JP5792016B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a configuration for moving a binding apparatus to a position where a binding process is performed.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., sheets such as copy sheets after image formation are sequentially taken into the apparatus, and binding processing, punching processing, etc. are selectively performed on this sheet. Some are equipped with a sheet processing apparatus. By providing such a sheet processing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the labor required for processing such as binding and punching on the sheet after image formation.

  The sheet processing apparatus includes, for example, a processing tray that stacks sheets to be bound, a binding apparatus that performs binding processing on the sheet bundle on the processing tray, and a sheet bundle that has been bound on the processing tray. Is provided with a storage tray.

  As such a sheet processing apparatus, an end binding mode in which one of both end corners of a sheet bundle is selected and a binding process is performed, and a two-point binding mode in which a binding process is performed on two ends of the sheet bundle. There is one that can perform so-called multi-binding processing (see Patent Document 1). In such a sheet processing apparatus, in the case of the edge binding mode, the binding apparatus is moved to the binding position of the selected end portion to perform the binding process on the sheet bundle. In the case of the two-position binding mode, the binding device is moved along the one end of the sheet bundle to the first binding position to perform the binding process, and then the binding device is moved to the second binding position. Apply. Note that the first and second binding positions in the two-point binding mode are positions determined in advance according to the sheet size.

  Here, when performing the binding process, the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray is moved to the binding processing position by the conveying unit, and then the binding process is performed by the binding device. Note that as a conveying unit that moves the sheet bundle to the binding processing position, for example, a gripping device that grips the sheet is provided, and the gripping device is moved while gripping one end of the sheet bundle, thereby moving the sheet bundle to the binding processing position. There is something like that (see Patent Document 2). Such a gripping and conveying method has a smaller amount of misalignment of the sheet bundle than a method of conveying the sheet bundle to the binding processing position while pressing the sheet bundle with the pressing member. In addition, a conveyance method is known in which one end of a sheet bundle is grasped by a grasping device and conveyed to a storage tray by moving the grasping device (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2005-132635 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-87777 JP 2011-79669 A

By the way, in such a conventional sheet processing apparatus, when binding a sheet bundle, the gripping device that grips one end of the sheet bundle is moved upstream in the sheet conveying direction so that the sheet bundle is moved to the binding processing position. There is what I did. However, when the gripping device is moved to the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction in this way, a biased load may be applied to the gripping device depending on conditions such as the size, thickness (basis weight), and number of sheets to be bound. . In this case, when moving to the binding processing position, one end of the sheet bundle is inclined. Further, one end of the sheet bundle may be inclined due to the installation environment, the wear of the gripping device, or the like.

  If the binding process is performed in this state, a deviation in the sheet conveyance direction occurs with respect to one end of the sheet bundle at the first binding position and the next binding position, so that the appearance of the discharged sheet bundle only deteriorates. In addition, user convenience is reduced.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can prevent a deviation of the binding position with respect to one end of a sheet bundle. is there.

In the sheet processing apparatus, the present invention provides a placement unit on which a sheet bundle is placed, a binding unit that binds a plurality of locations along one end of the sheet bundle of the sheet bundle placed on the placement unit, and the sheet bundle placed on the placement portion, and the sheet bundle conveyance unit for conveying a binding processing that is positionable by the binding portion of the sheet bundle conveyed by the sheet bundle conveying unit, one end of the sheet stack When the binding unit performs a binding process at a plurality of locations along the sheet bundle, the binding unit performs the binding process on the sheet bundle and the binding unit performs the binding process on the sheet bundle after the binding process. before performing the binding processing, it is characterized in the octopus equipped with the sheet bundle and the binding unit, and adjusting means for adjusting the relative position with respect to the direction intersecting with the one end, the.

  As in the present invention, when the first binding position by the binding unit with respect to one end of the sheet bundle is different from the next binding position, the sheet bundle is conveyed to a position where the next binding position matches the first binding position. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a deviation of the binding position with respect to one end of the sheet bundle.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing explaining the structure of the said sheet processing apparatus. The top view of the said sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an appearance of a gripper unit provided in a gripper / staple unit of the sheet processing apparatus. The 1st figure explaining the structure of the said gripper unit. The 2nd figure explaining the structure of the said gripper unit. The figure explaining the structure which moves the said gripper unit in a sheet | seat discharge direction. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for moving a stapler unit provided in a gripper / staple unit of the sheet processing apparatus. The figure which shows a state when the said stapler unit inclines. The figure explaining the unit connection mechanism which connects the said gripper unit and a stapler unit. The figure explaining the connection mechanism which connects the said unit connection mechanism and a gripper unit, and a 4th guide rail. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus. 10 is a main operation flowchart showing a main flow of a stapling operation of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating pre-staple processing of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating sheet alignment processing of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating grip conveyance processing of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating staple processing of the sheet processing apparatus. The operation | movement flowchart which shows the unit connection process of the said sheet processing apparatus. The operation | movement flowchart which shows the unit connection cancellation | release process of the said sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating grip paper discharge processing of the sheet processing apparatus. The operation | movement flowchart which shows the final process of the said sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sheet bundle storing operation of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating an adjustment process of staple position adjustment of the sheet processing apparatus. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating staple position adjustment processing of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating staple position adjustment processing of the sheet processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. An apparatus main body, C is a sheet processing apparatus, D is a document reading apparatus, and F is a document conveying apparatus. A control unit G controls the sheet feeding device A, the image forming apparatus main body B, the document reading device D, and the document conveying device F.

  Here, the document conveying device F conveys the document set on the document tray F1 one by one onto a platen (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the document reading device D, and carries it out onto the discharge tray F2. is there. The image reading device D reads a document passing over the platen by the document conveying device F by a reading unit including a lamp (not shown), a plurality of mirrors, a lens, and an image sensor. The image forming apparatus main body B includes an exposure unit (not shown) that outputs a laser beam in accordance with an image signal read by the image reading device D, and a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being irradiated with the laser beam. It has a drum.

  The image forming apparatus main body B includes a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum to form a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to a sheet, A fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet. The exposure unit, the photosensitive drum, the developing device, and the fixing unit constitute an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet.

  The sheet feeding device A includes a plurality of cassettes (not shown) and conveys sheets stored in any of the cassettes to a transfer unit. The sheet processing apparatus C is disposed between the image forming apparatus main body B and the document reading apparatus D. The sheet processing apparatus C includes a processing unit 9 having a binding device on one end side in the horizontal direction, and stores a processed sheet on the other end side. Part 10 is provided. The storage unit 10 is located in a space between the image forming apparatus main body B and the document reading apparatus D. That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has a so-called in-cylinder carry-out function for discharging and storing processed sheets in a space between the image forming apparatus main body B and the document reading apparatus D.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, when the original image is read by the original reading device D and the read image is formed on the sheet, the original is first passed through the platen by the original conveying device F. At this time, the image reading device D irradiates light from the lamp, reflects the irradiated light on the document surface, and guides the image to the image sensor through a plurality of mirrors and lenses, thereby reading the image. Thereafter, the image data of the original read by the image sensor is subjected to predetermined image processing and transferred to the exposure unit of the image forming apparatus main body B.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus main body B, the exposure unit outputs a laser beam corresponding to the image signal, and this laser beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum while being scanned by the polygon mirror. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed by a developing device and visualized as a toner image.

  On the other hand, the sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed from any cassette of the sheet feeding apparatus A having a plurality of cassettes to the transfer unit, and the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the sheet in the transfer unit. The Thereafter, the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to a fixing process in a fixing unit to fix the toner image. Next, the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus C, and after that, processing such as binding and folding is performed by the processing unit 9 and is discharged to the storage unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus C. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus C includes a storage unit 10, a conveyance unit 11 that receives and conveys a sheet from the image forming apparatus main body B, and a processing tray 14 that processes the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit 11. And an aligning section 12 for aligning sheets on the processing tray 14. Further, the sheet processing apparatus C includes a staple / gripper unit 13 that performs a staple process (binding process) on the sheets aligned by the alignment unit 12 after being conveyed in a predetermined discharge direction and stacked on the processing tray. .

  The conveyance unit 11 includes a pair of guide plates 20 a and 20 b that guide a sheet, a conveyance path 20 that is continuous with a sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body B, and a conveyance roller that conveys the sheet along the conveyance path 20. A pair 21 is provided. A discharge roller 22 is provided at the carry-out port 20 c of the conveyance path 20, and the discharge roller 22 sequentially carries out the sheets to the processing tray 14 disposed below the conveyance path 20. In the present embodiment, when the sheet is carried out by the discharge roller 22, the sheet is disposed between the processing tray 14 and the placement surfaces of the first and second stack trays 50 and 51 provided in the storage unit 10. It is placed in a state of being spanned between and subjected to a predetermined process.

  The first and second stack trays 50 and 51, which are the sheet stacking portions, have sheet placement surfaces 50a and 51a, respectively, and are supported by a frame 14a mounted on the processing tray 14 so as to be vertically movable. . A saddle unit 53 is provided below the sheet placement surface 50 a of the first stack tray 50. The sheet bundle accumulated in the processing tray 14 is selectively folded by the saddle unit 53 and then stored on the sheet placement surface 50 a of the first stack tray 50.

  In this way, the first stack tray 50 stores the folded sheet bundle from the saddle unit 53 and the sheet bundle subjected to end binding or two-point binding by the stapler unit 41. In addition, the sheet stacking surface 51 a of the second stack tray 51 stores a bundle of sheets that are mainly bound by the stapler unit 41 or end-bound. Of course, the first and second stack trays 50 and 51 can also store sheet bundles that are not bound or folded.

  The aligning unit 12 contacts the stopper member 31 that aligns one end of the sheet carried out on the processing tray 14 and the upper surface of the sheet carried out on the processing tray, and intersects the sheet discharge direction of the discharge roller 22 ( And a shift roller 30 for conveying in the width direction. Further, the aligning portion 12 includes an aligning member 32 (32a, 32b) shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper member 31 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft 31a, and abuts against the rear end of the sheet (upstream end in the sheet discharge direction) to set the position of the rear end of the sheet. It rotates to an alignment position perpendicular to the processing tray 14 to be regulated and a substantially horizontal retraction position. The shift roller 30 is rotated by a feed motor (not shown) capable of forward / reverse rotation, and an arm member 33 provided so as to be rotatable up and down around a support shaft 33a having a polygonal cross section. It is rotatably supported at one end side. Then, the arm member 33 is moved to a contact position where the arm member 33 contacts the upper surface of the sheet on the processing tray and a retracted position retracted from the upper surface of the sheet. Further, the arm member 33 is configured to be movable in the width direction along the support shaft 33a, and the shift roller 30 slides by the movement of the arm member 33.

  In the aligning unit 12 having such a configuration, when the sheet is carried out onto the processing tray 14, the arm member 33 first rotates downward. Along with this, the shift roller 30 moves from the retracted position to the contact position and rotates to convey the sheet in the direction opposite to the sheet discharge direction, that is, in the direction toward the stopper member 31. Then, by the rotation of the shift roller 30, the sheet hits the stopper member 31 at the alignment position, and the end in the feeding direction, that is, the rear end is aligned by the stopper member 31.

  When the trailing edge of the sheet is aligned in this way, the shift roller 30 stops, and then the arm member 33 is moved in the width direction by a shift motor (not shown) so that the shift roller 30 is placed on the upper surface of the sheet. It slides to the alignment member 32 side in the contact state. Here, the shift roller 30 is formed of a high friction member such as urethane rubber. When the shift roller 30 slides in this way, the sheet also slides toward the alignment member 32 side. Thereafter, the arm member 33 (shift roller 30) slides and stops until one end in the width direction of the sheet comes into contact with the alignment member 32. As a result, the widthwise ends of the sheets are aligned.

  Note that the sheet processing apparatus C according to the present embodiment has, as the binding mode, a first end binding mode for binding one end side in the sheet width direction, a second end binding mode for binding the other end side opposite to the one end side, It has a two-point binding mode for binding two positions at one end of the sheet. In the first edge binding mode and the two-point binding mode, the shift roller 30 abuts the sheet against the alignment member 32a provided on the back side shown in FIG. 3 and aligns the width direction of the sheet. Here, when the state shown in FIG. 1 is the front surface of the sheet processing apparatus C, the back side refers to the center in the width direction of the sheet conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus C as viewed from the front (the width direction is the sheet discharge direction) The same area as the crossing direction). The image forming apparatus main body B conveys the sheet to the sheet processing apparatus C on the basis of the center. On the other hand, in the second end binding mode, the shift roller 30 abuts the sheet against the alignment member 32b provided on the near side and aligns the width direction of the sheet.

  Next, when the alignment operation with respect to the rear end of the sheet and the one end in the width direction is completed, the arm member 33 is rotated upward, and the shift roller 30 is moved to a retracted position away from the upper surface of the sheet. Thereafter, the arm member 33 and the shift roller 30 move along the support shaft 33a to the initial position (home position) in the center of the processing tray 14 in the width direction, and when the next sheet is carried onto the processing tray 14, A similar alignment operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the staple / gripper unit 13 grips and moves the sheet bundle aligned on the processing tray, and the stapler unit that binds the sheet bundle moved to the staple processing position by the gripper unit 40. 41. Here, the gripper unit 40, which is a sheet bundle conveying unit that moves by holding (holding) one end side of the sheets to be bound, moves in the directions of arrows c and d (the sheet discharge direction and the direction opposite to the sheet discharge direction) in FIG. It is configured freely. When gripping the sheet bundle, the gripper unit 40 is integrated with a fourth guide rail 43d, which will be described later, at P1 when gripping the rear end portion of the sheet bundle. Move to the indicated grip position. Further, when stapling a sheet bundle, it moves to a staple processing position, which is a position where the staple processing can be performed on the sheet bundle by the stapler unit 41, which is indicated by GHP integrally with the fourth guide rail 43d.

  Furthermore, the gripper unit 40 moves to a unit connection position P2 which is a connection position for connecting to a stapler unit 41 described later when binding a sheet bundle at two locations. In the present embodiment, the staple processing position GHP by the gripper unit 40 and the home position of the gripper unit 40 are configured to be the same position. In addition, the paper discharge position P3 where the gripper unit 40 moves and the rail connection position (described later) that connects the rails by moving the gripper unit 40 are configured to be the same position. Hereinafter, for convenience, the staple processing position and the home position, and the paper discharge position P3 and the rail connection position are used in accordance with the purpose and the function operation. The position of the gripper unit 40 in FIG. 3 indicates GHP.

  The stapler unit 41 constituting the binding unit is configured to be movable in the directions of arrows a and b (width direction) in FIG. 3, and moves to the home position and the staple position determined according to each binding mode and sheet size. To do. 3 indicates a staple portion (center line) of the stapler unit 41.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing the appearance of the gripper unit 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the gripper unit 40 includes a first gripper unit 40 a including a pair of grip arm pairs 44 that grip the sheet bundle aligned on the processing tray 14. The second gripper unit 40b provided in the gripper unit 40 supports a drive mechanism for gripping the sheet bundle by the grip arm pair 44 while supporting the first gripper unit 40a so as to be slidable parallel to the sheet discharging direction. Have.

  The first gripper unit 40a includes a fixed grip arm 44a that supports the lower surface of the sheet bundle, and a movable grip arm 44b that is provided above the fixed grip arm 44a and presses the upper surface of the sheet bundle. A grip arm pair 44 is provided. The fixed grip arm 44a is attached to a flat plate-like first base member 140 as shown in FIG. 6, and the movable grip arm 44b rotates in the vertical direction about the rotation shaft 143 as a fulcrum. It is attached freely.

  The rotating shaft 143 is provided with a coil spring 144 as urging means, and both ends of the coil spring 144 are respectively hung on the fixed grip arm 44a and the movable grip arm 44b. Then, by the action of the coil spring 144, the grip portion 44d of the movable grip arm 44b is urged so as to come into pressure contact with the grip portion 44c of the fixed grip arm 44a, and the grip arm pair 44 is closed, and the grip for gripping the seat Power is granted.

  The second gripper unit 40b includes a drive lever 142 shown in FIG. 6 that urges the movable grip arm 44b away from the fixed grip arm 44a, and a grip motor GM1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 that drives the drive lever 142. I have. The drive from the grip motor GM1 is transmitted to the drive lever 142 via a plurality of gears GZ1 to GZ8 shown in FIG. That is, the drive mechanism for gripping the sheet bundle by the grip arm pair 44 includes the drive lever 142, the grip motor GM1, and the plurality of gears GZ1 to GZ8. The position of the drive lever 142 is detected when the lever detection sensor GS1 detects the position of the detection flag 142b provided integrally with the drive lever 142. In this embodiment, when the grip arm pair 44 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 6A, the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned ON, and the grip arm pair 44 is shown in FIG. 6B. When in the open state, the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned off.

  Next, the operation of the drive mechanism that grips the sheet bundle will be described. Normally, the grip arm pair 44 is closed by the action of the coil spring 114 as shown in FIG. When the grip arm pair 44 is opened, the grip motor GM1 is driven to rotate forward (rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 4). The drive of the grip motor GM1 is transmitted to a final gear GZ8 formed integrally with the drive lever 142 via a plurality of gears GZ1 to GZ7, whereby the drive lever 142 uses the shaft 142a as a fulcrum to move the movable grip arm 44b. Rotate to the side. Thereafter, the distal end side of the drive lever 142 abuts on a contact portion 44e formed on the opposite side of the grip portion 44d of the movable grip arm 44b with respect to the rotation shaft 143, and moves the contact portion 44e downward.

  As a result, the grip portion 44d of the movable grip arm 44b pivots upward with the pivot shaft 143 as a fulcrum, and the grip portion 44d of the movable grip arm 44b grips the fixed grip arm 44a as shown in FIG. Separated from the portion 44c. As a result, the grip arm pair 44 changes from the closed state to the open state. After this, when a predetermined time elapses after the lever detection sensor GS1 no longer detects the detection flag 142b provided integrally with the drive lever 142, the grip motor GM1 is stopped. Thereby, the grip arm pair 44 is held in an open state.

  When the grip arm pair 44 is closed, the grip motor GM1 is driven to rotate backward (rotate clockwise). Then, by the reverse rotation driving of the grip motor GM1, the distal end portion of the drive lever 142 rotates in a direction away from the contact portion 44e of the movable grip arm 44b with the shaft 142a as a fulcrum. Accordingly, the contact portion 44e of the movable grip arm 44b rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 143 by the action of the coil spring 144, and the distal end portion of the drive lever 142 is in contact with the contact portion 44e of the movable grip arm 44b. Separate from. As a result, the grip arm pair 44 is closed as shown in FIG. 6A, and the grip force for gripping the sheet is applied to the movable grip arm 44b by the biasing force of the coil spring 144. The grip motor GM1 stops when the detection flag 142b is detected by the lever detection sensor GS1.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, three (a plurality) of grip arm pairs 44, a coil spring 144 for applying grip force, and a drive lever 142 for releasing grip force are provided in the width direction. Yes. The three grip arm pairs 44 are configured to be driven by one grip motor GM1. As shown in FIG. 3, the three grip arm pairs 44 are attached to the base member 140 shown in FIG. 6 at predetermined intervals, and the three drive levers 142 are stretched over the side portion of the second base member 141. It is attached to the shaft 142a attached so that it may be. As a result, the gripper unit 40 can simultaneously rotate the three drive levers 142 and can grip and convey the three portions at one end of the sheet.

  As described above, the first gripper unit 40a is supported by the second gripper unit 40b so as to be slidable in parallel with the sheet discharging direction. Next, the moving mechanism of the first gripper unit 40a will be described. As for the 1st base member 140 to which the grip arm pair 44 shown in FIG. 5 is attached, the edge part of the width direction is bent below. A movable rack GR1 for moving the first gripper unit 40a is attached to the corner of the bent portion 140a of the first base member 140. In addition, a long hole 140 b as a slide hole is formed in the bent portion 140 a of the first base member 140.

  A rotation shaft GZ10a of the pinion gear GZ10 that meshes with the movable rack GR1 is passed through the long hole 140b. The rotation shaft GZ10a is rotatably supported by the side plate 141a of the second gripper unit 40b. Thereby, when the pinion gear GZ10 provided in the second gripper unit 40b is rotated by the grip motor GM1, the first gripper unit 40a moves via the moving rack GR1. That is, by rotating the pinion gear GZ10, the first gripper unit 40a moves between the initial position shown in FIG. 5A and the discharge position for discharging the sheet shown in FIG. 5B. .

  The movable rack GR1 is configured to descend toward the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction. With this configuration, when the first gripper unit 40a is positioned at the initial position, the upper portion of the grip arm pair 44 can be positioned so as to protrude from the upper surface of the processing tray 14. In addition, when the first gripper unit 40a is located at the discharge position, the upper part of the grip arm pair 44 can be located below the upper surface of the processing tray 14.

  The drive mechanism for moving the first gripper unit 40a in this way is the grip motor GM1, the plurality of gripper gears GZ1 to GZ5, the gripper gear GZ9 provided on the rotation shaft of the fifth gripper gear GZ5, and the pinion gear GZ10. Consists of. That is, in the present embodiment, as described above, the grip motor GM1 is used as a drive source for opening and closing the grip arm pair 40 and as a drive source for moving the first gripper unit 40a.

  Since the grip motor GM1 is used as a common drive source, the seventh gripper gear GZ7 for opening and closing the grip arm pair 44 shown in FIG. 6 has an area for transmitting the drive of the grip motor GM1 and an area for not transmitting. The formed tooth missing gear is adopted. A similar tooth-missing gear is also used as the ninth gripper gear GZ9 for moving the first gripper unit 40a.

  Here, when the seventh gripper gear GZ7 using the tooth missing gear uses a part of the outer periphery of the grip arm pair 44 to open and close the grip arm pair 44, the tooth missing portion of the ninth gripper gear GZ9 faces the rear gear. The drive is not transmitted to the subsequent gear. On the other hand, when the ninth gripper gear GZ9 using the tooth-missing gear moves the first gripper unit 40a by using a part of the outer peripheral tooth portion, the tooth-missing portion of the seventh gripper gear GZ7 is in the subsequent stage. It is in a position facing the gear and does not transmit drive to the subsequent gear. By configuring the drive mechanism using the toothless gear in this manner, it is possible to easily switch between the opening / closing operation of the grip arm pair 44 and the movement of the first gripper unit 40a.

  Next, a configuration for moving the gripper unit 40 in the sheet discharge direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the gripper unit 40 includes a second base member 141, and two sliding pins 145 are provided in the width direction on the lower surface of the second base member 141. The sliding pin 145 is engaged with a groove portion of the fourth guide rail 43d for moving the gripper unit 40 in the width direction. And the gripper unit 40 is connected with the 4th guide rail 43d by the connection mechanism formed by engaging this sliding pin 145 with the groove part of the 4th guide rail 43d. The details of the fourth guide rail 43d and the above-described coupling mechanism will be described later.

  Engagement at a predetermined position on the bottom surface of the fourth guide rail 43d engages with a long groove 42a extending in the sheet discharge direction formed on the base 42 shown in FIG. 7 that supports the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41. The part 90 is projected downward. Two long grooves 42a are formed so as to be parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. In addition, two engaging portions 90 are provided in parallel to each other so as to extend in the sheet discharging direction at predetermined positions on the bottom surface of the fourth guide rail 43d connected to the gripper unit 40 (FIG. 7).

  Note that the two long grooves 42 a have a low shape that does not hinder the movement of the stapler unit 41 and constitute a groove-shaped guide rail that guides the gripper unit 40. The long groove 42 a as the groove-shaped guide rail constitutes a first guide portion that guides the gripper unit 40. Furthermore, a boss 152 is provided on the lower surface of the engaging portion 90 to be connected to the plate member 151 disposed on the lower surface side of the base 42. The boss 152 and the plate member 151 are fitted to each other. The fourth guide rail 43d is integrated with the plate-shaped member 151 by fitting with the hole 151a.

  Here, the plate-like member 151 is connected to an endless belt GB provided along the long groove 42a for moving the gripper unit 40. Accordingly, when the endless belt GB is driven, the gripper unit 40 moves along the long groove 42a integrally with the plate-shaped member 151 and the fourth guide rail 43d which is a support member for supporting the gripper unit 40. Then, by moving the fourth guide rail 43d in this way, the gripper unit 40 can be positioned at the discharge position for discharging the sheet to the second stack tray 51 and the connection position for connecting to the stapler unit 41. it can.

  The endless belt GB is composed of a gripper motor GM2 shown in FIG. 7, a pair of pulleys GP1 and GP2 that suspend the endless belt GB, and a plurality of gears GZ11 to GZ13 that transmit the drive of the gripper motor GM2 to the endless belt GB. Driven. That is, in the present embodiment, the second movement mechanism (drive mechanism) for moving the gripper unit 40 in the sheet discharge direction intersecting one end where the sheet is stapled has the following configuration. That is, the second moving mechanism includes a gripper motor GM2, an endless belt GB, a pair of pulleys GP1 and GP2, and a plurality of gears GZ11 to GZ13.

  Next, the stapler unit 41 that is a binding device will be described. The stapler unit 41 is assembled with a staple head and an anvil block, bends needle-like staples into a U-shape and press-fits them into a sheet bundle, and bends the leading end with an anvil block to bind the sheet bundle. In this embodiment, a head block is attached to one of the upper and lower lever members whose base ends are supported by each other, and an anvil block is attached to the other, and the upper and lower lever members are reciprocated from the separated position to the pressure contact position by the drive cam member. The stapler unit is adopted. Further, in the present embodiment, the stapler unit 41 has two positions, one for binding one end in the width direction of the sheet, the other for binding the other end opposite to the one end, and one end for the sheet, according to the set mode. It is possible to move to a position where the place (plural places) is bound.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for moving the stapler unit 41. The stapler unit 41 is attached on the base member 120, and the base member 120 is provided with three rollers 121 for assisting the movement of the stapler unit 41. Further, the base member 120 is provided with three bosses 122a to 122c that are engaged with a guide rail portion R described later to move the stapler unit 41 along the guide rail portion R.

  Further, the base member 120 has two bosses 122d and 122e which are arranged in a line upstream of the three bosses 122a to 122c in the sheet discharge direction and are used when the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41 are connected and moved. Is provided. Further, on the lower surface side of the base member 120, a connecting member 123 that is connected to an endless belt SB2 for moving the stapler unit 41 is provided.

  The connecting member 123 is provided with two rollers 124 and a long hole 123 a for assisting the movement of the stapler unit 41. And the boss | hub 125 provided in the lower surface of the base member 120 is penetrated by the long hole 123a of this connection member 123. As shown in FIG. The long hole 123a is a long hole extending in a direction parallel to the sheet discharge direction, and the boss 125 is configured to be movable along the long hole 123a in a direction parallel to the sheet discharge direction.

  A drive mechanism that is a moving mechanism for moving the stapler unit 41 includes a staple motor SM, a gear SG1 attached to a drive shaft of the staple motor SM, and a gear SG2 that meshes with the gear SG1. Furthermore, a pulley SP1 attached to the rotation shaft of the gear SG2 and a pulley SP2 on which the timing belt SB1 is stretched in a pair with the pulley SP1 are provided. Further, a pulley SP3 is provided on the rotation shaft of the pulley SP2 and stretches the endless belt SB2, and a pulley SP4 that pairs the pulley SP3 and stretches the endless belt SB2. The stapler unit 41 is moved along one end where the sheet is stapled by the staple motor SM, the timing belt SB1, the endless belt SB2, the base member 120, the gears SG1 and SG2, and the pulleys SP1 to SP4. A moving mechanism is configured.

  A guide rail portion R for moving the stapler unit 41 in the width direction is provided on the base 42 on which the gripper unit 40 moves. The guide rail portion R is formed longer than the width of the maximum sheet. By moving the stapler unit 41 along the guide rail portion R, stapling can be performed at a predetermined position on one end side of the sheet. It becomes.

  In the drive mechanism configured as described above, the driving of the staple motor SM is transmitted to the endless belt SB2 via the timing belt SB1, the endless belt SB2 rotates, and the connecting member 123 moves by the rotation of the endless belt SB2. When the connecting member 123 moves in this way, the base member 120 and the stapler unit 41 attached to the base member 120 move along the guide rail portion R via the boss 125.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, with respect to the edge binding process in which either one of both ends of the sheet is bound at the corresponding binding position (first and second binding positions), and the width direction of one end of the sheet Thus, two-point binding processing is performed in which staple processing is performed at two locations in the substantially central portion. And the structure of the guide rail part R is set as the structure which is different in the case of an end binding process and the case of a 2 place binding process.

  If it demonstrates concretely, the guide rail part R in the case of an end binding process is divided | segmented into three of the 1st-3rd guide rails 43a-43c in the width direction. The first guide rail 43a located at the center of the three guide rails 43a to 43c is fixed to the rear part (upstream side in the sheet discharge direction) of the gripper unit 40 as shown in FIG. The second and third guide rails 43b and 43c located on both sides of the first guide rail 43a are fixed on the base 42, respectively.

  Here, the first guide rail 43a is aligned with the second and third guide rails 43b and 43c when the gripper unit 40 is located at a predetermined retracted position that does not interfere with the movement of the stapler unit 41. It is provided to become. Further, as described above, a boss (projection) for moving the stapler unit 41 along the guide rail portion R is formed on the front bottom portion (the bottom portion on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction) of the base member 120 that supports the stapler unit 41. Part) 122a-122c is attached. When the first to third guide rails 43a to 43c are arranged in a row in this way, the three bosses 122a to 122c arranged in a row on the stapler unit 41 are engaged with the first to third guide rails 43a to 43c. The stapler unit 41 moves in the width direction.

  According to this configuration, when the stapler unit 41 moves to the opposite side across the gripper unit 40 in order to bind the end of the sheet, the gripper unit 40 has moved to a retracted position that does not interfere with the movement of the stapler unit 41. . For this reason, the movement of the stapler unit 41 in the width direction is not hindered. Therefore, before the sheet is conveyed to the processing tray 14, it is possible to move the stapler unit 41 in advance to the sheet corner portion to be stapled. Further, since the gripper unit 40 is arranged so as to grip the substantially central portion in the width direction of the sheet, the stapler unit 41 is moved to the corner portion side of the sheet in advance, so that the stapler unit 41 is moved to the gripper unit 40. There is no hindrance to movement.

  Here, the second and third guide rails 43b and 43c located on both sides of the first guide rail 43a are rocked by the rocking shafts 110 and 111 located on the side of the first guide rail 43a, respectively. A base 42 is movably attached. As a result, when the end binding process is performed by the stapler unit 41, the stapler unit 41 can be inclined substantially 45 ° integrally with the second and third guide rails 43b and 43c, and the end portion (corner portion) of the sheet can be inclined. Staple processing can be performed. The swing shafts 110 and 111 are disposed on the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction with respect to the boss 125 provided on the lower surface of the base member 120.

  Next, a configuration in which the stapler unit 41 is inclined by approximately 45 ° will be described. Note that the configuration for binding the end portion on the second guide rail 43b side and the configuration for binding the end portion on the third guide rail 43c side are the same configurations that are subject to the right and left, and therefore, here for convenience. Only the configuration of the second guide rail 43b will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a tension spring 114 is provided between a position inside the swing shaft 110 of the second guide rail 43 b and the base 42, and the second spring is acted on by the action of the tension spring 114. The guide rail 43b is always urged clockwise in the drawing. The inside here refers to an area between the comparison object and the center in the width direction of the sheet conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus C (the width direction is the same as the direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction). A regulating member 112 that regulates the second guide rail 43 b that is constantly urged by the tension spring 114 is provided inside the swing shaft 110 of the base 42. The second guide rail 43b is held at the first position intersecting the sheet discharge direction by the restriction member 112, and forms a guide rail portion R that is continuous with the first guide rail 43a attached to the gripper unit 40. . Note that the tension spring 115 and the regulating member 113 function in the same manner as described above on the third guide rail 43c side.

  When the endless belt SB2 is driven and the stapler unit 41 is moved outward along the second guide rail 43b, the boss 122c of the base member 120 engaged with the second guide rail 43b is second. The end of the guide rail 43b. The term “moving outward” as used herein means moving in a direction away from the center in the width direction of the sheet conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus C (the width direction is the same as the direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction). . Thereby, the movement of the stapler unit 41 in the width direction is restricted. When the endless belt SB2 is further driven in this state, the connecting member 123 fixed to the endless belt SB2 moves along with the driving of the endless belt SB2, and accordingly, the boss 125 of the base member 120 is pulled outward.

  At this time, the movement of the base member 120 in the width direction is restricted by the end portion of the second guide rail 43b. As described above, the swing shaft 110 is disposed downstream of the boss 125 in the sheet discharge direction. Therefore, when the boss 125 is pulled, the base member 120 and the stapler unit 41 are moved while moving the boss 125, which is an engagement piece, along the long hole 123a of the connecting member 123 in the sheet discharging direction, as shown in FIG. Rotates together with the swing shaft 110 as a fulcrum. Further, at this time, the base member 120 and the stapler unit 41 rotate the second guide rail 43b counterclockwise with the swing shaft 110 as a fulcrum against the tension spring 114. As a result, the second guide rail 43b moves to the second position inclined with respect to one end of the seat integrally with the stapler unit 41, and accordingly, the stapler unit 41 is inclined and the corner portion at one end of the seat is moved. Can be bound diagonally.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the inclination mechanism that moves the stapler unit 41 to the position inclined with respect to the end of one end of the sheet by the connecting member 123 and the boss 125 provided on the base member 120. 123A is configured. And by this inclination mechanism 123A, after abutting against the end of the second guide rail 43b, the stapler unit 41 can be moved to the second position integrally with the second guide rail 43b.

  On the other hand, since the gripper unit 40 is located at the center of the base 42 in the width direction, the stapler unit 41 overlaps the gripper unit 40 in the width direction when binding is performed at two locations. For this reason, the gripper unit 40 is in the way, and the stapler unit 41 cannot perform the two-point binding as it is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when performing two-point binding, the gripper unit 40 is moved to a position that does not hinder two-point binding by the stapler unit 41. Specifically, when the stapler unit 41 moves to the position where the two-point binding is performed, the gripper unit 40 is moved in the width direction integrally with the stapler unit 41.

  Here, in order to move the gripper unit 40 in the width direction integrally with the stapler unit 41 in this way, when performing two-point binding, the gripper unit 40 is first moved to the unit connecting position P2 shown in FIG. 3 described above. Let When the gripper unit 40 moves in this way, the fourth guide rail 43d attached to the bottom surface of the gripper unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 is replaced by the second and third guide rails 43b, It moves to the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction from 43c. This position corresponds to the two bosses 122d and 122e arranged in a line upstream of the three bosses 122a to 122c in the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction.

  Thereby, when the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 are connected, the stapler unit 41 can move in the width direction together with the gripper unit 40 while engaging the two bosses 122d and 122e with the fourth guide rail 43d. Become. That is, when the gripper unit 40 is moved to the unit connection position P2, the guide rail portion R that is a guide portion is formed by the second to fourth guide rails 43b to 43d. When the stapler unit 41 connected to the gripper unit 40 moves, the gripper unit 40 connected to the stapler unit 41 moves in the same direction as the movement direction of the stapler unit 41 while being supported by the fourth guide rail 43d.

  In this configuration, when the stapler unit 41 moves from the second guide rail side to the third guide rail side when performing two-point binding, the stapler unit 41 is first attached to the second guide rail 43b. The bosses 122a to 122c are engaged and moved. Next, when the boss 122a of the stapler unit 41 is detached from the second guide rail 43b, the boss 122d of the stapler unit 41 moves to the position shown in FIG. 7 with the movement of the gripper unit 40. Engage with.

  As a result, the stapler unit 41 is handed over from the second guide rail 43b to the fourth guide rail 43d as it moves. When the boss 122d of the stapler unit 41 is disengaged from the fourth guide rail 43b, the boss 122a of the stapler unit 41 is now engaged with the third guide rail 43c. Note that when moving in connection with the stapler unit 41, the gripper unit 40 is detached from the fourth guide rail 43d, but the gripper unit 40 does not move in the width direction and the sheet discharge direction with respect to the stapler unit 41. Are fixedly connected. Thereby, the gripper unit 40 moves following the movement of the stapler unit 41 without any trouble.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining a unit connection mechanism that constitutes a connection part for connecting the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the unit coupling mechanism includes a first unit coupling mechanism 60 a that is a first coupling mechanism that couples the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 in the sheet discharging direction. Further, a second unit coupling mechanism 60b, which is a second coupling mechanism for coupling the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 in the width direction, is provided.

  The first unit coupling mechanism 60a is coupled to the engaging member 129 attached to the base member 120 of the stapler unit 41 and the side portion of the second base member 141 of the gripper unit 40 which are also shown in FIG. Arm member 132. The first unit coupling mechanism 60 a includes an operating member 131 provided on the shaft 142 a of the drive lever 142 for opening and closing the grip arm pair 40. The connecting arm member 132 has an engaging pin 132a that engages with the groove 129a of the engaging member 129 at one end, and an operating pin 132b that fits into the slit 131a of the operating member 131 at the other end. Has been.

  Here, when the gripper unit 40 moves to the unit connection position P2, the gripper unit 40 moves in the state where the engagement pin 132a of the connection arm member 132 is in the upper retracted position as shown in FIG. Move in the direction. At this time, the stapler unit 41 is moved to a position where it can be connected to the gripper unit 40 and is waiting. When the gripper unit 40 arrives at a connection position where the fourth guide rail 43d is upstream of the second and third guide rails 43b and 43c in the sheet discharge direction, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to actuate the operating member 131. Is rotated clockwise.

  As a result, the operating pin 132b fitted into the slit 131a of the operating member 131 is lifted upward, and the connecting arm member 132 rotates counterclockwise with its axis as a fulcrum. Accordingly, the engaging pin 132a of the connecting arm member 132 is moved to a position where it can be connected to the gripper unit 40 as shown in FIG. 129 is engaged with the groove portion 129a. Thereby, the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41 can be connected in the moving direction of the gripper unit 40.

  The second unit connecting mechanism 60b includes a connecting member 91 attached to the lower surface of the second base member 141, and two protrusions 133 are formed on the end of the connecting member 91 in the width direction. Has been. The protrusion 133 of the connecting member 91 is formed on the lower surface side of the engaging member 129 as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B by moving the gripper unit 40 to the unit connecting position P2. It is configured to enter a groove portion (not shown). As a result, the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 are connected in the width direction, that is, in the moving direction of the stapler unit 41, and move integrally in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 91 and the first guide rail 43a are integrally formed of resin.

  Here, in order to connect the gripper unit 40 to the stapler unit 41 and move it in the width direction, the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d must be separated. This is because the fourth guide rail 43d is used as a rail for the stapler unit 41 to move. Moreover, it is necessary to cancel the drive connection between the gripper unit 40 and the gripper motor GM2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the fourth guide rail 43d is integrated with the plate member 151, and the plate member 151 is connected to the endless belt GB driven by the gripper motor GM2. Yes. Further, the fourth guide rail 43d and the gripper unit 40 are configured to be connected / released. Thereby, connection / release of the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d and connection / release of the drive of the gripper unit 40 and the gripper motor GM2 can be simultaneously performed using one mechanism.

  Next, a connection mechanism 60c that connects the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d will be described with reference to FIG. The coupling mechanism 60c includes a swing lever 162 attached to a first swing shaft 161 provided on the upper surface of the second base member 141, and a swing lever 162 attached to the first swing shaft 161. A swinging member 163 that swings with the swinging motion is provided. The coupling mechanism 60c is attached to a second swing shaft 164 provided on the upper surface of the second base member 141, and a first pin 165a that engages with the slit 163a of the swing member 163 is formed. An operating member 165 is provided. The coupling mechanism 60c includes a link member 166 in which a hole that fits into a pin 162a formed on the swing lever 162 is formed on one end side. Further, the coupling mechanism 60c includes a second actuating member 168 in which a pin 168a that is attached to the third swing shaft 167 and fits into a hole formed on the other end side of the link member 166 is formed. .

  The first actuating member 165 has a columnar first actuating pin 165b extending from the upper surface of the second base member 141 toward the lower surface side, and an extension side of the first actuating pin 165b. A first operating piece 165c formed at the tip is provided. The first operating pin 165b is fitted into a curved portion 97a formed on the side surface of the convex portion that forms the groove of the fourth guide rail 43d by the swing of the first operating member 165. Accordingly, the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d is sandwiched between the sliding pin 145 provided on the bottom surface of the second base member 141 and engaged with the groove of the fourth guide rail 43d. Further, the first operating piece 165c moves to the lower surface of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d by the swing of the first operating member 165, and the fourth guide between the first operating piece 165c and the lower surface of the second base member 141. The convex part of the rail 43d is sandwiched.

  The second actuating member 168 includes a cylindrical second actuating pin 168b extending from the upper surface to the lower surface side of the second base member 141, and a distal end on the extending side of the second actuating pin 168b. The second working piece 168c formed in the above is formed. The first operating pin 168b is fitted into a curved portion 97b formed on the side surface of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d by the swing of the second operating member 168, and the second operating piece 168c is It moves to the lower surface of the convex part of 4 guide rail 43d. As a result, the second operating pin 168b sandwiches the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d between the second operating pin 168b and the second operating piece 168c between the bottom surface of the base member 141 and the fourth operating rail 168c. The convex portion of the guide rail 43d is sandwiched.

  A tension spring is provided between the second actuating member 168 and the second base member 141 to urge the second actuating member 168 in the clockwise direction in the drawing with the third swing shaft 167 as a fulcrum. 169 is provided. Reference numerals 95 and 96 denote openings formed in the second base member 141 through which the first and second operating pins 165b and 168b move.

  With such a configuration, in the state before the gripper unit 40 arrives at the connection position, the second actuating member 168 rotates in the clockwise direction by the action of the tension spring 169 as shown in FIG. To do. Accordingly, the second operating pin 168b is fitted into the curved portion 97b on the side surface of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d, and the second operating piece 168c moves below the lower surface of the convex portion. Further, the clockwise rotation of the second actuating member 168 is transmitted to the swing lever 162 via the link member 166 and rotates the swing lever 162 in the clockwise direction. Further, by the rotation of the swing lever 162, the swing member 163 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the swing member 163 rotates the first operating member 165 in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the first operating pin 165b is fitted into the curved portion 97a on the side surface of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail, and the second operating piece 168c moves below the lower surface of the convex portion.

  On the other hand, when the gripper unit 40 arrives at the connecting position, the swing lever 162 comes into contact with the engagement member 129 on the stapler unit 41 side and rotates counterclockwise against the action of the tension spring 169. By this rotation operation, the swinging member 163 rotates counterclockwise, and the first actuating member 165 rotates clockwise. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first operating pin 165b is separated from the curved portion 97a of the convex portion of the rail 43d, and the first operating piece 165c is retracted from the lower surface of the convex portion of the rail 43d. Move to position. When the swing lever 162 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the rotation is transmitted to the second operating member 168 via the link member 166, and the second operating member 168 rotates in the clockwise direction. As a result, the second operating pin 168b moves away from the curved portion 97b of the convex portion of the rail 43d, and the second operating piece 168c moves to a position retracted from the lower surface of the convex portion of the rail 43d.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, before the gripper unit 40 moves and arrives at the connecting position, the gap between the sliding pin 145 of the second base member 141 and the first and second operating pins 165b and 168b. The side of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d is clamped. Further, the lower surface of the second base member 141 and the first and second operating pieces 165c and 168c sandwich the vertical direction of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d. Thereby, the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d are connected.

  On the other hand, when the gripper unit 40 is moved to the connection position with the stapler unit 41, the swing lever 162 hits the engaging member 129, and the swing lever 162 swings. Then, the first and second operating pins 165b and 168b are separated from the side portion of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d by the swing of the swing lever 162. Further, the first and second operating pieces 165c and 168c are moved to positions retracted from the lower surface of the convex portion of the fourth guide rail 43d. Thereby, the connection between the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d is released, and the gripper unit 40 can move in the width direction by this releasing operation.

  FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus C. A grip motor GM1, a gripper motor GM2, and a staple motor SM are connected to the CPU 80, which is a control unit that controls the sheet processing apparatus C. The CPU 80 is connected to the lever detection sensor GS1 so as to receive a detection signal from the lever detection sensor GS1. The CPU 80 has a ROM therein. The ROM stores programs corresponding to control procedures shown in FIGS. 13 to 21 and FIGS. 23 to 25, which will be described later. The CPU 80 controls each motor while reading this program.

  The CPU 80 also includes a serial interface unit (I / O), and exchanges control data with the image forming apparatus main body B. Furthermore, each unit is controlled based on control data sent from the image forming apparatus main body B (control unit) via the serial interface unit (I / O).

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 81 denotes an operation unit which is an input unit for inputting at least one sheet information among the number of sheets, size and thickness (basis weight). Then, as will be described later, when the first and second stapling positions are different from each other, the CPU 80 conveys the sheet bundle to a position where the next binding position coincides with the first binding position. The gripper unit 40 is controlled based on the sheet information from the operation unit 81. In the present embodiment, the CPU 80 is provided in the sheet processing apparatus C. However, the CPU 80 may be provided in the image forming apparatus main body B, and the sheet processing apparatus C is provided via the CPU 80 by the control unit G. You may make it control.

  Next, the stapling operation of the sheet processing apparatus C will be described. In this embodiment, the stapling operation is performed by the CPU 80 provided in the sheet processing apparatus C. FIG. 13 is a main operation flowchart showing a main flow of the stapling operation of the sheet processing apparatus C. The stapling operation will be described based on this operation flowchart.

  When the sheet processing apparatus C receives information such as the sheet size and the binding mode from the image forming apparatus main body B, the sheet processing apparatus C first executes an initial operation for executing a stapling operation (ST1). In this initial operation, the presence / absence of a staying sheet, the position of the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40, the state of the shift roller 30 and the stopper member 31, and the like are detected. If there is a remaining sheet, error information is sent to the image forming apparatus main body B. Send. If the stapler unit 41, the gripper unit 40, the shift roller 30, the stopper member 31, etc. are not at the home position or the initial position, control is performed so as to move to the home position or the initial position.

  In this initial operation, a pre-staple process is performed in which the stapler unit 41 is moved in advance to a predetermined binding processing position in accordance with the binding mode. Next, this staple pre-processing will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. When performing the pre-stapling process, it is first determined from the binding mode information from the image forming apparatus main body B whether the binding mode is the end binding mode (ST20). If the end binding mode is selected (Y in ST20), the end binding mode is the first end binding mode, that is, the end binding mode for binding the corner of the sheet positioned on the back side of the sheet processing apparatus C. Is determined (ST21). Here, when the binding mode is the first edge binding mode (Y of ST21), the staple motor SM is driven to rotate backward (ST22).

  As a result, the stapler unit 41 at the home position SHP moves in the direction of arrow b (the rear side of the apparatus) indicated by the dotted line in FIG. When the stapler unit 41 arrives at the first stapling position inclined by about 45 ° (Y in ST23), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST24). As a result, the stapler unit 41 moves to the first stapling position and is positioned before the sheet is carried out onto the processing tray 14.

  When the binding mode is the second edge binding mode, that is, the mode in which the corner of the sheet located on the front side of the sheet processing apparatus is bound (N in ST21), the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate backward (ST25), and the gripper unit 40 is moved in the direction of arrow d indicated by the dotted line in FIG. If the gripper unit 40 arrives at the rail connection position (paper discharge position) P3 (Y in ST26), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST27). Thus, the first guide rail 43a forms a guide rail portion R that is continuous with the second and third guide rails 43b and 43c, and the stapler unit 41 can move in the width direction.

  Then, after the gripper unit 40 arrives at the rail connecting position P3, the staple motor SM is driven to rotate forward (ST28), and the stapler unit 41 is moved from the home position SHP in the direction indicated by the solid line in FIG. Move. When the stapler unit 41 arrives at the second stapling position inclined about 45 ° on the front side of the apparatus (Y in ST29), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST30). As a result, the stapler unit 41 moves to the second staple position and is positioned before the sheet is carried onto the processing tray 14. Further, when the stapler unit 41 is positioned at the staple position in this way, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST31), and the gripper unit 40 is returned to the home position. When the gripper unit 40 reaches the home position (Y in ST32), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST33).

  As described above, by moving the stapler unit 41 to the stapling position corresponding to the binding mode before the sheet arrives on the processing tray 14, the stapling process can be performed immediately when the sheet bundle is conveyed to the processing position. it can. This makes it easy to shorten the staple processing time even with a miniaturized apparatus.

  Next, when such an initial operation is completed, the conveyance roller 21 and the discharge roller 22 are driven as shown in FIG. 13 (ST2), and the sheet is discharged onto the processing tray. Thereafter, sheet alignment processing is executed (ST3). Next, the sheet alignment process will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. When performing the sheet alignment processing, when the sheet is discharged onto the processing tray 14, the shift roller 30 is lowered (ST40) and is brought into contact with the upper surface of the sheet. Next, the shift roller 30 is rotationally driven (ST41), the sheet is conveyed toward the stopper member 31, and then the shift roller 30 is driven by a predetermined stopper abutting amount.

  When the shift roller 30 is driven by the stopper abutting amount (Y in ST42), the sheet hits the stopper member 31 moving to the alignment position, and when the sheet hits the stopper member 31, the rotation of the shift roller 30 is stopped. (ST43). Thereby, the rear end position of the sheet is aligned. The stopper abutting amount corresponds to a sheet conveyance amount by the shift roller 30 set in advance to abut the trailing end of the discharged sheet against the stopper member 31. Actually, the drive amount is measured by counting drive pulses of a feed motor (not shown) that rotates the shift roller 30.

  Next, when the trailing edge of the sheet comes into contact with the stopper member 31 and stops, the shift roller 30 moves by selecting the sliding direction according to the binding mode. That is, when the binding mode is the second edge binding mode (Y in ST44), the shift roller 30 is slid toward the front side of the sheet processing apparatus (ST45). At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the shift roller 30 is composed of a high friction member, the sheet contacted with the shift roller 30 is also slid and conveyed toward the second alignment member 32b on the front side of the apparatus as the shift roller 30 moves. Is done.

  Next, when the shift roller 30 is moved by the abutting amount where the end of the sheet abuts against the second alignment member 32b (Y in ST46), the sliding operation of the shift roller 30 is stopped (ST47). Thereafter, the shift roller 30 is raised (ST48), and the shift roller 30 is slid toward the home position toward the home position (ST49). When the shift roller 30 arrives at the center home position in the width direction of the sheet (Y in ST55), the slide of the shift roller 30 is stopped (ST56).

  On the other hand, when the binding mode is other than the second end binding mode, that is, when the binding mode is the first end binding mode or the two-position binding mode (N in ST44), the shift roller 30 is slid toward the back side of the apparatus ( ST50). Next, when the shift roller 30 is moved by the abutting amount where the end of the sheet hits the first alignment member 32a (Y in ST51), the slide of the shift roller 30 is stopped (ST52). Thereafter, the shift roller 30 is raised (ST53), and the shift roller 30 is slid toward the front side of the apparatus toward the home position (ST54). When the shift roller 30 arrives at the home position (Y in ST55), the slide of the shift roller 30 is stopped (ST56).

  Next, when such sheet alignment processing is completed, it is determined from the sheet information from the image forming apparatus main body B whether or not the aligned sheet is the final sheet of the sheet bundle as shown in FIG. 13 (ST4). If it is not the final sheet (N in ST4), the process waits until the subsequent sheet is discharged onto the processing tray, and thereafter repeats the sheet alignment process for each sheet until the final sheet of the sheet bundle is aligned. When the alignment process for all sheets is completed, that is, when the aligned sheet is the final sheet in the sheet bundle (Y in ST4), grip gripping process for conveying the sheet bundle to the staple processing position is executed by the gripper unit 40 ( ST5).

  Next, this grip conveyance process will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. When the grip conveyance process is performed, the grip motor GM1 is first driven to rotate forward (ST60). Next, when the lever detection sensor GS1 is OFF, that is, when the lever detection sensor GS1 detects the passage of the detection flag 142b (Y in ST61), the grip motor GM1 is stopped when driven by a predetermined amount (ST62). As a result, the movable grip arm 44b is separated from the fixed grip arm 44a as shown in FIG. 6B, and the grip arm pair 44 is opened.

In this state, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction (ST63), and the gripper unit 40 is directed to the sheet grip position for gripping the sheet bundle aligned in the sheet alignment process. When the gripper unit 40 arrives at the seat grip position (Y in ST64),
The gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST65). Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven in reverse (ST66). When the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned on, that is, when the lever detection sensor GS1 detects the detection flag 142b (Y in ST67), the drive lever 142 is rotated by a predetermined amount. When the drive lever 142 is rotated by a predetermined amount (Y in ST68), the grip motor GM1 is stopped at that time (ST69). As a result, the movable grip arm 44b is urged toward the fixed grip arm 44a by the action of the coil spring 144, and the gripper unit 40 grips the sheet bundle as shown in FIG. 6A, and the sheet bundle is gripped. The

  Next, the stopper member 31 is moved to the retracted position (ST70). As a result, the gripper unit 40 can move in the staple processing position GHP direction while gripping the sheet bundle. Next, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST71), and the gripper unit 40 is moved in the direction of the arrow c indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 while gripping the sheet bundle. Thereafter, when the gripper unit 40 gripping the sheet bundle arrives at the staple processing position GHP (Y in ST72), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST73), and the gripper unit 40 is positioned at the staple processing position GHP.

  Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven to rotate forward (ST74). When the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned off (Y in ST75), the grip motor GM1 is driven by a predetermined amount and stopped (ST76). As a result, the drive lever 142 rotates to a position away from the contact portion 44e of the movable grip arm 44b, the grip arm pair 44 is opened, and the grip of the sheet bundle is released.

  Next, when such grip conveyance processing is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, stapling processing for performing stapling processing at a predetermined position of the sheet bundle is executed (ST6). Next, the stapling process will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. When performing the stapling process, first, it is determined whether or not the binding mode is the end binding mode (ST80). At this time, if the end binding mode is selected (Y in ST80), in the staple pre-processing (initial operation) in Step 1 (ST1), the stapler unit 41 has already been in either the first staple position or the second staple position. It moves according to the binding mode. Accordingly, in this state, the stapler unit 41 is operated (ST81), and the sheet bundle is stapled.

  On the other hand, if the binding mode is not the end binding mode (N in ST80) and the two-point binding mode, first, unit connection processing for connecting the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41 is executed (ST83). Thereby, the gripper unit 40 can also move in the width direction in conjunction with the movement of the stapler unit 41. Thereafter, in order to perform the two-point binding process, the staple motor SM is driven forward (ST84), and when the stapler unit 41 arrives at the first staple position (Y in ST85), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST86). ). Then, the stapler unit 41 is operated (ST87), and the first stapling operation, which is the first binding operation, is performed.

  Next, when the first stapling operation is executed in this way, the second stapling operation is performed thereafter. Is it necessary to adjust the second stapling position before this? Is determined based on a preset adjustment value (ST88). This adjustment value will be described later. If it is determined that the second staple position needs to be adjusted based on the adjustment value (Y in ST88), the connection with the gripper unit 40 is once released. Then, by driving the gripper unit 40 and adjusting the position of the sheet with respect to the sheet conveying direction, the staple position is adjusted (ST89).

  Thereafter, after performing a unit connection process for connecting the gripper unit 40 again, the staple motor SM is driven to rotate forward (ST90), and the stapler unit 41 is moved to the second staple position. When the stapler unit 41 arrives at the second staple position (Y in ST91), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST92), and then the stapler unit 41 is operated (ST93), and the second staple operation is performed. I do. When the stapler unit 41 completes the stapling process at two locations in the sheet bundle, a unit connection releasing process for releasing the connection between the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41 is executed (ST94). The first staple position and the second staple position are preset positions corresponding to the sheet size, and are stored in advance according to the sheet size information from the image forming apparatus main body B. A value is set, and the stapler unit 41 is controlled based on this value.

  Here, the unit connection process and the unit connection release process will be described based on the operation flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19. When performing unit connection processing, as shown in the operation flowchart of FIG. 18, first, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST100), and the gripper unit 40 at the staple processing position GHP is moved toward the unit connection position P2. . At this time, the stapler unit 41 is moved to a position where it can be connected to the gripper unit 40 and is waiting. Then, when the gripper unit 40 moves to the unit connection position P2 (Y in ST101), the protrusion 133 of the connection member 91 engages with the stapler unit 41 as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B. It enters a groove (not shown) formed on the lower surface side of the member 129. As a result, the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 are connected in the width direction, and can be moved integrally in the width direction. Further, the tip of the swing lever 162 of the gripper unit 40 comes into contact with the engaging member 129 on the stapler unit 41 side, and the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail 43d are separated as shown in FIG. The gripper unit 40 can freely move in the width direction.

  Next, after connecting the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 in the width direction as described above, the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST102), and the gripper unit 40 is stopped at the unit connection position P2. Thereafter, the grip motor GM1 is driven in reverse (ST103), and the operating member 131 and the detection flag 142b are rotated about the shaft 142a. When the detection flag 142b passes and the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned off (Y in ST104), the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST105). At this time, the operating member 131 moves the operating pin 132b. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10B, the engaging pin 132a of the connecting arm member 132 moves to a position where it can be connected to the gripper unit 40, and the engaging member 129 of the stapler unit 41 waiting. Engaging with the groove portion 129a. Thereby, both units are connected with respect to the sheet discharging direction, and can move integrally along the sheet discharging direction.

  Next, the unit connection release process will be described. When performing the unit connection release process, as shown in the operation flowchart of FIG. 19, when the staple process is performed on the sheet bundle by the stapler unit 41, the staple motor SM is driven in reverse (ST110). Thus, the stapler unit 41 is moved to the home position SHP, and when the stapler unit 41 arrives at the home position SHP (Y in ST111), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST112). As a result, the gripper unit 40 connected to the stapler unit 41 also moves, and the gripper unit 40 is positioned at a position where it can be connected to the fourth guide rail 43d.

  Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven forward (ST113), and when the detection flag 142b passes the lever detection sensor GS1 and the lever detection sensor GS1 is turned on (Y in ST114), the grip motor GM1 is moved to a predetermined amount from this point. To drive. When the grip motor GM1 is driven by a predetermined amount (Y in ST115), the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST116). As a result, the actuating member 131 moves the actuating pin 132b in the direction opposite to that in the previous connecting operation, and the engaging pin 132a of the connecting arm member 132 is the groove 129a of the engaging member 129 as shown in FIG. Evacuate from. Thereby, the connection between the gripper unit 40 and the stapler unit 41 is released.

  Thereafter, the gripper motor GM2 is driven in reverse (ST117), and the gripper unit 40 is moved to the staple processing position. When the gripper unit 40 returns to the staple processing position again (Y in ST118), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST119). It should be noted that the gripper motor GM2 and the gripper unit 40 are not in a reliable connection state at the time when the reverse rotation driving of the gripper motor GM2 is started. However, since the sliding pin 145 of the gripper unit 40 is engaged with the groove portion of the fourth guide rail 43d, the gripper unit 40 moves with the movement of the fourth guide rail 43d. In the course of this movement, the tip of the swing lever 162 of the gripper unit 40 moves away from the engagement member 129 on the staple knit 41 side, and the gripper unit 40 and the fourth guide rail are moved as shown in FIG. 43d is securely connected.

  Next, when such a stapling process is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, a grip paper discharge process for discharging the sheet bundle to the stack tray 51 is executed (ST7). Next, the grip paper discharge process will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. When the grip paper discharge process is performed, first, the grip motor GM1 of the gripper unit 40 at the staple processing position is driven in reverse (ST120). When the lever detection sensor is turned on (Y in ST121), the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST122). As a result, the sheet bundle is gripped by the grip arm pair 44.

  Next, when the grip arm pair 44 grips the sheet bundle, the gripper motor GM2 is driven in reverse (ST123). As a result, the gripper unit 40 moves toward the storage unit 10. When the gripper unit 40 arrives at the paper discharge position P3 shown in FIG. 3 (Y in ST124), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST125). Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven reversely in a state where the gripper unit 40 has arrived at the paper discharge position (ST126). As a result, the first gripper unit 40a moves to the stack tray 50 side. After that, when the grip motor GM1 is reversely driven by a predetermined amount (Y in ST127), the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST128).

  In the present embodiment, the processing tray 14 is provided with a not-shown notch extending in the sheet discharging direction. 22 (a), the grip portions 44c and 44d of the grip arm pair 44 are moved from the processing tray 14 to the stack tray 50 and more than the mounting end surface of the processing tray 14. Move down. As a result, the sheet bundle SA moves onto the stack tray 50.

  Next, when the first gripper unit 40a conveys the sheet bundle SA onto the stack tray, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST129), and the first gripper unit 40a is moved in a direction different from the stack tray side, that is, the home position. Move towards. When the first gripper unit 40a is moved in this way, the protrusion 44f of the gripper arm 44 abuts against the guide piece 14c provided at the bent portion 14b bent from the notch portion of the processing tray 14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 22B, the movable grip arm 44b moves away from the fixed grip arm 44a, and the grip of the sheet bundle SA is released. As a result, the sheet bundle is stored on the stack tray 50. Is done.

  Thereafter, when the gripper unit 40 arrives at the home position (Y in ST130), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST131). Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven forward (ST132), and the grip motor GM1 is driven by a predetermined amount so as to return the first gripper unit 40a to a predetermined position. As a result, the grip arm pair 44 of the first gripper unit 40 a moves upward from the mounting surface of the processing tray 14. When the grip motor GM1 is driven by a predetermined amount (Y in ST133), the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST134).

  Next, when grip sheet discharge processing for such a sheet bundle is completed, it is determined whether the set number of copies is received from the image forming apparatus main body B as shown in FIG. 13 (ST8). If the number of copies is not set (N in ST8), ST3 to ST8 in FIG. 13 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the number of copies is set (Y in ST8), a final process for stopping the sheet processing apparatus C is executed (ST9).

  Next, the final process will be described based on the operation flowchart of FIG. In this final process, an operation of returning the transport roller 21, the discharge roller 22, the stopper member 31 and the like to the initial state is executed. When the binding mode is the end binding mode, a process of moving the stapler unit 41 from the staple position to the home position is executed.

  In this process, if the end binding mode is selected (Y in ST150), it is then determined whether the end binding mode is the first end binding mode (ST151). If the binding mode is the first end binding mode (Y in ST151), the staple motor SM is driven to rotate forward (ST152). Thereby, the stapler unit 41 moves toward the home position, and when the home position arrives (Y in ST153), the staple motor SM is stopped (STST154).

  On the other hand, when the binding mode is the second end binding mode (N in ST151), the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate backward (ST155). As a result, the gripper unit 40 moves to the paper discharge position, and when the gripper unit 40 arrives at the paper discharge position (Y in ST156), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST157). As a result, the first guide rail 42a forms a guide rail portion R that is continuous with the second and third guide rails 42b and 42c. Next, the staple motor SM is driven to rotate backward (ST158), and the stapler unit 41 is directed to the home position. When the stapler unit 41 arrives at the home position (Y in ST159), the staple motor SM is stopped (ST160). Thereafter, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST161), the gripper unit 40 is moved to the home position, and when the gripper unit 40 arrives at the home position (Y in ST162), the gripper motor GM2 is stopped (ST163). When such final processing is finished, the stapling operation of the sheet processing apparatus C is finished.

  Here, in the present embodiment, whether or not the above-described gripper unit 40 has arrived at each stop position of the staple processing position (home position), grip position, paper discharge position, and connection position is detected at each stop position. This is performed by the detection sensor provided in FIG. Of course, the number of drive pulses of the gripper motor GM2 corresponding to the distance to each stop position is stored, and the arrival at each stop position is detected by counting the number of drive pulses of the gripper motor GM2. Also good.

  Further, the movement of the stapler unit 41 to the first and second stapling positions and the movement of the stapler unit 41 to the home position in the first and second edge binding modes are also performed by detection sensors arranged at the respective positions. . Further, the movement control to the position where the connection with the gripper unit 40 in the two-point binding mode can be performed, the first position and the second position to the staple position is calculated by calculating the movement amount of the stapler unit 41 according to the sheet size. The number of drive pulses set based on the result is counted. Then, the stapler unit 41 may be stopped at the position at which the connection with the gripper unit 40 can be connected with the counted number of drive pulses, at the first and second staple positions.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the gripper unit 40 is supported by the fourth guide rail 43d so as to be movable in the same direction as the moving direction of the connected stapler unit 41. As a result, the gripper unit 40 can be moved integrally with the stapler unit 41 connected at the connecting position when a plurality of bindings are performed, and the stapler unit 41 can be moved to the staple processing position without securing a special retreat space. Can do.

  That is, when the stapler unit 41 is moved to the moving area when the gripper unit 40 moves in the discharging direction and the staple process is performed on the sheet, the gripper unit 40 moves the stapler unit 41 to the moving area. Retreat in the width direction without obstructing. Note that when the stapler unit 41 performs stapling on a sheet outside the moving area, the gripper unit 40 does not move in the width direction. As a result, the stapler unit 41 can be moved to the staple processing position without securing a special retreat space for retracting the gripper unit 40.

  In the present embodiment, the gripper unit 40 is moved in the width direction by the first moving mechanism that operates the stapler unit 41. However, as the stapler unit 41 moves to the moving area, the gripper unit 40 may be retracted in the width direction by a moving mechanism different from the first moving mechanism.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, a common movement area that overlaps the movement area of the stapler unit 41 is provided on the upstream side of the movement area of the gripper unit 40 in the discharge direction. The stapler unit 41 is moved in the same direction as the stapler unit 41 when the stapler unit 41 moves from an area other than the common movement area, that is, from an area in the width direction of the common movement area to perform stapling. . As a result, the stapler unit 41 can be moved to the staple processing position without securing a special retreat space for retracting the gripper unit 40.

  When the stapler unit 41 performs a staple process on a sheet in an area other than the common movement area, the gripper unit 40 does not move the stapler unit 41 in the direction in which the stapler unit 41 can move, but the first or second stapled sheet. It is discharged to the stack trays 50 and 51. Further, when the stapler unit 41 performs the staple process on the sheet in the common movement region, the stapler unit 41 moves to a region other than the common movement region after performing the staple process on the sheet. As the stapler unit 41 moves, the gripper unit 40 moves to the common movement area and then discharges the stapled sheets to the first or second stack trays 50 and 51.

  By the way, depending on conditions such as the size, thickness, and number of sheets before the gripper unit 40 that grips the sheet bundle arrives at the staple processing position GHP before stapling the sheet bundle, one end of the sheet bundle is obtained. May tilt. In this case, when the second staple processing is performed, the first staple position, which is the first binding position with respect to one end of the sheet bundle, is shifted from the second staple position, which is the next binding position. May occur.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 described above, it is determined in advance whether the second staple position needs to be adjusted before the second staple operation is performed. Judgment is made based on the set adjustment value. If it is determined that the second staple position needs to be adjusted based on the adjustment value, the gripper unit 40 is once moved to a position where it can be moved in the sheet discharge direction, and then the stapler unit. 41 is released. Thereafter, the gripper unit 40 is moved to grip the sheet bundle again, and the staple processing position of the sheet with respect to the sheet conveyance direction is adjusted.

  Next, the staple position adjustment process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 80 determines whether the sheet size is small when the sheet is conveyed based on the sheet information from the operation unit 81 (ST170). If the sheet size is small (Y in ST170), then It is determined whether the sheet is thick paper (ST171). If the sheet is thick (Y in ST171), it is determined whether the number of sheets in the sheet bundle is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (ST172).

  If the number of sheets is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Y in ST172), the user adjustment value of the staple position set by the individual adjustment by the user on the memory is set according to the sheet size, basis weight, and number of sheets. An adjustment value obtained in advance by an experiment or the like is set (ST173). Since the user setting adjustment value is stored in the nonvolatile memory, the adjustment value continues to be held even when the power supply to the apparatus is cut off.

  Next, the user adjustment value of the staple position is checked (ST174), and it is determined whether or not adjustment is necessary based on the user adjustment value (ST175). Here, the determination of whether or not adjustment is necessary is made based on whether or not the user setting adjustment value has changed. For example, when the user adjustment value does not change when the user adjustment value is checked, that is, when the sheet is not a small size sheet (N in ST170), is not thick paper (N in ST171), and the number of sheets is equal to or less than a predetermined number (N in ST172), it is determined that adjustment is not necessary. Also, if there is a change in the user adjustment value, it is determined that adjustment is necessary. If it is determined that adjustment is necessary in this way (Y in ST175), instead of the user adjustment value that has been set in advance as the adjustment value, The value added with the adjustment value is reset (ST176).

  Next, when such staple position setting processing is completed, staple position adjustment processing for adjusting the second staple position, which is the next binding position, is executed as shown in FIG. In the staple position setting process, when it is determined that the staple position adjustment is necessary as described above, the stapler unit 41 and the gripper unit 40 are arranged so that the gripper unit 40 can be moved in the sheet discharge direction. A unit connection release process is performed (ST180). Thereafter, the gripper motor GM2 is driven to rotate forward (ST181), the gripper unit 40 is moved to the grip position shown in FIG. 3 described above, and after the gripper unit 40 is moved to the grip position in this way, the gripper motor is moved. GM2 is stopped (ST182).

  Next, the grip motor GM1 is driven (ST183), and when the gripper unit 40 grips the sheet, the drive of the grip motor GM1 is stopped (ST184). Thereafter, the position adjustment of the sheet bundle is performed based on the user adjustment value adjusted in advance (ST185), and the gripper motor GM2 is stopped when the driving for the adjustment is finished (ST186).

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 25A, when the back side of the sheet is inclined toward the gripper unit, the gripper unit 40 is moved upstream of the staple processing position GHP in the sheet discharge direction. . As a result, the first staple position ST1 moves to the position indicated by the broken line, but this position is the same as the second staple position ST2.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 25B, when the front side of the sheet is inclined toward the gripper unit, the gripper unit 40 is moved to the downstream side in the sheet discharge direction from the staple processing position GHP. As a result, the first staple position ST1 moves to the position indicated by the broken line, but this position is the same as the second staple position ST2. In this way, by adjusting the position of the sheet bundle, it is possible to eliminate the deviation of the staple position with respect to one end of the first and second sheet bundles. After the adjustment, the unit connection process is performed again, and the process returns to the staple process (ST187).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the first and second staple positions are different, the next staple position matches the first staple position before the next staple operation. The gripper unit 40 is controlled to convey the sheet bundle to the position. Then, by conveying the sheet bundle to such a position that the next staple position coincides with the first staple position, it is possible to prevent the staple position from being shifted with respect to one end of the sheet bundle. As a result, the appearance of the discharged sheet bundle is improved, and user convenience is improved.

  Heretofore, the case where one stapler unit 41 is used as the binding portion has been described, but the present invention can be applied even when a plurality of stapler units are used. In the above description, the case where the gripper unit 40 is moved so that the staple position coincides with the initial staple position before the next stapling operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, before the next stapling operation, if the relative position between the upstream end of the sheet bundle in the sheet conveying direction and the binding portion can be adjusted so that the staple position coincides with the first staple position, the binding portion is adjusted. May be moved in the sheet conveying direction. Further, the sheet processing apparatus has been described as an example that performs two-point binding, but the present invention can also be applied to a sheet processing apparatus that can perform three-point binding.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Storage part, 12 ... Alignment part, 13 ... Staple / gripper part, 14 ... Processing tray, 30 ... Shift roller, 31 ... Stopper member, 32a, 32b ... Alignment member, 40 ... Gripper unit, 40a ... First gripper Unit 40b second gripper unit 41 stapler unit 43a first guide rail 43b second guide rail 43c third guide rail 43d fourth guide rail 44 grip Arm pair, 44a ... fixed grip arm, 44b ... movable grip arm, 50, 51 ... first and second stack trays, 60a ... first unit connection mechanism, 60b ... second unit connection mechanism, 60c ... connection mechanism , 122a to 122e ... boss, 123 ... connecting member, 123A ... tilting mechanism, 125 ... provided on the base member Scan, GM1 ... grip motor, GM2 ... gripper motor, GS1 ... lever detection sensor, B ... image forming apparatus main body, C ... sheet processing apparatus, G ... controller, SA ... sheet bundle

Claims (5)

A placement section on which the sheet bundle is placed;
A binding portion that binds a plurality of locations along one end of the sheet bundle of the sheet bundle placed on the placement portion ;
The sheet bundle placed on the placement portion, and the sheet bundle conveyance unit for conveying the binding process can be located by the binding unit,
When the binding unit performs a binding process on a plurality of locations along one end of the sheet bundle of the sheet bundle conveyed by the sheet bundle conveyance unit, the binding unit performs the binding process on the sheet bundle. For adjusting the relative position of the sheet bundle and the binding portion in the direction intersecting the one end later and before the binding portion performs the binding processing after the binding processing on the sheet bundle. sheet processing device comprising a kite comprising an adjustment means. An input unit for inputting sheet information of at least one of the number of sheets, size and basis weight;
It said adjusting means is based on the sheet information from the input unit, the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the relative position. It said adjusting means, pre Symbol sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein adjusting the relative position by moving the sheet bundle by a sheet bundle conveying section. Together with the sheet bundle conveyance unit holds the sheet bundle placed on the placing portion moves in the direction of the bound portion, conveys the sheet bundle to the stapling process which is positionable by the binding unit, 4. The sheet bundle according to claim 1, wherein when the binding process is performed by the binding unit, the holding of the sheet bundle is released and the sheet bundle moves together with the binding unit in a direction along one end of the sheet bundle . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, and further comprising a, a sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for processing the by the image forming unit the image has been formed sheet Image forming apparatus.

Images