JP2590828B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a bundle of sheets on which an image is formed is stapled by stapling means, and more particularly, to a control means therefor.

2. Related Art and Problems There have recently been developed various functions for sorting and grouping copied sheets in response to a demand for automation of paper handling of a copying machine, and have been put to practical use. As one of the final aspects, a finisher function for automatically stacking a stack of copied sheets in a page order as staples is required, and has already been put to practical use in some large copying machines.

By the way, in a copying machine having this kind of function,
Normally, the operation modes include a first operation mode for accommodating a bundle of copied sheets in the same page order, and a second operation mode for accommodating the copied sheets without page alignment. Further, as the second operation mode, there is a copying machine having a grouping mode in which a bundle of sheets on which the same image is formed is formed, and a non-sort mode in which sorting and grouping are not performed. On the other hand, the stapling process is necessary only when the operation mode is set to the first operation mode. Therefore, when the finish mode for performing the stapling process is selected, it is necessary to simultaneously select the first operation mode as the operation mode. If the operation mode is incorrectly selected, the sheet is not selected in the second operation mode which is not preferable for the stapling operation. There is a problem in that the bundle is stapled and the usability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a user-friendly image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet bundle in which an image formed sheet is arranged in a page order. A storage control unit operable in a first operation mode for storing as a first operation mode, a second operation mode for storing an image-formed sheet without aligning pages, and a finish mode for binding a bundle of stored sheets. Stapling means operable in a non-finish mode in which no binding is performed; means for selecting the respective modes of the storage control means and the staple means; and when the finishing mode is selected by the selection means, the first automatically occurs. A control unit for setting an operation mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the finish mode is selected by the selection unit, the control unit sets the finish and permits the operation of the stapling unit, and automatically sets the first operation mode as the operation mode. Set.

Embodiment [Overall Configuration] An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a copying machine (1) and a sorter with a finisher (40). The sorter with a finisher (40) is, as shown in FIG. The copying machine (1) is provided with an automatic paper feeder (15) and an automatic document feeder (30) (hereinafter referred to as ADF).

The copying machine (1) is based on a well-known electrophotography method. First, a fixed charge is applied to a photosensitive drum (2) which is driven to rotate in an arrow (a) direction by a charging charger (3). Then, the original set at a predetermined position by the ADF (30) is subjected to slit exposure by the optical system (4) scanning in the direction of the arrow (b). As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (2) is converted into a magnetic brush type developing device (5).
Is transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger (6).

Sheets are fed in a three-stage paper cassette (16) of an elevator type and cassette type automatic paper feeder (10), (11) inside the copier (1) or an automatic paper feeder (15) attached outside the machine.
Sheets are selectively fed one by one from one of (17) and (18) and sent to the transfer section at a predetermined timing by a pair of timing rollers (19). The sheet after the transfer is sent to a fixing device (21) by a conveyance belt (20), where the toner image is fixed. Then, the sheet is sent from a pair of discharge rollers (22) to a sorter (40), and a pair of discharge rollers is formed. Immediately before (22), the passage is detected by the discharge switch (SW3) (see FIG. 2). Further, the copying machine (1) has a built-in re-feeding device (25) for performing double-sided copying and composite copying, and a sheet transport switching claw (26) for that purpose is provided in front of the discharge roller pair (22). is set up.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum (2) continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow (a) even after the transfer, and the blade type cleaning device (7)
The residual toner is wiped off by the, and the residual charge is erased by the eraser lamp (8) to prepare for the next copy operation.

The ADF (30) is a well-known device and has a document tray (3
1) The original placed above is fed one by one by a feed roller pair (32), and is set at a predetermined position on a platen glass (29) by rotation of a transport belt (34). After the image exposure, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray (36) through the reversing conveyance path (35) by the rotation of the conveyance belt (34).

As shown in FIG. 2, the sorter (40) has a sorter section (41) for distributing sheets to each bin (60), a staple section (90) having a stapler (100) for binding sheets, and a stapling process. Stack section (11
0), the staple section (90) is arranged below the sorter section (41), and the stack section (110) is arranged below the staple section (90).

[Structure and Operation of Sorter Unit] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bin (60) has a claw (60a) on the sorter unit (41) side to prevent backflow of the sheet, and a laterally protruding portion. A trunnion (61), and the trunnion (61) is engaged with a vertically extending groove (65a) formed in a guide unit (65) attached to a frame of the sorter (40), The movement of the bin (60) is restricted in the vertical direction. Each bin (60) is supported in a stacked state on the bin receiver (62), and the trunnion (6) is rotated with the rotation of the floating cam (50) described below.
1) is shifted to increase the bin interval.

The sorter unit (41) is connected to the discharge roller pair (2
Both the sheet transport unit (42) and the bin (60) opposing to 2) move up and down relative to each other, so that the copier (1)
The sheets discharged from the bins are distributed and stored in each bin (60).
As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet conveying section (42) includes an upper unit (52) having a guide surface (52a) and a guide surface (43).
a) with the lower unit (43) and the feed roller (4
7), a pinch roller (55), and the sheet passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a), and the roller (47),
It is transported from (55) to each bin (60).

The lower unit (43) is provided at the end on the bin (60) side at right angles to the sheet conveying direction [arrow (c)] with both ends of a support shaft (44) being shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, by engaging the rail (65b) provided on the guide unit (65) via the collar (45), the guide unit (65) can swing up and down, and can be moved to the copier (1) side. The provided bin (46) is supported by the guide member (66), so that it can slide horizontally.

A roller shaft (47a) to which a plurality of delivery rollers (47) are fixed is rotatably mounted on the support shaft (44), and a swing plate (48) is suspended on the roller shaft (47a). .
The rocking plate (48) is connected by a rod (49), and the lower portion is located between the backflow preventing claws (60a) of the bin (60).
Further, at both ends of the support shaft (44), notches (50a), (50a) are formed on the outer peripheral portion at intervals of 180 ° as shown in FIGS.
The floating cam (50) formed with a) is fixed. The floating cam (50) is intermittently rotated by 180 ° at a drive source different from that of the feed roller (47) to support the lower unit (43), and the trunnion (61) contacts the outer periphery. By contacting the bottle (60)
Also supports the rear end. Also floating cam (50)
Can move up and down from the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) to the top bin position (X ₂ ) as shown in FIG. 7, and the position of each position is determined by the detection switch (SW1),
(SW2). In addition, the third
As shown in the figure, the lower unit (43) is provided with a rotatable actuator (51) with a pin (51a) as a fulcrum, and the actuator (51) is rotated by contacting a sheet to be conveyed. A photo sensor (Se1) that turns on and off is provided.

On the other hand, the upper unit (52) is configured such that the engagement piece (53) of the bin (60) is engaged with the rail (65b),
It is swingable in the vertical direction, and a pin (54) provided on the copying machine (1) side engages with a guide member (68) provided on an upper lid (67) of the sorter (40), thereby allowing horizontal movement. It is slidable in the direction. A pinch roller (55) is rotatably mounted on the upper unit (53) via a support shaft (55a), and a static elimination brush (56) for a sheet to be conveyed is installed. The pinch roller (55) has its own weight. , And can be driven to rotate by being pressed against the delivery roller (47).

Further, a transmission type photosensor (Se5) (see FIG. 2) having an optical axis located at the rear end of each bin (60) is installed in the sorter section (41), and a sheet to each bin (60) is provided. The presence or absence of distribution accommodation is detected.

In the above structure, the floating cam (50) is notched (50a) by rotating the trunnion (61) to the outer peripheral portion by reversing by 180 ° in the opposite direction to the arrow (d).
The trunnion (61) shifts downward and slides in contact with the next trunnion (61). By repeating this operation, each bin (60) is shifted downward by one stage, and
Moves upward. Floating cam (50) when the sort mode is selected, located in the bottom Bimbo Jishon (X ₁₎ shown in FIG. 7, gradually increasing spacing each bin (60) while moving sequentially upward from this position . The sheet discharged from the copying machine (1) passes between the guide surfaces (52a) and (43a), is sandwiched between the feed roller (47) and the pinch roller (55), and is separated by the floating cam (50). Each of the opened bins (60) is sequentially distributed and accommodated from the lower bin (60). Further, by rotating the floating cam (50) forward in the direction of the arrow (d), each bin (60) is sequentially shifted upward and moved downward together with the transport section (42).

In the sorter unit (41) having the above configuration, sheets can be stored in three modes. The first is a sort mode for distributing one document to each bin (60) for each copy and aligning pages, and the second is distributing the copy to each bin (60) for each document. This is a grouping mode. Third one bottle without distribution (60)
In the non-sort mode.

[Configuration and Operation of Fix Cam] Next, a description will be given of a fix cam (70) and a transfer unit (80) for transferring the sheets distributed and accommodated in each bin (60) to a staple tray (91) described below. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the fix cam (70) has a spiral groove (70) on its outer periphery with which the trunnion (61) can be engaged.
a) is engraved three times, and can be rotated forward and backward by a motor (not shown) via a support shaft (71). That is, the fix cam (70) rotates forward in the direction of the arrow (e), thereby causing the trunnion (61) of the bin (60) shifted to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) by the floating cam (50) to form a spiral groove. Guide to (70a) and lower to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ).

On the other hand, at the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ), as shown in FIG. 8, the receiving member (72) is vertically movable on the support shaft (71) and is urged upward by the coil spring (73). is installed in a state of being, trunnion dropped to the take-out position (X ₃₎ (61)
Is held elastically. At the take-out position (X ₃ ), a take-out roller (75), a pinch roller (76) and a sheet guide (78) pressed against the take-out roller (75) by its own weight are installed. Between the positions taken out from the bottom bin position (X ₁₎ (X _3), as shown in FIG. 2, the seat back flow prevention guide (79) is installed. The seat guide (78)
As shown in FIG. 8, it is installed so as slightly higher than the sheet backflow prevention claws of each bin that gradient descent to a position upper surface of the guide surface (78a) is taken out _{(X 3) (60) (} 60a) I have. The pinch roller (76) is rotatably supported by a support shaft (77a) via an arm (77), as shown in FIG.
By turning on and off a solenoid (not shown), the solenoid can be brought into contact with and separated from the take-out roller (75).

Further, a drive pulley (86) and a gear (87a) are integrally fixed to the lower end of the support shaft (71) of the fix cam (70), as shown in FIG. Gear (87
The gear (87c) is meshed with the gear (87c) via b), and the disc (88) can rotate integrally with the gear (87c). Disk (88)
The notch (not shown) is formed, and the photo sensor (Se2) detects the notch, whereby the rotation speed of the fix cam (70) can be controlled.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transport section (80)
5), (76) and the transport rollers (81a), (81b) to (83)
a), (83b) and guide plates (84a), (84b), (85
a) and (85b). Transport rollers (81
a), (82a) and (83a) are made of rubber material, and the transport rollers (81b), (82b) and (83b) are made of sponge material, and can absorb the thickness of the stacked sheets.

In the above configuration, when the sheet distribution by the sorter section (41) is completed, the fix cam (70) is rotated in the direction of the three-turn arrow (e). This at the bottom bin position trunnion (61) of the bottle (60) in the (X ₁₎ is guided in a helical groove (70a), and lowered to the take-out position (X _3), it is held receiving at member (72) You. At this take-out position (X ₃ ), the bin (60) is inclined at an angle larger than the bottom bin position (X ₁ ), and the sheets stored and distributed are placed on the guide surface (78a) of the guide (78) by their own weight. The power to slide down while being guided works. Removal roller (7
5) overlaps bin (60) and bin (6
0) is the take-out position (leading edge of the sheet when it reaches the X ₃₎ the roller (75), (76) has become such a form is挾着between, the sheet roller (75), (76 ) To be transported to the transport rollers (81a) and (81b). At this time, even if the sheet is curled downward, the sheet is guided by the guide (78) and the take-out roller (75), so that the sheet surely goes over the backflow prevention claw (60a) and the guide plates (84a) and (84b). Conveyed in between. Even if the sheet curls upward, it is guided by the backflow prevention guide (79), and the guide plate (84a),
(84b).

The sheet of the pinch roller (76) is a roller (81a), (81
Since the solenoid (not shown) is turned off in the initial state at the time when the sheet is nipped and conveyed in step b), the solenoid is retracted upward from above the take-out roller (75), and the bin (6) is moved as described above.
When (0) reaches the take-out position (X ₃ ), the solenoid is turned on, and the sheet is sandwiched by the take-out roller (75). Here, the take-out roller (75) and the transport roller (81
a), (81b), (82a), (82b), (83a), and (83b) are respectively driven to rotate, and the sheet is transported as indicated by the arrow (f) in FIG. ) Is fed onto the staple tray (91). On the other hand, the floating cam (50) is located at the position corresponding to the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) at the time of this removal, as shown in FIG. ) Is held, and at this position (X ₁ ), the trunnion (61) is sent intermittently in the opposite direction to the arrow (d) by 180 ° to sequentially feed the trunnion (61) to the fix cam (70). In the present embodiment, the bottom bin position (X ₁ ) and the take-out position (X ₃ ) are set in order to increase the inclination angle of the bin (60) that has descended to the take-out position (X ₃ ) so that the sheet easily slides out under its own weight. ), In other words, the stroke of the bin (60) moving between them is set large. Therefore, the torque of the fix cam (70) when the trunnion (61) moves up and down is reduced as much as possible by making the spiral groove (70a) formed on the outer peripheral portion of the fix cam (70) three times. Then, the trunnion (61) immediately before being sent to the fix cam (70) by the floating cam (50).
By holding [indicated by (A) in FIG. 6], this trunnion (61) can be used for the second rotation of the fix cam (70),
It is prevented from being fed into the spiral groove (70a) at the turn.

As described above, each bin (6) is rotated by rotating the floating cam (50) by 180 ° and rotating the fix cam (70) three times.
0) is lowered to the take-out position (X ₃ ) one by one, and the sheets distributed and stored in the bins (60) are conveyed onto the stable tray (91) through the conveyance section (80).

Each bottle has fallen to the take-out position (X ₃₎ (60)
Is held in a state of being urged upward by the receiving member (72), and after the sheet is taken out from all the bins (60) in which the sheet is distributed and stored, the fix cam (70) is turned to the arrow (e).
When the floating cam (50) is driven forward in the direction indicated by the arrow (d), it returns upward.

[Structure and Operation of Staple Unit] As shown in FIG. 2, the staple unit (90) includes a staple tray (91), a motor (93) for vibrating the staple tray (91),
Guide plate (95), stopper (96), stapler (10
0). The staple tray (91) is installed swingably around the support shaft (92), and is vibrated by the centrifugal force of the weight (94) when the eccentric weight (94) is rotated by the motor (93). With this vibration, the sheet sent from the conveyance section is guided by the guide plate (95),
Align while regulating with stopper (96).

As shown in FIG. 11, the stapler (100) fixes the motor output shaft (101) and swings the cam (102) around the head with the swingable arm (104) using the pin (103) as a fulcrum. (Ten
5), the head (105) moves upward through the arm (104) by the rotation of the cam (102) in the direction of the arrow (g) by the motor, and the staple (106) is moved to the tray. (91) The upper aligned sheet is bound. The staples (106) are housed in a cartridge (107), and are transported from the motor output shaft (101).
It is sent to the head at 08).

The stopper (96) is rotatably installed by a solenoid (not shown) with the support shaft (97) as a fulcrum, and is always located on the lower end of the staple tray (91) to position the leading end of the sheet. The stopper (96) retracts downward when the solenoid is turned on, and releases the sheet positioning.

In addition, this stapler (100) has a staple (10
6) A photo sensor (Se3) for empty detection and a staple motor rotation speed detection sensor (Se4) are installed. The sensor (Se3) directly detects the staple needle (106), and the sensor (Se4) is a motor output shaft (Se4). Disk (109) fixed to 101)
Notches (109a) are detected.

Further, a photo sensor (Se6) for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray (91) and a switch (SW4) for detecting attachment / detachment of the stapler (100) are provided in the staple portion (90). .

In the above configuration, the sheet conveyed from the conveyance section (80) onto the staple tray (91) is the motor (93)
The tray (91) vibrates based on the rotation of the
The guide plate (95) and the stopper (96) regulate and align the motor, the motor (93) stops, and the staple motor is driven to perform the binding. The bound sheet slides down from the tray (91) when the stopper (96) retreats from the tray (91) when the solenoid is turned on, is guided by the guide plate (98), and is stored on the stack tray (111). Is done. Such stapling, the bin (60) is lowered to the take-out position (X ₃₎ at Fikusukamu (70), the sheet is Kaee repeated each time conveyed onto the staple tray (91).

[Structure of Stack Unit] The stack unit (110) is constituted by a stack tray (111), and finally stores sheets bound by the stapler (100). Stack tray (111) is the first
As shown in FIG. 2, the staple processing portion of the sheet (S),
That is, a cutout (111a) is formed in a portion where the portion bound by the staple (106) is located. With this, the sheets stapled by the stapler (100) are
11) When the stapled portion is stacked and stored, the stapled portion is prevented from hanging down into the notch (111a) by its own weight, so that only the stapled portion is prevented from becoming bulky, and the stacked capacity is increased accordingly.

[Operation Panel] In this embodiment, the operation panel is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 15, the copier panel (120), the ADF panel (140), and the sorter panel (150) are installed at three places.

The copier panel (120) has a print key (12) for starting a copying operation when the ADF (30) is not used.
1), an interrupt key (122) for temporarily stopping the multi-copy operation, a clear / stop key (123) for stopping the copy operation or canceling the set number, and a numeric keypad for setting the number of multi-copy ( 124), a display unit (12) for displaying the number of copies and the status of the copying machine (1).
5) Up / down keys (1 to set copy density)
26), (127) and its display LED group (128), a sheet selection key (129) for selecting a copy sheet size and its display LED group (130), and a magnification selection key group for selecting a copy magnification ( 131) and its display LED group (132) are provided.

The ADF pal (140) is provided with only a start key (141) for starting the ADF operation. When the start key (141) is turned on, the originals on the original tray (31) are automatically and sequentially conveyed onto the original platen glass (29), and the copying operation is started.

Use the sorter mode selection key (15
1) and the non-sort mode display LED (15
2), sort mode display LED (153), grouping mode display LED (154), finish mode selection key (15
5) and non-finish mode display LED that is the display section
(156), finish mode display LED (157), finish start key (158) and its display LED (159) are provided, and by flashing this LED (159), a warning to remove a copy from the staple tray (91) Is displayed. Also, an LED (160) for displaying a warning for removing a sheet from the bin (60), an LED (161) for displaying the empty staple (106), and an LED (162) for indicating a setting failure of the stapler (100) are provided. Is provided. Each time the sorter mode selection key (151) is pressed, the non-sort mode
The mode is sequentially switched to the sort mode and the grouping mode, and the corresponding LEDs (152), (153), and (154) are turned on. Pressing the finish mode selection key (155) once also switches between the non-finish mode and the finish mode, and the corresponding LEDs (156) and (157) are turned on. Each time the finish start key (158) is pressed, the start operation and the cancellation of the finish operation are output, and the LED (159) is turned on at the start.

[Control Circuit] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the control circuit. A copying machine panel (120), an ADF panel (140), and a sorter panel (150) are connected to the microcomputer (CPU). ), The ADF processing means (171) is connected, and the sorter processing means (172) and the finisher processing means (173) are connected to exchange signals.

Fig. 17 shows the main parts of the control circuit. The input / output ports of the microcomputer (CPU)
Start switches and display LEDs built into them
(180), (181), each selection switch of the sorter panel (150), each display LED (152), etc. are connected.

[Control Procedure] Next, a control procedure based on the copying machine (1), the sorter (40) and the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 shows a main routine of the microcomputer (CPU).

The microcomputer (CPU) is reset,
When the program starts, in step (S1), the random access memory is cleared, various registers are initialized, and initial settings for setting each device to the initial mode are performed. Next, the internal timer is started in step (S2). This internal timer determines the time required for the main routine, and its value is set in advance in the initial setting of step (S1).

Next, in steps (S3) to (S8), subroutines to be described in detail below are sequentially called, and when the processing of all subroutines is completed, in step (S9), the end of the internal timer is awaited. Return to S2). Various timers in each subroutine are counted using the length of time of this one routine.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine of the input process executed in the step (S3).

First, in step (S10), the number (A) is inputted by the ten-key group (124) on the copier panel (120), and the sheet size (S _X ) selected in step (S11) is inputted. In S12), it is determined whether the use of the ADF (30) is selected. If the use is selected, the ADF mode flag is set to "1" in step (S13), and if not, the ADF mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S14).

Next, a subroutine for setting a sort mode is executed in step (S15), a subroutine for setting a finish mode is executed in step (S16), and it is determined whether or not the sort mode flag is "1" in step (S17). If the sort mode flag is “0”, the sorting and stapling processing is not executed, so the process proceeds to step (S22). If “1”, the number of bins (a) is input in step (S18). In step (S19), the set number (A) is compared with the bin number (a). Number (A) is the number of bins (a)
If it is below, the sort mode can be executed, and it is determined in step (S20) whether or not the finish mode flag is “1”. If the finish mode flag is “0”, the process proceeds to step (S22), and if “1”, the process proceeds to step (S22).
At 21), it is determined whether the sheet size (S _X ) is A4 size or B5 size. The sheet size that can be stapled in the present embodiment is A4 or B5, and if YES, other input processing is executed in step (S22).

Further, it is determined in step (S23) whether or not the print switch has been turned on.
In step 4), the copy flag is set to "1" to enable copy processing. If it is not turned on, step (S2
In 5), it is determined whether or not the ADF start switch has been turned on. If the switch has been turned on, the above step (S24) is executed.
If it is not turned on, this subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the step (S19) that the set number (A) is larger than the bin number (a), the step (S26)
To set the warning flag (F1) to "1", and to step (S2
Step 7) prohibits system operation. This warning flag (F1)
Indicates that the number of distributions exceeds the number of bins. Next, in steps (S28) and (S36), it is determined whether the print switch has been turned on and whether the ADF start switch has been turned on, as in steps (S23) and (S25). If YES in this step (S28) or (S36), that is, if the intention of the operator to execute copying even if a warning is issued is confirmed, the non-sort mode flag "1" is set in step (S29). Switch to processing in non-sort mode, and step (S3
In step (0), the warning flag (F1) is reset to "0", and in step (S37), the copy flag is set to "1".

In the step (S21), the sheet size (S _X ) is set to A
If it is determined that the size is other than 4 size or B5 size, the stapling process is impossible, so the warning flag (F2) is set to “1” in step (S31), and the system operation is prohibited in step (S32). . This warning flag (F2) is for displaying that the selected sheet size is incompatible. Next, in steps (S33) and (S38), it is determined whether the print switch has been turned on and whether the ADF start switch has been turned on, as in steps (S23) and (S25). In this step (S33) or (S
38) If YES, that is, if it is confirmed that the operator intends to execute copying even if a warning is issued, the finish mode flag is reset to "0" in step (S34) to prohibit stapling. In step (S35), the warning flag (F2) is reset to “0”, and step (S3)
In step 9), the copy flag is set to "1".

FIG. 20 shows a sort mode setting subroutine executed in the step (S15).

In this subroutine, each step (S40), (S4
2) In (S44), it is determined whether the non-sort mode, the sort mode, and the greeping mode are selected, respectively. If the non-sort mode, the sorting mode, and the greeping mode are selected, each step (S41), (S43),
In (S45), the non-sort mode flag, the sort mode flag, and the grouping mode flag are set to "1".

FIG. 21 shows a finish mode setting subroutine executed in the step (S16).

First, in step (S50), it is determined whether or not the finish mode is selected. If not, this subroutine is immediately terminated. If the finish mode is selected, the finish mode flag is set to "1" in step (S51). It is set, and the allowable number of staples (Cb) is set in step (S52). Here, the allowable number of staples (Cb) refers to a value obtained by multiplying the allowable number of staplers (100) by the set number (A), which is the number of bins used. Therefore, as a result, the storage amount per bin is defined. Next, in step (S53), the staple permission sizes are set to A4 and B5, and in step (S54), the sort mode flag is set to "1" to allow processing in the sort mode.

FIG. 22 executes a subroutine of a display process executed in step (S4) of the main routine.

First, in step (S60), it is determined whether or not the AD mode flag is “1”, and if it is “1”, the ADF mode display LED (18)
0) is turned on, and in either case of "1" or "0", in step (S62), one of the display LEDs (152), (153), and (154) is turned on to display the selected sorter mode. . In step (S63), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1". If "1", the finish mode is displayed.
Turn on the LED (157).

Next, in step (S65), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F1) is "1".
In step 6), the display section (125) indicates that the number of bins is over. In step (S67), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F2) is "1".
In step 8), the display unit (125) indicates that the sheet size is incompatible. In step (S69), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F3) is "1".
0) indicates that the finish mode is not available on the display unit (125). In step (S71), the warning flag (F
It is determined whether or not 4) is "1", and if "1", the fact that the document is empty is displayed on the display unit (125) in step (S72). In step (S73), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F5) is "1".
In step 4), the display (125) indicates that the finish capacity is over. In step (S75), the warning flag (F
It is determined whether or not 6) is "1". If "1", then in step (S76), it is displayed on the display unit (125) that the sheet needs to be removed from the staple tray (91). In step (S85), it is determined whether or not the warning flag (F11) is "1". If it is "1", the LED (160) is turned on in step (S86), and the sheet needs to be removed from the bin (60). Display that there is.

Next, in step (S81), it is determined whether or not the copy flag is “1”, and if it is “1”, in step (S82),
If “0”, the display unit (12
The number of copies or the remaining number of copies is displayed in 5). Subsequently, other display processing is executed in step (S84), and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 23 shows a subroutine of copy system processing executed in step (S5) of the main routine.

First, it is determined whether or not the ADF mode flag is “1” in step (S90). If it is “1”, it is determined in step (S91) whether or not the copy flag is “1”. If copy processing is permitted, step (S95)
To execute the ADF control subroutine, and shift to step (S97). Also, in the step (S90), the ADF
If it is determined that the mode flag is "0", it is determined in step (S96) whether or not the copy flag is "1".
If it is “1”, the process proceeds to step (S97). If it is determined in steps (S91) and (S96) that the copy flag is "0", the process returns to the main routine.

Next, in steps (S97), (S100), and (S102), after confirming that the non-sort mode flag, the sort mode flag, and the grouping mode flag are "1", respectively, the steps (S99), (S101), In (S104), each subroutine of the non-sort mode process, the sort mode process, and the grouping mode process is executed. Further, a subroutine for copy processing is executed in step (S105), and a subroutine for other processing is executed in step (S106).

The subroutine executed in the steps (S99) and (S104) is the same as the conventional procedure, and the details are omitted.

FIG. 24 shows a subroutine of ADF control executed in the step (S95).

First, in step (S120), it is determined whether or not there is a document in the document tray (31) by turning on and off the sensor. If there is, in step (S133), whether or not the warning flag (F4) is "1" Is determined. This warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (S131) described below, but if "1", it is reset to "0" in step (S134). Then, a document feed processing subroutine is performed in step (S121), a document size detection subroutine is performed in step (S122), and a step (S1) is performed.
At 23), a document transport processing subroutine is executed. If there is no document, it is determined in step (S130) whether or not the document count is "0". If it is "0", the warning flag (F4) is set to "1" in step (S131) and the document empty display is displayed. Prepare, reset the copy flag to "0" in step (S132), and return to the main routine.

On the other hand, in step (S124), it is determined whether or not the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies, and if so, the scan end flag is set to "1". And
After confirming that the scan end flag is "1" in step (S126), the scan end flag is reset to "0" in step (S127), and a document discharge processing subroutine is executed in step (S128). Step (S12
In 9), a subroutine for other processing is executed.

This ADF control subroutine is the same procedure as the conventional one, and the steps (S121) to (S123),
Details of (S128) are omitted.

FIGS. 25a and 25b show a subroutine of the sort mode process executed in the step (S101). In this subroutine, the operation of the sorter bin (60) is made different depending on whether or not the finish mode is selected. This is because the order in which sheets are taken out from the bin (60) differs depending on whether the finish mode is selected or not, and the order of distribution to the bin (60) is different. When the finish mode is selected, the sheets are distributed from the lower bin (60) to be sent to the staple section (90). When the finish mode is not selected, the sheets are directly distributed to the staple section (90). Dispense from bottle (60).

Specifically, it is determined in step (S140) whether or not the finish mode flag is “1”. If “1”, the sensor (in step (S141)) determines whether or not there is a sheet in the bin (60). Se5) is determined by ON / OFF, and if there is no sheet, it is determined in step (S184) whether or not the warning flag (F11) is "1". This warning flag (F11) is determined in the step (S158) described below. ) And (S161) are set to "1", but if "1", they are reset to "0" in step (S185). Then, step (S142) in Botomubin detection switch (SW1) is turned on whether, i.e., bin (60) is located in the bottom bin position (X ₁₎ a home position at the time of the finish mode is selected, in the finish mode It is determined whether sheet distribution is possible. Therefore, if YES, the process directly proceeds to step (S148), and the bin operation for performing the sorting operation, that is, the rotation direction flag is reset to “0” to reverse the rotation of the floating cam motor (not shown). . If NO the following steps (S143) ~ (S147) to move the bottle (60) to the bottom bin position (X _1). That is, the motor of the floating cam (50) is rotated forward in step (S143), and the sorter weight is applied in step (S144). The sorter weight means that the copying operation is prohibited so that the sheet is not fed into the sorter section (41) while the bin (60) is moving. After confirming that the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is turned on in step (S145), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off in step (S146), and the sorter weight is released in step (S147). At (S148), the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "0", and the rotation direction of the floating cam (50) thereafter is reversed.

On the other hand, when the finish mode is not selected, the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is checked by turning on and off the sensor (Se5) in step (S149), and if there is no sheet, the top in step (S150). Whether or not the bin detection switch (SW2) is ON, that is, whether or not the bin (60) is located at the top bin position (X ₂ ), which is the home position in the non-finish mode, and the sheet distribution in the non-finish mode is possible Is determined. Therefore, if YES, the process directly proceeds to step (S156), and the floating cam rotation direction flag is set to "1" to permit normal rotation of the floating cam (50). If NO the following steps (S151) ~ running (S155) to move the bottle (60) the top bin position (X _2). That is, the motor of the floating cam (50) is reversed in step (S151), a sorter weight is applied in step (S152), and after confirming that the top bin detection switch (SW2) is turned on in step (S153), In (S154), the motor of the floating cam (50) is turned off. Subsequently, in step (S155), the sorter weight is released, and step (S156)
Resets the floating cam rotation direction flag to "1", and sets the subsequent rotation direction of the floating cam (50) to normal rotation.

In the steps (S141) and (S149), the bin (60)
If it is determined that there is a sheet in the area, step (S157),
In step (S160), it is determined whether or not the copy count is "0". If the count is "0", the warning flag (F11) is set to "1" in steps (S158) and (S161) to display the copy removal. led
Prepare to turn on (160), and execute steps (S159) and (S159).
In 162), the system operation is prohibited.

Next, in step (S163), it is determined whether the discharge switch (SW3) of the copying machine (1) is on edge. That is, after the leading end of the sheet reaches the discharge switch (SW3), the sorter conveyance motor is turned on in step (S164), and it is determined in step (S165) whether the sorter discharge sensor (Se1) is off-edge. That is, a discharge sensor at the rear end of the sheet (Se1)
Passing is regarded as accommodating sheets in the bin (60), and if it is an off-edge, the sorter transport motor timer is started in step (S166). Then, in step (S167), the number of sheets is incremented, and in step (S168), the process waits for the end of the sorter transport motor timer and then proceeds to step (S169).
To turn off the sorter transport motor. Then, step (S1
At 70), it is determined whether or not the sheet conveyed earlier is the last sheet. If it is the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is reset to "0" at step (S171).
If it is not the last sheet, the floating cam rotation direction flag is checked in step (S172) to continue the sorting operation, and if it is "0", step (S173)
To rotate the floating cam motor in reverse, and if it is "1", the normal rotation is turned on in step (S174). That is, in the finish mode, the motor is rotated in reverse to move the bin (60) to which the sheets are distributed from the lower stage to the upper stage, and in the non-finish mode, the bin (60) to which the sheets are distributed by forward rotation is moved to the upper stage. To the lower one.

Next, in step (S175), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is “1”.
76) Number of sheets counted (N) and allowable number of staples (Cb)
[See step (S52)]. If the number of sheets (N) is equal to or more than the allowable number of staples (Cb), a step (S177) is performed in order to prevent staple failure from occurring.
Then, the warning flag (F5) is set to "1" to prepare for the display of the finisher capacity excess. Step (S1
In 78), the copy flag is reset to "0", and it is determined in step (S179) whether or not the print switch has been turned on. In step (S180), it is determined whether or not the ADF start switch has been turned on. Is turned on, that is,
If the operator's intention to execute the copy is confirmed even if a warning is issued, the finish mode flag is reset to “0” in step (S181), and the process proceeds to step (S18).
2) reset the warning flag (F5) to "0", and
In step (S183), the copy flag is set to "1" to enable execution in the sort mode, and this subroutine ends.

Note that the copy operation is terminated at the point when the warning of the over-capacity of the finisher is issued by executing the steps (S176) and (S177), and the finish processing is performed, the finish start switch may be turned on. (S205).

FIG. 26 shows a subroutine of the copy process executed in the step (S105).

First, in step (S190), it is determined whether or not the optical system (4) has scanned the number of copies. If YES, the scan end flag is set to "1" in step (S191), and NO
If so, the subroutine of the copy process is executed in step (S192). This subroutine is for copier (1)
Is a routine for executing a normal copy process according to the present invention, and details thereof are omitted.

Next, after confirming that the scan end flag is “1” in step (S193), the scan end flag is reset to “0” in step (S194), and step (S1)
In 95), the copy flag is reset to "0", and in step (S196), a subroutine of other processing is executed.

FIG. 27 shows a subroutine of the finishing process executed in step (S6) of the main routine.

First, in step (S200), it is determined whether or not the finish mode flag is "1". If "0", the process is immediately terminated. If "1", it is determined in step (S201) whether or not the finish mode is prohibited. If the prohibition mode is prohibited, the sheet detection sensor (Se6) on the staple tray (91) is turned on in step (S202). The presence / absence of a sheet is checked by judging off. Sheet detection sensor (Se
If 6) is on and it is determined that there is a sheet on the tray (91), the existing sheet will be stapled together with the sheet to be sent to the tray (91), or the number of stapled sheets will be exceeded. In step (S203), a warning flag (F
6) is set to "1" to prepare for displaying a warning that the sheet is to be removed from the staple tray (91), and the finish mode is prohibited in step (S204).

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step (S201) that the finish mode is not prohibited or that there is no sheet on the tray (91) in step (S202), the warning flag (F6) is set in step (S201a). It is determined whether it is "1", and if it is "1", it is reset to "0" in step (S201b). Next, in step (S205), it is determined whether the finish start switch has been turned on. If it is turned on, the finishing flag is set to "1" in step (S206), the number of sheets per bin (M) is calculated in step (S207), and the number of sheets per bin is calculated in step (S208). It is determined whether or not the number of sheets (M) is one. That is, if the number of sheets (M) distributed and stored in each bin (60) is one, there is no need to perform stapling. Therefore, the number of sheets per bin is 1 in step (S208).
If it is determined that the number of sheets is one, the warning flag (F3) is set to "1" in step (S209), and preparations are made to display that the finishing mode is disabled. In step (S210), the finishing mode flag is set to "0". Reset and exit finish mode.

If the number of sheets per bin (M) is not one, it is determined in step (S208a) whether or not the warning flag (F3) is "1". Reset to "0". Next, in step (S211), when the sensor (Se6) is turned on and off, the staple tray (9
1) Check the presence or absence of the above sheet, and if there is a sheet, execute steps (S203) and (S204) to issue an alarm and finish in order to stap unnecessary sheets and prevent staple failure as described above. Cancel the mode. If there is no sheet, the finishing process is executed. That is, the subroutine of the bin moving process is executed in step (S212), the subroutine of the sheet take-out process is executed in step (S213), and the subroutine of the stapling process is executed in step (S214). After these processes are completed, it is determined in step (S215) whether there is a sheet in the bin (60), and in step (S216), it is determined whether there is a sheet on the staple tray (91).
At 17), the finish processing flag is reset to “0”.

In this finish processing subroutine, the release of the finish mode prohibition is performed in step (S20
In step 2), it is detected that the sheet has been removed from the staple tray (91), and in step (S201b), a warning flag (F
6) is reset to "0". Then, the restart of the finish processing may be automatically performed via the timer after the release of the prohibition of the finish mode, or may be performed by a switch input of the finish start.

FIG. 28 shows a subroutine of the bin moving process executed in the step (S212).

First, in step (S220), the presence or absence of a sheet in the bin (60) is determined by turning on and off the sensor (Se5). Although this situation cannot occur in practice,
This may occur if the operator removes a sheet from the bin (60) immediately after the copy is completed. If there is a sheet, step (S22
In 1), it is determined whether the bottom bin detection switch (SW1) is on. If not switch (SW1) is turned on, to move the floating cam (50) to the bottom bin position (X _1), is rotated forward motor floating cam (50) in step (S222), step (S223) When the off edge of the floating cam rotation detection switch is confirmed at step (S224), the motor is turned off at step (S224). Then, the step (S222), (S223), (S224) is continued until the floating cam (50) is moved to the bottom bin position (X _1).

Positive when the floating cam (50) is moved to the bottom bin position (X _1), i.e., when the Botomubin detection switch (SW1) is determined to have turned on in the step (S221), the fix cam motor in step (S225) In step (S226), it is determined whether the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2) is on-edge. If on-edge, which at will can bottom bin position bottle (60) which is in the (X ₁₎ is dropped across to the sheet take-out position (X _3), incrementing the bin counter at step (S227), step (S228) To turn off the fix cam motor.

Next, in step (S229), the bin counter sets the number (A).
It is determined whether it is equal to [see step (S10)].
If bin counter is smaller than the set number (A), it executes a process of moving the next bin (60) to a sheet take-out position (X _3). That is, the floating cam motor is reversed in step (S230), and when the off edge of the floating cam rotation detection sensor is confirmed in step (S231), the floating cam motor is turned off in step (S232). At this, the next bin (60) is to be moved to the bottom position (X _1). This step (S230),
(S231) and (S232) are repeated until the bin counter becomes equal to the set number (A).

When the bin counter becomes equal to the set number (A), the stapling process has been completed. After confirming that there is no sheet in the bin (60) in step (S233), the bin position reset subroutine is performed in step (S234). Execute

FIG. 29 shows a subroutine of the sheet take-out process executed in the step (S213). This subroutine performs a process to transport the sheet take-out position (X ₃₎ to drop bins (60) up to the staple tray through the transfer means of the sheet (80) (91).

First, a sheet take-out position at step (S240) (X ₃₎
It is determined whether or not the sensor (Se5) has a sheet in the bin (60) that has dropped in step (1). If there is no sheet, a warning is appropriately displayed (not shown in the flowchart) and the process proceeds to step (S246). When the presence of the sheet is confirmed, in step (S241), the fix cam rotation detection sensor (Se2)
Is off edge, in other words, whether the fix cam (70) has started to rotate forward. When it is determined that the edge is off-edge, that is, when the fix cam (70) starts normal rotation and the bin (60) starts to descend to the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ), the pinch roller (76) in step (S242).
Is turned on, and the pinch roller solenoid timer is started in step (S243). When the sheet on the bin (60) starts descending based on the forward rotation of the fix cam (70), the solenoid is turned on in the bin (60), and the sheet is taken out at the sheet take-out position (X ₃ ). ) And the pinch roller (76).

Then, step (S244) on whether or not Fikusukamu rotation sensor (Se2) is on edge, in other words, the bin (60) determines whether it has completed the descent to the sheet take-out position (X ₃₎ If it is determined that the edge is on-edge, the sheet take-out motor is turned on in step (S245). The sheet is now rolled (75), (76), (81a), (81
The paper is conveyed to the staple tray (91) by b) or the like. When the end of the pinch roller solenoid timer is confirmed in step (S246), the pinch roller solenoid is turned off in step (S247). This causes the pinch roller (76) to retreat upward from the take-out roller (75).
This is, the next bin (60) bottom bin position (X ₁₎
This is because the pinch roller (76) is retracted from the take-out position (X ₃ ) before starting to descend from the bin, thereby preventing interference with the sheets distributed and stored in the bin (60).

Next, in step (S248), when the sensor (Se6) of the staple tray (91) is turned on and it is confirmed that sheets are stored in the tray (91), the sheet take-out motor is turned off in step (S249), End the subroutine.

FIG. 30 shows a subroutine of the stapling process executed in the step (S214).

First, in step (S251), it is determined whether the sensor of the staple tray (91) is on-edge. This sensor turns on when a sheet is conveyed onto the tray (91). Therefore, if it is an on-edge, the vibration motor (93) is turned on in step (S252) to align the sheets on the tray (91), and the vibration motor timer is started in step (S253). On the other hand, if it is determined in step (S251) that the sheet is not on-edge, and if it is determined in step (S254) that the sensor is on, that is, if it is determined that a sheet is already in the tray (91), the process proceeds to step (S255). Transition.

Next, when the end of the vibration motor timer is confirmed in step (S255), the vibration motor is turned off in step (S256), and the staple motor is turned on in step (S257).
Then, when it is determined in step (S259) that the rotation detection sensor (Se4) of the staple motor is on-edge,
That is, when the head (105) moves and the sheets are bound by the staples (106), the staple motor is turned off in step (S260), and the stopper solenoid is turned on in step (S262). This stops the stopper (96) with the tray (9
1) The sheet is retracted from above, and the sheet slides down from the tray (91) and is stored on the stack tray (111).

Next, in step (S263), it is determined that the sensor (Se6) of the staple tray (91) is off-edge,
If it is determined that the sheet has been discharged to the stack tray (111), the stopper solenoid is turned off in step (S264) to return the stopper (96) to the tray (91), and this subroutine ends.

That is, in the present embodiment, when the finish mode is selected in the finish mode setting subroutine (see FIG. 21) [YES in step (S50)], the operation mode of the sorter unit (41) is changed to the sort mode. Automatically (step (S54)). Therefore, when the finish mode is selected, there is no possibility that sheets are stored in each bin (60) in the grouping mode or the non-sort mode that does not require stapling, and the sheets distributed and stored in the mode that does not need to be stapled are used. Is prevented beforehand from being stapled.

Effects of the Invention As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the finish mode is selected by the selection means, the control means sets the finish mode to permit the operation of the stapling means, and sets the operation mode as the operation mode. The first operation mode is automatically set. Therefore, when the sheet binding is selected, the operation mode most suitable for the sheet binding is automatically selected, so that useless copying due to an incorrect mode setting is prevented beforehand, and an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an entire copying machine, FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a sorter with a finisher, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a sorter section, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveying unit, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a floating cam and a fix cam, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a floating cam, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sheet take-out position. Fig. 9, Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the engagement relationship between the trunnion and the fix cam, Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the rotation detection unit of the fix cam, Fig. 11 is a plan view of the stapler, Fig. 12 is a stack tray. Perspective view, thirteenth
FIGS. 14, 14 and 15 are plan views of the operation panel, and FIGS.
FIG. 17 is a control circuit diagram, and FIGS. 18 to 30 are flowchart diagrams showing a control procedure. (1) Copier, (40) Sorter with finisher, (41) Sorter unit, (50) Floating cam, (60) Bin, (61) Trunnion, (70) …
… Fix cam, (90) …… Staple section, (100)…
... stapler, (110) ...... stack section, (X ₁₎ ...... bottom bin position, (X ₂₎ ...... top bottle position, (X ₃₎ ...... sheet take-out position.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, a first operation mode for accommodating a sheet on which an image has been formed as a sheet bundle arranged in a page order, and aligning the pages on which the image has been formed Storage control means operable in a second operation mode for storing without a sheet, a finish mode for binding a bundle of stored sheets,
A stapling unit operable in a non-binding non-finish mode; a unit for selecting each mode of the storage control unit and the staple unit; and when the finishing mode is selected by the selection unit, the first mode is automatically performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for setting an operation mode.