JP2001335222A - Sheet material loading device, sheet material post- processing device, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize an image forming device provided with a sheet material processing device in a space part in the image forming device body. SOLUTION: The sheet material post-processing device stapling a plurality of paper sheets discharged from the image formation device body 100 is installed in the space part 105 in the image forming device body 100. The sheet material post-processing device 110 comprises a post-processing part 110A stapling an aligned sheet material bundle and a loading part 110B loading the sheet material bundle completing the post-processing. The loading part 110B is provided with a liftable stack tray 110-3 and the stack tray 110-3 has a drawable auxiliary tray 110-5 attached thereto. In this case, the stack tray 110-3 is improved to miniaturize the sheet material post-processing device 110, thereby miniaturizing the image forming device. It is so set that the rear end of the auxiliary tray 110-5 in stored in the stack tray 110-3 is in a position overlapped with a sheet material presence/absence detecting unit 110-4 and the sheet material presence/ absence detecting unit 110-4 is positioned in a recess part provided in the auxiliary tray 110-5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet material stacking apparatus for stacking sheet materials, a sheet material post-processing apparatus having the sheet material stacking apparatus, and an image forming apparatus having the sheet material post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines have tended to be reduced in size and space.

In order to save space, in an image forming apparatus (conventional example) shown in FIG. 4, a paper discharge tray 106 for stacking sheet materials on which images have been formed is disposed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. are doing. Generally, the paper discharge tray is provided outside (side) the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Also, in order to save space,
In the image forming apparatus (conventional example) shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, a sheet material post-processing apparatus 110 for post-processing an image-formed sheet material is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Generally, the sheet material post-processing apparatus is provided in parallel with the image forming apparatus main body.

Here, a conventional image forming apparatus will be briefly described. In the image forming apparatus of the related art, the description of the same components as those of the conventional image forming apparatus will be omitted.

<Prior Art Image Forming Apparatus> Sheet materials fed from one of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 101A, 101B, 101C and 101D stacked on the lower part of an image forming apparatus main body 100 are used as image forming units. 102, where the toner image is transferred. Subsequently, the fixing unit 10
3, where the toner image is fixed. Subsequently, the sheet is sent to a sheet discharge unit 104 and discharged onto a sheet discharge tray 106 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100. An output tray 106 is a space formed between an original reading device 108 for reading information of the original conveyed by the automatic original feeder 107 and a laser scanner 109 for emitting laser light according to the information. 105.

<Prior Art Image Forming Apparatus> The present image forming apparatus is configured such that a plurality of sheet materials (sheet material bundles) are stapled (post-processed) in a space 105 in the image forming apparatus main body 100. A processing device 110 is provided. The sheet material post-processing device 110 includes a post-processing unit 11 disposed on the upstream side.
0A and a loading section 110B arranged on the downstream side,
The sheet material discharged from the paper discharge unit 104 is a post-processing unit 110.
A is post-processed, and is stacked on the stacking unit 110B.

The sheet material discharged from the paper discharge unit 104 is sent onto an alignment tray 110-1. Here, a predetermined number of sheet materials are aligned one by one in the sheet material transport direction and the sheet material width direction. Done. When the stapling mode is selected, the stapler unit 110-2 performs stapling on the aligned sheet bundle. The sheet material bundle that has been post-processed in this way is stacked on the stack tray (first tray) 110-3 of the stacking unit 110B.

The stack tray 110-3 is an alignment tray 1.
It is installed in an inclined state like 10-1. This is to ensure the consistency of the sheet material. The stack tray 110-3 can move up and down, and when the tray is empty, the upper surface of the tray is at a height position detected by an upper surface detection sensor (not shown). Then, each time the sheet material bundle is stacked on the tray, the uppermost surface of the sheet material descends to a position where the upper surface detection sensor detects the uppermost surface. This operation is repeated a plurality of times, and when it descends to the position detected by the lower limit sensor (not shown), it stops. At this time, the operator is notified of the removal of the sheet bundle from the tray. A drive unit (driving means) 110-6 (see FIG. 1) for moving the stack tray 110-3 up and down is installed below the stack tray 110-3. Even if the tray is lowered to the position detected by the lower limit sensor, the drive unit 11
It does not interfere with 0-6. Drive unit 1
Reference numeral 10-6 is arranged at a position located on the side in the width direction of the tray.

The stack tray 110-3 includes a sheet material presence / absence detection unit (sheet material presence / absence detection means) 110-4 for detecting whether there is a sheet material on the tray,
A flat auxiliary tray (second tray) 110-5 for supporting the leading end side of a large-sized sheet material that is long in the transport direction.
Is provided.

The sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4 comprises a detection lever and a photo interrupter. The detection lever is rotatable about a support shaft, and is in a state of protruding above the tray when there is no sheet material on the tray. At this time, the flag that rotates integrally with the detection lever blocks the optical path of the photo interrupter (sheet absence detection).
When a sheet material is stacked on the tray, the detection lever is rotated by the sheet material. As a result, the flag deviates from the optical path of the photo-interrupter (sheet presence detection). The sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4
Will be described in detail in the embodiments of the invention.

After the lower limit sensor detects the stack tray 110-3 as described above, if the sheet presence / absence detection unit 110-4 detects the presence of a sheet, the operator takes out the sheet bundle. The stack of sheets for the next job is not
3. Do not load on top. This can prevent job interruption due to stack over.

The auxiliary tray 110-5 is a stack tray 1
10-3 is installed so as to be able to be pulled out, and when a small-sized sheet material is used, the stack tray 1 is used.
The sheet is stored in the stack tray 10-3, and is pulled out from the stack tray 110-3 when a large-size sheet material is used.
In the case of FIGS. 5 and 6, the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the stack tray 110-3 overlaps the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4. 7 and 8
In the case of (1), the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the stack tray 110-3 is
Does not overlap with 4.

When the stack tray 110-3 is stopped by being detected by the upper surface detection sensor, a space of a distance L1 always exists above the tray. The distance L1 is a distance from the lower surface of the document reading device 108 to the upper surface of the tray or the upper surface of the sheet material, and the presence of this space enables the stacking and alignment of the sheet bundle on the stack tray 110-3.

The stack tray 110-3 is lowered in an empty state from a position detected by the upper surface detection sensor to a position detected by the lower limit sensor, and the amount of movement is set by the stacking amount of the sheet bundle. I have. The height of the sheet post-processing device 110 is determined by adding the amount of movement of the stack tray 110-3 and the distance L1 when the tray is empty.

[0016]

However, the height of the conventional image forming apparatus (FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8) is higher than that of the conventional image forming apparatus (FIG. 4). Dimension H1
And the width dimension B1 becomes large. As the height H1 of the image forming apparatus increases, it becomes more difficult to set a document on the automatic document feeder 107. Further, as the width B1 of the image forming apparatus increases, the area occupied by the image forming apparatus increases accordingly. The cause of increasing the height dimension H1 and the width dimension B1 of the image forming apparatus lies in the sheet material post-processing apparatus 110, which will be described in detail below.

<Image Forming Apparatus in FIG. 5> Stack Tray 1
Since the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the stack tray 10-3 overlaps with the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4, the auxiliary tray 110-5 when stored in the stack tray 110-3 is the image forming apparatus. It does not protrude outside the main body 100. Accordingly, the width B1 of the image forming apparatus does not become larger than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG. That is, the occupied area of the image forming apparatus when the auxiliary tray 110-5 is stored does not change.

However, if the auxiliary tray 110-5 when stored in the stack tray 110-3 overlaps the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4, the position of the auxiliary tray 110-5 with respect to the stack tray 110-3 is changed. Since the stack tray 110-3 is low, it is necessary to increase the position where the empty stack tray 110-3 is detected by the upper surface detection sensor.
By doing so, when the stack tray 110-3 descends to the position detected by the lower limit sensor, the auxiliary tray 110-5 does not interfere with the drive unit 110-6. When the position detected by the detection sensor is increased, the height dimension L2 of the sheet material post-processing device 110 increases. For this reason, the height dimension H1 of the image forming apparatus is larger than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

<Image Forming Apparatus of FIG. 6> Differences from the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 will be described. Here, the entire sheet material post-processing apparatus 110 is shifted rightward in the figure to increase the position where the empty stack tray 110-3 is detected by the upper surface detection sensor. In this case, the height H1 of the image forming apparatus does not become larger than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

However, when the sheet material post-processing device 110 is shifted, the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the stack tray 110-3 protrudes out of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the width B1 of the image forming apparatus. Is larger than the image forming apparatus of FIG. 4 by the protrusion amount B2 of the auxiliary tray 110-5.

<Image Forming Apparatus in FIG. 7> Stack Tray 1
Since the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the sheet tray 10-3 does not overlap with the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4, the position of the auxiliary tray 110-5 with respect to the stack tray 110-3 is high, and It is not necessary to increase the height L2 of the material post-processing device 110. Therefore, the height H1 of the image forming apparatus does not increase as compared with the image forming apparatus of FIG.

However, the auxiliary tray 110-5 when stored in the stack tray 110-3 is not
4, the width B1 of the image forming apparatus is smaller than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
The protrusion amount B3 becomes larger by -5.

<Image Forming Apparatus in FIG. 8> Differences from the image forming apparatus in FIG. 7 will be described. The auxiliary tray 110-5 used here is a multi-stage tray of a folding type or the like. When the auxiliary tray 110-5 is stored in the stack tray 110-3, it does not protrude out of the image forming apparatus main body 100. Therefore, the width B1 of the image forming apparatus does not become larger than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG. Handling of the auxiliary tray 110-5 was troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide (1) a sheet material stacking apparatus capable of realizing downsizing of the apparatus. (2) It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet material post-processing apparatus capable of realizing the miniaturization of the apparatus. (3) It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing miniaturization of the apparatus.

[0025]

In order to achieve the above object (1), the present invention provides a first tray capable of moving up and down for loading a sheet material, and the first tray mounted on the first tray.
Sheet material presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not a sheet material is stacked on the first tray, and being provided so as to be able to be pulled out with respect to the first tray and being pulled out from the first tray when using a large-size sheet material And a second tray that supports the leading end side of the sheet material.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object (1), the rear end side of the second tray when stored in the first tray overlaps below the sheet material presence / absence detecting means. And the sheet material presence / absence detecting means is located in an escape portion provided in the second tray.

For example, driving means for moving the first tray up and down is arranged below one side in the width direction of the second tray stored in the first tray.
Further, the sheet material presence / absence detecting means is arranged at a central portion in the width direction of the first tray. Further, both side portions in the width direction of the second tray are flat sheet material loading surfaces, and a central portion in the width direction of the second tray is a non-sheet material loading surface curved downward. The driving means is located at a position corresponding to the sheet material loading surface.

In order to achieve the above object (2), the present invention provides a post-processing section for post-processing an image-formed sheet material discharged from an image forming apparatus, and a sheet which has been post-processed by the post-processing section. The present invention relates to a sheet material post-processing device having a loading section for loading a material.

In order to achieve the above object (2), the present invention is characterized in that the stacking section is provided with any one of the sheet material stacking devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

The present invention for achieving the above object (3) provides a sheet for post-processing an image-formed sheet material discharged from the image forming apparatus main body in a space provided in the image forming apparatus main body. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a material post-processing device.

In order to achieve the above object (3), the present invention is characterized in that a sheet material post-processing device according to claim 4 is provided as the sheet material post-processing device.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a stack tray which is a part of the present invention.

The basic structure of the present image forming apparatus is not different from the image forming apparatuses shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. Therefore, here, the configuration of the stack tray, which is an invention part, will be described.

In FIG. 2, the stack tray 110-3
The sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110 is located at the center in the width direction of
-4 is installed. The sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4 includes a detection lever 110-7 and a photo interrupter 110-8. The detection lever 110-7 is connected to the frame 110 fixed to the stack tray 110-3.
-9 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 110-10. The photo interrupter 110-8 is fixed to a frame 110-9.

When there is no sheet material on the stack tray 110-3, the detection lever 110-7 is in a state of protruding above the tray upper surface. At this time, a flag 11 provided on the shaft 110-10 and rotating integrally with the detection lever 110-7.
Numeral 0-11 interrupts the optical path of the photo interrupter 110-8 (sheet absence detection). When a sheet material is stacked on the tray, the detection lever 110-7 is rotated by the sheet material. As a result, the flag 110-11 deviates from the optical path of the photo interrupter 110-8 (the presence of a sheet is detected).

Both sides 1 in the width direction of the auxiliary tray 110-5
10-13 and 110-13 are stack trays 110-3
Left and right guide members 110-12, 11
It is slidably fitted in 0-12 and can be pulled out from the stack tray 110-3. Both sides 110-13, 11 in the width direction of the auxiliary tray 110-5
Reference numeral 0-13 is a flat plate, and an auxiliary tray 110-5 is provided.
The central portion (escape portion) 110-14 in the width direction has a downwardly curved shape. The reason why the widthwise central portion 110-14 of the auxiliary tray 110-5 is curved downward is that this portion allows the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 110-4 to escape and becomes a sheet material loading surface. This is because the position of the flat plate-like side portions 110-13 and 110-13 with respect to the stack tray 110-3 can be increased. Thus, the stack tray 110-
4, the height L2 of the sheet post-processing device 110 can be reduced, and the height H1 of the image forming apparatus is also compared with the image forming apparatus of FIG. And does not grow. In addition,
A drive unit 110-6 for moving the stack tray 110-3 up and down is located at a position corresponding to one side 110-13 in the width direction of the auxiliary tray 110-5, and is located at the center of the width direction of the auxiliary tray 110-5. It is separated from the part 110-14.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the auxiliary tray 110-5 is stored in the stack tray 110-3. The rear end side of the auxiliary tray 110-5 is the sheet material presence / absence detection unit 1.
10-4, and the whole is stored in the stack tray 110-3. Therefore, the auxiliary tray 110-5 stored in the stack tray 110-3 does not protrude outside the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the width B1 of the image forming apparatus does not become larger than that of the image forming apparatus of FIG. . FIG. 3B shows a state in which the auxiliary tray 110-5 is pulled out from the stack tray 110-3.

[0039]

As described above, according to the sheet stacking apparatus of the present invention, when the second tray detachably attached to the first tray is stored in the first tray, The rear end side of the second tray is located at a position overlapping with the sheet material presence / absence detecting means, and the sheet material presence / absence detecting means is located within the clearance provided in the second tray. The whole can be stored in the first tray, and at the same time, the position of the second tray with respect to the first tray can be increased, and the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, since the sheet material post-processing apparatus of the present invention uses the above-described sheet material stacking apparatus, the apparatus can be downsized. Further, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the above-described sheet material post-processing apparatus, the apparatus can be downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view ((a) view), a front view ((b) view), and a side view ((c) view) showing the configuration of a stack tray which is an invention part.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the auxiliary tray is stored in the stack tray (FIG. 3A) and a state in which the auxiliary tray is pulled out from the stack tray (FIG. 3B).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image forming apparatus main body 105 Space unit 110 Sheet material post-processing device 110A Post-processing unit 110B Stacking unit (sheet material stacking device) 110-3 Stack tray (first tray) 110-4 Sheet material presence / absence detection unit (sheet material presence / absence) 110-5 auxiliary tray (second tray) 110-6 drive unit (drive means) 110-13 lateral side of auxiliary tray 110-14 central part in width direction of auxiliary tray (escape part)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first tray capable of moving up and down for loading a sheet material, and a sheet material installed on the first tray and detecting whether or not the sheet material is loaded on the first tray. Presence / absence detection means, and a second tray which is installed to be able to be pulled out from the first tray and which is pulled out from the first tray and supports the leading end side of the sheet material when using a large-sized sheet material. In the sheet material stacking device, the rear end side of the second tray when stored in the first tray is located at a position overlapping below the sheet material presence detection means, and the sheet material presence detection means Is the second
A sheet material stacking device, wherein the sheet material stacking device is located in an escape portion provided in the tray. 2. A driving means for raising and lowering the first tray is arranged below one side in a width direction of the second tray housed in the first tray, and
The sheet material stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material presence / absence detecting means is arranged at a center of the first tray in a width direction. 3. A non-sheet material in which both sides in the width direction of the second tray are flat sheet material loading surfaces, and a center portion in the width direction of the second tray is curved downward. The sheet material stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet material stacking surface is provided, and the driving unit is located at a position corresponding to the sheet material stacking surface. 4. A sheet comprising: a post-processing unit for post-processing an image-formed sheet material discharged from an image forming apparatus; and a stacking unit for stacking the sheet material after the post-processing by the post-processing unit. A sheet material post-processing device, comprising: the sheet stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 as the stacking unit. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising a sheet material post-processing device for post-processing an image-formed sheet material discharged from the image forming apparatus main body in a space provided in the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet material post-processing device according to claim 4 as the sheet material post-processing device.