JPH0813588B2 - Image forming device with bookbinding function - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus with a bookbinding function, which includes bookbinding means.

[Problems to be Solved by Prior Art and Invention]

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-41261 shows a copying machine having a bookbinding device provided adjacent to a heating roller of a fixing device. In this copying machine, bookbinding is performed using the heat of the fixing device. However, with this configuration, the heating operation is unstable and insufficient, and good bookbinding cannot be performed.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-121456 shows a copying machine in which a bookbinding device is incorporated in a sorter provided adjacent to the copying machine main body. In this copying machine, the copy sheets discharged from the main body are received by a bookbinding device to perform bookbinding. With this configuration, since the dedicated heater for the bookbinding device is provided, the above-mentioned problems can be solved. However, in this device, it is necessary to use a special sorter in which the bookbinding device is incorporated, which increases the manufacturing cost.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application considered providing the bookbinding device on the side opposite to the side where the sorter is installed in the main body of the copying machine. However, in general, a vent hole for taking in air for internal cooling from the outside is provided in the portion of the main body of the copying machine. For this reason, the mounting space in the height direction of the bookbinding apparatus is limited, and when binding a large-sized sheet, it cannot be sufficiently supported and the posture is not stable. Therefore, if the worker does not press the paper by hand,
There is a problem that reliable bookbinding cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with a bookbinding function that can reliably support a bookbinding object while the bookbinding means is in use and can sufficiently ventilate the inside of the image forming means when not in use.

[Means for solving the problem]

An image forming apparatus with a bookbinding function according to the present invention includes a loading section,
And a guide means. The loading unit is mounted in the vicinity of the ventilation hole of the image forming apparatus, has an insertion opening into which a bookbinding target is inserted at one end, and has a bookbinding unit at the other end. The guide means supports the first posture that is stored at a position that does not block the ventilation hole on the other end side of the loading section and the side portion of the bookbinding target that is projected to one end side of the loading section and is loaded in the loading section. It is movable between the second posture.

[Action]

In the present invention, the loading section mounted on a part of the image forming apparatus has the guide means. The guide means can be stored at the other end side of the loading section and at a position where it does not block the ventilation hole, when the sheets to be bound are not inserted in the loading section. Therefore, the height of the entire bookbinding apparatus can be suppressed to a low level, and even when the bookbinding apparatus is attached to the side of the image forming apparatus, ventilation in the image forming apparatus is not hindered. On the other hand, in the case of bookbinding, the guide means is in a posture in which it projects toward one end of the loading section and supports the side portions of the sheets loaded in the loading section. As a result, even if the paper is large, the paper can be reliably supported by the guide means, and the posture of the paper is stabilized. Therefore, reliable bookbinding can be performed.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 show a copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a document table 2 is fixed on the upper surface of the copying machine body 1, and a document holder 3 is arranged on the document table 2 so as to be openable and closable. A paper feed tray 4 and a paper feed cassette 5 are detachably mounted on the right side of the copying machine body 1 in the figure. On the left side of the main body 1 of the copying machine, a paper discharge tray 6 for discharging copied paper is mounted.

An exposure device 7 for reading a document is provided above the copy machine main body 1. The exposure device 7 is composed of a light source, a mirror and the like. An image forming unit 8 is provided in the center of the copying machine body 1. At the center of the image forming section 8, a photosensitive drum 9 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is arranged. Around the photosensitive drum 9, a main charger 10, a developing device 11, a transfer charger 12, a separation charger 13, a cleaning device 14 and the like are arranged. Between the paper feed tray 4 and the paper feed cassette 5 and the image forming unit 8, a paper feed conveyance path 15 including a plurality of conveyance rollers is provided. Further, between the image forming unit 8 and the paper discharge tray 6,
A paper discharging and conveying device 16 and a fixing device 17 are arranged. The fixing device 17 has a heater 17a for heating therein. Also,
A ventilation fan 19 for forcibly ventilating the interior of the copying machine body 1 is provided between the fixing device 17 and the exposure device 7, and a ventilation hole 1b is formed in the upper part of the right side cover 1a of the copying machine body 1. ing. By rotating the fan 19, the air inside the copying machine main body 1 can be discharged rearward (backward in FIG. 1).

A bookbinding device 30 is provided above the paper feed tray 4 on the right side of the copying machine body 1 in the figure. Figures 3A and 4
As is clear from the figure, the bookbinding device 30 has a binder loading section 31 into which a binder (described later) is inserted. The binder loading portion 31 is composed of front and rear side portions 32, a bottom portion 33, a binder support portion 34, and a support member 35.
The binder loading section 31 is open upward and has a binder insertion port 31a.

The front and rear side portions 32 form front and rear side walls of the binder loading portion 31, and are provided to extend in the vertical direction with a predetermined width. Further, the binder support portion 34 is provided so as to connect the inner wall surfaces of the front and rear side portions 32 that face each other. Further, an inclined portion 34a for guiding the insertion of the binder is formed on the upper surface of the binder support portion 34. Then, the front and rear side portions 32, the bottom portion 33, and the binder support portion 34 are
It is integrally formed with the side cover 1a of the copying machine body 1.

On the other hand, the support member 35 is fixed below the ventilation hole 1b of the side cover 1a. The support member 35 is provided with an inner lid 37. Below the inner lid 37, a pair of terminal electrodes 36 is provided on the bottom of the binder loading portion 31. This terminal electrode
36, so that it can contact the electrode of the binder (described later),
They are arranged before and after the device.

One end of the inner lid 37 is rotatably supported by the support member 35 via a support shaft in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 3A. The inner lid 37 is always biased counterclockwise by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring. The tip of the inner lid 37 abuts from below on a locking portion 33a formed so as to extend upward from the end of the bottom portion 33. Above the locking portion 33a,
A discharge port 38 is formed below the binder support member 34. The upper surface of the inner lid 37 is arranged so as to be continuous with the discharge port 38.

A guide member 62 is rotatably supported on the front and rear side portions 32 of the loading portion 31 via a pin 63 provided in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 3A. The guide member 62 has a lid portion 62a extending in the horizontal direction and a support portion 62b extending in the vertical direction. The lid portion 62a covers the bottom portion of the binder loading portion 31 in the first posture as shown in FIG. 3A. Also, the support portion 62
b is the second member as shown in FIG. 3B when the guide member 62 rotates.
It is designed to support the sides of the binder when in a position. The tip portion of the support portion 62b has a curved shape, and has a shape that facilitates insertion of the binder when it is inserted. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, protrusions 32a having a triangular shape in a plan view are formed on upper portions of the inner wall surfaces of the front and rear side portions 32 constituting the binder loading portion 31. The protrusion 32a is shaped so that its height increases toward the inside of the copying machine main body 1 side. Also,
At the ends of the front and rear side parts 32 on the copying machine body 1 side, a stepped part 32b is provided.
Is formed, and the guide member 62 is maintained in the second posture by the projection 32a and the stepped portion 32b.

Further, this bookbinding device 30 has a control circuit 30 shown in FIG.
have a. In FIG. 5, a + 24V power source is connected to one of the pair of terminal electrodes 36. Between the + 24V power source and the terminal electrode 36, an oscillation circuit 41 is connected via a capacitor 40, and a storage capacitor 42 is connected. The collector of the power transistor 43 is connected to the other terminal electrode 36. The emitter of the power transistor 43 is grounded via the resistor 44.
The output terminal of the comparator 45 is connected to the base of the power transistor 43. Comparator 45 +
The remote terminal 46 is connected to the terminal. The minus terminal of the comparator 45 is connected to the emitter of the power transistor 43 via the resistor 47.

An abnormality detection circuit 47 and a start detection circuit 48 are provided branching from between the power transistor 43 and the terminal electrode 36. The abnormality detection circuit 47 includes a pair of comparators 49, 50.
And has a high level output from the NG terminal 51 only when the collector voltage of the power transistor 43 is within a predetermined steady range. On the other hand, the start detection circuit 48 includes one comparator 52, and when detecting an increase in the collector voltage of the power transistor 43, outputs a high level to the start terminal 53.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 20 is arranged on the front side of the upper surface of the copying machine main body 1. The operation panel 20 is provided with an LCD 21 for displaying the operating state (the number of copies, operating time, etc.). Further, the operation panel 20 has a print key 22 for instructing the start of the copying operation,
A numeric keypad 23 for designating the number of copies, a heating display lamp 24 for displaying the heating operation state of the bookbinding device 30, a cooling display lamp 25 for displaying the cooling state thereof, and the like are provided.

Further, this copying machine has a control unit 60 as shown in FIG.
have. The control unit 60 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM and the like. The I / O port 61 of the control unit 60 has an image forming unit 8 including the developing device 11 and a fixing device.
The fixing heater 17a of 17, the exhaust fan 19, the LCD 21, the heating display lamp 24, the cooling display lamp 25, and other input / output units are connected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remote terminal 46, the NG terminal 51, and the start terminal 53 of the control circuit 30a of the bookbinding device 30 are connected to the I / O port 61.

In the bookbinding operation in this embodiment, the binder 70 shown in FIG. 8 is used. The binder 70 has a spine 71
An electric heating element 72 and an adhesive 73 covering the electric heating element 72 are provided on the front side of the. The adhesive 73 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin.
Further, a pair of electrodes 74 are provided on both ends of the electric heating element 72. The electrode 74 is exposed on the outer surface (the lower surface in the drawing) of the spine cover 71.

In the bookbinding device having the above structure, when the bookbinding operation is not performed, the guide member 62 is in the first posture as shown in FIG. 3A. In this case, the lid portion 62a of the guide member 62 can prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the bottom portion of the binder loading portion 31. Further, even when a foreign matter enters the inside from the lid portion 62a, the foreign matter is guided to the discharge port 38 along the upper surface of the inner lid 37, and the foreign matter is bound to the binder loading portion 31.
Can be prevented from adhering to the terminal electrode 6 provided at the bottom of the. Further, when the guide member 62 is in the first posture, there is no member that covers the ventilation hole 1b formed in the side cover 1a of the copying machine body 1, so that the ventilation inside the copying machine body 1 is smoothly performed. .

When performing bookbinding, the guide member 62 is rotated counterclockwise. Then, the side end portion of the support portion 62b of the guide member 62 rides over the protrusion 32a of the front and rear side portions 32 and engages between the protrusion 32a and the stepped portion 32b. As a result, the guide member 62 is maintained in the second posture as shown in FIG. 3B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the paper 75 is stored in the binder 70, and one end thereof is brought into contact with the adhesive 73 on the spine cover 71. Then, the binder 70 is folded and inserted into the binder loading portion 31 along the support portion 62b of the guide member 62 in the second posture. Then, the spine cover 71 of the binder 70 comes into contact with the inner lid 37, and by further inserting the binder 70 downward, the inner lid 37 is rotated by the urging force of the urging member in the clockwise direction. Then, when the binder 70 reaches the bottom of the binder loading section 31 as shown in FIG. 3B,
The electrode 74 of the binder 70 and the terminal electrode 36 are in contact with each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 10 and FIG.
The pair of terminal electrodes 36 are electrically connected via the 74 and the electric heating element 72. The bookbinding operation is performed in this manner.

Further, the guide member 62 is moved from the second posture shown in FIG.
When returning to the first posture shown in the figure, the front and rear side portions 32 are respectively pushed outward and the guide member 62 is extended to the projection 32a and the stepped portion 32b.
Pull it out from between and rotate it clockwise. As a result, the guide member 62 covers the bottom of the binder loading unit 31.
It becomes a posture.

The control operation in the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

When the program starts, in step S1, the heater 17a of the fixing device 17 is set to a steady temperature, and the fan 19 is rotated at a steady speed. As a result, the fan 19 ventilates the inside of the copying machine main body 1 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, so that the inside of the copying machine main body 1 is cooled. While the bookbinding device 30 is not used, the guide member 62
Since the vent hole 1b is not blocked by the binder 70, the ventilation in the copying machine body 1 is smoothly performed.

When the initial setting is completed, it is determined in step S2 whether or not a copy operation start command is issued through the print key 22. If the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S3, and based on the signal from the start terminal 53, it is determined whether or not the bookbinding mode should be entered. If the bookbinding mode is not entered, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is determined whether or not a command for setting the number of sheets has been issued through the ten keys 23. Judgment
If NO, after performing other processing in step S26, the process returns to step S2 again.

Here, if the ten key 23 is pressed to set the number of copies, the program proceeds from step S4 to step S5.
Then, the input numerical value is stored as the number of copies.
In step S6, the number of copies is displayed on the LCD 21. When the processing in step S6 ends, the program returns to the main routine.

Next, if the print key 22 is pressed, the program proceeds from step S2 to step S7. Step S7
Then, "1" is subtracted from the number displayed on the LCD 21 and the value is displayed on the LCD 21. In step S8, a normal copy operation is started. Here, the original on the original table 2 is scanned by the exposure device 7, and the obtained image information is
The image is transferred to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray 4 or the sheet feed cassette 5 in the image forming unit. The sheet on which the image has been transferred is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing device 17, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 6. When the series of copying operations is completed, it is determined in step S9 whether the number of displayed images has become "0". If it is not "0", the set number of copies has not been performed yet, and therefore the processes of steps S7 and S8 are performed again. If the determination is YES in step S9, the program returns to the main routine.

When binding the obtained copy, the guide member 62 is set to the second posture and the binder 70 is used as described above.
Is inserted into the binder loading section 31. When the pair of terminal electrodes 36 becomes conductive by inserting the binder 70, the potential of the + terminal of the comparator 52 of the start detection circuit 48 in the control circuit 30a of the bookbinding device 30 rises, and the start terminal
53 outputs a high level signal. As a result, the control section 60 shifts to the bookbinding mode, and the program shifts to the bookbinding mode subroutine from step S3 in FIG. 7A to step S10.

In the bookbinding mode subroutine shown in FIG. 7B, steps
Increase the rotation speed of the fan 19 in S11. As a result, the ventilation capacity of the fan 19 in the copying machine body 1 is improved. At this stage, as shown in Figure 3B, binder 70
The main body of the copying machine 1 is inserted into the bookbinding device 30.
The ventilation hole 1b of the side cover 1a is blocked. As a result, air cannot smoothly flow into the copying machine main body 1 through the ventilation hole 1b. However, here, since the ventilation capacity of the fan 19 is increased, sufficient ventilation inside the copying machine main body 1 is maintained.

In step S12, the set temperature of the heater 17a of the fixing device 17 is slightly lowered. Here, the binder 70 of the vent 1b
Since the temperature inside the copying machine main body 1 is likely to rise due to the shielding by, the set temperature of the heater 17a is set in order to reduce the temperature increase inside the copying machine main body 1 and to maintain the normal fixing operation in the fixing device 17. Is slightly lowered.

In step S13, the timer is started. Next, in step S14, the LCD 21 starts to display the remaining time required to complete the bookbinding operation. In step S15, the heating display lamp 24 is turned on. In step S16, a high level signal is output to the remote terminal 26. This allows
The power transistor 43 of the bookbinding device 30 is turned on, and a current flows between the pair of terminal electrodes 36. This allows the binder
The electric heating element 72 of 70 generates heat and the adhesive 73 is melted. As a result, the adhesive 73 adheres one end of the paper to the binder 70.

The electric power supplied to the electric heating element 72 is adjusted by the feedback circuit (the portion of the resistor 47) for the comparator 45. On the other hand, the electric resistance of the electric heating element 72 is
When an abnormality such as a contact failure between the 70 and the terminal electrode 36 occurs, the abnormality detection circuit 47 detects the abnormality. That is, when the potential of the collector of the power transistor 43 deviates from the normal potential region defined by the pair of comparators 49 and 50, the output from the NG terminal 51 becomes low level. This NG
The change in output from the terminal 51 is detected in step S17 in FIG. 7B. When an abnormality is detected, the program proceeds from step S17 to step S18, performs error processing, and then ends. The error processing includes stopping the current supply to the terminal electrode 36 and displaying an error on the LCD 21.

After the heating is started in step S16 of FIG. 7B, if the abnormality is not detected by the abnormality detection circuit 47, the program proceeds from step S17 to step S19. In step S19, it is determined whether or not a predetermined heating time has elapsed by referring to the time based on the time counting by the timer started in step S13. Until the time elapses, the process returns to step S17. When the predetermined heating time has elapsed, the process proceeds from step S19 to step S20, and the cooling process is performed. The cooling process includes stopping the power supply to the terminal electrode 36, turning off the heating display lamp 24, and turning on the cooling display lamp 25.

In step S21, it waits until a predetermined cooling time elapses. If the predetermined cooling time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S22, the display of the time from the start of bookbinding is erased from the LCD 21,
Further, the cooling display lamp 25 is turned off. The display on the LCD 21 returns to the number display. When the process of step S22 is completed, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, it is determined whether or not the binder 70 has been pulled out from the bookbinding device 30. The extraction of the binder 70 is detected when the electrode 74 of the binder 70 separates from the terminal electrode 36, the collector voltage of the power transistor 43 decreases, and as a result, a low level signal is output from the start terminal 53. . Until the binder 70 is pulled out from the bookbinding device 30, the determination in step S23 is NO, so the program does not proceed.

When the binder 70 is pulled out from the bookbinding device 30, the shielding of the vent hole 1b by the binder 70 is released, and the program proceeds to step S24 to return the rotation of the fan 19 to the normal rotation. Then, in step S25, the fixing device 1
The set temperature of the heater 17a of 7 is returned to the steady temperature. Step S2
When the processing in 5 is completed, the procedure returns to the main routine in FIG. 7A.

[Other Examples]

(A) FIGS. 12A and 13 show a bookbinding apparatus 80 according to another embodiment. The bookbinding device 80 is provided above the paper feed tray 4 on the right side of the copying machine body 1 in the figure. Bookbinding device
80 has a binder loading portion 81 into which the binder 70 is inserted. The upper end of the binder loading portion 81 is open to serve as an insertion opening 82 for inserting the binder. A pair of terminal electrodes 83 is provided on the bottom of the binder loading portion 81. The terminal electrode 83 is arranged so as to come into contact with the electrode 74 of the binder 70.

In addition, a guide member 84 is provided in the binder loading portion 81 so as to be vertically slidable. Guide member 84
Has guide projections 84a protruding laterally on both sides in the front-rear direction of the lower portion thereof, and the guide projections 84a are formed on the side portion 85 forming the side wall of the binder loading portion 81 with a groove 85a.
Is slidably engaged with. The guide member 84 is accommodated in a tilted posture as shown in FIG. 12A in a state of being accommodated in the binder loading portion 81, and covers the terminal electrode 83. In addition, engaging protrusions 84b that project outward (to the right in the drawing) are formed at the lower ends of the outer side surface of the guide member 84 at the front and rear ends. The engagement protrusion 84b can be engaged between a pair of protrusions 85b, 85c formed at the upper ends of the front and rear side portions 85. The height of the projection 85c is suppressed to be lower than that of the projection 85b, and the height is such that the guide member 84 can ride over the projection 85c.

With such a bookbinding device, when bookbinding is not performed,
The guide member 84 is in the storage posture as shown in FIG. 12A. In this state, the terminal electrode 83 is covered with the guide member 84. The ventilation hole 1b of the copying machine body 1 is not blocked by the guide member 84. Therefore, in this storage posture, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the terminal electrode 83, and to smoothly ventilate the inside of the copying machine main body 1.

Further, when performing bookbinding, the guide member 84 is pulled out upward. The guide protrusion 84a of the guide member 84 rises along the groove 85a, and the side portion of the guide member 84 rides over the protrusion 85c and engages between the protrusions 85b and 85c. Also, the engaging protrusion 84
By locking b on the upper end of the protrusion 85c, the posture shown in FIG. 12B is maintained. If the binder is inserted into the bookbinding device 80 in this state, the binder 70 becomes a guide member.
Guided by the terminal electrode 83 along the line 84, the bookbinding operation similar to that in the above embodiment is performed. At this time, the binder 70 is reliably supported by the inner surface of the guide member 84, and its posture is stable, so that a reliable bookbinding operation can be performed.

The control operation in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A is the same as that in the above embodiment.

(B) In the above embodiment, the start detection circuit 48 is used to detect the use of the bookbinding apparatus 30, but instead of this, the loading section is used.
The use of the bookbinding device 30 may be detected by arranging a micro switch in the 31 with which the binder 70 can come into contact.

(C) In the above embodiment, the setting temperature of the heater 17a of the fixing device 17 is lowered while the bookbinding device 30 is in use, but sufficient ventilation can be performed by driving the fan 19 at high speed. In this case, the heater 17a may be controlled normally.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the image forming apparatus with the bookbinding function of the present invention,
A guide means is provided in the loading section, and the guide means is loaded in the loading section by projecting to one end side of the loading section, the first posture being stored at a position not blocking the ventilation hole on the other end side of the loading section. Since it is movable between the second posture supporting the side portion of the bookbinding target, the space occupied by the bookbinding apparatus becomes small when the bookbinding operation is not performed, which hinders ventilation of the image forming apparatus. There is no such thing. Further, during bookbinding, for example, the side portion of the paper sheet that is a bookbinding target is supported, so the posture of the paper sheet is stable, and a reliable bookbinding operation can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3A is a schematic vertical sectional view of a bookbinding apparatus thereof.
FIG. 3B is a view corresponding to FIG. 3A when the bookbinding apparatus is used, FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bookbinding apparatus, FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the bookbinding apparatus, and FIG. 7A and 7B are control flow charts, FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the binder, and FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the use state of the bookbinding apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional partial view showing a use state of the bookbinding apparatus, FIGS. 12A and 12B are views corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is another embodiment. FIG. 1 ... Copier body, 30 ... Binding device, 31 ... Binder loading section, 31a ... Binder insertion port, 37 ... Terminal electrode, 6
2 ... Guide member, 80 ... Bookbinding device, 81 ... Binder loading section, 82 ... Binder insertion port, 83 ... Terminal electrode, 84 ... Guide member.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A loading section which is mounted in the vicinity of a ventilation hole of an image forming apparatus, has an insertion opening into which a bookbinding object is inserted at one end side, and has a bookbinding means at the other end side, and the other end side of the loading section. Between a first posture in which the ventilation hole is not blocked and a second posture in which the side portion of the binding target loaded in the loading portion is supported by protruding to one end side of the loading portion. An image forming apparatus with a bookbinding function, comprising movable guide means.