Sheet processing apparatus and image formation system

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing apparatus that does not require size enlargement of a CPU even when there are a plurality of drivers for driving and can identify whether there is a defect in which mechanism part and connection even when an abnormality detection signal generated by drivers for driving is aggregated into one and size enlargement of the CPU is suppressed, and an image formation system comprising the same.SOLUTION: To identify whether there is a defect in connection with which mechanism part of a plurality of mechanism parts by a single aggregated signal in which a plurality of abnormality detection signals are aggregated. This can permit it to identify whether abnormality lies in a unit, a control board (driver) or connection between the control board and the unit without requiring size enlargement of a CPU.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a sheet, and more particularly to a sheet processing apparatus capable of self-diagnosis for individually identifying abnormalities in a mechanism unit and a detection unit that operate a driven member, and an image forming system including the same.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, not only is a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus simply discharged as it is, but a sheet processing apparatus that performs a stapling process, a folding process, or the like on the image-formed sheet is integrally assembled with the image forming apparatus and used.

[0003] In such a sheet processing apparatus, it is difficult to quickly identify the location of an abnormality when an operation abnormality occurs. For this reason, in various apparatuses, there are those equipped with an abnormality diagnosis function such as a sensor or a circuit for detecting an operation abnormality location separately from the normal operation mechanism, either inside or outside.

[0004] In addition, a plurality of driving drivers are mounted and controlled on a single control board for driving these. In such an apparatus, when each driven member moves from the home position to the operating position, if the home position of the movement destination is not detected even after a predetermined time or more has elapsed, control for error notification is performed. When the error is notified, in many cases, the sheet conveyance operation is also set to stop in order to prevent jams and the like from occurring. A maintenance worker who maintains the image forming apparatus or the sheet processing apparatus repairs it based on the error code notified by the error notification. In this way, service support is provided in which a maintenance worker returns the operation of the apparatus to a normal state in response to problems occurring in the market.

[0005] When a maintenance staff repairs a sheet processing device based on an error code, they sequentially check whether the components related to the error code are malfunctioning on-site to identify the faulty location that requires repair. However, if the identification of the faulty location is not done quickly, it will take a significant amount of time for the repair, and the user will be inconvenienced during the repair. Therefore, a technology for precisely identifying the faulty location within the device is important to quickly restore the device.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, in addition to a first mode for normal drive control, it has a function to extract an abnormal location when an abnormality occurs in the drive or control in the first mode, and discloses a method that can quickly and accurately perform corresponding actions such as checking and recovering the abnormal location.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, when using the self-diagnosis system as described above, it is possible to identify the abnormalities of the mechanism part and the detection part separately. However, when the control board does not have an abnormality detection function, it is not possible to identify the control board or the connection between the control board and the mechanism part separately.

[0009] Also, when detecting an abnormality in the control board, there is a method of implementing an abnormality detection function in the driver for driving and inputting the generated abnormality detection signal to the control CPU. However, if there are multiple drivers for driving, the number of generated signals will be the same, and the number of ports required by the CPU will increase, which may lead to an increase in the size of the CPU and further an increase in the size of the control board. On the other hand, there is also a method of combining the generated signals into one to suppress the increase in the size of the CPU. However, in this case, when there is a connection failure between the control board and the mechanism part, it is not possible to identify which mechanism part has the connection failure.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the problems existing in such conventional technologies, and its object is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that does not require an increase in the size of the CPU even when there are a plurality of drivers for driving, and that can identify which mechanism part has a connection failure even when abnormal detection signals generated by the drivers for driving are aggregated into one to suppress an increase in the size of the CPU, and an image forming system including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a first unit having a driving unit and a sensor for performing post-processing on a sheet, a second unit having a driving unit and a sensor different from the first unit, a first driver capable of driving the driving unit of the first unit, detecting its own overcurrent and overheat states, and outputting the detection situation as an abnormal signal, a second driver capable of driving the driving unit of the second unit, detecting its own overcurrent and overheat states, and outputting the detection situation as an abnormal signal, an abnormal signal aggregation circuit that outputs one abnormal signal when any one of the abnormal signals output from the first driver and the second driver is detected, a control unit that controls the first driver and the second driver, and a determination unit to which the sensor state of the first unit, the sensor state of the second unit, and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit are input. The determination unit determines an abnormality in the first unit when the sensor state when driving the first unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is normal, or an abnormality in the first driver when the sensor state when driving the first unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is abnormal, or an abnormality in the second unit when the sensor state when driving the second unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is normal, or an abnormality in the second driver when the sensor state when driving the second unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is abnormal.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In the present invention, by performing the determination of the abnormal state by combining a single aggregated signal obtained by aggregating a plurality of abnormal detection signals and the abnormal determination based on the sensor state of the unit, it is possible to specify whether the abnormality is in the unit, the control board (driver), or the connection between the control board and the unit without the need for an increase in the size of the CPU.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] 〔First Embodiment〕 Next, a sheet processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an image forming system including the same will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image forming system including a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image forming system C is composed of an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus B provided therewith.

[0015] <Image Forming Apparatus> The image forming apparatus A is composed of an image forming unit A1, a scanner unit A2, and a feeder unit A3. The image forming unit A1 includes a feeding unit 2, an image forming unit 3, and a discharging unit 4 inside the apparatus housing 1.

[0016] The sheet feeding unit 2 is composed of a plurality of cassette mechanisms 2a, 2b, and 2c for storing image forming sheets of different sizes, and feeds out the sheet of the size specified by the main body control unit to the sheet feeding path 2f. Each cassette mechanism 2a, 2b, 2c is detachably installed from the sheet feeding unit 2, and is internally provided with a separating mechanism for separating the sheets inside one by one and a feeding mechanism for feeding out the sheets. In the sheet feeding path 2f, there are provided conveying rollers for feeding the sheets supplied from each cassette mechanism 2a, 2b, 2c to the downstream side, and a registration roller pair for aligning the leading ends of the sheets at the path end.

[0017] The image forming unit 3 is configured using an electrophotographic method in this embodiment, and includes a rotating photosensitive drum 3a and a charging roller 3b, an exposure device 3c, a developing device 3d, and a cleaner (not shown) arranged around it. What is shown in the figure is a color printing mechanism, and the image forming mechanism is provided according to each color of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K.

[0018] During image formation, the circumferential surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3a is uniformly charged by the charging roller 3b, irradiated with light according to the image signal by the exposure device 3c to form an electrostatic latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing device 3d to form a toner image. The toner images of each color thus formed are primarily transferred to the rotating intermediate transfer belt 3e to form a color image. In accordance with the timing of this image formation, the sheet is sent from the sheet feeding path 2f to the secondary transfer unit, and the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 3d is transferred onto the sheet by applying a transfer bias from the secondary transfer roller 3f. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressurized when passing through the fixing device 5 to fix the toner image, and is discharged from the discharge port 4b by the discharge roller 4a and conveyed to the sheet processing device B described later.

[0019] The scanner unit A2 includes a platen 6a for placing an image manuscript, a carriage 6b that reciprocates along the platen 6a, a photoelectric conversion element 6c, and a reduction optical system 6d that guides the reflected light from the manuscript on the platen 6a by the carriage 6b to the photoelectric conversion element 6c. The photoelectric conversion element 6c photoelectrically converts the optical output from the reduction optical system 6d into image data and outputs it as an electrical signal to the image forming unit 3. Further, the scanner unit A2 can also read a manuscript sheet sent from the feeder unit A3.

[0020] <Sheet processing device> Next, the overall configuration of the sheet processing device B that processes the sheets sent from the image forming device A will be described.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet processing device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory diagram of the sheet processing device B. The sheet processing device B includes a device housing 11 provided with an entrance 10 for introducing a sheet from the image forming device A. The device housing 11 is arranged in alignment with the housing 1 of the image forming device A so that the entrance 10 communicates with the discharge port 4b of the image forming device A.

[0022] The discharge unit 4 of the image forming device A in the present embodiment is formed in a space (inner body space) formed between the image forming unit A1 and the scanner unit A2, and the sheet processing device B is arranged in the space.

[0023] The sheet processing device B includes a device frame 11 that constitutes the device body, a sheet conveyance path 12 arranged on the device frame 11, a processing tray 14 arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path exit 13, and a stack tray 15 arranged on the further downstream side. As shown in FIG. 2, on the front side of the device frame 11, there are equipped a staple pin cartridge mounting opening 16, a hand insertion set portion 17, and a manual operation button 18. Here, the front side of the device body is the side that faces the device body when the user operates the image forming system. Also, the rear side is the opposite side of the front side and is the back side of the installed device body.

[0024] Further, the processing tray 14 is provided with a scraping paddle 19 composed of a rubber plate for scraping the sheet into the rear end stopper 21, and a knurled belt 20 made of rubber with a knurling process on its outer peripheral surface. Further, a sheet rear end stopper 21 for accumulating the sheets in a bundle shape and alignment plates 22 for regulating both sides in the sheet width direction are arranged. Along with this, a stapling unit 23 for stapling the sheet bundle and a stitchless binding unit 24 for stitchless binding the sheet bundle are arranged on the processing tray 14.

[0025] The sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus A is sent from the discharge port 4b of the image forming apparatus to the inlet 10 of the sheet processing apparatus B. The sheet is conveyed by a conveying roller 30a which is a sheet conveying member provided on the sheet conveying path 12, and is conveyed to the processing tray 14 by a conveying roller 30b as a sheet conveying member provided near the outlet 13 of the conveying path.

[0026] The sheet conveyed from the outlet 13 of the conveying path to the processing tray 14 is scraped off by the scraping paddle 19 rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and the rear end of the sheet is conveyed by the knurled belt 20 rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 3 so as to abut against the sheet rear end stopper 21, and both sides in the width direction of the sheet are aligned by sliding the front alignment plate and the rear alignment plate 22 in the sheet width direction.

[0027] After conveying a predetermined number of sheets to the processing tray 14 as described above, the stapling unit 23 which is a processing unit is operated to perform a binding process on the sheet bundle on the processing tray 14. When the binding process is performed on the sheet, one roller of the discharge roller pair 31, 31 which was separated as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 moves as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 to nip the sheet on the processing tray 14. Then, the sheet is discharged by the discharge roller 31 rotated by the drive of the discharge motor and is loaded and stored in the stack tray 15. This stack tray 15 is provided with a tray elevating mechanism so as to sequentially lower according to the stacking amount of the sheets.

[0028] <Control Unit> Next, the control configuration of the above image forming system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4.

[0029] The image forming system of this embodiment includes an image forming control unit 200 of an image forming apparatus A and a sheet processing apparatus control unit (also referred to as a CPU: MPU. That is, it refers to a chip that integrates not only the part that performs calculations but also the calculation function of the CPU.) 100 of a sheet processing apparatus B. The image forming control unit 200 includes a sheet feeding control unit 201 and an input unit 202. Then, settings of "print mode" and "sheet processing mode" are made from a control panel 203 provided in this input unit 202.

[0030] The sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 operates the sheet processing apparatus B according to the sheet processing mode. This sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 includes a ROM that stores an operation program and a RAM that stores control data. Further, signals such as a stack tray loading limit sensor 102 that detects the lower limit position of the stack tray 15 and an entrance sensor 103 that detects a sheet on the conveyance path 12 are input to this sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 from various sensor input units 101.

[0031] In addition, the sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 has a sheet conveyance control unit 104 that controls a conveyance motor 40a that applies a driving force to conveyance rollers 30a and 30b, a lifting motor 40b that raises and lowers a discharge roller 31 and a paddle 19, a paddle motor 40c that raises and lowers the paddle, etc. Furthermore, the sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 includes a processing tray control unit 105 that controls the driving of a front side alignment motor 40d and a rear side alignment motor 40e for independently moving front and rear alignment plates 22 before and after the sheet stacking operation in the processing tray 14, a discharge motor 40f that applies a driving force to the discharge roller 31, etc.

[0032] In addition, the sheet processing apparatus control unit 100 includes a staple binding control unit 106 that controls a staple binding unit moving motor 40g for moving a staple binding unit 23 that performs binding processing on a stack of sheets on the processing tray 14 along the rear end stopper 21, a staple motor 40h for driving the staple binding unit 23, a stitchless binding motor 40i for driving a stitchless binding unit 24, etc., and a stack tray lift control unit 107 that controls a stack tray lift motor 40j for raising and lowering the stack tray 15, a sheet presser motor 40k for rotating a rotatable sheet pressing member for pressing the stack of sheets discharged onto the stack tray 15, etc.

[0033] [Judgment Unit] Next, the abnormal judgment by each control unit of the above image forming system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0034] The abnormal judgment related to the sheet processing operation is composed of that executed before the operation and that executed during the operation. That executed before the operation is composed of a higher-level power supply voltage abnormal judgment (S101) and a lower-level motor driver abnormal judgment A (S102). If there is no problem in either the power supply voltage abnormal judgment (S103) or the motor driver abnormal judgment (S104), it is judged as normal and the system shifts to the standby state (S105). Also, that executed during the operation is composed of a higher-level unit abnormal judgment (S201) and a lower-level motor driver abnormal judgment B (S202). When a specific unit abnormal is detected, it shifts to the motor driver abnormal judgment B (S202), and according to the result, it is judged whether it is a unit abnormal (S203) or a motor driver abnormal (S204). If there is no problem in any of the abnormal judgments, it is judged as normal and the system shifts to the standby state after the operation is completed. (S205)

[0035] Next, the configuration related to the abnormal judgment by each control unit of the above image forming system will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6.

[0036] [Power Supply Voltage Abnormal Judgment] The power supply voltage abnormality determination is executed based on the voltage value i detected by the power supply voltage detection circuit 304. The power supply voltage detection circuit 304 is provided between each motor driver 41 and a power supply 305 that supplies power to each motor driver 41. The voltage detected by the power supply voltage detection circuit 304 is converted to a voltage that can be handled by the CPU 100 and transmitted to the CPU 100 as the voltage value i.

[0037] [Motor Driver Abnormality Judgment] There are two patterns for the motor driver abnormality judgment: pattern A before operation and pattern B during operation. In both patterns, the detection value j of the abnormality detection signal aggregation circuit 303 is used for the judgment. The abnormality detection signal aggregation circuit 303 connects the abnormality detection signals output from the motor drivers 41 with an OR circuit and has a function of outputting to the CPU 100 as a single abnormality detection signal when an abnormality detection is output by any of the motor drivers 41.

[0038] Each motor driver 41 that drives a motor has at least functions of detecting its own overheating and overcurrent at the output terminal, and when an abnormality is detected, forcibly stopping the output and notifying that any abnormality has been detected. However, it is not necessarily required that all motor drivers 41 have these functions, and the present invention is applicable when two or more motor drivers have these functions.

[0039] In the motor driver abnormality judgment A, when an abnormality is confirmed based on the detection value j before operation, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in any of the motor drivers 41. In order to identify the motor driver 41, it is necessary to operate the units individually.

[0040] In the motor driver abnormality judgment B, when an abnormality is confirmed based on the detection value j during operation, by combining it with the unit abnormality flag specified by the unit abnormality judgment described later, it is possible to identify and judge the abnormal location of the motor driver.

[0041] [Unit Abnormality Judgment] Next, the unit abnormality determination by each control unit of the above image forming system will be described. The sheet conveyance control unit 104 controls the conveyance 40a and monitors a signal from a conveyance sensor 43a that detects that a sheet conveyed by the conveyance rollers 30a and 30b has passed. When the conveyance sensor 43a is in a non-sheet detection state and the conveyance motor 40a is rotated by a predetermined amount but the sheet detection state is not achieved, or when the conveyance sensor 43a is in a sheet detection state and the conveyance motor 40a is rotated by a predetermined amount but the non-sheet detection state is not achieved, it is determined that there is a conveyance abnormality, and a sensor error flag l(n) (n is the unit number, the following description is omitted) is set (1).

[0042] Also, the sheet conveyance control unit 104 controls the lifting motor 40b and monitors a signal from a lifting sensor 43b that detects the lifting state of the discharge roller 31 and the paddle 19. When the lifting motor 40b is rotated by a predetermined amount to lift or lower the discharge roller 31 or the paddle 19 but the lifting detection state of the lifting sensor 43b does not change, it is determined that there is a lifting abnormality, and a sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0043] Also, the sheet conveyance control unit 104 controls the paddle motor 40c and monitors a signal from a lifting sensor 43c that detects the lifting state of the paddle. When the lifting motor 40b is rotated by a predetermined amount to lift or lower the paddle but the lifting detection state of the lifting sensor 43c does not change, it is determined that there is a paddle abnormality, and a sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0044] The processing tray control unit 105 controls the front alignment motor 40d and monitors a signal from a front alignment plate sensor 43d that detects that the front alignment plate 22 is at the home position (hereinafter referred to as HP). When the front alignment plate sensor 43d is in the HP detection state and the front alignment motor 40d is rotated by a predetermined amount but the non-HP detection state is not achieved, or when the front alignment plate sensor 43d is in the non-HP detection state and the front alignment motor 40d is rotated by a predetermined amount but the HP detection state is not achieved, it is determined that there is a front alignment plate abnormality, and a sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0045] In addition, the processing tray control unit 105 controls the rear alignment motor 40e and monitors a signal from the rear alignment plate sensor 43e that detects that the rear alignment plate 22 is at the HP. If the rear alignment motor 40d does not enter the HP non-detection state even when rotated by a predetermined amount when the rear alignment plate sensor 43e is in the HP detection state, or if the rear alignment motor 40d does not enter the HP detection state even when rotated by a predetermined amount when the rear alignment plate sensor 43e is in the HP non-detection state, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the rear alignment plate, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0046] In addition, the processing tray control unit 105 controls the discharge motor 40f and monitors a signal from the discharge sensor 43f that detects that the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 31 has passed. If it is determined that there is a discharge abnormality when the discharge sensor 43f does not enter the sheet non-detection state even when the discharge motor 40f is rotated by a predetermined amount in the sheet detection state, the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1). Since the conveyance of the sheet to the processing tray is executed by the sheet conveyance control unit 104, the processing tray control unit 105 does not make a determination when the sheet is not conveyed to the discharge sensor 43f, but the conveyance control 104 may make the determination.

[0047] The staple binding control unit 106 controls the staple binding unit moving motor 40g and monitors a signal from the staple binding unit moving sensor 43g that detects that the staple binding unit 23 is at the HP with respect to the moving direction. If the staple binding unit moving sensor 43g does not enter the HP non-detection state even when the staple binding unit moving motor 40g is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP detection state, or if the staple binding unit moving sensor 43g does not enter the HP detection state even when the staple binding unit moving motor 40g is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP non-detection state, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the movement of the staple binding unit, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0048] Also, the staple binding control unit 106 controls the staple motor 40h and monitors a signal from the staple sensor 43h that detects whether the driving unit of the staple binding unit 23 is at the HP. If the staple sensor 43h does not change to the HP non-detection state even when the staple motor 40h is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP detection state, or if the staple sensor 43h does not change to the HP detection state even when the staple motor 40h is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP non-detection state, it is determined that there is a staple abnormality, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0049] Also, the staple binding control unit 106 controls the stitchless binding motor 40i and monitors a signal from the stitchless binding sensor 43i that detects whether the driving unit of the stitchless binding unit 24 is at the HP. If the stitchless binding sensor 43i does not change to the HP non-detection state even when the stitchless binding motor 40i is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP detection state, or if the stitchless binding sensor 43i does not change to the HP detection state even when the stitchless binding motor 40i is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP non-detection state, it is determined that there is a stitchless binding abnormality, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0050] The stack tray lifting control unit 107 controls the stack tray lifting motor 40j and monitors a signal from the stack tray lifting sensor 43j that detects whether the stack tray is at the HP. If the stack tray lifting sensor 43j does not change to the HP non-detection state even when the stack tray lifting motor 40j is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP detection state, or if the stack tray lifting sensor 43j does not change to the HP detection state even when the stack tray lifting motor 40j is rotated by a predetermined amount in the HP non-detection state, it is determined that there is a stack tray lifting abnormality, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0051] In addition, the stack tray lifting control unit 107 controls the sheet pressing motor 40k and monitors a signal from the sheet pressing motor sensor 43k that detects that the sheet pressing member is at the HP. If the sheet pressing motor 40k does not enter the non-HP detection state even when rotated by a predetermined amount when the sheet pressing motor sensor 43k is in the HP detection state, or if the sheet pressing motor 40k does not enter the HP detection state even when rotated by a predetermined amount when the sheet pressing motor sensor 43k is in the non-HP detection state, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the sheet pressing, and the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1).

[0052] In addition, when using two or more sensors for each control unit, an abnormality determination may be made by each sensor.

[0053] [Abnormality determination flowchart] Next, the abnormality determination by each control unit of the above image forming system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[0054] After the power supply 305 is turned on for the sheet processing apparatus, the voltage detection circuit 304 detects the voltage value i (S001). The voltage value i is compared with the reference value i1 (S002). If the voltage value i is equal to or greater than the reference value i1, it is determined to be normal, the motor driver 41 is activated to an output-enabled state (S003), and the process proceeds to the detection of the aggregated abnormality signal value j (S004). If it is smaller than the reference value i1, it is determined that there is a power supply abnormality (S005), and the output of all units is stopped (S006).

[0055] The aggregated abnormal signal value j is detected (S004), and it is determined whether the aggregated abnormal signal value j is High or Low (S007). If it is High, the system shifts to standby (S015). If it is Low, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the motor driver as described above. If the abnormality detection function of the motor driver 41 includes overheat detection, since it is heat generation before operation, it is possible that there is an abnormality in the motor driver itself or a defective mounting of the motor driver. Also, if there is overcurrent detection, there is a possibility of a short circuit in the output stage (poor connection between the motor driver 41 and the motor). In some cases, the abnormality detection function of the motor driver 41 also includes voltage abnormality detection. However, in this embodiment, since there is the above-described power supply voltage abnormality determination, it is possible to exclude it from the causes.

[0056] When the aggregated abnormal signal value j is Low, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the motor driver. Further, control for specifying an abnormality in the motor driver itself or a defective mounting of the motor driver will be described.

[0057] The units constituting the sheet processing apparatus are driven one by one (S009), and unit abnormality determination of the driven unit is performed (S010). Only when there is no response, the driver abnormality flag k(n) of the motor driver 41 for driving that unit is set to 1 (S011), and the unit is stopped (S012). Further, the control is sequentially shifted to driving the next unit (S013). After this is completed for all units (S013), the operation is terminated. In this case, the operation termination is an error stop due to an abnormality in the motor driver. However, since an abnormality has been detected before the unit operation, there is a high possibility of a defect while the motor driver 41 is connected to the unit.

[0058] As a modification of this embodiment, when all the driver abnormality flags k(n) are set to 1 (1) due to the motor driver abnormality determination, it is possible to determine that there is an abnormality in the power supply voltage. This is because driver abnormalities are considered to occur due to accidental failures, and it is unlikely that all of them will fail simultaneously.

[0059] When the aggregated abnormal signal value j is normal and the device is in the standby state, accept the JOB for sheet processing (S016). During the JOB, monitor by the above-mentioned unit abnormality determination (S017). If the sensor error flag l(n) is not set (0), end the JOB (S018) and transition to the standby state. If the sensor error flag l(n) is set (1), stop all units (S019) and detect the aggregated abnormal signal value j (S020). Divide the abnormal flag according to the result (S021). If it is High, set the unit abnormal flag p(n) (1) (S022) and end the operation as an error due to unit abnormality. If it is Low, set the driver abnormal flag k(n) (1) (S023) and end the operation as an error due to driver abnormality. Considering that the driver abnormality occurring during the operation has been operating until just before, the possibility of a connection abnormality between the motor driver 41 and the unit is low, and the possibility of an abnormality in the driver itself is high.

[0060] By performing the determination of the abnormal state by combining a single aggregated signal obtained by summarizing a plurality of abnormal detection signals as described above and the abnormal determination based on the sensor state of the unit, it is possible to identify whether the abnormality is in the unit, the control board (driver), or the connection between the control board and the unit without requiring a large-sized CPU.

Explanation of Signs

[0061] A … Image forming apparatus B … Sheet processing apparatus C … Data server D … Terminal 1 … Apparatus housing 2 … Feeding unit 3 … Image forming unit 4 … Discharging unit 5 … Fuser 30a, 30b … Conveyor rollers 31 … Discharge rollers 40a … Conveyor motor 40b … Lifting motor 40c … Paddle motor 40d … Front alignment motor 40e... Rear integration motor 40f... Discharge motor 40g... Staple binding unit movement motor 40h... Staple motor 40i... Saddle stitch motor 40j... Stack tray lift motor 40k... Sheet presser motor 41a~41k... Motor driver 100... Sheet processing apparatus control unit 204... Display unit 301... Control unit 302... Judgment unit 303... Abnormality detection signal aggregation circuit 304... Power supply voltage detection circuit 305... Power supply

Claims

1. A first unit having a drive unit and a sensor for performing post-processing on a sheet, a second unit having a drive unit and a sensor different from the first unit, a first driver capable of driving the drive unit of the first unit, detecting its own overcurrent and overheat states, and outputting the detection situation as an abnormal signal, a second driver capable of driving the drive unit of the second unit, detecting its own overcurrent and overheat states, and outputting the detection situation as an abnormal signal, an abnormal signal aggregation circuit that outputs one abnormal signal when any one of the abnormal signals output from the first driver and the second driver is detected, a control unit that controls the first driver and the second driver, comprising a determination unit to which the sensor state of the first unit, the sensor state of the second unit, and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit are input, The determination unit is when the sensor state when driving the first unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is normal, the abnormality of the first unit, also, when the sensor state when driving the first unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is abnormal, the abnormality of the first driver, also, when the sensor state when driving the second unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is normal, the abnormality of the second unit, also, when the sensor state when driving the second unit is abnormal and the output state of the abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is abnormal, the abnormality of the second driver, A sheet post-processing apparatus, characterized by determining the above.

2. The determination unit is when an abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is detected before driving the first unit and the second unit, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the connection between the first driver and the first unit, or the connection between the second driver and the second unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The determination unit is When an abnormal signal from the abnormal signal aggregation circuit is detected before driving the first unit and the second unit, after determining that there is an abnormality in the connection between the first driver and the first unit or the connection between the second driver and the second unit, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it executes an abnormality detection mode for driving the first unit and the second unit one by one to identify a non-drivable location.

4. Comprising a power supply for supplying power to the first driver and the second driver, and a voltage detection circuit for detecting the voltage of the power supply. The determination unit is configured to determine that there is an abnormality when a voltage from the voltage detection circuit is input and the voltage value is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage value, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The determination unit The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that all units are stopped when any abnormality is determined.

Images