JPH0422828B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device used in conjunction with an image forming device such as a copying machine, a printing machine, or a laser beam printer, and specifically relates to a sheet post-processing device that is connected to an image forming device. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device that stacks, aligns, and staples sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus.

(b) Prior Art Conventionally, sheet post-processing devices that perform stapling use counting means to count the number of sheets stacked on a sheet alignment tray device, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the sheet bundle is transferred to a binding device. (hereinafter referred to as a stapler), and when the count value exceeds the capability of the stapler, an alarm is issued to restrict the operation of the stapler.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, in the above-mentioned sheet post-processing device, the number of sheets stacked on the sheet alignment tray device is counted by a counting means, so when manually using a stapler, there is no need to If the manually fed sheet bundle being inserted cannot be counted and the manually fed sheet bundle exceeds the processing capacity of the stapler,
Stapling staples sometimes broke and it was not possible to stap stably.

(d) Means for solving the problem The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a loading means 5 for loading sheets S.
2a, a binding means 75 that binds the sheets S stacked on the stacking means 52a by acting on a predetermined position of the sheets S, and a sheet number information means 72 for knowing the number of sheets S conveyed onto the stacking means 52a.
Sheet thickness detection means 81 detects the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means, and sheets S conveyed in order from the image forming apparatus 1 are stacked on the stacking means 52a and the sheets are bound. a switching means 80 for switching between an automatic mode in which the means 75 can perform a binding operation and a manual feeding mode in which manual sheets are stacked and a binding operation can be performed by the binding means 75; a first prohibition control for prohibiting the operation of the binding means 75 in response to a signal from the information means 72 that the number of sheets is greater than or equal to a predetermined number;
and a second prohibition control means 97 for prohibiting the operation of the binding means 75 in response to a signal from the sheet thickness detection means 86 indicating that the sheet thickness is greater than or equal to a predetermined thickness. It is characterized by

(e) Operation Based on the above-described configuration, the binding means 52 that binds the sheets S stacked on the stacking means 52a by acting on a predetermined position has an automatic mode and a manual feeding mode, and these modes can be switched by the switching means 80. Change.

Further, the control means 97 detects the number of sheets sequentially conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 in the automatic mode by the sheet number information means 72, and if the number of sheets on the stacking means 52a is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the binding means 75 is prohibited, and the thickness of the sheet loaded on the loading means 52a in the manual feed mode is determined by the sheet thickness detecting means 81.
is detected, and if the thickness exceeds a predetermined value, the binding operation is prohibited.

Note that the reference numerals in the brackets above are for contrast with the drawings, but do not limit the structure of the present invention in any way.

(f) Examples Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 has a copying machine main body 3 containing a copying section 2, and the main body 3 includes a platen 5, a light source 6, mirrors 7, 8, 9, 10,
It is equipped with two cassettes 12 and 13 for storing a lens 11 and a sheet S.
Paper feed rollers 15 and 16 are disposed above the paper, respectively. A pair of registration rollers 17 is disposed downstream of the paper feed rollers 15 and 16, and the copying section 2 is disposed downstream of the rollers 17. Further, downstream of the copying section 2, a conveyor belt 19 and a fixing device 20 are arranged. Further, downstream of the fixing device 20, a pair of paper ejection rollers 21
A folding device 22 and a finisher 23 are provided downstream of the paper ejection roller pair 21 and adjacent to the copying machine main body 3.

On the other hand, the copying machine main body 3 is provided with an automatic document feeder 25 on its upper part, and the paper feeder 25 has a document tray 26 on which documents M are stacked. A paper feed roller 27 for feeding the document M on the tray 26 is disposed near the tray 26.
A separation belt 29 that rotates counterclockwise and a conveyor belt 30 that rotates counterclockwise are disposed downstream of the roller 27. Further, downstream of the belt 30, a sensor 3 for detecting the size of the document M is provided.
1 and 32 are arranged linearly in the transverse direction with respect to the document conveyance direction, and downstream of the sensors 31 and 32, a conveyance belt 36 is stretched between a drive roller 33 and a driven roller 35. Furthermore, the belt 36
A flapper 39 is disposed on the left side of the original discharge section 37, and around the flapper 39 there are transport paths 40, which are switched and guided by the flapper 39.
41 and 42 are provided. A pair of reversing rollers 43 is disposed on the conveyance path 40, and a pair of discharge rollers 45 is further disposed on the conveyance path 41.

Further, the sheet discharge port 46 of the folding device 22 and the sheet carry-in port 47 of the finisher device 23 are connected so as to coincide with each other. Furthermore, the folding device 22
The sheet inlet 49 of the copying machine 1 is connected to the sheet outlet 5 of the copying machine 1.
0, the sheet S carried out from the copying machine 1 is folded into a predetermined shape by the folding device 22, and then folded into the stacker section 5 of the finisher device 23.
1, or can be sent to the stapling section 52 and stacked, or stapled and processed. In the folding device 22, a pair of carry-in rollers 55 are disposed facing a sheet carry-in port 49 provided on the upper right side of the folding device main body 53, and an inlet deflector 56 is arranged downstream of the pair of carry-in rollers 55 in two directions. It is arranged to be switchable and is configured to guide and convey the sheet S sent from the sheet carry-in port 49 to the passing conveyance path 57 or to the sheet folding conveyance path 59. Further, a pair of discharge rollers 60 is disposed at the downstream end of the passage conveyance path 57, and the sheet discharge port 46 is provided downstream of the pair of discharge rollers 60.
6 is installed at the same horizontal level as the sheet entrance 49. Further, on the downstream side of the sheet folding conveyance path 59, a folding means A for folding the sheet S in two or Z-folding is arranged. ing. Further, the finisher device 23 is provided with a stacker tray 51a at the upper left side of the device main body 62, and a stacker section 51 that can be moved back and forth in the vertical direction by a driving means such as a motor.
Furthermore, a staple portion 52 is provided below the stapler portion 51.
A staple tray 52a is arranged at the lower end of the staple tray 52a.
A stopper 63 supporting one end of the sheet S on 2a is movably disposed. Further, a storage tray 65 is disposed below the stapling section 52, and the sheet S on the staple tray 52a is dropped into the storage tray 65 by movement of the stopper 63.

Further, as shown in FIG.
7, and the sheet inlet 47 is arranged at the same height as the sheet outlet 50 of the copying machine 1 (see FIG. 2). A pair of carry-in rollers 66 is disposed at the sheet carry-in entrance 47, and an inlet deflector 67 constituting a switching means is disposed downstream of the pair of carry-in rollers 66 so as to be switchable in two directions. It is configured to convey the sheet S sent from the opening 47 to the stacker section conveyance path 69 or to the staple section conveyance path 70. Further, a pair of conveying rollers 71 and a sensor 72 are arranged in the stapling section conveying path 70, a pair of stapling section discharge rollers 73 is disposed downstream of the pair of rollers 71, and a pair of discharge rollers 73 of the stapling section is disposed downstream of the pair of rollers 71. A belt 73b whose lower end is in contact with the staple tray 52a is attached to the lower roller 73a.
The belt 73b rotates together with the lower roller 73a to align the longitudinal direction (rear end in the unloading direction) of the sheet S unloaded onto the staple tray 52a along the stopper 63. It is configured as follows. The stopper 63 is connected to a solenoid 76, and when the solenoid 76 is turned on, the stopper 63 is retracted from the tray surface of the stacker tray 52a. Furthermore, a staple tray 52a
A stapler 75 is installed above the base end side and is configured to staple the sheets S on the staple tray 52a, or a sensor 74 for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet S is installed on the tray 52a. It is arranged. A protective cover 77 is disposed on the staple tray 52a, and the cover 77 is supported by a hinge 79 so as to be openable and closable. Further, a manual button 80 is arranged on the main body 62 of the apparatus above the cover 77, and the button 80 is connected to the staple section 52.
This is for switching from automatic stapling mode to manual mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the staple tray 52a is provided with a loading amount detection device 81 for detecting the loading amount of sheets S.
1 includes a presser plate 82 swingably supported by a shaft 82a, and a presser plate 82 connected to the presser plate 82.
a solenoid 83 that swings the solenoid 8;
Spring 8 connected to the presser plate 82 on the opposite side of 3
5, and a reflective optical sensor 86 that turns on and off by overlapping with or separating from one end 82b of the holding plate 82.
It is composed of.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5a, the staple tray 52a has a fixing plate 87 erected on the forward side of the tray 52a, and a width adjusting plate 89 on the rear side, which is connected to a stepping motor. 90, a pinion 91, and a rack 92, it is movably disposed (see FIG. 5b). Further, a home position sensor 93 is disposed at the back of the step tray 52a, and the sensor 93 is configured to detect the home position of the width adjusting plate 89.

Further, the fixing plate 87 is provided with a sheet edge detection device 94 for detecting the edge of the sheet S, and the device 94 is provided with a hole in the fixing plate 87 as shown in FIG. 5c. hole 87a, hole 52b drilled in the staple tray 52a, hole 5
2b and the hole 87a, and the lamp 95 is turned on by receiving the light of the lamp 95.
At the same time, the light from the lamp 95 is blocked by the sheet S and is turned off by a sheet edge sensor 96.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the copying machine 1 includes a control section 97, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 99, a ROM 100 storing a control program for controlling the CPU 99, and An output interface 102 includes a RAM 101 serving as a main storage device, and outputs a control signal to a load such as a main motor on the copying machine main body 3 side;
An input interface 103 that inputs detection signals from each sensor, and an input/output interface 1 that inputs operation signals from various input keys 105 and issues display signals to each display 106.
It is connected to 07. Further, each load and each sensor of a finisher 23, a folding device 22, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) 25 attached to the copying machine 1 are similarly connected via each interface (not shown). .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

A case in which the automatic stapling mode is set in the finisher 23 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When a bundle of originals is loaded on the original tray 26 of the RDF 25 and the original bundle is detected by a document presence/absence sensor (not shown) and transmitted to the CPU 99, the CPU 99
is the RDF based on the detection signal of the document presence sensor.
It is determined that the document stack is set at 25 (S1).
Then, using the input key 105, the staple mode is set to automatic (S2), the number of copies is set (S3), and the sheet size is selected (S4). Next, when a copy start key (not shown) is turned on (S5), a transport motor (not shown) is turned on (S6). As a result, the paper feed roller 27 rotates to feed the original from below, and the original is further transferred to the separating belt 2.
9 and the conveyor belt 30 and are separated one by one and conveyed to the conveyor belt 36. And the manuscript is
It is transported to the exposure position on the platen 5 by the transport belt 36 (S7), and is further transported to the light source 6, mirrors 7, 8,
9, 10 and a lens 11 read the image and form the image on the copying section 2.

On the other hand, a sheet S is fed from the cassettes 12 and 13 by paper feed rollers 15 and 16, and the sheet S is further fed by a pair of registration rollers 17 in synchronization with the image formed on the copying section 2. Then, the image is copied on the sheet S by the copying section 2, and the sheet S is further transported to the fixing device 20 by the transport section 19 (S8).
At this time, the document is transferred from the platen 5 to the conveyor belt 36.
The rear end is conveyed to the conveyance path 40 by the flapper 3.
9, the document is conveyed to the conveyance path 41,
Further, the document is discharged onto the document tray 26 by the discharge roller 45 (S9). Then, the sheet S is fixed to the fixing device 2.
0, the image is fixed, and then the paper ejection roller pair 21
is discharged to the discharge port 50. Then, the sheet S discharged from the sheet discharge port 50 of the copying machine 1
is conveyed from the sheet inlet 49 of the folding device 22 to the entrance deflector 56 by the rotation of the pair of carry-in rollers 55, and when the passing mode is instructed to the folding device 22, the deflector 56
You will be guided to 7. Then, the sheet passes through the conveyance path 57 and is discharged from the sheet discharge port 46 by a pair of discharge rollers 60 . Further, when the folding mode is instructed to the folding device 22, the sheet S is transferred to the entrance deflector 5.
6 to the sheet folding conveyance path 59, and then conveyed to the folding means A through the sheet conveyance path 59. Then, the sheet S is folded 2 times by the folding means A.
The sheet is subjected to a process such as folding or Z-folding, and is conveyed to a sheet discharge conveyance path 61, conveyed through the conveyance path 61 to a pair of discharge rollers 60, and further discharged from a sheet discharge port 46 by the pair of rollers 60. Then, the sheet S discharged from the sheet discharge port 46 of the folding device 22 is carried in from the sheet carry-in port 47 of the finisher device 23 by a pair of carry-in rollers 66 . Further, the sheet S is conveyed to the stapling section conveyance path 70 by the flapper 67, and further conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 71.
The paper is agitated and conveyed to a pair of discharge rollers 73. At this time, the sheets S are detected by the sensor 72 and transmitted to the control section 97, so that the control section 97 counts the number of sheets S. On the other hand, sheet S
The staple tray 5 is moved by the discharge roller pair 73.
2a, and then abutted against the stopper 62 by the belt 73b to align the front and rear positions (S10). Furthermore, the sheet S is width-aligned to the fixing plate 87 by the width-aligning plate 89 to align the left and right positions (S11), and the width-aligning operation is performed in the first step as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7a in detail. Before the copied sheet S is ejected onto the staple tray 52a, that is, when the number of sheets counted based on the detection signal of the sheet S by the sensor 72 is 0, first the sheet size selected from the home position of the width adjusting plate 89 is set. Move to position (S112). Next, the width adjusting plate 89 is moved to a position 10 mm away from the sheet size position to prepare for receiving the sheet S into the staple tray 52a (S114). Then, when the first copied sheet S is discharged onto the staple tray 52a (NO in S111), the width adjusting plate 89 moves to the sheet size position (S113), and the sheet S is transferred to the fixing plate 87. and the width adjustment plate 89 to align the left and right positions (S113). Then, after aligning the first sheet S, the width shifting plate 89 is moved again to a position 10 mm away, and is ready to receive the second sheet S (S114). Furthermore, if the sheet number count is not 0 in S101, that is, the second and subsequent sheets, the left and right positions are aligned by moving the width adjusting plate 89 from a position 10 mm away from the sheet size to the sheet size position. (S113).

Then, the CPU 99 increments the sheet number counter by 1 and repeats the operations from S7 to S11 until the document stack stacked on the document tray 26 of the RDF 25 has been circulated (S12). Next, when a part of the copy sheet bundle is created for a part of the original bundle,
The CPU 99 uses the value of the sheet number counter and the stapler 7.
Compare the capacity number of sheets of 5 and (S13), sheet bundle S...
If the number of sheets exceeds the capacity of the stapler 75, a warning is displayed on the display 106 that stapling is not possible, and the stapler operation is prohibited (S14). Furthermore, if the number of sheets in the sheet bundle S does not exceed the capacity of the stapler 75, the CPU 99
The presence or absence of the sheet bundle S on the staple tray 52a is confirmed by the sensor 74 (S15), and the stapler 75 is activated (S16). The operation of the stapler 75 is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Regulate the movement of... (S161). Then,
The stapler 75 is operated to staple the sheet bundle S..., and when the work is completed (S162), the width adjusting plate 89 is moved from the sheet size position.
Move 10mm (S163).

Then, the sheet bundle S... is dropped and stored in the storage tray 65 (S17). In addition, the falling operation is shown in detail in the flowchart of Figure 7c.
Step 9 turns on the solenoid 76 to retract the stopper 63 from the tray surface of the staple tray 52a (S171). As a result, the sheet bundle S... is transferred to the belt 7
3b on the surface of the staple tray 52a. At this time, the sensor 74 detects the rear end of the sheet bundle S...
is detected and the sensor 74 is turned off (S172), the CPU 99 activates a fall timer (not shown) in the CPU 99, and after a predetermined time, that is, the time required for the rear end of the sheet bundle S... to pass the stopper 63. When the fall timer stops after a certain period of time (S173), the solenoid 76 is turned OFF and the stopper 6
3 to the home position (S174).

Then, the CPU 99 repeats the operations from S7 to S17 until the number of copies set in S3 described above is reached, and subtracts 1 from the copy number setting counter,
When the counter reaches 0, the set number of sheet bundles S
...is created (S18). Next, CPU99 is
The width adjustment return operation of the width adjustment plate 89 is performed (S19). In addition, the width adjustment return operation is shown in Fig. 7d.
As detailed in the flowchart of
9 is returned to the home position (S191), and when the width shifting plate 89 is detected by the home position sensor 93, a detection signal from the sensor 93 is transmitted to the CPU 99 via the interface 103.
Then, the CPU 99 turns off the transport motor (not shown) of the finisher 23 based on the detection signal.
to finish all work (S20).

Further, when using the finisher 23 in the manual stapling mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
detects the sheet bundle S... and turns ON (S21). Then, the operator turned on manual switch 80.
Then (S22), the CPU 99 receives the ON signal of the switch 80 via the interface 103.
executes the manual stapling mode program stored in the ROM 100. and,
The CPU 99 drives a transport motor (not shown) (S23) to rotate the belt 73b. Next, the sheet bundle S manually fed onto the staple tray 52a
... is abutted against the stopper 63 by the belt 73b and aligned in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the CPU
99 drives the stepping motor 90 to move the width shifting plate 89 to the fixed plate 87, and when the edge of the sheet bundle S... is detected by the sheet edge sensor 96,
Turn off the stepping motor 90 and turn off the width adjusting plate 8.
9 stops moving (S24). Next, CPU99
turns on the solenoid 83 of the load amount detection device 81.
(S25), and swings the presser plate 82 to remove the presser plate 82.
One end 82c of is brought into contact with the sheet bundle S.... As a result, the other end 82b of the holding plate 82 comes off the thickness sensor 86, which is a reflective optical sensor, and the sensor 86
is turned OFF (S26), the CPU 99 that receives the OFF signal from the sensor 86 determines that the thickness of the sheet bundle S exceeds the stapling capacity of the stapler 75, and issues a warning that it cannot be stapled to the display 106. Also, the stapler operation is prohibited (S27). Further, when the end 82b of the presser plate 82 overlaps the thickness sensor 86 and the sensor 86 is turned on,
The CPUC 99 receives the ON signal of the sensor 86,
It is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle S is within the stapling capacity of the stapler 75, and the solenoid 83 is turned off (S28). Next, the CPU 99 operates the stapler 75 to staple the sheet bundle S (S29). Then, as soon as the stapling operation is completed, the CPU 99 turns off the conveyance motor to stop the rotation of the belt 75, and further drives the stepping motor 90 to return the width shifting plate 89 to the home position (S30). Next, when the operator opens the cover 77 of the staple tray 52a and takes out the stapled sheet bundle S from above the staple tray 52a, the sensor 74 is turned off (S31) and the manual stapling mode ends.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the load amount detection device 8
1, the thickness of the sheet bundle S is detected only in the manual stapling mode, but this is not limited to this.If the thickness of the sheet bundle S is detected also in the automatic stapling mode, it is possible to detect the thickness of the sheet bundle S. Seat S
Even when using a stapler, it is possible to perform more stable stapling by comparing the processing capacity of the stapler and the sheet bundle S. Furthermore, when the sheet S is folded by the folding device 22, even more stable stapling can be performed.

(G) Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, in the automatic mode, when the number of sheets conveyed onto the stacking means exceeds a predetermined number, the operation of the binding means is prohibited and manual feeding is disabled. mode, if the thickness of the sheet bundle on the stacking means exceeds a predetermined thickness, the operation of the binding means is similarly prohibited. In manual feeding mode, as in automatic mode, binding errors and jams due to malfunctions are prevented, ensuring stable binding operations at all times. It can be performed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a sheet post-processing device according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing an image forming apparatus including a sheet post-processing device. Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing control means for controlling the entire apparatus. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the load detection device. Further, FIG. 5a is a plan view showing the sheet alignment tray device,
b is a perspective view showing the drive device for the width shifting plate, and c
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the sheet edge detection device. Further, FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation of the present invention. 23...sheet post-processing device (finisher device), 52a...loading means (staple tray),
75... Stapling means (stapler), 81... Detection means (loading amount detection device), 97... Control means (control unit), S... Sheet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A stacking means for stacking sheets; a binding means for binding the sheets by acting on a predetermined position of the sheets stacked on the stacking means; and the number of sheets to be conveyed onto the stacking means. a sheet number information means for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means; a sheet thickness detection means for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking means; a switching means for switching between an automatic mode in which the binding means can perform a binding operation, and a manual feed mode in which manual sheets are loaded and can be bound by the binding means; the sheet number information means is activated when the switching means is in the automatic mode; a first prohibition control that prohibits the operation of the binding means in response to a signal that the number of sheets from the sheet is equal to or greater than a predetermined number; a second prohibition for prohibiting the operation of the binding means in response to a signal indicating that the thickness of the sheet is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness;