JP2004051286A - Sheet posttreatment device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet posttreatment device capable of reducing a size, accurately and rapidly delivering sheets, saving a power, and lowering noises, and an image forming apparatus having the sheet posttreatment device. <P>SOLUTION: This sheet posttreatment device comprises a treatment tray 2 having first and second component members 2a and 2b opposed to each other for loading thereon the sheets delivered from a delivery means 3. The sheets can be delivered to a loading tray 8 for loading thereon the sheets positioned vertically below the treatment tray by rotating the component members of the treatment tray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for post-processing a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus including the same, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when performing post-processing such as alignment on a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, a processing tray for mounting and aligning a plurality of sheets before performing post-processing, and a processing tray discharged from the processing tray. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which stacking trays for stacking sheet bundles after being aligned on a coming processing tray are arranged side by side.
[0003]
Means to convey the sheet bundle from the processing tray to the stacking tray by arranging the stacking tray below the processing tray to save space, and dropping and discharging the post-processed sheet bundle on the processing tray onto the stacking tray. Is also disclosed. In this case, the processing tray is opened and closed in order to drop and discharge the sheet bundle, or the processing tray is largely retracted to the left and right and returns.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, the following problems have occurred.
[0005]
In the configuration in which the processing tray and the stacking tray are arranged side by side, the size of the post-processing device is increased, and the floor occupation area of the post-processing device and the image forming apparatus including the post-processing device is increased. In addition, the configuration was complicated and the cost was high.
[0006]
Also, in the configuration where the stacking tray is arranged below the processing tray and the sheet bundle is dropped and discharged, if the discharge distance is long, the dropped bundle may be broken or fall from the stacking tray and the discharged bundle may be damaged. There was sex.
[0007]
Further, if the falling distance is reduced to prevent this, the number of sheets that can be stacked is reduced.
[0008]
Further, after performing an operation of opening or retracting the processing tray to discharge the sheet bundle, it is necessary to return the processing tray to the standby position again, so that the bundle discharging operation takes time and consumes more power. There was also a problem.
[0009]
Also, since the sheet bundle is normally discharged each time the last sheet processing of each bundle is completed, even if the number of documents specified to form an image is very small, a sheet is processed every time the sheet bundle processing for the number of documents is completed. The discharge of the bundle increases the consumption of the alignment member rotating means, and also increases the power consumption for the rotation.
[0010]
Conversely, if the specified number of documents is very large, the number of documents is stacked on the processing tray and then discharged to the stacking tray, so that a large amount of sheets is dropped and discharged onto the stacking tray at one time. However, there is a problem in that the load imposed on the movement and rotation of the processing tray becomes excessive, the vibration of the stacking tray upon dropping becomes large, and the sheet bundle is greatly shaken and collapsed.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to reduce the size, accurately discharge a sheet bundle, speed up, reduce power consumption, and reduce noise. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of achieving the following, and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, a discharge unit for discharging a sheet from a conveyance path, a processing tray for stacking sheets discharged from the discharge unit, and a processing tray And a stacking tray for stacking the sheets discharged from the sheet tray, wherein the processing tray includes first and second components arranged opposite to each other, and the first and second components are arranged opposite to each other. The component member has a surface on which the sheets are stacked together, and a surface which is disposed substantially at right angles to the surface on which the sheets are stacked and aligns the sheets in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction. A rotating unit for synchronously rotating the first and second constituent members so as to discharge to the stacking tray, and a rotation control unit for controlling rotation of the rotating unit are provided.
[0013]
Further, the stacking tray is disposed vertically below the processing tray, and is substantially parallel to a surface on which sheets of the processing tray are stacked so as to stack sheets discharged from the discharging unit. It is preferable to stack the sheets discharged from the processing tray.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the first and second components have a substantially cruciform shape in which four plate-like members having substantially the same shape are arranged at approximately 90 degrees in the rotational direction.
[0015]
Also, the surface of the first and second component members, which is positioned substantially perpendicularly below the surface on which the sheets are stacked, may align the sheets stacked on the stacking tray in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction. It is suitable.
[0016]
Further, it is preferable that the first and second constituent members substantially simultaneously align a sheet stacked on the constituent member and a sheet stacked on the stacking tray in a sheet discharging direction and a substantially vertical direction.
[0017]
Further, it is preferable that a height adjusting unit that adjusts the height of the stacking tray according to the amount of sheets stacked on the stacking tray is provided.
[0018]
Further, when the minimum number of sheets required to be discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray and the maximum number of sheets stackable on the processing tray are set in advance, it is designated to form an image. When the number of originals is smaller than the minimum number of sheets, the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray or the number of sheets obtained by multiplying the specified number of the specified originals by the specified number of copies It is preferable that control means is provided for controlling so as to discharge sheets to the stacking tray after the smaller number of sheets is stacked on the processing tray.
[0019]
Further, when the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray is set in advance, and the number of documents specified to form an image is larger than the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray, Preferably, control means is provided for controlling the maximum number of sheets stackable on the processing tray to be stacked on the processing tray and then discharged to the stacking tray.
[0020]
Further, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a main body discharge unit that discharges a sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) 300 having a sheet post-processing apparatus includes a platen glass 906 as a document mounting table, a light source 907, a lens system 908, a feeding unit 909, an image forming unit 902, An automatic document feeder 500 for feeding a document to the platen glass 906, a sheet post-processing device 1 for stacking image-formed sheets discharged from the copying machine main body, and the like are provided.
[0023]
The feeding unit 909 includes cassettes 910 and 911 that house recording sheets S and are detachable from the apparatus main body 300, and a deck 913 that is disposed on a pedestal 912.
[0024]
The image forming section 902 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 914 and a developing device 915 around the photosensitive drum 914, a transfer charger 916, a separation charger 917, a cleaner 918, a primary charger 919, and the like.
[0025]
On the downstream side of the image forming unit 902, a transport device 920, a fixing device 904, a discharge roller pair (main body discharge unit) 399, and the like are provided.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body 300 will be described.
[0027]
When a feed signal is output from the control device 930 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 300, the sheet S is fed from the cassettes 910 and 911 or the deck 913.
[0028]
On the other hand, light reflected from the light source 907 on the document D placed on the document table 906 is reflected on the photosensitive drum 914 via the lens system 908. The photosensitive drum 914 is charged in advance by a primary charger 919, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiation with light, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 915 to form a toner image. .
[0029]
The skew of the sheet S fed from the feeding unit 909 is corrected by the registration rollers 901, and the sheet S is sent to the image forming unit 902 at the same timing. In the image forming unit 902, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 914 is transferred to the sheet S that has been sent by the transfer charger 916, and the sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred is transferred by the separation charger 917 to the transfer charger 916. And is separated from the photosensitive drum 914.
[0030]
Then, the separated sheet S is transported to the fixing device 904 by the transport device 920, and the transfer image is permanently fixed to the sheet S by the fixing device 904. The sheet S on which the image is fixed is discharged from the apparatus main body 300 by the discharge roller pair 399.
[0031]
In this manner, an image is formed on the sheet S fed from the feeding unit 909, and the sheet S is discharged to the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0032]
Next, the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 attached to the image forming apparatus main body 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 which is a front view and FIG. 3 which is a left side view of FIG.
[0033]
The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 399 of the image forming apparatus main body 300 passes through the transport path 4 and is discharged onto the processing tray 2 where the sheets are temporarily stacked and aligned by the discharge roller 3 as discharge means.
[0034]
The sheet discharged onto the processing tray 2 is moved by the paddle portion 5 of the elastic member until it hits the sheet stopper 6, and is aligned on the processing tray in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction. The bundle of sheets that have been aligned on the processing tray 2 is stapled by the stapler 7 according to the selection. Then, the bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray 2 is discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray 8 and stored therein.
[0035]
Next, each member will be described.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2, the processing tray 2 includes first and second components (a front component 2 a and a rear component 2 b) which are disposed near the downstream of the discharge roller 3 and are opposed to each other. I have. Each of the constituent members has a substantially cruciform shape in which four plate-like members having substantially the same shape are arranged at approximately 90 degrees (see FIG. 3), and a shaft 21a extending in parallel with the discharge direction. , 21b form a fulcrum axis at the center of the substantially cross shape.
[0037]
The fulcrum shaft is supported at both ends by movable holders 22a and 22b, and the constituent members 2a and 2b are rotatable about the fulcrum shaft with respect to the movable holder. On the other hand, the movable holders 22a and 22b are both supported at one end by two rails 23a and 23b fixed by side plates of the sheet post-processing apparatus, and can move in the front-rear direction.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, a timing belt 37 is hung on a pulley 38 fixed above the movable holder 22a and a pulley 39 fixed above the movable holder 22b substantially in parallel with the rail. In response to the rotation of the processing tray moving motor M1 directly connected to the pulley 38, the moving holders move toward and away from each other (the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. 3).
[0039]
The two movable holders are fixed to the timing belt 37 symmetrically about the center of the discharged sheet.
[0040]
The driving of the processing tray moving motor M1 is controlled by a control unit (control unit) not shown.
[0041]
The processing tray is not limited to the substantially cross shape as described above, but can be determined according to the application such as an L-shape.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 3, a pulley 24 is fixedly provided outside the movable holder at one end of the fulcrum shaft 21b on the far side. The pulley 24 includes an idler pulley group (25, 26, 27, 28) disposed on the back moving holder 22b and an idler pulley group (29, 30, 31, 32, 33) disposed on the front moving holder 22a. Further, a timing belt 35 is hung along with a pulley 34 directly connected to the processing tray rotation motor M2.
[0043]
The idler pulley 33 of the front moving holder 22a also has a gear portion, and the gear portion meshes with a gear 40 fixed to the outside of the moving holder at one end of the front fulcrum shaft 21a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the pulley 34 rotates in the direction of the arrow X2 (clockwise) via the processing tray rotation motor M2 under the control of the control unit (not shown), the rear component 2b rotates clockwise. At the same time, the front component 2a rotates counterclockwise. This rotation direction is a direction in which, when sheets are stacked on the processing tray 2, the sheets are discharged to a stacking tray disposed below the processing tray.
[0044]
The pulley 34 is vertically movable by guide means (not shown), and is constantly biased upward by a spring 36. Therefore, even when the distance between the two moving holders expands and contracts due to the action of the processing tray moving motor M1, the tension of the timing belt 35 can be adjusted and proper driving can be transmitted.
[0045]
In the configuration of the processing tray 2, one of the cross-shaped surfaces of the rear component 2b is detected and stopped by the sensor S1 so as to be substantially parallel to the sheet surface to be discharged. This position is the home position where sheets can be received and aligned. On the other hand, the timing belt 35 is hung and positioned so that the front component 2a is also symmetrical to the rear component 2b. Then, the sheets parallel to the discharged sheets of the two constituent members cooperate to load the sheets.
[0046]
The surface positioned substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the sheets are stacked is a surface on which the sheets stacked on the surface of the component member on which the sheets are stacked are aligned.
[0047]
Thereby, the four surfaces forming the cross shape are always rotated in the above-described direction by 90 degrees by the motor M2 and the sensor S2 for detecting the position of the rearward movement holder 22b. It can be both a loading surface and a sheet alignment surface.
[0048]
Thereafter, a home position is set by the sensor S2 disposed on the back side of the movable holder 22b, and the home position is determined by a predetermined amount (retracted amount) between the two alignment surfaces with respect to the maximum width that the apparatus can accept. (Approximately 5 to 10 mm).
[0049]
Subsequently, the paddle 5 will be described.
[0050]
The paddle portion 5 is composed of a cylindrical holder 51 having a pulley portion and a paddle 52 fixed to the holder 51 and made of an elastic material such as rubber. The holder 51 is axially supported by the rail 23b, and is driven by the paddle motor M3 by a timing belt 54 hung between a pulley portion provided on the holder and a pulley 53 directly connected to the paddle motor M3. It rotates clockwise (the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 2).
[0051]
The leading end of the paddle 52 that rotates together with the holder 51 gently contacts the sheet discharged on the stacking surface of the processing tray 2, and applies a force to the sheet so as to abut a stopper 6 that extends in the vertical direction near the discharge roller 3. When the sheet is being discharged by the discharge roller 3, the paddle portion 5 is stopped at the retracted position by a sensor S3 for detecting the retracted position so as not to hinder the discharge.
[0052]
Next, the stapler 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, which is a top view of FIG.
[0053]
The stapler 7 is an electric stapler in which a bundle of sheets is sandwiched between a clincher and an anvil, and a stapler is driven into the bundle by applying pressure, and the configuration and technology thereof are known, and therefore, description thereof is omitted here.
[0054]
The stapler 7 is supported by two rails 71 and 72, and is further fixed to a timing belt 75 wrapped around two pulleys 73 and 74. With the rotation of the staple moving motor M <b> 4 directly connected to the pulley 73, It moves in the front-back direction of the device (the direction of arrow X4 in FIG. 4).
[0055]
Accordingly, the stapler 7 moves between a binding position (solid line position) for the sheet bundle ST stacked on the stacking surface of the processing tray 2 and a retreat position (broken line position) for retreating from the sheet. The binding position and the retreat position are set for each sheet size to be discharged, and the foremost position of the moving area is detected by the sensor S4.
[0056]
Next, the loading tray 8 will be described.
[0057]
The loading tray 8 is supported by a vertical rail (not shown). The right end is fixed to a timing belt 83 hung between a pair of pulleys 81 and 82 in the up and down direction, and moves up and down by rotation of a pulley 82 directly connected to an elevating motor M5. The stacking tray surface is disposed vertically below the surface of the processing tray 2 on which the sheets of the constituent members are stacked, between the surfaces of the two constituent members of the processing tray 2 on which the sheets are stacked substantially perpendicularly. Further, the surface of the processing tray 2 on which the sheets are stacked and the surface of the stacking tray on which the sheets are stacked are substantially parallel. Thereby, the width of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 in the transport direction can be reduced.
[0058]
The upper surface position of the sheet surface on the stacking tray 8 is detected by a sheet surface sensor S5 fixed to the side plate of the apparatus, and the position is kept constant regardless of the capacity of the stacked sheets. This sheet surface position is located at a position substantially perpendicularly below the surface of the two constituent members of the processing tray 2 that is located at a right angle below the surface on which the sheets are stacked and the surface on which the sheets are stacked.
[0059]
The above-described sensor and motor are connected to the control unit CPU1, and the operation of each unit is controlled.
[0060]
Subsequently, the flow of the sheet in the above configuration and the movement of each unit at that time will be described. The following are set in advance in a control unit (not shown).
[0061]
A counter p for the number of sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus;
A natural number N indicating the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray 2
A natural number n (n ≦ N) indicating the number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray 2
A natural number s (s ≦ n) indicating the minimum number of documents required to discharge a bundle of sheets for each part
・ Standby position and alignment position of the processing tray 2 according to various sheet sizes
In addition, the constants N and the variables n and s are set in advance to optimal numbers based on the performance of the processing tray and the like. Then, the counter p is initialized to 0.
[0062]
When the user selects a desired mode on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus main body (not shown) and presses a “start key”, a signal indicating that the sheet has been discharged from the image forming apparatus, the size of the discharged sheet, and the number of originals The sheet post-processing apparatus receives information such as the number of copies, the number of copies, and the presence or absence of a binding process, and then performs the initial operation of each unit described below (s801).
[0063]
The paddle 5 moves to the retracted position detected by the sensor S3, the processing tray 2 moves to the home position detected at S1, and the moving holder 22 moves the two constituent members of the processing tray by the retracted amount for the set sheet size. The sheet is moved to a position where the space between the sheets to be aligned is increased. Then, the stacking tray 8 moves the sheet surface position to the sheet surface detection sensor S5, and the stapler 7 moves to the evacuation position matching the set sheet size.
[0064]
Processing modes include: (1) the number of documents is greater than n and no binding processing (s802), (2) the number of documents is less than s and no binding processing (s803), (3) There are cases where the order of processing differs for each case. If the number of originals is greater than n, the number of sheets on the processing tray exceeds the limit, so that the control device of the main body is controlled so that the binding process cannot be selected.
[0065]
First, the case where (1) the number of documents is greater than n and there is no binding process will be described below.
[0066]
When the initial operation is completed, the sheet on which the image has been formed passes through the discharge roller 399 of the main body and is sent to the transport path 4 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 as described above. Thereafter, the sheet is delivered to the discharge roller 3 rotating in synchronization with the discharge roller 399, and is discharged to the processing tray 2 at a predetermined discharge speed by the discharge roller 3. When the trailing end of the sheet passes through the discharge roller 3 and is stored on the surface of the processing tray 2 on which the sheet is stacked, the paddle 5 stopped at the retracted position starts rotating by being driven by the motor M3 (FIG. 5). ), The sheet is pulled back until the rear end hits the stopper 6. The sheet counter p is incremented by the discharge completion signal from the main body (s830).
[0067]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the two constituent members of the processing tray 2 stopped at the position opened by the retreat amount move in the direction approaching the sheet together with the movable holder under the drive of the motor M1. When the width of the sheet becomes equal to the upper surface of the two component members, which is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the surface on which the sheets are stacked, the sheet temporarily stops (FIG. 7), moves to the position opened by the retreat amount again, and stops. With this operation, the sheet is aligned at the center of the apparatus while the rear end is restricted by the stopper 6. In this manner, the surface of the first and second components that is positioned substantially perpendicularly above the surface on which the sheets are stacked aligns the sheets on the processing tray 2. The rotation of the paddle 5 is continued until the alignment is completed, and the paddle 5 does not tilt even if the sheet is pushed and moved on the alignment surface. When the alignment is completed, the paddle 5 stops again at the retracted position (s831).
[0068]
Here, whether or not n sheets are placed on the processing tray 2 is determined based on whether or not “p / n” is divisible (s832). If n sheets have not been loaded yet, it is determined whether or not the sheet discharged to the processing tray 2 is the last sheet of the bundle by determining whether “p / number of documents” is divisible (s833). Returns to s830 and waits for the sheet to be discharged again.
[0069]
When “p / n” or “p / number of documents” is divisible, the two components of the processing tray 2 stopped at the home position to carry out the bundle discharge operation, as described above, Rotate in synchronization with the direction in which the bundle is discharged.
[0070]
Note that the stacking tray 8 stopped at the sheet surface position before the rotation is started temporarily lowers the sheet surface so as to escape from the rotation locus of the processing tray 2 (FIG. 8). Then, the bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray 2 is discharged because the stacking surface of the stacking tray escapes (FIG. 9), and is discharged to the stacking tray 8 stopped below it (FIG. 10). .
[0071]
When the rotation reaches 90 degrees, the sensor S1 detects the processing tray surface again, and the processing tray 2 is stopped at the home position. Thereafter, the stacking tray 8 moves again until the sheet surface is detected by the sheet surface detection sensor S5 (FIG. 11) (s834).
[0072]
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all the sheets have been discharged based on whether “p = the number of documents × the number of copies” (s835). If the sheet is still conveyed, the process returns to s830 and the sheet is discharged again. Wait for.
[0073]
When the alignment of the sheets of the next bundle is performed as described above, the surface 10 located on the lower side of the processing tray at a substantially right angle to the surface on which the sheets are stacked is the sheet stacked on the stacking tray 8 and the sheet of the processing tray. Is stacked substantially vertically downward with respect to the surface on which the sheets are stacked, so that the sheets stacked on the stacking tray 8 are simultaneously adjusted in conjunction with the alignment of the sheets on the surface on which the sheets of the processing tray are stacked. Therefore, even if the stacked state of the sheets is disturbed when the sheets are discharged from the processing tray 2 to the stacking tray 8, the alignment operation can be performed again (FIG. 12).
[0074]
If the last sheet has been discharged, the counter p is cleared to 0, and a sheet discharge signal from the image forming apparatus is waited again.
[0075]
The above operation is continued until the final bundle. When the final bundle is discharged to the stacking tray 8, although the processing tray 2 has no sheet on the stacking surface, the final bundle on the stacking tray 8 is aligned (s827).
[0076]
As described above, all the set sheets are stacked while being kept aligned on the stacking tray 8, and the sheet post-processing operation is completed.
[0077]
In this manner, the sheets stacked on the processing tray can be discharged to the stacking tray only by rotating the two constituent members of the processing tray by 90 degrees, and there is no need to return to the same state after the discharging. Speed and power saving can be achieved, and the height of the stacking tray is adjusted so that the ejected sheet can be received at a position close to the processing tray. Can be loaded on
[0078]
Also, even when the number of originals is large in the related art, the number of originals that can be stacked on the processing tray is set in advance, and image formation is performed in comparison with the case where the number of originals is discharged after being stacked on the processing tray. Even when the specified number of originals is larger than the set number of originals, the original is discharged every time the set number of originals is stacked, so that an excessive load on the movement and rotation of the processing tray can be prevented. In addition to the above, it is possible to solve a problem that a large amount of sheets are discharged to the stacking tray at one time, and that the stacking tray vibrates excessively at the time of discharging and the stacked sheets are largely shaken and collapsed.
[0079]
Next, (2) a case where the number of documents is smaller than s and there is no binding process will be described below. Note that the same operation is referred to the above description, and the description is omitted.
[0080]
The sheet is discharged onto the processing tray 2 as in s830, and the sheet counter p is incremented (s810).
[0081]
The alignment in the sheet width direction is performed in the same manner as in s831 (s811).
[0082]
Similarly to the above-mentioned s832, whether or not n sheets are placed on the processing tray 2 is determined by whether or not “p / n” is divisible (s812). If n sheets have not been loaded yet, it is determined whether or not all the sheets have been discharged to the processing tray 2 based on whether “p = number of documents × number of copies” (s813), and sheets are still discharged. If so, the process returns to s810 and waits for the sheet to be discharged again.
[0083]
When n sheets have been stacked on the processing tray 2 or all the sheets have been discharged to the processing tray 2, a sheet discharging operation is performed in the same manner as in s834 described above (s814).
[0084]
Thereafter, it is determined again whether or not all the sheets have been discharged based on whether “p = the number of documents × the number of copies” (s815). If the sheets are still discharged, the process returns to the aforementioned s810 and the sheets are discharged again. Wait for it to come.
[0085]
If the last sheet has been discharged, the sheets on the stacking tray 8 are aligned, the counter p is cleared to 0, and a sheet discharge signal from the image forming apparatus is again waited (s827).
[0086]
In this manner, the minimum number of documents required to discharge a sheet from the processing tray to the stacking tray is set, and the number of documents is stacked on the processing tray and then discharged. In the case where the number of sheets is small, the number of rotations of the processing tray can be reduced, and the consumption of members necessary for rotating the processing tray can be reduced, as compared with the case where the document is discharged every part of the conventional number of sheets. Power consumption can also be reduced.
[0087]
Next, a case other than (1) and (2), in which the number of documents is s or more and n or less or the number of documents is less than s and the binding process is performed, will be described below. The same operation is referred to the above description, and the description is omitted.
[0088]
The sheet is discharged onto the processing tray 2 as in s830, and the sheet counter p is incremented (s820).
[0089]
The alignment in the sheet width direction is performed in the same manner as in s831 (s821).
[0090]
Similarly to s833 described above, it is determined whether or not the sheet currently discharged to the processing tray 2 is the last sheet of the bundle (s822). If it is not the last sheet of the bundle, the process returns to s820 and waits for the sheet to be discharged again. .
[0091]
If it is the last sheet of the bundle, it is determined whether the binding process has been selected (s823), and if it has been selected, the stapler 6 stopped at the retracted position performs the staple binding operation (s824). The stapler 6 is driven by the motor M4, moves to the binding position, and staples the bundle of sheets on the stacking surface. Thereafter, the stapler 6 moves again to the retreat position where the stapler 6 and the sheet bundle do not overlap. This operation is omitted when the binding process is not selected.
[0092]
After the processing of the last sheet of the bundle is completed, the sheet bundle is discharged in the same manner as in s834 described above (s825).
[0093]
It is determined whether or not all the sheets have been discharged based on whether “p = the number of documents × the number of copies” (s826). If the sheets are still discharged, the process returns to s820 and waits for the sheets to be discharged again. .
[0094]
If the last sheet has been discharged, the sheets on the stacking tray 8 are aligned, the counter p is cleared to 0, and a sheet discharge signal from the image forming apparatus is again waited (s827).
[0095]
When the natural numbers n and s are changed on the user side, the change can be performed by operating a dip switch (not shown) provided on the controller board of the sheet post-processing apparatus. At this time, the setting cannot be changed unless n ≦ N and s ≦ n are satisfied.
[0096]
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in the following modified embodiment.
[0097]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the movement of the surface for aligning the sheets of the processing tray and the rotation of the processing tray use different driving sources called motors M1 and M2, respectively. The driving of the rotation of the processing tray may be linked with the driving of the movement of the surface for aligning the sheets of the processing tray.
[0098]
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the drive required to rotate the discharge roller 3 of the sheet post-processing apparatus is linked with the discharge roller 399 of the image forming apparatus main body. Any one may be used, and it is not limited to the discharge roller 399 of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0099]
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus forms an image in an analog manner. However, the image forming apparatus may form an image in a digital manner using a polygon mirror or the like (the description is omitted because it is publicly known). . In the case of this digital type, the output image may be transmitted by a personal computer or the like connected via a LAN or the like.
[0100]
Further, the processing tray 2 used in the above-described embodiment is configured to move in pairs with respect to the sheet with respect to the center of the sheet from which the surface for aligning the sheet is discharged. If the discharged sheet can be received, the surface for aligning one sheet may be fixed, and the surface for aligning the other sheet may move, and the sheet may be aligned based on one end of the sheet.
[0101]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a discharge unit that discharges a sheet from a conveyance path, a processing tray that stacks sheets discharged from the discharge unit, and a sheet that is discharged from the processing tray. And a stacking tray for stacking the sheets. In the sheet post-processing apparatus, the processing tray includes first and second components arranged opposite to each other, and the first and second components are Discharging the stacked sheets to the stacking tray, having a surface on which the sheets are stacked together and a surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the sheets are stacked to align the sheets in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction; And a rotation control means for controlling the rotation of the rotation means so that the first and second components are rotated in synchronization with each other. It is possible to perform simultaneously, it is possible to discharge the sheet bundle by simply rotating, it is possible to perform the sheet bundle discharge quickly, and can achieve power saving.
[0102]
Further, the stacking tray is disposed vertically below the processing tray, and is substantially parallel to a surface on which sheets of the processing tray are stacked so as to stack sheets discharged from the discharging unit. By stacking the sheets discharged from the processing tray, the floor occupied area of the apparatus can be reduced, so that the apparatus can be made compact and the sheet bundle can be accurately discharged.
[0103]
Further, the first and second components have a substantially cruciform shape in which four plate-like members having substantially the same shape are arranged at approximately 90 degrees in the rotation direction, and the first and second components have the same configuration. The surface of the member, which is positioned substantially perpendicularly below the surface on which the sheets are stacked, aligns the sheets stacked on the stacking tray in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction. Since the alignment of the sheets and the alignment of the sheets on the stacking tray can be performed, power saving can be further achieved in addition to the above-described effects.
[0104]
Further, by providing height adjusting means for adjusting the height of the stacking tray according to the amount of sheets stacked on the stacking tray, even if a sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray, the sheet surface on the stacking tray can be adjusted. The height can always be adjusted so that the sheet discharged by the rotation of the processing tray can be accurately received. Further, by setting the position as close as possible to the processing tray, it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle from breaking or spreading when being discharged to the stacking tray.
[0105]
Further, when the minimum number of sheets required to be discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray and the maximum number of sheets stackable on the processing tray are set in advance, it is designated to form an image. When the number of originals is smaller than the minimum number of sheets, the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray or the number of sheets obtained by multiplying the specified number of the specified originals by the specified number of copies The control means for controlling to discharge the sheet to the stacking tray after the smaller number of sheets is stacked on the processing tray can reduce the number of rotations of the processing tray. Consumption can be prevented and power consumption can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of times of noise generated by the bundle discharging operation.
[0106]
Further, when the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray is set in advance, and the number of documents specified to form an image is larger than the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray, A control means for controlling the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray so that the maximum number of sheets can be stacked on the processing tray and then discharged to the stacking tray. And a large amount of sheet bundles are discharged to the stacking tray at one time, causing the stacking tray to vibrate excessively at the time of discharging and the stacked sheet bundle to shake and collapse. Can be eliminated.
[0107]
In addition, by providing the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention and a discharge unit for discharging sheets to the sheet post-processing apparatus, the entire image forming apparatus can be made compact, and the sheet bundle can be discharged accurately. Thus, an image forming apparatus that can realize speedup, power saving, and low noise can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram when a paddle 5 rotates and returns a sheet on a processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram when sheets are stacked on a processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram when a processing tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment performs an alignment operation.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment when the stacking tray is retracted when sheets are discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment while a sheet is being discharged from a processing tray to a stacking tray.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment when a sheet is completely discharged from a processing tray to a stacking tray.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment when the stacking tray returns after the sheet is completely discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram when a sheet on a processing tray and a sheet on a stacking tray are simultaneously aligned during an alignment operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sheet processing equipment
300 Image forming apparatus main body (copier main body)
399 discharge roller pair (main body discharge means)
500 Automatic Document Feeder
901 Registration roller
902 Image forming unit
904 Fixing device
905 discharge roller pair
906 Platen glass
907 light source
908 lens system
909 Feeding unit
910, 911 Removable feeding cassette
912 pedestal
913 Deck placed on pedestal 912
914 Photosensitive drum
915 Developer
916 Transfer Charger
917 Separate charger
918 Cleaner
919 Primary charger
920 transport device
930 control device
2 Processing tray (front component 2a, rear component 2b)
21a, 21b A fulcrum shaft provided at the center of the cross of the processing tray
22a, 22b Processing tray moving holder
23a, 23b Processing tray rail
24, 34, 38, 39 Pulley
3 Post-processing device side discharge rollers (discharge means)
35, 37 Processing tray timing belt
Idler pulley group arranged on 29, 30, 31, 32, 3322a
Idler pulley group arranged on 25, 26, 27, 28 22b
4 Conveyance path connecting discharge roller 3 and main body 330
40 gears
36 Processing tray holding spring
5 Paddle section
51 paddle holder
52 paddles
53 paddle pulley
54 paddle timing belt
6 Stopper
7 Stapler
71,72 stapler rail
73,74 Stapler pulley
75 Stapler Timing Belt
8 Loading tray
81, 82 Loading tray pulley
83 Loading tray timing belt
M1 processing tray moving motor
M2 processing tray rotation motor
M3 paddle motor
M4 staple movement motor
M5 loading tray lifting motor
CPU1 main unit control unit
S sheet
ST sheet bundle
S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 sensors

Claims (9)

In a sheet post-processing apparatus including: a discharging unit that discharges a sheet from a conveyance path, a processing tray that stacks the sheet discharged from the discharging unit, and a stacking tray that stacks the sheet discharged from the processing tray,
The processing tray includes first and second constituent members arranged to face each other,
The first and second constituent members have a surface on which sheets are stacked together, and a surface which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the sheets are stacked and aligns the sheets in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharging direction. ,
Rotating means for synchronously rotating the first and second components so as to discharge the stacked sheets to the loading tray; and rotation control means for controlling the rotation of the rotating means. Characteristic sheet post-processing equipment. The stacking tray is disposed vertically below the processing tray, and is substantially parallel to a surface of the processing tray on which the sheets discharged from the discharge unit are stacked so as to stack the sheets. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sheets discharged from the sheet are stacked. The said 1st and 2nd structural member is a substantially cross-shaped shape which consists of the plate-shaped member of substantially the same shape arrange | positioned about every 90 degree | times in a rotation direction, The said 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to the above. The surface of the first and second component members, which is positioned substantially perpendicularly below the surface on which the sheets are stacked, aligns the sheets stacked on the stacking tray in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second components align the sheet stacked on the component and the sheet stacked on the stacking tray substantially simultaneously in a sheet discharge direction and a substantially vertical direction. 4. The sheet post-processing device according to 1. The sheet post-processing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising height adjustment means for adjusting a height of the stacking tray according to an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking tray. apparatus. When the minimum number of sheets required to be discharged from the processing tray to the stacking tray and the maximum number of sheets stackable on the processing tray are set in advance,
If the number of originals specified to form an image is less than the minimum number of sheets, the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray or the specified number of the specified originals is specified. 7. A control means for controlling such that the smaller number of sheets obtained by multiplying the number of copies is stacked on the processing tray and then the sheets are discharged to the stacking tray. A sheet post-processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. When the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray is set in advance,
If the number of originals specified to form an image is greater than the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray, the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the processing tray is stacked on the processing tray, and then 8. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling discharge to a stacking tray. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1; and a main body discharging unit configured to discharge a sheet to the sheet post-processing apparatus.

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