JP2896703B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for transferring an image to a transfer material such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having a sorter function.

[Background of the Invention]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus having a sorter function, a multi-stage discharge tray is used to sort discharged transfer materials by page or number of copies, as is well known.

These paper discharge trays are generally installed in a vertically stacked state at a small interval enough to stack the transfer materials for the purpose of reducing the space of the paper discharge unit due to the configuration of the paper discharge mechanism. .

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

For this reason, the interval between the paper discharge trays is extremely narrow, so that the transfer material is taken out with the fingertip, and the operability of taking out the transfer material is generally poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of replacing the discharge tray with a posture that facilitates taking out of a transfer material, as a result of solving and improving this point.

[Means for solving the problem]

An object of the present invention is to provide a first step in which a plurality of paper discharge trays are provided and a print paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray, and a state in which the discharged paper discharge tray is easily taken out in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction. In the second step, the support pins provided on the back side for supporting the rotation positions of all the output trays that are rotatable by the operation of the two solenoids are provided. By operation, the discharge tray is turned in a horizontal state with respect to the discharge direction, and in the first step, the bearing holes on the front side of the horizontally positioned discharge tray are lowered in all the discharge trays pivotally supported in front and rear. This is achieved by an image forming apparatus characterized in that the paper discharge tray is inclined in a downward direction in the take-out direction.

〔Example〕

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
Shown in the figure.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible photoreceptor belt which is a belt-shaped photoreceptor. The photoreceptor belt 1 is stretched between rotating rollers 2 and 3 and is driven clockwise by the driving of the rotating roller 2. Conveyed.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a support member, that is, a guide member fixed so as to be in contact with the photoreceptor belt 1. The photoreceptor belt 1 is tensioned by the urging action of the rotating roller 3 to the outside so that the inner periphery thereof is rotated. The surface is rubbed against the guide member 4.

Accordingly, the photosensitive member on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 is always kept at a fixed relation to the surface of the guide member 4 even during the conveyance, so that a stable image forming surface can be formed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a scorotron charger as charging means, 7 denotes a laser writing system unit as image exposure means, and 8 to 11 denote a plurality of developing means or developing devices each containing a developer of a specific color. The means is disposed facing the peripheral portion of the photoreceptor belt 1 with the guide member 4 on the back.

As the laser writing system unit 7, in addition to the optical system shown in the figure, an optical system or the like in which a light emitting unit and a converging light transmitter are integrated is used.

Each of the developing units 8, 9, 10, and 11 accommodates, for example, a developer of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and includes a developing sleeve for maintaining a predetermined gap from the photosensitive belt 1. 1 has a function of visualizing the latent image on the substrate 1 by a non-contact developing method. Unlike the contact development, the non-contact development has an advantage of not hindering the movement of the photosensitive belt.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a transfer unit, 12A denotes a static elimination bar, 13 denotes a cleaning unit or cleaning device, and the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B of the cleaning device 13 are kept at positions separated from the surface of the photosensitive belt 1 during image formation. It is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 as shown in FIG.

The process of forming a color image by the color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to the present embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, data obtained by a color image data input unit in which an image sensor scans an original image is processed by an image data processing unit to create image data, which is temporarily stored in an image memory. Next, the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and input to the main body of the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG.

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading device separate from the printer is input to the laser writing unit 7, the laser writing unit 7 generates a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown). Is a photoreceptor belt which is rotationally scanned by a polygon mirror 7B rotated by a drive motor 7A, and whose optical path is bent by mirrors 7D, 7E and 7F via an fθ lens 7C, and which is previously charged by a charger 6 as charging means. The light is projected on the peripheral surface of No. 1 to form a bright line.

On the other hand, when scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam is transmitted to the photosensitive belt 1.
Is scanned on the peripheral surface of. Therefore, a latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive belt 1 by the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photosensitive belt 1. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 8 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (a visual medium) in the developing means.
A toner image is formed on the drum surface. The obtained toner image passes under the cleaning device 13 serving as cleaning means separated from the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 while being held on the drum surface, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoreceptor belt 1 is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal output from the signal processing unit is input to the writing unit 7. Similarly, writing is performed on the drum surface to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by the developing device 9 loaded with magenta (M) toner as the second color.

The magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a developing device having cyan (C) toner, and forms a cyan (C) toner image on the belt surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing unit.

Further, reference numeral 11 denotes a developing device having a black toner, which forms a black toner image on the belt surface by the same processing. A DC or further bias is applied to each sleeve of each of these developing devices 8, 9, 10 and 11, and a jumping development is performed by a two-component developer as a visualizing means, and a photosensitive member whose base is grounded The belt 1 is developed in a non-contact manner. As the development, non-contact development using a one-component developer can also be used.

The color toner image thus formed on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is transferred to a transfer material sent from the paper feed cassette 14 via the paper feed guide 15 at the transfer section.

That is, one of the uppermost layers of the transfer material accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14 is carried out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 16, and the transfer material is transferred to the transfer device 12 via the timing roller 17 in synchronization with the image formation on the photosensitive belt 1. Supplied to.

The transfer material having undergone image transfer and charge elimination is surely separated from the photoreceptor belt 1 which suddenly changes its direction along the rotating roller 2 and is directed upward via an attraction type conveyance belt 17A to be fixed. After the image is welded by the roller 18, the sheet discharging path A
Then, the paper is discharged onto a tray formed on the upper lid 20 through the paper discharge rollers 19.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor belt 1 after the transfer to the transfer material is further conveyed and the remaining toner is removed by the cleaning device 13 in which the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B are pressed against each other. The blade
13A, and slightly after that, the toner transport roller 13B
After the toner accumulates on the tip of the blade 13A, the toner supply roller 13B is separated to start a new image forming process.

The photoreceptor belt 1 is assembled into an independent color process cartridge 30 as a process material for image formation together with a charger 6 and respective developing devices arranged opposite to the lower peripheral edge and a cleaning device 13 arranged at a lateral end. It is installed integrally.

The process cartridge 30 includes a developer replenishing unit 30A for replenishing toner to each of the developing units described above, and a cleaning device 1A.
After a waste toner cartridge 30B for collecting the toner removed by the step 3 is incorporated, the waste toner cartridge 30B is mounted and accommodated on a gantry 50 that moves on a guide rail 40 inside the apparatus, and is slid obliquely from above and inserted into the apparatus.

Further, the above-mentioned apparatus is provided with a paper discharge path B for the transfer material which is switched by the rotation of the guide piece 60 together with the paper discharge path A described above, and transfers the transfer material after fixing the image through the paper discharge path B. It can also be discharged to a paper discharge device having a sorter function mounted on the device.

Each of the paper discharge devices shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a first step of setting the respective paper discharge trays in a posture suitable for discharging print paper, that is, a transfer material on which an image is fixed, and a posture inclined in the take-out direction. 2 shows a paper discharge device that can be used by switching to the second step.

That is, FIG. 2 shows a case where the transfer material is taken out from the right side in the figure. This shows a paper discharge device 70 in which the respective discharge trays are inclined along the discharge direction after the transfer material is discharged so that the transfer material can be easily taken out.

In the paper discharging device 70, the transfer material discharged to the paper discharging path B by switching the guide piece 60 is a plurality of rows stretched between a driving roller 71 and a driven roller 72 that rotate counterclockwise. The conveyance belt 73 is sandwiched between the plurality of pressure rollers 74 in contact with the conveyance belt 73, and is discharged vertically to the upper portion of the apparatus and conveyed.

Next, in response to the selection of the paper discharge mode, the transfer material collides with the sorting plates 75A that rotate at an angle indicated by a dashed line in synchronization with the paper discharge timing, and changes its direction. The document is discharged upward and is sorted by the page order or the number of copies of the document as is well known.

Each of the multi-stage output trays 80 has a rotatable support shaft.
It is held by support pins 82 on a slide plate 81 that can move up and down with 80A.

When the solenoid S1 is turned on prior to the start of the sheet discharging operation, the slide plate 81 occupies the raised position as shown in FIG. 2A by the suction of the plunger P1. As a result, each paper ejection tray 80 is kept at a slightly elevated angle with respect to the paper ejection direction by the pressing of each support pin 82, so that the ejected transfer materials are reliably received and are stacked in a certain place in an orderly manner.

At the end of the paper discharging operation, the solenoid S1 is turned off, and the slide plate 81 is released with the release of the plunger P1.
Occupies a lowered position as shown in FIG. 2B by the urging of the tension spring 83. As a result, each support pin 82 moves downward, and each paper discharge tray 80 changes to a posture having a large inclination angle with respect to the discharge direction, and the discharged transfer material is moved to the leading end of each paper discharge tray 80 to be taken out. Move to a position where it is easy to do.

The tilt angle of this tray is preferably 10-45 with respect to the horizontal plane
It is preferable that the configuration be inclined.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention. After the transfer material is discharged, each paper discharge tray is tilted in a direction perpendicular to the transfer material discharge direction, that is, toward the front side of the apparatus, so that the transfer material is 5 shows a paper discharge device 170 that is in a state where it can be easily taken out.

Each output tray 180 has a bearing hole on the front substrate 170A side formed by a bearing pin 185 on a slide plate 184 (indicated by a dashed line) that can move up and down on the inner surface of the substrate 170A.
The bearing hole on the B side is rotatably held by a support pin (not shown) fixed to the substrate 170B, and is further supported by each support pin 182 on a vertically movable slide plate 181 to maintain its posture. .

Prior to the start of the sheet discharging operation, the solenoids S2 and S3 are turned ON, and the slide plates 181 and 184 both occupy the raised positions as shown in FIG. 3 (A) by the suction of the plungers P2 and P3. As a result, each bearing pin 185 moves upward to keep each bearing hole in a horizontal position,
Further, each of the support pins 182 is moved upward, and each of the paper discharge trays 180 is maintained at a slightly elevated angle with respect to the discharge direction.

At the end of the paper ejection operation, the solenoids S2 and S3
The slide plates are turned off and the slide plates 181 and 184 occupy a lowered position as shown in FIG. 3B by the urging of the tension springs 183 and 186 with the release of the plungers P2 and P3. As a result, each of the bearing pins 185 and each of the support pins 182 move downward, and each of the discharge trays 180 is turned horizontally in the discharge direction, and at the same time, is greatly inclined to the front side of the apparatus, so that the transfer material can be easily taken out. State.

The tilt angle of this tray is preferably forward with respect to the horizontal
It is preferable to adopt a configuration inclined by 10 to 45 °.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, the operator can easily take out the transfer material on the front side of the image forming apparatus with respect to the multi-layered paper discharge tray that sorts the transfer material discharged in the horizontal direction. As a result, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of performing an efficient copying operation in which even an unfamiliar operator can easily take out a copy sheet at an operation position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional configuration view of an image forming apparatus main body according to the present invention,
2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of a main part of the device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoreceptor belt, 6 ... Charging device 7 ... Laser writing system unit 8, 9, 10, 11 ... Developing device, 12 ... Transfer device 13 ... Cleaning device 14 ... Paper feed cassette, 15 ... … Supply guide 17… Timing roller 18… Fixing roller 19… Discharge roller 20… Top cover 30… Process cartridge 70, 170… Discharge device, 80, 180… Discharge tray 81, 181, 182… Slide plate 82, 182… … Support pin, 83,183,186 …… Bearing pin A, B …… Discharge path Sl, S2, S3 …… Solenoid Pl, P2, P3 …… Plunger

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Fukuchi 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Co., Ltd. Examiner Kazuhiro Sasaki (56) References JP-A-63-272750 (JP, A) Akira Mikai 62-63262 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65H 39/11 B65H 31/30 G03G 15/00 530

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A first step of discharging a print sheet to the discharge tray, and a step of discharging the discharged discharge tray in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction. And a support pin provided on the back side for supporting the rotation position of all the discharge trays that can be rotated by the operation of two sets of solenoids in the second step. The discharge tray is turned to the horizontal state in the discharge direction by the operation of, and the bearing holes on the front side of the horizontally positioned discharge tray are lowered in the first step for all the discharge trays pivotally supported in the front and rear directions. An image forming apparatus, wherein the sheet discharge tray is tilted down in a take-out direction.