Sheet ejection device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The objective is to obtain a sheet discharge device and an image forming apparatus that can align sheets while suppressing a decrease in sheet productivity, compared to a case where the sheet alignment is always the same regardless of whether or not there is sheet storage control by the storage unit. [Solution] The sheet discharge device comprises at least one processor, a transport unit that transports sheets along a transport path, a discharge unit from which the sheets are discharged, a storage unit provided in the middle of the transport path that temporarily stores the sheets, and an alignment unit provided in the discharge unit that aligns the sheets in a width direction intersecting the transport direction. The processor changes the way the alignment unit aligns the sheets depending on whether there is storage control to store the sheets in the storage unit or not.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, there are discharging means for discharging a conveyed sheet-like medium, stacking means for stacking the sheet-like medium discharged by this discharging means, and aligning means for contacting and aligning so as to sandwich an end face parallel to the discharging direction of the sheet-like medium of the discharging means of the sheet-like medium stacked on this stacking means, and sorting means for sorting the sheet-like medium by moving the stacking means or the aligning means by a predetermined amount in a shift direction orthogonal to the sheet-like medium discharging direction of the discharging means, and a returning means comprising a rotating body for aligning by abutting the sheet-like medium against a standing wall provided at the alignment position. A sheet-like medium aligning device is disclosed in which a plurality of detection means for detecting the upper surface position of the stacking means are provided corresponding to a plurality of different positions on the upper surface of the stacking means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in a configuration in which an aligning unit for aligning sheets is provided at a discharging unit where sheets are discharged, when aligning the sheets discharged one by one at the discharging unit with the aligning unit, the operation time of the aligning unit needs to be shorter than the conveyance interval of the sheets conveyed sequentially.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a sheet discharge device and an image forming apparatus that can align sheets while suppressing a decrease in sheet productivity compared to a case where the sheet alignment is always the same regardless of whether or not there is sheet storage control by a storage unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment comprises at least one processor, a transport unit that transports sheets along a transport path, a discharge unit from which the sheets are discharged, a storage unit provided in the middle of the transport path for temporarily storing the sheets, and an alignment unit provided in the discharge unit for aligning the sheets in a width direction intersecting the transport direction, wherein the processor changes the way the alignment unit aligns the sheets depending on whether or not there is storage control for storing the sheets in the storage unit.

[0007] The sheet discharge device according to the second embodiment is the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment, wherein the processor includes a first mode in which there is no storage control of the sheet, and in the first mode, the sheet is discharged to the discharge unit one sheet at a time, and the sheet alignment unit performs one sheet alignment on the two sheets discharged to the discharge unit.

[0008] The sheet discharge device according to the third embodiment is the sheet discharge device according to the second embodiment, wherein in the first mode, the processor controls the transport unit to hold the sheet in the middle of the transport path once for every two sheets transported along the transport path, to the extent that it does not interfere with the rear side of the sheet being transported.

[0009] The sheet discharge device according to the fourth embodiment is a sheet discharge device according to any one embodiment from the first to the third embodiment, wherein the processor has a second mode in which the storage control of the sheet is performed, and in the second mode, after storing the sheet in the storage unit, the stored sheet is discharged to the discharge unit together with a rear sheet that is being transported from the rear side of the sheet, and sheet alignment is performed by the alignment unit for each discharge.

[0010] The sheet discharge device according to the fifth embodiment is the sheet discharge device according to the fourth embodiment, wherein in the second mode, the processor stores at least two of the sheets stacked in the storage unit, then discharges the stacked sheets together with the rear sheet to the discharge unit, and performs sheet alignment by the alignment unit for each discharge.

[0011] The sheet discharge device according to the sixth embodiment is the sheet discharge device according to the fifth embodiment, wherein a collection section for temporarily accumulating the sheets is provided in the middle of the transport path, and in the second mode, the processor places the sheets on the collection section and then discharges the sheets from the collection section to the discharge section.

[0012] The sheet discharge device according to the seventh embodiment is the sheet discharge device according to the sixth embodiment, wherein the accumulation section is provided with another alignment section that aligns the sheets placed on the accumulation section in a width direction intersecting the transport direction.

[0013] The sheet discharge device according to the eighth embodiment is a sheet discharge device according to the second or third embodiment, wherein the processor executes the first mode when the sheet is longer than the length of the shorter side of an A4 size sheet, or when the basis weight of the sheet is greater than a specified basis weight.

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet discharge device according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments that transports the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the sheet discharge device of the first embodiment, the sheets can be aligned while suppressing a decrease in sheet productivity, compared to the case where the way the sheets are aligned is always the same regardless of whether or not there is sheet storage control by the storage unit.

[0016] According to the sheet discharging device according to the second aspect, the reduction in the productivity of the sheets is suppressed as compared with the case where sheet alignment is performed for each sheet discharged to the discharging unit.

[0017] According to the sheet discharging device according to the third aspect, the reduction in the productivity of the sheets is suppressed as compared with the case where the conveyance interval of the sheets is increased without waiting for the sheets in the middle of the conveyance path.

[0018] According to the sheet discharging device according to the fourth aspect, the reduction in the productivity of the sheets is suppressed as compared with the case where the conveyance interval of the sheets is increased without storing the sheets in the storage unit.

[0019] According to the sheet discharging device according to the fifth aspect, the reduction in the productivity of the sheets is suppressed as compared with the case where only one sheet is stored in the storage unit.

[0020] According to the sheet discharging device according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to secure the operation time of sheet alignment by the sheet alignment unit of the pre-sheet that conveys the front side of the sheet as compared with the case where the sheet is stored only in the storage unit.

[0021] According to the sheet discharging device according to the seventh aspect, the sheets can be aligned in the stacking unit before being discharged to the discharging unit as compared with the case where sheet alignment is not performed in the stacking unit.

[0022] According to the sheet discharging device according to the eighth aspect, the reduction in the productivity of the sheets is suppressed as compared with the case where the first mode is executed without specifying the type of the sheet.

[0023] According to the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the sheets can be aligned while suppressing the reduction in the productivity of the sheets as compared with the case where the method of aligning the sheets is always the same regardless of the presence or absence of sheet storage control by the storage unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system including a sheet discharging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a configuration diagram showing a sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control device of the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the conveyance control process of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the process by non-implementation of the buffer of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] In an image forming system including the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment, it is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a sheet member is in a standby state. [Figure 8] In an image forming system including the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment, it is a schematic diagram showing the conveyance states of a plurality of sheet members to be conveyed in order. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the first process by implementation of the buffer of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] In an image forming system including the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment, it is a configuration diagram showing a state in which a sheet member is stored in a buffer path. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the second process by implementation of the buffer of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the third process by implementation of the buffer of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] In an image forming system including the sheet discharge device according to the second embodiment, it is a configuration diagram showing a state in which two sheet members are in a standby state.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] An example of a sheet ejection device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, in each figure, the direction indicated by arrow X (X direction) is the width direction of the apparatus, and the direction indicated by arrow Z (Z direction) is the height direction of the apparatus. In addition, in each figure, the direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, respectively (Y direction), is indicated by arrow Y as the depth direction of the apparatus.

[0026] [First Embodiment] <Overall configuration of the image forming system> Figure 1 shows an image forming system 10 equipped with a sheet ejection device 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 10 includes, as an example, an image forming apparatus body 20 that forms an image, and a post-processing device 30 that performs post-processing on the sheet member P on which the image has been recorded by the image forming apparatus body 20. The post-processing device 30 includes a sheet ejection device 100, which will be described later. The sheet member P is an example of a sheet. For example, paper can be used as the sheet member P. Furthermore, the image forming system 10 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus body 20 is an example of an image forming unit.

[0027] <Image forming apparatus main unit> The image forming apparatus body 20 includes a paper feeding unit 22 that supplies a sheet member P to a transport path 21, and a forming unit 24 that forms an image on the sheet member P supplied from the paper feeding unit 22. The forming unit 24 includes a charger 25B that charges the outer surface of the photoreceptor 25A, an exposure unit 25C that exposes the outer surface of the photoreceptor 25A based on image information, and a developer 25D that develops the latent image of the exposed photoreceptor 25A with toner (forms a toner image).

[0028] Furthermore, the forming unit 24 includes an intermediate transfer belt 26 that is circumferentially movable, a primary transfer roll 27 that first transfers the toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 26, and a secondary transfer roll 28 that secondarily transfers the toner image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 26 onto the sheet member P. In addition, the forming unit 24 includes a fixing unit 29 that fixes the toner image that has been secondarily transferred onto the sheet member P. For example, the forming unit 24 uses four toner images, and each color is provided with a photoreceptor 25A, a charger 25B, a developer 25D, and a primary transfer roll 27.

[0029] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus main unit 20 includes a control device 14 that comprehensively manages and controls the operation of each part of the image forming system 10, and an operation panel 16 that is operated by the user. The operation panel 16 is, for example, a touch panel display that displays an operation menu, accepts operation instructions such as processing requests from the user, and displays selection information for the user and the operating status of the apparatus.

[0030] <Post-processing equipment> The post-processing device 30 has multiple units that receive sheet members P output from the image forming apparatus main unit 20 and perform predetermined post-processing on the received sheet members P. Specifically, the post-processing device 30 has a first unit 40, a second unit 50, and a third unit 60 equipped with a sheet discharge device 100, which are arranged in the X direction in the order of transporting the sheet members P.

[0031] (Unit 1) The first unit 40 is connected to the sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body 20, receives the sheet material P output from the image forming apparatus main body 20, performs a curl correction process described later, and then transports the sheet material P to the second unit 50. The first unit 40 also has a curl correction processing unit 42 that applies curl correction to the sheet material P, and a sheet supply unit 44 that separately stores a sheet material that will serve as the cover (not shown) and supplies (adds) it as the cover of the booklet.

[0032] The curl correction processing unit 42 has a sponge roll 43 with a nip formed on it so that it bites into the thinner rolls 45 and 46. The curl correction processing unit 42 corrects the curl of the sheet member P, which has curled due to heating and pressurizing during toner fusion and fixing in the image forming apparatus body 20, by sandwiching it between the sponge roll 43 and roll 45, and the sponge roll 43 and roll 46.

[0033] The sheet supply unit 44 has a paper feed tray 47 for placing cardboard (including laminated paper, etc.) for covers, which is provided on the top of the housing of the first unit 40, and a feeding mechanism 48 for feeding out the cardboard one sheet at a time from the paper feed tray 47. The cardboard supplied by the sheet supply unit 44 is then transported to the second unit 50 through a sheet guide path 49 provided inside the first unit 40.

[0034] (Unit 2) The second unit 50 is connected to the sheet discharge port of the first unit 40, receives the sheet material P (including cardboard) output from the first unit 40, performs the folding process described later, and then transports the sheet material P to the third unit 60. If folding is not required for the sheet material P, the second unit 50 transports the sheet material P to the third unit 60 without processing. The second unit 50 also has a folding processing unit 52 that performs the folding process on the sheet material P.

[0035] The folding section 52 has a first folding section 54 for performing the first folding process and a second folding section 56 for performing the second folding process. The first folding section 54 and the second folding section 56 each have an end guide 57 for holding the sheet member P and a folding roll 58 for folding the sheet member P. In the folding section 52, the folding position is changed by moving the end guides 57 forward and backward in the first folding section 54 and the second folding section 56. The folding section 52 also has a folder tray 59 that can be pulled out to the outside.

[0036] (Unit 3) The third unit 60 includes a hole punching section 62 for punching holes in the sheet members P as needed, a sheet discharge device 100, and a binding function section 64 for saddle stitching and binding bundles of sheet members P. Furthermore, the third unit 60 includes a stapling mechanism section 160, which will be described later, for binding the aligned bundles of sheet members P.

[0037] <Main part configuration> Next, the sheet discharge device 100 will be described.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the sheet discharge device 100 includes a transport unit 102 that transports the sheet members P along a transport path 101, and a buffer path 104 that temporarily stores the sheet members P along the transport path 101. The sheet discharge device 100 also includes a stacker tray 106 to which the sheet members P after each processing is completed are discharged, and a tamper 108 that aligns the sheet members P discharged into the stacker tray 106 (see Figure 2). The sheet discharge device 100 also includes a moving unit 110 (a so-called offset means) that moves the stacker tray 106 in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet members P (in this embodiment, the sheet depth direction). Here, the buffer path 104 is an example of a storage unit, and the stacker tray 106 is an example of a discharge unit. The tamper 108 is an example of an alignment unit.

[0039] Furthermore, the sheet discharge device 100 includes a compile tray 112 for temporarily accumulating sheet members P along the transport path 101, and a second tamper 114 for aligning the sheet members P placed on the compile tray 112. The compile tray 112 is located downstream of the buffer path 104 in the transport direction of the sheet members P along the transport path 101. In addition, the sheet discharge device 100 includes a control unit 116 for controlling the operation of each component of the sheet discharge device 100. Here, the compile tray 112 is an example of an accumulation unit, and the second tamper 114 is an example of another alignment unit.

[0040] (Transportation section) The transport unit 102 is equipped with a plurality of transport rolls 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124 that transport the sheet material P along the transport path 101. Each of the transport rolls 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124 is equipped with a pair of rolls that sandwich and transport the sheet material P, and is arranged at intervals along the transport path 101.

[0041] The transport rolls 120 and 121 are positioned upstream of the sheet member P in the transport direction relative to the point where the transport path 101 branches off from the buffer path 104. The transport rolls 120 and 121 transport the sheet member P in the normal transport direction (direction of arrow A) by rotation. In the first mode, which will be described later and does not use the buffer path 104, the configuration is such that the sheet member P is put into standby by stopping the rotation of the transport roll 121.

[0042] The transport rolls 122 and 123 are positioned above the buffer path 104 and downstream of the sheet member P in the transport direction relative to the point where the transport path 101 branches off from the buffer path 104. The transport rolls 122 and 123 transport the sheet member P in the normal transport direction (arrow A direction) by rotating in the forward direction. In the second mode, which uses the buffer path 104 described later, the transport rolls 122 and 123 are rotated in the opposite direction to the forward direction, and the sheet member P is switched back in the reverse direction to transport the sheet member P to the buffer path 104 (see Figure 10).

[0043] Furthermore, in the first mode, which does not use the buffer path 104, the conveyor roll 122 stops rotating, causing the sheet member P to wait in the standby position W1 (see Figure 7).

[0044] The transport roll 124 is positioned above the compile tray 112. The transport roll 124 rotates to transport the sheet material P in the normal transport direction (direction of arrow A).

[0045] (buffer path) The buffer path 104 has the function of temporarily storing the sheet members P being transported along the transport path 101. As shown in Figure 3, the buffer path 104 is provided with transport rolls 130 for transporting the sheet members P. For example, the buffer path 104 branches off from the transport path 101 midway in the vertical direction (in this embodiment, midway through the transport of the sheet members P from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction) and extends downward. That is, the buffer path 104 is arranged along the vertical direction.

[0046] In the second mode, described later, which uses the buffer path 104, the transport rolls 122 and 123 are rotated in the opposite direction, and the transport roll 130 is also rotated in the opposite direction. This causes the sheet material P that has been transported to the transport rolls 122 and 123 to be switched back in the opposite direction to the normal transport direction (direction of arrow A), thereby storing the sheet material P in the buffer path 104 (see Figure 10). By temporarily storing the sheet material P in the buffer path 104, the transport of the sheet material P discharged to the stacker tray 106 is delayed compared to when the buffer path 104 is not used. When the sheet material P is stored in the buffer path 104, a part of the sheet material P (in this embodiment, the upper part of the sheet material P shown in Figure 10) is located in the transport path 101, and the sheet material P is sandwiched between the transport rolls 122.

[0047] For example, the buffer path 104 is configured to store up to two sheet members P. One or more sheet members P stored in the buffer path 104 are returned to the transport path 101 from the buffer path 104 by rotating the transport rolls 122 and 123 in the forward direction, and also by rotating the transport roll 130 in the forward direction. The sheet members P are then transported along the transport path 101 in the normal transport direction (direction of arrow A).

[0048] For example, if the length of the sheet member P is longer than the length of the shorter side of an A4 size, or if the basis weight of the sheet member P is greater than a specified basis weight, the sheet member P may not be stored in the buffer path 104. In the sheet discharge device 100 of this embodiment, the sheet member P can be stored in the buffer path 104 if the sheet member P satisfies all of the following conditions (1) to (3). (1) The length of the sheet member P in the transport direction is 182 mm or more and 216 mm or less. (2) The width of the sheet member P in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is 257 mm or more and 297 mm or less. (3) The basis weight of the sheet material P is 52 gsm or more and 106 gsm or less.

[0049] (Stacker tray and moving parts) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stacker tray 106 has the function of discharging sheet members P after images have been formed by the image forming apparatus body 20 (see Figure 1) and each processing has been completed. The stacker tray 106 protrudes outward from the housing 140 that constitutes the sheet discharge device 100. Sheet members P discharged to the outside from the housing 140 are stacked on the stacker tray 106. As an example, the surface of the buffer path 104 from which the sheet members P are discharged is inclined such that the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet members P is higher than the upstream side. The stacker tray 106 is made movable up and down in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow by a lifting mechanism (not shown) located inside the housing 140.

[0050] On the housing 140 side of the stacker tray 106, there is an discharge roll 125 for discharging the sheet material P into the stacker tray 106. The discharge roll 125 is a single roll and is positioned opposite the upper end of the compile tray 112.

[0051] The stacker tray 106 is movable by the moving part 110 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet member P (in this embodiment, the depth direction of the device). Although not shown in the figures, the moving part 110 is configured to move the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device by means of a cam, for example.

[0052] (Tampa) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tamper 108 has the function of aligning the sheet material P discharged onto the stacker tray 106 in the width direction intersecting the transport direction. The tamper 108 comprises tamper bodies 108A and 108B arranged as a pair on the upper side of the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device (arrow Y direction), i.e., in the width direction of the sheet material P. The tamper bodies 108A and 108B are configured to be symmetrical in the depth direction of the device.

[0053] The tamper bodies 108A and 108B each include a plate-shaped portion 142 arranged vertically, an arm 143 extending from the plate-shaped portion 142 toward the housing 140, and a rotating portion 144 provided at the end of the arm 143 opposite to the plate-shaped portion 142 in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 3). The rotating portion 144 rotates the arm 143 and the plate-shaped portion 142 vertically. The tamper 108 includes a drive unit 146 that moves the tamper bodies 108A and 108B in the depth direction of the device (arrow Y direction) so as to sandwich the sheet member P. The tamper 108 also includes a retraction portion 148 (see Figure 4) that moves the tamper bodies 108A and 108B upward relative to the stacker tray 106 by rotating the rotating portion 144. The retraction portion 148 is, for example, a motor that rotates the rotating portion 144.

[0054] When the tamper 108 needs to align the sheet material P discharged onto the stacker tray 106 in the width direction, the tamper body 108A and 108B are rotated by the rotating part 144 in a direction that brings them closer to the stacker tray 106. Then, the drive unit 146 moves the tamper body 108A and 108B in the depth direction of the device (arrow Y direction), thereby aligning the sheet material P on the stacker tray 106 in the width direction.

[0055] Furthermore, the tamper 108 rotates its rotating part 144 by the retraction part 148, thereby rotating the tamper bodies 108A and 108B upward relative to the stacker tray 106. This retracts the tamper bodies 108A and 108B away from the stacker tray 106. For example, when the moving part 110 moves the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device, the retraction part 148 rotates the tamper bodies 108A and 108B upward relative to the stacker tray 106 so that they do not interfere with the sheet members P loaded on the stacker tray 106.

[0056] (Compile tray and second tamper) As shown in Figure 3, the compile tray 112 has the function of temporarily accumulating the sheet members P on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the sheet members P relative to the stacker tray 106. The upper surface of the compile tray 112 is inclined such that the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet members P is higher in the device height direction (arrow Z direction) than the upstream side.

[0057] The lower side of the compile tray 112 is provided with an end wall portion 150 against which the sheet member P abuts vertically. The upper side of the compile tray 112 is provided with two paddles 151 and 152 that move the sheet member P in the direction of abutting against the end wall portion 150. The paddles 151 and 152 are positioned at intervals on the upper and lower sides of the compile tray 112. The sheet member P placed on the compile tray 112 is abutted against the end wall portion 150 by the rotation of the paddles 151 and 152, thereby aligning the vertical direction of the sheet member P.

[0058] For example, the compile tray 112 is configured to store multiple sheet members P (for example, up to 100 sheets). In the sheet discharge device 100, for example, the sheet members P are transported to the compile tray 112 by the rotation of the transport roll 124. In the compile tray 112, the sheet members P are transported in a direction that abuts against the end wall portion 150 by the rotation of the discharge roll 125 in the opposite direction and the rotation of the paddles 151 and 152, thereby placing the sheet members P onto the compile tray 112.

[0059] The second tamper 114, positioned above the compile tray 112, has the function of aligning the sheet members P placed on the compile tray 112 in the width direction intersecting the transport direction. Although not shown in the figures, the second tamper 114 comprises a pair of tamper bodies arranged in the depth direction of the device. The pair of tamper bodies are moved in the depth direction of the device by a drive unit (not shown), thereby aligning the sheet members P on the compile tray 112 in the width direction.

[0060] Furthermore, the multiple sheet members P accumulated in the compile tray 112 can be fastened together (i.e., stapled) by the stapling mechanism 160 while they are abutting against the end wall portion 150. Post-processing by the stapling mechanism 160 is performed when the stapling process is accepted by the control unit 116.

[0061] (Control Unit) Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the control unit 116.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 116 has the following components: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213, storage 214, and an input / output interface (I / O) 215. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 219 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0063] The CPU 211 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various parts. Specifically, the CPU 211 reads a program from the ROM 212 or storage 214 and executes the program using the RAM 213 as a working area. The CPU 211 controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 212 or storage 214. In this embodiment, the transport processing program is stored in the ROM 212 or storage 214.

[0064] ROM212 stores various programs and data. RAM213 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage214 ​​consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the transport processing system, and various data.The printer driver program is stored in storage214.CPU211 reads the printer driver program from storage214 ​​and functions as a printer driver by executing the program.

[0065] The input / output interface 215 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals to other components. In this embodiment, the input / output interface 215 is connected to the buffer motor 221, the standby motor 222, the transport motor group 223, the tamper 108, and the moving unit 110 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The CPU 211 controls the operation of the buffer motor 221, the standby motor 222, the transport motor group 223, the tamper 108, and the moving unit 110.

[0066] The buffer motor 221 rotates the transport rolls 122 and 123 in the forward direction, in the reverse direction, or stops the rotation. For example, the buffer motor 221 rotates the transport rolls 122 and 123 in the reverse direction to store the sheet material P in the buffer path 104.

[0067] The standby motor 222 rotates (rotates in the forward direction) or stops the rotation of the conveyor roll 121. For example, when the standby motor 222 stops the rotation of the conveyor roll 121 and the buffer motor 221 stops the rotation of the conveyor roll 122, the sheet material P is kept in standby position W1.

[0068] The transport motor group 223 rotates the transport rolls 120, 124, etc. (rotates in the forward direction) in order to transport the sheet material P in the normal transport direction (direction of arrow A).

[0069] In this embodiment, the control unit 116 changes the way the tamper 108 aligns the sheet members P depending on whether there is storage control to store the sheet members P in the buffer path 104 or not. More specifically, the control unit 116 has a first mode in which there is no storage control to store the sheet members P in the buffer path 104, and a second mode in which there is storage control to store the sheet members P in the buffer path 104. That is, the first mode is a mode in which the buffer path 104 is not used, and the second mode is a mode in which the buffer path 104 is used.

[0070] For example, the control unit 116 executes the second mode when the sheet member P is longer than the length of the shorter side of an A4 size, or when the basis weight of the sheet member P is greater than a predetermined basis weight. In this embodiment, the control unit 116 executes the second mode when the sheet member P satisfies all of the following conditions (1) to (3) to determine that the sheet member P is the sheet member P to be buffered and stored in the buffer path 104 (see "sheet member P4" in Figure 10). That is, if the sheet member P does not satisfy one or more of the following conditions (1) to (3), the first mode is executed. (1) The length of the sheet member P in the transport direction is 182 mm or more and 216 mm or less. (2) The width of the sheet member P in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is 257 mm or more and 297 mm or less. (3) The basis weight of the sheet material P is 52 gsm or more and 106 gsm or less.

[0071] In the first mode, the control unit 116 discharges one sheet member P to the stacker tray 106 and performs one sheet member alignment on the two sheet members P discharged to the stacker tray 106 using the tamper 108. Here, sheet member alignment is an example of sheet alignment. This aligns the two sheet members P in the width direction. As an example, in the first mode, when the control unit 116 transports the sheet members P along the transport path 101, it discharges the sheet members P to the stacker tray 106 without passing through the compile tray 112 (bypassing the compile tray 112).

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, in the first mode, the control unit 116 waits in the middle of the transport path 101 once for every two sheet members P being transported along the transport path 101, until it does not interfere with the rear sheet member P (see "rear sheet member P2" in Figure 7) being transported behind the sheet member P1 (see "rear sheet member P2" in Figure 7). In this embodiment, the control unit 116 controls the standby motor 222 and the buffer motor 221 to stop the rotation of the transport rolls 121 and 122, and makes the sheet member P1 wait at the standby position W1. Here, the rear sheet member P2 is an example of a rear sheet.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, in the second mode, the control unit 116 stores the sheet member P to be buffered (see "sheet member P4" in Figure 10) in the buffer path 104. For example, when the sheet member P4 is transported to the position of the transport rolls 122 and 123, the control unit 116 uses the buffer motor 221 to rotate the transport rolls 122 and 123 in the opposite direction to the forward rotation, thereby storing the sheet member P4 in the buffer path 104. After that, the control unit 116 discharges the stored sheet member P4 together with the rear sheet member (not shown) that is being transported behind the sheet member P4 into the stacker tray 106, and performs sheet member alignment with the tamper 108 for each discharge. Here, the rear sheet member is an example of a rear sheet. As a result, at least two sheet members P are aligned in the width direction.

[0074] . In addition, in the second mode, the control unit 116 may stack and store at least two sheet members P4 in the buffer path 104, then discharge the stacked sheet members P4 together with a rear sheet member (not shown) into the stacker tray 106, and perform sheet member alignment with the tamper 108 for each discharge. This ensures that at least three sheet members P are aligned in the width direction.

[0075] . In addition, in the second mode, the control unit 116 may place the sheet members P on the compile tray 112 and then discharge the sheet members P from the compile tray 112 to the stacker tray 106. The compile tray 112 may also be aligned by a tamper 114.

[0076] <effect> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0077] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sheet member P transport process by the control unit 116. In the control unit 116, the CPU 211 reads the transport process program from the ROM 212 or storage 214, loads it into the RAM 213, and executes it to perform the transport process. In this embodiment, a sheet member P is used as an example of a sheet, and in Figure 5 and other flowcharts (Figures 6, 9, 11, and 12), the sheet member P may be referred to as a sheet. Also, a stacker tray 106 is used as an example of a discharge unit, and the stacker tray 106 may be referred to as a discharge unit.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5, when the transport process of the sheet member P begins, the CPU 211 determines whether the sheet member P is subject to storage control by the buffer path 104 (i.e., a sheet member P to be buffered) (step S301). For example, the CPU 211 determines that the sheet member P is a sheet member P to be buffered and stored in the buffer path 104 if it satisfies all of the above conditions (1) to (3). If the sheet member P is a sheet member P to be buffered and stored in the buffer path 104, the second mode is executed.

[0079] If sheet member P is not a sheet member P to be buffered (step S301: NO), the CPU 211 executes processing without buffering (step S302). In this embodiment, if sheet member P is not a sheet member P to be buffered and stored in the buffer path 104, the first mode is executed.

[0080] If sheet member P is a sheet member P to be buffered (step S301: YES), the CPU 211 determines whether the set of sheet members P is 3 or more (step S303). Here, the set number refers to the number of sheet members P discharged to the stacker tray 106 in one set (for example, one job set).

[0081] If the set of sheet members P is three or more (step S303: YES), the CPU 211 executes a buffering process to store two sheet members P in the buffer path 104 (step S304).

[0082] If the number of sheet members P in the set is not three or more (step S303: NO), the CPU 211 determines whether the number of sheet members P in the set is two or more (step S305).

[0083] If the set of sheet members P is two or more (step S305: YES), the CPU 211 executes a buffering process to store one sheet member P in the buffer path 104 (step S306).

[0084] If the set of sheet members P is not two or more (step S305: NO), the CPU 211 executes a buffer cancellation process (step S307). For example, the buffer cancellation process involves temporarily storing one sheet member P in the buffer path 104, then placing the sheet member P on the compile tray 112, and finally ejecting the sheet member P to the stacker tray 106.

[0085] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when buffering is not performed by the control unit 116.

[0086] As shown in Figure 6, when processing of the sheet member P without buffering begins, the CPU 211 transports the sheet member P in the discharge direction, that is, in the transport direction (arrow A direction) along the transport path 101 (step S321).

[0087] The CPU 211 determines whether the sheet member P is the set last (step S322). Here, the set last is the sheet member P that is discharged last into the stacker tray 106 when multiple sheet members P are transported sequentially in one set (for example, one job set). For example, if the set consists of three sheet members P, the third sheet member P will be the last to be discharged into the stacker tray 106.

[0088] If sheet member P is not set last (step S322: NO), the CPU 211 determines whether the sheet member P to be discharged is an even number (step S323).

[0089] If the sheet member P is the last sheet (step S322: YES), or if the sheet member P to be discharged is an even number (step S323: YES), the CPU 211 discharges the sheet member P to the stacker tray 106, which is an example of a discharge unit (step S324). At this time, the CPU 211 discharges the sheet member P being transported along the transport path 101 to the stacker tray 106 without passing through the compile tray 112.

[0090] Next, the CPU 211 performs widthwise alignment of the sheet members P discharged into the stacker tray 106 using the tamper 108 (step S325). As a result, widthwise alignment of the sheet members P is performed by the tamper 108 for even-numbered sheet members P discharged into the stacker tray 106. Also, if the sheet member P is the last to be discharged (i.e., the last sheet member P to be discharged), widthwise alignment of the sheet member P is performed by the tamper 108 for the sheet member P discharged into the stacker tray 106.

[0091] If the number of sheet members P to be discharged is not an even number (step S323: NO), the CPU 211 places the sheet member P into standby position W1 inside the sheet discharge device 100 (step S326). That is, when the number of sheet members P to be discharged is an odd number, the sheet member P is placed into standby position W1 inside the sheet discharge device 100 (see "Sheet Member P1" shown in Figure 7).

[0092] The CPU 211 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S327). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S327: NO), the CPU 211 waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. In this embodiment, the sheet member P1 shown in Figure 7 is made to wait at the waiting position W1 until a predetermined time has elapsed. For example, the predetermined time is the time during which the sheet member P1 does not interfere with the rear sheet member P2 being transported behind it.

[0093] Figure 8 schematically shows the transport interval of multiple sheet members P discharged to the stacker tray 106, with the horizontal axis representing time (t). As shown in Figure 8, when multiple sheet members P are transported sequentially in the discharge direction, the transport of the sheet members P is delayed compared to the normal discharge time (see upper section in Figure 8) when the sheet member P being discharged is an odd number (see the 1st and 3rd sheet members in Figure 8) (see lower section in Figure 8). As a result, the transport interval between the 2nd sheet member P and the 3rd sheet member P (sheet member P1 shown in Figure 7) becomes longer than the normal transport interval. Therefore, a longer time T1 is ensured between the 2nd and 3rd sheet members P being discharged to the stacker tray 106.

[0094] If the specified time has elapsed (step S327: YES), the CPU 211 discharges the sheet material P into the stacker tray 106 (step S328). At this time, the CPU 211 discharges the sheet material P into the stacker tray 106 without passing through the compile tray 112.

[0095] The CPU 211 does not perform sheet alignment with the tamper 108 on the sheet members P discharged into the stacker tray 106 (step S329). As a result, sheet alignment with the tamper 108 is not performed on odd-numbered sheet members P, except when they are the last sheet members to be discharged. In other words, as a general rule, sheet alignment with the tamper 108 is not performed on odd-numbered sheet members P when they are discharged into the stacker tray 106, but if an odd-numbered sheet member P is the last sheet member to be discharged, that is, if it is the last sheet member P to be discharged, then sheet alignment with the tamper 108 is performed. This completes the processing without buffering based on the transport processing program.

[0096] In the buffer-free processing shown in Figure 6, odd-numbered sheet members P (shown as "sheet member P1" in Figure 7) are kept waiting at the standby position W1. As shown in Figure 8, a long time T1 is ensured between the second and third sheet members P being discharged into the stacker tray 106. Therefore, the tamper 108 can perform sheet alignment operations in the width direction of the sheet members P between the second and third sheet members P. Furthermore, the increased time T1 between the second and third sheet members P being discharged into the stacker tray 106 allows for operations such as retracting the tamper 108 or moving the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device.

[0097] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when the control unit 116 performs two-buffer operation.

[0098] As shown in Figure 9, when processing of the sheet member P using the two buffers begins, the CPU 211 stores the sheet member P in the two buffer path 104 (step S341). For example, as shown in Figure 10, two sheet members P (see "sheet member P4" shown in Figure 10) are temporarily stored in the buffer path 104.

[0099] The CPU 211 determines whether the sheet member P is the set last (step S342). As described above, the set last is the sheet member P that is discharged last into the stacker tray 106 when multiple sheet members P are sequentially transported in one set (for example, one job set).

[0100] If sheet material P is set last (step S342: YES), the CPU 211 determines whether the set number is divisible by 3 (step S343). As described above, the set number refers to the number of sheet material P sheets discharged into the stacker tray 106 in one set (for example, one job set).

[0101] If the number of sheets in a set is divisible by 3 (step S343: YES), the CPU 211 discharges the sheet members P in sets of three to the stacker tray 106 (step S344). For example, two sheet members P stored in the buffer path 104 are stacked together with one sheet member P transported after them in the compile tray 112 as a set of three, and then the sheet members P are discharged in sets of three to the stacker tray 106. When the sheet members P are stacked in the compile tray 112, the tamper 114 may be used to align the sheet members P in the width direction.

[0102] If the sheet member P is not set last (step S342: NO), the CPU 211 performs the process in step S344.

[0103] If the number of sets is not divisible by 3 (step S343: NO), the CPU 211 determines whether the remainder when the number of sets is divided by 3 is 2 or not (step S345).

[0104] If the remainder when the number of sheets in a set is divided by 3 is 2 (step S345: YES), the CPU 211 discharges the sheet members P in sets of 5 to the stacker tray 106 (step S346). For example, two sheet members P stored in the buffer path 104 are stacked together with three sheet members P that are transported later to form a total of 5 sheets in the compile tray 112, and then the sheet members P are discharged in sets of 5 to the stacker tray 106. When the sheet members P are stacked in the compile tray 112, the tamper 114 may perform sheet alignment to align the sheet members P in the width direction.

[0105] If the remainder when the number of sheets in a set is divided by 3 is not 2 (step S345: NO), the CPU 211 discharges the sheet members P in sets of 4 to the stacker tray 106 (step S347). In other words, if the remainder when the number of sheets in a set is divided by 3 is not 2, it means that the remainder when the number of sheets in a set is divided by 3 is 1. For example, two sheet members P stored in the buffer path 104 are stacked together with two more sheet members P that are transported later to form a total of 4 sheets in the compile tray 112, and then the sheet members P are discharged in sets of 4 to the stacker tray 106. When the sheet members P are stacked in the compile tray 112, the tamper 114 may be used to align the sheet members P in the width direction.

[0106] After the processing in step S344, step S346, or step S347, the CPU 211 uses the tamper 108 to align the multiple sheet members P discharged onto the stacker tray 106 in the width direction (step S348). This completes the processing based on the two-sheet buffer implementation according to the transport processing program.

[0107] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when the control unit 116 performs single-sheet buffering.

[0108] As shown in Figure 11, when processing of the sheet member P using a single buffer begins, the CPU 211 stores the sheet member P in the single buffer path 104 (step S351). For example, as shown in Figure 10, one sheet member P (see "sheet member P4" shown in Figure 10) is temporarily stored in the buffer path 104.

[0109] The CPU 211 discharges the sheet members P in sets of two to the stacker tray 106 (step S352). For example, one sheet member P stored in the buffer path 104 is stacked with another sheet member P transported after it in the compile tray 112, and then the two sheet members P are discharged in sets to the stacker tray 106. When the sheet members P are stacked in the compile tray 112, the tamper 114 may perform sheet alignment to align the sheet members P in the width direction.

[0110] The CPU 211 uses the tamper 108 to align the two sheet members P that have been discharged onto the stacker tray 106 in the width direction (step S353). This completes the processing based on the single-sheet buffering program.

[0111] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the buffer cancellation process performed by the control unit 116.

[0112] As shown in Figure 12, when the buffer cancellation process for the sheet member P is started, the sheet member P is discharged as a set into the stacker tray 106 (step S361). For example, one sheet member P is stored in the buffer path 104, then the sheet member P is placed on the compile tray 112, and then the sheet member P is discharged into the stacker tray 106. Alternatively, one sheet member P may be placed on the compile tray 112 without storing it in the buffer path 104, and then the sheet member P is discharged into the stacker tray 106.

[0113] The CPU 211 uses the tamper 108 to align the sheet material P in the width direction of the sheet material P discharged onto the stacker tray 106 (step S362). This completes the buffer cancellation process based on the transport processing program.

[0114] In the buffering process described above, without changing the transport interval of the sheet members P that are handed over to the sheet discharge device 100, the rear sheet members P that cannot be discharged to the stacker tray 106 because the front sheet members P that have been discharged to the stacker tray 106 are being processed by the tamper 108, etc., are temporarily stored in the buffer path 104. Then, the sheet members P stored in the buffer path 104 are discharged to the stacker tray 106 together with the rear sheet members P that are being transported from the rear. In this way, multiple sheet members P are discharged to the stacker tray 106 as a set, and by delaying the time it takes for them to be discharged to the stacker tray 106, it is possible to secure time for the tamper 108 to align the sheet members P in the width direction. Furthermore, by delaying the time it takes for them to be discharged to the stacker tray 106, it is also possible to secure time for the tamper 108 to retract and for the stacker tray 106 to move in the depth direction of the device.

[0115] In the sheet discharge device 100 described above, the control unit 116 changes the way the tamper 108 provided on the stacker tray 106 aligns the sheet members P in the width direction depending on whether there is storage control to store the sheet members P in the buffer path 104 or not. Therefore, the sheet discharge device 100 can align the sheet members P while suppressing a decrease in the productivity of the sheet members P, compared to the case where the alignment of the sheets is always the same regardless of whether there is storage control by the storage unit. Here, productivity refers to the amount of sheet members P discharged (processed) per unit time.

[0116] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 has a first mode in which there is no storage control for storing the sheet members P in the buffer path 104. In the first mode, the control unit 116 discharges the sheet members P one at a time to the stacker tray 106, and performs one sheet alignment on the two sheet members P discharged to the stacker tray 106 using the tamper 108. As a result, in the sheet discharge device 100, the decrease in productivity of the sheet members P is suppressed compared to when sheet alignment is performed for each sheet discharged to the discharge section.

[0117] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 controls the transport unit 102 so that, in the first mode, once for every two sheet members P being transported along the transport path 101, the sheet member P is held in the middle of the transport path 101 to the extent that it does not interfere with the rear sheet member P being transported behind the sheet member P. As a result, the sheet discharge device 100 suppresses a decrease in the productivity of the sheet members P compared to the case where the transport interval of the sheets is extended without holding the sheets in the middle of the transport path.

[0118] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 has a second mode in which storage control is provided for storing the sheet members P in the buffer path 104. In the second mode, after storing the sheet members P in the buffer path 104, the control unit 116 discharges the stored sheet members P together with the rear sheet members P that are being transported behind them to the stacker tray 106, and performs widthwise sheet alignment with the tamper 108 for each discharge. As a result, in the sheet discharge device 100, the decrease in productivity of the sheet members P is suppressed compared to the case in which the sheet transport interval is extended without storing sheets in the storage section.

[0119] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 stores at least two sheet members P stacked in the buffer path 104 in the second mode. Subsequently, the control unit 116 discharges the stacked sheet members P together with the next sheet member P to the stacker tray 106, and the tamper 108 performs widthwise sheet alignment for each discharge. As a result, the sheet discharge device 100 suppresses the decrease in productivity of sheet members P compared to the case where only one sheet is stored in the storage section.

[0120] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 first accumulates the sheet members P in the compile tray 112 in the second mode, and then discharges the sheet members P from the compile tray 112 to the stacker tray 106. Therefore, compared to the case where sheets are stored only in the storage section, the sheet discharge device 100 can ensure sufficient time for the tamper 108 to align the sheets as the front side of the sheet members P is transported.

[0121] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the compile tray 112 is provided with a tamper 114 that aligns the sheet members P accumulated in the compile tray 112 in a width direction intersecting the transport direction. Therefore, in the sheet discharge device 100, compared to the case where sheet alignment is not performed in the accumulation section, the sheet members P can be aligned in the width direction in the compile tray 112 before being discharged to the stacker tray 106.

[0122] Furthermore, in the sheet discharge device 100, the control unit 116 executes the first mode when the sheet member P is longer than the length of the shorter side of an A4 size, or when the basis weight of the sheet member P is greater than a specified basis weight. As a result, the sheet discharge device 100 suppresses the decrease in productivity of the sheet member P compared to when the first mode is executed without specifying the type of sheet.

[0123] Furthermore, the image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus body 20 that forms an image on a sheet member P, and a sheet discharge device 100 that transports the sheet member P on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus body 20. Therefore, the image forming system 10 can align the sheet members P while suppressing a decrease in productivity of the sheet members P, compared to the case where the alignment of the sheets is always the same regardless of whether or not there is sheet storage control by the storage unit.

[0124] [Second Embodiment] Next, a sheet discharge device 400 according to the second embodiment is shown. Note that components identical to those in the first and second embodiments described above are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0125] As shown in Figure 13, in the image forming system 10 equipped with a sheet discharge device 400, in the first mode in which there is no storage control for storing the sheet members P in the buffer path 104, two sheet members P are kept on standby. For example, as in the first embodiment, sheet member P1 is kept on standby at standby position W1, and sheet member P3, which is transported behind sheet member P1, is kept on standby at standby position W2. For example, standby position W2 is provided in the second unit 50. The control unit 116 stops the plurality of transport rolls 402 provided in the second unit 50, thereby causing sheet member P3 to be kept on standby at standby position W2. The other configurations of the image forming system 10 equipped with the sheet discharge device 400 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0126] The image forming system 10 equipped with the sheet ejection device 400 described above has the following effects and advantages in addition to the same effects and advantages as the image forming system 10 equipped with the sheet ejection device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0127] In the image forming system 10 equipped with a sheet discharge device 400, two sheet members P are kept in standby. Therefore, compared to the case where only one sheet member P is kept in standby, sufficient time can be secured for the tamper 108 to align the front sheet member P that is being transported in front.

[0128] 〔others〕 In the first and second embodiments, the buffer-free processing was performed when the sheet member P was not of a size or basis weight that could be stored in the buffer path 104, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if the sheet member P is not of a size or basis weight that can be stored in the buffer path 104 (i.e., a sheet member P that cannot be stored in the buffer path 104), the buffer-free processing (i.e., the first mode) may be performed when the moving unit 110 moves the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device. When moving the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device, it is necessary to move the tamper 108 upward using the retraction unit 148 so as not to interfere with the sheet member P loaded on the stacker tray 106, and then move the tamper 108 back to its original position downward after moving the stacker tray 106 in the depth direction of the device. For this reason, by performing the buffer-free processing (i.e., the first mode), the operation time for moving the stacker tray 106 and rotating the tamper 108 can be secured.

[0129] In the first and second embodiments, the conditions for the sheet member P that is subject to storage control and stored in the buffer path 104 are changeable.

[0130] In the first and second embodiments, in the first mode, sheet alignment by the tamper 108 was performed when an even-numbered sheet member P was discharged into the stacker tray 106, but the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, sheet alignment by the tamper 108 may be performed when an odd-numbered sheet member P is discharged into the stacker tray 106.

[0131] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration of the buffer path 104, the configuration of the compile tray 112, the arrangement of the multiple transport rolls of the transport unit 102, and the shape of the transport path 101 can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0132] In each of the above embodiments, the hardware structure of the Processing Unit (Processing Unit) that performs various processes such as the control unit 116 can be the following types of processors. As mentioned above, these types of processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software and functions as various processing units, as well as programmable logic devices (PLDs), such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which are processors whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to perform specific processes.

[0133] A single processing unit may consist of one of these various processors, or it may consist of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, and / or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Alternatively, multiple processing units may be composed of a single processor.

[0134] One example of configuring multiple processing units with a single processor is a configuration where one or more CPUs and software are combined to form a single processor, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Secondly, there is a configuration using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system, including multiple processing units, on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as exemplified by System-on-a-Chip (SoC). Thus, various processing units are configured, in terms of hardware structure, using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors.

[0135] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can more specifically utilize electrical circuits, which are combinations of circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0136] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 10. Image Forming System (An Example of an Image Forming Apparatus) 20 Image forming apparatus main body (an example of an image forming unit) 100 Sheet Discharge Device 101 Transport Route 102 Conveying section 104 Buffer path (an example of a storage section) 106 Stacker tray (example of discharge section) 108 Tampa 110 Mobile Unit 112 Compilation tray (an example of an integrated unit) 114 Tampa 116 Control Unit 211 CPU 212 ROM 213 RAM 214 storage 215 Input / Output Interfaces Bus 219 221 Buffer motor 222 Standby motor 223 Motor group for transport 400 Sheet Discharge Device 402 Conveyor Roll P Sheet Material

Claims

1. At least one processor, A conveying unit that transports the sheet along the transport path, The discharge section from which the sheet is discharged, A storage unit is provided in the middle of the aforementioned transport path for temporarily storing the sheet, The discharge section is provided with an alignment section that aligns the sheet in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction, Equipped with, The aforementioned processor, If it is the last set and the number of sheets in the set is divisible by "the number of sheets stored in the storage unit + 1", then the sheets are sorted in sets of "the number of sheets stored in the storage unit + 1". A sheet dispensing device that, when it is the last set and the number of sheets in a set is not divisible by "the number of sheets stored in the storage unit + 1", performs sheet sorting in sets of "the number of sheets stored in the storage unit + 1 + the remainder when the number of sheets in the set is divided by the number of sheets stored in the storage unit".

2. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the processor has a first mode in which there is no storage control for storing the sheet in the storage unit, and in the first mode, the sheet is discharged to the discharge unit one sheet at a time, and the sheet alignment unit performs one sheet alignment on the two sheets discharged to the discharge unit.

3. The sheet discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the transport unit to hold the sheet in the middle of the transport path once for every two sheets being transported along the transport path, to the extent that it does not interfere with the rear side of the sheet being transported.

4. The sheet discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the processor has a second mode which includes storage control for storing the sheet in the storage unit, and in the second mode, after storing the sheet in the storage unit, the stored sheet is discharged to the discharge unit together with a rear sheet that is being transported from the rear side of the sheet, and the sheet is aligned by the alignment unit for each discharge.

5. The sheet discharge device according to claim 4, wherein in the second mode, the processor stores at least two of the sheets stacked in the storage unit, then discharges the stacked sheets together with the rear sheet to the discharge unit, and performs sheet alignment with the alignment unit for each discharge.

6. A collection section is provided along the aforementioned transport path for temporarily accumulating the sheets. The sheet discharge device according to claim 5, wherein the processor, in the second mode, places the sheet on the integration unit and then discharges the sheet from the integration unit to the discharge unit.

7. The sheet discharge device according to claim 6, wherein the accumulation section is provided with another alignment section that aligns the sheets placed on the accumulation section in a width direction intersecting the transport direction.

8. The sheet discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the processor executes the first mode when the sheet is longer than the length of the shorter side of an A4 size sheet, or when the basis weight of the sheet is greater than a predetermined basis weight.

9. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, A sheet discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit is transported, An image forming apparatus having

Images