face binding part]
By the way, a mounting tray 54 (first processing tray) is provided below the transport path outlet 46 of the transport path 42, and on the lower end side thereof, end face binding for binding the end faces of the sheets temporarily accumulated on the mounting tray 54 is provided. The part 60 is located. The end face binding portion 60 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5.

[Saddle stitching part]
On the other hand, a relatively long sheet is once transported in the direction of the mounting tray 54 on the above-mentioned transport path 42, transported to the downstream side of the switching gate 37, and then switched back and transported to the branch path 70 to be transported to the branch outlet 76. Is accumulated in the stacker 84, which is the second mounting tray. A saddle stitching portion 80 for binding the middle of the accumulated sheets is arranged on the stacker 84. As shown in FIG. 2, at the branch outlet 76, every time a sheet is carried from the branch discharge roller 74 to the stacker 84, the sheet is urged to the left side of the drawing to prevent a collision between the rear end of the preceding sheet and the tip of the next sheet. A flapper 78 is provided.

[Stacker (second mounting tray)]
A stopper 85 that defines a seat loading position is located on the stacker 84. The stopper 85 moves in the direction of the arrow shown by driving the moving belt 88 stretched on the upper pulley 86 and the lower pulley 87 on the side of the stacker 84 by the stopper moving motor 85M. The position of the stopper 85 is a position where the rear end of the sheet can be changed by the above-mentioned change flapper 78 when the sheet is carried into the stacker 84, a position where saddle stitching is performed by the saddle stitching unit 82 at substantially the center of the sheet in the transport direction, and The saddle-stitched position is pushed by the folding blade 94 that reciprocates with the folding rollers 92 pairs, and the bundle of sheets is stopped at the position where the bundle of sheets is folded in half. Further, above and below the folding roller 92, saddle stitching matching plates 81 are provided on both sides of the sheet from the width direction of the sheet each time the stacker 84 of the sheet is carried in to perform a saddle stitching operation.

[Saddle stitching unit]
The saddle stitching portion 80 is provided with an anvil 83 which is provided at a position facing the bundle of sheets, for example, by driving a staple needle into the saddle stitching unit 82 by a screwdriver in the saddle stitching unit 82, and bends the leg portion of the staple needle. Since the saddle stitching unit 82 is already widely known, the description thereof is omitted here. However, as the binding means, not only the staples are pierced through the sheet bundle and bound, but also an adhesive is applied to the center of the sheet in the transport direction. It may be a mechanism of applying and laminating sheets to form a bundle.

[Second accumulation tray]
The sheet bundle bound by the saddle stitching unit 82 is folded in half by the folding roller 92 and the folding blade 94 for pushing the sheet bundle into the folding roller 92 and the bundle discharging roller 96 located on the downstream side thereof. Is discharged to the second stack tray 26. The second stacking tray 26 is provided with a rotatable roller 102 at the tip for dropping a bundle of folded sheets that is folded and discharged with its back side as the tip side onto the second stacking tray 26. A presser lever 104 that presses the stacked folded sheet bundles from above so as not to spread is attached. The presser roller 102 and the presser lever 104 open the folded sheet bundle to reduce the decrease in the collectability.

[Branch position and end face binding part]
Here, the branch position 36 and the end face binding portion 60 will be further described with reference to FIG. Here, as already described, carry-in port 30 from the carry roller 34 is arranged conveyance path 32, the conveyance path 42 linearly extending therefrom tray 54 direction, an escape path 38 which extends from the transport path 42 shown above A branch path (standby path) 70 that curves downward to guide the seat to the stacker 84 is shown. At the branch position 36, a switching gate 37 is arranged to selectively position and guide the sheet of the carry-in route 32 to the escape route 38 or the transport route 42, or the sheet to be switched back to the transport route 42 to the branch route 70. Has been done.

In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the escape route 38 is blocked at the solid line position to guide the sheet from the carry-in route 32 to the carry-in route 42, and the carry-in route is guided at the broken line position. It is shown that the sheet conveyed from 32 is guided to the escape path 38, and the sheet conveyed by switching back the transfer path 42 is guided to the branch path 70.

In the above-mentioned transport path 42, a transport roller 44 which reverses forward and reverses and is separated from each other is arranged immediately before the transport path outlet 46 which is the final end. That is, the transport roller 44 can transport the sheet to the mounting tray 54 side by rotating in one direction in the pressure contact state, and can switch back to the branch path (standby path) 70 side in the opposite direction by rotating the other.

[About switchback transport]
This switchback transfer is performed by rotating the transfer roller 44 on the other side after the seat sensor 42S arranged immediately after the switching gate 37 of the transfer path 42 detects the passage of the rear end of the seat. On the other hand, during rotation, the switching gate 37 is moved to a position that blocks the carry-in path 32 (dashed line position in FIG. 3), whereby the sheet is conveyed to the branch path 70 and is conveyed by the branch roller 72 (second transfer roller). It will be taken over and transported. When the rear end of the seat reaches a predetermined position, the branch roller 72 is stopped, and the seat is put into a standby state as a succeeding seat in the branch path 70. In this way, the branch roller 72 cooperates with the transfer roller 44 to wait for one to a plurality of subsequent sheets in the branch path 70.

By the way, on the downstream side of the transport roller 44, at the mounting tray outlet 50 ( discharge port of the mounting tray 54), discharge rollers 48 that reverse forward and are separated from each other are arranged. The discharge roller 48 is composed of a discharge upper roller 48a and a discharge lower roller 48b, which rotate in one direction in a pressure contact state with each other, and cooperate with the above-mentioned transport roller 44 to put a sheet on the first accumulation tray 24. Transport. The discharge roller 48 is also used when the sheet bundles accumulated in the mounting tray 54 are discharged by the reference surface 57, which is also a moving member for pushing the sheet bundles into the first accumulation tray 24.

[Carrying into the mounting tray 54]
Here, the loading of the sheet into the mounting tray 54 will be described. Carried to the loading tray 54 carries the inclined surface of the loading tray 54 in FIG. 3 the right in the other rotation of the discharge roller 48 located a sheet taken out of the transport roller 44 on the downstream side. The transferred sheet is further transferred by rotating the scraping roller 56 in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure. By this transfer, the tip of the sheet in the transport direction comes into contact with the reference surface 57, which is the binding reference of the end face, and stops. At this time, the scraping roller 56 slides on the seat to prevent the tip of the seat from buckling after coming into contact with the reference surface as much as possible. As described above, the discharge roller 48 has a function of switchback transporting the sheet discharged from the transport roller 44 above the mounting tray 54 and feeding it to the reference surface 57 of the mounting tray 54.

[End face binding unit movement and binding processing]
Each time a sheet is discharged from the conveying roller 44, gradually stacked on the stacking tray 54 sends the sheet to the reference surface 57 by the rotation of the discharge roller 48 and the writing roller 56. Further, in accordance with this stacking operation, the matching plates 58 are brought into contact with each other from both sides in the sheet width direction, and the sheets are aligned with the center of the mounting tray 54 in the width direction. Such stacking and matching are repeated until the specified number of sheets to be bundled is reached. When the specified number of sheets is reached, the end face binding unit 62, which moves the end face of the sheet in the sheet width direction on the moving table 63, is moved to a desired binding position. This movement is guided by fitting the moving pin 62b of the end face binding unit 62 into the illustrated groove rail provided on the moving table 63 in the seat width direction.

Since the binding process of the end face binding unit 62 that performs the first process of the present application is already known, the description thereof will be omitted. Move the screwdriver that is not used to drive the staples into the bundle of sheets, and bend the staples that have been driven by the anvil to perform needle binding. This binding process is performed at a plurality of positions on the end faces of the corners of the sheet and the end faces in the width direction.

[Discharging the end face binding sheet]
The sheet bundle bound by the end face binding unit 62 is moved in the counterclockwise direction shown in the reference plane moving belt 64 bridged to the right pulley 65 and the left pulley 66 under the mounting tray 54, and the reference plane moving belt is moved. By moving the reference surface 57 connected to the 64 to the left in the drawing, the binding end surface side of the sheet bundle is pushed out as a moving member so as to move toward the first integrated tray 24. Along with this extrusion, the sheet bundle bound by the discharge roller 48 (discharge upper roller 48a and discharge lower roller 48b) arranged at the outlet of the mounting tray 54 is pressed from the front and back, and is rotated clockwise to the first stack tray 24. Discharge the bound sheet bundle.

[Elevating and lowering the first stack tray]
The first stack tray 24 for stacking the sheet bundles will be mentioned. The first stacking tray as shown in FIG. 3 24 is placed in the substantially same manner as the inclination angle and the loading tray 54, the transport roller 44 from the stapled sheet bundle and the conveyance path 42 to be discharged from the tray 54, the discharge Each sheet discharged by the roller 48 is also collected.

An elevating motor 24M for elevating and lowering the first accumulating tray 24 is provided on the bottom surface side of the first accumulating tray 24, and this drive is transmitted to the elevating pinion 109. The elevating pinion 109 is engaged with an elevating rack 107 fixed vertically on both sides of the standing surface 28 of the device frame 20. Further, although not particularly shown, the elevating rail provided on the standing surface 28 of the first integrated tray 24 guides up and down.

The position of the first stacking tray 24 or the position of the sheet stacked in the first stacking tray 24 is detected by the paper surface sensor 24S provided on the standing surface 28. Then, when the paper surface sensor 24S detects it, the elevating motor 24M is driven to rotate and descend the elevating pinion 109. In the state of FIG. 3, the upper surface of the first integrated tray 24 is detected by the paper surface sensor 24S, and the sheet bundle is received by slightly descending from the paper surface sensor 24S. Therefore, the upper surface of the outlet position from the mounting tray 54 and the upper surface of the first integrated tray 24 are located with a step.
Next, the configuration of the rotational drive and the detachment of the transport roller 44 and the discharge roller 48 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Rotation drive of transport roller]
First, the transfer roller 44 including the transfer upper roller 44a and the transfer lower roller 44b is driven by the transfer roller motor 44M. The transport roller motor 44M is composed of a hybrid type stepping motor, and a speed detection sensor 44S for detecting the rotational speed of the motor shaft is arranged. The drive of the transfer roller motor 44M is transmitted to the arm gear 126 via the transmission gears 120 and 122 and the transmission belt 124. The drive from the arm gear 126 is transmitted by the transmission belt 128 to the upper roller shaft 44uji of the transfer upper roller 44a supported by the transfer roller support arm 136.

[Detachment of transport rollers]
Further, the transport upper roller 44a is attached so as to be rotated around the axis of the arm gear 126 in order to separate and contact the fixed transport lower roller 44b. This disengagement is performed by a transfer roller moving arm 130 having a rear fan-shaped gear attached to the shaft of the arm gear 126 and having a spring 134 attached to the tip of the moving arm on the tip side to urge the transfer upper roller 44a. That is, by driving the transport roller moving arm motor 130M engaged with the rear fan-shaped gear in the forward and reverse directions, the arrow O is pressed in the release direction of the arrow O by one-way rotation, and the arrow C is pressed against the transport lower roller 44b by the other rotation. It moves in the pressure contact direction of C. The transfer roller moving arm motor 130M is also composed of a stepping motor, and the position of the transfer roller moving arm 130 is detected by the transfer roller moving arm sensor 130S.

[Rotation drive of transport lower roller, etc.]
The rotational drive of the transport lower roller 44b is performed by transmitting the drive of the transport roller motor 44M to the receiving gear 142 individually provided on the transport lower roller shaft 44sj via the transmission gear 120 and the transmission belt 138.

Further, the drive from the receiving gear 142 rotates the scraping roller 56 by the gear 144 with a one-way clutch and the belt 146 with a protrusion that also serves as a transmission belt. Since the scraping roller 56 is transmitted via the gear 144 with a one-way clutch, even if the receiving gear 142 rotates forward and reverse as described above, it rotates only in the direction of the solid line arrow in FIG. 4 and is placed. The sheet is rotated so as to be transferred only in the direction of the reference surface 57 of the tray 54.

In the above-mentioned belt with protrusion 146, the scraping roller 56 is rotated at the tip, but only the circular scraping belt may be rotated without the scraping roller 56.

By the way, the drive of the transfer roller motor 44M is also transmitted to the branch lower roller shaft 72sj of the branch lower roller 72b of the branch roller 72 that conveys the sheet in the branch path 70 via the transmission gear 120 and the transmission belt 148.

With the above configuration, according to the forward and reverse rotation of the transfer roller motor 44M, the transfer roller 44 and the branch roller 72 are in one direction in the direction of the solid line arrow in the figure and the other direction in the direction of the broken line arrow (switchback direction), and the drawing roller is in the direction of the solid line arrow. Rotates in the direction of the reference plane 57. Further, the transfer roller motor 44M can be set so that the sheet can be conveyed at a predetermined speed when the sheet is conveyed to the mounting tray 54 side or when the switchback is conveyed to the branch path 70 side.

[Rotation drive of discharge roller]
Next, the discharge roller 48 including the discharge upper roller 48a and the discharge lower roller 48b is driven by the discharge roller motor 48M. The discharge roller motor 48M is also composed of a hybrid type stepping motor, and a speed detection sensor 48S for detecting the rotational speed of the motor shaft is also arranged in the same manner. The drive of the discharge roller motor 48M is transmitted to the arm gear 156 via the transmission gears 150 and 152 and the transmission belt 154. The drive from the arm gear 156 is transmitted by the transmission belt 158 to the discharge upper roller shaft 48uji of the discharge upper roller 48a supported by the discharge roller support arm 166.

[Discharge top roller detachment, etc.]
The discharge upper roller 48a is attached so as to be rotated about the axis of the arm gear 156 in order to separate and contact the fixed discharge lower roller 48b. This disengagement is performed by the discharge roller moving arm 160, which is attached to the shaft of the arm gear 156 and has a rear fan-shaped gear and a spring 164 for urging the discharge upper roller 48a to the tip of the moving arm on the tip side. By driving the discharge roller moving arm motor 160M engaged with the rear fan-shaped gear in the forward and reverse directions, the arrow C presses in the release direction of the arrow O by one-way rotation and the discharge lower roller 48b of the arrow C by the other rotation. Move in the pressure contact direction.

The discharge roller moving arm motor 160M is also composed of a stepping motor, and the position of the discharge roller moving arm 160 is detected by the discharge roller moving arm sensor 160S. Further, the rotational drive of the discharge lower roller 48b is performed by transmitting the drive of the discharge roller motor 48M to the receiving gear 169 individually provided on the discharge lower roller shaft 48sj via the transmission gear 150 and the transmission belt 168.

[Discharge roller motor speed setting]
With the above configuration, according to the forward and reverse rotation of the discharge roller motor 48M, the discharge roller 48 is placed in one direction in the direction of the solid line arrow in the figure and the other direction in the direction of the broken line arrow (after the succeeding sheet is discharged from the transport roller 44, the discharge roller 48 is placed on the mounting tray 54. Rotates in the direction of switching back to the reference surface 57 side). Further, the discharge roller motor 48M can change the speed setting so as to drive the transport roller 44 at a predetermined speed.

[Standby transport, 2nd tray transport]
Now, returning to FIG. 3, a standby transfer of the succeeding sheet that is switched back and waits in the branch path 70 for the above-mentioned end face binding will be described. When the end face binding unit 62 of the mounting tray 54 performs the binding process, the speed of carrying in the image-formed sheet of the image forming apparatus A is high and the sheet spacing is short, so that the end face binding process of the preceding sheet bundle is completed. It is necessary to prevent subsequent sheets from being carried in even if they do not. Therefore, the first to second sheets of the succeeding sheets transported to the transport path 42 via the carry-in route 32 are once switchback-transported on the transport path 42, and the sheets transported by the switchback are fastened to the branch path 70. It is being put on standby. Then, the sheets waiting in the branch path 70 are fed out so as to be superposed on the next second or third succeeding sheet to secure the interval time between the sheet bundles. (This is disclosed, for example, in FIG. 10 of Japanese Patent No. 5248785.)

Here, it is described as "switchback transport from this transport path 42 to the branch path 70, holding one or more succeeding sheets in the branch path 70 and making them stand by, and feeding and transporting the next sheet of the waited sheet together.""Standbytransport". Most of the sheets for end face binding that perform this standby transfer are sheets having a relatively short length in the transfer direction, for example, A4, B5, and letter size sheets. Therefore, since these sheets are on standby, the switchback transfer is performed without significantly protruding to the downstream side of the mounting tray 54, and the sheets are less likely to bend during this transfer. Even if it bends a little, the distance to the mounting tray 54 is relatively short, so that the bending is easily corrected by the matching operation of the matching plate 58.

Further, the completion of the end face binding process not only completes the discharge operation of the sheet bundle from the mounting tray 54 to the first stacking tray 24, but also the initial setting operation of the matching plate 58 on the mounting tray 54 and the reference surface. Includes initial position return of the moving belt 64 or other initial position setting of each mechanism to accept the next seat.

Next, the saddle stitching saddle stitch unit 82 will be described when transporting the stacker 84 is a second tray for a folded sheet bundle to the folding process by the blade 94 and folding the folding rollers 92 of the sheet. In the transport to the stacker 84, the sheet transported to the transport path 42 via the carry-in route 32 is once switched back and transported on the transport path 42, and the sheet transported by the switchback is transported from the branch path 70 to the stacker 84. become. Transporting the sheet transported by switchback to the stacker 84 via the branch path 70 is referred to as "second tray transport" here.

[Switchback transport]
In this embodiment, when the seat is "standby" by the transport roller 44, the rear end of the seat is detected by the seat sensor 42S arranged at the branch position between the transport path 42 and the branch path 70. Then, the seat is switched back to the branch path 70 and niped to the branch roller 72 located in the branch path 70, and then the rotation of the branch roller 72 is stopped. Further, when performing "second tray transfer" in which saddle stitching is performed by accumulating in the stacker 84 located on the downstream side of the branch path 70, the sheet transferred back by the transfer roller 44 is similarly branched in the branch path 70. It is sent to the stacker 84 without being stopped by the roller 72.

Further, the discharge roller 48 is also capable of forward / reverse rotation, and the succeeding sheet sent by the transport roller 44 (the sheet waiting in the branch path 70, the sheet continuing from the carry-in path, or a sheet in which these are overlapped). When the rear end is carried out from the transport roller 44, the sheet is niped by the discharge roller 48, and when the rear end is reversed thereafter, these subsequent sheets are switchback-transported and stored in the mounting tray 54.

Here, the relationship between the tip position of the succeeding sheet switched back by the mounting tray 54 and the reference surface 57 will be touched upon. In the bundle of succeeding sheets switched back on the mounting tray 54, the tip of the first succeeding sheet is closest to the reference surface 57, then the tip of the second succeeding sheet and the tip of the top succeeding sheet. It is necessary to be farthest from the reference plane 57. This is because when the succeeding sheet at the top reaches the reference surface 57 first when being transferred by the scraping roller 56, the succeeding sheet below it slips between the sheets and does not move any further, resulting in that. The binding process is performed with the tip position shifted, resulting in an inconsistent sheet bundle. In order to prevent this integrity from being deteriorated, the above-mentioned sheet order is an important factor for advanced alignment.

[Sheet bundle discharge]
As described above, in the discharge roller 48, the discharge upper roller 48a can swing, and the pressure contact position (broken line position in FIG. 4) where the discharge upper roller 48a descends and presses against the discharge lower roller 48b and the discharge lower roller 48b It is located at the raised separation position (solid line position in FIG. 4). Then, after the sheet bundle is subjected to sheet processing such as binding on the mounting tray 54, in order to discharge the sheet bundle to the first stacking tray 24, the reference surface 57 is first mounted on the mounting tray by the reference surface moving belt 64. Move to the exit 50 side and push it up. Subsequently, the discharge upper roller 48a is lowered to the pressure contact position, the sheet bundle is niped together with the discharge lower roller 48b , the sheet bundle is transferred to the mounting tray outlet 50 side, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the first stack tray 24.

[Sheet processing unit]
The sheet bundle discharged by the discharge roller 48 is processed by the sheet processing unit of the mounting tray. The sheet processing of the present embodiment is divided into the binding process of binding with the edge face binding unit 62 and the binding process of the matching plate 58 at different positions on the mounting tray 54 so as to be discharged without being bound by the first integrated tray 24. So-called jog processing is performed. In addition to this, the sheet processing also includes bonding by gluing and punching processing for punching the sheet.

[Acquisition of sheet bundle thickness information (sheet bundle thickness information BPt)]
Note that the upper frame of the loading tray 54, sheet bundle sensor 230 to acquire the thickness information of the sheet bundle placed on the loading tray 54 (sheet bundle thickness information BPt) is provided. Here, the bundle thickness sensor 230 uses a reflection type sensor, but it may be of a type in which a lever in contact with the seat is rotatably provided and the sensors are shielded from each other by this lever.

Further, the number of sheets carried out to the mounting tray 54 by the sheet sensor 42S may be counted and used as thickness information (sheet bundle thickness information BPt). Further, these bundle thickness information may be obtained from the image forming apparatus main body side. This thickness information (sheet bundle thickness information BPt) is used to set between the succeeding sheet that switches back and waits and the succeeding sheet, or the succeeding sheet that waits in the branch path 70. Therefore, this thickness information (sheet) before the sheet bundle placed on the mounting tray 54 is subjected to processing such as binding processing, more specifically, before the succeeding sheet is transferred back and waits in the branch path 70. Bundle thickness information BPt) is acquired.

[Simultaneous bundling]
Next, according to FIGS. 5 to 16, the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54, the sheet waiting in the branch path 70, and the plurality of succeeding sheets of the succeeding sheet are simultaneously discharged by the discharge roller 48, and the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is discharged. The operation of carrying the succeeding sheet into the first stacking tray 24 and the succeeding sheet into the mounting tray 54 will be described in order. The operation of simultaneous bundling of a relatively thin (small number of sheets) sheet bundle and a subsequent sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 and FIG. Thereafter, describes Shi out simultaneous flux of relatively thick (the number) larger sheet bundle and the subsequent sheet by a 16 of FIGS. 10 to 13, by 14 and 15, and city of the subsequent sheet in this case The setting of the interval, the setting of the position where the succeeding sheet switches back on the mounting tray 54, and the relationship between them will be sequentially described.

[Simultaneous bundling operation with a relatively thin (small number of sheets) sheet bundle]
5 to 9 show a series of operation explanatory views in which relatively thin bundles (3 sheets) are stored in a mounting tray and subsequent sheets (3 sheets) are made to stand by. First, in FIG. 5A, the first sheet P1 is conveyed to the mounting tray 54 side from the transfer path 42 by the transfer roller 44. In this state, when the rear end of the seat is detected by the seat sensor 42S and counted by a predetermined number by a counter (not shown), the seat is carried out from the transport roller 44 to the mounting tray 54. At the same time as this unloading, the discharge upper roller 48a of the discharge roller 48 is moved from the separated position (dashed line in the figure) to the pressure contact position (solid line in the figure) that presses against the discharge lower roller 48b. After that, the discharge roller 48 is rotated counterclockwise as shown, and the first sheet P1 is switched back and conveyed on the mounting tray 54 and transferred to the reference surface 57 side.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first sheet P1 switchback-conveyed by the rotation of the discharge roller 48 in the counterclockwise direction is further brought to the reference surface 57 by the scraping roller 56 and the protrusion belt 146. It is transported toward and stored and mounted on the mounting tray 54. According to this storage, the matching plate 58 is moved to align the center. Further, when the next second sheet is carried in and the tip is detected by the seat sensor 42S, the discharge upper roller 48a is moved from the pressure contact position to the separated position (solid line position) shown in the drawing for carrying in this sheet. After that, the same operation as in FIG. 5A is repeated for the second sheet, and when the three sheet bundles BP1 (P1, P2, P3) are formed, the process proceeds to FIG. Prior to the start of the operation of FIG. 5, "setting of the amount of displacement between the succeeding seats" and "setting of the switchback position on the succeeding seat mounting tray" of FIG. 16 are started (S10).

6A and 6B are state explanatory views following FIG. 5, and FIG. 6A shows a state in which the first three sheet bundles BP1 (P1, P2, P3) are placed on the mounting tray 54. In Figure 16 this state, is set to "put the completion of the sheet bundle on the loading tray 54" (S20). In FIG. 6, the binding process is performed by the end face binding unit 62, but before this process, the thickness is confirmed by the bundle thickness sensor 230 described in FIG. 4, and here, the sheet bundle is said to be a relatively thin sheet bundle. Obtain the thickness BPt (S30). Further, FIG. 6A shows a state in which the fourth subsequent sheet, the first sheet (wp1), is started to be carried in. Then, the sheet bundle BP1 on the mounting tray 54 has completed the alignment, and the end face binding unit 62 is preparing for the binding process such as moving to the binding position.

When the above-mentioned sheet bundle thickness BPt is acquired, the apparatus (sheet transfer control unit 210 described later) sets the amount of deviation wpl1 between the succeeding sheets. The setting of the distance between the sheets is shown in FIG. 16 as "setting of the amount of displacement between subsequent sheets wpl (the thicker the sheet bundle, the larger the setting)" (S40). Further , the switchback position on the mounting tray 54 is set to " the switchback position (SBl) setting on the mounting tray 54 of the succeeding sheet (the thicker the sheet bundle, the farther it is set from the seat sensor 42S)" (S50). There is.

In FIG. 6B, the tip of the fourth sheet P4 (first standby sheet wp1) is continuously conveyed by the transfer roller 44 beyond the discharge roller 48. The subsequent seat wp1 is switched back and conveyed when the rear end is detected by the seat sensor 42S. At this time, the switching gate 37 located at the branch position of the transport path 42 and the branch path 70 has moved to the position of the solid line shown in the figure that guides the branch path 70 waiting for the seat.

Next, FIG. 7 is a state explanatory diagram following FIG. In FIG. 7A, the end face binding unit 62 starts executing the end face binding sheet processing on the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray 54. During this period, the fourth subsequent sheet wp1 cannot be carried into the mounting tray 54, so that the transfer roller 44 continues the switchback transfer and the branch roller 72 located in the branch path 70 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer roller 44. It moves to the downstream side of the branch path 70. When the succeeding sheet P3 is nipped into the branch roller 72, the switching gate 37 is raised to release the transport path 42.

When the rear end (in the transport direction) of the fourth subsequent sheet wp1 is detected by the sheet sensor 42S in the transfer of the branch path 70 by the branch roller 72, the movement amount of the rear end is measured by a counter (not shown). By this measurement, when the branch roller 72 is located at a distance of wpl1 from the seat sensor 42S, the rotation of the branch roller 72 is stopped, and the subsequent fifth subsequent seat wp2 is waited for delivery.

In FIG. 7B, the binding process is continuously executed on the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray. On the other hand, the fifth succeeding sheet wp2 is sent toward the transport roller 44 by the carry-in roller 34. When the fifth succeeding sheet wp2 is detected by the sheet sensor 42S, it has the above-mentioned difference of wpl1 from the waiting sheet wp1 (fourth succeeding sheet P4) that has been waiting in advance in the branch path 70. And both are conveyed toward the transfer roller 44.

The setting of the distance between the succeeding sheets is shown in FIG. 16 as "sheet standby (waiting on the branch path 70 (standby path) as a standby sheet) with the amount of deviation between the succeeding sheets wpl" (S60), and this thin sheet bundle is shown. In the case of BP1, it is set as wpl1. Further, even when there are a plurality of subsequent sheets, the same deviation amount wpl1 is provided. The transport speed of the standby sheet here is set to 650 mm / sec. At this stage, the binding process of the mounting tray 54 to the sheet bundle BP1 is completed.

It should be noted that the distance wpl1 between the sheet edge of the fourth (P4) succeeding sheet wp1 waiting in the standby path 70 and the fifth (P5) succeeding sheet wp2 conveyed from the carry-in roller will be changed in the future. When the switchback is conveyed to the mounting tray 54, the succeeding sheet is placed in the shape of a roof plate, which is an important factor for improving the consistency.

FIG. 8 is a diagram following FIG. 7, and in FIG. 8A, the succeeding sheets wp1 and wp2 of the two sheets (P4 and P5) are waiting in the branch path, and the succeeding sheet wp3 of the third sheet (P6) is carried in. Explains the state of doing. In FIG. 7B, the succeeding sheet wp2 of the fifth sheet (P5) and the succeeding sheet wp1 of the fourth sheet (P4) waiting in the branch path 70 are the transport rollers 44 with the tip of the succeeding sheet wp2 at the head. Will be sent to. The transfer roller 44 simultaneously nips and conveys these two sheets (P4 and P5), and when the seat sensor 42S detects the rear end of the succeeding sheet P4, the transfer roller 44 reverses counterclockwise again.

At this time, the switching gate 37 at the branch position 36 closes the carry-in path 32 and guides the branch path 70 so that the two succeeding sheets wp1 and wp2 are conveyed to the branch path 70. Then, when the rear end of the subsequent sheet wp2 of the fifth sheet (P5) is detected by the sheet sensor 42S and is conveyed to the branch path 70 with one minute of wpl, the branch roller 72 is stopped and the sixth sheet (P6). Subsequent sheet wp3 is carried in. Then, it waits for the tip of the succeeding sheet wp3 to be detected by the sheet sensor 42S. FIG. 8A shows this state, and at this time, the deviation amount wpl1 is set in each of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3.

FIG. 8B is a diagram in which a deviation amount wpl1 set between the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 is provided, and a deviation amount Bpl1 from the tip of the sheet bundle is held and nipped by the discharge roller 48 at the same time as the sheet bundle BP1 to be discharged. Is. Here, the reference surface 57 pushes out the sheet bundle BP1 in advance toward the outlet of the mounting tray 54, and then lowers the roller 48a on the discharge to nip. This is so that the tip of the succeeding sheet wp3, which is the highest protruding of the succeeding sheet, and the tip of the sheet bundle BP1 have a shift amount of the distance Bpl1. With this shift amount Bpl1, the sheet bundle is discharged to the first integrated tray 24 side by the discharge roller 48.

At this time, since the three subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 have the same sheet length, the uppermost succeeding sheet wp3, the next succeeding sheet wp2, and the lowest succeeding sheet wp1 have a gap of wpl1 at the front end and the rear end, respectively. It protrudes to the side of the first accumulation tray 24 in the order of. In other words, when switching back on the mounting tray 54, on the contrary, the highest succeeding sheet wp3 is the farthest from the reference surface 57, the next succeeding sheet wp2, and the lowest succeeding sheet wp1 are the closest. It has become. In this state in FIG. 16, the "Run Shi out sheet bundle and a plurality subsequent sheet simultaneously bundle on the loading tray 54 (after completion of such aligning operation, the end binding processing, punching processing)" (S70), shows Has been done.

FIG. 9 following FIG. 8 shows the discharge of the sheet bundle BP1 to the first integrated tray 24 and the switchback transfer of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 in the mounting tray 54. In FIG. 9A, the sheet bundle BP1 mounted on the mounting tray 54 and the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 sent by the transport roller 44 are simultaneously discharged by the discharge roller 48, and the sheet bundle BP1 is discharged from the first stack tray 24. In addition, the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 in the middle of transfer, which are overlapped with this with a shift amount of Bpl1, are left in the mounting tray 54.

At this time, as already described, the rear ends of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 each have a displacement amount wpl1 and are shaped like a roof plate (a solid line ellipse as an enlarged view of the broken line elliptical portion in FIG. 9A). See section). Even if the discharge upper roller 48a rotates by swinging the support arm rotation shaft 167 upstream of the discharge roller 48 from this state, the discharged sheet bundle BP1 is a relatively thin sheet bundle with three sheets, so the sheet bundle is discharged. The amount of rotation of the roller 48a is small due to the subsequent discharge. Therefore, the rear ends of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 do not change much in the displacement amount wpl1, and are left in the mounting tray 54 and rotate in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the discharge roller 48. The switchback is conveyed toward the reference surface 57.

In this case, before the rear end of the succeeding sheet wp1 (the succeeding sheet closest to the reference plane 57) reaches the position of SBl1 from the seat sensor 42S, the sheet bundle BP1 is discharged and the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 are switched back. The switchback position is set to start transport. The distance from the sheet sensor 42S to the SBl1 is also left in the mounting tray 54 without being significantly affected by the ejection of the sheet bundle BP1. This state in FIG. 16, indicated as "switchback execution of the following sheet switchback position (SBL) (conveyance to the reference plane in the switch-back standby sheet or can lump roller 56)" in FIG. 19 (b) As shown, the tip of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 abut and align with the reference surface 57 in order by the scraping roller 56 and the belt with protrusions 146.

FIG. 9 (b) shows a state in which contact has been completed subsequent sheet wp1~wp3 the reference surface 57, the second copy of the sheet bundle BP2 (P4-P6) are placed on the tray 54. Prior to this, the discharge upper roller 48a moves to the position of the solid line shown in the figure separated from the discharge lower roller 48b roller, and the third subsequent sheet wp1 moves above the first accumulation tray 24. Tolerate. The state of FIG. 9 (b) is substantially the same as the state of FIG. 6 (b), and this operation is repeated until the specified number of copies is reached. 1 Discharge to the accumulation tray 24 to complete all processing. This state is shown in FIG. 16 as "-Transfer completed by setting the deviation amount on the succeeding seat-Switchback completed on the succeeding seat mounting tray 54".

[Simultaneous bundling operation with a relatively thick (large number of sheets) sheet bundle]
From here on, simultaneous bundling with a relatively thick (large number of sheets) sheet bundle will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13 and FIG. First, FIG. 10 is a series of operation explanatory views following FIG. 5, in which a relatively thick bundle (here, 65 sheets are placed ) is stored in a mounting tray, and subsequent sheets (3 sheets) are made to stand by. As already described with reference to FIG. 5, the sheet sent by the carry-in roller 34 is carried out by the transfer roller 44 onto the loading tray 54. Sheet is further conveyed switchback by a discharge roller 48, which abuts against the reference surface 57 by the writing roller 56 and the projections Belt 146 is placed a specified number of sheets tray 54. Prior to the start of these operations, the "setting of the amount of displacement between the succeeding sheets" and the " setting of the switchback position on the succeeding sheet mounting tray" in FIG. 16 are started in the same manner as in the placement of the thin bundle (the setting of the switchback position on the succeeding sheet mounting tray). S10).

FIG. 10A shows a state in which 65 sheets (P1 to P65) are mounted on the mounting tray 54. In Figure 16 this state, and is set to "put the completion of the sheet bundle on the loading tray 54" (S20), thereby performing the binding processing by the end face binding unit 62. Here, the thickness is confirmed by the bundle thickness sensor 230 described with reference to FIG. 4, and here, the sheet bundle thickness BPt that there is a relatively thin sheet bundle is acquired (S30). Further, FIG. 10A shows a state in which the delivery of the first subsequent sheet (wp1), which is the 66th sheet, is started. Then, the sheet bundle BP1 on the mounting tray 54 has completed the alignment, and the end face binding unit 62 is preparing for the binding process such as moving to the binding position.

FIG. 10B shows a state in which the rear end of the first subsequent sheet wp1 of the second sheet bundle BP2 is detected by the sheet sensor 42S and the switchback is started. At this time, the switching gate 37 located at the branch position of the transport path 42 and the branch path 70 has moved to the position of the solid line shown in the figure that guides the branch path 70 waiting for the seat.

Next, FIG. 11 is a state explanatory diagram following FIG. In FIG. 11A, the end face binding unit 62 starts executing the end face binding sheet processing on the 65 sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray 54. During this period, the 66th subsequent sheet wp1 cannot be carried into the mounting tray 54, so that the transfer roller 44 continues the switchback transfer, and the branch roller 72 located in the branch path 70 of the transfer roller 44 causes the downstream side of the branch path 70. Move to. When the succeeding sheet P3 is nipped into the branch roller 72, the switching gate 37 is raised to release the transport path 42.

When the rear end (in the transport direction) of the 66th subsequent sheet wp1 is detected by the sheet sensor 42S in the transfer of the branch path 70 by the branch roller 72, the movement amount of the rear end is measured by a counter (not shown). By this measurement, when the branch roller 72 is located at a distance of wpl2 from the sheet sensor 42S, the rotation of the branch roller 72 is stopped, and the following 67th subsequent sheet wp2 is waited for delivery.

When the sheet bundle mounted on the mounting tray 54 in FIG. 7B was already thin, the rotation of the branch roller 72 was stopped when it was located at a distance of wpl1 from the seat sensor 42S, but this thick sheet. In the case of a bundle, the distance of wpl2 is larger than this. As an actual numerical value, wpl1 is about 1 to 2 mm, and wpl2 is a distance obtained by adding about 4 to 6 mm to this. The reason for increasing this distance will be described later with reference to FIG. 14, but it is set by the amount of movement of the discharge upper roller 48a after the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is discharged by the discharge roller 48.

In FIG. 11B, the binding process is continuously executed on the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray. On the other hand, the 67th subsequent sheet wp2 is sent toward the transport roller 44 by the carry-in roller 34. When the 67th succeeding sheet wp2 is detected by the sheet sensor 42S, it has the difference of wpl2 described above from the waiting sheet wp1 (66th succeeding sheet P66) which has been waiting in advance in the branch path 70. And both are conveyed toward the transfer roller 44.

The setting of the distance between the succeeding sheets is shown in FIG. 16 as "waiting for a sheet with the amount of deviation between the succeeding sheets wpl (waiting for the branch path 70 (waiting path) as a waiting sheet)" (S60), and a thick sheet bundle. In the case of, wpl2 larger than the distance wpl1 is set. Further, even when there are a plurality of subsequent sheets, the same deviation amount wpl2 is provided. The transport speed of the standby sheet here is set to 650 mm / sec. At this stage, the binding process of the mounting tray 54 to the sheet bundle BP1 (P1 to P65) is completed.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the 66th (P66) succeeding sheet wp1 waiting on the standby path 70 and the 67th (P67) succeeding sheet wp2 conveyed from the carry-in roller With the edge spacing wpl2 , the succeeding sheet is placed in the shape of a roof plate when the switchback is conveyed to the mounting tray 54 in the future. This is important for improving consistency, as in the case of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a diagram following FIG. 11 in which a relatively thick sheet bundle is continuously placed. FIG. 12A describes a state in which the succeeding sheet wp1wp2 of the two sheets (P66, P67) is waiting in the branch path and the succeeding sheet wp3 of the third sheet (P68) is being carried in. In FIG. 11B, the following sheet wp2 of the 67th sheet (P67) and the succeeding sheet wp1 of the 66th sheet (P66) waiting in the branch path 70 have the transfer roller 44 with the tip of the succeeding sheet wp2 at the head. Will be sent to. The transfer roller 44 simultaneously nips and conveys these two sheets (P66 and P67), and when the seat sensor 42S detects the rear end of the succeeding sheet P57, the transfer roller 44 reverses counterclockwise again.

At this time, the switching gate 37 at the branch position 36 closes the carry-in path 32 and guides the branch path 70 so that the two succeeding sheets wp1 and wp2 are conveyed to the branch path 70. Then, when the rear end of the succeeding sheet wp2 of the 67th sheet (P67) is detected by the sheet sensor 42S and is conveyed to the branch path 70 with wpl 2 minutes, the branch roller 72 is stopped and the 68th sheet (P68) is stopped. Subsequent sheet wp3 is carried in. Then, it waits for the tip of the succeeding sheet wp3 to be detected by the sheet sensor 42S. FIG. 12A shows this state, and at this time, the deviation amount wpl2 is set in each of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3. This is larger than the displacement amount wpl1 when a thin sheet bundle is placed.

In FIG. 12B, each succeeding sheet wp1 to wp3 has a deviation amount wpl2, and the discharge roller 48 simultaneously nips and discharges the tip of the sheet bundle BP1 on the mounting tray 54 and the deviation amount Bpl2. It is a figure. Here, the reference surface 57 pushes out the sheet bundle BP1 in advance toward the outlet of the mounting tray 54, and then lowers the roller 48a on the discharge to nip. This is so that the tip of the succeeding sheet wp3, which is the highest protruding of the succeeding sheet, and the tip of the sheet bundle BP1 have a shift amount of the distance Bpl2. With this shift amount Bpl2, the sheet bundle is discharged to the first integration tray 24 side by the discharge roller 48.

Since these three succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 have the same sheet length, the top succeeding sheet wp3, the next succeeding sheet wp2, and the lowest succeeding sheet wp1 have an interval of wpl2 at the front end and the rear end, respectively. It protrudes to the side of the first accumulation tray 24. In other words, when switching back on the mounting tray 54, on the contrary, the highest succeeding sheet wp3 is the farthest from the reference surface 57, and the succeeding sheet wp2 and the lowest succeeding sheet wp1 are the most reference plane 57. It is close to. In this state in FIG. 16, the "Run Shi out sheet bundle and a plurality subsequent sheet simultaneously bundle on the loading tray 54 (after completion of such aligning operation, the end binding processing, punching processing)" (S70), shows Has been done.

FIG. 13 following FIG. 12 shows the discharge of the sheet bundle BP1 (P1 to P65) to the first accumulation tray 24 and the switchback transfer of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 in the mounting tray 54. In FIG. 13A, the sheet bundle BP1 mounted on the mounting tray 54 and the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 sent by the transport roller 44 are simultaneously discharged by the discharge roller 48, and the sheet bundle BP1 is discharged from the first stack tray 24. In addition, the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 in the middle of transfer, which are overlapped with this with a shift amount of Bpl2, are left in the mounting tray 54.

The rear ends of these subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 each have a displacement amount wpl2 and are shaped like a roof plate (see the solid line elliptical portion which is an enlarged view of the broken line elliptical portion in FIG. 13A). When the discharge upper roller 48a rotates by swinging the support arm rotation shaft 167 upstream of the discharge roller 48 from this state, the discharged sheet bundle BP1 is 65 sheets, which is a relatively thick sheet bundle, so that the sheet bundle is discharged. The amount of rotation of the roller 48a on discharge is large. Therefore, the rear ends of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 are largely displaced toward the reference surface 57, and are left in the mounting tray 54 and rotate in the direction opposite to the discharge direction of the discharge roller 48. The sheets wp1 to wp are switched back and conveyed toward the reference surface 57.

Further, before the rear end of the succeeding sheet wp1 (the succeeding sheet closest to the reference surface 57) reaches the position of SBl2 from the seat sensor 42S, the sheet bundle BP1 is discharged and the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 are switched back. The switchback position is set to start transport. As for the distance from the sheet sensor 42S to SBl2, the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 move to the reference surface 57 side due to the discharge of the sheet bundle BP1. ) Is set. That is, when the sheet bundle BP1 described with reference to FIG. 9 is thin, the position moved by SBl 1 minute from the seat sensor 42S is set as the switchback position, and when the sheet bundle BP1 is thick in FIG. 13, the value is set to SBl2 having a value larger than this SBl1. doing.

This state, in FIG. 16, indicated as "switchback position switch back execution of the subsequent sheet (SBL) (conveyance to the reference plane in the switch-back standby sheet or can lump roller 56)", FIG. 19 (b) As shown in the above, the tips of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 abut on the reference surface 57 in order and are aligned by the scraping roller 56 and the belt with protrusions 146.

FIG. 13 (b), the reference surface 57 a subsequent sheet wp1~wp3 shows a state where the contact is completed, the sheet bundle becomes the second copy BP2 (P66~P68) is placed on the tray 54 .. In this case, the discharge upper roller 48a moves to the position shown by the solid line in the figure separated from the discharge lower roller 48b roller, and allows the subsequent 69th to 130th sheets to be carried into the mounting tray 54. FIG. 13B shows a state until the number reaches FIG. 10, and this operation is repeated until the specified number of sheets (130 sheets in this case / 65 sheets on the mounting tray 54) is reached. After that, the operations from FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 are performed, and when the final sheet bundle is reached, only this sheet bundle is discharged to the first stack tray 24 and all the processing is completed. This state is shown in FIG. 16 as "-Transfer completed by setting the deviation amount on the succeeding seat-Switchback completed on the succeeding seat mounting tray 54".

Here, in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the case of a relatively thin sheet bundle, the deviation amount wpl1 between the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 and the switchback position are transferred from the sheet sensor 42S to SBl1. On the other hand, in the case of a relatively thick sheet bundle, the deviation amount wpl2 between the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 and the switchback position are set to the positions where SBl2 is transferred from the sheet sensor 42S. Then, it was decided that the deviation amount wpl1 <displacement amount wpl2 and the transfer position of the switchback were set to SBl1 <SBl2. These are the ones in which the amount of displacement between the succeeding sheets and the switchback position on the mounting tray 54 are changed according to the thickness of the sheet bundle mounted on the mounting tray 54 that is niped together with the succeeding sheet by the discharge roller 48. However, this point is confirmed with reference to FIG.

14 (a) is placed relatively thick sheet bundle BP that placed on the loading tray 54 (bundle bpt) is nipped with subsequent sheet wp1~wp3 by discharging upper roller 48a and lower discharge rollers 48b tray The state immediately before the bundle is discharged from 54 is shown. At the same time, the sheet bundle BP is discharged, and the discharge upper roller 48a rotates with the support arm rotation shaft 167 located on the upstream side (upstream side of the discharge port of the mounting tray 54) as a swing to rotate the subsequent seats wp1 to 1. The state immediately before the switchback transfer is started by niping wp3 with the discharge lower roller 48b is shown.

As can be understood from this figure, the discharge upper roller 48a is a lower pressure contact position where only the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 are nipped from the upper pressure contact position Hp where the bundle thickness Bpt of the sheet bundle BP and the sheets of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 are combined. It will move to Lp. This movement is a circular arc motion of the roller 48a on the discharge, and the contact point with the succeeding sheet wp1 is substantially displaced toward the reference surface 57 side of the mounting tray 54. Therefore, as shown in the figure, unless the deviation amount wpl of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 is increased in advance, the order of contacting the reference surfaces 57 of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 is disturbed, and as a result, the successor on the mounting tray 54. In some cases, the sheets cannot be aligned. In order to prevent this, in this embodiment, the displacement amount wpl of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 is changed by the sheet bundle BP1 of the mounting tray 54.

14 (b) and 14 (c) show the relationship between the displacement amount wpl of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 depending on the bundle thickness Bpt of the sheet bundle BP. In FIG. 14B, the deviation amount wpl of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 is also increased in proportion to the increase in the bundle thickness Bpt of the sheet bundle BP. FIG. 14 (c) shows that the deviation amount wpl of the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 is gradually increased with respect to the increase of the bundle thickness Bpt of the sheet bundle BP. By doing so, the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 can be easily aligned on the reference surface 57 on the mounting tray 54, and the disturbance is reduced.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 and switchback positions are conveyed from the sheet sensor 42S for SBl 2 minutes when a relatively thick sheet bundle is placed on the mounting tray 54. Actually, in the state where the sheet bundle BP is discharged, the state in which the succeeding sheet waits does not appear, but it is shown in the sense of confirming the state. When a relatively thick bundle of sheets is loaded from the mounting tray 54, subsequent sheets wp1 and wp2 having a tip deviation amount wpl2 stand by in the branch path 70 as a standby path, and a carry-in route thereof. At the position where the succeeding sheet wp3 from the above is carried in and detected by the sheet sensor 42S, the succeeding sheet wp2 and the succeeding sheet wp2 are displaced by the deviation amount wpl2.

On the other hand, the switchback position to the mounting tray 54 is set at the position where the seat sensor 42S is transferred to the discharge roller 48 side by SBl for 2 minutes. Further, the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3, which are in contact with the roller 48a on discharge and are discharged at the same time as the sheet bundle BP, also have a displacement amount wpl2. This deviation amount wpl2 is set to be larger than the deviation amount wpl1 of the subsequent sheets wp1 to wp3 in which the sheet bundle BP is niped with the thin sheet bundle BP, and the switchback position is also set to a position away from the seat sensor 42S. The switchback position may be set to the switchback timing later than when the sheet bundle is thin.

[Explanation of control configuration]
The system control configuration of the image forming apparatus described above will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The system of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing control unit 204 (control CPU) of the sheet processing apparatus B. The image formation control unit 200 includes a paper feed control unit 202 and an input unit 203. Then, as described above, the "print mode" and "sheet processing mode" are set from the control panel 18 provided in the input unit 203.

The sheet processing control unit 204 is a control CPU that operates the sheet processing device B according to the above-mentioned designated sheet processing mode. The sheet processing control unit 204 includes a ROM 206 for storing an operation program and a RAM 207 for storing control data. Further, in the sheet processing control unit 204, the carry-in sensor 30S for detecting the sheet of the carry-in path 32, the sheet sensor 42S for detecting the sheet of the carry-in path 42, the branch sensor 70S for detecting the sheet of the branch path 70, and the first integration. Signals are input from various sensor input units such as the paper surface sensor 24S for detecting the paper surface on the tray 24, the empty sensor 25, or the bundle thickness sensor 230 for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle placed on the mounting tray 54.

The sheet processing control unit 204 raises and lowers the carry-in roller motor 34M of the sheet carry-in path 32, the transfer roller motor 44M of the transfer path 42 and the branch path, the discharge roller motor 48M at the outlet of the mounting tray 54, and the discharge upper roller 48a. A seat transfer control unit 210 for controlling the discharge roller moving arm motor 160M is provided. Further, the sheet processing control unit 204 controls a punch drive control unit 211 that controls a punch motor 31M that punches a sheet with a punch unit 31, a matching plate 58 that performs a sheet stacking operation with a mounting tray 54, and the like. A mounting tray (processing tray) control unit 212 is provided. Further, the end face binding control unit 213 that controls the end face binding motor 62M of the end face binding unit 62 that binds the end face to the sheet bundle on the mounting tray 54, and the elevating and lowering on the first integrated tray 24 according to the sheet storage amount. It also includes a first integrated tray 24 elevating control unit 214 that controls the motor 24M.

Further, the sheet processing control unit 204 includes a stacker control unit 216 that controls the saddle stitching matching plate 81 of the sheet to be integrated in the stacker 84, which is the second mounting tray, and the stopper 85 that regulates the sheet tip for saddle stitching processing. It has a saddle stitching control unit 217 that controls a saddle stitching unit 82 that binds the middle of the sheet bundle in the transport direction.

Further, the sheet processing control unit 204 includes a folding processing unit that folds the saddle-stitched sheet bundle in half and ejects it to the second stacking tray 26, and a folding / discharging control unit 218 that controls the bundle ejection roller 98. The connection between each of these control units and each sensor that detects the sheet to be transported and each drive motor, or the transfer and discharge of the sheet are as described in each operation mode.

[Explanation of sheet processing mode]
The sheet processing control unit 204 of the present embodiment configured as described above has, for example, "printout mode", "end face binding mode (first processing)", "sorting (jog) mode", and "saddle stitching mode" in the sheet processing device B. Execute in "binding mode" or the like. Hereinafter, this processing mode will be described.

(1) "Printout mode"
An image-formed sheet is received from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A, and the sheet is accommodated in the first integration tray 24 by the transport roller 44 or the discharge roller 48.

(2) "End face binding mode"
The sheet image-formed from the main body discharge port 3 is received in the mounting tray 54, the sheets are aligned in a bundle shape, bound by the end face binding unit 62, and then stored in the first accumulation tray 24. In this end face binding process, "standby transfer" is performed in which the succeeding sheet is switched back and temporarily waits in the branch path 70 so as not to stop the discharge of the succeeding sheet from the main body discharge port 3. Further, the deviation amount wpl between the succeeding seats is set, and the switchback position is set by moving from the seat sensor 42S by SBl.

(3) "Division (jog) mode"
The sheet image-formed from the main body discharge port 3 is received in the mounting tray 54, and the sheets are shifted one by one by the matching plate 58 in either direction on the front side or the rear side and stored in the first integrated tray 24 without binding. do.

(4) "Saddle stitch mode"
The sheet image-formed from the main body discharge port 3 of the image forming apparatus A is received in the stacker 84, the sheets are aligned in a bundle shape, the saddle stitching unit 82 binds the sheet substantially in the center in the receiving and transporting direction, and the sheet is folded into a booklet. It is stored in the second accumulation tray 26. In this saddle stitching process, a "second tray transfer" is performed in which the sheet from the main body discharge port 3 is temporarily discharged onto the first integrated tray 24, then switched back to the branch path 70 and transferred to the stacker 84. There is.

As described above, according to each embodiment described above, the thickness of the sheet bundle on the loading tray 54 so as to change the shift amount of the subsequent sheet cross, the deterioration of the sheet alignment of at tray 54 It is possible to provide a device that has been prevented.

From here, another embodiment will be described. A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, and a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. In addition, also in these other embodiments, the same components as before are designated by the same reference numerals.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 18 shows the sheet processing apparatus B as the second embodiment, and has the same sheet transport path as that of FIG. 22. The difference between this device and the sheet processing device B of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 17 is that the device of the first embodiment saddle stitches the waiting path waiting for the succeeding sheet. While it has a branch path 70 and a branch roller 72 for transporting the sheet to the stacker 84, the transport path 42 between the carry-in roller 34 for carrying in the sheet from the carry-in route 32 and the mounting tray 54 is relatively long. The point is that it is configured for a long time and this route is used as a standby route. In the middle of the transport path 42, a standby roller 170 for waiting for a sheet to be switched back and transported by the transport roller 44 for standby is provided.

A standby roller arm 172 that supports the standby roller 170 is pivotally supported on the standby roller swing shaft 174 so that the standby roller 170 does not interfere with the tip of the seat that is carried in from the carry-in roller 34. Immediately after the carry-in roller 34, a seat retainer 176 is provided to hold the end of the seat so that the succeeding seat that switches back and stands by is not moved by the newly carried-in succeeding seat. The seat retainer 176 is provided so as to swing by a solenoid SOL with the carry-in roller lower shaft 180 as a shaft fulcrum. Further, directly below the carry-in roller 34, a seat stopper 178, which is a restricting member with which the edge of the first succeeding seat that has been switched back can come into contact, is located.

To wait for the succeeding sheet in the transport path 42, for example, in the case of two sheets, the side edge of the carry-in roller 34 of the succeeding sheet wp1 is pressed by the sheet retainer 176, and the second succeeding sheet wp2 is pressed under the standby roller 170. To be located in. Further, the amount of displacement wpl between the succeeding sheets can be set depending on the position (wpn) at which the edge of the succeeding sheet of the sheet presser 176 is pressed. It is the same as the apparatus of the first embodiment that the switchback position can be set from the seat sensor 42S by the transport distance SBl (SBarea) on the mounting tray 54 or above the mounting tray 54.

[Setting the amount of deviation between subsequent sheets in the second embodiment]
It will be described with reference to FIG. 19 that the thickness of the sheet bundle BP on the mounting tray 54 in the sheet processing apparatus B of the second embodiment configured in this way and the spacing between the plurality of subsequent sheets are changed. FIG. 19A shows a state in which a relatively thin sheet bundle is placed on the mounting tray 54, and simultaneous discharge is started together with the succeeding sheet wp1wp2 by the discharge roller 48. In this case, since the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is relatively thin, the moving distance of the roller 48a on the discharge after discharging the sheet bundle BP is small, so that the moving distance between the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 is small. Does not affect. Therefore, the subsequent seats wp1wp2 are set to the mutual deviation amount wpl1 and the switchback position is set to be the position moved by SBl1 minutes from the seat sensor 42S.

On the other hand, FIG. 19B shows a state in which a relatively thick bundle of sheets is placed on the mounting tray 54, and simultaneous discharge is started together with the subsequent sheets wp1wp2 by the discharge roller 48. In this case, since the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is relatively thick, the moving distance of the roller 48a on the discharge after discharging the sheet bundle BP is large, so that the subsequent sheets wp1wp2 move to each other. Affects distance. Therefore, as in FIG. 19A, assuming that the amount of mutual detachment between the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 is wpl1 and the switchback position is a position moved by SBl 1 minute from the seat sensor 42S, the succeeding sheet is rotated in the counterclockwise direction shown by the discharge upper roller 48a. Moves to the upstream side of the discharge roller 48. As a result, the succeeding sheets wp2 may not be aligned with each other on the mounting tray 54, or the succeeding sheets wp2 may protrude toward the reference surface 57, and the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 may not be aligned or deteriorated.

Therefore, the amount of disengagement wpl1 between the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 is also set to a large amount wpl2, and the transport amount for determining the switchback position is also set to SBl2, which is larger than SBl1 minutes. In other words, when the sheet bundle on the mounting tray 54 is thick, it is located closer to the discharge roller 48 between the transport roller 44 and the discharge roller 48 than when it is thin. As a result, even if the amount of downward movement after discharging the sheet bundle BP of the discharge upper roller 48a is large, the amount of displacement of the succeeding sheet wp1wp2 and the amount of transport at the switchback position are expected to have an effect, so that the alignment does not deteriorate. The processing apparatus B can be provided.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 20 shows a sheet processing apparatus B as a third embodiment. The difference between the sheet processing apparatus B of the second embodiment of the first embodiment and FIG. 18 FIG. 19 shown in the device and FIGS. 1-17, the apparatus of the first and second embodiments, the mounting support arm rotating shaft 167 of the discharge on the roller 48a of the discharge roller 48 which simultaneously nipping the succeeding sheet and the sheet bundle to discharge the sheet bundle to a first stacking tray 24 to switch back the succeeding sheet tray 54 of the loading tray 54 is Whereas the third embodiment is located on the upstream side of the discharge roller 48, the support arm fulcrum shaft 194 of the discharge roller 48a is located on the downstream side of the discharge roller 48. In other words, the swing fulcrum of the discharge roller 48 is located above the mounting tray 54 in the first and second embodiments, whereas it is located above the first integration tray 24 in the third embodiment. ing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, an upper cover release fulcrum 196 of the device upper cover 190 capable of releasing the upper side of the device frame 20 is provided above the support arm fulcrum shaft 194 of the discharge upper roller 48a. By providing the upper cover release fulcrum 196 at this position, the device upper cover 190 can be released in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. As a result, the transport path 42 and the carry-in path 32 can be completely released from above the mounting tray 54, and it becomes easy to take out the jam sheet bundle and perform maintenance and inspection of the device on these paths.

By the way, also in the sheet processing device B of the third embodiment , the subsequent sheet is placed on the mounting tray 54 during the operation such as binding processing on the sheet bundle BP mounted on the mounting tray 54 as before. can not be carried into execution waits for a succeeding sheet in the branch path 70 as a standby path, Shi out simultaneous flux discharged nipping the sheet bundle and the succeeding sheet simultaneously discharge roller 48 after completion of such binding processing It is possible. Therefore, the amount of displacement wpl between the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 and the amount of displacement Bpl of the mounting tray 54 with the sheet bundle BP are also set in the same manner as those of the first and second embodiments. However, the swing direction of the discharge on the roller 48a is in the opposite state when placed on the loading tray 54 to switch back the succeeding sheet wp1~wp3 the discharge roller 48, first and second The relationship is the opposite of that of the embodiment of. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

[Setting the amount of deviation between subsequent sheets in the third embodiment]
As described above, depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle BP on the mounting tray 54 in the sheet processing device B of the third embodiment in which the rotation fulcrum of the discharge roller 48 is on the downstream side of the discharge roller 48, the plurality of subsequent sheets are mutual to each other. The relationship that changes the interval will be described. FIG. 21A shows a state in which a relatively thin sheet bundle is placed on the mounting tray 54, and simultaneous discharge is started together with the succeeding sheet wp1wp2 by the discharge roller 48. In this case, since the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is relatively thin, the moving distance of the roller 48a on the discharge after discharging the sheet bundle BP is small, so that the moving distance between the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 is small. Does not affect. Therefore, as shown in the ellipse of the solid line shown in the figure, the subsequent seats wp1wp2 are set to the mutual deviation amount wpl2, and the switchback position is set to be a position moved by SBl2 from the seat sensor 42S.

On the other hand, FIG. 21B shows a state in which a relatively thick bundle of sheets is placed on the mounting tray 54, and simultaneous discharge is started together with the subsequent sheets wp1wp2 by the discharge roller 48. In this case, since the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54 is relatively thick, the moving distance of the roller 48a on the discharge after discharging the sheet bundle BP is large, so that the subsequent sheets wp1wp2 move to each other. Affects distance. Therefore, similarly to FIG. 21 (a), assuming that the amount of detachment between the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 is wpl2 and the switchback position is a position moved by SBl2 minutes from the seat sensor 42S, the succeeding sheet is rotated in the clockwise direction shown by the discharge upper roller 48a. Moves to the downstream side of the discharge roller 48. As a result , the succeeding sheets wp2 may not be displaced from each other on the mounting tray 54, or the succeeding sheet wp2 may protrude toward the reference surface 57, and the succeeding sheets wp1wp2 may not be aligned or deteriorated.

Therefore, the amount of disengagement between the subsequent sheets wp1wp2 and wpl2 is also small, and the amount of transport that determines the switchback position is also SBl1 that is smaller than SBl1 (the amount of disengagement is wpl1 <wpl2, and the switchback position is from the sheet sensor 42S. Transfer amount SBl1 <SBl2 relationship). In other words, when the sheet bundle on the mounting tray 54 is thick, it is located closer to the transport roller 44 between the transport roller 44 and the discharge roller 48 than when it is thin. As a result, even if the amount of downward movement of the sheet bundle BP of the discharge roller 48a is large, the effect on the amount of displacement of the succeeding sheet wp1wp2 and the amount of transport at the switchback position is expected, so that the alignment does not deteriorate. The processing apparatus B can be provided.

As described above, in any of the first to third embodiments disclosed here, the subsequent sheets wp1 to be nip-transferred by the discharge roller 48 together with the thickness of the sheet bundle of the mounting tray 54. Since the spacing between the sheets of wp3 is changed, it is possible to prevent the matching state from being deteriorated or disturbed when the succeeding sheets wp1 to wp3 are switched back to the mounting tray 54.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the present invention, and all of the technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the present invention. It is the subject of the invention. Although the embodiments so far have shown suitable examples, those skilled in the art can realize various alternative examples, modified examples, modified examples, or improved examples from the contents disclosed in the present specification. These are included in the technical scope set forth in the appended claims.

A Image forming device B Sheet processing device 20 Device frame 24 First integrated tray (loading tray)
26 2nd integration tray 30 Carry-in inlet 32 Carry-in route 36 Branch position 37 Switching gate 42 Carry-out route 42S Seat sensor 44 Transport roller 48 Discharge roller 48a Discharge upper roller 48b Discharge lower roller 50 Mounting tray Outlet 54 Mounting tray (1st processing) tray)
57 Reference plane (moving member)
58 Matching plate 60 End face binding part 62 End face binding unit 70 Branch path (standby path)
72 Branch roller (second transport roller)
84 Stacker (2nd mounting tray)
166 Discharge roller support arm 167 Support arm Rotating shaft 170 Standby roller 176 Seat holder 190 Device upper cover 192 Discharge roller arm 194 Support arm fulcrum shaft 196 Upper cover release fulcrum 204 Sheet processing control unit 210 Sheet transfer control unit 230 Bundle thickness sensor wpl1 Subsequent Amount of displacement between sheets wpl2 Amount of displacement between subsequent sheets Bpl1 Amount of displacement between subsequent sheets and bundle of sheets Bpl2 Amount of displacement between subsequent sheets and bundle of sheets

Claims (9)

A transport roller that transports the sheet in a predetermined transport direction,
A mounting tray that collects the sheets transported from the transfer rollers and places them in a predetermined position as a sheet bundle,
A discharge port for discharging the above-mentioned sheet bundle from the above-mentioned storage tray in a predetermined discharge direction, and
In the discharge direction, it is provided on the downstream side of the upper the placement tray, and the stacking tray for stacking the sheet bundle discharged from the discharge port,
The sheet bundle of the above-mentioned placing tray and the succeeding sheet conveyed by the above-mentioned transfer roller are niped in a staggered state, the above-mentioned sheet bundle is discharged to the above-mentioned stacking tray, and the succeeding sheet is switched back to the above-mentioned placement tray. A swingable discharge roller that is left in the storage tray,
A feeding member that sends the subsequent sheet left in the above-mentioned placement tray to the above-mentioned predetermined position, and
The switchback position at which the succeeding sheet is switched back to the above-mentioned placement tray by the above-mentioned discharge roller is set, and when the above-mentioned sheet bundle discharged from the above-mentioned placement tray has the first thickness, the above-mentioned sheet bundle is the above-mentioned first. A change part that changes the position between the transport roller and the discharge roller and closer to the discharge roller in the discharge direction than in the case where the second thickness is less than the thickness of
A sheet processing device equipped with. A transport roller that transports the sheet in a predetermined transport direction,
A mounting tray that collects the sheets transported from the transfer rollers and places them in a predetermined position as a sheet bundle,
A discharge port for discharging the above-mentioned sheet bundle from the above-mentioned storage tray in a predetermined discharge direction, and
A stacking tray provided on the downstream side of the above-mentioned storage tray in the discharge direction and accumulating the sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port, and a stacking tray.
The sheet bundle of the above-mentioned placing tray and the succeeding sheet conveyed by the above-mentioned transfer roller are niped in a staggered state, the above-mentioned sheet bundle is discharged to the above-mentioned stacking tray, and the succeeding sheet is switched back to the above-mentioned placement tray. A swingable discharge roller that is left in the storage tray,
A feeding member that sends the subsequent sheet left in the above-mentioned placement tray to the above-mentioned predetermined position, and
The timing at which the discharge roller switches back to leave the subsequent sheet in the above-mentioned placement tray is set when the above-mentioned sheet bundle placed on the above-mentioned placement tray has the first thickness. A change part that is changed to be slower than the case where the second thickness is less than the first thickness,
A sheet processing device equipped with. A transport roller that transports the sheet in a predetermined transport direction and in the direction opposite to the transport direction.
A mounting tray that collects sheets transported from the transport roller in the transport direction and places them in a predetermined position as a sheet bundle.
A discharge port for discharging the above-mentioned sheet bundle from the above-mentioned storage tray in a predetermined discharge direction, and
In the conveying direction is provided at the upstream side of the conveying roller, following the sheet conveyed to the loading tray by the conveying roller, and a standby path which the transport roller to wait the succeeding sheet is conveyed to the reverse direction,
In cooperation with the transfer roller, the succeeding sheet is transported in the opposite direction to make the successor sheet wait in the standby path, and then the successor sheet waited in the standby path is placed on the tray above from the standby path. With the second transport roller that transports in the above transport direction,
A stacking tray provided on the downstream side of the above-mentioned storage tray in the discharge direction and accumulating the sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port, and a stacking tray.
The sheet bundle of the above-mentioned tray and the plurality of succeeding sheets conveyed by the transfer roller are niped in a state of being shifted in the discharge direction, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the integrated tray, and the plurality of succeeding sheets are discharged. With a swingable discharge roller that switches back to the above-mentioned placement tray and leaves it in the above-mentioned placement tray,
A feeding member that sends the subsequent sheet left in the above-mentioned placement tray to the above-mentioned predetermined position, and
The switchback position at which the succeeding sheet is switched back to the above-mentioned placement tray by the above-mentioned discharge roller is set, and when the above-mentioned sheet bundle discharged from the above-mentioned placement tray has the first thickness, the above-mentioned sheet bundle is the above-mentioned first. A change part that changes the position between the transport roller and the discharge roller and closer to the discharge roller in the discharge direction than in the case where the second thickness is less than the thickness of
A sheet processing device equipped with. A transport roller that transports the sheet in a predetermined transport direction and in the direction opposite to the transport direction.
A mounting tray that collects sheets transported from the transport roller in the transport direction and places them in a predetermined position as a sheet bundle.
A discharge port for discharging the above-mentioned sheet bundle from the above-mentioned storage tray in a predetermined discharge direction, and
In the conveying direction is provided at the upstream side of the conveying roller, following the sheet conveyed to the loading tray by the conveying roller, and a standby path which the transport roller to wait the succeeding sheet is conveyed to the reverse direction,
In cooperation with the transfer roller, the succeeding sheet is transported in the opposite direction to make the successor sheet wait in the standby path, and then the successor sheet waited in the standby path is placed on the tray above from the standby path. With the second transport roller that transports in the above transport direction,
A stacking tray provided on the downstream side of the above-mentioned storage tray in the discharge direction and accumulating the sheet bundles discharged from the discharge port, and a stacking tray.
The sheet bundle of the above-mentioned tray and the plurality of succeeding sheets conveyed by the transfer roller are niped in a state of being shifted in the discharge direction, and the sheet bundle is discharged to the integrated tray, and the plurality of succeeding sheets are discharged. With a swingable discharge roller that switches back to the above-mentioned placement tray and leaves it in the above-mentioned placement tray,
A feeding member that sends the subsequent sheet left in the above-mentioned placement tray to the above-mentioned predetermined position, and
The timing at which the discharge roller switches back to leave the subsequent sheet in the above-mentioned placement tray is set when the above-mentioned sheet bundle placed on the above-mentioned placement tray has the first thickness. A change part that is changed to be slower than the case where the second thickness is less than the first thickness,
A sheet processing device equipped with. The discharge roller has a second thickness of less than the first thickness when the thickness of the sheet bundle placed on the above-mentioned placement tray is the first thickness. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the amount of deviation between the discharge direction tip of the sheet bundle of the above-mentioned tray and the discharge direction tip of the subsequent sheet is reduced. .. The sheet processing according to claim 3 or 4 , further comprising a regulating member that regulates the tip of the subsequent sheet that is switched back by the second transfer roller in the direction opposite to the transfer direction in order to make the standby path stand by. Device. The second transport roller, in cooperation with the transport roller, causes the succeeding sheets to stand by in the standby path with a predetermined amount of deviation from each other, and the thickness of the sheet bundle placed on the above-mentioned placement tray. The sheet according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein when is the first thickness, the amount of deviation is larger than when the bundle of sheets has a second thickness less than the first thickness. Processing equipment. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the transfer roller, the second transfer roller, and the discharge roller cooperate to transfer the sheet bundle of the above-mentioned tray and the subsequent sheet to the discharge port. .. An image forming part that forms an image on the sheet,
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which receives a sheet conveyed from the image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus equipped with.

Images