JPH0725538A - Sheet post-treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a sheet from entering a second discharging passage, so as to decrease the cause of trouble such as a jam in a device by providing a control means for controlling a sheet extruding member driving means so that a sheet extruding member may be moved near a sheet discharging port of the second discharging passage when a non-treatment mode is selected. CONSTITUTION:An extruding member 54a can be moved to a position near a processed sheet discharging port 44b and in the retreating position where it retreats while the sheet is processed by a stapler 53, and it is driven by an extruding member driving motor as an extruding member driving means. This extruding member driving motor is controlled by a controller, so that an extruding member 54a may be moved to a position near the processed sheet discharging port 44b from the retreating position when the non-processing mode is selected by a copying machine main body 1. The extruding member 54a is in the waiting state in a position near the processed sheet discharging port 44b when the copying machine is not used and also when the non-processing mode is selected. Thereby, the extruding member 54a prevents a foreign matter such as a sheet from invading from the processed sheet discharging port 44b.

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 and a laser beam printer, and which performs processing such as stapling or punching on a sheet after copying. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent copying machines combine an automatic document feeder and a sheet post-processing device in order to automate copying work and post-processing work such as stapling or punching work on a sheet after copying. It is used. The above-described automatic document feeder is provided on a document table of a copying machine and, for example, conveys a plurality of documents one by one onto the document table of the copying machine. Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus performs processing such as stapling or punching on each sheet of a copy of a document image, which is ejected from a copying machine, for each copy of a predetermined number of sheets. .

As the above-mentioned sheet post-processing apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, a non-process for discharging a sheet conveyed from a post-processing conveying path 101 for conveying a sheet discharged from a copying machine main body (not shown) without treatment. For example, there is separately provided a paper discharge path 102 and a processing discharge path 103 for processing and discharging the sheet conveyed from the post-processing conveying path 101.

In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, if the non-processing mode is selected by the main body of the copying machine, the sheet carried into the post-processing transport path 101 is transported by the deflector 105 in the non-processing discharge path 102. The sheet is conveyed by being switched to the side, and is discharged to the discharge tray 106 from the non-processed sheet discharge port 102a.

On the other hand, when the processing mode is selected by the main body of the copying machine, the sheet carried into the post-processing conveyance path 101 is
By the deflector 105, the transport direction is set to the processing discharge path 1
The processing plate 10 is switched to the 03 side and conveyed.
4. At this time, the sheet is transported to the downstream side of the processing plate 104 by the paddle 107, and aligned in the transport direction by the stopper 108. If a predetermined number of sheets aligned in the transport direction are placed in this way,
Next, after the sheets are aligned in the width direction, the sheets are subjected to predetermined processing by a processing device such as a stapler (not shown). Then, the processed sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 106 from the processing sheet discharge port 103a of the processing discharge path 103 by the sheet pushing member 109.

[0006]

By the way, in the case where the sheet conveying path is different between the non-processing mode and the processing mode as described above, the above-mentioned processing sheet discharge port 103 is generally used.
a is formed corresponding to the thickness of the number of processed sheets. Therefore, it is necessary to form the processed sheet discharge port 103a larger than the non-processed sheet discharge port 102a.

However, if the processing sheet discharge port 103a becomes large as described above, the sheet discharged to the discharge tray 106 may enter the processing sheet discharge port 103a due to wind or the like. However, this causes a sheet jam (jam) in the sheet post-processing device and damages internal members.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a sheet or other member from entering the processing sheet discharge port, thereby causing a failure of the sheet post-processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus that reduces the above-mentioned problems and can comfortably use an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet post-processing apparatus which, when a non-processing mode is selected by a main body apparatus, discharges a sheet carried in from the main body apparatus to a discharge tray without processing. A discharge path and a second discharge path for discharging the sheet to a discharge tray after a predetermined processing when the processing mode is selected, and a process of placing the sheet on the second discharge path and performing the processing In a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a tray, a direction in which the sheet that has been processed in the processing tray is brought into contact and the sheet is pushed out to the discharge tray,
And a sheet extruding member capable of advancing and retracting in the opposite direction,
A sheet pushing-out member driving means for driving the sheet pushing-out member and a sheet pushing-out member so that the sheet pushing-out member moves to a position in the vicinity of the sheet ejection port of the second ejection path when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body device. A control means for controlling the drive means is provided.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body apparatus, a first discharge path for discharging the sheet carried in from the main body apparatus to the discharge tray without processing, When the processing mode is selected,
A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a second discharge path for discharging the sheet to a discharge tray after a predetermined processing, and a processing tray provided on the second discharge path to perform processing by placing the sheet. A sheet pushing member that abuts the sheet processed in the processing tray and pushes the sheet to the discharge tray, and a belt-like member that is integrally formed with the sheet pushing member and that rotates toward the sheet discharge port side of the second discharge path. When the non-processing mode is selected by the push-out rotating member, the push-out rotating member driving means for driving the push-out rotating member, and the main body device, the sheet push-out member moves to a position in the vicinity of the sheet discharge port of the second discharge path. Thus, the control means for controlling the above-mentioned push-out rotating member is provided.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body apparatus, the first discharge path for discharging the sheet carried in from the main body apparatus to the discharge tray without processing, When the processing mode is selected,
A second discharge path for discharging the sheet to a discharge tray after the predetermined processing, and a pair of rotatable first discharge means for discharging the sheet is provided in the first discharge path, and the second discharge path In the sheet post-processing apparatus in which a rotatable second discharging unit for discharging the sheet is provided in the path,
A plate-shaped member is rotatably provided on one drive shaft of the first discharging means, and a drive shaft of the second discharging means rotates one end of the plate-shaped member toward the second discharging path. The feature is that movement is regulated.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the third aspect, when the processing mode is selected, the first discharging means changes the rotation direction in the non-processing mode. Is characterized in that a control means for controlling the first discharge roller driving means is provided so as to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0013]

According to the structure of claim 1, when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body device, the control means pushes the sheet so that the sheet pushing member moves to a position near the sheet discharging port of the second discharging path. It controls the member driving means. Accordingly, when the sheet is discharged from the first discharge path to the discharge tray in the non-processing mode, it is possible to prevent the sheet discharged on the discharge tray from entering the second discharge path. Paper jams in the device due to intrusion from the outside can be eliminated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sheet pushing member that abuts the sheet processed in the processing tray and pushes the sheet to the discharge tray, and is integrally formed with the sheet pushing member. A belt-shaped push-out rotating member that rotates toward the sheet discharge port side of the second discharge path and a push-out rotating member driving unit that drives the push-out rotating member are provided, so that the above-mentioned push-out member pushes out the sheet. After that, it can be returned to the extrusion position by rotating in a fixed direction without retracting again. by this,
By using, for example, a motor that rotates in a fixed direction as the pushing rotation member driving means, it is not necessary to provide a member that rotates forward and backward, and the structure of the device can be simplified.

The control means controls the push-out rotating member so that the sheet push-out member moves to a position near the sheet discharge port of the second discharge path when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body device. ing. With this, when the sheet is discharged from the first discharge path to the discharge tray in the non-processing mode, it is possible to prevent the sheet discharged on the discharge tray from entering the second discharge path. It is possible to eliminate the paper jam of the device caused by the invasion from the outside.

According to the structure of claim 3, a plate-shaped member is rotatably provided on one drive shaft of the first discharging means, and the plate-shaped member is driven by the drive shaft of the second discharging means. Since the rotation of one end of the member toward the second discharge path is restricted, the discharged sheet cannot enter the second discharge path by the plate member in the non-processing mode, for example. That is, it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering the second discharge path. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the paper jam of the device due to the invasion of the sheet or the like from the outside.

Further, according to the structure of claim 4, when the processing mode is selected, the control means causes the first discharging means to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in the non-processing mode. The first discharge roller driving means is controlled. Accordingly, when the processing mode is selected, it is possible to facilitate the rotation of the plate-like member rotatably provided on the first discharging means to the discharge tray side, so that the second discharging path is formed. The passed sheet can easily rotate the plate-shaped member toward the discharge tray. Therefore, the sheet can be smoothly discharged in the processing mode, and the operability of the apparatus can be improved.

[0018]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The explanation is based on the following. In this embodiment, the sheet post-processing apparatus is applied to a copying machine. Further, in the above copying machine, it is possible to set an offset mode as a non-processing mode, a staple single mode, a staple multi mode, etc. as a processing mode.

Here, the above-mentioned offset mode is a processing mode in which sheets conveyed from the main body of the copying machine are sequentially discharged onto the discharge tray one by one without being subjected to post-processing, that is, stapling processing. In the mode, the sheets conveyed from the copying machine main body are stapled to bind one copy of the sheets, and the bound sheets (hereinafter, referred to as binding sheets) are discharged once onto the discharge tray. The staple multi mode is a processing mode to be ended, and after the sheets conveyed from the copying machine main body are stapled to form a bookbinding sheet, a series of operations for ejecting the bookbinding sheet onto the ejection tray is repeated a plurality of times. This is a processing mode to be performed. In the present embodiment, the offset mode is referred to as a non-processing mode, and the staple single mode and the staple multi mode are referred to as processing modes, which will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing device 41 according to this embodiment is provided in the copying machine main body 1 as a main body device. An RDH (Recirculate), which is a kind of an automatic document feeder for transporting a document M onto a platen glass 3 of the copying machine body 1, is provided on the copying machine body 1.
ing Document Handler: a circulation type document handling device) 31 is provided.

The copying machine main body 1 has the original platen glass 3 arranged at the upper end thereof, and below the original platen glass 3 is a light source lamp 4, mirrors 5, 6 and 7, and a lens 8. The optical system 9 and the photosensitive drum 10 are provided. Of these, the optical system 9 optically scans the document M conveyed on the document table glass 3 by the RDH 31 with the light emitted from the light source lamp 4, and reflects the reflected light to the respective mirrors 5, 6 and 7. Photosensitive drum 1 via lens 8
By irradiating the exposure point A on the 0th surface, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the document M is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 uniformly charged by the main charger 11.

Further, a main charger 11, a developing device 12, a transfer charger 13 and a peeling charger 14 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 10, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is formed. The developing device 12 develops the toner image, the toner image is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer charger 13, and the sheet S is peeled off from the photosensitive drum 10 by the peeling charger 14.

A sheet conveying path 15 for conveying the sheet S to the photosensitive drum 10 is provided below the photosensitive drum 10, and an upstream side of the sheet conveying path 15 is provided.
A sheet feed table 19 for feeding the sheets S, a sheet feed cassette 20, and a sheet feed deck 21 are arranged. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the sheet conveyance path 15, a conveyance belt 22 that conveys the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred and a fixing device 23 that fixes the toner image on the sheet S are arranged.

Further, on the downstream side of the fixing device 23,
A deflector 24 that switches the transport direction of the sheet S between the sheet post-processing device 41 direction and the re-transport path 25 is provided. The re-conveyance path 25 serves as a circulation path for conveying the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred by the photoconductor drum 10 to the photoconductor drum 10 again. Double-sided copying on S is possible.

Further, the RDH 31 has an original tray 3 at the top.
2 is provided on one side of the original tray 32 with a paper feed belt 33.
Has a paper feed belt 34 on the platen glass 3,
By connecting these by the platen conveyance path 35,
It forms a circuit. Then, the RDH 31 sends out the original M stacked on the original tray 32 onto the original table glass 3 by the paper feed belt 33, and positions the original M at a predetermined position on the original table glass 3 by the conveyance belt 34. At the same time, after the document scanning by the optical system 9 is completed, the document M is returned onto the document tray 32.

Further, the sheet post-processing device 41, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with a post-processing conveyance path 42 for conveying the sheet S discharged from the copying machine main body 1 in the device 41.
Further, on the downstream side of the post-processing conveying path 42, the non-processing discharging path 43 as a non-processing discharging path for discharging the sheet S conveyed from the post-processing conveying path 42 to the discharging tray 45 by non-processing, that is, by offsetting. And the processing discharge path 4 as a processing discharge path for processing, that is, stapling the sheet S conveyed from the post-processing conveyance path 42 and discharging it to the discharge tray 45.
4 and. Further, in order to detect the sheet S,
A sheet detection switch SW1 is provided in the post-processing conveyance path 42, and a sheet detection switch S1 is provided in the non-processing discharge path 43.
W2 is provided.

Further, on the upstream side of the post-processing conveyance path 42, a carry-in port 42 for the sheet S discharged from the copying machine main body 1 is provided.
a, a pair of conveyance rollers 46, 46 for conveying the sheet S are provided, while the sheet S is conveyed to the non-processing discharge path 43 or the processing discharge path 44 on the downstream side of the post-processing conveyance path 42. A pair of conveying rollers 47, 47, the sheet S
A deflector 48 is provided for switching the carrying direction of 1 to either the non-processing discharge path 43 or the processing discharge path 44.

The deflector 48 normally stands by at a position where the sheet S conveyed from the post-treatment conveying path 42 is conveyed to the non-processing discharge passage 43, and the copying machine main body 1 performs a processing mode, that is, stapling. When the mode is selected, the sheet S conveyed from the post-process conveyance path 42 is rotated in the direction of arrow A to be conveyed to the processing discharge path 44.

In the non-processing discharge path 43, a pair of upper and lower discharge rollers 49, 49 for discharging the sheet S from the inside of the sheet post-processing device 41 to the discharge tray 45, and a discharge port for the non-processing sheet S. Non-processed sheet discharge port 43a
Is provided.

The processing discharge path 44 is provided with a processing plate on which the sheets S conveyed from the post-processing conveyance path 42 are stacked in order to carry out a predetermined processing, for example, bookbinding (stapling). A staple plate 44a is provided. This staple plate 4
4a is disposed so as to be inclined such that the front end portion of the sheet S when the transport direction of the sheet S is the front side is located above the rear end portion, and the front end portion is the processing sheet discharge port for the sheet S. It has reached around 44b. Incidentally, the above-mentioned post-processing conveyance path 42
The sheet S that has been unloaded to the processing discharge path 44 by the deflector 48 is temporarily discharged from the processing sheet discharge port 44b onto the discharge tray 45 at the front end side in the discharging direction, and the sheet S is discharged from the post-processing conveyance path 42 described above. After all the sheets are discharged, the sheet is dropped from the trailing end side thereof to the stopper 51 provided on the stapling plate 44a by its own weight.

Further, on the staple plate 44a, the lower end portion of the blade portion is formed on the staple plate 44a.
Is provided with a paddle 50 that rotates in the C direction while contacting the upper surface of the paddle 50. The paddle 50 rotates as described above, and the blades thereof move the sheet S back to the position where the rear end of the sheet S contacts the stopper 51, and the sheet S is aligned in the conveying direction.

Further, above the staple plate 44a, there is provided a width aligning device 52 for aligning the sheets S stacked on the staple plate 44a in the width direction. The width-shifting device 52 includes a positioning plate (not shown) that is erected in a fixed state on one side of the staple plate 44a in the width direction, and the staple plate 44.
and a width-shifting plate 52a driven in the width direction of a. That is, the width-shifting plate 52a is moved to the positioning plate side by the width-shifting plate drive motor 60 (FIG. 5) so that the sheet S placed on the staple plate 44a is aligned in the width direction. It has become. The width-shifting plate drive motor 60 is controlled by the controller 57, which will be described later, so as to correspond to the width of the sheet S being used.
2a is drive-controlled.

A stapler 53 that closes the corners of the sheet S aligned in the transport direction and the width direction is provided at the rear position of the width-shifting device 52.

Further, the staple plate 44 described above is used.
An extruding device 54 as extruding means is provided on the rear side of a. The pushing-out device 54 is a pushing-out member 54a which is a sheet pushing-out member for pushing out the sheet S on the staple plate 44a toward the discharge tray 45.
Is equipped with. The push-out member 54a is movable to a position in the vicinity of the processing sheet discharge port 44b and a retracted position for retracting during sheet processing by the stapler 53, and the push-out member drive motor 6 as push-out member drive means described later.
1 (FIG. 5).

When the non-processing mode is selected by the copying machine main body 1 by the control device 57, which will be described later, the pushing member driving motor 61 moves the pushing member 54a from the retracted position to the sheet to be processed as shown in FIG. It is controlled to move to a position near the discharge port 44b. On the other hand, when the processing mode is selected by the copying machine main body 1, as shown in FIG. 3, it is controlled to drive the normal pushing member 54a.

The push-out member 54a is in a standby state at a position near the processing sheet discharge port 44b when the copying machine is not used and when the non-processing mode is selected. As a result, the push-out member 54a can prevent foreign matter such as a sheet from entering through the processing sheet discharge port 44b.

On the front end side of the stapling plate 44a, as shown in FIG. 4, the pushing member 54a can be stopped near the processing sheet discharge port 44b.
A push-out member detection switch 56 is provided.

A recess 45a, which is the lowermost surface of the discharge tray 45, is provided in the lower portion of the receiving surface of the discharge tray 45, that is, at a portion corresponding to the discharge roller 55, and the receiving surface of the sheet S is received. Has an inclined surface having an angle substantially the same as that of the staple plate 44a.
As a result, when the sheet S is unloaded from the post-processing transport path 42 to the processing ejection path 44 by the deflector 48, the sheet S whose ejection direction front end side has been ejected onto the ejection tray 45 once becomes the stapling plate 44a. It is easy to fall to the upper stopper 51.

Further, the discharge tray 45 is vertically moved up and down by a tray elevating means (not shown) so that the discharge roller 55 is appropriately pressed against the sheet S stacked on the discharge tray 45. . by this,
In the discharge tray 45, a bound sheet S discharged from the processed sheet discharge port 44b or a sheet S discharged from the non-processed sheet discharge port 43a is stacked on the discharge tray 45. , The sheet S can be properly supported.

Further, the sheet post-processing device 41 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a deflector drive for driving the deflector 48 based on input signals from the sheet detection switches SW1 and SW2, the pushing member detection switch 56, and the like, an input signal from a control device (not shown) on the copying machine main body 1 side, and the like. A device 58, a conveyance roller driving device 59 that drives the conveyance rollers 46 and 47, a width-shifting plate drive motor 60 that drives the width-shifting plate 52, a stapler 53, an extruding member drive motor 61 that drives the extruding member 54a, and a discharge roller 49. A control device 57 for controlling the operation of the discharge roller driving device 62 for driving 55 is provided. The control device 57 is composed of a microcomputer including a storage device, a counter, a timer, and the like, and will be described later according to each processing mode such as an offset mode, a staple single mode, and a staple multi mode set in the copying machine main body 1. As described above, each of the above means is controlled.

The operation of the sheet post-processing device 41 based on the control of the control device 57 in the above-mentioned structure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

First, in the offset mode which is the non-processing mode, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, when the number of offset sheets, that is, the number of sheets to be copied is set in the copying machine body 1, the copying machine body 1 receives the offset sheet number from the control device. Is transmitted. Then, when the control device 57 of the sheet post-processing device 41 receives the above signal (S1), the number of offset sheets is set in the storage device (S2). next,
When the control device 57 receives the signal indicating the operation start transmitted from the copying machine main body 1 (S3), it performs a predetermined start process (S4) and clears the counter for counting the number of processed sheets (S5).

Here, in the start processing of S4,
For example, the deflector drive device 58 is used to deflect the deflector 48.
In the direction of arrow B, rotation of the transport rollers 46 and 47 by the transport roller drive device 59, and discharge roller drive device 62.
Is performed to rotate the discharge roller 49.
Further, the control device 57 drives the pushing member drive motor 61 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The pushing member 54a is moved to the side of the processing sheet discharge port 44b (S41). And the pushing member detection switch 5
When it is detected by 6 that the pushing member 54a has reached the predetermined position (S42), the control device 57 stops the driving of the pushing member 54a based on the detection signal (S42).
43). Then, the pushing member 54a is in a standby state at a position near the processing sheet discharge port 44b.

After that, when the sheet S is carried into the carry-in port 42a of the post-processing conveying path 42 from the copying machine main body 1, the sheet S passes through the non-processing discharging path 43 through the deflector 48 and then the discharging roller. Output tray 45 by 49/49
Is discharged to. At this time, when the sheet detection switch SW1 is turned on, the conveyance operation of the sheet S on the post-processing conveyance path 42 is detected (S6), and the sheet detection switch SW2 is turned on.
(S7), and the sheet detection switch SW2 is turned off
By (S8), passage of the sheet S through the non-processing discharge path 43 is detected. As a result, the count value of the number of processed sheets is increased (S9).

Next, the control device 57 determines whether the current number of processed sheets has reached the previously set offset number (S10), and if the number of processed sheets has not reached the offset number, the process proceeds to S6. To do. On the other hand, if the number of processed sheets has reached the offset number of sheets, the number of processed sheets of the counter is cleared (S11).

Thereafter, the control device 57 determines whether or not the signal indicating the end of the operation is received from the copying machine main body 1 (S1).
2) If this signal is not received, the process proceeds to S6, while if the above signal is received, a predetermined termination process is performed (S13), and the operation is terminated.

Next, the processing mode will be described. still,
For convenience of description, only the operation control in the staple single mode of the processing modes will be described, and the description of the operation control in the staple multi mode will be omitted.

In the staple single mode described above,
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control device 57
When a signal indicating the number of staples transmitted from the control device of the copying machine main body 1 is received (S21), the number of staples is set in the storage device (S22). Next, the copying machine body 1
When the signal indicating the start transmitted from the device is received (S2
3) A predetermined start process is performed (S24), and the counter for counting the number of processed sheets is cleared (S25).

Here, in the start processing of S24, for example, the deflector drive device 58 drives the deflector 48 in the direction of arrow A, the transport roller drive device 59 rotates the transport roller 46, and the discharge roller drive device 62 discharges the roller. Processing such as rotation of 55 and rotation of the paddle 50 in the C direction is performed.

After that, when the sheet S is carried into the carry-in port 42a of the post-processing apparatus 42 from the copying machine main body 1, the sheet S is carried by the carrying rollers 47, 47, and is deflected to the processing discharge path 44 by the deflector 48. The sheet is conveyed and placed on the staple plate 44a. Then, the sheet S placed on the stapling plate 44a is
The trailing edge of the sheet S is retracted to a position where it abuts on the stopper 51 by the blades of 0 and aligned in the transport direction.

At this time, O of the sheet detection switch SW1
The passage of the sheet S through the post-processing conveyance path 42 is detected by N (S26) and then OFF (S27).
As a result, the controller 57 clears the timer (S2
8) The count value of the number of processed sheets is increased (S29).

After that, when the predetermined time set by the above timer has elapsed (S30), it is determined that the sheet S is placed on the stapling plate 44a as described above, and the width shifting plate drive motor 60 is determined. Width plate 52
a is driven to align the sheet S in the width direction (S3
1).

Next, the control device 57 determines whether or not the current number of sheets to be processed has reached the number of staples set in advance (S32). If the number of sheets to be processed has not reached the number of staples, the process proceeds to S26. . On the other hand, if the number of processed sheets has reached the number of staples, the number of processed sheets of the counter is cleared (S33), and the stapler 53 performs stapling processing (S34). After that, the bookbinding sheet S is pushed out by the extrusion device 54.
Is discharged (S35).

After that, when the signal instructing the end transmitted from the copying machine main body 1 is received (S36), a predetermined end process is performed (S37), and the operation is ended.

Generally, in the processing mode and the non-processing mode,
In the sheet post-processing apparatus 41 having different sheet discharge ports, in the processing mode, for example, in the staple mode, the staple processing is performed on about 2 to 50 sheets at a time, so that the discharge port for the processing sheet is relatively large. It has to be made large. This may cause the sheet discharged to the discharge tray in the non-processing mode to enter the processing sheet discharge port due to wind or the like,
For this reason, there is a risk that paper jams and the like will occur due to the sheets S in the apparatus, which may cause a failure of the sheet post-processing apparatus.

However, according to the sheet post-processing apparatus 41 having the above-described configuration, the control unit 57 causes the pushing member 54a to stand by at the position near the processing sheet discharge port 44b in the non-processing mode. It is possible to prevent the discharged sheet S from entering the processing sheet discharge port 44b. As a result, it is possible to reduce paper jams and the like in the sheet post-processing device 41 due to unprocessed sheets S and the like that have entered from the processing sheet discharge port 44b, and thus a copying machine or the like equipped with such a sheet post-processing device. The image forming apparatus can be comfortably used.

In the vicinity of the processing sheet discharge port 44a,
Since it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering from the outside by using the existing device without separately providing a sheet intrusion prevention member, it is possible to reduce the cost related to the manufacturing cost of the device. it can.

[Second Embodiment] The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the same members as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the sheet post-processing apparatus 71 according to this embodiment is the sheet post-processing apparatus 41 shown in FIG.
The extrusion device 54 is replaced with an extrusion device 72. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The pushing-out device 72 is provided below the stapling plate 44a and in parallel with it, and is provided in the vicinity of the rear end side of the driving roller 73 formed coaxially with the conveying roller 55 and the stapling plate 44a. The driven roller 74 and the pushing belt 75 serving as a belt-shaped pushing rotating member stretched by the driving roller 73 and the driven roller 74. The push-out belt 75 is rotationally driven by a belt drive motor 79 (FIG. 11) as a push-out rotating member drive means described later. Then, this driving force is transmitted to the driving roller 73 by a driving force transmission belt (not shown).

A plate-shaped pushing member 76 is provided on the pushing belt 75, and the pushing member 76 is provided.
Further, it can be inserted into a groove (not shown) provided in the conveying direction on the staple plate 44a and moved on the staple plate 44a by the rotation of the pushing belt 75. Thus, the pushing device 75 pushes out the sheet S placed on the staple plate 44a.

Further, the extruding belt 75 is provided with the extruding members 76 at two positions at equal intervals, and in the vicinity of the extruding belt 75, as shown in FIG. A second push-out member detection switch 78 that detects that the push-out member 76 is in the retracted position behind the stopper 51, and a second push-out member detection switch 78 that detects that the other push-out member 76 is in the vicinity of the processing sheet discharge port 44b. A push-out member detection switch 77 is provided.

As a result, based on the detection signals of the first and second pushing member detection switches 77 and 78,
The drive of the extrusion belt 75 is controlled by a control device 80 described later. That is, in the processing mode, if the one pushing member 76 is detected by the second pushing member detection switch 78 by the control device 80, the detected pushing member 76 stands by at the retracted position. Drive control is performed, and in the processing mode,
When the first extruding member detection switch 77 detects one extruding member 76, the other extruding member 7 is detected.
6 is driven and controlled so as to stand by at a position near the processing sheet discharge port 44b.

Further, the sheet S of the pushing member 76 described above is used.
When the pushing member 76 moves to a position in the vicinity of the processing sheet discharge port 44b, the abutting part against the sheet from the outside of the sheet post-processing apparatus 41 enters the processing sheet discharge port 44b. It has a structure that can be prevented.

The sheet post-processing device 71 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, input signals from the sheet detection switches SW1 and SW2, the first and second pushing member detection switches 77 and 78, and the deflector drive device 58, the conveyance roller drive device 59, the width-shifting plate drive motor 60, the stapler. 53, a belt drive motor 7 for driving the pushing belt 75
9. A control device 80 for controlling the operation of the discharge roller driving device 62 and the like is provided. The control device 80 includes a storage device,
It is composed of a microcomputer provided with a counter, a timer, etc., and is set in the copying machine main body 1 in accordance with the offset mode as a non-processing mode, the staple single mode and the staple multi mode as the processing modes, as described below. It is designed to control the means.

In the above-described structure, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 71 based on the control of the control apparatus 80 is similar to that of the first embodiment in the non-processing mode of the offset mode shown in FIG. In the single mode, the flow charts shown in FIG. 7 are used. However, the start process in each flowchart is
The operation shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13 is performed. Hereinafter, this operation will be described.

First, in the start processing in the offset mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the pushing belt 75 is rotated by the pushing belt drive motor 79 (S51). Next, when the first pushing member detection switch 77 is turned on (S52), the rotation of the pushing belt 75 is stopped by this detection signal (S53).

On the other hand, in the start processing in the staple mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, the pushing belt driving motor 79 rotationally drives the pushing belt 75 (S61). Next, when the second pushing member detection switch 78 is turned on (S62), the rotation of the pushing belt 75 is stopped by this detection signal (S63).

As described above, in the present sheet post-processing device 71, in the start mode of S4, in the offset mode, as shown in FIG. 10, one of the extruding members 76 provided on the extruding belt 75 is used. While the first extruding member 76 is detected by the first extruding member detection switch 77, the other extruding member 76 is processed sheet discharge port 44b.
Since the sheet S is on standby in the vicinity, the sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 45 has a processing sheet discharge port 44 due to wind or the like.
It is possible to prevent the entry into b. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a paper jam or the like in the sheet post-processing apparatus 71 due to the entry of the sheet S from the processing sheet discharge port 44b, and it is possible to eliminate the failure of the sheet post-processing apparatus due to this.

Further, conventionally, in the processing mode, when one push-out operation is completed, the push-out member again moves the same distance as the push-out operation and returns to the standby position. However, in the present sheet post-processing device 71, since the extruding members 76 are provided on the extruding belt 75 at two positions at equal intervals in the conveying direction, for example, one extruding operation is completed in the processing mode. If the pushing belt 75 is slightly rotated, the pushing member 76 is pushed to the pushing standby position.
Can be made to wait. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required from the end of the pushing operation of the sheet S to the pushing operation of the next sheet S, so that it is possible to improve the working efficiency of the copying machine or the like having the sheet post-processing device 71. .

In the pushing-out device 72 of the sheet post-processing device 71, the above-mentioned belt driving motor 79 is used as a driving means for driving the pushing-out belt 75, for example, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use a stepping motor 81 as shown in FIG. The driving force of the stepping motor 81 is the driving roller 82 and the driven roller 7 of the pushing belt 75.
It is transmitted to the push-out belt 75 by the drive belt 83 stretched over the belt 4.

The above stepping motor 81 is
Since it can be rotated by a predetermined number of pulses, for example, when the pushing member 76 on the pushing belt 75 is detected by the first pushing member detection switch 77 in the processing mode, the control device 80 sets a predetermined value based on this detection signal. The pushing member 76 can be moved to the position indicated by the broken line in the figure, that is, the retracted position by rotating by the pulse. Further, in the non-processing mode, when the pushing member 76 on the pushing belt 75 is detected by the first pushing member detection switch 77, the control device 80 stops the driving of the pushing belt 75 based on this detection signal. ing.

From the above, by using the stepping motor 81 as described above, for example, in the staple mode and the offset mode, even when the standby position of the pushing member 76 of the pushing belt 75 is different, the preset rotation is performed. Since the rotational drive of the motor can be controlled by a predetermined pulse corresponding to the amount, the pushing belt 7
The drive control of 5 can be performed by one detection switch,
As a result, the structure of the device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment] The following description will explain still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19. For convenience of explanation, the same members as those in each of the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the sheet post-processing apparatus 91 of this embodiment is provided with a sheet stopper 95 as a sheet carry-in prevention member at the processing sheet discharge port 44b. As shown in FIG. 16, the seat stopper 95 has a front end portion 95a formed in a key shape.
Of the pair of upper and lower discharge rollers 92, 93 serving as discharge means formed in the discharge port 43a for non-processed sheet, 5a is slidably provided on a support shaft 93a as a drive shaft of the lower discharge roller 93. On the other hand, the rear end portion 95b is provided so as to come into contact with the support shaft 94a as the drive shaft of the discharge roller 94 formed in the processing sheet discharge port 44b from the discharge tray 45 side. As a result, while the rear end portion 95b of the sheet stopper 95 is in contact with the support shaft 94a of the discharge roller 94, the sheet post-processing device 91 is provided.
It is designed to prevent a sheet or the like from entering the processing sheet discharge port 44b from the outside.

The seat stopper 95 is made of a lightweight material such as acrylic resin. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the support shaft 93a is provided with a resistance member such as a knurl 96 on its surface so as to apply a resistance force to the seat stopper 95 so that the support shaft 93a and the seat stopper 95 are mutually separated. It does not slip. As a result, the sheet stopper 95 is pressed by the sheet S and easily pivots to open the processing sheet discharge port 44b.

Further, the discharge roller 93 is driven and controlled by the control device 97 shown in FIG. 5, and the discharge roller driving device 62 is provided with, for example, a stepping motor (not shown) capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions. It is used and rotates in the arrow X direction in the non-processing mode, and rotates in the arrow Y direction in the processing mode. Therefore, in the non-processing mode, the sheet stopper 95 is in contact with the support shaft 94a of the discharging roller 94 by the rotation of the discharging roller 93 in the X direction, and in the processing mode, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, when the discharge roller 93 rotates in the Y direction, it is easily rotated to the upper position by the conveying force of the sheet S. Accordingly, in the non-processing mode, it is possible to prevent the sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 45 from entering the processing sheet discharge port 44b, and in the processing mode, the processing discharge path 4
The sheet S discharged from the sheet 4 can easily open the sheet stopper 95.

In the above-mentioned structure, the discharge operation of the sheet S to the discharge tray 45 in each mode will be described with reference to FIG.
The following is a description with reference to FIG.

First, in the non-processing mode, as shown in FIG. 18, the conveying rollers 47, 47 rotate in the directions of the arrows, and the sheet S conveyed from the conveying rollers 47, 47 passes through the deflector 48. The sheet is carried into the non-processing discharge path 43, and then discharged to the discharge tray 45 by the discharge roller 93 rotating in the arrow X direction.

At this time, the sheet stopper 95 is driven by its own weight and the rotational force of the support shaft 93a to cause the discharge roller 94 to move.
Of the sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 45, which is in a state of being in contact with the supporting shaft 94a of
4b is prevented from entering.

Next, in the processing mode, as shown in FIG. 19, the transport rollers 47, 47 rotate in the directions of the arrows, respectively, and the sheet S transported from these transport rollers 47, 47.
Are conveyed by the deflector 48 to the processing discharge path 44b side. At this time, the discharge roller 93 rotates in the arrow Y direction, and applies a turning force in the arrow D direction to the sheet stopper 95. Then, the sheet S discharged from the processing sheet discharge port 44b is discharged to the discharge tray 45 by pushing up the sheet stopper 95 in the direction of arrow D.

As described above, the sheet post-processing device 9 described above is used.
1, the discharge roller 93 of the discharge port 43a for the non-processed sheet
A rotatable sheet stopper 95 provided at the support shaft 94a of the discharge roller 94 formed in the processing discharge path 44.
Further, by making contact with the discharge tray 45 side, it is possible to prevent the sheet S or other dust on the discharge tray 45, which causes a malfunction of the apparatus, from entering the processing discharge path 44. As a result, it is possible to comfortably use the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0083]

As described above, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is capable of advancing and retracting in a direction in which the sheet processed in the processing tray is brought into contact with the sheet and pushed out to the discharge tray, and in the opposite direction. A sheet extruding member, a sheet extruding member driving means for driving the sheet extruding member, and a non-processing mode selected by the main body device, the sheet extruding member moves to a position in the vicinity of the sheet ejecting port of the second ejecting path. And a control means for controlling the sheet pushing-out member driving means.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering the second discharge path in the non-processing mode, and it is possible to reduce the cause of failure such as paper jam in the apparatus.

Further, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, a sheet pushing member that abuts the sheet processed in the processing tray and pushes the sheet to the discharge tray, and the sheet pushing member. A belt-shaped push-out rotary member that is integrally formed with the push-out rotary member that rotates toward the sheet discharge port of the second discharge path, a push-out rotary member drive unit that drives the push-out rotary member, and a non-processing mode is selected by the main unit. And a control means for controlling the push-out rotating member so that the sheet push-out member moves to a position near the sheet discharge port of the second discharge path when the sheet is pushed.

Thus, when the sheet is discharged from the first discharge path to the discharge tray in the non-processing mode, it is possible to prevent the sheet discharged on the discharge tray from entering the second discharge path. It is possible to eliminate the paper jam of the device due to the transfer of the sheet from the outside.

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the plate-shaped member is rotatably provided on one of the drive shafts of the first discharging means, and the plate-shaped member is provided. One end of the member is configured to be restricted from rotating toward the second discharge path side by the drive shaft of the second discharge means.

As a result, in the non-processing mode, the discharged sheet cannot enter the second discharge path by the above plate member. That is, it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering the second discharge path. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the paper jam of the device due to the intrusion of the sheet from the outside.

Further, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the processing mode is selected as described above, the first discharging means is in the direction opposite to the rotation direction in the non-processing mode. The control means is provided to control the first discharge roller driving means so that the first discharge roller driving means is rotated in the vertical direction.

Accordingly, when the processing mode is selected, it is possible to facilitate the rotation of the plate member rotatably provided on the first discharging means to the discharge tray side. The sheet passing through the two discharge paths can easily rotate the plate member toward the discharge tray.

Therefore, the sheet can be discharged smoothly in the processing mode, and the operability of the apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a copying machine equipped with the sheet post-processing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of an extruding member in the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of an extruding member in the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram of a control device included in the sheet post-processing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in an offset mode.

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the staple mode.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pushing member in the start process shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the extrusion belt in the sheet post-processing device shown in FIG.

11 is a block diagram of a control device included in the sheet post-processing device shown in FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the extrusion belt in a start process in the sheet post-processing device shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the extrusion belt in the start processing in the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram showing another driving means for driving the extrusion belt in the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a schematic view of the vicinity of a sheet discharge port of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

17 is a schematic view of a discharge roller in an offset discharge port of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet discharging operation in the offset mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a sheet discharging operation in the staple mode of the sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional sheet post-processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copying Machine Main Body (Main Unit Device) 41 Sheet Post-Processing Device 42 Post-Processing Conveying Path 43 Non-Processing Discharge Path (First Discharge Path) 43a Non-Processing Sheet Discharge Port 44 Processing Discharge Path (Second Discharge Path) 44a Staple Plate (Processing Tray) 44b Processing Sheet Discharge Port 45 Discharge Tray 54 Extrusion Device (Sheet Extrusion Means) 54a Extrusion Member (Sheet Extrusion Member) 57 Control Device (Control Means) 71 Sheet Post-Processing Device 72 Extrusion Device (Sheet Extrusion Means) ) 75 extrusion belt (extrusion rotary member) 76 extrusion member 80 control device (control means) 91 sheet post-processing device 92 discharge roller (first discharge means) 93 discharge roller (first discharge means) 93a support shaft (drive shaft) 94 Discharge roller (second discharge means) 95 Sheet stopper (plate member) 97 Control device (control means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03G 15/00 530 2107-2H 21/00 370 2107-2H

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first discharge path for discharging a sheet carried in from the main body apparatus to a discharge tray without processing when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body apparatus, and the sheet when the processing mode is selected. A sheet post-processing apparatus having a second discharge path for discharging to a discharge tray after a predetermined process, and a processing tray for placing a sheet and performing processing on the second discharge path. A sheet push-out member that abuts the processed sheet and that can move the sheet forward and backward in the direction of pushing it out to the discharge tray, and in the opposite direction, a sheet push-out member drive unit that drives the sheet push-out member, and a non-processing mode by the main unit. Control for controlling the sheet pushing-out member driving means so that the sheet pushing-out member moves to a position in the vicinity of the sheet discharging port of the second discharging route when is selected. Sheet post-processing apparatus characterized by the stages are provided. 2. A first discharge path for discharging a sheet carried in from the main body apparatus to a discharge tray without processing when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body apparatus, and the sheet when the processing mode is selected. A sheet post-processing apparatus having a second discharge path for discharging to a discharge tray after a predetermined process, and a processing tray for placing a sheet and performing processing on the second discharge path. A sheet pushing member that abuts the processed sheet and pushes the sheet to the discharge tray, and a belt-shaped pushing rotating member that is integrally formed with the sheet pushing member and that rotates toward the sheet discharging port side of the second discharging path. And a push-out rotary member driving means for driving the push-out rotary member, and when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body device, the sheet push-out member is a sheet of the second discharge path. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the pushing rotation member driving unit so as to move to a position near the discharge port. 3. A first discharge path for discharging a sheet carried in from the main body device to a discharge tray without processing when the non-processing mode is selected by the main body device, and the sheet when the processing mode is selected. After a predetermined process, a second discharge path for discharging to a discharge tray is provided, and the first discharge path is provided with a pair of rotatable first discharge means for discharging a sheet, and the second discharge path, In a sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a rotatable second discharging means for discharging a sheet, a plate-like member is rotatable so that one drive shaft of the first discharging means contacts the discharge tray side. The sheet post-processing apparatus is characterized in that one end of the plate-shaped member is restricted from rotating toward the second discharge path side by the drive shaft of the second discharge means. 4. When the processing mode is selected, the control means for controlling the first discharging roller driving means so that the first discharging means rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in the non-processing mode. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided.