JP2000191212A - Paper sheet discharging device and image forming device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the design by having members respectively formed of a curve to be higher as it comes close to a tip from a rotary shaft side in a top surface of a loading member. SOLUTION: Rotary shafts 5, 6 are provided under a paper discharging part 4 in front of a printer main body 1. Paper discharging members 7, 8 as loading members are provided symmetrically in right and left. The paper discharging members 7, 8 are formed of paper discharging trays capable of being housed in the printer main body by turning and to be projected from the device main body so as to be loaded with the paper sheets discharged from a discharge port 4. Engraving 9 for opening and closing the paper discharging members 7, 8 is provided. Top surfaces of the paper discharging members 7, 8 are formed lower than a paper discharging part so that the paper discharging port 4 is not sealed by them. The paper discharging members 7, 8 are respectively formed with a gradual curve at a nearly same height with the paper discharging part 4 except for the range of the paper discharging port 4. With this structure, discharged paper sheets can be loaded while improving the appearance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printer,
The present invention relates to a sheet discharging device applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a facsimile, or another apparatus that handles sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many printers have been provided with a paper tray for loading printed paper. In particular, when printing a plurality of sheets, it is required that all the sheets be stacked on the sheet tray in a state of being properly aligned. When the paper tray is not used, there are many printers in which the paper tray is stored in the printer body as a foldable type or a slide type to reduce the size of the entire printer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of such a conventional printer. A paper feed tray 103 on which sheets of paper 102 can be stacked is provided at a rear portion of the printer main body 101. A paper tray 104 is provided at the front of the printer main body 101 so as to be rotatably supported by the printer main body 101 by a rotating shaft 104a. In this figure, the paper tray 104 is housed in a recess 101a of the printer main body 101.

[0004] A sub-paper tray 106 is slidably retracted and housed inside the paper tray 104, and is used in a later-described use state.
And the paper tray 104 can be extended in the paper discharge direction.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the use state of the paper tray 104. The paper tray 104 is rotated as shown in the drawing to be in a use state, and the paper discharge port 105 of the paper covered by the paper tray 104 in the stored state appears. The paper 102 is transported into the printer main body 101 by a paper transport mechanism (not shown) in the printer main body 101.
After printing is performed by a printing mechanism (not shown), the sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 105. The discharged paper 102 is stacked on a paper tray 104. At the time of printing, the user performs an operation of rotating the paper tray 104 to expose the paper discharge port 105.

Further, by pulling out the sub-sheet tray 106 as shown in the figure, stable loading of long sheets is possible. Further, a cover 107 is provided rotatably with respect to the printer main body in the concave portion 101a of the printer main body 101 in which the paper tray 104 is stored, and when the cover 107 is opened, the ink cartridge 108 is exchanged as shown in FIG. Is possible.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another example of a conventional printer. The paper tray 104 is similar to the above-described conventional example.
Although provided rotatably and supported by the rotating shaft 104a, an arm 104b is formed between the paper tray main body 104 and the rotating shaft 104a, and a space 104c is formed between the arms 104b. . By positioning the paper discharge port 105 in this space 104c, the printed paper 102 can be discharged without rotating the paper tray 104. When a plurality of printed sheets are to be printed and the discharged sheets are to be stacked, the sheet tray 10
4 is turned to a use state.

[0008]

In such a conventional example, the storage portion of the paper tray 104 is an ink cartridge 108.
And overlap in the depth direction of the printer main body 101 (paper transport direction), which is an obstacle for reducing the depth dimension of the printer main body.

Further, in order to open and close the cover 107 for exchanging the ink cartridge 108, it is necessary to open the paper tray 104 once, which requires the user to perform an extra operation.

Further, in order to secure the length of the sheet stacking portion, a slide type sheet tray including a plurality of parts is provided. Therefore, in use, the user has to perform two operations of first rotating the paper tray 104 and then pulling out the sub-paper tray 106. Since a plurality of operations may result in forgetting one of the operations, it is desirable to perform the operation for one purpose only once, which is contrary to the above.

Also, as in the latter embodiment, the space 104c
When the gap is used as a passage for the discharged paper,
To accommodate wide paper, the space 104c must be widened accordingly. This increases the width of the paper tray 104 at the same time, which leads to an increase in cost due to an increase in the size of parts and a loss of design freedom.

The present invention solves such a problem and makes it possible to provide a paper tray for stacking the discharged paper in a shape that emphasizes the design, unlike the conventional shape.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet discharging apparatus, comprising two mounting members disposed below a sheet discharge opening of a sheet discharging apparatus main body. Two mounting members, each having a rotation axis at the center, are rotatably stored and protruded, and the upper surface of each member closes the paper discharge opening of the paper discharge device main body during storage. The paper discharge device is characterized by having a member formed by a curve that rises from the rotation shaft side toward each of the front ends so as not to have any.

Further, in the sheet discharging apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet discharged from the discharge port can be deposited in a state where the placing member rotates and protrudes from the sheet discharging apparatus main body. is there.

Further, in the above-mentioned paper discharge device, the placing members have an interlocking mechanism which is interlocked when each of the mounting members rotates and projects from the main body of the paper discharge device.

Further, in the above-mentioned paper discharge device, the placing member is composed of two parts that can be easily attached and detached on the rotating shaft side and the tip end side, respectively.

Further, in the above-mentioned paper discharge device, the paper discharge device body has means for indicating the rotation angle when the mounting member rotates and protrudes from the paper discharge device main body.

Further, there is provided the sheet discharging apparatus, further comprising fixing means for fixing at least one of the placing members to the sheet discharging apparatus main body when the sheet discharging apparatus is stored in the sheet discharging apparatus main body.

Further, there is provided means for detecting whether the placing member is stored in the main body of the paper discharge device, and when it is detected that the mounting member is in the stored state, the paper discharge speed is controlled to be higher than usual. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for performing the following.

Further, there is provided the sheet discharging apparatus having moving means for rotating the placing member to a protruding position by rotating the placing member.

Further, in the sheet discharging apparatus, the spring member for rotation is attached to each of the mounting members.

Further, at least one of the spring members is a tension spring.

Further, at least one of the spring members is a torsion coil spring.

[0024] Further, the paper discharging device is characterized in that at least one of the placing members is provided with a speed reducing means for reducing the rotation of the spring member.

Further, the paper discharge device has a fixing means for fixing at least one of the placing members to the paper discharge device main body when the paper discharge device is stored in the paper discharge device main body.

Further, there is provided a moving means for rotating the placing member and a rotating angle detecting means for detecting a rotating angle of the placing member, wherein the rotating angle is changed according to the size of the sheet to be discharged. And a control means for controlling a moving means.

The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; and the sheet discharging device for discharging a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming means.

Further, the apparatus has means for detecting whether or not the placing member is stored in the main body of the sheet discharging device. And a control unit for controlling the paper discharge speed to be faster than that during image formation.

Further, the image forming means forms an image on a sheet based on data transferred from the outside, and has means for rotating the mounting member and rotation angle detecting means for detecting the rotation angle of each member. And a control unit for changing the rotation angle based on the transferred data.

Also, a discharging means for discharging the paper, a mounting member capable of receiving and mounting the paper discharged from the discharging means, and a mounting member protruding from the apparatus main body so that the paper can be mounted thereon. And a supporting means for movably supporting the position and a folded position which does not protrude from the apparatus main body. When the placing member is in the protruding position, the leading end portion of the discharged paper is provided with the discharging means. A loading surface that supports the paper so that it is at a higher position than the passing portion, and when the paper is in the folded position, a portion vertically overlapping the path of the paper to be discharged on the mounting surface is lower than the discharged sheet. Is a sheet discharge device configured to be located at a position indicated by the arrow.

[0031]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a printer according to the present invention. In the printer body 1, a paper transport mechanism, a printing mechanism (described later), and the like are incorporated.
A paper feed tray 3 on which sheets 2 can be stacked is provided at a rear portion of the printer body 1. The paper 2 is transported into the printer main body 1 by the above-described paper transport mechanism, and after being printed by the printing mechanism, is discharged from a paper discharge unit (paper discharge port) 4 as shown by a thin line.

Rotation shafts 5 and 6 extending in the vertical direction are provided on the front surface of the printer main body 1 and below the paper discharge unit 4. The paper discharging members 7 and 8 as the placing members are supported by the rotating shafts 5 and 6 so as to be able to rotate substantially horizontally, and are provided symmetrically. The paper discharge members 7, 8 can be stored in the printer main body 1 by rotating, and are rotated from the storage state so as to open symmetrically to the left and right to protrude from the apparatus main body.
It is a paper discharge tray on which the paper discharged from is loaded. Engraving 9 for opening and closing operations (described later) of the paper discharge members 7, 8 is performed on one of the paper discharge members 7.

Further, as shown in the drawing, approximately half the length of the printer main body 1 in the width direction can be used as the length of the paper discharge members 7 and 8. For this reason, paper discharge members 7, 8 described later
Since a certain length can be ensured even when the sheet is opened, it is possible to cope with the discharge of a long sheet without using other members.

An ink cartridge replacement cover 10 covering two surfaces, a front surface 1a and an upper surface 1b, of the printer body 1 is rotatably supported by the printer body 1 by a rotating shaft 11. The ink cartridge replacement lid 10 is also provided with an engraving 12 for opening and closing operation (described later). An operation panel 13 is provided on an upper surface 1b of the printer main body 1, and an on / off switch of a power supply, an LED indicating various states of the printer, and the like are arranged.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer main body 1 and shows a state in which the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are stored in the printer main body 1. In this state, the upper surfaces 7a and 8a of the sheet discharge members 7 and 8 are lower than the sheet discharge ports so as not to close the discharge ports 4 within the width of the sheet discharge port 4. In this range, the upper surfaces 7a and 8a of the paper discharge members 7 and 8 vertically overlap the traveling path of the discharged paper. Outside the range of the paper discharge port 4, it is formed by a gentle curve so as to have the same height as the paper discharge part 4. Therefore, even if the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are in the housed state, normal paper discharge is possible.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are opened. Since the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are interlocked with each other by an interlocking mechanism described later, their positions are provided to be substantially symmetrical. Further, the opening angle can be freely set, and the angle can be adjusted according to paper of different sizes, paper of different stiffness due to differences in thickness and material, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a side view (partially sectional view) of the printer main body 1, showing a state in which the paper discharge members 7, 8 are open.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a carriage on which an ink cartridge 28 (FIG. 6) integrated with an ink jet type recording head for ejecting ink is mounted, and reciprocates in a direction crossing the paper transport direction. The recording head moves along with the carriage 16 in the width direction of the paper and records an image having a predetermined length on the paper in the transport direction, and these constitute an image forming means.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a first conveyance roller provided upstream of the carriage 16 in the conveyance direction, and reference numeral 52 denotes a first pinch roller for pressing the sheet against the first conveyance roller 51. Also, 5
Reference numeral 3 denotes a second provided downstream of the carriage 16 in the transport direction.
The transport roller 54 is a second pinch roller that presses the sheet against the second transport roller 53. The first transport roller 51 and the second transport roller 53 rotate clockwise in FIG. 4 by a drive source (not shown), and transport the sheet in the direction of the paper discharge port 4.

When recording an image on a sheet, each time the recording head records an image of a predetermined length in the transport direction, the first transport roller 51 and the second transport roller 53 transfer the paper by a predetermined length. Transport. Then, the recording head moved in the width direction by the carriage records an image of a predetermined length. By repeating this, an image is formed on the sheet.

Since the upper surfaces 7a and 8a of the paper discharge tray are formed by the above-mentioned curves, the discharged paper 2 is discharged from the paper discharge member 2 with its leading end 2a lifted from the rear end 2b by a drop L. 7 and 8 will be loaded. Second
Since the rear end 2b is lifted upward while being nipped and discharged by the transport roller 53 and the second pinch roller 54, the rear end 2b of the sheet 2 is pressed downward as shown by the arrow 15; Become.

Even if the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are in the housed state, the upper surface 7a,
8a is located below the nip between the second transport roller 53 and the second pinch roller 54, and does not hinder the discharged paper.

Normal paper is urged against the platen surface 18 by a first pinch roller 52 provided upstream of the carriage 16 on which the ink cartridge 28 (FIG. 6) is mounted. However, after passing through the first pinch roller 52, the trailing end 2b of the paper 2 becomes free, and the print quality is reduced due to a change in the distance to the recording head mounted on the carriage 16, and the recording quality is reduced. There is a possibility that the sheet 2 may be stained due to the contact of the sheet 2 with the head.

However, since the trailing end 2b of the discharged paper 2 is naturally urged toward the platen surface 18 as described above, it is possible to suppress such a decrease in print quality as much as possible.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an interlocking mechanism of the paper discharge members 7 and 8. From the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer main body 1, bosses 19 and 20 serving as rotation axes of the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are provided. The paper discharge members 7 and 8 are passed through the bosses 19 and 20 and are attached by stepped screws 21 so as not to affect the rotation of the paper discharge members 7 and 8. Paper discharge members 7, 8
Are provided with gear portions 7b and 8b, respectively, so that they are engaged with each other in an attached state, so that both sheet discharging members are interlocked.

Here, the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are gear parts 7b and 8b.
, Which are attached to the printer main body 1 and have tip portions 7d, 8d separate from them, and the tip portions 7d, 8d can be easily attached to and detached from the attachment portions 7c, 8c. I have. This is because when the paper ejection members 7 and 8 are opened and the user protrudes from an end of a desk or the like and the user accidentally touches them, the leading ends 7d and 8d are exposed to excessive external force. By separating the printer main body from the printer main body, the printer main body 1 is prevented from being damaged while securing safety for the user.

A click member 22 having a protruding portion 22a having a spring property is arranged so as to bite the gear portion 7b. This makes it possible to fix both paper discharge members at an arbitrary stop position. Further, a projection 7e as shown by a dotted line is provided on the back surface of the engraving 9 of the paper discharge member 7, and is fitted to a latch mechanism 23 as fixing means provided on the printer main body 1, and the paper discharge members 7, 8 are provided. Is fixed at the time of storage.

These interlocking mechanism parts are blindfold members 24, 25
Covered by Further, the upper surface 24a of the blindfold member 24
Is engraved with graduations 24b as means for indicating the opening angle of the paper discharge member 7. Using this as a guide, the user can adjust the opening angle. This may be a scale for various purposes, such as a scale indicating the optimum opening angle depending on the size or a scale indicating the optimum opening angle depending on the material of the paper.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state of replacement of the ink cartridge. The above-mentioned ink cartridge replacement lid 10
Projection 10a provided on the back side of the sculpture 12 provided
The printer body 1 has a latch mechanism 26
Are provided, and both are locked when the ink cartridge replacement cover 10 is closed. When the area near the engraving 12 is pressed, the lock is released, and the ink cartridge replacement cover 10 is automatically opened in the opening direction by a biasing means such as a torsion coil spring (not shown) or the state shown in FIG. The printer body 1 is provided with a detection switch 27 on a surface facing the ink cartridge replacement cover 10. When the detection switch 27 detects that the ink cartridge replacement cover 10 is opened, the carriage 16 on which the ink cartridge 28 is mounted is mounted. Automatically moves to the opening 29 to facilitate replacement of the ink cartridge 28. Similarly, if it is confirmed by the detection switch 27 that the ink cartridge replacement cover 10 is closed, the operation of moving the carriage 16 to the print standby position is performed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of the interlocking mechanism and the driving mechanism of the paper discharge member in another embodiment of the printer according to the present invention.

Although not shown in the figure, the state in which the paper discharge members 7, 8 in which the paper discharge member 7 is locked to the printer main body 1 by the latch 23 shown in FIG. . The paper discharge members 7 and 8 are provided on the inner surface 1 c of the bottom of the printer body 1.
Is mounted by a stepped screw 21 so as not to affect rotation. The paper discharge members 7 and 8 are provided with gear portions 7b and 8b, respectively, and mesh with each other in an attached state so that both paper discharge members are interlocked.

One of the paper discharge members 7 is provided with a fan-shaped portion 7f, and a gear 7g is formed on an outer peripheral portion thereof. Reduction means 31 such as an oil damper having a gear so as to mesh with the gear 7g is arranged on the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer main body 1. A boss 7h is provided on the surface of the fan-shaped portion 7f, and a tension spring 30 is arranged so as to cover both the boss 1d provided on the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer body 1. The spring force 33 of the tension spring 30 is divided into a tangential component 33a and a normal component 33b. The torque generated by the tangential component 33a causes the paper discharge member 7 to move in the direction of the arrow 35b, that is, open. It will be urged in the direction to be made. However,
As described above, since it is locked to the printer main body 1 by the latch 23, the closed state is maintained.

In the same drawing, a fan-shaped portion 8e is also provided on the other sheet discharging member 8, and a hole 8 penetrating through the surface of the fan-shaped portion 8e.
f is provided. A torsion coil spring 32, one end of which is bent so as to be inserted into the hole 8f, is formed in a ring shape so that the other end is attached to a boss 1e provided on the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer body 1. Have been. The spring force 34 of the torsion coil spring 32
Is divided into a tangential component 34a and a normal component 34b. The torque generated by the tangential component 34a urges the paper discharge member 8 in the direction of the arrow 36a, that is, in the direction to close. It will be. As a result, rattling due to backlash occurring in the gear portions 7b, 8b of the paper discharge members 7, 8 is removed, and the paper discharge member 8 on the side not latched by the latch is also urged by the printer body 1. .

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the state in which the discharge member 7 is unlocked by the latch 23 from the state of FIG. 7 and the two discharge members are being opened. Due to the spring force 33 of the tension spring 30 applied to the paper discharge member 7, the paper discharge member 7
Is always trying to automatically open in the direction of arrow 35b. The spring force 33 decreases as the total length of the tension spring 30 decreases. The position and shape of the torsion coil spring 32 that urges the paper discharge member 8 change as the paper discharge member 8 opens, and eventually all the spring forces 34 become normal as shown in the figure. Working in the direction, a point is reached where the tangential component disappears. Up to this point, the torsion coil spring 32 is compressed, so that the spring force 34 increases. However, the tangential component thereof decreases, so that the torque applied to the sheet discharging member 8 does not increase sharply.

A brief summary up to this point is that the torque generated by the tension spring 30 is A, the torque generated by the torsion coil spring 32 is B, the torque decelerated by the speed reducing member 31 is C, the mechanical loss such as friction. Assuming that the torque is D, if ABCD> 0 (α), both of the sheet discharging members are automatically opened.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which both sheet discharging members are further opened from the state shown in FIG. The tension spring 30 applied to the sheet discharging member 7 is further shortened and the spring force 33 is further reduced, but continues to work in the direction of opening the sheet discharging member 7 and in the direction of the arrow 35b. When the torsion coil spring 32 applied to the sheet discharging member 8 exceeds the state shown in FIG. 8, the tangential component 34a of the spring force 34 acts in the direction of opening the sheet discharging member 8 and in the direction of arrow 36b. After that point, it always works in this direction. Similarly, if expressed by an equation, if A + B−C−D> 0 (β), both paper discharge members will automatically open.

FIG. 10 shows a graph of the above. The vertical axis indicates the torque acting on both paper discharge members,
The case of working in the direction of opening is a plus. The horizontal axis indicates the opening angle of both sheet discharging members, and indicates the state where the starting point (0) is closed. First, the torque A generated by the spring force 33 of the tension spring 30 decreases with the total length of the tension spring, but always acts in the plus direction.
Next, the torque B generated by the torsion coil spring 32 reverses at the point where all the spring forces 34 act in the normal direction (inflection point) as shown in FIG. After the inflection point, it works in the plus direction. Further, the torque C due to the speed reducing member 31 and the torque D due to mechanical loss due to friction or the like always act in a negative direction. Here, these negatively acting torques C and D also depend on the opening speed of the sheet discharging members 7 and 8, and the like.
Here, for simplicity, it is assumed to be a substantially constant value. If the torque T obtained by adding each of these torques is always at a plus position, the two discharge members can be kept open automatically.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a structure of an interlocking mechanism and a driving mechanism of a sheet discharging member in another embodiment of the printer according to the present invention. The paper discharge members 7 and 8 are attached to a boss (not shown) on the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer body 1 by a stepped screw 21 so as not to affect rotation. The paper ejection members 7 and 8 include a gear portion 7b,
8b are provided, and the two paper discharge members are engaged with each other in the attached state.

One discharge member 7 is provided with a fan-shaped portion 7f, and a gear 7g is formed on the outer periphery thereof. Motor 37 having a gear so as to mesh with gear 7g
Are disposed on the inner surface 1c of the bottom portion of the printer main body 1 to form a moving means for moving the paper discharge member 7.

The paper discharge member 8 is also provided with a fan-shaped portion 8e.
A slit 8g is provided on the surface of the fan-shaped portion 8e. A photo sensor 38 is attached to the inner surface 1c of the bottom surface of the printer main body 1. The photo sensor 38 detects the slit 8g, and the rotation angle of the paper discharge member 8 is determined.
It is possible to function as rotation angle detection means for detecting rotation angles at a completely closed position, a completely open position, and several positions between them.

In this configuration, the control means can control the drive of the motor 37 to automatically open the paper discharge members 7 and 8 in accordance with the image or document data transferred from the computer or the like to the image forming apparatus. Becomes In this case, particularly in the data relating to the number of prints, if the number of prints is only one, the discharge members 7, 8 are controlled not to be opened. Various controls such as opening can be considered.

The optimum opening angle of the paper discharge members 7, 8 according to the type and size of the paper to be discharged is checked in advance, and a slit 8g is provided at a position corresponding to the rotation angle. Then, the control unit controls the motor 37 so that the paper type and the paper size are determined based on the transferred data, and the motor is opened at the rotation angle of the paper discharge members 7 and 8 corresponding to the paper type and the paper size. The members 7, 8 can be stopped.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows the paper discharge members 7 and 8.
It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened. The printer main body 1 is provided with a detection switch 39 as a means for detecting that the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are closed.

FIG. 13 is a side view (partially sectional view) showing a state in which paper is discharged in a state where the paper discharge members 7, 8 are closed. In this case, the leading end 2a of the sheet comes into contact with the installation surface 40, but the trailing end 2b may remain on the sheet discharging members 7 and 8.
Then, when the detection switch 39 detects that the paper discharge members 7 and 8 are not opened, the control means for controlling the motor for driving the second transport roller controls the motor at high speed after printing to discharge the paper. By setting the speed higher than the normal speed when the discharge members 7 and 8 are opened, or higher than during image formation, the paper 2 is surely dropped onto the installation surface 40 so as not to hinder the next printing. Can be maintained.

[0065]

As described above, two members are arranged on the left and right below the paper discharge portion of the printer main body, each of which has a rotating shaft at the approximate center portion of the printer main body so that it can be stored and projected. The upper surface of each member is formed by a curve that rises from the rotation shaft side to the respective leading end so as not to block the paper discharge portion of the printer body when stored.

Thus, the sheet can be discharged regardless of whether the member is stored in or protruded from the printer main body, and when the member is protruded, the sheet is discharged onto which the discharged sheet is stacked. It has become possible to provide a printer as a member.

Since the height of the paper ejection member on which the paper is stacked and the height of the ink cartridge portion are different from each other, the size in the depth direction can be reduced. At the same time, the height with the cover for ink cartridge replacement is also shifted,
It is no longer necessary to open the paper discharge member for replacing the ink cartridge as in the conventional example, and the operation performed by the user can be simplified.

Further, since the paper discharge member is arranged and rotated in the width direction of the main body, it is possible to secure a sufficient length of the paper discharge member for stacking sheets, and to provide the user with a plurality of operations as in the conventional example. It is no longer necessary to perform (drawing out the sub paper tray).

Further, the upper surface of the sheet discharge member, that is, the sheet stacking surface in the use state is formed to have a shape that is higher in the traveling direction of the sheet, thereby eliminating unstable behavior such as sudden folding of the sheet. Stable printing quality can be secured.

In the paper tray for stacking the discharged paper, a printer having a paper tray capable of stacking the discharged paper in a shape different from the conventional shape and emphasizing the design is solved. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a paper discharge member is closed in a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer in the state of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printer showing a state where a paper discharge member is opened.

FIG. 4 is a side view (partially sectional view) of the printer in the state of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same portion showing a configuration of an interlocking mechanism of a paper discharge member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge replacement cover.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of an interlocking mechanism and a driving mechanism of a sheet discharging member in a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in a process in which the sheet discharging member is opening.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in a process in which the sheet discharge member is further opened from FIG.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the torque applied to the sheet discharging member and the opening angle of the sheet discharging member in the process of FIGS. 7 to 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a configuration of an interlocking of a sheet discharging member and a driving mechanism in a printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a printer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a state where a paper discharge member is opened.

FIG. 13 is a side view (partially cross-sectional view) of the printer in a state where a sheet discharging member is closed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a printer body according to the related art.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a use state of a paper tray in a conventional printer.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another example of a printer according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer main body 4 Paper discharge part 7, 8 Paper discharge member

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A paper discharge device main body comprising two mounting members disposed on the left and right below a paper discharge opening of a paper discharge device main body. The two mounting members are provided so as to be able to protrude, and the upper surfaces of the respective members are raised from the rotation shaft side to the respective leading end portions so as not to block the paper discharge opening of the paper discharge device main body during storage. A sheet discharging device having a member formed by such a curved line. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the placement member is capable of depositing the sheet discharged from the discharge port in a state where the mounting member rotates and protrudes from the sheet discharge device main body. Paper discharge device according to the above. 3. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the placement members have an interlocking mechanism that is interlocked when each of the mounting members rotates and protrudes from the paper discharge device main body. 4. The sheet discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the placing member is composed of two parts that can be easily attached to and detached from the rotation shaft side and the tip end side, respectively. 5. The paper discharge device main body according to claim 1, wherein when the mounting member is rotated and protrudes from the paper discharge device main body, means for indicating the rotation angle is provided in the paper discharge device main body.
2. The paper discharge device according to 1. 6. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing at least one of the placing members to the sheet discharging apparatus main body when the sheet discharging apparatus is stored in the sheet discharging apparatus main body. . 7. A control for detecting whether or not the placement member is stored in the main body of the paper discharge device, and controlling the paper discharge speed to be higher than usual when the storage member is detected to be in the stored state. 2. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for performing the following. 8. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit configured to rotate the placing member to move to a projecting position. 9. The sheet discharging device according to claim 8, wherein a spring member for rotation is attached to each of the placing members. 10. The sheet discharging device according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said spring members is a tension spring. 11. The spring according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said spring members is a torsion coil spring.
2. The paper discharge device according to 1. 12. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the placing members is provided with a speed reducing means for reducing the rotation of the spring member. 13. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising fixing means for fixing at least one of the placing members to the sheet discharging apparatus main body when the sheet discharging apparatus is stored in the sheet discharging apparatus main body. . 14. A printing apparatus, comprising: moving means for rotating the placement member; and rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the placement member, wherein the rotation angle is changed according to the size of a sheet to be discharged. 8. The sheet discharging device according to claim 7, further comprising control means for controlling the moving means. 15. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and a sheet discharging device according to claim 1, which discharges the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. 16. An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for detecting whether or not the placement member is in a housed state in the sheet discharging device main body. 2. A control means for controlling the paper discharge speed to be faster than that during image formation.
2. The paper discharge device according to 1. 17. The image forming means according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means forms an image on a sheet based on data transferred from the outside, and has means for rotating said mounting member and rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of each member. 16. The sheet discharging apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising control means for changing a rotation angle based on the transferred data. 18. A discharging means for discharging paper, a mounting member capable of receiving and mounting the paper discharged from the discharging means, and a mounting member protruding from the apparatus main body so that the paper can be mounted. And a support means for movably supporting a folded position which does not project from the apparatus main body. It has a mounting surface that supports it so that it is at a higher position than the passing portion, and when it is in the folded position, a portion that overlaps vertically with the traveling path of the discharged paper on the mounting surface is higher than the sheet that is discharged. A paper ejection device configured to be located below.