JP2001019255A - Discharging device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To forcibly prevent a concealing means from being unopened and to surely prevent the jamming of a sheet material even when a discharge port is concealed, by switching discharge ports for discharging the sheet material by interlocking with the concealing operation of the means concealing a plurality of discharge ports for discharging the sheet material. SOLUTION: When a concealing cover 2 is closed, a rib 8 attached to the concealing cover 2 lifts up a switching lever 9 against the energizing force of a compression spring 10, whereby a switching member 4 is switched to one side, and an image formation surface is positioned at a lower side to feed out a sheet material. When the concealing cover 2 is opened, the rib 8 is separated from the switching lever 9, and the switching lever 9 is pressed down by the energizing force of the compression spring 10, whereby the switching member 4 is switched to the other side, and the image formation surface is positioned at an upper side to feed out the sheet material. As the switching lever 9 can be switched to one side in interlocking with the conceling lever 2, the jamming of the sheet material caused by the losing of an outlet can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a discharge device provided with a blindfold means for blinding a discharge port, and an image forming apparatus provided with such a discharge device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various image forming apparatuses have been known, and among them, an image forming apparatus for switching a discharged sheet material to a plurality of discharge ports and discharging the sheet material has been widely used.

[0003] Such an image forming apparatus is, for example, an image forming surface discharge sheet (hereinafter referred to as FU) with the image forming surface facing upward.
Also referred to as paper ejection. ) Or image-discharge below the image-forming surface (hereinafter also referred to as FD-discharge).

Here, a conventional image forming apparatus which discharges a sheet material by switching to a plurality of discharge ports will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 and 6 are partial structural views of a conventional image forming apparatus.

5 and 6, reference numeral 1 denotes an opening / closing cover,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a blind cover that covers the FU discharge port, 3 denotes a guide member, 4 denotes a switching member that switches the sheet material to the FU discharge port or the FD discharge port, and 5, 6 and 7 denote switching levers. Arrows in the drawing indicate the direction in which paper as a sheet material passes.

A sheet material, such as paper sheets, on which an image is fixed by the fixing device, is guided to an FD discharge port or an FU discharge port by a switching member 4 mounted on a guide member 3 and discharged. You. The guide member 3 is mounted on the opening / closing cover 1 or the like, and the guide member 3 and the switching member 4 are opened and closed together with the opening / closing cover 1 at the time of jam clearance or the like.

[0007] As shown in FIG.
It does not cooperate with the blindfold cover 2 for blindfolding the slot, and directly protrudes to the external appearance surface.
To switch the switching member 4 to FD discharge or FU discharge.

In the conventional image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the switching lever 5 is composed of one part, and the user operates the lever from outside the main body to operate the switching lever.
U / FD switching is performed.

However, if the distance between the switching member 4 and the external surface (actually, the switching lever operation portion) is too long due to the design, a moment acts on the switching lever 5.
Therefore, the operation of the switching member 4 by the operation of the switching lever 5 becomes difficult to perform a desired operation.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, the switching lever is divided into two parts (switching levers 6 and 7), and the switching member 4 is operated by using a link to operate the switching member 4. Easy going.

[0011]

However, in the above-described conventional switching lever configuration, if the user operates only the switching lever and forgets to open the blind cover, sheet materials such as paper sheets to be discharged are discharged. Has a problem that it loses the outlet and causes accordion jam, jam around the fixing device, and the like, which may significantly reduce the performance and usability of the product.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge device and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of a jam and improving convenience even when a discharge opening is blindfolded by a blindfolding means.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, a discharge device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of discharge ports for discharging a sheet material, and at least one of the discharge ports is blindfolded. In the discharge device including a blindfold means, in conjunction with the blindfold operation of the blindfold means,
The discharge port from which the sheet material is discharged is switched.

[0014] At least one of the discharge ports is a discharge port on the image forming surface for discharging the sheet material with the image forming surface facing up, and at least one of the discharge ports is a sheet material. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it is a discharge port below the image forming surface for discharging with the image forming surface facing down.

[0015] Further, a projection provided on the blinding means, switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening which is hidden by the blinding means provided with the projection, and one end of the switching means. And the other end is in contact with the protruding portion, a vertically movable drive transmission unit, and a biasing unit for biasing the drive transmission unit in a downward direction, wherein the blindfold unit closes the discharge port. When blindfolded, the projecting portion contacts the other end of the drive transmission means to push up the drive transmission means upward, and the switching means connected to the drive transmission means by the pushing up However, it is switched so that the sheet material is discharged to a discharge port other than the discharge port that the blindfolding means provided with the protrusions blindfolds, and when the blindfolding means does not cover the discharge ports, the protrusion is The drive transmission hand By departing from the other end,
The urging means pushes down the drive transmission means in a downward direction, and the pushing down causes the switching means connected to the drive transmission means to move the sheet material to an outlet which is blinded by the blinding means having the projection. It is characterized by being able to be switched to discharge.

Further, a projection provided on the blinding means, switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening which is hidden by the blinding means provided with the projection, and one end provided with the switching means A drive transmitting means, which is rotatable about a predetermined center point, and the biasing means biases the drive transmitting means in a clockwise direction. When the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the projection comes into contact with the other end of the drive transmission means to rotate the drive transmission means in a counterclockwise direction, and Due to the rotation in the circumferential direction, the switching means connected to the drive transmission means, to a discharge port other than the discharge port blinded by the blinding means having the projection,
When the sheet material is switched so as to be discharged, and when the blinding means does not cover the discharge port, the projecting portion moves away from the other end of the drive transmission means, so that the urging means drives the drive. The transmission means is rotated clockwise, and the rotation in the clockwise direction causes the switching means connected to the drive transmission means to move the transmission means to an outlet which is covered by the blind means provided with the projection. It is characterized in that switching can be performed to discharge the sheet material.

[0017] Further, a projection provided on the blindfolding means, switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening blindfolded by the blindfolding means provided with the projection, and one end provided with the switching means. And a drive transmitting means that can move in parallel in a direction from the contact point to a point connected to the switching means from the corresponding contact point where the other end contacts the protrusion, and the drive transmitting means in the direction of the contact point. Biasing means for biasing;
When the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the protrusion is in contact with the other end of the drive transmission means, and the drive transmission means is connected to the switching means. In the direction, the switching means connected to the drive transmission means is switched to discharge the sheet material to a discharge port other than the discharge port blinded by the blindfolding means having the projection. When the blinding means does not cover the discharge port, the urging means pushes down the drive transmitting means in the direction of the contact point by moving the projection away from the other end of the drive transmitting means. The switching means connected to the drive transmission means is switched by the pressing so as to discharge the sheet material to an outlet which is blinded by the blinding means having the projection. To.

A switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to an outlet which is hidden by the blindfold means; a driving means having one end connected to the switching means and the other end connected to the blindfold means; Transmission means, and when the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the drive transmission means is pushed upward, and by the pushing up, the switching means connected to the drive transmission means is switched. When the blindfolding means is switched to a discharge port other than the discharge port which is blindfolded, the sheet material is discharged, and when the blindfolding means is not blindfolding the discharge port, the drive transmission means is pushed down. The switching means connected to the drive transmission means is switched by the pressing to discharge the sheet material to an outlet which is blinded by the blindfold means. And butterflies.

The switching means is rotatable about a predetermined rotation center point, and the switching means and the drive transmission are provided on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet material is conveyed to the switching means. And means are connected.

Further, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the sheet material is discharged by the discharging device.

Therefore, according to the discharge device and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the discharge of the sheet material to the discharge opening is switched in accordance with the operation of the blindfolding means, for example, the opening / closing operation. Even if the operator forgets the operation, the occurrence of jams such as accordion jams and jams wrapped around the fixing device can be prevented, and operability can be improved.

At least one of the outlets is an outlet on the image forming surface, and at least one of the outlets is provided.
One of them is a discharge outlet below the image forming surface, so that the convenience can be further improved.

Further, with the opening / closing operation of the blindfolding means, the drive transmission means which is in contact with the projection of the blindfolding means and which is connected to the switching means and which can move up and down is driven, so that the sheet material of the switching means is moved. Since the discharge is switched, it is equivalent to automatically switching in response to the opening / closing operation of the blindfold means, and it is possible to effectively prevent a mistake in switching the outlet or forgetting to switch.

Further, in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the blindfolding means, the drive transmission means rotatable about a predetermined center point, which is in contact with the projection of the blindfolding means and connected to the switching means, is driven. Since the discharge of the sheet material of the switching means is switched by the switching means, it is equivalent to automatically switching according to the opening and closing operation of the blindfold means, and it is possible to effectively prevent mistakes in switching the discharge port and forgetting to switch. it can.

Further, in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the blindfold means, the projection part of the blindfold means is in contact with the switching means and is connected to the switching means. When the drive transmission means is driven, the switching of the discharge of the sheet material of the switching means is switched, which is equivalent to automatically switching according to the opening and closing operation of the blindfold means, such as a mistake in switching the discharge port or forgetting to switch. Can be effectively prevented.

In addition, the opening and closing operation of the blinding means drives the drive transmission means connected to the blinding means and the switching means, thereby switching the discharge of the sheet material of the switching means. The switching is automatically performed in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the discharge port, and it is possible to effectively prevent mistakes in switching outlets, forgetting to switch, and the like.

Further, the switching means is rotatable about a predetermined rotation center point, and the switching means and the drive transmission means are connected on the side opposite to the side on which the sheet material is conveyed to the switching means. Therefore, the switching unit can be appropriately switched according to the drive of the drive transmission unit.

[0028]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
The materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of a discharge device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a partial structural view of a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the present invention.

However, the discharging device shown in FIG. 1 is also a discharging device included in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention also serves as the description of the first embodiment of the discharging apparatus according to the present invention.

Also, among the members shown in FIG. 1, the same members as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a switching member as switching means, 8 denotes a rib as a projection on the blind cover 2 as a blind means, and 9 denotes a switching lever as drive transmission means. There is a compression spring 10 as an urging means.

In this embodiment, when the blind cover 2 is closed, the ribs 8 on the blind cover 2 move the switching lever 9 toward the FU side and the compression spring 10 that biases the switching member 4.
Is lifted while compressing, and the switching member 4 is fixed to the FD.

When the user opens the blind cover 2 from this state, the rib 8 of the blind cover 2 separates from the switching lever 9 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is pushed downward in the inside. That is, the switching lever 9 can switch the switching member 4 to the FU discharge side.

Further, when the user closes the blind cover 2, the rib 8 pushes up the switching lever 9, so that the switching member 4 is automatically switched to FD.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to switch the switching member 4 between FD and FU only by operating the blind cover 2, and even if the user is not aware of the operation of the switching lever 9, the blind cover can be switched. The sheet material is not discharged to the discharge port where the step 2 is performed, so that it is possible to prevent accordion jams, jams wrapped around the fixing device, and the like, thereby improving user convenience.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a discharge device and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a partial structural view of a second embodiment of the discharging device according to the present invention.

However, the discharge device shown in FIG. 2 is also a discharge device included in the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention also serves as the description of the second embodiment of the discharging apparatus according to the present invention.

Also, among the members shown in FIG. 2, the same members as those shown in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 2, 11 is a rib as a projection, 12 is a switching lever as a drive transmitting means, 13
Is a tension spring as an urging means.

The switching lever 12 in the present embodiment is rotatably mounted on the open / close cover 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a rib 1 provided on a blind cover 2 as a blind means is provided.
1 closes the blind cover 2 and pushes one end of the switching lever 12. The other end of the switching lever 12 rotates around the rotation center on the opening / closing cover 1 and switches to the FD side while pulling the extension spring 13 that urges the switching member 4 as switching means toward the FU side.

When the cover 2 is opened, the switching lever 12 is automatically switched to the FU side by the action of the tension spring 13.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to switch the switching member 4 between FD and FU only by operating the blind cover 2, and the first embodiment of the above-described discharging device and image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of a discharge device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a partial structural view of a third embodiment of the discharging device according to the present invention.

However, the discharge device shown in FIG. 3 is also a discharge device provided in the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention also serves as the description of the third embodiment of the discharging apparatus according to the present invention.

Further, among the members shown in FIG. 3, the same members as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 14 denotes a rib as a projection, 15 denotes a switching lever as a drive transmission means,
Is a tension spring as an urging means.

The switching lever 15 in this embodiment is installed on the opening / closing cover 1 or the guide member 3 so as to be able to move (slide) in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the lever.

In the present embodiment, when the cover 2 is closed, the rib 14 provided on the cover 2 as a cover means pushes one end of a switching lever 15 provided so as to be able to move in parallel. The other end of the switching lever 15 performs a sliding motion, and switches the switching member 4 to the FD side while pulling a tension spring 16 that is urging the switching member 4 as switching means to the FU side.

When the cover 2 is opened, the switching lever 15 is automatically switched to the FU side by the action of the tension spring 16.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the switching member 4 can be switched to FD / FU only by operating the blind cover 2, so that the discharging device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be used. The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a discharge device and an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a partial structural view of a fourth embodiment of the discharging device according to the present invention.

However, the discharging device shown in FIG. 4 is also a discharging device provided in the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention also serves as the description of the fourth embodiment of the discharging apparatus according to the present invention.

Further, among the members shown in FIG. 4, the same members as those shown in FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, 17 is a switching link as drive transmission means, 18 is a tension spring as urging means, 19 is a link rotation center, and 21 is a link groove.

The switching link 17 of this embodiment is installed on the guide member 3. In this embodiment, the switching member 4 as switching means and the blind cover 2 as blinding means for the FU slot are connected by the link rotation center 19 of the switching link 17, and the link groove 21 at the other end of the switching link 17 is switched. It is connected to the member 4.

Further, one end of the tension spring 18 is held by the switching member 4 and the other end is held by the guide member 3, and is always urged in the direction of returning the switching member 4 to the FD side.

With such a configuration, when the cover 2 of the FU slot is opened, the switching link 17 is pulled obliquely downward to the left as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure.
The position is switched to the FU sheet discharge position.

When the blind cover 2 is closed, the switching link 17 is lifted up and the operation on the switching member 4 is eliminated, so that the switching member 4 is switched to the FD sheet discharge direction by the operation of the extension spring 18.

By implementing the present embodiment as described above, the switching member 4 can be switched to the FD / F only by operating the blind cover 2.
U, and the same effects as those of the above-described first, second, and third embodiments of the discharge device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be obtained.

Further, since the first embodiment to the third embodiment are urged toward the FU by a spring, the switching member 4 is fixed to the FU when the lever or the like is damaged. Even if the user attempts to discharge the FD while the lever or the like is broken, the FU is discharged, and there is a danger that jamming or the like may occur because the blind cover is closed. Was.

However, in the fourth embodiment,
Since the switching member can be biased to the FD side, if the blind cover 2 and the switching member 4 are disconnected from each other due to breakage of parts or the like, the switching member 4 is biased toward the FD discharge side. Therefore, the paper can always be discharged on the FD side. Therefore, the risk of jams and the like is greatly reduced.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the spring is used as the urging means. However, the urging means used in the discharge device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is limited to the spring. Instead, an elastic member such as rubber or sponge can be used.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where two discharge ports, namely, the FD discharge port and the FU discharge port are provided, has been described as an example, but the discharge apparatus according to the present invention is described. And the outlet provided in the image forming apparatus,
It is not limited to such two, and other three
, Four, or any number.

Further, the number of outlets to be blinded by the blindfolding means is not limited to one, and an arbitrary number of outlets among a plurality of outlets may be hidden.

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided a blinding means for blinding at least one of a plurality of outlets for discharging a sheet material, and interlocked with the operation of the blinding means. Since the discharge of the sheet material is switched, for example, even when the user forgets to switch the discharge port of the sheet material for opening and closing of the blindfold means, the discharge port that the blindfold means is blindfolded. The present invention provides a discharge device and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing accordion jam, jam around a fixing device, and the like by avoiding discharge of a sheet material, thereby improving user convenience. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial structural view of a first embodiment of a discharge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial structural view of a second embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial structural view of a third embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial structural view of a fourth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial structural view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partial structural view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Opening / closing cover 2 Blind cover 3 Guide member 4 Switching member 5, 6, 7 Switching lever 8 Rib 9 Switching lever 10 Compression spring 11 Rib 12 Switching lever 13 Extension spring 14 Rib 15 Switching lever 16 Extension spring 17 Switching link 18 Extension spring 19 Link rotation center 21 Link groove

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A discharge device comprising: a plurality of discharge ports for discharging a sheet material; and blindfold means for blindfolding at least one of the discharge ports, wherein the blindfold operation is performed by the blindfold operation of the blindfold means. A discharge device that switches the discharge port from which the sheet material is discharged. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said outlets comprises:
An image forming surface upper discharge port for discharging the sheet material with the image forming surface facing upward, and at least one of the discharge ports discharges the sheet material with the image forming surface facing down. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge device is an outlet. 3. A projection provided on the blindfolding means, a switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening hidden by the blinding means provided with the projection, and one end of the switching means. And a drive transmitting means vertically movable, the other end of which is in contact with the projection, and a biasing means for biasing the drive transmitting means in a downward direction. When blindfolded, the protrusion contacts the other end of the drive transmission means,
By pushing the drive transmission means upward, the switching means connected to the drive transmission means pushes the sheet material to a discharge port other than the discharge port which is hidden by the blindfold means having the projection. When the blindfolding means is not blindfolding the discharge port, the projection is moved away from the other end of the drive transmission means so that the urging means lowers the drive transmission means. The switching means connected to the drive transmission means is switched to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening which is hidden by the blind means provided with the projection. 3. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein 4. A projection provided on the blindfolding means, a switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening hidden by the blinding means provided with the projection, and one end of the switching means. A drive transmitting means, which is rotatable about a predetermined center point, and which biases the drive transmitting means in a clockwise direction;
When the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the protrusion comes into contact with the other end of the drive transmission means,
By rotating the drive transmission means in a counterclockwise direction, by rotating the drive transmission means in the counterclockwise direction, the switching means connected to the drive transmission means causes the switching means connected to the drive transmission means to displace It is switched to discharge the sheet material to a discharge port other than the outlet, and when the blindfolding means does not cover the discharge port, the protrusion is separated from the other end of the drive transmission means, The urging means rotates the drive transmission means clockwise, and the rotation in the clockwise direction causes the switching means connected to the drive transmission means to turn the blindfold means provided with the protrusion. 3. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening that is blindfolded. 4. 5. A projection provided on the blindfolding means, a switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening hidden by the blinding means provided with the projection, and one end of the switching means. A drive transmitting means that is parallel-movable in a direction from the contact point to a point connected to the switching means from the corresponding contact point where the other end is in contact with the protrusion; and the drive transmitting means in the direction of the contact point. Urging means for urging, when the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the protrusion contacts the other end of the drive transmission means,
The drive transmitting means is pushed up in the direction of the point connected to the switching means, and the pushing up causes the switching means connected to the drive transmitting means to turn the drive transmitting means other than the discharge port which is hidden by the blindfolding means having the projection. Is switched to discharge the sheet material to the discharge port. When the blindfolding means does not cover the discharge port, the protrusion is separated from the other end of the drive transmission means, so that the attachment is performed. The pushing means pushes down the drive transmitting means in the direction of the contact point, and by the pushing down, the switching means connected to the drive transmitting means pushes the sheet to a discharge opening which is blinded by the blinding means having the projection. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge device is switched to discharge the material. 6. A switching means for switching whether or not to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening which is hidden by the blind means, and a driving means having one end connected to the switching means and the other end connected to the blind means. When the blindfolding means is blindfolding the discharge port, the drive transmission means is pushed upward, and the switching means connected to the drive transmission means by the pushing up. The sheet material is switched to a discharge port other than the discharge port that is hidden by the blindfold means, and when the blindfold means is not blindfolding the discharge port, the drive transmission means is pushed down. The switching means, which is connected to the drive transmission means, is switched to discharge the sheet material to a discharge opening blinded by the blindfold means by the depression. Discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, symptoms. 7. The switching means is rotatable about a predetermined rotation center, and the switching means and the drive transmission are provided on a side opposite to a side on which the sheet material is conveyed to the switching means. 7. A method according to claim 3, wherein said means is connected to said means.
Discharge device according to item. 8. An image forming apparatus, wherein a sheet material is discharged by the discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.