JP2007206159A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming operation without removing a sheet processor even when the sheet processor can not be used. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet processor 3 for processing the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus body 1 is connected to the side of the image forming apparatus body 1 in an attachable and detachable manner. When the sheet processor 3 is separated from the image forming apparatus body 1, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus body 1 is loaded on an auxiliary sheet loading section 20 between the image forming apparatus body 1 and the sheet processor 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a sheet processing apparatus is detachably connected to a side of an apparatus main body.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, for example, a sheet processing apparatus that performs processing such as stapling on a sheet after sequentially taking in an image-formed sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body. Some are provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine which is an example of an image forming apparatus provided with such a conventional sheet processing apparatus. The copying machine 100 includes an apparatus main body 101 and a sheet processing apparatus 119 connected to the side of the apparatus main body 101 so as to be able to contact and separate. A document feeder 102 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 101, and an image forming unit 104 including an image reading unit 103, a photosensitive drum 114, and the like is provided inside the apparatus main body 101.

  When the image is formed, the document D conveyed by the document feeder 102 is read by the image reading unit 103, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 114 of the image forming unit 104 based on the read data. I am doing so.

  In addition, a sheet such as paper or a plastic film stacked on the cassette 115 in accordance with the toner image forming operation is sent out from the cassette 115 in response to a recording start signal, and between the photosensitive drum 114 and the transfer device 116. enter in.

  Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 114 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 116, and then the toner image is transferred to the sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the heating and pressing of the fixing unit 117 while passing through the fixing unit 117. It is fixed. Further, after that, the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 117 is discharged from the paper discharge port 120 to the outside (the sheet processing apparatus 119 side).

  On the other hand, the sheet processing apparatus 119 fetches sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 101 in order from the receiving port 121, aligns the fetched sheets and bundles them into one bundle, stapling processes that bind the bundled sheet bundles with staples, and punching process , Sort processing and so on.

JP 2004-269158 A

  Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus provided with such a conventional sheet processing apparatus, for example, when the sheet processing apparatus 119 fails, it is necessary to separate the sheet processing apparatus 119 from the apparatus main body 101 for repair.

  Here, if it is necessary to perform an image forming operation even if the sheet processing apparatus 119 fails, the sheet processing apparatus 119 is removed from the apparatus main body 101, and then a spare sheet discharge tray is attached, and this spare sheet discharge is performed. The sheet is discharged to the tray. In addition, depending on the size and material of the sheet, it may not be possible to pass the sheet processing apparatus. In this case as well, after removing the sheet processing apparatus from the apparatus main body, a spare paper discharge tray is attached. ing.

  However, it takes time to remove the sheet processing apparatus from the apparatus main body in this way, and it also takes time to restore the original state. In other words, if the sheet processing apparatus cannot be used due to reasons such as failure or the size or material of the sheet, the sheet processing apparatus must be completely removed from the apparatus main body in order to perform the image forming operation. .

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a current situation, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming operation without removing the sheet processing apparatus even when the sheet processing apparatus cannot be used. It is the purpose.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; and a sheet processing apparatus that is detachably connected to the image forming apparatus main body and processes a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body. An auxiliary sheet stacking unit configured to stack sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body between the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus when the sheet processing apparatus is separated from the forming apparatus main body; It is characterized by this.

  As in the present invention, when the sheet processing apparatus is separated, the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body are stacked on the auxiliary sheet stacking unit between the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus. Thereby, the image forming operation can be performed without removing the sheet processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1A is an image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image, and 1 is an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus main body”). 3 is a finisher which is a sheet processing apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a relay conveyance device installed substantially horizontally on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, and the sheet after the image is formed on the apparatus main body 1 is conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 3 by the relay conveyance device 2. It has become so.

  Here, the apparatus main body 1 includes, for example, image forming units 7a to 7d arranged in parallel to form toner images of colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and vertically below the image forming units 7a to 7d. And a transfer belt 8 arranged in such a manner.

  When an image is formed in the apparatus main body 1 configured as described above, first, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 71 provided in the image forming units 7a to 7d. Next, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images thus formed on the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 8 to form a color image on the transfer belt.

  On the other hand, in parallel with such a toner image forming operation, the sheet S is sent out one by one from the cassette 5 by the pickup roller 6, and thereafter, a secondary transfer unit composed of the secondary transfer roller 81 and the transfer belt 8. It is conveyed to. When passing through the secondary transfer portion, the color image formed on the transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the sheet.

  Next, the sheet S on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 9 where the color image is fixed on the sheet by receiving heat and pressure, and then provided downstream of the fixing device 9. The paper is discharged by the paper discharge unit 10.

  The sheet S thus discharged by the paper discharge unit 10 is conveyed above the apparatus main body by a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 12, 13, and 14 provided in the relay conveyance apparatus 2 and is connected to the side surface of the apparatus. It is conveyed into the processing device 3. Thereafter, the sheet S is subjected to processing such as stapling, punching, and sorting in the sheet processing apparatus 3. After such processing, the paper discharge trays 11a, 11b, It is discharged to 11c.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is connected to the apparatus main body 1 so as to be able to contact and separate in the sheet discharging direction, and a sheet jam has occurred between the relay conveying apparatus 2 and the sheet processing apparatus 3. In this case, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is separated from the apparatus main body 1.

  Further, the movement of the sheet processing apparatus 3 in the contact / separation direction with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is guided by two guide rails 21 provided in parallel to the width direction orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction. Note that one end of the guide rail 21 is fixed to the apparatus main body 1 and the other end is slidably held in the sheet processing apparatus.

  The fixed end of the guide rail 21 may be on the sheet processing apparatus side. However, if the inside of the apparatus main body 1 is slidable, the arrangement of components such as the image forming unit in the apparatus main body 1 may be affected. Therefore, it is preferable that the sheet processing apparatus can slide.

  Here, when a sheet jam occurs between the relay conveying apparatus 2 and the sheet processing apparatus 3, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is moved in the separation direction, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is stored as shown in FIG. The guide rail 21 is moved while being exposed. Then, after the sheet processing apparatus 3 is moved to a predetermined position while being guided by the guide rail 21 as described above, the jam sheet is processed.

  Note that the two guide rails 21 arranged in the width direction are connected to a spare sheet discharge tray 20 which is a spare sheet stacking portion via a hinge 20a provided on the two guide rails 21 as shown in FIG. Is provided so that it can be rotated (raised). For example, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 breaks down or when it is desired to form an image on an unsupported sheet by the sheet processing apparatus 3, the spare paper discharge tray 20 is moved from the posture shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, it is manually raised and set at the sheet stacking position.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a lock portion 22 is provided near the hinge of the spare paper discharge tray 20 to hold the position of the spare paper discharge tray 20. . When the paper discharge tray 20 is used, when the paper discharge tray 20 is raised manually, the paper discharge tray 20 is held at a position where the sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 1 are stacked by the lock unit 22. It has become.

  Note that the spare paper discharge tray 20 and the guide rail 21 are normally connected to the sheet discharge port 2a of the relay conveyance device 2 and the sheet processing device 3 so as not to hinder the delivery of the sheet from the relay conveyance device 2 to the sheet processing device 3. It is arranged below the straight line connecting the inlet 3a.

  Then, by raising the spare paper discharge tray 20 in this way, when the sheet is discharged after the image forming operation is performed thereafter, the sheet is placed on the upstream side in the separation direction of the sheet processing apparatus 3. Are discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is separated from the apparatus main body 1, the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 1 is discharged between the sheet processing apparatus 3 and the apparatus main body 1. To be loaded. Accordingly, even when the sheet processing apparatus 3 cannot be used due to a failure, a sheet size, a material, or the like, the image forming operation is performed with a simple operation such as separating the sheet processing apparatus 3 without removing the sheet processing apparatus 3. be able to.

  The spare paper discharge tray 20 may be urged upward by a spring and a link mechanism 23 may be provided as a moving means as shown in FIG. The link mechanism 23 can be stored in the sheet processing apparatus together with the guide rail 21 or the position where the sheets to be discharged from the spare discharge tray 20 are stacked in conjunction with the separation and connection operation of the sheet processing apparatus 3. You may make it move to a position.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the hinges 20a of the paper discharge tray 20 are provided on the two guide rails 21 has been described. However, the hinge 20a may be provided directly on the apparatus main body 1 or the sheet processing apparatus 3. Further, a spare paper discharge tray 20 may be attached to the guide rail 21 at a position where sheets discharged from the apparatus main body 1 are stacked when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is separated.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 13 denotes an image reading unit provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1. When an image is formed, the image reading unit 13 first reads a document image. Then, toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the photosensitive drum 71 provided in the image forming units 7a to 7d based on the read document image.

  The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images thus formed on the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred onto the transfer belt 8 to form a color image on the transfer belt.

  On the other hand, in parallel with such a toner image forming operation, the sheet S is sent out one by one from the cassette 5 by the pickup roller 6, and thereafter, a secondary transfer unit composed of the secondary transfer roller 81 and the transfer belt 8. It is conveyed to. When passing through the secondary transfer portion, the color image formed on the transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the sheet.

  Next, the sheet S on which the color image has been transferred in this manner is conveyed to the fixing device 9 where the color image is fixed on the sheet by receiving heat and pressure, and thereafter, downstream of the fixing device 9. The paper is discharged by the provided paper discharge unit 10.

  Next, the sheet S thus discharged by the paper discharge unit 10 is received in the sheet processing apparatus 3 connected to the side surface of the apparatus main body, and processing such as stapling, punching, and sorting is performed. Then, after such processing is performed, the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray 11 installed in the sheet processing apparatus 3.

  The movement of the sheet processing apparatus 3 in the contact / separation direction with respect to the apparatus main body 1 is guided by the guide rail 21. Note that one end of the guide rail 21 is fixed to the apparatus main body 1 and the other end is slidably held in the sheet processing apparatus.

  Here, when a sheet jam occurs between the apparatus main body 1 and the sheet processing apparatus 3, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is moved in the separation direction, the sheet processing apparatus 3 is stored as shown in FIG. The guide rail 21 is moved while being exposed. Then, after the sheet processing apparatus 3 is moved to a predetermined position while being guided by the guide rail 21 as described above, the jam sheet is processed.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 22 denotes a spare paper discharge tray positioned between the apparatus main body 1 and the sheet processing apparatus 3, and the spare paper discharge tray 22 is normally connected from the apparatus main body 1 to the sheet processing apparatus 3. It is arranged in a position that does not hinder the delivery of the sheet to.

  On the other hand, for example, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 breaks down or when it is desired to form an image on a sheet that is not supported by the sheet processing apparatus 3, the spare sheet discharge tray 22 serving as the spare sheet stacking unit is shown in FIG. So that it is manually defeated.

  Then, when the spare sheet discharge tray 22 is tilted in this manner, when an image forming operation is performed thereafter and the sheet is discharged, the sheet is discharged on the upstream side in the separation direction of the sheet processing apparatus 3. The tray 22 is discharged and loaded.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is separated from the apparatus main body 1, the sheet discharged from the apparatus main body 1 by tilting the sheet discharge tray 22 is removed from the sheet processing apparatus 3 and the apparatus main body 1. Are stacked on the paper discharge tray 22. Accordingly, even when the sheet processing apparatus 3 cannot be used due to a failure, a sheet size, a material, or the like, the image forming operation is performed with a simple operation such as separating the sheet processing apparatus 3 without removing the sheet processing apparatus 3. be able to.

  Since the spare paper discharge tray 22 is located between the apparatus main body 1 and the sheet processing apparatus 3, the effect of blocking the heat generated in the fixing device 9 can also be obtained. Further, by providing a heat insulating material (not shown) on the paper discharge tray 22, it is possible to obtain a further heat blocking effect.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 24 denotes a guide rail having one end fixed to the apparatus main body 1 and the other end slidably held in the sheet processing apparatus. When the sheet processing apparatus 3 is moved in the separation direction, the sheet processing apparatus 3 moves while exposing the stored guide rail 24 as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, for example, three guide rails 24 are provided in the width direction as shown in FIG. Of the three guide rails 24a, 24b, 24c, the front and rear guide rails 24a, 24c are, for example, at positions that support the side edges of the A4 vertical seat, and the central guide rail 24b is the central portion of the seat. It is arrange | positioned in the position which supports.

  Thereby, for example, after that, when an image forming operation is performed and a sheet is discharged from the relay conveyance unit 2, the sheet is directly discharged and stacked on the three guide rails 24a, 24b, and 24c constituting the spare sheet stacking unit. Will come to be.

  8 and 9, reference numeral 25 (25a, 25b, 25c) denotes a stopper protruding from the guide rails 24a, 24b, 24c on the sheet processing apparatus side. The stoppers 25a, 25b, and 25c press the leading end of the sheet that is discharged from the relay conveyance unit 2, so that the discharged sheet is prevented from entering the sheet processing apparatus 3 from the guide rails 24a, 24b, and 24c. I have to. If ribs are provided at the outer ends of the front and rear guide rails 24a and 24c, the seat can be prevented from dropping from the sides of the front and rear guide rails 24a and 24c.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the sheet processing apparatus 3 is separated from the apparatus main body 1, three sheets are discharged from the relay conveyance unit 2 between the sheet processing apparatus 3 and the apparatus main body 1. The guide rails 24a, 24b, and 24c are stacked. Accordingly, even when the sheet processing apparatus 3 cannot be used due to a failure, a sheet size, a material, or the like, the image forming operation is performed with a simple operation such as separating the sheet processing apparatus 3 without removing the sheet processing apparatus 3. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the spare sheet stacking unit constituted by three guide rails has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to three guide rails. Further, if the shape of the guide rail is devised, it is possible to form a flat surface on which the sheets can be stacked on the upper surface.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the sheet processing apparatus is detachably attached to the side of the image forming apparatus main body is used. Also effective in other configurations.

  In addition, the sheet processing apparatus is not limited to a configuration that is guided by a rail and can be moved toward and away from the sheet processing apparatus. Even in such a configuration, the present invention is effective. The rotation direction is not limited as long as the sheet processing apparatus can be rotated to secure an installation space for the spare sheet stacking unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body and the posture of the rotated sheet processing apparatus can be maintained.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when the sheet processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus is separated from the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a paper discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when the sheet processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus is separated from the apparatus main body. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when the sheet processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus is separated from the apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state when the sheet processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus is separated from the apparatus main body. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copier that is an example of an image forming apparatus including a conventional sheet processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Image forming apparatus 1 Image forming apparatus main body 3 Finisher 2 Relay conveyance apparatus 21 Guide rail 20 Spare discharge tray 23 Link mechanism 13 Image reading part 22 Spare discharge tray 24 Guide rail 25 Stopper S Sheet

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; and a sheet processing apparatus that is detachably connected to the image forming apparatus main body and processes a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body.
An auxiliary sheet stacking unit configured to stack sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body between the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus when the sheet processing apparatus is separated from the image forming apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus. Guides movement of the sheet processing apparatus in the contact / separation direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, one end is fixed to one of the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus, and the other end is slidable inside the other. And a guide rail that is exposed as the sheet processing apparatus moves in the separation direction.
The auxiliary sheet stacking unit is a discharge tray installed at a position of the guide rail where a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus main body is stacked when the sheet processing apparatus is separated. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   3. The moving device according to claim 2, further comprising a moving unit that moves the sheet discharge tray to a position for stacking sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus main body in conjunction with movement of the sheet processing apparatus in the separation direction. Image forming apparatus. Guides movement of the sheet processing apparatus in the contact / separation direction with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, one end is fixed to one of the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet processing apparatus, and the other end is slidable inside the other. And a guide rail that is exposed as the sheet processing apparatus moves in the separation direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary sheet stacking unit includes the exposed guide rail.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a stopper for restricting the movement of the sheet toward the sheet processing apparatus is provided on an upper surface of the guide rail.   The auxiliary sheet stacking section is a discharge tray that is rotatably provided on a side wall surface of the image forming apparatus main body and is movable to a position where sheets are stacked when the sheet processing apparatus is separated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a heat insulating material is attached to the paper discharge tray.

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