JP2023164315A - Sheet conveyance device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To efficiently blow air to a branched conveyance path.SOLUTION: A sheet conveyance device, which is connected to an image formation device for forming an image on a sheet and a sheet processing device for processing the sheet, receives the sheet from the image formation device, and conveys the sheet to the sheet processing device, includes: a conveyance path including a first path where the sheet is conveyed to the sheet processing device, and a second path branched from the first path; a switching guide for switching the sheet conveyance path between the first path and the second path; a blowing part for blowing the air toward the conveyance path; and an outlet for blowing the air from the blowing part to the conveyance path. The blowing port is configured so as to be arranged on an upstream side of the switching guide in a sheet conveyance direction of the first path, and to blow air toward a downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device that conveys sheets and an image forming system equipped with the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming system, a blower unit that sends air to a conveyance path of a sheet is sometimes disposed for the purpose of cooling and drying the sheet after image formation, cooling the conveyance path, preventing dew condensation, and the like. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration example of a fan and a duct for blowing air from a fixing device toward a sheet conveyance path toward a sheet discharge section.

Further, an image forming system is known in which a sheet conveyance device and a sheet processing device are connected to an image forming device, and a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming device is conveyed to the sheet processing device via the sheet conveyance device. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming system that includes a conveyance device installed above an image forming apparatus.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-81403 JP2006-232418A

Depending on the function of the sheet conveying device, there may be a configuration in which the conveying path is branched inside the sheet conveying device. In such a case, for example, if a plurality of fans are arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of branched transport paths, the cost will increase and the device will become larger.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that can efficiently send air to branched conveyance paths.

A first aspect of the present invention is to connect an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet processing apparatus that processes the sheet, and to receive the sheet from the image forming apparatus and send the sheet to the sheet processing apparatus. A sheet conveyance device that conveys the sheet, the conveyance path including a first path in which the sheet is conveyed toward the sheet processing device, and a second path branched from the first path, and a conveyance path for the sheet. a switching guide that switches between the first pass and the second pass, a blower section that sends air toward the conveyance path, and an outlet that blows out the air from the blower section to the conveyance path. The air outlet is arranged upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveyance direction of the first pass, and configured to blow out the air toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. Features.

A second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets, and a second sheet discharge port disposed at a different position from the first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets. in a sheet conveying device having a conveyance path connected to the first sheet discharge port and delivering the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port to a sheet processing device, the sheet conveying device being surrounded by a casing of the image forming device and a casing of the sheet conveying device. a first space, the first air intake port communicating with the first space through which the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port passes; and the second sheet discharge port provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus; a second space between a first surface on which an outlet is formed and a second surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveying device and opposite to the first surface, the second sheet discharge port a second air intake port that communicates with a second space through which the sheets discharged from the sheet pass; a fan that rotates to generate an air current; and an exhaust port, and the fan is configured to connect the first air intake port and the first The present invention is characterized in that air is taken in through two intake ports, and air is exhausted outside the machine through the exhaust port.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a first sheet discharge port that discharges sheets, and a second sheet discharge port that discharges sheets and is disposed at a position different from the first sheet discharge port. a sheet processing device for processing a sheet; and a sheet conveyance device connected to the image forming device and having a conveyance path for delivering the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port to the sheet processing device, The sheet conveyance device is a first space surrounded by a housing of the image forming apparatus and a housing of the sheet conveyance device, and communicates with the first space through which the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port passes. a first air intake port provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus and on which the second sheet ejection port is formed; and a first surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveying device, and the first surface a second space facing the second surface, and a second air intake port communicating with the second space through which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port passes; It has a fan for generating air, and an exhaust port, and the fan takes in air from the first intake port and the second intake port, and exhausts the air to the outside of the machine from the exhaust port. do.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration that allows air to be efficiently sent to branched conveyance paths.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intermediate conveyance device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (a, b) of an intermediate conveyance device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) of the upper unit of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment and a partially transparent view (b) of the upper unit. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate conveyance device and a post-processing device according to a modification. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the area around the switching guide of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the switching guide of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment (a) and a perspective view of the switching guide (b). Figures (a, b) for explaining air flow according to Example 1. Figures (a, b) for explaining air flow according to Example 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams (a, b) for explaining a drive mechanism of a switching guide according to the first embodiment. FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the extension tray and post-processing device of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams (a to c) for explaining the operation of the extension tray according to the first embodiment. FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment, viewed from below. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams (a, b) for explaining an entrance sensor of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an entrance sensor of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an entrance sensor of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an entrance sensor of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams (a, b) for explaining the hinge mechanism of the intermediate conveyance device according to the first embodiment. FIGS. FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams (a to c) showing the configuration of an intermediate conveyance device according to Example 2. FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (a) of a part of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment and a cross-sectional view (b) of an intermediate conveyance device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an intermediate conveyance device according to a fourth embodiment. (a) is a perspective view showing the intermediate conveyance device, and (b) is a perspective view showing the intermediate conveyance device in a state where the through path is opened. (a) is a perspective view showing the upper unit, and (b) is a perspective view showing the upper unit with the intermediate conveyance cover removed. (a) is a sectional view for explaining an air path of an image forming apparatus, and (b) is a sectional view for explaining an air path of an intermediate conveyance device according to a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the air path of the intermediate conveyance device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the intermediate conveyance device.

Embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

《Example 1》
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming system 1S according to a first embodiment. The image forming system 1S includes an image forming device 1, an image reading device 2, a document feeding device 3, an intermediate conveying device 60, and a post-processing device 4. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an electrophotographic image forming section 1B as an image forming section, and forms images while conveying sheets as recording materials one by one. Sheets come in a variety of sizes and materials, including plain paper and cardboard, plastic films, cloth, surface-treated sheet materials such as coated paper, and sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper. Seats are available. The post-processing device 4 is a sheet processing device that performs processing such as binding or punching on sheets on which images have been formed, as necessary, and discharges the sheets as products of the image forming system 1S.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-section of the intermediate conveyance device 60 and its surroundings. The intermediate conveyance device 60 is a sheet conveyance device that conveys sheets from the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing device 4. The intermediate conveyance device 60 is additionally installed in the image forming device 1 when the post-processing device 4 is connected to the image forming device 1 . In FIG. 1, the area surrounded by the dashed line is the intermediate conveyance device 60.

As shown in FIG. 1, the original placed on the original tray 18 of the original feeding device 3 is conveyed to image reading sections 16 and 19. The image reading units 16 and 19 can read both sides of the original in one sheet conveyance by reading the opposing sides of the original. The original is ejected to the original ejection section 20. The image reading device 2 makes it possible to read a document that cannot be used by the document feeder 3, such as a booklet document, by causing the image reading unit 16 to scan back and forth using the drive device 17. Images read by the image reading units 16 and 19 or images sent from a server or computer (not shown) are developed and adjusted by a controller (not shown) included in the image forming apparatus 1 to perform image forming operations. do.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of feeding devices 6 that accommodate a plurality of sheets and feed the sheets one by one at predetermined feeding intervals. The sheet fed from the feeding device 6 is corrected for skew by a registration roller 7, and then conveyed to a photosensitive drum 9 rotatably supported by an image forming cartridge 8 and a transfer roller 10 to which a predetermined electric charge is applied. be done. A toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 9 through the steps of exposure, charging, latent image formation, and development within the image forming cartridge 8 . The latent image formation is performed by a laser scanner unit 15 that scans blinking laser light in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction using a polygon mirror and a lens to form an image. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through a fixing unit 11 that heats and presses the toner on the sheet to fix it, is conveyed to a pair of discharge rollers 12, and is sent to an intermediate conveyance device 60. In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet is once conveyed to a pair of reversing rollers 13, and after switchback conveyance that swaps the leading and trailing edges of the sheet, is sent to the refeeding conveyance unit 14, and then is conveyed again to the registration roller 7 at a predetermined timing. The paper is transported and image formation is performed for the second time.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate conveyance device 60 has a conveyance path 60P formed therein through which sheets are conveyed. The conveyance path 60P includes a through path PB that goes from the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing device 4, and a discharge path PA that branches from the through path PB. An intermediate discharge tray 64 serving as a stacking section on which sheets are stacked is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate conveying device 60.

When the sheet is discharged to the intermediate discharge tray 64, the sheet passes through the discharge path PA, is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 63, and is discharged to the intermediate discharge tray 64. When the sheet is discharged to the post-processing device 4, the sheet passes through the through path PB and is transferred from the intermediate conveyance device 60 to the pair of entrance rollers 21 of the post-processing device 4. The sheet conveyance speed by the pair of entrance rollers 21 of the post-processing device 4 is set faster than the sheet conveyance speed within the intermediate conveyance device 60. In order to absorb the difference in the conveyance speed between the entrance roller pair 21 and the conveyance speed within the intermediate conveyance device 60, the conveyance rollers (61, 62) within the intermediate conveyance device 60 are provided with a one-way clutch. As a result, when the sheet is pulled in the transport direction, the transport rollers (61, 62) can idle relative to the roller shaft and rotate at a higher angular velocity than the roller shaft.

The buffer front roller 22 accelerates the sheet at a predetermined timing based on the passage timing of the trailing edge of the sheet at the entrance sensor 27 of the post-processing device 4. When the sheet is discharged to the upper discharge tray 25, when the rear end of the sheet comes between the front buffer roller 22 and the second reversing roller 24, the sheet is decelerated to a predetermined discharge speed and discharged to the upper discharge tray 25.

When the sheet is discharged to the lower discharge tray 37, the sheet is switched back after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the check valve 23, and the sheet is conveyed to the inner discharge roller 26. After the leading edge of the sheet reaches the inner discharge roller 26, the nip of the second reversing roller 24 is released, and preparations are made to receive the subsequent sheet heading toward the second reversing roller 24. With the sheet sandwiched between the inner ejection rollers 26, the drive of the inner ejection rollers 26 is temporarily stopped, and the inner ejection rollers 26 are reversely driven in synchronization with the passage of the following sheet, and the sheet is again led in the direction of the upper ejection tray 25. Convey the sheet. In this way, sheet buffering is performed by overlapping the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet. The sheet buffer can buffer multiple sheets by repeating the above operation multiple times.

After a predetermined number of sheets have been buffered, the sheets conveyed from the inner discharge roller 26 are sent to the kick-out roller 29 via the intermediate conveyance roller 28, and then to the intermediate stacking section consisting of an intermediate stacking upper guide 31 and an intermediate stacking lower guide 32. 41. A vertical alignment reference plate 39 is arranged at the most downstream part of the intermediate stacking section 41 . The sheet bundle is aligned by abutting the end of the sheet in the conveyance direction against the longitudinal alignment reference plate 39.

Further, a flexible presser guide 56 is fixed to the intermediate stacking upper guide 31 and comes into contact with the sheets placed on the intermediate stacking section 41 with a predetermined pressure. Further, a half-moon roller 33 for pushing the sheet that has passed through the kicking roller 29 onto the longitudinal alignment reference plate is rotatably supported by the intermediate stacking upper guide 31 downstream of the presser guide 56. After the trailing edge of the sheet passes the intermediate pre-loading sensor 38, the half-moon roller 33 conveys the sheet toward the longitudinal alignment reference plate 39 at a predetermined timing. After the leading edge of the sheet contacts the longitudinal alignment reference plate 39, the conveying pressure of the half-moon roller 33 is adjusted so that the half-moon roller 33 slips on the sheet.

Further, downstream of the kicking roller 29, a bundle holding flag 30 is rotatably supported to suppress lifting of the trailing edge of the sheet so that the trailing edge of the sheets stacked on the intermediate stacking section 41 does not interfere with the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. After the sheets reach the vertical alignment reference plate, a horizontal alignment jogger (not shown) aligns the sheet bundle by performing an alignment operation toward the horizontal alignment reference plate (not shown) in the front-rear direction of the paper of FIG.

After completing the alignment process for a predetermined number of sheets, a stapler (not shown) performs a binding operation. Thereafter, the bundle discharge guide 34 connected to the guide drive section 35 moves in parallel from the standby position toward the bundle discharge unit 36, thereby pushing the sheet bundle from the intermediate stacking section 41 toward the lower discharge tray 37.

When the leading edge of the sheet bundle reaches the bundle discharge unit 36, the bundle discharge guide 34 stops and returns to the standby position again. The bundle discharge unit 36 discharges the sheet bundle received from the bundle discharge guide 34 to the lower discharge tray 37. The positions of the upper surfaces of the sheets (the stacking heights of the sheet bundles) of the sheets stacked on the upper discharge tray 25 and the lower discharge tray 37 are sequentially detected by a sheet surface detection sensor (not shown). When the sheets are piled up to a predetermined height or more, the upper discharge tray 25 and the lower discharge tray 37 are moved downward, and when it is detected that the stacked sheets are removed, they are moved upward. In this way, control is performed such that the height of the top surface of the tray or the sheets stacked on the tray is always kept constant.

[Intermediate conveyance device]
The configuration of the intermediate conveyance device 60 (inside the dashed line in FIG. 1) will be described in detail using FIG. 2. In each drawing after FIG. 2, an arrow Z indicates an upward direction in the vertical direction when the image forming system 1S is installed on a horizontal surface. Arrow X indicates a direction from the front side to the back side of intermediate conveyance device 60 along a horizontal plane perpendicular to arrow Z. Arrow Y is a direction perpendicular to both arrows X and Z, and indicates a direction from image forming apparatus 1 to post-processing apparatus 4 . In this embodiment, the arrow X is substantially parallel to the sheet width direction that is orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed inside the intermediate conveyance device 60. Furthermore, when describing the arrangement, shape, etc. of the intermediate conveyance device 60 and its constituent elements, unless otherwise specified, the intermediate conveyance device 60 will be described with reference to a state in which it is incorporated into the image forming system 1S.

Note that the front or front side of the intermediate conveyance device 60 is the side on which a handle 75, which will be described later, is arranged. Further, the front of the intermediate conveyance device 60 is the same as the front of the image forming system 1S. The front side of the image forming system 1S is the side that is assumed to be mainly accessed by the user, specifically the side where the operation panel as a user interface is arranged, and the side where the storage of the feeding device 6 is pulled out. It is.

As described above, the intermediate conveyance device 60 includes a conveyance path 60P in which the discharge path PA branches from the through path PB, and a switching guide 65 that switches the sheet conveyance path between the discharge path PA and the through path PB. The switching guide 65 is disposed at a branch PC of the discharge path PA and the through path PB. The switching guide 65 is a plate-shaped (flap-shaped) guide member that is configured to be swingable (rotatable) about an axis extending in the seat width direction, and is also referred to as a switching member or a switching section.

The through path PB is composed of an upper conveyance guide 84 and a lower conveyance guide 85 that face each other with a space through which the sheet passes. The discharge path PA is composed of an upper conveyance guide and a lower conveyance guide that face each other across a space through which the sheet passes.

The intermediate conveyance device 60 includes a first roller pair 61, a second roller pair 62, and a discharge roller pair 63 as conveyance members that convey the sheet. These rollers are pairs of rollers that convey the sheet by rotating and sandwiching the sheet. Other conveying members such as a belt conveyor may also be used. The first roller pair 61 is arranged at the upstream portion of the through path PB (upstream portion from the branching portion PC). The second roller pair 62 is arranged on the through path PB. The discharge roller pair 63 is arranged on the discharge path PA (particularly at the opening of the casing of the intermediate conveyance device 60).

When the intermediate conveyance device 60 conveys the sheet to the intermediate discharge tray 64, the switching guide 65 rotates clockwise around a rotational fulcrum (boss 65a to be described later) from the position shown in FIG. 2 (first position). position (second position). In this case, the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 is guided to the discharge path PA by the switching guide 65 and discharged to the intermediate discharge tray 64 by the pair of discharge rollers 63.

When the intermediate conveyance device 60 conveys the sheet to the post-processing device 4, the switching guide 65 is held at the position shown in FIG. In this case, the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 is guided by the switching guide 65 to the downstream part of the through path PB (downstream part from the branching part PC), and is guided by the second roller pair 62 toward the post-processing device 4. It is conveyed and passed to the entrance roller pair 21 in the post-processing device 4 .

FIG. 3(a) shows a perspective view of the intermediate conveyance device 60. The intermediate conveyance device 60 is divided into two units, an upper unit 68 and a lower unit 69, an upper unit and an upper unit, with the through path PB as a boundary. By operating the handle 75, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the front side of the upper unit 68 is lifted around a hinge, which will be described later, provided on the rear side of the device, and the front side of the intermediate conveyance device 60 is opened. It is configured as follows. If a jammed sheet remains in the through path PB of the intermediate conveyance device 60, the through path PB can be exposed by opening the upper unit 68 and the jam can be cleared.

A perspective view of the upper unit 68 is shown in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(b) is a diagram with the top cover 70 removed from FIG. 4(a). The upper unit 68 includes a motor 76 that drives the first roller pair 61, the second roller pair 62, and the discharge roller pair 63, and a drive mechanism 77 that transmits the drive from the motor 76 to each roller on the rear side of the unit. The upper unit 68 includes a solenoid 78 for switching the position of the switching guide 65, and a link member described below that connects the solenoid 78 and the switching guide 65. Further, the upper unit 68 includes a full-load detection flag 79 for detecting whether or not the intermediate discharge tray 64 is full of sheets, and an extension tray 80 that is extendable and retractable along the sheet conveyance direction.

[Blower mechanism]
The ventilation mechanism included in the intermediate conveyance device 60 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate conveyance device 60 includes a first fan 71 and a second fan 82 as an air blower for cooling and drying the sheet or the conveyance path. The first fan 71 is arranged in the lower unit 69 and the second fan 82 is arranged in the upper unit 68.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the intermediate conveyance device 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower unit 69 includes a first fan 71 and a first fan holder 72 that also serves as an intake/exhaust duct. The first fan 71 is held by a first fan holder 72. The first fan holder 72 is fixed to the lower conveyance guide 85 of the through path PB, and together with the lower conveyance guide 85 constitutes a frame (housing) of the lower unit 69 .

The first fan 71 sucks in outside air from an intake port 71a (FIG. 8(a)) that opens to the outside of the intermediate conveyance device 60, and takes in the air through a path (intake duct) indicated by a broken arrow F. The air discharged from the first fan 71 is spread across the entire seat width direction through a path (air duct) indicated by a solid arrow G. Furthermore, air passes through the air outlet 71b provided below the first roller pair 61 and flows to the discharge path PA and the through path PB. The configuration around the switching guide 65 and the air outlet 71b for guiding the air from the first fan 71 to the exhaust path PA and the through path PB will be described later.

In this embodiment, a sirocco fan is used as the first fan 71. By using a sirocco fan, the necessary wind pressure can be secured even if the ducts for the intake and exhaust routes have to be lengthened. Further, unlike an axial fan, the sirocco fan exhausts air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intake direction, so in the configuration of this embodiment, which is disposed at the lower part of the lower unit 69, it is relatively easy to design the intake and exhaust paths.

The air that has flowed into the through path PB is exhausted through the path indicated by the solid arrow G2. Specifically, the sheet flows downstream in the sheet conveyance direction along the through path PB, passes through at least one ventilation hole 71c provided in the upper conveyance guide 84, and is sent to the space 83 below the intermediate discharge tray 64.

The inside of the intermediate discharge tray 64 is a space 83 surrounded by the intermediate discharge tray 64 and the exterior of the intermediate conveyance device 60 . In order to send the air that has flowed into the through path PB into this space, a plurality of ventilation holes 71c are provided as first openings in the upper conveyance guide 84 at different positions in the sheet conveyance direction. A plurality of vent holes 71c located at the same position in the sheet conveyance direction are provided in the sheet width direction (the front-rear direction of the apparatus) that intersects with the sheet conveyance direction. That is, in the upper conveyance guide 84, a plurality of ventilation holes 71c are arranged in parallel in the sheet conveyance direction and the sheet width direction for allowing air to flow into the space 83 surrounded by the intermediate discharge tray 64 and the exterior of the intermediate conveyance device 60. ing.

An exhaust port 71d is provided on the side surface of the intermediate conveyance device 60 at a height where the exhaust is not obstructed by the post-processing device 4. The air sent to the space 83 is exhausted to the outside of the device through the exhaust port 71d. The ventilation port 71c and the exhaust port 71d are provided at a plurality of locations in the front-rear direction of the device. Note that the exhaust port 71d may be provided on the front or back of the device.

The air that has entered the discharge path PA flows downstream in the sheet conveyance direction along the discharge path PA, and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the space around the pair of discharge rollers 63 (the opening in the housing of the upper unit 68). Ru.

With the above-described configuration, the image on the sheet can be cooled by blowing the cold air sent out by the first fan 71 onto the image surface of the sheet. The image surface refers to the surface on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus 1 immediately before being transferred to the intermediate conveyance device 60 (in the case of double-sided printing, the surface on which an image is formed on the first surface and the second surface on which an image is formed after reversal conveyance). surface). As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of image damage such as roller marks on the sheet or scratch marks from the conveyance guide that guides the sheet.

In addition, by creating an air flow inside the intermediate conveyance device 60, for example, water vapor is prevented from accumulating in the space 83 between the upper conveyance guide 84 and the back surface of the intermediate discharge tray 64, and dew condensation inside the intermediate conveyance device 60 is suppressed. can be reduced.

Here, the mechanism of occurrence of dew condensation will be explained. Condensation occurs, for example, when warm air discharged from the interior of the intermediate conveying device 60 via the pair of discharge rollers 63 when the intermediate discharge tray 64 is cold hits the intermediate discharge tray 64 and is rapidly cooled. In this embodiment, as described above, a part of the air flowing downstream in the sheet conveyance direction along the through path PB passes through at least one vent hole 71c provided in the upper conveyance guide 84, and passes through the intermediate discharge tray 64. It is sent to the space 83 below.
With this configuration, it becomes possible to warm the intermediate discharge tray 64 using the air in the through path PB, and it becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation.

In addition, by creating an air flow inside the intermediate conveyance device 60 by the first fan 71, for example, the accumulation of water vapor in the space 83 between the upper conveyance guide 84 and the back surface of the intermediate discharge tray 64 is suppressed, and the intermediate conveyance Condensation within the device 60 can be reduced. By creating an air flow using the first fan 71, it is possible to make it easier for the warm air that remains in the through path PB to reach the space 83, thereby suppressing dew condensation on the surface (outer surface) of the intermediate discharge tray 64. can.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, the top surface of the post-processing device 4 is higher compared to the example shown in FIG. It may exceed. In this case, it is preferable to provide a notch 43 in a part of the upper right corner of the aftertreatment device 4 in the figure so that the aftertreatment device 4 does not obstruct the air exhausted from the exhaust port 71d. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the width of the notch 43 is set to be wider than the maximum sheet width of the sheets stacked on the intermediate discharge tray 64. Further, it is preferable that at least one rib 46 extending along the sheet ejection direction with respect to the intermediate ejection tray 64 is provided in the notch 43 to ensure a gap through which air passes from the exhaust port 71d.

In the example of FIG. 6, the internal space of the post-processing device 4 can be increased by increasing the height of the post-processing device 4, so that the degree of freedom in designing the interior of the post-processing device 4 can be increased.

The second fan 82 sucks in air from an intake port facing the space between the image forming apparatus 1 and the intermediate conveyance device 60 and exhausts it from the upper surface of the intermediate conveyance device 60 . The airflow generated by the second fan 82 scatters water vapor released from the sheet immediately after being ejected from the pair of ejection rollers 12 of the image forming apparatus 1, thereby suppressing dew condensation inside the intermediate conveying device 60 and cooling the sheet. be able to. Details regarding the second fan 82 will be described later.

[Air path configuration around the branch]
The air path around the branch will be explained. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the switching guide 65 of the intermediate conveyance device 60. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the switching guide 65 of the intermediate conveyance device 60. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the switching guide 65. In FIG. 8(a), illustration of the first roller pair 61 is omitted.

Hereinafter, the position of the switching guide 65 when the switching guide 65 guides the sheet to the through path PB (the positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 10(a, b)) will be referred to as a first position. The position of the switching guide 65 when the switching guide 65 guides the sheet to the discharge path PA (the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 (a, b)) is defined as a second position. The driving configuration of the switching guide 65 will be described later.

The first roller pair 61 includes a first upper roller 61a and a first lower roller 61b. The first upper roller 61a and the first lower roller 61b are so-called through rollers. That is, in the sheet width direction (arrow It is a cylindrical roller that extends over . In the first roller pair 61, the outer peripheral surfaces of the rollers are in contact with each other throughout the paper passing area. As a result, even if the first lower roller 61b comes into contact with the image surface of the sheet where the toner has been softened by heating in the fixing unit 11 (FIG. 1) inside the image forming apparatus 1, the image on the sheet will not be affected. Damage (roller scratches, etc.) can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), the air outlet 71b (exhaust port) that blows air from the first fan 71 into the conveyance path 60P is located upstream of the switching guide 65 in the sheet conveyance direction DB in the through path PB. Placed. Further, the air outlet 71b is arranged so as to blow out the air from the first fan 71 toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction DB. In other words, the air outlet 71b opens toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction DB.

Therefore, the air blown out from the air outlet 71b toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction DB flows toward the switching guide 65 disposed at the branching point between the through path PB and the discharge path PA. Then, it flows to the through path PB and/or the discharge path PA by the switching guide 65 (arrows I, J). Thereby, air can be efficiently sent to the through path PB and discharge path PA that are branched inside the intermediate conveyance device 60. That is, the air from the first fan 71 can cool the guide members forming the through path PB and the discharge path PA, as well as the sheets conveyed through each path.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air outlet 71b of this embodiment is located further upstream than the first roller pair 61 which is upstream of the switching guide 65 (upstream of the downstream end position of the first roller pair 61). Placed. With this configuration, not only the guide member and the sheet but also the first roller pair 61 can be cooled by the air from the first fan 71.

More specifically, in this embodiment, air flows through the gap G61 between the first lower roller 61b and the guide surface 85d on the downstream side of the outlet 71b of the lower conveyance guide 85 of the through path PB. It is composed of With this configuration, the first lower roller 61b can be cooled. Further, also in the configuration of this embodiment in which each roller of the first roller pair 61 is a passing roller, a flow path for air from the first fan 71 can be ensured.

Further, in this embodiment, a part of the first lower roller 61b is located within the opening area of the blowout port 71b when viewed from the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction DB. Thereby, the first lower roller 61b can be directly blown with air and cooled.

The configuration of the air outlet 71b of this embodiment will be further explained. In the lower conveyance guide 85 (guide member) constituting the through path PB, the downstream guide surface 85d is retracted from the sheet passing position (the position of the nip 61c of the first roller pair 61) compared to the upstream guide surface 85c. It has a stepped portion 85e formed as shown in FIG. In other words, the lower conveyance guide 85 has a guide surface 85c as a first guide surface that guides the sheet along the through path PB, and is disposed downstream of the guide surface 85c in the sheet conveyance direction DB and is further along the through path than the guide surface 85c. It has a guide surface 85d as a second guide surface arranged at a position apart from PB, and a stepped portion 85e formed between the guide surface 85c and the guide surface 85d. The stepped portion 85e extends in the thickness direction of the sheet conveyed through the through path PB. The air outlet 71b is provided at the stepped portion 85e of the lower conveyance guide 85. By providing the air outlet 71b in the stepped portion 85e, a configuration can be achieved in which air is blown out from the air outlet 71b in the direction along the sheet conveyance direction DB. Note that on the downstream side of the stepped portion 85e, the guide surface 85d is gently inclined toward the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction DB so as to approach the sheet passing position. Air blown out from the outlet 71b is guided toward the switching guide 65 due to the inclination of the guide surface 85d.

The lower conveyance guide 85 has a duct surface 85f that forms a duct that guides air from the first fan 71 to the conveyance path 60P on the back side of the guide surface 85c on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction DB of the stepped portion 85e. The duct surface 85f extends along the sheet conveyance direction DB at least in a portion adjacent to the air outlet 71b, and the air outlet 71b is formed at the downstream end of the duct surface 85f in the sheet conveyance direction DB. With this configuration, the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 71b can be guided along the sheet conveyance direction DB by the duct surface 85f. Further, since the lower conveyance guide 85 is used as a part of the duct from the first fan 71 to the conveyance path 60P, the number of parts can be reduced.

The path through which the air is blown out from the outlet 71b changes depending on the position of the switching guide 65. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that the air blown out from the air outlet 71b flows into both the ejection path PA and the through path PB when the switching guide 65 is at least located at the second position for guiding the sheet to the ejection path PA. Ru. Thereby, air can be simultaneously sent to the through path PB and the discharge path PA that are branched inside the intermediate conveyance device 60.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a gap P (clearance) is set between the tip 65b of the switching guide 65 and the lower conveyance guide 85 in a state where the switching guide 65 is located at the second position. Further, a gap T is set between the tip 65b of the switching guide 65 and the first roller pair 61. In other words, when the switching guide 65 is located at the second position, a gap P exists between the switching guide 65 and a member facing the switching guide 65 with the through path PB (first path) in between. In addition, a gap T exists between the switching guide 65 and a member that faces the switching guide 65 with the discharge path PA (second path) in between. With this configuration, air can be sent to the through path PB and the discharge path PA at the same time with the switching guide 65 located at the second position (arrows I and J).

In this embodiment, the path length from the switching guide 65 of the through path PB to the discharge port 88 (an opening facing the post-processing device 4, see FIG. 2) is longer than the path length of the discharge path PA. That is, the intermediate conveyance device 60 has a discharge port 88 serving as a first discharge port through which sheets that have passed through the through path PB are discharged toward the post-processing device 4, and a discharge port 88 that serves as a first discharge port through which sheets that have passed through the through path PB are discharged toward the outside of the intermediate conveyance device 60. It has a discharge port 89 (see FIG. 2) as a second discharge port through which the discharge is discharged to. The path length from the switching guide 65 to the discharge port 88 of the through path PB is longer than the path length from the switching guide 65 to the discharge port 89 of the discharge path PA. In this configuration, even when the switching guide 65 is located at the second position guiding the sheet to the discharge path PA, a portion of the air from the first fan 71 is configured to flow to the through path PB. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that heat is accumulated around the long through path PB and the temperature of the lower conveyance guide 85 and the like increases excessively. By the way, the path length of the ejection path PA refers to the path length from the switching guide 65 to the ejection roller pair 63 (FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the discharge port 89 is a nip between the pair of discharge rollers 63. In addition, the position of the switching guide 65 that is the starting point of the path length is the position of the tip 65b of the switching guide 65 at the first position in the case of the through path PB, and the position of the tip 65b of the switching guide 65 in the second position in the case of the discharge path PA. The position is 65b.

Note that in a state where the switching guide 65 is located at the first position, air may be sent to the through path PB and the discharge path PA at the same time. Further, air may be sent to the through path PB and the discharge path PA at the same time in both the state where the switching guide 65 is located at the first position and the state where the switching guide 65 is located at the second position. Further, the member facing the switching guide 65 across the through path PB or the discharge path PA may not be the lower conveyance guide 85 or the first roller pair 61 described above.

In this embodiment, since the air from the outlet 71b flows toward the switching guide 65, the ratio between the amount of air flowing to the through path PB and the amount of air flowing to the exhaust path PA changes depending on the position of the switching guide 65. . The amount of air flowing into the through path PB is larger when the switching guide 65 is located at the first position than when the switching guide 65 is located at the second position. Further, the amount of air flowing into the discharge path PA is larger when the switching guide 65 is located at the second position than when the switching guide 65 is located at the first position.

In addition, by changing the size of the gap between the switching guide 65 at each position and the member facing the switching guide 65 with the through path PB or the exhaust path PA in between, the air flowing into the through path PB and the exhaust path PA can be The amount (air volume) can be changed. For example, in FIG. 7, when the gap P (clearance) between the switching guide 65 and the lower conveyance guide 85 is reduced and the switching guide 65 is located at the second position, air basically flows only to the discharge path PA. (Arrow I).

The air outlet 71b is preferably arranged on the image plane side with respect to the through path PB. This is because the image on the sheet heated by the fixing unit 11 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1 can be efficiently cooled.

The switching guide 65 will be explained in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the switching guide 65 has a first surface 651 for guiding the sheet to the through path PB and a second surface 652 for guiding the sheet to the discharge path PA. The first surface 651 and the second surface 652 are surfaces that extend over the entire paper passing area in the sheet width direction (X direction) and extend along the sheet conveyance direction. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, at least one of the first surface 651 and the second surface 652 is provided with a plurality of ribs 65c extending in the sheet conveyance direction. In this embodiment, a plurality of ribs 65c are provided on both the first surface 651 and the second surface 652.

By providing the plurality of ribs 65c, a gap is formed between the sheet and the first surface 651 or the second surface 652 through which air flows while contacting and guiding the sheet.

The flow of air during sheet conveyance will be explained using FIGS. 9(a, b) and 10(a, b). FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing the vicinity of the switching guide 65 when the switching guide 65 is located at the second position. 9A shows the state before the sheet S reaches the pair of discharge rollers 63, and FIG. 9B shows the state after the sheet S reaches the pair of discharge rollers 63.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), before the sheet S reaches the discharge roller pair 63, the sheet S is conveyed while slidingly contacting the switching guide 65, so that the air blown out from the air outlet 71b is mainly Flows to through path PB. However, some of the air flows through the gap formed between the sheet S and the second surface 652 of the switching guide 65 by the plurality of ribs 65c described above (arrow I), so that the image surface of the sheet S The image is cooled by the wind.

As shown in FIG. 9B, even after the sheet S reaches the discharge roller pair 63, there is a gap between the sheet S and the second surface 652 of the switching guide 65, which is at least the height of the plurality of ribs 65c. Since the image surface of the sheet S is formed in between, wind hits the image surface of the sheet S and cools the image (arrow I).

Note that even during a period in which a sheet is not passing through the switching guide 65 while the switching guide 65 is located at the second position, a portion of the air from the air outlet 71b flows to the discharge path PA by the switching guide 65. As a result, the switching guide 65, the guide member of the discharge path PA, and the discharge roller pair 63 are cooled.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the vicinity of the switching guide 65 when the switching guide 65 is located at the first position. 10(a) shows the state before the sheet S reaches the switching guide 65, and FIG. 10(b) shows the state after the sheet S passes the switching guide 65.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in this embodiment, when the switching guide 65 is located at the first position, the sheet S is placed in the discharge path PA while the sheet S is passing through the switching guide 65. The wind path is blocked. Therefore, the air from the outlet 71b basically flows into the through path PB, and basically does not flow into the discharge path PA. For example, even if the wind speed in the discharge path PA is measured using an anemometer during the period when the sheet is passing through the switching guide 65 (FIG. 10(b)), the wind speed in the through path PB during the same period is It is very small (for example, less than 5%).

[Switching guide drive configuration]
Next, the driving configuration of the switching guide 65 will be explained using FIGS. 11(a, b). FIG. 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of the switching guide 65 and the drive mechanism in the first position, and FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the switching guide 65 and the drive mechanism in the second position. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, illustration of a part of the link member 90 and the upper conveyance guide 84, which will be described below, is omitted for the sake of explanation.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), the switching guide 65 has bosses 65a at both ends in the seat width direction, which serve as rotation centers (swing centers). Further, the switching guide 65 includes a drive boss 65d at the end in the sheet width direction. The drive boss 65d is provided at a position away from the center of the boss 65a.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the boss 65a is inserted into the hole of the frame 103 of the intermediate conveyance device 60, so that the switching guide 65 is rotatably supported. Note that the frame 103 is a member constituting the frame of the upper unit 68, and a portion of the frame 103 (a portion facing the through path PB) functions as an upper conveyance guide 84 (FIGS. 2 and 5). Note that the upper conveyance guide 84 may be fixed to the frame 103 as a separate member from the frame 103.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the drive mechanism for the switching guide 65 includes a solenoid 78, a link member 90, and a holding spring 100. The link member 90 has a hole 90a rotatably supported by a support shaft fixed to the frame 103, an elongated hole 90b that engages with the drive boss 65d of the switching guide 65, and a hook that engages with the holding spring 100. It has a portion 90c. Further, the link member 90 is connected to the plunger of the solenoid 78 via a connecting pin 101. The holding spring 100 has one end engaged with the frame 103 and the other end engaged with the hook portion 90c of the link member 90.

Further, pads 102a and 102b are provided as regulating members (stoppers) that restrict the rotation range of the switching guide 65 by coming into contact with the switching guide 65. In this embodiment, pad 102a is attached to frame 103, pad 102b is attached to fan holder 74 holding second fan 82 (FIG. 2), and both are fixed to frame 103.

The switching guide 65 is urged from one of the first position and the second position toward the other by the elastic force of the holding spring 100. Further, the solenoid 78 moves the switching guide 65 from the other of the first position and the second position to one of the first and second positions against the elastic force of the holding spring 100.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the switching guide 65 is urged toward the first position by the elastic force of the holding spring 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the solenoid 78 is not energized, the switching guide 65 is moved to a position where it abuts the pad 102b due to the biasing force in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, which is received via the link member 90. That is, it is held at the first position.

When the solenoid 78 is energized, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the link member 90 rotates clockwise in the figure against the elastic force of the holding spring 100, and together with the link member 90, the switching guide 65 rotates clockwise in the figure. Then, the switching guide 65 is held at the position where it abuts against the pad 102a, that is, at the second position.

When moving the switching guide 65 from the second position to the first position, if the current to the solenoid 78 is cut off, the switching guide 65 returns to the first position due to the biasing force of the holding spring 100 (FIG. 11(a)).

Note that although this embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the solenoid 78 is used as the actuator, other actuators may be used. For example, a stepper motor capable of forward and reverse rotation may be connected to the switching guide 65, or the switching guide 65 may be driven by a mechanism combining a motor and a cam mechanism.

[Extension tray]
Next, the extension tray provided on the intermediate discharge tray 64 will be explained. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing part of the intermediate conveyance device 60 and the post-processing device 4. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 12. FIGS. 13(b, c) are cross-sectional views showing the state when the opening/closing door 201 of the post-processing device 4 is opened from the state shown in FIG. 13(a).

As shown in FIG. 12, an intermediate discharge tray 64 is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate conveyance device 60, and an extension tray 80 is provided on the intermediate discharge tray 64. The extension tray 80 is movable between a protruding position where it protrudes downstream in the sheet ejection direction DA with respect to the stacking surface 64a of the intermediate ejection tray 64 and a storage position where it is stored in the intermediate ejection tray 64.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when the extension tray 80 is located at the protruding position, the tip of the extension tray 80 protrudes downstream from the side surface 60D on the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction DA of the intermediate conveying device 60, and upwards. A part of the extension tray 80 overlaps the post-processing device 4 when viewed from above. On the other hand, when the extension tray 80 is stored in the storage position, the extension tray 80 does not protrude from the side surface 60D of the intermediate conveyance device 60 (FIG. 3(a)).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13(a), an opening/closing door 201 as an opening/closing member (movable member) is provided on the upper surface of the post-processing device 4. The opening/closing door 201 is rotatable around a hinge 202. As shown in FIG. 13(b), when the opening/closing door 201 is opened, at least a portion of the transport path 4P (FIG. 13(a)) inside the post-processing device 4 is exposed to the outside of the device. Therefore, the user can clear the jam by opening the door 201. When the opening/closing door 201 is closed, the post-processing device 4 becomes ready to transport the sheet via the transport path 4P.

The opening/closing door 201 of this embodiment is opened by being rotated upwards about the upstream end (end on the right side in the figure) in the sheet conveyance direction received from the intermediate conveyance device 60, and opened by being rotated in the opposite direction. Close by

Here, the position of the extension tray 80 located at the protruding position and the space through which the opening/closing door 201 is opened and closed partially overlap. On the other hand, the extension tray 80 is configured to be rotatable relative to the intermediate ejection tray 64 and movable along the sheet ejection direction DA by having the shaft 81 held in an elongated hole 103c provided in the frame 103. .

Therefore, when the door 201 is opened with the extension tray 80 pulled out to the protruding position, the extension tray 80 in contact with the door 201 moves in conjunction with the door 201, as shown in FIG. 13(c). and rotate counterclockwise in the figure. That is, in conjunction with the movement of the opening/closing door 201 as a movable member, the extension tray 80 retreats from the movement trajectory of the opening/closing door 201.

As a result, it is possible to stack large sheets with the extension tray 80, and increase the opening angle of the opening/closing door 201 without being hindered by interference with the extension tray 80, thereby improving workability during jam clearance. Furthermore, the effort of moving the extension tray 80 to the storage position when opening the door 201 can be saved. Note that the opening/closing door 201 may be provided with a recess 201a so that the user can open the door by placing a finger on the recess 201a. With this opening/closing door 201 open, the tip of the extension tray 80 may be accommodated in the recess 201a.

When the opening/closing door 201 is opened to the maximum angle (FIG. 13(c)), the extension tray 80 is prevented from falling toward the intermediate ejection tray 64 (the center of gravity of the extension tray 80 is located to the left of the axis 81 in the figure). It is preferable to have this configuration. As a result, when the opening/closing door 201 is closed after clearing the jam, the extension tray 80 can be returned to its original position (FIG. 13(b)) by its own weight, improving work efficiency.

Note that the opening/closing door 201 for opening the transport path is an example of a movable member, and the extension tray 80 is retracted in conjunction with the movement of the movable member to expose units other than the transport path for maintenance. Good too.

[Duct configuration of first fan]
Next, the duct configuration of the first fan 71 will be described in detail using FIGS. 5 and 14. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the intermediate conveyance device 60 viewed from below.

As shown in FIG. 14, a duct sheet 73 is attached to the lower unit 69 of the intermediate conveyance device 60. The duct sheet 73 is a flexible sheet member made of resin material. As the resin material, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used.

The path indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 5 is an intake duct surrounded by the lower conveyance guide 85, the first fan holder 72, and the duct sheet 73. The intake duct has an intake port 71a (FIG. 8(a)) provided on the upper side of the lower unit 69 and the front end of the intermediate conveyance device 60, and an intermediate conveyance port on the lower side of the lower unit 69 in the sheet conveyance direction of the through path PB. A first fan 71 provided at the upstream end of the device 60 is connected.

The upstream part of the intake duct (the part on the intake port 71a side) is formed by the lower surface of the lower conveyance guide 85 (the back surface of the surface facing the through path PB), the side wall portion protruding downward from the lower surface, and the duct sheet 73. It is formed. The downstream portion of the intake duct (the portion on the first fan 71 side) is formed by the lower surface of the first fan holder 72, a side wall portion protruding downward from the lower surface, and a duct sheet 73.

As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the duct sheet 73 is bent, the duct sheet 73 is hooked onto the claws 71g and 85a provided on the first fan holder 72 and the lower conveyance guide 85, respectively. is assembled into the intermediate conveyance device 60.

That is, in this embodiment, the duct structure is formed by attaching resin sheet members to the lower conveyance guide 85 and the first fan holder 72 that constitute the casing of the intermediate conveyance device 60. As a comparative example, when resin molding a cylindrical duct shape with a mold, molding it integrally with the conveyance guide or fan holder will make the mold shape complicated, and using a separate member will require more man-hours to attach and fix the duct. In contrast, in this embodiment, a part of the duct shape is provided in the lower conveyance guide 85 and the first fan holder 72, and the other part (lower surface part) of the duct shape is made of a flexible sheet member. It is possible to save mold investment costs, downsize equipment, and reduce assembly man-hours.

Note that the intermediate conveyance device 60 of this embodiment is installed at the top of the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the temperature of the air near the first fan 71 disposed at the bottom of the intermediate conveyance device 60, which is a portion facing the image forming apparatus 1, tends to rise in temperature due to the heat generated by the image forming apparatus 1 during image formation. By arranging the intake port 71a at the above position, it is possible to take in fresh air, but the intake duct that connects the intake port 71a and the first fan 71 has a long and curved shape. Particularly in such a case, by configuring the intake duct using the duct sheet 73 as in this embodiment, the above-mentioned advantages (such as saving in mold investment costs) can be obtained.

Note that the duct sheet 73 may be used only for a part of the intake duct. Further, the shape of the intake duct can be changed as appropriate depending on the positions of the intake port and the first fan.

[Inlet sensor and second fan]
The configuration around the entrance sensor 300 included in the intermediate conveyance device 60 will be described using FIGS. 15 to 18. FIG. 15(a) is a sectional view of the vicinity of the entrance sensor 300 viewed from the front side of the device. FIG. 15(b) is a sectional view of the vicinity of the entrance sensor 300 viewed from the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the entrance sensor 300 is attached to the frame 103 of the upper unit 68, and is arranged on the back side (upper side) of the guide surface of the upper conveyance guide 84. The entrance sensor 300 has a substrate 300e on which a light emitting section 300a and a light receiving section 300b are mounted. The entrance sensor 300 of this embodiment is a reflection type sensor, and the light emitted by the light emitting part 300a hits the sheet through the hole 301 of the frame 103, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving part 300b. emit a signal. By installing the entrance sensor 300 above the conveyance path, it is possible to reduce the possibility of dirt adhering to the light emitting part 300a and the light receiving part 300b, and to make them less susceptible to the effects of paper dust etc. scattered from the sheet. .

A region 300c indicated by a broken line in FIG. This is the irradiation range of light narrowed down by 301. The light irradiation range is determined by the position of the edge of the hole 301. In this way, by narrowing down the light irradiation range, it is possible to improve the sheet detection accuracy in the sheet conveyance direction. That is, if the light irradiation range is not narrowed down, the sheet position in the sheet conveyance direction that the entrance sensor 300 responds to may vary depending on the mounting angle of the light emitting section 300a and the light receiving section 300b, the mounting tolerance of the substrate 300e, and the like. By narrowing down the irradiation range using the holes 301, the presence or absence of a sheet can be detected at a fixed position in the sheet conveyance direction.

It is preferable that the wall surface of the hole 301 is a slope 302 that is inclined toward the entrance sensor 300 side, and that the surface of the slope 302 has a lower surface roughness than the surfaces other than the hole 301. This can reduce false detections caused by light diffusely reflected on the slope 302 entering the light receiving section 300b. Further, it is more preferable to set the angle of the slope 302 so that the light emitted from the light emitting section 300a and specularly reflected on the slope 302 does not enter the light receiving section 300b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15(b), in the sheet width direction, the width of the hole 301 is set wider than the irradiation range (300c) of the light emitted from the light emitting section 300a. This reduces the possibility of erroneously detecting the presence or absence of the sheet S due to light being reflected on the slope 302 and entering the light receiving section 300b.

Note that even if the detection position of the entrance sensor 300 changes somewhat in the sheet width direction, there is no problem in detecting the sheet passage timing using the entrance sensor 300. Therefore, there is little need to narrow down the light irradiation range using the holes 301 in the sheet width direction. However, if a highly glossy metal member is placed near the position facing the entrance sensor 300 of the lower conveyance guide 85, the width of the hole 301 may be narrowed to reduce false detection. A configuration may be adopted in which the hole 301 narrows down the light irradiation range.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the lower conveyance guide 85 is provided with a recess 85b at a position facing the light emitting section 300a in the optical axis direction of the light emitting section 300a. As shown in FIG. 15A, the bottom surface of the recess 85b is set so that light emitted from the light emitting section 300a and specularly reflected at the bottom surface of the recess 85b does not enter the light receiving section 300b. This can reduce false detections caused by light reflected from the bottom surface of the recess 85b entering the light receiving section 300b.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 15(b), the outlet 71b for blowing out air from the first fan 71 is located at the position where the recess 85b is provided in the lower conveyance guide 85. Not done. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15(b), when viewed in the sheet width direction, the area 300d where the light from the entrance sensor 300 is irradiated and the air flowing from the first fan 71 toward the air outlet 71b. The road and overlap. The area required for the entrance sensor 300 to detect the sheet is relatively small, and the air blown out from the air outlet 71b flows while expanding in the width direction of the sheet. Therefore, with the above arrangement, the device can be downsized while maintaining the performance of the inlet sensor 300 and the outlet 71b.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the entrance sensor 300 of the upper unit 68 viewed from above. In FIG. 16, some members, such as the top cover 70 (FIG. 4(a)) of the upper unit 68, are transparent. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the entrance sensor 300 of the intermediate conveyance device 60. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the entrance sensor 300 viewed from the back side of the intermediate conveyance device 60.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, vent holes 103a and 103b are provided upstream and downstream of the entrance sensor 300 in the sheet conveyance direction. The ventilation holes 103a and 103b penetrate from the surface of the frame 103 (upper conveyance guide 84) on the through path PB side to the back surface thereof.

The second fan 82 is arranged in the space between the frame 103 (upper conveyance guide 84) and the upper cover 70 (inner space of the upper unit 68). The second fan 82 of this embodiment is an axial fan (propeller fan) arranged so as to send air sucked in from the lower side to the upper side. The second fan 82 takes in air from the through path PB via the vents 103a and 103b, and exhausts it from the exhaust port 70a provided in the top cover 70.

The second fan 82 can reduce the possibility that paper dust will enter the space 400 where the entrance sensor 300 is arranged by sucking the paper dust together with air from the conveyance path through the vents 103a and 103b. The space 400 is a space formed by a rib 84a (FIGS. 17 and 18) that projects upward from the upper conveyance guide 84 in a cylindrical shape around the hole 301, and is located on the side away from the through path PB with respect to the hole 301. It is a space where you can retreat to.

As shown in FIG. 18, the substrate 300e of the entrance sensor 300 is attached to the rib 84a so that the substrate 300e serves as a lid for the space 400. Further, it is preferable to insert the elastic member 303 between the rib 84a and the connector 300f of the entrance sensor 300 to eliminate the gap. As a result, the space 400 is closed in an airtight manner, so that paper dust is further reduced from entering the space 400 through the hole 301. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dirt such as paper dust from adhering to the light emitting section 300a and the light receiving section 300b of the entrance sensor 300.

[Hinge mechanism]
Next, a hinge mechanism for opening and closing the upper unit 68 of the intermediate conveyance device 60 will be explained using FIGS. 19(a, b). FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate conveyance device 60 with the upper unit 68 in the open position, viewed from the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction (left side in FIG. 2). FIG. 19(b) is a perspective view of the intermediate conveyance device 60 with the upper unit 68 in the open position. In FIG. 19(b), a part of the exterior of the intermediate conveyance device 60 is seen through.

As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the intermediate conveyance device 60 includes a holding unit 401 as a hinge mechanism (support mechanism) that supports the upper unit 68 with respect to the lower unit 69 so as to be openable and closable. The holding unit 401 includes a biasing spring 402, a holding cam 403, a rotating cam 404, and a rotating cam shaft 405.

The rotating cam 404 is rotatably provided around a rotating cam shaft 405 . The rotation axis of the upper unit 68 and the rotating cam 404 is common, and the rotating cam 404 rotates together with the upper unit 68. The holding cam 403 is urged toward the rotating cam 404 by the urging spring 402 . The holding cam 403 has a first surface 403a and a second surface 403b as cam surfaces.

When the upper unit 68 is in the open position, the tip 404a of the rotating cam 404 contacts the first surface 403a of the holding cam 403. In this case, the holding cam 403 presses the rotating cam 404 due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 402, so that the upper unit 68 is biased counterclockwise in the figure and is held in the open position without closing due to its own weight. . In other words, the orientation of the first surface 403a, the elastic force of the biasing spring 402, etc. are set so that the upper unit 68 can be held in the open position.

When the upper unit 68 is in the closed position, the tip 404a of the rotating cam 404 contacts the second surface 403b of the holding cam 403. In this case, the holding cam 403 presses the rotary cam 404 due to the urging force of the urging spring 402, so that the upper unit 68 is urged clockwise in the figure and held in the closed position. In other words, the second surface 403b is inclined with respect to the first surface 403a so that the direction of the moment of force acting on the upper unit 68 due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 402 changes depending on the position of the upper unit 68. There is.

As shown in FIG. 19(b), the holding unit 401 is arranged only on one side of the upper unit 68, and is attached from the outside of the upper unit 68. That is, the holding unit 401 is arranged on the downstream side of the intermediate conveyance device 60 in the sheet conveyance direction of the through path PB. Therefore, when assembling the intermediate conveyance device 60, the holding unit 401 can be attached after assembling the internal structure of the upper unit 68. This makes it possible to improve assembly efficiency, ensure accessibility during jam removal, and realize low costs.

The intermediate conveyance device 60 of this embodiment is installed in an internal discharge type image forming apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) that discharges sheets into a space between the image reading device 2 and the main body of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, if the holding unit 401 is arranged on the side surface of the intermediate conveyance device 60 on the side far from the pair of discharge rollers 12 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1, the arrangement space will be more spacious and the degree of freedom in design will be improved.

In this embodiment, the holding unit 401 is arranged only on one side, but if the upper unit 68 is heavier, the holding unit 401 may be arranged on both sides of the intermediate conveyance device 60.

[Modified example]
In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the outlet 71b for blowing out air from the first fan 71 is arranged upstream of the first roller pair 61 so that the first roller pair 61 is also cooled at the same time. Alternatively, the outlet 71b may be arranged downstream of the first roller pair 61. As an example, a duct from the first fan 71 is extended through a gap G61 below the first roller pair 61 in FIG. The opening may be made upstream of 65. With this configuration as well, air can be efficiently sent to the branched conveyance path (through path PB and discharge path PA).

Further, in this embodiment, the air outlet 71b is provided below the through path PB, and the air from the outlet 71b mainly passes under the first roller pair 61. Alternatively, the air outlet 71b may be provided above the through path PB, and the air from the air outlet 71b may mainly pass above the first roller pair 61.

In this embodiment, the image forming system 1S includes an image reading device 2 and a document feeding device 3. The air from the first fan 71 passes through the air passage inside the intermediate conveying device 60 and is discharged to the outside of the device from an opening in the casing of the intermediate conveying device 60 (the opening where the exhaust port 71d and the pair of discharge rollers 63 are arranged). be done. Therefore, the air generated by the first fan 71 and exhausted from the intermediate conveyance device 60 removes some heat and moisture around the intermediate conveyance device 60, and reduces dew condensation on the lower surface of the image reading device 2, for example. However, the intermediate conveyance device 60 described in this embodiment may be used in an image forming system 1S that does not include the image reading device 2 and the document feeding device 3.

《Example 2》
Next, Example 2 of the present disclosure will be described. Hereinafter, elements given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have substantially the same configuration and operation as those described in the first embodiment.

20(a to c) schematically represent the relationship between the transport path 60P of the intermediate transport device 60 and the first fan 503 according to this embodiment. The conveyance path 60P includes a through path 500 going from the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing device 4, a first discharge path 501 that branches from the through path 500, and a second discharge path 501 that branches from the through path 500 downstream from the branch of the first discharge path 501. and a discharge path 502. The through path 500 is the first pass of this embodiment, the first discharge path 501 is the second pass of this embodiment, and the second discharge path 502 is the third pass of this embodiment.

The first discharge path 501 and the second discharge path 502 are transport paths that transport the sheet to a different transport destination from the through path 500, respectively. The transport destination different from the through path 500 is, for example, the intermediate discharge tray 64 or, if the post-processing device 4 has a plurality of receiving ports, a receiving port different from the receiving port for the sheet from the through path 500.

A first switching guide 510 is arranged at a first branch where the first discharge path 501 branches from the through path 500. The first switching guide 510 is movable between a position where the sheet is guided to the through path 500 and a position where the sheet is guided to the first discharge path 501. A second switching guide 511 is arranged at a second branch where the second discharge path 502 branches from the through path 500. The second switching guide 511 is movable between a position where the sheet is guided to the through path 500 and a position where the sheet is guided to the second discharge path 502.

In this way, the intermediate conveyance device 60 has the conveyance path 60P having a plurality of branch parts, and can convey the sheet received from the image forming apparatus 1 to a desired conveyance destination by controlling the positions of the plurality of switching guides. I can do it.

The air outlet 504 that blows air from the first fan 503 into the transport path 60P is arranged upstream of the most upstream switching guide (that is, the first switching guide 510) in the sheet transport direction in the through path 500. Further, the air outlet 504 is formed so as to blow the air from the first fan 503 toward the downstream side of the through path 500 in the sheet conveyance direction.

Thereby, the air from the first fan 503 can be efficiently sent to the transport path 60P branched at a plurality of branch parts.

Further, depending on the positions of the first switching guide 510 and the second switching guide 511, the ratio of the amount of air flowing into each path from the first fan 503 can be changed.

Specifically, FIG. 20(a) shows a case where the first switching guide 510 and the second switching guide 511 are located at positions where they guide the sheet to the through path 500. In this case, the air from the first fan 503 mainly flows along the arrow K and cools the through path 500.

FIG. 20(b) shows a case where the first switching guide 510 is positioned to guide the sheet to the first ejection path 501. In this case, the air from the first fan 503 mainly flows along the arrow L to cool the first exhaust path 501.

FIG. 20(c) shows a case where the first switching guide 510 is positioned to guide the sheet to the through path 500, and the second switching guide 511 is positioned to guide the sheet to the second ejection path 502. . In this case, the air from the first fan 503 mainly flows along the arrow M to cool the second exhaust path 502.

Note that in each state of FIGS. 20(a to c), the first switching guide 510 or the second switching guide 511 and the A gap may be provided between the opposing member.

《Example 3》
As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the wind generated by the fan 82A disposed inside the image forming apparatus 1 is taken into the intermediate conveyance device 60 and distributed to the through path PB and the discharge path PA by the switching guide 65. It is also possible to have a configuration in which

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 when the intermediate conveyance device 60 is not installed. A fan 82A installed in the image forming apparatus 1 takes in air from the conveyance path 66 of the sheet conveyed toward the pair of discharge rollers 12, and exhausts it from an exhaust port provided near the pair of discharge rollers 12 (as indicated by the arrow). D).

FIG. 21(b) is a sectional view showing a state in which the intermediate conveyance device 60 is installed. In this case, the air exhausted along the above-mentioned arrow D is taken into the through path PB through the opening of the intermediate conveyance device 60 on the image forming apparatus 1 side. Then, depending on the position of the switching guide 65, air from the fan 82A is distributed to the through path PB and the exhaust path PA.

With such a configuration as well, air can be efficiently sent to the branched conveyance paths inside the intermediate conveyance device 60.

《Example 4》
Next, Example 4 will be described using FIGS. 22 to 27. Hereinafter, elements given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have substantially the same configuration and operation as those described in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the flow of air sent to the conveyance path 60P by the first fan 71 was mainly explained, but in the fourth embodiment, the flow of air mainly sent to the upper unit 68 by the second fan 82 will be explained. . Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the second fan 82 sends air to the upper unit 68 through the vents 103a and 103b, but in the fourth embodiment, the air is sent to the upper unit 68 from the first intake port 73a and the second intake port 73b. Inhale.

That is, conventionally, when a conveyed sheet comes into contact with dew condensation, sheet conveyance defects and image defects may occur. The fourth embodiment aims to provide a sheet conveyance device capable of reducing sheet conveyance defects and image defects, and an image forming system equipped with the same.

[Intermediate conveyance device]
The configuration of the intermediate conveyance device 260 according to the fourth embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1, 22 to 24(b). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 22, the intermediate conveyance device 260 is installed on the discharge tray 42 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 1. The intermediate conveyance device 260 is a device that conveys sheets from the image forming device 1 to the post-processing device 4, and is a device that is additionally attached to the image forming device 1 when the post-processing device 4 is connected to the image forming device 1. be. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 can be used even if it is not connected to the intermediate conveyance device 260 and the post-processing device 4 as in this embodiment. In this case, the ejection roller pair 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 ejects the sheet onto the ejection tray 42 .

When the intermediate conveying device 260 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and used, a dedicated reversing conveying section 67 is installed downstream of the pair of reversing rollers 13 as a pair of reversing rotating bodies of the image forming apparatus 1 . The image forming apparatus 1 includes a guide member 43 that guides the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 11 to the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 or the reverse conveyance path CP3. A first sheet discharge port 44 for discharging the sheet to the outside of the sheet machine is provided at the downstream end of the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 in the conveyance direction. The reverse conveyance path CP3 is provided in the reverse conveyance section 67, and a second sheet discharge port 45 through which the sheet is discharged outside the machine is provided at the downstream end of the reverse conveyance path CP3 in the conveyance direction. The second sheet discharge port 45 is arranged at a different position from the first sheet discharge port 44. The guide member 43 guides the sheet to the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 or the reverse conveyance path CP3 by rotating.

The sheet guided to the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 by the guide member 43 is discharged out of the machine from the first sheet discharge port 44 by a pair of discharge rollers 12 as a pair of discharge rotary bodies, and enters the intermediate conveyance device 260. The intermediate conveyance device 260 includes a first roller pair 61 that receives the sheet conveyed by the discharge roller pair 12, a second roller pair 62 that conveys the sheet on the through path PB as a conveyance path, and a discharge roller branched from the through path PB. It has a path PA and a switching guide 65. The switching guide 65 rotates to guide the sheet conveyed by the first roller pair 61 to the through path PB or the discharge path PA as a branch conveyance path.

The sheet guided to the discharge path PA by the switching guide 65 is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 63 to an intermediate discharge tray 64 provided on the upper surface of the intermediate conveyance device 260 . The sheet guided to the through path PB by the switching guide 65 is conveyed by the second roller pair 62 and delivered to the entrance roller pair 21 of the post-processing device 4 .

As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 23(b), the intermediate conveyance device 260 includes a lower unit 69 and an upper unit 68 that is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit 69 via a hinge (not shown). are doing. The lower unit 69 includes a first fan 71 as a second fan that blows air toward the through path PB, and a lower conveyance guide 85 as a first guide. The upper unit 68 has an upper conveyance guide 84 as a second guide that faces the lower conveyance guide 85 and forms a through path PB together with the lower conveyance guide 85. The upper unit 68 is opened upward relative to the lower unit 69 when a handle 75 provided on the upper unit 68 is lifted by the user. As a result, the upper conveyance guide 84 is separated from the lower conveyance guide 85, and the through path PB is opened. By opening the through path PB, the user can dispose of the jammed sheet in the through path PB.

FIG. 24(a) is a perspective view of the upper unit 68, and FIG. 24(b) is a perspective view of the upper unit 68 with the top cover 70 removed. 24(a) and 24(b) are views of the upper unit 68 from the rear side.

As shown in FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b), the upper unit 68 includes a top cover 70 that constitutes the exterior of the upper unit 68, a second fan 82 that rotates to generate airflow, and a second fan 82 that rotates to generate airflow. It has a fan holder 74 as a holding member for holding. The fan and the second fan 82 as the first fan are constituted by an axial fan having a plurality of blades attached to a rotating shaft. The second fan 82 and fan holder 74 are arranged in an area surrounded by the top cover 70 and the through path PB (see FIG. 22). The fan holder 74 and the top cover 70 form a communication space SP in which the second fan 82 is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24(b), the sheets passing through the discharge path PA are discharged to the outside of the machine from the discharge port 89, which serves as a third sheet discharge port provided at the downstream end of the discharge path PA in the conveyance direction. . The fan holder 74 is provided with a partition wall 86 that partitions the communication space SP and the discharge port 89. Thereby, leakage of air sent by the second fan 82 as a fan from the exhaust port 89 can be reduced.

[Air path configuration of image forming apparatus]
Next, the air passage configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described using FIG. 25(a). FIG. 25A is a cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus 1 without the intermediate conveyance device 260 installed. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a fan 82A as a third fan that generates airflow by rotating. In FIG. 25(a), arrow A indicates the path of the sheet discharged through the main body discharge conveyance path CP2. Water vapor generated from the sheet is exhausted along arrow D by fan 82A. Further, the air flowing into the reversing conveyance path CP3 is exhausted from the second sheet discharge port 45 along the arrow E. Note that the air (water vapor) flowing along the arrow D is exhausted from the hole 47 provided at the lower part of the first sheet discharge port 44, but may be exhausted from the first sheet discharge port 44.

In the image forming apparatus 1 without the intermediate conveyance device 260 installed, the arrows D and E are not obstructed, so air containing water vapor is exhausted to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 without any stagnation, and dew condensation is less likely to occur.

[Comparative example]
FIG. 25(b) is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus 1 equipped with an intermediate conveyance device 160 as a comparative example in which the second fan 82 is not provided. Note that the intermediate conveyance device 160 has the same configuration as the intermediate conveyance device 260 described above except that the second fan 82 is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 25(b), when the intermediate conveyance device 160 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the casing 60A of the intermediate conveyance device 160 obstructs the exhaust of air as indicated by arrows D and E. . Note that the housing 60A includes the frame of the intermediate conveyance device 160 and the top cover 70.

Specifically, the air exhausted from the hole 47 shown by the arrow D remains in the first space SP1 surrounded by the casing 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the casing 60A of the intermediate conveyance device 160. Condensation Q occurs at the entrance portion CP1a of the through path PB of the intermediate conveyance device 260. Further, the air passing through the reversing conveyance path CP3 shown by the arrow E is discharged from the second sheet discharge port 45 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 and rises, and the air passes through the image reading device provided above the image forming apparatus 1. This causes dew condensation R to occur on the surface of 2.

Further, the air exhausted from the second sheet discharge port 45 through the reversing conveyance path CP3 shown by arrow E also comes into contact with the top cover 70, causing dew condensation U to occur on the top cover 70. In other words, the air exhausted from the second sheet discharge port 45 shown by the arrow E is sent to the second space SP2 between the first surface 91 of the housing 1A and the second surface 92 of the housing 60A, This causes dew condensation U to occur on the second surface 92, which is a part of the top cover 70. A second sheet discharge port 45 is formed on the first surface 91, and the first surface 91 and the second surface 92 face each other.

Note that when the intermediate conveyance device 260 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet discharged outside the machine from the second sheet discharge port 45 through the reversal conveyance path CP3 is delivered to the second surface 92 of the top cover 70. It is guided while rubbing (contacting). That is, the second surface 92 of the top cover 70 functions as a guide member that guides the sheet.

Moreover, the air discharged outside the machine from the discharge port 89 through the discharge path PA shown by the arrow F comes into contact with the intermediate discharge tray 64 and causes dew condensation N to occur on the intermediate discharge tray 64. If the sheet comes into contact with the dew condensation generated in this way, it will cause poor conveyance of the sheet and defective images.

[Air path configuration of intermediate conveyance device according to this embodiment]
Next, the air passage configuration of the intermediate conveyance device 260 according to this embodiment will be described using FIGS. 26 and 27. 26 and 27, arrow A indicates the sheet path passing through the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 and discharge path PA, arrow B indicates the sheet path passing through the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 and through path PB, and arrow C indicates the path of the sheet passing through the reversal conveyance path CP3.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, a first intake port 73a formed of a plurality of holes is provided on the lower surface of the upper unit 68, which is a part of the housing 60A of the intermediate conveyance device 260. As shown in FIGS. 23(a) and 24(b), FIG. 24(a), FIG. 26, and FIG. A second intake port 73b configured as shown in FIG. An exhaust port 73c composed of a plurality of holes is provided on the upper surface of the upper unit 68, which is a part of the casing 60A of the intermediate conveyance device 260.

The first intake port 73a is surrounded by the casing 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 and the casing 60A of the intermediate conveyance device 160, and communicates with a first space SP1 through which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port 44 pass. ing. In this embodiment, the second air intake port 73b is formed on the second surface 92 that forms the space SP2 described above. That is, the second intake port 73b is located between the first surface 91 and the second surface 92, and communicates with the second space SP2 through which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port 45 passes. Further, the hole 47, which is an exhaust port of the image forming apparatus 1, communicates with the space SP1.

In FIGS. 26 and 27, an arrow H indicates air taken in by the second fan 82 through the hole 47 and the first intake port 73a, and an arrow I indicates air drawn into the second fan 82 via the second intake port 73b. The air taken in by 82 is shown. Arrow J indicates air discharged from the exhaust port 73c to the outside of the intermediate conveyance device 260 by the second fan 82.

The exhaust port 73c is arranged downstream of the first intake port 73a and the second intake port 73b in the conveyance direction CD, and is arranged above the first intake port 73a and the second intake port 73b in the vertical direction VD. There is. Further, the first intake port 73a is arranged below the second intake port 73b. Further, the second fan 82 is disposed downstream of the first intake port 73a and the second intake port 73b and above the first intake port 73a and the second intake port 73b in the transport direction CD. Further, the exhaust port 73c is disposed downstream of and above the second fan 82 in the transport direction CD.

Furthermore, the first intake port 73a is arranged above the first sheet discharge port 44. Thereby, the air exhausted into the first space SP1 (see arrow H) rises and is naturally guided to the first intake port 73a, allowing efficient intake of air. Further, the second intake port 73b is arranged below the second sheet discharge port 45. This prevents the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port 45 and heading diagonally upward from sticking to the second intake port 73b, thereby reducing conveyance defects.

As shown in FIG. 27, the rotation axis 93 of the second fan 82 is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction CD and the vertical direction VD of the sheet conveyed through the through path PB. More specifically, the rotation axis 93 is inclined upward with respect to the vertical direction VD as it goes downstream in the conveyance direction CD.

For example, air containing water vapor discharged from the sheet by being heated by the fixing unit 11 is discharged from the hole 47 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the first space SP1. Then, as the second fan 82 rotates about the rotation axis 93, as shown by arrow H, the air in the first space SP1 is sucked into the fan holder 74 from the first intake port 73a. The fan holder 74 functions as a duct having a communication space SP inside. The communication space SP communicates with the first intake port 73a, the second intake port 73b, and the exhaust port 73c.

In addition, the air exhausted from the second sheet discharge port 45 to the second space SP2 through the main body discharge conveyance path CP2 is moved as shown by arrow I as the second fan 82 rotates around the rotation axis 93. , air is taken into the fan holder 74 from the second intake port 73b.

Then, the second fan 82 sends out the air taken into the fan holder 74 toward the exhaust port 73c. Also in the arrangement relationship of the first intake port 73a, the second intake port 73b, the second fan 82, and the exhaust port 73c described above, since the rotation axis 93 is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction CD and the vertical direction VD, the second The fan 82 can properly guide air to the exhaust port 73c.

Further, since the fan holder 74 is provided with the partition wall 86, the exhaust port 89 and the communication space SP can be partitioned off, and exhaust efficiency can be improved. Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the intermediate discharge tray 64 due to the exhaust gas leaking from the discharge port 89, thereby reducing sheet conveyance defects and image defects.

The exhaust direction of air exhausted from the exhaust port 73c is indicated by an arrow J in FIGS. 26 and 27. The direction of arrow J is a direction that does not intersect with the casing 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 or the image reading apparatus 2. That is, air exhausted from the exhaust port 73c, indicated by arrow J, passes between the intermediate discharge tray 64 and the image reading device 2. This suppresses the occurrence of dew condensation on the space SP1, the space SP2, and the exterior surfaces of the image forming apparatus 1 and the image reading apparatus 2, and even when the intermediate conveyance device 260 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet Transport defects and image defects can be reduced. Note that the direction of the arrow J is determined, for example, by the direction of the second fan 82 and the direction in which the exhaust port 73c extends.

<Other embodiments>
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, a sirocco fan is used as the first fan 71 and an axial fan is used as the second fan 82. The present invention is not limited to this, and other fans such as a mixed flow fan and a turbo fan may be used as the ventilation section. The configurations of the second fan 82, first fan 71, and fan 82A may be appropriately selected from among these multiple types of fans.

Further, the intermediate conveyance devices 60 and 260 described above may be connected to an image forming apparatus other than an electrophotographic type (for example, an inkjet type). In the case of the inkjet method, by drying the sheet and the conveyance path with air from the blower, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of dew condensation, sheet wrinkles, image defects, and the like.

In addition, in Example 4, the rotation axis 93 of the second fan 82 was provided so as to be inclined with respect to the conveyance direction CD and the vertical direction VD, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the rotation axis 93 of the second fan 82 may be parallel to the conveying direction CD and the vertical direction VD, as long as the second fan 82 can take in air from the first space SP1 and the second space SP2. . In this case, for example, the shape of the duct formed in the fan holder 74 may be changed so that the second fan 82 can take in air from the first space SP1 and the second space SP2.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the intermediate conveyance device 260 was provided with the discharge path PA and the intermediate discharge tray 64, but these may be omitted.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the exhaust port 73c is disposed downstream of the first intake port 73a, the second intake port 73b, and the second fan 82 in the transport direction CD, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the exhaust port 73c may be placed anywhere as long as dew condensation does not occur on the casing 1A of the image forming apparatus 1 or on the exterior surface of the image reading apparatus 2. In this case, the shape of the duct of the fan holder 74 may be changed.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the first intake port 73a is arranged below the second intake port 73b, but the first intake port 73a is arranged above the second intake port 73b. may have been done.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the fan holder 74 is provided with the partition wall 86, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The communication space SP within the fan holder 74 may be slightly in communication with the discharge port 89, and the partition wall 86 may be provided integrally with the fan holder 74 or separately. . Further, the partition wall 86 may be provided on the top cover 70.

Further, in Examples 1 to 4, the ejection roller pair 12 and the reversing roller pair 13 are each composed of a pair of rollers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the discharge roller pair 12 and the reversing roller pair 13 may be replaced with a rotating body such as a belt.

Further, the disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples and method examples.
(Configuration 1)
A sheet conveying device that is connected to an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet processing device that processes the sheet, receives the sheet from the image forming device, and conveys the sheet to the sheet processing device,
a conveying path including a first path in which the sheet is conveyed toward the sheet processing device, and a second path branching from the first path;
a switching guide that switches the conveyance path of the sheet between the first pass and the second pass;
a blower unit that sends air toward the conveyance path;
an outlet that blows out the air from the air blower to the conveyance path;
Equipped with
The blowout port is arranged upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveyance direction of the first pass, and is configured to blow out the air toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.
A sheet conveying device characterized by:
(Configuration 2)
The sheet and the conveyance path are cooled by the air sent from the air blower to the conveyance path via the blowout port.
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 1, characterized in that:
(Configuration 3)
a state in which the switching guide is located at a first position in which the sheet is guided to the first path; and a state in which the switching guide is located in a second position in which the sheet is guided to the second path; a ratio of the amount of air flowing to the pass and the amount of air flowing to the second pass changes;
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that:
(Configuration 4)
The switching guide is movable between a first position in which the sheet is guided to the first path and a second position in which the sheet is guided to the second path,
In at least one of the state in which the switching guide is located in the first position and the state in which the switching guide is located in the second position, the air from the air blower is directed to both the first path and the second path. Structured to flow,
The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that:
(Configuration 5)
a first discharge port through which the sheet that has passed through the first pass is discharged toward the sheet processing device;
further comprising a second discharge port through which the sheet that has passed through the second pass is discharged to the outside of the sheet conveying device,
The path length from the switching guide to the first discharge port in the first path is longer than the path length from the switching guide to the second discharge port in the second path,
between the tip of the switching guide located at the second position and the guide member of the conveyance path so that a part of the air flows through the first path when the switching guide is located at the second position. There is a gap between
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 4, characterized in that:
(Configuration 6)
further comprising a stacking section on which the sheets are stacked when the sheets are not conveyed to the sheet processing device,
The second path is a conveyance path branching from the first path and heading toward the loading section.
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 5, characterized in that:
(Configuration 7)
The switching guide has a surface that faces the sheet when the sheet passes, and a plurality of ribs that protrude from the surface and extend from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction,
When the sheet is in contact with the plurality of ribs, the air flows through a gap between the surface of the switching guide and the sheet.
The sheet conveying device according to any one of Structures 1 to 6, characterized in that:
(Configuration 8)
The conveyance path includes a guide member that constitutes the first path,
The guide member includes a first guide surface that guides the sheet along the first path, and is disposed downstream of the first guide surface in the sheet conveyance direction and has a first guide surface that guides the sheet along the first path. a second guide surface disposed at a position apart from the path; and a stepped portion formed between the first guide surface and the second guide surface,
The air outlet is provided at the stepped portion of the guide member,
8. The sheet conveying device according to any one of Structures 1 to 7, characterized in that:
(Configuration 9)
The guide member further has a duct surface on the back side of the first guide surface that forms a duct that guides the air from the blower to the conveyance path,
The duct surface extends along the sheet conveyance direction,
the air outlet is formed at a downstream end of the duct surface in the sheet conveyance direction;
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 8, characterized in that:
(Configuration 10)
further comprising a conveying member disposed upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveying direction and conveying the sheet,
The air outlet is arranged upstream of the conveyance member in the sheet conveyance direction.
The sheet conveying device according to any one of Structures 1 to 9, characterized in that:
(Configuration 11)
The conveying member includes a first roller that contacts a first surface of the sheet, and a second roller that contacts a second surface of the sheet opposite to the first surface,
The conveyance path includes a guide member that constitutes the first path,
The air blown out from the air outlet flows toward the switching guide through a gap between the guide member and the first roller.
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 10, characterized in that:
(Configuration 12)
The first roller and the second roller cover an entire area through which a sheet having the largest size in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction among the sheets that can be conveyed by the sheet conveying device passes. formed into a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the sheet;
The sheet conveying device according to configuration 11, characterized in that:
(Configuration 13)
When viewed from the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, a part of the conveyance member is located within an opening area of the air outlet;
The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 10 to 12, characterized in that:
(Configuration 14)
further comprising a conveying member disposed upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveying direction and conveying the sheet,
The air outlet is arranged downstream of the conveyance member in the sheet conveyance direction.
14. The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that:
(Configuration 15)
The conveyance path further includes a third path branched from the first path at a second branch point downstream in the sheet conveyance direction from a first branch point where the second path branches from the first path;
further comprising a second switching guide that is disposed at the second branching portion and switches a conveyance path of the sheet guided to the first path by the switching guide between the first path and the third path;
15. The sheet conveying device according to any one of Structures 1 to 14, characterized in that:
(Configuration 16)
The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes the image formed on the image surface of the sheet to the sheet,
the air outlet is arranged on the image surface side of the sheet with respect to the first pass;
16. The sheet conveying device according to configuration 15.
(Configuration 17)
The sheet conveyance device is configured to be installed on an upper surface of the image forming device,
The blowing section is arranged at a lower part of the sheet conveying device,
an intake port provided at the front end of the sheet conveying device;
further comprising: a duct connecting the air intake port and the air blower;
17. The sheet conveying device according to any one of Structures 1 to 16, characterized in that:
(Configuration 18)
The air blower is a sirocco fan.
18. The sheet conveying device according to configuration 17.
(Configuration 19)
A part of the duct is formed of a flexible sheet member held by a claw part integral with a guide member forming the conveyance path.
19. The sheet conveying device according to configuration 17 or 18, characterized in that:
(Configuration 20)
an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet;
a sheet processing device that processes the sheet;
The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, which is connected to the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus and conveys the sheet received from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus. prepare,
An image forming system characterized by:
(Configuration 21)
The first sheet discharge port is connected to an image forming apparatus including a first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets, and a second sheet discharge port disposed at a different position from the first sheet discharge port and for discharging sheets. In a sheet conveyance device having a conveyance path for delivering a sheet discharged from an outlet to a sheet processing device,
a first space surrounded by a casing of the image forming apparatus and a casing of the sheet conveying device; a first air intake port communicating with a first space through which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port pass; and,
a first surface provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus and on which the second sheet discharge port is formed; a second surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveyance device and opposite to the first surface; a second air intake port that communicates with a second space between which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port passes;
A fan that generates airflow by rotating,
Equipped with an exhaust port,
The fan takes in air from the first intake port and the second intake port, and exhausts air to the outside of the machine from the exhaust port.
A sheet conveying device characterized by:
(Configuration 22)
The exhaust port is arranged downstream of the first intake port and the second intake port in the transport direction of the sheet passing through the transport path.
22. The sheet conveying device according to configuration 21.
(Configuration 23)
the first intake port is located below the second intake port;
23. The sheet conveying device according to configuration 21 or 22, characterized in that:
(Configuration 24)
The fan is disposed downstream of the first intake port and the second intake port and above the first intake port and the second intake port in the transport direction of the sheet passing through the transport path,
The exhaust port is arranged downstream of the fan and above the fan in the transport direction,
The rotational axis of the fan is inclined upward with respect to the vertical direction as it goes downstream in the conveyance direction.
24. The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 21 to 23, characterized in that:
(Configuration 25)
the first intake port is arranged above the first sheet discharge port,
the second intake port is located below the second sheet discharge port;
25. The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 21 to 24.
(Configuration 26)
The exhaust direction of the air exhausted from the exhaust port is a direction that does not intersect with the casing of the image forming apparatus.
The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 21 to 25, characterized in that:
(Configuration 27)
a branch conveyance path branched from the conveyance path;
a third sheet discharge port for discharging the sheet passing through the branch conveyance path;
a holding member that holds the fan;
The holding member forms a communication space that communicates with the first intake port, the second intake port, and the exhaust port, and has a partition wall that partitions the communication space and the third sheet discharge port.
27. The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 21 to 26.
(Configuration 28)
a lower unit including a first guide;
an upper unit including a second guide facing the first guide and forming the conveyance path together with the first guide, the upper unit being provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit;
The fan is a first fan,
The first intake port, the second intake port, the first fan, and the exhaust port are provided in the upper unit,
The lower unit includes a second fan that blows air toward the conveyance path.
28. The sheet conveying device according to any one of configurations 21 to 27, characterized in that:
(Configuration 29)
an image forming apparatus including a first sheet discharge port that discharges a sheet; and a second sheet discharge port that is disposed at a different position from the first sheet discharge port and discharges the sheet;
a sheet processing device that processes sheets;
a sheet conveyance device connected to the image forming apparatus and having a conveyance path for delivering the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port to a sheet processing device;
The sheet conveying device includes:
a first space surrounded by a casing of the image forming apparatus and a casing of the sheet conveying device; a first air intake port communicating with a first space through which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port pass; and,
a first surface provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus and on which the second sheet discharge port is formed; a second surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveying device and opposite to the first surface; a second air intake port that communicates with a second space between which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port passes;
A fan that generates airflow by rotating,
having an exhaust port;
The fan takes in air from the first intake port and the second intake port, and exhausts air to the outside of the machine from the exhaust port.
An image forming system characterized by:
(Configuration 30)
The image forming apparatus includes a pair of discharge rotors that convey the sheet toward the conveyance path through the first sheet discharge port, and a pair of discharge rotors that convey the sheet in the first direction toward the second sheet discharge port; a pair of reversing rotors capable of conveying the sheet in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
The image forming system according to configuration 29, characterized in that:
(Configuration 31)
the second surface contacts a sheet conveyed in the first direction by the pair of reversing rotors and discharged from the second sheet discharge port to the outside of the machine;
31. The image forming system according to configuration 30.

1: Image forming device / 1A: Housing / 1S: Image forming system / 4: Sheet processing device (post-processing device) / 12: Discharge rotating body pair (discharge roller pair) / 13: Reversing rotating body pair (reversing roller pair ) / 44: First sheet discharge port / 45: Second sheet discharge port / 60, 160, 260: Sheet conveyance device (intermediate conveyance device) / 60A: Housing / 60P: Conveyance path / 65: Switching guide / 68: Upper unit / 69: Lower unit / 71, 503: Air blower, second fan (first fan) / 71b: Air outlet / 73: Fan, first fan / 73a: First intake port / 73b: Second intake port /73c: Exhaust port /74: Holding member (first fan holder) /84: Second guide (upper conveyance guide) /85: First guide (lower conveyance guide) /86: Partition wall /89: Third sheet discharge port (Discharge port) / 91: 1st surface / 92: 2nd surface / 93: Rotation axis / CD: Conveyance direction / PA: 2nd pass, branch conveyance path (discharge path) / PB: 1st pass, conveyance path ( Through path) / SP: Communication space / SP1: First space / SP2: Second space / VD: Vertical direction

Claims (31)

A sheet conveying device that is connected to an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet processing device that processes the sheet, receives the sheet from the image forming device, and conveys the sheet to the sheet processing device,
a conveying path including a first path in which the sheet is conveyed toward the sheet processing device, and a second path branching from the first path;
a switching guide that switches the conveyance path of the sheet between the first pass and the second pass;
a blower unit that sends air toward the conveyance path;
an outlet that blows out the air from the air blower to the conveyance path;
Equipped with
The blowout port is arranged upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveyance direction of the first pass, and is configured to blow out the air toward the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction.
A sheet conveying device characterized by: The sheet and the conveyance path are cooled by the air sent from the air blower to the conveyance path via the blowout port.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a state in which the switching guide is located at a first position in which the sheet is guided to the first path; and a state in which the switching guide is located in a second position in which the sheet is guided to the second path; a ratio of the amount of air flowing to the pass and the amount of air flowing to the second pass changes;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching guide is movable between a first position in which the sheet is guided to the first path and a second position in which the sheet is guided to the second path,
In at least one of the state in which the switching guide is located in the first position and the state in which the switching guide is located in the second position, the air from the air blower is directed to both the first path and the second path. Structured to flow,
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a first discharge port through which the sheet that has passed through the first pass is discharged toward the sheet processing device;
further comprising a second discharge port through which the sheet that has passed through the second path is discharged to the outside of the sheet conveying device,
The path length from the switching guide to the first discharge port in the first path is longer than the path length from the switching guide to the second discharge port in the second path,
between the tip of the switching guide located at the second position and the guide member of the conveyance path so that a part of the air flows through the first path when the switching guide is located at the second position. There is a gap between
The sheet conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that: further comprising a stacking section on which the sheets are stacked when the sheets are not conveyed to the sheet processing device,
The second path is a conveyance path branching from the first path and heading toward the loading section.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The switching guide has a surface that faces the sheet when the sheet passes, and a plurality of ribs that protrude from the surface and extend from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction,
When the sheet is in contact with the plurality of ribs, the air flows through a gap between the surface of the switching guide and the sheet.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyance path includes a guide member that constitutes the first path,
The guide member includes a first guide surface that guides the sheet along the first path, and is disposed downstream of the first guide surface in the sheet conveyance direction and has a first guide surface that guides the sheet along the first path. a second guide surface disposed at a position apart from the path; and a stepped portion formed between the first guide surface and the second guide surface,
The air outlet is provided at the stepped portion of the guide member,
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide member further has a duct surface on the back side of the first guide surface that forms a duct that guides the air from the blower to the conveyance path,
The duct surface extends along the sheet conveyance direction,
the air outlet is formed at a downstream end of the duct surface in the sheet conveyance direction;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 8, characterized in that: further comprising a conveying member disposed upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveying direction and conveying the sheet,
The air outlet is arranged upstream of the conveyance member in the sheet conveyance direction.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying member includes a first roller that contacts a first surface of the sheet, and a second roller that contacts a second surface of the sheet opposite to the first surface,
The conveyance path includes a guide member that constitutes the first path,
The air blown out from the air outlet flows toward the switching guide through a gap between the guide member and the first roller.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 10. The first roller and the second roller cover an entire area through which a sheet having the largest size in a sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction among the sheets that can be conveyed by the sheet conveying device passes. formed into a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the sheet;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 11. When viewed from the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction, a part of the conveyance member is located within an opening area of the air outlet;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 10. further comprising a conveying member disposed upstream of the switching guide in the sheet conveying direction and conveying the sheet,
The air outlet is arranged downstream of the conveyance member in the sheet conveyance direction.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyance path further includes a third path branched from the first path at a second branch point downstream in the sheet conveyance direction from a first branch point where the second path branches from the first path;
further comprising a second switching guide that is disposed at the second branching portion and switches a conveyance path of the sheet guided to the first path by the switching guide between the first path and the third path;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that heats and fixes the image formed on the image surface of the sheet to the sheet,
the air outlet is arranged on the image surface side of the sheet with respect to the first pass;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 15. The sheet conveyance device is configured to be installed on an upper surface of the image forming device,
The blowing section is arranged at a lower part of the sheet conveying device,
an intake port provided at the front end of the sheet conveying device;
a duct connecting the air intake port and the air blower;
further comprising;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air blower is a sirocco fan.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 17. A part of the duct is formed of a flexible sheet member held by a claw part integral with a guide member forming the conveyance path.
The sheet conveying device according to claim 17. an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet;
a sheet processing device that processes the sheet;
The sheet conveying device according to claim 1, which is connected to the image forming device and the sheet processing device and conveys the sheet received from the image forming device to the sheet processing device.
An image forming system characterized by: The first sheet discharge port is connected to an image forming apparatus including a first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets, and a second sheet discharge port disposed at a different position from the first sheet discharge port and for discharging sheets. In a sheet conveyance device having a conveyance path for delivering a sheet discharged from an outlet to a sheet processing device,
a first space surrounded by a casing of the image forming apparatus and a casing of the sheet conveying device; a first air intake port communicating with a first space through which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port pass; and,
a first surface provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus and on which the second sheet discharge port is formed; a second surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveyance device and opposite to the first surface; a second air intake port that communicates with a second space between which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port passes;
A fan that generates airflow by rotating,
Equipped with an exhaust port,
The fan takes in air from the first intake port and the second intake port, and exhausts air to the outside of the machine from the exhaust port.
A sheet conveying device characterized by: The exhaust port is arranged downstream of the first intake port and the second intake port in the transport direction of the sheet passing through the transport path.
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. the first intake port is located below the second intake port;
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. The fan is disposed downstream of the first intake port and the second intake port and above the first intake port and the second intake port in the transport direction of the sheet passing through the transport path,
The exhaust port is arranged downstream of the fan and above the fan in the transport direction,
The rotational axis of the fan is inclined upward with respect to the vertical direction as it goes downstream in the conveyance direction.
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. the first intake port is arranged above the first sheet discharge port,
the second intake port is located below the second sheet discharge port;
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. The exhaust direction of the air exhausted from the exhaust port is a direction that does not intersect with the casing of the image forming apparatus.
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. a branch conveyance path branched from the conveyance path;
a third sheet discharge port for discharging the sheet passing through the branch conveyance path;
a holding member that holds the fan;
The holding member forms a communication space that communicates with the first intake port, the second intake port, and the exhaust port, and has a partition wall that partitions the communication space and the third sheet discharge port.
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. a lower unit including a first guide;
an upper unit including a second guide facing the first guide and forming the conveyance path together with the first guide, the upper unit being provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower unit;
The fan is a first fan,
The first intake port, the second intake port, the first fan, and the exhaust port are provided in the upper unit,
The lower unit includes a second fan that blows air toward the conveyance path.
22. The sheet conveying device according to claim 21. an image forming apparatus including: a first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets; and a second sheet discharge port disposed at a different position from the first sheet discharge port for discharging sheets;
a sheet processing device that processes sheets;
a sheet conveyance device connected to the image forming apparatus and having a conveyance path for delivering the sheet discharged from the first sheet discharge port to a sheet processing device;
The sheet conveying device includes:
a first space surrounded by a casing of the image forming apparatus and a casing of the sheet conveying device; a first air intake port communicating with a first space through which sheets discharged from the first sheet discharge port pass; and,
a first surface provided in the casing of the image forming apparatus and on which the second sheet discharge port is formed; a second surface provided in the casing of the sheet conveyance device and opposite to the first surface; a second air intake port that communicates with a second space between which the sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge port passes;
A fan that generates airflow by rotating,
having an exhaust port;
The fan takes in air from the first intake port and the second intake port, and exhausts air to the outside of the machine from the exhaust port.
An image forming system characterized by: The image forming apparatus includes a pair of discharge rotors that transport the sheet toward the conveyance path via the first sheet discharge port, and a pair of discharge rotary bodies that transport the sheet in the first direction toward the second sheet discharge port; a pair of reversing rotors capable of conveying the sheet in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
The image forming system according to claim 29. the second surface contacts a sheet conveyed in the first direction by the pair of reversing rotors and discharged from the second sheet discharge port to the outside of the machine;
The image forming system according to claim 30.

Images