JPH10181989A - Sheet processor equipped with stapler and image former - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a span of operation time and surely staple many types of paper without fail by controlling a traveling means before the loading of sheets on a loading means is completed, and transferring a stapling means to a stapling position or a spot nearby this stapling position in advance. SOLUTION: A timing where a rear end of a first paper passes more 8(mm) from an inlet sensor (1501) is expected. Next, a stapler transfer is started (1530). In succession, a turnover solenoid is turned to ON as long as 300(ms) (1502). Then, the passage of a paper rear end at a paper discharge sensor is waited (1502). The paper is judged to be loaded on a staple tray (1504), and if it is the first sheet, a rocking guide is upraised (1508, 1509). Subsequently, matchingness is carried out by the movement of a matching plate (1510 to 1512). If it is the final paper (1513), a conveying motor is stopped (1514), the paper is prematched by the matching plate (1515), and the rocking guide is lowered (1516). Next, according to the indications of a command (1517), sheets of paper are stapled (1518).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus having a stapler and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to an output sheet processing apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some conventional output paper processing apparatuses such as printers and copiers are equipped with a stapler. Some staplers move between bins, or bind a plurality of sheets such as the front and back of a sheet. In order to cope with the mode, a stapler that moves in parallel with a sheet side has been proposed.

In a conventional apparatus, while a plurality of sheets are aligned at a stapling position, the stapler waits at a home position, and after aligning the sheets, the stapler is moved to a binding position to perform a binding operation. Was something.

[0004]

However, such an output paper processing apparatus has the following problems.

(1) The stapler movement takes a long time,
After the sheets are stacked, the operation time including the stapling operation is lengthened.

(2) Since the position where the stapler waits is fixed, there is a possibility that the sheet may be damaged or stapling may fail. This occurs as a phenomenon in which, particularly when a thin sheet is curled during thermal fixing in the printer main body, when the sheet is stacked at the staple position, the sheet collides with the stapler jaw (anvil) or runs over. Even if the paper is moved to the center of the side of the paper having a small curl in order to avoid this, it is not enough after the paper is stacked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a sheet processing apparatus capable of shortening the operation time and stably stapling a large number of paper types.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a stacking unit for stacking sheets, a conveying unit for conveying sheets to the stacking unit, and a sheet stacked on the stacking unit. Binding means, moving means for moving the binding means with respect to the sheet, and before the sheet is loaded on the stacking means, controlling the moving means to place the binding means in a binding position or binding position. And a control means for preliminarily moving near the position.

A stacking unit for stacking the sheets, a conveying unit for conveying the sheets to the stacking unit, a binding unit for binding the sheets stacked on the stacking unit, and a binding position of the binding unit with respect to the sheets; Moving means for moving to,
And a control unit for controlling the moving unit before the stacking of the sheets on the stacking unit and moving the binding unit to a substantially center in the width direction of the sheet in advance.

[0010] Further, means for conveying the sheet, means for stacking the sheet, stapler, and position control of the stapler relative to the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking means by the sheet conveying means. And a sheet processing apparatus having a timing control unit. The timing control unit loads sheets to be processed by the output sheet processing unit on the sheet stacking unit by the sheet conveyance unit. The stapler movement control by the stapler position control means is terminated relatively earlier than the stapler position control.

According to the above configuration, the following operation is provided.

(1) The staple can be moved to or near a staple position in advance.

Thus, the stapling time can be reduced.

(2) The curl of the sheet to be processed can be reduced in advance.

This makes it possible to reliably perform stapling processing on various types of sheets and prevent the sheets from being damaged.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system external view of a printer (image forming apparatus) 101 and an output paper processing apparatus 106 (102 to 105) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, the entire system of the printer 101 and the output sheet processing device 106 may be referred to as an image forming apparatus, and the printer 101 may be referred to as an image forming apparatus main body. 10
A support 2 supports the paper transport / processing mechanism 103 and the stacking mechanisms (104a to 104c, 105). The paper discharge trays 104a to 104c are attached to one common member 105, form bins 1 to 3 from above, and move up and down at the same time as the common member 105 moves up and down.

The components in the printer 101 are as follows.

Reference numeral 101a denotes a CPU in the printer 101;
01b is a ROM in the CPU 101a, 101c is a CPU
Reference numeral 101a denotes a RAM in the printer 101, and reference numeral 101d denotes a paper ejection sensor in the printer 101. The sensor 101d detects the conveyance of a sheet into the device 106. A fixing roller 101e in the printer 101 fixes a toner image on paper by heat and pressure. 101f is a photosensitive drum and 101g is a sheet cassette.

FIG. 2 is a machine configuration diagram of the output paper processing apparatus. The following is the name of each component.

Reference numerals 201 to 203 denote transport guides, which constitute transport paths 204 to 206. 204 is a paper carrying path, 2
05 is a sheet reversing path, and 206 is a sheet discharging path. 2
07 is an entrance sensor flag, 208 is a reverse sensor flag, 209 is a paper discharge sensor flag, 210 is a first transport roller, 211 is a reverse roller, 212 is a second transport roller,
213 is a first discharge roller, 214 is a pullback belt, 2
Reference numeral 15 denotes a second discharge roller, and reference numeral 216 denotes a staple tray. 217 is a rear end stopper for staple tray 2
This is a member for aligning the sheets by abutting the rear end at the position of the second dashed line when the sheets are stacked on the sheet 16.

Reference numeral 231 denotes a rear end stopper retracting mechanism,
07,708.

Here, the stapler 219 can move in the front-rear direction (the direction of the arrow A) as shown in FIG. 7, but the cam 707 attached to the stapler mount 701 does not collide with the rear end stopper 217. By pushing the cam 708 in the upper left direction in the drawing, the rear end stopper 217 can be retracted by turning clockwise as shown in FIG. 2 against the spring force SP. 2 and 7, the stapler is at the position (b).

On the other hand, when it is not necessary to retreat, the rear end stopper 217 has returned to the staple tray 216 side (indicated by the chain line in FIG. 2) due to the contraction of the spring SP.

In addition, 218 is an alignment plate, 219 is a stapler, and 220 is a swing guide. Reference numeral 221 denotes a shutter which prevents the paper on the tray from flowing backward when the tray is moved up and down. 22
Reference numerals 2 and 223 denote rear end contact plates of the paper on the tray. 22
Reference numeral 4 denotes a distance measuring sensor which measures the distance to the paper on the tray to control the height of the paper surface, adjusts the height of the tray according to the result, and adjusts the step between the second discharge roller 215 and the paper surface. Keep constant.

The above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism.

In FIG. 3A, S1 is a sheet carried in from the right side in the figure, and is being conveyed from the carry-in path 204 to the lower side of the figure via the reverse path 205. S0 is a sheet carried one sheet before S1;
Now, the sheet is being conveyed from the reversing path to the left side of the drawing via the discharging path 206. As shown in (a), in the standby phase (current phase), the reversing roller 211 has a part of its circumference cut so as not to block the reversing path. be able to.

In FIG. 2B, clockwise rotation of the reversing roller 211 in the drawing has started.

In FIG. 3C, the rotation of the reversing roller in the clockwise direction is completed, and the rotation in the counterclockwise direction is started. At this time, the paper S1 has exited the carry-in path 204, and even if the paper S1 is subsequently conveyed in the reverse direction, the conveyance guides 201 to
Due to the shape of No. 3, the return route 206 does not return to the carry-in route.
Transported to The distance that can be transported in the reverse direction by the reversing roller is limited, but reaches the second transport roller 212 halfway,
Thereafter, it is sufficient that the sheet can be transported by the second transport roller.

In FIG. 3D, the reverse rotation is completed and the phase returns to the original phase.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the sheets are staple tray 216.
FIG.

In FIG. 9A, the rear end stopper 217 is raised, and the sheet S is conveyed to the left in the drawing by the first discharge roller 213 and the second discharge roller 215.

In FIG. 3B, a predetermined time has passed after the trailing edge of the sheet S has passed the sheet ejection sensor 209, and the second sheet ejection roller 21
5 is stopped. Further, the paper S is rotated by the pull-back belt 214 rotating together with the first paper discharge roller 213.
Are in contact with the staple tray 216.

In FIG. 3C, the reverse rotation of the second discharge roller 215 starts, and the sheet S is pulled back to the sheet rear end contact member.

In FIG. 4D, when the second discharge roller 215 rotates in the reverse direction, the swing guide 220 moves up. Thereafter, when the succeeding sheet is conveyed, the succeeding sheet is stacked on the sheet S by the inclination of the sheet S and the pullback belt.

In FIG. 3E, the first state is changed from the state of FIG.
When the rotation of the paper discharge roller 213 and the pull-back belt 214 is stopped, and the paper discharge motor 837 (described later) is rotated in the reverse direction, the swing guide is lowered, and the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward, the paper stacked on the staple tray can be discharged.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the sheet aligning mechanism on the staple tray 216 as viewed from above. The sheet conveyance direction is from the top and bottom of the drawing. Reference numeral 501 denotes a contact plate, which is used as a reference when matching. Reference numeral 502 denotes a rail for moving the matching plate. The alignment plate 218 is located at the home position in the figure, and is set to “position:“ 0 ””.
And The distance to the contact plate 501 is 1. Assuming that the width of the sheet is w, the alignment is performed by moving the alignment plate from the home position to the position (1-w).

The rear end stopper 217 described with reference to FIG.
17a and 217b.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the shutter mechanism. Opening and closing of the shutter is caused by reverse rotation of a transport motor 838 (described later). When the paper is discharged, the state is as shown in FIG. 7A, but when the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c are moved up and down, they are closed as shown in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the paper stacked on the paper discharge tray from being caught on the paper discharge roller 215 due to the backflow.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a moving mechanism of the stapler 219. S indicates sheets stacked on the staple tray 216. Each component will be described as follows.

701 is a stapler mount, 702 is a stapler drive gear, 703 is an anti-tilt roller,
Reference numerals 704a and 704b denote stapler moving rollers, and reference numeral 705 denotes a staple needle (shows a staple position on the stapler 219).
It is. Reference numerals 706a to 706d denote rails, on which a gear is formed, and the stapler can move by driving a stapler drive gear 702. Further, since the rail is formed as shown in the figure, staples are slanted near corners of the sheet.

In addition, 707, 708a, 708b
Is a rear end stopper retraction cam, and the cam 707 is attached to the lower side of the stapler mount 701 and is originally invisible. With the movement of the stapler 219, the cam 707 pushes the cam 708a upward in the drawing to retract the rear end stopper 217a. Cam 708
b, and the same applies to the rear end stopper 217b.

In the figure, in FIG.
In the binding position. In (b), it is between the two rear end stoppers 217a and 217b. In (c), there is a binding position at one back position.

A sensor 816 is located a predetermined distance to the left of the position (a), and the sensor is turned ON is the home position of the stapler mount 701.

FIG. 8 is an electrical configuration diagram. Each component will be described as follows.

A ROM 801 has a program for controlling the present apparatus. Reference numeral 802 denotes a RAM which stores data necessary for controlling the apparatus. A battery 803 saves the contents of the RAM 802 when the power is turned off. 8
04 is a CPU including 801 to 803 and others. 805
Is an extended I / O. An interface circuit 806 is enabled when the switch 847 is ON. An interface circuit 807 is enabled when the switch 847 is turned off. A DC-DC converter 808 converts a DC voltage supplied from the outside into a predetermined voltage. An element 809 generates a rectangular wave based on a signal from the extended I / O 805.

Reference numeral 811 denotes a paper discharge sensor which detects a predetermined position of the paper discharge sensor flag 209. 812 is a shutter open detection sensor, 813 is a shutter close detection sensor, and 814 is a distance measurement sensor 224. A tray home position sensor 815 detects when the loading mechanisms 104a to 104c are at the reference positions. 816 is a stapler home
Stapler mount 701 with position sensor
Is in the home position, this is detected.
Reference numeral 817 denotes an encoder clock generation photo interrupter that detects the movement of the loading mechanism, and reference numeral 818 denotes an encoder clock generation photo interrupter that detects rotation of the paper discharge motor 837.

An alignment plate home position sensor 819 detects when the alignment plate 218 is at the reference position. A staple tray sensor 820 detects a sheet on the staple tray 216. 821
Is a swing guide open detection switch, and 825 is a paper transport /
An open / closed state detection switch for an upper cover (not shown) of the processing mechanism. Reference numeral 828 denotes an entrance sensor which detects a predetermined position of the entrance sensor flag 207. Reference numeral 829 denotes an inversion sensor.
8. A photo interrupter for detecting a predetermined position of No. 8.

Reference numeral 836 denotes a matching plate moving motor.
18 Stepping motor for position control. Reference numeral 837 denotes a paper discharge motor, which is a second paper discharge roller 215 drive / swing guide 22.
DC motor for opening and closing 0. Reference numeral 838 denotes a transport motor, which is a stepping motor for driving the roller groups 210 to 213 / opening and closing the shutter 221. Reference numeral 839 denotes a reversing solenoid, which is a trigger that starts driving of the reversing roller 211 gear system. 840, a tray upper limit switch;
Upper limit detection switches a to c, 105. 841 is a swing guide closing detection switch, and 842 is an opening / closing state detection switch of a front cover (not shown) of the paper transport / processing mechanism. Reference numeral 843 denotes a joint sensor for detecting a connection state with the main body of the paper transport / processing mechanism.

Reference numeral 844 denotes a tray elevating motor, which is a DC motor for elevating the loading mechanisms 104a-c and 105. Driven by PWM control. The drive duty is 100% when rising,
When descending: 70%. Reference numeral 845 denotes a stapler needle presence / absence detection sensor. Reference numeral 846 denotes a staple motor home position sensor that detects when the stapler jaws are most open. Reference numeral 847 denotes a switch described in the section of the interface circuits 806 and 807. 84
Reference numeral 8 denotes a stapler moving motor, which is a stepping motor for controlling the stapler position. 849 is a staple motor, which is a DC motor. By this rotation, a staple stapling operation is performed.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show commands transmitted from the external device to the apparatus. Reference numerals 901 and 902 denote commands for specifying stapling processing contents. 100
Reference numeral 1,1002 denotes a command for designating a paper size to be carried in by a code.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the status returned from the apparatus to the external device. This is a representation of the required amount of inter-sheet time between two sheets that are continuously carried into the apparatus in 12 bits, in units of [0.1 s]. The paper interval is the time from the passage of the trailing edge of the preceding paper to the arrival of the leading edge of the paper at a predetermined position at the entrance of the apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing three types of staple modes. FIG. 3A shows one staple at the front, FIG. 3B shows staples at two places at the center, and FIG. 3C shows one staple at the back.

FIG. 21 shows the contents of the RAM in which paper processing data is set in the printer 101. This is R
Part of the AM 101c.

Tray: data of a discharge destination tray (bin) specified by the user.

Size: Size data of the paper to be carried into the apparatus 103.

Proc: processing data (simple loading / staple / job offset)

The "job offset" is used to discriminate sets (jobs) by alternately shifting each set in the horizontal direction when discharging sheets.

N: Number of jobs.

Adr_write: pointer indicating a write address of a ring buffer (FIG. 22) described later.

Adr_read: pointer indicating the read address of the ring buffer.

FIG. 22 shows a ring buffer in the printer 101 for converting the paper processing data into a code for transmission to the apparatus 103 and storing the code. This is also a part of the RAM 101c. As shown, the tray / size / processing code / interval time can be stored for 20 sheets.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the apparatus 106 based on the paper processing data.
9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for converting a command code into a command code.

First, a tray code “tray” and a size code “size” are written into an address according to adr_write (2701).

Next, if the processing is "simple loading" (270
2) Similarly, "discharge directly to tray" is written as a processing code at an address according to adr_write (2703).

If the processing is "staple", "staple / tray loading / alignment" and "staple / tray loading / alignment + staple" are written to the address n pages ahead (2704).

If the processing is "job offset", it is determined whether or not the previous job has been shifted (270).
5) If it has been shifted, write “discharge directly to tray” at the address according to adr_write (27)
06). If the shift has not been performed, “staple tray loading / alignment” is written, and “staple tray loading / alignment + discharge only” is written in the address n pages ahead (2
707).

Finally, adr_write is advanced by n sheets.

It should be noted that no code is written in places where there is no writing.
Insert a code indicating e.

The example stored in addresses 4 to 7 in FIG. 22 is for the following case. -Destination tray: 104a-Paper size: A4-L (L: Landscape)-Processing: Staple-Number of staples: 4

The example stored in addresses 8 to 15 in FIG. 22 is for the case where two copies of the following job are processed. -Destination tray: 104b-Paper size: A4-L (L: Landscape)-Processing: Job offset-Number of jobs: 4

FIG. 24 shows a procedure in which the printer 101 sends a command to the device 106.

First, two sheets of paper information are transmitted (28).
01, 2802).

Next, the printer 101 is connected to the paper ejection sensor 101.
d, the timing at which paper is carried into the apparatus 103 is detected (2803), and a carry-in notice command is sent (280).
4) A new code for one sheet is transmitted (2805).
Then, steps 2803 to 2805 are repeated.

The procedure for transmitting the sheet information will be described in detail below.

The code of the address according to adr_read is transmitted (2811). Next, an instruction determination command is transmitted to indicate that the transmitted code is determined (2812). At this time, the printer 1
01 is the interval time status (1601, 1601) required between the sheet for which the instruction is determined in step 2812 and the preceding sheet.
1602) is returned from the device 106, and is stored in the address of the sheet interval according to adr_read (2813). Then, adr_read is set to 1
Advance by the number of sheets (2814). In the transmission of the above code, if the code is no code, the code is not transmitted.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the printer 101
5 is a time chart illustrating commands transmitted to each of the devices and statuses returned in the reverse direction in response to each command. Each command / status will be described below.

C101: discharge destination tray instruction command. One of the trays 104a to 104c is shown.

C102: paper size instruction command (FIG. 1)
0).

C101 and c102 are used for the sheet on which these commands are executed and all subsequent sheets.
It is valid until the instruction is changed.

C103: A command for instructing stacking on the staple tray 216 and further matching. This is valid for the sheet on which these commands are executed and all subsequent sheets until c404 is executed.

C404: Command for instructing stapling mode and execution (FIG. 9).

C105, c205, c305, c40
5: Instruction Confirmation Command When this command is transmitted, the apparatus determines that the contents instructed so far have been confirmed for a predetermined sheet.

C106, c206, c306, c40
6: Carry-in notice command A command for notifying that paper will be carried into this machine.

S100: Basic status. An overview of the state of the device is shown.

S105, s205, s305, s40
5: Paper interval time status (FIG. 16).

The instruction confirmation command (c105, c205,
c305, c405).

An instruction confirmation command (c10
5, c205, c305, c405) and a carry-in notice command (c106, c206, c306, c406). Therefore, for example, c205 and c206 are added to the second sheet.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, four sheets which are continuously carried in are stacked on a staple tray, and the processing indicated by reference numeral 902 is performed on the four sheets.

FIG. 17 shows a procedure for adjusting the paper interval for image formation in the printer 101. This program is RO
It is in M101b.

First, a predetermined timer (not shown) is started (1701). Then, of the sheet on which the image is to be formed,
That is, it waits for the elapse of this time based on the inter-sheet time of the address according to adr_read (1702). Next, for example, a print request from the host computer is checked, and the sheet is conveyed from a predetermined point such as a registration position of the printer according to the request, and image forming control is started (1703, 1704). If the trailing edge of the sheet has passed this point (1705), the control is repeated from step 1701 again.

A method for determining the sheet interval in the apparatus 106 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the ROM
This is a part of the area in 801 and indicates time [0.1 s].

The inter-sheet time is basically 0.4 [s], but the numerical value of the corresponding item is added by switching the bin from the preceding sheet or finishing the preceding sheet. For example, if the preceding sheet is finished with one staple in the bin 1 and the specified sheet is to be discharged to the bin 3, the inter-sheet time is as follows.

0.4 + 12.0 + 0.5 = 12.9 [s]

Next, the features of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the task for starting the paper transport task. When the carry-in notice command is transmitted (1301), first, a sheet leading edge control task (performing a predetermined process triggered by the passage of the leading edge of the sheet through a predetermined position on the transport path) is started (1302).

The sheet front / rear end task is the sheet 1 to be carried in.
It is attached for each sheet.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the paper leading edge control task. The forward rotation of the transport motor 838 is started (1401), the swing guide 220 is lowered (1402), and the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward (1403). If the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 207 (1404), a sheet trailing edge control task (performing a predetermined process triggered by the trailing edge of the sheet passing a predetermined position on the transport path) is started (1405). Then, the own task is stopped (1406).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the paper trailing edge control task. This will be described in conjunction with FIG.

Wait for the rear end of the first sheet to pass another 8 mm from the entrance sensor 207 (150).
1). Next, the stapler movement is started under a predetermined condition (1530). The process in this step is
When the processing on the sheet is staple at one position in the back, the movement to the binding position is started (FIG. 2).
5 (a) 2901, 2902). Next, the reversing solenoid 839 is turned ON for 300 [ms] (1502). Then, it waits for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass by the sheet ejection sensor (150).
3).

What is checked at 1504 is whether or not the sheets are to be stacked on the staple tray 216. If not, go to 1505. If it is the last sheet, the conveyance motor and the sheet discharge roller are stopped (1505-1507).

If it is determined in step 1504 that the sheets are to be stacked on the staple tray, the flow advances to step 1508. If it is the first sheet, the swing guide is raised (1508, 1509). At this time, the discharge mechanism and the paper are as shown in FIG. Thereafter, alignment is performed by moving the alignment plate (1510 to 1512). If it is the last sheet (1513), the processing of 1514 to 1520 is performed. First, the transport motor is stopped (1514), the paper is aligned with the alignment plate (1515), and the swing guide is lowered (1516). Next, the command (901, 902)
(1517), stapling is performed in one of the three modes (1518). According to the contents of the instruction, the document may be ejected without stapling.

When discharging, align the alignment plate 5 mm from the right end of the paper.
[Mm] is retracted (1519), and the discharge roller is set to 800
It is discharged by rotating forward for [ms] (152
0).

Finally, the own task is stopped (152).
1).

In the above example, the stapler is shifted to or near the stapling position in accordance with the discharge of the first sheet. However, in accordance with the discharge of the last sheet, the stapler is shifted in the stapling position before the completion of stacking. Alternatively, it may be shifted closer.

Alternatively, when the staple mode is selected and the copy start button is pressed, the stapler may be shifted to the binding position based on this signal.

By using the above configuration and processing program, for example, the following can be performed.

The first job is a direct output tray 104a.
To the staple tray 216
The stacking / alignment is carried out, and the sheet is discharged without stapling. Thereafter, when this is repeated for each two jobs, the sheets are stacked as shown in FIG.

If staples are specified at one position in a predetermined job, at step 1530,
The stapler 219 starts moving, and is moved between the time when the sheet is conveyed and the sheet is stacked on the staple tray 216.
The robot arrives at the backmost binding position, which is the target value. for that reason,
In step 1518, there is no time required to move the stapler.

The paper interval for the time required for this processing is adjusted in the printer 101 as described with reference to FIG.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, it is instructed whether or not to match each job. However, only the last sheet of each job is stacked on the staple tray, aligned, and discharged as it is. If so, the result is as shown in FIG.

Incidentally, the sheet output from the printer 101 often has a curled corner as shown in FIG. 26 due to the heat of the fixing roller 101e. That is, as the sheets are stacked on the staple tray 216, the corner rides over the stapler chin and the stapler 219
May not be stapled at the time of stapling operation.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, step 1530
In step (2), when the process for the sheet is stapling, the sheet is moved to the center of the side of the sheet where the curl is small, that is, to the position shown in FIG.
Thus, the sheets stacked on the staple tray 216 reliably enter the chin of the stapler 219.

In step 1518, since the stapler needs to move from the center position to the binding position, the time data to be added is as shown in FIG.

Incidentally, since the weight of the entire loading mechanism changes according to the actual loading amount, the speed of the tray elevating motor 844 which is a DC motor changes according to the loading amount. A method of making the drive current constant by increasing the drive current may be considered, but this causes excessive heating and deterioration of the motor.

In the second embodiment, the drive current is not increased.
Instead, by calculating the inter-sheet time based on the loading amount,
This corresponds to the fact that the bin switching time changes depending on the load capacity.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the sheet space control and the stacking amount in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The loading mechanism (105, 10) is set so that the distance from the sheet 24 to the uppermost surface of the sheet C loaded in the bin is constant L.
By controlling the height of the second discharge roller 215, the height d of the second discharge roller 215 is controlled within a predetermined range.

Since h is a difference from the height of the stacking mechanism when only one sheet is stacked on the tray 104a, the stacking height can be determined from this. A maximum value (100%) is provided for the loading height due to the rating of the motor 844, and the loading ratio% can be determined from the sum of the loading heights of the three bins.

In the second embodiment, the inter-paper time is calculated by the method of the first embodiment, and if there is a bin switching between the papers, the following adjustment is made. When the loading mechanism rises, add 50 [ms] per 1% of the loading ratio.・ When the loading mechanism descends, 20 [m] per 1% of loading ratio
s] is subtracted.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 3, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tray elevating motor 844 of the first embodiment
Provided with a temperature sensor 844a.

When the finishing is stapling or shifting, that is, when the sheets are stacked on the staple tray 216, the corners may collide with the stapler jaws and damage the sheets.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, step 15
In step 30, when the processing on the sheet is stapling or shifting, the sheet is moved to the center of the side of the sheet where the curl is small (FIG. 25C 2921, 2912). This ensures that the sheets stacked on the staple tray 216 enter the chin of the stapler 219 and collision is avoided.

The other structure is the same as that of the second embodiment.

When the DC motor is driven at the same drive duty, the speed decreases when the temperature rises. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the inter-paper time is calculated according to the temperature.

That is, when there is a bin switch between sheets, when the temperature exceeds 40 ° C., 100 [ms] per 1 ° C. is added to the sheet interval calculated by the method of the second embodiment. When the temperature exceeds 60 ° C., the drive duty is set to 70% when rising and 50% when falling to suppress the temperature rise,
Add 200 [ms] per 1 ° C exceeding 40 ° C.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a system outline of a printer and an output paper processing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and a transport path in the apparatus.

Reference numeral 4101 denotes a printer similar to that described above. Reference numeral 4102 denotes an output paper processing device, which is a transport mechanism 4
103, a stapler elevating mechanism 4104, and eight discharge trays including a discharge tray 4105.

Reference numeral 4106 denotes a flexible transfer path which can bend at two places. This includes roller 4107
The flexible conveyance path 4106 can relay the conveyed sheet to one of the fixed conveyance paths leading to the eight discharge trays by being guided and moved by the rail 4108. In the figure, it is connected to a fixed transport path 4109 leading to the tray 4105. In the transport path 4106, a bendable portion on the upstream side is fixed. In addition, the bendable portion on the downstream side draws a locus m4101 as the transport path 4106 moves in the movable range. Reference numeral 4409 denotes a home position sensor for detecting a reference position in the movable range.

When the flexible transport path 4106 is set as shown in the figure, the paper is transported as follows. The passage of the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 4406, the sheet is conveyed along the conveyance path 4106 by the roller 4110, and further transferred to the conveyance path 4109. Here, rollers 4111 and 4111
The sheet is conveyed by 112 and 4113 and discharged to the tray 4105. At this time, the passage of the sheet is detected by the sheet ejection sensor 4407.

FIG. 29 is a view of the stapler elevating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the discharge tray side (the left side in FIG. 28).

Reference numeral 4201 denotes a stapler unit. This is attached to a belt 4204 stretched between pulleys 4202 and 4203, and is moved up and down by a stepping motor 4412 described later. When the stapler is at the reference position, the home position sensor 441 moves up and down.
1 is detected. Reference numeral 4205 denotes a stapler installed in the stapler unit 4201. This is different from the figure when the paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray, and is stored in the stapler unit 4201. Also, the height of the stapler unit 4201 with respect to the uppermost sheet S on the sheet discharge tray is determined by the distance measuring sensor 44.
The paper S is finely adjusted to a height at which the sheet S is bitten by the stapler as shown in the figure by performing the stapling up and down based on the result measured by the stapler 13.

FIG. 30 is a top view of the stapler unit 4201 of the fourth embodiment.

(A) shows the inside. 4301
Is a gear that is rotated by a stepping motor, which will be described later.
By rotating the 205, it is moved out of the stapler unit 4201 or is housed therein. 430
Reference numeral 3 denotes a shift plate, and reference numeral 4304 denotes a gear for driving the shift plate.

The sensors 4414, 4416 and 4418 will be described later with reference to FIG.

(B) shows the positional relationship with the sheets discharged onto the discharge tray and stacked. Reference numeral m4301 denotes a sheet discharge direction, and the sheet when first discharged to the discharge tray is at the position S1 in FIG. When it is shifted by the shift plate 4303, it is loaded at the position of S0. This is a position where stapling is not performed by the stapler 4205.

FIG. 31 is an electrical configuration diagram of the device according to the fourth embodiment. Reference numeral 4401 denotes a controller of the apparatus of this embodiment, and reference numeral 4402 denotes a CPU in the controller 4401. Reference numeral 4403 denotes a ROM in the CPU 4402 which stores a control program of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 4404 denotes a RAM in the CPU 4402.
Thus, the data referred to by the control program of the present apparatus is made possible. Reference numeral 4405 denotes an interface circuit for communicating with the printer 4101.

Reference numeral 4406 denotes an entrance sensor for detecting that a sheet has been carried into the apparatus.

Reference numeral 4407 denotes a paper discharge sensor for a paper discharge tray 4105, which detects the timing at which paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 4105. Note that a discharge sensor is provided for every discharge tray.

Reference numeral 4408 denotes a transport motor, which is a stepping motor serving as a drive source for a roller group of the paper transport mechanism 4103 for transporting the paper such as 4110 to 4113. 4
A home position sensor 409 detects when the flexible transport path 4106 is at the reference position. Reference numeral 4410 denotes a stepping motor for moving the flexible transport path 4106 and connecting the flexible transport path 4106 to one of fixed transport paths (such as 4109) following the paper discharge tray.

Reference numeral 4411 denotes a stapler raising / lowering home position sensor for detecting when the stapler unit 4201 is at the reference height. Reference numeral 4412 denotes a stapler raising / lowering motor, which is a stepping motor for controlling the height of the stapler unit 4201. 4413
Is a distance measuring sensor for fine-adjusting the height of the stapler unit 4201 by measuring the height of the uppermost sheet in the discharge tray in which the stapler unit 4201 is set. 4414
Is a stapler rotation home position sensor, which detects when the stapler 4205 is completely stored in the stapler unit 4201. 4415 is
A stapler rotation motor for rotating the stapler 4205 to a sheet binding position when stapling;
Stepper motor. Reference numeral 4416 denotes a staple motor home position sensor for detecting when the stapler jaw is opened most. Reference numeral 4417 denotes a staple motor, which is a DC motor for stapling.

Reference numeral 4418 denotes a shift plate home position sensor. When the shift plate 4303 is at the reference position,
This is detected. 4419 is a shift plate moving motor,
A stepping motor for controlling the position of the shift plate 4303.

FIG. 32 shows a part of the RAM 4404.

The following three items are output from the printer 4101.
An R in which the content of the job specified to the output paper processing apparatus 4102 is set through the interface circuit 4405.
Indicates AM contents. tray: data of the specified discharge tray proc: processing data (stapled / not stapled) num: number of jobs

When the job contents are designated, c
nt is reset to “0”.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the start / end of a job in this apparatus.

When a job (see FIG. 32) is designated by the printer 4101 (4601), the following processing is performed.

First, the paper transport task is permitted (460).
2). Next, referring to the tray, movement of the flexible transport path 4106 is started in order to connect to the fixed transport path following the specified discharge tray (4603). This movement is performed by moving the leading edge of the first sheet of the job to the transport path 4106.
Exit until you reach the exit. In addition, the stapler unit 4201 starts moving up and down in order to move to the designated discharge tray (4604). This move
The process is completed until the first sheet of the job is discharged to the specified discharge tray. Next, the process waits for the end of the processing of the sheet specified as the job (4605). Finally, the paper transport task is prohibited (4606).

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the paper transport task of this apparatus. One task is assigned to one sheet, and four sheets are resident when the sheet transport task is in the permitted state.

First, when the leading edge of the sheet reaches the entrance sensor 4406 (4701), the number data cnt (count)
Is incremented (4702). If the first one (47
03), the transport motor 4408 is driven (4704), and the paper transport mechanism 4103 enters the paper transport state.

Next, if the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the sheet ejection sensor of the designated sheet ejection tray (4705), it waits for a predetermined time, that is, the sheet descends to the tray (4706).
Then, based on the measurement result of the distance measurement sensor 4413,
Fine-adjust the height of stapler unit 4201 (4
707).

Further, referring to the data cnt, num, if the conveyed sheet is the last sheet (4708), the steps from step 4709 are performed. If the designated job is stapling (4709), the stapler 4205 is rotated to take it out to the binding position (4710) and stapled (471).
1) The stapler 4205 is stored (4712). Then, regardless of the designated job, the sheet is shifted to the position S0 in FIG. 30B by reciprocating the shift plate 4303 one time from the position in FIG. 30A (471).
3). Also, the job content is reset, and cnt is set to “0”.
(4714), and the transport motor 4408 is stopped.

With the above configuration, when the present embodiment processes a job, an operation such as that shown in FIG. 35 can be performed. This shows a state where three jobs are performed to staple four sheets into one copy. (1) is where the second job has already been completed and the final sheet S of the third job has been loaded. (2) is where the third bundle of jobs has been stapled. H is the staple that has been hit at this time. (3) is where the stapled bundle is shifted and aligned with the other bundles.

(Embodiment 5) An output paper processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention has a similar configuration to Embodiment 4, but the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the description. is there. The configuration of the fifth embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences.

FIG. 36 is a top view of the stapler unit 4211 according to the fifth embodiment.

(A) shows the inside. The stapler 4205 is fixed as it comes out of the stapler unit 4211, and the paddle 4901 is aligned.

Step 5102 will be described later.

(B) shows the positional relationship with the sheets discharged onto the discharge tray and stacked. Embodiment 5
Is different from that in the fourth embodiment in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and the paper when first discharged to the paper discharge tray is at the position S0 in FIG. When it is shifted by the paddle 4901, it is loaded at the position of S1. This is the position where stapling is performed by the stapler 4205.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the operation of paddle 4901.

In (1), the paddle 4901 rotates,
The sheet comes into contact with the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray, and in (2), the sheet is further rotated and the sheet is about to contact the shift plate 4305.

FIG. 38 is an electrical configuration diagram of the device according to the fifth embodiment. 5101 is Paddle Home Position
The paddle 4901 is connected to the stapler unit 42 by the sensor.
When the reference position is within the reference position 11, this is detected. 510
Reference numeral 2 denotes a paddle motor, which is a stepping motor for rotating the paddle 4901 so that the sheets immediately after being stacked on the sheet discharge tray are brought into contact with the shift plate 4303.

There is no configuration for rotating the stapler.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the paper transport task of the present apparatus. One task is assigned to one sheet, and four sheets are resident when the sheet transport task is in the permitted state.

Steps 4701 to 4707 are described below.
This has already been described with reference to FIG.

If the job specifies staples (5201), the paddle is rotated once to make contact with the shift plate 4303 (5202). Further, even after the last sheet is stacked, the job contents are checked, and if stapling is designated (4708, 4709), stapling is performed (4711), and the sheet is controlled by reciprocating the shift plate by one reciprocation. It is shifted to the position of S0 in (b) (4713).

With the above configuration, when this embodiment processes a job, for example, an operation as shown in FIG. 40 can be performed. This shows that three jobs are performed to staple four sheets into one copy. (1) is where the second job has already been completed and the last sheet of the third job has been loaded. (2) is a state where the final sheet is shifted by the paddle 4901. (3) is where the third bundle of jobs has been stapled. (4) is a state where the stapled bundle is shifted and aligned with another bundle.

(Embodiment 6) An output paper processing apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the stapler units 4211 and 4221 according to the sixth embodiment, and shows the positional relationship with the sheets discharged to the discharge tray and stacked. The configurations of the stapler units 4211 and 4212 are bilaterally symmetric. The paper when first discharged to the discharge tray is at the position S0 in FIG. When it is shifted by the paddle 4901, it is loaded at the position of S1. Further, when shifted by a paddle (not shown) in the stapler unit 422, it is loaded at the position of S2.

The other structure is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

As described above, according to the present invention, the image orientation (por
It can also be applied to a system in which the binding position can be switched by (trait / Landscape).

In the fourth to sixth embodiments, after the stapler is set there before the paper reaches the predetermined tray, the paper is shifted instead of moving the stapler. By shifting the sheet in this manner, the stapler relatively moves to the binding position immediately before stapling, and has the same effect as that of the first embodiment (the stapler rotation of the fourth embodiment). The time required is negligible.)

Embodiments 4 to 6 correspond to Embodiment 1
Even in a system having no stacking mechanism for stapling, such as the staple tray 2106, the rear end stopper, and its retracting mechanisms 217 and 231 referred to in Nos. 1 to 3, by stapling the sheets to be stapled to a position where stapling is possible. Another advantage is that a plurality of jobs can be stacked on the same tray.

[0174]

According to the present invention, the stapler can be moved to a predetermined position according to the content of the sheet processing at a timing other than the stapling processing. This allows
There is an effect of improving processing performance as described below.

In advance, at the staple position or
By moving to the vicinity, the stapling time can be reduced.

Further, by previously moving the sheet to be processed to a place where the sheet to be curled is small, the stapling process can be reliably performed and the sheet can be prevented from being damaged. That is, it can correspond to various types of paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system external view of a predetermined printer and an output paper processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a machine configuration diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of output paper reversal in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which output paper is stapled according to the first embodiment.
The figure which shows a mode that it loads on a tray.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an output paper alignment mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a shutter mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a stapler moving mechanism according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an electric configuration diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is transmitted from a predetermined external device to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a command for instructing stapling processing content.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a command transmitted from a predetermined external device to the first embodiment for instructing an output paper size.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing three types of staple modes in the output paper processing measure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing commands / statuses exchanged between a predetermined external device and the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing processing contents of a task for starting a paper transport task in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a sheet leading edge control task in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a paper trailing edge control task in the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a status indicating a sheet interval time, which is returned from the first embodiment to a predetermined external device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for adjusting a sheet interval by a predetermined external device in the description of the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a ROM area in which an addition time for calculating a sheet interval is recorded in the output sheet processing apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing paper surface control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a result of a job offset according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a part of the contents of a RAM for storing data relating to a job in a predetermined external device in the description of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a part of RAM contents for storing a code relating to a job to be transmitted from a predetermined external device to the device 106 in the description of the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating a code relating to a job to be transmitted to the device 106 by a predetermined external device in the description of the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a procedure and timing at which a predetermined external device sends a code to the device 106 in the description of the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating processing for checking stapler movement conditions in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating curling of sheets stacked on a staple tray.

FIG. 27 is an electrical configuration diagram of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a system outline of a predetermined printer and an output paper processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a paper transport path in the output paper apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a stapler elevating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the inside of a stapler unit according to the fourth embodiment and ejected sheets.

FIG. 31 is an electric configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows a RAM which is a part of the electric configuration of the fourth embodiment.
The figure which shows the content.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting / ending a job according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a sheet transport task according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a staple job is processed in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the inside of a stapler unit of the output paper processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and discharged paper.

FIG. 37 is a view showing the operation of the paddle mechanism according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is an electric configuration diagram of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a sheet transport task according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a staple job is processed in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between two stapler units and a discharged sheet in the output sheet processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A stacking unit for stacking sheets, a conveying unit for conveying a sheet to the stacking unit, a binding unit for binding sheets stacked on the stacking unit, and the binding unit moving the binding unit with respect to the sheets Moving means, and control means for controlling the moving means before the stacking of the sheets on the stacking means is completed, and moving the binding means to a binding position or near a binding position in advance.
Sheet processing device with stapler. 2. A stacking means for stacking sheets, a transporting means for transporting sheets to the stacking means, a binding means for binding sheets stacked on the loading means, and a movement of the binding means with respect to the sheets A stapler comprising: a moving unit; and a control unit that controls the moving unit before the stacking of the sheets on the stacking unit is completed, and moves the binding unit to a substantially center in the width direction of the sheet in advance. Sheet processing equipment. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position moved in advance by the control unit is a position where the curl of the sheet is small. 4. A means for transporting paper, a means for loading paper, a stapler, and a position control of the stapler relative to the paper loaded on the paper loading means by the paper transport means. And a sheet processing apparatus having a timing control unit. The timing control unit loads sheets to be processed by the output sheet processing unit on the sheet stacking unit by the sheet conveyance unit. A sheet processing apparatus for terminating the stapler movement control by the stapler position control unit relatively before the stapler position control. 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movement target by the stapler position control means is a position where a stapler is hit by the stapler. 6. A stapler according to claim 1, wherein the movement target by said stapler position control means is such that when the paper to be processed by said output paper processing apparatus is loaded on said paper loading means by said paper transport means, A sheet processing apparatus, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is located at a position sandwiched by the stapler. 7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stapler position control means controls the position of the sheet to a staplable position and a stapling position in the sheet stacking means. 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; a feeding unit for feeding a sheet to the image forming unit; and the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.