JP7439475B2 - Sheet conveyance device, image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance device that conveys a sheet to a sheet discharge section, and an image processing device.

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer is provided with a sheet conveyance device that conveys sheets such as printing paper. Further, the image forming apparatus may be provided with a sheet processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling processing and perforation processing (also referred to as punching processing) on the sheet after image forming processing. When the image forming apparatus is set to perform the post-processing on the sheet after image formation, the image forming apparatus performs the post-processing on the sheet after image formation and then transfers the sheet to a predetermined sheet tray. Discharge. On the other hand, if it is not set to perform the post-processing, the image forming apparatus discharges the sheet onto the sheet tray without performing the post-processing on the sheet after image formation.

As an example of this type of image forming apparatus, one is known that is equipped with an alignment mechanism that performs alignment processing on a bundle of sheets discharged onto a sheet tray (see Patent Document 1). The alignment mechanism performs the alignment process, for example, after a sheet is ejected and before a subsequent sheet is ejected.

Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-23009

Incidentally, in a sheet conveying device, the interval between successively conveyed sheets may vary. For example, if the surfaces of roller members such as the pickup roller that takes out sheets from the sheet storage section and the conveyance roller that transports the sheets deteriorate and become slippery, the timing and feeding state of the sheet will change for each sheet, causing subsequent The distance between the seat and the seat may become shorter. Further, if the sliding properties of the guide surface of the conveyance guide on which the sheet is conveyed are reduced, and the sheet encounters resistance due to contact with the guide surface, the distance between the sheet and the following sheet becomes shorter. When the interval between sheets becomes shorter, it becomes impossible to carry out the alignment process from when a sheet is ejected to when a subsequent sheet is ejected, and during the alignment process, the sheet collides with a member provided in the alignment mechanism, causing a sheet jam. There is a risk that this may occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveying device and an image processing device that can prevent sheets from colliding with an alignment member even if the distance between sheets becomes short.

A sheet conveyance device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet discharge section, an alignment member, an alignment control section, and a sheet interval detection section. The sheet discharge section conveys the sheets and continuously discharges the sheets from a predetermined discharge port to a predetermined sheet tray. The alignment member is provided near the discharge port, and receives a driving force from a drive source to perform an alignment operation of aligning the sheets discharged from the discharge port or the sheets on the sheet tray. The alignment control section drives and controls the alignment member. The sheet interval detection section detects a time interval between sheets successively conveyed by the sheet discharge section. The alignment control unit stops the alignment operation by the alignment member when determining that the time interval decreases to a predetermined first setting value based on the detection result of the sheet spacing detection unit.

An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image processing section, a sheet discharge section, an alignment member, an alignment control section, and a sheet interval detection section. The image processing section performs image processing on the sheet. The sheet discharge section conveys the image-processed sheet and continuously discharges the sheet from a predetermined discharge port to a predetermined sheet tray. The alignment member is provided near the discharge port, and receives a driving force from a drive source to perform an alignment operation of aligning the sheets discharged from the discharge port or the sheets on the sheet tray. The alignment control section drives and controls the alignment member. The sheet interval detection section detects a time interval between sheets successively conveyed by the sheet discharge section. The alignment control unit stops the alignment operation by the alignment member when determining that the time interval decreases to a predetermined first setting value based on the detection result of the sheet spacing detection unit.

According to the present invention, even if the distance between sheets becomes short, it is possible to prevent the sheets from colliding with the alignment member.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus included in the multifunction device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a sheet processing device included in the multifunction device of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the matching operation stop process executed by the control unit in FIG. 4.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention (an example of an image processing device of the present invention) includes a sheet processing device 30 and an image forming device 10. A sheet processing device 30 is connected to the image forming device 10 so that printing paper (an example of a sheet of the present invention) can be conveyed to the processing device 30.

[Image forming apparatus 10]
The image forming apparatus 10 includes various functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet processing device 30 is connected to a side surface of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image based on input image data on printing paper using printing material such as toner. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to one having multiple functions, and may be one having a single function such as a printer, facsimile, or copying machine.

The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image on printing paper based on image data input from the outside via a network communication unit (not shown) or image data read by a scanner 11 disposed on the top of the image forming apparatus 10. print. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 mainly includes a scanner 11, an operation display section 12, an electrophotographic image forming section 18, a fixing section 19, an ejected sheet holding section 21, and a sheet conveying section. 15 and a storage section 17. Further, the sheet conveying section 15 includes a sheet feeding section 151 including a pickup roller and a sheet feeding roller, a plurality of conveying roller pairs 152, and a discharge roller pair 153. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control section 100 (an example of the alignment control section of the present invention, see FIG. 4) that comprehensively controls the multifunction device 1 including the sheet processing device 30. These elements are provided inside the casing 14 that constitutes the outer frame cover and internal frame of the image forming apparatus 10.

The pickup roller, the paper feed roller, the transport roller pair 152, and the ejection roller pair 153 are examples of roller members of the present invention, and are rotationally driven by receiving driving force from a drive source such as a motor. Transport paper.

In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 10 including an electrophotographic image forming section 18 is exemplified, but the image forming apparatus 10 may be one that forms an image on printing paper based on, for example, an inkjet recording method. It's okay.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed section 151 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 10. Four paper feed units 151 are arranged in the vertical direction. Paper feeding section 151 feeds printing paper stored in paper feeding tray 16 to image forming section 18 . The printing paper fed to the image forming section 18 by the paper feeding section 151 is conveyed to the fixing section 19 after a toner image is transferred onto the surface thereof by the image forming section 18 . The image forming section 18 is a well-known mechanism including an LSU, a photoreceptor drum, a developing section, a charging section, a transfer section, and the like, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

The fixing unit 19 includes a heating unit such as an IH heater, and fixes the toner image transferred to the printing paper onto the printing paper using heat. While the printing paper passes through the fixing section 19, heat is supplied from the fixing section 19 to melt the toner. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the printing paper, and the image is fixed on the printing paper. The printing paper on which the image has been fixed by the fixing section 19 is sent to a conveyance path 28 that is formed downstream of the fixing section 19 in the conveyance direction of the printing paper. The conveyance path 28 is formed by guide members arranged to face each other. The printing paper sent out to the conveyance path 28 is guided by the inner guide surface of the guide member, and further downstream in the conveyance direction of the printing paper by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 152 provided along the conveyance path 28. transported.

The conveyance path 28 extends horizontally within the housing 14 up to the fixing section 19, is curved upward from the downstream side of the fixing section 19, and then extends straight vertically upward. On the downstream side of the fixing section 19, the conveyance path 28 branches into two. One branch path 28A of the transport path 28 leads to the paper discharge port 22, and the other branch path 28B leads to a transport relay port 27 formed on the left side surface 14A of the housing 14. Furthermore, a flap 25 is provided at the branch point between the branch path 28A and the branch path 28B, which is swung by a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor or a solenoid.

The flap 25 is arranged at a paper ejection position where it can block the branch path 28B and guide the printing paper to the branch path 28A when the print paper is ejected to the ejection sheet holding section 21 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 10. be done. When the flap 25 is at the paper ejecting position, the printing paper on which the image has been formed is ejected to the ejected sheet holding section 21 by the transport roller pair 152. Further, the flap 25 is disposed at a relay position (position shown in FIG. 2) where the printing paper can be guided to the branching path 28B by blocking the branching path 28A when the printing paper is conveyed to the sheet processing device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch path 28B is provided with a pair of discharge rollers 153 that conveys the printing paper after image formation to the sheet processing device 30. The discharge roller pair 153 includes a drive roller that is rotationally driven by receiving a driving force from a drive source such as a motor, and a driven roller that follows the drive roller while being in pressure contact with the drive roller. Therefore, when the flap 25 is at the relay position, the printing paper after image formation is conveyed to the sheet processing device 30 by the discharge roller pair 153.

[Sheet processing device 30]
The sheet processing device 30 is a device that performs post-processing such as stapling processing and perforation processing (punching processing) on the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 30 is used while being connected to the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the sheet processing apparatus 30 is not limited to one that performs the post-processing on the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10. For example, if the sheet processing device 30 includes a conveyance device that can convey printing paper set in an external tray (not shown) to a position where the post-processing is performed, the sheet processing device 30 The post-processing may be performed on the paper.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 30 includes an upper main body 31 that forms the upper side of a housing of the sheet processing apparatus 30, and a lower main body 32 that forms the lower side of the housing. In this embodiment, the upper main body 31 is provided with units for performing post-processing.

The sheet processing device 30 includes a perforation unit 33 (an example of a post-processing section), a storage container 110, a stapling unit 35 (an example of a post-processing section), and a sheet discharging section 70 (an example of a sheet discharging section of the present invention). , an upper tray 36A (an example of a sheet tray of the present invention), a lower tray 36B (an example of a sheet tray of the present invention), a stack tray 57, and a sheet alignment section 60 (see FIG. 4). Further, the sheet discharge section 70 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 37, a pair of discharge rollers 38 and 39, and a pair of conveyance rollers 40. These elements are provided inside the upper body 31.

The conveyance roller pair 37, the ejection roller pairs 38 and 39, and the conveyance roller pair 40 are examples of roller members of the present invention, and are rotationally driven by receiving driving force from a drive source such as a motor. transport.

The upper main body 31 has an entrance 46 on a connecting surface 44 (right side in FIG. 3) with the image forming apparatus 10. The carry-in port 46 is an entrance that receives the printing paper on which an image has been formed, which is transported from the image forming apparatus 10 . A discharge port 47 is provided at the top of the upper main body 31 for discharging printing paper from the sheet processing device 30 to the outside. An upper tray 36A is provided so as to be continuous with the discharge port 47. Further, a side surface 45 (left side in FIG. 3) of the upper main body 31 is provided with a discharge port 48 for discharging printing paper from the sheet processing device 30 to the outside. A lower tray 36B is provided so as to be continuous with the discharge port 48. The upper tray 36A and the lower tray 36B hold a plurality of sheets of printing paper discharged from the sheet processing device 30 in a vertically stacked state (stacked state).

A conveyance path 50 is provided inside the upper main body 31 . The conveyance path 50 extends inward from the loading port 46 inside the upper main body 31 . The conveyance path 50 is formed by guide members arranged to face each other. The printing paper carried into the conveyance path 50 from the carry-in port 46 passes through the conveyance path 50 and advances in the conveyance direction toward the inside of the upper main body 31 while being guided by the inner guide surface of the guide member.

The conveyance path of the printing paper is branched into a conveyance path 51 that goes from the end of the conveyance path 50 toward the upper surface of the upper main body 31 and a conveyance path 52 that goes toward the side surface 45. The conveyance path 51 reaches the discharge port 47, and the conveyance path 52 reaches the discharge port 48 via the stapling unit 35.

Each of the conveyance path 51 and the conveyance path 52 is provided with a sheet sensor 65 for detecting the paper interval (sheet interval) of the printing paper being conveyed. The sheet sensor 65 is, for example, a reflective photointerrupter having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When the leading edge of the printing paper reaches the sheet sensor 65, the signal level (light reception level) output from the light receiving element increases, and when the trailing edge of the printing paper passes the sheet sensor 65, the signal level decreases.

The sheet sensor 65 and the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 are connected so that data can be transferred, and the detection signal of the sheet sensor 65 (the electrical signal indicating the level of light reception) is transferred to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 calculates the interval between each continuously conveyed sheet based on the detection signal. Specifically, when a plurality of printing sheets are continuously conveyed, the control unit 100 starts from the time when the trailing edge of the preceding printing sheet (preceding sheet) passes the detection position of the sheet sensor 65, A time interval (paper interval) until the leading edge of the printing paper (subsequent paper) passes the detection position is calculated. In this embodiment, the sheet sensor 65 and the control section 100 realize the sheet interval detection section of the present invention. Note that the sheet sensor 65 may be provided on the conveyance path 28 of the image forming apparatus 10, but in order to accurately obtain the time interval when the printing paper is discharged to the outside, the sheet sensor 65 may be provided at the discharge ports 47, 48. It is preferable to provide it in a close position.

The sheet discharge section 70 conveys the image-processed printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 to the import entrance 46, and discharges it to either the upper tray 36A or the lower tray 36B.

The conveyance roller pair 37 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 50 in the conveyance direction. The conveying roller pair 37 is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller, and conveys the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 further downstream.

The discharge roller pair 39 is provided near the discharge port 47 at the end of the conveyance path 51 . The discharge roller pair 39 includes a drive roller 39A and a driven roller 39B, and discharges the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 51 from the discharge port 47. The drive roller 39A rotates when rotational driving force is transmitted from a drive source such as a motor (not shown). By rotating the drive roller 39A with the driven roller 39B in contact with the drive roller 39A, the print paper can be ejected by the ejection roller pair 39.

The discharge roller pair 38 is provided near the discharge port 48 at the end of the conveyance path 52. The discharge roller pair 38 includes a drive roller 38A and a driven roller 38B, and discharges the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 52 from the discharge port 48. The drive roller 38A rotates when rotational driving force is transmitted from a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The driven roller 38B is arranged above the drive roller 38A and is in contact with the drive roller 38A. Therefore, when the drive roller 38A is rotated, the driven roller 38B is rotated. By rotating the drive roller 38A with the driven roller 38B in contact with the drive roller 38A, the print paper can be ejected by the ejection roller pair 38.

The driven roller 38B is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the drive roller 38A. The driven roller 38B is configured to be able to move upwardly away from the position where it contacts the drive roller 38A by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a solenoid.

The punching unit 33 is provided near the entrance 46. The punching unit 33 performs predetermined post-processing on the printing paper carried into the conveyance path 50 from the image forming apparatus 10 . Specifically, the punching unit 33 performs a punching process on the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 50. When the printing paper is conveyed to a predetermined position on the conveyance path 50, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, and the punching unit 33 forms a hole at the leading end of the printing paper (the downstream end in the conveyance direction). Puncture scum generated by the punching process by the punching unit 33 is stored in a storage container 110 provided below the punching unit 33.

If the multifunction device 1 is set not to perform punching, the printing paper passes through the punching unit 33 without being punched. On the other hand, if it is set to perform the punching process, the printing paper is further conveyed after being punched by the punching unit 33.

A flap 55 is provided at the branch point of the conveyance path 51 and the conveyance path 52. The flap 55 is swung by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor or a solenoid, thereby determining the ejection path of the printing paper. By swinging the flap 55 to an appropriate position, the printing paper is conveyed to a predetermined arrival position.

A pair of conveyance rollers 40 is provided in each of the conveyance paths 51 and 52. The printing paper in the transport paths 51 and 52 is transported downstream in the printing paper transport direction by a transport roller pair 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stack tray 57 is provided downstream of the punching unit 33 in the printing paper conveyance direction. The stack tray 57 is provided below the conveyance path 52. One end (the left end in FIG. 3) of the stack tray 57 is located at the discharge port 48. Furthermore, the stack tray 57 extends in a diagonally downward direction when viewed from the discharge port 48 . A staple unit 35 is provided at the end of the extending direction. Therefore, the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57 is inclined diagonally downward toward the staple unit 35.

The stack tray 57 constitutes a lower guide surface of the conveyance path 52 on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 40 when stapling processing is not performed. On the other hand, when stapling is performed, the stack tray 57 plays a role of supporting a plurality of printing sheets to be stapled. In this case, the stack tray 57 sequentially supports the print sheets conveyed through the conveyance path 52, and can support a plurality of print sheets stacked in a bundle.

When the multifunction device 1 is set not to perform stapling processing, the printing paper transported by the transport roller pair 40 moves toward the discharge port 48 while being guided by contacting the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57. . Thereafter, the printing paper is discharged onto the lower tray 36B by a pair of discharge rollers 38 provided near the discharge port 48.

On the other hand, when the multifunction device 1 is set to perform the stapling process, the driving roller 38A and the driven roller 38B are separated. In this state, when the printing paper is transported toward the discharge port 48 by the transport roller pair 40, the printing paper moves toward the discharge port 48 along the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57. Since the driving roller 38A and the driven roller 38B are separated from each other, even when the printing paper reaches the ejection roller pair 38, the printing paper is not conveyed by the ejection roller pair 38. Then, when the rear end of the printing paper (the end on the upstream side in the transport direction) passes the transport roller pair 40, the printing paper descends toward the stack tray 57 and is supported by the support surface 58. As described above, since the support surface 58 is inclined, when the printing paper is supported by the stack tray 57, the supported printing paper moves toward the stapling unit 35 side. Specifically, the printing paper slides diagonally downward along the support surface 58 due to its own weight. Then, when the rear end of the printing paper reaches a stopper (not shown) at the bottom of the stack tray 57, the printing paper stops at the position where it contacts the stopper (stop position). By repeating this operation, a plurality of sheets of printing paper are supported at the stop position on the stack tray 57.

The sheet alignment unit 60 (see FIG. 4) performs alignment processing on the printing paper discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48. Specifically, the sheet alignment unit 60 regulates the discharge direction of sheets discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48, and aligns the trailing edges of printing sheets stacked on the upper tray 36A and the lower tray 36B. Then, an alignment operation is performed to align the stacks of printing paper stacked on each tray.

The sheet alignment section 60 includes an alignment member 61 provided near the discharge port 47 and an alignment member 62 provided near the discharge port 48 . The alignment members 61 and 62 are both examples of alignment members of the present invention. The alignment members 61 and 62 are paddle-shaped members (rotating paddle members) that rotate by receiving rotational driving force from a drive source such as a motor. The alignment member 61 is provided below the discharge port 47 and the discharge roller pair 39, and the alignment member 62 is provided below the discharge port 48 and the discharge roller pair 38. By rotating, the alignment members 61 and 62 press and align the rear ends of the printing sheets stacked on the sheet loading surfaces of the corresponding trays 36A and 36B from above, thereby aligning the paper sheets on the respective trays 36A and 36B. Align the stacks of printing paper stacked on 36B. These aligning members 61 and 62 are rotated to come into contact with the uppermost surface of the printing paper stacked on each tray 36A and 36B, and have the role of pulling the uppermost printing paper toward you. .

The alignment members 61 and 62 are driven and controlled by the control unit 100, so that each time the printing paper is discharged, the alignment members 61 and 62 retreat to an initial position determined inside the upper main body 31, and wait at the initial position. When the printing paper is discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48, the alignment members 61 and 62 are rotationally driven and rotated from the initial position toward the respective trays 36A and 36B, so that the rear end of the printing paper Align the printing paper by making contact with it.

Note that the sheet alignment section 60 includes a pair of side guides that come into contact with both ends in the width direction of the printing paper discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48 to regulate the discharge position of the printing paper in the width direction. It's okay. The side guide is supported so as to be movable in the width direction, and is movable in the width direction by receiving a driving force from a drive source such as a motor. In this configuration, the control unit 100 moves the side guides to a position where the interval between the side guides is larger than the width size of the printing paper every time the printing paper is discharged, and the printing paper is discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48. When the printing paper is ejected, the side guide is moved to a position where the printing paper can be aligned.

[Configuration of control unit 100]
With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the control unit 100 and the processing executed by the control unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 is a microcomputer including a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and the like. The control unit 100 may be realized by, for example, an IC such as an ASIC.

The control unit 100 controls the multifunction device 1 in an integrated manner, and in this embodiment, the control unit 100 drives and controls the alignment members 61 and 62.

The control unit 100 can communicate with and control each of the storage unit 17, operation display unit 12, scanner 11, image forming unit 18 (an example of an image processing unit of the present invention), and sheet conveyance unit 15 included in the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, when the sheet processing apparatus 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the sheet discharging section 70, punching unit 33, stapling unit 35, sheet alignment section 60, and sheet sensor 65 included in the sheet processing apparatus 30 are connected to the image forming apparatus 10. They are connected to each other in a communicable and controllable manner.

The storage unit 17 is a nonvolatile storage medium or storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores various information. The storage unit 17 stores a control program for causing the control unit 100 to execute matching operation stop processing and various calculation processes, which will be described later, as well as data and setting values used in the alignment operation stop processing and various calculation processes. .

As described above, the sheet sensor 65 and the control section 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 are communicably connected, and the detection signal of the sheet sensor 65 is transferred to the control section 100. The control unit 100 calculates the interval between each continuously conveyed sheet based on the detection signal. Specifically, when a plurality of printing sheets are continuously conveyed, the control unit 100 starts from the time when the trailing edge of the preceding printing sheet (preceding sheet) passes the detection position of the sheet sensor 65, A time interval (paper interval) until the leading edge of the printing paper (subsequent paper) passes the detection position is calculated.

In this embodiment, when a plurality of printing sheets are conveyed, the control unit 100 calculates the time intervals corresponding to all the printing sheets. Then, all the calculated time intervals are stored in the storage unit 17 as history information.

By the way, conventionally, in a device equipped with a mechanism that performs alignment processing on print paper to be ejected, after performing alignment processing on the print paper, there is a mechanism for performing alignment processing on the next print paper to be ejected. , it is necessary to return the alignment member to its initial position before the alignment process. Therefore, when printing paper is conveyed continuously, the time interval from the trailing edge of the preceding printing paper to the leading edge of the following printing paper (paper interval) is the time required to return the alignment member to its initial position. is set longer than In other words, the control unit 100 controls the conveyance of the printing paper so that the time interval is longer than the required time.

However, the interval between continuously conveyed printing sheets varies depending on various factors. For example, if the surfaces of roller members such as the pick-up roller for taking out printing paper from the paper feed tray 16 and the paper feeding roller for transporting the taken-out printing paper deteriorate and become slippery, the The timing of taking out the printing paper and the feeding state may change, and the time interval between the preceding printing paper and the following printing paper may become shorter. In addition, if the sliding properties of the guide surface of the guide member on which the printing paper is conveyed are reduced, if the printing paper encounters resistance due to contact with the guide surface, the preceding printing paper and the following printing paper may The interval becomes shorter. When the interval between printing sheets becomes shorter, it becomes impossible to perform the alignment process from when the preceding printing paper is ejected to when the following printing paper is ejected. may collide and cause a jam.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the alignment described later so that even if the interval between the printing sheets at the time of ejection becomes shorter than the specified interval, the printing sheets can be prevented from colliding with the alignment members 61 and 62. Execute operation stop processing (see FIG. 5).

Specifically, the control unit 100 calculates the time interval between the preceding printing paper and the following printing paper based on the detection result of the sheet sensor 65, and calculates the time interval between the preceding printing paper and the following printing paper, and sets the time interval to a predetermined first setting time (main (an example of the first setting value of the invention), the alignment operation by the alignment members 61 and 62 is stopped. In other words, the alignment members 61 and 62 are maintained at the initial position without being operated. More specifically, the control unit 100 stops the alignment operation by the alignment members 61 and 62 when the time interval becomes equal to or less than the first set time.

Here, the first set time is set value information stored in the storage section 17. The first set time is, for example, determined to be the minimum time in which the alignment operation by the alignment members 61 and 62 can be completed before the leading edge of the subsequent printing paper reaches the discharge ports 47 and 48.

Further, the control unit 100 determines, based on history information regarding the time interval calculated in the past and stored in the storage unit 17, that the time interval is a second set time (a second set time of the present invention) that is smaller than the first set time. Predict the timing of the drop to (an example of a set value). Specifically, the control unit 100 determines the decreasing tendency of the time interval from the history information, and calculates the timing until the time interval reaches the second set time from the decreasing tendency. As an example of what indicates the decreasing tendency, a function based on the correlation between the cumulative value of the number of printed sheets and the amount of decrease (decrease amount) in the time interval can be considered. In this case, the timing is a predicted cumulative value of the number of printed sheets when the time interval reaches the second set time.

Here, the second set time is set to a time that is considered to cause a problem in ejecting the printing paper by the sheet ejecting section 70.

[Alignment operation stop processing]
Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the matching operation stop process executed by the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, steps S11, S12, . . . represent processing procedure (step) numbers. Note that this alignment operation stop processing will be described as being performed when the multifunction device 1 performs a print process (continuous print process) that involves printing out a plurality of sheets. Further, in the following description, in order to facilitate understanding, an example of printing processing in which printing is performed consecutively on two sheets of printing paper will be described.

When a print instruction is input to the multifunction device 1, the control unit 100 starts the process of feeding the printing paper stored in the paper feed tray 16 to the image forming unit 18, and executes the image forming process. At this time, the control unit 100 determines whether the print instruction is a continuous print instruction for printing multiple sheets (S11). For example, when print job data including document data to be printed is input from an external device connected to a network, the control unit 100 determines that a print instruction has been input, and adds multiple pages of print data to the print job data. is included, or if information indicating that the number of copies to be printed is plural is included, it is determined that a continuous print instruction has been input. After that, the control unit 100 performs the process of step S12.

In the next step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether the trailing edge of the first printing paper (preceding paper) has been detected based on the output signal of the sheet sensor 65. For example, the control unit 100 determines that the trailing edge of the printing paper has passed the detection position of the sheet sensor 65 when the signal level from the sheet sensor 65 decreases. When the trailing edge of the preceding sheet is detected, the timing at that time is stored in the storage section 17, and the process proceeds to the next step S13.

In the next step S13, the control unit 100 determines whether the leading edge of the second subsequent printing paper (subsequent paper) has been detected based on the output signal of the sheet sensor 65. For example, if the signal level from the sheet sensor 65 increases after the trailing edge of the preceding sheet is detected in step S12, the control unit 100 determines that the leading edge of the succeeding sheet has passed the detection position of the sheet sensor 65. do. When the trailing edge of the succeeding sheet is detected, the timing at that time is stored in the storage section 17, and the process proceeds to the next step S14.

Subsequently, in the next step S14, the control unit 100 determines, based on the timing detected in steps S12 and S13, that the trailing edge of the preceding paper passes the detection position and then the leading edge of the succeeding paper passes the detection position. Calculate the time interval (paper interval) required to pass the position.

In the next step S15, the control unit 100 determines whether the time interval calculated in step S14 is less than the first preset time. In other words, it is determined whether the time interval has decreased to the first set time.

In step S15, if it is determined that the time interval is greater than or equal to the first set time, that is, if it is determined that the time interval has not decreased to the first set time, the control unit 100 controls the sheet alignment unit The alignment operation of the alignment members 61 and 62 by the alignment member 60 is continued. If the time interval is greater than or equal to the first set time, it means that there is sufficient time for the matching operation. Specifically, the control unit 100 keeps the setting of the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 valid. As a result, the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 is performed even after the next printing process. Thereafter, the series of matching operation stop processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the time interval is less than the first set time, the control section 100 stops the alignment operation of the alignment members 61 and 62 by the sheet alignment section 60 (S16). If the time interval is less than the first set time, it means that the time required for the matching operation is insufficient. Specifically, the control unit 100 changes the setting of the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 from valid to invalid. As a result, the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 will not be performed after the next printing process.

Furthermore, in the next step S17, the control unit 100 predicts the timing at which the time interval will decrease to the second set time based on the history information regarding the time interval stored in the storage unit 17. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines a decreasing tendency of the time interval from the history information, and determines a predicted cumulative value of the number of printed sheets when the time interval decreases to the second set time.

Thereafter, the control unit 100 performs a process of displaying a message on the operation display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 10, such as a message indicating that the paper interval is shorter than a specified interval, and displays the message on the management server connected to the multifunction device 1. A notification process is performed, including a process of outputting a message, a process of outputting the predicted cumulative value regarding the number of printed sheets obtained in step S17 to the operation display section 12 and the management server, etc. (S18). Thereafter, the series of matching operation stop processing ends.

As described above, in the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that the time interval has decreased to the first set time, the sheet alignment unit 60 aligns the alignment members 61 and 62. Stop operation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the printing paper from colliding with the alignment members 61 and 62 during the alignment operation due to the time interval between the preceding printing paper and the following printing paper being reduced to the set time.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 100 predicts the timing at which the time interval will decrease to the second set time based on the history information regarding the time interval stored in the storage unit 17, and adjusts the predicted timing. The predicted cumulative value shown is output. The user or administrator of the multifunction device 1 can grasp the predicted cumulative value as the timing at which a problem may occur in the ejection of the sheet ejecting unit 70.

Note that in the embodiment described above, the multifunction device 1 in which the sheet processing device 30 is connected to the image forming device 10 is illustrated as an example of the image processing device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the image processing apparatus of the present invention may be an image forming apparatus 10 to which the sheet processing apparatus 30 is not connected. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a sheet alignment section 60, and alignment members 61 and 62 are provided near the paper discharge port 22.

Further, the present invention may be understood as a sheet conveyance device that conveys printing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the sheet conveyance device includes a control section 100 and a sheet conveyance section 15 included in the image forming apparatus 10, and a sheet discharge section 70 and a sheet alignment section 60 included in the sheet processing apparatus 30.

1: Multifunction device 10: Image forming device 11: Scanner 12: Operation display section 14: Housing 15: Sheet transport section 16: Paper feed tray 17: Storage section 18: Image forming section 19: Fixing section 21: Ejected sheet holding section 22: Paper discharge port 30: Sheet processing device 33: Punching unit 35: Staple unit 36A: Upper tray 36B: Lower tray 37: Conveyance roller pair 38: Discharge roller pair 39: Discharge roller pair 40: Conveyance roller pair 47: Discharge port 48: Discharge port 60: Sheet aligning section 61: Aligning member 62: Aligning member 65: Sheet sensor 70: Sheet discharging section 100: Control section 151: Paper feeding section 152: Conveyance roller pair 153: Discharge roller pair

Claims (5)

a sheet ejection unit that conveys the sheets and continuously ejects the sheets from a predetermined ejection port to a predetermined sheet tray;
an aligning member that is provided near the ejection port and performs an alignment operation of aligning the sheets ejected from the ejection port or the sheets on the sheet tray by receiving a driving force from a drive source;
an alignment control section that drives and controls the alignment member;
a sheet interval detection unit that detects a time interval between each sheet continuously conveyed by the sheet discharge unit,
The alignment control section includes:
If it is determined that the time interval decreases to a predetermined first setting value based on the detection result of the sheet interval detection unit, stopping the alignment operation by the alignment member ;
A sheet conveyance device that predicts a timing at which the time interval decreases to a second set value smaller than the first set value based on a history of detection results of the sheet interval detector . The sheet transport according to claim 1, wherein the alignment control unit stops the alignment operation by the alignment member when the time interval detected by the sheet interval detection unit becomes less than the first set value. Device. The first setting value indicates the minimum time in which the alignment operation can be completed before a subsequent sheet reaches the discharge port when a plurality of sheets are continuously conveyed by the sheet discharge section. , A sheet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet discharge section includes a roller member that conveys the sheet by being rotationally driven. an image processing unit that performs image processing on the sheet;
a sheet ejection unit that conveys the image-processed sheet and continuously ejects the sheet from a predetermined ejection port to a predetermined sheet tray;
an aligning member that is provided near the ejection port and performs an alignment operation of aligning the sheets ejected from the ejection port or the sheets on the sheet tray by receiving a driving force from a drive source;
an alignment control section that drives and controls the alignment member;
a sheet interval detection unit that detects a time interval between each sheet continuously conveyed by the sheet discharge unit,
The alignment control section includes:
If it is determined that the time interval decreases to a predetermined first setting value based on the detection result of the sheet interval detection unit, stopping the alignment operation by the alignment member ;
An image processing apparatus that predicts a timing at which the time interval decreases to a second set value smaller than the first set value based on a history of detection results of the sheet interval detector .