JPH09255221A - Automatic stapling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect the buckling of a staple needle in a magazine by providing a conductive needle contact member on the staple needle at the feed position, connecting one end to a clinch bar and the other end to clinch guides and the needle contact member, applying a voltage, and detecting the potential of the clinch bar. SOLUTION: The clinch bar 3a of an automatic stapling device 2 is brought into contact with a staple needle S at the driving position then extrudes it to stitch a paper bundle. The needle section tips of the staple needle S are brought into contact with clinch guide pieces 5b, 5c and electrically connected to them, a current flows in the path including the second resistor 4d, separate currents flow via the first resistor 6, the clinch bar 3a, the staple needle S, and the third and fourth resistors 5d, 5e, and the potential of the clinch bar 3a is changed by the voltage generated on the first resistor 6. The change of this potential is detected, and the exhaustion and buckling of the staple needle S are detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic stapling apparatus used in a post-processing apparatus such as a sorter or finisher, and more particularly, to improvement of detection means for detecting buckling of staples or absence of staples.

Conventionally, the above-mentioned automatic stapling apparatus has a magazine which can hold a large number of staples and which sequentially feeds the staples at the feed position to the driving position.
It has a clinch guide arranged to face the staple needle at the driving position, and a clinch bar that pushes out the staple needle at the driving position until the tip ends of the pair of needle portions clinch. When the automatic stapling apparatus is used in, for example, a post-processing apparatus, it is positioned with respect to a plurality of sheets (sheet bundle) arranged in a stacked state on the discharge sheet tray, That is, after the sheet bundle is positioned between the driving position and the clinch guide, the clinch bar is operated to perform the stapling process on the sheet bundle.

[0003]

By the way, in such an automatic stapling apparatus, while operating continuously in synchronism with the operation of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, there is a possibility that staples in a magazine may be broken. Therefore, it is effective to detect a staple staple break in the magazine and then stop the image forming apparatus based on the detection information. For that reason,
Conventionally, JP-A-4-59201 and JP-A-5-330
Japanese Patent No. 268, etc. propose an automatic stapling apparatus for detecting staple staple breakage in a magazine.

The staple staple breakage detecting means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-59201 moves the slider according to the movement of the member for feeding the staple to the driving position in the magazine, and at the same time, moves the slider. It is optically detected by a photo sensor. Further, in the post-processing apparatus of the above publication, when the slider is detected by the photo sensor, it is determined that the staple is out.

Further, the staple staple breakage detecting means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-330268 detects the current of the drive motor of the clinch bar at the timing of clinching the staple. Further, in the post-processing device of the above publication, if a large current does not flow at the above timing, it is considered that clinching is not actually performed, and it is determined that the staple is out. It should be noted that with this technique, it is not possible to detect staple breakage unless the staple needle is blanked once after being stapled.

Further, in the above automatic stapling apparatus,
While the stapling may be buckled during the stapling process and the stapling process may not be properly performed, the stapling process may be continuously performed in synchronization with the operation of the image forming apparatus. Because it will
It is effective to detect whether or not the stapling process has been properly performed, and then perform a predetermined process based on the detection information, for example, a process of stacking the sheet bundle with other sheet bundles so as to stack them. Therefore, conventionally, JP-A-3-12189
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-70387 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-70387 propose automatic stapling devices for detecting buckling of staples.

The buckling detecting means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-121897 divides the clinch guide into two parts and applies a voltage between the clinch guide pieces to detect the current at that time. The presence / absence is detected. Further, in the post-processing device of the above publication, if the stapling process is appropriately performed, the current flows between the pair of clinch guide pieces. Therefore, if the current does not flow, the staple needle is bent. Deciding.

Further, the buckling detecting means disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-70387 is to detect the presence or absence of current at that time by applying a voltage between the clinch bar and the clinch guide. . Further, in the post-processing device of the above publication, if the stapling process is appropriately performed, a current flows between the clinch bar and the clinch guide, so if the current does not flow, the staple needle is bent. Deciding. It should be noted that this technique cannot detect when only one of the staples is bent.

[0009]

If an automatic stapling apparatus is constructed by appropriately adopting these techniques,
It is possible to detect staple staple breakage and staple buckling in the magazine.

However, as described above, since these techniques detect staple staple breakage or staple staple buckling by different detecting means, it will detect staple staple breakage and staple staple buckling in the magazine. In such a case, it is necessary to separately adopt means corresponding to each purpose to configure the automatic stapling apparatus, and the configuration becomes dramatically complicated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop an automatic stapling apparatus having a detecting means capable of detecting staple staple breakage and buckling of staples in a magazine without drastically complicating the structure. To do.

[0012]

That is, according to the present invention, a magazine that can hold a large number of staples and that sequentially feeds the staples at the feed position to the driving position,
It has a clinch guide arranged to face the staple needle at the driving position, and a clinch bar that pushes out the staple needle at the driving position until the pair of needle end tips clinches, and between the driving position and the clinch guide. In an automatic stapling device for stapling the sheet bundle by operating the clinch bar with a sheet bundle interposed, a clinch bar and a clinch guide are made of a conductive material, and staples at a feeding position are provided. A conductive needle contact member disposed in contact with the needle, one end of which is connected to the clinch bar via a predetermined voltage generating element, and the other end of which is provided with a separate voltage for the clinch guide and the needle contact member. An automatic device having a voltage applying member connected via a generating element and provided with detection means for outputting the potential of the clinch bar. A tape ring device.

In the present invention, the magazine may be any one that can hold a large number of staples and can sequentially feed the staples at the feed position to the driving-in position. A through hole through which only one staple can pass is formed at one end of the box-shaped accommodating member, and a pressing member is arranged in the accommodating member to apply a pressing force in the through hole direction to the staple. There are things I tried to do. In this configuration, the position facing the through hole is the staple needle driving position, and the other positions are the feed positions.

The clinch guide may be arranged so as to face the staple needle at the driving position, and for example, may be arranged at the position facing the through hole of the accommodating member. Further, the clinch guide may be made of a conductive material, and for example, it is divided into two grooves for bending both ends of the staple needle inward.
It may be constituted by one conductive clinch guide piece.

The clinch bar is capable of pushing out the staples at the driving position until the tips of the pair of needles are clinched by the clinch guide, and may be made of a conductive material.

The needle contact member is made of a conductive material,
It suffices if it is arranged so as to be in contact with the staple at the feeding position. When a plurality of staples can be accommodated at the feed position, the staples may be arranged so as to come into contact with all the staples or a part of the staples. . When the staple contact member is brought into contact with some of the staples, it is preferable that the staple contact member is disposed so as to at least contact the staples located at the positions adjacent to the driving position. The voltage applying member may be any one that can generate a voltage across its ends, and for example, a general DC voltage generating source can be used.

The voltage generating element may be any element as long as it generates a voltage across the current when a current flows, and for example, a resistor can be used. Further, when the clinch guide is composed of two clinch guide pieces that are in contact with one ends of the staples, respectively, these two clinch guide pieces may be connected to one voltage generating element. Connect to the device.

In the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the clinch bar is made of a conductive material, and a conductive needle abutting member arranged so as to abut the staple at the feeding position is provided. Since one end of the applying member was connected to the clinch bar via the voltage generating element and the other end was connected to the needle abutting member, when the clinch bar was operated with the staples in the magazine, the voltage was generated. A current flows from the element to the needle contact member via the clinch bar and the staple needle, and the potential of the clinch bar is changed by the voltage generated in the voltage generating element, while the clinch bar is removed without the staple needle in the magazine. When actuated, no current flows, so the potential of the clinch bar becomes the voltage applied by the voltage applying member.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the clinch bar and the clinch guide are made of a conductive material, one end of the voltage applying member is connected to the clinch bar via the voltage generating element, and the other end is connected to the clinch guide. When the staple needle penetrates the bundle of sheets and is normally bent by the clinch guide, current flows from the voltage generating element to the clinch guide via the clinch bar and the staple needle, and the potential of the clinch bar is increased. Is mutated by the voltage generated in the voltage generating element, while the current does not flow when the staple is buckled, the potential of the clinch bar becomes the voltage applied by the voltage applying member.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the voltage generating element is interposed between the voltage applying member and the clinch guide, and the voltage generating element is provided between the voltage applying member and the needle contact member. Since another voltage generating element is interposed, the potential of the clinch bar fluctuates even when the clinch bar and the clinch guide are energized while the clinch bar and the needle contact member are energized. Can be made.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the clinch guide is formed by two clinch guide pieces, and each clinch guide piece is connected to the voltage applying member through a separate voltage generating element. Even when the staple is buckled on one side, it is possible to detect it by changing the potential of the clinch bar.

[0022]

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

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a sorter 1 for a copying machine to which the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention is applied. The sorter 1 has a large number of discharge trays 1a that can be moved in the vertical direction, sequentially conveys the recording paper P discharged from the copying machine to the discharge port 1b, and below each discharge tray 1b. 1a are sequentially set, and the recording sheets P are sorted into a predetermined number of sheets and accommodated in each discharge tray 1a. In the sorter 1, the automatic stapling device 2 is disposed below the discharge port 1b, and the discharge tray 1a containing a predetermined number of sheets P (hereinafter referred to as a sheet bundle) is attached to the automatic stapler. Positioning is performed with respect to the ring device 2, and stapling processing is performed on the sheet bundle.

An automatic stapling apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The automatic stapling device 2 has an upper unit 3 having a clinch bar 3a, a center unit 4 having a magazine 4a, a lower unit 5 having clinch guides 5b and 5c, and a negative electrode grounded to generate a VCC voltage. A direct current voltage source (not shown) and a first resistor 6 having one end connected to the upper unit 3 and the other end connected to the positive pole of the direct current voltage source, these units have one end of each unit. Sideways rotatably engaged with each other.

The upper unit 3 is composed of a clinch bar 3a and an arm 3b which holds the clinch bar 3a rotatably around the engaging portion, and is entirely made of a conductive material such as stainless steel. There is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the center unit 4 is made of an insulating material in a substantially box shape and has a size such that only one staple can pass through one end of the bottom surface of the accommodating portion. A magazine 4a having a through hole 4b formed therein, a needle contact member 4c made of a conductive material such as stainless steel and disposed on the bottom surface adjacent to the through hole 4b, and a needle contact member 4c adjacent to the needle contact member 4c. A second resistor 4d disposed on the bottom surface and a pressing member 4e disposed in the accommodating portion and biasing the staple needle S at the feeding position with an elastic force toward the driving position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower unit 5 includes an insulating substrate 5a and two clinch guide pieces 5b and 5c arranged on one end side of the upper surface of the lower substrate 5 with a space therebetween.
And two resistors (hereinafter, referred to as a third resistor 5d and a fourth resistor 5e) which are in contact with the clinch guide pieces 5b and 5c and are arranged at intervals.
And a conductor 5f which is arranged adjacent to the two resistors 5d and 5e and is grounded, and one end of which is fixed to the upper surface of the conductor 5f while the other end of which is the second resistor 4d. It is composed of a conductive leaf spring 5g arranged so as to abut.

Therefore, the automatic stapling apparatus 2 has an electric circuit as shown in FIG. That is,
The clinch bar 3a is connected to the VCC voltage via the first resistor 6, the needle contact member 4c is grounded via the second resistor 4d and the leaf spring 5g, and the clinch guide pieces 5b and 5c are further connected. Is the third resistor 5d or the fourth resistor 5
It will be grounded through e.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned automatic stapling apparatus 2, when a plurality of stainless staple needles S1 and S2 are accommodated in the magazine 4a, the staple needle S2 is stored.
Comes into contact with the needle abutting member 4c at the feed position to make an electrical connection indicated by a broken line B. Further, when the upper unit 3 is rotated to the lower unit 5 side in this state, the clinch bar 3a is driven into the driving position. Of the first resistor 6, the clinch bar 3a, and the staples S1 and S as they are in contact with the staples S1 of FIG.
2, a current flows from VCC to ground via the needle contact member 4c, the second resistor 4d, and the leaf spring 5g. As a result, in the automatic stapling apparatus 2, in this state, the voltage of VCC is applied to the circuit in which the first resistor 6 and the second resistor 4d are connected in series, and the clinch bar 3a. Potential fluctuates by the voltage generated in the first resistor 6 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the first state).

Further, in the above-mentioned automatic stapling apparatus 2, the clinch bar 3a is at the driving position of the staple needle S.
When the upper unit 3 is further rotated to the lower unit 5 side after coming into contact with 1, the upper unit 3 and the center unit 4 rotate to the lower unit 5 side against the elastic force of the leaf spring 5g, and the clinch. Since the bar 3a pushes out the staple needle S1 located at the driving position, the tips of the staple portions of the staple needle S1 come into contact with the clinch guide pieces 5b, 5c, and the electrical signals shown by broken lines C (C1, C2) are shown. Since the connection is made, the second resistor 4d
In addition to the current flowing through the path including the first resistor 6, the clinch bar 3a, the staple S1 and the third resistor 5d, a current flows, and further, the first resistor 6 and the clinch bar 3a. An electric current flows through the staple needle S1 and the fourth resistor 5e. As a result, in the automatic stapling device 2, in the state, the second resistor 4d, the third resistor 5d, and the fourth opposing member 5e are connected in parallel, and the first resistor 4c is connected to them. This means that the voltage of VCC is applied to the circuit in which the body 6 is connected in series, and the potential of the clinch bar 3a fluctuates by the voltage generated in the first resistor 6 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the second Call the state).

Further, in the automatic stapling device 2, the resistors 5d and 5e are interposed between the DC voltage generating source and the clinch guides 5b and 5c, and the DC voltage generating source and the needle contact member 4c are interposed. Since the resistor 4d different from the resistors 5d and 5e is interposed between the first resistor 6 and the first resistor 6 in the second state and the voltage generated in the first resistor 6 in the first state. It is possible to set a voltage different from the voltage generated in the second state, and it is possible to change the potential of the clinch bar even when the first state is changed to the second state.

In the automatic stapling device 2, the clinch guide is provided with two clinch guide pieces 5b,
5c and each clinch guide piece 5b, 5c
Are connected to the DC voltage generating source via separate resistors 5d and 5e, respectively, the potential of the clinch bar 3a can be made different depending on whether or not the staple S1 is buckled. Instead, the potential of the clinch bar 3a can be set to different potentials depending on whether the staple stylus S1 is buckled on one side or on both sides.

Therefore, in the automatic stapling apparatus 2, the potential of the clinch bar 3a varies depending on the presence or absence of the staple S, and the clinch bar 3a depends on whether or not the staple S1 is properly stapled. Since the potential of the staple fluctuates, it is possible to detect the staple needle S shortage and the staple needle S1 buckling by the potential of the clinch bar 3s.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus 2, since the presence or absence of the staple S and the buckling of the staple S1 are both detected as the potential fluctuation of the clinch bar 3a, a simple structure and one signal can be obtained. It is possible to detect the breakage of the staple S and the buckling of the staple S1.

By the way, in the following, the resistance value of the first resistor 6 is set to R [Ω] and the second resistor 4 is used.
The automatic stapling apparatus 2 of the present invention will be described in more detail by taking the case where the resistance values of d, the third resistor 5d and the fourth resistor 5e are 3R [Ω] as an example.

In the automatic stapling apparatus 2 in the setting, a plurality of staples S1 and S2 are provided in the magazine 4a.
When the stapling process is normally carried out after accommodating the
As shown in FIG. 6, when the upper unit 3 is rotated and the clinch bar 3a comes into contact with the staple needle S1 at the driving position, the potential of the clinch bar 3a (hereinafter, referred to as output potential) changes from VCC to (3/4). VCC (Fig. 6
(See (b)), when the upper unit 3 is further rotated and the staple portion of the staple needle S1 penetrates the bundle of sheets and comes into contact with the clinch guides 5b and 5c, the output potential becomes (3/4).
While decreasing from VCC to (1/2) VCC (see FIG.
(See (c)), when the staple unit S1 is driven into the sheet bundle and the upper unit 3 is rotated in the reverse direction to separate the clinch bar 3a from the staple unit S1, the output voltage is changed from (1/2) VCC to (3). / 4) VCC (see FIG. 6 (d)), when the upper unit 3 is further rotated in the reverse direction and the clinch bar 3a is pulled out from the magazine 4a, the output voltage rises from (3/4) VCC to VCC. (See FIG. 6E).

On the other hand, in the automatic stapling device 2, when only one staple S1 remains in the magazine 4a, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper unit 3 is rotated to drive the clinch bar 3a. When the staple needle S1 at the position is abutted, the potential of the clinch bar 3a (hereinafter referred to as the output potential) decreases from VCC to (3/4) VCC (see FIG. 7B), and the upper unit 3
When the staple portion of the staple needle S1 penetrates the sheet bundle and comes into contact with the clinch guides 5b and 5c by rotating, the output potential decreases from (3/4) VCC to (1/2) VCC (see FIG. 7 (c)), the output voltage is (1/2) VCC at the time when the staple unit S1 is driven into the sheet bundle and the upper unit 3 is rotated in the reverse direction to separate the clinch bar 3a from the staple unit S1. To VCC (see FIG. 7 (d)).

That is, in the automatic stapling device 2, when it is assumed that the staple needle remains in the magazine from the timing when the clinch bar is separated from the staple needle driven into the sheet bundle, the clinch bar is removed from the staple needle. The output voltage having a different value is output according to the presence or absence of the staple S until the timing when the staples S will be separated.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus 2, when the staple needle S1 is assumed to have normally penetrated the sheet bundle, the staple portion of the staple needle S1 will contact the clinch guides 5b, 5c from the timing. , The clinch bar 3a from the staple needle S1 driven into the sheet bundle
The output voltage is reduced to (1/2) VCC as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the automatic stapling device 2, when the staple needle S1 buckles on one side, only one needle portion of the staple needle S1 abuts on the clinch guide piece 5b as shown in FIG. 8 (b). Output voltage drops only to (3/5) VCC.

Further, in the above-mentioned automatic stapling apparatus 2, when the staples S1 buckle on both sides, the staples S1 do not come into contact with the clinch guides 5b and 5c at all as shown in FIG. 8 (c). The output voltage is (3 /
4) Only drops to VCC.

That is, in the automatic stapling apparatus 2, when the staple needle S1 is assumed to have normally penetrated the sheet bundle, the staple portion of the staple needle s1 will contact the clinch guides 5b and 5c from the timing. , The clinch bar 3a from the staple needle S1 driven into the sheet bundle
Until the timing when the staples are separated, the output voltage having a different value is output depending on whether or not the staple needle S1 is normally driven.

Therefore, in the sorter 1 and the like using the automatic stapling device 2, the staple needle S2 remains in the magazine 4a from the timing when the clinch bar 3a is separated from the staple needle S1 driven into the sheet bundle. If it is assumed that the staple needle S2 is separated from the clinch bar 3a, the staple needle S can be discriminated based on the output voltage, and the staple needle S1 can be normally detected. From the timing when the staple portion of the staple needle S1 will contact the clinch guides 5b and 5c, assuming that the staple needle S1 has been penetrated, to the timing when the staple needle S1 driven into the sheet bundle separates the clinch bar 3a. The buckling of the staple S1 can be determined based on the output voltage of the staple.

[0044]

As described above, in the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the clinch bar and the clinch guide are made of a conductive material, and the conductive stylus is placed in contact with the staple at the feeding position. A contact member and a voltage applying member having one end connected to the clinch bar via a predetermined voltage generating element and the other end connected to the clinch guide and the needle contact member via separate voltage generating elements. In addition, a detection means for outputting the potential of the clinch bar is provided to detect the presence or absence of the staple as a potential change of the clinch bar caused by energization between the clinch bar and the needle abutting member, and buckle the staple. Can be detected as a potential fluctuation of the clinch bar caused by energization between the clinch bar and the clinch guide. It is possible to detect the buckling of fine staple.

Further, in the automatic stapling apparatus of the present invention, the presence / absence of staples and the buckling of staples are both detected as the potential fluctuation of the clinch bar. Buckling can be detected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a main part of a sorter to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the automatic stapling apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of a center unit of the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG.

4 is a perspective view of a lower unit of the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG.

5 is a conceptual diagram of an electric circuit configuration in the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG. 2 (when there are a plurality of staples).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG. 2 (when there is one staple).

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic stapling apparatus of FIG. 2 ((a) shows a normal stapling process, (b)
Is when the staples are buckled on one side, and (c) is when the staples are buckled on both sides.

[Explanation of symbols]

3a: clinch bar, 4a: magazine, 4c: needle contact member, 4d: second resistor, 5b, 5c: clinch guide piece, 5d: third resistor, 5e: fourth resistor, 6- First resistors, S1, S2: staples.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A magazine that can hold a large number of staples and that sequentially feeds staples in a feed position to a driving position, a clinch guide arranged to face the staples in the driving position, and a staple in the driving position. The pair of needles has a clinch bar that pushes out until the tip ends of the needles clinch, and the clinch bar is operated in a state in which the sheet bundle is interposed between the driving position and the clinch guide, so that the sheet bundle is moved. In an automatic stapling device for stapling, a clinch bar and a clinch guide are made of a conductive material, and a conductive needle contact member arranged in contact with a staple at a feeding position and one end thereof have a predetermined voltage. It is connected to the clinch bar via the generating element, and the other end is connected to the clinch guide and the needle contact member. An automatic stapling apparatus, comprising: a voltage applying member connected via a separate voltage generating element, and a detection means for outputting the potential of the clinch bar. 2. The clinch guide is composed of two clinch guide pieces that are in contact with one ends of the staples, and each clinch guide piece is connected to a voltage applying member via a separate voltage generating element. The automatic stapling apparatus according to claim 1, which is characterized in that: