JP3690413B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection device for paper discharged to a discharge tray in a post-processing device such as a sorter used in combination with an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer, and in particular, can easily perform the operation of sorting the paper into the discharge tray. The present invention relates to a recording paper post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus that can detect a paper jam in the post-processing apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer, an operator is provided by connecting a post-processing device such as a sorter in order to process the created recording paper and automatically sorting the recording paper. I try to reduce the burden. As an apparatus such as the sorter, it is known to constitute a large apparatus disposed on the side of the image forming apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-29353. In the sorter as described above, the recording paper sorting operation can be performed at high speed in correspondence with an image forming apparatus having a large number of recording papers produced per unit time. In addition, a small sorter apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-43769 is equipped with 10 trays corresponding to a small image forming apparatus, and the trays corresponding to a paper receiving unit are vertically moved. The recording paper can be sorted while moving.

  In the conventional sorter apparatus as described above, it is arranged on the side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the paper receiving port of the sorter apparatus is directly connected to the recording paper discharge port of the image forming apparatus. It is arranged in a protruding state. However, as described above, disposing the sorter device on the side of the image forming apparatus has a problem that the image forming apparatus including the sorter apparatus requires a large floor area. In particular, when a device such as a small laser beam printer is used on a desk, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus occupies the desk.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, it has been proposed that a sorter device is integrally disposed on an upper portion of an image forming apparatus such as a small laser beam printer. In the example in which the sorter device is arranged on the small image forming apparatus, the sorter apparatus does not occupy an extra floor area. It is possible to exhibit the advantage that a margin part can be formed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 62-201775 A JP 63-160972 A

  However, as described above, when the sorter device is integrally disposed on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus, the vibration of the solenoid and other driving devices provided in the sorter is directly transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body. is there. In particular, when the image forming apparatus is an apparatus such as a laser beam printer, when vibration is applied to the writing apparatus using laser light, the horizontal lines are uniform when the photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser light. This leads to a problem that the image quality of the toner image transferred to the paper cannot be maintained well. Therefore, it is conceivable that the sorter device or the like is not directly fixed and connected to the image forming apparatus main body, but is combined with a state in which vibration is not transmitted between the devices. However, when the sorter device is connected to the image forming apparatus main body via a gap, there is a tendency that a paper transfer operation cannot be performed satisfactorily at the connecting portion of both devices.

  In the conventional sorter apparatus, one or a plurality of sensors are arranged for each of a large number of discharge trays, and a paper jam is detected by a sensor arranged at the inlet of the tray and a sensor arranged at the top of the tray. In such a case, full detection is performed. However, for a small sorter device, placing the sensors separately on each tray complicates the configuration of the device, which complicates maintenance and affects the cost of assembling the device. Problem occurs. Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, for example, it is one method to arrange a common transmissive optical sensor on all trays. However, when one transmissive optical sensor is arranged, if a state occurs in which the operation of discharging the paper to the other tray occurs in parallel while discharging the paper to one tray, the paper Cannot be accurately performed, the jam detection timing is delayed, and this leads to problems such as requiring a lot of jam processing later.

  The present invention solves the problem of paper conveyance and sorting in the small sorter apparatus as described above, and constitutes a means for detecting paper using one sensor for all trays and is also designated. The paper transport state can be accurately detected when paper is being ejected in parallel to the first tray while paper is being ejected to the last tray, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording paper post-processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus provided with an auxiliary detection means capable of detecting a sheet even when a transparent sheet or the like is conveyed.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus that conveys a sheet onto which an image has been transferred toward an upper discharge tray via a roller device, and a sorter apparatus that is disposed further above the upper discharge tray and spaced apart from the image forming apparatus. A gate that sorts the sheet onto which the image has been transferred to either the discharge tray or the sorter unit, and the sheet is discharged when the sheet is conveyed to the sorter unit via the roller unit. In the case of switching to the tray, the gate is switched while the paper is being sent out to the sorter device.

  Since the apparatus of the present invention is configured as described above, a discharge path is disposed at the top of the image forming apparatus main body, a gate member is disposed in correspondence with the discharge path, and a paper transport path of the sorter is connected. can do. Further, in the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, one transmission type optical sensor is arranged for a large number of trays so that the paper branched toward each tray can be easily detected and the paper is conveyed. It is possible to easily detect a jam occurring during the process. Further, when the sheet is branched to the tray at the upstream end portion following the end portion of the downstream portion of the sheet conveyance serving as the sorting turn-back portion, detection is performed on the sheet discharged in parallel with the two trays. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a separate sensor for the tray at the end of the downstream portion so that the jam detection operation is performed in a good state.

  In an embodiment of the present invention described below, for example, a large number of discharge trays are arranged in a discharge path provided to extend on the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a detection unit is provided at a branch portion for each discharge tray. It can be provided and configured. As the detecting means, one transmissive optical sensor is arranged for a large number of trays, and the paper branched toward each tray can be easily detected, while the paper is being conveyed. This makes it easy to detect jams that occur in Furthermore, it is possible to arrange a separate sensor on the discharge tray provided at the downstream end of the paper conveyance path, which serves as a sorting folding section, so that the jam detection operation can be performed in a good state. The The configuration of the paper detection means, the paper transport device and the branching device is different from that of other detailed configurations configured by combining the discharge trays so that the same sorting operation as the post-processing device described below can be performed. The present invention can also be applied to a processing apparatus.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus provided with the recording paper post-processing apparatus will be described according to the example shown in the drawing. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows a case where a sorter device is arranged as a post-processing device corresponding to the paper discharge unit of an image forming apparatus configured as a small laser beam printer. In the present invention, the image forming apparatus 1 that supports the sorter device 20 at the top has one or more paper feed trays 2 arranged at the bottom of the main body of the apparatus in the same manner as a conventional compact laser beam printer. A paper feeding device 3 is provided corresponding to the paper feeding side of the paper tray 2. The paper feeding device 3 is configured by combining a pickup roller and a paper separating device. The paper unloaded from the paper feed tray 2 by the paper feed device 3 is aligned by the registration roller device 4 and constitutes means for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 onto the paper by the discharge of the transfer corotron 6. .

  Corresponding to the photosensitive drum 5, an image writing device 10, a developing device (not shown), a cleaning device, and a charging corotron are arranged in the same manner as a general laser beam printer. Then, the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by a charging corotron, and then writing is performed with a laser beam output from the image writing device 10, and toner is supplied from the developing device to form a visible image as a toner image. Then, the toner image is transferred onto the paper by the discharge of the transfer corotron 6. Further, after the toner image is transferred onto the paper, the toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum are cleaned by a cleaning device so as to cope with the next toner image forming operation. The image writing device 10 is configured by combining a laser beam output device, a rotating mirror device, a plurality of reflecting mirrors, and the like, and based on an image signal sent from a device such as a computer connected to the image forming device. Output image information to the body drum.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 5 is fixed through the fixing device 7 and is discharged toward the discharge tray 9 via the upper discharge roller device 8. Further, the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a sheet conveying path 12 from a lower sheet feeding unit disposed below the sheet conveying path from the sheet feeding tray, and a registration roller via a conveying roller device 13. It is connected to the junction at the upstream part of the device. Then, an alignment operation is performed between the registration roller device 4 and the transport roller device 13 for the paper fed from the lower paper feed unit, so that a recording paper can be created. The discharge tray and each process device arranged inside the image forming apparatus main body are provided so as to be able to be pulled out from the front side of the apparatus main body, and maintenance of each device such as a photosensitive drum, a developing device, and a cleaning device is easy. To be able to do.

  A sorter device 20 is disposed above the image forming apparatus 1 via a support mechanism (not shown). A solenoid as a driving member for a gate member disposed in the sorter device, a solenoid for the lower branch gate 30, and the like. Each of the actuating members and the vibration output from the driving member for the gate member and the like constitute a mechanism that is not directly transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body. The lower branch gate 30 of the sorter device 20 feeds paper to either the discharge tray 9 of the main body or the paper transport path 22 of the sorter device. In the sorter device 20 in which the lower branch gate 30 is disposed, as shown in FIG. 2, the sorter main body 21 is provided with a vertical sheet conveyance path conveyance path 22 partitioned by a guide plate 23 and drive rollers 25, 25a. In the guide plate 23, pinch rollers 24, 24a,... Are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to carry the sheet while the sheet is nipped between the drive roller and the pinch roller. Further, the sorter body 21 is provided with discharge tray members 27 having ten discharge trays t1, t2,..., T9, t10 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The drive rollers 25, 25a... And the sorting gates 26, 26a.

  If the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 1 does not require sorting, the lower branch gate 30 is swung to the position indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 1 so that the sheet is discharged toward the discharge tray 9 of the main body. To. When the sorting mode using the sorter device 20 is set, the lower branch gate 30 is swung to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The paper is conveyed upward while nipping between the pinch rollers. In the paper conveyance path 22, the paper is guided between the driving rollers 25, 25a,... And the guide plate 23, and the conveyance operation is performed along the vertical back surface of the sorting gates 26, 26a,. To do. As described above, in the middle of conveying the paper upward, the sorting gate corresponding to the designated discharge tray is swung to discharge the paper toward the discharge tray. Further, during the operation of discharging the paper to the discharge tray, it may be necessary to close the sorting gate to guide the subsequent paper to the lower discharge tray. Even when the gate is closed, the sheet guiding operation by the sorting gate can be continued through a biasing member such as a spring provided in the sorting gate until the sheet has passed.

  As described above, in the sorter device 20 arranged at the upper part of the image forming apparatus, in the discharge tray member 27 arranged so as to protrude from the sorter body 21 to the side, the discharge trays t1, t2,. Are arranged in the vertical direction along the paper transport path 22. For example, when storing sheets in the sorting mode, the discharge tray is designated from the uppermost discharge tray t1 toward the lower part corresponding to the designated number of copies, and the lower one of the designated trays is sequentially specified. The paper discharge mode is set so that the paper is sorted and discharged. For example, when making 9 copies, 9 copies are continuously made for the original of the first page. In the sorter apparatus, the first sheet is discharged to the tray t9. Next, the trays t8, t7,. Next, a copy of the document on the second page is sequentially discharged from the lower tray t9 toward the upper tray.

  When the paper as described above is discharged to the tray, the first paper on the next page is sent to the lowermost tray while the paper is being discharged to the uppermost tray. Therefore, when paper is discharged to the lowermost tray t9 following the uppermost tray t1 in the turn-back portion of the operation of discharging the paper to the tray, the papers sent to the two trays are simultaneously sent from the sensor. A state occurs that interrupts the optical path. In other words, in the sorter device, the first copy of the second page is inserted into the lowermost tray t9 while the sheet is being discharged to the uppermost tray t1, and at the same time 2 Even if a jam occurs on one of the two sheets discharged to one tray, there is a problem that jam detection cannot be performed in that case.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, a sheet detection unit as shown in FIG. 3 can be arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 3, one sensor is arranged for the uppermost tray t1 among the ten trays t1, t2,. Further, one sensor is arranged for each of the lower nine trays t2... T10, and the uppermost tray can be detected by a single sensor. Each sensor arranged corresponding to the tray is configured as a light transmission type sensor, and light receiving means S1a and S2a are respectively arranged facing the light emitting means S1 and S2 arranged at the upper part. When the sheet blocks the optical path of the sensor, the passage of the sheet is detected. Further, a sensor S is arranged in the paper discharge path of the main body of the image forming apparatus in correspondence with the paper introduction section of the sorter device 20, and the detection signal from the sensor S and the sensors S1 and S2 arranged in correspondence with the trays are arranged. The detection signal is compared with the detection of paper discharge failure or jam in the paper transport path.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the sorter device 20 of the present invention, a paper conveying device is constituted by the driving roller 25 and the pinch roller 24 arranged in the paper conveying path, and guides the paper in the upward direction together with the guide plate. I try to make it work. When the tray for discharging the paper is designated, the solenoids 28, 28a... Corresponding to the sorting gates 26, 26a... Operate to swing the sorting gates to a position for guiding them toward the tray. To. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a sorting gate member that does not swing is arranged on the uppermost tray t1, and all the unsorted sheets are accommodated in the tray t1.

  In the image forming apparatus main body, a gap between sheets discharged via the discharge roller device is set at a very narrow interval, for example, 20 to 30 mm. Therefore, in the sorter device of the present invention, it is not possible to set a sorting mode in which a large number of discharge trays arranged in the vertical direction on the discharge tray member 27 are discharged sequentially from the upper tray. A system that sorts and discharges to the upper tray is used. In addition, when creating the required number of copies, setting the tray to sort from the uppermost tray to the lower tray can also demonstrate the advantage that the operator can easily take out the copy after creating the copy It is. Setting the sort mode as described above is a case where the sorter device is limited to the use of a normal sorter. However, when the sorter device is used as a mailbox, a print command is issued to the image forming apparatus. In correspondence with the output terminal or operator, a copy can be discharged to a designated tray.

  Therefore, in the sorter device 20, when nine copies are made, nine copies are continuously made with respect to the original of the first page, and the copy is passed through the paper transport path of the sorter device. The first copy is inserted into the ninth tray t9 and then discharged to the tray t8, and sorted sequentially toward the upper tray. In addition, the copy of the second page of the original is in a state of being discharged to the tray t9 while the copy of the first page is being discharged to the uppermost tray t1, but in the two trays t1 and t9, Since separate sensors S1 and S2 are arranged, jam detection can be accurately performed on the paper stored in each tray.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, a spring 34 is disposed between the discharge roller device 8 of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the lower branch gate 30 that connects the paper transport path 22 of the sorter device, and the solenoid 35. A mechanism is configured to transmit the operation to the lower branch gate via a spring. As shown in FIG. 4, when the next copy is to be discharged toward the main body paper feed tray while the paper is being discharged via the discharge roller device 8, the discharge roller device 8 is used. Since the interval between the sheets fed out through the sheet is very narrow, the lower branch gate 30 may be switched before detecting the end of the sheet fed toward the sorter device.

  Therefore, by disposing a drive transmission means by a spring with respect to the solenoid that drives the lower branch gate 30, an operation of switching the lower branch gate is performed while the lower branch gate guides the paper. However, even if the switching operation is performed with respect to the lower branch gate, the sheet is strongly nipped between the discharge roller device 8 and the conveyance roller device of the sheet conveyance path 22 while the sheet P is passing. Therefore, the lower branch gate 30 does not swing to the position indicated by the chain line until the trailing edge of the paper discharged toward the sorter device leaves the nip of the discharge roller device 8, but at the position indicated by the solid line in the figure. Stopped. Then, with the rear end portion of the paper discharged toward the sorter device being away from the discharge roller device, the lower branch gate is immediately swung so that the paper can be guided to the main body discharge tray 9. To do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation of biasing the lower branch gate in advance in the direction of swinging is performed by a solenoid every time the leading end of the paper guided toward the sorter device reaches the nip position of the paper transport path. It is possible to set a control mode in which the lower branch gate is switched by energizing. And, for example, when the nip in the paper transport path of the sorter device is released by the operation of opening the paper transport path when a jam occurs, the paper is immediately projected by the loop formed by the lower branch gate. Therefore, the sheet removal operation can be easily performed. Furthermore, even if a finger is mistakenly inserted from the direction of the main body discharge tray, the lower branch gate is merely swung through the support shaft, so that there is no hindrance to the paper transport operation, and the device is Can be secured.

  As described above, as a device for driving the lower branch gate 30 through the elastic member, for example, a driving unit as shown in FIG. 5 can be configured. In the gate driving mechanism shown in FIG. 5, shafts 31 and 31 a are arranged so as to protrude on both sides of the lower branch gate 30 and are supported by a bearing member (not shown), but a link 32 is attached to the end of the shaft 31. And a stud 33 is provided to protrude from the link 32. An end of a spring 34 is connected to the stud 33, the other end of the spring 34 is connected to a conduction block 37, and a plunger 36 of a solenoid 35 is connected to the conduction block 37. The conduction block 37 is disposed in a state that allows movement only in the movement direction of the solenoid plunger 36 by a guide member (not shown). The provided receiving portion 38 can allow an excessive movement of the plunger, and can perform a guiding action on the paper as shown in FIG.

  As described above, sensors are arranged corresponding to the respective trays arranged in the discharge tray device of the sorter device 20, but a separate detection member is arranged with respect to the sensor, such as an OHP sheet or the like. An apparatus that can detect a transparent film member with a transmissive sensor can be configured. The example shown in FIG. 6 shows a case in which a separate swing member is arranged with respect to the sorting gate 26 corresponding to the tray, and corresponds to the notch 43 arranged on the side portion of the sorting gate 26. The light shielding plate 47 is swingably arranged so that the passage of the paper can be detected in a state where the optical path of the sensor is blocked by the light shielding plate. The shaft 46 to which the light-shielding plate 47 is attached is supported by the sorting gate via shaft support portions 48 and 48a, and an actuator 45 that is swung by a sheet is integrally provided. The actuator 45 is arranged in another notch 44 provided in the sorting gate. When the paper is guided by the sorting gate, the actuator 45 is swung so that the light shielding plate 47 blocks the optical path of the sensor. Be sure to do what you want.

  The sorting gate 26 is provided so as to be swingable via a shaft 40, and as shown in FIG. 3, it constitutes means for transmitting drive between the solenoid and a spring, as shown in FIG. It is provided so that the operation of switching the sorting gate during the passage of the paper can be performed. The sorting guide surface 41 of the sorting gate 26 forms an arc surface corresponding to the drive roller member and is used when guiding the paper toward the discharge tray. In the closed state, a guide surface facing the guide plate is formed to assist the paper transporting action in the paper transporting path. Furthermore, the notch 43 formed at the end of the sorting gate 26 is arranged corresponding to the optical path of the sensor, and when the sheet passes through the notch part, the optical path of the sensor is blocked. Detect paper passage.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, a light shielding plate 47 is arranged corresponding to the notch 43 of the sorting gate 26, an actuator 45 is arranged coaxially with the light shielding plate, and the paper is directed to the tray by the sorting gate. When being guided, the actuator 45 is swung so that the light shielding plate 47 performs an operation of blocking the optical path of the sensor. Therefore, the sheet guided toward the discharge tray is a transparent sheet or the like, and even when the light from the sensor is not blocked, the light shielding plate 47 blocks the optical path, so that the sheets and the like are sorted with respect to the tray. Can be confirmed. Further, the light-shielding plate shown in FIG. 6 can be mounted on an arbitrary tray among the discharge tray members of the sorter device. When such a detection device is arranged, the sorter is used as a mail box. When using the device, it can be placed on all or any tray.

  In addition to the above-described embodiment, a light-shielding plate as shown in FIG. 7 can be arranged for the sorting gate of the present invention to constitute a detection device for transparent sheets. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement of the notch 43 at the end of the sorting gate 26 is the same as in the case of FIG. As a member that supports the shaft 51, an auxiliary frame 52 that supports the support shaft 40 of the sorting gate can be used. Then, a shaft support portion 54 for supporting the shaft 40 of the sorting gate 26 and a shaft support portion 53 for supporting the shaft 51 of the light shielding plate 50 are arranged with respect to the auxiliary frame 52, and each shaft can be arbitrarily set. It should be supported so that it can swing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the light shielding plate is separately swingably arranged with respect to the notch provided in the sorting gate 26, a detection device for transparent sheets can be easily configured. Will be able to.

  The sorter device shown in the embodiment of the present invention can arbitrarily set the number of trays and the arrangement relationship of the trays, but when performing the sorting operation sequentially for each tray, A separate sensor can be arranged for the tray corresponding to the turn-back portion of the sorting operation. And, in the tray corresponding to the folded portion of the sorting, even if a state where paper is simultaneously stored in the two trays by allowing jam detection or the like by another sensor, The detection operation for each sheet can be normally performed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, for example, a discharge path is arranged in the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a gate member is arranged corresponding to the discharge path, and a paper transport path of the sorter is connected. can do. By configuring a means for transmitting the drive via an elastic body such as a spring between the gate member arranged close to the discharge path of the image forming apparatus main body and a drive means such as a solenoid, In the middle of the operation of branching and guiding the previous paper, it becomes possible to perform the operation to close the gate member, and the next paper can be easily guided in a state where the previous paper has passed. It becomes possible. Further, in the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, one transmission type optical sensor is arranged for a large number of trays so that the paper branched toward each tray can be easily detected and the paper is conveyed. It is possible to easily detect a jam occurring during the process. Further, when the sheet is branched to the tray at the upstream end portion following the end portion of the downstream portion of the sheet conveyance serving as the sorting turn-back portion, detection is performed on the sheet discharged in parallel with the two trays. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a separate sensor for the tray at the end of the downstream portion so that the jam detection operation is performed in a good state. In addition to the above configuration, when a copy is made using a transparent sheet, a mechanical detection member is separately arranged for the problem that the optical sensor cannot detect the copy. Can be detected, and the passage of the sheets can be detected, so that the driving of the discharging device can be continued and the operation of the jam processing can be easily performed.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the connection part of the image forming apparatus of this invention, and a sorter apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the sorter apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the detection apparatus arrange | positioned at a sorter apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement of the paper guidance by a lower branch gate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the drive mechanism with respect to a lower branch gate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the auxiliary | assistant detection means arrange | positioned at a sorting gate. It is explanatory drawing which shows another structure of another detection means arrange | positioned at a sorting gate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Photoconductor drum 8 Discharge roller apparatus,
9 discharge tray, 20 sorter device, 22 paper transport path,
24 pinch rollers, 25 driving roller members, 26 sorting gates,
30 Lower branch gate, 34 Spring, 35 Solenoid,
43/44 Notch, 45 Actuator, 47/50 Shading plate,
52 Auxiliary frame. 35 Solenoid, 43/44 Notch,
45 Actuator, 47/50 Shading plate, 52 Auxiliary frame.

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus that conveys a sheet onto which an image has been transferred toward an upper discharge tray via a roller device;
A sorter device disposed further above the upper discharge tray and spaced apart from the image forming device;
A gate that sorts the paper onto which the image has been transferred to either the discharge tray or the sorter device,
When the paper is transported to the sorter device via the roller device, when the paper is switched to the discharge tray, the gate is switched while the paper is being sent to the sorter device. Forming equipment.

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