JP2003128329A - Sheet delivering device and image forming device equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet delivering device comprising a body of rotation which is for use as alignment operation and capable of making full use of the housing capacity of a housing tray without hindering the delivery operation by a delivery means such as a delivery roller. SOLUTION: The device is provided with the delivery means 6 for delivering sheets, a housing means 8 and 9 for housing the sheets delivered by the delivery means, alignment reference members 22 and 21 for aligning at least one side of the sheets delivered by the delivery means, and a body of rotation (belt unit 61) abutting the sheets during delivery by the delivery means 6 and moving the sheets delivered in the housing means 8 and 9 to the alignment reference members 22 and 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet ejecting device for ejecting a sheet ejected from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a composite machine in which two or more of them are combined onto a storage tray. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet discharging apparatus mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function machine in which two or more of them are combined, which is sent from an image forming apparatus onto a storage tray. The aligned sheets are urged toward the alignment reference member such as a side fence by a rotating body such as a roller for alignment, a paddle, and a belt to form an aligned sheet bundle, or stapled to the aligned sheet bundle, 2. Description of the Related Art A sheet discharge device that performs post-processing such as punching and gluing is known.

In these sheet discharging devices, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 228471, the sheet is completely discharged onto the storage tray from a discharging means such as a discharge roller for discharging the sheet onto the storage tray, and then the sheet is aligned. A roller, paddle, belt, or other rotating member contacts each sheet and moves the sheet toward the alignment reference member.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional sheet discharging apparatus, the sheet is completely discharged onto the storage tray from the discharging means such as discharging rollers for discharging the sheet onto the storage tray, and then the sheet is aligned. Laura, paddle,
Since the rotating body such as a belt is configured to contact each sheet and move the sheet toward the alignment reference member, it moves to the contact position until the rotating body moves to the position where it contacts the sheet. After that, there was wasted time such as the time required to drive the rotating body.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art,
Immediately after the sheet is discharged onto the storage tray while the sheet is being discharged from the discharge means such as discharge rollers onto the storage tray, the rollers for alignment, paddles, belts, etc. are brought into contact with the sheet while being driven. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharging device that can exert a matching action by a rotating body such as a roller for alignment, a paddle, and a belt on a sheet without a time lag, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet discharging device.

[0006]

(1) A sheet discharging device according to the invention of claim 1 is a discharging device for discharging a sheet,
A storing means for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharging means, an alignment reference member for aligning at least one side of the sheet discharged to the storing means, a sheet being discharged by the discharging means, and contacting the storing means. And a rotating body for moving the discharged sheet to the alignment reference member.

As the rotating body, any type of rotating body such as a matching roller, a paddle, and a belt can be used.

The present invention comprises a rotating body for alignment, which is intended to move a sheet to an alignment reference member. This rotating body is driven in the alignment direction in advance, for example, and comes into contact with the sheet being discharged by the discharging means, and moves the sheet discharged to the storing means toward the alignment reference member. The rotating body is
Since the sheet scraping operation for alignment is already started for the sheet being discharged, that is, without waiting for the sheet to be completely discharged, there is less waste of time compared to the conventional sheet alignment operation. That is, in the related art, after the sheet is completely ejected from the ejecting unit onto the storage tray, the rotating body for alignment comes into contact with each sheet and moves the sheet toward the alignment reference member. There is a wasteful time such as the time required to move to the position to move to the contact position and the time required to drive the rotating body after moving to the contact position, but the waste time can be eliminated.

(2) The invention of claim 2 is the sheet discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is being discharged by the discharging means in a state of being rotated in a direction in which the sheet is moved to the alignment reference member. Is in contact with the sheet of.

This rotating body is always in a state of descending to a predetermined position (acting position where it can come into contact with the sheet) on the storing means, or an operating position (position where it comes into contact with the sheet discharged by the discharging means). There is a mode in which it can be switched to a retreat position (a position away from the sheet discharged by the discharging means) and takes an operating position only when necessary, but in any case, it can be driven in the alignment direction in advance. It is preferable for simplifying the configuration and control.

(3) The invention of claim 3 is the same as claim 1 or 2.
The sheet discharging apparatus described above further includes an offset unit that laterally shifts the position of the discharging unit to shift the position of the sheet discharged into the storage unit relative to the rotating body. .

Any known means can be used as the lateral moving means for bringing the sheet to the pre-alignment position where the rotating body comes into contact with the sheet and can perform the aligning action, and there is essentially no limitation. However, by using the offset means for shifting the position of the sheet discharged to the storage means relative to the rotating body, it is not necessary to provide a special moving means, and a compact sheet discharging apparatus can be configured. it can.

(4) According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the sheet discharging apparatus according to the third aspect, there is provided control means for varying the timing for activating the offset means or the drive speed of the offset means according to the sheet size. It is characterized by

As described above, the aligning rotary member is always in a state of descending to a predetermined position (acting position capable of contacting the sheet) on the storage means, or can be switched between the acting position and the retracted position. However, there are the following inconveniences due to the relationship between the sheet contact position, the size of the sheet, the difference in the discharge reference position, and the variation of the stacking height of the sheets (the number of sheets).

For convenience of explanation, assuming the former form in which the rotating body is always in the working position, for example, even in the case of the same center reference sheet discharge, A4 in FIG. 27A is used.
The lateral movement amount Sa (D1, D4) for bringing the sheet to the pre-alignment position X1 is different between the lateral size sheet Sa and the A4 vertical size sheet Sa of FIG. 27 (b).

The sheet discharge reference position is shown in FIG.
In the case of the center reference ejection of (a) and the case of the rear one-side reference ejection of FIG. 29 (b) (when the sheet side edge on the side of the alignment reference member in the sheet width direction is the ejection reference of the ejection means), Even for sheets of the same size, the lateral movement amounts (D4, d4) that bring the sheet to the pre-alignment position X1 are different.

Furthermore, when the number of discharged sheets is small as shown in FIG. 33 (a), the operating position of the rotary member coincides with the pre-alignment position X1, but the number of discharged sheets becomes large as shown in FIG. 33 (b). In this case, depending on the stacking height of the sheet bundle, the working position of the rotating body (pre-alignment position X1) is slightly on the front side of the sheet (the side edge of the sheet on the side away from the alignment reference member in the width direction of the sheet). The position shifts to the pre-alignment position Xa.

There are two methods for absorbing these deviations: a method of changing the start timing or a driving speed of the offset means.

The invention of claim 4 deals particularly with the case where the sheet size is different, and is provided with control means for varying the timing of activating the offset means or the drive speed of the offset means according to the sheet size. It is a thing.

(5) According to the invention of claim 5, in the sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 4, the control means accelerates the timing of activating the offset means for a small size sheet rather than a large size sheet. Alternatively, it is provided with a function of increasing the driving speed of the offset means.

When the sheet size is small, that is, when the moving distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long, the timing for activating the offset means is advanced (see FIG. 2).
7 (b)) or the driving speed of the offset means is increased (see FIG. 28 (b)) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

On the other hand, when the sheet size is large, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is short, the timing of activating the offset means is delayed (see FIG. 27 (a)) or the offset means is operated. The driving speed is reduced (see FIG. 28A) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

(6) According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the sheet discharging apparatus according to the third aspect, the timing for activating the offset means or the driving speed of the offset means is varied according to the sheet discharge standard by the discharging means. Control means for controlling the offset means is provided.

The invention of claim 6 deals particularly with the case where the discharge reference position of the sheet is different, and the control means for changing the start timing or the driving speed of the offset means according to the sheet discharge reference by the discharge means. It is equipped with.

(7) According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sheet discharging device according to the sixth aspect, in the sheet discharging device according to the sixth aspect, the control means controls the sheet on the side of the alignment reference member in the width direction of the sheet. When the center of the sheet in the width direction is set as the discharge reference (center discharge reference) of the discharge unit rather than when the side edge is set as the discharge reference of the discharge unit (rear discharge reference), and from the alignment reference member in the width direction of the sheet. When the side edge of the sheet on the distant side is used as the discharge standard (front discharge standard) of the discharge means, it is provided with a function of accelerating the timing of activating the offset means or increasing the drive speed of the offset means. And

When the center discharge standard or the front discharge standard is used, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long, the timing for activating the offset means is advanced (see FIG. 27 (b)) or the offset is performed. The driving speed of the means is increased (see FIG. 28B) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

On the other hand, when the rear ejection reference is used, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is short, the timing of activating the offset means is delayed (see FIG. 27 (a)), or the offset means is activated. The driving speed is reduced (see FIG. 28A) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

(8) According to the invention of claim 8, in the sheet discharging device according to claim 3, the timing for activating the offset means or the offset according to the number of sheets discharged from the discharging means to the storing means. It is characterized in that a control means for varying the driving speed of the means is provided.

The control is specified when the operating position of the rotating body is deviated according to the number of discharged sheets (the stacking height of the sheet bundle).

As the number of sheets stacked on the storage means increases and the stacking height of the sheet bundle increases, the position where the rotating body for alignment actually contacts the sheet is diagonally forward of the rotating body (sheets). It will shift in the direction that intersects the discharge direction).
That is, the sheet scraping action position of the rotating body is displaced. For this reason, if the pre-alignment movement is performed by a certain amount, the sheet scraping in the rotating body may effectively work. The invention according to claim 8 compensates for the deviation of the operating position of the rotating body due to such a change in the loading height by adjusting the drive timing or the drive speed of the offset means.

(9) According to the invention of claim 9, in the sheet discharging device according to claim 8, when the control means has a smaller number of sheets than the large number of sheets,
It is characterized by having a function of accelerating the timing of activating the offset means or accelerating the driving speed of the offset means.

When the number of sheets is small as shown in FIG. 33A, that is, when the moving distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long, the timing of activating the offset means is advanced or the drive speed of the offset means is increased. To speed up
Pre-alignment reference position X at the same time regardless of sheet size
Make sure the seat arrives at 1. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

On the other hand, when the number of sheets is large as shown in FIG. 33B, that is, when the pre-alignment reference position is changed from X1 to Xa, the movement distance to Xa is short (FIG. 34).
34), the timing Ta for activating the offset means is delayed to Tb as shown in FIG. 34, or the drive speed of the offset means is slowed down and pre-alignment is performed at the same time regardless of the sheet size. The sheet arrives at the reference position X1. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed by the offset means may be constant.

(10) The invention of claim 10 relates to claims 1 to 1.
3. The sheet discharging device according to any one of 3 above, wherein the rotating body is movable between an operating position in contact with the sheet discharged by the discharging unit and a retracted position separated from the sheet discharged by the discharging unit. It is characterized by comprising a supporting means for supporting.

As the supporting means for movably supporting the rotating body between the working position and the retracted position, for example, a rotating body such as an aligning roller, paddle, belt or the like can be slidable around its drive shaft. By frictional engagement, the rotational force of the support shaft is normally transmitted to the rotating body, but by applying a force above a certain level, it relatively swivels around the support shaft and switches between the operating position and the retracted position. Configured to be able to. An actuator such as a solenoid or a cylinder can be used as a drive source that applies a force equal to or more than a certain amount required for the turning.

(11) The invention of claim 11 relates to claim 10.
In the sheet discharging apparatus described above, the rotating body is contacted with the rotating body so that a portion of the sheet discharged by the discharging unit at a predetermined distance from the rear end in the discharging direction contacts the rotating body regardless of the sheet discharging standard and the sheet size. Control means for controlling the supporting means to move from the retracted position to the working position is provided.

In the form in which the rotating body is constantly lowered, the rotating body comes into contact with the sheet, thereby giving a resistance force to the discharged sheet and acting as a load. Therefore, due to the influence of the pulling action of the rotating body, the sheet may be pushed back, the edge of the sheet may not be completely discharged, or the sheet may be obliquely oriented and discharged.

However, when the rotating body is configured to be switchable from the retracted position to the working position as in the invention of claim 11, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the sheet is obliquely oriented. .

(12) An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized by including the sheet discharging device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A. Mount Structure and Conveying System (FIG. 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a sheet ejection device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sheet ejection device 1 of the present invention is a page printer. The image forming apparatus main body 100 is composed of a detachable assembly. Specifically, in order to connect the sheet ejection device 1 and the image forming apparatus main body 100, a lock arm 1a (FIG. 2) is provided at a lower portion of the sheet ejection device 1 so as to project. The sheet ejection device 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100 by engaging with a holding portion (not shown) in the apparatus main body 100.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is a page printer, but the sheet discharging apparatus 1 of the present invention can be applied to a copying machine or the like.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a conveying system that takes over a printed sheet or a copied sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as a sheet) ejected from the image forming apparatus main body 100 and ejects it.

A sheet discharged upward from a discharge portion (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 is a paper path (sheet conveying path) formed by the upper guide 2a and the lower guide 2b in the sheet discharge device 1. Handed over to 2.
The paper path 2 extends in a substantially vertical direction in the interior of the sheet discharging device 1 and is then curved toward the front side, and a conveying roller pair 3 is provided at the lower end entrance thereof. That is,
The copy sheet is further fed through the paper path 2 to the downstream side in the sheet discharge device 1 by the pair of conveying rollers 3 provided at the lower end entrance of the paper path 2, and is discharged from the discharge port 7.

B. Sheet Ejecting Means 6 In FIG. 1, the sheet ejecting device 1 has an ejecting port 7 as a sheet ejecting means 6, which includes a tray ejecting roller pair 4 including an ejecting roller 4 which is a driven roller and a tray ejecting roller 5 which is a driving roller. 5 are arranged.

Further, a first tray (fixed mounting portion 8) is provided downstream of the pair of tray discharge rollers 4 and 5 in the sheet conveying direction.
Sheet storage means including the second tray (storage tray 9) is provided. First, as a constituent element of a supporting unit (sheet single-corner supporting unit) 10 that supports one corner of the sheet discharged by the discharging unit 6 on the upstream side in the discharging direction, the fixed mounting portion 8 (first tray). ) Is provided. In this embodiment, the fixed mounting portion 8 is configured to support one corner portion on the sheet rear end side. A storage tray 9 (second tray) having a size capable of receiving up to the maximum size of discharged sheets is provided below the fixed mounting portion 8. Then, the pair of tray discharge rollers 4 and 5 discharges the sheet from the discharge port 7 onto the mounting surfaces of the fixed mounting portion 8 and the storage tray 9, and FIGS.
1 is configured to be mounted.

Since the pair of tray discharging rollers 4 and 5 of the sheet discharging means 6 is rotatable, the sheet discharging device 1
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two support shafts 11 and 12 extending in parallel vertically are rotatably arranged in the vicinity of the discharge port 7 inside, and the support shafts 11 and 12 are respectively rotatably arranged. A plurality of pairs (here, two pairs) of the tray discharge rollers 4 and 5 described above are fixedly installed in the intermediate portion.

The two support shafts 11 and 12 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the slide, the front end side (right side in FIG. 3) of which is a constituent element of the sheet pre-alignment moving means (deviation means) 40, which also serves as the sheet lateral feeding means of the sorting means (jog means). It is inserted into an ear portion 41a protruding from the outer end of the upper surface of the coupling plate 41 and is rotatably supported, and
The slide coupling plate 41 is integrated so that it can be carried.

That is, the ear portion 41 of the slide coupling plate 41.
E-ring 1 is attached to the tip of each spindle 11, 12 after penetrating a.
3 is provided on the outer side in the axial direction of each of the support shafts 11 and 12, and the pull-out prevention member 14 for carrying is commonly provided to both support shafts 11 and 12.
The E-ring 13 and the pull-out preventing member 14 provided on the outer side of the E-ring 13 are integrated so as not to come off in the axial direction.

Then, the two support shafts 1 integrated as described above.
The tip end side of the lower support shaft 11 of the reference numerals 1 and 12 is located above the U-shaped stand frame 15 which is erected on one end side in the seat width direction of the base frame 1c (FIG. 7) in the sheet discharging device 1. U-shaped first bearing member 17 capable of elastically moving up and down
Are supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction.

On the other hand, the base ends (left side in FIG. 3) of the two support shafts 11 and 12 are also supported so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction. That is, FIG. 10 and FIG.
Of the two support shafts 11 and 12, the lower support shaft 1
1 has a U-shaped second bearing member 18 whose base end side is elastically movable up and down with respect to a first support member 16 fixed to the side frame 1b of the sheet processing apparatus 1.
It is supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. In the case of this embodiment, the base end side of the support shaft 11 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the square-shaped portion 11a having a D-shaped cross section is formed, and the square-shaped portion 11a is the first supporting member 1.
It is supported by a U-shaped second bearing member 18 which is elastically supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to 6, and is rotatably and axially movable.

A discharge paddle 20 made of an elastic material (here, rubber) having a large number of teeth in the circumferential direction is provided on the angular portion 11a of the support shaft 11 so as to be free in the axial direction of the angular portion 11a. It is fitted to allow sliding. In order to fix the absolute position of the paper ejection paddle 20 in the axial direction, a first slide restricting member 19 is juxtaposed on the support shaft 11 at a position slightly separated from the second bearing member 18. The paper discharge paddle 20 is provided between the second bearing member 18 and the first slide restricting member 19, so that the support shaft 11 is relatively movable with respect to the paper discharge paddle 20. The position of the paper ejection paddle 20 is designed to be unchanged. The support shaft 11 is controlled by the first slide restricting member 19 so as to be prevented from moving in the axial direction.
0 is left between the first slide regulating members 19,
The slide restricting member 19 is configured to be axially movable forward and backward through the shaft hole of the slide restricting member 19 and the notch opening 38 provided in the side frame 1b. The corner-shaped portion 11a having a D-shaped cross section formed on the base end side of the support shaft 11 is provided in the paper discharge paddle 2.
Not only 0 but also the first slide restricting member 19 is penetrated so as to be slidable in the axial direction.

In other words, from both ends of the paper ejection paddle 20,
At least the distance that the support shaft 11 moves back and forth, the support shaft 1
1 is processed into a D-shape, and the shaft hole of the paper discharge paddle 20 is also formed into a D-shape. With such a configuration, even when the support shaft 11 moves forward and backward (slides in the axial direction) together with the support shaft 12, the rotation of the support shaft 11 is prevented from rotating by the second bearing member 18 and the first slide restricting member 19. It is possible to transmit the paper to the paper discharge paddle 20 positioned between and. Therefore, the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 are attached to the support shafts 11 and 1.
While the sheet is discharged while advancing and retracting in the axial direction together with 2, the sheet discharge paddle 20 is in a predetermined position between the first slide regulating members 19, that is, by rotating without moving in the axial direction. The sheet discharge paddle 20 is configured to exert a sheet discharging action.

Further, the base end side of the upper support shaft 12 is also supported by the second support member 31 fixed to the side frame 1b so as to be movable in the axial direction. That is, in FIG. 10, the inner wall surface of the side frame 1b is provided with a second support member 31 having an upper surface wall 31a extending slightly inward from the side wall 1b and a downwardly bent downward wall 31b. There is. Further, the leg portion 32a and the leg portion 3
An inverted U-shaped second slide restricting member 32 having 2b
However, the leg portion 32a on one side of the second support member 31
It is provided in a form penetrating the upper surface wall 31a of the above.
Then, the leg portion 32a of the second slide regulating member 32
Between the hanging wall 31b of the second support member 31 and
A coupling gear 33 is provided on the support shaft 12, and the coupling gear 33
Is supported so as to allow relative sliding in the axial direction with respect to the support shaft 12 passing therethrough, but not allow relative rotation.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the base end side of the support shaft 12 has a square-shaped portion 1 having a D-shaped cross section.
2a, and the corner-shaped portion 12a and the second
Of the support member 31 and the bearing portion of the support member 31,
The base end side of is rotatable by the connecting gear 33, and the support shaft 12 is movable in the axial direction.

With the above slide support structure, the support shaft 1
Both of 1 and 12 are rotatable and axially movable together with the movement of the slide coupling plate 41 in a state where their tip ends are coupled to each other by the slide coupling plate 41.

As shown in FIG. 12, the side frame 1b
Is provided with a conveyance motor 34 and a force transmission mechanism that rotationally drive the support shaft 12 to apply a conveyance force to the sheet.
That is, the output of the carry motor 34 is transmitted from the motor pulley 35a fixed to its output shaft to the intermediate pulley 35b, the carry roller pulley 35c, and the driven pulley 35d via the timing belt 36, and is further coaxial with the driven pulley 35d. A force transmission mechanism that transmits the force to the connecting pulley 37 provided in the. The connecting gear 37, which is provided on the support shaft 12, meshes with the connecting gear 37, which is the output side of the force transmitting mechanism.
The support shaft 12 is rotated by receiving the drive from the drive shaft 4 by the connecting gear 33, and the support shaft 11 on the driven side is also rotated accordingly.

That is, the tray discharge roller 5 is a drive roller rotated by the carry motor 34 via the force transmission mechanism, while the tray discharge roller 4 contacts the tray discharge roller 5 and the discharge roller 5 moves. It is a driven roller that rotates by rotation.

C. Alignment reference position and post-processing means (Fig. 13-
14) In the sheet discharging means 6 having the above-described structure, the sheet is sandwiched between the pair of rotating tray discharging rollers 4 and 5 and is fed from the discharging port 7 by being given a conveying force, and is fixed to the fixed placing portion (first portion).
And a storage tray (second tray) 9 are discharged. FIG. 13 shows a form in which the sheet is discharged on the one side basis, and FIG. 14 shows a form in which the sheet is discharged on the center side.

FIG. 15 shows a sheet discharge mode in the jog mode described later. In the jog mode, the stacks of sheets are sequentially stacked and ejected while being alternately displaced by the distance D5 which is an offset amount, whereby a step (offset) is made between the upper and lower stacked sheet bundles.

The storage tray 9 (second tray) is made up of three sheets except the corner portions of the sheet supported by the sheet single-corner portion supporting means when the sheet is post-processed by the stapler (post-processing means) 23 described later. Set to support corners. However, the size may be one that supports one corner on the upstream side of the three corners and a part of the back surface of the seat. In this example, the storage tray 9 (second tray) is rectangular, and its size is such that a vertically long size of A3, B4, etc. (here, vertically long A3) can be stored. ing.

On the other hand, the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8 as the sheet single corner supporting means 10 is a fixed placing portion when the sheet of the smallest size to be handled is ejected by the sheet ejecting means 6. The edges of the upper surface of the (first tray) 8 supporting the sheet are all located closer to one corner of the sheet than the line connecting one corner of the sheet and two adjacent corners. To form. Here, a fixed mounting portion (first tray) as the sheet single corner supporting means 10 is used.
8 is located above a single corner (upper left corner in FIG. 13) on the upstream side of the storage tray 9 in the sheet discharge direction so as to supplement a part of the sheet storage surface of the storage tray 9 when viewed from above.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one of position alignment reference means (alignment reference member) for aligning at least one side of the sheet discharged by the discharging means 6 is provided on the upstream side of the fixed mounting portion 8. As one example, the abutting plate 21 is fixedly or semi-fixedly provided, and constitutes a discharge direction reference surface that gives a discharge direction alignment reference position when aligning sheets.

Further, the discharging means 6 is provided on the side of the fixed placing portion 8.
As one of the position alignment reference means (alignment reference member) for aligning at least one side of the sheet discharged by the sheet, an attachment reference in the direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction (hereinafter abbreviated as width direction) (width direction alignment reference position) ) Positioning plate 22
Are arranged.

The post-processing position is regulated by the abutting plate 21 (discharging direction alignment reference position) and the positioning plate 22 (width direction alignment reference position).

A stapler 23, which pierces and binds staples to the sheet bundle aligned and aligned at the post-processing position, is provided on the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 as post-processing means. Is provided as.

D. Pre-alignment moving means (sheet lateral feeding means) 40 During the above-described one-side reference and center reference sheet discharge, the sheet is moved by the pre-alignment moving means (side-shifting means) 40 which also serves as the sheet lateral feeding means of the jog means described below. ,
The stapler 23 is laterally moved to the widthwise alignment reference position side by the distances D1 to D4 in FIGS. 13 and 14, and is bound by the stapler 23. Also, as shown in FIG.
It can be traversed (traverse movement) by D.

For this purpose, the pre-alignment moving means 40
Is based on the above slide support structure that allows the support shafts 11 and 12 of the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 to move back and forth in the axial direction.
Further, it is provided with a slide coupling plate 41 for moving the support shafts 11 and 12 together in the axial direction together with the slide drive portion 45.

As described above, the pre-alignment moving means 40
As shown in FIG. 7, the slide coupling plate 41, which is one component of the head, forms a guide surface 41 for the seat.
b, an ear portion 41a and a head portion 41b projecting from the upper end portion thereof
41c that hangs on the lower surface of the
1d and one leg 4 formed to have the same thickness as the neck
1e is provided. Then, the neck portion 41d and the leg portion 41
The e is axially movably supported by two upper and lower guide rods 43 and 44 that are laterally installed between the side walls 15a and 15c of the U-shaped stand frame 15.

Both of the support shafts 11 and 12 are inserted into the ears 41a of the slide coupling plate 41 at their tip ends to be rotatably supported, and are integrated by the slide coupling plate 41 so as to be carried together and axially moved. It is configured to slide into.

Next, the structure of the slide drive unit 45 will be described.

In order to configure the slide drive unit 45, a rack 42 is provided along the direction of the support shaft 11 on the body 41d of the slide coupling plate 41. Further, a slide motor 47 is provided on the inner side wall of the stand frame 15 as a slide support frame via a mounting plate 46,
The pinion gear 48 fixed to the output shaft of the slide motor 47 meshes with the rack 42.

In the slide driving unit 45 having the above-described structure, the pinion gear 48 is connected to the slide coupling plate 41 in accordance with the forward / reverse driving of the slide motor 47 controlled by the control means described later.
It rotates while meshing with the rack 42 of the guide rod 4
Drive is transmitted to the slide coupling plate 41 along 3, 44,
Support shafts 11 and 12 coupled to the slide coupling plate 41 and tray discharge roller pairs 4,5 fixedly provided on the respective support shafts.
Is finally configured to retreat.

From a different perspective, the slide drive unit 45
A slide coupling plate 4 for rotatably coupling the support shafts 11 and 12
1, the guide rods 43 and 44 that support the slide coupling plate 41 so as to move back and forth in the axial direction, the stand frame 15 that is fixed to the base frame 1c and that supports the guide rods 43 and 44, and the pinion gear 48 that rotates. It is composed of a slide motor 47 provided on the shaft. And
The slide coupling plate 41 includes a coupling portion (ear portion 41 a) that rotatably supports the support shafts 11 and 12, and guide rods 43 and 4.
4 having a shaft hole for passing therethrough (neck portion 41c,
The leg portion 41e) and the rack 42 that meshes with the pinion gear 48 that is fixedly mounted on the rotation shaft of the slide motor 47.

The side wall 15a, 15c of the stand frame 15 as the slide support frame has pinion gear 4
8 moves the slide coupling plate 41 forward and backward, the rack 42
A slide opening 49 is formed to allow the stand frame 15 to escape to the outside of the side walls 15a and 15b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, on the back side of the body portion 41d of the slide coupling plate 41, there is provided a position detecting projection 51 extending laterally in a plate shape. The position detecting projection 51 also has a function of preventing the slide coupling plate 41 from being distorted due to bending or the like. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an interrupter (light emitting and receiving element pair) 52 which cooperates with the position detecting projection 51 and constitutes a transmission type optical sensor is assisted on the front wall 15b of the stand frame 15. It is attached by a plate 53. The transmission type optical sensor including the position detecting protrusion 51 and the interrupter (light emitting and receiving element pair) 52 slides when the position detecting protrusion 5 shields the light of the interrupter (light emitting and receiving element pair) 52. The home position of the coupling plate 41, that is, the support shafts 11 and 12 (H
It functions as an HP detection sensor 50 that detects P) and turns it on.

In the conventional apparatus, the discharge roller pair slides after the discharge roller pair nips the sheet and the sheet conveyance is stopped, and then the discharge of the sheet is restarted. In the ejection device 1, the drive from the transport motor 34, which is sent via the connecting gear 37 and the connecting gear 33, is transmitted to the support shaft 12 even when the support shafts 11 and 12 are moving forward and backward in the axial direction by the above-described configuration. That is, the tray discharge roller 5 fixed to the support shaft 12 and the tray discharge roller 4 fixed to the support shaft 11 can be moved back and forth in the axial direction and the sheet can be conveyed by the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5. It can be done at the same time.

With this structure, the time required for the matching process or the sorting process can be shortened.

The support shaft 11, which is connected to the support shaft 12 by the slide connecting plate 41, is provided with a first slide restricting member 19 provided on the supporting member 16 so as to prevent the paper discharge paddle 20 from moving in the axial direction. While remaining between the first slide restricting members 19, the slide driving unit 45 (FIG. 9) described later together with the support shaft 12 includes the shaft holes of the paper ejection paddle 20, the shaft holes of the first slide restricting member 19, and the side frame. It is configured so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction by penetrating a notch opening 38 provided in 1b.

With this structure, the tray discharge roller 4 fixed to the support shaft 11 moves forward and backward in the axial direction together with the tray discharge roller 5 which is a drive roller fixed to the support shaft 12, and at the same time as the forward and backward movements, the tray discharge roller 4 moves. A sheet is nipped and conveyed together with the discharge roller 5.

Further, the support shaft 11 has a distance D from the both ends of the paper discharge paddle 20 at least at a distance at which the support shaft 11 moves back and forth.
It is processed into a mold shape, and the shaft hole of the paper discharge paddle 20 is also formed into a D shape. With this configuration,
By the slide driving unit 45, the support shaft 11 and the support shaft 11
It is possible to transmit the rotation of the support shaft 11 to the discharge paddle 20 positioned between the first slide restricting members 19 even while the trays are moving forward and backward, and the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 are supported by the support shafts 11 and 12. At the same time, the sheet is discharged while advancing and retracting in the axial direction, whereas the sheet discharge paddle 20 is configured to exert a discharging action on the sheet at a predetermined position between the first slide restricting members 19.

E. The main aligning means (pulling means) 60 (FIGS. 16 to 19) The sheet discharging device 1 includes a belt unit (rotating body) 61 for surely pulling and aligning the sheet to the post-processing position on the fixed placing portion 8. The present matching means 60 is provided. The configuration of the main matching unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the main aligning means 60 is composed of a belt unit (rotating body) 61 that draws in the sheet and draws it to the post-processing position. In this embodiment, the upper support shaft 12 described above is used. Two units are arranged side by side on a support shaft 62 to which a rotational driving force is applied. The two belt units 61, 61 are actuated by the forward rotation of the common support shaft 62, and are moved to the pre-alignment position (nip position) or the width-direction alignment reference position (positioning plate 22) by the tray discharge roller pairs 4, 5. To more accurately move the sheet discharged while being biased toward the post-processing position that is determined by both the abutting plate 21 (discharge direction alignment reference position) and the positioning plate 22 (width direction alignment reference position). It is configured to urge and match.

The term "pre-alignment position" as used herein refers to the innermost position of the tray among the nip positions of the belt unit 61, to be precise, the nip positions where the belt unit 61 can nip the sheet.

As already described in FIG. 12, the upper support shaft 1
2 is a connecting gear 33 and a force transmission mechanism (3
5a to 35d, 37) and is a drive shaft rotated by the conveyance motor 34. The connecting gear 33 fitted to the support shaft 12 is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the support shaft 12 by the leg portion 32a of the second slide restricting member 32 and the hanging wall 31b of the second supporting member 31. It is regulated (see FIG. 10).

In order to obtain the driving force of the belt unit 61 from the support shaft 12, that is, to transmit the rotational drive force from the support shaft 12 to the support shaft 62, as shown in FIGS. A first bevel gear 63 is provided axially inward of the connecting gear 33. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first bevel gear 63 is located between the hanging wall 31b of the second support member 31 and the leg portion 32b of the second slide restricting member 32. The axial movement of the support shaft 12 is restricted by the hanging wall 31b of the second support member 31 and the leg portion 32b of the second slide restriction member 32.

On the other hand, the support shaft 12 penetrates a large number of members and is provided so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction. That is, the support shaft 12 includes the shaft hole of the coupling gear 33, the shaft holes of the leg portions 32 a and 32 b of the second slide regulating member 32, and the second support member 31.
The penetrating wall 31b extends through the shaft hole and the opening 39 provided in the side frame 1b so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction. Then, the support shaft 12 has the connecting gear 33 whose movement in the axial direction is regulated by the slide driving portion 45 by the leg portion 32a of the second slide regulating member 32 and the hanging wall 31b of the second supporting member 31. Can be slid in the axial direction while remaining within the regulation interval, and further, the axial movement is regulated by the hanging wall 31b of the second support member 31 and the leg portion 32b of the second slide regulation member 32. Further, the first bevel gear 63 is configured to be slidable in the axial direction while being left within the regulation interval.

Incidentally, the connecting gear 33 and the first bevel gear 63
The support shaft 12 is processed into a D-shape at least a distance in which the support shaft 12 advances and retracts from both ends of the connection gear 33, and the shaft holes of the coupling gear 33, the paper ejection paddle 20, and the first bevel gear 63 are also D-shaped.
It is formed in a mold shape.

On the other hand, in order to rotatably support one end of the support shaft 62 of the belt unit 61, an L-shaped mounting plate 65 is fixed to the side frame 1b as shown in FIG.
One end side of the support shaft 62 is rotatably supported by this, and a support arm portion 31c extending from the hanging wall 31b of the second support member 31 onto the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 is provided. The other end of the support shaft 62 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 62.

A second end is provided at the end of the support shaft 62 on the side of the support arm 31c.
Of the first bevel gear 64 is fixed, and the second bevel gear 64 of the second bevel gear 64 and the first bevel gear 63 of which the movement in the axial direction is restricted at a predetermined axial position of the support shaft 12 are provided. They are meshed with each other, whereby the support shaft 62 is driven to rotate the support shaft 62.

Of the two belt units 61, 61, which are the rotating bodies constituting the aligning means 60, one is provided near the discharge port 7 of the support shaft 62, and the other one is provided at the discharge port 7. It is provided on the support shaft 62 at a position distant from. Since both belt units 61, 61 have the same configuration, only one unit will be described as a representative.

The belt unit 61, which is a rotating body, includes the support shaft 6
Drive pulley 66 fixed to 2 and rotating together with spindle 62
(FIG. 18), the support plates 67 (FIG. 17) arranged on both sides of the support plate 67, the rear ends of which are attached to the support shaft 62.
The drive pulley 6 is rotatably supported on the tip side of the drive pulley 6.
6, a driven support pulley 68 (FIG. 19) positioned on the fixed mounting portion 8 side with a predetermined distance from the fixed mount portion 6, and a matching belt 69 (FIG. 19) stretched between the drive pulley 66 and the driven support pulley 68. It consists of and.

As shown in FIG. 19, the support plate 67 has a notch 67a for fitting with the support shaft 62 at the rear end thereof, and the rear portion of the notch 67a has a constant clamping force on the support shaft 62. It is detachably fitted. Therefore, the support plate 6
Numeral 7 is configured to rotate integrally with the support shaft 62 by a constant frictional force, and slide and rotate around the support shaft 62 when an external force sufficient to overcome the constant frictional force is applied.

When the support shaft 12 is driven by the conveyance motor 34 (FIG. 12) and the tray discharge roller 5 rotates in the direction for discharging the sheet S, the support shaft 62 is driven to rotate from the support shaft 12 and the belt unit. The alignment belt 69 of 61 rotates to scrape the sheet. The rotation direction is the alignment belt 69.
However, the intersection of the positioning plate 22 and the butting plate 21,
That is, the sheet S is rotated in the direction in which the sheet S is conveyed toward the stapler 23, which is the post-processing position. In other words, the belt unit 61 is oriented so that the sheet S can be conveyed toward the stapler 23, which is the post-processing position. The support arm portion 31c and the support plate 67 form a pair of tray discharge rollers 4 and 5.
The sheet discharged by the belt unit 61, 6 is abutted on the fixed mounting portion 8 to the abutting plate 21 and the positioning plate 22.
The support shaft 62 is positioned so that 1 can be biased and aligned.

The length of the belt unit 61 from the support shaft 62 is set to be longer than the distance from the support shaft 62 to the upper surface of the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8.
Therefore, when the belt unit 61 pivots integrally with the support shaft 62 due to frictional force, the tip of the belt unit 61 comes into contact with the upper surface of the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 from diagonally above (FIG. 19). After that, the belt unit 61 cannot perform the turning motion, and the support plate 67 of the belt unit 61 overcomes the frictional force and slides on the support shaft 62.
The standby position (the position where the alignment belt 69 comes into contact with the sheet discharged to the storing means) is held in FIG. In other words, an external force sufficient to overcome the constant frictional force between the support plate 67 and the support shaft 62 is applied to rotate the belt unit 61 around the support shaft 62 and separate it from the sheet discharged to the storage means. It is configured so that it can be switched to a position (retracted position).

The support shaft 62 and the support plate 67 described above have a belt unit 61, which is a rotating body, between an operating position where they contact the sheets discharged onto the trays 8 and 9 which are storage means and a retracted position where they are separated from the sheets. Functioning as a support means for movably supporting.

In the belt unit 61 at the standby position (working position) described above, the position where the alignment belt 69 contacts the sheet is the above-mentioned pre-alignment position (nip position). As described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, in the operation mode with pre-alignment, the sheet is pre-aligned at the pre-alignment position by the distance D1 or d1 (distance D4 or d4), and then by the belt unit 61. It is moved to the post-processing position by the distance D2 or d2 (distance D5 or d5) and brought into contact with the abutting plate 21 and the positioning plate 22 for main alignment. Alternatively, the distance D3 or d3 (distance D6 or d
Only 6) is moved and brought into contact with the abutting plate 21 and the positioning plate 22 to perform the main alignment.

However, this matching means (pulling means) 60
As long as the support shaft 12 is rotating in the forward direction, the support shaft 62 always hangs down obliquely from the support shaft 62 toward the sheet, and therefore acts as a load by giving a force that resists the discharged sheet. For this reason, the sheet may be pushed back due to the influence of the reverse conveyance (pull-in) by the alignment belt 69, and the edge of the sheet facing the fixed placement portion 8 may not be completely discharged or may be oriented obliquely. . In order to eliminate such a problem, the support shaft 11 is provided with a paper discharge paddle 20. That is, the paper discharge paddle 20 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixed mounting portion 8 on the support shaft 11 and between the first slide restricting members 19 fixed to the support member 16, and the paper discharge paddle 20 is provided. When the paddle 20 rotates and comes into contact with the sheet portion corresponding to the fixed mounting portion 8, an additional discharging force (forced discharging force) is added to the sheet portion.

F. Sheet bundle discharge means 70 (FIGS. 21 and 2)
3) As described above, the sheets undergo the pre-alignment (pre-alignment moving means 40) and the main alignment (belt unit 61), and are sequentially aligned and stacked at the post-processing position, which forms a bundle of sheets of a predetermined number. Stapler 2 as post-processing means
By 3, the single corner portion is stapled. As shown in FIG. 20, the sheet bundle 90 is placed from the fixed placement portion (first tray) 8 to the storage tray (second tray) 9 below it. At this time, there is a space for stacking and accommodating sheets, that is, a step, between the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8 and the storage tray (second tray) 9 below the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8. A curved portion 90a including a stepped portion curved along this is provided.

Sheet bundle discharging means 7 shown in FIGS. 21 to 23.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a unit that pushes out the sheet bundle 90 in this state from the side in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction and discharges the sheet bundle 90 out of the area of the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8. In the case of the present embodiment, the sheet bundle discharging means 70 pushes out the curved portion 90a of the sheet bundle 90 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and the fixed tray (first tray) 8 lowers the storage tray. Pushing member 7 moved to (second tray) 9
1 and a turning drive mechanism 72 (driving means) for turning the same.

In order to configure this turning drive mechanism 72, as shown in FIG. 21, a gap is provided between the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 and the storage tray (second tray) 9 below it. A rotation lever 74 that rotates about a rotation center 73 is provided. At the tip of the rotation lever 74 that rotates,
The push-out member 71 is provided in the form of a “push-out rod” extending vertically. Also, this rotation lever 74
Is provided with a contact arm 75 that extends obliquely downward from the rotation center shaft 73 and has a contact portion 75a (FIG. 23) formed at its tip.

On the other hand, in order to drive the rotary lever 74 to rotate, a worm wheel with a cam 76 provided with a cam 77 acting on the contact portion 75a near the contact portion 75a.
Are rotatably mounted about an axis 78. When the worm wheel with cam 76 makes a reciprocating rotary motion about a shaft 78, which will be described later, the cam 77 comes into contact with the contact portion 75a to perform a predetermined turning motion. A worm gear 79 that meshes with the worm wheel with cam 76 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the turning lever 74 is present. This worm gear 79
Is a shaft 81 provided with a pulley 80 with a one-way clutch.
This one-way clutch equipped pulley 80
Is provided as a part of a gear train that constitutes the rotary drive mechanism of the support shafts 11 and 12.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, the shaft 81 of the pulley 80 with a one-way clutch is rotatably provided on the side frame 1b and the support plate 82, and the intermediate pulley 35e is rotatably provided on the side frame 1b. Has been. The output of the carry motor 34 is transferred from the motor pulley 35a fixed to the output shaft thereof via the timing belt 36 to the intermediate pulley 35b and the carry roller pulley 3
5c and the driven pulley 35d, and further to the one-way clutch pulley 80 via the intermediate pulley 35e. The worm gear 79 meshes with the shaft 81, which is the output side of the pulley 80 with a one-way clutch, and the one-way clutch is turned off by the action of the one-way clutch when the carry motor 34 rotates forward. When the attached pulley 80 idles, while the conveyance motor 34 rotates in the reverse direction, the one-way clutch is turned on and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the shaft 81,
The worm gear 79 is adapted to rotate.

When the worm gear 79 rotates, the worm wheel 76 with a cam that meshes with the worm gear 79 rotates, and the cam 77 in the state shown in FIG.
24 is contacted and pressed against the contact portion 75a of FIG.
As shown in (b), the rotation lever 7 is rotated around the rotation center shaft 73.
Rotate 4. As a result, the pushing member 71 is
As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the sheet bundle 90 is swung around the rotation center shaft 73 to push the sheet bundle 90 out of the area of the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8.

Thus, the sheet bundle 90 is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 25C, the sheet is discharged from the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 onto the storage tray (second tray) 9.

When the sheet bundle 90 reaches the position shown in FIG. 24 (b) where the sheet stack 90 is pushed out of the area of the fixed placing portion (first tray) 8, the rotation direction of the carry motor 34 is switched from reverse rotation to forward rotation. The shaft 81 becomes free, and the return spring 83 fitted to the shaft 81 causes the worm wheel with cam 76 to return to the state shown in FIG. In addition, the turning lever 74 also has a return spring 8
The operation of 4 returns to the state of FIG.

From the elements 74-84 described above, the push rod 72 is
A mechanism (turning drive mechanism 72) for turning and driving the is configured.

G. Control Unit (FIG. 26) Next, the control device (FIG. 26) as the control unit will be described.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the control device for the sheet ejection device according to this embodiment.
Is the CPU of the microcomputer that constitutes the control unit body
(Central processing unit), 112 is a ROM (read only memory) storing program data for the CPU 111 to control each part, and 113 is a RAM (random memory) provided with a memory used by the CPU 111 for data processing.・ Access memory), 114 is an I / O port,
An interface (I) 115 externally connects the host computer 116 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 with a communication line.
/ F).

CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM
The bus line 117 electrically connects the 113, the I / O port 114, and the interface 115.

The I / O port 114 has an HP sensor 50 for detecting the home position of the support shafts 11 and 12 of the pair of tray discharge rollers 4 and 5, and an inlet sensor provided at the inlet of the paper path 2 which is the transport path. 131 (FIG. 2) and a discharge sensor 134 provided near the discharge port 7 of the paper path 2 are connected. The discharge sensor 134 is an additional sensor and can be omitted.

Inlet sensor 131 and discharge sensor 134
Is composed of a transmissive optical sensor composed of a light source and a light receiving element which are arranged with a sheet passage interposed therebetween, and is turned on when the sheet passes and blocks light. That is, one sheet S discharged through the paper path 2 between the upper guide 2a and the lower guide 2b in the processing apparatus 1 is detected by a detection sensor composed of a light source and a light receiving element arranged with the paper path 2 interposed therebetween. Whether or not each sheet S has passed, that is, detection of a passing sheet and detection of a staying sheet are performed. Then, with respect to the sheet S, whether or not the sheet S is discharged is detected by a detection sensor including a light source and a light receiving element which are arranged with the sheet discharge port 7 downstream of the tray discharge rollers 4 and 5 interposed therebetween.

Further, the I / O port 114 is provided with a motor driver 118 for the carry motor 34 for driving the spindles 11 and 12 of the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 based on the data from the host computer 116, and Based on data from the host computer 116, a motor driver 119 of a slide motor 47 that axially moves the support shafts 11 and 12 of the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 is connected.

The carrying motor 34 and the slide motor 47
Is a stepping motor, for example. CPU11
The motor 1 is configured to supply a motor control signal of a predetermined pulse to the motors 34 and 47 for drive control.

Outputs from the inlet sensor 131, the discharge sensor 134, and the HP detection sensor 50 are given to the CPU 111 of the microcomputer of the post-processing apparatus. Also,
Information from an operating means (not shown) including a start key, a sorting number setting key, a total recording number setting key, and a ten key from the image forming apparatus main body 100 is also input to the CPU 111 of the microcomputer of the post-processing apparatus.

H. Outline of control (FIGS. 27 to 29, 33)
-FIG. 34) FIGS. 27-29, 34, and 38 show an example of a mode in which the sheet is discharged while being laterally moved toward the belt unit 61 that is a rotating body for alignment. In these, the sheet Sa is simultaneously laterally moved while being ejected by the ejecting means 6 so that the sheet end is brought to the pre-alignment position X1, and then the belt unit (rotating body) 61
It is moved (alignment operation) to the main alignment position X2 where the positioning plate 22 exists. While the sheet Sa is being discharged, the sheet Sa is moved laterally at the same time, and the sheet end is moved to the belt unit (rotating body) 61.
38, the position on the storage means in the lateral direction is the pre-alignment position X1, but the position in the sheet discharging direction on the sheet Sa is as shown in FIG. It is a position downstream from E by a predetermined distance y1. If this distance y1 is too long, it means that the belt unit (rotating body) 61 is in contact with the sheet over the entire area, acts as a resistance against the sheet discharging operation, and the sheet is centered at the contact point. Since a turning force is applied to orient the sheet, it is preferable to make it as short as possible.

(A) Control based on the difference in sheet size (see FIG. 2)
7 to 28) In the case of FIGS. 27A and 28A, the A4 horizontal size sheet is used, and in the cases of FIGS. 27B and 28B, the A4 vertical size sheet Sa is used, respectively. At the same time as the sheet is discharged by the center reference discharge, it is laterally moved by the distance D1 or D4 and the sheet edge is brought to the pre-alignment position X1.

Here, the point to be noted is that although the same center standard discharge is performed, the moving distances D1 and D4 brought to the same pre-alignment position X1 are different between the A4 horizontal size and the A4 vertical size. A4 horizontal size movement distance D
This means that the moving distance D4 of the A4 vertical size is longer than that of 1. Therefore, when the sheet size is different as described above, the control unit changes the timing or the drive speed of activating the pre-alignment moving unit 40 (offset unit) according to the sheet size as follows, thereby changing the sheet size. Absorb the error.

That is, when the sheet size is small, the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long, so the timing for activating the offset means is set to T2 (see FIG. 2).
7 (a)) to T1 (FIG. 27 (b)), or the drive speed of the offset means is increased from V1 (FIG. 28 (a)) to V2 (FIG. 28 (b)) to reduce the sheet size. Regardless of this, the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed V2 by the offset means may be constant. On the other hand, when the sheet size is large, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is short, the timing of activating the offset means is delayed (see FIG. 27A), or the drive speed of the offset means is changed. It is delayed (see FIG. 28A), and the pre-alignment reference position X1 is set at the same time regardless of the sheet size.
So that the seats arrive. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed V1 by the offset means may be constant.

(B) Control Based on Different Sheet Ejection Standards (FIG. 29) FIG. 29 deals with the case where the sheet ejection reference positions are different, and the control means controls the offset means according to the sheet ejection reference by the ejection means. The start timing or drive speed of the is different.

FIG. 29A shows the state of sheet discharge when the sheet discharge standard is center standard discharge.
FIG. 6B shows the sheet discharge status based on the rear standard (when the left end of the sheet is the standard when the discharge port is viewed from the downstream side in the discharge direction).

Pre-alignment position X1 of the sheet at the same speed V1
If the user wants to bring the sheet to the sheet, even if the sheet size is the same (A4 size portrait), the starting end of the sheet to be moved is different. That is, when attempting to discharge the A4 size portrait with the center reference, the start timing position is T1 as shown in FIG. 29A, and even with the same A4 size portrait, the rear one side is used for the discharge. In this case, the sheet comes closer to the pre-alignment reference position X1.
The start timing position for activating the preset means (pre-alignment moving means 40) is T as shown in FIG.
By controlling so as to be 2, the shift of the moving distance based on the difference of the discharge standard is absorbed.

That is, in the case of the center discharge reference or the front discharge reference, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long, the timing of activating the offset means is advanced (see FIG. 29 (a)). Alternatively, the driving speed of the offset means is increased (see FIG. 29A) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed V1 by the offset means may be constant.

On the other hand, in the case of the rear discharge reference, that is, when the movement distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is short, the timing of activating the offset means is delayed or the drive speed of the offset means is decreased to reduce the sheet size. Despite the above, the sheet is allowed to arrive at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time. At this time, the lateral sheet moving speed V1 by the offset means may be constant.

(C) Control based on the difference in the number of sheets (see FIG. 33)
(FIG. 34) When the number of discharged sheets is small as shown in FIG. 33 (a), the operating position of the rotating body coincides with the pre-alignment position X1.
When the number of discharged sheets is large like 3 (b),
Depending on the stacking height of the sheet bundle, the operating position where the rotary body actually contacts the sheet is from the pre-alignment position X1 to the front side of the sheet (the side edge of the sheet on the side away from the alignment reference member in the width direction of the sheet). Prealigned position Xa
Will change to.

Therefore, when the number of sheets is small as shown in FIG. 33A, that is, when the moving distance to the pre-alignment reference position X1 is long (moving distance D4 in FIG. 34), as shown in FIG. In addition, the timing of activating the pre-alignment moving means 40 as the offset means is advanced from Ta to Tb, or the drive speed of the offset means is changed from Va to Vb (V
b> Va) so that the sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1 at the same time regardless of the sheet size.

On the other hand, when the number of sheets is large as shown in FIG. 33B, that is, when the pre-alignment reference position is changed from X1 to Xa, the moving distance to Xa is short (FIG. 34).
When D7 <D4) is satisfied, the timing for activating the pre-alignment moving means 40 as the offset means is delayed as shown in FIG. 34, or the drive speed of the offset means is slowed down to make the same time regardless of the sheet size. The sheet arrives at the pre-alignment reference position X1. (d) Rotating member support means 160 and its control (FIGS. 37 to 3)
8) The belt unit 61, which is a rotating body, can be switchably supported between the working position and the retracted position. FIG. 37 shows an extracted portion of the supporting means 160.

The support means 160 includes a support shaft 62 and a support plate 67.
And an electromagnetic solenoid 161 which is a switching drive source for rotating the support plate. That is, the support plate 67 is provided with a lever 67b above the support plate 67 in the direction of a dogleg to the straight line connecting the support shaft 62 and the support shaft 68a of the driven support pulley 68 (FIG. 19). Yes,
A plunger 162 of an electromagnetic solenoid 161 is connected to its tip via a spring 163.

As described above, the support plate 67 pivots integrally with the support shaft 62 by a constant frictional force, and when an external force sufficient to overcome the constant frictional force is applied, the support shaft 6 is supported.
It is configured to slide around 2 and rotate. Further, the length of the belt unit 61 from the support shaft 62 is set to be longer than the distance from the support shaft 62 to the upper surface of the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8.

Therefore, when the belt unit 61 pivots integrally with the support shaft 62 due to frictional force, the tip of the belt unit 61 abuts the upper surface of the fixed mounting portion (first tray) 8 from diagonally above. , The operating position shown in FIG. The belt unit 61 cannot rotate after that, and the support plate 67 of the belt unit 61 overcomes the frictional force and slides on the support shaft 62, so that the standby position of FIG. The operating position where the alignment belt 69 contacts is held.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic solenoid 161 is urged, the plunger 162 is attracted and the lever 67b is pulled through the spring 163, so that it is moved around the support shaft 62, which is a rotation fulcrum set above the discharging means. The belt unit (rotating body) 61 rotates. In other words, the support plate 67
An external force sufficient to overcome a constant frictional force between the support shaft 62 and the support shaft 62 is applied from the electromagnetic solenoid 161 to rotate the belt unit 61 around the support shaft 62, and a fixed mounting portion (first tray) serving as a storage unit. It is switched to the position (retracted position) shown in FIG.

Here, if the rotating body is always placed in the operating position, the rotating body comes into contact with the sheet, thereby giving a resistance force to the discharged sheet portion thereafter, and as a load on the discharging operation. To work. This load interacts with the pulling action force of the rotating body, and the sheet is oriented obliquely and discharged.

In terms of control, therefore, regardless of the sheet discharge standard and the sheet size, the portion of the sheet discharged by the discharging means 6 from the trailing end E in the discharging direction by a predetermined distance y1 and the belt unit (rotating body) 61. The supporting means 16 so as to move the rotating body from the retracted position (FIG. 37 (b)) to the working position (FIG. 37 (a)) so that the contacting parts 16 come into contact with each other.
Control 0.

I. Specific Example of Control (FIGS. 33 to 39) The CPU 111 controls by a difference in sheet size and sheet discharge standard (FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32) or by a difference in sheet number (FIG. 3) based on a program.
5 to 36), the pre-alignment process (movement process to the pre-alignment position) accompanied by the compensation control or the raising / lowering control of the rotating body in FIG. 39 is performed.

(A) Control Based on Difference in Sheet Size and Sheet Ejection Standard (FIGS. 30 to 31: Timing Control) First, it waits for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass through the entrance sensor 131 (step ST1). This prevents an accident in which the support shafts 11 and 12 are axially moved and the sheet is slid even though the trailing edge of the sheet is still nipped by the pair of transport rollers 3. This is because.

When the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the entrance sensor 131, the process proceeds to step ST2 in FIG. 31, and based on the data and the command given from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the "center reference"" It is checked which of the "front standard" and the "rear standard" is used (step ST2). Here, when the discharge port is viewed from the downstream side in the discharge direction, a case where the right end of the sheet is used as a reference is referred to as a “front reference”, and a case where the left end of the sheet is used as a reference is referred to as a “rear reference”. In the case of the “rear reference”, the alignment reference may already match the pre-alignment position or may not match. Therefore, this is checked (step ST11), and the alignment reference is already the pre-alignment position. If it matches, do nothing and do step S.
Proceeding to T16, the pre-alignment moving means 40 (pre-alignment means)
Start the matching process by.

[Center standard] [Front standard]
After the "rear reference" is determined, the moving distances α, β, γ from the respective discharge reference to the pre-alignment position X1 are calculated, and the distance and the required alignment speed are determined (steps ST3 to S3).
T15), and the matching process is activated to move to that position (step ST16).

That is, in the case of "center reference" in FIG. 31, the moving distance α to the pre-alignment position according to the paper width is set.
(For example, D1 and D4 shown in FIG. 27) are calculated (step ST3), the calculation result α is set as the alignment required position, and 150 mm / s is determined as the alignment required speed (step ST4). Further, in order to create an appropriate start timing, a predetermined pulse or a predetermined timer α2 corresponding to the α value is set, and the sheet discharge is continued. Then, in FIG. 31, the α2 value is increased (step ST
6), the trailing edge of the sheet is at the timing position T2 or T in FIG.
When it reaches 1, the process proceeds to step ST16 to start the matching process by the pre-matching moving unit 40 (pre-matching unit). This ensures that the seat is in the proper timing position (see FIG.
Belt unit (rotating body) 61 at the position y1 shown in FIG.
The pre-alignment moving means 40 is controlled to move so as to come into contact with (step ST16).

Also, in the case of "front reference" in FIG. 31,
That is, in the case where the tray is discharged with the right end of the tray as a reference in FIG. 14, the moving distance β (for example, d1 and d4 shown in FIG. 14) to the pre-alignment position according to the paper width is calculated (step ST7), and the calculation is performed. The result β is set as the alignment required position, 150 mm / s is determined as the alignment required speed (step ST7), and a predetermined pulse or a predetermined timer β for creating an appropriate start timing according to the β value.
Set 2 to continue sheet ejection. And FIG.
In step 1, the β2 value increases (step ST1
0) When the trailing edge of the sheet comes to an appropriate timing position (not shown), the process proceeds to step ST16, and the alignment process by the pre-alignment moving unit 40 (pre-alignment unit) is started.
As a result, the pre-alignment moving means 40 is moved and controlled so that the sheet comes into contact with the belt unit (rotating body) 61 at an appropriate timing position (position y1 shown in FIG. 38) (step ST16).

Next, in the case of "rear reference" in FIG. 31 (step ST11), that is, when the sheet is discharged with the left end of the tray as a reference as shown in FIG. 29 (b), the spindle of this apparatus for this sheet is used. Since the movement widths (distance γ) of 11 and 12 are known in advance, a constant movement distance γ is set as the alignment required position from the discharge standard (step ST12), and the alignment required position γ and the alignment required speed are 150 mm / s.
Is determined (step ST13). Further, a predetermined pulse or a predetermined timer γ2 for creating an appropriate start timing according to the γ value is set, and the sheet discharge is continued.
Then, in FIG. 31, when the γ2 value is increased (step ST15) and the trailing edge of the sheet comes to an appropriate timing position (not shown), the process proceeds to step ST16, and the pre-alignment moving means 40 (pre-alignment means). Start the matching process by. As a result, the pre-alignment moving means 40 is moved and controlled so that the sheet comes into contact with the belt unit (rotating body) 61 at an appropriate timing position (position y1 shown in FIG. 38) (step ST16).

In the aligning process, the aligning process is started to actually move the sheet by the calculated distance and send it to the pre-alignment position (step ST64). As a result, the sheet is conveyed and discharged by the rotation of the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5, and the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 are moved in the axial direction by the above-described alignment processing, whereby the sheet is at the pre-alignment position X1. The nip position of the belt unit 61 is approached.

(B) Control Based on Difference in Sheet Size and Sheet Ejection Standard (FIG. 32: Speed Control) By controlling the speed of the pre-alignment moving means 40 in FIG. An example of absorption will be shown. This FIG. 32 corresponds to FIG.
This corresponds to the part of FIG. 31, and the same steps are indicated by the same reference numerals.

First, waiting for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass through the entrance sensor 131, it is checked which one of the "center reference", "front reference" and "rear reference" is carried out from the image forming apparatus main body 100 (step). ST
2). Then, from the respective discharge standards, the pre-alignment position X
The moving distances α, β, γ to 1 are calculated, the matching required speeds α2, β2, γ2 corresponding to the calculated distances are determined, and the matching process is activated to move to that position.

That is, in the case of "center reference" in FIG. 32, the moving distance α to the pre-alignment position according to the sheet width
(For example, D1 and D4 shown in FIG. 28) are calculated (step ST3), and the matching required speed (matching moving speed) corresponding thereto is calculated.
Set α2 (step ST4a). Where α2
Is the speed required to laterally move the sheet by a distance α after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the entrance sensor and before the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H (y1 in FIG. 38) from the pre-alignment means.

Move at the above speed (step ST1
7) In step ST20 of FIG. 32, the process waits until the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H, and the process ends. As a result, the sheet is placed at an appropriate timing position (y1 shown in FIG. 38).
The pre-alignment moving means 40 is controlled to move so as to come into contact with the belt unit (rotating body) 61 at the position (step ST16) (step ST16).

The same applies to the case of "front reference" in FIG. 32, and the moving distance β (eg, d1 and d4 shown in FIG. 14) to the pre-alignment position according to the paper width is calculated (step ST7). As a result, the required matching speed β2 is calculated from β and set (step ST8a). Then, the pre-alignment moving means 40 is moved at the speed β2 (step S
(T18), in step ST20 of FIG. 32, the process waits until the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H, and the process ends. Here, β2 is the speed required to move the sheet by the distance β after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the entrance sensor and before the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H from the pre-alignment means.

Next, in the case of "rear reference" in FIG. 32 (step ST11), the spindle 1 of this apparatus for this seat is shown.
Since the movement widths (distance γ) of 1 and 12 are known in advance, a constant movement distance γ is set as a matching required position from the discharge standard (step ST12), and the matching required speed γ2 is calculated from the γ value and set. Yes (step ST13a). Then, the pre-alignment moving means 40 is moved at the speed γ2 (step ST19), and in step ST20 of FIG. 32, the process waits until the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H, and the process is ended. Where γ2 is after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the entrance sensor,
This is the speed required to move the sheet by the distance γ until the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H from the free aligning means.

(C) Control based on the difference in the number of sheets (see FIG.
5: Timing Control) FIG. 35 shows the control in the case of correcting the deviation due to the difference in the number of sheets by changing the start timing of the pre-alignment moving means 40.

First, waiting for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass through the entrance sensor 131 (step ST21), the alignment process counter is incremented by 1 to count the number of sheets (step ST).
22).

Next, the moving distance α (for example, D1 and D4 shown in FIG. 34) in the pre-alignment position X1 according to the sheet width is calculated (step ST23), and the calculation result α is set as the alignment required position. , And the required matching speed is 150m
m / s is determined (step ST24).

Then, it is judged whether the matching processing counter is within a predetermined count value which does not require correction, and YE
If S, the alignment processing counter is incremented by 1 to count the number of sheets (step ST26).

Further, in order to create a proper start timing, the γ value is corrected and set for each predetermined number of sheets with respect to the above α value, and the sheet discharge is continued (step ST27).

Then, it is determined whether or not the content obtained by subtracting the γ value from the A value has improved (step ST28). Here, the A value is a value of a predetermined pulse or a predetermined timer according to the α value without correction. The determination in step ST28 is YE
If it is S, it means that the correction has been added, so the matching process by the pre-matching means is started (step ST29), and the process is ended.

On the other hand, in step ST25, when the content of the matching process counter exceeds the predetermined count value, the predetermined pulse or the predetermined timer value A corresponding to the uncorrected α value is set, and the sheet discharge is continued. . Then, it waits for the A value to increase, and the processing ends.

(D) Control depending on the number of sheets (see FIG. 3)
6: Speed Control) FIG. 36 shows the control in the case where the deviation due to the difference in the number of sheets is corrected by changing the speed of the pre-alignment moving means 40.

First, waiting for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass through the entrance sensor 131 (step ST21), the alignment processing counter is incremented by 1 to count the number of sheets (step ST).
22).

Next, the moving distance α (for example, D1 and D4 shown in FIG. 34) while the pre-alignment position X1 is kept according to the paper width is calculated (step ST23).

Then, it is judged whether the matching processing counter is within a predetermined count value which does not require correction, and YE
If S, the alignment processing counter is incremented by 1 to count the number of sheets (step ST26).

Further, in order to create a proper start timing, the γ value is corrected and set for each predetermined number of sheets with respect to the above α value, and the sheet discharge is continued (step ST27).

Next, the matching moving speed α3 of the pre-matching means.
Is calculated and set (step ST32). Where α
3 is the speed required to move the sheet by the distance α-γ after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the entrance sensor and before the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H from the pre-alignment means.

Then, the pre-alignment means moves the sheet to the pre-alignment position at the speed α3 (step ST33), and when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H (step ST34),
The process ends.

On the other hand, in step ST25, when the content of the matching processing counter exceeds the predetermined count value, the matching moving speed α2 of the pre-matching means is calculated and set (step ST32). Here, α2 is a speed required to move the sheet by a distance α after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the entrance sensor and before the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H from the pre-alignment means.

Then, the pre-alignment means moves the sheet to the pre-alignment position at the speed α2 (step ST36), and when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the predetermined position H (step ST34),
The process ends.

(E) Rotational body elevation control (FIG. 39) FIG. 39 shows the belt unit (rotational body) 61 moved from the retracted position (FIG. 37 (a)) to the operating position (FIG. 37 (b)) or vice versa. It shows the control when switching to.

That is, after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the entrance sensor, it is confirmed whether or not the trailing edge of the sheet has reached the predetermined position H from the pre-alignment means, and if it can be confirmed, the belt unit (rotating body) 61 is lowered. And operating position (pre-alignment position)
To

<Operation and Effect of Embodiment> In the conventional device,
After the sheet is completely discharged onto the tray, the sheet is aligned by pushing the sheet with the aligning plate or the aligning rod and moving the sheet to the aligning reference member. On the other hand, in the sheet ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. With pre-matched control,
Sorting means (offset means) located on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the belt units 61, 61 which are aligning means
By pre-aligning the sheets in advance, the alignment accuracy and alignment efficiency can be improved without adding a dedicated alignment means.

Further, the slide coupling plate 41 of the sorting means,
The support shafts 11 and 12 and the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 fixed to these support shafts can be moved back and forth in the axial direction, and the sheet discharge by the tray discharge roller pairs 4 and 5 can be simultaneously performed in parallel. Therefore, the sheet can start the aligning operation to the pre-alignment position during the discharging operation by the pair of tray discharge rollers 4 and 5, so that the aligning efficiency can be further improved.

The apparatus of the present invention can be configured as a sheet post-processing apparatus, or can be configured as a simple sheet discharging apparatus that does not include the sheet post-processing apparatus, or an image including the sheet post-processing apparatus. It can also be configured as a forming device.

[0169]

As described above, according to the sheet discharging device or the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the discharging means for discharging the sheet, the storing means for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharging means, and the storing means. An alignment reference member for aligning at least one side of the ejected sheet, and a rotating body that comes into contact with the sheet being ejected by the ejection unit and moves the sheet ejected to the accommodating unit to the alignment reference member It is a configuration, the rotating body, for the sheet being discharged,
In other words, the sheet scraping operation for alignment is already started without waiting for the sheet to be completely discharged, so that there is no waste of time as compared with the conventional sheet alignment operation. That is, in the related art, after the sheet is completely ejected from the ejecting unit onto the storage tray, the rotating body for alignment comes into contact with each sheet and moves the sheet toward the alignment reference member. There is wasted time such as the time required to move to the position to move to and the time required to drive the rotating body after moving to the contact position, but it is possible to eliminate wasted time.

Further, the lateral movement amount for bringing the sheet to the pre-alignment position is different due to the relationship between the size of the sheet, the difference of the discharge reference position, the variation of the stacking height of the sheet (the number of sheets), etc. Since the control means for changing the activation timing or the driving speed of the offset means in accordance with the variation of 1 is provided, the sheet can always be brought to the same pre-alignment position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a sheet ejection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view in which the sheet discharging device of the present invention is vertically divided at a paper path portion.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sheet discharging device of the present invention with a cover and a storage tray removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sheet ejection device of FIG. 3 with a base frame removed therefrom, as seen obliquely from above.

5 is an enlarged view showing a stand frame portion that supports a right end of a support shaft of the sheet discharging device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of FIG. 5 in a further enlarged manner.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the sheet lateral feeding means (also used as pre-alignment moving means and sorting means) incorporated in the stand frame of FIG.
It is a perspective view seen from the inside of the device.

FIG. 8 is an HP provided on a stand frame of the sheet ejection device.
It is a figure showing the position of a detection sensor.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of an HP detection sensor.

10 is an enlarged view showing a structural portion that supports a left end of a support shaft of the sheet discharging device of FIG.

11 is an enlarged view showing a left end side of a support shaft of the sheet discharging device of FIG.

12 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism portion of a support shaft of the sheet ejection device of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of a sheet discharged from the sheet discharging device of the present invention with reference to the center, the pre-alignment position, and the main alignment position.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of a sheet discharged from the sheet discharging device of the present invention on a one-sided basis, the pre-alignment position, and the main alignment position.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a sheet discharging position when the sheet discharging apparatus of the present invention is operated in a jog mode.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a power transmission system for rotating a support shaft of a belt unit added as a main alignment unit to the sheet discharging device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a portion of a belt unit added as a main aligning unit to the sheet discharging device of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the belt unit of FIG. 17 in a state in which a driven support pulley and an alignment belt are removed from the belt unit, and only a drive pulley is shown.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one of the pair of belt units in FIG. 17 with only the drive pulley.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vertical positional relationship between the fixed placement section (first tray), the storage tray (second tray), and the sheet bundle in the sheet discharging apparatus of the present invention. .

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a partial section of a sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) in the sheet discharging device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the structure of a sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) in the sheet discharging device of the present invention from obliquely below.

FIG. 23 is a rear view showing the structure of the sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) in the sheet discharging device of the present invention from below.

FIG. 24 shows the operation of the sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) in the sheet discharging device of the present invention,
FIG. 6A is a back view showing the middle of discharging, and FIG.

FIG. 25 shows the operation of the sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) in the sheet discharging device of the present invention,
FIG. 6A is a partial plan view showing before ejection, FIG. 8B is in the middle of ejection, and FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control device of the sheet ejection device of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a view showing a mode in which a sheet is discharged while being laterally moved toward a rotating body for alignment under the activation timing control in the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a form in which a sheet is discharged while being laterally moved under speed control toward a rotating body for alignment in the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a form in which sheets of the same size are discharged laterally toward a rotating body for alignment under start timing control in the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a part of a movement control flow by the pre-matching means in the present invention.

31 is a diagram showing a control flow following FIG. 30 in the sheet discharging apparatus of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a part of a movement control flow by the pre-matching means involving speed control in the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a view showing a portion of a belt unit which is a rotating body in the embodiment of the present invention, (a) shows an operating position of the belt unit when the number of sheets is small, and (b) shows a position when the number of sheets is large. It is the figure which showed the operating position of the belt unit.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the operating position of the belt unit when the number of sheets is small and when the number of sheets is large in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a part of a movement control flow by the pre-matching means accompanied by speed control in the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a view illustrating a sequel to the control flow of FIG. 35 in the sheet discharging apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an extracted view showing a portion of a support unit of a belt unit that is a rotating body in the embodiment of the present invention,
(A) shows the belt unit in the operating position,
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a state in which the vehicle is in the retracted position.

FIG. 38 is a view showing the relationship between the lateral movement of the sheet pre-aligned with the rotating body for alignment and the distance in the discharge direction in the present invention in which the rotating body for alignment can be raised and lowered.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a control flow for raising and lowering a rotating body for alignment in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 sheet post-processing equipment 1a lock arm 1b side frame 1c base frame 2 paper paths 2a Upper guide 2b Lower guide 3 Conveyor roller pair 4 Tray discharge roller (driven roller) 5 Tray discharge roller (drive roller) 6 sheet discharging means 7 outlet 8 Fixed placement section (first tray) (sheet storage means) 9 Storage tray (second tray) (sheet storage means) 10 Seat single corner support means 11 spindles 11a Square shape part 12 spindles 12a Square shape part 13 E-ring 14 Removal prevention member for carrying 15 stand frame 15a, 15c Side wall 15b front wall 16 First Support Member 17 First bearing member 18 Second bearing member 19 First slide regulating member 20 Paper ejection paddle 21 Abutment plate (matching reference member) 22 Positioning plate (matching reference member) 23 Stapler (post-processing means) 31 Second Support Member 31a Top wall 31b hanging wall 31c Support arm 32 Second slide regulating member 32a legs 32b leg 33 Connection gear 34 Conveyor motor 35a Motor pulley (force transmission mechanism) 35b Intermediate pulley (force transmission mechanism) 35c Conveyor roller pulley (force transmission mechanism) 35d Driven pulley (force transmission mechanism) 35e Intermediate pulley 36 Timing belt 37 Connection gear (force transmission mechanism) 38 Notch opening 39 opening 40 Pre-alignment moving means (pre-alignment means) 41 Slide coupling plate 41a ear 41b head 41c neck 41d body 41e leg 42 racks 43 Guide rod 44 Guide rod 45 Slide drive 46 Mounting plate 47 slide motor 48 pinion gear 49 Slide opening 50 HP detection sensor 51 Position detection protrusion 52 Interrupter 53 Auxiliary plate 60 matching means (pulling means) 61 Belt unit (rotating body) 62 spindle 63 First Bevel Gear 64 Second bevel gear 65 L-shaped mounting plate 66 Drive pulley 67 Support plate 67a Notch 67b lever 68 Driven support pulley 68a spindle 69 alignment belt 70 sheet bundle discharging means (sheet moving means) 71 Extruded member 72 Rotation drive mechanism (drive means) 73 Center of rotation 74 Rotating lever 75 contact arm 75a contact part 76 Worm wheel with cam 77 cam 78 axes 79 worm gear 80 Pulley with one-way clutch 81 axes 82 Support plate 83 Return spring 84 Return spring 90 sheet bundle 90a curved part 100 Image forming apparatus main body 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 114 I / O port 115 interface (I / F) 116 Host computer 117 bus line 118, 119 Motor driver 131 Inlet sensor 134 Emission sensor (exhaust port) 160 Support means 161 electromagnetic solenoid 162 Plunger D1, D4 moving distance J1 1st jog position (dotted line position) J2 2nd jog position (two-dot chain line position) S sheet S1 first sheet T1, T2 timing position V1, V2 speed X1 pre-alignment position X2 alignment position Xa shifted pre-alignment position

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A discharging means for discharging a sheet, a storing means for receiving the sheet discharged by the discharging means, an alignment reference member for aligning at least one side of the sheet discharged in the storing means, and the discharging means. A sheet discharging device, which is in contact with the sheet being discharged by the above, and moves the sheet discharged to the storing means to the alignment reference member. 2. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body comes into contact with the sheet being discharged by the discharging means in a state of being rotated in a direction in which the sheet is moved to the alignment reference member. Sheet ejection device. 3. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the sheet discharged into the accommodating means is shifted relative to the rotating body by laterally moving the position of the discharging means. A sheet discharging device comprising offset means. 4. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control means for changing a timing of activating the offset means or a driving speed of the offset means according to a sheet size. . 5. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control means accelerates the timing of activating the offset means with respect to the small size sheet rather than the large size sheet, or the drive speed of the offset means. A sheet discharging device having a function of speeding up. 6. The sheet discharging device according to claim 3, wherein the control means controls the offset means for changing the timing of activating the offset means or the drive speed of the offset means in accordance with the sheet discharge standard of the discharge means. A sheet discharging device comprising: 7. The sheet discharging device according to claim 6, wherein the control means sets the sheet width direction in the sheet width direction more than the case where the sheet side edge on the alignment reference member side in the sheet width direction is the discharge reference of the discharging means. When the center is used as the discharge reference of the discharge means and when the sheet side edge on the side away from the alignment reference member in the width direction of the sheet is used as the discharge reference of the discharge means, the timing of activating the offset means is advanced. Alternatively, a sheet discharging device having a function of increasing the driving speed of the offset means. 8. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timing for activating the offset means or the drive speed of the offset means is changed according to the number of sheets discharged from the discharging means to the storing means. A sheet discharging device comprising means. 9. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the control unit has the number of sheets smaller than the number of sheets, the timing of activating the offset unit is advanced or the offset unit is activated. A sheet discharging device having a function of increasing a driving speed. 10. The sheet discharging device according to claim 1, wherein an operating position in contact with the sheet discharged by the discharging unit and a retracted position separated from the sheet discharged by the discharging unit. A sheet discharging apparatus comprising: a supporting unit that movably supports the rotating body between them. 11. The sheet discharging device according to claim 10, wherein the rotating body is in contact with a portion of the sheet discharged by the discharging unit, which is separated from the rear end by a predetermined distance, regardless of the sheet discharging standard and the sheet size. As described above, the sheet discharging apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling the supporting means so as to move the rotating body from the retracted position to the working position. 12. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.