JP2007055707A - Paper delivery tray, paper delivery device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a tip of paper from being hung down before it is stored in a paper delivery tray (storing part) even when the paper has low stiffness or narrow width, and to store predetermined amount of paper. <P>SOLUTION: When paper P with low stiffness is delivered, the paper delivery tray 60 is installed in a placement part 40. Due to this, the paper P delivered from a paper delivery port 44 can be placed on a placement board 62 before the tip of the paper P is hung down. Therefore, this prevents the paper P from being delivered in the state where the tip of the paper P is wound inwardly. Moreover, even when the paper delivery tray 60 is installed in the placement part 40, the height of a step formed between the paper delivery port 44 and the placement part 40 is maintained. Therefore, even when large amount of the paper P delivered from the paper delivery port 44 is stacked on the paper delivery tray 60, the paper delivery port 44 is never occluded by the paper P. As a result, predetermined amount of the paper P can be stored in the paper delivery tray 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper discharge tray, a paper discharge device on which the paper discharge tray is mounted, and an image forming apparatus including the paper discharge device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus such as a printer or a fax machine is provided with a placement unit that stacks (places) recorded sheets discharged from the image recording apparatus main body. Normally, the placement unit is attached so as to be positioned below a paper discharge port through which paper is discharged in order to accommodate a large amount of paper that has been discharged. In other words, a step is provided between the paper discharge port and the placement portion, and even when a large amount of paper is discharged, the paper discharge port is not blocked by the stacked paper. ing.

  In such a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when a weak paper P such as thin paper or strip is discharged to the placement unit 102, before the leading edge of the paper P lands on the placement unit 102. At this stage, the paper P hangs down, and the paper P is discharged in a state where the leading end is wound inside (roll stack).

  Therefore, when paper with weak stiffness is discharged, the stacking unit (discharge tray) is moved upward to eliminate the step between the discharge port and the stacking unit, thereby preventing roll stacking. There is a thing (refer patent document 1).

However, if the level difference between the paper discharge port and the loading portion is eliminated or the level difference is reduced, the paper discharge port is blocked by the stacked sheets, and the number of sheets that can be accommodated is limited.
JP-A-10-26155

  According to the present invention, even for a weak paper or a narrow paper, it is possible to prevent the leading edge of the paper from sagging before being stored in the paper discharge tray (storage unit) and to store a predetermined amount of paper. The task is to do.

  The discharge tray according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a mounting portion on which a recording medium discharged from a discharge port of the image forming apparatus is mounted, and a mounting portion that can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion. A discharge tray attached in a replaceable manner, wherein the position where the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the discharge outlet lands is positioned higher than the placement section, and is lowered toward the discharge outlet. It is characterized by having a sloped surface.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the paper discharge tray having the inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the paper discharge port is mounted on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus or replaced with the mounting portion. As a result, the position where the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the discharge outlet lands is higher than the placement portion of the image forming apparatus.

  As a result, for example, when a stiff recording medium such as thin paper is ejected from the ejection port, the recording medium can be landed on the housing portion before the leading end hangs down. In this state, the recording medium is not discharged.

  Even if the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is stacked on the inclined surface of the paper discharge tray, the inclined surface is inclined downward toward the paper discharge port. Since the level difference is maintained, the discharge port is not blocked by the stacked recording medium. Therefore, even if a paper discharge tray is attached on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, a predetermined amount of recording medium can be accommodated in the paper discharge tray.

  The discharge tray of the present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the inclined surface is a convex curved surface.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, when the recording medium is placed on the inclined surface by forming the inclined surface into a convex curved surface, the recording medium is curved along the convex shape of the inclined surface. It is mounted with. Thereby, since the front surface of the recording medium is in contact with the inclined surface, the recording medium is stably placed on the inclined surface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the discharge tray of the present invention guides the end of the inclined surface in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recording medium to the both ends of the inclined surface in the direction orthogonal to the discharge direction of the recording medium. A guide member is provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the guide members are provided at both ends of the inclined surface in the direction orthogonal to the recording medium discharge direction, and the guide members are orthogonal to the recording medium discharge direction. The end in the direction to be guided is guided. As a result, even when a large amount of recording medium is stacked on the inclined surface, there is no possibility of collapsing in the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction (the width direction of the recording medium).

  The paper discharge tray according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a mounting surface on which a recording medium can be mounted is formed on the upper portion of the guide member.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, by forming the mounting surface on the guide member, an image is formed when a recording medium having a size larger than the recording medium placed on the guide member is discharged. Even if the paper discharge tray is not removed from the mounting portion of the apparatus, a large-sized recording medium is mounted on the mounting surface.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge device according to the present invention, a paper discharge port for discharging a recording medium on which an image is recorded, and a placement unit on which the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is placed. The moving plate is a partly moving plate of the plate constituting the mounting portion, and the moving plate is positioned at a position higher than the position where the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the discharge port lands. A moving means for moving is provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a part of the plate constituting the mounting portion on which the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is placed is the moving plate, and the moving means discharges the paper from the paper discharge port. The moving plate is moved to a position higher than the position where the leading edge of the paper-recorded recording medium lands.

  This makes it possible to land the recording medium on the moving plate before the leading edge hangs down when a recording medium with weak stiffness such as thin paper is ejected from the ejection outlet. In this state, the recording medium is not discharged.

  In addition, since a part of the plate constituting the mounting portion is a moving plate, when the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is stacked on the moving plate, the end of the recording medium on the discharge port side is the moving plate. Hanging from. As a result, the discharge port of the image recording apparatus is not blocked by the recording medium loaded on the moving plate, so that a predetermined amount of recording medium is accommodated in the moving plate.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the paper discharge device according to the present invention, wherein the moving means is an arm that supports the moving plate and rotates around the mounting portion as a fulcrum.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, the tip of the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port is positioned more than the mounting portion by rotating the arm that supports the movable plate around the mounting portion. Land at a high position. Thus, since the moving plate is moved by the arm, it is not necessary to provide a complicated device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper discharge device according to the present invention, the moving means is configured by a link member whose upper end portion supports the moving plate and whose lower end portion is slidably attached to the mounting portion. It is characterized by that.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the moving plate moves from the mounting portion by sliding and extending the link member.

  In this way, by using the link member, the moving plate moves in parallel to the placement unit. As a result, the recording medium is loaded to some extent.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the paper discharge device according to the present invention, wherein the moving means is a hinge that erects the moving plate along the paper discharge direction.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the moving plate stands up along the paper discharge direction by the hinge. As a result, if the moving plate is raised when discharging the recording medium with weak stiffness, the leading edge of the recording medium lands on the raised moving plate. In other words, since the leading end of the recording medium can be landed at a position higher than the placement portion, the recording medium is not discharged with the leading end wound inside.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the paper discharge device according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, when a weak recording medium such as thin paper is ejected from the ejection outlet, the leading edge of the recording medium is ejected without hanging down. The recording medium is not discharged in a state where the is wound inside.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, even when the paper is weak or narrow, the leading edge of the paper is prevented from sagging before being stored in the paper discharge tray (storage unit), and at the same time, a predetermined amount of paper is prevented. Can hold paper.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 including a paper discharge tray 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Outline of image forming apparatus)
An optical scanning device 12 is disposed in the image forming apparatus 10, and a photosensitive drum 14 is disposed above the optical scanning device 12. Around the photosensitive drum 14, a charging device 16, a rotary developing device 18, and an intermediate transfer member 20 are installed.

  The rotary developing device 18 includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developing devices 22. By rotating the rotary developing device 18 by 90 degrees, the developing device 22 that performs the developing process can be switched.

  The intermediate transfer member 20 includes a driving roller 24, a driven roller 26, and an endless transfer belt 28. The transfer belt 28 is suspended from the driving roller 24 and the driven roller 26 and is in contact with the photosensitive drum 14. As a result, the transfer belt 28 circulates in the direction of arrow A by driving the drive roller 24.

  At the bottom of the image forming apparatus 10, a paper cassette 30 that stores paper is provided. The paper stored in the paper cassette 30 is sent out to the transport path M by the feed roll 36 provided on the downstream side of the paper cassette 30 in the paper transport direction, and is transported along the transport path M by the transport roll 38.

  On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 14 is uniformly charged by the charging device 16 while rotating in the arrow B direction. Then, a latent image based on the image data is formed by the laser light L from the optical scanning device 12. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 14 is developed by the developing device 22 of the rotary developing device 18 and transferred to the transfer belt 28 of the intermediate transfer member 20.

  A transfer roller 32 is installed at a position facing the driven roller 26 across the conveyance path M. By the transfer roller 32, the image transferred to the transfer belt 28 is transferred onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet cassette 30 along the conveyance path M. Then, it is sent to a fixing device 34 provided on the downstream side of the transfer roller 32 in the conveying direction, and is heated and pressed by the heating roll 34A and the pressure roll 34B, whereby the image is fixed on the paper.

  On the other hand, a placement unit 40 is formed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 10. The placement unit 40 forms an inclined surface that gradually increases from one end to the other end in the paper discharge direction. In the image forming apparatus 10, a wall portion 42 that rises upward from the lowest end of the mounting portion 40 is formed, and a paper discharge port 44 that communicates with the inside of the image forming apparatus 10 opens in the wall portion 42. ing.

The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged from the paper discharge port 44 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10 by a paper discharge roller 46 disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 44, and the paper discharge tray 60 ( Details will be described later).
(Output tray)
Here, the paper discharge tray 60 attached to the placement unit 40 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plate-shaped mounting plate 62 having a substantially rectangular shape having substantially the same size as the width of the mounting portion 40 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting plate 62 is provided with a S-shaped curve 62A that is loose when viewed from the side, and the paper P is stabilized along the S-shaped curve 62A. It is placed in a state.

  The mounting plate 62 has a concave curve 62B that extends obliquely upward. Thus, when the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 is placed on the placement plate 62, the upper end portion of the placement plate 62 is prevented from moving in the paper discharge direction, and jumps out of the placement plate 62. It is supposed not to.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting plate 62 is a gentle S-shaped curve when viewed from the lateral direction, but it is not necessarily a curved shape and may be a straight shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rectangular notch 64 is formed at the upper end portion of the placing plate 62, and the leading end portion of the paper P placed on the placing plate 62 extends from the notch 64. It is supposed to be exposed. Thus, when the paper P placed on the placement plate 62 is taken out, both sides of the portion exposed from the notch 64 need only be gripped, so that the paper P can be easily taken out from the placement plate 62.

  In the vicinity of the upper end of the back surface of the loading plate 62 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the paper P is placed), a long plate-like shape is formed along the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper P). The leg 66 is suspended. The leg portions 66 are disposed so that the upper end portion of the placement plate 62 on the side where the notch 64 is provided faces the downstream side in the paper discharge direction of the paper P, and the lower end portion contacts the side wall 42A of the wall portion 42. When the paper tray 60 is installed on the placement unit 40, the paper tray 60 is locked to a rectangular convex portion 68 provided on the downstream side of the placement unit 40 in the paper discharge direction. As a result, the paper discharge tray 60 installed on the loading unit 40 is not pushed by the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 and slips off the image forming apparatus 10.

  With the configuration as described above, when the paper discharge tray 60 is installed on the mounting portion 40, the vicinity of the upper end portion of the mounting plate 62 is positioned at substantially the same height as the paper discharge port 44. As a result, when the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 44, as shown in FIG. 5A, before the leading end of the paper P bends downward, the upper end of the loading plate 62 of the paper discharge tray 60 is displayed. Land near the part.

  At this time, the lower end portion of the mounting plate 62 abuts on a corner formed by the wall portion 42 and the mounting portion 40, so that the mounting plate 62 is inclined toward the paper discharge port 44. As a result, a level difference sufficient to store the paper P is maintained between the paper discharge port 44 and the lower end of the placement plate 62.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When discharging a weak paper P such as a strip-shaped paper or a thin paper, a paper discharge tray 60 is installed on the mounting portion 40 as shown in FIG. As a result, the position at which the leading edge of the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 lands is higher than when the paper discharge tray 60 is not installed on the placement unit 40, and the paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 44. Since the sheet P can be landed on the mounting plate 62 before the leading edge of the sheet P hangs down, the sheet P is not discharged while the leading edge of the sheet P is wound inside.

  At this time, even if the paper discharge tray 60 is installed on the mounting portion 40, the height of the step formed between the paper discharge port 44 and the mounting portion 40 is maintained. As a result, even when a large amount of paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 60, the paper discharge port 44 is not blocked by the paper P. Accordingly, a predetermined amount of paper P can be stored in the paper discharge tray 60.

  In the present embodiment, the lower end portion of the mounting plate 62 is brought into contact with the corner formed by the mounting portion 40 and the wall portion 42. However, as shown in FIG. A leg portion 72 may be provided on the back surface of the lower end portion of the plate 70, and the leg portion 72 may be brought into contact with the side wall 42 </ b> A of the wall portion 42. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, a notch 74 having a width larger than the width of the paper P is formed in a substantially central portion of the lower end portion of the placement plate 70. As a result, a level difference sufficient to store the paper P is maintained between the placement portion 40 exposed from the notch 74 and the paper discharge port 44. Accordingly, the rear end of the paper P placed on the placement plate 70 enters the notch 74 as shown in FIG. 6B, so that the paper discharge port 44 is opened by the paper P stacked on the placement plate 70. There is no risk of being blocked.

  Further, the mounting portion may be detachable from the wall portion 42, and the mounting portion may be detached from the wall portion 42 and the paper discharge tray may be attached to the wall portion 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, an opening 192 is formed below the paper outlet 44 of the wall portion 42, and the opening 192 has substantially the same shape as the mounting portion 40 (see FIG. 5). A piece of the mounting tray 194 is inserted and locked to the wall portion 42. The mounting tray 194 is detachable from the wall portion 42. When discharging the weak paper P, the mounting tray 194 is removed from the wall portion 42 (opening portion 192). As shown in FIG. 7B, a piece of paper discharge plate 196 having substantially the same shape as the paper discharge tray 60 of FIG. 5 is inserted into the opening 192 and locked to the wall 42. As a result, the position at which the leading edge of the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 lands becomes higher than when the mounting tray 194 is attached to the wall portion 42.

  Next, a paper discharge tray 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the paper discharge tray 50 includes a thin plate-like mounting plate 52 that is substantially the same size as or slightly smaller than the mounting portion 40 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above.

  In the vicinity of the upper end of the back surface of the loading plate 52 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the paper P is placed), a long plate-like shape is formed along the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper P). Legs 53 are erected. The paper discharge tray 50 is placed on the mounting portion 40 (FIGS. 1 and 5) with the upper end portion of the mounting plate 52 facing the downstream side in the paper discharge direction of the paper P and the lower end portion in contact with the side wall 42A of the wall portion 42. 2), the leg portion 53 is locked to a convex portion 68 provided on the downstream side of the mounting portion 40 in the paper discharge direction.

  Side guides 54 are provided on both ends of the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction) on the surface of the placement plate 52 (the surface on which the paper P is placed). The side guide 54 is provided perpendicularly to the placement plate 52, and when a large amount of paper P is stacked on the placement plate 52, the stack of paper P is laterally (the paper P is discharged in the same direction). (Correct direction) is prevented from collapsing.

  The side guide 54 may be provided so as to be movable in the width direction by a moving means (not shown). Thereby, since the space | interval of the side guide 54 can be adjusted according to the width | variety of the paper P to be loaded, the horizontal collapse of the stack of bundles can be prevented more effectively.

  With the configuration as described above, when the paper discharge tray 50 is installed on the mounting portion 40, the vicinity of the upper end portion of the mounting plate 52 is positioned at substantially the same height as the paper discharge port 44. As a result, when the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 44, the leading end of the paper P does not bend downward, and the vicinity of the upstream end in the paper discharge direction of the mounting plate 52 of the paper discharge tray 50 Land on. Therefore, the paper P is not discharged in a state where the leading end of the paper P is wound inside.

  Next, a paper discharge tray 56 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a plate-like placement surface 58 is provided on the upper end portion of the side guide 54 so as to be orthogonal to the side guide 54. By this placement surface 58, a plane (placement surface 58) on which the paper P having a size larger than the placement plate 52 can be placed is formed upward with respect to the placement plate 52.

  As described above, the placement surface 58 is provided at the upper end portion of the side guide 54, so that when the paper P having a larger size in the width direction than the paper P discharged onto the placement plate 52 is discharged, the paper is discharged. There is no need to remove the tray 56 from the mounting portion 40 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In the present embodiment, the placement surface 58 is provided at the upper end of the side guide 54. However, the side guide is thickened so that the large size paper P is supported by the upper end of the side guide (upper end). It is good also as a structure (it mounts in a part).

  Next, a paper discharge device 76 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the mounting portion 80 has a portion that is substantially rectangular in top view at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the corner formed by the wall portion 42 and the mounting portion 80. It can be separated from the mounting portion 80. That is, the mounting portion 80 is formed with a substantially rectangular opening 82 in a top view, and a plate 84 that closes the opening 82 is provided.

  A plate-like arm 86 is provided along the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper P) at a substantially central portion on the back surface of the plate 84. The arm 86 is substantially L-shaped when viewed from the side, and has one upper end connected to the plate 84 and a lower end supported rotatably on the back surface of the placement unit 80.

  The upstream side and the downstream side of the plate 84 in the paper discharge direction are supported by the arm 86 by stays 88 and 90. Thereby, the structure of the plate 84 is enlarged.

  A pin 91 is provided at the center of rotation of the arm 86, and this pin 91 is pivotally supported by the image forming apparatus 10. The pin 91 is provided with a stopper 92 having a substantially fan-shaped cross section. A plurality of grooves 94 are formed on the outer periphery of the stopper 92, and bent portions of a leaf spring 96 attached to the image forming apparatus 10 are engaged with the grooves 94. Accordingly, when the arm 86 is rotated around the pin 91, the leaf spring 96 is sequentially engaged with the groove 94, and the arm 86 is stopped at a predetermined position.

  With such a configuration, when the plate 84 is moved upward with respect to the placement unit 80, the leading end of the sheet P on the plate 84 is landed when discharging the weak sheet P such as thin paper. This position can be positioned at almost the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  As a result, when the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 44, the leading edge of the paper P does not bend downward and lands on the plate 84 that has been moved upward with respect to the placement portion 80. The paper P is not discharged in a state where the leading edge of the paper P is wound inside.

  Further, when the plate 84 is moved upward with respect to the mounting portion 80, the end portion of the plate 84 on the paper discharge port 44 side is at a height from the corner formed by the wall portion 42 and the mounting portion 80. Since the paper P placed on the plate 84 is positioned at a predetermined distance in the direction, the rear end of the paper P can be located at a corner formed by the wall portion 42 and the placement portion 40. As a result, the paper discharge port 44 is not blocked by the paper P stacked on the plate 84, so that a predetermined amount of paper P can be stored in the plate 84.

  Further, since it is not necessary to attach a paper discharge tray that is separate from the image forming apparatus 10 in order to increase the position where the leading edge of the paper P lands, a storage place for the paper discharge tray is not required. In this embodiment, since the plate 84 is moved by the arm 86, the plate 84 can be moved by a simple mechanism.

  Next, a paper discharge device 150 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting portion 154 is provided with a stepped portion 156 at a position separated from the corner formed by the wall portion 42 and the mounting portion 154 by a predetermined distance. A plate 158 separated from the placing portion 154 is disposed on the step portion 156.

  Support pieces 160 and 162 are attached to both ends of the sheet P on the back side of the plate 158 in the paper discharge direction. One ends of link members 164 and 166 are rotatably attached to the support pieces 160 and 162, respectively. A shaft 168 penetrates through the central portions of the link members 164 and 166, and the central portions of the link members 164 and 166 are connected to each other and intersect in an X shape when viewed from the lateral direction. That is, the link member 164 and the link member 166 are configured to rise or fall by changing the crossing angle between the link member 164 and the link member 166.

  The other ends of the link members 164 and 166 are attached to the wall surface forming the step portion 156 so as to be slidable along the paper discharge direction (not shown). Accordingly, when the other ends of the link members 164 and 166 are slid and approached, the crossing angle between the link member 164 and the link member 166 becomes an acute angle, and the plate 158 moves upward. When the other ends of the link members 164 and 166 are slid and separated, the crossing angle of the link member 164 and the link member 166 becomes an obtuse angle, and the plate 158 moves downward.

  A hole 170 is formed between one end of the link member 164 and the shaft 168, and one end of a coil spring 174 is locked in the hole 170. The other end of the coil spring 174 is locked in a hole 172 formed between one end of the link member 166 and the shaft 168. The coil spring 174 is biased so that the crossing angle between the link member 164 and the link member 166 becomes an acute angle, and the plate 158 is raised to a position where it is almost the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  11 shows a state in which the paper discharge device 150 is viewed from the lateral direction, only the link members 164 and 166 on the front side in the figure are shown, but the same as the link members 164 and 166 are shown. A link member is also provided on the back side in the figure.

  On the other hand, a recess 176 is formed on the end surface 158A of the plate 158 on the paper discharge port 44 side. One end of a pin 178 provided on the mounting portion 154 is engaged with the recess 176.

  The pin 178 is substantially L-shaped, and is housed in a recess 180 provided at the corner of the placement portion 154 and the step portion 156. A coil spring 181 is provided between the recess 180 and the pin 178, and the pin 178 is urged in the direction of arrow A. Thus, when the pin 178 is engaged with the recess 176 of the plate 158, the plate 158 is fixed at a position where it is at the same height as the mounting portion 154.

  When the protrusion 178A of the pin 178 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction with a finger, the engagement between the pin 178 and the recess 176 is released, and the bias of the coil spring 174 attached to the link members 164 and 166 The plate 158 moves in parallel with the mounting portion 154 and rises to a position where it is almost the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  With the above configuration, when discharging a weak paper P such as thin paper, the pin 178 is moved in the direction of arrow A, and the plate 158 is moved in parallel upward with respect to the mounting portion 154. Thus, the position where the leading edge of the paper P on the plate 158 lands can be positioned at substantially the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  As a result, when the paper P is discharged from the paper discharge port 44, the leading edge of the paper P does not bend downward and lands on the plate 158 moved upward with respect to the placement portion 154. The paper P is not discharged in a state where the leading edge of the paper P is wound inside. Further, by moving the plate 158 in parallel upward with respect to the placement unit 154, the plate 158 becomes substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the paper P, so that the leading edge of the paper P lands on the plate 158. When resistance is low.

  Next, a paper discharge device 200 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment and 5th Embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the columnar convex portion 208 formed in the link member 206 is engaged with the long hole 204 formed in the link member 202, and the convex portion 208 slides along the long hole 204. By doing so, the crossing angle of the link member 202 and the link member 206 crossing in the X shape is changed.

  The other end of the link member 206 is attached to the support piece 210 provided on the step portion 156 and fixed to the step portion 156. Further, the other end of the link member 202 is formed with a convex piece 202A having a circular cross-sectional shape so that the convex piece 202A approaches or separates from the support piece 210 while contacting the stepped portion 156. It is possible to slide. Two grooves 212 and 214 are formed in the step portion 156 along the paper P discharge direction. When the convex piece 202A of the link member 202 moves along the step portion 156 and engages with the groove portion 212 on the support piece 210 side, the plate 158 is fixed at the same height as the mounting portion 154, and the convex piece 202A. Is engaged with the groove portion 214 on the opposite side to the support piece 210 side, the plate 158 is fixed at a position where it is substantially at the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  With the above configuration, when paper P having weak stiffness such as thin paper is discharged, the plate 158 is lifted and translated upward with respect to the placement unit 154, so that the paper P on the plate 158 is moved. The position where the leading edge lands can be positioned at substantially the same height as the paper discharge port 44.

  Next, a paper discharge device 182 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the part similar to 1st Embodiment is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the mounting portion 184 is provided with two substantially rectangular openings 188 along a direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper P. A plate 186 having substantially the same size as the opening 188 is attached to the opening 188 via a hinge (not shown).
Thereby, the plate 186 can be moved to a state where the plate 186 is erected with respect to the opening 188 around the hinge or in a state where the plate 186 is laid down.

  When the plate 186 is erected with respect to the opening 188, the end 186A of the plate 186 increases in distance from the mounting portion 184 from the discharge port 44 (see FIG. 1) side to the downstream side in the discharge direction. So as to be inclined. When the plate 186 is raised, the plate 186 protrudes from the mounting portion 184, and the leading edge of the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 is landed on the end 186A of the plate 186. .

  A recess 190 is formed at the end of the opening 188 opposite to the side where the plate 186 is attached. Thereby, when standing the plate 186 in a lying state (a state in which the opening 188 is closed), if the plate 186 is pulled out from the opening 188 by placing a finger on the recess 190, the plate 186 can be easily moved with respect to the opening 188. Can stand up.

  With such a configuration, when discharging the weak paper P, the plate 186 is raised from the placement unit 184, and the leading edge of the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 44 is set to the end of the plate 186. Land. That is, the leading edge of the paper P can be landed at a position higher than the placement unit 184. When other sheets P are accommodated, if the plate 186 is turned down, the sheets P can be discharged onto the placement unit 184 as usual. Therefore, it is not necessary to place a discharge tray or the like on the placement unit 184 depending on the type of the paper P, or to move a part of the placement unit 184 with a complicated structure.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper discharge tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a paper discharge tray according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paper discharge tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the paper discharge tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the paper discharge tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a perspective view of the paper discharge tray of the other form of this invention, (B) It is a side view. It is a figure which shows the mounting state of the paper discharge tray of the other form of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a paper discharge tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a paper discharge tray according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the paper discharge device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view of a paper discharge device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the paper discharge apparatus which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the paper discharge device concerning a 7th embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the conventional paper discharge apparatus from the side surface direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 40 Mounting part 44 Paper discharge port 50 Paper discharge apparatus 52 Mounting plate (inclined surface)
54 Side guide (guide member)
58 Placement surface 60 Paper discharge tray 62 Placement plate (inclined surface)
76 Paper discharge device 84 Plate (moving plate)
86 Arm (moving means)
150 Discharge device 158 Plate (moving plate)
164 Link member (moving means)
166 Link member (moving means)
182 Paper discharge device 186 Plate (moving plate)

Claims (9)

A placement unit on which a recording medium ejected from a delivery port of the image forming apparatus is placed; and a discharge tray that is detachably attached to the placement unit or attached to the placement unit in a replaceable manner.
A discharge having an inclined surface with a downward slope toward the paper discharge port, wherein the position where the leading edge of the recording medium discharged from the paper discharge port lands is higher than the placement unit. Paper tray.   The paper discharge tray according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is a convex curved surface.   The guide members for guiding the end portions of the inclined surface in the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the recording medium are provided at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the recording medium. The paper discharge tray according to claim 1 or 2.   The paper discharge tray according to claim 3, wherein a placement surface on which a recording medium can be placed is formed on an upper portion of the guide member. A paper outlet for discharging the recording medium on which the image is recorded;
A placement unit on which the recording medium ejected from the paper ejection port is placed;
In a paper discharge device having
A part of the plate constituting the mounting portion is a moving plate, and moving means for moving the moving plate to a position higher than the position where the tip of the recording medium discharged from the discharge port lands is provided. A paper discharge device.   6. The paper discharge apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the moving means is an arm that supports the moving plate and rotates around the mounting portion as a fulcrum.   6. The paper discharge device according to claim 5, wherein the moving means is configured by a link member having an upper end portion supporting the moving plate and a lower end portion slidably attached to the mounting portion. .   The paper discharge device according to claim 5, wherein the moving unit is a hinge that erects the moving plate along a paper discharge direction.   An image forming apparatus comprising the paper discharge device according to claim 5.

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