JP2002284426A - Sheet postprocessing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate jam handling and eliminate psychological load on a user, in a sheet post-processing device having a sheet guiding member that aligns stacked sheets facing to a post-processing tray and in a substantially vertical state and presses a special part of the sheets in leading the sheets into the post-processing tray. SOLUTION: The sheet leading guide 505 for aligning the stacked sheets in the substantially vertical state and pressing the special part of the sheets in leading the sheets into the post-processing tray 58 is fixed to a movable frame body 520 that is part of a casing of the sheet post-processing device 5 and contactable with or separable from the post-processing tray 58, and is separated from the post-processing tray 58 interlocking with the movement of the movable frame body 520 to be evacuated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing such as stapling and punching on a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and discharging the sheet. Things
More specifically, the present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of easily processing a conveyance failure (hereinafter, referred to as a jam) generated inside the sheet post-processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus typified by a copying machine in recent years, an image forming operation is automated, a stapling operation is performed on a sheet-like recording material after image formation (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet), or In order to realize automation of a post-processing operation such as a punching operation, it has been used in combination with an automatic document feeder or a sheet post-processing device.

The sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to a side portion of the image forming apparatus, and performs a stapling process on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus for every part of a predetermined number of sheets. Alternatively, post-processing such as punching processing is performed.

Conventionally, in such a sheet post-processing apparatus,
Sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked on a post-processing tray, and when all the sheets constituting a part are received, predetermined post-processing is performed and the sheets are discharged to a discharge tray. In addition, there is a printer having a transport path for directly discharging a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, in addition to a transport path for performing post-processing.

FIG. 10 shows a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus provided with a conveying path for performing post-processing and a conveying path for directly discharging without performing post-processing. The sheet post-processing apparatus performs stapling as post-processing.

In this case, a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus (not shown) is carried into the apparatus by a carry-in roller 150, and guided by a switching gate 151 to a conveying path 153.
Or to one of the transport paths 154. The sheet conveyed to the conveyance path 153 is discharged to the fixed tray 158 by the discharge roller 152 without performing the stapling process.

On the other hand, the sheets conveyed to the conveyance path 154 are sequentially stacked on a post-processing tray 155, and when a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the sheets are transferred to a staple processing device 156 provided below the post-processing tray 155. Then, the sheet is stapled, and then discharged onto an offset tray 159 by discharge rollers 157.

Conventionally, in such a sheet post-processing apparatus, a part of the housing of the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided with a rear part in order to facilitate removal of a jammed sheet in the sheet post-processing apparatus. The movable frame is formed as a movable frame that can be attached to and detached from the processing tray 155, and a part of the housing can be opened by separating the movable frame from the post-processing tray 155.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-86056 discloses that a sheet stacked on a post-processing tray is aligned in an almost upright state so as to face the post-processing tray, and the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray. There is also disclosed a configuration in which a sheet guide member for pressing a specific portion of a sheet is provided. According to this, by the action of the sheet guide member, the discharged sheets can be accurately stacked and aligned.

[0010]

However, in the above-described conventional sheet post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 10, when the above-described sheet guide member is provided, the upper fixed tray 1 is not provided.
The sheet jammed in the conveyance path 153 extending to the sheet tray 58 can be relatively easily taken out by moving the movable frame of the housing, but the conveyance path 1 extending to the offset tray 159.
The sheet jammed in 54 cannot be taken out merely by moving the movable frame of the housing, but requires a further manual operation after the movable frame is moved, which gives the user trouble.

Because the sheet guide member is provided to face the post-processing tray 155, the sheet discharged to the post-processing tray 155 is sandwiched between the sheet guide member and the post-processing tray 155. This is because the user needs to manually remove the sheet guide member from the post-processing tray 155 as needed to take out the sheet jammed in the conveyance path 154.

[0012] In particular, such a jam clearing operation directly contacts the mechanical components of the sheet post-processing apparatus, and
For the user to move it manually,
It is excessively positioned as difficult, complicated, or dangerous work, and imposes a more psychological burden than the actual work content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables a user to easily execute a jam clearing operation occurring on a conveying path in a sheet post-processing apparatus, and to provide a user with a psychological sense for the jam clearing operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet post-processing apparatus capable of eliminating a burden.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention temporarily stacks sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus on a post-processing tray which is in a substantially upright state, and stacks the sheets. In a sheet post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a processed sheet and then discharges the sheet to a discharge tray, a part of the housing of the sheet post-processing apparatus has a movable frame that can be separated from and connected to the post-processing tray. While being formed as a body, the sheets provided in the post-processing tray are provided so as to face the post-processing tray, and the sheets stacked substantially upright on the post-processing tray are aligned in a substantially upright state, and the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray. A sheet guide member for pressing a specific portion of the sheet when the movable frame body is moved. It is characterized in that is provided so as to release.

According to the above construction, the sheet guide member provided substantially opposite the post-processing tray in the upright state causes the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus to fall over to the post-processing tray in the upright state. Presses against a specific part of the discharged sheet so that it is aligned with the other discharged sheets on the post-processing tray, so that the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is stagnated. The sheet can be received in the post-processing tray without being processed, and a plurality of sheets can be aligned as a sheet bundle and post-processing such as stapling can be reliably performed.

In such a sheet post-processing apparatus, when performing a jam processing operation for removing a jammed sheet in the conveyance path of the sheet post-processing apparatus, the housing of the apparatus body is opened to open the conveyance path. The movable frame body, which is a part of the above, and a sheet guide member provided facing the post-processing tray,
Although it is necessary to expose the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray by separating from the post-processing tray, according to the above configuration, the sheet guide member also retreats from the post-processing tray with the movement of the movable frame. There is no need to directly touch the sheet guide member, which is a component, to manually retract the sheet guide member, thereby facilitating the jam clearance operation and eliminating the user's psychological burden on the jam clearance operation.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention further comprises, in addition to the above configuration, upper conveying means for introducing a sheet into the post-processing tray from above the post-processing tray, In addition to the guide member, the upper conveying means is provided so as to be separated from the post-processing tray in association with the movement of the movable frame and to open the sheet conveying path.

In the case of a configuration in which an upper conveying means for introducing a sheet into the post-processing tray from above the post-processing tray is provided, it is necessary to separate the upper conveying means from the post-processing tray during a jam clearance operation. According to the above configuration, the upper conveying means is retreated along with the sheet guide member along with the movement of the movable frame to open the conveying path. Can be facilitated, and the user's psychological burden on the jam clearance operation can be eliminated.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, introduces a sheet into the post-processing tray from the upper portion of the post-processing tray. The guide member is configured to be swingable with respect to the post-processing tray with the lower side of the post-processing tray as a fulcrum. When a sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray, the guide member moves the sheet toward the lower side of the post-processing tray. On the other hand, when a sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is pressed toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray.

According to the above configuration, the sheet guide member is
When the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray from above, the sheet is guided downward from the post-processing tray, while the sheet is guided relative to the post-processing tray. When the sheet is discharged, the sheet is pressed toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray, so that the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is received in the post-processing tray without being stagnated, and a plurality of sheets are stacked as a sheet bundle. Aligning the sheets and reliably performing post-processing can be performed even more effectively.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, introduces a sheet into the post-processing tray from the upper portion of the post-processing tray, The guide member is configured to be swingable with respect to the post-processing tray with the lower side of the post-processing tray as a fulcrum, and when a sheet is introduced from above the post-processing tray, the sheet is directed downward to the post-processing tray. On the other hand, when the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is periodically rocked to press the sheet toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray.

According to the above configuration, the sheet guide member is
When the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray from above, the sheet is guided downward from the post-processing tray, while the sheet is guided relative to the post-processing tray. When the sheet is discharged, the sheet is periodically rocked to gradually press the sheet toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray, so that the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is not stagnated. , And a plurality of sheets can be aligned as a sheet bundle and post-processing can be reliably performed.

[0023]

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment to which the configuration of the present invention is applied has expanded functions by connecting various peripheral devices with the image forming apparatus 2 as a core. It is mounted on the image forming system 1 as shown.
The image forming system 1 is provided with a scanner 3, an automatic document feeder 4, a sheet feeder 6, and a relay feeder unit 8 in addition to the sheet post-processing device 5, and among these, the sheet post-processing device 5 and the image forming device The device 2 is a sheet feeding device 6
The scanner 3 is placed side by side on the top of
, Together with the automatic document feeder 4 arranged above the
It is arranged by being supported on the system rack 7.

When the image forming apparatus 2 is connected to an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer as an externally connected device, the image data from the externally connected device is output as well as recording and outputting the image read by the scanner 3. The digital multifunction peripheral has a plurality of operation modes, such as a copy mode, a facsimile mode, and a printer mode.

An electrophotographic processing section 20 centered on the photosensitive drum 200 is disposed substantially at the center left side of the image forming apparatus 2. A charging roller 2 for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 200 is provided around the photosensitive drum 200.
01, an optical scanning unit 22 for writing an electrostatic latent image by scanning an optical image on a uniformly charged photosensitive drum 200, and a developing unit for reproducing the electrostatic latent image written by the optical scanning unit 22 with a developer 202, photosensitive drum 200
A transfer unit 203 for transferring the image reproduced on the sheet to a sheet, and removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 200 after the transfer to enable a new image to be recorded on the photosensitive drum 200 A cleaning unit 204, a static elimination lamp unit (not shown) for removing charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 200, and the like are arranged.

At the lower part of the image forming apparatus 2, a sheet supply unit 21 capable of storing sheets of a maximum A4 size is arranged. The sheet supply unit 21 includes a sheet storage tray 210 that stores sheets, and a separation feeding unit 21 that separates and feeds the sheets stored in the sheet storage tray 210 one by one.
1 and 1. In this separation feeding means 211, 1
The sheets separated and fed one by one are transferred to the electrophotographic process section 2
0 is sequentially supplied between the photosensitive drum 200 and the transfer unit 203, and an image recorded and reproduced on the photosensitive drum 200 is transferred. Operations such as replenishment of sheets to the sheet supply unit 21 and replacement of sheets are performed by pulling out the sheet storage tray 210 to the front side of the image forming apparatus 2 main body.

On the lower surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 2, a sheet sent from a sheet supply device 6 which is provided as an option is received, and is directed between the photosensitive drum 200 and the transfer unit 203 of the electrophotographic process section 20. And a sheet receiving port 27 for sequentially feeding sheets.

A fixing device 23 is disposed above the electrophotographic process section 20. The fixing device 23 receives the sheets on which the images have been transferred sequentially, and heats and fixes the developer transferred on the sheets to the outside of the fixing device 23. And send out the sheet. The sheet on which the image is recorded is transferred from the discharge roller 28 of the image forming apparatus to the relay conveyance unit 8 on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 2. As described above, the sheet conveyance path 6 of the image forming apparatus 2
4 is configured substantially vertically from bottom to top.

In the upper and lower spaces of the optical scanning unit 22, a device control unit 24 for accommodating a process control unit (PCU) substrate for controlling an electrophotographic process and an interface substrate for receiving image data from outside the device. An image control unit 25 having an image control unit (ICU) board for performing predetermined image processing on image data received from the interface board and causing the optical scanning unit 22 to scan and record an image; , And a power supply unit 26 for supplying power to the unit.

The sheet feeding device 6 is an external sheet feeding device provided as an option, and has three sheet feeding portions 61, 62 and 63. Sheet feeding unit 6
In 1.62 and 63, the sheet storage trays 610 and 620
The sheets accommodated in the sheet 630 are separated one by one by separation feeding means 611, 621, and 631 provided respectively, and communicate with the sheet receiving port 27 of the image forming apparatus 2 provided on the upper surface of the unit. Sheet exit 6
Feed towards 5. During operation, the sheet supply units 61, 62, and 63 containing sheets of a desired size selectively operate. Sheet supply to the sheet supply units 61, 62, and 63 is performed by pulling out sheet storage trays 610, 620, and 630 to the front side of the unit main body. The seat is stored.

The sheet supply device 6 is configured so that the image forming device 2 and the sheet post-processing device 5 are placed on the upper portion, and moves in this state to be fixed between the system racks 7. A movable roller 69 and a fixed portion 68 are provided at the lower portion so that the device can be arranged. At the time of movement, the fixing portion 68 is rotated to ascend to separate the fixing portion 68 from the floor surface, and at the time of fixing, the fixing portion 68 is rotated to descend to bring the fixing portion 68 into contact with the floor surface. The supply device 6 is fixed.

In FIG. 2, a sheet feeding device 6 of a type having three different sheet feeding units 61, 62, 63 is shown.
However, there is a type in which the same sheet supply unit is stacked in a plurality of stages, a type in which the sheet supply unit has only one stage, and the like.

The sheet post-processing device 5 guides the sheet on which the image discharged from the relay conveyance unit 8 and the image forming device 2 is recorded by the carry-in roller 50 at the upper part of the device, and performs post-processing on the sheet. This will be described in detail later.

The scanner 3 automatically supplies a document on a sheet by the automatic document feeder 4 and sequentially exposes and scans the document one by one to read a document image. A manual reading mode for reading a document image by manually setting a document on a sheet that cannot be automatically supplied by the apparatus 4 is provided.

The first scanning unit 31 and the second scanning unit 31 move the image of the document set on the transparent document table 30 along the document table 30 at a predetermined speed relationship with each other.
The original image is converted into an electrical signal and output after being exposed and scanned by the scanning unit 32 and guided by optical components such as a mirror and an imaging lens 33 to form an image on the photoelectric conversion element 34. .

The automatic document feeder 4 feeds the document placed on the document set tray 40 toward the document placing table 30, and discharges the scanned document onto the document discharge tray 42. It has. In addition, the apparatus is rotated upward with the apparatus rear side as a fulcrum, and the front side of the apparatus is opened so that an original of a sheet that cannot be automatically supplied is placed on the original table 30 and can be read and scanned. It is configured as follows.

The relay conveyance unit 8 is mounted on a paper discharge tray 29 provided on the top of the image forming apparatus 2, and transfers a sheet on which an image discharged from the paper discharge roller 28 of the image forming apparatus 2 is recorded. This is a transport unit for introducing the sheet toward the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 located downstream of the forming apparatus 2.

Further, another sheet conveyance path for guiding the sheet to the discharge tray 9 formed by the upper surface 82 of the unit and the upper surface 54 of the sheet post-processing device 5 in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 84 of the relay conveyance unit 8. 83 branches. The two discharge destinations can be changed by switching the gate 81 arranged at the branch of the transport path.

The discharge tray 9 is also used as a sheet reversing conveyance path, and realizes image formation on both sides of the sheet together with an external double-sided conveyance path 10. Therefore, the discharge roller 28 is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. Further, the above-mentioned sheet supply units 21 and 61
A conveyance path 64 from 62 and 63 to the electrophotographic process unit 20 and the fixing device 23 has a downstream side of the fixing device 23.
51 are provided. The sheet after fixing is discharged to the sheet post-processing device 5 or the discharge tray 9 when the switching gate 251 is switched to the solid line side in FIG. When the discharge tray 9 is used as the reverse conveyance path as described above, the sheet is pulled back, and the conveyance path 250 is switched through the switching gate 251 switched to the broken line side.
Is transported reversely. In this way, it is possible to form an image on both sides of the sheet.

Hereinafter, the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 is installed on the sheet discharge port side of the image forming apparatus 2, and the sheet or the OH
The stapling process is performed on a sheet such as a P sheet. As post-processing performed by the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, there are punching processing, gluing processing, and the like in addition to stapling processing. Here, a case in which stapling processing is performed is exemplified.

On the discharge side of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 (the side opposite to the image forming apparatus 2), two independent trays 56 and 59 are provided.
Is provided. Among them, the upper side is the fixed tray 56
The lower side is an offset tray 59 that can perform a lifting operation and an offset sorting operation.

For example, the fixed tray 56 is set as a discharge tray in the fax mode, and the offset tray 59 is set as a discharge tray in the printer mode. In addition, sorting is performed so that sheets output in each mode are not mixed.

Further, there is a demand that a stapling process is performed on a sheet on which an image to be output in the facsimile mode is formed, and the sheet is output as a plurality of sheets. It can also be set to discharge the sheet on which is formed.

Further, the offset tray 59 is set as a discharge destination tray in the copy mode, and is output in a state where a sheet on which an image is recorded is stapled or output without being stapled. When it is done, it operates according to an instruction from the operator.

The offset tray 59 smoothly moves up and down in the vertical direction by transmitting the driving force of a lifting motor (not shown) by a driving force transmission system 501 composed of gears and the like. The sheet discharged by the discharge roller 502 toward the offset tray 59 is stored.

FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5. As shown in FIG. 1, inside the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, a carry-in roller 503 is installed at a sheet receiving port 502, and the sheet drawn into the apparatus by the carry-in roller 503 is transferred to the fixed tray 56. And a transport path 55 for transporting the paper to the downstream side where the post-processing tray 58 is located. A switching gate 52 is provided on a branch path between these two transport paths 51 and 55, and the sheet is transported to one of the two transport paths 51 and 52 by the guidance of the switching gate 52. Among these, the sheet guided to the conveyance path 51 extending to the fixed tray 56 is discharged onto the fixed tray 56 by the first discharge roller 53.

On the other hand, the sheet guided to the conveying path 55 extending to the post-processing tray 58 is discharged to the post-processing tray 58 by the second discharge roller (upper conveying means) 57, where it is temporarily stacked. The post-processing tray 58 is disposed substantially upright at a substantially central portion of the apparatus. After aligning discharged sheets, a stapling apparatus 511 provided at a lower end thereof staples the sheets. The processing is performed.

The post-processing tray 58 has a sheet guide 5 (sheet guide member) facing the post-processing tray 58.
05 is provided. The sheet guide 505 aligns the sheets stacked substantially upright on the post-processing tray 58 in a substantially upright state,
8 for pressing a specific portion of the sheet when the sheet is introduced into the sheet tray 8. More specifically, the post-processing tray 58
Is provided so as to be swingable about the lower end side of the post-processing tray 5.
8 when the sheet is introduced from above, the sheet is guided toward the lower side of the post-processing tray 58, while when the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray 58, the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray 58 Is pressed against the sheet. On the back side of the sheet guide 505, a sheet guide roller 506 is further provided.

The second discharge roller 57 causes the post-processing tray 5
The sheet fed from the upper side to the lower side of the sheet guide 8 has a sheet guide guide 505 and a sheet guide roller 506.
Thus, a specific portion of the discharged sheet is pressed so that the sheet is guided downward regardless of the size and length of the sheet and is aligned with the sheet discharged on the post-processing tray 58. As a result, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is not stagnated and the post-processing tray 5
8, a plurality of sheets are aligned as a sheet bundle, and post-processing such as stapling can be reliably performed.

The staple-processed sheet is supplied to a third discharge roller 512 provided on the post-processing tray 58 and a discharge roller slidably provided on the sheet mounting surface side of the post-processing tray 58 with the upper portion serving as a fulcrum. By the action of the means 513, the sheet is discharged from the post-processing tray 58, guided by the guide plate 516, and discharged onto the offset tray 59 by the fourth discharge roller 502 described above.

At the time of discharging the processed sheet, the stapling apparatus 511 is rotated to the position shown by the broken line in the drawing and retracts, and a guide plate 516 for guiding the processed sheet to the fourth discharge roller 502 is provided. The sheet is guided to the fourth discharge roller 502 by rotating to the position shown by the broken line in the figure.
In the fourth discharge roller 502, the offset tray 59
The upper roller 502a adjusts its own height with respect to the lower roller 502b that moves up and down with the vertical movement of the roller so that a predetermined pressure capable of discharging a sheet between the lower roller 502b and the lower roller 502b is maintained. Has become.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the sheet guide 505 provided to face the post-processing tray 58 and the back (the side opposite to the post-processing tray 58). As shown in FIG. 3, on the back of the sheet guide 505,
A paddle mechanism 507 for aligning the sheet discharged toward the post-processing tray 58 (see FIG. 1) toward the surface of the post-processing tray 58 is provided. The paddle mechanism 507 is formed of a molded member that is elastically deformed, and acts on the sheet surface by rotating a predetermined number of times to align the rear surface of the sheet toward the post-processing tray 58.

A rotary drive mechanism 508 for rotating the paddle mechanism 507, comprising a motor 508a, a relay gear 508b, and a clutch 508c, has a cam for rotating the sheet guide 505 toward the post-processing tray 58. A mechanism 509 is provided.

The sheet guide 505 is normally supported by its lower end 505a as a pivot point so as to retreat from the post-processing tray 58 by a spring 510. When the mechanism 509 rotates, the mechanism 509 rotates toward the mounting surface of the post-processing tray 58 and presses the sheet surface.

That is, when a sheet is introduced from above the post-processing tray 58, the sheet is retracted from the post-processing tray 58 by the spring 510 to guide the sheet toward the lower side of the post-processing tray 58, and the post-processing is performed. When the sheet is discharged to the tray 58, the paddle mechanism 507
The sheet rotates toward the mounting surface of the post-processing tray 58 in accordance with the rotation of the post-processing tray 58, and repeats the approach and separation to periodically swing, and the sheet is moved toward the mounting surface of the post-processing tray 58. Press slowly.

As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge side wall provided with a discharge tray such as the fixed tray 56, which is a part of the housing of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, has a foldable movable frame. 520. Sheet post-processing device 5
In the case where a jam occurs within the range of 0, the movable frame 520 is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow A, whereby the two-dot chain line 52 in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the whole of the portion on which the dots including the fixed tray 56, etc., which are on the discharge side from 1, are lowered by one step, and the rule of the sheet post-processing device 5 is opened. ing.

The foldable movable frame 520 has a plurality of pin hinge structures between the front and rear fixed frames of the sheet post-processing device 5, that is, the main frames on the front and rear sides of the sheet post-processing device 5. And is guided so as to be able to approach and separate from the post-processing tray 58. Although not described in detail here, since the movable frame 520 is moved by a combination of a plurality of pin hinge structures, the movement of the movable frame 520 is not a simple rotational movement but a complicated movement in which a rotation fulcrum is switched in the middle. Become.

In the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Further, a lower end 505a serving as a pivot of the sheet guide 505 is fixed, and one end of a spring 510 is locked. Therefore, when the movable frame body 520 is pulled out in the direction shown by the arrow A (see FIG. 1), the sheet guide 505 is moved downward in conjunction with the pullout.
Rotating around the fulcrum a and separating from the post-processing tray 58, the sheet placement surface of the post-processing tray 58 is exposed.

In the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, the sheet guide roller 506, the pad guide mechanism 507 and the cam mechanism 509 provided on the rear side are rotated together with the sheet guide guide 505. The rotating drive mechanism 508 to be driven is also supported or fixed to the movable frame 520. Accordingly, with the movement of the movable frame 520, the sheet guide roller 506, the paddle mechanism 507, the rotation drive mechanism 508, and the cam mechanism 509.
Also, it does not hinder the evacuation of the sheet guide guide 505 by moving together with the sheet guide guide 505.

Further, in the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment, the roller 57a of the second discharge roller 57 for discharging the sheet to the post-processing tray 58 is also provided with the movable frame 52.
0. Therefore, with the movement of the movable frame 520, the rollers 57a are also separated from the post-processing tray 58, and the transport path 55 is opened.

That is, in the sheet post-processing apparatus 5, when a sheet is jammed in the apparatus 5, the jam position is
The movable frame 520 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 is indicated by an arrow A regardless of the conveying path 51 extending to the fixed tray 56 or the conveying path 55 extending to the post-processing tray 58 on the downstream side. By simply pulling down in the direction shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the jam sheet can be removed. FIG. 7A shows a state in which a jammed sheet is taken out in the conveyance path 55, and FIG.
Shows the state when the jammed sheet is taken out.

FIG. 5 shows the movement of the components arranged near the post-processing tray 58 in conjunction with the movable frame 520. When the movable frame 520 is moved, the sheet guide guide 505, the sheet guide roller 506, the paddle mechanism 507, the rotation drive mechanism 508, the cam mechanism 509, and the roller 57a of the second discharge roller 57 are moved in conjunction with this movement. Post-processing tray 5
8 to move in a retracting direction. Therefore, the jam processing ends with two manual operations of an operation of moving the movable frame 520 and an operation of removing the jam sheet.

On the other hand, the sheet guide 50
5, the sheet guide roller 506, the paddle mechanism 507, the rotation drive mechanism 508, the cam mechanism 509, and the roller 57a of the second discharge roller 57 are fixed to a frame on the fixed side of the housing of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 which is not movable. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the jam sheet cannot be removed only by rotating and opening the movable frame 520, and the sheet guide 505 and the like are manually retracted. After that, the jam sheet is removed, and at least three steps of manual operation of moving the movable frame 520, retracting the sheet guide 505, and removing the jam sheet are required.

(Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The sheet post-processing apparatus of this embodiment, like the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 described above, has an image forming apparatus 2 whose function is expanded by connecting various peripheral devices with the image forming apparatus 2 as a core. It is mounted on the system 1.

FIG. 7 shows a sheet post-processing apparatus 50 according to this embodiment. The sheet post-processing apparatus 50 differs from the sheet post-processing apparatus 5 shown in FIG. 1 in the configuration of the movable frame.
The movable frame 520 of the sheet post-processing device 5 has a plurality of pins.
Although the hinge structure is combined and connected and involves rotational movement, the movable frame 530 of the sheet post-processing device 50 is fixed to the front and rear of the sheet post-processing device 50, that is, the front side and the front side. A plurality of sliding guide members such as linear guides are interposed and held on the main frame on the rear surface side, and are guided so as to be able to approach and separate from the post-processing tray 58.

Two upper and lower guides 531a and 531b are attached to the main frame on the rear side and the main frame on the front side of the sheet post-processing device 50, respectively. Are guided by the guide portions 532a and 532b provided in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure, in which the entire portion including the fixed tray 56 and the like, which is on the discharge side from the two-dot chain line 521 in the diagram, is covered. To slide.

The above-mentioned sheet guide guide 505 arranged opposite to the post-processing tray 58, and the above-mentioned sheet guide roller 506, paddle mechanism 507, cam mechanism 509 provided on the back side of the sheet guide 505 are provided. And a rotation driving mechanism 508 and a roller 57 a on the discharge side of a second discharge roller 57 provided above the post-processing tray 58.
Similarly, the movable frame 530 that is slid is fixed, locked, or supported by the movable frame 530 as in the first embodiment.

Accordingly, when a sheet is jammed in the sheet post-processing apparatus 50, the jam position is the conveyance path 51 extending to the fixed tray 56, similarly to the case of the sheet post-processing apparatus 5. 8A and 8B, the movable frame 530 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 50 is pulled out in the direction indicated by the arrow B even if the conveyance path 55 extends to the post-processing tray 58. Then, the transport paths 51 and 55 are opened to remove the jammed sheet. FIG. 7A shows a state in which a jammed sheet is taken out in the conveyance path 55, and FIG. 7B shows a state in which a jammed sheet is taken out in the conveyance path 51.

FIG. 9 shows the movement of components arranged near the post-processing tray 58 in conjunction with the movable frame 530 in the sheet post-processing apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment. When the movable frame 530 is moved, the sheet guide guide 505, the sheet guide roller 506, the paddle mechanism 507, the rotation drive mechanism 508, the cam mechanism 509, and the roller 57a of the second discharge roller 57 are moved in conjunction with this movement. Post-processing tray 58
In order to move in a more retreating direction, the jam processing ends with two manual operations of an operation of moving the movable frame 530 and an operation of removing the jam sheet.

[0073]

As described above, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention stacks the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus once on the post-processing tray which is substantially in an upright state, and performs post-processing on the stacked sheets. After performing the processing, in a sheet post-processing device that discharges to a discharge tray, a part of the housing of the sheet post-processing device is formed as a movable frame that can be separated from and attached to the post-processing tray, The sheet is provided to face the post-processing tray, and the sheets stacked on the post-processing tray in a substantially upright state are aligned in a substantially upright state,
A sheet guide member for pressing a specific part of the sheet when the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray, and
The sheet guide member is provided so as to be separated from the post-processing tray in conjunction with the movement of the movable frame, and to open a sheet conveying path.

Thus, the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus can be received in the post-processing tray without stagnation, and a plurality of sheets can be aligned as a sheet bundle and post-processing such as stapling can be reliably performed. It has the effect of becoming.

Further, when performing a jam clearing operation for removing a jammed sheet in the conveyance path of the sheet post-processing apparatus, the movable frame, which is a part of the housing of the apparatus main body, is moved. Since the sheet guide member also retracts from the post-processing tray, there is no need to directly touch the sheet guide member, which is a mechanical component, to manually retract the sheet guide member. And it is possible to eliminate the user's psychological burden on the jam clearance operation.

As described above, the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes, in addition to the above-described configuration, upper conveying means for introducing a sheet into the post-processing tray from above the post-processing tray.
In addition to the sheet guide member, the upper conveying means also moves away from the post-processing tray in conjunction with the movement of the movable frame,
This is a configuration provided to open the sheet conveying path.

As a result, the sheet conveying member and the upper conveying means are retracted and the conveying path is opened along with the movement of the movable frame so that the jam clearing operation can be performed even when the upper conveying means is provided. And the effect of eliminating the user's psychological burden on the jam clearing operation can be achieved.

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the introduction of the sheet into the post-processing tray is performed from above the post-processing tray, and the sheet guide member is The sheet is configured to be swingable with respect to the post-processing tray with the lower side of the post-processing tray as a fulcrum. When a sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is pressed toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray.

As a result, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is received in the post-processing tray without stagnation,
There is an effect that alignment of a plurality of sheets as a sheet bundle and reliable post-processing can be performed more effectively.

As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the introduction of the sheet into the post-processing tray is performed from above the post-processing tray, and the sheet guide member is When the sheet is introduced from above to the post-processing tray, the lower processing device is configured to be swingable with respect to the post-processing tray with the lower side of the post-processing tray as a fulcrum.
While the sheet is guided toward the lower part of the post-processing tray, when the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is periodically rocked to move the sheet toward the sheet mounting surface of the post-processing tray. Is pressed.

Thus, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is received in the post-processing tray without stagnation,
There is an effect that alignment of a plurality of sheets as a sheet bundle and reliable post-processing can be performed more effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming system equipped with the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion for aligning a sheet including a sheet guide and the like in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which the conveyance path is opened at the time of jam clearance in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing movement of components arranged near a post-processing tray interlocked with a movable frame during a jam-removing operation in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of components arranged in the vicinity of a post-processing tray during a jam clearing operation when a conventional jam clearing mechanism is employed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which the conveyance path is opened at the time of jam clearance in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing movement of components arranged near a post-processing tray interlocked with a movable frame during a jam clearing operation in the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Image forming apparatus 5 Sheet post-processing apparatus 57 2nd discharge roller (upper conveyance means) 58 Post-processing tray 59 Offset tray (discharge tray) 505 Sheet guide guide (sheet guide member) 505a Lower end of sheet guide guide (Fulcrum) 520 movable frame 530 movable frame

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor, St. Tokushige 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Toshiki Ogita 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Sharp (72) Inventor Naofumi Okada 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Toyoaki Namba 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sharp Corporation F-term ( Reference) 3F049 AA04 DA12 DB02 LA02 LA05 LA07 LB03 3F054 AA01 AB01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BA04 BA11 BG03 BH02 BH07 BJ04 BJ11 DA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus is temporarily stacked on a post-processing tray which is substantially in an upright state, a post-process is performed on the stacked sheets, and then the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray. In the processing apparatus, a part of the casing of the sheet post-processing apparatus is formed as a movable frame body that can be separated from and attached to the post-processing tray, and provided to face the post-processing tray. A sheet guide member for aligning the sheets stacked substantially upright on the tray in a substantially upright state, and pressing a specific portion of the sheets when the sheets are introduced into the post-processing tray; and The sheet post-processing device is characterized in that the sheet guide member is provided so as to be separated from the post-processing tray in conjunction with the movement of the movable frame, and to open a sheet conveying path. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an upper conveying means for introducing a sheet to the post-processing tray from above the post-processing tray, wherein the upper conveying means in addition to the sheet guide member also interlocks with the movement of the movable frame. Separated from the post-processing tray,
The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet post-processing apparatus is provided so as to open a sheet conveying path. 3. The sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray from the upper portion of the post-processing tray, and the sheet guide member swings about the lower side of the post-processing tray with respect to the post-processing tray. When the sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray, the sheet is guided toward the lower side of the post-processing tray, and when the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is guided by the post-processing tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is pressed toward a sheet mounting surface. 4. A sheet is introduced into the post-processing tray from above the post-processing tray, and the sheet guide member swings with respect to the post-processing tray about a lower side of the post-processing tray as a fulcrum. When the sheet is introduced from above the post-processing tray, the sheet is guided toward the lower side of the post-processing tray, and when the sheet is discharged to the post-processing tray, the sheet is periodically moved. 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is swung to press the sheet toward a sheet mounting surface of a post-processing tray.