JP3706773B2 - Sheet discharging apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet discharge device having a plurality of sheet discharge ports arranged in the vertical direction to discharge a sheet, and image forming such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a composite device including the sheet discharge device. Relating to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the sheet discharge port of this type of sheet discharge device remains open.
[0003]
For this reason, the upper discharge sheet stacking unit that stacks the sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port descends to the lower sheet discharge port while stacking the sheets, and the upper discharge sheet stacking unit is placed in the lower sheet discharge port. There is a risk of the sheet entering.
[0004]
Accordingly, the upper discharge sheet stacking means in the conventional sheet discharge apparatus is not lowered to the lower sheet discharge port.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional sheet discharge device, the upper discharge sheet stacking unit is not lowered to the lower sheet discharge port, so that a large number of sheets cannot be stacked on the upper discharge sheet stacking unit.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharge device capable of stacking a large number of sheets on an upper discharge sheet stacking unit, and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet discharge device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The sheet discharge device of the present invention can be moved up and down to open and close a lower sheet discharge port among a plurality of sheet discharge ports arranged in the vertical direction to discharge a sheet, and is always urged in the upward direction to A shutter held in a state where the lower sheet discharge port is opened, and an upper discharge sheet stacking unit capable of moving up and down to stack sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port. Lower sheet outlet Until When descending, the upper discharge sheet stacking means pushes down the shutter and closes the lower sheet discharge port by the shutter.
[0008]
The sheet discharge device according to the present invention has a lower discharge sheet stacking unit that protrudes outward and stacks sheets discharged from the lower sheet discharge port, and the upper discharge sheet stacking unit descends to the lower sheet discharge port. And a retracting means for retracting the lower discharge sheet stacking means to a position not interfering with the upper discharge sheet stacking means.
[0009]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a sheet stacking unit on which sheets are stacked, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet supplied from the sheet stacking unit, and a sheet folding unit that bends the sheet on which an image is formed. A sheet supply unit capable of changing a mounting position for supplying a sheet on the downstream side of the image forming unit; By sheet folding means A folded sheet, By the sheet folding means The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharging apparatus discharges a sheet that is not bent.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view showing an internal structure of a copying machine 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
The copying machine 1000 includes an original feeding unit 100, an image reader unit 200, an image forming unit 300, a tri-fold processing unit 400 that folds a sheet into a Z shape, a bi-fold processing unit 500 that folds a sheet in two, a finisher 600, and It has an inserter 900 and the like.
[0013]
Sheets include plain paper, thin resin sheets that are substitutes for plain paper, postcards, cardboard, sealed letters, and plastic thin plates.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the copying machine 1000.
[0015]
The CPU circuit unit 301 includes a CPU (not shown), and in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302 and a setting of the operation unit 303, a document feeding control unit 304, an image reader control unit 305, an image signal control unit 306, an image The forming unit controller 307, the three-fold controller 160, the two-fold controller 217, the finisher controller 525, the inserter controller 911, and the like are controlled.
[0016]
The document feeding control unit 304 performs the document feeding unit 100, the image reader control unit 305 performs the image reader unit 200, the image forming unit control unit 307 performs the image forming unit 300, and the trifold control unit 160 performs the trifold processing. The part fold control unit 217 controls the half fold control unit 500, the finisher control unit 525 controls the finisher 500, and the inserter control unit 911 controls the inserter 900.
[0017]
The operation unit 303 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying a setting state, and the like, and outputs a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key by the user to the CPU circuit unit 301. Based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 301, the corresponding information is displayed on the display unit.
[0018]
The RAM 308 is used as an area for temporarily storing control data and a work area for operations associated with control. An external I / F 309 is an interface between the copying machine 1000 and an external computer 310, and print data from the computer 310 is expanded into a bitmap image and output as image data to the image signal control unit 306. .
[0019]
Also, an image of the original read by the image sensor 109 is output from the image reader control unit 305 to the image signal control unit 306.
[0020]
The image forming unit controller 307 outputs the image data from the image signal controller 306 to the exposure controller 110.
[0021]
(Original feeding unit 100, image reader unit 200)
Referring to FIG. 1, a document is set on tray 1001 of document feeder 100 in an upright state as viewed from the user and in a face-up state (the surface on which an image is formed is facing upward). It is assumed that The binding position of the document is assumed to be located at the left end portion of the document.
[0022]
Documents set on the tray 1001 are conveyed by the document feeder 100 one by one from the first page in the left direction (in the direction of arrow A in the figure), that is, with the binding position as the leading edge. Then, the document is conveyed from the left to the right on the platen glass 102 through a curved path, and is then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 112.
[0023]
At this time, the scanner unit 104 is held in a predetermined position, and a document reading process is performed when the document passes through the scanner unit 104 from left to right. This reading method is referred to as document scanning.
[0024]
When the document passes over the platen glass 102, the document is irradiated by the lamp 103 of the scanner unit 104, and reflected light from the document is guided to the image sensor 109 via the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108.
[0025]
It is also possible to perform document reading processing by temporarily stopping the document conveyed by the document feeding unit 100 on the platen glass 102 and moving the scanner unit 104 from left to right in this state. This reading method is referred to as fixed document reading.
[0026]
When reading a document without using the document feeding unit 100, the user lifts the document feeding unit 100 and sets the document on the platen glass 102. In this case, the above-described original fixed reading is performed.
[0027]
(Image forming unit)
The document image data read by the image sensor 109 is subjected to predetermined image processing and sent to the exposure control unit 110. The exposure control unit 110 outputs laser light corresponding to the image signal. The laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 111 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 110a. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 111.
[0028]
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is developed by the developing device 113 and visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, the sheet is conveyed to the transfer unit 116 from any of the cassettes 114 and 115, the manual sheet feeding unit 125, and the double-sided conveyance path 124.
[0029]
The visualized toner image is transferred to the sheet in the transfer unit 116. The sheet after the transfer is subjected to a fixing process in the fixing unit 117.
[0030]
Then, the flapper 121 is rotated by the operation of the plunger 123 by rotating the flapper 121 by the operation of the plunger 123, and once guided to the path 122. After the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 121, the sheet is switched back. Transport to pair 118. Then, the sheet is discharged from the image forming unit 300 by the discharge roller pair 118.
[0031]
As a result, the surface on which the toner image is formed can be discharged from the image forming unit 300 in a face-down state. This is called reverse paper discharge.
[0032]
As described above, when the sheet is discharged face down to perform image forming processing in order from the first page, for example, when performing image forming processing using the document feeder 100, or from a computer The page order can be aligned when image forming processing is performed on image data.
[0033]
When image forming processing is performed on a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet conveyed from the manual sheet feeding unit 125, the surface on which the toner image is formed is faced up without leading the sheet to the path 122 (face up). In this state, the paper is discharged from the image forming unit 300 by the discharge roller pair 118.
[0034]
When image forming processing is performed on both sides of the sheet, the sheet is guided straight from the fixing unit 117 toward the discharge roller pair 118, and the sheet is switched back immediately after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the flapper 121. The flapper 121 leads to a double-sided conveyance path.
[0035]
However, when the sheet is reversed and discharged, the sheet may be curled while being switched back by the flapper 121. For example, the sheet may be curled and deformed into an upper curl (U-shape).
[0036]
In such a case, the sheet that passes through the three-fold processing unit 400 and the two-fold processing unit 500 and is discharged to the sample tray 701 or the stack tray 700 of the finisher 600 is deformed into an upper curl shape and is then discharged. It gets in the way of the seat.
[0037]
Therefore, the sheet reaching the pair of discharge rollers 509 of the sample tray 701 or the pair of discharge rollers 680 of the stack tray 700 is discharged at a faster speed than when the sheet is not reversed, thereby preventing sheet jamming during sheet discharge. are doing.
[0038]
In order to discharge the sheet at a higher speed than when the reverse discharge is not performed, the finisher control unit 525 described below discharges the discharge roller pair 509 of the sample tray 701 when the plunger 123 performs the reverse discharge operation. The counter motor 523 or the discharge roller pair motor 524 that rotates the discharge roller pair 680 of the stack tray 700 is controlled to rotate at high speed to discharge the sheet quickly.
[0039]
Incidentally, the sheet discharge speed when the sheet is not reversed is about 350 mm / s, but the sheet discharge speed when the sheet is reversed is about 450 mm / s.
[0040]
In the copying machine described above, the sheet curls in a U-shape, but when the sheet curls in an inverted U-shape (in this case, referred to as “lower curl”), the sheet jam is prevented in the same manner. can do.
[0041]
There is also a copying machine in which when a sheet is curled up or down by heat and reversed, the sheet is curled in a direction opposite to the curl to cancel the curl.
[0042]
In this case, since the sheet discharged without inversion is curled, the sheet is jammed by increasing the sheet discharge speed when discharging the sheet without inversion more than the sheet conveyance speed when discharging the sheet with inversion. Can be prevented.
[0043]
Further, the sheet may curl when the sheet passes through a tri-fold processing unit 400, a two-fold processing unit 500, an inserter 900, and the like, which will be described later. Further, the sheet passing through the finisher 600 may be curled. These cases can be dealt with in the same manner.
[0044]
(Trifold processor 400)
With reference to FIG. 1, the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 300 by the discharge roller pair 118 is sent to the conveyance path 150 of the tri-fold processing unit 400. In the three-fold processing unit 400, the three-fold processing is performed so that the sheet is folded in a Z shape. For example, when an A3 size or B4 size sheet is specified and the folding process is designated by the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2), the folding process is performed on the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 300.
[0045]
On the other hand, in other cases, the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 300 is sent to the two-fold processing unit 500 without performing the folding process, or the two-fold processing unit 500 is passed through. It is sent to finisher 600 as it is.
[0046]
The three-fold processing unit 400 guides the sheet to be folded in three to the receiving conveyance path 152 shown in FIG. 3A by the flapper 151, conveys the sheet by the conveyance roller pair 153, and receives it by the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154.
[0047]
At this time, when the sheet strikes the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 vigorously, vibrates, or jumps on the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 and becomes inclined, the sheet is folded by the first and second folding rollers 155 and 156. The sheet cannot be folded parallel to the leading edge of the sheet, causing wrinkles on the sheet, or the sides of the sheet cannot be aligned, and one side protrudes from the other side. This may interfere with the conveyance of the sheet and cause jams.
[0048]
Therefore, in order to prevent the conveyed sheet from jumping on the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154, when the leading edge of the sheet reaches slightly upstream from the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154, it is detected by the sheet leading edge detection sensor 157. The folding control unit 160 (see FIG. 5) causes the transport motor M21 that rotates the transport roller 153 to stop for the first time, and after a predetermined time starts (first start), the leading edge of the sheet is moved to the leading edge of the sheet. It is brought into contact with the receiving stopper 154.
[0049]
As a result, the sheet quietly lands on the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 without jumping on the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154.
[0050]
Thereafter, the conveyance rollers 153 and 153 continue to convey the sheet while the leading edge of the sheet P is in contact with the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 by the conveyance motor M21 rotating at the original rotation speed. The sheet protrudes from the opening 159 of the guide wall 158 and approaches the nip portion of the first and second folding rollers 155 and 156 in a buckled state.
[0051]
When the sheet approaches the nip portion, the tri-fold controller 160 causes the conveyance motor M21 to stop for the second time, and starts the second time after the vibration of the loop-shaped portion has subsided. For this reason, the loop-shaped portion is fed into the nip portion in a stable state. The timing of the second stop of the conveyance motor M21 is detected by the sheet leading edge detection sensor 157 before the sheet leading edge contacts the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154, and then the conveyance motor M21 starts the first time. Based on the number of revolutions from
[0052]
When the sheet approaches the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 or approaches the nip portion, the transport motor M21 is temporarily stopped (the first and second stops), but may be rotated at a reduced speed. .
[0053]
Therefore, the sheet is decelerated or temporarily stopped immediately before contacting the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 and immediately before being fed into the nip portion of the first and second folding rollers 155 and 156, and thus wrinkles are generated. Without being bent, it can be folded in exactly two.
[0054]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first and second folding rollers 155 and 156 fold the sheet P and convey it. Just before the folded end of the sheet comes into contact with the sheet folded end receiving stopper 161, the folding is detected by the sheet folded end detection sensor 162, and the folding unit 160 (see FIG. 5) drives the second folding roller 156. The drive motor M22 is stopped for the third time. As a result, the folded end of the sheet is gently brought into contact with the sheet folded end receiving stopper 161 by the inertial rotation of the folding rollers 156 and 159, and is inclined or jumped with respect to the sheet folded end receiving stopper 161. There is nothing.
[0055]
The bending drive motor M22 rotates the three bending rollers 156, 159, and 164.
[0056]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, after the folded end of the sheet comes into contact with the sheet folded end receiving stopper 161, the tri-fold control unit 160 starts the folding drive motor M22 for the third time. This third start is performed a predetermined time after the sheet folding end detection sensor 162 detects the sheet folding end.
[0057]
Note that when the sheet approaches the folded sheet edge stopper 161, the conveyance motor M22 is stopped for the third time, but may be rotated at a reduced speed.
[0058]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the sheet portion starts to buckle at the portion of the sheet facing the lower end of the bending guide 163, the portion becomes a loop, and has already been folded in half. Together, the nip portions of the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164 are approached.
[0059]
When the looped portion approaches the nip portions of the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164 to some extent, the three-fold control unit 160 causes the folding drive motor M22 to stop for the fourth time. This eliminates the vibration of the looped portion. The fourth rotation stop of the bending drive motor M22 is performed a predetermined time after the bending drive motor M22 starts the third start.
[0060]
After the folding drive motor M22 has stopped rotating for the fourth time for a predetermined time, after a predetermined time, the folding drive motor M22 starts for the fourth time and moves the loop-shaped portion of the sheet to the second and third folding rollers 156. , 164. As a result, the sheet is accurately folded in three without being wrinkled, and discharged from the second and third folding rollers 156 and 164.
[0061]
Thereafter, the sheet passes through the delivery conveyance path 165 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and is fed into the half-folding processing unit 500 by the discharge roller pair 166 shown in FIG.
[0062]
The above operation is automatically performed by the tri-fold controller 160 shown in FIG.
[0063]
In the above-described operation of the three-fold processing unit 400, the folding drive motor M22 is stopped and started four times, but even if only the fourth stop and start are performed, no wrinkle is generated on the sheet. It can also be bent accurately.
[0064]
Further, the folding end portion end detection sensor 162 is not necessarily required, and the sheet folding control can be performed only by the sheet leading end detection sensor 157.
[0065]
That is, the bending drive motor M22 is stopped for the third and fourth times, after the sheet abuts against the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154, and when the sheet moves away from the sheet leading edge receiving stopper 154 (until the leading edge until then). The portion when the sheet leading edge detection sensor 154 has detected may be used as a reference.
[0066]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the trifold processing unit 400 includes an auxiliary conveyance path connected to the receiving conveyance path 152 so that a sheet can be received and folded into a trifold from an inserter 900 described later. 167 and auxiliary conveyance roller pairs 168 and 168.
[0067]
In the above-described three-fold processing section 400, the first to third folding rollers 155, 156, and 164 hold the sheet after the entire width direction of the sheet is securely adhered to the two rollers when the sheet is held at the nip portion. If you do, you can bend the sheet accurately.
[0068]
For this purpose, if the friction coefficient of the first to third folding rollers 155, 156, and 164 with respect to the sheet is too large, the roller may draw the sheet before the entire width direction of the sheet is in close contact with the roller. It is necessary to reduce the friction coefficient of the first to third bending rollers 155, 156, and 164.
[0069]
When the friction coefficients of the first to third bending rollers 155, 156, and 164 are reduced, the rollers are less likely to slip with respect to the sheet and pull in the sheet when the roller starts to sandwich the sheet.
[0070]
Therefore, since the sheet is pressed between the rollers and the entire width direction is brought into close contact with the roller, and then the sheet is pressed into the nip portion, the sheet is accurately folded in three without causing wrinkles.
[0071]
Specifically, the friction coefficient of each roller is preferably in the range of about 0.7 to about 0.8. Preferably, the friction coefficient of the third folding roller is about 0.6. In this case, for example, when silicone oil is applied to the surface of the rubber roller, the above friction coefficient can be obtained. Of course, the above friction coefficient can also be obtained by changing the material and the surface roughness of the roller surface.
[0072]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, CR (neoprene) rubber having a hardness of about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees is used for the roller, and the diameter of the center of the roller is set to be smaller than the diameter of the end portion. When a downward gradient of about 0.112 degrees from the end toward the center is provided, the sheet is conveyed while being pulled in the width direction at both ends of the roller, and the sheet is accurately folded without causing wrinkles on the sheet. be able to. The hardness is a value based on JIS K6301.
[0073]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, relief portions 174 and 174 are formed on the outer circumferences of the first to third rollers 171, 172 and 173, leaving a part of the direction parallel to the roller axis and the rotational direction. When the sheet is started to be nipped, the sheet is nipped between the axial remaining portions 175 in a direction parallel to the axis of the roller remaining by the escape portion 174, and the roller remaining by the escape portion 174 is rotated during the rotation of the roller. If the sheet is nipped and conveyed by the rotation direction remaining portion 176 in the rotation direction, the sheet is not nipped and conveyed by the entire roller during conveyance of the sheet, so that the sheet may be wrinkled. Disappear.
[0074]
The number of rotation direction remaining portions 176 shown in FIG. 7 is one in FIG. 7 and two in FIG. 8, and the number is not limited. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, three sheets may be formed, and the sheet may be sandwiched and conveyed at one center, and the two at both ends may be in direct contact to prevent the rollers from tilting.
[0075]
Further, the escape portion may be formed on one side of the roller. In this case, at the start of rotation of the roller pair, the roller pair folds the sheet by sandwiching the sheet between the remaining roller in the direction parallel to the axis of the roller remaining by the escape portion and the other roller, and rotating the roller pair. The sheet is nipped and conveyed between the rotation direction remaining portion in the rotation direction of the roller left by the escape portion and the other roller.
[0076]
(Folding processing unit 500)
Referring to FIG. 10, the two-fold processing unit 500 binds the sheet bundle that has passed through the three-fold processing unit 400 (see FIG. 1) based on an instruction from the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2). Or, it is folded in two without binding, and discharged to the outside of the copying machine 1000.
[0077]
The sheet that has passed through the tri-fold processing unit 400 is conveyed through the entrance rollers 201 and 201, guided by the flapper 202, and stored in the storage guide 204 via the transport rollers 203 and 203. If the folding process unit 500 does not perform the process of folding the sheet in half, the flapper 202 guides the sheet to the finisher 600.
[0078]
The sheets conveyed by the conveying roller 203 are sequentially conveyed by a predetermined number of sheets until the leading edge of the sheet comes into contact with the movable sheet positioning member 205 and are stored in a bundle on the sheet positioning member 205.
[0079]
Further, two pairs of staplers 206 are provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 203, that is, in the middle of the storage guide 204, and an anvil 207 is provided at a position facing the stapler 206. The stapler 206 cooperates with the anvil 207 to bind the center of the sheet bundle.
[0080]
A folding roller pair 208 is provided on the downstream side of the stapler 206, and a protruding member 209 is provided at a position opposite to the folding roller pair 208. By projecting the protruding member 209 toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 204, the sheet bundle is pushed out between the pair of folding rollers 208 and folded by the pair of folding rollers 208. Then, the paper is discharged to the discharge tray 211 via the paper discharge roller 210.
[0081]
When the sheet bundle bound by the stapler 206 is folded, the positioning member 823 is moved to the sheet size so that the staple position of the sheet bundle comes to the center position (nip point) of the pair of folding rollers 208 after the stapling process is completed. At the same time, a predetermined distance is lowered from the place at the time of stapling. Accordingly, the sheet bundle can be folded around the position where the stapling process is performed.
[0082]
Similarly to the three-fold processing unit 400, the two-fold processing unit 500 can receive a sheet from a later-described inserter 900 so that the sheet can be folded into two, or can be folded into the finisher 600 without being folded in two. An auxiliary conveyance path 212 connected to the entrance roller 201 and auxiliary conveyance rollers 213 and 213 are provided.
[0083]
An entrance sensor 214 that detects the entrance of a sheet is provided at the entrance of the folding unit 500, and a sheet size detection sensor 215 that detects the size of the passing sheet is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 203. A discharge sensor 216 that detects discharge of the sheet bundle is provided in the vicinity of the outlet.
[0084]
The two-fold processing unit 500 is controlled by a two-fold control unit 217 shown in FIG.
[0085]
(Inserter 900)
In FIG. 10, an inserter 900 is used when, for example, a cover sheet is supplied without passing through the image forming unit 300.
[0086]
A sheet bundle stacked on the tray 901 is conveyed by a sheet feeding roller 902 to a separation unit including a conveyance roller 903 and a separation belt 904. Then, the sheet is separated one by one from the uppermost sheet by the conveying roller 903 and the separation belt 904. Then, the separated sheet is conveyed to the auxiliary conveyance path 212 of the two-fold processing unit 500 by a drawing roller pair 905 adjacent to the separation unit.
[0087]
A paper set sensor 910 that detects whether or not a sheet is set is provided between the paper feed roller 902 and the transport roller 903. Further, a paper feed sensor 907 that detects whether or not a sheet is conveyed by the drawing roller pair 905 is provided in the vicinity of the drawing roller pair 905.
[0088]
Further, the inserter 900 can be provided not only in the two-fold processing unit 500 but also in the three-fold processing unit 400 to supply the sheet to the auxiliary conveyance path 167 of the three-fold processing unit 400.
[0089]
The inserter 900 is controlled by an inserter control unit 911 shown in FIG.
[0090]
(Finisher 600)
In FIG. 10, the finisher 600 takes in the sheets from the image forming unit 300 conveyed via the two-fold processing unit 500, aligns the plurality of taken-in sheets and bundles them as one sheet bundle, and after the sheet bundle Sheet post-processing such as stapling processing (binding processing) for stapling the end side, sorting processing, non-sorting processing, and bookbinding processing is performed.
[0091]
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the finisher 600 includes a finisher roller 502 provided with an entrance roller pair 502 that takes a sheet from the image forming unit 300 conveyed through the two-fold processing unit 500 into the apparatus, and a conveyance roller pair 503. It has a path 504.
[0092]
The sheet guided to the finisher path 504 is conveyed toward the buffer roller 505 via the conveyance roller pair 503. The conveyance roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505 can be rotated forward and backward.
[0093]
An entrance sensor 531 is provided between the entrance roller pair 502 and the transport roller pair 503.
[0094]
A punch unit 508, which will be described later, is provided between the conveying roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505. The punch unit 508 is operated as necessary, and the trailing edge of the sheet conveyed via the conveying roller pair 503 is provided. A perforation process is performed in the vicinity.
[0095]
The buffer roller 505 is a roller capable of winding a predetermined number of sheets conveyed via the conveying roller pair 503, and the sheet is wound by the pressing rollers 512, 513, and 514 while the roller 505 is rotating. The sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is conveyed in the direction in which the buffer roller 505 rotates.
[0096]
A switching flapper 510 is provided between the pressing roller 513 and the pressing roller 514, and a switching flapper 511 is provided on the downstream side of the pressing roller 514. The switching flapper 510 peels the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guides it to the non-sort path 521 or the sort path 522.
[0097]
The switching flapper 511 peels the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guides the sheet to the sort path 522, and in the state where the sheet wound around the buffer roller 505 is wound around the buffer path 523. It also comes to guide.
[0098]
The sheet guided to the non-sort path 521 by the switching flapper 510 is discharged onto the sample tray 701 via the discharge roller pair 509. In the middle of the non-sort path 521, a paper discharge sensor 533 for jam detection is provided.
[0099]
On the other hand, the sheet guided to the sort path 522 by the switching flapper 510 is stacked on the intermediate tray 630 via the conveyance roller pairs 506 and 507. The sheet bundle stacked in a bundle on the intermediate tray 630 is subjected to alignment processing and stapling processing according to the setting from the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2), and thereafter, the stack tray 700 by discharge rollers 680a and 680b. Discharged to the top.
[0100]
The stapling process described above is performed by the stapler 601. The sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are configured to be capable of self-propelling in the vertical direction.
[0101]
When the sheet bundle is discharged from the intermediate tray 630 to the stack tray 700, the processing tray 631 (see FIGS. 1 and 10) protrudes outside the copying machine 1000 so that the sheet bundle can be reliably stacked on the stack tray 700. It has become.
[0102]
(Punch unit 508 of finisher 600)
The punch unit 508 is elongated in the front and back directions of FIGS. 1 and 10.
[0103]
FIG. 11 is a front view of the punch unit 508 when the copying machine 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 is viewed from the front. FIG. 12 is a left side view of the punch unit 508 when the copying machine 1000 shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 is viewed from the left side. FIG. 13 is a front partial sectional view of the punch unit 508 of FIG. FIG. 14 is a view taken along arrow 14-14 in FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the punch and die of the punch unit 508. 16 to 18 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the punch and the die.
[0104]
The punch unit 508 includes a punch 541, a die 542, a punch waste discharging screw 543, a punch waste box 544, and the like.
[0105]
The punch unit 508 punches holes at the trailing edge of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller pair 503 with a punch 541 and a die 542 based on a hole forming instruction from the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) of the copier 1000. Thus, it is sent to the buffer roller 505.
[0106]
Further, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 13, punch scrap generated when the hole is drilled falls from the punch scrap discharge portion 579 of the casing 550 onto the screw 543 and is conveyed to the punch scrap box 544 by the screw 543. When a predetermined amount is accumulated, it is detected by a punch scrap detection sensor 545 provided on the inner wall of the punch scrap box 544 and can be discarded together. A circulating belt may be used instead of the screw.
[0107]
12, 13, and 15 to 18, the punch 541 and the die 542 are provided on the rotary shafts 559 and 560, and the rotary shafts 559 and 560 are pivotally supported by the casing 550, so that they mesh with each other. The gears 551 and 552 are linked to each other so that the rotational force of the punch drive motor 553 is received by the gear 551 via the idle gear 553 and rotated in the directions of arrows B and C. Normally, the punch 541 and the die 542 are held at the hope position shown in FIG.
[0108]
In FIG. 9, the sheet trailing edge detection sensor 555 disposed between the conveying roller pair 502 and the punch unit 508 detects the trailing edge of the sheet and then drives the punch driving motor 553 at a predetermined timing. The punch 541 and the die 542 make a hole near the rear end of the sheet P while rotating synchronously in the directions of arrows B and C, as shown in FIGS. The perforated sheet is wound around the buffer roller 505.
[0109]
Incidentally, a groove-like relief portion 556 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip portion of the punch 541. The escape portion 556 is formed so that the punch 541 does not come into contact with the corner of the die hole 546 of the die 542 when entering the die 542 and exiting from the die 542.
[0110]
However, when the punch 541 is separated from the die 542 after the punch 541 has made a hole in the sheet P with the die 542, the escape portion 556 may be caught on the edge of the hole just formed, and the sheet P may be damaged.
[0111]
Therefore, in the punch unit 508 of the present embodiment, a sheet position restriction guide plate 558 is provided on a pair of guide plates 557 a and 557 b facing each other between the punch 541 and the die 542. 19, the pair of guide plates 557a and 557b includes a rotation locus circle C1 at the center of the tip of the punch 541 and a rotation locus circle C2 of the die 542 (the rotation locus circle C2 of the die 542 is a cross section of the die). It is arranged at a position separated by the same distance (L2) with respect to the path center PC passing through the two intersections O1 and O2 with the circular outer shape itself being a rotation locus. The sheet position regulation guide plate 558 is disposed between the guide plate 557 a on the punch 541 side and the outer periphery of the die 542.
[0112]
Accordingly, the distance (L1) between the pass center PC and the sheet position restriction guide plate 558 is set to be shorter than the distance (L2), and the sheet position restriction guide plate 558 is separated from the rotation locus circle C2.
[0113]
As a result, the sheet is guided by the sheet position regulation guide plate 558 closer to the die side than before, so that the punch that has finished drilling does not always engage with the hole in the sheet. The sheet can be quickly and quickly removed from the hole of the sheet. Therefore, the escape portion 556 of the punch 541 is not caught on the edge of the hole where the escape portion 556 has just been opened, and the punch 541 does not damage the sheet.
[0114]
The sheet position restriction guide plate 558 may be omitted, and the guide plate 557a may be provided at the position of the sheet position restriction guide plate 558.
[0115]
Further, the relief portion 556 is not necessarily formed depending on the thickness and length of the punch 541, the diameter of the die 542, and the diameter of the hole 546. Even in this case, the tip of the punch is not caught in the hole of the sheet, and the sheet is not damaged.
[0116]
Instead of providing the sheet position restriction guide plate 558 on the guide plate 557a, the guide plate 557a itself may be disposed at the position of the sheet position restriction guide plate 558.
[0117]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, two punches 541 protrude from the rotation shaft 559 at intervals of 180 degrees in the rotation direction at intervals of 180 degrees, and die holes 546 are formed in the die 542 at intervals of about 180 degrees in the rotation direction. One may be formed. Alternatively, although not shown, three punches 541 may be protruded at intervals of 120 degrees to form three die holes 546.
[0118]
That is, if the punch and die hole are not completely separated from each other when the punch and die hole have been completely drilled in the sheet, the punch and die hole should not be fitted to each other. Good.
[0119]
In this manner, when a plurality of punches 541 and die holes 546 are provided in the rotation direction, it is not necessary to rotate the punch or die once every time a hole is made in the sheet, and accordingly, holes can be made in the sheet at a high speed. . Further, when a plurality of punch and die holes are provided, the wear of the punch and die holes is reduced accordingly, and the punch and die can be used for a long time.
[0120]
Further, the punch unit 508 described above has two sets of punches 541 and dies 542 arranged in the axial direction of the rotation shafts 559 and 560 so as to correspond to Japanese specifications so that two holes can be made at a time on the sheet. However, three sets may be arranged to correspond to American specifications, and three holes may be drilled at a time in the sheet, and four sets are arranged to correspond to specifications in European countries. And four holes may be formed in the sheet at a time, and the number of holes that can be formed in the sheet is not limited.
[0121]
Further, as shown in FIG. 22, by providing the rotary shafts 559 and 560 with the five punches 541 and the die 542 apart from each other and with the opposite sides facing each other, one punch unit 541 The case where two holes are made in the sheet and the case where three holes are made can be dealt with, and the use range can be widened.
[0122]
In this case, the initial positions of the two-hole punch row 546A and the three-hole punch row 546B and the three-hole punch row 546B and the three-hole punch row 546B are as shown in FIG. The flag 561 provided on the rotary shaft 449 is detected by any one of the two-hole sensor 562 and the three-hole sensor 563 and is set.
[0123]
Also, the punch and die rotate 360 degrees to make two or three holes in the sheet, but since the hole is made in the rear end of the sheet, the punch and die for two holes have made a hole in the sheet. After that, when the rotary shafts 559 and 560 are rotated and the punch and die for three holes are fitted to each other, the sheet in which the two holes are opened has passed between the punch and the die. The punch for punching and the die do not open three holes in the sheet. Similarly, when the three holes of the sheet are opened, there is no such thing as opening two holes.
[0124]
Furthermore, although the die 542 is provided separately for each hole 546 in the rotating shaft 560, it may be a single cylindrical die in which a plurality of die holes are formed.
[0125]
(Punch unit of other embodiments)
In the punch unit described above, the punch 541 and the die 542 rotate only in one direction. However, as shown in FIG. 36, the number of punches 541 differs on the rotary shaft 580 that reciprocates and moves up and down. There is also a unit in which a plurality of rows 541A and 541B are provided in the rotational direction, the rotary shaft 580 is reciprocally rotated, the different punches are opposed to the holes 542 of the die 581, and the entire rotary shaft 580 is lowered to make holes in the sheet. . Even in this case, there is an advantage that holes can be efficiently formed in the sheet as in the above punch unit.
<Processing of punch scrap>
Punch scrap generated when a hole is made in the sheet by the punch 541 and the die 542 falls to the lower part in the casing 550 of FIG. 12 and is stored in the lower part of the casing 550 and rotated by the screw drive motor 571. 12 is collected by the left side of FIG. 12 by 570, discharged from the punch waste outlet 572 of the casing 550, and disposed below the punch waste outlet 572 and detachably attached to the rear part of the main body of the copier. Collected in a punch waste box 544 described later. The rotary shafts 559 and 560 of the punch 541 and the die 542 and the screw shaft 570 are disposed in parallel to each other.
[0126]
When the punch waste box 544 is removed from the copying machine in order to dispose of the punch waste accumulated in the punch waste box 544, the punch waste remaining in the casing is received by the screw shaft 570 and punch waste outlet 570. There is almost no fall.
[0127]
Note that the punch scraps are charged with static electricity and harden at the punch scrap discharge port 572, and may block the punch scrap discharge port 572. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, four blades 574 that forcibly discharge and drop punch scraps are provided radially at the end of the screw shaft 570 located at the punch scrap discharge port 572. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of protrusions 575 facing upward and downward are formed in the punch waste discharge port 572 so that the punch waste is hardened and hardly adhered.
[0128]
In this manner, by providing the blades 574 and the protrusions 575, the punch scraps are firmly adhered to and adhered to the punch scrap discharge port 572 and the periphery thereof, and the punch scraps can be prevented from being discharged. Note that a plurality of protrusions may be provided instead of the protrusion 575.
[0129]
As shown in FIG. 32, the punch scrap box 544 is detachably provided on the rear surface of the finisher 600 by a magnet (not shown).
[0130]
Further, in the punch waste box 544, an inclined inverted V-shaped dispersion plate 576 for dispersing punch waste falling from the punch waste receiving port 573 is provided. The punch scraps that have fallen from the punch scrap receiving port 573 are dispersed in the left-right direction in FIG. 11 by the dispersion plate 576 and accumulated in the punch scrap box 544.
[0131]
Without the dispersion plate 576, the punch scraps accumulate in the shape of a mountain directly under the punch scrap receiving port 573, and the punch scrap detection sensor 545 is operated while the punch scraps do not become full in the punch scrap box 544. And could be misreported as full.
[0132]
However, when the dispersion plate 576 is provided, the punch waste is dispersed in the punch waste box 544 and accumulated on the average, so that the space in the punch waste box 544 is fully utilized and stored.
[0133]
The dispersion plate 576 shown in FIG. 11 can disperse punch scraps only in the left and right directions in FIG. 11. However, when the dispersion plate 576 is inclined in three directions like the dispersion plate 577 shown in FIG. It is possible to more reliably disperse punch scraps in the three directions indicated by the arrows.
[0134]
Also, when the punch waste box 544 detects that the punch waste box 544 is full of punch waste and the user removes the punch waste box 544 from the rear surface of the finisher 600 to discard the punch waste, The punch unit controller 578 operates the sample tray elevating motor 714 and the stack tray elevating motor 702 (see FIG. 26) by the operation of the dust detection sensor 545 to bring the sample tray 701 to the highest position and move the stack tray 700 to the highest position. By moving to the lowest position, the visibility and operability of the punch waste box 544 are improved.
[0135]
Further, when the punch waste box 544 is removed, the punch waste box detection sensor 582 provided in the copying machine 1000 (see FIG. 32) is activated, and the punch unit control unit 578 prevents the punch waste from being scattered. The drive motor 571 of the screw 543 is stopped to enable a predetermined number (for example, 100) of the punch unit 508 to be accumulated in the casing 550 and then stopped. In this case, the other mechanisms continue to operate and, unlike the conventional case, can be used continuously without stopping the entire copying machine 1000 including the punching operation. The copying operation efficiency of the copying machine 1000 can be improved without stopping the operation.
[0136]
The punch unit 508 described above is operated by the punch unit controller shown in FIG.
[0137]
(Finisher 600 stapler unit 800)
In FIG. 25, a stapler unit 800 is a unit that aligns and binds sheets.
[0138]
A sheet that has been punched by the punch unit 508 or a sheet that has passed through the punch unit 508 without being punched is sequentially stacked on the buffer roller 505 and wound around three sheets. Three sheets are wound around the buffer roller 505 because, when a stapler 601 to be described later is binding a bundle of sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 630, the sheets cannot be sent to the intermediate tray 630. This is because the incoming sheet is retracted to the buffer roller 50.
[0139]
The sheets are guided on a sort path 522 and are sent out onto the intermediate tray 630 by a pair of conveying rollers 507.
[0140]
Between the upper conveyance roller 507a and the lower conveyance roller 507b of the conveyance roller pair 507, a rubber or resin elastic and deformable knurled belt 602 having a larger diameter than the lower conveyance roller 507b is sandwiched. Yes. The sheet is sandwiched between the knurled belt 602 and the upper conveying roller 507 a and is discharged onto the intermediate tray 630.
[0141]
A distance L between the surface of the knurled belt 602 that is in contact with the upper conveying roller 507a and the rotation center 507c of the lower conveying roller 507b is calculated from the conveying speed of the sheet when the sheet is fed from the conveying roller pair 507, It is set slightly longer (for example, about 10% based on the experimental result) than the calculated value. As a result, the sheet P is sent out so as to fly onto the intermediate tray 630 at a target conveyance speed as indicated by a two-dot chain line, and reaches a predetermined position on the intermediate tray 630.
[0142]
Note that the radius of the knurled belt 602 is set to a design value, and the rotational speed of the roller driving motor 534 for rotating the lower conveying roller 507b is not shown or provided between the roller driving motor 534 and the lower conveying roller 507b. The rotational transmission ratio of the rotational force transmission gear train may be set so that the peripheral speed of the lower transport roller 507 is faster than the calculated value, and the lower transport roller 507 may be rotated.
[0143]
The rear end of the intermediate tray 630 (on the right side in FIG. 25, the side close to the two-fold processing unit 500) is lower than the front end. For this reason, the sheet P discharged to the intermediate tray 630 moves backward as shown by a solid line and is received by the sheet receiving piece 518. When a certain number of sheets P are stacked on the intermediate tray 630, the rear end becomes a bundle of sheets, and the lower part of the knurled belt 602 interferes with the retreating sheet. For this reason, the roll belt 602 is pulled to the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction by the displacement roller 516 whose position changes, and is deformed flat as indicated by a two-dot chain line.
[0144]
While a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the intermediate tray 630, a pair of alignment plates 517 (one is not shown) that aligns the width of the sheets from both sides in the sheet width direction is repeatedly moved closer to and away from the sheets. Then, sheet width alignment is performed.
[0145]
When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked on the intermediate tray 630, the sheet receiving piece 518 is lowered as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the stapler 601 approaches the anvil 519, and the stapler 601 and the anvil 519 sandwich the sheet bundle. Then, staple with staple 520.
[0146]
The sheet bundle bound by the staple is rotated by the knurled belt 602 that has been released from the pulling of the displacement roller 516 and has returned to the original circular shape, and the discharge roller pair 680 (680a and 680b) that has moved down toward the intermediate tray 630. The sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 700 or the sample tray 701.
[0147]
When the sheet bundle is discharged from the intermediate tray 630, the discharge roller 680a tilts upward to the position of the solid line in the direction away from the intermediate tray 630, and the sheet receiving piece 518 also tilts upward to the position of the solid line, and then is discharged. The standby state is set so that the sheet can be received.
[0148]
(Sample tray 701 and stack tray 700 of finisher 600)
10, 26, and 27, the two trays 701 and 700 are properly used depending on the situation, and the lower stack tray 700 is selected when receiving copy output, image forming unit output, and the like. The sample tray 701 is selected when receiving copy sample output, interrupt output, stack tray overflow output, function sorting output, job mixed output, and the like.
[0149]
Each of the two trays 701 and 700 has a sample tray lifting motor 714 and a stack tray lifting motor 702 (see FIG. 26) so that both can independently run in the vertical direction. 750 is attached to a rack 710 that also serves as a roller receiver attached in the vertical direction. In addition, the backlash in the front and back direction of the trays 700 and 701 is restricted by the restriction member 715.
[0150]
Further, the stack tray 700 and the sample tray 701 are movable in the vertical direction along a position regulating member 600a which is a wall plate on the tray side of the finisher 600 and is arranged in the vertical direction.
[0151]
In the tray moving mechanism, a sample tray lifting / lowering motor 714 is attached to the frame 711 of the sample tray 701, and a pulley press-fitted onto the motor shaft transmits a driving force to the pulley 703 via the timing belt 712. A shaft 713 connected to the pulley 703 with a parallel pin transmits drive to a ratchet 705 that is also connected to the shaft 713 with a parallel pin, and the ratchet 705 biases the idler gear 704 with a spring 706.
[0152]
The ratchet 705 is connected to the idler gear 704 to transmit the drive, and the idler gear 704 is meshed with one of the gears 707 so that the drive force is transmitted to the rack 710 both on the front side and the rear side through the shaft 708. Two gears 707 are attached. The gear 707 can move along the rack 710 via the gear 709. Two rollers 714 on one side of the tray support are housed in a roller receiver that also serves as a rack 710.
[0153]
Further, when the tray is lowered, the spring 706 of the ratchet 705 is pushed and rotated only in the direction in which the tray is lifted so that the tray drive system is not damaged with the foreign matter interposed therebetween. When the ratchet 705 is idling, an idling detection sensor S701 for immediately stopping the driving of the ratchet 705 detects a slit incorporated in the idler gear 704. The idling detection sensor S701 is also used for step-out detection in normal times.
[0154]
The stack tray 700 also has a frame 716, and the frame 716 has a moving mechanism similar to that of the sample tray 701.
[0155]
An area detection sensor S703 is provided on the sample tray 701, and is an area flag fixed to the finisher frame 750 in the vicinity of the upper surface of the sample tray 701 at the highest position slightly below the upper limit sensor S704 that stops the sample tray 701 from rising too much. A range from F703a to area flag F703d is detected.
[0156]
The area detection sensor S702 is provided on the stack tray 700 and detects an area from the area flag F702a to the area flag F702d fixed to the frame 750 of the finisher.
[0157]
The point sensor S707 is fixed to the finisher frame 750. When the sample tray 701 stacks about 1,000 sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630 regardless of the sheet size, the area provided in the sample tray 701 is provided. The operation is performed by a flag F707.
[0158]
The point sensor S707 is also activated by an area flag F706 provided on the stack tray 700 when about 1000 sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700 when the size of the sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630 is a large size. It has become.
[0159]
The area flag F703b is provided at a position where about 1000 sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701 from the area flag F703a for non-sort paper surface detection. In cooperation with the area detection sensor S703, the sheet on the sample tray 701 is provided. The load capacity is limited by the height.
[0160]
In addition, the area flag F703b is provided slightly above the sheet discharge port 618 of the intermediate tray 630, and cooperates with the area detection sensor S703 at the upper limit position of the area that obstructs the sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630. It is to inform you that there is.
[0161]
The area flag F703c cooperates with the area detection sensor S703 to notify that it is the lower limit position of the area that hinders the sheet discharged from the intermediate tray 630.
[0162]
The area flag F703d is a flag that limits the height of the sample tray 701 when the sample tray 701 receives a sheet from the intermediate tray 630 in cooperation with the area detection sensor S703, and is approximately 1000 sheets below the area flag F703c. It is provided in the position.
[0163]
The area flag F702a is a flag that, in cooperation with the area detection sensor S702, reports the upper limit of the raising / lowering area of the stack tray 700 when the stack tray 700 receives a sheet from the intermediate tray 630.
[0164]
The area flag F702b is provided at a position where about 1000 sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700 below the position detection sensor S702a.
[0165]
The area flag F702c is provided at a position where about 2000 sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700 below the position detection sensor S702a.
[0166]
The area flag F702d is a flag that reports the lower limit of the raising / lowering area of the stack tray 700 in cooperation with the area detection sensor S702.
[0167]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, each of the sample tray 701, the stack tray 700, and the discharge tray 211 has discharge sheet detection sensors 586 and 585 that detect whether or not sheets are stacked on each tray. , 584, and the stack tray 700 is further provided with a discharge sheet detection sensor 583 as shown in FIG.
[0168]
(Flowchart of sample tray 701 and stack tray 700)
Next, the raising / lowering operation of the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 28, 29, and 30. FIG.
[0169]
The raising / lowering operation is performed by a finisher control unit 525 (see FIGS. 2 and 35) described later.
[0170]
Further, the area from the area flag F703a to the area flag F703b is referred to as area 1, the area flag F703b to the area flag F703c as area 2, the area flag F702a to the area flag F702c as area 3, and the area flag F702c to Area 4 is defined up to area flag F702d.
[0171]
<Discharge of sheet to discharge tray 211>
First, when stacking sheets on the discharge tray 211 (section (abbreviated as S) 1), whether or not the sample tray 701 is in the area 4, that is, whether or not the sample tray 701 is out of the moving range. Detection is performed by the point sensor 706 and the area flag F706, and whether the stack tray 700 is in the area 4 is detected by the area flag F702d and the area detection sensor S702 (S2).
[0172]
When the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are not in the area 4, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray. The discharge operation is repeated until a predetermined number of sheets are discharged (S4). When the predetermined number of sheets are discharged, the discharge operation to the discharge tray 211 is completed (S5).
[0173]
If the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 are in the area 4, both trays 701 and 700 are raised to the area flags F703a and F702a by the lift motors 714 and 702 (see FIG. 26) (S6, S7).
[0174]
When the stack tray 700 is no longer in the area 4, the process proceeds to S3, and the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 211 (S3).
[0175]
If the stack tray 700 is in the area 4, the sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700, and the user is instructed to remove the sheets on the stack tray (S9).
[0176]
When the discharged sheet detection sensor 585 (see FIGS. 1, 10, and 35) on the stack tray detects that the sheets on the stack tray 700 have been removed (S10), the stack tray is raised to the area flag 702a ( After S11), the sheets are stacked and discharged on the discharge tray 211 (S3).
[0177]
<Discharge of Sheet to Sample Tray 701>
When a sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 619 to the sample tray 701 (S1, S20, S21), the sample tray 701 descends as the sheet is discharged while receiving the sheet. When the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area 2 (S22), the sample tray 701 blocks the sheet discharge port 618 of the intermediate tray 630, and the sheet bundle cannot be discharged from the intermediate tray 630 onto the stack tray 700. The user is instructed to remove the sheet on the tray (S23), and after the sheet is removed from the sample tray (S24), the sample tray is raised to the area flag F703a (S25). Then, the sheet can be discharged again to the sample tray.
[0178]
When the discharge of the sheet is completed while the sample tray 701 is being lowered to the area 2, the sample tray 701 is stopped on the spot and the sheet discharge process is completed (S26, S27).
[0179]
<Discharge of large size sheet onto stack tray 700>
The stapled sheets are mainly discharged from the intermediate tray 630 to the stack tray 700.
[0180]
When discharging a sheet to the stack tray 700 (S1, S20), if the sheet is a large size (for example, A3, B4 size) according to a user instruction (S30), the stack is placed in order to stack the large size sheet on the stack tray. The tray is lowered to the point sensor S707 (S31, S32). When the discharge of the large size sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray is stopped (S33, S34).
[0181]
When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the point sensor S707, about 1000 large sizes are loaded. At this time, it is detected by the discharged sheet detection sensor 584 (see FIGS. 1, 10, and 35) on the discharge tray 211 that sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 211 (S35), so that the user can remove the sheets. (S36). If there is no sheet in the discharge tray 211, the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702d (S37).
[0182]
Thereafter, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703c (S38), and sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701 (S39). Further, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the point sensor S707 while discharging the large size sheet (S40). If the discharge of the large size sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray is stopped at that time (S41, S42).
[0183]
When the sample tray is lowered to the point sensor S707 and a large size sheet is stacked on the stack tray 700 (S43), the user is instructed to remove the stack tray sheet (S44).
[0184]
Thereafter, the sample tray and the stack tray are raised to the area flags F703a and F702a (S45, S46).
[0185]
However, when sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701, the sample tray 70 does not rise in the area 3, and therefore neither of the trays rises. For this reason, the user is allowed to remove the sheet (S47, S48).
[0186]
<Discharge of normal size sheet to stack tray 700>
When the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 700 (S1, S20), if the sheet is a normal size (for example, A4, B5 size) (S30) according to the user's instruction, the stack is placed to load the normal size sheet on the stack tray. The tray is lowered to area 4 (S51, S52). When the discharge of the normal size sheet is completed during the lowering, the stack tray stops (S53, S54).
[0187]
When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the lower area of the area 3, about 2000 sheets of normal size are stacked. At this time, if the discharged sheet detection sensor 584 detects that the sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 211 (S35), the user is instructed to remove the sheets (S36). If there is no sheet in the discharge tray 211, the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702d (S37). As a result, 3000 sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700.
[0188]
Thereafter, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703c (S38), and sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701 (S39). Further, the sample tray 701 is lowered to the point sensor S707 while discharging the normal size sheet (S40). If the discharge of the normal size sheet is completed during the lowering, the sample tray is stopped at that time (S41, S42).
[0189]
When the sample tray is lowered to the point sensor S707 and normal size sheets are stacked on the stack tray 700 (S43), the user is instructed to remove the stack tray sheets (S44).
[0190]
Thereafter, the sample tray and the stack tray are raised to the area flags F703a and F702a (S45, S46).
[0191]
However, when sheets are stacked on the sample tray 701, the sample tray 700 does not rise in the area 3, and therefore neither of the trays rises. For this reason, the user is allowed to remove the sheet (S47, S48).
[0192]
<Number of sheets stacked between sample tray and stack tray>
In the raising and lowering of the sample tray 701, the sample tray 701 can stack about 1000 normal size sheets when lowered to the area flag F703b, and can stack about 2000 normal size sheets when lowered to the area flag F703c. About 1000 large-size sheets can be stacked, and when the area flag F703d is lowered, about 3000 normal-size sheets can be stacked. Further, when the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703d, about 1000 sheets of bound sheets discharged from the intermediate tray 630 can be stacked.
[0193]
When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702b, about 1000 sheets of ordinary size sheets that are bound can be stacked. When the stack tray 700 is lowered to the area flag F702c, about 2000 sheets of ordinary size sheets that are bound can be stacked. About 1000 size sheets can be stacked, and when the area flag is lowered to the area flag F702d, about 3000 bound normal size sheets can be stacked.
[0194]
Therefore, when the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703b and the stack tray is lowered to the area flag F702c, about 3000 sheets can be conveniently stacked on the tray.
[0195]
When the sample tray 701 is lowered to the area flag F703d and the stack tray is lowered to the area flag F702d, approximately 3000 sheets of bound sheets can be stacked on the tray.
[0196]
When the area flag F702d is lowered, about 3000 normal size sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700.
[0197]
Note that the position of the sample tray 701 and the stack tray 700 is detected by sensors, flags, and the like so that the trays 701, 700, and 211 do not interfere with each other and are controlled by the finisher control unit 525 or the like.
[0198]
<Opening / closing of sheet discharge port 611 of discharge tray 211>
As shown in FIGS. 1, 31, and 32, in the above operation, when the stack tray 700 is lowered, the sheet discharge port 611 of the discharge tray 211 is closed by the shutter 613, and the stack tray 700 is placed in the sheet discharge port 611. A large number of sheets can be stacked on the stack tray 700 so that the upper sheet does not enter.
[0199]
The shutter 613 is provided so as to be movable up and down by a pair of guide plates 614 and 614 provided on the inner side of the outer wall 612, and is normally pulled upward by tension springs 615 and 615 to open the sheet discharge port 611.
[0200]
When the stack tray 700 is lowered, the lower end of the stack tray comes into contact with a tray receiver 616 formed by bending outward at the lower end of the shutter 613, and the shutter 613 resists the tension springs 615 and 615. Then, the stack tray 700 is lowered together.
[0201]
When the stack tray 700 rises, the shutter 613 is pulled by the tension springs 615 and 615 and rises following the stack tray 700 to open the sheet discharge port 611.
[0202]
When the stack tray 700 is lowered and the shutter 613 closes the sheet discharge port 611, if the discharge tray 211 protrudes from the sheet discharge port 611, the stack tray 700 is prevented from being lowered. For this reason, the discharge tray 211 is moved to the home position (position of FIG. 1) by the discharge tray moving motor 617 shown in FIG.
[0203]
<Operation of Sample Tray 701 and Subtray 620>
When stacking unfolded tri-fold sheets on the stack tray 700, the folded portion is positioned on the leading end side of the stack tray 700, so that the folded portion rises and the subsequent tri-fold sheet may not be easily discharged.
[0204]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 33, the sub-tray 620 provided on the base side of the stack tray 700 is raised, and the unfolded side of the sheet is lifted to bring the tri-fold sheet as close to horizontal as possible. Then, as the sub-tray 620 is raised, the entire stack tray 700 is lowered to make it easier to discharge the sheet.
[0205]
When the half-folding mode of the sub-tray 620 is selected by the operation unit 303, the finisher control unit 525 (see FIGS. 2 and 35) operates the plunger 621 (see FIG. 33) to operate the sub-tray 620 by the rack 622 and the pinion 623. Is moved up and down (the lifting operation may be performed by a link mechanism).
[0206]
In this case, the sub-tray 620 may be tilted up and down by a counter (not shown) that counts tri-fold sheets without being detected by the discharge sheet detection sensor 583.
[0207]
The sub-tray 620 is configured such that the base side (upstream end side in the sheet discharge direction) of the stack tray 700 tilts in the vertical direction with the upper middle position of the stack tray 700 as a base end.
[0208]
Further, when a non-folded sheet (small size sheet is referred to as “straight sheet”) and a tri-fold sheet are mixedly loaded in the unstacked mode on the stack tray 700, the ratio of the tri-fold sheet to the straight sheet (“mixed ratio”). Is less than a predetermined value, for example, when the mixed loading ratio of five folded sheets to 95 straight sheets is less than 5%, the folded portion of the sheet is less raised and the sub-tray 620 If it is raised, the root side of the stack tray 700 of the sheet becomes higher, and if the straight sheet is a lower curled sheet (a sheet curled in an inverted U shape), there is a possibility that it will slide off from the front end side of the stack tray 700.
[0209]
In such a case, when discharging to the stacking tray, the sub-tray 620 is lowered as shown in FIG. 34 to lower the root side of the stack tray so that the uppermost sheet is always almost horizontal or the stack tray Make the root side low.
[0210]
As a result, the front end side of the stack tray of the sheet is raised, and even if the sheet is a lower curled sheet, it does not slide down from the front end side of the stack tray.
[0211]
The tilting up and down of the sub-tray 620 is automatically performed on the finisher control unit 525 (see FIGS. 2 and 35) based on the mixed loading ratio of the unfolded sheet and the tri-fold sheet stored in advance.
[0212]
That is, the mixed loading ratio based on the number of unfolded sheets and the number of tri-fold sheets input by the user selecting the unbinding mode with the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) and the finisher control unit 525 are input in advance. The finisher control unit 525 compares the mixed loading ratio, and when the pre-mixed mixing ratio is smaller (for example, when it exceeds 5%), the sub-tray 620 is in the lowered position and is larger (for example, 5). %), It is in the raised position.
[0213]
Note that the sub-tray 620 may be tilted up in advance and lowered according to the mixed loading ratio regardless of the number of sheets when the tri-fold sheet is ejected, or may be lowered in advance and then adjusted to the mixed loading ratio. You may raise it accordingly.
[0214]
Further, not only the stack tray 700 but also the sample tray 701 may be provided with a sub-tray so as to correspond to a mixed sheet.
[0215]
Further, when the sub-tray 620 is not provided in the sample tray 701, when the tri-fold sheet is discharged, the sheet discharge port 619 ( When the sheet discharge speed by the discharge roller pair 509 from the discharge roller pair 509 is low, even if the leading edge of the sheet comes out from the sheet discharge port 619, it does not move forward but stays in one place, and the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 619. May become incomplete. On the other hand, if the sheet discharge speed by the discharge roller pair 509 is too fast, there is a risk that the sample tray 701 jumps out of the sample tray 701 and falls. For this reason, when the user instructs the operation unit 303 (see FIG. 2) to input a tri-fold of a thin sheet, a finisher control unit 525 (see FIG. 35) described later rotates the discharge roller pair 509. The rotational speed of the motor 523 for the discharge roller pair is controlled so as to be discharged at an optimum speed for a thin tri-fold sheet.
[0216]
As a result, even when a sheet having a thin thickness and a low waist is folded into three, the sheet can be reliably discharged and stacked.
[0217]
(Finisher control unit 525)
In FIG. 35, the finisher control unit 525 is a control circuit that controls the finisher 600.
[0218]
The finisher control unit 525 includes a CPU circuit unit 529 including a CPU 526, a ROM 527, a RAM 528, and the like. The CPU circuit unit 529 communicates with the CPU circuit unit 301 provided on the copying apparatus main body side via the communication IC 530 to perform data conversion, and based on instructions from the CPU circuit unit 529, various programs stored in the ROM 527 To control the drive of the finisher 600.
[0219]
When the drive control of the finisher 600 is performed, detection signals from various sensors are input to the CPU circuit unit 529. As various sensors, there are an idling detection sensor S701, an area detection sensor S702, an area detection sensor S703, an upper limit sensor S704, a point sensor S706, a point sensor S707, and the like.
[0220]
A driver 531 is connected to the CPU circuit unit 529, and the driver 531 drives various motors and solenoids based on signals from the CPU circuit unit 529.
[0221]
Examples of the various motors include a discharge roller pair motor 523, a discharge roller pair motor 524, a moving motor 617, a sample tray lifting motor 714, a stack tray lifting motor 702, and the like. As the solenoid, there is a sub-tray plunger 621 or the like.
[0222]
【The invention's effect】
In the sheet discharge device of the present invention, when the upper discharge sheet stacking unit descends the lower sheet discharge port, the upper discharge sheet stacking unit pushes down the shutter and closes the lower sheet discharge port by the shutter. Even if the upper discharge sheet stacking unit is lowered to the lower sheet discharge port, the sheets stacked on the upper discharge sheet stacking unit do not enter the lower sheet discharge port. Many sheets can be stacked.
[0223]
In the sheet discharge apparatus of the present invention, when the sheet discharged from the lower sheet discharge port is stacked on the lower discharge sheet stacking means, when the upper sheet stacking means descends to the lower sheet discharge port, Since the lower discharge sheet stacking unit is retracted by the pulling unit at a position where the lower discharge sheet stacking unit does not interfere with the upper discharge sheet stacking unit, the upper sheet stacking unit and the lower sheet stacking unit can be prevented from interfering with each other and being damaged. In addition, the lowering amount of the upper sheet stacking unit is not limited by the lower sheet stacking unit, and more sheets can be stacked on the upper sheet stacking unit than before.
[0224]
Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the sheet discharge device that can stack a large number of sheets, the image forming apparatus can process a large number of sheets continuously and increase the processing capacity.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the entire copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a trifold processing unit.
(A) It is a state figure just before folding a sheet into two.
(B) It is a state figure when the sheet is folded in two.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a trifold processing unit.
(A) It is a state figure just before folding a sheet into three.
(B) is a state diagram when starting to fold a sheet in three.
(C) It is a state diagram when the sheet is folded in three and discharged.
FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a tri-fold processing unit.
FIG. 6 is a view of a roller according to another embodiment of a tri-fold processing unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of a three-fold processing unit.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of a three-fold processing unit.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a roller according to another embodiment of a three-fold processing unit.
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a two-fold processing unit and a finisher.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the punch unit.
12 is a view of the punch unit of FIG. 11 as viewed from the left side.
FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway view of the vicinity of a punch waste outlet of the punch unit.
14 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 14-14 in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a punch and a die of a punch unit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining operations of the punch and the die in the punch unit, and is a diagram before drilling.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the operations of the punch and the die in the punch unit, and is a diagram during the punching operation.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the punch and die in the punch unit, and is a diagram of completion of drilling.
FIG. 19 is a view for explaining the attachment position of the sheet position formation guide plate in the punch unit.
FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of the punch unit.
FIG. 21 is a diagram of another embodiment of the punch unit.
FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a punch and die of another embodiment in the punch unit.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the punch of FIG.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a dispersion plate in the punch unit.
FIG. 25 is a schematic front view of a stapler unit.
FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view of a finisher.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory view of the raising and lowering operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining an elevating operation of the sample tray and the stack tray.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining an elevating operation of a sample tray and a stack tray.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining an elevating operation of a sample tray and a stack tray.
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a finisher.
FIG. 32 is a schematic view of the vicinity of a sheet discharge port of the finisher.
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a mixed state of tri-fold sheets and unfolded sheets on the stack tray, and is a diagram in which many tri-fold sheets are stacked.
FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a mixed state of tri-fold sheets and unfolded sheets on the stack tray, and is a diagram in which a small number of tri-fold sheets are stacked.
FIG. 35 is a control block diagram of the finisher.
FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of a punch unit according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
P sheet
100 Document feeder
111 Photosensitive drum (image forming means)
114 cassette (sheet stacking means)
115 cassette (sheet stacking means)
200 Image reader
211 discharge tray (lower discharge sheet stacking means)
300 Image forming unit
400 Tri-fold processing section (sheet folding means)
500 Folding processing part (sheet folding means)
508 punch unit
525 Finisher controller
600 Finisher
611 Sheet outlet (lower sheet outlet)
613 Shutter
614 Information board
615 tension spring
616 Tray tray
617 Discharge tray retracting motor (retracting means)
F702c Area flag (withdrawal means)
S702 Area detection sensor (retraction means)
618 Sheet outlet (upper sheet outlet)
700 Stack tray (upper discharge sheet stacking means)
701 Sample tray
800 stapler unit
900 Inserter (sheet supply means)
1000 Copying machine (image forming device)

Claims (3)

Of the plurality of sheet discharge ports arranged in the vertical direction, the lower sheet discharge port can be opened and closed, and the lower sheet discharge port is opened by being constantly urged in the upward direction. A shutter held in a state;
An upper discharge sheet stacking means capable of moving up and down to stack the sheets discharged from the upper sheet discharge port,
When the upper discharged sheet stacking means is moved down to the sheet discharge port of the lower sheet discharge unit, wherein said upper discharged sheet stacking means closes the sheet discharge port of the lower by the shutter by pushing down the shutter. A lower discharge sheet stacking means for stacking sheets discharged outwardly from the lower sheet discharge port;
Retraction means for retracting the lower discharge sheet stacking means to a position not interfering with the upper discharge sheet stacking means when the upper discharge sheet stacking means descends to the lower sheet discharge port;
The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Sheet stacking means on which sheets are stacked;
Image forming means for forming an image on the sheet supplied from the sheet stacking means;
Sheet folding means for folding the sheet on which an image is formed;
A sheet supply unit capable of changing a mounting position for supplying a sheet downstream of the image forming unit;
A sheet folded by the sheet folding means, the sheet discharging device according to claim 1 or 2 for discharging the sheet that the unfolded by the sheet folding means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images