Sheet accumulation device and image forming system

Abstract

To suppress page disorder when accumulating sheets, and to appropriately accumulate sheets.SOLUTION: A sheet accumulation device 30 receives sheets which are discharged in a state where the sheets are partially overlapped on conveyance belts 321a, 321b, and accumulates the sheets while conveying them, and includes guide members 35a, 35b for guiding the sheets which are charged, toward the conveyance belts 321a, 321b. In the guide members 35a, 35b, tips 351a, 351b in the sheet discharge direction come into contact with the conveyance belts 321a, 321b or the sheets on the conveyance belts 321a, 321b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet stacking device and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a sheet stacking device that receives sheets successively discharged by a conveyor belt, conveys the received sheets by the conveyor belt, and stacks them upright in the device.

[0003] Regarding this, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that includes a form guide for preventing the form (sheet) successively discharged substantially horizontally from a discharge roller from bouncing up and guiding it obliquely downward, and for stacking the form.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the configuration of the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a gap between the form guide and the conveyor belt, and the discharged form may slide on and overtake the form placed on the conveyor belt. In this case, there are problems such as the order of the forms being disrupted and the discharged forms not properly overlapping the forms on the conveyor belt, so that the forms cannot be properly stacked.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet stacking device and an image forming system that can suppress page disorder when stacking sheets and can properly stack the sheets.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The sheet stacking device according to claim 1 is made to achieve the above object, A sheet stacking device that receives the discharged sheet in a state where a part thereof overlaps the sheet on the conveyor belt and stacks the sheet while conveying it, Comprising a guide member for guiding the discharged sheet toward the conveyor belt, The guide member has a tip in the discharge direction of the sheet that contacts the conveyor belt or the sheet on the conveyor belt.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 1, The guide member has a rear end in the discharge direction of the sheet pivotally supported, and the tip contacts the conveyor belt or the sheet on the conveyor belt with a predetermined pressing force.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 2, The guide member has a tip with an R shape.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 2, The guide member is provided with a rotatable roller at the tip.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 2, The guide member is rod-shaped.

[0012] The invention according to claim 6 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 5, For one of the conveyor belts, two of the guide members are provided in the width direction of the sheet.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 2, The guide member is plate-shaped.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 1, A sheet presence / absence detection unit is provided upstream of the position corresponding to the tip of the guide member of the conveyor belt.

[0015] The invention according to claim 9 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 8, wherein an integration control unit for controlling the driving of the conveyor belt is provided, when the sheet presence / absence detection unit detects the presence of a sheet, the integration control unit drives the conveyor belt, while when the sheet presence / absence detection unit detects the absence of a sheet, the integration control unit does not drive the conveyor belt.

[0016] The invention according to claim 10 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is stretchable.

[0017] The invention according to claim 11 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the material of the guide surface of the guide member with which the sheet comes into contact is high-density polyethylene.

[0018] The invention according to claim 12 is the sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the conveyor belts and a plurality of the guide members are provided in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet.

[0019] The image forming system according to claim 13 comprises an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, a cutting device that cuts the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming device, the sheet stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 that stacks the sheets cut by the cutting device, and is provided with.

[0020] The invention according to claim 14 is the image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the sheet stacking device receives the sheets discharged from the cutting device.

[0021] The invention according to claim 15 is the image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the sheet stacking device is disposed above the cutting device.

[0022] The invention according to claim 16 is the image forming system according to claim 15, wherein it is possible to remove a sheet stacking tray provided in the cutting device and attach the sheet stacking device instead of the sheet stacking tray.

[0023] The invention according to claim 17 is the image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the sheet stacking device and the cutting device are not electrically connected.

[0024] The invention according to claim 18 is the image forming system according to claim 17, wherein the sheet stacking device includes an accumulation detection unit that detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt have reached a first accumulation amount, and an accumulation control unit that controls the driving of the conveyor belt, the cutting device includes a loading detection unit that detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device have reached a second accumulation amount greater than the first accumulation amount, and a cutting control unit that controls the driving of a paper discharge unit that discharges the sheets to the sheet stacking device, when the accumulation control unit detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt have reached the first accumulation amount by the accumulation detection unit, the accumulation control unit stops the conveyor belt, when the cutting control unit detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device have reached the second accumulation amount by the loading detection unit, the cutting control unit stops the paper discharge unit.

[0025] The invention according to claim 19 is the image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the cutting device cuts the sheet in the conveying direction of the sheet, and discharges the plurality of cut sheets side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

[0026] The invention according to claim 20 is the image forming system according to claim 19, wherein the sheet stacking device includes a plurality of the conveying belts and a plurality of the guide members in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet, and receives the plurality of sheets discharged from the cutting device by the plurality of the conveying belts respectively.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, page misalignment during sheet stacking can be suppressed, and sheets can be stacked appropriately.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 8C

Figure 8D

Figure 8E

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0030] <Configuration of the Image Forming System> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of the image forming system 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10, a relay unit RU, a cutting apparatus 20, a finisher FS, and a sheet stacking apparatus 30. After forming an image on a sheet by the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming system 1 performs post-processing such as cutting by the cutting apparatus 20, and stacks the sheets after the post-processing in the sheet stacking apparatus 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the direction parallel to the sheet conveyance direction in the cutting apparatus 20 is the X-axis direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction is the Y-axis direction, and the vertical up-and-down direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system 1A including a sheet loading tray T. The sheet loading tray T is a tray for loading the sheets after the post-processing discharged from the cutting apparatus 20. The sheet stacking device 30 is a device that can remove the sheet loading tray T provided in the cutting device 20 and attach it to the upper part of the cutting device 20 instead of the sheet loading tray T. By stacking the sheets after post - processing discharged from the cutting device 20 in the sheet stacking device 30, a larger number of sheets can be stacked than when stacking on the sheet loading tray T.

[0032] (Configuration of the image forming apparatus) The image forming apparatus 10 forms a color image by an electro - photographic method based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device. The image forming apparatus 10 discharges the sheet after image formation to the relay unit RU by the paper discharge roller R1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming control unit 16, a storage unit 17, a controller IF (Interface) 18, and an image processing unit 19.

[0033] The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal based on the user's operation received on the touch panel, various operation buttons, etc. to the image forming control unit 16.

[0034] The display unit 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens according to the instruction of the display signal input from the image forming control unit 16.

[0035] The document reading unit 13 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF), a scanner, etc., and outputs the image data obtained by reading the image of the document to the image forming control unit 16.

[0036] The image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 15 based on the image data that has undergone image processing by the image processing unit 19. The image forming unit 14 includes photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, a fixing unit 144, and the like.

[0037] After uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 141Y, the image forming unit 14 scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 141Y with a laser beam based on the yellow image data. Thereby, the image forming unit 14 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141Y. Thereafter, the image forming unit 14 attaches yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141Y and develops the image. Since the image forming unit 14 performs development on the photosensitive drums 141M, 141C, 141K in the same manner as the photosensitive drum 141Y except that the colors to be handled are different, the description thereof is omitted.

[0038] The image forming unit 14 sequentially transfers the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142 (primary transfer). That is, the image forming unit 14 forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142 in which the four-color toner images are superimposed. The image forming unit 14 collectively transfers the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142 onto the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

[0039] The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the sheet onto which the color toner image has been transferred and a pressure roller that presses the sheet, and fixes the color toner image onto the sheet by heating and pressurizing.

[0040] The paper feeding unit 15 includes paper feeding trays T11 to T13 and supplies sheets to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feeding trays T11 to T13 stores sheets of a predetermined type and / or size for each paper feeding tray.

[0041] The image formation control unit 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM, and centrally controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the programs. When performing post-processing on the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU outputs an instruction to execute the post-processing to the cutting device 20. The ROM includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs, parameters necessary for the execution of the programs, files, and the like. The memory includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and temporarily stores various data such as programs and image data related to various image processes.

[0042] The storage unit 17 is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs and image data. The storage unit 17 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a readable and writable manner from the image formation control unit 16.

[0043] The controller IF 18 receives image data input from an external device.

[0044] The image processing unit 19 performs necessary image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit 17, the image data obtained by reading an image from a document by the document reading unit 13, and the image data input from an external device, and transmits the image data after the image processing to the image forming unit 14. The image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, and the like. The gradation processing is a process of converting the gradation value of each pixel of the image data into a gradation value corrected so that the density characteristic of the image formed on the sheet matches the target density characteristic. The halftone processing is an error diffusion process, a screening process using an ordered dither method, or the like. The color conversion processing is a process of converting each gradation value of RGB into each gradation value of CMYK.

[0045] The relay unit RU is installed between the image forming apparatus 10 and the cutting apparatus 20, and has a function of synchronizing with the conveyance speed of the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0046] (Configuration of the cutting apparatus) The cutting apparatus 20 performs post-processing on the sheet output from the relay unit RU as necessary. As post-processing, the cutting apparatus 20 performs, for example, slitter processing, double slitter processing, CD cutting processing, crease (groove) processing, FD / CD sewing processing, etc. The post-processing is not essential, and the cutting apparatus 20 executes the post-processing only when instructed from the image forming apparatus 10. When there is no post-processing, the cutting apparatus 20 conveys the conveyed sheet as it is to the finisher FS.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting apparatus 20 includes a conveyance unit 21, post-processing modules M1 to M4, a paper discharge unit 22, and a cutting control unit 26.

[0048] The conveyance unit 21 conveys the sheet conveyed from the relay unit RU to the post-processing modules M1 to M4. When there is no post-processing, the conveyance unit 21 conveys the sheet from the post-processing modules M1 to M4 to the finisher FS.

[0049] The post-processing modules M1 to M4 perform post-processing on the conveyed sheet. In the present embodiment, the uppermost post-processing module M1 is a slitter that cuts the sheet along the FD direction (conveyance direction). The post-processing module M2 is a creaser for performing crease processing on the sheet. The post-processing module M3 is a double slitter for cutting (double cutting) the sheet at the center in the CD direction (width direction). The lowermost post-processing module M4 is a CD cutter for CD cutting.

[0050] The paper discharge unit 22 includes a path 221 that branches from the conveyance unit 21 and leads to the sheet stacking apparatus 30. The paper discharge unit 22 discharges the sheet (product) on which post-processing has been performed by the post-processing modules M1 to M4 to the sheet stacking apparatus 30 under the control of the cutting control unit 26.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the paper discharge unit 22 and the sheet stacking device 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper discharge unit 22 includes a paper discharge roller 222, a stacking detection unit 223, and the like. The paper discharge roller 222 discharges the sheets (products) that have been post-processed by the post-processing modules M1 to M4 to the sheet stacking device 30. The paper discharge roller 222 of the present embodiment discharges the sheets cut into two along the FD direction side by side in the Y-axis direction at the same time.

[0052] The stacking detection unit 223 detects that the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the second stacking amount, and outputs the detection result to the cutting control unit 26. The second stacking amount is larger than the first stacking amount described later. Note that the stacking detection unit 223 is originally provided to detect that the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking tray T shown in FIG. 3 are full (reach the maximum stacking amount).

[0053] The cutting control unit 26 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM, and centrally controls the operations of each part of the cutting device 20 according to the programs. For example, the CPU transmits information to and from the image forming control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0054] The finisher FS has a function of performing stapling, paper folding, punching, etc. on the sheets after image formation.

[0055] (Configuration of the sheet stacking device) FIG. 5 shows a plan view showing the configuration of the sheet stacking device 30. The sheet stacking device 30 receives and stacks the post-processed sheets (products) discharged from the paper discharge unit 22 of the cutting device 20 in the stacking units 30a and 30b. The sheet stacking device 30 is attached to the upper part of the cutting device 20 as shown in FIG. 1 after removing the sheet stacking tray T provided in the cutting device 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the sheet stacking device 30 includes an integration control unit 31, a conveyance unit 32, a sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, an integration detection unit 34, guide members 35a and 35b, partition members 36a, 36b, and 36c, a blocking member 37, and the like.

[0057] The integration control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM and centrally controls the operations of each part of the sheet stacking device 30 according to the programs. The integration control unit 31 is not electrically connected to the image formation control unit 16 of the image forming device 10 and the cutting control unit 26 of the cutting device 20.

[0058] The conveyance unit 32 includes a conveyance belt 321a disposed in the stacking unit 30a, a conveyance belt 321b disposed in the stacking unit 30b, a plurality of conveyance rollers 322 extending in the Y-axis direction, and the like. The conveyance belts 321a and 321b are endless belts of a predetermined width stretched over a plurality of conveyance rollers 322 arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction at a predetermined interval. One of the conveyance rollers 322 is provided with a drive unit (not shown), and when the drive unit drives, the conveyance roller 322 rotates clockwise in the plane of FIG. 4. The conveyance belts 321a and 321b rotate in accordance with the rotational drive operation of the conveyance rollers 322 and move circumferentially according to the rotational speed and direction. In this embodiment, when the conveyance roller 322 rotates clockwise in the plane of FIG. 4, the conveyance belts 321a and 321b also move circumferentially clockwise. Thereby, the conveyance unit 32 conveys the sheet discharged from the discharge roller 222 of the discharge unit 22 in the positive X-axis direction.

[0059] The guide member 35a disposed in the stacking unit 30a guides the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 222 toward the conveyance belt 321a. The guide member 35b disposed in the stacking unit 30b guides the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 222 toward the conveyance belt 321b. The guide members 35a and 35b are rod-shaped members, and the tips 351a and 351b are R-shaped. The guide members 35a and 35b are stretchable in the extending direction and can be set to a length corresponding to the size of the sheet. When there is no sheet between the tip 351a and the conveyor belt 321a, the tip 351a contacts the conveyor belt 321a with a predetermined pressing force (for example, the self-weight of the guide member 35a). When there is no sheet between the tip 351b and the conveyor belt 321b, the tip 351b contacts the conveyor belt 321b with a predetermined pressing force (for example, the self-weight of the guide member 35b). The predetermined pressing force may be configured to be adjustable. The rear end 352a of the guide member 35a is supported by the shaft support portion 353a so as to be rotatable counterclockwise in the plane of FIG. 4. The rear end 352b of the guide member 35b is supported by the shaft support portion 353b so as to be rotatable counterclockwise in the plane of FIG. 4. The material of the guide surface of the guide members 35a and 35b that contacts the sheet is high-density polyethylene. The material of the guide surface may be SUS (Stainless Used Steel) material or lubricated steel sheet material. Thereby, the guide members 35a and 35b can guide the sheet with an appropriate degree of slipperiness.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the partition members 36a and 36b regulate the movement of the sheet in the Y-axis direction conveyed by the conveyor belt 321a in the stacking unit 30a. The partition members 36b and 36c regulate the movement of the sheet in the Y-axis direction conveyed by the conveyor belt 321b in the stacking unit 30b. Hereinafter, the partition members 36a, 36b, and 36c are also collectively referred to as the partition member 36.

[0061] The blocking members 37 are provided at the ends of the conveyor belts 321a and 321b, and block the sheets conveyed by the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. Thereby, the conveyed sheets are leaned against the blocking members 37 and stacked.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 is disposed near the conveyance belt 321a between the partition members 36a and 36b on the negative X-axis side of the tips 351a and 351b of the guide members 35a and 35b.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the sheet presence / absence detection unit. The sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 includes a rotating member 331. When a sheet is placed on the sheet contact portion 331a of the rotating member 331, the rotating member 331 rotates clockwise about the rotation fulcrum 332. The sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects that the rotating member 331 has rotated clockwise, that is, that a sheet has been placed on the sheet contact portion 331a, and outputs the detection result to the integrated control unit 31. When the integrated control unit 31 detects that a sheet has been placed on the sheet contact portion 331a by the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, it drives the conveyance belts 321a and 321b to convey the sheet. On the other hand, when the sheet disappears from the sheet contact portion 331a, the rotating member 331 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation fulcrum 332 and returns to its original position. The sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects that the rotating member 331 has returned to its original position, that is, that there is no sheet on the sheet contact portion 331a, and outputs the detection result to the integrated control unit 31. When the integrated control unit 31 detects that there is no sheet on the sheet contact portion 331a by the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, it stops driving the conveyance belts 321a and 321b and stops conveying the sheet.

[0064] The integrated detection unit 34 detects that the sheets stacked on the conveyance belt 321a have reached the first stacking amount, and outputs the detection result to the integrated control unit 31. The first stacking amount is the maximum stacking amount of sheets on the conveyance belt 321a.

[0065] As described above, the sheet stacking device 30 and the cutting device 20 are not electrically connected. Thus, the image forming system 1 can be configured only by removing the sheet loading tray T provided in the cutting device 20 and attaching the sheet stacking device 30 above the cutting device 20.

[0066] Next, the process of stacking sheets in the sheet stacking device 30 of the image forming system 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the paper discharge roller 222 of the cutting device 20 discharges the sheets cut into two along the sheet conveyance direction side by side in the Y-axis direction at the same time. The sheet stacking device 30 receives the two sheets discharged side by side in the Y-axis direction at the same time by the conveyance belt 321a of the stacking unit 30a and the conveyance belt 321b of the stacking unit 30b, respectively.

[0067] Hereinafter, the process of stacking sheets in the stacking unit 30a of the sheet stacking device 30 will be described. The process of stacking sheets in the stacking unit 30b is the same. At the start of the sheet stacking process, the tip 351a of the guide member 35a is in contact with the conveyance belt 321a, and the drive of the conveyance belt 321a is stopped.

[0068] <Sheet stacking process> As shown in FIG. 8A, the leading end S1A in the conveyance direction of the sheet S1 discharged from the paper discharge roller 222 of the paper discharge unit 22 contacts the guide surface of the guide member 35a. Next, the leading end S1A of the sheet S1 is discharged along the guide surface of the guide member 35a toward the tip 351a of the guide member 35a.

[0069] Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the leading end S1A of the sheet S1 stops at the contact portion between the tip 351a of the guide member 35a and the conveyance belt 321a.

[0070] Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the sheet S1 rotates within the plane of FIG. 8C about the leading end S1A of the sheet S1, and the trailing end S1B of the sheet S1 is placed on the conveyance belt 321a. When the sheet S1 is placed on the conveyance belt 321a, the sheet S1 presses the sheet contact portion 331a of the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of the sheet stacking device 30 stacking sheets. When the sheet contact portion 331a of the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 is pressed by the sheet S1, the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects that the sheet S1 is placed on the sheet contact portion 331a. Next, the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 outputs the detection result to the integrated control unit 31 (step A1). When the integrated control unit 31 obtains the detection result from the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, it starts driving the conveyor belt 321a. Due to the frictional force between the sheet S1 and the conveyor belt 321a, the leading edge S1A of the sheet S1 passes between the leading edge 351a of the guide member 35a and the conveyor belt 321a and is conveyed in the positive X-axis direction (step A2). At this time, the leading edge 351a of the guide member 35a is in contact with the sheet S1 on the conveyor belt 321a with a predetermined pressing force.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, as the sheet S1 is conveyed, the sheet S1 passes over the sheet contact portion 331a of the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33. As a result, the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects that the sheet S1 has disappeared from the sheet contact portion 331a and outputs the detection result to the integrated control unit 31 (step A3). When the integrated control unit 31 obtains the detection result from the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, it stops driving the conveyor belt 321a and stops conveying the sheet S1 (step A4). At this time, the leading edge S2A in the conveying direction of the sheet S2, which is the next sheet after the sheet S1 discharged from the discharge roller 222 of the discharge unit 22, comes into contact with the guide surface of the guide member 35a. Next, the leading edge S2A of the sheet S2 is discharged along the guide surface of the guide member 35a toward the leading edge 351a of the guide member 35a.

[0073] Next, as shown in FIG. 8E, the leading edge S2A of the sheet S2 stops at the contact portion between the leading edge 351a of the guide member 35a and the conveyor belt 321a. Next, with the leading edge S2A of the sheet S2 as the center, the sheet S2 rotates within the plane of FIG. 8E, and the trailing edge S2B of the sheet S2 is placed on the conveyor belt 321a. As a result, the conveying unit 32 superimposes the leading end portion of the sheet S2 on the trailing end portion of the sheet S1 by an overlapping amount W, and conveys the sheets continuously in a belt shape without gaps. Similarly hereinafter, the conveying unit 32 conveys the sheets and stacks the sheets in the sheet stacking device 30.

[0074] Next, the flow of stopping the sheet discharge in the sheet discharge unit 22 of the cutting device 20 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of stopping the sheet discharge. Hereinafter, the flow of stopping the stacking of sheets in the stacking unit 30a of the sheet stacking device 30 and then stopping the sheet discharge in the sheet discharge unit 22 will be described. The flow of stopping the stacking of sheets in the stacking unit 30b is the same.

[0075] <Flow of Stopping Sheet Discharge> FIG. 10A shows a state where a plurality of sheets discharged from the sheet discharge roller 222 of the sheet discharge unit 22 are stacked on the conveying belt 321a. In this state, the stacked sheets are pressing against the sheet contact portion 331a of the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33. Therefore, the stacking control unit 31 drives the conveying belt 321a and conveys the stacked sheets in the positive X-axis direction. At this time, the leftmost (uppermost stream) sheet Sm among the stacked sheets presses the stacking detection unit 34 to rotate counterclockwise within the plane of FIG. 10A. As a result, the stacking detection unit 34 detects that the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the first stacking amount, and outputs the detection result to the stacking control unit 31 (step B1). When the stacking control unit 31 acquires the detection result from the stacking detection unit 34, it stops driving the conveying belt 321a and stops conveying the sheets on the conveying belt 321a (step B2). At this time, the guide member 35a is positioned above the stacked sheets.

[0076] Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, more sheets are discharged from the sheet discharge roller 222 of the sheet discharge unit 22, and the sheets are further stacked in the sheet stacking device 30. At this time, the leftmost sheet Sn of the stacked sheets in the paper plane presses the loading detection unit 223 of the cutting device 20 in the negative X-axis direction shown in FIG. 10B. As a result, the loading detection unit 223 detects that the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the second stacking amount, and outputs the detection result to the cutting control unit 26 (step B3). When the cutting control unit 26 acquires the detection result from the loading detection unit 223, it stops the driving of the paper discharge unit 22 that discharges the sheet to the sheet stacking device 30 (step B4).

[0077] <Others> In the above embodiment, the cutting device 20 and the sheet stacking device 30 may be connected so as to be able to communicate information. In this case, the stacking detection unit 34 detects that the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the first stacking amount, and outputs the detection result to the stacking control unit 31 and the cutting device 20. When the cutting control unit 26 of the cutting device 20 acquires the detection result indicating that the sheets stacked in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the first stacking amount, it stops the driving of the paper discharge unit 22 that discharges the sheet to the sheet stacking device 30.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the tips 351a and 351b of the guide members 35a and 35b are R-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this. The guide members 35a and 35b may be provided with rotatable rollers at their tips. FIG. 11 shows an example of the guide member 35a provided with the roller 354a. The roller 354a is rotatable while contacting the conveyor belt 321a by a predetermined pressing force (for example, the own weight of the guide member 35a) in a state where no sheet exists between the roller 354a and the conveyor belt 321a. The roller 354a is rotatable while contacting the sheet by a predetermined pressing force (for example, the own weight of the guide member 35a) in a state where a sheet exists between the roller 354a and the conveyor belt 321a.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one guide member 35a is provided for the conveyor belt 321a, and one guide member 35b is provided for the conveyor belt 321b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 12, two guide members 35Aa and 35Ba may be provided in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the sheet for one conveyor belt 321a. Two guide members 35Ab and 35Bb may be provided in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the sheet for one conveyor belt 321b. In this case, there are two contact portions 355a between the guide members 35Aa and 35Ba and the conveyor belt 321a. There are two contact portions 355b between the guide members 35Ab and 35Bb and the conveyor belt 321b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the posture of the sheet S3 discharged from the sheet discharging unit 22 of the cutting device 20 is inclined (not parallel to the X-axis direction), the inclination is corrected following the contact portion 355a.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are rod-shaped members. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 13, the guide members 35Ca and 35Cb may be plate-shaped members. In this case, the contact portion 356a between the guide member 35Ca and the conveyor belt 321a is formed linearly. The contact portion 356b between the guide member 35Cb and the conveyor belt 321b is formed linearly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, even if the posture of the sheet S4 discharged from the sheet discharging unit 22 of the cutting device 20 is inclined (not parallel to the X-axis direction), the inclination is corrected following the contact portion 356a.

[0081] <Effect> As described above, the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment is a sheet stacking device that receives the discharged sheets in a state where a part thereof overlaps the sheets on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b and stacks them while conveying. The sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment includes guide members 35a and 35b that guide the discharged sheets toward the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are such that the tips 351a and 351b in the sheet discharge direction are in contact with the conveyor belts 321a and 321b or the sheets on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the sheet to be discharged next to the sheet in contact with the tips 351a and 351b from overtaking the sheet on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the sheet misalignment. In addition, since the sheet to be discharged can be appropriately stacked on the sheet on the conveyor belt, the sheets can be appropriately stacked.

[0082] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are pivotally supported at the rear ends 352a and 352b in the sheet discharge direction. The guide members 35a and 35b are such that the tips 351a and 351b are in contact with the conveyor belts 321a and 321b or the sheets on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b with a predetermined pressing force. Thereby, with a simple configuration, the tips 351a and 351b of the guide members 35a and 35b can be brought into contact with the conveyor belts 321a and 321b or the sheets on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b.

[0083] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are such that the tips 351a and 351b are in an R shape. Thereby, the sheet on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b can easily pass through between the tips 351a and 351b and the conveyor belts 321a and 321b.

[0084] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide member 35a includes a rotatable roller 354a at the tip 351a. Thereby, the sheet on the conveyor belt 321a can easily pass through between the roller 354a and the conveyor belt 321a.

[0085] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are rod-shaped. The sheet stacking device 30 according to this embodiment includes two guide members 35Aa and 35Ba in the width direction of the sheet with respect to one conveyor belt 321a. Two guide members 35Ab and 35Bb are provided in the width direction of the sheet with respect to one conveyor belt 321b. As a result, two contact portions 355a are formed between the guide members 35Aa and 35Ba and the conveyor belt 321a. Two contact portions 355b are formed between the guide members 35Ab and 35Bb and the conveyor belt 321b. Therefore, even if the posture of the sheet discharged from the cutting device 20 is inclined, the inclination is corrected following the contact portions 355a and 355b.

[0086] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to this embodiment, the guide members 35Ca and 35Cb are plate-shaped. As a result, the contact portion 356a between the guide member 35Ca and the conveyor belt 321a is formed linearly. The contact portion 356b between the guide member 35Cb and the conveyor belt 321b is formed linearly. Therefore, even if the posture of the sheet discharged from the cutting device 20 is inclined, the inclination is corrected following the contact portions 356a and 356b.

[0087] The sheet stacking device 30 according to this embodiment includes a sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 upstream of the position corresponding to the tip 351a of the guide member 35a of the conveyor belt 321a. As a result, the presence or absence of the sheet above the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33, that is, the presence or absence of the sheet placed on the conveyor belt 321a can be easily detected.

[0088] The sheet stacking device 30 according to this embodiment includes an integrated control unit 31 that controls the driving of the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. In the sheet stacking device 30 according to this embodiment, when the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects the presence of a sheet, the integrated control unit 31 drives the conveyor belts 321a and 321b, while when the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 detects the absence of a sheet, the integrated control unit 31 does not drive the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. As a result, the sheets can be appropriately stacked and conveyed on the conveyor belts 321a and 321b.

[0089] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the guide members 35a and 35b are stretchable. Thereby, the guide members 35a and 35b can be set to a length corresponding to the size of the sheet.

[0090] In the sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment, the material of the guide surface of the guide members 35a and 35b that contacts the sheet is high-density polyethylene. Thereby, the guide members 35a and 35b can guide the sheet with an appropriate degree of slipperiness.

[0091] The sheet stacking device 30 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of conveyance belts 321a and 321b, and a plurality of guide members 35a and 35b in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. Thereby, the sheets can be stacked in the plurality of stacking portions 30a and 30b.

[0092] The image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming device 10 that forms an image on a sheet, a cutting device 20 that cuts the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming device 10, and a sheet stacking device 30 that stacks the sheets cut by the cutting device 20.

[0093] In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking device 30 receives the sheet discharged from the cutting device 20. Thereby, the sheets discharged from the cutting device 20 can be stacked in the sheet stacking device 30.

[0094] In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking device 30 is disposed above the cutting device 20. In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to remove the sheet loading tray T provided in the cutting device 20 and attach the sheet stacking device 30 instead of the sheet loading tray T. In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking device 30 and the cutting device 20 are not electrically connected. Thus, the image forming system 1 can be configured only by removing the sheet loading tray T provided in the cutting device 20 and attaching the sheet stacking device 30 to the upper part of the cutting device 20.

[0095] In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking device 30 includes an accumulation detection unit 34 that detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt 321a have reached the first accumulation amount, and an accumulation control unit 31 that controls the driving of the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the cutting device 20 includes a loading detection unit 223 that detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached a second accumulation amount that is greater than the first accumulation amount, and a cutting control unit 26 that controls the driving of the paper discharge unit 22 that discharges the sheets to the sheet stacking device 30. When the accumulation detection unit 34 detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt 321a have reached the first accumulation amount, the accumulation control unit 31 stops the conveyor belts 321a and 321b. When the loading detection unit 223 detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device 30 have reached the second accumulation amount, the cutting control unit 26 stops the paper discharge unit 22. Thus, when the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device 30 reach the second accumulation amount, it is possible to automatically stop discharging the sheets from the paper discharge unit 22.

[0096] In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the cutting device 20 cuts the sheets in the sheet conveyance direction and discharges the plurality of cut sheets side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sheet stacking device 30 includes a plurality of conveyor belts 321a and 321b, and a plurality of guide members 35a and 35b in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet stacking device 30 receives the plurality of sheets discharged from the cutting device 20 by the plurality of conveyor belts 321a and 321b, respectively. Thus, the sheet stacking device 30 can simultaneously stack two sheets discharged side by side in the Y-axis direction.

[0097] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been specifically described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in the above embodiment, the sheet presence / absence detection unit 33 is disposed between the partition members 36a and 36b and in the vicinity of the conveyance belt 321a. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the sheet stacking device 30, a sheet presence / absence detection unit may be further disposed between the partition members 36b and 36c and in the vicinity of the conveyance belt 321b.

[0098] The partition member 36 may be configured to be movable in the width direction. The movement of the partition member 36 may be manual or may be automatic control by the stacking control unit 31. As described above, by configuring the partition member 36 to be movable in the width direction, the width of the stacking unit can be adjusted according to the size of the sheet, so that sheets of various sizes can be stacked.

[0099] In addition, regarding the detailed configuration of each device constituting the image forming apparatus and the detailed operation of each device, appropriate changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 1, 1A Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation unit 12 Display unit 13 Document reading unit 14 Image forming unit 15 Sheet feeding unit 16 Image forming control unit 17 Storage unit 18 Controller IF 19 Image processing unit 20 Cutting device 21 Conveyance unit 22 Paper discharge unit 221 Path 222 Paper discharge roller 223 Loading detection unit 26 Cutting control unit M1, M2, M3, M4 post-processing modules 30 Sheet stacking device 31 Integration control unit 32 Conveyor unit 321a, 321b Conveyor belts 322 Conveyor rollers 33 Sheet presence / absence detection unit 331 Rotating member 331a Sheet contact part 332 Rotation fulcrum 34 Integration detection unit 35a, 35b, 35Aa, 35Ba, 35Ab, 35Bb, 35Ca, 35Cb Guide members 351a, 351b Tips 352a, 352b Rear ends 353a, 353b Shaft support parts 354a Roller 355a, 355b, 356a, 356b Contact parts RU Relay unit FS Finisher

Claims

1. A sheet stacking device that receives a discharged sheet in a state where a part thereof overlaps with a sheet on a conveyor belt and stacks the sheet while conveying it, comprising a guide member that guides the discharged sheet toward the conveyor belt, wherein the guide member is a sheet stacking device in which a tip in the discharge direction of the sheet contacts the conveyor belt or a sheet on the conveyor belt.

2. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is pivotally supported at a rear end in the discharge direction of the sheet, and the tip contacts the conveyor belt or a sheet on the conveyor belt with a predetermined pressing force.

3. The sheet stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the guide member has an R shape.

4. The sheet stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is provided with a rotatable roller at the tip.

5. The sheet stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is rod-shaped.

6. The sheet stacking device according to claim 5, comprising two guide members in the width direction of the sheet with respect to one conveyor belt.

7. The sheet stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the guide member is plate-shaped.

8. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, comprising a sheet presence / absence detection unit upstream of a position corresponding to the tip of the guide member of the conveyor belt.

9. comprising an integration control unit that controls the driving of the conveyor belt, wherein the integration control unit drives the conveyor belt when the sheet presence / absence detection unit detects the presence of a sheet, and does not drive the conveyor belt when the sheet presence / absence detection unit detects the absence of a sheet.

10. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is telescopic.

11. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, wherein a material of a guide surface of the guide member in contact with the sheet is high-density polyethylene.

12. The sheet stacking device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the conveyor belts and a plurality of the guide members in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet.

13. An image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, a cutting device that cuts the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming device, and a sheet stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 that stacks the sheet cut by the cutting device, comprising an image forming system.

14. The sheet stacking device is the image forming system according to claim 13 that receives the sheet discharged from the cutting device.

15. The sheet stacking device is the image forming system according to claim 14 that is disposed above the cutting device.

16. The image forming system according to claim 15, wherein the sheet loading tray provided in the cutting device can be removed, and the sheet stacking device can be attached in place of the sheet loading tray.

17. The image forming system according to claim 16, wherein the sheet stacking device and the cutting device are not electrically connected.

18. The sheet stacking device includes an accumulation detection unit that detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt have reached a first accumulation amount, and an accumulation control unit that controls the driving of the conveyor belt. The cutting device includes a loading detection unit that detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device have reached a second accumulation amount that is greater than the first accumulation amount, and a cutting control unit that controls the driving of the paper discharge unit that discharges the sheets to the sheet stacking device. When the accumulation detection unit detects that the sheets accumulated on the conveyor belt have reached the first accumulation amount, the accumulation control unit stops the conveyor belt. The image forming system according to claim 17, wherein when the loading detection unit detects that the sheets accumulated in the sheet stacking device have reached the second accumulation amount, the cutting control unit stops the paper discharge unit.

19. The cutting device cuts the sheet in the conveying direction of the sheet, and discharges the plurality of cut sheets side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. The image forming system according to claim 13.

20. The sheet stacking device includes a plurality of the conveyor belts and a plurality of the guide members in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet, and receives the plurality of sheets discharged from the cutting device by the plurality of the conveyor belts respectively. The image forming system according to claim 19.

Images