JP7543722B2 - Aftertreatment Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a post-processing device.

Post-processing devices are known that perform a specific post-processing on sheet-like media on which an image has been formed. Examples of post-processing that can be performed by post-processing devices include staple binding, in which a sheet stack in which the edges of multiple sheets are aligned is bound using a binding member such as a metal staple, stapleless binding, in which the sheets are bound without using a binding member, and punching, in which holes are punched in the sheet stack.

Each of the post-processing processes listed above is performed by a different processing mechanism (tool). Therefore, in the case of a post-processing device that can handle multiple post-processing processes, multiple tools will be installed inside the device, which is not suitable for making the device smaller. In addition, the tool used to perform a specific post-processing process must be switched (replaced) so that it can be used for a stack of sheets, but doing this manually reduces the efficiency of the post-processing. Therefore, a configuration that allows tools to be efficiently replaced based on the conditions of use is desirable.

Although different from post-processing devices, technology has been disclosed for machine tools that allows for the tool attached to the spindle to be swapped with a replacement tool in order to reduce the time required to change tools (see Patent Document 1).

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tool cannot be replaced unless the machine moves to the location where the replacement tool is located, and the movement (reciprocating movement) to replace the tool takes time. Therefore, even if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a post-processing device equipped with multiple tools, there are problems in efficiently executing multiple post-processing processes.

In addition, the problem of equipment becoming large when multiple tools are provided is difficult to solve even when conventional technology is applied. Therefore, it is desirable to have a post-processing device capable of performing multiple post-processing processes that can improve the efficiency of the post-processing and also contribute to miniaturization.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a sheet processing device that can perform multiple post-processing processes, is compact, and reduces the time required to replace tools used in the post-processing processes.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is a post-processing device that performs a predetermined post-processing on a sheet after image formation, comprising a plurality of tools used for the post-processing, a tool movement switching unit that moves the tools to a post-processing position for the sheet and selectively switches the tools used for the post-processing to the post-processing position, the tool movement switching unit comprising: a moving means that moves the tool to the post-processing position, a tool position rotation means that rotates the tool on an axis perpendicular to the movement direction of the tool, and a tool switching means that selectively switches the tool to the post-processing position in a circumferential direction of the axis, the tool movement switching unit having an initial position within a movement range of the moving means and a switching position at which the tool is selectively switched by the tool switching means, and the rotational movement of the tool in the tool position rotation means is performed between the initial position and the switching position .

The present invention is compact and reduces the time required to change tools used in post-processing.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system including a post-processing device according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of a sheet processing apparatus as an embodiment of a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention; 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a staple binding unit included in the sheet processing apparatus. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a staple-free binding unit included in the sheet processing apparatus. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating binding teeth included in the staple-free binding unit. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a hole punching unit included in the sheet processing apparatus. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of a movement switching mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a movement switching mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus; FIG. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating another configuration example of the movement switching mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus. 13 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the movement switching mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the movement switching mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of post-processing executed in the sheet processing apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a post-processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming system including a sheet processing device 2 as a post-processing device according to the present invention. The image forming system is composed of an image forming device main body 1 and a sheet processing device 2.

The sheet processing device 2 is connected to the side of the image forming device main body 1 and has the function of receiving a sheet P, which is a sheet-like medium discharged from the image forming device main body 1 and on which an image has been formed by an image formation process, and performing a specified post-processing on the sheet P before discharging it.

The type and content of post-processing to be performed by the sheet processing device 2 may be selected based on information notified from the image forming device main body 1, or may be preset by the user in the sheet processing device 2.

The image forming device main body 1 has a sheet supply unit that supplies sheet-like media in response to execution control of the image formation process, an image forming unit that forms an image on the supplied media, and a transport unit that transports the media to the image forming unit and out to the sheet processing device 2. The image forming unit may be of an electrophotographic type that uses optical writing control, or of an inkjet type that forms an image by ejecting liquid ink onto the media.

[Configuration of sheet processing apparatus 2]
2 illustrates an overall view of a sheet processing apparatus 2 as an embodiment of a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus 2 includes a plurality of transport paths for transporting a sheet P as a medium on which an image has been formed and which has been discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

The sheet processing device 2 has a first transport path 210 that receives the sheet P discharged from the image forming device main body 1, and two paths that branch off from the first transport path 210: a second transport path 220 that leads to a proof tray 221, a third transport path 230 that performs post-processing such as shift processing and end binding processing, and a fourth transport path 240 that performs folding processing.

The first conveying path 210 is provided with an entrance roller 211 and an entrance sensor 212, and is configured to detect when a sheet P is conveyed into the sheet processing device 2. Downstream (in the conveying direction) of the entrance roller 211, a first conveying roller 213 is disposed before the conveying roller, and a first branching claw 214 located at the branching portion at the end of the first conveying path 210 rotates to sort the conveying direction of the sheet P to the second conveying path 220 or the third conveying path 230.

A punching device 250 is disposed in the first conveying path 210 between the entrance roller 211 and the first conveying roller 213 to perform a hole punching process on the conveyed sheet P.

In the third transport path 230, a second transport roller 216 is arranged after the transport roller, and the sheet P is transported to the end binding section 260 through this. In addition, in the third transport path 230, a second branching claw 215 is arranged upstream of the second transport roller 216. By rotating the second branching claw 215, the transport direction of the sheet P is sorted to the fourth transport path 240.

A staple tray 263 is disposed in the edge binding section 260. The sheet P conveyed to the staple tray 263 comes into contact with the sheet P due to the pendulum motion of a tapping roller 265, which is one of the alignment members for aligning the edges, and is guided further downstream on the staple tray 263. This causes the rear end of the sheet P to be abutted against the rear end fence 262 by a return roller 266, which is another alignment member. As a result, the position of the sheet P in the conveying direction is aligned and the sheet P is loaded on the staple tray 263.

In addition, the staple tray 263 is equipped with a jogger fence 264 that moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheets P are transported, aligning the widthwise position of the sheets P loaded on the staple tray 263.

By performing two operations to align the positions of the end of the sheet P in the transport direction and the end in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, a sheet stack Pb is formed from the sheets P transported to the staple tray 263.

When the operation mode of the sheet processing device 2 is an operation mode (edge binding mode) in which an edge stapling process is performed to staple the ends of the sheet stack Pb, the edge stapling stapler unit 261 moves in a direction along the surface of the sheet stack Pb whose ends are aligned and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheets P, and performs the stapling process at an appropriate position on the end (lower edge) of the sheet stack Pb. After the stapling process is completed, the sheet stack Pb is discharged by the discharge claw 267 toward the discharge roller 217 and driven roller 218, which are in the opposite direction to the conveyed direction of the sheets P, and the upper edge is clamped by these rollers and discharged to the discharge tray 219.

[Details of the Stapler Unit 261]
Next, as an example of a tool used in post-processing, a stapler unit 261 serving as a binding means used in binding processing will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the stapler unit 261 is configured by mounting a stapler 2611 on a selector gear 2612. A bracket 2613 is fixed to the selector gear 2612, and the stapler unit 261 integrated with the stapler 2611 and a stapler blanket 2614 fixed to the stapler 2611 is mounted on the bracket 2613.

There is no structural problem if the selector gear 2612 and bracket 2613 are integrated, but the bracket 2613 is a member that is repeatedly attached to and detached from the stapler blanket 2614, so it requires strength to withstand repeated use. In this embodiment, the gear portion is made of resin and the bracket 2613 is made of metal. This is because it has cost advantages. However, as long as the mechanical strength and cost are met, it may be made of resin or metal as one piece.

Similarly, the stapler blanket 2614 can be integrated with the stapler 2611 without any structural problems, but since it is a component that requires strength, it is made of metal (with resin gears).

In FIG. 3, the stapler unit 261 is movably mounted on a guide shaft 2618 supported by a frame structure provided inside the sheet processing device 2. A slider 2615 that serves as a support base for the stapler 2611 is movably mounted on the guide shaft 2618. The stapler 2611 is integral with a selector gear 2612 and is held so as to rotate around an axis on the slider 2615 as a fulcrum to the front and rear diagonal binding positions.

The stapler 2611 does not have a rotation drive unit and rotates by striking the abutment unit 2616, so a rotating gear 2617 and a selector gear 2612 are arranged below the stapler 2611. The rotation angle of the stapler unit 261 connected to the selector gear 2612 is 45° on both the rear and front sides, resulting in an overall rotation angle of 90°.

Next, the movement mechanism and binding mechanism of the stapleless binding unit 2611a, which acts as a binding means for binding the ends of the sheet stack Pb in the same manner as the stapler 2611, will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the stapleless binding unit 2611a provided in the sheet processing device 2 is configured to be movable over the entire widthwise area of the sheet stack Pb placed on the staple tray 263.

The staple-free binding unit 2611a is stably guided by a guide shaft 2618 arranged along the width direction of the sheet stack Pb, and is thus capable of reciprocating in the width direction. The staple-free binding unit 2611a reciprocates when a unit movement belt 2620 is rotated by a unit movement motor 2619, which serves as a drive source for moving the staple-free binding unit 2611a.

The stapleless binding unit 2611a includes binding teeth 2621 as illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a side view of the binding teeth 2621. The binding teeth 2621 are composed of an upper binding tooth 2621a and a lower binding tooth 2621b. The state shown in FIG. 5(a) illustrates the state before the binding teeth 2621 perform the binding operation. FIG. 5(a) illustrates the state in which the sheet stack Pb is placed between the upper binding tooth 2621a and the lower binding tooth 2621b.

Figure 5 (b) illustrates the state of the binding teeth 2621 when the binding operation is performed. The upper binding teeth 2621a and the lower binding teeth 2621b are formed with uneven teeth so that they mesh with each other. With the sheet bundle Pb to be bound placed between the upper binding teeth 2621a and the lower binding teeth 2621b, the two binding teeth are operated to close the gap, and the upper binding teeth 2621a and the lower binding teeth 2621b press the sheet bundle Pb so that it is sandwiched between them. The pressing force at this time causes the fibers of the sheets P contained in the sheet bundle Pb to intertwine, and the multiple sheets P are pressed together to bind the sheet bundle Pb.

[Details of the punching device 250]
Next, the punching device 250 as a tool used in the hole punching process among the post-processing executed in the sheet processing device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the punching device 250 has a punching section 251, a hopper section 252, a lateral registration detection section 253, and a registration movement section 254. The punching section 251 is provided with a punch 255 as a punching means, and is moved away from the sheet P or abuts against the sheet P to penetrate it by driving a punch motor also provided in the punching section 251. This allows the punch 255 to form punch holes in the sheet P.

The registration movement unit 254 moves the punching unit 251 (punch 255) in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Note that the movement direction of the punching unit 251 (punch 255) is not limited to the sheet width direction, as it depends on the arrangement of each unit.

The hopper section 252 is a member that stores punch waste generated by punching, and is disposed below the punch 255 of the punching section 251. The lateral registration detection section 253 is provided with a lateral registration detection sensor 257 that can detect the side edge (the edge in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) of the sheet P. The lateral registration detection section 253 is also provided with a movement section for moving the lateral registration detection sensor 257 in the sheet width direction.

[First embodiment of tool movement switching unit]
Next, a tool movement switching unit provided in the sheet processing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The tool movement switching unit is configured to selectively switch tools applied to a plurality of post-processing processes executed in the sheet processing apparatus 2, and to efficiently move the tools to predetermined positions. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tool unit 270 serving as the tool movement switching unit.

The tool unit 270 has a plurality of tools for performing each of a plurality of post-processing processes. In FIG. 7(a), it has a first tool 2701 and a second tool 2702. The first tool 2701 is, for example, a stapler 2611, which is a staple-based binding means serving as tool A, and the second tool 2702 is a staple-less binding unit 2611a, which is a staple-less binding tool serving as tool B.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the tool unit 270 includes an actuator 271 as a drive source constituting the moving means, and a drive transmission belt 272 as a drive transmission member. In the tool unit 270, a base unit 275 carrying a first tool 2701 and a second tool 2702 is held by the drive transmission belt 272 so as to be movable from an operating section SC1 as a moving range to a switching section SC2 as a moving range. In the section equivalent to the switching section SC2 as a moving range, a switching claw member 273 as a tool switching means is installed. Note that the tool unit 270 according to the embodiment is provided with the switching section SC2 as a part of its movable range, and the part of the movable range other than the switching section SC2 corresponds to the operating section SC1 in which each tool is used.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the base unit 275 of the tool unit 270 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft attachment 274 serving as a tool position rotation means. The rotating shaft attachment 274 has a toothed belt 276 around a rotating shaft for rotating the base unit 275. In other words, the rotating shaft attachment 274 serving as a support member is a member with gears. When the base unit 275 rotates, the tool mounted on the base unit 275 rotates.

Returning to FIG. 7(a), the operation of the tool unit 270 will be described. When the drive transmission belt 272 rotates due to the driving force of the actuator 271, the base unit 275 held by the drive transmission belt 272 moves in the rotation direction of the drive transmission belt 272. When the base unit 275 passes through the switching section SC2 serving as the switching position, the toothed belt 276 provided on the base unit 275 meshes with the switching claw member 273, and the toothed belt 276 rotates in response to the movement of the drive transmission belt 272.

When the toothed belt 276 rotates, the base unit 275 rotates, and the circumferential positions of the first tool 2701 and the second tool 2702 relative to the base unit 275 are switched. The tool unit 270 has an initial position (home position) set for each different tool, and as shown in Figure 7, HP1 is set as the first initial position, which is the home position when no switching is performed (when tool A is used). Also, HP2 is set as the second initial position, which is the home position when switching is performed (when tool B is used). The switching operation by the tool unit 270 is performed between HP1 and HP2.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), the positions of the first tool 2701 and the second tool 2702 are switched to positions that differ by 180 degrees between HP1 and HP2. When moving between HP1 and HP2, the tool unit 270 switches the position of the tool in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), the tool unit 270 may be configured to mount four tools on the base unit 275. In this case, the number of teeth on the toothed belt 276 may be adjusted so that each tool can switch positions every 90 degrees.

When the tool unit 270 switches its circumferential position from the first tool 2701 (tool A) to the second tool 2702 (tool B) to switch its position relative to the post-processing position, as illustrated in FIG. 8, it moves the base unit 275 along the cam groove 2721. This causes the toothed belt 276 to move along the cam groove 2721. At this time, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8(a), when the toothed belt 276 moves from HP1 to HP2, the toothed belt 276 engages with the switching claw member 273, and the toothed belt 276 rotates clockwise as illustrated. This rotation of the toothed belt 276 rotates the base unit 275 by 180 degrees. This switches the circumferential positions of the first tool 2701 and the second tool 2702.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the base unit 275 is moved from HP2 to HP1, the toothed belt 276 is a one-way clutch 2761 and is therefore not rotated. Therefore, the switching claw member 273 that was engaged with the toothed belt 276 is pushed in the direction of movement of the toothed belt 276.

The switching claw member 273 is biased in advance in the direction from HP1 to HP2 by a spring 2731 as an elastic member, and the biasing force of the spring 2731 is weaker than the pressing force applied to the switching claw member 273 by the movement of the base unit 275. Therefore, when the toothed belt 276 moves from HP2 to HP1, that is, when the base unit 275 moves from HP2 to HP1, the spring 2731 is pressed and contracts, so that the switching claw member 273 is pressed in the movement direction of the toothed belt 276.

The cam groove 2721 is formed so that the toothed belt 276 is closer to the switching claw member 273 at the position corresponding to HP2 than at the position corresponding to HP1, so that when the toothed belt 276 moves from HP2 to HP1, it moves while pressing the switching claw member 273 up to a certain position, and when it passes that predetermined position, it is released from pressing the switching claw member 273. This causes the switching claw member 273 to return to its original position as shown in Figure 8 (c).

After that, when the positions of the first tool 2701 and the second tool 2702 are to be swapped again, the base unit 275 is moved from HP1 toward HP2 as in FIG. 8(a).

According to the tool movement switching mechanism according to the present embodiment described above, by changing the installation positions of the switching claw member 273 and the cam groove 2721, it is possible to mount multiple tools in combination on the base unit 275, without limiting the area in which the operation of selectively switching the tools used in post-processing is performed, and it is possible to freely arrange the tools for performing post-processing so that they can be switched.

[Second embodiment of tool movement switching unit]
Next, another embodiment of the tool movement switching unit included in the sheet processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tool unit 270a as the tool movement switching unit. As shown in Fig. 9, in the tool unit 270a, switching claw members 273 as tool switching means may be disposed at both ends of the main scanning range in which the tool unit 270 performs post-processing.

In this case, a first initial position is set at a position close to each switching claw member 273 in the operating section SC1, which includes the vicinity of the center of the main scanning range, which is the range in which the tool unit 270 performs post-processing. In addition, switching sections SC2 may be set at positions adjacent to each first initial position, on both ends of the operating section SC1. Then, when switching the circumferential positions of the first tool 2701 and the second tool 2702, the base unit 275 may be moved to the position where the tool unit 270 is located, to the closer of the two switching sections SC2 (the one with the shorter moving distance).

By controlling the direction of movement toward the switching claw member 273 depending on the position of the tool unit 270, the movement time of the tool unit 270 during the switching operation can be shortened, and the efficiency of the tool switching process can be improved.

[Third embodiment of tool movement switching mechanism]
Next, still another embodiment of the tool movement switching unit included in the sheet processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tool unit 270b as a tool movement switching unit. As illustrated in Fig. 10(a), the tool unit 270b according to the present embodiment includes a rack portion 2722 on a drive transmission belt 272. Also, as illustrated in Fig. 10(b), the tool unit 270b includes a movement drive source 2751 as a drive source for making a base unit 275 self-propelled.

The moving drive source 2751 rotates a gear 2752 as a structure for supporting the base unit 275. The gear 2752 is arranged to mesh with a rack portion 2722 of the drive transmission belt 272. Therefore, by transmitting the driving force of the moving drive source 2751 to the gear 2752, the base unit 275 moves in the main scanning direction. Then, as in the first embodiment, the toothed belt 276 meshes with the switching claw member 273 and rotates, and the positions of the multiple tools can be switched in the circumferential direction.

[Fourth embodiment of tool movement switching mechanism]
Next, still another embodiment of the tool movement switching unit included in the sheet processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a tool unit 270c as the tool movement switching unit.

The tool unit 270c, like the tool unit 270a described as the second embodiment, is provided with switching claw members 273 as tool switching means at both ends of the main scanning range, which is the range in which the tool unit 270 performs post-processing. The tool unit 270c is self-propelled like the third embodiment, and the base unit 275 moves in the main scanning direction by transmitting driving force from the moving drive source 2751 to a gear 2752 arranged to mesh with a rack portion 2722 of the drive transmission belt 272.

When the base unit 275 moves, the toothed belt 276 engages with the switching claw member 273 and rotates, switching the circumferential positions of the multiple tools.

[Control configuration of post-processing device]
Next, a control configuration that enables control in each of the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 200 included in the sheet processing apparatus 2.

The control unit 200 includes a control circuit equipped with a microcomputer having a CPU 201, an I/O interface 202, etc. Signals from the controller 100 or the operation panel 101 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 are input to the CPU 201 via the communication interface 102. The CPU 201 executes a predetermined control based on the input signal.

The CPU 201 also controls the drive of the DC solenoid 205, DC motor 206, and stepping motor 207 via the motor driver 203 and driver 204, and acquires information from the sensor switch 208 via the interface. Note that some of the stepping motors 207 are controlled and some of the sensor switches 208 acquire information via the I/O interface 202. Furthermore, some of the stepping motors 207 are controlled and driven based on a pulse signal generated by a PWM generator 209.

The position and amount of movement of the base unit 275 are detected by the sensor switch 208. The CPU 201 can determine the position of the base unit 275 based on the detection result. Therefore, the control unit 200 controls the switching operation of the positions of each tool in the tool unit 270, etc., and the direction of movement of the base unit 275 for the switching operation.

In addition, each of these controls is executed based on a program defined by the program code, which is read by the CPU 201 from a storage unit such as a ROM provided in the control unit 200, and expanded into RAM, using the RAM as a work area and data buffer. The control unit 200 also includes a non-volatile memory for storing data used for control.

The above description is an example of a configuration in which the sheet processing device 2 has its own control unit 200, but the controller 100 provided in the image forming device main body 1 may also be configured to control the sheet processing device 2.

[Tool movement switching unit operation flow]
Next, the flow of operations of the tool movement switching unit in the sheet processing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. The operations described below can be controlled by the control unit 200 described above.

The image forming process is started in the image forming device main body 1, and the processing conditions such as the size (paper size) of the sheet P on which the image is to be formed and the mode of post-processing (binding type) are notified to the sheet processing device 2, and the following process is started.

First, the position and state of the tool unit 270 are grasped based on the detection results from the sensor switch 208 (S1301). Next, based on the processing conditions notified from the image forming apparatus main body 1, a movement pulse for defining the amount and direction of movement of the tool unit 270 is determined (S1302). In addition, based on the processing conditions, it is determined whether or not the tool has been switched (S1303).

Based on the result of this determination and the movement pulse determined in S1302, the tool unit 270 is moved to tool standby (S1304), and each time a sheet P is discharged to the staple tray 263, the sheet stack Pb is aligned by jogging the width direction using the jogger fence 264 (S1305).

This is repeated up to the final sheet that constitutes part of the sheet bundle Pb (S1306), and after jogging is performed on the final sheet that constitutes part of the sheet bundle Pb (S1307), a predetermined post-processing is performed by the tool unit 270, for example, binding processing is performed by the stapler unit 261 (S1308), and the processed sheet bundle Pb is discharged (S1308).

The process from S1305 to S1308 is repeated until the final section (S1309), and when the process for the final section is completed, the tool unit 270 is moved to the home position (S1310), and the process ends.

As described above, according to the sheet processing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, the movement direction and movement amount of the tool unit 270 can be determined based on the post-processing conditions for the sheet P and the position and state of the tool unit 270, and switching to the optimal tool can be performed along with the movement of the tool. Since a common drive source is required for tool movement and tool switching, this also contributes to the miniaturization of the sheet processing apparatus 2. In addition, switching can be performed when the tool is moved to the post-processing position, improving the efficiency of post-processing.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the invention. All technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1: Image forming apparatus main body 2: Sheet processing apparatus 200: Control unit 201: CPU
202: I/O interface 203: Motor driver 204: Driver 205: DC solenoid 206: DC motor 207: Stepping motor 208: Sensor switch 209: PWM generator 210: First conveying path 211: Inlet roller 212: Inlet sensor 213: First conveying roller 214: First branching claw 215: Second branching claw 216: Second conveying roller 217: Discharge roller 218: Driven roller 219: Discharge tray 220: Second conveying path 221: Proof tray 230: Third conveying path 240: Fourth conveying path 250: Perforation device 251: Perforation section 252: Hopper section 253: Lateral registration detection section 254: Registration movement section 255: Punch 257: Lateral registration detection sensor 260: section 261: Stapler unit 262 : Rear end fence 263 : Staple tray 264 : Jogger fence 265 : Roller 266 : Return roller 267 : Release claw 270 : Tool unit 270a : Tool unit 270b : Tool unit 270c : Tool unit 271 : Actuator 272 : Drive transmission belt 273 : Switching claw member 274 : Rotating support shaft attachment 275 : Base unit 276 : Toothed belt 2611 : Stapler 2611a : Unit 2612 : Selector gear 2613 : Bracket 2614 : Stapler blanket 2615 : Slider 2616 : Abutment portion 2617 : Gear 2618 : Guide shaft 2619 : Unit movement motor 2620 : Unit movement belt 2621 : Teeth 2621a : Teeth 2621b : Teeth 2701 : First tool 2702 : Second tool 2721 : Cam groove 2722 : Rack portion 2731 : Spring 2751 : Movement drive source 2752 : Gear 2761 : One-way clutch

JP 2008-000860 A

Claims (5)

A post-processing device that performs a predetermined post-processing on a sheet after an image is formed,
a tool movement switching unit that includes a plurality of tools used in the post-processing, moves the tools to a post-processing position relative to the sheet, and selectively switches the tools used in the post-processing to the post-processing position;
The tool movement switching unit is
a moving means for moving the tool to the post-processing position;
a tool position rotation means for rotating the tool on an axis perpendicular to a moving direction of the tool;
and a tool switching means for selectively switching the tool to the post-processing position in a circumferential direction of the axis,
the tool movement switching unit has an initial position within a movement range of the moving means and a switching position at which the tool is selectively switched by the tool switching means,
The tool position rotation means rotates the tool between the initial position and the switching position.
A post-processing device comprising: A post-processing device that performs a predetermined post-processing on a sheet after an image is formed,
a tool movement switching unit that includes a plurality of tools used in the post-processing, moves the tools to a post-processing position relative to the sheet, and selectively switches the tools used in the post-processing to the post-processing position;
The tool movement switching unit is
a moving means for moving the tool to the post-processing position;
a tool position rotation means for rotating the tool on an axis perpendicular to a moving direction of the tool;
and a tool switching means for selectively switching the tool to the post-processing position in a circumferential direction of the axis,
the tool movement switching unit has the tool switching means at both ends of a movement range of the moving means,
When switching the tool, the position of the tool position rotation means is moved to the tool switching means which is closer to the tool position rotation means.
A post-processing device comprising: The moving means includes an actuator and a drive transmission member.
the tool position rotating means is a geared support member held by the drive transmission member,
The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the tool switching means is a claw member that meshes with a gear provided on the support member. The moving means has a movement drive source,
the tool position rotating means is a geared support member held by the movement drive source,
the tool switching means is a pawl member that meshes with a gear provided on the support member,
The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement drive source switches the tool by moving the support member while engaging it with the claw member. 5. The post-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the relative positions of said support member and said claw member are variable in the moving direction of said moving means.