JP2007223681A - Recording material aligning device and recording material loading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording material aligning device free from image dirt of a recording material caused by friction between the recording material and the recording material aligning member, and preventing disarray of the recording materials caused by the abrasion of the recording material aligning member. <P>SOLUTION: The recording material aligning member such as a reverse roller 37 is disposed on an elevating/lowering tray 800. After the recording materials such as paper sheets and OHP films are delivered to the elevating/lowering tray, the recording material aligning member holds the recording materials on the elevating/lowering tray. The recording material aligning device D has an abrasion detecting means 47 of such as a light sensor and a micro switch for detecting the abrasion of the recording material aligning member, by detecting change in posture of a holder (an aligning part holding means) 35 for holding the recording material aligning member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is attached to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof, and receives a recording material such as paper or OHP film that has been recorded on the image and discharged from the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a recording material stacking apparatus that discharges and stacks on a lifting tray. In addition, the present invention relates to a recording material aligning device that prepares for such a recording material stacking device and aligns the recording materials discharged on a lifting tray.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a recording material stacking device is attached at the recording material discharge port position, and after an image is recorded on a recording material such as paper / OHP film by the image forming apparatus, The recording material on which the image has been recorded is discharged from the recording material discharge port, and the discharged recording material is received by the recording material stacking device, and discharged and stacked on a lifting tray that can be moved up and down on the recording material stacking device. There is.

  In this type of recording material stacking apparatus, the lifting tray is moved up and down in parallel according to the recording material stacking height on the lifting tray, and the uppermost position on the lifting tray from the recording material discharge port of the image forming apparatus. The drop to the surface of the recording material was made almost constant so as not to impair the stackability of the loaded recording material.

  In addition, the recording material stacking device includes a recording material aligning device, and the recording material aligning device presses the recording material discharged onto the lifting tray from above and is pressed by the recording material discharged next. While preventing the stack from being disturbed, the recording material is returned by rotating and running the alignment member, for example, abutting the alignment surface formed on the outer surface of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, aligning the recording material edges, and Some recording materials are corrected and the recording material is properly stacked.

  In such a recording material aligning apparatus, for example, a sponge reverse roller or a rubber reverse belt is used as the aligning member, and the rotation is transmitted to such an aligning member so that the reverse roller is used. It rotated, and it also traveled on the reverse belt, and the recording material was returned and abutted against the alignment surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-176077

  However, when a belt-made alignment member using rubber or the like having a large friction coefficient is used, there is a problem in that the image surface is rubbed by the alignment member. Further, when a soft roller alignment member using a sponge or the like is used, the peripheral surface of the alignment member is worn with use, resulting in a conveyance failure and a problem of stack disturbance.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is a recording material aligning apparatus in which there is no image contamination of the recording material due to rubbing with the recording material aligning member, and there is no recording material stack disturbance due to wear of the recording material aligning member. Is to provide.

  The second object of the present invention is to provide an alignment member that prevents the recording material discharged on the lifting tray from being pressed from the top and pushed by the next discharged recording material to cause a stack disturbance. To provide a recording material aligning device that rotates and returns a recording material, abuts against the alignment surface, aligns the trailing edge of the recording material, corrects the disturbance of the recording material on the lifting tray, and cleanly arranges the recording material stacking state. .

  A third object of the present invention is to provide a recording material aligning apparatus that frequently detects wear of a recording material aligning member.

  A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a recording material aligning device that detects wear of a recording material aligning member with a simple configuration.

  A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a recording material aligning apparatus that responds in stages to the wear of the recording material alignment member until the drive is stopped after detecting the wear of the recording material alignment member.

  A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a recording material aligning apparatus that is free from image contamination of the recording material due to rubbing by the recording material aligning member and that does not disturb the recording material stack due to wear of the recording material aligning member. Another object is to provide a recording material loading device.

  A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a recording material stacking apparatus that can cope with an image forming apparatus in response to detection of wear of a recording material alignment member.

  An eighth object of the present invention is to provide a recording material stacking device that prevents the occurrence of subsequent image smearing and stack disturbance when the wear of the recording material alignment member is detected.

  A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a recording material stacking device that continues driving while detecting further wear when recording material alignment member wear is detected.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording material aligning member such as a reverse roller is placed on the lifting tray, and when the recording material such as paper or OHP film is discharged onto the lifting tray, In a recording material aligning apparatus for pressing a recording material with the recording material aligning member, an optical sensor for detecting wear of the recording material aligning member by detecting a change in posture of an aligning member holding means for holding the recording material aligning member, a micro A wear detecting means such as a switch is provided.

  When the recording material alignment member is worn, the attitude of the alignment member holding means changes. Therefore, the change in the attitude is detected by the wear detection means to detect the wear of the recording material alignment member.

  For example, the recording material aligning member includes a reverse roller such as a sponge that rotates and returns the recording material on the lifting tray and abuts against the aligning surface formed on the outer surface of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Every time the lifting tray is moved up and down, the wear of the recording material aligning member is detected by the wear detecting means. Then, the alignment member holding means for holding the recording material alignment member is provided with a detected portion by forming a projection or the like, and the change in the position of the detected portion is detected by the wear detection means and the recording material alignment member is worn. Is detected. A plurality of wear detecting means may be provided, and the wear may be dealt with step by step until the drive is stopped after detecting the wear of the recording material alignment member.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording material stacking apparatus comprising the recording material aligning apparatus as described above. Then, when the wear of the recording material alignment member is detected by the wear detection means, a control means for generating an output signal toward the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided. For example, the image forming operation is performed on the image forming apparatus by the control means. When the recording material stacking apparatus itself stops driving and the wear of the recording material aligning member is detected by the wear detecting means, the raising / lowering tray is prohibited from being raised and only lowered.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording material aligning member is worn, the posture of the aligning member holding means changes. Since wear is detected, it is possible to use a roller made of sponge or the like without using a belt made of rubber, etc., and it eliminates image smearing of the recording material caused by rubbing with the recording material alignment member, and recording material alignment member When the wear of the recording material is detected, it is possible to provide a recording material aligning apparatus that does not disturb the recording material stack due to the wear of the recording material aligning member by appropriately issuing a warning or stopping driving.

  Here, as a recording material alignment member, if a reverse roller that rotates and returns the recording material on the lifting tray to abut against the alignment surface is provided, the recording material discharged on the lifting tray from above by the alignment member While preventing the stack from being disturbed by being pressed by the recording material to be discharged next, the recording material is rotated by rotating the recording material alignment member, and the recording material is brought into contact with the alignment surface to align the trailing edge of the recording material. It is possible to provide a recording material aligning device that corrects the disturbance of the recording material on the tray and cleanly arranges the stacked state of the recording material.

  When the wear of the recording material aligning member is detected by the friction detecting means each time the elevating tray is moved up and down, a recording material aligning device that frequently detects the wear of the recording material aligning member can be provided. In addition, when a detected portion is provided in the alignment member holding means and the change in the position of the detected portion is detected by the wear detection means to detect the wear of the recording material alignment member, the recording material alignment member can be configured with a simple configuration. It is possible to provide a recording material aligning device that easily detects the wear of the recording material. Further, it is possible to provide a recording material aligning apparatus that includes a plurality of wear detecting means and that responds step by step according to the degree of wear until the drive is stopped by detecting the wear of the recording material aligning member.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording material stacking apparatus is provided with the recording material aligning apparatus as described above, an image of the recording material caused by rubbing with the recording material aligning member It is possible to provide a recording material stacking apparatus provided with a recording material aligning device that is free from dirt and does not disturb the recording material stack caused by wear of the recording material aligning member.

  When the wear detecting means detects the wear of the recording material aligning member, a control means for generating an output signal toward the image forming apparatus can be used to warn that in response to the detection of the wear of the recording material aligning member. In addition, it is possible to provide a recording material stacking device that promptly replaces the recording material alignment member in response to, for example, stopping driving of the image forming apparatus, and prevents the recording material stack from being disturbed due to wear.

  When the wear detecting means detects the wear of the recording material aligning member, the control means generates an output signal for interrupting the image forming operation to the image forming apparatus, and when the drive of the recording material stacking apparatus itself is stopped, the recording is performed. By replacing the material alignment member, it is possible to provide a recording material stacking device that prevents the occurrence of image contamination and stack disturbance after the detection of the recording material alignment member wear.

  In addition, when the wear detection unit detects wear of the recording material alignment member, if it is equipped with a control unit that prohibits the raising and lowering of the lifting tray, it continues to drive while suppressing further progress of wear and minimizing wear. It is possible to provide a recording material stacking apparatus.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an image forming apparatus in which a recording material stacking device is attached to a recording material discharge port position of the image forming apparatus main body.

  Reference numeral 100 in the figure denotes an image forming apparatus main body, which is placed on a placement table 200 and has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 300 mounted thereon. The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes an image recording unit at the center, an image reading device is provided on the image recording unit, and a lower sheet cassette 400 is provided below the image recording unit so as to be freely drawn out from the front side. In addition, a two-stage sheet cassette 400 is also provided in the mounting table 200 at the top and bottom so that it can be inserted and removed from the front side.

  When copying a document, the document is set on the document table 500 of the automatic document feeder 300, and a copy switch on an operation panel (not shown) is pressed. Then, the document is conveyed, the document information is read by the image reading device of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 600 of the automatic document conveying device 300.

  On the other hand, a recording material such as paper or an OHP film is fed out from one of the paper feed cassettes 400 at an appropriate timing and conveyed to an image recording unit. The image recording unit receives document information based on the read output signal of the image reading device. Record on the surface of the recording material. Then, the recording material on which the image has been recorded is discharged from the recording material discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the discharged recording material is received by the recording material stacking device 700, and the lifting tray provided on the recording material stacking device 700 so as to be raised and lowered Discharge onto 800 and load.

FIG. 2 shows an internal mechanism of the recording material stacking apparatus 700.
The recording material stacking apparatus 600 includes a recording material conveyance / discharge mechanism A that continuously conveys the recording material discharged from the recording material discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body 100 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing and discharges it onto the lifting tray 800. A recording material sorting mechanism B for sorting the stacked recording materials by shifting the lifting tray 800 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, a tray lifting mechanism C for moving the lifting tray 800 up and down in parallel according to the loading height of the recording materials, A recording material aligning device D is provided that corrects the disturbance of the recording material on the tray 800 and neatly arranges the stacked state of the recording material.

  In the recording material transport mechanism A, the rotation of the transport motor 10 is transmitted through the first timing belt 11 to rotate the transport roller 12, and the rotation of the transport roller 12 is discharged through the second timing belt 13. The recording material is conveyed in the direction of the arrow and discharged onto the lifting tray 800.

  In the recording material sorting mechanism B, the rotation of the shift motor 16 that can rotate forward and backward is transmitted to the worm 18 via the timing belt 17 to rotate the worm wheel 19 that meshes with the worm wheel 19, and the pinion 20 coaxial with the worm wheel 19; The lifting tray 800 is shifted left and right through meshing with a rack (not shown) provided on the lifting tray 800.

  In the tray elevating mechanism C, the rotation of the elevating motor 21 that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions is transmitted to the shaft 24 through the meshing of the gears 22 and 23, and the first pulley 25 that is fixed to both ends of the shaft 24 is provided above each. A lifting belt 27 that is hung up and down between the second pulleys 26 and provided parallel to both sides is run, and a lifting tray 800 that fixes both sides to the lifting belts 27 is translated in the vertical direction.

In FIG. 3, the raising / lowering position detection means E of the raising / lowering tray 800 is shown.
The lift position detection means E is turned on and off by a pivot shaft 30 that is pivotally supported, a lever 31 that extends toward the lift tray 800, a filler 32 that extends from one end of the pivot shaft 30, and the filler 32. Position sensor 33. Then, as the elevating tray 800 moves up, the tip of the lever 31 is pushed up by the elevating tray 800 or the recording material stacked thereon, the rotating shaft 30 is rotated, the filler 32 is rotated, and the tip of the filler 32 is positioned. When entering the sensor 33, the position sensor 33 detects that the lifting tray 800 is at an appropriate position for receiving the discharged recording material. Thereafter, each time one or several sheets are discharged onto the lifting tray 800, the lifting tray 800 is once lowered and then raised, and the raised position is detected by the position sensor 33 and stopped.

In FIG. 4, the recording material aligning device D is disassembled and shown.
In FIG. 4, the code | symbol 35 is a holder as an alignment member holding means. The shape of the holder 35 is not particularly limited. In the illustrated example, the holder 35 protrudes left and right and is provided with a shaft portion 36. A sponge reverse roller 37 is rotatably attached to the shaft portions 36 as recording material alignment members from the left and right. The reverse roller 37 is integrally formed with the cored bar and has a gear portion 38 coaxially and is prevented from being detached by a silencer 39. The gear portion 38 meshes with an intermediate gear 40 that is rotatably held by the holder 35.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the holder 35 is attached to the shaft portion of the discharge roller 14 by turning the holder 35 upside down.
As shown in the figure, the shaft engaging portion 41 of the holder 35 is fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft portion 42 of the discharge roller 14, and the holder 35 is pivoted around the shaft portion 42, and the intermediate gear 40 is discharged as shown in FIG. It meshes with the transmission gear 43 of the roller 14. As a result, the recording material aligning device D is provided so as to hang from the shaft portion 42 of the discharge roller 14, while the rotation of the discharge roller 14 is transmitted from the transmission gear 43 to the gear portion 38 via the intermediate gear 40 and the reverse roller 37 is moved. Rotate.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which recording materials are stacked on the lifting tray 800 in alignment with the recording material aligning device D.
As shown in the figure, when the holder 35 is attached to the shaft portion 42 of the discharge roller 14, the reverse roller 37 side protrudes on the lifting tray 800. Then, the reverse roller 37 is placed on the lifting tray 800 or the recording material p stacked on the lifting tray 800 as shown. Accordingly, the recording material p is discharged onto the lifting tray 800 by the rotation of the discharge roller 14 in the direction of the arrow and falls due to its own weight, and the reverse roller 37 is scraped by the reverse roller 37 and hits the alignment surface 44 to record. The rear ends of the material p are aligned and aligned. The alignment surface 44 is a fence-like plate surface or the like, and is formed, for example, on the inner surface of the casing of the recording material stacking apparatus 700 or on the outer surface of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus.

  Then, as the stacking height of the recording material p on the lifting tray 800 increases, the lifting tray 800 is moved up and down by the tray lifting mechanism C, and the uppermost recording material on the lifting tray 800 from the recording material discharge port of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The drop to the p surface is made substantially constant so as not to impair the stackability of the loaded recording material. When the lifting tray 800 reaches the lowest position, it is detected by a sensor (not shown), and discharging of the recording material p beyond that is stopped. When the recording material p on the elevating tray 800 is removed, the elevating tray 800 is raised to receive the recording material p to be discharged next, detected by the elevating position detecting means E, and stopped at the uppermost position.

  At this time, if necessary, the recording material sorting mechanism B shifts the elevating tray 800 in a direction perpendicular to the recording material conveyance direction to alternately sort the stacked recording materials for each copy.

  In the recording material stacking apparatus 700 as described above, the sponge reverse roller 37 is placed on the lifting tray 800 as a recording material alignment member, and when the recording material p is discharged onto the lifting tray 800, The recording material p is always pressed by the reverse roller 37. Further, the reverse roller 37 is rotated in contact with the surface of the elevating tray 800 and the surface of the recording material p, the recording material p on the elevating tray 800 is returned and abutted against the alignment surface 44 to align the trailing ends of the recording material p. . Therefore, the reverse roller 37 is worn with time by rubbing the circumferential surface of the reverse roller 37 against the surface of the lifting tray 800 and the surface of the recording material p. Then, the coefficient of friction changes to cause a conveyance failure, and the recording material p is not fully pressed by the reverse roller 37, and is subsequently pushed out by the discharged recording material p, and the recording material p is stacked on the lifting tray 800. There is a problem that causes disturbance.

FIG. 7 shows the alignment member wear detection mechanism F of the reverse roller 37.
In the illustrated recording material stacking apparatus 700, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the holder 35, which is an alignment member holding means, protrudes to provide the detected part 46 in the holder 35, and the change in the position of the detected part 46 is detected. Wear detecting means 47 for detecting and detecting the wear of the reverse roller 37 is provided. The wear detection means 47 is formed by a micro switch, an optical sensor, or the like, and is provided with, for example, a transmissive optical sensor as shown in the figure attached to a stay 48 that is supported by the casing of the recording material stacking apparatus 700.

  When the lifting tray 800 is in a position to receive the discharged recording material, the reverse roller 37 is lifted by the lifting tray 800 to bring the holder 35 into the solid line position shown in FIG. The detection unit 46 is detected to detect that the peripheral surface of the reverse roller 37 is not worn. However, when the peripheral surface of the reverse roller 37 is worn, the diameter gradually decreases, and the holder 35 gradually rotates around the shaft portion 42 of the discharge roller 14, and the holder 35 moves as shown by the chain line position in FIG. The posture changes. Therefore, the change in the position of the detected portion 46 is detected when it is completely removed from the wear detecting means 47, and the predetermined wear on the peripheral surface of the reverse roller 37 is detected.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram in which the recording material stacking apparatus 700 is attached to the image forming apparatus.
As shown in the figure, the recording material stacking apparatus 700 includes a CPU 50 as control means, and communicates with the image forming apparatus according to data (commands) defined in advance using a so-called interface communication line. In the recording material stacking apparatus 700, the CPU 50 performs the above-described recording material conveyance / discharge mechanism A, recording material sorting mechanism B, tray elevating mechanism C, recording material aligning apparatus D, elevating position detecting means E, alignment member wear detecting mechanism F, and the like. Control.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of wear detection of the recording material stacking apparatus 700.
In the recording material stacking apparatus 700, as shown in the figure, the CPU 50 starts driving the transport motor 10 of the recording material transport / discharge mechanism A along with the start of paper feeding based on a signal from the image forming apparatus. Accept p. When the vertical movement timing of the lifting / lowering tray 800 is reached, the lifting / lowering tray 800 is once lowered and then raised, and when the position sensor 33 is turned on, the wear of the reverse roller 37 is worn by the wear detection means 47 of the alignment member wear detection mechanism F. Is detected.

  When the peripheral surface of the reverse roller 37 is worn, the CPU 50 transmits an output signal to the image forming apparatus, and displays a warning that the reverse roller 37 is worn, for example, on the display panel of the image forming apparatus. Or interrupt the image forming operation. Further, the drive of the recording material stacking apparatus 700 itself is stopped by stopping the drive of the transport motor 10 of the recording material transport / discharge mechanism A, for example. Thereby, by replacing the reverse roller 37, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of image contamination and stack disturbance after the detection of wear of the reverse roller 37.

  Further, when the wear detecting means 47 detects the wear of the reverse roller 37, the CPU 50 may prohibit the raising of the lifting tray 800. In this way, it is possible to continue driving the recording material stacking apparatus 700 until the elevating tray 800 reaches the lowest position while suppressing further progress of wear and minimizing wear.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the alignment member wear detection mechanism F of the reverse roller 37.
As shown in FIG. 10, the alignment member wear detection mechanism F is provided with a plurality of wear detection means 47, and detects the wear of the reverse roller 37 and responds in stages depending on the degree of wear until the drive is stopped. May be. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the alignment member wear detection mechanism F includes two wear detection means 47, that is, a first wear detection means 47 </ b> A and a second wear detection means 47 </ b> B, but three or more wear detection means 47. The wear may be detected in three or more stages.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of wear detection of the recording material stacking apparatus 700 provided with the alignment member wear detection mechanism F shown in FIG.
Similarly, with the start of paper feeding, the CPU 50 starts driving the conveyance motor 10 of the recording material conveyance / discharge mechanism A, and receives the recording material p from the image forming apparatus. When the vertical movement timing of the lift tray 800 is reached, the lift tray 800 is once lowered and then raised. When the position sensor 33 is turned on, the first wear detection means 47A of the alignment member wear detection mechanism F detects the wear of the reverse roller 37, and when the wear is detected, the second wear detection means 47B detects the wear. To do.

  As a result, when the wear of the reverse roller 37 is detected only by the first wear detector 47A, it is determined that the wear is still small and the drive of the recording material stacking device 700 is not stopped, and is output from the CPU 50 to the image forming apparatus, for example. A signal is transmitted and a warning is displayed on the display panel. However, when the second wear detecting means 47B also detects the wear of the reverse roller 37, it is judged that there is a sufficient possibility that the stack will be disturbed, and the CPU 50 stops the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus and the recording material stacking apparatus. The driving of 700 itself is also stopped.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of another example of wear detection of the recording material stacking apparatus 700.
As in this example, even if the wear of the reverse roller 37 is detected by both the first wear detection means 47A and the second wear detection means 47B, the drive of both the image forming apparatus and the recording material stacking apparatus 700 is immediately stopped. Instead, the CPU 50 may prohibit the raising / lowering of the lifting tray 800 and perform only the lowering.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus in which a recording material stacking device is attached to a recording material discharge port position of the image forming apparatus main body. It is a perspective view which shows the internal mechanism of the recording material stacking apparatus. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a lift position detecting unit that detects a position of a lift tray provided in the recording material stacking apparatus. It is an exploded perspective view of a recording material aligning device provided in the recording material stacking device. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the holder with respect to the axial part of a discharge roller by turning over the holder of the recording material aligning device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which recording materials are stacked on a lifting tray after being aligned by a recording material alignment device. It is a figure which shows the alignment member abrasion detection mechanism of the reverse roller of a recording material alignment apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram in which a recording material stacking device is attached to the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart of the wear detection of a recording material loading apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the alignment member abrasion detection mechanism of a reverse roller. It is a flowchart of the wear detection of a recording material stacking apparatus provided with the alignment member wear detection mechanism shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the other example of the wear detection of a recording material stacking apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

14 discharge roller 35 holder (alignment member holding means)
37 Reverse roller (recording material alignment member)
42 Shaft portion of discharge roller 44 Alignment surface 46 Detected portion 47, 47A, 47B Wear detection means 50 CPU (control means)
700 Recording Material Loading Device 800 Elevating Tray A Recording Material Transporting and Discharging Mechanism B Recording Material Sorting Mechanism C Tray Elevating Mechanism D Recording Material Alignment Device E Elevating Position Detection Means F Alignment Member Wear Detection Mechanism p Recording Material

Claims (9)

In the recording material aligning apparatus, the recording material aligning member is placed on the elevating tray, and the recording material on the elevating tray is pressed by the recording material aligning member when the recording material is discharged onto the elevating tray.
A recording material aligning apparatus, comprising: a wear detecting means for detecting a change in posture of an aligning member holding means for holding the recording material aligning member to detect wear of the recording material aligning member.   The recording material aligning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reverse roller that rotates as the recording material aligning member to return the recording material on the lifting tray to abut against the aligning surface.   3. The recording material aligning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wear of the recording material aligning member is detected by the wear detecting means each time the elevating tray is moved up and down.   4. A detection portion is provided in the alignment member holding means, and a change in the position of the detection portion is detected by the wear detection means to detect wear of the recording material alignment member. The recording material aligning apparatus according to any one of the above.   The recording material aligning apparatus according to claim 4, comprising a plurality of the wear detecting means.   A recording material stacking apparatus comprising the recording material aligning apparatus according to claim 1.   The recording material stacking apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit that generates an output signal toward the image forming apparatus when the wear detecting unit detects wear of the recording material alignment member.   8. The recording material stacking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means generates an output signal for interrupting the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus and stops its own drive.   The recording material stacking apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit that prohibits raising of the elevating tray when the wear detecting unit detects wear of the recording material aligning member.

Images