JP7434837B2 - Sheet conveyance device, image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance device and an image processing apparatus that include a sheet discharge section that discharges sheets after image processing.

2. Description of the Related Art Sheet processing apparatuses are known that perform post-processing such as stapling processing and perforation processing (also referred to as punching processing) on sheets discharged from image forming apparatuses. This sheet processing device is used in conjunction with an image forming device. When the sheet processing device is set to perform the post-processing on the sheet after image formation, the sheet processing device performs the post-processing on the sheet after image formation that is conveyed from the image forming device into the sheet processing device. The sheet is processed and discharged to a predetermined sheet tray. Further, when the sheet processing apparatus is not set to perform the post-processing, the sheet processing apparatus does not perform the post-processing on the image-formed sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus into the sheet processing apparatus. The sheet is ejected to the sheet tray.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is known that includes an alignment mechanism that performs alignment processing to align a bundle of sheets placed on a sheet table (see Patent Document 1). This image forming apparatus performs matching processing by the matching mechanism at high speed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-23009

In an apparatus equipped with a mechanism that performs alignment processing on sheets to be ejected, after performing alignment processing on sheets, the alignment member is subjected to alignment processing in order to perform alignment processing on the next sheet to be ejected. It needs to be returned to its previous initial position. However, the time required to return the alignment member to its initial position limits the timing of ejecting successive sheets. In other words, the interval between sheets until the next sheet is ejected needs to be at least longer than the required time. Therefore, it is not possible to make the interval between sheets less than the required time, and it is not possible to increase the sheet discharging speed. Such a problem may occur not only when an alignment process is performed on a sheet by an alignment member, but also when a predetermined initial operation or initialization process is performed before the sheet is discharged.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet conveyance device and an image processing device that can increase the sheet discharge speed.

A sheet conveyance device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet discharge section and a conveyance control section. The sheet discharge section conveys the image-processed sheet and discharges it to a predetermined sheet tray. The conveyance control section has a first conveyance control mode in which a predetermined operation is performed and the sheet discharge section carries out a sheet conveyance process, and a first conveyance control mode in which the sheet discharge section carries out a sheet conveyance process without performing the predetermined operation. The conveyance of the sheet by the sheet ejection section is controlled based on one of the conveyance control modes including the second conveyance control mode.

An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image processing section, a sheet discharge section, and a conveyance control section. The image processing section performs image processing on the sheet. The sheet discharge section conveys the image-processed sheet and discharges it to a predetermined sheet tray. The conveyance control section has a first conveyance control mode in which a predetermined operation is performed and the sheet discharge section carries out a sheet conveyance process, and a first conveyance control mode in which the sheet discharge section carries out a sheet conveyance process without performing the predetermined operation. The conveyance of the sheet by the sheet ejection section is controlled based on one of the conveyance control modes including the second conveyance control mode.

According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the sheet discharging speed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus included in the multifunction device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a sheet processing device included in the multifunction device of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the sheet processing apparatus of FIG. 1 and the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of sheet conveyance processing executed by the control unit in FIG. 4.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention (an example of an image processing device of the present invention) includes a sheet processing device 30 and an image forming device 10. A sheet processing device 30 is connected to the image forming device 10 so that printing paper (an example of a sheet of the present invention) can be conveyed to the processing device 30.

[Image forming apparatus 10]
The image forming apparatus 10 includes various functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet processing device 30 is connected to a side surface of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image based on input image data on printing paper using printing material such as toner. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to one having multiple functions, and may be one having a single function such as a printer, facsimile, or copying machine.

The image forming apparatus 10 prints an image on printing paper based on image data input from the outside via a network communication unit (not shown) or image data read by a scanner 11 disposed on the top of the image forming apparatus 10. print. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 mainly includes a scanner 11, an operation display section 12, an electrophotographic image forming section 18, a fixing section 19, an ejected sheet holding section 21, and a sheet conveying section. 15 and a storage section 17. Further, the sheet conveyance section 15 includes a paper feed section 151 , a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 152 , and a discharge roller pair 153 . Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control section 100 (an example of the conveyance control section of the present invention, see FIG. 4) that comprehensively controls the multifunction device 1 including the sheet processing device 30. These elements are provided inside the casing 14 that constitutes the outer frame cover and internal frame of the image forming apparatus 10.

In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 10 including an electrophotographic image forming section 18 is exemplified, but the image forming apparatus 10 may be one that forms an image on printing paper based on, for example, an inkjet recording method. It's okay.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed section 151 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 10. Four paper feed units 151 are arranged in the vertical direction. Paper feeding section 151 feeds printing paper stored in paper feeding tray 16 to image forming section 18 . The printing paper fed to the image forming section 18 by the paper feeding section 151 is conveyed to the fixing section 19 after a toner image is transferred onto the surface thereof by the image forming section 18 . The image forming section 18 is a well-known mechanism including an LSU, a photoreceptor drum, a developing section, a charging section, a transfer section, and the like, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted here.

The fixing unit 19 includes a heating unit such as an IH heater, and fixes the toner image transferred to the printing paper onto the printing paper using heat. While the printing paper passes through the fixing section 19, heat is supplied from the fixing section 19 to melt the toner. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the printing paper, and the image is fixed on the printing paper. The printing paper on which the image has been fixed by the fixing section 19 is sent to a conveyance path 28 that is formed downstream of the fixing section 19 in the conveyance direction of the printing paper. The printing paper sent out to the conveyance path 28 is further conveyed to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing paper by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 152 provided along the conveyance path 28.

The conveyance path 28 extends horizontally within the housing 14 up to the fixing section 19, is curved upward from the downstream side of the fixing section 19, and then extends straight vertically upward. On the downstream side of the fixing section 19, the conveyance path 28 branches into two. One branch path 28A of the transport path 28 leads to the paper discharge port 22, and the other branch path 28B leads to a transport relay port 27 formed on the left side surface 14A of the housing 14. Furthermore, a flap 25 is provided at the branch point between the branch path 28A and the branch path 28B, which is swung by a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor or a solenoid.

The flap 25 is arranged at a paper ejection position where it can block the branch path 28B and guide the printing paper to the branch path 28A when the print paper is ejected to the ejection sheet holding section 21 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 10. be done. When the flap 25 is at the paper ejecting position, the printing paper on which the image has been formed is ejected to the ejected sheet holding section 21 by the transport roller pair 152. Further, the flap 25 is disposed at a relay position (position shown in FIG. 2) where the printing paper can be guided to the branching path 28B by blocking the branching path 28A when the printing paper is conveyed to the sheet processing device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch path 28B is provided with a pair of discharge rollers 153 that conveys the printing paper after image formation to the sheet processing device 30. The discharge roller pair 153 includes a drive roller that is rotationally driven by a motor or the like, and a driven roller that follows the drive roller while being in pressure contact with the drive roller. Therefore, when the flap 25 is at the relay position, the printing paper after image formation is conveyed to the sheet processing device 30 by the discharge roller pair 153.

[Sheet processing device 30]
The sheet processing device 30 is a device that performs post-processing such as stapling processing and perforation processing (punching processing) on the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet processing apparatus 30 is used while being connected to the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the sheet processing apparatus 30 is not limited to one that performs the post-processing on the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10. For example, if the sheet processing device 30 includes a conveyance device that can convey printing paper set in an external tray (not shown) to a position where the post-processing is performed, the sheet processing device 30 The post-processing may be performed on the paper.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet processing apparatus 30 includes an upper main body 31 that forms the upper side of a housing of the sheet processing apparatus 30, and a lower main body 32 that forms the lower side of the housing. In this embodiment, the upper main body 31 is provided with units for performing post-processing.

The sheet processing device 30 includes a perforation unit 33 (an example of a post-processing section of the present invention), a storage container 110, a stapling unit 35 (an example of a post-processing section of the present invention), and a sheet discharge section 70 (an example of a post-processing section of the present invention). an example of a discharge section), an upper tray 36A (an example of a sheet tray of the present invention), a lower tray 36B (an example of a sheet tray of the present invention), a stack tray 57, and a sheet alignment section 60 (see FIG. 4). , is provided. Further, the sheet discharge section 70 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 37, a pair of discharge rollers 38 and 39, and a pair of conveyance rollers 40. These elements are provided inside the upper body 31.

The upper main body 31 has an entrance 46 on a connecting surface 44 (right side in FIG. 3) with the image forming apparatus 10. The carry-in port 46 is an entrance that receives the printing paper on which an image has been formed, which is transported from the image forming apparatus 10 . A discharge port 47 is provided at the top of the upper main body 31 for discharging printing paper from the sheet processing device 30 to the outside. An upper tray 36A is provided so as to be continuous with the discharge port 47. Further, a side surface 45 (left side in FIG. 3) of the upper main body 31 is provided with a discharge port 48 for discharging printing paper from the sheet processing device 30 to the outside. A lower tray 36B is provided so as to be continuous with the discharge port 48. The upper tray 36A and the lower tray 36B hold a plurality of sheets of printing paper discharged from the sheet processing device 30 in a vertically stacked state (stacked state).

A conveyance path 50 is provided inside the upper main body 31 . The conveyance path 50 extends inward from the loading port 46 inside the upper main body 31 . The printing paper carried into the conveyance path 50 from the carry-in port 46 is guided in the conveyance direction toward the inside of the upper main body 31 by passing through the conveyance path 50 .

The conveyance path of the printing paper is branched into a conveyance path 51 that goes from the end of the conveyance path 50 toward the upper surface of the upper main body 31 and a conveyance path 52 that goes toward the side surface 45. The conveyance path 51 reaches the discharge port 47, and the conveyance path 52 reaches the discharge port 48 via the stapling unit 35.

The sheet discharge section 70 conveys the image-processed printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 to the import entrance 46, and discharges it to either the upper tray 36A or the lower tray 36B.

The conveyance roller pair 37 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance path 50 in the conveyance direction. The conveying roller pair 37 is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller, and conveys the printing paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 further downstream.

The discharge roller pair 39 is provided near the discharge port 47 at the end of the conveyance path 51 . The discharge roller pair 39 includes a drive roller 39A and a driven roller 39B, and discharges the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 51 from the discharge port 47. The drive roller 39A rotates when rotational driving force is transmitted from a drive source such as a motor (not shown). By rotating the drive roller 39A with the driven roller 39B in contact with the drive roller 39A, the print paper can be ejected by the ejection roller pair 39.

The discharge roller pair 38 is provided near the discharge port 48 at the end of the conveyance path 52. The discharge roller pair 38 includes a drive roller 38A and a driven roller 38B, and discharges the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 52 from the discharge port 48. The drive roller 38A rotates when rotational driving force is transmitted from a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The driven roller 38B is arranged above the drive roller 38A and is in contact with the drive roller 38A. Therefore, when the drive roller 38A is rotated, the driven roller 38B is rotated. By rotating the drive roller 38A with the driven roller 38B in contact with the drive roller 38A, the print paper can be ejected by the ejection roller pair 38.

The driven roller 38B is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the drive roller 38A. The driven roller 38B is configured to be able to move upwardly away from the position where it contacts the drive roller 38A by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a solenoid.

The punching unit 33 is provided near the entrance 46. The punching unit 33 performs predetermined post-processing on the printing paper carried into the conveyance path 50 from the image forming apparatus 10 . Specifically, the punching unit 33 performs a punching process on the printing paper conveyed to the conveyance path 50. When the printing paper is conveyed to a predetermined position on the conveyance path 50, the conveyance is temporarily stopped, and the punching unit 33 forms a hole at the leading end of the printing paper (the downstream end in the conveyance direction). Puncture scum generated by the punching process by the punching unit 33 is stored in a storage container 110 provided below the punching unit 33.

If the multifunction device 1 is set not to perform punching, the printing paper passes through the punching unit 33 without being punched. On the other hand, if the printing paper is set to perform the punching process, the printing paper is further conveyed after being punched by the punching unit 33.

A flap 55 is provided at the branch point of the conveyance path 51 and the conveyance path 52. The flap 55 is swung by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor or a solenoid, thereby determining the ejection path of the printing paper. By swinging the flap 55 to an appropriate position, the printing paper is conveyed to a predetermined arrival position.

A pair of conveyance rollers 40 is provided in each of the conveyance paths 51 and 52. The printing paper in the transport paths 51 and 52 is transported downstream in the printing paper transport direction by a transport roller pair 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stack tray 57 is provided downstream of the punching unit 33 in the printing paper conveyance direction. The stack tray 57 is provided below the conveyance path 52. One end (the left end in FIG. 3) of the stack tray 57 is located at the discharge port 48. Furthermore, the stack tray 57 extends in a diagonally downward direction when viewed from the discharge port 48 . A staple unit 35 is provided at the end of the extending direction. Therefore, the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57 is inclined diagonally downward toward the staple unit 35.

The stack tray 57 constitutes a lower guide surface of the conveyance path 52 on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 40 when stapling processing is not performed. On the other hand, when stapling is performed, the stack tray 57 plays a role of supporting a plurality of printing sheets to be stapled. In this case, the stack tray 57 sequentially supports the print sheets conveyed through the conveyance path 52, and can support a plurality of print sheets stacked in a bundle.

When the multifunction device 1 is set not to perform stapling processing, the printing paper transported by the transport roller pair 40 moves toward the discharge port 48 while being guided by contacting the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57. . Thereafter, the printing paper is discharged onto the lower tray 36B by a pair of discharge rollers 38 provided near the discharge port 48.

On the other hand, when the multifunction device 1 is set to perform the stapling process, the driving roller 38A and the driven roller 38B are separated. In this state, when the printing paper is transported toward the discharge port 48 by the transport roller pair 40, the printing paper moves toward the discharge port 48 along the support surface 58 of the stack tray 57. Since the driving roller 38A and the driven roller 38B are separated from each other, even when the printing paper reaches the ejection roller pair 38, the printing paper is not conveyed by the ejection roller pair 38. Then, when the rear end of the printing paper (the end on the upstream side in the transport direction) passes the transport roller pair 40, the printing paper descends toward the stack tray 57 and is supported by the support surface 58. As described above, since the support surface 58 is inclined, when the printing paper is supported by the stack tray 57, the supported printing paper moves toward the stapling unit 35 side. Specifically, the printing paper slides diagonally downward along the support surface 58 due to its own weight. Then, when the rear end of the printing paper reaches a stopper (not shown) at the bottom of the stack tray 57, the printing paper stops at the position where it contacts the stopper (stop position). By repeating this operation, a plurality of sheets of printing paper are supported at the stop position on the stack tray 57.

The sheet alignment unit 60 (see FIG. 4) performs alignment processing on the printing paper discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48. Specifically, the sheet alignment section 60 regulates the discharge direction of the printing paper discharged from the discharge port 47 and the discharge port 48, and controls the trailing edge of the print paper stacked on the upper tray 36A and the lower tray 36B. An alignment operation is performed to align the stacks of printing paper stacked on each tray.

The sheet alignment section 60 includes an alignment member 61 provided near the discharge port 47 and an alignment member 62 provided near the discharge port 48 . The alignment members 61 and 62 are paddle-shaped members (rotating paddle members) that rotate by receiving rotational driving force from a drive source such as a motor. The alignment member 61 is provided below the discharge port 47 and the discharge roller pair 39, and the alignment member 62 is provided below the discharge port 48 and the discharge roller pair 38. By rotating, the alignment members 61 and 62 press and align the rear ends of the printing sheets stacked on the sheet loading surfaces of the corresponding trays 36A and 36B from above, thereby aligning the paper sheets on the respective trays 36A and 36B. Align the stacks of printing paper stacked on 36B. These aligning members 61 and 62 are rotated to come into contact with the uppermost surface of the printing paper stacked on each tray 36A and 36B, and have the role of pulling the uppermost printing paper toward you. .

The alignment members 61 and 62 are driven and controlled by the control unit 100, so that each time the printing paper is discharged, the alignment members 61 and 62 retreat to an initial position determined inside the upper main body 31, and wait at the initial position. When the printing paper is discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48, the alignment members 61 and 62 are rotationally driven and rotated from the initial position toward the respective trays 36A and 36B, so that the rear end of the printing paper Align the printing paper by making contact with it.

Note that the sheet alignment section 60 includes a pair of side guides that come into contact with both ends in the width direction of the printing paper discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48 to regulate the discharge position of the printing paper in the width direction. You can leave it there. The side guide is supported so as to be movable in the width direction, and is movable in the width direction by receiving a driving force from a drive source such as a motor. In this configuration, the control unit 100 moves the side guides to a position where the interval between the side guides is larger than the width size of the printing paper every time the printing paper is discharged, and the printing paper is discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48. When the printing paper is ejected, the side guide is moved to a position where the printing paper can be aligned.

[Configuration of control unit 100]
With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the control unit 100 and the processing executed by the control unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 is a microcomputer including a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and the like. The control unit 100 may be realized by, for example, an IC such as an ASIC. The control unit 100 controls the multifunction device 1 in an integrated manner.

The control unit 100 can communicate with and control each of the storage unit 17, operation display unit 12, scanner 11, image forming unit 18 (an example of an image processing unit of the present invention), and sheet conveyance unit 15 included in the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, when the sheet processing apparatus 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10, it is possible to communicate with each of the sheet discharge section 70, perforation unit 33, stapling unit 35, and sheet alignment section 60 included in the sheet processing apparatus 30. and controllably connected.

The storage unit 17 is a nonvolatile storage medium or storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores various information. The storage unit 17 stores a control program for causing the control unit 100 to execute a sheet conveyance process and various arithmetic processes, which will be described later, and data used in the sheet conveyance process and various arithmetic processes.

By the way, conventionally, in a device equipped with a mechanism that performs alignment processing on print paper to be ejected, after performing alignment processing on the print paper, there is a mechanism for performing alignment processing on the next print paper to be ejected. , it is necessary to return the alignment member to its initial position before the alignment process. However, the time required to return the alignment member to its initial position limits the timing of ejecting print sheets that are continuously ejected. In other words, the interval between sheets until the next printing paper is ejected needs to be at least longer than the required time. For this reason, it is not possible to make the sheet interval less than the required time, and it is not possible to increase the printing paper ejection speed.

In the present embodiment, in order to increase the ejection speed of printing paper in the multifunction device 1, the control unit 100 operates based on one of the predetermined transport control modes, a first transport control mode and a second transport control mode. The printing paper conveyance process by the sheet ejection unit 70 is controlled.

Here, the first conveyance control mode is a conveyance control mode in which a predetermined operation is performed and the sheet discharge section 70 carries out a process of conveying the printing paper. Specifically, when a plurality of sheets of printing paper are continuously discharged, each time each printing paper is discharged from the discharge ports 47 and 48, the sheet alignment section 60 performs the alignment operation on the printing paper. This is the transport control mode. In the first conveyance control mode, the alignment operation is performed by the sheet alignment section 60, so that the stacks of printing sheets stacked on the trays 36A and 36B are well aligned. However, it is necessary to rotate the alignment members 61, 62 during the alignment operation, and it is also necessary to return the alignment members 61, 62 to the initial position, so it is necessary to delay the ejection of the printing paper by the time required for this operation. be.

Further, the second conveyance control mode is a conveyance control mode in which the sheet discharge section 70 carries out the conveyance process of the printing paper without performing a predetermined operation. Specifically, this is a transport control mode in which, when a plurality of print sheets are consecutively discharged, the alignment operation by the sheet alignment section 60 is stopped and each print sheet is sequentially discharged. In the second conveyance control mode, since the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 is not performed, the alignment of the stacks of printing paper stacked on the trays 36A and 36B may deteriorate; however, the alignment members 61 and 62 are rotated. There is no time required for matching operations. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the printing paper without waiting for the above-mentioned required time, and it is possible to discharge the printing paper quickly compared to the transportation based on the first transportation control mode.

Further, when the sheet processing device 30 performs post-processing such as perforation processing by the perforation unit 33 or stapling processing by the stapling unit 35, the control unit 100 performs sheet ejection based on the first conveyance control mode. The printing paper conveyance process by the unit 70 is controlled. Then, when the post-processing is not executed, the control unit 100 controls the printing paper conveyance process by the sheet discharge unit 70 based on the second conveyance control mode.

Furthermore, when a plurality of sheets of printing paper are continuously discharged, if the number of sheets of printing paper that is continuously conveyed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 100 controls whether or not the sheets are discharged based on the first conveyance control mode. Controls the printing paper conveyance process by the discharge unit 70. In this case, priority is given to the alignment of the printing paper bundles stacked on the trays 36A and 36B, and ejection is performed in the first conveyance control mode accompanied by the alignment operation. On the other hand, when the number of continuously conveyed sheets of printing paper is less than the threshold value, the control section 100 controls the conveyance process of the printing paper by the sheet discharge section 70 based on the second conveyance control mode. In this case, priority is given to high-speed output of printed matter over the consistency of the stacks of printing sheets stacked on the trays 36A and 36B, and ejection is performed in the second conveyance control mode without the alignment operation.

[Sheet conveyance processing]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the procedure of the sheet conveyance process executed by the control unit 100 will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, steps S11, S12, . . . represent processing procedure (step) numbers. Note that this sheet conveyance process will be described as being performed when printing is executed on the multifunction device 1.

In step S11, the control unit 100 determines whether a print instruction has been input to the multifunction device 1. For example, it is determined whether print job data including document data to be printed is input from an external device connected to a network. If the print instruction is input, the process advances to step S12.

In the next step S12, the control unit 100 determines whether the high-speed output mode is enabled. For example, if the high-speed output mode has been turned on from the operation display unit 12 or the printer driver before printing, it is determined that the high-speed output mode is valid. The setting information for the high-speed output mode is stored in the storage section 17. Here, when the high-speed output mode is enabled (on), the control unit 100 performs the transport process based on the second transport control mode on the condition that other conditions are satisfied. On the other hand, when the high-speed output mode is disabled (off), the control unit 100 performs transport processing based on the first transport control mode for all print instructions.

If it is determined in step S12 that the high-speed output mode is valid, the control unit 100 determines in the next step S13 whether there is an instruction to execute the post-processing such as the punching process or the stapling process. . For example, if the setting for the post-processing is enabled from the operation display unit 12, printer driver, etc. before printing is executed, it is determined that there is an instruction to execute the post-processing. Note that if there is no instruction to perform the post-processing, the post-processing is not performed on the printing paper after image formation, and the printing paper is discharged to the upper tray 36A or the lower tray 36B.

If it is determined in step S13 that there is no instruction to perform the post-processing, the control unit 100 determines that the number of prints input at the time of the print instruction is set to a predetermined threshold (20 in this embodiment) in the next step S14. Determine whether it is less than or equal to (sheets). The threshold value can be set, for example, to the number of sheets stacked on the upper tray 36A or the lower tray 36B at which the alignment state of the stack of printing sheets deteriorates significantly.

If it is determined in step S12 that the high-speed output mode is invalid (No in step S12), if it is determined in step S13 that there is an instruction to execute the post-processing (No in step S13), or in step S14, If it is determined that the number of printed sheets is equal to or greater than the threshold value (No in step S14), the control unit 100 enables the setting of the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60 (step S17), and then switches to the first conveyance control mode. The printing paper conveyance process (normal conveyance process) is performed (step S18).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the number of printed sheets is less than the threshold value, the control unit 100 invalidates the alignment operation setting by the sheet alignment unit 60 (step S15). That is, the control unit 100 stops the alignment operation by the sheet alignment unit 60, moves the alignment members 61 and 62 to the initial position determined inside the upper main body 31, and leaves them disposed at the initial position. . In this state, the printing paper conveyance process (continuous conveyance process) in the second conveyance control mode is performed (step S16).

As described above, in the multifunction peripheral 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the sheet discharge unit 70 to perform printing based on the transport control mode, which is either the first transport control mode or the second transport control mode. Controls paper transport processing. Therefore, if the high-speed output mode is enabled and the predetermined conditions (steps S12 to S14) are satisfied, the alignment operation is not performed in the conveyance process for all printing sheets after image formation. Therefore, the control section 100 can cause the sheet discharging section 70 to continuously discharge the printing sheets without waiting for the time required to return the alignment members 61 and 62 to the initial positions for the alignment operation.

Further, in this embodiment, when there is an instruction to execute the post-processing, the printing paper is conveyed in the first conveyance control mode accompanied by the alignment operation. When the post-processing is performed, the printing paper is temporarily stopped inside the sheet processing device 30 in order to perform the post-processing. Therefore, whether or not the alignment operation is performed, the time it takes for the printing paper to be ejected remains the same. Therefore, in this case, even if the high-speed output mode is enabled, the braking operation is performed in order to improve the alignment of the ejected printing paper.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the number of printed sheets is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the printing paper is conveyed in the first conveyance control mode accompanied by the alignment operation. When the number of printed sheets is greater than or equal to the threshold, the alignment of the printing paper bundles placed on the trays 36A and 36B deteriorates. In this case, even if the high-speed output mode is enabled, the braking operation is performed in order to improve the alignment of the ejected printing paper.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the said alignment operation by the sheet alignment part 60 was illustrated as an example of the predetermined operation of this invention, the said predetermined operation is not limited to the said alignment operation. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 and the sheet processing apparatus 30 are provided with a driven member that operates by receiving driving force from a drive source such as a motor, and the driven member is driven to confirm the operation before image formation. In the case where the control unit 100 performs the control, the predetermined operation may be an operation of driving the driven member in advance to confirm the operation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction device 1 in which the sheet processing device 30 is connected to the image forming device 10 is illustrated as an example of the image processing device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the image processing apparatus of the present invention may be an image forming apparatus 10 to which the sheet processing apparatus 30 is not connected. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a sheet alignment section 60, and alignment members 61 and 62 are provided near the paper discharge port 22.

Further, the present invention may be understood as a sheet conveyance device that conveys printing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the sheet conveyance device includes a control section 100 and a sheet conveyance section 15 included in the image forming apparatus 10, and a sheet discharge section 70 and a sheet alignment section 60 included in the sheet processing apparatus 30.

1: Multifunction device 10: Image forming device 11: Scanner 12: Operation display section 14: Housing 15: Sheet transport section 16: Paper feed tray 17: Storage section 18: Image forming section 19: Fixing section 21: Ejected sheet holding section 22: Paper discharge port 30: Sheet processing device 33: Punching unit 35: Staple unit 36A: Upper tray 36B: Lower tray 37: Conveyance roller pair 38: Discharge roller pair 39: Discharge roller pair 40: Conveyance roller pair 47: Discharge port 48: Discharge port 60: Sheet aligning section 61: Aligning member 62: Aligning member 70: Sheet discharging section 100: Control section 151: Paper feeding section 152: Conveyance roller pair 153: Discharge roller pair

Claims (4)

a sheet discharge unit that conveys the image-processed sheet and discharges it to a predetermined sheet tray;
a first conveyance control mode in which a predetermined operation is performed and the sheet discharge unit carries out a sheet conveyance process; and a second conveyance control mode in which the sheet discharge unit carries out a sheet conveyance process without performing the predetermined operation. a conveyance control unit that controls sheet conveyance by the sheet discharge unit based on any one of the conveyance control modes;
a post-processing unit that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet after image processing ;
The conveyance control section includes:
controlling sheet conveyance based on the first conveyance control mode when the post-processing unit performs the post-processing on the sheet conveyed by the sheet discharge unit;
A sheet conveyance device that controls sheet conveyance based on the second conveyance control mode when the post-processing section does not perform the post-processing on the sheet conveyed by the sheet discharge section. When a plurality of sheets are continuously conveyed by the sheet discharge section,
The conveyance control section includes:
controlling the conveyance of the sheet based on the first conveyance control mode when the number of continuously conveyed sheets is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold;
The sheet conveyance device according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet conveyance is controlled based on the second conveyance control mode when the number of continuously conveyed sheets is less than the threshold value. Provided near a discharge port through which sheets are discharged by the sheet discharge section, and performing an alignment operation of aligning sheets discharged from the discharge port or sheets on the sheet tray by receiving driving force from a drive source. further comprising an alignment member;
3. The sheet conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation is the alignment operation performed by the alignment member when the sheet is discharged. an image processing unit that performs image processing on the sheet;
a sheet discharge unit that conveys the image-processed sheet and discharges it to a predetermined sheet tray;
a first conveyance control mode in which a predetermined operation is performed and the sheet discharge unit carries out a sheet conveyance process; and a second conveyance control mode in which the sheet discharge unit carries out a sheet conveyance process without performing the predetermined operation. a conveyance control unit that controls sheet conveyance by the sheet discharge unit based on any one of the conveyance control modes;
a post-processing unit that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet after image processing ;
The conveyance control section includes:
controlling sheet conveyance based on the first conveyance control mode when the post-processing unit performs the post-processing on the sheet conveyed by the sheet discharge unit;
An image processing apparatus that controls sheet conveyance based on the second conveyance control mode when the post-processing section does not perform the post-processing on the sheet conveyed by the sheet discharge section .