JP4055067B2 - Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and a paper feeding device that is detachably installed therein.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, for the purpose of facilitating a user's fouling work, a printer provided with a punch unit for punching punch holes in a transfer paper after image formation has been used. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Specifically, a post-processing device that performs post-processing on transfer paper after image formation is installed in a paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus main body. A rotary punch type punch unit is installed in the post-processing apparatus.
When the transfer paper after image formation is conveyed from the main body of the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus, punch holes are punched in the transfer paper by the punch unit. Thereafter, the transfer paper having the punched holes is discharged out of the apparatus through a predetermined discharge path in the post-processing apparatus.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-145515 A (2nd page, FIG. 9)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional image forming apparatus described above has a problem that the position of the punch holes formed on the transfer paper by the punch unit varies, so that the file does not look good even if the user performs a filing operation after that.
[0006]
In other words, the transfer sheet passes through the transfer unit and the fixing unit from the paper supply unit of the image forming apparatus main body, and is then transported to the punch unit where it undergoes punch processing. By passing through such a long conveyance path, the posture of the transfer paper when it reaches the punch unit varies and becomes unstable.
[0007]
Specifically, the transfer paper when it reaches the punch unit is slanted (this phenomenon is called “skew”) or slid in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction (such as The phenomenon is called “lateral resist misalignment”).
When the posture of the transfer paper when reaching the punch unit is not constant in this way, the punch hole is displaced for each transfer paper.
[0008]
On the other hand, a stapling unit or the like of a post-processing apparatus uses a jogger mechanism that corrects the postures of a plurality of transfer sheets stacked on a staple tray. However, such a jogger mechanism requires an installation space at least as large as the transfer paper. Therefore, when the jogger mechanism is provided in the upstream conveyance path with respect to the punch unit, there arises a problem that the entire apparatus is increased in size.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An image forming apparatus having a relatively high punch hole position accuracy for each transfer sheet and a relatively small image forming apparatus, and a sheet feeding device installed therein are provided. It is to provide.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Sheet feeding apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, wherein the invention, the rolling transfer paper a storage unit for storing and a feeding unit for feeding a sheet of transfer paper from said housing unit, feeding from the feeding portion A transport unit that transports one sheet of transferred paper, a housing that houses the storage unit, the feeding unit, and the transport unit, a jogger unit that corrects the posture of the transfer paper, and the jogger unit. In the paper feeding apparatus provided with a punch unit that punches punch holes in the corrected transfer paper, the paper feeding device includes a holding member that holds the housing apart from the installation surface, and the housing formed by the holding member The jogger portion and the punch portion are disposed in a gap between the mounting surface and the installation surface .
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the paper feeding device according to the first aspect , the holding member is formed of four casters.
[0014]
Further, the sheet feeding apparatus according to the invention of claim 3, wherein the guide in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the jogger unit and said punching unit, a detachable with respect to the housing while being integrally formed A guide member is provided .
[0015]
Further, the sheet feeding apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the invention described in any one of the claims 1 to 3, the conveyance unit, the transfer sheet fed from the feeding unit The jogger part and the punch part are provided so as to be able to be transported toward the jogger part and the punch part , and the transfer paper transported from the transport part is provided so as to be able to be transported toward the transport part.
[0016]
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the paper feeding device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.
First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus in the present embodiment will be described.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a copying machine as an image forming apparatus, 2 is a photosensitive drum on which a toner image is formed, 3 is a writing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2, and 5 is a photosensitive drum. 2 is a charging unit that charges the surface 2, 6 is a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2, 7 is a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 to the transfer paper P, and 8 Is a cleaning unit for collecting untransferred toner on the photosensitive drum 2, 10 is a document conveying unit for conveying the document D to the document reading unit, and 12 and 13 are for feeding the stored transfer paper P to the conveying path K. A paper feeding unit 15 is installed in the main body of the copier 1, 15 is a paper feeding device installed under the main body of the copier 1 for feeding the stored transfer paper P to the main body of the copier 1, and 17 is stored. Large capacity installed on the side of the copier 1 main body to feed the transferred transfer paper P to the copier 1 main body A paper device, 19 is a fixing unit for fixing a toner image on the transfer paper P after the transfer process, and 20 is installed on the side of the main body of the copying machine 1 for post-processing the transfer paper P after image formation. A processing device 50 is a punch / jogger unit provided in the paper feeding device 15.
[0019]
With reference to FIG. 1, the operation of the copying machine 1 when punching is not performed will be described.
First, the document D is transported from the document table in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the transport roller of the document transport unit 10 and passes over the document reading unit. At this time, the document reading unit optically reads the image information of the document D passing above.
The optical image information read by the original reading unit is transferred to the writing unit 3 after being converted into an electrical signal. The writing unit 3 emits exposure light L such as laser light based on the image information of the electrical signal toward the photosensitive drum 2.
[0020]
On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 2 rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and first, the surface thereof is uniformly charged at a position facing the charging unit 5. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 charged by the charging unit 5 reaches the irradiation position of the exposure light L. At this position, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information of the document D is formed.
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 on which the latent image is formed reaches a portion facing the developing unit 6. Then, the developing unit 6 develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum 2.
[0021]
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 developed by the developing unit 6 reaches a portion facing the transfer unit 7. At this position, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 is transferred onto the transfer paper P conveyed by the registration rollers.
At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner that is not transferred onto the transfer paper P remains on the photosensitive drum 2.
[0022]
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 having untransferred toner that has passed through the transfer portion 7 reaches a portion facing the cleaning portion 8. Then, the untransferred toner is collected in the cleaning unit 8 by the cleaning blade in contact with the photosensitive drum 2.
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 that has passed through the cleaning unit 8 reaches a static elimination unit (not shown). Then, the potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is eliminated, and a series of image forming processes is completed.
[0023]
On the other hand, the transfer paper P operates as follows.
First, one of the two sheet feeders 12 and 13 in the main body of the copying machine 1, the externally fed sheet feeder 15 and the large capacity sheet feeder 17 is automatically or manually selected (for example, Suppose that the paper feed unit 12 of the apparatus main body is selected).
Of the plurality of transfer papers P stored in the paper supply unit 12, the upper transfer paper P (not necessarily one transfer paper P) is positioned by the pickup roller at the positions of the paper supply roller and the reverse roller. It is conveyed toward. Then, only one transfer sheet P is transported toward the position of the transport path K by the feed roller and the reverse roller that rotate in directions opposite to each other.
[0024]
Thereafter, the transfer paper P that has passed through the transport path K reaches the position of the registration roller. Then, the transfer paper P that has reached the position of the registration roller is conveyed toward the transfer unit 7 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 in order to be aligned.
After the transfer process, the transfer paper P passes through the position of the transfer unit 7 and then reaches the fixing unit 19 through the conveyance path. At this position, the unfixed toner image on the transfer paper P is fixed by heat and pressure.
[0025]
Thereafter, the transfer paper P after the fixing process (after image formation) is conveyed into the post-processing device 20. The transfer paper P conveyed into the post-processing apparatus 20 is discharged out of the apparatus through predetermined discharge paths M1 to M3. Specifically, the first paper discharge path M1 is selected when the post-processing is not performed on the transfer paper P, and the second paper discharge path M2 is selected when the transfer paper P is sorted and bound. When the transfer paper P is stapled, the third paper discharge path M3 is selected.
Thus, a series of image forming processes is completed.
[0026]
Next, the sheet feeding device 15 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an external-type paper feeding device 15 that is detachably installed on the copying machine 1 main body.
[0027]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 29 denotes a housing for accommodating trays 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B, 30 denotes a pickup roller that conveys the transfer paper P to the positions of the paper feed roller 31 and the reverse roller 32, and 31 denotes the transfer paper P toward the conveyance path K. A feeding roller 32 for conveying, a reverse roller 32 for separating the conveyed transfer paper P into one sheet, 34 a to 34 c for conveying rollers forming a conveying portion, and 35 for supplying the transfer paper P to the trays 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B. Slide rails that move the trays 36A and 36B in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, 36A and 36B are trays that serve as storage units for storing the transfer paper P, and 40 is a caster that serves as a holding unit that holds the casing 29 apart from the installation surface S. 45a to 45c are sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the transfer paper P, 50 is a punch / jogger unit installed below the housing 29, and 52 is a punch / jogger unit 50. A jogger fence installed in the jogger unit, 56 a paper feed roller installed in the jogger unit of the punch jogger unit 50, 57 a transport roller installed in the jogger unit of the punch jogger unit 50, and 60 a punch jogger unit 50 punch portions are shown.
[0028]
Here, although illustration is omitted, positioning pins are provided on the upper surface of the housing 29 in the paper feeding device 15. Then, the position is determined by the positioning pin, and the main body of the copying machine 1 is placed on the paper feeding device 15 (the state shown in FIG. 1).
On the other hand, four casters 40 are fixed on the lower surface of the casing 29 (two on the front side of the drawing are shown in FIG. 2). With these four casters 40, the paper feeding device 15 on which the copying machine 1 main body is placed can be moved along the installation surface S. The caster 40 is provided with a stopper for restricting the operation of the wheel, and thereby the paper feeding device 15 on which the copying machine 1 main body is placed can be fixed on the installation surface S.
[0029]
In addition, the punch portion 60 and the jogger portion are integrally formed so as to circumscribe the lower surface of the casing 29 in the gap between the casing 29 and the installation surface S formed by the four casters 40. A jogger unit 50 is installed. Here, the holding member may be other than the four casters 40, for example, three or more legs having no wheels. In this case, the punch / jogger unit 50 is provided between the housing 29 and the installation surface S. A gap to be installed can be formed. The configuration of the punch / jogger unit 50 will be described in detail later.
The pickup roller 30, the paper feed roller 31, and the reverse roller 32 constitute a feeding unit that feeds one transfer sheet P from the trays 36A and 36B toward the transport unit.
[0030]
With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an operation at the time of punch processing in the sheet feeding device 15 configured as described above will be described.
Referring to FIG. 3, first, when the punching process is selected by the user, one of the two trays 36A and 36B in the paper feeding device 15 is selected (for example, the lower tray 36B is selected). ).
[0031]
Of the plurality of transfer papers P stored in the tray 36 </ b> B, the upper transfer paper P (not necessarily one transfer paper P) is transferred to the feed rollers 31 and the reverse rollers 32 by the pickup roller 30. It is transported toward the position. Then, the single transfer paper P is transported upward in the transport path K by the paper feed roller 31 and the reverse roller 32 that rotate in opposite directions. At this time, all the three transport rollers 34a to 34c constituting the transport section are rotated in the direction in which the transfer paper P is transported above the transport path K.
[0032]
Thereafter, the transfer paper P transported upward in the transport path K stops when the rear end of the transfer paper P reaches the position of the lower sensor 45b (the position of P1 in the figure). Thereafter, the transfer paper P is transported downward in the transport path K. That is, when the lower sensor 45b detects that the trailing edge of the transfer paper P has passed, the three transport rollers 34a to 34c are controlled to rotate in the reverse direction, so that the transfer paper P is positioned below the transport path K. Reversely conveyed (switched back). At this time, the conveyance roller 57 installed in the punch / jogger unit 50 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing.
[0033]
Thereafter, the transfer paper P conveyed toward the lower side of the conveyance path K passes through the lower conveyance roller 34 c and is conveyed toward the punch / jogger unit 50. Then, the transfer paper P transported to the punch / jogger unit 50 is guided to the jogger section by the transport roller 57 after passing through the punch section 60 (position P2 in the figure). At this time, the transport roller 57 of the jogger section is triggered by the sensor 45c detecting the trailing edge of the transfer paper P, stops rotating, and retreats upward (by movement to the broken line portion in the figure). is there.).
[0034]
The posture of the transfer paper P stored in the jogger unit of the punch / jogger unit 50 is corrected by the jogger fence 52 installed in the jogger unit.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, first, when the trailing edge of the transfer paper P conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 is detected by the sensor 45c, the conveyance roller 57 is retracted upward to stop the conveyance of the transfer paper P. To do.
[0035]
At the same time, the motor shaft of the stepping motor 51 rotates in both forward and reverse directions. In conjunction with the operation of the stepping motor 51, the endless timing belt 53 travels in both forward and reverse directions with respect to the circumferential direction. Here, the pair of jogger fence support portions 52a and 52b that respectively support the jogger fence 52 has a distance between the two jogger fence support portions 52a and 52b in conjunction with the traveling of the timing belt 53 in both forward and reverse directions. The belt is connected to the timing belt 53 so as to be narrowed or widened.
The endless timing belt 53 is stretched and supported by a pulley installed on the motor shaft of the stepping motor 51 on one end side of the jogger and a pulley 54 installed on the other end side.
[0036]
As described above, the jogger fence 52 supported by the two jogger fence support portions 52a and 52b moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Even if this occurs, the posture is corrected.
More specifically, first, the position of the jogger fence 52 is adjusted by a home position sensor (not shown) installed in the jogger section so that the distance between the two jogger fences 52 is maximized. Then, the stepping motor 51 is rotated by a predetermined angle in accordance with the size of the transfer paper P stored in the jogger portion, and the interval between the two jogger fences 52 is narrowed (substantially the same interval as the transfer paper P size). By repeating the reciprocating motion of the jogger fence 52 several times, the posture of the transfer paper P is corrected by the contact force of the jogger fence 52.
[0037]
Thereafter, when the rotation of the stepping motor 51 is stopped, the paper feed roller 56 installed in the jogger portion starts to rotate (the counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 3). Then, the transfer paper P subjected to the jogger process is conveyed from the jogger portion toward the punch portion 60 by the paper feed roller 56.
Referring to FIG. 4, the transfer paper P conveyed to the punch unit 60 is subjected to a punching process by the punch unit 60 connected to the drive motor 72 via a gear train 73.
[0038]
Specifically, referring to FIG. 5A, the punch unit 60 includes a punch roller 61 provided with a punch 62, a die roller 64 provided with a die 65, a guide plate 69 for guiding the transfer of the transfer paper P, and the like. Is done. The punch roller 61 and the die roller 64 are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5A by the drive motor 72 of FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the leading end of the transfer paper P is conveyed to the nip portion of the punch roller 61 and the die roller 64, the punch 62 and the dice 65 are engaged and the transfer paper is transferred. P is punched with a hole H.
[0039]
Then, the transfer paper P in which the punch holes H are formed is guided by the guide plate 69, passes through the punch unit 60, and ends a series of jogger processing and punch processing.
In this embodiment, the punch unit 60 is a rotary punch type that performs the punching process while conveying the transfer paper P. However, the press punching system that performs the punching process while the transfer paper P is stopped is used. Can also be used.
[0040]
Thereafter, the transfer paper P on which the punch holes H are formed passes through the transport rollers 34a to 34c of the transport section with reference to FIG. 3, and reaches the position of the registration roller described in FIG. Then, the transfer paper P that has reached the position of the registration roller is discharged out of the post-processing device 20 through the transfer process in the transfer unit 7 and the fixing process in the fixing unit 19 as described in FIG. . At this time, the three transport rollers 34 a to 34 c of the paper feeding device 15 are rotated in the direction in which the transfer paper P is transported above the transport path K.
[0041]
Note that when normal paper feeding is performed without performing the punching process by the paper feeding device 15, the transfer paper P is not transported to the punch / jogger unit 50 by the transport unit. That is, the transfer paper P fed from the trays 36A and 36B is transported toward the copying machine 1 main body through the transport path K without being switched back.
[0042]
Next, the attaching / detaching operation of the punch / jogger unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The punch / jogger unit 50 is provided with a slide rail 80 as a pair of guide members in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. With this slide rail 80, the punch / jogger unit 50 is installed below the housing 29 and can be attached to and detached from the housing 29.
[0043]
That is, the punch / jogger unit 50 is guided by the slide rail 80 and pulled out in the direction of the arrow in FIG. As a result, even if a paper jam (jam) occurs in the transfer paper P in the punch / jogger unit 50, the punch / jogger unit 50 can be pulled out and maintained easily.
On the other hand, when the punch / jogger unit 50 is guided by the slide rail 80 and installed in the housing 29, the housing is provided by positioning pins and positioning holes (not shown) installed in both members. The position of the punch / jogger unit 50 relative to the body 29 is accurately determined.
The attaching / detaching direction of the punch / jogger unit 50 is not limited to the direction shown in FIG. 6, and may be the attaching / detaching direction in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6.
[0044]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the punching process is performed immediately after the jogger process is performed on the transfer sheet P that has been fed from the sheet feeding device 15 without passing through a long transport path. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the punch hole H in the transfer paper P is increased.
In the present embodiment, the punch / jogger unit 50 having a projection area substantially the same as the projection area of the trays 36A and 36B is installed using the gap below the sheet feeding device 15. It can be downsized.
[0045]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in the embodiment. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to provide a relatively small paper feeding device and image forming apparatus with high punch hole positional accuracy for each transfer paper.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a sheet feeding device installed in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
3 is a diagram illustrating a transfer sheet conveyance position during punching in the sheet feeding device of FIG. 2;
4 is a top view showing a punch / jogger unit installed in the paper feeder of FIG. 2; FIG.
5 is a configuration diagram showing a punch section in the punch / jogger unit of FIG. 4; FIG.
6 is a view showing a state in which the punch / jogger unit of FIG. 4 is pulled out. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 2 Photosensitive drum, 7 Transfer part,
12, 13 paper feeding unit, 15 paper feeding device, 17 large capacity paper feeding device,
19 fixing unit, 20 post-processing device, 29 housing,
30 pickup rollers, 31 paper feed rollers, 32 reverse rollers,
34a-34c conveyance roller, 35 slide rail,
36A, 36B Tray (storage part), 40 casters (holding member),
45a-45c sensor, 50 punch / jogger unit,
51 stepping motors, 52 jogger fences,
52a, 52b jogger fence support, 53 timing belt,
54 pulley, 56 paper feed roller, 57 transport roller, 60 punch section,
61 punch rollers, 62 punches, 64 dice rollers,
65 dies, 69 guide plates, 72 drive motors, 73 gear trains,
80 slide rail (guide member),
K transport path, P transfer paper, S installation surface.

Claims (5)

A storage unit that stores transfer paper, a feeding unit that feeds one transfer paper from the storage unit, a transport unit that transports one transfer paper fed from the feeding unit, and the storage A housing for housing the paper feeding section and the transport section, a jogger section for correcting the posture of the transfer paper, and a punch section for punching punch holes in the transfer paper corrected by the jogger section. In the paper feeder
A holding member that holds the casing away from the installation surface is provided, and the jogger portion and the punch portion are disposed in a gap between the casing formed by the holding member and the installation surface. Paper feeding device to be used. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is four casters . Wherein the jogger unit and said punching unit, the sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a guide member for guiding the detachable with respect to the housing while being integrally formed. The transfer unit is provided so that the transfer paper fed from the feeding unit can be transported toward the jogger unit and the punch unit, and the jogger unit and the punch unit are transported from the transport unit. sheet feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the paper was provided so as to be conveyed to the transport section. An image forming apparatus comprising the paper feeding device according to claim 1 .

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