JP2003192210A - Sheet postprocessing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small sheet postprocessing device capable of lifting/ lowering a movable delivery tray with a simple mechanism without a large support member covering the movable delivery tray. <P>SOLUTION: The movable delivery tray is constituted of a first delivery tray 81 and a second delivery tray 82. The second delivery tray 82 is rotatably mounted on the support member 84 at the base end side, and the first delivery tray 81 is rotatably connected with tip of the second delivery tray 82 at the base end side. A lifting/lowering means is structured including the second delivery tray and constituted of a parallel link mechanism 83 for connecting the support member 84 and the base end side of the first delivery tray 81 and a first delivery tray rotation device 86 for rotating the first delivery tray 81 for the second delivery tray 82 by operating the parallel link mechanism 83. Angle θ of the first delivery tray 81 for the horizontal direction is approximately constant regardless of a change in rotation angle of the second delivery tray 82. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided with an image forming apparatus, and a sheet discharged from the apparatus is subjected to post-processing, if necessary, and then discharged onto a discharge tray by a discharging unit. The present invention relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-5662 discloses a movable sheet discharge tray on which discharged sheets are stacked, a fixed sheet discharge tray supporting the movable sheet discharge tray, and a movable sheet discharge tray. It is composed of a spring member that is inserted between the discharge tray and the fixed discharge tray to urge the movable discharge tray upward.The movable discharge tray is a support provided at the tip of the fixed discharge tray. It is rotatably supported about a shaft and has a structure for raising and lowering an end portion near the discharge means.

The sheet post-processing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-157732 supports the base end of the discharge tray on a belt of an elevating device provided on the frame (main body) side of the sheet post-processing device.
The paper output tray is raised and lowered by the lifting device.

[0004]

However, JP-A-11-
In the paper discharge tray structure in the conventional sheet post-processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5662, since the center of rotation of the movable paper discharge tray is located farther from the discharging means, the support member for supporting the movable paper discharge tray ( There is a problem that the fixed paper ejection tray) becomes large as if it covers the entire paper ejection tray, and the machine width becomes large.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a small sheet post-processing apparatus capable of raising and lowering a movable supporting tray by a simple mechanism without requiring a large supporting member for covering the movable discharging tray. To do.

Further, in the conventional paper discharge tray structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-157732, a pulley and a shaft are required at the top dead center and the bottom dead center where the movable paper discharge tray moves up and down. Since the belt that transmits the drive between them has to be hung around, the space becomes larger than necessary, and the drive unit that raises and lowers the movable discharge tray becomes large, that is, the entire machine (width / height direction) becomes large. There was a problem.

Therefore, a second object of the present invention is to use a parallel link mechanism as an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the movable sheet discharge tray, thereby largely raising and lowering the entire sheet discharge tray as in the conventional case (for example, 500 sheets). In the case of loading, the displacement amount is smaller (about 7 mm) than the displacement amount of about 65 mm), and it does not require a large displacement amount as in the conventional machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a small sheet post-processing apparatus capable of reducing the size.

A third object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily perform the return movement of the movable sheet discharge tray in a narrow space.

A fourth object of the present invention is to allow discharged sheets to be stacked on the movable sheet discharge tray under the same conditions.

Further, in the conventional paper discharge tray structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-157732, pulleys and shafts are required at the top dead center and the bottom dead center where the movable paper discharge tray moves up and down. Since a belt for transmitting the drive between them has to be wound around, the space becomes larger than necessary, and it is necessary to provide a drive device for raising and lowering the movable discharge tray on the frame side.

Therefore, a fifth object of the present invention is to provide a smaller sheet post-processing apparatus capable of accommodating a drive device for raising and lowering the movable sheet discharge tray in the movable sheet discharge tray.

A sixth object of the present invention is to simplify the control by using an eccentric cam when displacing the movable sheet discharge tray to the upper limit (home position) and the lower limit (full). The mechanism is to be able to raise and lower the movable discharge tray.

[0013]

Therefore, the present invention provides
In order to achieve the first object, in a sheet post-processing device in which an image-formed sheet carried out from an image forming apparatus is discharged to a discharge tray means by a discharge means, a discharge tray means is discharged by a discharge means. The movable paper discharge tray is provided with a movable paper discharge tray for stacking the received sheets, a support member for supporting the movable paper discharge tray substantially below the paper discharge means, and an elevating means for moving the movable paper discharge tray up and down. The base end portion on the side of the means is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion of the support member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the movable sheet discharge tray is a first sheet discharge tray and a second sheet discharge tray. The second paper ejection tray is rotatably supported by the support member at the base end side thereof, and the first paper ejection tray is rotatably supported at the base end side thereof by the tip of the second paper ejection tray. The elevating means is configured to include the second paper ejection tray, and the parallel link mechanism that connects the support member and the base end side of the first paper ejection tray, and the first ejection tray by operating the parallel link mechanism. And a first paper ejection tray rotating device for rotating the paper tray with respect to the second paper ejection tray.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the elevating means includes the supporting member and the base end portion of the second paper discharge tray. And a spring member for biasing the second discharge tray to rotate upward.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the parallel link mechanism is configured to change the rotation angle of the second sheet discharge tray. Regardless of the change, the angle formed by the first discharge tray and the horizontal direction is made substantially constant.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the fifth object, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the second, third or fourth aspect, the swing base plate constituting the parallel link mechanism has a first structure. Equipped with a paper ejection tray rotation device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the sixth object, in the sheet post-processing device according to the second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the first paper ejection tray rotating device is eccentric. The parallel link mechanism is operated via the cam.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a sheet is sent from an image forming apparatus (not shown) to the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 of the present invention.

The sheet sent to the sheet post-processing apparatus 1 is sent along the conveyance guide by the entrance roller 2 and the vertical conveyance roller 3 in the sheet post-processing apparatus 1, and is detected by the conveyance sensor 4 during the conveyance. As a result, the switching claw 5 separates the sheet going in the upper direction and the sheet going in the direction of the discharge tray (discharge tray means) 6. Output tray 6
A sheet discharge roller (sheet discharging unit) 7, a lateral sheet alignment assembly 8 and the like are arranged in the transport path in the direction, and the transport path in the direction of the discharge tray 6 is an upper portion of a stapling device (not shown) that binds a bundle of sheets. It is configured to be located in.

In FIG. 1, an alignment tray 12 is installed below the paper discharge roller 7. This alignment tray 12
Is a horizontal support portion 12b that supports the upstream reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream side end surface on the discharge tray 6 and supports the upstream portion of the sheet across the width direction when binding in the staple mode or in the shift mode. , And a staple (shift) reference surface 12c of the sheet upstream end surface. It is desirable that the width of the supporting portion 12b that supports the upstream portion of the sheet in the transport direction is substantially the same as the frontage of the stapler and has a necessary minimum. The entrance roller 2, the vertical conveyance roller 3, and the paper discharge roller 7 are driven by a conveyance motor (not shown).

In FIG. 2, the staple device 9 is laterally moved by being driven by a staple moving motor 10 via a staple belt 11. The pair of seat lateral alignment assemblies 8 each include a front jogger 13 and a rear jogger 14 for laterally aligning the seats. The rear jogger 14 is driven by a jogger motor 15 via a jogger belt 16. The front jogger 13 is connected to the stapling device 9 and laterally moves as the stapling device 9 moves. Since the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 have a shape that respectively encloses a pair of seat vertical alignment assemblies 17 described later, the pair of seat vertical alignment assemblies 17 laterally move together with the joggers 13 and 14, respectively. can do. Also, each jogger 13
The 14 and the sheet vertical alignment assembly 17 are inserted into the shaft 7a of the paper discharge roller 7 via a bearing so as to move laterally. Front jogger 13 and rear jogger 14
Are supporting portions 13a, which respectively support a lateral portion of the seat.
14a is provided on the lower side.

In FIG. 3, the vertical sheet aligning assembly 17 is constructed so that the shaft 7a of the paper discharge roller 7 serves as a fulcrum of rotation and the solenoid 20 is turned on and off to perform a pendulum motion. Seat vertical alignment assembly 17
Is a return roller 21 for aligning the sheets in the vertical direction.
The return roller 21 is driven via a return roller belt 25 and a gear 23 and a gear pulley 24 mounted on the shaft 7a of the paper discharge roller 7. The tapping bracket 22 penetrates a link rod 26 extending in the lateral direction, and performs a pendulum motion by rotating in the up-down direction around a certain fulcrum of the link rod 26. The link rod 26 is linked to the solenoid 20 via the lever 27, and when the solenoid 20 is ON, the hitting bracket 22 rotates in the direction of the support portions 13a and 14a of the jogger to bring the return roller 21 into contact with the sheet. The same effect can be obtained by using a paddle instead of the return roller 21.

4 to 6 are configuration diagrams of the pushing mechanism. The push-out member 30 is connected to the two push-out link levers 33a and 33b, one push-out link lever 33a is in contact with the eccentric cam gear 34, and the both push-out link levers 33a and 33b and the eccentric cam gear 34 are respectively in the alignment tray 12. It is attached to a boss protruding to the outside and is rotatable and rotatable. Therefore, the eccentric cam gear 34
The rotation of the push-out link lever causes the push-out member 30 to move forward and backward.

In FIG. 4, the pressing member 31 is integrated with the guided member 32, is mounted with the shaft 30a above the pushing member 30 as a fulcrum, and is lifted and biased in the direction of arrow U by a spring (not shown). There is. In FIG. 5, when the pushing member 30 moves in the A direction for pushing the sheet, the guided member 32 comes into contact with the guide member 12d of the alignment tray 12, and the holding member 31 rotates in the direction (arrow D direction) for holding the sheet. By doing so, the sheet is chucked. The guided member 32 is a spring member, and controls the pressing pressure by the thickness of the sheet bundle.

The pressing member 31 is D
If you do not push out the sheet by lowering it in the direction,
The guided member 32 may be abutted against the guide member 12d to lift the pressing member 31 in the U direction.

Further, at the time of stapling, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pushing member 30 is retracted from the staple reference surface 12c of the sheet upstream end face, and the abutting portion 31a of the pressing member 31 is abutting portion 12e of the aligning tray 12. Then, the pressing member 31 is pushed down in the D direction to chuck the sheet.

Next, the seat support mechanism will be described.
FIG. 7 shows an elevating part of the seat supporting mechanism, and includes a first link bar 42, a second link bar 43, a third link bar 44, and a fourth link bar 44.
The link bar 45 has a pantograph structure in which each pair intersects. A seat support 46 is rotatably fitted to the end of the third link bar 44, and the seat support 46 is supported from below by the end of the fourth link bar 45. The stack sheet retainer 47 is fitted in the chain portion of the first link bar 42 and the fourth link bar 45 and is rotatable. The end portion of the first link bar 42 is supported by a fixed fulcrum shaft 48, and rotates about the fixed fulcrum shaft 48. Further, the first link bar 42 has a boss 49, which is inserted into the receiving portion of the small cam 50 and the small cam 50 rotates, whereby the pantograph expands and contracts. A magnet 51 is attached to the lower side of the sheet support 46, and a metal rod 52 is attached to the upper side of the stack sheet retainer 47, so that the stack sheet retainer 47 can be attached to and detached from the sheet support 46 by expanding and contracting the pantograph. ing. Further, the sheet support 46 has a guide shape for guiding the sheet to the alignment tray 12.

FIG. 8 shows an advancing / retreating portion of the seat supporting mechanism. The advancing / retreating supporting holder 54 is supported by the fixed fulcrum shaft 48 shown in FIG. 7, and rotates about the fixed fulcrum shaft 48. The forward / backward support holder 54 has a boss 55, which is inserted into the receiving portion of the large cam 56,
When the large cam 56 rotates, the forward / backward support holder 5
4 rotates.

FIG. 9 is an overall view of the seat support mechanism, which is a boss 57 of the chain portion of the second link bar 43 and the third link bar 44.
The boss 58 at the end of the fourth link bar 45 is inserted into the elongated hole of the advance / retreat support holder 54, and is restricted so as to move only in the vertical direction with respect to the advance / retreat support holder 54. Large cam 56
And the small cam 50 rotates via the cam drive pulley 59 and the cam drive belt 60. As each cam rotates, the seat support 46 moves up and down, and the advance / retreat support holder 54 moves the seat support 46 forward / backward.

In the above structure, first, FIGS.
The case where the shift mode 5 is selected will be described.
When the shift mode is selected, each jogger 13/14 moves from the home position and waits at a position where a set distance from the seat width is maintained. Further, the pushing member 30 moves to the home position (a position where the sheet is received in the alignment tray 12).

In FIG. 10, the sheet P sent from the image forming apparatus is received by the entrance roller 2,
When the sheet is conveyed by the vertical conveyance rollers 3 and the conveyance sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the sheet, the sheet support 46 moves to a position for supporting the center of the sheet P, and the stack sheet retainer 47 retains the sheet P on the discharge tray 6. Further, the sheet P discharged toward the discharge tray 6 by the switching claw 5 is discharged by the discharge rollers 7, and the discharged sheet P is laterally partially supported on the supporting portion 13a of the front jogger 13 and the supporting portion 14a of the rear jogger 14. And is loaded on the joggers 13 and 14. At this time, the sheet P
The central portion of the rear end is supported by the sheet support 46, and the solenoid 20 is turned on a predetermined time after the sheet is discharged, the hitting bracket 22 is lowered, and the return roller 21 is brought into contact with the sheet P.
The sheet P is conveyed in the upstream direction by the rotation of the return roller 21. The sheet P conveyed in the upstream direction by the return roller 21 is conveyed to a position where the sheet upstream side is supported on the supporting portion 12b of the alignment tray 12.

Further, the sheet P is aligned with the staple reference surface 12c on the sheet upstream side end surface by abutting the sheet upstream side end surface on the sheet vertical direction (FIG. 11). During the front shift,
The front jogger 13 is kept at the same position, and the rear jogger 14 is moved to align the sheets in the lateral direction and repeat the process until the final page. After the end of the last page, the pushing member 30 moves the sheet bundle upstream portion (rear end portion) to the position of the reference portion 12a on the sheet upstream side end surface on the sheet discharge tray 6. At this time, in order to prevent inertia from acting on the sheet bundle P at the speed of the pushing member 30, the pressing member 31 chucks the upstream portion (rear end portion) of the sheet bundle (FIG. 1).
2).

Subsequently, the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 are opened so as to drop the sheet bundle (FIG. 13), and then the sheet support 46 descends to drop the sheet bundle onto the discharge tray 6 (FIG. 14, FIG. 14). 15).

During the rearward shift, the front jogger 13 moves while the rear jogger 14 remains in the same position to align the seat laterally, and the above operation is repeated. The sheet bundle is sorted by alternately repeating the front shift and the rear shift.

Next, the case where the staple mode is selected will be described. When staple mode is selected,
Each jogger 13/14 moves from the home position,
Stand by at a position where the set distance is kept from the seat width. Also,
The pushing member 30 is at the home position (alignment tray 1
2) to the position for receiving the sheet).

Sheet P sent from the image forming apparatus
Are received by the inlet roller 2 and the vertical transport roller 3
When the conveyance sensor 4 detects the leading edge of the sheet,
The sheet support 46 moves to a position for supporting the sheet P, and the stack sheet presser 47 presses the sheet P on the paper discharge tray 6.

Further, the sheet P ejected by the ejection roller 7 is directed toward the ejection tray 6 by the switching claw 5, and the ejected sheet P is supported by the supporting portion 13a of the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 1.
The jogger 13 is supported partially by the supporting portions 14a of the four
・ It is loaded on 14. At this time, the central portion of the rear end of the sheet P is supported by the sheet support 46, and the solenoid 20 is turned on a predetermined time after the sheet is discharged, the hitting bracket 22 is lowered, the return roller 21 is brought into contact with the sheet P, and the return roller 21 is returned. The sheet P is conveyed in the upstream direction by the rotation of. The sheet P conveyed in the upstream direction by the return roller 21 is conveyed to a position where the sheet upstream side is supported on the supporting portion 12b of the alignment tray 12 (FIG. 10).

Further, as for the sheet P, the sheet upstream side end surface is abutted against the sheet upstream side end surface staple reference surface 12c to align the sheet in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 11). Then, the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 align the seat lateral direction. After the end of the last page, the pushing member 30 retracts from the staple reference surface 12c of the sheet upstream side end face to rotate the holding member 31, chucks the sheet bundle, and the stapling device 9 performs stapling (FIG. 12). . After that, the push-out member 30 moves the sheet bundle upstream portion (rear end portion) to the reference portion 12 of the sheet upstream side end surface on the discharge tray 6.
Move to position a (Fig. 13), and then move to the front jogger 13.
Then, the rear jogger 14 releases the sheet bundle so as to drop the sheet bundle, and the sheet support 46 descends to discharge the sheet bundle to the paper discharge tray 5
(Figs. 14 and 15). When the sheet is continuously received, the above operation is repeated.

Next, the operation when the non-post-processing mode in which neither stapling nor shifting is performed is selected will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

Sheet P sent from the image forming apparatus
Is received by the inlet roller 2 and is conveyed by the vertical conveying roller 3. The switching claw 5 directs the sheet toward the sheet ejection tray 6 and the sheet is ejected to the sheet ejection tray 6 by the sheet ejection roller 7.
At this time, the pushing member 30 is at a position retracted from the reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream side end surface on the discharge tray 6, that is, the pressing member 31 is located at the sheet upstream side end surface reference portion 12a of the sheet discharge tray 6. It is controlled to come to almost the same position. Since the pressing member 31 has a shape capable of guiding the sheet, the upstream side of the sheet discharged from the sheet discharging roller 7 does not enter the front of the alignment tray 12 and is guided to the sheet discharging tray 6.

Further, the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 stand by at a position where the sheet can be scooped up in order to prevent the leading edge (downstream portion) of the sheet from hitting the sheet ejection tray 6 when the sheet is ejected, and when the ejection is completed. Each jogger 1 at the same time
3 and 14 are retracted, and the sheet is dropped onto the paper discharge tray 6.

In the present embodiment, the sheet upstream end supporting portion 12b is provided on the aligning tray 12 in consideration of the case where the central portion hangs down when a large sheet is received in the width direction and the alignment cannot be ensured. In a system that does not handle a large sheet in the width direction, the sheet upstream end supporting portion 12b may not be provided.

FIG. 18 shows an outline of the discharge tray supporting structure which is the main part of the present invention. In FIG. 18, a paper discharge tray assembly 70 includes a movable paper discharge tray 71 for stacking sheets discharged from the paper discharge rollers 7, a support member 72 for supporting the movable paper discharge tray 71, and the movable paper discharge tray 7
A rotation shaft 73 that rotatably supports 1 on a support member 72;
It is composed of a spring member 74 for urging the movable sheet discharge tray 71 upward. The support member 72 is attached to the frame 1a of the sheet post-processing device.

The sheet stacking surface of the movable sheet discharge tray 71 is formed such that the front end side (downstream side) of the stacked sheets is high and the base end side (upstream side) is low. The sheet stacking surface of the movable sheet discharge tray 71 has a plurality of grooves (not shown) that are in sliding contact with the sheet surface, and a concave cutout for taking out the sheet.

At the base end side of the movable sheet discharge tray 71, a rotation center 71B which is the center of rotation of the movable sheet discharge tray 71, and when the predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the movable sheet discharge tray 71 is used as a reference for the sheet upstream end surface. A lower limit stopper surface 71C that is brought into contact with the portion 12a and is not rotated is integrally formed.

Since the movable sheet discharge tray 71 is mounted on the support member 72 attached to the frame 1a of the sheet post-processing apparatus by the rotating shaft 73, the movable sheet discharge tray 71 is
It can rotate up and down about the rotary shaft 73.
A spring member 74 for urging the movable paper discharge tray 71 upward is provided on the rotary shaft 73 so as to be free. The spring member 74 is
The movable sheet discharge tray 71 is urged upward by bringing one end into contact with the bottom portion of the movable sheet discharge tray 71 and the other end with the reference portion 12a on the upstream side end surface of the sheet.

In the non-processing mode, the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge roller 7 is discharged onto the sheet stacking surface of the movable sheet discharge tray 71, and then slides down on the sheet stacking surface by its own weight. The rear end portion of the sheet advances toward the reference portion 12a on the upstream end surface of the sheet.

In the shift mode or staple mode,
The sheets discharged by the discharge rollers 7 are once stacked on the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 shown in FIG. 2, and when a predetermined number is reached, sorting (shifting) and stapling are performed as necessary, and a sheet bundle is formed. Is discharged onto the sheet stacking surface. When a large number of sheets are stacked on the movable paper ejection tray 71 and the weight exceeds a predetermined weight, the movable paper ejection tray 7 is resisted by the urging force of the spring member 74 due to its own weight.
1 goes down.

The spring pressure of the spring member 74 depends on the weight of the movable sheet discharge tray 71 and the maximum number of sheets to be loaded (50 in this embodiment).
The maximum pressure is set by adding the weight of 0 sheets. The weight of the sheet is set to be a thin and small size sheet so that the movable sheet discharge tray 71 can be moved up and down regardless of the type or size of the spring.

When the sheets are further stacked, the lower limit stopper surface 71C comes into contact with the reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream end surface, and the movable sheet discharge tray 71 stops rotating (two-dot chain line in FIG. 18).

In the case of a thin and small size sheet, although it depends on the curled state of the sheet, the full discharge detecting means (not shown) detects the movable discharge tray 71 almost at the same time when the rotation of the movable discharge tray 71 is stopped. For thick and large size sheets, rotation is stopped earlier than for thin and small size sheets. Even if the rotation is stopped, there is a distance between the uppermost sheet and the full detection means, and therefore the movable paper discharge tray 71 is stacked until the sheets are full while the rotation is stopped.

Next, a specific example of the paper discharge tray assembly will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, the paper discharge tray assembly 80 is rotated to the first paper discharge tray 81 and the first paper discharge tray 81 where the leading edge of the sheet discharged from the paper discharge roller 7 contacts and slides. A second discharge tray 82 that is freely attached and stacks sheets that have slid down from the first discharge tray 81, and a second discharge tray below the second discharge tray 82 and includes a second discharge tray. A parallel crank mechanism 83, a support member 84 that rotatably supports the base ends of the second paper ejection tray 82 and the parallel link mechanism 83, and a spring member 85 that biases the second paper ejection tray 82 upward. It is composed of a first paper ejection tray rotating device 86 which is installed in the link mechanism 83 and moves up and down the first and second paper ejection trays 81 and 82.

Then, the movable discharge tray composed of the first discharge tray 81 and the second discharge tray 82 is moved up and down via the parallel link mechanism 83 by the drive of the first discharge tray rotating device 86. It is structured.

In FIG. 22, the sheet stacking surface 81A of the first discharge tray 81 is formed so that the leading end side (downstream side) of the stacked sheets is high and the base end side (upstream side) is low. ing. Further, the sheet stacking surface 81A of the first paper discharge tray 81 has a plurality of grooves 81B slidably contacting the sheet surface.
And a recessed notch 81H for taking out the sheet is formed. Further, on the base end side of the first paper ejection tray 81, a first rotation center 81C (notch hole) for rotatably connecting to the second paper ejection tray 82 and a parallel position below the first rotation center 81C. A third rotation center (recess) 81D for rotatably connecting to the link mechanism 83 is formed, and an upper limit stopper surface 81E for positioning at the home position is integrally formed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the second discharge tray 82 has a sheet stacking surface 82A on which the sheets slipped from the first discharge tray 81 are stacked, and the sheet stacking surface 82A is placed on this sheet stacking surface 82A. Is a plurality of grooves 82B that are in sliding contact with the seat surface.
However, it is formed so as to be continuous with the groove 81B of the first paper discharge tray, and a concave notch 82H for taking out the sheet is also formed.

As shown in FIG. 23, a pair of rotation centers (holes) 82C rotatably connected to the first sheet ejection tray 81 and an eccentric cam described later are provided on the back side of the second sheet ejection tray 82. A pressing wall 82E that abuts 87 and an upper limit stopper wall 82F that positions the home position are formed on the leading end side, and a plurality of second rotation centers (holes) 82D that serve as the rotation center of the second paper discharge tray 82, A lower limit stopper surface 82G for positioning the lower limit when descending is formed on the base end side.

The pressing wall 82E is formed of a plurality of ribs, and is arranged at a position where it comes into contact with an eccentric cam 87 which transmits a drive from a first sheet ejection tray rotating device 86 described later.

The upper limit stopper wall 82F is also formed by a plurality of ribs. This is a positioning that prevents the second discharge tray 82 from further rotating when it turns to the home position, that is, the first discharge tray 81. Upper limit stopper surface 81E
The home position is determined by abutting against.

The lower limit stopper surface 82G is formed at the rearmost end (base end side) of the second paper discharge tray 82, and the second paper discharge tray 8 is provided.
2 is formed so as to contact the bottom dead center, that is, the reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream end surface in FIG. 25 in the full state.

As shown in FIG. 24, the parallel link mechanism 83 is located below the second paper output tray 82 and is located below the second paper output tray 82.
And a first paper ejection tray rotation device 8 in the center.
It has a rocking base plate 83A on which 6 is mounted and wall portions 83B standing upright on both left and right sides thereof. A pair of left and right rotation centers (holes) 83 for rotatably pivotally supporting the third rotation center 81D of the first discharge tray 81 is provided at the tip of the wall portion 83B.
C is formed, and a pair of left and right fourth rotation centers (holes) 83D for rotatably supporting the support member 84 are formed at the base end portion. The parallel link mechanism 83 is configured to rotate up and down about the fourth rotation center 83D.

As shown in FIG. 19, the third center of rotation 83C
And the fourth rotation center 83D are arranged on the same straight line on the left and right respectively, and the first rotation center 82C and the second rotation center 82D are also
The right and left sides are arranged on the same straight line, and the two straight lines are arranged in parallel. And the first rotation center, the second
When the center points of the center of rotation, the third center of rotation, and the fourth center of rotation are connected by a straight line, a parallelogram is formed in which two pairs of opposing sides have equal lengths.

As shown in FIG. 24, the first discharge tray rotating device 86 includes a motor Ml, Gl, G2, G3, G4, and
A gear train composed of G5 and G6, a bracket (not shown) for fixing the motor M1 and the gear train to the swing base plate 83A,
It is composed of detection means (not shown) for detecting the upper limit (home position) and the lower limit (when full) of the discharge tray.

The drive shaft of the motor Ml has a pinion gear Gl.
A drive belt Bl for transmitting a drive is wound around the pinion gear Gl, and a drive pulley G2 is arranged at the other end so as to stretch the drive belt Bl. The drive pulley G2 is integrally formed with a worm gear. A gear G3 is meshed above the worm gear, and gear trains G4, G5, and G6 are meshed one after another. The gear G6 is integrally formed with the eccentric cam 87.
Is formed, the drive of the motor Ml can be transmitted to the eccentric cam 87 via the gear train while decelerating.

As shown in FIG. 19, the supporting member 84 is integrally provided on the frame 1a. This support member 84
Is an upper bracket 84A having a round hole (upper shaft supporting portion) for rotatably supporting the second discharge tray 82, and a round hole (lower hole for rotatably supporting the parallel link mechanism 83). And a lower bracket 84B having a side shaft support portion).
A rotary shaft 89 that pivotally supports the second paper ejection tray 82 is inserted through the upper bracket 84A, and a rotary shaft 90 that pivotally supports the parallel crank mechanism 83 is inserted through the lower bracket 84B.

The spring member 85 is a torsion coil spring wound around the rotary shaft 89, and is inserted between the second paper discharge tray 82 and the parallel link mechanism 83. The spring member 85 constantly urges the second paper ejection tray 82 upward by contacting one end with the bottom portion of the second paper ejection tray 82 and the other end with the reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream end surface. .

In the structure as described above, the discharge roller 7
As a result, the discharged sheet P comes into contact with the sheet stacking surface 81A of the first sheet discharge tray 81 at its sheet front end, and the sheet stacking surface 81 of the first sheet discharge tray 81 and the second sheet discharge tray 82 is discharged.
Glide over A82A. When the sliding is completed, the sheet P slides down on the sheet stacking surface due to its own weight, and the rear end of the sheet P advances toward the reference portion 12a on the sheet upstream side end surface.

In the shift mode and the staple mode, the sheet P discharged by the sheet discharge roller 7 is shown in FIG.
Once the sheets are stacked on the front jogger 13 and the rear jogger 14 and a predetermined number of sheets are reached, sorting and stapling are performed as necessary, and the sheet bundle is pushed out by the pushing member 30 to the first sheet discharge tray 81 and the second sheet discharge tray. The sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking surfaces 81A and 82A of the tray 82.

When the sheets are stacked on the first sheet discharge tray 81 and the second sheet discharge tray 82 and reach a predetermined height or higher, the fullness detecting means 88 detects the uppermost surface of the sheet P. After the detection, the first paper ejection tray rotation device 86 rotates the eccentric cam 87 clockwise by a predetermined angle through the gear train by the motor Ml based on the information from the full detection means 88. When the eccentric cam 87 rotates by a predetermined angle, a gap is generated between the eccentric cam 87 that was in contact with the pressing wall 82E of the second paper ejection tray 82. However, due to the weight of the movable sheet discharge tray and the sheet weight, the gap is generated, that is, the eccentric cam 87 is rotated by a predetermined angle and is displaced by the rotation. 82 descends against the force of the spring member 85. At this time, the second discharge tray 82 simultaneously rotates about the round hole of the upper bracket 84A of the support member 84 and the swing base plate 83A of the parallel link mechanism 83 about the round hole of the lower bracket 84B. The first paper discharge tray 81 descends without substantially changing the angle θ formed with the horizontal direction.

The above operation is repeated each time the fullness detecting means 88 detects fullness, and the eccentric cam 87 rotates clockwise by a predetermined angle each time. Eventually,
The eccentric cam 87 rotates 180 °, and the second paper ejection tray 82
The lower limit stopper surface 82G provided at the base end portion of the sheet abuts on the reference portion 12a of the sheet upstream side end surface, and the second paper discharge tray 82
Cannot be rotated further downward (FIG. 25).

The spring pressure of the spring member 85 depends on the weight of the paper discharge tray assembly 80 and the maximum number of sheets to be loaded (5 in this embodiment).
The maximum pressure is set by adding the weight of (00 sheets). The weight of the sheet is set to be a thin and small size sheet so that the movable sheet discharge tray can descend to the bottom dead center regardless of the sheet type or size of the spring. Therefore, the load corresponding to the spring pressure can be reduced as compared with the case where the spring is not used when the spring is full.

When returning to the home position (FIG. 19) and the sheet P is removed from the movable sheet discharge tray, the spring member 85 sets the weight of the movable sheet discharge tray and the sheet as the maximum pressure. Therefore, the spring member 85 alone can be used for automatic restoration. The second paper ejection tray 82 biased upward by the spring member 85 contacts the upper limit stopper surface 81E provided on the first paper ejection tray 81 to position the home position.

In this state, since the eccentric cam 87 is on standby at the lower limit (rotated 180 °), there is a gap (stroke amount) between the pressing wall 82E and the eccentric cam 87. When the sheet is again discharged, the eccentric cam 87 is rotated 180 ° counterclockwise to return to the home position, that is, the eccentric cam 87.
And the pressing wall 82E abut.

On the other hand, when the sheets P are stacked on the movable discharge tray, the eccentric cam 87 is rotated counterclockwise to return to the home position. At this time, since the sheets P are stacked on the movable discharge tray,
The pressing wall 82E and the eccentric cam 87 do not come into contact with each other to form a gap, and as described above, the fullness detecting means 88 and the eccentric cam 87 form a movable sheet discharge tray corresponding to the stacked sheets P.

In this embodiment, the second paper discharge tray 82
Although a spring is used for the returning operation of the above, if it is desired to prioritize the cost, the eccentric cam 87 may be used to move up and down the discharge tray without using the spring. In that case, the pressing wall 82
It is necessary to provide another E on the opposite side so as to sandwich E with the eccentric cam 87.

Next, the details of the method of raising and lowering the discharge tray using the parallel link mechanism 83 will be described. FIG. 26 shows an ascending / descending method utilizing a change in the distance between the upper and lower facing surfaces of the parallelogram, and FIGS. 19 and 25 described above show an embodiment using the displacement (sliding amount) of the facing surfaces of the parallelogram. Is.

In FIG. 26, a substantially concave pressing plate 90 is provided.
Are arranged so as to be parallel to a straight line connecting the centers of the first rotation center 82C and the second rotation center 82D, and are fastened to the lower surface of the second paper discharge tray 81 by screws (not shown).

When the distance from the center of the eccentric cam 87 to the pressing plate 90 at the home position is set to Yl, and when it is full (see FIG. 2).
When the distance from the center of the eccentric cam 87 in 7) to the pressing plate 90 is Y2, the relationship between Yl and Y2 is Yl> Y2. This is because the upper and lower facing surfaces of the parallelogram formed by connecting the four rotation centers are displaced at the home position and at the full position. In the present embodiment, the height control of the first paper discharge tray 81 is performed by the eccentric cam 87 by utilizing the displacement of the upper and lower facing surfaces.

Next, a method of raising and lowering by utilizing the deviation (sliding amount) of the surfaces of the parallelogram that face each other will be described. In FIG. 26, the distance from the center of the eccentric cam 87 at the home position to the right side surface of the pressing plate 90 standing up is X1, and in FIG. 27, from the center of the eccentric cam 87 at the full position to the right side surface standing of the pressing plate 90. Let X2 be the distance between X1 and X2
The relationship is X1> X2. This is because the opposing faces of the parallelogram formed by connecting the four rotation centers are displaced (slide) at the home position and at the full position due to the round holes provided in the upper and lower brackets 84A and 84B of the support member 84. This is because. In this embodiment, the first paper ejection tray 81
Is controlled by the eccentric cam 87 by utilizing the sliding amount of the opposite surfaces. 19 and 25 show an embodiment using the slide amount.

In this embodiment, the stroke amount (displacement amount) for stacking 500 sheets is, for example, in the case of the vertical distance between the surfaces: Y1−Y2 = 4.1 mm In the case of the slide amount: X1− X2 = 7.3 mm 2.

[0081]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the base end portion of the movable sheet discharge tray is rotatably supported by the shaft supporting portion of the support member substantially below the sheet discharging means. It is possible to provide a small sheet post-processing apparatus without requiring a large supporting member for covering.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the movable sheet discharge tray is composed of the first sheet discharge tray and the second sheet discharge tray, and the parallel link mechanism is operated to move the first sheet discharge tray to the second sheet discharge tray. Since it is rotated with respect to the paper tray, it can be raised and lowered without requiring a large drive device, and a sheet post-processing device having a small size and a simple mechanism can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the spring provided between the support member and the base end portion of the second sheet ejection tray urges the second sheet ejection tray to rotate upward. The paper ejection tray can be easily restored using a small space.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the angle formed by the first discharge tray and the horizontal direction can be made substantially constant regardless of the change in the rotation angle of the second discharge tray, the discharge is performed. Sheets can be stacked in order on the movable paper ejection tray under the same conditions.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the first paper ejection tray rotating device is mounted on the swing base plate which constitutes the parallel link mechanism, the drive device for moving the movable paper ejection tray up and down is provided. It is possible to provide a smaller sheet post-processing device that can be stored under the tray.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the parallel link mechanism is operated via the eccentric cam, the movable discharge tray can be moved up and down with a simpler mechanism.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet post-processing device and a paper discharge tray.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet discharge mechanism of the sheet post-processing device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the above.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pushing member of the pushing mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pushing mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a similar perspective view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an elevating part of the seat support mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part thereof.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of a seat support mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a paper discharge operation from the sheet post-processing device onto a paper discharge tray.

FIG. 11 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 12 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 13 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 14 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 15 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 16 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 17 is a similar sectional view.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a paper discharge tray and its support structure, which is a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a specific structure of the paper discharge tray assembly.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a first paper ejection tray and a second paper ejection tray that constitute a movable paper ejection tray.

FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of the above.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a first paper discharge tray.

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the second paper ejection tray.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a swing base plate that constitutes a parallel link mechanism and a first paper discharge tray rotation device mounted on the swing base plate.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the paper discharge tray assembly at a position different from that of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the movable paper ejection tray by the first paper ejection tray rotation device.

FIG. 27 is a similar sectional view.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 sheet post-processing equipment 6 Paper ejection tray (paper ejection tray means) 7 Paper ejection roller (ejection means) 80 Output tray assembly 81 First output tray 82 Second output tray 83 Parallel link mechanism 83A swing base plate 84 Support member 85 Spring member 86 First Paper Output Tray Rotating Device 87 Eccentric cam

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sheet post-processing apparatus that discharges an image-formed sheet carried out from an image forming apparatus to a discharge tray means by discharge means, wherein the discharge tray means is discharged by the discharge means. A movable discharge tray for stacking sheets, a support member for supporting the movable discharge tray substantially below the discharge means, and an elevating means for moving the movable discharge tray up and down. A sheet post-processing apparatus, wherein a base end portion on the discharge means side is rotatably supported by a shaft support portion of a support member. 2. The movable paper ejection tray is composed of a first paper ejection tray and a second paper ejection tray, and the base end side of the second paper ejection tray is rotatably supported by the support member. The first discharge tray is rotatably connected at its base end side to the tip of the second discharge tray, and the elevating means is configured to include the second discharge tray, and the support member is provided. And a parallel link mechanism that connects the base end side of the first paper discharge tray, and a first paper discharge mechanism that operates the parallel link mechanism to rotate the first paper discharge tray with respect to the second paper discharge tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a tray rotating device. 3. The elevating means has a spring member between the supporting member and the base end portion of the second paper ejection tray for biasing the second paper ejection tray to rotate upward. And
The sheet post-processing device according to claim 2. 4. The parallel link mechanism keeps an angle between the first discharge tray and a horizontal direction substantially constant regardless of a change in a rotation angle of the second discharge tray. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. 5. The sheet post-processing device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first paper discharge tray rotation device is mounted on a swing base plate that constitutes the parallel link mechanism. . 6. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first sheet ejection tray rotation device operates the parallel link mechanism via an eccentric cam. .