Sheet binding device, image forming apparatus

Abstract

To change a direction of a binding unit including a binding processing part in a short time by a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A binding unit 61 is provided with a first movement body 630 and a second movement body 611. A first shaft 612a and a second shaft 612b are provided at the second movement body 611. The second movement body 611 is constructed integrally with the binding processing part 610, and is supported swingably by the first movement body 630. A second groove 622 diverges from a divergence part of a first groove 621 to a specific direction side. A movable guidance part 623 guides the first shaft 612a in a first posture from the divergence part to the second groove 622. When the first shaft 612a moved from the divergence part to the second groove 622, the movable guidance part 623 shakes from the first posture to a second posture. The movable guidance part 623 guides the second shaft 612b arriving at the divergence part in the second posture along the first groove 621.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet binding device capable of performing binding processing in different orientations and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus may include a printing device and a post-processing device. The printing device forms an image on a sheet. The post-processing device performs various post-processing operations on the sheet on which the image has been formed by the printing device.

[0003] For example, the post-processing device includes a sheet binding device that performs a binding process on the stack of sheets on which images have been formed by the printing device.

[0004] The sheet binding device may also include a binding unit including a binding processing section. The binding unit is movable along the width direction of the sheet stack. When the sheet binding device includes the binding unit, the binding process can be performed in a central region of the sheet stack in the width direction or at a corner of the sheet stack.

[0005] The sheet binding device may have a function of binding the central region and the corner portions of the sheet stack in different directions.

[0006] For example, it is known that the sheet binding device is equipped with a mechanism that changes the orientation of the binding unit by performing a folding operation to move the binding unit to the end of its movable range and then to the target position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0007] When the binding unit changes its orientation in conjunction with the folding back operation, a dedicated drive source for rotating the binding unit is not required, resulting in a simplified mechanism for driving the binding unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-148862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, if the sheet binding device performs the folding operation every time it becomes necessary to change the orientation of the binding unit, the preparation time for the binding process becomes long.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet binding device that can change the orientation of a binding unit including a binding processing section in a short time with a simple configuration, and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A sheet binding device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet tray, a base, a binding unit, and a guide. Sheets are loaded on the sheet tray with one edge of the sheets aligned in a specific direction. The base is disposed opposite the sheet tray. The binding unit is movable on the base along the specific direction and is capable of performing an edge binding process that binds edges of the sheets aligned in the specific direction, or a corner binding process that binds corners of the sheets at a position spaced in the specific direction from a position where the edge binding process is performed. The guide guides the movement of the binding unit. The binding unit includes a binding processing section, a first movable body, a second movable body, a first shaft section, and a second shaft section. The binding processing section performs the binding process on the sheets. The first movable body is movable on the base along the specific direction. The second movable body is configured integrally with the binding processing section, is swingably supported by the first movable body, and is movable together with the first movable body. The first shaft portion is provided on the second movable body. The second shaft portion is provided on the second movable body and is positioned at a distance from the first shaft portion in the direction opposite to the specific direction. The guide portion includes a first groove, a second groove, and a movable guide portion. The first groove is provided on the base portion, formed along the specific direction, and guides the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The second groove is provided on the base portion, branches from a branching portion of the first groove toward the specific direction, and guides the first shaft portion. The movable guide portion is swingably provided on the base portion and guides the first shaft portion at the branching portion. The first shaft portion and the second shaft portion penetrate the first movable body and engage with the first groove or the second groove. When the first movable body moves in the specific direction, the movable guide portion is capable of swinging from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the movable guide portion guides the first shaft portion from the branch portion of the first groove to the second groove. When the first shaft portion moves from the branch portion to the second groove, the binding processing portion swings together with the second movable body around the second shaft portion. When the first shaft portion moves from the branch portion to the second groove, the movable guide portion abuts against the first shaft portion, thereby swinging from the first position to the second position.Furthermore, in the second posture, the movable guide portion guides the second shaft portion, which reaches the branch portion after the first shaft portion moves to the second groove, along the first groove.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a printing device and the sheet binding device, wherein the printing device forms an image on a sheet, and the sheet binding device performs the binding process on the stack of sheets on which the image has been formed by the printing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet binding device that can change the orientation of a binding unit including a binding processing section in a short time with a simple configuration, and an image forming apparatus that includes the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet binding device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment, illustrating an example of the sheet binding device when the binding processing section is in a first processing state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a unit base member and a shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a unit base member and a unit support member in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first state of two shaft portions and a shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second state of the two shaft portions and the shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third state of the two shaft portions and the shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth state of the two shaft portions and the shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth state of the two shaft portions and the shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment, illustrating an example of the sheet binding device when the binding processing section is in the second processing state. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sixth state of the two shaft portions and the shaft guide mechanism in the sheet binding device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the sheet binding device according to the embodiment, illustrating the sheet binding device when the binding unit is in the retracted state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0016] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 10] The sheet binding device 6 according to the embodiment constitutes a part of an image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0017] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body 1 and a post-processing device 2. The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a control device 8. The main body 1 includes a sheet storage unit 30, a primary sheet transport device 3a, a printing device 4, and the like.

[0018] The primary sheet conveying device 3a sends out the sheets 9 stored in the sheet storage unit 30 one by one to the conveying path 300. Furthermore, the primary sheet conveying device 3a conveys the sheets 9 along the conveying path 300 within the main body 1.

[0019] The printing device 4 forms an image on the sheet 9 transported by the primary sheet transport device 3a. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 4 forms an image on the sheet 9 by an inkjet method. However, the printing device 4 may also be a device that forms an image on the sheet 9 by another method such as an electrophotographic method.

[0020] The post-processing device 2 can perform various sheet processes on the sheets 9 on which images have been formed by the printing device 4. In the example shown in Figure 1, the post-processing device 2 includes a secondary sheet conveying device 3b, a punching device 5, a sheet binding device 6, and a sheet folding device 7.

[0021] The secondary sheet conveying device 3b conveys, within the post-processing device 2, the sheet 9 conveyed from the main body 1 to the post-processing device 2 by the primary sheet conveying device 3a.

[0022] The punching device 5 performs a hole punching process on the sheets 9 on which images have been formed. The sheet binding device 6 performs a binding process on a stack of the sheets 9 on which images have been formed. The sheet folding device 7 executes a process of folding the sheets 9 on which images have been formed.

[0023] The hole punching, the binding process, and the process of folding the sheets 9 are each an example of the sheet process. For example, the binding process is a stapling process that binds a stack of sheets 9 together with metal needles.

[0024] The binding process may also be a process that does not use a staple. For example, the binding process may be a process of cutting and bending a portion of the stack of sheets 9. The binding process may also be a process of pressing a portion of the stack of sheets 9 together.

[0025] The control device 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and further includes peripheral devices of the CPU such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a secondary storage device, and a signal interface.

[0026] The CPU executes the computer programs stored in the secondary storage device, and the control device 8 executes various controls. The control device 8 controls the primary sheet transport device 3a, the printing device 4, the secondary sheet transport device 3b, the punching device 5, the sheet binding device 6, and the sheet folding device 7.

[0027] The secondary sheet conveying device 3b is capable of conveying a plurality of sheets 9 to an inclined tray 60 provided in the sheet binding device 6. The sheet binding device 6 performs the binding process on the lower end of the stack of sheets 9 on the inclined tray 60. Furthermore, the sheet binding device 6 discharges the stack of sheets 9 that has been subjected to the binding process onto the discharge tray 20.

[0028] The sheet binding device 6 includes a binding unit 61 and a moving device 63. The binding unit 61 includes a binding processing section 610. The binding processing section 610 is a device that performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9. When the binding process is the stapling process, the binding processing section 610 is a stapler.

[0029] The moving device 63 moves the binding unit 61 along a predetermined main direction D1. The sheets 9 are stacked on the inclined tray 60 with one side aligned with the main direction D1. The inclined tray 60 is an example of a sheet tray.

[0030] The sheet binding device 6 is capable of moving the binding unit 61. The binding unit 61 is capable of performing edge binding and corner binding. The edge binding is a process of binding an edge portion of a stack of sheets 9 along the main direction D1. The binding unit 61 binds a central region in the width direction of the stack of sheets 9 by the edge binding. The corner binding is a process of binding a corner portion of the sheets 9 at a position away in a specific direction from the position where the edge binding is performed.

[0031] Furthermore, the sheet binding device 6 has a function of binding the central region and the corner portions of the stack of sheets 9 in different directions.

[0032] For example, a conventional device capable of performing the binding process may perform a folding operation in which the binding unit 61 is moved to the end of the movable range and then moved to the target position. The conventional device includes a mechanism for changing the orientation of the binding unit 61 by performing the folding operation.

[0033] When the binding unit 61 changes its orientation in conjunction with the folding back operation, there is no need for a dedicated drive source for rotating the binding unit 61. As a result, the mechanism for driving the binding unit 61 is simplified.

[0034] However, if the conventional device performs the folding operation every time it becomes necessary to change the orientation of the binding unit 61, the preparation time for the binding process becomes long.

[0035] On the other hand, the sheet binding device 6 has a configuration for easily changing the orientation of the binding unit 61 in a short time. The configuration will be described below.

[0036] 2 to 14, a main direction D1 is a direction in which the binding unit 61 is movable. The movement device 63 moves the binding unit 61 in a predetermined first direction D11 or a second direction D12 opposite to the first direction D11. The first direction D11 and the second direction D12 are both directions along the main direction D1.

[0037] 2 to 14, the cross direction D2 is a direction perpendicular to the main direction D1. The inclined tray 60 is arranged along the main direction D1 and the cross direction D2.

[0038] [Configuration of sheet binding device 6] The sheet binding device 6 includes a binding unit 61 and a shaft guide mechanism 62 (see FIG. 2). The binding unit 61 is movable in a first direction D11 or a second direction D12. The shaft guide mechanism 62 is an example of a guide portion that guides the movement of the binding unit 61.

[0039] The binding unit 61 has a binding processing section 610 and a unit base member 611 (see FIGS. 2 to 5).

[0040] The unit base member 611 is configured integrally with the binding processing section 610. The unit base member 611 has two shaft portions 612 formed in parallel to each other (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For example, the two shaft portions 612 protrude from the unit base member 611 along a direction intersecting the main direction D1 and the intersecting direction D2.

[0041] The moving device 63 includes a unit support member 630 (see FIGS. 2 to 6). The moving device 63 moves the unit support member 630 in a first direction D11 or a second direction D12.

[0042] The unit base member 611 is rotatably connected to the unit support member 630. In other words, the unit base member 611 is supported by the guide base member 620 so as to be able to swing.

[0043] The unit support member 630 has two guide holes 631 through which the two shafts 612 pass (see FIG. 6). The two guide holes 631 are each formed in an arc shape, and guide the two shafts 612 along an arc-shaped movement path.

[0044] The shaft guide mechanism 62 guides the movement of the two shafts 612 when the binding unit 61 moves in the first direction D11 or the second direction D12. The first direction D11 or the second direction D12 is the direction in which the binding unit 61 moves.

[0045] The shaft guide mechanism 62 includes a guide base member 620, a movable guide member 623, and a spring 625. The guide base member 620 is disposed opposite the tilt tray 60. The guide base member 620 has a first groove 621 and a second groove 622. The spring 625 is an example of an elastic member.

[0046] The guide base member 620 is an example of a base portion. The unit support member 630 is an example of a first movable body that is movable on the guide base member 620 along the main direction D1. The unit base member 611 is movable together with the guide base member 620. The unit base member 611 is an example of a second movable body.

[0047] The first groove 621 is formed along the main direction D1. In an initial state, the two shaft portions 612 are inserted into the first groove 621 in a state where they are aligned in the main direction D1. While inserted into the first groove 621, the two shaft portions 612 are engaged with the first groove 621.

[0048] The first groove 621 is divided into a first area A1, a second area A2, and a boundary area A3, which are predetermined (see FIGS. 7 to 11). The first area A1 is an area that includes the center of the movable range of the binding unit 61. The second area A2 is an area that includes the end of the movable range of the binding unit 61. The boundary area A3 is an area between the first area A1 and the second area A2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first groove 621 has two second regions A2 and two boundary regions A3 on both sides of the first region A1 in the main direction D1 (see FIG. 7).

[0050] The specific direction is the direction in which the binding unit 61 starts from the first region A1 and moves from the first region A1 to the second region A2. The direction in which the binding unit 61 moves from the first region A1 to the second region A2 is the direction in which the two shafts 612 move from the first region A1 to the second region A2. The main direction D1 is a direction along the specific direction.

[0051] 7 to 14, when the binding unit 61 moves from the first area A1 to the second area A2 on the right side of the paper, the specific direction is the first direction D11. On the other hand, when the binding unit 61 moves from the first area A1 to the second area A2 on the left side of the paper, the specific direction is the second direction D12.

[0052] When the specific direction is the first direction D11, the right-hand one of the two second grooves 622 shown in Figures 7 to 14 is used to guide one of the two shaft portions 612. When the specific direction is the second direction D12, the left-hand one of the two second grooves 622 shown in Figures 7 to 14 is used to guide one of the two shaft portions 612.

[0053] Similarly, when the specific direction is the first direction D11, the right-hand one of the two movable guide members 623 shown in Figures 7 to 14 is used to guide the two shaft portions 612. When the specific direction is the second direction D12, the left-hand one of the two movable guide members 623 shown in Figures 7 to 14 is used to guide the two shaft portions 612.

[0054] The second groove 622 branches off from the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621 in the specific direction. The pitch between the first groove 621 and the second groove 622 is smaller than the pitch between the two shaft portions 612. The boundary region A3 is the branching portion of the first groove 621.

[0055] In this embodiment, the guide base member 620 has two second grooves 622 corresponding to the two second regions A2 of the first groove 621 (see FIGS. 7 to 11).

[0056] The movable guide member 623 is supported so as to be swingable between a first position and a second position around a support shaft 624. The movable guide member 623 is an example of a movable guide portion.

[0057] In this embodiment, the shaft guide mechanism 62 includes two movable guide members 623 corresponding to the two boundary areas A3 (see FIG. 7). The support shaft 624 is disposed between the first groove 621 and the second groove 622.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows a state in which the two movable guide members 623 are each in the first position, and Figs. 9 and 10 show a state in which the right-hand one of the two movable guide members 623 is in the second position.

[0059] The spring 625 biases the movable guide member 623 in the direction of the first attitude. For example, the spring 625 is a torsion spring supported by the support shaft 624.

[0060] The movable guide member 623 has a first arm portion 623a and a second arm portion 623b (see FIGS. 7 to 11).

[0061] When the movable guide member 623 is in the first posture, the first arm portion 623a is disposed at a first protruding position (see 7). The first protruding position is a position where the first arm portion 623a protrudes from the support shaft 624 to between the boundary region A3 and the second region A2 in the first groove 621.

[0062] When the movable guide member 623 is in the second posture, the first arm portion 623a is disposed in a first retracted position (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The first retracted position is a position along the edge of the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621 on the side of the second groove 622. The first retracted position is also the position of the boundary between the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621 and the second groove 622.

[0063] On the other hand, when the movable guide member 623 is in the first position, the second arm portion 623b is disposed at a second protruding position (see FIG. 7). The second protruding position is a position where the second arm portion 623b protrudes from the support shaft 624 into the second groove 622.

[0064] When the movable guide member 623 is in the second posture, the second arm portion 623b is disposed in the second retracted position (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The second retracted position is a position along the edge of the second groove 622.

[0065] [Operation of the sheet binding device 6 when the binding unit 61 moves in a specific direction] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14, the movement of the sheet binding device 6 when the specific direction is the first direction D11 will be described.

[0066] The first shaft portion 612a shown in Figures 7 to 14 is one of the two shaft portions 612 that is located on the side of the specific direction. The second shaft portion 612b shown in Figures 7 to 14 is one of the two shaft portions 612 that is located on the opposite side of the specific direction. In other words, the second shaft portion 612b is positioned with a gap in between it and the first shaft portion 612a in the opposite direction to the specific direction.

[0067] When the binding unit 61 moves from the first area A1 in the specific direction, the first arm portion 623a guides the first shaft portion 612a from the boundary area A3 to the second groove 622 at the first protruding position (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0068] The first shaft portion 612a is guided by the first arm portion 623a and enters the second groove 622 from the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the second shaft portion 612b is present in the first region A1 of the first groove 621. The first shaft portion 612a is engaged with the second groove 622 while being inserted into the second groove 622.

[0069] Furthermore, when the binding unit 61 is moving in the specific direction, the second arm portion 623b comes into contact with the first shaft portion 612a guided by the second groove 622. The second arm portion 623b comes into contact with the first shaft portion 612a, and is thereby pushed away from the second protruding position to the second retracted position (see FIG. 9).

[0070] When the second arm portion 623b is pushed away from the second protruding position to the second retracted position by the first shaft portion 612a, the movable guide member 623 swings from the first posture to the second posture.

[0071] As the movable guide member 623 swings from the first position to the second position, the first arm portion 623a moves from the first protruding position to the first retracted position (see FIG. 9). When the first arm portion 623a is positioned at the first retracted position, the passage in the first groove 621 from the boundary region A3 to the second region A2 is opened.

[0072] On the other hand, when the binding unit 61 moves in the specific direction and the second arm portion 623b is pushed to the second retracted position by the first shaft portion 612a, the second shaft portion 612b reaches the boundary area A3 of the first groove 621.

[0073] When the binding unit 61 further moves in the specific direction and the first shaft portion 612a moves away from the second arm portion 623b in the specific direction, the second shaft portion 612b is in the state shown in FIG.

[0074] The state shown in Figure 10 is a state in which the second axis portion 612b moves from the boundary area A3 toward the second area A2 while restricting the swinging of the first arm portion 623a from the first retracted position to the first extended position in the boundary area A3.

[0075] 3 and 7 show the sheet binding device 6 when the two shaft portions 612 are present in the range from the first region A1 to the boundary region A3 in the first groove 621.

[0076] When the two shaft portions 612 are present in the range from the first region A1 to the boundary region A3 in the first groove 621, the binding processing portion 610 performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9 in the first orientation (see FIG. 3).

[0077] When the binding process is performed on the central region in the width direction of the stack of sheets 9, the first shaft portion 612a is placed at a first target position by movement of the binding unit 61 by the movement device 63. The first target position is any position within a range from the first region A1 to the boundary region A3 in the first groove 621. For example, the first target position is selected from a plurality of candidates set in advance.

[0078] 3 shows an example of the sheet binding device 6 when the binding processing unit 610 is in a first processing state. The first processing state is a state in which the binding processing unit 610 performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9 in the first orientation at a position corresponding to the first target position.

[0079] On the other hand, FIGS. 10 to 12 show the sheet binding device 6 when the first shaft portion 612a is present in the second groove 622 and the second shaft portion 612b is present in the first groove 621. FIG.

[0080] When the first shaft portion 612a is in the second groove 622 and the second shaft portion 612b is in the first groove 621, the binding processing portion 610 performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9 in a second orientation. The second orientation is an orientation inclined with respect to the first orientation.

[0081] More specifically, the second groove 622 has a communicating portion 622a and a parallel portion 622b (see FIG. 7).

[0082] The communicating portion 622a is continuous with the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621. The communicating portion 622a is formed along a direction oblique to the main direction D1 on the specific direction side from the boundary region A3 (see FIG. 7). In other words, the communicating portion 622a is formed from the boundary region A3 of the first groove 621 toward a direction oblique to the specific direction. The communicating portion 622a is an example of a first inclined portion.

[0083] The parallel portion 622b is continuous with the communicating portion 622a on the side of the specific direction. The parallel portion 622b is formed parallel to the second region A2 of the first groove 621 (see FIG. 7). In other words, the parallel portion 622b is formed from the communicating portion 622a toward the specific direction.

[0084] When the first shaft portion 612a is located in the parallel portion 622b of the second groove 622 and the second shaft portion 612b is located in the first groove 621, the binding processing portion 610 performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9 in the second orientation (see Figures 10 to 12).

[0085] When the binding process is performed on a corner of a stack of sheets 9, the first shaft portion 612a is placed at a second target position by the movement of the binding unit 61 by the movement device 63. The second target position is an arbitrary position within the parallel portion 622b of the second groove 622.

[0086] The second destination position is a position corresponding to a corner of the stack of sheets 9. The second destination position is set according to the size of the sheets 9.

[0087] 12 shows an example of the sheet binding device 6 when the binding processing unit 610 is in a second processing state. The second processing state is a state in which the binding processing unit 610 performs the binding process on the stack of sheets 9 in the second orientation at a position corresponding to the second target position.

[0088] As described above, when the unit support member 630 moves in the specific direction, the movable guide member 623 can swing from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the movable guide member 623 guides the first shaft portion 612a from the boundary area A3 of the first groove 621 to the second groove 622.

[0089] When the first shaft portion 612a moves from the boundary area A3 to the second groove 622, the binding processing portion 610 swings around the second shaft portion 612b together with the unit base member 611. At this time, the binding processing portion 610 rotates forward around the second shaft portion 612b.

[0090] Furthermore, when the first shaft portion 612a moves from the boundary area A3 to the second groove 622, the movable guide member 623 comes into contact with the first shaft portion 612a, and thereby swings from the first position to the second position.

[0091] Furthermore, in the second posture, the movable guide member 623 guides the second shaft portion 612b, which reaches the boundary area A3 after the first shaft portion 612a moves to the second groove 622, along the first groove 621 to the second area A2.

[0092] [Operation of the sheet binding device 6 when the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction] Next, the operation of the sheet binding device 6 when the binding unit 61 moves in the opposite direction to the specific direction from a state in which the first shaft portion 612a is present in the parallel portion 622b of the second groove 622 will be described.

[0093] In the following description, the return direction refers to the direction opposite to the specific direction when the starting point is the state where the first shaft portion 612a is present in the parallel portion 622b of the second groove 622. When the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction, the sheet binding device 6 operates in the reverse order to the operation when the binding unit 61 moves in the specific direction.

[0094] That is, when the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction from a state in which the first shaft portion 612a is in the parallel portion 622b of the second groove 622, the second shaft portion 612b pushes the first arm portion 623a from the first protruding position to the first retracted position (see Figure 10).

[0095] When the first arm portion 623a is pushed away from the first extending position to the first retracted position, the movable guide member 623 swings from the first posture to the second posture.

[0096] Furthermore, the second shaft portion 612b moves from the boundary area A3 toward the first area A1 while restricting the first arm portion 623a from swinging from the first retracted position to the first protruding position in the boundary area A3 (see FIG. 10).

[0097] On the other hand, when the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction and the second shaft portion 612b limits the movement of the first arm portion 623a, the first shaft portion 612a reaches a position that limits the swing of the second arm portion 623b, which is in the second retracted position.

[0098] Furthermore, the first shaft portion 612a limits the swing of the second arm portion 623b, which is in the second retracted position, and when the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction, the second shaft portion 612b moves away from the first arm portion 623a (see Figure 9).

[0099] Furthermore, after the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction and the second shaft portion 612b moves away from the first arm portion 623a, the first shaft portion 612a moves away from the second arm portion 623b, and the movable guide member 623 swings from the second position to the first position (see Figure 8).

[0100] Furthermore, after the binding unit 61 moves in the return direction and the first shaft portion 612a moves away from the second arm portion 623b, the first shaft portion 612a moves from the second groove 622 to the first groove 621 (see FIG. 7).

[0101] As described above, simply by moving the binding unit 61 in the return direction, the two shaft portions 612 return to the first grooves 621, and the binding processing portion 610 returns from the second orientation to the first orientation (see FIG. 3).

[0102] When the binding process is requested in the central region in the width direction of the stack of sheets 9, the control device 8 executes first binding control for the sheet binding device 6. In the first binding control, the control device 8 causes the moving device 63 to execute a process of moving the first shaft portion 612a to the first target position. Furthermore, the control device 8 causes the binding processing unit 610 to execute the binding process.

[0103] On the other hand, when the binding process is required at a corner of the stack of sheets 9, the control device 8 executes second binding control for the sheet binding device 6. In the second binding control, the control device 8 causes the moving device 63 to execute a process of moving the first shaft portion 612a to the second target position. Furthermore, the control device 8 causes the binding processing unit 610 to execute the binding process.

[0104] The sheet binding device 6 operates in the same manner as described above when the specific direction is the second direction D12.

[0105] When the sheet binding device 6 is employed, no dedicated drive source is required to rotate the binding unit 61. Furthermore, when the orientation of the binding unit 61 needs to be changed, the binding unit 61 simply moves the shortest distance to the target position. Therefore, the preparation time for the binding process is short.

[0106] The sheet binding device 6 can change the orientation of the binding unit 61 including the binding processing section 610 in a short time with a simple configuration.

[0107] [Supplementary portion 622c of second groove 622] Hereinafter, one of the two second grooves 622 shown on the right side in FIGS. 7 to 11 and 13 will be described.

[0108] One of the second grooves 622 further has a supplemental portion 622c that is continuous with the parallel portion 622b on the side in the specific direction (see FIGS. 7 to 11 and 13). The supplemental portion 622c is formed to extend from the parallel portion 622b toward the second region A2 of the first groove 621.

[0109] The supplemental portion 622c includes an inclined portion 622d and an extension portion 622e. The inclined portion 622d is an example of a second inclined portion.

[0110] The inclined portion 622d is formed by extending from the parallel portion 622b in a diagonal direction toward the first groove 621 with respect to the specific direction. The extended portion 622e is formed by extending from the inclined portion 622d in the specific direction.

[0111] The binding unit 61 is movable in the specific direction until the first shaft portion 612a reaches the complementary portion 622c of the second groove 622 (see FIG. 13).

[0112] In the following description, the movement range of the binding unit 61 in the main direction D1 for the binding process is referred to as the standard movement range. The position of the binding unit 61 when the first shaft portion 612a is present in the supplemental portion 622c of the second groove 622 is a retracted position outside the standard movement range.

[0113] In certain cases, it may be necessary to retract the binding unit 61 to the retracted position. For example, such cases include when it is necessary to remove jammed sheets 9 around the inclined tray 60, or when maintenance of the sheet binding device 6 is required.

[0114] For example, it is conceivable that the binding unit 61 is moved to the retracted position while remaining in the second orientation shown in FIG.

[0115] 3, the longitudinal direction of the binding unit 61 is a cross direction D2 that crosses the main direction D1. In this case, if the binding unit 61 is moved to the retracted position while maintaining the second orientation, a large retraction space for the binding unit 61 is required in the main direction D1.

[0116] Furthermore, a sheet guide that guides the sheets 9 in the conveying path 300 may be disposed adjacent to the sheet binding device 6. Furthermore, an openable and closable cover member may include the sheet guide.

[0117] In the above case, when the binding unit 61 moves to the retracted position, the binding unit 61 needs to be held in an orientation that does not allow the binding unit 61 to come into contact with the sheet guide.

[0118] Meanwhile, in the sheet binding device 6, the binding unit 61 is movable in the specific direction until the first shaft portion 612a reaches the complementary portion 622c of the second groove 622 (see FIG. 13). The orientation of the binding unit 61 when the first shaft portion 612a reaches the complementary portion 622c of the second groove 622 is closer to the first orientation than to the second orientation (see FIG. 14).

[0119] That is, when the binding unit 61 moves in the specific direction, the communicating portion 622a and the parallel portion 622b rotate the binding unit 61 forward around the second shaft portion 612b and guide the binding unit 61 to the position for the corner binding process.

[0120] Furthermore, when the binding unit 61 moves further in the specific direction from the position of the corner binding process, the supplementary portion 622c rotates the binding unit 61 in the reverse direction about the second shaft portion 612b and guides the binding unit 61 to the retracted position. The retracted position is a position on the specific direction side of the position of the corner binding process.

[0121] The action of the supplemental portion 622c can reduce the retraction space of the binding unit 61 when the binding unit 61 is moved to the outside of the standard movement range.

[0122] Furthermore, when the binding unit 61 is positioned outside the standard movement range, the binding unit 61 is held in an orientation that does not allow the binding unit 61 to come into contact with the sheet guide of the cover member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1: Main body 2: Post-processing device 4: Printing device 5 :Drilling device 6: Sheet binding device 7: Sheet folding device 10: Image forming device 60: Inclined tray 61: Binding unit 62: Axis guide mechanism 63: Mobile device 610: Binding processing section 611: Unit base member 612: Shaft 612a: First shaft 612b: Second shaft 620: Guide base member 621: 1st groove 622: 2nd groove 622a: Communication part 622b:Parallel part 622c:Supplementary part 623: Movable guide member 623a: First arm 623b: Second arm 624: Support shaft 625: Springs (elastic members) A1: 1st area A2:Second area A3 : Boundary area

Claims

1. a sheet tray on which sheets are stacked with one side of the sheets aligned in a specific direction; a base portion disposed opposite the sheet tray; a binding unit that is movable on the base portion along the specific direction and that can perform an edge binding process that binds an edge portion of the sheet along the specific direction or a corner binding process that binds a corner portion of the sheet at a position away in the specific direction from a position where the edge binding process is performed; a guide portion that guides the movement of the binding unit, The binding unit includes: a binding processing unit that executes binding processing on the sheets; a first movable body that is movable on the base portion along the specific direction; a second moving body that is integral with the binding processing section, that is swingably supported by the first moving body, and that is movable together with the first moving body; a first shaft portion provided on the second movable body; a second shaft portion provided on the second movable body and positioned at a distance from the first shaft portion in a direction opposite to the specific direction, The guide unit is a first groove provided in the base portion and formed along the specific direction, the first groove guiding the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion; a second groove provided in the base portion, branching from the branching portion of the first groove toward the specific direction, and guiding the first shaft portion; a movable guide portion that is swingably provided on the base portion and that guides the first shaft portion at the branch portion, The second groove is a first inclined portion inclined from the branch portion toward the specific direction away from the first groove; a parallel portion formed in parallel to the first groove in the specific direction from the first inclined portion; a second inclined portion inclined from the parallel portion toward the first groove in the specific direction; an extension portion extending from the second inclined portion in the specific direction and parallel to the first groove; the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion pass through the first movable body and engage with the first groove or the second groove, When the first moving body moves in the specific direction, the movable guide portion is swingable from a first position to a second position, the movable guide portion guides the first shaft portion from the branch portion of the first groove to the second groove in the first attitude; When the first shaft portion moves from the branch portion to the second groove, the binding processing portion swings around the second shaft portion together with the second moving body, When the first shaft portion moves from the branch portion to the second groove, the movable guide portion abuts against the first shaft portion, thereby swinging from the first position to the second position; Furthermore, in the second posture, the movable guide portion guides the second shaft portion, which reaches the branch portion after the first shaft portion moves to the second groove, along the first groove; When the binding unit moves in the specific direction, the first inclined portion and the parallel portion rotate the binding processing portion forward around the second shaft portion from a first orientation to a second orientation and guide the binding unit to a position for the corner binding processing, When the first shaft portion is disposed in the parallel portion of the second groove and the second shaft portion is disposed in the first groove, the binding processing portion performs the corner binding process in the second orientation state; When the binding unit moves further in the specific direction from the corner binding processing position, the second inclined portion and the extension portion rotate the binding processing portion around the second axis portion in the reverse direction from the second orientation to an orientation between the second orientation and the first orientation, and further guide the binding unit together with the binding processing portion to a retracted position downstream in the specific direction from the corner binding processing position.

2. a printing device for forming an image on a sheet; 2. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet binding device according to claim 1, which performs the binding process on the bundle of sheets on which the image is formed by the printing device.

Images