JP2008120517A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which is miniaturizable while securing a space for a chip box. <P>SOLUTION: A so-called postprocessor 25 such as a double-sided carrying unit 166, a second fixing device 20, a cutting device 22 and the chip box 192, and a manual insertion tray 150 are arranged under a delivery tray 158. The delivery tray 158 is arranged on the left side of a device body 13 provided with an image forming part 12, and projected from the projection part of the device body 13 in its plan view. Namely, a dead space formed by providing the delivering tray 158 is effectively used and the postprocessor 25 is arranged within the projection area of the delivering tray 158. Thereby, it is not necessary to separately secure a space required for the postprocessor 25, and the image forming device 10 is miniaturized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  With the rapid spread of digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as “digital cameras”) and the like, there is an increasing demand to easily print out images taken with digital cameras at convenience stores and photo shops in towns. Therefore, there is a demand for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a photo print function in addition to a normal copying function and printer function.

  Furthermore, even when an image taken with a digital camera is printed out as a photograph (hereinafter referred to as a “digital camera photograph”), it is preferred that the surface has a high gloss like a silver salt photograph. However, as an application of a general image forming apparatus, it is overwhelmingly a case where a monochrome document mainly composed of characters is handled, so that the image forming apparatus outputs a low gloss image so that characters can be easily read by human eyes. It has become.

  Therefore, even in such an image forming apparatus, the two fixing devices are selectively used as necessary so that a high-gloss image can be output, and two types of images having low gloss and high gloss are formed. Technology has been devised.

  In addition, photos with no margins are generally preferred for photos, but when images are formed on the entire surface of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, taking into account the skew and misalignment of the paper. Therefore, it is necessary to form a toner image slightly larger than the paper size on the photosensitive member.

  However, when a toner image larger than the paper size is formed in this way, when the toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor to the paper, the toner image protrudes from the edge of the paper, and the protruding toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt or the secondary transfer belt. It will adhere to the transfer roll. Similarly, in the fixing device, when the toner melts, the toner protrudes from the sheet and adheres to a fixing member (for example, a fixing belt). The toner adhering to such a member may re-adhere to a sheet to be transported thereafter, and may contaminate the paper surface or cause an image defect. Therefore, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is necessary to form an image by providing some margins on the four sides of the paper.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, as a basic configuration of the image forming apparatus, as described above, a fixing device that imparts high gloss and a cutter that forms a borderless photograph are provided, and further, chips generated when cutting with the cutter A chip box is provided to collect the waste. That is, the chip box is positioned along with the position of the cutter. In the image forming apparatus, the cutter is provided on the right side of the main body when viewed from the front. The box is arranged on the right side of the main body. In order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus, if it is attempted to reduce the space of the chip box, the chips inside the chip box must be frequently discarded, which is not practical.
JP-A-2005-250274

  In consideration of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus that can be reduced in size while securing a space for a chip box.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the post-processing means is disposed on the discharge tray side from which the recording material on which the toner image is fixed is discharged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, post-processing means such as a photographic print fixing device and a cutting device for cutting are arranged on the discharge tray side from which the recording material is discharged.

  The discharge tray is usually provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body and is in a state of protruding from the apparatus main body in plan view. Therefore, the dead space generated by providing the discharge tray is effectively utilized. Specifically, by arranging a cutting device for photographic prints on the side where the discharge tray is arranged, it is possible to arrange a chip box positioned along with the position of the cutter in the dead space. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

  In particular, when placed in a general consumer market such as a convenience store, the installation space for the image forming apparatus is limited, so it is necessary to make the installation space as narrow as possible. In comparison, the problem of interference with other products can also be avoided. In addition, children do not enter the dead space. Furthermore, even in offices such as hotel services, the necessary functions such as double-sided printing and sorter can be expanded as a multifunction machine.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the post-processing unit is a double-sided conveyance unit that reverses the recording material on which the toner image is fixed and returns the recording material to the image forming unit. Features.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the double-sided conveyance unit is arranged on the discharge tray side. The duplex conveyance unit is often attached as an option to the main body of the image forming apparatus. In this case, since the double-sided conveyance unit protrudes from the projection unit of the apparatus main body in a plan view, the double-sided conveyance unit is disposed on the discharge tray side to effectively use the dead space generated by the discharge tray.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the recording material is heated and pressurized to fix the toner image on the recording material, and the toner image is fixed by the first fixing unit. A discharge tray from which the recording material is discharged, a second fixing unit that gives gloss by further heating and pressing the toner image fixed by the first fixing unit, and the toner image is fixed by the first fixing unit. A recording unit that distributes the recording material to the second fixing unit or the discharge tray, a cutting unit that cuts the recording material given gloss by the second fixing unit into a predetermined size, and the cutting unit A discharge port for discharging the recording material, and a chip box for collecting chips of the recording material cut by the cutting unit, the second fixing unit, the cutting unit, and the chips Wherein the but arranged.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the recording material is heated and pressurized by the first fixing unit to fix the toner image on the recording material. As described above, the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the first fixing unit is distributed to the discharge tray or the second fixing unit by the distributing unit. The second fixing unit further heats and pressurizes the toner image fixed by the first fixing unit, thereby eliminating the unevenness of the toner image and giving the image surface gloss.

  Then, by cutting the recording material fixed by the second fixing means into a predetermined size by the cutting means, the recording material can be made into a predetermined size as a photographic print, and the recording material is discharged from the discharge port. Although it is discharged, chips are generated when the recording material is cut. Therefore, a chip box for collecting the chips is provided.

  By disposing the chip box, the second fixing unit, and the cutting unit on the discharge tray side, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as the effect of the invention described in claim 1.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, a manual feed tray on which recording materials are stacked and the second fixing unit are disposed below the discharge tray.

  In providing the manual feed tray, a predetermined space is required as in the case of the discharge tray, and a dead space is generated. For this reason, in the invention described in claim 3, the dead space can be effectively utilized by disposing the manual feed tray and the second fixing unit below the discharge tray, and the effect of the invention described in claim 1 is achieved. And substantially the same effect can be obtained.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the chip box is disposed below the discharge tray.

  In the invention described in claim 5, by arranging the chip box below the discharge tray, substantially the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 4 can be obtained.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the back surface of the chip box protrudes from the discharge tray in a plan view. To do.

  In the invention according to claim 6, the rear surface of the chip box is protruded from the discharge tray in a plan view, thereby preventing the interference between the discharge tray and other products and the breakage of the discharge tray when the image forming apparatus is moved. it can.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, a reverse conveyance path for reversing the recording paper is provided on the downstream side of the second fixing unit. And

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by providing a reversing conveyance path for reversing the recording paper on the downstream side of the second fixing unit, the photographic print is discharged to the back when discharged from the discharge port. For this reason, the secrecy of the photographic print can be ensured.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can be miniaturized while securing a space for a chip box.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment according to an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 13 that includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12. A paper unit 14, a first fixing device 16, and a conveyance switching unit 18 are provided.

  A post-processing device 25 including a second fixing device 20, a cutting device 22, and a duplex conveying unit 166 is provided on the left side of the device main body 13 in a front view. A finisher 27 having a plurality of collating trays 156 is provided on the right side.

  The image forming unit 12 rotates in the direction of an arrow A in the drawing, and a photoreceptor 24Y on which toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed. 24M, 24C, 24K. The photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K are uniformly charged by the chargers 26Y, 26M, 26C, and 26K, respectively, and based on the image data of each color of YMCK read by the image reading unit 11, the exposure devices 28Y, An electrostatic latent image of each color of YMCK is formed by irradiating the charged photoconductors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K with exposure light modulated by 28M, 28C, and 28K. The electrostatic latent images are developed with toner by the developing devices 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, thereby forming toner images on the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K.

In this embodiment, a toner having a softening point (temperature when the viscosity at the time of melting becomes 1 × 10 ⁴ Pa · s) mainly composed of styrene acrylic is about 110 ° C. is used. It is also possible to use other toners.

  The developing devices 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K are supplied with toner of each color from the toner boxes 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, and remain on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K after the transfer. The remaining toner is collected by the photoconductor cleaning units 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K. Then, the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K after the transfer are neutralized by the neutralization devices 36Y, 36M, 36C, and 36K.

  Further, the image forming unit 12 includes an intermediate transfer belt 42 stretched around a backup roll 38 and a drive roll 40, and in the direction of arrow B in the figure while being in contact with the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. It moves cyclically. Primary transfer rolls 44Y, 44M, 44C, and 44K are provided on the opposite side of the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K across the intermediate transfer belt 42, and are formed as photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. In the nip region, the toner images on the peripheral surfaces of the photoreceptors 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 42 by the pressing force and the electrostatic force.

  Further, a secondary transfer roll 46 is provided on the opposite side of the backup roll 38 with the intermediate transfer belt 42 interposed therebetween, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 42 is transferred to the recording material P in the nip region formed with the backup roll 38. Secondary transfer to. Further, a belt cleaning unit 48 is disposed upstream of the photoreceptor 24Y along the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 42, and scrapes and collects toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 42.

  On the other hand, the paper supply unit 14 accommodates various recording materials P in a plurality of paper supply trays 78 and 80, and supplies the recording material P corresponding to the image to be formed. In FIG. 1, only one paper feed tray 78 and one paper feed tray 80 are shown. However, the paper feed tray 78 and the paper feed tray 80 are provided to accommodate recording materials P of different sizes. There may be a plurality of each. Then, the recording material P stored in the paper feed trays 78 and 80 is sent out from the paper feed trays 78 and 80 by the pickup roll 82.

  The recording material P sent out from the paper feed trays 78 and 80 is transported along a transport path 85 by a plurality of transport roll pairs 84. Further, a manual feed tray 150 can be disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 13 in the drawing, and a recording material P having an arbitrary size can be fed through the manual feed tray 150. A conveyance roller pair 152 is provided on the downstream side of the manual feed tray 150, and the recording material P is guided to the conveyance path 85 by the conveyance roller pair 152.

  Then, the recording material P conveyed by the conveyance roll pair 84 and sent to the intermediate transfer belt 42 by the registration roll pair 86 at a predetermined timing is a toner image in a nip region formed by the secondary transfer roll 46 and the backup roll 38. Then, the first fixing device 16 fixes the toner image on the recording material P.

  Here, the configuration of the first fixing device 16 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first fixing device 16 includes a fixing roll 94, a pressure belt 96, and a pressure pad 98. The fixing roll 94 has, for example, an elastic layer 102 made of silicone rubber having a rubber hardness (JIS-A) of about 33 ° on the surface of a core 100 made of aluminum having a thickness of 1.5 mm, an outer diameter of 25 mm, and a length of 380 mm. Covering the surface of the elastic layer 102 with a thickness of 0.5 mm and a length of 320 mm, a release layer 104 made of a 30 μm thick PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer resin) tube is further coated. Is formed.

  Inside the fixing roll 94, a heat source 106 such as a 650 W halogen lamp is provided as a heat source. The surface temperature of the fixing roll 94 depends on a predetermined temperature (depending on the melting temperature of the toner. Is heated from the inside to be 140 to 190 ° C. In the pressure belt 96, a release layer made of a PFA tube having a thickness of 30 μm is formed on the surface of a polyimide belt having a thickness of 75 μm, an outer diameter of 30 mm, and a length of 330 mm. Inside the pressure belt 96 is disposed a pressure pad 98 that presses the pressure belt 96 against the fixing roll 94 to form a nip. The pressing load of the pressure pad 98 is 330 N, for example, and the nip width is 6.5 mm.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed tray 78 that stores plain paper and a paper feed tray 80 that stores coated paper. The coated paper is a paper for forming a high gloss image in the present embodiment, and is a paper in which an image receiving layer L2 is provided on the recording surface of the base material layer L1, as shown in FIG. The image receiving layer L2 is mainly composed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester having a melting temperature of about 130 ° C., for example, and is formed with a layer thickness of about 5 to 20 μm, preferably about 10 μm. The base material layer L1 has a composition containing cellulose as a main component. This composition is the same as that of plain paper, but it is of course possible to use a base material layer exclusively for coated paper having a different composition.

  Then, the coated paper is discharged from the photo discharge port 160 through the second fixing device 20 described later. Further, the plain paper may be referred to as a discharge table 154 and a finisher 27 (a sorter or a high capacity unit) provided at the lower part of the image reading unit 11 based on an instruction input from the operation unit 23 shown in FIG. ) Or a discharge tray 158 extending from the left side surface of the apparatus main body 13, the so-called rear discharge (the image forming surface of the recording material P is used for the discharge tray 154 and the collation tray 156). Will be discharged down).

  On the other hand, the discharge tray 158 discharges plain paper with the image forming surface facing up. An operation unit 23 is disposed behind the discharge tray 158, and a post-processing device 25 is provided below the discharge tray 158. The post-treatment device 25 protrudes from the projection unit of the discharge tray 158 in plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the downstream side of the first fixing device 16, a conveyance switching unit (sorting unit) 18 including switching members 50, 52, 54, and 56 is provided. The conveyance direction of the recording material P discharged from the first fixing device 16 is switched to either the path A or B in the figure by the switching member 50, and the sheet conveyed to the path A is discharged by the conveyance roll pair 162. To 154. On the other hand, the sheet conveyed to the path B is further switched to either the path C or D by the switching member 54.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, a so-called finisher 27 can be disposed on the right side of the apparatus main body 13 shown in FIG. 1 so that the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 can be expanded. In this case, a finisher transport path 164 is provided below the image reading unit 11, and a plurality of transport roller pairs 165 are disposed. The recording material P guided to the path C is guided to the finisher transport path 164 by the transport roller pair 165 and is discharged from the collating tray 156 of the finisher 27.

  On the other hand, the recording material P guided to the path D is switched to either the path E or F by the switching member 54, and the recording material P guided to the path E is discharged from the discharge tray 158. The recording material P guided to the path F is switched to either the path G or H by the switching member 56.

  Incidentally, a post-treatment device 25 is disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 13, and a double-sided conveyance unit 166 is provided on the apparatus main body 13 side of the post-processing apparatus 25. The recording material P guided to the route H is once guided to the route E, and when the rear end portion of the recording material P passes through the branch point of the route E and the route F, the recording material P starts from the rear end portion, The recording material P is guided to the path H (note that the reverse path of the F portion is omitted in FIGS. 1, 4, 12, and 13).

  As a result, the recording material P is reversed, and in this state, the recording material P is conveyed by the plurality of conveying roller pairs 168 in the duplex conveying unit 166 and returned to the conveying path 85 again. Then, an image is formed on the surface that is conveyed to the image forming unit 12 and on which no image is formed (so-called double-sided printing).

  On the other hand, the recording material P guided to the path G is conveyed to the second fixing device 20. The second fixing device 20 is for making the recording surface of the recording material P highly glossy. Hereinafter, a specific configuration for the second fixing device 20 to make the recording surface of the recording material P highly glossy. Will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second fixing device 20 in detail. As shown in FIG. 6, the second fixing device 20 is provided below the discharge tray 158, and includes a fixing roll 108, a pressure roll 110, a fixing belt (conveying belt) 112, and a cooler 114. And a peeling roll 116, a steering roll 118, and a conveying roll pair 120.

  The fixing roll 108 is a member in which a release layer 124 made of a PFA tube or the like is formed around a metal core 122 having high thermal conductivity. Further, a heat source 126 such as a halogen lamp is provided inside the core 122, and the surface of the fixing roll 108 has a predetermined temperature (depending on the melting temperature of the toner and the image receiving layer, but in this embodiment 140 to 190 ° C. ), The recording surface of the recording material P being conveyed is heated in the nip region. Further, the fixing roll 108 is rotated in the direction of arrow E in the drawing by the drive control device (not shown) around the center.

  The pressure roll 110 is coated with an elastic body layer 130 made of silicone rubber or the like having a rubber hardness (JIS-A) of about 40 ° around a metal core 128 having high thermal conductivity, A release layer 132 similar to the release layer 124 of the fixing roll 108 is formed. The core 128 is provided with a heat source 134 such as a halogen lamp, and the surface of the pressure roll 110 is heated to a predetermined temperature (140 to 190 ° C.). The pressure roll 110 heats the conveyed recording material P from the back surface in the nip region and presses it with a predetermined pressure in the direction of the fixing roll 108 while rotating in the arrow F direction in the drawing.

  The fixing belt 112 is a member in which a coating layer having high smoothness made of fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, or the like is formed on the surface of an endless film made of thermosetting polyimide, for example, a fixing roll 108, a peeling roll 116, a steering roll. It is wound around 118 and is stretched, and is circulated and moved in the direction of arrow G in the figure following the fixing roll 108.

  Here, the coating layer is desirably about 35 μm, and the polyimide base material is desirably 75 μm or more. On the paper heated in the nip region, the toner and the image receiving layer L2 are in a molten state, and in this state, the recording surface of the paper is finished smoothly by being in close contact with the fixing belt 112.

  On the other hand, the cooler 114 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt 112 between the fixing roll 108 and the peeling roll 116 and absorbs heat of the fixing belt 112, thereby cooling the recording material P heated in the nip region. Let The heat transmitted to the cooler 114 is dissipated into the air by passing air through the inside. Although the cooling temperature of the cooler 114 varies depending on the type of toner and recording material P used, the recording surface of the recording material P is approximately 60 to 80 ° C., which is lower than the softening temperature of the toner resin and the image receiving layer resin of the recording material. It is desirable to cool so that By cooling the recording material P in this way, the toner and the image receiving layer on the surface of the recording material are solidified while maintaining smoothness, and the recording material P can be easily peeled from the fixing belt 112.

  The steering roll 118 is provided to correct a deviation (a phenomenon in which the fixing belt 112 moves toward one end of the steering roll 118) that occurs when the fixing belt 112 is continuously circulated. . One end of the central axis of the steering roll 118 is fixed (hereinafter referred to as “fixed end”), and the other end is movable in the directions of arrows S1 and S2 in the figure with respect to the fixing roll ( Hereinafter, this is referred to as a “moving end”. For example, when the fixing belt 112 is gradually biased toward the fixed end, the shifting is corrected by moving the moving end in the direction of the arrow S1, and conversely. When the fixing belt 112 is gradually biased toward the moving end, the moving end moves in the arrow S2 direction to correct this bias.

  The peeling roll 116 rotates following the movement of the fixing belt 112. By changing the moving direction of the fixing belt 112 by stretching the fixing roll 112 while winding the fixing belt 112, the recording material P is naturally peeled at this position by the rigidity of the recording material itself. The outer diameter of the peeling roll 116 and the winding angle θ of the fixing belt 112 are determined according to the rigidity of the recording material P and the adhesive force between the recording material P and the fixing belt 112. Then, the recording material P peeled off from the fixing belt 112 is conveyed to the cutting device 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 22 cuts the recording material P along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a slitter 136 for cutting both ends in the width direction of the recording material P along the conveying direction. And a plurality of conveyance roll pairs 142 that sandwich and convey the recording material P.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the slitter 136 includes a shaft 170, and disk-shaped rotary blades 172 are respectively attached to the axial central portion and both ends of the shaft 170 by fixing members 174. A plurality of conveying rolls 176 are attached between the rotary blade 172 at the axial center portion of the shaft 170 and the rotary blades 172 at both axial ends of the shaft 170. The shaft 170 is rotated in the direction of arrow R2 in the drawing by a drive control device (not shown).

  On the other hand, a plurality of disc-shaped rotary blades 180 are rotatably provided about the shaft 178 at the axial center and both ends of the shaft 178. These rotary blades 180 are urged to the opposed rotary blades 172 by the pressure springs 182. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotary blades 172 and 180 overlap each other with a lapping width of about 1 mm in width. Thus, since the distance between the shafts 170 and 178 is adjusted, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotary blade 180 as the inner blade is stopped at a position in contact with the inner side of the rotary blade 172 as the outer blade.

  In addition, a plurality of transport rolls 184 are attached between the rotary blade 180 at the axial center of the shaft 178 and the rotary blades 180 at both axial ends of the shaft 178. As the shaft 170 rotates, the transport roll 176 also rotates, and accordingly, the transport roll 184 rotates following the direction of the arrow R1 in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 9, the recording material P is conveyed in a state sandwiched between these conveyance rolls 176 and 184, and as shown in FIG. Are cut off at both ends.

  As described above, when the transport rollers 176 and 184 are provided coaxially with the rotary blades 172 and 180, the transport stability at the time of cutting is improved. If the recording material P has a grammage exceeding 100 gsm, the recording material P has high rigidity even without the transporting rolls 176 and 184, so that the recording material P can be stably transported. In this configuration diagram, a plurality of two pairs of rotary blades are provided on the shaft, so that one print can be divided into a plurality of prints.

  On the other hand, after the slitter 138 transports the recording material P to a predetermined position, the slitter 138 temporarily stops transporting and cuts the recording material P along a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction of the recording material P. Here, since the configuration of the slitter 138 is substantially the same as that of the slitter 136, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the recording material P is cut by the slitter 138, it is possible to cut the recording material P by reducing the conveying speed at which the fixing belt 112 conveys the recording material P without stopping the fixing belt 112. In this case, the conveyance of the leading end of the recording material P is temporarily stopped, but the fixing belt 112 is conveyed without decreasing the conveyance speed of the trailing end of the recording material P, and the recording belt is recorded for a time required for cutting. This can be achieved by slacking the material P between the fixing belt 112 and the cutting device 22. At this time, the speed at which the fixing belt 112 conveys the recording material P is such that the slack of the recording material P causes the recording material P to buckle or the recording surface P to sag when the recording material P sags at the time of cutting. It must be set to a speed that will not cause damage when touched.

  Although the slitter 138 is used here, the reciprocating cutter 140 may be used instead of the slitter 138. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reciprocating cutter 140. As shown in FIG. 10, the reciprocating cutter 140 includes a fixed blade 186, a movable blade 188, and a recording material detection sensor 190. The fixed blade 186 is a plate-like member whose both ends are fixed, on which the recording material P is conveyed. The movable blade 188 is a plate-like member that moves up and down by a driving device (not shown), and is provided so as to mesh with the fixed blade 186 when positioned at the lowermost portion. With such a configuration, the reciprocating cutter 140 cuts the recording material P being conveyed by pushing one end in the length direction of the recording material P along a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. At the same time, the reciprocating cutter 138 cuts the recording material P so as to push the other end in the length direction.

  The recording material detection sensor 190 detects the end of the recording material P (the front end in the present embodiment), and the detection signal is a drive control device for the fixing roll 108 around which the fixing belt 112 is wound, and the shaft of the slitter 136. It is transmitted to 170 drive control devices. The drive control device for the shaft 170 controls the drive of the conveying roll 176 attached to the shaft 170 and stops it at a position suitable for cutting the recording material P, and the drive control device for the fixing roll 108 follows the operation of the fixing belt 112. Is controlled so that the rear end of the recording material P is temporarily stopped or the conveyance speed is decreased.

  As described above, the print cut at a predetermined portion of the recording material P is discharged from the photo discharge port 160.

  The recording material P is cut by the slitters 136 and 138, and chips are generated from the recording material P. A chip box 192 is provided below the cutting device 22, and the chips are collected. I am doing so. The chip box 192 is provided so as to avoid interference with the photo discharge port 160 and can be pulled out to the front of the image forming apparatus 10.

  A chip conveying belt (not shown) for conveying the chips is provided between the cutting device 22 and the chip box 192, and the chips are conveyed to the chip box 192 by the chip conveying belt. good. Thereby, a design freedom becomes high regarding arrangement | positioning of the chip box 192. FIG.

  The operation unit 23 includes a display unit (not shown), various buttons, and the like, and can accept various input instructions from the user. The image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has two different types of image forming modes, “plain paper mode” and “coated paper mode”. “Plain paper mode” is an image forming mode for forming a general low-gloss image using plain paper, and “Coated paper mode” is a high-gloss borderless image using coated paper. Is an image forming mode for forming the image.

  The user can input the image forming mode using the operation unit 23, and the image forming apparatus 10 operates each part of the apparatus based on the input from the user. With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 can selectively obtain a plain paper print and a high-gloss borderless photographic print.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has two image forming modes, “plain paper print mode” and “high gloss print mode”, and image formation is performed according to the selected image formation mode. Therefore, the operations in the two image forming modes will be described below.

  First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the “plain paper mode” will be described.

  First, although not shown, when image data is input from a scanner, a personal computer, or the like, and an instruction to perform image formation in the “plain paper mode” is input to the operation unit 23 by the user, the input image data Based on this, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image. At the same time as the toner image is formed and transported by the intermediate transfer belt 106, plain paper is supplied from the paper feed tray 78 and transported by the transport roll pair 84.

  Subsequently, the toner image is transferred onto the plain paper in the nip region formed by the secondary transfer roll 46 and the backup roll 38. At this time, the registration roll 86 adjusts the paper conveyance speed in order to align the toner image formed on the plain paper.

  The plain paper to which the toner image has been transferred is then fixed by the first fixing device 16. When the sheet is discharged from the first fixing device 16, the recording surface of the sheet has a slight unevenness, so that the image has a low gloss.

  Since the image forming mode is set to “plain paper mode” in the conveyance switching unit 18, when the plain paper is discharged from the discharge table 154 via the route A shown in FIG. There is a case where the paper is discharged from the discharge tray 158, and when the paper is discharged from the discharge table 154, the rear discharge is performed.

  Further, when an instruction for sorting is given, the paper is discharged from the collating tray 156 via the path C, and in this case, the rear surface is discharged. Further, when an instruction for double-sided printing is given, the paper passes through the double-sided conveyance unit 166 via the path H, is returned again to the conveyance path 85, and after the image is formed on the surface on which no image is formed, the discharge tray 158 is discharged.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the “coated paper mode” will be described.

  When image data is input from a scanner, a personal computer, or the like, and an instruction to perform image formation in the “coated paper mode” is input to the operation unit 23 by the user, the image forming unit 12 based on the input image data. A toner image is formed. The operation until the coated paper passes through the first fixing device 16 from here is the same as that in the “plain paper mode” except that the recording paper P supplied from the paper feeding unit 2 is coated paper. Therefore, explanation of this part is omitted.

  The coated paper discharged from the first fixing device 16 is guided to the second fixing device 20 via the path G because the image forming mode is set to “coated paper mode” in the conveyance switching unit 18. In the second fixing device 20, first, the coated paper is heated and pressed in a nip region formed by the fixing roll 108 and the pressure roll 110. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the toner image fixed on the coated paper is melted and embedded in the image receiving layer L2, and the unevenness of the recording surface of the coated paper is reduced.

  Thereafter, the coated paper reaches the position of the cooler 114 while being conveyed on the fixing belt 112, and is gradually cooled to solidify the toner image and the image receiving layer L2 on the coated paper in a smooth state. Finally, at the position of the peeling roll 116, the coated paper is naturally peeled by the rigidity of the coated paper itself, and is conveyed to the cutting device 22 by the conveying roll pair 120. In the cutting device 22, the coated paper is cut at the margins on the four sides by the slitters 136 and 138, and is discharged from the photo discharge port 160 in a state of no border.

  By the way, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a so-called post-processing device 25 such as a duplex conveying unit 166, a second fixing device 20, a cutting device 22, and a chip box 192 is disposed below the discharge tray 158. And a manual feed tray 150 are arranged.

  The discharge tray 158 is provided on the left side of the apparatus main body 13 on which the image forming unit 12 is provided, and is in a state of protruding from the projection unit of the apparatus main body 13 in plan view. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dead space generated by providing the discharge tray 158 is effectively used.

  Specifically, by disposing the cutting device 22 below the discharge tray 158, the chip box 192 positioned along with the slitters 136 and 138 can be disposed in the dead space. In addition, by disposing the post-processing device 25 within the projected area of the discharge tray 158, it is not necessary to separately secure a space necessary for the post-processing device 25, and the image forming apparatus 10 can be downsized. .

  In particular, since the installation space for the image forming apparatus 10 is limited when placed in a general consumer market such as a convenience store, it is necessary to make the installation space as small as possible, and by reducing the size of the image forming apparatus 10. It can be installed even in relatively small stores. Further, the problem of interference with other products can be avoided as compared with the conventional case. In addition, children do not enter the dead space.

  Further, in this embodiment, the post-processing device 25 including the duplex unit 166 and the finisher 27 are provided as a multi-function peripheral, so that necessary functions such as duplex printing and sorter are expanded, and the office usage such as hotel service is also used. Although it can be used in the meantime, these extended functions can be used as an optional product in a configuration that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 to increase the degree of freedom of user selection and to be used for a general office printer. And cost reduction is possible.

  In this embodiment, the discharge tray 158 is provided in front of the operation unit 23 so as not to interfere with each other. In this discharge tray 158, the plain paper is discharged so that the image forming surface faces up, thereby improving the visibility of the user.

  Further, the second fixing device 20 is disposed below the discharge tray 158 so that the photographic print is discharged from the photo discharge port 160 in the lower left front of the discharge tray 158. By restricting to two places of the discharge tray 158 and the photo discharge port 160, when used in a convenience store or the like, the customer can easily take out the recording material P and understand the discharge position.

  By providing the operation unit 23 and the discharge tray 158 or the photo discharge port 160 on the same post-processing device 25 side, the customer does not have to move from the operation position until the recording material P is received after the operation. It is possible to improve the performance.

  Further, by causing the post-treatment device 25 to protrude from the projection portion of the discharge tray 158 in plan view, interference between the discharge tray 158 and other products can be prevented. This eliminates the need for screens required to prevent interference with other products, thereby reducing costs.

  Further, by providing casters (not shown) in the apparatus main body 13, the post-processing apparatus 25, and the finisher 27 of the image forming apparatus 10, the apparatuses may be moved as an integrated object. Convenience stores may be cleaned regularly, and there are much more opportunities to move the image forming apparatus 10 than in offices and the like. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the discharge tray 158 from being damaged when the post-processing device 25 is moved.

  On the other hand, at the photo discharge port 160, the photographic print is discharged with the image forming surface facing up. By covering the photo discharge port 160 with a translucent acrylic cover, the confidentiality of the photographic print can be improved. Can be secured.

  However, as shown in FIG. 12, a U-turn path 194 may be provided between the second fixing device 20 and the slitter 136. In this case, since the photographic print discharged from the photo discharge port 160 is discharged with the image forming surface down, it is possible to confirm the photographic print discharge operation while ensuring secrecy. In this case, a translucent acrylic cover is not required.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second fixing device 20 is provided as the post-processing device 25, so that the second fixing device 20 is not necessarily required. As shown in FIG. 6, the post-processing device 196 may be applied to an image forming apparatus 202 used in a general office, such as a duplex conveyance unit 198 and a finisher unit (so-called sorter) 200.

  In this case, a discharge tray 204 for the recording material P of A3 is provided on the uppermost surface, and a finisher section 200 and a manual feed tray 150 for the lateral side of the recording material P of A4 are disposed below the discharge tray 204. According to this, even if a sort and stapler function for A4, which is frequently used, is added, it can be arranged without increasing the installation width, and the image forming apparatus 202 can be downsized. Moreover, the visibility at the time of using the finisher part 200 improves by making the discharge tray 204 into a foldable type.

  In the conveyance switching unit 18, switching members 50, 56, and 57 are provided for distribution to the discharge table 154, the duplex conveyance unit 198, the discharge tray 204, or the finisher unit 200, respectively. Can be guided to the discharge table 154, and the switching member 56 can guide the recording material P to the duplex conveying unit 198. Then, the recording material P is distributed to the discharge tray 204 or the finisher unit 200 by the switching member 57.

  Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has two different image forming modes of “plain paper print mode” and “high gloss print mode”, but the first fixing device 16 is eliminated and the second fixing is performed. The apparatus 20 may have only a high-gloss print mode in which an unfixed image is fixed with high gloss. However, when the unfixed image is transported to the second fixing device 20, it is necessary to consider that the unfixed image does not rub against the image.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called tandem system including independent image forming units for each color of YMCK, but the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus of this system. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called cycle type (or rotary development type) image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first fixing device of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of a coated paper. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a recording material conveyance path of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. 1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a second fixing device of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which looked at the slitter of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the conveyance direction. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the lapping margin of the rotary blade of the slitter of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure in the middle of the cutting | disconnection of the slitter of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a reciprocating cutter as a modification of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a toner image is melted by the second fixing device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming part 13 Apparatus main body 16 1st fixing device (1st fixing means)
18 Transfer switching unit (sorting means)
20 Fixing device (second fixing means, post-processing means)
22 Cutting device (cutting means, post-processing means)
25 Post-treatment device (post-processing means)
150 Manual feed tray 158 Discharge tray 160 Photo discharge port (discharge port)
166 Double-sided conveyance unit (post-processing means)
192 Chip box 194 U-turn path (reverse transport path)
196 Post-processing device 198 Double-sided transport unit (post-processing means)
202 Image forming apparatus 204 Discharge tray

Claims (7)

  An image forming apparatus comprising post-processing means disposed on a discharge tray side from which a recording material having a toner image fixed thereon is discharged.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit is a double-sided conveyance unit that reverses the recording material on which the toner image is fixed and returns the recording material to the image forming unit. First fixing means for heating and pressurizing the recording material to fix the toner image on the recording material;
A discharge tray for discharging the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the first fixing unit;
A second fixing means for imparting gloss by further heating and pressing the toner image fixed by the first fixing means;
A sorting unit that sorts the recording material on which the toner image is fixed by the first fixing unit to the second fixing unit or the discharge tray;
Cutting means for cutting the recording material provided with glossiness by the second fixing means into a predetermined size;
A discharge port for discharging the recording material cut by the cutting means;
A chip box for collecting chips of the recording material cut by the cutting means;
With
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second fixing unit, the cutting unit, and the chip box are disposed on the discharge tray side.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a manual feed tray on which a recording material is stacked and the second fixing unit are disposed below the discharge tray.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the chip box is disposed below the discharge tray.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a back surface of the chip box protrudes from the discharge tray in a plan view.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a reverse conveyance path that reverses the recording paper downstream of the second fixing unit.

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