JP5075053B2 - Folding device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a half-folding processing device for processing a half-folding of a sheet. More specifically, for example, an upstream side device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer is disposed downstream of the upstream side device. The present invention relates to a half-folding processing apparatus that performs a half-folding process on a sheet that has been subjected to predetermined processing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a sheet that is disposed downstream of an upstream device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or an image forming apparatus such as a printer and has been subjected to predetermined processing by the upstream device is subjected to half-fold processing. A half-fold processing apparatus is known. As this half-folding processing device, for example, a pair of middle-folding rollers are provided, and one middle-folding roller is brought into a biased state in contact with the other middle-folding roller by the roller biasing means, and between the middle-folding rollers. In addition, there is known one that performs a folding process by passing a sheet sent from an upstream device in a folded state. However, as the paper passes, one of the middle folding rollers separated from the other middle folding roller by a predetermined distance from the contacted biasing state is brought into the contacted biased state by the roller biasing means after the paper passes. There is a problem that a large collision noise is generated when returning, and that a large load is applied to the pair of middle folding rollers and they are easily damaged.

Moreover, as what reduces this collision sound, there exists what was disclosed by patent document 1, for example. In the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rubber coating layer formed of an elastic material such as ethylene-propylene rubber is formed on a pair of pressure rollers as a second pair of folding rollers (Patent Document 1). , Paragraph [0077]).
Japanese Patent No. 3965941

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, even if a rubber coating layer is formed on the pressure roller pair, even if the collision noise can be reduced to some extent, a large collision noise is still generated and a large load is applied. . Further, at that time, if the rubber coating layer is thickened to increase the elasticity, the impact sound and load can be reduced proportionally, but it becomes difficult to crease the paper.

  The present invention reduces the return speed when the one half-folding roller returns to the biased state in contact with the other half-folding roller after passing the paper, suppresses the collision noise between the two, and reduces the load on both. An object of the present invention is to provide a half-folding processing apparatus that can perform the above process.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a first aspect of the present invention wherein one of a pair of half-fold rollers can be relatively moved in a direction approaching / retreating with respect to the other, and the one is roller urging means with respect to the other. Is arranged in a biased state in which the one is in contact with the other, and the sheet is folded between the pair of middle folding rollers to resist the biasing force of the roller biasing means. A half-folding processing device for performing a half-folding process on the paper by passing the paper, and one middle-folding roller separated from the other middle-folding roller from the urging state in contact with the passage of the paper Is provided with a reduction means for reducing a return speed when the roller urging means returns to the contacted urging state after the sheet passes.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the reducing means is disposed at the end of the middle folding roller so as to be movable between the pair of middle folding rollers, and abuts against each of the middle folding rollers. A wedge-shaped roller abutting member; and abutting member urging means for pressing the roller abutting member so as to always abut against each of the half-folded rollers. In the half-folding processing apparatus, the force for pressing the member against each of the middle folding rollers is configured to be smaller than the force applied from the middle folding roller to the roller contact member by the roller urging unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the reducing means includes a cam member rotatably held at an end portion of at least one of the middle folding rollers, and a cam control unit that controls the rotation of the cam member. A part of the outer periphery is provided with a contact portion that contacts the other half-folding roller so as to contact the other half-folding roller, and before the one middle-folding roller returns to the contacted biased state, The cam control unit is configured to be able to come into contact with the other opposed middle folding roller, and the cam control unit is configured such that the contact portion is in the other middle folded state during a period from when the sheet enters between the middle folding rollers to when it passes. The cam member is rotated so as to face the roller so as to be in contact with the other middle folding roller, and the cam member that is in contact with the other middle folding roller is rotated when the one middle folding roller is returned. It is characterized by controlling It is a middle-folding device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the middle folding rollers separated from the other middle folding roller by a predetermined distance from the biased state as the paper passes is biased by the roller biasing means after the paper passes. A reduction means for reducing the return speed when returning to the position is provided.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress a collision sound that re-contacts the other half-folding roller when the one half-folding roller returns after passing the paper. Therefore, for example, the outer periphery of the two half-folding rollers can be made of a metal or the like that does not have elasticity, so that the folding efficiency can be improved and the impact sound can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the load when the pair of half-folding rollers re-contact with each other, and to suppress the damage to the pair of half-folding rollers due to the load.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the reducing means includes a wedge-shaped roller contact member and a contact member urging means that presses the roller contact member so as to always contact the half-folded rollers. The abutting member urging means is configured such that the force that presses the roller abutting member against each of the folding rollers is smaller than the force applied from the middle folding roller to the roller abutting member by the roller urging means. Yes.

  As a result, when the one half-folding roller that is separated from the other half-folding roller by a predetermined distance returns by the roller urging means, the one half-folding roller approaches the other half-folding roller while pushing the abutting roller abutting member. Clash. Therefore, the return speed at which one middle folding roller returns to the other middle folding roller can be reduced as compared with the case where no roller contact member is provided.

  Further, since the reducing means is constituted by the wedge-shaped roller abutting member and the abutting member urging means, the configuration can be simplified and can be easily manufactured at low cost.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the reducing means includes a cam member rotatably held by at least one of the center folding rollers, and a cam control unit that controls the rotation of the cam member, and the cam member has one outer periphery thereof. And a contact portion that contacts the other half-folding roller. The cam control unit rotates the cam member so that the contact portion faces the other half-folding roller and the one half-folding roller during the period from when the sheet enters between the half-folding rollers until it passes. At the time of return, control is performed so as to rotate the cam member in contact with the other middle folding roller.

  As a result, before the one half-folding roller separated from the other half-folding roller returns to the biased state in which it is contacted by the roller biasing means, the contact portion is first made to face the other middle-folding roller. It can be made to contact. Further, by rotating the cam member in contact therewith, one of the middle folding rollers can be gradually approached and applied to the other middle folding roller. Therefore, the return speed at which one middle folding roller returns to the other middle folding roller can be reduced as compared with the case where no roller contact member is provided.

  At this time, since the cam control unit controls the rotation of the cam member, the rotation speed of the cam member can be adjusted. Accordingly, the return speed can be adjusted.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining an embodiment of the internal structure of a post-processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus having a half-fold processing apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment performs various types of post-processing on a sheet P sent from an image forming apparatus 19 such as a copying machine in a box-shaped casing 11. The post-processing member is mounted. The outline of the post-processing apparatus 10 for the image forming apparatus will be described below prior to the description of the half-fold processing apparatus 50 of the present invention.

  In the housing 11, a storage space for storing a later-described staple unit 20 for performing a staple process on the paper P is formed. A paper receiving opening 13 for receiving the paper P sent from the image forming apparatus 19 is provided on the upper right side of the housing 11.

  Then, a punching process for punching a fastening hole in the paper P introduced into the post-processing device 10 through the paper receiving opening 13, a stapling process for fastening the paper bundle P1, and further folding the paper bundle P1 in the middle. A half-folding process or the like is performed.

  A main tray 14 is provided on the left side of the housing 11, and a sub-tray 15 is provided on the left side of the top surface of the housing 11. The main tray 14 is for receiving the sheet bundle P1 subjected to the stapling process, and is configured to be moved up and down by driving a lifting means (not shown). The main tray 14 is positioned at the top as the number of copies of the discharged sheet bundle P1 increases. It is descended sequentially from the position.

  The sub-tray 15 is for receiving paper that is discharged without being subjected to post-processing by the post-processing device 10 or paper P that has been subjected only to punching processing of fastening holes.

  Further, a paper transport path R is provided in the housing 11 for transporting the paper P sent from the image forming apparatus 19 to various places according to the purpose. The paper transport path R includes an entrance-side transport path R1, a sub-tray transport path R2, a staple unit transport path R3, a main tray transport path R4, a staple tray transport path R5, and a bypass tray transport path. It consists of R6 and a conveyance path R7 for the center folding processing device.

  Specifically, the entrance-side transport path R1 extends from the sheet receiving opening 13 of the post-processing apparatus 10 to the left to the substantially central position in the left-right direction of the post-processing apparatus 10, and the sub-tray transport path R2 is It branches from the downstream end of the entrance-side transport path R1 and extends toward the subtray 15.

  The staple unit transport path R3 branches from the downstream end of the entrance-side transport path R1 and extends toward the staple unit 20. The main tray transport path R4 extends from the upper end of the staple unit 20 to the main tray. 14 is extended.

  The staple tray transport path R5 is configured to branch leftward from the downstream end of the staple unit transport path R3 toward the staple tray 30 described later, and the bypass tray transport path R6 is transported to the staple unit. It is configured to branch from the downstream end of the path R3 and go to the detour tray 40 described later.

  Further, the conveyance path R <b> 7 for the middle folding processing device is configured to pass through a detour tray 40 to be described later toward the middle folding processing device 50. More specifically, the conveyance path R7 for the half-folding processing device extends downward from a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction of the bypass tray 40, which will be described later, and the sheet P for half-fold processing passes through the bypass tray 40. After that, the sheet is introduced into the middle folding processing apparatus 50 through the conveyance path R7 for the middle folding processing apparatus.

  A receiving roller pair 131 that receives the paper P from the paper receiving opening 13 is provided at the upstream end of the entrance-side transport path R1, and a discharge roller pair 132 that discharges the paper P to the downstream side at the downstream end. Is provided. The paper P delivered by the delivery roller pair 132 is delivered toward either the sub-tray transport path R2 or the staple unit transport path R3 according to the attitude of the switching guide 18 described later.

  The punch unit 16 is provided above the entrance-side transport path R1, and the paper P introduced into the entrance-side transport path R1 through the paper receiving opening 13 is temporarily stopped in a punched state. Fastening holes are drilled at appropriate positions by punching by driving.

Further, a switching guide 18 for switching the transport destination of the paper P between the transport path R2 for the sub-tray and the transport path R3 for the staple unit is provided at the downstream end of the entrance-side transport path R1. In the case where the sheet is not applied, the sheet P is discharged to the sub-tray 15 through the sub-tray transport path R2 by setting the switching guide 18 in a predetermined posture.

  On the other hand, when the stapling process is performed on the paper P, the paper P is sent to the staple unit 20 through the staple unit transport path R3 by changing the posture of the switching guide 18, and a predetermined number of papers P are in a post-processing space described later. The sheet bundle P1 is stapled in a state where the sheet bundle P1 is stored in V1 and formed. Further, the sheet bundle P1 after the stapling process is discharged to the main tray 14 via the main tray transport path R4.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the switching guide 18 is indicated by a solid line in a state where the posture is set so that the paper P is directed toward the transport path R3 for the staple unit, and is set so as to be directed toward the transport path R2 for the sub tray. This state is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  An introduction roller pair 133 is provided at the downstream end of the staple unit transport path R3 so as to face the upper portion of the bypass tray main body 42 and guide the paper P to the upper portion of the staple unit 20.

  Further, in the housing 11, the stapling unit that temporarily stores a predetermined number of sheets P fed from the image forming apparatus 19 and performs stapling processing with a fastening needle on the formed sheet bundle P <b> 1. 20 is provided. Further, at the lower position of the staple unit 20, the sheet bundle P1 that has passed through the staple unit 20 without being subjected to the staple process is subjected to the staple process at the center position in the transport direction, and then the center position is set. A middle folding processing device 50 for folding the middle of the present invention is provided.

  The staple unit 20 includes a staple tray 30 that is disposed obliquely, and a bypass tray 40 that is rotatably attached to the staple tray 30 along the slope on the right side of the staple tray 30. Yes.

  The staple tray 30 includes a pair of first frame plates 31 in the front and rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and an intermediate tray body 32 that is obliquely installed between the pair of first frame plates 31. Yes.

  A belt motor 35 is disposed at an appropriate position on the first frame plate 31 with its drive shaft 351 directed in the front-rear direction. A drive roller 352 is attached to the drive shaft 351.

  Predetermined shafts are respectively installed between the pair of first frame plates 31 at the upper end position and the lower end position of the intermediate tray main body 32, and the driven rollers 353 are respectively concentrically supported by the center position in the front-rear direction of each shaft. . An elevating belt 36 is wound around the pair of driven rollers 353 so as to sandwich the intermediate tray body 32.

  The driving of the belt motor 35 is transmitted to the elevating belt 36 via a connecting belt 354 wound around a driving roller 352 and a driven roller 353 below. Accordingly, when the belt motor 35 is driven, the elevating belt 36 circulates between the pair of driven rollers 353.

  A sheet receiving member 37 for receiving and lifting the sheet bundle P1 in the post-processing space V1 is provided on the surface side of the elevating belt 36. Further, a stapler 38 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower end portion of the intermediate tray main body 32 for performing a stapling process on the sheet bundle P1.

  The stapler 38 is fixed to a predetermined frame in the housing 11, and the sheet bundle P1 is supported by the sheet receiving member 37 positioned at the lower end of the intermediate tray main body 32, and is attached to the edge of the sheet bundle P1. On the other hand, stapling is performed.

  Then, the sheet bundle P1 subjected to the stapling process by the sheet receiving member 37 at the lower end portion of the intermediate tray main body 32 is rotated counterclockwise via the driving roller 352 and the driven roller 353 driven by the belt motor 35. As the sheet receiving member 37 moves up, the post-processing space V1 is raised and discharged to the main tray 14 through the main tray transport path R4.

  The sheet receiving member 37 after discharging the sheet bundle P1 turns around to the back side of the intermediate tray main body 32 via the upper driven roller 353 by continuing to drive the belt motor 35, and the lower driven on the back side of the intermediate tray main body 32. The home position is set slightly above the roller 353.

  When stapling the next sheet P, the elevating belt 36 circulates counterclockwise by driving the belt motor 35 and passes through the lower driven roller 353 to the surface of the intermediate tray main body 32. To a predetermined position on the side.

  The staple tray 30 has a width adjusting means for adjusting the width of the paper bundle P1 introduced into the post-processing space V1 and supported by the paper receiving member 37, and a paper receiving member 37. The rear end aligning means for aligning the rear end (upper end) of the sheet bundle P1 received by the printer 1 is provided.

  The bypass tray 40 includes a bypass tray main body 42, a cover plate 43, a branch guide 44, a pressing member 45, a valve roller pair 46, and a second switching guide 47.

  The bypass tray body 42 is installed between the pair of second frame plates 41 so as to face the intermediate tray body 32 so as to form a post-processing space V1 between the bypass tray body 42 and the intermediate tray body 32. The cover plate 43 is installed between the pair of second frame plates 41 so as to face the upper surface side of the bypass tray main body 42.

  The branch guide 44 is configured to distribute the paper P from the staple unit transport path R3 between the post-processing space V1 of the staple tray 30 and the retreat space V2 of the bypass tray 40.

  The pressing member 45 presses the sheet P from the conveyance path R <b> 3 for the staple unit toward the branch guide 44. Further, the valve roller pair 46 temporarily stores the paper P sent from the staple unit transport path R3 to the retreat space V2, while being driven to transport the paper P downward.

  The second switching guide 47 is provided immediately below the valve roller pair 46, and serves as a transport destination of the paper P introduced to the bypass tray 40 between the post-processing space V1 of the staple tray 30 and the transport path R7 for the half-fold processing device. Switch between.

  Next, the middle fold processing apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the half-folding processing device 50 is mounted at a position below the staple unit 20 in the housing 11, and the sheet bundle of sheets P that has passed through the staple unit 20 without being subjected to the staple processing. P1 is subjected to staple processing at the center position in the conveyance direction and then subjected to middle folding processing for folding at the center position.

  The half-folding processing device 50 according to the first embodiment includes a saddle stitch stapler 51, a pair of half-folding rollers 61 and 62, a roller contact member 65 (shown in FIG. 2) as a reducing unit, and a pressing die member 70. And a carry-out roller 52, a flange member 53, and a half-fold tray 54.

  The saddle stitching stapler 51 is provided at the center upper portion of the conveyance path R7 for the center folding processing apparatus, and staples the sheet bundle P1 introduced into the center folding processing apparatus 50 through the conveyance path R7 for the center folding processing apparatus. Apply.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62 includes a right side (the other) driving middle folding roller 61 having a paper pressing surface 60 on the outer peripheral surface and a left side (one side) having the paper pressing surface 60 on the outer peripheral surface. ) Driven middle folding roller 62.

  The driving middle folding roller 61 includes a roller shaft 61a, and a fixed gear 61b is fixed to the roller shaft 61a. The fixed gear 61b is meshed with a rotation transmission mechanism (gear) 61c, so that the rotation is transmitted from the drive motor 61d connected to the rotation transmission mechanism 61c via the rotation transmission mechanism 61c to be driven to rotate. It is configured.

  The driven middle folding roller 62 includes a roller shaft 62 a that is disposed substantially parallel to the roller shaft 61 a of the driving middle folding roller 61. Both ends of the roller shaft 62a are supported by one end of an arm member 62b (only the arm member 62b on the front side appears in FIG. 2). The arm member 62b is rotatably supported (supported) by a fixed shaft 62c fixed to the housing 11 (see FIG. 1), so that one end of the arm member 62b is It rotates around the fixed shaft 62c.

  Then, by the rotation of the arm member 62b, the paper pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62 can move so as to approach and retract in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61. It is said that.

  A roller urging coil spring 62d as a roller urging means is attached to the other end of the arm member 62b. The roller member urging coil spring 62d urges the arm member 62b in the clockwise direction about the fixed shaft 62c. The driven middle folding roller 62 is always biased in the direction approaching the driving middle folding roller 61 by the biasing of the roller biasing coil spring 62d, and the paper pressing of the driven middle folding roller 62 is also performed. The surface 60 is in a biased state in which the surface 60 contacts and is pressed against the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving folding roller 61.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a nip portion 66 is formed between the two sheet pressing surfaces 60, and the sheet bundle P1 pushed up by the pressing die member 70 is passed, whereby the sheet bundle P1 is subjected to the middle folding process. Applied.

  Next, the roller contact member 65 will be described. In this embodiment, the roller contact member 65 is composed of a pair of front and rear disposed at the front and rear ends of the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62, respectively.

  Each of these roller contact members 65 is formed of a wedge-shaped member made of synthetic resin, and includes a roller contact surface 65a that contacts each of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. . In addition, the material of the roller contact member 65 is not specifically limited, For example, it can also comprise metal and can change suitably.

  These roller contact surfaces 65a are formed of inclined surfaces which form a predetermined angle with each other (in this embodiment, about 60 °) and gradually shorten as the distance from each other increases toward the upper end side (one end side).

  The roller contact members 65 configured as described above are arranged so as to be able to move vertically between the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. In this state, the roller contact member 65 is supported by being suspended by a contact member coil spring 64 as a contact member urging means.

  Specifically, the roller abutting members 65 are configured so that wedges are driven between the roller shaft 61a of the driving folding roller 61 and the roller shaft 62a of the driven folding roller 62, respectively. A roller contact surface 65a is disposed so as to face each of 61a and 62a.

  The upper end of the roller contact member 65 is connected to the lower end (the other end) of the contact member coil spring 64. An upper end (one end) of the contact member coil spring 64 is connected to the casing 11 (not shown), and the roller contact member 65 is supported by being suspended by the contact member coil spring 64.

  Accordingly, the roller contact member 65 is constantly urged by the contact member coil spring 64 to the upper side in the direction substantially orthogonal to the left-right direction (horizontal direction), which is the moving direction of the driven middle folding roller 62. Further, the urging force of the contact member coil spring 64 causes the roller contact surface 65a of the roller contact member 65 to abut against the roller shaft 61a of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the roller shaft 62a of the driven middle folding roller 62, respectively. You are in contact.

  The abutting member coil spring 64 is configured so that the pressing force of the roller abutting member 65 against the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62 is driven by the roller biasing coil spring 62d. The force applied from the driven folding roller 62 to the roller contact member 65 is smaller.

  Next, returning to FIG. 1, the pressing mold member 70 will be described. The pressing die member 70 approaches and retracts to the nip portion 66 at a position facing the nip portion 66 formed in the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62 below the conveyance path R7 for the center folding processing device. It is arranged to be movable in the direction. And it is comprised so that it may move toward the nip part 66 by the drive of the raising / lowering mechanism 56 attached to the predetermined | prescribed flame | frame.

  The carry-out roller 52 is provided on the downstream side (upper side) of the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62, and carries out the folded sheet bundle P2 formed by the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62.

  The eaves member 53 is provided on the downstream side of the carry-out roller 52 so as to be swingable about a predetermined axis. Further, the middle folding tray 54 is configured to receive the middle folded sheet bundle P2 after the middle folding process that is discharged to the outside through the collar member 53.

  Next, the operation of the intermediate folding processing device 50 of the first embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper P introduced into the half-folding processing device 50 through the conveyance path R7 for the middle-folding processing device slides on the receiving plate 55 formed so as to descend downward from the upper right to the left. And proceed. Then, the sheet P is stopped by the stopper 551 in a state where the central portion in the advancing direction is located immediately below the saddle stitching stapler 51, and the sheet bundle is formed in a state where a predetermined number of sheet bundles P1 are formed. Staple processing is performed on P1.

  Thereafter, the stopper 551 moves to the lower left, and the sheet bundle P1 for which the stapling process has been completed is arranged such that the center staple position is positioned below the nip portion 66 of the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing mold member 70, as shown in FIG. The pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62 are pressed toward the nip portion 66.

  As a result, the sheet bundle P1 enters the nip portion 66 by the driving of the driving middle folding roller 61 in a state where the central portion is pressed and bent, and the pressing die member 70 is lowered to the original state.

  When the sheet bundle P1 enters the nip portion 66, the driven folding roller 62 is driven against the biasing force of the roller biasing coil spring 62d (see FIG. 2) depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle P1. (See FIG. 4).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the driven intermediate folding roller 62 moves and the distance between the roller shaft 61a of the driving intermediate folding roller 61 and the roller shaft 62a of the driven intermediate folding roller 62 increases, The contact member 65 is pulled up by the urging force of the contact member coil spring 64.

  Accordingly, the state in which the roller contact surface 65a of the roller contact member 65 is in contact with the roller shaft 61a of the driving folding roller 61 and the roller shaft 62a of the driven folding roller 62 is maintained.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62 are fed substantially upward while pressing the sheet bundle P <b> 1.

  When the sheet bundle P1 passes between the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62, the driven middle folding roller 62 has a roller biasing coil spring 62d (FIG. 2), the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62 is moved to the driving middle folding roller 61 side, that is, the sheet pressing surface of the driving middle folding roller 61 is moved to the driving middle folding roller 61 side. An attempt is made to return to the biased state in contact with 60 and pressed.

  At this time, since the roller contact surface 65a of the roller contact member 65 is in contact with the roller shaft 61a of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the roller shaft 62a of the driven middle folding roller 62, the driven middle folding roller The movement of 62 toward the driving middle folding roller 61 is obstructed.

  In addition, the force that presses the roller contact member 65 against the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62 by the contact member coil spring 64 causes the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding by the roller biasing coil spring 62d. Since it is smaller than the force applied from the roller 62 to the roller contact member 65, the roller contact member 65 is pressed downward.

  As a result, the roller shaft 61a of the driving folding roller 61, the roller shaft 62a of the driven folding roller 62, and the roller contact surface 65a of the roller contact member 65 slide to cause the roller contact member 65 to move downward. Moving.

  Accordingly, the driven middle folding roller 62 moves to the state shown in FIG. 3 and returns to the biased state in which the paper pressing surface 60 is pressed against the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61.

  At this time, the return speed at which the driven half-folding roller 62 returns is reduced by the roller contact member 65. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a collision sound that collides with the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driving folding roller 61 when the driven folding roller 62 returns.

  Therefore, for example, one or both of the paper pressing surface 60 of the driven folding roller 62 and the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving folding roller 61 are made of a material such as metal that does not have elasticity, and is applied to the paper bundle P1. Even when the pressing force is increased, the collision sound can be suppressed, and the accuracy of the middle folding can be improved.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the folded sheet bundle P <b> 2 that has been subjected to the folding process between the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62 is an unloading roller 52 and a flange member 53. Then, the sheet is discharged toward the middle folding tray 54.

  In the first embodiment, the roller contact member 65 is in contact with the roller shafts 61a and 62a of the driving intermediate folding roller 61 and the driven intermediate folding roller 62, respectively. However, it can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, the roller abutting member 65 is disposed so as to be able to move between the sheet pressing surfaces so as to abut on both ends of the sheet pressing surface 60 of each of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. You may make it do and can change suitably.

  Next, the middle fold processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the second embodiment of the middle folding apparatus includes a cam mechanism as a reducing means instead of the roller contact member 65 of the first embodiment.

  The cam mechanism of this embodiment includes a cam member 565, a cam driving motor 567 as a driving means for rotating the cam member 565, a cam attitude detecting means (not shown) for detecting the attitude of the cam member 565, a cam And a cam control unit 570 that controls the rotation of the member 565.

  The cam member 565 is formed in a substantially ring shape with a predetermined thickness. The cam member 565 includes a contact portion 565b that contacts the driven folding roller 62 and a non-contact portion 565a that does not contact the outer periphery of the cam member 565.

  In this embodiment, the abutting portion 565b is configured to abut on the outer periphery of a ring-shaped cam abutting member 566 fixed to the axial end of the driven intermediate folding roller 62. Note that the cam contact member 566 of this embodiment is configured with a diameter slightly smaller than the paper pressing surface 60 of the driven intermediate folding roller 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the contact portion 565b in this embodiment includes a tip top portion 565c and an inclined surface 565d connecting the tip top portion 565c and the non-contact portion 565a.

  The cam member 565 is rotatably held by the roller shaft 61a of the driving middle folding roller 61.

  When the cam member 565 is attached to the roller shaft 61a, the non-contact portion 565a of the cam member 565 has a distance from the central axis O that is the rotation center of the roller shaft 61a from the central axis O. The distance between the driving middle folding roller 61 and the sheet pressing surface 60 is smaller than the distance from the cam pressing member 566 of the driven middle folding roller 62.

  On the other hand, in the above state, the distance from the central axis O to the tip apex 565c in the contact portion 565b is larger than the distance from the central axis O to the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving folding roller 61. Further, the distance from the central axis O to the inclined surface 565d gradually decreases from the tip apex portion 565c to the non-contact portion 565a.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the distance L1 from the central axis O to the tip apex 565c at the contact portion 565b is the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven folding roller 62 and the driving folding roller 61. A sheet bundle P1 is inserted between the sheet pressing surface 60 and the sheet pressing surfaces are separated from each other by a predetermined distance L2 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle P1. The distance is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the distance to the outer periphery of the cam contact member 566 provided on the cam.

  That is, the distance L1 is set such that the tip apex portion 565c faces and substantially contacts the cam contact member 566 of the driven intermediate folding roller 62 in a state where the sheet pressing surfaces are separated from each other by a predetermined distance L2.

  The distance L1 is not limited to that of this embodiment, and is the same as or smaller than the distance from the central axis O to the outer periphery of the cam contact member 566 in the state separated by the predetermined distance L2, and is being driven. As long as the distance from the central axis O to the outer periphery of the cam contact member 566 in a state where the paper pressing surface 60 of the folding roller 62 and the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 are in contact with each other, it may be appropriately changed. it can.

  The rotational torque of the cam member 565 of this embodiment is set to be larger than the pressing force applied from the driven folding roller 62 to the cam member 565 by the biasing force of the roller biasing coil spring 62d.

  Note that the rotational torque of the cam member 565 is not limited to this configuration, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the rotational torque of the cam member 565 may be made smaller than the pressing force, and the cam contact member 566 may be slid on the outer periphery by a torque limiter.

  Further, in this embodiment, the cam posture detection means includes a first posture detection sensor and a second posture detection sensor which are infrared sensors. The first posture detection sensor is configured to detect when the tip top portion 565c of the cam member 565 comes to a lower position (position shown in FIG. 9) near the driven middle folding roller 62 side.

  The second posture detection sensor detects when the tip apex portion 565c of the cam member 565 comes to a contact position (position shown in FIG. 11) where the cam contact member 566 of the driving middle folding roller 61 contacts and contacts the cam contact member 566. Is configured to do.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cam control unit 570 includes a sheet bundle insertion determination unit 571, a set time elapsed determination unit 572, and a transmission unit 573.

  The sheet bundle insertion determination unit 571 determines whether or not the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. In this embodiment, the determination is made based on the detection of the sheet bundle P1 by the detection sensor 575 (illustrated in FIG. 6) as detection means for detecting the sheet bundle provided in the cam control unit 570.

  Specifically, the cam control unit 570 includes a detection sensor 575 configured from an infrared sensor. The detection sensor 575 detects the leading end of the sheet bundle P1 that protrudes by a predetermined amount from between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62.

  When the leading end of the sheet bundle P1 is detected, the cam control unit 570 determines that the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. To do.

  Further, when the sheet bundle insertion determining unit 571 determines that the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60, the cam control unit 570 uses the tip apex portion 565c of the contact portion 565b of the cam member 565 for driving. A cam contact position rotation start signal is generated to rotate the cam member 565 to a contact position (position shown in FIG. 11) that contacts the cam contact member 566 of the center folding roller 61.

  The determination of the sheet bundle insertion determination unit 571 is not limited to determination based on detection of the leading end of the sheet bundle P1, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, a detection sensor for detecting the movement of the driven folding roller 62 is provided, and the driven folding roller 62 moves in a direction retreating with the driving folding roller 61 when the sheet bundle P1 enters between the sheet pressing surfaces 60. The movement may be detected by the detection sensor, and the determination may be made based on the detection.

  The set time elapsed determination unit 572 determines whether or not the set time has elapsed since the sheet bundle insertion determination unit 571 determines that the sheet bundle P1 has entered. In this embodiment, the set time is determined by the sheet bundle insertion determination unit 571 and the driving middle folding roller 62 and the driving middle folding based on the predetermined length of the sheet bundle P1 and the rotation number of the driving middle folding roller 61. It is set as the time for almost passing after it is determined that the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the rollers 61.

  Further, when the set time elapse determination unit 572 determines that the set time has elapsed, the cam control unit 570 does not contact the cam contact member 566 with the contact portion 565b of the contacted cam member 565. A cam retraction start signal is generated to rotate the position to retreat.

  The transmission unit 573 of the cam control unit 570 transmits, for example, the generated cam contact position rotation start signal and the cam withdrawal start signal to the cam drive motor 567.

  Although not shown, the cam control unit 570 includes a memory that is a recording device, a CPU, a display unit, button keys that are input devices, a communication interface, and the like. The CPU functions as the sheet bundle determination unit 571, the set time passage determination unit 572, and the transmission unit 573 in FIG. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. The abutting portion 565b of the cam member 565 immediately before the sheet bundle P1 enters between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62, as shown in FIG. It is disposed at a lower position near the side. In this state, the driving half-folding roller 61 is rotating in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 6 and 9 at a constant rotation number, but the cam member 565 is maintained in this state without rotating. .

  From this state, the cam control unit 570 determines whether or not the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62 (FIG. 8, step S1).

  If it is determined in step S1 that the sheet bundle P1 has not yet entered, the cam control unit 570 returns the control and waits for the sheet bundle P1 to enter. On the other hand, when it is determined that the sheet bundle P1 has entered, a cam contact position rotation start signal is generated and transmitted to the cam drive motor 567.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a predetermined amount of the leading end of the sheet bundle P <b> 1 protrudes upward from between the sheet pressing surfaces 60, the detection sensor 575 detects it. Based on the detection, the cam control unit 570 determines that the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62, and starts rotating the cam contact position. Generate a signal.

  The received cam drive motor 567 rotates to the contact position where the tip top portion 565c of the cam member 565 contacts the cam contact member 566 of the driving middle folding roller 61 (FIG. 8, step S2).

  When the top end portion 565c of the cam member 565 reaches the contact position, the second posture detection sensor detects this, and the cam control unit 570 temporarily stops the operation of the cam drive motor 567.

  When the sheet bundle P1 enters between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62, the driven middle folding roller 62 has a roller biasing coil spring as shown in FIG. The sheet bundle P1 is moved by the thickness of the sheet bundle P1 to the left in the direction of retreating from the driving middle folding roller 61 against the urging force of 62d (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven middle folding roller 62 is separated from the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 by a distance L2 corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle P1.

  Thereafter, the cam control unit 570 determines whether or not a set time has elapsed after determining that the sheet bundle P1 has entered between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 (FIG. 8, step S3).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the set time has not elapsed, the cam control unit 570 returns control and waits for the set time to elapse. On the other hand, when it is determined that the set time has elapsed, the cam control unit 570 generates a cam withdrawal start signal and transmits it to the cam driving motor 567.

  In the state where the set time has elapsed, the sheet bundle P1 passes between the sheet pressing surfaces 60, and the driven intermediate folding roller 62 is driven by the urging force of the roller urging coil spring 62d along with the passage. It tries to move to the right side in the direction approaching the folding roller 61.

  At this time, since the cam contact member 566 and the tip top portion 565c of the cam member 565 are in contact with each other, it is the cam member that the driven folding roller 62 returns to the original contacted biased state shown in FIG. Disturbed by 565.

  Next, the cam drive motor 567 that has received the cam retraction start signal rotates the cam member 565 clockwise as shown in FIG. 12, and the inclined surface 565c of the contact portion 565b of the cam member 565 is the cam contact member. Rotate clockwise while abutting 566.

  At this time, since the rotational torque of the cam member 565 is larger than the pressing force applied from the driven intermediate folding roller 62 to the cam member 565 by the biasing force of the roller biasing coil spring 62d, the cam member 565 is forced by the pressing force. There is no such thing as turning around.

  When the cam member 565 rotates, the driven folding roller 62 gradually approaches the driving folding roller 61. Further, the cam member 565 rotates and retreats in a state where the contact of the inclined surface 565c of the contact portion 565b with the cam contact member 566 is released, and the sheet pressing surface 60 of the driven folding roller 62 is driven. The original urging state shown in FIG. 9 pressed against the paper pressing surface 60 of the half-folding roller 61 is restored.

  Accordingly, the return speed of the driven intermediate folding roller 62 is slower than that in the case where the cam member 565 is not provided, and the paper pressing surface 60 of the driven intermediate folding roller 62 becomes the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving intermediate folding roller 61. The collision sound at the time of collision becomes small.

  When the cam member 565 rotates once and the contact portion 565b reaches the lower position shown in FIG. 9 near the driven folding roller 62 side, the first posture detection sensor detects this, and based on the detection. The cam control unit 570 stops the operation of the cam driving motor 567. As a result, the rotation of the cam member 565 stops and enters a standby state (FIG. 8, step S4).

  In the second embodiment, a cam driving motor 567 is connected to the cam member 565 so as to be able to transmit rotation, and the cam control unit 570 controls the operation of the cam driving motor 567 so that the cam member 565 is controlled. The rotation control is performed regardless of the rotation of the roller shaft 61a of the driving folding roller 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, the cam member 565 and the roller shaft 61a of the driving half-folding roller 61 are connected by a clutch device so as to be switchable from a rotation transmission enabled state to a rotation transmission disabled state, and this clutch device is controlled by a cam control unit. You may do it.

  When a cam driving motor is provided, the cam member 565 may be held by the driven middle folding roller 62 instead of the driving middle folding roller 61. Further, the cam member 565 is composed of two, and is held by the driven folding roller 62 and the driving folding roller 61, respectively, so that the abutting portions are in contact with each other when the cam members 565 are rotated. You may make it touch.

  Further, the cam control unit 570 is controlled by the cam control unit 570 so that the cam member 565 starts to rotate at an appropriate time from when the sheet bundle P1 enters between the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62 until it passes through. It may be changed as appropriate. For example, the cam member 565 may be started to rotate immediately before the sheet bundle P1 passes between the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62.

  In the second embodiment, the contact portion 565b of the cam member 565 protrudes from the paper pressing surface 60 of the driving folding roller 61 to the outer periphery. Any configuration may be used as long as 565b contacts the cam contact member 566 and the non-contact portion 565a does not contact the cam contact member 566.

  In the second embodiment, the cam member 565 is brought into contact with the cam contact member 566. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cam contact member 566 is not provided and the cam member 565 is being driven. It may be applied to the end of the sheet pressing surface 60 of the folding roller 62, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, the cam control unit 570 in the second embodiment may be dedicated for controlling only the cam member 565, but may also be used as another control unit provided in the post-processing apparatus 10. Also, the detection sensor 575 may be a dedicated sensor for detecting the leading end of the sheet bundle P1 coming out from between the sheet pressing surfaces 60 of the driving middle folding roller 61 and the driven middle folding roller 62. 10 may be used in combination with the other detection sensor provided in FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments, the roller contact member and the cam member are disposed at both ends in the axial direction of the pair of middle folding rollers 61 and 62, respectively. It may be arranged only at one end and can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, the middle folding processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a form used as a part of the post-processing apparatus 10 that performs post-processing on the paper P sent from the image forming apparatus 19 such as a copying machine. It can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, the half-folding processing apparatus of the present invention can be used independently of the image forming apparatus 19 or can be used by attaching the middle-folding processing apparatus of the present invention to the image forming apparatus 19 alone. Further, when the image forming apparatus 19 is attached to the image forming apparatus 19, the image forming apparatus 19 may be, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine of these, and can be appropriately used.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the post-processing apparatus for image forming apparatuses which have a middle folding processing apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the middle folding processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of pushing a sheet bundle between a pair of middle folding rollers with a pressing die member. It is explanatory drawing of the state in which the sheet bundle entered between a pair of middle folding rollers. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet bundle passes between a pair of middle folding rollers. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the middle folding processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a cam control part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of pushing in a sheet | seat bundle between a pair of middle folding rollers in 2nd Embodiment with a pressing die member. It is explanatory drawing of the state in which the sheet | seat bundle entered between a pair of middle folding rollers in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when a sheet bundle passes between a pair of middle folding rollers. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of a pair of middle folding rollers immediately after a sheet bundle has passed.

Explanation of symbols

50 Folding processing device 61 Driving middle folding roller 62 Driven middle folding roller 62d Roller biasing coil spring (roller biasing means)
64 Contact member coil spring (contact member biasing means)
65 Roller contact member 65a Roller contact surface 565 Cam member 565b Contact portion

Claims (3)

One of the pair of half-fold rollers can be moved relative to the other in the direction of approaching / retreating, and the one is brought into contact with the other by the roller urging means so that the one contacts the other. The paper sheet is placed in a biased state, and the paper is folded between the pair of middle-folding rollers so that the paper is passed against the biasing force of the roller biasing means. A processing device comprising:
Along with the passage of the sheet, the one half-folding roller separated from the other half-folding roller from the contacted biasing state returns to the contacted biasing state by the roller biasing means after the sheet has passed. A half-folding processing apparatus comprising a reducing means for reducing the return speed at the time of turning. The reducing means is disposed at the end of the middle folding roller so as to be movable between the pair of middle folding rollers, and has a wedge-shaped roller abutting member that abuts on each of the middle folding rollers. Urging means for abutting member that presses the roller abutting member so as to always abut against each of the intermediate folding rollers,
The abutting member urging means is configured such that the force pressing the roller abutting member against each of the middle folding rollers is smaller than the force applied from the middle folding roller to the roller abutting member by the roller urging means. The middle-folding processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The reduction means includes a cam member rotatably held at an end portion of at least one half-fold roller, and a cam control unit that controls rotation of the cam member,
The cam member includes a contact portion that is in contact with the other half-folding roller on a part of the outer periphery thereof,
The abutting portion is configured to be able to abut against the other opposite middle folding roller before the one middle folding roller returns to the contacted biased state,
The cam control unit rotates the cam member so that the contact portion faces the other half-folding roller during a period from when the sheet enters between the half-folding rollers until it passes through the other half-folding roller. 2. The middle folding process according to claim 1, wherein the middle folding process is performed such that the cam member in contact with the other middle folding roller is rotated when the one middle folding roller is brought back into contact. apparatus.

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