JP2013144580A - Medium conveyance device, post-processing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the backlash of alignment members.SOLUTION: A medium conveyance device (CU) includes: a placing part (6) that has a placing surface (7a) where a medium (S) is placed; guides (57, 60) that are provided in the placing surface (7a) and extend in a width direction crossing a direction in which the medium (S) is conveyed; the alignment members (81, 82) that have bodies (92, 153) of the alignment members for aligning the position of the medium (S) placed on the placing surface (7a) while contacting with the medium (S), and parts (101, 143) to be guided that are supported by the bodies (92, 153) of the alignment members and are guided movably along the guides (57, 60), and are supported movably along the guides (57, 60); and a biasing member (107) that is disposed between the parts (101, 143) to be guided and the guides (57, 60), and biases the parts (101, 143) to be guided in a direction crossing the width direction and in a direction along the placing surface (7a).

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium conveying apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  Techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below are known as techniques for aligning the positions of media on which images are recorded.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-82402 as Patent Document 1 discloses a pair of tampers (32A, 32B) in the width direction that align and hold a bundle of sheets (11) stacked on a compiler tray (18) from both sides in the sheet width direction. Is described.
In Patent Document 1, each tamper (32A, 32B) is slidably supported along an axis extending in the sheet width direction disposed below the compiler tray (18), so that the tamper (32A, 32B) is supported. Are configured to be close to and away from each other.

In JP-A-8-73105 as Patent Document 2, in a compile tray (C) on which a plurality of sheets are stacked, with respect to a sheet side edge positioning wall (9) fixedly arranged on one end side in the sheet width direction, A configuration is described in which the sheet side edge aligning member (41) arranged on the other end side in the sheet width direction approaches and separates to align the sheet bundle on the compilation tray (C).
Here, the sheet side edge aligning member (41) of Patent Document 2 is supported so as to be movable along a guide groove (13) formed so as to penetrate the compile tray (18) in the vertical direction and extend in the sheet width direction. Has been. In Patent Document 2, an annular collar (52) is attached to two guided pins (51) extending downward from the lower surface of the sheet side edge aligning member (41), and the collar (52) is interposed therebetween. The guided pin (51) is guided to the guide groove (13). The portion penetrating below the guided pin (51) is supported by an inverted L-shaped bracket (53) movable along the sheet width direction, whereby the sheet side edge aligning member (41) is supported. ) Is configured to be movable in the sheet width direction.
In Patent Document 2, the guided pin (51) is supported in a state of penetrating the bracket (53), and an E clip (54) for retaining is provided at the lower end of the guided pin (51). It is supported.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-250211 as Patent Document 3 is a paper alignment jogger that is provided in a reversing path for reversing paper (P) and suppresses the paper (P) from the paper width direction and aligns the position in the paper width direction. (117) is described.
In Patent Document 3, a guide rod (70) extending in the paper width direction is disposed below the reversing path extending in the horizontal direction, and a pair of guide rods (70) are disposed in the axial direction of the guide rod (70). ), The sheet alignment jogger (117) is fixed by a screw (71) to each of the front slider (64) and the rear slider (65) supported so as to be movable along Yes.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-82402 (“0018”, FIG. 3) JP-A-8-73105 ("0037", "0038", FIGS. 10 to 12) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-250211 (“0018”, “0019”, FIG. 4)

  This invention makes it a technical subject to reduce the backlash of the alignment member.

In order to solve the technical problem, a medium conveying device according to claim 1 is provided.
A loading section having a loading surface on which the medium is loaded;
A guide portion provided on the stacking surface and extending in a width direction that is a direction intersecting a direction in which the medium is conveyed;
A main body of an aligning member that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium stacked on the stacking surface; and a guided portion that is supported by the main body of the aligning member and is guided to be movable along the guide portion. An alignment member supported so as to be movable along the guide portion;
An urging member that is disposed between the guided portion and the guiding portion and urges the guided portion in a direction that intersects the width direction and along the stacking surface;
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 2 is the medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A power source for supplying a driving force for moving the alignment member in the width direction;
The aligning member that moves in the width direction when a driving force is transmitted from the power source, the aligning position that contacts the medium loaded on the stacking surface and aligns the position of the medium, and the medium with respect to the aligning position The aligning member supported so as to be movable between a retreat position that retreats in a direction away from the retreat position, and
An alignment member control means for controlling driving of the power source to move the alignment member between the alignment position and the retracted position;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2,
A transmission member disposed in the guide portion so as to face the guided portion and transmitting a driving force of the power source;
The guided portion extending along the guide portion, the guided portion provided with a transmitted portion to which a driving force is transmitted from the transmission member;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medium conveying apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
A holding part that is provided in the guided part and holds the biasing member;
A held portion held by the holding portion; and a bulging portion that extends from the held portion in the medium width direction and bulges toward the guide portion with respect to the guided portion and contacts the guide portion. And the bulging part is arranged in a state of elastic deformation in contact with the guide part, and the guide part and the guided part are urged away from each other by the elastic restoring force of the bulge part. The urging member for urging the guided portion;
It is provided with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the medium conveying apparatus according to the fourth aspect,
The biasing member made of a wire having elasticity;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, a post-processing device according to claim 6 is provided.
The medium conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a medium on which an image is recorded is supplied;
A discharge unit for discharging the medium conveyed by the medium conveying device;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 7 is provided.
An image recording unit for recording an image on a medium;
The medium conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a medium on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit is supplied.
A discharge unit for discharging the medium conveyed by the medium conveying device;
It is provided with.

According to the first, sixth, and seventh aspects of the invention, the backlash of the aligning member is reduced as compared with the case where the guided portion is not biased in the direction intersecting the width direction and along the loading surface. Can do.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the aligning member can be moved by the driving force of the power source.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the guided portion to be urged is not provided with the transmitted portion, the backlash of the transmitted portion can be easily reduced, and the transmission member to the transmitted portion can be reduced. The transmission of the driving force can be easily stabilized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the frictional resistance when the aligning member moves as compared with the case where the bulging portion that contacts the guide portion is not provided.
According to invention of Claim 5, compared with the case where an urging | biasing member is not comprised with the wire, an urging | biasing member can be reduced easily and the guided part provided with a holding | maintenance part can also be easily reduced. .

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing the vertical movement of the discharge clamp roller. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing the vertical movement of the sub paddle. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the rear end portion of the compile tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a main part of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the front tamper according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a main part of the front tamper, and FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the front tamper. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tamper and the tamper motor according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram when the tamper according to the first embodiment of the present invention is viewed from below. 14 is an explanatory view of the spring holding portion and the wire spring according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a main part when the front tamper is viewed from below, and FIG. 14B is a view when viewed in the direction of the arrow XIVB in FIG. 14C is a view as seen in the direction of the arrow XIVC in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVD-XIVD in FIG. 14C. 15A and 15B are explanatory views of the wire spring held by the spring holding portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A is an explanatory view before the guided rod is fitted into the first guide groove, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing after a rod was fitted by the 1st guide groove. 16 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow XVI in FIG. 12, FIG. 16A is an overall view, and FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of a main part. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below, FIG. 17A is an explanatory view of a state in which the tamper motor is supported on the compile tray, and FIG. 17B is a view of the tamper motor being removed from the compile tray. It is explanatory drawing of a state. 18A and 18B are diagrams for explaining the action of the rotational moment acting on the tamper from the pinion gear, FIG. 18A is a conventional explanatory diagram in which the meshing position is not arranged corresponding to the center of gravity position, and FIG. 18B is the meshing position corresponding to the center of gravity position. It is explanatory drawing of Example 1 arrange | positioned. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram in the case where a force separating from the pinion gear acts on the rack teeth.

Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as examples) will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a printer main body U1 as an example of an apparatus main body. Image information transmitted from an information processing apparatus PC as an example of an image information transmitting apparatus electrically connected to the printer U is input to the control unit C. The image information input to the control unit C is converted into yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K image information for forming a latent image at a preset time, and is output to the latent image forming circuit DL. .
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black K is input to the latent image forming circuit DL.
The latent image forming circuit DL has driving circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and a signal corresponding to the input image information is arranged for each color at a preset time. Output to the latent image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of main parts of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
1 and 2, the Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk respectively rotate as an example of an image carrier. The light enters the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk. In Example 1, each of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk is configured by a so-called LED array in which LEDs as an example of light emitting elements are linearly arranged along the width direction of an image.
Around each of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk, along the rotation direction, chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, latent image forming devices LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk, and developing devices Gy, Gm, and Gc , Gk, primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k, and photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk as an example of a cleaning unit are arranged.

1 and 2, the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at the image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the latent image writing light. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photoconductors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k, and a developing roll GRy as an example of a developer holding member of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk. , GRm, GRc, and GRk are developed into a toner image as an example of a visible image.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are preliminarily supplied from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At the set time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

The toner images on the photoconductors PRy to PRk are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer devices T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the photoreceptors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the photoreceptor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the photoreceptors PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.
In Example 1, a toner image as an example of a visible image is formed by the Y-color photoconductor PRy, the charger CRy, the latent image forming device LHy, the developing device Gy, the primary transfer device T1y, and the photoconductor cleaner CLy. A Y-color visible image forming apparatus Uy is configured. Similarly, the photosensitive members PRm, PRc, PRk, chargers CRm, CRc, CRk, latent image forming devices LHm, LHc, LHk, developing devices Gm, Gc, Gk, primary transfer devices T1m, T1c, T1k, and photosensitive members. The M, C, and K color visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, and Uk are configured by the cleaners CLm, CLc, and CLk.

  Above the photoreceptors PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can move up and down and can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt driving roll Rd as an example of a driving member, a tension roll Rt as an example of a stretching member, a walking roll Rw as an example of a meandering prevention member, and an example of a driven member. The idler roll Rf and the backup roll T2a as an example of the secondary transfer counter member, and the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B is rotatably supported by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, and T2a.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed at a position facing the backup roll T2a with the intermediate transfer belt B interposed therebetween. The backup roll T2a and the secondary transfer roll T2b are used in the first embodiment. The secondary transfer device T2 is configured. A secondary transfer region Q4 is formed by the region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are in contact with each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k It is conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4.
The primary transfer units T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B according to the first exemplary embodiment. Further, the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk and the transfer device T1 + T2 + B constitute an image recording unit Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided below the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk, and the guide rail GR is an example of a paper feed container. The paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The recording sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is an example of a conveying member, and is taken out by a pickup roll Rp as an example of a take-out member, and a separation roll Rs as an example of a separating member. Are separated one by one. The recording sheet S is transported by a plurality of transport rolls Ra as an example of a transport member along a paper feed path SH1 which is an example of a medium transport path, and is arranged upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet transport direction. Is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of an adjusted medium conveyance timing adjustment member.
The pickup roll Rp, the separating roll Rs, and the like constitute the paper feeding device Rp + Rs of the first embodiment.
Further, a manual feed tray TR0 as an example of a manual feed unit is installed on the left side of the uppermost sheet feed tray TR1. The recording sheet S supported by the manual feed tray TR0 is fed by a manual feed roll Rp0 as an example of a manual feed member, conveyed through the manual feed path SH0, and sent to the registration roll Rr.

The registration roll Rr uses the recording sheet S as an example of a conveyance path on the downstream side of the sheet feeding path SH1 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. Is conveyed to the main conveyance path SH2, and the recording sheet S is conveyed to the secondary transfer region Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b is supplied with a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage is applied, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt B to the recording sheet S.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is placed on a fixing region Q5 which is a contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressing roll Fp as an example of a pressure fixing member. It is conveyed and fixed by heating when passing through the fixing area Q5. Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roll is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent coating device Fa.
Discharged as an example of a conveyance path that conveys the recording sheet S toward a discharge tray TRh as an example of a discharge medium stacking unit of the printer body U1 above the downstream side of the fixing device F in the sheet conveyance direction. Road SH3 is arranged. Therefore, when the recording sheet S is transported toward the paper discharge tray TRh, the fixed recording sheet S is transported through the paper discharge path SH3, and is sent from the sheet discharge port SH3a as an example of the medium discharge port to the printer. The paper is discharged by a paper discharge roll Rh as an example of a discharge member of the main body U1.

In FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, a lower cover U1a as an example of an upstream opening member is located on the left side of the lower three-stage sheet feeding trays TR2 to TR4, and a normal position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an open position indicated by a broken line in FIG. The lower cover U1a supports a left side guide of the paper feed path SH1 on the left side of the paper feed trays TR2 to TR4, a so-called guide, and the outside of the pair of transport rolls Ra. Accordingly, by moving the lower cover U1a to the open position, the lower part of the sheet feeding path SH1, that is, the upstream sheet feeding path SH1a on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction is opened, and the jammed recording sheet S can be removed. .
Each of the transport paths SH0 to SH3 constitutes a transport path SH of Embodiment 1. The medium transport system SH + Ra to the transport path SH, the sheet feeding device Rp + Rs, the sheet transport roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, the paper discharge roll Rh, and the like. Rh is configured.

(Description of sheet conveying unit U2)
In FIG. 1, the printer U according to the first embodiment includes a sheet transport unit U2 as an example of a medium transport unit that is detachably mounted on the paper discharge tray TRh. The sheet conveying unit U2 is provided with a carry-in port 1 through which the recording sheet S discharged from the paper discharge roll Rh is carried on one side connected to the sheet discharge port SH3a of the printer main body U1. The recording sheet S carried in from the carry-in entrance 1 is conveyed through a communication conveyance path SH5 as an example of a conveyance path by a communication conveyance roll Ra2 as an example of a medium conveyance member arranged inside the sheet conveyance unit U2. The recording sheet S conveyed through the communication conveyance path SH5 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 2 for the post-processing apparatus formed on the other side surface of the sheet conveyance unit U2.

(Description of post-processing device U3)
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing the vertical movement of the discharge clamp roller.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view showing the vertical movement of the sub paddle.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
1, 3, and 4, the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment is removably supported on the side surface of the printer main body U <b> 1, connected to the sheet conveyance unit U <b> 2, and discharged from the sheet discharge port 2. The sheet S includes a post-processing device U3 that performs post-processing such as stapling and alignment as an example of edge binding.

1 and 3 to 5, the post-processing device U <b> 3 according to the first embodiment has a left side wall U <b> 3 a as an example of an image forming apparatus main body side wall surface disposed to face the right side wall U <b> 1 b of the printer main body U <b> 1. A sheet carry-in port 3 as an example of a post-processing device carry-in port connected to the sheet discharge port 2 is formed in the upper part of the left side wall U3a. A pair of front and rear hooks U3a1 projecting leftward and extending downward are formed at the center in the vertical direction of the left side wall U3a. The hook portion U3a1 is fitted in a support hole U1b1 formed in the right side wall U1b of the printer body U1, and is hooked on the printer body U1. Thus, the post-processing device U3 is supported by the printer main body U1, the left side wall U3a of the post-processing device U3 is held along the right side wall U1b of the printer main body U1, and the sheet carry-in port 3 is a sheet transport unit. It is held in a state connected to the sheet discharge port 2 of U2.
Accordingly, when the recording sheet S is discharged from the sheet discharge port 2 of the sheet conveyance unit U2, it is carried into the sheet carry-in port 3 of the post-processing device U3.

(Explanation of compilation discharge roll 4)
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the recording sheet S carried into the sheet carry-in port 3 is moved back by a post-processing carry-in roll Ra3 as an example of a conveying member of the post-processing device U3 provided on the downstream side of the sheet carry-in port 3. The post-processing transport path SH6 in the processing device U3 is transported. The recording sheet S conveyed on the post-processing conveyance path SH6 is used as an example of a first stacking unit by a compile discharge roll 4 as an example of a first discharge member provided at the downstream end of the post-processing conveyance path SH6. To the compile tray 6. The compile discharge roll 4 according to the first embodiment is rotated and stopped by the drive from the roll drive motor MA1 as an example of the drive source. In the first embodiment, as the roll drive motor MA1 that drives the post-processing carry-in roll Ra3 and the compilation discharge roll 4, a stepping that rotates at a preset angle each time a pulse signal as an example of a preset input signal is input. Although the motor is used, it is not limited to this, For example, it is also possible to use conventionally well-known motors, such as DC motor.
A compile discharge sensor SN1 as an example of a medium detection member is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream of the compile discharge roll 4, and the recording sheet S is detected in the post-processing conveyance path SH6.

(Description of compile tray 6)
1 and 3 to 5, the compile tray 6 includes a compile tray main body 7 as an example of a main body of the first stacking unit. In FIG. 1, the main body 7 of the compile tray is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal and the right part is higher than the left part.
3 to 5, an end wall 8 extending upward is supported on the left end of the main body 7 of the compile tray as an example of an end alignment member in the transport direction. Therefore, the left end, which is the end of the recording sheet S discharged from the compile discharge roll 4 and stacked on the main body 7 of the compile tray, is abutted against the end wall 8 so that the left end of the bundle of recording sheets S is aligned.
As an example of a guide wall, a guide wall 9 is formed at the upper end of the end wall 8 so that the distance from the stacking surface 7a of the compile tray 7 increases as the distance from the end wall 8 increases. The guide wall 9 is in a case where the left end of the recording sheet S moving toward the end wall 8, that is, the upstream end in the sheet discharge direction, which is the direction in which the recording sheet S is discharged, is curved, so-called curled. The upstream end of the recording sheet S is guided to the end wall 8.

(Description of main paddle 11)
A main paddle 11 as an example of a first aligning and conveying member is rotatably supported on the upper right side of the guide wall 9. The main paddle 11 is an example of a rotating shaft 11a to which driving is transmitted from a paddle driving motor MA6 as an example of a driving source, and a rotating body that is arranged in plural along the rotating shaft 11a at a predetermined interval. And a cylindrical roll portion 11b. The main paddle 11 according to the first embodiment is driven by a stepping motor, similarly to the compile discharge roller 4.
On the outer peripheral surface of the roll portion 11b, three plate-shaped paddle main bodies 11c having flexibility as an example of the conveying member main body are supported with a preset phase interval. The paddle body 11c according to the first embodiment extends in a tangential direction from the outer peripheral surface of the roll portion 11b toward the upstream side in the direction in which the recording sheet S moves toward the end wall 8, and the outer end of the paddle body 11c. Is formed in such a length that it can contact the loading surface 7a of the main body 7 of the compilation tray.
Therefore, by rotating the main paddle 11, the paddle body 11 c can come into contact with the uppermost surface of the recording sheets S stacked on the compilation tray 6. Accordingly, the stacked recording sheets S are conveyed toward the end wall 8 by the main paddle 11, and the left end of the recording sheets S is abutted against the end wall 8 and aligned.

(Description of tamper 12)
As an example of an end alignment member in the width direction, a tamper that contacts the end in the width direction of the recording sheet S stacked on the compilation tray 6 and aligns the end in the width direction of the recording sheet S is provided on the right side of the compile tray 6. A pair of front and rear 12 is arranged.
The detailed configuration of the tamper 12 will be described later.

(Description of the stapler unit 13)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the rear end portion of the compile tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 to 6, a stapler unit 13 as an example of a binding device is installed at a lower left oblique portion of the compile tray 6. The stapler unit 13 includes, as an example of a binding member, a stapler 13a that binds a bundle of recording sheets S stacked and aligned on the compile tray 6 with staples as an example of a binding needle. The stapler 13a is supported by a carriage 13b configured to be movable along the front-rear direction as an example of a moving member. Here, in FIG. 6, the stapler 13 a of the first embodiment binds the “front end corner binding” that binds the front end corner portion indicated by the one-dot chain line, and the “center side” indicated by the solid line and the center rear portion indicated by the two-dot chain line “side”. “End binding” and “rear corner binding” that binds the rear end corner indicated by a broken line are possible.
Such a stapler unit 13 is conventionally known, for example, various types described in JP 2006-69727 A, JP 2006-69746 A, JP 2006-6949 A, and the like. Since the configuration can be adopted, detailed description is omitted.

(Description of stacker discharge roll 16)
3 to 5, a stacker discharge roll 16 as an example of a second discharge member is disposed on the downstream side of the main body 7 of the compile tray in the sheet discharge direction, that is, on the right side. The stacker discharge roll 16 is supported at a preset interval along the rotary shaft 16a and a rotary shaft 16a to which driving from a stacker discharge motor MA2 capable of forward and reverse rotation as an example of a drive source is transmitted. And a roll body 16b as an example of the rotating portion, and rotate forward and backward as the stacker discharge motor MA2 rotates forward and backward. The stacker discharge roll 16 according to the first embodiment is driven by a stepping motor in the same manner as the compilation discharge roll 4 and the like.
Accordingly, the stacker discharge roll 16 according to the first exemplary embodiment stacks the recording sheets S stacked on the compile tray 6 and subjected to post-processing such as alignment and stapling when rotating forward and backward, as a stacker tray as an example of a second stacking unit. While being discharged to TH1, the recording sheet S discharged to the compilation tray 6 is moved toward the end wall 8 during reverse rotation.
The compile tray 6, the tamper 12, the stacker discharge roll 16, and the like constitute a compile tray unit CU as an example of the medium transport device of the first embodiment. The detailed configuration of the compile tray unit CU will be described later.

(Description of shelf 17)
In FIG. 5, in the vicinity of the stacker discharge roll 16, a shelf 17 as an example of an extension member is disposed between the rotation shaft 16 a of the stacker discharge roll 16 and the lower surface of the main body 7 of the compilation tray.
The shelf 17 has a plate-like shelf body 17a curved in an arc shape as an example of an extension portion body, and an arc-shaped rack gear 17b as an example of a transmitted portion is formed on the lower surface of the shelf body 17a. ing. The rack gear 17b meshes with a shelf drive gear 18 disposed below the rotation shaft 16a of the stacker discharge roll 16. Drive is transmitted to the shelf drive gear 18 from a shelf drive motor MA3 capable of forward and reverse rotation as an example of a drive source, and the recording sheet S indicated by a solid line in FIG. The shelf 17 is moved between an extended position capable of supporting the lower surface of the sheet and a storage position stored in the post-processing apparatus U3 indicated by a broken line in FIG.
The stacker discharge roll 16 and the shelf 17 are conventionally known. For example, JP 2006-69746 A, JP 2006-69749 A, JP 2011-88682 A, and JP 2011-88683 A. Since various well-known configurations described in the above can be employed, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Description of the clamp roll 21)
In FIG. 3, a clamp roll 21 corresponding to the stacker discharge roll 16 is disposed above the compile tray main body 7 as an example of a discharge follower member. The clamp roll 21 is supported at the tip end of a clamp arm 22 as an example of an arm member that is rotatably supported around a rotation shaft 22a. A rising position as an example of a separation position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 that is separated from the discharge roll 16 and a broken line in FIG. It is supported so as to be movable between a lowered position as an example of a contact position indicated by.

(Description of sub-paddle 23)
In FIG. 4, a sub-paddle 23 as an example of a second aligning and conveying member is disposed at a position shifted in the front-rear direction of the clamp roll 21. Note that a plurality of sub-paddles 23 according to the first embodiment are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and have the same configuration as the main paddle 11, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The sub-paddle 23 is supported at the tip of a paddle arm 24 as an example of an arm member that is rotatably supported around a rotation shaft 24 a, and the loading surface 7 a of the compile tray 6 is rotated with the rotation of the paddle arm 24. 4 and the standby position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4 where the sub-paddle 23 is lifted away, and the sub-paddle 23 descends and approaches the stacking surface 7a of the compile tray 6, and the recording sheet S on the compile tray 6 is moved to the end wall 8 side. It is supported so as to be movable between a retracted position indicated by a broken line in FIG.
The raising / lowering mechanism of the clamp roll 21 and the sub paddle 23 and the driving mechanism of the sub paddle 23 are conventionally known. For example, JP 2006-69727 A, JP 2006-69746 A, and JP 2006-69749 A. Various configurations such as those described in Japanese Patent Publications and the like can be adopted, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the first embodiment, the drive source of the sub-paddle 23 is shared with the paddle drive motor MA6 that is the drive source of the main paddle 11, but may be provided independently.

(Description of stacker tray TH1)
1 and 3 to 5, the right side wall U3b of the post-processing device U3 supports a stacker tray TH1 from which the recording sheets S stacked on the compile tray 6 are discharged as an example of the second stacking unit. Has been. The stacker tray TH1 includes a tray guide 26 that extends in the vertical direction along the right side wall U3b of the post-processing device U3, as an example of a lifting guide portion. A slider 27 as an example of a discharge moving unit is supported on the tray guide 26 so as to be movable up and down along the tray guide 26. A stacker tray main body 28 as an example of a second stacking unit main body is fixedly supported on the slider 27.
The stacker tray TH1 is configured to descend according to the height of the uppermost surface of the bundle of recording sheets S stacked on the upper surface of the stacker tray body 28. Such an elevating mechanism is conventionally known. For example, various structures such as elevating mechanisms described in JP-A-7-3000027 and JP-A-2003-089463 can be adopted. The detailed explanation is omitted.

(Detailed description of compile tray unit CU)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.
7 and 8, the compile tray unit CU according to the first embodiment includes the compile tray 6 on which the recording sheets S are stacked as an example of a stacking unit. The compile tray 6 includes a plate-shaped compile tray main body 7 extending in the front-rear direction as an example of the width direction intersecting the direction in which the recording sheet S is conveyed. On the upper part of the main body 7 of the compile tray, a stacking surface 7a on which the recording sheets S are stacked is formed. The loading surface 7a is inclined so that the right part is higher than the left part.
On the stacking surface 7a, a pair of a left long hole 7a1 and a right long hole 7a2 extending in the front-rear direction are formed in parallel with a gap in the sheet conveyance direction, which is the direction in which the recording sheet S is conveyed. .

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a main part of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
In FIG. 10, the lower surface of the main body 7 of the compile tray extends obliquely downward to the right perpendicular to the stacking surface 7a as an example of the direction intersecting the stacking surface 7a from the left and right edges of the left slot 7a1. A pair of left and right plate-like side walls 51 and 52 are supported. A plate-like bottom 53 extending in the front-rear direction is supported between the lower end of the right side wall 51 and the lower end of the left side wall 52. The bottom portion 53 is formed with a through portion 53a that extends along the bottom portion 53 and penetrates the bottom portion 53 in the thickness direction.

In FIG. 9, the right side wall 51 and the bottom 53 are formed with a pinion opening 54 as an example of an arrangement portion of the transmission member, corresponding to a position in front of the center in the front-rear direction. .
In addition, the left side wall 52 has a protruding portion protruding from the left side wall 52 toward the pinion opening 54 as an example of a positioning part of the transmitted part at a position facing the pinion opening 54. 56 is formed.
In FIG. 10, a first example of the first guide portion of the first embodiment is a space surrounded by the side wall portions 51 and 52 and the bottom portion 53 and opened upward through the left elongated hole 7a1. The guide groove 57 is configured. Therefore, the first guide groove 57 of the first embodiment is formed in a groove shape that penetrates the main body 7 of the compilation tray in a direction perpendicular to the stacking surface 7a and extends in the front-rear direction.

  7 to 10, as an example of the second guide unit arranged in parallel to the first guide groove 57 on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction with respect to the first guide groove 57 in the main body 7 of the compile tray. The second guide groove 60 is formed. That is, the main body 7 of the compile tray includes side wall portions 51 and 52, a bottom portion 53, a through portion 53a, a pinion opening 54, side wall portions 61 and 62 corresponding to the protruding portion 56, a bottom portion 63, a through portion 63a, A pinion opening 64 and a projection 66 are formed corresponding to the right slot 7a2. The second guide groove 60 according to the first embodiment is configured by a space surrounded by the side wall portions 61 and 62 and the bottom portion 63 and opened upward through the right long hole 7a2.

In addition, each member 61-66 which comprises the 2nd guide groove 60 and the 2nd guide groove 60 is with respect to each member 51-56 which comprises the 1st guide groove 57 and the 1st guide groove 57, respectively. The first guide groove 57 and the respective members 51 to 56 constituting the first guide groove 57 are configured in the same manner except that they are configured symmetrically with respect to the center in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, detailed description of the second guide groove 60 and the members 61 to 66 constituting the second guide groove 60 is omitted.
The first guide groove 57 and the second guide groove 60 constitute a guide groove 57 + 60 as an example of the guide portion of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 8, a front sensor 71 as an example of a first detection member is arranged at one end in the width direction of the first guide groove 57, that is, at the front end in the first embodiment. The front sensor 71 includes an optical sensor having a light emitting unit 71a that emits light and a light receiving unit 71b that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 71a. The light emitting portion 71a and the light receiving portion 71b are arranged to face each other with a gap in the groove width direction of the first guide groove 57, and a member that blocks light is disposed between the light emitting portion 71a and the light receiving portion 71b. When approached, the entry of a member that blocks light is detected.
A rear sensor 72 as an example of a second detection member is disposed at the other end in the width direction of the first guide groove 57, that is, at the rear end in the first embodiment. The rear sensor 72 includes a light emitting unit 72a and a light receiving unit 72b, and is configured in the same manner as the front sensor 71 except that the rear sensor 72 is disposed symmetrically with the front sensor 71. Therefore, detailed description of the rear sensor 72 is omitted. .

(Detailed description of tamper 12)
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the front tamper according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a main part of the front tamper, and FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the front tamper.
In FIG. 7, a tamper 12 as an example of an alignment member is supported by the compile tray unit CU so as to be movable along guide grooves 57 + 60.
A pair of tampers 12 according to the first embodiment are arranged in the width direction, and a front tamper 81 as an example of one alignment member that aligns the positions of one edge in the width direction of the recording sheets S stacked on the stacking surface 7a. And a rear tamper 82 as an example of the other aligning member that aligns the position of the other edge in the width direction of the recording sheets S stacked on the stacking surface 7a.

(Description of front tamper 81)
7 and 11, the front tamper 81 has a flat stacking plate 83 having an upper surface shape along the stacking surface 7a and movably disposed along the stacking surface 7a. The stacking plate 83 includes a stacking plate main body 83a and an extension portion 83b that is supported in front of the stacking plate main body 83a and has a shorter length in the sheet conveyance direction than the stacking plate main body 83a. Accordingly, the front end portion of the stacking plate 83 has a shape in which portions on both sides in the sheet conveying direction are cut out, and the contact portion accommodating portion 83c is configured by the cutout shape. In FIG. 11B, the extension portion 83b of the stacking plate 83 supports a support wall 84 formed in a standing wall shape with respect to the extension portion 83b.
The support wall 84 extends in the sheet conveying direction and protrudes on the contact portion accommodating portion 83c. A circular guide hole 84a penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed at the center of the support wall 84 in the sheet conveying direction.

(Description of the front contact portion 86)
In FIG. 11, the support wall 84 supports a front contact portion 86 as an example of one contact portion. The front contact portion 86 is configured in a plate shape that is slightly larger than the support wall 84. In FIG. 11A, on the rear surface of the front contact portion 86, a contact surface 86a that can contact one edge in the width direction of the recording sheet S, that is, the front edge of the recording sheet S is formed. Note that both end portions of the contact surface 86a in the sheet conveying direction protrude downward and are configured to be accommodated in the accommodation portion 83c of the contact portion. Therefore, even if the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking plate 83 is too thin and the portion on the extension portion 83b of the contact surface 86a is difficult to contact the recording sheet S, both ends of the contact surface 86a in the sheet conveying direction. The portion contacts the front edge of the recording sheet S.

In FIG. 11B, a cylindrical guided cylinder 87 extending forward corresponding to the guide hole 84 a of the support wall 84 is supported at the center of the front surface of the front contact portion 86. A pair of urethane foam 88 as an example of a buffer member is supported on both sides of the guided cylinder 87 in the sheet conveying direction. The urethane foam 88 of Example 1 is formed in a prismatic shape, and is disposed in a state extending in a direction perpendicular to the stacking plate 83.
As an example of a retaining portion, a snap fit portion 89 protruding forward is supported on the outer side of the urethane foam 88 in the sheet conveying direction. The snap fit portion 89 includes a support portion 89a that extends forward, and a hooking claw 89b that is supported by the front end of the support portion 89a and protrudes inward in the sheet conveying direction and can be hooked on the front surface of the support wall 84.
The upper edge of the front contact portion 86 is formed with a covering portion 91 that protrudes forward and covers the upper edge of the support wall 84 and is guided by the upper edge of the support wall 84. Yes.

7 and 11, when the front contact portion 86 is supported by the support wall 84, the guided cylinder 87 is guided in a state where the urethane foam 88 is sandwiched between the front contact portion 86 and the support wall 84. The hook nail 89b of the snap fit portion 89 is inserted into the hole 84a and hooked on both ends of the support wall 84 in the sheet conveying direction.
Thereby, the urethane foam 88 is elastically deformed by moving the front contact portion 86 forward from the normal position where the urethane foam 88 is elastically restored and the hooking claw 89b contacts the front surface of the support wall 84. In addition, the hooking claw 89b is supported so as to be movable between a spacing position where the hooking claw 89b is spaced forward from the support wall 84.

  Therefore, when the front contact portion 86 contacts the front edge of the recording sheet S when aligning the position of the recording sheet S on the stacking plate 83, the front contact portion 86 pushes the recording sheet S backward, while the recording sheet S The front contact portion 86 is pushed forward by the reaction force from S and moves. That is, when the front contact portion 86 comes into contact with the recording sheet S, the urethane foam 88 is elastically deformed, and an impact at the time of contact between the front contact portion 86 and the recording sheet S is absorbed, and the front edge of the recording sheet S is absorbed. Damage is reduced and noise such as impact sound at the time of contact is reduced.

When the front contact portion 86 moves between the normal position and the separated position, the guided cylinder 87, the support portion 89a of the snap fit portion 89, and the covering portion 91 are guided by the support wall 84. Therefore, the front contact portion 86 is easy to move while maintaining its posture. Therefore, the front contact portion 86 is less likely to rattle and the movement is stable.
The loading plate 83, the support wall 84, the front contact portion 86, the guided cylinder 87, the urethane foam 88, the snap fit portion 89, and the covering portion 91, a front tamper as an example of the main body of one of the alignment members of the first embodiment. A main body 92 is configured.

(Description of guided rod 101)
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tamper and the tamper motor according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram when the tamper according to the first embodiment of the present invention is viewed from below.
12 and 13, a guided rod 101 that is supported on the lower surface of the stacking plate 83 and extends along the first guide groove 57 is disposed on the main body 92 of the front tamper as an example of one guided portion. Has been. The guided rod 101 is guided so as to be movable along the first guide groove 57 in a state of being fitted in the first guide groove 57.
On the right surface of the guided rod 101, rack teeth 102 as an example of a transmitted portion are formed. The rack teeth 102 are arranged corresponding to the position of the center of gravity of the front tamper 81. A pair of front and rear contact portions 103 and 104 projecting to the right of the rack teeth 102 are formed at both front and rear ends of the rack teeth 102. The contact portions 103 and 104 are in contact with the right side wall portion 51 of the first guide groove 57 and guided to the right side wall portion 51.

(Description of the spring holding portion 106 and the wire spring 107)
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the spring holding portion and the wire spring according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the main part when the front tamper is viewed from below, and FIG. 14B is a view when viewed in the direction of arrow XIVB 14C is a view as seen in the direction of the arrow XIVC in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVD-XIVD in FIG. 14C.
13 and 14, the guided rod 101 is formed with a pair of front and rear spring holding portions 106 and 106 corresponding to the contact portions 103 and 104 as an example of a holding portion.
In FIG. 14, the spring holding portion 106 has an accommodating space 106 a formed inside along the guided rod 101. In FIG. 14D, a right wall 106b and a left wall 106c extending in the lower right direction are formed on the left and right sides of the accommodation space 106a. An upper bottom wall 106d formed in a raised bottom shape is supported between the right wall 106b and the left wall 106c. An opening 106d1 extending along the guided rod 101 is formed between the upper bottom wall 106d and the right wall 106b.

In FIG. 14, the lower end of the right wall 106b is supported by a support claw 106e formed so as to face the opening 106d1 and project from the lower end of the right wall 106b toward the left wall 106c.
The space surrounded by the right wall 106b, the left wall 106c, the upper bottom wall 106d, and the support claw 106e constitutes the accommodation space 106a of the first embodiment.
Here, the left wall 106c is formed with a slit 106f extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating in the thickness direction. Therefore, the accommodation space 106a is connected to the outside through the slit 106f.
The housing space 106a and the slit 106f constitute the spring holding portion 106 of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 14, the spring holding portion 106 supports a wire spring 107 made of an elastic wire as an example of an urging member.
The wire spring 107 includes, as an example of a held portion, a pair of annular portions 107a and 107a that are arranged in the front-rear direction and are formed by bending a wire rod into an annular shape. The annular portions 107a and 107a have an annular shape in which a wire is wound a plurality of times, and are configured to be thicker than the width of the slit 106f. The front and rear annular portions 107a and 107a are connected by a main body portion 107b as an example of a bulging portion. Is formed.

15A and 15B are explanatory views of the wire spring held by the spring holding portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A is an explanatory view before the guided rod is fitted into the first guide groove, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing after a rod was fitted by the 1st guide groove.
When the wire spring 107 is attached to the spring holding portion 106, as shown in FIG. 15A, the main body portion 107b bulges out from the accommodating space 106a through the slit 106f, and the annular portions 107a and 107a The wire spring 107 is attached to the spring holding portion 106 while being sandwiched between the upper bottom wall 106d and the support claw portion 106e and accommodated in the accommodation space 106a.

  When the guided rod 101 is fitted in the first guide groove 57, the main body 107b bulging from the guided rod 101 is in contact with the left side wall 52 as shown in FIG. 15B. Be placed. At this time, the bulging body portion 107b is pushed toward the spring holding portion 106 by the left side wall portion 52, and the annular portions 107a and 107a come into contact with the right wall 106b of the spring holding portion 106 to contact the right wall 106b. Are moved away from each other. That is, the main body portion 107b is elastically deformed in the direction in which the curve spreads.

Therefore, the main body 107b of the wire spring 107 is about to be elastically restored, and tends to bulge in a sheet conveyance direction as an example of a direction intersecting the sheet width direction and a direction along the stacking surface 7a. Therefore, the left support wall 52 and the guided rod 101 are urged away from each other by the wire spring 107, and the guided rod 101 is urged toward the right side wall 51. As a result, in FIG. 9, the right contact portions 103 and 104 of the guided rod 101 are held in contact with the right side wall portion 51.
When a force in the sheet conveyance direction acts on the guided rod 101, the main body portion 107a is elastically deformed while the annular portion 107b slides along the right wall 106b, and the force in the sheet conveyance direction is easily absorbed. ing.
In the first embodiment, the reference urging force of the wire spring 107 when the guided rod 101 is fitted in the first guide groove 57 is set so that an urging force of 0.2 [N] works.

(Description of the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 117 + 112 and the coil spring 121)
16 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow XVI in FIG. 12, FIG. 16A is an overall view, and FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of a main part.
In FIG. 13, a pair of front and rear screw fixing portions 111 and 111 as an example of a fixing portion are formed on the lower surface of the guided rod 101 corresponding to the outer positions in the front and rear direction of the screw holding portions 106 and 106. Yes.
10, 13, and 16, the screw fixing portion 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes obliquely downward to the right from the guided rod 101, and has a screw hole 111 a as an example of a fixing hole. In FIG. 10, the screw fixing portion 111 is arranged in a state of entering the through portion 53 a of the bottom portion 53 when the guided rod 101 is fitted in the first guide groove 57.

10, 13, and 16, a shoulder screw 112 as an example of a support member is supported in the screw hole 111 a of the screw fixing portion 111.
In FIG. 10, the shoulder screw 112 includes a head portion 112a, a cylindrical portion 112b extending from the head portion 112a to the upper left and having no threads, and extending from the cylindrical portion 112b to the upper left and the threads. And a screw portion 112c to be screwed into the screw hole 111a.
9 and 10, the shoulder screw 112 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the screw portion 112 c is screwed from the lower side of the main body 7 of the compilation tray with the stacking plate 83 supported on the upper side of the main body 7 of the compilation tray. It is fixed to the fixing part 111. Therefore, the head portion 112a and the cylindrical portion 112b of the shoulder screw 112 are disposed on the opposite sides of the stacking plate 83 with the main body 7 of the compilation tray interposed therebetween. Therefore, when the front tamper 81 moves in the front-rear direction, the shoulder screw 112 moves along the through portion 53a in a state of projecting below the main body 7 of the compile tray.
The screw fixing portion 111 of the guided rod 101 and the shoulder screw 112 constitute a spring support portion 111 + 112 of a guided rod as an example of one of the first side support portions of the first embodiment.

  12 and 13, the main body 92 of the front tamper has, as an example of one second guided portion, a guided portion protruding from the lower surface of the stacking plate 83 corresponding to the second guide groove 60. 116 is formed. The guided portion 116 is formed so that the position in the front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the spring support portion 111 + 112 of the front guided rod. The guided portion 116 is configured to be shorter than the width of the second guide groove 60, that is, the distance between the left and right side wall portions 61 and 62. Therefore, when the guided portion 116 is fitted in the second guide groove 60, the guided portion 116 is fitted in the second guide groove 60 with play. Thereby, the guided portion 116 is guided so as to be movable along the second guide groove 60.

13 and 16, a screw fixing portion 117 configured in the same manner as the screw fixing portion 111 of the guided rod 101 is formed on the lower surface of the guided portion 116. The screw fixing portion 117 is a screw fixing portion of the guided rod 101 except that the screw fixing portion 117 is arranged in a state of entering the penetration portion 63a of the bottom portion 63 when the guided portion 116 is fitted in the second guide groove 60. The same as 111. A shoulder screw 112 similar to the shoulder screw 112 is supported on the screw fixing portion 117.
The screw fixing portion 117 of the guided portion 116 and the shoulder screw 112 constitute a spring supporting portion 117 + 112 of the guided portion as an example of one of the second side supporting portions of the first embodiment.
Three-point spring support portions 111 + 112 to 117 + 112 as an example of one three-point support portion of the first embodiment are constituted by the spring support portions 111 + 112, 111 + 112 of the pair of guided rods and the spring support portions 117 + 112 of the guided portion. Composed.

10 and 16, coil springs 121, 121, 121 as an example of a biasing member that biases the main body 92 of the front tamper toward the loading surface 7a are provided on the spring support portions 111 + 112, 111 + 112, 117 + 112. Are each supported.
The coil spring 121 is attached to the cylindrical portion 112 b of the shoulder screw 112. Further, between the coil spring 121 and the main body 7 of the compile tray, as an example of a frictional force reducing member, a disk-shaped hollow flat washer 122 is mounted in a state where the center is penetrated by the cylindrical portion 122b. . The flat washer 122 is supported so as to be in contact with the lower surface of the main body 7 of the compilation tray and movable in the front-rear direction along the lower surface of the main body 7 of the compilation tray.

  Here, the coil spring 121 is supported by the shoulder screw 112 while being compressed and elastically deformed. Accordingly, the coil spring 121 has an upper left end 121a as an example of one end of the coil spring 121 that indirectly contacts the lower surface of the main body 7 of the compile tray via the flat washer 122, and a lower right end as an example of the other end. 121b is held in contact with the head 112a of the shoulder screw 112, and a predetermined elastic force acts on the coil spring 121.

Therefore, the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 117 + 112 and the main body 7 of the compile tray are biased in a direction away from each other by the elastic force of the coil spring 121. At this time, the shoulder screw 112 is biased to the lower right, and the main body 92 of the front tamper to which the shoulder screw 121 is fixed is biased toward the loading surface 7a. Thus, the bottom surface of the stacking plate 83 is held in contact with the stacking surface 7a.
In the first embodiment, a pair of ribs 83e and 83f, which are examples of raised portions extending in the front-rear direction and projecting to the lower right, are formed at the left and right ends of the lower surface of the stacking plate 83. 83f is held in contact with the loading surface 7a.

(Description of light shielding plate 131)
12, 13, and 16, a plate-shaped light shielding plate 131 that extends in the front-rear direction and extends to the lower right is supported on the front portion of the guided rod 101 as an example of one detected portion. . The light blocking plate 131 is configured to be able to move between the light emitting portion 71a and the light receiving portion 71b of the front sensor 71 by moving in the first guide groove 57.
Therefore, when the front tamper 81 moves forward, the light shielding plate 131 is detected by the front sensor 71, and the home position as an example of the initial position of the front tamper 81 is detected.
The front tamper main body 92, the guided rod 101, the wire spring 107, the screw fixing portions 111 and 117, the guided portion 116, the shoulder screw 112, the coil spring 121, the flat washer 122, the light shielding plate 131, and the like. A front tamper 81 as an example of the aligning member is configured.

(Description of rear tamper 82)
7 and 13, the rear tamper 82 is the same except that the light shielding plate 154 corresponding to the light shielding plate 131 of the front tamper 81 is supported by the rear end of the guided portion 149 and moves in the first guide groove 57. The front tamper 81 is symmetrical with respect to the center in the front-rear direction.
That is, the rear tamper 82 includes the loading plate 83 of the front tamper 81, the front contact portion 86, the guided rod 101, the rack teeth 102, the contact portions 103 and 104, the spring holding portions 106 and 106, the guided portion 116, and the guided rod. Corresponding to the screw fixing portions 111 and 111 of the 101, and the screw fixing portion 117 of the guided portion 116, the stacking plate 141, the rear contact portion 142, the guided rod 143, the rack teeth 144, the contact portions 146 and 147, and the spring holding portion. 148, 148, guided portion 149, screw fixing portions 151, 151 of guided rod 143, screw fixing portion 152 of guided portion 149, and the like.

The rear contact portion 142 as an example of the other contact portion contacts the other edge in the width direction of the recording sheets S stacked on the stacking surface 7a or the stacking plate 141, that is, the rear end edge of the recording sheets S. To do. The guided rod 143 as an example of the other guided portion is guided so as to be movable along the second guide groove 60 while being fitted in the second guide groove 60. Further, the guided portion 149 as an example of the other first-side guided portion is guided along the first guide groove 57 while being fitted in the first guide groove 57.
Thus, the rear tamper main body 153 as an example of the main body of the other alignment member of the first embodiment is configured by the stacking plate 141, the rear contact portion 142, and the like. Further, the screw fixing portion 151 of the guided rod 143 and the shoulder screw 112 constitute a spring support portion 151 + 112 of the guided rod as an example of the other second side support portion of the first embodiment. Further, the screw fixing portion 152 of the guided portion 149 and the shoulder screw 112 constitute a spring support portion 152 + 112 of the guided portion as an example of the other first side support portion of the first embodiment.

(Description of front motor 161)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the compile tray unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below, FIG. 17A is an explanatory view of a state in which the tamper motor is supported on the compile tray, and FIG. 17B is a view of the tamper motor being removed from the compile tray. It is explanatory drawing of a state.
In FIGS. 8, 16, and 17, a front motor 161 as an example of a power source of one aligning member is supported below the main body 7 of the compilation tray. The front motor 161 has a drive shaft 161a. 9 and 17B, the tip of the drive shaft 161a is disposed corresponding to the pinion opening 54 of the first guide groove 57. A pinion gear 162 as an example of a transmission member is supported at the tip of the drive shaft 161a.
9 and 16, the pinion gear 162 is disposed in a state of entering the first guide groove 57 through the pinion opening 54. Therefore, the pinion gear 162 is arranged in a state of projecting to the lower left from the right side wall 51 and meshes with the rack teeth 102 of the guided rod 101.

Here, in FIG. 13, the rack teeth 102 are formed corresponding to the center of gravity position PG1 of the front tamper, and the meshing position P1 as an example of the position where the rack teeth 102 come into contact with the pinion gear 162 is the sheet conveying position. The direction is set corresponding to the center of gravity position PG1 of the front tamper 81. In the first embodiment, the meshing position PG1 is an imaginary line that extends in the front-rear direction and passes through the gravity center position PG1 of the front tamper 81 on a virtual two-dimensional plane parallel to the stacking surface 7a, as shown in FIG. It is set to overlap with L1. Therefore, even if the front tamper 82 moves in the front-rear direction, the meshing position P1 is held overlapping the virtual line L1.
In the first guide groove 57, as shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 56 is disposed corresponding to the pinion opening 54, and the left surface portion of the guided rod 101 corresponding to the meshing position P1. However, the protrusion 56 is loosely packed. Therefore, even if the guided rod 101 is separated from the pinion gear 162, it is restricted by the protrusion 56, and the engagement between the rack teeth 102 and the pinion gear 102 at the engagement position P1 is easily stabilized.

The front motor 161 according to the first embodiment is configured by a so-called stepping motor and configured to be capable of forward / reverse driving. When the front motor 161 is driven forward and the pinion gear 162 rotates forward, the rack teeth 102 receive a force directed backward from the pinion gear 162, and the front tamper 81 moves backward. Further, when the front motor 161 is reversely driven and the pinion gear 162 is reversely rotated, the rack teeth 102 receive a forward force from the pinion gear 162, and the front tamper 81 moves forward.
Accordingly, the front tamper 81 contacts the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking surface 7a and aligns the position of the recording sheet S. The front tamper 81 moves forward with respect to the alignment position and moves from the recording sheet S. It is configured to be movable between a retreat position that retreats in a separating direction.

(Description of rear motor 171)
8, 12, and 17, a rear motor 171 as an example of a power source of the other aligning member is supported behind the front motor 161. The rear motor 171 is configured in the same manner as the front motor 161 except that the driving force is transmitted to the rear tamper 82.
That is, in FIGS. 9, 13, 16, and 17B, a pinion gear 172 corresponding to the pinion gear 161 is supported at the tip of the drive shaft 171a of the rear motor 171. The pinion gear 172 is a guided rod. 143 is engaged with the rack teeth 144 at the meshing position P2, and the meshing position P2 is set so as to overlap the virtual line L2 extending in the front-rear direction and passing through the center of gravity position PG2 of the rear tamper 82. The rear tamper 82 contacts the recording sheet S stacked on the stacking surface 7a and aligns the position of the recording sheet S, and moves rearward with respect to the alignment position and moves away from the recording sheet S. It is configured to be movable between a retreat position that retreats in the direction.

(Description of tamper control means C1)
In FIG. 17A, the control unit C of the printer U1 includes tamper control means C1 as an example of control means for the alignment member. The tamper control means C1 controls the forward / reverse driving of the motors 161 and 171 to move the tampers 81 and 82 between their alignment positions and retracted positions.
In the first embodiment, the home positions of the tampers 81 and 82 are set as the retreat positions. Further, the alignment position is set in advance based on the length of the recording sheet S in the width direction, and the number of rotations of the motors 81 and 82 from the retracted position to the alignment position is used as a reference value for each tamper 81 and 82. It is remembered. Based on these, the tamper control means C1 of the first embodiment is set in advance by moving the tampers 81 and 82 between the retracted position and the aligned position every time the recording sheet S is stacked on the compilation tray 6. So-called alignment is performed by aligning the positions of the front and rear edges of a bundle of recording sheets S.

The tamper control means C1 according to the first embodiment performs so-called offset processing by moving the tampers 81 and 82 in the same direction synchronously and shifting the entire bundle of aligned recording sheets S in the front-rear direction. .
Accordingly, in the first embodiment, before the binding process by the stapler 13a, the bundle of the recording sheets S is offset to a preset position based on the length in the width direction of the recording sheets S and the binding position. “Binding”, “side edge binding”, and “rear edge binding” are performed, or when discharging, the bundle of recording sheets S is offset, and the bundle of recording sheets S is alternately discharged to the stacker tray TH1. Is possible.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when a job as an example of an image forming operation is started, an image is formed on the recording sheet S by the printer body U1, and the recording sheet S is post-processed from the printer body U1. It is conveyed to apparatus U3. The recording sheet S conveyed to the post-processing device U3 is pulled into the compile tray 6 by the paddles 11 and 23 when the input setting for performing post-processing such as stapling and offset discharge is performed. After post-processing such as stapling, the paper is discharged to the stacker tray TH1. Further, when the input setting for performing the post-processing is not set, the recording sheet S conveyed to the post-processing device U3 is discharged into the stacker tray TH1 without being drawn into the compilation tray 6.

When alignment or stapling is performed, the front motor 161 and the rear motor 171 are driven each time one recording sheet S is carried into the compilation tray 6, and the front tamper 81 and the rear tamper 82 move in the front-rear direction. Then, the positions of the recording sheets S in the front-rear direction are aligned. That is, force is applied to the rack teeth 102 and 144 from the pinion gears 162 and 172, and the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 152 are guided along the guide grooves 57 and 60 to move in the front-rear direction. The contact portions 86 and 142 of the tampers 81 and 82 contact the edge of the recording sheet S.
At this time, the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged by the wire spring 107 in a direction intersecting the moving direction, and the contact portions 103, 104, 146 and 147 of the guided rods 101 and 143 are sidewall portions. Guided in a state of contact with 51 and 61. The guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 152 are urged to the lower right by the coil spring 121 and are urged in a direction intersecting the loading surface 7a, and the tamper bodies 92 and 153 are loaded on the loading surface. 7a is guided in contact with 7a.

  In general, when the guided portion is guided by the guiding portion, a certain gap is provided in advance between the guiding portion and the guided portion, and the guided portion is guided by a manufacturing error or an assembly error. It is prevented that it becomes impossible to move due to close contact with the part. That is, in general, in the configuration in which the guided portion is guided by the guide portion, the guided portion is configured to be rattled with respect to the guide portion. Therefore, when the driving force is transmitted from the transmission member or when the recording member S comes into contact with the recording sheet S and receives a force from the recording sheet S, the aligning member may be rattled. There was a case where noise was generated.

18A and 18B are diagrams for explaining the action of the rotational moment acting on the tamper from the pinion gear, FIG. 18A is a conventional explanatory diagram in which the meshing position is not arranged corresponding to the center of gravity position, and FIG. 18B is the meshing position corresponding to the center of gravity position. It is explanatory drawing of Example 1 arrange | positioned.
18A, in the conventional configuration, the meshing positions P01 and P02 of the pinion gears 01 and 02 and the rack teeth 03 and 04 are not arranged corresponding to the gravity center positions PG01 and PG02 of the tampers 05 and 06, With respect to the transport direction, the center of gravity positions PG01 and PG02 are spaced apart. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, virtual lines r01, r02 connecting the gravity center positions PG01, PG02 and the meshing positions P01, P02 are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction which is the moving direction of the tampers 05, 06.

Here, when the motor is driven and the pinion gears 01 and 02 rotate, the rack teeth 03 and 04 apply forces F01 and F02 from the pinion gears 01 and 02 to the front-rear direction along the moving direction at the meshing positions P01 and P02. receive. Accordingly, the forces F01 and F02 act in a direction inclined with respect to the virtual lines r01 and r02, and the tampers 05 and 06 are connected to the virtual lines r01 and r02 via the rack teeth 03 and 04. Component forces F01 'and F02' in a direction perpendicular to r02 and component forces F01 "and F02" in directions along virtual lines r01 and r02 act.
At this time, the component forces F01 ′ and F02 ′ in the vertical direction act in a direction in which the tampers 05 and 06 are rotated with respect to the center of gravity positions PG01 and PG02, and the force F01 is applied to the tampers 05 and 06. , F02 based on rotation efficiency, so-called rotational moment acts.
Therefore, in the conventional configuration, when the forces F01 and F02 are received from the pinion gears 01 and 02, the tampers 05 and 06 move in the front-rear direction and rotate and tilt, and the guided rods 07 and 08 are guided by the guide grooves 09 and 09. There was a case where noise was generated in contact with 10 side walls.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, the meshing positions P1, P2 are arranged corresponding to the gravity center positions PG1, PG2 of the tampers 81, 82, and pass through the gravity center positions PG1, PG2. Thus, they are arranged so as to overlap with the virtual lines L1 and L2 extending in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the rack teeth 102 and 144 receive the front and rear forces F1 and F2 from the pinion gears 162 and 172 at the meshing positions P1 and P2, the forces F1 and F2 are not related to the movement positions of the tampers 81 and 82. , Acting along virtual lines L1 and L2. Therefore, in Example 1, a component force in a direction perpendicular to the virtual lines L1 and L2 is hardly generated based on the forces F1 and F2, and a rotational moment based on the forces F1 and F2 is difficult to act. Therefore, in the first embodiment, compared with the conventional configuration in which the meshing position is not arranged corresponding to the position of the center of gravity of the tamper, it is difficult to rotate, and noise such as rattling or vibration noise or contact noise is generated. It has been reduced.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram in the case where a force separating from the pinion gear acts on the rack teeth.
Further, in the first embodiment, the projections 56 and 66 are arranged corresponding to the meshing positions P1 and P2, and the guided rods 101 and 144 are disposed on the pinion gears 162 and 172 side by the projections 56 and 66. It is stuffed.
Here, the center of gravity positions PG1 and PG2 may be displaced from the meshing positions P1 and P2 due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors. Therefore, the front and rear direction forces F1 and F2 may cause a rotational moment, and the guided rods 101 and 143 may try to be separated from the pinion gears 162 and 172. Further, due to manufacturing errors, assembly errors, tooth profile shapes, and the like, the rack teeth 102 and 144 are subjected to force in a direction inclined from the pinion gears 162 and 172 in the front-rear direction at the meshing positions P1 and P2. There is. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, in addition to the forward and backward forces F1 and F2, forces F3 and F4 in a direction away from the pinion gears 162 and 172 may act on the rack teeth 102 and 144. Thus, the tampers 81 and 82 may try to be separated from the pinion gears 162 and 172.

  At this time, in Example 1, the guided rods 101 and 143 are in contact with the projections 56 and 66 in FIG. 9, and even if the forces F3 and F4 in the separating direction act, the projections 56 and 66 are applied. The supported rods 101 and 143 are prevented from being separated from the pinion gears 162 and 172 by being supported. Therefore, the meshing state between the pinion gears 162 and 172 and the rack teeth 102 and 144 is unlikely to fluctuate, and the transmission failure of the driving force from the pinion gears 162 and 172 to the rack teeth 102 and 144 and wear due to galling are reduced. Yes. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the lifetime of the pinion gears 162 and 172 and the rack teeth 102 and 144 is suppressed, and the generation of noise is reduced.

In the first embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged by the wire spring 107 in the direction intersecting the moving direction, and the contact portions 103, 104, 146 and 147 of the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged. Is guided in the front-rear direction in contact with the side wall portions 51 and 61.
Therefore, the guided rods 101 and 143 are not easily inclined with respect to the guide grooves 57 and 60, and the tampers 81 and 82 are less likely to be rattled and the movement is more stable than when the wire spring 107 is not provided. The generation of noise such as vibration noise and contact noise is reduced.
Further, in the image forming apparatus main body U1, the post-processing apparatus U3, and the like, even if vibration occurs due to movement of the tampers 81 and 82, driving of the drive source, etc., the main body portion 107b of the wire spring 107 is elastically deformed and vibrates. Is easily absorbed, and the tamper 81 and 82 are less likely to be rattled and noise is reduced.

In particular, in the first embodiment, the wire spring 107 made of a wire rod contacts the side wall portions 52 and 62 of the guide grooves 57 and 60 to urge the guided rods 101 and 143.
Here, when the biasing member is not composed of a wire rod, for example, in a configuration in which a wide biasing member such as a leaf spring that extends in the front-rear direction and is supported in a cantilever state is used, the side walls 52 and 62 and The contact area with the urging member tends to increase, and when the tampers 81 and 82 move in the front-rear direction, the frictional resistance may increase.
In contrast, in the first embodiment, the wire spring 107 is supported by the guided rods 101 and 144, and the curved main body 107 b extending in the front-rear direction as the moving direction is formed on the side walls 52 and 62. In contact. Therefore, in Example 1, the contact area with the side walls 52 and 62 tends to be small, and the risk of increasing the frictional resistance is reduced. At this time, in the first embodiment, the curved and rounded main body portion 107b is in contact with the side wall portions 52 and 62, and the frictional resistance at the time of movement is higher than that in the case of contacting without being rounded. Has been reduced.

Further, when a wide biasing member is used instead of the wire spring 107 of the first embodiment, the slit 106f and the accommodation space 106a become large when supported by the guided rods 101 and 143, and the guided rod 101, The strength of 143 decreases. On the other hand, if the strength of the guided rods 101 and 143 is to be ensured, the guided rods 101 and 143 may increase in size and the compile tray unit CU may increase in size.
In addition, when a wide biasing member is supported on the outer surface of the guided rods 101 and 143 without using the slit 106f, the gap between the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guide grooves 57 and 60 is reduced to the outer surface. Depending on the force member, it is necessary to secure to some extent, and the compile tray unit CU is likely to increase in size.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the urging member in the direction intersecting the moving direction is constituted by the wire spring 107, and the guided rods 101 and 143 are spring-held to support the wire spring 107. Portions 106 and 148 are formed.
That is, in the first embodiment, the main body portion 107b is connected to the annular portion 107a, 107a of the wire spring 107 through the slit 106f having a narrow slit width in a state where the annular portion 107a, 107a is accommodated in the accommodating space 106a of the spring holding portion 106, 148. The wire spring 107 is supported by bulging outward from the housing space 106a.
Therefore, in Example 1, the biasing member is supported without making the thickness of the guided rods 101 and 143 too thin, and compared to the case where the wide biasing member is supported, the guided rods 101 and 143 are supported. The strength of the compile tray unit CU is also reduced.

Further, in the wire spring 107 of the first embodiment, the annular portion 107a is supported so as to be movable along the walls 106b of the spring holding portions 106 and 148. When vibration is transmitted to the tampers 81 and 82, the main body portion 107b is While elastically deforming, the annular portion 107a moves along the wall 106b and the vibration is absorbed.
Here, the vibration transmitted to the tampers 81 and 82 may increase due to disturbance or resonance. At this time, if the annular portion 107a is fixed, all vibrations must be absorbed by the main body portion 107b, which may cause metal fatigue or plastic deformation. Therefore, in the configuration in which the annular portion 107a is fixed, the wire spring 107 is likely to deteriorate with time and the life is likely to be shortened.
On the other hand, in Example 1, in addition to elastic deformation of the main body portion 107b, vibration is absorbed even when the annular portion 107a moves, and the burden on the main body portion 107b is easily reduced. Thus, the life of the wire spring 107 is likely to be longer than when the annular portion 107a is fixed.

In the first embodiment, compared to the case where the annular portion 107a is fixedly supported, it is difficult to support the members while aligning the members, and the wire spring 107 can be easily supported.
Further, in the first embodiment, the annular portion 107a is configured to be thicker than the width of the slit 106f, and is prevented from being detached by the slit 106f, thereby reducing the dropout. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the annular ring portion 107a moves along the wall 106b, and the resistance is reduced and it is easy to move as compared with the case where the end portion of the wire rod without the annular portion moves. .

Further, the wire spring 107 according to the first embodiment is disposed in each tamper 81, 82 in correspondence with the contact portions 103, 104, 146, 147 provided on the guided rods 101, 143 as a pair in front and rear. As shown in FIG. 4, the stacking plates 83 and 141 are disposed at positions that overlap with the stacking plates 83 and 141 and at positions that do not overlap with the stacking plates 83 and 141.
Here, when the contact portions 103 to 147 are not provided on the guided rods 101 and 143, when the guided rods 101 and 143 are biased by the wire spring 107, the biasing direction of the guided rods 101 and 143 is determined. The rack teeth 102 and 144 are excessively engaged with the pinion gears 162 and 172, and the engagement is liable to occur.

  Further, even if the contact portions 103 to 147 are provided in a pair of front and rear, if the wire spring 107 is not disposed corresponding to the contact portions 103 to 147, for example, the front and rear center of the long guided rods 101 and 143, In the configuration arranged at a position away from the contact portions 103 to 147, the portions urged by the wire springs 107 of the guided rods 101 and 143 are compared with the front and rear end portions positioned by the contact portions 103 to 147. There is a risk of bending toward the pinion gears 161 and 171. Therefore, in the portion where the wire spring 107 is disposed, the rack teeth 102 and 144 may be engaged with the pinion gears 162 and 172 too much. In particular, when the loading plate and the guided rod are integrally formed, the strength of the guided rods 101 and 143 in the non-overlapping portion is reduced if the wire spring 107 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the loading plate 83. It is easy to bend and the risk of bending further increases, and there is a risk that a meshing failure will occur.

  In contrast, the guided rods 101 and 143 of the first embodiment are provided with a pair of front and rear contact portions 103, 104, 146 and 147, and a pair of front and rear wire springs 107 correspond to the contact portions 103 to 147. Has been placed. Therefore, even if the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged by the wire spring 107, the contact portions 103 to 147 are supported in contact with the side wall portions 51 and 61, and the guided rods 101 and 107 are positioned. The guided rods 101 and 143 are difficult to bend. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the rack teeth 102 and 144 are reduced from being excessively engaged with the pinion gears 162 and 172, and it is difficult to cause wear due to poor transmission or galling, and a reduction in life is suppressed. The generation of rattling and noise has been reduced.

In the first embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 are guided by the guide grooves 57 and 60, and the tampers 81 and 82 move in the front-rear direction. Therefore, compared to a case where only the pair of guided rods 101 and 143 arranged along the tamper moving direction is used for guidance, the guided portions 116 and 117 arranged in the sheet conveying direction intersecting the moving direction are also guided. Therefore, the movement of the tampers 81 and 82 in the front-rear direction is easily stabilized.
In particular, in the tampers 81 and 82 of the first embodiment, in the direction crossing the moving direction, the gravity center positions PG1 and PG2 are set corresponding to the insides of the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149. ing. Therefore, the distances between the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 and the gravity center positions PG1 and PG2 are less likely to be larger than when the distance is not set corresponding to the inside. Therefore, when the guide grooves 57 and 60 are guided, the rotational moment acting on the tampers 81 and 82 via the guided portions 101, 143, 116, and 149 is also difficult to increase. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the rotational moment acts more than necessary as compared with the case where the gravity center positions PG1 and PG2 are not set corresponding to the insides of the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149. Is reduced, and the movement of the tampers 81 and 82 in the front-rear direction is further stabilized.

  In the first embodiment, the guided portion 116 of the front tamper 81 is guided by the guide groove 60 of the guided rod 149 of the rear tamper 82, and the guided portion 149 of the rear tamper 82 is guided by the guided rod of the front tamper 81. The guide groove 57 is guided by 101, and the guide groove is shared. Therefore, compared with a case where grooves for the guided portions 116 and 149 are newly formed, the configuration is simplified and the manufacturing cost is easily reduced.

Further, in the first embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 are provided with spring support portions 111 + 112, 111 + 112, 117 + 112, 151 + 112, 151 + 112, and 152 + 112, and each spring support portion 111 + 112. The coil spring 121 supported by ˜152 + 112 urges the stacking plates 83 and 141 of the tampers 81 and 82 toward the stacking surface 7a.
Here, in a configuration in which the stacking plates 83 and 141 are not biased toward the stacking surface 7a, when the tampers 81 and 82 move in the front-rear direction, the front and rear portions of the stacking plates 83 and 141 are placed on the stacking surface 7a. Rotating in the direction of rising relative to the backlash.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the coil spring 112 urges the stacking plates 83 and 141 toward the stacking surface 7a, and the stacking plates 83 and 141 are easily held in contact with the stacking surface 7a. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the tampers 81 and 82 are held in contact with the loading surface 7a and are less likely to rattle than when the loading plates 83 and 141 are not biased toward the loading surface 7a. Noise and contact noise are reduced.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 152 + 112 are provided at three locations on each of the tampers 81 and 82, and the three-point spring support portions 111 +112 to 116 +112 and 151 +112 to 152 +112 are configured. 82 is energized in three places. Moreover, in the first embodiment, the centroid positions PG1 and PG2 of the tampers 81 and 82 are set inside the virtual triangle having the three-point spring support portions 111 +112 to 116 +112 and 151 +112 to 152 +112 as apexes. In addition, the loading plates 83 and 141 rotate in the direction of rising with respect to the loading surface 7a as compared with the case where they are urged at two points or when the gravity center positions PG1 and PG2 are set outside the virtual triangle. It's difficult and rattling.

  In Example 1, when the loading plates 83 and 141 are held in contact with the loading surface 7a, the left and right ribs 83e, 83f, 141e, and 141f are in contact with the loading surface 7a, and the entire lower surface is in contact. do not do. Therefore, the contact area between the loading plates 83 and 141 and the loading surface 7a of the first embodiment is small, and the frictional resistance hardly increases when the tampers 81 and 82 move in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the first embodiment, compared to the configuration in which the entire lower surfaces of the stacking plates 83 and 141 are in contact with the stacking surface 7a, it is easy to reduce the occurrence of rattling or noise caused by friction during movement.

  Even in the coil springs 121 of the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 152 + 112, when vibration is transmitted to the tampers 81 and 82 from the image forming apparatus main body U1 or the like, the vibration is elastically deformed and absorbed. At this time, the coil spring 121 is elastically deformed along the cylindrical portion 112b of the shoulder screw 112, and may generate noise due to contact with the screw as compared with a case where the coil spring 121 is elastically deformed along the screw portion 112c. Has been reduced.

In the first embodiment, the tampers 81 and 82 are moved in the front-rear direction, and the front contact portion 86 of the front tamper 81 and the rear contact portion 142 of the rear tamper 82 are in contact with the edge of the recording sheet S, so that the compile tray 6 recording sheets S are aligned.
Here, in the tamper 81, 82 of the first embodiment, the urethane foam 88 is disposed between the contact portions 86, 142 and the support wall 84 of each tamper 81, 82, and the contact portions 84, 142 are recorded. When contacting the sheet S, the urethane foam 88 is elastically deformed, and an impact at the time of contact between the contact portions 86 and 142 and the recording sheet S is absorbed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, damage to the front and rear edges of the recording sheet S is reduced with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the urethane foam 88 is not disposed, and noise such as an impact sound at the time of contact is reduced. Reduced.

In addition, instead of the urethane foam 88, a configuration in which a shock is absorbed by using a spiral wire, that is, a so-called spring is also conceivable. However, in the configuration using a spring, the contact portions 84 and 142 are in contact with the recording sheet S. Along with the expansion and contraction of the spring that occurs when contacting or separating, the spring vibrates and comes into contact with surrounding components, and noise is likely to occur.
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the urethane foam 88 is used, and even if vibration occurs, it is easy to be attenuated and absorbed, and it is easy to reduce noise with a simple configuration.

  In the first embodiment, the home positions of the tampers 81 and 82 are detected by the light shielding plates 131 and 153 entering between the light emitting units 71a and 72a of the sensors 71 and 72 and the light receiving units 71b and 71b. . Here, in the configuration in which the backlash is not reduced, it is necessary to set a wider interval between the light emitting units 71a and 72a and the light receiving units 71b and 71b in accordance with the backlash of the light shielding plates 131 and 153. On the other hand, in Example 1, rattling of the tampers 81 and 82 is reduced, and the interval between the light emitting units 71a and 72a and the light receiving units 71b and 72b can be easily set narrow. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the configuration of the sensors 71 and 72 is easily reduced in size, and the light emitting units 71 and 72a and the light receiving units 71b and 72b are close to each other. .

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is made in the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. Is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H020) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer U is illustrated as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the printer U is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copying machine, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus of an arbitrary image forming system such as an ink jet recording system, a thermal head system, or a printing machine such as a lithograph. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a multi-color developing image forming apparatus, and may be configured by a monochromatic, so-called monochrome image forming apparatus.

(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the compile tray unit CU of the post-processing device U3 is illustrated as an example of the medium transport device, and the configuration of the tampers 81 and 82 provided in the compile tray unit CU is illustrated. Not. For example, the medium transport device can be configured with a paper feed tray or a transport path for the recording sheet S. The tamper 81 or 82 is provided on the paper feed tray or the tamper 81 or 82 is provided in the middle of the transport path. A configuration is also possible in which the position of the recording sheet S in the width direction is aligned and conveyed in the middle of the paper feed tray and the conveyance path. In addition, when provided in a paper feed tray, the structure which abbreviate | omits motor 161,171 and moves it manually is also possible.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which guided rods 101 and 143 and guided portions 116 and 149 as examples of guided portions are guided in guide grooves 57 and 60 as an example of guiding portions. It is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the guided portion is guided by the guide portion, such as a configuration in which the loading portion is provided with an axial guide portion extending in the front-rear direction and an annular guided portion is guided along the guide portion. For example, the configurations of the guide unit and the guided unit may be arbitrary configurations.

(H04) In the above-described embodiment, the motor 161 is driven by a so-called rack and pinion in which driving force is transmitted from the pinion gears 162 and 172 as an example of the transmission member to the rack teeth 102 and 142 as an example of the transmitted part. , 171 exemplifies the configuration in which the driving force is transmitted to the tampers 81 and 82, but is not limited thereto. For example, a belt-like transmission member that can move in the front-rear direction, a transmission part that is fixed to the transmission member and receives a force from the transmission member, and moves together with the transmission member, and moves integrally with the transmission part A configuration with the body of the aligning member to be performed is also possible.
(H05) In the above-described embodiment, the tamper 81 and 82 of the front tamper 81 and the rear tamper 82 are illustrated as moving in the front-rear direction, but one tamper is fixed and only the other tamper moves. Configuration is also possible.

(H06) In the above embodiment, the meshing positions P1, P2 of the pinion gears 162, 172 and the rack teeth 102, 144 overlap with the virtual lines L1, L2 that pass through the gravity center positions PG1, PG2 and extend in the front-rear direction. Although it is desirable to arrange | position, it is not limited to this. For example, the engagement positions P1, P2 may be set corresponding to the center of gravity positions PG1, PG2, such as disposing the engagement positions P1, P2 in the vicinity of the imaginary lines L1, L2. A configuration in which the meshing positions P1 and P2 are set at the shifted positions is also possible.
(H07) In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the protrusions 56 and 66 are disposed corresponding to the meshing positions P1 and P2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protrusions 56 and 66 may be arranged so as to be separated from the meshing positions P1 and P2 in the front-rear direction, or the protrusions may be omitted.

(H08) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged by the wire spring 107 in the sheet conveying direction as an example of the direction intersecting the moving direction is preferable, but not limited thereto. For example, a wire spring extending in the front-rear direction is supported by the guided rods 101 and 143 in a cantilever state, or is urged using a wide urging member such as a leaf spring, or any urging member is used. A configuration in which the guided rods 101 and 143 are urged in the sheet conveyance direction is possible.
(H09) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the wire spring 107 is disposed only on the guided rods 101 and 143 is exemplified, but a configuration in which the wire spring 107 is disposed on the guided portions 116 and 149 is also possible. Further, it is preferable that the wire spring 107 is disposed on the guided rods 101 and 143 because the engagement between the pinion gears 162 and 172 and the rack teeth 102 and 144 is easier to stabilize, but only the guided portions 116 and 149 are arranged. A configuration in which the wire springs 107 are arranged on the front is also possible.
The number of the wire springs 107 arranged on the guided rods 101 and 143 is not limited to two for each tamper 81 and 82, and one or three or more configurations are possible.

(H010) In the above embodiment, the contact portions 103 to 147 are provided on the rack teeth 102 and 144 side of the guided rods 101 and 143, and the wire spring 107 attaches the guided rods 101 and 143 to the rack teeth 102 and 144 side. Although the configuration in which the contact portions 103 to 147 are brought into contact with each other by way of example is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement positions of the wire spring 107 and the contact portions 103 to 147 are reversed, and the wire spring 107 urges the guided rods 101 and 142 in the direction away from the pinion gears 162 and 172 to contact the contact portion 103. A configuration in which ˜147 is held in contact with the side walls of the guide grooves 57 and 60 is also possible.
(H011) In the above-described embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 are preferably provided with the contact portions 103 to 147 corresponding to the arrangement positions of the wire springs 107, but they are separated from the wire springs 107. A configuration in which the contact portions 103 to 147 are provided, or a configuration in which the contact portions 103 to 147 are omitted is also possible.

(H012) In the above-described embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 of the tampers 81 and 82 are used in such a manner that the guided portions 149 and 116 of the other tamper 82 and 81 and the guide grooves 57 and 60 are used in common. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and guide grooves are separately provided according to the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149, and the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 are provided. A configuration in which separate guide grooves are moved is also possible.
(H013) In the above embodiment, the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 are guided by the side wall portions 51, 52, 61 and 62 of the guide grooves 57 and 60, and the tampers 81 and 82 are moved in the front-rear direction. Although the structure which moves is illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the cylindrical portion 112b of the shoulder screw 112 supported by the lower ends of the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 is guided by the through portions 53a and 63a of the guide grooves 57 and 60. A configuration in which the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 152 + 112 supported by the plates 83 and 141 are guided by the guide grooves 57 and 60 is also possible.

(H014) In the embodiment, it is desirable that the guided portions 116 and 149 are provided in addition to the guided rods 101 and 143, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the guided portions 116 and 149 are omitted. Is also possible. In this case, as described in the modified example (H014), the spring support portions 116 + 112, 152 + 112 are configured to guide the guide grooves 60, 57, and the holes of the through portions 53a, 63a are widened. Thus, the spring support portions 116 + 112 and 152 + 112 can be configured to be biased without being guided.
(H015) In the above-described embodiment, each tamper 81, 82 is preferably biased at three locations by the coil spring 121, but is not limited thereto, and is biased at one location, two locations, or four locations or more. It is also possible to configure.

(H016) In the above-described embodiment, the supported rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149 are provided with spring support portions 111 + 112 to 152 + 112, and the coil spring 121 is connected to the guided rods 101 and 143 and the guided portions 116 and 149. A configuration in which the main body of the tampers 92 and 153 is biased toward the stacking surface 7a in the vicinity is desirable, but is not limited thereto. That is, a play is provided between the guide portion and the guided portion, and it is desirable that the guide rods 101, 143 and the guided portions 116, 149, which are positions where rattling occurs, be urged in the vicinity. However, a configuration in which the main body 92, 153 of the tamper is biased at an arbitrary position according to the design or configuration is possible.
(H017) In the above embodiment, the coil spring 121 is supported in an elastically compressed state, and the coil spring 121 to be elastically restored urges the tamper bodies 92 and 153 toward the loading surface 7a. It is not limited to. For example, instead of the spring support portions 111 + 112 to 152 + 112, a support portion capable of supporting a tension spring is provided, and the flat washer 122 is pulled from the tamper body 92, 153 side through the through portions 53a, 63a, thereby The main body 92, 153 is not limited to the structure of the first embodiment, such as a structure for urging the main body 92, 153 to the loading surface 7a.

(H018) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the guided rods 101 and 144 are urged by elastic recovery in the direction in which the wire spring 107 pushes the side walls 52 and 62 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a tension spring support portion is provided at a position on the outer side in the front-rear direction with respect to the contact portions 103 to 147 of the guided rods 101, 143, and the side walls 51, 61 of the guide grooves 57, 60 extend in the front-rear direction. As shown in the modified example (H017), the guided rods 101 and 143 can be urged toward the pinion gears 162 and 172 by the tension spring as in the modified example (H017).
(H019) In the above embodiment, the urging member for urging the guided rods 101 and 143 in the sheet conveying direction, ie, the configuration in which the wire spring 107 is supported by the guided rod 107 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Not. For example, it is possible to arrange the urging member on the main body 7 of the compile tray so that the guided rods 101 and 143 move while being in contact with and guided by the urging member.
(H020) In the above embodiment, the coil spring 122 is preferably provided, but a configuration in which this is omitted is also possible.

6 ... Loading section,
7a ... loading surface,
57, 60 ... guide,
81, 82 ... alignment members,
92, 153 ... the body of the alignment member,
101, 143 ... guided part,
102, 144 ... transmitted part,
106, 148 ... holding part,
107 ... biasing member,
107a ... retained portion,
107b ... bulge part,
161,171 ... Power source,
162, 172 ... transmission members,
C1 ... control means for the aligning member,
CU: Medium transport device,
S ... medium
TH1 ... discharge part,
U: Image forming apparatus,
U3 ... post-processing device,
Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B: Image recording unit.

Claims (7)

A loading section having a loading surface on which the medium is loaded;
A guide portion provided on the stacking surface and extending in a width direction that is a direction intersecting a direction in which the medium is conveyed;
A main body of an aligning member that contacts the medium and aligns the position of the medium stacked on the stacking surface; and a guided portion that is supported by the main body of the aligning member and is guided to be movable along the guide portion. An alignment member supported so as to be movable along the guide portion;
An urging member that is disposed between the guided portion and the guiding portion and urges the guided portion in a direction that intersects the width direction and along the stacking surface;
A medium carrying device comprising: A power source for supplying a driving force for moving the alignment member in the width direction;
The aligning member that moves in the width direction when a driving force is transmitted from the power source, the aligning position that contacts the medium loaded on the stacking surface and aligns the position of the medium, and the medium with respect to the aligning position The aligning member supported so as to be movable between a retreat position that retreats in a direction away from the retreat position, and
An alignment member control means for controlling driving of the power source to move the alignment member between the alignment position and the retracted position;
The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A transmission member disposed in the guide portion so as to face the guided portion and transmitting a driving force of the power source;
The guided portion extending along the guide portion, the guided portion provided with a transmitted portion to which a driving force is transmitted from the transmission member;
The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A holding part that is provided in the guided part and holds the biasing member;
A held portion held by the holding portion; and a bulging portion that extends from the held portion in the medium width direction and bulges toward the guide portion with respect to the guided portion and contacts the guide portion. And the bulging part is arranged in a state of elastic deformation in contact with the guide part, and the guide part and the guided part are urged away from each other by the elastic restoring force of the bulge part. The urging member for urging the guided portion;
The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The biasing member made of a wire having elasticity;
The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: The medium conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a medium on which an image is recorded is supplied;
A discharge unit for discharging the medium conveyed by the medium conveying device;
A post-processing device comprising: An image recording unit for recording an image on a medium;
The medium conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a medium on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit is supplied.
A discharge unit for discharging the medium conveyed by the medium conveying device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images