KR100860864B1 - After treatment apparatus having aligning and orderly stacking fuction of output paper for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

An after treatment apparatus having a function of aligning and orderly stacking output paper for an image forming device is provided to orderly place papers output from the image forming device to the position required for an after-treatment work and stably carry out after-treatment at the position. An external force of a paddle of a paddle roller(110) is exerted on the rear end of a paper so that the paper is curved toward a lower guide plate(50) together with a protrusion(85) of a flexible locking plate(80). The paper receiving the external force is not maintained in an arc shape, but delivered to the lower guide plate. Introduced paper is inclined in parallel to the lower guide plate. The protrusion goes out of the paddle. An auxiliary guide plate(150) is mounted on the upper end of the lower guide plate so that the auxiliary guide plate rotates. The auxiliary guide plate rotates to prevent the rotation of the paddle from being restricted if the external force of the paddle is exerted on the auxiliary guide plate.

Description

AFTER TREATMENT APPARATUS HAVING ALIGNING AND ORDERLY STACKING FUCTION OF OUTPUT PAPER FOR IMAGE FORMING DEVICE}

1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an alignment and sequential stacking function of output paper according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view partially showing the arrangement structure of the flexible locking plate and the paddle roller assembly which is a component of the post-processing device for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an alignment and sequential stacking function of output paper according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic cross-sectional state diagram of the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 partially enlarged to explain one state of a paper loading process;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, partially enlarged to explain another state of a paper loading process; FIG.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stapling process performed in the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a grounding process of a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: Lower Entry Guide 20: Upper Entry Guide

25: entry sensor 27: feed roller shaft

30: feed roller 35: idle roller

50: lower loading guide 60: upper loading guide

65: elevating frame 70: stopper bar

75: stopper bar feed motor 80: flexible stopping plate

85: protrusion 105: paddle shaft

110: paddle roller 115: paddle

140: spring 150: auxiliary loading guide plate

160: stapler 180: ground roller

190: ground knife A: accommodating space

Y: Stapling Level Z: Ground Level

The present invention relates to a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. More particularly, the present invention relates to stapling and stapling in a state in which the sheets outputted from the image forming apparatus are aligned and stacked in sequence. A post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an output paper alignment and sequential stacking function such that post-processing operations such as paper folding and the like can be performed.

In general, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer may be a main function of only copying or printing an original document. However, recently, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer may be referred to as a trend having various additional functions by integrating with various devices considering user convenience.

As an example, in addition to simple operations such as stapling, which have been performed by using a device such as a stapler in the past, with the user directly aligning the printed sheets, several sheets of printed sheets can be folded in half and Work such as making a booklet is to be performed by a device additionally attached to a copy machine or the like.

In jobs such as stapling and folding, the alignment of the paper is a fundamental and most important factor in determining quality.

However, the post-processing apparatus according to the prior art, which is additionally mounted in a copying machine or the like to perform a stapling function or a folding function, requires a separate accessory for aligning the output paper. The situation requires an additional device or means to load in order of output.

That is, as the printing or copying speed becomes significantly faster, the alignment of the paper loaded on the output paper tray is likely to be poor, and the output paper may be out of order on the output paper tray. This is because the same post-processing cannot be done.

As such, in order to perform post-processing operations such as stapling or punching, additional apparatuses or means for aligning and sequential stacking of paper must be separately provided, so that manufacturing costs not only increase excessively, but also the entire apparatus. There is a problem that the volume of the problem is increased.

As invented to solve the problems of the prior art as described above,

According to the present invention, the output paper is sequentially stacked and arranged neatly in the order of entering paper, and in this state, an output for stabilizing and / or folding, such that post-processing operations can be performed stably without damaging the paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus having a paper sorting and sequential stacking function.

The present invention for achieving the above object,

In the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, the output paper is sequentially stacked and arranged neatly according to the order of entry, and in this state, a post-processing operation such as stapling or folding can be performed.

An entry guide means including a lower entry guide plate and an upper entry guide plate arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and for guiding a paper feeding direction in a predetermined direction through a space having a predetermined cross-sectional shape formed therebetween;

A lower loading guide plate and an upper loading guide plate arranged to be inclined with respect to the feeding direction from the entry guide means while maintaining parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, are disposed below the exit of the entry guide means, the entry guide means Stacking guide means for stacking the paper fed from the;

A lifting frame arranged perpendicularly to the paper feeding direction, and at least one stopper bar defining a lower limit of the paper fixedly loaded at the lifting frame, wherein the loading guide is capable of moving up and down along the loading guide means in a predetermined range. A stopper bar assembly mounted at the bottom of the means;

Each of the plurality of locking projections protruding downward and arranged repeatedly in the transverse direction is formed of a flexible material, and together with the lower end of the upper entry guide plate, the exit of the lower entry guide plate to form an exit of the entry guide means. A flexible locking plate mounted at the side end portion to temporarily hold the rear end portion of the paper, the lower end of which is restricted by the stopper bar, by the locking protrusion; And

A paddle roller having a paddle shaft arranged perpendicularly to the paper feeding direction and at least one paddle fixed to the paddle shaft and protruding in a radial direction from the circumference thereof, the paddle roller being positioned below the exit of the entry guide means; A paddle roller assembly mounted on the guide plate and applying an external force to pass the rear end portion of the paper, which is temporarily stuck by the locking protrusion, to the lower stacking guide plate through the paddle of the paddle roller during rotation. A post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an output paper sorting and sequential stacking function is provided.

And, it is disposed in the form extending in the upper portion of the upper portion of the lower loading guide plate is rotatably mounted to the rear side in a predetermined angle range, the back side further comprises an auxiliary loading guide plate which is elastically supported through the spring It features.

In addition, at least a portion of the paddle in contact with the paper is characterized in that made of a flexible material.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a front processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an alignment and sequential stacking function of output paper according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view partially showing the arrangement of the flexible locking plate and the paddle roller assembly, which are components of the aftertreatment device.

In the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the entry guide means, the loading guide means, the stopper bar assembly, the flexible locking plate and the paddle roller assembly It consists of a configuration including.

The entry guide means, which is located at the top, includes a lower entry guide plate 10 and an upper entry guide plate 20 which are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and the lower entry guide plate 10 and the upper entry guide plate 20. The paper feeding direction is guided in a predetermined direction through a space of a predetermined cross-sectional shape formed between the two sides.

Specifically, the lower entry guide plate 10 and the upper entry guide plate 20 is formed in a curved shape of approximately 'b' shape, the space formed between the two also becomes approximately 'a' shape, The space becomes a conveyance path, in which paper 1 discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine enters a horizontal direction and is discharged downward toward a space to be loaded for post-processing operations such as stapling and / or folding. .

The entry guide means is provided with an entry detection sensor 25 for detecting the entry of the sheet 1, and is provided with a feed roller 30 for smoothly conveying the sheet.

The feed roller 30 is fixed to the feed roller shaft 27 which is arranged perpendicular to the paper feed direction, and one or more feed rollers 30 may be used, and the feed roller 30 is transported in a state of being mounted on the lower entry guide plate 10 side. It is driven by a motor (not shown) to provide a conveying force for conveying the entering paper.

On the other hand, a plurality of idle rollers 35 are provided on the upper entry guide plate 20 side in contact with each transfer roller 30 in a one-to-one correspondence. The idle roller 35 is in a state in which no separate driving force is provided, thereby making a rotational motion dependent on the rotation of the feed roller 30. That is, the idle roller 35 is to serve to transfer the conveying force to the paper entering by assisting the feed roller (30).

The loading guide means includes a lower loading guide plate 50 and an upper loading guide plate 60, which is disposed below the entry guide means, and can be loaded in a state in which the paper fed from the entry guide means is aligned. Make sure

Specifically, the lower loading guide plate 50 and the upper loading guide plate 60 are disposed inclined in the feeding direction from the entry guide means, and are arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals. However, in order to smoothly accommodate the paper fed from the entry guide means, the upper portion between the lower loading guide plate 50 and the upper loading guide plate 60 to have a minimum receiving space (A) formed in a funnel shape It is desirable to.

In more detail, the receiving space (A) formed in the cross section of the funnel shape in the upper portion of the loading guide means guides the paper 1 introduced from the exit of the entry guide means to stably enter the loading guide means. The inclined space, which is formed at a substantially constant width under the receiving space A, is guided so that a predetermined number of sheets continuously entering may be sequentially loaded in the order of entry.

In addition, the stopper bar assembly is composed of a lifting frame 65, which is arranged perpendicular to the paper feed direction, and at least one stopper bar 70 fixed to the lifting frame 65, the lower portion of the loading guide means It is attached to, and serves to limit the lower limit (lower limit) of the paper to be loaded. In addition, the stopper bar assembly is provided with power by the stopper bar transfer motor 75 to move up and down in a predetermined range along the loading guide means.

And, as shown in FIG. 2, the flexible locking plate 80 includes a plurality of locking protrusions 85 that protrude downward and are repeatedly arranged along the transverse direction. In addition, it is formed of a material having excellent flexibility in order to be easily deformed with a small force. Such a flexible locking plate 80 is mounted at the outlet side end of the lower entry guide plate 10 together with the lower end of the upper entry guide plate 20 to form an exit of the entry guide means, and further by the stopper bar 70. The rear end of the paper 1, which cannot be abnormally lowered, is temporarily held by the locking protrusion 85.

On the other hand, the paddle roller assembly is a paddle roller having a paddle axis 105 arranged perpendicular to the paper feed direction, and a pair of paddles 115 fixed to the paddle axis 105 and protruding radially from the periphery ( 110). And, it is mounted on the upper portion of the upper loading guide plate 60 so as to be located below the exit of the entry guide means, through the paddle 115 of the paddle roller 110 during rotation, in a temporary locking state by the locking projection 85 External force is applied so that the rear end of the paper 1 to be placed is passed to the lower loading guide plate 50. Specifically, when the paddle 115 of the paddle roller 110 is pushed the rear end of the paper to be caught in the locking projection 85, the locking projection 85 also with the rear end of the paper 1 through the elastic deformation It is to be folded, so that the rear end of the paper is turned to the lower loading guide plate 50 side.

In more detail, such a paddle roller assembly is driven and rotated by a paddle motor (not shown), and is flipped toward the lower loading guide plate 50 by the locking protrusion 85 of the flexible locking plate 80. The rear end of the paper, which is not located around the exit of the entry guide means, is surely flipped toward the lower loading guide plate 50, and the external force acts on the portion adjacent to the rear end of the paper to realize a more desirable paper alignment state. do.

In addition, the paddle 115 coming into contact with the paper is preferably made of a flexible material which is excellent in flexibility and suitable for preventing damage to the paper. Furthermore, it is preferable that the flexible material is made of a rubber material which is excellent in frictional force and advantageous in transmitting external force. Of course, the paddle 115 need not be formed entirely of a flexible material such as rubber. However, it is preferable that at least the portion coming into direct contact with the paper is made of a flexible material such as rubber.

In summary, through the organic interaction between the locking protrusions 85 of the flexible locking plate 80 and the paddle 115 of the paddle roller assembly, the paper sheets to be loaded may be sequentially loaded without changing their order. In addition, it is possible to realize a more preferable paper alignment state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an output paper alignment and sequential stacking function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, extends upward from the upper end of the lower loading guide plate 50. It is configured to be rotatably mounted in a predetermined angle range to the rear side of the center is arranged in the form, the rear side is made of a configuration further comprising an auxiliary loading guide plate 150 which is elastically supported through the spring (140).

In addition, unlike the case of the first embodiment, by providing the auxiliary loading guide plate 150, it is necessary to provide a separate accommodation space on the top of the loading guide means for smoothly receiving the paper fed from the entry guide means There will be no.

The auxiliary loading guide plate 150 may be mounted in a hinged manner at the upper end of the lower loading guide plate 50, and is positioned on the same plane as the lower loading guide plate 50 in a state in which external force by the paddle 115 is not applied. When the external force acts in the process of rotating the paddle 115, the paddle 115 rotates to a certain extent on the rear side. Therefore, the paddle 115 can be rotated smoothly without accompanying excessive deformation of the paddle, and excessive external force acts on the paper already folded to the lower loading guide plate 50 so that the paper is not damaged. Will not. In addition, as the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 is elastically supported by the spring 140 mounted on the rear side, when the external force acting by the paddle 115 is removed, it is immediately flush with the lower loading guide plate 50. It will return to the original position of the image.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional state diagram of the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 partially enlarged to explain one state of the paper loading process, and FIG. 5 illustrates another state of the paper loading process. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional state diagram of the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG.

Referring to the operation method related to the alignment and sequential stacking function of the output paper realized through the post-processing device for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention as described above are as follows.

In the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 3, the size of the paper to which the stopper bar 70, which is attached to the lower portion of the stacking guide means and defines the lower limit of the paper to enter, is the work target. It is controlled to be placed in consideration of the position. Specifically, the position of the stopper bar 70 is flexible, with the rear end of the sheet being flexible around the exit of the entry guide means in a state where the front end of the sheet to be entered is no longer moved by the stopper bar 70 and stopped. It is controlled to be located at a point (X) overlapping a predetermined portion of the locking projection (85) below the locking plate (80). Therefore, the rear end of the paper is located between the flexible locking plate 80 and the upper entry guide plate 20 does not fall to the lower loading guide plate 50 side. Of course, the position of the stopper bar 70 should be changed together when the size of the paper to be worked is changed.

In this state, the paper output from the image forming apparatus for the post-processing operation enters the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, and when the entry of the paper is detected by the entry sensor 25, the transfer motor (not shown) It is operated, the feed roller 30 is rotated by the operation of the transfer motor to transfer the paper to the loading guide means.

In this way, the front end portion of the paper fed into the loading guide means comes into contact with the inclined lower loading guide plate 50 during the descending process, and is further lowered along the inclined surface at the position of the stopper bar 70 positioned below the loading guide means. Will stop. At this time, the rear end of the paper is positioned between the lower end of each of the flexible engaging plate 80 and the upper entry guide plate (20).

That is, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the paper 1 fed into the stacking guide means is temporarily located at the point where the front end portion is in contact with the stopper bar 70, and the rear end portion is the flexible locking plate ( In the state where it is constrained by the locking projection 85 of 80 and cannot be moved to the lower loading guide plate 50, a portion of the paper adjacent to the rear end is placed in a convex shape in an arc shape. do.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the external load caused by the paddle 115 of the rotating paddle rollers 110 is attached to the lower end of the sheet together with the locking protrusions 85 of the flexible locking plate 80. It acts in the form of flipping to the (50) side, and thus the rear end of the paper does not maintain the arc shape and is passed to the lower loading guide plate 50 side, so that the input paper is inclined in parallel with the lower loading guide plate 50 as a whole. The loading is completed.

In this process, the paper is accompanied with its own deformation, but this is made within the elastic deformation range of the paper itself, so that the paper can be made without damaging the paper. In addition, as the rotation of the paddle 115 proceeds, the locking protrusion 85 that has been flipped with the paper is released from the influence of the paddle 115 and returned to its original position by its elasticity to prepare for additional paper input. It will be placed in the state.

On the other hand, when the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 is provided as in the case of the second embodiment, in the process of rotating the paddle roller 110, the paddle 115 to interfere with the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 in shape However, as described above, the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the lower loading guide plate 50, and thus, when the external force by the paddle 115 acts on the auxiliary loading guide plate 150, the auxiliary loading guide plate 150. As the 150 is rotated to the rear side, the rotation of the paddle 115 is not limited in shape. Then, as the rotation of the paddle 115 progresses, when the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 is released from the influence of the paddle 115, the auxiliary loading guide plate 150 is mounted on the rear side as described above. As it is elastically supported by 140, it immediately returns to its original position on the same plane as the lower loading guide plate 50 and is in a state where it can be prepared for additional paper input.

As the paper is loaded in the above-described manner, the front end of the back-entry paper is guided to the inclined side of the paper which is already loaded and does not interfere with the rear end of the paper which is already loaded. It is possible to descend to the position of 70) smoothly. That is, no damage occurs such that the paper to be inserted later collides with the paper inserted first and is not wrinkled.

In addition, the influence of the external force by the paddle 115 transmitted through a portion adjacent to the rear end of the paper not only causes the rear end of the paper to be flipped toward the lower loading guide plate 50 side, but also sweeps one side of the paper from top to bottom. It also acts as a stimulus to lower the alignment of paper. That is, the paper 1 introduced into the stacking guide means is basically constrained to be aligned with the internal shape of the stacking guide means, but the loaded paper is still paddle 115 after the rear end of the sheet is folded to the lower loading guide plate 50. As the paddle 115 is continuously affected until the contact with the contact is released, the alignment state is not deteriorated due to the frictional force between the sheets in the process of inserting a plurality of sheets, As a result, the paper can be placed in a more desirable alignment.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stapling process performed in the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a post-processing for the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 3. A schematic cross-sectional state diagram illustrating the grounding process of the device.

As described above, after the papers are sequentially and neatly stacked by the flexible stopping plate 80 and the paddle 115, the loaded papers are lifted up of the stopper bar 70 to perform the ultimate post-processing operation. Or, with the descending movement to the position required for work.

Hereinafter, as an example of the post-processing operation, an operation of making a booklet in the form of folding a plurality of overlapping sheets of paper will be described as an example.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the position of the stopper bar 70 is controlled so that the horizontal line for dividing the loaded paper in the longitudinal direction is placed at the stapling level Y of the stapler 160. FIG. In this state, a stapling operation is performed at one or more points on the horizontal line corresponding to the stapling level Y, so that the overlapping sheets of paper become one bundle.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal line on the sheet where the stapled points for dividing the sheet in the longitudinal direction is located has a ground level corresponding to the tangent between the pair of ground rollers 180 constituting the folding means. At the same time as Z), the position of the stopper bar 70 is again controlled to lie on the same plane as the ground knife 190 which also constitutes the grounding means. With the position of the stapled sheets adjusted in this manner, the ground knife 190 advances and pushes the stapled sheets into the gap between the pair of folding rollers 180, and at the same time The roller 180 rotates and presses the sheet of paper entering to discharge to the opposite side.

Through such a failure, several sheets of paper to be introduced are made into a booklet through stapling and folding work in a state where they are sequentially stacked and preferably aligned.

By providing a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus having an alignment and sequential stacking function of output paper according to the present invention as described above, the present invention arranges the sheets outputted from the image forming apparatus and enters them sequentially and sequentially. In this state, it is possible to stably perform the post-treatment work such as stapling or grounding at the required position. That is, it is not necessary to separately provide additional devices or means for aligning and sequential stacking of paper, thus making it possible to obtain desirable effects in terms of reducing manufacturing costs and miniaturizing the device.

While the invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Anyone can easily know.

Claims (3)

In the post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus, in which the output paper is sequentially stacked and aligned neatly in the order of entry, and in this state, post-processing operations such as stapling and / or folding can be performed. An entry guide means including a lower entry guide plate and an upper entry guide plate arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and for guiding a paper feeding direction in a predetermined direction through a space having a predetermined cross-sectional shape formed therebetween; A lower loading guide plate and an upper loading guide plate arranged to be inclined with respect to the feeding direction from the entry guide means while maintaining parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, are disposed below the exit of the entry guide means, the entry guide means Stacking guide means for stacking the paper fed from the; A lifting frame arranged perpendicularly to the paper feeding direction, and at least one stopper bar defining a lower limit of the paper fixedly loaded at the lifting frame, wherein the loading guide is capable of moving up and down along the loading guide means in a predetermined range. A stopper bar assembly mounted at the bottom of the means; Each of the plurality of locking projections protruding downward and arranged repeatedly in the transverse direction is formed of a flexible material, and together with the lower end of the upper entry guide plate, the exit of the lower entry guide plate to form an exit of the entry guide means. A flexible locking plate mounted at the side end portion to temporarily hold the rear end portion of the paper, the lower end of which is restricted by the stopper bar, by the locking protrusion; And A paddle roller having a paddle shaft arranged perpendicularly to the paper feeding direction and at least one paddle fixed to the paddle shaft and protruding in a radial direction from the circumference thereof, the paddle roller being positioned below the exit of the entry guide means; A paddle roller assembly mounted on the guide plate and applying an external force to pass the rear end portion of the paper, which is temporarily stuck by the locking protrusion, to the lower stacking guide plate through the paddle of the paddle roller during rotation. A post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having an output paper alignment and sequential stacking function. The method of claim 1, It is disposed in the form extending in the upper portion of the upper portion of the lower loading guide plate is rotatably mounted to the rear side in a predetermined angle range, the back side further comprises an auxiliary loading guide plate which is elastically supported through the spring And a post-processing device for an image forming apparatus having an output paper sorting and sequential stacking function. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And at least a portion of the paddle in contact with the paper is made of a flexible material.

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