JPS6341366A - Sorter having finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly judge the starting timing for the finish processing by starting the finish processing by a start signal supplied by a finish start key when the finish mode for carrying out staple processing is selected. CONSTITUTION:When the finish mode for carrying out the staple processing is selected by a switch 155, and a display LED 157 lights up, if a finish start switch 158 is turned-ON, a CPU lights up a display LED 158 and executes the finish processing. Therefore, the device itself can judge the starting timing of the staple processing. Therefore, the timing of starting the finish processing can be judged correctly, not only with the completion signal supplied from an automatic document transferring device ADF but in the copying with the manual in which ADF is not used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter with a fin/sheet for distributing sheets ejected from a copying machine or the like and for binding them with a stapling means, and particularly to a control means thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various types of automatic document feeders and sorters for sorting and grooving copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, there is a demand for a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter, and this has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, in this type of sorter with a finisher, when the finishing mode for stapling is selected and the automatic document feeder is used, the copying operation will start once all the documents on the document tray are gone. It is possible to start the finish process by determining that the process has ended. However, when an operator replaces originals one by one and performs manual copying, it is unclear when the copying operation ends, and it is unclear when to start the finishing process.

Means for Solving the Problems Accordingly, the present invention provides a sorter with a finisher that is provided with a finisher start key, and when a finisher mode in which stapling is performed is selected, it is possible to start from the finisher start key. The present invention is characterized in that the finishing process is started by a signal.

In other words, in the above configuration, when the finish mode is fully selected, the finish process is started by the start signal from the finish start key, and the finish process is started when copying is executed manually without using the automatic document feeder. The timing of starting processing becomes clear.

Embodiment [Overall configuration] The sorter (40) with a finisher according to the present invention has a first
As shown in the figure, it is attached to the side of the copying machine (1), and the copying machine (1) has an automatic paper feeder (15) and an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as ADF). It is fully equipped.

The copying machine (1) uses a well-known electrophotographic method, and a photosensitive drum (2), which is rotated in the direction of arrow (a), is first given a certain electric charge by a charger (3). The original set at a predetermined position in the ADF (30) is subjected to slint exposure by scanning the optical system (4) in the direction of arrow (b). With this, the photoconductor drum 2)
The electrostatic latent image formed on the top is transferred to a magnetic brush developing device 5.
) and transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger (6).

Sheets are stored in the nilevate-type and cassette-type automatic paper feeders (10), (11) inside the copying machine (1), or in the three-stage paper feeder cassette (1) of the automatic paper feeder (15) installed outside the machine.
6), (17), and <ts) one by one, and sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a pair of timing rollers (19). The sheet after the transfer is sent to the fixing device (21) by the conveyor belt (20), where the toner image is fixed, and then sent from the ejection roller pair (22) to the sorter (40), and then the ejection roller pair (22) Just before the discharge switch (SWa) (second
(see figure), its passage is detected. In addition, a copying machine (1
) has a paper refeeding device for double-sided copying and composite copying! (25) is built-in, and a sheet conveyance switching claw (26) for this purpose is installed in front of the discharge roller pair (22).

On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum (2) continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow (a) even after the transfer, and the remaining toner is wiped away by the blade-type cleaning device (7), and the eraser lamp (8)
) to erase residual charges and prepare for the next copy operation.

A D F (30) is well known in itself, and feeds the original placed on the original tray (31) to the paper feed roller pair (3).
2>, the sheets are fed one by one, and the conveyor belt (34) rotates to set them at a predetermined position on the document table glass (29). After image exposure, the original is discharged onto a discharge tray (36) through a reversing conveyance path (35) by rotation of a conveyance belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) includes a sorter section (41) that distributes sheets to each bin (60), and a stapler section (90) that has a stapler (100) that staples the sheets.
and a stacking section (110) for stacking and accommodating stapled sheets.
90) is arranged below the sorter section (41), and the stack section (110) is arranged below the staple section 90).

[Structure and operation of the sorter section] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bin (60) has a claw (60a) on the sorter section (41> side) that prevents sheets from flowing backward;
The trunnion (61) is provided with a trunnion (61) projecting laterally, and this trunnion (61) is engaged with a groove (65a) extending in the vertical direction formed in a guide unit (65) attached to the frame of the sorter (40). By combining the bins (
60) is restricted in the vertical direction. In addition, each bin (60) can be fully supported when loaded on the bin receiver <62), and the trunnion (61) is lifted with the rotation of the floating cam (50), which will be explained below, to widen the interval between the bins. It has become.

The sorter unit (41) is configured to handle a pair of discharge rollers (2) of the copying machine (1).
The sheet conveyance unit (42> and the bin (60) facing the copying machine (2) move relative to each other in the vertical direction.
The sheets discharged from step 1) are distributed and stored in each bin (60). As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a), a lower unit (43) having a guide surface (43a), and a feed roller (47). , a pinch roller (55), and the sheet passes between the guide surfaces <52a) and (43g) and is sent from the rollers (47> and (55) to each bin (
60).

In the lower unit (43), both ends of a support shaft (44) provided perpendicularly to the sheet conveyance direction [arrow (C)] at the end on the bin < 60 side are as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 2, by engaging the rail part (65b) provided on the guide unit (65) through the collar (45), it is possible to swing vertically and also to move toward the copying machine (1) side. The provided bottle (46) is supported by a guide member (66), so that it can be slid in the horizontal direction.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers (47).
The roller shaft (478) to which is fixed can be attached rotatably,
A swing plate (48) is suspended from the roller shaft (47a). The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rod (49), and the lower part thereof is located between the backflow prevention claws (60a) of the bottle (60). Further, on both ends of the support shaft (44), there are shown the lines shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, a bloating cam (50) having notches (50a), (50a) formed at 180° intervals on its outer circumference is fixed. This bloating cam (50) is rotated intermittently by 180° by a drive source different from the feed roller (47), and the lower unit (
43) and a trunnion (61) on the outer periphery.
The rear end of the bottle (60) is also supported by this contact. In addition, the floating cam (50) can move up and down from the bottom bin position (mowing) to the top bin position (x) as shown in Fig. 7, and each detection switch (SWI) is located at each position. .

(SW2). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower unit (43) has a bottle (51
An actuator (51) that is rotatable about a) and a photosensor (Sel) that is turned on and off when the actuator (51) comes into contact with a conveyed sheet and rotates are installed.

On the other hand, the upper unit (52) is swingable in the vertical direction by engaging the engaging piece (53) on the bin (60) side with the rail portion (65b), and also allows the upper unit (52) to swing in the vertical direction.
The bin (54) provided on the side is connected to the top cover (
By engaging with a guide member (68) provided at 67), it is possible to slide in the horizontal direction. This upper unit (53) has a pinch roller (55) attached to a support shaft (55a).
), the static electricity removal brush (56) for the sheet to be conveyed is installed, and the pinch roller (55
) is in pressure contact with the delivery roller (47) by its own weight and can be driven to rotate.

In addition, a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see Fig. 2) whose optical axis is located at the rear end of each pink 60) can be installed in this sorter section (41), and it is possible to insert sheets into each bin (60>). It is designed to detect the presence or absence of distribution and accommodation.

In the above configuration, the floating cam (50) is rotated 180° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d) to cut out the trunnion (61) that slides on the outer circumference (5
0a), moves upward by itself, and shifts the captured trunnion (61) downward to slide into contact with the next trunnion <61). By repeating this operation, each bin (60) is shifted downward one step at a time, and the conveyance section (42) is moved upward. floating cam (
50) is located at the bottom bin position (Xl) shown in FIG. 7 when the sort mode is selected, and gradually moves upward from this position to widen the intervals between the bins (60). The sheet ejected from the copying machine (1) is placed on the guide surface (
52a) and (43a), and the feed roller (
47) and pinch rollers (55), each bin <60) held by a bloating cam (50) and spaced apart by a bloating cam (50).
The bottles can be distributed and accommodated in order from the bottom bin (60) upwards.

Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) in the direction of arrow (d), each pink 60> is sequentially shifted upward and moved downward together with the conveyance section (42).

The sorter section (41) having the above configuration can accommodate sheets in three modes. The first is a sort mode in which each copy of one document is distributed to each bin (60) to perform page alignment, and the second is a sort mode in which copies of each document are distributed to each bin (60). It is in grooving mode. The third is one bin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

[Configuration and operation of fix cam] Next, a description will be given of the fix cam (70) and the transport unit (80) that transport the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) to the staple tray (91) described below. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (7) on its outer circumference in which the trunnion (61) can be held.
0a) is carved three times, and can be rotated in forward and reverse directions via a support shaft (71) using a morph (not shown). That is, the fix cam (70) rotates normally in the direction of the arrow (e), thereby moving the trunnion (61) of the pink 60> shifted to the bottom bin position (Xl) by the floating cam (50>) into the spiral groove (70a). ) to lower it to the sheet take-out position (X, ).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (Xl), as shown in FIG. The trunnion (61), which has been installed in the state of
, ) are installed with a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller ruff 76) that presses against it under its own weight, and a sheet guide (78). Also, between the bottom bin position (X,) and the take-out position (X3), as shown in Figure 2,
A sheet backflow prevention guide (79) is installed. As shown in Fig. 8, the sheet guide (78>) is slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each bin (60) whose upper guide surface (78a) is tilted down to the take-out position (X8). It is set up like this. As shown in FIG. 2, the pinch roller (76) is connected to the support shaft (7) via the arm (77).
7a), and can be moved toward and away from the take-out roller (75) by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown).

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, at the lower end of the support shaft <71 of the fix cam (70), there is provided a drive boolean 86).
and gear (87a) are integrally fixed, and gear (87a)
meshes with the gear (87c) via the gear (87b), so that the disk (88) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c). A notch (not shown) is formed in the disc (88), and the photosensor (Se2) detects this notch, thereby making it possible to control the rotation speed of the fix cam (70).

As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance section (80)
5), (76), and conveyance rollers (81a), (81b)
) ~(83a).

(83b), guide plates (84a), (84b),
It consists of (85a) and (85b). The conveyance rollers (81a), (82a), (83a) are made of rubber material, and the conveyance rollers (81b), (82b), (
83b) is made of sponge material and is capable of absorbing the thickness of the stacked sheets.

In the above configuration, when the sorter section (41) finishes distributing the sheets, the fix cam (70) is rotated three times in the direction of the arrow (a). With this, the trunnion (61) of the bottle (60) in the bottom bin position <
and is held by the receiving member (72).

At this take-out position (Xs), the bin <60> is tilted at a larger angle than the bottom bin position (Xl), and the sheets being distributed and accommodated are guided by their own weight (78).
The force of sliding down while being guided by the guide surface (78a) is applied. The take-out roller (75) overlaps the bin (60), and the bin (60) is at the take-out position
), the leading edge of the sheet passes through the roller (75).

(76), and the sheet is conveyed by rollers (75) and (76>).
a), (81b). At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, it is guided by the guide (78) and take-out roller (75), so that it reliably passes over the backflow prevention claw (60a) and the guide plate (84a), (84).
b) conveyed between.

Furthermore, even if the sheet is curled upward, it can be guided by the backflow prevention guide (79) and the guide plate (84a).

(84b).

The pinch roller (76) is a sheet roller (81a),
(81b>, the solenoid (not shown) is turned off in the initial state, so the bottle (60>) is retracted upward from above the take-out roller (75), and the bin (60>) is moved to the take-out position (xm) as described above. When reaching the point, the solenoid is turned on and the sheet is sandwiched between the take-out roller (75) and the take-out roller (75>).
, transport rollers (81a), (81b), (82a)
, (82b), (83a).

(83b) are rotationally driven, and the sheet is transported as shown by the 29th middle arrow (f>), conveying rollers (83a), (83
b) onto the staple tray (91).

On the other hand, at the time of taking out the floating cam (5o), as shown in FIG.
The trunnion (
61) and move 180' at this position (X, >
The trunnion (61) is intermittently reversed in the direction opposite to the arrow (d), and the trunnion (61) is sequentially fed into the fixture 70〉. In this embodiment, in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X,) and to make it easier for the sheet to slide under its own weight, the bottom bin position (Xl) and the take-out position (t) are Xj), in other words, the stroke of the bin (60) that moves between this interval is set large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (7o) when the trunnion (61) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible by making three turns of the spiral groove (70a) carved on the outer circumference of the fix cam (70). Then, the floating cam (50) holds the trunnion (61) [shown as (A) in Fig. 6] just before it is fed into the fix cam (70), so that this trunnion (61) is attached to the fix cam (70). This prevents it from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) during the second and third rotations.

As mentioned above, floating cam (50) (7) 180
Each bin (60) is lowered one step at a time to the take-out position (X,) by reversing the position by 3 degrees and rotating the fix cam (70) 3 times, and the sheets that have been distributed and housed in each bin (60) are transferred to the conveying section (
80) and onto the staple tray (91).

In addition, each bottle (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X,)
is held in an upwardly biased state by the receiving member (72), and after the sheets are taken out from all the bins (60) in which the sheets are distributed and stored, the fix cam (70) moves as indicated by the arrow (e). The floating cam (50) is rotated in the opposite direction and the floating cam (50) is rotated forward in the direction of arrow (d), thereby returning upward.

[Structure and operation of staple unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit (90) includes a staple tray <91) and a motor (93) that vibrates the staple tray.
, a guide plate (95), a stopper (96), and a stapler (100). The staple tray (91) is swingably installed around a support shaft (92), and is vibrated by the centrifugal force of the weight (94) by rotating an eccentric weight (94) with a motor (93). Due to this vibration, the sheets sent from the conveying section are aligned while being regulated by the guide plate (95) and stopper (96).

Stapler (100) is the 1111th! As shown in J.
The motor output shaft (101) is fixed and the cam (102
) is connected to the head (105), and when the cam (102) is rotated in the direction of the arrow (g>) by the motor, the head (105) moves upward via the arm (104). Staple needles <106) staple the registered sheets on the tray 91). The staples (106) are housed in a cartridge (107), and the conveyor belt (108) is rotationally driven from the motor output shaft (101).
) is sent to the head unit.

The stopper (96) is rotatably installed using a solenoid (not shown) about a support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and is normally positioned above the lower end of the staple tray (91) to position the leading edge of the sheet.This stopper (96) When the solenoid is turned on, it retreats downward and eliminates sheet positioning.

This stapler (100) also has staple needles (1
06) empty detection photosensor (Se3) and staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) are installed, the sensor (Se3) directly detects staples <106), and the sensor (Se4) detects the motor output shaft ( 101
) is designed to detect a notch (109a) in a disc (109) fixed to the disc (109).

Furthermore, a photosensor (Se6) for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) and a switch C3W4) for detecting attachment/detachment of the stapler (100) are installed in the staple portion 90).

In the above configuration, the sheet conveyed from the conveyance section (8o) onto the staple tray (91) is transported by the motor (9o).
As the tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of step 3), it is properly aligned with the guide plate (95) and the stopper (96), the motor (93) is stopped, and the staple morph is fully driven to complete the binding. When the solenoid is turned on, the stapled sheets are moved to the tray (9).
1> By retreating from above, it slides down from above the tray (91), is guided by the guide plate 98), and is accommodated on the stack tray (111). Such stapling processing is repeated each time the bin (60) is lowered by the fix cam (70) to the take-out position X, and the sheet is conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

[Configuration of Stack Unit] The stack unit (110) is configured of a stack tray (111), and ultimately stores and stores sheets bound by the stapler (100). Stack tray (111
), as shown in FIG. 12, a notch (tUa) is formed in the stapled part of the sheet (S), that is, in the part where the part bound with the staples (106) is located. With this, when sheets bound with a stapler (<100) are stacked and stored on the tray (111), the stapled part will sag into the notch (lla) due to its own weight, and only the stapled part will become bulky. will be prevented, and the amount of public debt and precepts will increase.

[control panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel is as shown in FIG.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the copying machine panel (120
), ADF panel (140), and sorter panel (150)
It has been installed in three locations.

The copier panel (120) has a print key (which is used to start copying when the ADF (30) is not in use).
121), Interrupt key for temporarily interrupting multi-copy operation (122), Clear/Stop key for stopping copy operation or canceling the set number <123)
, Tenki group 02 for setting the number of multi-copies
4) Display section (125>) for displaying the number of copies and the status of copy@(1), up/down keys (126) and (127) for setting the copy density, and a group of display LEDs (128) , sheet selection key (129) for selecting copy sheet size and its display LED
A group (130), a group of magnification selection keys (131) for selecting a copy magnification, a group of display LEDs (132), and the like are provided.

The ADF panel <140) is provided with only a start key (141) for starting the ADF operation. When this start key (141) is turned on, the originals on the original tray (31) are automatically moved one after another onto the original platen glass (2).
9) The paper is transported upward and the copying operation can begin.

If the sorter panel <150), the sorter mode selection key (1
51) and its display section, the non-sort mode display L E
D < 152) and sort mode display L E D (1
53) and grooving mode t' display L E D (15
4) , Finishing mode selection key (155) ,!
:The non-finish mode display L E
D (156) and finish mode display L E D
(157>, finish start key (158)
and its display L E D (159) are provided, and this L
A warning to remove the copy from the staple tray (91) is displayed by blinking E D (159). Additionally, there is an LED (160) that displays a warning to remove sheets from the bin (60), and a stapler (106).
), the LED (161) indicates that the stapler (100) is empty, and the LED (162) indicates that the stapler (100) is defective.
) is provided. Sorter mode selection key (151)
Each press switches to non-sort mode, sort mode, and grooving mode in sequence, and the corresponding L
E D (152), (153), <154) lights up. Finishing mode selection key (155>6
Each press switches between non-finish mode and finish mode, and the corresponding LED (15
6), (157) lights up. Each time the finish start key (158) is pressed, it outputs the start and cancellation of the finish operation, and the LED (159) lights up at the time of start.

[Control Circuit] Figure 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit, and the microcomputer (CPU) includes a copying machine panel (120).

ADF panel <140), sorter panel (150)
is read out, and a copying process means (170);
Three means (171) are connected to the ADF professional, and a sorter process means (172) and a finisher process means (173) are connected, and their signals are exchanged.

Figure 17 shows the main parts of the control circuit, and the input/output board of the microcomputer (CPU) includes a print switch, an ADF start switch, and displays built into them: LED (180), (181), Each selection switch and each display LED (15) on the sorter panel (150)
2) etc. are connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, the control procedure based on the copying machine (1), the sorter <40) and the control circuit described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 18 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 18 shows the main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

The microcomputer (CPU) is reset,
When the program starts, in step (Sl), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into an initial mode. Next, in step (B2), an internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance at the initial setting of step (Sl).

Next, in steps (B3) to (B8), each subroutine described in detail below is sequentially called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, the end of the internal timer is waited for in step (B9), and step ( Return to B2).

The time length of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

FIG. 19 shows the input processing subroutine executed in step (B3).

First, in step (510), a set number (A) is inputted using a group of ten keys (124) on the copier panel (120).
Sheet size (Sl) selected in step (511)
is input, and in step (512) it is determined whether or not the use of the ADF (30) is selected. If use is selected, the ADF mode flag is set to 11'' in step (513), and if not all selections are made, the ADF mode flag is set to 10'' in step (514). Reset to .

Next, in step <515>, a subroutine for setting the sort mode is executed, in step (516), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed, and in step (517), a subroutine for setting the finish mode is executed.
It is determined whether the sort mode flag is rl or not. If the sort mode flag is "0.", sorting and stapling processing will never be completed, so step (52)
2), if rl, input the number of bins (a) in step (518), and input the number of bins (a) in step (519).
A) and the number of bins (,) are compared.

If the number (A) is less than or equal to the number of bins (a), the sort mode can be executed, and in step (520) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is 11. If the finish mode flag is ``10'', the process moves to step (522), and if it is ``1'', it is determined in step (521) whether the sheet size (B8) is A4 size or B5 size. In this embodiment, the sheet size that can be stapled is A4 or B5, and if YES, step (
522), other input processing is executed.

Furthermore, in step (523) it is determined whether or not the print switch is turned on, and if it is turned on, step (523) is performed.
In step 24), the copy flag is set to '1' to enable copy processing. Also, if it is not turned on, step (
At step 525), it is determined whether or not the ADF start switch is turned on. If it is turned on, the step (524) is executed, and if it is not turned on, this subroutine is ended.

On the other hand, in the step (519), the set number (A) is changed to the number of bins (
a), step (526)
Set the warning flag (Fl) to 11'' in step (
527) to prohibit system operation. This warning flag (
Fl) is used to indicate that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins. Next, step (528),
In (536), as in steps (523) and (525), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on or not, and
Determine whether the DF start switch is turned on.

YES in this step (528) or (536).

That is, when the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to 11'' in step (529) to switch to non-sort mode processing, and step (530) ) to reset the warning flag (Fl) to 10'', and step (53
7) sets the copy flag to "1".

Also, the seat size Cs in Maegonmi Ste Nobu (521)
x> is determined to be other than A4 size or B5 size, stapling processing is not possible, so step
In step 531), the warning flag (F2) is set to 11'', and in step <532), system operation is prohibited. This warning flag (F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Then step (
533), the step (523) in (538);
Similarly to (525), it is determined whether the print switch has been turned on and whether the ADF start switch has been turned on. If YES in this step (533> or (538)), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued, the step (53
In step 4), the finish mode flag is reset to oJ to prohibit stapling, and in step (535) the warning flag (F2) is reset to 10, and in step <53
9>, set the copy flag to "1.

FIG. 20 shows the sort mode setting subroutine executed in the step (sls).

In this subroutine, each step (540), (5
42).

In (544), it is determined whether the non-sort mode, sort mode, or grooving mode is selected, and if selected, each step (541).

(543), (545) non-sort mode flag,
rl sorting mode flag, grooving mode flag
.

Set to .

FIG. 21 shows the finish mode setting subroutine executed in step (516).

First, in step (550) it is determined whether or not the finish mode has been selected. If not, this subroutine is immediately terminated, and if it has been selected, the finish mode flag is set to rl in step (551). and set the permissible staple number (c) in step (552).
Set b). Allowable number of staples here (Cb)
means the value obtained by multiplying the allowable number of stapled sheets of the stapler (100) by the number of bins (A) that is the number of bins used. Therefore, it ultimately defines the capacity per bin. Next, in step (553), the stapling permission size is set to A4.
, B5, and in step (554) the sort mode flag is set to "rl" to permit processing in the sort mode.

FIG. 22 executes a display processing subroutine that can be executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (560) the ADF mode flag is set to 11.
', and if '1', ADF mode display L
Turn on E D (180), and display L E D (15
2), (153).

(154) is lit to display the selected sorter mode. In step (563), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is ``1'', and if it is ``1'', the finish mode display LED (157) is turned on.

Next, in step (S65), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fl) is "IJ", and if it is 1", step (5
At step 66), a message indicating that the number of bins is over is displayed on the display unit (125). In step <567), it is determined whether the warning flag (F2) is "1.", and if it is '1., then in step (568), a message that the sheet size is unsuitable is displayed on the display section (125). In step (569), it is determined whether the warning flag (F3) is "11" or not. If it is "1.", in step (570) the display unit (125) displays that the finish mode is not possible.Step (5
71), it is determined whether or not the 7th notice flag (F4) is "rl", and if it is "1", the display section (125) is checked in step (572).
) indicates that the original is empty. In step (573), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is 1''1.
125) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (575), it is determined whether the warning flag (F6) is "14 or not, and if it is '1", step (57
In step 6), a message indicating that the sheet needs to be removed from the staple tray (91) is displayed on the display unit (125). In step (S85), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fil) is "rl", and if it is "1", L E is determined in step (586).
D (160) is illuminated to indicate that a sheet needs to be removed from the bin (60).

Next, in step (581), it is determined whether the copy flag is "1.", and if "1.", then in step <582),
0, in step (583) each display section (1
25) displays the number of copies or the number of remaining copies. Subsequently, other display processing is executed in step (584), and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of copy system processing executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to 1.
If it is '1', it is determined in step (591) whether or not the copy flag is '11', and if it is '1', copy processing is permitted, so step (591) is performed.
95) executes the ADF control subroutine,
The process moves to step (597). In addition, the step (
If it is determined in step (590) that the ADF mode flag is "0°," it is determined in step (596) whether the copy flag is rl, and if it is rl, the process moves to step (597). If it is determined that the copy flag is "Ol" in both steps (591) and (596), the process returns to the main routine.

Then steps (597), <5100), (51
02) are the non-sort mode flag and sort mode flag, respectively.

After confirming that the grooving mode flag is "r'1", step (599), (Slot), (5
104) for non-sort mode processing, sort mode processing,
Execute each subroutine of grooving mode processing.

Further, in step (5105), a copy processing subroutine is executed, and in step (5106), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that the subroutines executed in step (599) and <5104> are the same as the conventional procedure, and the details thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 24 shows the ADF executed in step (595).
Shows control subroutines.

First, in step (5120), it is determined whether there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning the sensor on or off, and if there is, the warning flag (F4> is set to 11) in step (5133).
Determine whether or not. This warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (5131) described below, but if it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (5134). Then, in step (5121), a document feeding process subroutine, in step (5122), a document size detection subroutine, and in step (5123), a document transporting process subroutine is executed. If there is no manuscript, step <5
130), it is determined whether the manuscript count is "Ol" and it is determined as "0".
．． If so, set the warning flag (F4) at step (5131).
is set to "1" to prepare a document empty display, and in step (5132>) the copy flag is reset to "10", and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step (5124), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned one copy, and if it has scanned, the scan end flag is set to 11''. Then, in step (5126), the scan end flag is set to "1".
After confirming that the scan completion flag is "0" in step (5127),
28) executes the document ejection processing subroutine, and
In step (5129), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that this ADF hunter subroutine has the same procedure as the conventional one, and includes steps (5121) to (512).
3), details of (5128) are omitted.

FIGS. 25a and 25b show a subroutine of sort mode processing executed in the step (Slot). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter bin (60) is made different depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not. This corresponds to the fact that the order in which sheets are taken out from the bin (60) differs depending on whether or not finish mode is selected.
This is because the order of distribution to 0) is different. If finishing mode is selected, the sheet will be attached to the staple section (
If the sheet is not selected, the sheet is dispensed from the upper bin (60) to facilitate the operator's direct removal of the sheet.

Specifically, in step (5140) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if it is "1", in step (5141) the sensor determines whether there is a sheet in the bin (60). It is determined whether the sheet is on or off (Se5), and if there is no sheet, a warning flag (Fil
) is “1.” This warning flag (Fll
) is the step (5158) described below, (516
In step 1), it is set to "1 degree", but if it is "1", it is reset to r□ in step (5185). Then, in step (5142), the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is activated.
is on, that is, whether the bin (60) is located at the bottom bin position (xl), which is the home position when the finish mode is selected, and sheet distribution in the finish mode is possible. , if YES, the process directly proceeds to step (5148), and the rotation direction flag is reset to r□ in order to perform a bin operation to perform the sorting operation, that is, to reverse the floating cam motor (not shown). If No, execute the following steps (5143) to (5147) and set the bin (6).
0) to the bottom bin position (X, ). That is, in step (5143) the floating cam (50
) is rotated forward and a sorter weight is applied in step (5144). The sorter weight means that the copy operation is prohibited so that sheets are not fed into the sorter section (41>) while the bin (60> is moving. Then, in step (5145), the bottom bin detection switch (S
After confirming that WI) is turned on, proceed to step (514).
6) Turn off the motor of the floating cam (50),
In step (5147), the sorter weight is released, and in step <5148), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to 10'', and the subsequent floating cam (5148)
The rotation direction of 0) is reversed.

On the other hand, if the finish mode is not fully selected,
The sensor (Se5) is turned on in step (5149).

Check the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60〉) when turning off.
If there is no sheet, check whether the top bin detection switch (SW2) is on or not in step (5150), that is, whether the top bin detection switch (SW2) is on or not.
) is located at the top bin position (X, ), which is the home position in the non-finish mode, and it is determined whether or not sheet distribution in the non-finish mode is possible.

Therefore, if YES, proceed to step (5156).
and set the floating cam rotation direction flag to 11.
to allow normal rotation of the floating cam (50). If No, follow the steps (5151) to (5
155) to move the bin (60) to the top bin position (X, ). That is, step (5151)
to reverse the floating cam (50) motor, apply the sorter weight in step (5152), confirm that the top bin detection switch (SW2) is turned on in step (5153), and then rotate the floating cam (50) in step (5154). Turn off the motor (50). continue,
In step (5155), the sorter weight is released, and in step (5156), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "rl", and subsequent floating cams (5
The rotation direction of 0) is normal rotation.

Furthermore, if it is determined in the steps (5141> and (5149) that there are sheets in the bin (60), it is determined in steps (5157) and (5160) whether or not the number of sheets on the floppy disk is rO, and ”, step (51
58).

At step (5161), the warning flag (Fil) is set to ``1.'' to prepare to light up the floppy removal display LED (160), and at step (5159, <5162), system operation is prohibited.

Next, in step (5163), it is determined whether the ejection switch (SW3) of the copying machine (1>) is on-edge. That is,
Waiting for the leading edge of the sheet to reach the discharge switch (SW3), turn on the sorter conveyance motor in step (5164),
In step (5165), it is determined whether the sorter discharge sensor (Sel) is off-edge. That is, when the trailing edge of the sheet passes the discharge sensor (Sel), it is considered that the sheet is stored in the bin (60), and if the sheet is off-edge, step (516) is executed.
6) Start the sorter transport motor timer. Then, in step (5167), the sheet number count is incremented, in step (5168), the sorter conveyance motor timer is waited for to end, and in step (5169), the sorter conveyance motor is turned off. Next, in step (5170) it is determined whether the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet, and if it is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "0." in step (5171).It must be the last sheet. In order to continue the sorting operation,
Check the floating cam rotation direction flag in step (5172), and if it is "0", step (5173)
), the floating cam motor is reversely rotated, and if it is "1", forward rotation is turned on in step (5174). That is, in the finish mode, the motor is reversed to move the bins (60) to which sheets are distributed from the lower stage to the upper stage, and in the non-finish mode, the motor is rotated forward to move the bins (60) to which sheets are distributed from the lower stage to the upper stage. 60) from the upper row to the lower row.

Next, in step (5175), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is rl, and if it is '1', step <
5176), the sheet count (N) is compared with the staple permissible number (Cb) [see step (552)]. If the sheet count (N) is greater than or equal to the stapling allowable sheet count (cb), the warning flag (F5) is set to "1" in step (5177) to prevent staple failure, and the finisher capacity is exceeded. prepare.

Then, in step <5178), set the copy flag to "0.
It is determined in step (5179) whether or not the print switch is turned on, and in step (5180)
In step (5181), it is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on or not. The mode flag is reset to r□, the warning flag (F5) is reset to "O" in step (5182), and the step (
5183) sets the copy flag to 11'' to enable execution in sort mode, and ends this subroutine.

Note that if the copy operation is to be completed and the finish processing is to be performed when the finisher capacity exceeds warning is issued by executing steps (5176) and (5177), it is sufficient to turn on the finish start switch. [See step (5205)].

FIG. 26 shows a copy processing subroutine that can be executed in step (5105).

First, in step (5190), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned one copy or not. If YES, the scan end flag is set to "1" in step (5191), and if no, In step (5192), a subroutine for copy process processing is executed.This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copy process using copy m(1), and its details will be omitted.

Next, in step (5193), the scan end flag is set to “
1", reset the scan end flag to "0" in step (5194), and proceed to step (5194).
In step 5195), the copy flag is reset to 10'', and in step 5196, other processing subroutines are executed.

FIG. 27 shows a subroutine for finish processing that is executed at step (s6) of the main routine.

First, in step (5200), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1", and if it is rO, the process immediately ends. rl", it is determined in step (5201) whether or not the finish mode is prohibited. If it is prohibited, in step (5202) the staple tray (9
1) The presence or absence of a sheet is checked by determining whether the upper sheet detection sensor (Se6) is on or off. If the sheet detection sensor (Se6) is turned on and it is determined that there is a sheet on the tray (91), the existing sheet will be stapled together with the sheet that will be fed into the tray (91) from now on, which may cause the inconvenience or stapling process tolerance. There is a risk that the number of pages to be bound will be exceeded, so step (5)
203), the warning flag (F6) is set to f'1. prepares to display a warning to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91), and prohibits the finish mode in step 7 (5204).

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step (5201) that the finish mode is not prohibited or that there is no sheet on the tray (91) in step (5202), the warning flag (F6) is set in step (5201a). is “1”
If it is '1', step (5201
b> to reset to “O”. Next, step (520
In step 5), it is determined whether the finish start switch has been turned on. If it is on, step (5206)
The finish processing flag is set to 11'' in step (5207), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated, and in step (5208) it is determined whether the number of sheets per bin (M> is 1 or not). That is, each pin (6
If the number of sheets (M) distributed and accommodated in 0> is 1, there is no need to staple. Therefore, step (5
208), if it is determined that the number of sheets per bin is 1, the warning flag (F3>) is set in step (5209).
is set to rl, a quasi-JJii indicating that the finish mode is not possible is executed, and in step (5210) the finish mode flag is reset to "O" to cancel the finish mode.

If the number of sheets (M) per bin is not 1, the warning flag (F3) is set to rl in step (sz08a).
If it is '1', step (S208b
) to reset to "rO". Next, step (5211
), the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is checked again by turning the sensor (Se6) on and off. (5203)
, <5204) to issue a warning and cancel finish mode. If there is no sheet, finish processing is executed. That is, step (5212
), the bin movement processing subroutine, step <5213
), the subroutine for sheet removal processing, step (5)
214), each subroutine for stapling processing is executed. After these processes are completed, the presence or absence of sheets in the bin (60) is checked in step (5215), and in step 7
Step (5216) determines whether there are any sheets on the staple tray (91), and if there are no sheets, step (5217)
) to reset the finish processing flag to "O".

In addition, in this finish processing subroutine,
To cancel the finish mode prohibition, step (5202)
) detects that the sheet has been removed from the staple tray (91), and resets the warning flag (F6) to "rO" in step (5201b). The restart of the finish process may be performed automatically via a timer after the finish mode prohibition is released, or may be performed by inputting a finish start switch.

FIG. 28 shows the subroutine of the bin movement process executed in step (5212).

First, in step (5220'') the sensor (Se5) is turned on.

The presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is determined when the process is turned off, and if there is no sheet, the process immediately ends. Although such a situation cannot occur in practice, it can occur if the operator removes the sheet from the bin (60) immediately after copying is complete. If there is a sheet, it is determined in step (5221) whether the bottom bin detection switch (SWI) is on. If the switch (SWI) is not on, step (522) is performed to move the floating cam (5o) to the bottom bin position (xl).
In step 2), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the normal direction, and when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed in step (5223), the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated in the normal direction.
24) turns off the motor. And this step (
5222), (5223), and (5224), the floating cam (50) is at the bottom bin position (X,)
This will continue until you move to .

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom bin position (
X+), that is, the step (5221)
When it is determined that the bottom bin detection switch (S)+1) is turned on, the fix cam motor is rotated forward in step (5225), and it is determined in step (5226) whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge. do. If it is on-edge, this will move the bin (60) in the bottom bin position (Xl) to the sheet take-out position (X
, ), the bin counter is incremented in step (5227), and step (522B
> Turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (S229), the pin counter is set to <A
) [see step (510)]. If the pin counter is smaller than the set number (A), a process is executed to move the next bin (60) to the sheet take-out position (X,). That is, the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5230), and the floating cam motor is reversed in step (5231).
), when the off-edge of the floating cam rotation detection sensor is confirmed, the floating cam motor is turned off in step (5232). This causes the next bin (60) to move to the bottom bin position (Xl).

This step (5230), (5231).

(5232) is repeated until the pin counter becomes equal to the set number (A).

When the pin counter becomes equal to the set number (A), the stapling process is completed, and after confirming that there are no sheets in the bin (60) in step (5233), the subroutine for resetting the bin position is executed in step (5234). Execute.

FIG. 29 shows the subroutine of the sheet take-out process executed in step (5213). This subroutine executes the bin (
60) to the staple tray (91) via the conveying means (80).

First, in step (5240), the sheet removal position is
,), the sensor (Se5) is turned on in the bin (60) that has descended to the bottom.

In the off state, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet, and if there is no sheet, an appropriate warning is displayed (not shown in the flowchart) and the process moves to step (5246). When the presence of the sheet is confirmed, in step (5241) it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is off-edge, in other words, whether the fix cam (70) is in normal rotation IJ & Med. When it is determined that the sheet is off-edge, that is, when the fix cam (70) starts normal rotation and the bin (60) begins to descend to the sheet take-out position M (X,), step (
In step 5242), the solenoid of the pinch roller <76) is turned on, and in step 5243, the pinch roller lenoid timer is started. When the sheet on the bin <60) starts to descend based on the normal rotation of the fix cam (70), a solenoid is turned on in the bin (60), and the sheet is moved to the take-out roller (75) at the sheet take-out position (X,). )
and a pinch roller (76).

Next, in step (5244), it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge, in other words, whether the bin (60) has completed its descent to the sheet take-out position (Xl), If it is determined that the sheet is on-edge, the sheet take-out motor is turned on in step (5245). The sheet is now on the roller (75).

(76), (81a), (81b), etc. to be transported to the staple tray (91). Then, when it is confirmed in step (5246) that the vinyl lenoid timer has ended, the vinyl lenoid timer is turned off in step (5247). With this pinch roller (76)
is retracted upward from the take-out roller (75). This is done by retracting the pinch roller (76) from the take-out position (X,) before the next bin (60) starts descending from the bottom bin position (XI), and distributing and storing the sheets in the bin (60〉). This is to prevent interference.

Next, in step (5248) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is turned on and it is confirmed that the sheet is stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step (5249) and this subroutine is ended.

FIG. 30 shows the stapling subroutine executed in step (5214).

First, in step (5251) the staple tray (91
) is on-edge.

This sensor is turned on when a sheet is conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is on-edge, step (
Align the sheets on the tray <91> by turning on the vibration motor (93) in step (5252), and proceed to step (525).
3) Start the vibration motor timer. On the other hand, in step (5251) it is determined that the device is not on-edge, and in step (5254) the sensor is on, that is,
If it is determined that there is already a sheet on the tray (91), the process moves to step (5255).

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (5255), the vibration motor is turned off in step (5256), and the staple motor is turned on in step (5257). Then, in step (5259), when it is determined that the rotation detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor is on-edge, that is, when the stapler (105) moves and the sheets are stapled with the stapler (106). , the staple motor is turned off in step (5260), and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (5262).

As a result, the stopper (96) is retracted from above the tray (91), and the sheet slides off the tray (91) and is stored on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (5263) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is determined to be off-edge,
That is, when it is determined that the sheet has been discharged to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (5264) and the stopper (96) is moved to the tray (9).
1) Return to the top and end this subroutine.

That is, in this embodiment, in the finish processing subroutine (see FIG. 27), when the finish mode is selected [YES in step (5200)]
], when the finish start switch is turned on [YES in step (5205)], the finish process is executed. With this, the device itself can determine the timing to start the stapling process, and A D F (20
It becomes possible to clearly start the stapling process not only by the end signal from 0) but also by the judgment of the finisher itself.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, when the finish mode is selected, the finish process is started by a start signal from the finish start key, so that the automatic document feeder In manual copying that does not use , it is possible to accurately determine the timing to start finishing processing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire copying machine, Fig. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the sorter section, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the sorter. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance unit, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam and fixed cam, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the sheet take-out position. , FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the engagement between the trunnion and the fix cam, FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the rotation detection part of the fix cam, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the stapler, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stack tray. 13, 14 and 15 are plan views of the operation panel, FIGS. 16 and 17 are control circuit diagrams, and FIGS. 18 to 30 are flowcharts showing control procedures. (1) Copy machine, (40) Sorter with finisher, (41) Sorter section, (50) Floating cam, (60) Bin, (61)・
Trunnion, (70)... Fix cam, (90)
... Staple part, (100) ... Stapler, (1
10)...Stack section, <158)...Finish start key, (XI)...Bottom bin position, (X,)...Top bin position, (Xl)...
・Sheet removal position.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sorter unit that receives sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and distributes them to a plurality of bins, a stapling unit that has stapling means that staples the sheets conveyed from each bin, and a stapling process. In a sorter equipped with a finisher, which is equipped with a finish start key, and when a finish mode for performing stapling processing is selected, finishing processing is started by a start signal from the finish start key. A sorter with a finisher that is characterized by: