JP2008120484A - Paper sheet posture compensating device and image forming device with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheet posture compensating device capable of compensating the inclination of an edge of a sheet material during conveyance thereof independently of the rigidity of the sheet material. <P>SOLUTION: When the sheet material P is conveyed, being inclined, the edge of the sheet material P abuts on a second gate portion 64 held on an upstream side of a register correcting position. The sheet material P abuts on a first gate portion 58 of which turn is hindered in the register correcting position, turning the second gate 66. Inclination of the sheet material P is gradually corrected, and when the second gate portion 64 turns to the register correcting position, inclination of the sheet material P is corrected. When the second gate portion 64 is turned to the register correcting position, a second pinch 47 is turned, and a turn allowing portion 72B is positioned to a first pin 68, and the first gate portion 62 is turned. Since the first gate 64 is not turned before the first gate portion 58 and the second gate portion 64 are aligned in the register correcting position, inclination of the edge of the sheet material P during conveyance can be corrected independently of rigidity of the sheet material P. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper attitude correction device that corrects the inclination of the leading end of a sheet material being conveyed, and an image forming apparatus including the paper attitude correction device.

  In order to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member to an accurate position of the sheet material, the image forming apparatus is provided with a paper attitude correction device that corrects the inclination of the sheet material in front of the toner image transfer unit. .

As an example, a registration shutter provided in the conveyance path prevents sheet material from being conveyed, corrects the inclination of the sheet material, opens the registration shutter, and sends the sheet material to a transfer unit. (Patent Document 1)
Specifically, the registration shutter is provided in the entire width direction of the sheet material, and is biased by a spring force to a conveyance prevention position that inhibits conveyance of the sheet material. In this state, when the inclined sheet material is conveyed to the registration shutter, the leading end portion of the sheet material partially contacts the registration shutter.

  The inclination of the sheet material is gradually corrected by preventing the movement of the leading edge of the contacted sheet material by the registration shutter, and the posture of the sheet material is corrected when the entire leading edge of the sheet material contacts the registration shutter. . Then, the registration shutter is opened against the spring force that urges the registration shutter to the conveyance blocking position by pushing the registration shutter over the entire front end portion of the sheet material. By opening the registration shutter, the sheet material with the aligned front ends is conveyed downstream.

In this way, the sheet material can be conveyed to the next process by correcting the inclination of the sheet material.
JP 2002-265100 A

  However, according to this registration shutter, the registration shutter opens the conveyance path by pressing the registration shutter with a predetermined force. Therefore, it is considered that the opening timing of the registration shutter changes depending on the rigidity of the sheet material. . For example, in the case of thick paper with high rigidity, the registration shutter is opened before the leading edges are aligned, and the thick paper is transported downstream in a tilted state. It is expected to jam.

  An object of the present invention is to correct the inclination of the sheet material being conveyed regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material in consideration of the above facts.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet orientation correcting apparatus that includes a first gate portion and a second gate portion that are provided in a direction intersecting with a direction in which a sheet material is conveyed and that contact a leading end of the conveyed sheet material. Means, holding means for holding the first gate portion at a predetermined position and blocking the movement of the first gate, and holding the second gate portion at an upstream side in the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed from the predetermined position. And an opening means for releasing the blocking means and allowing the first gate portion to move after the second gate portion is pushed by the sheet material and moved downstream in the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed. It is characterized by having.

  According to the above configuration, when the sheet material is conveyed, the leading end portion of the sheet material hits the second gate portion held upstream from the predetermined position. The sheet material hits the first gate portion at a predetermined position while moving the second gate portion.

  The sheet material in which the movement of the front end portion is prevented by contacting the first gate portion, the inclination of the front end portion is gradually corrected, and the inclination of the sheet material is corrected when the second gate portion moves toward a predetermined position. .

  When the second gate portion pushed by the sheet material approaches a predetermined position, the opening means releases the blocking means and allows the first gate portion to move.

  That is, when the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material is corrected, the conveyance of the sheet material is resumed. Thus, since the first gate portion does not move unless the first gate portion and the second gate portion are close to a predetermined position, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material being conveyed is corrected regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material. be able to.

  Note that the timing at which the first gate portion can be moved may be set together with the apparatus to correct the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material, and the second gate portion moves slightly closer to the predetermined position as it approaches the predetermined position. It may be possible, or may be movable after the second gate portion approaches a predetermined position and slightly passes. Of course, the second gate portion may be movable when it coincides with a predetermined position.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet orientation correcting apparatus, comprising: a shaft member extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the sheet material is conveyed; and a tip of the sheet material that is rotatably attached to the shaft member and conveyed. A first gate having a first gate portion that abuts, and a second gate portion that is pivotally attached to the shaft member while being axially displaced from the first gate and abutting a leading end of a conveyed sheet material. Holding the second gate, the first gate portion at a predetermined position, blocking the rotation of the first gate; holding the second gate portion upstream from the predetermined position; An opening means for releasing the blocking means and allowing the first gate to rotate when the gate portion is pushed by the sheet material and rotates, and the second gate portion approaches the predetermined position. It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, when the sheet material is conveyed, the leading end portion of the sheet material hits the second gate portion held upstream from the predetermined position. The sheet material hits the first gate portion of the first gate that is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position while rotating the second gate.

  The sheet material in which the movement of the leading end portion is prevented by contacting the first gate portion, the inclination of the leading end portion is gradually corrected, and the inclination of the sheet material is corrected when the second gate portion is rotated toward a predetermined position. The

  When the second gate portion pushed by the sheet material approaches a predetermined position, the opening means releases the blocking means and makes the first gate rotatable.

  That is, when the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material is corrected and the leading end positions are aligned, the conveyance of the sheet material is resumed. Thus, since the first gate does not rotate unless the first gate portion and the second gate portion are close to a predetermined position, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material being conveyed is corrected regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material. be able to.

  The timing at which the first gate can be rotated may be set together with the apparatus in order to correct the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material, and the second gate portion may be rotated slightly toward the predetermined position. It may be movable, or may be rotatable after the second gate portion approaches a predetermined position and slightly passes. Of course, it may be possible to rotate the second gate portion when it coincides with a predetermined position.

  The paper posture correcting apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is the paper posture correcting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blocking means is configured to allow the first pin provided on the first gate and the first pin to move. A first guide hole is formed which is fitted and includes a rotation blocking portion that prevents rotation of the first pin and a rotation permission portion that allows rotation, and is supported to be movable in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction. An anti-rotation plate, and an urging means for urging the anti-rotation plate to position the first pin on the anti-rotation part, wherein the opening means is provided on the second gate. The second pin is formed on the rotation prevention plate, and the second pin is movably fitted, and when the second pin rotates, the rotation prevention plate is moved in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, The second gate is at the predetermined position It happens when, characterized in that it comprises a second guide hole to position the rotation allowing portion to the first pin.

  According to the above configuration, the urging means urges the rotation prevention plate to position the first pin provided on the first gate at the rotation prevention portion of the first guide hole. Thereby, the first gate portion is held at a predetermined position, and the rotation of the first gate is prevented.

  When the sheet material is conveyed, the leading end portion of the sheet material hits the second gate portion held upstream from the predetermined position. The sheet material hits the first gate portion of the first gate that is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position while rotating the second gate.

  The sheet material that is in contact with the first gate portion and whose front end portion is prevented from moving is gradually corrected in the inclination of the front end portion, and when the second gate portion is rotated to a predetermined position, the inclination of the sheet material is corrected. When the second gate portion is rotated to a predetermined position, the second pin is also rotated, and the second guide hole in which the second pin is movably fitted moves the rotation prevention plate in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction. The rotation permission portion of the guide hole is positioned on the first pin, and the first gate can be rotated.

  As described above, the rotation preventing portion and the rotation allowing portion are provided in the first guide hole formed in the rotation preventing plate, and when the second gate portion is in a predetermined position, the rotation allowing portion is positioned on the first pin. The inclination of the leading edge of the sheet material being conveyed can be corrected.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the paper posture correcting apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the blocking means is in contact with the stopper member provided on the first gate and the stopper member. A rotation preventing rod that is supported so as to be movable in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, and a rod urging member that urges the rotation preventing rod to a contact position with the stopper; And the opening means is provided in the second gate, and when the second gate portion is in the predetermined position, the rotation blocking rod biased by the rod biasing member is pulled in to prevent the rotation blocking. It is an opening member for separating the rod from the stopper member.

  According to the above configuration, the rod urging member urges the rotation prevention rod to a contact position with the stopper member provided on the first gate, and the rotation prevention rod contacts the stopper member to rotate the first gate. The first gate portion is held at a predetermined position by preventing the movement.

  When the sheet material is conveyed, the leading end portion of the sheet material hits the second gate portion held upstream from the predetermined position. The sheet material hits the first gate portion of the first gate that is prevented from rotating at a predetermined position while rotating the second gate.

  For the sheet material that is in contact with the first gate portion and the movement of the leading end portion is prevented, the inclination of the leading end portion is gradually corrected, and when the second gate portion is rotated to a predetermined position, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material is corrected. Is done. Further, when the second gate portion is rotated to a predetermined position, the opening member pulls the rotation blocking rod biased by the rod biasing member, moves the rotation blocking rod away from the stopper member, and moves the first gate. Turnable.

  As described above, the rotation prevention rod that contacts the stopper member and prevents the rotation of the first gate is provided, and when the second gate portion is in a predetermined position, the opening member separates the rotation prevention rod from the stopper member. Thus, the inclination of the leading edge of the sheet material being conveyed can be corrected.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the paper posture correcting apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  According to the above configuration, since the paper posture correction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided, the toner image formed on the photosensitive member can be transferred to an accurate position of the sheet material. it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to correct the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material being conveyed regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material.

  The image forming apparatus 10 that employs the paper attitude correction device 56 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a main part configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 in which the paper posture correcting device 56 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is employed. In the figure, a photoreceptor 12 as an image carrier is provided so as to be rotated in the direction of arrow B by a motor (not shown).

  Around the photosensitive member 12, a charging device, that is, a charging roll (BCR) 14, an exposure device (ROS) 16, a rotary frame 18 as a rotating body, a primary transfer device, that is, a primary BTR 20, and a cleaner device 22 are arranged. Has been.

  The rotary frame 18 is loaded with four developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K for full-color development.

  The developing units 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K develop the latent images on the photoconductor 12 with yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, respectively.

  When developing toner of each color, the rotary frame 18 is rotated by 90 ° in the direction of arrow A, and the developing roller 19 of that color is stopped at the developing position of the photoconductor 12.

  The toner images of each color developed on the photoconductor 12 are sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 by the primary BTR 20, and the four color toner images are superimposed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 28 is stretched around rolls 30, 32, 34, and 36.

  Among these, the roll 30 is coupled to a drive source (not shown) and functions as a drive roll that drives the intermediate transfer belt 28, and the roll 32 is biased toward the intermediate transfer belt by a coil spring 38, and the tension of the intermediate transfer belt 28 is increased. The roll 36 functions as a secondary transfer unit, that is, as a backup roll for the secondary BTR 40.

  A belt cleaner 42 is provided at a position facing the roll 30 with the intermediate transfer belt 28 interposed therebetween, and residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is scraped off by a cleaner blade.

  The sheet material P drawn from the sheet feeding cassette 44 to the conveyance path 41 by the pulling roll 46 is conveyed by the conveyance roll 48, and the inclination of the sheet material P is corrected by the paper attitude correction device 56 while passing through the paper guide 54. The toner is transferred to the nip portion, that is, the toner image transfer portion 52 between the secondary BTR 40 and the intermediate transfer belt 28. Details of the sheet orientation correction device 56 will be described later.

  The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 28 is transferred onto the sheet material P by the toner image transfer unit 52, thermally fixed by the fixing device 50, and discharged to a tray (not shown).

  A reflection type optical sensor (not shown) is disposed opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 28 to detect reflected light from a reflecting portion (not shown) such as an aluminum foil provided on the intermediate transfer belt 28.

  The detection signal of the reflected light is used as a reference signal for controlling the image formation timing by the exposure device 16 and the toner image transfer timing.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, an image is formed as follows.

  First, a voltage is applied to the charging roll 14 to uniformly negatively charge the surface of the photoreceptor 12 with a predetermined charged portion potential.

  Subsequently, exposure is performed by the exposure device 16 so that the image portion on the charged photoreceptor 12 has a predetermined exposure portion potential, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

  That is, a latent image corresponding to an image is formed on the photoconductor 12 by turning on / off the laser emitted from the exposure device 16 based on video data supplied from a control device (not shown).

  The rotary frame 18 loaded with the developing device 18Y and the like is rotated by 90 ° in the direction of arrow A, and the developing roller 19 of the corresponding color is stopped at the developing position of the photoconductor 12.

  A developing bias set in advance for each color is applied to the developing roller 19, and the latent image is developed with toner when passing through the position of the developing roller 19 and visualized as a toner image.

  The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 28 by the primary BTR 20, and further transferred to the sheet material P whose inclination is corrected by the paper attitude correction device 56 by the secondary BTR 40, and then the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred. The material P is fed to the fixing device 50.

  In full color printing, toners of four colors are superimposed on the belt, and then transferred onto the sheet material P at a time.

  Further, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 12 is removed and collected by the cleaner device 22, and finally, the photosensitive member 12 is uniformly discharged to near 0 volts by a neutralizing device (not shown), and the next image forming cycle is performed. Prepare.

  Next, the paper attitude correction device 56 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the paper attitude correction device 56 includes a first gate 62 having a first gate portion 58 that abuts the leading end portion of the conveyed sheet material P at the registration correction position, and the first gate 62. A shaft member 60 extending in the direction perpendicular to the sheet material conveyance is provided by rotatably supporting a second gate 66 having a second gate portion 64 held upstream from the one gate portion.

  Further, the first gate portion 58 is provided with a cylindrical first pin 68 extending downward, and the first pin 68 is supported so as to be movable in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction. It fits in the 1st guide hole 72 formed in this, and becomes the structure by which rotation of the 1st gate part 58 is blocked | prevented.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first guide hole 72 is formed in a square shape, and the rotation preventing portion 72A extending in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction and the rotation permission extending obliquely. A portion 72B is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, in the initial position for facing the conveyed sheet material P, the rotation prevention plate 70 is urged by the coil spring 78, and the first pin 68 is the end of the rotation prevention part 72A. (Position A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B) is arranged to prevent the first gate portion 58 from rotating.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second gate 66 is provided with a cylindrical second pin 74 extending downward, and the second pin 74 is formed on the rotation prevention plate 70. 2 is fitted in the guide hole 76 so as to be movable.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the second guide hole 76 is formed in a straight line extending obliquely with respect to the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, and an angle α formed with the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction. Is set to the same angle as the angle β formed by the rotation allowing portion 72B of the first guide hole 72 and the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction. At the initial position where the conveyed sheet material P is greeted, the second pin 74 has an end of the second guide hole 76 (FIG. 4, FIG. 4) because the rotation prevention plate 70 is biased by the coil spring 78. It is arranged at a position B) shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation prevention plate 70 provided with the first guide hole 72 and the second guide hole 76 includes an arc plate member 70A formed in an arc shape and an arc plate member 70A. It is comprised from the bracket 70B in which the circular hole fitted to the shaft member 60 (refer FIG. 4) was formed in the both ends.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the rotation prevention plate 70 is fitted to the shaft member 60, the coil spring 78 provided on the shaft member 60 causes the bracket 70B on the second gate 66 side to be seated from the outside as described above. The material is biased in the direction perpendicular to the material conveyance. Further, the rotation prevention plate 70 is a stopper (not shown) so as not to rotate around the shaft member 60 and is movable only in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction.

  That is, the rotation prevention plate 70 is urged by the coil spring 78 in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction (arrow C method shown in FIG. 1), so that the second pin 74 and the first pin 68 are moved to the second guide hole 76 and The first guide hole 72 is biased to one end.

  Further, the shaft member 60 is provided with a conveyance roller 80 that is rotatably supported by the shaft member 60.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the sheet material P is conveyed while being inclined, as shown in FIG. 8B, the leading end of the sheet material P is upstream of the registration correction position. It hits the second gate part 64 held on the side. The sheet material P hits the first gate portion 58 of the first gate 62 that is prevented from rotating at the registration correction position while rotating the second gate 66.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the sheet material P, which is in contact with the first gate portion 58 and is prevented from moving the tip portion, is gradually corrected in the inclination of the tip portion, and the second gate portion 64 is registered. When rotated to the correction position, the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is corrected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the second gate portion 64 is rotated to the registration correction position, the second pin 74 is also rotated, and the second pin 74 is moved toward the other end portion of the second guide hole 76. Then, the rotation preventing plate 70 is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the rotation allowing portion 72B is positioned on the first pin 68.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8D, when the rotation allowing portion 72B is positioned on the first pin 68, the first pin 68 moves toward the other end of the rotation allowing portion 72B, The first gate 62 rotates in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. Here, as described above, the angle α of the second guide hole 76 shown in FIG. 5B and the angle β of the rotation allowing portion 72B of the first guide hole 72 are the same angle. Is rotated at the same rotational speed as the second gate 66 and the sheet material P passes through.

  At the same time when the first gate 62 starts to rotate, the sheet material P is conveyed by the conveyance roller 80 and the conveyance roller 86 disposed on the upper side of the conveyance roller 80 shown in FIG. 8 is delivered to the driving roller 90 shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the sheet material P passes through the second gate 66 and the first gate 62, the rotation prevention plate 70 moves in the C direction by the urging force of the coil spring 78. The second pin 74 and the first pin 68 move toward one end of the second guide hole 76 and the first guide hole 72, and the second gate 66 and the first gate 62 return to the initial positions.

  As described above, since the first gate 66 does not rotate unless the first gate portion 58 and the second gate portion 64 are aligned at the registration correction position, the leading end of the sheet material P being conveyed regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material P. The inclination of the part can be corrected.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It is clear to the contractor. For example, in the above embodiment, the paper attitude correction device 56 has been described as being used in the image forming apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus 10, and may be applied to an automatic ticket gate such as a boarding ticket, a coupon ticket, or a commuter pass. Alternatively, the sheet orientation correcting device 56 may be used.

  Next, an image forming apparatus 10 that employs a sheet orientation correcting apparatus 56 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, two sheet posture correction devices 56 are connected in series, and each second gate 66 is arranged at the center side of the sheet material conveyance path. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the inclined sheet material P is conveyed, the leading end portion of the sheet material P comes into contact with the second gate portion 64 of one second gate 66, and then FIG. As shown in (B), it abuts on the second gate portion 64 of the other second gate 66.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, when the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is corrected and the second gate portion 64 reaches the registration correction position, as shown in FIG. 11D, the first gate portion The sheet material P is conveyed in a state in which 58 is opened and the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is corrected.

  In this way, the inclination can be corrected in the same manner regardless of which of the sheet material P being conveyed is inclined.

  Next, an image forming apparatus 10 employing a paper posture correcting device 56 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, in addition to the second gate 66 and the corresponding first gate 62 on the shaft member 60, a new one is added. Two gates 92 and a corresponding first gate 94 are arranged with the first gate 62 interposed therebetween.

  Further, the second gate 92, the second pin 96 of the first gate 94, and the first pin 98 are formed in the second guide hole 100 formed in the rotation prevention plate 101 arranged to overlap the rotation prevention plate 70. And the first guide hole 102. Further, the rotation prevention plate 101 is urged in the direction of arrow G shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 by the urging force of the coil spring 104. The first pin 68 of the first gate 62 is fitted in the first guide hole 72 through a rectangular escape hole 100A provided in the rotation prevention plate 101.

  Thus, by arranging the second gate 92 and the first gate 94, as shown in FIG. 15, between the second gate 92 and the first gate 94 and between the second gate 66 and the first gate 62. The distance in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction can be set wide, and the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material P can be corrected with high accuracy even if the gates have positional variations during mass production.

  Next, an image forming apparatus 10 employing a paper posture correcting apparatus 106 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first gate 112 including the first gate portion 110 is provided at both ends of the shaft member 60. A second gate 116 having a second gate portion 114 is provided at the center.

  Further, a stopper member 120 having a rectangular cross section and extending in the vertical direction is integrally provided below the first gate portion 110. Further, a hooking member 124 that comes into contact with a rotation prevention rod 122, which will be described later, is attached to the stopper member 120 so as to be rotatable in the arrow T direction with the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction as the rotation axis direction. Yes.

  Further, the end of the coil spring 126 is fixed to the lower end of the hooking member 124, the hooking member 124 is biased in the downstream direction, and the first gate portion 110 is biased in the arrow H direction. ing. Note that the rotation axis of the first gate portion 110 is provided with a rotation prevention shape (not shown) so as not to rotate in the H direction from the initial position where the conveyed sheet material P is received. Further, a rotation stopper (not shown) is provided on the stopper member 120 so that the hook member 124 does not rotate downstream from the initial position in which the longitudinal direction is directed downward.

  Further, the rotation prevention rod 122 that contacts the hook member 124 is a bar member having a rectangular cross section extending in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, and is provided with a roller 122A at the tip and welded to the center. The biasing force of the coil spring 128 is biased to the opening member 130 provided on the lower side of the second gate portion 114 via the flat plate member 127.

  The opening member 130 has a fan shape when viewed from the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, and a contact surface with which the roller 122A contacts is provided along the arc shape.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the second gate portion 114 rotates and reaches the registration correction position, the rotation preventing rod 122 biased by the coil spring 128 is placed in the recess 130 </ b> A provided in the opening member 130. It is guided and moved toward the opening member 130. As a result, the rotation preventing rod 122 is separated from the hooking member 124 and the first gate 112 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow K.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the end of the coil spring 132 is fixed to the lower end of the opening member 130, and the lower end of the opening member 130 is biased in the downstream direction, whereby the second gate. The portion 114 is biased in the direction of arrow J. The rotation axis of the second gate portion 114 is provided with a rotation prevention shape (not shown) so as not to rotate in the J direction from the initial position where the conveyed sheet material P is received.

  With this configuration, when the sheet material P is conveyed while being inclined, the leading end portion of the sheet material P comes into contact with the second gate portion 114 disposed upstream, and the second gate 116 starts to rotate in the direction of the arrow L. .

  As shown in FIG. 18A, when the leading end portion of the sheet material P comes into contact with the first gate portion 110 of the first gate 112, it is provided between the hooking member 124 and the rotation prevention rod 122. The gap first gate 112 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 18B, when the hook member 124 and the rotation prevention rod 122 abut, the first gate 112 stops at the registration correction position, and the sheet material P that abuts the first gate 112 The tip does not move.

  As a result, the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is gradually corrected. As shown in FIG. 17, when the second gate portion 114 reaches the registration correction position, the roller 122A at the leading end of the rotation preventing rod 122 is recessed. Guided by 130 </ b> A, the rotation prevention rod 122 moves toward the opening member 130.

  As shown in FIG. 18C, when the rotation prevention rod 122 is moved, the first gate 112 is rotated, and the sheet material P is conveyed in a state where the leading ends are aligned.

  As shown in FIG. 18D, when the sheet material P passes, the rotation prevention rod 122 returns to the initial position (see FIG. 16). Since the hooking member 124 is pivotally supported by the stopper member 120, the hooking member 124 rotates against the rotation blocking rod 122 in the arrow M direction even after the rotation blocking rod 122 returns to the initial position. It returns to the initial position shown in FIG.

  The locus A of the hook member 124 shown in FIG. 18A is a locus when the shaft member 60 is moved around the rotation axis B, and the locus B is the rotation axis C of the hook member 124. It is a locus when moving around. That is, when the first gate 112 is pushed by the sheet material P and the hook member 124 moves about the rotation axis B, the rotation prevention rod 122 prevents the rotation. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18D, when the sheet material P passes and the hooking member 124 returns to the initial position, the hooking member 124 makes contact with the rotation prevention rod 122 and the rotation axis C. The center can be rotated in the direction of arrow M to return to the initial position.

  Thus, by arranging the second gate 116 in the center and the first gates 112 at both ends, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material P being conveyed is corrected in a balanced manner regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material P. be able to.

  Next, an image forming apparatus 10 employing a paper posture correcting apparatus 106 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 4th Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, unlike the fourth embodiment, a hook member 124 is attached to the stopper member 120. Instead, the first of the rotation prevention rod 122 is attached. A movable member 134 that can be expanded and contracted is provided on the gate 112 side.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the movable member 134 is inserted into a recess 136 </ b> A provided in the main body 136, and the movable member 134 is a first gate by a coil spring 138 provided at the proximal end portion of the movable member 134. It is biased toward the 112 side. The movable member 134 is provided with a convex portion 134 </ b> A, and the convex portion 134 </ b> A hits the edge of the opening 136 </ b> B provided in the main body 136 so that the movement is restricted.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 19, when the sheet material P is conveyed while being inclined, the leading end portion of the sheet material P comes into contact with the second gate portion 114 disposed upstream, and the second gate 116 is It starts to rotate in the direction of arrow P. The first gate 112 does not rotate because the stopper member 120 and the movable member 134 are in contact with each other, and the leading end portion of the sheet material P that is in contact with the first gate 112 does not move.

  As a result, the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is gradually corrected. As shown in FIG. 20, when the second gate portion 114 reaches the registration correction position, the roller 122A at the leading end of the rotation prevention rod 122 is recessed. Guided by 130 </ b> A, the rotation prevention rod 122 moves toward the opening member 130.

  When the rotation preventing rod 122 is moved, the stopper member 120 and the movable member 134 are separated from each other, the first gate 112 is rotated, and the sheet material P is conveyed in a state where the leading end portions are aligned.

  When the rotated first gate 112 returns to the initial position, since the movable member 134 has already returned to the initial position, the stopper member 120 and the movable member 134 come into contact with each other. Press the slope 134B. As a result, the movable member 134 moves in the direction of the arrow Q (see FIG. 19) against the urging force of the coil spring 138, and the stopper member 120 returns to the initial position.

  In addition, after the stopper member 120 returns to the initial position, the movable member 134 returns to the initial position by the urging force of the coil spring 138.

  Thus, by providing the movable member 134, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material P being conveyed can be corrected regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material P.

  Next, an image forming apparatus 10 employing a paper posture correcting apparatus 106 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, about the same member as 4th Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, unlike the fourth embodiment, the rotation prevention rod 122 is urged toward the first gate 112 by the coil spring 128, and further, the rotation prevention The rod 122 is not provided with a roller that contacts the opening member 130, and is provided with an L-shaped link 140 instead.

  A base end portion of an L-shaped link 140 is rotatably attached to an end portion of the rotation blocking rod 122 on the second gate 116 side, and a distal end portion of the L-shaped link 140 is arranged in a counter-position. Connected to the L-shaped link 140.

  Specifically, a long hole 142 extending in the direction perpendicular to the sheet material conveyance is provided at the tip of one link 140, and a cylindrical pin 144 is provided at the tip of the other link 140. By fitting this pin 144 into the elongated hole 142 so as to be movable, the tip portions of both links 140 are connected.

  Further, a rotation shaft 146 extending in the sheet material conveyance direction is provided at a corner portion of the L-shaped link 140, and the link 140 is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft 146.

  Further, when the second gate 116 rotates and the second gate portion 114 reaches the registration correction position, the opening member 148 rotates the link 140 in the direction of arrow R by pushing the tip of the link 140 downward. A push plate portion 148A for moving the rotation prevention rod 122 is provided.

  With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 22, when the sheet material P is conveyed while being inclined, the leading end portion of the sheet material P comes into contact with the second gate portion 114 disposed upstream, and the second gate 116 is It starts to rotate in the direction of arrow S. The first gate 112 does not rotate because the hook member 124 and the rotation prevention rod 122 are in contact with each other, and the leading end portion of the sheet material P that is in contact with the first gate 112 does not move.

  As a result, the inclination of the leading end of the sheet material P is gradually corrected, and as shown in FIG. 23, when the second gate portion 114 reaches the registration correction position, the leading end of the link 140 of the rotation preventing rod 122 is opened. It is pushed downward by the push plate portion 148A of the member 148. When the distal end portion of the link 140 is pushed downward, the link 140 rotates about the rotation shaft 146 and moves the rotation prevention rod 122 toward the opening member 148.

  As the rotation prevention rod 122 moves, the first gate 112 rotates, and the sheet material P is conveyed in a state where the leading ends are aligned.

  As described above, by providing the L-shaped link 140, the inclination of the leading end portion of the sheet material P being conveyed can be corrected regardless of the rigidity of the sheet material P.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the paper attitude correction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the sheet posture correcting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the first gate and the second gate are aligned. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a sheet material has passed through a first gate and a second gate. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a paper attitude correction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is the perspective view which showed the rotation prevention plate of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is the perspective view which made the circular arc board member of the rotation prevention plate of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention into the planar state. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, cut in the longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected in the rotating shaft orthogonal direction of the 2nd gate of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) (B) (C) (D) It is the top view which showed the positional relationship of the 2nd gate of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a 1st gate, and the sheet | seat material P. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a paper attitude correction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is employed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet posture correcting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. (A) (B) (C) (D) It is the top view which showed the positional relationship of the 2nd gate of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a 1st gate, and the sheet | seat material P. FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. It is sectional drawing which showed the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and was cut | disconnected in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a positional relationship between a second gate and a first gate and a sheet material P of a sheet posture correction apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are aligned. (A) (B) (C) (D) It is the side view which showed the positional relationship of the 2nd gate and sheet material P of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a state in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are aligned. It is sectional drawing which showed the movable member etc. of the paper attitude | position correction apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet orientation correcting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which a first gate and a second gate are positioned at an initial position. It is the perspective view which showed the paper posture correction | amendment apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention, and showed the state which the 1st gate and the 2nd gate gathered.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 56 Paper orientation correction | amendment apparatus 58 1st gate part 60 Shaft member 62 1st gate 64 2nd gate part 66 2nd gate 68 1st pin 70 Rotation prevention plate 72 1st guide hole 72A Rotation prevention part 72B Rotation permitting portion 74 Second pin 76 Second guide hole 78 Coil spring (biasing means)
92 Second gate 94 First gate 96 Second pin 98 First pin 100 Second guide hole 101 Rotation prevention plate 102 First guide hole 106 Paper orientation correcting device 110 First gate part 112 First gate 114 Second gate part 116 Second gate 120 Stopper member 122 Rotation prevention rod 128 Coil spring (biasing member)
130 Opening member 148 Opening member

Claims (5)

A gate means provided with a first gate portion and a second gate portion, which are provided in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the sheet material is conveyed, and a front end of the conveyed sheet material abuts;
Blocking means for holding the first gate portion in place and blocking movement of the first gate;
The second gate portion is held upstream from the predetermined position in the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed, and the second gate portion is pushed by the sheet material and moved to the downstream side in the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed. An opening means for releasing the blocking means and allowing the first gate part to move later;
A paper attitude correction device comprising: A shaft member extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet material is conveyed and
A first gate provided with a first gate portion rotatably attached to the shaft member and abutted with a leading end of a conveyed sheet material;
A second gate including a second gate portion that is pivotally attached to the shaft member in an axial direction with respect to the first gate, and that contacts a leading end of a conveyed sheet material;
Blocking means for holding the first gate portion in a predetermined position and blocking rotation of the first gate;
The second gate portion is held upstream from the predetermined position, the second gate portion is pushed by the sheet material and rotated, and the blocking means is released when the second gate portion approaches the predetermined position. And an opening means for allowing the first gate to rotate,
A paper attitude correction device comprising: The blocking means is
A first pin provided on the first gate;
A first guide hole is formed in which the first pin is movably fitted, and a rotation preventing portion for preventing the rotation of the first pin and a rotation allowing portion for allowing the rotation are formed. An anti-rotation plate supported so as to be movable in an orthogonal direction;
Urging means for urging the rotation prevention plate and positioning the first pin on the rotation prevention portion;
The opening means is
A second pin provided on the second gate;
When the second pin is movably fitted and formed on the rotation prevention plate and the second pin rotates, the rotation prevention plate is moved in the sheet material conveyance orthogonal direction, and the second gate portion is The sheet posture correcting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second guide hole that positions the rotation permission portion to the first pin when the predetermined position is reached. The blocking means is
A stopper member provided on the first gate;
A rotation preventing rod that is in contact with the stopper member to prevent the rotation of the stopper member and is supported so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet material conveyance;
A rod urging member that urges the rotation prevention rod to a contact position with the stopper,
The opening means is
When the second gate portion is provided at the second gate and the second gate portion reaches the predetermined position, the rotation prevention rod urged by the rod urging member is retracted, and the rotation prevention rod is separated from the stopper member. 3. The paper attitude correction device according to claim 2, wherein the paper attitude correction device is an opening member.   An image forming apparatus comprising the paper attitude correction device according to claim 1.

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