JPH07267481A - Paper punching device for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an optional number of punch holes at optional positions with one punching means without stopping the conveyance of the paper by moving the punching means in the direction crossing a conveyance path when the punching process is applied to the paper being conveyed to form the punch holes. CONSTITUTION:A punch unit 108 serving as a paper punching device is arranged with a punch moving device 113 moving a punch device 33. The punch device 33 is moved to the downstream side at the speed that the constituent speed in the conveying direction becomes the paper conveying speed or above on the straight line at the angle of (90 deg.-theta), for example, to the conveying direction V of the paper P by the punch moving device 113. The rear end of the paper P is detected by a paper detecting sensor 32, the punch device 33 is started after a specific time, and the first punch hole A is punched by a punch member 38. The punch device 33 is moved to the downstream side, the punch member 38 is again driven at the specific position, and the second punch hole B is punched. An optional number of punch holes are punched at optional positions with one punch device 33.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet punching device of an image forming apparatus for punching a sheet after image formation in a copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, plain paper copiers (PP
C), and the widespread use of office equipment for processing sheets such as automatic paper feeders (APF) and their speeding up and efficiency, punching (punching) for filing after copy processing is also quick and efficient. Need to be done in a specific way.

As a solution to this, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-19
In the 0696 publication, a paper punching device having two punching pawls, which are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction in correspondence with the punch hole intervals, is attached to the paper discharge side of the copying machine, and copy processing is performed. Disclosed is a configuration in which, for copy sheets that are sequentially ejected one by one by ejecting rollers, both punching claws are simultaneously operated by a cam that interlocks with the ejecting rollers in accordance with the timing of ejected sheets. Has been done.

However, in the configuration disclosed herein, two punching claws for punching are provided at predetermined positions corresponding to the punching positions in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the punch hole spacing and It is not possible to cope with different numbers of punch holes, and in order to cope with this, it is necessary to provide a number of punch claws corresponding to the punch hole interval and the number of punch holes, which complicates the configuration, and There was a problem that it became expensive. Moreover, since the paper is temporarily stopped during the punch hole formation, when the image formation and the processing speed accompanying it are increased, if the punching process of the previous paper is not completed when the limit is exceeded, the next paper is not processed. May be conveyed and cause troubles such as paper jams,
Therefore, there is a problem that the processing speed cannot be increased as expected.

On the other hand, for example, JP-A-4-10589.
In the publication 5, a sheet edge detection sensor for detecting the position of the front edge of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction is detected from the punch by using a piezoelectric element capable of operating at extremely high speed as a driving source for the punch. The punch hole detection sensor is provided at a position separated by a distance along the transport direction between the edge of the sheet and the first punch hole, and a punch hole detection sensor is provided at a position separated by a distance equal to the punch interval from the punch claw. A first punched hole is formed on the sheet by the punching claw according to the position detection of the front edge of the sheet by the edge detection sensor, and the punching claw is operated according to the detection of the first punched hole by the punch hole detection sensor. There is disclosed a sheet punching device which forms a second punch hole on a sheet with a punching interval with respect to the first punch hole.

According to this, for example, when two punched holes are formed on the paper, the front edge of the conveyed paper is first detected by the paper edge detection sensor, and the punching pawl operates once in response to this. When the first punched hole is formed by the first punched hole and then the sheet is further conveyed, the first punched hole is detected by the punched hole detection sensor, and accordingly, the punching claw is operated once more and the second punched hole is moved. Punch holes are formed. With such a configuration, the punching hole spacing and the number of punching holes can be easily and inexpensively changed with one punching claw without providing the number of punching claws corresponding to the punching hole interval and the number of punching holes. It is possible to deal with any type of sheet, and punch holes can be formed in the sheet without stopping the conveyance of the sheet.

[0007]

However, in the device configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-105895 mentioned above, the perforating claw is fixed in a predetermined position corresponding to the perforating position in parallel to the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, the perforation position along the transport direction can be variously changed by changing the driving timing of the perforation device, but the perforation position in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is fixed and arbitrary. Cannot be set to position.

For this reason, it can be mounted on a copying machine or the like of the type in which the sheets are aligned and conveyed in one direction of the conveying path, but the so-called center reference type of conveying the sheet by positioning it in the center of the conveying path. There is a problem that it cannot be installed in a copying machine or the like.

In order to solve such a problem, a plurality of punching claws are provided along the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, for example, at each position corresponding to the sheet size of each sheet conveyed with the center reference. A configuration to be provided is also proposed. However, in this case, a driving unit for driving the punching claw is also required individually, the structure becomes complicated again, and more expensive piezoelectric elements are required, so that the cost also increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to convey a sheet by making a perforating means (consisting of a perforating claw and a driving unit) movable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Even when punch holes are formed along the direction, one punching means can be mounted on a center reference type copying machine or the like without increasing the cost and complicating the apparatus. It is another object of the present invention to provide a paper punching device capable of forming a desired number of punched holes at an arbitrary position along the direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction without stopping the paper. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet punching device capable of preventing the occurrence of a miscopy due to a miss punch by determining whether or not to perform the punching process according to the sheet size when forming the punch hole.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sheet punching device for an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is configured to convey a sheet along a conveying path, and a conveying means for conveying the sheet. In a sheet punching device of an image forming apparatus, which comprises a punching unit operable to form a punch hole in a sheet to be fed, and performs punching processing to form a punch hole on a sheet being conveyed, in the punching unit, It is characterized in that a moving means for moving the punching means in a direction traversing the transport path is provided.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sheet punching device for an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the sheet punching device for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction. In addition to the paper edge detection means for detecting the paper edge along the line, the moving means has the punching means on the downstream side on a straight line inclined from the predetermined position of the transport path by a predetermined angle with respect to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Is configured to move at a speed at which the component speed in the transport direction is equal to or higher than the transport speed of the sheet, and further, based on the signal from the sheet edge detection section, the punching section is moved to the downstream side. To form the first punched hole at a predetermined position on the paper, and then
Further, there is provided control means for controlling the punching means and the moving means so as to move the punching means to the downstream side and form the next punched hole so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punched hole. It is characterized by

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper punching device for an image forming apparatus in order to solve the above problems, in the paper punching device for an image forming apparatus according to the second invention, the paper is punched together with the punching means. The punching means and the paper edge detecting means are unitized so that the edge detecting means can be moved, and the control means detects the paper edge when forming the second and subsequent punch holes. Based on the re-detection signal from the means, the punching means and the moving means are controlled so as to form the next punch hole so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punch hole.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention determines the size of the sheet to be conveyed in the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect. In addition to the paper size detecting means for detecting, it is also provided with a judging means for judging whether or not the punching process is possible based on the paper size detected by the paper size detecting means, and the control means makes the judgment. The piercing means and the moving means are controlled based on the judgment result of the means.

[0015]

According to the structure of the present invention, since the perforating means is movable by the moving means in the direction traversing the conveying path, it is movable with respect to the sheet and is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet. A punch hole can be punched at any position in the direction. Therefore, for example, by adopting this configuration in the apparatus described in the above-mentioned publication (JP-A-4-105895), it is possible to form a punch hole at an arbitrary position from the sheet side end portion along the sheet transport direction. Therefore, conventionally, the sheet punching device configured to form punch holes along the transport direction is
Although it could not be installed in a center-based copying machine (image forming apparatus), this makes it possible to position and transport the paper in the center of the transport path without complicating the structure and increasing the cost. It can also be installed in copiers and the like. Further, by being movable with respect to the sheet, even if the sheet is displaced in the width direction of the transport path within the transport path, the position of the perforation means is corrected by calculating the correction amount, and accurate correction is performed. A punch hole can be formed at a position. Further, conventionally, when forming punched holes along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the punching means was required for the number of punched holes. However, for example, the configuration as set forth in claim 2 is adopted. By doing so, it is possible to form an arbitrary number of punch holes at an arbitrary position along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction with one punching means.

That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a paper edge detecting means for detecting a paper edge along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the moving means conveys the punching means. It is configured to move from a predetermined position on the path to a downstream side on a straight line inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the transport direction at a speed at which a component speed in the transport direction is equal to or higher than the transport speed of the sheet. Then, the control means controls the driving of the punching means and the moving means, and moves the punching means to the downstream side based on the signal of the sheet edge detecting means to form the first punch hole at a predetermined position of the sheet. After forming, the punching means is further moved to the downstream side, and the next punch hole is formed so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the punch hole formed previously. Therefore, in the prior art, when forming a plurality of punch holes along the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction, the punching means was required in accordance with the number of punch holes. It is possible to form punch holes at a plurality of positions at arbitrary positions along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Further, in this case, since the member can be composed of only one piercing means and the moving means for moving the piercing means, the member can be constructed at low cost. Further, since the punched holes can be formed without stopping the moving paper, the working speed does not decrease, and the paper can be mounted on a high speed copying machine.

According to the structure of claim 3, the punching means and the paper edge detecting means are unitized, the paper edge detecting means is moved together with the punching means, and the control means controls the punching means and the moving means. When the drive is controlled to form the second and subsequent punch holes, the next punch is formed on the basis of the re-detection signal from the sheet edge detection means so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the punch hole previously formed. Form a hole. Therefore,
Each time, a punch hole can be formed at the same position from the edge of the sheet, and even if the sheet is conveyed in an inclined state, the punch hole can be formed at a preset accurate position.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the judging means judges whether or not the punching process is possible based on the paper size detected by the paper size detecting means, and the control means makes this judgment. The piercing means and the moving means are controlled based on the result. Therefore, if the paper is too small and the punching process is not possible, the punching process is stopped so that the punch holes are formed just near the edge of the paper and cannot be used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous copying due to erroneous punching, which may result in unusable. As a result, waste of paper can be eliminated, work efficiency can be prevented from being lowered due to redoing, and workability can be improved.

[0019]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The explanation is based on the following.

In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a transparent original placing table 2 for placing an original to be copied is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and the original placing table 2 is also provided. An original cover 3 is provided to cover the. Also, the main body 1
An operation unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the upper surface of the.

The operation unit 100 includes a punch key 101 for designating a punch mode, a display panel 102 for displaying a message, an input key 103, a ten key 104, a ten key clear key 105, a cancel key 106, and a print key 107. And the user operates this operation unit 100.
By operating, the various modes, the number of copies, the number of punch holes in the punch mode, the punch hole forming position, etc. can be designated.

As shown in FIG. 2, an optical system 4 is arranged below the original table 2. This optical system 4
It has a copy lamp 5 such as a halogen lamp, a plurality of mirrors 6 to 11, and a lens unit 12.
The mirrors 6 to 11 allow the light emitted from the copy lamp 5 to guide the reflected light reflected by the original document placed on the original document table 2 to the photoconductor 13 to be described later, as indicated by a chain line. There is. The lens unit 12 also has a function of refracting and condensing the reflected light so that the reflected light forms a clear image on the photoconductor 13.

Below the optical system, a copying process section centering on the above-mentioned photoconductor 13 is arranged. Around the photoconductor 13, a main charger unit 14, a developing unit 15, a transfer charger 16, Peeling charger 1
7, a cleaning unit 18, etc. are arranged. The copying process unit also includes a belt-shaped suction unit 19 provided on the paper output side of the photoconductor 13 and a fixing device 20 arranged on the paper output side of the suction unit 19.

On the other hand, below the developing unit 15, there are arranged registration rollers 21, 21 for supplying the paper to the photoconductor 13 at proper timing. A plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 22 and 23 capable of accommodating sheets of each size are arranged below the copying process section. A manual feed tray 24 is attached to the side wall of the main body 1 on the side of the developing unit 15. Further, the registration rollers 21 and 21, the paper feeding cassettes 22 and 23, and the manual feed tray 2
A transport device 26 having transport rollers 25, 25, etc., for transporting a sheet is provided between the sheet transporting device 4 and the sheet transporting device 4. Then, the registration rollers 21 and 21 and the paper feeding cassette 22.2 described above.
3, the manual feed tray 24, and the transport device 26 constitute a paper feed unit. Further, the photoconductor 13
A paper size detection sensor (paper size detection means) 118 (see FIG. 10) described later that detects the size of the paper supplied to the paper is also provided.

The paper output side of the fixing device 20 is provided with a paper punching device 27, which will be described later in detail according to the present invention, and a separation gate 109 for allocating the paper output to the paper feed cassette 22 and the outside of the main body 1. ing. Further, a staple sorter 29 or the like for ejecting the paper is installed on the paper exit side outer wall surface of the paper punching device 27 in the main body 1.

In the copying process section, when the reflected light from the original document guided by the optical system 4 forms an image on the photoconductor 13 charged by applying a predetermined voltage by the main charger unit 14, the photoconductor 13 is imaged. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed. Next, this electrostatic latent image is visualized by the toner provided from the developing unit 15 to become a toner image, and this toner image is fed to the paper feed cassette 22.2.
3 or the sheet from the manual feed tray 24 is transferred by the transfer charger 16. The paper on which the toner image is transferred is
After being peeled from the photoconductor 13 by the peeling charger 17, the toner image is conveyed by the suction unit 19 and heated by the fixing device 20 to fix the toner image.

The paper which has been copied as described above is
After being punched by the sheet punching device 27, the sheet is guided to the staple sorter 29 by the separation gate 109. Then, the sheet is subjected to staple processing and sorter processing by the staple sorter 29 and is discharged. Further, when performing double-sided copying, the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 20 is separated by the separation gate 1.
09, it is guided to the paper feed cassette 22 and used for copying the back surface.

The punching process by the sheet punching device 27 is executed when the punch key 101 of the operation unit 100 is pressed and the punch mode is set.

The copying machine of this embodiment has a punch unit 108 as the paper punching device 27. The configuration of the punch unit 108 will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the punch unit 108 includes a punch device 33 and a punch moving device (moving means) 11.
3, paper detection sensor (paper edge detection unit) 32, paper side edge detection sensor 110, home position sensor 11
1, a return position sensor 112, a conveyance guide (conveyance path) 31 shown in FIG. 4, conveyance rollers 34 and 35 (conveyance means), and a punch scrap collector 28 shown in FIG. 8A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transport guide 31 includes two upper plates 31a and a lower plate 31b arranged in parallel vertically so as to regulate the displacement of the paper P in the vertical direction. An opening 31c extending in the width direction is formed in the conveyance guide 31, and a punch device 33 is movably arranged in the opening 31c.

The transport rollers 34 and 35 are a pair of rollers each consisting of a drive roller and a driven roller, and are disposed in the opening provided in the transport guide 31. Of these, the conveyance roller 35 is arranged on the downstream side (staple sorter 29 side) of the punch device 33, and the conveyance roller 34 is arranged on the upstream side. The transport rollers 34 and 35 are driven by a motor (not shown) at a rotational speed that provides a peripheral speed V, and thus the paper P transported from the upstream side is
It is designed to be conveyed downstream at a conveying speed V.

The paper detection sensor 32 is the paper conveyance sensor 3 described above.
1 upstream of the punching device 33, the transport roller 3
4 is provided in an opening (not shown) provided on the downstream side. The paper detection sensor 32 outputs an ON signal during the period from the detection of the front end of the paper P passing through the conveyance guide 31 to the detection of the rear end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet side edge detecting sensor 110 is attached to the punching device 33 on the advancing direction side. The sheet-side edge detection sensor 110 is used for the sheet P that passes through the inside of the conveyance guide 31 while the punching device 33 is moving.
The ON signal is output until the end on the start side is detected and the end on the opposite side is detected.

The home position sensor 111 is arranged outside the maximum width of the sheet P on the start side of the punching device 33. The home position sensor 111 outputs an ON signal when the punch device 33 is located at the home position which is the start position.

In the return position sensor 112, the punch device 33 is arranged at a position outside the maximum width of the paper P on the return side. The return position sensor 112 outputs an ON signal when the punch device 33 reaches the return position.

The punch moving device 113 includes a pulley 114.
115, a belt 116, and a drive motor 117. The belt 116 is stretched around a pulley 114 and a pulley 115 to which the driving force from the drive motor 117 is transmitted, and the upstream side of the punching device 33 is fixed to the belt 116. These pulleys 114
The 115 is provided so as to move the belt 116 in a direction forming an angle of (90-θ) ° with respect to the conveyance direction of the paper P, whereby the punch device 33 fixed to the belt 116 is moved. Along with the movement of the belt 116, the sheet P is moved in a direction forming an angle of (90−θ) ° with respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet P. This angle θ is the mounting angle of the punch device 33, and the setting method will be described later.

The drive motor 117 is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. When the drive motor 117 is rotated in the forward direction, the punch device 33 moves in the traveling direction and the drive motor 117 is rotated in the reverse direction. As a result, it is designed to move backwards.

As shown in FIG. 5, the punching device 33 includes a punching section 30, a punching driving section 36 for driving the punching section 30, a sheet guide 45 including an upper plate 45a and a lower plate 45b, and the punching section 30. , A punch drive section 36, and a case section 41 for accommodating the sheet guide 45. The punch section 30 and the punch drive section 36 that drives the punch section 30 constitute a punching means 47. Note that FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the upstream side in the paper transport direction.

The punch section 30 includes a punch member 38, a housing case 37, a return spring 39, and a punch die 4.
The housing case 37 has a space inside which the punch member 38 can be moved up and down and the return spring 39 can be expanded and contracted within a certain range. Also,
The storage case 37 is provided with through holes 37a and 37b, through which the punch member 38 can be inserted, on the upper surface and the bottom surface, and the through hole 37b is an opening provided in the upper plate 45a of the paper guide 45. It conforms to 45d.

The punch member 38 has a columnar shape as a whole, and a punching blade 38a is formed at the lower end thereof.
A flange portion 38b is formed on the outer periphery of the substantially central portion. As the perforating blade 38a, the blade 43 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D is adopted. This blade 43 has four blade edges 43a around the central axis, and adjacent blade edges 43a, 43a.
It has four troughs 43b formed between each other. That is, the cutting edges 43a ... And the troughs 43b ... Are alternately formed at intervals of 45 °. This blade 43
Is set to have a smaller minimum stroke required to make a hole than a general blade,
When a hole is made in the sheet P, not only can the sheet edge P be pierced by the blade edges 43a ... Suitable for high speed drilling.

The punch die 40 is attached to the lower plate 45b of the paper guide 45, as shown in FIG. The punch die 40 has a tube portion 40a that extends upward and opens in the central portion. The tube portion 40a is formed to have an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the punch member 38, and the lower plate 45 faces the opening 45d.
It is fitted in the opening 45e provided in b. Thereby, when the punch member 38 moves downward, the punching blade 38a reaches the inside of the pipe portion 40a.

The return spring 39 is a compression type spring and is arranged around the punch member 38. Both ends of the return spring 39 are held by the flange portion 38b and the bottom surface of the housing case 37. The return spring 39 urges the punch member 38 to the standby position as shown in the drawing when the downward external force is not applied to the punch member 38. In addition, the return spring 39
Is designed to return the punch member 38 to the standby position when the downward external force acting on the punch member 38 is released.

The punch driving section 36 is composed of a supporting member 51, a pressing bar 52, a piezoelectric element 53, and a strain magnifying mechanism 54. The supporting member 51 is provided on the paper guide 45 and has a base 51a. And a column 51b. The base 51a is fixed on the upper plate 45a, and the support column 51b is formed so as to extend vertically upward from the base 51a. The pressing bar 52 has a base end rotatably attached to the upper end of the column 51b by a pin 55, and a free end reaching the upper end of the punch member 38.

The piezoelectric element 53 is adapted to generate dimensional distortion due to the piezoelectric effect when a voltage is applied. The direction of the dimensional strain is, as shown in FIG. 7, a direction toward the center in the vertical direction in the drawing and a direction toward the outside in the horizontal direction in the drawing.

The strain magnifying mechanism 54 is entirely made of steel having a thickness of about 5 mm, and has a locally easily deformable portion such that it is deformed by the dimensional strain of the piezoelectric element 53. The strain magnifying mechanism 54 includes side portions 54a and 54b, an upper portion 54c, a lower portion 54d, and connecting portions 54e and 54f, and surrounds the piezoelectric element 53.

The side portions 54a and 54b are connected to both end portions of the piezoelectric element 53 in the left-right direction in the drawing. Top 54
The c and the lower portion 54d are connected to the side portions 54a and 54b through the portions whose both ends are narrowed, and the central portion is greatly cut out so that they can be easily deformed. That is, the strain magnifying mechanism 54 is configured to deform at the portion indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the drawing due to such a shape. Moreover, since the amount of deformation is small in the above-mentioned deformed portion, plastic strain does not occur.

The connecting portion 54e is formed so as to extend upward from the upper end of the central portion of the upper portion 54c, and the upper end is pivotally attached to the pressing bar 52 at a position close to the base end and far from the free end. On the other hand, the connecting portion 54f has a lower portion 54d.
It is formed to be short so as to extend downward from the lower end of the central part of the, and the lower end is pivotally attached to the base 51a.

The punch driving section 36 having the above-mentioned structure
In the above, the dimensional strain in the direction of the arrow generated in the piezoelectric element 53 becomes larger displacement due to the deformation of the strain magnifying mechanism 54 and is transmitted to the pressing bar 52. Then, the pressing bar 52 is attracted to the base 51a side and rotates downward about the pin 55. As a result, the free end of the pressing bar 52 moves downward and presses the punch member 38 downward.

As shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the punch scrap collecting device 28 comprises a punch scrap receiving portion 62, a punch scrap collecting container 64, and a punch scrap cleaning member 61. It is provided on the lower side according to the moving range of the punch device 33.

The punch scrap receiving portion 62 is provided in the punch device 3
3 is arranged along the moving direction of the punch 3 and receives the punch scraps discharged from the punch device 33. The punch waste collection container 64 is disposed on the return side of the punch device 33 in the punch waste receiving portion 62. The punch waste collecting container 64 is provided with a punch waste receiving portion 62.
It stores the punch scraps accumulated inside.

The punch dust cleaning member 61 is attached to the lower surface of the case portion 41 of the punching device 33 and to the rear side of the punching device 33 so that the front end of the punch dust cleaning member 61 contacts the bottom surface of the punch dust receiving portion 62. And punch device 3
With the movement of 3 in the traveling direction, the punch scraps collected in the punch scrap receiving portion 62 are conveyed to the punch scrap collecting container 64. Then, the punch scrap receiving portion 62
In order that the punch scraps accumulated in the inner corners can also be conveyed, the tip end portion thereof comes into contact with the start side wall surface of the punch scrap receiving portion 62 when the punch device 33 is waiting at the home position.

The punch scrap receiving portion 62 is provided in the punch device 3
3 from the home position to the most remote processing position 63 which is the farthest punching position from the home position, and is provided in a substantially horizontal state.
It is formed in an inclined shape slightly before the position where the punch scrap cleaning member 61 reaches when is located. The punch scraps naturally roll down into the punch scrap collecting container 64 at the inclined portion 62b formed in the slanted shape. Further, in this embodiment, vibration is applied to the inclined portion 62b by a vibrator (not shown), and the punch scrap cleaning member 61 reaches the entrance of the punch scrap collecting container 64 by the vibration and the inclination. Even if not, the punch scraps can be reliably fed into the punch scrap collecting container 64. Accordingly, the moving width of the punching device 33 may be from the home position to the most remote processing position 63, so that the punching scraps can be collected from the punching scraps collecting container 64 as compared with the configuration in which the punching device 33 reaches the entrance of the punching scraps collecting container 64. The processing time at the time of carrying to 64 is shortened.

Moreover, the inclined portion 62b is formed in a V shape as shown in the sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. 9 (a). As a result, the circular punch scraps are more easily rolled, and the punch scraps are prevented from being clogged during the process. In addition, the inclined portion 6
By vibrating 2b, punch scraps can be effectively dropped into the punch scrap collecting container 64 even if the inclination of the inclined portion 62b cannot be made large.

The horizontal portion 62a of the punch scrap receiving portion 62
On the bottom surface of FIG. 9, a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a plurality of protrusions 62a ′ whose longitudinal direction is parallel to the punch scrap transport direction are formed. The plurality of protrusions 62a 'allow the punch scrap receiving portion 6 for punch scraps.
2 The contact resistance to the bottom surface is reduced, and punch scraps can be easily transported to the punch scrap collecting container 64.

Next, an outline of a control system for driving the punch unit 108 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, in this control system, C
A controller (control means / judgment means) 60 including a PU (Central Processing Unit) is provided. The controller 60 includes the above-described paper detection sensor 32, paper side edge detection sensor 110, and home position sensor 1.
11, the return position sensor 112, and the above-described paper size detection sensor 11 provided in the paper feed unit on the main body 1 side.
8 is connected, and the detection signal from each sensor is input. Further, the controller 60 is also connected to the main body 1 side and determines whether or not a sheet is conveyed, whether or not to perform punching processing on the conveyed sheet P (that is, whether or not a punch mode is designated), A signal for notifying the formation position and number of punch holes is input.

The controller 60 is also connected to a timer section 42 for controlling the operation timing when controlling the driving of the punch unit 108 and a counter section 67 for counting the number of punching processes, as will be described later. Further, the controller 60 includes a drive motor 117 of the punch moving device 113 via a drive circuit 119, and a piezoelectric element 53 of the punch drive unit 36 via a drive circuit 120.
Are connected respectively.

Next, the operation of the punch unit 108 will be described. First, in the case where the punching process is performed along the end portion on the rear end side of the paper P, FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 10, and FIG.
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 and the timing chart of FIG.

When punching is performed along the edge of the rear end of the paper P, the punch device 33 includes the drive motor 11
By controlling the number of rotations of 7, the punch moving device 113
Are moved at the moving speed V _P. This moving speed V _P is
The paper P being conveyed at the conveyance speed V in the conveyance guide 31.
Is determined in order to enable the punching process, and is determined by the following equation from the transport speed V of the paper P and the mounting angle θ described above.

V _P = V / sin θ (Equation 1) First, the user turns on the punch key 101 of the operation unit 100 shown in FIG. 3, and subsequently, the desired number of punch holes and the formation position of each punch hole. And are input using the ten-key pad 104 or the like (S1). In this case, the punch key 1 of the operation unit 100
When 01 is turned on, a predetermined message is displayed on the display panel 102, and the user inputs the number of punch holes and the formation position of each punch hole in accordance with this message. As shown in FIG. 1, the punched hole forming position is indicated by a point O in the drawing with the X-axis (+) as the conveyance direction of the paper P and the Y-axis (+) as the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. Coordinates are input with one of the four corners of the paper P as the origin. Here, it is assumed that the first punch hole A and the second punch hole B are formed, the number of punch holes N = 2, the formation position of the first punch hole A is (X ₁ , Y ₁ ), the second punch hole. The formation position of B is input as (X ₁ , Y ₂ ). That is, the formation position of the first punch hole A is a distance X ₁ from the rear end of the sheet, the distance Y _{1 is} from the start side end, and the formation position of the second punch hole B is a distance X ₁ from the rear end of the sheet. Distance Y ₂ from the side edge.

When the input is completed, the user presses the print key 107. Thus, the transportation of the paper P is started. If the number of punch holes and the punch forming position are not input, the number and positions of the standard sizes preset in the storage unit (not shown) are preset according to the size of the paper P detected by the paper size detection sensor 118. Is punched.

The punching device 33 shown in FIG.
It is waiting at the home position on the start side as shown in. This means that the home position sensor 111 is turned on.
Is detected (see FIG. 11 (b)). When the paper P is conveyed in the conveyance guide 31, the paper detection sensor 32 detects the front end portion of the paper P and turns ON, and when the paper P is further conveyed and reaches the position shown in FIG. The sheet detection sensor 32 detects the rear end of the sheet P and turns off (see FIG. 11A, S2 and S3). The punching device 33 starts its operation triggered by the fall of the signal from ON to OFF by the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet. First, the timer tx1 of the timer unit 42 is reset (S4), and subsequently, the start time T ₀ of the punch device 33 is calculated (S5).

The start time T ₀ is a waiting time from the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet until the punching device 33 is started, and the trailing edge of the sheet of the first and second punch holes A and B shown in FIG. Is calculated by the following formula from the distance X ₁ from, the mounting distance X _P of the sheet detection sensor 32 in the conveyance direction with respect to the home position of the punch member 38, and the conveyance speed V of the sheet P.

T ₀ = (X _P −X ₁ ) / V (Equation 2) In this case, the range of X ₁ described above, that is, the range in which punch holes can be formed from the trailing edge of the paper is: X _MIN <X ₁ <X It becomes _P. The above X _MIN has a punched hole with a predetermined radius R + α.
It is determined so that it can be surely opened by (error), and when the paper P is filed, it will not be broken or the like. For example, the radius R of the punch hole R = 3.
In the case of mm, it is usually 5 to 10 mm.

This start time T ₀ depends on the timer tx1.
When the start time T ₀ is counted (S6), the drive motor 117 is driven to rotate forward (see FIG. 1).
1 (c)). As a result, the punch device 33 moves in the traveling direction (S7). The moving speed at this time is the above-described moving speed V _P. The home position sensor 111 is turned off by the start of the punching device 33 (see FIG. 11B).

After the punching device 33 is started, when the sheet side edge detection sensor 110 detects the start side edge of the sheet P, it is turned on (see FIG. 11 (e), S8). The timer ty1 · ty of the timer unit 42 is triggered by the rise of the paper side edge detection sensor 110 from OFF to ON.
2 are reset (S9), and subsequently the arrival times T _Y1 and T _Y2 to the first punch hole A and the second punch hole B are calculated (S10).

These arrival times T _Y1 and T _Y2 are the installation distance Y _{s in the} direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet side edge detection sensor 110 with respect to the home position of the punch member 38 shown in FIG. The distances Y ₁ and Y ₂ from the start side ends of the punch holes A and B and the component velocity V _Y of the punch device 33 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction are obtained by the following formula.

T _Y1 = (Y ₁ + Y _S ) / V _Y (Equation 3) T _Y2 = (Y ₂ + Y _S ) / V _Y (Equation 4) V _Y = V / tan θ (Equation 5) Times T _Y1 and T _Y2 are timers ty1 and ty2
At timed respectively, when the measurement of the arrival time T _Y1 of by the timer ty1 to the first punch hole A is completed (S1
1), the drive circuit 120 is turned on, and a current is passed through the piezoelectric element 53 (FIG. 11 (f), S12). As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, at the same time when the punching device 33 reaches the formation position of the first punch hole A, the punch member 38 is driven and the first punch hole A is formed in the paper P.

Then, when the timer ty2 finishes measuring the arrival time T _Y2 to the second punch hole B (S1
3), the drive circuit 120 is turned on, and a current is passed through the piezoelectric element 53 (FIG. 11 (f), S14). As a result, the punching device 3 is moved to the formation position of the second punch hole B shown in FIG.
At the same time when 3 arrives, the punch member 38 is driven to form the second punch hole B in the paper P.

When the second punch hole B, which is the last punch hole, is formed in this way, the counter value of the punch counter of the counter section 67 shown in FIG. 10 is counted up (S15). Then, it is judged whether or not this counter value has reached a preset number of times Z (S1
6), if it has reached, return position sensor 1
Punch device 33 to the return position where 12 is turned on
Moves (S17). As a result, the punch scrap cleaning member 61 attached to the punch device 33 reaches the inclined portion 62 b of the punch scrap receiving portion 62, and the punch scrap cleaning member 61.
The punch scraps conveyed in the
Will be recovered in. After that, the punch counter of the counter unit 67 is reset (S18), and the drive motor 117 is reversely rotated (see FIG. 11D). On the other hand, in S16, if the counter value does not reach the predetermined number Z, the drive motor 1 does not go through S17 and S18.
17 is driven in reverse rotation. Thereby, the punch device 33
Temporarily stops (S19) and moves in the backward direction (S2)
0). After that, when the punch device 33 returns to the start position, this is detected and the home position sensor 111
Is turned on (see FIG. 11 (b), S21), and when the home position sensor 111 is turned on, the drive motor 117 is turned on.
Stops. This stops the punch device 33 (S2
2) A series of operations is completed, and then the process waits until the next sheet P is detected by the sheet detection sensor 32.

With the operation of the punch unit 108, the area P indicated by the diagonal lines in FIG. 13, that is, X _{MIN with} respect to the conveyance direction of the sheet P, is moved with respect to the sheet P moving at the conveyance speed V. range to X _P, if the range of the side end portion of the sheet P Y _MIN inner with respect to the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet P, any number, to form a punched hole at an arbitrary position It will be possible. Like the above-mentioned X _MIN , the above Y _MIN is a distance that can surely punch holes and can be used without breaking when the paper P is filed.

Then, as described above, the paper detection sensor 32
Detects the trailing edge of the sheet, moves the punching device 33 based on this signal, and actuates the punching member 38, thereby punching a fixed distance from the trailing edge of the sheet P regardless of the length of the sheet P. Holes can be formed. Also, the paper P
After detecting the start side edge of the sheet side edge sensor 110, the distance from the edge to the punch hole to be formed is calculated with reference to the side edge, and the punching device 3 is used for this distance.
Since the punching process is carried out when 3 moves, it is necessary to form punch holes at a plurality of positions each having a constant distance from the start side end portion parallel to the conveyance direction of the paper P regardless of the width of the paper P each time. You can

As a result, if the paper sizes are the same, punch holes can be formed at the same position even if a plurality of papers P are transported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

In the above description, the punch holes are formed at the positions Y ₁ and Y ₂ from the start side end of the paper P.
Since the generally required positions of the punched holes are positions amm apart from the center of the paper P, the positions of Y ₁ and Y ₂ can be obtained as follows.

That is, the size of the paper P of each standard size is registered in advance in the storage unit (not shown) of the controller 60 of the control system, and the controller 60 stores the paper of the paper feed unit provided on the main body 1 side. Since the signal from the size detection sensor 118 is input, the width of the paper P can be known in advance.

Therefore, for example, the width H of the standard size paper
If mm is registered in the storage unit, the size of the conveyed paper P can be recognized by the paper size detection sensor 118, and Y ₁ and Y ₂ can be calculated by the following equation. it can.

Y ₁ = H / 2−a (Equation 6) Y ₂ = H / 2 + a (Equation 7) Further, in the above, punching is performed only when the number of punch processing reaches a predetermined number Z. By moving the device 33 to the end point on the return side and feeding the punch scraps collected in the punch scrap receiving portion 62 to the punch scrap collecting container 64, the punching device is moved to the vicinity of the punch scrap collecting container 64 every time. Since it is not necessary to move 33, the load on the driving means can be reduced, the control can be simplified, the processing speed can be improved, and it can be applied to a high speed copying machine.

In the above case, when the number of punching processes does not reach the predetermined number Z, the punching device 33 is stopped and retracted after forming the last punched hole. , Return position sensor 112 is O
The punch device 33 may be stopped and retracted at the N position, and by doing so, the punch device 33 can be reliably returned to the home position.

Next, a partial explanation will be given of a more effective apparatus configuration for operating the punch unit 108 to form punch holes.

First, a method of setting the mounting angle θ of the punch device 33 will be described. In the punch device 33 as described above,
It has been confirmed that the operating time of the punch member 38 is about 1 ms. This is realized by using a so-called piezoelectric actuator that utilizes the dimensional distortion due to the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element 53 as a driving source for the operation of the punch member 38. The piezoelectric actuator can perform an extremely high-speed operation as compared with a cam operation or a solenoid drive, and its responsiveness is in the order of ms when compared with ms when the solenoid is used. In the present embodiment, since the strain magnifying mechanism 54 is used, a slight delay occurs due to the operation delay of the mechanical portion, but the time required for the operation of the punch member 38 is actually about 1 ms.

From this, it has been experimentally confirmed that the relative speed between the sheet P and the punching device 33 is limited to 1000 mm / sec. This is because the tip of the cutting tool 43 moves during punching due to the movement of the punch member 38, and if this distance increases, the punch hole is deformed and a defect such as incomplete punch hole occurs. The speed at which such a problem occurs is referred to as a limit speed V _L.

The moving distance ΔL during the punching operation time is calculated by the following equation, where t is the operation time of the punch member 38.

ΔL = V _Y × t (Equation 8) If V _Y = 1000 mm / sec and the above t = 1 ms, then ΔL = 1 mm.

In such a case, when the paper P is fixed, the punch holes have an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. In the figure, the hatched portion is the portion that is widened by the movement of the punch member 38. Actually, although it depends on the fixing method of the paper P, it is reduced by the bending of the paper P or the like, so that the deformation is not so large.

When punch holes are formed along the edge of the rear end side of the sheet P, V _Y is expressed by the above-mentioned formula 1, so that V _Y becomes higher as the conveyance speed V of the sheet P increases. Further, the smaller the mounting angle θ is, the larger the mounting angle θ is, and the limit speed V _L is exceeded. Therefore, the minimum mounting angle θ _MIN that does not exceed the limit speed V _L is _calculated by the following equation for the transport speed V of the paper P.

Θ _MIN = tan ⁻¹ V / V _L (Equation 9) From this, the mounting angle θ must be θ _MIN or more, but in order to make the space in the carrying direction as small as possible, θ is θ. _It is best to set it to _MIN . Therefore, in the punch unit 108 of this embodiment, the mounting angle θ
Is set to θ _MIN .

Next, a method of transporting and fixing the paper P when performing punching will be described. As previously mentioned,
In the punch unit 108 of the present embodiment, the sheet P is conveyed by the conveying rollers 34 and 35, and the sheet P conveyed from the upstream side is first conveyed by the conveying roller 34.
After the trailing edge of the sheet P has passed through the transport roller 34, it is only transported by the transport roller 35.
Therefore, the punching process by the punching device 33 arranged between the transport rollers 34 and 35 is started when the trailing edge of the sheet P passes through the sheet detection sensor 32. While it is in motion, the transport roller 3 on the downstream side is always
Only 5 will be transported. Therefore, the rear end side of the sheet P is not fixed and is in a free state, so that the sheet P easily bends, and the influence of the moving distance ΔL during the punching operation is effectively absorbed by this bending and ΔL. The effect of can be minimized. In other words, at the time of punch processing, the conveying roller is provided only on the downstream side of the sheet and is not fixed on the upstream side of the punch hole formation, so that the punch hole shape distortion caused by performing the punch processing while moving is mitigated. can do.

Further, in this case, the distance L _R between the conveying rollers 34 and 35 shown in FIG.
If the moving range of the punching device 33 becomes wider, the punching device 33 becomes larger and may exceed the length of the paper P to be used. Therefore, also from this point of view, it is necessary to make the attachment angle θ as small as possible.

Next, the case where punching is performed along the side edge of the sheet P on the start side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19 using FIGS. 1, 3, 10, and 18. To do. The operation of the punching device 33 for collecting punch scraps is the same as in the case where the punch hole is formed on the trailing edge side of the paper P described above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

The moving speed V of the punching device 33 when punching is performed along the side edge of the sheet P on the start side.
Unlike the moving speed V _P when the punching process is performed on the trailing edge side of the paper P, _P ″ can be set independently of the transport speed V of the paper P.

First, the user inputs the desired number of punched holes and the formation position of each punched hole, as in the case where the punching process is performed on the trailing edge side of the paper P (S3).
1). However, as shown in FIG. 18, the punched holes are formed at four corners of the paper P with the X-axis (+) in the paper P transport direction and the Y-axis (+) in the direction orthogonal to the paper P transport direction. Coordinates are input with a single point O ′ shown in the figure as the origin. Here, it is assumed that four punch holes are formed, the number of punch holes N = 4, and the formation position of the first punch holes C is (X ₂ , Y
₃ ), the formation position of the second punch hole D is (X ₃ , Y ₃ ), the formation position of the third punch hole E is (X ₄ , Y ₃ ), and the formation position of the fourth punch hole F is (X ₅ , Y ₃ ). That is, the formation position of the first punch hole C is a distance X ₂ from the rear end of the paper, the distance Y _{3 is} from the start end, and the formation position of the second punch hole D is a distance X ₃ from the rear end of the paper, from the start end. Distance Y ₃ , third
The punch hole E is formed at a distance X ₄ from the rear end of the sheet, the distance Y ₃ from the start end, and the formation position of the fourth punch hole F is
The distance X _{5 is} from the trailing edge of the sheet, and the distance Y ₃ is from the edge on the start side.

When the setting by the user is completed, the width of the paper P is recognized from the paper size signal input from the paper size detection sensor 118 shown in FIG. , P _W that is ½ of the paper width is calculated (S32 and S33). And this obtained P _W
And the distance Y ₃ from the start side end of the sheet P of the punch hole,
And the distance ΔY for moving the punching device 33 is calculated based on the distance Y _H from the center of the paper P to the home position of the punching member 38 (S34). In this case, the above Δ
Y is calculated by the following equation.

ΔY = Y _H − (P _W −Y ₃ ) (Equation 10) When the moving distance ΔY is calculated in this way, this Δ
The punch device 33 is moved by Y (S35). Actually, the driving time T _Y3 of the driving motor 117 for moving the punching device 33 by ΔY is calculated, and the driving motor 117 is moved by forward rotation driving for the driving time T _Y3 seconds. The driving time T _Y3 is _calculated by the following formula.

T _Y3 = ΔY / V _Y ″ (Equation 11) V _Y ″ = V _P ″ cos θ (Equation 12) The above V _Y ″ is the conveyance direction of the sheet P at the moving speed V _P ″ of the punching device 33. Is the velocity in the direction orthogonal to.

Next, when the sheet P is conveyed in the conveyance guide 31 and the sheet detection sensor 32 is turned on (S3
6) The timer t of the timer unit 42 is triggered by the rise of the paper detection sensor 32 from OFF to ON.
x2 is reset (S37), and arrival times T _X2 , T _X3 , T _X4 , T _{X5 from} the first punch hole C to the fourth punch hole F are calculated (S38).

These arrival times T _X2 , T _X3 , T _X4 , T
_X5 is a predetermined position of the sheet P from the detection of the sheet front end is time to pass beneath the punch member 38, the distance X ₂ · distance X ₃ from the paper front end of the punch holes shown in FIG. 18
And - the distance X ₄ and distance X _5, and a mounting distance X _P in the conveying direction of the sheet detection sensor 32 for the home position of the punch member 38, by a moving distance [Delta] X, is determined by the following equation.

T _X2 = (ΔX + X _P + X ₂ ) / V (Equation 13) T _X3 = (ΔX + X _P + X ₃ ) / V (Equation 14) T _X4 = (ΔX + X _P + X ₄ ) / V (Equation 15) ) T _X5 = (ΔX + X _P + X ₅ ) / V (Expression 16) Note that ΔX is ΔX = ΔY · tan θ (Expression 17).

These calculated arrival times are continuously counted by the timer tx2, the arrival time T _X2 to the first punch hole C is measured, and when the completion of the timing is confirmed (S39), the drive circuit 120 is turned on, the piezoelectric element 53
An electric current is applied to (S40).

As a result, when the formation position of the first punch hole C shown in FIG. 18 reaches just below the punch member 38 of the punch device 33, the punch member 38 is pressed and the first punch hole is formed on the paper P. C is formed.

Then, when the timer tx2 finishes measuring the arrival time T _X3 to the second punch hole D (S4).
1), the drive circuit 120 is turned on, and a current is passed through the piezoelectric element 53 (S42). As a result, when the formation position of the second punch hole D shown in FIG. 18 reaches right below the punch member 38 of the punch device 33, the punch member 38 is pressed and the second punch hole D is formed on the paper P. To be done.

Similarly, the third step is performed in S43 and S45.
Time to reach punch hole E and fourth punch hole F T _X4 · T _X5
When each of the time counting is finished, an electric current is passed through the piezoelectric element 53 (S44 and S46), and the formation positions of the third punch hole E and the fourth punch hole F shown in FIG. 18 are directly below the punch member 38 of the punch device 33. The punch member 38 is pressed at the time when the sheet P reaches the third punch hole E / fourth punch hole F.
Are formed respectively.

In this way, the punch holes are sequentially formed, the rear end of the paper is detected, and the paper detection sensor 32 turns off.
When F (S47), the drive motor 117 is reversely rotated and the punch device 33 moves in the backward direction (S4).
8). Then, when the punch device 33 returns to the start position and the home position sensor 111 is turned on again (S49), the punch device 33 stops (S50), and a series of operations is ended. After that, a standby state is set until the next sheet P is detected by the sheet detection sensor 32.

By such an operation of the punch unit 108, it becomes possible to form an arbitrary number of punch holes at an arbitrary position in a region J shown by hatching in FIG. The distance Y ₃ of the area J from the end of the sheet P on the start side is Y _MIN <Y ₃ <Y _MAX . Y _MIN is a distance that allows punch holes to be surely punched and can be used without breaking when the paper P is _filed , as in the case of X _MIN described above. On the other hand, Y
_MAX is a distance at which the connecting portion 44 (shown by cross hatching in the figure) of the upper and lower plates 45a and 45b of the paper guide 45 in the punching device 33 is located outside the width of the paper P, and the punching of the connecting portion 44 is performed. Distance from member 38 is Y
_{When 0} is set, the range is Y _MAX <Y ₀ (see FIG. 13). If it comes to the inside of Y ₀ , the paper P will come into contact with the connecting portion 44, resulting in a paper jam. Further, in the conveyance direction of the paper P, it is within the above-mentioned distance X _MIN from the front end and the rear end of the paper P. By driving the punch unit 108 as described above, an arbitrary number of punch holes are formed at an arbitrary distance from the front end of the paper P on a straight line on the side edge of the paper P parallel to the conveyance direction of the paper P. be able to.

Now, the connecting portion 44 of the upper and lower plates 45a and 45b of the punching device 33 in the punching unit 108 will be described.

As described above, the punch member 38 having the blade 43 is provided on the lower plate 45b.
Since a punch hole is formed in the sheet P by overlapping the punch die 40 which receives the blade edge of the punch die 40 with a slight clearance, the positional relationship between the punch member 38 and the punch die 40 requires accuracy. It Therefore, the upper and lower plates 45a and 45b need to be connected as close to each other as possible. The positional relationship will be described with reference to FIG.
It is provided on the ₀ upstream side and on the outside of Y ₀ , and the ranges thereof are X ₀ > X _P and Y ₀ > Y _MAX . Within this range, the shaded area K
Both J can be punched.

A punch hole may be formed on the front end side of the sheet P, but in this case, the connecting portion 44 is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet P. If 33 is stopped midway, the paper P is connected to the connecting portion 4
Although there is a risk that the paper will be caught in the sheet 4 and jam in the punching device 33, in this embodiment, the punching device 33 is designed to form a punch hole on the trailing edge side of the paper P. Even if the sheet P is discharged, the sheet is not jammed.

By the way, when the punching mode is designated and the punching process is performed, if the width of the sheet P to be processed is smaller than the punch hole interval of the punch holes H, the mis-copying due to the miss punching as shown in FIG. Will be. In addition, the width L _{2 of the} sheet P may be equal to the punch hole interval L ₁
If the difference (L ₂ −L ₁ ) is 20 mm or less, even if it is larger, the punch hole H is located near the edge of the sheet as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7C, the paper P may be torn, or the position of the paper P may be displaced when the paper is conveyed to the paper punching device, resulting in miscopy due to mispunching as shown in FIG. The mis-copying due to such a mis-punching also occurs when the width of the paper P cannot be specified because the paper P is out of the standard size, not only wasting the paper P but also prolonging the working time and improving the working efficiency. Will be lowered.

Further, when the automatic paper selection mode is set in which the paper P having the same size as the original size is automatically selected only by setting the original on the original placing table, the mispunching is performed depending on the placement of the original. Due to the mistaken copy. For example, letter size (vertical) 279.4 mm x (horizontal)
For a paper P of 215.9 mm, as shown in FIG. 21 (a), usually, a hole diameter Φ6 mm and a punch hole pitch 107.95 mm.
Then, on the long side of the paper P, three punch holes H
H · H is formed. Therefore, in the apparatus that forms the punch holes H along the end side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P, when the document is placed vertically and the paper P is transported by the lateral feed, as described above, Three punch holes H.H.H.H are formed on the end portion side of the long side of the paper P.
However, if the original is placed horizontally and the paper P is conveyed by vertical feeding, three punch holes H are formed on the end side of the short side of the paper P as shown in FIG.・ H ・ H
Is formed, resulting in a miscopy.

Therefore, in the control system shown in FIG. 10, the size of the conveyed paper P is detected based on the output signal of the paper size detection sensor 118 provided in the paper feeding section, and based on this, the size of the paper P conveyed is detected in advance. It is determined whether punch holes can be formed under the set conditions (punch diameter, punch hole pitch), and punch processing is performed only when it is determined to prevent miscopy. It has become.

The operation for preventing miscopying in the copying machine of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 22 with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 23. Here, when the sheet punching device 27 forms punch holes along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the sheet P, the criterion X in the flowchart is
"Is the paper width appropriate, not too short? 』Is suitable.
On the other hand, when the punch holes are formed along the conveyance direction of the paper P, "is the paper length appropriate, is not too short? 』Is suitable. Further, in addition, when the punch hole is formed either in the conveyance direction of the paper P or in the direction orthogonal thereto, “whether the paper has a standard size? 』Is suitable. When the automatic paper selection mode is set, the criterion X is "Is the document placed properly? If it is inappropriate, is it appropriate to change the orientation of the document? 』Is suitable.

When the user sets the original on the original placing table 2 (S100), it is first determined whether or not the automatic paper selection mode is set (S10).
1). When the automatic paper selection mode is set, the original detection sensor (not shown) provided near the original placing table 2 detects the original (S104), and the paper P having the same size as the original is automatically selected. (S105). Then, when the paper P is automatically selected, the size of the paper P is detected. On the other hand, when the automatic paper selection mode is not set, the user sets the paper in the paper feed unit (S1).
02), the size of the paper P is detected by the paper size detection sensor 118 shown in FIG. 10 provided on the main body 1 side (S103).

Next, the operation unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 by the user.
When the punch key 101 of 00 is turned on (S106), the punch mode is set (S107). When the punch mode is set, it is determined whether the criterion X is satisfied (S108). Here, if the criterion X is satisfied, the user turns on the print key 107 (S116) to execute the copying operation (S117).
Then, after the punching process is performed (S118), the paper P
Is discharged (S115), and the operation ends.

On the other hand, if the judgment criterion X
If the condition is not satisfied, a warning message corresponding to the criterion X is displayed on the display panel 102 of the operation unit 100 (S109).

That is, the paper automatic selection mode is not set, and the judgment criterion X is "is the paper width not too short and appropriate? 23A, a warning message as shown in FIG. 23A is displayed and the user is prompted to change the paper P. The criterion X is "is the paper length not too short and appropriate? 23B, a warning message as shown in FIG. 23B is displayed and the user is prompted to change the paper P. Also, the criterion X is "whether the paper is a standard size? 23 ”, a warning message as shown in FIG. 23C is displayed and the user is prompted to change the paper P. On the other hand, the automatic paper selection mode is set, and the criterion X is "Is the document placed properly? If it is inappropriate, is it appropriate to change the orientation of the document? 23D, a warning message as shown in FIG. 23D is displayed and the user is prompted to change the placement of the document.

As a result, the user changes the paper P before executing copying according to the displayed warning message,
Alternatively, the orientation of the original can be changed. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent erroneous copying due to erroneous punching as described above.

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the orientation of the paper P or the original has been changed by the user (S11).
0) and if changed, it is again determined whether or not the determination criterion X is satisfied (S108). If it is determined that the determination criterion X is satisfied, the display panel 102 is determined.
The warning message is deleted. Then, when the user turns on the print key 107 (S116), a copying operation is performed (S117), a punching process is subsequently performed (S118), the paper P is ejected (S115), and the operation ends.

On the other hand, if the change is not made in S108, the user turns on the print key 107 (S112) and the punch mode is automatically canceled (S1).
13) Only the copying operation is performed, the paper P is discharged (S114, S115), and the process is ended.

As a result, even if the user turns on the print key 107 without noticing the warning message, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of miscopy.

When the punch key 101 is not turned on by the user in S106, the process shifts to a normal process, and when the user turns on the print key 107 (S1
11) Only the copying operation is performed, the paper P is ejected (S114 / S115), and the process is ended.

By carrying out such miscopy prevention control, the occurrence of miscopy due to mispunching is surely prevented, so that the waste of the paper P is eliminated, the working time is shortened, and the working efficiency is improved. Is possible.

Note that the miscopy prevention control that can achieve such an effect may be other than that described in the above flow chart. For example, when the judgment criterion X is not satisfied, the punch mode is immediately released. When the print key 107 is turned on, the punching process is not performed and only the copying process is performed to eject the paper P, or when the determination criterion X is not satisfied,
It is conceivable that a warning message is displayed until the orientation of the paper P or the original is changed to an appropriate one, and both the copying and punching processes are stopped. The former is shown in FIG.
The latter will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24 using FIG. 25, and the latter with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26 using FIGS.

First, as the former, S100 'to S10.
7 ', S1 in the flow chart of FIG.
The same processing as that from 00 to S107 is performed, and it is determined in S120 whether the criterion X is satisfied (S120). If it satisfies the condition, S11
In 6 ′ to S118 ′ and S115 ′, the same processing as S116 to S118 and S115 in the flowchart of FIG. 22 is performed, and the operation ends.

On the other hand, if not satisfied, the punch mode is immediately released (S121), and a warning message according to the judgment standard X is displayed on the display panel 102 of the operation unit 100 (S122).

That is, the criterion X is "is the paper width not too short and appropriate? In the case of “”, a warning message as shown in FIG. 25A is displayed to inform the user that the punch mode cannot be set. Similarly, the criterion X is "is the paper length not too short? In the case of “”, the warning message as shown in FIG. 25B and the criterion X are “whether the paper is a standard size? 25 ”, the warning message and the judgment criterion X as shown in FIG. 25C are“ Is the document placed properly? If it is inappropriate, is it appropriate to change the orientation of the document? 25D, warning messages as shown in FIG. 25D are displayed, the user is informed that the punch mode cannot be set, and the change of the paper P or the placement of the document is urged.

In this case, since the punch mode is not set, when the print key 107 is turned on by the user (S
111 ′), the process shifts to normal processing, only the copying operation is performed and the sheet is discharged (S114 ′ / S115 ′). As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous copying due to erroneous punching.

Incidentally, S10 in this flowchart
S when the punch key 101 is not turned on at 6 '
The processes of 111 ', S114', and S115 'are the same as S111, S114, and S115 in the flowchart of FIG.
Since the processing is the same as, the description thereof will be omitted.

Then, in the latter case, S100 "to S1.
07 "in the flowchart of FIG.
After the same processing as 100 to S107 is performed, it is determined whether the criterion X is satisfied (S13).
0). Then, when the conditions are satisfied, S116 ″ to S1
In 18 "and S115", the same processes as S116 to S118 and S115 in the flowchart of FIG. 22 are performed, and the operation ends.

On the other hand, when the judgment criterion X is not satisfied, when the user turns on the print key 107 (S131), a warning message corresponding to the judgment criterion X is displayed on the display panel 102 of the operation unit 100. (S13
2).

That is, the criterion X is "is the paper width not too short and appropriate? In the case of “”, a warning message as shown in FIG. 27A is displayed to inform the user that copying cannot be performed. Similarly, the criterion X is "is the paper length not too short? In the case of
A warning message as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the criterion X is "whether the paper is a standard size? In the case of
A warning message as shown in 7 (c), the judgment criterion X is "Is the document placed correctly? 27d, warning messages as shown in FIG. 27 (d) are displayed, the user is informed that copying is not possible, and the change of the paper P or the placement of the original is prompted.

After that, when the orientation of the paper P or the original is changed by the user (S133), it is again judged whether or not the judgment standard X is satisfied (S130). If the judgment standard X is satisfied, the display panel 102 is judged. The warning message is deleted. Then, the above S116 "to S118",
The operation ends after S115 ″.

On the other hand, if the paper P is not changed or the orientation of the original is not changed, the processing from S131 to S133 is repeated until a warning message is displayed until the proper paper P or the original placement is changed. Is displayed, no matter how many times the print key 107 is turned on in S131, the copying operation is not performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous copying due to erroneous punching.

Note that S10 in this flowchart is
S when the punch key 101 is not turned on at 6 "
The processing of 111 ", S114", and S115 "is performed by S111, S114, and S115 in the flowchart of FIG.
Since the processing is the same as that described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the punch unit 108 as the sheet punching device 27 provided in the copying machine of this embodiment.
Moves the punching device 33 to the downstream side from the home position by the punch moving device 113 (9
In the direction forming an angle of 0-θ) °, the moving speed V _P (Equation 1)
The punching device 33 is moved to the downstream side based on the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the sheet detection sensor 32 to form the first punched hole at a predetermined position of the sheet P, and thereafter. Further, the punch device 33 is further moved to the downstream side, and the next punch hole is formed so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punch hole.

As a result, in the prior art, when forming a plurality of punch holes along the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the paper P, the punching means was required according to the number of punch holes. By one punching means 47, punch holes can be formed at a plurality of positions and arbitrary positions along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. And in this case,
Punching means 47 and punch moving device 11 for moving the punching means 47
Since it can be configured with only 3, it can be configured at a very low cost as compared with the case where many expensive piezoelectric elements are used. Further, since the punch holes can be formed without stopping the moving paper P, the working speed does not decrease, and the paper P can be mounted on a high speed processing copying machine.

Further, unlike the punch unit 108 of the present embodiment, the punch device 33 can be moved in the direction traversing the transport guide 31 without driving the punch device 33 under the control of the control system, and the paper P can be moved. The punching hole can be formed at an arbitrary position in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper P only by the movable structure. Therefore, conventionally, the paper punching device configured to form the punch hole along the transport direction is Although it could not be installed in a center-referenced copying machine or the like, it can be used in a center-referenced copying machine or the like that positions and transports the paper P at the center of the transport path without complicating the structure and increasing the cost. Can also be installed.

Further, in the punch unit 108 of the present embodiment, since punch holes can be formed in both the conveying direction of the paper P and the direction orthogonal to this, both the vertical feeding and the horizontal feeding of the paper P are performed. Will be available.

Further, based on the paper size detected by the paper size detection sensor 118, it is judged whether or not the punch holes can be formed under the preset conditions (punch diameter, punch hole pitch), and it is possible. Since the punching process is performed only when it is determined that the sheet P is too small, the punch holes are formed almost at the edge of the sheet and cannot be used, or the punch hole is caught at the edge of the sheet. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of miscopying due to a mispunching that cannot be used. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the waste of the paper P and prevent the work efficiency from being lowered due to redoing, thereby improving the workability.

Further, in the present punch unit 108, a punch scrap receiving portion 62 for receiving punch scraps generated during punch processing is arranged along the moving path of the punch device 33, and the punch scrap receiving portion 62 punches. Device 33
At a specific position on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the punch waste collection container 6
4 is provided, and in the lower portion of the punch device 33,
Since the punch scrap cleaning member 61 that conveys the punch scraps collected in the punch scrap receiving portion 62 with the movement of the punch device 33 to the punch scrap collecting container 64 is provided, the position of the punch scrap collecting container 64 is The punch waste collection container 64 can be formed in a large size because it can be provided in a relatively large space on the front side or the back side of the copying machine body 1. As a result, the number of times of discarding the punch scraps from the punch scrap collecting container 64 is reduced and the working life is improved. Moreover, the punch scraps are conveyed to the punch scrap collecting container 64 by the punch device 33.
Since it is performed by using the movement of (1), it is not necessary to provide a separate means, so that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Also,
Compared with a configuration in which punch scraps are not conveyed and a punch scraps collection container is arranged directly below the punch unit 108, a design margin can be provided in the height direction of the copying machine, and the size can be reduced.

Here, a modified example of the punch debris collector 28 that can be mounted on the punch unit 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 to 32. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the previous description will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The punch waste collecting device 28 'has a punch device 33.
A punch scrap receiving portion 65 provided with a punch scrap discharging port 66 is provided in the middle of the moving range of the punch scrap discharging portion 66. Then, punch dust cleaning members 61, 61 are attached to the lower part of the punching device 33 on both front and rear sides in the traveling direction. As a result, as the punch device 33 moves, the punch scraps can be effectively conveyed and discharged to the punch scrap discharge port 66. The punch device 33 has such a configuration.
Suitable when there is not enough space in the moving direction of.

Further, as another punch waste collecting device 48 which can be mounted on the punch unit 108, there is one as shown in FIG. In this case, the flow of air generated from the exhaust fan 68 on the main body 1 side is connected to the inside of the punch scrap path 69, and the punch device 3 is utilized by utilizing this flow of air.
The punch scraps discharged from No. 3 are conveyed from the punch scrap discharge port 70 to the punch scrap collecting container 71 and collected.

As shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, an on-off valve 72 that is closed by the flow of air is provided to prevent air from leaking to the outside through the opening 69a for forming punch holes. This also stabilizes the air flow in the punch waste path 69. Moreover, since the opening / closing valve 72 is operated using the flow of air, the mechanism is simplified.

Further, as shown in FIG. 31, in the vicinity of the punch scrap discharge port 70 of the punch scrap collecting container 71, the air hole 7 is provided.
3 is provided, and the air is discharged from the air hole 73. Then, the punch scrap path 6
A float 74 supported by a spring 75 is provided at the upper position of 9, and a notification switch for notifying the user that the punch scraps of the punch scrap collecting container 71 are full in the pressing direction of the float. 76 is provided. The notification switch 76 is activated when the punch scraps are collected up to the upper part of the punch scrap collecting container 71 and the air holes 73 are closed, whereby the pressure in the punch scrap path 69 is increased and the float 74 is pressed down. It has become.

The operation of the punch unit 108 when the punch waste collecting device 48 having such a fullness detecting function is provided will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 32. The punching operation is completed (S61). Then, the punch counter of the counter section 67 is counted up (S62). At this time, if the counter value is the predetermined number Z (S63), air is sent into the punch scrap path 69 to carry out punch scrap collection (S64). , The counter value is reset (S65).

Then, it is confirmed whether the notification switch 76 is turned on (S66). If the notification switch 76 is turned on and the notification switch 76 is full, the punching operation is stopped (S67).

On the other hand, if the predetermined number of times Z is not reached in S63 or if it is not full in S66, the operation is continued.

In the punch waste collector 48, the number of parts can be reduced by using the existing exhaust fan 68 on the main body 1 side of the copying machine. Further, since the air flow is always unidirectional, the flow of punch chips is stable, and the path of punch chips is not blocked. Also, punch waste path 6
Since the pressure inside 9 is used to detect fullness, the mechanism is simplified. Moreover, unlike the weight detection, such pressure detection is highly reliable for lightweight objects such as punch dust. By utilizing the pressure change, the alarm switch 76 is turned on not only when the punch scrap path 69 is full, but also when the punch scrap path 69 is clogged, and a trouble can be dealt with.

Next, a modification of the punch unit 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the previous description will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the punch unit 121 has a punch device 122 in place of the punch device 108 of the punch unit 108. The punching device 122 includes two punching means 47, which are provided side by side in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P.

The distance between the punch members 38, 38 in these two punching means 47 is 1/2 of the maximum paper width W that can be used in this copying machine. By arranging two punching means 47 in this way, the moving distance L2 of the punching device 122 in the transport direction of the paper P is 1/2 of the moving distance L1 of one punching device 33 for one punching device 47. There is.

As a result, the transport speed V of the paper P described above is
Is larger, the mounting angle θ is larger, and the problem that the apparatus space in the transport direction is larger can be solved. Also,
As a result, the punching device can be accommodated within the space L _R between the transport rollers 34 and 35, which allows the maximum length of paper that can be used in the copier (see FIG. 4). If the number of punching means 47 cannot be increased, it is possible to increase the number of punching means 47 in the same manner.

In this case, assuming that the number of punching means 47 is n, the moving distance L _N of the punching device in the transport direction of the paper P described above is given by the following equation.

L _N = L1 / n (Equation 18) By doing so, it becomes possible to separate the relationship between the transport speed V of the sheet P and the operation time t of the punching means 47, and the sheet is transferred at an ultra high speed. Even when P is conveyed, the paper P
It is possible to form punch holes without stopping.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 10, 18, and 35 to 37. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members shown in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The copying machine according to this embodiment is provided with a punch unit 123 shown in FIG. 35 as the sheet punching device 27 in the main body 1 shown in FIG. This punch unit 123
The punching device 124 in FIG.
8, the sheet detection sensor 32 attached to the opening of the conveyance guide 31 separately from the punching device 33.
(See FIG. 1), the punching device 124 has a configuration in which it is installed side by side with the paper side edge detection sensor 110 and is attached upstream of the paper side edge detection sensor 110. The other parts have almost the same structure.

The operation of the punch unit 123 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 10 and 35 and with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operation in the case of forming the punch holes along the transport direction of the paper P is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here,
A case will be described where punch holes are formed along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P. The operation for collecting punch scraps is also the same as that in the above-mentioned embodiment, so that it is omitted here.

In the punch unit 108, the paper P
The moving speed V _P is set so that the component speed in the carrying direction is equal to the carrying speed V of the paper P. However, in the punch unit 123, the moving speed of the paper P carried at the carrying speed V is It is adapted to be moved at a moving speed V _P 'which is faster than V _P. This moving speed V _P 'is calculated by the following equation.

V ′> Vsin θ (Equation 19) S81 to S83, which are the same processes as S1 to S3 in the flowchart of FIG. 12, are performed, and the operation of the punching device 124 is started with the detection of the trailing edge of the paper as a trigger. Then, the timer tx1 in the timer unit 42 is reset (S84), and subsequently, the timers ty1 and ty2 in the timer unit 42 are reset (S8).
5).

Then, the start time T ₀ 'of the punch device 124 is calculated (S86).

The start time T ₀ 'is a waiting time from the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet to the start of the punching device 124, and the first and second punch holes A · shown in FIG.
The distance X ₁ from the paper trailing end of the B, in the conveying direction of the attachment distance X _P of the paper detecting sensor 32 for the home position of the punch member 38, and the home position of the punch member 38 to the start end of the paper P From the distance Y _P , it is calculated by the following equation.

T ₀ ′ = (X _P −X ₁ ) / V + (Y _P + Y ₁ ) [tan θ / V −1 / (V _P 'cos θ)] (Equation 20) Subsequently, the first punch The arrival times T _Y1 'and T _Y2 ' to the holes A and the second punch holes B are calculated (S87).

These arrival times T _Y1 'and T _Y2 ' are the distance Y _P from the home position of the punch member 38 to the start side end of the sheet P, and the distance Y from the start side end of each punch hole A and B. It is determined by the following formula from ₁ · Y ₂ and the velocity V _Y ′ of the punch device 124 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

T _Y1 ′ = (Y ₁ + Y _P ) / V _Y ′ (Equation 21) T _Y2 ′ = (Y ₂ + Y _P ) / V _Y ′ (Equation 22) V _Y ′ = V _P ′ cos θ. (Equation 23) Subsequently, the punching device 12 after the first punched holes A are formed
4 is calculated (S88). In the waiting time T _Y2 ″, since the component speed of the moving speed V _P ′ of the punch device 124 in the carrying direction is faster than the carrying speed V of the paper P, the waiting time T _Y2 ″ is calculated. When the punch device 124 is moved at T _Y2 ′, the point B, which is the second punch hole forming position of the sheet P, has not yet arrived, and this is a waiting time for absorbing the time difference.
This waiting time may be used when starting the punching device 124 after forming the first punched hole A, or may delay the drive of the piezoelectric element 53 when forming the second punched hole B. In this embodiment, the driving of the piezoelectric element 53 is delayed.

The start time T ₀ 'is clocked by the timer tx1, and when the measurement of the start time T ₀ ' is completed (S89), the punch device 124 starts moving in the traveling direction (S90). The arrival times T _Y1 'and T _Y2 ' are timed by the timers ty1 and ty2, respectively, and when the timer ty1 measures the arrival time T _Y1 'to the first punch hole A (S91), the drive is started. Circuit 120
Is turned on, an electric current is passed through the piezoelectric element 53, and the first punch hole A is formed (S92).

Subsequently, when the timer ty2 finishes measuring the arrival time T _Y2 'at the second punch hole B (S9).
3) Once, the punching device 124 is stopped (S94), and when the arrival time T _Y2 '+ waiting time T _Y2 ″ by the timer ty2 is finished (S95), the drive circuit 120 is turned on and the piezoelectric element 53 is supplied with current. And the second punch holes B are formed in the paper P (S96).

Thereafter, the punch device 124 moves in the backward direction (S97), the punch device 124 returns to the start position and the home position sensor 111 is turned on (S98), and the punch device 124 stops (S99). A series of operations ends. Then, the process waits until the next sheet P is detected by the sheet detection sensor 32.

By the operation of the punch unit 123 as described above, the number of punch holes and the setting of the forming position in S1 are changed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned embodiment, so that the sheet P moving at the conveying speed V is changed. region K shown in hatching in FIG. 18, namely, at any position within the range of X _MIN to X _P,
It is possible to form an arbitrary number of punch holes. Further, since punch holes can be formed without stopping the paper P, it can be applied to a high speed copying machine.

In addition, the paper detection sensor 32 is
By unitized to move with the punch member 38, as compared to the configuration that is attached to each separate, X _P deviation of less a mounting distance between the punch member 38 and the sheet detection sensor 32, exactly It is possible to perform precise timing control, and it is possible to form punch holes at more accurate positions.

By the way, when the sheet P is conveyed in the conveying guide 31 in an oblique direction, the positional deviation amount is small with respect to the first punch hole A, but with respect to the second punch hole B far from the first punch hole A. There may be a large displacement.

Therefore, when the punch unit reaches the point B, which is the second punch hole forming position of the paper P, the punch unit is temporarily stopped, and thereafter, when the trailing edge of the paper P is detected by the paper detection sensor 32, If the second punch hole is formed, the second punch hole can be surely formed at a predetermined distance from the rear end of the paper even if the paper P is conveyed in the conveyance guide 31 in an oblique direction. .

The waiting time T _W for punching a hole at the point B of the sheet P after detecting the trailing edge of the sheet P is the conveyance speed V of the sheet _P and the attachment distance X _P of the sheet detection sensor 32 to the home position of the punch member 38. , The distance X ₁ from the rear end of the sheet of the second punch hole B is obtained by the following equation.

T _W = (X _p −X ₁ ) / V (Equation 24) The operation of the punch unit 123 in the case of forming the second punch holes B in this manner will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 37. It will be described with reference to FIG.

S8 in the flow chart of FIG.
When S81 ′ to S87 ′, which are the same processes as 1 to S87, are performed, the waiting time T _W = (X _p −
X ₁ ) / V is calculated.

After that, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 36, that is, the processing similar to S89 to S94 is performed at S89 '.
When steps up to S94 ′ are performed, the punching device 124 is temporarily stopped, and when the sheet detection sensor 32 detects the trailing edge of the sheet P (S101), the timer tx1 is reset (S102), and the above S100 is performed. Wait time T calculated in
_W is timed (S103).

After that, when the measurement of the waiting time T _W ends, S96 in the flow chart shown in FIG.
The processes of S96 ′ to S99 ′, which are the same as the processes of up to S99, are performed to form the second punch holes B.

As described above, when the second punch hole is formed, the punch hole is formed based on the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the sheet detection sensor 32, so that the sheet P moves in the conveyance guide 31. Even if the second punch hole is conveyed in an oblique direction, the second punch hole can be surely formed at a desired position.
In the present embodiment, the operation when forming two punch holes has been described, but in the case where the number of punch holes is three or more, similarly, when the second and subsequent punch holes are formed, the paper detection sensor 32 is used.
The detection is performed based on the detection of the trailing edge of the paper.

[0178]

As described above, in the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the punching means is provided with the moving means for moving the punching means in the direction traversing the conveying path. It is a composition.

As a result, the sheet is movable with respect to the sheet, and a punch hole can be formed at an arbitrary position in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. So, for example, this configuration
By adopting the apparatus described in the above-mentioned publication (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-105895), it becomes possible to form a punch hole at an arbitrary position from the sheet side end along the sheet conveying direction. The paper punching device configured to form punched holes along the paper could not be mounted on a center-based copying machine, but this did not complicate the structure and increase the cost, and the paper was fed to the center of the transport path. It can also be installed in a center reference type copier or the like that is positioned and transported. Further, by being movable with respect to the sheet, even if the sheet is displaced in the width direction of the transport path within the transport path, the position of the perforation means is corrected by calculating the correction amount, and accurate correction is performed. There is an effect that a punch hole can be formed at a position.

As described above, the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the sheet along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is conveyed. Along with the sheet edge detecting means for detecting the edge, the moving means moves the perforating means from a predetermined position of the conveying path to a downstream side on a straight line inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, It is configured to move at a speed at which the component speed in the transport direction is equal to or higher than the transport speed of the paper, and based on a signal from the paper edge detection means, the perforation means is moved to the downstream side so that the paper has a predetermined size. The first punched hole is formed at the position, then the punching means is further moved to the downstream side, and the next punched hole is formed so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punched hole. Means and movers Control means for controlling is configured to is provided.

As a result, in the prior art, when forming a plurality of punch holes along the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, punching means was required depending on the number of punch holes.
Thereby, the punching holes can be formed at a plurality of positions and at arbitrary positions along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction by one punching means. Further, in this case, since the member can be composed of only one piercing means and the moving means for moving the piercing means, the member can be constructed at low cost. Further, since the punched holes can be formed without stopping the moving paper, the working speed does not decrease, and it is possible to mount the punching machine on a high speed copying machine.

As described above, the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is, in the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, together with the punching means, the sheet edge detection. The punching means and the paper edge detecting means are unitized so that the means can be moved,
When forming the second and subsequent punch holes, the control means, based on the re-detection signal from the paper edge detection means, forms the next punch hole so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punch hole. In order to form the above, the punching means and the moving means are controlled.

As a result, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the punch hole can be formed at the same position from the edge of the sheet each time, so that even if the sheet is conveyed in an inclined state, There is an effect that the punch hole can be formed at the set accurate position.

The sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is, as described above, the sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, which detects the size of the sheet to be conveyed. In addition to the size detecting means, a judging means for judging whether or not the punching process is possible is provided based on the paper size detected by the paper size detecting means, and the control means makes the judgment of the judging means. The configuration is such that the punching means and the moving means are controlled based on the result.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, when the paper is too small and the punching process is impossible, the punching process is stopped to form a punch hole just near the edge of the paper, and the punching hole is used. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous copying due to erroneous punching in which the sheet cannot be used because it cannot be used, or when the sheet cannot be used because the punch hole is caught at the edge of the sheet. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the waste of the paper, prevent the work efficiency from being lowered due to redoing, and improve the workability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a punch unit in a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal structure of a copying machine common to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit provided on the upper surface of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the punch unit.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the punching device provided in the punching unit of FIG. 4 as seen from the upstream side.

6 is a plan view, a front view, a side view, and 45 in the rear direction showing the shape of a punching blade provided in the punch device of FIG.
It is the figure seen from the angle which makes °.

7 is a front view showing a configuration of a piezoelectric element and a strain magnifying mechanism provided in a driving device in the punching device of FIG.

8A and 8B are a plan view and a vertical sectional view of a punch waste collecting container provided in the punch unit of FIG.

9A and 9B are a longitudinal sectional view of an inclined portion and a vertical sectional view of a flat portion of a punch scrap receiving portion in the punch scrap collecting container in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system common to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation of the control system.

12 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a punching operation by the punching unit of FIG. 1 when forming punched holes along a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the punching device of the punching unit of FIG. 1 and a sheet on which punch holes are formed, showing a positional relationship at the start of the operation of waiting at the home position. .

14 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the punching device of the punching unit of FIG. 1 and a sheet on which punched holes are formed, and shows a positional relationship when forming the first punched hole.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the punching device of the punching unit of FIG. 1 and a sheet on which punched holes are formed, and shows a positional relationship when forming a second punched hole.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the punching device of the punching unit of FIG. 1 and a sheet on which punch holes are formed, showing a state in which the punching device is positioned at a return position.

FIG. 17 is a punching process performed by the punch unit shown in FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the punch hole expanded.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the punching device and the sheet when the punch unit of FIG. 1 forms punch holes along the sheet transport direction.

19 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a punching operation when the punch unit of FIG. 1 forms a punch hole along a sheet conveying direction.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a defect that has occurred on a sheet.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a defect that has occurred on a sheet.

22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of miscopy prevention control of a copying machine including the punch unit of FIG.

23 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning message displayed on the display panel during the miscopy prevention control of FIG. 22. FIG.

24 is a flowchart showing another miscopy prevention control processing procedure of the copying machine including the punch unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning message displayed on the display panel during the miscopy prevention control of FIG. 24.

26 is a flowchart showing another miscopy prevention control processing procedure of the copying machine having the punch unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning message displayed on the display panel during the miscopy prevention control of FIG. 26.

28 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a punch waste collecting device having another configuration, which is provided in the punch unit of FIG.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a punch waste collecting device having another configuration, which is provided in the punch unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the punch waste collecting device of FIG. 29.

31 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a punch waste full detection mechanism provided in the punch waste collector of FIG. 29. FIG.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a procedure of punch waste collection and full detection by the punch unit including the punch waste collector of FIG. 29.

FIG. 33 is a plan view showing the configuration of a punch unit used in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

34 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the punch unit shown in FIG. 33 as viewed from the upstream side.

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the configuration of the punch unit in the copying machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a punching operation by the punching unit shown in FIG. 35 when forming punched holes along a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.

37 is a flowchart showing the procedure of another punching operation when the punch unit of FIG. 35 forms punched holes along the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

31 transport guide (transport path) 32 paper detection sensor (paper edge detection means) 34/35 transport roller (transport means) 47 punching means 53 piezoelectric element 54 strain magnifying mechanism 60 controller (control means, determination means) 108 punch unit 111 Home position sensor 112 Return position sensor 113 Punch moving device (moving means) 118 Paper size detecting sensor (paper size detecting means)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masashi Hirai 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Corporation (72) Kinji Uno 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshio Yamanaka 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka (72) Inventor Kyosuke Takahashi, 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for transporting a sheet along a transporting path, and a punching means operable to form a punch hole in a sheet fed through the transporting path. A sheet punching device for an image forming apparatus for forming punched holes, wherein the punching means is provided with a moving means for moving the punching means in a direction traversing a conveying path. apparatus. 2. A paper edge detecting means for detecting a paper edge along a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction, and the moving means has the punching means orthogonal to the carrying direction from a predetermined position of the carrying path. It is configured to move on a straight line inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the direction toward the downstream side at a speed at which the component speed in the transport direction is equal to or higher than the transport speed of the paper, and based on the signal from the paper edge detection means. , The punching means is moved to the downstream side to form the first punched hole at a predetermined position of the sheet, and then the punching means is further moved to the downstream side to establish a positional relationship parallel to the punched hole formed last time. 2. The sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the punching means and the moving means so as to form the next punch hole. 3. The punching means and the paper edge detecting means are unitized so that the paper edge detecting means can be moved together with the punching means, and the control means is a second or later one. When forming the punched hole, the punching means and the punching means are formed so as to form the next punched hole based on the re-detection signal by the paper edge detection means so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the previously formed punched hole. The sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the moving unit is controlled. 4. A paper size detecting means for detecting the size of the conveyed paper is provided, and it is judged whether or not a punching process is possible based on the paper size detected by the paper size detecting means. A determining means, the control means, based on the determination result of the determining means,
The sheet punching device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the punching unit and the moving unit are controlled.