JP4149617B2 - Output stacking device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper discharge stacking apparatus in which sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine are sequentially stacked.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine, various types of paper discharge stacking apparatuses are used to sequentially stack sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. As an example of such a paper discharge stacking apparatus, the one shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 is known.
[0003]
The paper discharge stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 12 is provided with a plurality of stages of paper discharge trays 1, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is discharged onto and stacked on these paper discharge trays 1. Therefore, according to the paper discharge stacking apparatus, the paper to be discharged and stacked is discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1 that is different for each predetermined number of sheets or for each sheet size. Can be sorted.
[0004]
The paper discharge stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 13 is provided with a reciprocating mechanism 4 for reciprocating the paper discharge table 3 in the horizontal direction below the paper discharge table 3. By driving the reciprocating mechanism 4 after a predetermined number of sheets have been discharged and stacked on the discharge table 3, the discharge table 3 is moved in the horizontal direction, and after this movement, the output is stacked again and repeated. Thus, it is possible to sort the sheets to be discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 3 by shifting a predetermined number of sheets.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the paper discharge stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 12, when taking out a bundle of paper discharged and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1 positioned below, the operator must take a posture of bending down. The burden is great for the operator.
[0006]
Further, the sheet conveyed to the upper discharge tray 1 may be rubbed by a large number of conveying rollers or a conveying belt in the conveying process, and the sheet may be wrinkled or the image may be deteriorated.
[0007]
  Further, the paper discharged onto the paper discharge tray 1 is in the width direction (the paper discharge direction andOrthogonalIn the horizontal direction), the sheet bundle taken out from the discharge tray 1 may need to be realigned.
[0008]
In the paper discharge stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 13, since the paper is sorted on one paper discharge tray 3, the sorting state is disturbed by vibration or the like when the paper discharge tray 3 is moved in the horizontal direction. You may need to fix it.
[0009]
In view of this, the present invention can sort the sheets discharged and stacked from the image forming apparatus into a plurality of stages of discharge trays for each predetermined number of sheets or each sheet size, and to take out a bundle of sheets from each discharge tray. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge stacking apparatus that can reduce labor.
[0010]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a paper discharge stacking device capable of aligning paper in the width direction of paper discharged and stacked on each paper discharge tray.
[0011]
Furthermore, the present invention can perform the paper alignment in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged on each paper discharge tray at an optimum position according to the length dimension of the paper in the paper discharge direction, and the paper alignment is inexpensive. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper discharge stacking apparatus that can be configured with a simple structure.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a discharge stacking device in which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked, and a discharge tray that integrally holds a plurality of discharge trays arranged vertically. And an elevating mechanism that elevates and lowers the sheet discharge tray so that the sheet discharge tray is positioned at a predetermined position.
[0013]
Therefore, by lifting and lowering the paper discharge platform by the lifting mechanism and positioning each paper discharge tray to a predetermined position from which the paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus, the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is placed on the paper discharge tray. Are sequentially stacked and sorted on each paper discharge tray for each predetermined number of sheets or each paper size.
[0014]
In addition, since the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus can be immediately stacked on the paper discharge tray, a large number of transport rollers and There is no need to convey the image by a conveyance belt, and the sheet is not wrinkled or the image is not deteriorated during the conveyance process.
[0015]
Furthermore, when the paper stack loaded on each paper output tray is taken out, the paper output stand is raised so that the operator does not have to bend down when taking out the paper bundle from the lowest paper output tray. The labor of taking out the sheet bundle from each paper discharge tray is reduced.
[0016]
  Claim1The described inventionIn addition to the above configuration,A pair of side fences positioned on both sides in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus, and the side fence is moved up and down at an arbitrary position in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper. A side fence slide mechanism that slides to a position including a retracted position on the outside of the sheet discharge table.
[0017]
Therefore, by sliding the side fence to a position corresponding to the width of the paper to be discharged on the paper discharge tray on which the paper is discharged, the paper in the width direction of the paper stacked on the paper discharge tray is aligned. Can be done. In addition, the side fence and the side fence slide mechanism need not be provided for each paper discharge tray, but may be provided as one set for the whole paper discharge stacking apparatus. Become.
[0018]
By sliding the side fence to the retracted position outside the paper discharge table when the paper discharge table is raised and lowered, the paper discharge table moves up and down smoothly without interfering with the side fence.
[0019]
  Claim2The described invention is claimed.1In the paper discharge stacking apparatus according to the invention, the side fence curves the paper stacked and discharged on the paper discharge tray into a substantially U shape in which both sides in a direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction are warped upward. And an inclined guide portion to be supported.
[0020]
Therefore, the sheet alignment state in the width direction of the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray is improved, and it is not necessary to align the sheet bundle taken out from the sheet discharge tray again. Bundle handling is improved.
[0021]
  Claim3The described invention is claimed.1 or 2In the paper discharge stacking apparatus described above, the side fence slide mechanism includes a slide position detection unit that detects a slide position of the side fence.
[0022]
Therefore, it is possible to reliably control the sliding position of the side fence, and to reliably align the sheets in the lateral width direction according to the sheet size.
[0023]
  Claim4The invention described in claims 1 and 2Or 3In the paper discharge stacking apparatus described above, the paper discharge platform includes a lift position detection unit that detects that the paper discharge tray has moved up and down to a position where the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is stacked.
[0024]
Therefore, it is possible to reliably stack the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus on a desired discharge tray.
[0025]
  Claim5The invention described in claims 1, 2, 3Or 4In the paper discharge stacking apparatus described above, an end fence that is provided on the paper discharge tray and abuts on a front end portion in the paper discharge direction of the paper that is discharged onto the paper discharge tray; A slide holding mechanism that slidably holds along the paper discharge direction and a slide holding mechanism that is provided on the paper discharge tray that is raised and lowered to a predetermined position by raising and lowering the paper discharge table are provided on the paper discharge tray. And a slide drive mechanism for sliding the end fence to an arbitrary position.
[0026]
Therefore, the paper stacked in the paper discharge tray has its front end in the paper discharge direction abutted on the end fence, and the paper in the paper discharge direction is aligned on the paper stacked on the paper discharge tray.
[0027]
Further, when any one of the discharge trays is moved to a predetermined position where the sheets are discharged and stacked by moving the discharge stand up and down, the end fence of the discharge tray is slid to an arbitrary position by the slide drive mechanism. be able to. Then, the end fence is slid to an arbitrary position by the slide drive mechanism, so that the sheet alignment by the end fence of the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray is optimized according to the length dimension in the sheet discharge direction. It can be done at the position, and the paper alignment performance by the end fence is improved.
[0028]
  In addition, the slide drive mechanism is not provided for each paper discharge tray, but may be provided for the whole paper discharge stacking apparatus, and the structure is less expensive than that provided for each paper discharge tray.
  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discharge stacking device in which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked, and a discharge tray that integrally holds a plurality of discharge trays arranged vertically. And a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the discharge tray so that the discharge tray is positioned at a predetermined position, and a leading end of the paper that is provided on the discharge tray and is discharged onto the discharge tray. An end fence with which the sheet abuts, a slide holding mechanism that slidably holds the end fence along the sheet discharge direction, and the discharge tray that is raised and lowered to a predetermined position by raising and lowering the discharge stand. A slide drive mechanism that drives the slide holding mechanism provided to slide the end fence provided on the paper discharge tray to an arbitrary position.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Of the present inventionPremiseA form is demonstrated based on FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the internal structure of the entire paper discharge stacking apparatus, FIG. 2 is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.
[0030]
This paper discharge stacking device has a rectangular parallelepiped main body case 10 including a bottom plate 5, a top plate 6, a front plate 7, a back plate 8, and a right side plate 9, and is parallel to the right side plate 9 in the main body case 10. The left side facing is open. On the left side surface, an upper stay 11 and a reinforcement stay 12 are provided that connect the front plate 7 and the back plate 8. Further, this paper discharge stacking device is arranged with the right side plate 9 facing the paper discharge unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 13 such as a copying machine or a printing machine.
[0031]
In the main body case 10, a paper discharge tray 15 and a lifting mechanism 16 that lifts and lowers the paper discharge tray 15 are provided. The sheet discharge table 15 supports five stages of sheet discharge trays 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, and 17e arranged in the vertical direction, the lower part of the lowest sheet discharge tray 17e, and one end side of the sheet discharge trays 17a to 17e. It is formed by a discharge frame 18, a lower part of the lowest discharge tray 17e, and a support frame 19 that supports the other ends of the discharge trays 17a to 17e. One end of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e is fixed to the paper discharge frame 18 (see FIG. 2), and the other end of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e is fixed to the support frame 19. An end fence 20 is fixed to the upper surface of the other end of each of the discharge trays 17a to 17e, and the end of the other end of each of the discharge trays 17a to 17e is inclined downward with an angle of “θa” with respect to the horizontal plane. (See FIG. 1).
[0032]
The elevating mechanism 16 is disposed on the right side plate 9 side in the main body case 10, an elevating drive motor 21 disposed in the vicinity of the bottom plate 5, and a drive shaft that extends in the horizontal direction and is rotationally driven by the elevating drive motor 21. 22, a pair of drive pulleys 23 fixed to both ends of the drive shaft 22, a driven shaft 24 disposed parallel to the drive shaft 22 in the vicinity of the top plate 6, and rotatably attached to both ends of the driven shaft 24 A pair of driven pulleys 25, a pair of timing belts 26 spanned between the drive pulley 23 and the driven pulley 25, and the like are included. Each timing belt 26 and the paper discharge stand frame 18 are fixed by two belt fixing plates 26 a at the top and bottom, respectively. When the timing belt 26 is rotated by driving the elevating drive motor 21, the timing belt 26 is rotated. As a result, the paper discharge tray 15 is raised and lowered.
[0033]
On the inner surface of the front plate 7 and the back plate 8 and in the vicinity of the position where the timing belt 26 is disposed, a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional guide 27 extending in the vertical direction is fixed. Two bearings 28 are attached to the upper part of the discharge plate frame 18 facing the front plate 7 and the back plate 8, and these bearings 28 are rotatably fitted in a guide 27. . When the discharge table 15 is raised and lowered, the bearing 28 fitted in the guide 27 rotates, so that the discharge table 15 is raised and lowered smoothly.
[0034]
Positions corresponding to the respective paper discharge trays 17a to 17e are located at positions facing the right side plate 9 in the paper discharge stand frame 18, and the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 by these paper discharge trays 17a to 17e are located. Five fillers 29a to 29e, which are lift position detecting means used to detect that the lift has been lifted to the loading position, are arranged and fixed in the vertical direction. Sensors 30 a to 30 e for detecting the raising and lowering positions of the fillers 29 a to 29 e are fixed to the inner side surface of the right side plate 9. The sensor 30a is an upper limit sensor that detects that the discharge tray 15 has been raised to the upper limit position by detecting the filler 29a. The sensor 30b is an ascending / decelerating sensor that starts decelerating the ascending speed by detecting the filler 29a when the discharge table 15 is elevated. The sensor 30c detects the fillers 29a to 29e to detect that the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e corresponding to the fillers 29a to 29e have moved up and down to a position where the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 can be stacked. This is a loading position sensor. The sensor 30e is a home position sensor that detects that the paper discharge tray 15 has been lowered to the lower limit position (home position) by detecting the filler 29e. The sensor 30d is a descending deceleration sensor that starts the deceleration of the descending speed by detecting the filler 29e when the discharge table 15 descends.
[0035]
In such a configuration, when an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 13, the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is set by performing the setting relating to the discharge stacking with the operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus 13. The sheets are stacked on the respective paper discharge trays 17a to 17e according to the set contents. As a setting relating to the discharge stacking, a predetermined number of sheets (for example, 50 sheets) are stacked on each of the discharge trays 17a to 17e, and sheets of different sheet sizes are stacked on the respective discharge trays 17a to 17e (for example, A4 size sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 17a, and B4 size sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 17b).
[0036]
Here, a description will be given by taking, as an example, a paper discharge stacking operation in a case where the paper discharge stacking setting of stacking 50 sheets on each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e is performed. When the setting of the discharge stacking is completed, the elevating drive motor 21 is operated to rotate the timing belt 26, and the discharge table 15 located at the lower limit position (home position) is raised. Then, when the filler 29a is detected by the stacking position sensor 30c, the elevating drive motor 21 is stopped, and the raising of the discharge table 15 is stopped. At this time, the paper discharge tray 17a is positioned at a predetermined position where the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is stacked, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray 17a. The
[0037]
The number of sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is counted by a counter (not shown), and when the count value reaches a set value (50 sheets), the lifting drive motor 21 is operated again and discharged. The table 15 rises. Then, when the filler 29b is detected by the stacking position sensor 30c, the elevating drive motor 21 is stopped, and the raising of the discharge table 15 is stopped. At this time, the paper discharge tray 17b is positioned at a position where the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is stacked, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray 17b. .
[0038]
When the number of sheets stacked on the sheet discharge tray 17b reaches 50, the operation of raising the sheet discharge table 15 is repeated again, and 50 sheets of sheets are similarly placed on the sheet discharge trays 17c to 17e. The image forming operation is finished or temporarily stopped. If it is set so that paper is not stacked on all of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e but is stacked on some paper discharge trays (for example, 17a to 17c), the paper discharge tray 17c is set. The image forming operation is completed or temporarily stopped after the paper is stacked upward.
[0039]
When the image forming operation is completed or temporarily stopped, the lifting drive motor 21 is operated to raise the sheet discharge table 15, the sheet discharge table 15 is raised to the highest position, and the filler 29 a is detected by the upper limit sensor 30 a. As a result, the elevation drive motor 21 is stopped, and the paper discharge table 15 is stopped at the highest position. Then, after the paper discharge tray 15 stops at the highest position, the operator takes out the sheet bundle that is stacked on each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e and sorted by a predetermined number. The sheet bundle is taken out from the open side of the main body case 10 on the left side.
[0040]
After the removal of the sheet bundle from each of the discharge trays 17a to 17e is completed, the discharge tray 15 is lowered to the home position and stands by for the next discharge stacking.
[0041]
Here, in this paper discharge stacking device, the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e are positioned at predetermined positions where the paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 by raising and lowering the paper discharge table 15. The discharged sheets can be immediately stacked on the discharge trays 17a to 17e. For this reason, it is not necessary to transport the paper ejected from the image forming apparatus 13 by a large number of transport rollers or transport belts until the paper is stacked on the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e, and the paper is wrinkled in the transport process. The image does not deteriorate.
[0042]
Further, in this paper discharge stacking device, the paper discharge platform 15 is raised to the highest position when the paper bundle is taken out from each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. For this reason, it is not necessary for the operator to bend down when taking out the sheet bundle from the lowermost discharge tray 17e, and the labor for taking out the sheet bundle from each of the discharge trays 17a to 17e is reduced.
[0043]
Further, in this paper discharge stacking apparatus, one end side and the other end side of each paper discharge tray 17a-17e are fixed by the paper discharge stand frame 18 and the support frame 19, so the strength of each paper discharge tray 17a-17e. Therefore, the number of sheets stacked on each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e can be increased, and the processing capacity of the paper sorting operation can be increased.
[0044]
  Next, the first of the present invention1The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the part demonstrated in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3 is shown with the same code | symbol, and description is also abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, a pair of side fences 31 a and 31 b are provided that are located on both sides in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13. These side fences 31a and 31b are provided in a fixed position in the vertical direction, and face a predetermined position where the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus 13. A side fence slide mechanism 32 is provided to slide these side fences 31a and 31b to arbitrary positions in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction.
[0045]
Here, the side fence slide mechanism 32 will be described in detail. On the left side surface of the main body case 10, a guide rail 33 connecting the front plate 7 and the rear plate 8 is provided on the lower side in parallel with the reinforcing stay 12. A pair of sliders 34 a and 34 b are slidably attached along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 33, and side fences 31 a and 31 b are attached to these sliders 34 a and 34 b via arm support plates 35 and horizontal arms 36. It is connected. Racks 37a and 37b are connected to the sliders 34a and 34b, respectively, and a slide drive unit 40 including a rack drive gear 38 and a drive motor 39 that engage with the racks 37a and 37b is provided. The sliders 34 a and 34 b, the racks 37 a and 37 b, and the slide driving unit 40 constitute a side fence slide mechanism 32.
[0046]
The sliders 34 a and 34 b include an outer slide plate 41 positioned opposite to the outer surface of the guide rail 33, four rollers 42 attached to the outer slide plate 41 and abutting on the outer surface of the guide rail 33, and the guide rail 33. An inner slide plate 43 that faces the inner side surface, four rollers 44 that are attached to the inner slide plate 43 and come into contact with the inner side surface of the guide rail 33, and the outer slide plate 41 and the inner slide plate 43 are connected 3 The connecting shaft 45 is composed of a book.
[0047]
One end of each of the three connecting shafts 45 is fixed to the outer slide plate 41 and is inserted through a guide hole 46 formed along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 33. A bearing 47 that fits into the guide hole 46 is attached to the connecting shaft 45 located on both sides of the three connecting shafts 45, and the other end is fixed to the inner slide plate 43 using a washer 48. The other end of the connecting shaft 45 located at the center of the three connecting shafts 45 is connected to the inner slide plate 43 using a stop plate 49 and a spring 50. Due to the biasing force of the spring 50, the outer slide plate 41 and the inner slide plate 43 are attracted to each other, and the rollers 42 and 44 are pressed against both side surfaces of the guide rail 33.
[0048]
As described above, the sliders 34 a and 34 b and the side fences 31 a and 31 b are connected via the arm support plate 35 and the horizontal arm 36, and one end of the arm support plate 35 is fixed to the outer slide plate 41. One end of the horizontal arm 36 is fixed to the other end of the arm support plate 35, and side fences 31 a and 31 b are fixed to the other end of the horizontal arm 36. An inclination preventing plate 51 is fixed to the upper edge portion of the outer slide plate 41, and a roller 52 for preventing the inclination of the horizontal arm 36 and the side fences 31a and 31b is attached to the inclination preventing plate 51. . The roller 52 is in contact with a part of the guide rail 33.
[0049]
The slide drive unit 40 is fixed to the central bracket 53 fixed to the guide rail 33, the support shaft 54 attached to the guide rail 33, the driven pulley 55 and the rack drive gear 38 fixed to the support shaft 54, and the central bracket 53. The driving motor 39, a driving pulley 56 fixed to the motor shaft of the driving motor 39, a timing belt 57 stretched between the driving pulley 56 and the driven pulley 55, and the like. One end of the racks 37 a and 37 b is fixed to the inner slide plate 43, and the other end side of the racks 37 a and 37 b is engaged with the rack drive gear 38.
[0050]
The side fence slide mechanism 32 is provided with slide position detection means 58 for detecting the slide position of the side fences 31a and 31b. The slide position detecting means 58 includes a filler 59 having one end fixed to the central bracket 53 and the other end extending to one slider 34b side, and a sensor 60 fixed to one inner slide plate 43. Yes. The sensor 60 detects the slide positions of the side fences 31a and 31b by detecting notches formed in the filler 59.
[0051]
A home sensor 61 is attached to the guide rail 33 for detecting that the side fences 31a and 31b have been slid to the retreat position outside the discharge table 15 where the side fences 31a and 31b are moved up and down to avoid interference with the discharge table 15. The adjustment filler 62 detected by the home sensor 61 is fixed to one inner slide plate 43.
[0052]
Inclined guide portions 63a and 63b projecting toward the other side fences 31a and 31b are fixed to the lower edges of the side fences 31a and 31b, respectively. These inclined guide portions 63a and 63b are formed in a shape having a cross-sectional shape of a right triangle, and are inclined at an angle “θb” with respect to the discharge tray 17a (or other discharge trays 17b to 17e). (See FIG. 9). Further, a step having a predetermined dimension “A” is formed between the inclined guide portions 63a and 63b and the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 17a (or other paper discharge trays 17b to 17e).
[0053]
In such a configuration, the driven pulley 55 and the rack drive gear 38 are driven to rotate by the drive of the drive motor 39 via the timing belt 57, and the racks 37a and 37b engaged with the rack drive gear 38 slide to slide the rack. The sliders 34a and 34b slide in a direction in which the sliders 34a and 34b are brought into contact with and separated from each other integrally with 37a and 37b. Then, the slide operation of the sliders 34a and 34b causes the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 to be placed on the paper discharge tray 17a (or other paper discharge trays 17b to 17e) positioned at a predetermined position where the paper is stacked. The side fences 31a and 31b slide toward and away from each other, and the side fences 31a and 31b are adjusted to the width of the paper to be discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 17a (or other discharge trays 17b to 17e). It adjusts so that it may be located in the predetermined position according to. The slide position detector 58 detects that the side fences 31a and 31b have been slid to a predetermined position corresponding to the width of the sheet. The detection stops the drive motor 39 and stops the sliding operation of the side fences 31a and 31b. Is done.
[0054]
In this way, the side fences 31a and 31b slide to a predetermined position according to the width of the paper to be discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 17a (or other discharge trays 17b to 17e), and the discharge tray When the edge in the horizontal width direction of the paper discharged and stacked on 17a (or other paper discharge trays 17b to 17e) abuts the side fences 31a and 31b, the paper discharge tray 17a (or other paper discharge tray) It is possible to align sheets in the width direction of sheets discharged and stacked on the trays 17b to 17e).
[0055]
  A sheet that is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 17a (or other discharge trays 17b to 17e) and aligned by the side fences 31a and 31b has a discharge direction.OrthogonalSince both sides in the direction to be placed on the inclined guide portions 63a and 63b are curved and supported in a substantially U shape that is warped upward (see FIG. 9), the paper discharge tray 17a (or The sheet alignment state in the lateral direction of the sheets discharged and stacked on the other discharge trays 17b to 17e) is improved, and the sheet bundle taken out from the discharge tray 17a (or the other discharge trays 17b to 17e) is improved. Therefore, it is not necessary to align the sheets again, and handling of the sheet bundle taken out from the discharge tray 17a (or other discharge trays 17b to 17e) is improved.
[0056]
Further, the side fences 31a and 31b and the side fence slide mechanism 32 are not provided for each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e, but may be provided as one set for the whole paper discharge stacking device, and for each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. Compared to the case of providing, the structure is cheaper.
[0057]
When the discharge table 15 is raised and lowered, the side fences 31a and 31b are slid to the retracted position. As a result, the delivery table 15 is raised and lowered smoothly without interfering with the side fences 31a and 31b.
[0058]
  Next, the first of the present invention2The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the part demonstrated in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 9 is shown with the same code | symbol, and description is also abbreviate | omitted. In the present embodiment, each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e is provided with an end fence 64. The end fence 64 is arranged along the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged onto the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e by the slide holding mechanism 65. And is slidably held. Further, the sheet discharged from the end fence 64 of the sheet discharge tray 17a (or other sheet discharge trays 17b to 17e) positioned at a predetermined position where the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 13 are stacked. A slide drive mechanism 66 that slides to an arbitrary position according to the length dimension along the paper discharge direction is provided.
[0059]
Here, the slide holding mechanism 65 will be described in detail. A slit 67 is formed in the central portion of each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e along the paper discharge direction, and a slide rail 68 extending along the paper discharge direction is disposed in the slit 67. 68 is fixed to each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e at both ends thereof. The slide rail 68 is provided with a slider 69 which is coupled so as to sandwich the slide rail 68 from above and below and is slidable along the slide rail 68, and a lower end portion of the end fence 64 is fixed to the slider 69.
[0060]
A driving pulley 70 and a driven pulley 71 are attached to the back surface side of each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e at a position along the paper discharge direction on the side of the slide rail 68. A timing belt 72 is stretched between the driven pulley 71 and the driven pulley 71. The timing belt 72 and the slider 69 are fixed by a fixing member (not shown). A rotary shaft 73 to which the drive pulley 70 is fixed is provided so as to pass through the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. A drive gear 74 is fixed to a portion of the rotary shaft 73 that protrudes from the upper surface side of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. Has been. A rotation shaft 75 is erected in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 73 on the upper surface side of each of the paper discharge trays 17 a to 17 e, and a connection gear 76 that always meshes with the drive gear 74 is attached to the rotation shaft 75. The slide holding mechanism 65 is configured by the slide rail 68, the slider 69, the driving pulley 70, the driven pulley 71, the timing belt 72, the driving gear 74, the coupling gear 76, and the like.
[0061]
Next, the slide drive mechanism 66 will be described in detail. On the left side surface of the main body case 10, a support stay 77 connecting the front plate 7 and the rear plate 8 is provided on the lower side in parallel with the guide rail 33. A bracket 78 is fixed to the support stay 77, and a solenoid 79, a lever 81 formed in a substantially L shape and rotatable around a support shaft 80, a drive motor 82, and a motor of the drive motor 82 are fixed to the bracket 78. A drive gear 83 fixed to the shaft, an idle gear 84 that always meshes with the drive gear 83, a rotation bracket 86 that is rotatable around a central shaft 85 of the idle gear 84, and the like are attached. The rotation bracket 86 is attached with a rotation gear 87 that always meshes with the idle gear 84 and meshes with the coupling gear 76 in a freely detachable manner. One end of the lever 81 is connected to the tip of the plunger 88 of the solenoid 79, and a roller 89 is attached to the other end of the lever 81. The roller 89 is slidably fitted into a guide hole 90 formed in the rotating bracket 86. Are combined. The solenoid 79, lever 81, drive motor 82, drive gear 83, idle gear 84, rotation bracket 86, rotation gear 87, etc. constitute a slide drive mechanism 66.
[0062]
A filler 91 is fixed to the slider 69, and a home sensor 92 that detects that the end fence 64 has slid to the home position (the maximum slide position farthest from the paper discharge position) by detecting the filler 91 is a bracket. 78.
[0063]
In such a configuration, the sheets stacked on the sheet discharge trays 17a to 17e are aligned in the sheet discharge direction by abutting the end of the sheet discharge direction on the end fence 64.
[0064]
Further, when any one of the discharge trays 17a (or the other discharge trays 17b to 17e) is positioned at a predetermined position where the sheets are discharged and stacked by raising and lowering the discharge table 15, the discharge stacking is performed. The end fence 64 on the paper discharge tray 17a (or other paper discharge trays 17b to 17e) can be automatically slid to an arbitrary position according to the length dimension of the paper to be discharged in the paper discharge direction.
[0065]
During the sliding operation of the end fence 64, the plunger 88 is retracted by energizing the solenoid 79, and the lever 81 is rotated counterclockwise around the support shaft 80 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. By this rotation, the rotation bracket 86 rotates around the central axis 85 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the rotation gear 87 attached to the rotation bracket 86 rotates to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. Then, the rotating gear 87 and the connecting gear 76 are engaged with each other.
[0066]
When the drive motor 82 is driven when the rotation gear 87 and the connection gear 76 are engaged with each other, the rotation from the drive motor 82 is driven by the drive gear 83, the idle gear 84, the rotation gear 87, the connection gear 76, and the drive gear. The drive pulley 70 is rotationally driven integrally with the drive gear 74. Then, when the driving pulley 70 rotates, the timing belt 72 stretched between the driving pulley 70 and the driven pulley 71 rotates, and the slider 69 connected to the timing belt 72 moves along the slide rail 68. The end fence 64 slides integrally with the slider 69. Then, the slide operation of the end fence 64 is performed by controlling the number of drive pulses of the drive motor 82 from the home position of the end fence 64 where the filler 91 is detected by the home sensor 92, thereby moving the end fence 64 to an arbitrary position. Can be slid.
[0067]
After the end fence 64 is slid to an arbitrary position and the energization to the solenoid 79 is interrupted, the plunger 88 protrudes to the position indicated by the solid line and the lever 81 and the rotation bracket 86 rotate to the original position indicated by the solid line. Then, the meshing between the rotating gear 87 and the connecting gear 76 is released.
[0068]
Here, the end fence 64 is slid to an optimum position according to the length dimension in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged and stacked on each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. And the handling of the sheet bundle taken out from the discharge trays 17a to 17e becomes easy.
[0069]
Further, the slide drive mechanism 66 is not provided for each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e, but may be provided for the entire paper discharge stacking apparatus, and is less expensive than the case of providing the slide drive mechanism 66 for each of the paper discharge trays 17a to 17e. Structure.
[0070]
When the energization of the solenoid 79 is interrupted and the meshing between the rotation gear 87 and the connecting gear 76 is released, the slide drive mechanism 66 comes to a position where it does not interfere with the ascending / descending sheet discharge table 15. Ascending and descending 15 is performed smoothly.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
According to the discharge stacking apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet discharge tray is moved up and down by the elevating mechanism so that each discharge tray is positioned at a predetermined position where the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus. The paper discharged from the apparatus can be sorted and stacked on each paper discharge tray for each predetermined number or paper size, and the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus can be loaded with a number of transport rollers and transport belts. Can be immediately stacked on the paper discharge tray without being transported, etc., so that paper can be prevented from wrinkling and image deterioration during the transport process. Raising the paper output tray when removing the paper removes the need for the operator to bend down when taking out the paper bundle from the lowest paper output tray. It is possible to reduce the.
[0072]
  Also,The side fence is slid to a position corresponding to the width of the paper to be discharged on the paper discharge tray on which the paper is discharged, thereby aligning the paper stacked in the width direction on the paper discharge tray. In addition, the side fence and the side fence slide mechanism may be provided in one set for the entire discharge stacking apparatus, so that the structure can be made cheaper than the case of providing for each discharge tray. By sliding the side fence to the retracted position outside the sheet discharge table when the sheet discharge table is raised and lowered, the sheet discharge table can be raised and lowered smoothly.
[0073]
  Claim2According to the discharge stacking apparatus of the invention described above, by providing the side guide with the inclined guide portion, both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray are warped upward. It can be bent and supported in a substantially U-shape, and can improve the sheet alignment state of the sheets stacked on the discharge tray in the width direction. It is not necessary to align the sheets again, and the handling of the sheet bundle taken out from the sheet discharge tray can be improved.
[0074]
  Claim3According to the discharge stacking device of the invention described above, since the side fence slide mechanism has the slide position detection means for detecting the slide position of the side fence, the slide position of the side fence can be reliably controlled, and the paper It is possible to reliably align the paper in the width direction for each size.
[0075]
  Claim4According to the discharge stacking device of the invention described above, the discharge tray has the lift position detecting means for detecting that the discharge tray has moved up and down to a position where the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus can be stacked. Thus, it is possible to reliably stack the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus on a desired paper discharge tray.
[0076]
  Claim5, 6According to the discharge stacking device of the invention described above, the discharge tray is moved up and down to position one of the discharge trays at a predetermined position where the sheets are discharged and stacked, and then the end fence of the discharge tray is moved. By sliding the paper ejected by the slide drive mechanism to an arbitrary position according to the length dimension in the paper ejection direction, the paper sheets stacked on the paper ejection tray can be aligned by the end fence. It can be performed at an optimum position according to the length dimension in the paper direction, and the paper alignment performance by the end fence can be improved. Further, since only one slide driving mechanism is provided in the entire paper discharge stacking apparatus, each discharge mechanism is provided. Compared with the case where each paper tray is provided, the structure can be made cheaper.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 of the present inventionPremiseIt is a front view which shows the internal structure of the paper discharge stacking apparatus of a form.
FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 4 shows the first aspect of the present invention.1It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the paper discharge | emission stacking apparatus of embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a part thereof.
FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing a part thereof.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a part thereof in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a stacking state of sheets on a sheet discharge tray.
FIG. 10 shows the first of the present invention.2It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the paper discharge | stacking stacking apparatus of embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view showing a part thereof.
FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating an example of a conventional paper discharge stacking apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a side view showing another conventional paper discharge stacking apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
13 Image forming apparatus
15 Output tray
16 Lifting mechanism
17a-17e Paper discharge tray
29a-29e Lift position detection means
31a, 31b Side fence
32 Side fence slide mechanism
58 Slide position detection means
63a, 63b Inclined guide part
64 End fence
65 Slide holding mechanism
66 Slide drive mechanism

Claims (6)

In a paper discharge stacking device in which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked,
A paper tray that integrally holds a plurality of trays arranged in a vertical direction;
An elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the output tray so that the output tray is positioned at a predetermined position;
A pair of side fences located on both sides in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus;
A side fence slide mechanism that slides the side fence to an arbitrary position in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper and to a position including a retreat position that is outside the paper discharge table that moves up and down;
A paper discharge stacking apparatus comprising: The side fence has an inclined guide portion that supports the sheets stacked and discharged on the discharge tray by curving them into a substantially U shape in which both sides in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction are warped upward. The paper discharge stacking apparatus according to claim 1 . 3. The paper discharge stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side fence slide mechanism includes a slide position detection unit that detects a slide position of the side fence. 3. The lifting / discharging position detecting means for detecting that the discharging tray has moved up and down to a position where the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus is stacked. Or the paper discharge stacking apparatus according to 3 . In a paper discharge stacking device in which sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus are sequentially stacked,
A paper tray that integrally holds a plurality of trays arranged in a vertical direction;
An elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the output tray so that the output tray is positioned at a predetermined position;
An end fence provided in the paper discharge tray and in contact with a paper discharge direction leading end of the paper discharged on the paper discharge tray;
A slide holding mechanism for slidably holding the end fence along the paper discharge direction;
A slide drive mechanism for driving the slide holding mechanism provided in the paper discharge tray that has been moved up and down to a predetermined position by raising and lowering the paper discharge table and sliding the end fence provided in the paper discharge tray to an arbitrary position;
5. The paper discharge stacking device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 . In the paper discharge stacking device in which the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus is sequentially stacked,
A paper tray that integrally holds a plurality of trays arranged in the vertical direction;
An elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the paper output tray so that the paper output tray is positioned at a predetermined position;
An end fence provided in the paper discharge tray and abutted against a front end portion of the paper discharged in the paper discharge direction;
A slide holding mechanism that slidably holds the end fence along the paper discharge direction;
A slide drive mechanism for driving the slide holding mechanism provided in the paper discharge tray that has been moved up and down to a predetermined position by raising and lowering the paper discharge table and sliding the end fence provided in the paper discharge tray to an arbitrary position;
A paper discharge stacking apparatus comprising:

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