JPS63235260A - Post treatment device for sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent erroneous operation by providing such an arrangement that when a sheet present signal is received from a sheet detecting means after the number of sheets counted by a counting means reaches a predetermined number, a stapling device is allowed to operate, and after stapling, the operation of the stapling device is inhibited until a sheet unpresent signal is received. CONSTITUTION:In an automatic staple mode, sheets from an introduction port 47 in a finisher device 23 enter into a conveying path 70 through a flapper 67, and are detected by a counting means 72 so as to count the number of sheets. Then, the sheets are fed through a pair of discharge rollers 73 onto a staple tray 52a, and abuts against a stopper 63 to be aligned and loaded. Further, when the counted number reaches a predetermined value, a control device confirms the presence of the sheets by means of a sheet detecting means 74, and a stapler 75 staples the bundle of sheets. After stapling, a solenoid 76 is energized to retract the stopper 63, and therefore, the bundle of sheets is stored in a storage tray 65. When the sheet detecting means 74 is turned off, the operation of the stapler 75 is inhibited. Thus, it is possible to prevent the double punching of the stapling device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device used in conjunction with an image forming apparatus such as a photographing machine, a printing machine, or a laser beam printer. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device that is connected and stacks, aligns and staples sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus.

(B) Prior Art Conventionally, sheet post-processing devices that perform stapling have aligned sheets stacked on a sheet alignment tray device and stapled one corner of the sheet bundle using a stapling device (hereinafter referred to as a stapler).

→ Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, in the above-mentioned sheet post-processing device, the number of sheets stacked on the sheet alignment tray device is counted by the counting means, and when the count value reaches a predetermined value, the sheet bundle is removed by the stapler. Since the stapler is stapled, a malfunction of the counting means may cause the stapler to double stabilize or blank, which may cause the staples to become jammed.

(B) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a sheet detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets accumulated in a sheet alignment tray device, and a counting means. When the number of sheets counted reaches a predetermined number and a sheet presence signal from the sheet detection means is received, the operation of the binding device is permitted, and after the binding operation is completed, the operation of the binding device is continued until a sheet absence signal from the sheet detection means is received. , a control section for controlling the binding device so as to prohibit the operation of the binding device.

(e) Operation Based on the above-described configuration, the number of sheets conveyed from the document processing position to the sheet alignment tray device is counted by the counting means, and when the count number of the counting means reaches a predetermined number, the control section detects the sheet. The presence of the sheet is confirmed by the means, and the sheet bundle is stapled by the stapler. After stapling, the sheet bundle is transported to the storage device, and when the sheet detection means detects that there are no more sheets on the sheet alignment tray device, the control section prohibits the operation of the stapler.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below along with the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 has a copying machine main body 3 containing a copying section 2, and the main body 3 includes a platen 5, a light source 6, mirrors 7, 8, 9, 10, and a lens 11. , sheet S
It is equipped with two cassettes 12.13 for storing paper feed rollers 15 and 1, respectively.
6 are arranged. Then, the paper feed rollers 15 and 16
A pair of registration rollers 17 is disposed downstream of the rollers 17, and the copying section 2 is disposed downstream of the rollers 17. Further, downstream of the copying section 2, a conveyor belt 19 and a fixing device 20 are arranged. A pair of paper discharge rollers 21 is disposed downstream of the fixing device 20, and a folding device 22 and a buoy rasher 23 are disposed downstream of the pair of paper discharge rollers 21 adjacent to the copying machine main body 3. It is being

On the other hand, the copying machine main body 3 is provided with an automatic document feeder 25 on its upper part, and the feeder 25 has a document tray 26 on which documents M are stacked. A paper feed roller 2 for feeding the document M on the tray 26 is placed near the tray 26.
7 is disposed, and downstream of the roller 27, a separation belt 29 that rotates counterclockwise and a conveyor belt 30 that rotates counterclockwise are disposed. Moreover, the belt 30
Sensors 31 and 32 for detecting the size of the original w4M are arranged in a straight line in the transverse direction with respect to the document conveyance direction, and downstream of the sensors 31 and 32, a drive roller 33
A conveyor belt 36 is stretched between the driven roller 35 and the driven roller 35 . Furthermore, a flapper 39 is disposed on the document discharge section 37 on the left side of the belt 36, and around the flapper 39 there is a conveyance path 40 that is switched and guided by the flapper 39.
, 41°42 are provided. Then, the conveyance path 40
A pair of reversing rollers 43 is disposed on the transport path 41, and a pair of discharge rollers 45 is disposed on the conveyance path 41.

Further, the sheet discharge port 46 of the folding device 22 and the sheet inlet port 47 of the finisher device 23 are connected so as to match. Furthermore, the sheet inlet 49 of the folding device 22 is connected to match the sheet discharge port 50 of the copying machine 1, and the sheet S outputted from the copying machine 1 is folded into a predetermined shape by the folding device 22. Furthermore, it is configured so that it can be sent to the stacker section 51 or stapling section 52 of the finisher device 23 to be stacked, or to be stapled and processed. The folding device 22 includes a folding device main body 5.
3. A loading roller pair 55 is arranged facing the sheet loading opening 49 provided on the upper right side, and an inlet deflector 56 is arranged downstream of the loading roller pair 55 so as to be switchable in two directions. Sheet S sent from the sheet loading port 49
It is configured to guide and convey the sheet to the passing conveyance path 57 or the sheet folding conveyance path 59. Further, a pair of discharge rollers 60 is disposed at the downstream end of the passage conveyance path 57, and the sheet discharge port 46 is provided downstream of the pair of discharge rollers 60, and the sheet discharge port 46 is connected to the sheet carry-in port 46.
It is installed at the same horizontal level as 9. Further, on the downstream side of the sheet folding conveyance path 59, the sheet S is folded in two or
A folding means A for folding is arranged, and the folding means A is connected to the passing conveyance path 57 by a paper discharge conveyance path 61. Also, finisher outfit! ! 23, the device body 6
A stacker section 51 that includes a stacker tray 51a and can be moved vertically and reciprocally by a driving means such as a motor is arranged above the left side of the stacker 2, and further below the stacker section 51, a staple tray 52m of the staple section 52 is arranged. A stopper 63 for supporting one end of the sheets and sheets S on the tray 52a is movably disposed at the lower end of the sniper tray 52m. A storage tray 65 is arranged, and the sheet S on the staple tray 52a is dropped and stored into the storage tray 65 by the movement of the stopper 63.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a sheet inlet 47 is provided at the front of the main body 62 of the finisher device 23, and the sheet inlet 47 is connected to the sheet outlet 50 (the first one) of the copying machine 1. (See Figure 2). A pair of carry-in rollers 66 is disposed at the sheet carry-in entrance 47, and an inlet deflector 67 constituting a switching means is disposed downstream of the pair of carry-in rollers 66 so as to be switchable in two directions. It is configured to convey the sheet S sent from the opening 47 to the stacker section conveyance path 69 or to the staple section conveyance path 70. Further, a pair of conveyance rollers 71 and a sensor 72 are disposed in the stapling unit conveyor $70, a pair of staple unit discharge rollers 73 is disposed downstream of the pair of rollers 71, and a pair of discharge rollers 73 of the staple unit 73 is disposed downstream of the pair of rollers 71. A portion of a belt 73b, the lower end of which is in contact with the staple tray 52a, is wound around the lower roller 73a.
3 m to align the longitudinal direction (rear end in the carrying direction) of the sheet S carried out onto the staple tray 52 a along the stopper 63 . and,
The stopper 63 is connected to a solenoid 76, and when the solenoid 76 is turned on, the stopper 63 is retracted from the tray surface of the stacker tray 52a. Further, a stay bluff 5 is installed above the base end side of the staple tray 52g, and is configured to staple the sheets S on the staple tray 52a. A sensor 74 for detection is provided. and,
A protective cover 77 is disposed on the staple tray 52a at C, and the cover 77 is supported by a hinge 79 so as to be openable and closable. Further, a manual button 80 is arranged on the main body 62 of the apparatus above the cover 77, and the button 80 is used to switch the stapling section 52 from the automatic stapling mode to the manual button.

As shown in FIG. 4, the staple tray 52a is provided with a loading amount detection device 81 for detecting the loading amount of sheets S, and the device 81 is swingably supported by a shaft 82a. a solenoid 83 connected to the presser plate 82 to swing the presser plate 82; a spring 85 connected to the presser plate 82 on the opposite side of the solenoid 83; 82b and a reflective optical sensor 86 that turns on and off by overlapping or separating.

The staple tray 52a also has a fixing plate 87 on the front side of the tray 52a, as shown in detail in FIG. 5(a).
is erected, and a width shifting plate 89 is movably disposed on the back side by a stepping motor 90, a pinion 91, and a rack 92 (see FIG. 5(b)).

Furthermore, a home position sensor 93 is arranged on the back side of the step tray 52a, and the sensor 93 is configured to detect the home position of the width adjusting plate 89.

Further, a sheet edge detection device 94 for detecting the edge of the sheet S is disposed on the fixed plate 87.
4 is a hole 87a formed in the fixing plate 87, a hole 52b formed in the stipple tray 52a, and a straight line connecting the hole 52b and the hole 87m, as shown in FIG. 5(c). The sheet edge sensor 96 is configured to include a lamp 95 disposed at the top and a sheet edge sensor 96 that receives the light of the lamp 95 and turns on, and that the light of the lamp 95 is blocked by a rate S and turns off.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
) 99, a ROM 100 storing a control program for controlling the CPU 99, and an RA serving as a main storage device.
On the copying machine main body 3 side, there is an output interface 102 that outputs control signals to loads such as the main motor, an input interface 103 that inputs detection signals from each sensor, and operation signals from various input keys 105. It is connected to an input/output interface 107 which inputs a signal and outputs a display signal to each display 106. In addition, a finisher 20 attached to the copying machine 1
, the folding device 22, and the automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as RDF) 25, loads, sensors, etc. are similarly connected via respective interfaces (not shown).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

A case in which the automatic stapling mode is set in the finisher 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

A stack of originals is stacked on the original tray 26 of the RDF 25, and the stack of originals is detected by a document presence/absence sensor (not shown), and the CP0
99, the CPU 99 determines that the document bundle has been set on the RDF 25 based on the detection signal of the document presence/absence sensor (sl).

Then, use the input key 105 to set the stipple mode to automatic 82) and set the number of copies 33).
Furthermore, the sheet size is selected (s4).

Next, when a copy start key (not shown) is turned on (S5), a transport motor (not shown) is turned on (S6).

As a result, the paper feed roller 27 rotates to feed the document from below, and the document is further transferred to the separation belt 29 and the transport belt 30.
The sheets are separated one by one and conveyed to the conveyor belt 36. Then, the original is transported to the exposure position on the platen 5 by the transport belt 36 (37), and the image is further read by the light source 6, the mirror 7°8.9, 10, and the lens 11, and a copying part 2Cζ image is formed be done.

On the other hand, the sheet S from the cassette 12.13 is transferred to the paper feed roller 1.
5 and 16, and the sheet S is further conveyed by a pair of registration rollers 17 in synchronization with the image formed on the copying section 2. Then, the image is copied on the sheet S by the copying section 2, and the sheet S is further transported to the fixing plate 20 by the transport section 19 (s8).

At this time, the document is conveyed from the platen 5 to the conveyance path 40 by the conveyor belt 36, and when the rear end passes the flapper 39, 1. The document is conveyed to the conveyance path 41, and then to the ejection roller 4.
5, the document is discharged onto the document tray 26 (S9). Then, the image is fixed on the sheet S by the fixing device 20, and the sheet S is further discharged to the discharge port 50 by the pair of paper discharge rollers 21. Next, the sheet S discharged from the sheet discharge port 50 of the copying machine 1 is conveyed from the sheet input port 49 of the folding device 22 to the entrance deflector 56 by the rotation of the pair of carry-in rollers 55, and the passing mode is instructed to the folding device 22. If it is, the deflector 56 guides it to the passage conveyance path 57 . The sheet size 46 is then discharged through the conveyance path 57 by a pair of discharge rollers 60. Further, when the folding mode is instructed to the folding device 22, the sheet S is guided to the sheet folding conveyance path 59 by the entrance deflector 56, and then conveyed to the folding means A through the conveyance path 59.

Next, the sheet S is subjected to a process such as folding in half or Z-folding by the folding means A, and is conveyed to the paper discharge conveyance path 61.
The sheet is conveyed through the conveyor belt 61 to a pair of discharge rollers 60, and further discharged from the sheet discharge port 46 by the pair of rollers 60. Then, the sheet S discharged from the sheet discharge port 46 of the folding device 22 is carried in from the sheet carry-in port 47 of the finisher device 23 by a pair of carry-in rollers 66 . Further, the sheet S is conveyed to the stipple portion conveyance path 70 by the flapper 67, further held between a pair of conveyance rollers 71, and conveyed to a pair of discharge rollers 73. At this time, the sheets S are detected by the sensor 72 and transmitted to the control section 97, whereby the fflIltIIJ section 97 counts the number of sheets S. On the other hand, the sheet S is ejected onto the staple tray 5241 by the ejection roller pair 73, and then abutted against the stopper 62 by the belt 73b to align the front and rear positions (S10). Further, the sheet S is shifted to the fixing plate 87 by the shifting plate 89 to align the left and right positions (311), and the width shifting operation is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7(a). When the first copied sheet S is discharged onto the staple tray 52a, the number of sheets S already stored in the CPU 99 of the control unit 97, which counts the number of sheets S based on the detection signal of the sensor 72, is O. (S111). Then, based on this count value, the CPU 99 moves the width adjusting plate 89 from the home position to the selected sheet size position, and steps the first sheet S so as to contact the fixed plate 87 and align the left and right positions. Control the motor 90 (31
12). Further, the detection signal from the sensor 72 that detects the passing of the first sheet S is transmitted to the CPU 99 via the interface 103, and as a result, the number of sheets counted in the CPU 99 becomes 1, and the CPU 99 changes the number of sheets to the value of the number count. Based on this, the width adjusting plate 89 is moved to a position 10 spaces away from the sheet size (3114). Furthermore, the above-mentioned 510
1, if the number of sheets is not O, that is, the second
The left and right positions of the subsequent sheets S are aligned by moving the width adjusting plate 89 from a position 10 mm 1l away from the sheet size to the sheet size position (311
3).

Then, the number of sheets writer in the CPU 99 is increased by 1, and the operations from S7 to 511 are repeated until the document stack stacked on the document tray 26 of the RDF 25 has been circulated (312). Next, when the east part of the copy sheet is created for part of the document bundle, the CPU 99 compares the value of the sheet number counter with the number of sheets that the stay rough 5 can print (313).
, sheet bundle S... exceeds the capacity of the stay bluff 5, a warning and display that stapling cannot be performed is displayed on the display 106 (314). In addition, sheet bundle S・
If the number of ... does not exceed the ability of Stay Bluff 5 1.
The CPU 99 detects the staple tray 52 by the sensor 74.
Check the presence or absence of the sheet bundle S... on a (315), and operate the stay bluff 5 (316). The operation of the stay bluff 5 is as shown in detail in the flow chart of FIG. S.
The movement of... is restricted (3161). Next, the stay bluff 5 is operated to perform stay bluffing work on the sheet bundle S..., and when the work is completed (3162), the width adjusting plate 89 is moved 10 m from the sheet size position (316).
3).

Then, the sheet bundle S... is dropped and stored in the storage tray 65 (S17). Also, the falling motion is shown in Figure 7 (el
As shown in detail in the flowchart, the CPU 99 turns on the solenoid 76 to retract the stopper 63 from the tray surface of the staple tray 52a (S171). As a result, the sheet bundle S... is conveyed on the surface of the staple tray 52a by the belt 73b. At this time, the sensor 74 detects the rear end of the sheet bundle S...
When the CPU 99 turns off (3172), the CPU 99
When the fall timer (not shown) in U99 is activated and the fall timer stops after a predetermined time, that is, after the time required for the rear end of the sheet bundle S... to pass the stopper 63 (3
173), set the solenoid 76 to 0FFL, and set the stopper 63
is moved to the home position (S174).

Then, the CPU 99 repeats the operations from S7 to 817 until the number of copies set in S3 described above is reached, and subtracts 1 from the copy number setting counter until the counter reaches 0.
When the set number of copies of the sheet bundle S... is created (
318). Next, the CPU 9 performs a width adjustment return operation of the width adjustment plate 89 (319). In addition, the line width adjustment return operation is performed by returning the width adjustment plate 89 to the home position, as shown in detail in the flowchart of FIG.
91), the convergence plate 89 is the home position sensor 93
When detected by the sensor 93, the detection signal from the sensor 93 is transmitted to the CPU 99 via the interface 103. Based on the detection signal, the CPU 99 turns the transport motor (not shown) of the finisher 23 to 0FFI, thereby completing the entire operation (S20).

In addition, when using the finisher 23 in the paper manual staple mode, the operator opens the cover 77 to store the sheet stack S...
・When inserted manually onto the style pull tray 52a,
The sensor 74 detects the sheet bundle S... and turns ON (S
21). Then, the operator presses the manual switch 80.
When the switch 80 is turned on (322), the CPU 99, which receives the ON signal of the switch 80 via the interface 103, executes the manual stipple mode program stored in the ROM 100. Then, the CPU 99 drives a transport motor (not shown) (S23) to
Rotate b. Next, the sheet bundle S... manually fed onto the staple tray 52a is transported by the belt 73b.
It abuts against the stopper 63 and is aligned in the front-rear direction.

Furthermore, the CPU 99 drives the stepping motor 90 to move the shifting plate 89 to the fixed plate 87, and the sheet bundle S...
When the edge of the sheet edge sensor 96 is detected, the step and ping motor 9o are turned off to stop the movement of the width adjusting plate 89 (S24). Next, the CPU 99 turns on the solenoid 83 of the load amount detection device 81 (S25).
, -f482 c of the presser plate 82 by swinging the presser plate 82
is brought into contact with the sheet bundle S...

As a result, the holding plate 82 and #82b are removed from the thickness sensor 86, which is a reflective optical sensor, and the sensor 86 is set at 0F.
In the case of FL (326), the CPU 99 that receives the OFF signal of the sensor 86 determines that the thickness of the sheet east S... exceeds the stapling capacity of the staple rough 5, and issues a warning to the display 106 that stapling is not possible. Do (327
). Further, when @82b of the presser plate 82 overlaps the thickness sensor 86 and the sensor 86 is ONt, the CPLJ 99 that receives the ON signal of the sensor 86 transmits the sheet bundle S...
It is determined that the thickness is within the binding capacity of the stay bluff 5, and the solenoid 83 is turned off (328). Next, CP
U99 operates the stay bluff 5 to generate the rate bundle S...
・Stapling (329).

Then, as soon as the stapling operation is completed, the CPU 99 turns the Sakaki feed motor to 0FFL to stop the rotation of the belt 75, and further drives the stepping motor 90 to return the width adjusting plate 89 to the home position (SaO).

Next, the operator opens the cover 77 of the staple tray 52m and removes the stapled sheet bundle S...
When the sensor 7 is taken out from above the staple tray 52a, the sensor 7
4 is 0FFI (331), the manual stapling mode ends.

Further, when the binding operation of the manually fed sheet bundle S... is completed, the operability is further improved by reporting the completion of the operation on the display 106.

(g) As described in detail, according to the present invention, there is provided a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of sheets accumulated on a sheet alignment tray device;
When the number of sheets counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined number and a sheet presence signal from the sheet detection means is received, operation of the binding device is permitted, and after the binding operation is completed, a rate absence signal from the sheet detection means is sent. until you receive
A control unit that controls the binding device so as to prohibit the operation of the binding device is provided, so that before operating the binding device,
The sheet detection means can detect the presence of a sheet and prevent the binding device from firing blankly, and after the binding operation is completed, the operation of the binding device is prohibited until a sheet absence signal from the sheet detection means is received. Double punches can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a sheet post-processing device according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing an image forming apparatus including a sheet post-processing device. Furthermore, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control means for controlling the entire apparatus. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the load detection device. Further, Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing the sheet alignment tray device, Fig. 5(c) is a perspective view showing the drive device for the width shifting plate, and Fig. 5(C) is a side view showing the edge detecting device. It is. Furthermore, FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation of the present invention. 23... sheet post-processing device, 52... sheet alignment tray device, 72... counting means, 74...
...Sheet detection means, 75...Binding device, 97
...control unit, S...seat.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A sheet alignment tray device that accumulates and aligns sheets conveyed from a document processing position; and a sheet alignment tray device disposed at a predetermined position of the sheet alignment tray device, and when the number of sheets counted by a counting means reaches a predetermined number; A sheet post-processing device comprising a binding device that performs a binding operation on sheets, comprising: a sheet detection device that detects the presence or absence of sheets accumulated on the sheet alignment tray device; and a sheet detection device that detects the presence or absence of sheets accumulated in the sheet alignment tray device, and a sheet processing device that detects when the number of sheets counted by the counting device reaches a predetermined number. When a sheet presence signal from the sheet detection means is received, operation of the binding device is permitted, and after the binding operation is completed, operation of the binding device is prohibited until a sheet absence signal from the sheet detection means is received. A sheet post-processing device comprising: a control unit that controls the binding device so as to perform the following steps.