JP4985414B2 - Medium hole forming apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium hole forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  As a medium hole forming apparatus for forming a so-called punch hole for binding a medium on which an image is recorded by the image forming apparatus main body, an image forming apparatus provided with a so-called punch unit is disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. The technique described in is known.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-3045 as Patent Document 1 describes a surface on which an image of a sheet is recorded as a pressing member (40h) with respect to a sheet passing through a punch unit (40) incorporated in a post-processing apparatus. By pressing against the upper frame (40j) and wiping with a sheet while the dew condensation adhering to the upper frame (40j) is small, it prevents the condensation from growing and forming water droplets. Thus, techniques for reducing local wetting are described. That is, in Patent Document 1, the image recording surface of the sheet is conveyed so as to rub the upper frame (40j).

  Japanese Patent No. 3830653 as Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a punch unit (100) is provided in a relay apparatus (C) for conveying a sheet from an image forming apparatus main body (B) to a post-processing apparatus (A). Is described. That is, a configuration is described in which the sheet passes through the punch unit (100) while being warm before the sheet to which heat has been applied is sufficiently cooled by the fixing device of the image forming apparatus main body (B).

JP 2002-3045 A (“0034”, FIG. 6) Japanese Patent No. 3830653 (“0007”, “0017”, FIG. 1)

  An object of the present invention is to reduce media wetting due to condensation while reducing deterioration in image quality.

In order to solve the technical problem, the medium hole forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprises:
A hole forming member that penetrates in the thickness direction of the medium and forms a hole in the medium;
A frame that movably supports the hole forming member between a separation position where the hole forming member is separated from the medium and a penetration position where the hole forming member penetrates the medium;
A conveyance path forming unit that is provided in the frame and forms a medium conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed;
A space is provided on the surface of the transport path forming unit on the medium transport path side, and is supported by a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the transport path forming unit, and is transported through the medium transport path. A medium guiding member for guiding the medium;
Reinforcing part formed protruding from the frame to the medium conveying path side, provided corresponding to the passage hole of the conveying path forming part that passes when the hole forming member moves , the medium guiding member And a reinforcing portion that reinforces the strength of the frame body and forms the space between the medium guide member and the frame body,
It is provided with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the medium hole forming device according to the first aspect,
Is formed from the periphery of the front Symbol passing holes the transport path forming section to protrude and bent into the medium guide member, said spaced position at which the cross-sectional area of the passage hole in the moving direction of the hole forming member from the through position It is characterized by the fact that it grows as it goes to.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is provided.
An image recording unit that records an image on a medium; a medium discharge port that discharges a medium recorded by the image recording unit; and a discharge medium stacking unit that loads a medium discharged from the medium discharge port. An image forming apparatus main body;
There is a conveyance device carry-in port into which a medium on which an image discharged from the medium discharge port is recorded is loaded, a medium conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed, and a conveyance device discharge port from which the conveyed medium is discharged. And a recorded medium transport device supported by the discharged medium stacking unit;
The medium hole forming device according to claim 1 or 2, which is disposed on the medium conveyance path of the medium conveyance device;
It is provided with.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the wetting of the medium due to condensation while reducing the deterioration of the image quality as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided. In addition, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the support of the medium guide member and the reinforcement of the frame can be made common, as compared to the case where the support of the medium guide member and the reinforcement of the frame are formed by separate members. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the medium hole forming apparatus can be reduced.
According to invention of Claim 2, compared with the case where it does not have the structure of this invention, it can suppress that it enlarges with respect to a conventional structure.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the wetting of the medium due to condensation while reducing the deterioration of the image quality as compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

Next, examples which are specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main body U1. Image information transmitted from an information processing apparatus PC as an example of an image information transmitting apparatus electrically connected to the printer U is input to the control unit C. Image information input to the control unit C is converted into image information of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K for forming a latent image at a predetermined time, and is output to the latent image forming device driving circuit DL. .
When the original image is a single color image, so-called monochrome, image information of only black K is input to the latent image forming device driving circuit DL.
The latent image forming device driving circuit DL has driving circuits for respective colors Y, M, C, and K (not shown), and signals corresponding to input image information are arranged for each color at a predetermined time. Output to the image forming apparatuses LHy, LHm, LHc, and LHk.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
1 and 2, the visible image forming devices Uy, Um, Uc, Uk arranged at the center of the printer U in the gravity direction form visible images of Y, M, C, and K colors, respectively. It is a device to do.
The Y, M, C, and K latent image writing lights Ly, Lm, Lc, and Lk emitted from the latent image writing light sources of the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are respectively rotated image carriers PRy, PRm, Incident on PRc and PRk. In the first embodiment, the latent image forming apparatuses LHy to LHk are constituted by so-called LED arrays.
The Y visible image forming device Uy includes a rotating image carrier PRy, a charger CRy, a latent image forming device LHy, a developing device Gy, a primary transfer device T1y, and an image carrier cleaner CLy. In the first exemplary embodiment, the image carrier PRy, the charger CRy, and the image carrier cleaner CLy are configured as an image carrier unit that can be integrally attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body U1.
The visible image forming apparatuses Um, Uc, Uk are all configured in the same manner as the Y visible image forming apparatus Uy.

1 and 2, the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are charged by their respective chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk, and then at image writing positions Q1y, Q1m, Q1c, and Q1k. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the latent image writing light Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk. The electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are developed in the developing regions Q2y, Q2m, Q2c, and Q2k as a developer roll as an example of a developer carrier of the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk A toner image as an example of a visible image is developed with the developer held in GRy, GRm, GRc, GRk. When the developer is consumed by the developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Gk, the developer is supplied from the developer supply containers Ky, Km, Kc, and Kk, respectively.
The developed toner image is conveyed to primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k that are in contact with an intermediate transfer belt B as an example of an intermediate transfer member. The primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt B in the primary transfer regions Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are supplied with a predetermined value from a power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied.

  The toner images on the image carriers PRy to PRk are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k. Residues and deposits on the surface of the image carrier PRy, PRm, PRc, PRk after the primary transfer are cleaned by the image carrier cleaner CLy, CLm, CLc, CLk. The cleaned surfaces of the image carriers PRy, PRm, PRc, and PRk are recharged by the chargers CRy, CRm, CRc, and CRk.

  Above the image carriers PRy to PRk, a belt module BM as an example of an intermediate transfer device that can move up and down and can be pulled out forward is disposed. The belt module BM includes the intermediate transfer belt B, a belt drive roll Rd as an example of an intermediate transfer body drive member, a tension roll Rt as an example of an intermediate transfer body stretching member, and a walking roll as an example of a meandering prevention member. Rw, an idler roll Rf as an example of a driven member, a backup roll T2a as an example of a secondary transfer region facing member, and the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, T1k. The intermediate transfer belt B can be rotated by belt support rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a as an example of an intermediate transfer member support member constituted by the rolls Rd, Rt, Rw, Rf, T2a. It is supported by.

A secondary transfer roll T2b as an example of a secondary transfer member is disposed facing the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B in contact with the backup roll T2a, and a secondary transfer device T2 is configured by the rolls T2a and T2b. ing. Further, a secondary transfer region Q4 is formed in a region where the secondary transfer roll T2b and the intermediate transfer belt B are opposed to each other.
The single-color or multi-color toner images transferred in sequence on the intermediate transfer belt B by the primary transfer units T1y, T1m, T1c, and T1k in the primary transfer areas Q3y, Q3m, Q3c, and Q3k are the secondary transfer areas. Transported to Q4.
The primary transfer units T1y to T1k, the intermediate transfer belt B, the secondary transfer unit T2, and the like constitute a transfer device T1 + T2 + B according to the first exemplary embodiment. Further, the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk and the transfer device T1 + T2 + B constitute an image recording unit Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B according to the first embodiment.

Below the visible image forming devices Uy to Uk, a pair of left and right guide rails GR as an example of a guide member is provided, and the guide rail GR has a sheet feed as an example of a paper feed container. The trays TR1 to TR4 are supported so as to be able to enter and exit in the front-rear direction. The recording sheet S as an example of a medium accommodated in the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4 is an example of a conveying member, and is taken out by a pickup roll Rp as an example of a feeding member, and is separated as an example of a medium spreading member. One by one is separated by Rs. The recording sheet S is conveyed by a plurality of conveyance rolls Ra as an example of a conveyance member along a sheet feeding path SH1 that is an example of a medium conveyance path, and is upstream of the secondary transfer region Q4 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet is sent to a registration roll Rr as an example of the arranged transfer region conveyance timing adjustment member.
The pickup roll Rp, the separating roll Rs, and the like constitute the paper feeding device Rp + Rs of the first embodiment.
Further, a manual feed tray TR0 as an example of a manual feed unit is installed on the left side of the uppermost sheet feed tray TR1. The recording sheet S supported by the manual feed tray TR0 is fed by a manual feed roll Rp0 as an example of a manual feed member, conveyed through the manual feed path SH0, and sent to the registration roll Rr.

The registration roll Rr is an example of a conveyance path on the downstream side of the sheet feeding path SH1 in time for the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B to be conveyed to the secondary transfer area Q4. To the main transfer path SH2, and the recording sheet S is transferred to the secondary transfer area Q4. When the recording sheet S passes through the secondary transfer region Q4, the backup roll T2a is grounded, and the secondary transfer unit T2b has a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity from the power supply circuit E controlled by the control unit C. A secondary transfer voltage is applied. At this time, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred to the recording sheet S by the secondary transfer device T2.
The intermediate transfer belt B after the secondary transfer is cleaned by a belt cleaner CLb as an example of an intermediate transfer body cleaner.

The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred has a fixing region Q5 which is a pressure contact region of a heating roll Fh as an example of a heating fixing member of the fixing device F and a pressure roll Fp as an example of a pressing fixing member. And heated and fixed when passing through the fixing region. Note that a release agent for improving the releasability of the recording sheet S from the heating roll is applied to the surface of the heating roll Fh by a release agent application device Fa.
A paper discharge path SH3 as an example of a transport path for transporting the recording sheet S toward a paper discharge tray TRh as an example of a discharge medium stacking unit is disposed above the fixing device F on the downstream side in the transport direction. Yes. Therefore, when transported toward the paper discharge tray TRh, the fixed recording sheet S is transported through the paper discharge path SH3, and is transported by a paper discharge roll Rh from a sheet discharge port SH3a as an example of a medium discharge port. The

In FIG. 1, the paper feed path SH1 includes, as an example of a medium detection member, a first paper feed path sensor SN1 and a second paper feed path for detecting a recording sheet S fed from each of the paper feed trays TR1 to TR4. A paper path sensor SN2, a third paper path sensor SN3, and a fourth paper path sensor SN4 are arranged.
Each of the transport paths SH1 to SH4 constitutes a transport path SH of the first embodiment. The transport path SH, the sheet feeding device Rp + Rs, the sheet transport roll Ra, the registration roll Rr, the paper discharge roll Rh, and the like are used as medium transport devices SH + Ra to Rh is configured.

  In FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, a lower cover U1a as an example of an upstream opening member is located on the left side of the lower three-stage sheet feeding trays TR2 to TR4, and a normal position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to an open position indicated by a broken line in FIG. The lower cover U1a supports a left side guide of the paper feed path SH1 on the left side of the paper feed trays TR2 to TR4, a so-called guide, and the outside of the pair of transport rolls Ra. Therefore, by moving the lower cover U1a to the open position, the lower portion of the paper feed path SH1, that is, the upstream paper feed path SH1a on the upstream side in the transport direction is opened.

(Description of sheet conveying unit U2)
In FIG. 1, the printer U according to the first embodiment includes a sheet transport unit U2 as an example of a recorded medium transport device that is detachably mounted on the paper discharge tray TRh. The sheet conveyance unit U2 is a sheet as an example of a conveyance device carry-in port into which the recording sheet S discharged from the paper discharge roll Rh is carried on one side surface connected to the sheet discharge port SH3a of the image forming apparatus main body U1. A carry-in port 1 is provided. The recording sheet S carried in from the sheet carry-in port 1 is communicated as an example of a medium conveyance path by a recorded medium conveyance roll Ra2 as an example of a recorded medium conveyance member disposed inside the sheet conveyance unit U2. Is transported on the transport path SH5. The recording sheet S transported through the communication transport path SH5 is discharged from a sheet discharge port 2 as an example of a transport device discharge port formed on the other side surface of the sheet transport unit U2.

In FIG. 1, the sheet conveying unit U2 according to the first exemplary embodiment is formed such that the length in the left-right direction, which is the length in the medium conveying direction, is shorter than the length in the medium conveying direction of the paper discharge tray TRh. Accordingly, in the printer U, the right end portion of the sheet transport unit U2 and the right end portion of the image forming apparatus main body U1 are formed in a stepped shape, and the discharge direction of the sheet discharge port 2 is above the discharge tray TRh. A post-processing device connection space U2a is formed on the downstream side.
In FIG. 1, a punch unit PU that forms a binding hole, a so-called punch hole in a recording sheet, is disposed as an example of a medium hole forming device on the communication conveyance path SH5 of the sheet conveyance unit U2. The configuration of the punch unit PU will be described in detail later.

(Description of post-processing device U3)
In FIG. 1, the printer U according to the first embodiment includes a post-processing device U <b> 3 that is connected to the sheet conveying unit U <b> 2 and performs post-processing on the recording sheet S discharged from the sheet discharge port 2. The post-processing device U3 according to the first exemplary embodiment is disposed on the left side wall H1 of the main body as an example of the side wall surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the upper end portion of the left side wall H1 of the main body. And a carry-in convex portion H2 as an example of a post-processing device carry-in portion formed to protrude toward the image forming apparatus main body U1 with respect to the main body left side wall H1.
The carry-in convex portion H2 is formed with a sheet carry-in port 3 as an example of a post-processing device carry-in port connected to the sheet discharge port 2, and when the post-processing device U3 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body U1. Are arranged so as to bite into the aftertreatment device connection space U2a. Therefore, the overall size of the image forming apparatus U after the post-processing apparatus U3 is mounted is reduced as compared with a case where the post-processing apparatus U3 is not installed.

Further, inside the carry-in convex portion H2, a folding line forming conveyance path SH6 is formed as an example of a medium conveyance path through which the recording sheet S carried from the sheet carry-in port 3 is conveyed. In the vicinity of the sheet inlet 3 at the upstream end in the conveyance direction of the crease forming conveyance path SH6, conveyance control such as conveyance of the recording sheet S to be conveyed downstream or temporary stop at a predetermined position is performed. A post-processing registration roll 4 is disposed as an example of a medium conveyance control member. The post-processing registration roll 4 according to the first embodiment is configured to be capable of being driven and stopped, and controls the timing of transporting the recording sheet S to the downstream side, and also makes the front end of the recording sheet S abut and bend. The posture of the recording sheet S, so-called sheet alignment, can be corrected.
In the crease formation transport path SH6, a crease formation device U4 is disposed downstream of the post-processing registration roll 4 in the medium transport direction. The crease formation device U4 includes an eccentric cam 7 that rotates about a rotation shaft 6 and a crease formation member 8 that moves up and down as the eccentric cam 7 rotates, and is stopped by a crease formation conveyance path SH6. When the crease forming device 8 is pressed against the recording sheet S, a crease along the front-rear direction is formed. In the first exemplary embodiment, the folding line forming device U4 and the post-processing registration roll 4 are both supported by the post-processing device U3, and the sheet conveyance is performed as compared with the case where the post-processing registration roll 4 is provided in the sheet conveyance device U2. Deviation due to tolerances and mounting errors when the apparatus U2 and the post-processing apparatus U3 are mounted on the image forming apparatus U1 is reduced.

  The recording sheet S conveyed to the downstream side of the folding line forming conveyance path SH6 is switched to either the upper end discharge path SH7 extending to the upper right or the first post-processing conveyance path SH8 extending to the lower side by switching the first switching member U3b. Be transported. Further, a second post-processing transport path SH9 is connected to the first post-processing transport path SH8, and the recording sheet S is fed to the first post-processing transport path SH8 or the second post by the second switching member U3c arranged at the connecting portion. 2 is conveyed to one of the post-processing conveyance paths SH9.

The recording sheet S conveyed to the upper end discharge path SH7 is directly discharged from the upper end discharge port P0 to the upper end discharge portion TH0 without being subjected to post-processing.
An end binding device HTS is arranged on the downstream side of the first post-processing conveyance path SH8. The end binding device HTS stacks and aligns a plurality of recording sheets S, and forms a U-shaped needle into the recording sheet bundle at the end of the recording sheet bundle to bind it, or aligns it without binding and binds the end binding discharge section TH1. Execute the edge binding process to be discharged.
A saddle stitching device NTS is disposed downstream of the second post-processing conveyance path SH9. The saddle stitching device NTS stacks and arranges a plurality of recording sheets S, binds the central portion of the recording sheet bundle with a U-shaped needle, folds it in half, and discharges it to the saddle stitch discharge section TH2. Saddle stitching processing is performed in which the paper is folded in half and discharged.
The edge stitching device HTS and saddle stitching device NTS are conventionally known, and are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-89462 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-89463. .

(Description of punch unit)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the punch unit according to the first embodiment.
4 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow IV in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the punch unit, FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of a state in which the upper frame is removed from the punch unit of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the main part of the slider.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part of the hole forming member.
FIG. 7 is a view seen from the direction of arrow VII in FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a main part of the drive transmission member of the punch unit according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the punch unit PU according to the first embodiment includes a punch unit main body PU1 and a waste receiving container PU2 that receives swarf generated when holes are formed in the recording sheet S by the punch unit PU1.

(Description of upper frame)
3-8, punch unit main body PU1 has the upper frame 21 extended in the front-back direction as an example of a frame. 3 to 6, the upper frame 21 includes a bottom wall portion 22 as an example of a conveyance path forming portion, an upstream end wall portion 23 extending upward from an upstream end in the sheet conveyance direction of the bottom wall portion 22, A top wall portion 24 extending from the upper end of the upstream end wall portion 23 to the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. The upper frame 21 of the first embodiment is made of metal, so-called sheet metal, in order to give strength.

In FIG. 6, four upper punch passage holes 22 a arranged at predetermined intervals along the front-rear direction are formed in the bottom wall portion 22 as an example of the upper hole forming member passage hole.
3 and 4, the upstream end wall portion 23 has four gear shaft rotation support portions 23a corresponding to the upper punch passage holes 22a. In addition, four punch guide long holes 23b formed by long holes extending in the vertical direction are formed above the gear shaft rotation support portion 23a as an example of a hole forming member movement guide portion.
In FIG. 6, punch cover mounting holes 24a are formed in the top wall portion 24 at positions corresponding to the punch passage holes 22a as examples of hole forming member protection members.

(Description of lower frame)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the guide member of the punch unit according to the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram viewed from below.
3 and 4, a lower frame 26 is fixedly supported at both ends of the upper frame 21. 4, 6, 7, and 9, the lower frame 26 is, as an example of a conveyance path forming member, a lower guide that is disposed to face the bottom wall portion 22 of the upper frame 21 with a space therebetween. The wall 27 and a chute mounting portion 28 as an example of a lower carry-in member support portion formed by bending downward from the upstream end of the lower guide wall 27 in the sheet conveying direction. In the lower guide wall 27, as an example of a lower hole forming member passage hole, a lower punch passage hole 27a is formed at a position corresponding to the upper punch passage hole 22a. The lower punch passage hole 27a is provided with a cylindrical cap 27b as an example of a safety protection member for preventing a user from accidentally touching the tip of the punch member which is a sharp member to prevent injury. It has been. In addition, the lower frame 26 of the first embodiment is made of a sheet metal like the upper frame 21.
3, 4, and 9, a lower chute 29 that guides the recording sheet S into the punch unit main body PU <b> 1 is fixedly supported on the chute mounting portion 28 of the lower frame 26. Note that the lower chute 29 of the first embodiment is made of resin.

(Explanation of upper chute)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state where the lower guide member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the upper medium guide member is removed from the state shown in FIG.
3, 4, and 11, an upper chute 31 is disposed on the upstream end wall portion 23 of the upper frame 21 so as to correspond to the lower chute 29 and guides the recording sheet S into the punch unit body PU <b> 1. Fixedly supported. The upper chute 31 is formed continuously from the chute main body 31a disposed on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and the chute main body 31a as an example of a reinforcing portion, and the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 22 of the upper frame 21 and the upper punch pass. And a rib portion 31b formed so as to border the hole 22a.

(Explanation of Mylar)
6, 7, and 10, a thin film mylar 32 is fixedly supported on the lower surface of the rib portion 31 b as an example of a medium guide member. Therefore, the mylar 32 of the first embodiment is supported with a space between the bottom wall portion 22 of the upper frame 21 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the rib portion 31b. In FIG. 10, the Mylar 32 is formed with a Mylar side punch passage hole 32a as an example of a guide portion hole forming member passage portion corresponding to the upper punch passage hole 22a. Further, the mylar 32 of the first embodiment is made of a resin material having a smaller thermal conductivity than the sheet metal constituting the bottom wall portion 22 of the upper frame 21. Accordingly, a part of the communication transport path SH5 is formed by a gap between the mylar 32 supported by the upper frame 21 via the rib portion 31b and the lower guide wall 27 of the lower frame 26.
3 to 5 and 8, a downstream guide 34 as an example of a downstream guide member is supported on the downstream side of the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 26 in the sheet conveying direction.

(Explanation of motor unit)
5 and 8 to 11, a motor support frame 36 as an example of a drive source support portion is supported on the front end portions of the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 26. A punch drive motor unit 37 as an example of a hole forming drive source is supported on the motor support frame 36. The punch drive motor unit 37 is connected with a cable 37a as an example of a connection member for supplying a control signal and power, and the drive is controlled. 5 and 8, the punch drive motor unit 37 supports a drive gear 37b as an example of a drive gear. Behind the drive gear 37b, as an example of a drive transmission member, an intermediate gear 38 that meshes with the drive gear 37b and transmits the drive is rotatably supported by the motor support frame 36. As an example of the movement direction conversion member, a slider movement protrusion 38a is formed on the outer peripheral side of the left end surface of the intermediate gear 38 so as to protrude.

(Slider description)
5 and 7, a slider 41 as an example of a hole forming member movement transmitting member extending in the front-rear direction is supported inside the upper frame 21 so as to be movable along the front-rear direction. The slider 41 includes a slider main body 42 extending in the front-rear direction, and a gear connecting portion 43 as an example of a moving force applied portion formed integrally with the front end portion of the slider main body 42.
In FIG. 5, the slider main body 42 is formed with four sliding punch passage long holes 42a extending in the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the upper punch passage holes as an example of the movement hole forming member guided portion. Yes. In FIG. 7, rack teeth 42b as an example of a drive transmission portion are formed on the lower surface of the slider body 42 along the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the left sides of the sliding punch passage long holes 42a. Yes.
In FIG. 5B, a pair of protrusion interlocking portions 43a extending along the vertical direction protruding toward the intermediate gear 38 are formed on the right side surface of the gear connecting portion 43 as an example of the moving direction converted portion. The slider moving protrusion 38a of the intermediate gear 38 is accommodated so as to be sandwiched between the protrusion interlocking portions 43a.

(Description of working gear)
3 and 5 to 7, a gear shaft 46 as an example of a gear rotation shaft is supported on the gear shaft rotation support portion 23 a of the upper frame 21, and the rack teeth 42 b are supported on the gear shaft 46. Corresponding to the above, a punch operating gear 47 as an example of a hole forming member operating member is rotatably supported. In FIG. 5, the four punch operating gears 47 of the first embodiment are formed in a fan shape, and two four-hole operating gears 48 arranged at both front and rear ends and two two holes arranged at the center side. Operating gear 49.

5 and 8, the four-hole operating gear 48 has gear teeth 48a that are formed on a sector-shaped outer peripheral portion and mesh with the rack teeth 42b. The four-hole operating gear 48 has a punch operating groove 48b as an example of a hole forming member operating portion formed on the gear shaft 46 side of the gear teeth 48a. In FIG. 8, the punch operation groove 48 b is formed on the rear side and formed along a fan-shaped arc, the non-operation groove portion 48 b 1, and continuously formed on the front side of the non-operation groove portion 48 b 1 and more than the fan-shaped arc. And an actuating groove 48b2 formed in a curved shape toward the gear shaft 46 side.
5 and 8, the two-hole operating gear 49 has gear teeth 49a meshing with the rack teeth 42b and punch operating grooves 49b, like the four-hole operating gear 48. The punching groove 49b of the two-hole operating gear 49 is formed continuously on the four-hole operating groove 49b2 formed in the same manner as the operating groove 48b2, and on the rear side of the four-hole operating groove 49b2. It has a four-hole operating groove 49b2 and a two-hole operating groove 49b1 formed in a symmetrical shape.

(Description of punch member)
6-8, the punch member 51 extended in an up-down direction is arrange | positioned as an example of a hole formation member in the position corresponding to the upper punch passage hole 22a of the said upper frame 21. As shown in FIG. The punch member 51 is connected to the punch member 51 as an example of a hole-forming actuated member that penetrates the punch member 51 in the left-right direction. The punch member actuating shaft 52 passes through the punch actuating grooves 48 b and 49 b of each actuating gear 47 and penetrates the punch guide slot 23 b of the upper frame 21. Therefore, the punch member 51 is supported so that the punch member actuated shaft 52 is movable in the vertical direction with the punch guide long hole 23b guiding it. Therefore, the upper portion of the punch member 51 is disposed so as to penetrate the punch passage long hole 42a when the slider 41 slides, and when the punch member 51 moves in the vertical direction, the upper punch passage hole 22a or the Mylar side punch is moved. It is set to pass through the passage hole 32a and the lower punch passage hole 27a.

10 and 11, a leading end 51 a formed in a bifurcated shape for forming a punch hole in the recording sheet S is formed at the lower end of the punch member 51.
3 to 5, a punch cover 53 is disposed at the upper end of the punch member 51 as an example of a protective member, and is fixed to the punch cover mounting hole 24a by a claw portion 53a of the punch cover 53. .

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the initial position.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the four hole forming position.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the two hole forming position.
5, 8, and 12, the punch unit PU <b> 1 according to the first embodiment is held at the initial position shown in FIG. 12 when the post-processing for forming the punch holes is not performed. In the initial position, the punch member actuated shaft 52 is in contact with the central portion of the actuating grooves 48b and 49b farthest from the gear shaft 46, and the punch member 51 is retracted upward from the communication conveyance path SH5 and conveyed. The recording sheet S is held at a separated position.

In FIG. 13, when post-processing for forming four punch holes in the recording sheet S is performed, the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven to rotate forward. When the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, the slider moving projection 38a moves rearward as the intermediate gear 38 rotates. As a result, the slider moving protrusion 38a pushes the protrusion interlocking portion 43a backward, and the slider 41 slides backward. At this time, the slider 41 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction without being blocked by the punch member 51 by the sliding punch passage long hole 42a.
When the slider 41 moves rearward, the rack teeth 42a also move rearward, and the meshing operating gear 47 rotates rearward. When the operation gear 47 rotates rearward, the four punch member operation shafts 52 supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction are guided along the operation groove portions 48b2 and the four-hole operation groove portions 49b2, respectively, and approach the gear shaft 46. . As a result, the four punch members 51 to which the punch member operating shafts 52 are connected are moved downward and moved to a penetrating position penetrating the recording sheet S in the communication conveyance path SH5. When the punch member 51 penetrates the recording sheet S and four punch holes are formed, the scrap is collected in the lower scrap receiving container PU2, and then the punch driving motor unit 37 is driven in reverse rotation. Return to the initial position shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 14, when post-processing for forming two punch holes in the recording sheet S is performed, the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. When the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the slider moving projection 38a moves forward as the intermediate gear 38 rotates. As a result, the slider movement protrusion 38a pushes the protrusion interlocking portion 43a forward, and the slider 41 slides forward. When the slider 41 moves forward, the rack teeth 42a also move forward, and the operating gear 47 rotates forward as shown in FIG.

When the operating gear 47 rotates forward, the punch member operating shaft 52 that penetrates the four-hole operating gear 48 disposed at both front and rear ends is guided by the arc-shaped non-operating groove 48b1. The non-operating groove 48b1 is formed in an arc shape, and since the distance between the non-operating groove 48b1 and the gear shaft 46, that is, the sector radius is constant, the punch member operating shaft 52 does not move in the vertical direction. That is, the punch members 51 on both the front and rear sides are held at the separated positions, and punch holes are not formed in the recording sheet S.
On the other hand, the punch member operating shaft 52 that passes through the two-hole operating gear 49 arranged on the center side in the front-rear direction is guided by the two-hole operating groove 49b1 and descends downward. Accordingly, the inner two punch members 51 move to the penetrating position, and form punch holes in the recording sheet S.
Accordingly, when the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven in reverse rotation, two punch holes are formed in the recording sheet S, and thereafter, when the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven in forward rotation, the initial position shown in FIG. Return to.

Further, the punch unit main body PU1 of the first embodiment is configured by the members having the reference numerals 21 to 52, and the punch unit PU of the first embodiment is configured by the punch unit main body PU1 and the waste receiving container PU2. Yes.
In the first embodiment, the punch unit PU is configured as a unit that can be attached to and detached from the sheet transport unit U2 by an operator such as a so-called service engineer. When the punch unit PU is operated, the scraps collected in the scrap receiving container PU2 are counted by a counting means, so-called counter, according to the formation of two holes or four holes, and the counted scraps By determining whether or not the waste container PU2 is full, the user is notified of the waste disposal time of the waste container PU2. In addition, since the punch unit PU is configured integrally with the waste receiving container PU2, when the replacement of the punch unit PU is detected by replacement due to failure of the punch unit or replacement due to change of the type of the punch unit, etc. The waste receiving container PU2 is determined to be empty, and the counter is set to be reset.
A punch operating system 38a + 41 + 42b + 43a + 47 + 52 as an example of a hole forming member operating system for operating the punch member 52 by the slider moving protrusion 38a, protrusion interlocking portion 43a, slider 41, rack tooth 42b, operating gear 47, punch member operated shaft 52, etc. Is configured.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the toner image recorded on the recording sheet S by the image recording units Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B is heated and fixed by the fixing device F. When a punch hole is formed, the recording sheet S on which the image is fixed is transported through the communication transport path SH5, temporarily stopped at a predetermined position, and the punch hole is formed by the punch unit PU, and the downstream side To the post-processing device U3. When post-processing is performed on the recording sheet S in which the punch holes are formed, such as end binding, saddle stitching, or alignment without binding, post-processing is performed by the post-processing device U3. When punch holes are not formed and other post-processing is performed, the recording sheet S passes through the punch unit PU, is conveyed to the post-processing device U3, and post-processing is performed.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram in a state where condensation occurs in the punch unit, FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of the punch unit of Example 1, FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a punch unit of a conventional configuration, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing in the structure which changed the shape of the formation member passage part.
1 and 15, the punch unit PU according to the first embodiment is disposed in the communication conveyance path SH5, and is closer to the fixing device F than the case where it is disposed in the post-processing device U3. It is easy to pass through the punch unit PU before the sheet S is sufficiently cooled. Therefore, the air and members in the punch unit PU are heated and condensation may occur. At this time, in the punch unit PU according to the first embodiment, the Mylar 32 having a low thermal conductivity is disposed on the surface with which the recording sheet S contacts, and there is a space between the upper frame 21 made of a sheet metal having a high thermal conductivity. Is formed. Therefore, the condensation 61 generated by the heat of the heated recording sheet S is unlikely to be generated on the surface of the Mylar 32 having a low thermal conductivity, and the surface on the recording sheet S side of the upper frame 21 made of sheet metal, that is, the Mylar 32 and the like. It tends to occur in the space between the upper frame 21.

For this reason, the conventional configuration in which the mylar 32 as shown in FIG. 15B is not provided has the punch member 02 supported by the sheet metal frame 01 with which the recording sheet S comes into contact. Although the grown water droplets sometimes adhere to the recording sheet S and get wet, in Example 1, even if condensation grows and the water droplets fall from the upper frame 21, they fall to the upper surface of the mylar 32 and are thus recorded on the recording sheet S. Is prevented from getting wet. In the punch unit, it is assumed that the upper frame is formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, so that dew condensation is prevented, but the upper frame 21 in which the punch member 51 that moves up and down, the slider 41 that moves, and the like are arranged It is desirable to use a sheet metal in terms of strength, and it is not realistic to form it with a resin or the like.
Further, in Example 1, the mylar 32 is disposed on the surface that the recording sheet S contacts, and the recording sheet S is not pressed, the surface of the recording sheet S is rubbed and damaged, or the image on the surface is Damage has been reduced.

  Further, in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, a so-called burring process is generally performed on a portion where a cylindrical member such as a punch member repeatedly passes. As shown in FIG. 15A, in Example 1, the mylar 32 is provided on the lower surface, and the periphery of the upper punch passage hole 22a of the upper frame 21 made of sheet metal is configured to be capable of burring protruding downward. ing. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the frame 01 is in contact with the recording sheet S as in the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 15B, in order to prevent the recording sheet S from being caught in order to burring the passage hole 01a, the recording sheet is prevented. It is necessary to perform burring on the upper side, which is the side away from S. Therefore, the height in the thickness direction of the recording sheet S is almost the same in the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 15A and the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 15B. An increase in the size of the unit PU is suppressed.

(Modification of Example 1)
In FIG. 15C, instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 15A, when the configuration in which the mylar 32 is provided below the upper punch passage hole 22a ′ that has been subjected to burring protruding upward as in the configuration shown in FIG. 15B, Although the length in the direction becomes longer, as in the first embodiment, even if condensation grows and water drops fall from the upper frame 21, they fall onto the upper surface of the mylar 32 and prevent the recording sheet S from getting wet. .

(Other changes)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Other modifications (H01) to (H06) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a FAX, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine having all or a plurality of functions may be used. . Further, although the image forming apparatus having the image holders PRy to PRk for four colors, the developing devices Gy to Gk, and the latent image forming devices LHy to LHk has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single color image forming device or image The present invention can also be applied to a rotary image forming apparatus in which one holding body and latent image forming apparatus are provided and four developing devices rotate and sequentially face the image holding body. Further, the latent image forming apparatus is not limited to a so-called LED array, and a conventionally known latent image forming apparatus such as a latent image forming apparatus using a rotating polygon mirror can be used.

(H02) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is not limited to the specific configurations of the edge binding device HTS and the saddle stitching device NTS exemplified in the embodiment, and conventionally known edge binding devices and saddle stitching devices can be applied. Further, an arbitrary post-processing device such as a post-processing device in which the saddle stitching device NTS is omitted or a post-processing device in which the folding line forming device U4 is omitted may be used.
(H03) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the punch unit PU is provided in the sheet conveying device U2 is exemplified, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which the punch unit PU is disposed in the post-processing device U3 is also possible. .

(H04) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the mylar 32 is supported only on the upper frame 21 is illustrated. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration, and the mylar 32 can also be provided on the lower frame 26. Furthermore, although the mylar 32 is supported by the upper frame 21 via the rib part 31b, it is not limited to this structure, It is also possible to support to the upper frame 21 by arbitrary support methods.
(H05) In the above-described embodiments, the constituent materials of each member are specifically exemplified. However, the materials can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(H06) In the above embodiment, the punch unit PU that forms two holes or four holes has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a punch unit PU that can form only two holes or only four holes is used. Is also possible. Moreover, it is also possible to change the space | interval of 2 holes or 4 holes, and it is also possible to change according to a use area, for example, North America, Northern Europe, etc. Further, the number of punch members is not limited to two or four, but can be three or five or more, and a punch unit capable of forming three holes or the like can be provided. That is, for example, five punch members are arranged so that two punch members arranged at intervals for forming two holes and three punch members arranged at intervals for forming three holes are alternately arranged. The four-hole working gear 48 of the first embodiment is arranged corresponding to the punching member for forming two holes, and the four-hole forming working gear 48 of the first embodiment is arranged for the punching member for forming three holes. Are arranged so that the front and back are reversed (the groove portion is reversed in the front-rear direction), so that two holes are formed when the punch drive motor unit 37 is driven to rotate forward, and three holes are formed when the punch drive motor is driven to rotate backward. It is also possible to use a punch unit.
At this time, in the punch unit PU, the external size of the punch unit PU is unified only by changing the number of punch members 51, the positions of the rack teeth 42b of the slider 41, the positions of the punch passage holes 22a, and the like. Thus, it is possible to mount a punch unit with two holes, four holes, or three holes on the common sheet conveying unit U2, and by controlling with software according to the specifications of the mounted punch unit, Hole formation, three-hole formation, and the like are possible.
Further, for example, in the case of a punch unit that can form only four holes, all four operation gears are used as four-hole operation gears 48, so that when the four punch holes are formed, the punch drive motor unit 37 is Four punch holes are formed when driven forward. Even if there is a mistake in the software and an input is made to drive the punch drive motor unit 37 in a reverse rotation, the punch member is lowered by the non-operation groove 48b1 of the four-hole operation gear 48. In other words, the punch is in an idle state, and the punch hole is prevented from being formed, and the punch is not evacuated by the non-operating groove portion (unable to idle) as compared with the case where the non-operating groove portion is not formed. It is also possible to prevent the punch unit PU from being damaged when the drive motor unit 37 rotates in the reverse direction.

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the punch unit according to the first embodiment. 4 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the punch unit, FIG. 5A is an explanatory view of a state in which the upper frame is removed from the punch unit of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view of the main part of the slider. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part of the hole forming member. FIG. 7 is a view seen from the direction of arrow VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a main part of the drive transmission member of the punch unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the guide member of the punch unit according to the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram viewed from below. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a state where the lower guide member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the upper medium guide member is removed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the initial position. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the four hole forming position. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the hole forming member of the punch unit of Example 1 has moved to the two hole forming position. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram in a state where condensation occurs in the punch unit, FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram of the punch unit of Example 1, FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram of a punch unit of a conventional configuration, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing in the structure which changed the shape of the formation member passage part.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Transport device carry-in port,
2 ... Transport device discharge port,
21 ... Frame,
22 ... transport path forming section,
22a ... passing hole,
32. Medium guide member,
51 ... hole forming member,
PU ... Media hole forming device,
S ... medium
SH3a ... Medium outlet,
SH5: Medium transport path,
TRh ... discharge medium loading section,
U1 ... Image forming apparatus main body,
U2 ... Recorded medium transport device,
Uy to Uk + T1 + T2 + B: Image recording unit.

Claims (3)

A hole forming member that penetrates in the thickness direction of the medium and forms a hole in the medium;
A frame that movably supports the hole forming member between a separation position where the hole forming member is separated from the medium and a penetration position where the hole forming member penetrates the medium;
A conveyance path forming unit that is provided in the frame and forms a medium conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed;
A space is provided on the surface of the transport path forming unit on the medium transport path side, and is supported by a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the transport path forming unit, and is transported through the medium transport path. A medium guiding member for guiding the medium;
Reinforcing part formed protruding from the frame to the medium conveying path side, provided corresponding to the passage hole of the conveying path forming part that passes when the hole forming member moves , the medium guiding member And a reinforcing portion that reinforces the strength of the frame body and forms the space between the medium guide member and the frame body,
A medium hole forming apparatus comprising: Is formed from the periphery of the front Symbol passing holes the transport path forming section to protrude and bent into the medium guide member, said spaced position at which the cross-sectional area of the passage hole in the moving direction of the hole forming member from the through position The medium hole forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium hole forming apparatus increases as the process proceeds to step (a). An image recording unit that records an image on a medium; a medium discharge port that discharges a medium recorded by the image recording unit; and a discharge medium stacking unit that loads a medium discharged from the medium discharge port. An image forming apparatus main body;
There is a conveyance device carry-in port into which a medium on which an image discharged from the medium discharge port is recorded is loaded, a medium conveyance path through which the medium is conveyed, and a conveyance device discharge port from which the conveyed medium is discharged. And a recorded medium transport device supported by the discharged medium stacking unit;
The medium hole forming device according to claim 1 or 2, which is disposed on the medium conveyance path of the medium conveyance device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images