Post-processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a movable body support member which can inhibit occurrence of useless portions in a support member while enabling the support member to be used in several devices, and to provide a post-processing device and an image formation system.SOLUTION: A movable body support member includes: a first support member 70 including a first support plate 71, first guide means 72 which is provided at the first support plate 71 and guides movement of movable bodies 50, 60 and in which its one end part reaches one side surface of the first support plate 71, and a first connection part 73 provided on one side surface of the first support plate 71; a second support member 80 including a second support plate 81, second guide means 82 which is provided at the second support plate 81 and guides movement of the movable bodies 50, 60 and in which one end part reaches one side surface of the second support plate 81, and a second connection part 83 which is provided on the one side surface of the second support plate 81 and connected to the first connection part 73 of the first support member 70. The first guide means 72 and the second guide means 82 are continuously connected through the one side surface of the first support plate 71 and the one side surface of the second support plate 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mobile body support member, a post-processing device, and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a post-processing device that performs a binding process on a recording material according to a binding instruction, the post-processing device including: a first binding processing means that is movably provided on a moving path and performs a first binding process; a second binding processing means that is movably provided on the moving path and performs a second binding process different from the first binding process; and a control means that controls the movement of the first binding means and the second binding means. A post-processing device and an image forming system are also disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile body support member, a post-processing device, and an image forming system in which a first support member can be shared among a plurality of devices having different guiding ranges for a mobile body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, a moving body support member according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a first support plate, a first guiding means provided on the first support plate for guiding the movement of a moving body and having one end reaching one side surface of the first support plate, and a first connecting portion provided on the one side surface of the first support plate. A first support member including, a second support plate, a second guiding means provided on the second support plate for guiding the movement of the moving body and having one end reaching one side surface of the second support plate, and a second connecting portion provided on the one side surface of the second support plate and connected to the first connecting portion of the first support member. A second support member including, the first guiding means and the second guiding means are continuously connected via the one side surface of the first support plate and the one side surface of the second support plate.

[0006] A moving body support member according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the moving body support member according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion extend in a direction inclined with respect to the moving direction of the moving body.

[0007] A moving body support member according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the moving body support member according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the one side surface of the first connecting portion has a shape convex toward the first support member side with the first guiding means as a vertex when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the first support plate.

[0008] A moving body support member according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the moving body support member according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present disclosure, further including a rotating means disposed at a position adjacent to the first guiding means and rotating the moving body that has been guided by the first guiding means and has moved, along with the movement.

[0009] The mobile body support member according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the mobile body support member according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the rotating means includes a guide provided on the mobile body and a restricting means provided on the first support plate and contacting the guide to restrict the movement of the guide. As the guide contacts the restricting means as the mobile body moves, the mobile body rotates so as to incline with respect to the direction of the movement.

[0010] The mobile body support member according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes a support plate, a guiding means provided on the support plate for guiding the movement of the mobile body, one end of which reaches one side surface of the support plate, and a connecting portion provided on the one side surface of the support plate to which another support member capable of supporting the mobile body is connected.

[0011] The post-processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes the mobile body support member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The mobile body includes a first mobile body and a second mobile body. The first mobile body performs a first post-processing on a recording medium, and the second mobile body performs a second post-processing different from the first post-processing on the recording medium.

[0012] The post-processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes the mobile body support member according to the sixth aspect. The mobile body performs post-processing on a recording medium.

[0013] The image forming system according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes an image forming means for conveying a recording medium and forming an image on the recording medium, and the post-processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect provided downstream of the image forming means in the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the mobile body support member according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile body support member capable of expanding the guiding means according to required functions is provided.

[0015] According to the moving body support member according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the moving body from getting caught at the connection portion as compared with a configuration in which one side surface extends in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body.

[0016] According to the moving body support member according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the first support member can be made smaller as compared with a case where one side surface of the first connection portion has a shape convex toward the second support member side when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the support plate.

[0017] According to the moving body support member according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the first support member can be made smaller as compared with a case where the moving body is rotated using the shape of the guide member or the like.

[0018] According to the moving body support member according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the structure becomes simpler as compared with a case where another member is interposed between the guide and the restricting means.

[0019] According to the moving body support member according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a moving body support member capable of connecting another support member as needed is provided.

[0020] According to the post-treatment device according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a post-treatment device in which a plurality of moving bodies coexist.

[0021] According to the post-treatment device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a post-treatment device using a single moving body that does not include a portion disposed outside the moving range of the moving body.

[0022] According to the image forming system according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image forming system including a post-treatment device that does not include a portion disposed outside the moving range of the moving body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, each embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the scope necessary for the description for achieving the object of the present disclosure is schematically shown, and mainly the scope necessary for the description of the corresponding part of the present disclosure will be described, and the parts where the description is omitted shall be based on known techniques.

[0025] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment may include an image forming unit 10, a conveyance unit 20, and a post-processing unit 30. In the following description, the X direction shown in FIG. 1 is temporarily defined as the horizontal direction, the Y direction as the depth direction, and the Z direction as the height direction for explanation. Also, the image forming unit 10 is an example of an image forming means, and the post-processing unit 30 is an example of a post-processing device.

[0026] The image forming unit 10 may include an image forming unit main body 11, and an image forming unit in which an image forming section 12 and two paper storage sections 13 are arranged in the image forming unit main body 11 may be adopted. Also, a conveyance path 14 may be provided in the image forming unit main body 11.

[0027] The image forming section 12 is for forming an image on a sheet P as an example of a recording medium. As this image forming section 12, an image can be formed on the sheet P by an electrophotographic method in which a toner image previously adhered to a photosensitive drum 15 is transferred to the sheet P to form an image. Note that the image forming method in the image forming section 12 is not limited to the above electrophotographic method, and for example, an inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto the sheet P to form an image or the like can be adopted. Also, the sheet P is generally made of paper, but it can also be other printable materials, for example, other film-like materials.

[0028] The two paper storage sections 13 each store sheets P of different sizes and types in a stacked state. The sheets P stored in each paper storage section 13 are supplied one by one to the image forming section 12. Note that the number of paper storage sections 13 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

[0029] The conveyance path 14 is for conveying the sheet P to a desired position within the image forming unit 10, and conveys the sheet P supplied from the sheet storage unit 13 and having an image formed thereon by the image forming unit 12 so as to discharge it outside the image forming unit main body 11. A plurality of conveyance rollers 16 are disposed at appropriate positions in this conveyance path 14.

[0030] The conveyance unit 20 has a conveyance unit main body 21, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 22 are arranged inside the conveyance unit main body 21. This conveyance unit 20 is arranged so as to connect the sheet discharge port of the image forming unit 10 and the sheet inlet of the post-processing unit 30, and a conveyance path 23 for conveying the sheet P discharged from the image forming unit 10 into the post-processing unit main body 31 is provided inside it. Note that a punching device for punching holes in the sheet P (not shown) can also be arranged inside the conveyance unit 20.

[0031] The post-processing unit 30 has a post-processing unit main body 31, and a binding processing unit 40 is arranged inside this post-processing unit main body 31. The binding processing unit 40 is a device for binding the sheets P, and binds a plurality of sheets P to form a sheet bundle PB (see FIG. 5). A discharge unit 32 for discharging the sheet P or the sheet bundle PB bound by the binding processing unit 40 is attached to the post-processing unit main body 31. Further, a conveyance path 33 including a plurality of conveyance rollers 34 is formed inside the post-processing unit main body 31, and this conveyance path 33 conveys the sheet P conveyed into the post-processing unit main body 31 to the binding processing unit 40.

[0032] The binding processing unit 40 can include a loading plate 41, a abutting member 42, paddles 43, tampers 44, discharge rolls 45, and a binding processing device 46. The loading plate 41 can be a plate-like member on which the sheets P conveyed from the conveyance path 33 are loaded. This loading plate 41 is disposed at an arbitrary angle (for example, about 30°) so that the end on the side of the abutting member 42 is positioned downward in the height direction than the end on the opposite side, and a plurality of sheets P can be loaded on the upper surface. Further, the abutting member 42 is for aligning the positions of the plurality of sheets P in the conveyance direction by abutting the rear ends of the plurality of sheets P in the conveyance direction. Furthermore, the paddles 43 are provided above the loading plate 41 and push the sheets P toward the abutting member 42 by rotating upon receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown). Furthermore, the tampers 44 are movable in a direction that traverses the conveyance direction of the plurality of sheets P along the depth direction (hereinafter, this direction is also referred to as the "width direction of the sheet P"), and operate to sandwich both end portions in the width direction of the sheet P, thereby aligning the width direction positions of the plurality of sheets P (sheet bundle PB). Furthermore, the discharge rolls 45 are operable to discharge the sheet bundle PB after being bound by the binding processing device 46 described later to the discharge portion 32.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the binding processing unit 40 of the image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the binding processing apparatus 46 of the binding processing unit 40 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of performing a plurality of types of binding processes as an example of the first and second post-processes on one or a plurality of locations on the end portion on the abutting member 42 side of a plurality of sheets P (that is, a sheet bundle PB) loaded on the loading plate 41. Along with this, the binding processing apparatus 46 according to the present embodiment includes a stapled (needle) binding member 50 that binds a plurality of sheets P using staples (needles), and a stapleless binding member 60 that binds a plurality of sheets P without using staples, which are supported by a first moving body support member 47. The first moving body support member 47 is provided with a long-hole-shaped guide rail GR for guiding the movement of the stapled binding member 50 and the stapleless binding member 60. Here, the stapled binding member 50 is an example of the first moving body or a moving body, and the stapleless binding member 60 is an example of the second moving body or a moving body.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the movement structure of the stapled binding member and the stapleless binding member of the binding processing unit shown in FIG. 2, and shows the structures on the back sides of the first and second support plates by seeing through the first and second support plates. FIG. 4 is a main part explanatory view of the stapled binding member 50 of the binding processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first moving body support member 47 of the binding processing apparatus 46 according to the present embodiment includes first and second support members 70 and 80 connected to each other by a connecting portion CP. Among these, the first support member 70 includes at least a first support plate 71 extending along the width direction of the sheet P (or the sheet bundle PB), and a first guide path 72 constituting a part of the guide rail GR for guiding the movement of the stapled binding member 50 and the stapleless binding member 60. Further, the second support member 80 includes at least a second support plate 81 having a substantially inverted T shape that extends along the width direction of the sheet P and whose intermediate position protrudes toward the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and a second guide path 82 constituting a part of the guide rail GR.

[0035] The first guide path 72 may include a first main guide path 721 extending along the width direction of the sheet P, and a curved path 722 extending so as to curve from the front side (the right side in FIG. 2) of the first main guide path 721 in the depth direction toward the conveyance direction of the sheet P. Further, the end on the back side (the left side in FIG. 2) of the first main guide path 721 in the depth direction is continuously connected to the second guide path 82 via a connecting portion CP.

[0036] The second guide path 82 may include a second main guide path 821 extending along the width direction of the sheet P, a branch path 822 provided at the back side end of the second main guide path 821 in the depth direction and branching the guide rail GR into two paths, a retraction path 823 for the stiching member with needles extending along the conveyance direction of the sheet P from the branch path 822, and a retraction path 824 for the stiching member without needles extending along the width direction of the sheet P from the branch path 822. Further, the end on the front side of the second main guide path 721 in the depth direction is continuously connected to the first guide path 72 via a connecting portion CP.

[0037] The stitching member 50 with needles moves along the path defined by the curved path 722, the first main guide path 721, the second main guide path 821, the branch path 822, and the retraction path 823 for the stitching member with needles among the guide rails GR. As particularly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to realize its movement, the stitching member 50 with needles includes a needle-side insertion pin 51, a needle-side rack 52, a needle-side pinion 53, a needle-side drive unit 54, a needle-side inner wheel 55, and a needle-side outer wheel 56.

[0038] The pin 51 on the side with needles is inserted into the guide rail GR to guide the moving direction of the stitching member 50 with needles. The rack 52 on the side with needles is composed of a rack gear provided along the path where the stitching member 50 with needles moves on the back surface sides of the first and second support plates 71 and 81. The pinion 53 on the side with needles is composed of a pinion gear that meshes with the rack 52 on the side with needles. The driving part 54 on the side with needles includes a driving source such as a motor, is fixed to the pin 51 on the side with needles, and supplies a driving force to the pinion 53 on the side with needles. One or more, for example, two inner wheels 55 on the side with needles are rotatably fixed to the lower surface of the stitching member 50 with needles. While supporting the stitching member 50 with needles, they roll on the inner side (conveying direction side) position of the guide rail GR on the upper surfaces of the first and second support plates 71 and 81. One or more, for example, two outer wheels 56 on the side with needles are rotatably fixed to the lower surface of the stitching member 50 with needles. While supporting the stitching member 50 with needles, they roll on the outer side (opposite side of the conveying direction) position of the guide rail GR on the upper surfaces of the first and second support plates 71 and 81. Then, the stitching member 50 with needles operates the driving part 54 on the side with needles to rotate the pinion 53 on the side with needles, and thereby rolls the inner wheel 55 on the side with needles and the outer wheel 56 on the side with needles along the rack 52 on the side with needles to move.

[0039] The stitch member 60 without a needle moves along a movement path defined by the curved path 722, the first main guide path 721, the second main guide path 821, the branch path 822, and the retraction path 824 for the stitch member without a needle among the guide rails GR. This stitch member 60 without a needle also has the same drive structure as the stitch member 50 with a needle, thereby realizing movement along the movement path. That is, the stitch member 60 without a needle can be configured to include a non-needle-side insertion pin 61, a non-needle-side rack 62, a non-needle-side pinion 63, a non-needle-side drive unit (not shown), a non-needle-side inner wheel 65 (see FIG. 7), and a non-needle-side outer wheel 66 (see FIG. 7). Since these configurations are the same as those of the stitch member 50 with a needle, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the structures for moving the above-described stitch member 50 with a needle and the stitch member 60 without a needle are not limited to those described above as long as they can move along the guide rail GR, and can be changed to other structures.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the stitching positions of the stitching device in the stitching processing unit shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the stitched member 50 with needles and the stitched member 60 without needles move along the guide rail GR to move between a plurality of stitching positions and a retracted position. Here, the plurality of stitching positions include a first stitching position P1 for obliquely stitching the right corner of the paper bundle PB, second and third stitching positions P2 and P3 for flat stitching two places on one side that abuts against the abutting member 42 of the paper bundle PB, and a fourth stitching position P4 for obliquely stitching the left corner of the paper bundle PB. The retracted position includes a retracted position P5 of the stitched member with needles for the stitched member with needles 50 to be located when the stitched member without needles 60 is operating or the stitching device 46 is stopped, etc., and a retracted position P6 of the stitched member without needles for the stitched member without needles 60 to be located when the stitched member with needles 50 is operating or the stitching device 46 is stopped, etc. The stitched member 50 with needles is movable between the above-described first stitching position P1, second and third stitching positions P2 and P3, fourth stitching position P4, and retracted position P5 of the stitched member with needles. Also, the stitched member 60 without needles is movable between the first stitching position P1, second and third stitching positions P2 and P3, fourth stitching position P4, and retracted position P6 of the stitched member without needles. The above-described two retracted positions P5 and P6 extend to a position where the other stitched member does not interfere with the movement trajectory of one stitched member when the other stitched member is located at the corresponding retracted position so that the other stitched member does not interfere with the movement of one stitched member during the operation of one stitched member. Also, the first stitching position P1 is located on the front side in the depth direction of the image forming system 1. Therefore, when performing maintenance on the stitched member 50 with needles and the stitched member 60 without needles or replenishing staples for the stitched member 50 with needles, if the corresponding stitched member is positioned at the first stitching position P1, the workability of maintenance and the like is improved.

[0041] Here, it should be particularly noted that the first to fourth binding positions P1 to P4 shown in FIG. 5 are all arranged within the first support member 70. By aggregating the above-described four binding positions P1 to P4 on the first support member 70 in this way, the binding processing device 46 can perform the necessary binding operation on the first support member 70, and can execute the binding process regardless of the shape of the second support member 80. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the shape that the second support member 80 can take is increased. Therefore, below, the structure of the first moving body support member 47 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a moving body support member according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6(A) is a view showing a state in which the first support member and the second support member are connected, and FIG. 6(B) is a view showing a state in which the first support member and the second support member are separated. The first moving body support member 47 according to the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 6(A), a continuous single guide rail GR including a path branched into two in the middle of the path. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the first moving body support member 47 is configured by connecting the first support member 70 and the second support member 80 as different members. Therefore, the guide rail GR is also formed by connecting the first guide path 72 of the first support member 70 and the second guide path 82 of the second support member 80.

[0043] In order to connect the first support member 70 and the second support member 80, a first connection portion 73 is provided on one side surface on the back side in the depth direction of the first support plate 71. And on one side surface on the front side in the depth direction of the second support plate 81, a second connection portion 83 is provided whose shape is adjusted so as to be connectable to the first connection portion 73. The first connection portion 73 may include a connection surface 731 that abuts against the second connection portion 83 described later, and a stepped portion 732 that extends from the connection surface 731 toward the second support member 80 side and is positioned close to the lower surface side of the second connection portion 83 when the first and second connection portions 73 and 83 are connected. As a specific structure for connecting the first connection portion 73 and the second connection portion 83, a well-known connection structure can be adopted. For example, a fitting structure for fitting each other may be adopted for both connection portions 73 and 83, or the stepped portion 732 of the first connection portion 73 and the second connection portion 83 may be fixed with screws, or a lock structure for maintaining the connection state of both connection portions 73 and 83 may be adopted.

[0044] Also, the end of the first main guide path 721 of the first support member 70, which is opposite to the end where the curved path 722 extends, reaches one side surface of the first support plate 71 where the first connection portion 73 is provided, and forms a connection portion 723 for connecting to the second guide path 82. The end of the second main guide path 821 of the second support member 80, which is opposite to the end where the branch path 822 is formed, reaches one side surface of the second support plate 81 where the second connection portion 83 is provided, and forms a connection portion 825 for connecting to the first guide path 72. And when the first connection portion 73 and the second connection portion 83 are connected, the two connection portions 723 and 825 are pre-aligned so that the two connection portions 723 and 825 are also continuously connected. Thereby, when the first connection portion 73 and the second connection portion 83 are connected, the first guide path 72 and the second guide path 82 are continuously connected via one side surface of the first support plate 71 where the first connection portion 73 is provided and one side surface of the second support plate 81 where the second connection portion 83 is provided. And on the first moving body support member 47, a continuous guide rail GR extending over the first support member 70 and the second support member 80 is formed.

[0045] Incidentally, in order to miniaturize the first support member 70, the connection surface 731 of the first connection portion 73 is preferably formed to extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first guide path 721 at a position where a first guide path 721 of a necessary length can be secured. However, a gap is generated between the connection surface 731 and the end surface of the second connection portion 83 when the first and second connection portions 73 and 83 are connected, so that a groove-shaped depression is formed on the upper surface of the first moving body support member 47. Therefore, when the connection surface 731 of the first connection portion 73 is formed as described above, the groove-shaped depression formed by the connection portion CP also extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first guide path 721. On the other hand, as described above, the stitched member 50 with needles and the stitched member 60 without needles are moved by a plurality of wheels (that is, the inner wheel 55 on the side with needles, the outer wheel 56 on the side with needles, the inner wheel 65 without needles, and the outer wheel 66 without needles) that roll on the first support plate 71 and the second support plate 81. Since the rotation axes of these wheels extend in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction, the grounding surfaces of the respective wheels always have a shape that extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the guide rail GR. That is, when the connection surface 731 is formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first guide path 721 as described above, the extending direction of the groove-shaped depression formed by the connection portion CP coincides with the extending direction of the grounding surfaces of the respective wheels of the stitched member 50 with needles and the stitched member 60 without needles. Therefore, there is a problem that the respective wheels of the stitched member 50 with needles and the stitched member 60 without needles fall into and get caught in the groove-shaped depression formed by the connection portion CP.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a state in which the sewing member with needles passes over the connecting portion. In the moving body support member 47 of the present embodiment, considering the above points, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connection surface 731 of the first connection portion 73 and the end surface of the second connection portion 83 extend in a direction inclined with respect to the moving direction of the sewing member with needles 50 and the sewing member without needles 60. By adopting such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to avoid the coincidence between the extending direction of the groove-shaped depression formed by the connecting portion CP and the extending direction of the ground contact surface of each wheel of the sewing member with needles 50 and the sewing member without needles 60. That is, for example, compared with a configuration in which one side surface of each support member constituting the connecting portion CP extends in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the sewing member with needles 50 and the sewing member without needles 60, it becomes difficult for each wheel of the sewing member with needles 50 and the sewing member without needles 60 to be caught by the connecting portion CP. Note that, if at least a part of the extending direction of the groove-shaped depression formed by the connecting portion CP and the extending direction of the ground contact surface of each wheel do not coincide, the effect of suppressing the above-described catching of each wheel can be obtained to a certain extent. Therefore, for example, a part thereof may extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first guide path 721, such as a portion of the connecting portion CP shown in FIG. 7 that is crossed by the outer wheel 56 on the side with needles.

[0047] The inclination angles of the connection surface 731 of the first connection portion 73 and the end surface of the second connection portion 83 with respect to the moving direction of the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles can be adjusted in various ways. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the like, the inclination angle is adjusted so as to have a convex shape on the side of the first support member 70 with an arbitrary point on the first guide path 72 as the apex in plan view. Specifically, the portion of the connecting portion CP located on the conveyance direction side with respect to the first guide path 72 (hereinafter, this portion is also referred to as "a part CP1 of the connecting portion") is inclined by an arbitrary angle θ1 in the counterclockwise direction with reference to the rotation axis of the inner wheel 55 on the side with needles that rolls on this portion. On the other hand, the portion of the connecting portion located on the side opposite to the conveyance direction with respect to the first guide path 72 (hereinafter, this portion is also referred to as "the other part CP2 of the connecting portion") is inclined by an arbitrary angle θ2 in the clockwise direction with reference to the rotation axis of the outer wheel 56 on the side with needles that rolls on this portion. Although the above-described inclination angles can be adjusted as appropriate, if the angle is too small, it is difficult to obtain the effect of suppressing the catching of the wheel. On the contrary, if the angle is too large, it causes an unnecessary increase in the size of the first support member 47. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the angles θ1 and θ2 within a range of, for example, 5 to 45°. In the present embodiment, most of the connecting portion CP is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles. However, if at least a part of the portion where the wheels of the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles cross is inclined, the above-described effect can be obtained. However, considering the ease of machining the connection surface 731 of the first connection portion 73 and the end surface of the second connection portion 83, it is preferable to incline the connecting portion CP over the entire length as in the present embodiment.

[0048] Further, when the connecting portion CP has a convex shape on the side of the first support member 70 with an arbitrary point on the first guide path 72 as the apex in a plan view, there is a further effect that the first support member 70 can be miniaturized. Specifically, for example, when the connecting portion PC has a convex shape on the side of the second support member 80 with an arbitrary point on the first guide path 72 as the apex in a plan view, the first main guide path 721 will be formed unnecessarily long, and as a result, the first support member 70 will be enlarged. On the other hand, with the shape of the present embodiment, the connecting portion CP can be inclined while the first main guide path 721 is set to the minimum necessary length, so that the first support member 70 can be made smaller. Needless to say, the above-exemplified case where the connecting portion PC has a convex shape on the side of the second support member 80 with an arbitrary point on the first guide path 72 as the apex in a plan view is also included in the present disclosure. Similarly, in the first moving body support member 47 of the present disclosure, a part CP1 and the other part CP2 of the connecting portion may be inclined in the same direction or at the same angle.

[0049] Incidentally, as described above, the first main guide path 721 of the first support member 70 is linearly formed up to the connecting portion 723 in order to form the connecting portion 723 at one end thereof. On the other hand, as described above, the position close to this connecting portion 723 forms the fourth binding position P4 for the needle binding member 50 and the non-needle binding member 60 to obliquely bind the left end of the paper bundle PB. In the first moving body support member 47 according to the present embodiment, in order to rotate the needle binding member 50 and the non-needle binding member 60 obliquely with respect to the guide rail GR at the fourth binding position P4 without bending the first guide path 72, a rotation mechanism 90 is further included.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a rotation mechanism for rotating the sewing member with a needle and the sewing member without a needle. FIG. 8(A) is an enlarged view of a main part showing the state before the sewing member with a needle is rotated by the rotation mechanism, and FIG. 8(B) is an enlarged view of a main part showing the state after the sewing member with a needle is rotated by the rotation mechanism. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation mechanism 90 of the first moving body support member 47 according to the present embodiment can include at least a guide groove 91, a guide pin 92, a turntable 93, and a cam 94. Among these, the guide groove 91 is an example of a restricting means, and the guide pin 92 is an example of a guide.

[0051] The guide groove 91 is formed by a wall surface standing upright from the turntable 93, with one end opening in the depth direction, the other end extending while curving in the conveying direction and being closed. When the guide pin 92 enters from the opening on one end side, the guide groove 91 contacts the guide pin 92 and restricts its movement. The guide pin 92 is attached to the bottom surfaces of the sewing member with a needle 50 and the sewing member without a needle 60 at a position where it can enter the opening of the guide groove 91 when the sewing member with a needle 50 and the sewing member without a needle 60 move from the curved path 722 side to the branch path 822 side. The turntable 93 is a pedestal whose one end is rotatably supported by the first support plate 71. By rotating the turntable 93, it is possible to move the guide groove 91 provided on its upper surface. Further, the turntable 93 is biased toward the adjacent guide rail GR side by a coil spring, whereby the opening of the guide groove 91 is positioned on the movement path of the guide pin 92. The cam 94 is rotatably disposed at a position adjacent to the turntable 93, rotates by a driving force from a driving source (not shown), and rotates the turntable 93.

[0052] The rotational operation by the rotary mechanism 90 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 8(A), when the stitch member 50 with needles or the stitch member 60 without needles moves from the curved path 722 side toward the branch path 822 side of the guide rail GR, the guide pin 92 attached to the moving stitch member 50 with needles or the stitch member 60 without needles enters the opening at one end of the guide groove 91. Thereby, the guide groove 91 gradually restricts the movement of the guide pin 92 that has entered the guide groove 91 in the depth direction, and guides the guide pin 92 and the stitch member 50 with needles or the stitch member 60 without needles to which this guide pin 92 is attached to move in the conveyance direction. As a result, the stitch member 50 with needles or the stitch member 60 without needles is rotated along the movement of the guide pin 92 to an angle at which the paper bundle PB can be obliquely stitched at the fourth stitching position P4.

[0053] Also, when the stitch member 50 with needles and the stitch member 60 without needles are not rotated at the fourth stitching position P4, the cam 94 is operated to rotate the turntable 93 toward the conveyance direction side. Thereby, the opening of the guide groove 91 is disengaged from the movement path of the guide pin 92, and the stitch member 50 with needles and the stitch member 60 without needles can pass through without rotating at the fourth stitching position P4.

[0054] According to the above-described rotating mechanism 90, it is possible to rotate the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles at a position adjacent to the first connecting portion 73 without curving the end portion of the first guide path 72 on the side of the first connecting portion 73. Then, on the first support member 70, left and right diagonal sewing and flat sewing can be performed. As a result, compared with a method of rotating the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles by bending the guide rail GR or the like, the first support member 70 can be made smaller. Further, in the first moving body support member 47 according to the present embodiment, the second guide path 82 of the second support member 80 can be continuously connected to the first guide path 72 with a simple structure. In addition, since the sewing operation at a plurality of sewing positions P1 to P4 can be realized only by the first support member 80, it is not necessary to provide a sewing position on the second support member 80 side. Furthermore, as the rotating means, mainly two of a guide pin and a guide groove are used, so that the sewing member 50 with needles and the sewing member 60 without needles can be rotated with a simple configuration.

[0055] As described above, the moving body support member according to the present embodiment forms a support member for moving two moving bodies by connecting two support members each having a connecting portion. Therefore, the configuration of one support member can be easily changed according to the functions required in the post-processing apparatus and the image forming system having this moving body support member, and the guide means can be expanded. Thus, it is possible to provide a highly extensible moving body support member, post-processing apparatus, and image forming system.

[0056] In the above-described first embodiment, the needle-attached binding member 50 and the needleless binding member 60 are exemplified as the first and second moving bodies. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and changes to other moving bodies or addition of moving bodies are possible. For example, instead of the needleless binding member 60, a plurality of needle-attached binding members with different needle types may be adopted, or a post-processing device that performs punching processing may be further adopted, and various changes are possible. Further, in the above-described first embodiment, four binding positions P1 to P4 are arranged on the first support member 70, and an example is given in which the binding operation can be executed only on the first support member 70. However, the binding operation may be performed on the second support member 80.

[0057] In addition, when the number, size, binding operation position, etc. of the moving bodies are changed as described above, it is preferable to change the shape of the second support member 80. In the first moving body support member 47 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a binding position on the second support member 80, the shape of the second support member can be changed relatively freely. Specifically, for example, as the second guide path 82 of the second support member 80, one that branches into three or more paths in the branch path 822, one having a non-branching path structure, or one having a partially curved path can be adopted.

[0058] In the first moving body support member 47 according to the above-described first embodiment, an example is given in which two support members, specifically, the first support member 70 and the second support member 80 are connected. The second support member 80 described here is mainly adopted to form a retracting path for operating two moving bodies, that is, the needle-attached binding member 50 and the needleless binding member 60, without interfering with each other on the first moving body support member 47. Therefore, if there is one moving body guided by the moving body support member, the necessary binding operation can be realized without moving the second guide path 82 of the second support member 80 described above. Therefore, hereinafter, as the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a moving body support member in the case where there is one moving body to be guided will be described below as the second moving body support member 47A.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a binding processing unit of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view showing the binding position of a binding processing apparatus in the binding processing unit shown in FIG. 9. The second moving body support member 47A, the post-processing apparatus, and the image forming system according to the present embodiment have the same configuration as the first moving body support member 47, the post-processing apparatus, and the image forming system according to the first embodiment, except for a part of the second moving body support member 47A. Therefore, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the components common to the first moving body support member 47, the post-processing apparatus, and the image forming system according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals with “A” appended to the end thereof, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. And hereinafter, the description will be centered on the points different from the first embodiment.

[0060] The binding processing apparatus 46A of the binding processing unit as an example of the post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can include a second moving body support member 47A and a binding member 50A with needles as an example of a moving body. Among these, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second moving body support member 47A is composed of a first support member 70A having the same configuration as the first support member 70 according to the first embodiment described above. This first support member 70A includes at least a first support plate 71A extending along the width direction of the sheet P, a first guide path 72A constituting the guide rail GR, and a first connection portion 73A provided on one side surface of the first support plate 71A.

[0061] Among the above configurations, the first guide path 72A may include a first main guide path 721A extending along the width direction of the sheet P, and a curved path 722A extending so as to curve from the front side (the right side in FIG. 9) of the first main guide path 721A in the depth direction toward the conveyance direction of the sheet P. In addition, the end on the back side (the left side in FIG. 2) of the first main guide path 721A in the depth direction reaches the first connection portion 73A, and this first connection portion 73A is open at this portion so that when another support member is connected to the first connection portion 73A, it can be continuously connected to the guide path of the other support member. Further, the first connection portion 73A is for connecting to another support member such as the second support member 80 described above, and has a fixing structure (not shown).

[0062] As can be understood from the above description, the first support member 70A constituting the second moving body support member 47A according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the first support member 70 of the first moving body support member 47 according to the first embodiment. That is, in a moving body support member that constitutes a post-processing device including only one moving body, such as the binding processing unit according to the present embodiment, it is possible to employ a part of the moving body support member according to the first embodiment.

[0063] The needle binding member 50A attached to the second moving body support member 47A according to the present embodiment can perform a binding process on the sheet bundle at the same number of binding positions as that of the first embodiment described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the binding operation is possible at four binding positions: a first binding position P1 for obliquely binding the right side of the sheet bundle PB, second and third binding positions P2, P3 for flat-binding the sheet bundle PB, and a fourth binding position P4 for obliquely binding the left side of the sheet bundle PB. In the second moving body support member 47A, since there is only one moving body to be attached, that is, only the needle binding member 50A, it is not necessary to retract the moving body. Therefore, the home position of the needle binding member 50A may be, for example, the first binding position P1.

[0064] As described in each embodiment, in the mobile body support member of the present disclosure, a part (first support member) of the support member can be made common between one including a plurality of mobile bodies and one including a single mobile body. Further, since the support member according to the present embodiment is configured to be connectable and detachable from other support members, only necessary support members can be selectively used according to the functions required for the post-processing device. As a result, the mobile body support member does not include a wasted portion disposed outside the moving range of the mobile body, and can be manufactured with less material and miniaturized.

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. And all of them are included in the technical idea of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming unit (an example of image forming means) 30 Post-processing unit (an example of post-processing device) 40 Binding processing unit 41 Loading plate 42 Contact member 43 Paddle 44 Tamper 45 Discharge roll 46, 46A Binding processing device 47 First mobile body support member (an example of mobile body support member) 47A Second mobile body support member (an example of mobile body support member) 50 Sewing member with needles (an example of the first mobile body) 50A Sewing member with needles (an example of mobile body) 60 Sewing member without needles (an example of the second mobile body) 70, 70A First support member 71, 71A First support plate 72, 72A First guide path 721, 721A First main guide path 722, 722A Curved path Connection part of the first guide path of 723 and 723A First connection part of 73 and 73A Connection surface of 731 Step part of 732 Second support member of 80 Second support plate of 81 Second guide path of 82 Second main guide path of 821 Branch path of 822 Retreat path for the stitching member with needles of 823 Retreat path for the stitching member without needles of 824 Connection part of the second guide path of 825 Second connection part of 83 Rotation mechanism of 90 CP connection part GR guide rail Paper P Bundle of paper PB

Claims

1. A mobile body that performs post-processing on a recording medium, a first support plate, a first guiding means provided on the first support plate for guiding the movement of the mobile body and having one end reaching one side surface of the first support plate, and a first connecting portion provided on the one side surface of the first support plate; a first support member; a second support plate, a second guiding means provided on the second support plate for guiding the movement of the mobile body and having one end reaching one side surface of the second support plate, and a second connecting portion provided on the one side surface of the second support plate and connected to the first connecting portion of the first support member; a second support member; a mobile body support member, wherein the first guiding means and the second guiding means are continuously connected via the one side surface of the first support plate and the one side surface of the second support plate, the mobile body support member, a post-processing device.

2. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion extend in a direction inclined with respect to the moving direction of the mobile body. The post-processing device according to Claim 1.

3. The one side surface of the first connecting portion has a shape convex toward the first support member side with the first guiding means as a vertex when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the first support plate. The post-processing device according to Claim 2.

4. The post-processing device further includes a rotating means that is disposed at a position adjacent to the first guiding means and rotates the mobile body that has been guided by the first guiding means and has moved as it moves. The post-processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The rotating means includes a limiting means provided on the first support plate and contacting a guide provided on the mobile body to limit the movement of the guide, When the guide contacts the limiting means as the mobile body moves, the mobile body rotates so as to be inclined with respect to the moving direction. The post-processing device according to Claim 4.

6. The mobile body includes a first mobile body and a second mobile body. The first mobile body performs a first post-processing on the recording medium, and the second mobile body performs a second post-processing different from the first post-processing on the recording medium. The post-processing device according to Claim 1.

7. An image forming means for conveying a recording medium and forming an image on the recording medium, The post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 provided on the downstream side of the image forming means in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and, An image forming system.

Images