JP5978740B2 - Intermediate transport unit and image forming system having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediate conveyance unit and an image forming system including the intermediate conveyance unit.

  Conventionally, a post-processing device is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, and punch processing, stapling processing, folding processing, binding processing (saddle stitching, side binding) is performed on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus. ) And a bookbinding process and a post-processing system are known.

  In this system, an intermediate transport unit may be provided between the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus in order to collectively transport a plurality of sheets from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). When the sheet on which the image is formed is carried from the image forming apparatus, the intermediate transport unit sequentially stacks the sheets in the stacking unit, and when a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the intermediate transport unit collectively discharges the sheet to the post-processing apparatus.

  In such a conventional intermediate transport unit, the loaded paper is transported to the stacking unit side by a transport roller disposed above the stacking unit, and is freely dropped and stacked in the stacking unit.

  As a result, depending on the paper type and size of the paper to be carried in, it is accumulated on the accumulating unit in a state where it bounces and bounces at the bottom surface of the accumulating unit and is skewed. There is a risk that it will be conveyed to the subsequent post-processing apparatus. Thereby, for example, when the post-processing device subsequent to the intermediate transport unit is not a device (stapling processing device or the like) provided with alignment means in the post-processing device itself but a punch processing device that performs punch processing, Sometimes the hole position shifts diagonally.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a jogger stopper that moves up and down in accordance with the falling speed of the paper is provided on the side where the free-falling paper is accommodated, and when the paper is received, the jogger stopper softens the impact and rebounds. A reversing device that prevents this is disclosed.

JP 2008-1115010 A JP-A-6-247603

  However, when the conventional reversing device is applied to the image forming apparatus, even when the accumulated paper is carried in, even if the jogger stopper that receives the paper is moved up and down, it jumps when the paper is received by the stopper and is skewed. There is a risk of corner breakage and the like when being unloaded. In addition, when the image forming apparatus including the reversing device is used in the field of production and printing (PP field, commercial printing or mass printing in a company), the paper is loaded each time the stacked paper is carried in. It is necessary to move the jogger stopper to be moved up and down. This reduces productivity, and is not suitable for speeding up the printing process, and cannot satisfy user requirements.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and prevents the stacked sheets from being discharged in a skewed state, so that the paper does not decrease productivity even when mass printing is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermediate transport unit that can stably eject a sheet and an image forming system including the intermediate transport unit.

An intermediate transport unit according to the present invention is disposed between an image forming unit and a post-processing unit, and can receive a sheet discharged from the image forming unit and collectively discharge a plurality of sheets to the post-processing unit. A conveying roller that conveys the paper, a stacking unit that is disposed below the conveying roller, and that can be stacked by receiving the paper that is discharged and dropped by the conveying roller with a stopper, and A pair of reciprocating motions provided on both sides of the paper entering the stacking portion so as to reciprocate in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the paper, and in contact with both side edges of the paper in the width direction. a movable aligning member, a driving unit for driving the pair of movable matching member, when a plurality of sheets are stacked in the stacking unit, the first sheet is the conveyance low When the paper is discharged from the printer and dropped, the drive unit is controlled to receive the pair of movable alignment members from the initial position outside the width of the paper. After being moved to a first alignment position that is closer to both side edges of the paper than the initial position and separated from the both side edges by a predetermined distance , the first contact position contacts the both side edges of the paper. And when the second and subsequent sheets are discharged from the transport roller and dropped to the stacking unit, the drive unit is controlled to move the pair of movable alignment members, from the initial position, a configuration and a second alignment position that control to move to the control unit.

An image forming system according to the present invention includes the intermediate transport unit having the above-described configuration, an image forming unit that forms and discharges an image on a sheet, and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the image-formed sheet. The intermediate transport unit is configured to be disposed between the image forming unit and the post-processing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the stacked sheets from being discharged in a skewed state, and to discharge the sheets stably without reducing productivity even when performing mass printing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system having an intermediate conveyance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of an image forming system having an intermediate conveyance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing the main part of the intermediate transport unit The figure which shows typically the alignment part of the width direction of the paper in the intermediate conveyance unit The figure which shows the stacking operation of the paper of the same intermediate conveyance unit The figure which shows the stacking operation of the paper of the same intermediate conveyance unit The figure which shows typically the alignment operation | movement of the alignment part which aligns the width direction of a sheet | seat in the intermediate conveyance unit The figure which shows typically the alignment operation | movement of the alignment part which aligns the width direction of a sheet | seat in the intermediate conveyance unit The figure which shows the state which accumulated the paper in the stacking part in the intermediate conveyance unit The operation when discharging the paper of the intermediate transport unit Schematic diagram showing the alignment operation in the paper width direction by the alignment unit Schematic diagram showing the alignment operation in the paper width direction by the alignment unit Schematic diagram showing the alignment operation in the paper width direction by the alignment unit The figure which uses for description of the modification of the intermediate conveyance unit which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure which uses for description of the modification of the intermediate conveyance unit which concerns on one embodiment of this invention

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming System 10>
FIG. 1 shows an image forming system 10 having an intermediate conveyance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming system 10 includes an image forming unit G as an image forming apparatus, an intermediate transport unit (Relay Unit) RU, and a post-processing unit (Finisher) F as a paper processing apparatus. The image forming unit G prints an image on a sheet, and the post-processing unit F performs post-processing on the printed sheet conveyed via the intermediate conveyance unit RU.

  The image forming unit G includes a touch panel 211, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 221, a scanner 222, a printing unit 23, and a paper feeding unit 24. The ADF 221 conveys the set original to the scanner 222, and the scanner 222 scans the conveyed original. The printing unit 23 includes an image forming unit 231 and a fixing unit 232. The image forming unit 231 forms an image with toner during printing processing, and transfers the toner image onto a sheet conveyed from the paper feeding unit 24. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit 231 is fixed by the fixing unit 232. After the fixing process, the sheet is conveyed to the intermediate conveyance unit RU.

  The intermediate transport unit RU is provided between the image forming unit G and the post-processing unit F. The intermediate transport unit RU receives the sheets printed by the image forming unit G one by one and transports them as they are to the post-processing unit F or collects them by the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3). It is conveyed to the post-processing unit F in units of a plurality of sheets.

  The post-processing unit F includes a post-processing unit 43. The post-processing unit 43 performs post-processing on the paper transported from the intermediate transport unit RU. Examples of the post-processing include at least one of a stapling process, a punching process, a folding process, and a gluing bookbinding process. The post-processed paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 45. The post-processing unit F has a transport path that reaches the paper discharge tray 45 without going through the post-processing unit 43, and the paper that is carried in from the intermediate transport unit RU is passed through the transport path without performing post-processing. Paper can also be discharged.

<Functional blocks of image forming system>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the image forming system 10 having the intermediate conveyance unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit G includes an operation unit 21, a reading unit 22, a printing unit 23, a control unit 25, a display unit 27, a communication unit 28, and a storage unit 29.

  The operation unit 21 includes a touch panel 211 and operation keys. The operation unit 21 generates an operation signal corresponding to the input operation by the user and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 25.

  The reading unit 22 optically scans the document conveyed by the ADF 221 with the scanner 222 to generate image data.

  The control unit 25 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 25 performs various calculations in cooperation with various processing programs stored in the storage unit 29 and centrally controls each unit of the image forming unit G.

  The control unit 25 creates job information for printing and post-processing. The job information is control information including instructions for printing conditions, post-processing conditions, and paper conveyance conditions according to these conditions.

  The display unit 27 displays an operation screen and a processing result on the touch panel 211 under the control of the control unit 25.

  The communication unit 28 includes a communication interface, and communicates with the intermediate transport unit RU and the post-processing unit F. For example, the communication unit 28 transmits job information to the intermediate transport unit RU and the post-processing unit F.

  The storage unit 29 stores various processing programs, parameters necessary for processing, setting data, and the like. The storage unit 29 stores image data. As the storage unit 29, a hard disk or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) can be used.

  The intermediate transport unit RU includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a transport unit 33, an FD (Feed Direction) matching unit 35, a CD (Cross Direction) matching unit 36, a control unit 37, and a paper passage sensor 384. The communication unit 31 communicates with the image forming unit G and the post-processing unit F, and outputs the communicated information to the control unit 37. For example, job information is received from the image forming unit G and output to the control unit 37. The storage unit 32 stores data such as a program used by the control unit 37. For example, the storage unit 32 stores a control table used for movement control of an assist guide 334 (see FIG. 3) described later, movement control of the FD alignment unit 35, drive control of the CD alignment unit 36, and the like.

  In particular, when the post-processing unit F connected to the intermediate transport unit RU is set to perform post-processing such as punch processing, the alignment member (movable alignment) is used in the CD aligning unit 36 when stacking sheets in the intermediate transport unit RU. Control is performed to displace the members 361 and 362 (see FIG. 4).

  The transport unit 33 is driven and controlled by the control unit 37, receives the paper transported from the control unit image forming unit G, transports the sheets one by one, or collects a plurality of sheets using the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3). Or discharged to an aftertreatment unit.

  The FD aligning unit 35 is driven and controlled by the control unit 37 and aligns, that is, aligns, the end portions (the front end and the rear end) in the conveyance direction of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3).

  The CD alignment unit 36 is driven and controlled by the control unit 37 and aligns the end portions (both side edges) in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction) of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3). Align.

  The control unit 37 has the same configuration as the control unit 25 of the image forming unit G, and centrally controls each unit of the intermediate transport unit RU. That is, the control unit 37 analyzes the job information transmitted from the image forming unit G using the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the sensor group 38, and reads the sheet conveyance conditions.

  The control unit 37 controls the conveyance of the paper carried from the image forming unit G through the conveyance unit 33 according to the read conveyance conditions. For example, the control unit 37 advances the paper carried from the image forming unit G straight as it is to the post-processing unit F, or after stacking a plurality of sheets by the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3). Or conveyed to the processing unit F. Further, the control unit 37 moves the assist guide 334 (see FIG. 3) in the intermediate transport unit RU and switches the paper transport path based on information from the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the sensor group 38.

  Further, the control unit 37 controls driving of the FD alignment unit 35 and the CD alignment unit 36 in the intermediate transport unit RU based on information from the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the sensor group 38. Details of drive control of the conveyance unit 33, the FD alignment unit 35, and the CD alignment unit 36 by the control unit 37 will be described later together with the conveyance unit 33, the FD alignment unit 35, and the CD alignment unit 36 with reference to FIG.

  The sensor group 38 illustrated in FIG. 2 outputs necessary information to the control unit 37 when the control unit 37 performs centralized control of each unit in the intermediate transport unit RU. The sensor group 38 includes a paper passage sensor 384, a CD (Cross Direction) HP (Home Position) sensor 386, an FD (Feed Direction) HP (Home Position) sensor (not shown), and the like. Using the signals detected by these sensor groups 38, the control unit 37 performs centralized control of each unit.

  The paper passage sensor 384 is provided on the upstream side of the transport roller R2 in the transport path Y (see FIG. 3), detects the passage of the paper moving on the transport path Y, and outputs it to the control unit 37. Specifically, the paper passage sensor 384 detects passage of the rear end of the paper, and for example, a photo sensor or the like is applied.

  The CD HP sensor 386 is a sensor that detects the home positions (HP) of the alignment members 361 and 362 in the CD alignment unit 36. Based on the HP detected by the CD HP sensor 386, the control unit 37 accurately moves the alignment members 361 and 362 to the set positions via a transmission mechanism such as a CD motor 366 (see FIG. 4). Moving.

  The post-processing unit F includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a post-processing unit 43, and a control unit 44. The communication unit 41 communicates with the image forming unit G and the intermediate transport unit RU and outputs the information to the control unit 44. The storage unit 42 stores data such as a program used by the control unit 44.

  The control unit 44 controls the post-processing unit F so as to perform control according to information set by the image forming unit G together with the intermediate transport unit RU. Here, the control unit 44 has the same configuration as the control unit 25 of the image forming unit G, and centrally controls each unit of the post-processing unit F. Specifically, the control unit 44 analyzes the job information transmitted from the image forming unit G using the communication unit 41 and the storage unit 42, and reads the instructed post-processing condition. The control unit 44 causes the post-processing unit 43 to perform post-processing based on the read post-processing conditions.

<Configuration of main part of intermediate transport unit RU>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of the intermediate transport unit RU.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate transport unit RU has paper transport paths X and Y. In the conveyance path X, the sheets carried one by one from the image forming unit G are advanced in the horizontal direction via the carry-in port, and discharged to the post-processing unit F without going through the stacking unit 34. Further, in the transport path Y, the sheets carried one by one from the image forming unit G through the carry-in entrance are transported to the stacking unit 34 while the sheets are advanced obliquely downward, and are stacked in the vertical direction by the stacking unit 34. . A plurality of sheets stacked in the stacking unit 34 are collected, advanced obliquely upward from the stacking unit 34, and discharged to the post-processing unit F. Note that the front and back of the paper that has passed through the transport path Y are reversed.

  In the intermediate transport unit RU, the transport unit 33 includes transport rollers R1 to R4 including a pair of rollers, a stacking unit 34, a switching guide 332, an assist guide 334, and an opposing guide 336. The stacking unit 34 of the intermediate transport unit RU includes an FD aligning unit 35 and a CD aligning unit 36 that align sheets stacked on the stacking unit 34.

  Each of the transport rollers R1 to R4 is controlled by a control unit 37 (see FIG. 2), and is rotated and driven via a motor (not shown) to sandwich and transport the paper.

  The transport roller R1 is disposed near the paper carry-in entrance, and the transport roller R4 is disposed near the paper discharge port. Here, the transport roller R1 is disposed on the upstream side of the branch portion of the transport path X and the transport path Y. The transport roller R1 transports the nipped paper to one side of the transport path X and the transport path Y.

  The transport roller R4 is disposed downstream from the joining portion of the transport path X and the transport path Y. The transport roller R4 discharges the paper that is transported by the transport roller R1 or the transport roller R3 (specifically, the transport roller R3 and the carry-out driven roller R31) to the downstream side, in this case, to the post-processing unit F Transport.

  The transport roller R2 is paired with the driven roller R21 and is disposed on the carry-in side path of the transport path Y. The transport roller R2 sandwiches the paper that is transported to the transport path Y side by the transport roller R1 and transports the paper to the stacking unit 34 disposed below.

  At this time, the transport roller R2 is rotationally driven in the loading direction side to the stacking unit 34 and discharges the paper. The paper discharged from the transport roller R2 falls freely and is collected in the stacking unit 34. That is, the transport roller R <b> 2 is spaced apart above the stacking unit 34 and discharges paper to the stacking unit 34 side so as to fall into the stacking unit 34.

  The transport roller R3 is disposed on the paper discharge side path of the transport path Y. The transport roller R3 sandwiches and transports the paper discharged to the post-processing unit F side via the stacking unit 34 together with the carry-out driven roller R31.

  Further, the transport roller R3 rotates (reversely rotates) in the direction opposite to the paper discharge direction, so that, together with the stopper 351, the end portions (rear end, front end) that are separated in the transport direction in the paper stacked on the stacking unit 34. Align.

  A switching guide 332 is disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller R1 and at the branch point of the two transport paths X and Y.

  The switching guide 332 is rotated by a control unit 37 via a solenoid (not shown), and the rotation path opens and closes the entrance of the transport path Y. The switching guide 332 moves to an open position indicated by a solid line when transporting a sheet to the transport path Y, and moves to a closed position indicated by a dotted line when transporting a sheet to the transport path X. Switch.

  The assist guide 334 is disposed between the transport roller R2 and the stacking unit 34, guides the carry-in of paper from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34 on the transport path Y, and on the transport path Y, collects the stacking unit. Guides the conveyance of the sheet from 34 to the conveyance roller R3. Further, the assist guide 334 prevents the paper from being bounced at the bottom of the stacking unit 34 (here, the stopper 351) when the paper is carried into the stacking unit 34 from the transport roller R2, and returns to the transport roller R2 side.

  In other words, the assist guide 334 is a position along the approach path Y1 that is a closed position that closes the path of the sheet that moves from the transport roller R2 to the stacking section 34 (an entrance path Y1 to the stacking section 34 in the transport path Y). It moves to the open position for guiding the paper that moves Y1.

  The assist guide 334 is disposed below the transport roller R2 on the transport path Y. The assist guide 334 is formed of a plate-like member that extends in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the assist guide 334 is pivotally mounted by driving a motor 338 controlled by the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) around the lower base end 334 a side. As a result, the assist guide 334 can displace between the open position indicated by the solid line and the closed position indicated by the dotted line, and can open and close the approach path Y1 as the transport path in the transport direction from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34. In the open position, the path from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34 in the transport path Y is opened and opened. The movement of the assist guide 334 is controlled by the control unit 37.

  When the assist guide 334 is on the open position side, it functions as a guide in the carry-in direction. The sheet that has passed the transport roller R2 is guided by the assist guide 334 and transported to the stacking unit 34. The assist guide 334 is displaced from the open position side to the closed position after the sheet is discharged from the transport roller R2 until it jumps at the bottom (stopper 351) of the stacking unit 34 and returns to the transport roller R2 side. As a result, the assist guide 334 closes, that is, closes, the transport path Y (entrance path Y1) between the transport roller R2 and the stacking unit 34. In this closed state, a gap (for example, about 2 mm) through which the sheet can pass is formed between the front end 334 b of the assist guide 334 and the opposing guide 336. Therefore, when the assist guide 334 is located at the closed position, the entry path Y1 is closed, and the assist guide 334 is in contact with the sheet discharged from the stacking unit 34 and serves as a guide in the discharge direction.

  The stacking unit 34 is disposed below the transport roller R2 and stacks by receiving the paper discharged by the transport roller R2 and falling by the stopper 351. Here, the stacking unit 34 is disposed below the transport roller R2 and the transport roller R3.

  The stacking unit 34 includes a support plate unit 343 that has a support surface 3521 that extends in the vertical direction and stacks sheets, and an opposing support unit 341 that has a support surface 3411 that faces the support surface 3521 on the carry-in side. The support plate portion 343 and the opposing support portion 341 are fixed to a stacking frame (not shown), and the stacking portion 34 forms both side surfaces of a region where sheets are stacked.

  The support surfaces 3521 and 3411 are parallel to each other. The length of the support surface 3411 in the transport direction is substantially the same as the length of the paper in the transport direction. The support surface 3411 is provided with a plurality of protrusions (not shown) extending in the transport direction in parallel in the paper width direction. Even if the protrusions (not shown) come into contact with the paper during the paper guide, the contact area with the paper is reduced without impairing the guide function, thereby protecting the paper. In addition, an opposing guide 336 having a guide surface that is flush with the support surface 3521 of the support plate portion 343 is provided on the support plate portion 343.

  The bottom of the stacking unit 34 includes a stopper 351 that is movable on the support surface 3521 in the vertical direction (conveying direction). The stopper 351 is formed on the frame portion 35 a of the FD matching portion 35. The stopper 351 stops the conveyance of the paper that has entered the stacking unit 34 and supports the leading edge of the paper located below.

  The FD aligning unit 35 and the CD aligning unit 36 are provided adjacent to the stacking unit 34 and align end portions of one or a plurality of sheets stacked in the stacking unit 34.

  The FD aligning unit 35 aligns end portions in the paper transport direction (Feed Direction), and the CD aligning unit 36 aligns end portions in the width direction (Cross Direction) which is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

  The FD alignment unit 35 is disposed in parallel with the support surface 3521 of the stacking unit 34, and has a U-shaped side view attached to a guide bar 354 extending in the vertical direction (here, the vertical direction) so as to be movable up and down. It has a frame part 35a. The guide rod 354 is fixed to the lower end portion of the support plate portion 343 and the bracket 345 fixed to the opposing guide 39. Thereby, the guide rod 354 is fixed to the support plate portion 343.

  The frame part 35 a is fixed to a pulley of the motor 353 and an endless belt 356 wound around the pulley 355 via a support part 352. The pulley 355 is fixed to the opposing guide 336 via the bracket 345, and the motor 353 is disposed to face the lower end portion of the support plate portion 343. With this configuration, the endless belt 356 is disposed along the extending direction of the guide rod 354. When the motor 353 is driven by the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2), the endless belt 356 rotates, and accordingly, the frame unit 35a moves up and down along the guide rod 354.

  A stopper 351 is formed at the lower side of the frame portion 35a, and this stopper 351 protrudes toward the support surface 3521 via a guide opening formed to extend up and down on the support surface 3521.

  In the stopper 351, a receiving plate portion 3513 is attached via a cushion material (a cushioning material such as rubber) 3512 on the base portion 3511 which is a portion that can freely move in the vertical direction between the support portions 3521 and 3411. It has been. The receiving plate portion 3513 receives the paper entering the stacking portion 34 through the cushion material 3512.

  Specifically, the stopper 351 is discharged from the transport roller R2 and freely falls and does not have the stacking portion 34, that is, the paper entering between the support surfaces 3521 and 3411 is received by the receiving plate portion 3513 on the cushion material 3512. Receive at. As a result, the stopper 351 is generated when the sheets that are discharged from the transport roller R2 and collide by falling are absorbed by the cushion 3521 when the sheets are stacked on the stacking unit 34, and the sheets directly collide with the stopper 351. Can ease the sound. As a result, the stopper 351 achieves noise reduction during the accumulation. In addition, the receiving plate part 3513 is comprised by the SUS board etc., for example.

  The CD aligning portion 36 is attached to the opposing support portion 341.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a CD aligning portion in the paper width direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, the CD alignment unit 36 includes a pair of left and right arm-shaped alignment members 361 and 362 and a CD motor (drive unit) 366 that drives the pair of alignment members (movable alignment members) 361 and 362. With.

  The pair of alignment members 361 and 362 are arranged on both sides of the paper entering the stacking portion 34 so as to sandwich the paper in the support surfaces 3521 and 3411, that is, the paper in the stacking portion 34 in the width direction. Yes. The pair of alignment members 361 and 362 can reciprocate in the width direction perpendicular to the paper traveling direction.

  The pair of alignment members 361 and 362 abut against both side edges in the width direction of the paper in the stacking unit 34 and perform alignment in the width direction on the paper.

  The left alignment member 361 is fixed to the pin 363, the right alignment member 362 is fixed to the pin 364, and the pins 363 and 364 are fixed to one rotating surface and the other rotating surface of the rotating belt 365, respectively. The

  The belt 365 is disposed to face the stacking portion 34 (support surfaces 3521 and 3411), and is wound around pulleys 367 and 368 that are spaced apart from each other in the paper width direction. One of the pulleys 367 and 368 is connected to a CD motor 366, and the pulley 368 is rotationally driven by the CD motor 366 to rotate the belt 365.

  As the belt 365 is rotated by driving the CD motor 366, the left and right alignment members 361 and 362 fixed to different rotation surfaces of the belt 365 move in opposite directions.

  By repeating the movement of the two aligning members 361 and 362 away from each other, the aligning surfaces (opposing surfaces of the aligning plates) 3611 and 3621 of the aligning members 361 and 362 are brought into contact with the end portions in the width direction of the sheet S. And press several times. Thereby, the alignment members 361 and 362 align the end portions in the width direction of the sheet.

  Here, when the sheet is discharged from the transport roller R2 and dropped, the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 gradually move from the position away from the both side edges of the sheet to the both side edges of the sheet. Align. Note that this stepwise alignment is performed when the sheet S is transported by the transport path Y instead of the transport path X, such as when punching for punching holes is set or when one sheet is reversed, that is, This is preferable when the sheets S are collected and discharged in the stacking unit 34.

  Specifically, as the alignment members 361 and 362 move, the alignment members 361 and 362 (alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621) facing the both side edges of the paper in the stacking unit 34 are moved to the initial position P0, the first position, respectively. It moves to the alignment position P1 and the second alignment position P2.

  The initial position P0 is a position for receiving the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance roller R2, and is a position outside the sheet width (for example, 10 mm from the side edge of the sheet).

  The first alignment position P1 is a position closer to both side edges of the paper than the initial position P0. The first alignment position P1 is a position close to both side edges of the paper, and is a position away from both side edges of the paper by a predetermined distance (for example, 2 mm from the side edges of the paper).

  Furthermore, the second alignment position P2 is a position narrower than the first alignment position P1, and the alignment members 361 and 362 (alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621) are in contact with both side edges of the sheet for alignment.

  The alignment members 361 and 362 are driven and controlled by the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) via the CD motor 366 so as to be positioned at the positions P0, P1, and P2. That is, the controller 37 moves the alignment members 361 and 362 to the initial position P0, the first alignment position P1, and the second alignment position P2 on the support surface 3521.

  The positions P0, P1, and P2 are set corresponding to the paper, and here, the control unit 37 sets the information based on the input paper information. Based on the set information and information by the CD HP sensor 386 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the home positions of the alignment members 361 and 362, the control unit 37 performs the alignment member via the CD motor 366. 361 and 362 are moved.

  As a result, the control unit 37 drives the CD motor 366 and moves the alignment members 361 and 362 to the respective positions P0, through the winding transmission mechanism including the belt 365, the CD motor 366, and the pulleys 367 and 368. Drive control is performed so as to be positioned at P1 and P2.

  Next, the operation in which the intermediate transport unit RU stacks a plurality of sheets (here, two sheets) and aligns them by the CD aligning unit 36 together with a series of operations of discharging after stacking is shown in FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

<Accumulation operation of intermediate transport unit RU>
Before the conveyance of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 351 of the FD alignment unit 35 is at the initial position V0.

  When the first sheet is carried in from the image forming unit G, the conveyance guide 332 is moved to the open position (solid line position in FIG. 3) under the control of the control unit 37.

  The paper is transported by transport rollers R1 and R2 and a driven roller R21, and is guided by a switching guide 332 and an assist guide 334 to proceed to a stacking unit 34 below (vertically downward in this case).

  As described above, when the paper is discharged from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34, the assist guide 334 is controlled by the control unit 37, and the paper is kept waiting at a position near the transport path Y. To guide. At this time, the alignment members 361 and 362 of the CD alignment unit 36 are controlled by the control unit 37 via the CD motor 366 and are waiting at the initial position P0.

  When the paper S is discharged from the transport roller R2, that is, when the rear end SB of the paper S comes out of the holding state of the transport roller R2, the assist guide 334 is closed by the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2). Has started moving to the side.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the assist guide 334 is moving in the direction of the arrow D1 toward the closed position when the trailing edge SB of the sheet S has come out of the transport roller R2 and the driven roller R21. It contacts the paper S that has passed R2. As a result, the rear end of the sheet S is pressed toward the closed position and falls and easily falls within the stacking unit 34.

  The assist guide 334 starts to move when the assist guide 334 that starts moving at this timing is the timing when the rear end SB of the paper S is separated (separated) from the transport roller R2 (discharge timing). This is the timing when the sheet S is contacted.

  Here, the control unit 37 controls the driving of the assist guide 334 based on the paper discharge timing set based on the detection result of the paper passage sensor 384.

  The paper discharge timing is set as a timing at which the paper is discharged from the transport roller R2 after a predetermined time (mmSEC) at a preset speed with reference to the paper passage timing passing through the sensor position of the paper passage sensor 384. The Specifically, the paper discharge timing is a timing at which the trailing edge of the paper comes out of the transport roller R2.

  The time taken for the paper ejected at this paper ejection timing to bounce off the stopper 351 of the stacking unit 34 and reach the transport roller R2 is set to the distance from the transport roller R2 to the stopper 351, the preset paper movement speed, and the like. Set based on.

  Based on these, the control unit 37 assists so that the assist guide 334 is positioned on the path of the paper that bounces back to the transport roller R2 until the paper discharged at the paper discharge timing reaches the transport roller R2. The timing for starting the movement of the guide 334 is set.

  The assist guide 334 that moves at the movement start timing set in this manner moves to the closed position before the sheet S discharged from the transport roller R2 hits the stopper 351 and returns to the transport roller R2 side. As shown in FIG. 6, the assist guide 334 located at the closed position closes the transport path Y (entry path Y1) toward the transport roller R2. As a result, even when the leading edge SF of the paper S that has fallen on the stacking unit 34 abuts against a stopper 351 (specifically, the receiving plate portion 3513) and the paper S bounces, the bounced paper S remains on the transport roller R2 side. Will never return. Further, since the assist guide 334 has moved to the closed position, the bounced paper S is guided to the carry-out side.

  Further, when the paper S is discharged from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34 side and dropped, the alignment members 361 and 362 in the CD alignment unit 36 together with the assist guide 334 have the first alignment members 361 and 362 as shown in FIG. Move to the alignment position P1 (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the alignment members 361 and 362 move from the initial position P0 to the first alignment portion P1 when the trailing edge SB of the sheet S is removed from the transport roller R2.

  Specifically, the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) drives the motor 336 to rotate the belt 365 in the D2 direction at the paper discharge timing when the trailing edge SB of the paper S comes out of the transport roller R2.

  As described above, the paper discharge timing is set based on the passage timing detected by the paper passage sensor 384. Based on the set discharge timing and the amount of movement to the first position set based on the signal from the CD HP sensor 386 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) The CD motor 366 is driven. Through the rotation of the belt 365 driven by the CD motor 366, the alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the alignment members 361 and 362 are moved from the initial position P0 (indicated by an imaginary line) to the sheet S at the paper discharge timing. To the first alignment position P1, which is a position close to both side edges SD.

  As a result, the CD aligning unit 36 presses both side edges of the sheet with the aligning surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the aligning members 361 and 362, and performs the first-stage alignment in the width direction with respect to the sheet S.

  Next, in the CD alignment unit 36, as shown in FIG. 8, the alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the alignment members 361 and 362 are moved to the second alignment position P2 after being positioned at the first alignment position P1, Abuts on both sides of the paper. As a result, the width direction of the sheet S is aligned so as to be positioned within the region between the second alignment positions P2.

  Here, when the alignment members 361 and 362 move from the first alignment position P1 to the second alignment position P2, the leading end SF (see FIG. 5) of the sheet S hits the stopper 351 (specifically, the receiving plate portion 3513). Later, the first alignment position P1 moves to the second alignment position P2.

  Specifically, the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) sets the second timing set based on the timing at which the paper S bounces at the stopper 351 set based on the paper discharge timing and the signal from the CD HP sensor 386. The CD motor 366 is driven based on the amount of movement to the position. Through the rotation of the belt 365 driven by the CD motor 366, the alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the alignment members 361 and 362 abut against both side edges SD of the paper S from the first position P1 (indicated by phantom lines). It moves to the second position P2 in contact.

  As a result, the CD aligning unit 36 presses both side edges of the sheet with the aligning surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the aligning members 361 and 362, and performs the second-stage alignment with respect to the sheet S. Therefore, the end of the sheet S in the width direction is aligned in the stacking unit 34.

  As described above, after the paper S bounced by the stopper 351 which is the bottom of the stacking portion 34 stops moving again when the leading edge SF abuts against the stopper 351 in the stacking portion 34, both side edges in the width direction are aligned. In this state, it is accumulated in the accumulation unit 34.

  Next, when the leading edge SF comes into contact with the stopper 351 and reaches the stopper 351 and the alignment in the width direction is performed, the stopper 351 is raised by an instruction from the control unit 37, and the position is changed from the initial position V0 shown in FIG. Move to V1.

  Next, in order to guide the loaded paper to the stacking unit 34 side, the control unit 37 moves the assist guide 334 to the open position. Further, the control unit 37 moves the alignment members 361 and 362 of the CD alignment unit 36 to the initial position P0.

  When the second sheet is carried in from the image forming unit G, the control unit 37 causes the switching guide 332 and the assist guide 334 to guide the second sheet as in the case of the first sheet S. Transport to the stacking unit 34. In the stacking unit 34, as the stopper 351 is raised, the trailing edge SB of the first sheet is higher than the lower end of the left side roller of the pair of transport rollers R2 shown in FIG. In position.

  Since the assist guide 334 moves to the closed position side, the second sheet is pushed into the stacking unit 34 side, and the leading edge SF of the second sheet collides with the trailing edge of the first sheet S. Without being guided, the sheet S is guided and proceeds through the stacking unit 34.

  Then, the sheet enters the stacking unit 34, is guided by the first sheet S, stops by hitting a stopper 351 (specifically, a receiving plate unit 3513), and fits in the stacking unit 34. The second sheet SS is rubbed with the first sheet S when the sheet S is arranged in the stacking unit 34 and the stacking unit 34 is narrow, and the stacking unit 34 enters. Since a load is generated, it is difficult to drop in the stacking unit 34. That is, the second sheet SS is difficult to jump by the stopper 351 and is difficult to shift in the width direction.

  For this reason, the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) displays a pair of alignment members (movable alignment members) 361 and 362 only for the first sheet when a plurality of sheets are stacked on the stacking unit 34. 4 is moved to the initial position P0, the first alignment position P1, and the second alignment position P2 shown in FIG. The second sheet SS is aligned by moving the pair of alignment members (movable alignment members) 361 and 362 from the initial position P0 to the second alignment position P2. Accordingly, it is not necessary to move the alignment members 361 and 362 step by step for each sheet entering the stacking unit 34, and the alignment processing work can be shortened.

  Then, the stopper 351 is lowered by an instruction from the control unit 33 and moves from the position V1 to the initial position V0 as shown in FIG. As described above, a plurality of sheets S and SS are stacked on the stacking unit 34 in a stacked state.

  The sheets S and SS accumulated in the accumulation unit 34 are moved to the position V2 by a stopper 351 that is raised by the control of the control unit 37. This position V2 is a position where the distance between the position V2 and the transport roller R3 is equal to the length in the transport direction of the paper, and the transport roller R3 is a position where the length in the transport direction of the paper S is aligned with the stopper 351. It is. Note that the sheets S and SS that are traveling vertically upward are guided by the assist guide 334 and the opposing guide 336.

  As described above, when the stopper 351 (specifically, the receiving plate portion 3513) moves to the position V2, as shown in FIG. 10, the rear end (the upper end in the figure) of the sheet S guided by the assist guide 334 and the opposing guide 336. ) SB reaches the transport roller R3. At this time, the transport roller R3 rotates in the direction opposite to that during normal transport based on an instruction from the control unit 37, and the rear ends SB of the plurality of sheets S at the nip portion with the carry-out driven roller R31. To match. The reverse rotation of the transport roller R3 is to prevent the rear end SB (upper end in the drawing) of the sheets S and SS from entering between the transport roller R3 and the carry-out driven roller R31. Thereby, the conveyance roller R3 is aligned with the stoppers 351 in the conveyance direction with respect to the overlapping sheets S and SS.

  Thereafter, when the transport roller R3 rotates its rotational direction back to the normal rotational direction, the sheets S and SS with the rear end (upper end in the figure) SB aligned are collectively transported in the paper discharge direction. That is, the overlapping sheets (here, two sheets) S and SS are transported by the transport roller R3 in a state where the length and width are aligned. Then, the paper is nipped by the transport roller R4 (see FIG. 3) and discharged from the intermediate transport unit RU to the post-processing unit F. The alignment members 361 and 362 of the CD alignment unit 36 move to the initial position P0 as the sheets S and SS are held by the transport roller R3 and the unloading driven roller R31. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the paper discharge from the stacking unit 34 is started, the assist guide 334 finishes the guide, moves to the open position, and returns to the position before the guide in the paper discharge direction.

  Thus, in the intermediate transport unit RU of the present embodiment, the stacking unit 34 is disposed below the transport roller R2 that transports the paper S. The stacking unit 34 can stack the paper S that is discharged and dropped by the transport roller R <b> 2 by the stopper 351. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of alignment members 361 and 362 are provided on both sides of the sheet S entering the stacking section 34 so as to be reciprocable in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the sheet S. ing. The pair of alignment members 361 and 362 abut on both side edges of the sheet S in the width direction and align. The pair of alignment members 361 and 362 are driven by a CD motor (drive unit) 366, and the CD motor 366 is controlled by the control unit 37.

  The control unit 37 moves the pair of alignment members (movable alignment members) 361 and 362 between the pair of alignment members (movable alignment members) 361 and 362 when the paper S is discharged from the transport roller R2 and falls. To narrow. Here, the control unit 37 uses a discharge timing to discharge a pair of alignment members 361 and 361 via a motor (drive unit) 366 shown in FIG. 362 is moved from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1. The initial position P0 is a position for receiving the sheet S being conveyed by the conveying roller R2, and the first alignment position P1 is closer to the both side edges SD of the sheet S than the initial position P0 and is a predetermined interval from the both side edges SD. It is a distant position. Based on the signal from the paper passage sensor 384, the control unit 37 detects (calculates) the timing (paper ejection timing) at which the paper is ejected from the transport roller R2.

  11 to 13 are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of sheet alignment by the CD alignment unit 36 of the intermediate transport unit RU according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, between the alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621 positioned at the initial position P0, the sheet S is discharged from the transport roller R2 (see FIG. 3), enters the stacking unit 34, and jumps at the stopper 351 so that the sheet S is positioned in a skew state. Indicates the state to be performed. The area SC indicates the sheet position when the alignment in the width direction is finished and the sheet is discharged from the stacking unit 34.

  Based on the paper discharge timing detected by the detection timing signal from the paper passage sensor 384, the control unit 37 sets the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 to the initial position when the rear end SB of the paper S is removed from the transport roller R 2. The position is moved from the position P0 to the first alignment position P1.

  Accordingly, in the state of the sheet S shown in FIG. 11, the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 move from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1 (see FIG. 12). Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the sheet S is pressed by the alignment surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the alignment members 361 and 362 and moves in the direction of the arrow D4, so that a large skew is improved. In FIG. 12, the paper S is arranged at a position shifted to the right side from the paper position SC.

  Then, the control unit 37 moves the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 to the second alignment position P2 where the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 are in contact with and aligned with the side edges SD of the sheet S after being positioned at the first alignment unit. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the sheet S in the stacking unit 34 is aligned in the sheet width direction, and there is no deviation in the width direction.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the stopper 351 in the stacking portion 34 includes a base 3511, a cushion material 3512 on the base 3511, and a receiving plate portion 3513 on the cushion material 3512. With this configuration, the sheet S bounced off by the stopper 351 is bounced back by being received by the receiving plate portion 3513 of the stopper 351 via the cushion material 3512. As a result, the impact sound when the paper S bounces is reduced, but the paper S itself is more likely to bounce compared to a conventional stopper formed in a plate shape with a single material (for example, metal). Therefore, it is easy to be skewed and disposed in the stacking unit 34.

  However, in the intermediate transport unit RU, the interval between the alignment members 361 and 362 at the position where the sheet S is sandwiched is narrowed in steps, thereby aligning the sheet S in the width direction. For this reason, even if it stays in the accumulating portion 34 in a state skewed with a large inclination compared to the conventional stopper, it is accurately and suitably aligned by the alignment members 361 and 362.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stacked sheets from being discharged in a skewed state. Also, even if the image forming system 10 is used in the PP field where commercial printing or large-scale printing in a company is used, the intermediate transport unit RU differs from the conventional case in that a jogger that receives a sheet every time a stacked sheet is carried in. There is no need to move the stopper up and down. As a result, the sheet can be stably discharged to the post-processing unit F or the like without deteriorating the productivity, which is suitable for speeding up the printing process.

  Particularly, the post-processing device subsequent to the intermediate transport unit RU is a punch processing device that does not have alignment means in the post-processing device itself, and reverses one sheet using the stacking unit 34 and discharges the paper to the punch processing device. Even in this case, the paper can be suitably discharged. Thus, the punch processing apparatus can form the punch hole at a suitable position without shifting the punch hole position when punching the sheet.

  In the intermediate transport unit RU, when the control unit 37 stacks a plurality of sheets S in the stacking unit 34, the control unit 37 moves the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 from the initial position P0 only to the first sheet S. Although the first alignment position P1 and the second alignment position P2 are sequentially moved, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the alignment members 361 and 362 may be moved from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1 to the second alignment position P2 for each sheet discharged from the transport roller R2 one by one. That is, the CD aligning unit 36 may perform alignment on sheets that are reversed one by one. The operation at that time is the same as the operation performed on the above-described two sheets.

  Further, in the intermediate transport unit RU of the present embodiment, the control unit 37 moves the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 from the initial position P0 to the first alignment when the trailing edge SB of the sheet S is removed from the transport roller R2. Although it is moved to the position P1, it is not limited to this. For example, when the paper entering the stacking unit 34 is bounced by the stopper 351 or after the bounce, the control unit 37 moves the alignment members 361 and 362 from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1, and then You may move to the 2nd alignment position P2.

  Further, the control unit 37 performs stepwise movement of the alignment members 361 and 362 (initial position P0 → first alignment position P1 → second alignment position P2), and sheets when stacking a plurality of sheets S on the stacking unit 34. You may go every time.

<Modification>
In this modification, when a plurality of sheets are stacked on the stacking unit 34, the control unit 37 moves the alignment members 361 and 362 from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1 with respect to the first sheet. Then, the second sheet is moved from the first alignment position P1 to the second alignment position P2.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, when the first sheet S is discharged from the transport roller R2 to the stacking unit 34 side and dropped, the CD aligning unit 36, as shown in FIG. The alignment members 361 and 362 are moved to the first alignment position P1 (see FIG. 4) by the controller 37. Here, the alignment members 361 and 362 move from the initial position P0 to the first alignment position P1 when the trailing edge SB of the sheet S is removed from the transport roller R2 (see FIG. 6).

  Then, the control unit 37 controls the FD aligning unit 35 including the transport roller R2, the assist guide 334, and the stopper 351 while keeping the aligning members 361 and 362 at the first aligning position P1, and controls the second sheet. To enter the accumulating section 34.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the intermediate transport unit RU, schematically showing the CD alignment unit 36 in which the alignment members 361 and 362 are positioned at the first alignment position P1 and the second sheet is integrated. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the CD aligning unit 36 causes the control unit 37 to move the aligning members 361 and 362 to the first aligning position P1 with respect to the first sheet S entering the stacking unit 34 (see FIG. 3). After moving and performing the first-stage alignment, the second sheet SS is received in that state.

  The second sheet SS slides on the first sheet S in the stacking unit 34 and enters the stacking unit 34. As a result, the second sheet SS is less likely to jump by the stopper 351 and easily fits between the alignment members 361 and 362 located at the first alignment position P1. In FIG. 14, the second sheet SS is displaced between the alignment members 361 and 362, although shifted in the width direction from the position after alignment.

  Then, the control unit 37 (see FIG. 2) moves the pair of alignment members 361 and 362 to the first position when the second sheet SS is discharged from the transport roller R2 (see FIG. 3) and falls to the stacking unit 34. Move from the first alignment position P1 to the second alignment position P2.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the intermediate transport unit RU, and is a diagram schematically illustrating the CD alignment unit 36 in which the alignment members 361 and 362 are positioned at the second alignment position P2.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the alignment members 361 and 362 move to the second alignment position P2, both side edges SD of the sheets S and SS are pressed, and the width direction of the overlapping sheets S and SS (the traveling direction as the transport direction) Alignment is performed to align both side edges SD in the (perpendicular direction). As a result, the CD aligning unit 36 can easily perform alignment in the width direction on the plurality of stacked sheets S and SS.

  The intermediate transport unit RU in the present embodiment may be an image forming apparatus provided integrally with the image forming unit G, or may be a post-processing apparatus provided integrally with the post-processing unit F. Further, the intermediate transport unit RU may be arranged between a unit that performs the folding process and a unit that performs the stapling process. In this case, the intermediate transport unit RU can stack the folded sheets and collectively transport them to the stapling unit. In other words, in the field of production and printing (PP field, commercial printing, and large-scale printing in a company), it is used together with a post-processing unit, so that a plurality of sheets can be superimposed as appropriate according to the processing speed of the post-processing unit. Can be transported to the post-processing unit. Thereby, a booklet of a desired form can be manufactured while increasing yield and ensuring productivity.

  Further, as a computer-readable medium of a program related to movement control of the alignment members 361 and 362, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and a flash memory, and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. In the intermediate transport unit RU according to the present embodiment, the timing of the sheet alignment by the CD alignment unit 36 may be the same as the timing of the sheet alignment by the FD alignment unit 35 or may end at the same timing. Good.

  In addition, as a medium for providing program data related to movement control of the alignment members 361 and 362 via a communication line, a carrier wave (carrier wave) is also applied to the present invention, and the control unit reads out information from the medium. 37 may control the operation.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 28, 31 Communication part 32 Storage part 33 Conveyance part 34 Accumulation part 35 FD alignment part 36 CD alignment part 37 Control part 38 Sensor group 41 Communication part 42 Storage part 43 Post-processing part 44 Control part 45 Paper discharge tray 231 Image forming unit 232 Fixing unit 338, 353 Motor 341 Opposing support unit 351 Stopper 352 Support unit 366 CD motor (drive unit)
361, 362 Alignment member (movable alignment member)
384 Paper passing sensor 386 CD HP sensor 3411, 3521 Support surface 3511 Base 3512 Cushion material 3513 Receiving plate part 3611 3621 Alignment surface R1, R2, R3, R4 Conveying roller P0 Initial position P1 First alignment position P2 Second alignment position

Claims (4)

An intermediate conveyance unit that is disposed between the image forming unit and the post-processing unit, receives paper discharged from the image forming unit, and collects a plurality of sheets and discharges them to the post-processing unit,
A transport roller for transporting the paper;
A stacking unit that is disposed below the transport roller and that can be stacked by receiving the paper that is discharged and dropped by the transport roller with a stopper;
Provided so as to be reciprocable in the width direction perpendicular to the sheet traveling direction on both sides of the sheet entering the stacking unit, and abuts and aligns with both side edges of the sheet in the width direction. A pair of movable alignment members;
A drive unit for driving the pair of movable alignment members;
When a plurality of sheets are stacked on the stacking unit, when the first sheet is discharged from the transport roller and dropped, the driving unit is controlled to move the pair of movable alignment members to the transport unit. A first alignment that is a position for receiving the paper being transported by a roller and is located closer to both side edges of the paper than the initial position from an initial position outside the paper width, and separated from the both side edges by a predetermined distance. After being moved to the position, the sheet is moved from the first alignment position to a second alignment position where the paper contacts and aligns with both side edges of the sheet, and the second and subsequent sheets are discharged from the transport roller to the stacking unit. when falling is, the pair of movable matching member by controlling the drive unit, the said initial position, and a control unit that controls so as to move to the second aligning position,
Having
Intermediate transport unit. The control unit moves the pair of movable alignment members from the initial position to the first alignment position when a rear end of the first sheet is removed from the transport roller.
The intermediate conveyance unit according to claim 1. The control unit moves the pair of movable alignment members from the first alignment position to the second alignment position after the leading edge of the first sheet hits the stopper .
The intermediate conveyance unit according to claim 1 or 2 . The intermediate transport unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
An image forming unit for forming an image on paper and discharging it;
A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the image-formed paper,
The intermediate transport unit is disposed between the image forming unit and the post-processing unit.
Image forming system.

Images