JP6074282B2 - Sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus that temporarily supports an image-formed sheet on a processing tray and performs post-processing such as binding processing, and then stores the sheet in a stack tray. It relates to the improvement of the alignment mechanism.

  In general, this type of sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus, and the discharged sheets are aligned and accumulated on a processing tray to perform binding processing, folding processing, punch punching processing, stamp stamping processing, and the like. It is widely used as a device for storing in a stack tray prepared on the downstream side after post-processing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a processing tray and a stack tray are vertically arranged at a paper discharge port of an image forming apparatus, a rear end portion of a sheet sent from the paper discharge port is a processing tray, and a front end portion is the top of the stack tray. A post-processing device is disclosed in which a sheet bundle that is supported on a sheet and stacked and aligned in a state where the front and back of the sheet are partially supported is bound by a stapling device. The post-processing mechanism for supporting the sheet fed from the paper discharge port by the processing tray and the stack tray on the downstream side of the sheet and performing the post-processing is widely used because the apparatus can be made compact and compact.

  The apparatus of Patent Document 1 forms a step from the sheet discharge port and arranges a processing tray that supports the trailing end of the sheet, and forms a step on the downstream side of the processing tray and arranges a stack tray that supports the leading end of the sheet. doing. A pair of left and right alignment members that support the side edges of the sheets are provided above the stack tray in order to align the sheets with the post-processing position on the processing tray, and the retraction position in which the alignment members are retracted from the reference position (center reference). Is moved to the reference position (alignment position) to position the sheet at the processing position. After the sheet is post-processed on the processing tray, the aligning member is moved to the side of the sheet to drop the processing sheet onto the stack tray and store it.

JP 2011-126620 A

  As described above, the processing tray is disposed from the paper discharge port, and the stack tray is disposed downstream thereof. The sheets are stacked on the processing tray from the paper discharge port for post-processing, and the processed sheets (bundles) are dropped onto the stack tray. Devices for storing them are widely known. An alignment mechanism in the sheet width direction is provided to position the sheet at the processing position. This aligning mechanism is known for the case where it is arranged on the processing tray and the case where it is arranged on the rear side of the processing tray (above the stack tray), as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133260.

When the alignment mechanism is arranged in the processing tray, the sheet carrying mechanism of the processing tray becomes complicated. At the same time, when the sheets are directly stored in the stack tray without being guided to the processing tray from the discharge port, the sheets stacked on the stack tray are not stored. A matching mechanism must be placed on the stack tray separately. Therefore, as proposed in Patent Document 1, it is desired to arrange an alignment mechanism for aligning the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge between the sheet discharge outlet and the processing tray, and thereby the sheet sent from the sheet discharge outlet. The sheet can be aligned at a predetermined position in the width direction both when guiding the sheet to the processing tray and when guiding the sheet to the stack tray.

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the sheets stacked on the processing tray are supported by a pair of left and right alignment members (means) positioned on the sheet discharge outlet side, and at the same time, the sheets are aligned and aligned in the sheet width direction. This is post-processed and then stored in the downstream stack tray. At this time, when storing the post-processed sheet (bundle) in the stack tray, the conventional apparatus drops the sheet to the stack tray by retracting the alignment members that support the left and right sides of the sheet to the side of the sheet. Stored.

  In such a sheet aligning mechanism, there are a problem that sheets falling from the processing tray to the stack tray are misaligned and stacked, and a problem that the sheets stacked due to the fall of the sheet are misaligned in a load collapse state.

  Therefore, the present inventor arranges an aligning member that aligns and aligns the sheets on the processing tray between the sheet discharge outlet and the processing tray, and aligns the sheets on the processing tray and carries out the sheets. I came up with the idea of changing the angle and attitude from time to time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of correctly aligning sheets in the post-processing position of the processing tray and simultaneously storing the post-processed sheets in a stack tray.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pair of left and right alignment members having a side regulating surface that regulates both left and right side portions and a sheet supporting surface that supports the lower surface of the sheet in a path of a sheet that is transferred from a sheet discharge port to a processing tray. A height direction shift means is provided for moving at least one of them up and down in the height direction (loading direction). The sheet support surface is moved up and down to a first height position when the sheet is guided from the sheet discharge port to the processing tray and to a second height position when the sheet is guided from the processing tray to the stack tray.

  To further explain the configuration, a paper discharge path (22) having a paper discharge port, a processing tray (25) for post-processing a sheet sent from the paper discharge port, and a sheet sent from the processing tray are stored. A stack tray (30), an alignment means (38) for aligning the sheet sent from the paper discharge port with the processing position on the processing tray, and a control means (50) for controlling the alignment means. The paper discharge path (22), the processing tray (25), and the stack tray (30) form a step from the paper discharge port and are arranged in this order from the top to the bottom. The alignment means is a pair of left and right alignment members (38R). 38L), width direction shifting means (SM1, SM2) for moving at least one of the alignment members in the sheet width direction, and height direction shifting means (Md) for moving at least one of the alignment members up and down in the height direction. And consist of

  The pair of left and right alignment members align the sheet support surface (38y) for supporting the lower surface of the sheet sent from the paper discharge port to the processing tray and the side end surface of the sheet carried on the processing tray at a predetermined processing position. A side regulating surface (38x) is formed, and at least one of the alignment members is attached to the apparatus frame (21f) so as to be movable up and down at first and second different height positions. When the sheet is carried into the processing tray from the processing tray to the first height position (h1) where the sheet supporting surface is high, the second height position (the sheet supporting surface is low for transferring the sheet from the processing tray to the stack tray ( The height direction shift means is controlled so as to be positioned at h2).

  The present invention provides a pair of left and right alignment members having a side regulating surface for regulating both side end surfaces of a sheet facing the processing tray and a sheet lower surface supporting surface for supporting the lower surface between the sheet discharge port and the processing tray, and at least one of the sheets is stacked. Configured to move up and down in the direction, and is positioned at the first height position when guiding a sheet from the sheet discharge port to the processing tray, and positioned at the second height position when determining the sheet from the processing tray to the stack tray. Therefore, the following effects are obtained.

  Since the sheet transported from the sheet discharge port to the processing tray is guided by a pair of alignment members having a side regulating surface that aligns both end surfaces and a sheet support surface that supports the lower surface, the sheet is first conveyed from the sheet discharge port. The sheet is sent to the processing tray while being supported by the sheet support surface set at the height position. Accordingly, the sheet is positioned in the correct posture from the paper discharge port at the processing position set on the processing tray.

  Simultaneously with the positioning of the processing tray, the present invention supports the sheet (bundle) from the processing tray to the stack tray, with both side end surfaces regulated by the side regulating surfaces and the bottom surface set to the second height position. Since the sheet is guided while being supported on the surface, the sheet is neatly stored on the uppermost stacked sheet on the stack tray.

  Further, according to the present invention, when a sheet is carried out from the sheet discharge port to the stack tray (without going through the processing tray), the alignment member positioned between the sheet discharge port and the stack tray is aligned in the sheet width direction. As a result, the sheet guided to the stack tray can be stored at the correct position in the direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge.

  Furthermore, the present invention changes the height of the first height position and / or the second height position according to the sheet thickness and the sheet width size. For example, when the sheet thickness is thin or the sheet width size is large, the support surface is set to a higher position than when it is small and the sheet can be guided to the correct processing position while suppressing distortion of the sheet.

1 is an overall configuration explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a sheet post-processing apparatus in the system of FIG. The model figure which shows the 1st, 2nd, 3rd height relationship of the alignment mechanism in the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of an alignment mechanism in the apparatus of FIG. 2, (a) shows the configuration of the alignment member, and (b) shows the positional relationship of the alignment member. Explanatory drawing of the width direction shift means of an alignment mechanism. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the alignment member, where (a) is when the alignment member is in the standby position (third height position), (b) is when the alignment member is at the first height position h1, and (c) is When the alignment member is at the second height position h2 The block diagram which shows a control structure. 2 shows the operation of the alignment member in the apparatus of FIG. 2, (a) shows a state where the alignment member is in the retracted position, and (b) shows a state where the alignment member is carried onto the processing tray. 2 shows the operation of the aligning member in the apparatus of FIG. 2, (c) shows a state in which the aligning member is raised by a predetermined amount, and (d) shows a state in which the sheets are aligned in the width direction. FIG. 2 shows the operation of the alignment member in the apparatus of FIG. 2, (e) shows a state where the sheet bundle is discharged to the stack tray, and (f) shows a stacking completion state.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus A and a post-processing apparatus B. A system in which sheets formed by the image forming apparatus A are aligned and stacked by the post-processing apparatus B and then stapled and stored in a stack tray. It is configured as. Then, the image forming apparatus A sets a post-processing (finishing process) mode together with the image forming conditions, and then the post-processing apparatus B performs finishing processing according to the processing mode and then stores it in the stack tray. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing apparatus B will be described in this order.

"Image forming device"
The image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The illustrated image forming apparatus A shows a case where an image is formed on a sheet by an electrostatic printing mechanism. The image forming apparatus A includes a paper feeding unit 2, an image forming unit 3, and a paper discharging unit 4. The apparatus housing 1 incorporates a sheet feeding unit 2 that stores sheets for image formation. The sheet feeding unit 2 includes sheet feeding cassettes (cassettes that can be attached to and detached from the housing) 2a to 2c. The cassette is ready.

  The image forming unit 3 forms an image of the sheet sent from the paper feeding unit 2 according to the image data transferred from the data processing unit 9. The illustrated image forming unit 3 shows an electrostatic printing mechanism, and includes a beam projector that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 8, a developing device 10 that attaches toner ink to the electrostatic latent image, a transfer charger 11, and a cleaner ( Since these structures are known in various structures, the description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the image ink formed on the photosensitive drum 8 is transferred by the transfer charger 11 to the sheet sent from the paper feeding unit 2 to the registration roller 7. A fixing roller 12 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer charger 11 to heat and fix the image on the sheet and convey it to the paper discharge unit 4. The paper discharge unit 4 includes a paper discharge port 13 (hereinafter referred to as a main body paper discharge port) disposed in the apparatus housing 1, a paper discharge roller 15, and a paper discharge stacker (not shown). The paper is stored on the stacker from the paper mouth 13. In the illustrated apparatus, since a post-processing device B described later is connected to the main body discharge port 13, the main body discharge port 13 is not provided with a discharge stacker.

  Although the data processing unit 9 is not described in detail, image data read by an image reading unit 5 to be described later, or image data sent from an external network, a computer input device, or the like is used in accordance with the set image forming conditions. Transmit as an electrical signal to the projector.

  The illustrated apparatus includes an image reading unit 5 integrated with the image forming apparatus A, and an automatic document feeder 19 for feeding a document sheet to the unit. The image reading unit 5 includes a platen 16 on which a document sheet is placed, and a reading carriage 17 that moves along the platen. The image reading unit 5 includes a scanner device that scans a document on the platen with the carriage and converts it into image data. Yes. The automatic document feeder 19 is integrally attached to the image reading unit 5 as a unit that automatically feeds the document set on the paper feed tray 20 to the platen 16.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a duplex path. A sheet on which an image is formed from the image forming unit 3 is turned upside down and circulated and conveyed to the registration roller 7, and an image is formed on the back side of the sheet by the image forming unit 3. It is carried out to the main body discharge port 13.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus A has described a mechanism for forming an image on a sheet by an electrostatic printing mechanism, but various other image forming methods such as an inkjet image forming method, an offset printing method, a silk printing method, and the like. A mechanism can be adopted.

"Post-processing equipment"
The post-processing device B will be described. The post-processing apparatus B of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, carries in the image-formed sheets sent from the image forming apparatus A, arranges them on the processing tray 25, and then performs post-processing (staple binding processing, jog sorting processing). The sheet (bundle) of the processing unit is stored in the stack tray.

  FIG. 2 shows details of the post-processing apparatus B of FIG. The illustrated post-processing apparatus B includes an apparatus housing 21, a sheet carry-in path 22 (hereinafter referred to as a “discharge path”) disposed in the housing, and a processing tray for temporarily collecting sheets sent from the discharge path 22. 25 and a stack tray 30 for stacking and storing post-processed sheets.

"Sheet carry-in route"
A sheet carry-in path (paper discharge path) 22 is connected to the main body paper discharge port 13 and guides a sheet on which an image has been formed to a processing tray 25 for post-processing. The illustrated paper discharge path 22 is configured by a straight path disposed in a substantially horizontal direction across the apparatus housing 21. A path entrance is configured so that a carry-in entrance 23 connected to the main body discharge port 13 is provided at the path entrance, and a sheet exit 24 is provided at the path exit so as to guide a sheet to a processing tray 25 described later.

  In the paper discharge path 22, a carry-in roller 26, a transport roller 27, and a paper discharge roller 28 are arranged in this order, and are connected to a transport motor (not shown) to transport the sheet from the transport inlet 23 toward the paper discharge outlet 24. In the paper discharge path 22, a carry-in sensor Se1 is disposed on the carry-in port side, and a paper discharge sensor Se2 is disposed on the paper discharge port side to detect the leading and trailing edges of the sheet, and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 50 described later. Send.

"Processing tray"
A step Dx is formed on the downstream side of the paper discharge port 24, and a processing tray 25 is disposed below the step Dx. The illustrated processing tray 25 is composed of a paper platform 25a that partially supports the rear end of the sheet in the paper discharge direction, and is sent from the paper discharge port 24 to the uppermost sheet stacked on the stack tray described later. The sheet is arranged so as to support the bridge in a substantially horizontal direction.

  The processing tray 25 is provided with a regulating stopper 29 and a post-processing means 31 for regulating the position of the end of the sheet (the illustrated end in the paper discharge direction; the right to left in FIG. 2). The apparatus shown in the figure reversely conveys the sheet from the sheet discharge path 22 in the direction opposite to the sheet discharge (right direction in FIG. 2) and stores the sheet in the processing tray 25 arranged below the sheet discharge port 24.

  Therefore, the processing tray 25 is provided with a restriction stopper (restricting means) 29 that abuts and restricts the sheet end on the rear end side in the paper discharge direction, and a post-processing means 31 that performs post-processing on the sheet positioned on the stopper. . The post-processing means 31 shown in the figure is composed of a staple unit, and binds the bundle of sheets stacked on the paper platform and stapled with staples. Since the structure of the staple unit is already known, a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the processing tray 25 is provided with an alignment mechanism 35 for positioning the sheet sent from the paper discharge port 24 in the direction perpendicular to the paper discharge, as will be described later.

"Sheet unloading mechanism"
The processing tray 25 is provided with a reversing roller 32 that conveys the sheet from the paper discharge port 24 onto the paper platform 25a, and a scraping roller 33 that sends the sheet on the paper platform to the restriction stopper 29. The reverse roller 32 is composed of a forward / reverse roller that transports the sheet sent from the paper discharge port 24 in the paper discharge direction and then sends it in the direction opposite to the paper discharge. The illustrated reverse roller 32 is composed of an upper roller 32a positioned above the paper discharge direction and a lower roller 32b positioned below, and both rollers are composed of a pair of rollers that are pressed against and separated from each other.

  The lower roller 32b has a fixed roller structure embedded in the paper mount 25a, and the upper roller 32a is configured to be movable up and down on the apparatus frame 21f (see FIG. 3). The upper roller 32a is attached to an elevating arm that is pivotally supported by the apparatus frame 21f, and an actuator such as a solenoid or a motor that moves up and down is connected to the arm. At the same time, the upper roller 32a is connected to a carry-out motor (not shown) that rotates forward and backward in the paper discharge direction and the reverse direction of paper discharge.

  Then, the control means 50 to be described later positions the upper roller 32a at the separated upward position until the sheet leading edge enters between the roller nips from the sheet leading edge detection signal from the sheet discharge sensor Se2, and after the sheet leading edge enters between the roller nips, The upper roller 32a is lowered to the operating position where it comes into pressure contact with the lower roller 32b. At the same time, the upper roller 32a rotates in the paper discharge direction until the rear end of the sheet is carried out from the paper discharge port 24, and thereafter rotates in the direction opposite to the paper discharge. As a result, the sheet sent from the paper discharge path 22 advances in the paper discharge direction, and after the sheet trailing edge enters the processing tray from the paper discharge port 24, it rotates in the direction opposite to the paper discharge.

  That is, after detecting the leading edge of the sheet by the paper discharge sensor Se2, the control unit 50 described later lowers the upper roller 32a waiting upward at the timing when the leading edge of the sheet enters between the roller nips to the lower nip position, thereby lowering the lower roller. It rotates by a predetermined amount in the paper discharge direction while being pressed against 32b, and then rotates in the direction opposite to the paper discharge. In this control, a delay circuit is configured on the basis of a signal for detecting the leading edge of the sheet by the sheet discharge sensor Se2 and a signal for detecting the trailing edge of the sheet.

  The scavenging roller 33 is composed of a belt member that rotates integrally with the paper discharge roller 28 of the paper discharge port 24, and is disposed so as to hang down from the paper discharge roller 28 onto the uppermost sheet on the paper platform 25a. . Then, the sheet is rotated in the same direction as the paper discharge roller 28, and a conveying force toward the restriction stopper 29 is applied to the sheet on the paper table. In addition to the endless belt, various mechanisms such as a roller structure that swings up and down and a paddle structure can be used as the take-up roller 33.

"Stack tray"
The stack tray 30 is spaced from the paper discharge port 24 by a step Dy and is disposed below the processing tray 25 by a step Dz. Then, a straight sheet discharge mode (first sheet discharge operation) in which the sheet sent to the sheet discharge path 22 is discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the stack tray 30 separated by a step Dy, and from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the processing tray 25. A post-processing discharge mode (second discharge operation) in which the discharged sheet is discharged from the processing tray to the stack tray 30 with a step Dz therebetween can be executed.

  The stack tray 30 has a storage structure having a paper loading surface 30a on which sheets are stacked and stored, and a sheet end regulating surface 30b that abuts and regulates the end of the sheet loaded on the paper loading surface 30a. This paper mounting surface 30a employs a stack structure of either a fixed tray structure whose height from the sheet discharge port 24 is fixed or an elevating tray structure that moves up and down in accordance with the stacking amount of sheets.

  The illustrated paper loading surface 30a has an elevating tray structure. For this reason, the tray mount 30c is supported by the guide rail 34 (see FIG. 2) so as to be movable up and down on the apparatus frame 21f, and the stack tray 30 having the paper mount surface 30a is fixed to the tray mount 30c. Although the tray mounting table 30c is not shown, for example, a guide rail 34 is disposed on the apparatus frame 21f so as to be movable up and down, and a belt is formed by winding the tray mounting table 30c fitted and supported on the rail around a pair of upper and lower pulleys (not shown). It is supported by a pulling member such as a wire. Then, the hoisting pulley is rotated by a lifting motor to raise and lower the stack tray 30 to a predetermined height position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper stacking surface 30a of the stack tray 30 is an inclined paper stacking surface that is inclined so that the downstream side in the paper discharge direction is high and the upstream side is low. The inclination angle of the paper mounting surface 30a varies depending on the properties of the stacked sheets, but is approximately 40 degrees or more (35 degrees or more depending on the sheet). When this inclination angle is set large, the sheet carried on the paper placement surface 30a slides down at a high speed and is abutted against the sheet end regulating surface 30b. When this inclination angle is set small, it is carried onto the paper placement surface 30a. The sheet gently slides down and hits the sheet end regulating surface 30b. Accordingly, if the inclination angle is set large, the sheets can be stacked quickly and reliably along the sheet end regulating surface 30b, and the horizontal dimension (size) of the apparatus can be reduced.

"Alignment mechanism"
The sheet discharge port 24 described above is provided with an alignment mechanism that aligns the width direction postures of the sheet carried into the processing tray 25 and the sheet carried out onto the stack tray 30. The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the same figure, a sheet movement path (sheet carry-in path) Pa for carrying sheets into the processing tray 25 from the paper discharge port 24 and a sheet movement path (sheet carry-out path) Pb carried out from the processing tray 25 to the stack tray 30 are common. A pair of left and right alignment members 38 that engage the side edges of the sheet are disposed in the area to be operated. The pair of left and right alignment members 38 are configured to be movable in the vertical direction and simultaneously movable in the sheet width direction.

  In the alignment mechanism of the present invention, a sheet support surface 38y that supports the lower surface of the sheet is provided on at least one of the pair of left and right alignment members 38, and the height position of the sheet support surface 38y is set from the sheet discharge port 24 to the processing tray 25. Is different between when the sheet is transported and when the sheet is transported from the sheet discharge port 24 to the stack tray 30. That is, the sheet is supported at the first height position h1 when the sheet is transferred to the sheet carry-in path Pa located in the upper part of FIG. 3, and at the second height position h2 when the sheet is transferred to the sheet carry-out path Pb located below. The angle posture of the surface 38y is varied.

  The illustrated sheet support surface 38y is formed on each of the pair of left and right alignment members 38R and 38L, and each alignment member 38 is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction and vertically movable in the stacking height direction. . The other sheet support surface 38y may be disposed only on one side of the alignment member 38, and the alignment member may be configured to be movable in the sheet width direction.

  The configuration of the alignment member 38 will be described in detail. FIGS. 3 to 5 show the side structure, and FIG. 6 shows the planar structure. The aligning member 38 is configured by a pair of left and right that engage with both side edges of the sheet stored on the processing tray 25 and align the sheets in a width-aligned manner. FIG. 4A shows one of them, but at least one of the alignment members 38 is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction.

  In the illustrated structure, the left and right alignment members 38R and 38L have a blade shape (plate shape) having a sheet support surface 38y and a side regulating surface 38x, and the sheet support surface 38y is formed by bending. A first side regulating surface 38x1 for regulating the width of the sheet on the processing tray is formed above the sheet support surface 38y, and a second side regulating surface 38x2 for regulating the width of the sheet on the stack tray is formed below the first side regulating surface 38x2. Yes.

  One structure (the other structure is the same) of the pair of left and right alignment members 38 will be described with reference to FIGS. Guide rails 36 are disposed in the sheet width direction (paper discharge orthogonal direction) on the apparatus frame 21f (left and right side plates of the apparatus frame), and a pair of left and right brackets 37R and 37L (sliding members) are spaced along the guide rails 36. Are mated. The illustrated guide rail 36 includes a first guide rod 36a and a second guide rod 36b arranged in parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 4A, and the left bracket 37L and the right bracket 37R ( 5) are fitted so as to be slidable (slidable) in the sheet width direction. Particularly, the illustrated guide rod 36 is formed such that the first guide rod 36a has a rectangular cross section and the second guide rod 36b has a circular cross section, and the first guide rod 36a is rotatably supported by the apparatus frame 21f. The second guide rod 36b is fixed to the device frame 21f. Details thereof will be described later.

  The left and right brackets 37R and 37L support alignment members 38R and 38L. The left and right alignment members 38 supported by the bracket 37 and movable in the sheet width direction include a first side regulating surface 38x1 that engages with the sheet side edge of the sheet movement path (sheet carry-in path) Pa, and a movement path. (Sheet carrying-out path) A second side regulating surface 38x2 that engages with the sheet side edge of Pb is provided.

  The side regulating surface 38x engages with the side edge of the sheet (the movement path Pa) from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the processing tray 25 at a first height position h1, which will be described later, and is aligned in the sheet width direction. The first side regulating surface 38x1 and the second side that is aligned with the side edge of the sheet (the movement path Pb) that is carried out to the stack tray 30 at the second height position h2 that will be described later and that is aligned in the sheet width direction. A regulating surface 38x2 is provided.

  For this reason, at least one alignment member (both right and left in the figure) 38R and 38L is attached to bracket members 37R and 37L that support the alignment member (between the first height position h1 and the second height position h2). ) It is mounted so that it can move up and down. The illustrated one is pivotally supported by a later-described collar member 43 disposed on the bracket 37, and is supported by an angle control motor Md, which will be described later, so as to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise in FIG. In the present invention, the alignment member 38 is not necessarily constituted by a plate-like member as shown in the drawing, and may be constituted by a rod-like member such as an arm member or a lever member.

  In the present invention, at least one of the pair of left and right alignment members 38R and 38L is configured to be movable in the sheet stacking direction to the first height position h1 and the second height position h2, and at the first height position h1. Engage with the side edge of the sheet loaded on the processing tray 25 to align the position in the width direction, and engage with the side edge of the sheet loaded on the stack tray 30 at the second height position h2. The position in the width direction is aligned. The alignment member 38 is position-controlled at the third height position h3 retracted out of the path from the movement locus of the sheet. At the third height position h3, the alignment member 38 is retracted out of the sheet path when the apparatus is stopped or a jam occurs. To do.

"Width direction shift means"
A right alignment member 38R and a left alignment member 38L are supported by a pair of left and right brackets 37R and 37L supported on the guide rail 36 so as to be reciprocable in the seat width direction (shaft support described later). As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the right bracket 37R is connected to the right drive belt 39r, and the left bracket 37L is connected to the left drive belt 39l.

  The left and right drive belts 39r and 39l are wound around a pulley that is supported by the device frame 21f, and shift motors (stepping motors) SM1 and SM2 are connected to one of the pulleys. Accordingly, the left and right brackets 37R and 37L are configured to be movable to arbitrary positions in the sheet width direction by forward / reverse rotation of the left and right shift motors SM1 and SM2.

  In this way, the pair of left and right brackets 37R and 37L are connected to the shift motors SM1 and SM2 and the transmission mechanism (drive belt and pulley) to constitute a width direction shift means that moves in a direction toward and away from each other. The width-direction shifting means is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 5A, and can be constituted by an interlocking mechanism such as a rack-pinion that moves by the same amount in opposite directions.

  FIG. 5B shows the configuration of the apparatus frame, and a pinion 40p is axially supported at the center of the movement direction of the pair of left and right brackets 37R and 37L, and a shift motor SM3 (for example, a stepping motor) is connected to the pinion. is there. A rack 41r formed integrally with the right bracket 37R and a rack 41l formed integrally with the left bracket 37L are geared to the pinion 40p. Therefore, when the pinion 40p is rotated in one direction by the rotation of the shift motor SM3, the left and right brackets 37R, 37L move in a direction approaching each other, and the brackets move in a direction away from each other by reverse rotation of the motor.

  With this configuration, the shift motor can be configured with a single motor, and the structure can be simplified. Therefore, the width direction shift means is constituted by the shift motor SM3, the pinion 40p, and the racks 41r and 41l (transmission mechanism).

  Note that the alignment members 38R and 38L described above move from the standby position Wp to the alignment position Ap every time a sheet is loaded between the alignment position Ap and the standby position Wp according to the sheet size. Reciprocate to return to Wp. The illustrated apparatus shows a case where the sheet sent to the paper discharge path 22 is aligned with the processing tray 25 and the stack tray 30 on the basis of the center, but the left and right sides may be aligned with the reference (side reference). In this case, one of the left and right alignment members 38R and 38L is configured as a fixed side regulating surface, and the opposite side is configured as a movable side regulating surface 38x.

  Therefore, in the case of the side reference, the width direction shift means may be configured so that the alignment members 38R and 38L having movable guide surfaces can be moved in the sheet width direction. As described above, the aligning means 38 is constituted by an aligning plate having a pair of left and right side restricting surfaces 38x. At least one of them is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction, and aligns the sheets carried into the processing tray 25 or the stack tray 30 in the discharge orthogonal direction perpendicular to the carry-in direction.

"Height direction shifting means"
The left and right alignment members 38R and 38L described above are configured to be movable up and down to different height positions of "first height position h1", "second height position h2", and "third height position h3". To do. The configuration will be described below. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing an embodiment of the height direction shifting means, wherein FIG. 4A is a side view structure that supports the alignment member 38R in a swingable manner on the bracket, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory view showing a plan view thereof. It is.

  As described above, the pair of left and right brackets (slide members) 37R and 37L are slidably supported by the pair of guide rods (guide rails) 36a and 36b attached to the apparatus frame 21f in the seat width direction. The first guide rod 36a has a non-circular cross section (rectangular shape, convex shape, etc.) and is rotatably supported by the apparatus frame. Therefore, the collar member 43 is fitted to the first guide rod 36a, and the inner diameter hole 43a of the collar member 43 slides in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 4A) on the guide rod 36a having a non-circular cross section. It is possible (free fitting) and is fitted so as to rotate integrally in the circumferential direction.

  Therefore, when the first guide rod 36a is rotated forward and backward by the angle control motor Md, the collar member 43 also rotates integrally in the same direction, but freely slides without being constrained in the rod axis direction (sheet width direction). .

  The collar member 43 is integrally supported by a bracket 37R (37L) in the rod axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4A). At the same time, the alignment member 38 is fitted and supported on the collar member 43 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). A swing arm 44 is formed integrally with the collar member 43, and a connecting pin 44p implanted in the swing arm is fitted and connected to the alignment member 38R (38L).

  With such a configuration, the left and right brackets 37R and 37L are supported by the apparatus frame 21f so as to be movable (slidable) in the seat width direction by the guide rods 36a and 36b, and the left and right brackets 37R and 37L have width direction shifting means. (Shift motors SM1, SM2, etc.) are connected. At the same time, the left and right brackets 37R and 37L are pivotally supported by the collar member 43 fitted to the first guide rod 36a so as to be rotatable. An angle control motor Md is coupled to the guide rod 36a, and the rotation of the motor causes the guide rod 36a to rotate by a predetermined angle. The rotation is transmitted to the swing arm 44 integral with the guide rod 36a through the collar member 43 for alignment. The members 38R and 38L are rotated by a predetermined angle.

  Note that a position sensor Sp1 and a flag 43f for angle detection are arranged on the collar member 43 that rotates the alignment members 38R and 38L by a predetermined angle by the rotation of the angle control motor Md (see FIG. 4B). The flag 43f is detected by the position sensor Sp1, and the rotation angle of the angle control motor Md is controlled based on the detection signal, whereby the alignment members 38R and 38L are moved to the first height position h1, the second height position h2, The angle is controlled to the third height position h3.

  The position sensor Sp1 and the flag 43f may be configured to directly detect the angular position of the alignment member in addition to the alignment member 38R and 38L disposed on the collar member 43 that controls the angle as described above. The number of rotations may be detected.

  Moreover, although the case where the alignment member 38 is rotatably attached to the collar member 43 fitted to the first guide rod 36a has been shown, the alignment member 38 is implanted in the brackets 37R and 37L without being fitted to the guide rod 36. It is also possible to employ a structure in which a swing arm is provided on a rod that is rotatably supported by a pin or the like and transmits rotation, and the tip of the arm and the alignment member are connected by a cam groove portion or the like.

  Next, the angular position control of the alignment members 38R and 38L will be described with reference to FIG. In the present invention, the pair of left and right alignment members 38R, 38L is configured such that at least one of the alignment members 38R, 38L can be changed in posture to first and second height positions h1, h2 having different heights in the sheet stacking direction. When the height position is h1, the sheet carried on the processing tray 25 is aligned in the sheet width direction. Further, the sheet loaded on the stack tray 30 at the second height position h2 is aligned in the sheet width direction. Hereinafter, this angular position will be described.

  The alignment members 38R, 38L rotatably supported by the brackets 37R, 37L are provided with side regulating surfaces 38x that engage with the side edges of the sheets, and these regulating surfaces serve as the sheets on the processing tray 25 and the stack tray 30. It acts as a restricting surface that engages the side edges of the upper sheet. Therefore, the alignment members 38R and 38L can be changed in posture from the first height position h1 at a high position to the second height position h2 at a low position with reference to the sheet stacking direction. It is set to a height position that engages with the sheet side edge carried on the processing tray 25 and engages with the sheet side edge carried on the stack tray 30 at the second height position h2.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the alignment members 38R and 38L can be angle-controlled to the third height position h3, and at the third height position h3, the alignment members 38R and 38L are processed trays. 25 is set to a height position that is not engaged with any of the sheets carried onto 25 and the sheets carried onto the stack tray 30 (retracted from the sheet conveyance paths Pa and Pb).

  When the first height position h1 is at this position, the alignment members 38R and 38L are positions where the lower end is higher than the maximum stacking height on the stack tray 35 [hmax> maximum stacking height] (see FIG. 3). Is set to This is because the alignment operation of the alignment members 38R and 38L for aligning the sheets carried into the processing tray 25 from the paper discharge port 24 is not obstructed by the sheets stacked on the stack tray 30 positioned below.

  Under this condition (alignment member lower end height> maximum stacking height), the alignment members 38R and 38L accurately position the sheets on the processing tray 25 regardless of the size and orientation of the sheets stacked on the stack tray 30. It can be positioned at the restriction position. In particular, the sheet width direction can be positioned by offsetting a sheet to be aligned for post-processing on the processing tray 25 by a predetermined amount with respect to the stacking reference of the sheets stacked on the stack tray 30, such as a stapler device. It becomes possible to arrange the post-processing means 31 in a recessed position inside the apparatus housing. This eliminates the need for providing a unit moving mechanism for post-processing by moving the post-processing means from the inside of the apparatus to the processing position on the processing tray 25 as in the prior art.

  The second height position h2 is set such that the lower end positions of the alignment members 38R and 38L are lower than the paper placement surface 30a. That is, the recessed portion 30z is formed in the paper placement surface 30a, and the alignment members 38R and 38L are substantially located at a position lower than the paper placement surface 30a. As a result, all the sheets stacked on the paper loading surface 30a can be aligned with a predetermined reference position.

  Further, the third height position h3 is the lower end position of the alignment members 38R and 38L. The sheet conveyance path Pa from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the processing tray 25 and the sheet conveyance path from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the stack tray 30. It is set to a position higher than Pb (retracted position). This is because when the sheet is conveyed from the sheet discharge path 22 to the processing tray 25 or when it is conveyed to the stack tray 30, the curled sheet or the like is prevented from being blocked by the alignment members 38R and 38L. This is to make the alignment member stand by at the retracted position. Therefore, when a sheet jam occurs, the control means 50 described later moves the alignment members 38R and 38L to the third height position h3 and then stops the apparatus.

[Alignment operation]
Next, the operation of the alignment member 38 configured as described above will be described. 6A shows the alignment member 38 in the standby position (third height position), FIG. 6B shows the alignment member 38 in the first height position h1, and FIG. The case where the member 38 is at the second height position h2 is shown. In the standby state shown in FIG. 5A, the alignment member 38 moves the sheet movement locus (sheet carry-in path) Pa moving from the discharge port 24 to the processing tray 25 and the sheet moving from the discharge port 24 to the stack tray 30. Is set at a position retracted from the path (sheet carrying path) Pb to the outside of the path. In this state, the alignment member does not interfere with removing the jammed sheet in the paper discharge path.

  At the first height position h1 shown in FIG. 5B, the alignment member 38 “guides the sheet carried into the processing tray 25 from the sheet discharge outlet 24 by supporting the lower surface of the sheet (guide operation). ”,“ Align the sheet loaded on the processing tray in the sheet width direction (alignment operation) ”, and“ Press the uppermost sheet stacked on the stack tray (pressing restriction) ” To do.

  The first guide operation is set to a height position for conveying the sheet sent from the paper discharge port 24 onto the processing tray, and is at a height position that substantially forms the same plane as the height position of the processing tray 25. Is set. At this time, the left and right alignment members 38R and 38L are set at a (alignment) standby position wider than the sheet width. The second alignment operation moves from the standby position in the sheet width direction to the alignment position at the first height position h1. In this process, the sheets carried on the processing tray are aligned so that the position in the sheet width direction matches a preset reference line. The procedure of the alignment operation of the alignment member 38 at this time will be described later. In the third pressing restriction, the alignment member 38 presses the uppermost sheet on the stack tray by its own weight at the first height position h1. This pressing action due to its own weight is caused by a slit (cam groove) 38s formed between the alignment member 38 and the connecting pin 44p.

That is, the alignment member 38 is set to a height position for pressing the uppermost sheet above the stack tray at the first height position shown in FIG. This is because the connecting pin 44p is fitted in a slit 38s (cam mechanism) formed in the aligning member 38, so that the aligning member is engaged by its own weight on the uppermost sheet on the stack tray. Therefore, the alignment member 38 is configured to be movable up and down in accordance with the stacking amount of the uppermost sheet on the stack tray so as to press the uppermost sheet surface in the state of the first height position shown in FIG. Can be moved up and down by gamma (γ).
gap

[Control configuration]
Next, the control configuration of the post-processing apparatus B according to the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The control unit of the post-processing apparatus B is computer-controlled by the control CPU 50 and controls the post-processing operation according to the control data stored in the RAM 52. In this post-processing operation, the sheets on which images have been formed are aligned and collected, post-processing (staple binding) is performed, and the binding-processed sheet bundle is carried out to the stack tray 35. For this reason, the control CPU 50 receives information on sheet size (including the length in the conveyance orthogonal direction), sheet property (paper thickness, material, curl degree) information, sheet feeding path information, and conveyance path information from the control unit 45 of the image forming apparatus A. And a job end signal are received.

  The control CPU 50 (hereinafter simply referred to as control means) includes a sheet discharge control unit 50a that accepts a sheet conveyed from the upstream image forming apparatus A into the sheet discharge path 22, a sheet alignment control unit 50b, and a post-processing control unit 50c. The sheet bundle carry-out control unit 50d is provided. The paper discharge control unit 50 a controls the drive motor so that the sheet carried into the paper discharge path 22 is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 28 toward the paper discharge port 24.

  At the same time, the paper discharge control unit 50a causes the reversing roller 32 to wait at the standby position when the sheet is carried out from the paper discharge port 24, and presses the rollers together after the leading edge of the sheet has passed. When the sheet trailing edge passes through the sheet discharge sensor Se2, the roller conveyance direction is reversed. In this control, the up / down movement of the reversing roller is vertically controlled, and the forward / reverse control is performed by the roller driving motor.

  The sheet alignment control unit 50b moves the left and right alignment members 38R and 38L from the standby position Wp to the alignment position Ap after the expected time that the sheet is loaded onto the processing tray 25 and the rear end reaches the restriction stopper 29. . The position movement of the left and right alignment members 38R, 38L is performed by the method described above.

  The post-processing control unit 50c controls each unit according to post-processing such as stapling, punch punching, stamp stamping, and the like. In the illustrated staple unit 31, the control unit 50 transmits an activation signal to the drive motor of the staple unit 31 after the operation in which the last sheet is carried into the processing tray 25 by the job end signal and the width direction thereof is aligned. Upon receiving this signal, the staple unit 31 executes a binding operation, and sends an end signal to the control means 50 after the operation is completed.

  Upon receiving the end signal from the post-processing unit 31, the sheet bundle carry-out control unit 50 d presses the sheet bundle on the processing tray 25 with the reverse roller 32 and rotates the roller in the direction of the stack tray 30. With this operation, the sheet bundle on the processing tray 25 is stored in the stack tray 30 on the downstream side.

  The sheet alignment control unit 50b controls the above-described “sheet carry-out mechanism” and “alignment mechanism” according to the post-processing mode (straight paper discharge mode and staple binding mode) sent from the main body control unit 45. The sheet carry-out mechanism executes the above-described raising / lowering operation and rotation operation of the reversing roller 32, and the alignment mechanism controls the above-described width direction shift means (shift motors SM1, SM2) and height direction shift means (angle control motor Md). . For this reason, the sheet alignment control unit 50b is connected to the driver circuit of each motor so as to transfer the command signals to the first and second shift motors SM1, SM2 and the lifting / lowering motors of the reverse roller 32 and the carry-out motor.

  8 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of operation states in the control device 50 described above. FIG. 8A shows a state of the alignment member 38 in the retracted position (third height position h3). At this time, sheets that have already been post-processed are stacked on the stack tray 30, and the upper processing tray 25 waits for the subsequent sheet to be carried in. In the figure, the aligning member 38 moves from the home position at the third height position to the sheet carry-in position (the illustrated position is the align position), and then from the third height position h3 to the first height position h1. Moving. At this time, the paper pressure surface 38z of the alignment member 38 is lowered so as to press the uppermost sheet being stacked, and holds the posture of the entire stacked sheet by pressing the uppermost sheet. In this case, the sheet carry-in position of the alignment member 38 is set according to the sheet size.

  FIG. 8B shows a state where the sheet is carried onto the processing tray, and the sheet sent from the paper discharge port 24 is placed and supported on the processing tray 25 and the sheet support surface 38y. At this time, the height of the processing tray 25 and the height of the sheet support surface 38y are set to the same height, or a step is formed between them, or is set in the apparatus design. In either case, the condition is set such that the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet 24 to the processing tray 25 does not jam.

  FIGS. 9C and 9D show the alignment operation of the sheet carried on the processing tray 25, and FIG. 9C shows the state in which the alignment member 38 is raised by a predetermined amount (Δd) for the alignment operation. FIG. 4D shows a state where the sheets are aligned and aligned. As described above, the alignment member 38 is set at a position where the sheet pressure surface 38z presses the sheets stacked on the stack tray 30. In this state, if the sheet is moved from the standby position Wp to the alignment position Ap for alignment, a misalignment of the stacked sheets on the stack tray 30 is caused.

  Therefore, the control unit 50 raises the alignment member 38 by a predetermined amount Δd when the sheet reaches the regulation stopper 29 of the processing tray 25 from the paper discharge port 24. Then, the alignment member 38 forms a predetermined gap (Δh) with the uppermost sheet on the stack tray as shown in FIG. After this operation, the control means 50 moves the alignment member 38 from the standby position Wp (loading position) to the alignment position Ap. With this operation, the sheet carried into the processing tray 25 is aligned with the reference position (center reference) in the sheet width direction.

  Next, when the control unit 50 receives a job end signal from the image forming apparatus A on the floor where the sheets are loaded onto the processing tray 25 and the alignment operation of the respective loaded sheets is completed, the control unit 50 moves the post-processing unit (binding processing unit) 31. Operate. Then, the sheet bundle on the processing tray is bound. Therefore, the control unit 50 retracts the alignment member 38 from the alignment position Ap to the standby position Wp by a job end signal from the post-processing unit 31.

  This state is shown in FIG. 10 (e). With this operation, the processed sheets (bundles) are supported only on the processing tray 25 and released from the alignment member 38. Then, the control means 50 presses the reverse roller 32 and rotates in the paper discharge direction. Then, the processed sheets (bundles) are sent out from the tray outlet end (sheet discharge port 24) to the stack tray 30 side.

  Therefore, the control unit 50 changes the angle of the alignment member 38 to a height position different from the first height position described above (in the illustrated embodiment, the second height position. The sheet on the processing tray 25 is a reverse roller. It is sent to the stack tray 30 side by the action of 32 and dropped and stored on the uppermost sheet of the stack tray, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control means 50 moves the aligning member 38 positioned at the second height position from the standby position to the aligning position for the sheet that has been dropped and stored on the stack tray. As a result, the sheets on the stack tray are aligned so that the position in the sheet width direction matches the reference position. After this operation, the control means 50 returns the alignment member 38 to the initial state of FIG.

  In the present invention, when the sheet support surface 38y of the aligning member 38 is moved from the first height position h1 for guiding and aligning the sheet onto the processing tray to a different angular position, Although the case where the height position is set to be the same as the second height position to perform the alignment operation has been described, it is needless to say that this may be set to a height position different from the second height position.

21f Device frame 22 Discharge path 24 Discharge port 25 Processing tray 28 Discharge roller 29 Restriction stopper 30 Stack tray 30a Paper loading surface 30z Recessed portion 32 Reversing roller 37R Right bracket 37L Left bracket 38 Alignment member 38x Side restriction surface 38x1 First Side regulating surface 38x2 Second side regulating surface 38y Sheet support surface 38s Slit (cam groove)
43 Collar member 43a Inner diameter hole 44 Swing arm 44p Connecting pin 50 Control unit Md Angle control motor SM1, SM2 Shift motor

Claims (8)

A paper discharge path having a paper discharge port;
A processing tray for post-processing the sheet sent from the paper discharge port;
A stack tray for storing sheets sent from the processing tray;
Aligning means for aligning the sheet sent from the paper discharge port with the processing position on the processing tray;
Control means for controlling the matching means;
With
The paper discharge path, the processing tray, and the stack tray are arranged in this order from the top to the bottom, forming a step from the paper discharge port,
The alignment means includes
A pair of left and right alignment members;
Width direction shifting means for moving at least one of the alignment members in the sheet width direction;
A height direction shifting means for moving up and down at least one of the alignment members in the height direction;
Consists of
The pair of left and right alignment members are:
A sheet supporting surface for supporting the lower surface of the sheet sent from the paper discharge port to the processing tray and a side regulating surface for aligning the side end surface of the sheet loaded on the processing tray with a predetermined processing position are formed. And
At least one of the alignment members is attached to the apparatus frame so as to be movable up and down at first and second different height positions,
The control means includes
When carrying a sheet from the discharge port to the processing tray, the sheet support surface is at a high first height position,
In order to transfer the sheet from the processing tray to the stack tray, the sheet support surface is at a low second height position,
The sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein the height direction shift means is controlled so as to be positioned. An alignment member that moves up and down between the first and second height positions,
The device frame is pivotally supported so that it can swing around the pivot point,
When the sheet support surface is at the first height position, the sheet is supported in a posture substantially the same as the paper placement surface of the processing tray, and at the second height position, the sheet is lowered from the paper placement surface of the processing tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is set to a swing angle that is supported in a posture in which the sheet is bent. The pair of left and right alignment members are:
Each is supported by the device frame so that it can swing between the first and second height positions,
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to a common height direction shift unit. An alignment member that moves up and down between the first and second height positions,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost sheet surface on the stack tray is pressed in the state of the first height position so as to be movable up and down in accordance with a stacking amount of the uppermost sheet on the stack tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. The height direction shifting means includes
Drive means such as a drive motor and an electromagnetic solenoid;
Transmission cam means for transmitting the operation of the drive means to the alignment member;
Consists of
The transmission cam means is
5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alignment member includes a cam and a cam follower that press the upper surface of the stacked sheet on the stack tray by its own weight. The alignment member is
It is configured to be movable to a retreat position that is retreated from a movement locus of a sheet conveyed from the discharge port to the processing tray and the stack tray,
The control means includes
6. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet jam occurs, the alignment member is moved to a retracted position different from the first and second height positions. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a post-processing unit that performs binding processing on the sheets stacked in a bundle shape is disposed in the processing tray. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet;
A sheet post-processing device for post-processing a sheet sent from the image forming apparatus;
Consisting of
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images