JPH05147186A - Sheet aftertreating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve a discharge property by a method wherein an escape part of a discharge roller is formed on a fitting side to a device of a discharge tray wherein a sheet processed by a specific aftertreatment is discharged, and the discharge tray is provided freely movably in a vertical direction. CONSTITUTION:A sheet aftertreating device 40, which is arranged in a duplicating machine body and into which a sheet after recording an image is carried, is equipped with an aftertreating carrying path 41 which carries a sheet S carried from the machine body with the device 40, an aftertreating means 45 which coordinates sheets and binds a book therefrom with a staple, a discharge means 51 which discharges sheets processed by bookbinding from an inside of the device 40, and a discharge tray 56 which places the discharged sheets by laminating. In this case, an elevator unit 57, a shift unit 58, and a longitudinally moving unit (as not given in the figure) are arranged near a fitting part of the discharge tray 56. Further, a fitting side to the device 40 of the discharge tray 56 is made depressed to be formed as an escape part 56a of a discharge roller 56, and paper folding of the sheet or the like are solved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus which is provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer and which performs post-processing such as binding or punching on a copied sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine for copying an image of an original on a sheet, which includes a sheet post-processing apparatus for binding a plurality of sheets. In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, after the sheet conveyed from the machine body side is subjected to the bookbinding post-treatment, the stapled sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus, and the sheet body is conveyed from the machine body side. Sequentially 1 without any post-treatment on incoming sheets
There are two modes, an offset mode in which the sheets are discharged outside the apparatus one by one. And, in the staple mode,
For example, as shown in FIG. 24A, the copied sheet S conveyed from the machine body side through the post-treatment conveying path 71 is aligned and stacked on the staple plate 72, and then incorporated. The stapler 73 binds with staples for bookbinding, and the bound sheet S is ejected onto the ejection tray 76 by the rotation of the ejection roller 74 and the advancing movement of the pushing member 75.

On the other hand, in the offset mode, FIG.
As shown in (b), the driven roller 77 disposed above the discharge roller 74 is rotated to obtain a contact state with the discharge roller 74, so that the post-processing conveyance path from the machine body side. The copied sheet S conveyed through 71
The sheet is sandwiched between the rollers 74 and 77 and directly discharged onto the discharge tray 76.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25, in the sheet post-processing apparatus that executes the offset and stapling modes as described above, an offset tray 84 on which a sheet S to be offset is placed, and stapling are performed. There is one that individually includes a staple tray 89 on which the sheet S is placed. In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, in the offset mode, the sheet S conveyed from the machine body side by the path switching operation of the deflector 82 passes through the first conveyance path 81a, and then is sandwiched between the sheet ejection rollers 83. It is mounted and directly discharged to the offset tray 84. On the other hand, in the staple mode, the second path is changed by the deflector 82 to change the second path.
The sheets S conveyed through the conveyance path 81b are aligned and stacked on the stapling plate 85, and then stapled by a built-in stapler 86 to bind the sheets S to bind them, and the bound sheets S are discharged from the discharge rollers. The staple tray 8 is rotated by the rotation of 87 and the advancing movement of the pushing member 88.
9. Discharge on top.

[0005]

However, in the sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges the sheet S onto the same discharge tray 76 in each of the offset and stapling modes as described above, the sheet S to be offset is stapled. Since the tray angle of the discharge tray 76 is constant despite the fact that the conveying direction with the sheet S is different, the dischargeability of the sheet S in each of the offset and stapling modes cannot be satisfied at the same time. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Because of the arrangement position of No. 4, a step is inevitably formed between the staple plate 72 and the stapling plate 72. Therefore, when the bound sheet S is pushed out by the pushing member 75, the sheet S swells and causes a paper fold. ..

On the other hand, in the sheet post-processing apparatus including the offset tray 84 and the staple tray 89, the tray angles of the trays 84 and 89 are individually set,
Although it is possible to satisfy both the discharge properties of the sheet S in the offset mode and the staple mode, the positional relationship between the staple tray 89 and the staple plate 85 is not improved, and this is caused by the sheet break of the bound sheet S. There is a problem that the quality of the sheet is deteriorated.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention stacks sheets carried in from an image forming apparatus on a post-processing plate through a conveying path. In addition, in a sheet post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet on the post-processing plate, and then discharges the sheet to a discharge tray by rotating a discharge roller provided at one end on the discharge side of the post-processing plate. , The following measures are taken.

That is, in the discharge tray, the clearance of the discharge roller is formed on the mounting side of the apparatus, and the discharge tray is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward, so that the bearing surface of the sheet is the same as the upper surface of the post-processing plate. Allows placement on a surface.

In order to solve the above problems, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention has the following means in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the first aspect.

That is, the discharge tray is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, and when the sheet on the post-processing plate is discharged to the discharge tray, the escape portion formed on the discharge tray by the advancing movement thereof. And narrow the space between the discharge roller.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3 takes the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, in the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, the sheets on the post-processing plate are subjected to predetermined post-processing, and the sheets are discharged to the discharge tray. On the other hand, in the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing apparatus directly ejects the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus to the ejection tray through the conveyance path, and the ejection tray is provided with a variable tray angle.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 4 takes the following means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, in the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, the sheets on the post-processing plate are subjected to predetermined post-processing, and the sheets are discharged to the discharge tray. On the other hand, in the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing apparatus discharges the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus directly to the discharge tray through the conveyance path, and a part of the post-processing plate is provided so as to be vertically movable. In the non-post-processing mode, the upward movement serves as a sheet guide plate that connects the transport path and the discharge tray.

[0015]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the discharge tray having the discharge roller relief portion formed on the mounting side of the apparatus,
The support surface of the sheet is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface of the post-treatment plate by the forward and backward movement. For this reason, when a sheet subjected to a predetermined post-treatment is discharged from the post-treatment plate onto the carry-out tray, the sheet can be discharged in an optimum state, which in turn leads to an improvement in sheet discharge performance. it can.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the sheet is discharged from the post-processing plate, the discharge tray is moved forward so that the space between the escape portion of the discharge tray and the discharge roller is increased. Can be narrowed. Therefore, there is no risk that the sheet discharged from the post-processing plate to the discharge tray will enter the escape portion of the discharge tray, and the sheet discharging performance of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 can be further improved. it can.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the tray angle of the discharge tray can be changed according to the post-processing and non-post-processing modes in which the sheet conveying directions are different. Therefore, in both the post-processing and non-post-processing modes, the discharge tray can maintain the optimum tray angle for supporting the sheet.

According to the structure of claim 4, in the non-post-processing mode in which the sheet is directly discharged from the conveying path to the discharge tray, a part of the post-processing plate guides the sheet connecting the conveying path and the discharge tray. Make a board. Therefore, even if the conveyed sheet is not stiff or if the sheet has curls,
Since the sheet conveying direction can be regulated by the guide plate, the sheet conveying property can be improved and the occurrence of JAM or the like can be avoided.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
The explanation is based on the following. In this embodiment, the sheet post-processing apparatus is applied to a copying machine as an image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine according to this embodiment has a machine body 1 for copying an image of an original M onto a sheet S, and the machine body 1 is provided on the top of the machine body 1. A document transport device 30 that transports the document M is provided on the exposure unit 2 formed on the upper end surface of the document.

An exposure glass 3 forming an exposure portion 2 is arranged at the upper end of the machine body 1 and this exposure glass 3 is provided.
An optical system 9 including a light source lamp 4, mirrors 5, 6 and 7, and a lens 8 and a photoconductor drum 10 are disposed below. Then, the optical system 9 optically scans the document M conveyed to the exposure unit 2 by the document conveying device 30 described later by the light emitted from the light source lamp 4, and the reflected light is reflected by the mirrors 5 and 6. By irradiating the exposure point A on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 via 7 and the lens 8, the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 uniformly charged by the main charger unit 11, which will be described later, is statically charged according to the image of the document M. It is designed to form a latent image.

Around the photosensitive drum 10, a main charger unit 11 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to a predetermined potential as described above, and a developing unit 12.
A transfer charger 13 and a peeling charger 14 are provided. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10 is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 12, and then this toner image is transferred. The charger 13 transfers the sheet S to a sheet S conveyed through a sheet conveying path 15 described later. The peeling charger 14 peels the sheet S to which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 10.

A sheet conveying path 15 for conveying the sheet S for transferring the toner image is provided below the photosensitive drum 10. On the upstream side of the sheet conveying path 15, there are provided a paper feed table 19 having paper feed rollers 16, 17, and 18, a paper feed cassette 20, and a paper feed deck 21, respectively. Sheets S placed or accommodated on the table 19, the paper feed cassette 20, and the paper feed deck 21
Are fed to the photosensitive drum 10 through the sheet conveying path 15. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance path 15, a conveyance belt 22 that conveys the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred and a fixing device 23 that fixes the toner image onto the sheet S are arranged.

On the downstream side of the fixing device 23, the sheet S is conveyed in the sheet post-processing device 40, which will be described later, and the re-conveyance path 2.
A deflector 24 is provided to branch to the 5 and 5. The re-conveyance path 25 forms a circulation path for re-conveying the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred by the photoconductor drum 10 to the photoconductor drum 10, and an intermediate tray 26 is arranged in the middle of the path so that the sheet S is transferred to the sheet S. It enables double-sided copying.

The original document conveying device 30 has an original document conveying path 31 for conveying the original document M to the exposure section 2 formed on the upper end surface of the machine body 1. The original document conveyance path 31 forms a circulation path, and an original document tray 32 for stacking the original documents M and the original documents M stacked on the original document tray 32 are sequentially fed to the exposure unit 2 in the path. A feeding belt 33 for sending,
A conveyor belt 34 that is provided in contact with the exposure glass 3 that forms the exposure unit 2 and that forms a conveyance path for the document M with the exposure glass 3 is provided. Then, the document feeder 3
In the case of 0, the original M on the original tray 32 is fed to the exposure unit 2 by the feeding belt 33, and the original M is positioned at a predetermined position on the exposure glass 3 by the conveying belt 34, so that the above-mentioned light source lamp is provided. The document M is arranged in a state of being optically scanned by 4.

Further, in the copying machine of this embodiment, the sheet post-processing device 40 is arranged on the downstream side of the above-mentioned sheet conveying path 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus 40 aligns the sheet S with the post-processing conveying path 41 for conveying the sheet S conveyed from the machine body 1 within the apparatus 40 and staples the sheets. Post-processing means 45 for performing bookbinding processing by
And a discharge unit 51 for discharging the bound sheet S from the inside of the apparatus 40, and a discharge tray 56 on which the sheet S discharged from inside the apparatus 40 is placed.

The post-processing conveying path 41 is formed with a carrying-in port 41a for carrying in the sheet S conveyed from the machine body 1 at one end side thereof, and is branched into a fork in the middle of the path to form two upper and lower stages. Bypass 41b and main pass 41c
And are formed. Further, the post-processing conveyance path 41 is
At each end of the bypass 41b and the main path 41c,
A pair of upper and lower conveying rollers 42 and 43 are provided, respectively, and a deflector 44 that is rotatable in the B ₁ -B ₂ direction is provided at a branch point between the bypass 41 b and the main path 41 c, and the sheet S is provided. The transport path of 1 is switched to either the bypass 41b or the main path 41c. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing conveyance path 41 includes the bypass 41 b and the main path 41.
Sheet detection switches SW ₁ and SW ₂ for detecting the sheet S are arranged in the middle of each path of c, respectively, and as will be described later by the detection operation of each sheet S by these sheet detection switches SW ₁ and SW _2. The drive control of the transport roller 43 is performed.

The post-processing means 45 comprises a staple plate 46 as a post-processing plate, a width plate 47, a paddler 48, and a stapler 49.

One end of the staple plate 46 is disposed in the discharge port 40a formed on the exterior surface of the apparatus 40, and the other end of the staple plate 46 is slanted downward as compared with the one end so that the post-processing conveyance is performed. The sheets S to be bound (stapled) are stacked at a position below the path 41. A sheet detection switch (not shown) is provided on the staple plate 46 to detect the presence or absence of the sheet S on the staple plate 46.

The width plate 47 is a staple plate 46.
Of the staple plate 46. The staple plate 46 is disposed in the substantially central portion of the
The upper sheet S is aligned in the width direction. The paddle 48 has a blade portion for the staple plate 46.
The sheet S on the staple plate 46 is aligned in the conveyance direction while being disposed in contact with the upper surface of the lower end of the stapler and rotatably provided in the C direction. The stapler 49 is arranged at a lateral position of the staple plate 46 with which the paddler 48 is abutted, and binds the sheets S stacked on the staple plate 46 with staples to perform bookbinding. A stopper 50 is provided on the lower end side of the stapling plate 46, and the stopper 50 positions the rear end of the sheets S stacked on the stapling plate 46, so that the paddler 48 operates. It is adapted to assist the alignment of the sheet S in the transport direction.

The discharging means 51 is composed of a pushing member 52, a discharging roller 53, and a driven roller 54.

The extruding member 52 is disposed on the extension line of the lower end of the stapling plate 46, and is provided so as to be able to move back and forth in the D ₁ -D ₂ direction along the upper surface of the stapling plate 46. The S is pushed out from the staple plate 46 toward the discharge port 40a. The rotation axis of the discharge roller 53 is rotatably supported by the upper end portion of the staple plate 46 and is rotatable in the G ₁ -G ₂ directions. On the other hand, the driven roller 54
Of the arm member 55 is pivotally supported on one end side of the arm member 55, and the other end side of the arm member 55 is provided so as to be rotatable about the fulcrum E in the F ₁ -F ₂ directions. .. Then, the discharging roller 53 rotates in the G ₂ direction in the stapling mode, which will be described later, and the stapling plate 4 is rotated.
While supporting the alignment of the sheets S stacked on the sheet 6 in the conveying direction, the sheets S bound by the rotation in the G ₁ direction are discharged to the discharge tray 56. Further, the driven roller 54 is adapted to rotate the discharge roller 53 in the G ₁ direction in the offset mode described later, in accordance with the rotation of the arm member 5.
By rotating 5 in the F ₂ direction, the sheet S is sandwiched between the sheet 5 and the discharge roller 53, and the sheet S is directly discharged from the post-processing conveyance path 41 to the discharge tray 56.
As shown in FIG. 4, the rollers 53 and 54 are
The sheet detection switch SW ₃ for detecting the sheet S is configured to be in contact with each other in the offset mode.

The discharge tray 56 is attached to the device 40 at a position below the discharge roller 53, and the elevator unit 57 and the shift unit 5 are provided near the attachment portion.
8 and a front-rear moving unit (not shown) are arranged so that the vertical direction is H ₁ -H ₂ direction, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2, and the front-back direction I ₁ as shown in FIG. −
It is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the I ₂ direction, and the tray position is adjusted according to the sheet S to be supported. Further, the discharge tray 56 has a concave mounting side to the device 40, and is formed as an escape portion 56a of the discharge roller 53. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the bearing surface 56b of the sheet S in the discharge tray 56 is rotatably pivoted in the K ₁ -K ₂ directions around the fulcrum J at the boundary with the escape portion 56a. By attaching one end of the connecting rod 59a forming the crank unit 59 to the lower surface thereof, the tray angle α is variably provided according to the operation of the crank unit 59.

By the way, in the stapling plate 46 constituting the post-processing means 45 as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, a part of the plate 46 is rotatable about the fulcrum L in the N ₁ -N ₂ directions. And a plate moving mechanism 60 described later.
When the sheet is rotated in the N ₁ direction by means of, the guide plate 46a of the sheet S connecting the main path 41c of the post-processing conveyance path 41 and the discharge tray 56 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the plate moving mechanism 60 includes a guide solenoid 61 having a movable iron core 61a that can move back and forth in the O ₁ -O ₂ direction and a Q ₁ centered on a fulcrum P.
A first arm member 62 that is pivotally fixed in the -Q ₂ direction.
And a second arm member 63 that is pivotally attached about the fulcrum R in the T ₁ -T ₂ direction. The guide solenoid 61 has an engaging protrusion 61b protruding from the tip end of a movable iron core 61a, and the first and second arm members 62 and 63 each have an engaging elongated hole 62a at one end thereof.・ 63
a is provided on the other side, while the engaging protrusions 62b.
63b is projected.

In the plate moving mechanism 60, the engaging protrusion 61b of the guiding solenoid 61 is engaged with the engaging elongated hole 62a of the first arm member 62, so that the first arm member 6 has the following structure.
The second engaging protrusion 62b is the engaging long hole 6 of the second arm member 63.
3a, and the engaging projection 63b of the second arm member 63 is provided by engaging with the engaging elongated hole 46b of the flange portion formed in the guide plate 46a, so that O ₁ of the movable iron core 61a During the advancing movement in the direction, the guide plate 46a is rotated in the U ₁ direction by rotating the first arm member 62 in the Q ₁ direction and the second arm member 63 in the T ₁ direction, and the stapling plate 46 is rotated. It is arranged at a predetermined position. On the other hand, when the movable iron core 61a is moved backward in the O ₂ direction, the guide plate 46a is moved in the U ₂ direction by rotating the first arm member 62 in the Q ₂ direction and the second arm member 63 in the T ₂ direction. It is rotated so as to be arranged between the main path 41c and the discharge tray 56.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus 40, as shown in FIG. 7, a drive unit 64, which is a drive source for various components such as the guide plate 46a described above, is arranged above the deflector 44. A safety guide 65 is provided above the discharge port 40a so that the user's hand does not accidentally enter the device 40 through the discharge port 40a.

In the above structure, the conveying process of the sheet S in the sheet post-processing apparatus 40 will be described below. In the following description, the offset mode in which the sheets S conveyed from the machine body 1 are sequentially discharged one by one to the discharge tray 56 without post-processing, and the sheets S conveyed from the machine body 1 are sequentially processed. After performing the bookbinding post-processing, a staple (single) mode in which only one copy of the sheet S (hereinafter referred to as a bookbinding sheet S) is discharged to the discharge tray 56, and the sheet S conveyed from the machine body 1 After the bookbinding post-processing is performed, a plurality of copies of the bookbinding sheet S are sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 56 in a staple (multi) mode.

First, in the offset mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when the sheet post-processing device 40 receives the offset number from the machine body 1 (S1), the offset number is set in the device 40 (S2). ). Next, when the device 40 receives an operation start from the machine body 1 (S3), a start process is performed (S4), and the number of processed sheets is cleared (S5).

After that, the sheet S on which the image of the original M is copied by the machine body 1 is carried into the apparatus 40 through the carry-in port 41a, and after passing through the main path 41c, each roller 5 is moved.
It is sandwiched between 3 and 54 and discharged to the discharge tray 56.
At this time, the sheet S is the sheet detection switch SW.
The _second ON state transport in the main path 41c is detected (S6), also, the ON state (S7) of the sheet detection switch SW _3, and the transport and passage of between the rollers 53, 54 by the OFF state (S8) Is detected and the number of processed sheets is increased (S9).

Next, it is judged whether or not the number of processed sheets increased as described above matches the number of offset sheets (S1).
0). When the number of processed sheets does not match the offset number of sheets in S10, the process returns to S6 again. On the other hand, when the processed number matches the offset number, the processed number is cleared (S
11) Then, the discharge tray 56 is sequentially lowered (S12), offset (S13), and raised (S14).

Then, it is judged whether or not there is an end reception from the machine body 1 to the device 40 (S15), and if there is no end reception, the process returns to S6 again, while if there is an end reception, end processing is performed. (S16), the offset mode as described above is terminated.

Next, in the staple (single) mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the sheet post-processing device 40 receives the number of staples from the machine body 1 (S21), the number of staples is set in the device 40. (S22). Next, when the device 40 receives an operation start from the machine body 1 (S23), a start process is performed (S24), and the number of processed sheets is cleared (S25).

After that, the sheet S on which the image of the original M is copied by the machine body 1 is carried into the apparatus 40 through the carry-in port 41a, passes through the main path 41c, and is discharged onto the stapling plate 46. To be paper. At this time, the sheet S described above, the sheet detection switch SW ₂ in the ON state (S2
6) and the OFF state (S27), the main path 41
The conveyance in c is detected, and thereby the timer of the apparatus 40 is cleared (S28), and the number of processed sheets is increased (S29). Then, when the predetermined time set by the above timer has elapsed (S30), it is determined that the sheet S on the stapling plate 46 has been discharged,
The sheet S on the staple plate 46 is aligned in the width direction by the widthwise plate 47 (S31).

Next, it is judged whether or not the number of processed sheets increased as described above matches the number of staples (S3).
2). When the number of processed sheets does not match the offset number of sheets in S32, the process returns to S26 again. On the other hand, when the number of processed sheets matches the number of stapled sheets, the number of processed sheets is cleared (S33), and then the sheet S on the staple plate 46 rotates the paddler 48 in the C direction and G of the discharge roller 53. The rotation in _two directions aligns the sheets in the conveyance direction, and the staples of the stapler 49 are stapled and stapled (S34).

[0047] Then, the bookbinding sheet S which stapling processing has been performed as described above is extruded advancing movement in the D ₁ direction member 52, and the staple plate upper 46 by the rotation of the G ₁ direction of the discharge roller 53 From the discharge tray 56
(S35). Then, after the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S36), when the device 40 receives the operation end from the machine body 1 (S37), the ending process is performed (S38), and the staple (single) as described above is performed. The mode ends.

Next, in the stapling (multi) mode, when the sheet post-processing device 40 receives the number of staples from the machine body 1 (S41) as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The number of sheets is set (S42).

Next, when the device 40 receives an operation start from the machine body 1 (S43), a start process is performed (S44) and the number of processed sheets is cleared (S45).

After that, the sheet S on which the image of the original M is copied by the machine body 1 is carried into the apparatus 40 through the carry-in port 41a, passes through the main path 41c, and is discharged onto the stapling plate 46. To be paper. At this time, the sheet S described above is conveyed in the main path 41c by the ON state of the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is detected (S46), then whether or not the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is turned OFF is determined (S47 ).

If the sheet detection switch SW _{2 is} still ON in S47, the process proceeds to S48, in which it is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged from the stapling plate 46. If the bookbinding sheet S is not yet ejected from the stapling plate 46 in S48, the bookbinding sheet S is ejected to the ejection tray 56 by the pushing member 52 and the ejection roller 53 (S49), and the process returns to S47 again. On the other hand, the binding sheet S from the staple plate 46
If is discharged, the process proceeds to S50 and the discharge tray 5
It is determined whether or not 6 has been adjusted. If the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted in S50, the process directly returns to S47, while if the discharge tray 56 has not been adjusted, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S51) and the process returns to S47. When the OFF state of the sheet detection switch SW ₂ is detected in S47, the timer of the apparatus 40 is cleared accordingly (S52), and the number of processed sheets is increased (S5).
3).

Next, it is judged whether or not the number of sheets processed as above is the first sheet (S54). S54
If the number of processed sheets is not the first, then S66, which will be described later,
On the other hand, when the number of processed sheets is the first, the process proceeds to S55, and it is determined whether or not the preparation of the stapling plate 46 is OK. Staple plate 4 at S55
If No. 6 is prepared, the process proceeds to S66. If no staple plate 46 is prepared, the rotation of the carry roller 43 is stopped, and the carrying of the first sheet S is stopped. (S56), and also the deflector 4
4 is rotated in the B ₁ direction, and the conveyance path of the sheet S is switched to the bypass 41b (S57).

Next, whether or not the second sheet S is conveyed to the bypass 41b is determined by the sheet detection switch SW.
It is determined by detecting the ON state of ₁ (S58).
In S58, if the sheet detection switch SW ₁ has not been turned on yet, the process proceeds to S59, and it is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged. If the bookbinding sheet S is not yet ejected from the staple plate 46 in S59, the bookbinding sheet S is ejected to the ejection tray 56 by the pushing member 52 and the ejection roller 53 (S6).
0), while returning to S58 again, staple plate 4
6 If the bookbinding sheet S is ejected from above, S61
Then, it is determined whether or not the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted.
If the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted in S61, the direct S
On the other hand, when the discharge tray 56 has not been adjusted, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S62) and the process returns to S58. When the ON state of the sheet detection switch SW ₁ is detected in S58, the sheet detection switch S ₁ is then detected.
When the OFF state of W ₁ is detected (S63), the deflector 44 is rotated in the B ₂ direction, the conveyance path of the sheet S is switched to the main path 41c (S64), and the conveyance roller 43 is rotated. Then, the conveyance of the first sheet S is restarted (S65). As a result, the first sheet S passing through the main path 41c and the second sheet S passing through the bypass 41b are discharged onto the staple plate 46 in synchronization.

Then, the process returns to S52 again, the timer of the apparatus 40 is cleared, and the number of processed sheets is increased (S
53), and then proceeds to S54. If it is determined in S54 that the number of processed sheets is not the first, then the process proceeds to S66, in which it is determined whether or not the predetermined time set by the above timer has elapsed. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the sheet S on the staple plate 46 has been discharged, and the sheet S on the staple plate 46 is aligned in the width direction by the width plate 47 (S67). , It is determined whether the number of processed sheets S matches the number of staples (S68). If the number of processed sheets does not match the number of staples in S68, the process returns to S46 again. on the other hand,
If the number of sheets to be processed matches the number of sheets to be stapled, the number of sheets to be processed is cleared (S69), then the sheet S on the staple plate 46 is rotated in the C direction of the paddler 48,
Also, the discharge roller 53 is rotated in the G ₂ direction to be aligned in the transport direction, and is stapled by a staple of the stapler 49 (S70).
Then, it returns to S46 again.

When the sheet detection switch SW ₂ no longer detects the sheet S in S46, the process proceeds to S71, in which it is determined whether or not the bookbinding sheet S has been discharged.
In S71, when the bookbinding sheet S is not yet discharged from the staple plate 46, the bookbinding sheet S is discharged by the pushing member 52 and the discharge roller 53.
When the bookbinding sheet S is discharged from the staple plate 46, the process proceeds to S73, and it is determined whether the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted. If the discharge tray 56 is not adjusted in S73, the discharge tray 56 is adjusted (S7).
4) While returning to S46, if the discharge tray 56 has been adjusted, the process proceeds to S75, where it is determined whether or not the device 40 has received the operation end from the machine body 1. When the operation end is not received in S75, the process returns to S46 again, while when the operation end is received, the end process is performed (S7).
6) The staple (multi) mode as described above is ended.

As described above, the sheet post-processing device 40
When binding a plurality of sets, as shown in FIG. 16A, the sheet S is conveyed from the machine body 1 side while the first sheet S is subjected to a predetermined bookbinding process on the staple plate 46. Next pass the _first sheet S ₁ to the main pass 41
The sheet S ₁ is conveyed by c, and then the rotation of the conveying roller 43 is stopped, so that the conveyance of the sheet S ₁ is once stopped. Next, FIG.
As shown in 6 (b), by switching the deflector 44, the second sheet S ₂ is conveyed by the bypass 41b,
After earning the time loss of the binding time of the first sheet S,
By restarting the rotation of the transport roller 43, the transport of the _first sheet S ₁ is restarted, and as shown in FIG.
The first sheet S ₁ and the second sheet S are placed on the staple plate 46 on which the discharge of the first sheet S is completed.
₂ and paper are ejected in sync.

Next, each operation of the guide plate 46a and the discharge tray 56 in each of the above offset and stapling modes will be described below.

First, in the offset mode, the guide plate 46
As shown in FIG. 17, a is rotated in the U ₂ direction about the fulcrum L by moving the movable iron core 61 a of the guide solenoid 61 forming the plate moving mechanism 60 backward in the O ₂ direction, and the main path It is arranged at a position connecting 41c and the discharge tray 56. Further, the discharge tray 56 is rotated in the K ₂ direction by the operation of the crank unit 59, the tray angle α is adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 6, and the arrangement position in the vertical direction is adjusted by the operation of the elevator unit 57. Adjusted. As a result, the sheet S from the main path 41c is conveyed between the rollers 53 and 54 while being guided by the guide plate 46a, as shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the rollers 53 and 54 are placed on the bearing surface 56b of the discharge tray 56 in a state of being tensioned by being sandwiched between the rollers 53 and 54. The tray angle α of the discharge tray 56 adjusted to the position as described above is tilted slightly upward with respect to the line connecting the main path 41c and the contact portion between the rollers 53 and 54, and each roller 53 is inclined. The angle is set to support the seat S tensioned between 54 in an optimum state.

Next, in the staple mode, the guide plate 46
As shown in FIG. 19, when the movable iron core 61a of the guide solenoid 61 that forms the plate moving mechanism 60 is moved forward in the O ₁ direction, it is rotated in the U ₁ direction about the fulcrum L and is used for stapling. It is arranged at a predetermined position on the plate 46. Further, the discharge tray 56 is the crank unit 5
9, the tray angle α is adjusted to the position shown in FIG. 6 by rotating in the K ₁ direction, and the operation of the elevator unit 57 adjusts the arrangement position in the vertical direction. I ₁ by mobile unit
By being moved in the direction, the escape portion 56a and the discharge roller 5
It is placed in a position that narrows the space with 3. As a result, the bookbinding sheet S that has been subjected to the predetermined bookbinding process on the staple plate 46, as shown in FIG.
_{As it} moves in _one direction, it is placed on the bearing surface 56b of the discharge tray 56 in which the space between the discharge roller 53 is narrowed.

The tray angle α of the discharge tray 56 adjusted to the above position is set to be the same as the inclination angle of the stapling plate 46. Therefore, in the discharge tray 56, the support surface 56b is arranged on the same surface as the upper surface of the staple plate 46 by the vertical adjustment by the elevator unit 57, and the bookbinding sheet S discharged from the staple plate 46 is optimal. It is supposed to be supported in such a state. The movement of the discharge tray 56 in the I ₁ direction as described above is
By narrowing the space between the escape portion 56a and the discharge roller 53, it is possible to prevent the bookbinding sheet S from entering the space as shown in FIG. 21, and thus improve the quality and the dischargeability of the bookbinding sheet S.

The above embodiment is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the guide solenoid 61 and the plate moving mechanism 60 including the first and second arm members 62 and 63 are used as the plate moving mechanism that moves the guide plate 46a in the vertical direction. In particular, the mechanism is not limited to this, and a cam unit 66 as shown in FIG. 22 or a crank unit 67 as shown in FIG. 23 may be used.

[0062]

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the discharge tray is formed with the escape portion of the discharge roller on the mounting side of the apparatus and can be moved back and forth in the vertical direction. By being provided in the above, it is possible to arrange the bearing surface of the sheet on the same plane as the upper surface of the post-treatment plate.

With this, since the bearing surface of the sheet in the discharge tray can be arranged on the same surface as the upper surface of the post-treatment plate, when the sheet is discharged from the post-treatment plate to the carry-out tray, the sheet is in an optimum state. Can be discharged at. For this reason, it is possible to avoid deterioration of the sheet quality such as paper folding, and it is possible to provide a convenient sheet post-processing apparatus with improved sheet discharge performance.

The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the discharge tray is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the front-back direction. When discharged to the discharge tray, the space between the escape portion formed on the discharge tray and the discharge roller is narrowed by the advancing movement of the discharge tray.

As a result, there is no risk that the sheet will enter the space between the escape portion of the discharge tray and the discharge roller, and the sheet discharging performance of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 can be further improved. Play.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the third aspect, in the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, and the sheets on the post-processing plate are predetermined. In the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing device that directly post-processes the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus to the discharge tray while performing the post-processing and discharges the sheet to the discharge tray. The tray angle is variable.

This makes it possible to satisfy the sheet discharging property in each of the post-processing and non-post-processing modes, and further, it is not necessary to separately provide a tray according to each mode as in the conventional example. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the increase in size of the device and the increase in cost.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, and the sheets on the post-processing plate are predetermined. A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing and discharges the sheet to the discharge tray, and, in the non-post-processing mode, directly discharges the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus to the discharge tray through the conveyance path. Some of them are provided so that they can be moved up and down, and in non-post-processing mode,
It is configured to form a sheet guide plate that connects the transport path and the discharge tray by the upward movement.

As a result, even if the conveyed sheet is not stiff or has a curl, the sheet conveying direction can be regulated by the guide plate.
There is an effect that it is possible to avoid the occurrence of AM and the like, and it is possible to provide a convenient sheet post-processing apparatus with improved sheet transportability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a sheet post-processing apparatus that constitutes the above copying machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing each sheet detection switch provided in a post-processing conveyance path that constitutes the above-mentioned sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet detection switch including a discharge roller and a driven roller that form the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a front-back operation of a discharge tray that forms the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a tray angle of the discharge tray.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a guide plate of a stapling plate which constitutes the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a rotating operation of the guide plate by a plate moving mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in an offset mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (single) mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a part of an operation process of the sheet post-processing apparatus in a staple (multi) mode.

16 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views showing a sheet conveying operation on a post-processing conveying path in a staple (multi) mode.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the rotation operation of the guide plate in the offset mode.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement position of a discharge tray in the offset mode.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the rotation operation of the guide plate in the staple mode.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement position of the discharge tray in the staple mode.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sheet has entered the escape portion of the discharge tray in the staple mode.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a plate moving mechanism configured by a cam unit.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a plate moving mechanism including a crank unit.

FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in a staple mode by a sheet post-processing apparatus of a conventional example, and FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation in an offset mode by the sheet post-processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation.

FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sheet is pushed out onto a conventional discharge tray.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Body Main Unit (Image Forming Device) 40 Sheet Post-Processing Device 41 Post-Processing Conveying Path 46 Staple Plate (Post-Processing Plate) 46a Guide Plate 53 Discharge Roller 54 Driven Roller 56 Discharge Tray 56a Relief Part 56b Bearing Surface 59 Crank Unit 60 Plate Moving mechanism S seat

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location G03G 15/00 302 (72) Inventor Tomonori Ohata 2-6 Morinomiyacho, Joto-ku, Osaka, Osaka 335 issue

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet which is carried in from an image forming apparatus is stacked on a post-treatment plate through a conveying path, and after the sheet on the post-treatment plate is subjected to a predetermined post-treatment, the sheet is discharged from the discharge side of the post-treatment plate. In a sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges a sheet to a discharge tray by rotating a discharge roller provided at one end of the discharge tray, the discharge tray has an escape roller escape portion formed on the mounting side of the apparatus and moves forward and backward in the vertical direction. A sheet post-processing apparatus, which is capable of being arranged so that the bearing surface of the sheet can be arranged on the same surface as the upper surface of the post-processing plate. 2. The discharge tray is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, and when the sheet on the post-processing plate is discharged to the discharge tray, the escape portion formed on the discharge tray by the advancing movement thereof. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a space between the sheet and the discharge roller is narrowed. 3. In the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, the sheets on the post-processing plate are subjected to predetermined post-processing, and the sheets are discharged to the discharge tray. On the other hand, in the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing device directly discharges the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus to the discharge tray through the conveyance path, and the discharge tray is provided with a variable tray angle. Characteristic sheet post-processing device. 4. In the post-processing mode, the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus are stacked on the post-processing plate through the conveying path, the sheets on the post-processing plate are subjected to a predetermined post-processing, and the sheets are discharged to a discharge tray. On the other hand, in the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing apparatus discharges the sheet carried in from the image forming apparatus directly to the discharge tray through the conveyance path. In the non-post-processing mode, the sheet post-processing apparatus forms a sheet guide plate that connects the transport path and the discharge tray by the upward movement.