JPH09183561A - Sheet binding device and image forming device with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet binding device and an image forming device, with which it is possible to automate the operation of repeating the hand feed cycles to be otherwise conducted when needle of binding means is replaced and head head placing in alignment is to be made and to reduce the hazard of double strike of the needel to lead to damage to the binding means. SOLUTION: A copy sheet bundle Sa stacked on a staple tray 38 is bound by a stapler 22. When a sensor senses that there is no needle, a CPU indicates it on a display. Loading is made in the stapler 22, and automatic head placing is started by an auto-align switch. In conformity to the command given by the CPU the stapler 22 continues idle striking in a test pattern sheet fed to the staple tray 38 until the needle head is put in place.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet binding device for binding sheets on which an image has been formed (hereinafter referred to as "copy sheet"), and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile equipped with the sheet binding device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sheet binding device that aligns the copy sheets in a sheet bundle and binds the sheet bundle, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet binding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a sheet binding apparatus of this type, the binding means for binding the sheets in the binding sheet storage means, when the needles for binding the sheets are loaded, are controlled by the control means until the staples are indexed. It was working.

[0003]

However, the above conventional example has the following disadvantages.

<1> After the staple is exchanged, the stapler is closed for stapling (hereinafter referred to as “stipple action”) without confirming that the staple can be hit reliably, and unstitched. Sheet binding including parts was performed.

<2> On the other hand, in order to confirm the state in which the needle can be hit reliably after the needle is replaced, it is necessary to locate the needle after the needle replacement of the binding means. In order to do so, it is necessary to repeat the binding operation multiple times. for that reason,
These operations had to be repeated a plurality of times while performing the needle striking test and its confirmation every time.

<3> When performing the above-mentioned needle striking test and its confirmation operation a plurality of times in order to perform the cueing after needle replacement, there is a risk of striking the needle twice at the same location and breaking the binding means. It was

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the workability by automating the operation of repeating manual input a plurality of times when replacing the staples of the binding means and performing cueing, and at the same time, strike the above-mentioned needle twice. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet binding device capable of reducing the risk of breaking the binding means and an image forming apparatus including the sheet binding device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes binding sheet storage means for accumulating sheets, and binding means for binding sheets stored in the binding sheet storage means. A needle detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of a staple of the binding unit, a binding moving unit that moves the binding unit, a control unit that controls the binding unit and the binding moving unit, and the control unit, In the sheet binding apparatus, the binding moving means is controlled so as to move the binding means by one step when a staple-free signal is received from the staple detection means.

Further, it is preferable that the one step is a control step in which the binding means is moved more than the width of the needle after the binding means is operated.

Further, the control means may control the binding moving means and the binding means by repeating the one step a preset number of times.

Further, the control means may control the binding moving means and the binding means by repeating the one step until receiving a signal indicating the presence of the staple from the staple detecting means.

Further, it is preferable that a load detecting means for detecting the load of the binding means is provided, and the control means stops the operation of the binding means when receiving a signal of a load change from the load detecting means. .

Further, a display means for displaying an operating state of the sheet binding device may be provided, and the control means may cause the display means to display the load fluctuation from the load detection means.

It is also possible to provide a display means for displaying the operating state of the sheet binding device, and the control means may cause the display means to display a staple-less signal from the staple detection means.

Then, binding sheet storage means for accumulating sheets, binding means for binding the sheets stored in the binding sheet storage means, load detection means for detecting the load of the binding means, and the binding means are moved. The binding movement means, a discharge roller for discharging the sheet from the binding sheet storage means, and a control means for controlling the binding means, the binding movement means and the discharge roller, the control means, the load detection A sheet binding device may be characterized in that, when a signal indicating that there is a staple is received from the means, the operation of the binding means is stopped and the discharge roller is controlled so as to discharge the sheet.

Further, there is provided switching means for sending a signal for starting the cueing operation of the binding device to the control means, and when the control means receives a signal from the switching means,
The binding means may be controlled to perform a cueing operation.

Then, the binding sheet accommodating means for accumulating sheets, the binding means for binding the sheets accommodated in the binding sheet accommodating means, the binding moving means for moving the binding means, and the sheet post-processing operation according to the sheet post-processing operation. A first control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit, a second control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit except during the sheet post-processing operation, and the second control unit. It is further preferable that the sheet binding device is provided with a control unit having an operation unit that starts the operation of.

Further, a sheet detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of sheets in the binding sheet storing means may be provided, and the second control section may be operated according to the outputs of the sheet detecting means and the operating section.

Further, a paper detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a paper in the binding paper storing means is provided, and after operating the operating section for operating the second control section, the paper detecting means,
If the absence of paper is not detected, it is preferable that the operation of the second control unit is not permitted again.

Further, a needle detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a needle of the binding means may be provided, and the second control section may be operated according to the needle detecting means and the operating section.

Further, it is preferable that the binding means is operated while the binding control means is moved by a predetermined amount of movement and a predetermined number of times by the second controller.

The present invention can be similarly applied to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and a sheet binding device that stacks and binds sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit.

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, when sheets are stacked in the binding sheet storage means to form a copy sheet bundle,
The binding unit binds the copy sheet bundle. When the staple detection unit detects that the staple unit has no staple, the detection signal of the staple detection unit is sent to the control unit. The control means controls the binding means and the binding moving means to operate by repeating one binding step. Then, the binding of the copy sheet bundle is completed.

Further, the display means displays the stapleless state of the binding means. Then, when the binding means is loaded with the needle, the control means controls the binding means to perform the cueing operation based on the cueing operation signal from the switching means that starts the cueing operation of the binding device. Control. When cueing is performed, the control means controls the discharge roller so that the sheet used for cueing is discharged from the binding sheet storage means, and the cueing operation of the binding device is completed.

Further, when the load detecting means for detecting the load of the binding means detects a load fluctuation due to double hitting or the like, the detection signal is sent to the control means, and the control means stops the operation of the binding means. At the same time, the load fluctuation is displayed on the display unit that displays the operating state of the sheet binding unit.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 5 to which the present invention can be applied.
It is a figure which shows the internal structure of 00. In the figure, 1 is a sheet post-processing apparatus including a sheet binding device 60 of the present invention, 100 is a copying apparatus main body which is an image forming unit, and 200
Is a paper cassette that holds multiple sheets of different sizes,
A document feeder 300 (hereinafter referred to as “A”) automatically feeds documents.
DF ").

In the copying apparatus 100, 101 is an original platen glass (platen glass) on which originals are stacked, 103, 1
Reference numeral 04 is a scanning reflection mirror (scanning mirror) for changing the optical path of the reflected light of the original, 105 is a lens having a focusing and variable magnification function, and 106 is an illumination lamp and a mirror for reading the original sent from the ADF 300. It is the first scanning mirror that it has. 107 is a registration roller, 108 and 110
Is a photosensitive drum and a pressure roller, 111 is a conveyor belt that conveys the recording sheet on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 112 is a fixing device that thermocompresses the conveyed recording sheet, and 113 and 11
7 is a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper, 114 is a flapper for switching the conveyance direction of the conveyed recording paper,
Reference numeral 115 is a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper toward the sheet post-processing apparatus 1, 116 is a reversing path for conveying the front and back of the recording paper in an inverted form, 118 is a photosensitive drum unit unit for the paper from the paper feeding cassette and the reversing path. Conveying rollers for conveying to, 119, 120, and 121 are rollers, trays, and separation pads for conveying sheets from the manual feeding unit. 12
Reference numerals 2, 123, and 125 are a laser for forming an image on the photosensitive drum, a polygon mirror, and a mirror for changing the optical path, and 124 is a motor for moving the polygon mirror 123.

The paper feed cassette 200 stacks sheets of each size by type and supplies the sheets by type to the main body in response to a signal from the main body. Reference numeral 201 is a conveyance roller for pulling out the sheet from the cassette, and 202 is an intermediate roller for delivering the sheet pulled out from the cassette in the upward direction. The photosensitive drum 1
The surface of 08 is composed of a photoconductor and a seamless photoconductor using the conductor, and this drum 108 is rotatably supported by a shaft and is operated in response to the pressing of a copy start key, which will be described later. (Not shown) starts rotation in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Next, when the predetermined rotation control and potential control processing (pre-processing) of the drum 108 is completed, the platen glass 1
The original placed on 01 is illuminated by an illumination lamp integrated with the first scanning mirror 106, and the reflected light of the original passes through the scanning mirrors 103 and 104 and the lens 10.
An image is formed by the light receiving element inside the lens unit through the lens 5.

The light receiving element converts the reflected light image from the document into an electric signal and sends it to an image processing section (not shown).
The image processing unit performs predetermined data processing received by the main body from the user and sends the data to the laser 122. The laser section 122 converts the electric signal into light, and the light is reflected by the polygon mirror 123 and the mirror 125 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 is visualized by the toner and transferred onto a transfer paper as described later. The transfer paper set in the cassette 200 or the manual feed tray 120 is fed by the paper feed rollers 118, 201, 202, or 119.
It is sent into the copying apparatus 100, and is sent to the photosensitive drum 108 with accurate timing by the registration roller 107, so that the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer sheet are aligned. After that, the transfer paper passes between the photosensitive drum 108 and the roller 110, so that the toner image on the drum 108 is transferred onto the transfer paper. After that, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 108, guided to the fixing device 112 by the conveyor belt 1ll, and fixed by pressing and heating. The transfer paper is advanced by the flapper 114 in the direction of the paper discharge roller 115, and is output to the sheet post-processing device 1 with the printing surface facing upward.

Further, in the ADF 300, 301 is a stacking tray for setting the original bundle 302 in the downward direction of the originals.
Convey one by one. Denoted at 305 is a separating means for feeding the bottom sheet one by one when a plurality of originals are fed in a bundle.
A pair of registration rollers 06 aligns the leading ends of the separated documents. The original that has passed through the registration rollers 306 is read by the reading unit 307 with the mirror base 106 fixed, so that the original is read. The original document that has been read here is stacked on the discharge tray 309 via the discharge roller 308. Furthermore, 303a
Reference numerals 303b and 303b are detection members for recognizing the size of the document.

On the other hand, in the digital type copying machine,
Scanner part that reads the image of the original (hereinafter "scanner part")
And a printer unit that reproduces an image (hereinafter referred to as “printer unit”), and each can operate independently. The scanner unit irradiates the original with a lamp, decomposes the reflected light into small dots (pixels) with a light receiving element, and at the same time converts it into an electric signal according to the light and shade of the original (photoelectric conversion). Based on the electric signal sent from the scanner unit, the drum is irradiated with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the drum, and the copy forms an image after development, transfer and fixing. Therefore, by connecting the interface unit 501 to the digital copying machine, the signal of the original read by the scanner unit can be transmitted to another facsimile 5
02, or conversely, an electric signal received from another facsimile 502 can be sent to the printer unit through the interface unit 501 to display an image on a transfer sheet.

Similarly, an image signal received from a computer device 503 (hereinafter referred to as "personal computer") such as a personal computer is sent to a printer unit through an interface unit 501 and copied to a transfer sheet, or an image read by a scanner unit is displayed. It can be loaded into the personal computer 503 through the interface 501. As described above, in the current digital copying machine, not only the original sent from the ADF 300 or the original placed on the platen glass 101 is read and copied, but also the interface unit (501) is used.
It is also possible to use it as the facsimile 502 or as the printer of the personal computer 503 by intervening.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus 50.
No. 0 main body side (portion composed of the ADF 300, the copying apparatus 100, and the sheet feeding cassette 200) can be connected and separated. First, the stopper member 2 formed on the upper portion of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 makes the image forming apparatus It is positioned and attached to the combined holding portion 133. Furthermore,
A folder unit or a mounting base 70 is arranged under the sheet post-processing apparatus 1, and casters 80 are movably attached to the folding machine unit or the mounting base 70. Therefore, for jamming in the vicinity of the sheet discharge section of the copying apparatus 100 or jamming in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 and the transfer section of the copying apparatus 100, the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is rotated by rotating the stopper member 2 in the X direction. This can be easily done by separating the image forming apparatus 500 from the main body side of the image forming apparatus 500.

The copy sheet discharged from the discharge section of the copying apparatus 100 is processed by the subsequent processing method in FIG.
The conveyance is switched to either the sheet post-processing device 1 or the folding device 70 using the first flapper 3. When the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 processes copy paper, the upstream end of the first flapper 3 is located in the downward direction and the upstream end of the second flapper 4 is located in the upward direction. Through
It is sent to the first transport path 6. When the copy sheet is conveyed to the folding device 70, the upstream end of the first flapper 3 is located in the upper direction, and is conveyed through the third conveying path 7 in the direction indicated by the broken line arrow. As described above, the copy sheet discharged from the discharging section has the upstream side end of the first flapper 3 positioned in the upward direction, and is further transported to the downstream side from the first transport path 6 through the roller pair 5. 8 is a second transport path (buffer path), 9 is a buffer roller, 14, 15, 16,
Are buffer rollers, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are sheet detection sensors, which detect a passing sheet, a staying sheet, and the like.

Reference numeral 17 is a first discharge roller, 18 is a pressing roller, and 19 is a discharge alignment belt.
It is sandwiched between the pressing rollers 18 to rotate, and an endless rib is provided near the central portion inside the belt to prevent the belt from coming off, and the ribs engage with the first discharge roller 17 to rotate. Reference numeral 21 denotes a width-adjustment guide, which aligns the copy sheets when aligning the copy sheets. The abutting plate 20, which is a trailing edge regulating member, can take a reference position and a home position for sequentially stacking copy sheets, and a retracted position for retracting when the stapler 22 that is the binding means moves back and forth. When changing the position of the stapler 22 composed of a plurality of members, the abutting plate 20 in the same phase as the stapler 22 can be rotated and retracted to the position indicated by the broken line. Alignment of the sheets in the width direction is performed by the width aligning guide 21 shown in FIG. Further, the stapler 22 moves the range indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 and performs stapling at a predetermined position of each size in order to perform stapling of sheets at two locations, one at the front and one at the back.

Reference numerals 25, 24, and 23 in FIG. 2 are second trays, which are trays for stacking discharged sheets of the first, second, and third stages, respectively. Reference numeral 50 is a measuring means for measuring the height of the paper surface of the copy sheet discharged to the tray. The measuring means (hereinafter referred to as “distance measuring sensor”) 50 is for measuring the height of the paper surface after the copy sheet is discharged, and moving the tray upward and downward to an appropriate position. 26 is the tray 23, 24, 2
It is a tray unit including 5 and can be moved in the vertical direction by a driving force from a driving source built in the lower part thereof.

The operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described below. When the copy sheet is discharged without stippling, the copy sheet is directly discharged to the trays 23, 24 and 25.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the case where copy sheets are discharged to the second tray 24. When non-stipple mode is selected by the operator,
When the cam 351 shown in FIG. 7 is rotated by the drive source M in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the movable discharge roller 3 attached to the swing guide 31 is moved.
The rocking guide 31 is lowered to a position where 3 is pressed against the second discharge roller 32. Further, the stopper 30 rotates to the position (the position shown in FIG. 8) rotated in the Y direction with respect to the swing guide 31 and stops. In this state, the copying machine 100
The copy sheet discharged from the sheet passes through the first conveying path 6, the roller pair 5, and is passed to the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 18. The copy sheet discharged further downstream from the position by the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 18 is moved by the moving discharge roller 33 of the swing guide 31 and the second discharge roller 32 to the trays 23, 24, 25. The trays 23, 2
It is discharged to the upper surfaces of Nos. 4 and 25.

In the normal copy mode, the tray 23,
Paper present sensors 23a, 24 disposed in the 24, 25
When it is confirmed by a and 25a that no copy sheet remains on the tray, the tray unit 26 moves to a predetermined position for receiving the first copy sheet of the tray 23 of the third stage. When the number of stacked sheets reaches a certain number or more, the tray unit 26 descends to a position where the upper surface of the stacked sheets is almost the same as the surface receiving the first copy sheet. When the distance measuring sensor 50 detects that the maximum load amount of sheets has been loaded in each of the trays 23, 24 and 25 by repeating the above operation, a stop signal is issued to the copying apparatus 100 to eject copy sheets. Pause. Here, the tray unit 26 is moved to a position determined to stack the first copy sheet for stacking copy sheets on the tray 24. After that, a copy operation restart signal is output to the copying apparatus 100 to restart the copy operation and start stacking sheets. When the sheets are discharged to the tray 25 of the first stage, the same process as the loading from the tray 23 of the third stage to the tray 24 of the second stage is performed.

As described in the section of the interface, the image forming apparatus 500 includes the facsimile (502),
Since the personal computer (503) can also have a function as a printer, the present apparatus can sort and stack copy sheets in the respective trays 23, 24, 25. Also, according to the user's request, each tray 2
It is also possible to assign numbers to 3, 24, 25 and load them on the trays 23, 24, 25 desired by the user. FIG.
In the figure, the illustrated state is a state in which a certain number of output sheets from the personal computer 503 are received. When stacking the output paper in the copy mode from this state (when the tray 25 is used), the tray unit 26 descends to move the tray 25.
The first copy sheet is moved to a position for receiving the first copy sheet, and the copy sheets discharged from the copying apparatus 100 are stacked.

Next, with the tray 24 receiving a certain number of output sheets of the personal computer 503, the facsimile 502
A case of stacking output sheets such as the above will be described. If sheets are stacked on the tray 24 and moved up to stack the sheets on the tray 23, there is a space in the Fp portion indicated by the diagonal lines in FIG. When the copy sheets S are stacked, when the trays 23, 24, and 25 are raised, the stopper 30 is inserted as shown in FIG. By rotating from the position of the broken line part to the position of the solid line part and closing the space of the Fp part, it is possible for the tray 24 to move upward with the copy sheets stacked.

On the other hand, at the time of stipple sorting in which stippling is performed and copying is performed, the sheets are not directly stacked on the stacking trays 23, 24, and 25, but the first tray in FIG. "Tray")
To load. When the staple sort mode is selected by the user, the swing guide 31 is driven by a driving source (not shown).
Is raised to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12 (the position where the second discharge roller 32 and the movable discharge roller 33 are separated from each other). In this state, the paper stopper portion 35 of the roller guide 34
Project to the upper end of the tray stacking surface. The copy sheet discharged from the copying apparatus 100 in this state is
After passing through the transport path 6, the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 1
Passed to 8. The first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 1
The copy sheet S ejected by means of
Is released, and the movable discharge roller 33 is
Since it is separated upward from the discharge roller 32, it is stacked on the staple tray 38.

In the above-mentioned state, the tray 24 is located above the non-stipple mode and supports the trailing edge of the copy sheet to assist in returning to the upper side in the discharge direction as shown in FIG. The copy sheet discharged onto the stipple tray 38 in FIG. 13 is assisted in falling by its own weight toward the upstream side in the discharge direction by setting the inclination of the stipple tray 38 and the drop position of the copy sheet on the tray 24 at a high position. However, the discharge aligning belt 19 that rotates in the direction of the arrow in synchronization with the first discharge roller 17 is further urged in the upstream direction on the staple tray 38. Therefore, the copy sheet S hits the contact plate 20 and is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction. Also, copy sheet S
The widthwise alignment of the
The copy sheet is dropped onto the staple tray to start the operation in a predetermined time of hitting the contact plate 20, and the copy sheet is moved by a predetermined distance from the width side of the copy sheet to the front side in FIG. The sheets are aligned frontward.

As described above, the operation is repeated until all the set number of sheets are loaded on the staple tray 38, and all the set number of sheets are loaded on the staple tray 38 as shown in FIG. When aligned, the stapler 22 described later in detail operates. When the stippling operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 15, the swing guide 31 descends and the second discharge roller 32 rotates in the arrow direction,
The stapled paper on the staple tray 38 is discharged (FIG. 16).

Further, during the stapling operation, the copy sheets S are sequentially ejected from the copying apparatus 100. Therefore, the leading one sheet of the ejected sheets of the next job is retained in the sheet post-processing apparatus, and the second sheet is copied. The sheet is superposed and discharged. 17 to 20 show this series of operations. The first copy sheet discharged from the copying apparatus 100 is sent to the buffer path 8 when the upstream end portions of the first flapper 3 and the second flapper 4 are positioned downward (FIG. 17). The copy sheet sent to the buffer path 8 is wound around the buffer roller 9 and sent in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Here, the flapper 39 rotates so that the copy sheet S is fed toward the roller 15, and the sheet detection sensor 11 detects the leading edge of the copy sheet and stops (FIG. 18). Then, when the second copy sheet comes in, the buffer roller 9 starts to rotate, and the first copy sheet and the second copy sheet are superposed and conveyed (FIG. 19). 1
When the trailing edge of the first copy sheet passes the position of the flapper 39, the flapper 39 is rotated so as to feed the copy sheet toward the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 18, and the two stacked sheets are copied. The sheet S is discharged onto the staple tray 38 (FIG. 20).

By performing the above operation, the copy sheet S
While the stapler is performing the staple operation, the staple operation can be performed without being discharged from the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 18, and the operation of the copying apparatus 100 can be stopped. Absent. Furthermore, it is possible to wind three or more copy sheets around the buffer roller 9 in order to gain time for performing the stippling operation. By repeating the above operation, a plurality of stipple copy bundles Sb are created. When the stipple copy bundle Sb is already on the tray 24 as shown in FIG. In addition, if the already loaded paper exceeds the point G in the figure to the upper side, it will be caught and jammed when the next discharged paper comes out (Fig. 9), or the load when the width-alignment guide 21 operates and aligns. Therefore, since the consistency may be deteriorated, the tray 24
A paper stopper portion 35 that suppresses the upper upper end surface is provided on the upper end of the roller guide 34 so that it can be retracted (see FIGS. 10 and 1).
1).

The paper stopper portion 35 is used for the swing guide 3
1 and the link 36, the swing guide 31 is extended to the trays 23, 24 and 25 when the swing guide 31 is opened, and retracted when the swing guide 31 is lowered.
It makes it possible to move 3, 24, and 25 and facilitates the ejection of stapled paper. In addition, another tray 23,
When the copy sheets are discharged to the sheets 24 and 25, the copy sheets already loaded on the tray 24 flow backward into the stipple tray if the swing guide 31 is left open, as shown in FIG. By closing the swing guide 31 and the stopper 30 and further rotating the roller guide 34, it is possible to move the trays 23, 24 and 25 when they are already loaded. With the above configuration, the stacked sheets can cross the discharge port of the staple tray 38, and thus the trays 23, 2 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1
4, 25, with trays 23, 24,
It is possible to move between 25, and the performance of the image forming apparatus 500 having the function of the interface 501 can be fully utilized.

Next, the structure of the drive mechanism of the stapler 22 will be described with reference to the drawings.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is provided with an electric stapler 22 for binding the bundle of sheets stacked on the staple tray 38. Then, the stapler moving mechanism, which will be described later, binds the copy sheet bundle Sa stacked on the staple tray 38 to the front one place (binding position H1 shown in FIG. 24) and the two places (binding shown in FIG. 24). Stop position H2, H3), 1 place on the back side (Fig. 2)
The binding stop position H4) shown in FIG. In addition, stapler 2
22 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow P in FIGS. 22 and 24, and performs stapling operation at each position.

Next, the staple unit 400 having the stapler 22 and its guide / driving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. The stapler 22 is fixed to the stapler cover 430, and is supported by a support member 431 provided on the moving table 433 so as to be movable in the Q direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 21). Further, a spring member 439 is provided on the movable table 433, which biases the stapler cover 430 upward and is positioned by the stopper 430a. Further, support shafts 441, 442, and 443 are arranged on the moving base 433, and a pulley gear 440 and a guide support member 4 are provided in each.
34, 435, and 436 are rotatably supported. Further, a regulating member 444 for keeping the parallel movement of the movable table 433 is rotatably supported. Furthermore, the moving table 4
33, a stopper regulating member 438 related to a retracting mechanism of the rear end regulating member 20 described later is arranged. Also,
The stay 432 is provided with a slot-shaped groove 447 (FIG. 22) that restricts the movement of the guide support member 434, and a rail 437 that restricts the movement of the guide support members 435 and 436 and a rack 445 that meshes with the pulley gear 440 are arranged. It is set up.

Further, the moving table 433 is provided with a pulse motor 452 (FIG. 23) which is a binding moving means for moving the stapler unit in the direction of arrow P, and the pulse motor 452 has a belt pulley 454. It is arranged. A timing belt 455 is arranged between the belt pulley 454 and the pulley gear 440, whereby the drive of the pulse motor 452 is transmitted to the pulley gear 440 engaged with the rack 445, and the stapler unit 400 is moved to the arrow P. Move in the direction. Reference numeral 453 is a cover for electric parts such as the pulse motor 452.
Reference numeral 6 (FIG. 22) is a photo interrupter which functions as a detecting means for detecting the home position of the stapler unit. The photo interrupter 446 controls the position of the stapler unit (binding position) by defining the rotation amount of the pulse motor 452 from the home position as a starting point by the number of pulses, but is not limited to this configuration. It is not something that will be done.

Next, the moving structure and staple binding position of the staple unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG. 24 shows sheet sizes A3 and A.
4 and B4 and B5 are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the staple unit 400
The retracting mechanism of the trailing edge regulating member 20 that performs the retracting operation when moving in the direction of arrow P will be described later.

First, the first guide support member 434 is restricted by the slot-shaped groove 447 provided in the stay 432.
434 (A) to 434 (F) and 434 (K) shown in the figure
Position (hereinafter referred to as "A, B, C, D, E, F, K")
Between the two (FIG. 22). Second guide support member 435
Is regulated by the rail 437 only while the first guide support member 434 moves from the position A to the position E, and the third guide support member 436 has the first guide support member 434 which has the position E. , F, and K are regulated by the rail 437 only while moving. The stapler 22 is always 2
The position and angle are regulated by one of the two guide support members, and the guide binding member is positioned at the staple binding position by the rotation amount of the motor 452.

The mounting position of the second guiding support member 435 in the height direction is lower than the mounting position of the third guiding support member 436, and the rail 437 regulates the second guiding support member 435. The gap between the height direction area and the height direction area where the rail 437 regulates the third guide support member 436 is maintained. Therefore, in the region where the third guide support member 436 tries to enter the rail 437, the rail 437 that restricts the second guide support member 435 is provided.
Since it is not necessary to provide a notch or the like in the region in the height direction of the second guide support member 435, the second guide support member 435 does not fall out of the regulation region of the rail 437.

In FIG. 22, the first guide support member 43
When 4 is in the A (home position) position, the second
The position of the guide supporting member 435 is regulated by the rail 437, and the third guide supporting member 436 is in a free state. At this time, the diagonal binding operation can be performed at the position H1 in FIG. Next, the first guide support member 43
When 4 moves from the position A to the position C, the second guide support member 435 of the stipple unit 400 that was tilted at the predetermined angle at the position A has the rail 437.
When the first guide support member 434 moves between C and D by being positionally regulated, it gradually rotates in parallel to the width direction of the sheet, and the stapler unit moves the sheet. The position is regulated so as to maintain a parallel state with respect to the width direction of the. As a result, it is possible to perform parallel two-point binding (H1, H2) operations according to different types of paper sizes.

When the first guide support member 434 moves from the position D to the position F, the second guide support member 435 is formed.
Moves out of the position regulation region by the rail 437, and at the same time, the third guide support member 436 enters the position regulation region by the rail 437 from the free position. At this time,
The staple unit 400 that was in a parallel state with respect to the width direction of the sheet is tilted by a predetermined angle. When the first guide support member 434 moves from the position F to the position K, the staple unit tilted by a predetermined angle causes the third guide support member 436 to be regulated by the rail 437 so that the predetermined guide unit 436 has a predetermined position. Move while being tilted. As a result, it is possible to perform the (H4) operation for binding one position on the back side obliquely according to various paper sizes.

The staple unit 400 is configured to be movable in the P direction while the position and angle are regulated, so that the staple unit 400 is bound at one position at the front, bound at the two positions, and at the back side at positions corresponding to various paper sizes. It becomes possible to bind in place. The amount of movement of the first guide support member 434 is defined by the amount of rotation of the pulse motor 452 as described above. As shown in FIG. 24, by providing the sheet alignment standard on one side, the front one-position binding position (H1) is common for various paper sizes, but the sheet alignment standard is set to the sheet center and two-position binding is performed. Position (H2, H
Although 3) is common to various paper sizes, it is not limited to this.

Next, the trailing edge regulating member 20 for regulating the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 38 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The trailing edge regulating member 20 serves as a retracting mechanism that regulates the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the stipple tray 38 and retreats when the staple unit 400 moves in the direction of arrow P. Therefore, the mechanism will be described below. The rear end regulating member 20 is rotatably supported by a shaft member 457 arranged on the staple tray 38, and is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring member 448 supported by the shaft member 457. Then, at this position, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 38 is regulated. Reference numeral 450 denotes a gear portion integrally fixed to the rear end regulating member 20, and meshes with a fan-shaped gear 451 rotatably supported by the shaft member 456. As shown in FIG. 25, the electric stapler 22
Since the rear end regulating member 20 and the rear end regulating member 20 have an overlapping positional relationship, not only the stapling unit 400 cannot move in the direction of the arrow P, but also the staple binding operation cannot be performed. The stopper regulating member 438 disposed on the moving table 433 is provided with the fan-shaped gear 451.
The fan-shaped gear 451 is configured to move to the retracted position indicated by the broken line by hitting the contact portion 45la and rotating the fan gear 451 to the position indicated by the broken line.

The trailing edge regulating member 20 is divided into a plurality of pieces in the width direction of the sheet (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d,
20e), a spring member 448, a gear portion 450,
A fan gear 451 is provided. Therefore, the rear end regulating members 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e are configured to be independently rotatable. That is, when the staple unit 400 is at the position shown in FIG. 26, the trailing edge regulating members 20 a, 20 b, 20 c are at the first position that regulates the trailing edge of the sheet bundle stacked on the staple tray 38. The rear end regulating members 20d and 20e are in the second position which is the retracted position from the staple unit 400. Further, when the stopper regulating member 438 (FIG. 25) is disengaged from the contact portion 45la of the sector gear 451, the rear end regulating member 20 and the sector gear 451 move from the second position (broken line position) to the first position (solid line position). In addition, the spring member 448 is configured to be rotated by the returning force of the spring member 448.

Next, the specific structure and basic operation of the electric stapler 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

The stapler 22 has an alligator shape and is equipped with an upper forming part 401 and a lower stipple table 402. The forming part 4
A needle cartridge 403 is detachably attached to 01, and about 5000 needles H connected in a plate shape are loaded in the needle cartridge 403. The plate needle H loaded in the needle cartridge 403 is urged downward by a spring 404 provided on the uppermost side of the needle cartridge 403, and the feed roller 40 arranged at the lowermost side.
It is configured such that the conveyance force is applied to 5.

The needles H sent out by the feed rollers 405 are formed one by one by swinging the forming part 401. The forming part 4
01 indicates that the eccentric cam gear 408 is rotated via the gear train 407 when the staple motor 406 is activated, and the action of the knitting cam integrally attached to the eccentric cam gear 408 causes as shown by an arrow in the figure. Then, the clinching operation (needle binding operation) is performed by swinging to the staple table 402 side. The staple-free state of the staple H loaded in the needle cartridge 403 is the needle cartridge 40.
3, a needleless detection sensor 409 (reflective sensor), which is a needle detection means provided below the sensor 3, is used for detection.

Next, the detection of the needle jam (needle clogging) of the staple H sent out from the needle cartridge 403 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
In the above, the staple motor 406 is connected to a cord 406a for supplying a drive current, and the cord 406a is equipped with a current detection sensor (abnormality detection means) 406b which is a load detection means for detecting the value of the flowing current. .

FIG. 29 shows the staple motor 4 in one stroke of the needle detected by the current detection sensor 406b.
The waveform of the current value flowing in 06 is shown. W1 is a waveform when the needle H is normally ejected and penetrates the copy sheet bundle Sa to be bent, and W2 is a waveform when the blank is hit (the needle H does not come out even when the stapler 22 is operated). Is. In the case of blank ejection, there is no load when the staple H penetrates the copy sheet bundle Sa and no load when the staple is bent, so the level of the current value becomes small. On the other hand, W3 is a waveform when stapling failure, stylus jam, or the like has occurred. At this time, generally, overload occurs and the level of the current value I rises extremely. Therefore, when the current level is near the I _o value (initial setting value), it can be determined that the needle is being properly struck, and when I> I _o + C (C is a variation), needle jam, needle stab failure, It is possible to judge stippurameka abnormality. Further, when I <I _o + C, it can be determined that the blanking has occurred. The operator is notified of the needle-free state or the needle jam state that has occurred in the stapler 22 described above through the display unit 540 which is a display unit such as an LED.

Next, the stippling operation of the stapler 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 30A, the plate-shaped needles H stored in the needle cartridge 403 are sent out one by one (sheets) from the lowermost side by the feed roller 405 (FIG. 27) and sent to the needle bending block 415. The tip end of the needle Ha is held in the holding groove 415a of the needle bending block 415 at the center. Then, when the knitting cam gear 408 rotates and the forming part 401 moves to the downward operation position, the driver 416 is pushed down by a drive mechanism (not shown) as shown in FIG.
The plunger 416a is pushed down. At this time, the push claw 41 formed on a part of the plunger 416a.
The U-shaped bending block 417 is pressed by 6b and is pressed onto the needle bending block 415. Then, the stapler needle H held in the holding groove 415a of the needle bending block 415 is bent in a U shape as shown in FIG. 30 (a).

Then, the plunger 416a is further pushed down, the pushing claw 416b is disengaged from the U-shaped bending block 417, and only the plunger 416a is pushed down to reach the taper portion of the needle bending block 415. While pushing the bending block 415 to the state shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 30 (b) (in the direction of the broken line arrow in the figure), only the most distal needle Ha bent in a U-shape is cut between the needle cutting member 418. Then, the copy sheet bundle Sa is bound by the staple Ha. When the knitting cam gear 408 rotates and the forming part 401 moves to the upper standby position, the driver 416 and the plunger 416a.
Moves upward, returns to the standby position, and starts stapling operation 1
The process ends.

FIG. 31 shows a block diagram relating to the control of the sheet post-processing apparatus. Reference numeral 504 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”), which constitutes an I / O with the CPU 504 as a core. Copying device 1 on the input side
00, which is a means for detecting that the copy sheet discharged from 00 has entered the sheet post-processing apparatus 1, and an UP cover sensor 520 for detecting that the upper cover of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is opened. CPU 504 detects an abnormality in the discharge motor or speed control when a copy sheet is discharged from the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 onto the tray.
Paper discharge motor clock sensor 521 for prompting information to
At the time of stapling, the alignment HP sensor 519 for detecting the home position of the width aligning guide 21, the presence or absence of copy sheets on the stipple tray 38 are detected, but the stipple tray sensor 514 and the stipple unit 400 are at predetermined positions (P direction). Is electrically connected to the swing cam SW sensor 522 for detecting the presence of the sheet, and the measuring means (paper surface detection sensor) 50 (510) for measuring the height of the paper surface of the copy sheet discharged onto the trays 23, 24 and 25. Has been done.

The paper surface detection sensor 50 is composed of a light emitting means and a PSD light receiving element in the measuring device, and is controlled by a control means for making the light emitting means emit light intermittently. Further, the measuring means 50 is operated at a predetermined sheet post-processing timing to measure the paper surface height of the copy sheets discharged onto the trays 23, 24 and 25. Further, a sheet discharge sensor 511 that detects that the copy sheet is discharged onto the trays 23, 24, and 25 from the inside of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 and a sheet detection that detects the copy sheet S placed on the staple tray 38. A means 514 (stipple tray sensor), a needleless detection sensor 409 (516) for detecting the presence or absence of the needle H of the needle cartridge 403, and a swing HP sensor 52 for detecting that the staple unit 400 is at the home position.
3. Photo interrupter (stipple movement HP sensor) 446 (51) for detecting the home position of the stipple unit 400 movable in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1.
2), a door open / close detection switch 513 that detects whether the door of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is open or closed, a joint switch sensor 518 that detects that the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 and the main body side of the image forming apparatus 500 are connected, and a stapler 22.
An automatic cueing switch 515, which is a switching means for sending a signal for instructing the automatic cueing to the CPU 504, is electrically connected.

On the other hand, on the output side, a transport motor 530 for transporting the copy sheet in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 via the driver D1, and a copy sheet in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 via the driver D2 in the tray 23. , 24, 2
5, a sheet discharging motor 531 for driving the sheet discharging roller 32 to discharge onto the sheet 5, an alignment motor 532 for moving the width aligning guide 21 (FIG. 4) to align the copy sheet through the driver D3, and a driver D4. A stipple unit moving motor 452 (533) for moving the stipple unit 400 that can move in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 via
A staple motor 406 that drives a staple portion for binding the copy sheet bundle Sa through the driver D5.
(534), the shift motor 535 for moving the trays 23, 24, 25 for ejecting copy sheets via the driver D6, and the first for switching the conveyance path of the copy sheets ejected from the copying apparatus 100 via the driver D7. An inlet solenoid 536 for driving the flapper 3, a sheet ejection solenoid 537 for driving the second flapper 4 to switch the sheet ejection port of the copy sheet ejected from the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 through the driver D8, and a driver D9. A switching solenoid 538 for driving the flapper 39 to switch the conveyance path of the copy sheet in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 via the trigger solenoid 539 for triggering via the driver D10, and a sheet stacking surface distance described later via D11. When overload etc. is detected in measurement Caution display unit 540 to the operator is electrically connected to.

Reference numeral 505 is a read only memory (ROM), which stores in advance the control procedure executed by the CPU 504. 506 is a random access memory (RA
M), which stores the calculation data of the CPU 504 and the control data received from the image forming apparatus 500. The IC 507 for the interface 501 is electrically connected.

Next, the operation of the sheet binding device 60 of the present invention and the image forming apparatus 500 having the same will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 32 to 35.

In the control flow (1) of FIG. 32, when the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is powered on in step 1001, the process proceeds to step 1002 to initialize the I / O port and the memory. Then, the process proceeds to step 1003, the communication mode is set, and step 10
In 04, it is determined whether communication is possible. If it is possible, the process proceeds to step 1005 to exchange communication data for initialization with the sheet post-processing apparatus 1. And
A main motor (not shown) that operates in response to the pressing of the copy start key causes the photosensitive drum 108 to start rotating in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Next, when the predetermined rotation control of the drum 108 and the potential control processing (pre-processing) are completed, the original placed on the original table glass 101 is scanned by the first scanning mirror 1.
The light reflected by the original is illuminated by an illuminating lamp integrally formed with the light source 06, passes through the lenses 105 through the scanning mirrors 103 and 104, and forms an image on the light receiving element inside the lens unit.

The light receiving element converts the reflected light image from the document into an electric signal and sends it to an image processing section (not shown).
The image processing unit performs predetermined data processing received by the main body from the user and sends the data to the laser 122. The laser section 122 converts the electric signal into light, and the light is reflected by the polygon mirror 123 and the mirror 125 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 108 is visualized by the toner and transferred onto a transfer paper as described later. The transfer paper set in the cassette 200 or the manual feed tray 120 is fed by the paper feed rollers 118, 201, 202, or 119.
The photosensitive drum 1 is sent to the registration roller 107, and by the registration roller 107, the photosensitive drum 1 is accurately timed.
08, and the leading edge of the latent image is aligned with the leading edge of the transfer paper. After that, the transfer paper passes between the photosensitive drum 108 and the roller 110, so that the toner image on the drum 108 is transferred onto the transfer paper. After this, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 108 and is fixed by the conveyor belt 1ll.
It is guided to 12 and fixed by pressure and heat. The transfer paper is advanced by the flapper 114 in the direction of the paper discharge roller 115, and is output to the sheet post-processing device 1 with the printing surface facing upward. In FIG. 2, the copy sheet discharged from the discharge unit of the copying apparatus 100 is switched to either the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 or the folding apparatus 70 by using the first flapper 3 according to the subsequent processing method. When the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 processes copy paper, the upstream end of the first flapper 3 is located in the downward direction and the upstream end of the second flapper 4 is located in the upward direction. Through to the first transport path 6.

The copy sheet sent to the first transport path 6 is nipped by the first discharge roller 17 and the pressing roller 18 as shown in FIG.
It is discharged to 8. The copy sheet discharged onto the stipple tray 38 is urged in the upstream direction on the stipple tray 38 by the discharge aligning belt 19 which rotates in the direction of the arrow in synchronization with the first discharge roller 17, and the copy sheet is pushed. The pad plate 20 is hit and aligned. Also, copy sheet S
The widthwise alignment of the
The copy sheet is dropped onto the staple tray to start the operation in a predetermined time of hitting the contact plate 20, and the copy sheet is moved by a predetermined distance from the width side of the copy sheet to the front side in FIG. The sheets are aligned frontward. The aligned copy sheet bundle Sa is
According to the procedure described later, the stapler 22 is bound by the first control unit 504a of the control unit 504 to form the staple copy bundle Sb.

Next, the stapleless control when the sheet binding device 60 is configured as a system with the copying device 100 and is being used as a copying system will be described with reference to the control flow (2) in FIG. First, in step 2001, the copying apparatus 1
00 is performing printing (any output of a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc. is possible). During that time, in step 2002, when the stapleless sensor 516 detects the stapler 22 (stitching means) that the stapler has run out, the next one copy to be printed is executed without the staple, and the printing of the one copy ends. The stapler 22 waits until the printing is completed, and when the printing is completed, the printing is stopped in step 2005. After that, the cue control for needle replacement, which will be described later, is performed by the control means 5.
It is executed based on the control by the second control unit 504b included in 04 and the operation unit 504c that operates the control unit 504b.
Waits, and when the indexing control of the needle H is completed, step 2
Returning at 008, the online status is restored and printing is restarted.

The needle exchange cueing control of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to control flows (3) 1 and 2 in FIGS. 34 and 35. First, when the needleless sensor 409 (516) confirms that there are no needles in step 3002, the process proceeds to step 3003 and waits until the needle cartridge 403 is removed. When the needle cartridge 403 is removed in step 3003, step 30
In 04, a new cartridge 403 containing the needle H is attached, and the process proceeds to step 3005. At the step 3005, the automatic cueing switch 515 in the staple door is set.
(FIG. 2, FIG. 31) is waited until the switch is pressed, and then the door is closed.
Then, one test pattern is printed (hereinafter referred to as "test pattern paper"). In step 3007, the process waits until the test pattern paper is output, and when the test pattern paper is output to the upper surface of the stipple tray 38, the stipple tray sensor 514 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
1) detects and shifts to A. In A, first step 3
In step 008, the stapler 22 performs the binding operation (see FIG. 3).
5).

In step 3009, it is confirmed whether or not the binding operation is completed, and if it is completed, the operation proceeds to step 3010. Here, it is confirmed whether the binding operation has been performed N times, which is the number of times specified in the preset programming. If it is N times, the process proceeds to step 3013. If it is not N times, the process proceeds to step 3011. In step 3011, the staple unit 400 moves by a preset distance.
The set distance is preferably equal to or larger than the width of the needle H, and more specifically, equal to or larger than the distance of the holding groove 415a of the needle bending block 415 shown in FIG. 30 (in the present embodiment, the width of the needle H is Since it is 11 mm, it is moved 16 mm). In step 3012, it is confirmed whether or not this movement is completed. If the movement is not completed, the process waits on the spot, and when waiting is completed, the process is returned to step 3008 and the restripple operation is performed again. This is repeated until the number of times N is designated in the preset programming, and when the stippling operation is completed N times, the process proceeds to the next step 3013, and it is confirmed whether or not the test pattern paper is removed by the staple tray sensor 514 (FIG. 2, FIG. 2). 31). When the stipple tray sensor 514 confirms that the test pattern paper is placed on the stipple tray 38, the discharge roller 32 is driven to discharge the test pattern paper. Further, the staple tray sensor 514 determines and confirms whether or not the test pattern paper is ejected. The stapler 22 waits until the test pattern sheet is ejected, and when the test pattern sheet is removed, the needle replacement cueing control is terminated. After that, as described above, in step 2008 of the control flow (2), online is restored to restart printing, and the indexing operation for needle replacement is completed.

[0080]

As described above, according to the invention of the present application, a sheet having binding sheet storage means, binding means for binding sheets of the binding sheet storage means, and binding moving means for moving the binding means. In the binding device, when the staple-free signal is received from the staple detection unit, the binding unit is set to 1
By moving the staple more than the width of each stitch in each process, it is possible to avoid hitting the needle again on the needle that has already been hammered in, so that the needle can be indexed in a state where damage to the stitching means can be prevented, and the device The safety is improved, the life of the device is extended, the number of maintenance and repairs can be reduced, and the economical efficiency is improved.

Further, when the staples are replaced by replacing the staples in the binding means and the needles are indexed, the binding process can be automatically repeated a preset number of times without repeating the manual input operation, so that the working efficiency is improved. improves.

Further, by providing the load detecting means for detecting the load of the binding means and the display means for displaying the load, the binding action can be surely controlled.
The quality of the stipple copy bundle is improved.

Further, when the stapling means is replaced with the needle and the needle is cued, a switching means for automatically cuing the needle is provided to easily issue a command to automatically cued the needle. The workability is improved because the needle can be reliably moved to the top and the needle can be positioned.

Then, in the sheet binding device provided with the binding sheet storage means, the binding means for binding the sheets of the binding sheet storage means, and the binding moving means for moving the binding means,
Control having a second control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit other than during the sheet post-processing operation, in addition to the first control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit according to the sheet post-processing operation By providing the means, it is possible to automatically repeat a predetermined number of times without repeating the manual input operation until the needle is indexed, thereby improving work efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sheet binding device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sheet binding device and a sheet post-processing device including the same according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a matching unit of the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the same operation.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing driving of a swing guide.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a sheet discharging unit.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a state in which the sheet is engaged with the discharge roller.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which sheets are stacked on a tray.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a state in which the stopper is lowered.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a state where the swing guide is raised.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which sheets are accumulated on a staple tray.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the sheet bundle is stapled.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stapled sheet bundle is discharged.

FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a stapled sheet bundle is discharged.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where a sheet starts to enter the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first sheet is wound around the buffer roller.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first sheet and a second sheet are stacked and conveyed.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second sheet is discharged in a stacked state.

FIG. 21 is a stapler unit diagram of the sheet binding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the movement path of the stapler unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a right side view of the stapler unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a diagonal binding position of the stapler unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged side view showing the rotation mechanism of the rear end regulating member.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the operational relationship between the stapler unit and the trailing edge regulating member.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged side view showing the stapler portion of the stapler unit.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the configuration of the stapler section.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a current waveform of a stapler motor.

FIG. 30 is a view showing a stapling configuration of a forming part of a stipple part.

FIG. 31 is an electrical block diagram of the sheet binding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an operation flowchart of the sheet binding device according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of the same.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of the same.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the same.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of a diagonal binding position of the stapler unit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sheet Post-Processing Device 3 First Flapper 4 Second Flapper 17 Ejecting Means (First Ejecting Roller) 18 Ejecting Means (Pressing Roller) 19 Aligning Means (Ejecting Means) (Ejecting Alignment Belt) 20 Rear End Restricting Member (Abutting Plate) ) 21 aligning means (width guide) 22 binding means (stipler) 23 second tray (tray) (third-stage tray) 24 second tray (tray) (second-stage tray) 25 second Tray (tray) (first-stage tray) 31 guide member (swing guide) 32 discharge roller (second discharge roller) 33 moving discharge roller 34 guide member (roller guide) 38 binding paper storage means (first Tray) (Stipple tray) 39 Flapper 40 Guide member 50 Measuring means (distance measuring sensor) (Paper surface detection sensor) 60 Sheet binding device 100 Image forming unit (compound) Image forming apparatus) 400 Stipple unit 406b Load detection means (abnormality detection means) (current detection sensor) 409 Needle detection means (needleless detection sensor) 452 Binding movement means (pulse motor) (stipple movement motor) 500 Image forming apparatus 501 interface 504 control means (central processing unit) (CP
U) 504a 1st control part 504b 2nd control part 504c Operating part 514 Paper detection means (stipple tray sensor) 515 Switching means (automatic cueing switch) 540 Display means (display part) H needle S Copy sheet Sa Copy sheet bundle Sb Stipple copy bundle

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Machino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A binding sheet storage means for accumulating sheets, a binding means for binding sheets stored in the binding sheet storage means, a needle detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a staple of the binding means, and the binding means. A binding moving unit that moves, and a control unit that controls the binding unit and the binding moving unit. When the control unit receives a stapleless signal from the staple detecting unit, the binding unit is set to 1 A sheet binding device, wherein the binding moving means is controlled so as to move in steps. 2. The one step is, after the binding means is operated,
The sheet binding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding step is a control step of moving the binding means by a width equal to or larger than the width of the staple. 3. The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit repeats the one step a preset number of times to control the binding moving unit and the binding unit. 4. The control unit controls the binding moving unit and the binding unit by repeating the one step until a signal indicating that a staple is present is received from the staple detection unit. The sheet binding device according to any one of 3 above. 5. A load detection means for detecting the load of the binding means is provided, wherein the control means stops the operation of the binding means when receiving a load fluctuation signal from the load detection means. The sheet binding device according to claim 1. 6. A display means for displaying an operating state of the sheet binding device, wherein the control means causes the display means to display a load variation from the load detection means. The sheet binding device described. 7. A display means for displaying an operating state of the sheet binding device, wherein the control means causes the display means to display a staple-less signal from the staple detection means. Item 1. The sheet binding device according to item 1. 8. A binding sheet storage unit for stacking sheets, a binding unit for binding the sheets stored in the binding sheet storage unit, a load detection unit for detecting a load of the binding unit, and a movement of the binding unit. A binding movement unit, a discharge roller that discharges the sheet from the binding sheet storage unit, and a control unit that controls the binding unit, the binding movement unit, and the discharge roller, the control unit including the load detection unit. A sheet binding apparatus, which stops the operation of the binding unit and controls the discharge roller to discharge the sheet when a signal indicating that there is a staple is received from the unit. 9. A switching means for sending a signal for starting a cueing operation of the binding device to the control means, wherein the control means performs a cueing operation when receiving a signal from the switching means. The sheet binding device according to claim 8, wherein the binding means is controlled. 10. A binding sheet storage unit for stacking sheets, a binding unit for binding the sheets stored in the binding sheet storage unit, a binding moving unit for moving the binding unit, and a sheet post-processing operation according to the sheet post-processing operation. A first control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit, a second control unit for controlling the binding unit and the binding moving unit except during the sheet post-processing operation, and the second control unit. A sheet binding device including: a control unit having an operation unit for starting the operation of. 11. A paper detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of paper in the binding paper storing means, and operating the second control section according to the outputs of the paper detecting means and the operating section. The sheet binding device according to claim 10. 12. A sheet detecting unit for detecting the presence / absence of sheets in the binding sheet storage unit, and after operating an operating unit for operating the second control unit,
11. The sheet binding device according to claim 10, wherein the operation of the second control unit is not permitted again unless the sheet detecting unit detects that there is no sheet. 13. A stylus detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of stylus of the binding unit, wherein the second control unit is operated according to the stylus detection unit and the operating unit. The sheet binding device according to claim 10. 14. The binding means is operated by the second control section while moving the binding movement means at a predetermined movement amount equal to or larger than the needle width and a predetermined number of times. The sheet binding device according to any one of 10 to 13. 15. An image forming unit, and a sheet binding device that stacks and binds sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sheet binding device is a sheet binding device.