JP2007076883A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of loading various kinds of media onto a medium loading part smoothly and improving its operation property. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device has a medium supply part, an image forming part 16, a delivery part, and a medium loading part for guiding the medium delivered from the delivery part into a part below a device body 11 and loading the medium. The medium loading part is provided with a medium receiving part 30a for receiving the medium and adjusting length and a medium pressing member 34 for pressing the medium against the medium receiving part 30a. In this case, when using media having different materials and sizes, the media can be smoothly loaded into the medium loading part even if strength of stiffness is changed depending on thickness of the medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, for example, a printer, printing is performed not only on a standard size paper but also on a large size paper or a long paper as a medium. There are many.

  However, when printing on a long sheet of paper, the operator himself / herself receives the paper ejected from the printer body, drops it on a large installation base where the printer is installed, It is necessary to dispose a substantially horizontal stacker having the same or longer length on the downstream side in the medium transport direction of the medium discharge section, which increases the space occupied by the printer.

Therefore, there is provided a stacker as a medium stacking section that receives and accommodates sheets discharged from the medium discharge section and is inclined toward the inside of the lower portion of the apparatus main body (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).
JP-A-8-157083

  However, in the conventional printer, there is no one that guides the paper toward the stacker, so when using paper of different materials, sizes, etc., particularly when the strength of the waist changes depending on the thickness of the paper, The front end of the sheet cannot be inserted well into the medium receiving port of the stacker, and the medium cannot be smoothly loaded on the stacker.

  In addition, paper is always stacked in the same position regardless of the length of the discharged paper, so when using paper of different lengths, it cannot be stacked in an orderly manner. Therefore, it is necessary to align the sheets when taking out the sheets from the printer, which reduces the operability of the printer.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the problems of the conventional printer and can smoothly load various media on a medium stacking portion and can improve operability. To do.

  For this purpose, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a medium supply unit for supplying a medium, an image forming unit for forming an image, a discharge unit for discharging the medium, and a medium discharged from the discharge unit are provided. It has a medium stacking section that guides below the apparatus main body and loads the medium.

  The medium stacking section includes a medium receiving section that receives the medium and whose length can be adjusted, and a medium pressing member that presses the medium against the medium receiving section.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a medium supply unit for supplying a medium, an image forming unit for forming an image, a discharge unit for discharging the medium, and a medium discharged from the discharge unit are provided. It has a medium stacking section that guides below the apparatus main body and loads the medium.

  The medium stacking section includes a medium receiving section that receives the medium and whose length can be adjusted, and a medium pressing member that presses the medium against the medium receiving section.

  In this case, the medium stacking unit includes a medium receiving unit that can receive the medium and adjust the length, and a medium pressing member that presses the medium against the medium receiving unit. Therefore, when media having different materials, sizes, etc. are used, even when the strength of the waist changes depending on the thickness of the media, the media can be smoothly loaded on the medium loading section.

  In addition, since the medium pressing member is disposed so that the medium after being stacked does not become messy, the medium can be stacked in an orderly manner. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the media when taking out the media from the media stacking unit, and the operability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a printer that forms an image on a sheet as a medium and performs printing will be described as an image forming apparatus.

  1 is a schematic view of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a stacker according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a first view showing a stacker mounting state according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a stacker mounting state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 6 are views showing a stacker length adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a main part of the stacker length adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a first view showing a mounting state of the medium pressing member in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a mounting state of the medium pressing member in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 show the stacker according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Is a diagram illustrating the operation of the adjustment mechanism.

  In the figure, 11 is an apparatus main body, 12 is a table as a support portion for supporting the apparatus main body 11, and 13 is for setting atypical paper P having various sizes, for example, a large length L1. A paper feed tray 19 serving as a medium tray is disposed in the apparatus main body 11 and is a paper feed cassette 20 serving as a medium stacking unit for accommodating small-sized regular paper P. The discharge tray 22 for loading the discharged paper P is disposed on the side opposite to the paper feed tray 13 in the apparatus main body 11, and the sub-tray 30 for stacking the discharged paper P is the paper tray 13 in the apparatus main body 11. Is disposed on the opposite side of the apparatus main body 11 and pivotally supported with respect to the apparatus main body 11 with the upper end as a rotation center. The discharged paper P is guided below the apparatus main body 11 and the paper P is loaded. A stacker for. The paper feed cassette 19 serves as a first medium supply unit, the paper feed tray 13 serves as a second medium supply unit, the discharge tray 20 serves as a first medium stacking unit, and the sub-tray 22 serves as a second medium stacking unit. The stacker 30 constitutes a third medium stacking unit.

  A paper feed roller 14 serving as a supply roller is disposed at the attachment portion of the paper feed tray 13 of the apparatus main body 11. When a print command is received from a print control unit (not shown), the paper P is supplied into the apparatus main body 11. To do. In the apparatus main body 11, a conveyance belt 15 that conveys the paper P, an image forming unit 16 that forms an image on the paper P, and an image formed by the image forming unit 16 are fixed on the surface of the paper P. A fixing device 17 is provided. The image forming unit 16 includes black, yellow, magenta, and cyan developing devices 16Bk, 16Y, 16M, and 16C. The image forming unit 16 is illustrated as a transfer member facing the developing devices 16Bk, 16Y, 16M, and 16C in the conveyance belt 15. An untransferred transfer roller is disposed, and LED heads 17Bk, 17Y, 17M, and 17C as exposure devices are disposed above the developing devices 16Bk, 16Y, 16M, and 16C.

  The paper P supplied from the paper feed tray 13 is transported by the transport belt 15 as the transport belt 15 travels, and passes between the developing devices 16Bk, 16Y, 16M, and 16C and the transfer rollers. pass. Each of the transfer rollers transfers a toner image as a developer image of each color formed by each photosensitive drum as an image carrier to each of the developing devices 16Bk, 16Y, 16M, and 16C onto the paper P. The toner image is formed.

  Subsequently, the paper P is sent to the fixing device 17, and the color toner image is fixed on the paper P in the fixing device 17 to form a color image.

  A lever 18 as a discharge direction switching member for switching the discharge direction in accordance with the paper P is disposed downstream of the fixing device 17 in the conveyance direction of the paper P. When the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 19 is used, the print control unit switches the lever 18 to the upper first switching position in FIG. When the paper P set on the tray 13 is used, the print control unit switches the lever 18 to the lower second switching position in FIG. 1 so as to guide the paper P to the sub-tray 22 and the stacker 30. Reference numerals 20a and 21 denote discharge rollers constituting the first and second medium discharge sections. The discharge roller 20a supplies the paper P on which printing has been completed to the discharge tray 20, and the discharge roller 21 indicates paper on which printing has been completed. P is discharged to the sub-tray 22.

  The stacker 30 includes a movable part 31 and a fixed part 32 for receiving the discharged paper P, and the movable part 31 and the fixed part 32 constitute a medium receiving part 30a. The fixing portion 32 is formed to be curved in an arc shape, and has a post portion 36 as a locking portion at the upper end. The post portion 36 is a mounting hole 11a formed in a protrusion 11m near the upper end of the apparatus main body 11. It is latched so that rotation is possible. Marking 33 is formed at a plurality of locations of the fixing portion 32 corresponding to the size of the paper P to be used. The movable portion 31 is formed to be curved in an arc shape and is movably disposed with respect to the fixed portion 32, and a stopper 35 for holding the front end of the stacked sheets P is formed at the lower end. The stopper 35 regulates the position of the front end of the paper P.

  The movable portion 31 and the fixed portion 32 are movably connected by joints 40 and 41. The joint 40 is fixed to the upper end of the movable portion 31, and holds the fixed portion 32 slidably. 41 is fixed to the lower end of the fixed part 32 and holds the movable part 31 slidably. In the joint 41, a screw hole 42 is formed in a portion that holds the movable part 31, and a screw 43 as a fixing element is screwed into the screw hole 42, whereby the joint 41 and the movable part 31 can be fixed. it can. Therefore, the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 31 can be relatively fixed at an arbitrary position, and the length of the stacker 30 can be adjusted. The joints 40 and 41 constitute a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting the length of the medium receiving portion 30a.

  A ring 38 is formed at a predetermined position of the fixing portion 32, and the ring 38 allows the medium pressing member 34 having an “L” shape to project a right-angled bent portion toward the discharge roller 21. And is supported in a swingable manner. As shown in FIG. 8, since the center of gravity g of the medium pressing member 34 is located closer to the apparatus main body 11 than the ring 38, the medium pressing member 34 is urged toward the fixing portion 32, The presser portion 44 is brought into contact with the fixed portion 32.

  Further, in the vicinity of the upper end of the fixed portion 32, a rotation stop portion 37 having an “L” shape is attached to the attachment portion A at a position corresponding to the medium pressing member 34. The rotation stopper 37 is disposed outside the movable part 31 and the fixed part 32. The first part 37a extends in parallel to the movable part 31 and the fixed part 32, and the first part 37a extends in a direction perpendicular to the lower end of the first part 37a. When the tip of the second portion 37b is brought into contact with the apparatus main body 11, the stacker 30 is positioned.

  Next, the operation of the stacker 30 configured as described above will be described.

  First, as a preliminary operation, the movable portion 31 of the stacker 30 is moved relative to the fixed portion 32 according to the length L1 of the paper P, and the upper end of the movable portion 31 is aligned with a predetermined marking 33 formed on the fixed portion 32. The movable part 31 and the fixed part 32 are fixed with the screw 43. When the length of the paper P to be used, that is, the medium length is limited to several types, the marking 33 is combined with the marking 33 or independently "long-1" and "long-2". A specific name such as... Can be displayed. In order to set the medium length steplessly, units such as millimeters and inches can be displayed.

  When the print control unit receives a print command from the host device, the print control unit rotates the paper feed roller 14 to feed the paper P stacked on the paper feed tray 13 from the paper feed port into the apparatus main body 11. Then, the conveyor belt 15 travels and is transported in the apparatus main body 11.

  Subsequently, the paper P on which the color toner image is formed by the image forming unit 16 and the transfer roller is sent to the fixing device 17, and the color toner image is fixed on the paper P to form a color image. Thereafter, the paper P is sent to the discharge roller 21 by the discharge direction switching lever 18, and is discharged to the sub-tray 22 outside the apparatus main body 11 by the discharge roller 21.

  By the way, since the length L1 of the paper P is longer than that of the sub-tray 22, the front end of the paper P is fed toward the stacker 30 beyond the sub-tray 22 and hangs downward due to the weight of the part beyond the sub-tray 22 as shown in FIG. It contacts the stacker 30 or the already ejected paper P at the indicated position a.

  Thereafter, the paper P is turned upside down on the printing surface, conveyed between the medium pressing member 34 and the fixed portion 32, and sent downward along the arc shape of the stacker 30. When the trailing edge of the paper P completely passes through the discharge roller 21, most of the length P1 of the paper P is located outside the sub-tray 22, so that the paper P follows the fixed portion 32 and the movable portion 31 of the stacker 30. Then, it falls by its own weight until the front end hits the stopper 34, and the discharge is completed.

  The distance between the stopper 35 and the pressing portion 44 is changed in accordance with the length of the paper P. Therefore, regardless of the length of the paper P, the presser part 44 presses a portion at a certain distance from the rear end of the stacked paper P against the fixed part 32. The paper P stacked on the stacker 30 can be taken out by rotating the stacker 30 as necessary.

  Further, when the paper P having a length L2 (L1 <L2) longer than the length L1 is used, the preliminary operation according to the length L2 of the paper P as shown in FIG. The movable part 31 of the stacker 30 is moved with respect to the fixed part 32, the upper end of the movable part 31 is aligned with a predetermined marking 33 formed on the fixed part 32, and the movable part 31 and the fixed part 32 are fixed with screws 43. . At this time, a part of the stacker 30, that is, the movable portion 31 is placed in the table 12, that is, in a space immediately below the apparatus main body 11.

  Although the vicinity of the rear end of the paper P is stacked in a substantially vertical state, the medium pressing member 34 is urged toward the fixing portion 32 and pushes the paper P against the fixing portion 32. The paper P does not fall into the apparatus main body 11 side.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the stacker 30 has a shape that guides the discharged paper P to the lower side of the apparatus main body 11. Therefore, when using the paper P of different material, size, etc. Even when the strength of the waist changes depending on the thickness, the paper P can be smoothly stacked on the stacker 30.

  Further, since the length of the stacker 30 is made variable using the space below the apparatus main body 11, the position of the front end of the paper P can be adjusted, and even if the length of the paper P to be used changes. The trailing edges of the sheets P can be stacked so that they are always at the same position. Furthermore, since the medium pressing member 34 is disposed so that the stacked paper P does not become messy, the paper P can be stacked in an orderly manner. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the sheets P when taking out the sheets P from the stacker 30, and the operability of the printer can be improved.

  In addition, since the conveyance load of the paper P is small, image disturbance, jamming, and the like are unlikely to occur. In particular, the paper P is suitable for printing on the stiff paper P, and the paper P is turned upside down on the printing surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the order of the sheets P after the sheets P are taken out.

  Furthermore, since the stacker 30 is disposed toward the lower side of the apparatus main body 11, the installation space for the printer can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol, and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an attachment state of the medium pressing member according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, a roller 45 as a rotating body is rotatably attached to the lower end of the medium pressing member 34. The medium pressing member 34 and the paper P can be prevented from being caught, and the paper P can be smoothly conveyed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol, and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure. .

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the operation of the print control unit in the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the printer in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the operation of the stacker length adjusting mechanism in the embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the main part of the stacker length adjusting mechanism in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a print control unit, 80 denotes an instruction unit, and 50 denotes a dedicated installation table as a support unit. The apparatus main body 11 is disposed on the dedicated installation table 50. The instruction unit 80 is disposed in a host device or a printer (not shown).

  The dedicated installation base 50 is formed with an insertion hole 50a into which the movable part 31 of the stacker 30 as a third medium stacking part is inserted, and an extraction hole 50b for taking out the stacked paper P. Further, below the insertion hole 50a, a driving roller 51 and a pinch roller 52 as first and second clamping members that sandwich both end portions of the movable portion 31 above and below both end portions in the width direction of the movable portion 31. Is disposed. The length change processing unit of the print control unit 10 performs the length change process, and drives the pulse motor 53 as a drive unit according to the information about the length of the instructed paper P, that is, the print information. 51 is rotated, the movable part 31 is moved, and the length of the medium receiving part 30a is changed.

  Further, a switch lever 54 as a locking portion is disposed at the tip of the back surface of the movable portion 31, and a micro switch 55 as a movable portion detecting portion is attached to the lower inner side of the insertion hole 50 a in the dedicated installation base 50. The micro switch 55 is electrically connected to the print control unit 10 through a communication member (not shown). As shown in FIG. 14, when the stacker 30 is the shortest, the switch lever 54 presses the micro switch 55, and the print control unit 10 detects the position of the movable unit 31.

  Next, the operation of the stacker 30 configured as described above will be described.

  First, when starting printing, the operator instructs the print control unit 10 of the length of the sheet P to be used via the instruction unit 80. Based on this instruction, the print control unit 10 first drives the pulse motor 53 to move the movable unit 31 in the direction in which the stacker 30 is shortened, the micro switch 55 is turned on, and the movable unit 31 The position is detected. The position of the movable part 31 at this time is defined as a home position.

  Subsequently, the printing control unit 10 drives the pulse motor 53 according to the length of the paper P to be used, and moves the movable unit 31 in the direction in which the stacker 30 becomes longer. For this purpose, the number of pulses representing the step angle of the motor 53 and the feed amount of the drive roller 51 are recorded in the control table of the memory in association with each other. In the control table, data for the type of paper P to be used is recorded. For example, when the medium length of the paper P is 900 [mm], xxx pulse, and when it is 1200 [mm], yyy pulse. In the case of 1500 [mm], the medium length is recorded in correspondence with the number of pulses, such as a zzz pulse.

  For example, when the medium length of the paper P to be used is 900 [mm], the print control unit 10 refers to the control table, reads the number of pulses corresponding to 900 [mm], and activates the pulse motor 53 by the number of pulses. To drive.

  When the printing is finished, the printing control unit 10 drives the pulse motor 53 again, and moves the movable unit 31 so as to bring the paper P close to the take-out hole 50b as shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is not necessary for the operator to manually adjust the stacker 30 according to the medium length of the paper P used, and a stacking failure may occur due to an adjustment error. Absent.

  Further, by moving the paper P to the paper feeding side of the apparatus main body 11 after the stacking is completed, the operator can set and take out the paper P from one direction, so that the handling of the paper P becomes easy. In addition, the installation space for the printer can be reduced.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-3rd embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by giving the same code | symbol, About the effect of invention by having the same structure, the effect of the embodiment Is used.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the operation of the print control unit in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the state of the medium pressing member when the microswitch is turned off in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of the medium pressing member when the microswitch is turned on in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 10 is a print control unit, and 81 is a display unit. The display unit 81 is disposed in a host device or a printer (not shown).

  In this case, a switch lever 61 as a detected element is provided on the medium pressing member 60 so as to protrude toward the apparatus main body 11, and a predetermined portion of the apparatus main body 11, in the present embodiment, the second A micro switch 62 serving as a detection element is disposed on the back surface of the sub-tray 22 serving as a medium stacking unit, and the micro switch 62 is electrically connected to the print control unit 10 via a communication member (not shown). Accordingly, the stack amount detection processing means of the print control unit 10 performs the stack amount detection process, recognizes the positions of the switch lever 61 and the medium pressing member 60 by the on / off signal of the micro switch 62, and the third medium. The number of sheets P stacked on the stacker 30 as a stacking unit, that is, the stacking amount is detected. The switch lever 61 and the micro switch 62 constitute a load detection unit. A roller as a rotating body can be disposed at the tip of the medium pressing member 60.

  Next, the operation of the stacker 30 configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the paper P is not discharged to the stacker 30, or when the stacking amount is smaller than the set value, there is a gap between the switch lever 61 and the micro switch 62, and the micro switch 62 is an off state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, when the stacking amount of the sheets P in the stacker 30 exceeds the set value, the medium pressing member 60 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the switch lever 61 presses the micro switch 62. The micro switch 62 is turned on.

  The notification processing means of the print control unit 10 performs notification processing, and when the micro switch 62 is turned on, it recognizes that the stacking amount of the sheets P on the stacker 30 has exceeded the set value, and displays the display unit to the operator. The stacker full state is notified by the display by 81. The print stop processing unit of the print control unit 10 performs the print stop process, and does not print the next paper P until the paper P of the stacker 30 is removed and the signal of the micro switch 62 is turned off.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the stacking capacity of the stacker 30 can be detected, so that the operator can be notified before the stacking number exceeds the stacking capacity of the stacker 30. Further, when the number of stacked sheets P exceeds the set value, printing is stopped, so that it is possible to prevent the sheets P from falling or jamming due to overloading.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-4th embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol, About the effect of invention by having the same structure, the effect of the same embodiment Is used.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a first state of the medium pressing member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a second state of the medium pressing member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an arrangement state of the medium pressing member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, a rotation support portion 70a is formed on a predetermined portion of the apparatus main body 11, that is, the back surface of the sub-tray 70 as the second medium stacking portion in the present embodiment, and the medium pressing member 71 is formed on the rotation support portion 70a. Is attached in a swingable manner. The medium pressing member 71 includes a first arm portion 71a closer to the apparatus main body 11 than the rotation support portion 70a, and a second arm portion 71b closer to the stacker 30 serving as a third medium stacking portion than the rotation support portion 70a. The first arm portion 71a is urged downward in the figure by a spring 73 as an urging member attached to the sub-tray 70, and the tip of the second arm portion 71b is accordingly moved. It is pressed against the fixing part 32. A roller 72 as a rotating body is rotatably disposed at the tip of the second arm portion 71b so that the paper P can be smoothly fed.

  Next, the operation of the stacker 30 configured as described above will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the paper P discharged from the discharge roller 21 serving as the second medium discharge unit is further conveyed toward the fixing unit 32 of the stacker 30 through the sub-tray 70. Here, when the sheet P being used is weaker than expected, the front end of the sheet P starts to sag due to its own weight in the direction of the position c further below the position b, but the leading end of the sheet P is the upper surface of the medium pressing member 71. Is reached, the paper P is guided and conveyed along the medium pressing member 71. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 20, the fixed portion 32 is contacted at the position b.

  Further, the front end of the paper P passes toward the lower side of the medium pressing member 71 whose friction load is reduced by the roller 72 and the fixed portion 32 or the surface of the paper P already stacked, and the stacking is continued. During this time, the paper P is pushed to a predetermined position of the fixed portion 32 by the roller 72.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when using the paper P whose waist has changed due to the environment in which the printer is used, the environment in which the paper P is stored, etc., when using the thin paper P, the paper with the front end curled. Even when P is used, the behavior of the front edge of the paper P can be stabilized.

  In each embodiment, the case where printing is performed on the cut paper P has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where printing is performed on roll paper as a medium.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the attachment state of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the attachment state of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the length adjustment mechanism of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the length adjustment mechanism of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the attachment state of the medium pressing member in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the attachment state of the medium pressing member in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the length adjustment mechanism of the stacker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the attachment state of the medium pressing member in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows operation | movement of the printing control part in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the printer in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the length adjustment mechanism of the stacker in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the length adjustment mechanism of the stacker in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows operation | movement of the printing control part in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state of the medium pressing member when the microswitch in the 4th Embodiment of this invention is OFF. It is a figure which shows the state of the medium pressing member at the time of ON of the microswitch in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st state of the medium pressing member in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd state of the medium pressing member in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the medium pressing member in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main body 13 Paper feed tray 16 Image forming part 19 Paper feed cassette 20a, 21 Discharge roller 30 Stacker 30a Medium receiving part 34, 60, 71 Medium press member P Paper

Claims (7)

(A) a medium supply unit for supplying a medium;
(B) an image forming unit for forming an image;
(C) a discharge unit for discharging the medium;
(D) having a medium stacking section for guiding the medium discharged from the discharge section below the apparatus body and loading the medium;
(E) The medium stacking section includes a medium receiving section that receives a medium and whose length can be adjusted, and a medium pressing member that presses the medium against the medium receiving section. . (A) a drive unit for operating the medium receiving unit;
(B) having a print control unit for driving the drive unit;
(C) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control unit drives the driving unit to change the length of the medium receiving unit based on information on the instructed medium length. (A) The medium receiving portion has a stopper that regulates the position of the front end of the medium at an end portion;
(B) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the medium receiving portion is adjusted by changing a distance between the stopper and the medium pressing member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the medium receiving portion has a shape for guiding the medium directly under the apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium pressing member always presses a portion at a certain distance from the rear end of the medium regardless of the length of the medium. (A) a loading amount detection unit for detecting a loading amount of a medium loaded on the medium loading unit;
(B) a print control unit that receives a detection signal from the load amount detection unit;
(C) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit stops the operation of the apparatus main body when it is determined that the stack amount of the medium exceeds a predetermined amount based on the detection signal.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium pressing member guides the discharged medium to a predetermined position of the medium receiving portion and pushes the medium to a predetermined position of the medium receiving portion.

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