JP3819656B2 - Paper discharge device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper discharge device and an image forming apparatus using the paper discharge device, and more particularly to a structure of a paper discharge tray for receiving a large size recording paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, a recording sheet carrying a fixed visible image is discharged to a discharge tray through a discharge device.
There are various types of recording paper used for image formation, and the paper discharge tray is provided with a configuration that can accommodate recording paper of these various sizes.
[0003]
As a configuration for adapting to various sizes, there are those disclosed in JP-A-6-135615 and JP-A-9-12203.
In the former publication, a leading end blocking member made of a flexible member arranged at a predetermined position is used, and when a recording sheet having a size exceeding the position of the leading end blocking member is discharged, the leading end of the recording sheet A configuration is shown in which the tip stopper member is moved while being tilted.
The latter publication shows a configuration in which the front end blocking member can be slid in the recording paper discharge direction, and the front end blocking member can be tilted according to the size of the recording paper.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
All the configurations disclosed in the above publications are common in that the leading edge of the recording paper can move over the leading end stop according to the recording paper size.
In particular, in the latter publication, the position of the leading end blocking portion is changed according to the recording paper size, and for recording paper of a size exceeding this position, the leading end blocking portion is set to the lying down position before recording. The movement of the paper tip is allowed.
[0005]
However, including such a configuration, there are the following problems depending on the form of the discharged recording paper.
When the front end stop is pulled out to the front of the paper discharge tray to receive large format recording paper, for example, as described in the latter publication, there is a gap between the front and rear paper discharge trays. There may be. For this reason, a phenomenon that the leading edge of the recording paper easily enters the gap occurs, thereby preventing the smooth discharge of the recording paper. In particular, the above phenomenon becomes prominent when curling occurs at the leading edge of the recording paper. Such curling occurs due to the difference in moisture retention after fixing between the surface carrying the developer and the other surface. Therefore, the configuration as disclosed in the latter publication, that is, if the height interval between the paper discharge outlet and the paper discharge tray located in the vicinity thereof is large, the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge outlet It becomes easy to curl until it reaches the paper discharge tray, and the tip easily enters the gap.
Furthermore, the paper discharge tray that is pulled out is often composed of a plate-like member, which not only has a relatively high sliding resistance when being pulled out or when the recording paper is moved, but also uses more material. There is also a risk that the cost will increase.
[0006]
Therefore, in order to eliminate gaps between the discharge trays and suppress cost increase, the number of wires and rods that can secure the necessary minimum receiving area in the width direction of the recording paper are extended in the recording paper discharge direction. Configuration is conceivable. In this configuration, a wire or a rod can be pulled out and stored according to the recording paper size, or a paper discharge tray that can receive the leading end of the recording paper can be provided at the leading end of the extending direction.
[0007]
In such a configuration, since the rod and the wire are supported by the paper discharge tray located on the paper discharge port side, the end of the rod or the wire is in a range narrower than the width of the recording paper. To position. For this reason, both ends of the recording paper in the width direction protrude from the wire or rod at the end in the width direction, and the protruding portion hangs down. For example, when a configuration is adopted in which a paper discharge tray is provided at the front end of the wire or rod in the extending direction and the front end of the recording paper is picked up and received, a portion that hangs down on the paper discharge tray hits and does not ride well. As a result, there is a risk that large-size recording paper cannot be smoothly stored. In addition, when the amount of the rod or wire pulled out increases, the recording paper tip may hang down due to the moment of the recording paper due to its own weight, which also makes it easier for the recording paper tip to hit the paper discharge tray located at the tip of the rod or wire. As a result, the recording paper cannot be smoothly carried on the paper discharge tray.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the conventional paper discharge device and the image forming apparatus using the same, and a paper discharge device having a configuration capable of preventing a recording paper discharge failure without causing an increase in cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus using the above.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper discharge device having a paper discharge tray for receiving the discharged recording paper, wherein the stopper is provided so as to be able to advance and retract along the discharge direction of the recording paper with respect to the paper discharge tray. And the stopper is supported movably at the tip of a sliding member supported slidably on the paper discharge tray, and the sliding member has a width perpendicular to the recording paper discharge direction. The stopper, which is also configured to have a narrow width and is provided so as to be able to rise and fall with respect to the sliding member, has a surface on which the leading edge of the recording paper moved on the sliding member can run. The surface is inclined in a direction rising from the upstream side to the downstream side in the recording paper discharge direction, and the inclined surface is inclined from the center side in the width direction of the recording paper toward both ends along the recording paper discharge direction. The recording paper is moved over the sliding member. It is characterized in that it is to put sequentially along the inclined surface toward the opposite sides from the width direction center side when moving in a direction out.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the inclined surface on which the recording paper can run on the stopper has a thickness in a side view shape when lying down, as the recording paper is discharged from the upstream side to the downstream side in the discharge direction. A gradient surface comprising a surface that is inclined so as to be thicker is provided on the upper surface on the upstream side in the discharge direction in a state where a part thereof is continued to the upper surface of the sliding member.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the end of the inclined surface that is continuous with the upper surface of the sliding member is positioned below the upper surface of the sliding member when the stopper is lying down. .
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the stopper is disposed adjacent to the paper discharge tray.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the sliding member is composed of a rod arranged in parallel in the width direction of the recording paper, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is positioned below the recording paper receiving surface of the paper discharge tray. It is characterized by having.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus using the paper discharge device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the paper discharge tray accepts recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port; And a stopper disposed adjacent to the paper discharge tray and capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the paper discharge tray. The stopper is positioned so as to be movable forward and backward according to the size of the recording paper. It can be tilted according to the size of the recording paper, and when lying down, the recording paper to be discharged is lifted and moved to the same height as the paper discharge tray at least from the center in the width direction to both sides. It is characterized by having.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated examples.
FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of members provided in a laser printer which is one of image forming apparatuses in which a paper discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. In addition to the laser printer shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention does not only use the Carlson process such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine but also does not use the Carlson process such as an inkjet or a printing machine. Of course, it is possible to include those capable of forming images.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 2 which is a latent image carrier, and the photoconductor 2 can be rotated clockwise in FIG.
Around the photosensitive member 2, a charging device 3, an optical writing device 4, a developing device 5, a transfer device 6 and a cleaning device 7 for performing the Carlson process along the rotation direction are arranged.
To the transfer device 6, the recording paper S is fed from the paper supply device 8 provided with the paper supply cassette 8A after the transfer timing is set by the registration rollers 8B, and the transfer is completed. The recording paper S is fixed with a visible image by the fixing device 9 and conveyed toward the paper discharge device 10.
[0018]
The paper discharge device 10 discharges the recording paper S toward the paper discharge tray 10A through a paper discharge roller 101 disposed behind the fixing device 9, and the paper discharge tray 10A is shown in FIG. The structure shown in 2 or later is provided.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper discharge tray 10A. In FIG. 2, the paper discharge tray 10A is provided with a paper discharge port 10A1 communicating with a recording paper discharge path in the printer body on the vertical wall, and the paper discharge port 10A1. In the vicinity, a loading surface 10A2 for the recording paper S is provided.
[0019]
In the discharge tray 10A, a part of the outer peripheral surface is positioned below the placement surface 10A2 of the discharge tray 10A on the downstream end face in the discharge direction of the recording paper S (the direction indicated by the arrow F in the figure). A plurality of sliding rods 11 forming a sliding member in a state of being arranged are arranged along the width direction of the recording paper S (the direction indicated by symbol W in the figure).
[0020]
The sliding rod 11 has a longitudinal direction along the discharge direction (F) of the recording paper S. One end of the longitudinal direction is inserted into the discharge tray 10A side, and the discharge is performed along the discharge direction (F). The tray 10A is supported so as to advance and retreat.
A stopper 12 is disposed adjacent to the discharge tray 10A at the tip corresponding to the other longitudinal end of the slide rod 11. As a result, the recording paper S moving on the sliding rod 11 is different from the case where the recording paper S moves on the paper discharge table because the slide rod 11 is positioned below the placement surface 10A1 of the paper discharge tray 10A. By reducing the chance of contact with the sliding member, the sliding resistance is reduced and the sliding member can move. Further, unlike the case where the paper discharge table is used, the sliding rod 11 can reduce the amount of material used in the width direction of the recording paper S, thereby reducing the material cost.
[0021]
The stopper 12 is provided so as to be able to rise and fall in the direction indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 2 according to the configuration described later, and a substantially vertical position is set when standing, and a part of the stopper 12 slides when falling as shown in FIG. It is continuous with the upper surface of the moving rod 11.
A structure for supporting the stopper 12 in a tiltable manner is shown in FIG. 3, and in the drawing, a hole 11A penetrating in the radial direction is provided at the tip of the sliding rod 11, and the hole 11A is provided in the hole 11A. The support shaft 13 is inserted.
The support shaft 13 is inserted into a slit 12B provided in both side walls 12A1 and 12A2 of the recess 12A formed in the stopper 12 to form a hinge shaft, and the stopper 12 can be raised and lowered with respect to the sliding rod 11. I support it.
[0022]
The recess 12A shown in FIG. 3 is a portion into which the sliding rod 13 enters when lying down, and in addition to the sliding rods 11 located on both sides in the width direction of the recording paper S, as shown in FIG. It is also formed corresponding to the sliding rod 11 located on the center side in the direction. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the sliding rod 11 enters the recess 12 </ b> A of the stopper 12 when lying down, a sliding surface in which a part of the stopper 12 is continuous with the upper surface of the sliding rod 11. Can be configured.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 5, the stopper 12 is provided with a gradient surface 12C on the upper surface on the upstream side in the recording paper discharge direction corresponding to the side facing the paper discharge tray 10A when lying down.
The inclined surface 12C is inclined such that the thickness increases in the shape of the stopper 12 in the lying down position as viewed from the side along the discharge direction (F) of the recording paper S from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. It is the formed surface, and the end facing the sliding rod 11 is positioned below the upper surface of the sliding rod 11. As a result, the leading end of the discharged recording paper S moves on the sliding rod 11 and reaches the stopper 12. Then, the recording paper S rides on the inclined surface 12 </ b> C of the stopper 12 continuous with the sliding rod 11, and continuously moves as it is. Can be moved to the top surface of. In addition, since a part of the inclined surface 12C is located below the upper surface of the sliding rod 11, even when a part of the recording paper S hangs down, it is possible to easily raise the hanged part and raise it. It is like that.
[0024]
On the other hand, the stopper 12 is provided with a guide surface 12D at the edge facing the paper discharge tray 10A.
In FIG. 6, the guide surface 12 </ b> D is composed of a surface that is inclined from the center side in the width direction W of the recording paper S toward both sides along the discharging direction (F) of the recording paper S, and is discharged. The recording paper S can be sequentially contacted from the center in the width direction toward both sides.
[0025]
Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, the recording paper S that has received the transfer of the visible image from the photoreceptor 2 in the laser printer 1 is discharged to the paper discharge device 10 after being fixed.
[0026]
In the paper discharge device 10, the position and the upright state of the stopper 12 are adjusted according to the size of the recording paper S.
That is, when a small-sized recording sheet S having a length equal to or shorter than the maximum drawing amount of the stopper 12 is discharged, the stopper 12 is set in an upright position at the drawing position, and the length exceeding the maximum drawing amount is set. When the large-sized recording paper S that is included is discharged, the stopper 12 is set to the lying down position.
[0027]
In this embodiment, since the stopper 12 is disposed via the sliding rod 11 instead of the paper discharge tray at a position adjacent to the paper discharge tray 10A, a plate-shaped paper discharge base adjacent to the paper discharge tray 10A. Unlike the case where the stopper 12 is arranged, the sliding resistance when the stopper 12 is advanced and retracted can be reduced, and the positioning of the stopper 12 can be facilitated. In addition, unlike the use of many materials such as a paper discharge stand, only a plurality of sliding rods are used in the width direction of the recording paper, so the material cost required for reducing the sliding guide of the recording paper is reduced. Can be reduced.
[0028]
When the large-sized recording paper is discharged, the stopper 12 is set in the lying down position. When the leading edge of the recording paper S reaches the inclined surface 12 with respect to the stopper 12 in this position, the slope of the recording paper S is increased. It moves while being raised along the surface 12C.
In particular, even if both ends in the width direction of the recording paper S protrude from the sliding rod 11 or hang down, or the entire front end hangs down, the upper surface of the sliding rod 11 is positioned below the upper surface of the sliding rod 11. The leading edge of the recording paper S moves while being raised from the position where the leading edge of the recording paper S hangs down by the inclined surface 12C.
[0029]
The guide surface 12D provided in the stopper 12 contacts the sloped surface 12C at the center in the width direction where the sag is less than the both sides in the width direction of the recording paper S. The entire region of the tip is run on the upper surface of the stopper 12 by being sequentially raised from the center in the direction to both sides.
As a result, even if there is a portion where the recording paper S hangs down in the width direction, the recording paper S is sequentially guided by the guide surface 12D from the central side to the both sides in the width direction toward the gradient surface 12C and is caused by the gradient surface 12C. The upper surface of the recording paper S can be moved while moving toward the upper surface of the stopper 12, and the leading edge of the recording paper S does not come into contact with the stopper 12.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, the stopper that can be moved back and forth with respect to the paper discharge tray can be tilted according to the size of the recording paper. Since it can be raised sequentially from the side toward both ends, the leading edge of the recording paper does not hang down. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sagging tip from hitting the stopper and causing a discharge failure.
[0031]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the inclined surface of the shape in which the leading edge of the recording paper is likely to ride up from the upstream side to the downstream side in the recording paper discharge direction is formed on the stopper in a state of being continuous with the sliding member. In either case where the recording paper is in contact with the sliding member, or in the case where the recording paper is in direct contact with the inclined surface without being in contact with the sliding member, the leading edge of the recording paper is easily lifted. As a result, even if the leading edge of the recording paper hangs down, the hanged portion can be raised and moved toward the upper surface of the stopper, so that it is possible to prevent defective discharge more effectively.
[0032]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the end portion of the inclined surface facing the sliding member is positioned below the upper surface of the sliding member, the portion where the recording paper hangs is inclined from the position where it hangs down. It can be moved along the surface. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper that hangs down can be easily guided toward the top surface of the stopper, so that it is possible to prevent bad effects such as abutting against the stopper and reliably prevent paper discharge failure.
[0034]
According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the stopper is provided adjacent to the paper discharge tray capable of receiving the recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port, and this stopper further serves as the recording paper receiving surface of the paper discharge tray. Is provided on a sliding member with the upper surface positioned below, so that the configuration of the recording paper moving path from the paper discharge tray to the stopper has a configuration that uses less material unlike the paper discharge table etc. As a result, the sliding resistance when the stopper is moved and when the recording paper is moved can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an internal structure of a laser printer which is one of image forming apparatuses using a paper discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a paper discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a partial perspective view for explaining a raising / lowering structure of a stopper used in the paper discharge device shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a partial perspective view showing a fallen state of a stopper using the raising / lowering structure shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the stopper in a lying state shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a plan view of the stopper in a lying state shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer which is one of image forming apparatuses 2 Photosensitive body which is a latent image carrier 10 Paper discharge device 10A Paper discharge tray 10A2 Loading surface 11 of paper discharge tray Slide rod 12 which is a sliding member Stopper 12A Recess 12C Gradient surface 12D Guide surface F Discharge direction R Stopper tilting direction S Recording paper

Claims (6)

In a paper discharge device having a paper discharge tray for receiving discharged recording paper,
A stopper provided so as to be capable of advancing and retreating along the discharge direction of the recording paper with respect to the discharge tray;
The stopper is supported so that it can be tilted at the tip of a sliding member that is slidably supported in the paper discharge tray,
The sliding member is configured to have a width narrower than a width orthogonal to the recording paper discharge direction,
The stopper provided so as to be able to rise and fall with respect to the sliding member has a surface on which the leading edge of the recording paper moved on the sliding member can run on the downstream side from the upstream side in the discharge direction of the recording paper. It is a surface inclined in the direction of rising toward
The inclined surface is inclined from the center side in the width direction of the recording paper toward both ends along the discharge direction of the recording paper,
Sheet discharging device, characterized in that the recording paper is to put along successively the inclined surface toward the opposite sides from the width direction center side when moving on said sliding member in the discharging direction. In the stopper , the inclined surface on which the recording paper can ride is an inclined surface in the shape of a side view when lying down so that the thickness increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the discharge direction of the recording paper. 2. The paper discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a slope surface is provided on the upper surface on the upstream side in the discharge direction in a state where a part of the inclined surface is continuous with the upper surface of the sliding member. 3. The paper discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the stopper is positioned such that an end portion of the inclined surface continuous with the upper surface of the sliding member is positioned below the upper surface of the sliding member when lying down. . The paper discharge device according to claim 1 , wherein the stopper is disposed adjacent to the paper discharge tray . The sliding member is composed of a rod arranged in parallel in the width direction of the recording paper, and a part of the outer peripheral surface is positioned below the recording paper receiving surface of the paper discharge tray. Item 2. The paper discharge device according to Item 1 . An image forming apparatus using the sheet discharging device according to one of claims 1 to 5,
A paper discharge tray capable of receiving recording paper discharged from the paper discharge port;
A stopper disposed adjacent to the paper discharge tray and capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the paper discharge tray,
The stopper is positioned so as to be able to advance and retreat according to the size of the recording paper and can be tilted according to the size of the recording paper, and when lying down, the discharged recording paper is directed at least from the center in the width direction to both sides. An image forming apparatus comprising: a structure that sequentially lifts and moves the sheet to the same height as the paper discharge tray .

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