JP2019181733A - Sheet binding device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a binding device capable of changing binding directions by a simple constitution.SOLUTION: A sheet binding device includes: an opening part to which a sheet can be inserted from the outside of a device casing; a partition member for partitioning the opening part into a first insertion port and a second insertion port in a thickness direction of a sheet; a first positioning member for positioning two adjacent sides of a sheet inserted to the first insertion port, at a prescribed angle; a second positioning member for positioning two adjacent sides of a sheet inserted to the second insertion port, at an angle different from the prescribed angle; and binding means for binding the sheets inserted to the opening part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet binding apparatus that performs a binding process on a sheet.

  As a binding processing mechanism of a sheet binding device, a staple binding mechanism that binds sheets with staple needles is widely known, and a manual mounting device and a manual mounting option for a desktop electric stapler or a post-processing device are also known. . However, for a binding process using staples, a safer binding method has been demanded in places where foods may be touched, food factories, and the like. For this reason, in recent years, a needleless binding mechanism that binds sheets without using staples has attracted attention. As such a needleless binding mechanism, a pressure binding mechanism is known in which a sheet is pressed between a pair of pressure-bonding members having chevron-shaped concavo-convex teeth so that the fibers of the sheet are entangled and pressure-bonded.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism that moves a pair of tooth molds having concave and convex surfaces that mesh with each other from a separated standby position to an operation position for crimping, and crimps and binds a sheet bundle inserted between both tooth molds. Yes. As disclosed in Patent Document 2, a manual stapler is widely known as a stationery for filing a sheet bundle, but an electric stapler may be used when binding a large number of copies. Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 disclose the adjustment of the binding position of the sheet end portion in the press binding process.

JP 2010-208854 A JP 2012-66318 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-3118 JP2015-193481A

  The binding direction of the end of the sheet bundle includes oblique binding inclined with respect to the side of the sheet, horizontal binding horizontal to the side of the sheet, and an appropriate positioning mechanism is required regardless of the binding processing method. Become. In particular, since the binding strength can be adjusted by changing the binding position in the stapleless binding device, a positioning mechanism capable of binding at the binding position desired by the operator is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a binding device that can change the binding direction with a simple configuration.

  In view of the above-described object, the binding device of the present invention includes an opening into which a sheet can be inserted from the outside of the apparatus housing, and the opening is formed with a first insertion port 110 and a second insertion port 111 in the thickness direction of the sheet. A partition member for partitioning, a first positioning member for positioning two sides adjacent to the binding position of the sheet inserted into the first insertion port at a predetermined angle, and a sheet inserted into the second insertion port A second positioning member for positioning two sides adjacent to the binding position at an angle different from the predetermined angle, and a binding means for binding the sheet inserted into the opening.

  The binding device of the present invention can change the binding angle with a simple configuration.

The perspective view of a binding apparatus. FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view of the crimping and binding means of FIG. 1. (A) is explanatory drawing of the meshing state of a 1st binding tooth and a 2nd binding tooth, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of an uneven surface. The perspective view of the structure of the 1st flame | frame, the 1st block member, and the 1st binding tooth in the press binding means of FIG. 2, and the structure of a 2nd frame, a 2nd block member, and a 2nd binding tooth. Explanatory drawing of the internal structure in the press binding means of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the internal structure of a 1st frame, a 1st block member, and a 1st binding tooth, (a) shows a plane structure, (b) shows the cross-section of a 1st block member. The top view inside a binding apparatus. The side view inside a binding apparatus. (A) Top view of binding device, (b) Side view of binding device. (A) Explanatory drawing of the insertion state to the 1st insertion port in the Example in which the binding tooth was inclined and arrange | positioned with respect to the horizontal. (B) Explanatory drawing of the insertion state to the 2nd insertion port in the Example in which the binding apparatus was arrange | positioned with respect to the horizontal. (A) Explanatory drawing of the insertion state to the 1st insertion port in the Example by which the binding tooth was arrange | positioned horizontally. (B) Explanatory drawing of the insertion state to the 2nd insertion port in the Example by which the binding apparatus was arrange | positioned horizontally. Sectional drawing of the control part movable mechanism of the 1st insertion port 110 and the 2nd insertion port 111. FIG. (A) The cross-sectional perspective view in which the control part movable mechanism of the 1st insertion port 110 and the 2nd insertion port 111 exists in a normal position. (B) The cross-sectional perspective view of the state which moved the control part movable mechanism of the 1st insertion port 110 and the 2nd insertion port 111 to the position (back side) different from a normal position. Explanatory drawing when the control part movable mechanism is set to the position (back side) different from normal in the Example of FIG. Explanatory drawing when the control part movable mechanism is set to the position (back side) different from normal in the Example of FIG. Explanatory drawing of a binding action | operation button. Another embodiment of the binding device. Another embodiment of the binding device. Explanatory drawing which performs a multi-point binding process by overlapping a binding position. Explanatory drawing which performs multiple location binding processing, without overlapping a binding position.

  The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the binding device.

  The binding device A according to the present invention includes a case bottom 101 (box bottom; the same applies hereinafter), a case upper 102 (box upper; the same applies hereinafter), a crimp binding means 23, a power switch 103, a substrate 104, and a binding process execution. And a button substrate 106 and a paper surface sensor 107.

[Crimping binding means]
The crimp binding means 23 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The crimping and binding means 23 is provided in a space formed by combining the housing bottom 101 and the housing top 102, and press-deforms and binds sheets inserted into the space so as to mesh with each other. For this reason, the crimping and binding means 23 is configured by a mechanism that sandwiches a plurality of sheets with opposing binding teeth and crimps them.

  The crimp binding means 23 supports a pair of first binding teeth 31 and second binding teeth 41 for pressing the sheet bundle S, a first block member 32 for supporting the first binding teeth 31, and the second binding teeth 41. The second block member 42, the first frame 33 (33a, 33b, 33c) that supports the first block member 32, and the second frame 44 (44a, 44b, 44c) that supports the second block member 42. The first frame 33 is configured.

  The first frame 33 and the second frame 44 are moved so as to shift from the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 to the operating posture (pressing posture; Ap position in FIG. 2) pressed from the separated standby posture. It is attached to the device frame as possible. The illustrated first frame 33 is fixed to an apparatus frame 50 (unit frame), and a second frame 44 is rotatably connected to the first frame 33 by a swinging rotation shaft 51.

  A first block member 32 is attached to the distal end portion of the first frame 33 that is slidably connected by the oscillating rotation shaft 51, and a second block member 42 is attached to the distal end portion of the second frame 44. .

  By the swinging motion of the first frame 33 and the second frame 44, the first block member 32 and the second block member 42 shift from the standby positions separated from each other to the operating position Ap that is in pressure contact with each other. "

  The first block member 32 holds the first binding teeth 31 and the second block member 42 holds the second binding teeth 41, which are fixed by press-fitting. FIG. 3A shows a perspective shape of the first block member 32 and the second block member 42, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional shape.

  The first binding teeth 31 held by the first block member 32 and the second binding teeth 41 held by the second block member 42 are provided with a plurality of uneven surfaces. The first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 are arranged in rows and columns with concave and convex shapes that mesh with each other at a predetermined pitch (tooth interval) and a predetermined length (L).

  The tooth width (w), length (L), and meshing depth (d) of the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 are set according to the maximum thickness of the sheet bundle to be bound and the sheet material. To do. Further, when the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 have the same shape, it is possible to improve the meshing accuracy between the tooth molds, and the processing becomes easy. Therefore, in the following embodiments, the uneven surface shape of the first binding teeth 31 and the uneven surface shape of the second binding teeth 41 are the same shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 are orthogonal to the swinging movement direction (direction of arrow A in the figure) of the first block member 32 and the second block member 42. The direction (arrow B direction in the figure; the axial direction of the oscillating rotation shaft 51) and the predetermined acute angle θ (0 ≦ θ <90 degrees) are inclined (arrow C direction in the figure). This is because the corner portion of the sheet bundle to be bound is bound at a predetermined angle (for example, 60 degrees; θ = 30 degrees). Thus, with respect to the movement direction (shift direction) of the first block member 32 and the second block member 42, the row direction of the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 is an arbitrary acute angle direction (0 degree ≦ θ <90 degrees) can be set.

  The second frame 44 has a drive mechanism 49 (drive) as a moving means for moving the second binding teeth 41 from the standby position where the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 are separated from the standby position to the operating position Ap. Means; the same applies hereinafter). The drive mechanism 49 includes a cam mechanism 52 and a drive motor DC.

  In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 49 is used as the moving means, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, using the moving means as the swing rotation shaft 51, the user moves at least one of the first frame 33 and the second frame 44 and presses the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 from the standby position apart from each other. You may comprise so that the 2nd binding tooth 41 may be moved to the operation position Ap to perform.

[Drive mechanism]
The first frame 33 and the second frame 44 described above are pivotally supported by the rotation axis of the swing rotation shaft 51 so as to swing. The illustrated first frame 33 is fixed to the apparatus frame 50, and the second frame 44 is attached to the first frame 33 fixed to the apparatus frame 50 so as to be swingable by the swinging rotary shaft 51 as described above. .

  Therefore, the second frame 44 is supported so as to be able to swing with respect to the first frame 33. In this embodiment, one of the first frame 33 and the second frame 44 is fixed to the apparatus frame 50 and the other is movably supported on the apparatus frame. A structure in which both 33 and the second frame 44 are movably supported on the apparatus frame 50 may be employed.

  The drive mechanism 49 of the second frame 44 will be described. The second frame 44 is provided with a second binding tooth 41 at a distal end portion thereof and a cam follower 53 (follower roller) at a proximal end portion thereof via a swinging rotation shaft 51. The second binding teeth 41 and the follower rollers 53 provided at the distal end are formed to have a lever length through which the action of the lever (a booster mechanism) works via the swinging rotation shaft 51.

  A cam member 52 (cylindrical cam in the drawing) is disposed at the base end portion of the first frame 33. The cam member 52 is supported by a cam shaft 54, and the cam shaft 54 is rotatably supported by the first frame 33, and the cam member 52 and the follower roller 53 are disposed in a positional relationship to be engaged with each other. Further, the rotation of the drive motor DC is transmitted to the cam shaft 54 through the transmission means 55, and the cam member 52 is connected so as to be rotated forward and backward by forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor DC.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive motor DC is mounted on an apparatus frame 50 (for example, a frame of the post-processing apparatus), and the rotation of the drive shaft 56 is performed by transmission gears G2, G3, G4, and G5 that constitute the transmission means 55. The rotation is transmitted to the cam shaft 54. The cam member 52 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 by the gear G1 connected to the cam shaft 54.

In the above-described embodiment, the cam follower 53 is disposed on the second frame 44 and the cam member 52 is disposed on the first frame 33. However, the cam member 52 is disposed on the second frame 44 and the cam follower 53 is disposed on the first frame 33. It is also possible to arrange them. In this case, it is preferable to transmit the driving force from the driving motor DC installed in the apparatus frame 50 to the rotating shaft of the cam member (rotating cam).

  In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the first frame 33 is formed of a sheet metal having a U-shaped cross section, and the second frame 44 is swingably supported by the swing rotation shaft 51 between the opposing side walls 33a and 33b. ing. As described above, the second frame 44 is guided by the side walls 33 a and 33 b of the first frame 33 and swings around the swinging rotation shaft 51. The second frame 44 is provided with a return spring 43 for returning to the standby position Wp. The return spring 43 is disposed between the apparatus frame 50 (or the first frame 33).

  The first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 described above are formed in a row with concave and convex surfaces that mesh with each other, and this meshing state is such that one binding tooth is meshed with the other binding tooth to follow the other binding tooth. Adjust the position and then fix it. Hereinafter, the case where the second binding teeth 41 are fixed, the positions are adjusted so that the uneven surface of the first binding teeth 31 follows, and then fixed by fixing means (screw members) will be described. In contrast to the present embodiment, the position of the second binding teeth 41 may be adjusted and fixed while the first binding teeth 31 are fixed.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the binding processing mechanism, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the cross-sectional structure of the main part thereof. The first frame 33 is formed of a hollow member having opposing side walls, such as a U-shaped cross section (3 sides) and a rectangular cross section (4 sides).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the illustrated first frame 33 is made of a steel material having a substantially U-shaped cross section having a right side wall 33a, a left side wall 33b, and a front side wall 33c, and is surrounded by a plurality of sides. The first block member 32 that holds the first binding teeth 31 is attached to the space Ar1 (first block member attachment portion; hereinafter referred to as “first attachment space Ar1”). In the present embodiment, the first binding teeth 31 are press-fitted into the first block member 32 and fixed.

  The second frame 44 is formed of a member having side walls 44a and 44b facing each other such as a U-shaped cross section (3 sides) and a rectangular cross section (4 sides). The illustrated second frame 44 is made of a steel material having a substantially U-shaped cross section having a right side wall 44a, a left side wall 44b, and a rear side wall 44c, and is a space Ar2 (second block member mounting portion; Hereinafter, the second block member 42 having the second binding teeth 41 is attached to the second attachment space).

  The second block member 42 is formed in a shape that fits into the space Ar2 (second mounting space), and is fixed in this space. Various fixing methods such as screwing, press-fitting, welding connection, and rivet connection can be selected as the fixing method. In the illustrated one, the second block member 42 is fixed to the second mounting space Ar2 by a second fixing screw 45.

  Next, the relationship between the first frame 33 and the first block member 32 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The first block member 32 is mounted in the first mounting space Ar1 so that its position can be adjusted. This adjusts the position of the first block member 32 so that the first binding teeth 31 are meshed with the second binding teeth 41 held by the second block member 42 firmly attached to the second frame 44. .

  Between the opposing side walls (the right side wall 33a and the left side wall 33b), a guide member 35 (hereinafter referred to as “support shaft”) that slidably supports the first block member 32 is provided. 33b is provided through. The support shaft 35 is fixed to the opposing side walls 33a and 33b, and is processed into an elliptical cross section, a D-cut shape, and the like, and the contact surface 35a that contacts the first block member 32 forms a smooth surface by chamfering or the like. Thus, a surface that hardly causes frictional resistance with the first block member 32 is formed.

  In FIG. 6B, the first block member 32 fitted in the first mounting space Ar1 has a clearance CL1 between the left side wall 33b and a clearance CL2 between the right side wall 33a. The state supported by the support shaft 35 is shown. The first block member 32 is movable in the axial direction of the support shaft 35 within the range of movement by the clearances CL1 and CL2 on the left and right of the support shaft 35 (arrow X direction) and the adjustment slot 34x formed in the front side wall 33c. Built in.

  Then, the screw member 34 is screwed into the screwing hole 34y formed in the first block member 32 through the adjustment elongated hole 34x, and the first block member 32 is fixed to the front side wall 33c.

  That is, the first binding member 31 and the second binding tooth 41 are arranged in the first binding space Ar1 of the first frame 33 and fixed to the second binding tooth 41 whose position is fixed. The first block member 32 is moved after the meshing, and the position of the first block member 32 is adjusted and then fixed.

  In the position adjustment, the second frame 40 is swung by, for example, an operator (operator) operation at the time of assembly or readjustment, and the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 are moved from the standby state in FIG. In this way, the support shaft 35 is moved in the axial direction so that the uneven surface of the first binding tooth 31 matches the uneven surface of the second binding tooth 41 that is fixed. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 intersect with the axial direction of the support shaft 35 (the left-right direction in FIG. 5) at an angle θ. On the other hand, the second frame 44 swings around the swing rotation shaft 51, and the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 move from the standby position Wp to the operating position Ap. Therefore, the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 are arranged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 so that the uneven surface at the left end in FIG. 7 closest to the swing rotation shaft 51 is engaged first and the uneven surface at the right end in FIG. Bite. This meshing order (phase difference) is represented as an angle α in FIG. At the same time, the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 are inclined at an acute angle θ with respect to the axial direction of the support shaft 35. The length (adjustment allowance) of the adjustment long hole 34x is the inclination angle. Is set to a length that takes into account.

  Next, the opening 109 for inserting the sheet S provided in the binding apparatus A will be described.

[Aperture]
As shown in FIG. 8, the crimp binding means 23 is fixed to the box bottom 101, and a paper surface sensor 107 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet entering the front edge of the crimp binding means 23 is attached to the box top 102 via a holder 108. An operation switch 105 is attached together with the control board.

  The box top 102 is combined with the box bottom 101 to form an apparatus housing, and an opening 109 through which the sheet S can be inserted between the first binding tooth 31 and the second binding tooth 41 of the crimp binding means 23. Is provided.

  FIG. 9A is a top view for explaining the partition plate 112 provided in the opening 109, and FIG. 9B is a side view thereof. The partition plate 112 is arranged in the opening 109 and is configured by a plate-like member that partitions the first insertion port 110 and the second insertion port 111, and each insertion port is formed in the thickness direction of the sheet inserted into the opening 109. It is divided.

[Example 1]
10A shows a state in which the sheet S is inserted into the first insertion port 110 partitioned by the partition plate 112 provided in the opening 109, and FIG. 10B shows the second insertion port 111. Each shows a state where the sheet S is inserted.

  The position of the sheet S inserted in the first insertion port 110 in the sheet thickness direction is restricted by the side wall on one side of the opening 109 and the one surface of the partition plate 112. And the 1st positioning member 113 which regulates the insertion direction of the sheet | seat S and the position of the direction orthogonal to the said insertion direction is provided. The first positioning member 113 supports two adjacent sides (corner portions) across the binding position of the sheet.

  The position of the sheet S inserted into the second insertion port 111 in the sheet thickness direction is regulated by the other side wall of the opening 109 and the other surface of the partition plate 112. And the 2nd positioning member 114 which regulates the position of the insertion direction of the sheet | seat S and the direction orthogonal to the said insertion direction supports two adjacent sides on both sides of the binding position of a sheet | seat similarly to the above-mentioned 1st positioning member. However, the sheet supported by the first positioning member and the sheet supported by the second positioning member are set so that the angles of the binding marks bound by the binding means are different.

  In FIG. 10, the binding teeth 31 when viewed from the sheet surface direction are installed in a state inclined at a predetermined angle from a horizontal state. Therefore, since the first insertion member 110 is positioned by the first positioning member 113 so that one side of the inserted sheet is substantially horizontal, the sheet is bound in a so-called oblique binding state. On the other hand, the sheet inserted into the second insertion port 111 is supported by the second positioning member 114 at an angle different from that of the first positioning member. Here, it is possible to apply a so-called horizontal binding to the sheet by supporting the sheet by inclining the same angle as the inclination angle of the binding teeth. In the binding process using the crimped binding teeth, it is known that the sheet turning direction is considered or the sheet is bound over the two corners of the sheet in order to secure the binding force.

  By setting the binding teeth obliquely in advance as described above, when the sheet is inserted horizontally, the binding is performed diagonally across the end of the sheet, and a stronger fastening force can be obtained.

[Example 2]
FIG. 11A shows a state in which the sheet S is inserted into the first insertion port 110 partitioned by the partition plate 112 provided in the opening 109, and FIG. 11B shows the other second insertion. The different Example in which the sheet | seat S is inserted in the opening | mouth 111 is shown.

  The position of the sheet S inserted in the first insertion port 110 in the sheet thickness direction is restricted by the side wall on one side of the opening 109 and the one surface of the partition plate 112. And the 1st positioning member 113 which regulates the insertion direction of the sheet | seat S and the position of the direction orthogonal to the said insertion direction is provided. The first positioning member 113 supports two adjacent sides across the binding position of the sheet.

  The position of the sheet S inserted into the second insertion port 111 in the sheet thickness direction is regulated by the other side wall of the opening 109 and the other surface of the partition plate 112. And the 2nd positioning member 114 which regulates the position of the insertion direction of the sheet | seat S and the direction orthogonal to the said insertion direction supports two adjacent sides on both sides of the binding position of a sheet | seat similarly to the above-mentioned 1st positioning member. However, the sheet supported by the first positioning member and the sheet supported by the second positioning member are set so that the angles of the binding marks bound by the binding means are different. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, stronger binding processing can be performed in which the binding processing is performed at the second insertion port 111 after the binding processing is performed at the first insertion port 110, so that the binding is performed at different angles.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the binding teeth 31 when viewed from the sheet surface direction are installed in a horizontal state. Therefore, since the first insertion member 110 is positioned by the first positioning member 113 so that one side of the inserted sheet is substantially horizontal, the sheets are bound in a so-called horizontal binding state. On the other hand, since the sheet inserted into the second insertion port 111 is supported by the second positioning member 114 at an angle different from that of the first positioning member, so-called oblique binding can be performed on the sheet. That is, it is possible to realize a configuration in which it is easy for the operator to determine the binding direction, in which horizontal binding is performed when the sheet is horizontally inserted and bound, and diagonal binding is performed when the sheet is inserted obliquely.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration in which the binding position of the sheet can be changed. The member that regulates the side surface of the sheet slides, and the first positioning member 113 can be moved to the position 113b and the second positioning member 114 can be moved to the position 114b. It is what. When the operator moves the position, the binding position of the sheet at the first positioning member and the second positioning member can be changed.

  FIG. 13A shows a state in which the first positioning member 113 and the second positioning member 114 are set to normal restriction positions. In this case, the sheet binding position is the normal position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Bind the position. At this position, the binding process is performed at a relatively shallow binding position that extends over two sides of the sheet during oblique binding.

  FIG. 13B shows a state in which the first positioning member 113 and the second positioning member 114 are positioned at positions 113b and 114b (positions where the sheet is inserted deeply with respect to the binding teeth) deeper than the normal restriction position. As shown in FIG. 20, binding processing is performed at a plurality of locations so that the binding positions do not overlap as shown in FIG. Can be improved.

  FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the first positioning member 113 of FIG. 10A is moved to a position 113b different from the normal restriction position. Since the inner position of the sheet S can be bound with respect to the normal position, it is possible to improve the fastening force by shifting the position when binding sheets that already have binding marks, or by increasing the number of bindings.

  FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the second positioning member 114 of FIG. 10B is moved to a position 114b different from the normal restriction position. Since the inner position of the sheet S can be bound with respect to the normal position, it is possible to improve the fastening force by shifting the position when binding a sheet that already has a binding mark or increasing the number of bindings.

  FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the first positioning member 113 of FIG. 11A is moved to a position 113b different from the normal restriction position. Since the inner position of the sheet S can be bound with respect to the normal position, it is possible to improve the fastening force by shifting the position when binding a sheet that already has a binding mark or increasing the number of bindings.

  FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the second positioning member 114 of FIG. 11B is moved to a position 114b different from the normal restriction position. Since the inner position of the sheet S can be bound with respect to the normal position, it is possible to improve the fastening force by shifting the position when binding a sheet that already has a binding mark or increasing the number of bindings.

[Paper detection]
A reflective paper surface detection sensor 107 is attached to the box 102 in a state of being supported by the paper surface detection sensor holder 108, and the sheet S is inserted at a position where the first binding teeth 31 and the second binding teeth 41 can be crimped. In this case, it is detected that the sheet S is inserted at a position where the sheet S can be pressed by changing the reflection signal of the paper surface detection sensor 107. The sensor also functions as a safety device. If the sheet S is not set at the correct insertion position, the binding process cannot be performed even if a binding start button described later is operated.

[Button mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 13, the binding start button 13 is attached to the binding start button guide 15 so as to be movable up and down, and the binding start button substrate 16 is fixed to the start button guide 15. The half-push button 18 is attached to the start button guide 15 together with the binding start button 13 while being able to move up and down while receiving a downward force from the half-push button spring 19.

  When the binding start button is lightly pressed, the half-push button spring 19 that is brought close to the binding start button board 16 side by the half-push button spring 19 is pushed by the board switch 1 (17a) to be in a half-pressed state. When the binding start button is pressed strongly, the binding start button 13 that is moved away from the binding start button substrate 16 by the half-push button spring 19 is pressed toward the binding start button substrate 16 and the substrate switch 2 (17b) is pressed. It will be in the fully pushed state. When the binding process is completed, the teeth are separated to be in an open state, and the sheet can be taken out.

[Half-pressed state]
In the half-pressed state, the sheet binding apparatus A does not perform the crimping binding to the sheet S, but performs the crimping to such an extent that the sheet S is gripped, thereby positioning the sheet while shifting the sheet. it can. Further, when the main pressing state is reached, the sheet binding apparatus performs crimp binding on the sheet S.

  Next, a long press state in which the substrate switch 1 (17a) and the substrate switch 2 (17b) are kept pressed will be described.

[Long press state]
In the long-pressed state, it is possible to maintain a state where the pressure is reduced to a predetermined pressure after performing the crimping and binding operation on the sheet S by the sheet binding apparatus A. Since the pressurization time can be increased manually, this can be realized by an operator's sensual operation when an improvement in fastening force can be expected by maintaining a deformed state of the sheet such as cardboard. When the button is released, the fastening is released and the sheet can be taken out. However, in order to prevent the motor 71 from being overloaded by maintaining a high pressure crimping state, the pressurization state is terminated when a predetermined time is exceeded even if the long press state is maintained.

  After pressing the binding start button 13 and performing the crimping and binding operation on the sheet S by the sheet binding apparatus A, the logic of the paper surface detection sensor changes once (the sheet S is once removed from the sheet receiving member 12) or a predetermined time elapses. Even when the binding push button 13 is pressed, the next sheet binding apparatus A cannot perform the crimping operation.

  FIG. 17 illustrates a mode when the binding device is used and a different embodiment. FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the device is placed horizontally, which is a normal use state of the binding device. . In this case, since the sheet S is inserted from above, it is an installation method suitable for the case of a small number of sheets or when accurate positioning is desired.

  FIG. 17B shows a state in which the binding device is placed vertically, that is, the sheet S is inserted from the side of the device. This is suitable when the sheet bundle is thick and difficult to lift, or when a large sheet is easily bent. In addition, in order to enable stable use in both horizontal and vertical positions, a weight corresponding to the crimping and binding means 23 may be mounted on the inner side of the installation surface in the vertical position. Each installation surface may be provided with a non-slip material such as a rubber material or a magnet.

  FIGS. 17C and 18 show different embodiments in the case where the binding device is placed vertically, and one side of the insertion portion is directed to the opening 109 so that the lower side of the inserted sheet can be indicated. A mounting table 120 is provided. As a result, the sheet S can be stably placed.

  In this embodiment, the description has been made based on the binding process using the crimping and binding apparatus. However, this process is performed using a binding process using another member such as a needle binding or an adhesive, a needleless binding process with punching, It is also possible to replace it with a different process such as an adhesive process by welding or drilling.

  In addition, the positioning mechanism of the present invention may be used in a manual binding processing unit that is one of the functions of the post-processing device attached to the image forming apparatus.

A Binding device S Sheet 23 Crimp binding means 31 First binding teeth 32 First block member 33 First frame 33a Right side wall 33b Left side wall 33c Front side wall 34 Screw member (fixing means)
34x adjustment slot 34y screwing hole 35 guide member (support shaft)
35a Contact surface 41 2nd binding tooth 42 2nd block member 44 2nd frame 44a Right side wall 44b Left side wall 44c Rear side wall DC Drive motor Ar1 1st installation space (1st block member attachment part)
Ar2 second mounting space (second block member mounting portion)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Box bottom 102 Box top 103 Power switch 104 Board | substrate 105 Button 106 Button board | substrate 107 Paper surface sensor 108 Paper surface sensor holder 109 Opening part 110 1st insertion port 111 2nd insertion port 112 Partition plate 113 1st positioning member 113b 1st positioning member Movement position 114 Second positioning member 114b Second positioning member movement position 120 Placement table 130 Binding trace

Claims (8)

An opening through which a sheet can be inserted from the outside of the device housing;
A partition member for partitioning the opening into a first insertion port and a second insertion port in the thickness direction of the sheet;
A first positioning member for positioning two adjacent sides of the sheet inserted into the first insertion port at a predetermined angle;
A second positioning member that positions adjacent two sides of the sheet inserted into the second insertion port at an angle different from the predetermined angle;
Binding means for binding the sheet inserted into the opening;
A sheet binding apparatus comprising: The partition member has a guide surface that regulates the surface direction of the sheet,
The first positioning member is provided on one of the guide surfaces,
The sheet binding device according to claim 1, further comprising the second positioning member on the other of the guide surfaces. The opening has a guide surface facing the partition member;
The first positioning member is provided on one of the guide surfaces,
The sheet binding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the second positioning member on the other of the guide surfaces. The binding means has a guide surface that regulates the surface direction of the sheet;
The first positioning member is provided on one of the guide surfaces,
The sheet binding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the second positioning member on the other of the guide surfaces. The sheet binding device according to claim 1, wherein the binding unit is a crimping binding device that binds the sheet by deforming the concave and convex portions. The binding means includes binding teeth in which a pair of concave and convex portions that mesh with each other are arranged in a row,
The sheet binding device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined angle is set so that a longitudinal direction of the binding teeth arranged in the row and one side of the sheet are substantially parallel to each other. The binding means includes binding teeth in which a pair of concave and convex portions that mesh with each other are arranged in a row,
The sheet binding device according to claim 5, wherein the set angle is set so as to extend over at least one side of the sheet in a longitudinal direction of the binding teeth arranged in the row. The first positioning member and the second positioning member are arranged so that a part of the binding position at the binding position at the first insertion port and the binding position at the second insertion port overlap. The sheet binding apparatus according to claim 5.

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