JP3556558B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a post-processing unit that performs post-processing such as stapling on a sheet on which an image is fixed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for the purpose of reducing the installation space, there has been provided a so-called internal discharge type image forming apparatus in which a discharge space for discharging a sheet on which an image is fixed is built in the image forming apparatus main body. Normally, the above-mentioned paper discharge space is open to the front of the image forming apparatus main body, and the user takes out the paper discharged to a tray serving as the bottom of the paper discharge space to the front of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0003]
In this type of image forming apparatus whose main purpose is to reduce the size, the size of the paper discharge space is also reduced, and there is a problem that it is difficult to take out the paper from the paper discharge space.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, a post-processing device such as a staple processing device is incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus. In this case, an intermediate tray for temporarily stacking sheets on which images have been fixed is arranged in the upper part of the discharge space. Post-processing may be performed on the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray.
However, since the above-mentioned intermediate tray is in the way, it is difficult to take out the unprocessed paper discharged to the tray at the bottom of the paper discharge space to the front of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0005]
Further, the sheet stacked on the sheet conveyance path of the intermediate tray is displaced to a post-processing position in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and at a front side of the image forming apparatus main body by using a width shift cursor. After performing the post-processing at the position, it is also conceivable to return the sheet to the paper transport path again.
In this case, the layout is such that the front edge of the intermediate tray is displaced to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body as compared with the normal case because the width shifting member needs to be moved along the intermediate tray. For this reason, it becomes more difficult to take out the unprocessed paper discharged to the tray at the bottom of the paper discharge space to the front of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to take out discharged paper in a so-called internal discharge type image forming apparatus while being small in size.
[0007]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the sheet after the image is fixed, and a discharge space for discharging the sheet on which the image is fixed is provided. In the image forming apparatus which is built in the main body housing and the paper discharge space is opened at least in front of the main body housing, an intermediate tray of a post-processing section is disposed above the paper discharge space. A pair of front and rear width shift members are provided to shift the sheets stacked on the tray in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction and to shift the paper to the post-processing position by a predetermined amount toward the front side of the main body housing. In the state where the shift member has carried the sheet to the post-processing position, the sheet positioning portion of the width shift member corresponding to the front side is located forward of a corresponding portion of the front edge of the intermediate tray. It is an feature.
[0008]
When transporting the sheets stacked on the sheet transport path of the intermediate tray to a post-processing position located in the direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction and located on the front side of the main body housing, a width shifting member corresponding to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body. Moves to the front of the front edge of the intermediate tray. Since the layout in which the front edge of the intermediate tray is retracted can be adopted, the paper discharged to the discharge space below the intermediate tray can be easily taken out to the front of the main body housing. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an in-body discharge type image forming apparatus which is small and easy to take out discharge paper.
[0009]
In addition, as a post-processing unit, a staple processing unit for stapling a predetermined number of sheets on which an image is fixed together and stapling, a punching unit for punching a hole on the sheet after the image is fixed, or a sheet There is a sorting unit that shifts a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction and discharges the paper.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pair of width shifting members are provided corresponding to a downstream portion of the intermediate tray in the sheet transport direction, and the upstream edge of the front edge of the intermediate tray in the sheet transport direction. It is characterized in that it is recessed so that a portion downstream therefrom is left behind, leaving a side portion.
[0010]
In the present invention, the downstream portion and the intermediate portion of the front edge of the intermediate tray in the paper transport direction (the transport direction of the paper when the paper is discharged from the intermediate tray) are located behind the upstream portion. Recessed. Since an empty space can be formed in front of the recess, it is easy to take out the paper discharged to the bottom of the paper discharge space. The upstream portion of the intermediate tray in the sheet transport direction can be used when receiving a long sheet and shifting it to the post-processing position.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a copying machine 10 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the outer shape of copying machine 10 is partitioned by main body housing 11. A paper discharge space 12 is formed in the main body housing 11 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and extends into the substantially horizontal inside from the outer surface of the housing. For this reason, the main body housing 11 has a lower housing 11D, an upper housing 11U, and a connection housing 11C. Reference numeral 81 denotes a tray serving as the bottom of the paper discharge space 12, from which paper not subjected to stapling is discharged. Reference numeral 34 denotes an intermediate tray on which sheets to be stapled are stacked, and is disposed above the sheet discharge space 12.
[0012]
A reading mechanism for reading a document is built in the upper housing 11U. An operation panel 13 is provided on the front side of the upper housing 11U. Further, in this embodiment, a document feeder 14 for automatically conveying a document is provided above the upper housing 11U.
The lower housing 11D has a built-in paper tray and a built-in transport path for taking out the paper from the paper tray and transporting the paper. Further, an image forming section for forming a toner image and a transfer section for transferring the formed toner image to a sheet are built in. Further, a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the sheet is built in a portion connecting the lower housing 11D to the connection housing 11C.
[0013]
A paper discharge tray 15 as a paper discharge unit from which a stapled sheet bundle to be described later is discharged is attached to a side surface of the main body housing 11 so as to protrude. The paper discharge tray 15 is configured as a paper discharge unit 71 including a paper discharge roller 70 for discharging paper to the paper discharge tray 15.
In the main body housing 11, a staple processing unit 16 is provided as a post-processing unit, which staples and binds a predetermined number of sheets on which images are fixed together with staples. By incorporating the staple processing unit 16 in the main body housing 11, the staple processing unit 16 does not protrude much from the main body housing 11, so that the copying machine 10 with good installation stability can be provided. Further, the external configuration of the copying machine 10 can be reduced.
[0014]
The staple processing unit 10 is configured by first and second units 41 and 42 shown in FIG. Since each of the units 41 and 42 is relatively lightweight, it is easy to perform the mounting operation while positioning and holding. Further, even if the layout is such that the integrated unit cannot be incorporated in the main body housing, it can be freely incorporated as long as the plurality of divided units 41 and 42 are provided.
[0015]
Referring to FIG. 2, a document reading mechanism 17 is provided at the top of main body housing 11 of copying machine 10. A paper cassette 18 is provided below the main body housing 11. The sheets stored in the sheet cassette 18 are sent out one by one by a feeding roller 19. An openable / closable manual paper feed tray 20 is provided below the left side surface of the main body housing 11, and the sheets set in the manual paper feed tray 20 are also fed out one by one by the feeding roller 21.
[0016]
An image forming unit 22, a laser scanning unit 23, a transfer roller 24, and a fixing device 25 are built in the main body housing 11. The image forming unit 22 includes a photoconductor drum 26 for forming an electrostatic latent image, a main charger 27 for charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 26, and a surface of the photoconductor drum 26 exposed by the laser scanning unit 23. After the electrostatic latent image is formed, the image forming apparatus includes a developing device 28 for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner, and a cleaner 29 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 after the transfer of the toner image. The timing of the paper fed out one by one from the paper cassette 18 or the manual paper feed tray 20 is adjusted by the registration roller 30, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is transferred to the paper. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 25, where the toner image is fixed. The fixing device 25 has a heat roller 31 and a pressure roller 32, and heats and presses the sheet with the pair of rollers to fix the toner image.
[0017]
A switching claw 33 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 25 (on the downstream side when viewed in the sheet conveyance direction, and on the upper side in FIG. 2). The switching claw 33 is switched to a broken line state to guide the sheet sent from the fixing device 25 to the sheet discharge space 12 of the main body housing 11. On the other hand, when the switching claw 33 is switched to the state shown in FIG. 2, the sheet sent from the fixing device 25 is guided to the staple processing unit 16.
As described above, the staple processing unit 16 includes the first unit 41 and the second unit 42. The first unit 41 includes an intermediate tray 34 for stacking the sheets after the image is fixed, a front shifting member 36 for aligning the sheets along a stopper 35 of a second unit 42 described below, and a sheet. Width adjustment members 37, 38, etc. are provided for advancing the width-adjusted sheet to the staple processing position on the front side of the main body housing 11 and then retracting the sheet to the original sheet conveyance position.
[0018]
The second unit 42 includes a first conveyance path 43 (see FIG. 3A) for conveying the sheet on which the image is fixed to the intermediate tray 34 in the casing 51, and a stapled sheet for the intermediate tray 34. And a second transport path 44 (see FIG. 3B) for transporting the paper from the printer to the paper discharge tray 15.
Further, the second unit 42 includes transport rollers 45 and 46 and a pressing roller 47 as transport means for transporting the sheet along the transport paths 43 and 44 in the casing 51, and the transport paths 43 and 44. And branching levers 49 and 50 as branching means for branching the sheet into the respective conveying paths 43 and 44 provided at the intersection 48 of the sheet feeding means, and a rear end of the sheet disposed downstream of the pressing roller 47 in the second conveying path 44. And a stopper 35 for aligning them.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second unit 42 has a stapler 52 attached to a front portion of an upper surface 53 of the casing 51.
Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of pins 55, 55 used for attaching the second unit 42 to the main body housing 11 project from a rear surface 54 of the casing 51 of the second unit 42. At the front of the upper surface 53 of the casing 51, a mounting stay 56 used for mounting the second unit 42 to the main body housing 11 is formed so as to protrude.
[0020]
A paper transport opening 58 that allows the first and second transport paths 43 and 44 to communicate with the intermediate tray 34 is formed in an edge 57 of the casing 51 on the first unit 41 side. Further, a pin 60 that fits into the support groove 59 of the first unit 41 and supports the left rear portion of the first unit 41 is provided at a rear portion of the edge portion 57 of the casing 51 so as to protrude therefrom. At the front of the edge 57 of the casing 51, there is formed a support hole 62 for inserting the reciprocating arm 61 of the first unit 41 and supporting the left front of the first unit 41. Reference numeral 77 denotes an operation lever for moving the reciprocating arm 61 forward and backward.
[0021]
An intermediate tray 34 is formed by the upper surface of the casing 63 of the first unit 41. The front edge of the intermediate tray 34 formed by the front edge 79 of the casing 63 has a layout in which the upstream portion 110 of the intermediate tray 34 in the sheet transport direction is left behind and the downstream portion thereof is retracted backward.
The front edge portion 111 of the intermediate tray 34 corresponding to the width shifting member 37 is retracted by the distance D1 from the upstream portion 110, and the intermediate portion of the front edge in the sheet conveyance direction is moved backward by the distance D2 (that is, It is recessed (to the rear) to form a recess 80. By retreating a part of the front edge of the intermediate tray 34 by the distances D1 and D2 in this manner, the paper discharged to the tray 81 at the bottom of the paper discharge space 12 can be easily taken out.
[0022]
The casing 63 of the first unit 41 is provided with a support groove forming body 64 that forms the above-described support groove 59 at the rear of the edge facing the second unit 42. The support groove 59 is formed of a semicircular groove that opens downward, and prevents the first unit 41 from moving back and forth with respect to the second unit 42 in a state of being engaged with the pin 60. The first support mechanism 65 is formed by the pin 60 and the support groove 59.
On the other hand, the above-mentioned reciprocating arm 61 provided in the first unit 41 is included in a second support mechanism 66 as a touch-engaging means for supporting the left front portion of the first unit 41. Since the first and second support mechanisms 65 and 66 support the adjacent edges of the first and second units 41 and 42 in association with each other, the positioning accuracy between the two units 41 and 42 is improved. can do.
[0023]
Reference numeral 82 denotes a rocking body including a pin 83 for supporting the right rear portion of the first unit 41 on the main body housing 11. The oscillating body 82 is supported by the casing 63 of the first unit 41 so as to be able to oscillate about an axis 84 extending in the forward and backward directions. A third support mechanism 95 as a one-touch engagement means for supporting the right rear portion of the first unit 41 on the main body housing 11 including the swing body 82 including the pin 83 and the support hole into which the swing body 82 is fitted is formed. ing.
[0024]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an operation of the width shifting member 37 on the front side of the main body housing 11 will be described.
First, the front edge of the intermediate tray 34 is formed by the front edge 79 of the casing 63 of the first unit 41. The width shifting member 37 includes a base 103 that faces the upper surface of the intermediate tray 34 and receives the lower surface of the sheet, and a side plate 104 that extends from the front edge of the base 103 and extends upward. The side plate 104 has a positioning portion 105 for positioning the front edge of the sheet (the edge corresponding to the front side of the main body housing).
[0025]
A slit 106 is formed on the upper surface of the intermediate tray 34 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. A support shaft 107 extending parallel to the slit 106 is arranged below the slit 106 and supported by the casing 63. I have. A slider 108 is supported on the support shaft 107 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the support shaft 107. The slider 108 and the base 103 of the width shifting member 37 are fixed to each other via a connecting plate 109 that passes through the slit 106. ing.
[0026]
A timing belt (not shown) reciprocally driven by a toothed pulley is fixed to a side surface of the slider 108. The reciprocating movement of the timing belt causes the width shifting member 37 to move forward and backward. Since the rear width adjusting member 38 has the same configuration, the drawing and its description are omitted.
The front and rear width shift members 37 and 38 approach each other in synchronization with each other, perform an operation of shifting the width of the sheet on the sheet conveyance path, and then move to the front of the main body housing 11 while maintaining an interval therebetween. Then, the bundle of sheets P for post-processing is moved to the post-processing position.
[0027]
At this time, after the front width-adjusting member 37 has been adjusted on the intermediate tray 34 shown in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. 5B, it protrudes forward from the front edge 79 of the casing 63 which is the front edge of the intermediate tray 34. Then, the bundle of sheets P is moved to the post-processing position. In this state, the positioning portion 105 of the width adjusting member 37 has advanced forward by a distance L (substantially equivalent to the above-described distance D1) from the front edge 79 of the casing 63.
As a result, it is possible to adopt a layout in which a part of the front edge of the intermediate tray 34 is retracted, so that the sheets (sheets that are not stapled) discharged to the tray 81 below the intermediate tray 34 in the sheet discharge space 12 can be used. Since the sheet is easy to see and reach, the sheet can be easily taken out of the main body housing 11. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an in-body discharge type image forming apparatus which is small and easy to take out discharge paper.
[0028]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as the post-processing unit, in addition to the staple processing unit 16, a punching unit that punches a sheet after an image is fixed, A sorting unit that shifts a sheet by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction and discharges the sheet can be exemplified. In addition, various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a copier as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an internal configuration of the copying machine.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic front views showing an internal configuration of a second unit having a transport and branch function and the periphery thereof, wherein A shows a state in which a first transport path is used, and B shows a second transport. This shows a state where the road is used.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of first and second units constituting the stapling unit.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are partially cutaway side views showing the operation of the front width shifting member.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs 10 Copier 11 Main body housing 12 Paper discharge space 16 Staple processing unit (post-processing unit)
34 Intermediate trays 37, 38 Width adjustment member 41 First unit 63 Casing 79 Front edge 80 Depression 81 Tray 103 Base 104 Side plate 105 Positioning section 110 Upstream section 111 Downstream section

Claims (2)

A post-processing unit for performing post-processing on the sheet on which the image is fixed, a discharge space for discharging the sheet on which the image is fixed is built in the main body housing, and the discharge space is at least of the main body housing. In an image forming apparatus opened forward,
Arrange an intermediate tray of the post-processing unit in the upper part of the paper discharge space,
The intermediate tray is provided with a pair of front and rear width shifting members that shift the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction and shift to the front side of the main body housing by a predetermined amount and transport the sheets to the post-processing position,
In a state in which the width-adjusting member corresponding to the front side of the main body housing has carried the sheet to the post-processing position, the sheet positioning portion of the width-adjustment member corresponding to the front side is located forward of the front edge of the intermediate tray. An image forming apparatus, comprising: The pair of width shifting members are provided corresponding to the downstream portion of the intermediate tray in the paper transport direction, and the downstream portion of the front edge of the intermediate tray except the upstream portion in the paper transport direction is provided. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is recessed so as to be located rearward.

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