JP3273416B2 - Paper post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus connected to a downstream side of an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sheet aligning means for aligning sheets discharged on a tray, holding and moving means for holding and moving the aligned sheet bundle, and sheet post-processing means for performing staple, punch, etc. on the moved sheet bundle. 2. Description of the Related Art A paper post-processing apparatus provided with a printer is known.

In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, when post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed, if the sheet bundle is too thick, not only does the staple staple shorter than the thickness, but also when the staple is longer. Even if the power (power) is insufficient, the staples will not be able to pass through, or the punch holes will be formed only halfway. Similarly, the allowable limit thickness in accordance with the staple unit and the punch unit rating will be limited. Will be set.

[0004]

Heretofore, heretofore, conventionally, it has been indirectly detected whether or not the number of sheets reaches the allowable limit thickness, and it is determined whether post-processing is possible or not.

[0005] By the way, since there are various types of paper from thick paper to thin paper, there is a problem that it is not possible to perform appropriate post-processing by controlling the number of sheets.

The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of performing highly reliable post-processing according to the thickness of a sheet bundle. Things.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet aligning means for aligning sheets discharged on a tray, a holding and moving means for holding and moving the aligned sheet bundle, and a staple for moving the sheet bundle. In a paper post-processing apparatus provided with a paper post-processing means for performing punching and the like, a solenoid for driving the holding and moving means, a current detection means for detecting a current of the solenoid, and a detection output by the current detection means. And a control means for controlling the sheet post-processing means.

The object is also provided in the first means, wherein the first means comprises time-measuring means for measuring a time from when the solenoid is turned on to when the current detection output increases until the current detection output is once decreased. This is achieved by a second means for controlling the paper post-processing means.

Further, the above object is achieved by a third means in which the sheet post-processing means is deactivated when the output value of the time counting means is smaller than a predetermined value.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the second means, further comprising a type detecting means for detecting a type of the sheet post-processing means, and controlling the sheet post-processing means based on the type detection output and the timed output by the type detecting means. This is achieved by a fourth means of controlling.

Further, the above object is achieved by a third means for notifying the image forming apparatus that the sheet post-processing means is inoperative when the timed output is less than a predetermined value. .

[0012]

According to the first means, the thickness of the sheet bundle can be detected by the current waveform of the solenoid of the holding / moving means, and the driving power of the sheet post-processing means is increased or decreased based on the detected value, thereby performing the sheet post-processing. It can be controlled according to the thickness.

In the second means, based on the point in time when the current waveform of the solenoid once drops, the tip of the holding portion hits the sheet bundle and pushes the swelling of the sheet due to air and curl, so that the pure sheet bundle is pressed. The thickness can be detected, and more accurate post-processing control can be performed based on the thickness.

In the third means, when the output value of the timer means is smaller than a predetermined value, that is, when the thickness of the sheet bundle is larger than a predetermined value, the sheet post-processing means is disabled. In addition, the life of the machine can be prevented from being shortened and the machine can be prevented from being damaged.

The fourth means automatically recognizes and calculates even if the sheet post-processing means of a different type (for example, a 30-sheet stapler, a 50-sheet flat clinch stapler, a 30-sheet puncher, etc.) is replaced for each unit. As a result, there is no setting error at the time of replacement.

In the fifth means, the fact that the sheet post-processing means is inactive is notified to the image forming apparatus on the upstream side, so that unnecessary copying and the like thereafter can be prohibited. This is particularly effective for RDH and FIN systems.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the features of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram for detecting a current of a solenoid for driving a chuck portion of a stapler apparatus to be described later, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a current waveform of the solenoid and a sheet bundle thickness detection method based on a counter value. FIG.

In FIG. 1, 626 is a solenoid, 2 is a surge absorbing diode connected in parallel to both ends of the solenoid 626, 3 is a current detecting element for detecting a current flowing through the solenoid 626 and converting it into a voltage output, and 4 is a current detecting element. A / D converter for A / D converting the output voltage of element 3
CPU for taking digital data of the / D converter 4 into an input port, 6 an internal counter of the CPU 5, 7 a CPU
5 is a driver for outputting a command from the output port 5 to the solenoid 626.

Incidentally, instead of using the current detecting element 3,
A resistor having a small value may be provided between the solenoid 626 and the driver 7, and the voltage between both ends may be measured.

Next, the operation of the above circuit will be described.

When the solenoid 626 is turned on, the plunger of the solenoid 626 moves and enters the coil.
That is, the upper and lower chucks of the later-described chuck portion begin to close. Then, the sheet bundle (which contains air or is curled, and the number and thickness do not necessarily correspond as they are) is pushed from above and below the sheet by chucking up and down. Then, since the resistance gradually increases, the speed of the plunger also decreases, and the current starts to decrease. Thereafter, if the chuck does not move any further with the sheet interposed, the plunger almost stops, the current rises again, and the coil resistance saturates (see FIG. 2). As a result, the time during which the sheet bundle is pressed down corresponds to the sheet thickness. By measuring the time with the internal counter 6, the sheet thickness can be determined (the shorter the time, the thicker the sheet).

FIGS. 3 to 9 illustrate a stapler apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for making the movement of the stapler device 700 easy to understand. The movement of the copy paper (paper) P discharged onto the bin 350, the check section 620, and the position of the stapler 701 will be described.

The copy paper P discharged onto the bin 350 is
It is discharged to the position indicated by 730d. After that, it is aligned at a position where it contacts the bin fence 450 by a swinging device (not shown). Thereafter, when copying is completed and stapling is started, the check section 620 moves to the position 62 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.
0b to another position 620c indicated by the alternate long and short dash line, closes the check section 620, sandwiches the copy paper P, and moves to the position 62 indicated by the solid line.
Stop at 0a. By this operation, the copy paper P is 730
move to the position f, and the stapler 701 moves the bin 35
A certain number of copy sheets P are stapled on 0.

Thereafter, the operation reverse to the previous operation is performed, and the copy paper P
Is returned to the position of 730e. This is one bottle 350
Is completed, the process goes to the next bin 350, and this operation is repeated. Details of these operations will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sheet pulling device 615, and FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are front views of the operating state of the sheet pulling device 615. And a reciprocating mechanism 640 for reciprocating the check section 620 in a substantially horizontal direction.
In the chuck portion 620, a pair of swing levers 622 and 624 are swingably attached to the substrate 621, and the swing lever upper 622 and the swing lever lower 624 are connected to the solenoid 626. The upper check 623 and the lower check 625
Operate to hold the copy paper P bundle.

In the reciprocating mechanism 640, a shaft 642 for sliding a chuck portion is fixed to a frame 641, and a bearing 629 to which a substrate 621 is fixed is engaged with the shaft 642. Guided and checked section 62
0 reciprocates. Further, the frame 641 is provided with a timing belt 643 for moving the check section 620 toward and away from the copy paper P bundle. The check section 620
And the timing belt 643 are connected to the arm 62 of the substrate 621.
1a. Pulleys 644 and 645 are fixed to both ends of the timing belt 643, and one pulley 644 is attached to a stepping motor 646. The pulley 644 rotates by the output of the stepping motor 646, and the timing belt 643 moves. The movement of the timing belt 643 causes the check section 620 fixed to the timing belt 643 to reciprocate via the arm section 621a. The frame 641 is provided with a position sensor 650,
A detection plate 630 is provided upright on the substrate 621 as a detection target, and the position sensor 650 detects the home position of the check section 620.

In the embodiment having such a configuration,
When the stapling mode is started, the stapler 701 and the sheet pulling device 615 are first moved up and down integrally by the drive belt, and as shown in FIG.
1 and the sheet pulling device 615 are transported toward a predetermined bin 350 where a stack of copy sheets P to be stapled is deposited, and stopped at a position close to the predetermined bin 350 based on a signal from a position sensor. At this time, the solenoid 626 is turned off, and accordingly, both swing levers 62 are turned off.
2, 624 and the checks 623, 625 are left open.

Next, the stepping motor 646 rotates a predetermined amount, moves the timing belt 643, and moves the check unit 620 forward toward the copy paper P bundle. By changing the rotation speed of the stepping motor 646, the speed of the check unit 620 at the time of movement is controlled.

In the case of this embodiment, the check section 620 grips the aligned copy paper P bundle with the check pieces 623 and 625, gradually accelerates at the start when returning to the staple position, and gradually decelerates at the stop. This prevents the aligned copy paper P from fluctuating due to inertia during acceleration / deceleration.

In the case of moving at the same distance within the same period of time, since the maximum value of the inertial force is the smallest in the uniform acceleration movement, in the present embodiment, the acceleration / deceleration is performed at near constant acceleration.

When the chucks 623 and 625 are moved to a position where the bundle of copy sheets P can be gripped (FIG. 6), they are stopped there, and at the same time, the solenoid 622 is turned on. When the solenoid 626 is turned on, the check 623 and 623 are turned on.
625 is closed as shown in FIG.
At 3,625, the edge of the copy paper P bundle is gripped. The movement at this time will be described more specifically. That is, when the solenoid 626 is turned on, the lever 628 is pulled by the spring 627 hooked on the solenoid 626,
The upper lever 622 engaged with the lever 28 rotates counterclockwise about the fulcrum 622a, and the upper chuck 623 lowers. The lower lever 624 is a contact portion 624 with the upper lever 622.
c, the movement of the upper lever 622 is transmitted, the lever 624 rotates clockwise about the shaft 624a, the lower chuck 625 rises, and the upper and lower chucks 623, 625.
Grips the copy paper P bundle.

The amount of movement of the upper chuck 623 and the lower chuck 625 from the home position is determined by the rotation fulcrum and the force of the lever 628,
Determined by the length of the point of action. In the case of the present embodiment, when the amount of movement of the chuck is represented by a ratio, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case of the upper portion 623 of the chuck, the distance between the action point 622b and the fulcrum 622a is 92 mm, and the distance between the force point 622c and the rotation fulcrum 622a is Since it is 33 mm, 92: 33 ≒ 2.79: 1
In the case of the lower check 625, the distance between the action point 624b and the shaft 624a is 26 mm, and the force point 624c and the shaft 624
Since the distance to a is 33 mm, the ratio of the movement amount is 2
6: 33 ≒ 0.79: 1, and the ratio of the movement amount of the upper chuck 623 to the lower chuck 625 is 2.79: 0.79 ≒.
3.53: 1.

That is, when the upper check 623 moves down by 3.5, the lower check 625 moves up by 1. Also,
The chucking force sandwiched between the upper chuck 623 and the lower chuck 625 is applied to the spring 62 attached to the solenoid 626.
Determined by 7 forces. Upper check 623 and lower check 625
The spring 627 becomes longer as the number of sheets of copy paper P sandwiched between them increases, and consideration is made so that the chucking force is increased, thereby eliminating problems such as displacement due to insufficient chucking force.

If only one corner of the copy paper P is gripped by the checks 623 and 625, a moment is applied to the copy paper P as shown in FIG. Since the paper P is skewed on the bin 350 and the staple position varies, as shown in FIG. 9, the checkers 623 and 625 are branched to grip a plurality of portions of the copy paper P, and a moment due to inertia is applied. Alternatively, the copy paper P may not be skewed.

Next, by the reverse rotation of the stepping motor 646, the check section 620 is returned to the original position as shown in FIG. 7 while holding the copy paper P bundle, whereby the copy paper P bundle is moved. It is translated in a substantially horizontal direction and drawn to the stapler 701 side. Then, when the edge portion of the copy paper P bundle is transported to a position where stapling is possible,
Then stop. Thereafter, stapling is performed by the stapler 701 on the edge portion of the copy paper P bundle.

When the stapling operation is completed, the stepping motor 646 rotates forward, the check section 620 moves forward,
After returning the stapled copy paper P to the bin 350, the solenoid 626 is turned off. As a result, the upper chuck 623 and the lower chuck 625 that have been closed are opened.

Thereafter, the reversing of the stepping motor 646 causes the check section 620 to retreat to a predetermined position. Thereafter, the stapler 701 and the sheet pulling device 61
5 is transported downward toward the next bin 350, where the same staple operation as described above is repeatedly performed.

[0041]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the sheet bundle can be detected by the current waveform of the solenoid of the holding / moving means, and the driving power of the sheet post-processing means is increased or decreased based on the thickness. Paper post-processing can be controlled according to the paper thickness.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, based on the point in time when the current waveform of the solenoid temporarily drops, the tip of the holding portion hits the sheet bundle, and the sheet is pure after pushing the swelling of the sheet due to air and curl. The thickness of the sheet bundle can be detected, and more accurate post-processing control can be performed based on the detected thickness.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the output value of the time counting means is smaller than a predetermined value, that is, when the thickness of the sheet bundle is larger than a predetermined value, the sheet post-processing means is disabled. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the life of the machine from being shortened and from being damaged.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if different types of paper post-processing means (for example, a 30-sheet stapler, a 50-sheet flat clinch stapler, a 30-sheet puncher, etc.) are exchanged for each unit, they are automatically set. Since the paper post-processing is controlled by recognition and calculation, there is no setting error at the time of replacement.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fact that the sheet post-processing means is inoperative is notified to the upstream image forming apparatus, so that unnecessary copying and the like thereafter can be prohibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram for detecting a current of a solenoid that drives a chuck portion of a stapler device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet bundle thickness detection method based on a solenoid current waveform and a counter value.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for making it easy to understand the movement of the stapler device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sheet pulling device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an operation state of the sheet pulling device.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an operation state of the sheet pulling device.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an operation state of the sheet pulling device.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of gripping a sheet by a check unit.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another example of gripping a sheet by a check unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Current Detecting Element (Current Detecting Means) 5 CPU (Controlling Means) 6 Internal Counter (Timekeeping Means) 615 Paper Pulling Device (Component of Holding and Moving Means) 620 Check Unit (Component of Holding and Moving Means) 626 Solenoid 700 Stapler Device ( Paper post-processing means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 39/11 B65H 37/04 G03G 15/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet aligning means for aligning sheets discharged on a tray, a holding and moving means for holding and moving the aligned sheet bundle, and a sheet post-processing for performing staple, punch, etc. on the moved sheet bundle. A sheet post-processing device provided with means for controlling the sheet post-processing means by a solenoid for driving the holding and moving means, a current detecting means for detecting a current of the solenoid, and a detection output by the current detecting means. A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: 2. The paper feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a time measuring means for measuring a time from when the solenoid is turned on to when the current detection output increases until the current detection output once decreases, based on the output of the time measuring means. A sheet post-processing device for controlling processing means. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet post-processing means is deactivated when the output value of the timing means is smaller than a predetermined value. 4. The paper post-processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a type detection device for detecting a type of the paper post-processing device, and controlling the paper post-processing device based on a type detection output and a timing output by the type detection device. A paper post-processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the timed output is smaller than a predetermined value, the image forming apparatus is notified that the sheet post-processing means is inoperative.