JP3745687B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system such as a copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine that can form images on both sides of a sheet recording material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for image forming apparatuses capable of recording images on both front and back sides of a sheet recording material. This type of image forming apparatus is configured so that a sheet recording material on which an image is recorded on one side is reversed using a switchback mechanism or the like, and this is supplied again to the image forming unit so that image formation can be performed also on the back side. Is done.
[0003]
As the configuration, for example, there is a switchback space in the main body or a retrofit peripheral device, or a switchback space is provided in the external space of the image forming apparatus, and a part of the sheet recording material is temporarily stored in the apparatus. Some of them are exposed to the outside.
[0004]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-281249 discloses a configuration in which a switchback passage is provided in a sheet processing apparatus attached to one side of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-255476. Has proposed a configuration of a switchback unit in which a part of a sheet is once taken out of the apparatus by forward and reverse rollers.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a switchback space is provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus or in a peripheral device attached later, the size of the main body device or the peripheral device is inevitably increased, and the inside The configuration of the system is complicated and the cost is high.
[0006]
In addition, when using the external space as a switchback space, placing an object in that area becomes an obstacle to switching back the sheet recording material, so the situation surrounding the image forming apparatus is installed. Restrictions occur.
[0007]
Furthermore, when an external space is provided on the discharge tray, there is a problem that only a post-processing device having a special structure corresponding to switchback can be attached when a post-processing device is attached to the discharge portion. .
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to secure a space for switchback by effectively utilizing the space on the main body device side, and to reduce the size of the retrofit peripheral device and the main body device. It is an object to provide a cost-effective image forming system.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows.
[0010]
(1) a main body apparatus that performs image formation, a plurality of optional devices capable retrofitted to form a predetermined space in the boundary portion between the main body apparatus, by combining, either by the image forming unit of the main device In an image forming system that allows a sheet recording material having an image formed on one side thereof to be switched back and then transported to the image forming unit of the main body device again to form an image on both the front and back sides of the sheet recording material ,
A switchback path for performing switchback by inserting the sheet recording material into a space formed at a boundary portion between the main body apparatus that performs the image formation and any one of the optional apparatuses combined with the main body apparatus. It is characterized by setting.
[0011]
In this configuration, since the sheet recording material can be switched back by utilizing the space formed at the boundary between the main body apparatus that performs image formation and the optional apparatus, any apparatus (the main body apparatus and the optional apparatus) can be used. ), It is not necessary to provide a transport path for switching back the sheet recording material, and each apparatus can be formed compactly without complicating the configuration, and thus the entire image forming system can be made compact. Can be achieved. Further, since the sheet recording material does not come out of the main body device and the optional device at the time of switchback, the degree of freedom of connecting the optional device is improved, and a highly versatile image forming system can be configured.
[0012]
(2) The optional device includes at least a mechanism for supplying a sheet recording material to an image forming unit of the main body device and a conveyance path, and the main body device is placed on the optional device. And
[0013]
In this configuration, if the optional device is, for example, a paper feed desk device on which the main body device for image formation is placed, a mechanism for supplying a sheet recording material to the main body device in the optional device, Since the conveyance path is provided, the switched-back sheet recording material can be easily and efficiently supplied to the image recording unit of the main body apparatus.
[0014]
(3) At least an optional device according to claim 2 and an optional device for switching back the sheet recording material,
The optional device includes a support tray for supporting the sheet recording material when the sheet recording material is switched back, and the support tray is inserted into a space formed by the main body device and the optional device. The sheet recording material that has been switched back is supported in the state of being turned on.
[0015]
In this configuration, when the sheet recording material is switched back in the space between the main body device and the optional sheet feeding desk device, the state of the upper surface of the optional device is determined by supporting the sheet recording material by the support tray. Regardless of the case, the sheet recording material can be smoothly switched back.
[0016]
(4) A transport path for transporting the sheet recording material from the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material to the optional device according to claim 2 is formed below the support tray. The support tray is formed of a transparent material so that the conveyance path opened by being drawn out from the space can be seen.
[0017]
In this configuration, the conveying path to the opened optional device can be visually observed (from an oblique upper side), and it is not necessary to look into the conveying path from below, so that trouble (paper jam or the like) can be easily restored.
[0018]
(5) A transport path for transporting the sheet recording material from the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material to the optional device according to claim 2 is formed below the support tray. At least one or more openings are formed in the support tray so that the conveyance path opened by being drawn out from the space can be seen.
[0019]
In this configuration, the conveyance path to the opened optional device can be visually checked, and it is not necessary to remove it from the bottom, so that it is possible to easily perform a work for returning trouble (paper clogging, etc.).
[0020]
(6) the support tray, characterized in that one end is rotatably supported to the sheet recording material optional devices to be switched back, the other end has a structure to be movable on the option device smoothly And
[0021]
In this configuration, one end of the support tray is rotatably supported and the other end has a structure in which movement resistance is reduced, so that the support tray can be smoothly slid along the upper surface of the optional device. Further, when the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material is packed and conveyed, the support tray can be formed into a shape that can be easily folded and packed, and the packing size can be reduced.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
(Configuration of image forming apparatus main body)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system. An image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a main body apparatus) H has a large number of predetermined sheets (recording paper) according to image data transmitted from the outside. A color or single color image is formed. The image forming unit H1 includes an exposure unit 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner unit 4, a transfer conveyance belt unit 8, and a fixing unit 12. A paper transport path S is provided, and a paper feed tray 10, a paper discharge tray 15, and the like are provided.
[0024]
Image data handled in the main device H corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Accordingly, the exposure unit 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), the developing device 2 (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), the photosensitive drum 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), and the charger 5 (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and four cleaner units 4 (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, a being black, b being cyan, There are four image stations with c set to magenta and d set to yellow.
[0025]
The photosensitive drum 3 is disposed (attached) at substantially the central portion of the main body device H, and the charger 5 is a charging means and a contact means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used as shown in the figure.
[0026]
As the exposure unit 1, a laser scanning unit (LSU) including, for example, an LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array, a laser irradiation unit and a reflection mirror described in the drawings is used. The charged photosensitive drum 3 has a function of forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface thereof by exposing the photosensitive drum 3 according to the input image data.
[0027]
The developing device 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after development and image transfer.
[0028]
Transfer conveyor belt unit 8 disposed underneath side of the photosensitive drum 3, the transfer belt 7, the transfer belt drive roller, a transfer belt tension roller, a plurality of transfer belt driven roller, a transfer roller 6 (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and a transfer belt cleaning unit 9. The transfer belt driving roller, the transfer belt driven roller, and the transfer belt tension roller stretch the transfer belt 7 and rotate it in the direction of arrow B.
[0029]
The transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) inside the intermediate transfer belt unit, and the transfer belt 7 is stretched together with the transfer belt driving roller, the transfer belt driven roller, and the transfer belt tension roller. is doing. The transfer roller 6 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto a sheet (recording paper) that is attracted to the transfer belt 7 and conveyed.
[0030]
The transfer belt 7 is provided so as to come into contact with the respective photosensitive drums 3, and the color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 3 are sequentially superimposed on the sheet (recording paper) to be transferred. It has a function of forming a toner image (multicolor toner image). This transfer belt is formed endlessly using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm.
[0031]
Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the sheet (recording paper) is performed by the transfer roller 6 in contact with the back side of the transfer belt 7. The transfer roller 6 is applied with a high voltage (toner band electrode, polarity opposite to the sex (1), sex (+) high voltage) in order to transfer the toner image.
[0032]
The transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper (sheet).
[0033]
Further, the toner adhering to the transfer belt 7 from the photoconductive drum 3 is set to be removed and collected by the transfer belt cleaning unit in order to contaminate the back surface of the recording paper.
[0034]
The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing sheets (recording paper) used for printing, and is provided below the image forming unit of the main body device H. The paper discharge tray 15 provided on the upper part of the main body apparatus H is a tray for placing printed sheets face down, and the paper discharge tray 33 provided on the side of the main body apparatus H. Is a tray for placing printed sheets face up.
[0035]
Further, the main body device H is provided with an S-shaped paper conveyance path S for sending the sheets in the paper feed tray 10 to the paper discharge tray 15 via the transfer conveyance unit 8 and the fixing unit 12. . Further, in the vicinity of the paper conveyance path S from the paper feed tray 10 to the haiku paper tray 15 and the paper discharge tray 33, a pickup roller 16, a registration roller 14, a fixing unit 40, a conveyance direction switching gate 34, a conveyance roller 25, and the like. It is arranged.
[0036]
The conveyance roller 25 is a small roller for promoting and assisting conveyance of the sheet, and a plurality of conveyance rollers 25 are provided along the sheet conveyance path S. The pickup roller is a pull-in roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies sheets from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one.
[0037]
The conveyance direction switching gate 34 is rotatably provided on the side cover 34. The sheet is separated from the middle of the conveyance path S by discharging from the state indicated by the straight line to the state indicated by the broken line and discharged to the paper discharge tray 33. It can be done. In the state indicated by the broken line, the sheet passes through the conveyance unit S ′ (part of the sheet conveyance path S) formed between the fixing unit 12, the side cover 35, and the conveyance switching guide 34, and the upper discharge tray 15. To be discharged.
[0038]
The registration roller 14 temporarily holds the sheet conveyed through the paper conveyance path S and adjusts the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 so that the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 can be transferred onto the sheet in a satisfactory multiple manner. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet in a timely manner.
[0039]
That is, the registration roller 14 conveys the sheet based on a detection signal output from a pre-registration detection switch (not shown) so that the leading edge of the toner image on each photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the printing range on the sheet. Is set to
[0040]
The fixing unit 12 includes a heat roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like, and the heat roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 rotate with a sheet interposed therebetween. The heat roller 31 is set to a predetermined fixing temperature by a control unit (not shown) based on a temperature detection value (not shown), and is transferred to the sheet by thermocompression bonding the sheet together with the pressure roller 33. The resulting multicolor toner image is melted, mixed, and pressed to thermally fix the sheet.
[0041]
The fixing unit 40 including the fixing unit 12 is integrated with the paper discharge unit 30 and can be pulled out from the main body device H at the time of jam processing as shown in FIG. That is, an integrated fixing unit 40 and paper discharge unit 30 are mounted on a slide member 37 that is guided and slidable by a guide rail 36 provided on the main device H side, and the fixing unit 40 and the paper discharge unit 30 are connected to each other. It can be separated from the main unit H up to a distance L1.
[0042]
The sheet after the fixing of the multicolor toner image is conveyed to the reverse paper discharge path (paper discharge section 30) of the paper transport path S by the transport rollers 25... Toward the paper discharge tray 15. Although the color image forming apparatus has been described here, it may be of a configuration (monochrome image forming apparatus) having a single image forming station.
[0043]
(Post-processing equipment)
The post-processing apparatus includes a sorter (mailbin) M sorting apparatus shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 and a finisher that performs stapling, punching, etc., and is directly mounted on the main body apparatus H using a fixing member. Or attached via a relay transfer device 50 that is retrofitted.
[0044]
(Feeding desk device)
The retrofitted paper feeding desk device 20 that is an optional device is usually provided with a paper feeding tray that accommodates a sheet recording material, and can accommodate a wide variety of sheet recording materials in advance. A sheet feeding desk device 20 shown in the figure includes a double-side tray unit 26 that supplies a sheet recording material having an image formed on one side to the main body device H again in order to form images on both sides of the top and bottom of the sheet recording material. Two paper feed trays 20a and 20b are provided.
[0045]
In addition, the paper feed desk device 20 can insert a paper feed tray instead of the double-sided tray unit 26 when the double-sided image forming function is not required. In addition, the sheet feeding desk device 20 shown in the figure has a three-stage configuration, but is not limited to this. Depending on the situation, it can be selected from a plurality of types and mounted.
[0046]
When the main body device H is placed on the paper feeding desk device 20, a planar gap space G is generated between the main body device H and the paper feeding desk device 20 due to the rubber feet t. In this embodiment, the gap space G is used as a switchback path (second reversal path) for the sheet recording material.
[0047]
(Relay transport device and paper tray)
The relay conveyance device 50 loads the sheet recording material mounted on the paper discharge unit 30 of the main device H and discharged from the main device H to the next functional unit (the paper discharge tray 33, the paper reversing tray 9, and the both sides of the paper feed desk device 20). It is a device that performs the relay function of conveying to the tray unit 26).
[0048]
The relay conveyance device 50 includes a first reversing unit 51 and a second reversing unit 52 at the upper and lower portions of the first reversing path 50a. The first reversing unit 51 includes a paper discharge tray 33, In addition, a reverse operation (switchback operation) is performed when the sheet recording material is discharged face-down with respect to a post-processing apparatus to be attached later.
[0049]
The second reversing unit 52 performs a reversing operation when reversing (switching back) the sheet recording material when forming images on both the front and back sides of the sheet recording material, The developed sheet reversing tray (support tray) 9 is inserted into the switchback path G that is connected.
[0050]
Reference numeral 53 denotes a first gate, reference numeral 54 denotes a second gate, and reference numeral 55 denotes a conveyance path from the second reversing unit 52 to the duplex tray unit 26 of the sheet feeding desk device 20. Reference numeral 55 a denotes an upper opening of the conveyance path 55 and is connected to the switchback path G of the sheet feeding desk device 20. Reference numeral 55 b denotes a lower opening of the transport path 55 and is connected to the double-sided tray unit 26.
[0051]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sheet reversing tray 9 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the relay conveyance device body around the rotation fulcrum portions 91 provided on both lower sides of the relay conveyance device 50. When the relay conveyance device 50 is connected to the main body device H (see FIG. 1), it is expanded by 90 ° and inserted into the gap space G formed between the main body device H and the paper feeding desk device 20, and above it A second switchback path is formed to guide the sheet recording material. When transporting and packing the relay transport device 50, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet reversing tray 9 is folded to facilitate packing.
[0052]
As described above, the sheet recording material to be switched back is guided by the sheet reversing tray 9 inserted in the gap space G formed between the main body apparatus H and the sheet feeding desk apparatus 20, so The sheet recording material can be smoothly guided regardless of the state of the upper surface.
[0053]
The sheet reversing tray 9 is provided with a vertical opening 92 (may be a hole), and as shown in FIG. 2, a distance L1 together with the paper discharge unit 30 and the fixing unit 40 of the main body device H, for example, during jam processing. When the sheet is slid only in the separation direction, the lower portion of the conveyance path 55 formed on the lower side of the sheet conveyance tray 9, that is, the conveyance path 55 from the relay conveyance apparatus 50 to the double-side tray unit 26 of the sheet feeding desk apparatus 20. 55b can be confirmed from the outside (see FIG. 3).
[0054]
Specifically, the operator can clearly check the state of the lower opening 55b of the conveyance path 55 directly below the opening 92 of the sheet conveyance tray 9 from obliquely above. Instead of the opening 92, the paper transport tray 9 may be formed of a material such as a transparent resin. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet transport tray 9 may be formed of a metal wire having an outer diameter of about 3 to 5 mmφ (such as iron or stainless steel).
[0055]
The sheet reversing tray 9 has a base portion (one end) rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum portion 91 and a tip end portion (the other end) having a structure with little movement resistance (for example, as shown in FIG. d and d may be provided to lower the sliding resistance, or, as shown in FIG. 6, rollers r, r, etc. may be attached to both sides of the tip to make rolling contact, thereby reducing the resistance.
[0056]
Further, the length L2 (see FIG. 2) of the sheet reversing tray 9 is set so as not to drop out from the sheet feeding desk device 20 when the relay conveyance device 50 is pulled out together with the paper discharge unit 30 and the fixing unit 40 of the main body device H. It is preferable that the length is set sufficiently longer than the opening movement length (limit) L1.
[0057]
In the present invention, the configuration of the image forming apparatus is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and at least after the sheet recording material on which one of the images is formed is switched back by the image forming unit. Any image forming apparatus that can be transported to the image forming unit and can form an image forming system that enables image formation on both the front and back sides of the sheet recording material can be applied to the present invention regardless of its type or configuration. can do.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
[0059]
(1) Since the space formed at the boundary between the main body apparatus that performs image formation and the optional apparatus is used as a switchback path, the sheet recording material is switched back to any apparatus (main body apparatus and optional apparatus). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a path for this, and each apparatus can be formed compactly without complicating the configuration, and as a result, the entire image forming system can be made compact. Further, since the sheet recording material does not come out of the main body device and the optional device at the time of switchback, the degree of freedom of connecting the optional device is improved, and a highly versatile image forming system can be configured.
[0060]
(2) Since the optional apparatus has a mechanism and a conveyance path for supplying the sheet recording material to the main body apparatus, the switched back sheet recording material is easily and efficiently supplied to the image recording section of the main body apparatus. be able to.
[0061]
(3) Since the sheet recording material is supported by the support tray when the sheet recording material is switched back in the space between the main body device and the optional sheet feeding desk device, the upper surface of the optional device is not affected. The sheet recording material can be smoothly switched back.
[0062]
(4) Since the support tray is made of a transparent material, it is possible to visually check the conveyance path to the opened optional device, and it is not necessary to look into it from below, so that trouble (paper clogging, etc.) can be easily restored. Can do.
[0063]
(5) Since at least one hole is formed in the support tray, it is possible to visually check the transport path to the opened optional device, and it is not necessary to remove it from the bottom. Can be done.
[0064]
(6) One end of the support tray is rotatably supported by the option device main body for switching back the sheet recording material, and the other end is moved to enable smooth movement on the option device supporting the support tray. Since the resistance is reduced, the support tray can be smoothly slid along the upper surface of the optional device and can be separated from the device main body, which facilitates workability and maintenance inspection during jam processing. Further, when the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material is packed and conveyed, the support tray can be formed into a shape that can be easily folded and packed, and the packing size can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an image forming system in a state where the relay conveyance device is separated from the apparatus main body.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a support tray of the relay transfer device is opened.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the relay transfer device in a state where the support tray is closed.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a relay conveyance device having the same different support tray.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a relay conveyance device in which a roller is attached to a front end portion of the support tray.
[Explanation of symbols]
H-main unit H1-image forming unit G-switchback path 9-support tray 20, 50-option apparatus 55-conveyance path

Claims (6)

A main body apparatus that performs image formation, a plurality of optional devices capable retrofitted to form a predetermined space in the boundary portion between the main body apparatus, by combining, in any one by the image forming unit of the main device In the image forming system that enables image formation on both the front and back sides of the sheet recording material after the sheet recording material with the image formed on the surface is switched back and then conveyed to the image forming unit of the main body device again.
A switchback path for performing switchback by inserting the sheet recording material into a space formed at a boundary portion between the main body apparatus that performs the image formation and any one of the optional apparatuses combined with the main body apparatus. An image forming system characterized by being set.   The optional device includes at least a mechanism for supplying a sheet recording material to an image forming unit of the main device and a conveyance path, and the main device is placed on the optional device. Item 2. The image forming system according to Item 1. An optional device according to claim 2 and an optional device for switching back the sheet recording material,
The optional device includes a support tray for supporting the sheet recording material when the sheet recording material is switched back, and the support tray is inserted into a space formed by the main body device and the optional device. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the sheet recording material that has been switched back is supported in a state in which the sheet recording is performed.   A transport path for transporting the sheet recording material from the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material to the optional device according to claim 2 is formed below the support tray, and the support tray is moved from the space. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the support tray is formed of a transparent material so that the conveyance path opened by drawing can be visually observed.   A transport path for transporting the sheet recording material from the optional device for switching back the sheet recording material to the optional device according to claim 2 is formed below the support tray, and the support tray is moved from the space. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein at least one or more openings are formed in the support tray so that the conveyance path opened by being pulled out can be visually observed. The support tray has one end, rotatably supported to the sheet recording material options NSo location to switch back, the other end, characterized in that as the said becomes movable on smoothly optional device structure The image forming system according to claim 3.

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