JPH08151161A - Sorting device of discharged recording paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To discharge a recording paper to a lower bin without hindrance even when the stacking number is increased to deflect the bin by changing and controlling the vertical moving quantity of each bin to a discharge port according to the number or size of recording papers stacked on each bin. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of bins 11 are vertically arranged, and a roller 12 arranged on base end part of each bin 11 is supported by a crank-shaped guide rail 13 in such a manner as to be vertically movable. A receiving hole 14 for recording paper is arranged in the horizontal direction of a connecting part 13C. The bin 11 is raised and lowered through a wire 21 wound on a number of pulleys 16-18. When the recording paper stacked on the bin 11 is as excessive as it exceeds a prescribed weight, a control part outputs a control signal for correcting the height position of a bin B1 opposed to the receiving hole 14 to a motor 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a sorting device as a post-processing device of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, when the amount of recording paper discharged onto a bin is too large or the size is large. The present invention relates to a discharged recording paper sorting device that prevents the bins from flexing and affecting the storage capacity of other bins located therebelow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Copiers, printers, facsimile machines,
In the image forming apparatus such as a printing machine, when copying a plurality of copies from the same bundle of originals, an automatic original feeder is used to continuously make a copy for each page of the original by the required number of copies. A plurality of recording papers on which original images are recorded will be ejected to the paper ejection tray, etc., but if the recording papers corresponding to each original page are continuously ejected on a single tray, they will be stacked in page order. Since this is not possible, a subsequent sorting operation for arranging in page order is required, which is complicated. For this reason, a sorting device (sorter) in which a plurality of bins are arranged in the vertical direction is often used. When the sorting device is used, a plurality of sets of recording paper corresponding to each document are provided for each bin. Since the sheets are discharged, the recording sheets stacked on each bin can be finally arranged in page order. Further, a stapling device for automatically stapling a bundle of recording papers loaded on each bin may be used, and this stapling device is fixed and supported so as not to move in the vertical direction, Moves vertically and chucks the ends of the bundle of recording sheets stacked on each bin to draw them toward the stapler unit (upper and lower claws), and staples the bundle of recording sheets chucked by the chuck unit. And a staple unit for applying.

By the way, in the bin of the conventional sorting apparatus, the vertical movement amount is always constant regardless of the size of the recording paper and the number of the recording paper loaded on the bin, and the bin at the stop position of the bin is loaded. Could not be changed accordingly. Therefore, due to the bending of the bin caused by the increase in the number of recording papers loaded on the bin, the bin immediately above a certain bin is bent and deformed downward, and as a result, the recording paper which is about to be discharged to the certain bin is immediately above the bin. It was easy for me to hit the bottle and cause a jam. Further, when the stapling device is provided, the recording paper bundle in which the lower claw of the upper and lower claws constituting the chuck unit is displaced downward due to the deflection of the bin during the operation of chucking the recording paper bundle. I couldn't grab the end of
As a result, it becomes impossible to staple.

11 (a) and 11 (b) are plan views showing the structure of the above-mentioned bin, and FIG. 11 (a) is a moving bin type bin,
(B) shows a fixed bin type bin. The fixed bottle shown in (b) has long supported portions 1 on both side edges, and (a)
The movable bottle shown in (1) has a plurality of small projection-shaped supported portions 2. For this reason, the moving bin type has a weaker supported force than the fixed bin type due to the smaller supported area, and is liable to bend due to the accumulation of paper on the bin. Even if the bins have the same amount of movement, if the bins are flexed due to excessive loading, the bins will bend downwards, which hinders the loading of recording paper stored in the bin directly below. Exert.
Further, the above-mentioned problems occur when the stapling device is used.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a moving bin type sorting apparatus, even when the number of loaded sheets increases and the bins are bent, An object of the present invention is to provide an ejected recording paper sorting device capable of discharging and storing recording paper and chucking and stapling operations by a stapler without any trouble.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is for sorting the receiving port for receiving the recording sheet discharged from the sheet discharging port of the image forming apparatus and the recording sheet received from the receiving port. In a sorting device including a plurality of movable bins arranged in the vertical direction, the vertical movement amount of each bin with respect to the paper ejection port is adjusted according to the number of recording sheets loaded on each bin, size, etc. An ejected recording paper sorting device having a changeable control unit. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of bins are arranged in the vertical direction for sorting the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus, and the recording paper is discharged to each bin in a predetermined order. And a movable discharge unit for the purpose of providing a control unit capable of changing the vertical movement amount of the discharge unit in accordance with the number, size, etc. of recording sheets loaded on each bin. It is characterized by According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction for sorting the recording sheets discharged from the sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus, and a stapling of the recording sheet bundle stacked on each bin are stapled. And a movable stapling device for performing a stapling operation on the recording sheet bundle, wherein the movable stapling apparatus chucks an end edge of the recording sheet bundle on each bin. And a movable stapling unit for performing the above-mentioned operation, a control unit capable of changing the vertical movement amount of the stapling device according to the number, size, etc. of recording sheets loaded on each bin. Characterize.

[0007]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a sorting device (post-processing device) to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of a fixed stapling device equipped in the sorting device. The sorting device 10 has a function of receiving recording paper discharged from an image forming device (not shown) located on the right side and sorting and storing the recording paper in each bin. In addition, a stapling device (not shown) is equipped as needed. Each of these devices is controlled by a control unit such as a microcomputer installed in the sorting device or in the image forming device. According to the present invention, the control unit controls the driving mechanism of the bin so that the stop position of the deflected bin is corrected to be higher (than the normal stop position) by the distance corresponding to the amount of deflection. The configuration is characteristic.

A plurality of bins 11 are arranged vertically, and a roller 12 provided at the base end of each bin 11 is supported by a crank-shaped guide rail 13 so as to be vertically movable. As shown in the figure, the guide rail 13 has an upper portion 13a on the image forming apparatus side from a substantially central portion in the height direction and a lower portion 13b.
Is located on the discharge side, and an inclined connecting portion 13c is provided at an intermediate position between the two portions. The receiving port 14 for receiving the recording paper from the paper output port of the image forming apparatus is located in the lateral direction of the connecting portion 13c. Therefore, the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 14 is discharged onto the bin B1 whose base end portion faces the position corresponding to the communication portion 13c.

The roller 12 at the base end is the upper portion 13 of the guide rail.
The bin 11A located in a is retracted to the image forming apparatus side, and the bin 11B in which the roller 12 is located in the guide rail lower part 13b is projected in the opposite direction. The elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering the bin has one end fixed to the bin up-and-down drive motor 15, the pulley 16 rotatably driven by the motor 15, the other pulleys 17 and 18, and the supporting member 20a that elevates and lowers in the other guide 19. And the pulleys 16, 17,
And a wire 21 wound around 18. In addition, the wire 21 is fixed at a proper position with respect to the support member 20b that is vertically movable in the lower portion 13b of the guide rail.
The motor 15 rotates a predetermined number of revolutions to wind up or rewind the wire 21 so that the bottle 11 at the protruding position
B is moved (raised) to the retracted position, or the bin 11A at the retracted position is moved (descended) to the protruding position. The movement amount of the bin at this time is determined by counting the number of times the encoder (light-shielding plate such as slit plate) 22 provided on the output shaft of the motor 15 shields the photo interrupter 23.

In this embodiment, each bin 11 basically only rides on the bin directly below it by its own weight.
It is only moved up and down along the guides 13 and 19 in association with the winding and winding operations of 1. The connecting portion 13c of the guide rail 13 is inclined and its width W1 is the same as the vertical spacing W2 of the stacked bins, but the spacing between the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14 and the bin B2 immediately above it. (Recording paper stacking space) is large. That is, there is a side plate 11a of a predetermined height at the base end of each bin, and the bin B2 immediately above the bin B1 horizontally along the side plate 11a of the bin B1 immediately below the image forming apparatus (to the right in the drawing). Since they are placed offset, the spacing between bins B1 and B2 is wide, as shown. That is, when the bin 11B at the projecting position is pulled up by a predetermined distance with a wire, the uppermost bin B1 of the bins 11B located at the lower guide rail 13b moves to the upper guide rail 13a through the inclined connecting portion 13c. However, at this time, the bin B1 slides on the side plate 11a of the bin B3 immediately below and slides to the right in the drawing to move to the bin B of FIG.
Since it is moved to the position 2, the space between the bins in the vertical position with the connecting portion 13c interposed therebetween becomes wider as shown in FIG.

The space between the bins B1 and B2 is introduced from the receiving port 14 because the bin B2 is apt to hang down due to the weight of the recording paper when the number of recording papers stacked on the bin B2 is excessive. Considering that the recording paper is easily caught in the bin B2, it is necessary to set the bin B2 which is higher by the amount of sag to be higher. The adjustment of the position of the bin B2 is different when the bin B1 is moved up to the position B2 and when the bin B2 is moved down to the position B1. This will be described later.

When the copying of the image forming apparatus is started, all the bins descend to the guide rail lower side 13b, and the first recording sheet is discharged from the receiving port on the uppermost bin. The support members 20a and 20b are pulled up by a predetermined distance by a wire. At this time, the uppermost bin containing the first sheet is pushed up to the guide rail upper portion 13a via the connecting portion 13c. Then, the second recording paper is discharged from the receiving port onto the second-stage bin. Thus
When a predetermined number of recording sheets corresponding to the first original to be copied are discharged onto each bin, the last recording sheet receiving bin remains at the receiving position B1 in FIG.
The first sheet of recording paper corresponding to the second original is accepted. Then, the entire bin descends a predetermined distance, and the bin immediately above is shown in FIG.
When the position B1 is reached, the second recording paper is discharged onto the bin. By repeating this operation in sequence, it is possible to stack the required number of copies of all the originals on each bin in page order. When the discharge of all the recording sheets corresponding to all the originals is completed, for example, each bin is stopped at the position where the last recording sheet was discharged.

It should be noted that the operation after the completion of discharging the paper is only an example, and in addition to this, for example, after the discharging of the recording paper is completed, all the bins are lowered to a position corresponding to the lower portion of the guide rail 13b and stopped. It may be configured to control.

The stapling device 30 (chuck unit 30A, staple unit 30B) of FIGS.
For example, the stapling device 30 is a bin (staple bin) that is fixed at a predetermined position in a posture inclining at the same slant angle as each bin and holds a bundle of recording paper sheets to receive stapling.
After moving to the same height position as the above, the edge of the recording sheet bundle exposed from the notch (not shown) provided at the front edge of each bin is moved to the chuck unit 30 composed of upper and lower claws (not shown).
After stapled by A, staple unit 30B
Is configured to be stapled.

In the above description, the case where the chuck unit 30A and the staple unit 30B cannot move in the vertical direction (the direction orthogonal to each bin surface) has been described, but the chuck unit 30A and the staple unit 30B cannot move in the vertical direction, for example, parallel to the bin surface. The stapler device can be configured to be movable in any direction, and such a configuration is within the scope of the present invention. The configuration of FIG. 2 is slightly different from that of FIG. 1 (for example, the path of the wire 21), but the two are not contradictory in the main part.

Next, FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention. The control section 25 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) includes a reception processing section 26 and a motor control section 27. The motor control unit 27 controls the drive of the motor 15, and the paper discharge detection unit 28 counts the number of recording papers discharged from the image forming apparatus and inputs it to the control unit. Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 25 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of discharged sheets based on the information about the discharged sheets from the sheet discharge detection unit 28.

From the information such as the size data sent from the image forming apparatus and the information about the number of discharged sheets sent from the sheet discharge detector 28, the recording paper currently loaded on the bin exceeds a predetermined weight. When it is excessively large, the control unit 25 outputs a control signal for correcting the height position of the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14 to the motor 15. That is, in this embodiment, since the size and the number of recording sheets currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and the information such as the number of ejected sheets, the weight of the recording sheets currently loaded on the bin is the bin moving distance. Whether or not it is a weight that needs to be corrected (for example, B4, LG and above are corrected when 10 or more sheets are loaded on the bin. A4 and LT and below are corrected with 20 or more sheets, etc.) To judge.

Here, the correction of the movement distance of the bin means the height position of the bin newly moving to the position of the bin B1 facing the receiving port 14 (or the bin moving to the position B2). This is a correction, and the bin B2 immediately above the bin B1 bends downward due to the weight of the stacked recording papers. Therefore, when the normal number of recording papers is stored, the recording paper to be received at the position of the bin B1. May get caught in the bin B2 directly above and cause a jam, so it is necessary to set the height position of the bin B2 immediately above to a position higher than usual.
Therefore, when the bin rises from the position B1 to the position B2, the moving distance is set to be slightly longer (by the amount of deflection of the bin), and conversely, when the bin descends from the position B2 to the position B1. Set a short travel distance and the bin directly above is the receiving port 1
Be careful not to interfere with 4.

That is, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the bin position correction in the above-mentioned sorting apparatus. If the control unit determines in step 1 that the correction is necessary, then in step 2 the bin movement is performed. Check if the bin is going up or down. If the bin rises, the encoder pulse count is increased (eg +10 counts, step 3) and the bin rise distance is increased. As a result, until then B
The bin having the deflection at the position 1 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the receiving port 14. If the bin is descending,
Decrease the pulse count of the encoder (for example, -1
0 count, step 4), reduce bin travel.
As a result, when the bin previously located at the position B2 moves to the position B1, the bin immediately above which has moved to the position B2 stops at a position where it does not interfere with the receiving port.

In the above embodiment, the size and the number of recording papers for which the height of the bin needs to be corrected are exemplified as the criterion for determining the bin moving distance, but other criteria may be used. Further, the above-described pulse count correction value is also merely an example. Further, although the encoder is used as the moving amount detecting means of the bin, this is only an example.

The stapling device 30 is provided in the bin after the stack of all the recording papers is completed and the staple bin (the bin holding the recording papers to be stapled) moves to the same height as the stapling device 30. The stapling is performed after chucking the edges of the recording paper bundle exposed from the notches with the upper and lower claws. However, when the bin is bent, the lower claw may be caught on the lower end of the recording paper.
Therefore, in the present invention, when the stapled bin moves to the same height as the stapling apparatus 30, the height position at which the stapled bin stops is made slightly higher than usual, for example, by the deflection of the bin. For example, if rising, +1
Stop at a position higher by 0 counts, and if descending, 10
Stop at a position higher by the count (lower by 10 counts). The bin to start stapling is
When there are a plurality of stapled bins, it may be started from the uppermost one or the lowermost one of the stapled bins. By this,
The lower claw of the chuck unit will not get caught in the lower part of the recording paper stack.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a structural explanatory view of an example of a stapling apparatus used in this sorting apparatus. The sorting device 31 has a function of receiving a recording sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port of an image forming apparatus (not shown) disposed adjacently on the right side of the drawing from a receiving port 32 and sorting and storing the recording sheet on each fixed bin 33. Have In addition, the sorting device includes a movable stapling device 3 as shown in FIG.
4 (chuck unit 34A, staple unit 34
B) is equipped.

In the sorting device 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the bins move up and down so that each bin receives the recording paper at the receiving port, whereas the sorting device of the present embodiment. In FIG. 31, the bins are fixed so that they cannot move up and down, while the discharge unit 35 moves up and down to feed the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 32 into each bin 33 one by one. The points are different. Similarly, the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B that form the stapling device 34 are also moved up and down to individually chuck the edges of the recording sheet bundle on each fixed bin before stapling. Each drive mechanism of the ejection unit 35 and the stapling device 34 is controlled by a control unit such as a microcomputer installed in the sorting device or the image forming device. According to the present invention, the control unit controls the drive mechanisms of the discharging unit 35 and the stapling device 34 so that the stopping position of the discharging unit 35 and the stapling device 34 with respect to the bent bin is set to the undeflected bin. A characteristic is that the correction is performed so that the distance is reduced by a required distance as compared with the stop position when discharging.

A plurality of bins 33 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and the discharge unit 35 is located to the right of each bin 33 (upstream side in the paper discharge direction), and is vertically moved by the drive mechanism 40 of the discharge unit. It is movably supported. The discharge unit 35 is driven in the vertical direction from the home position facing the receiving port 32. That is, when the recording paper discharged from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus is received, it is at the home position shown in the figure, and immediately after receiving the recording paper at this position, the recording paper is moved to the bin for receiving the recording paper, and When it reaches the position, it stops and the recording paper is ejected (stored) onto the bin. After discharging, it moves to return to the home position again. Wait for the recording paper to be ejected again at this home position. By repeating this operation, after all the recording sheets corresponding to all the originals have been completely discharged (stored) into the respective bins, the chuck unit 34 may be provided as necessary.
A and the stapling unit 34B are moved up and down to staple the edges of the recording paper bundle on each bin.

The drive mechanism 40 of the discharge unit 35 guides the discharge unit drive motor 41, the pulley 42 rotated by the motor 41, the timing belt 43 wound around the pulley 42, and the vertical movement of the discharge unit 35. And a pillar 44 for The discharge unit 35 is fixed to a proper position of the timing belt 43, and the motor 41 controlled by the control unit rotates a predetermined number of times to drive the timing belt 43 to move the discharge unit 35 to a predetermined bin position. To move. The amount of movement of the discharge unit 35 at this time is determined by counting the number of times the encoder 45 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 41 shields the photo interrupter 46 from light.

The drive mechanisms 50 and 60 of the chuck unit 34A and staple unit 34B respectively include drive motors 51 and 61, pulleys 52 and 62 rotatably driven by the motors 51 and 61, and pulleys 52 and 62, respectively. It has timing belts 53 and 63 wound around it, and columns 54 and 64 that guide the vertical movement of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B. The chuck units 34 are respectively provided at appropriate positions on the timing belts 53 and 63.
A, the staple unit 34B is fixed, and the motors 51 and 61 controlled by the control unit rotate a predetermined number of times to drive the timing belts 53 and 63, so that the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B are moved to a predetermined bin. Move to position. The amount of movement of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B at this time is determined by counting the number of times that the encoders 55 and 65 fixed to the output shafts of the motors 51 and 61 shield the photo interrupters 56 and 66 from light.

In FIG. 1, the distance between the two upper and lower bins, for example, bins B5 and B6, is set to the bin B5 when the number of recording sheets stacked on the upper bin B5 is excessive. It becomes narrow because it hangs down due to the weight of the recording paper. Therefore, when the recording paper is ejected from the ejection unit 35 onto the bin B6 immediately below, the ejected recording paper is easily caught in the bin B5 immediately above. Also in this embodiment, in consideration of this point, the stop position of the discharge unit 35 is controlled to be set lower by the amount of the hanging of the bin 5B immediately above. The adjustment work of the stop position of the discharge unit 35 differs depending on whether the bin B6 that receives the paper discharged from the discharge unit 35 is located above or below the receiving port 32. This point will be described later. To do.

At the time when the copying operation of the image forming apparatus (not shown) located on the right side of the sorting apparatus 31 starts,
The discharge unit 35 faces the receiving port 32 (see FIG. 5).
Position = home position). When the recording paper is discharged from the receiving port 32 to the discharging unit 35, the discharging unit 35 moves up and down to the position of the receiving side bin,
The first recording sheet is discharged onto the bin. After the ejection is completed, the ejection unit 35 moves to the receiving port 32 and waits for the ejection of the second recording sheet. By repeating this operation, after all the recording sheets corresponding to all the originals have been completely discharged to the respective bins, they are moved to the home position and stopped.

Next, FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the apparatus of this embodiment. The control section 70 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) includes a reception processing section 71 and a discharge unit. A vertical drive motor control unit 72 is provided. The motor control unit 72 controls driving of the ejection unit vertical drive motor 41, and the paper ejection detection unit 73 counts and controls the number of recording papers ejected from the image forming apparatus. Enter in the department.
Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 70 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of discharged sheets based on the information about the discharged sheets from the sheet discharge detection unit 73. The control unit 70
Need not be configured separately from the control unit 25 of the bin drive mechanism, but may be configured as a common control unit.

From the information such as the size data sent from the image forming apparatus and the information about the number of discharged sheets sent from the sheet discharge detection unit 73, the recording paper currently loaded on the bin exceeds a predetermined weight. When it is excessively large, the control unit 70 outputs a control signal for correcting the height position of the discharge unit 35 corresponding to the discharge bin to the motor 41. That is, in this embodiment, since the size and the number of recording sheets currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and the information such as the number of ejected sheets, the weight of the recording sheets loaded on the bin is determined by the ejection unit. Whether or not the moving distance is a weight that needs to be corrected (for example, B4, LG or more is corrected when 10 or more sheets are loaded on the bin. A4, L
If T or less, correction is performed on 20 or more sheets).

Here, the correction of the moving distance of the discharge unit 35 is the correction of the stop position when the discharge unit 35 moves from the home position facing the receiving port 32 to the target bin. That is, the bin B5 (B7) immediately above the bin B6 (B8) depends on the weight of the loaded recording sheets.
When the paper is flexed downward, if the weight of the recording paper is not too large to cause flexion, and the paper is discharged from the stop position of the discharge unit onto the bin B6 (B8), the flexure will occur. In addition, there is a risk of jamming due to interference with the bin B5 (B7) immediately above, and in this case, it is necessary to set the stop position of the discharge unit 35 to a position slightly lower than the normal position. That is, when the discharging unit 35 moves up from the home position and moves to the bin B6, the moving distance is set to be slightly shorter (by the amount of deflection of the bin B5), and the discharging unit 35 moves down from the home position to the bin B6. When moving to B8, set the moving distance to bin B
Increase the deflection by 7 so that the ejection unit does not interfere with the bin directly above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for controlling the stop position of the discharge unit. The control unit 70 causes the weight of the recording paper discharged onto the bin to become excessive based on the size data and the information such as the number of discharged sheets, and the above-mentioned When it is determined that the stop position needs to be corrected (step 11, YES), it is subsequently checked whether the discharge unit is in the ascending operation or the descending operation (step 12). When the discharge unit 35 rises, the pulse count number of the encoder 45 is reduced (for example, -10 count), and the rising distance of the discharge unit 35 is reduced. As a result, for example, when the discharge unit 35 moves toward the bin B6, the bin B immediately above the bin B6.
Stop at a position that does not receive the interference of 5. When the discharging unit 35 descends, the pulse count number of the encoder is increased (for example, +10 count), and the descending distance of the discharging unit is increased. As a result, when the discharge unit 35 moves to the bin B8, for example, the bin B7 immediately above the bin B8.
It is possible to stop at a position where it is not interfered with.

Next, after the chuck unit 34A constituting the stapler device 34 shown in FIG. 6 has completed stacking of all the recording papers, the edge of the recording paper bundle exposed from the not-shown notch provided in the bin 33. Although the staple unit 34B staples the sheet with the upper and lower claws, the lower claw may be caught on the lower end of the recording sheet bundle when the bin is in a bent state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the case of the discharge unit 35,
Chuck unit 34A and staple unit 34B
The stop position is set lower by the amount of flexure of the bin so that the lower end of the stack of recording paper on the staple bin is not caught.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the stapling apparatus shown in FIG. 6. The control section 80 provided in the image forming apparatus or the sorting apparatus (post-processing apparatus) includes a reception processing section 81 and a stapling section. The apparatus drive motor control unit 82 (chuck unit drive motor control unit 82A, staple unit drive motor control unit 82B) has a motor control unit 82.
Controls the drive of the discharge unit vertical drive motor 83, and the paper discharge detection unit 83 counts the number of recording paper discharged from the image forming apparatus and inputs the count to the control unit. Information about the recording paper size is input from the image forming apparatus. The control unit 80 knows the size information from the image forming apparatus, and counts the number of discharged sheets based on the information about the discharged sheets from the sheet discharge detecting unit 83. The control unit 80 does not have to be configured separately from the control unit 25 of the bin drive mechanism and the control unit 70 of the discharge unit, and may be configured as a common control unit.

From the information such as the size data sent from the image forming apparatus and the information about the number of discharged sheets sent from the sheet discharge detection unit 83, the recording paper currently loaded on the bin exceeds a predetermined weight. If it is excessively large, the control unit 80 outputs a control signal for correcting the height position of the stapling device 34 (chuck unit 34A, staple unit 34B) corresponding to the discharge bin to the motor 5.
Output to 1 and 61 respectively. That is, in this embodiment, since the size and the number of recording sheets currently loaded on the bin can be known from the size data and the information such as the number of ejected sheets, the weight of the recording sheets loaded on the bin is determined by the stapling apparatus. Whether or not it is a weight that needs to be corrected for the movement distance (the movement distance from the current position) (for example, B4, LG or more is 10 on the bin).
Correction is made when more than one sheet is loaded. For A4 and LT or less, correction is performed for 20 or more sheets).

Here, the correction of the moving distance of the stapling device 34 means that the stapling device 34 is moved from the current position (predetermined home position or stop position at the time of the previous stapling) to the target bin. It is the correction of the stop position. That is, it is assumed that the weight of the recording sheets is not excessively large enough to cause the deflection when the bin B5 (B7) immediately above the bin B6 (B8) is deflected downward due to the weight of the loaded recording sheets. When the stack of recording paper on the bin B6 (B8) is chucked and stapled at the stop position of the stapling device, the claw of the chuck unit is caught at the lower end of the stack of recording paper. It is necessary to set the position a little lower than usual. That is, when the stapling device 34 moves up from the current position and moves to the bin B6, the moving distance is set to be a little shorter (by the amount of deflection of the bin B5), and the stapling device 34 moves down from the current position to move to the bin B6. When moving to B8, the moving distance is set larger by the amount corresponding to the deflection of the bin B7 so that the stapling device does not receive the interference of the bin directly above.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure for controlling the stop position of the stapling apparatus.
If it is determined from the size data and the information such as the number of ejected sheets that the recording paper ejected on the bin becomes excessively heavy, it is necessary to correct the stop position (step 21, YE
S) Then, it is checked whether the stapling device is moving up or down (step 22). When the stapling device 34 rises, the pulse count numbers of the encoders 55 and 65 are reduced (for example, -10 counts), and the rising distance of the stapling device 34 is reduced. As a result, for example, when the stapling device 34 moves toward the bin B6,
The lower claw of the chuck unit stops at a position where it does not catch on the lower end of the bundle of recording paper on the bin B6. When the stapling device 34 descends, the pulse count number of the encoder is increased (for example, +10 counts), and the descending distance of the ejection unit is increased. As a result, for example, when the stapling device 34 moves toward the bin B8, the lower claw of the chuck unit stops at a position where the lower end of the bundle of recording paper on the bin B8 is not caught.

In the above embodiment, the discharge unit 35
As a reference when judging the moving distance of the chuck unit and the moving distance of the chuck unit 34A and the staple unit 34B,
The weight of the recording paper loaded on the bin (weight determined from the size and number of recording papers) was used, but this is only an example, and the standard such as the result of measuring the actual amount of deflection may be used. Good. Further, the example of increasing / decreasing the pulse count number by the encoder is only an example. Further, although an encoder is used as the movement amount detecting means, this is also only an example, and any means that can detect the movement amount with the same accuracy as the encoder can be used.
Any means may be used.

In the actual construction of the apparatus, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, the receiving port 14 of the sorting apparatus and the discharging unit 35 at the home position are not horizontally aligned. However, the home position in this case means a position where the discharge unit 35 receives the recording paper introduced from the receiving port 14.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the sorting device of the moving bin type, the sorting device of the bin fixing type and the discharging unit moving type, and the sorting device of the stapling device moving type, the number of loaded sheets is increased and the bin is bent. Even when the sheet is raised, the recording paper can be discharged and stored in the bin, and the chucking and stapling operations by the stapling device can be performed without any trouble.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the moving bin type sorting device, even when the number of loaded sheets increases and the bins are bent, the recording is performed on the bins facing the paper receiving port. It is possible to perform discharge and storage of paper and chuck and stapling operations by a stapler without any trouble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a sorting device (with a stapler device) as a post-processing device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of a fixed type stapler device equipped in the sorting device of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit of the apparatus of FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a bin moving operation performed by the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part configuration of an example of a movable stapling apparatus.

7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit of the embodiment of FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the discharge unit according to the embodiment of FIG.

9 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration centering on a control unit of the embodiment of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the stapling apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 (a) is an explanatory diagram of a moving bin type bin configuration;
(b) is a configuration diagram of a fixed bin type bin.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 Supported parts, 10 Sorting device, 11 bottles, 1
2 rollers, 13 guide rails, 13a upper guide rails, 13b lower guide rails, 13c connecting portion, 1
4 receiving port, 15 bin vertical drive motor, 16, 1
7, 18 pulley, 19 guide rail, 20a, 20
b support member, 21 wire, 22 encoder, 23
Photo interrupter, 25 Control unit, 26 Reception processing unit, 27 Bin vertical drive motor control unit, 28 Paper ejection detection unit, 30 Staple device, 30A chuck unit, 30B staple unit, 31 Sorting device, 32 receiving port, 33 bin, 34 Staple device, 34A chuck unit, 34B staple unit, 35 ejection unit, 40 drive mechanism, 41
Ejection unit drive motor, 42 pulley, 43 timing belt, 44 support post, 45 encoder, 46 photo interrupter, 50, 60 drive mechanism, 51, 6
1 Drive Motor, 52, 62 Pulley, 53, 63 Timing Belt, 54, 64 Support, 55, 65 Encoder, 56, 66 Photointerrupter, 70 Control Unit, 71 Reception Processing Unit, 72 Ejection Unit Vertical Drive Motor Control Unit, 73 Paper ejection detection unit, 80 control unit, 8
1 reception processing unit, 82 stapling device drive motor control unit (chuck unit drive motor control unit 82A, staple unit drive motor control unit 82B), 83 paper ejection detection unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving opening for receiving recording paper ejected from a paper ejection opening; and a plurality of movable bins arranged in a vertical direction to sort the recording paper received from the receiving opening. In the sorting apparatus described above, the discharge recording is provided with a control unit capable of changing the vertical movement amount of each bin with respect to the discharge port according to the number, size, etc. of the recording sheets stacked on each bin. Paper sorting device. 2. A plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction for sorting the recording papers discharged from a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus, and a movement for discharging the recording papers in a predetermined order for each bin. And a control unit capable of changing the vertical movement amount of the discharge unit according to the number and size of recording sheets loaded on each bin. Discharge recording paper sorting device. 3. A stapler for stapling a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction for sorting recording paper discharged from a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus and a recording paper stack stacked on each bin. And a moving type stapling device, the moving type stapling device chucks an edge of a recording sheet bundle on each bin, and a movement for stapling the recording sheet bundle. And a control unit capable of changing the vertical movement amount of the stapling device according to the number and size of recording sheets loaded on each bin. Discharge recording paper sorting device.