JPH02144365A - Picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately contain sheets having various sizes in an intermediate tray by a method wherein a relative position between the tip of a sheet guide means and the intermediate tray is set to a value responding to the size of the sheet. CONSTITUTION:When a picture process, e.g., formation of double-sided picture, formation of a synthesized picture, is effected on a sheet P two or more times, the sheet is contained in an intermediate tray 6 once before it is guided to a picture processing part 3. A branch guide plate 7 fronting on the intermediate tray 6 is switched in three stages by means of a rotary single regulating means 8. When a sheet having a relatively large size is contained in the intermediate tray 6, the sheet is set in a position shown by an arrow mark C1, and a sheet having a relative small size is set in a position shown by an arrow mark C2 (during formation of a synthetic picture). Meanwhile, during formation of a double-sided picture, it is set in a position shown by an arrow mork C3 by means of a turn-over conveyance part 9, the sheet is turned over and contained in the intermediate tray. The branch guide plate 7 can be repeatedly set and varied through the working of a solenoid device 82.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that performs double-sided image formation, composite image formation, etc. by supplying paper that has been subjected to image processing once again to an image processing section. It is related to.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, a multifunctional image forming apparatus has a double-sided image forming function that forms images on both sides of - sheets of paper, a composite image forming function that forms multiple images on one side of - sheets, etc. is provided.

In the above image forming apparatus, the paper that has been subjected to image processing is transferred to another paper transport section (second paper transport section) branched from the discharge side of the paper transport section (first paper transport section) for supplying and discharging the paper. The paper is temporarily stored in an intermediate tray in the device via the paper conveyance section), and then conveyed again to the image processing section. In the case of image formation, image processing is performed on the same surface as the previous image formation surface.

Incidentally, there are a wide variety of paper sizes, and paper of various sizes ranging from postcard size to 3-size paper is usually used. For this reason, if the relationship between the size of the paper transported to the intermediate tray through the second paper transport unit and the position where the leading edge of the paper enters the intermediate tray is not appropriate, ■ the paper will be stored in the intermediate tray first. The trailing edge of the paper gets caught in the paper that was conveyed later, and the paper is not stored correctly in the intermediate tray. ■ The leading edge of the paper does not reach the guide-out reference position (the position where it touches the paper guide roller), and the paper is pulled out. There is a risk that problems such as

Therefore, in order to accurately accommodate sheets of various sizes in the intermediate tray, for example, as shown in FIG.
Part of the second paper transport section (transport belt) facing 00)
By arranging a large number of branching claws (101) and switching each branching claw (102) according to the paper size, the paper (P
) Adjust the entry position of the tip into the intermediate tray (ioo),
There is one in which sheets (P) of various sizes are accommodated in the correct position (see Japanese Utility Model Application No. 60-30150).

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the above device, each branching claw (102) requires a driving means such as a solenoid to drive each claw, and the cost increases due to the large number of parts. In addition to becoming high,
There are problems in that the control mechanism becomes complicated and there is a high risk of failure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has a simple mechanism and that can accurately accommodate sheets of various sizes in an intermediate tray. It is said that

Means for Solving the Problems> An image forming apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems uses a developing device to process an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photoconductor using W.
An image processing unit that converts the image into four images and then transfers it to paper; a first paper transport unit that supplies paper to this image processing unit and carries out the processed paper from the image processing unit; and this first paper transport unit. and a second paper transport section that branches off from the delivery side of the paper, transports the paper that has been subjected to image processing to an intermediate tray, temporarily accommodates the paper in the intermediate tray, and then leads it out to the image processing section again. In the image forming apparatus, the second paper transport section includes a paper guide unit rotatably supported on a shaft at a position facing the intermediate tray, and a paper guide unit for adjusting the entry position of the leading edge of the paper into the intermediate tray. It is characterized by comprising a rotation angle adjusting means for adjusting the rotation angle of the means according to the size of the paper.

Effect> In the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration,
By rotating the paper guide means rotatably supported in a position facing the intermediate tray by means of a rotation angle: A adjusting means according to the size of the paper, the tip of the paper guide means and the intermediate tray are rotated. By shifting the relative position, the entry position of the leading edge of the paper into the intermediate tray can be adjusted.

<Embodiments> Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to drawings showing embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows the entire copying machine as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. (1) includes an optical system (2), an image processing section (3), a first paper transport section (4), a second paper transport section (5), and an intermediate tray (6). There is.

The optical system (2) includes a light source (21), a mirror (22) (2
3) (24), lens (25), and mirror (26)
), and the light source (21) causes the document placement plate (
11) Expose the original (not shown) set on top of the
The reflected light from the original is guided to the ii@II processing section (3) through the mirrors (22), (23), (24), the lens (25), and the mirror (2B), as shown by the dotted chain line in the figure. (This is for.

The image processing unit (3) includes a photosensitive drum (
31), a charging charger (32), a developing device (33), a transfer charger (34), a separation charger (35), and a cleaner (36) are arranged in this order. Then, the image processing section (
In step 3), an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image is formed by guiding reflected light from the original onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum (31), which is uniformly charged by the charging charger (32). The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device (33), the toner image is transferred to the surface of the paper (P) by the transfer charger (34), and the toner image is transferred to the surface of the paper (P) by the separation charger (34).
35) from the surface of the photoreceptor drum (31) to the paper (P).
) is removed, and the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum (31) is collected by the cleaner (38).
One cycle of image processing is completed.

The first paper transport section (4) includes a paper feed cassette (13a) (
+3b) or feeding roller (41a) that feeds paper (P) one sheet at a time from the cooking bypass (14) (41
b) (41c), paper feed path (42a) (42b) (
42c) Registration roller (43), conveyance roller (
44), a conveyance belt (45), a heat fixing device (46), a conveyance roller (47), and a discharge roller (48), and the second paper conveyance section (5) is configured by 47) and the discharge roller (48), the intermediate tray (6
) is connected to the registration roller (43).

If the image processing is to be performed only once on the paper (P), the first paper transport section (4) only transports the paper, and the image-processed paper is moved as shown by arrow A in the figure. If you want to perform image processing on the paper (P) more than once, such as double-sided image formation or composite image formation, switch the switching claw (49) to output the image onto the tray (15). As shown by arrow B in the figure, the processed paper is sent to the second paper transport section (5), stored in the intermediate tray (6), and then led out to the image processing section (3), where it is transported again. It is designed to perform image processing.

The second paper transport section 6) includes a guide path (50) following the switching claw (49), a transport roller (51), and an intermediate tray (
6), and a transport roller (53a) from the paper refeed roller (52) disposed at one end of the intermediate tray (6).
(53b) (53c), paper feed path (54a) (54b
) (54c) and the latter half of the registration roller (43).

The branch guide plate (7) at the end of the first half is rotatably supported by a support shaft (7a) on the upstream side of the second paper transport section (5), and its rotation angle is the rotation angle. Adjustment means (8)
Accordingly, switching can be performed in three stages as shown by the solid line and the two-dot chain line in the figure.

The branch guide plate is set by the rotation angle adjustment means (8) (out of 3 rotation angles, 2
In the two rotational states (hereinafter, the lower side is referred to as "rotational state (I)" and the upper side is referred to as "rotational state (II) J"), the entry position of the leading edge of the paper into the intermediate tray (6) is moved backward ( It is set to adjust to two positions: (left position in the figure) and forward (right position in the figure).

When storing a relatively large sheet of paper in the intermediate tray (6), the branch guide plate (7) is rotated to the rotation state (1) position, so that the paper can be stored in the intermediate tray (6). When the paper entry position is adjusted to the backward position as shown by arrow CI in the figure, and relatively small paper is stored in the intermediate tray (6), the branch guide plate (7) is rotated in a rotating position. ! ! [I[
), the entry position of the paper into the intermediate tray (6) is adjusted to the forward position as shown by arrow C2 in the figure. Note that after the paper stored in the intermediate tray in the above two states is taken out from the intermediate tray (6), the second image processing is performed on the same paper surface as the first image processing surface (composite image formation). ).

On the other hand, in the horizontal state shown by the solid line (hereinafter referred to as "rotation state circle"), the conveyance roller (91), guide path (92), (94)
, and a reversing conveyance unit (
9), and after the paper is reversed by this reversing conveyance section (9), it is set to be stored in an intermediate tray (6) as shown by arrow C3 in the figure.

Further, after the paper that has been inverted and stored in the intermediate tray (6) is taken out from the intermediate tray (6), a second image processing is performed on the surface of the paper opposite to the first image processing surface (
double-sided imaging).

The rotation angle adjusting means (8) for rotating the branch guide plate (7) in three stages as described above includes a ratchet wheel (8).
1) and a solenoid device (8) operated by an electrical signal.
2) and a pawl link mechanism (83) that transmits the operation of the solenoid device (82) to the ratchet wheel (81).

As shown in FIGS. 2(a) to (C), the ratchet wheel (81) has 12 ratchet teeth (81a) around the periphery.
The claw (83) of the claw link mechanism (83) described later
3a) rotates 1712 revolutions in a fixed direction (counterclockwise in the figure) around the rotation axis (81b) every time it makes one reciprocation due to the operation of the solenoid device (82). . Also, this ratchet wheel (81
) has four cycloidal curved cam grooves (8
1c) "' and two adjacent cam grooves (81c) (8
1c) There are four small recesses (81d) protruding to the side of the joint.
)... is formed, and the protrusion (7c) on the tip and side of the interlocking pin (7b) rotatably supported by the branch guide plate (7) is connected to this cam groove (81c)... and a small recess (81d)... is fitted in a slidable and rotatable manner.

As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid device (82) includes a solenoid body (82a) and a solenoid body (82a).
) is provided with a movable core (82c) that is removably inserted into a central through hole (82b), and a spring (82d) that holds the movable core (82e) in a protruding position in a normal state. When the solenoid main body (82a) is energized, the movable iron core (82e) is retracted into the through hole (82b) by the suction force, and when the energization is cut off, the movable iron core (82e) is returned to the protruding position by the urging force of the spring (82d). .

The pawl link mechanism (83) includes a distal end member (Hb) having a pawl (gaa) at the distal end, and one end connected to the distal end member (83b).
The link member (83e) is pivotally supported at the base end of the movable iron core (82e), the other end is pivotally supported by the movable iron core (82e), and is swingably supported about the pivot shaft (S). Iron core (8
By transmitting the reciprocating motion of 2c) to the tip member (83b) via the link member (83c), the claw (83a) is caused to reciprocate in the opposite direction to the reciprocating motion of the movable iron core (82e). There is.

The rotation angle adjusting means (8) made up of the above-mentioned parts is operated by a control signal (electrical signal) according to the document size output from a control section (not shown). Then, the branch guide plate (7) is controlled by the operation of the rotation angle adjusting means (8).
The rotation to the three-stage rotation state is performed as follows.

First, as shown in Figure 2 (al), the branch guide plate (7)
When the solenoid device (82) is operated once when the solenoid device (82) is set to the rotating state (1), the claw (83a)
The ratchet wheel (81) rotates 1112 times by reciprocating. Then, the interlocking pin (7b) engages the ratchet wheel (
81) is pulled upward. and,
The branch guide plate (7) that pivotally supports the interlocking pin (7b) rotates upward about the support shaft (7a), and enters the rotational state [I] shown in the second opening.

Next, operate the solenoid device (82) again to
3a) back and forth once, and the ratchet wheel (81) is 1/12
When rotated, the interlocking pin (7b) is further pulled upward, and the branch guide plate (7) is rotated upward about the support shaft (7a), resulting in the rotation state shown in FIG. 2 (TC). becomes.

Operate the solenoid device (82) again to release the claw (83).
a) back and forth once, and then turn the ratchet wheel (81) 1/1 again.
When rotated twice, the protrusion at the tip of the interlocking pin (7b) (
7C) comes off from the small recess (81d), and in Figure 2 (C) it slides down inside the right cam groove (81e) and enters the next small recess (81e).
81d'), and the rotating state (
Return to 1).

As mentioned above, the rotation angle adjusting means (
According to 8), by repeatedly operating the solenoid device (82), the branch guide plate (7) is brought into the rotating state m −
Settings can be changed repeatedly, such as (1) - 口 = (1). Therefore, according to the above configuration, by simply setting one of the three rotational states as the reference state and counting the number of times the solenoid device (82) operates,
Since the rotation state of the branch guide plate (7) can be known, there is an advantage that a sensor or the like for detecting the rotation state of the branch guide plate (7) is not required.

In addition, as an interlocking mechanism between the ratchet wheel (81) and the branch guide plate (7) in the rotation angle adjusting means (8), the structure of the modification shown in FIG. 4 (J to (C)) is adopted. In this variant, the ratchet wheel (
Interlocking pin that transmits the rotation of 81) to the branch guide plate (7)
The difference from the previous case is that (7b') is directly pivotally supported on the side surface of the ratchet wheel (81) via a rotation pin (81c).

In this configuration, when the solenoid device (82) is operated three times to cause the pawl (83a) to reciprocate three times, the ratchet wheel (81) rotates by 1/4 rotation.
The interlocking pin (7b') is pulled up sequentially as shown in Fig. 4 (J to (C)), and along with this, the branch guide plate (
7) sequentially rotates upward around the support shaft (7a),
The setting is sequentially changed from rotation state m to rotation state (It) and rotation state opening.

When the solenoid device (82) is further operated from the rotation state port three times and the ratchet wheel (81) is rotated 1/4 rotation each time, the interlocking pin (7b') is pushed downward in reverse, As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4+b+, the rotary state (II) is again entered, and then the rotary state H is returned to as shown in FIG.

As described above, in this modification, the correlation between the number of operations of the solenoid device (82) and the operating state of the branch guide plate (7) becomes complicated.
) will need a sensor to know the operating status of the cam groove (
There is an advantage that the mechanism is simplified since there are no sliding parts such as 81c).

Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

For example, the rotation angle adjusting means may include the ratchet wheel (81).
) and claws (83a), a combination of a servo motor and a rotary encoder, etc. can be employed.

The paper guide means is not limited to the branch guide plate (7), and may be replaced with any known guide means such as a cylinder, a number of ribs, a belt, a groove through which both ends of the paper pass.

Other parts constituting the image forming apparatus of the present invention can also be replaced with other means having the same function.

In the above embodiment, the branch guide plate (
Although only two of the three rotation angles in 7) are used for adjusting the entrance position of the leading edge of the paper, all rotation angles can also be used for adjusting the entrance position. In addition, in the embodiment, one stage is used for forming a biconcave surface (for forming a contour, and the second stage is used for forming a composite image (or, this combination may be reversed. Also, the image forming apparatus of the present invention , it is also possible to have only one of the functions of double-sided image formation and composite image formation.

In the two-legged embodiment, the rotation angle of the branch guide plate (7) as paper guiding means was set in three stages, or even if the set rotation angle was four or more stages, it was also set in two stages. It's okay. Furthermore, the settings may be changed continuously without any steps.

Further, the shapes and configurations of parts other than those described above can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiments, only a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus has been described, but the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a laser beam printer.

<Effects of the Invention> In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, which consists of the above (R) structure, the leading edge of the paper to the intermediate tray is adjusted by rotating the paper guide means according to the size of the paper using the rotation angle adjusting means. Since the entry position of the paper guide means is adjusted, paper of various sizes can be accurately accommodated in the intermediate tray.In addition, with the above configuration, by varying the rotation angle of the two paper guide means, it is possible to accommodate multiple types of paper. Since the entry position of paper of the same size can be set, the number of parts can be reduced, the risk of failure is low, the control mechanism can be simplified, and it can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a front view showing the process of adjusting the rotation angle of the paper guide means by the rotation angle adjustment means used in the above embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows the solenoid and claw link of the rotation angle adjustment means used in the embodiment. A perspective view, FIGS. 4(J to 4C) are front views showing the process of adjusting the rotation angle of the paper guiding means by a modified example of the rotation angle adjustment means, and FIG. 5 is a means for adjusting the paper entry position into the intermediate tray. It is a front view showing the conventional configuration of (3)... image processing section, (4)... first paper conveyance section, (5)... second paper conveyance section, (6)... ... Intermediate tray, (7) ... Paper guide means, S) ... Rotation angle adjustment means, (P) ... Paper.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor After being visualized by a developing device, it is printed on paper. Image processing unit for transferring and this image processing unit The processed paper is then image-processed. a first paper transport unit for transporting paper from the science department; Branching from the output side of this first paper transport section and insert the image-processed paper into the middle. Transferred to the intermediate tray and temporarily transferred to the intermediate tray. After storing it in the image processing unit, it is sent to the image processing unit a second paper conveyance section to In the forming apparatus, the second paper transport section Can be rotated to a position facing the middle tray. paper guiding means pivoted on the to adjust the entry position into the intermediate tray. Adjust the rotation angle of the paper guide means to the paper size. and a rotation angle adjustment means to adjust according to the An image forming device characterized by having Place.