Post processing device and image formation system

Abstract

To enable accurate post processing in consideration of a characteristic of a sheet.SOLUTION: A post processing device 30 includes a control unit that adjusts timing 1 and timing 2 that are set according to processing position setting information on a sheet surface on the basis of information corresponding to a depth by which a blade enters the sheet surface in a pressing direction. The timing 1 is timing at which a pressing part moves the blade from a separation position to a pressing processing position. The timing 2 is timing of returning from the processing position to the separation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a post-processing device that is connected to an image forming apparatus and performs post-processing on paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus. The types of post-processing that can be performed by the post-processing device include stapling, cutting, perforating, creasing, and the like.

[0003] Such post-processing devices are required to perform post-processing with high accuracy. The image recording device disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling the position of perforations with high accuracy when perforating a web (continuous recording medium). This image recording device detects rotational position information indicating the position of the disk-shaped perforation blade. Then, based on the detected rotational position and web transport information, the image recording device calculates the timing for bringing the disk-shaped perforation blade into contact with the receiving roller or the switching timing for moving the blade away from the receiving roller. Then, according to the calculated timing, the switching unit that moves the perforation blade up and down is controlled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-189573 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 forms perforations in a specific web (continuous recording medium), and does not take into consideration the characteristics of paper as a recording medium.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a post-processing device that reflects the characteristics of paper and performs post-processing with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

[0008] (1) A post-processing device that processes a sheet of paper being conveyed, A blade that processes the paper, a pressing unit that moves the blade in a pressing direction relative to the paper to move the blade between a separation position and a pressing position; a control unit that adjusts a timing at which the pressing unit moves the blade from the separated position to the pressing processing position and a timing at which the pressing unit returns the blade from the pressing processing position to the separated position, the timing being set according to processing position setting information on the paper surface, based on information corresponding to a depth of penetration of the blade into the paper surface in a pressing direction; A post-processing device comprising:

[0009] (2) The post-processing device according to (1) above, wherein the information corresponding to the depth is at least any one of paper information regarding the type of paper, the thickness of the paper, and the stiffness of the paper.

[0010] (3) The post-processing device according to (1) above, wherein the processing position setting information is a processing start position and an end position set based on the leading edge of the paper.

[0011] (4) a detection unit that detects the position of the conveyed paper in the conveying direction; The processing position setting information is a processing start position and an end position set based on the leading edge of the paper being conveyed, The post-processing device described in (1) above, wherein the control unit sets the timing for moving the paper to the set pressing processing position and the timing for returning the paper from the pressing processing position to the separated position depending on the position of the paper detected by the detection unit.

[0012] (5) The post-processing device described in (1) above, wherein the control unit sets the timing of moving to the pressing processing position to be delayed and the timing of returning to the separation position to be advanced based on information corresponding to the acquired depth.

[0013] (6) The post-processing device described in (1) or (5) above, wherein the control unit adjusts to delay the timing of moving to the pressing processing position and adjusts to advance the timing of returning to the separation position based on information corresponding to the acquired depth.

[0014] (7) The post-processing device described in (1) above, wherein the control unit sets the timing for moving to the pressing processing position and the timing for returning from the pressing processing position to the separated position based on the transport speed of the paper to be processed.

[0015] (8) The post-processing device according to (1) above, wherein the blade is a rotary blade.

[0016] (9) The post-processing device according to (8) above, further comprising a receiving portion disposed opposite the blade and configured to pinch the paper between the blade when the blade is moved to the pressing position.

[0017] (10) The rotary blade is a rotary perforation blade provided with a plurality of perforation blades, The post-processing device according to (8) or (9) above, which performs perforation processing to form perforations in the paper using the rotary perforation blade.

[0018] (11) The rotary blade is a cutting blade, The post-processing device according to (8) or (9) above, wherein a cutting process is performed to cut the paper by the cutting blade.

[0019] (12) The rotary blade is a creasing blade, The post-processing device according to (8) or (9) above, wherein the creasing blade performs creasing processing to form creasing lines in the paper.

[0020] (13) The post-processing device described in (8) above, wherein the control unit sets the timing for moving the blade from the separation position to the pressing position by the pressing unit depending on the movement time for moving the rotary blade from the separation position to the pressing position, and the settings of the outer diameter shape of the rotary blade and the amount of penetration of the rotary blade into the paper at the pressing position.

[0021] (14) The post-processing device described in (8) above, wherein the control unit sets the timing for the pressing unit to move the blade from the pressing position to the separated position depending on the outer diameter shape of the rotary blade and the amount of penetration of the rotary blade into the paper at the pressing position.

[0022] (15) an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet of paper; A post-processing device according to the above (1), which processes the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit; An image forming system comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0023] The post-processing device of the present invention is a post-processing device that processes paper that is transported, and is equipped with a blade that processes the paper, a pressing unit that moves the blade in a pressing direction relative to the paper, thereby moving the blade between a separated position and a pressing processing position, and a control unit that adjusts the timing at which the pressing unit moves the blade from the separated position to the pressing processing position and the timing at which the blade returns from the processing position to the separated position, which are set in accordance with processing position setting information on the paper surface, based on information corresponding to the depth at which the blade penetrates into the paper surface in the pressing direction. This allows post-processing to be performed accurately, taking into account the characteristics of the paper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a post-processing device. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a post-processing device. [Diagram 5] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the perforation processing section in a separated state. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the perforation processing section in a pressing state. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a front view of the area where the roller with the perforation blade and the lower receiving base are adjacent to each other. FIG. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating movement from a separation position to a pressing position and movement from the pressing position to the separation position. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing an image forming process and a post-processing process in the image forming system. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data contents of image quality change characteristic information. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing a table showing the relationship between information (paper information) corresponding to depth and a correction amount c, and a calculation formula for timings 1 and 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of description, and may differ from the actual ratios. In this embodiment, the recording medium includes printing paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) and various films. In particular, the paper includes those made using mechanical pulp and / or chemical pulp derived from plants. In addition, the types of paper include coated gloss paper and matte paper, and uncoated plain paper and fine paper. In the drawings, the up-down direction is the Z direction, the front and back directions of the image forming system are the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to these Y and Z directions is the X direction. In the following description, the X direction is also referred to as the paper transport direction, and the Y direction is also referred to as the paper width direction. In addition, the downward direction of the Z direction is also referred to as the pressing direction, and the upward direction is also referred to as the separation direction. In addition, this transport direction is also referred to as the FD (Feed Direction), and the width direction is also referred to as the CD (Cross Direction).

[0026] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1000 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a post-processing device 30. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the image forming device 10, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the post-processing device 30.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 1000 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing apparatus 30 that are mechanically and electrically connected to each other. Another processing apparatus is connected to the downstream side of the post-processing apparatus 30, or a paper discharge tray is disposed (neither is shown). Note that the configuration of the image forming system 1000 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the types and number of apparatuses included in the image forming system 1000 are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1. A large-capacity paper feeder may be disposed upstream of the image forming apparatus 10, and an inspection apparatus that reads and inspects images may be disposed immediately downstream of the image forming apparatus 10. Also, the post-processing apparatus 30 may be used alone.

[0028] (Image forming apparatus 10) The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet S. The image forming apparatus 10 transports the sheet S on which the image has been formed to a downstream post-processing device 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a paper feed and transport unit 14, an operation display unit 15, a media sensor 16, a communication unit 19, etc. These are connected to each other via signal lines such as a bus for exchanging signals.

[0029] (Control unit 11) The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and executes various processes by executing programs stored in the ROM or a storage unit 12 described later, and controls each unit of the device and performs various arithmetic processes according to the programs. The control unit 11 functions as an overall control unit 111, an engine control unit 112, and an after-treatment device control unit 113.

[0030] When a print job is input, the overall control unit 111 causes the engine control unit 112 to execute the print job based on the print job setting information of the input print job. The print job is generated and sent in response to a user's instruction via the operation display unit 15 or by a network-connected PC operated by the user.

[0031] The engine control unit 112 controls the post-processing device control unit 113, the image forming unit 13, and the paper feed conveying unit 14 to perform processing related to image formation. The post-processing device control unit 113 controls the post-processing device 30. Specifically, the post-processing device control unit 113 transmits to the post-processing device 30 the paper conveying speed (both the conveying speed in the image forming device and the conveying speeds 1 and 2 in the post-processing device), the paper conveying timing, setting information for post-processing of the paper to be conveyed, and the like. The engine control unit 112 controls the paper feed conveying unit 14 to control the paper feed tray to be used, the paper conveying timing, and the like. The engine control unit 112 also controls the paper feed conveying unit 14 (including the drive motors for the conveying paths 141 and 142, the fixing unit, and the like) to control the paper feed conveying of the paper S. The engine control unit 112 also controls the image forming unit 13 to control the image forming conditions and the image forming timing according to the paper position.

[0032] (Storage unit 12) The storage unit 12 is composed of an auxiliary storage unit such as a hard disk that stores various programs and various data in advance. The storage unit 12 also stores information on paper stored in each paper feed tray, information on the post-processing device, and the like. The "paper information" includes information on the brand, size (paper width, paper length), basis weight, and paper type (gloss coated paper, matte coated paper, plain paper, high-quality paper, rough paper, etc.) of the paper. The paper information also includes information on the thickness and stiffness of the paper. The storage unit 12 may also store the brand of paper, a determination model (determination model algorithm) used to determine the control parameters, and a paper profile. The paper information of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is stored in association with the paper feed tray. The paper information is input by the user through the operation display unit 15, or is automatically determined by the control unit 11 using a determination algorithm based on multiple paper physical properties (stiffness, paper thickness, basis weight, surface properties, etc. described later) detected by the media sensor 16 described later.

[0033] The "post-processing device information" stores executable post-processing processing conditions according to the type of functional unit loaded in a loading slot (described later) of the post-processing section 36 of the post-processing device 30. For example, if an FD perforation unit for perforating in the FD direction is loaded in the post-processing section 36 of the post-processing device 30, the control unit 11 can determine by referring to the post-processing device information that perforation in the FD direction is possible and the processing conditions. The determined processing conditions are reflected in the setting reception screen for the print job.

[0034] (Image forming unit 13) The image forming unit 13 forms an image, for example, by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 13 includes writing units corresponding to the basic colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), a photosensitive drum, and a developing unit that contains a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier of each color. The image forming unit 13 further includes an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer unit, and a fixing unit. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums by the developing units of each color are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt, and are transferred to the paper S conveyed in the secondary transfer unit. The toner image on the paper S is fixed onto the paper S by being heated and pressed in the fixing unit downstream.

[0035] (Paper feed conveying section 14) The paper feed conveying section 14 includes conveying paths 141 and 142, a plurality of paper feed trays 145, and the like. The conveying paths 141 and 142 include a plurality of conveying roller pairs provided along the conveying paths, and a drive motor (not shown) that drives these conveying roller pairs. The paper feed conveying section 14 includes a feed roller that feeds the topmost sheet of a plurality of sheets S stacked and placed in the paper feed tray 145, and sends the sheets S in the paper feed tray one by one to the downstream conveying path. The downstream side of the conveying path 141 is connected to the conveying path 351 of the post-processing device 30. When an image is formed on both sides, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 13 is conveyed to the conveying path 142, and after being inverted on the switchback path, it merges with the conveying path 141 for one side, and an image is formed on the other side of the sheet S by the image forming section 13 again.

[0036] (Operation display section 15) The operation display unit 15 is equipped with a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, etc., and is used to display the status of the image forming apparatus 10 or the image forming system 1000, and to allow the user to set the type of paper placed in the paper feed tray 145, etc., and to input instructions.

[0037] (Media Sensor 16) The media sensor 16 is disposed on the transport path 141 upstream of the image forming unit 13. The media sensor 16 is made up of a plurality of detection units that detect the paper properties of the transported paper S. Each detection unit is made up of a sensor and a sensing mechanism. The media sensor 16 includes, for example, the following first to fourth detection units.

[0038] The first detection unit detects the stiffness of the paper S transported along the transport path 141. The first detection unit includes a transport roller that holds one end of the paper S, and a pressing unit. The pressing unit includes a push-up member that pushes up one end of the paper S, and a pressing force detection sensor that detects the pressing force at that time. The pressing force detection sensor is configured, for example, with a pressure sensor. The first detection unit temporarily stops the transported paper S, and while holding the side of the end of the paper S in that state with rollers, presses the one end, which is the free end, with the pressing unit, and detects the resistance (pressing force) at that time. In this way, the first detection unit measures the stiffness of the paper S.

[0039] The second detection unit detects the paper thickness. The second detection unit includes a pair of transport rollers, at least one of which moves depending on the thickness of the paper S passing through the nip of the rollers, and a measurement unit that measures the axial distance of the pair of transport rollers. This measurement unit is composed of, for example, an actuator, an encoder, and a light emitter / receiver. The axial position of the movable driven roller is displaced depending on the thickness of the paper S sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers. The second detection unit measures the thickness of the paper S by measuring the height of this displaced axis.

[0040] The third detection unit detects the basis weight. The third detection unit has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and measures the basis weight based on the attenuation of light that passes through the paper S. For example, a basis weight sensor has a light-emitting unit on one side (right side or bottom) of the transport area (paper transport path) where the paper is transported, and a light-receiving unit on the other side (left side or top). The third detection unit detects the basis weight of the paper S based on the intensity of light received by the light-receiving unit as the paper passes through.

[0041] The fourth detection unit detects the surface properties of the paper S. The fourth detection unit includes a light emitting unit, a collimating lens, and multiple light receiving units (optical sensors), and the fourth detection unit irradiates light onto the paper surface from an oblique angle (for example, an incident angle of 75 degrees), detects the amount of specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light using the multiple light receiving units, and detects the surface properties of the paper S based on the absolute value and ratio of the intensity of the light received by each light receiving unit.

[0042] The control unit 11 performs a discrimination process based on a plurality of paper physical properties detected by the media sensor 16 to discriminate the paper type (type of paper) and basis weight. In this discrimination process, it is determined that the paper is one of a plurality of classified paper types and a plurality of classified basis weights. In addition, the control unit 11 performs a process of determining control parameters of image formation conditions based on the determined paper type and basis weight. When performing this parameter determination process, the control unit 11 refers to a correspondence table that is stored in advance in the storage unit 12 and describes the control values ​​of each parameter of fixing, transfer, and transport for each combination of paper type and basis weight.

[0043] (Communications Department 19) The communication unit 19 is an interface for communicating with the post-processing device 30 or other devices such as a network-connected PC.

[0044] (Post-processing device 30) The post-processing device 30 performs post-processing on the paper S sent from the image forming device 10, or discharges the paper S without processing, according to the settings of the print job.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the post-processing device 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a conveying unit 35, a post-processing unit 36, a communication unit 39, etc. These are connected to each other via signal lines such as a bus for exchanging signals. As shown in Fig. 2, the post-processing device 30 also includes a purge tray 37 and a wastebasket 38. The wastebasket 38 is a discharge or drop destination for scraps generated by processing in the post-processing unit 36, and is provided to store scraps and unnecessary paper.

[0046] (Control unit 31) The control unit 31 is configured with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., similar to the control unit 11, and executes the processing of each component unit according to various programs. The control unit 31 functions as an acquisition unit 311 by working together with the communication unit 39. The control unit 31 also functions as a timing setting unit 312 and a timing adjustment unit 313. The timing setting unit 312 and the timing adjustment unit 313 will be described later.

[0047] (Storage unit 32) The storage unit 32 is composed of an auxiliary storage unit such as a hard disk that stores various programs and various data in advance. In addition, the storage unit 32 stores post-processing unit configuration information, a correction table, and conveying speed setting information. The "post-processing unit configuration information" is various configuration information of the functional units loaded in the post-processing unit 36. For example, if the functional unit is an FD sewing machine unit, information on the movement time t1, the amount of deviation x1, x2, the outer shape of the rotary blade, the amount of bite D1, etc. (all described later) corresponding to this functional unit is stored. In addition, if the functional unit is an FD cutting unit or an FD crease unit, information on the movement time, amount of deviation, outer shape, amount of bite, etc. are stored. The "correction table" is a correction table (for example, FIG. 11 described later) that describes the relationship between information corresponding to the depth at which the rotary blade penetrates into the paper surface in the pressing direction (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "information corresponding to the depth") and the correction amount. Alternatively, instead of the correction table, a relational expression for calculating the correction amount may be stored. The information corresponding to the penetration depth is, for example, paper information indicating paper characteristics related to the blade penetration depth, particularly paper type, paper thickness, and stiffness. The correction table is provided according to the type of rotary blade of the functional unit (rotary perforation blade, cutter blade, creasing blade, which will be described later). The "conveying speed setting information" is the conveying speed information provided by the connected image forming device 10. For example, the conveying speed information is the conveying speed of the paper S in the conveying path 141 of the image forming device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the main body conveying speed), and the post-processing device 30 sets the conveying speed according to this main body conveying speed. For example, the conveying speed (conveying speed 1) of the conveying roller at the most upstream of the conveying path 351 is made to match this main body conveying speed, and the conveying speed (conveying speed 2) of the subsequent conveying rollers (particularly the post-processing device 36) is set to a speed as fast as possible according to this main body conveying speed. The conveying speeds in the post-processing device (conveying speeds 1 and 2) are set according to the main body conveying speed of the connected image forming device 10.

[0048] (Transportation section 35) As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying section 35 includes conveying paths 351, 352, and 353, and a plurality of paper detection sensors 359. In FIG. 1, the paper detection sensor 359 is not shown. In FIG. 2, only some of the plurality of paper detection sensors 359 are shown. Each of the conveying paths 351 to 353 includes a plurality of conveying roller pairs provided along the conveying path, and a drive motor (not shown) that drives these conveying roller pairs. The paper detection sensor 359 detects the presence or absence of conveyed paper S. The control section 31 determines the conveying timing of the paper S in the conveying paths 351 to 353 and the presence or absence of a jam based on a signal from the paper detection sensor 359. The conveying path 352 functions as a buffer between the front and rear functional sections (the image forming section 13 and the post-processing section 36) when conveying the long paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the conveying path 352 has a function of adjusting (correcting) the inclination with respect to the conveying direction before conveying to the post-processing section 36. In the conveying path 353, a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers are arranged at close intervals so that the paper cut to a card or business card size in the post-processing section 36 (business card slit unit, etc.) can be reliably conveyed.

[0049] (Post-processing section 36) The post-processing section 36 has a plurality of slots, and by loading the functional units 361 to 364 into the slots, various post-processing operations are performed on the paper S according to the respective functions of the functional units 361 to 364. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the state in which the functional units 361 to 364 are loaded into each of the four slots is shown, but the number of slots is not limited to this, and any number of slots equal to or greater than one can be set. In addition, in unused slots (when no functional units are loaded), dummy units are loaded in a manner that does not interfere with paper transport. The functional units 361 and the like loaded into the slots are fitted with the connectors of the slots and electrically connected to the main body side. In addition, the control section 31 reads out the identification information of the functional units 361 and the like by connecting to the control boards of the functional units 361 and the like. In this way, the control section 31 can grasp the type of post-processing function of the functional units and the configuration information.

[0050] The functional units 361 to 364 may be, for example, any one of an FD sewing unit, a CD sewing unit, an FD cutting unit, a CD cutting unit, a gutter cutting and slitting unit, an FD crease unit, a CD crease unit, and a business card slitting unit.

[0051] The FD perforation unit is a unit that performs perforation processing by forming perforations in the FD direction (paper feed direction) using a rotary perforation blade (rotary blade) equipped with multiple perforation blades.The CD perforation unit is a unit with a similar configuration that forms perforations in the CD direction (paper width direction).

[0052] The FD cutting unit is a unit that cuts paper in the FD direction using a rotary blade (disk cutting blade) (also called top and bottom slits). The CD cutting unit is a unit that cuts paper in the CD direction with a similar configuration.

[0053] The gutter cut slitting unit is a unit that forms a slit in the FD direction. For example, in the gutter cut slitting process, cutting is performed along two parallel cutting lines, and a slit (groove) is formed between the two cutting lines. Also, cutting waste cut by functional units that cut paper, such as the cutting unit and the gutter cut slitting unit, falls by its own weight into the waste box 38 and accumulates there. The user disposes of the cutting waste accumulated in the waste box.

[0054] The FD crease unit is a unit that performs crease processing by forming creases in the FD direction using a rotary blade (disk crease blade) with a blunt (not sharp) blade tip. The CD crease unit is a unit that forms creases in the CD direction with a similar configuration.

[0055] The business card slit unit is a unit that forms multiple slits in the FD direction to cut paper to business card size.

[0056] The functional unit that performs processing in the FD direction can move the processing position in the width direction automatically or manually. It is also possible to load multiple functional units that perform the same processing into multiple slots. For example, two FD perforation units and two CD perforation units are loaded into four slots. By setting different processing positions in the width direction for each FD perforation unit and by setting different processing positions in the feed direction for each CD perforation unit, it becomes possible to perform perforation processing in multiple locations both vertically and horizontally.

[0057] (Communications Department 39) The communication unit 19 is an interface for communicating with other devices in the image forming system 1000 .

[0058] (Perforation section 40) In the following, the configuration will be described for the case where the functional unit 361 is an FD perforation unit (hereinafter referred to as the perforation processing section 40). The FD cutting unit is the same as the FD perforation unit except that the tip of the rotary blade is a normal continuous sharp blade with no perforation blade formed thereon, and so a description thereof will be omitted. Similarly, the FD crease unit is the same as the FD perforation unit except that the tip of the rotary blade is a continuous blunt blade, and so a description thereof will be omitted. The CD perforation unit, CD cutting unit, and CD crease unit are each provided with a separate moving mechanism for moving the rotating rotary blade in the width direction. Apart from this moving mechanism, the CD perforation unit, CD cutting unit, and CD crease unit are the same as the FD perforation unit, FD cutting unit, and CD crease unit, respectively.

[0059] The configuration of the perforation section 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the perforation processing unit 40 in a separated state. In Fig. 5, the perforated roller 50 and the lower receiving stand 60 (receiving unit) are separated from the paper S (not shown) transported through the transport path 351. The position of the perforated roller 50 in Fig. 5 is called the separated position, or HP (home position).

[0061] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the perforation section 40 in a pressing state. In Fig. 6, the perforation roller 50 and the lower receiving stand 60 are in contact with the paper S (not shown) to be perforated. The position of the perforation roller 50 in Fig. 6 is called the pressing position.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a front view (viewed from the paper conveying direction) of a portion of the perforation processing section 40 where the perforation roller 50 and the lower receiving stand 60 are adjacent to each other.

[0063] 5 and 6, the perforation processing unit 40 includes a roller 50 with a perforation blade arranged above the transport path 351 through which the paper S passes, and a lower receiving stand 60 arranged below the transport path 351. The perforation processing unit 40 also includes a perforation blade distance change unit 55 (corresponding to a pressing unit) that moves the roller 50 with a perforation blade toward the lower receiving stand 60 (also called the pressing direction) or in the opposite direction. The perforation processing unit 40 performs perforation processing in the FD direction on the paper S being transported.

[0064] The perforated roller 50 is a roller for making perforations in the paper S, and has a continuous annular perforation 51 formed along the circumferential direction of its cylindrical surface. The perforated roller 50 is connected to a drive unit 52 via a belt 53, and is provided so as to be rotatable via the belt 53 when the drive unit 52 is driven to rotate. In Figs. 5 and 6, the perforated roller 50 rotates clockwise in accordance with the conveyance direction of the paper S conveyed in the X direction (from right to left) in the drawings. The perforated blade 51 is formed annularly along the surface of the perforated roller 50, and therefore the perforations can be continuously formed in the paper S when the perforated roller 50 rotates at a position where the tip of the blade penetrates the paper S.

[0065] The perforation section 40 preferably includes a plurality of rollers 50 with perforation blades having perforation blades 51 of different shapes (blade width, blade thickness, blade spacing, etc.). In this case, the perforation section 40 of one functional unit may include a plurality of rollers 50 with perforation blades. Also, a configuration may be used in which a plurality of functional units, each having a perforation blade with a different shape attached thereto, are loaded for a plurality of slots.

[0066] The perforation processing unit 40 may be provided so that the roller with perforation blade 50 of the perforation processing unit 40 can be replaced at will by the user. The perforation processing unit 40 may also be provided so that the perforation processing unit 40 and the roller with perforation blade 50 can be replaced as a functional unit. By making it possible to replace any type of roller with perforation blade 50, it is possible to form perforations of various shapes that cannot be handled by a single roller with perforation blade 50.

[0067] 5 and 6, the lower receiving platform 60 is a roller for pressing the paper S against the perforated roller 50, and is a roller that rotates by receiving a driving force from a drive unit (not shown). In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the lower receiving platform 60 rotates counterclockwise in accordance with the transport direction of the paper S being transported.

[0068] Fig. 7 is a front view of the portion where the perforated roller and the lower receiving stand are close to each other. As shown in Fig. 7, the cylindrical surface of the lower receiving stand 60 has an outer peripheral surface 61c that comes into contact with the transported paper S, and a groove 61s is formed in the center of this outer peripheral surface 61c. The groove 61s is formed continuously in the center of the outer peripheral surface 61c so that the perforation blade 51 that has penetrated the paper S does not come into direct contact with the cylindrical surface of the lower receiving stand 60. The outer peripheral surface 61c is set to be flush (approximately at the same height) with the transport surface of the transport path 351.

[0069] 5 and 6, the roller 50 with the perforation blade is configured to be movable in the direction toward the conveying path 351 and the lower receiving stand 60, i.e., in the vertical direction (Z direction) in Figures 5 and 6. Specifically, by driving the perforation blade distance changer 55 that moves the roller 50 with the perforation blade in the vertical direction, the roller 50 with the perforation blade can be moved in the vertical direction to adjust the distance between the roller 50 with the perforation blade and the lower receiving stand 60.

[0070] The perforation blade distance changer 55 is composed of a shaft 56 which serves as a rotation axis, and a flat cam 57 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 56. The flat cam 57 is disposed so that its outer circumferential surface comes into contact with the roller with perforations 50. The outer circumferential surface of the flat cam 57 is formed so that the distance from the center of the rotation axis of the shaft 56 changes continuously, and the position of the outer circumferential surface that comes into contact with the roller with perforations 50 moves with the rotation of the shaft 56. Then, with the rotation of the shaft 56, the position of the outer circumferential surface of the flat cam 57 that comes into contact with the roller with perforations 50 changes relative to the shaft 56, causing the roller with perforations to perform a linear reciprocating motion up and down.

[0071] In this way, by moving the roller 50 with perforation blade in the vertical direction by the perforation blade distance changer 55, the roller 50 with perforation blade moves to a position where the perforation blade 51 does not contact the paper S (FIG. 5) or to a position where the perforation blade 51 contacts the paper S (FIG. 6). Also, by adjusting the rotational position of the perforation blade distance changer 55, the vertical position of the roller 50 with perforation blade can be adjusted as desired, and therefore the distance between the roller 50 with perforation blade and the lower receiving stand 60 can be adjusted as desired.

[0072] 7, the perforated blade 51 of the perforated roller 50 and the groove 61s of the lower receiving base 60 are disposed so as to face each other. Furthermore, the perforated roller 50 and the lower receiving base 60 are disposed so that a gap is provided between the cutting edge of the perforated roller 50 and the groove 61s of the lower receiving base 60 even when the perforated blade 51 penetrates the paper S.

[0073] 7, in the perforation section 40, the roller 50 with perforation blade is moved in the direction of the groove 61s (toward the center of rotation of the lower receiving stand 60) to a position where the perforation blade 51 penetrates the paper S that has been transported to the perforation section 40 and is present on the outer peripheral surface 61c of the lower receiving stand 60. By achieving this positional relationship, the perforation section 40 can perform perforation on the paper S.

[0074] 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the perforated roller 50 from the separated position to the pressing position and from the pressing position to the separated position. At the separated position p0, the height (position in the Z direction) of the perforated roller 50 is h0, and at the pressing position p1, the height is h1.

[0075] Here, the depth from the outer peripheral surface 61c of the lower receiving stand 60 to the bottom 61b of the groove 61s is a distance D2. At the pressing position p1, the distance from the outer peripheral surface 61c of the lower receiving stand 60 to the tip of the perforation blade 51 is a bite amount D1. The bite amount D1 is set within a range equal to or less than the distance D2. Hereinafter, the bite amount D1 is expressed as a positive value when the perforation blade roller 50 has entered the groove 61s, and as a negative value when the perforation blade roller 50 has not entered the groove 61s. The distance D1 can be changed by setting the height h1 of the pressing position p1.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 7, when the bite amount D1 exceeds 0 (i.e., is a positive value), the perforation blade 51 at the tip of the perforation roller 50 comes into contact with the paper S transported onto the outer peripheral surface 61c of the lower receiving stand 60. Then, when the bite amount D1 increases and the perforation roller 50 moves to a position where the perforation blade 51 penetrates the paper S, perforations are made on the paper S. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, when the bite amount D1 is 0 or less (0 or a negative value), the perforation blade 51 does not come into contact with the paper S transported onto the outer peripheral surface 61c, so that no perforations are made on the paper S.

[0077] The biting amount D1 can be adjusted to any value between the upper end and the lower end (distance D2 or less) where the perforated roller 50 can move by moving the perforated roller 50 with the perforated blade distance change unit 55 as described above. Therefore, when using a perforation blade 51 such as the perforated roller 50 shown in Fig. 6 described above, the shape of the perforations formed in the paper S can be adjusted as desired by adjusting the biting amount D1 in response to a user request. The control unit 31 sets the height h1 at the pressing position p1 so as to achieve the adjusted and set biting amount D1.

[0078] 8, the movement time t1 from the separation position p0 to the pressing position p1 and vice versa is determined according to the movement speed by the drive unit 52 and the height h1. For example, the movement time t1 at a certain height h1 is 250 msec. The movement time t1 is stored in the storage unit 32 as post-processing unit configuration information for each functional unit.

[0079] (Image formation and post-processing) 9 to 11, the image forming process and post-processing in the image forming system 1000 will be described. In the following, an example will be described in which the perforation processing section 40 (FD perforation unit) is used as a functional unit, but the same process can be performed by using an FD cutting unit and an FD crease unit as the functional unit.

[0080] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing image forming processing and post-processing in the image forming system 1000. In Fig. 9, the left side shows post-processing executed by the post-processing device 30, and the right side shows image forming processing executed by the image forming device 10 etc.

[0081] (Step S21) Here, the image forming apparatus 10 (image forming system 1000) accepts a print job. The print job includes print image data, printing conditions, and post-processing settings. The printing conditions include information on the paper settings to be used. The post-processing settings also include, for example, the execution of perforation processing, and settings of perforation generation position information on the perforated paper surface in the perforation processing (hereinafter also referred to as processing position setting information). These settings are input by the user via the operation display unit 15 or the setting screen of a connected PC.

[0082] (Step S22) The control unit 11 transmits the post-processing condition setting to the post-processing device 30. This post-processing condition setting is generated by the post-processing device control unit 113 of the control unit 11 based on the post-processing setting accepted in step S21.

[0083] (Step S23) The paper feed conveying section 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 conveys the paper S from the paper feed tray 145 in which the paper corresponding to the paper setting is stored.

[0084] (Step S24) The media sensor 16 detects the conveyed paper S and obtains a plurality of detection data related to the paper properties. The control unit 31 determines or calculates paper information such as the paper type, paper thickness, and stiffness from the obtained detection data.

[0085] (Step S25) The control unit 11 transmits to the post-processing device 30 the paper information determined or calculated in step S24.

[0086] (Step S26) An image is formed on the conveyed paper by the image forming unit 13. The image forming conditions are set based on the print settings and the paper information (paper type, basis weight, etc.) calculated based on the paper physical properties detected in step S24.

[0087] (Step S27) The image forming apparatus 10 conveys the paper S on which the image has been formed to the post-processing apparatus 30 via conveying paths 141 and 351.

[0088] (Step S31) The acquiring unit 311 acquires post-processing setting conditions from the image forming apparatus 10. Based on the post-processing setting conditions, the control unit 31 sets the functional unit to be used and its processing conditions. For example, the control unit 31 sets the perforation processing to be performed using the perforation processing unit 40 as a functional unit, according to the perforation processing position setting information (from the perforation start position xs to the perforation end position xe) described in the acquired post-processing setting conditions.

[0089] (Steps S32 and S33) The timing setting unit 312 sets a pressing start timing (hereinafter referred to as timing 1) and a separating start timing (hereinafter referred to as timing 2) according to the perforation settings.

[0090] The acquiring unit 311 acquires paper information from the image forming apparatus 10. The timing adjusting unit 313 uses the acquired paper information as information corresponding to the depth, and adjusts the timings 1 and 2 accordingly.

[0091] The setting of the timings 1 and 2 by the timing setting section 312 and the adjustment of the timings 1 and 2 by the timing adjustment section 313 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0092] (Timing settings) In (a) to (c) of FIG. 10, the start position xs and end position xe of the perforation of the sheet S are indicated by flags S and E.

[0093] (Press start timing 1) Timing 1 for starting pressure is set by the following formula: Note that timing 1 set by the following formula is a value before correction using information corresponding to depth, which will be described later. Timing 1 = (start position xs + deviation x1) / conveying speed - travel time t1 (Formula 1) Here, the start position xs is the distance from the leading edge of the paper S. The movement time t1 is the time required to move from the separation position p0 to the pressing position p1 shown in FIG. 8. The deviation amount x1 is the deviation amount in the conveying direction from the center position c1 of the roller 50 with perforation blade in the conveying direction (X direction) to the processing position (processing range). As described below, the deviation amount x1 is determined according to the setting of the outer diameter shape of the rotary blade and the bite amount D1 of the rotary blade into the paper S at the pressing position. The movement time t1 is the time required for the above-mentioned movement (FIG. 8). The conveying speed is the conveying speed (conveying speed 2) of the paper S in the post-processing device described above. The conveying speeds 1 and 2 are changed according to the conveying speed 8 of the image forming device 10 connected upstream, and the pressing start timing 1 is changed according to this conveying speed 2 (similarly to timing 2).

[0094] (deviation amount x1) As shown in FIG. 10(b), the deviation x1 is a value determined by the bite amount D1 and the outer diameter shape of the perforated roller 50 when the perforated roller 50 is moved to the pressing position p1. The perforated roller 50 has an annular perforation 51 formed thereon, and its outer shape is substantially circular. The deviation x1 corresponds to half the length of the line segment (chord length) connecting two points where the circumference intersects with the paper S on a straight line. In this case, the bite amount D1 corresponds to the vertical distance (also called the arrow height) from the center of the chord to a point on the circumference. The deviation x1 may be calculated by the timing setting unit 312 from the outer diameter shape (radius) of the perforated roller 50 and the bite amount D1, or a value set by the user for each functional unit may be used.

[0095] (Separation start timing 2) Timing 2 for starting separation is set by the following formula: Note that timing 2 set by the following formula is a value before correction using information corresponding to depth, which will be described later. Timing 2 = (End position xe - deviation x2) / Transport speed (Formula 2) Here, the end position xe is the distance from the leading edge of the paper S. The movement time t1 is as described above. The deviation amount x2 is as follows. The conveying speed is the conveying speed of the paper S in the post-processing device (conveying speed 2) as described above. Note that, at this timing 2, a correction of the movement amount until the perforated blade 51 comes out may be added as necessary according to the rising speed (v1) of the perforated blade 51 and the conveying speed 2 of the paper S. Specifically, the time t41 (=D1 / V1) at which the perforated blade roller 50 rises at the speed v1 until the biting amount D1 becomes zero is compared with the movement time t42 (=x2 / v2) at which the position of the deviation amount x2 of the paper S moves to just below the roller center position c1 at the conveying speed 2 (v2). In this comparison, if time t41>time t42, it is preferable to add a correction. The correction amount is set according to a value obtained by multiplying the difference time (t41-t42) by the conveying speed v2.

[0096] (deviation amount x2) As shown in FIG. 10(c), the deviation x2 is a value determined by the bite amount D1 and the outer diameter shape of the perforated roller 50 when the roller 50 is at the pressing position p1. The deviation x2 is equivalent to half the length of the line segment (chord length) connecting the two points where the circumference intersects with the paper S on a straight line. The deviation x1 and the deviation x2 are substantially the same length, and the deviation x2 occurs on the opposite side (rear side of the paper S) to the deviation x1. As with the deviation x1, the deviation x2 may be calculated by the timing setting unit 312 from the outer diameter shape (radius) of the disk and the bite amount D1, or a value set by the user for each functional unit may be used.

[0097] (Timing adjustment) The timing adjustment unit 313 adjusts the timings 1 and 2 set by the timing setting unit 312. The depth to which the blade penetrates into the paper surface in the pressing direction varies depending on the paper. The timing adjustment unit 313 adjusts the timings 1 and 2 according to information corresponding to this penetration depth. The information corresponding to the depth to which the blade penetrates into the paper surface in the pressing direction is paper information, particularly the paper type, the paper thickness, and the stiffness of the paper. When the resistance to the pressing of the paper is small, for example, thin paper, the paper thickness is less than a predetermined value, and the stiffness is high, the blade penetrates into the paper S by an amount corresponding to the setting of the biting amount D1, so no adjustment is necessary. On the other hand, when the paper is thick, the paper thickness is more than a predetermined value, and the stiffness is low, the blade does not penetrate into the paper S by an amount corresponding to the setting of the biting amount D1, so adjustment is necessary for that amount.

[0098] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a correction table indicating the relationship between information (paper information) corresponding to depth and the correction amount c, and a calculation formula for adjustment timings 1 and 2 reflecting the correction amount c. Adjusted timing 1 = timing 1 + correction amount c / transport speed (Equation 3) Adjusted timing 2 = timing 2 - correction amount c / conveyor speed (Formula 4) Here, timings 1 and 2 are the timings set by the above-mentioned expressions 1 and 2, respectively.

[0099] The correction table in FIG. 11 shows the correction amount c according to the paper type and basis weight as information corresponding to the depth of the blade penetrating the paper surface in the pressing direction. The unit of the correction amount c is mm. The correction amount is changed according to the paper type and basis weight because the paper type, especially coated paper, differs greatly in paper thickness and stiffness due to the difference in the coating layer compared to plain paper and fine paper. The correction table is stored in the memory unit 32. The correction amount c is set to an appropriate value according to the paper type and basis weight. The correction amount c takes a positive value, and is an adjustment to delay the timing 1 of moving to the pressing position, and an adjustment to advance the timing 2 of returning to the separation position. Here, an example is shown in which the paper type and basis weight can be identified by the media sensor, but a correction table may be prepared similarly based on individual paper characteristics such as paper thickness and stiffness. In this case, the correction amount c is set to a larger value as the paper thickness increases, and is set to a lower value as the stiffness increases.

[0100] (Step S34) The conveying section 35 of the post-processing device 30 receives the paper S on which an image has been formed and conveyed from the image forming device 10, and conveys the paper S along a conveying path 351. The conveying position of the paper S is detected by a signal from a paper detection sensor 359.

[0101] (Step S35) The perforation processing section 40 of the post-processing section 36 starts moving the perforation roller 50 from the separation position p0 to the pressing position p1 at timing 1 based on the leading edge of the paper S. The positional relationship with the paper S at this time is as shown in FIG. 10(a).

[0102] (Step S36) When the perforation roller 50 reaches the pressing position p1, perforations are performed by the perforation section 40. The positional relationship with the paper S at this time is as shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0103] (Step S37) When timing 2 is reached with respect to the leading edge of the paper S, the perforation section 40 of the post-processing section 36 starts moving the perforation roller 50 from the pressing position p1 toward the separation position p0. The positional relationship with the paper S at this time is as shown in Fig. 10(c). By the perforation processing in step S36 up to this point, perforations have been formed in the paper S with high positional accuracy from the start position xs to the end position xe.

[0104] (Step S38) If the number of processing sheets has not reached the set number n, the control unit 31 returns the process to step S33 and repeats the processes of S33 to S37 until the number of processing sheets reaches n. On the other hand, if the number of processing sheets has reached n, the process ends (END).

[0105] In this embodiment, the control unit of the post-processing device adjusts the timing for the pressing unit to move the blade from the separated position to the pressing processing position, which is set according to processing position setting information on the paper surface, and the timing for returning the blade from the processing position to the separated position, based on information corresponding to the depth to which the blade penetrates the paper surface in the pressing direction. In this way, by controlling the timing for moving the blade while taking into account the depth to which the blade penetrates the paper, post-processing can be performed with high positional accuracy.

[0106] The main configuration of the post-processing device and the image forming system including the same are described above in order to explain the features of the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above configuration and may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the present invention does not exclude configurations that are included in general post-processing devices or image forming systems. In the above embodiment, the perforation processing unit 40 is described as an example of the post-processing unit 36, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to a cutting unit that performs cutting processing or a crease unit that performs creasing processing.

[0107] In addition, the means and methods for performing various processes in the post-processing device or image forming system according to the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The above-mentioned program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded in the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. In addition, the above-mentioned program may be provided as a standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one of its functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1000 Image forming system 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Image forming section 14 Paper feed transport section 15 Operation display section 16 Media Sensor 19 Communications Department 30 Aftertreatment device 31 Control Unit 311 Acquisition Department 312 Timing setting section 313 Timing adjustment unit 32 Storage section 35 Conveyor 36 Post-processing section 361~36n Post-processing section 1~n 39 Communications Department 40 Perforation processing section 50 Roller with perforated blade 51 Perforation blade 52 Drive unit 53 Belt 55 Perforation blade distance change section

Claims

1. A post-processing device that processes a sheet of paper being conveyed, A blade that processes the paper, a pressing unit that moves the blade in a pressing direction relative to the paper to move the blade between a separation position and a pressing position; a control unit that adjusts a timing at which the pressing unit moves the blade from the separated position to the pressing processing position and a timing at which the pressing unit returns the blade from the pressing processing position to the separated position, the timing being set according to processing position setting information on the paper surface, based on information corresponding to a depth of penetration of the blade into the paper surface in a pressing direction; A post-processing device comprising:

2. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the information corresponding to the depth is at least any one of paper information regarding the type of paper, the thickness of the paper, and the stiffness of the paper.

3. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the processing position setting information is processing start and end positions that are set with reference to the leading edge of the paper.

4. a detection unit that detects the position of the transported paper in the transport direction; The processing position setting information is a processing start position and an end position set based on the leading edge of the paper being conveyed, The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets a timing for moving the sheet to the set pressing position and a timing for returning the sheet from the pressing position to the separated position, depending on the position of the sheet detected by the detection unit.

5. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs a setting to delay a timing of moving to the pressing position and a setting to advance a timing of returning to the separated position based on the acquired information corresponding to the depth.

6. The post-processing device according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the control unit adjusts to delay the timing of moving to the pressing position and adjusts to advance the timing of returning to the separated position based on the acquired information corresponding to the depth.

7. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit sets a timing for moving the sheet to the pressing position and a timing for returning the sheet from the pressing position to the separated position based on a transport speed of the sheet to be processed.

8. The post-treatment device of claim 1 , wherein the blade is a rotary blade.

9. The post-processing device according to claim 8 , further comprising a receiving portion disposed opposite the blade and configured to pinch the paper between the blade when the blade is moved to the pressing position.

10. The rotary blade is a rotary perforation blade provided with a plurality of perforation blades, The post-processing device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a perforation process for forming perforations in the paper by the rotary perforation blade.

11. The rotary blade is a cutting blade, The post-processing device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a cutting blade for cutting the paper.

12. The rotary blade is a creasing blade, 10. The post-processing device according to claim 8, wherein the creasing blade performs creasing processing to form creasing marks on the paper.

13. The post-processing device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit sets the timing for moving the blade from the separation position to the pressing position by the pressing unit in accordance with the movement time for moving the rotary blade from the separation position to the pressing position, the outer diameter shape of the rotary blade, and the amount of penetration of the rotary blade into the paper at the pressing position.

14. The post-processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit sets a timing for the pressing unit to move the blade from the pressing position to the separated position depending on the outer diameter shape of the rotary blade and the amount of penetration of the rotary blade into the paper at the pressing position.

15. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a post-processing device according to claim 1 , which processes the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit; An image forming system comprising:

Images