JPH09278269A - Sheet processing device and image forming device provided with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor a sheet in a sheet positioning member of a sheet processing device by means of a sheet number counter so as to control an image forming device main body on the basis of the output from the counter. SOLUTION: A sheet conveyed from an image forming device main body 1 so as to be temporarily stored in a sheet positioning member 23 is folded in two by means a pair of folding rollers 30, 31, and then, bookbinding is carried out. A sheet in the sheet positioning member 23 is detected by means of a sheet counter, and according to an output signal from the counter, an action of the image forming device main body is stopped. In this way, the height of a bound bundle of paper after double folding is kept constant, so that a bookbound object with a good appearance can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a finishing function for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus and folding the sheet bundle. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus including the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus in which a sheet processing apparatus having a function of binding a bundle of sheets and a folding function is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, paper is discharged and conveyed from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The sheets are bound by the binding means in the sheet processing apparatus as needed, and then folded in two by the folding means to complete the folding process.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the folding operation is performed without limitation on the number of sheets or the sheet thickness, there are the following problems.

(1) Regardless of the number of folded sheets or the sheet thickness, the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are bound by the binding means and the folding operation is performed. Was showing a poor looking finish.

Further, even when one of the staples of a plurality of staplers as the binding means is lost, the binding operation and the folding operation of the sheet bundle are performed, so that the following problems occur.

(2) When the binding operation (bookbinding operation) is started with only one of the plurality of binding means, the sheet bundle is often misaligned, wrinkles, etc., resulting in a poor-looking finish. .

(3) Due to the cause of the above (2), the reliability of the entire copying system is greatly impaired.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a main body of an image forming apparatus based on an output signal of a sheet monitoring means for detecting a sheet mounting state such as the number of sheets, a thickness, etc. of a sheet carried into a sheet processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that controls the above.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which controls the main body of the image forming apparatus based on the presence or absence of staples of the binding means for binding the sheet bundle carried into the sheet processing apparatus. The purpose is.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a first sheet storing means for temporarily storing a sheet, and a means for introducing a sheet into the first sheet storing means. A sheet monitoring means for monitoring the sheet storage state of the first sheet storage means, a binding means for binding the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means substantially at the center, and a half-fold of the bound sheet bundle. Half-folding means, second sheet storing means for storing the half-folded sheet bundle, and control means for stopping the introduction of the sheet by the sheet introducing means in response to an output signal of the sheet monitoring means. Characterize.

Further, in an image forming apparatus including a sheet processing apparatus for accommodating sheets discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus and performing binding, half-folding, and discharging of the sheets, a folding mode of the discharged sheets is set. Folding mode selecting means for selecting and provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and image forming means for forming an image for the folding mode and provided in the image forming apparatus main body, First sheet storage means for temporarily storing the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body, sheet monitoring means for monitoring the sheet mounting state of the first sheet storage means, and receiving the sheet from the image forming apparatus Sheet conveying means for conveying to the first sheet storing means, and sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storing means to the second sheet storing means Control means for controlling the folding operation of the half-folding means for half-folding from the center of the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means, according to the output signal of the sheet monitoring means of the sheet processing apparatus. And controlling the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Further, the sheet monitoring means has a sheet number counting means for counting the number of sheets stored in the first sheet storing means, and an image of the image forming apparatus is output according to an output signal of the sheet number counting means. It is characterized in that the forming operation is temporarily prohibited.

Further, the sheet monitoring means has a paper thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheets stored in the first sheet storing means, and an output signal of the paper thickness detecting means and the number of sheets counting means. The image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is temporarily prohibited according to the output signal.

Further, in an image forming apparatus provided with a sheet processing apparatus for accommodating sheets discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus and performing binding, half-folding and discharging of the sheets, the sheet is discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A first sheet storing means for temporarily storing the sheet; a sheet conveying means for receiving the sheet from the image forming apparatus and conveying the sheet to the first sheet storing means; and a sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storing means. Paper discharge means for discharging to the second sheet storage means, control means for controlling the folding operation of the half-folding means for half-folding from the center of the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means, and the first sheet storage A binding unit that binds the sheet bundle stored in the unit, and a staple presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence / absence of staples in the binding unit, and responds to a discharge signal from the staple presence / absence detection unit. And controlling the image forming apparatus main body.

[Operation] Based on the above construction, the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storing means by the sheet introducing means is
The book center is bound by the binding means, half-folded by the half-folding means, and discharged to the second sheet storage means. The first
The sheet bundle stored in the sheet storage means is monitored by the sheet monitoring means, and the introduction of the sheets into the first sheet storage means by the introducing means is performed by the control means in accordance with the output signal of the sheet monitoring means. , Controlled to stop.

Further, a sheet on which an image is formed in the folding mode by the main body of the image forming apparatus and conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus is temporarily stored in the first sheet storing means by the conveying means and half-folded by the folding means. 2 The sheet is discharged into the sheet storage means. The storage state of the sheets of the first sheet storage means is detected by the sheet monitoring means, and the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled to stop, for example, in accordance with the output signal.

Further, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled according to the output signal of the sheet counting means as the sheet monitoring means. For example, when the number of sheets is too large, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is prohibited. .

Further, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled in accordance with the output signals of the sheet thickness detecting means as the sheet monitoring means and the sheet number counting means. For example, the number of sheets in consideration of the sheet thickness is the sheet processing apparatus. If the image forming apparatus body is conveyed to, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is prohibited.

Further, the sheet image-formed by the main body of the image forming apparatus in the folding mode and conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus is temporarily stored in the first sheet storing means by the conveying means, and after being bound by the binding means. The sheet is half-folded by the folding means and discharged to the second sheet storage means. The needle of the binding means is detected by the needle presence / absence detection means,
However, when it is detected that there is no staple, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled to be prohibited, for example.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of an image forming apparatus to which the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an image forming apparatus main body (copier main body) equipped with the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

The image forming apparatus main body (copy machine main body) 1 includes
A platen glass 906 and a light source 90 as a document placing table
7, lens system 908, paper feeding unit 909, image forming unit 902
Etc. are provided. Reference numeral 940 denotes an automatic document feeder that automatically feeds the document D to the platen glass 906. Reference numeral 2 denotes a sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1.

The paper feeding unit 909 accommodates the recording sheet S and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 900.
1 and the deck 913 arranged on the pedestal 912
have. The image forming portion 902 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 914, a developing device 915 around the photosensitive drum 914, and a transfer charger 9
16, a separate charger 917, a cleaner 918, a primary charger 919, etc. are provided. Image forming unit 902
A transport device 920, a fixing device 904, a discharge roller pair 905, and the like are disposed downstream of the printer.

The operation of this image forming apparatus main body will be described.

When a paper feed signal is output from the control device 150 provided on the apparatus main body side 900, the cassette 91
The sheet S is fed from the deck 0, 911 or the deck 913. On the other hand, the document D placed on the document table 206
The light reflected from the light source 907 is applied to the photosensitive drum (image forming unit) 914 via the lens system 908. The photosensitive drum 914 has a primary charger 9 in advance.
The electrostatic latent image is formed by being charged by 19 and irradiated with light, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 915 to form a toner image.

The sheet S fed from the paper feeding unit 909 is
The skew feeding is corrected by the registration roller 910, and the timing is adjusted, and the sheet is sent to the image forming unit (image forming unit) 902. In the image forming unit 902, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 914 is transferred onto the sheet S sent to the transfer charger 91.
The sheet S on which the toner image has been transferred by 6
Is separated from the photosensitive drum 914 by being charged with a polarity opposite to that of the transfer charger 916 by the separation charger 917.

Then, the separated sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 904 by the conveying device 920, and the fixing device 9
04, the transfer image is permanently fixed on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image is fixed is discharged from the apparatus main body 900 by the discharge roller pair 905.

In this way, an image is formed on the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding unit 909, and the sheet S is discharged to the sheet processing apparatus 2.

Next, the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of the features of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a printing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, 1a is a paper discharge roller, and 1b is a paper discharge roller pressed by the paper discharge roller 1a, and constitutes a paper discharge roller pair (discharge means) 1a, 1b.

The reference numeral 1c designates a folding mode selection switch SW for selecting whether to bundle the sheets discharged and conveyed in the sheet processing apparatus and perform folding or folding operation without binding. This SW signal corresponds to 23 shown in FIG.
It is sent to the sheet processing apparatus via 1a. Further, image formation for the folding mode is performed by the image formation control means 231. Reference numeral 2 is a sheet processing apparatus which can be the finishing apparatus 2 related to the present invention.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an entrance flapper, which is engaged with an entrance solenoid 3d (FIG. 2), and switches between bookbinding mode and stack mode by turning on / off the entrance solenoid 3d.

[Stack mode] 4 is a discharge guide, and a stacker discharge roller 5 is provided on the downstream side of the discharge guide 4.
And a stacker discharge roller 6 is provided.

A stacker tray 7 is for stacking sheets discharged from the stacker discharge port 5.

[Bookbinding Mode] 11, 12 are guides, 13 is a carrying roller, and a carrying roller 14 is arranged on the opposite surface and is pressed by the carrying roller 13. The conveying rollers 13 and the conveying rollers 14 constitute a sheet introducing unit that conveys a sheet to a sheet positioning member described later. Reference numerals 15 and 16 are above and below the switching flapper.

Above and below the switching flappers 15 and 16,
2, as shown in FIG.
16d is engaged, and is turned on / off by an electric signal so as to take two positions of a one-dot chain line and a solid line shown in the figure.

Reference numerals 17a and 22a denote half-moon shaped half-moon rollers, and elastic members 17d and 22d are arranged on the opposing surfaces thereof and are biased by the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a.

A stapler unit (binding means) 18 has a plate-like staple needle and a drive motor therein.

This stippler unit 18 includes a rotary shaft 1
It is configured to be swingable around 8a.

Reference numeral 19 is an anvil. The stapler 18 swings around the rotary shaft 18a to guide the tip of a U-shaped staple by the anvil 19 and crush the end of the staple into a spectacle shape. is there.

Reference numerals 20 and 21 are guides arranged on the downstream side of the stapler unit 18.

Reference numeral 24 is a width-shifting member for pressing the sheets from both sides to align the sheets (FIG. 2).

Reference numeral 23 denotes a sheet positioning member (first sheet storing means) as a stopper member, which is a guide 20,
Upon receiving the leading edge of the sheet that has entered between 21, the sheet is temporarily placed and stored. The number of sheets stored in the sheet positioning member 23 is counted by the sheet counting unit CNT1 in the control unit 150 (FIG. 10).

The present sheet positioning member 23 is used for the guide 2
Between 0 and 21 is movable in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

The sheet positioning member 23 has two purposes. One is positioning when the stapler unit 18 performs stapling control, and the other is positioning when the folding control described later is performed. .

On the sheet positioning member 23, a sheet leading edge detecting sensor 33 for detecting the leading edge of the sheet is arranged.

Reference numeral 25 is a projecting unit, which is retracted from the guides 12 and 21 to the lower surface before the sheet is folded.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote folding rollers (folding means) which are pressed against each other. This folding roller 26, 2
As will be described later, 7 is a sheet bundle that is conveyed at a predetermined steady speed when the number of sheet bundles is 2 or less, and is smaller than the steady speed when the number of sheet bundles is 2 or more, based on the number of sheet bundles. It is controlled to be conveyed at a speed of 1. Furthermore, the folding rollers 26 and 27 control the sheet bundle to be conveyed at a second speed, which is higher than the first speed, after the sheet bundle moves by a certain amount.

28 is a paper ejection guide, which is a folding roller 2
The purpose is to guide the sheet bundle discharged from the rollers 6 and 27 between the nip between the discharge roller 30 and the roller 31.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a paper discharge sensor, which detects the front end and the rear end of the sheet bundle.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a discharge tray (second sheet storage means) for stacking a sheet bundle.

Driving of the entrance flapper 3, the switching flapper Al5, the switching flapper Bl6, the transport roller 13, and the half-moon rollers 17a, 17a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[Inlet Flapper Drive Mechanism] The inlet flapper 3 is constructed so as to be swingable around the central shaft 3a, and a link 3b is fixed to one end of the central shaft 3a.

A spring 3c is engaged with the link 3b to urge the flapper in one direction (clockwise in FIG. 2). 3d is an inlet solenoid, which is engaged with one end of the link 3b.

When the entrance solenoid 3d is turned on, the iron core is sucked and the flapper 3 jumps up and switches to the bookbinding mode. This entrance solenoid 3d is OF
When F, guide the seat to the stack mode.

[Conveying Roller, Half Moon Roller Driving Mechanism] On the central shaft 13a of the conveying roller 13, a conveying pulley 13b is provided.
(Fig. 2) is fixed, and half-moon roller pulleys 17c and 22c are attached to the central shafts 17b and 22b of the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a.
Is stuck.

Reference numeral 51 is a carry motor, and a carry motor pulley 52 is fixed to the output shaft.

Transport motor pulley 52, transport pulley 13
b, the timing belt 53 is wound around the outer circumference of the half-moon roller pulley 17c.
A timing belt 54 is wound between c and 22c.

The rotation of the carry motor 51 is transmitted from the carry motor pulley 52 to the timing belt 53, the carry pulley 13b and the half moon roller pulley 17c are rotated, and the half moon roller 22c is further rotated through the timing belt 54, whereby the carry roller is carried. 13, half moon roller 17
a and 22a are rotated.

[Switching flapper drive mechanism] The flapper links 15b and 16b are fixed on the rotation center shafts 15a and 16a of the switching flappers 15 and 16, and one ends thereof are engaged with the switching solenoids 15d and 16d.

Further, springs 15c and 16c are engaged with the other ends of the flapper links 15b and 16b to hold the switching flappers 15 and 16 at the positions shown in the figure.

When the switching flapper is turned on, the iron cores of the switching solenoids 15d and 16d are attracted to hold the switching flappers 15 and 16 at the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

[Width Adjusting Mechanism] The width adjusting mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

Numerals 24a and 24b are front and rear width-adjusting members having wall surfaces that are horizontal to the sheet conveying direction and are vertical to both sides of the sheet, and a rack portion is formed in the central portion so that they can be attached to each other rack. Is engaged with the pinion gear 24c.

Reference numeral 24d is a width-shifting motor composed of a stepping motor, and the pinion gear 2 is provided on the output shaft.
4c is stuck.

Reference numeral 24e is a width-shifting home position sensor, which is composed of a photo interrupter.

The width-shifting home position sensor 24e is
When the width-adjusting members 24a and 24b are retracted to the outside by about 5 to 10 mm from the width of the maximum sheet that can be aligned, the width-adjusting members 24a and 24b are arranged at positions where a flag formed on a part of the width-adjusting member 24a is detected. There is.

[Sheet Positioning Driving Mechanism] A sheet positioning driving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0070] 23 is a stopper as a sheet position location positioning plate, catch the leading edge of the sheet that has entered between the guide 20 and 21. A plurality of rollers 23a are rotatably attached to both ends of the sheet positioning member 23, and slide in a groove formed in the frame 8.

Racks are formed at both ends of the seat positioning member 23, and the racks are engaged with two left and right pinion gears 23b.

There is a shaft 23c at the center of the pinion gear 23b, and the drive is transmitted to the left and right pinion gears. Axis 2
A sheet abutment gear 23d is fixed to one end of 3c. A sheet positioning motor 61 is composed of a stepping motor.

A gear 62 is fixed to the output shaft of the seat positioning motor 61 and is engaged with the stopper gear 23d.

A flag is formed on a part of the sheet positioning member 23, and the sheet positioning home position sensor 63 detects when the sheet positioning member 23 reaches the home position.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a sheet front end detection sensor, which detects that the conveyed sheet reaches the stopper front end.

[Roller Guide Driving Mechanism] The roller guide driving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a roller guide, and this roller guide 201 is provided on the conveying path on the side of the folding rollers 26, 27 for the sheet that has entered between the guides 20, 21 (FIG. 1).
The sheet is prevented from being conveyed. The roller guide plate 201 has a plurality of elongated holes 20 for avoiding interference with the meniscus roller 22a and the sheet positioning member 23.
1a is formed.

Racks are formed at both ends of the roller guide 201, and each rack is engaged with two left and right pinion gears 202b.

A shaft 203c is provided at the center of the pinion gear 202.
The drive is transmitted to the left and right pinion gears.

A roller guide gear 204d is fixed to one end of the shaft 203c. A roller guide motor 205 is composed of a stepping motor.

A gear 206 is fixed on the output shaft of the roller guide motor 205 and is engaged with the roller guide 201.

A flag is formed on a part of the roller guide 201, and when the roller guide reaches the home position, the roller guide home position sensor 2
It is detected at 07.

[Folding Driving Mechanism] The folding driving mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Reference numeral 64 is a folding motor, and a pulley 65 is fixed on the output shaft.

Reference numeral 67 is an idler gear pulley, which is coaxially composed of two rows of pulleys and gears, and one row of the pulleys is wound around the timing belt 66 between it and the pulley 65.

68 and 69 are folding gears fixed to the folding rollers 26 and 27 and engaged with each other.

One end of the folding gear 68 is engaged with the gear portion of the idler gear pulley 67. Reference numeral 25 is an ejecting unit.

Reference numeral 25a is a projecting plate, which is used for the folding roller 2
It is made of stainless steel or the like having a plate thickness of about 0.5 mm, because it moves to the position just before the nip of 6, 27 and enters.

The protruding plate 25a is provided on the holders 25d, 25
The holder 25b has shafts 25c, 25
e is fixed, and a roller is rotatably attached to the outer periphery thereof, and the roller is a groove portion 8 formed in the frame 8.
Slide inside a.

Reference numeral 73 is a gear having a shaft 72 on one side thereof.
The gear 73 is engaged with the idler gear 75.

The idler gear 75 is fixed to a shaft 76, and a folding clutch (protruding clutch) 74a composed of an electromagnetic clutch is disposed on the shaft 76, and the folding clutch 74a is turned on / off to turn on the folding clutch 74a. The rotation of the pulley 74 controls the transmission of rotation to the shaft 76.

The timing belt 70 is wound around the outer periphery of the pulley 74, and the other side of the timing belt 70 is wound around the pulley portion of the idler gear pulley 67.

The gear 75 fixed to the shaft 76 is
It is meshed with a gear 73 fixed to 3a, and a flag 81 is fixed on the shaft 73a and has a notch in a part thereof.

At the position where the notch of the flag 81 is detected,
An ejecting plate home position sensor 82 is provided so that the ejecting plate 25a can detect the ejecting plate 25a at a position that is the most depressed from the conveying surfaces of the guides 12 and 21.

The folding motor 64 is rotated by the idler gear pulley 67 from the pulley 65 via the timing belt 66.
Is transmitted to

The rotation of the idler gear pulley 67 is transmitted from the folding gear 68 to the folding gear 69, and the folding roller 26,
27 is driven.

On the other hand, the rotation of the idler gear pulley 67 is transmitted to the pulley 74 on the folding clutch 74a via the timing belt 70.

When the folding clutch 74a is turned on / off, the rotation of the pulley 74 is transmitted to the shaft 76, the idler gear 75 is rotated, and the rotation of the gear 73 causes the shaft 72 to make a circular motion about the shaft 73a. .

Link 71 having one end fitted to shaft 72
Has its other end fitted to the shaft 25c. The shaft 25c is fixed to the protrusion unit 25, and further, in the groove a of the frame 8 together with the shaft 25e via the roller,
Performs a linear movement along the groove 8a. By this linear movement,
The ejection plate 25 provided in the ejection unit 25
A can be moved linearly between the protruding position and the retracted position.

[Stacker Discharging Section Driving Mechanism] The driving mechanism of the stacker discharging roller 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

On the upper part of the sheet processing apparatus 2, there is provided a shaft 5a to which the stacker discharge port 5 is fixed, and a pulley 98 is fixed to the shaft 5a.

Reference numeral 95 denotes a stack discharge motor 95, on the output shaft of which a pulley 96 is fixed.

A timing belt 97 is wound around the pulley 96 and the pulley 98, and the rotation of the stack discharge motor 95 is transmitted from the pulley 96 to the pulley 98 via the timing belt 97 and further via the shaft 5a. , The stack discharge roller 5 is driven.

The stack discharge motor 95 is a stepping motor, and the peripheral speed of the stack discharge roller 5 is set higher than the peripheral speed of the discharge roller la.

Since the conveying force of the discharging roller la is set higher than the conveying force of the stack discharging roller pair 5 and 6, while being conveyed by being sandwiched between the discharging rollers la and lb,
When slip occurs between the stack discharge roller pairs 5 and 6 and the discharge rollers la and lb are removed, the stacker discharge roller pairs 5 and 6
It is transported with the transport force of.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram relating to the control of the sheet processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 150 designates a central processing unit (hereinafter CPU).
(Referred to as “I”), and the CPU 150 is used as a core to configure an I / O.

On the input side of the CPU 150, there is an entrance sensor 83 for detecting that the copy sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 has entered the sheet processing apparatus 2, and the sheet is the sheet processing apparatus 2 Sheet leading edge detection sensor 33 for urging the CPU 150 to arrive at the predetermined position, a sheet discharge sensor 29 for detecting that the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 32, and the folding rollers 26, 2
No. 7 speed control of the folding roller CLK sensor 216 for prompting the CPU 150 for information, and the roller guide H. P sensor 20
7 and a sheet positioning plate H.H. Alignment H that detects the home position of the P sensor 63 and the alignment plate that aligns the sheets
The P sensor 24e, the protrusion position detection sensor 82 for detecting the position of the protrusion plate 25a, and the half moon rollers 17a, 2
A half-moon roller sensor 217 for detecting the rotational position of 2a,
A tray limit sensor 218 that detects overloading of trays, a door switch (1) 219 that detects the opening and closing of the jam processing door, and a door switch (2) that detects the opening and closing of the staple staple replacement processing, etc. 220, a staple (1) staple-free sensor (needle presence / absence detection means) 212 for detecting the presence or absence of staples in the staple unit (1), and a staple motor (1) HP sensor 211 for detecting the staple hitting standby position of the staple portion. , Staple (2) Stapleless sensor (needle presence / absence detection means) that detects the presence or absence of staples in the staple unit (2)
215 and a staple motor (2) HP sensor 214 for detecting the stapling standby position of the staple unit are connected.

Further, a paper thickness detecting sensor (paper thickness detecting means) 230 for detecting the paper thickness of the sheet discharged and conveyed from the image forming apparatus is connected to the input side of the CPU 150.

On the output side of the CPU 150, the driver D
1 is a conveyance motor 51 that conveys a copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus, and a roller guide motor 205 that moves a roller guide plate for guiding the copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus from a folding roller via a driver D2. A sheet positioning motor 61 for holding a copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus at a designated position via the driver D3, and an alignment motor 24d for aligning the copy sheet in the sheet processing apparatus via the driver D4. A folding / pushing motor 64 for placing a sheet bundle in the sheet processing apparatus through the driver D5, a folding clutch 74a for operating the ejection plate 25a through the driver D6, and a sheet through the driver D7. Soleno for operating the flapper 15 that switches the transport path in the processing device And de 15d, a solenoid 16d to operate the flapper 16 for switching the conveying path in the sheet processing apparatus via the driver D8, driver D9
Staple section for binding a bundle of copy sheets through the
(1) A staple motor (1) 210 that drives 18 and a staple motor (2) 18 that staples a bundle of copy sheets via a driver D10.
(2) 213 are respectively connected.

Reference numeral 152 is a read only memory (ROM)
The control procedure executed by the CPU 150 is stored in advance. 153 is a random access memory (RA
M), which is storage means for storing various data such as calculation data of the CPU 150 and control data received from the image forming apparatus 1.

[Details of Paper Thickness Detection] The paper thickness detection (230) in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6B, a paper thickness detecting sensor is arranged upstream of the roller 17a and the backup spring 17d, and this is an absolute value of the shaft 230c engaged with the flag of 230a and the flag 230a. It comprises a volume 230b for detecting the position.

Sheet flag 230 that has passed path 100
The shaft 230c is moved by pushing up a,
An analog signal is output to the CPU by changing the resistance value of 0b of the slider.

With this, the thickness of the sheet placed and stored in the path 100 is detected.

[Description of Operation] The control of the sheet post-processing apparatus in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 19.

FIG. 11 is a main routine. Mode information indicating whether the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 is the bookbinding mode (folding mode) or the stack mode, and the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 1. When the sheet length information L, the width information W, the number information N, and the copy number information M are received and the start signal is received, the operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is started.

After that, the mode information is confirmed (S101).
However, if it is not in bookbinding mode, it proceeds to stack mode,
(S105) If it is the bookbinding mode, check whether the length L and the width W are the sizes that can be bound (S102, S10).
3) If the size is out of order, the process proceeds to the stack mode (S105).

If it is determined that the size is the bookbinding size, S1
Proceed to 04 to execute the bookbinding operation mode sequence.

The bookbinding operation mode sequence will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, if the size information indicates that the bookbinding size is possible, the flow advances to step S201 to turn on the entrance solenoid.
And release the path to binding mode.

Then, the carry motor 51 is turned on to drive the carry roller and the half-moon roller so that the sheet can be carried (S202).

Next, the process proceeds to S203 for controlling the up / down of the switching solenoid.

The distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b is P = W + A (where A is the gap between the sheet size and the width-shifting member, and is usually about 10 mm).
The forward rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned on (S204).

Then, the width-shifting motor is continuously driven until the distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b becomes P = W + A (A is a gap between the sheet size and the width-shifting member, which is usually about 10 mm). (S205).

The distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b is P
= W + A, the forward rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off
Yes (S206).

Next, the sheet positioning member 23 is moved from the stipple point 19a of the stapler 18 to the downstream side by 1 = L.
The forward rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is turned on until the position becomes / 2 (S207, S208).

The sheet positioning member 23 is the stapler 18
If 1 = L / 2 downstream from the stipple point 19a, the normal rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is turned off.
Yes (S209).

At the same time, the roller guide 20 prevents the conveyed sheet from colliding with the folding rollers 26 and 27.
In order to move 4d, the normal rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned on to a predetermined position (S210, S211).

When the roller guide 204d has moved from the home position to the predetermined position, the process proceeds to S212, in which the normal rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned off.

Then, the sheet number counter (sheet counting means) CTN1 is set to 0 (S213), and the signal from the entrance sensor 83 is confirmed (S214).

When the entrance sensor 83 is turned from ON to OFF (S215), the width-adjustment timer is set so that the sheet is aligned after the time t1 when the leading edge of the sheet strikes the sheet positioning plate 30 and the sheet size information (S216). ).

The width adjustment timer waits for the time to increase (S217). If the time has increased, the process proceeds to S218 to clear the width adjustment timer.

After that, P = WB (B is the width adjusting member 24)
The forward rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d is turned on to move the width-shifting members 24a and 24b to the positions where a and 24b are the amount of pushing in the sheet, which is usually about 2 mm (S2).
19).

Then, the forward rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d is continuously turned on until the position P = WB (S220).

When the width shifting members 24a and 24b become P = WB, the forward rotation of the width shifting motor 24d is turned off (S221).

Next, once the width-shifting is performed once, the width-shifting members 24a and 24b are set to P in order to put the sheet in a waiting state.
The reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d to the position where == W + A
N (S222).

In the operations of S219 to S224, the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a are operated by the elastic members 17d and 2 of the opposing surfaces.
It is performed in a short time when it is not in contact with 2d.

Then, the sheet number counter (sheet number counting unit) CTN1 as the sheet monitoring unit is incremented by 1 (S225), and the process proceeds to S226, from CNT1 to 1
If it is 15 or more, it is judged whether or not it becomes 5 or more.
In step 8, the image formation inhibition flag is turned on to inhibit the operation of the image forming apparatus.

However, if the number of CNTs 1 is 15 or less and the number of sheets to be discharged is not reached in S227, the process is repeated until the number of sheets is reached.

If the planned number of sheets can be confirmed in S227, the process proceeds to S228 in the same manner as described above to turn on the image formation inhibition flag to inhibit the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Then, in S229, the conveyance motor 51 is turned off to stop the sheet conveyance. Then, the width adjusting members 24a and 24b are returned to the home position.

First, in FIG. 13, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned on (S230), and the width-shifting members 24a and 24b are returned to the home position (S231).

If it is detected in S229 that the width-shifting members 24a and 24b have returned to the home position,
Proceeding to S232, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off.

Since the binding and folding operation mode is selected, the stapling operation is performed (two-point binding) (S233 to S233).
238) A plurality of sheets is made into a sheet bundle.

Then, in S239, the reverse rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned on to move the roller guide 204d to the home position in preparation for the folding operation (S239).

The reverse rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is continuously turned on until the roller guide 204d returns to the home position (S240).

If it is detected in S239 that the roller guide 204d has returned to the home position, S2
41, the reverse rotation of the roller guide motor is turned off (S
241).

The sheet positioning motor 61 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the sheet positioning member 23 becomes 1 = (L / 2) + C (C is the distance between the stapler position 19a and the folding position) downstream of the stapler position 19a. Turn on (S
242).

Then, the sheet positioning member 2 is brought to a predetermined position.
The reverse rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is continuously turned on until 3 moves (S243).

When it is detected in S243 that the sheet positioning member 23 has moved to the predetermined position, the process proceeds to S243 and the reverse rotation of the sheet positioning motor is turned off.

The transport motor 51 is driven again to transport the sheet bundle until it abuts the sheet positioning member 23 (S
245).

Until the sheet bundle is conveyed to the predetermined position,
The carry motor 51 is continuously driven (S246).

When it is detected in S246 that the leading edge of the sheet bundle has hit the sheet positioning member 23, the conveyance motor 51 is turned off (S247), and the inlet solenoid and the switching solenoid are turned off (S2).
48, S249).

Next, the ejection clutch 74a is turned on (S2
Then, the folding motor 64 is turned on (S251).

When the ejecting clutch 47a is turned on, the ejecting plate 25 starts to eject and guides the sheet bundle to the folding rollers 26 and 27.

The folding clutch is kept ON until the eject plate home position detecting sensor 82 detects that the eject plate 25 has reciprocated once (S252).

Then, in step S252, it is determined that the eject plate 25 reciprocates once, and the eject plate home position detecting sensor 82
If it is detected at, the ejection clutch 74a is turned off (S253).

The folding motor 64 is turned on until the sheet bundle detects the trailing edge of the sheet bundle in the sheet discharge sensor 29 (S
254).

When the paper discharge sensor 29 detects the trailing edge of the sheet bundle in S254, the one in which the image formation prohibition flag is set is turned off in S228, the prohibition of the image formation operation is released, and the folding motor 64 is turned off ( S25
6).

Then, the copy counter CNT2 is incremented by 1 (S257), and if the copy counter has not reached the planned copy number in S258, the process returns to S201. If the copy number has been reached, the counter CNT2 is returned to the initial value 0 (S25).
9) End the operation.

Next, the control of the switching solenoid will be described with reference to FIG.

Half the paper size, that is, L / 2, is the length K up to the switching flapper 15 along the guides 11 and 12.
If it is larger than the sum of 1 and the constant D (K1 + D) (S25
6a), the switching solenoids 15 and 16 remain OFF, and the process ends.

(Here, the constant D is the sheet positioning member 2
3 shows the position of the trailing edge of the stacked sheets in a proper position. ) This constant D is an amount necessary for the next sheet that comes in on the stacked sheet to be stacked on the uppermost level without getting into the stacked sheet.

When L / 2 is larger than (K1 + D), L / 2 is further compared with (K2 + D) (S257).
a).

(K2 is the distance to the switching flapper 16 along the guides 11 and 12 as is the case with K1, and D is the same length as above.) It was determined that L / 2 was greater than (K2 + D). If so (S257), the switching solenoid 15 is turned ON (S25
8a), and guide under the seat switching solenoid 16.

If it is determined that L / 2 is smaller than (K2 + D) (S257), the switching solenoid upper 15 and the switching solenoid lower 16 are turned on (S259a), and sheets are stacked along the guide 11.

Next, the stack mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The sheet number counter CNT is set to 0 (S300).

Then, the stack discharge motor 85 is turned on.
(S301) and the stack discharge roller 5 is rotated.

Check whether the stack sensor 84 is ON (S
302), if it is ON, the stack sensor 84 is also OFF
Is confirmed (S303).

When the stack sensor 84 is turned off, the sheet number counter CNT is incremented by 1 (S30
4) It is confirmed whether the sheet number counter CNT matches the planned number N (S305). If the sheet number counter CNT is smaller than N, the process returns to the step before S302.

When the sheet number counter CNT reaches N, after the sheet is conveyed by the predetermined amount so that the trailing edge of the sheet passes the stack sensor 84 (S307), the stack discharge motor 51 is discharged.
Is turned off (S309).

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Since the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is prohibited in accordance with the output signal of the sheet number counting means CNT1 as the sheet monitoring means, the folding height of the bundle of folded sheets is kept constant to improve the appearance of the bookbinding product. It is possible to improve the reliability of the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

Further, since the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled in accordance with the output signal of the paper thickness detecting means as the sheet monitoring means and the output signal of the above-mentioned number counting means, the same as above. The effect is obtained.

<Second Embodiment> A bookbinding operation mode sequence in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, if the size information indicates that the size can be bound, the process proceeds to S201, and the entrance solenoid is turned on.
And release the path to binding mode.

Then, the carry motor 51 is turned on to drive the carry roller and the half-moon roller so that the sheet can be carried (S202).

Next, the routine proceeds to S203 for controlling the up / down of the switching solenoid.

The distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b is P = W + A (where A is the gap between the sheet size and the width-shifting member, and is usually about 10 mm).
The forward rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned on (S204).

Then, the width-shifting motor is continuously driven until the distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b becomes P = W + A (A is a gap between the sheet size and the width-shifting member, which is usually about 10 mm). (S205).

The distance P between the width-shifting members 25a and 24b is P
= W + A, the forward rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off
Yes (S206).

Next, the sheet positioning member 23 is moved from the stipple point 19a of the stapler 18 to the downstream side by 1 = L.
The forward rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is turned on until the position becomes / 2 (S207, S208).

The sheet positioning member 23 is the stapler 18
If 1 = L / 2 downstream from the stipple point 19a, the normal rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is turned off.
Yes (S209).

At the same time, the folding rollers 26, 27
Roller guide 2 to prevent the conveyed sheets from colliding
In order to move 04d, the forward rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned on to a predetermined position (S210, S21).
1).

When the roller guide 204d has moved from the home position to the predetermined position, the process proceeds to S212, in which the normal rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned off.

Then, the sheet number count CTN1 is set to 0.
(S213), and the signal from the entrance sensor 83 is confirmed (S214).

When the entrance sensor 83 is turned from ON to OFF (S215), the width adjusting timer is set so that the sheets are aligned after the time t1 at which the leading edge of the sheet hits the sheet positioning plate 30 and the sheet size information (S216). ).

It waits for the width adjustment timer to time up (S217). If the time is up, the process proceeds to S218 to clear the width adjustment timer.

After that, P = WB (B is the width adjusting member 24)
The forward rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d is turned on to move the width-shifting members 24a and 24b to the positions where a and 24b are the amount of pushing in the sheet, which is usually about 2 mm (S2).
19).

Then, the forward rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d is continuously turned on until the position P = WB (S220).

When the width shifting members 24a and 24b become P = WB, the forward rotation of the width shifting motor 24d is turned off (S221).

Then, once the width-shifting is performed once, the width-shifting members 24a and 24b are set to P so as to wait for the next sheet.
The reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor 24d to the position where == W + A
N (S222).

In the operations of S219 to S224, the half-moon rollers 17a and 22a are operated by the elastic members 17d and 2 of the opposing surfaces.
It is performed in a short time when it is not in contact with 2d.

Then, the sheet number counter CNT1 is incremented by 1.
If the thickness of the sheet discharged and conveyed from the image forming apparatus is 10 mm or more, the process proceeds to S229 to set the image formation prohibition flag. When turned on, the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited, and the process proceeds to the folding operation.

The paper thickness of the sheet is detected by a paper thickness detecting sensor (paper thickness detecting means) 230 shown in FIG.

However, if the paper thickness is 10 mm or less, the process proceeds to step S227 to determine whether CNT1 is 15 or more, and if 15 or more, the process similarly proceeds to step S229 to turn on the image formation prohibition flag and form an image. Disable the operation of the device.

However, if the number of CNTs 1 is 15 or less and the number of sheets to be discharged is not reached in S228, the process is repeated until the number of sheets is reached.

If the planned number of sheets can be confirmed in S228, the process proceeds to S229 in the same manner as described above to turn on the image formation prohibition flag to prohibit the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Then, the process proceeds to S230, the conveyance motor 51 is turned off, and the sheet conveyance is stopped.

Then, the width shifting members 24a and 24b are returned to their home positions (FIG. 19).

First, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned on (S2
31), and the width shifting members 24a and 24b are performed until they return to the home position (S232).

If it is detected in S232 that the width shifting members 24a, 24b have returned to the home position,
In step S233, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off.

Since the binding / folding operation mode is selected, the stapling operation is performed (two-point binding) (S234 to S2).
39) A plurality of sheets is made into a sheet bundle.

Then, in S239, the reverse rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is turned on to move the roller guide 204d to the home position in preparation for the folding operation (S240).

The reverse rotation of the roller guide motor 205 is continuously turned on until the roller guide 204d returns to the home position (S241).

If it is detected in S239 that the roller guide 204d has returned to the home position, S2
41, the reverse rotation of the roller guide motor is turned off (S
242).

The sheet positioning motor 61 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the sheet positioning member 23 becomes 1 = (L / 2) + C (C is the distance between the stapler position 19a and the folding position) downstream of the stapler position 19a. Is turned on (S243).

Then, the reverse rotation of the sheet positioning motor 61 is kept ON until the sheet positioning member 23 moves to the predetermined position (S244).

If it is detected in S244 that the sheet positioning member 23 has moved to the predetermined position, the process proceeds to S245, in which the reverse rotation of the sheet positioning motor is turned off.

The transport motor 51 is driven again to transport the sheet bundle until it abuts the sheet positioning member 23 (S
246).

Until the sheet bundle is conveyed to the predetermined position,
The transport motor 51 is continuously driven (S247).

If it is detected in S247 that the leading edge of the sheet bundle has hit the sheet positioning member 23, the conveyance motor 51 is turned off (S248), and the inlet solenoid and the switching solenoid are turned off (S2).
49, S250).

Next, the ejection clutch 74a is turned on (S
251), and the folding motor 64 is turned on (S252).

When the ejecting clutch 47a is turned on, the ejecting plate 25 starts ejecting and guides the sheet bundle to the folding rollers 26 and 27.

The folding clutch is kept ON until the ejecting plate home position detecting sensor 82 detects that the ejecting plate 25 has reciprocated once (S253).

Then, in step S253, it is determined that the eject plate 25 reciprocates once, and the eject plate home position detection sensor 8
If it is detected in 2, the eject clutch 74a is turned off.
Yes (S254).

The folding motor 64 is turned on until the sheet bundle detects the trailing edge of the sheet bundle in the sheet discharge sensor 29 (S
255).

If the paper discharge sensor 29 detects the trailing edge of the sheet bundle in S255, the process proceeds to S256, in which the image forming prohibition flag set in S229 is turned off to release the prohibition of the image forming operation, and the folding motor 64 is turned on. OFF
Yes (S257).

Then, the copy counter CNT2 is incremented by 1 (S258), and if the copy counter has not reached the planned copy number in S259, the flow returns to S201. If the copy count has been reached, the counter CNT2 is reset to the initial value 0 (S26).
0) End the operation.

Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body can be prohibited or the paper thickness detection can be performed in accordance with the output signal of the sheet number counting means as the sheet monitoring means. Since the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is prohibited in accordance with the output signal of the unit and the output signal level of the number counting unit, it is possible to make the folding height of the bundle of sheets constant and improve the appearance of the bookbinding product. it can.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is controlled according to the presence or absence of staples of a plurality of staplers 18 (A, B) as binding means.

Since the sequence (S201) to (S232) of bookbinding operation in the second embodiment is the same as the sequence (S201) to (S232) in FIGS. 12 to 14, description thereof will be omitted.

In S232, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off.
After FF, the process proceeds to S261 in FIG.
The presence or absence of the staple is determined, and if there is no staple, the process proceeds to S263, the image formation inhibition flag is turned on, and the binding operation and the folding operation are performed.
Prohibit image forming operation.

However, if it is determined in S261 that the stapler of the stapler A, which is the binding means, is present, and it is determined that the stapler A still exists, S is determined.
Proceeding to step 262, similarly to step S261, the presence or absence of staples of the stapler B, which is the binding means, is determined. Here, if it is determined that the stapler B also has a needle, S233 of FIG.
The process proceeds to the binding operation and the folding operation in S257.

The sequence of S233 to S257 is as follows.
Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

In S257, the copy counter CNT2
21 is incremented by 1 (S257), and if it is determined in S258b of FIG. 21 that the copy counter (CNT2) is 15 or more, the process proceeds to S259b to turn the image formation inhibition flag ON again to inhibit the operation of the image forming apparatus.

However, if the number of copies is less than 15 in S258b, the process proceeds to S260b to determine whether the planned number of copies has been discharged. If not, the process returns to S201, and if the planned number of copies has been reached, the counter CNT2 is initialized to 0. The process is returned (S264) and the operation is completed.

According to this embodiment, the staplers A and B are
There is no needle in either of the needle presence / absence detection sensors 212, 21.
5, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is prohibited. Therefore, when there are a plurality of staplers, and when only one of them is stapled, a misalignment, a wrinkle or the like occurs in the bookbinding operation. This makes it possible to obtain a good-looking bookbinding, and by prohibiting the image forming operation, the sheet bundle in the next process is prevented from staying in the middle of the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus. Thus, the reliability of the entire copying system can be improved.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIGS. 20 and 21 show the sequence of the fourth embodiment.

Since the sequence S201 to S233 of the bookbinding operation in this embodiment is the same as the sequence S201 to S233 in the second embodiment of FIGS. 17 to 19,
The description is omitted. The sequence of S234 to S258 is also the same as the sequence of the second embodiment, and therefore its description is omitted.

In S233, the reverse rotation of the width-shifting motor is turned off.
When the FF is performed, the process proceeds to S265 shown in FIG. 23, and it is determined whether or not the stapler A, which is the binding unit, has a needle.
In step S267, the image formation inhibition flag is turned on to inhibit the binding operation, the folding operation, and the image forming operation.

Then, the flow proceeds to S268, and continues until the stapler A needle is replaced (exists). If the stapler A needle is present, the process proceeds to S269 to check again whether the stapler B needle is in the presence state. , If there is a needle S2
In step 70, the image formation prohibition flag is turned off, and the process proceeds to the binding operation and the folding operation after S234 in FIG.

However, in S265, it is determined whether or not the stapler A, which is the binding means, has a staple, and if it is determined that the stapler A is still present, the process proceeds to S266, and similarly to S265, the presence or absence of the stapler B, the stapler, is determined. . Stippura B here
If it is determined that there is a needle on the side of
The binding operation and the folding operation after 4 are performed.

In S234 to S258, the binding operation and the folding operation of the sheet bundle are completed, the copy counter CNT2 is incremented by 1 (S258), and the process proceeds to S259c in FIG.
In S259c, the copy counter (CNT2) is set to 15
If it is determined that the number of copies is equal to or more than the set, the process proceeds to S260c, and the image formation inhibition flag is turned on again to inhibit the operation of the image forming apparatus.

However, if the number of copies is less than 15 in S259c, the process proceeds to S264c to determine whether the planned number of copies has been discharged. If not, the process returns to S201, and if the planned number of copies has been reached, the counter CNT2 is initialized to 0. (S271) to end the operation. If it is determined in S259c that the copy counter (CNT2) is 15 copies or more, and the image forming prohibition flag is turned on again to prohibit the operation of the image forming apparatus in S260c, the process proceeds to S261, and the bundle of sheets on the discharge tray is processed. The image forming apparatus prohibition flag continues to be turned on until is removed.

If it is determined in S261 that the bundle has been removed from the tray, the flow advances to S262c to turn off the image formation prohibition flag and release the operation prohibition of the image forming apparatus.

Next, in S263c, if the counter of CNT2 has not reached the planned number of copies, the process returns to S201 and the bookbinding operation is repeated.

Also in this embodiment, the stapler A,
There is no needle in any of B. Needle presence / absence detection sensors 212, 2
When it is detected by 15, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is prohibited.
When only one side is stapled, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of folding misalignment, wrinkles, etc. in the bookbinding operation, and it is possible to obtain a good-looking bookbinding. The sheet bundle is prevented from staying in the middle of the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus,
The reliability of the entire copying system can be improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where there are two staplers has been described, but the number of staplers is not limited to this, and there may be one stapler, for example.

[0242]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A sheet bundle temporarily stored in the first sheet storage means,
Since the sheet monitoring means monitors and the operation is controlled in accordance with the output signal of the sheet monitoring means, the folding height of the bundle can be made constant and a bookbinding article having a good appearance can be obtained.

Further, for example, the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is stopped in response to the output signal of the sheet number counting means as the sheet monitoring means, so that the excessively large number of sheets are not folded and the bundle is not processed. By making the folding height of the folded sheet bundle constant, it is possible to improve the appearance of the bookbinding product.

Further, since the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is stopped in accordance with the output signal of the paper thickness detecting means as the sheet monitoring means and the output signal of the sheet number counting means, the optimum thickness considering the thickness of the sheet is taken into consideration. The bundle of sheets can be folded in a bundle depending on the number of sheets, and the height of the folded bundle of sheets can be made constant to improve the appearance of the bookbinding product.

According to the present invention, the presence / absence of the staple of the binding means for binding the sheet bundle of the first sheet storage means is detected by the staple presence / absence detection means, and the image is output according to the output signal of the staple presence / absence detection means. Since the operation of the main body of the forming apparatus is controlled, when the binding means is plural, it is possible to prevent the folding of the bookbinding product that occurs when staple binding is performed by only one binding means, and the occurrence of wrinkles, You can get a good-looking bookbinding product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a sheet processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a drive unit of a conveyance system of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a width aligning portion and a sheet positioning member of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a protrusion unit portion of the sheet processing apparatus,
And a front view of the folding roller portion.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a roller guide portion of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a protrusion unit portion of the sheet processing apparatus,
And a front view of the folding roller portion.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the paper thickness detection unit of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a principal dimensional diagram of a sheet positioning member portion of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a vertical side view of an image forming apparatus to which a sheet processing apparatus is applicable.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of control of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a main flowchart of the sheet processing apparatus in the bookbinding mode.

FIG. 12 is likewise a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is likewise a flowchart according to the first embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart related to control of a switching solenoid.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the sheet processing apparatus in the stack mode.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart according to the second embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart according to the second embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart according to the second embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart according to the third embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the sheet processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the sheet processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart according to the fourth embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

CNT1 sheet number counter (sheet number detecting means) 1 image forming apparatus main body 2 sheet processing apparatuses 1a and 1b discharge rollers (discharge means) 1c folding mode selecting means 13 and 14 conveying roller pair (sheet introducing means) 18 stapler unit (binding 23) Sheet positioning member (first sheet storage means) 26, 27 Folding roller pair (folding means) 30, 31 Sheet discharge roller pair (bundle paper discharge detection means) 32 Discharge tray (second sheet storage means) 150 Sheet processing Device control means 230 Paper thickness detection sensor (paper thickness detection means) 230, CNT1 Sheet monitoring means 231 Image formation control means 902 Image forming unit (image forming means)

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical display location G03G 15/00 534 G03G 15/00 534

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A first sheet storage means for temporarily storing a sheet, a means for introducing a sheet into the first sheet storage means, and a sheet monitoring means for monitoring the sheet storage state of the first sheet storage means. A binding means for binding substantially the center of the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means, a half-folding means for half-folding the bound sheet bundle, and a second sheet for storing the half-folded sheet bundle A sheet processing apparatus comprising: storage means; and control means for stopping the introduction of a sheet by the sheet introduction means in response to an output signal of the sheet monitoring means. 2. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a sheet processing apparatus for accommodating sheets discharged from the main body of the image forming apparatus to perform binding, half-folding, and discharging of the sheets. Folding mode selecting means provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus for selecting, and image forming means provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus for forming an image for the folding mode, First sheet storage means for temporarily storing the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body, sheet monitoring means for monitoring the sheet mounting state of the first sheet storage means, and receiving the sheet from the image forming apparatus. Sheet introducing means for introducing the sheet into the first sheet storing means, and sheet discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storing means into the second sheet storing means A control means for controlling the folding operation of the half-folding means for performing half-folding from substantially the center of the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means, An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus main body is controlled accordingly. 3. The sheet monitoring means has a sheet number counting means for counting the number of sheets stored in the first sheet storing means, and an image of an image forming apparatus is output according to an output signal of the sheet number counting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the forming operation is temporarily prohibited. 4. The sheet monitoring means has a paper thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the sheets stored in the first sheet storing means, and the output signal of the paper thickness detecting means and the number of sheets counting means are provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is temporarily prohibited according to the output signal. 5. The sheet monitoring means has a sheet bundle discharge detecting means for detecting that the sheet bundle of the first sheet storing means has been discharged, and an image is output according to an output signal of the sheet bundle discharge detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the prohibition of the operation of the forming apparatus is released. 6. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a sheet processing apparatus for accommodating sheets ejected from the image forming apparatus main body and performing binding, half-folding, and sheet ejection of the sheets, the sheet being ejected from the image forming apparatus main body. A first sheet storing means for temporarily storing the sheet; a sheet introducing means for receiving the sheet from the image forming apparatus and introducing the sheet into the first sheet storing means; and a sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storing means. Paper discharge means for discharging to the second sheet storage means, control means for controlling the folding operation of the half-folding means for half-folding the sheet bundle stored in the first sheet storage means, and the first sheet A binding unit for binding the sheet bundle stored in the storage unit, and a staple presence / absence detection unit for detecting the presence / absence of staples in the binding unit are provided. Image forming apparatus and controls the image forming apparatus main body Te. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is prohibited when the staple presence / absence detecting unit detects that there is no staple in the binding unit. 8. When the stapler has no staples and the stapler presence / absence detector detects that the stapler has been supplemented with staples, the prohibition of the operation of the image forming apparatus main body is released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the binding means includes a plurality of binding means.