JPH11334973A - Sheet processing device and image forming device therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the bundle processing speed of a bundle of sheets and attain the stability of bundle delivery in a sheet processing device combining a processing tray conducting the alignment and binding of sheets and a stack tray receiving and storing a bundle of processed sheets for each bundle. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a processing tray means 129 which receives delivered sheets, an aligning means 140 aligning a bundle of sheets on the processing tray means 129, a binding means binding the bundle of sheets aligned by the aligning means 140, and a conveyance means 150 conveying the bundle of sheets bound by the binding means onto a stack tray means 200. Starting the conveying operation of the conveyance means 150 is controlled by a conveying operation control means during aligning operation by the aligning means 140 or binding operation by the binding means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for sorting and binding sheets after image formation in image formation on a sheet surface by a copying machine, LBP, or the like.
And an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, a first processing means (hereinafter referred to as a "processing tray") for stapling an image-formed sheet bundle as required, and For a technique relating to a sheet processing apparatus in combination with a second processing means (hereinafter, referred to as a “stack tray”) that receives and stores each sheet, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1
Many of them have been already proposed, including the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 44370.

[0003] That is, the sheet processing apparatus according to this proposal has a processing tray for receiving a sheet discharged after image formation on the image forming apparatus side, and a stack tray for receiving a processed sheet bundle. A stapler as a binding means for binding a sheet bundle with staples and a jogger as an aligning means for aligning received sheets while moving in a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction are arranged around the processing tray. Have been.

The sheet bundle aligned and stapled on the processing tray is sequentially discharged onto a stack tray by a pair of bundle discharge rollers. Meanwhile, the store
In order to sort the sheet bundle to be discharged onto the stack tray 702, the sheet bundle is moved in the width direction for each bundle, and the sheet surface needs to be aligned with the bundle discharge roller pair. The tray descends while sorting the sheet bundle in the front-back direction. In this case, the rear edge of the sheet bundle on the processing tray and the sheet bundle on the stack tray are appropriately abutted against the member surface and regulated.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, it is necessary to increase the sheet bundle discharge processing speed. Therefore, the upper bundle discharge roller is lowered at the same time as the completion of the aligning operation, and then the binding processing is performed. Therefore, there are the following problems.

That is, (a) the sheet discharge roller is brought into contact with the sheet bundle surface before the binding operation, so that the sheet bundle is likely to be misaligned prior to performing the binding operation.
(b) Even after the bundle discharge roller comes into contact with the sheet bundle surface, the bundle discharge roller continues to bounce for a while, and if the binding operation is performed during the continuation of the bound, the number of stacked bundles is large. For example, there is a case where interference occurs between the sheet bundle and the stapler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem.
A sheet processing apparatus in which a first processing unit (processing tray) that performs sheet alignment and binding processing and a second processing unit (stack tray) that receives and stores the processed sheet bundle for each bundle SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of improving the bundle processing speed of a sheet bundle and obtaining the stability of bundle discharge, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: first loading tray means for receiving discharged sheets;
Aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle on the stacking tray means,
In the sheet processing apparatus, a binding unit configured to bind a sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit and a transfer unit configured to transfer the sheet bundle bound by the binding unit onto a second stacking tray unit may be provided. And a transfer operation control unit that starts the transfer operation of the transfer unit during the alignment operation by the binding unit or the binding operation by the binding unit.

Therefore, in the sheet processing apparatus of the first aspect, the transfer operation control means controls the start of the transfer operation of the transfer means during the alignment operation by the alignment means or the binding operation by the binding means. Therefore, the bundle processing speed of the sheet bundle is improved, and the stability of discharging the sheet bundle is obtained. As a result, the productivity of the sheet processing apparatus itself can be effectively improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus of the first aspect, a counting means for counting the number of sheets to be received on the first stacking tray means, And timing control means for changing the operation start timing by the transfer operation control means in accordance with the counting result of the counting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the transfer means transfers the sheet bundle on the first stacking tray means to the second stack tray. Conveying means for conveying onto the loading tray means,
A contact operating means for bringing the conveying means into contact with the sheet bundle; and a contact starting control means for controlling a time from a contact operation end time by the contact operating means to a conveyance start time by the conveying means. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus of the third aspect, a contact speed control means for controlling a moving speed of the contact operation means is provided. Features.

Therefore, in the sheet processing apparatus according to the second to fourth aspects, the operation of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first aspect is further promoted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading means for reading an image on a document surface, and an image transferring means for transferring the image read by the image reading means to a target surface of a sheet. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a target surface of a sheet having an image fixing unit for fixing an image transferred by the image transfer unit, for discharging a sheet having an image formed on the target surface The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 4 is provided.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
By providing the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third and fourth aspects, the function as an image forming apparatus is effectively improved, and high productivity is achieved.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus having the same will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention,
Here, an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 40 is an overall sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus (copier) system including the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the apparatus configuration shown in FIG. 1, the present image forming apparatus (copying apparatus) 300 has a control unit (including a transfer operation control unit) 310, and is automatically fed to the image forming apparatus 300. A document reading unit 400 including a document table 401 such as a platen glass, a light source 402, and a lens system 403 for reading the copy source document D, a sheet feeding unit 500 for an image forming sheet P, and an image forming unit 600 ,
Sheet processing apparatus 1 for processing and stacking an image-formed sheet P discharged from the discharge roller pair 302 after image formation.
A stack tray (second stacking tray) 200 and a sample tray 201 are provided on the discharge side of the sheet processing apparatus 1.

Here, the sheet feeding section 500 includes a sheet P
And cassettes 501 and 502 which are mounted on the apparatus main body in a detachable manner, and a deck 504 arranged on a pedestal 503 are provided. The image forming section 600 includes a cylindrical rotatable photosensitive drum 6.
01, a primary charger 602, an exposure unit 603, a developing unit 604, a transfer charger 605, a separation charger 606, a cleaner 607, and the like disposed therearound, and a downstream side of the image forming unit 600. A fixing device 608 is disposed via a conveying device 301.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 300 having the above configuration will be described.

When a paper feed signal is output from the control device 310 in the apparatus main body, the cassettes 501 and 50 of the paper feed section 500 are output.
2 or the deck 504 starts feeding the sheet P,
In addition, the photosensitive drum 601 of the image forming unit 600 starts rotating. On the other hand, an image of the document D placed on the document placing table 401 is read by light from the light source 402 and is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 601 via the lens system 403. In this state, the photosensitive drum 601 is charged in advance by using the primary charger 602, and the photosensitive drum 6
Irradiation of the reading light to 01 forms an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner of the developing device 604 to form a corresponding toner image.

The sheet P fed from the sheet feeding unit 500 is
The skew is corrected by the registration roller 505, and the sheet is fed to the image forming unit 600 at the same timing.
Next, in the image forming unit 600, after the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 601 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer charger 605, the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred.
Is charged to the opposite polarity by the separating charger 606 and is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum 601.

Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed to the fixing device 608 by the conveying device 301, and the transferred image is permanently fixed by the fixing device 608. Then, the sheet P on which an image is formed in this manner is discharged to the sheet processing apparatus 1 by the discharge roller pair 302.

Next, a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

<< Overview of Overall Sheet Processing Apparatus >> First, the main components of the sheet processing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “finisher”) 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an inlet roller pair for receiving the sheet P discharged from the discharge roller pair 302 of the image forming apparatus 300, and 3 Denotes a first pair of conveying rollers for conveying the received sheet P, and 31 denotes a sheet detection sensor on the entrance side for detecting passage of the sheet P. A punch unit 50 punches a hole near the rear end of the conveyed sheet. Reference numeral 5 denotes a relatively large-diameter roller (hereinafter, referred to as a "buffer roller") arranged in the course of conveyance, and conveys the sheet P by pressing the sheet P against the roll surface by pressing rollers 12, 13, and 14 arranged around the outside. .

Reference numeral 11 denotes a first switching flapper,
The non-sort path 21 and the sort path 22 are selectively switched. Reference numeral 10 denotes a second switching flapper, which switches between a sort path 22 and a buffer path 23 for temporarily storing sheets P. 33
Is a sheet detection sensor that detects the sheet P in the non-sort path 21, and 32 is a sheet detection sensor that detects the sheet P in the buffer path 23.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a second conveying roller pair provided in the path of the sort path 22. The second conveying roller pair 129 temporarily accumulates the sheets P, aligns the accumulated sheets P, and uses the stapler 101 of the stapling unit 100. A processing tray unit including an intermediate tray (hereinafter, referred to as a “processing tray”) 130 provided for performing staple processing, and a bundle discharge roller pair (transfer) is provided at a discharge end side of the processing tray (first stacking tray) 130. Means), the lower discharge roller 1 as a fixed side here.
80a are provided.

The reference numeral 7 designates a sheet P
Is a first discharge roller pair for discharging the sheet P onto the processing tray (first stacking tray) 130, and is disposed on the non-sort path 21 to discharge the sheet P onto the sample tray 201. 2 is a pair of discharge rollers.

The swing guide 150b is supported by the swing guide 150. When the swing guide 150 is operated to the closed position, the swing guide 150 is pressed against the lower discharge roller 180a and pressed on the processing tray 130. The sheet P is stacked on the stack tray (second
Upper discharge roller for discharging the bundle onto the stacking tray 200. Reference numeral 40 denotes a bundle stacking guide that abuts and supports the trailing edge (the trailing edge in the bundle discharging direction) of the bundle of sheets stacked on the stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201. Also serves as the exterior surface.

<< Detailed Description of Staple Unit >>
In particular, FIG. 2 (a side view corresponding to the main cross section) and FIG. 3 (a plan view in the direction of the arrow a in FIG. 2) regarding the staple unit 100.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and a rear view in the direction of the arrow b in FIG.

A stapler (binding means) 101 is fixed on a moving table 103 via a holder 102.

The moving table 103 has a set of stud shafts 104 and 105 fixed parallel to the trailing edge of the sheets stacked on the processing tray 130.
Rolling rollers 106 and 107 are rotatably mounted on the rolling rollers 106 and 107, respectively.
Reference numeral 107 denotes a series of hole-shaped guide rails 108a and 108 which are similarly formed by being drilled in parallel with the fixing base 108.
b, 108c.

Each of the rolling rollers 106, 107 has a flange 106a, 107a having a diameter larger than the hole width of a series of hole-shaped guide rails 108a, 108b, 108c, while a moving table 103 for holding the stapler 101. The support table 109 is provided at three places on the lower surface side of the moving table 103. The moving table 103 is provided with a series of hole-shaped guide rails 108a, 108a.
b, and moves on the fixed base 108 along 108c.

Here, the series of hole-shaped guide rails 10
As can be seen from FIG. 3, 8a, 108b and 108c are formed from the main guide rail hole portion (108a), the left end guide rail hole portion (108b) which is branched from the left end side and parallel to the left end side. It is formed in a shape comprising a right end guide rail hole portion (108c) which is branched and parallel.

Therefore, due to the rail hole shape of each part,
When the stapler 101 is located on the left end side, the rolling roller 106 is moved into the left end of the rail hole portion 108b, and the rolling roller 107 is moved into the left end of the rail hole portion 108a, and is moved to the right side. The roller is maintained in a right-tilted posture in a state of being inclined by an angle, and when the roller is located at the intermediate portion, both the rolling rollers 106 and 107 are in the rail hole portion 10 together.
8a, is maintained in a non-inclined parallel posture, and when located at the right end side, the rolling roller 107 is located in the right end of the rail hole portion 108c, and the rolling roller 106 is located in the rail hole portion 108a. Are moved to the right ends, respectively, and are maintained in a left-inclination posture in a state of being inclined to the left side by a predetermined angle, and the operation of changing these postures is performed by an operation cam (not shown).

The stapling unit 100 is provided with a position sensor (not shown) for detecting the home position of the stapler 101. In a normal case, the stapler 101 stands by at the home position on the left end side. .

<< Detailed Description of Stapler Moving Mechanism >>
The moving mechanism of the stapler 101 will be described in detail.

One rolling roller 106 of the moving table 103
The pinion gear 106b below the flange 106a
Are formed integrally, and a belt pulley 106c is integrally provided above. The pinion gear 106b is
It is connected via a drive belt stretched between an output pulley of the drive motor M100 on the base surface and a belt pulley 106c, and is meshed with a rack gear 110 fixed to a fixed base 108 along the rail hole. , Mobile platform 10
Numeral 3 is movable in the sheet width direction together with the stapler 101 in response to the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor M100.

The stud shaft 111 extending downward from the lower surface of the movable table 103 is provided with a stopper knocking roller 112. The stopper knocking roller 112 will be described in detail later. In order to avoid abutment between the rear end stopper 131 and the stapler 101, the rear end stopper 131 plays a role of rotating the rear end stopper 131.

<< Detailed Description of Rear End Stopper >> Next, the rear end stopper 131 which abuts and supports the rear end edge of the sheet P on the processing tray 130 will be described in detail.

The rear end stopper 131 is provided on the processing tray 130.
The sheet P is formed by being raised vertically to the loading surface of the sheet P.
Abutting support surface 131a for abutting and supporting the rear edge of the processing tray 13a.
On the lower surface side of "0", it is swingable downward around the pivot pin 131b as shown by an arrow.

Further, the main link 1 having a cam surface 132a against which the stopper falling roller 112 abuts and is pressed.
32 is positioned so as to abut against the abutment plate 136, and is swingable about a shaft 134 fixed to a frame or the like (not shown) against a tension spring 135.
One end of the upper end pin 132b is slidably connected to the other end of the connection link 133 pivotally supported by the rear end stopper 131 by the pin 131c.

Therefore, in this case, with the movement of the movable table 103, with respect to the rear end stopper 131 that is in interference with the stapler 101, the stopper falling roller 112 of the movable table 103 presses the cam surface 132 a of the main link 132. By doing so, it is pivoted to the non-interference position shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, thereby avoiding collision with the stapler 101.

After the stapling process, which will be described later, is completed, when the movable table 103 returns to the home position, the rear end stopper 131 also returns to the original state.
In this case, in order to keep the rear end stopper 131 at the avoidance position during the operation of the stapler 101, a plurality (three in this case) of the stopper falling rollers 112 are provided in the moving direction of the movable table 103. ing.

On both sides of the holder 102 holding the stapler 101, a staple stopper (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) 113 having a support surface having the same shape as the abutting support surface 131a of the rear end stopper 131 is provided. Is provided so that the trailing edge of the sheet can be supported even when the trailing end stopper 131 is at the avoidance position.

<< Overview of Processing Tray Unit >>
Processing tray unit 129 including the processing tray 130
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The processing tray unit 129 includes a processing tray 130, a rear end stopper 131, alignment means 140,
The swing guide 150, the retractable paddle 160, the retractable tray 170, and a bundle discharge roller pair 180 are provided.

In this case, with respect to the processing tray 130, the downstream side (upper left side in FIG. 5) is positioned upward and the upstream side (lower right side in FIG. 5) is positioned lower than the sheet bundle discharging direction. The rear end stopper 131 is disposed at the lower end portion on the upstream side, and the middle portion occupies the left and right positions and includes a retractable paddle 160 which will be described later. A swing guide 150 including a retractable paddle 160 and a bundle discharge roller pair 180 described later is provided at the upper end on the downstream side, specifically, substantially in the upper region of the unit configuration. Further, at the upper end on the downstream side, more specifically, substantially at the lower region portion of the unit configuration and between the stack trays 200, a later-described emergence tray 170 is disposed.

The sheet P discharged from the first discharge roller pair 7 has its rear end edge abutting against the rear end stopper 131 due to its own weight and the action of a retraction paddle 160 described later. It slides on the processing tray 130 until it is hit against 131a.

Further, at the upper end of the processing tray 130, as described above, one lower discharge roller 180a constituting the bundle discharge roller pair 180 is disposed, and the lower front end of the swing guide 150 is provided. The lower discharge roller 1
The other upper discharge roller 18 which comes into contact with the upper surface 80a in a detachable manner.
0b are disposed, and each of these discharge roller pairs 180
a and 180b are rotatable forward and reverse by a drive motor M180.

<< Detailed Description of Alignment Means >> Next, the alignment means 140 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG.
It will be described in detail based on.

A pair of aligning members 141 and 142 constituting the aligning means 140 are independently arranged on the surface of the processing tray 130 so as to oppose the lower part and the upper part (corresponding to both side edges of the sheet P) in the drawing. And a first alignment member 141 on one lower side and a second alignment member 142 on the other upper side.
Are alignment surfaces 141 perpendicular to the processing tray 130 for pressing and supporting the sheet side end surfaces.
a, 142a, and rack gear portions 141b, 142b for supporting the sheet back surface. Each of the rack gear portions 141b, 142b is formed in the vertical direction (in the width direction of the sheet P) opened in the surface of the processing tray 130. (Corresponding), and is disposed on the lower surface side through a pair of guide grooves 130a and 130b.

That is, in summary, the respective alignment surfaces 141a, 141a on the upper surface side of the processing tray 130.
The rack gears 141b and 142b are mounted on the lower surface of the rack gear 2a so as to be movable in the alignment direction.

The rack gears 141b, 142
b, each drive motor M141, M1
The individual pinion gears 143 and 144 driven to be rotatable forward and backward by 42 are meshed with each other, whereby the first and second alignment members 141 and 142 can be respectively moved in the alignment direction. . Here, the first and second
For each of the alignment members 141 and 142, a position sensor (not shown) for detecting the respective home positions is disposed. In a normal case, the first alignment member 141 is provided at the lower end portion and the second The alignment member 142 stands by at each home position set at the upper end.

<< Detailed Description of Swing Guide >> Next, the swing guide 150 will be described in detail.

As described above, the swing guide 150 is located at the front end of the lower surface corresponding to the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 5), and is an upper discharge roller that contacts the lower discharge roller 180a of the bundle discharge roller pair 180. 180b, and is swingably supported by a support shaft 151 at the rear end of the lower surface corresponding to the upstream side (right side in FIG. 5).
In this case, the rotation of the rotary cam 152 can be controlled by the rotation of the rotary cam 152 and the closed state (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) in which the upper discharge roller 180b is brought into contact with the lower discharge roller 180a. A position sensor (not shown) for detecting this is provided.

In a normal case, when each sheet P is discharged onto the processing tray 130, the sheet P is opened (the upper discharge roller 180b is separated from the lower discharge roller 180a, To the swing)
The operations of discharging and aligning the sheet P and the pull-in paddle operation described below can be performed without any trouble, and the sheet bundle that has been processed on the processing tray 130 is discharged onto the stack tray 200. At this time, the upper discharge roller 180 is closed with respect to the lower discharge roller 180a.
(b) abuts, and the swing guide 150 swings downward).

<< Detailed Description of Retraction Paddle >> Next, the retraction paddle 160 will be described in detail.

The draw-in paddle 160 is fixed to the drive shaft 161 above the processing tray 130, and is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 5 at an appropriate timing by a drive motor M160. The length of the paddle is set to be slightly longer than the distance to the surface of the processing tray 130, and the home position is a position where the first discharge roller pair 7 does not hinder the discharge of the sheet P onto the processing tray 130. (Position indicated by solid line in FIG. 5)
Is set to

When the sheet P is discharged onto the processing tray 130 in this state, the pull-in paddle 160
Is rotated counterclockwise, so that the processing tray 1
The sheet P ejected onto the sheet 30 and the trailing edge of the sheet P are pulled in until they abut against the abutting support surface 131a of the trailing end stopper 131. Thereafter, after waiting for a predetermined time, a position sensor (not shown) is used. It stops at the detected home position position with good timing.

<< Detailed Description of Retreat Tray >> Next, the retreat tray 170 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, which is a view taken in the direction of the arrow d in FIG.

The retreat tray 170 is provided with a bundle discharge roller pair 18.
0, it is positioned below the lower discharge roller 180a, and is advanced and retracted in the sheet bundle discharge direction (X direction in FIGS. 5 and 7) in a manner substantially along the inclination of the processing tray 130. You.

That is, at the protruding position, the front end protrudes to the upper side of the stack tray 200 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5).
In the retracted position (home position), the leading end is retracted by being drawn inside the lower discharge roller 180a (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5), and the sheet discharged onto the processing tray 130 in the protruded state. The position is set such that the center of gravity of P does not exceed the position, in other words, the leading end of the sheet P does not hang down at the projecting position.

Then, the retreat tray 170 is provided with a pair of guide rails 172 fixed to a support frame 171.
Since the rotating cam roller 173 slidably supported on the rotating shaft 174 and rotating about the rotating shaft 174 is engaged in the lower surface groove 175 of the retractable tray 170,
The retracting operation is performed as described above in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotary cam roller 173 by the drive motor M170, and normally stands by at the home position position detected by a position sensor (not shown).

<< Detailed Description of Stack Stack Tray and Sample Tray >> Next, the stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

The stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 can be selectively used depending on the situation. The stack tray 200 arranged below is selected when receiving a sheet bundle for copy output, printer output, etc. Is selected when receiving sheets for sample output, interrupt output, output when the stack tray overflows, function output, output when jobs are mixed, and the like.

The stacking tray 200 and the sample tray 201 are held by tray base plates 202 and 203, respectively, and are fixed to the base plates 202 and 203 via mounting frame plates 204 and 205, respectively. , M201
Are used, each of them can be independently driven in the vertical direction. In this case, since both of them are configured in substantially the same manner, here, the stack tray 200 is mainly used. Only the side case will be specified and described.

That is, a pair of frames 250, 250 are provided at both ends of the sheet processing apparatus 1 in the vertical direction, and rack gears which also function as vertical guide rails for the frames 250, 250, respectively. Members 251 and 251 are attached, and a rear end portion extending from one of the tray base plates 202 (corresponding to the left end side with respect to the sheet width direction) is opposed to the same (similarly to the right end side). 1 is provided rotatably on the rear end portion extended from the mounting frame plate 204.
By using a pair of guide rollers 206 and 207, each of the guide rollers 206 and 207 is fitted into each corresponding guide rail portion, thereby holding the stack tray 200 so as to be able to move up and down, and By engaging the restricting member 208 with the folded edge, the play in the sheet width direction is restricted and restricted.

On the other hand, the rotation output of the stepping motor M 200 is transmitted to the drive shaft 213 via the timing belt 211.
To the pulley 212. The drive shaft 213 is provided with a ratchet wheel 215 urged by a spring 216 and capable of sliding only in the axial direction. The ratchet wheel 215 is engaged with the drive gear 214 on the shaft in one direction. Let me do it.

The idler gears 218, 21 disposed at both ends on the driven shaft 217 are connected to the drive gear 214.
8 is engaged with each of the idler gears 218, 2
18 meshes with the rack gear members 251 and 251 via lifting gears 219 and 219, respectively. That is, the stack tray 200 can be vertically moved up and down via a drive system including these gear trains.

The driving gear 21 on the driving shaft 213
Ratchet wheel 215 which is unidirectionally biasedly engaged with the wheel 4
Is provided when the stack tray 200 is lowered so that, for example, the drive system is not broken by foreign matter or the like. Here, a required amount of biasing force is applied to the spring 216. The stack tray 200
Only when the vehicle rises, it is designed to provide protection by idling against the urging force of the spring 216 in response to a preset condition. Stepping motor M2
In order to stop the drive of the idler gear 218, a clock slit or the like formed in the flange portion of the idler gear 218 is inserted into the sensor S20.
1 for detection. Note that the sensor S201 is also used for step-out detection during normal operation.

Next, a description will be given of the arrangement of the respective sensors for controlling the elevation position of the stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 (details are shown in FIG. 9).

The sensor S202 is connected to the sample tray 201.
And detects that the sample tray 201 is located in a range that belongs to an area from the upper limit position detection sensor S203a to the processing tray sheet surface detection sensor S205.

The sensor S203b is a sensor for detecting that the number of sheets P discharged from the second discharge roller pair 9 onto the sample tray 201 has reached a predetermined number. From S204, it is arranged at a position equivalent to 1000 sheets.

The sensor S203c is a sensor for detecting that the number of sheets P discharged from the processing tray 130 onto the sample tray 201 has reached a predetermined number.
It is arranged at a position equivalent to 000 sheets.

The sensor S203d is connected to the stack tray 20
Numeral 0 is a sensor for limiting the height of the stacking amount when receiving the sheets P from the processing tray 130, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the number of stacked sheets 2000 from the sheet surface detection sensor S205.

The sensor S203e is connected to the stack tray 20
It is a sensor that sets the lower limit position of 0.

The stack tray 200 and the sample tray 201 have a sheet presence / absence detection sensor 2 respectively.
06a and 206b are arranged.

Of these sensors, only the sheet surface detection sensors S204 and S205 are of a light transmission type that detects the presence or absence of the sheet P by transmitting light from one side edge to the other side edge of the sheet P. Here, each sheet surface detection sensor S20 is used as the sheet surface detection method.
4, the initial state is a state in which the trays 200 and 201 are lifted from the lower part of S205 to a position covering the trays.
After the sheet is stacked, the sensor is lowered until the optical axis of the sensor appears, and then is repeatedly raised until the optical axis of the sensor is covered again.

<< Detailed Description of Punch Unit >> Next, the punch unit 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The punch unit 50 includes a punching means 60 and a lateral registration detecting means 80.

In the punching means 60, a required number of sets, here, a pair of left and right punch members 61 and each of the die members 62 combined with each of the punch members 61 are predetermined in the left and right direction (corresponding to the sheet width direction). Are arranged in the casing 63 at a punch interval of
Are rotatable in synchronization with each other in the directions indicated by arrows B and C when driven by the punching motor 66, and normally stand by at the home position in FIG.

In this state, the sheet detection sensor 31
The punching motor 66 is driven at a predetermined timing after detecting the rear end of the sheet P into which the sheet P to be introduced (see FIGS. 1 and 13 and 14) is introduced. Die hole 62b
Are engaged with each other to form a desired punch hole in the corresponding portion of the sheet P. In this case, the rotation speed of the punch member 61 and the die member 62 is set to the rotation speed of the first conveying roller pair 3 (see FIG. 1),
Can be simultaneously punched in the middle of the transfer by matching the transfer speed in the direction of arrow A.

On the other hand, the punch casing 63 holding the punch member 61 and the die member 62 has guide rollers 68, 68 which are vertically positioned and rotatably supported by support shafts 69, 69. And each guide roller 6
8 and 68 are inserted into the respective guide rails 67 and 67 parallel to the width direction of the sheet P to enable movement in the corresponding direction, and, as shown in FIGS. A pinion gear 70 driven to rotate by a not-shown perforating means moving motor with respect to the rack gear 63a formed in FIG.
And a perforation means initial position detection sensor 71 having a light receiving portion 71a on the end surface.

For this reason, the perforating means 60 is moved in the directions of arrows D and E (the width direction of the sheet P) perpendicular to the conveying direction A of the sheet P by the driving of the perforating means moving motor, and the perforating means initials with the movement. The position detecting sensor 71 can detect the initial position defining section 52 of the punching means on the apparatus main body side. In this case, the initial position of the punching means is the sheet reference position corresponding to the skew of the sheet P or the shift amount of the lateral registration. Set a few mm forward.

The lateral registration detecting means 80 is provided adjacent to one end of the perforating means 60 and has a rack gear 82 on the side edge.
Similarly, by meshing a pinion gear 83 which is driven to rotate by a lateral registration moving motor (not shown), the arrow D and the arrow E (in the width direction of the sheet P) which are also orthogonal to the conveying direction A of the sheet P
A lateral registration detection sensor 81 having a light receiving portion 81a for detecting one side edge of the sheet P is provided at one end of the sensor arm 82 near the sheet P. A lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 having a light receiving portion 84a facing the light receiving portion 81a is provided on the other end side.

For this reason, as in the case of the perforation means 60, the lateral registration detecting means 80 is driven by the lateral registration moving motor to drive in the directions of arrows D and E perpendicular to the conveying direction A of the sheet P (the width direction of the sheet P). ), The horizontal casing initial position detection sensor 84 moves the punch casing 63
The horizontal registration initial position defining portion 63b corresponding to the corresponding end face can be detected. In this case, the horizontal registration detection sensor 81 is moved in the direction of the arrow D to move the horizontal registration initial position 63b to a position corresponding to the selected sheet size. The detection sensor 81 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,
By driving the punching means moving motor at a predetermined timing, the punching means 60 and the lateral registration detection sensor 81 are moved in the direction of the arrow, and the light receiving portion 81a of the lateral registration detection sensor 81 is blocked by the side edge of the sheet. This is detected as the side end of the sheet and stops.

That is, this makes it possible to align the punching position with the side end of the sheet.

<< Explanation of Overall Operation of Sheet Processing Apparatus >> Next, the operation (operation) of the main parts of the sheet processing apparatus will be described.

<< Description of Alignment Operation >> FIG. 15 is an explanatory plan view showing a preparation state of the alignment operation by each alignment member of the sheet bundle. FIG. 16 is an explanatory plan view showing a matching operation state of the first copy (odd numbered part), and FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view showing a matching operation state of the second copy (even numbered copy). FIG. 18 is an explanatory side view showing a sorting and stacking state of a sheet bundle, and FIG. 19 is a partial explanatory view showing an example of an alignment failure according to an example.

When the first sheet on which an image is formed is discharged from the image forming apparatus 300 to the processing tray 130, as shown in FIG. Each alignment member 141, 14
2 moves to the alignment standby positions PS11 and PS21, which have a margin for the width of the discharged sheet, and stands by before the discharging operation.

As described above, the sheet P discharged onto the processing tray 130 is supported by abutting its trailing edge against the stopper 131, and the lower surface of the sheet P is supported by the alignment members 141 and 142. Support surface 141C, 142C
(See FIG. 19), these aligning members 141 and 142 are moved to aligning positions PS12 and PS22 as shown in FIG. 16 to move the discharged sheet P to the first position. The position is moved and aligned to the first alignment position 190.

Thereafter, in order to prepare for the sheet P to be discharged next, the one alignment member 141 once returns to the alignment standby position PS11 and waits for the next sheet P to be discharged.
The other alignment member 142 plays a role of an alignment reference position by stopping and waiting at the alignment position PS22. In this state, with the completion of discharge of the sheet P, one of the alignment members 141 that has been previously returned to the alignment standby position PS11.
Operates again to the alignment position PS12, and similarly aligns the sheet P at the first alignment position 190.

The above operation is continued until the last sheet P is discharged. When the discharge and alignment of the corresponding first sheet bundle Pa are completed, the following processes and bundle discharge are performed. This is stack tray 20
Transferred to 0.

Subsequently, the next sheet P corresponding to the second copy is discharged onto the processing tray 130 to form a sheet bundle Pa. Also in this case, the alignment members 141 and 142 operate in the same manner as in the first copy to align the sheet P. At this time, the corresponding alignment positions of the alignment members 141 and 142 are as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
1 is located at the alignment position PS13, and the other alignment member 142 is located at the alignment position PS23. Therefore, the alignment position of the sheet bundle Pa of the second set is different from the first alignment position of the first set. Thus, the second alignment position 191 shifted (sorted) by a predetermined amount (distance L).

Thereafter, by stacking the sheets on the stack tray 200 while changing the alignment positions 190 and 191 for each sheet bundle Pa, that is, for the odd-numbered and even-numbered copies, respectively, as shown in FIG. , The offset distance L is sorted.

The offset distance L is changed between the sort mode and the staple sort mode. That is, for example, in the staple sort mode, the amount L1 is set to an amount that can prevent overlapping of adjacent needles after stacking, and in the sort mode, the amount L2 is set so that bundle identification can be reliably performed. Further, in this case, by setting the relationship between the respective amounts so that L1 <L2, the speed in the staple sort mode can be increased.

As described above, by setting the respective alignment standby positions PS11 and PS21 for the respective alignment members 141 and 142 at the time of alignment, an alignment failure with respect to the sheet P as shown in FIG. There is no fear of causing it.

<< Description of Stapling Operation >> FIGS. 20 to 22 are plan explanatory views respectively showing stapling states at different positions (center position, right corner position and left corner position).

At the time of the stapling mode, the stapler 101 is in standby at a desired clinch position for the aligned sheets P in advance, and when the discharge and alignment of the final sheets P for each bundle are completed, the expected The staple operation is performed as follows.

Also in this case, the stapler 101
Is the offset movement (movement amount L) for each sheet bundle Pa.
Offset movement is performed in synchronization with 1).
The two-dot chain line corresponds to the first alignment position, and the solid line corresponds to the second alignment position. At this time, if the alignment position is on the left side of the discharge position, the alignment member 142 reciprocates to transfer the sheet P to the alignment member 141 side, which is the alignment reference position, and aligns the sheet P on the right side of the discharge position. If there is a position, the alignment member 141 reciprocates and transfers the sheet P to the alignment member 142 side.

Further, the stapler 101 operates in each binding mode (a binding mode at two central positions, a binding mode at a right corner diagonal position, and a binding mode at a left corner diagonal position).
In response to the above, the respective operations of changing the direction and moving are as described above.

<< Explanation of Bundle Discharge Operation in Staple Mode >> In one place staple sort mode, the stapling operation is started when the above-mentioned alignment operation is completed. The lowering of the swing guide 150 starts during the aligning operation or the stapling operation, and before and after the end of the stapling operation, the swinging upper roller 180b swings so that the upper roller 180b comes into contact with the sheet bundle Pa. Speed control of the guide motor M150 is performed.

The timing at which the swing guide 150 starts lowering is variable depending on the number of sheets bundled on the processing tray 130. That is, when the number of the sheet bundle Pa is a small number, the moving distance until the bundle discharge upper roller 180b contacts the sheet bundle Pa is long, and the stapler 1
01 is short, the swing guide 150 starts to descend during the aligning operation, and when the number of the sheet bundle Pa is large, the moving distance until the bundle discharge upper roller 180b contacts the sheet bundle Pa. Is short and the stapler 101
Since the operation time of the swing guide 150 is long, the lowering of the swing guide 150 is started almost simultaneously with the start of the stapling operation.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the contact of the upper bundle discharging roller 180b to the sheet bundle Pa until the bound of the upper bundle discharging roller 180b stops, it is determined whether or not the stapling operation is completed. If the operation is completed, the bundle discharge motor M180 starts rotating, and the sheet bundle Pa
Is discharged to the stacker tray 200, and if the stapling operation is not completed, the state is a state of waiting for the stapling operation to end.

At this time, the discharge speed of the sheet bundle Pa is controlled as follows. That is, the sheet bundle Pa is conveyed at a high speed after the start of the bundle conveyance. However, when the sheet bundle Pa is discharged onto the stacker tray 200 when the rear end of the sheet bundle Pa is decelerated before passing through the bundle discharge roller 180, the stacker Tray 2
00 so that the speed is suitable for loading on top.

Also, during the discharge of the bundle, the retreat tray 170 returns to the home position until the rear end of the sheet bundle Pa passes through the nip portion of the bundle discharge roller 180, and is in a retracted state.
When the bundle discharge is completed, the retractable tray 170 is again brought into the protruding state, so that the next sheet bundle Pa can be received.

On the other hand, in the two-staple sorting mode, the stapling operation of the stapler 101 ends at the first position, and the lowering of the swing guide 150 starts when the stapler 101 moves to the second stapling position. .
During the stapling at the second position, the bundle discharge upper roller 180b is in a standby state in contact with the sheet bundle Pa, and starts the bundle discharge operation at the same time as the completion of the second stapling. Subsequent operations are the same as in the case of one-point binding.

Incidentally, FIG. 35 is a timing chart of the bundle discharging operation in the small number staple mode at one place, and FIG.
6 is a timing chart of the bundle discharge operation in the one-place multi-staple mode, and FIG. 37 is a timing chart of the bundle discharge operation in the two-place staple mode. 2 shows a flowchart of the bundle discharge operation in the staple mode.

<< Description of Operation of Stack Tray and Sample Tray >> Next, referring to FIG.
The operation of the sample tray 201 will be described.

Before starting the operation, each of these trays 200, 2
01 is the corresponding paper surface detection sensor S20
5, Waiting at position S204.

Sheet bundle P aligned on the processing tray 130
The bundles a are sequentially discharged to the stack tray 200. The discharging speed of the discharged sheet bundle Pa is controlled such that the trailing end of the discharged sheet bundle Pa abuts against the bundle stacking guide 40.

When the bundle discharge operation is completed, the stack tray 200 starts lowering, and stops once the sheet detecting sensor S206a has been turned on and has been lowered by a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the stack tray 200 is raised, stops when the sheet detection sensor S206a is turned off again (the optical axis is cut off), stands by, and can accept the next sheet bundle Pa.

The stack tray 200 repeats the above operation every time the sheet bundle Pa is discharged from the processing tray 130, but the number of sheet bundles that can be stacked on the stack tray 200 is limited. If the sheet bundle Pa is stacked beyond the limit bundle number (the specified stacking number),
The following operation is performed.

That is, in this state, the base plate 211 of the stack tray 200 reaches the position of the sensor S203d. Here, when the sensor S203d is turned ON, the stack tray 200 in the full load state is moved to the lower limit sensor S203.
Further, the sample tray 201 is further lowered toward the side 203e.
It descends until it reaches 05. Accordingly, even if the sheet bundle Pa exceeding the specified stacking number is continuously discharged, the sample tray 2 is replaced with the stack tray 200.
01 will be loaded.

Further, when the bundle discharge is continued and the tray surface of the sample tray 201 reaches the position of the sensor S203C, it is determined that the stacking limit of the sample tray 201 has been reached, and the stacking is performed on the image forming apparatus 300. An alarm indicating that the number of bundles has been exceeded is issued, and the image forming apparatus 300 temporarily suspends the image forming operation in response to the alarm.

The alarm state is such that one of the sheet detection sensors S206a and S206b provided on the stack tray 200 or the sample tray 201 is turned off, and either the stack tray 200 or the sample tray 201 is turned off. The process is continued until the subsequent sheet bundle Pa can be received.

That is, for example, the stack tray 200
When the sheet detection sensor S206a is turned off, the sample tray 2 is first turned on until the paper surface detection sensor S204 detects the stacking surface of the sample tray 201.
01, and then the stack tray 200 is raised until the paper surface detection sensor S205 detects the stacking surface of the stack tray 200. In this state, the alarm state is released and the image forming apparatus 300 can receive the sheet bundle Pa from the processing tray 130 side.
Outputs a ready signal.

When the sheet detection sensor S206b on the sample tray 201 side is turned off first, the sample tray 201 is raised until the paper surface detection sensor S205 detects the loading surface of the sample tray 201. Accordingly, even in this state, the sheet bundle Pa can be received from the processing tray 130 side, so that the alarm state is similarly released and a ready signal is output to the image forming apparatus 300.

<< Description of Sheet Flow in Non-sort Mode >> Next, the sheet flow in the non-sort mode will be described.

FIG. 23 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the flow of sheets in the non-sort mode.

When the user sets the discharge mode of the image forming apparatus 300 to the non-sort mode, each of the entrance roller pair 2, the first transport roller pair 3, and the buffer roller 5 is illustrated. The sheet P is rotated in the transport direction indicated by the arrow, and transports the sheet P transported from the image forming apparatus 300 side.

In this case, the first switching flapper 11
The sheet P is switched to accept the sheet P on the non-sort path 21 side. When the rear end of the sheet P conveyed through the non-sort path 21 is detected by the non-sort path sensor 33, the second discharge roller pair 9 is turned on. The sheet P is rotated at a speed suitable for stacking, and the sheet P is discharged onto the sample tray 200 and stacked.

<< Description of Sheet Flow in Staple Sort Mode >> Next, the flow of sheets in the staple sort mode will be described.

FIGS. 24 and 28 are operation explanatory diagrams sequentially showing the sheet flow in the staple sort mode. FIGS. 29 to 31 (a) and 31 (b) show the sheet aligning operation of the same. It is an operation explanatory view shown in order.

When the user sets the discharge mode of the image forming apparatus 300 to the staple sort mode, the entrance roller pair 2 and the first transport roller pair are set in the same manner as in the non-sort mode. 3 and the buffer roller 5 are rotated in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, and the sheet P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 300 side.
Is transported.

In this case, the first switching flapper 10 and the second switching flapper 11 are switched to receive the sheet P on the sort path 22 side, respectively.
When the trailing end of the sheet P has passed through the roller 14, the sheet P is discharged onto the processing tray 130 by rotating the first discharge roller pair 7. At this time, the haunting tray 17
0 has been activated and is in the extended position.
Even if the sheet P is discharged onto the sheet 30, the sheet P is prevented from sagging or returning poorly, and at the same time, the alignment (alignment) of the sheet P on the processing tray 130 is improved.

Subsequently, the sheet P thus discharged onto the processing tray 130 is moved by the rear end stopper 13 by its own weight.
In addition to the movement to the first side (omitted because it has been described above), in addition to this, the paddle 160 stopped at the home position is rotated counterclockwise by the motor M160, and the rotated paddle 160 is rotated. The rear end stopper 13 of the sheet P
Effectively promote movement to one side.

When the rear end of the sheet P is abutted against the rear end stopper 131 in this state, the rotation of the paddle 160 is stopped, and the alignment of the sheet P discharged by the operation of the alignment members 141 and 142 is continued. Is made. Thereafter, a stapling operation and a bundle discharging operation by the stapler 101 are performed, and the sheet bundle Pa sequentially processed in this manner is discharged and stacked on the processing tray 200.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25, the sheet P1 discharged from the image forming apparatus 300 is transferred to the buffer roller 5 by switching the first switching flapper 10 to the buffer path 23 side. It is wound and stops when it has advanced a predetermined distance from the buffer path sensor 32.

Further, when the leading end of the succeeding sheet P2 has advanced a predetermined distance from the entrance sensor 31, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 27, the sheet P2 is overlapped with the sheet P2 by a predetermined distance before being wound around the buffer roller 5 again, and also stops when the sheet P is conveyed from the buffer path sensor 32 a predetermined distance.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 28, when the leading end of the third sheet P3 has advanced a predetermined distance from the entrance sensor 31, the buffer roller 5 is rotated again, and the sheets P3 and P2 are moved. And the first switching flapper 10 is again switched to the sort path 22 side, and the three sheets P thus superimposed are conveyed to the sort path 22.

At this point, the previous sheet bundle Pa
29 is completed or almost completed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 29, while the swing guide 150 is kept lowered, the rotation drive of the first discharge roller pair 7 is performed. And the three sheets P superimposed by the forward rotation of the rollers 180a and 180b
Accept on 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 30, the rear ends of the three sheets P pass through the first discharge roller pair 7 and
When the rollers 180a and 180b are reversed when completely received on the processing tray 130, and before the rear end of each sheet P is hit against the rear end stopper 131,
As shown in FIG. 31A, the swing guide 150 is raised to separate the upper bundle discharge roller 180b from the sheet surface.

Subsequently, the fourth and subsequent sheets P are discharged onto the processing tray 130 through the sort path 22 in the same manner as the first sheet discharge operation. Further, the sheet bundle Pa of the third copy and thereafter performs the same operation as that of the second copy, and is stacked on the stack tray 200 corresponding to the set number of copies.

Here, when the plurality of sheets P are conveyed, the respective sheets P are offset along the conveying direction as shown in FIG. 31 (b). That is, the sheet P2 is offset with respect to the sheet P1 on the side opposite to the stopper 131 side, and the sheet P3 is similarly offset with respect to the sheet P2.

<< Explanation of Sheet Flow in Sort Mode >> Next, the flow of sheets in the sort mode will be described.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are operation explanatory diagrams sequentially showing the flow of sheets in the sort mode.

When the user sets the discharge mode of the image forming apparatus 300 to the sort mode, similarly to the case where the staple sort mode is specified, the entrance roller pair 2 and the first transport Each of the roller pair 3 and the buffer roller 5 is rotated in the conveyance direction shown by the arrow in the figure, and the sheets P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 300 side are sequentially stacked on the processing tray 130. The action is performed.

<< Description of Sheet Interrupt Mode >> Next, the operation of the sheet interrupt mode will be described.

When the interrupt mode is selected by the user, the sheet P is sequentially guided to the non-sort path 21 and then from the second discharge roller pair 9 as in the case of the non-sort mode. It is loaded on the sample tray 201.

When the specified number of sheets P have been discharged, the sample tray 201 starts descending, and once stopped a predetermined amount from the point where the sheet detection sensor S206b is turned on, stops. Then, sample tray 2
01 rises, and the paper surface detection sensor S206b
When the sheet is stopped at F, the next sheet P can be received.

Each time the specified number of sheets P is discharged from the second discharge roller pair 9, the above operation is repeated. However, the number of sheets that can be stacked on the sample tray 201 is limited. When the sheets P are stacked in excess of the specified stacking number, the following operation is performed.

That is, in this state, the base plate 211 of the sample tray 201 reaches the position of the sensor S203b. When the sensor S203b is turned on, the sample tray 201 issues an alarm to the image forming apparatus 300 to interrupt the copying operation.

Next, the sheet P on the sample tray 201 is removed, and the sheet detection sensor S206b is turned off.
Then, the sample tray 201 rises to a predetermined position, and is ready to receive the sheet P from the image forming apparatus 300 side. When the alarm is released, the image forming apparatus 300 Resume.

<< Explanation of Punch Mode >> Next, the punch mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the power of the apparatus is turned on (ST-
1), the perforating means 60 is moved by the perforating means moving motor as shown in FIG.
In the direction of arrow E. Thereafter, when the perforation means initial position detection sensor 71 detects the perforation position defining unit 52, the perforation means moving motor stops, and the home position stop control of the perforation means 60 here is completed (ST-
2).

Next, when the sensor arm 82 is moved in the direction E shown in FIG. 13 by the lateral registration moving motor and the lateral registration initial position detecting sensor 84 detects the lateral registration initial position defining portion 63b, the horizontal registration moving motor stops. And
The home position stop control of the sensor arm 82 is completed, and the input arm waits for input (ST-3).

Here, when the punch mode is designated by the user and a start signal is input (ST-4), the punching means 60 is moved and set to a position corresponding to the selected sheet size (step S4). ST-5).

In this state, when the sheet P on which an image is formed (ST-6) by the image forming apparatus 300 is conveyed, the sensor arm 82 moves in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The sheet P is stopped near the side edge of the sheet P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 300.

When the sheet detecting sensor 31 detects the leading edge of the conveyed sheet P (ST-7), the punching means 60 moves in the direction of arrow E in FIG. It stops at the position where the side edge of P is detected (ST-8).

Subsequently, when the sheet detecting sensor 31 detects the trailing edge of the sheet P (ST-9), the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined distance from the detected position, and then the punch driving motor 6 is driven.
6 is rotated, and a punch hole is punched by the punch 61 and the die 62 in a portion corresponding to the rear end of the sheet P being conveyed (ST).
-10).

The subsequent operation is the same as in the non-sort mode, sort mode, and staple sort mode.

<< Description of Control Circuit in this Embodiment >> Next, the configuration and operation of the control circuit applied to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the control device of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit is mainly composed of a microprocessor (CPU) 401. The CPU 401 includes a backup EEP (not shown).
It has a ROM and a ROM in which control sequence software is stored. Each input / output port of the CPU 401 is connected to each sensor corresponding to various loads, a drive circuit, and the like. The finisher 1 is connected via a communication IC 402 for controlling the data communication.

Here, the sort / non-sort switching solenoid SL1 is driven by the driver D1, and similarly, the buffer solenoid SL2 is driven by the driver D2.

Inlet motor M1 (DC brushless motor)
Is driven and controlled by a motor-integrated driver, and CP
A drive signal such as a reference clock serving as a reference for the motor rotation speed, ON / OFF, rotation direction switching, brake, lock, and the like is input from U401. The buffer motor M2 (stepping motor) is a stepping motor driver D
4 controls the constant current driving. Similarly, the sheet discharge motor M3 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D5.

The puncher rotation drive motor 66 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D6. Puncher shift drive motor M
300 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D7.

The puncher dust conveying motor M301 (DC brush motor) is driven and controlled by a driver D8.
An ON / OFF signal is input from the PU 401. The puncher sensor shift drive motor M302 (stepping motor) is controlled by a driver D9 at a constant current.

The paddle positioning solenoid SL3 is driven by the driver D10. Reference wall moving motor M1
41 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D11. Similarly, the matching wall moving motor M142 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D12.

The drive of the paddle motor M160 (DC brushless motor) is controlled by a motor-integrated driver, and various drive signals from the CPU 401 such as ON / OFF of motor rotation and switching of rotation direction are input. The haul tray drive motor M170 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D14.

The bundle discharge motor M180 (DC brush motor) is driven and controlled by a driver D15 and a controller C15.
A reference clock serving as a reference for the motor speed from U401,
Each drive signal such as ON / OFF is input. Similarly, the drive of the swing guide motor M150 (DC brush motor) is controlled by a driver D16 and a controller C16, and the controller C16 receives from the CPU 401 a reference clock serving as a reference for the motor rotation speed, ON / OFF and the like. A drive signal is input.

The stapler moving motor M100 (stepping motor) is controlled by a constant current drive by a stepping motor driver D17.
(DC brush motor) is driven and controlled by a driver D18 and a controller C18.
Reference signals 18 and drive signals such as ON / OFF are input from the CPU 401 to the CPU 18.

The sample tray shift motor M201 (stepping motor) has a stepping motor driver D
19, the stack tray shift motor M200 (stepping motor)
Constant current drive control is performed by the stepping motor driver D20.

All of the drivers D1 to D20 are connected to the input / output port of the CPU 401.
The operation is controlled by each corresponding output signal from the PU 401.

An input sensor 31, a buffer path sensor 32, a non-sort path sensor 33, a sort path sensor 34, and a paper discharge sensor 35 are connected to the input / output ports of the control circuit. 8
The first and lateral registration initial position detection sensors 84 are connected to the respective sensors, and are used for controlling and monitoring the behavior of the sheet and the behavior of various movable loads in the apparatus.

The above various sensors are the following sensors.

That is, the puncher HP sensor S106,
Puncher rotation HP sensor S108, puncher debris full tank detection sensor S110, reference wall HP sensor S111, matching wall HP sensor S112, bundle discharge swing closing detection sensor S11
3. Shutter HP sensor S114, bundle discharge swing guide H
P detection sensor S115, bundle discharge swing motor clock detection sensor S116, bundle discharge motor clock detection sensor S1
17, a retractable tray down detection sensor S118, a bundle discharge completion sensor S119, a stapler HP sensor S120, a stapler home sensor S121, a stapler needle absence sensor S122, a stapler cartridge sensor S123, a stapler self-priming sensor S124, and a door switch operation detection sensor S128. .

The stack tray idling detection sensor S201a and the stack tray position detection sensor S202
a, a stack tray lower position detection sensor S203d, a stack tray lower limit detection sensor S203e, a stack tray paper surface detection sensor S205, a stack tray paper presence / absence detection sensor S206, and a sample tray idle rotation detection sensor S201b; Upper position detection sensor S202b, sample tray upper limit detection sensor S203a, sample tray lower position detection sensor S203b, sample tray lower limit detection sensor S203
c, sample tray paper surface detection sensor S204 and sample tray paper presence / absence detection sensor S206b.

[0175]

According to the present invention, the first stacking tray for receiving discharged sheets and the sheet bundle on the first stacking tray are aligned, as described in detail in the above embodiments. A sheet processing apparatus including an alignment unit, a binding unit configured to bind the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment unit, and a transfer unit configured to transfer the sheet bundle bound by the binding unit onto the second stacking tray unit; In the configuration of the image forming apparatus provided, the transfer operation control unit controls the start of the transfer operation of the transfer unit during the alignment operation by the alignment unit or the binding operation by the binding unit. This has the advantage that the processing speed can be improved, and the stability of sheet bundle discharge can be obtained. As a result, the required sheet processing of the sheet processing apparatus itself is achieved. It is possible to enhance the ability effectively and dramatically.

On the other hand, in the above-described apparatus configuration, the counting means for counting the number of sheets to be received on the first stacking tray means, and the operation start timing by the transfer operation control means are made variable according to the counting result of the counting means. A transport unit configured to transport the sheet bundle on the first stacking tray unit onto the second stacking tray unit, and a contact operating unit configured to contact the transport unit with the sheet bundle. A contact start control means for controlling the time from the end of the contact operation by the contact operation means to the start of conveyance by the conveyance means, and a contact speed control means for controlling the moving speed of the contact operation means When each of the configurations is provided, the operation in the sheet processing apparatus is further improved,
Can effectively promote.

Further, according to the present invention, the start of the swinging operation and, consequently, the start of the bundle discharge operation are controlled in accordance with the amount of sheets loaded on the processing tray. In addition to ensuring the stability of the binding operation, the start timing of the swing operation can be controlled in accordance with the binding mode, which has the advantage of improving the quality of the binding process.Furthermore, the speed of the swing operation can be controlled. As a result, the swing operation can be completed in a predetermined time, thereby improving the reliability of the timing control, and at the same time, has excellent features such as shortening the bundle processing time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of a sheet processing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a stapler and a processing tray corresponding to a main cross section of the staple unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a stapler moving mechanism corresponding to the direction of arrow a in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the stapler corresponding to the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a swing guide and a processing tray corresponding to a main cross-section of the alignment unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a processing tray and an alignment wall moving mechanism corresponding to the direction of arrow c in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a retreat tray corresponding to a direction indicated by an arrow d in FIG. 5;

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

FIG. 9 is a view showing a sensor arrangement around a stack tray and a sample tray of the same.

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

FIG. 11 is a side view showing an operation state of the punch unit.

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

FIG. 13 is an explanatory plan view showing a detection state of a sheet leading end in the punch unit;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view showing a detection state of a trailing edge of the sheet in the punch unit;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory plan view showing a mode of preparing an alignment operation by each alignment member in the same non-sort mode.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory plan view showing an alignment operation state of a first copy (odd copy) by each alignment member in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view showing the alignment operation state of the second copy (even copy) by each alignment member in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory side view showing a stacking state by sorting sheet bundles in the same sort mode.

FIG. 19 is a partial explanatory view showing a mode of sheet misalignment in the sort mode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory plan view showing a staple state at a central position in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory plan view showing a staple state at the right corner in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory plan view showing a staple state at a left corner position in the staple sort mode.

FIG. 23 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in the non-sort mode according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in a staple sort mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in a staple sort mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in a staple sort mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in a staple sort mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in the staple sort mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a first stage of the sheet alignment operation of the above sheet.

FIG. 30 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a second stage of the sheet alignment operation of the above sheet.

FIG. 31 is an operation explanatory view sequentially showing sheet alignment operations of the above sheet.

FIG. 32 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in the same sort mode.

FIG. 33 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a sheet in the same sort mode.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a punch operation in the punch mode in the same as above.

FIG. 35 is a timing chart showing the timing of a bundle discharging operation in the one-place small-sheet staple mode.

FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing the timing of the bundle discharge operation in the multi-staple mode at one place according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a timing chart showing the timing of a bundle discharge operation in the two-place staple mode.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a bundle discharging operation in the staple mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 40 is an overall cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an example of an image forming apparatus (copying apparatus) system including the sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sheet processing apparatus (finisher) 2 Inlet roller pair 3 1st conveyance roller pair 5 Large diameter roller (buffer roller) 6 2nd conveyance roller pair 7 1st discharge roller pair 9 2nd discharge roller pair 10 2nd Switching flapper 11 first switching flapper 12, 13, 14 rollers 21 non-sort path 22 sort path 23 buffer path 31 sheet detection sensor 32, 33 sheet detection sensor on the entrance side 40 bundle stacking guide 50 punch unit 52 punching means Initial position defining portion 60 Punching means 61 Punch member 61a Punch projecting piece 62 Dice member 62b Dice hole 63 Casing 63a Rack gear 63b Lateral initial position defining portion 64, 65 Interlocking gear 66 Punching motor 67 Guide rail 68 Guide roller 69 Support shaft 70 Pinio Gear 71 Perforation means Initial position detection sensor 71a Light receiving section 80 Lateral registration detecting means 81 Lateral registration detection sensor 81a Light receiving section 82 Sensor arm 82a Rack gear 83 Pinion gear 84 Lateral registration initial position detection sensor 84a Light receiving section 100 Staple unit 101 Stapler (binding means) ) 102 Holder 103 Moving stand 104, 1051 Stud shaft 106, 107 Rolling roller 106 a Flange 106 b Pinion gear 106 c Belt pulley 108 Fixed table 108 a, 108 b, 108 c A series of hole-shaped guide rails 109 Support roller 110 Rack gear 111 Stud shaft 112 Stopper falling roller 113 Staple stopper 129 Processing tray unit 130 Intermediate tray (processing tray, first stacking tray) 130a, 130b Guide groove 131 Rear end stopper 131a Butt support surface 131b Pivot pin 131c Pin 132 Main link 132a Cam surface 132b Pin 133 Connecting link 134 Shaft 135 Extension spring 136 Butt plate 131 Rear end stopper 131 Rear end stopper 131 Rear end stopper 140 Alignment means 141, 1421 set of alignment members 141a, 142a Alignment surface 141b, 142b Rack gear section 141, 1421 set of alignment members 143, 144 Pinion gear 150 Swing guide 151 Support shaft 152 Rotating cam 160 Retraction paddle 161 Drive shaft 170 Retractable tray 171 Support frame 172 Guide rail 173 Rotating cam roller 174 Rotating shaft 175 Lower surface groove 180 Bundle discharge roller pair 180a Lower discharge roller 180b Upper discharge roller 200 Stack tray ( 2 loading tray) 201 sample tray 202, 203 tray base plate 204, 205 mounting frame plate 206, 207 guide roller 208 regulating member 211 timing belt 212 pulley 213 drive shaft 214 drive gear 215 ratchet wheel 216 spring 217 driven shaft 218 idler gear 219 up / down Gear 250 Frame 251 Rack gear member 300 Image forming device (copying device) 301 Conveying device 302 Discharge roller pair 310 Control device (transport operation control means) 400 Document reading section 401 Document placing table 402 Light source 403 Lens system 500 Paper feeding section 501, 502 Cassette 503 Pedestal 504 Deck 600 Image forming unit 601 Photoconductor drum 602 Primary charger 603 Exposure unit 604 Developing unit 605 Transfer charger 606 Separation Charger 607 Cleaner 608 Fixing unit P, P1, P2, P3 sheet Pa sheet bundle

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Norika Miyake 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] A first stacking tray for receiving discharged sheets; an aligning unit for aligning the sheet bundle on the first stacking tray; and a binding process for the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning unit. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a binding unit; and a transfer unit configured to transfer a sheet bundle bound by the binding unit onto a second stacking tray unit. The binding operation performed by the alignment unit or the binding operation performed by the binding unit A sheet processing apparatus, further comprising: transfer operation control means for starting a transfer operation of the transfer means. 2. A counting means for counting the number of sheets received on the first stacking tray means, and a timing for varying an operation start timing by the transfer operation control means in accordance with a counting result of the counting means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit. 3. A transport unit for transporting a sheet bundle on the first stacking tray unit onto the second stacking tray unit, and a contact unit for bringing the transport unit into contact with the sheet bundle. The operating means, and a contact start control means for controlling a time from a contact operation end time by the contact operation means to a transfer start time by the transfer means, wherein: Sheet processing equipment. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a contact speed control unit that controls a contact moving speed of the contact operation unit. 5. An image reading means for reading an image on a document surface, an image transferring means for transferring an image read by the image reading means to a target surface of a sheet, and a fixing process for the image transferred by the image transferring means. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a target surface of a sheet, comprising: an image fixing unit configured to discharge the sheet having an image formed on the target surface. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.