JP3667177B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that obtains a predetermined image by conveying a recording medium, such as a printer / copier. More specifically, the present invention is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs various post-processing on the recording medium. Means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process is generally known. The image forming apparatus includes, for example, a document reading unit that reads a document, and forms an image using the document read by the document reading unit as an image signal. The latent image is temporarily formed on the image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with a developer such as a toner to form a visible image. The visible image is a transfer sheet as a recording medium. It is configured to obtain a predetermined image by transferring and fixing.
With regard to such an image forming apparatus, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-85081 discloses a configuration including post-processing means for performing a staple process on a transfer sheet on which a predetermined image is formed. In this configuration, a stapling unit that performs a stapling process on the transfer paper is movably provided, and the stapling process is performed at a predetermined position.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of an apparatus such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-85081, if a staple process is to be performed at a position desired by the user, the staple unit must be moved to perform the process. In such a configuration, a driving unit, a position detection sensor, and the like are required to move the staple unit, which causes a problem that the mechanism and control are actually complicated.
[0004]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of simplifying a mechanism and control.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image signal is formed on the image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a visible image. A predetermined image is formed by transferring and fixing to transfer paper conveyed from a paper feed cassette, and a stapling process is performed on the transfer paper on which the predetermined image is formed by a post-processing device;
The post-processing device has a function for determining whether or not the transferred transfer paper is a specified size, and discharges the transfer paper to the discharge tray when it is determined that the transfer paper is not the specified size. A function to transfer, when the transfer paper is determined to be a specified size, the transfer paper is transported to the staple position, temporarily stopped, and stacked until the transfer paper reaches a predetermined number, and the transfer paper When a predetermined number of sheets is reached, the plurality of transfer sheets are aligned, and a stable needle is driven at the transfer sheet driving position according to the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer sheets specified by the user, And a function of transporting and discharging a plurality of transfer sheets on which table needles are driven to a discharge tray.
[0006]
Note that the plurality of paper feed cassettes is provided, and the post-processing apparatus uses a plurality of paper feed cassettes that store transfer paper in the designated vertical and horizontal orientations when the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer paper are designated by the user. And a function of conveying transfer paper from the selected paper feed cassette.
Further, the post-processing device forms image data on the transfer paper by rotating it 90 ° when the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer paper designated by the user are different from the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette. Functions can be included.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a document table 1 made of transparent glass or the like on an upper surface. A scanner optical system 2 is disposed below 1.
[0008]
The scanner optical system 2 includes an exposure light source 3 that irradiates light on a document placed on the document table 1, and an image formed in the scanner optical system 2 as indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing, for example. A plurality of reflecting mirrors 6 led to a photoelectric conversion element (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 5 on the other side (left side in the figure) through the lens 4. The CCD 5 reads the original image data. The read original image data is subjected to image processing, and a laser scanner unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 7 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 8 with laser light. An electrostatic latent image is formed.
[0009]
The photosensitive member 8 is formed in a drum shape that is driven to rotate. Around the photosensitive member 8, an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member exposed by the laser is transferred from the laser irradiation point toward the rotating direction of the photosensitive member 8. The developing device 9 that develops a visible image by the above, the transfer charger 10 that transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 8 onto the transfer paper P, the cleaning device 11 that removes residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor 8 at a predetermined potential A charging device 12 for charging, an LSU 7 for irradiating the laser toward the laser irradiation point of the photosensitive member 8, and the like are provided. The photosensitive member 8, the developing device 9, the transfer charger 10, the cleaning device 11, the charger 12, and the LSU 7 constitute an image forming unit.
[0010]
P is transfer paper, and this transfer paper P is stored in the paper feed cassette 13. A half-moon roller 14 for feeding the transfer paper P is disposed at the leading end of the paper feed cassette 13, and the downstream side of the half-moon roller 14 (for convenience, the flow-out side of the transfer paper P (the paper feed cassette 13) is provided. The upstream side and the paper discharge side are downstream), a pre-registration detection switch 15 that detects the passage of the transfer paper P, and the toner image on the photoconductor 8 and the transfer paper P based on the signal from the pre-registration detection switch 15 , A pair of fixing rollers 17 for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper P by heat, and a pair of the fixing rollers 17. The fixing paper detection switch 18 for detecting that the transfer paper P has passed, the paper discharge detection switch 19 for detecting that the transfer paper P has passed before the paper discharge roller 20, and the paper discharge for discharging the transfer paper P roller 20 is arranged.
The transfer paper P is conveyed to a post-processing device 30 connected to the image forming apparatus, and is subjected to post-processing designated by the user.
[0011]
In the image forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus 30 connected to the image forming apparatus and performing stapling will be described with reference to FIG.
The post-processing device 30 is connected to the paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus via the connecting unit 31 and functions to convey the transfer paper P in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. It is detected by the detection means 32 whether the conveyed transfer paper P has a specified size and a specified direction. This detection means 32 takes into account that when a size different from the designated transfer paper P is stored in the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus, it is impossible to perform stapling at a position desired by the user.
[0012]
The detection means 32 is composed of, for example, an optical photo sensor, measures the time during which the transfer paper P passes, and determines the size of the transfer paper P from the result. If a size different from the designated transfer paper P has been transported, the transfer paper P is transported to the transport path A in order to prohibit subsequent staple processing. The transfer paper P conveyed to the conveyance path A is discharged to the discharge tray 34 without being stapled.
[0013]
When the detection unit 32 determines that the size of the transfer paper P is the same as the designated transfer paper P, the transfer paper P is transported to the transport path B. When the transfer paper P to be transported is transported to the staple position where the stapling means 33 is provided, the transport is temporarily stopped and stays until a predetermined number of sheets are transported to the staple position. Therefore, the stapling position is configured so that a plurality of transfer sheets P can be stacked.
[0014]
When a predetermined number of transfer sheets P are transported, the plurality of transfer sheets P are stapled. In order to align the positions of the transfer sheets P stacked before this, a plurality of transfer sheets P are aligned. Are aligned. The stapling means 33 drives a staple needle onto the aligned transfer sheets P and binds the transfer sheets P together.
[0015]
The post-processed transfer paper P is conveyed again, sent to the discharge tray 34, and discharged. The discharge tray 34 is provided with driving means (not shown), and functions to move downward and stack a large amount of transfer paper P when the number of discharged transfer papers P increases. Then, when the discharged transfer paper P is removed, the discharge tray 34 moves upward by the driving means.
[0016]
It should be noted that the discharge tray 34 moves with high accuracy by installing a position detection means for detecting the position of the discharge tray 34, a detection means for detecting the stack amount of the discharge tray 34, and the like.
[0017]
Here, the stapling method of the post-processing means will be described in detail. The position at which the staple needle 33 is driven by the stapling means 33 on the transfer paper P can be arbitrarily set by the user through the operation panel 400 of the image forming apparatus.
For example, FIG. 3 shows the staple needle driving position relative to the size of the transfer paper P. If the vertical and horizontal directions of the transfer paper P are determined, the staple needle driving position is determined without the user's designation. Can do. When the direction of the transfer paper P shown in FIG. 3A is defined as the horizontal direction and the direction of the transfer paper P shown in FIG. 3B is defined as the vertical direction, when the user designates the horizontal direction, the stapling means 33 moves the driving position. Thus, the staple needle is appropriately driven into 301.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the longitudinal direction is designated, the stapling means 33 appropriately drives the staple into the driving position 302. When the vertical and horizontal directions of the transfer paper P are determined, the paper feed cassette 13 that automatically stores the transfer paper P in that direction is automatically selected. In this way, the setting conditions necessary for the user to make a copy can be reduced as much as possible, and the optimum conditions can always be determined automatically, improving the operability of the device itself and improving work efficiency. Can be improved.
[0019]
Here, a specific operation example on the operation panel 400 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a display example when the operation panel 400 is in a standby state. The operation panel 400 includes a liquid crystal screen 401 for displaying a message such as a setting state, a setting menu, or a machine state, a numeric keypad 402, a start key 403, and clear. A key 404, a clear all key 405, and setting keys 406, 407, 408, and 409 are provided.
[0020]
The LCD screen 401 displays a message “Ready to copy” to indicate to the user that the copy is possible, the reading magnification is 100%, the paper feed position is the first cassette (the A4 transfer paper P is in the horizontal direction). Is stored). A setting procedure for executing copying by adding staple processing from this state will be described with reference to FIG.
[0021]
This figure is a flowchart for setting copy conditions on the operation panel 400. First, when the MENU key 409 among the setting keys 406, 407, 408, and 409 is pressed, the copy condition setting mode (501) is entered. enter. When this setting mode (501) is entered, it is selected whether or not to change the setting magnification (502). When changing the setting, the process proceeds to the magnification setting (503) and the magnification is set. When the magnification is determined, the process proceeds to (504), and the process proceeds to an additional condition setting mode such as stapling.
[0022]
In FIG. 5, only the setting for stapling is shown as the additional condition setting, but various other conditions such as binding substitution designation and frame erase setting can be set. However, this point is omitted because it is not particularly necessary for explaining the present invention.
[0023]
Next, whether or not to perform stapling is selected (505). When stapling is performed, the process proceeds to (506). In this (506), the vertical and horizontal directions of the transfer paper P are set. If the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 3A is selected, the process proceeds to (507), and the 1st cassette in which the transfer paper P is stored in the horizontal direction of A4. Select. If the vertical direction shown in FIG. 3B is selected, the process proceeds to (508), and the 2nd cassette in which the transfer paper P is stored in the vertical direction of A4 is selected. The procedure described so far is selected and determined by the ten key 402 and setting keys 406, 407, 408, and 409 shown in FIG.
[0024]
As described above, with all the conditions for copying set, the process proceeds to (509) and waits for the start key 403 to be pressed. If there is no mistake in the setting conditions, the copy is started by pressing the start key 403 (511). On the other hand, if the setting is incorrect or the setting content is changed, the user can return to (502) again by pressing the clear key 404 and start again from the change of the setting magnification.
[0025]
As described above, when performing the stapling process, the operability is remarkably determined by automatically determining the position for performing the stapling process and the position for feeding the transfer sheet P by determining the vertical and horizontal directions of the transfer sheet P. It is possible to improve the work efficiency.
[0026]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case will be described in which there is a single sheet cassette 13 set in the image forming apparatus, or a case where the vertical and horizontal directions of the transfer paper P stored in the sheet cassette 13 are different from the directions designated by the user.
[0027]
6A, the user selects the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 3A (601), but the transfer paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 13 is oriented vertically as shown in (602). Has been placed. In this case, the image data to be subjected to image processing is rotated 90 ° (603) to form an image on the transfer paper P, and the staple needle is driven into the position indicated by (604) by the stapling means 33.
[0028]
Here, the position at which the staple needle is driven is the rear end portion of the transfer paper P, but the position shown in the figure is obtained by delaying the stop timing of the transfer paper P by the control of temporarily stopping the conveyance of the transfer paper P by the stapling means 33. Can be stapled. As a driving means for transporting the transfer paper P, for example, a pulse motor or the like can be used for positioning with high accuracy.
[0029]
In FIG. 6B, the user selects the vertical direction shown in FIG. 3B (601), but the transfer paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 13 is arranged in the vertical direction as shown in (602). Has been. In this case, the image data to be subjected to image processing is rotated 90 ° (603) to form an image on the transfer paper P, and the staple needle is driven into the position indicated by (604) by the stapling means 33. Here, the position at which the staple needle is driven is the rear end portion of the transfer paper P. However, the stapling means 33 temporarily stops the transfer paper P by the control of temporarily stopping the transfer paper P, so that the staple paper 33 is moved to the illustrated position. Staple processing can be performed.
[0030]
As described above, even when there is no transfer paper P set in the direction specified by the user, the position where the stapling process is performed by rotating the image can be shifted. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a copy result obtained by performing the stapling process in the direction specified by the user without providing a complicated mechanism.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the mechanism and control can be simplified. Further, stapling can be performed without complicated control on a predetermined position selected by the user, so that improvement in operability and work efficiency can be expected. Further, stapling can be performed without complicated control of a predetermined position selected by the user, and operability and work efficiency can be improved. Further, by determining the position at which the staple processing is performed on the transfer paper according to the image direction formed on the transfer paper, the staple processing can be performed without complicated control at a predetermined position selected by the user. It is possible to improve operability and work efficiency.
[0032]
Furthermore, even if the image is rotated or not rotated, the transfer paper is conveyed for stapling, so that when the size of the transfer paper is different, not only a single staple but also a plurality of locations. The transfer distance of the transfer paper is divided into a plurality of stages, and the transfer distance is set to a moving amount that matches the transfer paper size, thereby providing a printed matter in which a predetermined staple looks good. Is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a post-processing apparatus in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a staple processing position with respect to the direction of transfer paper in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart when setting copy conditions on the operation panel in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image orientation and a staple processing position with respect to a transfer paper direction in the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Document table 2 Scanner optical system 5 CCD
7 LSU
8 Photoconductor 10 Transfer Charger 13 Paper Feed Cassette 15 Pre-Registration Detection Switch 16 Registration Roller 17 Fixing Roller 18 Fixing Paper Detection Switch 19 Paper Discharge Detection Switch 20 Paper Discharge Roller 30 Post-Processing Device 31 Connecting Portion 32 Detection Unit 33 Staple Unit 34 Ejection Paper tray 301 Driving position 302 Driving position 400 Operation panel 401 LCD screen 402 Numeric keypad 403 Start key 404 Clear key 405 Clear all key 406 Setting key 407 Setting key 408 Setting key 409 MENU key P Transfer paper

Claims (3)

An electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image signal is formed on the image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a visible image. The visible image is transferred onto the transfer paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette. An image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image by transferring and fixing, and applies a stapling process to the transfer paper on which the predetermined image is formed by a post-processing device,
  The post-processing device has a function for determining whether or not the transferred transfer paper is a specified size, and discharges the transfer paper to the discharge tray when it is determined that the transfer paper is not the specified size. A function to transfer, when the transfer paper is determined to be the specified size, the transfer paper is transported to the staple position, temporarily stopped, and stacked until the transfer paper reaches a predetermined number, and the transfer paper When the number of sheets reaches a predetermined number, the plurality of transfer sheets are aligned, and a stable needle is driven at the transfer sheet driving position according to the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer sheets specified by the user, An image forming apparatus comprising a function of conveying a plurality of transfer papers into which a table needle has been driven to a discharge tray and discharging the same. When the user specifies the vertical and horizontal orientations of the transfer paper, the post-processing device selects the paper cassette that stores the transfer paper in the specified vertical and horizontal orientation from the multiple paper cassettes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function of conveying transfer paper from the selected paper feed cassette. The post-processing device has a function of rotating and forming image data on the transfer paper by 90 ° when the vertical and horizontal orientation of the transfer paper specified by the user is different from the vertical and horizontal orientation of the transfer paper stored in the paper feed cassette. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

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