JP3925517B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of post-processing devices that perform various post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image formation in which at least one desired post-processing device is selectively mounted on an image forming device from among a plurality of post-processing devices that perform post-processing on image-formed paper that has been imaged by an image forming device A device system is provided.

  The interface apparatus described in Patent Document 1 relates to an interface apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus and a plurality of post-processing apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus, and the plurality of post-processing apparatuses are connected in series to the image forming apparatus. The connected post-processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus through a communication line, and the selected post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus by a control signal from the image forming apparatus. The present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus system configured as described above.

In a conventional image forming apparatus system, an image forming apparatus, a plurality of post-processing apparatuses sequentially connected to the image forming apparatus, and an interface connected via a common signal line are used. When notified from the main control means of the image forming apparatus via the line, the post-processing control means causes the notified post-processing to be performed.
JP 2003-155160 A

  In a conventional image forming apparatus system in which a plurality of post-processing apparatuses are connected to an image forming apparatus, the main tray is requested to start the post-processing apparatus via a common signal line in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. When the post-processing device is initialized by removing it from the lifting and lowering moving body and the post-processing device is initialized, the main tray lifting mechanism arranged in the post-processing device is activated, overrunning the upper limit position and damaging the machine Let

  By the way, since there are various types of post-processing apparatuses that are desired to be used, when connecting a plurality of post-processing apparatuses to the image forming apparatus, care must be taken so as not to cause an erroneous operation.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus system, the main control means of the image forming apparatus, the interface, and the common signal line control the post-processing control means provided in a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, but the apparatus is complicated. Have problems.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and when the second post-processing device is connected to the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus, the first post-processing device In the initial operation when the lifting tray is removed and the second post-processing device is connected, the signal line between the first post-processing device and the second post-processing device is not connected via the main control means of the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus system that controls to prevent the lifting tray from being lifted / lowered by the lifting / lowering drive means of the first post-processing device only by being connected.

  The above object is achieved by the following image forming system of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to claim 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus, the first post-processing apparatus connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming apparatus, and the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing apparatus. The second post-processing device is an image forming system, and the first post-processing device is supported to be movable up and down arranged on the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing device. An elevating tray; a movable body that supports and moves the elevating tray; an elevating drive means that drives the movable body to elevate; and a post-processing control means that controls the elevating drive means. At the time of driving start operation when the lifting tray of the post-processing apparatus is detached from the moving body and the second post-processing apparatus is connected, the post-processing control unit is configured to perform the lifting / lowering driving unit of the first post-processing apparatus. It is controlled to prevent the moving body from moving up and down. Is shall.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first post-processing device and the second post-processing device are connected to the post-processing control unit via a signal line. When it is detected that the lifting tray has been removed from the moving body and is communicated to the post-processing control means by communication means, the post-processing control means controls the moving body not to move up and down. It is characterized by this.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the first post-processing device has at least a middle fold, a Z fold, a three fold, and a four fold on the sheet discharged from the image forming device. It has a function of performing one process selected from a folding process and a punching process.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming system according to the first aspect, wherein the second post-processing device has a bookbinding function for performing each process of half-folding, saddle stitching, and small edge cutting. It is.

  The image forming system according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of flat binding and gluing bookbinding.

  An image forming system according to a sixth aspect is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the second post-processing device is a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large amount of sheets.

  The following effects can be obtained by the image forming system of the present invention.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus system in which a plurality of post-processing apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatus, the second post-processing is performed by removing the lifting tray on the discharge side of the first post-processing apparatus. When the apparatus is connected, the post-processing control means controls not to perform the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering tray by the lifting / lowering driving means of the first post-processing apparatus. The accident that the lifting tray moving body overruns the upper limit position and is damaged is prevented.

  According to an image forming system of a second aspect, in the first aspect, the first post-processing device and the second post-processing device are connected to the post-processing control means via the signal line, and are moved up and down. Since the control not to perform the raising / lowering operation of the tray is performed only by the post-processing control means without going through the main control means of the image forming apparatus, the configuration of the image forming apparatus system can be simplified.

  According to an image forming system of a third aspect, in the first aspect, the first post-processing device is a medium fold, a Z fold, a three fold, and a four fold on one sheet discharged from the image forming device. A single-leaf folding machine having a function of performing various folding processes of double parallel folding and a punching process.

  The paper that has been post-processed and discharged by the single-leaf folding machine is accommodated in an elevating tray that is detachably connected to the elevating tray driving mechanism, but the elevating tray is removed from the elevating tray driving mechanism, and the second post-processing device is installed. By selecting and linking, various types of post-processing can be performed, and post-processing that matches the user's needs can be executed.

  According to an image forming system of a fourth aspect, in the first aspect, the second post-processing device has a bookbinding function for performing each process of half-folding, saddle stitching, and small edge cutting, and the first post-processing. By connecting the second post-processing device to the device, various types of post-processing can be performed, and post-processing that meets the needs of the user can be executed.

  According to an image forming system of a fifth aspect, in the first aspect, the second post-processing device has a bookbinding function for performing each process of flat binding and gluing bookbinding. By connecting two post-processing devices, various types of post-processing can be performed, and post-processing that meets the needs of the user can be executed.

  According to an image forming system of a sixth aspect, in the first aspect, the second post-processing device is a large-capacity loader capable of stacking a large amount of sheets, and the second post-processing device is connected to the first post-processing device. By connecting the processing devices, a large amount of sheets can be stacked.

  Next, the post-processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system in which any one of a saddle stitcher FS2, a flat stitcher FS3, and a large-capacity loader FS4 is connected to the image forming apparatus A and the single-leaf folding machine FS1. is there.

  FIG. 1A shows an image forming system in which a single-leaf folding machine FS1 and a saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machine FS2 are connected to the paper discharge unit 5F side of the image forming apparatus A.

  The sheet S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and not subjected to the saddle-stitching and saddle stitching process is selected as one of the sub-discharge tray 201, the discharge tray 256, and the discharge receiving unit 200 of the saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machine FS2. Be contained. The booklet SA produced by the middle folding process and the saddle stitching process in the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2 is accommodated in a paper discharge tray 256 disposed on the front side of the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2.

  The main control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus A is connected to the post-processing control unit 20 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and the post-processing control unit 30 of the saddle stitcher FS2 via the communication unit 10A and the communication line 10B. .

  FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an image forming system in which a flat stitching machine FS3 is arranged instead of the saddle stitching saddle stitching machine FS2. The paper S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and not subjected to the flat binding process is selected and stored in either the sub paper discharge tray 301 or the paper discharge receiving unit 300 of the flat binding machine FS3. The booklet SA produced by the flat stitching process in the flat stitching machine FS3 is accommodated in the main paper discharge tray 302.

  The main control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus A is connected to the post-processing control unit 20 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and the post-processing control unit 40 of the flat stitching machine FS3 via the communication unit 10A and the communication line 10B.

  FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus A, the single-leaf folding machine FS1, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4. The sheet S discharged from the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is selected and stored in any of the sub sheet discharge tray 401, the sheet loading table 418, and the sheet discharge receiving unit 400 of the large capacity stacker FS4.

  The main control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus A is connected to the post-processing control unit 20 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 and the post-processing control unit 50 of the large capacity loader FS4 via the communication unit 10A and the communication line 10B.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the first post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus is not limited to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, but the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large folding machine. The capacity loader FS4 may be used.

  Further, the second post-processing device connected to the first post-processing device is not limited to the saddle stitching and binding machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4. It may be a machine.

  FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus A, the automatic document feeder DF, the single-leaf folding machine FS1, and the large-capacity paper feeder LT.

  The illustrated image forming apparatus A includes an image reading unit 1, an image processing unit 2, an image writing unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a sheet feeding cassette 5A, a first sheet feeding unit 5B, a second sheet feeding unit 5C, and a first sheet feeding unit 5C. A sheet conveyance unit and a fixing device 6 each including a conveyance unit 5D, a second conveyance unit (automatic duplex copy conveyance unit) 5E, and a paper discharge unit 5F are provided. The image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 4A, a charging unit 4B, a developing unit 4C, a transfer unit 4D, a separating unit 4E, a cleaning unit 4F, and the like.

  A single-leaf folding machine FS1 is connected to the paper discharge unit 5F side on the left side of the image forming apparatus A shown in the figure.

  A document d placed on the document table of the automatic document feeder DF is read by the CCD image sensor 1A after an image on one side or both sides of the document d is read by the optical system of the image reading unit 1.

  The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 1A is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing, and the like in the image processing unit 2 and then sent to the image writing unit 3.

  In the image writing unit 3, output light from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 4 </ b> A of the image forming unit 4 to form a latent image. In the image forming unit 4, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed. The recording paper S fed from the paper feeding cassette 5A and the large capacity paper feeding device LT by the first paper feeding unit 5B is transferred to the recording paper S by the transfer means 4D. The recording sheet S carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 6 and sent from the paper discharge unit 5F to the single-leaf folding machine FS1. Alternatively, the recording sheet S that has been subjected to single-sided image processing and sent to the second transport unit 5E by the transport path switching plate 5G is again discharged from the paper discharge unit 5F after the double-sided image processing in the image forming unit 4.

  The single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A is connected to any of the below-described saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machines FS2, flat stitching machines FS3, and large-capacity loading machines FS4. The single-leaf folding machine FS1 connected to the image forming apparatus A is referred to as a first post-processing apparatus, and the half-folding and saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4 connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1 are referred to as the second rear processing apparatus. Also called a processing device.

  Note that the post-processing device of the image forming system of the present invention is not limited to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the middle folding saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat stitching machine FS3, and the large capacity loading machine FS4.

[Large capacity feeder]
The large-capacity paper feeding device LT includes a paper stacking unit 11, a first paper feeding unit 12, and the like. The large-capacity paper feeding device LT stacks and stores a large capacity recording paper S and sends the recording paper S to the image forming apparatus A.

[Single-leaf folding machine]
The single-leaf folding machine FS1 includes a single-leaf carry-in unit 110, a single-leaf carry-out unit 120, a cover sheet paper feeding unit 130, a punching processing unit (punch processing unit) 140, a transport unit 150, and a single-leaf folding processing unit 160.

  The main control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing control unit 20 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 are connected by a communication unit 10A and a communication line 10B.

<Single-leaf import section>
FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the single-leaf folding machine FS1.

  A recording sheet S that has undergone image formation processing is introduced from the image forming apparatus A into the single-leaf carrying-in portion 110.

  The recording paper introduction position of the single-leaf carrying section 110 faces the recording paper discharge position of the paper discharge section 5F of the image forming apparatus A.

  The recording sheet S introduced into the entrance roller 111 is branched to either the single-leaf unloading unit 120 or the punching processing unit 140 by the conveyance path switching unit G11.

<Single leaf export part>
When the punching process and the folding process are not set, the transport path switching unit G11 blocks the transport path to the punching processing unit 140 and opens the transport path to the single-leaf unloading unit 120.

  The recording sheet S passing through the conveyance path r11 toward the single-leaf unloading section 120 is sandwiched between the conveyance rollers 121 and 122 and travels straight, is discharged from the single-leaf unloading section 120 by the paper discharge roller 123, and is stored in the lifting tray 127. Alternatively, the sheet is conveyed to any one of second post-processing apparatuses FS2, FS3, and FS4 described later connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1.

  The recording sheet S branched upward in the figure on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the conveyance roller 122 by the conveyance path switching unit G12 passes through the conveyance roller 125 in the conveyance path r16 and is discharged by the sheet discharge roller 126, and the sub sheet discharge tray. 128. On the sub paper discharge tray 128, the recording paper S on which a test image is formed, the recording paper S discharged after jam processing, and the like are accommodated.

  Alternatively, the recording paper S discharged by the paper discharge roller 126 is a concave portion 200 for paper discharge reception formed on the upper part of the outer body of the saddle stitcher FS2 connected to the single-leaf folding machine FS1, and the side binding machine FS3. Are accommodated in either a discharge receiving recess 300 formed in the upper part of the outer package or a discharge receiving recess 400 formed in the upper part of the outer package of the large capacity loader FS4.

<Cover paper feed unit>
The cover sheet K or the insert sheet stored in the sheet tray 131 of the cover sheet sheet feeding unit 130 is separated and fed by the sheet feeding unit 132, and is conveyed to the conveyance rollers 133, 134, 135, and 136 in the conveyance path r15. It is sandwiched and joined to the conveyance path on the upstream side of the branching portion.

  The paper feed trays 131 of the cover paper feed unit 130 are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and each paper feed tray 131 can accommodate a maximum of 500 cover sheets K or insert sheets.

  Note that it is also possible to carry out the punching process and the folding process offline without loading the cover sheet K, the insert sheet, or the recording sheet S in the cover sheet feeding unit 130 and executing the image recording.

  Hereinafter, the recording paper S, the cover paper K, and the insert paper are collectively referred to as paper S.

<Perforation processing section>
The sheet S branched by the conveyance path switching means G11 of the single-leaf carry-in section 110 is sandwiched between conveyance rollers 141 disposed below the conveyance path switching means G11, passes through the conveyance path r12, and is conveyed to the punching processing section 140. The

  An alignment member 142 is disposed in the conveyance path on the downstream side of the punching processing unit 140 and aligns the sheet width direction of the sheet S before the punching process.

  The punching device of the punching processing unit 140 includes a punch driven by a driving means (not shown) and a die that fits into the blade portion of the punch (punch mechanism). The perforated paper S is sent to the lower conveyance unit 150.

<Transport section>
The sheet S sent to the conveyance unit 150 is nipped by the conveyance rollers 151, 152, 153, and 154 and conveyed to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160. The conveyance rollers 151, 152, 153, and 154 include a driving roller that is connected to a driving source and a driven roller that is in pressure contact with the driving roller.

  Of the small-sized paper S that has been punched, the paper S that is not subjected to the folding process passes through the transport path r13A branched by the transport path switching unit G13, and is sent to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160. The large-sized sheet S that has been punched is transported to a transport path r13B below the branching position of the transport path switching means G13 regardless of whether folding processing is necessary, and transported by transport rollers 153 and 154. 160.

  In addition, a conveyance path switching unit 155 is provided in the conveyance unit 150, and two small-size sheets S are accumulated and conveyed, so that the folding process described later can be performed simultaneously.

  The transport path switching means 155, G11, G12, and G13 are switched and driven by a driving means including a solenoid.

<Folding section>
The sheet S transported from the transport unit 150 to the single-leaf folding processing unit 160 is transported while being sandwiched between the registration rollers 156, and in the first folding unit 161, the second folding unit 162, and the third folding unit 163, for each sheet. Folding processes such as middle folding, Z-folding, three-folding, four-folding, and double parallel folding are performed and returned to the conveyance path r11 via the conveyance path r14.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the paper S after various post-processing.

  FIG. 4A shows the paper S that has been punched by the punching processing unit 140 and has holes h. FIG. 4B shows the sheet S that is folded in the middle with the image surface t outward by the first folding portion 161. FIG. 4C shows the sheet S that is folded inward by the third folding unit 163 with the image surface t facing inward. FIG. 4D shows the paper S that has been Z-folded by the first and third folding parts 161 and 163 with the image surface facing inward. FIG. 4E shows the paper S that is folded three times by the first folding part 161 and the second folding part 162. FIG. 4 (f) shows the sheet S that is internally folded by the first folding part 161 and the second folding part 162. FIG. 4G shows the paper S that has been subjected to double parallel folding processing by the first folding unit 161 and the second folding unit 162. FIG. 4 (h) shows the paper S that has been subjected to four-fold processing by the first folding part 161, the second folding part 162, and the third folding part 163.

<Elevating drive means for lifting tray>
FIG. 5 is a front view of the lifting drive means 170 that moves the lifting tray 127 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 up and down.

  The gear Z1 fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor M having a variable rotation speed includes gears Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5. The drive pulley 171 is driven to rotate through a reduction gear train made of Z6, and the wire 174 that winds the drive pulley 171 and the upper driven pulley 172 and tension pulley 173 is rotated. A moving body 175 is fixed to a part of the wire 174 by a locking member 176.

  A lift tray 127 is detachably attached to the moving body 175. That is, the base of the elevating tray 127 is attached to the attaching part 177 of the moving body 175 and fixed with screws or the like.

  A pair of rollers 178 rotatably supported on the base of the moving body 175 rolls on a sheet rear end reference member 179 supported in a substantially vertical direction. As the wire 174 rotates, the lifting tray 127 moves up and down along the paper trailing edge reference member 179.

  A tray upper limit position sensor PS that detects the upper limit position of the elevating tray 127 is disposed above the sheet rear end reference member 179.

  Due to the detection signal of the tray upper limit position sensor PS, the lifting tray 127 is stopped from being lifted by the motor M at the upper limit position.

  In addition to the tray upper limit position sensor PS, the elevating drive unit 170 detects a tray elevating position sensor (not shown) for detecting the elevating position of the paper S stacked on the elevating tray 127, and a minimum lower limit position of the elevating tray 127. An unillustrated tray lower limit detection sensor and the like are arranged.

  The broken line in the figure indicates the lowest limit position of the lifting tray 127. As the sheets S are stacked on the elevating tray 127, the elevating tray 127 gradually descends along the sheet rear end reference member 179. When the elevating tray 127 is lowered and the detected portion of the elevating tray 127 blocks the optical path of the sensor for detecting the lower limit of the tray, the post-processing control unit 20 stops driving the motor M that drives the elevating tray 127 to move up and down. The tray 127 is stopped at a predetermined lower limit position. At the lowest position, a maximum of about 3000 sheets S can be stacked on the lifting tray 127.

[Folding saddle stitcher]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveying process of the saddle stitching machine FS2, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the saddle stitching machine FS2.

  The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A or other post-processing apparatus and introduced into the entrance of the saddle stitching machine FS2 is sandwiched by the entrance roller 202, and the transport path r21 above the transport path switching means G21 or It is conveyed to one of the lower conveyance paths r22.

  The sheet S branched to the conveyance path r21 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 203 to 207, and is conveyed to either the conveyance path r23 above the conveyance path switching unit G22 or the conveyance path r24 below. The transport path switching means G21 and G22 are switched and driven by a driving means comprising a solenoid.

  The sheet S that has traveled to the upper conveyance path r23 is discharged by the sheet discharge roller 208, and is stacked on a sub sheet discharge tray (top tray) 201 as a flat stitch discharge section disposed at the upper part of the half-folding saddle stitcher FS2. The

  The sheet S that has traveled to the lower conveyance path r24 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 210 to 213, and is discharged by the discharge roller 214 of the flat stitch discharge unit.

<First right angle deflection transport>
The sheet S conveyed to the conveyance path r22 below the conveyance path switching unit G21 descends substantially vertically, and is temporarily stopped and stored at a predetermined position. At this stop position, the subsequent small number of sheets S are stacked and stored.

<Second right angle deflection conveyance>
The accommodated sheet S is deflected and moved in a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of FIG. 7 by the conveyance rollers 215 to 218 and a guide plate (not shown), and the sheet S passes through the conveyance path r25 that wraps around the front side inside the saddle stitching machine FS2. Passes with the surface upright and temporarily stops at a predetermined position.

<Third right-angle deflection conveyance>
Next, after the sheet S is conveyed vertically upward by the conveying roller 219, it is deflected in the horizontal direction, and is moved to the back side inside the saddle stitcher FS2 by the conveying belt 220 and the conveying roller 221 (conveying path r26). ).

<Folding process>
A small number of sheets S that have reached the folding processing unit 230 are sandwiched by folding rollers (not shown) that rotate in opposite directions and a folding plate that moves straight, and form a crease a across the sheet width direction at the center in the sheet conveying direction.

<Saddle stitching>
The sheet S on which the fold line a is formed is continuously conveyed by the conveyance belt 236 to the conveyance path r27 in the extension line direction of the fold line a (the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7), and the hook member 241 of the saddle stitching processing unit 240. Placed on top. Subsequent half-folded sheets S continue to be stacked on the hook member 241 through the transport path r27. The hook member 241 has a convex shape that is substantially perpendicular to the upper side, and the fold line a of the sheet S subjected to the middle folding process is placed on the top edge line. The plurality of sheets S placed on the hook member 241 are aligned by the width alignment member 242.

  The hook is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A needle receiving mechanism 243 is disposed inside the hook member 241. Two sets of binding means having a two-part structure comprising the needle-striking mechanism 344 and the needle-receiving mechanism 243 are arranged in the sheet crease direction. When the saddle stitching process is set in the operation unit, the needle receiving mechanism 243 is raised to perform the saddle stitching process. That is, the two sets of binding means strike the binding needles SP at two locations in the center distribution along the fold line a of the sheet bundle on the hook member 241. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the booklet SA subjected to the center folding process and the saddle stitching process.

<Paper bundle cutting process>
Since the edge of the bundle of sheets subjected to the saddle stitching processing unit 240 (the free end opposite to the fold line a) is uneven depending on the number of sheets of the booklet SA, the edge is cut by the cutting means 250 and the edge is cut. Align.

  The booklet SA produced by the cutting process is discharged to a paper discharge tray 256 disposed outside the front side of the saddle stitching machine FS2.

[Flat stitching machine]
FIG. 9 is a front view of the flat stitching machine FS3.

<Side stitch processing>
The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus A or another post-processing apparatus and introduced into the entrance of the flat stitching machine FS3 is placed in either the upper conveyance path r31 or the lower conveyance path r32 of the conveyance path switching unit G31. Be transported. The transport path switching unit G31 is switched and driven by a driving unit including a solenoid.

  The sheet S branched to the conveyance path r31 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 303 to 306, is discharged by the discharge roller 307, and is a sub discharge tray as a flat stitch discharge unit disposed on the upper side of the flat stitching machine FS3. It is stacked on the (top tray) 301. On the sub paper discharge tray 301, the paper S on which an image is formed as a trial, the paper S discharged after the jam processing, and the like are accommodated.

  The paper S branched into the conveyance path r32 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 310 and 311, discharged by the registration rollers 312, and sequentially placed on the intermediate stacker 313 arranged in an inclined manner. The sheets S stacked on the intermediate stacker 313 are positioned by sheet trailing edge alignment by the sheet trailing edge abutting member 314 and sheet width alignment by the sheet width alignment member 315, and then are stapled by a stapler (binding device) 316. A binding needle SP is struck at one or two locations in the vicinity of the side edge of the paper S to produce a booklet SA (staple processing). FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the booklet SA that has been stapled.

  The rear end portion of the stapled booklet SA is conveyed obliquely upward on the intermediate stacker 313 by a discharge claw 318 fixed to a rotating discharge belt 317, and is discharged by a discharge roller 319 of a flat stitch discharge portion. It is placed on the main paper discharge tray 302.

[Large capacity loader]
FIG. 10 is a front view of the large capacity loader FS4.

  The sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus main body A or another post-processing apparatus and introduced into the inlet portion (large-capacity loading / unloading portion) 402 of the large-capacity loader FS4 is nipped by the inlet roller 403 and is transported path switching means. It is transported to either the transport path r41 above G41 or the transport path r42 below. The sheet S branched to the transport path r41 is nipped and transported by the transport rollers 404, and is transported to either the transport path r43 above or the transport path r44 below the transport path switching means G42. The transport path switching means G41 and G42 are switched and driven by a driving means comprising a solenoid.

  The paper S that has traveled to the upper transport path r43 is discharged by the paper discharge roller 406 through the transport roller 405, and is stacked on the sub paper discharge tray (top tray) 401 disposed above the large-capacity stacker FS4. .

  The sheet S that has advanced to the lower conveyance path r44 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 407 to 412, discharged to the outside by the paper discharge roller 413, and sent to another post-processing apparatus.

  The sheet S that has entered the conveyance path r42 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller 414, and further, is gripped by a gripper 416 fixed to a belt 415 that rotates at the leading end of the sheet S and proceeds in the left direction in the drawing. .

  In the vicinity of the left end of the belt 415, a paper front end regulating member 417 is waiting. The paper front end regulating member 417 moves to a predetermined position corresponding to the size of the paper S to be introduced and stops, and performs paper front end alignment.

  When the leading edge of the paper S comes into contact with the paper leading edge regulating member 417, the gripper 416 is released, and the paper S falls and is placed on the paper placement table 418.

  The paper placing table 418 is supported by the elevating member 420 and can be raised and lowered. The elevating member 420 is driven by a driving means (not shown) and moves up and down along the guide member 421.

  As the sheets S are sequentially stacked on the sheet mounting table 418, the sheet mounting table 418 and the elevating member 420 are lowered, and the uppermost surface of the stacked sheets S maintains the initial position.

  When taking out the paper S stored in the large capacity loader FS4, the operation unit designates opening of the large capacity loader FS4. With this designation, the driving means lowers the elevating member 420. As the elevating member 420 is lowered, the sheet placing table 418 is also lowered integrally.

  A carriage 422 having wheels 423 is movably disposed below the large-capacity loader FS4. The paper mounting table 418 is mounted in contact with the upper surface of the carriage 422, and the elevating member 420 continues to descend further, and the holding of the paper mounting table 418 is released and stops.

  If the operator opens the front door of the large-capacity loading machine FS4 and manually or electrically pulls the carriage 422 toward the front side, the sheet S loaded on the sheet loading table 418 mounted on the carriage 422 can be easily obtained. It can be taken out.

[Drive control of single-leaf folding machine]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating control of the image forming system.

  The single-leaf folding machine FS1 includes an elevating tray 127 that is disposed on the paper discharge unit side so as to be movable up and down, an elevating drive unit 170 that drives the elevating tray 127 to elevate, and a post-processing control unit 20 that controls the elevating drive unit 170. When the drive start operation is performed when the lifting tray 127 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is detached from the moving body 175 and the center-folding saddle stitcher FS2 is connected, the post-processing control means 20 is the lifting / lowering driving means of the single-leaf folding machine FS1. The motor M of 170 is held in a stopped state, and the moving body 175 is controlled not to move up and down. This prevents an accident that the moving body 175 moves and exceeds the upper limit position to damage the machine.

  Similarly, during the driving start operation in the case where the lifting tray 127 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is removed and the flat stitching machine FS3 or the large-capacity loading machine FS4 is connected, the motor M is held in the stopped state and the moving body 175 is moved up and down. Control not to perform the operation.

[Another embodiment of image forming system]
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the image forming system.

  This image forming system includes an image forming apparatus A, a single-leaf folding machine FS1, a saddle-stitching and saddle stitching machine FS2, a flat stitching machine FS3, and a large-capacity paper feeding device LT. The single-leaf folding machine FS1 is connected to the half-folding and saddle stitching machine FS2 with the lifting tray 127 removed.

  The main control means 10 of the image forming apparatus A includes the post-processing control means 20 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the post-processing control means 30 of the saddle stitcher FS2, and the side stitching machine FS3 via the communication means 10A and the communication line 10B. The post-processing control means 40 is connected.

  During the operation of starting driving the image forming system in which the lifting tray 127 of the single-leaf folding machine FS1 is detached from the moving body 175 and the saddle-stitching saddle stitching machine FS2 is connected, the post-processing control means 20 is driven by the lifting / lowering driving means of the single-leaf folding machine FS1. Control is performed so that the moving body 175 does not move up and down.

[Number of sheets in the image forming apparatus system]
In the single-leaf folding machine FS1, 500 cover sheets K are accommodated in a two-stage sheet tray 131. The center-folding saddle stitcher FS2 performs a center-folding process on a maximum of 30 sheets S to produce a booklet SA of 120 pages on the front and back. The flat binding machine FS3 produces a booklet SA by performing a flat binding process on a maximum of 100 sheets S. The large-capacity loader FS4 can stack a maximum of about 5000 sheets of paper S on the paper mounting table 418.

[Applications of image forming system]
In the image forming system of the present invention, a single-leaf folding machine FS1, a center-folding saddle stitching machine FS2, a flat stitching machine FS3, and a large-capacity loading machine FS4 are arbitrarily selected and connected to the image forming apparatus main body A. It is possible to select and process punching, various types of folding processing, flat binding, tape binding processing, saddle stitching, cutting processing, sealing processing, and the like corresponding to all purposes.

  This achieves a high level of publishing on demand that outputs a large amount of multipurpose post-processing at high speed in offices of various sizes, light printing industries, and data centers.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as the post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus A, the single-leaf folding machine FS1, the center folding and saddle stitching machine FS2, the flat folding machine FS3, and the large-capacity loading machine FS4 have been described. The post-processing apparatus of the image forming system is not limited to these. For example, a saddle stitching flat folding machine, a gluing bookbinding machine, a small sheet cutting machine, a Z-fold punching machine, a cover case bookbinding machine, a sealing machine, etc. Applicable. Further, the present invention can be applied to an image forming system in which a plurality of the same post-processing apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatus A.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the post-processing apparatus connected to the copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to a post-processing apparatus used by connecting to an image forming apparatus such as a light printing machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine. Is possible.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system in which any one of a saddle stitcher, a plain stitcher, and a large capacity loader is connected to an image forming apparatus and a single-leaf folding machine. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an automatic document feeder, a single-leaf folder, and a large-capacity paper feeder. The whole block diagram of a single-leaf folding machine. The perspective view of the paper after various post-processing. The front view of the raising / lowering drive means to raise / lower the raising / lowering tray of a single-leaf folding machine. The schematic diagram which shows the paper conveyance process of a middle folding saddle stitching machine. The front view of a center folding saddle stitcher. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a booklet that has been subjected to center folding and saddle stitching processing, and a booklet that has undergone side stitching processing. The front view of a flat stitching machine. The front view of a large capacity loader. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating control of the image forming system. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of an image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main control means 10A Communication means 10B Communication line 20, 30, 40, 50 Post-processing control means 127 Lift tray 160 Single leaf folding processing part 170 Lift drive means 171 Drive pulley 172 Drive pulley 173 Tension pulley 174 Wire 175 Moving body 176 Locking Member 177 Mounting portion 178 Roller 179 Paper rear end reference member A Image forming apparatus FS1 Single-leaf folding machine (first post-processing apparatus)
FS2 Saddle-Fold Saddle Stitcher (second post-processing device)
FS3 flat stitching machine (second post-processing device)
FS4 large capacity loader (second post-processing device)
M Motor PS Tray upper limit position detection sensor S Recording paper (paper)

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus, a first post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the image forming device, and a second post-processing device connected to the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing device An image forming system configured,
The first post-processing apparatus includes an elevating tray that is disposed on the paper discharge unit side of the first post-processing apparatus and is supported to be movable up and down, a movable body that supports and moves the lifting tray, Elevating drive means for driving the moving body up and down, and post-processing control means for controlling the elevating drive means,
The post-processing control means moves the first post-processing device up and down during a drive start operation when the lifting tray of the first post-processing device is detached from the moving body and the second post-processing device is connected. An image forming system, wherein control is performed so that the moving body is not lifted or lowered by a driving unit. The first post-processing device and the second post-processing device are connected to the post-processing control means via a signal line, detect that the lifting tray has been removed from the moving body, and communication means 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing control unit controls the moving body not to move up and down when the post-processing control unit is in contact with the post-processing control unit. The first post-processing device has a function of performing at least one process selected from a middle fold, a Z fold, a three fold, a four fold, and a punching process on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of half-folding, saddle-stitching, and small edge cutting. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing apparatus has a bookbinding function for performing each process of flat binding and glue binding. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second post-processing device is a large-capacity loader capable of stacking a large amount of sheets.

Images