JPS63123763A - Sheet post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device, and particularly to paper sheets such as paper (hereinafter simply referred to as sheets) sent out from a recording device such as a copying machine or a printing machine. The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing device that is capable of accumulating and aligning a plurality of sheets (referred to as "stapler" hereinafter) and stapling (referred to as "stapler" hereinafter).

[Prior art]

Conventionally, the staple detection methods for sheet post-processing devices equipped with this type of stapler include methods that use the conductivity of the staple to detect the presence of the staple the moment the staple is driven in, and methods that utilize the gloss or opacity of the staple. An optical detection device has been devised.

However, the former method, which uses the conductivity of the staples to detect the presence of the staples, detects the presence or absence of the staples only after the stapling operation is performed, so it is not noticed until after the copy sheet is blank-stamped (the staples do not come out). However, the conventional optical detection method has the drawback of requiring the operator to newly install the staple, and it is possible to obtain a staple-free signal before the remaining amount of staples is reached. However, even after the no-needle signal is generated, several needles actually exist, which is uneconomical.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a sheet post-processing device that can prevent blank firing of staples and minimize the uneconomical effect on the remaining amount of staples. There is a particular thing.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In this figure, 100 is a main body that has an image reading function and an image recording function, 300 is a circulation type document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) that automatically feeds documents, and 400 is a paper folding device that folds sheets at predetermined positions. A finisher (post-processing device) that has a device and a sorting function and a stapling function
Each of these 300 to 500 devices has a main body of 100
However, they can be used in any combination.

A0 main body (100) In the main body lOO, 101 is a document table glass on which a document is placed, 103 is an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) that illuminates the document, 105. 107. 109 is a scanning reflection mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path of the reflected light of the original; 11
1 is a lens having focusing and variable magnification functions, and 113 is a reflecting mirror (scanning mirror) shown in FIG. 4 that changes the optical path. 1
15 is an optical system motor that drives the optical system, 117°119
．． 121 are sensors, respectively.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device, 141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device. .

151 is the upper cassette, 153 is the lower cassette, 155
157 is a paper feed roller, and 159 is a registration roller. Further, 161 is a conveyor belt that conveys the recording paper on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 163 is a fixing device that fixes the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 131 described above is made of a seamless photoconductor using a photoconductor and an electric conductor. The motor 133 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Next, when the predetermined rotational control and potential control processing (preprocessing) of the drum 131 are completed, the original placed on the original platen glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 that is integrated with the first scanning mirror 105. The reflected light from the original is transmitted to the first scanning mirror lO5 and the second scanning mirror lO5.
Scanning mirror 107, third scanning mirror 109, lens 11
1 and a fourth scanning mirror 113 to form an image on the drum 131.

The drum 131 is corona charged by a high pressure unit 135. Thereafter, the image illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 (
The original image) is exposed to slit light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum 131 using a known NP method.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is transferred to a developing device 139.
The toner image is developed by a developing roller 140 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer paper by a transfer charger 141 as described later.

That is, the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 1
The transfer paper in 53 is fed into the main unit by paper feed rollers 155 or 157, and is sent toward the photosensitive drum 131 with accurate timing by registration rollers 159, so that the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned. Ru. Thereafter, the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131, so that the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After this transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by a separation charger 143, guided to a fixing device 163 by a conveyor belt 161, fixed by pressure and heat, and then sent out of the main body 100 by an ejection roller 165. be discharged.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 composed of a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

C, RDF (circulating document feeder) (300) RDF
In 300, 301 is a stacking tray on which originals are set. Document size detection sensors 302 and 303 are provided at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the document. The size of the document in the width direction depends on whether both sensors 302 and 303 are detecting the document, or only one sensor 303 (assuming that sensor 303 is located on the back side of the paper) is detecting the document. This can be determined by checking whether there are any.

Note that by increasing the number of sensors of this type, more accurate size can be determined. Further, the lengthwise size can be determined based on the time period during which the sensor 303 (or 302) detects the document.

In addition, in this RDF 300, the document sent from the stacking tray 301 to the exposure surface through the sheet path 304 is sent through the sheet path 305, and then returned to the stacking tray 300.
It can be loaded onto.

Further, 307 is a sensor that detects one circulation of the document.

The detailed operation of the RDF 300 is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-206619 filed by the present applicant, but since it is not directly related to the present invention, it will be omitted here.

00 Paper Folding Device (400) The paper folding device 400 performs half-folding, in which recorded transfer paper is folded at approximately the center position, and Z-folding, in which it is folded into three with a roughly Z-shaped cross section at two predetermined positions. In this paper folding device 400, 401 is a flapper that guides the transfer paper downward during paper folding, 403 and 405 are paths (conveyance paths), and 407 and 409 are folding rollers.

In the paper folding device 400, when Z-folding is specified using the Z-folding key described later, the flapper 401 is turned on to guide the recorded paper to the lower path 403, and the leading edge of the paper is folded at the end of the path 403. Once stopped, the roller 407 is then passed through the 1
The paper portion folded into quarters hits the end of the path 405, and the paper is further folded into half and is led to the finisher 500 through rollers 407 and 409 again.

Also, when half-fold is specified using the half-fold key described later,
The recorded paper is folded in half at pass 403, and then is ejected from roller 409 to finisher 500 without going to pass 405. On the other hand, when the fold key is not specified and the paper is not folded, the flapper 401 is turned off and the recorded paper is directly ejected to the finisher 500.

E, Finisher (500) In the finisher 500 that performs sorting or stable processing of recorded paper, 501 is a paper discharge flapper for path switching that selectively switches between the sorting bus 503 and the stable pass 505. , 507 is a stable tray for temporarily loading and storing recorded paper before being stabilized;
509 is a width baffle plate provided on the stable tray 507 for regulating the width; 511 is a stapler (document binding machine) for stabilizing a plurality of recorded papers whose widths are regulated by the width baffle plate 509; 513 is a stapler that has already been stabilized. The width baffle plate 509 is driven and controlled by a stepping motor (not shown). Reference numeral 515 denotes a sorting tray for sorting non-stable recording paper.

Recorded paper ejected from the main body 100 or from the petite star 200 is transferred to the paper folding device 400 according to the designation of the key.
Then, after half-folding or Z-folding, finisher 500
The oscillating type sorting is discharged to the tray 515 or to the stable tray 507, and the width of the recorded paper discharged to the stable tray 507 is regulated by the width baffle plate 509 for each part of the specified number of sheets. The sheets are then stapled with a stapler 511 and dropped onto a stacker tray 513.

That is, in the finisher 500, when the stable mode is selected by the stable key described later, the paper ejection flapper 501 is turned on and the recorded paper is ejected to the stable tray 507 via the path 505, and the specified number of sheets is When this is reached, the width baffle plate 509 and the stapler 511 are turned on in response to an instruction from the main body 100, and the recorded sheets are stapled. Thereafter, the stapled paper is dropped onto the stacker tray 513.

By repeating this operation, a plurality of recorded documents that are collated and stably bound are completed. A sensor 517 detects the presence or absence of a needle on the stable, and a reflective sensor is used, for example.

Further, when stapling processing is not selected, the paper ejection flapper 501 is turned off, the sorting is switched to the side, and the recorded paper passes through the path 503 and is ejected to the sorting tray 515. At this time, according to an instruction from the main body 100, recorded sheets can be stacked in well-separated sheets, shifted by 30 mm to the left and right. Figure 2 shows the main body 1 mentioned above.
An example of the arrangement and configuration of the operation panel provided in 00 is shown. The operation panel includes a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

602 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode.

604 is a copy start key (copy start key);
Press to start copying.

605 is a clear/stop key, which functions as a clear key during standby and as a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. Also, press the stop key to interrupt continuous copying. The copying operation stops after the copying at the time when the button is pressed is completed.

Numeric keys 606 are pressed to set the number of copies.

Copy density keys 608 and 609 are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 610 is the AE key,
Press this button to automatically adjust the copy density according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch the density adjustment to manual. A cassette selection key 611 is pressed to select the upper cassette 151 or the suspended cassette 153. Also, when a document is placed on the RDF300, this key 611 is used to access the AP
S (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected. When APS is selected, a cassette of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 612 is a same size key, which is pressed to make a same size (original size) copy. Reference numeral 613 denotes an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image according to the specified transfer paper size. Zoom keys 614 and 615 are pressed to specify any magnification between 64% and 142%. 616 and 617 are fixed magnification keys,
Press to specify reduction or enlargement of standard size.

Reference numeral 625 is a stable key, which is pressed to bind the recorded paper using a stable key. 626 is the Z-fold key, A
Press when folding 3 or B4 size recorded paper into a Z-shaped cross section.

627 is a half-fold key, which is pressed to fold A3 or B4 size recorded paper in half.

628 is a sort key, and sorting is done by tray (sorter) 5.
In the case of 15, it is lit in standard mode. At this time,
Press this key 628 to cancel the sort mode or to enter the sort mode. Reference numeral 629 is a group key, which copies a plurality of sheets from one document and stores the sorting in the tray 515 bin by bin if the tray 515 is connected.

G. Display Group (700) In FIG. 2, 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, for example, one character is made up of 5×7 dots and can display a 40-character message.

Further, 705 is a copy number display, which displays the number of copies or a self-diagnosis code. Reference numeral 706 is a used cassette display, which displays which of the upper cassette 151 and the suspended cassette 153 is selected.

708 is an AE display, and the AE key 610
Lights up when (automatic density adjustment) is selected.

710 is a ready/wait indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange; green lights up when ready (when copying is possible) and when waiting (when copying is not possible).
lights up orange.

H0 Control Device (SOO) FIG. 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the control device 800 of the embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, 801 is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic control for executing the present invention, and uses, for example, a microcomputer μC0M87AD manufactured by NEC (NEC Corporation).

Reference numeral 803 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. control each component device. Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

807 is an interface (Ilo) that outputs the CPU 801 control signal to a load such as the main motor 133; 809
inputs input signals from the image tip sensor 121, etc., and outputs the CPU 80.
1, an interface 811 is an interface for controlling input/output between the key group 600 and the display group 700. These interfaces 807°809.
811 is NEC's input/output circuit board μPD825, for example.
Use 5.

Note that the display group 700 is each display device shown in FIG. 3, and uses LEDs and LCDs. The key group 600 is each key shown in FIG. 3, and the CPU 801 can determine which key has been pressed using a known key matrix.

Further, the CPU 801 uses the RDF 300. Paper folding device 400
, finisher 500, and are connected via a pass line to operate the respective devices.

This embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 4.

In the figure, 91 is a cartridge that stores staples; 92
is a staple needle, and normally several thousand staples can be filled into a cartridge. The cartridge ridge 91 can be attached to the stapler 511 as shown by arrow A, and removed using a metal rod 94. The stapler 93 uses the electromagnetic force of the plunger 81 to lower the iron bar 95 and stabilize it. The aligned copy sheet S is stabilized as shown by arrow B. The spirally wound staples 92 are stabilized and then advanced by one stitch by a stepping mechanism (not shown) to prepare for the next stabilizing operation.

The case 96 is made of a material such as transparent plastic so that the presence or absence of the staples 92 can be visually checked.

In the figure, reference numeral 517 denotes the staple detection sensor described above, and in this embodiment, a reflective sensor for detecting the metallic luster of the staple is used.

By providing a reflective sensor with the configuration shown in the figure, it is possible to obtain a needle-free detection signal at the zero point.Since the number of needles within the length l in the figure is almost constant, the minimum value of the number of needles can be N, the stapling operation is enabled N times from the moment the staple-less detection signal is detected, and the stable operation is prohibited thereafter.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a method for detecting the presence or absence of staples and the presence or absence of a cartridge will be described. ■ in the figure is sensor 517
97 and 98 are variable resistors and fixed resistors, respectively, and Va is a detection signal. Further, Va is a power supply for the light receiving element (phototransistor in the figure) of the sensor 517, and +5V is used here. The variable resistor 97 is equipped with a cartridge 91 without a needle and is adjusted so that Va is approximately 3V. In this way, when the staple 92 is inserted, the O~
It becomes about 0.5v, and when there is no cartridge or no stapler 511, it becomes almost 5v, and the above-mentioned staple is present.

The detection signal Va clearly differs depending on the three states of no needle and no cartridge, and the above three states can be easily changed by inputting the detection signal Va to the A/D input terminal of the CPU 801, which converts the known analog value into a digital value. Becomes identifiable.

Although the present invention has been described using a reflective sensor as an example to obtain a detection signal, a transmissive sensor that utilizes the opacity of the stapler may also be used (or one that mechanically detects the movement of the stapler). Of course it's fine.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to this generation method, it is possible to detect staples before the stabilization operation with a very simple configuration, and after that, the stabilization is prohibited after the stabilization operation has been performed a certain number of times, which prevents blank firing and is economical. It is designed to improve usability for users.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet post-processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention connected to an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation section of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control section, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the stable, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration for detecting the presence or absence of a staple cartridge.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A stapling means for aligning and stapling conveyed sheets, a detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of staples in the stapling means, and a counting means for counting the number of stapling operations are provided, and the output of the detecting means is provided. The sheet post-processing device is characterized in that the operation of the counting means is started by the following steps, and the operation of the stapler is disabled after counting a certain number of times.