JP2003131450A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening mechanism that makes it easy to operate a paper ejection device in order to remove a jam in an image forming device. SOLUTION: The paper ejection device 12 is turnably attached to the image forming device main body. Thus, because it makes it possible to open a paper ejection lower guide 24 disposed inside the paper ejection device 12, a jammed sheet remaining between the paper ejection guide plates 24 and 28 can be removed. A guide pressing plate 27 is disposed between the paper ejection lower guide plate 24 and the device main body. In conjunction with the operation of the lock release lever 23 of the paper ejection stacking device 12 during the removal of a jam, the paper ejection stacking device 12 is automatically opened by the pressing reactive force of the guide pressing plate 27 based on elastic energy charged to the guide pressing plate 27. At the same time, the paper ejection lower guide plate 24 is also opened up to a jam removal position by the release of the charged elastic force of the guide pressing plate 27.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile which forms an image on a recording material and discharges it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile, a sheet of recording material fed from a sheet feeding cassette 1 passes through a conveying roller 2 and is transferred. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred by the section (transfer roller) 3, and then is conveyed by the conveyance section 5 having a conveyance belt which is a sheet conveyance means having a conveyance belt, and passes through the fixing inlet guide section 7 and the heating body 8. Then, it is sent to a fixing device 11 including a fixing film 9 and a pressure roller 10 as a pressure member. Then, the sheet having passed through the fixing device 11 and having the toner image thermally fixed thereon is stacked on the discharge tray 20 by the discharge stacking device 12.

As this paper discharge device, a pair of conveying rollers 21
In addition to a device that only discharges paper by means of the discharge roller pair 22 and the discharge roller pair 22, the discharge tray 20 can be shifted in a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction, and sorting can be performed for each sheet bundle. There is a device that can do this and a device that can sort by a plurality of stacking trays that can move up and down.

In such a conventional image forming apparatus,
For example, in the case where the apparatus is stopped due to conveyance failure such as skew of the sheet in the sheet conveyance path such as the conveyance roller 2, the transfer unit 3, the discharging and stacking apparatus 12, and the sheet stacking apparatus 12, the next image forming operation is performed. In order to prepare for the above, the operator must remove the sheet left after being stopped in the transport path (hereinafter, this processing is referred to as jam processing).

First, the sheet indicated by reference numeral 13 which is stopped at the position immediately after the sheet feeding is normally removed by pulling out the right door 14 in the direction of the arrow 15. In addition, the transport unit 5
The sheet that has stopped from the fixing device 11 to the fixing device 11 is released by the operator by releasing the pressing force of the fixing device 11 by operating a lever (not shown) and pulling it out in the direction of arrow 17 to remove it.

Further, in order to remove the paper stopped inside the discharged paper stacking device 12, the operator first opens the discharged paper stacking device 12 to a position where the inside can be seen by operating a lever described later in detail, Furthermore, in order to make it easier to remove the paper sandwiched between the transport roller pair 21 and the discharge roller pair 22,
The paper discharge lower guide plate 24 is opened to expose the stopped paper, and jam processing is performed. Then, after the jam processing in the paper discharge stacking device 12 is completed, the paper discharge stacking device 12 is set to the original position by the procedure reverse to the above procedure.

[0007]

However, in the above configuration, when jamming the sheets sandwiched by the sheet stacking device 12, the operator first locks the sheet stacking device 12 shown in FIG. By rotating the release lever 23 clockwise, the lock lever 19 on the apparatus body side rotates counterclockwise, and the engagement between the lock hook 33 and the lock lever 19 on the sheet stacking device 12 side is released.

Then, the operator rotates the discharged sheet stacking device 12 in the direction of arrow 18 with the support shaft 34 as a fulcrum.

Next, the operator puts his / her hand inside the paper discharge stacking device 12 and holds the paper discharge lower guide plate 24 shown in FIG.
Is rotated in the clockwise direction with the fulcrum as a fulcrum to open the conveyance path.

The discharged paper stacking device 12 including the transport path in this way
The procedure of the paper jam handling is complicated and it is very difficult for the operator to understand the procedure.

In particular, as shown in FIG.
In the case where the lock release lever 23 of No. 2 is provided in a place other than the paper discharge stacking device, the paper discharge stacking device 12 does not open by itself even though the lock is released according to the operation procedure. It was a cause of confusion for the operator.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, when the jam of the sheet stopped across both the fixing device 11 and the sheet discharging and stacking device 12, the lock release lever 23 is operated to operate the apparatus body of the sheet discharging and stacking device 12. Even if the lock is released, the sheet sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers 21 and the pair of discharge rollers 22 interferes and the lock is not released when the lower transport guide plate 24 is in the locked state.

In addition, when the paper is forcibly opened, the paper discharge stacking device 12 is opened while forcibly pulling the paper, and the paper is torn so that the jam cannot be removed. Unnecessary force may be applied to the guide, causing damage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the discharged paper stacking device 1
In the case where 2 is opened using the support shaft 34 in the vertical direction as a fulcrum, when the paper discharge stacking device 12 is opened in the above state, the paper is pulled obliquely with respect to the fixing device 11 side. The thin fixing film 9 is wrinkled,
It may be scratched.

Since the fixing film 9 is located on the side of the toner surface carried on the paper, there is a problem that scratches on the film 9 appear as image disturbances.

Further, as described above, when the lower conveyance guide plate 24 to be opened during the jam processing is restricted to the operating position by the spring, the lower conveyance guide plate 24 resists the spring force during the jam processing. However, there was a problem that the jam could not be removed with one hand.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate jam processing of a discharged sheet stacking device including a conveyance path, prevent the operator from being confused, and prevent accidental damage to sheets and various parts of the apparatus. To provide an easy image forming apparatus.

[0018]

A first aspect of the present invention has a sheet discharging device for discharging a sheet outside the image forming apparatus main body,
The sheet discharging device is an operating position locked at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body, and is external from the image forming apparatus main body capable of taking out a sheet remaining in the sheet discharging apparatus when the lock is released. In the image forming apparatus in which the sheet discharging device can move between the sheet discharging device and the sheet discharging device, the sheet discharging device can open the discharging guide member for discharging the sheet. In a held state, an elastic force for urging the sheet discharge device toward the take-out position direction is charged, and a storage unit for urging the discharge guide member to a predetermined guide position is provided, The energizing means pushes the sheet discharge device toward the take-out position when the lock is released, and opens the sheet discharge guide member when the sheet discharge device is moved to the take-out position. And butterflies.

A second invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first invention, the sheet discharging apparatus is rotatable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body with a vertical support shaft as a fulcrum.

In a third invention according to any one of the above inventions, the energy accumulating means is elastically deformed while an elastic member is in contact with the sheet discharge guide plate when the sheet discharging means moves to the operating position. In response, the elastic force is charged.

A fourth invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first invention, the sheet discharging device is movable in the sheet discharging direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

A fifth invention is the above-mentioned fourth invention, wherein the sheet discharging device has a function of sorting by a plurality of trays.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those of the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the paper discharge device is locked and held at an operating position which is a use position with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus. It shows the state of being. FIG. 1B is the same as FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a position of the discharged sheet stacking device shown in FIG. 2A is an external perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is an external perspective view corresponding to FIG.

From the position of the discharged paper stacking device 12 shown in FIG. 1 (b), with the discharged paper stacking device 12 as the fulcrum of the support shaft 34, FIG.
When the main body of the image forming apparatus is rotated so as to be locked in the use position of the main body of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It hits the stopper 30, and the guide pressure plate 2
7 rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing around the support shaft 29, the upper end of the guide pressure plate 27 pushes up the paper discharge lower guide plate 24, and the conveying roller pair 21 and the discharge roller pair 22 are in a pressed state. At the same time, the guide pressure plate 27 is elastically deformed and charged with elastic energy. At this time, the paper discharge lower guide plate 24 is provided with a stopper 26 for maintaining a gap with the upper guide 28, and by hitting the upper guide 28, it becomes in a transportable state.

Usually, the operator operates the operation unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 to make a copy. However, a sheet may be caught in the path and stopped due to a defect in the sheet in the paper cassette or some trouble in the paper feeding / conveying path. In that case, a warning display is displayed on the operation unit 31 to notify the operator of the state, the operator opens the front cover 32 as shown in FIG. Do.

When the sheets are stopped in the stacking and discharging apparatus 12, the operator operates the discharging section lock release lever 23 to release the engagement between the lock lever 19 and the lock hook 33, and the discharging and stacking apparatus is released. 12 is opened and jam processing is performed.

At this time, the charging force of the guide pressure plate 27 in the charged state formed by the elastic body according to the present embodiment is released, and the reaction force of the contact portion with the stopper 30 on the apparatus main body side causes The discharged sheet stacking device 12 is pushed out in the direction of arrow 17 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 2 (b). In this state, the lower transport guide plate 24 is guided by the guide pressure plate 27.
As the pushing-up force from the lower side due to the force decreases due to its own weight and the pressure reaction force of the rollers of the conveying roller pair 21, the supporting shaft 25 is opened to the position shown in FIG. This facilitates the work of removing the paper remaining in the device 12.

Then, the operator puts his or her hand through the opening on the front side of the apparatus to remove the sheet, pushes in the discharged sheet stacking apparatus 12 in the direction opposite to the arrow 17, and the lock lever 19 and the lock hook 33. Are engaged to return the device to the operating position.

In this state, the tip end portion 27c of the guide pressure plate 27 hits the stopper 30 on the main body side, the guide pressure plate 27 rotates around the support shaft 29, and the stopper 26 moves the paper discharge lower guide plate 24 upward. Then, the upper and center portions of the guide pressure plate 27 are elastically deformed and charged, and the next sheet ejection stacking device 12 is pushed out when the lock is released.

In the present embodiment, the guide pressure member 27
Is provided in the vicinity of the support shaft 34 of the discharged paper stacking device 12, and when the lock release lever 23 is operated, a small pushing stroke of the guide pressure plate 27 causes the discharged paper stacking device 12 to move.
The opening amount on the front side of is increased, and the operability of the jam handling is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the discharge stacking device 12 is opened, the discharge lower guide plate 24 drops downward by its own weight, and the guide plate is opened by utilizing its own weight. It is possible to simplify the structure of the device.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the release mechanism in the first embodiment is applied to a sheet discharging device having a sorting function will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. explain.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 36 denotes a multi-stage type sheet sorting device, which is equipped with five-stage sheet stacking trays.
The sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body are sequentially bundled by 5
It is a device that sorts and stacks on a tray of stages. Reference numeral 35 is an extendable telescopic rail for opening the sheet sorting device 36 to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body.

3 and 4 show the positional relationship of the sheet sorting apparatus 36 with respect to the apparatus main body 1 at the time of jam processing.
When the lock release lever 23 is rotated clockwise after the front cover 32 is opened, the lock hook 33 fixed to the sheet sorting device 36 is released from the engagement with the lock lever 19 on the main body side, and the sheet sorting device is released. Similarly to the case of the first embodiment, reference numeral 36 indicates an arrow 17 along the telescopic rail 35 by the pressure reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the guide pressure plate 27.
It can be opened in any direction to allow jam processing.

In addition, the sheet sorting device 3 is used for jam handling.
As shown in FIG. 4, a portion 35a of the telescopic rail 35 that guides the opening of the sheet sorting device 36 is inclined downward toward the outside of the image forming apparatus main body.
In addition to the pressure reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the guide pressure plate 27,
Due to the weight of the sheet sorting device 36, it becomes easier for the opened sheet sorting device 36 to automatically open the sheet sorting device 36 from the fixed position to the position where jam processing is easy.

Further, the paper ejection guide plate to be opened for jam clearance may be the upper paper ejection guide plate 28.

In this case, the upper paper ejection guide plate 28 is opened when opened.
By pulling up the sheet by a spring or the like and placing it, the same effect as that of the first embodiment in which the lower paper ejection guide plate 24 can be opened can be obtained, and further, access from above the apparatus becomes possible. Jam processing becomes easier.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Regardless of whether the sheet discharge device is opened or closed during the jam processing, the sheet discharge device and the discharge guide member are opened to the jam-processable position in conjunction with the unlocking. It is possible to reduce the operation procedure of the processing, improve the operability, and prevent the sheet from being torn or the sheet discharging device from being damaged due to an error in the jam processing procedure.

Further, since the pressure reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic member such as the guide pressure plate is used as the opening force, the device can be made simple and inexpensive, and the operability of the jam processing can be improved. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus (during jam processing) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 5 (during jam processing).

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Sheet ejection device 15 Sheet ejection unit 19 Lock lever (locking means) 20-sheet stacking tray 21 Transport roller pair 22 Ejection roller pair 23 Lock release lever (locking means) 24, 28 Transport guide plate (transport guide member) 25, 29, 34 Support shaft 26 Stopper 27 Guide pressure plate (guide pressure member) 30 Stopper on the body side 31 Operation board 32 front cover 33 Lock hook (locking means) 35 telescopic rail 36 sheet sorting device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H072 AB07 BA12 CA01 CA02 CA05                       EA00 FA03                 3F050 AA03 BA07 BC01 BE02 LA02                       LA05 LA07 LB03                 3F054 AA01 AC02 AC03 AC05 BA01                       BC04 BC14 BF07 BF22                 3F101 FB11 FE02 FE08 LA02 LA05                       LA07 LB03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A sheet ejecting device for ejecting a sheet to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the sheet ejecting apparatus has an operation position locked at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus main body.
When the lock is released, the sheet remaining in the sheet discharge device can be taken out, and the sheet can be moved between the image forming apparatus main body and an outside take-out position, and the sheet discharge device discharges the sheet. An image forming apparatus in which a sheet discharge guide member for opening the sheet discharge apparatus can be opened, and an elastic member that biases the sheet sheet discharge apparatus toward the take-out position in a state where the sheet sheet discharge apparatus is held in the operating position. A force is charged and has a storing means for urging the discharge guide member to a predetermined guide position, and the storing means pushes the sheet discharge device toward the take-out position by releasing the lock, An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet discharge guide member is opened when the sheet discharge device is moved to a take-out position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharging apparatus is rotatable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body with a vertical support shaft as a fulcrum. 3. The energy accumulating means is elastically deformed while an elastic member is in contact with the sheet discharge guide plate when the sheet discharging means is moved to the operating position, so that the elastic force is charged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet discharging apparatus is movable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body along a sheet discharging direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheet discharging device has a function of sorting by a plurality of trays.