JP2013103794A - Sheet processing system and sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of components, and to smoothly supply sheets from any tray when manufacturing a product based on a specification in which a tray with a small capacity and a tray with a large capacity are provided using a common body frame.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus based on one specification is manufactured by disposing a first tray between a pair of body frames 21 which supports an image forming part. An image forming apparatus based on the other specification in which a second tray with a capacity larger than that of the first tray is disposed is manufactured by attaching an extension member 200 to the bottom of a pair of the body frames 21. At this time, the entire of the first tray and the upper part of the second tray are located between a pair of the body frames 21 so that the number of members between each tray and the image forming part decreases. In addition, since a relative position of each tray and the image forming part can be easily determined, sheets can be supplied accurately from each tray to the image forming part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing system and a sheet processing apparatus for feeding a sheet from a tray and forming an image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus or the like, it is known to use a common apparatus body to produce a product having a small capacity first tray and a product having a large capacity second tray (Patent Literature). 1). In this technology, for a product having a specification using a small capacity first tray, a small capacity first tray is inserted into a space inside a base plate frame provided at the lower portion of the apparatus body, and a large capacity second tray is inserted. For products that use trays, an auxiliary frame is connected under the base plate frame, and a large-capacity second tray is inserted into the inner space formed by the base plate frame and the auxiliary frame. I am doing so.

JP-A-10-120203

  As described above, in the configuration in which the base frame for the first tray is attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body, the basic functions as the image forming apparatus are completed by incorporating various mechanisms for image formation into the apparatus main body. Since the base plate frame is attached, a sheet supply path from the first tray to the image forming unit in the apparatus main body must be formed through the base plate frame and the bottom of the apparatus main body. For this reason, many members are involved in the supply path from the tray to the image forming unit, which not only increases the number of parts, but also may complicate the supply path and prevent the paper from being supplied smoothly.

  In addition, since many members are interposed between the first tray and the image forming unit, the relative positional accuracy between the first tray and the image forming unit is lowered, and the paper is smoothly supplied, for example, the paper is inclined. There is a risk that it will not be possible. Furthermore, if an auxiliary frame is added below the base plate frame in order to use a large capacity second tray, the positional accuracy of the second tray is further lowered, and the paper supply from the second tray is smooth. There is a risk that it will not be possible.

  The present invention uses a common main body frame to produce a product having specifications for each tray having a small capacity and a large capacity, and reduces the number of parts and smoothly supplies a sheet from any tray. To be able to. In addition, each tray increases the positional accuracy with respect to a portion that performs processing on a sheet such as an image forming unit, so that the sheet can be supplied smoothly.

In order to solve the above problems, a sheet processing apparatus system according to the present invention includes:
A first tray having a height capable of stacking and storing a predetermined number of sheets;
A second tray formed higher than the first tray and capable of stacking and storing more than the predetermined number of sheets;
A pair of body frames opposed to each other at an interval, supporting a processing section for processing the sheet between the upper portions and forming a storage space for storing the first tray between the lower portions;
A pair of expansion members coupled and fixed under each of the pair of main body frames to expand the accommodation space to a height capable of accommodating the second tray;
A common pickup member that is disposed between the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space and sends out the sheet in any one of the trays arranged in the accommodation space to the processing unit;
The first tray and the second tray are each slidable in a direction perpendicular to the height direction and parallel to the pair of main body frames, and are accommodated in a state of being mounted in the accommodation space. Disposed at a position where the sheet faces the pickup member,
A first sheet processing apparatus in which the processing unit is stored between upper portions of the pair of main body frames, and the first tray is stored in a storage space between lower portions;
The processing unit is configured between the upper portions of the pair of main body frames, and the second sheet processing apparatus is configured to store the second tray between the lower portions of the main body frames and the expansion members.

  According to this configuration, the sheet processing device of the first specification having the first tray between the pair of body frames using the common processing unit, the pair of body frames, and the pickup member, and the pair of body frames A sheet processing apparatus of the second specification having a second tray with a larger capacity than that of the first tray can be provided by attaching an expansion member below. In both specifications, a common pickup member is used to feed a sheet from each tray to a common processing unit. Further, since the entire first tray and the upper part of the second tray are located between the pair of main body frames, the number of members interposed between each tray and the processing unit can be reduced. The relative position can be easily determined, and the sheet can be accurately supplied from each tray to the processing unit.

  In the above configuration, the present invention preferably further includes an exterior cover that covers the upper side and the side of the pair of main body frames. According to this, a processing apparatus can be comprised by covering a common process part and a pick-up member with a pair of main body frame.

  In the above configuration, preferably, the present invention is arranged to connect the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space, and has a path for guiding the sheet fed by the pickup member to the processing unit. A frame is further provided. According to this, a supply frame connects a pair of main body frames, and comprises a part of frame structure. Further, since the supply frame has a path for guiding the sheet from each tray to the processing unit, the path can be easily formed, and the sheet can be smoothly supplied from each tray to the processing unit.

  Preferably, in the above configuration, the pickup member is supported between the pair of main body frames, and is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the trays. And it is a rotation member which can contact the upper surface of the said sheet | seat on outer periphery. According to this, the first tray or the second tray, which is arranged with the relative position to the processing unit between the pair of main body frames as described above, can easily determine the relative position with the rotating member as the pickup member. By rotating the rotating member, the sheets in the tray can be sent out accurately.

  In the above-described configuration, the present invention is preferably configured such that at least one of the separation portions that separate the sheets fed by the rotating member is separated at a position downstream of the rotating member in the feeding direction. Provided between the pair of body frames above the space. According to this, it is easy to determine the relative position of each tray and the separation unit, and it is possible to accurately supply the sheets to the separation unit, separate the sheets one by one, and accurately send out the sheets.

  In the above configuration, the present invention is preferably configured such that one of a side surface extending in the sliding movement direction of the first tray and the second tray and a surface of the pair of body frames facing each other is provided on the other side. A positioning protrusion projecting toward the other side, a first positioning surface that contacts the positioning protrusion in the height direction, and the positioning protrusion and the slide that are positioned substantially orthogonal to the first positioning surface. A second positioning surface that abuts in the moving direction, and the abutting position between the positioning protrusion and the positioning surfaces is in a state in which the first tray or the second tray is mounted on the pair of main body frames. It is a position near the pickup member in the slide movement direction on the side surfaces of the first tray and the second tray.

  According to this, when each tray is slid and mounted on the pair of main body frames, the positioning protrusion comes into contact with the first positioning surface in the height direction, and comes into contact with the second positioning surface. The tray is positioned in the vertical direction and the slide movement direction. In addition, since the positioning protrusion and the positioning surfaces are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the pickup member, the portion of the tray in the vicinity of the pickup member can be accurately positioned with respect to the pickup member. Further, since both the first tray and the second tray are positioned on the pair of main body frames facing the side surfaces thereof, both trays are positioned substantially equally with respect to the pickup member, and the sheet is processed from either tray. Can be supplied accurately.

  In the above-described configuration, the present invention is preferably configured as a third positioning that is positioned substantially orthogonal to the first and second positioning surfaces, extends in the sliding movement direction, and abuts the tip of the positioning protrusion. A pair of main body frames facing the side surfaces of the first tray and the second tray in the vicinity of the position of the third positioning surface in contact with the tip of the positioning protrusion. Leave a gap between the surface. According to this, when each tray is slid to be mounted on the pair of main body frames, the front end of the positioning protrusion comes into contact with the third positioning surface, so that the side surface of the tray and the main body frame are in the vicinity of the contact position. A space is formed between the two surfaces, and the both surfaces are not rubbed, and the slide movement is performed smoothly. Further, each tray is further positioned in the left-right direction, and the sheet is accurately supplied to the processing unit.

  In the present invention, preferably, the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are opened at least one end in the slide movement direction so as to receive the positioning protrusion by sliding movement of the tray. Formed by a part of the recessed portion. According to this, the positioning protrusion is received from one end of the recess in the sliding direction, and the position of the tray in the two directions can be determined by at least two surfaces of the recess.

  In the present invention, the processing unit is preferably an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and includes a process cartridge that is detachably supported between the pair of main body frames. According to this, a plurality of specification image forming apparatuses can be configured by using the pair of main body frames supporting the process cartridge and mounting the first or second tray having different sheet capacities therebetween.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention employs the following configuration as a sheet processing apparatus.
This sheet processing apparatus
A pair of body frames that support a processing section that processes the sheet between them and that are spaced apart from each other;
A pair of expansion members attached under the pair of body frames and expanding the space between the body frames downward;
A predetermined number of sheets disposed below the processing unit, having a height extending between a lower portion of the pair of main body frames and between the pair of expansion members, and slidingly moving in a direction parallel to the pair of main body frames. A tray capable of stacking and accommodating sheets;
Above the tray, a pickup member disposed between the pair of body frames and capable of contacting the upper surface of the sheet in the tray;
A supply frame which is arranged to connect the pair of main body frames above the tray and has a path for guiding the sheet sent out by the pickup member to the processing unit;
The lower part of the pair of main body frames below the supply frame can accommodate another tray capable of stacking a smaller amount of sheets than the tray without the expansion member below the pair of main body frames. And has a rail portion that slidably supports the other tray in a direction parallel to the pair of main body frames, and the other tray is between the pair of main body frames. When picked up, the pickup member can contact the upper surface of the sheet in the other tray.

  According to this sheet processing apparatus, the expansion member is attached under the pair of main body frames, and the tray having a height extending over the main body frame and the expansion member is mounted. In the state where there is no expansion member at the lower part of the pair of body frames, another tray can be attached to the lower part of the pair of body frames. That is, it is possible to manufacture a sheet processing apparatus having specifications with different sheet capacities by using the main body frame, the treatment unit, the supply frame, and the pickup member in common. In addition, since at least a part of each tray is located between the pair of main body frames, the number of members interposed between each tray and the processing unit can be reduced. As a result, the relative position between each tray and the processing unit is determined. This facilitates the sheet supply from each tray to the processing unit.

  In the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the pickup member is supported between the pair of main body frames and is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the upper surface of the sheet stacked on each tray. And a rotating member that can contact the upper surface of the sheet on the outer periphery. According to this, the first tray or the second tray, which is arranged with the relative position to the processing unit between the pair of main body frames as described above, can easily determine the relative position with the rotating member as the pickup member. By rotating the rotating member, the sheets in the tray can be sent out accurately.

  In the sheet supply apparatus, the present invention is preferably configured such that at least one of the separation units that separate the sheets fed by the rotating member at a position downstream in the feeding direction from the rotating member is separated one by one. Provided between the pair of body frames above the accommodation space. According to this, it is easy to determine the relative position of each tray and the separation unit, and it is possible to accurately supply the sheets to the separation unit, separate the sheets one by one, and accurately send out the sheets.

  In the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that one of a side surface of each tray extending in the slide movement direction and a surface of the pair of body frames facing each other protrude toward the other side. The positioning protrusion is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first positioning surface and the first positioning surface in contact with the positioning protrusion in the height direction. A second positioning surface that is in contact with each other, and the contact position between the positioning protrusion and the positioning surfaces in the sliding movement direction on the side surface in a state where the trays are mounted on the pair of body frames, The position is close to the pickup member.

  According to this, when each tray is slid and mounted on the pair of main body frames, the positioning protrusion comes into contact with the first positioning surface in the height direction, and comes into contact with the second positioning surface. The tray is positioned in the vertical direction and the slide movement direction. In addition, since the positioning protrusion and the positioning surfaces are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the pickup member, the portion of the tray in the vicinity of the pickup member can be accurately positioned with respect to the pickup member. Further, since each tray is positioned on a pair of main body frames facing the side surfaces thereof, each tray is accurately positioned with respect to the pickup member substantially equally, and the sheet is accurately supplied from any tray to the processing unit. be able to.

  In the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, a third position that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second positioning surfaces, extends in the sliding movement direction, and contacts the tip of the positioning protrusion. In the contact state with the third positioning surface and the tip of the positioning protrusion, the side surfaces of the trays and the surfaces of the pair of main body frames facing the side surfaces in the vicinity of the contact position Leave a gap between According to this, when each tray is slid to be mounted on the pair of main body frames, the front end of the positioning protrusion comes into contact with the third positioning surface, so that the side surface of the tray and the main body frame are in the vicinity of the contact position. A space is formed between the two surfaces, and the both surfaces are not rubbed, and the slide movement is performed smoothly. Further, each tray is further positioned in the left-right direction, and the sheet is accurately supplied to the processing unit.

  In the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first positioning surface and the second positioning surface receive at least one end in the sliding movement direction and the positioning protrusion by sliding movement of the tray. It is formed by a part of the recessed part open | released in. According to this, the positioning protrusion is received from one end of the recess in the sliding direction, and the position of the tray in the two directions can be determined by at least two surfaces of the recess.

  In the sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the processing unit is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and includes a process cartridge that is detachably supported between the pair of main body frames. According to this, a plurality of specification image forming apparatuses can be configured by using a pair of main body frames that support the process cartridge and mounting trays having different sheet capacities therebetween.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a sheet processing apparatus having a specification including a large-capacity tray by attaching the expansion member under the pair of main body frames that support the processing unit and the pickup member. In addition, a sheet processing apparatus having a specification in which a processing unit, a pickup member, and a pair of main body frames are used in common and a small capacity tray is provided between the pair of main body frames in a state without an expansion member can be configured. In any specification, since each tray is located between a pair of main body frames, the number of members interposed between each tray and the processing unit can be reduced. As a result, the relative position between each tray and the processing unit is determined. This facilitates the sheet supply from each tray to the processing unit.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus provided with a 1st tray. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower part of an image forming apparatus provided with a second tray. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (a) schematically showing a frame structure of an image forming apparatus including a first tray, and a perspective view (b) schematically showing a frame structure of an image forming apparatus including a second tray. It is a disassembled perspective view of the left side part of the frame structure of Drawing 3 (b). It is a disassembled perspective view of the right side part of the frame structure of Drawing 3 (b). It is a perspective view of a 1st tray. It is a perspective view of a 2nd tray. It is a front view explaining the relationship between a frame structure and a 1st tray. It is a front view explaining the relationship between a frame structure and a 2nd tray. It is a side view (a) of the drive mechanism for the pressure plate of the first tray, and a side view (b) of the drive mechanism for the pressure plate of the second tray.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, for example, paper P, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, the direction will be described based on the user when using the image forming apparatus. That is, in FIG. 1, the right side toward the paper surface is “front side (front side)”, the left side toward the paper surface is “rear side (back side)”, the back side toward the paper surface is “right side”, and it faces the paper surface. Let the near side be the “left side”. In addition, the vertical direction toward the page is defined as the “vertical direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a frame structure 2, a processing unit that performs processing on a sheet, that is, an image forming unit 4 that performs image forming processing, and a paper and an OHP film in the image forming unit 4. And a sheet supply unit 3 for supplying a sheet (hereinafter referred to as a sheet P). There are two types of image forming apparatuses, one that includes a first tray 31 that accommodates a small volume of paper P and one that includes a second tray 110 that accommodates a large capacity of paper P. An image forming apparatus 1 having one tray will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the frame structure 2 is formed by a frame of the exposure unit 5, a frame 38 of the supply unit 3, and a tie bar 25, which will be described later, between a pair of left and right body frames 21 spaced from each other. The frame structure is connected. Each main body frame 21 is a wall-like member extending in the front-rear direction (the slide movement direction of the tray described later) and the vertical direction, and stands parallel to each other with a space therebetween. The upper and side outer sides of the pair of body frames 21 are covered with an exterior cover 22, and the front opening between the pair of body frames 21 is covered with a front door 23 so as to be opened and closed. A paper discharge tray 22 </ b> A for placing the paper P discharged from the image forming unit 4 is formed on the upper surface of the exterior cover 22. The image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a desk with the lower ends of the pair of main body frames 21 (preferably legs may protrude) in contact with each other.

  The image forming unit 4 forms an image on a sheet using an electrophotographic method, and includes an exposure unit 5, a process cartridge 6, a fixing device 7, and the like.

  The exposure unit 5 can use a laser method, an LED method, or the like. In the embodiment, a laser system is used, and a box-shaped frame bridged between the upper portions of the pair of main body frames 21 is provided with a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like that are not shown. Yes. The exposure unit 5 irradiates the surface of a photosensitive drum 61, which will be described later, with a laser beam by high-speed scanning.

  The process cartridge 6 is detachably supported between upper portions of the pair of main body frames 21 through an opening that is opened and closed by the front door 23, and includes a photosensitive drum 61, a transfer roller 62, and a charger that is omitted from the reference numerals. A developing roller, a layer thickness regulating blade, and a toner storage chamber.

  In the process cartridge 6, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged by a charger and then exposed by high-speed scanning of a laser beam from the exposure unit 5, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is based on image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  Next, the toner in the toner storage chamber is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 61 by the developing roller, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 61. Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 62, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred onto the paper P.

  The fixing device 7 includes a heating unit 71 that includes a halogen heater, a fixing film, a nip plate, and the like that are not shown, and a pressure roller 72 that holds the fixing film between the nip plate of the heating unit 71. ing. In the fixing device 7 configured as described above, the toner transferred onto the paper P is thermally fixed while the paper P passes between the heating unit 71 and the pressure roller 72.

  The paper P thermally fixed by the fixing device 7 is conveyed to a paper discharge roller R disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 7, and is discharged from the paper discharge roller R onto a paper discharge tray 22A.

<Sheet supply section>
[When using the first tray 31]
The sheet supply unit 3 includes a first tray 31 that is detachably mounted in a storage space that is sandwiched between the lower portions of the pair of main body frames 21. The sheet supply unit 3 is located above the storage space, that is, above the front end of the paper P in the first tray 31. The pick-up member 3 is arranged, a separation unit 34 that separates the paper P fed by the pick-up member 33 one by one, and conveying rollers 36 and 37 and the like.

  The first tray 31 has a pair of side walls 311 extending in parallel with the pair of main body frames 21 (that is, in parallel with a slide movement direction of the tray described later) and a bottom wall connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls 311. The pressure plate 32 is formed in a box shape having an upper surface having 314 and has a sheet mounted on the upper surface. As will be described later, the first tray 31 is supported by a pair of body frames 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the height direction and parallel to the pair of body frames 21).

  The pickup member 3 includes a rotating member (for example, a roller, a belt) or a suction nozzle that can rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the upper surface of the paper stacked on the pressure plate 32 and can contact the upper surface of the sheet on the outer periphery. Although applicable, in the embodiment, a roller (hereinafter referred to as a pickup roller) is used. In the embodiment, the separation unit 34 includes a roller and a friction pad 35 that are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the paper. However, various known members such as a pair of rollers and a corner claw method can be used.

In the embodiment, the pickup roller 3, the roller of the separation unit 34, one roller 36 </ b> B of the transport roller 36, and the transport roller 37 are bridged and supported between the pair of main body frames 21 above the accommodation space of the first tray 31. Alternatively, it is indirectly supported by the main body frame 21 via a supply frame 38 that bridges between the pair of main body frames 21. The friction pad 35 and the other roller 36 </ b> A of the conveying roller 36 are supported by the first tray 31. Therefore, when the first tray 31 is pulled forward (right side in FIG. 1), the nip between the roller of the separation unit 34 and the separation pad 35 and between the conveyance rollers 36 is opened. Note that the friction pad 35 and the other roller 36 </ b> A of the conveying roller 36 may be supported by the supply frame 38.
The supply frame 38 has a guide path 38A that guides the sheet from the tray to the image forming unit 4 while being curved in a U shape. The supply frame 38 bridges between the pair of main body frames 21 and is fixed to the main body frame, leaving a space with a height for accommodating the first tray 31 below.

  In a state where the first tray 31 is mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the paper P in the first tray 31 is sent out by the rotation of the pickup roller 33 and separated by the separation unit 34 one by one. Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed to the image forming unit 4 by the conveying rollers 36 and 37. The transport roller 37 functions as a so-called registration roller on the upstream side of the image forming unit 4, temporarily stops the movement of the front end of the paper P, corrects the skew of the paper, and performs predetermined correction with respect to the image forming unit 4. Send out at the timing.

[When using the second tray 110]
In the case of the image forming apparatus 100 of the specification using the second tray 110 having a larger capacity than the first tray 31, as shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 3B, the expansion members 200 are respectively provided below the pair of main body frames 21. Connected and fixed. In other words, the pair of expansion members 200 are disposed under the pair of main body frames 21 so as to expand the accommodation space for the first tray 31 formed between the lower portions of the pair of main body frames 21. The second tray 110 is accommodated between the lower portions of the pair of body frames 21 and between the pair of expansion members 200. That is, the second tray 110 is configured to be higher than the first tray 31 in the vertical direction (deep in the internal volume).

  The frame structure is the same as the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described specification in that the pair of left and right main body frames 21 are connected by the frame of the exposure unit 5 and the frame 38 of the supply unit 3. A structure is omitted in which the lower ends of the pair of expansion members 200 are connected by a plurality of tie bars 210. The pair of expansion members 200 are members that extend over the length of the pair of main body frames 21 in the front-rear direction. The pair of expansion members 200 are made of resin like the main body frame 21 and have sufficient strength to support various devices including the image forming unit 4. have. The image forming apparatus of this specification is installed on the desk with the lower ends of the pair of expansion members 200 (preferably the legs may protrude) in contact with each other.

  The image forming unit 4, the sheet supply unit 3 excluding the first tray 31, and their drive mechanisms are common to the image forming apparatus 100 with a large capacity tray and the image forming apparatus 1 with a small capacity tray. Used. The exterior cover 22 is formed in a size that covers the frame structure including the main body frame 21 and the expansion member 200.

  The second tray 110 has a box shape with an open upper surface having a pair of side walls 111 facing the pair of main body frames 21 and the expansion member 200 and a bottom wall 112 connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls 111, A pressure plate 132 is mounted on the upper surface. The second tray 110 includes a friction pad 135 and a transport roller 136A having substantially the same configuration as the friction pad 35 and the transport roller 36A provided on the first tray 31 described above. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIGS. 1 and 2, both the states of the pressure plates 32 and 132 before and after the operation are shown for convenience.

[First pressure plate 32 and second pressure plate 132]
The first pressure plate 32 and the second pressure plate 132 are side walls of the trays 31 and 110 at positions where the rear ends 32A and 132A are separated from the pickup roller 33 toward the upstream side in the feed direction in a state where the trays are mounted on the image forming apparatus. The front ends 32 </ b> B and 132 </ b> B that are rotatably supported around shafts 32 </ b> C and 132 </ b> C that are horizontal on the inner surface are configured to move up and down in a direction toward and away from the pickup roller 33. The shaft 132C that supports the second pressure plate 132 is farther upstream from the pickup roller 33 in the feeding direction than the shaft 32C that supports the first pressure plate 32, and the second pressure plate 132 is closer to the paper P than the first pressure plate 32. It is formed long in the conveyance direction.

  In each tray, the shafts 32C and 132C are located near the bottom wall of each tray, that is, near the lower end of the main body frame 21 in the case of the first tray 31, In this case, it is located between the pair of expansion members 200 below the main body frame 21. Therefore, the second pressure plate 132 extends so as to cross the lower end of the main body frame 21 in a side view when the front end 132B is closest to the pickup roller 33.

  By forming the second pressure plate 132 longer than the first pressure plate 32 in this way, the angle at which the front end 132B of the second pressure plate 132 approaches the pickup roller 33 (the maximum angle of the second pressure plate 132) is the first pressure plate 32. It becomes possible to make it substantially the same as the maximum angle. As a result, the leading edge of the paper P sent out from between the second pressure plate 132 and the pickup roller 33 is separated at a substantially the same angle as the leading edge of the paper P sent out between the first pressure plate 32 and the pickup roller 33, and The paper P can be directed to the guide path 38A formed in the frame 38, and the paper P can be supplied and separated satisfactorily.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first pressure plate 32 corresponds to the length of the first pressure plate 32 (the length from the shaft 32 </ b> C to the position where the front end 32 </ b> B faces the pickup roller 33) L <b> 1. The ratio of the height H1 from the substantially horizontal position along 31A to the pickup roller 33 (L1: H1) and the ratio of the height H2 to the length L2 of the second pressure plate 132 (L2: H2) are substantially the same. It is configured as follows. In other words, the angle θ1 when the first pressure plate 32 is tilted to the maximum with respect to the bottom surface 31A and the angle θ2 when the second pressure plate 132 is tilted to the maximum with respect to the bottom surface 110A are configured to be substantially the same. ing.

  As a result, the angle of the paper P, which has decreased in each tray 31, 110, with respect to the pickup roller 33 can be made substantially the same in each tray 31, 110. The angle of the sheet toward the path 38A can be made substantially the same, and the supply and separation of the sheet P can be performed better.

[First rail portion R1 and second rail R2]
The first tray 31 having a small capacity is supported by a first rail portion R1 formed at the lower part of the pair of main body frames 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The first rail portion R <b> 1 is formed in a groove shape that is recessed outward on the opposing surface of the main body frame 21, and extends over the length of the main body frame 21 in the front-rear direction. The first tray 31 has a protruding wall 312 that is formed to protrude substantially horizontally on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 311, and the protruding wall 312 is inserted into the first rail portion R 1 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction and supported. Has been. Note that the first rail portion R1 only needs to have a wall that supports the lower surface of the protruding wall 312. Therefore, the first rail portion R1 does not need to have a groove shape that sandwiches the protruding wall 312 from above and below.

  The large-capacity second tray 110 is supported by the second rails R2 formed below the pair of expansion members 200 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The second rails R <b> 2 protrude from the lower portions of the pair of expansion members 200 in opposite directions, extend to the lower side of the bottom wall 112 of the second tray 110, and extend over the longitudinal length of the main body frame 21. doing. Similarly to the first tray 31, the second tray 110 is also supported by inserting a protruding wall formed substantially horizontally from the bottom wall into a second rail R2 formed in a groove shape recessed in the expansion member 200. May be.

  The upper end of the second tray 110 is at substantially the same height as the upper end of the first tray 31 with respect to the pickup roller 33. That is, the second tray 110 is formed deeper than the first tray 31 by the height of the expansion member 200, and is larger than the number of sheets P (for example, the maximum number of stacked sheets 250) accommodated in the first tray 31. Of sheets P (for example, a maximum number of sheets 500) can be accommodated.

  The second tray 110 supported by the expansion member 200 extends its side wall to a position higher than the pair of first rail portions R1, but does not interfere with the first rail portion R1. Since the first rail portion R1 is recessed outwardly on the opposing surfaces of the pair of main body frames 21, the side wall of the second tray 110 is avoided from the first rail portion R1, and the main body frame 21 is avoided. In addition, it is possible to approach the facing surface of the expansion member 200, and the distance between the pair of expansion members 200 can be reduced, that is, the entire printer can be reduced in size. In addition, since the lower side of the large capacity tray 110 is supported by the expansion member 200, for example, it is possible to suppress distortion of the large capacity tray 110 as compared to a structure in which the upper side of the large capacity tray is supported by the first rail portion R1. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front end R11 of the first rail portion R1 is formed so as to expand in the vertical direction toward the front side. Thereby, it is easy to insert the protruding wall 312 of the first tray 31 into the first rail portion R1. Similarly, the first tray 31 and the second tray 110 are formed by forming the opposing surfaces of the front end portions of the pair of main body frames 21 and the opposing surfaces of the front end portions of the expansion members 200 so as to expand in the left-right direction, respectively. It becomes easy to insert.

[Pressure plate drive mechanism]
The first tray 31 and the second tray 110 are provided with a first drive mechanism 410 and a second drive mechanism 420 for driving the first pressure plate 32 and the second pressure plate 132 up and down. As the first and second drive mechanisms 410 and 420, a configuration in which the first pressure plate 32 and the second pressure plate 132 are pushed up toward the pickup roller 33 by a spring or the like can be used. In the embodiment, the first and second drive mechanisms 410 and 420 are provided on the main body frame 21. The first pressure plate 32 and the second pressure plate 132 are driven up and down by the drive source 46.

  Specifically, in the first tray 31, a push-up member 412 that is rotatable around a horizontal axis is provided below the pressure plate 32, and a fan-shaped gear 413 is connected coaxially with the rotation axis of the push-up member. Further, an input gear 411 and an intermediate gear 414 for rotating the fan gear are provided. Each gear is supported by one side wall 311 of the first tray 31. The second tray 110 is also provided with a push-up member 422, a sector gear 423, an input gear 421, and an intermediate gear 424 having the same configuration. In each tray 31, 110, each gear is supported by side walls 311, 111 on the same side.

  When the first tray 31 and the second tray 110 are mounted on the image forming apparatus, the input gears 411 and 421 are provided at positions that engage with a common drive gear 415 (FIG. 10) provided on one main body frame 21. Since both trays have different depths (side wall heights), the positions of the intermediate gears 414 and 424 are different from each other. In both trays, the input gears 411 and 421 and the intermediate gears 414 and 424 are preferably common parts, but may be different.

  The drive gear 415 is driven by a drive source 46 such as a motor provided in the main body frame 21. When the input gears 411 and 421 are rotated by the drive gear 415, the fan-shaped gears 413 and 423 are rotated via the intermediate gears 414 and 424, and the push-up members 412 and 422 are rotated about the rotation centers of the fan-shaped gears 413 and 423. The front ends of the push-up members 412 and 422 push up the pressure plates 32 and 132 so that the pressure plates 32 and 132 approach the pickup roller 33. When the uppermost surface of the paper P placed on the pressure plates 32 and 132 reaches a height at which it contacts the pickup roller 33, the sensor detects the height of the uppermost surface of the paper P as is well known, and the drive gear 415 Stop rotating. When the sensor detects that the height of the uppermost surface of the paper P has decreased due to the delivery of the paper P, the drive gear 415 is rotated again to raise the pressure plates 32 and 132.

  In the first tray 31 and the second tray 110, the rising speed of the front end 32B of the first pressure plate 32 by the first drive mechanism 410 (that is, the approach speed to the pickup member) and the second pressure plate by the second drive mechanism 420 are shown. The ascending speed of the front end 132B of 132 is configured to be the same. For example, the setting of the gear train including the input gears 411 and 421, the intermediate gears 414 and 424, and the sector gears 413 and 423 is different between the drive mechanisms 410 and 420.

  Specifically, the length of the pressing member 422 of the second tray 110 is longer than the length of the pressing member 412 of the first tray 31, and the fan-shaped gear 423 of the second drive mechanism 420 includes the first gear 423. The drive mechanism 410 has a larger radius than the sector gear 413. Thereby, since the angular velocity of the second pressure plate 132 becomes slower than the angular velocity of the first pressure plate 32, it is possible to make the rising speeds of the front ends 32B and 132B of the pressure plates 32 and 132 having different lengths the same. .

  In this way, by making the rising speeds of the front ends 32B and 132B of the pressure plates 32 and 132 the same, the pressure when the paper P contacts the pickup roller 33 can be made uniform. For this reason, since it is not necessary to switch the control of each drive mechanism 410, 420 according to the type of tray, a sensor for detecting the type of tray is not necessary, and the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. It has become.

[Tray positioning part]
Positioning projections 313 and 113 projecting outward are provided on the outer surfaces of the trays 31 and 110 extending in the sliding direction of the left and right side walls 311 and 111, and the corresponding opposing surfaces of the main body frame 21 are provided. Is provided with a positioning recess 213. In each of the trays 31 and 110, the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are provided near the front end in the sheet conveyance direction, that is, near the pickup roller 33 when the trays 31 and 110 are mounted on the image forming apparatus. In other words, the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are in the vicinity of the friction pad 35 in a side view, and are located at substantially the same distance from the friction pad 35 and the transport rollers 36A and 136A even if the trays are different.

  The positioning recess 213 is formed on the main body frame 21 with its front end and the opposite direction open, and receives the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 from the opening side of the front end by sliding movement of the tray. The positioning recess 213 is formed in a groove shape having a positioning surface that comes into contact with the protrusion from three directions in a state where the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are fitted. That is, the first positioning surface 213B constitutes the lower surface of the recess 213 and extends in the sliding movement direction, and comes into contact with the protrusion from below in the height direction. The second positioning surface 213A is a surface that constitutes the back end surface of the recess 213 and is positioned substantially orthogonal to the first positioning surface 213B, and abuts the protrusion in the slide movement direction of the tray. The third positioning surface 213C is a vertical surface extending in the slide movement direction of the recess 213, is positioned substantially orthogonal to the first and second positioning surfaces 213B and 213A, and abuts against the tip of the projection. The positioning recess 213 may have a shape with an open upper surface.

Accordingly, when each of the trays 31 and 110 is attached to the image forming apparatus, when the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 enter the positioning recess 213, the trays 31 and 110 are received from below by the first positioning surface 213B. The front end side of 110 is positioned in the vertical direction, the front ends 32B and 132B of the pressure plates 32 and 132 are positioned on the pickup roller 33, the friction pad 35 is positioned on the roller of the separation unit 34, and the rollers 36A and 136A are positioned on the transport roller 36B. Is positioned. In addition, the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are brought into contact with the second positioning surface 213A at the back end, so that each of these portions is positioned in the front-rear direction. Further, the leading ends of the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are in contact with the third positioning surface 213C so that the respective portions are not only positioned in the left-right direction but also the left and right side surfaces of the trays 31 and 110 in the vicinity of the position. And the surface of the pair of main body frames 21 facing each other, the sliding movement is smoothed without rubbing both surfaces during sliding movement.
Further, the input gears 411 and 421 are similarly accurately positioned with respect to the drive gear 415.

  In this way, not only the first tray 31 but also the second tray 110 supported by the expansion member 200 is positioned in common in the positioning recess 213 provided in the main body frame 21, so even if the trays are different, the paper and pickup The relationship among the roller 33, the separation unit 34, and the supply path 38A is maintained to be equivalent, and equivalent paper feeding performance can be achieved.

  The positioning protrusions 313 and 113 may be provided on the main body frame 21, and the positioning recess 213 may be provided on the trays 31 and 110. Further, when the positioning protrusions 313 and 113 are received by the first positioning surface 213B from below, the front portions of the trays 31 and 110 may be lifted from the rail portions R1 and R2.

  Further, the positioning portion 313 and the protruding wall 312 protrude outward in the left-right direction from the input gear 411, the sector gear 413, and the intermediate gear 414. Thus, when the first tray 31 is removed and placed on the floor or the like, even if the first tray 31 is inclined and the left side wall 311 interferes with the floor or the like, the gear 411 or the like is caused by the protruding wall 312 or the like. Is protected. Further, since the protruding wall 312 protrudes outward from the drive gear 411, the force generated by the rotation of the drive gear 411 can be favorably received by the protruding wall 312.

<Summary of Embodiment>
With the above configuration, the main body frame 21, the image forming unit 4 and the like are used in common, and the specification using the small capacity first tray 31 and the specification using the large capacity second tray 110 are used. A sheet supply system that can constitute an image forming apparatus can be provided. That is, when there is a demand for the image forming apparatus 1 including the first tray 31 that is generally used, there is a demand for the image forming apparatus 100 including the first tray 31 combined with the main body frame 21 and the second tray 110. In some cases, the expansion member 200 is connected to the main body frame 21 to combine the second tray 110. Furthermore, the direction of the sheet sent out from any tray by the pickup member becomes substantially the same, and the sheet can be supplied satisfactorily. Further, since the entire first tray 31 and the upper portion of the second tray 110 are located between the pair of main body frames 21, the number of members interposed between each tray and the image forming unit 4 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to accurately supply sheets from each tray to the image forming unit 4.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can utilize with various forms so that it may illustrate below.
In the embodiment, the first rail portion R1 has a groove shape, and the second rail portion R2 has a convex shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the uneven relationship may be reversed as appropriate.

  In the embodiment, two types of trays are used, but three or more types of trays may be used. In that case, the expansion members 200 having different heights are prepared according to the depth of the tray.

  In the above embodiment, the sheet supply system and the sheet supply apparatus are applied to the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is applied to any system such as an image reading apparatus as long as it is a system or apparatus for supplying sheets. be able to. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the electrophotographic system, but may be another image forming system, for example, a thermal system, an ink droplet ejection system, or the like. Further, the image forming apparatus may be a part of a copying machine or a multifunction machine.

2 Frame structure 21 Body frame 31 First tray 33 Pickup roller 34 Separating part 110 Second tray 200 Expansion member 213 Positioning recess 213A Second positioning surface 213B First positioning surface 213C Third positioning surface 313, 113 Positioning protrusion Part P paper

Claims (16)

A first tray having a height capable of stacking and storing a predetermined number of sheets;
A second tray formed higher than the first tray and capable of stacking and storing more than the predetermined number of sheets;
A pair of body frames opposed to each other at an interval, supporting a processing section for processing the sheet between the upper portions and forming a storage space for storing the first tray between the lower portions;
A pair of expansion members coupled and fixed under each of the pair of main body frames to expand the accommodation space to a height capable of accommodating the second tray;
A common pickup member that is disposed between the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space and sends out the sheet in any one of the trays arranged in the accommodation space to the processing unit;
The first tray and the second tray are each slidable in a direction perpendicular to the height direction and parallel to the pair of main body frames, and are accommodated in a state of being mounted in the accommodation space. Disposed at a position where the sheet faces the pickup member,
A first sheet processing apparatus in which the processing unit is stored between upper portions of the pair of main body frames, and the first tray is stored in a storage space between lower portions;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: the processing unit between the upper parts of the pair of main body frames; and a second sheet processing apparatus that accommodates the second tray across the lower part of the main body frame and between the expansion members. system.   The sheet processing apparatus system according to claim 1, further comprising an exterior cover that covers an upper side and a side of the pair of main body frames.   3. The supply frame according to claim 1, further comprising a supply frame that is disposed so as to connect the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space and has a path for guiding the sheet fed by the pickup member to the processing unit. Sheet processing system.   The pickup member is supported between the pair of main body frames, is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the trays, and is rotatable to be in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the outer periphery. The sheet processing apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus system is a member.   At least one of the separating portions that separate the sheets fed by the rotating member one by one with the sheet fed by the rotating member at a position downstream in the feeding direction from the rotating member is provided between the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space. The sheet processing apparatus system according to claim 4. One of the side surfaces of the first tray and the second tray that extend in the sliding movement direction and the surfaces of the pair of body frames facing each other, a positioning projection that protrudes toward the other, and the other, A first positioning surface that contacts the positioning protrusion in the height direction; and a second positioning surface that is positioned substantially orthogonal to the first positioning surface and contacts the positioning protrusion in the slide movement direction. ,
The contact positions of the positioning protrusions and the positioning surfaces are the positions of the side surfaces of the first tray and the second tray when the first tray or the second tray is mounted on the pair of body frames. The sheet processing apparatus system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet processing apparatus system is located near the pickup member in the slide movement direction.   A third positioning surface that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second positioning surfaces and extends in the sliding movement direction and abuts against a tip of the positioning protrusion; In the contact state with the tip of the positioning protrusion, a gap is provided between the side surface of the first tray and the second tray and the surface of the pair of main body frames opposed to the first tray in the vicinity of the contact position. The sheet processing apparatus system according to claim 6.   The first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are each formed by a part of a recess that is open at least one end in the sliding movement direction so as to receive the positioning protrusion by sliding movement of the tray. Item 7. The sheet processing apparatus system according to Item 6.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and includes a process cartridge that is detachably supported between the pair of main body frames. system. A pair of body frames that support a processing section that processes the sheet between them and that are spaced apart from each other;
A pair of expansion members attached under the pair of body frames and expanding the space between the body frames downward;
A predetermined number of sheets disposed below the processing unit, having a height extending between a lower portion of the pair of main body frames and between the pair of expansion members, and slidingly moving in a direction parallel to the pair of main body frames. A tray capable of stacking and accommodating sheets;
Above the tray, a pickup member disposed between the pair of body frames and capable of contacting the upper surface of the sheet in the tray;
A supply frame which is arranged to connect the pair of main body frames above the tray and has a path for guiding the sheet sent out by the pickup member to the processing unit;
The lower part of the pair of main body frames below the supply frame can accommodate another tray capable of stacking a smaller amount of sheets than the tray without the expansion member below the pair of main body frames. And has a rail portion that slidably supports the other tray in a direction parallel to the pair of main body frames, and the other tray is between the pair of main body frames. A sheet processing apparatus in which the pickup member can come into contact with an upper surface of a sheet in another tray when the sheet is accommodated in the other tray.   The pickup member is supported between the pair of main body frames, is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the upper surface of the sheets stacked on the trays, and is rotatable to be in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the outer periphery. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a member.   At least one of the separating portions that separate the sheets fed by the rotating member one by one with the sheet fed by the rotating member at a position downstream in the feeding direction from the rotating member is provided between the pair of main body frames above the accommodation space. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 11. One of the side surface of each tray extending in the sliding direction and the surface of the pair of main body frames facing each other is a positioning projection protruding toward the other, and the other is the positioning projection and the height. A first positioning surface that abuts in the vertical direction and a second positioning surface that is positioned substantially orthogonal to the first positioning surface and abuts the positioning protrusion in the sliding movement direction,
The contact position between the positioning protrusion and the positioning surfaces is a position near the pickup member in the slide movement direction on the side surface in a state where the trays are mounted on the pair of main body frames. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 10.   A third positioning surface that is positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second positioning surfaces and extends in the sliding movement direction and abuts against a tip of the positioning protrusion; The space between the side surface of each tray and the surface of the pair of main body frames facing each other in the vicinity of the contact position in the contact state with the tip of the positioning protrusion. Sheet processing device.   The first positioning surface and the second positioning surface are formed by a part of a recess that is open at least one end in the slide movement direction so as to receive the positioning protrusion by sliding movement of the tray. Item 14. The sheet processing apparatus according to Item 13.   The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processing unit is an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and includes a process cartridge that is detachably supported between the pair of main body frames. .

Images