JP2015009978A - Post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a post-processing device capable of preventing breakage and falling of a sheet loading member.SOLUTION: The post-processing device comprises: a first loading part on which recording materials are loaded; an extension member coupled to one end side of the first loading part, and supporting the recording materials; and a second loading part on which plural recording materials are loaded as a recording material bundle, and disposed so as to move freely in a direction crossing to a discharge direction of the recording material bundle. The extension member is coupled to the first loading part in a manner that the extension member cannot rotate in a direction closing to the second loading part, and can rotate in a direction separating from the second loading part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus.

  A sheet material stacking unit for stacking sheet materials, an auxiliary tray unit attached to the sheet material stacking unit, and a hinge unit that rotatably couples the sheet material stacking unit and the auxiliary tray unit to rotate the auxiliary tray unit. In the sheet stacking tray capable of expanding the total length of the stackable sheet material, the hinge portion is composed of a protrusion portion serving as a rotation shaft and a bearing portion that rotatably supports the protrusion portion. A sheet stacking tray having a portion formed of an elastic body is known (Patent Document 1).

  In a paper tray drive device comprising a vertical drive means for moving the paper tray in the vertical direction, a motor for driving the paper tray in the vertical direction, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor in the vertical direction. Is a worm gear that is rotated by a motor, a worm wheel that can be meshed with the worm gear and movable in the axial direction, a gear coaxial with the worm wheel, and a worm gear and a worm wheel that are energized so that they can mesh with each other. There is also known a paper tray driving device that includes a biasing means and is provided with a concave portion and a convex portion that can be fitted in the rotational direction and can be detached in the axial direction on the worm wheel and the gear (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-167547 JP-A-5-186123

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus that can prevent a paper stacking member from being damaged and dropped off.

In order to solve the above problem, a post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A first loading unit on which recording materials are loaded;
An extension member connected to one end of the first stacking unit and supporting the recording material;
A plurality of recording materials are stacked as a recording material bundle, and a second stacking portion arranged to be movable in a direction intersecting with the discharging direction of the recording material bundle,
The extension member is connected to the first stacking unit so as not to rotate in a direction close to the second stacking unit and to be rotatable in a direction away from the second stacking unit.
It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 2 is the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A support shaft provided in the first stacking unit and rotatably connecting the extension member;
A hole formed on one end side of the extension member and inserted into the support shaft,
The support shaft comprises a first support shaft portion at least partially having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, and a second support shaft portion having a double D-cut cross-sectional shape,
The hole has a first connecting portion having a concave cross-sectional shape inserted into the first support shaft portion, and a snap fit portion inserted into the second support shaft portion.
It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 3 is the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A state in which the cut surface of the double D-cut cross-sectional shape of the second support shaft portion is non-rotatably connected in a direction in which the extension member is close to the second stacking portion with respect to the first stacking portion Is defined in the range of 90 degrees or more with respect to the rotation direction of the extension member,
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the paper stacking member from being damaged and dropped.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming system 1. FIG. (A) is a perspective view of the main body of the post-processing apparatus 200 with the viewpoint on the paper discharge side, and (b) is a perspective view of a state in which the extension tray TR1b is connected to the top tray main body TR1a. It is a perspective view of top tray main body TR1a. (A) is a perspective view of extension tray TR1b, (b) is an enlarged view of connection hole part 241R, 241L. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection method of top tray main body TR1a and extension tray TR1b. FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top tray TR1, and FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the top tray TR1 is rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2. (A) is a perspective view of the post-processing apparatus 200, and (b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the top tray TR1 is rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2. 2 is a perspective view of a post-processing apparatus 300. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top tray TR100 on the sheet stacking surface side. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating rotation of top tray TR100. 10 is a perspective view of a main body of a post-processing apparatus 400 according to a comparative example with a viewpoint on the paper discharge side.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to embodiments and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than the members are omitted as appropriate.
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, and the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction.

“First Embodiment”
(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming System FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system 1 to which the present exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 such as a printer or a copier that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, and a sheet process that performs post-processing on a sheet P on which a toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus 2 The apparatus 3 is provided. Hereinafter, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1.1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 2 The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control device 10, a paper feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, and a fixing device 60. It is configured. On the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 2, the transport apparatus 100 is disposed, and the paper P on which the image is recorded is guided to the post-processing apparatus 200.

  The control device 10 includes an image forming device control unit 11 that controls the operation of the image forming device 2, a controller unit 12 that prepares image data according to a print processing request, an exposure control unit 13 that controls lighting of the exposure device LH, It has a power supply device 14 and the like. The power supply device 14 applies a voltage to a charging roller 32, a developing roller 42, a primary transfer roller 52, a secondary transfer roller 53 and the like, which will be described later, and supplies power to the exposure device LH.

  The controller unit 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission device (for example, a personal computer) into image information for forming a latent image, and outputs a drive signal to the exposure device LH at a preset timing. . The exposure apparatus LH of the present embodiment is configured by an LED head in which LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in a line.

  A paper feeding device 20 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 2. The sheet feeding device 20 includes a sheet stacking plate 21, and a plurality of sheets P as recording media are stacked on the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate 21. The paper P loaded on the paper stacking plate 21 and whose position in the width direction is determined by a regulating plate (not shown) is pulled out one by one from the top by the paper pulling unit 22 (−X direction), and then registered. It is conveyed to the nip portion of the pair 23.

  The photoconductor unit 30 includes a photoconductor drum 31 that is provided in parallel above the paper feeding device 20 (in the Z direction) and serves as an image carrier that is rotationally driven. A charging roller 32, an exposure device LH, a developing device 40, a primary transfer roller 52, and a cleaning blade 34 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31. A cleaning roller 33 for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 32 is disposed opposite to and in contact with the charging roller 32.

The developing device 40 includes a developing housing 41 in which a developer is accommodated. In the developing housing 41, a developing roller 42 disposed to face the photosensitive drum 31, and a pair of augers 44 that stir and convey the developer to the developing roller 42 side obliquely below the back side of the developing roller 42, 45 is arranged. A layer regulating member 46 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer is disposed in proximity to the developing roller 42.
Each of the developing devices 40 is configured in substantially the same manner except for the developer contained in the developing housing 41, and each forms a toner image of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). To do.

  The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roller 32, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the latent image forming light emitted from the exposure device LH. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed as a toner image by the developing roller 42.

  The transfer device 50 includes an intermediate transfer belt 51 to which each color toner image formed on the photoconductive drum 31 of each photoconductor unit 30 is transferred, and each color toner image formed on each photoconductor unit 30 to the intermediate transfer belt. A primary transfer roller 52 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) to 51 is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller 53 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) each color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 51 onto a sheet P as a recording medium.

  Each color toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 of each photosensitive unit 30 is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt by a primary transfer roller 52 to which a predetermined transfer voltage is applied from a power supply device 14 or the like controlled by the image forming apparatus control unit 11. Electrostatic transfer (primary transfer) is sequentially performed on 51, and a superimposed toner image in which toners of respective colors are superimposed is formed.

  The superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 51 is conveyed to a region (secondary transfer portion T) where the secondary transfer roller 53 is disposed as the intermediate transfer belt 51 moves. When the superimposed toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T, the paper P is supplied from the paper feeding device 20 to the secondary transfer unit T in accordance with the timing. Then, a predetermined transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 53 from the power supply device 14 or the like controlled by the image forming apparatus controller 11, and the secondary transfer roller 53 is fed from the registration roller pair 23 to the sheet P guided by the conveyance guide. Multiple toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 51 are collectively transferred.

  Residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34 and collected in the waste developer container. The surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is recharged by the charging roller 32. Residues that cannot be completely removed by the cleaning blade 34 and adhere to the charging roller 32 are captured and accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller 33 that rotates in contact with the charging roller 32.

The fixing device 60 includes a fixing roller 61 and a pressure roller 62, and a nip portion N (fixing region) is formed by a pressure contact region between the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62.
The sheet P on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer device 50 is conveyed to the fixing device 60 via the conveyance guide in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The sheet P transported to the fixing device 60 is fixed with a toner image by a pair of fixing roller 61 and pressure roller 62 by the action of pressure bonding and heating.
The sheet P on which the fixed toner image is formed is guided by the transport guides 65a and 65b, and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 69 to the transport apparatus 100 disposed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 2.

(1.2) Configuration and Operation of Paper Processing Device The paper processing device 3 includes a transport device 100 that transports the paper P output from the image forming device 2 further downstream, and a compile tray 210 that collects and bundles the paper P, for example. And a post-processing device 200 including a needle binding mechanism (binding portion) 220 that binds the edge of the paper P.

  The transport device 100 receives an entrance roller 110 that receives the paper P output via the discharge roller pair 69 of the image forming apparatus 2, and a first transport that transports the paper P received by the entrance roller 110 to the downstream side. It has a roller 120 and a second transport roller 130 that transports the paper P toward the post-processing apparatus 200.

The post-processing device 200 has a first post-processing transport path S1 and a second post-processing transport path S2 on the downstream side of the receiving roller 201 that receives the paper P from the transport device 100, and this first post-processing transport The path S1 and the second post-processing transport path S2 are selected by the post-processing switching gate G.
The first post-processing transport path S1 is connected to the top tray TR1, and the paper P that is not subjected to post-processing is discharged from the first post-processing transport path S1 by the discharge roller 202.

  The post-processing device 200 is provided on the downstream side of the second post-processing conveyance path S <b> 2, and includes a compile tray 210 that collects and stores a plurality of sheets P, and a pair of rollers that discharge the sheets P toward the compile tray 210. And a discharge roller 204.

The post-processing apparatus 200 includes a paddle 207 that rotates to push the paper P toward the end guide 210 b of the compilation tray 210, and a tamper 208 that aligns the ends of the paper P.
Further, the post-processing device 200 has a staple binding mechanism 220 that binds the end of the sheet bundle PB accumulated on the compilation tray 210, and the bound sheet bundle PB is conveyed by an eject roller (sheet bundle conveyance roller) 209. Discharged.

  The post-processing apparatus 200 includes a stacker tray TR2 as a second stacking unit that stacks the sheet bundle PB discharged by the eject roller 209 so that the user can easily take it.

(2) Configuration of Top Tray FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the main body of the post-processing apparatus 200 with a viewpoint on the paper discharge side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a state in which the extension tray TR1b is connected to the top tray main body TR1a. 3 is a perspective view of the top tray body TR1a, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the extension tray TR1b, FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the connecting holes 241R and 241L, and FIG. 5 is a view of the top tray body TR1a and the extension tray TR1b. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection method of these. Hereinafter, the configuration of the top tray TR1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

The top tray TR1 includes a top tray main body TR1a fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing apparatus 200 and an extension tray TR1b connected to the top tray main body TR1a, on which the paper P discharged by the discharge roller 202 is stacked.
Below the top tray TR1, a tray mounting plate 200a on which a stacker tray TR2 to be described later is mounted is disposed, and is moved up and down by an elevating device (not shown) provided in the main body of the post-processing device 200.

(2.1) Top Tray Body As shown in FIG. 3, the top tray body TR1a has a positioning connection portion 233 on one end side and fixing portions 232R and 232L formed on the side walls 231R and 231L on both end sides. These are fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing apparatus 200 with a known fastening member (screw: not shown).

A support shaft 234 as a first support shaft portion to which the extension tray TR1b is connected is integrally formed on the other end side of the top tray main body TR1a. A part of the support shaft 234 has a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, and a double D cut surface 235 as a second support shaft portion is formed on one end side.
A support portion 236 is formed on the upper surface of one end to which the extension tray TR1b is connected so as to support the extension tray TR1b on which the paper P is stacked from below.

(2.2) Extension Tray As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, connection holes 241R and 241L that fit into the support shaft 234 of the top tray body TR1a are integrally formed on one end side of the extension tray TR1b. ing.
Each of the connection hole portions 241R and 241L has a snap fit portion 242 and a rotation support portion 243 as a first connection portion. The snap fit portion 242 is fitted into a double D-cut surface 235 formed in the top tray body TR1a, and the rotation support portion 243 has a concave cross-sectional shape and is fitted into a support shaft 234 formed in the top tray body TR1a. It is.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connection between the top tray body TR1a and the extension tray TR1b is performed by snap-fitting the support shaft 234 of the top tray body TR1a with the extension tray TR1b standing substantially vertically with respect to the top tray body TR1a. 242 and the rotation support portion 243 are fitted together in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
Thereafter, the extension tray TR1b is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 and is supported from below by the support portion 236 of the top tray body TR1a, so that the top tray TR1 as the first stacking portion is obtained.

(3) Operation of post-processing apparatus and action of top tray FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top tray TR1, and FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the top tray TR1 is rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2. 7A is a perspective view of the post-processing apparatus 200, FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state in which the top tray TR1 is rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view on the paper discharge side. It is a perspective view of the post-processing apparatus 400 main body of the Oita comparative example.
Hereinafter, before describing the operation of the post-processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, problems of the post-processing apparatus 400 configured to allow the extension tray TR10b to be pulled out will be described as a comparative example. In the following description, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(3.1) Post-Processing Device of Comparative Example The post-processing device 400 includes a top tray main body TR10a fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing device 400, and an extension tray TR10b connected to the top tray main body TR10a. . The extension tray TR10b is configured to be drawable with respect to the top tray body TR1a (see arrow A in FIG. 11).

  Below the top tray TR10, a stacker tray TR20 for stacking post-processed sheet bundles PB is disposed. The stacker tray TR20 is lifted and lowered by a lifting device (not shown) provided in the main body of the post-processing device 400 (see arrow B in FIG. 11).

In the post-processing apparatus 400 configured as described above, the paper P is discharged and stacked on the top tray TR10.
Further, for example, the sheet bundle PB collected on the compilation tray 210 and bound by the staple binding mechanism 220 is discharged by the eject roller 209 and stacked on the stacker tray TR20. The stacker tray TR20 is configured to move up and down according to the height of the top surface of the stacked sheet bundle PB.

The stacker tray TR20 configured as described above rises so as to be close to the top tray TR10 after the user takes out the discharged sheet bundle PB.
On the other hand, when the stack PB rises with a large number of sheet bundles PB stacked, it may come into contact with the top tray TR10 fixed above it and damage the top tray TR10.

(3.2) Post-processing device of the present embodiment The post-processing device 200 according to the present embodiment has the extension tray TR1b rotatably connected to the top tray main body TR1a fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing device 200, The sheets P discharged by the discharge roller 202 are stacked.
A stacker tray TR2 is disposed below the top tray TR1 so as to be movable up and down, and a sheet bundle PB discharged by the eject roller 209 is stacked thereon.

  The extension tray TR1b is close to the stacker tray TR2 by forming an undercut with respect to the cylindrical shape of the support shaft 234 of the top tray body TR1a after the snap fit portion 242 is fitted into the double D cut surface 235. It is connected so that it cannot rotate in the direction in which it rotates and in the direction away from the stacker tray TR2.

  Therefore, when the extension tray TR1b is connected to the support shaft 234 of the top tray body TR1a, for example, even when the stacker tray TR2 moves and contacts from below, the extension tray TR1b moves away from the moving direction of the stacker tray TR2. By rotating, the top tray TR1 can be prevented from being damaged or dropped off (see FIG. 7B).

“Second Embodiment”
8 is a perspective view of the post-processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top tray TR100 on the sheet stacking surface side, and FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the rotation of the top tray TR100. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the top tray TR100 in the post-processing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those of the post-processing apparatus 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the post-processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment is connected to the top tray main body TR100a in which the top tray TR100 is rotatably arranged on the main body frame FR of the post-processing apparatus 300, and the top tray main body TR100a. And an extension tray TR100b. The extension tray TR100b is configured to be drawable with respect to the top tray body TR100a.

  The top tray main body TR100a has a plurality of protrusions 303 formed on one end side, and the protrusions 303 are inserted into square holes (not shown) provided in the paper discharge wall 310 of the post-processing apparatus 300 main body. It becomes a rotation support part of the tray TR100.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the top tray main body TR100a is integrally formed with legs 301 on the lower surface (the back surface of the paper stacking surface). Further, a rotation receiving portion 302 is erected on the main body of the post-processing apparatus 300.

In the post-processing apparatus 300 configured as described above, when the top tray body TR100a receives contact from below, the top tray body TR100a rotates from below to above within the range of the arrow C in FIG. The rotation stops in a state in which the portion 301 a is in contact with the rotation receiving portion 302.
Therefore, even when the stacker tray TR2 moves and contacts from below, the top tray TR100 can be prevented from being damaged by rotating in a direction away from the moving direction of the stacker tray TR2.

  The range of the arrow C in FIG. 10B can be set within a range in which damage can be prevented when the top tray TR100 is contacted. For example, by setting the range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees, even if the stacker tray TR2 detects that the stacker tray TR2 has stopped moving, the top tray TR100 is damaged even when the stacker tray TR2 moves and contacts the top tray TR100 side. Can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system 2 ... Image forming apparatus 3 ... Paper processing apparatus 10 ... Control apparatus 20 ... Paper feed apparatus 30 ... Photoconductor unit 40 ... Developing apparatus 50 ... Transfer device 60... Fixing device 69... Discharge roller pair (image forming apparatus 2)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Conveyance apparatus 200, 300, 400 ... Post-processing apparatus 210 ... Compile tray 220 ... Needle binding mechanism TR1, TR10, TR100 ... Top tray TR1a, TR10a, TR100a ... Top tray Main body TR1b, TR10b, TR100b ... Extension tray 234 ... Support shaft 235 ... Double D cut surface 236 ... Support part 241R, 241L ... Connecting hole part 242 ... Snap fit part 243 ...・ Rotation support part 301 ... Leg part (top tray body)
301a ... tip (leg)
302 ... Rotation receiving part (main body of post-processing apparatus)
TR2, TR20 ... Stacker tray

Claims (3)

A first loading unit on which recording materials are loaded;
An extension member connected to one end of the first stacking unit and supporting the recording material;
A plurality of recording materials are stacked as a recording material bundle, and a second stacking portion arranged to be movable in a direction intersecting with the discharging direction of the recording material bundle,
The extension member is connected to the first stacking unit so as not to rotate in a direction close to the second stacking unit and to be rotatable in a direction away from the second stacking unit.
A post-processing device. A support shaft provided in the first stacking unit and rotatably connecting the extension member;
A hole formed on one end side of the extension member and inserted into the support shaft,
The support shaft comprises a first support shaft portion at least partially having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, and a second support shaft portion having a double D-cut cross-sectional shape,
The hole has a first connecting portion having a concave cross-sectional shape inserted into the first support shaft portion, and a snap fit portion inserted into the second support shaft portion.
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. A state in which the cut surface of the double D-cut cross-sectional shape of the second support shaft portion is non-rotatably connected in a direction in which the extension member is close to the second stacking portion with respect to the first stacking portion As a reference position, formed in a range of 90 degrees or more with respect to the rotation direction of the extension member,
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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