JP2010001138A - Paper ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly align and load different size paper sheets ejected from an image forming device, in a paper ejector. <P>SOLUTION: This paper ejector 100 includes a mounting base 102 for placing the paper sheets ejected from the image forming device and having a hollow opening 112, and an end fence 104 arranged downstream of the mounting base in a paper discharge direction and receiving the ejected paper sheets, and has a first side fence 106 and a second side fence 108 which are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening and respectively regulate one end and the other end of the discharged paper sheet in a paper sheet width direction, a connection structure 110 arranged in the direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening and connecting the first side fence to the second side fence, and a connection structure moving means arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening and moving the connection structure in the direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper discharge device that stacks sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus after an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that forms an image on printing paper or the like uses a paper discharge device that receives and stacks printed paper or the like. Such a paper discharge device is provided on the downstream side of the paper discharge direction with respect to the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge table, on which the printed paper is stacked, and in the paper discharge direction, the end fence that regulates the position in the paper discharge direction. And a side fence that regulates a position in a width direction in a substantially orthogonal direction.

Patent Document 1 discloses a paper discharge device that has an excellent alignment of discharged paper and is excellent in paper pick-up performance. A paper discharge tray that sequentially stacks the fed paper, and a width direction of the paper discharge stand In a paper discharge device having a pair of paper discharge guide plates provided on both sides so as to face each other in parallel with the paper discharge direction, and a paper discharge end fence that stops the end face of the discharged paper against each other. It is shown that the guide plate is composed of a guide plate body and an auxiliary guide plate that can extend in parallel with the paper discharge direction.
JP-A-5-294540

  By the way, for example, in a paper discharge device that is used by pulling out a paper discharge tray accommodated in the image forming device when the image forming device is used, printing paper such as A4 size paper, B4 size paper, A3 size paper, etc. In the case where the sizes are different, the pull-out amount of the paper discharge tray is changed according to the paper size.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a drawing position of the paper discharge tray 202 when stacking different size sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 200. FIG. 10A illustrates a case where A4 size sheets are printed. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the drawing position of the paper discharge table 202 when printing B4 size paper, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a drawing position of a paper discharge tray 202 when printing A3 size paper.

  Since the side fence 204 is fixed to the paper discharge table 202, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the distance from the paper discharge port 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 to the side fence 204 is the sheet. The longer the size, the longer. For example, the distance (X3) from the paper discharge outlet 206 to the side fence 204 when A3 size paper is discharged is the distance (X3) from the paper discharge outlet 206 to the side fence 204 when A4 size paper is discharged. Longer than X1).

  Here, since the sheet orientation of the discharged paper cannot be constrained between the paper discharge opening 206 and the side fence 204 of the image forming apparatus 200, the paper discharge opening 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 to the side fence 204 can be restrained. When the distance is increased, the alignment of sheets stacked on the paper discharge device may be deteriorated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge device that can stack sheets of different sizes discharged from an image forming apparatus with more uniform positions.

  A paper discharge device according to the present invention is a paper discharge device for stacking paper discharged from the image forming apparatus after an image is formed on the paper by the image forming apparatus. A mounting table that has an opening formed in a hollow shape, and an end fence that is disposed downstream of the mounting table in a discharge direction and receives the discharged paper. A first side fence that restricts one end in the paper width direction of the discharged paper, and a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening. A second side fence that regulates the other end of the discharged sheet in the sheet width direction, the first side fence and the second side fence disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction of the opening. Ream connecting the fence It has a structure and a connecting structure moving means arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening and moving the connection structure in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. And

  In the paper discharge device according to the present invention, the connection structure moving means is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening, and the connection structure is placed and transports the connection structure. It is preferable to have a conveyor belt that drives the conveyor belt and a conveyor belt drive that drives the conveyor belt.

  The paper discharge device according to the present invention preferably includes a distance measuring unit that measures a distance from the paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus to the first side fence or the second side fence.

  The paper discharge device according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls the transport belt driving body and the distance measuring unit, and the control unit controls the transport belt driving body to control the distance measuring unit. It is preferable that the transport belt is driven so that the distance from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus measured in step 1 to the first side fence or the second side fence is a predetermined distance.

  In the paper discharge device according to the present invention, the connection structure is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction, and is connected to the first side fence at one end, and the paper discharge direction. It is preferable to have a second rack gear that is arranged in a substantially orthogonal direction and is connected to the second side fence at one end, and a rotary gear that meshes with the first rack gear and the second rack gear.

  In the paper discharge device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the connection structure has a rotation gear drive that rotates the rotation gear with a driving force.

  The paper discharge device according to the present invention includes a distance measuring unit that measures a distance between the first side fence and the second side fence, and the control unit controls the rotating gear driver, The rotary gear is driven so that the interval between the first side fence and the second side fence measured by the interval measuring unit is substantially the same as the sheet width of the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus. It is preferable.

  According to the paper discharge device configured as described above, even when different sizes of paper are discharged from the paper discharge outlet of the image forming apparatus, the distance from the paper discharge outlet of the image forming apparatus to the side fence is an appropriate distance according to the paper size. Therefore, the sheet posture between the sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus and the side fence can be further stabilized. Thereby, sheets of different sizes discharged from the image forming apparatus can be stacked with their positions aligned more uniformly.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming apparatus to which the paper discharge device is applied will be described. For example, a stencil printing apparatus is used as an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the stencil printing apparatus 10. The stencil printing apparatus 10 includes a document reading unit 12, a plate making unit 14, a printing unit 16, a paper feeding unit 18, a paper discharge unit 20 and a plate discharging unit 22.

  The document reading unit 12 includes a document setting table 23 on which a document to be printed is placed, reflection-type document sensors 21 and 24 that detect the presence of documents on the document setting table 23, and documents on the document setting table 23. The document transport rolls 28 and 30 to be transported, the stepping motor 32 that rotationally drives the document transport rolls 28 and 30, and the image data of the document transported by the document transport rolls 28 and 30 are optically read and converted into electrical signals. A contact type image sensor 34 for conversion and a document discharge tray 36 on which a document discharged from the document setting table 23 is placed. Then, the document placed on the document setting table 23 is transported by the document transport rollers 28 and 30, and the image sensor 34 reads the image data of the transported document.

  The plate making unit 14 is disposed at a position opposite to the thermal head 42, a base paper storage unit 40 for storing the rolled long stencil sheet 38, a thermal head 42 disposed downstream of the base paper storage unit 40, and the thermal head 42. The platen roll 44, a pair of base paper feed rolls 46 disposed downstream of the platen roll 44 and the thermal head 42, a light pulse motor 48 for rotationally driving the platen roll 44 and the base paper feed roll 46, and a pair of And a base paper cutter 50 disposed downstream of the base paper feed roll 46.

  Then, the long stencil sheet 38 is conveyed by the rotation of the platen roll 44 and the base paper feed roll 46, and each point-like heating element of the thermal head 42 selectively generates heat based on the image data read by the image sensor 34. Thus, the stencil sheet 38 can be made by heat-sensitive perforation, and the stencil sheet 38 thus made can be cut with a stencil cutter 50 to produce a stencil sheet 38 having a predetermined length.

  The printing unit 16 includes a drum 54 that rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 by the driving force of the main motor 52, a base paper clamp unit 56 that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 54 and clamps the front end of the stencil base paper 38, A stencil sheet sensor 58 for detecting whether or not the stencil sheet 38 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the stencil 54, a reference position detection sensor 60 for detecting the reference position of the drum 54, and a rotary encoder for detecting the rotation of the main motor 52. 62. The rotational position of the drum 54 can be detected by detecting the output pulse of the rotary encoder 62 based on the detection output of the reference position detection sensor 60.

  The printing unit 16 has a press roll 64 disposed at a position below the drum 54, and the press roll 64 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum 54 by the driving force of the solenoid device 66. It is configured to be able to change between a standby position separated from the outer peripheral surface. The press roll 64 is always positioned at the pressing position during the printing mode period (including trial printing), and is positioned at the standby position during the period other than the printing mode.

  Then, the leading end of the stencil sheet 38 conveyed from the plate making unit 14 is clamped by the stencil sheet clamp unit 56, and the drum 54 is rotated in this clamped state so that the stencil sheet 38 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the drum 54. The printing paper (printing medium) 68 fed from the paper feeding unit 18 in synchronism with the rotation of the paper is pressed against the stencil paper 38 wound around the drum 54 by the press roll 64, whereby the stencil paper 38 is applied to the printing paper 68. Ink is transferred from the perforations to print the image.

  The paper supply unit 18 includes a paper supply base 72 on which the print paper 68 is placed, primary paper supply rolls 74 and 76 that convey only the uppermost print paper 68 from the paper supply base 72, and the primary paper supply roll. A pair of secondary paper feed rolls 78 that convey the printing paper 68 conveyed by the rollers 74 and 76 between the drum 54 and the press roll 64 in synchronization with the rotation of the drum 54, and between the pair of secondary paper feed rolls 78. A paper feed sensor 80 that detects whether the print paper 68 has been conveyed. The primary feed rolls 74 and 76 are configured to selectively transmit the rotation of the main motor 52 via the feed clutch 82.

  The paper discharge unit 20 includes a paper separation claw 84 that separates the printed printing paper 68 from the drum 54, and a conveyance path 86 through which the printing paper 68 separated from the drum 54 by the paper separation claw 84 is conveyed. Have.

  The plate discharging unit 22 guides the leading end of the stencil sheet 38 unclamped from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 54, and transports the guided used stencil sheet 38 while peeling it from the drum 54. A stencil box 90 for storing the stencil sheet 38 conveyed by the means 88 and a stencil compression member 92 for pushing the stencil sheet 38 conveyed into the stencil box 90 by the stencil conveying means 88 into the stencil box 90 are provided. Have.

  Next, the paper discharge device 100 will be described.

  The paper discharge device 100 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 20 in the stencil printing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the paper discharge device 100. The paper discharge device 100 includes a mounting table 102 on which the paper discharged from the stencil printing device is placed, an end fence 104 that is arranged downstream of the paper discharge direction of the mounting table 102 and receives the discharged paper, A first side fence 106 and a second side fence 108 that regulate the paper width direction of the discharged paper, and a connection structure 110 that connects the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are provided.

  The mounting table 102 has a function of mounting the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus after an image is formed on the paper by the image forming apparatus. The mounting table 102 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape using a synthetic resin, a metal material, or the like. The mounting table 102 is preferably formed in a size larger than the A3 size paper.

  The mounting table 102 is preferably arranged with the downstream side inclined downward from the upstream side with respect to the paper discharge direction. Of course, depending on other conditions, the mounting table 102 may be arranged so that the downstream side and the upstream side are substantially horizontal with respect to the paper discharge direction. The mounting table 102 is attached to the stencil printing apparatus 10 by, for example, an attachment member (not shown). Further, for example, when the stencil printing apparatus 10 is not used, the mounting table 102 is accommodated in the paper discharge unit 20 of the stencil printing apparatus 10 and is pulled out from the paper discharge unit 20 when the stencil printing apparatus 10 is used. It may be used.

  A hollow opening 112 is formed in the mounting table 102 in order to place the first side fence 106, the second side fence 108, and the connection structure 110. Further, the opening 112 has a function as an air vent when the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is placed on the placing table 102. In addition, a support member 114 is provided at the approximate center of the opening 112 along the paper discharge direction so that the loaded paper does not bend.

  The end fence 104 is arranged on the downstream side with respect to the paper discharge direction of the mounting table 102 and has a function of receiving the discharged paper. Since the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is abutted and received by the end fence 104, the position of the discharged paper in the paper discharge direction is regulated. The end fence 104 is preferably provided at the approximate center in the direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction. The end fence 104 may be provided so as to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. The end fence 104 may be formed of a synthetic resin, a metal material, or the like, and may be formed integrally with the mounting table 102, or may be attached to the mounting table 102 after being formed as a separate body.

  The first side fence 106 is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112 and has a function of regulating one end in the width direction of the discharged paper. The second side fence 108 is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112 and has a function of regulating the other end in the width direction of the discharged paper. The first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 regulate the paper width direction of the paper discharged from the paper discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10. The first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are formed of, for example, a synthetic resin or a metal material.

  In the opening 112 of the mounting table 102, a first guide rail 116 provided along the paper discharge direction at one end substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112, and the paper discharge direction of the opening 112. A second guide rail 118 provided along the paper discharge direction at the other end in the substantially orthogonal direction, a first guide rail 116 provided at one end substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112. The second guide rail 118 and the slide body 120 slidably attached at the other end are arranged. FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a mounting structure between the first guide rail 116 and the slide body 120.

  The first guide rail 116 is provided along the paper discharge direction at a side edge substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112, and has an insertion groove 122 into which the end of the slide body 120 is inserted. Yes. The insertion groove 122 is provided with a first fitting recess 124 and a second fitting recess 126 for fitting with the slide body 120. The first fitting recess 124 and the second fitting recess 126 are formed in a groove shape along the paper discharge direction. The second guide rail 118 is provided on the other side edge of the opening 112 so as to face the first guide rail 116. Since the configuration of the second guide rail 118 is the same as that of the first guide rail 116, a detailed description of the second guide rail 118 is omitted.

  The slide body 120 is provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112, one end is slidably attached to the insertion groove 122 of the first guide rail 116, and the other end is inserted into the second guide rail 118. Mounted slidably with the groove. The slide body 120 is fitted at both ends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction with a first fitting for attaching the first guide rail 116 and the second guide rail 118 so as to be slidable in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. It has a convex portion 128 and a second fitting convex portion 130. The first fitting convex portion 128 is fitted with the first fitting concave portion 124, the second fitting convex portion 130 is fitted with the second fitting concave portion 126, and the slide body 120 is moved in the paper discharge direction. It can slide in a substantially parallel direction. In addition, the slide body 120 has a groove 132 on the upper surface in the vertical direction in which the connection structure 110 is disposed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction.

  The paper discharge device 100 includes a connection structure 110 that connects the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108, and a connection structure moving unit 140 that moves the connection structure 110 in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. And have. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the connection structure 110 and the connection structure moving unit 140. First, the connection structure 110 will be described.

  The connection structure 110 is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112 and has a function of connecting the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108. The connection structure 110 is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction, and is disposed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction, a first rack gear 142 connected to the first side fence 106 at one end, The second rack gear 144 is connected to the two-side fence 108 at one end, and the first rack gear 142 and the rotation gear 146 are engaged with the second rack gear 144. Further, the connection structure 110 is disposed in the groove 132 of the slide body 120 as described above.

  One end of the first rack gear 142 is fastened to the edge of the first side fence 106 with a bolt or the like, and one end of the second rack gear 144 is fastened to the edge of the second side fence 108 with a bolt or the like. The rotation gear 146 is provided at the approximate center between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108. By rotating the rotation gear 146 around the rotation center axis, the first rack gear 142 and the second rack gear 144 can be slid substantially simultaneously in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the connection structure 110 is provided with the rotation gear motor 148 which has a function as a rotation gear drive body which rotates the rotation gear 146 with a driving force. By connecting the rotation shaft of the rotation gear motor 148 to the rotation gear 146, the rotation gear 146 can be rotated by the rotation driving force of the rotation gear motor 148.

  By configuring the connecting structure 110 as described above, the distance between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 can be adjusted in accordance with the sheet width of the sheet discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10. For example, when A4 size paper is discharged, the first rack gear 142 and the second rack gear 144 are linearly moved by rotating the rotation gear 146, and the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are When the A3 size sheet is discharged, the first rack gear 142 and the second rack gear 144 are linearly moved by rotating the rotary gear 146, and the first side fence 106 and the first The distance between the two-side fence 108 can be increased.

  Next, the connection structure moving means 140 will be described. The connecting structure moving means 140 is arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening 112, the connecting structure 110 is placed, and the conveying belt 150 that conveys the connecting structure 110 and the driving belt 150 are driven. And a conveying belt motor 154 to be configured.

  A part of the connection structure 110 is attached to the transport belt 150. For example, a rotation gear 146 or a rotation gear motor 148 is attached to the conveyance belt 150. The conveyor belt 150 is formed of a highly rigid metal material, synthetic resin material, or the like so that it is difficult to be deformed even when the weight of the connection structure 110 is loaded.

  The conveyor belt 150 is supported by a conveyor belt support 152 such as a pulley. One conveyance belt support 152 is connected to the rotation shaft of the conveyance belt motor 154. The conveyor belt support 152 is attached to the mounting table 102 or the like with an attachment member (not shown) or the like, for example. By rotating the conveyor belt support 152 with the rotational driving force of the conveyor belt motor 154, the conveyor belt 150 can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. As a result, the connecting structure 110 can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction, so that the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 connected to the connection structure 110 are moved in the paper discharge direction. On the other hand, it can be moved in a substantially parallel direction. Here, the transport belt motor 154 has a function as a transport belt driving body that drives the transport belt 150. A general rotation motor can be used as the conveyance belt motor 154. The conveyor belt motor 154 is attached to the mounting table or the like with an attachment member (not shown), for example.

  The distance measurement sensor 156 is disposed, for example, on at least one of the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108, and measures the distance from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108. It has a function as a distance measuring means for measuring. The distance measuring sensor 158 is disposed on the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108 and has a function as a distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108. Yes. As the distance measuring sensor 156 and the distance measuring sensor 158, for example, a general distance sensor such as a laser distance measuring sensor 156 can be used.

  The first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are preferably provided with a paper support unit 160 that supports the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 when a predetermined size of paper is placed. FIG. 5A shows a state before the paper is placed. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state where a sheet is placed.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the paper support unit 160 is provided substantially horizontally. It is preferable that the support surface of the sheet support unit 160 is provided so as to be substantially flush with the support surface of the support member 114. As shown in FIG. 5B, one end of the sheet 162 is received by the sheet support unit 160 of the first side fence 106, and the other end of the sheet 162 is received by the sheet support unit 160 of the second side fence 108. By receiving the substantially central portion with the support member 114, the paper 162 can be placed on the placement table 102 more stably.

  Further, the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 may be provided with a bellows-shaped paper receiving member 164 that is formed in a bellows shape and supports the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the configuration of the bellows-shaped paper receiving member 164, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state before the paper is placed, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing how the paper is placed. It is a figure which shows the state after having performed.

  One end of the bellows-shaped paper receiving member 164 is attached to the first side fence 106, and the other end is attached to the support member 114. The bellows-shaped paper receiving member 164 is attached to the second side fence 108 in the same manner as the first side fence 106. The bellows-shaped sheet receiving member 164 is formed by, for example, forming a flexible sheet such as a synthetic resin film into a wave shape so that the sheet can be expanded and contracted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction. As shown in FIG. 6B, the accordion-shaped paper receiving member 164 is expanded according to the paper size, and the paper 166 is supported by the convex portions of the accordion-shaped paper receiving member 164, so that the paper 166 is more stable. Can be mounted on the mounting table 102.

  The control unit 172 has a function of controlling the rotation gear motor 148 and the conveyance belt motor 154. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the paper discharge device 100. The control unit 172 can control the rotary gear motor 148 by the rotary gear motor drive circuit 174 to move the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction. Further, the control unit 172 controls the conveyor belt motor 154 by the conveyor belt motor drive circuit 176 to move the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. it can. The control unit 172 is constituted by, for example, a general personal computer.

  The controller 172 can operate the rotary gear motor 148 and the conveyor belt motor 154 according to the operation procedure stored in the storage unit 180. The storage unit 180 stores a reference distance corresponding to each paper size from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108. Here, the reference distance is a distance that can stabilize the sheet posture from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108. The reference distance may be a different distance for each paper size, or may be substantially the same distance. The reference distance is determined by simulation or experiment. The storage unit 180 is configured with, for example, a hard disk, RAM, ROM, or the like.

  The control unit 172 can position the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 by controlling the rotation gear motor 148 and the conveyance belt motor 154 by inputting paper size information and the like in the input unit 182. The input unit 182 includes, for example, an operation panel and a keyboard. Further, the paper size information or the like may be detected by a sensor or the like disposed in the paper feeding unit 18 of the stencil printing apparatus 10. The control unit 172 can cause the output unit 184 to output the progress status of the stacking operation of the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10. The output unit 184 is configured with, for example, a display.

  Next, the operation of the paper discharge device 100 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the paper discharge device 100. First, the number of sheets to be printed by the stencil printing apparatus 10 is input by the input unit 182 (S10), and the number of sheets to be printed is confirmed (S12). If the number of sheets is not input or if there is an error in the number of input sheets, the process returns to S10 and is input again.

  When the number of sheets to be printed by the stencil printing apparatus 10 is correctly input, the sheet size information and the like are input by the input unit 182 (S14), and the sheet size information to be printed is confirmed (S16). . If the paper size information or the like is not input or if there is an error in the input, the process returns to S14 and is input again.

  Next, the control unit 172 controls the rotary gear motor 148 and the conveyor belt motor 154 to move the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 to the reference position.

  The control unit 172 controls the rotary gear motor 148, and the interval between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 measured by the interval measurement sensor 158 is the sheet width of the sheet discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10. The rotation gear 146 is rotated so as to be substantially the same. The controller 172 rotates the rotary gear 146 by rotating the rotary gear motor 148 so that the distance between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 is substantially the same as the paper width. 142 and the second rack gear 144 are slid. For example, when the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is an A4 size paper, the distance between the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 measured by the distance measurement sensor 158 is the A4 size paper width. The first rack gear 142 and the second rack gear 144 are slid so as to be substantially the same.

  The control unit 172 controls the conveyance belt motor 154, and the distance from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108 measured by the distance measurement sensor 156 becomes the reference distance. In this way, the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are moved in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction. The controller 172 drives the conveyor belt motor 154 to slide the conveyor belt 150 in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction to convey the connection structure 110, thereby causing the first side fence 106 and the second side fence to move. The fence 108 is moved. Further, by moving the connecting structure 110 in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction, the slide body 120 is guided by the first guide rail 116 and the second guide rail 118 and is substantially in the paper discharge direction. Slide in parallel direction.

  The control unit 172 controls the conveyance belt motor 154 so that the distance from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108 measured by the distance measurement sensor 156 is based on the paper size. The conveyor belt 150 is driven so that the reference distance is determined.

  Note that the control unit 172 preferably moves the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 by driving the rotary gear motor 148 and the conveyor belt motor 154 substantially simultaneously. Of course, the controller 172 may drive the rotation gear motor 148 and the conveyor belt motor 154 separately, or may drive the conveyor belt motor 154 after driving the rotation gear motor 148, or drive the rotation gear motor 148. After this, the conveyor belt motor 154 may be driven.

  Next, a predetermined image is printed by the stencil printing apparatus 10, and the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is placed on the mounting table 102 (S20). Here, since the distance from the discharge port of the stencil printing apparatus 10 to the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 is adjusted to an appropriate reference distance, the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is the stencil. Between the paper discharge port of the printing apparatus 10 and the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108, the paper is placed on the mounting table 102 while maintaining an appropriate paper posture. As a result, the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is placed on the mounting table 102 in a more uniform position.

  Next, after taking out the loaded paper from the mounting table 102, the control unit 172 drives the rotary gear motor 148 and the conveyor belt motor 154 to place the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 at the initial positions. (S22). Then, when the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 return to the initial position, the first side fence 106 or the second side fence 108 is detected by, for example, a position sensor (not shown) and the rotation gear motor. The driving of 148 is stopped, and the driving of the conveyor belt motor 154 is stopped (S24). Thus, the stacking operation of the paper discharged from the stencil printing apparatus 10 is completed.

  In the above configuration, the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are movable in conjunction with the paper width direction. However, the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are movable independently. A configuration may be adopted. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 are independently movable. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a portion of the first side fence 106.

  The first side fence 106 is provided with a guide member 170 that sandwiches the width direction of the slide body 120 and guides the first side fence 106 along the slide body 120. The guide member 170 may be configured by providing protrusions protruding downward in the vertical direction from the bottom surface on one side and the other side across the width direction of the slide body 120, or may be hollow so that the slide body 120 is inserted. May be formed. The second side fence 108 is also provided with a guide member similar to the first side fence 106. With this configuration, the first side fence 106 and the second side fence 108 can be moved independently. In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus is described as the stencil printing apparatus 10, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to the stencil printing apparatus 10.

  As described above, according to the above configuration, even when sheets of different sizes are discharged from the image forming apparatus, the image can be obtained by moving the first side fence and the second side fence in a direction substantially parallel to the discharge direction. Since the distance from the discharge port of the forming apparatus to the first side fence and the second side fence can be set as a reference distance corresponding to each paper size, the first side fence or the second side fence from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus can be set. The paper posture between the side fences can be further stabilized. As a result, sheets of different sizes discharged from the image forming apparatus can be stacked with their positions more evenly aligned.

  According to the above configuration, when the first side fence and the second side fence are moved in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction, substantially simultaneously with the paper discharge direction, the first side fence and the second side fence are moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently perform the stacking operation of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stencil printing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a paper discharge device in an embodiment of the present invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the attachment structure of a 1st guide rail and a slide body. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of a connection structure and a connection structure moving means. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the position of the 1st side fence in the case of mounting the paper of a predetermined size, and a 2nd side fence. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure of a bellows-shaped paper receiving member. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a paper discharge device in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the paper discharge device in the embodiment of the present invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the structure which makes a 1st side fence and a 2nd side fence move independently. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a pull-out position of a paper discharge tray when stacking sheets of different sizes discharged from the image forming apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Stencil printing apparatus 12 Document reading part 14 Plate making part 16 Printing part 18 Paper feed part 20 Paper discharge part 22 Paper discharge part 23 Document setting stand 24, 26 Document sensor 28, 30 Document conveyance roll 32 Stepping motor 34 Image sensor 36 Document discharge tray 38 stencil sheet 40 base paper container 42 thermal head 44 platen roll 46 base paper feed roll 48 light pulse motor 50 base paper cutter 52 main motor 54 drum 56 base paper clamp part 58 base paper confirmation sensor 60 reference position detection sensor 62 rotary encoder 64 press roll 66 solenoid Device 68 Printing medium 70 Ink 72 Paper feed trays 74, 76 Primary paper feed roll 80 Paper feed sensor 82 Paper feed clutch 84 Paper separation claw 86 Transport passage 88 Plate discharge transport means 90 Plate discharge box 92 Plate discharge compression member 100 Paper discharge device 102 Station 104 End fence 106 First side fence 108 Second side fence 110 Connection structure 112 Opening 114 Support member 116 First guide rail 118 Second guide rail 120 Slide body 122 Insertion groove 124 First fitting recess 126 Second fitting Joint recess 126
128 First fitting convex portion 130 Second fitting convex portion 132 Groove 140 Connection structure moving means 142 First rack gear 144 Second rack gear 146 Rotating gear 148 Rotating gear motor 150 Conveying belt 152 Pulley 154 Conveying belt motor 156 Distance measuring sensor 158 Interval measurement sensor 160 Paper support part 162, 166 Paper 164 Bellows-like paper receiving member 170 Guide member 172 Control part 174 Rotating gear motor drive circuit 176 Conveyor belt motor drive circuit 180 Storage part 182 Input part 184 Output part 200 Stand 204 Side fence 206 Outlet

Claims (7)

A paper discharge device for stacking paper discharged from the image forming apparatus after forming an image on the paper with the image forming apparatus,
A mounting table on which the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is mounted and has an opening formed in a hollow shape;
An end fence that is disposed downstream with respect to the discharge direction of the mounting table and receives the discharged paper;
With
A first side fence disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction of the opening and regulating one end of the discharged paper in the paper width direction;
A second side fence disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction of the opening and regulating the other end of the discharged paper in the paper width direction;
A connection structure that is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the opening, and connects the first side fence and the second side fence;
A connecting structure moving means that is arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening and moves the connection structure in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction;
A paper discharge device comprising: The paper discharge device according to claim 1,
The connecting structure moving means includes:
A transport belt that is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction of the opening, the connection structure is placed, and transports the connection structure;
A conveyor belt drive for driving the conveyor belt;
A paper discharge device comprising: The paper discharge device according to claim 2,
A paper discharge device comprising distance measuring means for measuring a distance from a paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus to the first side fence or the second side fence. The paper discharge device according to claim 3,
A controller that controls the transport belt driver and the distance measuring means;
The control unit controls the transport belt driver, and a distance from the discharge port of the image forming apparatus to the first side fence or the second side fence measured by the distance measuring unit is a predetermined distance. The paper discharge device is configured to drive the conveyor belt. The paper discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The connection structure is
A first rack gear that is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction and is connected to the first side fence at one end;
A second rack gear which is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction and is connected to the second side fence at one end;
A rotating gear meshed with the first rack gear and the second rack gear;
A paper discharge device comprising: The paper discharge device according to claim 5,
The paper discharge device, wherein the connection structure includes a rotation gear driving body that rotates the rotation gear with a driving force. The paper discharge device according to claim 6,
Having an interval measuring means for measuring an interval between the first side fence and the second side fence;
The control unit controls the rotating gear driving body, and the interval between the first side fence and the second side fence measured by the interval measuring unit is a sheet of paper discharged from the image forming apparatus. A paper discharge device that drives the rotary gear so as to be substantially the same as the width.

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