JP7095036B2 - Sheet post-processing device - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device that post-processes a sheet on which an image is formed.

Conventionally, there is known a sheet post-processing device that performs post-processing such as staple processing on a sheet loaded on a processing tray. This sheet post-processing device adjusts the deviation in the width direction of the sheets (horizontally aligning) in order to adjust the deviation of a plurality of sheets before executing the post-processing loaded on the processing tray. It has a vertical alignment member that adjusts (vertically aligns) the deviation in the direction orthogonal to the direction.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-214102

In the above-mentioned sheet post-processing device, the vertical alignment member that vertically aligns the sheets of the processing tray is fixedly arranged with respect to the sheet post-processing device. Therefore, depending on the alignment position of the sheet, the sheet may be disturbed due to the alignment operation of the vertical alignment member.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present embodiment, the processing tray on which the sheet is loaded and the sheet loaded on the processing tray are sandwiched between the first matching plate and the second matching plate in the width direction of the sheet in the width direction. A horizontal alignment unit for matching, a discharge tray for discharging a sheet bundle on a processing tray including a sheet loaded on the processing tray, and a sheet bundle on the first matching plate rather than a second matching plate. The stapler that executes the staple processing at a close position and the first sheet loaded on the processing tray are laterally aligned at the first matching position , and the first matching plate is moved away from the second matching plate in the width direction. After moving to the side, the second matching plate is moved in the width direction toward the position where the first matching plate and the stapler execute the stapler processing, and the second matching plate is laterally aligned at the second matching position. If the second sheet loaded on the processing tray next to the sheet is not the final sheet of the sheet bundle, the second matching plate is moved to a standby position farther from the first matching plate than the first matching position in the width direction. Then, the subsequent third sheet is received in the processing tray, and the second matching plate is moved in the width direction toward the first matching plate and the second matching position where the stapler executes the stapler processing to perform horizontal alignment. When the third sheet is the final sheet of the sheet bundle, the second matching plate is moved to the second matching position to perform horizontal alignment, and then the second matching plate is moved away from the first matching plate in the width direction. After moving the second matching plate in the width direction, the first matching plate and the stapler are moved closer to the second matching position where the stapler processing is performed, and the horizontal alignment is performed again, and the sheet bundle is stapled. It is provided with a control unit that controls the ejection of the sheet bundle on the processing tray to the ejection tray after the execution.

The figure which shows the whole structure of an image formation system. The electric block diagram of the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus. The figure which shows the detail of each part composition of the sheet post-processing apparatus schematically. The figure which shows typically the relationship with a waiting tray, a processing tray and a paddle part. Top view showing the relationship between the paddle part and the processing tray. The figure which shows the home position of the 1st paddle and the 2nd paddle. The figure which shows the vertical alignment processing by the 1st paddle. The figure which shows the vertical alignment processing by the 2nd paddle. The figure which shows the control executed by the post-processing control part in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the state which a sheet has moved from a waiting tray to a processing tray. The figure which shows the processing tray after performing the vertical alignment processing with the 1st paddle. The figure which shows the processing tray when the horizontal alignment processing was executed at the 2nd alignment position. The figure which shows the processing tray after performing the vertical alignment processing with the 2nd paddle. The figure which shows that the 1st matching plate was moved from the 2nd matching position to the 1st matching position. The figure which shows that the 2nd matching plate was moved from the 2nd matching position to the 1st matching position. The figure which shows that the 2nd matching plate was moved from the 1st matching position to the standby position. The figure which shows that the subsequent sheet was transferred to the processing tray. The figure which shows the processing tray after performing the vertical alignment processing with the 1st and 2nd paddle. The figure explaining the phenomenon that the sheet is disturbed by executing the vertical alignment process at the 1st alignment position. The figure which shows that the 2nd matching plate was moved from the standby position to the 1st matching position. The figure which shows that the 2nd matching plate was moved from the 1st matching position to the 2nd matching position. The figure which shows that the 2nd matching plate was moved from the 2nd matching position to the 1st matching position. The figure which shows the control executed by the post-processing control part in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the control executed by the post-processing control part in 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, configurations having the same or similar functions will be described with the same reference numerals. In addition, duplicate explanations of these configurations may be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electric block diagram of an image forming apparatus and a sheet post-processing apparatus. The image forming system includes an image forming device 1 and a sheet post-processing device 2. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet-like medium (hereinafter, referred to as "sheet") such as paper. The sheet post-processing device 2 performs post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1.

The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control panel 11, a scanner unit 12, a printer unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a paper ejection unit 15, an image forming control unit 16, and a communication interface 17.

The control panel 11 includes various keys that accept user operations. For example, the control panel 11 accepts input regarding the type of post-processing of the sheet. The control panel 11 sends the input information regarding the type of post-processing to the sheet post-processing device 2.

The scanner unit 12 includes a reading unit that reads image information of an object to be copied. The scanner unit 12 sends the read image information to the printer unit 13.

The printer unit 13 forms an output image (hereinafter referred to as "toner image") with a developer such as toner based on the image information transmitted from the scanner unit 12 or an external device. The printer unit 13 transfers the toner image onto the surface of the sheet. The printer unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred to the sheet to fix the toner image on the sheet.

The paper feeding unit 14 supplies the sheets one by one to the printer unit 13 at the timing when the printer unit 13 forms the toner image. The paper ejection unit 15 conveys the sheet ejected from the printer unit 13 to the post-processing device 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the image formation control unit 16 controls the control panel 11, the scanner unit 12, the printer unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, and the paper ejection unit 15. The image formation control unit 16 is formed by a control circuit including a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown). Further, the communication interface 17 transmits information such as a print job received from an external device such as a control panel 11 or a client PC to the sheet post-processing device 2. Alternatively, the information transmitted from the sheet post-processing device 2 is received.

Next, the sheet post-processing device 2 will be described. The configuration of the sheet post-processing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet post-processing device 2 is arranged adjacent to the image forming device 1. The sheet post-processing device 2 executes a designated post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming device 1 through an external device such as a control panel 11 or a client PC. For example, the post-processing is a stapling process or a sorting process.

The sheet post-processing device 2 includes a standby unit 21, a processing unit 22, a discharge unit 23, a post-processing control unit 24, and a communication interface 40. The standby unit 21 temporarily retains (buffers) the sheet S (see FIG. 3) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 2. For example, the standby unit 21 puts a plurality of subsequent sheets S on standby while the post-processing of the preceding sheet S is performed by the processing unit 22. The standby unit 21 is provided above the processing unit 22. When the sheets of the processing unit 22 are discharged to the discharging unit 23, the standby unit 21 drops the plurality of accumulated sheets S toward the processing unit 22.

The processing unit 22 performs post-processing on the sheet S. For example, the processing unit 22 aligns a plurality of sheets S. The processing unit 22 performs staple processing on a plurality of matched sheets S. As a result, the plurality of sheets S are bound by the staples. The processing unit 22 discharges the post-treated sheet S to the discharge unit 23.

The discharge unit 23 includes a fixed tray 23a and a movable tray 23b. The fixed tray 23a is provided on the upper part of the sheet post-processing device 2. The movable tray 23b is provided on the side portion of the sheet post-processing device 2. The stapled or sorted sheet S is discharged to the movable tray 23b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the overall operation of the seat post-processing device 2. That is, the post-processing control unit 24 controls the standby unit 21, the processing unit 22, and the discharging unit 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing control unit 24 includes an inlet roller 32a, an outlet roller 33a, a paddle unit 25, a paddle motor 28, a first horizontal matching motor 29a and a second horizontal matching motor 29b, and a first matching plate 51a. , Controls the second matching plate 51b. The post-processing control unit 24 is formed by a control circuit including a CPU 241 and a ROM 242, and a RAM 243. In this embodiment, two motors, the first horizontal matching motor 29a and the second horizontal matching motor 29b, are used, but the matching plates 51a and 51b may be moved by one motor. .. Further, the communication interface 40 receives information such as a print job transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2. Alternatively, the error information generated by the sheet post-processing device 2 is transmitted to the image forming device 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the details of the configuration of each part of the sheet post-processing device 2. The "sheet transport direction" described in this embodiment is the transport direction D of the sheet S in the standby tray 211 of the standby unit 21 (direction in which the sheet S enters the standby tray 211) or the sheet S is the processing tray 221. It means the direction of being conveyed to the movable tray 23b.

Further, the "upstream side" and the "downstream side" described in the present embodiment mean the upstream side and the downstream side in the sheet transport direction D, respectively. Further, the "tip portion" and "rear end portion" described in the present embodiment mean the "downstream side end portion" and the "upstream side end portion" in the sheet transport direction D, respectively. Further, in the present embodiment, the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction D is referred to as the sheet width direction W.

The transport path 31 is a transport path from the sheet supply port 31p to the sheet discharge port 31d. The sheet supply port 31p is arranged at a position facing the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet S is supplied from the image forming apparatus 1 to the sheet supply port 31p. On the other hand, the sheet discharge port 31d is located in the vicinity of the standby unit 21. The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 is discharged to the standby unit 21 via the transport path 31.

The inlet rollers 32a and 32b are provided in the vicinity of the seat supply port 31p. The inlet rollers 32a and 32b convey the sheet S supplied to the sheet supply port 31p toward the downstream side of the transfer path 31. For example, the inlet rollers 32a and 32b convey the sheet S supplied to the sheet supply port 31p to the outlet rollers 33a and 33b.

The outlet rollers 33a and 33b are provided in the vicinity of the seat discharge port 31d. The outlet rollers 33a and 33b receive the sheet S conveyed by the inlet rollers 32a and 32b. The outlet rollers 33a and 33b convey the sheet S from the sheet discharge port 31d to the standby unit 21.

The standby unit 21 has a standby tray (buffer tray) 211, a transport guide 212, discharge rollers 213a and 213b, and an opening / closing drive unit (not shown).

The rear end of the standby tray 211 is located in the vicinity of the outlet rollers 33a and 33b. The rear end of the standby tray 211 is located slightly below the sheet discharge port 31d of the transport path 31. The standby tray 211 is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction so as to gradually increase toward the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D. In the standby tray 211, a plurality of sheets S are stacked and made to stand by while the post-processing is performed by the processing unit 22.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the standby tray 211, the processing tray 221 and the paddle portion 25 described later. The standby tray 211 has a first tray member 211a and a second tray member 211b. The first tray member 211a and the second tray member 211b are separated from each other in the seat width direction W. The first tray member 211a and the second tray member 211b receive power from the opening / closing drive unit and move in a direction toward each other and a direction away from each other.

The first tray member 211a and the second tray member 211b support the sheet S conveyed from the outlet rollers 33a and 33b in a state of being close to each other. On the other hand, the first tray member 211a and the second tray member 211b are separated from each other in the sheet width direction W to move the sheet S from the standby tray 211 toward the processing tray 221. As a result, the sheet S supported by the standby tray 211 falls from the space between the first tray member 211a and the second tray member 211b toward the processing tray 221. That is, the sheet S moves from the standby tray 211 to the processing tray 221.

Returning to the description of FIG.

The assist arm 41 shown in FIG. 3 is provided above the standby tray 211. For example, the assist arm 41 has a length of about half or more of the standby tray 211 in the seat transport direction D. The seat S discharged from the outlet rollers 33a and 33b enters the space between the assist arm 41 and the standby tray 211.

The processing unit 22 shown in FIG. 3 has a processing tray 221, a stapler 222, transfer rollers 223a and 223b, a transfer belt 224, a stopper 225, and a lateral matching unit 51 (first matching plate 51a, second matching plate 51b).

The processing tray 221 is provided below the standby tray 211. The processing tray 221 is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction so as to gradually increase toward the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D. The processing tray 221 is tilted substantially parallel to the standby tray 211. The plurality of sheets S moved to the processing tray 221 are aligned with each other by the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b in the sheet width direction W.

The stapler 222 is provided at the rear end of the processing tray 221. The stapler 222 performs staple (binding) processing on a bundle of a plurality of sheets S located in the processing tray 221.

The transfer rollers 223a and 223b are arranged at predetermined intervals in the sheet transfer direction D. The transport belt 224 is hung on the transport rollers 223a and 223b. The transport belt 224 is rotated in synchronization with the transport rollers 223a and 223b. The transport belt 224 transports the sheet S between the stapler 222 and the discharge unit 23.

The stopper 225 is arranged upstream in the sheet transport direction when viewed from the transport path roller 223b. The stopper 225 is a member for abutting the sheet S moved from the standby tray 211 to the processing tray 221 against the member to align the sheet S in the sheet transport direction. In other words, the stopper 225 is a member that serves as an abutting reference when performing sheet alignment processing in the sheet transport direction. That is, the sheet S is moved toward the upstream in the sheet transport direction by the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b, which will be described later, and is abutted against the stopper 225 to be aligned in the sheet transport direction. Hereinafter, aligning the sheets in the sheet transport direction may be referred to as vertical alignment processing. Further, the "alignment process" of the present embodiment is synonymous with the operation of aligning the edges of the sheets (the operation of aligning).

The horizontal matching portion 51 has a pair of first and second matching plates 51a and 51b. The first matching plate 51a is a matching plate located on the front side (front side) of the post-processing device 2. The second matching plate 51b is a matching plate located on the rear side (back side) of the aftertreatment device 2. The first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b can be moved synchronously or independently in the seat width direction W by the first horizontal matching motor 29a and the second horizontal matching motor 29b. As a result, the position of the sheet S can be shifted, so that the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b are also used when sorting the sheets S.

The first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b are arranged with a predetermined space (interval). The sheet S moved from the standby tray 211 is loaded in this predetermined space. The sheet S is sandwiched between the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b so that the sheet S is aligned in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. A damper is provided on the first matching plate 51a. The damper may be a spring type or may be formed of a member molded from a flexible material such as resin.

The paddle portion 25 shown in FIG. 3 has a first paddle 25a, a second paddle 25b, a rotating shaft 26, and a rotating body 27.

The rotation shaft 26 is the rotation center of the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b. The rotation shaft 26 is located below the standby tray 211, and its position is fixed. The rotation shaft 26 extends in the seat width direction W. The rotating shaft 26 receives a driving force from the paddle motor 28 and rotates in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise direction) in FIG.

The first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b are formed of an elastic material such as rubber or resin. The first paddle 25a protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating body 27 and is attached to the rotating body 27.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second paddle 25b is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the first paddle 25a. In other words, the second paddle 25b is provided at a predetermined distance behind the first paddle 25a in the direction of arrow A. The second paddle 25b protrudes in the radial direction of the rotating body 27 and is attached to the rotating body 27. The length of the second paddle 25b has a length shorter than the length of the first paddle 25a in the radial direction of the rotating body 27.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the relationship between the paddle portion 25 and the processing tray 221.

A plurality of paddle portions 25 are provided on the rotating shaft 26 extending in the seat width direction W. The paddle portions 25 are arranged symmetrically with a predetermined interval so as to sandwich the central portion of the processing tray 221. Further, the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b are in contact with the processing tray 221 when rotated. Since the paddle portion 25 is attached to the rotating shaft 26, it rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft 26.

The horizontal matching unit 51 (first matching unit 51a, second matching unit 51b) has a "standby position" and a "first matching position" in the processing tray 221 by the first horizontal matching motor 29a and the second horizontal matching motor 29b. , Is positioned at the "second matching position".

The “standby position” is a position when the sheet S discharged from the outlet rollers 33a and 33b or the sheet S moving from the standby tray 211 is received. The positions of the first matching portion 51a and the second matching portion 51b in FIG. 5 are the standby positions.

The "first matching position" is a position shifted to one end side by a predetermined distance from the central portion of the processing tray 221 in the sheet width direction W of the processing tray 221. At this position, the sheet S is aligned in the sheet width direction W by the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b. Further, the distance between the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b when located at the "first matching position" is the same as or slightly narrower than the length in the width direction of the sheet S to be matched. Is preset to. In FIG. 5, the "first matching position" is shown at a position shifted to the right side (front side) area where the stapler 222 is arranged, but at a position shifted to the left side (rear side) area. There may be. The central portion of the processing tray 221 is a position where the value of the X coordinate becomes 0 when FIG. 5 is illustrated as an example. The "second matching position" is processed by the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b. It is a position where the sheet S is aligned in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction with respect to the central portion of the tray 221. Further, when the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b are positioned at the "second matching position", the distance between them is slightly wider than the length in the width direction of the sheet S to be matched. It is set.

In order to explain the positions of the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b at the lower part of FIG. 5, -X4, -X2, with the central portion of the processing tray 221 as a reference (0 in the X coordinate). -Indicate the values of X1, X2, X3, and X4. Further, Table 1 shows the values of the X coordinates when the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b are positioned at each operating position. The value of the X coordinate at the center of the processing tray 221 is set to 0. Further, X1, X2, X3, and X4 have a relationship of X1 <X2 <X3 <X4.

Specifically, when the horizontal matching portion 51 is located at the "standby position", the first matching plate 51a is located at the point where the X coordinate value is X4, and the second matching plate 51b is located at the point where the X coordinate value is -X4. do. The "standby position" is a position where the first matching portion 51a and the second matching portion 51b are symmetrical with respect to the central portion of the processing tray 221.

When the horizontal matching portion 51 is located at the "first matching position", the first matching plate 51a is located at the point where the X coordinate value is X3, and the second matching plate 51b is located at the point where the X coordinate value is −X1. The "first matching position" is a position displaced from the central portion of the processing tray 221 toward the end portion in one direction.

When the horizontal matching portion 51 is located at the "second matching position", the first matching plate 51a is located at the X coordinate value of X2, and the second matching plate 51b is located at the X coordinate value of −X2. The "second matching position" is a position where the first matching portion 51a and the second matching portion 51b are symmetrical with respect to the central portion of the processing tray 221 and are closer to the central portion of the processing tray 221 than the "standby position". It is the position that was done.

Next, the vertical alignment process executed by the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a home position before the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b are rotationally driven. The "home position" is the first paddle 25a, second when the seat S is retained from the outlet rollers 33a, 33b toward the standby tray 211, or when the seat S is directly sent from the outlet rollers 33a, 33b to the processing tray 221. This is the position where the paddle 25b stands by.

In FIG. 6, the first paddle 25a is arranged at a position that does not project toward the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D from the outer peripheral surface of the outlet roller 33b when viewed from the axis of the outlet roller 33b. From another point of view, the first paddle 25a is located upstream of the outer peripheral surface of the outlet roller 33b located near the standby tray 211 when viewed from the standby tray 211, and is located upstream from the outlet roller 33b to the standby tray 211. It is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the transportation of the sheet S to be transported. Further, the tip of the second paddle 25b is arranged at a position separated from the sheet S of the processing tray 221 by a predetermined distance.

When a predetermined number of sheets S are accumulated in the standby tray 211, the post-processing control unit 24 drives the pair of standby tray members 211a and 211b in the direction away from each other in the sheet width direction W, and the retained sheets S. To the processing tray 221.

The post-processing control unit 24 rotates the rotary shaft 26 by driving the paddle motor 28. The first paddle 25a comes into contact with the sheet S falling from the standby tray 211 by rotating along with the rotation of the rotating shaft 26, and applies a force to move toward the processing tray 221.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing that the first paddle 25a further rotates in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise) to execute vertical alignment processing on the sheet S moved to the processing tray 221.

The first paddle 25a is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state of FIG. 6 to guide the sheet S to the processing tray 221 and comes into contact with the processing tray 221 via the sheet S to be in a curved state. The first paddle 25a moves the sheet S toward the stopper 225 located upstream of the processing tray 221 in the sheet transport direction while maintaining the curved state by rotating in the direction of the arrow A. That is, the first paddle 25a performs vertical alignment processing by sandwiching the sheet S together with the processing tray 221 and pulling it toward the stopper 225.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing that the second paddle 25b executes vertical alignment processing on the sheet S of the processing tray 221. The post-processing control unit 24 controls the drive of the paddle motor 28 to further rotate the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 7. The first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b are driven by the paddle motor 28 and rotate counterclockwise. The second paddle 25b executes the vertical alignment process again on the sheet S for which the vertical alignment process could not be sufficiently performed by the first paddle 25a.

After that, the post-processing control unit 24 drives the paddle motor 29 to position the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b in the home position (see FIG. 6).

The first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b wait for the subsequent seats to be received in the waiting tray 211 while being positioned at the home position. The above is the vertical alignment process executed by the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b.

Next, the flow of the horizontal alignment process and the vertical alignment process for the sheet of the processing tray 221 by the horizontal alignment portion 51 (first matching plate 51a, second matching plate 51b) and the paddle portion 25 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of vertical alignment processing and horizontal alignment processing executed by the post-processing control unit 24 by controlling the horizontal alignment unit 51 and the paddle unit 25.

First, the sheets S are discharged from the outlet rollers 33a and 33b, and a plurality of sheets S (for example, three sheets) are buffered in the standby tray 211. The post-processing control unit 24 drives the standby tray 211 so as to be separated in the width direction W of the sheet S, and supplies the sheet to the processing tray 221 (Act 101). As a result, the plurality of sheets S move from the standby tray 211 to the processing tray 221. The first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b wait for the acceptance of a plurality of sheets S at the "standby position" (see FIG. 10).

The post-processing control unit 24 drives the paddle unit 25 to rotate. The post-processing control unit 24 causes the plurality of sheets S to execute the vertical alignment processing (see FIG. 7) with the first paddle 25a (Act 102).

The sheet S is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction D by the first paddle 25a, and the vertical alignment process is executed. When the vertical matching process by the first paddle 25a is executed, the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b wait for the next process at the "standby position" (see FIG. 11).

The post-processing control unit 24 moves the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b from the standby position to the second matching position, and executes the horizontal matching process (Act 103). In the plurality of sheets S after the vertical alignment processing by Act 102, the disorder of the end portion in the sheet width direction is aligned by the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b at the second matching position (see FIG. 12). ).

The post-processing control unit 24 causes the second paddle 25b to execute the vertical alignment processing (see FIG. 8) on the plurality of sheets S aligned at the second matching position (Act 104). As a result, the plurality of sheets S are aligned in the sheet transport direction. At this time, since the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b are located at the "second matching position", it is possible to regulate the movement of the sheet that occurs when the second matching plate 51b is subjected to the vertical matching process. (See FIG. 13).

The post-processing control unit 24 moves the first matching plate 51a from the second matching position to the first matching position (Act 105). At this time, the second matching plate 51b waits for the next processing at the second matching position (see FIG. 14).

The post-processing control unit 24 moves the second matching plate 51b from the second matching position to the first matching position (Act 106). As a result, the second matching plate 51b shifts the sheet S from the second matching position to the first matching position. Further, since the first matching plate 51a is stopped at the first matching position, the sheet S is sandwiched between the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b at the first matching position, and the horizontal matching process is executed. (See FIG. 15). At this time, the post-processing control unit 24 executes the horizontal alignment processing on the sheet S with the second matching plate 51b having no damper mechanism as the matching reference. That is, the sheet S is aligned with respect to the end portion of the sheet on the second matching plate 51b side at the first matching position.

The post-processing control unit 24 determines whether or not the sheet processed this time is the final sheet (Act107). Here, if it is determined that the sheet is not the final sheet (No of Act107), the process proceeds to Act112.

The post-processing control unit 24 moves the second matching plate 51b from the first matching position to the standby position in order to receive the subsequent sheet S'in the processing tray 221 (Act 112). The first matching plate 51a waits for the next operation at the first matching position (see FIG. 16).

The post-processing control unit 24 controls the outlet rollers 33a and 33b to convey the subsequent sheet S'to the processing tray 221 (Act 113). When the subsequent sheet S'is conveyed to the processing tray 221 the first matching plate 51a is located at the first matching position and the second matching plate 51b is located at the standby position. (See FIG. 17).

The post-processing control unit 24 rotates and drives the paddle unit 25 when the subsequent sheet S'is conveyed to the processing tray 221. The post-processing control unit 24 causes the sheet S to execute vertical alignment processing (see FIGS. 7 and 8) on the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b (Act 114).

Subsequent sheets S'move to the upstream side in the transport direction D by being vertically aligned by the first paddle 25a and the second paddle 25b. On the other hand, since the plurality of sheets S that have already been aligned are located at the first matching position, the transport force applied to the sheets S by the paddle portion 25 becomes non-uniform, and the alignment state of the sheets S is disturbed. (See Fig. 18). This phenomenon will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the cause of the phenomenon that the plurality of sheets S already aligned at the first alignment position are disturbed in Act 114.

Before the processing of Act 114 is executed, the plurality of sheets S are aligned at positions deviated from the central portion of the processing tray 221 to one end side by a predetermined distance. Therefore, when the vertical alignment process is executed by the paddle portion 25, the number of the paddle portions 25 in contact with the sheet S becomes uneven on the left and right in the width direction of the sheet. Specifically, in FIG. 19, in the region on the left side of the center line of the sheet S, the two paddle portions 25 are in contact with each other, and the vertical alignment process is executed by the transport force F2.

On the other hand, in the area on the right side of the center line of the sheet S, only one paddle portion 25 is in contact with the paddle portion 25, and the vertical alignment process is executed by the transport force F1. Since the transfer force given to the sheet S by one paddle portion 25 is the same, the region on the right side of the sheet S in contact with the paddle portion 25 in a small state is subjected to vertical alignment processing with a transfer force F1 smaller than the above-mentioned transfer force F2. Will be executed. Therefore, the transport force applied to the seat S by the paddle portion 25 becomes non-uniform on the left and right sides, and as shown in FIG. 18, a shift occurs in the left region.

Returning to the description of FIG. 9 again.

After executing Act 114, the post-processing control unit 24 moves the second matching plate 51b from the standby position to the first matching position (Act 106). At this time, since the first matching plate 51a is located at the first matching position, the first matching plate 51a and the second matching plate 51b have a plurality of sheets at the subsequent sheet S'and the first matching position. By sandwiching S, the horizontal alignment process is executed (see FIG. 20).

Next, the post-processing control unit 24 again determines whether or not it is the final sheet (Act107). Here, if it is determined that the sheet is the final sheet (Act107), the process proceeds to Act108.

Since there is a possibility that the alignment disorder of the sheet has not been improved only by the horizontal alignment processing of Act106, the post-processing control unit 24 moves the second alignment plate 51b from the first alignment position to the second alignment position ( Act108). The first matching plate 51a waits for the next operation at the first matching position (see FIG. 21). Here, the second matching plate 51b does not necessarily have to be moved to the second matching position, and is located at a position where the distance from the first matching plate 51a is widened (for example, between the first matching position and the second matching position). It may be moved to the position of).

The post-processing control unit 24 moves the second matching plate 51b from the second matching position to the first matching position (Act109). The sheet S is sandwiched between the second matching plate 51b and the first matching plate 51a, so that the horizontal matching process is executed again at the first matching position (see FIG. 22).

In this way, after the vertical alignment process of the paddle portion 25 at the first alignment position, the horizontal alignment process is repeated a plurality of times at the first alignment position to improve the alignment disorder of the sheet caused after the vertical alignment process of the paddle portion 25. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a sheet bundle in a well-matched state.

Next, the post-processing control unit 24 drives the stapler 222 to execute the staple processing on the plurality of sheets S matched at the first matching position (Act 110).

The post-processing control unit 24 controls the transfer rollers 223a and 223b to discharge the sheet on which the staple processing has been executed to the movable tray 23b (Act111). This completes a series of processes.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, after the vertical alignment process of the paddle portion 25 at the first alignment position, the horizontal alignment process is repeated a plurality of times at the first alignment position to obtain a sheet bundle in a good alignment state. It will be possible to obtain.

Further, according to the present embodiment, before executing the horizontal alignment process on the sheet in Act106 and Act109, the horizontal alignment operation is executed in advance at the second matching position in Act103. Therefore, it is possible to shift a plurality of sheets S in a good matching state to one end side. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of large disturbances when the vertical alignment process is executed on the Act 115.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 23. In the second embodiment, the number of times the sheet post-processing device 2 executes the horizontal alignment processing on the sheets after the vertical alignment processing at the first alignment position is changed based on the number of sheets to be processed. Is.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of control executed by the post-processing control unit 24. The description of the process common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

Since the processing of Act 201 to Act 207 is common to that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and Act 208 and subsequent steps will be mainly described.

The post-processing control unit 24 determines whether or not it is the final sheet (Act207), and when it is determined that it is the final sheet (Yes of Act207), determines whether or not the number of sheets to be processed is a predetermined number or more. Judgment (Act 208). Here, the reason for determining whether or not the number of sheets is equal to or greater than the predetermined number is that the larger the number of sheets to be processed, the greater the disorder of the sheets after the vertical alignment process is executed at the first alignment position. This is because as the number of sheets increases, the thickness of the sheets laminated on the processing tray 221 increases. Therefore, the contact area between the sheet S of the processing tray 221 and the paddle portion 25 that executes the vertical alignment processing becomes large, and the non-uniformity of the transport force of the paddle portion at the first matching position is promoted.

When the post-processing control unit 24 determines that the number of sheets to be processed is the predetermined number or more (Yes of Act 208), the post-processing control unit 24 executes the processing of Act 209 and Act 210 again with respect to the plurality of sheets S at the first matching position. And execute horizontal alignment processing. After that, the processes of Act211 and Act212 are executed to complete the processes. Since it is the same as the first embodiment, the description of the details of the process will be omitted.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of sheets to be processed is not the predetermined number or more (No of Act208), the post-processing control unit 24 omits the processing of Act209 and Act210 and executes the processing of Act211 and Act212.

As a result, the matching process at the first matching position can be changed according to the number of sheets processed, and the processing speed of the entire sheet post-processing device can be improved.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. In the third embodiment, the post-processing control unit 24 determines whether or not the print job transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 has information to execute the staple processing, and based on the determination result. In this embodiment, the number of times the horizontal alignment process is executed on the sheet after the vertical alignment process is performed at the first alignment position is changed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of control executed by the post-processing control unit 24. The description of the process common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

Since the processing of Act 301 to Act 307 is common to that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and Act 308 and subsequent steps will be mainly described. The post-processing control unit 24 determines whether or not the sheet is the final sheet (Act307), and if it is determined to be the final sheet (Yes of Act307), the post-processing control unit 24 executes a staple process on the print job transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1. It is determined whether or not the information to the effect is attached (Act 308). Here, it is determined whether or not the print job has information to execute the stapling process, which is better when the stapling process is executed than when the stapling process is not executed. This is because the state is required.

When the process control unit 24 determines that the print job transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 has information to execute the staple process (Yes of Act 308), the process control unit 24 executes the processes of Act 309 and Act 310. The horizontal alignment process is executed again for the plurality of sheets S. After that, the processes of Act311 and Act312 are executed to complete the processes. Since it is the same as the first embodiment, the description of the details of the process will be omitted.

On the other hand, when the post-processing control unit 24 determines that the information to execute the staple processing is not attached (No of Act 308), the processing of Act 309 to Act 311 is omitted, and the sheet S is discharged and a series of series. Complete the process.

As a result, the staple process can be executed at the first alignment position on the sheet having a good alignment state.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Image forming device, 2 ... Sheet post-processing device, 21 ... Standby unit, 22 ... Processing unit, 23 ... Discharge unit, 24 ... Post-processing control unit, 25a ... First paddle, 25b ... Second paddle, 211 ... Standby Tray 221 ... Processing tray, 51a ... First matching plate, 51b ... Second matching plate

Claims (5)

A processing tray for loading sheets and
A horizontal alignment portion that sandwiches the sheet loaded on the processing tray between the first matching plate and the second matching plate in the width direction of the sheet and horizontally aligns the sheets.
A stapler that performs staple processing on a sheet bundle on the processing tray composed of a plurality of sheets including the sheet at a position closer to the first matching plate than the second matching plate.
A discharge tray in which the stapled sheet bundle is discharged from the processing tray, and a discharge tray.
After performing the lateral alignment with respect to the first sheet loaded on the processing tray at the first alignment position , the first alignment plate is moved away from the second alignment plate in the width direction. The second matching plate is moved in the width direction toward the position where the first matching plate and the stapler execute the stapler process, and the horizontal alignment is performed at the second matching position. If the second sheet loaded on the processing tray next to the sheet is not the final sheet of the sheet bundle, the second matching plate is separated from the first matching plate by the width direction from the first matching position . The third sheet is moved to the standby position, the subsequent third sheet is received in the processing tray, and the second matching plate approaches the second matching position in which the first matching plate and the stapler execute the staple processing in the width direction. After the horizontal alignment is performed by moving the second matching plate to the second matching position when the third sheet is the final sheet of the sheet bundle. After moving the second matching plate in the width direction away from the first matching plate, the first matching plate and the stapler perform a stapler process on the second matching plate in the width direction. Control to move the stapler closer to the alignment position , perform the lateral alignment again, perform the stapler treatment on the sheet bundle, and then discharge the sheet bundle on the processing tray to the discharge tray. Department and
A sheet post-processing device. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first matching plate includes a damper. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls to perform matching processing using the second matching plate without a damper as a matching reference. The control unit has a paddle portion having a first paddle and a second paddle shorter than the first paddle, and the control unit is said to have the first sheet loaded on the processing tray before the first sheet is orthogonally aligned. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the paddle portion is controlled so as to be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the width direction. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a standby tray that buffers a plurality of sheets and supplies the buffered plurality of sheets to the processing tray.

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