JPH02276691A - Image formation post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the workability and enable the direct delivery of a number of bundles of recording paper from a staple device by disposing a delivery tray at the upper part of the device and a staple section at the lower part thereof, wherein a paper delivery belt for delivering bundles of bound sheets, which connects the staple section directly with the delivery tray, shares a guide member to deliver papers with a jogger fence to align recording papers. CONSTITUTION:The device comprises an upper side shift sorting section I and a lower side staple section II, wherein a changeover nail 105 is provided downstream of a first transfer roller 101 which can be switched to either of the section I or II. At a paper delivery port, a fur brush 103 for collecting papers is disposed directly under a paper delivery roller 102 so that recording papers falling on a delivery tray 107 are turned and run against a strike plate 106 to be aligned. In the section II, the jogger fences 5, 6 align the paper bundles for stapling action and at the same time function as a guide member for delivery of the bundles after stapling because they extend from the vicinity of the delivery roller 3 to the vicinity of the paper delivery tray 53.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stabilization on recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Prior art] Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-20046, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-20046
2-191375, JP 62-176246, JP 62-290669, JP 59-
As described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 82263, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-101268, etc., recording sheets sent out from an image forming apparatus are stored in a stable tray, the recording sheets are bound, and the bound records are stored. 2. Description of the Related Art Image post-processing devices are generally known that are configured to allow a stack of paper to fall into a lower tray and be discharged.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a conventional image forming post-processing device, the stable tray positioned above becomes an obstacle when taking out the post-processed stack of paper #i, and the taking-out operation is hindered. When doing so, there is a problem in that the stack of recording paper cannot be taken out without bending at the waist, making the work painful.

In addition, the inventor of the present application has already proposed a device that discharges a bound stack of recording paper onto a tray located in the upper part, but in this proposed device, in order to position the tray in the upper part, one A paper ejection path is provided, which requires a large space, and if you try to eliminate the paper ejection path by directly ejecting the bound recording paper from the stable device, the recording paper may become wrinkled. , a problem arises in that the number of sheets of recording paper that can be ejected is reduced.

First, the present invention solves the problems of the conventional 2H described above, and provides an image forming and post-processing device that can be easily operated without bending the body, has good workability, and is compact. Second, the present invention solves the problems of the conventional apparatus described above, and can directly eject a stack of recording sheets from the stapling device toward the tray. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image formation post-processing device that can eliminate an extra paper discharge path.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 provides an image forming post-processing device for binding recording paper discharged from an image forming apparatus. an ejection tray disposed in the upper part of the processing device frame; a staple section disposed in the lower part; an inlet for recording paper ejected from the image forming apparatus; and a first path from the inlet to the ejection tray. , a second path from the entrance to the stapling section, and a discharge device for discharging the bound stack of recording paper, the discharge device having a second path for directly connecting the staple section and the discharge tray. The paper ejection belt is provided with a stretched paper ejection belt, a gripping means protruding from an intermediate portion of the paper ejection belt so as to lock the binding side of a bound stack of recording paper, and the entry table. The section includes a recording paper tray,
The recording paper holder is provided with a stapling device for stapling the upper recording paper, and the recording paper holder is provided with a jogger fence for aligning the upper recording paper, and the jogger fence is provided with a paper ejection guide of the ejection device. It has a structure that serves as a member.

Further, the invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, in which the paper ejection belt of the ejection device has a configuration arranged so as to extend in an oblique direction close to the vertical direction. are doing.

Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1.
In the invention described in , the ejecting device is equipped with means for corrugating the bound bundle of recording sheets in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction to impart rigidity.

Furthermore, the invention set forth in claim 4 is the invention set forth in claim 1, in which the rigidity imparting means of the ejecting device includes means for pressing the paper surface of the recording paper in a direction perpendicular to the surface at different locations. It has the following configuration.

[Function] In the means having the structure described in claim 1, the bound sheaf of recording paper is directly discharged from the staple section without going through a passage, and the bound sheaf of recording paper is The ejection operation is performed stably while the binding side is held by the gripping means.

Furthermore, in the means having the structure described in claim 2, in addition to the effect corresponding to claim 1, the paper ejection belt of the ejection device is arranged so as to extend in an oblique direction close to vertical. Furthermore, in the means having the structure described in claim 3, in addition to the effect corresponding to claim 1, the bound book bundle is discharged. Corrugated nails are provided in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to provide rigidity, so that the bound stack of recording sheets, especially on the discharge side, can be stably discharged without coming undone.

Furthermore, in the means having the structure described in claim 4, in addition to the effect corresponding to claim 1,
When the binding side of the bound sheaf of recording paper is held by the gripping means while the ejection operation is performed, the rigidity imparting means of the ejection device imparts a predetermined stiffness to the sheaf of recording paper, so that the sheaf of recording paper can be smoothly ejected. It is supposed to be done.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

The finisher shown in FIG. 1 is installed on the side of the image forming apparatus (not shown), and the shift sorting section on the upper side consists of a section I and the staple section ■ on the lower side. .

First, in the shift sorting section I, a plurality of conveyance rollers and driven rollers that follow the conveyance rollers are arranged on the conveyance path. The rotation axis of the first conveyor roller 101 is the first timing belt 10
4 to the rotating shaft of the transport drive motor Ml, thereby obtaining driving force. The rotation axis of the first conveyance roller 101 is connected to the rotation axis of the other conveyance rollers and the discharge roller 102 by a second timing belt (not shown), as well as the fur brush 103 for gathering.
It is also connected to the rotating shaft of the motor to drive them.

In addition, paper detection sensors SNI and SN2 are provided in front of the most upstream conveyance roller 101 and in front of the discharge roller 102 to detect the leading and trailing edges of the conveyed paper. There is. A switching pawl 105 is disposed downstream of the first conveying roller 101, and by the action of a driving solenoid 230 and a spring (not shown), the conveying direction is determined by the stapling section 1, which will be described later, and the shift sorting section 1514. can be changed in either direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, near the paper ejection port, a fur brush 103 for paper collection is arranged directly below the paper ejection roller 102, and the paper ejection tray
The recording paper dropped at 07 hits the abutting plate 1 due to its rotation.
The recording paper is brought in the direction 06 and abutted against the abutment plate 106, thereby aligning the trailing edges of the recording paper.

Next, in the shift drive mechanism, as shown in FIG. 3, the abutment plate 106 and the discharge tray 107 are formed with unevenness, and are configured to mesh with each other. As a result, the output tray 107 can be freely moved in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 3) with respect to the abutting plate 106, and is linked to the output tray 107 in the front-rear direction (in the left-right direction in the paper in FIG. 3). It is about to be moved. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the abutting plate 106 is connected to the shaft-shaped shift guide 11 via a bearing 111 on the side of the main body different from the ejection tray 107.
2, and is configured to be freely movable in the front and rear directions. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the abutment plate 106 is eccentrically connected to the crank 113 via an arm rod 115. The above crank 11
The rotation axis No. 3 is arranged parallel to the central axis of the copying machine. A removable bracket 1 vertically protruding from the side plate 100
A gear train 114 is arranged at 16, and this gear train 11
The crank 113 is connected to the shift motor M2 via the motor M2. By driving the shift motor M2, the crank 113 is driven, and the abutment plate 106 is reciprocated in the front and rear direction by its eccentric rotation action. Therefore, the discharge tray 107, which is restricted in the front-rear direction with respect to the abutting plate 106, is also moved back and forth in the front-rear direction accordingly.

Furthermore, the abutment plate 106 has two shift detection plates 11 arranged at an interval approximately equal to the amount of movement by the crank 113.
A shift detection sensor 117 facing the abutment plate 106 detects this shift detection plate 118 to detect that the abutment operation and the tray shift operation have been moved by one stroke. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the presser roller 108 is
is supported so as to be vertically movable and rotatable, thereby pressing the upper surface of the discharge tray 107 and the stacked recording sheets with its own weight. The recording paper slips under the presser roller 108 by gravity and the conveying force of the paper gathering fur brush 103 and is abutted against the abutment plate 106. When the discharge tray 107 is shifted by the pressing force of the press roller 108, the recording paper is prevented from shifting.

A paper surface detection sensor SN3 is arranged on the main body side facing the presser roller 108. When the position of the presser roller 108 is raised due to accumulation of recording paper, the paper surface detection sensor SN3 detects the presser roller support bracket 120. , and it is known that the paper surface or the top surface of the output tray has reached a specified height.

Further, in the vertical movement mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the discharge tray 107 is fixed to a tray support stand 110. The tray support stand 110 has a bearing 11
It is supported by the tray vertical movement table 109 through the tray 0a so as to be movable back and forth. Therefore, as mentioned above, the abutment plate 10
6 can be re-performed by the tray vertical movement table 109. As also shown in FIG. 1, the tray vertical movement table 109 is fixed to a third timing belt 120. As shown in FIG. One third timing belt 120 is provided on the outside of the front and rear side plates 100, and each of the third timing belts 120 is stretched around a vertical drive pulley 121 and a driven pulley 122. The vertical drive pulley 121 has a vertical drive shaft 12 that passes between the side plates.
3, and a gear 124 incorporating a one-way clutch is attached to this vertical drive shaft 123. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit force in the direction of lifting the discharge tray 107 to the vertical drive shaft. The gear 124 is connected to the vertical active motor M3 via a gear train, a worm wheel 125, a worm 126, and the like. Further, a bearing 127 is attached to the side surface of the side plate 100 of the vertical movement support base 109, and when it comes into contact with the vertical guide rail 128 fixed to the side plate 100, it serves as a guide for vertical movement and rotation due to the weight of the discharge tray. This prevents the output tray from falling due to moment.

With the above-described configuration, the lowering of the discharge tray 107 is normally stopped by locking the holding force of the worm 126 and the one-way clutch. Further, when the vertical parking motor M3 is rotated in the direction in which the discharge tray 107 is raised, the one-way clutch is locked, the pulleys 121 and 122 are rotated, and the discharge tray 107 is thereby raised. When the vertical movement drive motor M3 is rotated in the downward direction of the discharge tray 107, the one-way clutch becomes free, so that the discharge tray 107 is moved downward by its own weight.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the timing belt 1
An upper limit sensor SN4 and a lower limit sensor SN5 are installed inside the tray 20 so as to face the output tray 107, and the upper and lower limits of the output tray 107 are detected by sensing the upper and lower detection plates 129, respectively. ing. Since the one-way clutch is in a free state when the ejection tray 107 is lowered, the driving force of the vertical drive motor M3 is not transmitted to the ejection tray 107, and even if the ejection tray 107 is stopped by an external force when it is lowered,
By idling the vertical drive motor M3, troubles such as motor overload and fingers being pinched are prevented.

When the copying operation is started, the shift motor M2 is immediately activated and the crank 113 is rotated, so that the crank 1
At 13, the abutting plate 106 is moved in the front-back direction via the rod 115. Accordingly, the discharge tray 107, which is supported in a manner that engages with the unevenness of the abutting plate 106 and is movable up and down and back and forth, is moved in the front and back direction, and the shift operation is started. When the shift sensor 117 detects the other shift detection plate 118 that is different from the one shift detection plate 118 detected before the start of the shift operation, the shift motor M2 is stopped by that signal and the shift operation is completed. . After the shift operation is completed, the vertical motion instant motor M3 is driven in the tray upward direction to move the loitering tray 1.
07 is raised.

After the vertical movement starts, the support bracket 12 of the presser roller 108
When a portion of 0 is detected by the paper surface detection sensor SN3, the vertical motion motor M3 is stopped in response to the signal, and the ejection tray 107 is finished rising.

The recording paper discharged from the main body is received by the conveying roller 101 at the same slow speed as the discharge speed from the main body.

As the recording paper is being conveyed, when the first paper detection sensor - SNI detects the trailing edge of the recording paper, the linear velocity is increased to a value greater than the main body ejection speed of the recording paper, and the leading edge of the recording paper is moved to the second After a predetermined time has elapsed since the recording paper was detected by the paper detection sensor SN2, the linear velocity is returned to the main body discharge speed of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 107. The recording paper discharged to the discharge tray 107 crawls under the presser roller 108 due to gravity and the conveying force caused by the rotation of the fur brush 103 and is struck against the abutting plate 106, thereby aligning the trailing edge. ing.

At this time, when the number of copies exceeds the specified number, the shift motor M2 is driven by the signal and a shift operation is started. - When the stroke shift is completed, the shift motor M2 is stopped.

By this operation, the stacking position of the recording sheets on the ejection tray 107 is changed, and the recording sheets are sorted. When the series of copying operations is completed and the last sheet is ejected, the vertical movement drive motor M3 is driven in the downward direction by the signal, and the operation is completed after the ejection tray 107 has been lowered by a specified amount. It has become.

When a certain amount of recording paper is accumulated and the paper surface approaches the paper ejection port, a part of the presser roller support bracket 120 detects the paper surface detection sensor S.
When detected by N3, the vertical motion instant motor M3 is driven in the tray lowering direction by the signal, and the worm 12
The holding force of 6 and the lock of the one-way clutch are released, and the discharge tray 107 is lowered by its own weight.

When the paper surface is lowered by lowering the output tray 107, a part of the presser roller support bracket 120 is no longer detected by the paper surface detection sensor SN3, and the vertical movement drive motor M3 is stopped by that signal, and the worm 12
The holding force of No. 6 and the locking of the one-way clutch act to stop the discharge tray 107. As the discharge tray 107 is lowered, the upper and lower detection plates 129 detect the lower limit sensor SN5.
The vertical movement drive motor M3 is stopped by the signal detected when this is detected, and the ejection tray 107 is prevented from being lowered any further.

In the stapler moving mechanism in the stable section (2), as shown in FIGS. 1, 10, 11, and 12, the stapler 8
Fixed. The stapler stand 31 has a guide pin 3 inserted into the guide hole 30b of the stapler slider 30.
2 so as to be movable in the direction Q in FIG. Further, a shaft 44 is fixed to the back side of the stapler stand 31, and a guide roller 34 is rotatably attached to the shaft 44. The upper portion of the stapler slider 30 is attached so as to be slidable in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.
A guide roller 33 attached to the lower part of the stapler slider 30 is in rolling contact with the surface of the stay 43 on the main body side, thereby locking the stapler slider 30 in the rotation direction. There is.

Further, a guide cam 35 is fixed to the stay 43, and the guide roller 34 is in rolling contact with a cam surface formed at the upper end side of the guide cam 35. This allows the stapler slider 30 to be reciprocated in the direction shown in FIG. At this time, the central portion of the guide cam 35 is formed to be concave downward, and the stapler slider 30 is moved along this concave portion.

A detection plate 30 is provided at the upper end of the stapler slider 30.
A is provided, and the home position (HP) of the stapler 5 is detected by this detection plate 30a shielding the detection part of the home position sensor 40 provided on the main body side. There is. A stepping motor 39 for moving the stapler is attached to the side plate 41, and an intermediate portion of the belt 38 driven by the stepping motor 39 moves the stapler.
The stapler-slider 30 is fixed to the slider 30 so that it can be moved back and forth in the left-right direction in FIG.

Next, at the mobile end of the jogger fence.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, one side plate 41
．． A left slider 8 and a right slider 7 are attached to a jogger fence rod 9 that is stretched between the jogger fence rods 42 and 42 so as to be movable back and forth. Fences 5 are each fixed. These left jogger fence 6 and right jogger fence 5 have the function of aligning the paper stack during the stabilization operation, and are also extended from the vicinity of the discharge roller 3 to the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 53, so that the It has a function as a guide member when discharging a bundle of paper. At the lower ends of these left jogger fence 6 and right jogger fence 5, rear end fences 6a, 5a are provided to hold the lower end edge of the stapled paper bundle.

A middle portion of a belt 1o driven by a jogger fence driving motor 11 is fixed to the left slider 8 and right slider 7. The left slider 8 and the right slider 7 are fixed to different sides of the belt 10, respectively, so that the left jogger fence 6 and the right jogger fence 5 are symmetrically reciprocated in the left-right direction in FIG. There is. Guide rollers 15 are attached to the upper rear sides of the right jogger fence 6 and the right jogger fence 5, and the guide rollers 15 roll onto the guide stays 16 that are stretched over the tops of the side plates 41 and 42. is in contact with. The left slider 8 is provided with a detection plate 8a, and by shielding the detection part of the home position sensor 14 provided on the main body side, the left slider 8 detects the home position of both jogger fences 6 at 5 degrees. (HP) is now detected. As shown in FIG. 15, a curl presser 64 is provided at the lower end of the left jogger fence 6 and the right jogger fence 5.
This suppresses buckling when loaded on a stable tray. The curl presser 64 is made of an elastic member such as a polyester film.

Next, in the ejection belt mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, a drive shaft 24 is attached so as to span over the upper end portions of both side plates 41, 42. A drive pulley 18 is fixed approximately at the center of the drive shaft 24. Further, a fixed pulley is provided in the lower part of the drive pulley 18, and an endless discharge belt 17 is stretched between these two pulleys 18,19. A midway portion of the discharge belt 17 is hung on an idle pulley 47, and is guided by a guide plate 25 disposed inside the belt to prevent deflection and displacement. Further, a belt drive motor 22 is fixed to the side plate 41, and a pulley 21 attached to the output shaft of the belt drive motor 22 and a pulley 20 attached to one end of the translation shaft 24 are interposed. A belt 23 is stretched around the belt 23 so that the belt anchoring power is transmitted.

Further, a protruding pawl 46 is provided in the middle of the surface of the discharge belt 17 so as to grasp the paper stack from below. As shown in FIG. 1, a home position sensor 48 for detecting the position of the claw 46 is provided inside the discharge belt 17, and the home position (HP) of the claw 46 is detected by this home position sensor 48. It is now possible to do so. The conveying speed v2 of the ejection belt 17 is set to be slightly larger than the paper ejection linear velocity V□ of the paper ejection roller 3 (VZ≧■,). is prevented from being ejected together with already bound stacks of paper.

Each mechanism of such a stapler is constructed to form one unit, and the guide rails 51.5
2 so that it can be pulled out toward the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper ejection tray mechanism has a base portion of a paper ejection tray 53 fixed on a tray stand 54. As shown in FIG. A guide roller 56 is rotatably attached to the tray stand 54, and when the guide roller 56 is engaged with a guide rail (not shown), the paper discharge tray 53 is moved in the vertical direction together with the tray stand 54. It looks like this.

Further, the tray stand 54 is biased upward by a lift spring 55.

Driving force is transmitted to the conveyance rollers 60, 61, 62 from the conveyance motor 59 through a belt (not shown), and driving force is also transmitted to the discharge roller 3 through a belt (not shown) from the conveyance motor 59. . Further, fur brushes 1a and 1b are attached to the rotating shaft 2 of the discharge roller 3, and these fur brushes 1a and 1b are attached to the rotating shaft 2 of the discharge roller 3.
and 1b are rotated in synchronization with the discharge roller 3. The above fur brush la.

The bristles 1b are in contact with guide plates 26 and 27. The guide plates 26 and 27 are provided with protruding ribs 26a that hold the lower edge of the stapled paper bundle.

27a, and a protruding rib 26b,
27b is formed to protrude toward the front. Therefore, the recording paper is bent to the back side and deformed into a wave shape by the pressing force of the protruding ribs 26b, 27b and the tips of the fur brushes la, lb, thereby preventing the paper bundle from buckling. It is designed to have a certain waist.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15 in particular, the amount of protrusion of the upper guide plate 67 of the paper ejection section from the center of rotation of the paper ejection roller 3 is set to be larger than the protrusion amount α of the paper being fed. Even if the recording paper does not fall below the fur brushes la, lb and falls between the upper guide plate 67 and the fur brushes la, lb, the fur brush 1. a, lb
The trailing edge of the recording paper is scraped downward by the tips of the bristles.

The recording paper processing operation will be explained next. First, the stapling operation is selected using the staple key, the original (N sheets) is set on the document feed tray (RDH) (not shown), and the number of copies (K copies) is input using the 10 key, and then the copy button is pressed. When pressed, a copy size signal is received from the main body of the copying machine, and it is determined whether the size can be inserted into the staple section. If the size is such that it can be placed in the staple section, it is determined whether the claws 46 of the discharge belt 17 are at the home position (H, P).

In other cases, the switching guide member 45 remains turned off and the recording paper is advanced toward the transport path of the shift 1-lay unit section, and if it is not at the home position, it is returned to the home position by the belt translation motor 22. . It is detected whether or not the stapler 8 is at the home position. If the home position is detected, the stapler 8 is moved to a predetermined location by the size signal, and if the home position is not detected, the home position is detected. After the stapler 8 is moved until the home position is detected, the stapler 8 is moved to a predetermined location in response to a size signal.

Also, jogger fences 5 and 6 are at home position (H,
P), and if the home position is detected, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved to a predetermined position by the size signal, and if the home position is not detected, until the home position is detected. After being moved and detecting the home position, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved to a predetermined position based on a size signal. At this time, the moving position is moved to a position that is 2 mmW on both sides of the size width 811.

When the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the entrance sensor SNI, the switching guide member 105 is switched to the stable tray by the switching solenoid 230 for guidance.

When the leading edge of the recording paper passes through the entrance sensor SNI, it is fed at high speed. However, when the recording paper is straddled between the copying machine and the copying machine, the conveyance speed is the same as that of the copying machine.

After a predetermined time after passing through the entrance sensor SNI, that is, the time until passing through the switching guide member 105, the switching solenoid 230 is turned off. The recording paper is discharged to the stable tray by the discharge roller 3, and while the recording paper is being discharged, the electric charge on the recording paper is removed by a static elimination brush 63 fixed to the upper guide plate 67 of the paper discharge section. It has become.

The paper discharge roller 3 is provided with a flap, which bends the recording paper into a wave shape to give it stiffness. When the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the ejection roller 3, the coaxial fur brush la is applied.

The rear end of the recording paper is pushed down by 1b, and brought to abut against rear end fences 26a, 27a and rear end fences 5a, 6a provided on jogger fence 5.6. After the time required for the paper to pass through the lower paper ejection sensor 50, the jogger fence 5 that had been waiting until then
, 6 are rotated in forward and reverse directions once or twice, thereby aligning the recording sheets in the width direction, and after such sheet alignment is performed, they are returned to the standby position.

This paper alignment operation is repeated for each recording paper until a one-job end signal is issued from the main body of the copying machine.

Next, when a job end signal is issued and received from the copying machine main body, the above-described operation is performed again, and then the recording paper stack is held down in the width direction by the jogger fences 5 and 6. Then, the drive motor 223 in the stapler 8 is started to be driven, and the stack of recording sheets is stapled. In this binding operation, it is determined whether the binding is performed in one place or not. If the binding is performed in one place, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved to a position slightly away from the paper bundle after the binding operation is completed. If two or more locations are to be stapled, the stapler is moved to a predetermined position by the stapler moving motor 39, the stapling operation is performed again, and after the stapling operation is performed, the stapler is returned to the initial position. At this time, the discharge belt 17 is rotated in the direction shown in FIG.
Since the trailing end of the recording paper bundle is not pushed up by the G, the recording paper bundle is discharged to the paper discharge tray 53 in the same direction as the discharge direction to the stable tray.

It is determined whether or not the last set number of copies (K copies) has been completed, and when the stapler 8 has been completed, the stapler 8 is moved to the home position, and if it has not been completed, the jogger fence 5 is moved to a predetermined position based on the size signal. , 6 are moved and the above-described operations are performed again.

In such a device, the vertical movement of the ejection tray 107 is performed at 9 points, either when the power is turned on or when a mode is selected.
First, the CPU checks the output states of the upper limit sensor SN4, lower limit sensor SN5, and paper surface sensor SN3, and determines the current position of the output tray 107. If the upper limit sensor SN4 and the paper surface sensor SN3 are turned on, the vertical movement drive motor M3 is turned on and the discharge tray 107 is lowered to the point where the paper surface sensor SN3 is turned off. If only the upper limit sensor SN4 is turned on, nothing is done. When the upper limit sensor SN4, lower limit sensor SN5, and paper sensor SN3 are all off, the vertical drive motor M3 is turned on and the ejection tray 107 is raised to the point where the upper limit sensor SN4 or the paper sensor SN3 is turned on, and the paper When sensor SN3 is turned on, it is lowered until paper surface sensor SN3 is turned off.

When only the paper surface sensor SN3 is turned on, the vertical movement drive motor M3 is turned on, and the paper surface sensor SN3
The output tray 107 is lowered until it is turned off. If only the lower limit sensor SN5 is turned on, it is determined that the recording paper on the output tray 107 is less than the loading capacity, a signal indicating that the paper is full is sent to the copying machine, the recording paper is removed, and the recording paper is removed from the copying machine. When a clear signal is received from
4 or the output tray 107 is raised until the paper sensor SN3 is turned off.0 When the paper sensor SN3 is turned on, the output tray 107 is raised until the paper sensor SN3 is turned off.
07 is lowered.

When restarting in the same mode, after the power is turned on, the same operation as when selecting the mode is performed in synchronization with the copy start signal of the main body.

During copying and at the end of copying, paper sensor SN3
When turned on, the vertical movement drive motor M3 is turned on, and the discharge tray 107 is lowered until the paper surface sensor SN3 is turned off. When this operation is repeated and the lower limit sensor SN5 is turned on, the output tray 107
A signal indicating that the recording paper is full is sent to the main unit.

If this operation overlaps with a tray shift operation, priority is given to the tray shift operation, the tray shift operation is put on standby during the shift operation, and is performed after the shift is completed. The last paper is detected by the main body paper ejection sensor 21.
5, a finisher stop signal is transmitted. When this signal is received, the vertical opening motor M3 is turned on after the last sheet is ejected and ejected to the ejection tray 107. The ejection tray 107 is lowered by a predetermined amount to facilitate copying.

Next fI! When the main power is turned on, no shift operation is performed, and when the mode is selected, shift or blue mode is used, and when the mode signal is received, the shift motor M2
is turned on, the discharge tray 107 is moved, and when the shift detection sensor 117 is turned on, the shift motor M2 is turned off. Through this operation, the paper remaining on the output tray 107 and the paper for a new job are sorted. Such an operation is on standby during the tray up-and-down operation, and is performed after the tray up-and-down operation is completed. By doing this, even if the recording paper remains on the discharge tray 107, the recording paper is held down by the pressing roller 108, and the recording paper is prevented from shifting during shifting.

During copying and at the end of copying, a shift signal is sent when the last sheet of the copy set passes the main body sheet ejection sensor 215, and the finisher receives this signal and shifts the trailing edge of the last sheet past the sheet ejection sensor SN2. The shift motor M2 is turned on after a predetermined period of time has passed, and a shift operation is started.

When the shift detection sensor 117 is turned on, the shift motor M2 is turned off. The above operation has priority over the tray up and down movement, and the tray up and down movement is on standby during the shift operation, and the tray up and down movement is performed after the shift is completed. This prevents paper from shifting due to shifting.

When a restart is performed in the same mode, the shift 1-operation is not performed at the start of copying, and during copying, the same operation as during copying is performed.

Next, the jogger fence operation will be explained. First, when turning on the power and selecting a mode, the jogger home position sensor 14. The output state of the tray paper presence/absence sensor 205 is checked by the CPU, and the following operations are executed. If only the jogger home position sensor 14 is turned on, nothing is done. If the jogger home position sensor 14 and the tray paper presence/absence sensor 205 are turned on, a signal indicating that recording paper remains in the stable tray is sent to the main body. Jogger home position sensor 14 is off and tray paper presence sensor 2
05 is on, belt drive motor 2
2 is turned on, the recording paper on the stable tray is ejected to the paper ejection tray 53, and then the jogger drive motor 11
is turned on, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved toward the home position, and when the jogger home position sensor 14 is turned on, the jogger movement motor 11 is turned off. When only the jogger home position sensor 14 is turned off, the jogger drive motor 11 is turned on and the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved toward the home position.
4 is turned on, the jogger drive motor 11 is turned off.

During copying, at the end of copying, and at the time of restarting copying, if a paper size signal is received after the main unit starts copying, the jogger drive motor 11 is turned on and the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved to move the jogger fences 5 and 6 by a predetermined amount beyond the paper width size. The zero paper that is stopped at the front position and is waiting is the paper output sensor 50
When a predetermined period of time has elapsed after passing through the fence, the jogger calling motor 11 is turned on and the jogger fence 5 in the standby position is turned on.
6 is moved to perform paper alignment, and then returned to the standby position. At this time, the jogger drive motor 11 repeats forward and reverse rotation once to several times, thereby aligning the jogger fences 5 and 6 in the width direction of the paper. Such an operation is performed every time recording paper is discharged onto the staple tray.

When the last sheet of the copy set passes through the main body sheet ejection sensor 215, a staple signal is transmitted, and upon receiving this signal, the last sheet is ejected to the staple tray, and after the above-mentioned sheet alignment operation is performed, the paper is held down in the width direction. The jogger fence 5.6 is moved to the position and stopped. When the stapling operation is completed, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved to a position slightly away from both ends of the paper in the width direction. When the recording paper bundle is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 53 by the discharge belt 17, the jogger fences 5 and 6 are returned to the standby position. By doing this, the sheets are prevented from shifting during stapling, and the jogger fences 5 and 6 are used as guides in the width direction when discharging the stack of recording sheets.

After the above operation is repeated for several copies and the final stack of recording sheets is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 53, the jogger drive motor 11 is turned on and the jogger fences 5 and 6 are moved toward the home position. When the jogger is moved and the jogger home position sensor 14 is turned on, the jogger drive motor 11 is turned off.

When turning on the power and selecting a mode for stapler operation, the one-rotation sensor 210. Needle presence sensor 211
, the output state of the stapler home sensor 212 is CP.
It is checked by U and the following operations are executed.

If the tray discharge sensor 205 is turned on while the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned off, it is determined that there is a stapling failure, and a stapler abnormality signal is sent to the main body. When the tray ejection sensor 205 is in the off state, it is determined that the stapler has deviated from the home position due to jam processing, etc., and a blank stapler request signal is issued so that the stapler can blankly staple once and match the home position. Sent to the main unit.

When the staple presence/absence sensor 211 is in the OFF state, a stapler-no-staple signal is transmitted to the main body. If the stapler home sensor 4o is turned on, nothing is done. When the stapler home sensor 40 is turned off and the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned on, the stapler moving motor 39 is turned on and the stapler 8 is moved toward the home position. When the stapler home sensor 40 is turned on, the stapler
Travel motor 39 is turned off. 1 revolution sensor 210
If it is turned off, it is determined that a stapling error or jam has been processed, and the printer waits in that state. When the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned on due to an artificial process such as blank firing, the stapler movement motor 39 is turned on and the stapler moves.
After the stapler home sensor 40 is turned on when the stapler is moved toward the home position, the stapler movement motor 39 is turned off.

When copying, at the end of copying, and at the time of restarting copying, after a paper-sweep signal is received after the first main unit starts copying, the stapler movement motor 39 is turned on and the stapler 8 is moved a predetermined amount to the position corresponding to the paper size. is moved. Next, after the last sheet of the copy set passes the main body paper ejection sensor 215, a stapling on signal is transmitted from the main body, and when that signal is received, the last paper is ejected onto the staple tray, and the jogger fences 5 and 6 record it. When both ends of the paper stack in the width direction are pressed, the staple motor 223 is turned on to perform the stapling operation, and when the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned on, the staple motor 2 is turned on.
23 is turned off. In the two-position stapling mode, the stapler movement motor 39 is turned on and the stapler 8 is moved by a predetermined amount according to the paper size, and then the stapler movement motor 39 is turned off to perform the second stapling operation. When stapling is completed, the stapler moving motor 39 is turned on, and when the stapler is returned to the first position by a predetermined amount, the stapler moving motor 39 is turned off. When such a stapling operation is repeated for several copies and the final stack of recording sheets is stapled,
The stapler moving motor 39 is turned on, the stapler 8 is moved toward the home position, and the stapler
When the home sensor 4o is turned on, the stapler moving motor 39 is turned off.

Next, the operation of the discharge belt will be explained.

When the power is turned on and when a mode is selected, the CPU checks the output states of the belt home sensor 48, the tray discharge sensor 205, the rotation sensor 210, and performs the following operations. If the belt home sensor 48 is turned on and the tray discharge sensor 205 is turned off, nothing is done. Belt home sensor 48
If both the tray ejection sensor 205 is turned off, it is determined that the ejection belt 17 has not returned to the home position, the belt drive motor 22 is turned on, the ejection belt 17 is operated, and the belt home sensor 48 is activated. Once turned on, the belt drive motor 22 is turned off. If the belt home sensor 48 is turned off and the tray discharge sensor 205 is turned on, it is determined that there is a failure in discharge, and if the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned on, the belt drive motor 22 is turned on and the discharge belt is turned on. 17 is operated. When the belt home sensor 48 is turned on after the tray discharge sensor 205 is turned off, the belt drive motor 22 is turned off. If the one-rotation sensor 210 is off, it is determined that there is a failure in ejection due to a staple failure, etc., and the process waits until the stack of recording sheets on the stable tray is removed. After the recording paper stack is removed, the belt drive motor 22 is turned on to operate the discharge belt 17, and when the belt home sensor 48 is turned on, the belt drive motor 22 is turned off.

During copying and at the end of copying, the last sheet of the copy set is ejected onto the stable tray, and when the stapler 8 performs the stapler operation on the stack of recording sheets, the one-rotation sensor 210 is turned on to ensure normal stapling. This confirms that Thereafter, the belt drive motor 22 is turned on, the discharge belt 17 is operated, and the stapled stack of recording sheets is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 53. When the belt home sensor 48 is turned on, the belt drive motor 22 is turned off. Such operations are repeated for each copy.

In the shift tray system of the transport system, a finisher start signal is sent when the copying machine starts copying, so when that signal is received, the transport motor 220 is turned on and the low speed operation is reduced to the main body linear speed. is done at the same speed. When the recording paper is ejected from the main body and the entrance sensor SN'1 is turned on, a timer is activated and it is monitored whether the recording paper passes the entrance sensor SNI within a predetermined time to detect a jam. When the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the entrance sensor SNI and the entrance sensor SNI is turned off, the transport motor 220 is switched to high-speed operation and the transport speed is increased.

Also, a timer is set and a jam is detected by monitoring whether or not the leading edge of the recording paper turns on the paper discharge sensor SN2 within a predetermined time. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed after passing the entrance sensor SNI, the transport motor 220 is returned to low-speed operation, and the next recording paper is ready to be transported. When the paper discharge sensor SN2 is turned on by the recording paper, a timer is set, and it is monitored whether the recording paper passes within a predetermined time to detect a jam.

By repeating these operations, in the shift tray mode, when a shift signal is received, a shift OK signal is output after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last sheet of the copy set passed the paper ejection sensor SN2. , the timing at which the shift operation is performed is measured. When the final recording paper is ejected from the main unit, a finisher stop signal is sent, so when that signal is received,
When a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the last recording paper passes the paper discharge sensor SN2, the conveyance motor 220 is turned off.

Next, in the staple tray system, when the main body of the copying machine starts copying, a finisher start signal is transmitted, so when that signal is received, the transport motor 220 is turned on and the low speed operation is changed to the linear speed of the main body. done at the same speed. When the recording paper is ejected from the main body and the inlet sensor SNI is turned on, the switching solenoid 230
Then, the lower conveyance motor 226 for low speed operation is turned on, a timer is set, and a jam is detected by monitoring whether the recording paper passes the entrance sensor SNI within a predetermined time. When the trailing edge of the recording paper passes through the entrance sensor SNI and the entrance sensor SNI is turned off, the lower transport motor 2
26 is switched to high-speed operation and the conveyance speed is increased.

A timer is also set to monitor whether or not the leading edge of the recording paper turns on the lower paper discharge sensor 50 within a predetermined time, thereby detecting a jam. When a predetermined time has elapsed after passing the entrance sensor SNI, the switching solenoid 230
is turned off. When the lower paper discharge sensor 50 is turned on by recording paper, a timer is set, and it is monitored whether or not the recording paper passes within a predetermined time to detect a jam. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the recording paper passes the lower paper discharge sensor 50, the lower conveyance motor 226 is switched to low speed operation.

When a stapling signal is received by repeating such an operation, a stapling OK signal is output after a predetermined time has elapsed after the last sheet of the copy set passes the lower paper ejection sensor 50, and the timing at which the shift operation is performed is determined. is measured.

When the final recording paper is ejected from the main body, a finisher stop signal is sent. When this signal is received, the conveyance motor 220 is activated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the final recording paper has passed the ejection sensor 50. And the lower transport motor 226 is turned off.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the work can be easily performed without bending the body, which improves the workability. Since the image formation post-processing device can be eliminated, the size of the image formation post-processing device can be reduced.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effects corresponding to claim 1, the space saving of the ejecting device is maximized, and the post-image forming process' is achieved! The A position can be further downsized.

Furthermore, according to the invention set forth in claim 3, in addition to the effects corresponding to claim 1, the ejection operation is performed stably without the ejection side of the bound stack of recording sheets being unraveled, and a large number of sheets are ejected stably. A stack of sheets of recording paper can be directly ejected from the stapling device toward the tray.

Furthermore, according to the invention recited in claim 4, in addition to the effects corresponding to claim 1, the invention has an easy configuration and can stably prevent a bound stack of recording sheets, especially on the ejection side, from coming apart. A discharge operation can be performed, and a large number of recording paper bundles can be directly discharged from the stapling device toward the tray.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory side view showing the overall configuration of a finisher in an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing the discharge section to the ejection tray, and Fig. 3 is a tray fitting in the tray shift mill swing mechanism. A plane explanatory diagram showing the matching state,
FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan explanatory views and external perspective views showing the drive system of the tray shift swing mechanism, FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing the paper ejection holding mechanism, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are Side view and external perspective view of the paper ejection tray up and down mechanism, No. 9
The figure is a schematic side view showing the general structure of the paper discharge processing system, Figures 10 and 11 are front and bottom views showing the general structure of the stapling unit, and Figure 12 is the installation of the stapler. A side explanatory view showing the structure, FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the discharge device, and FIG. 14 is taken from B-B in FIG. 10.
The line sectional view and FIG. 15 are enlarged side explanatory views of the stable discharge section. l... Shift sorting department, ■... Staple department, S...
Stapler, la, lb...fur brush, 3 paper ejection rollers, 5, 6...jogger fence, 17...
Ejection belt, 26.27...Guide plate, 35...Guide cam, 53...Paper output tray, 103...Fur brush for paper collection, 105...Switching claw,! 107...
・Ejection tray. 108... Presser foot. Shape 2 mouth shape σ Kuni Kei 7 Kuni/4′za shape 80 Ru1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an image forming post-processing device that binds recording paper ejected from an image forming device, the image forming post-processing device has an output tray disposed in an upper part of the machine frame and a discharge tray disposed in a lower part. a stapling unit, an inlet for recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, a first passage from the inlet to the output tray, a second passage from the entrance to the stapling unit, and a stapled stack of recording paper. and a paper ejecting device for ejecting the paper, and the ejecting device includes a paper ejecting belt that is stretched to directly connect the staple section and the ejecting tray, and a paper ejecting belt that is stretched to directly connect the staple section and the ejecting tray, and a paper ejecting belt that is stretched to directly connect the staple section and the ejecting tray, and a A gripping means protruding from an intermediate portion of the paper ejection belt so as to lock the paper is provided, and the staple portion includes a recording paper receiver and a stapler for binding the recording papers on the recording paper receiver. The device is provided with a jogger fence for aligning the recording sheets on the recording paper receiver, and the jogger fence is configured to also serve as a guide member for paper ejection of the ejecting device. Image formation post-processing device. 2. The image forming post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the paper ejection belt of the ejection device is arranged to extend in a diagonal direction close to vertical. 3. The image forming post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the ejection device is equipped with means for imparting rigidity to the bound bundle of recording sheets by waving them in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. 4. The image forming post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rigidity imparting means of the ejecting device comprises means for pressing the surface of the recording sheet in a direction perpendicular to the surface at different locations.