JPH02233468A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent recording sheets from being bound in disorder, by releasing an automatic stapling mode while inhibiting the automatic operation of a stapler when a recording sheet having a different size is detected during the automatic stapling mode. CONSTITUTION:During automatic stapling mode, when recording sheets discharged from a copying machine are stored successively into bins 55 in a sorter 20, a jogger moving motor 82 moves an aligning shaft drive unit 95 until a size detecting sensor 93 detects one of size detecting pieces 92 corresponding to the size of the recording sheets which is designated by a control section, and stops the aligning shaft drive unit 95 which is then operated so as to align the recording sheets with the use of an aligning plate 70. Then, a stapler descents successively so as to carry out a binding process. In this case, if a sheet having a size different from the size of the recording sheets stored in the bins 55 is discharged and stored, the automatic stapling mode is automatically is released. Thus, it is possible to prevent recording sheets from being unexpectedly bound in disorder.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Direct! TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a sorting function and a stapling function.

Image forming apparatuses are already known which include a copying machine having a function of sorting and storing copied recording sheets, such as copy sheet 1, and a stapling function of binding the sorted copy sheets with a stapler. In such a conventional image forming apparatus, the recording sheets stored in the bins of the sorter section are bound by a stapler, regardless of the size of the recording sheet 1. Therefore, the bound recording sheets become a bundle of recording sheets with irregular sizes.

A stack of recording sheets with irregular sizes has problems in that it does not look good and is prone to stapling errors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require binding of irregular sizes.

The present invention solves the above problem by detecting the size of recording sheets discharged into each bin using a size detection sensor;
An automatic stapling mode in which the sorted recording sheets are automatically stapled by the stapler after image formation in the image forming unit can be set only when the automatic document feeder is in an automatic document feeding mode; Detecting the size and selectively feeding a recording sheet of the corresponding size; and in the automatic stapling mode, when it is detected that the size of the recording sheet is different, the automatic stapling mode is canceled and the stapler is activated. This problem was solved by an image forming apparatus that does not automatically perform the process.

Raw-1 According to the present invention, the recording sheets discharged into the bins of the sorter section are detected by the size detection sensor, and when a recording sheet of a different size from the size already discharged and stored in the bin is discharged and stored, automatically the Automatic stapling mode is canceled. Therefore, when recording sheets of different sizes are mixed in the bins of the sorter unit, the recording sheets are not automatically stapled as they are.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Details of the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings. First, an example of the overall configuration of a copying apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described based on the side view shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the fourth mirror of the exposure optical system;
is a dustproof glass to prevent toner stains on lenses, mirrors, etc., 3 is ADF (automatic document feeder), 4 is
is contact glass, 5 is eraser (erase lamp)
, 6 is an electrostatic charger, 7 is a photoreceptor, for example, a photoreceptor drum using a selenium photoconductor, 8 is a drum thermistor for detecting the surface temperature of the photoreceptor drum 7, 9 is a static elimination lamp, 1
0 is the lens, 11 is the Tsuji quenching charger (charger after cleaning), 12 is the cleaning unit,
13 is a bias roller, 25 is an FCC (pre-cleaning charger), 14 is an exposure illumination unit consisting of a halogen lamp, etc., 15 is a first scanning mirror that forms a first carriage together with the illumination unit 14, etc. 16.17 is a first scanning mirror 2nd mirror and 3rd mirror forming 2 carriages 1
8 is a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to a recording sheet, for example, a transfer paper; 19 is a reversing unit that controls the discharge direction and discharge surface of the transfer paper after fixing in the fixing unit 18; and 20 is a unit after the paper is discharged. A sorter (with post-processing function) for sorting transfer paper, 26 is a separating claw, and 21 is a conveyor belt. The post-processing function refers to processes such as binding with a stable and perforating with a punch.

Further, 22, 23, 24, and 33 are trays for stocking and supplying transfer paper, 22 is a double-sided paper feeding tray, and 23 is a tray for stocking and supplying transfer paper.
is the first paper feed tray, 24 is the second paper feed tray, 33 is the third paper feed tray, 29 is the paper feed roller unit, 30 is the vertical paper transport section, 32 is the horizontal paper transport section, and 31 is the transfer paper 27 is a separation charger, 28 is a transfer charger, 35 is a registration roller, 34 is a developer collection container for collecting old developer when replacing the developer, 36 is a PTC (Pre-transfer charger), 38 is a drum heater for increasing the temperature of the photosensitive drum 7, 37 is a developing unit, 39 is a toner cartridge for replenishing consumed toner, 40 is a device that allows the photosensitive drum 7 to rotate. The supporting drum shaft is shown. Next, the operation of the copying machine having the above configuration will be briefly described. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported by a drum shaft 40 and rotates counterclockwise in response to a copy command or the like. Simultaneously with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 7, a static elimination lamp 9, a PTC 36, a separation charger 27, Transfer charger 28, eraser 5, cleaning unit 12,
The bias roller 13, PCC 25, and quenching charger 1l are operated. After passing through the cleaning unit 12 and the static elimination lamp 9, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes zero. The photosensitive drum 7 is driven by a main motor (not shown). At the start of driving, the leading edge of the image is controlled by the control unit so that the leading edge of the image is positioned after the position passing the cleaning unit 12 .

When the photosensitive drum 7 has rotated to the fixed position, the ADF 3
The original placed on the contact glass 4 by
Scanning is performed by a first carriage integrated with a scanning mirror 15, an illumination unit 14, etc. The reflected light image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the first scanning mirror 15, the second mirror 16, the third mirror 17, the lens 10, the fourth mirror 1, and the dustproof glass 2. After the photoreceptor drum 7 is charged by the charger 6, an eraser, that is, an erase lamp 5, illuminates unnecessary areas to create an image frame suitable for the transfer paper or the projected image, and then the photoreceptor drum is Form a latent image on 7. At this time, in order to obtain a same-sized image, the photosensitive drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is visualized as a toner image by a developing unit 37. In this case, developing unit 3
By applying a potential to 7, it is possible to obtain a dark or light image.

On the other hand, the double-sided paper feed tray 22 and the first paper feed tray 2
3. The transfer paper stocked in the second paper feed tray 24 or the third paper feed tray 33 is fed by the paper feed roller unit 29 until a paper detection sensor (not shown) is activated.

Next, the paper feeding roller unit 29 is operated again at the paper feeding timing, and the transfer paper is sent through the vertical paper transport section 30 or the horizontal paper transport section 32 to the registration 1 roller 35 that has been stopped in advance, and is placed on the photoreceptor drum 7. The registration roller 35 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image and the leading edge of the transfer paper match. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to a transfer paper under the action of a transfer charger 28. At this time, the surface of the photoreceptor 7 is very smooth, and therefore the adhesion between the photoreceptor drum 7 and the transfer paper is large. Decreases adhesion to transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 7 by the separation claw 26, and the separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing section 18 by the conveyor belt 21 as shown in FIG. Heat and pressure are applied to the toner on the transfer paper sent to the fixing section 18, whereby the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed to the transfer paper, and then the transfer paper is transferred to a sorter via the reversing section 19. It is discharged at 20. When performing double-sided copying, etc., the double-sided paper feed tray 2 is
2 is discharged. Since a small amount of toner image remains on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 7 after transfer, the FCC 25 is activated and the surface is cleaned with the cleaning brush and cleaning blade in the cleaning unit 12, and the next quenching charger 11 and static electricity removal are performed. Keep the surface potential constant using lamp 9. These control timings are obtained mainly from pulses generated in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 7 or reference pulses for driving the photoreceptor drum 7.

Next, the configuration of the sorter 20 of this embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 2 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, an entrance guide plate 43 is provided at the receiving entrance for recording sheets, e.g. copies, discharged from the copying machine, followed by upper and lower transport belts 44, 42 for transporting the copies upward. Switching claw 46, switching guide plate 45.4
7 is provided.

A pair of wandering paper rollers 48, 4 is provided on the upper path by the switching claw 46.
9 and a wandering paper tray S4 are provided, and the lower path by the switching claw 46 follows the copy insertion side of a bin 55 of a plurality of sheets (20 sheets in the example shown) provided upwardly in parallel with the vertical direction. Continuing with the copy vertical feed path. A deflection claw 64, a conveyance roller 62, and a discharge port roller pair 63 are provided at a position corresponding to each bin on the vertical feeding path, and a plurality of roller pairs of the conveyance roller 62 provided at appropriate intervals are provided. The driven roller 65 is placed between the copy vertical feeding path.
are in pressure contact. The above-described conveyor belts 44 and 42, wandering paper rollers 48 and 49, conveyance roller 62, and discharge port roller 63 are driven by a drive motor 41.

Shafts with two pulleys 53 and 69 are strategically supported on the upper and lower sides of the bin group, respectively, and the lower shaft is connected to a motor 68 for moving the post-processing unit. A post-processing unit moving belt 66 is stretched over the two pairs of upper and lower boots, and a chuck unit 60 and a post-processing unit 61 are attached to these belts via a guide unit 51. In order to guide the guide unit 51, a guide rail 67 is provided on the side of the bin group in the vertical direction over the entire height of the tenon of the sorter. A recording sheet (copy) discharged from the copying machine is inserted through the entrance guide plate 43, sandwiched between a pair of conveyor belts 42 and 44, and conveyed to the upper part.

If we are currently in the normal paper ejection mode (a mode in which paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 54), the switching claw 46 is lowered, and the copying is performed by moving the copy paper along the upper switching guide plate 47 to the wandering paper roller pair 48.
．． 49, the paper is discharged to the stray paper tray 54. Also, now, sort mode (sort mode in page order)
And stack mode. (mode to sort by page)
If so, the switching claw 46 is raised and the copy is conveyed downward along the lower switching guide plate 45. The copy transported by the transport roller 62 and the driven roller 65 is discharged to the bin 55 at the location where the deflection claw 64 is activated. The deflection claw 64 selects the mode (sort or stack)
Perform the appropriate movements. In the sorting mode, the deflection claw 64 of the first bin is activated and the second copy of the first page is ejected into the first bin 55, and the deflection claw of the second bin is activated and the second copy of the first page is ejected into the second bin 55. Discharge to. Further, the first page of the second page is discharged to the first bin 5S, and the second page is discharged to the second bin 55. In this way,
When in sort mode, 1, 2, 3, ・
The pages are ejected in the order of...-. When in stack mode, all copies of the first page are
The deflection pawl 64 operates to cause the copy of the second page to be ejected into the second bin.

In this way, when in stack mode, copies of the same page are ejected into one bin and sorted by page. Also, during sort mode or stack mode, the deflection claw 6
If a copy jams near 4, there is a function to eject the copies in front of the switching claw 46 from the sorter after the jammed copy. In this case, the switching claw 46 is switched in the event of a jam, and the later copies are ejected to the stray paper tray 54 without jamming. The copies discharged to the stray paper tray 54 can be placed into a predetermined bin from the manual feed table 52 through the manual feed slot 50 after the jam is removed. In addition, even in cases other than jams, when copies are inserted from the manual feed table 52, the copies can be ejected to each bin and sorted according to the mode. Regarding the post-processing function that performs post-processing on copies sorted in this way,
This is explained below. The post-processing unit 6l means a stapler, puncher, etc. In order to move the post-processing unit to a position corresponding to each bin, the post-processing unit motor 68 is rotated, and the post-processing unit moving belt 66 is moved up and down via the lower pulley 69 and the upper pulley 53. There is a car on the guide unit 5l that moves the guide unit 5l up and down.
It is designed to move along a guide rail 67. The chuck unit 60 is a device that transports the covey bundle to the position of the post-processing unit 6l and returns it to its original position after performing the post-processing.

In FIG. 2, the home sensor 5 is detected by the home detection piece 57.
6 is turned on, and post-processing can be performed on the copy of the first bin.

When post-processing is executed from this state, the post-processing unit movement motor 68 is turned on after the post-processing unit 61 is turned on, and the post-processing unit 61 is lowered, and the bin position sensor 58 is activated by the second bin position detection piece 59 to ONI, . Then, the post-processing unit moving motor 68 is turned off, and the post-processing unit 61 is stopped. Then, post-processing for the second bin is performed. When the execution of post-processing for the copy of a predetermined bin is completed, the post-processing unit 61 is moved to the home position. In this way, post-processing of a plurality of copy bundles can be performed. FIG. 3 is a view seen from the opposite side of FIG. 2. Figure 3 explains what could not be expressed in Figure 2. The sorter of this embodiment is a 20-bin sorter, and is divided into two blocks of 10 bins each, with bin sensors 76 and 79 in the upper block, and paper discharge sensor 77.
78, and the lower block has bin sensors 81 and 84 and stray paper sensors 80 and 83. In addition, the wandering paper tray 54
There is also a wandering paper sensor 98.99. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. The stray paper sensors 77.7B, 80, 83, 98. detect whether or not a copy has been ejected.
99, and the bin sensors 76, 79, 81, and 84 determine whether there is a copy in the bin. Such a bin sensor makes it possible to use the lower block if there is a copy on the upper block.

In order to perform copy post-processing, multiple copies must be aligned. Therefore, the sorter of the present invention is equipped with a jogger as an alignment device, which will be described below.

In FIGS. 3 and 5, the rotation of the pulley 85 by the jogger moving motor 82 is transmitted to the drive shaft 96 via the jogger drive belt 86, and the drive shaft 96 rotates.

The rotation of pulleys 74 and 87 fixed to the drive shaft 96 drives the upper jogger moving belt 73 and the lower jogger moving belt 88, and the shaft fixing unit 72 and the lower jogger moving belt are fixed to the upper jogger moving belt 73. 8
The alignment shaft drive unit 95 fixed to 8 is moved. The shaft fixing unit 72 functions to support the end of the alignment shaft 7l. Then, the size detection sensor 93 attached to the shaft drive unit 95 detects one of the predetermined size detection pieces 92 and stops the jogger drive motor 82.

When the copy is ejected to the bin 55, the stray paper sensor 7
7.78 or 80.83 is detected, the alignment shaft drive unit 95 is activated, and the alignment plate 1.0 is moved by the alignment shaft 71 to align the copies. The alignment plate 70 has an alignment shaft 7l
It is attached to. After finishing the post-processing, the jogger moving motor rotates in reverse and stops at the position where the home sensor 91 is turned on by the home detection piece 94. This position is for maximum size. In this way, each copy is aligned as it is ejected and is ready for post-processing operations.

In Figure 4, which is a view from the top of Figure 2, the bin 5
5 has a notch so that the alignment shaft 7l can be moved to a position where copy alignment of the minimum size is possible. In addition, the alignment plate 70 rotates as shown by the arrow to align the copies. 4 At this time, in order to keep the other end of the copy in place, there is an end face holding plate 97. This end face holding plate 97 is attached to the chuck. It is designed to move according to the movement of the unit 60. As shown in FIG. 5, which is a view from the right side of FIG. It can be stopped at. The shaft fixing unit 72 also stops in synchronization with the alignment shaft drive unit 95. Further, the rightward movement in FIG. 5 is to the position where the home sensor 91 corresponding to the maximum copy size is activated by the home detection piece 92.

FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram of the chuck unit 60.

The chuck unit 60 grabs the stack of copies on the bin 55 and transfers it to a post-processing unit (not shown in FIG. 6).
It has the role of returning the paper to the same state as when it was moved to the location 61 and discharged onto the bin 55 again after finishing the post-processing.

First, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the worm gear 100 rotates and the gear 101 moves in one direction.Then, the spiral shaft 106 rotates, and the moving rod 105 (which has a spiral hole) rotates. Through the moving plate 1
13, the chuck top 109, the chuck lower finger 110, and the push plate 112 move in the B direction. When moving in direction B, the position detection piece 103 causes the home sensor 102 to
N to stop the motor 107. Conversely, when the motor 107 rotates in the G direction, gear 1
01 in the J direction, moving rod 105, moving plate 113
, the upper chuck #\I109, the lower chuck finger 110, and the push plate 112 move in the A direction. When moving in direction A,
The position detection piece 103 turns on the tip position sensor 104 and stops the motor 107. And solenoid 11
When 4 is turned on, the upper chuck finger 109 moves to the pull rod 10.
8 to go down in direction D and grab a stack of copies (not shown). At this time, the end face pressing plate 97 is pressed against the pressing plate 112.
It is lowered in the F direction so that it does not interfere with the movement of the copy stack.

Then, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the covey bundle is brought in the B direction. When the push plate 112 returns to the B direction, the end face press plate 97 tries to return to its original position due to the spring 111, but since the cobby bundle is already on top, it stops at the copy bundle. When the moving board reaches the home position, the motor 10
7 is stopped, then the post-processing unit 61 is activated, and after the post-processing is completed, the motor is rotated in the G direction again.
Return the coby bundle in eight directions. When the position detection piece 103 turns on the tip position detection sensor 104 again, the motor 107 stops, the solenoid 114 turns OFF/, and the upper chuck finger 109 is raised by the coil spring 115.
The copy bundle returns to its original position, and the end presser plate 97 also releases the spring 11.
It returns to its original position due to the action of 1. And motor 107
rotates in the H direction, pushes the moving plate 113 to the home position, and stops. In this way, the chuck unit 60 carries the copy bundle discharged onto the bin to the post-processing device and returns it to its original position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a stapler included in a stapling device as an example of the post-processing unit 61.

This stapler switches the seventh data 116 to O by an electric signal.
When the stable 119 in the cartridge 117 is
It is designed to press and bend. The staple 119 is
The cartridge 11 is connected in a band shape with thin tape.
It is rounded to within 7. Further, when the end of the stable passes a near-end sensor (a reflective sensor that reads optically) 118, a near-end signal is output. FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the alignment shaft drive unit 95 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. When the output shaft of the motor 120, which is supported by a base plate 123 that is movable by a roller 90 moved by a rail 89, rotates once, the alignment plate 70 moves from the cam 12 attached to the output shaft.
1, the lever 122 engaged with the cam 121, and the lever 122 reciprocate in a fan-shaped manner in the direction of the arrow AB via the alignment shaft 71 to which the lever 122 is fixed. In this manner, each time a copy is ejected into a bin, motor 120 rotates once to align the copies. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control system in the present invention. This control is centered around the CPU 300, ROM 301, RA
M302, IN port 803, OUT port 304, I
This is a microcomputer system configured with /O port 305. The ROM 301 in which the program is written allows the XN port 3 to be used while using the RAM 302 at any time.
It receives various input signals from 03 and outputs controlled signals to the OUT port 304 to control the copying machine and sorter. Sorter control also includes post-processing operations (stable operations, etc.) after sorting copies. Further, the control section of the ADF 3 is connected to the I/O port 305 and exchanges signals with the CPU 300. ADF3 is. The original is fed onto the contact glass according to a signal from the CPU, and when the exposure is completed, the original is placed on the contact glass.
In addition, in double-sided original mode (double-sided single-sided mode, double-sided duplex mode), after the exposure of the first side is completed, the paper is reversed and fed onto the contact glass again, and when the exposure of the second side is completed, it is reversed and the paper is transferred. It looks like this. Also. RAM30
A backup battery 306 is connected to 2 and serves as a non-volatile memory.

Figure 9 shows a part of the operation section of the above-mentioned copying machine. code 2
01 is a start key for instructing copy start, 202
203 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc.
204 is a set number display that displays the number of copy sets, 205 is a copy number display that displays the number of copies, and 206 is a document display that displays the number of original sheets. 207 is a paper size display that displays the copy paper size set in each tray; 208 is a paper remaining amount display that displays the remaining amount of copy paper set in each tray; 209 is a document An automatic paper selection mode indicator 210 indicates that a mode (automatic paper selection mode) for automatically selecting the most suitable copy paper based on size information, etc. is set; 210 is a paper key 211 for selecting copy paper; 212 is a paper size selection display that displays which copy paper size is selected; 212 is a please wait display that indicates that the copying machine is preparing; 213 is a display that indicates that the copying machine is ready; Display unit that can be copied,
214 is a sort key for instructing the sort mode 21
5 is a sort mode display that indicates that the sort mode is set; 216 is a stack key that indicates the stack mode; 217 is a stack mode display that indicates that the stack mode is set; 218 is the original ADF key 219 is used to instruct continuous feed mode, and ADF key 219 is used to indicate that continuous document feed mode is set.
DF mode display, 220 is a staple key for instructing stable binding mode, 221 is an auto staple mode display that automatically displays that stable binding mode is set, 222 is one document feed SADF key for instructing the mode, 223 is the SADF mode indicator to show that SADF mode is set, 224 is the interrupt mode key for instructing to perform interrupt copying, 225 is interrupt mode 228 is a warning that there is copy paper left in the sorter. 228 is a paper forgetting indicator in the sorter. 229 is a warning of a jam in the sorter.
Sorter jam display base, 330, a jam indicator that warns of a jam within the copying machine body, etc., 231, a paper supply indicator, 232, that warns that the selected copy paper is out.
233 is a staple supply indicator that warns that there are no staples, 233 is a stabilization impossible indicator that warns that stabling is not possible, and 234 is a staple limit indicator that warns of a staple limit. The operation of the post-processing device will be explained below based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. In FIG. 11, which shows a flowchart of a program that performs the entire operation, first, a mode set routine is passed. If there is an instruction from a key on the operation section, the instructed mode is set in this mode set routine. After passing through the mode set routine, check whether manual stapling mode is selected. If YES, stable binding is started for the copy bundle (recording sheet bundle) lying in the bin of the sorter, and when it is completed for all the copy bundles, the process returns to the start page again. If NO, it is checked whether it is ADF mode or not, and if it is not ADF mode, it goes to check SADF mode. In ADF mode, first check whether the original has been set. If not, return to the start, and when it is set, press the start key O.
Check N. If the star 1 key is not turned on, the process returns to the start, and if the start key is turned on, the process moves to the copying operation.

In the copy operation, first. The machine feeds the original set in the ADF, transports the original onto the contact glass, and waits for the original to be read. Next, select the tray containing the paper (recording sheet) that matches the original size. Then, in order to arrange the copies ejected to the sorter, if the jogger is not moved, move the jogger to a predetermined size position, and the copies are placed in the same position. Next, the set number of copies are made by the copy control routine. When that is finished, the original on the contact glass is moved, and it is still A.
If there is a document in the DF, feed the document again. When there are no originals in the ADF, it is checked whether the copies in the copying machine have been completely ejected, and the conveyance motors of the copying machine and sorter are turned off.

Next, check if you are in auto staple mode,
If auto staple mode is not set, return to start.

In the auto stapling mode, stapling is automatically performed on the copy bundle. First of all,
Stitch the copy stack in the first bin.Increment the processed counter by 1 to remember the end of stapling for the first bin, move the stapler to the next bin, and turn on the in-operation display.
let Then, it is checked whether the stop key is turned on, and if the stop key is not turned on, the number of wandering paper bins is compared with the value of the stapling processed counter, and if they do not match, the stapling process is started for each bin again. return. If they match, clear the processed counter, turn off the operating display, move the stapler to the home, move the jogger to the home, and check the staple remaining amount sensor.

When the stop key is turned on, the stapling process is interrupted without comparing the number of wandering paper bins with the value of the staple processed counter. In other words, turn off the display during operation,
Move the stapler and jogger to the home.

Stapler remaining staple sensor (near end sensor)
By checking, if the sensor is ON,
Turn on the staple supply display, and if the sensor is OFF,
If FI is present, turn off the staple supply display. Next, the operation in SADF mode will be described.

It checks whether it is in SADF mode, and if YES, it checks whether an original has been set, and if it has, it selects the tray containing the paper that matches the original size. Next, in order to perform a copy alignment operation, the jogger is moved to a position that matches the side of the paper, and a copy control operation is started. When the copying operation for the set number of sheets is completed, the originals are ejected and the copies are waited for being ejected to the sorter. Once discharged, the copying machine and sorter transport motors are turned off. Then, return to the start and wait for the next manuscript to be inserted.

Next, operations in modes other than the ADF and SADF modes (for example, a mode in which a document is manually placed on a contact glass) will be described.

When the start key is turned on during the start key check, move the jogger to align the copies.
Start copy control operation. When the copying operation for the set number of sheets is completed, wait for the copies to be ejected and then turn off the motor. Return to the start again. In FIG. 12, which shows a flowchart of a program for mode setting, first, it is checked whether the key is ON or not, and if it is ONL, it returns, and if it is ONL, it executes the key reception program. This key ON check is a program that detects the rise of a key.

First, if ONL, ta key is 10 key, ONL ta 10
Set the key data on the set number display and return.

Next, if the turned ON key is a paper key, each time the key is turned ON, the paper feed tray is switched and set in the order of 3rd → 2nd → 1st → 3rd, and the process returns.

Next, if the ONL key is an ADF key, check whether it is in ADF mode, and if it is not ADF mode,
Reset ADF mode and set ADF mode. If you are already in ADF mode, reset the ADF mode and return. Next, if the ONE, key is the SADF key, then the SAD
Check whether it is F mode, and if it is not SADF mode, reset ADF mode and set SADF mode. If you are already in SADF mode, SAD
Reset F mode and return. Next, if the ONI key is an interrupt key, check whether it is in interrupt mode, and if it is not in interrupt mode, store the current mode in RAM and set the standard mode for interrupts. Then, set the interrupt mode and return.
If it is already in the interrupt mode, the interrupt mode is reset to the pre-interrupt mode stored in the RAM, and the process returns.

If the interrupt key is not ON, check whether it is in interrupt mode or not, and return if it is in interrupt mode. this is,
This is because the sort, stack, and staple modes are invalid in the interrupt mode. If it is not in interrupt mode, go to the next step.

ONI, if the key is a sort key, checks whether it is in sort mode, and if not, resets stack mode and sets sort mode. already,
If it is in sort mode, reset the sort mode and return. Next, if the ONL key is a stack key, check whether it is in stack mode, and if it is not in stack mode, reset the sort mode and set the stack mode. If it is already in stack mode, reset the stack mode and return. Next, if the ONt key is the staple key, check if there is paper in the sorter bin, and if there is paper and the staple has not been completed, set manual stapling mode and return. However, if the paper has already been stapled, the process returns. If there is no paper, check whether the auto staple mode is on, and if it is not the auto staple mode, set the auto staple mode and return. Furthermore, if it is in the auto-stable mode, the auto-stapling mode is reset and the process returns.

In FIG. 13, which shows a flowchart of a program that performs copy control operations, first, the number of copies is cleared, and a check is made to see if the ADF mode is selected. If it is not ADF mode, reset the auto staple mode. If it is ADF mode, check whether the staple key is ON, and if the key is not ON, proceed to the step of adding 1 to the number of copies without doing anything. When the key is turned on, it checks whether the auto staple mode is on, and if it is the auto staple mode, resets the auto staple mode, and if it is not the auto staple mode, sets the auto staple mode. Next, increase the number of copies by +1
Then, feed one sheet from the tray and control copying for each sheet (control to read the image of the original and place the image on the paper)
The output control is performed to determine which bin of the sorter to output the paper to, and the paper jogger is used to align the stray sheets, and the number of set sheets and the number of copies are compared to ensure that they match. If not, check whether the paper sizes are the same, and if the sizes are not different, go to the step of checking whether the ADF mode is on again, and repeat the copying operation for the set number of sheets. If the sizes are different, return the jogger to the home position, cancel the operation, and reset the auto staple mode. Returns if the set number and copy number match. Even if you are in the auto stapling mode, which automatically staples the documents using the stapler after copying is complete, if you are in the interrupt copy mode,
Since the sort, stack, and stapling modes are disabled, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the copy before the interrupt copy mode and the copy after the interrupt copy mode are stapled together.

According to the present invention, when a mixture of recording sheets of different sizes is discharged and stored in a bin, the automatic stapling mode is automatically canceled and the irregular recording sheets are stably stapled against one's will. This can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of a copying system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the sorter, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the sorter seen from the opposite side of FIG. 2. cross section,
Figure 4 is a partially cutaway plan view, Figure 5 is a side view of the sorter seen from the right side of Figure 2, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the chuck unit, and Figure 7 is post-processing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the stapler as a unit, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the aligning shaft drive unit, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing part of the operation panel of the copying machine, and FIG. 10 is the control system. The block diagrams and FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts showing control of parts related to the present invention. 55... Bin 61... Stable device 1... Fourth mirror (reading optical device!) 2... Lens (reading optical device i1) 3... Automatic document feeder 14... Lighting Unit (reading optical device) 15...First mirror (reading optical device) 16...Second mirror (reading optical device) 17...Third mirror (reading optical device) 20
... Sorter number 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An automatic document feeder that automatically sequentially feeds documents to a document reading position, a reading optical device that reads the documents, and forming an image on a recording sheet according to an image signal from the reading optical device. In an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming section for sorting and storing recording sheets on which images are formed, a sorter section having a plurality of bins for sorting and storing recording sheets on which images have been formed, and a stapler for binding recording sheets stored in each bin. detecting the recording sheet size by a size detection sensor; and an automatic stapling mode in which the stapler automatically staples the sorted recording sheets after image formation in the image forming section is an automatic paper feeding mode by the automatic document feeding device. It can be set only when the size of each document is detected and a recording sheet of the corresponding size is selectively fed, and when in the automatic stapling mode, it is possible to detect that the size of the recording sheet is different. In the image forming apparatus, the automatic stapling mode is canceled and the stapler does not operate automatically.