JPH10324444A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer carrying function for carrying trays to a post- processing device without stopping the function of the trays in an image forming device, which is provided with a first paper discharge tray (standard paper discharge tray) and a second paper discharge tray (optional paper discharge tray) provided over the first tray. SOLUTION: A second paper discharge tray 10 is provided over a first paper discharge tray 6, and paper discharge means 8, 12 corresponding to each tray are provided. A transfer carrying means 18 for carrying paper to a past- processing device 16 is provided in a lower surface of the second paper discharge tray 10, and the second paper discharge tray 10 and the transfer carrying device 18 integrally formed with each other so that the second paper discharge tray 10 forms a part of the transfer carrying device 18. Paper sheets discharge from the paper discharge means 8 is guided to the transfer carrying means 18 and the first paper discharge tray 6 by a carrying passage switching means 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a sheet discharging structure after image formation (including fixing processing) is completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer, as shown in FIG.
0, a first paper output tray 1 as a standard paper output tray
02, and a second discharge tray 104 as an optional discharge tray for sorting paper, for example, above the first discharge tray 102. Reference numeral 106 denotes a scanner. Apparatus body 100 not shown
The sheet on which an image has been formed and the fixing process has been performed is discharged to the first discharge tray 102 by the discharge means 108 through the discharge path R1 shown by a solid line, or is discharged by the discharge means 110 by a broken line. The paper is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 104 along the route R2. Although not shown, sheet discharging means 1
Guide of paper to 08 and 110 is selectively performed by a branch claw (not shown). The distance H between the first paper output tray 102 and the scanner 106, that is, the height of the paper discharge and take-out space is not arbitrarily determined so that the discharged paper can be easily taken out. It is affected by the practical height dimension of the apparatus main body 100 and is regulated.

In such an image forming apparatus, a sorting device or a post-processing device is sometimes attached (coupled) to perform post-processing such as sorting a large number of copies or stapling. For example, as shown in FIG.
In order to enable practical coexistence (simultaneous attachment) with other optional devices, the post-processing device 112 is attached to the side of the device main body 100 opposite to the sheet discharge unit E. In such a case, in order to communicate the post-processing device 112 with the paper discharge unit E of the apparatus main body 100, a relay conveyance unit 114 is installed. In order to clarify the existence of the relay conveying means 114, dots are added on the drawing to distinguish them from other elements. The relay conveyance unit 114 includes a plurality of conveyance members 116 driven by a driving source (not shown), is installed using a space on the first paper discharge tray 102, and is originally a first paper discharge tray. It is connected to a paper discharge unit 108 corresponding to the tray 102. That is, a connection configuration in which the first paper discharge tray 102 as a standard paper discharge tray is in a non-functional state is employed.

In order to complement the non-functioning state of the first discharge tray 102 as a standard discharge tray, a first substitute for the original first discharge tray 102 is provided on the upper surface of the relay conveyance means 114. A paper discharge tray 103 is formed, and a paper discharge means 118 for discharging paper to the first paper discharge tray 103 is provided near the paper discharge means 108. The sheet exiting the sheet discharging means 118 of the apparatus main body 100 and guided to the relay conveying means 114 is discharged by the sheet discharging means 118 to the first sheet discharging tray 103 through a sheet discharging path R3 shown by a dashed line.
Alternatively, a transport route R4 passing through the inside of the relay transport unit 114
To guide to the post-processing device 112. The guide to the first discharge tray 103 and the relay conveyance means 114 is selectively performed by a branching claw 120 provided in the relay conveyance means 114.

[0005]

According to the installation configuration of the above-mentioned conventional relay conveyance means, as shown in FIG. 10, a first discharge tray 103 as a standard discharge tray and a first discharge tray 103 as an optional discharge tray. The paper can be conveyed to the post-processing device while maintaining the paper discharge function of the second paper discharge tray 104, and it can be said that it is functionally excellent in practical use. Further, the upper surface of the relay conveying means 114 is moved to the first paper discharge tray 10.
By forming as 3, the rationality of the configuration can be evaluated. However, although the distance between the second discharge tray 104 and the scanner 106 does not change, the distance h between the first discharge tray 103 and the scanner 106 is different from the original distance between the first discharge tray 102 and the scanner 106. Is smaller by the thickness of the relay conveying means 114 than the interval H, the tray capacity of the first discharge tray 103 (sheet loading amount) is reduced, and it is difficult to take out the sheet.

Further, in the prior art, since the sheet is taken in the relay conveying means 114 and then branched, a width dimension n for mounting the sheet discharging means 118 and the branching claw 120 and the like is indispensable. For this reason, compared with the original tray length W0 of the first discharge tray 102,
The length W1 of the first discharge tray 103 formed on the upper surface of the first discharge tray 103 is shortened. Need to be bigger. If the length of the relay conveying means 114 is increased, it is possible to cope with a change in the attached structure of the post-processing device 112, and there is a problem that the time for conveying to the post-processing device 112 becomes long.

In the prior art, the relay conveying means 114
In order to secure the capacity of the first paper discharge tray 103 formed on the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 103, it is necessary to deepen the paper discharge unit E side in accordance with the original shape of the first paper discharge tray 102. As a result, since the transport path R4 in the relay transport means 114 is curved, there is a problem that the transportability is inferior to that of the linear transport path.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and is excellent in functionality and usability.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems in the prior art described above are caused by the configuration in which the standard discharge tray is set to the non-functional state and the relay conveyance means is set at the position of the standard discharge tray. It is thought that there is, and aimed at the improvement. Specifically, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a first discharge tray is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, and a second discharge tray is provided above the first discharge tray.
In an image forming apparatus configured to discharge an image-formed sheet to a first discharge tray or a second discharge tray, the image forming apparatus has an interval above the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray.
And a relay conveying means for conveying a sheet to an attached device such as a post-processing device attached to the apparatus main body is provided on the lower surface side of the paper discharge tray.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the relay conveying means and the second discharge tray are integrally formed, and the second discharge tray is a part of the relay conveying means. It also has a configuration that doubles as

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the relay conveying means includes an upper member corresponding to one side of the sheet and a lower member corresponding to the other side of the sheet. The upper member is the second paper discharge tray.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first, second or third aspect, the relay transporting means switches a transport path to the first discharge tray or the second discharge tray. The apparatus is provided with a conveyance path switching means for guiding a sheet from the paper discharge means of the apparatus main body to the relay conveyance means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second, third or fourth aspect, at least a part of the second discharge tray is formed of a transparent member, and the second discharge tray is formed of a transparent member. The configuration is such that a part is visible.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third, fourth or fifth aspect, only one of the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means is provided with a conveying member such as a roller for conveying a sheet. And the other is configured as a guide member fixed at least at the time of paper transport.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means, which serves as the guide member, have a rib parallel to the sheet conveying direction. The ribs are arranged at wrong positions in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction with respect to the conveying member such as the roller.

In the invention according to claim 8, in the configuration according to claim 6, a part of the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means, which serves as the guide member, is formed to be openable and closable. The configuration is adopted.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a sheet supplied from a sheet supply roller group 52 from a sheet supply tray 50 provided at a lower portion in the apparatus main body 4 is fed to a registration roller pair 5 by a conveyance roller 54.
Sent to 6. The writing unit 58 responds to the image data from the scanner 14 by using the photosensitive drum 6.
The toner image is transferred from the pair of registration rollers 56 to the transfer section 62 at the same timing as the toner image formed on the toner image 0, and the toner image is transferred. The sheet carrying the unfixed toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 64, and is conveyed to the sheet discharging unit 66 by the conveying roller 65 after fixing.

The fixed paper conveyed to the paper discharge section 66 is discharged by the paper discharge means 8 to the first paper discharge tray 6 as a standard paper discharge tray formed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 4. Alternatively, the paper is discharged by a paper discharge unit 12 to a second paper discharge tray 10 as an optional paper discharge tray provided above the first paper discharge tray 6. The guide from the transport roller 65 to the paper discharging means 8 or the paper discharging means 12 is performed by a branch claw (not shown).

A post-processing device 16 (for example, a stapler) is provided as an additional device on the side of the device main body 4 opposite to the sheet discharging means 8 side. Correspondingly, the paper discharged from the paper discharging means 8 is spaced from the first paper discharging tray 6 upward and on the lower surface side of the second paper discharging tray 10 by a post-processing device. 16 is provided with a relay transporting means 18 for transporting the paper to the transporting means 16.

The second discharge tray 10 is connected to the relay conveying means 18.
The second paper discharge tray 10 also functions as a part of the relay conveyance means 18. That is, the relay conveying means 18 is a lower member, and the second paper discharge tray 10 is an upper member, so that the relay conveying function is provided as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second discharge tray 10 has a rear half 20 fixed to the apparatus main body 4 and a front half 22 rotatably connected to the rear half 20 in a vertical direction. The first half 22 is formed of a transparent member. Both the rear half portion 20 and the front half portion 22 are formed in a frame shape having a U-shaped cross section, and a rib 10a extending in the sheet conveying direction is formed inside thereof.

The relay conveying means 18 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 24 (including the rollers themselves and a rotating shaft) as a conveying member which is connected to a driving source (not shown) and driven to rotate.
At the rear end, a transport path switching means 2 that can be opened and closed in the vertical direction
5 are provided. When the second discharge tray 10 and the relay conveyance means 18 are assembled integrally, as shown in FIG.
The ribs 10a of the second paper discharge tray 10 are misaligned with respect to the transport rollers 24 of the relay transport means 18 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper (the width direction of the paper).
That is, they are configured to be shifted from each other. The sheet is nipped and transported between the rib 10a and the transport roller 24. The transport roller 24 may be provided on the second paper discharge tray 10 as the upper member, or may be provided on both the second paper discharge tray 10 and the relay transport means 18. Further, the conveying member is not limited to a roller, and a conveying belt can be used.

Since the first half 22, which is a part of the second paper discharge tray 10, is formed of a transparent member, the image forming apparatus 2
As shown in FIG.
When it is easy to visually recognize the state of conveyance in the paper tray 8 and it is confirmed that a jam has occurred, as shown in FIG. It can be performed. At the time of sheet conveyance by the relay conveyance means 18, the front half portion 22 of the second paper discharge tray 10 is fixed by an engagement means (not shown).

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the transport path switching means 25 is opened, whereby the sheet exiting the paper discharge means 8 is guided into the relay transport means 18 and transported to the post-processing device 16. When the paper is normally discharged to the first paper discharge tray 6, the transport path switching means 25 is closed as shown in FIG. The sheet exiting the sheet discharging unit 8 is prevented from entering the relay conveying unit 18 by the conveying path switching unit 25, and is discharged to the first sheet discharging tray 6. When paper is discharged to the second paper discharge tray 10, a paper discharge path indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6 is provided, and the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray 10 functions as a tray as in the related art.

As described above, the relay conveyance means 18 is provided on the lower surface side of the second paper discharge tray 10, and the second paper discharge tray 10 has an integral structure which also serves as a part of the relay conveyance means 18. As a result, the first paper discharge tray 6 and the second paper discharge tray 10 can be used as they are without being disabled, and the intervals between the respective trays and the scanner 14 do not change. Does not become difficult to remove. Although the relay conveyance means 18 may be provided independently of the second paper ejection tray 10, the first conveyance
Of the discharge tray 6 can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, since the first paper discharge tray 6 and the second paper discharge tray 10 maintain their original tray lengths as they are, the first paper discharge tray 6 needs to be mounted on the apparatus in order to secure the tray length. The problem of having to protrude from the main body 4 can also be solved. In addition, by providing the relay conveyance means 18 on the back side of the second paper discharge tray 10, the linearity of the conveyance path of the relay conveyance means 18 is improved, and the conveyance performance is improved. Further, since the transport path is switched by the transport path switching means 25, there is no need to provide a separate paper discharge means for the relay transport means 18, and the relay paper transport means 18 or the first paper discharge means is provided by the existing paper discharge means 8. The user can be selectively guided to the tray 6.

In the above embodiment, the transport path switching means 25 is provided in the relay transport means 18. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the transport path switching means 25 is provided in the second discharge tray 10 as a part of the relay transport means 18. Can also. In this case, the relay conveyance means 18
Is fixed to the apparatus main body 4. In the present embodiment, the sheet discharging means 12 is shared between the second sheet discharging tray 10 and the relay conveying means 18, and when the conveying path switching means 25 is at the position indicated by the solid line, the sheet discharging means 12 is used. The paper exiting from the tray is guided to the relay conveyance means 18 and is discharged to the second discharge tray 10 when it is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. As described above, the transport path switching unit 25 may be provided in either the relay transport unit 18 or the second discharge tray 10 as a part of the relay transport unit 18. However, as in the above-described embodiment, the relay transport unit 1 may be provided.
8 is advantageous because the second paper discharge tray 10 can be standardized.

In the above embodiment, the second paper discharge tray 1
Although the entire first half 22 of 0 is provided rotatably,
As shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only a part 22a of the front half 22 is rotatable, and only this part 22a is formed of a transparent member. Even when only the portion 22a is formed of a transparent member, the operator can easily recognize the transport status in the relay transport unit 18 and the jam can be easily removed. Note that, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the portion 22a is fixed when the sheet is transported by the relay transporting unit 18.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the relay conveyance means is provided on the lower surface of the second discharge tray as an optional discharge tray, the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray are provided. The transport function to the post-processing device or the like can be obtained without setting the discharge tray in the non-functional state. Further, the tray capacity of the first discharge tray as the standard discharge tray can be sufficiently maintained.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the relay conveying means and the second discharge tray are integrally formed, and the second discharge tray also serves as a part of the relay conveying means. Therefore, the reduction in the capacity of the first discharge tray can be further reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transfer path switching means is provided, so that the discharge means for the first discharge tray or the discharge means for the second discharge tray is connected to the relay conveyance means. , The transfer function to a post-processing device or the like can be obtained without setting the first and second discharge trays to a non-functional state, and the configuration can be simplified. Can be planned.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second discharge tray, which also functions as a part of the relay conveyance means, is formed of a transparent member, so that the conveyance state in the relay conveyance means can be easily controlled. , And when a jam occurs, it is possible to respond quickly.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the transport member is provided on only one of the upper member and the lower member of the relay transport means, the thickness of the relay transport means in the vertical direction can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the function of relay conveyance to the post-processing device or the like while suppressing a decrease in the tray capacity of the first paper discharge tray.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the ribs and the transport rollers are arranged so as to be misassembled.
The thickness of the relay conveying means in the vertical direction can be reduced, so that a function of relay conveying to a post-processing device or the like can be obtained while suppressing a decrease in the tray capacity of the first discharge tray.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a part of the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means, which is a guide member, is formed so as to be openable and closable. The jam can be easily removed without opening and closing the side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second discharge tray and a relay conveyance unit in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where a part of a second discharge tray in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is opened.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main portion showing a state in which the conveyance path is switched by driving the conveyance path switching means in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a main part side view showing a modification of the installation position of the conveyance path switching means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a partially opened / closed structure of a second paper discharge tray.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a main part showing a conventional paper discharge structure.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part in a case where a relay conveyance unit is conventionally installed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 apparatus main body 6 first paper discharge tray 8 paper discharge means 10 second paper discharge tray (upper member, guide member) 12 paper discharge means 16 post-processing device 18 relay conveyance means (lower member) 24 as conveyance member Conveyance roller 25 Conveyance path switching means

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first discharge tray provided on an upper surface of the apparatus main body, a second discharge tray provided above the first discharge tray, and a sheet on which an image is formed is transferred to the first discharge tray. An image forming apparatus configured to discharge a sheet to a discharge tray or a second discharge tray, wherein an interval is provided above the first discharge tray and on a lower surface side of the second discharge tray, An image forming apparatus, comprising: a relay device for conveying a sheet to an attached device such as a post-processing device attached to an apparatus main body. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said relay conveyance means and a second discharge tray are integrally formed, and said second discharge tray also functions as a part of said relay conveyance means. apparatus. 3. The relaying means comprises an upper member corresponding to one surface of the sheet and a lower member corresponding to the other surface of the sheet, wherein the upper member is a second sheet discharge tray. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A conveyance path for switching a conveyance path to the first paper discharge tray or the second paper discharge tray and guiding a sheet from the paper discharge means of the apparatus main body to the relay conveyance means. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising switching means.
Or the image forming apparatus according to 3. 5. The second discharge tray, wherein at least a part of the second discharge tray is formed of a transparent member, and a part of a transport path of the relay transport means is visible.
5. The image forming apparatus according to 3 or 4. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein only one of the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means has a conveying member such as a roller for conveying a sheet, and the other is a guide member fixed at least during sheet conveyance. Claim 3, 4 or 5
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 7. The upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means, the one serving as the guide member, has a rib parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet, and the rib is provided on the conveying member such as the roller. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed at a misaligned position in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the image forming apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a part of the upper member and the lower member of the relay conveying means that serves as the guide member is formed to be openable and closable.