JP5263207B2 - Stapler driving device, post-processing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stapler driving device, a post-processing device, and an image forming apparatus.

  A post-processing apparatus may be connected to a subsequent stage of an image forming apparatus such as a printer that prints images or characters on paper. This post-processing device is equipped with a puncher that punches holes in the paper, a stapler that staples a stack of multiple sheets of paper with staples, and a paper folding machine that folds the paper, depending on the user's usage. Is done.

  Focusing on the stapler, a DC motor is mounted on the stapler, and a stapling operation is performed in which a staple is inserted into the sheet bundle and bent by a driving force generated by the rotation of the DC motor.

JP 2008-174382 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to control a stapling operation that matches the current status of a stapler itself.

The stapler driving device according to claim 1 is:
A motor and an internal mechanism that moves by the driving force generated by the rotation of the motor, and the staples prepared at the preparation position are inserted into a bundle of a plurality of stacked recording media by the movement of the internal mechanism. A power supply unit that supplies power to a motor of a stapler that performs a stapling operation for bending and feeding the next staple to the preparation position;
A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as the stapling operation by rotating the motor in the state where the preparation position is blank;
When performing the stapling operation, the power supply unit includes a supply power control unit that supplies power corresponding to the idle driving execution time to the motor.

The stapler driving device according to claim 2 is:
The motor is a DC motor;
2. The stapler drive device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit supplies the pulse-width-modulated power to the motor at an output ratio based on an instruction from the supply power control unit. .

The stapler driving device according to claim 3 is:
A storage unit storing a first idle run time measured by supplying a first supply power to the motor at a first time;
The power control unit is based on a second idle run time measured by the measurement unit when the first supply power is supplied to the motor at a second time point after the first time point. A second supply power at which the first idling execution time is obtained is calculated, and the second supply power is supplied to the power supply unit toward the motor.

The post-processing device according to claim 4 comprises:
A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from an image forming apparatus that forms an image and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
A stapler that includes a motor and executes a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
A power supply for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as the stapling operation by rotating the motor in the state where the preparation position is blank;
When performing the stapling operation, the power supply unit includes a supply power control unit that supplies power corresponding to the idle driving execution time to the motor.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from the image forming unit and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
A stapler that includes a motor and executes a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
A power supply for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as the stapling operation by rotating the motor in the state where the preparation position is blank;
When performing the stapling operation, the power supply unit includes a supply power control unit that supplies power corresponding to the idle driving execution time to the motor.

  According to the stapler driving device of the first aspect, it is possible to control the stapling operation according to the current state of the stapler itself.

  According to the stapler driving device of the second aspect, the power supplied to the motor can be controlled accurately and easily.

  According to the stapler driving device of the third aspect, the execution time of the stapling operation is stabilized.

  According to the post-processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to control the stapling operation according to the current state of the stapler itself.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to control the stapling operation according to the current state of the stapler itself.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print system. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the mechanism around the stapler of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the guide member in which two rails were formed. It is the schematic diagram which showed the driving force transmission mechanism and sensor of a stapler. It is explanatory drawing of the operation mechanism of the pressing member with which the stapler was equipped. It is the figure which showed the positional relationship of a light-shielding plate and HP sensor. It is the figure which showed the shape of the staple. It is a top view which shows the state by which the needle plate was abutted by the needle stopper. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the staple needle is abutted against the needle stopper. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 1st step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 2nd step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 3rd step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 4th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 5th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 5th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 6th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 7th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 8th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the member in the 9th step of the staple operation by a stapler. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement sound waveform in each process which comprises a series of staple operations. It is a block diagram of the control circuit which bears the operation control of the stapler in the post-processing device. It is a control conceptual diagram. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a group table that classifies a sheet bundle into groups according to the paper type and the number of sheets. It is a figure which shows the content of the table in which the duty of each process at the time of a staple operation was described.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system.

  The printing system 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes a printer 10, a paper transport device 20, and a post-processing device 30. This print system 1A is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  The printer 10 is an electrophotographic printer that receives an image signal from a host device (not shown) and forms an image based on the image signal on a sheet. An outline will be described.

  The printer 10 is provided with four paper storage units 111. Each paper storage unit 111 stores paper P having a different paper type, size, and orientation (portrait and landscape). . Information on the paper type, size, and orientation of the paper stored in each paper storage unit 111 is set in advance and stored in the main body control unit 120. When a print command is received from the host device, the paper P is taken out by the take-out roll 112 from the paper storage unit 111 containing the paper corresponding to the command, and the taken-out paper P is supplied by the supply roll 113 and the transport roll 114. The leading edge of the paper is conveyed to the adjustment roll 115.

  On the other hand, the exposure device 121 exposes each photoconductor 122 arranged for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and forms an electrostatic latent image on each photoconductor 122. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor 122 is developed with each color toner by a developing device (not shown) to form a toner image, and each color toner image is stretched by a tension roll 124 by the action of the transfer roll 125. The toner images of the respective colors are transferred so as to overlap each other on the intermediate transfer belt 123 that circulates in the direction of the arrow A in a suspended state.

  The sheet P having the leading end reaching the adjustment roll 115 is sent to the secondary transfer position T together with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 123, and the secondary transfer roll 116 acts on the intermediate transfer belt 123. The toner image is transferred to the paper P. The sheet P that has received the transfer of the toner image is further conveyed, heated and pressurized by the fixing roll 117, and the toner image on the sheet is fixed to the sheet P, and a fixed image is formed on the sheet P. The paper P after fixing is further transported by the transport roll 118, and is discharged onto the paper discharge table 119 of the printer 10 when the paper transport device 20 is not present.

  The printer 10 includes a humidity sensor 101 that detects the humidity in the vicinity of the paper storage unit 111 stored in the printer 10, as will be described in detail later.

  In this printing system 1A, since the paper transport device 20 is installed on the paper discharge table 119, the paper P discharged from the printer 10 is inherited by the paper transport device 20, and the transport roll in the paper transport device 20 is used. 21 is further transported by the post-processing apparatus 30. The post-processing measure 30 will be described later.

  A command for each job is input to the printer 10 from the host device. Specifically, as an example, when the image signal for 10 sheets and the paper on which the image based on each image signal is formed are 1 to 10 pages, the paper of 1 to 10 pages is regarded as one sheet bundle, An instruction is issued such that ten sheets of paper bundles are created by binding with a staple needle for each paper bundle. For example, in the case of this example, the paper P is sequentially taken out from the paper storage unit 111 that stores paper according to the dimensions of the image, and the first page image, the second page are taken out to each paper P taken out in order. ,..., The 10th page image, the 1st page image, the 2nd page image,..., The 10th page image are sequentially printed for a total of 10 bundles (100 sheets). . The printed paper is sequentially sent to the post-processing device 30 via the paper transport device 20.

  The post-processing device 30 includes a puncher 31 and a stapler 32, and a sheet processing control unit 35 that controls operation of the puncher 31 and communication with the printer 10. The paper taken into the post-processing device 30 is transported by the transport roll 131, and when it is instructed to form punch holes at the edges of the paper, the puncher 31 is activated, and the paper with punch holes is further formed. The paper is conveyed and discharged onto the paper tray 136. The paper tray 136 is movable up and down between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, and descends in accordance with the total thickness of the sheets sequentially stacked on the paper tray 136.

  When the stapler 32 provided in the post-processing device 30 is instructed to bind the sheet bundle, the stapling operation by the stapler 32 is executed as follows.

  FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of a mechanism around the stapler of the post-processing device 30 shown in FIG.

  Here, a fixed plate 137 on which a sheet is placed and a movable plate 135 that can move forward and backward in the direction of arrow XX ′ are provided. In FIG. 2, the movable plate 135 has advanced in the direction of the arrow X. Further, here, a paper discharge roll 132 and a counter roll 133 are provided. The paper discharge roll 132 is movable up and down in the direction of arrow YY ′ shown in FIG. When the paper discharge roll 132 is lowered, the paper is sandwiched between the paper discharge roll 132 and the opposing roll 133, and is rotated to discharge the paper onto the paper tray 136 shown in FIG. Here, the paper discharge roll 132 is in a position raised in the arrow Y direction. Further, a paddle 134 and a lateral support plate 139 are provided here. The paddle 134 rotates in the direction of arrow B and plays a role of pushing the paper toward the stapler 32 side. The sheet pushed toward the stapler 32 is abutted against the abutting wall 138. Further, the lateral support plate 139 receives the contact of the paper struck in the horizontal direction by a striking plate (not shown) disposed so as to sandwich the paper from the left and right sides of the lateral support plate 139, and the paper It plays a role to align the horizontal position of.

  The paper that has passed through the arrangement area of the puncher 31 shown in FIG. 1 proceeds along the paper conveyance path P1 shown in FIG. At this time, the paper discharge roll 132 is in a position raised in the arrow Y direction, and the movable plate 135 is in the state of being advanced in the arrow X direction. The paper that has traveled along the paper transport path P1 is placed across the fixed plate 137 and the movable plate 135, and is abutted against the abutting wall 138 by the paddle 134 and at the same time the horizontal receiving plate 139 by a striking plate (not shown). In this way, positioning is performed both vertically and horizontally. The above operation is repeated while the number of sheets forming one sheet bundle (10 sheets in the above example) is sent, so that a plurality of sheets forming one sheet bundle are vertically and horizontally positioned. Are stacked together. The plurality of stacked sheets are bound by a stapler 32 into one sheet bundle. A staple 33 having two protrusions 331 is attached to the stapler 32, and the two protrusions 331 of the legs 33 are provided on the guide member 34 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Each of the rails 342 enters a groove 341 formed in the rail 342. The stapler 32 is guided by the two rails 342 and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Therefore, when the bundle of sheets is bound by the stapler 32, the sheet bundle is guided by the rail 342 and moved, for example, at a designated portion of the bundle of sheets such as two places near the center or one corner.

  The stapling operation itself by the stapler 32 will be described later.

  In synchronism with the binding of the sheet bundle by the stapler 32, the sheet discharge roll 132 descends in the direction of the arrow Y ′ and the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the opposing roll 133, and the movable plate 135 moves in the direction of the arrow X ′. Retreat to. When the binding operation to the sheet bundle is completed, the sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet receiving plate 136 by the rotation of the sheet discharge roll 132.

  While the above binding operation is being performed, adjustment between the printer 10 and the post-processing device 30 prevents the next sheet from being further conveyed from the printer 10 (see FIG. 1). The printing operation is interrupted.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a guide member on which two rails are formed.

  Grooves 341 are respectively formed in the two rails 342 of the guide member 34, and the protrusion 331 of the foot 33 shown in FIG. 2 enters the groove 341 to guide the movement of the stapler 32. These rails 342 as a whole extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 but have curved shapes near both ends. This is because when corners of the sheet bundle are bound, corners of the sheet are bound obliquely with respect to the sheet.

  Here, the post-processing device 30 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 can be connected not only to the printer having the form shown in FIG. 1 but also to another form of printer.

  The main body control unit 120 of the printer 10 is responsible for storing image signals, storing commands by operating an operation panel (not shown), controlling the entire printer 10, and further communicating with the post-processing device 30. . The main body control unit 120 is also responsible for adjustments in operation with the post-processing device 30.

  In the above, the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown as an apparatus to which the post-processing apparatus 30 is connected. However, the post-processing apparatus 30 is not limited to the printer 10 and may be configured to be connectable to a copying machine, for example. Further, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be configured to be connectable to other printing methods such as an ink jet printer. This post-processing device 30 is an embodiment common to the stapler driving device of the present invention and the post-processing device of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the stapler itself will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a driving force transmission mechanism and a sensor of the stapler.

  The stapler 32 has a pressing member 328. The stapler 32 is provided with a DC motor 321. When the DC motor 321 rotates, the presser member 328 rotates in the direction of arrow DD ′.

  The driving force transmission mechanism from the DC motor 321 to the presser member 328 is as follows. When the DC motor 321 rotates, the driving force is transmitted in the order of the gear 322, the relay gear 323, and the driving gear 324, and the driving shaft 325 rotates. After the description of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the description will return to FIG. 4 again.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an operation mechanism of a pressing member provided in the stapler.

  The presser member 328 moves up and down between an upper position shown in FIG. 5A and a lower position shown in FIG. 5B by rotating around the rotation center 328a. Here, a drive cam 326 is attached to the drive shaft 325, and the presser member 328 moves up and down via a relay cam 327 that rotates about a rotation center 327a. When the drive shaft 325 rotates once, the presser member reciprocates once, and one stapling operation ends.

  Further, the light shielding plate 51 is attached to the drive shaft 325 at a position different from the drive cam 326 in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5). The light shielding plate 51 is fixed to the drive shaft 325 and rotates by the same rotation angle at the same speed in synchronization with the rotation of the drive cam 326. An HP (home position) sensor 52 is provided in the vicinity of the light shielding plate 51.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the light shielding plate and the HP sensor.

  The HP sensor 52 is a photoelectric sensor that projects and receives light, and is fixed at a position where the rotating light-shielding plate 51 passes so as to block light projection and reception by the HP sensor 52. The HP sensor 52 outputs an L level signal while the light shielding plate 51 is passing, and outputs an H level signal when the light shielding plate 51 is separated from the HP sensor 52. Since the light shielding plate 51 rotates together with the rotation of the drive shaft 325, the rotation position of the drive shaft 325 is detected by the HP sensor 52. Here, this sensor is used to detect the initial position of the drive shaft 325.

  After the electric power is supplied to the DC motor 321 and the stapler 32 starts the stapling operation, the HP sensor 52 indicates that the drive shaft 325 rotates once and returns to the initial position even after a certain threshold time (for example, 500 msec) elapses. If not detected, the stapling operation is defective, the rotation of the DC motor 321 is stopped, and the DC motor 321 is reversed. When the DC motor 321 is reversed, the HP sensor 52 monitors whether the drive shaft 325 returns to the initial position within a certain threshold time (for example, 200 msec). Although the processing contents differ depending on whether or not the HP sensor 52 detects that the drive shaft 325 has returned to the initial position within the threshold time due to the reverse rotation of the DC motor 321, error processing is performed in either case.

  Returning to FIG. 4, various sensors provided in the stapler 32 will be described.

  The stapler 32 includes a first sensor 53 and a second needle sensor 54 in addition to the HP sensor 52. The first needle sensor 53 is a sensor that detects whether or not a staple needle (described later) is in a state in which a staple operation for binding a sheet bundle can be performed. The second needle sensor 54 is a sensor that detects the absence of staples.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the shape of the staple needle.

  The staple needle 61 has a linear shape, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the linear staple needles 61 are arranged in a single plate shape and bonded so as not to be easily separated. 60 is formed. Here, as for the staple needle 61 in use, only the leading two staple needles 61 a and 61 b are bent in a direction in which both end portions thereof are erected at right angles from the needle plate 60.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the left and right tip portions of the staple needle 61 are formed in a tapered shape so that the thickness becomes thinner toward the tip, facilitating insertion into the sheet bundle.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the needle plate is abutted against the needle stopper. The staple stopper 62 has a first stopper 62a against which both ends of the linear staple needle 61 before being bent are abutted, and a leading staple needle 61a among the two staple needles 61a and 61b which are bent. And a second stopper 62b to be applied. A guide member 63 is placed on the needle plate 60. The leading end portion of the guide member 63 has a size that enters the inside of the two staple needles 61a and 61b that are bent.

  FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the staple needle is abutted against the needle stopper.

  The guide member 63 is formed with an inclined surface 63a so as to cover the upper part of the bent staple needle 61a and expose the lower part. The guide member 63 is biased in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 9A by a spring (not shown).

  The stapler 32 further includes a needle push-up member 71 having a thickness substantially the same as the width of one staple needle 61 and a needle bending member 72 having a similar thickness. The needle push-up member 71 is disposed immediately below the folded leading staple needle 61a, and the needle bending member 72 is disposed directly below the third staple needle 61 from the leading end, that is, directly below the leading staple needle that has not yet been folded. Has been.

  When the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4) provided in the stapler 32 rotates and the drive shaft 325 rotates, the needle push-up member 71 pushes up the staple needle 61a at the tip in the arrow G direction and inserts it into a sheet bundle (not shown). At the time of pushing up, the guide member 63 is pushed back by the thickness of one staple needle 61 in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 9B against the spring bias. Then, by the needle bending member 72 that has been raised following the staple pushed up by the needle push-up member 71, the leading staple needle that has not been bent is bent with the leading end portion of the guide member 63 as a guide. When the staple operation for one bundle of sheets by the staple needle 61a pushed up by the needle push-up member 71 is completed, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 are lowered to the initial position shown in FIG.

  10 to 19 are diagrams illustrating member operations in each step of the staple operation by the stapler. As described above, the stapler 32 is provided with the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4), and the drive shaft 325 is rotated by the rotation of the DC motor 321. The rotation of the drive shaft 325 causes each of the operations related to the stapling operation. The members operate in coordination.

  FIG. 10 shows an initial state immediately after the needle plate 60 is loaded on the stapler. A plurality of needle plates 60 are accommodated in a stacked manner. In addition to the needle stopper 62 composed of the first stopper 62a and the second stopper 62b, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 described with reference to FIGS. 73 is shown. The leaf spring 73 plays a role of feeding the lowermost needle plate 60a of the stacked needle plates 60 to the needle stopper 62 side. Also shown here are a needle bending member 74, a presser member 75, and an upper member 76, which are components constituting the presser member 328 shown in FIG. The needle folding member 74 plays a role of bending both ends of the staple needle penetrating the paper bundle and pressing them against the paper bundle, and the presser member 75 plays a role of pressing the needle folding member 74 from above. ing. The upper member 76 plays a role of pressing the sheet bundle from above.

  FIG. 11 shows the next step of the state shown in FIG.

  Here, the lowermost needle plate 60a is pushed and moved in the direction of arrow H by the leaf spring 73, both ends of the tip of the needle plate 60a are abutted against the first stopper 62a, and the upper member 76 is further bent. The member 74 and the presser member 75 are moved downward in the direction of arrow I while remaining on the top. The upper member 76 is formed with a groove 761 into which the needle bending member 74 is inserted. The lower part of the upper member 76 causes the needle bending member 74 to move relative to the upper member 76 so that the groove 761 is formed. It appears.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the needle push-up member 71 rises in the direction of the arrow J. At this stage, there is no staple needle 61a (see FIG. 8) that is abutted against the second stopper 62b. Therefore, the needle push-up member 71 is idle. As the needle push-up member 71 is raised, the needle bending member 72 is also raised, and both ends of the leading staple needle 61 abutted against the first stopper 62a are bent at right angles to the needle plate 60a. At this time, the leaf spring 73 continues to urge the needle plate 60a in the arrow H direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the presser member 75 is lowered in the direction of arrow K, and the needle bending member 74 is pushed into the groove 761. The leaf spring 73 once moves backward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper member 76 rises in the arrow L direction together with the needle bending member 74 and the presser member 75, and the needle pushup member 71 and needle bending member 72 are lowered in the arrow M direction. The staple plate 61a is pushed by the leaf spring 73 and the first staple needle 61a that is bent rubs through the first stopper 62a, and the second staple needle 61b that is not yet bent from the first is the first staple needle 61b. The state is abutted against the stopper 62a.

  Next, when the steps of FIGS. 12 to 14 are repeated once again, the leading two staple needles 61a and 61b are bent, and the leading staple needle 61a becomes the second stopper 62b as shown in FIG. It will be in a state of being hit.

  The sensor 53 shown in FIG. 4 is a sensor that detects that the leading staple needle 61a of the needle plate 60a bent as described above is in contact with the second stopper 62b. When this state is detected by the sensor 53, the actual stapling operation for binding the sheet bundle can be executed.

  Here, the idle driving operation shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 is repeated up to 13 times. This is because the feeding of the needle plate 60a by the leaf spring 73 may fail. If the sensor 53 does not detect the presence of the leading staple 61a even after repeating the steps of FIGS. 12 to 13 13 times, error processing is executed.

  FIG. 15 shows a state at the start of actual stapling operation.

  Here, the leading two staple needles 61a and 61b of the needle plate 60a are bent, and the leading staple needle 61a is abutted against the second stopper 62b. FIG. 15 also shows a sheet bundle P scheduled to be stapled.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the leaf spring 73 presses the needle plate 60a in the direction of arrow N to press the needle plate 60a against the needle stopper 62, and the upper member 76 moves down in the direction of arrow O to raise the sheet bundle P. It can be pressed from. At this time, a groove 761 is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the needle push-up member 71 rises in the direction of arrow P, and the sheet bundle P is penetrated by the leading staple needle 61a. The needle bending member 72 is also raised, and the both side portions of the two adjacent straight leading staple needles 61 are bent upward.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the presser member 75 is lowered in the direction of the arrow Q, the needle bending member 74 is pushed into the groove 761, and both ends of the staple needle 61a are bent inward. The groove 761 is formed slightly obliquely so that both ends of the staple needle 61a bent inward do not collide with each other.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the upper member 76 rises in the direction of arrow R, and accordingly, the needle folding member 74 and the presser member 75 also rise together with the upper member 76. In addition, the needle push-up member 71 and the needle bending member 72 are lowered in the arrow S direction. The needle plate 60a is pushed by the leaf spring 73, and the next leading staple is abutted against the second stopper 62b.

  Thereafter, the sheet bundle P bound by the staples is discharged to the outside of the post-processing device 30 as described with reference to FIG.

  The above steps of FIGS. 15 to 19 are repeated, and the sheet bundle P bound by the staple needle 61 is sequentially formed.

  Another sensor 54 shown in FIG. 4 is a sensor that detects that the number of remaining staples 61 has decreased as a result of consuming the staples 61 as described above. When the remaining staple needles 61 are low, a warning is given to the user.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an operation sound waveform in each process constituting a series of stapling operations. In FIG. 20, a light shielding plate 51 and an HP sensor 52 are also shown.

  Here, a series of stapling operations are divided into a starting step T1, a binding step T2, and a return step T3. In the present embodiment, the time length t1 of the starting process T1 is fixed at t1 = 50 msec. Further, the boundary between the binding process T2 and the return process T3 can be known from the change in the output of the HP sensor 52. Further, the end timing (that is, the initial state) of the return process T3 can be known from the output change of the HP sensor 52.

  The starting process T1 is a time of 50 msec from the time when the power supply to the DC motor 321 (see FIG. 4) is started in the initial state shown in FIG. The binding process T2 is a process that continues to the state of FIG. 18 following the activation process T1. The return step T3 is a step for performing the operation described with reference to FIG.

  Here, the time length of the start process T1 is t1, the time length of the binding process is t2, the time length of the return process is t3, and the time for one series of stapling operations from the start of the start process T1 to the end of the return process T3. The length is represented by t123. The total time length t1 + t2 of the starting process T1 and the binding process T2 is represented by t12.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a control circuit for controlling the operation of the stapler in the post-processing apparatus.

  Here, a CPU 351, a ROM 352, a timer 355, a motor driving unit 353, and an oscillator 354 are shown. These are some of the components in the sheet processing control unit 35 shown in FIG.

  Also shown here are the DC motor 321, the staple mechanism 39 composed of the various mechanical elements described above, the first needle sensor 53, the second needle sensor 54, and the HP sensor 52 as components of the stapler 32. .

  Various data to be described later is stored in the ROM 352, and a stapler operation control program that operates on the CPU 351 is also stored in the ROM M352. The CPU 351 receives information such as the type of paper (paper type) used for the current print, the number of paper sheets per bundle, the number of paper bundles, and the like from the connected printer 10. The CPU 351 also receives the output signal of the HP sensor 52, and the CPU 351 recognizes that the stapler 32 is in the initial state and that it is at the timing of switching from the binding process T2 to the return process T3.

  In the motor drive unit 353, the pulse width modulation power with the duty instructed by the CPU 351 is generated. The oscillator 354 generates a clock signal for generating pulse width modulation power (PWM power) in the motor driving unit 353.

  Here, PWM is a technique for modulating power into a periodic pulse-like waveform. The pulse height in the modulated waveform is equal to the rated voltage of the DC motor 321. The ratio of the pulse width to the pulse period in the modulated waveform is the ratio of the effective output to the rated output. This ratio is referred to as PWM power duty (output ratio). By adjusting this duty, the effective output of PWM power is adjusted between 0 and the rated power. The motor drive unit 353 corresponds to an example of a power supply unit according to the present invention, and the CPU 351 corresponds to an example of a supply power control unit according to the present invention.

  The PWM power generated by the motor drive unit 353 is supplied to the DC motor 321, and the DC motor 321 rotates with the supplied PWM power. Here, the DC motor 321 rotates at a rotational speed approximately in accordance with the duty of the PWM power supplied to the DC motor 321, but depending on the individual difference of the stapler 32, the paper type and number of sheets to be bound, and the like. It varies greatly, and the duty and the rotational speed are not necessarily in a one-to-one relationship.

  As described above, the first needle sensor 53 and the second needle sensor 54 detect whether or not the staple needle is in a state in which the staple operation for binding the sheet bundle can be performed, and the remaining staple needles. It is a sensor that detects that it has run out.

  The description of the timer 355 will be given later.

  FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of control.

  The control to be performed here is to adjust the duty for each process. The starting step T1 is a step of starting the rotation of the DC motor 321 and requires a large amount of power, and is fixed at a duty of 100% here. The time length t1 of the starting process T1 is fixed at t1 = 50 msec as described above.

  In the next binding step T2, the duty is reduced from 100% within a range where the stapling operation is normally performed, and the operation sound is suppressed.

  Also in the next return step T3, the duty is reduced from 100% within a range where the stapling operation is normally performed, and the operation sound is suppressed.

  The maximum allowable time t123 required for a series of stapling operations including the starting step T1, the binding step T2, and the return step T3 is determined. This is because if a series of stapling operations takes too much time, there is a possibility that the productivity of the sheet bundle may be reduced.

  Here, when the duty is changed as shown by a solid line in FIG. 22, the actual rotational speed of the DC motor 321 follows the change of the duty with a time delay or the like as shown by a broken line here.

  Here, the time required for the stapling operation varies with the same duty due to a change with time, a difference in installation environment, and the like. Therefore, the time required for blanking performed at the time of shipment from the factory (hereinafter referred to as the first blanking execution time) is stored in the ROM 352, and the staple needle cartridge is replaced by the user after shipment from the factory. The timer 355 measures the time required for blanking (hereinafter, this time is referred to as a timed blanking execution time). When the time-lapse idle run time measured by the timer 355 is increased as compared to the initial idle run time stored in the ROM 352, the binding process (T2) and return from the three processes are resumed. Increase the duty of the step (T3). The timer 355 corresponds to an example of a measurement unit according to the present invention, and the ROM 352 corresponds to an example of a storage unit according to the present invention. The factory shipment time corresponds to an example of a first time point according to the present invention, and the cartridge replacement time corresponds to an example of a second time point according to the present invention. Further, the initial blank run execution time corresponds to an example of a first blank shot execution time, and the time-lapse blank shot execution time corresponds to an example of a second blank shot execution time according to the present invention.

  The post-processing device 30 measures the time-lapse idling execution time as follows.

  First, when the CPU 351 recognizes that there are no staples through the second needle sensor 54, a message to that effect is displayed on a display panel (not shown). Thereafter, when the staple needle is replenished by the user, the CPU 351 recognizes that the staple needle has been replenished through the second needle sensor 54. Thereafter, in the idle driving operation that is performed until the CPU 351 recognizes that the stapling operation for binding the bundle of sheets can be performed through the first needle sensor 53, the CPU 351 performs DC to the motor driving unit 353. The timer 355 measures each of a time t12 from when the power supply to the motor 321 is started to when the signal from the HP sensor 52 rises and a time t3 from when the signal from the HP sensor 52 rises to when it falls. Is done. The time t12 from when the motor drive unit 353 starts supplying power to the DC motor 321 to when the signal from the HP sensor 52 rises is equal to the time t1 of the start-up process T1 in the idle driving time. Although the time t12 including the time t2 of T2 is the time t1, the time t1 of the starting step T1 is fixed at 50 ms, so the remainder after subtracting 50 ms from the time t12 is the time t2 required for the binding step T2 in the idle driving time. .

  Next, the time t2a of the binding process T2 in the initial blanking execution time measured at the time of factory shipment, the time t2b of the binding process T2 in the timeless blanking execution time measured at the time of cartridge replacement, and the time measured at the time of factory shipment. Regarding the time t3a of the return process T3 in the initial blanking execution time and the time t3b of the return process T3 in the timed blanking execution time measured at the time of cartridge replacement, the binding process coefficient α2 = t2b / t2a and the return process count α3 = t3b / t3a is calculated.

  Furthermore, the new duty of the binding process T2 and the return process T3 is obtained by multiplying the duty of the binding process T2 and the return process T3 (see FIG. 24) in the actual stapling operation by the binding process coefficient α2 and the return process count α3, respectively. And This stabilizes the time required for the stapling operation.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 351 to which the information on the paper type of the paper sheet constituting the paper bundle, the number of paper sheets per bundle and the number of bundles is transmitted, shows the information on the paper type and the number of paper sheets per bundle. By referring to the table shown in FIG. 23 below, it is determined which of the groups A, B, and C the sheet bundle to be stapled from now on belongs.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a group table that classifies a sheet bundle into groups based on the sheet type and the number of sheets.

  In the group table shown here, the number of sheets to be stapled (the number of staples) is divided into five groups divided into ten sheets. Further, as the types of paper, six types of paper, “thin paper”, “plain paper 1”, “plain paper 2”, “thick paper”, “coated paper”, and “thick paper 2” are assumed in order from the thinnest. Yes. This group table indicates which group of what type of paper is to be bundled when it is bundled.

  Information about the paper type used for the current print, the number of sheets per bundle, and the number of bundles is input to the post-processing device 30 from the connected printer 10, and the post-processing device 30 includes the information. Using the information on the paper type and the number of sheets per bundle, the group of sheets is determined by referring to this group table.

  In the group table shown here, the sheet bundle to be bound is divided into three groups of A group, B group, and C group according to the paper type and the number of sheets. The load required for the stapling operation on the sheet bundle is a low load in the A group, a medium load in the B group, and a high load in the C group. For example, for plain paper 1 having a thin paper thickness, a bundle of 2 to 10 sheets belongs to the A group, and a bundle of 11 to 30 sheets belongs to the B group. If the number is 31 or more, it belongs to the C group. On the other hand, even two coated papers having a thick paper thickness belong to the C group. The information shown in FIG. 23 is also stored in the ROM 352 of the post-processing device 30.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the contents of a table in which the duty of each process during the stapling operation is described. The information shown in FIG. 24 is also stored in the ROM 352.

  Part (a) of FIG. 24 shows the contents of a table in which the initial duty as a reference in each step in the actual stapling operation is described for each group of paper bundles. Part (b) of FIG. Shows the contents of the table after being changed by measurement of the time-lapse idling execution time.

  In part (b) of FIG. 24, the time t2a of the binding process T2 at the time of factory shipment is 230 ms, the time t2b of the binding process T2 at the time of cartridge replacement is 260 ms, the time t3a of the return process T3 at the time of factory shipping is 100 ms, and Since the time t3b of the return process T3 at the time of cartridge replacement is 110, the duty of each process after the change when the binding process coefficient α2 is 1.15 and the return process count α3 is 1.1 is shown. . The duty is increased in each of the binding process T2 and the return process T3. By increasing the duty with respect to the initial duty, a delay in the staple processing time due to a change with time is prevented.

  In the same table, the duty d2 of the binding process T2 is increased as the load of the sheet bundle becomes higher, while the duty d2 of the binding process T2 is increased while the duty d3 of the return process T3 is decreased. This is because the time required for a series of stapling steps is constant regardless of the group of paper bundles, and if the duty d2 of the binding step T2 is high, the processing speed is fast, so the duty d3 of the return step T3 is lowered. However, the total time only needs to be within the allowable time, so that no unnecessary noise is generated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Print system 10 Printer 20 Paper conveying apparatus 30 Post-processing apparatus 31 Puncher 32 Stapler 33 Foot part 34 Guide member 35 Paper processing control part 39 Staple mechanism 51 Light-shielding plate 52 HP (home position) sensor 53 1st needle sensor 54 2nd needle Sensor 60, 60a Needle plate 61, 61a, 61b Staple needle 62, 62a, 62b Needle stopper 63 Guide member 71 Needle push-up member 72 Needle bending member 73 Plate spring 74 Needle bending member 75 Pressing member 76 Upper member 111 Paper storage portion 112 Extraction roll 113 Supply roll 114, 118, 121, 131 Transport roll 115 Adjustment roll 116 Secondary transfer roll 117 Fixing roll 119 Paper discharge table 120 Main body control unit 134 Padra 135 Movable plate 136 Paper receiving table 137 Solid Fixed plate 138 Butting wall 139 Horizontal support plate 321 DC motor 322 Gear 323 Relay gear 324 Drive gear 325 Drive shaft 326 Drive cam 327 Relay cam 327a, 328a Rotation center 328 Press member 331 Projection 341, 761 Groove 342 Rail 351 CPU
352 ROM
353 Motor drive unit 354 Oscillator 355 Timer P Paper

Claims (4)

A motor and an internal mechanism that moves by a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor, and the staples prepared at a preparation position are inserted into a bundle of a plurality of stacked recording media by the movement of the internal mechanism. A power supply unit that supplies power to a stapler motor that performs a stapling operation to bend and feed the next staple needle to the preparation position;
A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as during the stapling operation by rotating the motor in a state where the preparation position is empty;
A storage unit storing a first idle driving execution time measured by supplying a first supply power to the motor at a first time;
Based on a second idle run time measured by the measurement unit when the first supply power is supplied to the motor at a second instant after the first instant, the first idle strike is performed. A second power supply for obtaining an execution time is calculated, and when the stapling operation is performed, the power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies the second power supply to the motor . A stapler driving device. The motor is a DC motor;
The stapler drive device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit supplies the pulse-width-modulated power to the motor at an output ratio based on an instruction from the supply power control unit. .   A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from an image forming apparatus that forms an image and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
  A stapler that includes a motor and performs a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
  A power supply unit for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
  A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as during the stapling operation by rotating the motor in a state where the preparation position is empty;
  A storage unit storing a first idle driving execution time measured by supplying a first supply power to the motor at a first time;
  Based on a second idle run time measured by the measurement unit when the first supply power is supplied to the motor at a second instant after the first instant, the first idle strike is performed. A second power supply for obtaining an execution time is calculated, and when the stapling operation is performed, the power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies the second power supply to the motor. A featured post-processing device.   An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
  A bundle forming unit that receives a recording medium from the image forming unit and forms a bundle by stacking a plurality of the recording media;
  A stapler that includes a motor and performs a stapling operation for inserting and bending a staple into the bundle with a driving force generated by the rotation of the motor;
  A power supply unit for supplying power to the motor of the stapler;
  A measuring unit that measures the blanking execution time actually spent for performing the blanking operation in which the internal mechanism moves in the same manner as during the stapling operation by rotating the motor in a state where the preparation position is empty;
  A storage unit storing a first idle driving execution time measured by supplying a first supply power to the motor at a first time;
  Based on a second idle run time measured by the measurement unit when the first supply power is supplied to the motor at a second instant after the first instant, the first idle strike is performed. A second power supply for obtaining an execution time is calculated, and when the stapling operation is performed, the power supply unit includes a power supply control unit that supplies the second power supply to the motor. An image forming apparatus.

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