JP4091725B2 - Paper stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present inventionPaper stacking apparatus such as a paper post-processing apparatus, and image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimiles, and printers equipped with the paper stacking apparatusAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-26579 discloses a paper post-processing device as a paper stacking device. This sheet post-processing apparatus has one sheet discharge tray on the side surface of the apparatus, and receives image-formed sheets (including the concept of sheets, transfer sheets, and recording sheets; the same applies hereinafter) received from the image forming apparatus. It has a function of once stacking and aligning on the inner tray and then binding and discharging to the paper discharge tray, or directly discharging to the paper discharge tray one by one without binding processing. Also known is a paper discharge tray that can be moved up and down to discharge a large amount of paper.
[0003]
In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have been digitized, and composite image forming apparatuses having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function are increasing.
Against this background, there is an increasing need to sort by function, and the use of multiple trays is progressing in paper post-processing devices and the like. For example, a single tray type paper post-processing apparatus with an additional proof tray dedicated to simple paper discharge, or as described in JP-A-9-110259 and JP-A-10-310319. Some have a plurality of paper discharge trays that can be received with respect to the paper mouth.
[0004]
In the type with additional proof trays, there are two paper discharge trays as a whole. For example, copying can be interrupted immediately during printer discharge, but the proof tray simply discharges one sheet at a time without binding processing. Therefore, there is substantially only one sheet discharge tray that can enjoy added value (such as binding processing) as a sheet post-processing apparatus.
In the type in which a plurality of paper discharge trays can be received with respect to one paper discharge port, a plurality of paper discharge trays can be moved to one paper discharge port. There is an advantage that can be enjoyed in the tray.
A configuration is also possible in which one paper discharge tray can be received for a plurality of paper discharge openings. In this case as well, each paper is stacked on one paper discharge tray, but can be sorted by function. It becomes.
[0005]
Even in a type in which a plurality of paper discharge trays can be received with respect to a single paper discharge port, or in a type in which a single paper discharge tray is provided so as to be receivable with respect to a plurality of paper discharge ports, at least one paper discharge is possible. The tray is configured to move upward and downward through at least one paper discharge port.
Since a paper tray that moves past the paper outlet may move past the paper outlet while paper is loaded, in general, the paper stack can be prevented from being disturbed during movement. It has a configuration in which end fences that align the rear ends are fixed together.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the discharge tray with the end fence fixed integrally is positioned at the receiving position of the discharge outlet, there is a distance corresponding to the height of the end fence between the paper stacking surface of the discharge tray and the discharge outlet. For this reason, the leading edge of the sheet is easily rounded and stacked, and stacking failure may occur. This is particularly noticeable when the paper is curled.
[0008]
  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide a paper stacking apparatus that can prevent a stacking failure due to rounding of the front end of a paper even when a paper discharge tray having an end fence is used..
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge tray, a support member that supports the discharge tray so as to be movable up and down, and a drive source that moves the discharge tray in the vertical direction. In the paper stacking apparatus in which the paper discharge tray moves up and down through the paper discharge outlet for discharging the paper,The support member is provided in the apparatus main body, and the paper discharge tray itself is provided so that the paper discharge tray moves through the paper discharge port by moving up and down the apparatus main body; andThe discharge tray has an end fence that aligns the rear ends of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray, and the end fence is provided to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the discharge tray. Adopted.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the first aspect, an end fence urging means for urging the end fence upward and an upward movement of the end fence provided on the apparatus main body side are provided. It has a restricting member that restricts, and when the discharge tray is raised, the restricting member restricts the upward movement of the end fence and obtains a relative position change between the discharge tray and the end fence. ing.
[0011]
  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the end fence is moved relative to the discharge tray.So that there is no phase shift in the vertical direction on both sides of the paper width direction.It is configured to be provided.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the third aspect, the phase shift is prevented by a tooth portion extending in the vertical direction provided on either one of the end fence and the discharge tray. The configuration is such that it is made by meshing with gear means provided on the other side.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the configuration for preventing the phase shift is provided on both sides in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction of the end fence. The structure is adopted.
[0014]
  In the invention of claim 6, the claim of claimAny one of 1-5The paper stacking apparatus described in 1) has a configuration in which a lock unit that locks the movement of the end fence with respect to the paper discharge tray is provided.
[0015]
  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to the sixth aspect,The locking means is provided via a member having a one-way clutch;A configuration is adopted in which the paper discharge tray can be moved upward with respect to the end fence while being locked by the locking means.
[0016]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the paper discharge from the paper discharge tray is performed in a state where the paper discharge tray is positioned at the receiving position of the paper discharge port. It has a configuration of having a slide lock means for locking the slide in the direction.
[0017]
  In invention of Claim 9,The image forming apparatus includes the paper stacking device according to claim 1., Is adopted.
[0041]
Embodiment
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are overall schematic views of a finisher (paper post-processing device) as a paper stacking device, FIGS. 3 to 7 are diagrams relating to a staple unit, and FIG. 8 is a lower discharge tray (hereinafter referred to as a paper discharge tray). FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the lifting mechanism of the discharge tray when the discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the discharge port E2. FIG. 9 shows the upper discharge tray (hereinafter referred to as the discharge tray 1). FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the lifting mechanism of the discharge tray when it is set at the receiving position of the paper outlet E2, FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the lifting mechanism of the discharge tray, and FIG. FIGS. 12 and 12 are a plan view and a side view of a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 can move through the paper discharge port, and FIG. 13 is a plan view of a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 is located at the receiving position of the paper discharge port. Is a sectional view of the essential parts of the paper discharge tray 1 and its end fence, and FIG. Exploded perspective view of FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the shift arrangement of the discharge tray 2, Figure 17 is a perspective view showing an operation of the shift arrangement of the discharge tray 2, FIG. 18 is a control block diagram.
[0042]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 is retracted upward and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. FIG. A state where the sheet is set at the receiving position of the sheet discharge outlet E2 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 1, an entrance sensor SN 1 and an entrance roller pair 5 are provided in the vicinity of a sheet transfer portion J between a copying machine G as an image forming apparatus and the finisher 200, and are taken in by the entrance roller pair 5. The paper sheet takes the following paper discharge form according to the post-processing mode.
(1) The paper is discharged from the paper discharge port E1 dedicated to simple paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 1.
(Simple delivery mode).
(2) Paper discharge tray 1 from the paper discharge port E2 corresponding to the processing mode without binding processing
Or, it is discharged to the paper discharge tray 2 (non-staple mode).
(3) The sheet is discharged from the discharge port E2 to the discharge tray 1 or the discharge tray 2 through the binding process.
(Stapling mode).
[0043]
The transport route to the paper discharge port E1 is switched by a branch claw 20 provided downstream of the inlet roller pair 5, and the paper is transported by the transport roller pair 6 and discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 7. The paper discharge roller pair 7 includes a driving roller 7a and a driven roller 7b. The driven roller 7b comes into contact with the driving roller 7a by its own weight or urging force, and the paper is nipped between the rollers and discharged.
The branching claw 20 is driven by a solenoid 20a (see FIG. 18). When the solenoid 20a is turned off, the sheet is conveyed toward the paper discharge port E1 as shown in FIG. A symbol SN2 in the simple paper discharge route C indicates a paper discharge sensor provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller pair 7.
[0044]
When the solenoid 20a is turned on and the branching claw 20 is rotated upward, the sheet is guided substantially horizontally. A branching claw 21 is provided downstream of the branching claw 20, and the paper guided substantially horizontally is selectively selected by the branching claw 21 to the non-stapling route B where the binding processing is not performed or the staple route A where the binding processing is performed. Guided.
The branch claw 21 is driven by a solenoid 21a (see FIG. 18), and when the solenoid 21a is turned on and rotated upward, the sheet is guided to a staple route A in a substantially vertical direction. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the solenoid 21a is turned off and transported to the non-staple route B.
[0045]
In the non-stapling route B, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 8 and is discharged to the discharge tray 1 or the discharge tray 2 by the discharge roller pair 9. Reference numeral SN3 denotes a paper discharge sensor in the non-staple route B and the staple route A.
In the staple route A, the sheet is transported by the transport roller pair 10 and sent to the staple unit 60 for binding processing. The bound sheets (bundle) are discharged to the discharge tray 1 or the discharge tray 2 by the discharge roller pair 9. Reference numeral SN4 in the staple route A indicates a staple discharge sensor.
The discharge roller pair 9 includes a drive roller 9a and a driven roller 9b. The driven roller 9b is supported on the upstream side of the sheet discharge direction and is supported on a free end portion of a support member 13 that is provided to be rotatable in the vertical direction. It is supported rotatably. The driven roller 9b abuts on the driving roller 9a by its own weight or urging force, and the paper is nipped between the rollers and discharged. When the bound sheet bundle is discharged, the support member 13 is rotated upward and returned at a predetermined timing. This timing is determined based on the detection signal of the paper discharge sensor SN3.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the paper discharge tray 2 is positioned at the paper discharge outlet E2 in order from the top on the paper discharge outlets E1 and E2 side of the apparatus main body, the retraction position of the paper discharge tray 1 (at the paper discharge outlet E1). In contrast, the retraction position detection sensor SN5 for detecting the sheet discharge tray 1 (which is also a position where the sheet can be received) detects the position when the sheet discharge tray 1 is positioned at the sheet discharge outlet E2, and the position of the sheet discharge tray 2 is also detected. A paper surface detection sensor SN6 for detecting the upper surface or the upper surface of the paper on the paper discharge tray 2, and a standby position of the paper discharge tray 2 (when paper is stacked at the position of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 2) Standby position detection sensor SN8 for detecting the position of the uppermost sheet), fullness detection sensor SN9 for detecting the full position of the discharge tray 2, and lower limit position detection sensor for detecting the lower limit position of the discharge tray 2. SN7 established It is.
[0047]
When the paper discharge tray 1 is positioned at the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 2 is positioned not at the lower limit position but at a standby position detected by the standby position detection sensor SN8, and a small moving distance when the paper discharge tray 2 is designated. Can be moved to the paper discharge port E2.
Each sensor has a difference in the front and rear position in the paper discharge direction depending on its function. However, in FIGS. 1 and 2, all the sensors are arranged on a straight line so that only the difference in the vertical direction can be seen. it's shown. Moreover, although the size of the triangle indicating each sensor is not uniform throughout all the drawings, this does not indicate a difference in function of the sensor.
[0048]
The paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 are individually driven by separate drive sources, and the positioning of the discharge port E2 and the like are controlled by the control means 100 described later.
[0049]
Next, the configuration of the staple unit 60 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper guided to the staple route A is stacked on a staple tray (not shown) by the transport roller pair 10 and the paper discharge roller pair 11. In this case, alignment in the vertical direction (paper conveyance direction) is performed by the tapping roller 12 for each sheet, and alignment in the horizontal direction (paper width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction) is performed by the jogger fence 62. The stapler 61 is driven by a stapling signal from the control means 100 described later between the job breaks, that is, between the last sheet of the sheet bundle and the first sheet of the next sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed.
The sheet bundle subjected to the binding process is immediately sent to the discharge roller pair 9 by the discharge belt 71 having the discharge claw 71a, and the discharge sheet set at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 as shown in FIG. The paper is discharged to the tray 2 (or the paper discharge tray 1).
As shown in FIG. 7, the home position detection sensor SN11 detects the home position of the release claw 71a. The home position detection sensor SN11 is turned on by an operation piece 71b provided on the release belt 71. -Turn off.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tapping roller 12 is given a pendulum motion by a tapping solenoid 66 around the fulcrum 12a, and intermittently acts on the paper fed to the staple tray as shown in FIG. It strikes against the end fence 68. At this time, since the discharge roller pair 11 has a brush roller (see FIG. 1), this prevents back flow at the trailing edge of the sheet. The hitting roller 12 rotates counterclockwise.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 3, the jogger fence 62 is driven via a jogger belt 64 by a jogger motor 63 capable of forward and reverse rotation, and reciprocates in the paper width direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the staple unit 60 is driven via a staple belt 70 by a staple moving motor 69 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, and moves in the width direction of the sheet in order to bind a predetermined position at the end of the sheet.
The staple discharge sensor SN4 detects the trailing edge of the sheet and immediately issues an ON command to the solenoid 66 to operate the tapping roller 12, so that the trailing end of the sheet discharged to the staple tray (not shown) by the tapping roller 12 is detected. It is abutted against the rear end fence 68 and arranged at a position to be aligned.
[0052]
Next, an operation when the staple mode is selected will be described.
When the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 3, the jogger fence 62 moves from the home position and stands by at a standby position that is 7 mm away from the width of the sheet discharged to the staple tray. When the sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 10 and the trailing end of the sheet passes the staple paper discharge sensor SN4, the jogger fence 62 moves inward by 5 mm from the standby position and stops.
Further, the staple paper discharge sensor SN4 detects when the trailing edge of the paper passes, and the signal is input to the CPU 102 (see FIG. 18). The CPU 102 counts the number of pulses transmitted from the conveying motor that drives the conveying roller pair 10 from the time of receiving this signal, and turns on the hitting solenoid 66 after transmitting a predetermined pulse.
The tapping roller 12 performs a pendulum motion when the tapping solenoid 66 is turned on and off. When the tapping roller 66 is on, the tapping roller 12 strikes the paper and returns it to the bottom, and abuts against the rear end fence 68 to align the paper. At this time, every time a sheet stored in the staple tray passes through the entrance sensor SN1 or the staple discharge sensor SN4, the signal is input to the CPU 102, and the number of sheets is counted.
[0053]
After a lapse of a predetermined time after the hit solenoid 66 is turned off, the jogger fence 62 is further moved inward by 2.6 mm by the jogger motor 63 and is temporarily stopped to complete the horizontal alignment. The jogger fence 62 then moves 7.6 mm, returns to the standby position, and waits for the next sheet. This operation is performed up to the last page. After that, it moves again to the inside of 7.6 mm and stops and presses both ends of the sheet bundle to prepare for the stapling operation. Thereafter, the stapler 61 is operated by a staple motor after a predetermined time, and the binding process is performed. At this time, if a plurality of bindings are designated, after the binding process at one place is completed, the staple moving motor 69 is driven, and the stapler 61 is moved to the appropriate position along the rear end of the sheet, so that the second binding is performed. Processing is performed.
[0054]
When the binding process is completed, the discharge motor 72 is driven, and the discharge belt 71 is driven. At this time, the paper discharge motor is also driven, and the paper discharge roller pair 9 starts to rotate to receive the sheet bundle lifted by the discharge claw 71a. At this time, the jogger fence 62 is controlled so that the operation differs depending on the paper size and the number of sheets to be bound.
For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is less than the set number or smaller than the set size, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the discharge claw 71a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 62.
[0055]
Then, the jogger fence 62 is retracted 2.6 mm after a predetermined pulse from the detection by the paper presence sensor SN15 (see FIG. 4) or the home position detection sensor SN11 of the discharge claw 71a, and the restraint on the paper by the jogger fence 62 is released. This predetermined pulse is set after the discharge claw 71a collides with the rear end of the paper and passes through the front end of the jogger fence 62.
When the number of sheets to be bound is larger than the set number or larger than the set size, the jogger fence 62 is retracted by 2.6 mm in advance and discharged. In any case, when the sheet bundle passes through the jogger fence 62, the jogger fence 62 moves further outward by 5 mm and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sheet. It is also possible to adjust the binding force according to the distance of the jogger fence 62 to the paper.
[0056]
  Next, the configuration of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 and its support member (elevating mechanism) will be described.
  As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.Through the base member 57 which is a part of theA support member 56 composed of a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b described later is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction.PleaseYes.
  In the paper discharge tray 1, an end fence 1 a for aligning the rear end of the paper is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the paper discharge tray 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 corresponds to the paper stacking amount of the paper discharge tray 1. 1 and the relative position of the end fence 1a can be changed. The support structure of the end fence 1a will be described later.
  The rear end of the paper in the paper discharge tray 2 is aligned by the side plate 3 that forms the side surface of the apparatus main body. These paper discharge trays 1 and 2 are provided in a stacked state in the vertical direction.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 10, the paper discharge tray 1 is attached to a base body 40 fixed between the side plates 39a and 39b so as to be slidable in the paper discharge direction via a slide base 50 described later. Guide rollers 44 are attached to the side plates 39a and 39b through a short shaft (not shown). The guide rollers 44 are engaged with the inside of a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b having a U-shaped cross section and are vertically moved. It is provided to be movable.
Further, since the guide roller 44 is positioned by assembling the side plates 39a and 39b and the base body 40, the guide roller 44 is prevented from coming off from the guide rails 30a and 30b.
A timing belt 37 is tensioned on the drive shaft 33a and the driven shaft 33b via a timing pulley 36. A part of the side plates 39a and 39b is fixed to a part of the timing belt 37, and the unit including the paper discharge tray 1 is suspended so as to be lifted and lowered by such a configuration.
[0058]
On the other hand, the paper discharge tray 2 is attached to a base 43 fixed between the side plates 42a and 42b, like the paper discharge tray 1. The side plates 42a and 42b are provided with a rotatable guide roller 44 through a short shaft (not shown), and the guide roller 44 is engaged with a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b having a U-shaped cross section so as to be movable. Is provided. That is, the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 share a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b. Further, since the guide rollers 44 are positioned by assembling the side plates 42a, 42b and the base 43, the guide rollers 44 are prevented from coming off from the guide rails 30a, 30b.
A timing belt 35 is tensioned on the drive shaft 41a and the driven shaft 41b via a timing pulley 34. A part of the side plates 42a and 42b is fixed to a part of the timing belt 35, and the unit including the paper discharge tray 2 is suspended so as to be lifted and lowered by such a configuration.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet discharge tray 2 configured to be movable up and down as described above moves up and down by driving the drive shaft 41 a by the drive unit 29.
The power generated by the up-and-down motor 31 that can move forward and backward as the drive source for moving the discharge tray 2 in the vertical direction is transmitted to the final gear of the gear train fixed to the drive shaft 41 a via the worm gear 30. ing. Since the worm gear 30 is provided midway, the paper discharge tray 2 can be held at a fixed position, and an accidental drop accident of the paper discharge tray 2 can be prevented.
Although not shown, the drive unit for the paper discharge tray 1 is the same, and the drive source for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction is a vertically movable motor 55 shown in FIG.
[0060]
A shielding plate 42c is integrally formed on the side plate 42a of the paper discharge tray 2. The fullness detection sensor SN9 and the lower limit position detection sensor SN7 are turned on / off by the shielding plate 42c. These sensors are photosensors, and are turned on when blocked by the shielding plate 42c.
The standby position detection sensor SN8 has a configuration in which the detection piece protrudes from the surface of the side plate 3 with an urging force, and is turned on when the detection piece abuts against the discharge tray 2 or the sheet on the discharge tray 2 and is displaced. The full detection sensor SN9 is omitted in FIGS.
The retreat position detection sensor SN5 and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 have the same configuration as the standby position detection sensor SN8. In FIG. 4, the driven roller 9b of the paper discharge roller pair 9 is omitted. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 17 denotes a sponge return roller for contacting the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge outlet E <b> 2 and aligning the rear end of the sheet against the side plate 3.
[0061]
Next, based on FIGS. 8, 9, 12 and 13, a detailed description will be given of a sliding configuration of the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide rails 30 a and 30 b include a driving roller 9 a (discharge roller) of the discharge roller pair 9 protruding from the moving surface of the discharge tray 1 in the sheet discharge direction, and a discharge tray. 1 is provided with a cam 81 for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. The length of the cam 81 in the vertical direction extends from the vicinity below the paper discharge roller pair 9 to the paper discharge roller pair 7.
The thickness of the cam 81 in the paper discharge direction is three stages: a thick portion 81a that can avoid interference with the paper discharge roller pair 9, an inclined portion 81b, and a thin portion 81c located below the paper discharge roller pair 9. ing.
A guide roller 80 that rolls on the cam surface of the cam 81 (the front surface of the cam 81 in the sheet discharge direction) is provided on the back surface of the end fence 1 a of the discharge tray 1.
[0062]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, slide rails 53 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the side plates 39a and 39b, respectively. Two shafts 51 having guide rollers 52 guided by the slide rails 53 are provided at both ends between the slide rails 53, and the slide base 50 is supported between the shafts 51 via a sleeve 50a (this Fixed in case). The paper discharge tray 1 is fixed to the slide base 50.
One ends of springs 54 as elastic members are engaged with both ends of the slide base 50 in the sheet width direction, and the other ends of the springs 54 are raised at the rear end of the base body 40 in the sheet discharge direction. It is latched by the spring latching piece 40a. With this configuration, the paper discharge tray 1 is constantly pressed against the cam 81 by the biasing force of the spring 54, and the guide roller 80 is in contact with the cam surface.
A base member 57 is configured to support the discharge tray 1 so as to be linearly movable up and down over the entire moving distance by the side plates 39a and 39b, the base body 40, the slide base 50, the shaft 51, the slide rail 53, the spring 54 and the like. Has been.
[0063]
FIG. 8 shows a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. In this case, since the guide roller 80 of the paper discharge tray 1 is located at the thick portion 81a of the cam 81, as shown in FIG. 12, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair in the paper discharge direction. There is a slight gap G between 9 and 9.
From this state, as shown in FIG. 9, when the paper discharge tray 2 is placed in a standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 moves up the paper discharge port E2. , The paper discharge tray 1 does not interfere with the paper discharge roller pair 9 because the guide roller 80 passes through the paper discharge port E2 with the guide roller 80 positioned at the thick portion 81a of the cam 81. To do.
Thereafter, the guide roller 80 reaches from the thick part 81a to the thin part 81c via the inclined part 81b. When the guide roller 80 enters the inclined portion 81b, the paper discharge tray 1 starts to slide toward the cam 81 due to the biasing force of the spring 54, and is finally positioned at a position where paper can be received from the paper discharge port E2. The slide of the discharge tray 1 is not tilted while maintaining the posture by the horizontal movement of the slide base 50, in other words.
[0064]
At this receiving position, as shown in FIG. 13, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the drive roller 9a of the paper discharge roller pair 9 overlap. Strictly, although not shown, the end fence 1a is formed with a notch recessed portion that is notched in the vertical direction so as to avoid interference with the driving roller 9a. Only overlaps the driving roller 9a in the vertical direction. As a result, the trailing edge of the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge outlet E2 is prevented from entering between the drive roller 9a and the end fence 1a to cause a stacking failure. This overlap configuration also functions in the same manner for the paper discharge roller pair 7 at the paper discharge port E1.
The paper surface detection sensor SN6 for setting the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 is turned on / off by contact with the upper surface of the rear end of the paper discharge tray 1 or the upper surface of the paper. Is formed with a slit that enables this. Although not shown, a cutout recess is formed in the end fence 1a in order to avoid interference between the return roller 17 and the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1.
[0065]
According to the cam configuration, the discharge tray 1 can be slid in the sheet discharge direction by using the vertical movement force of the discharge tray 1 to avoid interference with the discharge roller pair 9, so that interference can be avoided. There is no need to provide a dedicated drive source, and there is an advantage that cost reduction can be realized.
[0066]
Next, a support structure capable of moving the end fence 1a in the vertical direction with respect to the paper discharge tray 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
On both sides of the end fence 1a in the paper width direction, springs 100 as end fence urging means for urging the end fence 1a upward are accommodated, and the lower ends thereof are locked to the lower ends of the end fence 1a. . The upper end of the spring 100 is locked to a spring locking piece 50c that protrudes outward in the paper width direction from an end fence engaging portion 50b that extends from both sides of the paper base in the paper width direction from the slide base 50.
Guide rollers 102, 102 are rotatably supported at each end fence engaging portion 50b at intervals in the vertical direction, and these guide rollers 102 are in contact with the inner surface of the guide recess 104 of the end fence 1a. It comes to roll.
[0067]
Racks 106 are formed as tooth portions extending in the vertical direction on both sides of the end fence 1a in the paper width direction, and these racks 106 are gear means 108 supported by the end fence engaging portion 50b of the slide base 50. Are engaged.
The gear means 108 includes a shaft 110 supported between the end fence engaging portions 50b, a pinion gear 112 which is fixed to the outside of the end fence engaging portion 50b at the end of the shaft 110, and meshes with the rack 106. And an idle gear 114 with a built-in one-way clutch.
Due to the meshing configuration of the rack 106 and the gear means 108, a phase shift at the time of relative movement of the end fence 1a with respect to the paper discharge tray 1 is prevented.
[0068]
Further, a clutch 116 as a locking means for locking the movement of the end fence 1a with respect to the paper discharge tray 1 is fixed to the end fence engaging portion 50b via a stud, and the clutch gear 116a meshes with the idle gear 114. ing. When the clutch 116 is off, the end fence 1a protrudes upward while rotating the gear means 108 by the urging force of the spring 100.
When the clutch 116 is turned on, the gear means 108 is locked, so that the end fence 1a stops at an arbitrary position (locked position) against the biasing force of the spring 100. The clutch 116 and the idle gear 114 are provided only on one side in the paper width direction.
[0069]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a stopper 118 is provided at the upper end of the cam 81 as a restricting member that restricts the upward movement of the end fence 1 a. A guide roller 80 provided on the end fence 1a comes into contact with the stopper 118, thereby restricting the upward movement of the end fence 1a.
Due to the function of the one-way clutch built in the idle gear 114, the discharge tray 1 is allowed to move upward even when the end fence 1a is restrained.
Accordingly, even when the end fence 1a is locked and the paper discharge tray 1 moves upward in the state shown in FIG. 8, even if the guide roller 80 comes into contact with the stopper 118, the paper discharge tray 1 can continue to rise, and the retracted position is detected. The sensor SN5 can be accurately positioned.
[0070]
Since the end fence 1a is pushed down by the stopper 118 and can be discharged in a state where the distance between the stacking surface of the discharge tray 1 and the discharge outlet E1 is small, it is possible to prevent stacking failure due to paper rounding or the like. When the upper surface of the paper is detected by the retreat position detection sensor SN5, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered by a predetermined distance, and this operation is repeated to advance the paper stacking. When the discharge tray 1 is lowered, the end fence 1a is relatively raised.
When the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, as shown in FIG. 9, the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81 functions as a limiting member.
[0071]
When paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 1 through the paper discharge ports E1 and E2, the clutch 116 is turned off to enable relative movement with the end fence 1a. As described above, since the paper discharge tray 1 can slide in the paper discharge direction, human or some external force is inclined with respect to the guide roller 80 while the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. When acting so as to release the locking state with the part 81 b, the end fence 1 a protrudes vigorously upward by the urging force of the spring 100.
From the viewpoint of preventing component damage and accidents due to this protrusion, as shown in FIG. 14, when the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the slide in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray 1 is locked. A slide lock means 120 is provided.
[0072]
The slide lock means 120 includes a lock frame 122 fixed to the slide base 50, a lock lever 126 rotatably supported on a shaft 124 provided on the lock frame 122, and a solenoid 128 that rotates the lock lever 126. A spring 130 for returning the lock lever 126 and a lock claw 132 fixed to the base body 40 are provided.
When the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the lock lever 126 is automatically engaged with the lock claw 132. When the discharge tray 1 moves, the solenoid 128 is turned on. When the solenoid 128 is turned on, the lock lever 126 is rotated upward and the engagement with the lock claw 132 is released.
[0073]
Next, the shift configuration of the paper discharge tray 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a shift motor 46, a crank gear 47, and the like are disposed on the back side of the side plate 3 so that the side plate 3 can be shifted. A member 85 having a long hole extending vertically is fixed to the back surface of the side plate 3, and a pin 86 that is eccentrically fixed to the crank gear 47 is engaged with the long hole. The rotation of the shift motor 46 is transmitted to the worm gear 82 by the belt 84, and the crank gear 47 engaged therewith rotates.
This shift movement is monitored by the shift sensor SN14, and the stop position is determined. The side plate 3 and the paper discharge tray 2 are fitted in a comb shape that permits the vertical movement of the paper discharge tray 2, and the paper discharge tray 2 follows the movement of the side plate 3.
With this configuration, a sorting stack in the paper discharge tray 2 is possible.
[0074]
In this embodiment, the offset stack is realized by the shift operation of the discharge trays 1 and 2 itself (the shift operation of the discharge tray 1 will be described later). It is also possible to shift during transport. A method using a jogger fence of the staple unit 60 is also conceivable for the offset stack in the paper discharge tray 2. Moreover, it is also possible to combine these methods.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 18, the control means 100 is a microcomputer having a CPU 102, an I / O interface 104, etc., each switch (SW) of a control panel (not shown) of the apparatus body of the copying machine G, and a paper surface detection sensor. Signals from sensors such as SN 6 are input to the CPU 102 via the I / O interface 104. Based on the input signal, the CPU 102 moves the vertical motor 55 for the paper discharge tray 1, the vertical motor 31 for the paper discharge tray 2, the solenoid 20 a, the solenoid 21 a, the tapping solenoid 66, and the transport motor that drives each pair of transport rollers. A paper discharge motor for driving each pair of paper discharge rollers, a staple motor for driving the stapler 61, a discharge motor 72 for driving the discharge belt 71, a staple moving motor 69 for moving the stapler 61, and a jogger motor 63 for driving the jogger fence 11. Etc. are controlled.
The pulse signal of the conveying motor that drives the conveying roller pair 10 is input to the CPU 102 and counted, and the hitting solenoid 66 is controlled according to this count.
The matching control means is composed of the CPU 102 and various operation programs that operate the CPU 102.
[0076]
In the above configuration, first, an operation when the non-staple mode in which the binding process is not performed is selected will be described.
(When discharging from the discharge port E1 to the discharge tray 1)
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller pair 5, transported by the transport roller pair 6, discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 7, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1. At this time, the paper discharge roller pair 7 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor SN2 detects the trailing edge of the paper, thereby improving the stackability.
[0077]
(When paper is ejected from the paper ejection slot E2 to the paper ejection tray 1)
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller pair 5, transported by the transport roller pair 8, discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 9, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1. At this time, the paper discharge roller pair 9 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor SN3 detects the trailing edge of the paper, thereby improving the stackability.
When the copied sheets are sequentially discharged and the upper surface of the sheet is detected by the sheet surface detection sensor SN6, the vertical motor 55 is driven to lower the sheet discharge tray 1, and the sheet surface height is always set to an appropriate height. Kept.
[0078]
(When discharging from the discharge port E2 to the discharge tray 2)
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller pair 5, transported by the transport roller pair 8, discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 9, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 2. At this time, the paper discharge roller pair 9 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor SN3 detects the trailing edge of the paper, thereby improving the stackability.
Further, when the copied paper is sequentially discharged and the upper surface is detected by the paper surface detection sensor SN6, the vertical motor 31 is driven and the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered so that the paper surface height is always at an appropriate height. Kept. In the sort and stack modes, the shift motor 46 is driven by the partition signal output from the control panel of the copying machine G to shift the discharge tray 2 and sort until the job is completed.
[0079]
Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 will be described.
First, the initial operation (homing operation) of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the home position (the position when the power is turned on) of the paper discharge tray 1 is the position at which the upper end of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 1 or the upper surface of the stacked paper is detected by the retreat position detection sensor SN5. The paper tray 2 is a position where the upper end of the stacking surface or the upper surface of the stacked paper is detected by the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (the same applies to other embodiments below).
This initial operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following flowcharts, the paper discharge tray 1 is simply abbreviated as tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 is abbreviated as tray 2.
First, in order to set the discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retracted position detection sensor SN5 (S1). The upward movement of the fence 1a is locked (S2), and then the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S3). This is because if the end fence 1a is not locked, the end fence 1a suddenly protrudes by the urging force of the spring 100, and there is a risk of causing damage to parts or an accident.
[0080]
Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S4), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S5).
In this case, even if the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the discharge tray 1 is raised and retracted by the function of the one-way clutch. The position detection sensor SN5 is turned on. Therefore, when the discharge tray 1 is raised, it is not necessary to control the protruding amount of the end fence 1a, and it may be locked with an arbitrary protruding amount.
After stopping the paper discharge tray 1, the clutch 116 is turned off (S6). Thereafter, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S7), the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S8), and when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S9). If the retract position detection sensor SN5 is on in S1, the process proceeds to S7.
[0081]
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S10), and if it is off, raises the paper discharge tray 2 (S11). Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S12), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S13). Next, the discharge tray 2 is lowered (S14), the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S15), and when it is turned from on to off, the discharge tray 2 is stopped (S16), and the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is set to 0. Is set (S17).
If the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on in S10, the process proceeds to S14.
[0082]
Next, a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 0, the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set in the standby state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is checked (S101). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, in order to set the discharge tray 2 to the standby position, the discharge tray 2 is lowered (S102), and then whether or not the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether the upper end or the upper surface of the paper on the paper discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S103). When the standby position detection sensor SN8 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S104). ).
[0083]
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S105), and the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is checked (S106).
When the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered from the paper discharge outlet E1, the clutch 116 is turned off, so that the end fence 1a rises relatively with the lowering of the paper discharge tray 1, and is maximum with respect to the paper discharge tray 1. It passes through the paper discharge outlet E2 in a protruding state.
[0084]
In this case, when the paper discharge tray 1 passes through the paper discharge port E2, the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a is on the thick portion 81a of the cam 81, and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 detects the upper end of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 1 or The top surface of the paper cannot be detected.
For this reason, the sheet discharge tray 1 is stopped at a predetermined position where the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a has passed the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81, and then raised. A tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is provided in order to determine a predetermined position of the paper discharge tray 1 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 and omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2). This is the position where the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is turned on by the rear end.
[0085]
Therefore, when the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is turned on, the discharge tray 1 is stopped (S107), and then the discharge tray 1 is raised (S108). In this case, the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a abuts against the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81, and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted, so that only the paper discharge tray 1 is raised. Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S109), and when it is turned on by the upper end of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 1 or the upper surface of the paper, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S110). Next, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S111), and it is checked whether or not the paper surface detection sensor SN6 has been turned off from on (S112). When turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S113), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 1 (S114).
[0086]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 as detection means for positioning the paper discharge tray 2 at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2 is used, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2. Shared as a detection means for positioning.
[0087]
Next, a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the standby position will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. .
First, the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is checked (S201). If the position flag is 1, the discharge tray 1 is raised to confirm that the discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the discharge port E2. (S202), the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S203). In this case, the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a comes into contact with the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81, and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted, so that only the paper discharge tray 1 is raised. When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S204), and then the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S205). Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S206). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S207), and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. .
[0088]
Next, in order to set the discharge tray 2 to the standby position (standby state), the discharge tray 2 is raised (S208), and the standby position detection sensor SN8 is checked (S209). When turned on, the discharge tray 2 is stopped (S210), and then the discharge tray 2 is lowered (S211). Next, the standby position detection sensor SN8 is checked (S212), and when the standby position detection sensor SN8 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S213). Then, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 1 (S214).
That is, when the position flag is 1, the discharge tray 1 is raised / lowered and reset to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2 by the paper surface detection sensor SN6, and the discharge tray 2 is raised / lowered to stand-by position. Reset to the standby position by the detection sensor SN8.
[0089]
Next, the operation when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0 and the discharge tray 1 is reset to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1 or the discharge tray 2 is reset to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2 is shown in FIG. It demonstrates based on the flowchart of these.
First, the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is checked (S301). If it is 0, it is determined that the discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 (S302), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S303). Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S304). If it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S305), and then the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S306). Further, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S307), and when the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S308).
[0090]
Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S309), and if it is off, the discharge tray 1 is raised (S310). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S311), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S312). In this case, the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a contacts the stopper 118, and only the paper discharge tray 1 moves upward, and the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is turned on by the upper end of the stacking surface or the upper surface of the sheet.
Next, the discharge tray 1 is lowered (S313), the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S314), and when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the discharge tray 1 is stopped (S315). Then, 0 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S316). If the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is on in S309, the process proceeds to S313.
That is, when the position flag is 0, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised / lowered and reset to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 by the paper surface detection sensor SN6, and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised / lowered to retreat position. The detection sensor SN5 resets the paper discharge port E1 to the receiving position.
[0091]
Next, the flowchart of FIG. 23 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2. Based on
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S401). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, the clutch 116 is turned on to lock the upward movement of the end fence 1a relative to the paper discharge tray 1 (S402), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 ( S403).
[0092]
Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S404), and if it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S405). In this case, even if the guide roller 80 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the discharge tray 1 is raised and retracted by the function of the one-way clutch. The position detection sensor SN5 is turned on.
Next, the clutch 116 is turned off (S406), the discharge tray 1 is lowered (S407), and the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S408). When the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S409).
[0093]
Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S410). If the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 (S411). The sensor SN6 is checked (S412), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S413). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S414), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S415). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned from on to off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S416), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S417).
If the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on in S410, the process proceeds to S414.
[0094]
In an actual copying operation, a post-processing mode and a paper discharge destination are determined on an operation unit of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer driver, and a paper discharge tray is switched based on the information.
In the state shown in FIG. 1 (discharge tray default state), the discharge tray is switched only when discharging to the discharge tray 1 in the staple mode. That is, the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.
When the job is completed in the state shown in FIG. 2, the homing operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 is appropriately performed based on the determination of the control unit of the copier G.
[0095]
Next, based on FIG. 24, a modified example of the method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction using a cam will be described. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.
In the base member 57 in this embodiment, the slide base 50 is supported by a slide rail 53 that is fixed so as to be inclined so that the front side in the paper discharge direction is raised with respect to the side plates 39a and 39b. It has a shape corresponding to.
The inclination angle θ is set so that the paper discharge tray 1 slides upstream in the paper discharge direction due to its own weight.
With this configuration, the discharge tray 1 is pressed against the cam 81 by at least its own weight.
[0096]
In the operation in which the paper discharge tray 1 moves downward and passes through the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 is moved in the paper discharge direction by the weight of the paper discharge tray 1 from the time when the guide roller 80 enters the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81. The sheet starts to slide to the upstream side while maintaining its posture, and is finally positioned so as to be able to receive the sheet at the sheet discharge outlet E2. The on / off control of the clutch 116 in the movement of the paper discharge tray 1 is the same as in the above embodiment.
According to this embodiment, since the spring 54 is unnecessary compared with the said embodiment, there exists an advantage which can implement | achieve the simplification of a structure and cost reduction.
[0097]
In the first embodiment in which the paper discharge tray 1 moves horizontally, a configuration in which the paper discharge tray 1 is pressed against the cam 81 by a magnetic force without using the spring 54 may be employed. For example, a band plate-like magnet (for example, a magnet sheet) is fixed to the cam surface of the cam 81, the front surface of the magnet in the paper discharge direction is used as the cam surface, and the guide roller 80 is formed of a ferromagnetic material. Of course, the entire cam 81 may be a magnet, or only the cam surface of the cam 81 may be magnetized.
Conversely, the guide roller 80 may be formed of a magnet, and the cam 81 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material.
In addition, a magnetic force configuration may be added to the configuration of the above-described tilt movement so that the pressure contact state between the cam surface of the cam 81 and the guide roller 80 is ensured.
[0098]
In each of the above embodiments, the method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction by the cam 81 has been described. However, a drive source for avoiding interference with the paper discharge roller pair 9 is provided, and the control of the drive source A method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 can also be employed.
One example will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.
In the present embodiment, the drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction is separate from the vertical motor 55 as the drive source for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction.
[0099]
The paper discharge tray 1 in the present embodiment is configured to be slidable on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction by its own weight, as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Further, in order to enable the paper sorting stack, the paper discharge tray 1 is provided so as to be slidable in the paper width direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction, and the drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper width direction. Is characterized in that it also serves as a drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. That is, the slide tray 1 can be slid and shifted using a single drive source (slide motor 49).
[0100]
As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, instead of the cam 81, a substantially similar end fence support member 140 is provided, and the end fence at the discharge port E1 is provided at the upper end of the end fence support member 140. A stopper 118 that restricts the upward movement of 1a is provided. Further, the end fence support member 140 is formed with an inclined portion 140a as a limiting member that restricts the upward movement of the end fence 1a at the paper discharge port E2.
Also, on the back surface of the end fence 1a, a roller 142 that abuts against the stopper 118 and the inclined portion 140a and can roll in the paper width direction, instead of the guide roller 80, so as to be able to cope with the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1. In addition, a roller 144 that can roll while contacting a vertical surface of the end fence support member 140 is provided. That is, a stable shift operation can be performed by two-point contact rolling.
[0101]
As shown in FIG. 27, the slide base 50 in this embodiment includes a slide motor 49 that can be rotated forward and backward as a drive source that slides the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction, and a crank pulley 48 that is rotated via a belt 15. And slides in the paper discharge direction. The slide base 50 is supported so as to be slidable in the paper width direction with respect to the shaft 51.
A long hole 50b extending in the paper discharge direction is formed in the slide base 50, and an eccentric pin 48a formed in the crank pulley 48 is engaged with the long hole 50b.
[0102]
The stop position of the slide base 50 includes a slide sensor SN13, a front shift sensor SN16 provided at a position shifted from the position of the slide sensor SN13 on the rotation surface of the crank pulley 48 by approximately 90 ° downstream in the paper discharge direction, and a slide. It is monitored by a rear shift sensor SN17 provided at a position shifted from the position of the sensor SN13 to the upstream side of the rotation direction of the crank pulley 48 by approximately 90 ° in the paper discharge direction. This monitoring is performed by turning on / off the slide sensor SN13, the front shift sensor SN16, and the rear shift sensor SN17 by the detection piece 48b formed on the crank pulley 48.
The point that the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is used for detection of the discharge tray 1 is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0103]
25 and 27 show a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2. This state is a state where the detection piece 48b of the crank pulley 48 turns on the slide sensor SN13, and a slight gap g between the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair 9 in the paper discharge direction. Has occurred.
In this state, when the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the paper receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 moves from the top to the bottom through the paper discharge port E2. , The paper discharge tray 1 is maintained at the position where the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, and thus passes without interfering with the paper discharge roller pair 9.
[0104]
When the discharge tray 1 passes through the discharge port E2 and reaches a predetermined position, the vertical movement of the discharge tray 1 (strictly, the base member 57) is stopped, and the slide motor 49 is moved as shown in FIG. It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow N. The predetermined position here is a position where the rear end of the base member 57 is detected by the tray 1 detection sensor SN18.
This predetermined position is such that the roller 142 of the end fence 1a that protrudes to the maximum when the sheet discharge tray 1 is slid upstream in the sheet discharge direction with the base member 57 stopped is the inclined portion of the end fence support member 140. This is the position that enters 140a. The tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is a pre-stage detection means for detecting the base member 57 and positioning the discharge tray 1 (strictly, the upper end of the stacking surface or the upper surface of the sheet) at the receiving position of the discharge port E2. is there.
[0105]
This rotation operation in the direction of arrow N is A rotation of the crank pulley 48 shown in FIG. 28, and the slide motor 49 stops when the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on by the detection piece 48b. In this case, since the paper discharge tray 1 slides to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction due to its own weight, the paper discharge tray 1 moves to the paper discharge roller pair 9 side (device main body side) as the eccentric pin 48a of the crank pulley 48 moves. Then, the roller 144 is positioned at a predetermined sheet receiving position by the contact of the roller 144 with the end fence support member 140. As a result, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the drive roller 9a of the paper discharge roller pair 9 overlap, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.
Simultaneously with the slide movement in the paper discharge direction, the paper discharge tray 1 also slides in the paper width direction along the shaft 51 (A movement).
In order to avoid interference with the discharge roller pair 9, the reverse operation is performed.
[0106]
Next, when the sheets are sorted and stacked, the slide motor 49 is rotated so that the crank pulley 48 rotates B. When the crank pulley 48 rotates B, the paper discharge tray 1 moves B along the shaft 51. This B movement stops when the rear shift sensor SN17 is turned on by the detection piece 48b. When a predetermined number of sheets are loaded in this state, the slide motor 49 is reversely rotated so that the crank pulley 48 rotates C. When the crank pulley 48 rotates C, the paper discharge tray 1 moves C along the shaft 51. This C movement stops when the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on by the detection piece 48b.
[0107]
This reciprocating motion (reciprocating slide) of the paper discharge tray 1 substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction enables the paper to be sorted and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1. In this case, the slide motor 49 is a drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction, and is also a drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper width direction.
Further, at the time of the sorting stack operation (shift operation), as shown in FIG. 26, the roller 142 comes into contact with the inclined portion 140a of the end fence support member 140 and rolls, and the roller 144 is vertically below the inclined portion 140a. Since it rolls in contact with the surface, the two-point contact rolling method enables smooth and stable shift operation without backlash and vibration.
In the shift operation at the paper discharge port E1, the roller 142 contacts the stopper 118 and rolls. In this case, the stopper 118 may be formed integrally with the upper cover of the apparatus main body (not shown).
[0108]
Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 in this embodiment will be described.
First, the initial operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 30 (corresponding to FIG. 19).
First, in order to set the discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retreat position detection sensor SN5 (S801), and if it is off, in order to prevent the end fence 1a from protruding suddenly. First, the clutch 116 is turned on to lock the upward movement of the end fence 1a relative to the paper discharge tray 1 (S802), and the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S803). If the slide sensor SN13 is off, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S804), and the slide sensor SN13 is subsequently checked (S805).
[0109]
When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S806), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S807). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S808), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S809). In this case, even if the roller 142 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised by the function of the one-way clutch and moved to the retracted position. The detection sensor SN5 is turned on.
Next, the clutch 116 is turned off (S810), and the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S811). Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S812), and the discharge tray 1 is stopped when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on (S813). If the retracted position detection sensor SN5 is on in S801, the process proceeds to S811, and if the slide sensor SN13 is on in S803, the process proceeds to S807.
[0110]
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S814), and when it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is once raised (S815). . Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S816), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S817). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S818), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S819). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned from on to off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S820), and the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S821). Next, the front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S822), and when it is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S823). Then, 0 is set in the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S824).
In S814, if the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on, the process proceeds to S818.
[0111]
Next, based on the flowchart of FIG. 31 (corresponding to FIG. 20), the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0, and the discharge tray 1 is set to the receiving position of the discharge port E2 or the discharge tray 2 is set to the standby state. The case where it does is demonstrated.
First, the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is checked (S901). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, in order to set the discharge tray 2 to the standby position, the discharge tray 2 is lowered (S902), and then whether the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether the upper end or the upper end of the paper in the paper discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S903). When the paper is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S904).
[0112]
Next, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S905), and the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S906). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S907), and the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S908). Next, the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is checked (S909), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S910). Next, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S911), the front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S912), and when it is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S913).
[0113]
Next, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S914), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S915). In this case, the discharge tray 1 is raised in a state where the roller 142 of the end fence 1a contacts the inclined portion 140a and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted. When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S916), and then the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S917). Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S918), and when the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S920). Then, 1 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S921).
[0114]
Next, the flowchart of FIG. 32 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. (It corresponds to FIG. 23) and demonstrates.
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S1001). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, the clutch 116 is turned on to lock the upward movement of the end fence 1a relative to the paper discharge tray 1 (S1002), and then the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the N direction (S1003). Next, the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S1004). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S1005), and the discharge tray 1 is raised (S1006).
[0115]
Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S1007), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S1008). In this case, even if the roller 142 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised by the function of the one-way clutch and moved to the retracted position. The detection sensor SN5 is turned on.
When the retracted position detection sensor SN5 is turned on, the clutch 116 is turned off (S1009). Next, the discharge tray 1 is lowered (S1010), and the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S1011). When the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S1012).
[0116]
Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 (S1013), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S1014). Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S1015), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S1016). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S1017), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S1018). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned from on to off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S1019), and the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S1020).
Next, the front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S1021), and when it is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S1022). Then, 0 is set in the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S1023).
The control for setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 1 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 1, and the control of setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 0 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0 are shown in FIG. Since it is the same as 21 and 22, it abbreviate | omits.
[0117]
Next, the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control unit 100 checks the front shift sensor SN16 (S1101). When the front shift sensor SN16 is on, that is, when the paper discharge tray 1 is at the paper receiving position, the slide motor 49 is moved in the N direction. (S1102), and then the rear shift sensor SN17 is checked (S1103). When the rear shift sensor SN17 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S1104), and it is checked whether or not a predetermined number of sheets are discharged as it is (S1105). When a predetermined number of sheets are discharged, it is checked whether or not the job is finished (S1106), and if not finished, the process returns to S1101.
If the front shift sensor SN16 is off in S1101, it is determined that the shift operation has ended on the reverse side (rear shift sensor SN17 side), and the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the N direction (S1107). The front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S1108). If the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on, the process proceeds to S1104.
[0118]
In the present embodiment, since the discharge tray 1 slides to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with its own weight, when the discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the discharge ports E1 and E2, the paper discharge direction with its own weight. The backlash is prevented, and the backlash is also prevented in the sliding operation in the paper discharge direction. In order to obtain this rattling prevention function, it is good also as a structure which has the spring 54 and a horizontal slide system similarly to 1st embodiment.
In this embodiment, the slide motor 49, which is a drive source for the slide operation of the paper discharge tray 1, is also used as a drive source for the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1. However, a separate drive source may be used. Good.
[0119]
In the above embodiment, in addition to the slide operation in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray 1, the shift operation can be performed in the paper width direction. However, a type that does not have the shift operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35. . In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Except for the shift operation, the embodiment is the same as the above embodiment. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.
[0120]
As shown in FIG. 34, the slide base 50 in the present embodiment has a crank pulley 48 that is rotated via a belt motor 15 and a slide motor 49 that can be rotated forward and backward as a drive source that slides the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. And slides in the paper discharge direction. A long hole 50b extending in the paper width direction is formed in the slide base 50, and an eccentric pin 48a formed in the crank pulley 48 is engaged with the long hole 50b.
The stop position of the slide base 50 is monitored by a slide sensor SN13 and a slide sensor SN19 provided at a position shifted from the position of the slide sensor SN13 on the rotation surface of the crank pulley 48 by approximately 90 ° upstream in the paper discharge direction. It is like that. This monitoring is performed by turning on and off the slide sensors SN13 and 19 by the detection piece 48b formed on the crank pulley 48.
[0121]
FIG. 34 shows a state where the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge port E2, as in FIG. 25 of the above embodiment. Yes. This state is a state in which the detection piece 48b of the crank pulley 48 turns on the slide sensor SN13. As shown in FIG. 34, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair 9 are in the paper discharge direction. There is a slight gap g between them.
From this state, in the same manner as shown in FIG. 26 of the above embodiment, when the paper discharge tray 2 is kept at the standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the paper receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray In the movement in which 1 passes through the paper discharge port E2 from the top to the bottom, the paper discharge tray 1 is maintained at the position where the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, and thus passes without interfering with the paper discharge roller pair 9.
[0122]
When the paper discharge tray 1 passes through the paper discharge port E2 and reaches a predetermined position, the vertical movement of the paper discharge tray 1 (strictly, the base member 57) is stopped, and as shown in FIG. It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R. The predetermined position here is a position where the rear end of the base member 57 is detected by the tray 1 detection sensor SN18. This predetermined position is such that the roller 142 of the end fence 1a that protrudes to the maximum when the sheet discharge tray 1 is slid upstream in the sheet discharge direction with the base member 57 stopped is the inclined portion of the end fence support member 140. This is the position that enters 140a. The tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is a pre-stage detection means for detecting the base member 57 and positioning the discharge tray 1 (strictly, the upper end of the stacking surface or the upper surface of the sheet) at the receiving position of the discharge port E2. is there.
[0123]
When the slide motor 49 rotates in the direction of arrow R, the crank pulley 48 rotates in the same direction, so that the paper discharge tray 1 slides upstream in the paper discharge direction due to its own weight as the eccentric pin 48a moves, as shown in FIG. Thus, when the crank pulley 48 rotates 90 °, the detection piece 48b stops at the position where the slide sensor SN19 is turned on. As a result, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the drive roller 9a of the paper discharge roller pair 9 overlap, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.
In this embodiment, since the paper discharge tray 1 is not shifted, the rollers 142 and 144 for obtaining a smooth slide in the paper width direction are not necessary, and only the guide roller 80 shown in the first embodiment is used. It's okay.
[0124]
Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 in this embodiment will be described.
First, the initial operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 36 (corresponding to FIG. 19).
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 to the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retreat position detection sensor SN5 (S501). The upward movement of the fence 1a is locked (S502). This is because if the end fence 1a is not locked, the end fence 1a suddenly protrudes by the urging force of the spring 100, and there is a risk of causing damage to parts or an accident.
Next, the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S503), and when the slide sensor SN13 is off, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the R direction so that the roller 142 of the end fence 1a is taken out from the inclined portion 140a (S504). Subsequently, the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S505).
[0125]
When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S506), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S507). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S508), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S509). In this case, even if the roller 142 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised by the function of the one-way clutch and moved to the retracted position. The detection sensor SN5 is turned on.
Next, the clutch 116 is turned off (S510), and the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S511). Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S512), and when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S513). If the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is on in S501, the process proceeds to S511. If the slide sensor SN13 is on in S503, the process proceeds to S507.
[0126]
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S514), and if it is off, raises the paper discharge tray 2 (S515). Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S516), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S517). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S518), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S519). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S520), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S521).
In S514, if the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on, the process proceeds to S518.
[0127]
Next, based on the flowchart of FIG. 37 (corresponding to FIG. 20), the discharge tray 1 flag is 0 and the discharge tray 1 is set to the receiving position of the discharge port E2 or the discharge tray 2 is set to the standby state. explain.
First, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S601). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the discharge tray 2 is lowered to set the discharge tray 2 in the standby state (S602), and then whether or not the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether or not the upper end or the upper end of the paper on the paper discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S603). When the paper is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S604).
[0128]
Next, the discharge tray 1 is lowered to set the discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 (S605), and the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is checked (S606). When the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S607). Next, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the R direction (S608), and the slide sensor SN19 is checked (S609). When the slide sensor SN19 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S610), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S611). In this case, the roller 142 of the end fence 1a comes into contact with the inclined portion 140a of the end fence support member 140, and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted, so that only the paper discharge tray 1 is raised.
[0129]
Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S612), and when it is turned on by the upper end of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 1 or the upper surface of the paper, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S613). Next, the discharge tray 1 is lowered (S614), and it is checked whether or not the paper surface detection sensor SN6 has been turned off from on (S615). When it is switched from ON to OFF, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S616), and 1 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S617).
[0130]
Next, the flow chart of FIG. 38 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. (It corresponds to FIG. 23) and demonstrates.
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S701). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, in order to prevent a sudden protrusion of the end fence 1a, the clutch 116 is turned on to lock the upward movement of the end fence 1a with respect to the discharge tray 1 (S702), and the discharge tray 1 is received by the discharge port E1. In order to set the position, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the R direction (S703), and the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S704). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S705), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S706).
[0131]
Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S707), and when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned on at the upper end of the stacking surface of the discharge tray 1 or the upper surface of the sheet, the discharge tray 1 is stopped (S708). In this case, even if the roller 142 of the end fence 1a abuts against the stopper 118 and the upward movement of the end fence 1a is restricted and the relative movement is locked, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised by the function of the one-way clutch and moved to the retracted position. The detection sensor SN5 is turned on.
Next, the clutch 116 is turned off (S709), and the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S710). Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S711), and when the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S712).
[0132]
Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S713), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 (S714). Next, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S715), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S716). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S717), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S718). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S719), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S720).
The control for setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 1 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 1, and the control of setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 0 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0 are shown in FIG. Since it is the same as 21 and 22, it abbreviate | omits.
[0133]
In the present embodiment, since the discharge tray 1 slides to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction with its own weight, when the discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the discharge ports E1 and E2, the paper discharge direction with its own weight. The backlash is prevented, and the backlash is also prevented in the sliding operation in the paper discharge direction. In order to obtain this rattling prevention function, it is good also as a structure which has the spring 54 and a horizontal slide system similarly to 1st embodiment.
In this embodiment, the drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction is separate from the vertical motor 55 as the drive source for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction. Since the vertical movement is not performed when the discharge tray 1 is slid, the discharge tray 1 can be slid using the driving force of the vertical motor 55.
[0134]
Next, another embodiment will be described.
In each of the above embodiments, the relationship between the movement of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair 9 (paper discharge roller) at the paper discharge outlet E2 is not shown. However, as described above, when there are a plurality of sorting users, It is anticipated that the paper on the paper discharge tray 1 will be frequently inserted and removed, and the stacking state will be disturbed to get on the paper discharge roller pair 9. In this state, the paper discharge tray 1 passes through the paper discharge port E2. Then, there is a concern that the paper may be damaged or the passage movement of the paper discharge tray 1 may be hindered.
Therefore, before the paper discharge tray 1 is moved in the vertical direction, the rotational driving of the paper discharge roller pair 9 is started. When the discharge roller pair 9 is driven to rotate, the paper that has been caught on or caught by the discharge roller pair 9 is completely discharged to the discharge tray 1. Can be prevented.
[0135]
An example of the control operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is an application to the control in the flowchart of FIG. 23, and the part described in FIG. 23 is omitted. First, the paper discharge roller pair 9 is rotationally driven before judging the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S400), and after the position flag setting of the paper discharge tray 1 (S417) is completed, the paper discharge roller pair 9 The rotational drive is stopped (S418). The control for rotationally driving the paper discharge roller pair 9 before moving the paper discharge tray 1 is effective in all the controls of the above embodiments. The same applies to the discharge roller pair 7 at the discharge port E1.
[0136]
In each of the above embodiments, the paper discharge tray 1 is supported by the guide rollers 52 and the guide rails 53, so that it has a low frictional resistance during sliding, can be moved with a small force, and has a relatively inexpensive configuration. In a configuration having a slide operation drive source, power consumption of the drive source can be reduced.
[0137]
In each of the above embodiments, the embodiment of the invention is shown in the sheet post-processing apparatus as the sheet stacking apparatus. However, the present invention can be similarly implemented in the case of an image forming apparatus not provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus.
[0138]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the paper stacking disorder when moving through the paper discharge port, and to prevent the stacking disorder due to the rounding of the paper.
[0139]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a relative position change between the paper discharge tray and the end fence with a simple configuration.
[0140]
According to the third aspect of the invention, since the phase shift at the time of relative movement can be prevented, it is possible to obtain an appropriate height of the end fence according to the stacking amount of the paper discharge tray when the paper is discharged.
[0141]
According to invention of Claim 4, the phase shift at the time of relative movement can be prevented with high precision.
[0142]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a phase shift during relative movement with high accuracy and stability.
[0143]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the paper discharge tray is moved, the end fence can be prevented from protruding suddenly, and damage to parts and accidents resulting from this can be prevented.
[0144]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to determine the height of the end fence with respect to the paper discharge tray when the paper discharge tray is set at the paper discharge port, so that control becomes easy.
[0145]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent component damage and accidents due to a sudden protrusion of the end fence when an unexpected external force is applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sheet post-processing apparatus as a sheet stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which a lower discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a discharge outlet E2.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a sheet post-processing apparatus in a state where an upper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a discharge outlet E2.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a staple unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a hitting operation in the staple unit.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a staple unit.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a discharging operation of the staple unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration for detecting the home position of the discharge belt.
FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a lifting mechanism of a paper discharge tray in a state where a lower paper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a paper discharge port E2.
FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the lifting mechanism of the discharge tray in a state where the upper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of an elevating mechanism for a paper discharge tray.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a driving mechanism for a lower discharge tray.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the upper paper discharge tray can move through the paper discharge port, where FIG. 12A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 12B is a schematic side view.
FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a state in which an upper paper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a paper discharge port.
FIG. 14 is a schematic front view showing a support configuration of an end fence with respect to an upper discharge tray.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a support configuration of an end fence with respect to an upper discharge tray.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a shift configuration of a lower discharge tray.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a shift configuration of a lower discharge tray.
FIG. 18 is a control block diagram.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an initial operation of the paper discharge tray.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of resetting the upper discharge tray located at the discharge outlet E2 to the discharge outlet E2.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of resetting the upper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the discharge port E1 to the receiving position of the discharge port.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 to the receiving position of the discharge port E1.
FIG. 24 is a front view of relevant parts showing a modification of an example of sliding using a cam.
FIG. 25 is a main part front view showing an example in which the upper paper discharge tray is slid in the paper discharge direction and shifted.
FIG. 26 is a front view of the main part in a state where the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG.
FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams showing a state in which the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 in the example shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 27A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 27B is a schematic side view.
FIG. 28 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 29 is a control block diagram in the example shown in FIG. 25;
30 is a flowchart showing an initial operation of the paper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG. 25. FIG.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG.
32 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2 in the example shown in FIG. 25 to the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E1.
33 is a flowchart showing a shift operation of the upper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG.
FIGS. 34A and 34B are diagrams in the case where the upper paper discharge tray is in a state in which the upper paper discharge tray can pass through the paper discharge outlet E2 in an example having no shift operation, where FIG. 34A is a schematic plan view, and FIG.
35 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. 34. FIG.
36 is a flowchart showing an initial operation of the paper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG. 34. FIG.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. 34 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart as an example of driving the paper discharge roller before moving the paper discharge tray in the vertical direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Upper output tray as the output tray that moves past the output port
1a End fence
2 Output tray
Guide rail as 30a, 30b rail
49 Slide motor as drive source for sliding
54 Spring as an elastic member
55 Vertical motor as drive source for vertical movement
56 Support members
57 Base member
81 cam
100 Spring as an end fence biasing means
118 Stopper as a limiting member
140a Inclined portion as limiting member
142 Kolo
SN18 Tray 1 detection sensor as means for detecting base member
E2 paper exit

Claims (9)

A paper discharge tray, a support member that supports the paper discharge tray to be movable up and down, and a drive source that moves the paper discharge tray in the vertical direction. In the paper loading device that moves in the direction
The support member is provided in the apparatus main body, the paper discharge tray itself is provided so that the paper discharge tray moves through the paper discharge port by moving up and down the apparatus main body, and the paper discharge tray is A paper stacking apparatus, comprising: an end fence for aligning rear ends of sheets stacked on a paper discharge tray, wherein the end fence is provided to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the paper discharge tray. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
End fence urging means for urging the end fence upward, and a restriction member provided on the apparatus main body side for restricting the upward movement of the end fence, and the restriction member when the discharge tray is raised The sheet stacking apparatus is characterized in that the upward movement of the end fence is limited by the above and a relative position change between the discharge tray and the end fence is obtained. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end fence is provided so that there is no phase shift in the vertical direction on both sides in the paper width direction relative to the paper discharge tray. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 3.
The prevention of the phase shift is achieved by meshing between a tooth portion extending in the vertical direction provided on one side of the end fence and the paper discharge tray and a gear unit provided on the other side. Paper loading device to do. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the configuration for preventing the phase shift is provided on both sides of the end fence in a paper width direction orthogonal to a paper discharge direction. In the paper stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A paper stacking apparatus, comprising: a lock unit that locks movement of the end fence with respect to the paper discharge tray. The paper stacking apparatus according to claim 6.
The sheet stacking device is characterized in that the locking means is provided through a member having a one-way clutch, and is capable of moving the discharge tray upward with respect to the end fence while being locked by the locking means. apparatus. In the paper stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A paper stacking apparatus, comprising: a slide lock unit that locks a slide in a paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray in a state where the paper discharge tray is positioned at a receiving position of the paper discharge port.   An image forming apparatus comprising the paper stacking device according to claim 1.

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