Post-processing device, image forming device and sheet bundle discharging method

Abstract

To provide a post-processing device, an image forming device and a sheet bundle discharging method which can suppress occurrence of downtime due to a failure of a discharge part.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises: a processing tray 51 that supports a sheet bundle; a plurality of discharge parts 70 that respectively discharges the sheet bundle supported by the processing tray 51, by different methods; a discharge processing part that executes a sheet-bundle discharging process for discharging the sheet bundle using any of the plurality of discharge parts 70; a detecting processing part that detects a failure of the discharge part 70 that is used for discharging the sheet bundle, in the sheet-bundle discharging process; and a switching part that switches the discharge part 70 that is used in the sheet-bundle discharging process, from the discharge part 70 whose failure has been detected by the detecting processing part to another discharge part 70.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device, an image forming apparatus, and a sheet bundle discharging method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that performs post-processing such as stapling on a sheet bundle including sheets after image formation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of image forming apparatus includes a support unit such as a processing tray that supports the sheet bundle on which the post-processing is performed. Also, there is known an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of discharge units that discharge the sheet bundle supported by the support unit in mutually different methods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-285259 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional image forming apparatus, if the discharge unit used in the printing process breaks down during the execution of the printing process, the printing process is interrupted, resulting in downtime.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing device, an image forming apparatus, and a sheet bundle discharging method that are capable of suppressing the occurrence of downtime caused by a breakdown in a discharging section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A post-processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support section, a plurality of discharge sections, a discharge processing section, a detection processing section, and a switching processing section. The support section supports a sheet bundle. The plurality of discharge sections discharge the sheet bundle supported by the support section in mutually different manners. The discharge processing section executes a sheet bundle discharge process that discharges the sheet bundle using one of the plurality of discharge sections. The detection processing section detects a malfunction of the discharge section used to discharge the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process. The switching processing section switches the discharge section used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge section in which a malfunction has been detected by the detection processing section to another discharge section.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a post-processing device that outputs the sheet stack including the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit.

[0008] A sheet bundle discharge method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a post-processing device including a support section that supports a sheet bundle and a plurality of discharge sections that discharge the sheet bundle supported by the support section in mutually different manners, and includes a discharge step, a detection step, and a switching step. In the discharge step, a sheet bundle discharge process is executed in which the sheet bundle is discharged using one of the plurality of discharge sections. In the detection step, a malfunction of the discharge section used for discharging the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process is detected. In the switching step, the discharge section used for the sheet bundle discharge process is switched from the discharge section in which a malfunction has been detected by the detection processing section to another discharge section. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of downtime caused by a breakdown in the discharge unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the post-processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a discharge unit switching process executed in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Configuration of image forming system 100] First, the configuration of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system 100. In Fig. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0013] 1, an image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a post-processing apparatus 2. The image forming system 100 is an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 is a printer having a printing function that forms an image on a sheet based on image data. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet according to an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus 1 may be a fax machine, a copier, or a multifunction machine having the printing function. The image forming apparatus 1 may also form an image on a sheet according to an inkjet method.

[0015] The post-processing device 2 performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming device 1. Specifically, the post-processing includes a folding process for folding the sheets and a stapling process for binding a sheet stack with staples. Note that the post-processing may also include a punching process for punching holes in the sheets.

[0016] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 1] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a first sheet conveying section 11, an image forming section 12, an operation display section 13, a power supply section 14, a control section 15, and a connection section 16.

[0018] The first sheet transport section 11 transports a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section 12. Specifically, the first sheet transport section 11 includes a paper feed cassette, a first sheet transport path, and a plurality of transport rollers. The paper feed cassette contains a sheet on which an image is formed. The first sheet transport path is a passage through which a sheet moves from the paper feed cassette to the post-processing device 2 via an image forming position by the image forming section 12. The plurality of transport rollers transport the sheet taken out of the paper feed cassette along the first sheet transport path.

[0019] The image forming unit 12 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 12 forms a color or monochrome image on the sheet conveyed by the first sheet conveying unit 11 according to an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 12 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, and a fixing device.

[0020] The operation display unit 13 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation display unit 13 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 15. For example, the display unit is a liquid crystal display. The operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 15 in response to user operations. For example, the operation unit is a touch panel.

[0021] The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each component of the image forming apparatus 1. The power supply unit 14 also supplies power to each component of the post-processing device 2 attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the power supply unit 14 includes an AC / DC converter or a DC / DC converter capable of outputting a direct current voltage of a predetermined voltage value.

[0022] The control unit 15 comprehensively controls the image forming system 100. That is, the control unit 15 controls the image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing apparatus 2. Note that the control unit 15 may be a control unit provided separately from a main control unit that comprehensively controls the image forming system 100.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 15 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The CPU 21 is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM 22 is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 21 to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 23 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU 21. The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the image forming system 100 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 22. The control unit 15 may be composed of an electronic circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0024] The connection unit 16 is a connector that electrically connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing device 2. The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each unit of the post-processing device 2 connected to the connection unit 16 via the connection unit 16. In addition, the control unit 15 controls the post-processing device 2 connected to the connection unit 16 via the connection unit 16.

[0025] [Configuration of post-processing device 2] Next, the configuration of the post-processing device 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second post-processing device 34 included in the post-processing device 2.

[0026] The post-processing device 2 is provided adjacent to the image forming device 1 on the installation surface on which the image forming device 1 is installed, and is attached to the image forming device 1. The post-processing device 2 is a type of post-processing device called a floor type or a saddle type. Note that the post-processing device 2 may also be a type of post-processing device called an inner type, which is placed on a paper output tray (not shown) of the image forming device 1.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the post-processing device 2 includes a housing 31, a second sheet conveying section 32, a first post-processing section 33, a second post-processing section , and a paper discharge tray .

[0028] The housing 31 houses the components of the post-processing device 2. The housing 31 includes an outlet 31A (see FIG. 2) that leads to a paper discharge tray 35 (see FIG. 2) provided outside the housing 31.

[0029] The second sheet conveying section 32 conveys the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the second post-processing section 34 via the first post-processing section 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the second sheet conveying section 32 includes a sheet conveying path 41 and a plurality of conveying rollers 42. The sheet conveying path 41 is a passageway along which the sheet moves from an entrance section (not shown) in the housing 31 where the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 is conveyed, to a processing tray 51 of the second post-processing section 34 via the first post-processing section 33. The plurality of conveying rollers 42 convey the sheet conveyed from the entrance section along the sheet conveying path 41 in a conveying direction D1 (see FIG. 2) toward the second post-processing section 34.

[0030] The first post-processing section 33 performs the folding process on the sheet conveyed by the second sheet conveying section 32.

[0031] The second post-processing section 34 performs the stapling process on the multiple sheets transported by the second sheet transport section 32. As shown in Fig. 2, the second post-processing section 34 includes a processing tray 51, a stapling section 52, a first discharge section 53, and a second discharge section 54. The first discharge section 53 and the second discharge section 54 are examples of the multiple discharge sections of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first discharge section 53 and the second discharge section 54 may be collectively referred to as "discharge section 70" (see Fig. 2).

[0032] The processing tray 51 supports a sheet stack including the sheets transported via the image forming unit 12 and the first post-processing unit 33. The processing tray 51 is stacked with the sheets transported by the second sheet transport unit 32. The processing tray 51 is an example of a support unit of the present invention.

[0033] The staple unit 52 executes the stapling process for binding the sheet bundle supported on the processing tray 51 .

[0034] The first discharge section 53 discharges the sheet stack supported by the processing tray 51 and stapled by the staple section 52 to the sheet output tray 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the first discharge section 53 includes a first discharge roller 53A and a second discharge roller 53B. The first discharge roller 53A is provided so as to be movable between a contact position where it contacts the upper surface of the sheet stack supported by the processing tray 51 and a retracted position above the contact position. The second discharge roller 53B is provided so as to be able to contact the bottom surface of the sheet stack supported by the processing tray 51.

[0035] When the first discharge section 53 is used to discharge the sheet bundle supported on the processing tray 51, the first discharge roller 53A is moved from the retracted position to the contact position. As a result, the sheet bundle supported on the processing tray 51 is sandwiched between the first discharge roller 53A and the second discharge roller 53B. The first discharge roller 53A and the second discharge roller 53B rotate while sandwiching the sheet bundle, thereby transporting the sandwiched sheet bundle in a discharge direction D2 (see FIG. 2) toward the sheet discharge tray 35 via the discharge port 31A.

[0036] The second discharge section 54 discharges the sheet bundle supported by the processing tray 51 and stapled by the staple section 52 to the sheet discharge tray 35 in a manner different from that of the first discharge section 53. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the second discharge section 54 includes a picking member 54A. The picking member 54A is provided movably along the discharge direction D2 on the processing tray 51. The picking member 54A comes into contact with an upstream end of the sheet bundle supported by the processing tray 51 in the discharge direction D2 and pushes the sheet bundle downstream in the discharge direction D2, thereby transporting the sheet bundle in the discharge direction D2.

[0037] The sheet bundle after the post-processing is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 35. The post-processing device 2 discharges the sheet bundle including the sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming unit 12 to the sheet discharge tray 35.

[0038] In the conventional image forming apparatus, if the discharge section 70 used in the printing process that forms an image on a sheet using the image forming device 1 and the post-processing device 2 breaks down during the printing process, the printing process is interrupted and downtime occurs.

[0039] In contrast, in the image forming system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of downtime caused by a breakdown in the discharge unit 70, as will be described below.

[0040] [Configuration of control unit 15] Next, the configuration of the control unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 15 includes a discharge processing unit 61, a detection processing unit 62, a determination processing unit 63, a switching processing unit 64, a condition setting processing unit 65, and a function setting processing unit 66.

[0042] Specifically, an operation control program for causing the CPU 21 to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units is stored in advance in the ROM 22 of the control unit 15. The CPU 21 executes the operation control program stored in the ROM 22 to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units.

[0043] The operation control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory provided in the image forming apparatus 1. Some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 15 may be configured with electronic circuits. The operation control program may be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as each processing unit included in the control unit 15. The control unit 15 may be provided in the post-processing device 2. The post-processing device 2 including the control unit 15 is an example of the post-processing device of the present invention.

[0044] The discharge processing section 61 executes a sheet bundle discharge process for discharging the sheet bundle using any one of a plurality of discharge sections 70.

[0045] For example, the discharge processing section 61 executes the sheet bundle discharge processing every time the second post-processing section executes the stapling processing during the execution of the printing processing.

[0046] For example, when the sheet bundle to be discharged does not include a sheet folded by the folding process and the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to be discharged is 10 or less, the discharge processing unit 61 executes the sheet bundle discharge processing using the first discharge unit 53. When the sheet bundle to be discharged does not include a sheet folded by the folding process and the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to be discharged is more than 10, the discharge processing unit 61 executes the sheet bundle discharge processing using the second discharge unit 54. When the sheet bundle to be discharged includes a sheet folded by the folding process, the discharge processing unit 61 executes the sheet bundle discharge processing using the second discharge unit 54 regardless of the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to be discharged.

[0047] The detection processing section 62 detects a failure of the discharge section 70 used for discharging the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process.

[0048] For example, when discharge of the sheet bundle to the discharge tray 35 is not detected until a predetermined reference time has elapsed from the start of the sheet bundle discharge process, the detection processing unit 62 determines that the discharge unit 70 used to discharge the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process has failed. Note that the detection processing unit 62 can detect the discharge of the sheet bundle to the discharge tray 35 by using an optical sensor capable of detecting that the sheet bundle has passed through the discharge port 31A (see FIG. 2), a weight sensor capable of detecting the weight of the sheets placed on the discharge tray 35, or the like.

[0049] The detection processing unit 62 may detect a failure of the first discharge unit 53 based on a current flowing through a first motor that drives the first discharge unit 53. The detection processing unit 62 may detect a failure of the second discharge unit 54 based on a current flowing through a second motor that drives the second discharge unit 54.

[0050] The judgment processing unit 63 judges, based on the discharge conditions set for each discharge unit 70, whether or not a discharge unit 70 other than the discharge unit 70 in which a malfunction has been detected by the detection processing unit 62 is capable of discharging the sheet bundle discharged in the sheet bundle discharge process.

[0051] For example, the dischargeable condition for the first discharge section 53 is that the weight of the sheet bundle to be discharged is equal to or less than a first threshold value, and the dischargeable condition for the second discharge section 54 is that the weight of the sheet bundle to be discharged is equal to or less than a second threshold value.

[0052] For example, the judgment processing unit 63 calculates the weight of one sheet that is included in the sheet stack to be discharged and that has not been folded by the folding process, according to the following formula (1). In formula (1), X1 indicates the weight of one sheet that has not been folded by the folding process. In formula (1), A indicates the length of the sheet in the conveying direction D1. In formula (1), B indicates the length of the sheet in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1. In formula (1), C indicates the basis weight of the sheet. The size and basis weight of the sheet may be set in advance for each of the paper feed cassettes of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0053] X1 = A × B × C (1)

[0054] The determination processing unit 63 also calculates the weight of one sheet folded by the folding process included in the sheet stack to be discharged according to the following formula (2). In formula (2), X2 indicates the weight of one sheet folded by the folding process. In formula (2), D indicates a correction coefficient corresponding to the weight difference between the sheet folded by the folding process and the sheet not folded by the folding process.

[0055] X2 = A × B × C × D (2)

[0056] Then, the determination processing unit 63 calculates the weight of the sheet stack to be discharged according to the following formula (3). In formula (3), X3 indicates the weight of the sheet stack to be discharged. In formula (3), E indicates the number of sheets included in the sheet stack to be discharged that have not been folded by the folding process. In formula (3), F indicates the number of sheets included in the sheet stack to be discharged that have been folded by the folding process.

[0057] X3 = (X1 × E) + (X2 × F) (3)

[0058] The dischargeable condition is not limited to a condition related to the weight of the sheet bundle to be discharged, and may be a condition related to the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle to be discharged.

[0059] The switching processing unit 64 switches the discharge unit 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge unit 70 in which a failure has been detected by the detection processing unit 62 to another discharge unit 70.

[0060] Specifically, when there is a discharge section 70 determined by the determination processing section 63 to be capable of discharging the sheet bundle, the switching processing section 64 switches the discharge section 70 to be used in the sheet bundle discharge process.

[0061] Furthermore, the switching processing unit 64 switches the discharge unit 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process when the switching function of the discharge unit 70 is set to be enabled.

[0062] The condition setting processing section 65 sets the discharge enabling conditions in accordance with a predetermined condition setting operation.

[0063] For example, the condition setting processing unit 65 causes the operation display unit 13 to display a first setting screen used for the condition setting operation in response to a predetermined first calling operation on the operation display unit 13. The first setting screen accepts an operation to input the changed dischargeable conditions of each discharge unit 70. For example, the first setting screen accepts an operation to input the changed first threshold value and the changed second threshold value. Then, the condition setting processing unit 65 sets the dischargeable conditions of each discharge unit 70 in response to a user's operation (the condition setting operation) on the first setting screen.

[0064] The function setting processing section 66 sets whether the switching function of the discharge section 70 is enabled or disabled in response to a predetermined function setting operation.

[0065] For example, the function setting processing unit 66 causes the operation display unit 13 to display a second setting screen used for the function setting operation in response to a predetermined second calling operation on the operation display unit 13. An operation for switching between enabling and disabling the switching function is accepted on the second setting screen. Then, the function setting processing unit 66 sets the enabling / disabling of the switching function in response to a user's operation on the second setting screen (the function setting operation).

[0066] [Discharge section switching process] 3, a sheet bundle discharge method of the present invention will be described together with an example of a procedure of a discharge unit switching process executed by the control unit 15 in the image forming system 100. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent numbers of processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 15.

[0067] It should be noted that the control unit 15 executes the discharge unit switching process when a failure of the discharge unit 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process is detected during the execution of the printing process. Here, executing the sheet bundle discharge process is an example of a discharge step of the present invention, and is executed by the discharge processing unit 61 of the control unit 15. Detecting a failure of the discharge unit 70 is an example of a detection step of the present invention, and is executed by the detection processing unit 62 of the control unit 15.

[0068] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the switching function is enabled.

[0069] Here, if the control unit 15 determines that the switching function is enabled (Yes side of S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If the switching function is not enabled (No side of S11), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S21.

[0070] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 15 identifies the discharge unit 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process (the discharge unit 70 in which a failure has been detected).

[0071] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 15 acquires a threshold value (the first threshold value or the second threshold value) corresponding to a discharge unit 70 different from the discharge unit 70 identified in the process of step S12.

[0072] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 15 calculates the weight of the sheet stack to be discharged by using the above-mentioned formulas (1), (2), and (3).

[0073] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 15 determines whether the weight of the sheet stack to be discharged calculated in step S14 is equal to or less than the threshold value acquired in step S13. Here, the processes from step S12 to step S15 are executed by the determination processing unit 63 of the control unit 15.

[0074] Here, when the control unit 15 determines that the weight of the sheet bundle to be discharged is equal to or less than the threshold value (Yes side of S15), the control unit 15 shifts the process to step S16. On the other hand, when the weight of the sheet bundle to be discharged is not equal to or less than the threshold value (No side of S15), the control unit 15 shifts the process to step S21.

[0075] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 15 switches the discharge unit 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge unit 70 in which a failure has been detected to another discharge unit 70 (the discharge unit 70 corresponding to the threshold value acquired in step S13). This prevents the printing process from being interrupted due to a failure of the discharge unit 70. Here, the process of step S16 is an example of a switching step of the present invention, and is executed by the switching processing unit 64 of the control unit 15.

[0076] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 15 executes a first notification process to notify the user that a malfunction has been detected in the discharge unit 70. For example, in the first notification process, a message indicating that a malfunction has been detected in the discharge unit 70 is displayed on the operation display unit 13.

[0077] <Step S21> In step S21, the control unit 15 interrupts the printing process that is being executed.

[0078] <Step S22> In step S22, the control unit 15 executes a second notification process to notify that a malfunction of the discharge unit 70 has been detected and that the printing process has been interrupted because the discharge unit 70 cannot be switched. For example, in the second notification process, a message to the effect that a malfunction of the discharge unit 70 has been detected, a message to the effect that the printing process has been interrupted because the discharge unit 70 cannot be switched, and a message to prompt the user to collect the sheet stack supported on the processing tray 51 are displayed on the operation display unit 13.

[0079] In this way, in the image forming system 100, when a failure is detected in the discharge section 70 used for discharging the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process, if the switching function is enabled and it is determined that a discharge section 70 other than the discharge section 70 in which the failure was detected is capable of discharging the sheet bundle discharged in the sheet bundle discharge process, the discharge section 70 used in the sheet bundle discharge process is switched. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of downtime caused by a failure of the discharge section 70.

[0080] The post-processing device 2 may include a discharge section 70 different from the first discharge section 53 and the second discharge section 54. For example, the post-processing device 2 may include a discharge section 70 that discharges (slides) the sheet stack onto the sheet discharge tray 35 by lowering the sheet discharge tray 35 and tilting the processing tray 51 downward toward the sheet discharge tray 35.

[0081] [Notes on the invention] The following will provide an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0082] <Appendix 1> A post-processing device comprising: a support section that supports a sheet bundle; a plurality of discharge sections that discharge the sheet bundle supported on the support section in mutually different manners; a discharge processing section that executes a sheet bundle discharge process that discharges the sheet bundle using one of the plurality of discharge sections; a detection processing section that detects a malfunction of the discharge section used to discharge the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process; and a switching processing section that switches the discharge section used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge section in which a malfunction has been detected by the detection processing section to another discharge section.

[0083] <Appendix 2> A post-processing device as described in Appendix 1, further comprising a judgment processing unit that judges whether or not a discharge unit other than the discharge unit in which a failure has been detected by the detection processing unit is capable of discharging the sheet bundle to be discharged in the sheet bundle discharge process based on dischargeable conditions set for each discharge unit, and the switching processing unit switches the discharge unit to be used in the sheet bundle discharge process when there is a discharge unit that has been judged by the judgment processing unit to be capable of discharging the sheet bundle.

[0084] <Appendix 3> 3. The post-processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a condition setting processing unit that sets the discharge enabling condition in response to a predetermined condition setting operation.

[0085] <Appendix 4> A post-processing device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, further comprising a function setting processing unit that sets whether a switching function of the discharge unit is enabled or disabled in accordance with a predetermined function setting operation, and the switching processing unit switches the discharge unit to be used for the sheet bundle discharge process when the switching function is set to enabled.

[0086] <Appendix 5> An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and a post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 that discharges the sheet stack including the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit.

[0087] <Appendix 6> A sheet bundle discharge method executed by a post-processing device having a support section that supports a sheet bundle and a plurality of discharge sections that discharge the sheet bundle supported by the support section in mutually different manners, the sheet bundle discharge method including: a discharge step of performing a sheet bundle discharge process that discharges the sheet bundle using one of the plurality of discharge sections; a detection step of detecting a malfunction of the discharge section used to discharge the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process; and a switching step of switching the discharge section used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge section in which a malfunction has been detected by the detection processing section to another discharge section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Image forming device 2. Aftertreatment device 11 First sheet transport section 12 Image forming section 13 Operation display section 14 Power supply section 15 Control section 16 Connection 31 Case 32 Second sheet transport section 33 First post-processing section 34 Second post-processing section 35 Output tray 41 Sheet transport path 42 Transport roller 51 Processing tray 52 Staple section 53 1st discharge section 54 2nd discharge section 61 Discharge processing section 62 Detection processing section 63 Judgment processing unit 64 Switching Processing Unit 65 Condition setting processing section 66 Function setting processing section 70 Discharge section 100 Image forming system

Claims

1. a support portion for supporting the sheet stack; a plurality of discharge units configured to discharge the sheet stack supported by the support units in different ways; a discharge processing unit that executes a sheet bundle discharge process to discharge the sheet bundle using any one of the plurality of discharge units; a detection processing unit that detects a failure of the discharge unit used for discharging the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process; a switching processing unit for switching the discharge unit used in the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge unit in which a failure has been detected by the detection processing unit to another discharge unit; A post-processing device comprising:

2. a determination processing unit that determines whether or not a discharge unit other than the discharge unit in which a failure has been detected by the detection processing unit is capable of discharging the sheet bundle to be discharged in the sheet bundle discharge process, based on a discharge enabling condition set for each of the discharge units; the switching processing unit switches the discharge unit to be used for the sheet bundle discharge process when the discharge unit determined by the determination processing unit to be capable of discharging the sheet bundle is present. The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. a condition setting processing unit that sets the dischargeable condition in response to a predetermined condition setting operation; The post-treatment device according to claim 2 .

4. a function setting processing unit that sets a switching function of the discharge unit to be enabled or disabled in response to a predetermined function setting operation; The switching processing unit switches the discharge unit used in the sheet bundle discharge process when the switching function is enabled. The post-treatment device according to claim 1 .

5. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which discharges the sheet bundle including the sheets on which images have been formed by the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

6. A sheet-bundle discharge method executed in a post-processing device including a support section that supports a sheet bundle and a plurality of discharge sections that discharge the sheet bundle supported by the support section in mutually different manners, comprising: a discharge step of performing a sheet bundle discharge process of discharging the sheet bundle using any one of the plurality of discharge units; a detection step of detecting a failure of the discharge portion used for discharging the sheet bundle in the sheet bundle discharge process; a switching step of switching the discharge unit used for the sheet bundle discharge process from the discharge unit in which a failure has been detected by the detection processing unit to another discharge unit; A sheet stack ejection method comprising:

Images