JPH1179535A - Optional device having sheet processing unit and image forming apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that supplies power to an optional apparatus having a staple unit, the power supply of the image forming apparatus is reduced in size. A power supply (415) of the image forming apparatus (400) is supplied to an optional apparatus (401) connected to the image forming apparatus (400).
07 is made drivable. Before the stapling of the bundle of sheets stacked on the staple tray 406, an operation stop request of the apparatus main body is transmitted to the apparatus main body to stop the operation of the apparatus main body. Power supply capacity, and the power supply can be downsized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optional apparatus having a sheet processing unit for processing a plurality of sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus so as to be bundled into one, and an image forming apparatus having the same. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As means for bundling a conveyed sheet bundle, for example, a staple unit for stapling the sheet bundle with a binding staple, a punching unit for perforating the sheet bundle, or gluing one side of the sheet bundle is used. There is a sheet processing unit such as a gluing unit that performs the gluing. There is provided an image forming apparatus which is detachable from an apparatus body by using a sheet processing apparatus having any one of the sheet processing units as an optional apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a general configuration of such an image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 4, a staple unit is taken as an example of a sheet processing unit. The operation of the optional apparatus having the staple unit and the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

An optional device 401 having a staple unit 407 is, as shown in FIG.
To the optional device 401
Is supplied from the power supply of the image forming apparatus 400 to reduce the size and cost of the optional device 401.

In the image forming apparatus 400, image data read by a scanner unit (not shown) or image data sent from a host computer (not shown) is transferred to a photosensitive drum (image forming means) by a semiconductor laser. It is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface 402 and is visualized with toner. After the visualized toner image is transferred to a sheet (print sheet) P as a recording medium by a transfer roller, the sheet P is conveyed by conveyance rollers 403, and an unfixed toner image is fixed by a fixing device 404.

During normal image formation, the sheet P fixed by the fixing device 404 is discharged onto a discharge tray 412 by discharge rollers 411. Further, the image forming apparatus 40
0 is connected to the optional device 401, and when the optional device 401 is used, the sheet P carried out from the fixing device 404 is used.
Is further discharged by the discharge roller 410 to the optional device 40.
1 is transported.

The sheet P conveyed into the optional device 401 is sent onto a staple tray (stacking tray) 406 by a conveying roller 405. This sheet P
The sheet is detected by a sheet detection sensor (sheet detection means) 413.

Sheets of the same size sent from the image forming apparatus 400 are successively stocked on the staple tray 406, and when the number of sheets (the number of sheets to be stapled) arbitrarily set by the user is increased, the sheet bundle is stacked. Are stapled (sheet processing) by the stapling unit 407.

After that, the sheet is conveyed as a sheet bundle to a sorter (not shown), which is a sheet receiver, or a stacking section 408 by a discharge roller 409.

The control in the optional device 401 from when the sheet P in the image forming apparatus 400 is fed to when the sheet P in the image forming apparatus 400 is discharged to the stack portion in the optional device 401 is also shown in the flowchart of FIG. This will be explained.

In step 501, the image forming apparatus 4
It waits until the number of staples of the sheet P is sent from 00. Upon confirming that the number of staples has been transmitted from the image forming apparatus 400, in step 502,
The number of staples is stored in the A register.

Next, in step 503, the process waits until a carry-in command for notifying the carry-out of the sheet P is sent from the image forming apparatus 400 to the optional apparatus. Upon confirming that the carry-in command has been transmitted from the image forming apparatus 400, in step 504, 1 is subtracted from the value of the number of staples stored in step 502.

In step 505, it is determined whether or not the value of the A register calculated in step 504 has become 0.
Steps 503 and 504 until the value of the register becomes 0
Is repeated.

On the other hand, when the value of the A register calculated in step 505 becomes 0, the process proceeds to step 506,
It is determined whether or not the last sheet of the staple sheet set in step 501 has reached the staple unit 407. The determination method at this time is based on the lapse of a predetermined time after the sheet P has passed through the sheet detection unit 413 at the most upstream portion of the optional device 401.

When the last sheet of the staple sheet has reached the staple unit (the judgment in step 506 is YES)
s) In step 507, staple processing is started.

In step 508, it is determined whether or not the stapling process started in step 507 has been completed, and when the stapling process has been completed (the determination in step 508 is YES).
es), the process proceeds to step 509, and the sheet discharge rollers are driven to discharge the stapled sheet bundle into a stack portion, and the process is completed.

The image forming apparatus 400 provided with the optional device includes a staple unit 407 and a discharge roller 40.
The power supply for driving such as 9 is a power supply 415 of the image forming apparatus 400.
It is supplied from.

While the staple unit 407 of the optional device 401 is in operation, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 400 needs to be temporarily stopped. In the conventional apparatus, the staple unit 407 is activated or deactivated. Regardless, some units of the image forming apparatus 400 (for example, transport rollers of each unit) and the like have been continuously driven unnecessarily.

[0020]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the power of the staple motor for driving the staple unit, which requires a large current, is supplied from the image forming apparatus side, the staple execution is not performed. The power supply capacity of the image forming apparatus must be increased only for the time, which leads to an increase in the cost of the apparatus. Further, when the stapling is not performed, the power capacity is not so much required, so that the power capacity of the image forming apparatus becomes an excessive power capacity, resulting in poor efficiency.

According to the present invention, the size of the power supply of the image forming apparatus is increased by stopping the driving of a predetermined unit which does not require the driving of the image forming apparatus during the operation of the sheet processing unit requiring a large current. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optional apparatus having a sheet processing unit for reducing the cost and reducing the cost and an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0022]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Sheet transport means for transporting a sheet discharged from the apparatus body, power supply receiving means for receiving power from the apparatus body, a loading tray for loading the sheets transported by the transport means, and a sheet on the loading tray A sheet processing unit for processing the sheet processing unit; a unit for detecting a timing of sheet processing of the sheet processing unit; and the apparatus main body before executing the sheet processing of the sheet processing unit based on information detected by the timing detection unit. And control means for transmitting a signal of a request to stop the operation of the apparatus main body.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the timing detecting means is a sheet detecting means for detecting that the last sheet to be processed is discharged onto the stacking tray.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet conveying means for conveying a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body, a power supply receiving means for receiving power from the apparatus main body, and a stack of sheets conveyed by the conveying means. A stacking tray to be processed, a sheet processing unit for processing sheets on the stacking tray, and the apparatus main body based on a start signal for executing the sheet processing of the sheet processing unit before the sheet processing of the sheet processing unit is performed. And control means for transmitting a signal of a request to stop the operation of the apparatus main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sheet processing unit is an apparatus for performing any one of sheet processing such as stapling, punching, and gluing a sheet bundle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a conveyed sheet in an apparatus provided with a sheet processing unit for performing a bundle processing of a sheet bundle and an apparatus main body to which the optional apparatus is connected. Means, power supply means for supplying power to the optional device, discharging means for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means to the optional device, and sheet discharging to the optional device by the detecting means. A sheet number measuring means for measuring the number of sheets, and a predetermined time after the time when the number of sheets measured by the sheet number measuring means coincides with the number of sheets to be processed by the sheet processing unit, a predetermined functional unit in the apparatus main body. It has a control means for controlling so as to stop driving.

[Operation] Based on the above configuration, the sheets discharged from the apparatus main body are stacked on the stacking means, and when the timing for processing the stacked sheet bundle is detected by the timing detecting means (for example, When the number of stacked sheets reaches the predetermined number of sheets to be processed), a signal of a request to stop the operation of the apparatus main body is transmitted to the apparatus main body side before the sheet processing of the sheet processing unit is performed, and the driving of the apparatus main body is stopped. Under this stopped state, the sheet processing unit operates to process the sheet bundle.

Accordingly, even if the sheet processing unit requiring a large amount of current is driven by the power supply of the image forming apparatus,
The power capacity of the image forming apparatus itself can be reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, components having the same functions as those of the optional apparatus and the image forming apparatus having the sheet processing unit according to the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

4 and 5, reference numeral 415 denotes a power supply of the image forming apparatus 400; 416, a power supply means for supplying power to the optional apparatus 401;
Power supply receiving means 41 for receiving power supply from
7, 420a is a control device 420 of the image forming apparatus 400.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 430a of FIG. 5 indicates the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the control device 430 of the optional device 401.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for stapling the staple unit (sheet processing unit) 407.

Hereinafter, based on the flowchart of FIG.
Embodiment 1 will be described.

In step 101, the number of sheets stapled by the stapling option is
And waits until staple number information is sent.

When the number of sheets to be bound by the staple unit 407 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 400 (Yes in step 101), the number of sheets P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 400 is measured in step 102. To clear the counter.

In step 103, the sheet P is transferred from the image forming apparatus 400 to the optional unit 407.
The carry-in command, which is a notice command for transporting
It is determined whether or not transmission has been performed. If the carry-in command has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step 104, and the counter set in step 102 is counted up.

In step 105, it is determined whether or not the number transmitted in step 101 matches the value of the counter set in step 102, and the processes in steps 103 and 104 are performed until these match. repeat.

The number transmitted in step 101 and
If the value of the counter set in Step 102 matches (Yes in Step 105), Step 10
Then, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether or not the last sheet P to be stapled, which has been conveyed to the optional unit 407, has reached the stapling unit 407.

When the last sheet P to be stapled reaches the stapling unit 407 (step 10).
6 is Yes), a request to stop the operation is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 400 (step 107), and the image forming apparatus 400
The stapling of the sheet bundle by the staple unit 407 is executed during the stop of the operation. The operation stop request is controlled by the control device 430 of the option device 401.

In step 109, the operation of the image forming apparatus 400 is put on standby until the stapling of the stapling unit 407 is completed. The completion of the stapling is determined based on the fact that the operating section of the stapling unit has returned to the home position within a predetermined period.

If the staple unit 4 is
When the operation unit 07 does not return to the home position, a stapler jam occurs, and the error is notified to the user on a display panel (not shown) or the like.

On the other hand, when the stapling by the stapling unit 407 has been completed (Yes in step 109), a request to restart the operation is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 400 (step 110), and the stapled sheet bundle is delivered to the discharge roller. By 409, the sheet is discharged to a stacker section as a sheet discharge tray.

The conveyance of the sheet P to the staple tray 406 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 413. The sheet detecting unit 413 and the measuring unit for elapse of a predetermined time constitute a stapling execution timing detecting unit 431 of the stapling unit 407.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 400
The number of sheets P to be stapled transmitted from the printer is compared with the number of transmissions of the transport command counted by the counter, and when the two values match, the image forming apparatus 40
By stopping the operation of “0” for a certain period, the stapling process of the sheet bundle by the staple unit 407 can be executed during the period. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the power supply of the image forming apparatus 400 that supplies power to the optional device 401 despite operating the staple unit 407 requiring a large current.

Further, during the operation of the staple unit 407 which consumes a large current, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 400 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the disturbance of the recorded image when the large current is consumed. it can.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the number of sheets to be stapled transmitted from the image forming apparatus 400 is compared with the number of transmissions of the transport command counted by the counter, and the two values match. When the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped for a certain period of time, the stapling process is executed within that period. However, in the present embodiment, the reception of the stapling execution command instructing stapling of the sheet P to be stapled is triggered. Then, the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped.

Hereinafter, based on the flowchart of FIG.
Embodiment 2 will be described.

In step 201, the optional device 401 having the staple unit 400 waits until a staple execution command is transmitted from the image forming device 400.

When a stapling execution command is received from the image forming apparatus 400, an operation stop request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 400 in step 202, and stapling of a sheet bundle on the staple tray 406 is executed (step 203).

Next, in step 204, it is determined whether or not the stapling process started in step 203 has been completed. If it is determined that the stapling process has been completed (the determination in step 204 is Yes), the image forming process is executed. Device 4
The request for restarting the operation is transmitted to 00 (step 205), and the stapled sheet bundle is discharged to the stacker 408.

As described above, the operation of the image forming apparatus 400 is stopped by receiving a stapling execution command instructing stapling of a sheet to be stapled, so that the stapling process is executed within the stop period. Can be.

<Embodiment 3> Embodiments 1 and 2 described above
In the above, the example of stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus 400 has been described from the viewpoint of the optional device 401 having the stapling unit 407. It is listed.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 301, the number of sheets P to be stapled in a sheet bundle is stored in the A register. Then, in step 302, it is determined whether or not a transport command has been transmitted to the optional device 401.

When the transport command is transmitted (Yes in step 302), 1 is subtracted from the value of the A register (step 303), and the process proceeds to step 304.
In step 304, it is determined whether or not the content of the A register has become 0.
Steps 2, 303 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the content of the A register has become 0, the process goes to step 305 to set a timer. At this time, the value set by the timer is a value for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus to stop after a predetermined time from the start of sheet conveyance from the image forming apparatus to the optional apparatus. It is necessary to set the value to such a value that the stapling process of the sheet bundle is executed on the option device 401 side after the value becomes zero.

In step 306, it is determined whether or not the value set in step 305 becomes 0. If the value set in step 305 becomes 0 (the determination in step 306 is Yes), the process proceeds to step 307. And reset the timer. The value set in step 307 is a value that determines the operation stop period of the image forming apparatus 400.

After setting the timer in step 307,
The process proceeds to step 308 to stop the operation of the image forming apparatus 400. Then, the process proceeds to step 309 to determine whether or not the value set in step 307 becomes 0.

When the determination in step 309 is Yes, that is, when the value set in step 307 has become 0, the process proceeds to step 310 and the operation of the image forming apparatus 400 is restarted.

As described above, the conveyance commands are transmitted by the number of sheets to be stapled, and the start of the operation stop of the image forming apparatus 400 is determined by using the transmission of the last conveyance command as a trigger. By setting the timer, the stapling of the sheet bundle by the staple unit 407 can be performed on the option device 401 side after the timer ends.

<Fourth Embodiment> In the description of the first to third embodiments, when the stapling of the sheet bundle in the optional device 401 is performed, the entire operation of the image forming apparatus 400 is stopped. Was. However, it is also possible to stop the operation of another optional device connected to the image forming apparatus, or to stop only the operation of the conveying rollers of each unit or the unit with a high current consumption in the image forming apparatus 400.
It goes without saying that a similar effect is produced.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Before executing the sheet processing by the sheet processing unit of the optional device to which power is supplied from the apparatus main body based on the information of the timing detecting means, a signal requesting the stop of the operation of the apparatus main body is transmitted to the apparatus main body. Therefore, the current consumption of the apparatus main body when the sheet processing is not performed is reduced, so that the power source of the apparatus main body can be reduced in size and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an optional apparatus having a sheet processing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the optional apparatus having the sheet processing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of an optional device having a sheet processing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a general configuration of an image forming apparatus having an optional device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram relating to control of an image forming apparatus provided with the optional device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an optional device having a conventional sheet processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

P sheet 400 Image forming apparatus (apparatus main body) 401 Optional apparatus as sheet processing apparatus 402 Photosensitive drum (image forming means) 406 Staple tray (stacking tray) 407 Staple unit (sheet processing unit) 410 Discharge roller (transporting means) 413 Sheet detection sensor 415 Power supply 416 Power supply means 417 Power supply receiving means 420 Control device of image forming apparatus 430 Control device of optional device 431 Timing detection means 432 Sheet number measurement means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet conveying means for conveying a sheet discharged from an apparatus main body, a power supply receiving means for receiving power from the apparatus main body, a stacking tray for stacking sheets conveyed by the conveying means, A sheet processing unit configured to process sheets on a stacking tray; a unit configured to detect a timing of sheet processing performed by the sheet processing unit; and a sheet processing unit configured to execute a sheet processing based on information detected by the timing detection unit. Control means for transmitting a signal of a request to stop the operation of the apparatus main body to the apparatus main body; and an optional apparatus having a sheet processing unit. 2. The sheet processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the timing detection unit is a sheet detection unit that detects that a last sheet to be processed is discharged onto the stacking tray. Optional equipment to have. 3. A sheet conveying means for conveying a sheet discharged from the apparatus main body, a power supply receiving means for receiving power from the apparatus main body, a stacking tray for stacking the sheets conveyed by the conveying means, A sheet processing unit for processing sheets on a stacking tray; and stopping the operation of the apparatus main body by the apparatus main body before the sheet processing of the sheet processing means based on a start signal for executing the sheet processing of the sheet processing means. Control means for transmitting a request signal; and an optional device having a sheet processing unit. 4. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing unit is an apparatus that performs any one of sheet processing such as stapling, punching, and gluing a sheet bundle. An optional device having a processing unit. 5. An option including a sheet processing unit for performing a bundle processing of a sheet bundle, an image forming unit in an apparatus main body to which the optional apparatus is connected, for forming an image on a conveyed sheet, and the optional apparatus Power supply means for supplying power to the image forming apparatus; discharging means for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means to the optional device; and sheet number for measuring the number of sheets discharged to the optional device by the detecting means. Measuring means, a predetermined time after the time when the number of sheets measured by the sheet number measuring means coincides with the number of sheets to be processed by the sheet processing unit, to stop driving a predetermined functional unit in the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling.