JP5692820B2 - Sheet stacking apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sheet stacking apparatus that stacks sheets and an image forming apparatus including the sheet stacking apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet stacking device used for an automatic document feeder (ADF) paper feed tray installed in an image forming apparatus, a manual feed portion of an image forming apparatus, or the like depends on the size of a sheet to be stacked. It has a pair of width regulating members that regulate the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the width direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. The pair of width regulating members moves symmetrically in the width direction by, for example, a rack and a pinion.

  However, in the sheet stacking apparatus described above, when the width regulating member regulates a sheet having a width smaller than the maximum opening width, the opening width of the width regulating member has to be adjusted each time. Since this adjustment is performed by bringing the width regulating member into contact with the sheet, there is a problem that the sheet is disturbed and is not easily aligned.

  For the above problems, the click mechanism with the protrusions can be positioned at positions corresponding to each standard size such as A4-R, B5-R, LETTER, etc. by fitting with the click groove provided in the rack. What to do is known.

  However, when the click mechanism is employed, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

JP-A-4-45017

  A problem to be solved by an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a sheet stacking apparatus that positions a width regulating member according to a predetermined sheet size with a simple configuration, and an image forming apparatus including the sheet stacking apparatus. It is.

The sheet stacking apparatus according to the embodiment engages a mounting table for stacking sheets, a pair of width restricting members for restricting the width direction of the sheets, and an auxiliary restricting member for restricting the movement distance of the width restricting member. And a hole provided for the purpose. The width regulating member is provided on the mounting table and moves symmetrically in the width direction by being connected to a pair of racks that mesh with the pinion. The hole is in open state width minimum of the pair of width regulating members, of the mounting table, a width direction outer side than the position of the width regulating member, and the portion located above the rack Provided.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. The external appearance perspective view of the auxiliary | assistant control member in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sheet stacking apparatus according to the first to third embodiments.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described.
(First embodiment)

  The sheet stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied to an ADF paper feed tray installed in an image forming apparatus. In the first embodiment, the maximum opening width of the width regulating member is changed from LT-R to A4-R by mounting the auxiliary regulating member on the mounting table.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a sheet feeding unit 110 that feeds a sheet, an image forming unit 120 that forms an image on the fed sheet, an operation unit 130 that receives user input, and a scanner unit 140 that reads a document image. .

  The sheet feeding unit 110 includes a cassette unit 114 and a manual feeding unit 118 that store a plurality of sheets. A plurality of cassette units 114 may be provided. The sheet feeding unit 110 takes out the sheets placed on the cassette unit 114 or the manual feeding unit 118 one by one and conveys them to the image forming unit 120.

  The image forming unit 120 includes an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum, a developing unit using toner as a developer, and the like. The image forming unit 120 prints an image based on image data read by the scanner unit 140 or print data received from the communication interface unit on a sheet.

  The operation unit 130 includes various operation keys 134 and a touch panel type display unit 138. The operation key 134 has, for example, a numeric keypad, a reset key, a stop key, or a start key. The display unit 134 displays instruction items related to printing conditions such as sheet size, number of copies, print density setting, or finishing (binding, folding, bookbinding), for example. The operation unit 130 receives input from the user from the operation keys 134 or the display unit 138.

  Note that the front side when viewed from the direction facing the operation unit 130, that is, the direction in which the user operates the operation unit 130, is the front side of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 (arrow F in the figure), and the opposite side, that is, the user operates the operation unit 130. The back side when operating 130 is the rear side of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 (arrow R in the figure).

  The scanner unit 140 includes an original table on which an original is placed, a scanning reading unit that reads the original as an image, and an ADF 144 that conveys the original to a reading position. The scanning reading unit reads a document image conveyed from the document table or the ADF 144 to a reading position. The ADF 144 includes a sheet stacking apparatus 200 that stacks document images as a sheet feeding tray. The sheet stacking apparatus 200 places a sheet as a document and performs alignment.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. The sheet stacking apparatus 200 includes a mounting table 210 for stacking original sheets, a pair of width regulating members 220a and 220b that align the width direction of the sheets, and a hole 230a. Further, the auxiliary regulating member 240 that regulates the opening width of the width regulating members 220a and 220b in the width direction is engaged with the hole 230a.

  The mounting table 210 is installed with an inclination that becomes lower toward the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction (the arrow direction in the figure). The mounting table 210 stacks document sheets.

  The pair of width regulating members 220a and 220b are provided to face each other so as to be symmetrical with respect to the width direction of the sheet on the mounting table 210 with respect to the width direction center. The width restricting members 220a and 220b are connected to two racks 224a and 224b installed facing the lower part of the mounting table 210, respectively. The pinion 228 meshes between the two racks 224a and 224b. The width regulating members 220a and 220b are moved symmetrically in the width direction by the racks 224a and 224b and the pinion 228. That is, the pair of width regulating members 220a and 220b move by the same distance in a direction approaching or separating from each other. The width regulating members 220a and 220b align the width direction of the sheets stacked on the mounting table 210 by changing the opening width according to the width size of the sheets.

  In the sheet stacking apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, in the state where the opening widths of the width regulating members 220a and 220b are maximum (the state shown in FIG. 4A described later), the mounting table 210 is the front side width regulating member 220a. Two holes 230a are provided along the sheet conveyance direction at positions where they contact the bottom surface. In other words, the hole 230 a is provided at a position adjacent to the side wall 214 a of the mounting table 210. In the hole 230a in the first embodiment, at least one hole is located above the rack 224a.

  When the user widens the opening width of the width regulating members 220a and 220b to the maximum, the user generally tries to widen the opening width by grasping the front side width regulating member 220a, so that the user is positioned on the longitudinal extension line of the rack. The force applied to the front side wall 214a is strong. For this reason, by mounting the auxiliary restricting member 220a at a position where force is applied, the width restricting member 220a comes into contact with the auxiliary restricting member 240 in a facing state, and the width restricting member 220a can be positioned reliably. In addition, since the width regulating member 220a and the auxiliary regulating member 240 are in contact with each other on a flat surface, the sense of stability of the auxiliary regulating member 240 can be maintained. The auxiliary regulating member 240 can maintain a more stable feeling by providing the side walls 214a and 214b.

  It is also possible to employ a mounting table 210 that does not have the side walls 214a and 214b.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the auxiliary regulating member 240 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the shape of the auxiliary regulating member 240 in a normal state. The auxiliary regulating member 240 is made of an elastic material such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin. The auxiliary regulating member 240 has a shaft 242 whose length in the short direction (hereinafter referred to as width) is 3 mm. Both ends of the shaft 242 are formed to be bent downward. Engaging portions 244 are provided so as to protrude outward from both ends of the shaft 242.

  The auxiliary restricting member 240 has three contact portions 246 that protrude downward from the shaft 242 and a protrusion 248 that protrudes upward from the central portion of the shaft 242. The contact portion 246 supports the auxiliary regulating member 240 by contacting the mounting table 210 when the auxiliary regulating member 240 is mounted on the mounting table 210. The user uses the protrusion 248 as a handle when the auxiliary restricting member 240 is detached from the mounting table 210.

  Next, a method for attaching and detaching the auxiliary regulating member 240 will be described. When the user engages the auxiliary restricting member 240 with the hole 230a of the mounting table 210, the engaging portion 244 of the auxiliary restricting member 240 is aligned with each hole 230a and pushed right below. The auxiliary stacking member 230 is inserted into the hole 230a with the inclined surface of the engaging portion 244 serving as a guide. When the auxiliary regulating member 240 is mounted on the mounting table 210, the engaging portion 244 comes into contact with and engages with the back side of the hole 230a.

  FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a shape when the auxiliary regulating member 240 is curved. When the user lifts the protruding portion 248 directly above, the engaging portion 244 is engaged with the back surface of the hole 230a, so that the shaft 242 is bent so as to be pulled upward. When the shaft 242 is bent, the engaging portion 244 is inclined inward, so that the auxiliary regulating member 240 is detached from the mounting table 210.

  4A and 4B are plan views of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from an angle parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting table 210 from upstream in the sheet conveying direction. FIG. 4A is a plan view of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 when the auxiliary regulating member 240 is not attached. When the auxiliary restricting member 240 is not mounted on the mounting table 210, the maximum opening width of the width restricting members 220a and 220b is the size of LT-R (216 mm).

  Next, the width regulating members 220a and 220b when the auxiliary regulating member 240 is mounted on the mounting table 210 will be described. FIG. 4B is a plan view of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 when the auxiliary regulating member 240 is mounted. When the width regulating members 220a and 220b are opened to the maximum, the front side width regulating member 220a contacts the auxiliary regulating member 240. When the front-side width regulating member 220a abuts on the auxiliary regulating member 240, the auxiliary-regulating member 240 is 1 between the rear side width regulating member 220b and the side wall 214b via the racks 224a, 224b and the pinion 228. It is positioned at a position where there is an interval (3 mm) sufficient for entering the book. That is, the maximum opening width of the width restricting members 220a and 220b is shortened by a total length of 6 mm by the 3 mm auxiliary restricting member 240, and thus becomes A4-R size (210 mm).

  According to the first embodiment, by attaching the auxiliary regulating member to the sheet stacking apparatus, the maximum opening width of the width regulating member can be easily changed from the LT-R size to the A4-R size. That is, the user can make the opening width of the width restricting member A4-R size only by widening until the opening width of the width restricting member reaches the maximum state. Further, since the auxiliary restricting member is easily formed and removed, it is easy to switch between the case where the maximum opening width of the width restricting member is set to the LT-R size and the case where the A4-R size is set.

The maximum opening width of the width regulating member after the auxiliary regulating member is mounted is not limited to the A4-R size. By using an auxiliary regulating member having a predetermined width, it is possible to cope with sheets of various sizes.
(Second Embodiment)

  In the second embodiment, positioning according to the sheet size is performed by engaging the auxiliary regulating member in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the positions of holes provided in the mounting table and the direction and shape of the auxiliary regulating member to be mounted on the mounting table. Since the configuration other than the shape of the auxiliary regulating member and the position of the hole is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The auxiliary regulating member 240 in the second embodiment is formed such that the length in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 242 (hereinafter referred to as length) is 17 mm.

  Next, the position of the hole 230b of the mounting table will be described. Two holes 230b are provided from the front side toward the center in the width direction. The two holes 230b are desirably provided above the rack 224a.

  FIG. 4C is a plan view of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment viewed from an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction from an angle parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting table 210. When the width regulating members 220a and 220b are opened to the maximum in a state where the auxiliary regulating member 240 is engaged with the hole 230b, the front side width regulating member 220a contacts the auxiliary regulating member 240. That is, the maximum opening width of the width restricting members 220a and 220b is shortened by a total length of 34 mm by the auxiliary restricting member 240 having a length of 17 mm, and thus becomes a B5-R size (182 mm).

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by combining with the first embodiment, it is possible to position sheets of two types of sizes with one type of auxiliary regulating member. That is, when the sheet is loaded in the sheet conveying direction, positioning is performed in the A4-R size, and when the sheet is loaded in the width direction, positioning is performed in the B5-R size.

Note that the maximum opening width of the width regulating member after the auxiliary regulating member is mounted is not limited to A4-R size or B5-R. By using an auxiliary regulating member having a predetermined width and length, it is possible to cope with sheets of various sizes.
(Third embodiment)

  In the third embodiment, positioning according to various sheet sizes is performed by one kind of auxiliary regulating member by newly providing holes according to a plurality of sheet sizes on the mounting table. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a new hole is provided on the mounting table in addition to the hole of the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment.

  The mounting table 210 is provided with, for example, a B5 hole 230c in addition to the A4 size hole 230a. The B5 hole 230c is provided at a position 14 mm away from the side wall 214a toward the center in the width direction.

  FIG. 4D is a plan view of the sheet stacking apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment viewed from an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction from an angle parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting table 210. When the width regulating members 220a and 220b are opened to the maximum with the auxiliary regulating member 240 engaged with the hole 230c, the front side width regulating member 220a contacts the auxiliary regulating member 240. That is, the maximum opening width of the width restricting members 220a and 220b is shortened by a length corresponding to 34 mm by combining the front side and the rear side by the auxiliary restricting member 240, and thus becomes the B5-R size (182 mm).

  According to the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, by providing a hole for each desired sheet size, it is possible to perform positioning according to various sheet sizes by using one type of auxiliary regulating member.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the opening width of the width restricting member is changed to an arbitrary standard size by engaging the auxiliary portion restricting member with the hole of the mounting table of the sheet stacking device. Since the auxiliary regulating member can be easily attached to and detached from the mounting table, the auxiliary regulating member can be positioned according to various sheet sizes as necessary.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The application range of the sheet stacking device is not limited to the ADF paper feed tray. A manual feed section and a cassette section of the image forming apparatus, and a paper feed tray of the sheet insertion apparatus may be used. A sheet feeding tray of an erasing (erasing) device for erasing (erasing) a printed portion of a sheet printed with a predetermined toner may be used.

  Further, the size of the sheet positioned by the width regulating member and the auxiliary regulating member is not limited to the above LT-R, A4-R, and B5-R. Similar effects can be obtained in other standard sizes and sizes outside the standard size.

  Also about the structure of an auxiliary | assistant control member and a hole, it is not restricted to the said embodiment. The auxiliary regulating member may be formed so as to be detachable from the mounting table. The holes may have any shape and number corresponding to the auxiliary regulating member. Further, the position of the hole is not limited to the front side as long as it is between the width regulating member and the side wall in a state where the opening width of the width regulating member is minimum, and may be the rear side.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 130 ... Image forming part 200 ... Sheet stacking apparatus 210 ... Placement table 220a, 220b ... Width regulating member 224a, 224b ... Rack 228 ... Pinion 230a, 230b, 230c ... Hole 240 ... Auxiliary regulating member 244 ... Engagement Part

Claims (5)

A mounting table for loading sheets;
In order to regulate the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the above-mentioned mounting table, it moves symmetrically in the width direction by connecting to a pair of racks that mesh with the pinion. A pair of width regulating members;
In order to engage the auxiliary restricting member that restricts the movement range of the width restricting member, the width of the pair of width restricting members is smaller than the position of the width restricting member in the mounting table in a state where the opening width is the minimum. and a outward and provided in a portion positioned above the rack holes,
A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the holes are provided across the rack along a conveyance direction of the sheet. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising the auxiliary regulating member having a predetermined width and detachably formed with respect to the hole . 4. The sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary regulating member has elasticity and has a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the holes . 5. A mounting table for loading sheets;
In order to regulate the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed from the above-mentioned mounting table, it moves symmetrically in the width direction by connecting to a pair of racks that mesh with the pinion. A pair of width regulating members;
In order to engage the auxiliary restricting member that restricts the movement range of the width restricting member, the width of the pair of width restricting members is smaller than the position of the width restricting member in the mounting table in a state where the opening width is the minimum. and a outward and provided in a portion positioned above the rack holes,
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet fed from the mounting table;
An image forming apparatus.

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