Patent Application
20240270524
Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sheet processing device and an image forming apparatus containing the sheet processing device.
A sheet processing device includes a processing section that processes a sheet and a tray on which the sheet can be placed. If the sheet is processed in a state in which creases occur on the sheet, processing quality is likely to be deteriorated. There has been a demand for a sheet processing device that can prevent deterioration in processing quality.
A sheet processing device in an embodiment includes a processing section, a tray, a lifting and lowering device, a flexible member, a first member, and a second member. The processing section processes a sheet. The sheet can be placed on a first surface on a first side of the tray. The lifting and lowering device moves the sheet to the processing section. The flexible member is provided on the first side of the tray and has flexibility. The first member is connected to a first end portion of the flexible member. The second member is connected to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion of the flexible member. The second member is separated from the first member in a first direction. A separation distance between the second member and the first member is shorter than length of the flexible member between the second member and the first member.
The sheet processing device in the embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.
The image forming apparatus main body 100 is explained.
The image forming apparatus main body 100 forms an image on a sheet (a recording medium) using a recording agent. The sheet is, for example, plain paper or label paper. A specific example of the recording agent is toner. The toner is toner used as a decolorable recording agent or toner used as a non-decolorable recording agent.
For example, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is a multifunction peripheral. As illustrated in
The display section 15 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display section 15 displays various kinds of information concerning the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the sheet processing device 200. The operation section 14 includes a plurality of buttons. The operation section 14 receives operation of a user. The operation section 14 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user to the first control section 90 of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The display section 15 and the operation section 14 may be configured as an integral touch panel.
The image reading section 16 reads image information of a reading target as brightness and darkness of light. The image reading section 16 outputs the read image information to the printer section 17.
The sheet storing sections 18 store sheets used for image formation. The sheet storing sections 18 supply the stored sheets to the printer section 17.
The printer section 17 forms an image on a sheet based on image information generated by the image reading section 16 or image information received via a communication path. The printer section 17 includes an image forming section, a transfer section, and a fixing device. The image forming section forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive drum based on the image information. The image forming section causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image and forms a visible image. The transfer section transfers the visible image onto the sheet. The fixing device heats and pressurizes the toner and fixes the visible image on the sheet.
The paper discharge roller 19 is disposed near a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The paper discharge roller 19 delivers the sheet, on which the image is formed, to the sheet processing device 200.
The CPU 91 executes a program stored in the memory 92 and the auxiliary storage device 93 to thereby function as the first control section 90. The first control section 90 controls operations of the sections of the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the sheet processing device 200.
The auxiliary storage device 93 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores information.
The communication section 94 includes a communication interface for connecting the image forming apparatus main body 100 to an external device. The communication section 94 communicates with the external device via the communication interface.
The sheet processing device 200 is explained.
As illustrated in
The stapling mechanism 20 includes a standby tray 21, a processing tray 22, and a stapler 23. The stapler 23 applies stapling to the peripheral edge portion of a plurality of sheets P. The stapled sheets P are conveyed by a conveyor belt 24 and discharged to a movable tray 27.
The sheet processing device 200 includes the movable tray 27 and an upper tray 26. The stapled sheets P are discharged to the movable tray 27. Unstapled sheets P are discharged to the upper tray 26.
The saddle folding mechanism 30 includes a sheet supporting section 31, a processing section 39, a lower tray 28 (see
The sheet supporting section 31 supports the sheet P. The sheet supporting section 31 includes a saddle folding tray 32 and lifting and lowering devices 33. The sheet P can be placed on a first surface S of the saddle folding tray 32. The lifting and lowering devices 33 move the sheet P to the processing section 39.
As a local coordinate system of the saddle folding mechanism 30, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction of an orthogonal coordinate system are defined as follows. The X direction is the normal direction of the first surface S of the saddle folding tray 32. A+X direction is a direction in which the sheet P is placed on the saddle folding tray 32. The Z direction (a first direction) is a moving direction of the lifting and lowering devices 33. A+Z direction is a direction from the folding section 35 toward the stapling section 34. For example, the Y is the horizontal direction.
The saddle folding tray 32 has a substantially tabular shape. The sheet P can be placed on the first surface S in the +X direction of the saddle folding tray 32. The saddle folding tray 32 is present on both sides in the Z direction across the folding section 35.
The lifting and lowering devices 33 have a substantially L shape when viewed from the Y direction. The lifting and lowering devices 33 project in the +X direction from the slits H of the saddle folding tray 32. A pair of lifting and lowering devices 33 is disposed on the inner side of the slits H corresponding thereto. The pair of lifting and lowering devices 33 supports the end portion in a −Z direction of the sheet P. The lifting and lowering devices 33 can support a plurality of sheets P. The lifting and lowering devices 33 are movable in the Z direction along the slits H of the saddle folding tray 32. A moving mechanism for moving the lifting and lowering devices 33 is present in a −X direction of the saddle folding tray 32.
As illustrated in
The blade 36 has a flat shape and is parallel to an XY plane. The blade 36 has a shape tapered in the +X direction. The blade 36 is movable in the X direction passing the saddle folding tray 32.
The pair of folding rollers 37 is present in the +X direction of the saddle folding tray 32. The pair of folding rollers 37 is disposed side by side in the Z direction. Rotation axes of the pair of folding rollers 37 are parallel to the Y direction.
The additional folding unit 38 is present in the +X direction of the pair of folding rollers 37. The additional folding unit 38 additionally folds the fold of the sheet P.
The stapling section 34 is present in the +Z direction of the folding section 35. The stapling section 34 applies stapling to a predetermined position of the sheet P. For example, the predetermined position of the sheet P is the center in the Z direction of the sheet P.
As illustrated in
For example, the saddle folding mechanism 30 executes bookbinding of a plurality of sheets P. The sheet supporting section 31 supports the plurality of sheets P. The lifting and lowering devices 33 move the plurality of sheets P in the +Z direction. The lifting and lowering devices 33 dispose the center in the Z direction of the sheet P in the position of the stapling section 34. The stapling section 34 applies stapling to the plurality of sheets P. The lifting and lowering devices 33 move the plurality of sheets P in the −Z direction. The lifting and lowering devices 33 dispose the center in the Z direction of the sheet P in the position of the folding section 35. The blade 36 moves in the +X direction and pushes the sheet P into a space between the pair of folding rollers 37. The plurality of sheets P are saddle-folded in the center in the Z direction and a fold is formed on the plurality of sheets P. The additional folding unit 38 additionally folds the fold of the plurality of sheets P. Consequently, the bookbinding of the plurality of sheets P is completed. The bound plurality of sheets P are discharged to the lower tray 28.
The sheet processing device 200 includes a CPU
(Central Processing Unit) 96, a memory 97, and an auxiliary storage device 98 connected by a bus as illustrated in
The CPU 96 executes a program stored in the memory 97 and the auxiliary storage device 98 to thereby function as a second control section (a control section) 95. The second control section 95 controls operations of the sections of the sheet processing device 200.
The auxiliary storage device 98 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The auxiliary storage device 98 stores information.
The communication section 99 includes a communication interface for connecting the sheet processing device 200 to an external device. The communication section 99 communicates with the external device via the communication interface.
The pressing mechanism 40 is explained.
The pressing mechanism 40 is present in the +X direction of the saddle folding tray 32. The pressing mechanism 40 is present in the −Z direction of the folding section 35. The pressing mechanism 40 includes a flexible member 50, a first member 41, and a second member 46.
The flexible member 50 is formed by a material having flexibility such as a resin film. A film having conductivity may be formed on the surface of the flexible member 50. The film may be grounded. The flexible member 50 may be formed by a metal belt having conductivity. The flexible member 50 may be grounded. Electrostatic charging of the flexible member 50 is prevented and attraction of the flexible member 50 and the sheet P is prevented.
The flexible member 50 illustrated in
The first member 41 has a cylindrical shape. A first shaft 42 is disposed on the inner side of the first member 41. The first member 41 and the first shaft 42 are capable of turning (freely turn) around a first turning axis 43. The first turning axis 43 is parallel to the Y direction. The length in the Y direction of the first member 41 is equal to or larger than the length in the Y direction of the flexible member 50. The length in the Y direction of the first shaft 42 is equal to or larger than the length in the Y direction of the saddle folding tray 32. Both the end portions in the Y direction of the first shaft 42 are turnably supported. The posture of the first member 41 changes according to the turning.
The first member 41 is separated in the +X direction from the first surface S of the saddle folding tray 32. The first member 41 includes a first connecting section 44. The first connecting section 44 is present in the outer circumference of the first member 41. The first connecting section 44 is connected to the edge of a first end portion 51 in the +Z direction of the flexible member 50.
The second member 46 has a cylindrical shape. A second shaft 47 is disposed on the inner side of the second member 46. The second member 46 and the second shaft 47 are capable of turning around a second turning axis 48. The second turning axis 48 is parallel to the Y direction. The length in the Y direction of the second member 46 is equal to or larger than the length in the Y direction of the flexible member 50. The length in the Y direction of the second shaft 47 is equal to or larger than the length in the Y direction of the saddle folding tray 32. Both the end portions in the Y direction of the second shaft 47 are turnably supported. The posture of the second member 46 changes according to the turning.
The driving source 45 is present at one end portion in the Y direction of the second shaft 47. For example, the driving source 45 is a motor. The driving source 45 turns the second member 46 via the second shaft 47. The second control section 95 (see
The second member 46 is separated in the +X direction from the first surface S of the saddle folding tray 32. The second member 46 includes a second connecting section 49. The second connecting section 49 is present in the outer circumference of the second member 46. The second connecting section 49 is connected to the edge of a second end portion 56 in the −Z direction of the flexible member 50.
As illustrated in
The second control section 95 controls the operation of the driving source 45, whereby the second member 46 turns by a predetermined angle. The first member 41 freely turns. Consequently, the position in the Z direction of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 changes.
Action of the pressing mechanism 40 is explained.
The user of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in
The second control section 95 turns the second member 46 and reverses the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 in the +X direction of the first member 41 and the second member 46. Gaps are formed between the first member 41 and the second member 46 and the saddle folding tray 32.
The sheet P on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 is conveyed to the saddle folding mechanism 30 of the sheet processing device 200. Since the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 is moved in the +X direction, interference between the flexible member 50 and the sheet P is avoided. The sheet P is supported by the saddle folding tray 32 and the lifting and lowering devices 33 of the sheet supporting section 31. As illustrated in
The deflection BP occurs in the lower half portion of the sheet P because of the own weight of the sheet P. In the memory 97 of the second control section 95, positions in the Z direction where the deflection BP occurs are recorded in advance for each of sizes of the sheets P. The second control section 95 reads out the position of the deflection BP of the sheet P from the memory 97 based on the size information of the sheet P. The second control section 95 turns the second member 46 and adjusts the position in the Z direction of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50. The second control section 95 causes the position of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 to coincide with or approach the position of the deflection BP of the sheet P. The deflection BP is effectively eliminated.
The second control section 95 drives the lifting and lowering devices 33 and moves the sheet P in the +Z direction. The second control section 95 moves the center in the Z direction of the sheet P to the position of the stapling section 34 illustrated in
The second control section 95 may move the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 in the +Z direction according to the movement in the +Z direction of the sheet P. The second control section 95 turns the second member 46 and continuously moves the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 from the position illustrated in
As explained in detail above, the sheet processing device 200 in the embodiment includes the processing section 39, the saddle folding tray 32, the lifting and lowering devices 33, the flexible member 50, the first member 41, and the second member 46. The processing section 39 processes the sheet P. The sheet P can be placed on the first surface S in the +X direction of the saddle folding tray 32. The lifting and lowering devices 33 move the sheet P to the processing section 39. The flexible member 50 is present in the +X direction of the saddle folding tray 32 and has flexibility. The first member 41 is connected to the first end portion 51 of the flexible member 50. The second member 46 is connected to the second end portion 56 opposite to the first end portion 51 of the flexible member 50. The second member 46 is separated in the Z direction from the first member 41. The separation distance DE between the second member 46 and the first member 41 is shorter than the length DF of the flexible member 50 between the second member 46 and the first member 41.
The deflection BF in the X direction is formed in the flexible member 50. The deflection BF of the flexible member 50 presses the deflection BP of the sheet P to eliminate the deflection BP. The stapling section 34 can apply stapling to a predetermined position of the sheet P. Deterioration in processing quality of the sheet processing device 200 is prevented.
The sheet processing device 200 further includes the driving source 45 and the second control section 95. The driving source 45 causes the second member 46 to operate. The second control section 95 controls the operation of the driving source 45.
The second control section 95 causes the second member 46 to operate and adjusts the position in the Z direction of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50. The deflection BP of the sheet P is eliminated irrespective of the position and the size of the sheet P.
The first member 41 is capable of turning around the first turning axis 43 parallel to the first surface S and orthogonal to the Z direction. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the second turning axis 48 parallel to the first turning axis 43.
The second control section 95 turns the second member 46, whereby the position in the Z direction of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 changes. The deflection BP of the sheet P is eliminated irrespective of the position and the size of the sheet P.
The Z direction is parallel to the moving direction of the lifting and lowering devices 33.
The first member 41 and the second member 46 are separated in the moving direction of the lifting and lowering devices 33. The flexible member 50 is continuously deflected between the first member 41 and the second member 46. The sheet P can be moved by the lifting and lowering devices 33 in a state in which the sheet P is pressed by the deflection BF of the flexible member 50.
The flexible member 50 is disposed side by side with the lifting and lowering devices 33 in the Y direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the lifting and lowering devices 33.
Interference between the moving lifting and lowering devices 33 and the flexible member 50 is avoided.
In the first embodiment, the first member 41 freely turns around the first turning axis 43. The posture of the first member 41 changes according to the turning. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the second turning axis 48. The driving source 45 turns the second member 46. The driving source 45 controls the posture of the second member 46.
In a first modification of the first embodiment, the first member 41 freely moves in the Z direction. The position in the Z direction of the first member 41 changes according to the movement. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the the second turning axis 48. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the second turning axis 48 parallel to the first surface S and orthogonal to the Z direction. The driving source 45 turns the second member 46.
In a second modification of the first embodiment, a relative position of the first member 41 with respect to the saddle folding tray 32 is fixed. The position and the posture of the first member 41 do not change. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the second turning axis 48. The second member 46 is capable of turning around the second turning axis 48 parallel to the first surface S and orthogonal to the Z direction. The driving source 45 turns the second member 46.
In a third modification of the first embodiment, the first member 41 freely turns around the first turning axis 43. The second member 46 is movable in the Z direction. The driving source 45 moves the second member 46 in the Z direction via a rack and pinion mechanism or the like. The driving source 45 controls the position in the Z direction of the second member 46.
In a fourth modification of the first embodiment, a relative position of the first member 41 with respect to the saddle folding tray 32 is fixed. The second member 46 is movable in the Z direction. The driving source 45 moves the second member 46 in the Z direction.
In a fifth modification of the first embodiment, the first member 41 freely moves in the Z direction. The second member 46 is movable in the Z direction. The driving source 45 moves the second member 46 in the Z direction.
In the first to fifth modifications as well, the second control section 95 causes the second member 46 to operate via the driving source 45, whereby the position in the Z direction of the deflection BF of the flexible member 50 changes. The deflection BP of the sheet P is eliminated irrespective of the position and the size of the sheet P. The stapling section 34 can apply stapling to a predetermined position of the sheet P. Deterioration in processing quality of the sheet processing device 200 is prevented.
The pressing mechanism 40 is present in the +Z direction of the folding section 35. The pressing mechanism 40 is present in the position of the stapling section 34 in the Z direction. A configuration of the pressing mechanism 40 is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment. The configuration of the pressing mechanism 40 may be the same as the configurations in the first to fifth modifications of the first embodiment.
The second control section 95 causes the lifting and lowering devices 33 to move the sheet P to the position of the stapling section 34. The second control section 95 turns the second member 46 and presses the sheet P with the deflection BF of the flexible member 50. The deflection BP of the sheet P is eliminated.
In the second embodiment, after the movement of the sheet P, the sheet P is pressed by the flexible member 50 immediately before stapling. Even if the deflection BP occurs during the movement of the sheet P, the deflection BP is eliminated in the stapling section 34. The stapling section 34 can apply the stapling to a predetermined position of the sheet P. Deterioration in processing quality of the sheet processing device 200 is prevented.
The pressing mechanism 40 in the first embodiment is present in the −Z direction of the folding section 35. The pressing mechanism 40 in the second embodiment is present in the +Z direction of the folding section 35. The pressing mechanism 40 may be present in both of the −Z direction and the +Z direction of the folding section 35.
The first member 41 and the second member 46 in the embodiments and the modifications are separated in the Z direction. The first member 41 and the second member 46 may be separated in another direction.
The first turning axis 43 and the second turning axis 48 in the embodiments and the modifications are parallel to the Y direction. The first turning axis 43 and the second turning axis 48 may be parallel to another direction. The first turning axis 43 and the second turning axis 48 may not be parallel to each other.
The driving source 45 in the embodiments and the modifications causes the second member 46 to operate. The driving source 45 may cause the first member 41 to operate. The driving source 45 may cause both of the first member 41 and the second member 46 to operate.
According to at least one of the embodiments explained above, the sheet processing device 200 includes the second member 46. The separation distance DE between the second member 46 and the first member 41 is shorter than the length DF of the flexible member 50 between the second member 46 and the first member 41. Consequently, deterioration in processing quality of the sheet processing device 20 can be prevented.
While certain embodiments have been described these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions.
Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms: furthermore various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and there equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.
