JP2006225118A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to take out paper from any direction. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer 10, a paper delivery part 15 to which paper P after transfer of images at a transfer part 13 is delivered is provided at a top part of a device main body 11. The paper delivery part 15 comprises a paper delivery tray 20 to receive paper P that is delivered. The paper delivery tray 20 is provided to be rotatable roughly in any direction around the vertical axis in a horizontal plate at an upper level U2. In taking out the paper P delivered to the paper delivery tray 20 as it is set to a paper delivery position, the paper delivery tray 20 can be directed in a desired takeout direction, so that the paper P can be taken out in a right attitude without being inverted or laterally directed from any position to the printer 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or the like, and more particularly, to an improvement in a paper discharge unit that discharges a paper subjected to a transfer process.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is known. In each of these image forming apparatuses, a so-called paper discharge section that discharges the transferred paper is provided between a document reading section provided at the top of the apparatus main body and a body section of the apparatus main body. This is a so-called in-body discharge type. In such an in-cylinder paper discharge type image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to make the paper discharge tray protrude from the main body of the apparatus, thereby making it possible to reduce the space occupied by the image forming apparatus and to effectively use the space. In recent years, it has attracted attention.

  However, when the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit in the cylinder, in order to remove the discharged paper from the paper discharge unit, a hand must be inserted into the cylinder, and the paper from the paper discharge unit It becomes difficult to take out. In order to eliminate this inconvenience, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a rotatable rotating tray having a corner as a rotation fulcrum is provided in the paper discharge unit. While the posture is set to the storage posture stored in the inside, immediately after the paper is discharged, the rotation tray is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the posture is changed to a protruding posture in which a part protrudes to the outside. Yes.

By providing such a rotating tray, the sheet discharged into the cylinder is pulled out to the outside by the rotation of the rotating tray, so that it is easy to take out the sheet from the discharging unit. .
JP 2001-206609 A JP 2003-54820 A

  However, in the image forming apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the discharge tray is merely protruded from the inside of the cylinder, the rotation range is extremely narrow. However, there is an inconvenience that the paper cannot be taken out unless it goes around from the opposite direction.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge tray that can take out paper from all directions.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus including a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper onto which the image has been transferred, the paper discharge unit is provided at the top of the apparatus main body and is discharged. A paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper. The paper discharge tray is provided so as to be rotatable in almost all directions around a vertical axis in a horizontal plane, and is discharged in a state where the paper discharge tray is positioned at the paper discharge position. It is characterized by being configured to receive a paper sheet.

  According to such a configuration, the paper discharge tray provided at the top of the apparatus main body is provided so as to be rotatable in almost all directions around the vertical axis in the horizontal plane, and thus is set at the paper discharge position. When taking out the paper ejected to the paper ejection tray in the state, the paper is placed in the normal posture from any position with respect to the image forming apparatus (the picked-up paper is It is possible to take it out in a state where it is not in the horizontal direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a tray rotating unit that rotates the discharge tray and a control unit that controls a rotation angle of the tray rotating unit are provided. The control means discriminates the discharge state of the paper with respect to the paper discharge tray and the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray from the paper discharge position based on input information from a predetermined input means. After determining that the discharge of the sheet to the paper discharge tray is completed by the rotation angle determination unit and the paper discharge determination unit, the paper discharge tray is rotated by the rotation angle based on the determination result of the rotation angle determination unit. And a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal that is moved and set to a rotation position toward the tray rotation means.

  According to such a configuration, by performing a predetermined input operation related to the discharge start, the discharge direction, and the like from the input unit, the discharge determination unit performs a discharge state on the discharge tray (before discharge is performed). Whether the paper is being ejected or whether it has been ejected, etc.), and the rotation angle discriminating unit is rotated based on the determination result and the input information relating to the paper ejection direction. Since the angle is determined and the control signal output unit outputs a control signal toward the tray rotating means so as to rotate the discharge tray by an angle based on the determination result of the rotation angle determining unit, the discharge tray Is rotated by a predetermined angle by driving the tray rotating means after the sheet is discharged.

  In this way, by performing a predetermined input from the input means to the control means, the paper discharge tray automatically rotates by an angle corresponding to the input information under the control of the control means. There is no need to rotate the tray.

  In the present invention, the input information from the input means includes input information when the operator directly inputs the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray by performing an input operation such as a key-in operation on the input means. In addition, when there are a plurality of input means, angle information determined depending on which input means is used for the input operation is included. Incidentally, when a plurality of input units are employed for one image forming apparatus, the situation is similar to the case where a dedicated image forming apparatus is provided for each input unit in spite of a single image forming apparatus. Can be realized.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper on the paper discharge tray, and the control signal output unit is a discharge position set at a rotational position. A control signal for returning the paper discharge tray to the paper discharge position is output based on a detection signal from the paper sensor indicating that the paper has been taken out from the paper tray.

  According to this configuration, when the sheet sensor detects that the sheet is discharged and the sheet does not exist on the discharge tray whose position has been changed from the discharge position to the rotation position, the control signal output unit A control signal is output toward the rotating means, and thereby the paper discharge tray set at the rotational position returns to the paper discharge position. In this manner, the paper discharge tray that has been set to the rotation position based on the detection result of the paper sensor automatically returns to the paper discharge position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the control signal output unit returns the discharge tray to the discharge position when the discharge determination unit determines discharge of the next sheet. Is output.

  According to this configuration, the control signal output unit outputs a control signal for returning the discharge tray to the discharge position when the discharge determination unit determines that the next sheet is discharged. Even if the sheet is not taken out, the next sheet is discharged on the sheet that has been discharged first when the next sheet is discharged.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the discharge tray is configured to be capable of free rotation by releasing the driving force transmission of the tray rotating means. It is characterized by being.

  According to such a configuration, by releasing the driving force transmission of the tray rotating means, the paper discharge tray can be freely rotated, and thus is manually set to an arbitrary rotation position. Incidentally, in this invention, the cancellation of the driving force transmission includes shutting off the power supply to the tray rotating means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the control unit rotates the rotation angle from the discharge position of the discharge tray corresponding to each of the plurality of input units. A storage unit that stores an angle table, and the discharge determination unit determines from which input means the sheet discharged to a discharge tray is from, and the rotation angle The discriminating unit discriminates the rotation angle based on the discrimination result of the paper discharge discriminating unit and the angle table, and the control signal output unit is based on the discrimination result of the rotation angle discriminating unit. A control signal for rotating the paper discharge tray by an angle corresponding to the input unit on which the input operation has been performed after the paper discharge to the paper tray is completed is output to the tray rotation unit. Is.

  According to this configuration, when an input operation is performed from any of the plurality of input units, the paper discharge determination unit determines from which input unit the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray is from. Based on the determination result and the angle table stored in the storage unit, the rotation angle determination unit determines the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray corresponding to the input unit, and the determined rotation angle is obtained. In addition, since the control signal output unit outputs a control signal to the tray rotating means, the paper discharge tray is automatically set to the rotational position of the angle corresponding to the input means. Therefore, the rotation angle of the discharge tray corresponding to the input means can be set only by using the input means without performing a troublesome operation such as inputting the rotation angle of the discharge tray from the input means. Is done.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the discharge tray is rotated in a state where the level is set higher than the discharge position. It is.

  According to such a configuration, since the paper discharge tray is rotated in a state where the level is set higher than the paper discharge position, the paper discharge tray is rotated with the same level as the paper discharge position. When the paper discharge tray and the paper discharge tray are both rotated at the same height, the paper tray and the paper discharge tray cannot be rotated due to interference with the surrounding members. Compared to the above, both paper discharge and rotation are performed more smoothly.

  An eighth aspect of the invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the image forming apparatus is sized so as to be placed on a desktop.

  According to such a configuration, for example, by arranging an image forming apparatus set to a size that can be arranged on a table in a state where a plurality of work tables are arranged in two rows facing each other, in the center of these table rows, An operator working on each work table can use one image forming apparatus as if it is for his / her own by rotating the paper discharge tray toward himself / herself.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the paper discharge tray provided at the top of the apparatus main body is provided so as to be rotatable in almost all directions around the vertical axis in the horizontal plane, and thereby discharged to the paper discharge tray. When taking out the printed paper, it is directed in the direction to take out the paper discharge tray, so that the paper is straight and straight from any position with respect to the image forming apparatus (the picked-up paper P is turned sideways or reverse). Can be taken out in the correct orientation).

  Therefore, there is no need to check the orientation of the removed paper one by one because the paper taken out from the paper tray is not turned sideways or upside down. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of inconvenience such as stapling at the wrong position on the paper.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, by performing a predetermined input from the input unit to the control unit, the paper discharge tray is automatically rotated by an angle corresponding to the input information under the control of the control unit based on the input information. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually rotate the paper discharge tray one by one, which can contribute to the efficiency of office work.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the paper discharge tray that has been set to the rotation position automatically returns to the paper discharge position based on the detection result of the paper sensor, the paper discharge tray is manually restored one by one. There is no need to return to, and it is possible to immediately respond to the next paper discharge.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the paper on the paper discharge tray is not taken out, the paper discharge tray that has been set to the rotating position when the next paper is discharged is moved to the paper discharge position. The position is automatically changed, so that the next sheet is ejected on the previously ejected sheet. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconveniences that are not performed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the paper discharge tray can be freely rotated by releasing the driving force transmission of the tray rotating means, the paper discharge tray is manually set to an arbitrary rotation position. This makes it possible to further improve the usability of the paper discharge tray.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in a state where a plurality of input units are connected to one image forming apparatus, the paper discharge tray is automatically set to the rotational position at an angle corresponding to the input unit that performed the input operation. Therefore, there is no need to perform the troublesome operation of inputting the rotation angle of the discharge tray from the input means, and only by using the input means, the discharge tray corresponding to the input means can be set. The rotation angle is set, and this makes it possible to greatly improve the operability of the shared output tray rotation position setting operation in each input means.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the discharge tray is rotated in a state where the level is set higher than the discharge position, both the discharge of the paper and the rotation of the discharge tray are the same height. Compared with the case where it is carried out at a high level, both the paper discharge and the rotation can be carried out more smoothly.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, since the image forming apparatus is sized so that it can be placed on the table, for example, the plurality of work tables are arranged on the table in a state of being arranged in two rows facing each other. By disposing an image forming apparatus set to a size that can be performed in the center of these table rows, an operator working on each work table rotates one of the paper discharge trays toward the user, thereby providing one image forming apparatus. Can be used as if it were for its own use, and the satisfaction of each worker can be increased while contributing to a reduction in equipment costs.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below by taking a printer as an example. 1 and 2 are external perspective views showing an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a paper discharge tray is stored in a tray storage recess. FIG. 2 shows a paper discharge tray in a tray. The state which protruded from the accommodation recessed part is each shown. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the internal structure of the printer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 to 3, the XX direction is referred to as the left-right direction, and the YY direction is referred to as the front-rear direction. In particular, the -X direction is leftward, the + X direction is rightward, the -Y direction is frontward, and the + Y direction is rearward. That's it.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a printer (image forming apparatus) 10 is connected to, for example, a computer and is responsible for print output of the computer, and forms an image in an apparatus main body 11 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. It is configured by mounting various types of equipment. A tray storage recess 112 having a rectangular shape in a plan view is provided at the center position of the top plate 111 forming the top surface of the apparatus main body 11, and the discharge tray 20 is stored in the tray storage recess 112 so as to be able to appear and retract. ing.

  The left side wall 113 of the tray housing recess 112 is provided with a long discharge port 113a in the front-rear direction for discharging the printed paper P, and printing processing based on image forming processing in the apparatus main body 11 is performed. The applied paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20 through the paper discharge port 113a.

  Further, an operation panel 114 provided with various operation keys, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like is disposed at a position in front of the tray housing recess 112 on the top plate 111. In addition, the apparatus main body 11 is internally provided with a paper cassette 121 for storing printing paper in a substantially lower half thereof. The sheet cassette 121 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 11 from the front plate 115 side of the apparatus main body 11.

  The paper discharge tray 20 is set in a rectangular shape whose plane dimension is slightly smaller than the plane dimension of the tray storage recess 112, and is divided into a first tray 21 on the left side and a second tray 22 on the right side. The paper discharge tray 20 is configured to be movable up and down and rotated by driving tray drive mechanisms 30 and 30 ′ (FIGS. 4 and 6) described later, and is a lower level that is a paper discharge position stored in the tray storage recess 112. The level can be changed between U1 (FIG. 1) and the upper level U2 (FIG. 2), which is a pivotable position protruding upward from the tray housing recess 112 so as to be pivotable about a vertical axis 31 described later. It has become.

  The lower level U1 is a position where the paper discharge tray 20 receives the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 113a, and the upper level U2 is easy to take out the paper P discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20. It is a position to do. In the state where the paper discharge tray 20 is set at the lower level U1 stored in the tray storage recess 112, the second tray 22 is horizontal as shown in FIG. The tray 21 is set in an inclined posture S1 that is inclined downward toward the left, whereby the paper P once discharged from the paper discharge port 113a of the left side wall 113 onto the paper discharge tray 20 is inclined. The sheet P is guided to the left, and its downstream end is abutted against the left side wall 113 so that the end of the bundle of sheets P can be aligned.

  On the other hand, in a state where the discharge tray 20 is positioned at the upper level U2 protruding outside from the tray housing recess 112, as shown in FIG. 2, the posture of the first tray 21 is changed to the horizontal posture S2. Yes. The paper discharge tray 20 can be rotated around a vertical axis 31 (FIG. 4) by an angle designated in advance by driving a tray rotation means 50 described later with the position set at the upper level U2. . The reason for this is that depending on the position of the person using the printer 10, the person takes the discharged paper P in a normal posture (the picked-up paper P is in a correct orientation that is not in a landscape orientation, a reverse orientation, or the like). To be able to pick it up.

  Hereinafter, an outline of the internal structure of the printer 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 has a sheet storage unit 12 that stores sheets P to be subjected to printing processing, and one sheet P that is fed out from the sheet bundle P <b> 1 stored in the sheet storage unit 12. A transfer unit 13 that performs image transfer processing and a fixing unit 14 that performs fixing processing on the paper P subjected to transfer processing by the transfer unit 13 are incorporated in the apparatus main body 11 and the fixing unit 14. The paper discharge unit 15 for discharging the paper P subjected to the fixing process is provided on the top of the apparatus main body 11.

  A predetermined number (two in this embodiment) of paper cassettes 121 is provided in the paper storage unit 12 so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body 11. At the downstream end of each paper cassette 121 (on the right side in FIG. 3), a pickup roller 122 that feeds the paper P one by one from the paper bundle P1 is provided. The paper P fed out of the paper cassette 121 by driving the pickup roller 122 is fed to the transfer unit 13 via the paper feed conveyance path 123 and the registration roller pair 124 provided at the downstream end of the paper feed conveyance path 123. It has come to be.

  The transfer unit 13 performs a transfer process on the paper P based on image information transmitted from a computer or the like (PC 90 (FIG. 8 described later in this embodiment)), and is in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3). A charger 132, an exposure device 133, a developing device 134, and a clockwise surface from a position directly above the photosensitive drum 131 to a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 131 rotatably provided around a drum center extending in a direction). The conveyor belt 135, the transfer roller 136, the cleaning device 137, and the static eliminator 138 are provided.

  The photosensitive drum 131 is for forming an electrostatic latent image and a toner image along the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface, and an amorphous silicon layer is laminated on the peripheral surface, whereby these images are displayed. It is suitable for forming.

  The charger 132 forms a uniform charge on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 131 rotating in the clockwise direction around the drum core. In the example shown in FIG. A method of applying a charge to the peripheral surface is adopted. A charging roller that applies a charge while rotating the driven surface while contacting the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is used instead of the charger 132 as a member that applies a charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131. Also good.

  The exposure device 133 irradiates the peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 131 with a laser beam to which intensity is applied based on image data transmitted from an external device such as a computer, and thereby the photosensitive drum 131 is irradiated with the laser beam. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 by erasing the electric charge in the portion where the laser light on the peripheral surface is checked.

  The developing device 134 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 to attach the toner to the portion where the electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface. An image is formed.

  The conveyor belt 135 guides the sheet P fed from the sheet feeding / conveying path 123 through the registration roller pair 124 to a position directly below the photosensitive drum 131, and is provided adjacent to the left side of the registration roller pair 124. The drive roller 135a and the driven roller 135b provided at the lower left position of the photosensitive drum 131 are stretched. The conveyance belt 135 is rotated in synchronism with the feeding of the paper P by driving of the driving roller 135a, so that the paper P is fed toward a position directly below the photosensitive drum 131.

  The transfer roller 136 applies a positively charged toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 to the paper P with respect to the paper P sent to a position immediately below the photosensitive drum 131 by the rotation of the conveying belt 135. A negative charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the paper P.

  Accordingly, the sheet P that has reached the position immediately below the photosensitive drum 131 is pressed and held between the transfer roller 136 and the photosensitive drum 131 via the conveyance belt 135, and the toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 131 that is positively charged. Is peeled off toward the surface of the negatively charged sheet P, whereby the transfer process is performed on the sheet P.

  The cleaning device 137 is for removing the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 after the transfer process and cleaning it. The static eliminator 138 erases the electric charge remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 by irradiation of light. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 131 from which the electric charge has been erased by the static eliminator 138. Will go to the charger 132 again for the next image forming process.

  The fixing unit 14 performs a fixing process by heating the toner image of the paper P that has been subjected to the transfer process by the transfer unit 13, and includes a heat roller 141 in which an energizing heating element is mounted, and the heat roller 141. The pressure roller 142 is arranged so that the peripheral surfaces are opposed to each other at the lower part. Then, the paper P after the transfer process is composed of a heat roller 141 that is driven to rotate clockwise around the roller center, and a pressure roller 142 that is driven to rotate counterclockwise around the roller center. By passing through the nip portion between them, heat from the heat roller 141 is obtained and the fixing process is performed. The paper P subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the paper discharge unit 15 through the paper discharge conveyance path 143.

  The paper discharge unit 15 is formed by providing the paper discharge tray 20 and a tray driving mechanism 30 for driving the paper discharge tray 20 in the tray storage recess 112 formed at the top of the apparatus body 11. ing. As described above, the paper discharge tray 20 includes the first tray 21 and the second tray 22.

  The right end edge of the first tray 21 and the left end edge of the second tray 22 are each formed with a butterfly plate portion 23 having a wing structure (see FIG. 4). 24 is penetrated. Then, the first tray 21 rotates forward and backward around the connecting shaft 24 to thereby incline toward the left from the second tray 22 shown by the solid line in FIG. The posture can be changed between the horizontal posture S2 indicated by the line.

  Hereinafter, the tray drive mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the paper discharge unit 15 for explaining the tray driving mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5A is a state in which the discharge tray 20 in the state where the first tray 21 is set to the inclined posture S1 is set to the lower level U1. (B) shows a state in which the discharge tray 20 in a state where the first tray 21 is set to the horizontal posture S2 is set to the upper level U2. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the direction indication by X and Y (X is the left-right direction (−X: leftward, + X: rightward), Y is the front-rear direction (−Y: forward, + Y: rearward)). It is the same as the case of.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray driving mechanism 30 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the paper discharge tray 20 is disposed at a lower level U1 that is a paper discharge position and an upper level that is a rotatable position higher than the lower level. Tray raising / lowering means 40 for raising / lowering with respect to U2, tray turning means 50 for turning the discharge tray 20 in a horizontal plane, and changing the attitude of the first tray 21 between the inclined attitude S1 and the horizontal attitude S2. The tray tilting means 60 is provided.

  The tray lifting / lowering means 40 includes a rectangular columnar rack column 41 that supports a substantially central portion of the paper discharge tray 20 (specifically, a left end portion in the central portion of the second tray 22 in the front-rear direction), and the rack column 41 A pinion 42 that meshes with the rack 411, a worm wheel 43 that is concentrically fitted to a pinion shaft 421 that rotates integrally around the pinion 42, a worm 44 that meshes with the worm wheel 43, and the worm 44 An elevating motor 45 that is driven to rotate about an axis is provided.

  The tray lifting / lowering means 40 is mounted on a pedestal 46 disposed on the bottom plate 116 of the tray storage recess 112. The pedestal 46 projects horizontally from a pedestal flat plate 461, a pair of pedestal side plates 462 suspended from both ends of the pedestal flat plate 461, and from the lower edge of each pedestal side plate 462 in opposite directions. And a pair of protruding pieces 463.

  At the center position of the pedestal flat plate 461, a toothed hole 461a having a plurality of detent teeth formed on the inner edge surface at an equal pitch is formed. The toothed hole 461a is for externally fitting to a spline shaft 51 (described later) of the vertical shaft 31 in a non-rotating state.

  The pedestal side plate 462 is formed in an arc shape with the center position of the pedestal flat plate 461 as the center of curvature in plan view. Each projecting piece 463 projecting outward from the pedestal side plate 462 is similarly formed in an arc shape.

  On the other hand, a circular guide member 16 for fixing and guiding the pair of protruding pieces 463 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 116. The circular guide member 16 is formed in a perfect circle shape having a diameter centered on a position facing the center of the toothed hole 461a and slightly longer than the length of the pedestal flat plate 461, and is a flange that is closely fixed to the bottom plate 116. Part 161, a flat cylindrical part 162 projecting upward from the inner peripheral edge of the flange part 161, and a retaining circular part 163 extending from the upper edge part of the flat cylindrical part 162 toward the center It is configured with.

  The pair of projecting pieces 463 are fitted into a circular guide groove 164 formed between the retaining circular portion 163 and the bottom plate 116, so that the base 46 is guided while being guided by the circular guide groove 164 in a retaining state. It can be rotated around its center. The reason why the circular guide member 16 is provided is to prevent the base 46 from being lifted.

  The rack column 41 is formed in an upper portion of the vertical shaft 31 erected so as to be movable up and down at a substantially central position of the bottom plate 116. In the present embodiment, a rack 411 is formed on the right surface of the rack column 41.

  The pinion 42 is meshed with the rack 411 of the rack column 41 in a state where the pinion shaft 421 is pivotally supported by a pair of bearing pieces 461 b provided upright on the base plate 461. Accordingly, when the pinion 42 rotates integrally forward and backward around the pinion shaft 421, the rack column 41 in which the rack 411 is engaged with the pinion 42 moves up and down. A reinforcing beam member 25 extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to the rear surface side of the second tray 22, and the upper end of the rack column 41 is fixed to the reinforcing beam member 25.

  The worm 44 is disposed below the worm wheel 43 so as to be orthogonal to the pinion shaft 421. The worm 44 is meshed with the worm wheel 43 in a state where the base end side is concentrically and integrally connected to the drive shaft of the lifting motor 45. The elevating motor 45 is fixed on a motor support base 461c provided on the pedestal flat plate 461, thereby ensuring a necessary height level.

  According to the tray lifting / lowering means 40 configured in this manner, the driving rotation is transmitted to the worm wheel 43 via the worm 44 by driving the lifting / lowering motor 45 forward and backward, and the worm 44 is integrated around the axis. The rotation causes the worm wheel 43 to rotate forward and backward, and the rack column 41 engaged with the pinion 42 moves up and down by forward and reverse rotation of the pinion 42 around the pinion shaft 421. As the rack column 41 is moved up and down, the sheet discharge tray 20 supported by the rack column 41 via the reinforcing beam member 25 is moved to the lower level U1 ((A) in FIG. 5) and the upper level U2 (in FIG. 5). (B)) will change the level.

  The tray rotating means 50 is installed on a spline shaft 51 concentrically formed in the central portion of the vertical shaft 31, a drive gear 52 meshing with the spline shaft 51, and a bottom plate 116 of the tray housing recess 112, The drive shaft is concentrically provided with a rotation motor 53 connected to the gear shaft 521 of the drive gear 52 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  The spline shaft 51 is fitted into the toothed hole 461a of the pedestal flat plate 461 so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction. As a result, when the spline shaft 51 rotates about the axis, the pedestal 46 rotates integrally with the spline shaft 51. At the same time, the paper discharge tray 20 also rotates integrally with the rack post 41. Accordingly, the discharge tray 20 and the tray lifting / lowering means 40 are always in the same phase, and the function of raising / lowering the discharge tray 20 of the tray lifting / lowering means 40 is affected by the rotation of the discharge tray 20. Absent.

  A cylindrical body 311 extending concentrically downward is provided in a portion below the spline shaft 51, while a through hole 116a through which the cylindrical body 311 passes is provided in the bottom plate 116 of the tray storage recess 112. Is drilled. Therefore, the vertical shaft 31 is supported at two upper and lower positions by the spline shaft 51 being fitted into the toothed hole 461a of the base plate 461 and the cylindrical body 311 being fitted into the through hole 116a of the bottom plate 116. By this, the standing state is stabilized.

  The tray tilting means 60 includes an arc cam 61 whose peripheral surface is in contact with the back surface of the first tray 21, a driven gear 62 concentrically and integrally fitted to the cam shaft 611 of the arc cam 61, and this driven A drive gear 63 having a smaller diameter than the driven gear 62 meshing with the gear 62 and a tilt motor 64 having a drive shaft concentrically and integrally connected to the drive gear 63 are provided. The arc cam 61 is disposed at the left position of the reinforcing beam member 25 so that the cam shaft 611 extends in the front-rear direction in a state where the cam shaft 611 integrally penetrates the position of the center of curvature of the arc cam 61.

  The tray tilting means 60 is attached to a support frame 65 fixed to the left edge surface of the reinforcing beam member 25. The support frame 65 includes a vertical plate 651 having an upper edge fixed to the reinforcing beam member 25, a horizontal plate 652 extending leftward from the lower edge of the vertical plate 651, and the vertical plates. 651 and a pair of side plates 653 in the front-rear direction installed on each end of the horizontal plate 652. The cam shaft 611 is installed between a pair of side plates 653 so as to be rotatable about the axis, and the tilting motor 64 is installed on a horizontal plate 652.

  The arc cam 61 includes an arc portion 612 having an arc shape when viewed from the front, and a flat portion 613 formed in parallel with the cam shaft 611. The circular arc cam 61 is set in the horizontal posture S2 in the state where the circumferential surface of the circular arc portion 612 is in contact with the back surface of the first tray 21 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the first tray 21 is brought into contact with the back surface of the first tray 21 as shown in FIG. 5A (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4). The installation position is set so that the posture is set to the inclined posture S1.

  According to the tray tilting means 60, as shown in FIG. 5A (as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4), the first tray 21 is set in the tilted posture S1, that is, in the first state. By driving the tilting motor 64 in the counterclockwise direction with the back surface of the tray 21 in contact with the flat portion 613 of the arc cam 61, this driving is performed via the driving gear 63, the driven gear 62 and the cam shaft 611. The arc cam 61 is transmitted to the arc cam 61, whereby the arc cam 61 rotates clockwise around the cam shaft 611. Due to this rotation, the left edge of the flat portion 613 lifts the first tray 21, so that the first tray 21 rotates clockwise around the connecting shaft 24. When the arc portion 612 of the arc cam 61 comes into contact with the back surface of the first tray 21, the first tray 21 is set in the horizontal posture S2 as shown in FIG. become.

  In order to return the first tray 21 set in the horizontal posture S2 to the original tilted posture S1, the tilt motor 64 may be driven clockwise. As a result, the contact state of the first tray 21 with respect to the arc cam 61 sequentially shifts from the arc portion 612 to the plane portion 613, and when the plane portion 613 comes into surface contact with the back surface of the first tray 21, the first tray 21. Is set to the inclined posture S1.

  Next, a tray drive mechanism 30 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the paper discharge unit 15 for explaining the tray driving mechanism 30 ′ according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7. FIG. 7A is a state in which the discharge tray 20 in a state where the first tray 21 is set to the inclined posture S1 is set to the lower level U1. (B) shows a state in which the discharge tray 20 in a state where the first tray 21 is set to the horizontal posture S2 is set to the upper level U2. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the direction display by X and Y (X is the left-right direction (-X: leftward, + X: rightward), Y is the front-rear direction (-Y: forward, + Y: rearward)). It is the same as the case of.

  In the second embodiment, the tray driving mechanism 30 'includes the tray lifting / lowering means 40', the tray rotating means 50 ', and the tray tilting means 60' as constituent elements. Although it is the same as 30, the specific configuration of each component is different from that of the first embodiment.

  First, the tray lifting / lowering means 40 'according to the second embodiment includes a spiral rod 47 arranged to extend in the vertical direction, a nut member 48 to which the spiral rod 47 is screwed, and the nut member 48 being fixed. A rectangular parallelepiped housing 49 and a lift motor 45 ′ in which a drive shaft 451 is concentrically connected to the spiral rod 47 are provided.

  The elevating motor 45 'is vertically installed at a substantially central position of the bottom plate 116 of the tray housing recess 112, and the spiral rod 47 is concentrically and integrally connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 451 of the elevating motor 45'. . The nut member 48 is fixed at a substantially central position on the bottom surface of the bottom plate 491 of the housing 49 with the nut hole extending in the vertical direction. Further, the spiral rod 47 penetrates through the bottom plate 491 while being screwed to the nut member 48 and penetrates into the housing 49.

  The paper discharge tray 20 is disposed at a lower portion of the reinforcing member 26, the second tray 22 having an L-shape in a sectional view corresponding to the reinforcing beam member 25 of the first embodiment. It is supported by the housing 49 through the thrust bearing 27 (FIG. 7). Incidentally, the reinforcing member 26 is composed of a horizontal plate 261 extending in the front-rear direction of the horizontal plate and a vertical plate 262 hanging from the left edge portion of the horizontal plate 261, and the second plate with the horizontal plate 261 extending in the front-rear direction. It is fixed to the lower surface of the left edge of the tray 22.

  On the other hand, on the bottom plate 116 of the tray housing recess 112, four guide members 117 made of angle members for guiding the raising and lowering of the casing 49 are erected. These guide members 117 are set in standing positions so as to cover the four corners 492 of the casing 49 with the inner corner portions, respectively, whereby the casing 49 is guided to the guide members 117 in a non-rotating state. You can move up and down.

  According to the tray lifting / lowering means 40 ′, when the lifting / lowering motor 45 ′ is driven forward / reversely, the spiral rod 47 rotates forward / reversely around the axis, thereby being locked to the spiral rod 47. Since the nut member 48 is raised and lowered, the casing 49 supported by the nut member 48 is raised and lowered while being guided by the guide member 117 in a non-rotating state, whereby the thrust bearing 27 and the horizontal plate 261 of the reinforcing member 26 are interposed. Thus, the second tray 22 integrated with the horizontal plate 261 moves up and down between the lower level U1 ((A) in FIG. 7) and the upper level U2 ((B) in FIG. 7).

  Next, the tray rotating means 50 ′ of the second embodiment includes a rotating cylinder 54 housed in the casing 49 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and a concentric and integrally attached to the rotating cylinder 54. A fitted driven gear 55, a drive gear 56 having a smaller diameter than the driven gear 55 meshed with the driven gear 55, and a rotation motor 53 ′ having a drive shaft concentrically connected to a gear shaft 561 of the drive gear 56. It is configured with. The rotation motor 53 ′ is vertically installed on the bottom plate 491 of the housing 49.

  The rotating cylinder 54 passes through the top plate 493 of the housing 49 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the upper end portion of the rotating cylinder 54 is fixed to the horizontal plate 261 of the reinforcing member 26 while passing through the thrust bearing 27. . The upper part of the spiral rod 47 penetrating the bottom plate 491 of the housing 49 is fitted into the rotating cylinder 54 so as to be relatively rotatable.

  According to the tray rotating means 50 ′, the forward / reverse driving is transmitted to the driving gear 56 and the driven gear 55 meshed with the driving motor 56, by driving the rotating motor 53 ′ in the forward / reverse direction. And the rotating cylinder 54 integral with the cylinder rotates forward and backward around the cylinder center. Since the rotating cylinder 54 is fixed to the horizontal plate 261 of the reinforcing member 26 in a state of passing through the thrust bearing 27, the rotating cylinder 54 is rotated in the normal and reverse directions. By rotating, the discharge tray 20 integrated with the reinforcing member 26 rotates forward and backward.

  Therefore, after the discharge tray 20 is removed from the tray housing recess 112 by the tray lifting / lowering means 40 ', the rotation motor 53' is driven and rotated in a predetermined direction for a predetermined time, and then the driving is stopped. As a result, the sheet discharge tray 20 can be set to a desired rotation position.

  Next, the tray tilting means 60 ′ of the second embodiment is fixed to the solenoid member 66 attached to the reinforcing member 26 and the first tray 21 of the paper discharge tray 20, and is operated by driving the solenoid member 66. And an operation arm 67.

  The solenoid member 66 includes a solenoid main body 661 in which an unillustrated solenoid that is an electromagnetic coil is housed, and an iron core 662 having a distal end protruding from the solenoid main body 661 in a state of being penetrated by the solenoid in the solenoid main body 661, The coil core 663 is configured to include a coil spring 663 that is urged in a direction in which the iron core 662 protrudes in a state of being externally fitted to a portion protruding to the outside of the iron core 662. The solenoid body 661 is fixed to the left surface of the vertical plate 262 of the reinforcing member 26 with the iron core 662 extending in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, the iron core 662 is protruded to the left by the biasing force of the coil spring 663 in a state where no current is supplied to the solenoid ((b) in FIG. 7), while current is supplied to the solenoid. Thus, the iron core 662 is drawn into the solenoid body 661 against the urging force of the coil spring 663 ((A) in FIG. 7).

  The operation arm 67 protrudes downward from a position corresponding to the iron core 662 on the back surface side of the first tray 21. A long hole 671 extending in the vertical direction and penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower end portion of the operation arm 67, while a connecting projection corresponding to the long hole 671 is formed at the tip of the iron core 662. 664 is provided, and the connecting projection 664 is fitted into the elongated hole 671 in a sliding contact state, whereby the iron core 662 and the operation arm 67 are connected to each other.

  According to the tray tilting means 60 ', current is supplied to the solenoid of the solenoid body 661 in a state where the first tray 21 is set in the horizontal posture S2 as shown in FIG. The solenoid is excited to pull the iron core 662 into the solenoid body 661 against the urging force of the coil spring 663, so that the operation arm 67 connected to the iron core 662 via the connection protrusion 664 is revolved around the connection shaft 24. By rotating in the clockwise direction, the first tray 21 integrated with the operation arm 67 is changed to the inclined posture S1 shown in FIG.

  Conversely, when returning the first tray 21 set in the inclined posture S1 to the horizontal posture S2, the current supply to the solenoid of the solenoid body 661 may be cut off. As a result, the iron core 662 protrudes leftward by the urging force of the coil spring 663, so that the operating arm 67 connected to the iron core 662 via the connecting protrusion 664 is directed clockwise around the connecting shaft 24. Thus, the first tray 21 integrated with the operation arm 67 is returned to the horizontal posture S2 indicated by the solid line in FIG.

  In the printer 10 according to the present invention having such tray driving mechanisms 30 and 30 ', when the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 113a, as shown in FIG. Is set in the tray storage recess 112 by setting the paper discharge tray 20 in the state in which the inclination is set to the inclined posture S1 to the lower level U1.

  On the other hand, once the printing operation for one job is completed and the sheet bundle P1 is formed on the sheet discharge tray 20 set to the lower level U1, the first tray is first driven by the tray tilting means 60, 60 '. After the posture 21 is changed from the inclined posture S1 to the horizontal posture S2, the discharge tray 20 is raised from the lower level U1 to the upper level U2 by driving the tray lifting means 40, 40 '.

  Then, the tray rotating means 50 and 50 'are driven in a state in which the sheet discharge tray 20 is set to the upper level U2, whereby the sheet discharge tray 20 is moved to a preset rotation position or one job. It is configured to be rotated about the vertical shaft 31 (FIG. 4) or the rotating cylinder 54 (FIG. 6) toward the rotation position designated for each paper discharge.

  Therefore, according to the printer 10 of the present invention, the user always keeps the paper P on the paper discharge tray 20 protruding outside from the inside of the tray housing recess 112 in the normal posture (the picked-up paper is in the reverse direction, the horizontal direction, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to pick up the paper from the paper discharge tray 20 more smoothly than in the conventional case where the hand is inserted into the tray housing recess 112 and picks up the paper P. It can contribute to efficiency.

  FIG. 8 is a layout view in plan view showing one usage pattern of the printer 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 8A is a lower level (discharge position) U1 (or upper level) where the discharge tray 20 is the home position. U2) is set to the position, (b) is the state where the discharge tray 20 is set at the first rotation position T1 toward the first desk D1, and (c) is the state where the discharge tray 20 is the first. A state in which the second rotation position T2 is set toward the second desk D2, (D) is a state in which the paper discharge tray 20 is set at the third rotation position T3 toward the third desk D3, (E) shows a state in which the paper discharge tray 20 is set at the fourth rotation position T4 toward the fourth desk D4. In addition, the direction display by X and Y in FIG. 8 (X is a left-right direction (-X: leftward, + X: rightward), Y is a front-back direction (-Y: front, + Y: back)) is the case of FIG. It is the same.

  In this form of use, four office desks D (first to fourth desks D1, D2, D3, D4) are arranged together so as to form a “field” in plan view, and the first desk D1 is arranged at the lower left, the second desk D2 is arranged at the lower right, the third desk D3 is arranged at the upper right, and the fourth desk D4 is arranged at the upper left. Then, the printer 10 according to the present invention has the front (surface on which the paper cassette 121 (FIG. 1) can be seen) forward at the center position of the first to fourth desks D1, D2, D3, and D4 that are collectively arranged in this way. It is installed towards.

  In the arrangement of the desk D and the printer 10, a PC (personal computer) 90 is arranged on each of the desks D1, D2, D3, and D4. Incidentally, the first PC 91 is arranged on the first desk D1, the second PC 92 is arranged on the second desk D2, the third PC 93 is arranged on the third desk D3, and the fourth PC 94 is arranged on the fourth desk D4.

  Each PC (input means) 90 includes input devices such as a keyboard 901 and a mouse 902, and includes an LCD 903 as a display means or an output means, and various types of information using the keyboard 901 and the mouse 902 while viewing the LCD 903. Input processing is performed. In FIG. 8, the keyboard 901, the mouse 902, and the LCD 903 are shown only for the first PC 91, but these are not shown for the second to fourth PCs 92 to 94.

  The PCs 91, 92, 93, and 94 are connected to the printer 10 through signal lines, respectively, and command signals from the PCs 91, 92, 93, and 94 through the signal lines when the keyboard 901 and the mouse 902 are operated. The printer 10 executes print processing.

  When the printer 10 performs a printing process based on the command signal, the paper discharge tray 20 has an end (reference end) opposite to the end on the second tray 22 side of the first tray 21 indicated by a black circle in FIG. In this state, the level is set to the lower level U1 fitted in the tray housing recess 112 ((A) in FIG. 8).

  When it is confirmed that the printing process of one job in the printer 10 is completed and the last sheet P in the job is discharged to the discharge tray 20, the discharge tray 20 is first inclined to the inclined posture S1 (FIG. The first tray 21 that has been 1) is changed from the lower level U1 to the upper level U2 after the posture is changed to the horizontal posture S2, and then continuously rotates toward the desk D having the PC 90 that has transmitted the command signal. It has become.

  Regarding the rotation position of the discharge tray 20, the first rotation position T1 shown in (b) of FIG. 8, the second rotation position T2 shown in (c) of FIG. 8, and (c) of FIG. A third rotation position T3 shown in FIG. 8, a third rotation position T3 shown in (d) of FIG. 8, and a fourth rotation position T4 shown in (e) of FIG. 8 are set.

  The first rotation position T1 is directed counterclockwise from the discharge tray 20 from the reference position T0 (the position shown in FIG. 8A in which the reference end Z of the discharge tray 20 faces leftward). The second rotation position T2 is a position where the paper discharge tray 20 is rotated 135 ° counterclockwise from the reference position T0, and the third rotation position T3 is a position where the paper discharge tray 20 is rotated. The tray 20 is a position rotated 225 ° counterclockwise from the reference position T0, and the fourth rotation position T4 is a position where the discharge tray 20 is rotated 315 ° counterclockwise from the reference position T0. .

  Although the description has been made so that the paper discharge tray 20 rotates only in the counterclockwise direction, this is merely described for convenience of explanation, and actually, the paper output tray 20 is rotated to the target position with the shortest rotation angle. Moved. Specifically, when the paper discharge tray 20 at the reference position T0 moves toward the fourth rotation position T4, it is rotated 45 ° clockwise. Further, when the paper discharge tray 20 located at the reference position T0 moves to the third rotation position T3, it is rotated 135 ° clockwise. Thereafter, when the sheet bundle P1 on the paper discharge tray 20 is removed, the paper discharge tray 20 returns to the original reference position T0 and is ready for printing processing for the next job.

  When the paper discharge tray 20 performs such an operation, a user working at each of the desks D1, D2, D3, and D4 outputs a print command from the PC 90 being used to the printer 10. Since the paper discharge tray 20 on which the paper bundle P1 for which the printing process has been completed is placed faces the user with the reference end Z facing forward, the user extends the hand and discharges the paper bundle P1. The sheet bundle P1 is naturally in the normal posture simply by removing it from the tray 20, and therefore, the posture of the paper P removed from the paper discharge tray 20 is confirmed and changed to the correct orientation when it is in the horizontal direction or the opposite direction. This eliminates the need for troublesome work and contributes to the efficiency of printing work.

  Hereinafter, such position control of the paper discharge tray 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the position control of the paper discharge tray 20. The printer 10 is provided with a control unit 70 composed of a microcomputer, and the printer 10 is designed so that the overall operation is controlled by the control unit 70. This is shown in FIG.

  That is, the control means 70 is a CPU (central processing unit) 71 as a central processing unit, a ROM (read only memory) 72 which is a read-only storage device attached to the CPU 71, and a CPU 71 temporarily. 1 has a basic configuration including a random access memory (RAM) 73 configured to be readable and writable with respect to various types of data generated in the memory.

  The CPU 71 determines a paper discharge state of the paper P to the paper discharge tray 20 and a rotation angle for determining a rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 from a reference position (discharge position) T0. The discriminating unit 712, the tray lifting and lowering means 40 and 40 ', the tray rotating means 50 and 50', and the control signal output unit 713 for outputting a control signal to the tray tilting means 60 and 60 'are provided.

  A command signal for performing a printing process is input from the PCs 91, 92, 93, and 94 to the paper discharge determining unit 711, and the paper discharge determining unit 711 that receives the command signal receives the command signal. It is determined which PC 90 the command signal is from, and the determination result is output to the rotation angle determination unit 712. Note that this determination by the paper discharge determination unit 711 is performed by an identification signal given to each of the PCs 91, 92, 93, 94. This identification signal is output from the PC 90 to the paper discharge determination unit 711 in a state of being placed on the print processing command signal.

  The rotation angle discrimination unit 712 discriminates the rotation angle from the reference position T0 of the paper discharge tray 20 corresponding to the PC 90 requesting the discriminated printing process based on the discrimination result of the paper discharge discrimination unit 711. It is like that. For this determination, the ROM (storage unit) 72 stores the rotation direction and rotation angle for each of the PCs 91, 92, 93, and 94 in a table format. By referring to this table, the rotation direction and rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 are obtained.

For example, the following data is stored in the angle table.
・ First desk D1: Rotation direction → Counterclockwise direction, Rotation angle → 45 °
Second desk D2: rotation direction → counterclockwise, rotation angle → 135 °
・ Third desk D3: rotation direction → clockwise, rotation angle → 45 °
-Fourth desk D4: rotation direction → clockwise, rotation angle → 135 °
The rotation angle discriminating unit 712 that discriminates the rotation direction and the rotation angle by referring to such a table outputs the discrimination result to the control signal output unit 713.

  The control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal to the printer 10 in order to rotate the paper discharge tray 20 in a state where the paper discharge is completed based on the determination result input from the rotation angle determination unit 712. It is like that.

  Incidentally, as to when the control signal output unit 713 outputs the control signal, the print information added to the command signal input from the PC 90 to the paper discharge determination unit 711 (the number of copies to be printed in one job and the start key) Is determined based on the operation (including the time when the mouse 902 is clicked to execute printing).

  For this determination, the RAM 73 is provided with a timer 731, and the paper discharge determining unit 711 calculates the time required for the paper discharge (paper discharge time) starting from the time when the command signal is input from the PC 90. A control signal output start command signal is output to the control signal output unit 713 when the time measured by the timer 731 has passed the paper discharge time.

  The control signal output unit 713 receives a rotation angle signal from the rotation angle determination unit 712, and then receives a control signal output start command signal from the paper discharge determination unit 711. Toward the tilting means 60, 60 '(in the case of the first embodiment, toward the tilting motor 64 of the tray tilting means 60, in the case of the second embodiment, toward the solenoid member 66 of the tray tilting means 60') A control signal for changing the posture of the first tray 21 set to the inclined posture S1 to the horizontal posture S2 is output.

  Then, the first tray 21 changes its posture from the tilting posture S1 (FIG. 1) to the horizontal posture S2 (FIG. 2) by a predetermined operation when the tray tilting means 60, 60 ′ receives this control signal, and thereby the first tray 21 is discharged. The paper tray 20 becomes flat.

  Next, after the first tray 21 is set in the horizontal posture S2, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal toward the lifting motors 45 and 45 'of the tray lifting and lowering means 40 and 40'. Yes. By the positive drive of the elevating motors 45 and 45 ′ by the output of such a control signal, the paper discharge tray 20 rises from the lower level U 1 to the upper level U 2, whereby the paper discharge tray 20 is moved to the tray storage recess 112. It will come out upwards and will be able to rotate in a horizontal plane.

  In this state, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal for rotating the discharge tray 20 in the horizontal plane toward the rotation motors 53 and 53 ′ of the tray rotation means 50 and 50 ′. It has become. In this case, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal for a time based on the rotation angle input from the rotation angle determination unit 712 while referring to the timer 731. Is directed to the desk D provided with the PC 90 that has requested the printing process.

  Then, when the user removes the discharged paper P (or paper bundle P1) from the paper discharge tray 20, the paper discharge tray 20 returns to the original paper discharge position. In this embodiment, in order to detect that the user has removed the paper P from the paper discharge tray 20, a paper sensor 80, for example, a light sensor is provided at an appropriate position of the paper discharge tray 20. A detection signal indicating that the sheet P has been removed is input to the control signal output unit 713.

  When the detection signal from the paper sensor 80 is input, the control signal output unit 713 first moves the paper discharge tray 20 toward the rotation motors 53 and 53 ′ of the tray rotation means 50 and 50 ′. A control signal for returning to T0 is output. Upon receipt of this control signal, the rotation motors 53 and 53 'are reversely driven from the beginning for the same time as the time required to reach the predetermined rotation position, whereby the paper discharge tray 20 is driven to the reference position T0 (FIG. 8). (B)).

  Subsequently, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal for reversely driving to the lifting motors 45 and 45 ′ of the tray lifting and lowering means 40 and 40 ′. As a result of the reverse drive of the lifting motors 45 and 45 ', the sheet discharge tray 20 that has been set to the upper level U2 (FIG. 2) is lowered to the lower level U1.

  Next, the control signal output unit 713 is directed toward the tray tilting means 60, 60 '(in the case of the first embodiment, toward the tilting motor 64 of the tray tilting means 60, in the case of the second embodiment, the tray tilting means 60). The control signal is output (to the solenoid member 66) and the tilting motor 64 or the solenoid member 66 is driven reversely from the initial state. As a result of this change in the posture of the first tray 21 from the horizontal posture S2 to the inclined posture S1, the paper discharge tray 20 discharges the printed paper P again as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It will return to the initial state where it can be received.

  As described above in detail, the printer 10 according to the present invention is configured such that the paper discharge unit 15 that discharges the paper P onto which the image has been transferred in the transfer unit 13 is provided at the top of the apparatus body 11. The paper discharge unit 15 includes a paper discharge tray 20 that receives the discharged paper P. The paper discharge tray 20 is a vertical axis (vertical axis 31 in the first embodiment, second implementation) in a horizontal plane at the upper level U2. When the paper P discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 in the state of being set at the paper discharge position is taken out, it is provided so as to be able to turn in almost all directions around the rotary cylinder 54). The paper P is taken out from any position with respect to the printer 10 by being directed in the direction in which the paper discharge tray 20 is taken out, and the paper P is taken out in a so-called straight forward posture in which the paper P is not reversed or sideways. Can be Kill.

  Therefore, since the paper P taken out from the paper tray is not turned sideways or turned upside down, it is not necessary to check the direction of the taken paper P one by one. In addition to contributing to efficiency, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of inconveniences such as stapling at the wrong position of the paper P.

  Further, the printer 10 is provided with tray rotating means 50, 50 'for rotating the paper discharge tray 20, and a control means 70 for controlling the rotation angle of the tray rotating means 50, 50'. The means 70 is a paper discharge discriminating section 711 for discriminating the state of paper discharge of the paper P to the paper discharge tray 20, and the rotation of the paper discharge tray 20 from the reference position (paper discharge position) T0 based on the input information from the PC 90. A rotation angle discriminating unit 712 that discriminates the angle, and a paper discharge tray based on the determination result of the rotation angle discriminating unit 712 after the discharge discriminating unit 711 determines that the discharge of the paper P to the paper discharge tray 20 is completed. The tray rotation means 50 sends a control signal for rotating the position 20 to a predetermined rotation position (in the above embodiment, the first to fourth rotation positions T1 to T4) by rotating it 20 by a preset rotation angle. , Output to 50 ' And a signal output section 713.

  According to such a configuration, the PC 90 performs a predetermined input operation relating to the printing process and the paper discharge direction of the paper P using the keyboard 901 and the mouse 902 (in the above embodiment, any PC 90 is The rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 is automatically determined depending on whether it has been used), and the paper discharge discriminating unit 711 discriminates the status of paper discharge with respect to the paper discharge tray 20, and uses this determination result and input information relating to the paper discharge direction as input. Based on this, the rotation angle discriminating unit 712 discriminates the rotation angle, and the tray rotation means 50, 50 ′ so that the control signal output unit 713 rotates by an angle based on the discrimination result of the rotation angle discriminating unit 712. In order to output the control signal toward the head, the paper discharge tray 20 is rotated by a predetermined angle by driving the tray rotating means 50 and 50 'after the paper P is discharged.

  In this way, by performing a predetermined input from the PC 90 to the control means 70, the paper discharge tray 20 automatically rotates by an angle corresponding to the input information under the control of the control means 70 based on the input information. There is no need to manually rotate the paper discharge tray 20, which can contribute to the efficiency of office work.

  In the above-described embodiment, the paper sensor 80 that detects the presence or absence of the paper P on the paper discharge tray 20 is provided, and the control signal output unit 713 receives the paper from the paper discharge tray 20 that is set at the rotation position. A control signal for returning the paper discharge tray 20 to the reference position T0 is output based on a detection signal from the paper sensor 80 indicating that P has been taken out.

  Therefore, the sheet P is discharged, and the sheet discharge tray 20 whose position has been changed from the reference position T0 to a predetermined rotation position (in the present embodiment, any one of the first to fourth rotation positions T1 to T4). When the sheet sensor 80 detects that the sheet P is not present on the upper side, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal toward the tray rotating means 50 and 50 ', and the position is set at the rotating position. Since the paper discharge tray 20 returns to the paper discharge position, there is no need to manually return the paper discharge tray 20 one by one, thereby improving office work efficiency and promptly responding to the next paper discharge. it can.

  In the above embodiment, since the printer 10 is shared by a plurality of PCs 90, one printer 10 can correspond to the plurality of PCs 90, which can contribute to a reduction in apparatus cost. Further, each PC 90 includes an LCD 903 which is an input screen for input operation. Therefore, when paper is discharged for each PC 90, the paper discharge tray 20 for each PC 90 is input by inputting the paper discharge information via the input screen. (In the above embodiment, the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 is automatically set), so that each printer 10 can be The same situation as when a dedicated printer 10 is provided for each PC 90 can be realized.

  Further, the control means 70 for controlling the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 stores an angle table in which the rotation angle from the reference position T0 of the paper discharge tray 20 corresponding to each of the plurality of PCs 90 is tabulated. ROM 72 as a paper discharge discriminating unit 711 discriminates from which PC 90 the paper P to be discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 is from, and the rotation angle discriminating unit 712 is a discriminating paper discharge. The rotation angle is determined based on the determination result of the unit 711 and the angle table, and the control signal output unit 713 discharges paper to the discharge tray 20 at the discharge position based on the determination result of the rotation angle determination unit 712. A control signal for rotating the paper discharge tray 20 by an angle corresponding to the PC 90 on which an input operation has been performed after completion is output to the tray rotating means 50 and 50 '.

  According to this configuration, when an input operation is performed from any of the plurality of PCs 90, the paper discharge determination unit 711 determines from which PC 90 the paper P discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 is from. Based on the determination result and the angle table stored in the ROM 72, the rotation angle determination unit 712 determines the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 20 corresponding to the PC 90, and the determined rotation angle is obtained. As described above, since the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal toward the tray rotation means 50 and 50 ′, the paper discharge tray 20 is automatically set to a rotation position having an angle corresponding to the PC 90. Therefore, the rotation angle of the discharge tray 20 corresponding to the PC 90 is set only by using the PC 90 without performing a troublesome operation such as inputting the rotation angle of the discharge tray 20 from the PC 90 one by one. Thus, the operability of the rotation position setting operation of the shared paper discharge tray 20 in each PC 90 can be greatly improved.

  In the above embodiment, the paper discharge tray 20 is rotated in a state where the level is set to the upper level U2 higher than the paper discharge position of the lower level U1. If the rotation operation of the paper discharge tray 20 is performed with the same height level as the paper position, the inconvenience that the paper discharge tray 20 cannot rotate due to interference with various members around it is eliminated. Compared to the case where both the paper discharge and the rotation of the paper discharge tray 20 are performed at the same height level, both the paper discharge and the rotation can be performed more smoothly.

  Since the printer 10 is sized so that it can be placed on the desk D, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of work tables are placed on the table in two rows facing each other. By arranging the printer 10 set to a size to be obtained at the center of these table rows, an operator working on each work table rotates the paper discharge tray 20 toward himself / herself as if one printer 10 is used. It can be used like its own, and it can increase the satisfaction of each worker while contributing to the reduction of equipment costs.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes the following contents.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is employed as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the printer 10 as the image forming apparatus, and a scanner for reading a document. A so-called multifunction machine having a function as a copier equipped with

  (2) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 is connected to a plurality of PCs 90 as illustrated in FIG. 8, but the present invention is limited to connecting the printer 10 to a plurality of PCs 90. Instead, the printer 10 may be connected to only one PC 90. Even when the printer 10 is connected to only one PC 90, for example, when the input person for print processing setting is different from the person who receives the discharged paper P, the paper discharge tray 20 is P can be directed to recipients of P, and can contribute to the rationalization of the business of accepting material requests and the business of supplying materials in government offices.

  (3) In the above embodiment, after the paper sensor 80 detects that the paper P has been removed from the paper discharge tray 20 set at a predetermined rotation angle, the paper discharge tray 20 is set to the reference position T0. However, instead of this, the control signal output unit 713 outputs a control signal for returning the discharge tray 20 to the discharge position when the discharge determination unit 711 determines discharge of the next sheet P. You may make it output. By doing this, even if the paper P on the paper discharge tray 20 is not taken out, the paper discharge tray 20 that has been set to the rotating position is automatically moved to the paper discharge position when the next paper is discharged. As a result, the next paper P is discharged onto the paper P that has been discharged first. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience that paper is not used.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the discharge tray 20 can be raised and lowered between the lower level U1 and the upper level U2, and the discharge tray 20 is set at the reference position T0 and at the lower level U1. The paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 only after that, and then the paper discharge tray 20 is raised to the upper level U2 and then rotated. However, the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 20 at the same height level. If the paper and the paper discharge tray 20 can be rotated, it is not necessary to provide the tray elevating means 40 and 40 'and the tray tilting means 60 and 60'. Can contribute.

  (5) In the second embodiment, the coil spring 663 is biased in the pulling direction of the iron core 662. Instead, the coil spring 663 biases the iron core 662 in a protruding direction. It may be.

  (6) The tray tilting means 60 of the first embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment, or the tray tilting means 60 ′ of the second embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment.

  (7) In the above embodiment, an optical sensor is employed as the paper sensor 80 for detecting the presence or absence of the paper P on the paper discharge tray 20, but in the present invention, the paper sensor 80 is an optical sensor. For example, a sensor (limit switch) of a so-called striker type in which the striker operates with the weight of the paper P when the paper P exists on the paper discharge tray 20 may be employed.

  (8) In the above embodiment, each of the PCs 91, 92, 93, 94 is connected to the printer 10 by signal lines, but the computers installed as signal lines in a relatively narrow range such as in an office or building. A so-called LAN (local area network) LAN cable, which is a network system configured to connect each other and exchange data, may be used.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, a predetermined portion of the core (the rack column 41 in the first embodiment and the rotating cylinder 54 in the second embodiment) serving as the center of the rotation center of the discharge tray 20 is provided. By providing clutch means and turning off the clutch means, the discharge tray 20 can be pivoted from the lifting motors 45 and 45 'so that the discharge tray 20 can rotate freely. . By doing so, the paper discharge tray 20 can be freely rotated in a state where the driving force transmission to the tray rotating means 50 and 50 'is released, so that the paper discharge tray can be manually rotated to an arbitrary rotation position. Thus, the usability of the paper discharge tray 20 can be further improved.

  (10) In the above embodiment, the transfer unit 13 is provided with the transfer belt 135 for transferring the paper P toward the photosensitive drum 131. However, in the present invention, the transfer belt 13 is provided with the transfer belt 135. The sheet P is not limited to being provided, and the sheet P may be directly fed between the transfer roller 136 and the photosensitive drum 131.

1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention, and shows a state where a paper discharge tray is housed in a tray housing recess. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a paper discharge tray of the printer shown in FIG. 1 protrudes from a tray housing recess. It is explanatory drawing of front sectional view which shows one Embodiment of the internal structure of the printer shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a paper discharge unit for explaining a tray driving mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tray driving mechanism shown in FIG. 4 taken along line AA, where (a) shows a state in which the discharge tray in a state where the first tray is set in an inclined posture is set to a lower level (Ro ) Shows a state where the discharge tray in the state where the first tray is set to the horizontal posture is set to the upper level. FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged perspective view of a paper discharge unit for explaining a tray driving mechanism according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the tray driving mechanism shown in FIG. 6 taken along line B-B, in which (a) illustrates a state in which the discharge tray in a state where the first tray is set in the inclined posture is set to a lower level (b) ) Shows a state where the discharge tray in the state where the first tray is set to the horizontal posture is set to the upper level. FIG. 2 is a plan view layout showing one usage pattern of the printer according to the present invention, in which (a) is a state where the paper discharge tray is set at a lower level (paper discharge position) which is a home position, and (b) is The state where the paper discharge tray is set at the first rotation position toward the first desk, (C) is the state where the paper discharge tray is set at the second rotation position toward the second desk, (D) is the state where the paper discharge tray is set to the third rotation position toward the third desk, and (E) is the position where the paper discharge tray is set to the fourth rotation position toward the fourth desk. Each state is shown. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of position control of a paper discharge tray.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main body 111 Top plate 112 Tray storage recessed part 113 Left side wall 113a Paper discharge outlet 114 Operation panel 115 Front plate 116 Bottom plate 117 Guide member 12 Paper storage part 121 Paper cassette 122 Pickup roller 123 Paper feed conveyance path 124 Registration roller pair 13 Transfer part 131 Photosensitive drum 132 Charger 133 Exposure device 134 Development device 135 Conveyor belt 136 Transfer roller 137 Cleaning device 138 Static eliminator 14 Fixing unit 141 Heat roller 142 Pressure roller 143 Discharge transport route 15 Discharge unit 16 Circular guide member 161 Flange Part 162 flat cylinder part 163 retaining circle part 164 circular guide groove 20 paper discharge tray 21 first tray 22 second tray 23 butterfly plate part 24 connecting shaft 25 reinforcing beam material 26 reinforcing member 261 horizontal plate 262 vertical plate 27 thrust Bearing 30, 30 'Tray drive mechanism 31 Vertical shaft 311 Cylindrical body 40, 40' Tray lifting means 41 Rack pillar 411 Rack 42 Pinion 421 Pinion shaft 43 Worm wheel 44 Worm 45, 45 'Lifting motor 46 Base 461 Base plate 461a With teeth Hole 461b Bearing piece 461c Motor support base 462 Base side plate 463 Projection piece 47 Spiral rod 48 Nut member 49 Case 491 Bottom plate 492 Corner portion 493 Top plate 50, 50 'Tray rotating means 51 Spline shaft 52 Drive gear 521 Gear shaft 53 Rotating motor 54 Rotating cylinder 55 Driven gear 56 Drive gear 561 Gear shaft 60, 60 'Tray tilting means 61 Arc cam 611 Cam shaft 612 Arc part 613 Plane part 62 Driven gear 63 Drive gear 64 Tilt motor 65 Support frame 651 Vertical plate 652 Horizontal plate 653 Side plate 66 Solenoid member 661 Solenoid body 662 Iron core 663 Coil spring 664 Connection protrusion 67 Operation arm 671 Long hole 70 Control means 71 CPU
711 Paper discharge determination unit 712 Rotation angle determination unit 713 Control signal output unit 72 ROM (storage unit)
73 RAM 731 Timer 80 Paper sensor 90 PC (input means)
901 Keyboard 902 Mouse 903 LCD 91-94 1st-4th PC
D desk D1 to D4 1st to 4th desk S1 Inclined attitude S2 Horizontal attitude T0 Reference position (discharge position) T1 to T4 1st to 4th rotation position U1 Lower level (discharge position) U2 Upper level Z Reference end Part

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge unit for discharging a sheet on which an image is transferred,
The paper discharge unit is provided at the top of the apparatus main body, and has a paper discharge tray for receiving the discharged paper,
The paper discharge tray is provided so as to be rotatable in almost all directions around a vertical axis in a horizontal plane, and is configured to receive paper discharged in a state set at a paper discharge position. An image forming apparatus. Tray rotating means for rotating the paper discharge tray, and control means for controlling the rotation angle of the tray rotating means are provided,
The control means includes a paper discharge determining unit that determines a state of paper discharge to the paper discharge tray,
A rotation angle determination unit that determines a rotation angle of the discharge tray from the discharge position based on input information from a predetermined input unit;
After the discharge determination unit determines that the discharge of the paper to the discharge tray is completed, the discharge tray is rotated by the rotation angle based on the determination result of the rotation angle determination unit to the rotation position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal for position setting toward the tray rotating unit. A paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper on the paper discharge tray;
The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for returning the paper discharge tray to the paper discharge position based on a detection signal from the paper sensor indicating that the paper has been taken out from the paper discharge tray set at the rotation position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control signal output unit outputs a control signal for returning the paper discharge tray to the paper discharge position when the paper discharge determination unit determines that the next sheet is discharged. .   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the discharge tray is configured to be freely rotatable by releasing the driving force transmitted by the tray rotating unit. The paper discharge unit is shared by the plurality of input units, and each input unit includes an input screen for input operation. The control unit discharges the paper discharge tray corresponding to each of the plurality of input units. A storage unit for storing an angle table in which the rotation angle from the paper position is tabulated;
The paper discharge determining unit determines from which input means the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray is from,
The rotation angle determination unit determines a rotation angle based on the determination result of the paper discharge determination unit and the angle table,
The control signal output unit outputs the discharge by an angle corresponding to the input means on which the input operation has been performed after paper discharge to the paper discharge tray at the paper discharge position based on the determination result of the rotation angle determination unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a control signal for rotating the paper tray is output toward the tray rotating means.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge tray is rotated in a state where the level is set higher than the paper discharge position.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is sized so as to be placed on a table.

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