JPH10194557A - Sheet punching device, sheet treatment device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To punch the sheet with the punching position arranged relative to the side end of the sheet without preventing the image forming speed by providing a moving means to move the punching position of a punching means in the direction intersecting with the carrying direction of the sheet based on the information on the position of the sheet side end part to be detected by a detecting means. SOLUTION: A horizontal register detection sensor 81 and a horizontal register initial position detection sensor 84 can be moved in the direction D and E orthogonal to the carrying direction of the sheet by driving a horizontal register moving motor. When the side end part of the sheet is detected, a sheet detection sensor 31 detects the sheet tip, and then, a punching means moving motor is driven at the prescribed timing, the punching means and the horizontal register detection sensor 81 are moved in the direction D, and when a light receiving part 81a of the horizontal register detection sensor 81 is shielded by the side end part of the sheet, the sheet end part is detected and the sheet is stopped, and the punching position can be arranged at the sheet end part. The sheets can be continuously punched without impeding the image forming speed thereby.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of an image forming apparatus used for a copying machine, a laser beam printer, or the like, an example of a main configuration of an electrophotographic system as shown in FIG. 48 is known.

In FIG. 48, first, a controller (not shown) sends a signal to a laser oscillator to emit a laser beam. Next, the mirror 3 rotating this laser beam
09 (generally referred to as a polygon mirror), and is reflected again by the reflection mirror 310 to irradiate the photosensitive drum 312.

[0004] A so-called electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 312 by a series of operations as described above. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 312 is developed by a developing device 311 and then transferred as a toner image on a sheet.

[0005] Sheets are fed one by one from a sheet cassette by a pickup roller 313, and the photosensitive drum 3
Pass under 12. During this passage, the toner image is transferred by the above process.

Thereafter, the sheet is fixed to a pair of fixing rollers 301 and 3.
The toner image is fixed to the sheet by being guided by the roller pair 02 and pressed by the pair of rollers and heated by the heat of a heater provided in the rollers.

The fixing rollers 301 and 302 are in contact with a fixing upper separating claw 303 and a fixing lower separating claw 304, respectively, whereby the sheet is separated from the fixing rollers 301 and 302. The separated sheet is supplied to a discharge roller pair 399.
As a result, the sheet is transported to the outside of the apparatus main body, and the image forming process is completed.

[0008] Sheets for image formation are stored in sheet cassettes 351 and 352. An operator can set a sheet of a desired size in each cassette, and can select a sheet to be used for image formation on an operation panel.

Sheets are stored in each of the sheet cassettes 351, 35
2 are fed to the photosensitive drum 312 by the respective pickup rollers 313 one by one. The difference in the outer diameter of the rollers to be transported during the feeding, the variation in the transport speed due to the wear of the rollers, and the roller pair The sheet may not always be transported straight in the direction of travel, but may be transported in an inclined state due to the effects of the sheet alignment and the sliding resistance between the sheet and the guide plate that guides the sheet. is there.

When the toner image is transferred to the sheet on the photosensitive drum 312 in the state as it is, the image is skewed with respect to the sheet or the image is transferred with the position shifted.
In order to prevent this, usually, in this type of image forming apparatus, sheet inclination (hereinafter referred to as skew)
Registration roller pairs 314 and 315 for correcting the error.

When the sheet advance sent from the cassette reaches the registration roller pairs 314 and 315, the registration roller pairs are controlled to be stopped.
With the sheet leading edge abutting on the registration roller pairs 314 and 315, the pre-registration roller pairs 316 and 317
Continues the rotation for a predetermined time, and conveys the sheet forward.

For this reason, a swelling (loop) of the sheet occurs between the pair of registration rollers 314 and 315 that are stopped and the pair of rollers 316 and 317 before registration. The sheet in which this loop has occurred tends to return straight due to the elastic force of the sheet (so-called "waist" of the sheet), and the leading end of the sheet strikes the nip of the stopped registration roller pair 314, 315.

By this abutting action, the leading end of the sheet follows the nip of the pair of registration rollers 314 and 315. As a result, the skew of the sheet is corrected at this point.

However, after such a series of operations, the leading edge of the sheet is moved to the pair of registration rollers 314 and 31.
In order to correct the skew of the sheet by contacting the sheet 5, there is a disadvantage that the sheet is misaligned in a direction perpendicular to the sheet advancing direction (generally referred to as “lateral registration misalignment”). . As a result, the relative position between the sheet and the image formed thereon is shifted.

Further, even if the sheet does not skew due to the backlash of the member for regulating the width direction of the sheet in the sheet cassette or the variation in the size of the sheet itself in the width direction, etc.
A lateral registration shift occurs.

On the other hand, a recording sheet on which an image is formed in an image forming apparatus is often used and stored by binding it to a file. For this reason, it has been attempted to improve the work efficiency by combining a sheet punching device for punching a file for a file with an image forming apparatus.

As such a sheet punching apparatus, there are a sheet punching apparatus in which recording sheets on which images are formed are stacked in order of supply, a plurality of sheets are held and punched together, and a recording sheet on which images are formed is punched one by one during conveyance. There is.

[0018]

However, in the above conventional example, since the recording paper on which an image is formed has a lateral registration error, in a sheet punching apparatus that punches one by one while the recording paper is being conveyed, one recording paper is used. There is a drawback in that, when a plurality of sheets are filed, the hole positions are not uniform even when the sheet edges are aligned, so that the files cannot be filed at once.

Further, in a sheet punching apparatus for holding and punching a plurality of sheets collectively, the problem of lateral misregistration can be solved by aligning the sheet edges by aligning means when holding a plurality of sheets together. However, there is a drawback in that the size of the sheet increases, and the time required for punching the sheet increases, which hinders the image forming processing speed.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the hole positions with respect to the sheet side edges are aligned without increasing the size of the apparatus and without hindering the sheet output speed (image forming processing speed). It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet punching apparatus capable of punching, a sheet processing apparatus including the same, and an image forming apparatus.

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a perforated portion for perforating a sheet in a direction intersecting with a sheet conveying direction. Perforating means movable in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction, sheet presence detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet conveyed by the perforating means, and one end parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed by the perforating means Detecting means for detecting a portion, and moving means for moving a perforating position of the perforating means in a direction intersecting with a sheet conveying direction based on sheet side end position information detected by the detecting means. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a piercing portion provided with a piercing portion for piercing a sheet in a direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction, and a piercing means movable in the direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction, and the sheet is conveyed by the piercing means. Detecting means for detecting one side end parallel to the conveying direction at the front and rear ends of the sheet,
Moving means for moving the perforation position of the perforation means in a direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction based on the sheet side end position information detected by the detection means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects the amount of skew of the sheet by detecting one side edge parallel to the sheet conveying direction at a plurality of locations, and detects the skew amount of the sheet. The punching position of the punching means is moved based on the sheet side end position information and the skew amount.

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, when the sheet is conveyed to the perforating means and the leading end thereof is detected by the sheet presence detecting means, the detecting means and the perforating means move to the sheet side, and the detecting means moves to the sheet side. Detects one side edge parallel to the transport direction. The perforating means moves to the perforating position and perforates the sheet based on the sheet side end position information of the detecting means.

Further, when the front and rear ends of one side parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet conveyed to the perforating means are detected by the detecting means, based on the sheet side end position information of the detecting means, The piercing means moves to the sheet side end position to pierce the sheet.

When the detecting means detects the skew amount of the sheet by detecting a plurality of portions at one side end parallel to the sheet conveying direction, the detecting means detects the side edge position information of the sheet by the detecting means. And the perforation means moves to the perforation position to perforate the sheet on the basis of the horizontal deviation considering the skew amount.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> FIG. 47 shows an example of an image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) as a sheet output apparatus provided with a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

An image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) 300 includes a platen glass 906 as a document placing table, a light source 9
07, a lens system 908, a paper feeding unit 909, an image forming unit 90
2, an automatic document feeder 500 for feeding a document to the platen glass 906, a sheet processing apparatus 1 for stacking sheets on which images are formed and discharged from the main body of the copying machine, and the like.

The paper feeding unit 909 stores cassettes P for recording and is detachably attached to the main body 300 of the apparatus 300.
1 and the deck 913 arranged on the pedestal 912
have. The image forming unit 902 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 914, a developing device 915 around the photosensitive drum 914, and a transfer charger 9.
16, a separate charger 917, a cleaner 918, a primary charger 919, and the like. Image forming unit 902
A transport device 920, a fixing device 904, a discharge roller pair 905, and the like are disposed downstream of the printer.

The operation of the image forming apparatus main body will be described.

When a paper feed signal is output from a control device 930 provided in the apparatus main body 300, the cassette 91 is output.
The sheet P is fed from the deck 0, 911 or the deck 913. On the other hand, the original D placed on the original
The light reflected from the light source 907 is applied to the photosensitive drum 914 via the lens system 908. The photosensitive drum 914 is charged in advance by a primary charger 919, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation with light, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 915 to form a toner image. .

The sheet S fed from the sheet feeding unit 909 is
The skew is corrected by the registration rollers 901, and the skew is sent to the image forming unit 902 at the same timing. In the image forming unit 902, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 914 is transferred to the fed sheet S by the transfer charger 916, and the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the separation charger 91.
7, is charged to a polarity opposite to that of the transfer charger 916,
It is separated from the photosensitive drum 914.

Then, the separated sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 904 by the conveying device 920, and
04, the transfer image is permanently fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image is fixed is discharged from the apparatus main body 300 by the discharge roller pair 399.

In this manner, an image is formed on the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding unit 909, and the sheet S is discharged to a sheet punching device or a sheet processing device described later.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a finisher, 30
Reference numeral 0 denotes an image forming apparatus main body. Image forming apparatus main body 300
A detailed description of RDF and RDF is omitted here.
399 is a discharge roller of the main body of the image forming apparatus, 2 is a pair of entrance rollers of the finisher 1, 3 is a transport roller, 31 is a paper detection sensor, 50 is a punch unit for punching near the rear end of the transported paper, and 5 is a punch unit. 12 with the large transport roller
The paper is pressed and transported by the pressing rollers 13 and 14.

A switching flapper 11 switches between the non-sort path 21 and the sort path 22. A switching flapper 10 switches between a sort path 22 and a buffer path 23 for temporarily storing paper. Reference numeral 6 denotes a transport roller, reference numeral 130 denotes an intermediate tray (hereinafter referred to as a processing tray) for temporarily accumulating and aligning and stapling sheets, reference numeral 7 denotes a discharge roller for discharging sheets onto the processing tray 130, and reference numeral 150 denotes a swinging roller. The motion guide 180b is a swing guide 150
When the swing guide 150 comes to the closed position, it cooperates with the rollers 180 a disposed on the processing tray 130 to convey the sheets on the processing tray 130 in a bundle and discharge the bundle on the stack tray 200. It is a bundle discharge roller.

Next, the staple unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (main section), FIG. 3 (a view), and FIG. 4 (b view).

The stapler 101 is fixed to a moving table 103 via a holder 102. Rollers 106, 105 are fixed to shafts 104, 105 fixed to the moving table 103, respectively.
The roller 107 is rotatably assembled.
7 is a hole-shaped rail (108
a, 108b, 108c).

The rollers 106 and 107 are both fixed bases 108.
In the meantime, there are provided flanges 106a and 107a which are larger than the rail holes, and support rollers are provided at three places below the moving table 103, so that the moving table 103 supporting the stapler 101 does not come off the rail. Fixed table 108 along
It can be moved on. The moving table 103 is moved on a fixed table 108 by rollers 109 rotatably provided on the moving table 103.

The rail holes (108a, 108b, 10)
8c), the front part and the back part are branched from the middle and become two parallel rails. By the rail shape,
When the stapler 101 is located in the front, the roller 106
Is on the rail hole 108b side, and the roller 107 is on the rail hole 108.
Each of them is fitted to the a side to be in an inclined state. And
When the stapler 101 is located at the center,
Both 6 and 107 are fitted in the rail hole 108a to be in a horizontal state.

Further, when the stapler 101 is located on the back side, the roller 106 is moved toward the rail hole 108a.
Is fitted in the rail hole 108c side, and is in a state of being inclined in the opposite direction to that at the front.

After the two rollers 106 and 107 are fitted to the two parallel rails, they move while maintaining their posture. Then, the action of starting the turning is performed by a cam (not shown).

Next, the moving mechanism of the stapler 101 will be described.

One roller 106 of the moving table 103 is
A pinion gear 106b and a belt pulley 106c are integrally formed, and the pinion gear is connected to a motor M100 fixed from above the moving table via a belt that is wound on the pulley 106c. On the other hand, a rack gear 110 is fixed on the lower surface of the fixed base so as to fit with the pinion gear 106b along the rail hole, and the forward / backward rotation of the motor M100 causes the movable base 103 to move forward and backward together with the stapler 101. Moved to

Further, a stopper falling roller 112 is provided on a shaft 111 extending in the direction of the lower surface of the movable table 103. This is to avoid collision between the rear end stopper 131 of the processing tray 130 and the stapler 101 described later.
It serves to rotate the rear end stopper 131, and will be described in detail in the next section.

The stapler unit 100 is provided with a sensor for detecting the home position of the stapler 101, and the stapler 101 normally stands by at the home position (the forefront in this embodiment).

Next, the rear end stopper 131 for supporting the rear end of the sheets P stacked on the processing tray 130 will be described.

The rear end stopper 131 is provided on the processing tray 130.
A supporting surface 131a having a surface perpendicular to the stacking surface of the sheet and supporting the rear end of the sheet, a pin 131b for fitting and swinging in a round hole provided in the processing tray 130, and a link to be described later. It has a pin 131c for matching. The link includes a main link 132 having a cam surface 132a against which the roller 112 mounted on the stapler moving table 130 comes into contact and is pressed, and a pin 13 disposed at an upper end of the main link.
2b and a connecting link 133 connecting the pin 131c of the rear end stopper.

The main link 132 swings about a shaft 134 fixed to a frame (not shown). The lower end of the main link 132 is provided with a tension spring 135 for urging the main link in the clockwise direction, and the main link is positioned by the abutment plate 136. Maintain a vertical position.

Then, when the stapling table 103 moves, the stopper 13 having an interference relation with the stapler 101 is formed.
The cam surface of the main link 132 connected to the moving table 1 is pushed down by a tumbling roller provided on the moving table, so that the rear end stopper 1
31 is pulled by the connecting link 133 and the stapler 10
It is rotated to a position where it does not interfere with 1. Defeat Roller 112
Are provided (three in the present configuration) so that the rear end stopper maintains this retraction position while the stapler is moving.

A staple stopper 113 (two-dot chain line) having a support surface having the same shape as the rear end stopper 131 is attached to both side surfaces of the holder 102 supporting the staple 101, so that the stapler 101 is in a horizontal state. The staple stopper 113 can support the trailing edge of the sheet even if the stopper 131 is pressed at the (center).

Next, the processing tray unit 129 will be described (FIG. 5).

The processing tray 129 is disposed between the conveyance section for conveying the sheet from the image forming apparatus main body 300 and the stack tray 200 for receiving and storing the bundle processed by the processing tray 130.

The processing tray unit 129 includes the processing tray 130, the rear end stopper 131, and the aligning means 14.
0, a swing guide 150, a pull-in paddle 160, a retreat tray 170, and a bundle discharge roller pair 180.

The processing tray 130 is an inclined tray with the downstream side (left in the figure) upward and the upstream side (right in the figure) downward, and the rear end stopper is fitted to the lower end. ing. The sheet P discharged by the discharge roller pair of the transport unit is
Due to its own weight and the action of a paddle 160 to be described later, the sheet slides on the processing tray 130 until its rear end contacts the rear end stopper 131.

Also, at the upper end of the processing tray 130,
A bundle discharge roller pair and a later-described swing guide 150 are provided with a bundle discharge upper roller 180b which comes into contact with the swing guide 150, and are rotatable forward and backward by being driven by a motor M18.

Next, the matching wall (matching means) 140 will be described with reference to FIG.

An aligning member 141 as the aligning means 140
Reference numeral 142 denotes a configuration in which the front and rear alignment members are independently movable in the front-rear direction. The front alignment member 141,
Both of the rear alignment members 142 are erected on the processing tray 131,
The support surface 1 that bends vertically from the alignment surfaces 141a and 142a that press the sheet-side end surface to support the lower surface of the sheet P
41, gear parts 141b and 142b extending in the front-rear direction in parallel with the processing tray 130 and having a rack gear carved therein. Each of the two alignment members is supported by an opened guide extending in the front-rear direction of the processing tray 130,
The aligning surface is mounted on the upper surface of the processing tray 130 so that the gear portion protrudes from the lower surface of the tray.

Then, each rack gear portion 141b, 1
42b, separate pinion gears 143 and 144 are engaged, and the pinion gear is a motor M via a pulley and a belt.
The alignment members 141 and 142 move in the front-rear direction when the motor rotates forward and backward. In addition, each of the alignment members 141 and 142 is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting a home position, and the alignment members are usually waiting at the home position.

In the present embodiment, the front alignment member 14
The home position of No. 1 is set at the forefront, and the home position of the back alignment member 142 is set at the back.

The swing guide 150 supports the upper bundle discharge roller 180b on the downstream side (left side in the figure), and has a swing fulcrum shaft 151 on the upstream side (right side in the figure). The swing guide 150 is normally in a closed state (the bundle discharge roller pair is separated from and approaching) when one sheet P is discharged to the processing tray 130, and discharges and drops the sheet to the processing tray 130. Then, there is no hindrance to the alignment operation, and when the bundle is discharged from the processing tray 130 to the stack tray 200, the bundle moves to the closed state (the bundle discharge roller contacts).

The rotating cam 152 is disposed at a position corresponding to the side surface of the swing guide 150. When the rotating cam 152 rotates and pushes up the guide side surface, the swing guide 150 swings about the shaft 151. While closing, 1 from this state
The 80-degree rotating cam 152 rotates and closes when it is separated from and brought into contact with the side of the swing guide. The rotary drive of the rotary cam 152 is performed by a motor M150 connected via a drive system (not shown).

The swing guide 150 has a home position in a closed state, and is provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting the home position.

Next, the pull-in paddle 160 will be described.

The retraction paddle 160 is fixed to the shaft 161, and the shaft 161 is rotatably supported on the front and rear side plates. The paddle shaft 161 is connected to the motor M16
0, and rotates counterclockwise when driven by the motor M160. The length of paddle 160 is
The distance is set slightly longer than the distance to the processing tray 130, and the home position of the paddle 160 is set to a position (solid line in the figure) where the sheet is not brought into contact with the sheet P discharged to the processing tray 130 by the discharge roller pair. ing. In this state, the discharge of the sheet P is completed, and the sheet P is
When the paddle 160 lands, the paddle 160 receives the drive of the motor M150, rotates counterclockwise, and draws the sheet P until it comes into contact with the rear end stopper 131. Thereafter, after waiting for a predetermined time, the paddle 160 stops at the home position and prepares for discharging the next sheet.

Next, the haunting tray 170 will be described with reference to FIG.

The retracting tray 170 is provided with the bundle discharging lower roller 18.
0a, and moves back and forth in the sheet conveying direction (x direction) while substantially following the inclination of the processing tray 130. When the projecting tray 170 is in the protruding state, the tip thereof is the stack tray 20.
In the retracted state, the leading end retracts to the right side of the bundle discharge roller pair (solid line). The center of gravity of the sheet P discharged to the processing tray 130 is set so as not to exceed the leading end position in the protruding state.

The retreat tray 170 is supported by a rail 172 fixed to the frame 171 and is movable in the sheet discharging direction. Further, since the rotating link 173 rotates about the shaft 174 and is engaged with a groove provided on the lower surface of the retractable tray 170, the retractable tray 170 advances and retreats as described above by one rotation of the rotating link.

The rotation link 173 is driven by a motor M170 via a drive mechanism (not shown).
The home position of the haunting tray 170 is set to the retreat position (solid line), and the position is detected by a sensor (not shown).

Next, the stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The two trays are used depending on the situation, and the lower stack tray 200 is used for copy output,
The sample tray 201 which is selected when receiving a printer output or the like and which is located above is used for sample output, interrupt output,
This is selected when receiving an output at the time of stack tray overflow, a function sorting output, an output at the time of mixed job loading, and the like.

Each of the two trays has a motor 202 so that both can independently move in the vertical direction independently, and also serves as a roller receiver mounted on the frame 250 of the sheet processing apparatus and the processing apparatus 1 in the vertical direction. Rack 210
Is to be attached to. Further, in the configuration of the tray in which the play in the front and back directions of the tray is regulated by the regulating member 215, a stepping motor 202 is attached to a tray base plate 211, and a pulley pressed into the motor shaft is a timing belt 212. Thus, the drive is transmitted to the pulley 203.

Shaft 213 connected to pulley 203 by a parallel pin
Is a ratchet 20 which is connected to the shaft 213 by a parallel pin.
5, and the idler gear 204 is urged by a spring 206. The gear 205 is connected to the idler gear 204 to transmit the drive, and the idler gear 204 is connected to the gear 207.
The other is attached via a shaft 208 so that the drive can be transmitted to the rack 210, and the rack 210 can be moved via a gear 209. To fix the tray, two rollers 214 on one side also serve as the rack. The roller receiver 210 is contained. Each tray is mounted on the base plate 211 to form a tray unit.

Further, the ratchet 205 pushes the spring 206 only in the direction in which the tray is lifted so that the tray 206 is idled so that the tray drive system is not damaged by foreign matter when the tray is lowered. When this gap occurs,
Sensor S201 for immediately stopping driving of the motor
However, it detects the slit incorporated in the idler gear. This sensor is normally used for step-out detection. When the swing guide 150 is in the closed position, the swing guide 150 is a part of the stacking wall of the tray so that the processing tray 130 having the closed portion can be traversed up and down. A sensor detects the closed position (not shown). ) Only when it is possible to move.

A sensor S202 is an area detecting sensor, and is an upper limit sensor 2 for stopping the tray from rising too much.
The flag of the area from 03a to the processing tray sheet surface detection sensor S205 is detected. Sample tray 1000
The sheet position detection sensor S203b is arranged at a position corresponding to 1000 sheets from the non-sorted sheet surface detection sensor S204, and limits the stacking amount of the sample tray 201 by height.

S203c is the same as the sample tray 20
Numeral 1 is for limiting the stacking amount when receiving sheets from the processing tray 130 by height, and is also arranged at a position equivalent to 1000 sheets from the paper surface detection sensor S205. S
203d indicates that the stack tray 200 is
This is for restricting the stacking amount when receiving more sheets by the height, and is arranged at a position equivalent to 2000 sheets from the paper surface detection sensor S205. S203e is a lower limit sensor for preventing the stack tray 200 from being lowered too much. Of the above sensors, only the paper surface detection sensors S204 and S205 are transmission sensors located at the front and rear. Further, a sheet presence / absence detection sensor 206 is arranged on each tray.

As a method of detecting the paper surface, the state in which the paper surface detection sensor is raised from below each paper surface detection sensor to the cover is an initial state. After the sheets are stacked, the paper surface detection sensor is lowered until the optical axis appears, and then the paper surface detection is performed again. The process of raising the sensor optical axis is repeated.

Next, a punch unit (sheet punching device)
50 will be described.

The punch unit 50 has a punching means 60 and a lateral registration detecting means (detecting means) 80. The punching means 60 includes a punch (perforated portion) 61 and a die (perforated portion) 6.
2 are rotatably supported by the casing 63, the gears 64 and 65 mesh with each other, and can be rotated in the directions of arrows B and C in synchronization with the driving of the punch drive motor 66. Usually, it is at the home position (HP) position in FIG. After the sheet detecting sensor 31 detects the trailing edge of the sheet, the punch 61 and the dice 62 rotate in the directions of arrows B and C by driving the punch driving motor 66 at a predetermined timing, and the punch 61 is moved as shown in FIG. It engages with a die hole 62a provided in the die 62, and pierces a sheet being conveyed.

At this time, by setting the rotation speed of the punch 61 and the die 62 to be the same as the rotation speed of the conveying roller pair 3, it is possible to perforate the sheet being conveyed. 67
Is a guide portion for moving the perforating means 60 at right angles to the sheet conveying direction A, and 68 is a roller which comes into contact with the guide portion 67 and rotates, and is caulked to the casing 63 by a roller shaft 69.

Reference numeral 63a denotes a rack gear formed on a part of the casing 63, which meshes with a pinion gear 70 provided on a not-shown drilling means moving motor (moving means). Reference numeral 71 denotes a perforation means initial position detection sensor having a light receiving portion 7la provided in parallel with the sheet conveyance direction A, and is attached to the casing 63.

For this reason, the driving of the perforating means moving motor causes the perforating means 60 to move in the direction of the arrow D,
It is possible to move in the E direction. By moving the perforation means initial position detection sensor 71 in the direction of arrow E, the perforation means initial position defining section 52 provided on the main body 1 can be detected by the light receiving section 71a. Here, the initial position of the punching means is a few mm before the sheet reference position corresponding to the amount of deviation of the skew or lateral registration.

The lateral registration detecting means 80 is attached to the perforating means 60. The lateral registration detection unit 80 includes a lateral registration detection sensor 81 having a light receiving unit 81a provided in parallel with the sheet conveyance direction A and detecting a side end that is an end parallel to the sheet conveyance direction A. It is attached to the tip of the sensor arm 82.

The sensor arm 82 has a rack gear 82a formed in a part thereof, and meshes with a pinion gear 83 provided on a lateral registration moving motor (not shown) attached to the casing 63. At the rear end of the sensor arm 82, a lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 having a light receiving portion 84a provided in parallel with the light receiving portion 81a is provided.
Is attached.

Therefore, the lateral registration detecting sensor 81 and the lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 can be moved in the directions of arrows D and E perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction A by driving the lateral registration moving motor. By moving the lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 in the direction of arrow E, the light registration unit 63a can detect the horizontal registration initial position defining unit 63b provided on the casing 63. Further, by moving the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, the lateral registration detection sensor 81 is moved to a position corresponding to the selected sheet size.
Can be set.

Here, when detecting the side edge of the sheet,
After the sheet detection sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the sheet, the punching means moving motor is driven at a predetermined timing to move the punching means 60 and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, and the light receiving portion 81a of the lateral registration detection sensor 81 Is interrupted by the side end of the sheet, it is detected as the end of the sheet and stops. For this reason, it is possible to align the punching position with the end of the sheet.

Next, the flow of the sheet P will be described.

When the user wants to specify the non-sort mode on the operation unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body, the user can specify the mode shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), the entrance roller pair 2, the transport roller 3, and the large transport roller 5 rotate, and transport the sheet P transported from the image forming apparatus main body 300. The FLAP 11 rotates to the position shown in the figure by the action of a solenoid (not shown),
The sheet P is transported to the non-sort path 21. Sensor 33
When the rear end of the sheet P is detected, the roller 9 rotates at a speed suitable for stacking, and discharges the sheet P to the sample tray 200.

Next, the operation when the user specifies the staple sort mode will be described.

As shown in FIG. 16, the entrance roller pair 2,
The conveying roller 3 and the large conveying roller 5 rotate, and convey the sheet P conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 300.
The flappers 10 and 11 are stopped at the positions shown in the figure. The sheet P is discharged to the stapler 101 by the discharge roller 7 along the sort path 22. At this time, the haunting tray 17
Since 0 is in the protruding position, the leading end of the sheet P discharged from the discharge roller 7 is prevented from drooping and returning, and the sheet alignment on the processing tray is improved.

The discharged sheet P starts to move to the rear end stopper 131 by its own weight. In addition, the paddle 160, which has stopped at the home position, rotates counterclockwise under the driving of the motor M160, and Encourage movement. When the rear end of the sheet P surely comes into contact with the stopper 131 and stops, the rotation of the paddle 160 is also stopped, and the alignment member aligns the discharged sheet. The alignment operation of the sheet P will be described later.

When all the sheets of the first copy are discharged onto the processing tray 130 and aligned, the swing guide 150 descends as shown in FIG. 17, the roller 180b rides on the sheet bundle, and the stapler 101 And stapling the sheet bundle.

Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus main body 300
Sheet P ₁ which have been discharged from, as shown in FIG. 17, wound around the large conveying roller 5 by the rotation of the flapper 10, and stops at the sensor 32 where advanced a predetermined distance. When you reach the next predetermined distance from the sheet P ₂ paper detecting sensor 31, as shown in FIG. 18, the large conveying roller 5 is rotated, the first sheet towards the sheet P ₁ from the second sheet P ₂ is given As shown in FIG. 19, the sheets are superimposed one on the other, wound around the large conveying roller 5, and stopped at a predetermined distance. On the other hand, the sheet bundle on the processing tray 130 is discharged onto the stack tray 200 as shown in FIG.

However, at this time, the retracting tray 170 moves to the home position before the sheet bundle passes through the bundle discharge roller in order to drop the sheet bundle onto the stack tray 200. As shown in FIG. 20, when the third sheet P ₃ reaches the predetermined position, the large conveying roller 5 is rotated, superposed sheets P ₃ are shifted by a predetermined distance, the flapper 10 of the three pivots The sheet P is transported to the sort path 22.

As shown in FIG. 21, while the swing guide 150 is lowered, the three sheets P are received by the rollers 180a and 180b, and when the rear end of the sheet P passes through the roller 7 as shown in FIG. , 180b are reversed, and before the rear end abuts against the stopper 131, as shown in FIG. 23, the swinging guide rises and the roller 8 separates from the sheet surface. The fourth and subsequent sheets P are discharged onto the processing tray through a sort path similarly to the operation of the first copy. After the third copy, the same operation as that of the second copy is performed, and the set number of copies is stacked on the stack tray 200, and the process ends.

In stacking and transporting the plurality of sheets,
Each sheet P is offset in the transport direction, the sheet P ₂ is offset downstream with respect to the sheet P ₁ , and the sheet P
₃ is offset downstream with respect to the sheet P _2.

The offset amount of the sheet P and the rising timing of the swing guide are related to the settling time of the sheet by the return speed of the bundle discharge roller, that is, determined by the processing capability of the image forming apparatus main body 300. Is the sheet conveyance speed of 750 mm / s and the offset amount (b = 2
0 mm) position, the bundle delivery roller returning speed 500 mm / s, the separation position of bundle discharge rollers, the sheet P ₁ is set to a timing when reaching the prior position below 40mm abutting the stopper (value of a).

Next, the sort mode will be described.

The user sets a document on the RDF 500, designates a sort mode on an operation unit (not shown), and turns on a start key (not shown). The entrance roller 2 and the transport roller 3 are arranged in the same manner as in the staple sort mode as shown in FIG.
, And are stacked on the processing tray 130. The aligning unit 140 stacks a small number of sheets on the processing tray while aligning the sheets P on the processing tray 130, and then the swing guide 150 descends as shown in FIG. The bundle is conveyed.

Next, the fed sheet P passes over the flapper 10, is wound around the large roller 5 in the same manner as the operation described in the staple sort mode, and is discharged to the processing tray 130 after the bundle discharge is completed. You. The number of the minority bundles to be discharged is desirably 20 or less by experiments. The number of sheets is set so that the number of original sheets ≧ the number of sheets to be discharged ≦ 20 sheets is satisfied. Therefore, if the number of sheets to be discharged in a bundle is set to five when a program is set, when the number of documents is four, the sheets are discharged in a bundle of four sheets. When the number of originals is 5 or more, for example, 14 sheets, 5 + 5 +
The sheets are divided into four pieces, aligned, and discharged as a bundle.

When the first bundle is completely discharged, the front alignment wall 141 moves together with the rear alignment wall 142 to offset the alignment position of the second copy with respect to the alignment position of the first copy. Details of this operation will be described later.

The second copy is aligned at the offset position, and a small number of sheets are discharged in bundles as in the first copy. When the second copy is completed, the front alignment wall 141 and the back alignment wall 142 return to the position where the first copy is aligned, and the third copy is aligned. In this way, as shown in FIG. 26, all set copies are completed while shifting the bundles.

Here, the matching operation will be described.

First, when there is no sheet on the processing tray 130, that is, the first sheet P (3
When the sheet is ejected, the front and rear alignment members 141 and 142 which have been waiting at the home position are slightly relieved with respect to the width of the sheet ejected in advance.
1, and move to PS21 (FIG. 27).

As described above, the three sheets have the rear end stopper 131 at the rear end and the support surface 141c142 of the alignment member at the lower surface.
c, the alignment members 141 and 142 become PS1
2. While moving to the PS 22, the sheet is moved to the first alignment position 190 and aligned (FIG. 28). After that, the alignment member 141 prepares the PS11 for the next sheet to be discharged.
And waits for the sheet to be ejected.
To align the sheet at the first alignment position 190.

At this time, the back alignment member 142 continues to stop at the PS 22 and serves as a reference. The above operation is continued until the last sheet of the bundle. Since the aligning operation is performed as described above, the moving end of the sheet as shown in FIG. 29 does not collide with the end of the support surface 142c and buckle.

The first sheet bundle after the alignment is completed is stapled as necessary, discharged as described above, and transferred to the stack tray 200.

Subsequently, the second sheet (three sheets) is discharged to the processing tray. At this time, the alignment members 141 and 142 are used.
Waits at PS11 and PS12 as in the first copy (FIG. 27), but the alignment position moves to the second alignment position 191. The second alignment position 191 is different from the first alignment position 190 by a predetermined amount L.
After being located at the back (FIG. 30), the stacking is performed on the stack tray 200 while changing the alignment position for each sheet bundle, and the sorting and stacking of the offset amount L becomes possible.

The offset amount L may be changed in the sort mode and the staple mode. For example, in the staple mode, an amount L (approximately 15 mm) that prevents the needles of adjacent bundles from overlapping after loading is set.
L2 (approximately 20 to 30 mm) that improves the visibility of bundle identification
By doing so, the alignment movement distance in the staple mode is reduced, and the processing speed can be improved.

In the stapling mode, the stapler 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a state in which the aligned sheets are in standby at a desired clinch position in advance, and are stapled when the discharge of the last sheet P of the bundle is completed. Note that the alignment position of the sheet bundle changes by the offset amount L for each bundle, and the stapler moves accordingly.

Further, the configuration in which the stapler 101 changes the direction of the stapling in accordance with the binding mode (the front oblique binding and the back oblique binding at two places) is as described above. However, in the above configuration, the range in which the same stapling posture (horizontal and inclined states) can be maintained is limited, and since there are many sheet widths for stapling, the same alignment for the different binding modes is required. Since the stapling may not be performed at the position, the first and second alignment positions may be changed according to each binding mode.

FIG. 31 shows the matching position in the two-point binding mode, FIG. 32 shows the matching position in the back oblique binding mode, and FIG. 33 shows the matching position in the near oblique binding mode. The two-dot chain line shows the first matching position, and the solid line shows the second matching position. At this time, if there is an alignment position before the discharge position, the back alignment member 142 transfers the sheet to the reference alignment member 141 serving as a reference. It is as follows.

As described above, by switching the alignment position according to the binding mode, the sheet can be moved to a position corresponding to the stapler 101.

Next, the movement of the stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 will be described (FIGS. 8 and 9). Each tray normally waits at the position of each paper surface detection sensor before the operation starts.

In the above description, it is the stack tray 200 that normally stacks the copy or the printer output. The stack tray 200 receives the processed sheets by the stapler 101 and the like, and the bundles that are output in a small number of unbound sheets. Can,
A maximum of 2,000 sheets can be loaded, and this is detected by the sensor 203d.

At this time, if the output of the copy printer is still continued, the stack tray 200 is lowered from the sensor S203d by a position corresponding to 1000 sheets (the position of S203d '). Subsequently, the sample tray 201 is moved down to the detection of the paper space for the processing tray S205, and the reception of the sheet is started again. At this time, the sample tray 201 can load a maximum of 1000 sheets, and the sensor 203c
Is detecting it.

After the completion of a job of 2000 sheets or less, when the next job is started without interrupting the sheet on the stack tray 200 or when interrupting during the current job, the processing operation cannot be performed. However, using the sample tray 201, it is possible to load the paper from the non-sort discharge path 21.

According to the normal state, the non-sort discharge path 21
The mode for outputting to the sample tray 201 by using is a time when a sample output is performed without processing only one copy or a time when the sample tray output is set by function sorting.

Next, the punch mode will be described mainly with respect to the operation sequence of the punch unit 50 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In S1, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, in S2, the perforating means moving motor is driven to move the perforating means 60 in the direction of arrow E (FIG. 13). The light receiving portion 71a is blocked by the perforation means initial position defining portion 52 provided in the main body 1, and stops upon detecting the initial position.

Similarly, by driving the lateral registration moving motor and moving the sensor arm 82 in the direction of arrow E, the light receiving portion 84a of the lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 is used to define the lateral registration initial position provided on the casing 63. It is interrupted by the part 63b and stops after detecting the initial position. Here, an input wait state is set (S3).

Next, the operator operates the image forming apparatus main body 300.
By selecting a punch use selection button (not shown) and pressing a start button (not shown) (S4), sheet conveyance is started in the image forming apparatus main body 300, and image formation is performed (S6).

At the same time, the lateral registration moving motor is driven, the sensor arm 82 is moved in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 is moved to a position corresponding to the selected sheet size (S5).

Thereafter, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed into the finisher 1, and when the leading end of the sheet passes through the sheet detecting sensor 31, the sheet detecting sensor 31 detects the leading end of the sheet. To move the punching means 60 and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D,
When the light receiving section 81a is blocked by the side edge of the sheet, the light receiving section 81a detects the sheet side edge and stops (S8).

Thereafter, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the sheet detecting sensor 31, the sheet detecting sensor 31 detects the trailing edge of the sheet (S9). Punch 61
And the die 62 rotate in the directions of arrows B and C,
Meshes with a die hole 62a provided in the die 62,
The sheet being conveyed is perforated (S10). Thereafter, the sheet is discharged according to each of the above-described discharge processing modes, and the process ends.

As described above, the lateral registration detection sensor 81 and the punching means 60 at the position corresponding to the sheet size are moved in the direction of arrow D, and stopped and punched at the position where the sheet side end is detected. The position can be aligned with the sheet side end. Further, since the lateral registration detecting means 80 is attached to the perforating means 60, when the side edge of the sheet of the same size that is continuously conveyed is detected and perforated, only the perforating means moving motor is driven, The perforation position can be aligned with the sheet side end. Therefore, power consumption of the device can be reduced.

<Embodiment 2> FIGS. 35 and 36 are views showing a lateral registration sensor moving mechanism of a puncher showing a part of a finisher 1 provided with a sheet punching device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The same members and the like as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Punch unit (sheet punching device) 50
Has a punching means 60 and a lateral registration detecting means (detecting means) 80. The lateral registration detecting means 80 is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforating means 60.

Pinion (driving means) of lateral registration moving motor
70 drives the lateral registration initial position detection sensor 84
Is moved in the direction of arrow E so that the horizontal registration initial position defining portion 53 provided in the finisher 1 is
a can be detected. Further, by moving the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, the side end position of the sheet can be detected by the light receiving unit 8la.

Here, when detecting the side end of the sheet,
After the paper detection sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the sheet, the lateral registration movement motor is driven at a predetermined timing to move the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81
When the light receiving portion 8la is blocked by the side end of the sheet, the light is detected as the end of the sheet and stopped.

Based on the position information of the sheet edge obtained here, the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D to perform punching, so that the punching position can be aligned with the sheet side edge.

The operation sequence of the punch unit 50 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In S1, when the power supply of the apparatus is turned on, in S2, the perforating means moving motor is driven to move the perforating means 60 in the direction of arrow E, whereby the light receiving portion 7la of the perforating means initial position detecting sensor 71 is detected. Are blocked by the perforation means initial position defining section 52 provided in the finisher 1 and stop upon detecting the initial position. Similarly, by driving the lateral registration moving motor and moving the sensor arm 82 in the direction of arrow E, the light receiving portion 84a of the lateral registration initial position detection sensor 84 is controlled by the lateral registration initial position defining portion 53 provided on the finisher 1. Detects the initial position and is stopped. Here, an input wait state is set (S3).

Next, the operator selects a punch use selection button (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 300 and presses a start button (not shown) (S4), whereby the sheet is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 300. Is started, and an image is formed (S6). At the same time, the lateral registration moving motor is driven, the sensor arm 82 is moved in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 is moved to the vicinity of the end of the selected sheet size (the sheet corresponding to the skew or the amount of displacement of the lateral registration). Number of size m
m before) to reduce the amount of movement when detecting the side edge of the sheet (S21).

Thereafter, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed into the finisher 1 and the leading end of the sheet is
1, the paper detection sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the sheet (S7), and after a predetermined timing, drives the lateral registration movement motor to move the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 When the light receiving section 8la is blocked by the side end of the sheet, the light receiving section 8la is detected as the sheet side end and stopped (S22).

In this way, since the position of the sheet being conveyed can be determined, the lateral displacement amount of the sheet is calculated (S23), and the punching means moving motor is driven to move the punching means 60 in the direction of arrow D to a position corresponding to the lateral displacement amount. (S24). Thereafter, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the paper detecting sensor 31, the paper detecting sensor 31 detects the trailing edge of the sheet (S9), and drives the punch driving motor 66 after a predetermined timing, whereby the punch 61 and the die 62 are moved. Is rotated in the directions of arrows B and C, and the punch 61 is provided in the die hole 6 provided in the die 62.
2a and pierces the sheet being conveyed (Sl
O).

In this case, the sheet is perforated at the rear end. However, since the lateral registration detecting means 80 is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforating means 60, the paper detecting sensor 31 is By driving the punch drive motor 66 at a predetermined timing after detecting the leading edge, it is possible to pierce the leading edge of the sheet in the same configuration. The operation sequence of the punch unit 50 at that time is shown in FIG.
This will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In S1, when the power supply of the apparatus is turned on, in S2, the perforating means moving motor is driven to move the perforating means 60 in the direction of arrow E, whereby the light receiving portion 7la of the perforating means initial position detecting sensor 71 is detected. Is blocked by the perforation means initial position defining section 52 provided in the finisher 1 and stops upon detecting the initial position. Similarly, by driving the lateral registration moving motor and moving the sensor arm 82 in the direction of arrow E, the light receiving portion 84a of the lateral registration initial position detection sensor 84 is controlled by the lateral registration initial position defining portion 53 provided on the finisher 1. It is blocked and stops after detecting the initial position. Here, an input wait state is set (S3).

Next, when the operator selects a punch use selection button (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 300 and presses a start button (not shown) (S4), the sheet is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 300. Is started, and an image is formed (S6). At the same time, the lateral registration moving motor is driven, the sensor arm 82 is moved in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 is moved to the vicinity of the end of the selected sheet size (the sheet corresponding to the skew or the amount of displacement of the lateral registration). Number of size m
m before) to reduce the amount of movement when detecting the side edge of the sheet (S21).

Thereafter, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed into the finisher 1 and the leading end of the sheet is
1, the paper detection sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the sheet (S7), and after a predetermined timing, drives the lateral registration movement motor to move the lateral registration detection sensor 81 in the direction of arrow D, and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 When the light receiving section 8la is blocked by the side end of the sheet, the light receiving section 8la is detected as the sheet side end and stopped (S22).

Thus, since the position of the sheet being conveyed can be known, the lateral displacement amount of the sheet is calculated (S23), the punching means moving motor is driven, and the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D by the lateral displacement amount. Move to the position (S24). Then, the punch 61 and the dice 62 rotate in the direction of the arrow C by moving the punch drive motor 66 in the horse direction at a predetermined timing after the paper detection sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the sheet. It engages with the provided die hole 62a, and pierces the sheet being conveyed (S1).
0).

As described above, the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D to perform punching based on the position information of the sheet side end obtained by using the lateral registration detection sensor 81. It becomes possible to align. Further, since the lateral registration detecting means 80 is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforating means 60, it is possible to perforate both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet.

<Embodiment 3> FIGS. 39 and 40 are views of a puncher lateral registration sensor moving mechanism showing a part of a finisher provided with a sheet punching device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The same members and the like as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The punch unit 50 has a punching means 60 and a lateral registration detecting means 80. Lateral registration detection means 80
Are arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforation means 60.

In the lateral registration detecting means 80, a CCD lateral registration detecting sensor 85, which is a CCD line sensor, is provided with a detecting section perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction A.

For this reason, when the sheet passes over the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85, the side end position of the sheet can be detected. Further, the front and rear ends of the sheet can also be detected.

Based on the position information of the sheet side end obtained here, the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D for punching, so that the punching position can be aligned with the sheet side end.

The perforating means 60 perforates the sheet being conveyed by driving the punch drive motor 66 at a predetermined timing after the CCD lateral registration detecting sensor 85 detects the leading edge of the sheet. At this time, the punch 61 and the die 62
By setting the rotation speed of the sheet to the same as the rotation speed of the conveyance roller pair 3, it becomes possible to pierce the sheet being conveyed.

The operation sequence of the punch unit 50 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In S1, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, the perforating means moving motor is driven in S31 to move the perforating means 60 in the direction of the mark E, whereby the light receiving section of the perforating means initial position detecting sensor 71 is detected. 7la is blocked by the perforation means initial position defining section 52 provided in the finisher 1, and stops upon detecting the initial position. Here, an input wait state is set (S3).

Next, when the operator selects a punch use selection button (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 300 and presses a start button (not shown) (S4), the sheet is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 300. Is started, and an image is formed (S6). Thereafter, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed into the finisher 1 and the leading end of the sheet is
After passing through the lateral registration detection sensor 85, the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85 detects the leading edge and side edge of the sheet (S3).
2).

As a result, since the position of the sheet being conveyed can be determined, the lateral displacement amount of the sheet is calculated (S23), and the punching means moving motor is driven to move the punching means 60 in the direction of arrow D to the position corresponding to the lateral displacement amount. (S24). Thereafter, by driving the punch drive motor 66 after a predetermined timing, the punch 61 and the die 62 rotate in the directions of arrows B and C, and the punch 61 meshes with the die hole 62a provided in the die 62, and Pierce (S
10).

In this case, the sheet is perforated at the leading end of the sheet. However, since the lateral registration detecting means 80 is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforating means 60, the CCD lateral registration detecting sensor 85 is used for the sheet. By driving the punch drive motor 66 at a predetermined timing after detecting the trailing edge, it is possible to pierce the trailing edge of the sheet in a similar configuration.

As described above, the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 8
5, the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D to pierce the sheet according to the position information of the sheet end obtained by using No. 5, so that the piercing position can be aligned with the sheet end. Moreover,
By using the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85, the end of the sheet can be detected without moving, thereby saving power of the apparatus.

Further, since the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet can be detected by using the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85, position information of the sheet edge at the edge where the sheet is punched can be obtained. Can be minimized when the vehicle is skewed. Then, the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85
By using, the front end and the rear end of the sheet can be detected, so that the sheet detection sensor 31 becomes unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since the lateral registration detecting means 80 is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream of the perforating means 60,
It is possible to pierce both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet.

<Embodiment 4> FIGS. 42, 43, and 44
FIG. 11 is a view of a puncher lateral registration sensor moving mechanism showing a part of a finisher provided with a sheet punching device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram when the end position of the skewed sheet is detected.

The same members and the like as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The punch unit 50 has a punching means 60 and a lateral registration detecting means 80. Lateral registration detection means 80
Is disposed close to the upstream side of the perforation means 60.

In the lateral registration detecting means 80, a CCD lateral registration detecting sensor 85, which is a CCD line sensor, is provided with a detecting section perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction A.

Therefore, when the sheet passes over the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85, the side edge position of the sheet can be detected. Also, the leading and trailing edges of the sheet can be detected. Here, the detection of the side end position of the sheet is performed twice when the leading end of the sheet passes and after a predetermined timing.

Based on the difference a between the lateral registration positions obtained as the position information of the two sheet side edges obtained here and the conveyance amount b obtained from the sheet conveyance speed, the actual sheet side of the two detection positions is determined. Calculate the length c at the end. Further, a difference x between the lateral registration positions corresponding to the length L in the sheet conveyance direction obtained from the sheet size information is calculated, and the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D to perform punching. It is possible to align the perforation position when perforating the sheet with the end on the sheet side.

The perforating means 60 perforates the sheet being conveyed by driving the punch drive motor 66 at a predetermined timing after the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85 detects the leading end of the sheet. At this time, the punch 61 and the die 62
By setting the rotation speed of the sheet to the same as the rotation speed of the conveyance roller pair 3, it becomes possible to pierce the sheet being conveyed.

The operation sequence of the punch unit 50 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In S1, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, in S31, the perforating means moving motor is driven to move the perforating means 60 in the direction of arrow E, whereby the light receiving portion 7la of the perforating means initial position detecting sensor 71 is detected. Is interrupted by the perforation means initial position defining portion 52 provided in the finisher 1, and stops upon detecting the initial position. Here, an input wait state is set (S3).

Next, the operator selects a punch use selection button (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 300, and presses a start button (not shown) (S4). Feeding is started, and image formation is performed (S6). Thereafter, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed into the finisher 1 and the leading end of the sheet is
After passing through the lateral registration detection sensor 85, the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85 detects the leading edge and side edge of the sheet (S3).
2). After the predetermined timing, the side edge of the sheet is detected again (S41).

Thus, since the side edge position of the sheet being conveyed can be known, the skew amount at the trailing edge of the sheet is considered from the difference a between the lateral registration positions and the conveyance amount b obtained from the sheet conveyance speed. The lateral displacement amount is calculated (S42), and the punching means moving motor is driven to move the punching means 60 in the direction of arrow D to a position corresponding to the lateral displacement amount (S24). Thereafter, by driving the punch drive motor 66 after a predetermined timing, the punch 61 and the die 62 rotate in the directions of arrows B and C, and the punch 61 is moved to the die hole 62 provided in the die 62.
a, and pierces the sheet being conveyed (SIO).

As described above, the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 8
5 is used to calculate the lateral displacement amount in consideration of the skew amount at the rear end of the sheet, based on the position information of the sheet side edge obtained twice, and the punching means 60 is moved in the direction of arrow D to perform punching. Therefore, the position of the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85 is
Even if the sheet is placed close to the upstream side to save space, the amount of lateral displacement can be minimized when the sheet is skewed.

If the sheet is not skewed, the perforation position can be aligned with the end on the sheet side. Moreover, by using the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85, it is possible to detect the sheet side end without moving, thereby saving power of the apparatus. The use of the CCD lateral registration detection sensor 85 enables detection of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet, so that the sheet detecting sensor 31 becomes unnecessary, and the number of components can be reduced.

In each of the embodiments described above, the sheet punching device is disposed in the processing device. However, the same effect can be obtained by disposing the sheet punching device in the image forming device or by using the sheet punching device alone. Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the sheet being conveyed is perforated. However, the sheet may be stopped for a short time and then perforated.

[0173]

As described above, according to the present invention,
One side end parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyed sheet is detected by the lateral registration detecting unit, and the punching unit is moved to the punching position based on the sheet side end position information. Even if the sheet output device is laterally shifted and the sheet is conveyed, the lateral registration detecting means continuously detects the sheet and detects the punching means so that the perforating means is at an appropriate punching position. , The processing speed (image forming speed) of a sheet output device, for example, an image forming device.
The sheet can be continuously pierced without obstruction.

Further, by providing the lateral registration detecting means in the punching means, when punching sheets of the same size which are continuously conveyed, the punching position can be adjusted by driving the moving means of the punching means only. The driving operation of the lateral registration detection sensor can be omitted, and power can be saved in the apparatus.

Further, of the front end or the rear end of the conveyed sheet, one side end parallel to the conveying direction on the perforated side is detected by the lateral registration detecting means, and the detected side end position is detected. Since the punching position of the punching means is moved based on the information, the punching position of the sheet can be aligned with one side end of the sheet, and even for a skewed sheet, the hole position deviation with respect to the sheet end can be reduced. It can be perforated with a minimum.

The lateral registration detecting means detects a plurality of portions at one end parallel to the sheet conveying direction to detect the skew amount of the sheet, and based on the sheet side end position information and the skew amount. Therefore, since the punching position of the punching means is moved, it is possible to align the hole positions with respect to the sheet edge and perform the punching, and to minimize the positional deviation of the hole position with respect to the skewed sheet. Can be perforated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a stapler and a processing tray unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the stapler moving mechanism in the same view as FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stapler in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of a swing guide and a processing tray.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a processing tray and an alignment wall moving mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the haunting tray.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the stack tray moving mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a sensor arrangement diagram around the stack tray.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the punch unit.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the punch unit.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the punch unit.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a horizontal registration sensor moving mechanism of the punch unit.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a horizontal registration sensor moving mechanism of the punch unit.

FIG. 15 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the non-sort mode.

FIG. 16 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 17 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 18 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 19 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 20 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 21 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 22 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 23 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 24 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the same sort mode.

FIG. 25 is an operation diagram of the sheet processing apparatus in the sort mode.

FIG. 26 is a stacking diagram of a sheet bundle in the sort mode.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of a processing tray showing the sheet bundle aligning operation.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of a processing tray showing the sheet bundle alignment operation.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the processing tray showing the sheet bundle alignment operation.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the processing tray showing the sheet bundle alignment operation.

FIG. 31 is a plan view of a processing tray showing the sheet bundle aligning operation.

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a processing tray showing the sheet bundle aligning operation.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of the processing tray showing the sheet bundle alignment operation.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of the punch mode.

FIG. 35 is a view showing a horizontal registration sensor moving mechanism of the punch unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a view showing a lateral registration sensor moving mechanism of the punch unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a punch mode according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a punch mode according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a moving mechanism diagram of a lateral registration detection sensor of a punch unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a moving mechanism diagram of a lateral registration detection sensor of a punch unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a punch mode according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of a lateral registration detection sensor of a punch unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of a lateral registration detection sensor of a punch unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of a lateral registration detection sensor of a punch unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a plan view showing a state in which a plurality of side edge positions of the skewed sheet are detected.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of a punch mode according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a front view of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet processing apparatus according to the invention is applicable.

FIG. 48 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an example of a conventional sheet processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

P Sheet 1 Finisher (Sheet Processing Device) 5 Large Conveying Roller (Conveying Means) 31 Paper Detection Sensor (Sheet Presence Detection Sensor) 60 Punching Unit 61 Punch 62 Dice 61,62 Punching Unit 70 Punching Unit Moving Motor (Moving Means) Pinion 80 Lateral registration detecting means 81 Lateral registration detecting means 85 CCD lateral registration detecting sensor (horizontal registration detecting means) 130 Processing tray (first loading tray) 200 Stack tray (second loading tray) 300 Image forming apparatus main body 399 Image Discharge roller pair (discharge unit) 902 of image forming apparatus Image forming unit 930 Control unit (control unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Wataru Kawada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Yoshifumi Takehara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A piercing means having a piercing portion for piercing a sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, the piercing means being movable in a direction intersecting with the sheet conveying direction, and a sheet detecting presence or absence of a sheet conveyed by the piercing means. Presence / absence detection means, detection means for detecting one side end parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed to the perforation means, and a sheet based on sheet side end position information detected by the detection means And a moving means for moving a piercing position of the piercing means in a direction intersecting with the transport direction of the piercing apparatus. 2. A piercing means having a piercing portion for piercing a sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, the piercing means being movable in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction, and a front and rear end of the sheet conveyed by the piercing means. Detecting means for detecting one side end parallel to the conveyance direction of the sheet, and the perforation position of the perforation means in a direction intersecting the sheet conveyance direction based on the sheet side end position information detected by the detection means. A perforating device, comprising: moving means for moving. 3. A sheet side end position detected by the detecting means by detecting a skew amount of the sheet by detecting one side end parallel to the sheet conveying direction at a plurality of positions. 2. A perforating position of said perforating means is moved based on information and said skew amount.
The sheet punching device according to claim 1. 4. The sheet punching device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is movably mounted on the punching unit. 5. The sheet punching device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit moves to a position near a sheet side end based on information on a size of a sheet to be conveyed. 6. A sheet punching apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection means is a CCD detection sensor comprising a CCD line sensor. 7. A sheet punching device according to claim 1, a conveying means for conveying a plurality of sheets discharged from said sheet punching device, and a sheet bundle discharged from said conveying means. And a second stacking tray for stacking a sheet bundle discharged from the first stacking tray. 8. A sheet punching apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet, and a discharge for discharging the sheet formed by the image forming means to the sheet punching apparatus. And an image forming apparatus. 9. A sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheet; and a discharging unit discharging the sheet formed by the image forming unit to the sheet processing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: