JPH0736242A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming system capable of immediately making positions for performing the receipt and delivery of a transfer paper between a copying machine main body and a peripheral equipment coincident, even if the height position of the copying machine main body or the peripheral equipment is not adjusted, at the time of connecting the copying machine and the peripheral equipment each other. CONSTITUTION:The peripheral equipment 3 can be supported by casters 14 on a floor 16. Moreover, the casters 14 are provided so as to lift up the caster 14 of the side of the copying machine main body 1 from the floor 16, when a docking pin 12 is engaged with a positioning hole 13, to make the receipt and delivery positions of the transfer paper on the parts of both guiding plates 9 and 10 coincident.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus body,
For example, the present invention relates to an image forming system that uses at least one peripheral device such as a sorter and a finisher in combination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that an image forming system such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile is provided with a peripheral unit such as a sorter, a finisher (for example, a stapler), and a large-volume sheet feeder in its main body. .

FIG. 10 shows an example of an image forming system in which a copying machine main body is provided with peripheral machines such as a mass paper feeder and a sorter. In the figure, a transfer paper 5 which is an example of a recording medium is directed toward a drum-shaped photoconductor 4 provided in the copying machine main body 1.
Is sent, and after a predetermined transfer is performed on the transfer paper 5, the transfer paper is sent toward the fixing roller pair 6.

A mass paper feeder 2 is connected to the copying machine main body 1 so as to be adjacent to each other.
Sent to. The large-volume sheet feeding device 2 can accommodate, for example, about 3,000 sheets of transfer paper, and when the large-scale sheet feeding device 2 is connected, a large number of copies can be made.

A sorter 3 is connected to the copying machine main body 1 at a position opposite to the mass paper feeder 2 and adjacent thereto. When such sorter 3 is connected to the copying machine main body 1, the fixed transfer paper coming out from the fixing roller pair 6 can be sorted in page order by the sorter.

A guide plate 7 is provided on the large-volume paper feeding device 2 and a guide plate 8 is provided on the copying machine main body 1, and between the two guide plates 7 and 8, the large-volume paper feeding device 2 and the copying machine main body 1 are connected. Transfer paper is transferred between the two. Further, a guide plate 9 is provided on the copying machine main body 1 and a guide plate 10 is provided on the sorter 3, respectively, and a transfer sheet is transferred between the copying machine main body 1 and the sorter 3 between the guide plates 9 and 10. Is done.

By using such a guide plate, the copying machine main body 1 and the peripheral machines 2 and 3 are connected so that the transfer path of the transfer paper is aligned in the height direction and the depth direction. However, if the horizontal level (height level) of the floor surface differs greatly between the copying machine main body installation section and the peripheral machine installation section, exceeding the permissible range, for example, the large-volume sheet feeding device 2 and the copying machine main body 1 In the meantime, the positions of the guide plate 7 and the guide plate 8 in the respective height directions do not match, which may cause a jam or the like on the transferred transfer paper. Similarly, even between the copying machine main body 1 and the sorter (hereinafter also referred to as “peripheral machine”) 3, the guide plate 9 and the guide plate 10 are provided.
There is a possibility that the positions in the height direction will not match with the positions in the height direction, and a jam or the like may occur on the transferred transfer paper.

Therefore, after adjusting the positions of the main body of the copying machine and the peripherals in the height direction, for example, as shown in FIG.
The pair of docking pins 12 provided on the sorter 3 are engaged with the position matching holes 13 provided on the copying machine body 1 as shown in FIG. 12, so that the respective height positions of the guide plate 9 and the guide plate 10 are adjusted. Match. As described above, it is necessary to adjust the height position of either the copying machine main body or the peripheral machine.

By the way, in this kind of peripheral machine, in order to facilitate transportation, rotary members for movement such as casters are provided at the four corners of the lower end of the peripheral machine. For example, in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (plan view) and FIG. 15, the peripheral device 3 is provided with four casters 14 at the lower end portion (bottom portion).

In addition, at the four corners of the lower end of the copying machine main body 1, FIG.
3 and an adjuster 15 as shown in FIG. 15 is provided,
The adjuster 15 is a receiving pad 1 placed on the floor 16.
It is supposed to be supported by 7.

Here, the fact that the height positions of the guide plate 9 and the guide plate 10 shown in FIG.
In this case, the nut position 18 of the adjuster 15 shown in FIG. 13 is rotated by using a tool such as a spanner to adjust the height position of the copying machine main body 1 to transfer the transfer position. Match the position.

In this state, the docking pin 12 is engaged with the position matching hole 13 provided in the main body frame 19 (FIG. 14) of the copying machine main body 1. As a result, the mutual connection between the copying machine main body 1 and the peripheral machine 3 is completed, and the matching state of the transfer positions is continuously maintained. on the other hand,
When the peripheral machine 3 has an adjuster, the height of the peripheral machine may be adjusted without touching the copying machine body.

The heights of the mass paper feeder 2 and the copying machine body 1 are also adjusted in the same manner as described above.

In any case, if the delivery positions do not match due to fluctuations in the floor surface level or other factors, the height of either the copying machine main body or the peripheral machines must be adjusted. As a technique of providing casters on the peripheral machine and a technique which does not require the matching of the transfer positions, there are JP-A-60-97365, JP-A-60-102350, JP-B-63-40313 and JP-B-1. Those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 32138 are already proposed.

As described above, in the conventional image forming system, it is necessary to operate the adjuster for adjusting the height of the main body of the image forming apparatus and the peripherals, so that a complicated work for adjusting the height is required. It became necessary, and the work of connecting the peripherals to the main body of the image forming apparatus was extremely troublesome.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to connect a main body of an image forming apparatus and a peripheral machine to each other without recording the height position of the main body of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral machine, and to perform recording between them. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of instantly matching the medium delivery positions.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured such that a peripheral device for transferring a recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus main body is connected to the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming system described above, between the image forming apparatus main body and the peripheral device, there is provided a position matching connecting means for matching the recording medium delivery position between the two in the height direction when connecting the both, and the peripheral device. In addition, at least three grounding members, part of which is lifted from the floor surface, are provided so that they are all grounded to the floor surface when not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and when they are connected, position alignment by the means is possible. The image forming system provided is proposed.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, another invention is an image forming system in which a peripheral unit for transferring a recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus main body is connected to the image forming apparatus main body. , The peripheral unit is hinge-coupled to the image forming apparatus main body, and this hinge connecting section is configured as a hinge connecting section that allows the peripheral unit to move in the height direction, and the peripheral unit is formed in the image forming apparatus main body. A positioning locking member for positioning and fixing the peripheral unit with respect to the image forming apparatus main body so that the recording medium delivery position between the image forming apparatus main body and the peripheral unit coincides with each other in the height direction. The proposed image forming system is proposed.

It is effective that the ground contact member is a rotary member for moving the peripheral equipment.

Further, the grounding member is provided with two peripheral member moving rotary members provided along the width direction of the image forming apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the image forming apparatus main body far from the image forming apparatus main body. It is effective to be configured with a single fall-prevention grounding member provided in the central region in the width direction.

Further, the grounding member is provided on the image forming apparatus main body side along the width direction of the image forming apparatus main body, and two peripheral member moving rotary members, which are separated from the image forming apparatus main body.
It is effective that the image forming apparatus main body is constituted by one overturn preventing ground member provided in the central area in the width direction of the image forming apparatus main body, and the peripheral machine is provided with a carrying handle.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the main body of the image forming apparatus is the copying machine main body 1 in this example, and the internal configuration is the same as the conventional one shown in FIG. A sorter 3 for transferring a transfer sheet, which is an example of a recording medium, is connected to the copying machine body 1 with the copying machine body 1. For those connected to the copier body 1,
The sorter is not limited in any way and includes a mass paper feeder, finisher and others. Hereinafter, for convenience, the sorter will be simply referred to as a peripheral device.

Between the copying machine body 1 and the peripheral machine 3, there is provided a position matching connecting means for matching the transfer position of the transfer paper between them in the height direction when they are connected. In this example, as in the conventional case, such means is used as the position matching hole 13 provided in the main body frame 19 of the copying machine main body 1.
And a docking pin 12 that is provided in the peripheral unit 3 and that engages with the hole for position alignment. Due to this engagement, the guide plate 9 on the copying machine body 1 side and the guide plate 10 on the peripheral machine 3 side
And match the height direction and the depth direction.

At the lower end (bottom part) of the peripheral unit 3, at least three grounding members for grounding to the floor 16 are provided.
In this example, the ground contact member is a caster as an example of a rotating member for moving peripheral equipment. As shown in FIG. 2 (plan view), two such casters 14 are arranged along the width direction of the main body 1 of the copying machine 1 and are arranged in the width direction of the main body on the side away from the main body of the copying machine. One is arranged in the central region. That is, the peripheral device 3 has a three-point support system.

When the docking pin 12 is engaged with the position aligning hole 13 and the peripheral machine 3 is connected to the copying machine main body 1,
Of the three casters 14, the one on the copying machine main body 1 side, that is, the caster closer to the main body 1 is lifted from the floor surface 16, and a gap T is formed between the caster 14 and the floor surface. In contrast,
When the peripheral machine 3 is not connected to the copying machine main body 1 and is operated independently, all three casters 14 are grounded to the floor surface 16. That is, the peripheral device 3 is conveyed while being inclined by the amount of clearance.

When the peripheral machine 3 is connected to the main body 1 of the copying machine, the peripheral machine is lifted so that the caster 14 on the main body 1 side of the copying machine is lifted and the docking pin 12 is engaged with the hole 13 for position alignment. In any case, the peripheral unit 3
When not connected to the copying machine main body 1, all are grounded to the floor surface 16, and when connected, a part of the caster 14 (caster on the copying machine main body 1 side) is located above the floor surface 16 so as to enable position alignment. At least three casters are provided so as to float. Then, at the time of connection, only one caster 14 in the central region in the width direction is grounded on the floor surface 16.

With the peripheral machine 3 connected to the copying machine main body 1, the total load of the peripheral machine is such that the docking pin 12 engages with the position matching hole 13 and one caster 14 in the central area in the width direction. You can get it with. The position matching hole 13 has a shape shown in FIG. 12 as in the conventional case, and the docking pin 12 falls into the lower inner edge portion 13 a of the hole 13. In this state, the delivery position is correctly determined. Then, a part of the load of the peripheral machine is received at the inner edge portion 13a.

Even if the horizontal level of the floor surface of the installation site of the peripheral machine 3 fluctuates with respect to the installation site of the copying machine main body 1, the docking pin 12 is simply engaged with the position alignment hole 13 for delivery. The positions can be correctly matched, and in this case, the work of adjusting the adjuster 15 and changing the height position of the copying machine main body 1 can be omitted. or,
In the case where the adjuster 15 is used only for adjusting the height position of the copying machine main body 1, the adjusting machine 15 may be eliminated and a copying machine configuration including only casters with low cost may be used.

Further, in the case where the height of the peripheral unit 3 is adjusted, the adjuster provided therein can be dispensed with, and only the caster is required. Further, four or more casters 14 may be provided, but in the case of this example, there are three casters, which is advantageous in terms of cost unlike four. Note that the lift amount T (FIG. 1) of the casters 14 varies depending on the difference in the horizontal level of the floor surface.
In any case, even if a part of the casters 14 is lifted up or the number of casters is three, there is no problem in transporting the peripheral unit 3.

The grounding member attached to the peripheral machine 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a caster 14 provided at the lower end (bottom) of the peripheral machine and a fall preventing grounding member 20. The caster 14, which is a rotating member for moving the peripheral machine, is located on the copying machine main body 1 side, and two casters 14 are provided along the width direction of the main body 1, and the fall prevention grounding member 20 is separated from the copying machine main body. One is provided at the center position in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral machine 3 is a copying machine main body 1.
And the docking pin 12 is engaged with a position aligning hole (not shown), it is a moving rotary member 2
The individual casters 14 are lifted above the floor surface 16 with a clearance T. On the other hand, one of the three ground contact members is in contact with the floor surface 16 to prevent the fall. At the time of connection with the copying machine body 1, the casters 14 are lifted from the floor surface, and the two docking pins 12
Then, a total of three points including one fall prevention grounding member 20 geometrically determine the connection position (connection position) of the peripheral device 3.

When the peripheral unit 3 is not connected (connected) to the copying machine main body 1 and is operated independently, the peripheral unit 3 is handled as follows. For example, when transporting the peripheral unit 3, the casters 14 are rolled while the fall prevention grounding member 20 is floated above the floor surface 16. Further, when the peripheral unit 3 is placed at a predetermined place on the floor surface 16, both the casters 14 and the fall-prevention grounding member 20 are grounded to the floor surface. Fall prevention grounding member 20
At this time, the peripheral unit 3 is prevented from falling.

If the peripheral device 3 is provided with a carrying handle as indicated by reference numeral 22, the peripheral device 3 can be easily carried. For example, as shown in the figure, the carrying handle 22 may be provided in the peripheral machine portion opposite to the side where the casters 14 are located so that the carrying handle 22 can be easily held in the hand of the carrier. The handle 22, the fall prevention grounding member 20, and the like are much cheaper than the casters 14, and the peripheral device itself can be made cheaper. Also in this example, the delivery position can be immediately matched without adjusting the height position of the copying machine main body 1 or the peripheral device 3.

FIG. 5 (plan view) shows an embodiment corresponding to another invention.

The image forming system shown here is the same as the above-described embodiment in comparison with the main body 1 of the copying machine.
The peripheral device 3 for transferring the transfer paper is connected between the copying machine body 1 and the copying machine body 1. And the hinge unit 23 is configured as a hinge unit that allows the peripheral unit 3 to move in the height direction, and when the peripheral unit 3 is connected (coupling) to the copying machine main body 1, A positioning locking member 25 for positioning and fixing the peripheral unit 3 with respect to the main unit 1 of the copying machine is provided so that the transfer paper delivery positions between the main unit 1 of the copying machine and the peripheral unit 3 coincide with each other in the height direction. In point.

A hinge coupling portion (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "hinge portion") 23 is provided at a position on the back side of the main body 1 between the main body 1 of the copying machine and the peripheral machine 3, and the peripheral portion is provided therethrough. The machine 3 is rotatable and movable as shown in FIG. In order to improve the serviceability of the peripheral machine 3, the facing parts of the copying machine body 1 and the peripheral machine 3 can be opened. FIG. 7 is a view of the peripheral unit 3 and the like shown in FIG. 5 as seen from the direction of arrow A, and the hinge portion 23 is provided at two locations, one above the other.

At the lower end (bottom) of the peripheral unit 3, three casters 14 (FIG. 5) are provided, and when the peripheral unit 3 is rotationally moved with the hinge portion 23 as a fulcrum, the casters 14 are placed on the floor. 16 (Fig. 7) Roll over.

As shown in FIG. 8, the three casters 14 are attached to the peripheral unit 3 via compression springs 24. Now, assuming that the upper limit (high place) of the horizontal level of the floor surface 16 where the peripheral device 3 is installed is predetermined, the center of the guide plate 10 (FIG. 9) when the peripheral device is placed on the floor surface. Let X be the position. Of course, in this case, the spring 24 is in the fully extended position.

Further, assuming that the lower limit (low place) of the horizontal level of the floor surface where the peripheral device 3 is installed is set in advance, the center position of the guide plate 10 when the peripheral device is placed on the floor surface is set. Let's say Y. The difference Δd between X and Y is the difference in the fluctuation level of the floor surface, which can be assumed in advance according to the situation of the floor surface.

In any case, the center position of the guide plate 10 on the peripheral unit 3 side fluctuates between X and Y depending on the floor condition. In such a situation, the peripheral machine 3 is pushed down against the extension elasticity of the spring 24 (FIG. 8), and the center position of the guide plate 10 is aligned with the center position of the guide plate 9 on the copying machine main body 1 side. Since the hinge portion 23 (Fig. 5) is a hinge portion that allows the peripheral device 3 to move in the height direction, it does not hinder pushing down the peripheral device 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, such a work is performed with the peripheral machine 3 placed at the connection position, and after the central position is aligned, the positioning locking member 25 including a set screw or the like is attached to the copying machine main body 1. Stop peripheral device 3 by. As shown in FIG. 6, a positioning locking member mounting bracket 26 is fixedly mounted on the peripheral machine 3, and the positioning locking member 25 is passed through the bracket 26, and the screw portion 27a of the frame member 27 of the copying machine main body 1 is inserted.
Screw it on. The positioning locking member 25 functions to determine the vertical position of the peripheral unit 3 so that the transfer position of the transfer paper is correctly matched, and to fix it so that it does not move in the vertical direction. The above-described configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to those in which the main body of the copying machine and the peripheral machines are not connected by a hinge.

Also in such an embodiment, it is not necessary to adjust the height position using an adjuster or the like, and such an adjuster can be eliminated from the main body of the copying machine or a peripheral machine, which is cost effective. Be advantageous

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus and the peripheral machine are connected to each other, the height of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral machine can be immediately extended between them without adjusting the height position. The transfer positions of the recording media can be matched, and this kind of connection work can be performed extremely easily.
Further, since it is possible to eliminate the need for a height position adjusting member such as an adjuster, it is possible to reduce the cost of the image forming apparatus and peripheral devices, or to simplify the configuration.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to easily carry the peripheral device when operating independently.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the number of rotary members for moving peripheral equipment such as casters can be reduced,
It is possible to reduce the cost of the peripheral device and further simplify its configuration.

According to the structure described in claim 4, it is possible to further easily carry out the work of transporting the peripheral machine provided with the fall-preventing ground member and the work of aligning the delivery position.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system in which the image forming apparatus main body and the peripherals are hingedly connected to each other, the image forming apparatus main body and the peripherals using the height position adjusting members such as adjusters are used. Since it is not necessary to adjust the position of the machine or the like, the work of connecting the image forming apparatus main body and the peripheral machine can be performed very easily. Further, since it is possible to eliminate the need for a height position adjusting member such as an adjuster, it is possible to reduce the cost of the image forming apparatus and peripheral devices, or to simplify the configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the image forming system of the above.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a part of an image forming system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a peripheral unit incorporated in the image forming system.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of an image forming system according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a peripheral machine is pivotally released in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an image forming system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram around a foot of a peripheral machine incorporated in the image forming system.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram relating to the adjustment of the height position of the peripheral device of the above.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system used for describing the present invention and a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connection configuration part of the image forming system.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alignment positioning portion in the above-mentioned connection constituent portion.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the height adjusting adjuster.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a conventional peripheral device connection configuration.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the above-mentioned connection constituent part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body 2 Peripheral Machine 3 Peripheral Machine 16 Floor 20 Falling Prevention Grounding Member 22 Transport Handle 23 Hinge Joint 25 Positioning Locking Member

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which a peripheral device for transferring a recording medium to and from the image forming device main body is connected to the image forming device main body, the image forming device main body and the peripheral device Between the two, a connecting means for position alignment is provided to match the transfer position of the recording medium between the two in the height direction when both are connected, and all the peripherals are on the floor when not connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. An image forming system comprising at least three grounding members, a part of which floats above the floor surface so as to enable position alignment by the means when grounded and connected. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the ground contact member is a rotary member for moving a peripheral device. 3. The grounding member, two peripheral member moving rotary members provided along the width direction of the image forming apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the image forming apparatus main body distant from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is configured by one fall prevention grounding member provided in a central region in the width direction of the. 4. The grounding member, two peripheral member moving rotary members provided along the width direction of the image forming apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the image forming apparatus main body distant from the image forming apparatus main body. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system comprises one fall prevention grounding member provided in the central region in the width direction of the device, and the peripheral machine is provided with a carrying handle. 5. An image forming system in which a peripheral unit for transferring a recording medium to and from the main body of the image forming apparatus is connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. And the hinge connection part is configured as a hinge connection part that allows the peripheral machine to move in the height direction, and when the peripheral machine is connected to the image forming apparatus body, An image forming system including a positioning locking member for positioning and fixing the peripheral device with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the recording medium delivery position between the peripheral device and the peripheral device coincides in the height direction. .