JP2002060114A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device having a post treating function and miniaturizing substantial installation space without needing to secure a space around an image forming device body for jam treatment, and to provide a paper feeding cassette easily mounted to the image forming device body. SOLUTION: A movable tray moving means 53 is composed of a motor not shown in the figure, a pinion gear 71 driven being connected to the motor, and a rack gear 72 provided at the bottom face of a movable tray 52. The movable tray 52 is moved in a first direction in relation to a fixed tray 51 through the pinion gear 71 and rack gear 72 by the rotation of a motor, and the movable tray 52 can be projected or housed in relation to the fixed tray 51. The motor is a reversible motor to cope with the movement of the movable tray 52 in the projecting direction from the fixed tray 51 and the movement in the housed direction into the fixed tray 51.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a built-in post-processing device for performing post-processing such as stapling on a sheet on which an image is fixed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a post-processing apparatus 2 for performing post-processing such as stapling is mounted on the left or right side of an image forming apparatus main body 1, that is, a so-called external mounting. Is common. However,
In the case where the post-processing device 2 is externally attached in this way, when the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the post-processing device 2 are combined, the overall size of the device and the installation space are required to be large.

Further, in order to secure a space for jam clearance when required, the post-processing apparatus 2 must be configured to be able to be separated from the image forming apparatus main body 1 by a predetermined distance.
For that purpose, it is necessary to secure a space for allowing the post-processing device 2 to be separated. Further, a mounting base 3 having a guide or the like for guiding the post-processing device 2 to stabilize the detaching operation is also required. From this point, the installation space is widened and the structure is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a post-processing function and capable of reducing an installation space. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not need to secure a space around the image forming apparatus main body for jam processing and can substantially reduce the installation space. is there.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a paper discharge space which enters inside from the outer surface at the middle part in the vertical direction of the main body housing, A post-processing unit including a tray unit and a staple unit is provided above the paper discharge space, and the tray unit is configured such that the fixed tray, the movable tray stored in the fixed tray, and the movable tray A movable tray moving means for moving the sheet in a first direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein the detection result of the sheet detecting means for detecting at least the width of the sheet conveyed to the tray portion in the first direction is fixed. If it is determined that the width of the tray is larger than the width of the tray in the first direction, the movable tray is moved by the movable tray moving means to protrude in the first direction, and the width of the tray in the first direction is conveyed. It is set to that correspond to the width of the first direction. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the post-processing unit is incorporated in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus, the installation space of the entire apparatus is reduced as compared with the conventional case where the post-processing apparatus is externally attached. can do.

Further, the tray section of the post-processing section is divided into a fixed tray and a movable tray, and the movable tray is usually stored in the fixed tray. It is easy to see from.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the movable tray moving means includes a drive source, a pinion gear provided on the drive source, and a rack gear provided on the fixed tray portion meshing with the pinion gear. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: According to the invention of claim 2, the present invention can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration according to the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 1, the outer shape of the image forming apparatus 1 is constituted by a main body housing 11, and the main body housing 11 has a paper discharge space portion 12 which enters inside from the outer surface at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. Are formed. A bottom portion of the paper discharge space 12 is configured as a first discharge portion 13 so that normal discharge paper (paper not subjected to post-processing) is stacked, and the paper discharge space 12 is formed.
A post-processing unit 14 described later is provided above the paper processing unit 14, and the sheet stapled by the post-processing unit 14 is provided in the second discharge unit 15.
To be discharged to

More specifically, referring to FIG. 2, the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 20 is transferred to the sheet by the image forming unit 21 and is fixed by the fixing unit 22. If not processed, the sheet is discharged to the first discharge section 13 via the first discharge roller pair 23. On the other hand, when post-processing is performed, the sheet after fixing is conveyed to the post-processing unit 14 by the second discharge roller pair 24 and stocked. Switching of these discharge paths is performed by a switching claw (not shown) or the like. When the stock of sheets to be post-processed is completed and a sheet bundle is formed, post-processing is performed on the sheet bundle. Thereafter, the sheet bundle passes through a pair of transport rollers 25 and a pair of third discharge rollers 26, and then passes through the second discharge unit 15
It is discharged to. The roller 27 functions as a lower roller of the second discharge roller pair 24 and also functions as an upper roller of the transport roller pair 25. By adopting such a configuration, two roller pairs can be formed by three rollers, and one roller can be omitted, so that the effect of reducing the size and cost of the apparatus can be achieved.
The paper supply unit 20 is provided with a paper detection unit (not shown) so that the size of the paper stored in the paper supply unit 20 can be detected. Regarding the paper detecting means,
For example, this is performed by using a sensor or the like which is already known and provided in a paper feed cassette or the like. Therefore, the width of the sheet conveyed to the tray section described later in the first direction can be detected by the sheet detecting means.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the post-processing unit according to the present invention. The configuration of the post-processing unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The post-processing unit 14 includes a tray unit 50 for stacking sheets and a staple unit 30 for stapling a sheet bundle stacked on the tray unit 50. The fixed tray 51 having a narrow width on the right side in FIG. 3, a movable tray 52 stored in the fixed tray 51, and the movable tray 52 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction with respect to the fixed tray (see FIG. 3). The fixed tray 51 has a width adjusting portion 54 for adjusting the width of the stacked sheet bundle in the first direction, which is the direction of the arrow A and the direction of the arrow B). Since the shape of the fixed tray 51 is narrow on the right side in FIG. 3 as described above, when the movable tray 52 is stored, the sheet discharged to the first discharge unit is easily seen by the operator. It has become. The stapling section 30 stores a staple (not shown).

The width matching section 54 includes a first side fence 61, a second side fence 63, and a rear end side fence 6.
5, and a driving unit (not shown) for moving these three side fences along moving openings 62, 64, 66 provided in the fixed tray 51, respectively.
The width of the stack of sheets stacked at 0 can be adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure of the movable tray moving means in the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view showing an engagement state between the fixed tray and the movable tray in the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG.
The movable tray moving means 53 includes a motor (not shown), a pinion gear 71 drivingly connected to the motor, and a rack gear 72 provided on the bottom surface of the movable tray 52. The rotation of the motor causes the pinion gear 71 and the rack gear The movable tray 52 is fixed to the fixed tray 51 via the first
The movable tray 52 can be made to protrude with respect to the fixed tray 51 or can be stored therein. The motor is a motor that can rotate forward and backward, and corresponds to the movement of the movable tray 52 in the direction of protruding from the fixed tray 51 and the movement of the movable tray 52 in the direction of being stored in the fixed tray 51.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fixed tray 51 is provided with grooves 73 at two bottoms in the first direction, and two projections 74 engaging with the two grooves 73 are provided on the movable tray 52. , Whereby the movable tray 52 can move in the first direction with respect to the fixed tray 51. In FIG. 5, only the fixed tray 51 is a sectional perspective view in order to illustrate the groove 73 provided in the fixed tray 51.

The above-mentioned driving means for the width adjusting section 54 and the motor for moving the movable tray 52 are connected to control means (not shown), and control these drives. The control means is also connected to the above-described paper detection means. That is, the motor is rotated via the control unit in accordance with the detection result of the sheet detection unit.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. For example, an operation unit (not shown) is set to copy one set of five A3-size originals at the same size and perform stapling, and then turns on the copy key. Then, a detection signal indicating that the sheet is in the A3 vertical size by the sheet detection unit in the sheet feeding unit 20 is sent to the control unit. The control unit that has received the detection signal determines that the movable tray 52 is to be protruded from the fixed tray 51, and sends the signal to the motor. Thereby, the motor of the movable tray moving means 53 rotates, and the pinion gear 71,
The movable tray 52 is moved to the fixed tray 5 via the rack gear 72.
1 in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 3), and the movable tray 52 stored in the fixed tray 51 is
1 and can be stocked in accordance with the A3 width. On the other hand, in the paper supply unit 20, the A3 paper is selected and paper supply is started. The fed paper is stored in the image forming unit 2.
1, the sheet is discharged to the tray section 50 via the fixing section 22 and the second discharge roller pair 24, and the first sheet is stocked. Similarly, the second to fifth sheets are also stocked in the tray unit 50. The bundle of five sheets that have been stocked is used as width matching means 54.
Width is adjusted by. Specifically, the first and second
Side fences 61 and 63 are moved several times along the moving openings 62 and 64 in the first direction by a driving means (not shown).
Reciprocate. Similarly, the rear end fence reciprocates several times along the moving opening 66 in the first direction and the vertical direction. These reciprocating movement amounts may be about several cm. This completes the width adjustment of the sheet bundle. Thereafter, the first and second side fences 61 and 63 move in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 3) while holding the sheet bundle, and the movement stops when the end of the sheet bundle reaches the staple unit 30. . The moving amount may be calculated by calculating a driving amount of the driving unit from the sheet size information, and driving the driving unit by the calculated amount, or a position that is turned on when the sheet bundle reaches the staple unit. May be provided, and the drive transmission from the driving means may be canceled immediately after the switch is turned on by the sheet bundle.

The sheet bundle that has reached the staple unit 30 is stapled, and then the first and second side fences 61 and 63 hold the sheet bundle in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 3).
See) and return to the original position. Thereafter, the rear end fence 65 moves along the moving opening 66 to push the sheet bundle toward the transport roller pair 25. As a result, the leading end of the sheet bundle bites into the transport roller pair 25, is transported by the transport roller pair 25, and is then discharged to the second discharge unit 15 by the third discharge roller pair 26 to complete copying. Here, with the movement of the rear end fence 66, the motor starts to rotate so that the movable tray 52 is also stored in the fixed tray 51, and the movable tray 52 moves in the direction of arrow B. Is returned to the state stored in the fixed tray 51.

Also, for example, in the case where copying is performed by stapling through the A4 length, copying and stapling are performed in the same procedure as described above.
2 can be stapled even when stored in the fixed tray 51, so that the movable tray 52 is stapled without protruding from the fixed tray 51 as described above.
Also, in the case where the first direction has a size of A4 length or less, stapling is performed without protruding the movable tray 52 with respect to the fixed tray 51 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, since the movable tray 52 protrudes from the fixed tray 51 only when necessary and is stored in the fixed tray 51 at other times, the post-processing device is provided above the paper discharge space 12. Also, the sheet discharged to the bottom portion of the sheet discharge space, that is, the sheet discharged to the first discharge unit is not difficult to be seen by the operator.

In the above-described embodiment, the movable tray does not protrude from the fixed tray in the image forming apparatus having a maximum size of A3 in the first direction with a size of A4 vertical or less. However, the present invention is not limited to this size. However, it can be applied to any size. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which five A3-length originals are copied one copy at 1: 1 and stapling is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Any number of copies may be used, and the same applies to the number of copies, as long as stapling is performed. Further, the present invention can be applied to a reduced copy or an enlarged copy, and determines whether to eject the movable tray with respect to the fixed tray depending on the size of the sheet to be ejected even if the sheet is different from the document size. I just need. Further, the rack gear and the pinion gear of the movable tray moving means are not limited to this, and may be any as long as the movable tray can move with respect to the fixed tray.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the post-processing unit is incorporated in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus, the installation space of the entire apparatus can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where the post-processing apparatus is externally attached. Further, since it is not necessary to secure a space around the image forming apparatus main body for jam clearance, it is possible to substantially reduce the installation space.

[0021]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a post-processing unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a movable tray moving means according to the present invention (a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an engagement state between a fixed tray and a movable tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... Main body housing 12 ... Paper discharge space part 13 ... First discharge part 14 ... Post-processing part 15 ... Second discharge part 20 ... Paper supply part 21 ... Image forming part 22 ... Fixing part 23 ... First Discharge roller pair 24 Second discharge roller pair 25 Transport roller pair 26 Third discharge roller pair 27 Roller 50 Tray part 51 Fixed tray 52 Movable tray 53 Movable tray moving means 54 Width matching part 61 First side fence 62, 64, 66 Moving opening 63 Second side fence 65 Rear end fence 71 Pinion gear 72 Rack gear 73 Groove 74 Projection

Claims (2)

[Claims] A post-processing portion comprising a tray portion and a staple portion provided above the paper discharge space at an intermediate portion in a vertical direction of the main body housing; The tray section includes a fixed tray, a movable tray stored in the fixed tray, and a movable tray moving means for moving the movable tray with respect to the fixed tray in a first direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction. When the detection result of the paper detecting means for detecting at least the width of the paper conveyed to the first direction in the first direction is determined to be greater than the width of the fixed tray in the first direction, the movable tray is moved by the movable tray moving means. Move it to protrude in the first direction,
The first sheet of paper conveyed the width of the tray in the first direction
An image forming apparatus characterized in that it corresponds to a width in a direction. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movable tray moving means comprises a driving source, a pinion gear provided on the driving source, and a rack gear provided on a fixed tray portion meshing with the pinion gear. Image forming apparatus.