JPH0289771A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve a working property by providing a switchover claw for switching over the amount exceeding the limit of staple handling from the sorting housing means to non-sorting housing means of a sorter and for discharging same. CONSTITUTION:The thickness of sheets of paper which are sorted and discharged into a sorting housing portion 55 is detected as the height of sheets of paper to be housed in that housing portion and compared to the maximum stitching thickness of a previously set stapling device 61 to judge whether or not the thickness is within the stitching limit. When the thickness is above the switching limit, a switchover claw 46 is switched over to a non-sorting housing portion 54 to discharge the amount of sheets of paper above the stitching limit into the non-sorting housing means 54. As a result, staple handling can be always carried out enabling continuous image forming processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, which has a storage section that stores sheets on which images are formed, and a stapling device that staples the sheets in the storage section. This relates to post-processing of facsimiles, printers, etc.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art Copying apparatuses have been known that have a built-in stapling device and use the stapling device to staple copied sheets.

Conventionally, stapling was always performed using a stapler with the same stapling ability, regardless of the number of copies. For this reason, for example, if a post-processing device that uses large staples is used to staple a large number of copies, the staples may be too long and cause stapling errors. There were drawbacks such as the staples digging into the copy bundle and damaging the copy bundle.

Conversely, when a large number of copies are stapled using a post-processing device that uses small-sized staples, staples may be short and staples may be misplaced, or the large number of copies may not be stapled properly. There was a problem.

In conventional copying machines, it is not known that sheets on which images have been formed are sorted and stapled using a stapling device.

Although not publicly known, the present applicant has proposed a post-processing device that sorts by a sorter and compacts by a stapling device. When sorting paper and binding it using a stapling device,
If the number of sheets increases, the stapling capacity of the stapler will be exceeded. This may result in stapling errors or damage to the stapling device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an image forming apparatus as a sorting and storing means that avoids storing sheets in excess of the processing capacity of the stapling device.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention solves the above problem by providing a sorting storage means that has a plurality of pins in the storage section to sort and store paper, and a non-sorting storage means that has one tray and does not sort paper. Means for detecting the thickness of the paper stored in the storage means is provided, and depending on a signal from the means for determining whether the thickness of the paper is within the limit that can be stapled by the stapling device, the sorting is performed by the storage means and the non-sorting is performed by the storage means. The present invention has been solved by an image forming apparatus that operates a switching claw that switches the feeding direction between the two directions, and when the binding limit is exceeded, the paper is switched from being unsorted to being stored in a storage means.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, the sorter detects the thickness of the paper sorted and discharged into the storage section as the height of the paper stored in the storage section, and compares it with the preset maximum stapling thickness of the stapling device. If the limit is within the binding limit, the switching claw is held in the state where the paper is sent to the storage means for sorting, and when the binding limit is exceeded, the switching claw is switched to the non-sorting state. The paper is switched to the storage means, and unsorted sheets of paper that have exceeded the compaction limit are discharged to the storage means.

Since the sorting storage means always stores sheets within the thickness range that can be stapled by the stapling device, it is possible to prevent stapling errors due to sheets that are too thick.

Moreover, the image forming apparatus continues to form images without interruption, and the paper is stored in the storage means unless it is sorted.

〔Example〕

The details of the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

First, 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 indicates the fourth mirror of the exposure optical system;
is a dustproof glass to prevent toner stains on lenses, mirrors, etc., 3 is an ADF (automatic document feeder), 4 is a contact glass, 5 is an eraser (erase lamp),
6 is a charger, 7 is a photoconductor drum using a selenium photoconductor, 8 is a drum thermistor that detects the surface temperature of the photoconductor drum 7, 9 is a static elimination lamp, IO is a lens, 11
is a quenching charger (charger after cleaning), 12 is a cleaning unit, 13 is a bias roller, 25 is a PCC (charger before cleaning), 14
15 is an exposure lighting unit consisting of a halogen lamp, etc.
A first scanning mirror 16.17 forms a second carriage, which together with the illumination unit 14 form a first carriage.A second mirror, a third mirror, and a third mirror fix the toner image transferred to the transfer paper. A fixing section 19 is a reversing section 2 that controls the ejection direction and ejection surface of the transfer paper after fixing in the fixing section 18.
0 indicates a sorter for sorting the transfer paper after it is discharged, 26 indicates a separation claw, and 21 indicates a conveyance belt.

The sorter 20 is provided with a stave device for binding documents and a punch for perforating documents if necessary.

Further, 22, 23, 24, 33 are trays for stocking and supplying transfer paper, 22 is a double-sided paper feed tray, 2
3 is a first paper feed tray, 24 is a second paper feed tray, and 33 is a third paper feed tray. 29 is a paper feed roller unit, 30 is a vertical paper transport section, 32 is a horizontal paper transport section, 31 is a dust removing roller for removing paper dust from 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 developer;
36 is a PTC (pre-transfer charger), 38 is a ram heater for increasing the temperature of the photoreceptor drum 7, 37 is a developing unit, 39 is a toner cartridge for replenishing consumed toner, and 40 is the photoreceptor drum 7. A rotatably supported drum shaft is shown.

Next, the operation of the copying apparatus 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 eliminating lamp 9, PT
C36, separation charger 27, transfer charger 28, eraser 5, cleaning unit 12, bias roller 13, PCC 25, and quenching charger 11 are driven. Cleaning unit 12 and static elimination lamp 9
After passing through, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7 becomes zero.

The photosensitive drum 7 is driven by a main motor (not shown). At this time, the leading edge of the image is defined as the part after the position where the control unit passes the recleaning 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
The 0-reflected light image scanned by the first carriage integrated with the scanning mirror 15, the illumination unit 14, etc. is the first scanning mirror 15, the second mirror 16, the third mirror 17, the lens 10, the fourth mirror l, and the dustproof An image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the 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. A latent image is formed on the drum 7. At this time, in order to obtain a life-size image, (
The eight-light drum 7 and the first carriage are driven at the same speed.

A developing unit 37 visualizes the latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 as a toner image. In this case, the developing unit 37
A dark or light image can be obtained by applying a potential to.

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

Next, the paper feed 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 rollers 35 that have been stopped in advance, and the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 7 is The registration roller 35 is driven at the timing when the leading edge of the transfer paper matches the leading edge of the transfer paper.

The toner image on the photoreceptor drum 7 is transferred to a transfer paper using a transfer charger. 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, so by lowering the potential of the transfer paper using the separation charger 27, the photoreceptor drum 7 and Decreases adhesion to transfer paper. Next, the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 7 by the separating claw 26, and the thus separated transfer paper is sent to the fixing section 18 by the conveyor belt 21. 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 discharged via the reversing section 19. When performing double-sided copying or the like, the paper is discharged to the paper feed tray 22 via the reversing unit 19, for example.

Since a small amount of toner image remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after transfer, the PCC 25 is activated and the surface is cleaned using the cleaning brush and cleaning blade in the cleaning unit 12, and the next quenching charger 11 is cleaned.
And the surface potential is made constant by the static elimination 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 structure of the sorter 20 as a discharging section 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 opening for receiving paper such as transfer paper discharged from the copying machine, followed by an upper and lower transport belt 44 for transporting the copies upward. 42, switching claw 46, upper switching guide temporary 4
5. A lower switching guide plate 47 is provided. Switching claw 4
A pair of paper ejection rollers 48, 49 and a paper ejection tray 54 are provided in the upper path by the switching claw 46, and a plurality of paper sheets (in the example shown in the figure) are arranged in parallel with the vertical direction and arranged upwardly. 20 sheets) of the paper (copy) insertion side of the pin 55.

A pair of deflecting claws 64, a conveying roller 62, and a discharge roller 63 are provided at positions corresponding to each pin on the vertical feeding path, and a plurality of conveying rollers 62 provided at appropriate intervals are A driven roller 65 is in pressure contact with the vertical feed path. The above-mentioned conveyance belts 44, 42, discharge rollers 48, 49, conveyance roller 62, and discharge roller 63 are driven by the drive motor 41.

There are two boos 1J53 on the upper and lower sides of the pin group.
and 69 are pivotally supported on the machine frame, and the lower shaft is connected to a motor 68 for moving the post-processing unit. upper and lower 2
A post-processing unit moving heald 66 is hooked to the pair of pulleys, 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 pin group in the vertical direction over almost the entire height of the sorter.

The paper (copy) discharged from the copying device is inserted through the entrance guide plate 43, is sandwiched between the pair of conveyor belts 42 and 44, and is 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 paper is moved along the upper switching guide plate 47 to the paper ejection roller pair 48.
49 to the paper ejection tray 54 (not ejected).

Also, now, sort mode (sort mode in page order)
If it is the stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted), the switching claw 46 is raised and the paper is conveyed downward along the temporary lower switching guide 45. The paper conveyed by the conveyance roller 62 and the driven roller 65 is discharged onto the pin 55 where the deflection claw 64 is activated.

The deflection claw 64 moves according to the mode (sort or stack).

In the sort mode, the deflection claw 64 of the pin 2 operates and the second copy of the first page is ejected to the first pin 55, and the deflection claw 64 of the second pin operates and the second copy of the first page is ejected to the second pin 55. to be discharged. Also, the first sheet of the second piece is discharged to the first pin 55, and the second sheet is discharged to the second pin 55, respectively. In this way, in the sort mode, pages are ejected to one pin in page order such as 1, 2, 3, and so on.

In the stack mode, the deflection claw 64 operates to eject all of the first page of paper to the first pin, and to eject the second page of paper to the second pin. In this way, in the stack mode, sheets of the same page are ejected to one pin and are sorted page by page.

In addition, the deflection claw 64 can be used in sort mode or stack mode.
If there is a jam in the vicinity, there is a function to discharge the sheets after the jammed sheet in front of the switching claw 46 from within the sorter.

In this case, the switching claw 46 is switched in the event of a jam, and the subsequent copy is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 54 without causing a jam. After removing the jam, the copies discharged to the paper discharge tray 54 can be placed into predetermined pins by the manual feed roller 50 from the manual feed U table 52.

In addition, even in cases other than jams, when sheets are inserted from the manual feed table 52, the sheets can be ejected to each pin and sorted according to the mode. The post-processing function that performs post-processing on the sheets sorted in this way will be described below.

The post-processing unit 61 means a stapler, puncher, etc. In order to move the post-processing unit to the position corresponding to each pin, the post-processing unit motor 68 is rotated, and the post-processing unit moving belt roller 6 is moved up and down via the lower pulley 69 and the upper pulley 53, and the guide unit is moved accordingly. 51 is moved up and down. The guide unit 51 has a car, and the guide rail 67
It is designed to move along the

The chuck unit 60 means that the paper bundle is transferred to the post-processing unit 6.
This is a device that transports the device to the first position and returns it to the original position after post-processing.

In FIG. 2, the home sensor 5 is detected by the home detection piece 57.
6 is turned on, and the paper stored in the first pin is ready for post-processing. When post-processing is executed from this state, the post-processing unit movement motor 68 is turned on after execution, and the post-processing unit 61 is lowered, and the pin position sensor 58 is turned on by the pin position detection piece 59 of the second pin, and the post-processing unit is turned on. Turn off unit movement motor 68
F to stop the post-processing unit 61, and
Perform post-processing for the second pin. Then, when the execution of the post-processing on the paper of the predetermined pin is completed, the post-processing unit 6
1 to the home position.

In this way, post-processing of a plurality of copy bundles can be performed.

The sheets stored in the plurality of pins (20 in the figure) 55 can be subjected to post-processing by a post-processing device 61, for example, a stapling device, and the paper discharge tray 54 is connected to the post-processing device 6.
Post-processing according to 1 cannot be performed. Here, the paper discharge tray 54 is called a storage means for non-sorting, and the pin 55 is called a storage means for sorting, and is included in the storage section.

FIG. 3 is a view from the opposite side of FIG.

In FIG. 3, things that could not be expressed in FIG. 2 will be explained.

The sorter of this embodiment is a 20-pin sorter, each with l
It is divided into two blocks, each with an O pin, and the upper block has pin sensors 76.79 and TJFK sensors 77.
There are 7 days, and there are pin sensors 81.84 and paper ejection sensors 80.83 in the lower block. In addition, the paper output tray 54
There are also paper ejection sensors 9B and 99. These sensors are transmissive optical detection sensors consisting of LEDs and phototransistors. Paper ejection sensor 77.78.80.83.98.9 detects whether paper is ejected or not.
9, and the pin sensors 76, 79, 81, and 84 determine whether or not there is paper on the pin. This kind of pin sensor makes it possible to use the lower block if there is a copy on the upper block.

In order to perform copy stapling processing, multiple sheets must be aligned. Therefore, the sorter of the present invention is equipped with a jogger as 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 jigger drive belt 86, and the drive shaft 96 rotates. Upper jigger drive belt 73 and lower jogger moving belt 8 are rotated by pulleys 74 and 87 fixed to drive shaft 96.
8 and is fixed to the upper jogger moving belt 73 and the lower jogger moving belt 8
8 is moved. The shaft fixing unit 72 functions to support the end of the alignment shaft 71. 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 paper is ejected to the pin 55, the paper ejection sensor 77.
78 or 80.83 is detected, the alignment shaft drive unit 95 is activated, the alignment plate 70 is moved by the alignment shaft 71, and the sheets are aligned. The alignment temporary 7'0 is attached to an alignment shaft 71. After finishing the post-processing, the jogger moving motor 82 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 the position for maximum size. In this way, each time the sheets are ejected, they are aligned and prepared for post-processing operations.

In FIG. 4, which is a view from the top of FIG.
5 has a notch so that the alignment shaft 71 can be moved to a position where the minimum size of paper can be aligned. Further, the aligner 70 rotates as shown by the arrow to align the sheets. At this time,
In order to hold the other edge of the paper in place, use the edge presser temporary 97.
There is. This end face presser plate 97 is attached to the chuck unit 60.
It is designed to move according to the movement of.

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 view of the chuck unit 60.

The chunk unit 60 grabs the stack of paper on the pin 55-F and transfers it to the post-processing unit (not shown in FIG. 6).
61, and after finishing the post-processing, it returns to the same state as when it was discharged onto the pin 55 again.

First, when the motor 107 rotates in the H direction, the worm gear 100 rotates, and the gear 101 moves in the 1-month direction (. Then, the spiral shaft 106 rotates, and the moving rod (which has a spiral hole) 105 Through the moving plate 1
13, the upper chuck finger 109, the lower chuck finger 110, and the push plate 112 move in the B direction. When moving in the B direction, the home sensor 102 is set to O by the position detection piece 103.
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 finger 109, the lower chuck finger 110, and the push plate 112 move in the direction.

When moving in the A direction, the position detection piece 103 turns on the tip position sensor 104 and stops the motor 107. Then, when the solenoid 114 is turned on, the chunk upper finger 1
09 is lowered in the D direction by the pull rod 108, and the bundle of paper (
(not shown). At this time, the end pressing plate 97 is rotated in the F direction by the pressing plate 112 so that it does not interfere with the movement of the sheet bundle.

Then, when the motor 107 rotates in direction 11, the sheet bundle is brought in direction B. When the push plate 112 returns to direction B, the end face press plate 97 attempts to return to its original position due to the spring 111, but since the paper stack is already on top, it remains stopped at the paper stack. When the moving plate 113 reaches the home position, the motor 107 is stopped, and then the post-processing unit 61 is activated, and after the post-processing is completed, the motor is rotated again in the G direction to return the paper bundle to the A direction. Position detection piece 103 again
turns on the tip position detection sensor 104, motor 1
07 stops, solenoid l14 changes to 0FFL,
The upper chuck 109 is raised by the coil spring 115, and the stack of sheets is returned to its original position, and the end face presser 97 is also returned to its original position by the action of the spring 111. And motor 1
07 rotates in the H direction, returns the -movement plate 113 to the home position, and stops. In this manner, the chuck unit 60 carries the stack of sheets discharged onto the pins to the post-processing device and returns them to their original positions.

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

This stapler presses and bends staples 119 supplied from a cartridge 117 when a motor 116 is turned on by an electric signal. The staples 119 are connected in a band shape with a thin tape and are stored in a rolled-up manner inside the cartridge holder 11. Furthermore, when the end of the staple passes a near-end sensor (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 5. FIG.

When the output shaft of the motor 120 supported by a base plate 123 that is movable by rollers 90 guided by rails 89 makes one rotation, the alignment plate 70 engages with the cam 121 attached to the output shaft 120 and the cam 121. arrow A through the lever 122 and the alignment shaft 71 to which the lever 122 is fixed.
B Rotates back and forth in a fan shape in the force direction. In this manner, the motor 120 rotates once each time a sheet is ejected onto the pins to align the copies.

In order to detect whether or not the stapler unit 61 as a post-processing unit performs binding, that is, whether the thickness of the sheet bundle is within the maximum binding thickness of the stapler unit, the sheets are discharged to the pins 55 of the sorter. The height of the stack of sheets 141 is detected. As shown in FIG. 9, as a detection device for detecting the height of the paper stack 141, a shaft 145 is rotatably supported above the paper stack 141, and a detection lever 144 is fixed to the shaft 145. The detection lever 144 is formed in a curved shape so that the ejected paper can smoothly pass under the detection lever 144. The detection lever 144 is pushed up by the paper as shown by the arrow and rotates the shaft 145. axis 14
A detection filler 146 is fixed to 5. A height detection sensor is placed on the sorter. Although the figure shows an example in which the first height sensor 147 and the second height sensor 148 are arranged, it is also possible to use one height sensor. In the example of FIG.
The range of thickness that can be stapled by the stapler unit 61 is shown until the height sensor 14B is turned on.

FIG. 1O shows a part of the operation section of the above-mentioned copying apparatus.

Reference numeral 201 is a start key for instructing to start copying;
202 is a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, etc.;
203 is a clear/stop key for instructing to clear the set number and stop copying; 204 is a set number display that displays the number of copies set; 205 is a copy number display that displays the number of copies; 206 is a display that displays the number of original sheets. A document sheet number display 207 is a paper size display 208 that displays the copy paper size set in each paper feed tray.
209 is a paper remaining amount indicator that displays the amount of copy paper remaining in each tray, and 209 is set to a mode (automatic paper selection mode) that automatically selects the most suitable copy paper based on document size information, etc. 210 is a paper key for selecting copy paper; 211 is a paper size selection display for displaying which copy paper size is selected; 212 is a copy Device 1! Wait a moment indicator, 2
13 is a copy ready indicator that indicates that the copying device is ready; 214 is a sort key for instructing the sort mode; 215 is a sort mode indicator that indicates that the sort mode is set; 216 217 is a stack mode indicator to indicate that the stack mode is set; 218 is a DF key to indicate automatic document feeder (ADF) mode; 219 is an automatic key. Document feeder (
220 is a staple key for instructing the stapling mode; 221 is a staple mode indicator for indicating that the stapling mode is set; 222 is a single-sided/duplex mode key for instructing to make one double-sided copy from two single-sided originals, 223 is a single-sided/duplex mode indicator to indicate that the single-sided/duplex mode is set, and 224 is a single-sided copy. duplex single-sided mode key 22 for instructing to make two single-sided copies from a double-sided original;
Reference numeral 5 indicates a duplex/single-sided mode surfacer to indicate that the duplex/single-sided mode is set. 226 indicates a duplex/duplex mode key to instruct to make one duplex copy from one double-sided original. 227 indicates a duplex/duplex mode. 228 is a sorter pin paper forgotten indicator that warns that copy paper remains on the sorter pin; 229 is a sorter jam indicator that warns of a jam in the sorter; 230 231 is a paper supply indicator that warns that the selected copy paper is out of paper; 232 is a staple supply indicator that warns that there is no staple; ,2
33 is a stapling impossibility indicator that warns that stapling is not possible, and 234 is a stapling limit indicator that warns of stapling limits.

235 is a manual stapling mode key for instructing to start stapling the copy paper on the sorter pins, unlike the stapling key 220 which automatically staples after collation in the sort mode, and 236 is a manual stapling mode key. This is a manual stapling mode indicator indicating that the mode is in progress.

FIG. 11 is a bronc diagram of the control system in the present invention.

This control is centered around the CPU 300, ROM 301, RA
M302, IN boat 303, OUT boat 304, I
This is a microcomputer system composed of 10 boats 305. By using the ROM 301 in which the program is written, the IN boat 30 can be operated while using the RAM 302 at any time.
3 receives various input signals from the OUT port 304 and outputs controlled signals to control the copying device and the sorter.The sorter control includes processing operations after sorting the sheets ( (such as stapling operations). Further, a control unit of the ADF 3 is connected to the I10 boat 305 and exchanges signals with the CPU 300. A.D.
F3 feeds the original onto the contact glass according to a signal from the CPU, and discharges the original when exposure is completed. 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 ejected. It looks like this. Further, a bank amplifier battery 306 is connected to the RAM 302, and serves as a nonvolatile memory.

The operation of the post-processing device of the image forming apparatus will be explained below.

In FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus starts when the power is turned on, and the number of sheets to be set is input by the subroutine.
The number of sheets to be set is entered using the numeric keypad. The sorter mode set subroutine then selects sort or stack mode.

Determine whether or not a document is set in the ADF. If it is set, check the copy prohibition status, and if copy is prohibited, the process will end. If copy is not prohibited, it will remain in standby mode until the start key is pressed. becomes.

Here, copy prohibition means a state such as after copying has been interrupted.

When the start key is pressed, drive system motors such as the main motor are turned on.

Next, the document is fed as shown in FIG.

That is, a document feed signal is sent to the ADF, and the document is placed in a copyable position on the contact glass.

Then, clear the copy number counter, etc., and check whether the sort or stamp mode is selected. When the sort or stack mode is selected, the switching claw 46 is raised so that the paper is ejected to the pin 55, and when it is not selected, the switching claw 46 is lowered and the paper is ejected to the discharge tray 54.

In this state, a copying operation is performed by copying control, and the paper ejection height check/reference for the paper ejected after copying and paper ejection control are performed by respective subroutines.

After paper ejection control, it is checked in the stack mode whether the status is over or not, and if the status is over, the stapling impossible indicator is turned on.

In this way, the copying operation is repeated until the number of copies reaches the number of cents.

After copying a sheet of original, if it is in the sort mode, the over status is checked, and if it is marked, the stapling impossible display is turned on.

When the copying of one sheet of the original is completed, a document ejection signal is sent to the ADF, and the original on the contact glass is ejected.

If there is a document remaining in the ADF, feed the next document and repeat the above operation. If there are no originals, the main motor is turned off and the drive motor is turned off after waiting for the completion of paper ejection to the sorter.

If the height of the copy sheets discharged to the pins is not higher than the stapling limit, which is the maximum number of sheets to be stapled, and stapling is possible, the post-processing subroutine performs the stapling operation and ends the process. If the paper ejection height is higher than the maximum number of stapled sheets, the process ends without post-processing.

The subroutine for inputting the number of sheets to be set is as shown in FIG. 14, and checks whether the numeric keypad has been pressed.
The pressed numeric key data is stored in the RAM, the cent number display is turned on according to the set RAM data, the stapling impossible display is turned off, and the process returns.

The mode set subroutine for the sorter is shown in FIG. 15 and checks whether the sort key or stack key has been pressed.

When the sort key is pressed, it checks whether it is already in sort mode, and if it is already in sort mode, it resets the sort mode and sets the sorter paper forgotten indicator to 0.
FFI, return.

If it is not in sort mode, set the sort mode and rinse the stack mode.

When the stack key is pressed, it is checked whether the stack mode is already in effect, and if the stack mode is already in the stack mode, the stack mode is reset, the sorter paper forgotten indicator is turned off, and the process returns. If not, set stack mode and reset sort mode.

When the sort mode is set or the stack mode is set, it is checked whether there is paper in the upper pin sensor, and if there is no paper, the deflection claw of the first pin is turned on, the first pin discharge is selected, and the process returns. If there is paper, check whether there is paper in the lower pin sensor, and if there is no paper, turn on the deflection claw of the 11th pin, that is, the 1st pin of the lower pin group, select 11th pin ejection, and return. .

If both the upper and lower pin sensors detect the presence of paper, the sorter paper forgotten indicator is turned ON and the process returns.

The discharge height check subroutine is formed as shown in FIG. 16, and resets the flag indicating overstatus (staple limit exceeding state), checks whether the height sensor 148 as a staple limit sensor is ON, and determines whether or not the staple limit sensor is ON. Height sensor turned on on 14th beyond limit
If so, set the over status flag and return.

The paper ejection control subroutine is formed as shown in FIG. 17, and controls ejection according to sort or stack mode.

First, it is checked whether the paper ejection sensor is ON, and when the paper ejection sensor is ON, the paper ejection counter is counted up by 1 to check whether the mode is sort mode or stack mode. When in sort mode, check whether the status is over or not. If not, turn off the deflection claw of the current pin, turn on the deflection claw of the pin one pin below the current pin, and discharge to the pin just one below. Make it paper.

The return operation is repeated until the number of discharged sheets reaches the set number, and when the number of cent sheets is reached, the deflection claw is set to 0FFL for the next sorting operation, the deflection claw of the pin at the tip of the pin block is turned ON, and the process returns.

In stacked mode, check whether the status is over or not, and if it is not over status, -
It checks whether all the copy paper for the original sheet has been ejected, that is, whether the number of ejected sheets has reached the number of cents, and if it does not reach the set number of sheets, it returns and repeats.
When the number of sheets to be set is reached, turn the deflection claw OFF and F for the next stacking operation, ① Turn the deflection claw below the pin ONL, and return the deflection claw just one pin below with QNL.

In both sort mode and stack mode, when the status is over, lower the switching claw 46 and close the paper output tray 54.
Return to the eject state.

The post-processing subroutine is as shown in FIG. 18, in which a forward drive signal is sent to the chuck unit to move the chuck forward in the direction of the pins, and a close drive signal is sent to the chuck unit to nip the paper (copy) east. Then, a backward drive signal is sent to the chuck unit to pull the paper stack toward the staple unit.

When a stack of sheets is inserted into the stapling unit, a stapling drive signal is sent to the stapling unit to perform a stapling operation.

When the stapling operation is completed, a forward drive signal is sent to the chuck unit to return the paper stack to the pins, and an open drive signal is sent to the chuck unit to release the paper stack.

A post-processing completion check is performed, and if there is still a stack of sheets to be processed, the next pin number post-processing unit is moved and the above-mentioned operations are repeated. Returns after processing all paper bundles.

Through the control according to the above flow, if the thickness of the paper bundle stored in the pin that is the paper storage section, that is, the detected height is higher than the stapling limit by the stapling unit 61,
As an instruction means, a stapling impossible display on the operation panel is displayed to warn that stapling is impossible.

Unlike normal copying from an original, paper on which an image is recorded using information stored in advance by a printer or the like is also included in the expression "copy paper" in this specification. Therefore, copy paper has a broad meaning of paper on which information is recorded.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, staples that exceed the stapling limit of the stapling device are switched from the sorter's pins, which are storage means, to the discharge tray, which is a storage means, and unsorted items are discharged, so stapling is always possible. There is no interruption in the forming process, improving work efficiency.

[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 sectional view showing the configuration of the sorter. 5 is a side view of the sorter seen from the right side of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tick unit; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the post-processing unit gutter, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the alignment shaft drive unit, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the paper thickness detection device on the pin, and FIG. 10 1I is a plan view showing a part of the operation panel of the copying machine, FIG. 1I is a block diagram of II system, and FIGS. 12 to 18 are flowcharts showing main operations and control flows related to the present invention. . 20... Sorter storage section 54... Paper output tray (storage means for non-sorting) 55...
Pin (sorting is storage means) 61... Staple device 141... Sheet of paper 144... Height detection lever 146... Detection filler 148... Height sensor Fig. 2 (1 other person) Cylinder 3 Figure 111 The first diagram is complete.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image forming apparatus including a storage section for storing paper sheets on which images have been formed, and a stapling device for stapling the sheets in the storage section, wherein the storage section has a plurality of pins for sorting the sheets. The stapling device has a sorting storage means for storing paper sheets, and a non-sorting storage means having one tray, and a means for detecting the thickness of sheets stored in the sorting storage means. A switching claw for switching the feeding direction between the sorting storage means and the non-sorting storage means is actuated by a signal from the means for determining whether the paper is within the binding limit, and if the binding limit is exceeded, the paper is transferred to the non-sorting storage means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus can be switched to be stored in the image forming apparatus.