JP4676367B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus provided with a paper tray (sheet stacking device) for stacking paper discharged from a paper discharge means, a paper movement restriction member for restricting movement of discharged paper is provided in the paper tray. There is a sheet movement restriction member that rises obliquely upward in the sheet discharge direction, and has an inclination angle that can be changed within a range of an oblique inclination position that supports the lower surface side of the discharged sheet and restricts movement. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-231833 A

  However, if the paper tray is shallow due to a request for downsizing of the image forming apparatus and the paper discharge angle is not sufficient, the inclination angle of the paper movement regulating member is changed within the range of the oblique inclination position. However, there is a problem that the paper discharged first may be pushed out by the paper discharged later and fall from the paper tray.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and even when the paper tray is shallow and the paper discharge angle cannot be sufficiently obtained, the paper can be prevented from dropping from the paper tray, and the stack can be removed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus devised so as to improve the alignment of the printed paper.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a paper tray for stacking paper discharged from a paper discharge unit, and restricts movement of discharged paper to the paper tray. The sheet movement restricting member is provided so as to rise obliquely upward in the sheet discharge direction, and support the lower surface side of the discharged sheet to support the movement and restrict the movement. rising perpendicularly, the inclination angle is changeable der the perpendicular the inclined position for restricting the movement stop against the distal end of the discharged sheets is, tilting the shaft portion of the paper movement regulating member in the axial hole of the sheet tray The paper tray is supported so as to be able to swing in the direction, and the paper tray is a slanting part that latches the paper movement restricting member at the obliquely inclined position as a latching part that can latch the paper movement restricting member at the two-stage inclined position An oblique locking protrusion and a right-angle tilting locking protrusion for locking the sheet movement restricting member at a right-angle inclined position are further provided, and the shaft hole portion can move the sheet movement restricting member in the direction perpendicular to the axis. An image forming apparatus characterized by being formed in a long hole is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the right angle inclination position of the paper movement regulating member can be configured to stop the leading edge of the A4 size or smaller paper.

  According to the present invention, the sheet movement restricting member of the sheet tray receives the lower surface side of the discharged sheet and supports the oblique inclination position that restricts the movement, and the right angle that restricts the movement by stopping the leading edge of the discharged sheet. Since the inclination angle can be changed to the inclination position, even if the paper tray is shallow and the paper discharge angle cannot be sufficiently obtained, the right-angle inclination position of the paper movement restricting member is a frequently used size (for example, A4 size) and changing the inclination angle of the paper movement restricting member to the right-angled inclination position, the leading edge of the discharged paper is stopped, so that the paper discharged first is discharged later. This prevents the paper from being pushed out and dropped from the paper tray. In addition, since the leading end of the discharged paper is stopped, the alignment of the stacked paper is also improved.

In addition, since the sheet movement restricting member can be locked at the two inclined positions of the obliquely inclined position and the right angle inclined position by the engaging portion of the sheet tray, the inclined position of the sheet movement restricting member can be accurately set. .

In addition, by picking the paper movement restricting member with a finger and pulling it up along the elongated hole, after releasing the locking projection at the right-angled inclined position, it is inclined to the inclined position, and at the inclined position Since it can be locked by the locking projection, the inclined position can be changed easily and quickly. Further, by pulling up the sheet movement restricting member, the locking projection at the right-angle inclined position is not damaged.

According to the second aspect , the sheet movement restricting member can be rationally used by stopping the A4 size sheet frequently used.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 1 which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to a printer but can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

  The printer 1 forms an image on a sheet based on image data sent from a terminal or the like in the middle of conveying the sheet along the conveyance path L. A photoconductor is provided inside the box-shaped apparatus main body 2. An image forming unit 4 that forms a toner image on the surface of the drum 3 and then transfers the toner image to a sheet, a paper feeding unit 5 that supplies the sheet to the image forming unit 4, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the sheet 6 is provided.

  The conveyance path L includes a horizontal portion L1 extending in the left-right direction and a vertical portion L2 rising substantially vertically from the left end portion of the horizontal portion L1.

  The paper feed section 5 has a paper feed cassette 10 disposed below the horizontal portion L1 of the transport path L. The paper stored in the paper feed cassette 10 is taken out by a pickup roller 12a and the paper is Are fed one by one to the horizontal portion L1 of the conveyance path L by the paper feed rollers 12b to 12e, and the sheet fed to the conveyance path L is once waited by the registration roller 12f and the pinch roller 12g to form an image at a predetermined timing. The unit 4 is supplied.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 3 disposed substantially at the center of the horizontal portion L1 of the conveyance path L, a charging unit 13 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3, and a right side of the photosensitive drum 3. A developing unit 14 disposed on the side, a transfer unit 15 disposed below the photosensitive drum 3, a cleaning unit 16 disposed on the left side of the photosensitive drum 3, a charging unit 13, and a cleaning unit. 16 and a laser scanner unit (LSU) 17 disposed above the fixing unit 6.

  The photosensitive drum 3 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1. After the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 13, a laser based on image data is output by the laser scanner unit 17. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating light between the charging unit 13 and the developing unit 14, and toner is further supplied from the developing unit 14 to the surface on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. An image is formed.

  The paper supplied from the paper supply unit 5 is conveyed while being pressed against the photoconductive drum 3 by the transfer roller 15a of the transfer unit 15, so that the surface of the photoconductive drum 3 is transferred to the surface (transfer surface). The toner image formed on the toner image is transferred and then sent to the fixing unit 6. Note that the toner and residual charges remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after the transfer are removed by the cleaning unit 16.

  The fixing unit 6 includes a heat roller 6a and a pressure roller 6b. The toner image is transferred to the paper by heat and pressure by sandwiching the paper on which the toner image is transferred by the rollers 6a and 6b. It has become established.

  The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 19 formed on the upper surface of the top cover 30 of the apparatus main body 2 by the discharge roller 18.

  In the printer 1 of this embodiment, a switchback unit 20 is provided between the horizontal portion L1 of the transport path L and the paper feed cassette 10, so that images can be formed on both sides of the paper. . Reference numeral 21 denotes a manual feed unit.

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, a developing unit 25 in which the developing unit 14 and the toner container 23 are integrated is provided, and can be taken in and out from an oblique direction with respect to the loading and unloading opening 2 a on the upper surface of the apparatus body 2. Yes. That is, the developing unit 25 can be loaded into the apparatus main body 2 from the direction of the arrow IN that is obliquely downward, and can be taken out from the apparatus body 2 in the direction of the arrow OUT that is obliquely upward.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the discharge tray 19 formed on the top surface of the top cover 30 of the apparatus main body 2 stacks the paper discharged from the discharge roller (paper discharge means) 18. On the upper surface of the top cover 30 corresponding to a part of the tray 19, a paper movement restricting member 31 for restricting the movement of the discharged paper is provided.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2A in which the paper movement restricting member 31 is moved forward to the forward position A, there is no function for restricting the movement of the discharged paper, and the paper movement restricting member 31 is moved from the forward position A to the right-angle inclined position B. In the inclined state of FIG. 2B, the sheet rises in a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction (see arrow F), restricts the movement by stopping the leading edge of the discharged paper, and from the right-angled inclination position B. Further, in the state of FIG. 2C tilted rearward to the diagonally inclined position C, it rises diagonally upward in the paper discharge direction (see arrow F) and supports the lower surface side of the discharged paper to restrict movement. It becomes like this. In the present embodiment, at the right-angled inclination position B, the leading end of the discharged A4 size paper or less is set to be restricted so that the movement is restricted, but it may be other sizes or less.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the sheet movement restriction member 31 that has been moved forward to the forward position A is stored on the top surface of the top cover 30 on which the flat sheet movement restriction member 31 is located. A recess 30 a is formed on the top surface of the top cover 30 so as to be substantially flush with each other.

  Hinge bracket portions 31a are formed on the left and right lower portions of the sheet movement regulating member 31, and shaft portions 31b projecting outward are formed on the hinge bracket portions 31a.

  A concave step portion 30b into which the hinge bracket portion 31a of the paper movement restriction member 31 is loosely fitted is formed in the front portion of the concave portion 30a of the top cover 30, and a paper movement restriction member is formed on the left and right sides of the concave step portion 30b. A shaft hole portion 30c into which the shaft portion 31b of 31 is fitted is formed.

  The shaft hole 31c of the top cover 30 supports the shaft 31b of the sheet movement regulating member 31 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The shaft hole portion 30c is formed as a long hole that can move the sheet movement regulating member 31 in the direction perpendicular to the axis (see arrow G in FIG. 4B).

  At the bottom of the concave step portion 30b of the top cover 30, a hemispherical first locking portion (locking projection for right-angle inclination) 30d capable of locking the lower end portion 31c of the sheet movement regulating member 31 at the right-angle inclination position B. Is formed on the rear vertical wall portion of the recessed step portion 30b, and the second locking portion (a diagonally inclined shape) that can lock the lower end portion 31c of the paper movement restricting member 31 at the diagonally inclined position C. (Locking projection for use) 30e is formed.

  If configured as described above, the sheet movement restricting member 31 is moved forward to the forward position A and stored in the recess 30a of the top cover 30 as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a). In the state, the movement of the discharged paper is not restricted.

  From this state, when the upper surface portion of the lower end portion 31c of the sheet movement regulating member 31 is pushed from above with a finger as shown by an arrow P in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B. The sheet movement regulating member 31 rises obliquely upward in the sheet discharge direction F around the shaft portion 31b fitted in the shaft hole portion 30c of the concave step portion 30b of the top cover 30. At this time, since the paper movement restricting member 31 receives gravity downward due to its own weight, the lower end portion 31c is naturally locked by the first locking portion 30d.

  As a result, the sheet movement regulating member 31 is locked at a right-angled inclined position B rising in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction F, and restricts the movement by abutting the leading end of the discharged A4 size or smaller sheet. It becomes like this.

  From this state, as indicated by an arrow H in FIG. 5B, when the vicinity of the upper end of the paper movement regulating member 31 is picked up by a finger and pulled upward, the shaft portion 31b of the paper movement regulating member 31 moves the shaft hole 30c upward. By sliding, the locking of the lower end portion 31c of the sheet movement regulating member 31 by the first locking portion 30d is released.

  Next, when the sheet movement restricting member 31 is further tilted backward as indicated by an arrow I in FIG. 5B, the sheet movement restricting member 31 is moved to the slide position of the shaft hole portion 30 c of the recessed step portion 30 b of the top cover 30. Centering on the fitted shaft portion 31b, it tilts backward in the paper discharge direction F. At this time, the lower end portion 31c of the sheet movement regulating member 31 is locked by the second locking portion 30e.

  As a result, the sheet movement regulating member 31 is locked at an obliquely inclined position C that rises obliquely upward in the sheet ejection direction F, and supports the lower surface side of the ejected A4 size or larger sheet to regulate the movement. It becomes like this.

  Note that the sheet movement restricting member 31 at the obliquely inclined position C can be returned to the right-angled inclined position B or the forwardly inclined position A in the reverse procedure.

  With the above configuration, the sheet movement restricting member 31 of the sheet tray 19 supports the slanted inclined position C that supports the lower surface side of the discharged A4 size or larger paper and restricts the movement, and the discharged A4 size or smaller. Since the inclination angle can be changed to the right-angled inclination position B that restricts the movement by stopping the leading edge of the paper, even if the paper tray 19 is shallow and the paper discharge angle cannot be taken sufficiently, the paper movement If the right-angled inclination position B of the restricting member 31 is set to a frequently used size, for example, A4 size, and the inclination angle of the sheet movement restricting member 19 is changed to the right-angled inclined position B, the discharged sheet of A4 size or less is discharged. Since the leading end is stopped, the paper discharged first is not pushed out by the paper discharged later, and there is no possibility that the paper falls from the paper tray 19.

  In addition, since the leading end of the discharged paper is stopped, the alignment of the stacked paper is also improved.

  Further, the sheet movement restricting member 31 can be locked at two inclined positions, that is, an inclined inclination position C and a right-angle inclination position B, by the paper tray 19, that is, the engaging portions 30 d and 30 e of the concave step portion 30 b of the top cover 30. Thus, the inclined position of the sheet movement regulating member 31 can be set accurately.

  Further, the paper movement regulating member 31 is picked with a finger and pulled up along the long hole-shaped shaft hole 30c, thereby releasing the locking of the first locking portion (locking protrusion) 30d at the inclined position B. Later, by inclining to the oblique inclination position C, the inclination can be easily and quickly changed because the second engagement portion (engagement protrusion) 30e at the inclination position C can be engaged. . In addition, by pulling up the sheet movement regulating member 31, the first locking portion (locking protrusion) 30 d at the right-angle inclined position B is not damaged.

  Furthermore, the sheet movement restricting member 31 can be rationally used by catching A4 size sheets that are frequently used.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a perspective view of a paper movement restricting member in a forward position, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a paper movement restricting member in a right-angled inclination position, and FIG. FIG. (A) is a perspective view of a top cover, (b) is a perspective view of a paper movement restricting member. (A) is a perspective view of the top cover from which the sheet movement regulating member is removed, and (b) is an enlarged perspective view of a concave portion and a concave step portion. (A) is a perspective view of the paper movement restricting member in the forward position, (b) is a perspective view of the paper movement restricting member in the right-angled inclination position, and (c) is a perspective view of the paper movement restricting member in the obliquely inclined position. It is a perspective view. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the paper movement regulating member in the forward position, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the paper movement regulating member in the right-angled inclination position, and (c) is a paper movement regulating member in the obliquely inclined position. It is sectional drawing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer (image forming device)
2 Device body 18 Discharge roller (paper discharge means)
19 Paper tray 30 Top cover 30a Recessed portion 30b Recessed step portion 30c Shaft hole portion 30d First locking portion (locking protrusion for right-angle inclination)
30e 2nd locking part (locking protrusion for slanting inclination)
31 Paper movement restricting member 31a Hinge bracket portion 31b Shaft portion 31c Lower end portion A Forward position B Right-angle inclination position C Oblique inclination position

Claims (2)

In an image forming apparatus provided with a paper tray for stacking paper discharged from a paper discharge means,
The paper tray is provided with a paper movement restricting member for restricting the movement of the discharged paper. The paper movement restricting member rises obliquely upward in the paper discharge direction and supports the lower surface side of the discharged paper. an oblique inclined position for restricting movement Te, rising substantially perpendicularly to the sheet discharge direction, Ri inclination angle changeable der the perpendicular the inclined position for restricting the movement stop against the distal end of the discharged sheet,
A shaft portion of the paper movement restricting member is supported by the shaft hole portion of the paper tray so as to be swingable in an inclined direction, and the paper tray is engaged with the paper movement restricting member at the two-stage inclined position. As the stopper, an oblique inclination locking projection for locking the paper movement restricting member at the oblique inclination position and a right angle inclination engaging protrusion for engaging the paper movement restricting member at the right angle inclination position are further provided, and the shaft The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hole portion is formed as a long hole that allows the sheet movement regulating member to be moved in the direction perpendicular to the axis . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the right-angle inclination position of the sheet movement regulating member is configured to stop a leading end of a sheet of A4 size or less .

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