JP2019045683A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can increase the frequency of adjustment in image forming processing even if the image forming apparatus is not provided with a detection unit for image forming apparatus adjustment for performing an image forming apparatus adjustment operation.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has a post-processing device attachable thereto. The post-processing device has a detection unit for post-processing device adjustment that is to perform a post-processing device adjustment operation for performing position adjustment inside the post-processing device. When the post-processing device is attached, the image forming apparatus performs an image forming apparatus adjustment operation for performing position adjustment inside the image forming apparatus by using the detection unit for post-processing device adjustment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine.

  As an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit for performing an image forming apparatus adjustment operation for adjusting (for example, position adjustment of a sheet such as a recording sheet) in the image forming apparatus is provided. There is one that performs an image forming apparatus adjustment operation by detecting by a detection unit (see, for example, paragraph [0023] of Patent Document 1).

  However, as the image forming apparatus, in order to reduce the cost particularly for a low priced machine, a worker such as a serviceman is required at the time of maintenance after adjustment at the time of factory shipment without providing the detection unit for image forming apparatus adjustment. There is also a thing of the composition which makes adjustment. In such an image forming apparatus, adjustment can be performed only at the time of maintenance or the like, and the adjustment frequency at the time of image forming processing is low.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-250464

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving the adjustment frequency at the time of image forming processing even if the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit for performing the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is not provided. The purpose is

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus configured to be able to mount a post-processing apparatus, and the post-processing apparatus performs adjustment in the post-processing apparatus. A detection unit for post-processing device adjustment for performing processing device adjustment operation, and when the post-processing device is mounted, adjustment is performed in the image forming apparatus using the detection unit for post-processing device adjustment The image forming apparatus adjusting operation is performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the adjustment frequency at the time of image forming processing even if the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit for performing the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is not provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a discharge roller portion and its surrounding portion in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the main part of the sheet sorting unit in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the main part of the post-processing apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the sheet conveyance direction. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of double-sided image forming processing of the image forming apparatus to which the post-processing device is attached. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a configuration in which a detection unit for adjusting an image forming device is provided in the sheet sorting unit illustrated in FIG. 3 as viewed from the sheet conveyance direction. FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing a configuration in which a detection unit for adjusting an image forming apparatus is provided in a control system of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of an example of a switching operation of switching from the image forming apparatus adjustment operation by the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit to the image forming apparatus adjustment operation by the post processing apparatus adjustment unit when the post processing apparatus is attached.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, the detailed description about them is not repeated.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 responds to the image data read by the document reading device 108 or the image data transmitted from the outside, according to the multicolored and monochrome images on the sheet P such as recording paper. It is a color image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing to be formed. The image forming apparatus 100 may be a monochrome image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 may be another color image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading device 108 and an image forming apparatus main body 110. The image forming apparatus main body 110 is provided with an image forming unit 102 and a sheet conveyance system 103.

  The image forming unit 102 includes an exposure unit 1, a plurality of developing units 2 to 2, a plurality of photosensitive drums 3 to 3 acting as electrostatic latent image carriers, a plurality of cleaning units 4 to 4, and a plurality of charging devices 5. An intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a plurality of toner cartridge units 21 to 21, and a fixing unit 7 are provided. Further, the sheet conveyance system 103 includes a sheet feeding tray 81, a manual sheet feeding tray 82, an ejection tray 14, and a sheet sorting unit 300 (specifically, a sheet sorting unit).

  A document placing table 92 made of transparent glass on which a document (not shown) is placed is provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 110, and an optical unit 90 for reading a document is provided below the document placing table 92. It is done. A document reading device 108 is provided above the document placement table 92. The image of the document read by the document reading device 108 is sent to the image forming apparatus main body 110 as image data, and the image formed based on the image data in the image forming apparatus main body 110 is recorded on the sheet P.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using a plurality of colors (in this example, black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) colors). . Therefore, the developing units 2 to 2, the photosensitive drums 3 to 3, the cleaning units 4 to 4, the charging devices 5 to 5, and the toner cartridge units 21 to 21 have a plurality of types (4 types in this example) of images corresponding to respective colors. To form a plurality of (four in this example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively), which constitute a plurality of (four in this example) image stations.

  The image forming apparatus main body 110 is provided with a sheet conveyance path W1 for guiding the sheet P sent from the sheet feeding tray 81 or the manual sheet feeding tray 82 to the discharge tray 14 through the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. There is. In the vicinity of the sheet conveyance path W1, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of (three in this example) conveyance rollers 12a to 12c, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 in the fixing unit 7 are provided. The discharge roller unit 31 is disposed.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, when forming an image, the sheet P is supplied from the sheet feeding tray 81 or the manual sheet feeding tray 82, and the sheet P is conveyed to the registration roller 13 by the conveyance roller 12a provided along the sheet conveyance path W1. Transport Next, the sheet P is conveyed by the transfer roller 10 at a timing at which the sheet P and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61, which is circumferentially moved in the circumferential direction M in the intermediate transfer belt unit 6, are conveyed. Transcribe. Thereafter, the sheet P is allowed to pass through the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 in the fixing unit 7 to fuse and fix the unfixed toner on the sheet P by heat, and pass through the transport roller 12 b and the discharge roller portion 31 and the discharge tray 14. Drain up.

  The discharge roller unit 31 rotates in the forward direction so as to discharge the sheet P to the discharge tray 14, while rotating in the reverse direction so as to convey the sheet P in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction Y1 (switchback). It has become. The image forming apparatus main body 110 is provided with a reverse sheet conveyance path W2 that leads to the upstream side of the registration roller 13 of the sheet conveyance path W1 so that the front and back of the sheet P are reversed ing. When image formation is performed not only on the front surface of the sheet P but also on the back surface, the sheet P is conveyed in the reverse direction from the discharge roller portion 31 to the reverse sheet conveyance path W2, and passes through the reverse conveyance rollers 12d to 12g. The sheet is inverted and guided to the resist roller 13 again, and a toner image is formed and fixed on the back surface of the sheet P in the same manner as the front surface of the sheet P, and then discharged to the discharge tray 14.

  In the vicinity of the reverse sheet conveyance path W2, a plurality of (four in this example) reverse conveyance rollers 12d to 12g are disposed. In the vicinity of the branch portion W1a, a branch claw G1 is provided. The bifurcated claw G1 transports the first switching posture (the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 1) for guiding the sheet P from the fixing unit 7 to the discharge roller portion 31 and the reverse sheet conveyance of the sheet P switching back from the discharge roller portion 31. The second switching posture (the posture shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1) leading to the path W2 is taken.

[Sheet sorting department]
The sheet sorting unit 300 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 110. The sheet sorting unit 300 transports the sheet P in a predetermined transport direction Y1 and discharges the discharge roller portion 31 to the discharge tray 14 in the width direction X orthogonal to the transport direction Y1 of the sheet P (axial direction of the discharge roller portion 31 The sheet P to be discharged by the discharge roller unit 31 is sorted by shifting movement along the shift direction).

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the discharge roller portion 31 and its peripheral portion in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the main part of the sheet sorting unit 300 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the sheet conveyance direction Y1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet sorting unit 300 includes a discharge roller shift unit 30, a rotation drive unit 40 (see FIG. 3), and a shift drive unit 50 (see FIG. 3).

  The discharge roller shift unit 30 has a discharge roller portion 31 and is provided to be reciprocally movable along the width direction X with respect to a sheet sorting unit main body (not shown). Specifically, the discharge roller shift unit 30 is supported by the sheet sorting unit main body via a sliding member 30b (specifically, a slide rail) (refer to FIG. 2) which can be reciprocated along the width direction X. It is done. The sliding member 30 b can be of a conventionally known configuration, and the detailed description is omitted here.

  Further, the main body frame 30a of the discharge roller shift unit 30 is provided with a detected portion 30c (specifically, a detected piece) detected by a position detection switch 60 described later. The discharge roller unit 31 discharges the sheet P to the discharge tray 14. Specifically, the discharge roller unit 31 includes a discharge roller pair 34 (see FIG. 3) including the discharge driving roller 32 and the discharge driven roller 33.

  Specifically, the discharge drive roller 32 includes a drive roller shaft 32a (see FIG. 3) and a plurality of (four in this example) drive roller portions 32b to 32b coaxially fixed to the drive roller shaft 32a. Have. The discharge driven roller 33 is a driven roller shaft 33a (see FIG. 3) and a plurality of (four in this example) driven roller portions 33b coaxially fixed to the driven roller shaft 32a and opposed to the driving roller portion 32b. To 33b. In addition, the discharge roller portion 31 further includes a biasing member (in this example, a winding spring) 35 (see FIG. 3) that biases the driven roller portion 33b toward the drive roller portion 32b.

  The discharge roller pair 34 and the biasing member 35 are provided on the main body frame 30 a of the discharge roller shift unit 30. One end of the drive roller shaft 32 a of the discharge driven roller 33 protrudes from the main body frame 30 a of the discharge roller shift unit 30 to the outside in the width direction X.

  Specifically, the drive roller shaft 32 a of the discharge drive roller 32 is a single one, and is rotatably provided about the axis with respect to the main body frame 30 a of the discharge roller shift unit 30. A plurality of (two in this example) driven roller shafts 33a of the discharge driven roller 33 are arranged in parallel along the width direction X, and a plurality of (two in this example) driven roller portions 33b and 33b are fixed. doing. The driven roller shafts 33a and 33a are rotatable about an axis with respect to the main body frame 30a of the discharge roller shift unit 30 so that the driven roller portions 33b and 33b face the corresponding drive roller portions 32b and 32b, and It is provided so as to be reciprocally movable along the vertical direction Z. The discharge roller unit 31 is configured to nip and convey the sheet P while being pressed by the discharge driven roller 33 at the nip portion N between the discharge drive roller 32 and the discharge driven roller 33. The biasing member 35 is a plurality of (two in this example) biasing members 35 corresponding to a plurality of (two in this example) driven roller shafts 33a and 33a. The biasing members 35 35 bias the discharge driven roller 33 toward the discharge drive roller 32. The biasing members 35 are disposed between the driven roller shafts 33a and 33a and a position opposite to the discharge drive roller 32 of the main body frame 30a of the discharge roller shift unit 30. The pressing force of the discharge driven roller 33 against the discharge drive roller 32 by the biasing members 35, 35 is such a pressure that the sheet P is properly conveyed.

  The rotation drive unit 40 rotationally drives the discharge roller unit 31, and the rotation drive from the conveyance drive motor 41 (in this example, a stepping motor) (see FIG. 3) and the conveyance drive motor 41 to the discharge roller unit 31. And a drive transmission mechanism 42 (see FIG. 3) for transmission.

  The conveyance drive motor 41 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 110 so that the rotation shaft 41 a is along the width direction X. In this example, the drive transmission mechanism 42 is configured by a gear train in which a plurality of gears are arranged in series, and specifically, includes a drive gear 42a, a roller gear 42b, and an intermediate gear 42c. The drive gear 42 a is coupled to the rotation shaft 41 a of the conveyance drive motor 41. The roller gear 42 b is rotatably supported by the sheet sorting unit main body about an axis along the width direction X. The roller gear 42b is provided with a connecting portion 42d that reciprocates the end of the drive roller shaft 32a in the width direction X and can not rotate about an axis along the width direction X. The connection portion 42d is a cylindrical member through which the end of the drive roller shaft 32a is inserted. The connecting portion 42d is provided with a slit 42d1 extending along the width direction X and opened at the drive roller shaft 32a side. At the end of the drive roller shaft 32a, a rotation prevention portion 32a1 (locking pin) orthogonal to the axial direction is provided. The width of the slit 42d1 is larger than the diameter of the rotation preventing portion 32a1 so that the rotation preventing portion 32a1 can slide on the slit 42d1. Thereby, the connecting portion 42d prohibits relative rotation with respect to the drive roller shaft 32a while allowing reciprocating movement of the end portion of the drive roller shaft 32a in the width direction X while inserting the end of the drive roller shaft 32a Can rotate with the drive roller shaft 32a). The intermediate gear 42c is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 110a fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 110 so as to mesh with the drive gear 42a and the roller gear 42b.

  The shift drive unit 50 shifts and drives the discharge roller unit 31 (in this example, the discharge roller shift unit 30) to shift in the width direction X, and the shift drive motor 51 (in this example, a stepping motor) (FIG. 3) And the shift mechanism 52 (see FIG. 3) for shifting the discharge roller shift unit 30 in the width direction X. The shift drive motor 51 is provided in the sheet sorting unit main body so that the rotation shaft 51 a is along a direction (vertical direction Z in this example) orthogonal to the width direction X. The shift mechanism 52 includes a rack gear 52a extending along the width direction X, and a cylindrical pinion gear 52b. The end of the rack gear 52 a in the width direction X is connected to the end of the discharge roller shift unit 30. The pinion gear 52b is coupled to the rotation shaft 51a of the shift drive motor 51 so as to mesh with the rack gear 52a. Thus, the discharge roller shift unit 30 can be reciprocated to the one side X1 and the other side X2 in the width direction X by rotating the rotation shaft 51a of the shift drive motor 51 in one direction and the other direction.

[Control unit]
Next, although the control unit 200 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4, the post-processing apparatus 400 and the like illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 200 and a conveyance switch SW (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 200 includes a processing unit 210 including a microcomputer such as a CPU, and a storage unit 220 including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The control unit 200 performs operation control of various components by the processing unit 210 loading a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 220 onto the RAM of the storage unit 220 and executing the control program.

  The conveyance switch SW detects whether or not the sheet P has passed immediately before the discharge roller shift unit 30, and is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream side of the discharge roller shift unit 30 in the conveyance direction Y1. The transport switch SW is electrically connected to the input system of the control unit 200, and transmits the detected detection signal to the control unit 200. Thus, the control unit 200 can recognize whether the sheet P has passed immediately before the discharge roller shift unit 30.

  The sheet sorting unit 300 further includes a position detection switch 60 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The position detection switch 60 detects whether or not the discharge roller shift unit 30 is positioned at a reference position (for example, the center position in the width direction X, the standard position where sorting is not performed). Specifically, the position detection switch 60 is a transmission type optical sensor that detects a detected portion 30 c (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided on the main body frame 30 a of the discharge roller shift unit 30. The position detection switch 60 is electrically connected to the input system of the control unit 200, and transmits the detected detection signal to the control unit 200. Thus, the control unit 200 can recognize whether the discharge roller shift unit 30 is positioned at the reference position.

  The conveyance drive motor 41 and the shift drive motor 51 are electrically connected to the output system of the control unit 200, and a drive signal (ON signal) or a drive stop signal (OFF signal) from the control unit 200 is input. The control unit 200 transmits, to the conveyance drive motor 41, a rotation instruction signal instructing forward rotation in the forward direction (direction B in FIG. 2) in which the sheet P is discharged, and reverse rotation in the reverse direction to the direction B. Then, the conveyance drive motor 41 is driven. Thus, the control unit 200 can rotationally drive the discharge roller unit 31 in the forward direction and the reverse direction via the drive transmission mechanism 42. In addition, the control unit 200 rotates the discharge roller shift unit 30 on one side X1 in the width direction X (the left direction in FIG. 3) with reference to the reference position, and the discharge roller shift unit 30 in the width direction X The shift drive motor 51 is pulse-driven by transmitting to the shift drive motor 51 a move command signal instructing rotation to be moved to the other side X2 (the direction on the right side of FIG. 3). Thus, the control unit 200 can shift and drive the discharge roller shift unit 30 to the one side X1 and the other side X2 via the shift mechanism 52.

  In the sheet sorting unit 300 described above, the control unit 200 drives the conveyance drive motor 41 according to the rotation instruction signal. Then, the driving force from the conveyance drive motor 41 is transmitted to the drive transmission mechanism 42, whereby the discharge roller portion 31 is rotationally driven. Then, when the sorting operation is not performed, the control unit 200 discharges the sheets P to the discharge tray 14 with the discharge roller shift unit 30 positioned at the reference position. On the other hand, when the sorting operation is performed, the control unit 200 causes the discharge roller unit 31 to convey the sheets P in the transport direction Y1 by a predetermined distance with the discharge roller shift unit 30 positioned at the reference position. Thereafter, the control unit 200 drives the shift drive motor 51 according to the movement instruction signal. Then, the driving force from the shift drive motor 51 is transmitted to the shift mechanism 52, whereby the discharge roller shift unit 30 shifts to one side X1 or the other side X2. Thus, the control unit 200 causes the sheet sorting unit 300 to convey one side X1 and / or the other side X2 of the width direction X (in this example, one side in the width direction X) while conveying the sheet P in the conveyance direction Y1 by the discharge roller portion 31. It is shifted and moved along the X1 and the other side X2) and discharged to the discharge tray 14.

[Post-processing device]
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to mount the post-processing apparatus 400 (specifically, the post-processing unit) (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The post-processing apparatus 400 has a post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 for performing a post-processing apparatus adjustment operation (for example, a position adjustment operation on the sheet P) which is adjusted in the post-processing apparatus 400. Then, when the post-processing apparatus 400 is attached, the image forming apparatus 100 adjusts the image forming apparatus 100 using the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 (for example, double-sided image formation). Alignment operation of double-sided image at the time of processing) is performed.

  According to image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment, when post-processing apparatus 400 is attached, image forming apparatus adjustment operation is performed using detection unit 430 for adjustment of post-processing apparatus. For example, the image forming device adjustment operation can be performed by the post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 for each sheet, each job, every predetermined number of sheets, or every predetermined period, and thereby an image for performing the image forming device adjustment operation. Even if the forming unit adjustment detection unit is not provided, the adjustment frequency at the time of the image forming process can be improved. By the way, as the post-processing apparatus 400, one that performs at least one post-processing among post-processing such as stapling, punching and folding can be exemplified. In such a post-processing apparatus, as the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430, a high-precision one is usually used. Therefore, the adjustment at the time of the image forming process can be accurately performed by the detection unit 430 for adjusting the post-processing apparatus with high accuracy.

  More specifically, the post-processing apparatus 400 (in this example, the punch processing apparatus 401) detects the position of the end portion in the width direction X of the sheet P conveyed by the discharge roller unit 31, and based on the obtained detection result. A hole is made in the sheet P while the sheet P is moved to the normal position in the width direction X.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the main part of the post-processing apparatus 400 mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the sheet conveyance direction Y1. As shown in FIG. 5, the post-processing apparatus 400 includes a guide member 410, a movement drive unit 420, a detection unit 430 for adjusting the post-processing apparatus, a post-processing unit (specifically, a punch processing unit 440), and a position. A detection switch 450 is provided.

  The guide member 410 guides the sheets P which are shifted in the width direction X by the shift mechanism 52 and conveyed by the discharge roller unit 31 when the sheet sorting unit 300 performs the sorting operation. The guide member 410 is provided with a transport path 411 through which the sheet P in the state of being shifted in the width direction X by the shift mechanism 52 can pass.

  The movement drive unit 420 moves and drives the guide member 410 to reciprocate in the width direction X, and moves the movement drive motor 421 (in this example, a stepping motor) and the guide member 410 to reciprocate in the width direction X And a mechanism 422. The movement drive motor 421 is provided in the post-processing apparatus main body such that the rotation shaft 421 a is along the vertical direction Z. The moving mechanism 422 includes a rack gear 422a extending along the width direction X and a cylindrical pinion gear 422b. The end of the rack gear 422 a in the width direction X is connected to the end of the guide member 410. The pinion gear 422 b is coupled to the rotation shaft 421 a of the movement drive motor 421 so as to mesh with the rack gear 422 a. Thus, the guide member 410 can be reciprocated to the one side X1 and the other side X2 in the width direction X by rotating the rotation shaft 421a of the movement drive motor 421 in one direction and the other direction.

  The movement drive motor 421 is electrically connected to the output system of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), and receives a drive signal (ON signal) or a drive stop signal (OFF signal) from the control unit 200. The control unit 200 transmits a movement instruction signal to the movement drive motor 421 to pulse drive the movement drive motor 421. The movement instruction signal rotates the guide member 410 to move the guide member 410 to one side X1 in the width direction X (the left direction in the example shown in FIG. 5) with reference to the reference position, and the discharge roller shift unit 30 in the width direction X It is a signal instructing rotation for moving to the other side X2 (the direction in the right side in the example shown in FIG. 5). Thereby, the control unit 200 can move and drive the guide member 410 to the one side X1 and the other side X2 via the moving mechanism 422.

  The post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 is fixed at a position where the end of the sheet P in the width direction X can be detected in the guide member 410 and moves along with the reciprocating movement of the guide member 410 in the width direction X. The post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 includes a sensor substrate 432 on which the reflective optical sensor 431 is mounted. The sensor substrate 432 is provided on the guide member 410 such that the reflective optical sensor 431 faces the sheet P side. The reflection type optical sensor 431 includes a light emitting unit 431 a and a light receiving unit 431 b. The light emitting unit 431 a emits light to the sheet P side. Thus, the light emitting unit 431a can emit light to the sheet P at a timing when it faces the end of the sheet P in the width direction X when the guide member 410 moves to the one side X1 in the width direction X. The light receiving unit 431 b receives the light reflected from the sheet P. Thus, the post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 can detect the end portion of the sheet P in the width direction X. The post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 is electrically connected to the input system of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), and transmits the detected detection signal to the control unit 200. Thus, the control unit 200 can recognize the timing at which the end portion in the width direction X of the sheet P is detected.

  The punch processing unit 440 is provided on the guide member 410 and moves along with the reciprocating movement of the guide member 410 in the width direction X. The punching processing unit 440 has a plurality of (two in this example) punching blades 441 and 441 for making holes in the sheet P, and the punching blades 441 and 441 move so as to reciprocate in the vertical direction Z To drive. The punch processing unit 440 is electrically connected to the output system of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), and reciprocates the punching blades 441 in the vertical direction Z according to an instruction signal from the control unit 200. As a result, the control unit 200 can control the operation of the punch processing unit 440 to open a hole in the sheet P.

  The post-processing device 400 further includes a position detection switch 450 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The position detection switch 450 detects whether or not the guide member 410 is at the reference position. Specifically, the position detection switch 450 is a transmissive optical sensor that detects a detected portion 410 a (see FIG. 5) provided in the guide member 410. The position detection switch 450 is electrically connected to the input system of the control unit 200, and transmits the detected detection signal to the control unit 200. Thus, the control unit 200 can recognize whether the guide member 410 is located at the reference position.

  Next, an example of a punching process will be described as a post-processing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 to which the post-processing apparatus 400 is attached.

<Punch processing operation>
In the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 200 positions the guide member 410 at the reference position when the punching process is not required. On the other hand, when the punch processing operation is requested, the control unit 200 drives the movement drive motor 421 by the movement instruction signal with the guide member 410 positioned at the reference position, and the movement mechanism 422 uses the guide member 410. It is moved to one side X1 in the width direction X and measurement of time (specifically, the number of pulses) is started. Next, the control unit 200 detects the end in the width direction X of the sheet P conveyed by the discharge roller unit 31 by the post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 in the guide member 410, and the reference position of the guide member 410 The detection time (specifically, the number of pulses) from the start of the movement of the sheet P to the end of the sheet P in the width direction X is measured. Next, the control unit 200 temporarily stops the rotation of the discharge roller unit 31, and the detection time coincides with the normal time (in this example, the time when the punching blades 441 and 441 are located at the central position of the sheet P). Determine if there is. When the detection time does not coincide with the normal time, the control unit 200 controls the amount of rotation of the moving drive motor 421 to make the drilling blades 441 and 441 by the moving mechanism 422, and the detection time becomes normal. At the normal position (in this example, the center position of the sheet P). Then, the control unit 200 causes the punch processing unit 440 to make a hole in the sheet P.

  Next, an example of a single-sided image forming process and an example of a double-sided image forming process will be sequentially described as an image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100 in which the post-processing apparatus 400 is mounted.

<Single-Side Image Forming Processing Operation>
In the image forming apparatus 100, when the single-sided image forming (single-sided printing) operation is requested, the control unit 200 first sets the branch claw G1 to the first switching posture. Next, the control unit 200 supplies the sheet P from the sheet feeding tray 81 or the manual sheet feeding tray 82, and conveys the sheet P to the registration roller 13 by the conveyance roller 12a provided along the sheet conveyance path W1. Next, the control unit 200 causes the transfer roller 10 to convey the sheet P at a timing at which the sheet P and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 are aligned, and transfers the toner image onto the sheet P. Thereafter, the control unit 200 causes the sheet P to pass through the fixing unit 7 and discharges the sheet P onto the discharge tray 14 via the conveyance roller 12 b, the bifurcated claw G1, and the discharge roller unit 31.

<Double-sided image formation processing operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of double-sided image forming processing of the image forming apparatus 100 with the post-processing apparatus 400 mounted. When double-sided image formation (double-sided printing) is requested for the sheet P, the control unit 200 temporarily sets the bifurcated nail G1 in the first switching posture (step S101). Next, after the control unit 200 causes the fixing unit 7 to pass the sheet P and performs single-sided image formation (step S102), the upstream end (rear end P2) of the sheet P in the conveyance direction Y1 is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path W1. The sheet P is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection section 430 in the post-processing apparatus 400 while being positioned between the discharge roller section 31 and the branch section W1a (step S103). Next, in a state where the guide member 410 is positioned at the reference position in the post-processing apparatus 400, the control unit 200 drives the movement drive motor 421 by the movement instruction signal, and the movement mechanism 422 moves the guide member 410 in the width direction X It is moved to the side X1 and measurement of time (specifically, the number of pulses) is started (step S104). Next, the control unit 200 detects the end position of the sheet P in the width direction X by the post-processing device adjustment detection unit 430 in the guide member 410 (step S105), and starts moving the guide member 410 from the reference position. The detection time (specifically, the number of pulses) until the end position in the width direction X of the sheet P is detected is measured (step S106). Next, the control unit 200 temporarily stops the rotation of the discharge roller unit 31 and determines whether the detection time coincides with the normal time (in this example, the time when the sheet P is positioned at the center) (step S107). Control part 200 shifts to Step S109, when detection time is in agreement with regular time (Step S107: Yes). On the other hand, when the detection time does not coincide with the normal time (step S107: No), the control unit 200 controls the amount of rotation of the shift drive motor 51 and the discharge roller shift unit 30 is controlled by the shift mechanism 52. The detection time is determined to be a normal time (in this example, a position where the sheet P is located at the center) (step S108). Thus, the control unit 200 performs position alignment in the width direction X of the double-sided image. Then, the control unit 200 sets the branch claw G1 in the second switching posture (step S109), and guides the sheet P to the reverse conveyance rollers 12d to 12g by rotating the discharge roller unit 31 in the reverse direction. Next, the control unit 200 causes the sheet P to be conveyed to the transfer nip through the registration roller 13, and forms an image on the back surface of the sheet P (step S110). Next, the control unit 200 sets the branch claw G1 to the first switching posture (step S111), and discharges the sheet P onto the discharge tray 14 (step S112).

First Embodiment
In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the post-processing apparatus adjustment operation is an operation for adjusting the position of the sheet P during post-processing, and the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is performed for the sheet P during image forming processing. It is an operation for adjusting the position (in this example, an operation for aligning a double-sided image). In this way, position adjustment can be performed on the sheet P as adjustment performed at the time of image forming processing. Thus, the frequency of adjusting the position of the sheet P in the image forming process can be improved.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the post-processing apparatus adjustment operation and the image forming apparatus adjustment operation are adjustment operations of the end position in the width direction X orthogonal to the conveyance direction Y1 of the sheet P. By doing this, it is possible to perform position adjustment in the width direction X of the sheet P as position adjustment performed on the sheet P at the time of image forming processing. Thereby, the position adjustment frequency in the width direction X of the sheet P at the time of image forming processing can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to perform double-sided image formation processing, and conveys the sheet P in the reverse direction when performing double-sided image formation processing with the post-processing apparatus 400 attached. When performing switchback, the sheet P is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 in the post-processing apparatus 400, and the end position is detected by the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430, and detection of the post-processing apparatus adjustment Position alignment in the width direction X of the double-sided image is performed based on the detection result of the unit 430. By doing this, it is possible to perform position alignment of the double-sided image at the time of double-sided image formation as adjustment performed at the time of the image formation. As a result, it is possible to improve the position alignment frequency of the double-sided image in the double-sided image forming process. In addition, the position alignment of the double-sided image can be performed with high accuracy.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a shift mechanism 52 for shifting the sheet P in the width direction X, and the shift mechanism 52 is used to adjust the position of the end portion in the sheet width direction. By doing this, the shift mechanism 52 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 can be used, whereby the end position of the sheet P in the width direction X at the time of image forming processing can be easily adjusted. When the double-sided image forming process is performed as in the present embodiment, the position alignment in the width direction of the double-sided image in the double-sided image forming process can be easily performed.

Second Embodiment
In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, the post-processing apparatus 400 includes a punch processing apparatus 401 (specifically, a punch processing unit) for performing a punching process to open a hole in the sheet P. The drilling position in the width direction X is adjusted based on the detection result of the processing device adjustment detection unit 430. By doing this, it is possible to perform the image forming apparatus adjustment operation (in this example, the position alignment operation of the double-sided image) using the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 in the punch processing apparatus 401. Moreover, the adjustment at the time of the image forming process can be performed with high accuracy by the detection unit 430 for adjusting the post-processing device with high accuracy.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the configuration in which the image forming device adjustment detection unit 120 is provided in the sheet sorting unit 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 as viewed in the sheet conveyance direction Y1. FIG. 8 is a system block diagram showing a configuration in which the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 is provided in the control system of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment includes an image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 for performing an image forming apparatus adjustment operation (in this example, a position alignment operation of a double-sided image). The unit 120 is configured to perform an image forming apparatus adjustment operation. In general, the detection unit 120 for adjusting an image forming apparatus often has lower accuracy than the detection unit for adjusting a post-processing apparatus 430.

  In this respect, when the post-processing apparatus 400 is attached, the image forming apparatus adjustment operation performed by the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 is switched, and the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is performed by the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430. I do. By doing this, the adjustment at the time of image formation processing can be performed with high accuracy by the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 that has higher accuracy than the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120.

  More specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100 configured to perform double-sided image formation processing, the end position in the width direction X of the sheet P is detected by the image forming device adjustment detection unit 120 and the double-sided image formation processing is performed. Perform position alignment operation of double-sided image. Thereby, position alignment in the width direction X of the double-sided image can be performed as appropriate (for example, every sheet, every job, every predetermined number of sheets, or every predetermined period).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 is fixed at a position at which the end of the sheet P in the width direction X can be detected in the image forming apparatus main body 110. The image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 includes a sensor substrate 122 on which a contact image sensor 121 (Contact Image Sensor) is mounted. The sensor substrate 122 is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 110 so that the contact image sensor 121 faces the sheet P side. The contact image sensor 121 has a light receiving element, a light source, and a lens array integrated. The contact image sensor 121 detects the position of light reflected from the sheet P conveyed by the discharge roller unit 31. Thus, the image forming device adjustment detection unit 120 can detect the end of the sheet P in the width direction X. The image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 is electrically connected to the input system of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 8), and transmits a detection signal to the control unit 200. Thus, the control unit 200 can detect the position of the end in the width direction X of the sheet P.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a switching operation of switching from the image forming device adjustment operation by the image forming device adjustment detection unit 120 to the image forming device adjustment operation by the post processing device adjustment unit 430 when the post processing device 400 is mounted. It is a flowchart which shows a flow. The control unit 200 determines whether the post-processing apparatus 400 is mounted (step S201). Next, when the control unit 200 determines that the post-processing apparatus 400 is not attached (step S201: No), the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 120 performs an image forming apparatus adjustment operation (step S202). . On the other hand, when the control unit 200 determines that the post-processing apparatus 400 is attached (step S201: Yes), the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit 430 performs an image forming apparatus adjustment operation (step S203).

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in other various forms. Therefore, such an embodiment is merely illustrative in every point and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims, and is not limited at all by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all variations and modifications that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims fall within the scope of the present invention.

100 image forming apparatus 120 image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit 200 control unit 300 sheet sorting unit 400 post-processing apparatus 401 punch processing apparatus 42 drive transmission mechanism 422 moving mechanism 430 post-processing apparatus adjustment detection section 440 punch processing unit 52 shift mechanism 60 Position detection switch P Sheet X Width direction Y1 Transport direction Z Vertical direction

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus configured to be able to mount a post-processing apparatus,
The post-processing device has a post-processing device adjustment detection unit for performing a post-processing device adjustment operation to be adjusted in the post-processing device,
An image forming apparatus adjusting operation of adjusting the image forming apparatus by using the detecting unit for adjusting the post-processing apparatus when the post-processing apparatus is attached; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The post-processing apparatus adjustment operation is an operation of adjusting the position of the sheet at the time of post-processing,
The image forming apparatus adjusting operation is an operation of adjusting the position of the sheet at the time of image forming processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the post-processing apparatus adjustment operation and the image forming apparatus adjustment operation are adjustment operations of an end position in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,
It is configured to perform double-sided image formation processing.
When performing the double-sided image forming process with the post-processing apparatus mounted, when performing switchback for conveying the sheet in the reverse direction, detection of the post-processing apparatus adjustment in the post-processing apparatus The end portion position is detected by the post-processing device adjustment detection portion, and the position alignment in the width direction of the double-sided image is performed based on the detection result of the post-processing device adjustment portion. Image forming device. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
An image forming apparatus comprising: a shift mechanism for shifting the sheet in the width direction; and adjusting an end position of the sheet in the width direction using the shift mechanism. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein
The post-processing device includes a punch processing device that performs a punching process to open a hole in the sheet, and a punching position in the width direction based on a detection result of the detection unit for adjusting the post-processing for the punching process. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing adjustment. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
The image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit is configured to perform the image forming apparatus adjustment operation, and the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit is configured to perform the image forming apparatus adjustment operation.
When the post-processing apparatus is mounted, the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is switched from the image forming apparatus adjustment operation performed by the image forming apparatus adjustment detection unit, and the image forming apparatus adjustment operation is performed by the post-processing apparatus adjustment detection unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing.

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