Electric stapler and paper handling device

Abstract

To provide an electric stapler and a paper processing device capable of binding a paper bundle while aligning paper end surfaces.SOLUTION: An electric stapler 100A includes: a binding portion 120 that sequentially executes a clamp step of clamping a paper bundle, a penetration step of making a stable penetrate the clamped paper bundle, and a clinch step of pressing a leg portion of the staple penetrating the paper bundle, thereby performing binding processing to the paper bundle; a drive motor 154 that drives the binding portion 120; and a control portion 150 that controls the drive motor 154. The control portion 150 controls the drive motor 154 that executes the clamping of the paper bundle several times in the clamp step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric stapler and a paper processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an electric stapler that automatically performs a binding process by driving a staple into a stack of paper using a driver mechanism and bending the legs of the staple that penetrate the stack of paper using a clincher unit. The electric stapler may be used as a desktop type, or may be installed in an image forming device that prints an image on paper or in a post-processing device that performs post-processing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric stapler that performs a table advancement step, a staple separation step, a penetration step, a clinching step, and a table retraction step in accordance with the rotation state of a motor to achieve a staple process for a stack of papers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-264557 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A desired function of an electric stapler is that the sheets are neatly bound when a predetermined number of sheets (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "stack of sheets") are stapled (hereinafter the stapled stack of sheets is sometimes referred to as a "booklet"). A neatly bound sheet means that the edges of the sheets are aligned without misalignment after stapling, that the corners or ends of the sheets are not bent (reversely folded), and that the thickness of the stapled portion of the booklet is small, etc.

[0006] A case where the end faces of the sheets are misaligned or where the corners or ends of the sheets are bent after the stack of sheets has been bound will be described. When printing characters or the like on paper in an image forming device, the paper is printed and fixed using a curved drum. In this process, the shape of the drum and the heat generated during printing or fixing can cause the paper to deform and curl. When curled paper is inserted into the stapler of an electric stapler as shown in Figure 11, the curled part of the paper may hit the insertion slot, blocking the slot and preventing the next sheet from being inserted in the correct position. If the booklet is stapled in this state, the edges of the booklet will not be aligned and will be misaligned. Also, if curled paper is stapled as is, the corners and edges of the paper may be stapled while still bent.

[0007] When the thickness of the stapled portion of the booklet increases, the following problems arise. The stapled portion of a booklet is thicker than the other portions, and if the thickness of the stapled portion is large, when multiple booklets are stacked, the stapled portion becomes bulky and curves, becoming even thicker. Therefore, when multiple booklets are stacked as shown in Fig. 12 for storage or storage, the thick stapled portion takes up storage space and the booklets cannot be stacked stably.

[0008] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an electric stapler and paper processing device that can adjust the stapled shape of a stack of paper by suppressing misalignment of the booklet's end faces and bending of corners, and by reducing the thickness of the stapled portion of the booklet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Regarding this disclosure R The movable stapler includes a binding unit that performs a binding process on the paper stack by sequentially performing a clamping step of clamping the paper stack, a penetrating step of penetrating the clamped paper stack with a staple, and a clinching step of pressing the legs of the staple that have penetrated the paper stack, a motor that drives the binding unit, and a control unit that controls the motor. ,beforeIn the clamping step, the motor is controlled so as to clamp the stack of paper a plurality of times. The binding device has a first control mode, a second control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to perform pressing of the leg portion a plurality of times in the clinching process, and a normal binding processing mode, and the control unit automatically selects one of the first control mode, the second control mode, and the normal binding processing mode based on the paper type, the number of sheets to be bound, the current value of the drive motor, the binding processing time, or the temperature of the usage environment. Therefore, even if the inserted paper is curled, the paper can be straightened by clamping it multiple times, making the paper flatter. The stack of paper is bound after the curl has been straightened, so the edges of the booklet are prevented from shifting or the corners are prevented from bending, and the bound shape can be made neat. By pressing the legs multiple times, the staple portion of the booklet becomes flatter, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the staple portion (allowing the booklet to have a neatly bound shape).

[0011] In addition, the present disclosure For The paper processing device is a paper processing device to which an electric stapler can be attached, the electric stapler including a binding unit that performs a binding process on the paper stack by sequentially performing a clamping step of clamping the paper stack, a penetrating step of penetrating the clamped paper stack, and a clinching step of pressing the legs of the staple that has penetrated the paper stack, and a motor that drives the binding unit, and the paper processing device includes a control unit that controls the motor when the electric stapler is attached. ,before In the clamping step, the motor is controlled so as to clamp the stack of paper a plurality of times. The binding device has a first control mode, a second control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to perform pressing of the leg portion a plurality of times in the clinching process, and a normal binding processing mode, and the control unit automatically selects one of the first control mode, the second control mode, and the normal binding processing mode based on the paper type, the number of sheets to be bound, the current value of the drive motor, the binding processing time, or the temperature of the usage environment. Therefore, even if the inserted paper is curled, the paper can be straightened by clamping it multiple times, making the paper flatter. The stack of paper is bound after the curl has been straightened, so the edges of the booklet are prevented from shifting or the corners are prevented from bending, and the bound shape can be made neat. By pressing the legs multiple times, the staple portion of the booklet becomes flatter, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the staple portion (allowing the booklet to have a neatly bound shape). Effect of the Invention

[0013] As described above, the first electric stapler, the second electric stapler, the first paper processing device, and the second paper processing device of the present disclosure can suppress misalignment of the ends of the booklet and bending of the corners, and can reduce the thickness of the stapled portion of the booklet, making it possible to adjust the stapled shape after stapling the stack of paper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A]1 is a perspective view of an electric stapler according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 is a perspective view of the inside of an electric stapler according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram of a paper processing device to which an electric stapler according to a first embodiment is attached. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a first control mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a first control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a first control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4C] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a first control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a second control mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6C] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6D] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6E] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode is executed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7A] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric stapler when a first control mode according to the first embodiment is executed. [Figure 7B] 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a clamping step. [Figure 8A] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric stapler when a second control mode according to the first embodiment is executed. [Figure 8B] 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a clinching process. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a paper processing device to which an electric stapler according to a second embodiment is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a paper processing device to which an electric stapler according to a third embodiment is attached. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining problems that occur when a sheet has a curl in a conventional electric stapler. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining problems that arise due to the thickness of the stapled portion of a booklet stapled by a conventional electric stapler. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] <First embodiment> [Example of configuration of electric stapler 100A] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the electric stapler 100A according to the first embodiment as seen from the front side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the inside of the electric stapler 100A according to the first embodiment as seen from the rear side. In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the side on which the driver mechanism 130 is arranged is the front side of the electric stapler 100A, and the opposite side is the rear side of the electric stapler 100A. In addition, the side on which the gears 140 and 142 are provided is the left side of the electric stapler 100A, and the opposite side is the right side of the electric stapler 100A. In addition, the side on which the drive motor 154 is arranged (the bottom wall side of the main body 110) is the lower side of the electric stapler 100A, and the opposite side is the upper side of the electric stapler 100A.

[0017] The electric stapler 100A is mounted in, for example, an image forming apparatus or a paper processing apparatus that functions as a post-processing apparatus connected downstream of the image forming apparatus, and performs a stapling process on a paper stack consisting of multiple sheets of paper on which a predetermined image has been formed by the paper processing apparatus. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the electric stapler 100A includes a binding unit 120 that performs a stapling process on the paper stack by sequentially performing a clamping process for clamping (holding) the paper stack, a piercing process for passing a staple through the clamped paper stack, and a clinching process for pressing the legs of the staple that has passed through the paper stack, a drive motor 154 that drives the binding unit 120, and a control unit 150 that controls the drive motor 154.

[0018] The binding unit 120 has a driver mechanism 130 that drives out staples toward the paper stack, a clincher arm 132 that is rotatably provided with respect to the driver mechanism 130, and a clincher unit 134 that is attached to the clincher arm 132 and that bends the legs of the staple that has been driven out by the driver mechanism 130 and penetrated the paper. A mounting table 136 on which paper is placed is provided above the driver mechanism 130 and opposite the clincher unit 134.

[0019] The driver mechanism 130 is disposed inside the front side of the main body 110, and is configured to be movable up and down relative to the mounting table 136 based on the drive of the drive motor 154. The driver mechanism 130 bends both ends of the staple into a substantially U-shape using a forming plate (not shown), and drives the staple formed into a U-shape by a driver (not shown) toward the paper stack.

[0020] The clincher arm 132 is disposed facing the upper side of the driver mechanism 130. The clincher arm 132 is provided rotatably with its rear end side as a fulcrum, and its front end side is configured to be movable in a direction approaching and away from the driver mechanism 130. The clincher portion 134 is provided at the front end of the clincher arm 132, and works in cooperation with the driver mechanism 130 to press the legs of the staple that have penetrated the paper stack and bend them inward to staple the paper stack.

[0021] The portion including the clincher arm 132 and the clincher portion 134 on the surface side facing the mounting table 136 clamps the paper stack between the mounting table 136 and functions as a clamp portion 138 that corrects curls in the paper stack placed on the mounting table 136. The clamp portion 138 is configured to be movable between a first position where the paper stack is clamped and a second position where the paper stack is not clamped.

[0022] A cartridge 190 is detachably attached to the main body 110. A refill in which sheet-like linked staples are stacked is housed in the cartridge 190. The linked staples in the refill are transported to a forming position by a feed mechanism (not shown) of the driver mechanism 130.

[0023] The control unit 150 and the drive motor 154 are disposed inside the rear side of the main body 110 and below the cartridge 190. Gears 140, 142 that rotate in conjunction with the drive of the drive motor 154 are attached to the left side wall 112 of the main body 110. A rotating shaft 155 of the drive motor 154 and the gear 142 mesh with the gear 140. A swing arm (not shown) is directly or indirectly connected between the gear 142 and the binding unit 120 including the driver mechanism 130 and the clincher unit 134, etc., so that the driver mechanism 130, the clincher unit 134, etc. are driven in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 142, etc.

[0024] In this embodiment, the following steps are executed in the time it takes for gear 142 etc. to complete one rotation (360° rotation): a clamping process in which clincher section 134 moves downward to clamp the stack of paper between clamp section 138 and mounting table 136; a penetration process in which driver mechanism 130 moves upward to pass the legs of the staple through the stack of paper; a clinching process in which clincher section 134 bends the legs of the staple that have penetrated the stack of paper; and a return process in which clincher section 134 and driver mechanism 130 etc. return to their home positions.

[0025] [Block diagram of sheet processing device 200A] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a paper-processing device 200A to which the electric stapler 100A according to the first embodiment is attached.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the paper processing device 200A is equipped with an electric stapler 100A, and includes a control unit 250 that controls the operation of the entire device, an operation panel 270 for inputting various parameters such as image formation conditions and binding processing conditions, a memory unit 260 that stores the various parameters inputted through the operation panel 270, a transfer unit 280 that forms a predetermined image on paper, and a paper detection unit 290.

[0027] First, the electric stapler 100A will be described. The electric stapler 100A includes a control unit 150, a drive circuit 152, a drive motor 154, a position detection unit 160, and an HP detection unit 170.

[0028] The control unit 150 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 152 that executes a predetermined binding process by executing various programs. The control unit 150 is connected to the control unit 250 on the paper processing device 200A side via a wired or wireless interface, and executes the binding process including a first control mode, a second control mode, and a control mode for performing a normal binding process based on a control signal related to the binding process supplied from the control unit 250. Here, the first control mode is a mode in which the clamp process is performed multiple times in the binding process. The second control mode is a mode in which the clinch process is performed multiple times in the binding process. In addition, the control unit 150 generates a drive signal based on a position signal from a position detection unit 160 of the drive motor 154 and a set command value, and supplies the drive signal to the drive circuit 152, and adjusts the duty ratio of a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal in the drive circuit 152.

[0029] The drive circuit 152 performs on / off control (PWM control) of a switching element based on a drive signal supplied from the control unit 150, and adjusts the power supplied from a power supply unit (not shown) to control the rotation speed of the drive motor 154. For example, a MOSFET (field effect transistor) or the like can be used as the switching element. The drive circuit 152 may be configured to be built into the drive motor 154.

[0030] The drive motor 154 is composed of, for example, a brushless motor, and rotates at a predetermined speed based on the power supplied from the drive circuit 152. The binding unit 120 performs a binding process on the paper stack by sequentially executing a clamping process, a penetrating process, a clinching process, and a return process by the rotational drive of the drive motor 154.

[0031] The position detector 160 detects, for example, the magnet polarity of a rotor that constitutes the drive motor 154, and outputs a pulse-like encoder signal (rotation information of the drive motor 154) indicating the positions of the gear 142 and the drive motor 154 to the controller 150.

[0032] The HP detection unit 170 detects the rotational position indicating the home position of the gear 142 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 150.

[0033] The paper detection unit 290 is composed of, for example, a reflective or transmissive photosensor, detects the paper transported from the transfer unit 280 to the mounting table 136 of the electric stapler 100A, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 150. The paper detection unit 290 is provided on a transport path provided between the transfer unit 280 of the paper processing device 200A and the electric stapler 100A, and may output the detection result of the paper to the control unit 150 via the control unit 250, or may output the detection result to the control unit 150 directly.

[0034] Next, the paper-sheet processing device 200A will be described. The control unit 250 of the paper-sheet processing device 200A has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 252 that executes a predetermined image forming process by executing various programs. The control unit 250 is connected to the control unit 150 of the electric stapler 100A, and outputs a control signal based on parameter information for the binding process, etc., inputted through the operation panel 270 to the control unit 150.

[0035] The operation panel 270 has, for example, a display with a touch panel function and a plurality of operation keys. The operation panel 270 accepts input information of various parameters such as enable / disable of the first control mode and the second control mode related to the binding process, the number of sheets to be clamped and the number of times to be clamped (designated number of clamps) in the first control mode, and the number of times to press the legs of the staple (designated number of clinches) in the second control mode, and outputs the information to the control unit 250. The operation panel 270 includes devices such as a personal computer and a mobile information terminal connected to the paper-sheet processing device 200A via a wired or wireless network.

[0036] The storage unit 260 is configured with a storage device such as a semiconductor memory element, a hard disk, a solid state drive, or an optical disk, and stores parameter information related to image forming conditions and binding conditions inputted via the operation panel 270, etc. In addition, the storage unit 260 may store programs for realizing predetermined functions of the control unit 150 and each component unit.

[0037] The transfer unit 280 is of an electrophotographic type, an inkjet type, or a dot impact type, and forms a predetermined image on a sheet of paper, and supplies the sheet of paper on which the image has been formed to the electric stapler 100A.

[0038] [Example of sequence for the first control mode] Next, the first control mode will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence of the first control mode. In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the rotation angle of the gear 142. Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the electric stapler 100A when the first control mode is executed. Note that, below, a case will be described in which a binding process is executed on a paper stack consisting of three sheets, and clamping is executed for each sheet in the clamping process.

[0039] 3, when the first sheet of paper is transported to the placement table 136 of the electric stapler 100A, the first clamping step is started in sequence 1. In sequence 1, the gear 142 rotates from the start angle A0 to the clamping step end angle A1 due to the forward rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clamp unit 138 moves from the first position L1 where the paper P is not clamped to the second position L2 where the paper P is clamped, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As a result, the paper P is pressed down by the clamp unit 138, and the curl of the paper P is corrected.

[0040] In sequence 2, the gear 142 rotates in the reverse direction from the clamping process end angle A1 to the start angle A0 due to the reverse rotation of the drive motor 154, and as shown in Fig. 4C, the clamp unit 138 returns from the second position L2 where it clamps the paper P to the first position L1 where it does not clamp the paper P. This ends the first clamping and makes the placement table 136 ready to accept the next paper.

[0041] Subsequently, when the second sheet of paper is transported to the mounting table 136 of the electric stapler 100A, the second clamping process is started in sequence 3. In sequence 3, the gear 142 rotates from the start angle A0 to the clamping process end angle A1 due to the forward rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clamp unit 138 moves from the first position L1 where the paper P is not clamped to the second position L2 where the paper P is clamped (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0042] In sequence 4, the gear 142 returns from the clamping process end angle A1 to the start angle A0 due to the reverse rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clamp unit 138 returns from the second position L2 where the sheet P is clamped to the first position L1 where the sheet P is not clamped (see FIG. 4C). This ends the second clamping and makes the placement table 136 ready to receive the next sheet.

[0043] Subsequently, when the third sheet is conveyed to the placement table 136 of the electric stapler 100A, the clamping process, the penetrating process, the clinching process, and the return process are successively executed in sequence 5. Specifically, the forward rotation of the drive motor 154 rotates the gear 142 from the start angle A0 to the clamping process end angle A1, and the clamp unit 138 clamps the stack of sheets placed on the placement table 136.

[0044] Next, the gear 142 rotates from the clamping step end angle A1 to the penetrating step end angle A2, thereby executing the penetrating step. In the penetrating step, the driver mechanism 130 rises, and the legs of the staple bent into a U-shape penetrate the paper stack in the thickness direction.

[0045] Next, the clinching process is executed by rotating the gear 142 from the penetration process end angle A2 to the clinching process end angle A3. In the clinching process, the clincher portion 134 is driven to move in a direction approaching the legs of the staple that has penetrated the paper stack and presses the legs, thereby bending the legs of the staple inward.

[0046] Next, the gear 142 rotates from the clinching process end angle A3 to the end angle A4 (start angle A0), thereby executing the return process. In the return process, the clamp unit 138 moves upward and returns to the home position, and the driver mechanism 130 moves downward and returns to the home position.

[0047] In the above example, the clamping process is controlled to be performed three times in total, but this is not limited to this. For example, the clamping process may be performed two times, or may be performed four or more times.

[0048] [Example of sequence for second control mode] Next, the second control mode will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of the second control mode. Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B, Fig. 6C, Fig. 6D, and Fig. 6E are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the electric stapler 100A when the second control mode is executed. In this embodiment, a case where the clinching step is executed three times will be described.

[0049] 5, when a paper stack consisting of a predetermined number of sheets is placed on the placement table 136 of the electric stapler 100A, in sequence 1, the clamping process, the penetrating process, and the clinching process are successively performed by the forward rotation of the drive motor 154. Specifically, the clamping process is performed by the gear 142 rotating from the start angle A0 to the clamping process end angle A1. In the clamping process, the clamp unit 138 moves downward to clamp the paper stack.

[0050] Next, the gear 142 rotates from the clamping process end angle A1 to the penetrating process end angle A2, thereby executing the penetrating process. In the penetrating process, as shown in FIG. 6A, the driver mechanism 130 moves upward, and the leg portion Sb of the staple S bent into a U-shape penetrates the paper stack Pb in the thickness direction.

[0051] Next, the gear 142 rotates from the penetration step end angle A2 to the clinch step end angle A3, thereby executing the clinch step. In the clinch step, as shown in Figures 6B and 6C, the clincher portion 134 moves from a third position L3 where it does not press the legs Sb of the staple S to a fourth position L4 where it presses the legs Sb. By this clinching by the clincher portion 134, the legs Sb of the staple S that have penetrated the paper stack Pb are pressed and bent inward.

[0052] In sequence 2, the gear 142 rotates in the reverse direction from the clinching step end angle A3 to the penetration step end angle A2 by the reverse rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clincher portion 134 moves in the direction away from the leg portion Sb of the staple S and returns to the third position L3 as shown in Fig. 6D. This releases the pressing state of the leg portion Sb by the clincher portion 134.

[0053] In sequence 3, the gear 142 rotates from the penetration step end angle A2 to the clinch step end angle A3 by the forward rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clincher portion 134 moves in a direction approaching the leg Sb of the staple S to the fourth position L4 as shown in Fig. 6E. As a result, the leg Sb of the staple S is pressed again by the clincher portion 134, so that the amount of floating of the leg Sb of the staple S with respect to the paper stack Pb is reduced and the staple S is molded flatter.

[0054] In sequence 4, the gear 142 rotates in the reverse direction from the clinching step end angle A3 to the penetration step end angle A2 due to the reverse rotation of the drive motor 154, and the clincher portion 134 moves in the direction away from the leg portion Sb of the staple S and returns to the third position L3 (see FIG. 6D). This releases the clincher portion 134 from pressing the leg portion Sb.

[0055] In sequence 5, the drive motor 154 rotates in the forward direction to rotate the gear 142 from the penetration step end angle A2 to the end angle A4 (start angle A0), thereby executing the return step. In the clinching step, the clincher portion 134 moves in a direction approaching the leg Sb of the staple S to the fourth position L4. This causes the leg Sb of the staple S to be pressed again, and the leg Sb is molded further flat (see FIG. 6E). In the return step, the clamp portion 138 moves upward to return to the home position, and the driver mechanism 130 also moves downward to return to the home position.

[0056] In the above example, the clinching process is controlled to be performed three times, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the clinching process may be performed two times, or may be performed four or more times. In addition, in sequence 2 and sequence 4, in order to reliably press the leg Sb, the control may be performed to return to a rotation angle between the clamping process end angle A1 and the penetration process end angle A2.

[0057] [Example of operation of the electric stapler 100A when executing the first control mode] FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler 100A when the first control mode is executed, and FIG. 7B is a subroutine of a clamping process in the first control mode.

[0058] When the control unit 150 of the electric stapler 100A receives a control signal including parameter information of the first control mode from the control unit 250 of the paper-processing device 200A, the control unit 150 starts the binding process based on the first control mode. First, as shown in Fig. 7A, in step S1, the control unit 150 executes a clamping process. In the clamping process of the first control mode, the process proceeds to a subroutine shown in Fig. 7B.

[0059] 7B, in step S10, the control unit 150 determines whether or not one sheet or a predetermined number of sheets P, which is a preset unit of the number of sheets to be clamped, has been placed on the placement table 136, based on the sheet detection information supplied from the sheet detection unit 290. Here, the predetermined number is two or more sheets and less than the number of sheets to be bound. If one sheet or the predetermined number of sheets P, which is the preset unit, has been placed on the placement table 136, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0060] In step S20, the control unit 150 controls the drive circuit 152 to rotate the drive motor 154 in the forward direction. When the drive motor 154 rotates in the forward direction, the gear 142 rotates in the forward direction from the start angle A0, thereby starting the clamping operation in the clamping process, and the clamp unit 138 moves in a direction approaching the mounting table 136. As a result, the curl of the paper sheet P is pressed down by the clamp unit 138, and the curl of the paper sheet P is corrected.

[0061] In step S30, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has rotated to the clamping process end angle A1. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has rotated to the clamping process end angle A1 by counting an encoder signal indicating the rotation angle of the gear 142 etc., which is supplied from the position detection unit 160. If the gear 142 has not rotated to the clamping process end angle A1, the process returns to step S20, and the gear 142 continues to rotate in the forward direction.

[0062] On the other hand, if the control unit 150 determines in step S30 that the gear 142 has rotated to the clamping process end angle A1, that is, if the clamping operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the drive motor 154 is stopped, and then in step S50, the drive circuit 152 is controlled to rotate the drive motor 154 in the reverse direction. The reverse rotation of the drive motor 154 rotates the gear 142 in the reverse direction, and the clamp unit 138 moves in a direction away from the mounting table 136.

[0063] In step S60, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has returned to the start angle A0. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has returned to the start angle A0 by counting the encoder signal supplied from the position detection unit 160. If the gear 142 has not returned to the start angle A0, the process returns to step S50, and the drive motor 154 continues to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0064] On the other hand, if the gear 142 has returned to the start angle A0, the process proceeds to step S70, where the drive motor 154 is stopped, causing the clamp unit 138 to return to the first position L1, which is the home position.

[0065] Next, in step S80, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the number of sheets P transported to the placement table 136 reaches the preset number of sheets to be stapled in the sheet stack Pb. If the control unit 150 determines that the preset number of sheets to be stapled in the sheet stack Pb has not been reached, the control unit 150 returns to step S10 and repeats the processes from step S10 to S80. As a result, even if the sheet P has curled, the curl can be corrected by clamping the sheet P by the clamp unit 138 multiple times, making the sheet P flatter.

[0066] On the other hand, when the control unit 150 determines that the number of sheets P transported to the placement table 136 has reached the preset number of sheets to be bound in the sheet stack Pb, the process proceeds to the passing through step of step S2 in FIG. 7A.

[0067] It is also possible to determine that paper P is placed on placement table 136 after a predetermined time required for paper P to be carried onto placement table 136 has elapsed since paper detection unit 180 detected paper P on the transport path.

[0068] In addition, to detect that a predetermined number of sheets of paper have been placed on the placement table 136, it is possible to determine that a predetermined number of sheets of paper P have been placed on the placement table 136 based on the number of times that a paper detection signal supplied from the paper detection unit 290 is received, and to perform clamping each time a predetermined number of sheets of paper P are placed on the placement table 136.

[0069] The control signal for moving to the next process may be generated based on, for example, the number of sheets in the paper stack to be bound, the unit of the number of sheets to be clamped, etc. Also, the process may move to the next process based on, for example, the result of determining whether or not a preset number of designated clamping operations have been completed.

[0070] 7A, in step S2, the control unit 150 executes a penetration process, and drives the driver mechanism 130 to cause the legs Sb of the staple S to penetrate the paper-sheet stack Pb. Then, in step S3, the control unit 150 executes a clinching process, and causes the clincher unit 134 to bend inward the legs Sb of the staple S that have penetrated the paper-sheet stack Pb. Finally, in step S4, the control unit 150 executes a return process, and returns the driver mechanism 130 and the clincher unit 134 to their home positions. In this manner, a series of binding processes based on the first control mode in which clamping is performed multiple times is performed.

[0071] [Example of operation of the electric stapler 100A when executing the second control mode] FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler 100A when the second control mode is executed, and FIG. 8B is a subroutine of a clinching process in the second control mode.

[0072] When the control unit 150 of the electric stapler 100A receives a control signal including parameter information of the second control mode from the control unit 250 of the paper-processing device 200A, the control unit 150 starts the binding process based on the second control mode. It is assumed that a stack of paper sheets Pb is placed on the placement table 136 of the electric stapler 100A.

[0073] First, as shown in Fig. 8A, in step S1, the control unit 150 executes a clamping process, and clamps the paper stack Pb placed on the placement table 136 with the clamp unit 138. Then, in step S2, the control unit 150 executes a penetrating process, and drives the driver mechanism 130 to cause the legs Sb of the staple S to penetrate the paper stack Pb. Then, in step S3, the control unit 150 executes a clinching process. In the clinching process of the second control mode, the process proceeds to a subroutine shown in Fig. 8B.

[0074] 8B, in step S100, the control unit 150 controls the drive circuit 152 to rotate the drive motor 154 in the forward direction. As a result, the clincher portion 134 moves in a direction approaching the leg portion Sb, and the leg portion Sb of the staple S is pressed by the clincher portion 134.

[0075] In step S110, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has rotated to the clinching process end angle A3. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has rotated to the clinching process end angle A3 by counting the encoder signal supplied from the position detection unit 160. If the gear 142 has not rotated to the clinching process end angle A3, the process returns to step S100, and the drive motor 154 continues to rotate in the forward direction.

[0076] On the other hand, in step S110, when the control unit 150 determines that the gear 142 has rotated to the clinching process end angle A3, that is, when the clinching operation in the clinching process is completed, the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the drive motor 154 is stopped, and then, in step S130, the drive circuit 152 is controlled to rotate the drive motor 154 in the reverse direction. The reverse rotation of the drive motor 154 also rotates the gear 142 in the reverse direction, and the clincher portion 134 moves in a direction away from the leg Sb of the staple S.

[0077] In step S140, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has returned to the penetrating process end angle A2. For example, the control unit 150 determines whether the gear 142 has returned to the penetrating process end angle A2 by counting the encoder signal supplied from the position detection unit 160. If the gear 142 has not returned to the penetrating process end angle A2, the process returns to step S130, and the drive motor 154 continues to rotate in the reverse direction.

[0078] On the other hand, if the gear 142 has returned to the penetration stroke end angle A2, the process proceeds to step S150, where the drive motor 154 is stopped. This causes the clincher portion 134 to return to the third position L3, which is the home position.

[0079] Subsequently, in step S160, the control unit 150 judges whether or not a preset number of designated clinches has been completed. When the control unit 150 judges that the preset number of designated clinches has not been completed, the control unit 150 returns to step S100 and repeats the processing from step S100 to S160. As a result, the clincher unit 134 performs clinching a plurality of times, so that the leg Sb of the staple S can be made flatter.

[0080] On the other hand, when the control unit 150 determines that the preset number of designated clinches has been completed, the control unit 150 proceeds to the return process of step S4 in Fig. 8A. As shown in Fig. 8A, in step S4, the control unit 150 executes the return process and returns the driver mechanism 130 and the clincher unit 134 to their home positions. In this manner, a series of binding processes based on the second control mode in which clinching is performed multiple times is executed.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the electric stapler 100A executes the first control mode and the second control mode independently, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first control mode and the second control mode may be combined. Specifically, in a series of binding processes, the clamping may be performed multiple times, and then the clinching may be performed multiple times, or conversely, the clinching may be performed multiple times, and then the clamping may be performed multiple times. Furthermore, the process from the clamping process to the clinching process may be configured as one sequence, and this sequence may be performed multiple times. The determination method described in the above-described first control mode may be used to determine whether the number of sheets to be bound has been reached.

[0082] According to the first embodiment, the clamping process of the first control mode performs clamping of the paper stack Pb multiple times, so that the curl of the paper stack P can be suppressed by pressing and pinching by the clamp unit 138. This makes it possible to straighten the curl of the paper stack P and make the paper stack P flatter. As a result, the paper stack Pb is stapled after the curl is straightened, so that it is possible to prevent the stapler from performing the stapler process when the end face of the paper stack Pb is misaligned or when the end face of the paper stack Pb is bent, and the final stapled shape can be adjusted. In addition, the curl of the paper stack P can be straightened by the configuration of the electric stapler 100A, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate mechanism for straightening the curl of the paper stack P in the paper processing device 200A, and therefore it is possible to reduce costs.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the clincher 134 presses the legs Sb multiple times in the clinching process of the second control mode, so that the amount of lift of the legs Sb of the bent staple S from the paper stack Pb is reduced, and the leg Sb portion can be made flatter, so that the stapled shape can be adjusted. This makes it possible to reduce the overall thickness of the paper stack even when multiple paper stacks Pb that have been stapled are stacked. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of paper stacks Pb that can be stacked and stored, and also to save space when storing the paper stacks Pb.

[0084] <Second embodiment> The electric stapler 100B according to the second embodiment does not include a control unit 150 and a drive circuit 152, and executes the binding process based on instructions and control of a control unit 250 on the paper-sheet processing device 200B side. Note that the same components as those of the electric stapler 100A and the paper-sheet processing device 200A according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0085] 9 is a block diagram of a paper-sheet processing device 200B equipped with an electric stapler 100B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the paper-sheet processing device 200B is equipped with the electric stapler 100B that performs a stapling process on a stack of paper-sheets Pb, and includes a control unit 250, a drive circuit 152, an operation panel 270, a storage unit 260, a transfer unit 280, and a paper detection unit 290.

[0086] The electric stapler 100B includes a drive motor 154, a binding unit 120, a position detection unit 160, an HP detection unit 170, and a paper detection unit 290.

[0087] The drive motor 154 is connected to the drive circuit 152 on the paper-sheet processing apparatus 200 B side via a wired or wireless interface, and is driven to rotate based on a predetermined power supplied from the drive circuit 152 .

[0088] Based on the rotational drive of the drive motor 154, the binding unit 120 sequentially performs a clamping process to clamp the paper stack Pb, a penetrating process to pass a staple S through the clamped paper stack Pb, a clinching process to press the legs Sb of the staple S that have passed through the paper stack Pb, and a return process to return each part to its home position, thereby performing a binding process on the paper stack.

[0089] The position detection unit 160 is connected to the control unit 250 and outputs a pulsed encoder signal indicating the rotation angles of the gear 142 and the drive motor 154 to the control unit 250. The HP detection unit 170 is connected to the control unit 250 and outputs a position signal indicating the home position of the gear 142 to the control unit 250. The paper detection unit 290 is provided between the transfer unit 280 of the paper processing device 200B and the electric stapler 100B and is connected to the control unit 250, detects the paper P transported from the transfer unit 280 to the mounting table 136 of the electric stapler 100B, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 250.

[0090] The control unit 250 provided on the paper-sheet processing device 200B side controls the drive motor 154 based on various parameters related to the binding process inputted via the operation panel 270 or the like and an encoder signal supplied from the position detection unit 160. Specifically, the control unit 250 controls the drive motor 154 to execute at least one of a first control mode in which the paper-sheet stack Pb is clamped a plurality of times in the clamping process and a second control mode in which the leg Sb of the staple S is pressed a plurality of times in the clinching process.

[0091] In the first control mode, in the clamping step, the drive motor 154 is rotated forward to a position where the paper stack Pb is clamped, and then the drive motor 154 is rotated reversely to a position where the clamping of the paper stack Pb is released. In addition, in the clamping step in the first control mode, the drive motor 154 may be controlled to clamp the paper stack Pb each time the paper stack P is transported onto the mounting table 136 of the electric stapler 100B, either one sheet at a time or in units of a predetermined number of sheets.

[0092] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first embodiment described above. Specifically, since the clamping of the paper stack Pb is performed multiple times in the clamping process of the first control mode, the curl of the paper stack P can be corrected and the paper stack P can be made flatter. As a result, the paper stack Pb is stapled after the curl is corrected, so that it is possible to prevent the stapler from performing the stapler process in a state where the end face of the paper stack Pb is misaligned or the end face of the paper stack Pb is bent, and the final stapled shape can be adjusted. Also, since the clincher 134 presses the leg Sb multiple times in the clinching process of the second control mode, it is possible to reduce the amount of floating of the leg Sb of the bent staple S relative to the paper stack Pb, and the leg Sb portion can be made flatter, and the stapled shape can be adjusted.

[0093] <Third embodiment> The electric stapler 100C according to the third embodiment does not include the control unit 150, and executes the binding process under the control of the control unit 250 on the paper-sheet processing device 200C side. Note that the same components as those of the electric stapler 100A and the paper-sheet processing device 200A according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0094] 10 is a block diagram of a paper-sheet processing device 200C equipped with an electric stapler 100C according to the third embodiment. The paper-sheet processing device 200C is equipped with the electric stapler 100C that performs a stapling process on a stack of paper sheets, and includes a control unit 250, an operation panel 270, a storage unit 260, and a transfer unit 280.

[0095] The electric stapler 100C includes a drive circuit 152, a drive motor 154, a stapler unit 120, a position detector unit 160, and an HP detector unit 170.

[0096] The drive circuit 152 is connected to the control unit 250 on the paper-processing device 200C side via a wired or wireless interface, and performs switching control based on a control signal related to the binding process supplied from the control unit 250, and supplies a predetermined amount of power to the drive motor 154. The drive motor 154 is driven to rotate based on the predetermined amount of power supplied from the drive circuit 152.

[0097] Based on the rotational drive of the drive motor 154, the binding section 120 sequentially performs a clamping process for clamping the paper stack Pb, a penetrating process for passing a staple S through the clamped paper stack Pb, a clinching process for pressing the legs Sb of the staple S that have passed through the paper stack Pb, and a return process for returning each section to its home position, thereby performing a binding process on the paper stack Pb.

[0098] The position detection unit 160 is connected to the control unit 250 and outputs a pulsed encoder signal indicating the rotation angle of the drive motor 154 to the control unit 250. The HP detection unit 170 is connected to the control unit 250 and outputs a position signal indicating the home position of the gear 142 to the control unit 250. The paper detection unit 290 is provided between the transfer unit 280 of the paper processing device 200B and the electric stapler 100B, and is connected to the control unit 250 to detect the paper P transported from the transfer unit 280 to the placement table 136 of the electric stapler 100C and output a detection signal to the control unit 250.

[0099] The control unit 250 provided on the paper-sheet processing device 200C side controls the drive motor 154 based on various parameters related to the binding process inputted on the operation panel 270 and an encoder signal supplied from the position detection unit 160. Specifically, the control unit 250 controls the drive motor 154 to execute at least one of a first control mode in which the paper-sheet stack Pb is clamped a plurality of times in the clamping process and a second control mode in which the leg Sb of the staple S is pressed a plurality of times in the clinching process.

[0100] In the first control mode, in the clamping step, the drive motor 154 is rotated forward to a position where the paper stack Pb is clamped, and then the drive motor 154 is rotated reversely to a position where the clamping of the paper stack is released. In addition, in the clamping step in the first control mode, the drive motor 154 may be controlled to clamp the paper stack Pb each time the paper stack P is transported onto the mounting table 136 of the electric stapler 100C, either one sheet at a time or in units of a predetermined number of sheets.

[0101] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first embodiment described above. Specifically, since the clamping of the paper stack Pb is performed multiple times in the clamping process of the first control mode, the curl of the paper stack P can be corrected and the paper stack P can be made flatter. As a result, the paper stack is bound after the curl is corrected, so that it is possible to prevent the binding process from being performed in a state where the end face of the paper stack Pb is misaligned or the end face of the paper stack Pb is bent, and the final bound shape can be adjusted. Also, since the pressing of the leg Sb by the clincher unit 134 is performed multiple times in the clinching process of the second control mode, it is possible to reduce the floating amount of the leg Sb of the bent staple S relative to the paper stack Pb, and the leg Sb portion can be made flatter, and the bound shape can be adjusted.

[0102] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the electric stapler 100A is mounted inside the paper-sheet processing device 200A, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electric stapler 100A may be a desktop type that can independently perform the binding process.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the electric stapler 100A or the like is installed inside the paper-sheet processing device 200A or the like that functions as an image forming device, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the electric stapler 100A, 100B, 100C may be installed inside a post-processing device (paper-sheet processing device) that is connected downstream of the paper-sheet processing device 200A. In this case, the electric stapler 100A or the like may perform the binding process based on an instruction from the control unit 250 of the paper-sheet processing device 200A, or may perform the binding process based on an instruction supplied from the control unit 250 of the paper-sheet processing device 200A via a control unit provided in the post-processing device.

[0105] In addition, the selection of the first control mode, the second control mode, the normal binding processing mode, etc. may be automatically determined by the control unit 250 of the paper processing device 200A, etc. or the control unit 150 of the electric stapler 100A, taking into consideration the paper type, the number of sheets to be bound, the current value of the drive motor 154, the binding processing time, the temperature of the usage environment, etc.

[0106] In addition, the numerical values ​​of the parameters related to the first control mode and the second control mode may be calculated based on the input information from the operation panel 270 and the detection information from other sensors, and rewritten so that the optimal binding process can be performed.

[0107] In addition, in the second control mode, the number of times to perform clinching may be automatically calculated based on the current value of the drive motor 154 during clinching. Also, the control unit 150 of the electric stapler 100A may calculate the number of times to perform clinching in the second control mode based on the number of sheets to be stapled and sheet information supplied from the sheet processing device 200A or the post-processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 100A, 100B, 100C Electric Stapler 120 Binding section 134 Clincher section 138 Clamp section 150 Control section 154 Drive motor (motor) 200A, 200B, 200C Paper handling device 250 Control section P paper Pb paper stack S staple Sb leg

Claims

1. a binding unit that performs a binding process on the paper stack by sequentially executing a clamping step of clamping the paper stack, a penetrating step of penetrating the clamped paper stack with a staple, and a clinching step of pressing legs of the staple that have penetrated the paper stack; A motor that drives the binding unit; A control unit for controlling the motor; Equipped with a first control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to clamp the paper stack a plurality of times in the clamping step, a second control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to press the leg portion a plurality of times in the clinching step, and a normal binding processing mode; the control unit automatically selects one of the first control mode, the second control mode, and the normal binding processing mode based on a paper type, a number of sheets to be bound, a current value of a drive motor, a binding processing time, or a temperature of an operating environment. Electric stapler.

2. the binding unit has a clamp unit that clamps the paper stack in the clamping step, and is configured such that the clamping step, the piercing step, and the clinching step are executed in this order by the motor rotating in the forward direction; the clamp unit is configured to be movable between a first position where the paper stack is not clamped and a second position where the paper stack is clamped, and in the clamping process, the motor rotates forward to move the clamp unit from the first position to the second position, and in the clamping process, the motor rotates reverse to move the clamp unit from the second position to the first position; The control unit controls the motor so that the motor repeatedly rotates forward and backward a plurality of times in the clamping step.

2. The electric stapler according to claim 1.

3. The control unit controls the motor so as to clamp the stack of sheets each time a sheet is conveyed in the clamping step.

3. The electric stapler according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit controls the motor so as to clamp the stack of sheets every time a predetermined number of sheets are conveyed in the clamping step.

3. The electric stapler according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the binding unit has a clinching portion that presses legs of the staple in the clinching step, and is configured such that the clamping step, the piercing step, and the clinching step are executed in this order by the motor rotating in the normal direction; The clinching portion is configured to be movable between a third position where the clinching portion does not press the leg portion and a fourth position where the clinching portion presses the leg portion, and the clinching portion moves from the third position to the fourth position by the motor rotating in the forward direction during the clinching process, and the clinching portion moves from the fourth position to the third position by the motor rotating in the reverse direction during the clinching process, The control unit controls the motor so that the motor repeatedly rotates forward and backward a plurality of times in the clinching process.

2. The electric stapler according to claim 1.

6. A paper processing device capable of mounting an electric stapler, the paper processing device including a binding unit that performs a binding process on a paper stack by sequentially performing a clamping step of clamping a paper stack, a penetrating step of penetrating the clamped paper stack with a staple, and a clinching step of pressing legs of the staple that have penetrated the paper stack, and a motor that drives the binding unit, a control unit that controls the motor when the electric stapler is attached; a first control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to clamp the paper stack a plurality of times in the clamping step, a second control mode in which the motor is controlled so as to press the leg portion a plurality of times in the clinching step, and a normal binding processing mode; the control unit automatically selects one of the first control mode, the second control mode, and the normal binding processing mode based on a paper type, a number of sheets to be bound, a current value of a drive motor, a binding processing time, or a temperature of an operating environment. Paper handling equipment.

7. When the electric stapler is mounted, the electric stapler is configured to clamp the paper stack when the motor rotates in the forward direction and not clamp the paper stack when the motor rotates in the reverse direction in the clamping step, The control unit controls the motor so that the motor repeatedly rotates forward and backward a plurality of times in the clamping step. The paper processing device according to claim 6.

8. The control unit controls the motor so as to clamp the stack of sheets each time a sheet is conveyed in the clamping step. The paper processing device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The control unit controls the motor so as to clamp the stack of sheets every time a predetermined number of sheets are conveyed in the clamping step. The paper processing device according to claim 6 or 7.

10. The control unit controls the motor so as to clamp the sheet stack a plurality of times in the clamping step. The paper processing device according to claim 6.

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