JP2001341919A - Sheet delivering device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet delivering device and an image forming device excellent in unjamming performance with the function of choosing between a face-down paper delivery and a face-up paper delivery and capable of simple constitution. SOLUTION: A hinge member 23 is provided which is pivotally supported at either a device body or a sheet loading tray 18 and provided in engagement with or disengagement from the other and supports a sheet loading tray 18 in a second position. When the hinge member 23 is released from a support state, the sheet loading tray 18 takes a third position further opened than the second position based on a first position. The hinge member 23 is provided with an engaging mechanism engaging with the device body or the sheet loading tray 18 in linkage with operation to close from the third position to the first position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine having a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as a sheet.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet discharging apparatus for discharging a sheet provided in these apparatuses.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet discharge device provided in an image forming apparatus of this type includes a face-down discharge in which the image-formed surface is discharged downward and a face-up discharge in which the image-formed surface is discharged upward. There is a paper discharge,
As described in Japanese Patent No. 066, there is also proposed a sheet discharge device having a configuration capable of switching between face-down discharge and face-up discharge (see FIG. 8).

[0003] The sheet discharge device 207 has a guide surface (sheet guide) 225 integrated with the sheet stacking tray 223 for face-down discharge, and the sheet discharge device 207 rotates a predetermined amount around the pin 233. It has a movable configuration.

[0004] The sheet stacking tray 223 is moved to the apparatus main body 202.
In the closed state, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 221 is guided by the guide surface 225 and the discharge guide 208 and discharged face-down to the sheet stacking unit 209 via the roller pair 222. Be loaded.

[0005] When the sheet stacking tray 223 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 202, sheets are not guided on the guide surface 225.
, And is discharged and loaded on the loading surface 224.

[0006]

However, in the case of the above-described prior art, the following problems have occurred.

When a sheet jam occurs near the discharge roller pair 221, the guide surface 225 or the like becomes an obstacle, and it is very difficult to clear the jam.

For this reason, the operator needs to set the discharge roller pair 22
In order to handle the sheet jam by putting a hand near the sheet feeding unit 1, it is necessary to separate the entire sheet discharging apparatus 207 from the apparatus main body and expose the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 221. This has led to cost increases, such as the increase in the number of parts and the number of parts.

To separate the entire sheet discharging device 207 from the apparatus main body, an extremely complicated operation is required of the operator, and the operation of returning the sheet discharging device 207 to the apparatus main body 202 is also the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a function of selecting face-down discharge or face-up discharge while providing excellent jam clearance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharging apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can simplify the configuration.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a first sheet discharge path for discharging a sheet with one side thereof facing down, The sheet conveyed along the first sheet discharge path is guided, and the one surface of the sheet branches off from the first sheet discharge path at a second position where the first sheet discharge path is opened. A sheet stacking member that forms a second sheet discharge path for discharging sheets with the sheet facing upward, and stacks sheets discharged along the second sheet discharge path. A supporting member that is rotatably supported on one of the sheet stacking members and is detachably provided on the other, and supports the sheet stacking member at the second position, and the support state of the support member is released. If the The loading member takes a third position opened from the second position with respect to the first position, and the support member closes the sheet loading member from the third position to the first position. It is characterized by including an engagement mechanism that engages with the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member in conjunction with the operation.

The support member is provided on an engagement member provided on the support member and on the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member, and moves as the sheet stacking member moves between the first and second positions. A guide hole slidably guiding the engaging member, a notch provided at an intermediate portion of the guide hole, and a guide guiding the engaging member to the notch. And the engagement mechanism is configured to interlock with the operation of closing the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position, and the engagement member is cut by the guide portion. After being guided to the notch,
It is also preferable that the guide hole is a mechanism that can be inserted into the guide hole from the notch and slidable in the guide hole.

In the second position, the support member guides the sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path to the sheet stacking member, or guides the sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path. It is also preferable to stack the discharged sheet together with the sheet stacking member.

It is also preferable that the guide hole is provided such that a movement area of the support member, which moves with the movement of the sheet stacking member, is outside an interference range of the first sheet discharge path.

[0015] It is also preferable that the guide hole is provided so that the support member is accommodated in the sheet stacking member.

An image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and the above-described sheet discharging apparatus for discharging a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming means. .

[0017]

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 material, the shape, and the relative arrangement thereof should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5,
An image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. First, a laser beam printer as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a sheet 1 as a recording medium.
3 is a paper feed roller for feeding the sheets 1 stored in the cassette 2 one by one, 4 is a first transport roller for transporting the sheet 1 fed from the paper feed roller 3, 5 Is the sheet 1 conveyed by the first conveying roller 4
Is a second transport roller that transports the image to the transfer section.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum 6a, toner (not shown), and a developing roller 6b. Reference numeral 7 denotes a transfer roller for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive drum 6a to the sheet 1.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a laser light source (not shown), a scanner mirror 8a rotating at high speed, a return mirror 8b,
, A fixing roller 9 having a fixing heater 9a as a heat source therein, 10 a pressing roller for pressing the sheet 1 against the fixing roller 9, and 11 a power supply and an electric component for driving each mechanical component. It is an electrical component board having.

In FIG. 1, a sheet discharging device 12 includes a pair of discharging rollers 14 for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed through a fixing device 13 including a fixing roller 9 and a pressure roller 10.
A pair of rollers 15, which are provided so as to sandwich the first sheet discharging path and discharge the sheet to the sheet stacking section 16, are provided so as to be openable and closable about a shaft 18a inserted into an engaging hole provided in the apparatus main body. And a discharge guide 17 as a sheet stacking member.

The sheet stacking tray 18 supports the sheet stacking surface 20 for stacking sheets discharged face-up along the second sheet discharging path, a sheet guide 21 for switching the sheet discharging path, and the sheet stacking tray 18. And a side plate 19 provided with a guide hole 19a for guiding an engagement pin 23a as an engagement member of the hinge member 23 as a support member, and are integrally formed of a resin material or the like.

The sheet stacking tray 18 is rotatably positioned by a shaft 18a in an engagement hole formed in an inner side surface of the image forming apparatus main body. The engagement pin 23 a provided on the hinge member 23 is slidably fitted into a guide hole 19 a provided on the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18.

FIG. 3 shows the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18.
In the open state where the sheet stacking tray 18 assumes the second position as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging pin 23a of the hinge member 23 is moved to the position 19c on the guide hole 19a. By being located, the sheet stacking tray 18 is kept open by being supported by the hinge member 23.

At this time, since the sheet guide portion 23b is formed on the upper surface of the hinge member 23, the sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair 14 is not covered by the sheet guide portion 23b.
Is guided to the sheet stacking tray 18 and stacked.

Further, the operator operates the sheet stacking tray 18.
4 is moved from the opened state to the closed state as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging pin 23a of the hinge member 23 slides on the guide hole 19a together with the sheet stacking tray 18, and the sheet stacking tray 18 is moved to the first position. 1 in a completely closed state
9b.

At this time, the hinge member 23 is located closer to the sheet stacking tray 18 than the sheet guide 21 provided on the sheet stacking tray 18, and does not hinder the discharged sheet at the time of face-down discharge.

Since the leading end position 21a of the sheet guide 21 is located below the tangential direction from the nip position of the discharge roller, the sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is guided by the curved surface of the sheet guide 21 and the discharge guide 17 And is guided to the roller pair 15.

The guide hole 19a on the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18 is provided with a notch 19d, and the engaging pin 2 on the hinge member 23 which slides in the guide hole 19a.
3a comes out of the notch 19d, and the engagement with the guide hole 19a is released.

As a result, the sheet stacking tray 18 supported by the engaging pin 23a on the hinge member 23 and the guide hole 19a of the side plate 19 becomes rotatable about the shaft 18a. It is possible to open to the position. At the same time, the hinge member 23 is also rotatable about the shaft 23c, and is similarly opened to the position shown in FIG. 5, so that the sheet jam processing becomes very easy.

At this time, the engagement pin 2 on the hinge member 23
3a rides on a guide rail 22 as a guide portion on the sheet stacking tray 18, and the sheet stacking tray 18
Move on the guide rails 22 in conjunction with the movement of.

To explain the engagement mechanism of this embodiment, when the sheet stacking tray 18 is closed, the engaging pin 23a moves along the guide rail 22 in conjunction with the operation. Move up,
The sheet is stored in the sheet stacking tray 18 by being inserted into the guide hole 19a from the notch 19d.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The sheet fed by the paper feed roller 3 passes through a transfer section and a fixing section, and an image is formed on the upper surface of the sheet. The sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged to the sheet discharge device 12 by the discharge roller pair 14.

When the sheet discharge device 12 is used for face-down discharge, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sheet stacking tray 18 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body (the first position).
Position). When the sheet stacking tray 18 is in the closed position, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is guided by the curved surface of the sheet guide 21 and the discharge guide 17, and is transferred from the roller pair 15 to the apparatus main body. The sheet is discharged to the sheet stacking unit 16 configured on the upper surface with its image surface facing down.

When the sheet discharge device 12 is used for face-up discharge, the sheet stacking tray 18 is opened (at the second position) with respect to the apparatus main body as shown in FIG. In this state, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is stacked face-up on the sheet stacking surface 20 with the image forming surface facing upward.

At this time, since the sheet guide portion 23b is provided on the hinge member 23, the stacking is not hindered by protrusions, rollers, etc. on the stacking tray 18.

To change from the face-up discharge state to the face-down discharge state, the sheet stacking tray 18 is closed and the hinge member 23 moves along the guide hole 19a, so that the sheet is stored in the sheet discharge device 12. Can be

As described above, when performing face-down or face-up discharge, the sheet stacking tray 1
8 rotates about the shaft 18a and the guide hole 1 on the side plate 19
The rotation of the paper discharge path can be easily and reliably switched by restricting the rotation of the paper by the engagement between the engagement pin 9a and the engagement pin 23a on the hinge member 23.

If a sheet jam occurs in the sheet discharge device 12 for any reason, such as an erroneous use of the image forming apparatus or an abnormal sheet, first, the sheet stacking tray 1
8 is gradually opened with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and the engaging pin 23a on the hinge member 23 is aligned with the notch 19d provided on the guide hole 19a, so that the engaging pin 23a is cut out. It becomes possible to extract from 19d.

As a result, the sheet stacking tray 18 is disengaged from the support of the hinge member 23, and the sheet stacking tray 18 is greatly opened to the position shown in FIG.

By doing so, the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 14 is largely exposed, and the sheet jam can be easily processed through this opening.

Further, even in the case where a trouble such as a failure occurs in the fixing device 13, the fixing device 13 can be removed from the opening and replaced.

After the operator opens the sheet stacking tray 18 and finishes the sheet jam processing or replacement of the fixing device 13 and the like, the only operation for closing the sheet stacking tray 18 is to store the sheet stacking tray 18 and the hinge member 23. Complete with

When the operator closes the sheet stacking tray 18, the engaging pin 23a on the hinge member 23 slides on the guide rail 22, is guided to the notch 19d, and is inserted therewith, thereby engaging with the guide hole 19a. Is completed.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the hinge member 23 is provided on the sheet stacking tray 18 so as to be freely detachable. However, in the present embodiment, the hinge member is provided on the apparatus main body so as to be freely detachable.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sheet discharging device 112 includes a pair of discharging rollers 1 for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed through a fixing device 13 including a fixing roller 9 and a pressure roller 10.
4. Roller pair 1 for discharging sheets to sheet stacking section 16
5. The sheet stacking tray 118 has a sheet stacking tray 118 that can be freely opened and closed around an engagement pin 118a of the sheet stacking tray 118 inserted into an engagement hole provided in the apparatus main body, and a discharge guide 17.

The sheet stacking tray 118 has a sheet guide 121 at the time of face down, and is integrally formed of a resin material or the like. The sheet stacking tray 118 has a shaft 1 in an engagement hole formed in the inner side surface of the image forming apparatus main body.
It is rotatably positioned by 18a.

The engaging pin 1 provided on the hinge member 123
23a is slidably fitted into a guide hole 119a provided in the apparatus main body.

When the engaging pin 123a moves to the end of the guide hole 119a, the sheet stacking tray 118 is supported by the hinge member 123, and maintains an open state.

At this time, since the upper surface of the hinge member 123 is located higher than the sheet guide 121, the sheets are stacked on the upper surface of the hinge member 123.

When the operator sets the sheet stacking tray 11
7 is moved from the opened state to the closed state as shown in FIG.
Slide on top of 19a to the end of guide hole 119a.

At this time, the hinge member 123 is located closer to the sheet stacking tray 118 than the sheet guide 121 provided on the sheet stacking tray 118, and does not hinder the discharged sheet when the face is discharged face down.

A notch 119d is provided in the guide hole 119a of the apparatus main body, and the engaging pin 123a on the hinge member 123 which slides in the guide hole 119a comes out of the notch 119d, and the guide hole 119a is connected to the guide hole 119a. The engagement is released.

As a result, the sheet stacking tray 118 supported by the engaging pin 123a on the hinge member 123 and the guide hole 119a of the side plate 119 becomes rotatable about the shaft 118a and opens largely.

The hinge member 123 is connected to the sheet stacking tray 11.
8 is released together with the sheet jam, and sheet jam processing becomes very easy. The hinge member 123 is pressed by a spring 124, and the engaging pin 123a moves along the apparatus main body guide portion 125 when the sheet stacking tray 118 is closed.

That is, when the sheet stacking tray 118 is closed, the engaging pin 123a is moved to the apparatus main body guide portion 1.
25, and move the guide hole 11 through the notch.
9 a is stored in the sheet stacking tray 118.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The sheet stacking member takes a third position that is wider than the second position with respect to the first position, and the support member interlocks with the operation of closing the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position. By providing an engagement mechanism that engages with the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member, the vicinity of the sheet discharge portion is largely opened, so that the jam can be easily cleared, and the workability when replacing the fixing device is improved. It is possible to further improve.

Further, it is possible to prevent the stacking of the sheets from being hindered by the projections on the sheet stacking member or the transport rollers, and it is possible to increase the sheet stacking amount.

Further, since the guide hole is provided so that the movement area of the support member, which moves with the movement of the sheet stacking member, is outside the interference range of the first sheet discharge path, the first sheet discharge path is provided. It is possible to provide an apparatus capable of stably discharging a sheet without obstructing a conveyed sheet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a sheet discharge device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional sheet discharge device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sheet 2 cassette 3 paper feed roller 4 first transport roller 5 second transport roller 6 process cartridge 6a photosensitive drum 6b developing roller 7 transfer roller 8 laser scanner 8a scanner mirror 8b folding mirror 9 fixing roller 9a fixing heater 10 pressure roller 11 Electrical board 12 Sheet discharging device 13 Fixing device 14 Discharge roller pair 15 Roller pair 16 Sheet loading portion 17 Discharge guide 18 Sheet loading tray 18a Shaft 19 Side plate 19a Guide hole 19d Cutout portion 20 Sheet loading surface 21 Sheet guide 22 Guide rail 23 Hinge Member 23a Engagement pin 23b Sheet guide portion 23c Shaft

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Takaaki Kawade, Inventor 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Miya ▲ Saki ▼ Yoshiyuki 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No.2 Canon Corporation F term (reference) 3F054 AA01 AC01 BA02 BA04 BB24 BC04 BC09 BC13 BC14 BF03 BF08 BF22

Claims (6)

[Claims] A first sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet with one surface of the sheet facing down, and a sheet conveyed along the first sheet discharge path at a first position; At a second position where the first sheet discharge path is opened, a second sheet discharge path is formed that branches from the first sheet discharge path and discharges the sheet with the one surface of the sheet facing up. A sheet stacking member for stacking sheets ejected along the second sheet ejection path, wherein the sheet stacking member is pivotally supported by one of the apparatus main body and the sheet stacking member and is engaged and disengaged by the other. A supporting member that is freely provided and supports the sheet stacking member at the second position; and when the support state of the support member is released, the sheet stacking member moves with respect to the first position. Open from second position The support member is engaged with the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member in conjunction with an operation of closing the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position. A sheet discharging device comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support member is provided on an engagement member provided on said support member, and is provided on an apparatus main body or said sheet stacking member, and moves between said first and second positions of said sheet stacking member. A guide hole for slidably guiding the moving engaging member,
A notch provided at an intermediate portion of the guide hole, and a guide for guiding the engaging member to the notch; In conjunction with the operation of closing the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position, the engaging member is guided to the notch by the guide portion, and then the guide hole is moved from the notch to the guide hole. 2. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharging device is a mechanism that can be inserted into the guide hole and slidable in the guide hole. 3. In the second position, the support member guides a sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path to the sheet stacking member, or guides a sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path. 2. A sheet discharged along the sheet is stacked together with the sheet stacking member.
Or the sheet discharging device according to 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide hole is provided such that a movement area of the support member, which moves with the movement of the sheet stacking member, is outside an interference range of the first sheet discharge path. Item 4. The sheet discharging device according to item 2 or 3. 5. The sheet discharging device according to claim 4, wherein the guide hole is provided such that the support member is accommodated in the sheet stacking member. 6. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and the sheet discharging device according to claim 1, which discharges the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means. An image forming apparatus comprising: