Thickness detection device, sheet processing device, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device that can improve the accuracy of detecting the thickness of a sheet bundle, and reduce damage during insertion of the sheet bundle in off-line binding.SOLUTION: A thickness detection device detects the thickness of an object, and comprises: a thickness direction moving member that is held to be movable in a direction of thickness by an object to be inserted into a gap part having openings in a plurality of directions; and a thickness detection unit that detects thickness by detecting the thickness direction moving member that is moved by the object inserted into the gap part. In the thickness direction moving member, a portion that faces the object inserted into the gap part has a shape inclined relative to an insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thickness detection device, a sheet processing device, and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] A thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of an object is known. For example, it is used when detecting the thickness of a stack of sheets as an object in a sheet processing device that performs binding processing on a stack of a plurality of sheet-like media (hereinafter referred to as "sheets").

[0003] An image forming apparatus equipped with a processing unit including the function of a sheet processing apparatus provided with a thickness detection device, and an image forming system in which a sheet processing apparatus provided with a thickness detection device and an image forming apparatus are linked are also known.

[0004] In addition, there is also known a body-in type device that can be installed inside the housing of an image forming apparatus and inserts a sheet from the outside of the housing to execute a predetermined process in a sheet processing apparatus.

[0005] A sheet processing apparatus having a configuration that enables "offline binding" in which a user inserts a stack of sheets into a gap and manually performs binding processing, and a configuration that eliminates the need to manage the thickness of the inserted stack of sheets according to the binding means is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a regulating unit that regulates the thickness of a stack of sheets, and regulates the stack of sheets by the regulating unit according to binding means having different bindable numbers, and performs binding processing.

[0007] In the conventional configuration as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an optical sensor is used as a physical sensor for measuring the thickness of a sheet bundle. In the conventional configuration, the thickness of the sheet bundle is measured by reflecting light on the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle by the optical sensor and directly reading the position of the sheet bundle.

[0008] In such a conventional configuration, if there is a factor (for example, the influence of the formed image) that varies the light reflectance of the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle to be bound offline, the measurement accuracy of the thickness may decrease.

[0009] Also, when using a detection member that directly contacts the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle to measure the thickness instead of an optical sensor, the resistance may increase depending on the insertion direction of the sheet bundle, and the tip portion of the sheet (uppermost sheet) may be damaged such as being rolled up.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that can improve the detection accuracy of the thickness of a sheet bundle and reduce damage during insertion of the sheet bundle in offline binding.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is a thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of an object, including a thickness direction moving member that is held by the object inserted into a void portion having openings in a plurality of directions so as to be movable in the thickness direction, and a thickness detection unit that detects the thickness by detecting the thickness direction moving member moved by the object inserted into the void portion, wherein a shape of a portion of the thickness direction moving member facing the object inserted into the void portion is inclined with respect to the insertion direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the thickness detection accuracy of the sheet bundle and reduce damage during insertion of the sheet bundle in offline binding.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the thickness detection device, sheet processing device, and image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, as an embodiment of the sheet processing device, the binding processing unit 100 will be exemplified, and as an embodiment of the image forming system, the printer system 1 will be exemplified.

[0015] [Embodiments of the Image Forming System] First, the printer system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIGS. 1 and 2 are external views of the printer system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printer system 1 is a device having an image forming function of forming an image on a sheet S (typically, paper) as a sheet-like medium, and a post-processing function of performing predetermined sheet processing (post-processing) on the sheet S on which the image is recorded.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 1 mainly includes a housing 301 and an image forming unit 300 corresponding to an image forming apparatus inside the housing 301. The housing 301 is box-shaped with an internal space formed therein for accommodating the components of the printer system 1. Further, an internal space 302 accessible from the outside of the printer system 1 is formed in the housing 301. The internal space 302 is a part where the outer wall of the housing 301 is cut out and exposed to the outside, and is located, for example, slightly above the center in the vertical direction of the housing 301.

[0017] In the internal space 302, as an option unit for adding an option function, a punching processing unit 200 enabling punching processing and a binding processing unit 100 enabling binding processing for bundling and binding a plurality of sheets S can be detachably attached. Note that the binding processing unit 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0018] The image forming unit 300 discharges the sheet S picked up and conveyed from the sheet storage tray to the punching processing unit 200 and the binding processing unit 100. The image forming unit 300 may be an inkjet system that forms an image using ink or an electrophotographic system that forms an image using toner. Since the configuration of the image forming unit 300 is already well-known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0019] The punching processing unit 200 is attached to the inner body space 302 of the printer system 1 on the downstream side of the image forming unit 300 and on the upstream side of the binding processing unit 100 in the conveyance path of the sheet S from the image forming unit 300 to the binding processing unit 100 (the path indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). That is, in the example of the printer system 1, the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 300 is first delivered to the punching processing unit 200, and a predetermined punching hole forming process is executed, and then delivered to the binding processing unit 100, and the binding process described later is executed.

[0020] Note that the punching processing unit 200 is configured to be detachable from the printer system 1. When the punching processing unit 200 is removed, the state illustrated in FIG. 2 is obtained. In this case, the sheet S on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 300 is directly delivered to the binding processing unit 100, and the binding process is performed. Note that another processing unit that performs an arbitrary process on the sheet S can be attached to the position where the punching processing unit 200 in the inner body space 302 is removed.

[0021] [Control Configuration of Image Forming System including Binding Processing Unit 100] Next, the control configuration of the printer system 1 including the binding processing unit 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the control configuration of the printer system 1 in a state where the punching processing unit 200 is removed.

[0022] In FIG. 3, the conveyance path of the sheet S (the flow of the sheet S) is represented by a dashed arrow, and the path of the communication signal (control signal) (the flow of the signal) is represented by a solid arrow.

[0023] The printer system 1 includes a display unit 303 for notifying a user (user) of the states and operation details of various devices, an operation unit 304 as a setting unit for the user to perform setting operations such as modes and number of copies, and a paper feeding unit 305 for stocking sheets S and separating and feeding them one by one. Further, the printer system 1 includes an image forming unit 306 that forms a latent image on a photoreceptor (not shown in FIG. 3) and transfers the image to the sheet S, and a fixing unit 307 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. Furthermore, the printer system 1 includes an image forming control unit 308 that controls the operations of the above-described units.

[0024] As an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus, the binding processing unit 100 receives a processing instruction from the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 through the communication line 309 and performs the specified processing on the specified sheet S in the binding processing unit 101.

[0025] Each connected image forming control unit 308 and binding processing control unit 102 are connected by the communication line 309, enabling the exchange of information. Thereby, information regarding the operation mode, sheet S size, timing, etc. is exchanged, and the system operation becomes possible.

[0026] A control configuration example of the printer system 1 with the punching processing unit 200 attached is shown in FIG. 4. Also in FIG. 4, the conveyance path of the sheet S (the flow of the sheet S) is represented by a dashed arrow, and the path of the communication signal (control signal) (the flow of the signal) is represented by a solid arrow.

[0027] The printer system 1 is similar in that it includes the display unit 303, the operation unit 304, and the paper feeding unit 305. Also, it similarly includes the image forming unit 306 and the image forming control unit 308.

[0028] As an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus, the binding processing unit 100 receives a processing instruction from the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the communication line 309, and performs the specified processing on the specified sheet S in the binding processing unit 101. The binding processing unit 101 is notified of the specified information on the processing content for the sheet S via the punching processing unit 201.

[0029] Each connected image forming control unit 308 and binding processing control unit 102 are connected by the communication line 309, enabling the exchange of information. Thereby, information such as information regarding the operation mode, sheet S size, timing, etc. is exchanged, and the system operation becomes possible.

[0030] The punching processing unit 200 receives a processing instruction from the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the communication line 309, and is instructed from the binding processing control unit 102 via the communication line 103 to the punching processing control unit 202. The punching processing control unit 202 controls the punching processing unit 201 to execute the instructed punching processing.

[0031] [Hardware Configuration of the Binding Processing Unit 100] Next, the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 included in the printer system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the binding processing unit 100 includes a CPU 110 as a controller in the binding processing control unit 102, and is connected to a plurality of motors and sensors that serve as power sources for the operation of each mechanism via an I / F (interface) 120. The CPU 110 is an arithmetic means and controls the overall operation of the binding processing unit 100.

[0032] The CPU 110 within the binding processing unit 100 is connected to the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the I / F 120, and controls the binding processing unit 100 according to the processing signal from the printer system 1. Since the binding processing unit 100 is also an optional device, it has a detachable hardware configuration. Note that the I / F portion for connecting the image forming unit 300 and the binding processing unit 100 has a configuration that can be hard-detached by, for example, a relay connector or a drawer connector.

[0033] The drive motor that drives a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers for executing the binding process in the binding processing unit 100 is attached with an encoder that can detect the drive amount of each motor in terms of the number of pulses. Therefore, it is configured such that the pair of conveyance rollers can be driven and stopped at a position with a specific drive amount starting from a specific timing, and control for conveying the sheet S by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction can be realized.

[0034] Also, the encoder pulses can be measured based on the timing when the sensor on the conveyance path becomes ON or OFF, and the drive amount of each motor can be calculated based on these encoder pulses. Then, based on the calculated drive amount, the position of the edge of the conveyed sheet S on the conveyance path can be determined.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the binding process control unit 102, which is the control unit of the binding processing unit 100, is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 120, including the conveyance motor 151, the discharge motor 152, the staple movement motor 153, the conveyance sensor 154, the thickness detection sensor 27, the discharge sensor 155, and the staple movement HP sensor 156.

[0036] Also, the punching process control unit 202, which is the control unit of the punching processing unit 200, is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 121, including the folding motor 162, the entrance sensor 163, and the folding sensor 164.

[0037] Also, when connecting a punch processing main unit that performs punching on the sheet S as an option, its control unit connects the punch perforation motor 157, the punch movement motor 158, the pre-punch motor 159, the cover opening / closing sensor 160, and the punching unit HP sensor 161 to the CPU 110 via the I / F 122.

[0038] The thickness detection sensor 27 is a sensor that detects whether or not a thickness direction moving member described later has moved to a predetermined position. The detection result of the thickness detection sensor 27 is notified to the CPU 110, and the CPU 110 detects the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb as an object based on the notification. That is, the thickness detection unit is configured by the thickness detection sensor 27, the CPU 110, and a thickness detection control program executed using the arithmetic processing function of the CPU 110 according to the present embodiment.

[0039] [First Embodiment of Thickness Detection Device] Next, an embodiment of a sheet processing apparatus including the thickness detection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a binding processing unit 100 as an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus. FIG. 6(a) is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100, illustrating a portion where the sheet S is loaded to form a sheet bundle Sb. FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the binding processing unit 100. The binding processing unit 100 as a binding processing unit bundles and binds the sheet bundle Sb, and includes a plurality of binding units 19 in order to perform various types of binding.

[0040] The binding unit 19 includes, for example, a needle binding unit 19a that can perform "needle binding" for binding the end portion of the sheet bundle Sb using binding needles. Further, it includes a pressure bonding binding unit 19b that can perform "pressure bonding binding" for binding by deforming a part of the sheet bundle Sb by pressure instead of using binding needles. In the following description, when explaining regardless of the type of binding processing, it is referred to as the "binding unit 19". Also, when referring to each type of binding, it is denoted using each reference sign.

[0041] The binding processing unit 100 is configured to enable manual binding (offline binding). The types of binding that can be executed in this manual binding are not limited to either "sewing" or "crimping binding", and for example, any method can be selected according to an arbitrary setting of the user.

[0042] That is, the binding processing unit 100 illustrated in the following description can be applied to any of those having only the sewing unit 19a, those having only the crimping binding unit 19b, or those having a hybrid configuration including both of them, regardless of whether they are illustrated or not.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, a slit 23 that constitutes a sheet insertion portion for the user to insert the sheet bundle Sb as an object when performing manual binding is provided in the exterior 25 (a part of the housing) of the housing that houses the configuration of the binding processing unit 100. The slit 23 has an opening provided in a part of the exterior 25. The openings of the slit 23 are provided in a plurality of directions and are formed so that the sheet bundle Sb can be inserted from a plurality of directions. That is, the slit 23 is provided with entrances in a plurality of directions when the user inserts the sheet bundle Sb as an object. The slit 23 corresponds to a void portion having openings in a plurality of directions.

[0044] The slit 23 corresponds to a portion including an opening and a space forming a gap continuous therewith. The slit 23 corresponds to a sheet bundle receiving space having a structure capable of inserting the sheet bundle Sb toward the binding process execution position. The binding process execution position corresponds to a position where the sheet bundle Sb can be fully inserted in order to perform a binding process on the sheet bundle Sb inserted from the outside of the device housing (the outside of the exterior 25).

[0045] That is, the slit 23 is formed with a depth such that the binding position (end portion) of the sheet bundle Sb to be bound reaches the binding process execution position.

[0046] Next, a thickness detection unit 500 as an embodiment of a thickness detection device that detects the thickness of an object (sheet bundle Sb) inserted into the slit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates a state before inserting the sheet bundle Sb into the thickness detection unit 500 to detect the thickness. FIG. 8 illustrates a state when inserting the sheet bundle Sb into the thickness detection unit 500 to detect the thickness.

[0047] FIG. 7(a) is a view of the thickness detection unit 500 in the width direction (X direction). FIG. 7(b) is a view of the thickness detection unit 500 as seen from the discharge direction (Y direction) of the sheet S. Note that FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are the same.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a detection member 26 is installed in the slit 23. The installation position of the detection member 26 is, for example, the deep part of the gap of the slit 23. The detection member 26 corresponds to a thickness direction moving member held so as to move in the thickness direction of the object, and has a portion facing the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23. That is, the detection member 26 is held so as to move in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Sb by being further pushed into the deep direction of the slit 23 while being in contact with the portion facing the sheet bundle Sb.

[0049] The moving direction of the detection member 26 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is from bottom to top. However, the holding mode and the moving direction of the detection member 26 are not limited to this. For example, the detection member 26 may be held on the slit bottom surface 25c, and the detection member 26 may be configured to be pushed down by inserting the sheet bundle Sb into the upper space of the slit 23. That is, the installation position and the holding mode of the detection member 26 are not limited with respect to the moving direction as long as they have a direction in which they can move when contacting and being pushed by the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23.

[0050] The sheet bundle Sb can be inserted into the slit 23 from a plurality of directions. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 8(a), it may be inserted from the left side surface (Y-direction side) of the binding processing unit 100. Also, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b), it may be inserted from the front side (X-direction side) of the binding processing unit 100.

[0051] The thickness detection sensor 27 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a detection object in the detection area 271. Here, the detection object is a part of the detection member 26. For example, the thickness detection sensor 27 is installed above the detection member 26. When the detection member 26 moves upward due to the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23, the thickness detection sensor 27 detects whether the detection part 261 provided at the end in the moving direction of the detection member 26 enters the detection area 271. When the detection part 261 enters the detection area 271, this is notified to the binding processing control unit 102.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detection member 26 is biased by a biasing member 28. The biasing member 28 is, for example, a spring, but other leaf springs, torsion springs, or compression springs may also be used. The direction of biasing by the biasing member 28 is a direction that opposes the direction in which the detection member 26 moves in contact with the sheet bundle Sb as the object to be detected for thickness. In the present embodiment, the direction of biasing by the biasing member 28 is a direction toward the bottom surface of the portion constituting the slit 23 (slit bottom surface 25c).

[0053] The detection member 26 waits for the insertion of the sheet bundle Sb while being pressed against the slit bottom surface 25c. In this waiting state, it is held so that no gap is generated between the contact surface of the sheet bundle Sb with respect to the slit 23.

[0054] The detection member 26 has at least a detection part 261, an object contact part 262, and a detection member holding part 263. The object contact part 262 corresponds to the part that contacts the object (the object) for thickness detection inserted into the slit 23. The detection part 261 is a part integrated with the object contact part 262 and moves in the same direction as the moving direction of the object contact part 262. As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the detection part 261 is located outside the slit 23, and when it enters the detection area 271 provided in the thickness detection sensor 27, the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb can be detected. The detection member holding part 263 holds the object contact part 262 so that the detection member 26 can move relative to the slit 23.

[0055] The thickness detection sensor 27 is a transmissive sensor arranged in the moving direction of the detection part 261 (a part of the detection member 26 that penetrates the top surface 25d of the slit). The thickness detection sensor 27 has a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and a detection area 271 is set between them. When the detection member 26 moves due to the sheet bundle Sb and the detection part 261 moves into the detection area 271 and enters between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, the light from the light emitting part is blocked. At this time, when the detection signal output from the thickness detection sensor 27 is notified to the binding process control part 102, it is detected that the detection part 261 has moved a predetermined amount. Thereby, the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is detected in the binding process control part 102. The binding process control part 102 controls subsequent processes according to the detected thickness of the sheet bundle Sb. The details of the subsequent processes will be described later.

[0056] By adjusting the relative positional relationship between the detection part 261 in the state where it is not moved by the sheet bundle Sb and the detection area 271 of the thickness detection sensor 27, the detectable thickness can be set. For example, by setting the distance between the upper end part of the detection part 261 and the lower end part of the detection area 271 to be about a slight gap, even if the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 is thin, its thickness can be detected. Note that the detection signal from the thickness detection sensor 27 may be configured to be determined in the image formation control part 308.

[0057] Further, thickness detection sensors 27 may be installed at a plurality of positions having different distances from the detection part 261, and the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb may be detected in more detail by determining the thickness detection sensors 27 that have notified detection signals.

[0058] When the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23 in the form illustrated in FIG. 7, the sheet bundle Sb contacts the object contact part 262 corresponding to the side surface of the detection member 26. When the sheet bundle Sb is pushed deeper into the slit 23, the sheet bundle Sb is pressed against the object contact part 262, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the detection member 26 is moved upward by the sheet bundle Sb.

[0059] The object contact part 262, which is the side surface of the detection member 26 that the sheet bundle Sb contacts, has an opposing surface 262a. The opposing surface 262a faces the insertion direction of the sheet bundle Sb and corresponds to the part that comes into contact during the insertion of the sheet bundle Sb. The opposing surface 262a has a shape that is inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the sheet bundle Sb. Therefore, when the sheet bundle Sb contacts and is pushed in, the sheet bundle Sb is more easily pushed in along the opposing surface 262a of the object contact part 262. That is, the object contact part 262 enables the detection member 26 to be easily moved by the sheet bundle Sb. Further, since the object contact part 262 is inclined, the resistance during contact is reduced, so even in a form where the thickness is detected by contact, damage to the sheet bundle Sb is also reduced.

[0060] Note that the shape of the opposing surface 262a of the object contact part 262 included in the detection member 26 may be a linear inclined surface or a curved surface. Further, the inclination angle of the opposing surface 262a is preferably set to be 45 degrees or less from the angle (insertion angle) of the insertion direction of the sheet bundle Sb as a guideline.

[0061] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the thickness detection unit 500 will be described. Hereinafter, when performing manual binding according to this embodiment, the main configuration for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb inserted from the sheet insertion portion will be described. FIG. 9 illustrates the state of the detection member 26 when the sheet bundle Sb is not inserted into the slit 23. FIG. 10 illustrates the state of the detection member 26 after the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23. The difference from the first embodiment lies in the position of the detection member 26 when the sheet bundle Sb is not inserted into the slit 23. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of overlapping configurations will be omitted.

[0062] The thickness detection unit 500 according to this embodiment is significantly different from the first embodiment in that the bottom surface (slit bottom surface 25c) constituting a part of the slit 23 has a bottom surface depression 25e as a recess. Also, the installation position of the thickness detection sensor 27 considering the bottom surface depression 25e is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface depression 25e is formed at a position where the object contact portion 262 of the detection member 26 contacts the slit bottom surface 25c. The bottom surface depression 25e is formed wider in area than the portion where the object contact portion 262 of the detection member 26 contacts the slit bottom surface 25c, and is formed such that the tip portion of the object contact portion 262 when not moved upward by the sheet bundle Sb reaches a position below the slit bottom surface 25c.

[0064] That is, when the object contact portion 262 of the detection member 26 is not moved by the sheet bundle Sb, it can be moved to a position lower than other places (for example, the slit bottom surface 25c) by the action of the bottom surface depression 25e. In other words, a recess is provided in a part of the boundary surface constituting the slit 23, and due to the action of this recess, when the object, which is the thickness detection target, is not inserted into the slit 23, a part of the detection member 26 reaches the recess provided in the slit 23.

[0065] The depth of the bottom depression 25e is preferably formed to be greater than the distance obtained by combining the individual errors in the detection range of the thickness detection sensor 27 and the variations in the distance between the detection member 26 and the thickness detection sensor 27 during assembly. This is to prevent the situation where the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 is thin and the detection site 261 does not reach the detection area 271 even if the detection member 26 is lifted by the sheet bundle Sb. That is, the bottom depression 25e of the slit 23 is for avoiding misdetection of the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb in the thickness detection structure composed of the thickness detection sensor 27 and the detection member 26. Therefore, as a guideline, the depth dimension of the bottom depression 25e is preferably, for example, 3 mm or more.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23, the detection member 26 moves upward by the depth dimension of the bottom depression 25e in addition to the thickness of the inserted sheet bundle Sb. As a result, the detection member 26 moves more than the thickness of the inserted sheet bundle Sb.

[0067] If the position of the detection area 271 is set according to the movement range of the detection member 26, especially when the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is thin, the detection site 261 can surely move toward the detection area 271. Thus, even when a thin sheet bundle Sb is inserted, the detection member 26 can be moved to a position where the thickness detection sensor 27 can detect, so that misdetection can be prevented.

[0068] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the thickness detection unit 500 will be described. FIG. 11(a) is a plan view of the thickness detection unit 500 according to this embodiment. FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the thickness detection unit 500 according to this embodiment.

[0069] The thickness detection unit 500 according to this embodiment has the detection member 26 disposed near the outer edge of the opening of the slit 23 and near the end of the slit 23. As a result, when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23, the detection member 26 starts moving earlier, so that the waiting time until the output of the detection signal by the thickness detection sensor 27 can be shortened. Therefore, the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb can be measured while the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23 and moved to the binding position, and the waiting time for the preprocessing for starting the binding process can be shortened.

[0070] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the thickness detection unit 500 will be described. FIG. 12(a) illustrates the state of the configuration of thickness detection when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23 as the sheet insertion portion. FIG. 12(b) illustrates the state of the configuration of thickness detection after the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the overlapping configurations will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of thickness detection sensors 27 are installed in the moving direction of the detection member 26. As a result, the detection area 271 for detecting the movement of the detection member 26 (the movement of the detection part 261) is extended in the moving direction of the detection part 261. For example, in the moving direction of the detection member 26, the thickness detection sensor 27 closer to the slit 23 is defined as the first thickness detection sensor 27a, and the one farther from the slit 23 is defined as the second thickness detection sensor 27b.

[0072] In this case, for example, the first thickness detection sensor 27a can function as a sheet bundle detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet bundle Sb. And the second thickness detection sensor 27b can function as a binding type switching sensor for performing switching determination of the type of binding process for the sheet bundle Sb.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12 and determining the type of binding process to execute offline binding according to the detection result. The process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is realized by executing a predetermined control program in the binding process control unit 102.

[0074] First, it is determined whether the first thickness detection sensor 27a as a sheet bundle detection sensor has detected the detection site 261 of the detection member 26 (S1301). That is, it is determined whether the first thickness detection sensor 27a has turned "ON". If the first thickness detection sensor 27a has not detected the detection site 261, it means that the sheet bundle Sb to be subjected to the binding process has not been inserted into the slit 23. Therefore, the process waits until the first thickness detection sensor 27a turns ON (S1301: No).

[0075] When the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection site 261 and turns "ON" (S1301: Yes), subsequently, it is determined whether the second thickness detection sensor 27b has detected the detection member 26 (S1302). That is, it is determined whether the second thickness detection sensor 27b has turned "ON".

[0076] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b detects the detection site 261 (S1302: Yes), that is, when the second thickness detection sensor 27b turns ON, it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is suitable for the number of sheets for the stitch binding process (relatively large number of binding sheets). Therefore, in this case, the stitch binding process using the stitch binding unit 19a as the first binding process means is executed (S1303).

[0077] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not detect the detection member 26 (S1302: No), that is, when the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not turn ON, it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is suitable for the number of sheets for the pressure binding process (relatively small number of binding sheets). Therefore, in this case, the pressure binding process using the pressure binding unit 19b as the second binding process means is executed (S1304).

[0078] As described above, according to the thickness detection unit 500 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of detection areas 271 are arranged in the moving direction of the detection member 26, and the moving amount of the detection member 26 is determined based on the detection state of the detection part 261 in each detection area 271. The binding process control unit 102 can determine the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb based on the magnitude of this moving amount, and execute a binding process suitable for the thickness.

[0079] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the binding process unit 100 will be described. This will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 14. The processing flow according to the present embodiment can be executed in a configuration (see FIG. 12) in which a plurality of thickness detection sensors 27 for detecting the position of the detection member 26 are installed, similar to the fourth embodiment. Also, similar to the fourth embodiment, the first thickness detection sensor 27a is made to function as a sheet bundle detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet bundle Sb, and the second thickness detection sensor 27b is made to function as a binding type switching sensor for switching the type of binding process.

[0080] First, it is determined whether or not the first thickness detection sensor 27a as a sheet bundle detection sensor has detected the detection member 26 (detection part 261) (S1401). The process loops until the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection part 261 (S1401: No). When the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection part 261 (S1401: Yes), subsequently, it is determined whether or not the second thickness detection sensor 27b has detected the detection part 261 (S1402).

[0081] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b detects the detection part 261 (S1402: Yes), it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is a number suitable for the saddle stitch binding process (a large number of binding sheets), and the binding process control unit 102 causes the saddle stitch binding unit 19a as the first binding process means to execute the saddle stitch binding process (S1403).

[0082] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not detect the detection part 261 (S1402: No), the binding process control unit 102 executes a binding type selection process (S1404). S1404 is a process of causing the operation unit 304 to display a user interface for setting selection conditions for selecting the binding unit 19 to be used. FIG. 15 is an example of a manual binding method selection screen G15 displayed on the display unit 303 in S1404. As shown in FIG. 15, a first binding selection button B151 for selecting a needle binding process and a second binding selection button B152 are displayed.

[0083] When the first binding selection button B151 is selected in S1404 (S1405: Yes), a needle binding process using the needle binding unit 19a as the first binding process means is executed (S1403).

[0084] When the second binding selection button B152 is selected (S1405: No), a pressure bonding process using the pressure bonding unit 19b as the second binding process means is executed (S1406).

[0085] As described above, according to the binding process unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the user can select and execute an arbitrary binding process according to the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb.

[0086] [Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the binding process unit 100 will be described. FIG. 16 is an example of an operation screen G16 according to the present embodiment. By displaying the operation screen G16 on the display unit 303, the type of binding process to be executed when the number of sheets in the sheet bundle Sb is less than a predetermined threshold can be set in advance.

[0087] FIG. 17 is a flowchart related to the processing flow when performing manual binding in this embodiment. First, it is determined whether the first thickness detection sensor 27a as a sheet bundle detection sensor has detected the detection member 26 (detection site 261) (S1701). The processing waits until the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection site 261 (S1701: No). When the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection site 261 (S1701: Yes), subsequently, it is determined whether the second thickness detection sensor 27b has detected the detection site 261 (S1702).

[0088] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b detects the detection site 261 (S1702: Yes), it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is the number of sheets suitable for the needle binding process (a large number of binding sheets), and the needle binding process using the needle binding unit 19a as the first binding processing means is executed (S1703).

[0089] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not detect the detection site 261 (S1702: No), it is determined whether the binding type pre-prioritized via the operation screen G16 is the needle binding process (S1704). In S1704, if the needle binding process is pre-prioritized (S1704: Yes), the needle binding process using the needle binding unit 19a as the first binding processing means is executed (S1703).

[0090] In S1704, if the needle binding process is not pre-prioritized (S1704: No), the pressure bonding process using the pressure bonding unit 19b as the second binding processing means is executed (S1705).

[0091] As described above, according to the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment, when selecting and executing the binding process, by setting in advance the binding type that is preferentially selected, the user can arbitrarily set the binding process that is preferentially executed according to the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb.

[0092] [Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment of the binding processing unit 100 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow when performing manual binding according to this embodiment. This embodiment can also be executed in a configuration where a plurality of thickness detection sensors 27 for detecting the position of the detection member 26 are installed, similar to the fourth embodiment. Also, similar to the fourth embodiment, the first thickness detection sensor 27a is made to function as a sheet bundle detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet bundle Sb, and the second thickness detection sensor 27b is made to function as a binding type switching sensor for switching the type of binding processing.

[0093] First, it is determined whether the first thickness detection sensor 27a as the sheet bundle detection sensor has detected the detection site 261 (S1801). The processing waits until the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection site 261 (S1801: No). When the first thickness detection sensor 27a detects the detection site 261 (S1801: Yes), subsequently, it is determined whether the second thickness detection sensor 27b has detected the detection site 261 (S1802).

[0094] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b detects the detection site 261 (S1802: Yes), it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is a number of sheets suitable for the sewing process (a large number of bound sheets), and a user interface for selecting the binding unit 19 to be used is displayed on the operation unit 304 (S1803). FIG. 19(a) is an example of a manual binding method selection screen G19a displayed on the display unit 303 in S1803. As shown in FIG. 19(a), the manual binding method selection screen G19a includes a first binding recommendation selection button B191a that recommends the selection of the sewing process and a second binding selection button B192a for selecting the crimping binding process.

[0095] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b detects the detection site 261 (S1802: Yes), since the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is a number of sheets suitable for the sewing process (a large number of bound sheets), in S1803, the first binding recommendation selection button B191a is displayed more clearly, and the second binding selection button B192a that recommends the selection of the crimping binding process is displayed faintly.

[0096] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not detect the detection member 26 (S1802: No), it is determined that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is the number of sheets suitable for the pressure-bonding binding process (the number of sheets to be bound is small), and a user interface for selecting the binding unit 19 to be used in the operation unit 304 is displayed (S1804). FIG. 19(b) is an example of the manual binding method selection screen G19b displayed on the display unit 303 in S1804. As shown in FIG. 19(b), the manual binding method selection screen G19b includes a first binding selection button B191b for selecting the stitch binding process and a second binding recommended selection button B192b for recommending the selection of the pressure-bonding binding process.

[0097] When the second thickness detection sensor 27b does not detect the detection part 261 (S1802: NO), since the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is the number of sheets suitable for the pressure-bonding binding process (the number of sheets to be bound is small), in S1804, the first binding selection button B191b is displayed more clearly, and the second binding recommended selection button B192b for recommending the selection of the pressure-bonding binding process is displayed faintly (S1804).

[0098] Subsequently, the process loops until a selection operation is performed on either the first binding selection button B191b or the second binding recommended selection button B192b (S1805: NO). When a selection operation is performed (S1805: YES), subsequently, it is determined whether the first binding recommended selection button B191a is selected (S1806). When the first binding recommended selection button B191a is selected (S1806: Yes), a stitch binding process using the stitch binding unit 19a as the first binding processing means is executed (S1807).

[0099] When the first binding recommended selection button B191a is not selected (S1806: NO), a stitch binding process using the pressure-bonding binding unit 19b as the second binding processing means is executed (S1808).

[0100] As described above, according to the binding processing unit 100 according to the present embodiment, when selecting and executing the binding process, when the detected thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is close to the limit number of sheets that can be pressure-bound, an interface that recommends sewing is presented to the user. Thereby, a unified binding process can be executed.

[0101] [Eighth Embodiment] Next, an eighth embodiment of the binding processing unit 100 will be described. FIG. 20(a) is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100a according to the present embodiment. FIG. 20(b) is a cross-sectional view of the binding processing unit 100. The binding processing unit 100a as a binding processing unit bundles and binds the sheet bundle Sb, and includes a plurality of binding units 19 in order to execute various types of binding.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 20, the binding processing unit 100a includes a binding unit moving mechanism 130 that scans a plurality of binding units 19 in the width direction of the sheet bundle Sb and makes them movable to a predetermined binding process execution position.

[0103] The binding unit moving mechanism 130 includes, for example, a drive motor 31 that supplies a driving force for moving the binding unit 19, a transmission belt 32 for transmitting the driving force of the drive motor 31, a two-stage pulley 33 around which the transmission belt 32 and the drive belt 34 are wound, a drive belt 34 wound between the two-stage pulley 33 and the pulley 35, a pulley 35 disposed at an opposing position in the X direction to the two-stage pulley 33, and a belt fastening portion 36 that fixes the binding unit 19 to the drive belt 34.

[0104] In the binding process described in the first to seventh embodiments, when switching the binding unit 19, the drive motor 31 is rotated to move any one of the binding units 19 to the binding process execution position.

[0105] [Ninth Embodiment] Next, a ninth embodiment of the binding processing unit 100 will be described. Hereinafter, when performing the manual binding process according to this embodiment, the main configuration for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb inserted from the sheet insertion portion will be described. FIG. 21 illustrates the state of the detection member 26 when the sheet bundle Sb is not inserted into the slit 23. The difference from the embodiments already described lies in the use of the encoder sensor 27c. Further, it has a comb-shaped detection portion 261a with respect to the portion related to the sensor detection range of the encoder sensor 27c. Hereinafter, the differences from the described embodiments will be mainly described, and the description of the overlapping configurations will be omitted.

[0106] The thickness detection configuration according to this embodiment uses an encoder sensor 27c as the thickness detection sensor 27. Further, the detection member 26 includes a comb-shaped detection portion 261a instead of the detection portion 261. By measuring the movement amount of the comb-shaped detection portion 261a in the encoder sensor 27c, it is possible to detect that the sheet bundle Sb is inserted when the detection member 26 moves even slightly.

[0107] Also, by using the comparison with a threshold value for determining the movement amount of the detection member 26, control such as determining that the thickness is suitable for the needle binding process when the movement amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value can be performed. In this case, it is possible to have the same function without providing a plurality of thickness detection sensors 27, which is different from the fourth embodiment (FIG. 12).

[0108] [Tenth Embodiment] Next, a tenth embodiment of the thickness detection unit 500 will be described. Hereinafter, when performing the manual binding process according to this embodiment, the main configuration for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb inserted from the sheet insertion portion will be described. FIG. 21 illustrates the state of the detection member 26 when the sheet bundle Sb is not inserted into the slit 23.

[0109] As already described, the detection member 26 has at least a detection portion 261, an object contact portion 262, and a detection member holding portion 263.

[0110] The detection member holding portion 263 is slidably held with respect to the slit top surface 25d in the biasing direction of the biasing member 28. At one end of the detection member holding portion 263, a detection portion 261 that moves relatively toward the detection area 271 is provided.

[0111] At the other end of the detection member holding portion 263, a detection member first rotation shaft 30 is held. The detection member first rotation shaft 30 is held by the detection member holding portion 263 in a rotatable state with the longitudinal direction of the detection member holding portion 263 as the axial direction. At the tip portion of the detection member first rotation shaft 30, a detection member second rotation shaft 29 is held.

[0112] The detection member second rotation shaft 29 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the detection member first rotation shaft 30, and the vicinity of the midpoint is rotatably held with respect to the detection member first rotation shaft 30. At both ends of the detection member second rotation shaft 29, object contact portions 262 are respectively held.

[0113] The object contact portion 262 according to the present embodiment is a hemispherical body obtained by dividing a sphere in half. In the state of being held by the detection member second rotation shaft 29, the opposing surface 262a, which is the outer peripheral surface (spherical surface), of the object contact portion 262 faces outward in the axial direction of the detection member second rotation shaft 29.

[0114] That is, among the detection members 26, the object contact portion 262 corresponds to the slit bottom surface 25c and the portion where the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 contacts, and the shape of this contact portion is spherical. That is, the portion of the object contact portion 262 facing in the direction in which the sheet bundle is scheduled to be inserted is spherical. Therefore, the portion where the sheet bundle Sb is inserted and contacts the object contact portion 262 is an inclined surface.

[0115] Further, the detection member 26 can rotate about an axis orthogonal to the axial direction of the detection member first rotation shaft 30 while the object contact portion 262 contacts the sheet bundle Sb when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted, by the detection member second rotation shaft 29 provided at the center of the detection member holding portion 263.

[0116] That is, the object contact portion 262 is provided so as to be rotatable about the detection member first rotation axis 30 and the detection member second rotation axis 29 depending on the insertion direction of the sheet bundle. This can reduce the resistance when the sheet bundle is inserted, contacts the object contact portion 262, and is further inserted.

[0117] [Eleventh Embodiment] Next, the eleventh embodiment of the binding processing unit 100 will be described. FIG. 23 illustrates the state of the detection member 26 when the sheet bundle Sb is not inserted into the slit 23. FIG. 23(a) is a view of the thickness detection unit 500 in the width direction (X direction). FIG. 23(b) is a view of the thickness detection unit 500 as seen from the discharge direction (Y direction) of the sheet S.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 23, an object contact portion 262, which is a substantially rod-shaped member, is rotatably held on the slit top surface 25d via a detection member holding portion 263 on a detection member first rotation axis 30 parallel to the surface direction of the slit top surface 25d.

[0119] The opposing surface 262a is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the sheet bundle Sb in the initial state. In this embodiment, the insertion direction of the sheet bundle Sb is limited to the X direction.

[0120] When the sheet bundle Sb is inserted from the opening, the entire detection member 26 rotates about the detection member first rotation axis 30 as the center of rotation. As a result, the detection portion 261 moves toward the detection area 271. Therefore, if the sheet bundle Sb has a thickness equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the detection portion 261 reaches the detection area 271, so that the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb can be detected.

[0121] Note that the object contact portion 262 may be plate-shaped as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26.

[0122] Also, the object contact portion 262 may be biased by the biasing member 28 in a direction that resists the direction of rotation when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted.

[0123] According to the thickness detection unit 500 of this embodiment described above, the shape of the detection member 26 does not necessarily have to be spherical or cylindrical, and may be flat. Furthermore, by holding the detection member 26 in a rotatable state around the detection member first rotation shaft 30 as the center of rotation and biasing the detection member 26 toward the slit bottom surface 25c by the biasing member 28, one end of which is fixed to the slit top surface 25d, the detection part 261 can be rotated while maintaining contact with the sheet stack Sb when the sheet stack Sb is inserted.

[0124] 26, the detection area 271 of the thickness detection sensor 27 is set to cover the range through which the detection part 261 passes when it rotates around the first detection member rotation shaft 30. Therefore, when the sheet stack Sb is inserted and the detection member 26 rotates a certain amount, the detection part 261 reaches the detection area 271. This makes it possible to detect the thickness of the sheet stack Sb.

[0125] By adjusting the position of the thickness detection sensor 27 and the position of the range through which the detection part 261 passes, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the sheet bundle Sb, switch the binding type, or otherwise use the detection sensor 27 for different purposes.

[0126] [Twelfth embodiment] Next, another example of the control process in the binding processing unit 100 including the thickness detection unit 500 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0127] First, it is determined whether or not a "priority setting" is stored in the storage area of the binding unit control unit 104 provided in the binding processing unit 100 (S2701). In S2701, it is determined whether or not a priority post-processing method set by the user is stored. If the priority post-processing method is not stored (S2701: NO), a process is executed to automatically switch the post-processing method depending on whether or not the detection member 26 detects a thickness that is a threshold for switching the post-processing method (S2707).

[0128] If a preferred post-processing method is stored (S2701: YES), it is determined whether the detection member 26 is configured to be able to detect the amount of movement (S2702). If the detection member 26 is not configured to be able to detect the amount of movement (S2702: NO), it is determined whether a preferred post-processing method is set when multiple post-processing methods are available (S2706).

[0129] If a preferred post-processing method is not set when multiple post-processing methods are possible (S2706: NO), the process of automatically switching the post-processing method will be executed depending on whether the detection member 26 detects a thickness that is the threshold for switching the post-processing method (S2707).

[0130] If a preferred post-processing method is set when multiple post-processing methods are available (S2706: YES), the preferred post-processing method is executed when multiple post-processing methods are available (S2706).

[0131] As described above, when the detection member 26 detects a thickness equal to or greater than the threshold value for switching the post-processing method, it is determined whether or not it is possible to detect the thickness at which binding processing can be performed using the second binding means (press binding), which has a smaller binding thickness. To do this, it is necessary to determine whether the thickness has exceeded the threshold value and become a thickness at which post-processing using the second binding means (press binding) cannot be performed. As a specific configuration, it is necessary to increase the number of thickness detection sensors 27 and provide one with the function of detecting the limit number of sheets, or to have a configuration that can detect the amount of movement of the detection member 26 as a numerical value, as exemplified in the ninth embodiment.

[0132] Without this configuration, it is not possible to determine whether post-processing using the second binding means (pressure binding) is possible. Therefore, when the thickness exceeds the threshold, only binding using the first binding means (staple binding) is selected, and when the thickness is below the threshold, post-processing is performed automatically or according to the setting of the priority post-processing method.

[0133] In S2702, if the detection member 26 is configured to be able to detect the movement amount (S2702: YES), it is determined whether the setting for selecting the post - processing method to be performed when the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is near the threshold is on (S2703). If the setting for selecting the post - processing method to be performed when the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is near the threshold is not on (S2703: NO), the same processing as when it is NO in S2702 is executed.

[0134] If the setting for selecting the post - processing method to be performed when the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb is near the threshold is on (S2703: YES), then any post - processing method is selected and performed for the thickness near the threshold (S2704).

[0135] [Threshold for determining the type of binding process] Let the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb that can be bound in the needle - binding process of the first binding means be "Xa", and the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb that can be bound in the crimp - binding process of the second binding means be "Xb". These Xa and Xb differ depending on the specifications of the binding processing unit 100.

[0136] Therefore, for example, 20% plus Xb is set as the above - mentioned threshold range. When the thickness of the sheet bundle Sb measured by the thickness detection sensor 27 corresponds to the threshold range, as exemplified in the fifth embodiment, the user may be allowed to select the binding type.

[0137] In this way, when the thickness corresponds to a predetermined value range with respect to the binding limit value, by allowing the user to make an arbitrary selection, it is possible to obtain a consistent binding processing result without variation in the binding type even for slight thickness changes due to wrinkles or fine foreign matters in the sheet bundle Sb.

[0138] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the technology. All technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above embodiments are shown as preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0139] The content of the present invention is as follows. <1> A thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of an object, a thickness direction moving member that is held by the object inserted into a void portion having openings in a plurality of directions so as to be movable in the thickness direction, a thickness detection unit that detects the thickness by detecting the thickness direction moving member moved by the object inserted into the void portion, comprising: wherein the thickness direction moving member has a shape of a portion facing the object inserted into the void portion that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction, and is a thickness detection device characterized by this. <2> The thickness direction moving member is biased in the thickness direction of the object, a concave portion that is recessed in the biasing direction is formed in a part of the surface constituting the void portion, when the thickness direction moving member is not moved by the object, the thickness direction moving member is in contact with the concave portion, and is the sheet processing device according to <1> above. <3> The thickness direction moving member is disposed near an end of one of the plurality of openings that the void portion has, and is the sheet processing device according to <1> or <2> above. <4> The object is a sheet bundle in which sheet-like media are bundled, a binding processing unit including a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle, A control unit that controls the operation of the binding processing unit according to the thickness of the sheet bundle; The thickness detection device according to any one of <1> to <3> above, which detects the thickness of the sheet bundle; Comprising The binding processing unit includes a binding unit that performs a plurality of different types of binding processing; The control unit selects and executes the binding processing by one of the plurality of binding units according to the thickness; A sheet processing apparatus characterized by the above. <5> It further includes a setting unit for setting to enable the binding processing to be executed using one of the plurality of binding units that can be selected according to the thickness; The sheet processing apparatus according to <4> above. <6> The control unit After the one binding unit is set according to the thickness, When the user changes the setting via the setting unit, it controls to select and execute the binding processing according to the changed setting; The sheet processing apparatus according to <5> above. <7> The control unit When a selection condition for selecting the one binding unit according to the thickness is set, Based on the thickness and the selection condition, it controls to select and execute the binding processing; The sheet processing apparatus according to <5> above. <8> An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of <4> to <6> above, connected to the image forming apparatus; An image forming system comprising

Explanation of Signs

[0140] 1: Printer system 19, 19a, 19b: Binding unit 23: Slit 25: Exterior 25c: Slit bottom surface 25d: Slit top surface 25e: Bottom surface depression 26: Detection member 27: Thickness detection sensor 28: Biasing member 29: Second rotation axis of the detection member 30: First rotation axis of the detection member 100, 100a: Binding processing unit 101: Binding processing section 102: Binding processing control section 261: Detection site 261a: Comb-shaped detection site 262: Object contact site 262a: Opposing surface 263: Detection member holding site 271: Detection area 301: Housing 500: Thickness detection unit

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0141]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of an object, comprising: a thickness direction moving member that is held so as to be movable in the thickness direction by the object inserted into a void portion having openings in a plurality of directions; a thickness detection unit that detects the thickness by detecting the thickness direction moving member moved by the object inserted into the void portion; and the thickness direction moving member is characterized in that a shape of a portion facing the object inserted into the void portion is inclined with respect to an insertion direction. A thickness detection device characterized by the above.

2. The thickness direction moving member is biased in the thickness direction of the object, a concave portion recessed in the biasing direction is formed in a part of a surface constituting the void portion, and when the thickness direction moving member is not moved by the object, the thickness direction moving member contacts the concave portion. The sheet processing device according to claim 1.

3. The thickness direction moving member is disposed near an end of one of the plurality of openings of the void portion. The sheet processing device according to claim 1.

4. The object is a sheet bundle in which sheet-like media are bundled, a binding processing unit including a binding unit that binds the sheet bundle, a control unit that controls an operation of the binding processing unit according to the thickness of the sheet bundle, and the thickness detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for detecting the thickness of the sheet bundle. and the binding processing unit includes a binding unit that performs a plurality of different types of binding processes, and the control unit selects and executes a binding process by one of the plurality of binding processing units according to the thickness. A sheet processing device characterized by the above.

5. The sheet processing device according to claim 4, further comprising a setting unit for setting to enable execution of a binding process using one of the plurality of binding units selectable according to the thickness. The sheet processing device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit after the one binding processing unit is set according to the thickness, when a user changes the setting via the setting unit, controls to select and execute the binding process according to the changed setting. The sheet processing device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit when a selection condition for selecting the one binding processing unit according to the thickness is set, controls to select and execute the binding process based on the thickness and the selection condition. The sheet processing device according to claim 5.

8. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 connected to the image forming apparatus, An image forming system comprising the same.

Images