JPH11258956A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform operation including processing when abnormality occurs at high speed by displaying an instruction to urge a user to view a 2nd display means on a 1st display means when an abnormality occurs in a sheet processor and then displaying an instruction to eliminate the abnormality in the sheet processor on the 2nd display means. SOLUTION: When jamming occurs in the sheet processor, the display to urge the user to view a 2nd operation display part 3005 provided on a stapling/ stacking device is performed on a 1st operation display part 2001 provided in a copying machine main body, and the occurrence of jamming in the stapling/ stacking device is displayed on the display part 3005. The detailed jamming information such as a jamming spot in the stapling/stacking device and jamming processing procedure, etc., is displayed. When the jamming in the stapling/ stacking device is eliminated, the instruction to urge the user to view the display part 2001 is displayed on the display part 3005 instead of the display of the jamming information in the stapling/stacking device. After a specified time elapses, the display of the display part 3005 is turned off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., and a sheet such as a copy sheet carried out of the image forming apparatus is sequentially taken into the apparatus and folded on the sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming system including a sheet processing apparatus for selectively performing processes such as sorting, binding, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has an automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a document and a document image recording apparatus in order to reduce the labor required for processing such as copying. A sorter / selector for selectively performing processing such as sorting processing for aligning and classifying stacked sheets, stapling processing for selectively binding a bundle of a plurality of sheets, and stacking processing for stacking and storing sheets or sheet bundles. A sheet processing apparatus such as a finisher is configured to be attached, and a second sheet processing apparatus that selectively performs processing such as folding, punching, and stamping on a sheet is the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus. And these are connected to form an image forming system.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming system, the sheet processing apparatus, the second sheet processing apparatus, and the like are connected to the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, so that the entire system becomes large and complicated. With such a configuration, it has been difficult to smoothly perform operations including processing when an abnormality occurs in the image forming system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system having a sheet processing apparatus and the like, which is large and has a complicated structure, and which can easily and quickly perform operations including processing when an abnormality occurs.

[0005]

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object has at least one of a function of recording and forming an image on a sheet to be recorded and a function of reading an image of a sheet to be read. In an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having one of them and a sheet processing apparatus for selectively performing processing on a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is provided in the image forming apparatus and relates to the image forming apparatus. A first display unit that displays various information; and a second display unit that is provided in the sheet processing apparatus and displays various information related to the sheet processing apparatus. Displaying an instruction prompting the user to look at the second display means on the first display means,
Thereafter, an instruction for canceling the abnormality of the sheet processing apparatus is displayed on the second display means.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] An image forming system according to a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, an electrophotographic copying machine including a sheet processing apparatus will be described as an example of an image forming system.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine having a sheet processing apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the stapling / stacking apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrophotographic copying machine 200 includes a copying machine main body 201, an automatic document feeder 202 provided above the copying machine main body 201, and a sheet S of the copying machine main body 201.
And a sheet processing apparatus 203 disposed on the discharge side of the sheet.

The sheet processing device 203 includes a folding device 204,
And a staple / stack device 205.

The originals 207 placed on the original placing table 206 of the automatic original feeder 202 are separated one by one in order and fed onto a platen glass 208 of the copying machine main body 201 via a path 209. The image of the original 207 fed onto the platen glass 208 is read by the optical system 210 of the copier main body 201, and after the reading is completed, the original 207 is again passed from the platen glass 208 via the path 211 to the original placing table 206. Sent to

The image of the original 207 read by the optical system 210 is formed on the photosensitive drum 220 of the image forming unit 213 as an electrostatic latent image. In the image forming unit 213, the photosensitive drum 22
The electrostatic latent image formed at 0 is visualized, and the visible image is transferred to the sheet S fed from the deck 212.

The sheet S to which the visible image has been transferred is conveyed to the conveying path 221.
Then, the visible image is fixed to the sheet S by the fixing unit 214.

The sheet S discharged from the fixing unit 214 is guided to a reversing path 217 and a folding device 204 for switching the image forming surface of the sheet S (surface switching in the duplex copy mode) by the switching operation of the deflector 216. To one of the two paths.

The sheet S sent to the reversing path 217 is sent to the intermediate tray 218 after the image forming surface is switched, and is temporarily stacked. Sheet S on intermediate tray 218
Is sent again to the image forming unit 213 via the re-feeding path 219,
An image is formed on the switching surface of the sheet S.

On the other hand, the sheet S sent to the path for leading to the folding device 204 usually passes through the folding device 204 without being processed, and is conveyed to the sheet entrance 215 of the stapling / stacking device 205. .

Incidentally, the image forming process in the copying machine main body 201 is known, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also,
The folding device 204 is the same as the folding device disclosed in JP-A-60-232372, JP-A-62-59002, etc., and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stapling / stacking device 205 receives the sheet conveyed to the sheet carry-in port 215 and is divided into upper and lower bin modules B1 and B2.
B2, and each bin module B1 and B2 has a plurality of bins B11 to B1n and bins B21 to B2n (n = 6 in the present embodiment).
It is composed of Each bin module B1, B2 is
By changing the bin interval and bin position of each bin independently of each other, each bin can be moved to a sheet receiving position and a sheet bundle discharging position.

The sheet entrance 215 is provided with a deflector 3 for selectively switching between the first transport path 1 in the upward direction and the second transport path 2 in the downward direction. The traveling direction of the sheet S that has entered 215 is determined. The deflector 3 is driven by a solenoid (not shown).

The first transport path 1 includes a solenoid (not shown)
Non-sort tray 5 by deflector 4 driven by
And a sheet conveying path 7 to the bin module B1. First by deflectors 3 and 4
When the conveyance path from the conveyance path 1 to the sheet conveyance path 6 is selected, the sheet S is directed from the sheet conveyance port 215 to the non-sort tray 5 via the first conveyance path 1 by the respective roller pairs 8a, 8b, 8c. Conveyed. When the transport path from the first transport path 1 to the sheet transport path 7 is selected by the deflectors 3 and 4, the sheet S is transferred to each roller pair 8a, 8b and 8d.
The sheet is conveyed from the sheet carry-in port 215 to the bin module B1 via the first conveyance path 1 by the weight of .about.8 g.

On the other hand, the second transport path 2 forms a path from the sheet carry-in port 215 to the bin module B2,
When the second conveyance path 2 is selected by the deflector 3, the sheet S is conveyed to the bin module B2 by each pair of rollers 8a, 8h to 8p.

Sheet transport path 7 to bin module B1
A bundle processing unit 9 is disposed in a space between the second transport path 2 to the bin module B2. The bundle processing unit 9 conveys the sheet bundle on each bin to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the advance gripper 10, selectively staples the sheet bundle with the stapler 11, and holds the leading end of the sheet bundle with the transport gripper 12. And further conveyed to the right. Similarly, in the space between the sheet transport path 7 to the bin module B1 and the second transport path 2 to the bin module B2, the stack unit 13 waits below the bundle processing unit 9, and the stack unit 13 The bundle transported by the transport gripper 12 is stored.

The bundle processing unit 9 and the stack unit 13
Is moved to the dashed line position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to take out a sheet bundle from each bin B11 to B16 of the bin module B1.

When the sheet bundle of the bin module B1 is taken out, the bundle processing unit 9 and the stack unit
13 moves to the solid line position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and takes out a sheet bundle from each of the bins B21 to B26 of the bin module B2.

The operation of taking out the sheet bundle is continuously repeated until the stack unit 13 is fully loaded, and the copying operation can be continued during the period until the stack unit 13 is fully loaded. The stacking height of the stack unit 13 is determined by the height from a stack tray stacking surface, which will be described later, to the upper end of the stacker reference wall. In FIG. 2, the maximum stacking height of the stack unit 13 is set to 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the bin modules B1 and B2 is provided with a penetration sensor S3 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet S on each bin. The detection signal of each penetration sensor S3 will be described later. Bin modules B1, B
2 is used to determine the switching timing, the start timing of the copy operation of the next job, and the like.

Next, a detailed configuration of each section will be described.

First, the bin modules B1 and B2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a perspective view showing a bin module provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a top view showing a bin module provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a bin module provided in the stapling / stacking device of FIG. In addition, bin module B
Since 1 and the bin module B2 have the same configuration, only the bin module B1 will be described here, and the description of the bin module B2 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bin module B1 includes a plurality of bins B11 to B1n, two reference rods 14a and 14b,
Alignment wall 15, 3 lead cams to raise and lower each bin
16a to 16c, and a drive unit for driving these members.

The reference rods 14a and 14b are members for determining a reference line when a process such as stapling is performed on the sheet S discharged onto each bin. It is set at a position where it is slightly retracted.

The aligning wall 15 shifts the width of the sheets S discharged onto the bins B11 to B1n in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction by a predetermined number of sheets, and sets the ends of the sheets S to the reference rods 14a and 14b.
To perform alignment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lead cams 16c and 16b are arranged on the back side of the bin, and the lead cam 16a is arranged on the front side of the bin.

A spiral cam portion is formed on the outer periphery of each of the lead cams 16a, 16b, 16c. Each lead cam 16
Each of the lead cams 16a, 16b, and 16c is engaged with the cams of the a, 16b, and 16c so that each of the lead cams 16a, 16b, and 16c is rotated by one rotation. Then, each bin is raised and lowered by a predetermined pitch.

In each of the bins B11 to B16, a notch Bd corresponding to the reference rod 14a and a hole Be corresponding to the alignment wall 15 are formed as shown in FIG. , A notch Bg for a bin standing drive mechanism and a notch Bh necessary for operation.

Each of the bins B11 to B16 is, as shown in FIG.
They are arranged parallel to each other and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction. The vertical interval between the bins B11 to B16 can be changed in accordance with the state of receiving and discharging the sheet bundle. For example, when bin B14 is at the bundle take-out position, the bin interval between bins B11 to B15 is set to 117,
The interval between 15 and bin B16 is set to l18.

On the other hand, each bin roller section Ba, Bb, B
c is configured such that all the bins B11 to B16 have the same height in a state where they are inclined. That is, the position of the bin roller portion Bb located on the back side of the bin is near the reference surface of the bin, whereas the position of the bin roller portion Ba on the front side of the bin and the position of the bin roller portion Bc in the middle of the bin are below the reference surface of the bin. The bin rollers Ba, Bc and the corresponding bin are fixed by V-shaped fixing arms.

Next, the bin shift drive will be described with reference to FIGS.

The bin shift drive is performed by a bin shift motor M1, as shown in FIGS. The driving force of the bin shift motor M1 is determined by the motor pulley 18 and the belt.
19, Lead cam 16a by lead cam pulleys 20a-20c
To 16c. Each of the lead cams 16a to 16c rotates in the forward or reverse direction in accordance with the forward or reverse rotation of the bin shift motor M1, and the rotation of each of the bins B11 to B16 is performed.

The bin shift motor M1 has two output shafts. One output shaft is provided with a pulley 18, and the other output shaft is provided with an encoder 21. Encoder
The rotation speed of 21, ie, the rotation speed of the bin shift motor M1, is detected by the sensor S1. The encoder 22 is also attached to the lead cam 16c. By reading the encoder 22 with the sensor S2, one rotation of the lead cam can be detected.

Each of the bin modules B1 and B2 is provided with a bin home position detection sensor (not shown) so that the home position can be detected.

Next, an alignment wall for aligning the sheet S on the bin
The fifteenth drive configuration will be described.

The matching wall 15 is driven by a matching wall drive motor (not shown) composed of a stepping motor. The driving force of the matching wall drive motor is transmitted to the matching wall 15 via a transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear and a timing belt, and the position of the matching wall 15 is supplied by supplying an appropriate number of pulses to the matching wall drive motor. Control is performed. The home position of the matching wall 15 is detected by a sensor (not shown).

Next, a description will be given of a drive configuration of a bin standing portion that forms an alignment reference plane in the transport direction of the sheet S on the bin with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of the bin stand provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG.

Each bin Bmn (m = 1, 2 in this embodiment,
n = 1 to 6), as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet stacking portion Bi
And a matching portion Bj (also referred to as a bin standing portion). The matching portion Bj is provided with a support shaft Bk rotatably fitted in a hole provided in the sheet stacking portion Bi. . The alignment section Bj is located at a position substantially perpendicular to the stacking surface of the sheet stacking section Bi (solid line position in the figure) and at a position substantially parallel to the stacking surface of the sheet stacking section Bi (two-dot chain line position in the figure). Are angularly rotated about the support shaft Bk, and the rotation angle is approximately 90 °. When the aligning unit Bj is at a position rising perpendicular to the stacking surface of the sheet stacking unit Bi, an aligning surface for aligning a sheet bundle stacked on the bin Bmn by the aligning unit Bj is formed. In contrast,
When the alignment unit Bj moves to a position substantially parallel to the stacking surface of the sheet stacking unit Bi, a carry-in port for transferring the sheet stack stacked on the bin Bmn to the bundle processing unit 9 is formed. The driving of the matching unit Bj is called bin standing driving.

The aligning section Bj is provided with a drive arm 45 for discharging the sheet B above the sheet stacking surface of the bin Bmn, and a pin 45a is provided at the tip of the drive arm 45.

The matching section Bj is driven by the solenoid SL1. The solenoid SL1 is supported by a base (not shown). The output shaft of the solenoid SL1 is connected to a pin 47a of a link 47 via an arm 48. One end of the link 47 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 47c fixed to the base, and the other end of the link 47 has a pin contact member 47.
b is provided.

One end of a spring member 49 is attached to the pin 47a of the link 47, and the other end of the spring member 49 is attached to a base.

The link 47 is angularly rotated according to the operation of the solenoid SL1. When the solenoid SL1 is turned off, that is, in the normal state, the link 47 is moved to the solid line position shown in FIG. That is, the aligning section Bj is moved to a position where the aligning section Bj rises perpendicularly to the stacking surface of the sheet stacking section Bi, and an aligning surface for aligning the sheet bundle stacked on the bin Bmn is formed. In this position, since the pin contact member 47b of the link 47 and the pin 45a are separated from each other, in the normal state, the pin contact member 47b of the link 47 and the pin 45a do not interfere and the bin Bmn
Can be performed.

When the sheet bundle on the bin Bmn is conveyed to the bundle processing unit 9, the solenoid SL1 is turned on after the bin Bmn is shifted to a predetermined position. The link 47 is rotated by the ON operation of the solenoid SL1, and the pin contact member 47b contacts the pin 45a. When the link 47 further rotates, the aligning portion Bj is moved to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, and a carry-in port for carrying the sheet bundle stacked on the bin Bmn to the stapling / stacking device 205 is formed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the bin standing drive unit is constituted by the solenoid, but can be constituted similarly by controlling the rotation amount of the bin standing by using a DC motor and a sensor.

Next, the bundle processing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a top view showing the bundle processing unit provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the bundle processing unit of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bundle processing unit 9 has a frame in which guide stays 52 and 53 and a right stay 54 are provided between a unit front side plate 50 and a unit rear side plate 51. Four lifting rollers 55 are caulked, two on each side. A guide member 53a for guiding the sheet bundle S at the time of conveying the sheet bundle is attached to the back side of the lower guide stay 53. The four elevating rollers 55 are guided in two rails 56 fixed to the main body side, a rack cut integrally with the rails 56, and pinion gears provided at both ends of a shaft 57 penetrating in the lateral direction of the frame body. The frame is meshed with the pinion gear 58 and the drive is transmitted from the lifting motor M4 to the pinion gear 58, whereby the entire frame is raised and lowered.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the frame of the bundle processing unit 9 has a pair of sensors S for detecting the uppermost surface of a bundle of sheets stacked on a stack tray 116 described later.
23 are provided. The sensors S23 cooperate with each other to form a detection optical path extending in the direction of arrow G in FIG.

In the frame of the bundle processing unit 9, there are disposed three moving bodies, namely, an advance gripper 10, a stapler 11, and a transport gripper 12. Hereinafter, these moving objects will be described.

The advance gripper 10 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The advance gripper 10 pulls the sheet bundle S in the direction of arrow D by gripping the vicinity of the right end on the near reference side of the sheet bundle S on the bin. The distance from the right end of the advance gripper 10 to the leading end of the sheet bundle S is set to l4, and the distance l4 is set to be longer than the distance l5 from the left end of the stapler 11 to the leading end of the sheet bundle S when the sheet bundle S is pulled out. ing.

The driving mechanism of the advance gripper 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a driving mechanism of the advance gripper 10 of the bundle processing unit 9 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, an advance motor M7 is attached to the front side of the unit front side plate 50, and a swing arm 76 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft. Swing arm
An elongated hole 76a is formed at the other end of the pin 76, and the distal end of a pin member 74 interlocked with the advance gripper 10 is engaged with the elongated hole 76a.
The pin member 74 is formed on the coupling plate 73, and the coupling plate 73 is supported by the shafts of two grooved rollers 72. Each roller 72 is attached to the side surface of the advance gripper 10, and the groove of each roller 72 is engaged with the elongated hole 50a of the unit front side plate 50.

When the advance motor M7 is driven, the swing arm 76 reciprocates between the solid line position and the two-dot chain line position in FIG.

The stapler 11 is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 7, and the movable position is a retracted position on the front side that does not overlap with the sheet width (position 11 shown in FIG. 7).
a), a retreat position on the back side (position 11b in FIG. 7), an arbitrary position of the leading end of the sheet bundle (for example, each position 11c, 11 in FIG. 7).
d, 11e) and so on.

The driving of the stapler 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a left view showing a stapler driving mechanism of the bundle processing unit of FIG. 7, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating a stapler drive mechanism of the bundle processing unit.

The stapler 11, as shown in FIG.
Fixed to 94. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, two shafts 96 and 97 for suspending and supporting the stapler 11 penetrate through the slider 95 mounted on the upper portion of the base 94, respectively. Both ends of unit 50
Each is supported by 51. The slider 95 is the regulating member 10
3, the belt 102 is wound around a driving pulley 100 and a driven pulley 101, and a driving force is applied to the driving pulley 100 from a stapler forward / reverse motor M10 fixed to the substrate 98 via a gear 99. Transmitted.

Accordingly, the slider 95, ie, the stapler 11, is moved by the stapler forward / reverse motor M10 in the direction of the arrow J in FIG. 13 between the retracted position 11a on the near side and the retracted position 11b on the rear side. Withdrawal position 11a on the near side,
It can be set to an arbitrary position between the retreat position 11b on the back side. The position is set based on the detection signal from the front position sensor S11 or the rear position sensor S12 and the stapler forward / reverse motor M
This is performed based on the detection signal from the sensor S13 which reads the output of the ten encoders 104.

As shown in FIG. 7, the transport gripper 12 is movable in the direction of arrow F, and its front and rear side plates 59, 60 are provided.
It is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow G including the whole.
The transport gripper 12 moves in the direction of arrow F according to the size of the sheet bundle, grips the approximate center position of the sheet width, and moves in the direction of arrow G so as to completely pull out the sheet bundle from above the bin. Transport to 13. The movement in the direction of the arrow F is performed for the purpose of sorting on the stack unit 13 in addition to the movement corresponding to the above-described sheet size. That is, when the sheet bundle is conveyed to the stack unit 13, the amount of conveyance in the direction of arrow G depends on the size of the sheet bundle.
By changing the transport amount in the direction, it is possible to sort the sheet bundle of the same size and to sort between different jobs.

The drive mechanism of the transport gripper 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a top view showing the drive mechanism of the transport gripper of the bundle processing unit of FIG. 7, and FIG. 12 is a front sectional view showing the drive mechanism of the transport gripper of the bundle processing unit of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transport gripper 12 is supported by two shafts 77 and 78. One shaft 77 is formed by a ball screw, and the other shaft 78 is formed by a normal shaft. ing. Both ends of the shaft 77 are between the front and rear plates (the front plate 59 is omitted, the rear plate
(Only 60 is shown) so as to be rotatable, and both ends of the shaft 78 are fixed. Two rollers 79 are respectively provided on the front and rear side plates, and each roller 79 is an elongated hole 51a provided on the unit side plate 51.
It is movably fitted in.

First, the driving of the transport gripper 12 in the sheet bundle transport direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the unit side plate 51 will be described.

For driving the transport gripper 12 in the sheet bundle transport direction, a transport gripper left / right moving motor M8 attached to the unit side plate 51 is used. The driving force of the transfer gripper left / right moving motor M8 is transmitted through the transmission shaft 83
Is transmitted to Pulleys along with driven pulleys 82
The belt 86 is wound around the pulley 84 and the pulley 85 facing the pulley 84. Since a part of the belt 86 is fixed to the rear side plate 60 by the regulating member 87, the belt 86 is driven by the conveying gripper left / right moving motor M8.
Is rotated, and each roller 79 is moved along the elongated hole 51a of the unit side plate 51 with the rotation of the belt 86, that is, the rear plate 60 is moved. Therefore, the transport gripper 12 is moved in the sheet bundle transport direction.

Next, the driving of the transport gripper 12 in a direction orthogonal to the sheet bundle transport direction will be described.

For driving the transport gripper 12 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle transport direction, a transport gripper forward / reverse motor M9 mounted on the rear plate 60 via a substrate 88 is used. The driving force of the transport gripper forward / reverse motor M9 is transmitted to the shaft 77 via a transmission mechanism including a driving pulley 89, a belt 90, and a driven pulley 91. Since a portion of the transfer gripper 12 that engages with the shaft 77 is formed with a threaded portion that is screwed to the shaft 77, the transfer gripper 12 is moved in the axial direction of the shaft 77 as the shaft 77 rotates.

The positioning control of the transport gripper 12 is performed based on the detection of the home position and the detection of the rotation amount of the motor. Specifically, the movement in the sheet bundle conveying direction and the stop position thereof are determined by the detection signal from the home position sensor S7 for detecting the protrusion 87a of the regulating member 87 and the reading sensor S8 of the encoder 92 of the conveying gripper left / right moving motor M8. The movement in the direction perpendicular to the sheet bundle conveyance direction and the stop position thereof are determined based on the detection signal from the home position sensor S9 and the reading sensor S10 of the encoder 93 of the conveyance gripper forward / reverse motor M9. The detection is performed based on the detection signal. It is also possible to use a stepping motor as the transport gripper forward / reverse motor M9 and omit the encoder 93 and the like.

Next, the advance gripper 10 and the transport gripper
The configuration of the 12 grip portions will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows the advance gripper 10 of the bundle processing unit of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of a grip section of the transport gripper 12.

The grip portion of the advance gripper 10 for holding the sheet bundle and the grip portion of the transport gripper 12 for holding the sheet bundle have a common configuration.

As shown in FIG. 9, the grip portion 61 is
An upper gripper 66 and a lower gripper 67 are rotatably supported by the 62 fixed shafts 65, respectively. The upper gripper 66
The end 66a is urged by a spring member 71 so as to be in contact with an eccentric cam 69 which is rotated about the shaft 64 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The eccentric cam 69 is fixed to a shaft 64, and the shaft 64 is rotated by a motor M5 (not shown). As the eccentric cam 69 rotates, the upper gripper 66 swings in the direction of arrow I.

The lower gripper 67 is urged by a spring member 70 so that its end 67a comes into contact with an eccentric cam 68 which is rotated about the shaft 63 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Eccentric cam 68 is shaft
The shaft 63 is fixed to the shaft 63 and rotated by a motor M6 (not shown). As the eccentric cam 68 rotates, the lower gripper 67 swings in the direction of arrow H.

The opening / closing operation by the upper gripper 66 and the lower gripper 67 is performed by repeating swinging in the directions of arrows I and H (solid line and broken line in the figure).

Next, the configuration of the stack unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 17 and 18. 15 is a top view showing a configuration of a stack unit provided in the staple / stack apparatus of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 17 is a front view showing a stack frame of the stack unit of FIG. 15, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a left view showing the stack unit of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the stack frame 105 serving as the outer frame of the stack unit 13 is composed of four parts: a rear plate 105a, a left plate 105b, a right plate 105c, and a bottom plate 105d. Two elevating rollers 106 are respectively attached to the outer outer surfaces of the left and right side plates 105b and 105c of the outer frame, and each elevating roller 106 is guided by a rail 107 fixed to the main body. The rail 107 can be shared by the same member as the rail 56 of the bundle processing unit 9 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, chains 109 are fixed to the left and right side plates 105b and 105c by regulating members 108, respectively.
Multiplied by 111. The lower sprocket 111 is fixed to the penetrating shaft 112, and the driving force from the stack frame lifting / lowering motor M11 is transmitted to the penetrating shaft 112 via the gears 113 and 114. With the rotation of the penetrating shaft 112 by the driving force from the stack frame elevating motor M11, the stack frame 105
Moves up and down.

As the stop positions of the stack frame 105, normally, in addition to the two stop positions corresponding to the two stop positions (the upper broken line portion and the lower solid line portion) of the bundle processing unit 9 shown in FIG. A plurality of positions are set, such as a stack tray pull-out position to be described later and a position when changing the stack limit number. The home position of the stack frame 105 is set at a position corresponding to the bin module B1. As shown in FIG. 15, the positioning control for the stop position is performed based on a detection signal from the reading sensor S14 of the encoder 115 of the stack frame lifting / lowering motor M11.

On the left side plate 105b of the stack frame 105,
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, a stacker reference wall 117 serving as a reference wall of the sheet bundle on the stack tray 116 is supported so as to be able to move up and down.

A guide roller 117a is attached to the upper inclined surface 117b of the stacker reference wall 117 to prevent the trailing end of the sheet bundle from remaining on the inclined surface. The stacker reference wall 117 has guide rails 120 and 121 corresponding to the guide rollers 119 according to the number of sheets stacked on the stack tray 116.
, While using the driving force from a lifting motor M12 (not shown).

A proximity prevention sensor S16 is attached to the upper end of the stacker reference wall 117, and the distance between the stack unit 13 and the bundle processing unit 9 above it is detected based on a detection signal from the proximity prevention sensor S16. When the stack unit 13 and the bundle processing unit 9 approach each other within a certain distance or less, control for stopping driving in the respective approach directions is performed, and their interference is prevented.

A detection sensor S17 for detecting the stack height is mounted on the side surface of the stacker reference wall 117.

Next, the stack tray 116 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a front view showing a stack tray of the stack unit in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the stack tray 116 is constructed so as to be able to move up and down inside the stack frame 105, and is positioned at the front of the stack tray base 129 by an accuride 130. It is configured to be able to be pulled out in the direction. Stack tray base 129
U-shaped roller receiving plates 131 are attached to both end surfaces of the roller, and each roller 132 provided on the roller receiving plate 131 is a rail 128.
Guided by.

A stack tray elevating motor M13 is mounted on the stack tray base 129. The driving force of the stack tray elevating motor M13 is transmitted to the through shaft 133 via the gears 136, 137. Pinion gears 134 are fixed to both ends of the through shaft 133, and each pinion gear 134 is engaged with a rack formed to extend in the vertical direction on a corresponding guide rail 128. As described above, the stack tray base 129 moves along with the guide rail
It is moved up and down while being guided by. That is, the stack tray 116 moves up and down by the driving force of the stack tray elevating motor M13.

An encoder 138 is attached to the auxiliary shaft of the stack tray elevating motor M13, and the rotation speed of the encoder 138 is read by a sensor S15. The detection signal from the sensor S15 is used for controlling the amount of elevation of the stack tray 116.

The stack tray 116 has a copy sheet detection sensor S for detecting a bundle of sheets stacked on the stacking surface.
30 are installed.

Next, the structure of the stopper of the stack unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 19 and 20.
FIG. 19 is a top view showing the configuration of the stopper of the stack unit of FIG. 15, and FIG. 20 is a front view showing the configuration of the stopper of the stack unit of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the stopper 300 cooperates with the stacker reference wall 117 to constitute a mechanism for preventing collapse of the sheet bundle on the stack tray 116.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the stopper 300 is provided with a fixing member 301 which rises perpendicularly to the stacking surface of the stack tray 116 and a fixing member which is guided by an accuride 302 provided on the fixing member 301. 301, which is movable in the axial direction.

A roller 308 is attached to a lower portion of the fixed member 301, and the roller 308 is movably engaged with a rail member 310 for guiding the roller 308 in a direction perpendicular to the side plate 105c.
The rail member 310 is fixed to the bottom plate 105d. On the other hand, an L-shaped arm 304
One end is attached. The other end of the arm 304 is connected to a slider 305.

The slider 305 is supported by two shafts 306a and 306b extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the rail member 310 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Both ends of each shaft 306a, 306b are fixed to the stacker reference wall 117.

A belt 307 is fixed to the slider 305.
The belt 307 is wound around a driving pulley 312 and a driven pulley 313. Driving force from the stopper moving motor M30 is transmitted to the driving pulley 312 via the output pulley 311. The driving pulley 312 is rotated by this driving force.
With the rotation of the driving pulley 312, the slider 305 fixed to the belt 307 moves while being guided by the shafts 306a and 306b. That is, as the slider 305 moves, the stopper 300
The stack tray along the guide direction of the rail member 310.
116 is moved parallel to the loading surface.

The position of the stopper 300 in the direction parallel to the stacking surface of the stack tray 116 is set according to the size of the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray 116, and the positioning with respect to the set position is performed by the stopper moving motor M30. This is performed based on a detection signal from a reading sensor (not shown) of an encoder (not shown) and a detection signal from a home position sensor (not shown) for detecting a home position position. The stopper moving motor M30 can be constituted by a stepping motor, and in this case, the encoder and the like can be omitted.

On the other hand, the stopper moving motor M30, the driving pulley 312 and the driven pulley 313 are connected to the stacker reference wall 117.
The moving member 303 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the stacking surface of the stack tray 116 as the stacker reference wall 117 moves up and down.
It is the same as the amount of elevation.

Next, the driving mechanism of the transport system of the stapling / stacking device 205 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a drive mechanism of a transport system of the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. In the drawings, the hatched roller of each roller pair indicates the driving side, and the other roller indicates the driven side.

The driving system is roughly divided into three as shown in FIG.
Each drive system is provided with a corresponding transport motor M14, M15, M16.

First, the transport motor M14 is responsible for driving the pair of rollers near the copying machine main body 201. More specifically, each roller pair 8a, 8b, 8c for guiding sheets to the bin module B1 and the non-sort tray 5, and the bin module B
The four pairs of rollers 8h to 8k for guiding the sheet 2 are driven.

Next, the transport motor M15 is in charge of the sheet discharge to the bin module B1 and drives the four roller pairs 8d to 8g.

Further, the conveying motor M16 is in charge of the sheet discharge to the bin module B2 and drives the five roller pairs 8l to 8p.

Since the portion surrounded by a broken line in the drawing is a portion which is drawn out to the front side in the case of a later-described jam processing or the like, couplings 139 and 140 are provided so that they can be separated from the drive side. Is configured. In a system driven by the transport motor M16, each roller pair 8l
Although the lower roller is the driving side for the roller pairs 8o to 8n, the right roller or the upper roller is the driving side for each roller pair 8o to 8p. Have been.

Next, the cover configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 203 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a front view showing a cover configuration of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG.

The folding device 204 is covered with a folding cover 142 as shown in FIG. The stapling / stacking device 205 includes a fixed cover 143 that covers the right side of each bin module in the vertical direction, a front cover 144 that covers the paths 2a and 2b to the lower bin module and a part of the bundle processing unit 9, and a take-out unit. Stack tray in available position
A stack take-out cover 145 covering the sheet bundle S on the stack tray 116, a bin cover 146 covering the left side of each bin module in the vertical direction, and an upper pass cover
147 are provided. The upper path cover 147 has the non-sort tray 5 and forms the upper surface of the path leading to the upper bin module. A rotation fulcrum is provided on the back side of the upper pass cover 147, and the upper pass cover 147 is configured such that the front side opens upward in the direction of arrow K.

Next, a control system for controlling the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 24
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the electrophotographic copying machine of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 24, the control system for controlling the operation of the electrophotographic copying machine 200 includes a CPU 2000 mounted on the copying machine main body 201, a CPU 3000 mounted on the sheet processing apparatus 203, and a CPU 2000. An I / F 3004 for communicably connecting to the CPU 3000.

The CPU 2000 controls the entire system of the copier body 201 and controls each unit corresponding to the selected mode, controls the operation of the automatic document feeder 202, and controls the instruction response with the sheet processing unit 203. I do.
Specifically, the CPU 2000 monitors the operation state of the copier main body 201, the operation state of the automatic document feeder 202, and the operation state of the sheet processing apparatus 203 notified from the CPU 3000 via the I / F 3004, and the monitoring result Is controlled directly according to the instruction, and an instruction indicating the content of the control is issued via the I / F 3004 to the CP.
Send to U3000. In addition, a control instruction is given to the first operation display unit 2001 for notifying the state of each unit and the like.

The CPU 3000 is connected to the I / F 3004
The solenoid group 30 of the sheet processing device 203 is based on the instruction content notified through the
A control instruction is given to a motor driver 3001 for controlling the operation of each motor and for controlling the driving of each motor. In addition, a control instruction is given to a second operation display unit 3005 for notifying the state of each unit and the like.

Note that the first operation display section 2001 and the second operation display section 2001
Various information displayed on the operation display unit 3005 and switching control of the display will be described later in detail.

{Description of Operation} Next, the present electrophotographic copying machine 200
Will be described.

First, the basic operation will be described.

First, the document table of the automatic document feeder 202
The original is set on 106. Next, an operation unit (not shown)
, A predetermined mode condition is input, and the start key is pressed. The sheet processing apparatus 203 according to the start key press signal
Are controlled to a standby state. Hereinafter, description will be given separately for each mode condition.

(A) In the case of the non-sort mode In FIG. 2, the deflector 3 is positioned in the direction of the solid line, and the deflector 4 is positioned in the direction of the broken line. Then, the transport motor M14 (see FIG. 21) is controlled.

The sheet discharged from the copying machine main body 201 after the image forming process passes through the upper path of the folding device 204 and enters the stapling / stacking device 205 from the carry-in entrance 215. The sheet is deflected vertically upward by the deflector 3, and is conveyed vertically upward on the right side of the deflector 4 to form a roller pair 8.
The sheet is discharged onto the non-sort tray 5 at c.

(B) In Sort Mode The operation in this sort mode is the operation in a general sort mode, and the operation will be described.

First, in the standby state, each of the deflectors 3 and 4 is positioned so as to be in the direction of the solid line. The upper and lower bin modules B1 and B2 perform a bin shift operation such that the uppermost bins B11 and B21 are located at positions (sheet storage positions) opposed to the discharge roller pairs 8g and 8p. The alignment walls 15 of the bin modules B1 and B2 stand by at a home position corresponding to the width of the sheet. The driving of the bin standing portion is controlled so as to stop at the non-operation position.

The bundle processing unit 9 moves to a position (a broken line position in FIG. 2) corresponding to the sheet bundle removal of the upper bin module B1 and waits.

Each moving body in the bundle processing unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

The advance gripper 10 stands by at the position shown in FIG. 7, and does not interfere with the sheets on the bin when the bin is moved up and down in the bin module located on the left side of the bundle processing unit 9 at the standby position.

The stapler 11 does not operate, but moves to the retreat position 11a on the near side shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the transport gripper 12 stands by at a solid line position 12b gripping substantially the center of the sheet bundle conveyed by the movement in the direction of arrow F.

The advance gripper 10 and the transport gripper 12 stand by at their respective positions with the upper and lower grippers opened.

Next, the stack unit 13 moves to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, and the sheet bundle conveyed by the bundle processing unit 9 can be received. Figure 17 Stack unit
The stack tray 116 and the reference wall 117 inside the stacker 13 move to a position where the upper surface of the stack tray 116 can receive a sheet bundle or another position corresponding to the stack tray 116, and the stopper 300 shown in FIG. It moves according to the size of the sheet bundle loaded on the tray 116.

The discharged sheet passes through the upper path of the folding device 204 and enters through the entrance 215, where the deflector 3
At 4, the sheet is guided to a path toward the bin module B1, and is discharged onto the bin B11 by the roller pair 8g.

After the sheet is completely discharged to the bin B11, the bin 1
By shifting the bin upward, the bin B12 is raised to the sheet receiving position. The above operation is repeated for each document, and sheets are stored in the bin of the upper bin module B1. At that time, use all or part of the bottle,
The sheets are sorted and stored by alternately performing a bin raising / lowering operation (hereinafter, referred to as “shift operation”).

For example, in the case of storing 6 copies (sorting 6 copies), the storage order of the bins is bin B11 → B12 → B13 → B14 → B15 →
B16->B16->B15->B14->B13->B12-> B11. In case of storing 4 copies (4 copies), bin B11->B12->
The shift operation is repeated in the order of B13 → B14 → B14 → B13 → B12 → B11, and the sheets are sorted and stored.

After the above operation is repeatedly performed for all the originals, the operation of storing sheets in each bin is completed.

After the completion of the sheet storage operation, the sheet bundle transfer operation to the stack unit 13 is started. As shown in FIG. 8, the advance gripper 10 is moved from the solid line position to the broken line position in an open state, and then clamps the sheet bundle on the bin. Next, a matching portion (bin standing portion) Bj shown in FIG.
Is opened by the solenoid SL1 to form a sheet bundle conveying port.

In the sheet bundle, the front side is the reference rod 14a in FIG.
14b, and the back side is the alignment wall 15 and the guide member of FIG.
Each of them is regulated by 53a, and is conveyed rightward in FIG. Then, the advance gripper 10 stops at the solid line position shown in FIG. 8, where the sheet bundle is transferred between the advance gripper 10 and the transport gripper 12.

In this transfer, first, the position of the solid line in FIG.
The transport gripper 12, which has been waiting with the grip portion open at 12b, moves to the two-dot chain line position 12a in FIG. 7 and clamps the substantially central portion of the sheet bundle. Next, the advance gripper 10 releases the holding, and prepares for the conveyance of the next bundle. The transport gripper 12
The sheet bundle is driven rightward by the arrow G in FIG. 7 to convey the sheet bundle rightward, and stopped at an appropriate position according to the size. In this state, as shown in FIG. 23, the rear end of the sheet bundle S is dropped on the upper surface of the stack tray 116, and the left end is regulated by the stacker reference wall 117. In this state, the transport gripper 12 is released, and the leading end of the sheet bundle is also moved to the stack tray 116.
Drop it up. At this time, the right end of the sheet bundle S is regulated by the stopper 300.

Next, when the second sheet bundle is conveyed, the operation from gripping the substantially central portion of the sheet bundle by the conveyance gripper 12 and transferring the sheet bundle between the grippers is one operation.
Since it is the same as the bundle, only the subsequent operations will be described.

After the delivery of the sheet bundle, the transport gripper 12
Moves by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow F in FIG. This movement makes it possible to identify the first sheet bundle when stacking on the stack tray 116.

The uppermost surface of the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray 116 is always detected by the sensor S23, and the interval between the upper bundle processing unit 9 and the uppermost surface of the stack is always constant. 116 is gradually lowered and controlled.

As for the sheet bundle on the stack tray 116, when the operator presses an ejection button (not shown), the bundle processing unit 9 and the stack unit
13 stops the operation, the bundle processing unit 9 and the stack unit 13 are moved to the removal position, and the stack removal cover 145 can be opened and closed.

After the sheet bundle is taken out, if the cover is closed, processing can be continued.

(C) In the case of the staple sort mode The conveyance of the sheets and the sheet bundle is the same as in the case of the above-described sort mode, and the description thereof will be omitted.
Here, the movement control of the stapler will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, the stapler 11 can be stopped at an arbitrary position between the retracted position 11a on the near side and the retracted position 11b on the far side.

(Ci) In the case of one-side binding In the non-staple mode, the stapler 11 was at the retracting position 11a on the front side. It waits at the position 11c shown in FIG. Then, the stapler 11 performs a stapling operation on the sheet bundle conveyed by the advance gripper 10, and then moves to the retreat position 11a on the near side. Next, the stapled sheet bundle is conveyed rightward in FIG.

When the trailing end of the sheet bundle falls out of the moving area of the stapler 11, the stapler 11 is again moved to the one-position binding position 11c.
And wait for the next sheet bundle to be accepted.

(C-ii) In the case of two-position binding When the sheet bundle is conveyed by the advance gripper 10, the stapler 11 staples the sheet bundle sandwiched by the advance gripper 10 at a position 11d on the near side at a position 11d. Subsequently, the stapler 11 moves to the position 11e and staples the second deep position with respect to the sheet bundle held by the advance gripper 10. Thereafter, when the stapler 11 moves to the position 11a or the position 11b, the transport gripper 12 immediately starts to enter the position 12a from the standby position 12b, and pinches the sheet bundle at the position 12a. After holding the sheet bundle by the transport gripper 12, the advance gripper 10 opens the sheet bundle.

On the other hand, after the second stapler operation at the position 11e, the stapler 11 moves to the retreat position 11 on the back side.
Move to b. When the trailing end of the first sheet bundle passes through the staple movement area, the stapler 11 moves to the position 11e and receives the second sheet bundle.

(C-iii) In the case of binding at the back of one position In this case, the binding is performed only on the back side of the paper size center. Reciprocate between the retreat position 11b and the binding position.

(D) Folding Mode Even in the folding mode, a sheet relatively long in the transport direction is processed by the folding device 204 (see FIG. 2) by a folding operation.
The folded sheets are discharged onto bins, selectively post-processed, and stacked on the stack unit 13 in the same manner as normal sheets.

However, a folded sheet (hereinafter referred to as a “folded sheet”), particularly a so-called Z having a folded portion at the center in the transport direction of the sheet or slightly downstream from the center in the transport direction.
In folding or C-folding, which folds overseas legal size into letter size, when stacking on a bin, the leading edge of the discharged folded sheet collides with the folded portion of the already loaded folded sheet, so that the folded sheet may be entangled. There is a possibility that the alignment of the stacked folded sheets may be disturbed, and the discharged folded sheets may not be stacked properly. In order to solve such a problem, a control is performed in which the uppermost bin is set lower than the normal sheet storage position and the folded sheet is stored only in the uppermost bin.

{Mode Processing} Next, the control operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 25-Figure
32 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG.

First, the mode processing, which is the overall processing of the sheet processing apparatus 203, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 25, first, step 1 is executed with the start of the mode processing. In step 1, the copier body 20
It is determined whether or not a sorter start signal indicating that sheet discharge from 1 is started is output.

If the sorter start signal is ON, step
In step 2, it is determined whether the folding mode is selected as the operation mode. If the folding mode is selected, step
Step 3 is executed, and if the folding mode is not selected, step
4 is executed. In step 3, turn on the folding motor and continue
In step 4, the entire transport motor is turned on.

Next, step 100 is executed. step100
Then, a sheet processing mode discriminating process for discriminating a loading / storing method of sheets on the non-sort tray / bin module of the finisher is performed. Details of the sheet processing mode determination processing will be described later.

The processing for determining the sheet processing mode indicated by the result of the sheet processing mode determination processing is step.
The processing is performed in steps 5 and 6, and in accordance with the determination result, a transition to each of the upper sort processing (step 300), the lower sort processing (step 350), and the non-sort processing (step 200) is performed, and the processing is executed. Details of each of these processes will be described later.

After execution of the upper sort process (step 300) and the lower sort process (step 350), step 500 is executed. step50
At 0, a bundle processing mode determination process for determining whether or not to perform a sheet bundle transport operation to the bundle processing unit 9 / stack unit 13 is performed. Details of the bundle processing mode determination processing will be described later.

Next, in step 9, a determination is made on the determination result of the bundle processing mode determination processing, and if the determination result of the bundle processing mode determination processing indicates selection of the bundle transport processing by the bundle processing unit 9, step 600 is executed, and the bundle processing is performed. When the result of the mode discrimination processing does not indicate selection of the bundle conveyance processing by the bundle processing unit 9, the processing returns to step 1 again.

In step 600, a stacker bundle transport process for transporting a sheet bundle to the bundle processing unit 9 / stack unit 13 is performed. The stacker bundle transport process includes a sheet bundle stapling operation. Details of the stacker bundle transport process will be described later.

After execution of step 600, the process returns to step 1 again, and waits for a sorter start signal to be output next from the copying machine main body 201.

(Sheet Processing Mode Determination Processing) Next, the sheet processing mode determination processing (step 100) will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 26, first, step 101 is executed. In step 101, it is determined whether or not the sheet processing mode is the sort mode.

If the sheet processing mode is the sort mode, it is checked in steps 105 and 107 whether the sheet storage specification is one of the upper and lower bin modules B1 and B2.
At 113 and 115, the processing mode is determined. If the designation is other than the upper and lower modules, the non-sort mode is selected as the processing mode in step 117.

If the sheet processing mode is not the sort mode in step 101, non-sort processing is selected as the processing mode in step 117.

(Non-Sort Processing) Next, the non-sort processing (step 200) will be described with reference to FIG.

When the non-sort mode is selected, step 201 is executed as shown in FIG. In step 201, the deflectors 3 and 4 are switched to continuously discharge sheets to the non-sort tray 5, and the sheet transport path 6 is selected as a transport path.

Next, in step 202, the sheet conveying operation is monitored, and if a sheet is carried in, it is determined whether or not folding is specified in step 203, and if it is, folding processing is performed on the sheet (step 205). . Here, since the details of the sheet folding operation are already known technologies, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In steps 207 and 209, the path sensor is turned off.
If F and the sorter start signal are determined to be OFF, step 211 is executed to stop the transport motor and turn off the solenoids for driving the deflectors 3 and 4. step
After the execution of 211, the non-sort processing ends.

(Upper sort processing) Next, upper sort processing (st
ep300) will be described with reference to FIG.

When the upper sort process is selected, as shown in FIG. 28, first, in step 301, the deflectors 3, 4 are stored in the bin of the upper bin module B1 in order to store / sort them.
Is performed, and the sheet transport path 7 is selected as the transport path.

In the following step 302, it is determined whether or not a bin initial signal for storing sheets from the highest bin is output. If there is a bin initial signal, step 303 is executed.
Is executed, and if there is no bin initial signal output, step
304 is executed.

In step 303, the bin B11 is moved to the position of the roller pair 8g as initialization of the bin position.

Next, in step 304, the sheet conveying operation is monitored, and if a sheet has been carried in, it is determined in step 305 whether or not folding has been designated. If folding has been designated, folding processing is performed on the sheet (step 307).

In step 306, the operation of storing the sheets in the bin is monitored, and when the storage is completed, the sheet alignment operation is performed in step 308.

Next, at step 309, it is determined whether or not there is a shift direction inversion signal.
Step 1 is executed, and if there is no inverted signal, step 310 is executed.

In step 310, to change the storage bin, 1
Perform a bin shift.

On the other hand, in step 311, an inversion process is performed. The reversing process is a process of reversing the subsequent bin shift direction, and the bin shift operation is not performed.

Thereafter, step 312 is executed, and ON / OFF of the sorter start signal is determined. If the sorter start signal is on, the process returns to step 304 again. If the sorter start signal is off, the transport motor is stopped in step 313, the solenoid of the deflector is turned off, and the upper sorting process ends.

(Lower Sort Processing) Next, the lower sort processing (st
ep350) will be described with reference to FIG.

When the lower sort process is selected, step 351 is first executed as shown in FIG. In step351,
The switching operation of the deflector 3 is performed to store / sort the sheets in the bin of the lower bin module B2, and the second conveying path 2 is selected as the conveying path. Subsequent processing in step 352 and subsequent steps are equivalent to the above-described processing in step 302 and subsequent steps of the above sorting processing, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Bundle Processing Mode Determination Process) Next, the bundle processing mode determination process (step 500) will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 30, first, in step 501, it is determined whether or not the sheet length in the bundle conveyance direction is longer than a specified value (for example, 364 mm).

If the sheet length in the bundle conveyance direction is longer than the specified value, the sheet bundle cannot be stored in the bundle processing unit 9 / stack unit 13, so that in step 503, the bundle processing mode is set and the bundle conveyance is not performed. If you select "Non-bundle transport process" and the sheet length in the bundle transport direction is within the specified value,
In step 502, the bundle processing mode is set to 1
The “stacker unit bundle transfer process” for carrying the bundles one by one and loading them in the stack unit 13 is selected.

(Stacker Bundle Transporting Process) Next, the stacker bundle transporting process (step 600) will be described with reference to FIG.

When the stacker bundle transfer process is selected, the process shown in FIG.
First, step 601 is executed. step601
Then, the process A is started. In this process A, the bundle processing unit 9 and the stack unit 13 are moved to the bin module position for carrying the bundle, and the stopper 300 is moved to a position corresponding to the sheet size.

In the next step 602, process B is started. In the process B, the bin shift operation to the position where the bundle is transported is performed.

It should be noted that the processing A and the processing B can be executed at the same time, and by executing them at the same time, the processing time can be reduced.

Next, in step 603, the completion of both the processing A and the processing B is waited.

When both the processing A and the processing B are completed in step 603, step 604 is executed. In step 604, the advance gripper (hereinafter, referred to as SG) 10 is moved in the direction of arrow X to enter the bin, and the sheet bundle is held by SG10. Here, (X), (Y),
(Z) indicates the moving direction of the moving member, (X) indicates the conveying direction (left-right direction) of the sheet bundle, (Y) indicates the front / depth direction when viewed from the front of the finisher, and (Z)
Indicates a vertical direction.

In the next step 605, the sheet entrance is opened by lowering the bin stand to convey the sheet bundle from the bin.

Next, in step 606, it is determined whether or not the staple mode is included. Including staple mode,
If step616 is executed and staple mode is not included,
Step 607 is executed.

In step 607, the transport gripper (hereinafter referred to as FG) 12 for transporting the sheet bundle is moved to the sheet bundle transfer position from the SG 12, and in step 608, the SG 10 is retracted from the bin to the sheet bundle transfer position.

In the following step 609, the sheet bundle sandwiched by the SG 10 at the sheet bundle transfer position is clamped by the FG 12. When the FG 12 sandwiches the sheet bundle, in step 610 the SG 10
Performs delivery by releasing the sheet bundle.

Next, in step 611, the sheet bundle is conveyed by moving the FG 12 to the sheet bundle loading position.
In step 612, close the bottle stand.

When the FG 12 stops at the sheet bundle loading position,
Step 613 is executed. In step 613, the FG 12 releases the pinching of the sheet bundle to load the sheet bundle on the stack unit 13.

Next, in step 614, it is checked whether the stacked sheet bundle is the last bundle of the corresponding bin module. Here, if it is not the final bundle, a shift operation for one bin is performed in the shift direction set in step 615, and the processing is performed again in step 60.
Return to 4. On the other hand, if it is the final bundle, the bundle transport operation in the corresponding bin module ends (return processing).

Next, when it is determined in step 606 that the staple mode is included, step 616 is executed. In step 616, the stapler 11 is moved to the corresponding staple position, and in step 617, the sheet bundle is moved from the bin to the staple position by SG10. When the sheet bundle is moved to the stapling position, a stapling operation is performed in step 618.

Next, in step 619, the staple mode is set to 2
It is determined whether or not the stapling mode is selected. If the stapling mode is the stapling mode, the stapler 11 is continuously moved in step 620 to perform a stapling operation.

If it is determined in step 619 that the stapling mode is not the two-position binding mode, or if the stapling operation in step 620 is completed, step 621 is executed. step
At 621, the stapler 11 is moved to the evacuation position.

In the subsequent step 622, the FG12 is moved to the sheet bundle transfer position from the SG10, and after the movement of the FG12, the processing shifts to step 609.

(Display of Jam Clearing Procedure) Next, a description will be given of a display of a faulty location and a processing procedure for clearing a fault when an error occurs in the image forming system.
Here, referring to FIG. 32, document 20 is placed on document table 206.
7 After setting, the operation display (not shown)
An example will be described in which a copy mode is set from 2001 and a jam occurs after the copy is started. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the folding mode is set is illustrated.

Here, the copying machine main body 201 is an image forming apparatus, the folding apparatus 204 is a second sheet processing apparatus,
Further, a case is illustrated in which the staple / stack apparatus 205 is a sheet processing apparatus, an automatic document feeder 202 is added to the staple / stack apparatus 205, and the electrophotographic copying machine 200 connected thereto is an image forming system.

When a jam occurs in any place of the image forming system after the start of the copying operation, the operation which needs to be stopped to perform the jam processing is stopped, and the jam processing display as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed. And urge the operator to clear the jam.

In step 701, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred in the folding device 204. Here, the folding device 20
If a jam has occurred in step 4, go to step 702; otherwise, go to step 705.

In step 702, the fact that a jam has occurred in the folding device 204 and jam information such as a processing method are displayed on the first operation display section 2001 provided in the copying machine main body 201, and the flow advances to step 703.

In step 703, it is monitored whether or not the operator has performed a jam processing or the jam of the folding device 204 has been cleared by another method. Here, when the jam of the folding device 204 is released, the process proceeds to step 704. On the other hand, if the jam of the folding device 204 is not released, the process returns to step 702 and the operation is repeated.

In step 704, the display of the jam information on the folding device 204 displayed on the first operation display section 2001 is erased, and the flow proceeds to step 705.

In step 705, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus 203. Here, if a jam has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus 203, the process proceeds to step 706, and if no jam has occurred, the process proceeds to step 710.

At step 706, the staple / stack device 20 is displayed on the first operation display section 2001 provided on the copying machine main body 201.
A display prompting the user to look at the second operation display unit 3005 provided in 5 is performed, and the process proceeds to step 707.

In step 707, the fact that a jam has occurred in the staple / stack device 205 is displayed on the second operation display section 3005, and the staple / stack device is displayed.
At step 205, detailed jam information such as a jam occurrence location (a location having a high jam processing priority when a jam has occurred at a plurality of locations) and a jam processing procedure are displayed.
Proceed to 8.

In step 708, the staple / stack device
Monitor if the 205 jam has been cleared. here,
If the jam of the stapling / stacking device 205 is not cleared, the process returns to step 707, and as described above, detailed jam information such as a portion having the highest jam processing priority at that time is displayed. Then, the staple / stack device 20
When the jam of 5 is released, the process proceeds to step 709.

In step 709, the second operation display unit 3005
Next, an instruction to view the first operation display unit 2001 is displayed instead of the jam information display of the stapling / stacking device 205. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the display of the second operation display unit 3005 is turned off, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step 710.

In step 710, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred in the copying machine main body 201. Where the copier body
If a jam has occurred in step 201, the process proceeds to step 711. If a jam has not occurred, the process proceeds to step 713.

In step 711, the fact that a jam has occurred in the copying machine main body 201 is displayed on the first operation display section 2001, and a jam occurrence location in the copying machine main body 201 (a plurality of jams have occurred. If there is, the display of detailed jam information such as a portion having a high jam processing priority) and the jam processing procedure is performed, and the process proceeds to step 712.

At step 712, it is monitored whether or not the jam of the copying machine body 201 has been cleared. Here, the copying machine body 20
If the jam of 1 is not released, the process returns to step 711, and as described above, detailed jam information such as a portion having the highest jam processing priority at that time is displayed. And
If the jam of the copier body 201 is released, step 713
Proceed to.

In step 713, the display on the first operation display section 2001 is switched to a display in which the operation of the copying machine is possible, and the subsequent operation is urged to the operator, and the jam display processing ends.

As described above, the folding device 204 and the staple /
In an image forming system having a sheet processing apparatus such as the stack apparatus 205 and having a large and complicated configuration, a second operation display unit 3005 is provided on the sheet processing apparatus side.
When an abnormality such as a jam occurs in the sheet processing apparatus,
It is not necessary to move the place to the sheet processing apparatus side and perform the processing after seeing the display on the first operation display unit 2001 on the copying machine body 201 side. In particular, when a plurality of abnormalities occur in the sheet processing apparatus or the like, it is possible to perform the jam processing while viewing the jam processing procedure displayed on the second operation display unit 3005.

Further, by displaying the order of the jam processing to be performed by the operator, the size of the apparatus is increased, and the direction of the processing such as the processing including the jam at the connection portion is indicated. It is also possible to do.

[0213] Further, by controlling the display section that issues the instruction to one, it is possible to prevent the confusion of the operator, and as a result, it is possible to easily and quickly perform the processing in the event of an abnormality. .

[Other Embodiments] In the embodiments described above,
Although an image forming system in which two sheet processing apparatuses, a sheet processing apparatus and a second sheet processing apparatus, are connected to the image forming apparatus has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. An image forming system to which a sheet processing apparatus is connected may be used, and similar effects can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming system.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as processing to be performed on the sheets, folding processing for folding the sheets, sorting processing for sorting the sheets, stapling processing for binding a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets, sheet or Although the stacking process for stacking and storing the sheet bundle is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there is a punching process for punching a sheet, a stamping process for imprinting a mark on a sheet, and the like. The second sheet processing apparatus may have at least one processing function.

In the above-described embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus having two bin modules has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of bin modules may be provided as needed. In addition, although the case where the number of bins of each bin module is six is illustrated, the number is not limited to this, and any number of bins may be provided as necessary.

In the above-described embodiment, an electrophotographic copying machine has been described as an example of an image forming system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming systems such as a printer and a facsimile can be used. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming system.

In the above-described embodiment, an image forming system in which a sheet processing apparatus is detachable from the image forming apparatus is exemplified as the image forming system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The forming apparatus may be an image forming system integrally having a sheet processing apparatus, and the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming system.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electrophotographic method is exemplified as the recording method, but the recording method is not limited to this, and another recording method such as an ink jet method may be used.

[0220]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming system having a sheet processing apparatus and the like and having a large and complicated configuration, by providing a second display means on the sheet processing apparatus side, when an abnormality such as a jam occurs in the sheet processing apparatus, It is not necessary to move the place to the sheet processing apparatus side and perform the processing after seeing the display of the first display means on the image forming apparatus side. In particular, when a plurality of abnormalities occur in the sheet processing apparatus or the like, it is possible to perform the jam processing while viewing the jam processing procedure displayed on the second display unit.

Also, by displaying the operator to specify the order of jam processing to be performed by the operator, the size of the apparatus is increased, and the direction of the processing for the processing including the jam at the connection portion or the like is indicated. It is also possible to do.

Further, by controlling so that only one display means issues an instruction, confusion of the operator can be prevented, and as a result, processing in the event of an abnormality can be performed easily and quickly. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine including a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1 in detail;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bin module provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a bin module provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a bin module provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the configuration of a bin stand provided in the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a bundle processing unit provided in the stapling / stacking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the bundle processing unit of FIG. 7;

9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a grip portion of the advance gripper and the transport gripper of the bundle processing unit of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a driving mechanism of an advance gripper of the bundle processing unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top view showing a drive mechanism of a transport gripper of the bundle processing unit in FIG. 7;

12 is a front sectional view showing a driving mechanism of a transport gripper of the bundle processing unit shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a left view showing a stapler driving mechanism of the bundle processing unit of FIG. 7;

14 is a top view illustrating a driving mechanism of a stapler of the bundle processing unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating a configuration of a stack unit provided in the staple / stack apparatus of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a stack tray of the stack unit in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a stack frame of the stack unit in FIG. 15;

18 is a left view showing the stack unit in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a top view showing the configuration of the stopper of the stack unit in FIG. 15;

20 is a front view showing a configuration of a stopper of the stack unit in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a driving mechanism of a transport system of the staple / stack apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating a cover configuration of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet bundle is conveyed into the stack unit in FIG. 15;

24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the electrophotographic copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

26 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing display control when a jam occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

B1, B2: Bin modules B11 to B1n, B21 to B2n: Bins Ba, Bb, Bc: Bin roller parts Bd, Bf, Bg, Bh: Notch Be: Hole Bi: Sheet stacking part Bj: Matching part Bk: Spindle l4, l5, l17, l18 ... distances M1, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M
11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M30 ... motor S ... sheets S1, S2, S3, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S
12, S13, S14, S15, S16, S17, S23, S30 Sensor SL1 Solenoid 1 First transport path 2 Second transport path 3, 4 Deflector 5 Non-sort tray 6 Sheet transport path 7 Sheet Transport paths 8a to 8p Roller pair 9 Bundle processing unit 10 Advance gripper 11 Stapler 11a to 11e Position 12 Transport gripper 13 Stack units 14a and 14b Reference rod 15 Alignment walls 16a to 16c Lead cam 18 Motor pulley 19 ... Belts 20a-20c ... Lead cam pulleys 21, 22 ... Encoder 45 ... Drive arm 45a ... Pin 47 ... Link 47a ... Pin 47b ... Pin contact member 47c ... Support shaft 48 ... Arm 49 ... Spring member 50 ... In front of the unit Side plate 50a… Elongated hole 51… Unit rear side plate 52, 53… Guide stay 53a… Guide member 54… Right stay 55… Elevating roller 56… Rail 57… Shaft 58… Pinion gear A 59, 60 ... side plate 61 ... grip part 62 ... side plate 64 ... shaft 65 ... fixed shaft 66 ... upper gripper 66a ... end 67 ... lower gripper 67a ... end 68, 69 ... eccentric cam 70, 71 ... spring member 72 ... Roller 73… Coupling plate 74… Pin member 76… Swing arm 76a… Elongated hole 77,78… Shaft 79… Roller 80… Drive pulley 81… Belt 82… Driving pulley 83… Penetration shaft 84,85… Pulley 86… Belt 87 ... Regulating member 87a ... Protrusion 88 ... Substrate 89 ... Driving pulley 90 ... Belt 91 ... Driving pulley 92,93 ... Encoder 94 ... Base 95 ... Slider 96,97 ... Axis 98 ... Substrate 99 ... Gear 100 ... Driving pulley 101 ... Driving Pulley 102… Belt 103… Regulator 104… Encoder 105… Stack frame 105a… Rear plate 105b… Left plate 105c… Right plate 105d… Bottom plate 106… Elevating roller 107… Rail 108… Regulator 109… Chains 110, 111… Sprockets 112 ... penetrating shaft 113, 114 ... gear 115 ... d Coder 116… stack tray 117… stacker reference wall 117a… guide roller 117b… upper inclined surface 119… guide roller 120, 121… guide rail 128… guide rail 129… stack tray base 130… accuride 131… roller receiving plate 132… roller 133 ... penetrating shaft 134 ... pinion gear 136, 137 ... gear 138 ... encoder 139, 140 ... coupling 141 ... gear 142 ... folding cover 143 ... fixed cover 144 ... front cover 145 ... stack removal cover 146 ... bin cover 147 ... upper pass cover 200: electrophotographic copying machine 201: copier body 202: automatic document feeder 203: sheet processing device 204: folding device 205: staple / stack device 206: original mounting table 207: original document 208: platen glass 209: path 210: optical System 211: Pass 212: Deck 213: Image forming unit 214: Fixing unit 215: Sheet carry-in entrance 216: Deflector 217: Reverse 218 ... Intermediate tray 219 ... Refeed path 220 ... Photoconductor drum 221 ... Convey path 300 ... Stopper 301 ... Fixing member 302 ... Accuride 303 ... Move member 304 ... Arm 305 ... Slider 306a, 306b ... Shaft 307 ... Belt 308 ... Roller 310 ... rail member 312 ... drive pulley 313 ... driven pulley 2000, 3000 ... CPU 2001 ... first operation display section 3001 ... motor driver 3002 ... sensor group 3003 ... solenoid group 3004 ... I / F 3005 ... second operation display section

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus having at least one of a function of recording and forming an image on a sheet to be recorded and a function of reading an image of a sheet to be read, and a method for reading a sheet carried out from the image forming apparatus. An image forming system including a sheet processing apparatus that selectively performs a process, a first display unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus and displays various information related to the image forming apparatus; and a first display unit that is provided in the sheet processing apparatus. Second display means for displaying various information relating to the sheet processing apparatus, wherein when an abnormality occurs in the sheet processing apparatus, the first
An image forming system, wherein an instruction to view the second display means is displayed on a display means, and then an instruction for canceling an abnormality of the sheet processing apparatus is displayed on the second display means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, after the abnormality of the sheet processing apparatus is cleared, an instruction to view the first display unit is displayed on the second display unit. system. 3. When an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus, the first display unit releases the abnormality in the image forming apparatus after the abnormality in the sheet processing apparatus is eliminated. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction is displayed. A second sheet processing device connected between the image forming device and the sheet processing device, the second sheet processing device selectively performing a process on a sheet carried out from the image forming device; 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an abnormality occurs in the second sheet processing apparatus, an instruction for canceling the abnormality of the second sheet processing apparatus is preferentially displayed on the first display unit. Image forming system. 5. When an abnormality has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus, after the abnormality in the second sheet processing apparatus is cleared, an instruction to prompt the first display means to look at the second display means is provided. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein an instruction for canceling the abnormality of the sheet processing apparatus is displayed on the second display unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, after the abnormality of the sheet processing apparatus is cleared, an instruction to view the first display unit is displayed on the second display unit. system. 7. When an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus, the first display unit releases the abnormality in the image forming apparatus after the abnormality in the sheet processing apparatus is eliminated. 7. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the instruction is displayed. 8. The processing to be performed on the sheet includes folding processing for folding a sheet, punching processing for punching a hole in a sheet, stamp processing for imprinting a mark on a sheet, sorting processing for sorting sheets, and the like; Staple processing for binding a sheet bundle of sheets, stack processing for stacking and storing sheets or sheet bundles, and the sheet processing apparatus or the second sheet processing apparatus has at least one of the processing functions. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: