JP2015093747A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image apparatus capable of continuously supplying a plurality of recording media, and increasing a degree of freedom of an installation form.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a first medium port 4 and a second medium port 5 that are formed on different surfaces of an outer package 3 of an apparatus body 2 respectively, and through which recording media 10 of an image formation object can pass; conveying means 22 capable of conveying the recording media while switching a conveying direction between a direction from the first medium port toward the second medium port and an opposite direction along a conveying path formed between the first medium port and the second medium port so as to pass through an image formation position of image formation means; and a recording media supply device 100 that is configured so that a plurality of recording media of the image formation object can be accommodated, and has feeding means 103 for feeding the recording media, and the recording media supply device 100 is disposed so as to supply the recording media to one of the first medium port 4 and the second medium port 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a FAX, a plotter, and a multifunction machine having at least two mechanisms thereof.

  Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, a supply device (paper feeding device) that supplies a recording medium such as a sheet on which an image is formed and a discharge device (paper discharge device) that discharges a recording medium on which an image has been formed are provided. An image forming apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, the sheet is conveyed so that the recording medium supplied from the supply apparatus is conveyed to the image forming position, and the recording medium on which the image is formed at the image forming position is conveyed toward the discharge apparatus. . Further, an image forming apparatus having such a recording medium supply device and a discharge device constitutes a supply device capable of stacking a plurality of sheets, and each recording medium is directed to the image forming position from the supply device. There is something to send out. In this image forming apparatus, a plurality of recording media can be continuously supplied to form an image.

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus including the recording medium supply device and the discharge device has a configuration in which the supply device and the discharge device are fixedly arranged, so that an image is formed in consideration of the supply position and the discharge position. The device needs to be placed in the installation space. For example, when a recording medium discharge device is provided on the lower side of the apparatus main body as in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, a space for disposing the discharge device is secured on the lower side of the apparatus main body. It is necessary to determine the installation form of the image forming apparatus. When the recording medium supply device is provided on the upper side of the apparatus main body, it is necessary to determine the installation form of the image forming apparatus so as to secure a space for arranging the supply device on the upper side of the apparatus main body. As described above, the conventional image forming apparatus has a problem that the degree of freedom is low with respect to the installation form of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to form an image that can continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image-formed and can increase the degree of freedom of the installation form. Is to provide a device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus provided with image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, and formed on different surfaces of the exterior of the apparatus body. A first medium port and a second medium port through which a recording medium to be formed can pass; and the first medium port and the second medium port so as to pass through an image forming position of the image forming unit. A conveyance unit capable of conveying the recording medium by switching the conveyance direction between the direction from the first medium port toward the second medium port and the opposite direction along the conveyance path formed therebetween; A plurality of recording media, and a recording medium supply device having a sending means for sending out the recording media, and recording on either the first medium port or the second medium port The recording medium supply device to supply the medium It is characterized in that it has set.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image formed and to increase the degree of freedom of the installation form.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the apparatus main body seen from the arrow X direction in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a single sheet manual printing operation. FIG. 3 is an explanatory side view illustrating an example of a drive system in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Front explanatory drawing which looked at the apparatus main body of FIG. 5 from the arrow Y direction. (A) And (b) is the front view and side view of an upper conveyance roller (side conveyance roller), respectively. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a more detailed configuration example of a paper discharge mechanism that can be applied to a paper discharge stacking device in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing of the more detailed structural example of a paper feeding mechanism part, respectively. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation space S when the image forming apparatus of FIG. 8 is viewed from the side. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of a paper curved guide member, respectively. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of a paper bending guide member. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the further another structural example of the vertical paper-feeding stacking apparatus, respectively.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the apparatus main body as viewed from the direction of the arrow X in FIG. In FIG. 2, the front side of the exterior (housing member) of the apparatus main body is shown in a transparent state.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, an image forming mechanism 11 that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium is disposed in the apparatus main body 2. An upper paper port 4 as a first medium port through which paper can enter and exit is provided on the upper surface of the exterior (housing member) 3 of the apparatus main body 2. Further, one side surface (hereinafter also referred to as “front side surface”) of the exterior (housing member) 3 of the apparatus main body 2 has a side paper port serving as a second medium port through which paper can enter and exit. 5 is provided. The upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 can be used as both a paper supply port for supplying paper and a paper discharge port for discharging paper.

  As described above, the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 are provided on the upper surface and the front side surface of the apparatus main body 2, respectively, and the paper ports (paper feed port and paper discharge port) are not provided on the other surfaces. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed and image formation can be performed so that surfaces other than the upper surface and front side surface of the apparatus main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 are in contact with or close to the wall, for example, and space for installation is reduced. Can be achieved.

  The image forming mechanism unit 11 in the apparatus main body 2 includes an image forming unit 21 as an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet. In addition, the image forming mechanism unit 11 passes the paper along a transport path (transport path) 50 formed between the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 so as to pass the image forming position of the image forming unit 21. Is provided with a transport mechanism 22 as a transport means capable of transporting The transport mechanism unit 22 is provided so as to face the image forming unit 21, and a first transport direction A from the upper paper port 4 to the side paper port 5 via the image forming position and a second direction opposite to the first transport direction A. The paper can be transported by switching the transport direction to the transport direction B.

  The image forming unit 21 includes a carriage 33 supported by a stay 31 so as to be movable in a main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). For example, a droplet discharge head for discharging droplets of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (hereinafter also referred to as “ink droplets”) is applied to the carriage 33. The recording head 34 is mounted. Here, the recording head 34 is mounted on the carriage 33 at a required angle (about 45 degrees in the illustrated example) in a state where droplets of each color are ejected obliquely downward. The image forming unit 21 may include a recording head other than the droplet discharge head as long as it can form an image on a sheet.

  The transport mechanism unit 22 includes a platen member 41 that faces the recording head 34 and guides the transport of paper. Further, the transport mechanism unit 22 includes an upper transport roller 43 and a spur 44 constituting the first transport rotary body pair 42 on the upper paper port 4 side, and a second transport rotary body pair 45 on the side paper port 5 side. The side conveyance roller 46 and the spur 47 which comprise are provided. The first transport rotator pair 42 is disposed upstream of the recording head 34 in the first transport direction A, and the second transport rotator pair 45 is upstream of the recording head 34 in the second transport direction B. Is arranged. Further, a guide member 51 for guiding the paper is disposed between the upper paper port 4 and the first transport rotary body pair 42, and between the side paper port 5 and the second transport rotary body pair 45. A guide member 52 for guiding the paper is arranged. At this time, the sheet conveyance path 50 is a path indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing.

  The recording head 34 has a nozzle surface 34a on which droplet discharge holes (nozzles) are formed. In the direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface 34 a (droplet ejection direction), the upper transport roller 43 of the first transport rotor pair 42 has a circumferential surface closer to the nozzle surface 34 a of the recording head 34 than the surface of the platen member 41. Is located. The spur 44 is pressed against the surface of the platen member 41 when the sheet fed from the upper sheet port 4 is conveyed in the first conveyance direction A against the peripheral surface of the upper conveyance roller 43. It is arranged at a position to be a direction.

  Similarly, in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface 34 a of the recording head 34 (droplet ejection direction), the side conveyance roller 46 of the second conveyance rotation body pair 45 has a circumferential surface that is more than the surface of the platen member 41. 34 is located on the nozzle surface 34a side. When the spur 47 transports the paper fed from the side paper port 5 in the second transport direction B with respect to the peripheral surface of the side transport roller 46, the paper 10 is placed on the surface of the platen member 41. It is arranged at a position to make it a direction to be pressed against.

  In the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the sheet is fed from the upper sheet opening 4 and is conveyed in the first conveyance direction A while the conveyance mechanism unit 22 follows the platen member 41. Then, droplets are ejected from the recording head 34 of the image forming unit 21 to form an image on a sheet, and the image-formed sheet can be sent out from the side sheet opening 5.

  Further, the paper is fed from the side paper port 5, the paper is transported in the second transport direction B while following the platen member 41 by the transport mechanism unit 22, and droplets are ejected from the recording head 34 of the image forming unit 21. It is also possible to form an image by discharging and to feed the paper from the upper paper port 4.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 can be interchanged with each other for the paper feed port and the paper discharge port.
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer shape of the apparatus main body 2 is rectangular (rectangular), so that a surface other than the upper surface and the front side surface (one side surface) provided with the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 is provided. It can be installed in close contact with walls. For example, it is installed in a space where a book is placed on a corner such as on a desk, or the back side (the side opposite to the front side having the side paper opening 5) is attached to the wall surface. be able to.
In addition, the image forming mechanism 11 simplifies the mechanism by reducing the number of rollers to be conveyed and holding the flatness of the sheet at the image forming position facing the recording head 34 by the platen member 41. .

  In the present embodiment, the inclination of the recording head 34 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the droplet discharge direction may be arranged in accordance with an arbitrary direction such as a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. However, the sheet conveyance load from the upper sheet opening 4 and the sheet conveyance load from the side sheet opening 5 are formed to be approximately the same, and the difference in recording quality on the sheet conveyed from both the A and B directions is reduced. For this purpose, it is preferable that the recording head 34 is disposed obliquely as shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, it is preferable to tilt the recording head 34 so that the droplet discharge direction with respect to the vertical direction is in the range of 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.

  In addition, the recording head 34 is tilted so that the angle of the droplet discharge direction with respect to the vertical direction approaches 45 degrees. With the arrangement of the recording head 34, the bending angle of the sheet from the upper sheet opening 4 to the image forming position facing the platen member 41 and the bending angle of the sheet from the side sheet opening 5 to the image forming position are reduced. be able to. Therefore, the paper transport load can be reduced, and even with a nip configuration combining a spur and a roller with relatively small transport force, highly accurate transport can be realized, and the number of rollers for transporting can be reduced. Can be done. Specifically, the recording head 34 is preferably tilted so that the droplet discharge direction with respect to the vertical direction is in the range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

  In addition, in order to maintain the flatness of the sheet at a position facing the recording head 34 regardless of whether the sheet is fed from either the upper sheet port 4 or the side sheet port 5, the first and second transport rotating body pairs 42 and 45 are arranged so as to press the paper 10 against the surface of the platen member 41. As a result, even when image formation is performed in a state where the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge of the sheet are on the platen member 41, sheet floating can be suppressed and an image can be formed with high quality.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another configuration example of the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the front side of the exterior of the apparatus main body is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In the configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 3, a sheet sensor 71 as a sheet detection unit that detects a sheet in the vicinity of the upper sheet port 4 and a sheet detection unit as a sheet detection unit that detects a sheet in the vicinity of the side sheet port 5. And a paper sensor 72. The paper sensors 71 and 72 can be constituted by photo sensors, for example, but are not limited thereto.

  The selection of the paper transport directions A and B is set in the image forming apparatus 1 by user input, for example, but user input is confirmed in the detection signals of the paper sensors 71 and 72. That is, if the paper sensor 72 detects a paper set first even though the user input information is conveyance in the A direction, an error message is displayed and no conveyance is performed. The same applies when the paper sensor 71 detects a paper set first, although the user input information is conveyance in the B direction.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 3, the detection signals of the paper sensors 71 and 72 may be used for determining the paper transport direction instead of being used for checking the paper transport direction.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a single-sheet manual printing operation in the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.
First, when a user gives a print instruction, a control unit (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 2 displays a print OK sign on an operation unit (not shown). Therefore, the user sets one sheet from the upper sheet opening 4 or the side sheet opening 5 and presses the print OK button on the operation unit of the apparatus main body 2. At this time, the fence (not shown) is adjusted again to adjust the position in the width direction of the paper.

  Here, the control unit of the apparatus main body 2 checks the paper sensors 71 and 72 to determine whether the paper is set in the upper paper port 4 or the side paper port 5, and the paper transport direction ( The driving direction of the transport mechanism unit 22) is determined.

  Then, while the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism unit 22 in the determined conveyance direction, the recording head 34 is driven to execute a printing process for forming an image on the sheet. At this time, the sheet is intermittently conveyed, and the image is formed by repeating the movement of the carriage 33 in the main scanning direction and discharging the droplets from the recording head 34. By the conveyance of the sheet accompanying this image formation, the sheet is discharged from the side sheet opening 5 or the upper sheet opening 4 depending on the conveyance direction.

  In this way, when printing on paper manually, the user can set the paper outlet and the paper outlet on the apparatus main body 2 side regardless of whether the user sets paper in the upper paper outlet 4 or the side paper outlet 5. The paper mouth can be selectively changed and printed.

  In addition, jam detection can be performed by providing the paper sensors 71 and 72. Further, by measuring the distance of the sheet passing through the two sheet sensors 71 and 72, the slip of the sheet (magnification error) can be corrected. Further, when a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding a plurality of sheets is added as will be described later, the trailing edge of the sheet is detected, and the next sheet is fed based on the information, thereby performing continuous feeding. be able to.

  In the above-described flow of the printing operation, it is possible to omit the process of confirming the press of the print OK button or to omit the print OK button itself. In this case, it is detected by the paper sensor 71 or 72 that the paper has been inserted by the user, and the transport mechanism unit 22 is rotated in a predetermined transport direction, or the transport mechanism is ready when printing is ready. The part 22 may be rotated. Further, a manual pull-in mechanism (such as a pull-in roller) can be added to improve sheet setting.

Next, a drive system in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory side view showing an example of a drive system in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 6 is an explanatory front view of the apparatus main body of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of the arrow Y. 7A and 7B are a front view and a side view, respectively, of the upper transport roller 43 and the side transport roller 46 provided in the transport mechanism portion of the apparatus main body. In FIG. 5, the front side of the exterior of the apparatus main body is shown in a transparent state.

  In the present embodiment, the upper conveyance roller 43 and the side conveyance roller 46 of the conveyance mechanism unit 22 are rotatably held by the left and right side plates 80A and 80B, respectively.

  The transport mechanism unit 22 includes a motor 81 and a motor gear 82 rotated by the motor 81. Further, the transport mechanism unit 22 includes an upper transport roller gear 83 attached to the shaft portion 43a of the upper transport roller 43 and a side transport roller gear 84 attached to the shaft portion 46a of the side transport roller 46, which mesh with the motor gear 82, respectively. Yes. The transport mechanism 22 includes an upper connection gear 85 that meshes with the upper transport roller gear 83 and a side connection gear 86 that meshes with the side transport roller gear 84. These connection gears 85 and 86 are for transmitting a conveyance driving force to the expansion unit when an expansion unit as will be described later is connected to the upper port 4 and the side paper port 5.

  In the drive system configured as described above, by rotating the motor 81, the upper transport roller 43 and the side transport roller 46 rotate in the same direction. In this embodiment, the upper conveyance roller 43 and the side conveyance roller 46 are rotationally driven by a single reduction motor gear 82 fixed on the motor shaft with the conveyance motor 81 as the center. Therefore, when the paper is transported in any of the first and second transport directions A and B, the rigidity of the gear and the delay element (such as backlash) are substantially the same. Thereby, the precision feedback control of each conveyance roller can be made common. In addition, rigidity and delay elements (such as backlash) can be improved because they do not involve many gears.

  Further, in the apparatus main body 2 of the present embodiment, in order to connect the expansion unit to the side paper port 5 side, the left and right side plates 80A and 80B are connected to the positioning portion 91A and the fastening portion 92A, and the positioning portion 91B and the fastening portion 92B. Are provided. These positioning portion 91A and fastening portion 92A, positioning portion 91B and fastening portion 92B serve as means for connecting the conveyance path 50 to the outside of the apparatus main body.

  Here, the positioning portions 91A and 91B and the fastening portions 92A and 92B are all hole-shaped, and positioning and connection can be achieved by configuring a positioning convex shape or a fastening claw (snap fit) shape on the expansion unit side. I am doing so.

  The positioning portions 91A and 91B and the fastening portions 92A and 92B on the apparatus main body 2 side may have a convex shape or a fastening claw (snap fit) shape, and the expansion unit side may have a hole shape, which is not particularly limited. Absent.

  Furthermore, by providing the same configuration on the upper paper port 4 side, it is possible to connect the expansion unit to the upper side.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. Further, in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to FIG. 2, and the description will be omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 8 indicates the sheet conveyance path 50.

  In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a unit-type sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 as a recording medium supply apparatus (recording medium accommodation apparatus) capable of stacking sheets 10 as a plurality of recording media to be image formed. Yes. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a unit-shaped discharge stacking device 200 as a recording medium discharge device (recording medium storage device) capable of stacking a plurality of sheets 10 of recording media on which images have been formed. In this configuration example, the upper paper port 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a discharge port through which the image-formed paper 10 is discharged. Further, the side paper port 5 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a paper supply port to which the image forming target paper 10 is supplied.

  The paper feed stacking device 100 is connected to the side paper port 5 that is the second medium port of the apparatus main body 2 and has a paper feed mechanism that feeds and supplies the paper 10 one by one from a plurality of paper bundles. Yes. In the paper stacking apparatus 100, the paper 10 is smoothly fed toward the side paper opening 5 at the connecting portion with the side paper opening 5 so that the paper supply position and the side paper opening 5 functioning as the paper supply opening coincide. Are connected using a positioning member such as a positioning boss.

  A stacking plate 101 is arranged inside the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 so that a plurality of sheets 10 can be stacked. With a spring 102 as an urging means for urging the stacking plate 101, a plurality of sheets 10 on the stacking plate 101 are given a predetermined pressure (feeding pressure) between the sheet feeding rollers 103 as an opposing feeding means. Will be added.

  Note that the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 may have any shape that can stack a plurality of sheets 10, and may be in a cassette shape or a tray shape, for example. Further, the rotational driving force for rotationally driving the paper feed roller 103 may be transmitted to the paper feed roller 103 via a gear train or the like from a driving device such as a motor in the apparatus main body 2. In addition, a drive device that rotationally drives the paper feed roller 103 may be provided in the paper feed stacking device 100.

  In the paper feed stacking apparatus 100, the paper feed roller 103 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. By the rotation of the paper feed roller 103, only one sheet on the uppermost surface of the plurality of papers 10 on the stacking plate 101 is picked up toward the side paper port (paper feed port) 5 of the apparatus main body 2. Can be transported. One sheet 10 conveyed toward the side sheet opening (sheet feeding opening) 5 is conveyed to the nip portion of the second conveyance rotating body pair 45 where the side conveyance roller 46 and the spur 47 face each other. Is done. Accordingly, the sheet 10 can be conveyed while being pressed toward the platen member 41, and an image can be formed by the recording head 34 on the sheet 10 conveyed to the image forming position on the platen member 41.

  Then, by repeatedly rotating the paper feed roller 103 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the paper on the top surface of the plurality of papers on the stacking plate 101 is fed to the side paper port (paper feed port) 5 one by one. Can be picked up and transported. Thereby, a plurality of sheets can be continuously fed, and simultaneously with the feeding, a continuous image forming operation can be performed by the recording head 34 on the plurality of sheets 10.

  In FIG. 8, the paper discharge stacking device 200 is connected to the upper paper port 4 that is the first medium port of the device main body 2. In the discharge stacking apparatus 200, the sheet receiving position coincides with the upper sheet opening 4 functioning as the sheet discharge opening at the connecting portion with the upper sheet opening 4, and the sheet 10 on which the image has been smoothly formed is formed from the upper sheet opening 4. It is connected using positioning members, such as a positioning boss, so that it may be conveyed.

  Inside the discharge stacking apparatus 200, a stacking plate 201 is arranged so that a plurality of sheets of image-formed paper 10 can be stacked. The stacking surface of the stacking plate 201 in contact with the sheet 10 is inclined so as to have a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, a plurality of sheets 10 can be smoothly discharged and stacked from the upper sheet opening (discharge opening) 4.

  The paper discharge stacking device 200 may have any shape as long as it can stack a plurality of sheets 10 on which images are continuously formed, and may have a cassette shape or a tray shape.

  In the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 of FIG. 8, the paper on which the image is formed by the recording head 34 passes through the upper paper port from the nip portion of the first transport rotating body pair 42 where the upper transport roller 43 and the spur 44 face each other. (Discharge port) 4 is guided and conveyed. The sheet 10 on which images are formed one by one is discharged from the upper sheet opening (sheet discharge opening) 4 into the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200. As a result, a continuous discharge stack to the discharge stacking device 200 can be performed simultaneously with the continuous image forming operation of a plurality of sheets.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 9 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 9 is obtained by replacing the paper feed position and the paper discharge position in the image forming apparatus in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed stacking device 100 and a paper discharge stacking device 200 as in the configuration example of FIG. 8 described above. In this configuration example, the upper paper port 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a paper feed port to which the paper 10 to be image-formed is supplied. Further, the side paper port 5 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a discharge port through which the image-formed paper 10 is discharged.

  The paper feed stacking device 100 is connected to an upper paper port 4 that is a first medium port of the apparatus main body 2, and has a paper feeding mechanism that feeds and supplies the paper 10 one by one from a plurality of paper bundles. . In the paper feed stacking apparatus 100, the paper 10 is smoothly transported toward the upper paper opening 4 in a connecting portion with the upper paper opening 4 so that the paper supply position coincides with the upper paper opening 4 functioning as the paper supply opening. In this way, they are connected using a positioning member such as a positioning boss.

  In the paper feed stacking apparatus 100 of FIG. 9, the paper feed roller 103 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure. By the rotation of the paper feed roller 103, only one sheet on the top surface of the plurality of papers 10 on the stacking plate 101 is picked up toward the upper paper port (paper feed port) 4 of the apparatus main body 2. Can be transported. The single sheet 10 conveyed toward the upper sheet opening (sheet feeding opening) 4 is conveyed to the nip portion of the first conveyance rotating body pair 42 where the upper conveyance roller 43 and the spur 44 face each other. . Accordingly, the sheet 10 can be conveyed while being pressed toward the platen member 41, and an image can be formed by the recording head 34 on the sheet 10 conveyed to the image forming position on the platen member 41.

  Then, by repeatedly rotating the paper feed roller 103 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the uppermost sheet among the plurality of sheets on the stacking plate 101 is fed to the upper sheet opening (sheet feeding opening) 4 one by one. Can be picked up and conveyed. Thereby, a plurality of sheets can be continuously fed, and simultaneously with the feeding, a continuous image forming operation can be performed by the recording head 34 on the plurality of sheets 10.

  In FIG. 9, the paper discharge stacking device 200 is connected to the side paper port 5 that is the second medium port of the apparatus main body 2. In the paper discharge stacking device 200, the paper receiving position coincides with the side paper port 5 functioning as the paper discharge port at the connection portion with the side paper port 5, and images are smoothly formed from the side paper port 5. It is connected using positioning members such as positioning bosses so that the paper 10 is conveyed.

  In the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 of FIG. 9, the stacking surface of the stacking plate 201 that contacts the sheet 10 is inclined so as to have a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction. As a result, it becomes possible to smoothly stack a plurality of sheets of paper 10 from the side paper outlet (discharge outlet) 5.

  In the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 of FIG. 9, the sheet on which the image is formed by the recording head 34 is laterally transferred from the nip portion of the second conveyance rotating body pair 45 where the side conveyance roller 46 and the spur 47 are opposed to each other. It is guided and conveyed to the paper port (discharge port) 5. The sheets 10 on which images are formed one by one are discharged from the side sheet opening (sheet discharge opening) 5 into the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200. As a result, a continuous discharge stack to the discharge stacking device 200 can be performed simultaneously with the continuous image forming operation of a plurality of sheets.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 10 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  In FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of unit-type paper supply / discharge stacking devices 300 that also serve as recording medium supply devices and recording medium discharge devices that can stack a plurality of sheets 10 of recording media. . In this configuration example, the upper paper port 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a discharge port through which the image-formed paper 10 is discharged. Further, the side paper port 5 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a paper supply port to which the image forming target paper 10 is supplied.

  Each of the plurality of paper supply / discharge stacking devices 300 has a paper feed mechanism that feeds and supplies the paper 10 one by one from a plurality of paper bundles, and stacks a plurality of paper 10 in the inside thereof. A plate 301 is arranged. With a spring 302 as an urging means for urging the stacking plate 301, a plurality of sheets 10 on the stacking plate 301 are given a predetermined pressure (feeding pressure) with the sheet feeding roller 303 as an opposing feeding unit. Will be added.

  One of the plurality of paper supply / discharge stacking devices 300 is connected to a side paper port 5 which is a second medium port of the apparatus main body 2. In the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300, the paper supply position and the side paper port 5 functioning as a paper supply port coincide with each other at the connecting portion with the side paper port 5, and smoothly toward the side paper port 5. It is connected using positioning members such as positioning bosses so that the paper 10 is conveyed.

  The other paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 is connected to the upper paper port 4 which is the first medium port of the apparatus main body 2. In the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300, the paper receiving position and the upper paper opening 4 functioning as a paper discharge outlet coincide with each other at the connecting portion with the upper paper opening 4 so that the paper on which images have been smoothly formed from the upper paper opening 4 is formed. It is connected using positioning members, such as a positioning boss, so that 10 may be conveyed. Further, the stacking surface of the stacking plate 301 provided inside the sheet supply / discharge stacking device 300 that contacts the sheet 10 is inclined so as to have a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, a plurality of sheets 10 can be smoothly discharged and stacked from the upper sheet opening (discharge opening) 4.

  The paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 may have any shape as long as a plurality of sheets 10 can be stacked, and may have a cassette shape or a tray shape. Further, the rotational driving force for rotationally driving the paper feed roller 303 may be transmitted to the paper feed roller 303 via a gear train or the like from a driving device such as a motor in the apparatus main body 2. Further, a drive device that rotationally drives the paper feed roller 303 may be provided in the paper feed stacking device 100.

  In the case of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 10, a paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 serving as a paper supply / discharge common unit can be used for both paper supply and paper discharge. When it is detected that the sheet feeding / discharging stacking device 300 is connected to the side sheet port (sheet feeding port) 5 side, the sheet feeding operation by the sheet feeding roller 303 is the same as that of the sheet feeding / stacking device 100 described above. To implement. By this sheet feeding operation, only one sheet on the uppermost surface of the plurality of sheets 10 on the stacking plate 301 can be picked up and conveyed toward the side sheet opening (sheet feeding opening) 5.

  Further, when it is detected that the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 is connected to the upper paper port (discharge port) 4 side, the paper feed roller 303 in the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 is retracted from the contact of the paper bundle. Let Then, the pressure (feeding pressure) of the spring 302 that biases the stacking plate 301 on which the sheets 10 are stacked is released, and the arrangement angle of the stacking plate 301 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. As a result, similarly to the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 described above, the sheets 10 on which images have been formed are discharged into the paper supply / discharge stacking apparatus 300 one by one from the upper paper opening (paper discharge opening) 4. Therefore, the continuous paper discharge stack operation can be performed simultaneously with the continuous image forming operation of the plurality of sheets 10.

  In the case of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 10, a paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 that can be commonly used for paper supply and paper discharge is arranged and used. As a result, it is possible to form an image by continuous feeding with a plurality of sheets and a continuous discharge stack with a cheaper configuration without providing a dedicated device (unit) for paper supply and paper discharge.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 10, the upper sheet opening 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is used as a discharge opening and the side sheet opening 5 is used as a sheet supply opening. May be replaced. That is, the upper paper port 4 of the apparatus main body 2 may be used as a paper feed port, and the side paper port 5 may be used as a paper discharge port.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a more detailed configuration example of the paper discharge mechanism unit applicable to the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.
As described above, the stacking plate 201 is arranged so that a plurality of sheets of image-formed paper can be stacked in the paper discharge stacking device 200, and the angle of the stacking surface 201a of the stacking plate 201 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Make it. As a result, a plurality of sheets can be smoothly and continuously discharged from the upper sheet opening (discharge opening) 4.

  However, at the upper sheet opening (sheet discharge port) 4, an inclination angle (θ in the figure) between the stacking surface 201 a and the vertical direction for stacking sheets of ordinary sheets (plain paper, copy sheets, etc.) is discharged. When is small (narrow), the following problems may occur. That is, when the inclination angle of the stacking surface 201a is small, the discharge stack of a plurality of sheets is not smoothly performed with at least 10 sheets, and one sheet is stacked on the stacking surface 201a in an unstable state. There is a risk that the sheets will be stacked one by one. If the paper on the stacking surface 201 is discharged and stacked in an unstable state, problems such as the page order of the discharged paper 10 being out of order and the paper 10 falling from the paper discharge stacking device 200 may occur. There is a risk.

In order to solve the above problem, the inclination angle θ between the stacking surface 201a for stacking the sheet 10 on which the image has been formed and the vertical direction Z is changed, and the presence or absence of stack failure is examined. As a result, as shown in Table 1, by arranging the inclination angle θ of the stacking surface 201a of the stacking plate 201 with respect to the vertical direction Z to be inclined at least 5 degrees or more, at least 10 sheets or more are normally discharged without stacking failure. It turns out that paper can be stacked. Further, the wider the inclination angle θ of the stacking surface 201a of the stacking plate 201 with respect to the vertical direction Z, the greater the number of sheets that can be discharged and the more sheets can be discharged with a more stable and reliable configuration. I was able to stack paper. More preferably, if the stacking plate 201 can be arranged at an inclination angle θ of 30 degrees or more, 100 sheets or more of sheets can be normally discharged and stacked without stacking failure.

  12A to 12E respectively show a paper feed mechanism that can feed paper one by one from a paper bundle in the paper feed stacking apparatus 100 and the paper feed stacking apparatus 300 provided in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the more detailed structural example of a part.

  FIG. 12A shows a configuration example of a sheet feeding mechanism unit using a bank pad (hereinafter referred to as “bank pad system”). In this bank pad method, when the sheets 10 are picked up one by one from a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of sheets 10 housed in the case 104 and fed, the bank pad 105 and the edge of the sheet bundle abut against each other. Paper is fed using the paper roller 103. This bank pad method has a simple structure and is the smallest in size because it does not use a stacking plate for stacking a plurality of sheets or a biasing spring for biasing the stacking plate and the sheet toward the sheet feeding roller 103. This is a low-cost configuration. However, since the paper feed pressure is likely to vary, a conveyance failure such as double feeding or non-feeding of the paper is likely to occur during the paper feeding operation.

  FIG. 12B is a configuration example of a paper feeding mechanism unit using a separation claw (hereinafter referred to as “corner claw method”). In this corner claw method, when the paper 10 is picked up and fed one by one from a sheet bundle made up of a plurality of papers 10 stacked on the stacking plate 101 in the case 104, the separation claw 106 and the paper feed roller 103 is used to feed paper. The separation claw 106 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 106 a provided in the case 104. In this corner claw method, a stacking plate 101 for stacking a plurality of sheets, an urging spring 102 for urging the stacking sheet 101 and the sheet 10 toward the sheet feed roller 103, and one sheet from a bundle of sheets reliably. A separation claw 106 for separating and picking up the paper 10 is used. The corner claw method has a relatively simple structure and a low cost configuration. However, since the separation claw 106 is used to separate the paper from the paper bundle, a problem that the front end of the paper breaks during the paper feeding operation is likely to occur.

  FIG. 12C is a configuration example of a paper feed mechanism unit of a system using a stopper (hereinafter referred to as “SS system”). In the SS system, the sheets 10 are picked up and fed one by one from a bundle of sheets composed of a plurality of sheets 10 stacked on the stacking plate 101 in the case 104. At this time, paper is fed by utilizing the paper feed roller 103 and the stopper 108 biased toward the paper feed roller 103 by the spring 107. The stopper 108 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 108 a provided in the case 104. In this SS system, a stacking plate 101 for stacking a plurality of sheets, an urging spring 102 for urging the stacking plate 101 and the sheet 10 toward the sheet feed roller 103, and one sheet from the sheet bundle are surely received. A stopper 108 for separating and picking up paper is used. The SS method has a relatively simple structure and a low cost, and has a relatively small number of transport problems during a paper feeding operation. However, when the linear speed (rotational speed) of the paper feed roller 103 is as high as about 70 [mm / s] or more, problems during a paper feeding operation such as double feeding are likely to occur.

  FIG. 12D shows a configuration example of a paper feed mechanism unit of a system using a friction pad (hereinafter referred to as “FP system”). In the FP method, the sheets 10 are picked up and fed one by one from a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets 10 stacked on the stacking plate 101 in the case 104. At this time, the paper is fed by using the paper feed roller 103 and the friction pad 110 urged toward the paper feed roller 103 by the spring 109. The friction pad 110 is attached to a pad support member 111 that is rotatable about a rotation shaft 111 a provided in the case 104. A spring 109 is provided in a compressed state between the pad support member 111 and the inner surface of the case 104. In this FP method, a stacking plate 101 for stacking a plurality of sheets 10, a spring 102 for biasing the stacking plate 101 and the sheets 10 toward the paper feed roller 103, and sheets one by one from a bundle of sheets reliably. A friction pad 110 for separating and picking up 10 is used. The FP method is a structure that is relatively simple in structure and low in cost, and has a relatively small number of conveyance problems during a paper feeding operation. In addition, since the linear speed (rotational speed) of the paper feed roller 103 is about 200 [mm / s] and can be dealt with without a paper feed failure, it is the easiest to use method.

  FIG. 12E shows a configuration example of a paper feeding mechanism unit of a system using a separate roller (hereinafter referred to as “RF system”). In this RF system, the sheets 10 are picked up and fed one by one from a bundle of sheets composed of a plurality of sheets 10 stacked on the stacking plate 101 in the case 104. At this time, the paper is fed by utilizing the paper feed roller 103 and the separation roller 113 biased toward the paper feed roller 103 by the spring 112. The separate roller 113 is attached to a roller support member 114 that is rotatable about a rotation shaft 114 a provided in the case 104. A spring 112 is provided between the roller support member 114 and the inner surface of the case 104 in a compressed state. In this RF system, a stacking plate 101 for stacking a plurality of sheets 10, a 102 spring for urging the stacking plate 101 and the sheets 10 toward the paper feed roller 103, and sheets one by one from a bundle of sheets reliably. And a separate roller 113 for separating and picking up the toner. The RF method is a method in which even when the linear speed (rotational speed) of the paper supply roller 103 is as high as about 300 [mm / s], the paper supply operation can be performed with less problems during the paper supply operation. However, since roller parts are used, the structure is relatively complicated and the cost is high.

  Note that the method of the paper feed mechanism unit in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may be any of the methods shown in FIGS. 12A to 12E described above. The FP system shown in FIG. 12 (d) is preferable because it has a relatively small number of transport defects and a simple structure and low cost.

  Next, a configuration example for further reducing the installation space in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the installation space S when the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 8 is viewed from the side. In FIG. 13, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 13 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 is connected to the side sheet opening 5 of the apparatus main body 2 and the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200 is connected to the upper sheet opening 4 of the apparatus main body 2, the entire image forming apparatus 1. The size of the height and depth of the space increases, and the space (hereinafter referred to as “installation space”) S required for installation increases. When the installation space S increases, the degree of freedom of installation decreases. Therefore, in the configuration example shown below, the installation space S due to the installation of the paper feed stacking device 100 and the paper discharge stacking device 200 is configured to be suppressed.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. Further, in FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 14 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 14, a horizontally placed paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 is disposed on the upper surface 3 </ b> A of the apparatus main body 2. Then, a sheet (hereinafter referred to as “discharged sheet”) 10 ′ discharged upward from the upper sheet opening (sheet discharge port) 4 of the apparatus main body 2 is discharged so as to be conveyed laterally toward the sheet discharge stacking device 200. A paper curve guide member 400 is provided as a guide member for curving and guiding the paper 10 ′. The curved sheet guide member 400 is disposed above the upper sheet opening (paper discharge opening) 4. The discharged paper 10 ′ curved and guided in the lateral direction by the paper bending guide member 400 is conveyed to the paper discharge stacking device 200. A plurality of discharge sheets 10 ′ can be stacked on the discharge stacking device 200. Further, since the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 can be placed horizontally above the apparatus main body 2, the installation space S in the height direction (C direction in the figure) of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed at a place where the installation height is limited by the shelf board 900 or the like in the shelf, and a plurality of sheets of discharged paper 10 'can be stacked.

  15A to 15C are cross-sectional views showing examples of the configuration of the paper bending guide member 400 described with reference to FIG. In any of the curved sheet guide members 400 shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the discharged sheet 10 ′ discharged upward from the upper sheet opening (discharge port) 4 is directed toward the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200. The discharge sheet 10 ′ can be curved and guided so as to be conveyed in the lateral direction. In the paper bending guide member 400 having the shape shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the shape of the surface with which the discharged paper 10 ′ contacts is a flat surface. For this reason, the curved shape of the discharged paper 10 ′ varies depending on the thickness of the paper and the variation in the contact location, and the posture of the discharged paper may be disturbed, making it difficult to discharge the stack with smooth movement. On the other hand, in the case of the paper curve guide member 400 having the shape shown in FIG. 15C, the cross-sectional shape of the surface with which the discharged paper 10 ′ comes into contact is an arc shape including an elliptical shape. The curved shape of the discharged paper 10 ′ is stabilized even when the variation of the locations occurs. Accordingly, it is possible to stably and surely perform the discharge stack with smooth movement without any disturbance of the discharge sheet 10 'posture.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 16, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 16 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 16 includes a sheet bending guide member 400 as in the configuration in FIG. With this paper bending guide member 400, the discharged paper 10 ′ is bent so that the discharged paper 10 ′ discharged upward from the upper paper outlet (discharge outlet) 4 is transported laterally toward the paper discharge stacking device 200. Can guide.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 16, unlike the configuration of FIG. 14, a horizontally placed paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 is arranged on the side surface 3 </ b> B on the front side of the apparatus main body 2 to which the paper feed stacking apparatus 100 is connected. ing.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 14 described above, the horizontal-type discharge stacking apparatus 200 is arranged on the upper surface 3A of the apparatus main body 2 so that a plurality of sheets can be discharged, and an arrow C in FIG. The installation space S in the height direction of the apparatus shown can be minimized. Accordingly, it is possible to install the image forming apparatus 1 in a place where the height of the installation space is limited, with a lower installation height. However, when the stack number of discharged sheets is increased, there is no margin for the sheet stacking amount on the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200 side, and a discharge stack defect is likely to occur. Further, since the space in the height direction between the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 and the shelf board 900 is narrow, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a narrow place such as a shelf, the discharged paper is taken out from the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200. It can be difficult.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 16, as described above, the sheet stacking apparatus 200 is arranged on the side surface 3B on the front side of the apparatus body 2 to which the sheet stacking apparatus 100 is connected. With this configuration, as shown by an arrow D in the figure, a space in the height direction from the paper discharge stacking device 200 to the shelf board 900 can be widened. Therefore, even when the number of stacks of discharged sheets increases, the sheet stacking apparatus 200 side has a margin for the sheet stacking amount, so that occurrence of sheet discharge stack defects can be reduced. Further, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a narrow place such as a shelf, the space in the height direction (in the direction of arrow D in the figure) is widened. It becomes easy.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 8, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 17 indicates the sheet conveyance path 50.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 17 includes a sheet bending guide member 400 as in the configuration of FIG. With this paper bending guide member 400, the discharged paper 10 ′ is bent so that the discharged paper 10 ′ discharged upward from the upper paper outlet (discharge outlet) 4 is transported laterally toward the paper discharge stacking device 200. Can guide.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 17, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 16, the horizontally placed paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 is placed on the side surface 3 </ b> B on the front side of the apparatus main body 2 to which the paper feed stacking apparatus 100 is connected. It is arranged. With this configuration, as shown by an arrow D in the figure, a space in the height direction from the paper discharge stacking device 200 to the shelf board 900 can be widened. Therefore, even when the number of stacks of discharged sheets increases, the sheet stacking apparatus 200 side has a margin for the sheet stacking amount, so that occurrence of sheet discharge stack defects can be reduced.

  However, as shown in FIG. 16, when the stacking surface of the stacking plate 201 in the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200 has a horizontal configuration parallel to the horizontal direction, the upper sheet port (sheet discharge port) on the upper surface 3 </ b> A of the apparatus body 2. ) It is difficult to smoothly discharge the sheet from 4 to the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200. Further, the discharge sheets 10 ′ conveyed through the upper part of the apparatus main body 2 are discharged one by one on the stacking surface 201 a of the stacking plate 201 in an unstable state. For this reason, there is a possibility that problems such as disorder of the page order of the discharged paper 10 ′ and dropping of the discharged paper 10 ′ from the discharged paper stacking apparatus 200 may occur.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 17, a downward inclined portion 202 is provided along at least a part of the stacking plate 201 in the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 along the paper discharge direction. Due to the inclined surface of the downward inclined portion 202, the paper stacking in the paper discharge stacking apparatus 200 is smoothly performed, the page order of the discharged paper 10 'on which the image has been formed is disturbed, and the paper is discharged into the paper discharge stacking apparatus. It can be prevented from falling from 200.

  In the case of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 17, the entire stacking surface 201a of the stacking plate 201 in the sheet discharge stacking apparatus 200 may be configured so as to be inclined downward along the sheet discharge direction.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another configuration example of the entire image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the front side of the exterior is shown in a transparent state. In FIG. 18, the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIGS. 2 and 9, and description thereof is omitted. A bold broken line in FIG. 18 indicates a sheet conveyance path 50.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 18, the sheet stacking device 100 is arranged so as to be connected to the upper sheet port 4 of the apparatus main body 2. Then, the sheet serves as a guide member that curves and guides the discharged sheet 10 ′ so that the discharged sheet 10 ′ discharged in the lateral direction from the side sheet opening (discharge port) 5 of the apparatus body 2 is conveyed upward. A curved guide member 410 is provided. In the case of this configuration, the arrangement of the paper discharge stacking device 200 described above is not necessary, and the installation space S in the depth direction of the device can be minimized. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 can be installed even when the space in the depth direction is narrow, and a plurality of discharged sheets 10 ′ can be stacked.

  However, in the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 18, when the discharge paper 10 ′ is to be stacked only by the paper bending guide member 410 without using the paper discharge stacking device 200, the posture of the discharge paper 10 ′ is Prone to instability. For this reason, there is a possibility that a stable paper discharge stack operation cannot be performed such as a paper drop from the paper bending guide member 410 or a paper discharge stack disorder.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 18, for example, as shown in the partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 19, the paper that can be expanded and contracted along the paper discharge direction (the direction of arrow E in the figure) at one end of the paper bending guide member 410. A support member 411 may be provided. In this case, when the paper is discharged, the paper support member 411 is extended along the direction of the arrow C, so that a plurality of the discharged paper 10 'can be prevented from dropping from the paper curved guide member 410 and being disturbed by the paper discharge stack. It is possible to stably and surely carry out continuous discharge stacking.

  FIGS. 20A and 20B are explanatory views showing still another configuration example of the vertical sheet stacking apparatus 100 applicable to the above-described 18 image forming apparatuses 1 and the like. In a configuration in which the paper feed stacking device 100 is connected to the upper paper port (paper feed port) 4 of the apparatus main body 2 and arranged in a vertical position, a plurality of vertically long papers 10 such as long papers should be fed. In this case, the sheet bundle may be disturbed in the paper feed stacking apparatus 100. If the sheet bundle is disturbed in the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100, problems such as non-feeding may occur, and stable and reliable sheet feeding operation may not be ensured.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20A, the sheet bundle in the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 is elastically pressed by the front end portion 115a of the leaf spring-like pressing member 115, and the sheet bundle regardless of the change in the number of sheet bundles. You may comprise so that fixed fixed pressure may be applied to. By the pressing of the pressing member 115, it is possible to fix the sheet bundle and suppress the sheet disturbance at the time of sheet feeding.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, the sheet bundle in the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100 is elastically pressed by the tip end portion 115a attached to the end portion of the base member 115 via the spring 115b. You may comprise so that fixed fixed pressure may be applied to a sheet bundle irrespective of a change in the number of sheets. You may comprise. Also in this case, the pressing of the pressing member 115 makes it possible to fix the sheet bundle and suppress the sheet disturbance at the time of sheet feeding.

  20A and 20B, it is possible to stably and reliably continuously feed a plurality of sheets without disturbing the sheet bundle in the sheet feeding and stacking apparatus 100. In particular, the configuration of FIG. 20B is more preferable because it is easy to adjust the fixed pressure to the sheet bundle and a more stable continuous sheet feeding operation is possible.

In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the paper stacking device 100, the paper discharge stacking device 200, or the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 is disposed in the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5 has been described. It is not limited. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the paper feed stacking device 100, the paper discharge stacking device 200, or the paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 is disposed in one of the upper paper port 4 and the side paper port 5.
In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet type image forming apparatus including the recording head 34 that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets has been described. However, the present invention is an image forming apparatus of another type such as an electrophotographic type. It can also be applied to.

What has been described above is merely an example, and the present invention has a specific effect for each of the following modes.
(Aspect A)
An image forming apparatus 1 including an image forming unit such as an image forming unit 21 that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet 10, and formed on different surfaces of the exterior 3 of the apparatus main body 2. The first medium port such as the upper sheet port 4 through which the recording medium can pass and the second medium port such as the side sheet port 5 and the first medium port so as to pass through the image forming position of the image forming unit. The recording medium can be transported by switching the transport direction from the first medium port to the second medium port and the opposite direction along the transport path 50 formed between the first medium port and the second medium port. A recording medium supply apparatus such as a paper feeding and stacking apparatus 100 having a conveying unit such as the conveying mechanism unit 22 and a feeding unit such as a conveying roller 103 that feeds the recording medium and configured to accommodate a plurality of recording media as image forming targets. And a first medium It was provided with recording medium feeding device to feed the recording medium to one of the second medium opening.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the first medium port is used for supplying the recording medium depending on the installation space of the image forming apparatus, the recording is performed on the first medium port. A recording medium supply device is arranged to supply the medium. Then, the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply device to the first medium port is conveyed to the image forming position to form an image. The recording medium on which the image has been formed is transported from the image forming position toward the second medium port, and is discharged from the second medium port. On the other hand, when the second medium port is used for supplying the recording medium depending on the condition of the installation space of the image forming apparatus, the recording medium supply device is arranged so as to supply the recording medium to the second medium port. Established. Then, the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply device to the second medium port is conveyed to the image forming position to form an image. The recording medium on which the image has been formed is conveyed from the image forming position toward the first medium port, and is discharged from the first medium port. As described above, the first medium port and the second medium port formed on the exterior of the apparatus main body are respectively supplied with the recording medium to be image-formed and the image according to the installation space of the image forming apparatus. It can be used by switching to discharging the formed recording medium. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the installation form of the image forming apparatus can be increased.
In addition, the recording medium supply apparatus can accommodate a plurality of recording media to be image-formed and send the plurality of recording media toward the first medium port or the second medium port, respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image formed.
Accordingly, it is possible to continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image formed and to increase the degree of freedom of the installation form.
(Aspect B)
In the above-described aspect A, the image forming apparatus further includes a recording medium discharge device such as a discharge stacking device 200 that can store a plurality of image-formed recording media, and is discharged from the other one of the first medium port and the second medium port. A recording medium supply device is arranged to receive the recording medium on which the image has been formed.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, a plurality of recording media as image forming targets can be continuously supplied, and a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed can be continuously discharged. .
(Aspect C)
An image forming apparatus 1 including an image forming unit such as an image forming unit 21 that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet 10, and formed on different surfaces of the exterior 3 of the apparatus main body 2. The first medium port such as the upper sheet port 4 through which the recording medium can pass and the second medium port such as the side sheet port 5 and the first medium port so as to pass through the image forming position of the image forming unit. The recording medium can be transported by switching the transport direction from the first medium port to the second medium port and the opposite direction along the transport path 50 formed between the first medium port and the second medium port. A transport unit such as a transport mechanism unit 22; and a recording medium discharge device such as a discharge stacking device 200 that can store a plurality of image-formed recording media, and includes a first medium port and a second medium port. The image-formed recording medium ejected from either one It delivers the recording medium supply apparatus is disposed as.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the second medium port is used for discharging the recording medium depending on the installation space of the image forming apparatus, the recording is performed from the second medium port. A recording medium discharge device is arranged to receive the medium. Then, the recording medium supplied to the first medium port is conveyed to the image forming position and an image is formed. The recording medium on which the image has been formed is conveyed from the image forming position toward the second medium port, and is discharged from the second medium port to the recording medium discharge device. On the other hand, when the first medium port is used for discharging the recording medium according to the installation space condition of the image forming apparatus, the recording medium discharging device is arranged to receive the recording medium from the first medium port. Is done. Then, the recording medium supplied to the second medium port is conveyed to the image forming position and an image is formed. The image-formed recording medium is transported from the image forming position toward the first medium port, and is discharged from the first medium port to the recording medium discharge device. As described above, the first medium port and the second medium port formed on the exterior of the apparatus main body are respectively supplied with the recording medium to be image-formed and the image according to the installation space of the image forming apparatus. It can be used by switching to discharging the formed recording medium. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the installation form of the image forming apparatus can be increased.
In addition, the recording medium discharge device can receive and store a plurality of image-formed recording media from the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to continuously discharge a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed.
Therefore, it is possible to continuously discharge a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed, and to increase the degree of freedom of the installation form.
(Aspect D)
An image forming apparatus 1 including an image forming unit such as an image forming unit 21 that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet 10, and formed on different surfaces of the exterior 3 of the apparatus main body 2. The first medium port such as the upper sheet port 4 through which the recording medium can pass and the second medium port such as the side sheet port 5 and the first medium port so as to pass through the image forming position of the image forming unit. The recording medium can be transported by switching the transport direction from the first medium port to the second medium port and the opposite direction along the transport path 50 formed between the first medium port and the second medium port. A transport unit such as the transport mechanism unit 22 and a recording medium supply / discharge device such as a paper supply / discharge stacking device 300 configured to receive a plurality of recording media and having a sending unit for sending the recording medium. One of the first medium port and the second medium port Supplying a recording medium, or to receive a first media outlet and the second image formed in the recording medium discharged from one of the medium outlet were provided with recording media supply and discharge device.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, when the first medium port is used for supplying the recording medium according to the installation space of the image forming apparatus, the recording medium to be image formed is It is supplied to the first medium port. The recording medium supplied to the first medium port is conveyed to the image forming position and an image is formed. The recording medium on which the image has been formed is transported from the image forming position toward the second medium port, and is discharged from the second medium port. On the other hand, when the second medium port is used for supplying the recording medium in accordance with the installation space of the image forming apparatus, the image forming target recording medium is supplied to the second medium port. Then, the recording medium supplied to the second medium port is conveyed to the image forming position and an image is formed. The recording medium on which the image has been formed is conveyed from the image forming position toward the first medium port, and is discharged from the first medium port. As described above, the first medium port and the second medium port formed on the exterior of the apparatus main body are respectively supplied with the recording medium to be image-formed and the image according to the installation space of the image forming apparatus. It can be used by switching to discharging the formed recording medium. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the installation form of the image forming apparatus can be increased.
In addition, the recording medium supply / discharge device can accommodate a plurality of recording media to be image-formed and send the plurality of recording media toward the image forming positions. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image formed. The recording medium supply / discharge device can receive and store a plurality of image-formed recording media from the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to continuously discharge a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed.
Therefore, it is possible to continuously supply a plurality of recording media to be image-formed, to continuously discharge a plurality of recording media on which images have been formed, and to increase the degree of freedom of the installation form.
(Aspect E)
In the above aspect B, C, or D, the recording medium discharged from the first medium port or the second medium port used as the discharge port of the image-formed recording medium that has been image-formed is the upper surface portion of the exterior or It further includes recording medium bending means such as paper bending members 400 and 410 that are bent so as to move along the side surface.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the recording medium ejected from the first medium port or the second medium port is curved and ejected so as to move along the upper surface portion or the side surface portion of the exterior. it can. Accordingly, a plurality of recording media can be discharged and stacked in a state where the installation space required on the side where the recording medium is discharged in the image forming apparatus is minimized.
(Aspect F)
In aspect E, the cross-sectional shape parallel to the recording medium conveyance direction of the contact surface that contacts the recording medium of the recording medium bending means is an arc shape including a part of an ellipse.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the image-formed recording medium can be curved and moved more smoothly, so that a plurality of recording media can be discharged and stacked more reliably. it can.
(Aspect G)
In the above aspect E or F, one of the first medium port and the second medium port is provided on the upper surface of the exterior as a discharge port for the recording medium on which the image has been formed. The medium port is provided on the side surface portion of the exterior as a recording medium supply port for image formation, and the recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device has a stacking surface for receiving the image-formed recording medium from below, The recording medium that is discharged from the discharge port and moves along the upper surface of the exterior is placed along the side surface of the exterior where the supply port is provided so that the recording medium is placed on the placement surface.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device has a stacking surface for receiving the image-formed recording medium from below, and is discharged from the discharge port and is an upper surface of the exterior. The recording medium that moves along is placed on the placement surface. Therefore, a plurality of recording media can be discharged and stacked more reliably. In addition, the recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device is disposed along the side surface of the exterior provided with a recording medium supply port that can be easily operated by the user. Therefore, it is easy to take out the image-formed recording medium in the same manner as the operation of supplying the image-forming target recording medium.
(Aspect H)
In the above aspect G, the recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device guides the recording medium discharged from the discharge port and moving along the upper surface of the exterior so as to gradually move downward along the moving direction. It has a guide member such as a downward inclined portion 202 having a downward slope.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the recording medium discharged from the discharge port and moving along the upper surface of the exterior is guided gradually downward by the guide member. Therefore, a plurality of image-formed recording media can be discharged and stacked stably and reliably by the recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device.
(Aspect I)
In the above aspect E, F, G, or H, the sheet that can be expanded and contracted along the recording medium moving direction so as to support the recording medium discharged from the discharge port at the end of the recording medium bending means in the recording medium moving direction. A recording medium support member such as the support member 411 is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the recording medium discharged from the discharge port by the recording medium supporting member provided at the end of the recording medium bending means in the recording medium moving direction is used as the recording medium supporting member. I can support it. Accordingly, a plurality of image-formed recording media can be discharged and stacked stably and reliably without using the above-described recording medium discharge device or recording medium supply / discharge device.
(Aspect J)
In the above aspect A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I, the first medium port is provided on the upper surface portion of the exterior of the apparatus body, and the second medium port is formed on one side surface portion of the exterior. Is provided.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the first medium port on the upper surface portion of the exterior of the apparatus main body and the second medium port on one side surface portion of the exterior are supplied with the recording medium to be image-formed. And can be switched to be used for discharging the image-formed recording medium.
(Aspect K)
In the above aspects A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J, the conveyance path 50 passing through the image forming position is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, respectively.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, the first medium port is formed on the upper surface of the exterior of the apparatus main body, the second medium port is formed on one side surface of the exterior, and the recording medium is conveyed. The path 50 can be easily provided so as to pass through the central portion of the apparatus main body. In addition, means for forming an image on the recording medium can be disposed in the empty space at the corner portion of the apparatus main body so as to face the inclined conveyance path 50 provided in the center of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the configuration of the apparatus main body is simplified and the size can be reduced.
(Aspect L)
In the above aspects A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, or K, the recording medium supply device, the recording medium discharge device, or the recording medium supply / discharge device has a stacking surface 101 on which the recording medium is stacked. The recording medium loading surface 101 is inclined at least 5 degrees with respect to the vertical direction so that the direction of gravity acting on the recording medium intersects the loading surface 101.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, a plurality of recording media can be more stably and reliably stacked on the stacking surface.
(Aspect M)
In the above aspects A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, or L, the recording medium supply device or the recording medium supply / discharge device collects a bundle of a plurality of recording media to be image formed. It has a pressing member 115 that presses in the thickness direction.
According to this, as described in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent a disturbance of a bundle of a plurality of recording media that are image forming objects accommodated in the recording medium supply device or the recording medium supply / discharge device, and more stably and reliably. A recording medium for image formation can be supplied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Apparatus main body 3 Exterior (housing member)
4 Upper paper port 5 Side paper port 10 Paper 10 ′ Ejected paper 11 Image forming mechanism 21 Image forming unit 22 Transport mechanism 34 Recording head 41 Platen member 42 First transport rotating body pair 43 Upper transport roller 44 Spur 45 First 46 Conveying rotating body 2 46 Side conveyance roller 47 Spur 50 Conveyance path 71, 72 Paper sensor 100 Paper feed stacking device 101 Stacking plate 102 Spring 103 Paper feed roller 200 Paper discharge stacking device 201 Stacking plate 202 Downward inclined portion 300 Feeding and discharging Paper stacking device 301 Stacking plate 302 Spring 303 Paper feed roller 400, 410 Paper bending member 411 Paper support member 900 Shelf plate 901 Device installation surface

JP 2002-060117 A

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium,
A first medium port and a second medium port formed on different surfaces of the exterior of the apparatus main body, through which a recording medium to be imaged can pass, and
The second medium from the first medium port along a conveyance path formed between the first medium port and the second medium port so as to pass the image forming position of the image forming unit. Transport means capable of transporting the recording medium by switching the transport direction between the direction toward the mouth and the opposite direction;
A recording medium supply device configured to be capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media to be imaged and having a sending means for sending the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the recording medium supply device arranged to supply a recording medium to one of the first medium port and the second medium port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
A recording medium discharge device capable of accommodating a plurality of image-formed recording media;
An image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium supply device is arranged to receive an image-formed recording medium discharged from the other of the first medium port and the second medium port. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium,
A first medium port and a second medium port formed on different surfaces of the exterior of the apparatus main body, through which a recording medium to be imaged can pass, and
The second medium from the first medium port along a conveyance path formed between the first medium port and the second medium port so as to pass the image forming position of the image forming unit. Transport means capable of transporting the recording medium by switching the transport direction between the direction toward the mouth and the opposite direction;
A recording medium discharge device capable of accommodating a plurality of image-formed recording media,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium supply device is arranged to receive an image-formed recording medium discharged from one of the first medium port and the second medium port. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium,
A first medium port and a second medium port formed on different surfaces of the exterior of the apparatus main body, through which a recording medium to be imaged can pass, and
The second medium from the first medium port along a conveyance path formed between the first medium port and the second medium port so as to pass the image forming position of the image forming unit. Transport means capable of transporting the recording medium by switching the transport direction between the direction toward the mouth and the opposite direction;
A recording medium supply / discharge device configured to accommodate a plurality of recording media and having a sending means for sending the recording medium,
A recording medium is supplied to one of the first medium port and the second medium port, or an image is discharged from either the first medium port or the second medium port. An image forming apparatus comprising the recording medium supply / discharge device so as to receive the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4,
Curved so that the recording medium discharged from the first medium port or the second medium port used as the discharge port of the image-formed recording medium is moved along the upper surface portion or the side surface portion of the exterior. An image forming apparatus, further comprising a recording medium bending means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a cross-sectional shape parallel to a recording medium conveyance direction of a contact surface contacting the recording medium of the recording medium bending means is an arc shape including a part of an ellipse. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
One of the first medium port and the second medium port is provided on the top surface of the exterior as a discharge port for the image-formed recording medium, and the other medium port is Provided on the side surface of the exterior as a supply port for the recording medium to be image-formed;
The recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device has a stacking surface that receives the image-formed recording medium from below, and is discharged from the discharge port and moves along the upper surface of the exterior Is arranged along the side surface of the exterior provided with the supply port so that is mounted on the mounting surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
The recording medium discharge device or the recording medium supply / discharge device guides the recording medium discharged from the discharge port and moving along the upper surface of the exterior so as to gradually move downward along the moving direction. An image forming apparatus comprising a guide member having a slope. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, 6, 7, or 8.
A recording medium support member that is extendable in the recording medium movement direction so as to support the recording medium discharged from the discharge port is provided at an end of the recording medium bending means in the recording medium movement direction. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the first medium port is provided on an upper surface portion of an exterior of the apparatus main body, and the second medium port is provided on one side surface of the exterior. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance path passing through the image forming position is inclined with respect to each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11.
The recording medium supply device, the recording medium discharge device, or the recording medium supply / discharge device has a stacking surface on which a recording medium is stacked, and the stacking surface of the recording medium has a direction of gravity acting on the recording medium as described above. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is inclined at least 5 degrees with respect to a vertical direction so as to intersect with the loading surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium supply device or the recording medium supply / discharge device includes a pressing member that presses a bundle of a plurality of recording media to be image formed in a thickness direction.

Images