JP2024098304A - Media processing device, image forming device, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medium processing apparatus that can change a detection position for detecting a loading capacity to a position that increases the accuracy of determining a full load, based on information that affects the change in the condition of media discharged to a loading tray.SOLUTION: A medium processing device of the present invention comprises: sheet transport means for transporting sheet-like media to a loading tray as an ejection destination; load amount detection means for detecting the load amount of media in the loading tray; load amount determination means for determining whether the load amount has reached an upper load limit; detection position variable means for varying the detection position at which the load amount detection means detects the load amount; and control means for controlling the detection position varying means and changing the detection position based on the processing information indicating processing contents performed on the medium before the medium is discharged to the loading tray and specification information indicating the specification of the medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a media processing device, an image forming device, and an image forming system.

There are known media processing devices that perform so-called post-processing, including an alignment process for stacking sheet-like media (e.g., "paper") to form a bundle, and a binding process for binding the bundle of paper. There are also known image forming devices that combine the function of forming an image on paper with the function equivalent to a media processing device, and image forming systems that operate in conjunction with a media processing device and an image forming device.

When paper is discharged and stacked on the tray, the newly discharged paper may come into contact with paper already stacked, causing problems such as uneven stacking or being pushed out of the tray. To avoid these problems, a configuration has been disclosed that detects the highest position of the stacked paper in a direction parallel to the tray and perpendicular to the paper discharge direction, and then changes the orientation of the detection sensor based on the paper size (see Patent Document 1).

The configuration described in Patent Document 1 uses a movable sensor to change the detection position of the paper discharged onto the tray, but if the discharged and stacked paper has been folded (such as in a Z-fold) and bulges, the highest point of the stacked paper may be erroneously detected due to the bulge. When such a false detection occurs, the stacking tray is erroneously recognized as being fully loaded even if the number of sheets loaded has not reached the full capacity, resulting in a problem that the amount of media loaded onto the stacking tray decreases. In addition, because the bulging state differs depending on the type of paper and the processing content, it is not possible to accurately detect the stacking state taking these factors into account, and there is also the problem that the stacked paper prevents new paper from being discharged.

The present invention aims to provide a media processing device that can change the detection position for detecting the load amount based on information that affects changes in the state of media discharged to the loading tray, to a position that improves the accuracy of determining whether the media is fully loaded.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to a media processing device, characterized in that it comprises a sheet transport means for transporting sheet-like media to a loading tray as an ejection destination, a load amount detection means for detecting the load amount of the media on the loading tray, a load amount determination means for determining whether the load amount has reached an upper load limit, a detection position variable means for varying the detection position at which the load amount detection means detects the load amount, and a control means for controlling the detection position variable means to change the detection position based on processing information indicating the processing contents performed on the media before it is ejected to the loading tray and specification information indicating the specifications of the media.

According to the present invention, the detection position for detecting the load amount can be changed to a position that improves the accuracy of determining whether the tray is fully loaded, based on information that affects the change in the state of media discharged to the loading tray.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall image of an image forming system including a post-processing device according to the present invention; 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating types of folding processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the post-processing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a full load detection configuration according to the embodiment. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of a full load detection sensor according to the embodiment. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the full load detection sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the post-processing device according to the embodiment.

[Embodiment of Image Forming System]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 according to this embodiment has a function of forming an image on paper P as a type of sheet-like medium, a function of performing post-processing on the paper P on which the image has been formed as a process after the image formation, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 has an image forming apparatus 1, a pre-processing device 2 that performs a predetermined process on the paper P discharged by the image forming apparatus 1 before passing it to a post-processing device 3, and a post-processing device 3 as a media processing device or media processing unit according to the present invention, which are configured to work in conjunction with each other.

The image forming device 1 forms an image on paper P and ejects the paper P with the image formed on it. The image forming device 1 includes a storage tray in which paper P is stored, a transport unit that transports the paper P stored in the storage tray, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper P transported by the transport unit. The image forming unit may be of an inkjet type that forms an image using ink, or of an electrophotographic type that forms an image using toner. The configuration of the image forming device 1 is already well known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

The image forming device 1 is a so-called internal type, in which a part of the housing is cut out and the discharge outlet for the paper P is located in this cutout. The image forming device 1 is configured to allow the pre-processing device 2 to be detachably attached to the hollow area inside the body. The pre-processing device 2 is, for example, attachable to the discharge outlet of the image forming device 1 and is a folding device for performing a predetermined folding process on the paper P discharged by the image forming device 1. The paper P discharged from the image forming device 1 is discharged to the downstream post-processing device 3 as paper Pf that has been subjected to a predetermined folding process in the pre-processing device 2. It is also possible to operate so that the paper P received from the image forming device 1 is directly discharged to the post-processing device 3 without performing processing such as folding in the pre-processing device 2. These operations are based on the user's arbitrary selection and settings.

The post-processing device 3 is a device that has the function of performing predetermined post-processing such as alignment processing and binding processing on the paper P. It performs predetermined post-processing on the paper P discharged from the pre-processing device 2 arranged upstream, and performs processing to discharge the paper P onto the proof tray 21 as a loading tray or onto the stack tray 26 as a loading tray.

[Folding type]
Here, the folding processes that can be performed in the pre-processing device 2 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, there are several types of folding processes. For example, a "Z-fold" as shown in Fig. 2(a), a "double fold" as shown in Fig. 2(b), an "outer three fold" as shown in Fig. 2(c), and an "inner three fold" as shown in Fig. 2(d) are known.

The paper P that has been folded (hereafter referred to as "paper Pf") and the paper P that has been discharged as is may or may not be subjected to a specified post-processing such as alignment or binding in the post-processing device 3. Paper P and paper Pf that have not been subjected to post-processing are discharged and stacked on the proof tray 21, which serves as a stacking tray. Furthermore, the paper stack Pb that has been subjected to post-processing is discharged and stacked on the stack tray 26, which serves as a stacking tray.

The post-processing device 3 receives information about the paper P (including paper Pf) that has been conveyed from the upstream device (image forming device 1, pre-processing device 2), and controls the detection process to determine the loading amount in the loading tray based on this information. The information received from the upstream device is, for example, information (specification information) about the specifications of the paper P (size, thickness, basis weight, stiffness, etc.) and information indicating the type of folding process for the paper Pf, which is processing information indicating the content of the process that will cause a change in the state of the loaded object (paper Pf).

When paper Pf is stacked, it may bulge compared to other parts due to the influence of the folded portion. Therefore, even if the number of stacked items (number of sheets) is the same, when paper Pf is also stacked, the height position of the top of the stack is different from when only paper P is stacked. The post-processing device 3 according to this embodiment can eliminate problems that occur when multiple items are stacked on the stack tray by changing the detection position for determining whether the items are fully loaded based on the specification information and processing information related to the items.

The specification information is information that indicates the size, thickness, stiffness, etc. of the paper P, and includes factors that affect the loading dimensions, mainly in the vertical direction, when the paper P is loaded.

In addition, the processing content information is information indicating the type of folding processing in the pre-processing device 2, information indicating the type of post-processing performed in the post-processing device 3, such as information indicating whether or not binding processing is performed, whether or not punching processing is performed, whether or not alignment processing is performed, etc.

[Control block of image forming system 100]
Next, a control configuration for controlling the operation of the image forming system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Here, a case is taken as an example in which a control block is installed in each of the image forming apparatus 1, the pre-processing apparatus 2, and the post-processing apparatus 3. Note that the control block may be installed in only one of the apparatuses, and the other apparatuses may be configured to be controlled by a control block of another apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming control unit 101 mounted on the image forming device 1, the pre-processing control unit 201 mounted on the pre-processing device 2, and the post-processing control unit 301 as a control means mounted on the post-processing device 3 are connected via a communication interface and are connected so that they can communicate each other's control signals.

The image forming control unit 101, pre-processing control unit 201, and post-processing control unit 301 each include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. These units execute control processing using the arithmetic processing function of the CPU, using the control program stored in the ROM as a storage unit, and the RAM as a storage area that can be used as a work area.

Both the pre-processing control unit 201 and the post-processing control unit 301 execute control processing based on information (specification information, processing information) about the paper P notified by the image formation control unit 101.

The pre-processing control unit 201 is connected to a folding detection unit 202 and a folding drive unit 203 via a communication interface. In order to perform folding processing on the paper P, the folding detection unit 202 receives a detection signal from a sensor for detecting the position of the paper P being transported, and notifies the pre-processing control unit 201.

The pre-processing control unit 201 notifies the folding drive unit 203 of a transport control signal for executing the selected folding process based on the detection signal from the folding detection unit 202, processing information including the folding type selected and set by the user, and specification information for the paper P.

The folding drive unit 203 controls the driving of the drive motors of the roller pairs provided in the pre-processing device 2 based on the transport control signal notified from the pre-processing control unit 201, and performs the transport and folding process of the paper P.

The post-processing control unit 301 is connected to the post-processing detection unit 302 and the post-processing drive unit 303 via a communication interface. The post-processing detection unit 302 receives a detection signal from a sensor for detecting the transport state of the paper P, and notifies the post-processing control unit 301. The post-processing detection unit 302 also receives a detection signal from a full load detection sensor 320 for detecting the amount of paper loaded on the proof tray 21 or stack tray 26 (both of which will be described later) as a loading tray, and notifies the post-processing control unit 301.

The post-processing control unit 301 notifies the post-processing drive unit 303 of a transport control signal for executing the selected post-processing based on the detection signal from the post-processing detection unit 302, processing information indicating the type of post-processing selected and set by the user, and specification information for the paper P. The post-processing control unit 301 also determines the load amount on the stacking tray based on a detection signal from the full-load detection sensor 320. The post-processing control unit 301 also notifies the post-processing drive unit 303 of a control signal for adjusting the detection position of the full-load detection sensor 320 based on the processing information and specification information.

The post-processing drive unit 303 controls the drive of the drive motor of the roller pair equipped in the post-processing device 3 based on a control signal from the post-processing control unit 301. The post-processing drive unit 303 controls the operation of the drive source that rotates the sensor to change the angle of the full load detection sensor 320 based on a control signal from the post-processing control unit 301.

[Internal structure of post-processing device 3]
4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the post-processing device 3. The post-processing device 3 has a function of performing the appropriate post-processing on the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 1. The post-processing according to this embodiment includes a staple binding process in which a stack of multiple paper sheets P on which images have been formed is bound using staples, and a binding process as a pressure binding process in which the stack is bound without using staples. Hereinafter, the stack of paper sheets P will be referred to as a "paper stack Pb" as a medium stack.

More specifically, the pressure binding process according to this embodiment is a process of applying pressure (applying pressure) to a binding position corresponding to a part of the paper P forming the media bundle, thereby deforming (pressurizing and deforming) the binding position, and is called "pressure binding". Binding processes that can be performed by the post-processing device 3 include an end binding process that binds the end of the paper bundle Pb, and a saddle binding process that binds the center of the paper bundle Pb.

The post-processing device 3 includes transport roller pairs 10-19 (transport section) and a switching claw 20. Inside the post-processing device 3, the transport roller pairs 10-19 transport the paper P supplied from the image forming device 1. More specifically, the transport roller pairs 10-13 transport the paper P along the first transport path Ph1. The transport roller pairs 14-15 transport the paper P along the second transport path Ph2. Furthermore, the transport roller pairs 16-19 transport the paper P along the third transport path Ph3.

The first transport path Ph1 is a path that leads from the paper P supply port from the image forming device 1 to the proof tray 21 via the transport roller pair 13 as discharge rollers. The second transport path Ph2 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the transport roller pairs 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the stack tray 26 through the internal tray 22. The third transport path Ph3 is a path that branches off from the first transport path Ph1 between the transport roller pairs 11 and 14 in the transport direction, and leads to the discharge tray 30.

The switching claw 20 is disposed at the branching position of the first transport path Ph1 and the second transport path Ph2. The switching claw 20 is configured to be switchable between a first position where the paper P is discharged to the proof tray 21 through the first transport path Ph1, and a second position where the paper P transported through the first transport path Ph1 is guided to the second transport path Ph2. In addition, when the rear end of the paper P that has entered the second transport path Ph2 passes through the transport roller pair 11, the transport roller pair 14 is rotated in the reverse direction to guide the paper P to the third transport path Ph3. The post-processing device 3 also includes multiple sensors that detect the position of the paper P on each of the transport paths Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3. The multiple sensors are indicated by filled triangles (▲) in FIG. 2.

The post-processing device 3 is equipped with a proof tray 21. The proof tray 21 holds the paper P discharged through the first transport path Ph1. Paper P that is not bound, among the paper P supplied from the image forming device 1, is discharged to the proof tray 21. In addition, paper Pf that has been folded is also discharged to the stack tray 26. The proof tray 21 is fixed and does not have a lifting function that allows it to rise and fall according to the amount of paper P loaded.

The post-processing device 3 also includes an internal tray 22 as a loading tray, an end fence 23, side fences 24L and 24R, an end binding processing section 25, a staple binding processing section 55 as a staple binding means, and a stack tray 26. The internal tray 22, the end fence 23, the side fences 24L and 24R, the end binding processing section 25, and the staple binding processing section 55 perform end binding processing on a sheet stack Pb consisting of multiple sheets P transported from the second transport path Ph2 to the internal tray 22. The stack tray 26 is discharged with the sheet stack Pb that has been subjected to end binding processing out of the sheets P supplied from the image forming device 1. The stack tray 26 also discharges sheets Pf that have been subjected to folding processing.

The direction from the conveying roller pair 15 toward the end fence 23 is defined as the "conveying direction" of the paper P. In other words, in this specification, the "conveying direction" corresponds to the direction in which the paper P discharged from the image forming device 1 is moved toward the stack tray 26 by the conveying roller pair 10, etc., and then moved toward the end fence 23 by the conveying roller pair 15. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction and conveying direction of the paper P is defined as the "main scanning direction (width direction of the paper P)."

The internal tray 22, which serves as a loading tray, temporarily loads multiple sheets of paper P that are transported in sequence along the second transport path Ph2. The end fence 23 aligns the position of the sheets of paper P or the stack of papers Pb loaded on the internal tray 22 in the transport direction. The side fences 24L and 24R align the position of the sheets of paper P or the stack of papers Pb loaded on the internal tray 22 in the main scanning direction. The end binding processing unit 25 and the staple binding processing unit 55 staple the ends of the stack of papers Pb that have been aligned by the end fence 23 and the side fences 24L and 24R. Then, the pair of transport rollers 15, which serve as discharge rollers, discharges the stack of papers Pb that has been subjected to the end binding process to the stack tray 26.

The post-processing device 3 further includes an end fence 27, a saddle stitching processing section 28, a paper folding blade 29, and a discharge tray 30. The end fence 27, the saddle stitching processing section 28, and the paper folding blade 29 perform saddle stitching on the paper stack Pb formed by the paper P transported through the third transport path Ph3. The discharge tray 30 discharges the paper stack Pb that has been saddle stitched from the paper P supplied from the image forming device 1.

The end fence 27 aligns the conveying direction positions of multiple sheets of paper P conveyed in sequence through the third conveying path Ph3. The end fence 27 is also configured to be movable between a binding position where the center of the paper stack Pb faces the saddle stitching processing unit 28, and a folding position where the center faces the paper folding blade 29. The saddle stitching processing unit 28 stitches the center of the paper stack Pb aligned by the end fence 27 at the binding position. The paper folding blade 29 folds the paper stack Pb placed on the end fence 27 at the folding position in half and clamps it between the conveying roller pair 18. The conveying roller pairs 18 and 19 discharge the paper stack Pb that has been saddle stitched to the discharge tray 30.

[Embodiment of full load detection control]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the full-load detection control provided in the post-processing device according to the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in particular by the control related to the detection process of the loading amount of the sheets P and the sheets Pf loaded on the proof tray 21 and the stack tray 26.

[First Example]
5 illustrates a state in which sheets P are stacked on the proof tray 21. A full-load detection sensor 320 is used as a load amount detection means to detect the amount of sheets P stacked on the proof tray 21 (load amount). The full-load detection sensor 320 is installed near the discharge port through which the sheets P are discharged to the proof tray 21 (near the pair of conveying rollers 13 as discharge rollers). The full-load detection sensor 320 is, for example, a distance measurement sensor for measuring distance, and is a sensor that detects reflected light of light emitted by a light-emitting unit toward the proof tray 21 with a light-receiving unit and outputs a voltage according to the received light intensity of the reflected light. Based on this voltage value, the distance between the full-load detection sensor 320 and the reflection position can be measured.

The distance to the position where the light emitted from the full load detection sensor 320 is reflected varies depending on the amount of paper P loaded on the proof tray 21; that is, as the load increases, the distance detected by the full load detection sensor 320 decreases. When this distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the paper P loaded on the proof tray 21 is full (reaching the upper load limit).

As shown in FIG. 5, the full-load detection sensor 320 is equipped with a detection position variable means as a mechanism that can change the direction of light emission toward the proof tray 21. The detection position corresponds to the position where the uppermost surface of the paper P stacked on the proof tray 21 reflects the light emitted from the full-load detection sensor 320. Therefore, by changing the angle of the full-load detection sensor 320 relative to the proof tray 21, the detection position for determining whether the load is full can be changed.

[Second Example]
Next, a case where Z-folded sheets Pf are stacked on the proof tray 21 will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. As shown in Fig. 6, when the light emission angle from the full-load detection sensor 320 is the same as the angle exemplified in the first example, sheets Pf that bulge more than sheets P will be stacked higher even if the number of sheets is the same. Even if the number of sheets is small, as exemplified in Fig. 6, the sheet Pf may block the discharge port from which the sheets Pf are discharged after passing through the conveying roller pair 13. If the next sheet Pf is discharged in such a state, there is a concern that the sheet Pf may jam near the discharge port or push out the sheets Pf already stacked on the proof tray 21.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the stacked paper Pf tends to bulge more (for example, in the case of Z-folding), the angle of the full-load detection sensor 320 is changed to be downward from horizontal. In other words, the detection position of the full-load detection sensor 320 is set to a position closer to the base of the proof tray 21. This makes it possible to properly determine that the proof tray 21 is fully loaded even if the amount loaded on the proof tray 21 is less than in the case of FIG. 5. This makes it possible to prevent the stacked paper Pf from blocking the discharge outlet, and also makes it possible to properly set the timing for determining that the proof tray 21 is fully loaded as a loading tray.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the paper Pf is the same Z-fold, if the size of the paper Pf is different, the part where the bulge occurs may be farther from the discharge outlet. In such a case, the angle of the full-load detection sensor 320 can be set closer to horizontal than the angle illustrated in FIG. 7 to avoid concerns about paper jams at the discharge outlet. That is, based on the processing information and specification information for the paper Pf, the detection position of the full-load detection sensor 320 is set to a position slightly away from the base of the proof tray 21. This allows more paper Pf to be loaded on the proof tray 21, even if the paper Pf is Z-folded, as there is still some room before it becomes too large to block the discharge outlet.

[Third Example]
When the sheets Pf are folded in half (see FIG. 9) or folded in three (see FIG. 10), the relationship between the stack amount and the position of the top surface changes, so the emission angle of light from the full-load detection sensor 320 is changed to an appropriate angle based on the processing information and specification information. This allows the proof tray 21 to be stacked with an optimal stack amount that does not cause stacking problems.

[Fourth Example]
Next, the full-load detection control when the stiffness of the stacked sheets P is low will be described with reference to Fig. 11. As illustrated in Fig. 11, when the stiffness of the sheets P is low (when the sheets P are thin or soft), the sheets P tilted on the proof tray 21 may bend toward the outer wall surface of the post-processing device 3 due to the tilt of the proof tray 21. This causes the topmost surface of the sheets P to bulge on the proof tray 21, and when the light emission direction from the full-load detection sensor 320 is set at an angle as shown in Fig. 5, the stack amount for determining full load is reduced.

Therefore, when loading paper P with low stiffness, the angle is set so that the light emitted from the full-load detection sensor 320 faces upwards compared to the case of so-called "plain paper." This makes it possible to increase the amount of paper that can be loaded before it is determined to be full.

[Embodiments of detection position varying means]
Next, an embodiment of a detection position varying means for varying the detection position of the full load detection sensor 320 will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, one method of changing the light emission direction (emission angle) of the full-load detection sensor 320 is to change the position of the full-load detection sensor 320. In this case, the detection position can be changed depending on the position of the full-load detection sensor 320. Note that the means for changing the position of the full-load detection sensor 320 may be a combination of a movement method as shown in FIG. 12 and a rotation method as shown in FIG. 7, etc.

By providing multiple methods for changing the detection position of the full load detection sensor 320, it becomes possible to accommodate a variety of loading conditions.

[Embodiments of detection position varying means]
Next, a description will be given of a full-load detection position variable mechanism 330 as an embodiment of a detection position variable means provided in the post-processing device 3. The full-load detection position variable mechanism 330 illustrated in Fig. 13 is a mechanism that changes the angle of the full-load detection sensor 320 to change the detection position of the paper P loaded on the proof tray 21.

The full detection position variable mechanism 330 is configured with a sensor rotation motor 331, a sensor drive belt 332, a sensor drive gear 333, and a sensor rotation gear 334. Based on a control signal from the post-processing control unit 301, the post-processing drive unit 303 operates the sensor rotation motor 331, thereby changing the angle of the full detection sensor 320.

As shown in FIG. 14, the full detection position variable mechanism 330a is configured to include a sensor rotation motor 331, a sensor drive belt 332, and a sensor movement belt 335. Based on a control signal from the post-processing control unit 301, the post-processing drive unit 303 operates the sensor rotation motor 331, thereby changing the position of the full detection sensor 320.

[Full load detection position control flow]
Next, a flow of a process for controlling a detection position for full-load detection, which is executed in the post-processing device 3, will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 15. The control process described below is a process executed in the control block shown in Fig. 3.

First, the process content input by the user via the operation panel 110 of the image forming device 1 (see FIG. 1) is received as a process instruction (S1501). The process instruction includes whether to form an image on one side or both sides of the paper P, whether to perform binding, whether to perform hole punching, whether to perform folding, and the type of folding. The process instruction also includes the number of sheets on which images are to be formed, the number of copies of the paper stack Pb, and the like.

Next, it is determined whether or not the processing instruction includes folding (S1502). If folding is included (S1502: YES), processing is executed to set (change) the detection position of the full-load detection sensor 320 based on the specification information and processing information included in the processing instruction (S1503). If folding is not included in the processing instruction (S1502: NO), processing to change the detection position of the full-load detection sensor 320 is skipped without being executed.

Next, image formation processing is performed according to the processing instructions (S1504). The post-processing device 3 receives the paper P or paper Pf formed by the processing of S1504 (S1505), transports it to the proof tray 21 or stack tray 26 as a loading tray, and discharges it (S1506).

Then, the post-processing control unit 301, which serves as a load amount determination means, obtains the detection result of the full load detection sensor 320 and determines whether the load (paper P, etc.) is in a full load state (1507). If it is in a full load state (S1507: YES), information informing that effect is output to the operation panel 110 (S1508), and processing is interrupted (S1509).

If the container is not fully loaded (S1507: NO), the process returns to S1504 until all processes included in the process instruction are completed (S1510: NO). When the processes included in the process instruction are completed (S1510: YES), the process ends.

As explained above, when Z-folded media (paper Pf) is loaded on the loading tray, particularly as the size becomes smaller, the degree of bulging of the folded portion increases, causing the loaded state to become fan-shaped, raising concerns that the discharge outlet to the loading tray may be blocked. As a result, processing errors may occur during the loading process. To prevent loading errors, measures to prevent loading errors are envisioned, such as making the end fence of the loading tray tiltable or detecting the highest point of the loaded items. However, because the position at which the paper Pf bulges when loaded varies depending on the size and hardness of the media, and the type of folding process, it is desirable to address the issue of reduced loading capacity.

In this embodiment, the post-processing device 3 refers to the specification information and processing information as factors that affect the degree of bulging when the loaded objects are in a loaded state, and changes the load amount detection position based on these. This allows a full load determination to be made before the loaded objects block the discharge outlet, and the full load determination is made according to the loading state of the loaded objects, making it possible to maximize the loading amount while improving the efficiency of the loading process.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the invention. All technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[Aspects of the present invention]
The contents of the present invention are, for example, as follows.
<1> A sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet-shaped medium to a stacking tray as a discharge destination;
a load amount detection unit that detects the amount of the media loaded on the loading tray;
a load amount determination means for determining whether the load amount has reached an upper load limit;
a detection position varying means for varying a detection position for the load amount detecting means to detect the load amount; a control means for controlling the detection position varying means to change the detection position based on processing information indicating the processing contents performed on the medium before it is discharged to the stacking tray and specification information indicating the specifications of the medium;
The media processing device is characterized by having the following features.
<2> The media processing device according to <1>, wherein the control unit controls the detection position varying unit to set a position at which a bulge occurs when the media is placed on the stack tray as the detection position based on the processing information.
<3> The media processing device according to <1> or <2>, wherein the stacking tray stacks the media at a fixed position regardless of the amount of the stacked media.
<4> The media processing device according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the detection position varying unit varies an angle with respect to the media placed on the stack tray.
<5> The media processing device according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the detection position varying unit varies a height position with respect to the media placed on the stack tray.
<6> An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, and a medium processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium,
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the medium processing unit is a medium processing device described in any one of <1> to <5>.
<7> An image forming system comprising an image forming device including an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, and a medium processing device according to any one of <1> to <5> above, connected together.

1: Image forming apparatus 2: Pre-processing apparatus 3: Post-processing apparatus 13: Pair of conveying rollers 15: Pair of conveying rollers 20: Switching claw 21: Proof tray 26: Stack tray 100: Image forming system 101: Image forming control section 110: Operation panel 201: Pre-processing control section 202: Folding detection section 203: Folding drive section 301: Post-processing control section 302: Post-processing detection section 303: Post-processing drive section 320: Full-load detection sensor 330: Full-load detection position variable mechanism 331: Sensor rotation motor 332: Sensor drive belt 333: Sensor drive gear 334: Sensor rotation gear 335: Sensor moving belt

JP 2009-120320 A

Claims (7)

A sheet conveying means for conveying the sheet-shaped medium to a stacking tray as a discharge destination;
a load amount detection unit that detects the amount of the media loaded on the loading tray;
a load amount determination means for determining whether the load amount has reached an upper load limit;
a detection position varying means for varying a detection position for the load amount detecting means to detect the load amount; a control means for controlling the detection position varying means to change the detection position based on processing information indicating the processing contents performed on the medium before it is discharged to the stacking tray and specification information indicating the specifications of the medium;
13. A media processing device comprising: The control means controls the detection position varying means to set a position where a bulge occurs when the medium is placed on the stacking tray as the detection position based on the processing information.
The media processing device of claim 1 . the stacking tray stacks the media in a fixed position regardless of the amount of the media stacked;
The media processing device of claim 1 . the detection position varying means varies an angle with respect to the medium placed on the stacking tray;
The media processing device of claim 1 . the detection position varying means varies a height position relative to the medium placed on the stacking tray;
The media processing device of claim 1 . An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium and a medium processing unit that performs post-processing on the medium,
6. An image forming apparatus, wherein the medium processing section is a medium processing device according to claim 1. 6. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium; and the medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is connected to the image forming apparatus.