JP2010082814A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of conveying a recording medium without bending it, and capable of making a device dimension of sheet-supply/discharge-direction compact. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device 10 is arranged with a sheet supply part 16 and a sheet discharge part 18, in one side of an image forming device body 12, and conveys the recording medium 20 supplied from the paper sheet supply part 16 horizontally along an arrow mark R-direction, an arrow mark B-direction and an arrow mark L-direction, in an inside of the image forming device body 12 to discharge to the sheet discharge part 18. The device dimension of sheet-supply/discharge-direction of the sheet discharge part recording medium can be made short, compared with a conventional image forming device arranged in one direction with a sheet supply part, an image forming device body 12 and a sheet supply part, the recording medium 20 is prevented from being wrinkled, folded, bent or getting likely, even when an image is formed on the recording medium 20 of high rigidity such as a cardboard and an envelope, and conveyance trouble such as jamming caused thereon is also restrained from being generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that records an image on a recording medium.

In an image forming apparatus such as a home or office copying machine or an ink jet printer, a method of supplying a printing sheet from a sheet feeding tray is generally used.
In such an image forming apparatus, in order to reduce the installation area, a feeding conveyance path for feeding a print sheet from a sheet feeding tray and a printing conveyance path are connected by a curved conveyance path. As a result, the conveying means is downsized.
The curvature of the conveyance path is set to be relatively small so that normal cut sheets can be passed without problems.

  Here, when printing on a printing sheet with high rigidity (waistness) such as cardboard or envelope using such an image forming apparatus, when the printing sheet passes through the conveyance path having the aforementioned curvature, Problems arise such as bending, bending, or the printing position being shifted by being conveyed obliquely, or jamming.

  In view of this, there has been proposed means for making it easy to convey a rigid sheet by increasing the curvature of the conveyance path as much as possible by a method such as the following document, but the above problem has not yet been completely solved. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). That is, although it becomes easy to handle a certain amount of thick paper, it cannot handle extremely thick sheets such as extremely thick paper and envelopes containing contents. In addition, since the conveyance path has a curvature, it is impossible to prevent the printed material from being bent. In addition, cardboard, envelope feed trays, and transport paths are required separately, which increases the size of the apparatus and increases costs.

  In addition, a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray are provided on both sides of the printer body, paper is fed from the paper feed tray, printed horizontally by being transported through the printer body, and then discharged to a paper discharge tray on the opposite side. There is also a printer (for example, see Patent Document 3). In this case, the paper feed tray, the printer main body, and the paper discharge tray are arranged in one direction, that is, the paper supply / discharge direction (for example, the lateral direction toward the front of the apparatus). Therefore, there is a problem that a long installation space is required in the paper supply / discharge direction.

JP 2005-159817 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-129883 JP 2002-182493 A

  In consideration of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can convey a recording medium without bending and can reduce the apparatus size in the paper supply / discharge direction.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, an image forming apparatus main body, and a paper feeding unit that is provided on a side portion in the first direction of the image forming apparatus main body and supplies a recording medium to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body. A first conveying unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and linearly conveys the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding unit in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction; A second conveyance unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and that linearly conveys the recording medium in a second direction that intersects the first direction and a direction opposite to the first direction; An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium; a side portion in the first direction of the image forming apparatus main body; and a second direction side of the paper feeding unit, and the image forming apparatus main body. A paper discharge unit for receiving the recording medium after image formation discharged from It has a.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect will be described.
The recording medium before image formation is supplied to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body by the paper feeding unit.
The recording medium supplied to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body is conveyed linearly in the direction opposite to the first direction by the first conveying means.

  The recording medium conveyed in the direction opposite to the first direction is conveyed linearly in a second direction intersecting the first direction by the second conveying means. Then, the recording medium conveyed in the second direction is linearly conveyed in the first direction by the first conveying means, and is discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium while the recording medium is inside the image forming apparatus main body. Note that the image formation by the image forming unit may be performed while the recording medium is being transported, or may be performed while the transport of the recording medium is temporarily stopped, and the image forming timing varies depending on the method of the image forming unit.

  In this image forming apparatus, since the recording medium is conveyed linearly, for example, even when an image is formed on a recording medium with high rigidity (waist) such as cardboard or envelope, the recording medium is wrinkled, bent, bent. Or the like, and the occurrence of a conveyance failure such as a jam due to these is suppressed.

  In this image forming apparatus, the recording medium is U-turned inside the image forming apparatus main body, and the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit are arranged on one side of the image forming apparatus main body. Compared to a conventional image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet feeding unit are arranged in one direction, the apparatus size in the sheet feeding and discharging direction of the sheet discharge unit recording medium can be shortened.

  In this image forming apparatus, the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit are arranged on one side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. However, the paper feed unit and the paper discharge unit are arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the paper supply / discharge direction. Since the recording medium is discharged to a position different from the position where the recording medium is fed, images can be continuously formed on a plurality of recording media regardless of the presence or absence of the discharged recording medium. it can.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the first conveyance unit is connected to the first conveyance unit and the recording medium is conveyed by the second conveyance unit. A first contact for separating the recording medium from the recording medium and bringing the first conveying means into contact with the recording medium when conveying the recording medium in the first direction and the direction opposite to the first direction. A separation driving unit and a second conveyance unit, and when the recording medium is conveyed by the first conveyance unit, the second conveyance unit is separated from the recording medium, and the recording medium is And a second contact / separation driving means for bringing the second transport means into contact with the recording medium when transporting in the direction of 2.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, when the recording medium is conveyed by the second conveying unit, the first contact / separation driving unit separates the first conveying unit from the recording medium, and the recording medium is moved to the first conveying unit. When transporting in the direction opposite to the direction and the first direction, the recording medium is transported in contact with the recording medium. That is, when the recording medium is conveyed by the second conveying means, the recording medium can be reliably conveyed in the second direction by the second conveying means without contacting the recording medium with the first conveying means.

  When the recording medium is conveyed by the first conveying means, the second contact / separation driving means separates the second conveying means from the recording medium, and when the recording medium is conveyed in the second direction, the recording medium The recording medium is conveyed in contact with. That is, when the recording medium is conveyed by the first conveying means, the first conveying means does not contact the recording medium with the second conveying means, and the direction opposite to the first direction and the first direction. Can be reliably transported.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the second transport unit moves the image forming unit in the second direction and in a direction opposite to the second direction. And a pressing member that is provided in the image forming unit and that presses the recording medium, and a pressing member driving unit that moves the pressing member in a direction in which the pressing member contacts and separates from the conveyance path of the recording medium. The means forms an image on the recording medium when the moving means moves in the second direction and the direction opposite to the second direction, and the recording medium moves the pressing member to the transport path. The image forming unit in a state of projecting toward the second side moves toward the second direction, so that the image forming unit is conveyed in the second direction.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the image forming unit is moved in the second direction and in the direction opposite to the second direction to form an image on the recording medium.

  Further, when the recording medium is transported in the second direction, the driving member causes the pressing member to protrude toward the transporting path at a position apart from the recording medium, and the image forming means from which the pressing member protrudes is moved by the moving means. Move in the second direction. As a result, the pressing member comes into contact with the end of the recording medium, and the recording medium is pressed by the pressing member and conveyed in the second direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the paper feeding unit is arranged inside the image forming apparatus main body one by one for the stacked recording media one by one. To supply.
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the sheet feeding unit supplies the stacked recording media one by one to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body. This eliminates the need for the operator to supply recording media one by one.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image forming unit ejects liquid droplets to form an image. It is.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect will be described.
In the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the droplet discharge device discharges the droplet to form an image on the recording medium.

  Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the recording medium can be conveyed without being bent and the apparatus size in the paper supply / discharge direction can be reduced.

[First Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a box-shaped image forming apparatus main body 12, and the side on the arrow L direction side (the apparatus left side) has an arrow F direction side (the apparatus in this embodiment). A paper feed unit 16 is provided on the front side, and a paper discharge unit 18 is provided on the arrow B direction side (the back side of the apparatus in the present embodiment). In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, an operation panel (not shown) including an operation switch 62 (described later, see FIG. 10) for performing various operations is provided on the arrow F direction side of the image forming apparatus body 12. Is provided.

The paper feed unit 16 of the present embodiment has a general configuration in which, for example, a recording medium 20 such as an envelope containing contents is stacked and paper feed is performed one by one. A recording medium mounting plate 24 disposed inside the box portion 22, a spring 26 that urges the recording medium mounting plate 24 upward, and an upper recording medium 20 in contact with the upper recording medium 20. A feed roller 28 having a substantially semicircular cross section to be sent to the inside, a motor 28A for rotating the feed roller 28 (not shown in FIG. 1, refer to FIG. 10), and the like. The configuration of the paper feeding unit 16 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and other types may be used as long as the paper can be fed one by one.
The paper discharge unit 18 is an open box at the top.

Next, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 12 will be described.
Inside the image forming apparatus main body 12, a horizontal conveyance device 30 that conveys the recording medium 20, an orthogonal conveyance device 32, and a recording device 58 are provided.

(Horizontal transfer device)
The horizontal conveyance device 30 includes a paper supply / discharge roller 35 disposed horizontally on the arrow L direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 12 with the arrow F direction and the arrow B direction as axial directions. On the arrow R direction side, two lower horizontal transport rollers 34 are arranged in parallel with the paper supply / discharge roller 35 with a gap therebetween.
The lower horizontal transport roller 34 is supported by a bearing 36. A first solenoid 38 is disposed on the bottom plate 12 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus main body 12, and the bearing 36 that supports the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 is moved vertically by the first solenoid 38. ing.

  Further, an upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 disposed horizontally is disposed above the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 in parallel above the conveyance path of the recording medium 20. These upper horizontal conveyance rollers 40 are supported by bearings 42. The top solenoid 12B of the image forming apparatus main body 12 is provided with a second solenoid 44, and the bearing 42 that supports the upper horizontal transport roller 40 is moved up and down by the second solenoid 44. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the paper supply / discharge roller 35 is rotated by a motor 35A (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 10), and the lower horizontal transport roller 34 is motor 34A (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 10). The upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 is a driven roller, but the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 may be rotated by a motor and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 may be a driven roller. Each of the horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 may be rotated by a motor.

(Orthogonal transfer device)
The orthogonal conveyance device 32 is a so-called belt conveyor, and includes a pair of shafts 46 that are horizontally arranged with the arrow R direction and the arrow L direction as axial directions, and sprockets (not shown) are spaced apart from each other. Four endless belts 48 are wound around the sprocket of one shaft 46 and the sprocket of the other shaft 46. One shaft 46 is rotated by a motor 46A (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 10).

  The pair of shafts 46 are supported by bearings 50, and the bearings 50 that support the shafts 46 are moved in the vertical direction by a third solenoid 52 attached to the bottom plate 12 </ b> A of the image forming apparatus main body 12. It has become.

  A flat platen 54 that supports the lower surface of the recording medium 20 is horizontally disposed between one lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the other lower horizontal conveyance roller 34.

(Recording device)
The recording apparatus 58 according to the present embodiment is a general ink jet recording apparatus, and includes a carriage 58B mounted with a recording head 58A that ejects ink droplets downward, above the recording medium conveyance path. Yes. As a method of ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 58A, a method using a piezoelectric element, a thermal jet method in which ink liquid is heated by a heating element such as a heater to generate bubbles, and the ink liquid is blown by the pressure. However, other methods may be used.

The carriage 58B is slidably supported on a guide rail (not shown: moving means of the present invention) whose axial directions are the arrow F direction and the arrow B direction, and is a motor (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 10. See FIG. 10). It is connected to a carriage belt (not shown: moving means of the present invention) driven by a moving means) and is moved in the directions of arrows F and B.
As shown in FIG. 10, the motor 28 </ b> A that rotates the feed roller 28, the first solenoid 38 and the second solenoid 44 of the horizontal conveyance device 30, the motor 35 </ b> A that rotates the paper supply / discharge roller 35, and the lower horizontal A motor 34A for rotating the conveying roller 34, a motor 46A for driving the belt of the orthogonal conveying device 32, a recording head 58A, and the like are connected to a control device 60 for controlling them. Various control switches 62 are connected to the control device 60.
The control device 60 includes a CPU, a storage device storing a control program, and the like.

(Function)
For example, in order to print on a plurality of recording media 20 such as envelopes, first, a plurality of recording media 20 such as envelopes are mounted on the recording medium mounting plate 24. Since the recording medium mounting plate 24 is biased upward by the spring, the feed roller 28 comes into contact with the uppermost recording medium 20 (see FIG. 1B).

  When the printing instruction operation switch 62 is operated and a printing instruction is input to the control device 60, the control device 60 rotates the feed roller 28 and conveys the uppermost recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow R. At the same time, the control device 60 rotates the paper supply / discharge roller 35 and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 so that the recording medium 20 is not bent in the apparatus at a constant speed in a horizontal and linear direction in the direction of arrow R. Carry in.

  When transporting the recording medium 20 in the direction of the arrow R, the control device 60 controls the lower horizontal so that the recording medium 20 is sandwiched between the upper horizontal transport roller 40 and the lower horizontal transport roller 34 from above and below. The transport roller 34 is moved upward, the upper horizontal transport roller 40 is moved downward, and the endless belt 48 is retracted downward so that the endless belt 48 does not contact the lower surface of the recording medium 20 (see FIG. 2B). .

  In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the control device 60 moves the recording head 58 </ b> A back and forth in the direction of the arrow F and the direction of the arrow B (main scanning) while conveying the recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow R (sub scanning). The ink liquid is ejected onto the upper surface of the recording medium 20 to form an image on the upper surface of the recording medium 20.

  When the image formation on the recording medium 20 is completed, the control device 60 stops the rotation of the paper supply / discharge roller 35 and the lower horizontal conveying roller 34, raises the orthogonal conveying device 32, and moves the recording medium 20 with the endless belt 48. Next, the lower horizontal transport roller 34 is retracted downward so as to be separated from the recording medium 20 (transport path), and the upper horizontal transport roller 40 is retracted upward. Next, the control device 60 drives the endless belt 48, conveys the recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow B for a predetermined distance, and stops driving the endless belt 48 (see FIG. 3B).

  After stopping the driving of the endless belt 48, the control device 60 raises the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and lowers the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 to move the recording medium 20 to the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40. And the orthogonal conveying device 32 is lowered and retracted to separate the endless belt 48 from the recording medium 20. Thereafter, the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the paper supply / discharge roller 35 are rotated to convey the recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow L, and the recording medium 20 on which the image is formed is transferred from the image forming apparatus main body 12 to the paper discharge unit 18. Let it drain.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the recording medium 20 can be conveyed linearly without bending inside the apparatus, for example, even when the recording medium 20 has high rigidity, Wrinkles, creases, bends, etc. do not occur, and the occurrence of poor conveyance such as jams due to these can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the recording medium 20 is U-turned inside the apparatus, and the paper feed unit 16 and the side of the image forming apparatus main body 12 on the arrow L direction side are provided. Since the paper discharge units 18 are arranged in parallel, the paper supply / discharge direction (arrows) of the recording medium 20 is compared to a conventional image forming apparatus in which the paper supply unit, the image forming apparatus main body, and the paper supply unit are arranged in one direction. The apparatus dimensions in the R direction and the direction opposite to the arrow L direction can be shortened, and the image forming apparatus 10 can be arranged in a narrow installation space.
Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the recording medium 20 can be loaded and unloaded on one side of the apparatus, operability is good.

[Second Embodiment]
The image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, a solenoid 56 having a shaft 56A that moves in the vertical direction is attached to the end of the carriage 58B.

The shaft 56 </ b> A interferes with the conveyance path of the recording medium 20 when moving downward, and is sufficiently separated from the conveyance path of the recording medium 20 so as not to contact the recording medium 20 when moving upward. .

  In this embodiment, the platens 54 are provided at three locations, and the orthogonal conveyance device 32 provided in the first embodiment is removed.

(Function)
In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of recording media 20 such as envelopes are mounted on the recording medium mounting plate 24 (see FIG. 6).

  When a print instruction is input, the feed roller 28 rotates and transports the uppermost recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow R. Along with this, the paper supply / discharge roller 35 and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 are rotated to convey the recording medium 20 horizontally and linearly at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow R so as not to bend in the apparatus. To do.

  As in the first embodiment, the recording medium 20 is nipped and conveyed between the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 from the up and down direction. In the present embodiment, when the recording medium 20 is conveyed in the direction of arrow R, the shaft 56A is retracted upward so that the shaft 56A of the solenoid 56 does not contact the recording medium 20.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the recording head 58A is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow F and the direction of the arrow B (main scanning) while transporting the recording medium 20 in the direction of arrow R (sub scanning). By discharging the ink liquid onto the upper surface of the recording medium 20, an image can be formed on the upper surface of the recording medium 20 (see FIG. 7).

  When the image formation on the recording medium 20 is completed, the rotation of the paper supply / discharge roller 35 and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 is stopped, and the recording medium 20 is supported on the platen 54 and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34. .

  Thereafter, the carriage 58B is moved in the direction of the arrow F, the shaft 56A is lowered at a position not hitting the recording medium 20, and the carriage 58B is moved in the arrow B direction by a predetermined distance in a state where the shaft 56A is lowered. As a result, the shaft 56A comes into contact with the end of the recording medium 20, and the recording medium 20 is pushed by the shaft 56A and conveyed on the platen in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 8).

  When the carriage 58B is moved by a predetermined distance in the arrow B direction and then stopped, the shaft 56A is then lifted and retracted from the conveyance path, and the carriage 58B is moved in the arrow F direction and stopped. Thereafter, the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40 descends to sandwich the recording medium 20 between the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40, and the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34 and the paper supply / discharge roller 35 rotate to perform recording. The medium 20 is conveyed in the arrow L direction, and the recording medium 20 on which an image is formed is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 12 to the paper discharge unit 18 (see FIG. 9).

In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the solenoid 56 is attached to the carriage 58B, and the recording medium 20 is transported in the arrow B direction by using the movement of the carriage 58B. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 is used in the first embodiment. The orthogonal conveyance device 32 is not necessary, and the configuration of the conveyance device is simplified.
Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the solenoid is used for the vertical movement of the upper horizontal conveyance roller 40, the lower horizontal conveyance roller 34, and the orthogonal conveyance device 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any as long as it can move up and down. Other actuators such as an air cylinder and a motor drive mechanism may be used.

 In the above embodiment, the rollers are used for conveying the recording medium 20 in the arrow L direction and the arrow R direction, and the belt is used for conveying the arrow B direction. However, the belt is used for conveying the arrow L direction and the arrow R direction. Rollers may be used for conveyance in the B direction, and other conveyance means other than rollers and belts may be used as long as the recording medium 20 can be conveyed linearly without bending.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, the sheet feeding is performed only from the arrow L direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 12. However, an opening for inserting the recording medium 20 into the side portion on the arrow R direction side, And the paper feed roller, the recording medium 20 is inserted into the apparatus from the arrow R direction side, the image is formed while the recording medium 20 is conveyed in the arrow L direction, and the recording medium 20 that has completed the image formation is indicated by the arrow. It is also possible to discharge in the L direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the arrow F direction side of the image forming apparatus main body 12 is the apparatus front side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other side surfaces such as a side face on the arrow L direction side are the apparatus front side. It may be.

1A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus viewed from the front side. 1A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus viewed from the front side. 1A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus viewed from the front side. 1A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus viewed from the front side. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus showing a configuration of a conveyance path of a recording medium. FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front side. It is a block diagram of a control system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus main body 16 Paper feed part 18 Paper discharge part 20 Recording medium 30 Horizontal conveyance apparatus (1st conveyance means)
32 orthogonal transport device (second transport means)
38 1st solenoid (1st contact / separation drive means)
44 Second solenoid (first contact / separation drive means)
52 3rd solenoid (2nd contact / separation drive means)
58 Recording device (image forming means)

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus main body;
A paper feeding unit that is provided on a side portion in the first direction of the image forming apparatus main body and supplies a recording medium to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body;
A first conveying unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and linearly conveys the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding unit in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction;
A second conveyance unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and that linearly conveys the recording medium in a second direction that intersects the first direction and a direction opposite to the first direction; ,
Image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium;
A discharge unit that is provided on a side portion in the first direction of the image forming apparatus main body and in the second direction side of the sheet feeding unit and receives the recording medium after image formation discharged from the image forming apparatus main body. Paper section,
An image forming apparatus. The first conveying means is connected to the first conveying means, and when the recording medium is conveyed by the second conveying means, the first conveying means is separated from the recording medium, and the recording medium is moved in the first direction and the First contact / separation driving means for bringing the first transport means into contact with the recording medium when transporting in a direction opposite to the first direction;
The second transport unit is connected to the second transport unit, and when the recording medium is transported by the first transport unit, the second transport unit is separated from the recording medium, and the recording medium is transported in the second direction. A second contact / separation drive means for bringing the second transport means into contact with the recording medium when
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: The second transport unit includes a moving unit that moves the image forming unit in the second direction and a direction opposite to the second direction, and a pressing member that is provided in the image forming unit and presses the recording medium. A pressing member driving means for moving the pressing member in a direction in which the pressing member is in contact with or away from the conveyance path of the recording medium,
The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium when the moving unit moves in the second direction and a direction opposite to the second direction,
The recording medium is conveyed in the second direction by moving the image forming unit in a state where the pressing member protrudes toward the conveyance path in the second direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding unit supplies the stacked recording media one by one to the inside of the image forming apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets to form an image.

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