JP5950646B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that aligns a plurality of stacked sheets.

  In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, sheet processing apparatuses that perform sheet processing such as alignment processing and binding processing on a plurality of sheets on which images are formed are arranged downstream in the sheet conveying direction. Connected and used forms are widely used. Such an image forming apparatus is configured so that a sheet processing apparatus can be connected as an option, and there is also an image forming apparatus integrally incorporated therein.

  By the way, a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus may be curved (hereinafter referred to as “curl”) due to the amount of applied toner, the heat of a fixing device for fixing the toner, or the like. When the sheet is curled, it is conveyed to a sheet processing apparatus connected downstream in the curled state. For example, in the case of curling where the sheet crosses a pair of alignment members for aligning the sheet, sheet alignment processing or the like is performed. There was a problem that it was impossible.

  For this, a pair of alignment members are provided with anti-lifting members that prevent the sheet from rising by pressing the sheet from above during the alignment operation, thereby preventing the sheet from climbing onto the pair of alignment members during the alignment operation. A sheet processing apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-69685

  However, the anti-floating member of the sheet processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is not configured to restrict the sheet when receiving the sheet from the image forming unit or the like. Therefore, for example, when the sheet is conveyed to the receiving position in the so-called upper curl state in which both ends of the sheet width direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction are warped upward, the both ends of the sheet width direction are Will be lifted upward. In this state, when the sheets are stacked, the uppermost sheet is gradually rounded toward the center in the width direction under the influence of the previously stacked sheets, for example, the curling is promoted as a whole. It will be loaded in the state.

  Further, when the alignment operation is started from this state, the floating prevention member presses both ends in the sheet width direction against the stacking surface side, and there is a possibility that the sheet is buckled. In addition, in the state where the curl is promoted as described above, even if the both ends of the sheet width direction can be pushed by the alignment surfaces of the pair of alignment members, the sheet itself does not move because the sheet is further curled. As a result, the sheets could not be aligned.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a sheet processing apparatus capable of suitably aligning a plurality of curled sheets and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet stacking unit on which sheets discharged by a sheet discharge unit for discharging sheets are stacked, and both ends in the sheet width direction intersecting a sheet discharge direction of the sheets discharged to the sheet stacking unit A pair of alignment members that press and align the sections in the sheet width direction, and a pressing force that allows the sheets to move relative to each other in the sheet width direction when pressed by the pair of alignment members in the sheet width direction. Both end portions in the sheet width direction of the sheet discharged to the stacking portion are pressed toward the sheet stacking portion, and discharged to the sheet stacking portion on the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction and the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction of the pair of alignment members. And a pair of restricting means for restricting the warping of the sheet in the height direction at both ends in the sheet width direction.

  According to the present invention, for example, a plurality of curled sheets can be suitably aligned by stacking while regulating the warpage of both ends of the discharged sheets in the sheet width direction.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the composite apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the finisher which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the sheet processing part of the finisher which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control part of the compound apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the finisher control part which controls the finisher concerning this embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the state by which the sheet | seat was discharged to the processing tray, (b) is a figure which shows the state in which a back alignment board aligns a sheet | seat in the width direction, (c) is a figure of the aligned sheet | seat It is a figure showing the state where a sheet is discharged on the top. It is a flowchart which shows the saddle stitch process of the composite apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which the sheet | seat on the process tray was controlled by the front front end pressing member and the back front end pressing member.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a sheet processing apparatus that aligns a plurality of sheets on which images are formed, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a composite device thereof, and performs predetermined sheet processing on the aligned sheets An image forming apparatus. In the following embodiments, a description will be given using a composite device 100 as an image forming apparatus.

  A composite device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration of the composite apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described along the movement of the sheet S with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall structure of a composite device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the composite apparatus 100 includes a copying machine 200 that forms an image on a sheet S, and a finisher 300 as a sheet processing apparatus connected to the copying machine 200. The finisher 300 according to the present embodiment is configured to be detachable from the copying machine 200 and can be used as an option for the copying machine 200 that can be used alone. The finisher 300 according to the present embodiment performs saddle stitching processing as predetermined sheet processing on a plurality of sheets on which images are formed. Sheet processing is performed from an operation unit 201 provided in the copier 200. This is performed according to the setting input by the user.

  Note that the predetermined sheet processing is not limited to saddle stitching processing, and may be, for example, folding processing or punching processing. In this embodiment, the removable finisher 300 described above is used. However, in the present invention, the copier 200 and the finisher 300 may be an integrated composite device. Furthermore, in the following, the position where the user faces the operation unit 201 for performing various inputs / settings on the composite device 100 is referred to as “front” of the composite device 100, and the back side of the composite device 100 is referred to as “back”. That is, FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of the composite device 100 as seen from the front, and the finisher 300 is connected to the side of the copying machine 200.

  The copier 200 includes a sheet storage unit 202, a sheet feeding unit 203 that feeds the sheet S stored in the sheet storage unit 202, and an image that forms an image on the sheet S fed by the sheet feeding unit 203. And a forming unit 204. Further, the copying machine 200 includes a document feeding device 205 that can feed a document, and an image reader 206 that reads information on the document fed from the document feeding device 205.

  The sheet storage unit 202 includes cassettes 207a and 207b that store the sheets S. The sheets S stored in the cassettes 207a and 207b are fed to the image forming unit 204 by the sheet feeding unit 203 at a predetermined timing. Is done. The image forming unit 204 includes photosensitive drums 208a to 208d on which toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed, and the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 208a to 208d are formed on the sheet S. Transcript. As a result, an unfixed toner image is formed on the sheet S. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 209, the unfixed toner image is fixed by the fixing device 209, and sent to the finisher 300 by the discharge roller 210.

  In the case of duplex printing, after the sheet S is reversed by the reversing roller 211, the reversed sheet S is conveyed again by the conveying rollers 212a to 212f provided in the reversing conveying path to the image forming unit 204, and the above is repeated. . Further, when forming document information as image information on the sheet S, toner images of image information fed from the document feeder 205 and read by the image reader 206 are formed on the photosensitive drums 208a to 208d, and the sheet is formed. After transferring to S, it is fixed.

  The finisher 300 includes a conveyance path 301, an entrance sensor S1, a discharge roller 302 as a sheet discharge unit, a sheet processing unit 400 that performs alignment processing and flat binding processing, and a stacking tray that stacks a sheet bundle that has undergone flat binding processing. 303 and a paper surface detection sensor S3.

  The sheet S sent from the copying machine 200 is taken into the finisher from the transport path 301 of the finisher 300, and the presence or absence of the sheet S in the transport path 301 is detected by the entrance sensor S1. When the sheet S is detected by the inlet sensor S1, the conveyance motor M1 (FIG. 5) starts to be driven at a predetermined timing, and the sheet S is discharged to the sheet processing unit 400 by the discharge roller 302 connected to the conveyance motor M1. Is done. The sheets S discharged to the sheet processing unit 400 are aligned by the sheet processing unit 400 and then subjected to side stitching.

  When the side stitching process is performed by the sheet processing unit 400, the sheet bundle is discharged onto the stacking tray 303, and the stacking tray 303 is moved in the arrow A direction shown in FIG. 1 by the stacking tray drive motor M8 (FIG. 5). It stops at a predetermined paper surface height detected by the paper surface detection sensor S3.

  Here, the sheet processing unit 400 that performs the alignment process and the side stitching process will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall structure of the finisher 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the sheet processing unit 400 of the finisher 300 according to the present embodiment.

  The sheet processing unit 400 sequentially takes in the sheets S discharged by the discharge rollers 302 and performs alignment processing for performing alignment in the sheet discharge direction of the received sheets S and the sheet width direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction, and a plurality of the aligned sheets. A flat binding process for binding the trailing edge of the sheet is performed. This will be specifically described below.

  2 and 3, the sheet processing unit 400 includes a processing tray 401 as a sheet stacking unit, a return paddle 402 and a rear end paddle 403 as a sheet moving mechanism, and a rear end wall 404 as an abutting member. And. Further, the sheet processing unit 400 includes a front alignment plate 405a and a back alignment plate 405b as a pair of alignment members, a front restriction portion 406a and a back restriction portion 406b as a pair of restriction means, and a stapler 407 that performs a side stitching process. It is equipped with. Further, the sheet processing unit 400 includes an extrusion claw 408 that conveys the sheet bundle subjected to the side stitching process to the stacking tray 303.

  The processing tray 401 is for temporarily stacking the sheets S discharged from the discharge rollers 302, and includes a pair of processing support plates 401a and 401b as extending plates that can be extended from the processing tray 401. Yes. The pair of processing support plates 401 a and 401 b are driven by the processing support plate driving motor M 2 (FIG. 5), and project to the dotted line position shown in FIG. When the sheet S is discharged, the position returns to the solid line position shown in FIG. The pair of processing support plates 401 a and 401 b protrude when the sheet S is discharged to the processing tray 401, thereby supporting the leading edge of the sheet S so that it does not hang down and having a large stacking surface on the processing tray 401. It also plays the role of In the present embodiment, the pair of processing support plates 401a and 401b are used as the extension plate. However, for example, a single support plate that can be supported so that the leading edge of the sheet S does not hang down is used as the processing tray. You may extend from 401.

  The return paddle 402 is provided downstream of the discharge roller 302 in the sheet discharge direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”). The return paddle 402 rotates the elastically deformable paddle connected to the rotation axis in the radial direction while contacting the sheet S, and thereby the sheet S discharged onto the processing tray 401 by the discharge roller 302 is upstream in the sheet discharge direction. To the side (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream side”). Further, the return paddle 402 stands by as a home position (HP) in the state shown in FIG. 2 where the paddle does not interfere with the discharge of the sheet S by the return paddle HP sensor S2 (FIG. 5). When the inlet sensor S1 detects the sheet S, the return paddle drive motor M3 (FIG. 5) controls the rotation of the sheet S in the direction in which the sheet S is pulled back upstream.

  The rear end paddle 403 is provided on the upstream side of the discharge roller 302. The rear end paddle 403 rotates while contacting an elastically deformable paddle connected to the rotation axis in the radial direction with the sheet S, thereby causing the upstream end of the sheet S in the sheet discharge direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream end”). Is abutted against the rear end wall 404. The rear end paddle 403 is drivingly connected to the discharge roller 302 by a timing belt (not shown), and rotates in synchronization with the discharge roller 302.

  The rear end wall 404 is provided at an upstream end of the processing tray 401, and aligns the sheet S in the sheet discharge direction by abutting the upstream end of the sheet S against an alignment surface orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction. .

  The front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b are formed to be slidable on the processing tray 401 in the sheet width direction, and the front alignment plate drive motor M4 (FIG. 5) and the back alignment plate drive motor M5 (FIG. 5). Thus, the drive is controlled respectively. Further, the front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b have alignment surfaces that can press both ends in the sheet width direction of the sheet S discharged onto the processing tray 401 in the sheet width direction. The sheet S is aligned in the sheet width direction by pressing both ends in the direction.

  The front restricting portion 406a restricts the warping of the sheet S in the front side of the sheet S in the height direction, and the back restricting portion 406b is the height direction of the end of the sheet S in the sheet width direction. Regulates warping to the top. In other words, the front regulating portion 406a and the back regulating portion 406b are discharged to the processing tray 401 in a state where both end portions in the sheet width direction of the sheet S are warped in the height direction (hereinafter referred to as “upper curl”), for example. The warpage of both ends of the sheet S is restricted. Here, the height direction refers to a direction in which the front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b stand from the stacking surface of the processing tray 401.

  The front restricting portion 406a includes a front end pressing member 410a as a first restricting member provided on the downstream side of the front aligning plate 405a and a front and rear end as a second restricting member provided on the upstream side of the front aligning plate 405a. Holding member 411a. The front front end pressing member 410a and the front front and rear end pressing member 411a are independently movable.

  The front end pressing member 410a is disposed above the processing support plate 401a when the processing support plate 401a protrudes from the processing tray 401. Further, the front end pressing member 410a is formed so as to straddle at least the sheet width direction end portions of the plurality of sheets S that are stacked on the processing support plate 401a before alignment and during alignment. It is formed to be long in the front and back direction. The front end pressing member 410a is formed to be long in the front back direction, so that at least the sheet width direction end portion at the discharge position by the discharge roller 302 and the alignment position by the front alignment plate 405a can be pressed.

  The front tip pressing member 410a includes a tip guide portion 414a serving as a guide portion that is inclined downward toward the downstream side, and a tip pressing portion 415a serving as a pressing portion. The leading edge guide portion 414a can press the front alignment plate 405a when the end in the sheet width direction of the sheet S discharged to the processing tray 401 warps and exceeds the height that the front alignment plate 405a can press. The sheet width direction end on the upstream side is guided downward so as to be the height. The leading edge pressing portion 415a presses the upstream end in the sheet width direction of the sheet S guided by the leading end guide portion 414a toward the processing support plate 401a (lower side), and the upstream end of the sheet S in the sheet width direction. Regulates the warping of parts.

  Further, the front end pressing member 410a is formed to be rotatable around a rotation fulcrum 412 and is urged (from above to below) toward the processing support plate 401a in a state of protruding by a coil spring (not shown). Yes. The front end pressing member 410a has a shape in which the front end guide portion 414a is inclined downward toward the downstream side when the front end pressing portion 415a contacts the processing support plate 401a by the biasing force of the coil spring, and the front end pressing portion 415a is inclined in the sheet width direction. The end can be guided. The urging force at this time is set so that the sheets can be relatively moved in the sheet width direction when the front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b press the sheets.

  The front / rear end pressing member 411a is disposed above the processing tray 401 between the front alignment plate 405a and the rear end wall 404 in the sheet discharge direction. Further, the front and rear end pressing member 411a is formed so as to straddle at least the sheet width direction end portions of the plurality of sheets S stacked on the processing tray 401 before and during alignment. It is formed to be long in the front and back direction.

  The hand front / rear end pressing member 411a includes a rear end guide portion 416a as a guide portion inclined downward toward the upstream side, and a rear end pressing portion 417a as a pressing portion. The rear end guide portion 416a is configured so that the front alignment plate 405a is moved when the end of the sheet S in the sheet width direction moving toward the rear end wall 404 is warped and exceeds the height at which the front alignment plate 405a can be pressed. The downstream end in the sheet width direction is guided downward so that the height can be pressed. The rear end pressing portion 417a presses the downstream end portion of the sheet S guided by the rear end guide portion 416a toward the processing tray 401 and warps the downstream end portion of the sheet S in the sheet width direction. Regulate the rise.

  Further, the front and rear end pressing member 411a is formed of an elastic member, and when the sheet S enters between the processing tray 401 and the rear end pressing portion 417a, bending occurs, and the reaction force causes the sheet S to be processed into the processing tray 401. It can be pushed toward For this reason, when the number of sheets on the processing tray 401 increases, the reaction force due to bending also increases, and the pressing force increases. The pressing force at this time is set such that the sheets can be relatively moved in the sheet width direction when the front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b press the sheets.

  The back restricting portion 406b includes a back end pressing member 410b as a first restricting member provided on the downstream side of the back aligning plate 405b and a back rear end as a second restricting member provided on the upstream side of the back aligning plate 405b. A pressing member 411b. The rear end pressing member 410b and the rear rear end pressing member 411b have the same configuration as the front front end pressing member 410a and the front and rear end pressing member 411a, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The stapler 407 is disposed on the upstream side of the processing tray 401 and is driven by a clinch motor M6 (FIG. 5). The stapler 407 staples the plurality of sheets S aligned on the processing tray 401. The pushing claw 408 is disposed at the upstream end of the processing tray 401 and is driven by the pushing claw driving motor M7 (FIG. 5). The pushing claw 408 is formed to be movable in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2 and moves the sheet bundle stapled by the stapler 407 from the processing tray 401 to the stacking tray 303.

  Next, the control unit 110 that controls the composite device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control unit 110 of the composite device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a finisher control unit 218 that controls the finisher 300 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 110 includes a CPU circuit unit 213, a document feeding device control unit 214, an image reader control unit 215, an image signal control unit 216, a printer control unit 217, and a finisher control unit. 218. In the present embodiment, the CPU circuit unit 213, the document feeder control unit 214, the image reader control unit 215, the image signal control unit 216, and the printer control unit 217 are provided in the copier 200. The finisher control unit 218 is provided in the finisher 300 connected online to the copying machine 200.

  The CPU circuit unit 213 includes a CPU 213a, a ROM 213b, and a RAM 213c. The CPU 213a follows the program stored in the ROM 213b and the settings input from the operation unit 201, the document feeder control unit 214, the image reader control unit 215, the image signal control unit 216, the printer control unit 217, and the finisher control unit 218. To control. The RAM 213c is used as an area for temporarily storing control data and a work area for calculations associated with control.

  The document feeder control unit 214 controls the document feeder 205, and the image reader control unit 215 controls the image reader 206 that reads information on the document fed from the document feeder 205 (see FIG. 1). ). Note that the document data read by the image reader controller 215 is output to the image signal controller 216. The printer control unit 217 controls the copying machine 200. The external interface 219 is an interface for connecting the external computer 220 and the copying machine 200. For example, print data input from the external computer 220 is developed into an image and output to the image signal control unit 216. The image data output to the image signal control unit 216 is output to the printer control unit 217, and an image is formed by the image forming unit 204.

  The finisher control unit 218 is mounted on the finisher 300 and performs overall drive control of the finisher 300 by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 213. As shown in FIG. 5, the finisher control unit 218 includes a CPU (microcomputer) 701, a RAM 702, a ROM 703, an input / output unit (I / O) 705, a communication interface 706, a network interface 704, and the like. Sensor signals from the CPU 701 and devices connected to the interface are input to the input port of the input / output unit (I / O) 705, and the transport motor is connected to the output port via various drivers (not shown). It is output to each drive system such as M1.

  Next, the saddle stitching process of the composite device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet S is discharged to the processing tray 401. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the back alignment plate 405b aligns the sheet S in the width direction. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a state where the sheet is discharged onto the aligned sheet. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing saddle stitching processing of the composite apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  For example, when the stapling mode (saddle stitching process) is selected on the operation unit 201, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the initial operation of the multifunction device 100 is started (step S1), and then the above-described operation in the copying machine 200 is performed. The image forming process (printing) is started (step S2). When the image forming process by the copying machine 200 is completed, the sheet S is sent from the copying machine 200 to the finisher 300 by the discharge roller 210. When the sheet S is fed into the finisher 300, the entrance sensor S1 in the transport path 301 is turned on (step S3), and the transport motor M1 is driven (step S4), so that the discharge roller 302 and the rear end paddle 403 start rotating. To do.

  Here, if the fed sheet S is the leading sheet in the staple mode, the processing support plate drive motor M2 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and the pair of processing support plates 401a and 401b are projected to the dotted line positions shown in FIG. 2 (step S5). , S6). On the other hand, if the fed sheet S is not the leading sheet, the process proceeds to step S7.

  When the discharge roller 302 is rotated by driving the conveyance motor M1, the sheet S is discharged toward the processing tray 401 in the sheet discharge direction. At this time, as described above, since the pair of processing support plates 401 a and 401 b protrude from the processing tray, it is possible to prevent the leading edge of the sheet S from sagging when discharged to the processing tray 401. Further, as the pair of processing support plates 401a and 401b protrude from the processing tray 401, the front end guide member 414a of the front front end pressing member 410a and the rear front end pressing member 410b are inclined downward from above toward the downstream side. . Therefore, for example, even when the sheet S is curled up, each of the downstream end portions in the sheet width direction can be guided to the leading end pressing portion 415a. The both ends in the sheet width direction of the sheet guided by the leading end guide portion 414a are restrained from warping by being pressed by the leading end pressing portion 415a. For example, even when the sheet S is curled upside down, The downstream side is held substantially parallel (flat) to the stacking surface of the processing tray 401.

  Next, the return paddle drive motor M3 is driven to rotate in the forward direction so that the return paddle 402 is controlled to make one rotation, and the sheet S is abutted against the rear end wall (step S7). The return paddle drive motor M3 is driven after a predetermined time has elapsed since the entrance sensor S1 was turned on. When the sheet S is moved upstream by one rotation control of the return paddle 402 and the rotation of the trailing edge paddle 403, the upstream edge of the sheet S is abutted against the trailing edge wall 404, so that the sheet S is moved in the sheet discharging direction. Be aligned. At this time, when the sheet S is curled up, both ends in the sheet width direction on the upstream side of the sheet S are abutted against the front and rear end pressing member 411a and the rear end guiding member 411b. . Thereby, for example, even when the sheet S is curled up, each of both end portions in the sheet width direction can be guided to the rear end pressing portion 417a. The sheet width direction both ends of the sheet guided by the trailing edge guide portion 416a are restrained from warping by being pressed by the trailing edge pressing portion 417a. For example, even when the sheet S is curled upside down, The upstream side of S is held substantially parallel (flat) to the stacking surface of the processing tray 401.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the sheet S is brought into a substantially flat state as a whole by being held by the front and rear end pressing portions 415a and the rear end pressing portion 417a, the rear alignment plate driving motor M5 is moved. Drive forward and move the back alignment plate 405b to the near side. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sheet S is aligned in the sheet width direction while being held in a substantially flat state. Further, since the sheet S is in a substantially flat state, it is possible to prevent the sheet S in the sheet width direction end portion from climbing over the alignment surface of the back alignment plate 405b.

  When the sheet S is aligned in the width direction, as shown in FIG. 6C, the back alignment plate drive motor M5 is driven to rotate backward to move the back alignment plate 405b to the back side (steps S9 and S10). After accepting, accept the next sheet. At this time, the previously discharged sheet S is in a substantially flat state. Therefore, the succeeding sheet is discharged onto the substantially flat sheet S. For example, even when the succeeding sheet is curled by the upper sheet, the upper sheet curl of the succeeding sheet is caused by the previously stacked sheets. It can be prevented from being promoted. The discharged subsequent sheets are aligned in the sheet discharge direction and the sheet width direction by the same operation as described above.

  When the final sheet is discharged and aligned (Yes in step S9), the conveyance motor M1 is turned off, and the discharge roller 302 and the rear end paddle 403 are stopped (step S11). When the discharge roller 302 and the rear end paddle 403 are stopped, the clinch motor M6 is driven (ON), staple binding is performed by the stapler 407, and a sheet bundle is formed (step S12).

  When the sheet bundle is formed, the back aligning plate driving motor M5 is driven to rotate backward to move the back aligning plate 405b to the back side (step S13). When the back alignment plate 405b is moved to the back side, the pushing claw drive motor M7 is driven (ON), and the pushing claw 408 is moved toward the stacking tray 303 (step S14). At the same time, the processing support plate drive motor M2 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and the pair of processing support plates 401a and 401b are retracted (step S15). As a result, the sheet bundle is discharged onto the stacking tray 303. When the sheet surface detection sensor S3 is turned on when the sheet bundle is stacked on the stacking tray 303, the stacking tray 303 is lowered, and when the sheet surface detection sensor S3 is turned off, the stacking tray 303 stops at a predetermined position ( Steps S16 to S19). If the discharged sheet bundle is not the final bundle, the conveyance motor M1 is driven again and the above operation is repeated. If the discharged sheet bundle is the final bundle, the job is ended (step S20).

  As described above, the composite apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the front regulation unit 406a that regulates the front side warping of the sheet discharged to the processing tray, and the back regulation unit 406b that regulates the back side warpage. And. Therefore, for example, even when the sheet S is discharged in a curled state, it is possible to regulate the warping of the sheet S at both ends in the sheet width direction. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the front alignment plate 405a and the back alignment plate 405b from being unable to align the sheet in the sheet width direction on the alignment surface. Further, by restricting the sheet S by pressing it against the processing tray 401, it is possible to prevent the sheet S from being unable to be aligned with higher accuracy. As a result, for example, even when a plurality of sheets are discharged onto the processing tray 401 in a curled state, the respective sheets can be suitably aligned.

  Further, the front regulating portion 406a has a front front end pressing member 410a and a front front and rear end pressing member 411a, and the rear regulating portion 406b has a back front end pressing member 410b and a back rear end pressing member 411b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet S discharged to the processing tray can be held in a substantially flat state. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent the upper sheet curl of the subsequent sheet from being promoted by the upper sheet curl of the sheet discharged first. In addition, since the sheets are stacked in a substantially flat state, the sheet S can be prevented from buckling even when the end portion in the sheet width direction is pressed by the rear alignment plate.

  Further, the front front end pressing member 410a and the front front and rear end pressing member 411a of the front regulating portion 406a, and the rear front end pressing member 410b and the rear rear end pressing member 411b of the rear regulating portion 406b are a plurality of sheets stacked on the processing tray. It is formed so as to straddle the sheet width direction end. Therefore, for example, even when a sheet having a different size is discharged or the end portion in the sheet width direction is curved, the end portion in the sheet width direction can be regulated even if the position is shifted in the sheet width direction.

  Further, the front front end pressing member 410a and the rear front end pressing member 410b have a front end guide portion 414a and a front end pressing portion 415a, and the front front and rear end pressing member 411a and the rear rear end pressing member 411b are rear end guide portions. 416a and a rear end pressing portion 417a. Therefore, for example, even when the sheet width direction end portion is warped and the front alignment plate 405a and the rear alignment plate 405b exceed the pressable height, the sheet width direction end portion is moved to the front alignment plate 405a and the rear alignment plate 405b. Can be guided and regulated to a height that can be pressed. Thereby, for example, even when a plurality of sheets are discharged onto the processing tray 401 in a state of curling up, they can be easily pressed and regulated.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. In addition, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the front front end pressing member 410a and the front front and rear end pressing member 411a are used as the front restriction portion 406a, and the back front end pressing member 410b and the back rear end pressing member 411b are used as the back restriction portion 406b. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a regulating member such as a regulating wall is disposed above the sheet width direction ends of the upstream side and downstream side sheet S of the front alignment plate 405a so that the sheet S is warped without being pressed. The structure which regulates may be sufficient. Further, for example, a roller that is rotated by the conveying force of the sheet when it comes into contact with the sheet may be disposed above the end in the sheet width direction of the sheet S to restrict the warping of the sheet S.

  In this embodiment, the finisher control unit 218 is mounted on the finisher 300 and controlled by the CPU circuit unit 213 provided in the copier 200 connected online. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the finisher control unit 218 may be provided in the copier 200 integrally with the CPU circuit unit 213 and the finisher 300 may be controlled from the copier 200 side.

100 Compound device (image forming apparatus)
200 Copier 204 Image Forming Unit 300 Finisher (Sheet Processing Device)
302 discharge roller (sheet discharge section)
401 Processing tray (sheet stacking unit)
402 Return paddle (sheet moving mechanism)
403 Rear end paddle (sheet moving mechanism)
404 Rear end wall (butting member)
405a Front alignment plate (a pair of alignment members)
405b Back alignment plate (a pair of alignment members)
406a Front regulation part (a pair of regulation means)
406b Back regulating part (a pair of regulating means)
410a Front end pressing member (first regulating member)
410b Back end pressing member (first regulating member)
411a Hand front / rear end pressing member (second regulating member)
411b Back and rear end pressing member (second regulating member)
414a Tip guide (guide)
415a Tip pressing part (pressing part)
416a Rear end guide part (guide part)
417a Rear end pressing part (pressing part)
S sheet

Claims (7)

A sheet stacking unit on which sheets discharged by the sheet discharge unit for discharging sheets are stacked;
A pair of alignment members that press and align the sheet width direction opposite ends of the sheet discharged to the sheet stacking section in the sheet width direction; and
When the pair of aligning members are pressed in the sheet width direction, the sheet stacking section is configured so that both ends of the sheet discharged in the sheet stacking section are pressed with a pressing force that allows the sheets to move relative to each other in the sheet width direction. The sheet is discharged to the sheet stacking portion on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction and the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction of the pair of alignment members. A pair of regulating means for regulating,
A sheet processing apparatus. Each of the pair of regulating means is
A first regulating member that regulates the warping in the height direction of the sheet width direction end of the sheet on the downstream side in the sheet ejection direction on the downstream side in the sheet ejection direction of the pair of alignment members;
A second regulating member that regulates the warping in the height direction of the sheet width direction end of the sheet on the upstream side in the sheet ejection direction on the upstream side in the sheet ejection direction of the pair of alignment members;
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The first restricting member and the second restricting member are:
When the sheet width direction end of the sheet discharged to the sheet stacking portion exceeds the height that can be pressed by the alignment member, the sheet width direction end is set to a height that can be pressed by the alignment member. A guide to guide to,
A pressing portion that presses the sheet width direction end portion guided by the guide portion toward the sheet stacking portion,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 . An abutting member that abuts and aligns the upstream end of the sheet discharged in the sheet discharging direction by the sheet discharging unit;
A sheet moving mechanism that causes the sheet to abut against the abutting member,
Each of the first regulating members of the pair of regulating means guides and regulates the sheet width direction end portion on the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction of the sheet discharged by the sheet discharging unit,
Each of the second regulating members of the pair of regulating means guides and regulates the sheet width direction end on the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction that moves toward the abutting member by the sheet moving mechanism,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that. The first restricting member and the second restricting member have a length straddling at least sheet width direction end portions of the plurality of sheets before alignment and during alignment,
The sheet processing apparatus according to claims 2 to any one of 4, characterized in that. The sheet stacking unit has an extending plate that can freely extend in the sheet discharging direction,
The first restricting member presses the sheets stacked on the extension plate toward the extension plate;
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 5, characterized in that. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which performs alignment processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.
An image forming apparatus.

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