阅读说明：本技术 装订装置及图像形成系统 (Bookbinding apparatus and image forming system ) 是由 松本匡史 野辺裕 小泽秀明 于 2020-06-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种装订装置及图像形成系统,所述装订装置具备：按压部件,具有在记录材料捆形成凹凸的第1齿及与该第1齿成对且在记录材料捆形成凹凸的第2齿,通过该第1齿和该第2齿挟持记录材料捆进行按压；及控制单元,以在所述按压部件开始按压记录材料捆之后且在该按压部件的负荷减少的时机之后解除按压的方式进行控制。(A binding device and an image forming system, the binding device including: a pressing member having a 1 st tooth forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials and a 2 nd tooth paired with the 1 st tooth and forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials, the pressing member pressing the bundle of recording materials by being sandwiched between the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth; and a control unit configured to perform control so as to release the pressing after the pressing member starts pressing the bundle of recording materials and after a timing at which the load of the pressing member decreases.)

1. A binding device is provided with:

a pressing member having a 1 st tooth forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials and a 2 nd tooth paired with the 1 st tooth and forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials, the pressing member pressing the bundle of recording materials by being sandwiched between the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth; and

and a control unit configured to perform control so as to release the pressing after the pressing member starts pressing the bundle of recording materials and after a timing at which the load of the pressing member decreases.

2. The bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a detection unit that detects a decrease in the load of the pressing member after the recording material bundle starts to be pressed by the pressing member,

the control unit performs control so as to cancel the pressing after the timing at which the reduction of the load is detected by the detection unit.

3. The binding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a driving unit driving the pressing member with a driving force,

the detection unit detects a decrease in the driving force of the driving unit.

4. The binding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a driving unit driving the pressing member by the supplied current,

the detection unit detects a decrease in the value of the current.

5. The binding apparatus of claim 4,

the detection unit detects a decrease in the load of the pressing member when a value of the current decreases by 0.5A or more.

6. The binding apparatus of claim 1,

the control unit controls a pressing time of the pressing member after the timing of the pressing member.

7. The binding apparatus of claim 6,

the control unit sets the pressing time based on a time from when the pressing member starts pressing the bundle of recording materials until the load of the pressing member decreases.

8. The binding apparatus of claim 1,

the control unit performs the control when the number of recording materials of the recording material bundle is more than a preset 1 st number.

9. The binding apparatus of claim 1,

the control unit reduces the load of the pressing member after the load of the pressing member is reduced, when the number of recording materials of the recording material bundle is less than a preset 2 nd number of sheets, as compared with when the number of recording materials is more than a preset number of sheets.

10. A binding device is provided with:

a pressing member having a 1 st tooth and a 2 nd tooth, the 1 st tooth having a 1 st concave portion and a 1 st convex portion which form a concavo-convex portion in the bundle of recording materials, the 2 nd tooth having a 2 nd concave portion and a 2 nd convex portion which form a concavo-convex portion in the bundle of recording materials and forming a pair with the 1 st tooth, and the bundle of recording materials being held and pressed by the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth; and

and a control unit configured to control to release the pressing after timing at which the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the pressing member and the bundle of recording materials follows a surface formed on the 1 st tooth from the 1 st concave portion to the 1 st convex portion.

11. An image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus that performs image formation on a recording material; and a binding device configured to bind a bundle of recording materials, which is a bundle of recording materials on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus, the binding device being configured by the binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus and an image forming system.

Background

Patent document 1 describes variable control of a standby time from when a final sheet of a sheet bundle is loaded into a sheet post-processing apparatus to when the sheet bundle is bound.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication (JP 2015-013386)

Disclosure of Invention

In the binding apparatus, the bundle of recording materials may be held and pressed by the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth provided in the pressing member. Further, as a pressing condition such as a condition of a force applied to the bundle of recording materials by the pressing member or a condition of a pressing time of the bundle of recording materials by the pressing member, there is a pressing condition required to secure the binding performance.

Here, if the pressing member presses the bundle of recording materials in accordance with a predetermined pressing condition, for example, by performing control only under a preset pressing condition such as a change in accordance with the number of recording materials constituting the bundle of recording materials, the performance of the binding may be lowered in some cases.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the binding performance as compared with a case where a recording material bundle is pressed by a pressing member according to a predetermined pressing condition.

The invention described in claim 1 is a bookbinding apparatus including: a pressing member having a 1 st tooth forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials and a 2 nd tooth paired with the 1 st tooth and forming an irregularity in the bundle of recording materials, the pressing member pressing the bundle of recording materials by being sandwiched between the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth; and a control unit configured to perform control so as to release the pressing after the pressing member starts pressing the bundle of recording materials and after a timing at which the load of the pressing member decreases.

The invention described in claim 2 is the binding apparatus described in claim 1, further including: and a detection unit that detects a decrease in the load of the pressing member after the pressing of the bundle of recording materials is started by the pressing member, wherein the control unit performs control so as to cancel the pressing after a timing at which the decrease in the load is detected by the detection unit.

The invention described in claim 3 is the binding apparatus described in claim 2, further including: a driving unit that drives the pressing member with a driving force, and the detecting unit detects a decrease in the driving force of the driving unit.

The invention described in claim 4 is the binding apparatus described in claim 2, further including: and a driving unit that drives the pressing member by the supplied current, and the detecting unit detects a decrease in the value of the current.

The invention described in claim 5 is the bookbinding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects a decrease in the load of the pressing member when a value of the current decreases by 0.5A or more.

The invention described in claim 6 is the bookbinding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a pressing time of the pressing member after the timing of the pressing member.

The invention described in claim 7 is the binding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit sets the pressing time based on a time from when the pressing member starts pressing the bundle of recording materials until the load of the pressing member decreases.

The invention described in claim 8 is the binding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs the control when the number of sheets of recording material in the bundle of recording materials is larger than a preset 1 st sheet.

The invention described in claim 9 is the binding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces the load on the pressing member after the load on the pressing member is reduced, when the number of sheets of recording material in the bundle of recording materials is less than a preset number 2, as compared to when the number of sheets is greater than the preset number.

The invention described in claim 10 is a bookbinding apparatus including: a pressing member having a 1 st tooth and a 2 nd tooth, the 1 st tooth having a 1 st concave portion and a 1 st convex portion which form a concavo-convex portion in the bundle of recording materials, the 2 nd tooth having a 2 nd concave portion and a 2 nd convex portion which form a concavo-convex portion in the bundle of recording materials and forming a pair with the 1 st tooth, and the bundle of recording materials being held and pressed by the 1 st tooth and the 2 nd tooth; and a control unit configured to control to release the pressing after timing when the bundle of recording materials is pressed by the pressing member and the bundle of recording materials follows a surface formed in the 1 st tooth over the 1 st concave portion to the 1 st convex portion.

The invention described in claim 11 is an image forming system including: an image forming apparatus that performs image formation on a recording material; and a binding device configured to bind a bundle of recording materials, which is a bundle of recording materials on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus, wherein the binding device is the binding device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Effects of the invention

According to the aspect 1 of the present invention, the binding performance can be improved as compared with a case where the recording material bundle is pressed by the pressing member according to the predetermined pressing condition.

According to the 2 nd aspect of the present invention, the control unit can control the binding every binding.

According to the 3 rd aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to measure the load itself applied to the pressing member.

According to the 4 th aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to measure the load itself applied to the pressing member.

According to the 5 th aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a detection error of the load reduction by the detection means, as compared with a case where an excessively small load reduction is detected or only an excessively large load reduction is detected.

According to the 6 th aspect of the present invention, the pressing time can be set according to the ease of change of the recording material bundle.

According to the 7 th aspect of the present invention, the pressing time can be set according to the time at which the load is applied to the bundle of recording materials.

According to the 8 th aspect of the present invention, the processing load imposed on the control unit can be reduced compared to the case of performing control regardless of the number of recording materials of the bundle of recording materials.

According to the 9 th aspect of the present invention, the binding force is prevented from decreasing due to breakage or the like, as compared with the case where the load of the pressing member is kept constant after the load is reduced regardless of the number of recording materials in the bundle of recording materials.

According to the 10 th aspect of the present invention, the binding performance can be improved as compared with a case where the recording material bundle is pressed by the pressing member according to the predetermined pressing condition.

According to the 11 th aspect of the present invention, the binding performance can be improved as compared with a case where the recording material bundle is pressed by the pressing member according to the predetermined pressing condition.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of an aftertreatment device;

fig. 3 is a view of the stapleless binding unit and the like viewed from the direction of arrow III of fig. 2;

fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the stapleless binding unit 50;

FIG. 5 (a) and FIG. 5 (b) are sectional views taken along line V-V of FIG. 3;

fig. 6 (a) is a diagram showing a relationship between an elapsed time from the start of the staple-less binding process by the staple-less binding unit and a current value of a current supplied to the cam motor, fig. 6 (b) is a diagram showing a relationship between the upper and lower pressing members and the sheet bundle when a time T1 has elapsed, and fig. 6 (c) is a diagram showing a relationship between the upper and lower pressing members and the sheet bundle when a time T2 has elapsed;

fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the staple control processing;

fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of staple control processing as a modification;

fig. 9 (a) is a diagram showing a relationship between a time elapsed after the staple-less binding unit starts the binding process and a current value of a current supplied to the cam motor, and fig. 9 (b) is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a length of a time during which a current is supplied before a load applied to the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member is reduced and a pressing time after the load is reduced;

fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the staple control processing in modification 2.

Description of the symbols

50-stapleless stapling unit, 51-upper pressing means, 52-lower pressing means, 54-upper concave-convex, 54 a-upper convex, 54 b-upper concave, 54 c-upper joint surface, 58-lower concave-convex, 58 a-lower convex, 58 b-lower concave, 58 c-lower joint surface, 59-cam, 500-image forming system, M1-cam motor, S-display.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

< construction of image Forming System >

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system 500 to which the present embodiment is applied.

The image forming system 500 shown in fig. 1 includes: an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an image on a sheet P as an example of a recording material; and a post-processing device 2 for performing post-processing such as stapling on the sheets P on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1.

Examples of the image forming apparatus 1 include a printer and a copier.

The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with 4 image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K that perform image formation based on image data of respective colors. When the image forming units 100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K are not particularly described, they are simply referred to as the image forming unit 100.

The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a laser exposure device 101 that exposes a photosensitive drum 107 provided in each image forming unit 100. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 102 that transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units 100 a plurality of times.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with: a primary transfer roller 103 that primarily transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed by the respective image forming units 100 to the intermediate transfer belt 102; a secondary transfer roller 104 for secondary-transferring the toner images of the respective colors transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 102 to the sheet P; and a fixing device 105 for fixing the toner images of the respective colors secondarily transferred onto the sheet P. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a main body control unit 106, and the main body control unit 106 is configured by a CPU controlled by a program and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a UI (User Interface)30 for displaying information to a User. The UI30 is constituted by a display panel or the like. Also, the UI30 receives an operation from the user.

In each image forming unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1, a toner image of each color is formed through a charging process for the photoconductive drum 107, an electrostatic latent image forming process for the photoconductive drum 107 by scanning exposure from the laser exposure device 101, a developing process for each color toner of the formed electrostatic latent image, and the like.

The toner images of the respective colors formed in the respective image forming units 100 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the primary transfer roller 103. Then, the toner images of the respective colors are conveyed to the installation position of the secondary transfer roller 104 as the intermediate transfer belt 102 moves.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of sheets P of different sizes or different types are accommodated in the sheet accommodating units 110A to 110D, respectively.

When an image is formed on the paper P, the paper P is taken out from the paper storage section 110A by the pickup roller 111, and is conveyed to the position of the registration roller 113 one by the conveying roller 112.

Then, the sheet P is supplied from the registration roller 113 in accordance with the timing at which the toner images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer belt 102 are conveyed to the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roller 104.

Thereby, the toner images of the respective colors are collectively secondarily transferred onto the paper P by the action of the transfer electric field formed by the secondary transfer roller 104.

Thereafter, the sheet P on which the toner images of the respective colors are secondarily transferred is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 102 and conveyed to the fixing device 105. The fixing device 105 fixes the toner images of the respective colors on the paper P by a fixing process based on heat and pressure, thereby forming an image.

The sheet P on which the image is formed is discharged from the sheet discharge portion T of the image forming apparatus 1 by the conveying roller 114 and supplied to the post-processing apparatus 2.

The post-processing apparatus 2 is disposed downstream of the sheet discharge unit T of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs stapling processing and the like on the sheets P on which images are formed.

< Structure of post-treatment apparatus >

Next, the structure of the post-processing apparatus 2 will be explained. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the post-processing apparatus 2.

The post-processing device 2 is provided with: a conveying unit 21 connected to a sheet discharge portion T of the image forming apparatus 1; and a finisher unit 22 for performing a predetermined process on the paper P conveyed by the conveying unit 21.

The post-processing apparatus 2 is provided with a paper-handling control unit 23, and the paper-handling control unit 23 is configured by a CPU controlled by a program and controls each mechanism unit of the post-processing apparatus 2. The sheet processing control section 23, which is an example of the control means, is connected to the main body control section 106 (see fig. 1) via a signal line (not shown), and performs transmission and reception of control signals and the like.

The conveying unit 21 of the post-processing apparatus 2 is provided therein with a plurality of conveying rollers 211, and the plurality of conveying rollers 211 convey the sheet P after image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 toward the finisher unit 22.

The finisher unit 22 is provided with: a finisher unit main body 221; a paper stacking unit 60 for stacking a required number of papers P to generate a bundle of papers; and a staple-less binding unit 50 that performs binding processing on the end portion of the bundle of paper sheets generated by the paper sheet stacking unit 60 without using staples. The finisher unit 22 is provided with: a stapling-order unit 70 that performs a stapling process with a staple on an end portion of the sheet bundle generated by the sheet stacking unit 60; and a drilling unit 80 for drilling the end of the bundle of sheets generated by the sheet stacking unit 60.

Further, a conveying roller 61 is provided in the finisher unit 22, and the conveying roller 61 is provided rotatably and conveys the bundle of sheets generated by the sheet stacking portion 60. The finisher unit 22 is further provided with a movable roller 62, and the movable roller 62 is provided so as to be capable of swinging about a rotation shaft 62a as a movement center and capable of moving to a position retracted from the conveying roller 61 and a position pressed against the conveying roller 61. The finisher unit 22 is provided with a stacker 81, and a bundle of sheets conveyed by the conveying roller 61 and the movable roller 62 is stacked on the stacker 81. The stacker 81 moves up and down in accordance with the amount of the held sheet bundle.

When processing by the post-processing apparatus 2 is performed, first, the sheet P is carried in from the image forming apparatus 1 to the conveying unit 21 of the post-processing apparatus 2. The sheet P carried into the conveying unit 21 is sent to the finisher unit 22 by the conveying roller 211.

The sheet P sent to the finisher unit 22 is conveyed to the sheet stacking portion 60. Specifically, the sheets P are conveyed to above the sheet stacking portion 60 and then fall onto the sheet stacking portion 60. The sheet P is supported from below by a support plate 67 provided in the sheet stacking portion 60. Then, the sheet P is slidingly moved on the support plate 67 by the paddle 69 which is inclined and rotated by the support plate 67.

Thereafter, the sheet P abuts on the end guide 64 attached to the end of the support plate 67. Thus, in the present embodiment, the movement of the paper P is stopped.

Thereafter, this operation is performed every time the sheets P are conveyed from the upstream side, and a bundle of sheets in which the rear end portions of the sheets P are aligned is generated in the sheet stacking portion 60. The bundle of paper sheets is understood to be a bundle of recording material.

When a predetermined number of sheets P are stacked on the supporting plate 67 to create a sheet bundle on the supporting plate 67, post-processing of the sheet bundle is performed by the stapleless binding unit 50, the stapled order form 70, the drilling unit 80, and the like. In the present embodiment, the number of sheets set in advance is set according to the post-processing, that is, 10 sheets are set in the staple-less binding unit 50, 50 sheets are set in the order unit 70 with staples, and 70 sheets are set in the drilling unit 80.

When the post-processing of the bundle of paper sheets is completed, the movable roller 62 advances and retreats toward the conveying roller 61, and the bundle of paper sheets is nipped by the movable roller 62 and the conveying roller 61. Thereafter, the conveying roller 61 and the movable roller 62 are rotationally driven, and the sheet bundle subjected to the staple processing is conveyed to the stacker 81.

Fig. 3 is a view of the stapleless binding unit 50 and the like viewed from the direction of arrow III in fig. 2.

The sheet stacking portion 60 is provided with an alignment member 65. Although some of the aligning members 65 are not shown, they are provided at both ends of the sheet stacking portion 60 in the width direction. Each time the sheets P are stacked on the sheet stacking portion 60, the aligning member 65 abuts against the side edge of the sheet P to align the end position of the sheet P. Then, the aligning member 65 moves in the width direction of the bundle of paper B, and moves the bundle of paper B in the width direction of the bundle of paper B.

As shown by an arrow 3A of fig. 3, the stapleless binding unit 50 is provided movably in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle B. The staple-less binding unit 50 performs binding processing at a plurality of positions in the transport direction of the sheet bundle B, such as the (3a) region or the (3B) region in the sheet bundle B. Then, the staple-less binding unit 50 moves to the vicinity of the corner of the sheet bundle B, and performs binding processing on the corner of the sheet bundle B indicated by the area (3c) in the sheet bundle B.

The staple-less binding unit 50 linearly moves between a position for binding (3a) area and a position for binding (3B) area in the sheet bundle B. On the other hand, the staple-less binding unit 50 moves, for example, with rotation of 45 ° between the position for the binding (3B) region and the position for the binding (3c) region in the sheet bundle B.

Further, the sheet stacking portion 60 is provided with a plurality of notches 60A. This can avoid interference between the stapleless binding unit 50 and the sheet stacking portion 60.

< Structure of staple-less bookbinding unit >

Next, the structure of the staple-less binding unit 50 will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the stapleless binding unit 50. Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the line V-V of fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 4, an upper pressing member 51 is provided in a staple-less binding unit 50 as an example of a binding apparatus. The staple-less binding unit 50 is provided with a lower pressing member 52 which is paired with the upper pressing member 51 and is disposed to face the upper pressing member 51.

The upper pressing member 51 is provided to be movable forward and backward with respect to the lower pressing member 52 (see arrows D1 and D2 in the drawing).

The upper pressing member 51 is provided with an upper base portion 53 and an upper concave-convex portion 54 protruding from the upper base portion 53. The upper concave-convex portion 54 is provided to extend in one direction (the arrow 4A direction in the figure).

The upper concave-convex portion 54, which is an example of the 1 st tooth, is provided with a plurality of upper convex portions 54a, a plurality of upper concave portions 54b, and a plurality of upper connection surfaces 54 c.

A plurality of upper projections 54a, which are an example of the 1 st projection, are arranged in line along the longitudinal direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54. The upper convex portion 54a projects downward from the surface 53a of the upper base portion 53. The upper convex portion 54a is formed along the short side direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54 (the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54).

An upper concave portion 54b as an example of the 1 st concave portion is formed between 2 upper convex portions 54a adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54. Incidentally, the upper convex portions 54a and the upper concave portions 54b are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54.

The upper connection surface 54c is a surface connecting the upper convex portion 54a and the upper concave portion 54b provided adjacent to the upper convex portion 54 a.

The lower pressing member 52 is provided with a lower base portion 57 and a lower concave-convex portion 58 protruding from the lower base portion 57. The lower concave-convex portion 58 is provided to extend along the longitudinal direction of the upper concave-convex portion 54.

The lower uneven portion 58, which is an example of the 2 nd tooth, is provided with a plurality of lower convex portions 58a, a plurality of lower concave portions 58b, and a plurality of lower connection surfaces 58 c.

A plurality of lower convex portions 58a, which are an example of the 2 nd convex portion, are arranged in line along the longitudinal direction of the lower concave-convex portion 58. The lower protruding portion 58a protrudes upward from the surface 57a of the lower base portion 57. The lower convex portion 58a is formed along the short side direction of the lower concave-convex portion 58 (the direction intersecting the long side direction of the lower concave-convex portion 58).

The lower concave portion 58b, which is an example of the 2 nd concave portion, is formed between 2 lower convex portions 58a adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the lower concave-convex portion 58. Incidentally, the lower convex portions 58a and the lower concave portions 58b are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower concave-convex portion 58.

The lower connection surface 58c is a surface connecting the lower convex portion 58a and the lower concave portion 58b provided adjacent to the lower convex portion 58 a.

The upper concave-convex portion 54 of the upper pressing member 51 is engaged with the lower concave-convex portion 58 of the lower pressing member 52 via the bundle of paper B (see fig. 3), and presses the bundle of paper B to form concave-convex portions in the bundle of paper B. Here, the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 can be understood as pressing members that press the bundle of paper B by sandwiching the bundle of paper B between the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58.

As shown in fig. 5 (a), the staple-less binding unit 50 includes: an elliptical cam 59 disposed between the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52; and a cam motor M1 that receives a current supply from a power source (not shown) and rotates, thereby driving the cam 59.

A display S that monitors the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is also provided at the stapleless binding unit 50. The display S, which is an example of the detection means, measures the current value of the current supplied from the power supply to the cam motor M1. Then, information on the measured current value is sent to the paper processing control unit 23.

The upper base portion 53 of the upper pressing member 51 is provided with a protruding portion 531B protruding toward the lower pressing member 52 side, and a through-hole 531A is formed in the protruding portion 531B.

A projecting portion 571B projecting toward the upper pressing member 51 is provided in the lower base portion 57 of the lower pressing member 52, and a through hole, not shown, is formed in the projecting portion 571B.

In the present embodiment, the pin PN passes through the through-hole 531A provided in the upper pressing member 51 and the through-hole provided in the lower pressing member 52. In the present embodiment, the upper base 53 and the lower base 57 swing around the pin PN.

In the present embodiment, the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 are provided on the side of the sheet bundle B with respect to the pin PN, and the cam 59 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the sheet bundle B is provided with the pin PN therebetween.

In the present embodiment, when the cam 59 is rotated by the rotational force of the cam motor M1, the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 move so as to approach each other as shown in fig. 5 (B), and the bundle of paper sheets B is sandwiched between the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58, thereby applying pressure to the bundle of paper sheets B. Thus, fibers of the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle B are entangled, and adjacent sheets P are joined to each other to form a binding portion V for binding a plurality of sheets P. Hereinafter, the rotation of the cam motor M1 in the direction in which the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 approach each other is referred to as forward rotation. The cam motor M1 can be understood as a driving unit that drives the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 by a driving force.

When the cam 59 is rotated by the rotational force generated by the reverse rotation of the cam motor M1, the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 move to be separated from each other, and the pressing of the sheet bundle B by the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 is released. Here, the reverse rotation is a rotation opposite to the forward rotation.

The specific configuration of the stapleless binding unit 50, in particular, the mechanism for pinching the sheet bundle B by bringing the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 close to each other, is not limited to the configuration described with reference to fig. 5. The mechanism for pinching the bundle of paper B by bringing the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 close to each other can employ various configurations capable of pinching and pressing the bundle of paper B by pinching the bundle of paper B by the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58.

< relationship between pressing member and sheet bundle in bookbinding processing >

Next, the relationship between the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 and the sheet bundle B in the staple processing of the staple-less binding unit 50 will be described.

Fig. 6 (a) is a diagram showing a relationship between the time elapsed after the staple-less binding unit 50 starts the binding process and the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 (refer to fig. 5). Fig. 6 (B) is a diagram showing the relationship between the upper and lower pressing members 51 and 52 and the bundle of paper sheets B when the time T1 has elapsed. Fig. 6 (c) is a diagram showing the relationship between the upper and lower pressing members 51 and 52 and the bundle of paper sheets B when the time T2 has elapsed.

In the staple process of the staple-less binding unit 50, the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 come into contact with the paper bundle B in the vicinity thereof, and the pressing of the paper bundle B is started, and thereafter, the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 gradually come closer to press the paper bundle B with the passage of time.

The paper sheet processing control unit 23 controls the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 to apply a driving force necessary for bringing the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 close to each other. More specifically, the paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 controls the cam motor M1 to supply a current necessary for bringing the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 closer to each other. Further, the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 are closer as the time for supplying the current to the cam motor M1 is longer. Therefore, the longer the time for supplying the current to the cam motor M1, the larger the amount of deformation of the portion of the sheet bundle B to which stapling is performed.

Here, when the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 nip the bundle of paper sheets B, the bundle of paper sheets B receives a reaction force, and the larger the reaction force, the larger the current value of the current that needs to be supplied to the cam motor M1 in order to bring the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 closer to each other. Therefore, when the reaction force of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 received from the sheet bundle B increases with the elapse of time, the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 also increases with the elapse of time. Further, the larger the reaction force of the sheet bundle B, the more the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 increases.

Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the paper sheet processing control unit 23 controls the stapling process by pressing the paper sheet bundle B for a predetermined time period by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

When the stapling process of the staple-less stapling unit 50 is started, the cam motor M1 is first rotated by the supply of current, and the cam 59 is rotated. When the cam 59 rotates, the upper concave-convex portion 54 of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 of the lower pressing member 52 approach each other as described above, and the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 contact the bundle of paper B, thereby applying pressure to the bundle of paper B.

When pressure is applied to the sheet bundle B, a reaction force of the sheet bundle B is generated, but the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 come closer by an increase in the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1. Further, when the sheet bundle B is pinched and stretched by the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 as the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 come close, the reaction force of the sheet bundle B also increases, and the load applied to the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 also increases. By so doing, as shown in fig. 6 (a), the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 increases as time passes after the stapling process starts.

When the time T1 elapses after the stapling process starts, the relationship between the upper and lower pressing members 51 and 52 and the sheet bundle B is as shown in fig. 6 (B). At this time, the bundle of paper B is pinched and stretched by the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58, and deformed into a shape along the upper convex portion 54a and the lower convex portion 58 a. On the other hand, a gap G1 is generated between the bundle of sheets B and the upper concave portion 54B, and the bundle of sheets B is not deformed into a shape along the upper concave-convex portion 54. In other words, the bundle B does not extend along the upper connecting surface 54 c. A gap G2 is formed between the bundle of paper sheets B and the lower concave portion 58B, and the bundle of paper sheets B is not deformed into a shape along the lower concave-convex portion 58. In other words, the bundle B does not lie along the lower connecting surface 58 c.

Then, the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 are further close to each other, the bundle B is further stretched, and a part of the fibers of the sheets constituting the bundle B is broken. When the breakage occurs, the reaction force of the sheet bundle B is reduced, and the load applied to the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 is reduced. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6 (a), immediately after time T1 has elapsed, the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is reduced so as to bring the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 closer to each other. At this time, the sheet bundle B is further pressed into the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58.

When the time T2 elapses after the stapling process starts, the relationship between the upper and lower pressing members 51 and 52 and the sheet bundle B becomes as shown in fig. 6 (c). At this time, the bundle B of paper sheets enters the gap G1 and the gap G2 which are generated when the time T1 (refer to fig. 6 (B)) elapses, and the fibers of the paper sheets which become loose in winding due to the breakage in the bundle B of paper sheets start to wind. Thereby, the sheet bundle B is deformed into a shape along the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58. In other words, the bundle B is along the upper connecting surface 54c and the lower connecting surface 58 c.

After that, when the bundle of paper sheets B receives the pressing forces of the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion, the reaction force of the bundle of paper sheets B increases again, but the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 increases again, so that the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 approach each other, and the pressing of the bundle of paper sheets B is continued. Then, when a time T3 (see fig. 6 a) corresponding to a preset time during which the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 press the paper bundle B elapses, the supply of the current to the cam motor M1 is terminated. This releases the pressing of the paper bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

In this manner, in the staple process by the staple-less stapling unit 50, the paper bundle B is pressed by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 with a long time, and the paper bundle B is stapled. Here, as the pressing time of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52, there is a pressing time required for ensuring the performance of stapling, and the pressing time differs depending on the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the stapling process. Therefore, if the bundle of paper B is pressed for a predetermined pressing time regardless of the number of sheets of paper constituting the bundle of paper B to be bound, the binding performance may be degraded depending on the number of sheets of paper constituting the bundle of paper B. The pressing time is a time during which the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 press the paper bundle B.

For example, if the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is small, the pressing time required for binding the sheet bundle B becomes short. On the other hand, if the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is large, the pressing time required for binding the sheet bundle B becomes long.

When the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle B having a small number of sheets, if the pressing time is set to be the same as the time for binding the sheet bundle B having a large number of sheets, a load exceeding the necessary load is continuously applied, and thus the time during binding is unnecessarily long, which may lead to a reduction in productivity or damage to the portion of the sheet bundle B to be bound. When the binding process is performed on the bundle of sheets B having a large number of sheets, if the same pressing time as the time for binding the bundle of sheets B having a small number of sheets is set, the pressing on the bundle of sheets B is insufficient, and the binding may be incomplete.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the sheet processing control section 23 controls the pressing time corresponding to the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the staple processing. More specifically, the sheet processing control unit 23 performs control so as to cancel the pressing by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 after the timing at which the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced after the stapling process is started.

When the paper bundle B is bound by the staple-less binding unit 50, the paper bundle B is pressed to break a part of fibers of the respective papers constituting the paper bundle B, and then the paper bundle B is further pressed to wind fibers of the respective papers loosely wound by the broken fibers in the paper bundle B, thereby binding the paper bundle B. Here, as described above, when the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced, the fibers of the respective sheets of paper that have become loose due to breakage in the sheet bundle B start to be entangled.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressing of the bundle of paper sheets B may be continued until the time when the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced, and then the pressing time may be secured until the fibers of the paper sheets in the bundle of paper sheets B, which have been wound loosely due to the breakage, are wound. In other words, in the present embodiment, the pressing of the bundle of paper B is continued until a timing when the bundle of paper B is pressed by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 and the bundle of paper B is in a state along the upper connecting surface 54c and the lower connecting surface 58 c.

< binding control processing >

Next, the binding control process will be described. The staple control process is a process of controlling the staple process of the sheet bundle B by the staple-less binding unit 50. The staple control processing is performed by the control of the sheet processing control section 23. When the sheet processing control unit 23 is instructed to execute the staple processing by the staple-less stapling unit 50, the staple control processing is started.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the staple control processing.

First, the sheet processing control unit 23 determines whether or not the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the staple processing is equal to or greater than a lower limit number of sheets (S101). The lower limit number of sheets is a lower limit number of sheets for determining that it is necessary to set a pressing time corresponding to the bundle of sheets B to be subjected to the staple processing. The lower limit number of sheets may be understood as a preset number 1. The lower limit number may be any number, for example, 5. In the present embodiment, control is performed to set the pressing time when binding the bundle B of sheets of paper, such as 8 sheets, which is the number of sheets greater than 5, and to match the pressing time when binding the bundle B of sheets of paper, such as 3 sheets, which is the number of sheets less than 5, so as to achieve efficiency of the binding process.

When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is less than the lower limit number of sheets (no in S101), the staple control processing is ended. At this time, the sheet processing control section 23 performs the binding process of the sheet bundle B by pressing the sheet bundle B for a preset time by the staple-less binding unit 50. The preset time is set regardless of the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the staple processing.

On the other hand, when the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is equal to or greater than the lower limit number of sheets (yes in S101), the sheet processing control unit 23 supplies a current to the cam motor M1 to drive the cam motor M1 to rotate in the forward direction (S102). Thereby, the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 approach each other, and the pressing of the paper bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is started.

The sheet processing control unit 23 determines whether or not the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is equal to or greater than the supply stable value (S103). The supply stabilization value is a value for determining that the current supply to the cam motor M1 becomes stable. The supply stabilization value may be any value, for example, 1A. Here, the display S (see fig. 5) measures the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1, and transmits a signal to the sheet processing control unit 23 when the measured current value becomes equal to or greater than the supply stabilization value. The paper-sheet processing control section 23 makes the above determination based on whether or not the signal is received. While the negative result continues, the paper-processing control section 23 continues the processing of step S103.

On the other hand, when the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 becomes equal to or greater than the supply steady value (yes in S103), the paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 determines whether or not the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 has decreased by the non-noise value or greater (S104). The non-noise value is a value for determining that the decrease in the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is not a decrease due to noise of the power supply. The non-noise value is, for example, 0.5A. Here, the display S detects that the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced when the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is reduced by a non-noise value or more. When detecting a decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52, the display S transmits a signal to the paper processing control unit 23. The paper-sheet processing control section 23 makes the above determination based on whether or not the signal is received. While the negative result continues, the paper-sheet-processing control section 23 continues the processing of step S104.

When the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 decreases by the non-noise value or more (yes in S104), the process proceeds to the next step.

The paper sheet processing control unit 23 supplies a current to the cam motor M1 for a predetermined time period to rotate the cam motor M1 in the forward direction, and continues to press the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52. Thereafter, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 drives the cam motor M1 to rotate in the reverse direction, and releases the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 (S105). Here, the specific time is set as a time required from the start of the reduction of the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 to the end of the binding of the bundle of paper sheets B after the start of the pressing of the bundle of paper sheets B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52. The specific time is set regardless of the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the staple processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 performs control so as to release the pressing after the timing at which the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases after the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 start pressing the paper sheet bundle B. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 performs control so as to release the pressing after the display S detects the timing at which the loads of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 are reduced. In other words, in the present embodiment, the paper sheet handling control unit 23 performs control so as to release the pressing after the timing at which the bundle of paper sheets B is pressed by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 and the bundle of paper sheets B follows the surface formed in the upper concave-convex portion 54 over the upper concave portion 54B to the upper convex portion 54 a. Here, the surface formed over the upper concave portion 54b to the upper convex portion 54a is, for example, an upper connection surface 54 c.

In the present embodiment, the display S detects a decrease in the value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is reduced by 0.5A or more, the display S detects a reduction in the load on the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

In the present embodiment, when the number of sheets of the sheet bundle B is greater than the lower limit number of sheets, the pressing is controlled to be released after the timing at which the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases.

< modification example >

Next, a modified example of the staple control process will be described.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of the staple control process as a modification.

First, the paper processing control section 23 performs the processing of steps S201 to S203. The steps S201 to S203 are the same processes as those of the steps S102 to S104 of the staple control process shown in fig. 7.

When the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is reduced by the non-noise value or more (yes in S203), the sheet processing control unit 23 determines whether or not the number of sheets constituting the bundle B of sheets to be subjected to the staple processing is equal to or less than the load reduction number (S204). The number of load-reduced sheets is a threshold value for determining that the number of sheets of paper required to reduce the load applied to the paper bundle B by the pressing of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. The number of load reduction sheets may be any number, for example, 3. The load reduction number may be understood as a preset number 2.

When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is larger than the load reduction number (no in S204), the process proceeds to the next step.

The paper sheet processing control unit 23 supplies a pulse having a duty ratio of the 1 st value for a specific time period to the cam motor M1 to rotate the cam motor in the forward direction, and continues the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52. Thereafter, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 drives the cam motor M1 to rotate in the reverse direction, and releases the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 (S205). The duty ratio is a ratio of a pulse width to a pulse period. The 1 st value is, for example, 0.5.

When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is equal to or less than the load reduction number (yes in S204), the process proceeds to step S206.

The paper sheet processing control unit 23 supplies a pulse having a duty ratio of 2 nd value for a specific time to the cam motor M1 to rotate the cam motor in the forward direction, and continues the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52. Thereafter, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 drives the cam motor M1 to rotate in the reverse direction, and releases the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 (S206). Here, the 2 nd value is a value smaller than the 1 st value. The 2 nd value is, for example, 0.25.

In the above-described example, the duty ratio of the pulse supplied to the cam motor M1 is changed depending on whether or not the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is equal to or less than the load reduction number, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 may supply a pulse for a specific time to the cam motor M1 when the number of paper sheets is greater than the load-reduced number of paper sheets, and supply a dc current for a specific time to the cam motor M1 when the number of paper sheets is equal to or less than the load-reduced number of paper sheets, for example. Further, the paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 may shorten the time for supplying the current to the cam motor M1 when the number of paper sheets constituting the paper sheet bundle B is equal to or less than the number of reduced-load sheets, as compared with when the number of reduced-load sheets is greater. That is, when the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is equal to or less than the number of reduced-load sheets, the control may be performed so as to reduce the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 as compared to when the number of sheets is greater than the number of reduced-load sheets.

As described above, in the modification, the number of sheets of the sheet bundle B is smaller than the number of sheets with reduced load, and the sheet processing control unit 23 reduces the load on the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 after reducing the load on the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52, as compared to when the number is larger.

< modification 2>

Next, another modification (modification 2) of the staple control process will be described.

Fig. 9 (a) is a diagram showing a relationship between the time elapsed after the staple-less binding unit 50 starts the binding process and the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1. Fig. 9 (b) is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the length of time for supplying current before the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced and the pressing time after the load is reduced.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the pressing is released after the timing at which the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases. Here, depending on the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B to be subjected to the staple processing, the time required to ensure the performance of the staple may be different as the pressing time after the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. For example, when the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is small, or when the sheet bundle B is easily deformed due to a thin thickness of the sheets themselves, a large gap, or the like, the sheet bundle B is easily deformed along the concave-convex teeth, and the sheet bundle B necessary for binding is also easily changed. On the other hand, when the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is large, or when the sheet bundle B is not easily deformed due to a thick sheet itself or a small gap, the sheet bundle B is not easily moved along the concave-convex teeth, and a change in the sheet bundle B necessary for binding is not easily generated. Therefore, the time taken for the sheet bundle B to follow the teeth of the irregularities, that is, the time taken until the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases, has a relative relationship with the amount of load required thereafter.

Therefore, in modification 2, the pressing time after the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced is controlled to a time corresponding to the paper bundle B. More specifically, the pressing time is set in accordance with the time from when the current starts to be supplied to the cam motor M1 until the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases. In addition, the pressing time is set in accordance with the slope of the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 with respect to time during the time from the start of supplying the current to the cam motor M1 to the time immediately before the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases.

The timing at which the supply of the current to the cam motor M1 is started after the stapling process is started is set to time T4 (refer to (a) of fig. 9), and the timing at which the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is reduced is set to time T5.

When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is increased, the time from time T4 to time T5 may be increased, and in this case, the pressing time required from time T5 to the end of stapling of the sheet bundle B may be increased. Further, when the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is reduced, the time from time T4 to time T5 may be shortened, and in this case, the pressing time required from time T5 to the end of stapling of the sheet bundle B may also be shortened. In the present embodiment, when the time period from the time T4 to the time T5 is long, the pressing time after the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced is controlled to be long. When the time from the time T4 to the time T5 is short, the pressing time after the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced is controlled to be short. Hereinafter, the pressing time after the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced is referred to as a reduced pressing time.

When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is increased, the inclination of the current value with respect to time may be increased when the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is increased. That is, the larger the number of sheets of paper in the paper bundle B, the greater the reaction force of the paper bundle B generated when pressed, but the greater the reaction force, the greater the current value required to bring the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 closer together, and the greater the slope of the current value with respect to time. When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle B is decreased, the inclination of the current value with respect to time may be decreased when the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 is increased. In the present embodiment, when the slope of the current value is large, the control is performed so that the pressing time after the decrease becomes long. When the slope of the current value is small, the control is performed so that the pressing time after the decrease is short.

The display S transmits information indicating the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 to the paper processing control section 23 at a predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, 0.1 second. The paper-processing control section 23 calculates the time length from time T4 to time T5 from the information acquired from the display S. Then, the slope of the current value before the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced with respect to the current supply time to the cam motor M1 is calculated based on the information acquired from the display S.

The "time" shown in fig. 9 (b) represents the time length from the time T4 to the time T5 calculated by the sheet processing control unit 23. The "slope" shown in fig. 9 (b) indicates the slope of the current value calculated by the paper processing control unit 23.

When the time from time T4 to time T5 is shorter than the long-term time and the slope of the current value is smaller than the long-term slope value, the paper-handling control unit 23 sets the post-reduction pressing time to the 1 st time. Here, the long-term time and the long-term slope value are both threshold values for determining that the post-press time needs to be reduced to increase in order to ensure the stapling performance.

When the time from time T4 to time T5 is longer than the long-term time and the slope of the current value is greater than the long-term slope value, the sheet processing control unit 23 sets the reduced post-press time to the 2 nd time. The 2 nd time is a time longer than the 1 st time.

When the time from time T4 to time T5 is shorter than the long-term time and the slope of the current value is larger than the long-term slope value, the sheet processing control unit 23 sets the reduced post-press time to the 2 nd time.

When the time from time T4 to time T5 is longer than the long-term time and the slope of the current value is greater than the long-term slope value, the sheet processing control unit 23 sets the reduced post-press time to the 3 rd time. The 3 rd time is longer than the 2 nd time.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the staple control processing in modification 2.

First, the paper processing control section 23 performs the processing of steps S301 to S303. The processing of steps S301 to S303 is the same as the processing of steps S102 to S104 in the staple control processing shown in fig. 7.

When the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 decreases by the non-noise value or more (yes in S303), the process proceeds to the next step.

The paper sheet processing control unit 23 calculates the time until the loads applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 are reduced after the start of supplying the current to the cam motor M1 and the slope of the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 with respect to time (S304).

The paper processing control unit 23 sets the post-reduction pressing time to any one of the 1 st time, the 2 nd time, and the 3 rd time based on the calculated length of time and the slope of the current value. Then, a current is supplied to the cam motor M1 for a set time to drive the cam motor to rotate in the forward direction, and the pressing of the paper bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is continued. Thereafter, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 drives the cam motor M1 to rotate in the reverse direction, and releases the pressing of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 (S305).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 controls the pressing time of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 after the timing when the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. More specifically, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 sets the pressing time based on the time until the load on the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases after the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 start pressing the paper sheet bundle B.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. As is apparent from the description of the technical scope of the present invention, various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

In the present embodiment, when the display S detects a decrease in the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1, the display S detects a decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52. Here, the method of detecting the reduction in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is not limited to the method of detecting the current value.

For example, an output sensor that detects the output of the cam motor M1 may be provided in the stapleless binding unit 50. The output of the cam motor M1 is the force with which the cam motor M1 drives the cam 59. When the current value supplied to the cam motor M1 decreases, the output of the cam motor M1 decreases. In other words, when the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced, the output of the cam motor M1 required to bring the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 closer to each other is reduced. Therefore, the output sensor may detect a decrease in the driving force of the cam motor M1. More specifically, when the output sensor detects a decrease in the output of the cam motor M1, a decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 may be detected. Further, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 may control the pressing time after the notification of the decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is obtained from the output sensor. In this case, the output sensor can be understood as a detection unit that detects a decrease in the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

Further, a distance sensor that detects a distance between the upper concave-convex portion 54 (see fig. 6 (b)) of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 of the lower pressing member 52 may be provided in the stapleless binding unit 50. When the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases, the degree of approach of the upper concave-convex portion 54 and the lower concave-convex portion 58 per unit time increases as the sheet bundle B enters the gap G1 and the gap G2 shown in fig. 6 (B). Therefore, the distance sensor can detect a decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 when detecting that the amount of change per unit time in the distance between the upper convex portion 54a and the lower concave portion 58b facing the upper convex portion 54a is larger than a preset amount of change. The preset amount of change is a threshold value for determining that the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. Further, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 may control the pressing time after the notification of the decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is obtained from the distance sensor. In this case, the distance sensor can be understood as a detection means that detects a decrease in the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

Further, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 may be provided in the stapleless binding unit 50. When the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases, the pressure applied to the paper bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases. Therefore, the pressure sensor can detect a decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 when detecting a decrease in the pressure applied to the paper bundle B. Further, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 may control the pressing time after the completion of the above-described operation when the notification of the decrease in the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is received from the pressure sensor. In this case, the pressure sensor can be understood as a detection unit that detects a reduction in the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52.

In the present embodiment, the case where the paper processing control unit 23 controls the pressing time has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 may control the pressure applied to the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 in accordance with the timing at which the load applied to the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 decreases. The sheet processing control portion 23 may increase the pressing force of the sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 by, for example, increasing the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 instead of increasing the time for pressing the sheet bundle B. Further, the paper sheet processing control unit 23 may reduce the pressing force of the paper sheet bundle B by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 by reducing the current value of the current supplied to the cam motor M1 instead of shortening the time for pressing the paper sheet bundle B.

Further, a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of the cam motor M1 may be provided in the stapleless binding unit 50. The paper-handling control unit 23 may acquire information on the rotational speed of the cam motor M1 from a rotational speed sensor and control the rotational speed of the cam motor M1 based on the acquired information. For example, the paper-sheet-processing control unit 23 may control the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 to release the pressing by the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 by rotating the cam motor M1 forward a predetermined number of times and then rotating the cam motor M1 in the reverse direction after the load on the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. The predetermined number of times is the number of revolutions of the cam motor M1 required for binding the sheet bundle B after the load of the upper pressing member 51 and the lower pressing member 52 is reduced. The paper sheet processing control unit 23 may increase the rotation speed of the cam motor M1 until the end of stapling, for example, instead of increasing the time for pressing the paper sheet bundle B. Further, the sheet processing control section 23 may reduce the rotation speed of the cam motor M1 until the end of stapling instead of shortening the time for pressing the sheet bundle B.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The embodiments of the present invention do not fully encompass the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is obvious that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its applications. Thus, other skilled in the art can understand the present invention by various modifications assumed to be optimal for the specific use of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.