Sheet processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device that improves user convenience. [Solution] A sheet processing device comprising: a transport unit that transports a sheet-like medium based on a set transport speed; a transport detection unit that detects whether or not the transport unit is transporting a medium; and a control unit that controls the transport operation of the transport unit according to the detection result in the transport detection unit, wherein if the detection result indicates that the transport unit is transporting multiple mediums, the control unit calculates the transport speed of one of the transporting mediums based on the detection result, and adjusts the set transport speed of the other mediums being transported by the transport unit based on the calculated transport speed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a sheet processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on a sheet-like medium. The sheet processing apparatus includes a transport mechanism that transports the medium, which is an object to be processed, to a predetermined position.

[0003] In the transport mechanism included in the sheet processing apparatus, for the purpose of controlling so that the transport speed difference between two pairs of transport roller pairs does not become a predetermined value or more, a technique is disclosed in which the load on the drive means of the transport roller pairs is small and the transport speed difference is suppressed by a simple method (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 suppresses the transport speed difference between specific transport roller pairs by controlling the transport speed by the downstream transport roller pair based on the transport speed difference between the transport roller pairs. That is, it is not possible to suppress the overall transport speed of the transport mechanism based on the transport speed difference between the transport roller pairs. When the transport speed difference in a specific section is large, it is not possible to prevent transport abnormalities such as subsequent media (media upstream of the specific section) from colliding with the media being transported in that specific section. Therefore, there is a problem in the prior art in terms of improving user convenience.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that improves user convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, comprising: a transport unit that transports a sheet-like medium based on a set transport speed; a transport detection unit that detects whether or not the transport unit is transporting the medium; and a control unit that controls the transport operation of the transport unit according to the detection result of the transport detection unit, wherein, when the detection result indicates that the transport unit is transporting a plurality of the mediums, the control unit calculates the transport speed of one of the transporting mediums based on the detection result, and adjusts the set transport speed of the other transporting mediums in the transport unit based on the calculated transport speed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, user convenience can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device, which is an embodiment of the sheet processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing an embodiment of the binding processing unit included in the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 4] A plan view showing an embodiment of the binding processing unit included in the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing an example of the operation of the binding unit described above. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing another example of the operation of the binding processing unit described above. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing another example of the operation of the binding processing unit described above. [Figure 8] Hardware configuration diagram of the control unit included in the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a transport unit included in the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a rotation detection means (speed detection sensor) provided by the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 11] A functional configuration diagram of the control unit included in the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing an example of the transport control process performed by the above-mentioned post-processing device. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of the jam detection process performed by the post-processing unit described above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printer system 1 as an embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention. The printer system 1 according to this embodiment forms an image on a sheet of paper P, which is an example of a sheet-like medium. The printer system 1 has a function to perform predetermined processing (hereinafter referred to as "post-processing") on the sheet of paper P on which the image has been formed. As shown in Figure 1, the printer system 1 is configured to operate in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 200 and the post-processing apparatus 100. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 200 may be configured to have all the functional configurations of the post-processing apparatus 100. The post-processing apparatus 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 200 performs an image forming process to form an image on a sheet of paper P and a media discharge process to discharge the paper P after the image forming process to the post-processing device 100. The image forming apparatus 200 mainly comprises a sheet storage tray for storing the paper P, a transport unit for removing the paper P from the sheet storage tray and transporting the paper P to the image forming unit and the discharge destination for the paper P, an image forming unit for forming an image on the paper P transported by the transport unit, and an image forming control unit 250 as a control unit for controlling the operation of the transport unit, the image forming unit, and other functional components. The image forming unit may be an inkjet system that forms images using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms images using toner. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 can be a well-known one, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0011] As illustrated in Figure 1, the post-processing device 100 includes a first binding processing unit 25, a second binding processing unit 55 (described later), and a post-processing control unit 150 that controls the operation of the post-processing device 100. The image forming apparatus 200 also includes an image forming control unit 250 that controls the operation of each functional configuration, including the image forming unit.

[0012] [Internal structure of the post-processing device 100] Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the post-processing device 100. The post-processing device 100 performs predetermined post-processing on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 200. The post-processing according to this embodiment corresponds to, for example, a "binding process" which binds a stack of a predetermined number of sheets of paper P on which an image has been formed (hereinafter referred to as "paper stack Q"). As will be described later, the binding processes that can be performed in the post-processing device 100 according to this embodiment include a "pressure binding process" as a first binding process in which a part of the paper stack Q is pressed and deformed to bind it, and a "stapling process" as a second binding process in which a "stapling needle" as a binding member is passed through a part of the paper stack Q to bind it. In addition to edge binding, which binds the ends of the paper stack Q, the binding processes that can be performed in the post-processing device 100 also include saddle stitching, which binds the center of the paper stack Q.

[0013] The post-processing device 100 mainly comprises transport roller pairs 10 to 19 and a switching claw 20 as a branching switching unit that selectively switches the transport direction of the paper P by the transport roller pairs 10 to 19. The transport roller pairs 10 to 19 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 200 in a predetermined direction inside the post-processing device 100. More specifically, the transport roller pairs 10 to 13 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 200 along a first transport path Ph1. The transport roller pairs 14 to 15 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 200 along a second transport path Ph2. The transport roller pairs 16 to 19 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming apparatus 200 along a third transport path Ph3.

[0014] Note that, as will be described later, the conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19 are each constituted by a pair of a driving roller 740 and a driven roller 730, and are configured to perform a conveyance operation of conveying the paper P at a set conveyance speed under the control of the post-processing control unit 150. That is, the conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19 correspond to a conveyance unit whose conveyance operation with respect to the paper P is controlled by the post-processing control unit 150. When the paper P passes through the nip formed by the driving roller 740 and the driven roller 730 included in the conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19, a conveyance force for conveying the paper P in a predetermined direction is applied by the conveyance roller pairs 10 to 19.

[0015] The first conveyance path Ph1 is a path from the supply port of the paper P from the image forming apparatus 200 to the second discharge tray 21. The second conveyance path Ph2 branches from the first conveyance path Ph1 between the conveyance roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveyance direction, and is a path that reaches the first discharge tray 31 via the internal tray 22. The third conveyance path Ph3 branches from the first conveyance path Ph1 between the conveyance roller pairs 11 and 14 in the conveyance direction, and is a path that reaches the third discharge tray 30.

[0016] The switching claw 20 is disposed at the branch position of the first conveyance path Ph1 and the second conveyance path Ph2. The switching claw 20 is configured to be switchable between a first position for discharging the paper P to the second discharge tray 21 through the first conveyance path Ph1 and a second position for guiding the paper P conveyed through the first conveyance path Ph1 to the second conveyance path Ph2. Further, when the trailing edge of the paper P that has entered the second conveyance path Ph2 passes through the conveyance roller pair 11, the conveyance roller pair 14 is rotated reversely, whereby the paper P is guided to the third conveyance path Ph3. Further, the post-processing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of conveyance sensors that detect the position of the paper P on the first conveyance path Ph1, the second conveyance path Ph2, and the third conveyance path Ph3. Note that the conveyance sensors, which are medium detection means for detecting the position of the paper P during conveyance, are indicated by black-filled triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

[0017] The post-processing device 100 includes a first discharge tray 31, a second discharge tray 21, and a third discharge tray 30. The second discharge tray 21 holds the paper P discharged through the first conveyance path Ph1. Among the papers P supplied from the image forming device 200, the papers P that are not subjected to the binding process are discharged onto the second discharge tray 21. Among the papers P supplied from the image forming device 200, the papers P subjected to the folding process with respect to the central position or the sheet bundles subjected to the middle binding process for binding the central position of the sheet bundle are discharged onto the third discharge tray 30. The first discharge tray 31 discharges the papers P supplied from the image forming device 200 that are not subjected to the binding process or those that have become sheet bundles by the binding process.

[0018] Further, the post-processing device 100 includes an internal tray 22 for stacking the papers P and aligning the ends in order to form a state where a plurality of sheets are stacked and bound. And it includes an end fence 23 for regulating and aligning the positions of the ends in the direction in which the papers P stacked on the internal tray 22 are conveyed. Also, it includes side fences 24 (constituted by a pair of a left side fence 24L and a right side fence 24R) for regulating and aligning the positions of the ends in the width direction of the papers P stacked on the internal tray 22.

[0019] Further, the post-processing device 100 includes a first binding processing unit 25 and a second binding processing unit 55 as sheet processing units. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23, the side fences 24, the first binding processing unit 25, and the second binding processing unit 55 perform an edge binding process on the paper P conveyed through the second conveyance path Ph2.

[0020] Hereinafter, the direction from the pair of conveyance rollers 15 toward the end fence 23 is defined as the "conveyance direction of the paper P". Also, the surface of the paper P and the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper P are defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)". Note that the conveyance direction of the paper P corresponds to the sub-scanning direction.

[0021] The first binding unit 25 is a processing unit equipped with a functional configuration for performing a pressure binding process as the first binding process. Pressure binding is a process in which a portion of the stacked paper P is bound by applying pressure and deforming it in the stacking direction. The second binding unit 55 is a processing unit equipped with a functional configuration for performing a staple binding process as the second binding process. Staple binding is a process in which a portion of the stacked paper P is bound using a needle-shaped member that penetrates in the stacking direction.

[0022] [Outline configuration of the first binding processing unit 25 and the second binding processing unit 55] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the first binding processing unit 25 and the second binding processing unit 55, and the main configuration by which they perform binding on a stack of paper Q. As shown in Figure 3, the paper P transported to the internal tray 22 is transported to a position where its leading edge in the transport direction abuts against the end fence 23. This restricts and aligns the position of the leading edge in the transport direction of the paper P loaded on the internal tray 22. Then, the first binding processing unit 25 or the second binding processing unit 55 performs binding on the stack of paper P loaded on the internal tray 22 with the leading edges in the transport direction aligned. In other words, the position where the leading edge in the transport direction is restricted by the end fence 23 corresponds to the position of the paper P when the binding process is performed.

[0023] The states of the first binding unit 25 and the second binding unit 55 shown in Figure 3 illustrate a state in which the binding process for the paper P is selected as "stapleless binding" (pressure binding) according to the binding content determined by the user's pre-settings. Therefore, when the paper P is transported to the internal tray 22, the second binding unit 55 is already in a standby state at an initial position (home position) that is different from the binding position. In this case, the standby position of the second binding unit 55 is not limited to the initial position, but can be anywhere within the range that the second binding unit 55 can move when executing the binding process.

[0024] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3, when the user has pre-configured the binding process for the paper P to be "stapleless binding" (pressure binding), the first binding processing unit 25, which performs the pressure binding process, is positioned appropriately for the binding type according to the setting when the paper P is transported to the internal tray 22.

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 3 are plan views showing the first binding unit 25 and the second binding unit 55, and the main configurations by which they perform binding on the paper stack Q. As shown in Figure 4, the crimp binding unit home position sensor 1530, which detects that the first binding unit 25 is in its initial position, and the staple binding unit home position sensor 1540, which detects that the second binding unit 55 is in its initial position, are respectively located on the outside of opposite ends in the width direction of the paper P. The first binding unit 25 is held so as to be slidable within a certain range in the width direction of the paper P along the first binding unit movement guide rail 253. The second binding unit 55 is held so as to be slidable within a range in the width direction of the paper P along the second binding unit movement guide rail 553.

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates how the second binding unit 55 binds the edges of the paper P by stapling. As illustrated in Figure 5(a), the second binding unit 55, which was in its initial position, moves along the second binding unit movement guide rail 553 and performs stapling at a predetermined binding position.

[0027] Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the paper stack Q at the stapled position. The staples 554 penetrate the paper stack Q in the stacking direction and clamp the paper stack Q between the top and bottom surfaces, thereby stapling the paper stack Q as a single unit.

[0028] Figure 6 illustrates how the first binding unit 25 binds the edges of the paper P by a pressure binding process. As illustrated in Figure 6(a), the first binding unit 25, which was in its initial position, moves along the first binding unit movement guide rail 253 and performs the pressure binding process at a predetermined binding position.

[0029] Figures 6(b) and 6(c) illustrate cross-sectional views of the paper stack Q at the crimping position and the crimping process. Figure 6(b) shows the state before crimping. The first binding section 25 is provided with a pair of crimping teeth 251 and 252. Paper P is aligned and stacked with these crimping teeth 251 and 252 spaced apart. Figure 6(b) illustrates how the crimping teeth 251 and 252 move closer together, clamping and pressing multiple sheets of paper P in the vertical direction, deforming them and thus performing the binding process.

[0030] Figure 7 shows the alignment operation when the paper P is transported to and loaded into the internal tray 26, and the side edges of the paper P are aligned. After the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 200 to the post-processing device 100 is transported to the internal tray 26, the leading edge in the transport direction is aligned, and then the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is aligned.

[0031] After the paper P is brought against the end fence 23, the side edges of multiple sheets of paper P loaded in the internal tray 26 can be aligned by driving a pair of side fences 24 (24R, 24L) located on the side edge side of the paper P.

[0032] [Example of control configuration] Next, the post-processing control unit 150, which controls the operation of the post-processing device 100, will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the post-processing control unit 150. As shown in Figure 8, the post-processing device 100 has a configuration in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1501, RAM (Random Access Memory) 1502, ROM (Read Only Memory) 1503, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1504, and I / F 1505 are connected via a common bus 1506.

[0033] The CPU 1501 is the arithmetic unit and controls the operation of the entire post-processing unit 100. The RAM 1502 is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information and is used as a workspace for the CPU 1501 when processing information. The ROM 1503 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium that stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 1504 is a non-volatile storage medium that allows reading and writing of information and has a large storage capacity, and stores the OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, etc.

[0034] The post-processing unit 100 processes control programs stored in the ROM 1503, information processing programs (application programs) loaded into the RAM 1502 from storage media such as the HDD 1504, etc., using the arithmetic functions of the CPU 1501. This processing constitutes a software control unit, which includes various functional modules of the post-processing unit 100. The combination of this software control unit and the hardware resources installed in the post-processing unit 100 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the post-processing unit 100.

[0035] In other words, the CPU 1501, RAM 1502, ROM 1503, and HDD 1504 constitute the post-processing control unit 150, which controls the operation of the post-processing device 100. The I / F 1505 is an interface that connects the transport motor 1516, the switching pawl motor 1517, the stapler motor 1518, the saddle stitch motor 1519, the crimping motor 1524, the jogger motor 1521, the crimping move motor 1522, and the stapler move motor 1523 to the common bus 1506. The post-processing control unit 150 operates the transport motor 1516 and the switching pawl motor 1517 via the I / F 1505 and acquires detection results from the speed detection sensor 1510 and the paper detection sensor 1520.

[0036] Furthermore, the post-processing control unit 150 controls the operation of the crimping and binding moving motor 1522 and controls the position and operation of the first binding processing unit 25, which is a crimping and binding unit, based on the detection result of the crimping and binding unit home position sensor 1530. In addition, the post-processing control unit 150 controls the operation of the staple binding moving motor 1523 and controls the position and operation of the second binding processing unit 55, which is a staple binding unit, based on the detection result of the staple binding unit home position sensor 1540.

[0037] Although Figure 8 only shows the components that perform edge stitching, the components that perform saddle stitching are similarly controlled by the post-processing control unit 150.

[0038] [Embodiment of conveying speed control in the post-processing device 100] Next, an embodiment of transport speed control that can be performed in the transport roller pairs 10 to 19 provided by the post-processing device 100 will be described. Figure 9(a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating two adjacent transport roller pairs 10 to 19. Hereinafter, the transport operation occurring between the upstream transport roller pair 710, located on the relative upstream side in a specific section of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19, and the downstream transport roller pair 720, located on the relative downstream side, will be explained as an example. The upstream transport roller pair 710 and the downstream transport roller pair 720 are arranged along the transport path with a predetermined distance between them. For example, the upstream transport roller pair 710 is transport roller pair 10 (inlet roller), and the downstream transport roller pair 720 is transport roller pair 11 (intermediate roller) (see Figure 3). Paper detection sensors 1520 for detecting the transported paper P are located near the upstream side of the upstream transport roller pair 710 and near the upstream side of the downstream transport roller pair 720.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(b), both the upstream conveying roller pair 710 and the downstream conveying roller pair 720 are composed of a drive roller 740 and a driven roller 730.

[0040] As shown in Figure 10, a speed detection sensor 1510 is provided on the driven roller 730 as a rotation detection means. When the upstream device of the post-processing device 100 (image forming apparatus 200) starts transporting paper P to the post-processing device 100, the image forming apparatus 200 notifies the post-processing device 100 of the start of transport. Upon receiving the notification of the start of transport, the post-processing device 100 drives the drive rollers 740 of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19.

[0041] When paper P is transported from upstream and enters the nip between the drive roller 740 and the driven roller 730, the rotation of the drive roller 740 imparts a transport force to the paper P, causing it to be transported downstream. This rotational drive of the drive roller 740 causes the driven roller 730 to rotate as the paper P is transported downstream. When the driven roller 730 rotates, a speed detection sensor 1510 located on the driven roller 730 detects the rotational speed of the driven roller 730 and sends it to the CPU 1501. The CPU 1501 calculates the transport speed of the paper P based on the rotational speed of the driven roller 730. In other words, when the transport speed of the paper P is detected by the speed detection sensor 1510, it can be determined that the paper P is in a transport state (being transported). Therefore, the speed detection sensor 1510 constitutes the transport detection unit.

[0042] In this embodiment, the calculated transport speed is referred to as the "calculated transport speed." Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport speed pre-set for the transport operation of the upstream transport roller pair 710 and the downstream transport roller pair 720, based on the transport speed setting information notified to the post-processing control unit 150 when the image forming apparatus 200 notifies of the start of transport, is referred to as the "set transport speed." Therefore, when the post-processing device 100 starts transport operation based on the notification from the image forming apparatus 200, the transport speed is set based on the information notified by the image forming apparatus 200. The transport speed set here correlates with the transport speed when the paper P is transported within the image forming apparatus 200.

[0043] [Functional blocks according to this embodiment] Next, a functional block diagram of the post-processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. Each functional block described below is realized by executing a control program stored in the ROM 1503 on the CPU 1501.

[0044] The post-processing control unit 150 includes a transport speed calculation means 151, a calculated transport speed determination means 152, a transport speed setting means 153, a transport motor control means 154, a paper determination means 155, and a jam detection means 156.

[0045] The transport speed calculation means 151 calculates the transport speed for each of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19 based on sensor information (detection information) from the speed detection sensors 1510 corresponding to each of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19. In this embodiment, the transport speed calculated by the transport speed calculation means 151 is referred to as the "calculated transport speed".

[0046] The calculated transport speed determination means 152 compares the calculated transport speed with the set transport speed that was pre-set for the transport operation of the transport roller pair 10 to 19. If the calculated transport speed is slower than the pre-set set transport speed, it notifies the transport speed setting means 153 of the calculated transport speed. If the calculated transport speed is approximately the same as the pre-set set transport speed, it notifies the transport speed setting means 153 of the set transport speed.

[0047] The transport speed setting means 153 sets the transport speed based on the transport speed setting information notified from the image forming apparatus 200 via the communication unit 1550 which constitutes the information notification unit, and notifies the transport motor control means 154 of the set transport speed (set transport speed). In addition, if the calculated transport speed is notified by the calculated transport speed determination means 152, the transport speed setting means 153 adjusts the set transport speed using the calculated transport speed and notifies the transport motor control means 154 of the adjusted set transport speed.

[0048] Furthermore, when the calculated transport speed is notified by the calculated transport speed determination means 152, the transport speed setting means 153 adjusts the set transport speed using the calculated transport speed and notifies the image forming apparatus 200 of the adjusted set transport speed. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 adjusts the transport speed related to the image forming transport section using the adjusted set transport speed.

[0049] The calculated transport speed is notified to the transport speed setting means 153 when the calculated transport speed is slower than the set transport speed. Therefore, if the transport speed (calculated transport speed) while transporting the paper P is slower than the preset transport speed, the transport speed is reset to a transport speed slower than the preset transport speed. This prevents subsequent paper P from colliding with preceding paper P when there are multiple sheets of paper P being transported in the transport unit, even if the transport speed of a preceding sheet of paper P is slower than the set transport speed. In other words, if the actual transport speed is slower than the set transport speed, the transport operation can be kept running by updating the setting to the actual transport speed. This suppresses paper jams and maintains the productivity of post-processing, thereby improving user convenience.

[0050] The transport motor control means 154 controls the transport operation of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19 based on information notified by the transport speed setting means 153. Here, the transport operation refers to the rotational operation of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19, which corresponds to the operation of rotating the drive rollers 740 in order to transport the paper P at a set (adjusted) transport speed. The transport motor control means 154 also rotates the corresponding drive rollers 740 in response to notifications from the paper determination means 155. Furthermore, if the transport motor control means 154 receives notification from the jam detection means 156 regarding the occurrence of a jam, it stops the rotational operation of all drive rollers 740.

[0051] The paper detection means 155 notifies the transport motor control means 154 that paper P is being transported to each of the transport roller pairs 10 to 19, based on the detection result from the paper detection sensor 1520.

[0052] The jam detection means 156 detects, based on the detection results of the speed detection sensor 1510 and the detection results of the paper detection sensor 1520, that the paper P is not being transported by the transport roller pair 10-19 and has stopped in the middle of the transport path.

[0053] [Processing flow according to this embodiment] Next, the flow of the transport control processing performed in the above functional block will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 12. First, when the printing process (image forming process) is started in the image forming apparatus 200, the image forming control unit 250 notifies the post-processing control unit 150 of the transport speed setting information, and the post-processing control unit 150 (transport speed setting means 153) acquires the transport speed information (S1201).

[0054] Next, the post-processing control unit 150 (transport motor control means 154) starts the operation of the transport roller pair 10-19 based on the transport speed information acquired in step S1201 (S1202).

[0055] Next, if the paper detection sensor 1520 corresponding to the transport roller pair 10-19 detects a sheet of paper P (S1203: Yes), the post-processing control unit 150 (transport speed calculation means 151) calculates the transport speed based on the detection information from the speed detection sensor 1510 on which the driven roller 730 of the corresponding transport roller pair 10-19 is installed. Then, it notifies the calculated transport speed determination means 152 (S1204).

[0056] In step S1203, if the paper detection sensors 1520 corresponding to the transport roller pairs 10 to 19 do not detect paper P (S1203: NO), the process is looped until any of the paper detection sensors 1520 detect paper P.

[0057] If the calculated transport speed is notified to the calculated transport speed determination means 152 in step S1204, it is compared with the transport speed (set transport speed) obtained in step S1201 (S1205). If the calculated transport speed is the same as the set transport speed (S1205: YES), the transport control process is terminated.

[0058] In step S1205, if the calculated transport speed is not the same as the set transport speed (S1205: NO), the speed detection sensors 1510 corresponding to the transport roller pairs 10-19 that are not operating at the same speed as the set transport speed detect the rotation of the driven roller 730 and determine whether or not the transport speed by those transport roller pairs 10-19 is detected (S1206). If the transport speed is not detected (S1206: NO), the jam detection process is executed (S1207). Details of the jam detection process will be described later.

[0059] If the transport speed is detected in step S1206 (S1206:YES), and the calculated transport speed calculated in step S1204 is higher than a predetermined threshold relative to the set transport speed (S1208:YES), the transport will continue at the set transport speed.

[0060] If the calculated transport speed calculated in step S1204 is not higher than a predetermined threshold relative to the set transport speed (S1208: NO), the transport speed setting means 153 adjusts the set transport speed using the calculated transport speed (S1209). The adjustment in step S1209 corresponds to updating the set transport speed so that the operating speed of the transport motor 1516 matches the calculated transport speed. Based on the set transport speed updated in step S1209, the transport motor 1516 is operated (S1210). That is, the paper P is transported at a speed slower than the initial set transport speed.

[0061] In step S1209, the image forming control unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200 is notified via the communication unit 1550 that the paper transport speed of the post-processing device 100 has become slower than the initially set transport speed. The calculated transport speed is also notified in this notification process. The image forming control unit 250 uses the notified calculated transport speed to control the transport operation of the paper P by the media transport unit. That is, if the transport speed in the post-processing device 100, which is a downstream device to the image forming apparatus 200, has slowed down, the transport speed of the paper P transported from the upstream device, the image forming apparatus 200, to the post-processing device 100 is also reduced to match the transport speed in the post-processing device 100. This allows the entire printer system 1 to continue operating without stopping the transport of paper P and while suppressing the occurrence of jams.

[0062] In step S1210, the transport operation of the paper P is performed by the transport roller pair 10-19, which is operating at a slower speed than the initially set transport speed. The transport operation determines whether all of the transported paper P has been ejected from the post-processing device 100 (S1211), and the transport operation continues until all of the paper P has been ejected (S1211). If all of the paper P has been ejected (S1211: YES), the paper P that could cause jams will no longer be retained inside the post-processing device 100, so the rotation speed of the transport motor 1516 is updated to match the initially set transport speed, and the transport speed of the transport roller pair 10-19 is accelerated (S1212).

[0063] Furthermore, in step S1212, if the transport speed by the transport roller pair 10-19 is accelerated, the communication unit 1550 notifies the image forming control unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200 that the transport speed of the paper P in the post-processing device 100 has returned to the initial set transport speed. The image forming control unit 250 updates the transport operation of the paper P by the media transport unit to be based on the set transport speed. That is, if the transport speed in the post-processing device 100, which is a downstream device to the image forming apparatus 200, has increased, the transport speed of the paper P transported from the upstream device, the image forming apparatus 200, to the post-processing device 100 is also accelerated to match the transport speed in the post-processing device 100. As a result, the entire printer system 1 can continue operation without stopping the transport of paper P, suppressing the occurrence of jams, and if the possibility of jams is avoided, the transport speed can be automatically returned to the initial setting.

[0064] As described above, the post-processing device 100 according to this embodiment can accurately determine the transport speed of the paper P by detecting the transport state of the paper P based on the operating status of the driven rollers 730 that constitute the transport roller pairs 10 to 19. Furthermore, if the actual transport speed of the paper P is slower than the set transport speed, the transport speed setting by the transport roller pairs 10 to 19 is changed so that the transport operation continues at the actual transport speed. This prevents subsequent sheets of paper P from colliding with preceding sheets of paper P that are being transported at a slower speed, thereby preventing transport jams. At this time, the transport speed in the upstream device, the image forming apparatus 200, can also be reset according to the updated transport speed of the post-processing device 100. This allows processing to continue without stopping the operation of the system linking the image forming apparatus 200 and the post-processing device 100, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity.

[0065] Furthermore, after slowing down the paper transport speed P in the post-processing device 100, the paper P remaining inside the post-processing device 100 (either just the paper P that triggered the slowdown, or all of it) can be discharged from the device, and then the transport speed can be automatically returned to the original speed. This makes it possible to maintain the productivity of image forming and post-processing without reducing the productivity of the entire system.

[0066] [Jam detection process] In step S1206, the jam detection process (S1207) that is executed when the calculated transport speed is zero (S1206:YES) will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 13.

[0067] First, in step S1205, it is determined whether the speed detection sensors 1510 corresponding to the transport roller pairs 10 to 19, which have been determined not to be traveling at the same transport speed as the set transport speed, are detecting the rotation of the driven roller 730, that is, whether the transport speed by those transport roller pairs 10 to 19 has not yet been detected (S1301).

[0068] If the speed detection sensor 1510 corresponding to the transport roller pair 10 to 19 detects the transport speed (S1301: YES), the process proceeds to step S1206.

[0069] If the speed detection sensor 1510 corresponding to the transport roller pair 10-19 does not detect the transport speed (S1301: NO), jam detection is initiated (S1302). During the period until jam detection is completed, the system monitors whether the detection result from the speed detection sensor 1510 remains zero (S1302: NO).

[0070] If a jam is detected (S1302: YES), the post-processing control unit 150 stops the operation of all transport motors 1516 (S1304).

[0071] Next, the post-processing control unit 150 notifies the image forming control unit 250 of the image forming apparatus 200 via the communication unit 1550 that it has stopped transporting the paper P in the post-processing device 100. The image forming control unit 250 stops the operation of the media transport unit to prevent the paper P from being discharged to the post-processing device 100. As a result, if a jam occurs, the transport of paper P can be stopped throughout the entire printer system 1.

[0072] As explained above, the post-processing device 100 does not determine whether paper P is being transported using the paper detection sensor 1520, but rather determines this based on the presence or absence of rotation, rotation speed, etc., of each driven roller 730. This allows the device to detect even slight paper P being transported, thereby suppressing the occurrence of transport abnormalities caused by paper jams of paper P located in positions not detected by the paper detection sensor 1520. Furthermore, the main unit and peripheral devices that detect an abnormal transport condition notify the entire system, and by reducing the transport speed of each unit, it is possible to prevent jams caused by subsequent paper collisions and provide a highly reliable system.

[0073] Furthermore, all of the embodiments described above are realized through the cooperation of the computer's hardware resources and computer software program provided by the control unit of the post-processing device 100. In other words, the control process is executed by the computer by having the arithmetic unit, memory device, input device, output device, and control device work together based on the program. The program may also be written to a memory device or storage medium and distributed, or distributed via telecommunication lines, etc.

[0074] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its technical essence. All technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above embodiments are 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.

[0075] [Aspects of the present invention] The contents of this invention are, for example, as follows: <1> A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium based on a set conveying speed, A transport detection unit that detects whether or not the transport unit is transporting the medium, A control unit that controls the transport operation related to the transport unit according to the detection result in the transport detection unit, Equipped with, The control unit, If the detection result indicates that the transport unit is transporting multiple media, The transport speed of one of the transporting media is calculated based on the detection result. Based on the calculated transport speed, the transport unit adjusts the set transport speed of other media being transported. This is a sheet processing device characterized by the following features. <2> The control unit, Based on the calculated transport speed of the first medium, the transport unit adjusts the set transport speed of all the media being transported. The aforementioned <1> This is the sheet processing device described above. <3> When adjusting the set transport speed, the control unit adjusts the transport force applied to the medium in the transport unit. The aforementioned <1> or <2> This is the sheet processing device described above. <4> The control unit, If the calculated transport speed is slower than the set transport speed, The set transport speed is reset according to the calculated transport speed. The aforementioned <1> or the above <3> The sheet processing device is one of the following: <5> The conveying section includes a pair of conveying rollers consisting of a drive roller and a driven roller, The transport detection unit includes rotation detection means for detecting the rotation of the driven roller, The control unit calculates the calculated transport speed based on the rotational speed of the driven roller detected by the rotation detection means. The aforementioned <1> or the above <4> The sheet processing device is one of the following: <6> An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, A sheet processing unit that performs binding on the medium, Equipped with, The sheet processing unit is the aforementioned <1> or the above <5> A sheet processing device described in any one of the following: This is an image forming system characterized by the following features. <7> The sheet processing unit includes an information notification unit that notifies the image forming unit of the calculated transport speed, The image forming unit adjusts the transport speed at which the medium is transported based on the calculated transport speed notified by the information notification unit. The aforementioned <6> This is the image forming system described in [reference]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1: Printer System 100: Post-processing equipment 150: Post-processing control unit 151: Means for calculating transport speed 152: Calculation and transport speed determination means 153: Conveying speed setting means 154: Conveyor motor control means 155: Paper determining means 156: Jam detection means 200: Image forming apparatus 250: Image Forming Control Unit 710: Upstream conveyor roller pair 720: Downstream conveyor roller pair 730: Driven roller 740: Drive roller 1510: Speed ​​detection sensor 1520: Paper detection sensor 1550: Communication Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0077] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-202388

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet-like medium based on a set conveying speed, A transport detection unit that detects whether or not the transport unit is transporting the medium, A control unit that controls the transport operation related to the transport unit according to the detection result in the transport detection unit, Equipped with, The control unit, If the detection result indicates that the transport unit is transporting multiple media, The transport speed of one of the transporting media is calculated based on the detection result. Based on the calculated transport speed, the transport unit adjusts the set transport speed of other media being transported. A sheet processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The control unit, Based on the calculated transport speed of the first medium, the transport unit adjusts the set transport speed of all the media being transported. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When adjusting the set transport speed, the control unit adjusts the transport force applied to the medium in the transport unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit, If the calculated transport speed is slower than the set transport speed, The set transport speed is reset according to the calculated transport speed. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The conveying section includes a pair of conveying rollers consisting of a drive roller and a driven roller, The transport detection unit includes rotation detection means for detecting the rotation of the driven roller, The control unit calculates the calculated transport speed based on the rotational speed of the driven roller detected by the rotation detection means. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, A sheet processing unit that performs binding on the medium, Equipped with, The sheet processing unit is the sheet processing device described in claim 1. An image forming system characterized by the following features.

7. The sheet processing unit includes an information notification unit that notifies the image forming unit of the calculated transport speed, The image forming unit adjusts the transport speed at which the medium is transported based on the calculated transport speed notified by the information notification unit. The image forming system according to claim 6.

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