JP4243343B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that can perform reverse paper discharge and straight paper discharge.

  As an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer / fax / copier multifunction machine, etc., a recording head (image forming means) composed of a droplet discharge head for discharging recording liquid droplets is used. While transporting, a recording liquid droplet (hereinafter also referred to as an ink droplet) is a sheet of paper (material is not limited to paper, but means that the droplet adheres to the recording medium, the recording medium, 2. Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses that perform image formation (recording, printing, and printing are also used synonymously) by attaching to a transfer material and the like are also known.

  As a droplet discharge head, a piezo type using an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element, or an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor arranged in the discharge is used to generate bubbles by boiling the ink film. A thermal type that discharges ink droplets, an electrostatic type that discharges ink droplets by deforming a diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the discharge chamber with an electrostatic force, and the like are used.

By the way, in such an image forming apparatus of the ink jet recording method, since the ink immediately after the image is formed is not completely dried, generally, the image is linear after the image is formed on the fed paper. The straight sheet discharge is employed in which the sheet is discharged face-up with the image forming surface facing up.
JP 11-286363 A

In addition, there is a paper that enables reverse paper discharge in which a sheet on which an image is formed is reversed and conveyed and discharged face down.
JP 2003-292224 A

  In an apparatus that performs straight sheet discharge as described above, the occupied space of the entire apparatus including discharged sheets becomes large. On the other hand, in a device that performs reverse paper discharge, when printing on paper on which ink such as OHP is difficult to dry, the printing surface may be rubbed against the guide member during reversal, and the image may deteriorate. When using paper, it cannot be reversed and may jam.

  Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which both straight paper discharge and reverse paper discharge can be selected, but in such a configuration, the paper discharge path must be switched and the paper discharge path switching operation is forgotten. In such a case, there is a risk that the image quality may be lowered or a jam may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved usability by switching between straight paper discharge and reverse paper discharge with a simple operation.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
In an image forming apparatus capable of reverse paper discharge that discharges paper on which an image is formed face-down and straight paper discharge that discharges face-up,
A straight discharge tray on which paper discharged from the straight discharge path can be placed and can be folded from the stowed state to the use position;
A switching member for switching between the reverse discharge path and the straight discharge path;
A swinging member disposed between the straight paper discharge tray and the switching member and not connected to the straight paper discharge tray and the switching member,
The swing member has a link piece made of an elastic member that comes into contact with the straight paper discharge tray only when the straight paper discharge tray is opened to the open position, and an arm portion engageable with the switching member. Have
The swinging member swings and the switching member is switched to the straight paper discharge path when the straight paper discharge tray is opened to the open position .

  Further, it is preferable that the image forming means for forming an image on the sheet includes a droplet discharge head for discharging a droplet of the recording liquid.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a straight discharge tray on which a sheet discharged from the straight discharge path is placed, which can be turned from the accommodation state to the use position, the reverse discharge path, and the straight discharge. A switching member that switches between the path, and a swinging member that is disposed between the straight discharge tray and the switching member and that is not connected to the straight discharge tray and the switching member. It has a link piece made of an elastic member that comes into contact with the straight paper discharge tray only when the paper discharge tray is opened to the open position, and has an arm portion that can be engaged with the switching member. since the switching member by swinging member swings when opened to tilted position is switched to straight discharge path side, switch the straight discharge and reverse discharge only operation of the straight discharge tray Rukoto can be usability is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of an image forming unit of the apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 2 for forming an image, a sub-scanning conveying unit 3, and the like inside the apparatus main body 1 (housing), and a paper feeding unit 4 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 1. To a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “paper”, but is not limited to paper) 5 is fed one by one, and the sub-scanning conveying unit 3 conveys the sheet 5 at a position facing the image forming unit 2. However, after forming (recording) a required image by ejecting droplets onto the paper 5 by the image forming unit 2, the paper 5 is placed on the paper discharge tray 7 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 through the paper discharge transport unit 6. Is ejected.

  The image forming apparatus also has an image reading unit (scanner) for reading an image above the discharge tray 8 above the apparatus main body 1 as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2. Part) 11. The image reading unit 11 includes a scanning optical system 15 including an illumination light source 13 and a mirror 14 and a scanning optical system 18 including mirrors 16 and 17. The scanned document image is read as an image signal by the image reading element 20 disposed behind the lens 19, and the read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing, and the image-processed print data is printed. be able to. A pressure plate 10 is provided on the contact glass 12 for pressing the document.

  Further, this image forming apparatus uses an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer, an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner, and an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera as an input system for image data (print data) formed by the image forming unit 2. For example, print data including image data from the host side can be received via a cable or a network, and the received print data can be processed and printed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 2 of the image forming apparatus is guided by a carriage guide 21 and moved on a carriage 23 that can move in a main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction). A recording head 24 for discharging droplets of different colors is mounted, the carriage 23 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the droplets are discharged from the recording head 24 while feeding the paper 5 in the paper transport direction (sub-scanning direction). The shuttle type is used for image formation.

  The recording head 24 includes four liquid droplet ejection heads that eject black (Bk) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink, respectively, and a sub tank 25 mounted on the carriage 23. Are supplied with ink of each color. Ink is replenished and supplied to each sub tank 25 from an ink cartridge 26 (FIG. 1) of each color which is a main tank detachably mounted in the apparatus main body 1 through a tube (not shown). In addition to the recording head 24 that discharges ink droplets, a recording head that discharges a fixing treatment liquid (fixing ink) that reacts with the recording liquid (ink) to improve the fixing property of the ink can be provided.

  Further, in the non-printing area on one side of the scanning direction of the carriage 23, a maintenance / recovery mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "subsystem") including the head cleaning device according to the present invention for maintaining and recovering the state of the nozzles of the recording head 24. .) 27 is arranged. The subsystem 27 includes cap members 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d for capping the nozzle surface of the recording head 24, a wiper blade 29 for wiping the nozzle surface, and the like.

  The sub-scanning conveyance unit 3 is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the image forming unit 2 with a pair of printing unit conveyance rollers 34 that conveys the sheet 5 fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 upward. A printing unit conveyance roller 31 that conveys the sheet 5 with its conveyance direction changed by approximately 90 degrees, and a pressing roller 32 that also serves as a roller that defines the feed angle of the sheet 5 from the printing unit conveyance roller 31. A sheet guide plate that is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 2 in the sheet conveying direction and includes a pair of printing unit conveying rollers 33 that conveys the sheet 5 and that guides the lower surface of the sheet 5 to face the image forming unit 2. 35 is arranged. Note that, here, the paper 5 is transported by the transport roller, but it may be transported by, for example, an electrostatic transport belt that sucks and transports the paper 5 by electrostatic suction.

  The paper feed unit 4 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 1, and a paper feed cassette 41 for stacking and storing a large number of papers 5 and a paper feed for separating and feeding the papers 5 in the paper feed cassette 41 one by one. A paper roller 42 and a friction pad 43 are provided.

  The image forming apparatus includes a manual feed tray 46 that can be turned upside down and loaded with sheets 5 and accommodated on one side of the apparatus main body 1 in order to perform manual paper feed and straight paper discharge with face-up. ing.

  The paper discharge transport unit 6 feeds the paper 5 fed from the paper discharge roller pair 61, the paper discharge roller pair 62, and the paper discharge roller pair 62 for transporting the paper 5 on which image formation has been performed. A reverse roller pair 63 and a reverse paper discharge roller pair 64 for reversely passing through and feeding to the paper discharge tray 7 face down.

  Further, the paper discharge transport unit 6 has a straight paper discharge path 66 for straightly discharging and conveying the paper 5 on which the image has been formed face-up, and the apparatus from the paper discharge roller pair 62 through the straight paper discharge path 66. The paper can be discharged to a straight paper discharge tray (straight paper discharge cover) 67 provided on the other side of the main body 1 so as to be foldable.

  Switching between the reverse sheet discharge path 65 and the straight sheet discharge path 67 is performed in conjunction with the movement of the straight sheet discharge tray 67 used for straight sheet discharge, as will be described below.

  Therefore, details of the portion related to the switching of the paper discharge path in the paper discharge transport unit 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state where the paper is switched to the reverse paper discharge path, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the paper is switched to the straight paper discharge path.

  First, in order to form a conveyance path for the sheet 5 on which image formation has been performed, a guide plate 102 that reaches a pair of discharge conveyance rollers 61, a pair of discharge rollers 62, a reverse roller pair 63, and a reverse discharge roller pair 64; A guide plate 103 that forms a conveyance path 101 facing the guide plate 102 from the paper discharge roller pair 61 to the paper discharge roller pair 62 and a guide plate 102 from the paper discharge roller pair 62 to the reverse roller pair 63. A reverse reversal discharge plate 65 that forms a part of a reverse reversal discharge path 65 that faces the conveying path 101 and a reverse reversal discharge that faces the guide plate 102 from the reversal roller pair 63 to the reversal discharge roller pair 64. A guide plate 105 that forms the remainder of the path 65 is included.

  The movable reversal guide plate 104 is a member that forms a reverse discharge path 65 and a switching member that switches between the reverse discharge path 65 and the straight discharge path 66, and is conveyed by retreating from the reverse discharge path 65. This is a member that opens a straight paper discharge path 66 following the path 101 and becomes a part of a paper discharge tray that receives a part of the paper 5 to be straight discharged.

  Here, the guide plates 102, 103, and 105 are illustrated as continuous members for the sake of simplicity, but are not particularly limited, such as those in which a plurality of members are continuously arranged. Further, a regulation guide plate 106 that regulates the rear end of the straightly ejected paper 5 is provided on the leading end side of the guide plate 103 from the pair of paper ejection rollers 62 downward.

  On the other hand, the straight discharge tray 67 has a lower end 67a at a position (storage position) shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and a position (use position) shown by a solid line in FIG. It is held so that it can be flipped between.

  A link mechanism 111 is interposed between the lower end 67 a of the straight paper discharge tray 67 and the movable reversing guide plate 104. In the link mechanism 111, one end of a link 112 is rotatably supported by a shaft 113 on a lower end portion 67a of the straight sheet discharge tray 67, and a movable reversing guide plate 104 is disposed on a distal end portion 114a on the other end of the link 112. One end of the link 114 fixed to the shaft is rotatably supported by a shaft 115, and an intermediate portion of the link 114 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 116 fixed to the frame of the apparatus main body 1.

  With this configuration, when the straight sheet discharge tray 67 is lowered from the stored state shown in FIG. 3 to the use position shown in the phantom line in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the link 112 of the link mechanism 111 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow B. As a result, the link 114 rotates about the support shaft 116 in the direction of arrow C, and the straight sheet discharge tray 67 and the movable reversing guide plate 104 are in the state shown in FIG.

  As a result, the movable reversing guide plate 104 is separated from the reverse discharge path 65, and a straight discharge path 66 is formed in which the sheet 5 fed from the discharge roller pair 62 can linearly travel, and the discharge path is reversed. The paper discharge path 65 is switched to the straight paper discharge path 66.

  When the straight discharge tray 67 is returned to the storage position in FIG. 3 from this state, the movable reversing guide plate 104 returns to the position facing the guide plate 102 via the link mechanism 111 by the movement in the opposite direction to that described above. The reverse paper discharge path 65 is formed, the straight paper discharge path 66 is closed, and the paper discharge path is switched from the straight paper discharge path 66 to the reverse paper discharge path 65.

  Therefore, in a state where the straight discharge tray 67 is closed as shown in FIG. 3, the sheet 5 on which the image has been formed passes through the discharge roller pair 62 and then passes through the reverse discharge path 65 by the reverse roller pair 63. The paper is conveyed and discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 face-down through the reverse paper discharge roller pair 64.

  In the state where the straight discharge tray 67 is opened as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet 5 on which the image has been formed passes through the discharge roller pair 62 and then is discharged by the discharge roller pair 62. Are discharged on the straight discharge tray 67 face up.

  At this time, the movable reversing guide plate 104 also serves as a part of the paper discharge tray on which the rear end portion of the discharged paper 5 is placed. As described above, the movable reversing guide plate 104 serving as a switching member also serves as a part of the paper discharge tray, so that even when the length of the straight paper discharge tray 67 is short, the large-size paper 5 can be discharged. Further, it is not necessary to secure a storage space for the movable reversing guide plate 104.

  In this way, by having both a reverse paper discharge path and a straight paper discharge path, the installation area of the device can be saved, and it is also possible to handle paper that is difficult to reverse such as OHP and other recording liquids that are difficult to dry or thick paper. Will be able to.

  At this time, the reverse paper discharge path and the straight paper discharge path are switched in conjunction with the movement of the paper discharge tray used for straight paper discharge. Will switch to improve usability.

  In addition, since the switching member that switches the paper discharge path also serves as a member that guides the paper that is reversed or straightly discharged, the path can be switched and the paper can be stably conveyed with a small number of members.

  Next, the configuration of the paper discharge transport unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the paper is switched to the reverse paper discharge path, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the paper is switched to the straight paper discharge path, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIGS. It is.

  This paper discharge unit is a switching unit that is integrally provided with a movable reversing guide plate 204 that forms a part of a reverse paper discharge path 65 for discharging the paper 5 fed from the paper discharge roller pair 62 to the paper discharge tray 7. The member 201 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 202. The switching member 201 is urged to a state shown by a solid line in FIGS. 5 and 7 by a spring (not shown). The reverse paper discharge path 65 includes guide plates 102A and 105A and a movable reverse guide plate (member) 204.

  Further, the straight discharge guide plate (member) 207 for forming the straight discharge path 66 for discharging the sheet 5 fed from the discharge roller pair 62 to the straight discharge tray 167 is reversed. It is arranged below. The straight discharge guide plate 207 is held by the support shaft 202 of the switching member 201. In addition, a double-sided conveyance guide 208 is provided with the front end facing the lower roller of the paper discharge roller pair 62 used during double-sided printing.

  On the other hand, the straight discharge tray 167 is pivotally supported on the frame of the apparatus main body 1 by a support shaft 210 so that the straight discharge tray 167 can be turned up and down, and the straight discharge tray 167 is interlocked with the straight discharge tray 167. The interlocking mechanism 211 including the switching member 201 described above is provided between the movable reversing guide plate 104 and the movable reversing guide plate 104.

  The interlocking mechanism 211 can swing a swing member 212 that is not connected to the straight discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201 between the lower end portion 167a of the straight discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201 with a shaft 213. It is pivotally supported.

  The swing member 212 includes a link piece made of an elastic member such as a leaf spring that is pushed up by abutting against the lower end portion 167a of the straight paper discharge tray 167 only when the straight paper discharge tray 167 is opened to the open position. 214 is attached, and the swinging member 212 is integrally provided with an arm portion 215 that can be engaged with the protrusion 203 provided integrally with the switching member 201.

  With this configuration, when the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is lowered from the stored state shown by the solid line in FIGS. 5 and 7 to the use position in the direction of arrow A, the lower end 167a of the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is moved to the interlock mechanism 211. Since the link member 214 is engaged and pushed up, the swinging member 212 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D, and the arm portion 215 of the swinging member 212 engages with the projection 203 of the switching member 201. Therefore, the switching member 201 rotates in the direction of arrow E.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the switching member 201 is in a state in which the upstream end portion 204 a of the movable reversing guide plate 204 is above the discharge port portion of the discharge roller pair 62. The straight paper discharge path 66 that allows the paper 5 fed out from the paper to travel linearly on the straight paper discharge guide plate 207 is opened, and the paper discharge path is switched from the reverse paper discharge path 65 to the straight paper discharge path 66. .

  When the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is returned to the storage position in FIG. 5 from this state, the switching member 201 is returned to the original state via the interlocking mechanism 211 by the movement in the reverse direction to that described above, and the movable reversing guide plate 204 is moved to the guide plate. Returning to the position opposite to 102, the upstream end 204 a of the movable reversing guide plate 204 is positioned below the discharge port portion of the discharge roller pair 62, and a reverse discharge path 65 is formed. 66 is closed.

  In either case, the straight discharge guide plate 207 does not swing, but when the double-sided printing function is provided and the double-sided printing is performed, the straight discharge guide plate 207 and the reverse discharge guide plate 204 in FIG. The straight paper discharge guide plate 207 and the double-sided conveyance guide plate 208 can be opened by swinging in the direction E.

  Therefore, when the straight paper discharge tray 167 is closed as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet 5 on which image formation has been performed passes through the paper discharge roller pair 62 and is then guided by the movable reversal guide plate 204 to be the reverse roller pair. In 63, the paper is conveyed in the reverse paper discharge path 65 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 through the reverse paper discharge roller pair 64 face down.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the straight paper discharge tray 167 is opened, the sheet 5 on which image formation has been performed passes through the paper discharge roller pair 62 and is then moved by the paper discharge roller pair 62. The paper is transported along a straight paper discharge path 66 passing between the lower side and the upper side of the straight paper discharge guide plate 207, and discharged face up on the straight paper discharge tray 167.

  In this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 211 interlocks the paper discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201 by the swinging member 212 that is not mutually connected between the paper discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201. Less likely to cause malfunction. In addition, since the interlocking mechanism 211 includes an elastic member such as a leaf spring (here, the link piece 214), the engagement of the elastic member is more reliably reduced, and a stable switching operation can be performed over a long period of time. Can do.

  Next, the configuration of the paper discharge conveyance unit of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the paper is switched to the reverse paper discharge path, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the paper is switched to the straight paper discharge path.

  In this embodiment, the swing member 212 of the interlocking mechanism 211 of the second embodiment is replaced with a swing member 312. That is, the swinging member 312 is a member that is not connected to the straight discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201 between the lower end portion 167 a of the straight discharge tray 167 and the switching member 201, and is swung by the shaft 313. It is pivotally supported.

  The swing member 312 is integrally formed with a link piece 314 that is pushed up by abutting against the lower end portion 167a of the straight paper discharge tray 167 only when the straight paper discharge tray 167 is opened to the open position. In addition, the swing member 312 is integrally provided with an arm portion 315 that can be engaged with a pin 316 planted on a projection 203 provided integrally with the switching member 201.

  With this configuration, when the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is lowered from the stored state shown by the solid line in FIGS. 5 and 7 to the use position in the direction of arrow A, the lower end 167a of the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is moved to the interlock mechanism 211. Since the swing member 312 is engaged with one end of the link piece 314 and pushed up, the swing member 312 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow D, and the arm portion 315 of the swing member 312 is the protrusion of the switching member 201. Since the pin 316 is engaged and pushed down, the switching member 201 rotates in the direction of arrow E.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the switching member 201 is in a state in which the upstream end portion 204 a of the movable reversing guide plate 204 is above the discharge port portion of the discharge roller pair 62. The straight paper discharge path 66 that allows the paper 5 fed out from the paper to travel linearly along the straight paper discharge guide plate 207 is opened, and the paper discharge path is switched from the reverse paper discharge path 65 to the straight paper discharge path 66. Become.

  When the straight sheet discharge tray 167 is returned to the storage position in FIG. 8 from this state, the switching member 201 returns to the original position via the interlocking mechanism 211 due to the movement in the opposite direction to that described above, and the movable reversing guide plate 204 becomes the guide plate. Returning to the position opposite to 102, the upstream end 204 a of the movable reversing guide plate 204 is positioned below the discharge port portion of the discharge roller pair 62, and a reverse discharge path 65 is formed. 66 is closed.

  Therefore, in the state where the straight paper discharge tray 167 is closed as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet 5 on which the image has been formed passes through the paper discharge roller pair 62 and is then guided by the movable reverse guide plate 204 to be the reverse roller pair. In 63, the paper is conveyed in the reverse paper discharge path 65 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 through the reverse paper discharge roller pair 64 face down.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the straight paper discharge tray 167 is opened, the sheet 5 on which image formation has been performed passes through the paper discharge roller pair 62 and is then moved by the paper discharge roller pair 62. The paper is transported along a straight paper discharge path 66 passing between the lower side and the upper side of the straight paper discharge guide plate 207, and discharged face up on the straight paper discharge tray 167.

  In this embodiment, the swinging member 312 of the interlocking mechanism 211 is not provided with an elastic member such as a spring, but the second member is formed by forming the swinging member 312 with a member having some elasticity such as resin. The same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus using a droplet discharge head has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus using image forming means such as an electrophotographic system. is there.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a paper discharge conveyance unit is switched to a reverse paper discharge path for explaining a paper discharge conveyance unit in the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the state similarly switched to the straight paper discharge path | route. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a paper discharge conveyance unit is switched to a reverse paper discharge path for explaining a paper discharge conveyance unit in a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state similarly switched to the straight paper discharge path | route. It is a principal part expansion explanatory drawing similarly. It is explanatory drawing of the state switched to the reverse paper discharge path | route explaining the paper discharge conveyance part in 3rd Embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the state similarly switched to the straight paper discharge path | route.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Apparatus main body 2 ... Image formation part 3 ... Sub-scanning conveyance part 4 ... Paper feed part 5 ... Paper (recording medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Paper discharge conveyance part 7 ... Paper discharge tray 11 ... Image reading part 23 ... Carriage 24 ... Recording head 62 ... Paper discharge roller pair 63 ... Reverse roller pair 64 ... Reverse paper discharge roller pair 65 ... Reverse paper discharge path 66 ... Straight Paper discharge path 67, 167 ... Straight paper discharge tray 104, 204 ... Movable reversing guide plate 211 ... Link mechanism 201 ... Switching member 211 ... Interlock mechanism 212 ... Swing member

Claims (2)

In an image forming apparatus capable of reverse paper discharge that discharges paper on which an image is formed face-down and straight paper discharge that discharges face-up,
A straight discharge tray on which paper discharged from the straight discharge path can be placed and can be folded from the stowed state to the use position;
A switching member for switching between the reverse discharge path and the straight discharge path;
A swinging member disposed between the straight paper discharge tray and the switching member and not connected to the straight paper discharge tray and the switching member,
The swing member has a link piece made of an elastic member that comes into contact with the straight paper discharge tray only when the straight paper discharge tray is opened to the open position, and an arm portion engageable with the switching member. Have
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the swinging member swings and the switching member is switched to the straight paper discharge path when the straight paper discharge tray is opened to the open position . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet includes a droplet discharge head that discharges droplets of a recording liquid.

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