JPS6351278A - Sorter equipped with finisher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect the exhaustion of staple needle by providing a torque detecting means for detecting the torque of the driving motor of a stapler and an exhaustion detecting means for detecting the exhaustion of the staple needle from the variation of the torque. CONSTITUTION:The necessary torque of a driving motor for a staple r varies in the case when a staple needle 106 is actually driven and in the case when the staple needle 106 is idling driven. Therefore, in the staple treatment, the number of revolution of the staple motor is always detected by a sensor Se, and when the staple needle 106 is exhausted, and a head 105 idling-drives, the torque is reduced, and the number of revolution of the motor increases. It is judged that the staple needle 106 is exhausted from the increase of the number of revolution, and the execution in the staple treatment in the state where staple can not be supplied is prevented afterwards.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorter with a finisher that distributes sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like and staples them using a stapling means, and particularly to a control means thereof.

Conventional techniques and their problems In recent years, due to the demand for automation of paper handling in copying machines, various options such as automatic document conveyance devices and sorters for sorting and grouping copied sheets have been developed and put into practical use. As one of the final forms, a sorter with a finisher that automatically staples and stacks the sheets distributed and accommodated in the sorter is in high demand, and has already been put into practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, in this type of sorter with a finisher, it is necessary to constantly detect whether the staples are empty and to replenish them immediately if the staples are empty. However, when using a manual stapler that is generally available on the market, there is a problem in that it is difficult to incorporate a sensor for detecting empty staples into the stapler due to the structure of the stapler.

In order to solve the above problems, the sorter with a finisher according to the present invention includes: (i) torque detection means for detecting the torque of the drive motor of the stapling means; (i) empty detection means for detecting empty staples based on torque fluctuations detected by the torque detection means;

In other words, the required torque of the drive motor of the stapling means varies depending on whether it actually drives the staples or when the staples are empty and drive the staples. Therefore,
When stapling is performed, the torque of the drive motor is detected. Then, when the detected torque decreases, it is determined that there are no more staples and blank firing has been performed. This means that an empty staple has been detected.
From now on, execution of stapling processing in a state where stapling is not possible can be prevented.

Embodiment [Overall configuration] A sorter with a finisher (40) 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 attached.

The copying machine <1> is based on the well-known electrophotographic method, and a photosensitive drum (2), which is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow (a), is first given a certain electric charge by a charger <3). As the optical system (4) scans in the direction of the arrow (b), the original set at a predetermined position at the ADF (30) is exposed to the slit. Thereby, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is separated into a toner image by a magnetic brush type developing device (5), and transferred onto a sheet by a transfer charger (6).

Sheets are stored in the automatic paper feeder (10) and cassette (11) in the copying machine (1), or in the three-stage paper feeder cassette (16) in the automatic paper feeder (15) installed outside the machine.
), <17), (18) selectively 1
The sheets are fed 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 Just before (22), the passage can be detected by the ejection switch (SW3) (see Figure 2). Also, a copying machine (1)
A paper refeeding device (25) for double-sided copying and composite printing is built in, and a sheet conveyance switching claw (26) for this purpose is installed in front of the ejection 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 off by the blade-type cleaning device (7), and the eraser lamp (8)
) to erase the residual charge and prepare for the next Fubee 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 set at a predetermined position on the document table glass (29) by rotation of the conveyor belt (34). After image exposure, the original is discharged onto a discharge tray (36) through a reversing conveyance path (35) by rotation of a conveyor belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) includes a sorter section (41) that distributes sheets to each pin (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 sorter section As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the copin (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 the trunnion (61> is attached to the frame of the sorter (40). The guide unit (65) is provided with a vertically extending groove (65a) formed in the guide unit (65). ), the movement of the pin (60) is restricted in the vertical direction.In addition, each pin (60) is supported while being loaded on a pin receiver (62), and the floating As the cam (50) rotates, the trunnion (61) is shifted to widen the pin spacing.

The sorter unit (41) is configured to handle a pair of discharge rollers (2) of the copying machine (1).
The sheet conveying section (42) and the pin (60) that face the copying machine (2) move relative to each other in the vertical direction.
The sheets discharged from 1) are distributed and accommodated in each pin (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). , and pinch rollers (55), and the sheet passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a) and is guided from the rollers (47) and (55) to each pin (6).
It can be transported to 0).

In the lower (11 unit (43)), both ends of the support shaft (44) provided at the end on the pin (60) side at right angles to the sheet conveyance direction [arrow (C)] are As shown in the figure, by engaging with the rail portion (65b) provided on the guide unit (65) via the collar (45), it is possible to swing in the vertical direction, and the copying machine (1) side A pin (46) provided in the guide member (66) supports the pin (46), so that the pin (46) can be slid in the horizontal direction.

The spindle (44) has a plurality of feed rollers (47).
The roller shaft (47a) 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 is located between the backflow prevention claws (60a) of the pin (60).Furthermore, at both ends of the support shaft (44), Figure 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, a floating cam (50) having notches (50a), (50a) formed at 180° intervals on its outer circumference is fixed. This floating cam (50) is intermittently rotated 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 pin (60) is also supported by this contact. Furthermore, the floating cam (50) can move up and down from the bottom pin position (X,) to the top pin position (X,) as shown in FIG. ).

(SW2). As shown in Figure 3, the lower unit (43) has a pin (51).
An actuator <51) which is rotatable about a) as a fulcrum, and a photo sensor (Sel) which is turned on and off when the actuator (51) contacts and rotates the sheet being conveyed are completely installed.

On the other hand, the upper unit (52) is vertically swingable by engaging the engagement piece (53) on the pin (60) side with the rail portion <65b), and the upper unit (52)
The pin (54) provided on the side is connected to the top cover (
By engaging with the guide member (68) provided in the guide member (67), it can be slid horizontally. This upper unit (53) has a pinch roller (55) attached to a support shaft (55a).
), the sheet unloading brush (56), which can be rotatably mounted and 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 pin (60) can be installed in this sorter section (41), and the sheet can be attached to each pin (60). It is designed to detect the presence or absence of distribution and accommodation.

In the above configuration, the floating cam (50) rotates 180° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d), thereby cutting out the trunnion (61) that slides on the outer circumference (5
0a), moves upward by itself, and shifts the captured trunnion (61) downward to come into sliding contact with the next trunnion (61). By repeating this operation, each pin (60) can be shifted downward one stage at a time.
The transport section (42) moves upward. When the sorting mode is selected, the floating cam (50) is located at the bottom pin position (Xl) shown in FIG. 7, and gradually moves upward from this position to widen the intervals between the pins (60). The sheet discharged from the copying machine (1) passes between the guide surface (52a) and <43a), is held between the feed roller (47) and the pinch roller (55), and is separated by the floating cam (50). Each expanded pin (60
〉The pins can be distributed and accommodated in order from the bottom pin 〉60〉. Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) in the direction of arrow (d), each pin (60) can be sequentially shifted upward, and the floating cam (50) moves downward together with the conveyance section (42).

In the sorter section (4 sections) having the above configuration, sheets can be accommodated in three modes. The first is a sort mode in which each copy of one document is distributed to each pin (60 pins) to align the pages, and the second is a sort mode in which each copy of one document is distributed to each pin (60 pins). Grouping mode. The third is grouping mode. The third one is one pin (
60) is a non-sort mode.

[Structure and operation of fix cam] Next, the fix cam (70) and the conveyance unit (80) for conveying the sheets distributed and accommodated on each pin (60) to the staple tray (91 inches) described below will be explained. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (7) on its outer periphery that can be engaged with the trunnion (61).
0a) is carved three times, and can be rotated in forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown) via a support shaft (71). That is, by rotating normally in the direction of arrow (e), the fix cam (7o) moves the trunnion (61) of the pin (60>, which has been shifted to the bottom pin position (X, ) by the floating cam (5o), into the spiral groove. Guide it with <70a) and lower it to the sheet take-out position.

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (X,), as shown in FIG. The trunnion (61) is installed in the removed state and elastically holds the trunnion (61) that has been lowered to the take-out position (X,). This removal position (X
, ) are provided with a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) and a sheet guide (78) that are pressed against the take-out roller (75) by their own weight. Also, between the bottom pin position (X+) and the take-out position (X8), as shown in Figure 2,
A sheet backflow prevention guide (79) is installed. As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet guide (78>) has an upper guide surface (78a) that is slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claw (60a) of each pin (60) tilted down to the take-out position (xl). As shown in Fig. 2, the pinch roller (76) is attached to the support shaft (7
7a), and can be moved toward and away from the take-out roller (75) by turning on and off a solenoid (not shown).

Further, at the lower end of the support shaft <71 of the fix cam (70), as shown in FIG.
and the gear (87a) are integrally fixed, and the 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 plate 88), and the photo sensor (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 the conveyance roller (81a), <81
b) ~(83a).

(83b), guide plate <84a), (84b),
It consists of (85a) and (85b). The conveyance rollers (81g), (82g), (83a) are made of rubber material, and the conveyance rollers (81b>, (82b), (
83b) is made of a sponge material and is cut to absorb the thickness of the laminated sheets.

In the above configuration, when the sorter section (41) finishes distributing sheets, the fix cam (70) is rotated three times in the direction of arrow (e). With this, the trunnion (61) of the pin (60) at the bottom pin position (X,) is guided by the spiral groove (70a), and the take-out position <XS>
and is held by the receiving member (72).

At this take-out position <xm), the pin (60) is inclined at a larger angle than the bottom pin 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> is pink 60) and the pin (60) is at the take-out position (Xl).
), the leading edge of the sheet passes through the roller (75).

(76), and the sheet is conveyed by the rollers (75) and (76).
), (81b). At this time, even if the sheet curls downward, it can be guided by the guide (78) and the take-out roller (75), thereby ensuring that it passes over the backflow prevention claw (60a) and the guide plate (84a), (84b).
).

Moreover, even if the sheet curls upward, it is 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 take-out cola (75) is retracted upward, and the pin (60) is moved to the take-out position (X, ), the solenoid turns 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 arrow (f) in FIG.
b) onto the staple tray <91).

On the other hand, when the floating cam (50) is taken out, the floating cam (50) is located at a position corresponding to the bottom pin position (Xl) as shown in FIG.
The trunnion (
61) and rotate 180° at this position (xl).
The trunnion (61) is intermittently reversed in the opposite direction to the arrow (d), and the trunnion (61) is sequentially fed into the fix cam (70). In this embodiment, in order to increase the inclination angle of the pin (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X,) to make it easier for the sheet to slide out under its own weight, the bottom pin position (Xl) and the take-out position (X,) are In other words, the stroke of the pin (60) that moves between this interval is set large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (70) 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, by holding the trunnion (61) immediately before being fed into the fix cam (70) by the floating cam (50) [shown as (A) in Fig. 6], this trunnion (61) is moved to the fix cam <70). This prevents it from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) during the second and third rotations.

As described above, by reversing the floating cam (50) through 180° and rotating the fixed cam (70) three times, each pin (60) is lowered one step at a time to the take-out position t(X,).
The sheets distributed and housed in each pink (60) are transported to the conveying section (80).
) and onto the staple tray (91).

In addition, each pin (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 sheet is taken out from all the pins (60) in which the sheet is distributed and accommodated, the fix cam (70) moves as indicated by the arrow (e). The floating cam (50) returns upward by being driven in the reverse direction and by being driven forward in the direction of arrow (d).

[Structure and operation of staple unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit (90> is composed of a staple tray <91) and a motor (93) that can allow it to vibrate.
It consists of 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 the stopper (96).

As shown in FIG. 11, the stapler (100) has a motor output shaft (101) fixed, and an arm (104) that can swing freely around a pin (103) as a fulcrum to connect the peripheral part of the cam (102) and the head. 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).
A staple (106) staples the sheets aligned on the tray (91). The staple (106) is fully housed in the cartridge (107), and the motor output shaft (
101) and is sent to the head section by a conveyor belt (108) that is rotationally driven.

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>) retracts downward when the solenoid is turned on, and releases the positioning of the seat.

In addition, a staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) is installed in this stapler (100), and a sensor (S
e4) is a disc (10) fixed to the motor output shaft (101).
The notch 109a) of 9) is detected.

Further, this stapling unit (90) is equipped with a photosensor (Se6) that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91), and a switch (SW4) that detects attachment/detachment of the stapler (100). .

In the above configuration, the sheet conveyed from the conveyance section (80) onto the staple tray (91) is transported by the motor (9
As the tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of step 3), it is regulated by the guide plate (95) and the stopper (96) to complete alignment, the motor (93) is stopped, and the staple motor is driven to perform the binding. It will be done. When the solenoid is turned on, the stopper (96) moves the bound sheets to the tray (9).
1) By retracting from above, it slides down from above the tray (91) and is guided by the guide plate (98>) so that it can be stored on the stack tray (111).Such stapling processing is performed when the pink 60) 70>, the sheet is completely lowered to the take-out position t(X,), and is repeatedly removed each time the sheet is conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

Also, during stapling operation, the sensor (5e4
), the rotation speed of the staple motor is constantly detected.

The staple (106) is gone and the head (105)
When the motor runs dry, the torque decreases and the motor rotation speed increases. Therefore, it can be determined that the staple (106) is empty based on such an increase in the number of rotations.

[Configuration of Stacking Unit] The stacking unit (110) includes a stacking tray (111), and finally 145. accommodate. Stack tray (1
11), as shown in FIG. 12, a notch (lla) is completely formed in the stapled part of the sheet (S), that is, in the part where the part bound with staples <106) is located. With this, when sheets bound with the 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. can be prevented, and the loading capacity can be increased accordingly.

[Operation 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 (
121), interrupt key (122) for temporarily interrupting multi-copy operation, clear/stop key (123) for stopping copy operation or canceling the set number.
, numeric keypad group for setting the number of multi-copies <1
24), a display section (125) for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copying machine 1), up/down keys (126) and (127) for setting the copy density, and a group of display LEDs (128), Sheet selection key (129) and its display LE for selecting copy sheet size
A group D (130), a group of magnification selection keys (131) for selecting a copy magnification, a group of display LEDs (132), etc. 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 to the original glass (2).
9) The paper is transported upward and the copying operation can begin.

The sorter panel (150) has a 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 grouping mode display LED (154
), the finish mode selection key (15!5) and its display, the non-finish mode display L E v
(ts6) and finish mode display L E D (1
57), the finish start key (158) and its display L E D (159) are set, and this I, E
A warning to remove the copy from the staple tray (91) is displayed by flashing D <159). In addition, LED (160) displays a warning to remove the sheet from the pin (6o), LED (161) displays an empty staple (106), and LED displays a failure to set the stapler (ioo>). (16
2) is provided. Sorter mode selection key (151
) toggles between non-sort mode, sort mode, and
While switching to grouping mode sequentially, the corresponding LEDs (152), (153), (154)
lights up. Finishing mode selection key (155)
'b Each press switches between non-finish mode and finish mode, and the corresponding LED
(156>, (157) are lit. Each time the finish start key (158) is pressed, it outputs the start of finish operation and its cancellation, and at the same time, LED (159) is lit 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)
are connected to the copy process means (170),
The three ADF professional means (171) are connected, and the sorter process means (172) and 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 printed switch,
ADF start switch and each selection switch and each display LE of the kill tail display LED (180), (181), sorter panel (150)
D(152)... etc. are read directly.

[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 microcomputer (CPU) (7
) shows the main routine.

When the microcomputer (CPLI) is reset and the program is started, in step (Sl), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings are made to put each device into the initial mode. Next, in step (B2), an internal timer is started. This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and can be set to a value of 1 in advance by initializing the 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).

This long time of one routine is used to count various timers in each subroutine.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine for input processing that can be executed in step (B3).

First, in step <510), the number (A) is fully input using the numeric keypad group (124) on the copier panel (120),
The sheet size (S) selected in step (511) is full, and in step (512) A D F (30)
Determine whether the use of is fully selected. If use is selected, the ADF mode flag is set to "1." in step (513), and if not selected, the ADF mode flag is reset to "10." in step <514).

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 "rO", sorting and stapling processing will not be executed, so step (52
2), if '1', input the number of pins < 8) in step (518), and input the number of pins (8) in step (519).
A) and the number of pins (a) are compared.

If the number of pins (A) is less than or equal to the number of pins (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 (Sl) 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 the print switch is turned on or not, and if it is turned on, step (523) is executed.
24) sets the copy flag to "rl" 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 step (519>), the number <A) is changed to the number of pins (
If it is determined that it is larger than a), step (526)
Set the warning flag (Fl) to "1." in step (
527) to prohibit system excitation. This warning flag (
Fl) is used to indicate that the number of distributions exceeds the number of pins. Next, step (528>,
At (536>), as in steps (523) and (525), whether the print switch is turned on or not, and
Determine whether the DF start switch is turned on.

If YES in this step (528) or (536), that is, the operator's intention to execute the copy even if a warning is issued, is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag is set to rl in step (529), and the non-sort mode flag is set to rl. Switch to processing in sort mode, reset the warning flag (Fl) to "0" in step (530'), and proceed to step (537).
) to set the copy flag to "1".

Also, in the step (521), the sheet size (S,)
If it is determined that the size is other than A4 size or B5 size, stapling processing is impossible, so step (531
) sets the warning flag (F2) to "1" and prohibits system operation in step (532). This warning flag (F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, step (533
), (538) in the steps (523), (52
Similarly to 5), it is determined whether the print switch is turned on and whether the ADF start switch is turned on. YES in this step (533) or (538)
That is, if the operator's intention to perform copying even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the finishing mode flag is reset to '0' in step (534) to prohibit stapling processing, and step (535) In step (539), the warning flag (F2) is reset to "0.", and in step (539), the copy flag is set to "1".

FIG. 20 shows the sort mode setting subroutine executed in step (515).

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

In step (544), it is determined whether the non-sort mode, sort mode, and grouping mode are all selected, and if they are selected, each step (541) is performed.

<543), (545) sets the non-sort mode flag,
Set the sorting mode flag and grouping mode flag to “1”.
゜Se・／卜

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 is selected. If it is not selected, this subroutine is immediately terminated. If it is fully selected, the finish mode flag is set to "1" in step (551). ., and in step (552) set the allowable number of stapling sheets (c
Set b). Allowable number of staples here (cb)
is the value obtained by multiplying the allowable number of stapled sheets of the stapler (100) by the number of pins to be used, <A>. Therefore, as a result, the capacity per pin is specified. Next, in step (553), the stapling permission size is set to A4.
, B5, and the sort mode flag is set to rl in step (554) to permit processing in the sort mode.

FIG. 22 shows a display processing subroutine executed in step (B4) of the main routine.

First, in step (560), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
”, and if “1.”, ADF mode display L
ED (180) lights up, ``rl'' or ``rO'' is displayed in step (S62) in either case L E D <152),
(153).

<154) to display the selected sorter mode. In step (563), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "rl", and if it is "rl", the finish mode display LED (157) is turned on.

Next, in step (565), it is determined whether the warning flag (Fl) is "1" or not, and if it is "1", step (56
In step 6), a message indicating that the number of pins is exceeded is displayed on the display section (125). In step (567), the warning flag (
F2) is "11" or not, and if it is "1", a step (568) displays on the display section (125) that the sheet size is unsuitable.In a step (569), a warning flag (F3) is displayed. If it is "1", a message indicating that the finish mode is not available is displayed on the display section (125) in step (570). Step <57
In 1), it is determined whether the warning flag (F4) is "11" or not.
'1'', the display section (125) is displayed in step (572).
indicates that the original is empty. Step (
573), it is determined whether the warning flag (F5) is 11'', and if it is '1'', the display section (12
5) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (575), the warning flag (F6) is set to 11.
”, and if “1.”, step (576)
The display section <125) indicates that it is necessary to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91). Step (
577), it is determined whether the warning flag (F7) is "1" or not, and if it is "1", the staple empty display LED (161) is lit in step (S78). In step (585), the warning flag It is determined whether the flag (Fil) is 11, and if it is LJ, it is set to L in step (586).
E D (160) is lit to indicate that the sheet needs to be removed from the pin (60).

Next, in step (581) it is determined whether the copy flag is "11", and if it is "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 copy system processing subroutine that can be executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, in step (590), the ADF mode flag is set to "1".
．． If it is '1', step (591)
Determine whether the copy flag is ``1.'' and if it is ``1'', the copy process is acceptable, so step (
At step 595), the ADF control subroutine is executed, and the process moves to step (597). Further, if it is determined that the ADF mode flag is "0" in the step (590), the copy flag is set to 11 in the step (S96).
If the copy flag is determined to be "0." in step <591> and step (596), the process returns to the main routine. .

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

After confirming that the grouping mode flag is "1", proceed to steps (S99, (5101), (51
04), each subroutine of non-sort mode processing, sort mode processing, and grouping mode processing is executed. Then, in step (5105), a copy processing subroutine is executed, and in step (5106), other processing subroutines are executed.

Note that the subroutines executed in steps (599) and (5104) are the same as conventional procedures, and the details thereof will be omitted.

Figure 24 shows the ADF that can be traced in step (595).
Shows the control subroutine.

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, in step (5133) it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F4) is set to 1. judge. This warning flag (F4) can be set to 1 in step (5131) explained below, but
If "1.", reset to rOl in step (5134). Then, in step (5121), execute the document feeding process subroutine, in step (5122), execute the document size detection subroutine, and in step (5123) execute the document transport process subroutine. If there is no original, step <51
30), determine whether the original count is 10" and set it to "0".
If so, turn on the warning flag (F4) at Step 7 (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), the optical system (4) determines whether or not the number of copies has been scanned, and if it has scanned, the scan end flag is set to rl. Then, in step (5126), the scan end flag is set to rIJ.
After confirming that it is, reset the scan end flag to 10'' in step (5127), and proceed to step (51).
28) So! In addition to executing the document ejection processing subroutine,
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), <5128) details are omitted.

Figures 25a and 25b show a subroutine for sort mode processing that can be executed in step (5101). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter pin (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 pin (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, it is distributed from the upper pin (60) so that the sheet can be easily taken out directly by the operator.

Specifically, in step (5140), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is 11'', and '1. If so, in step (5141) it is determined whether there is a sheet in pink 60) by turning on or off the sensor (Se5), and if there is no sheet, a warning flag (FIL) is set in step (5184).
) is "rl". This warning flag (Fll
) is the step (5158) described below, <516
1), if "IJ can be set, but '1", it is reset to r□ in step (5185). Then, in step (5142), the bottom pin detection switch (SWI) is
) is on, that is, whether the pin (60) is located at the bottom pin position (Xl), which is the home position when selecting the finish mode, and sheet distribution in the finish mode is possible. Therefore, if YES, the process directly proceeds to step (5148), and the rotation direction flag is reset to 10'' in order to perform the pin operation to perform the sorting operation, that is, to reverse the floating cam motor (not shown). If NO, the following steps (5143) to (5147) are executed to move the pin (60) to the bottom pin position <xi). That is, in step (5143) the floating cam (
The motor 50) is rotated in the forward direction, and a sorter weight is applied in step (5144). Sorter weight is a pin (60
) means that the copying operation is prohibited so that the sheets will not be fed into the sorter section 41) during movement. Then, after confirming that the bottom pin detection switch (SWI') is turned on in step (5145>), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (5146), and the sorter weight is released in step (5147). In step (5148), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to rO, and the subsequent rotation direction of the floating cam (50) is set to be reversed.

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

Check the presence or absence of the sheet in the pin (60) when turning off,
If there is no sheet, check whether the top pin detection switch (SW2) is on or not in step (5150), that is, whether the top pin detection switch (SW2) is on or not.
) is the home position in non-finish mode, which is the top pin position (located on the , and sets the floating cam rotation direction flag to "rl" to allow forward rotation of the floating cam (50). If No, follow the steps (5151) to (51).
55) to move the pin <60> to the top pin position <X-. That is, the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed in step <5151), the sorter weight is applied in step (5152), and the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed in step (5151).
After confirming that the top pin detection switch (S-2) is turned on in step 153), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (5154). read, cancel the sorter weight in step (5155), and set the bloating cam rotation direction flag to 1 in step (5156).
The direction of rotation of the floating cam (50) after resetting to "1" is normal rotation.

Furthermore, if it is determined in steps <5141) and (5149> that there is a sheet within pin <60>, steps (5157) and (5160) are performed. 70", step (5158).

In (5161), the warning flag (Fil) is set to 11'' to prepare for lighting up the copy removal display LED (160), and in steps <5159> and (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 <5W3), 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 through the discharge sensor (Sel), it is considered that the sheet is accommodated in the pin (60), and if the sheet is off-edge, the step (516)
6) Start the sorter transport motor timer. Then, in step <5167), the sheet count is incremented, and in step (5168), the sorter conveyance motor timer is waited for to end, and in step (5169), the sorter conveyance motor is turned off. Then, use the Ste Knob (5170) to determine whether or not the sheet just conveyed is the last sheet, and if it is the last sheet, reset the floating cam rotation direction flag to "0" using the Ste Knob (517)). .

If it is not the last sheet, use the sorting operation! ! In order to read the flag, check the floating cam rotation direction flag in step 7 (5172), and if it is 0., reverse the floating cam motor in step (5173) and set it to 1.
If it is "1", normal rotation is turned on in step (5174).

That is, in the finish mode, the motor is reversed to move the pin (60) through 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 pin (60) through which sheets are distributed. Move from the top to the bottom.

Next, in step (5175) it is determined whether the finish mode flag is "1" or not, and if it is '1', the number of sheets is counted (N) and the allowable number of sheets to be stapled (Cb) is set using the steering knob (5176) [Step (552)) If the zero sheet count (N) is greater than or equal to the stapling permissible number (cb), in order to prevent the occurrence of stapling defects,
In step (5177), the warning flag (F5) is set to "rl", and a display indicating that the finisher capacity is exceeded is prepared.

Kira, in step (5178), set the copy flag to "0.
It is determined in step <5179) whether the print switch is turned on or not, and in step (5180)
In step (5181), it is determined whether the ADF start switch is turned on or not. 7 reset the mode flag to 10'', reset the warning flag (F5) to 10'' in step (5182), and set the copy flag to rl in step (5183) to execute in sort mode. enable and end this subroutine.

Note that if you want to finish the copy operation and perform finish processing when the finisher capacity exceeds warning is issued by executing steps (5176) and <5177), all you have to do is turn on the finish start switch. [See step (5205).

FIG. 26 shows the copy processing subroutine executed in step (5105).

First, in step (5190), it is determined whether the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if YES, the scan end flag is set to "1" in step (5191), and if NO, step At (5192), a copy process processing subroutine is executed. This subroutine is a routine for executing a normal copying process by the copying machine (1), and its details will be omitted.

Next, in step (5193), the scan end flag is set to “
1. After confirming that this is the case, the scan end flag is reset to "Ol" in step (5194), the copy flag is reset to "0" in step 7 (5195), and other processing is performed in step (5196). Execute a subroutine.

FIG. 27 shows a finish processing subroutine that can be executed in step (S6) of the main routine.

First, in step (5200), it is determined whether the finish mode flag is rl, and '0. If so, it will end immediately. '1', it is determined in step (5201) whether or not the finish mode is prohibited, and if it is prohibited, the staple tray (9) is selected in step (5202).
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), there will be an inconvenience that the existing sheet will be stapled together with the sheet that will be sent onto the tray (91) from now on, or the stapling process will not be allowed. There is a risk that the number of pages to be bound will be exceeded, so step (5)
In step 203), the warning flag (F6) is set to 11'' to prepare for displaying a warning to remove the sheet from the staple tray (91), and in step 5204, the finishing mode is prohibited.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step (5201) that the finish mode has not been prohibited, or that there is no sheet on the tray (91) in step (5202), the warning flag (F6) is set in step <5201a). 11
", and if it is "rl", step (5201
b), reset to 0. Next, step (520)
In step 5), it is determined whether the finish start switch has been turned on. If it is on, step (5206)
Set the finish processing flag to rl, calculate the number of sheets per pin (M) in step (5207), and check whether the number of sheets per pin (M) is 1 in step (5208). Determine. That is, each pin (60
), there is no need for stapling if the number of sheets (M) distributed and accommodated is one. Therefore, step (52
If it is determined that the number of sheets per pin is 1 in step 08), the warning flag (F3) is set to "1" in step (5209), preparation is made to display finish mode disabled, and step At step (5210), the finish mode flag is reset to "rO" and the finish mode is canceled.

If the number of sheets (M) per pin is not 1, the warning flag (F3) is set to "1" in step (5208a).
If it is '1', step (S208b
) to reset to "rO". Next, step (Sell
The presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is checked again by turning on and off the sensor (Se6) at >, and if there is a sheet, the step described above is performed in order to staple an unnecessary sheet or prevent a staple defect. (5203)
, (5204) to issue a warning and cancel finish mode. If there is no sheet, finish processing is executed. That is, step (5212
), the subroutine for pin movement processing, 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 a sheet in the pin (60) is determined in step (5215), and the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) is determined in step (5216).
) to reset the finish processing flag to 10.

In addition, in this buinish processing subroutine,
To cancel finish mode prohibition, step <5202
) detects that the sheet has been removed from the staple tray (91), and resets the warning flag (F6) to 10'' 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 a subroutine for pin movement processing that can be executed in step (5212).

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

The presence or absence of a sheet within the pin (60) is determined at 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 pin (60) immediately after copying is completed. If there is a sheet, it is determined in step (5221) whether the bottom pin detection switch (SWI) is on. If the switch (SWI) is not on (if so, step <
5222), 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 is turned off in step (5224). ), (5223), (5224) have the floating cam (50) in the bottom pin position (
This continues until it moves to X, ).

The floating cam (50) is in the bottom pin position (
X,), i.e., the step (5221)
If it is determined that the bottom pin detection switch (SWI) 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. If it is on-edge, this will move the pin (60) at the bottom pin position (xl) to the sheet take-out position (X
), the pin counter is incremented in step (5227), and the pin counter is incremented in step (5228).
) to turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (5229), the pin counter changes to the set number (A
) [Step (510) Determine whether it is equal to the reference value. If the pin counter is smaller than the set number (A), the next pin (60) is moved to the sheet take-out position (X,). That is, the floating cam morph is reversed in step (5230), and the floating cam morph 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 pin (60) to move to the bottom pin position (X+).

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 > Execute.

Can Figure 29 be executed with the step (5213)? −
The subroutine for extracting data is shown below. This subroutine executes the pin (
60) to the staple tray (91) via the conveying means (80).

First, in step (5240), the sheet take-out position (X
, ), the sensor (Se5) is turned on at the pin (60) that has fallen 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) has started to rotate normally. When it is determined that the sheet is off-edge, that is, when the fix cam (70) starts rotating in the normal direction and the pin (60) begins to descend to the sheet take-out position (xl), step (5) is performed.
At step 242), the solenoid of the pinch roller luff 76) is turned on, and at step (S243), the pinch roller lenoid timer is started. When the sheet on the pin (60) starts to descend based on the normal rotation of the fix cam (70), the sheet on the pin (60)
By turning on the solenoid in 60), the sheet can be completely pinched between the take-out roller (75) and the pinch roller luff 76) at the sheet take-out position (X,).

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

(76), (81g>, (81b), etc.) to the staple tray (91). Then, when it is confirmed in step (5246) that the pinch roll run renoid timer has ended, step <5247) is carried out. Turn off the pinch roller solenoid. With this pinch roller (76)
is retracted upward from the take-out roller (75). This allows the pinch roller (76) to be retracted from the take-out position (X3) before the next pin (60) starts descending from the bottom pin position (X,), and the sheets distributed and accommodated in the pin (60). This is to prevent interference.

Next, in step (5248) the staple tray (91
) sensor (Se6) is turned on to confirm that the sheet has been stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step <5249>, and this subroutine ends.

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

First, in step (5250), it is determined whether the stapler (100) is set at a predetermined position by turning on or off the stapler detection switch (SW4). This switch (SW4) is turned on if the stapler (100) is set at a predetermined position. Therefore, if it is off, the display LED (162) is turned on in step (5290) to indicate a stapler set failure, and this subroutine is ended; if it is on, the display LED (162) is turned on in step (5291). 162) is turned on, and if it is turned on, the display LED (162) is turned off in step (5292).Next, in step (5251), the sensor of the staple tray (91) is turned off. Determine whether or not is on-edge. This sensor turns on when the sheet is completely conveyed onto the tray (91).

Therefore, if it is on-edge, the tray (91>
The upper sheet is aligned and the vibration motor timer is started in step (5253). On the other hand, the step (52
51), it is determined that it is not on-edge, and step (51) is determined that it is not on-edge.
If it is determined in step 254) that the staple tray sensor is on, that is, 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), the staple motor is turned on in step (5257), and the staple is removed in step (5258). Executes the empty detection subroutine. And step (5
259), the staple motor rotation detection sensor (Se4
) is determined to be on-edge, that is, the head (
105) moves to staple the sheets with the staples (106), the staple motor is turned off in step (5260) and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (5262). This will cause the stopper (96) to move to the tray (
91) The sheet is retracted from above, and the sheet slides down from the tray (91) and is stored on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (5263) the staple tray (91
) is determined to be off-edge, and the sheet is ejected to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (5264) and the stopper (96> is returned to the tray (91)). , exit this subroutine.

FIG. 31 shows the staple empty detection subroutine executed in step (5258).

First, in step <5270) it is determined whether or not the staple motor is turned on, and if it is turned on, step (5270) is performed.
Step 271) starts counting motor rotation pulses, and step (5272) starts a timer (TA). Next, in step (5273) a predetermined pulse (P
), step (52
74) allows the timer (TA) to be stopped, step <5
275) and the timer value (TI) and reference value (T) at this time.
Compare with. Standard value (T) is staple <106)
When there is a rotation of the staple motor, the head (10
5) corresponds to the time until the pulse (P) is counted when the stapling operation is performed. The timer value (T1) is actually pulse <
P) is the time until the count is completed, and the timer value (T
1) is equal to or greater than the reference value (T), it may be determined that the stapling process has been performed, and step (52)
76), the timer (TA) is reset and this subroutine is ended.

On the other hand, if the timer value (TI) is smaller than the reference value (T), the staple (106) is empty and the head (106) is empty.
It may be determined that 05) was idle, the motor rotated faster due to the reduced torque, and the time until the pulse CP> was counted became shorter. Therefore, step (5277)
Set the warning flag (T7) to rl in step 5278 to prepare to display staple empty.
) to stop the finish operation, and step (52
76) to reset the timer. This is because the stapling operation was performed but the staples were determined to be empty, so the sheet on the staple tray (91) remains unstapled, and if the subsequent operation is continued, the stapler is determined to be empty. This is to prevent unstapled sheets from being conveyed to the stack tray (111) and causing problems such as sheets being scattered. Furthermore, the reason why the stapler is displayed as empty is because if the machine stops in such a state, it is difficult for the operator to easily determine the cause.

Further, if the staple motor is not turned on in step (5270), it is determined in step (5293) whether or not the warning flag (T7) is 11''. If the warning flag (T7) is "0", this subroutine is immediately terminated, and if it is "1", the stapler (106) is notified that the staples (106) have been replenished in step (5279).
After confirming that the detection switch (SW4> of 0) is on, the warning flag (T7) is reset to "OJ" in step (5294), and the finish operation stop is canceled in step (5280).

That is, in this embodiment, a DC motor is used as a driving source for the stapler (100), and a method is adopted in which the head <105> is operated by a cam means to perform stapling. In such a system, the required torque differs by more than twice between actually driving the staple (106) and driving the staple (106) blankly. Therefore, it was decided to focus on the difference in the required torque and determine the presence or absence of the staple (106) by detecting the difference.

Specifically, by utilizing the fact that the number of rotations of the DC motor is proportional to the torque, the time required for one rotation of the disk (109) is counted to detect fluctuations in the required torque. Note that fluctuations in the required torque can be detected not only by the rotational speed of the motor but also by measuring the current value.

FIG. 32 shows a modification of the staple processing subroutine shown in FIG. 30, which incorporates the staple empty detection subroutine shown in FIG. 31.

Therefore, steps (5250), (5251) to (5
257).

(S259) and (5260) execute the same routine as in FIG. 30, and in step (5261) it is determined whether the staple (106) is empty or not based on the fluctuation of the required torque depending on the rotation speed of the staple motor as described above. However, if it is empty, steps (5277) and (5278) are executed to stop the warning and finish operation.

If it is not empty, it is determined in step (5293) whether the warning flag (F7) is "1" or not, and if it is "rl", the warning flag (F7) is reset to "rO" in step (5294). Next, in step (5262), the stopper solenoid is turned on to eject the stapled sheet from tray 91), and in step (5263), when ejection to stack tray (111) is confirmed, step (
5264), the stopper solenoid is turned off and this subroutine ends.

That is, in this embodiment, in the staple empty detection subroutine (see FIG. 31), when the staple motor is turned on, its rotation pulses are counted and a timer is started [step (5270);
(5271), (5272)], the timer value (T,) is compared with the reference value (T) during a constant pulse count, and if the timer value (T,) is smaller than the reference value (T), the stapler ( 106) is empty and has been blankly stapled [No in step (5275)], and warns that the staple is empty [step (5277)]
, (577), (578)], and the finishing operation is stopped [step <5278)].

However, when staples (106) are replenished at the stapler, the finishing operation is restarted [step (5)].
279), (5294), (5280)]. This prevents unnecessary stapling operations when the staples (106) are empty, and also prevents unstapled sheets from being sent onto the stack tray (111) and cluttering them up. It is also possible to easily determine whether the staple (106) is empty based on the warning.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided a torque detection means for detecting the torque of the drive motor of the stapling means, and a stapling operation based on the torque fluctuation detected by the torque detection means. Since it is equipped with an empty detection means for detecting empty staples, it is possible to easily detect empty staples, and there is no need to modify the mechanism of the stapler itself to incorporate a sensor. It becomes possible to detect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance section, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam and fixed cam, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the floating cam, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sheet take-out position. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the engagement relationship 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 plan 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 32 are flowcharts showing control procedures. (1)... Copy L (40)... Sorter with finisher, (41)... Sorter section, (50)... Floating cam, (60)... Pin, (61)...
・Trunion, (70) ... Fix cam, (90
)... Staple part, (100)... Stapler,
(106)... Staple needle, (109)... Disk, (109a)... Notch, (110)... Stack portion, (X,)... Bottom pin position, (X,
)...Top pin position, <X,>...Sheet take-out position, (Se4)...Motor rotation speed detection sensor.

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 pins, a stapling unit that has stapling means that staples the sheets conveyed from each of the pins, and a stapling process. A sorter with a finisher comprising a stack section for stacking and accommodating sheets, comprising: a torque detection means for detecting the torque of a drive motor of the stapling means; and a stapler based on the torque fluctuation detected by the torque detection means. A sorter with a finisher, comprising: an empty detection means for detecting an empty state; and a sorter with a finisher.