JP4405646B2 - Sheet discharging apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as a sheet, for example, a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, and in particular, discharges a sheet provided in these apparatuses. The present invention relates to a sheet discharging apparatus for performing the above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, sheet discharge devices provided in this type of image forming apparatus include face-down discharge that discharges with the image-formed surface down and face-up discharge that discharges with the image-formed surface up. As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-46066, a sheet discharge device has been proposed that can switch between face-down discharge and face-up discharge (see FIG. 8).
[0003]
The sheet discharge device 207 has a guide surface (sheet guide) 225 for face-down discharge that is integrated with the sheet stacking tray 223, and the sheet discharge device 207 can rotate a certain amount around a pin 233. It has a configuration.
[0004]
In a state where the sheet stacking tray 223 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 202, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 221 is guided to the guide surface 225 and the discharge guide 208, and is stacked via the roller pair 222. It is ejected and loaded face-down on section 209.
[0005]
Further, in a state where the sheet stacking tray 223 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 202, the sheet passes through the lower side of the guide surface 225 and is discharged and stacked on the stacking surface 224.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the prior art as described above, the following problems have occurred.
[0007]
When a sheet jam occurs in the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 221, the guide surface 225 or the like becomes an obstacle, and the jam processing is very difficult.
[0008]
For this reason, in order for the operator to put his hand near the discharge roller pair 221 and handle the sheet jam, the entire sheet discharge device 207 is isolated from the apparatus main body and the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 221 is exposed. Since it was necessary, it was a cause of cost increase such as a complicated configuration and an increased number of parts.
[0009]
In order to isolate the entire sheet discharging apparatus 207 from the apparatus main body, an extremely complicated operation is required by the operator, and the operation of returning the sheet discharging apparatus 207 to the apparatus main body 202 is the same.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to have a selection function of face-down paper discharge and face-up paper discharge, excellent jam handling, and An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discharge apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can be simplified in configuration.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A first sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet with one side of the sheet facing down;
The sheet conveyed along the first sheet discharge path is guided at the first position, and branched from the first sheet discharge path at the second position where the first sheet discharge path is opened. A sheet stacking member that forms a second sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet with the one surface of the sheet facing up, and stacks the sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path. In the discharge device,
A support member that is pivotally supported by one of the apparatus main body and the sheet stacking member and is detachably provided on the other, and supports the sheet stacking member at the second position;
When the support state of the support member is released, the sheet stacking member takes a third position opened from the second position with respect to the apparatus body,
The support member is
An engagement member provided on the support member;
A guide hole that is provided in the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member and that slidably guides the engaging member that moves as the sheet stacking member moves between the first and second positions; A notch provided in an intermediate part, a guide part for guiding the engaging member to the notch,
Is provided in a freely detachable manner on the other side,
The engagement member is guided to the notch by the guide portion in conjunction with the movement of the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position, and then guided from the notch to the guide. and fitted into the hole and wherein the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member and engaging match Turkey by a slidable said guide bore.
[0013]
In the second position, the support member guides the sheet discharged along said second sheet discharge path to the sheet stacking member, or is discharged along said second sheet discharge path It is also preferable to stack sheets together with the sheet stacking member.
[0014]
It is also preferable that the guide hole is provided so that a moving region of the support member that moves as the sheet stacking member moves to the first position is outside an interference range of the first sheet discharge path. is there.
[0015]
It is also preferable that the guide hole is provided so that the support member is accommodated in the sheet stacking member.
[0016]
In the image forming apparatus, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
The sheet discharge device described above for discharging a sheet image-formed by the image forming unit;
It is characterized by providing.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.
[0018]
(Embodiment 1)
The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a laser beam printer as an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0019]
In FIG. 2, 2 is a cassette for storing sheets 1 as recording media, 3 is a sheet feeding roller for feeding sheets 1 stored in the cassette 2 one by one, and 4 is fed from the sheet feeding roller 3. A first conveying roller 5 that conveys the sheet 1 is a second conveying roller that conveys the sheet 1 conveyed by the first conveying roller 4 to the transfer unit.
[0020]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum 6a, toner (not shown), and a developing roller 6b. Reference numeral 7 denotes a transfer roller for transferring a toner image to the sheet 1 from the photosensitive drum 6a.
[0021]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a laser light source (not shown), a laser scanner having a scanner mirror 8a rotating at high speed, and a folding mirror 8b. Reference numeral 9 denotes a fixing roller having a fixing heater 9a serving as a heat source. Reference numeral 10 denotes a fixing roller for the sheet 1. Reference numeral 9 denotes a pressure roller that pressurizes 9, and 11 denotes an electrical board having a power source and electrical components for driving each mechanical component.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, the sheet discharge device 12 sandwiches the discharge roller pair 14 that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed that has passed through the fixing device 13 including the fixing roller 9 and the pressure roller 10, and the first sheet discharge path. A sheet stacking tray serving as a sheet stacking member that can be opened and closed about a shaft 18a that is fitted in an engagement hole provided in the apparatus main body. 18 and a discharge guide 17.
[0023]
The sheet stacking tray 18 is a sheet stacking surface 20 for stacking sheets discharged face-up along the second sheet discharge path, a sheet guide 21 for switching the sheet discharge path, and a support member for supporting the sheet stacking tray 18. And a side plate 19 provided with a guide hole 19a for guiding an engaging pin 23a as an engaging member of the hinge member 23, and is integrally formed of a resin material or the like.
[0024]
Further, the sheet stacking tray 18 is positioned so as to be rotatable by a shaft 18a in an engagement hole formed in the inner side surface of the image forming apparatus main body. The engagement pin 23 a provided on the hinge member 23 is slidably inserted into a guide hole 19 a provided on the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18.
[0025]
FIG. 3 shows a guide hole 19a provided in the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18. When the sheet stacking tray 18 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 1, the engagement of the hinge member 23 is shown. Since the pin 23a is positioned at the position 19c on the guide hole 19a, the sheet stacking tray 18 is supported by the hinge member 23 and maintains an open state.
[0026]
At this time, since the sheet guide portion 23b is formed on the upper surface of the hinge member 23, the sheets discharged by the discharge roller pair 14 are guided and stacked on the sheet stacking tray 18 by the sheet guide portion 23b.
[0027]
Further, when the operator moves the sheet stacking tray 18 from the opened state to the closed state as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging pin 23a of the hinge member 23 slides on the guide hole 19a together with the sheet stacking tray 18 to load the sheet. When the tray 18 is in the first position, which is completely closed, it is located at 19b.
[0028]
At this time, the hinge member 23 is positioned closer to the sheet stacking tray 18 than the sheet guide 21 provided on the sheet stacking tray 18, and does not hinder discharged sheets when face-down discharge is performed.
[0029]
Since the leading end position 21 a of the sheet guide 21 is positioned below the tangential direction from the nip position of the discharge roller, the sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is guided to the curved surface of the sheet guide 21 and cooperates with the discharge guide 17. Then, it is guided to the roller pair 15.
[0030]
The guide hole 19a on the side plate 19 of the sheet stacking tray 18 is provided with a notch 19d, and the engaging pin 23a on the hinge member 23 that slides on the guide hole 19a comes out of the notch 19d and is guided. Engagement with 19a is released.
[0031]
As a result, the sheet stacking tray 18 supported by the engaging pin 23a on the hinge member 23 and the guide hole 19a of the side plate 19 becomes rotatable about the shaft 18a and is opened to the third position shown in FIG. It becomes possible to do. At the same time, the hinge member 23 is also rotatable about the shaft 23c, and is similarly released to the position shown in FIG. 5, so that the sheet jam can be handled very easily.
[0032]
At this time, the engaging pin 23 a on the hinge member 23 rides on the guide rail 22 as a guide portion on the sheet stacking tray 18 and moves on the guide rail 22 in conjunction with the movement of the sheet stacking tray 18. .
[0033]
The engaging mechanism according to the present embodiment will be described. When the operation of closing the sheet stacking tray 18 is performed, the engaging pin 23a moves upward along the guide rails 22 along with the operation. Then, the sheet is stored in the sheet stacking tray 18 by being inserted into the guide hole 19a from the notch 19d.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0035]
An image is formed on the sheet upper surface of the sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller 3 through a transfer unit and a fixing unit. Then, the image-formed sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge device 12 by the discharge roller pair 14.
[0036]
When the sheet discharge device 12 is used as face-down discharge, the sheet stacking tray 18 is used in a closed state (first position) with respect to the apparatus main body as shown in FIGS. At the closed position of the sheet stacking tray 18, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is guided by the curved surface of the sheet guide 21 and the discharge guide 17, and the roller pair 15 and the apparatus main body. The sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking unit 16 formed on the upper surface with the image surface facing down.
[0037]
When the sheet discharge device 12 is used for face-up discharge, the sheet stacking tray 18 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body (at the second position) as shown in FIG. In this state, the image-formed sheet discharged from the discharge roller pair 14 is stacked face up on the sheet stacking surface 20 with the image forming surface facing up.
[0038]
At this time, since the sheet guide portion 23 b is provided on the hinge member 23, stacking is not hindered by protrusions, rollers or the like on the stacking tray 18.
[0039]
In order to change from the face-up discharge state to the face-down discharge state, the hinge member 23 is moved along the guide hole 19a by closing the sheet stacking tray 18, and is stored in the sheet discharge device 12.
[0040]
As described above, when performing face-down and face-up discharge, the sheet stacking tray 18 rotates about the shaft 18a, and the guide hole 19a on the side plate 19 and the engagement pin 23a on the hinge member 23 are used. The rotation of the paper discharge path is restricted by the engagement with the paper discharge path, so that the paper discharge path can be switched easily and reliably.
[0041]
In addition, when a sheet jam occurs in the sheet discharge device 12 due to some reason such as misuse of the image forming apparatus or abnormal sheet, first, the sheet stacking tray 18 is gradually opened with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus. By aligning the engagement pin 23a on the member 23 with the notch 19d provided on the guide hole 19a, the engagement pin 23a can be extracted from the notch 19d.
[0042]
As a result, the sheet stacking tray 18 deviates from the support of the hinge member 23, and the sheet stacking tray 18 is greatly opened to the position shown in FIG.
[0043]
By doing so, the vicinity of the discharge roller pair 14 is largely exposed, and the sheet jam can be easily processed from this opening.
[0044]
Further, when a malfunction such as a failure occurs in the fixing device 13, the fixing device 13 can be removed and replaced from the opening.
[0045]
After the operator opens the sheet stacking tray 18 and completes the sheet jam processing or replacement of the fixing device 13 and the like, the sheet stacking tray 18 and the hinge member 23 can be stored only by closing the sheet stacking tray 18. .
[0046]
When the operator closes the sheet stacking tray 18, the engagement pin 23a on the hinge member 23 slides on the guide rail 22 and is guided to and inserted into the notch 19d, whereby the engagement with the guide hole 19a is completed. .
[0047]
(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. In the first embodiment, the hinge member 23 is detachably provided on the sheet stacking tray 18, but in this embodiment, the hinge member is detachably provided on the apparatus main body.
[0048]
In FIG. 6, a sheet discharge device 112 discharges a sheet to a discharge roller pair 14 that discharges a sheet on which an image is formed that has passed through a fixing device 13 including a fixing roller 9 and a pressure roller 10, and a sheet stacking unit 16. A pair of rollers 15, a sheet stacking tray 118 that is openable and closable around an engaging pin 118 a of a sheet stacking tray 118 that is fitted into an engaging hole provided in the apparatus main body, and a discharge guide 17 are provided. .
[0049]
The sheet stacking tray 118 has a sheet guide 121 when face-down, and is integrally formed of a resin material or the like. Further, the sheet stacking tray 118 is rotatably positioned by an axis 118a in an engagement hole formed on the inner side surface of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0050]
An engagement pin 123a provided on the hinge member 123 is slidably inserted into a guide hole 119a provided on the apparatus main body.
[0051]
The sheet stacking tray 118 is supported by the hinge member 123 as the engaging pin 123a moves to the end portion of the guide hole 119a, so that the open state is maintained.
[0052]
At this time, since the upper surface of the hinge member 123 is positioned higher than the sheet guide 121, the sheets are stacked on the upper surface of the hinge member 123.
[0053]
When the operator moves the sheet stacking tray 118 from the opened state to the closed state as shown in FIG. 7, the engaging pin 123a of the hinge member 123 slides on the guide hole 119a to the end of the guide hole 119a.
[0054]
At this time, the hinge member 123 is positioned closer to the sheet stacking tray 118 than the sheet guide 121 provided on the sheet stacking tray 118, and does not hinder discharged sheets when discharging face down.
[0055]
The guide hole 119a of the apparatus main body is provided with a notch 119d, and the engagement pin 123a on the hinge member 123 that slides through the guide hole 119a comes out of the notch 119d and is engaged with the guide hole 119a. Removed.
[0056]
As a result, the sheet stacking tray 118 supported by the engagement pin 123a on the hinge member 123 and the guide hole 119a of the side plate 119 is rotatable about the shaft 118a and opens greatly.
[0057]
The hinge member 123 is opened together with the sheet stacking tray 118, and the sheet jam processing becomes very easy. The hinge member 123 is pressed by a spring 124, and the engagement pin 123 a moves along the apparatus main body guide portion 125 when the sheet stacking tray 118 is closed.
[0058]
In other words, when the operation of closing the sheet stacking tray 118 is performed, the engaging pin 123a moves downward along the apparatus main body guide portion 125, and is inserted into the guide hole 119a from the notch portion to enter the sheet stacking tray 118. Stored.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the sheet stacking member takes the third position open from the second position relative to the apparatus main body, the support member, the sheet stacking member from said third position by providing an engaging mechanism for engaging the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member in conjunction with the operation of moving to the first position, the vicinity of the sheet discharge portion is opened greatly, can easily jam processing, Furthermore, workability at the time of replacement of the fixing device can be greatly improved.
[0060]
Further, it is possible to prevent the sheet stacking from being hindered by the protrusions on the sheet stacking member, the conveyance rollers, and the like, and it is possible to increase the sheet stacking amount.
[0061]
Further, since the guide hole is provided so that the moving region of the support member that moves in accordance with the movement of the sheet stacking member is outside the interference range of the first sheet discharge path, the guide hole is conveyed through the first sheet discharge path. It is possible to provide an apparatus that can stably discharge a sheet without obstructing the sheet.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a sheet discharge device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of the sheet discharge apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of a sheet discharge device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an operation of a sheet stacking tray of a sheet discharge apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a conventional sheet discharging apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sheet 2 Cassette 3 Feed roller 4 1st conveyance roller 5 2nd conveyance roller 6 Process cartridge 6a Photosensitive drum 6b Developing roller 7 Transfer roller 8 Laser scanner 8a Scanner mirror 8b Folding mirror 9 Fixing roller 9a Fixing heater 10 Pressure roller 11 Electrical board 12 Sheet discharge device 13 Fixing device 14 Discharge roller pair 15 Roller pair 16 Sheet stacking portion 17 Discharge guide 18 Sheet stacking tray 18a Shaft 19 Side plate 19a Guide hole 19d Notch portion 20 Sheet stacking surface 21 Sheet guide 22 Guide rail 23 Hinge Member 23a Engagement pin 23b Seat guide part 23c Shaft

Claims (5)

A first sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet with one side of the sheet facing down;
The sheet conveyed along the first sheet discharge path is guided at the first position, and branched from the first sheet discharge path at the second position where the first sheet discharge path is opened. A sheet stacking member that forms a second sheet discharge path for discharging the sheet with the one surface of the sheet facing up, and stacks the sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path. In the discharge device,
A support member that is pivotally supported by one of the apparatus main body and the sheet stacking member and is detachably provided on the other, and supports the sheet stacking member at the second position;
When the support state of the support member is released, the sheet stacking member takes a third position opened from the second position with respect to the apparatus body,
The support member is
An engagement member provided on the support member;
A guide hole that is provided in the apparatus main body or the sheet stacking member and that slidably guides the engaging member that moves as the sheet stacking member moves between the first and second positions; A notch provided in an intermediate part, a guide part for guiding the engaging member to the notch,
Is provided in a freely detachable manner on the other side,
The engagement member is guided to the notch by the guide portion in conjunction with the movement of the sheet stacking member from the third position to the first position, and then guided from the notch to the guide. sheet discharge and wherein the engagement with the apparatus body or the sheet stacking member by which fitted in a hole made slidable said guide bore match Turkey. In the second position, the support member guides the sheet discharged along the second sheet discharge path to the sheet stacking member, or is discharged along the second sheet discharge path. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein sheets are stacked together with the sheet stacking member. The guide hole is provided such that a movement region of the support member that moves as the sheet stacking member moves to the first position is outside an interference range of the first sheet discharge path. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The guide hole, the sheet discharging device according to claim 3, wherein the support member is provided to fit in the sheet stacking member. Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet;
A sheet discharge apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for discharging the sheet with the image formed by the image forming means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images