JPH1077139A - Image forming device - Google Patents
Image forming deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH1077139A JPH1077139A JP25385996A JP25385996A JPH1077139A JP H1077139 A JPH1077139 A JP H1077139A JP 25385996 A JP25385996 A JP 25385996A JP 25385996 A JP25385996 A JP 25385996A JP H1077139 A JPH1077139 A JP H1077139A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- image forming
- sheet
- paper
- forming apparatus
- storage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Landscapes
- Handling Of Cut Paper (AREA)
- Counters In Electrophotography And Two-Sided Copying (AREA)
- Pile Receivers (AREA)
- Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、複写機、プリン
タ、ファクシミリ装置あるいはそれらの複合機等の画像
形成装置に関し、特に画像形成部にて片面に画像形成を
受けた用紙を中間トレイに一時収納して再び画像形成部
に送り出して裏面に画像形成を行う画像形成装置に関す
るものである。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine thereof. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which sends the image to an image forming unit again to form an image on the back surface.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】従来の両面複写機能を備えた画像形成装
置は、画像形成部において片面に画像形成を受けた用紙
を排出せずに、中間トレイに一時収納して、再び画像形
成部に送り出して裏面に画像を形成することにより自動
的に両面に画像形成を行う構成、機能を備えている。図
７及び図８は従来の両面複写機能を備えた画像形成装置
の全体概要図、及び中間トレイの要部斜視図であり、従
来の両面画像形成装置について、更に、詳細に説明す
る。この画像形成装置においては、電子写真式の画像形
成部１０１に、ペーパバンク１０９から搬送路１１０を
通って用Ｐ紙が搬送され、感光体１１１と転写分離装置
１１２により感光体上のトナー像が用紙上に転写されて
から定着器１１３で定着されて、片面コピーの場合は排
紙部１１４から排紙される。他方、両面コピーの場合、
用紙は、定着器１１３で定着された後に、分岐爪１１５
により案内されて中間トレイ１０２に排出されて一時収
納されるが、収納される直前に、一対のＬ字形状の整合
板１０３ａと整合板１０３ｂは図示の矢印Ａ方向の外側
方向に移動して開いて、用紙の排出の障害にならないよ
うに退避する。2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus having a double-sided copying function, a sheet on which an image has been formed on one side in an image forming section is not discharged, but is temporarily stored in an intermediate tray and sent out to the image forming section again. The configuration and function of automatically forming an image on both sides by forming an image on the back side by using the image forming apparatus are provided. 7 and 8 are an overall schematic view of a conventional image forming apparatus having a double-sided copying function and a perspective view of a main part of an intermediate tray. The conventional double-sided image forming apparatus will be described in more detail. In this image forming apparatus, P paper is conveyed from a paper bank 109 to an electrophotographic image forming unit 101 through a conveying path 110, and a toner image on the photoconductor is transferred by a photoconductor 111 and a transfer separation device 112. After being transferred onto a sheet, the sheet is fixed by a fixing unit 113, and is discharged from a sheet discharge unit 114 in the case of a one-sided copy. On the other hand, for duplex copying,
After the sheet is fixed by the fixing device 113, the branch claws 115
Is ejected to the intermediate tray 102 to be temporarily stored. Immediately before being stored, the pair of L-shaped matching plates 103a and 103b move outward in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. Evacuate the paper so that it does not interfere with paper ejection.
【０００３】また、分岐爪１１５により中間トレイ側に
ガイド搬送されてきた用紙Ｐを中間トレイ１０２上に排
出する時に、用紙が中間トレイ１０２から飛び出さない
ように、後端押し部材１０５が矢印Ｂ方向に移動可能に
支持され、且つ垂直に突出した姿勢で配置されているの
で、用紙のサイズに合わせて、所定の位置に固定され、
用紙の飛び出しを防止する。用紙Ｐの中間トレイ１０２
上への排出が終了すると、一対の整合板１０３ａと整合
板１０３ｂは矢印Ａ方向とは逆方向の内側方向に移動し
て中間トレイ上の用紙の両端縁に接した位置で閉じると
同時に、寄せころ１１６が用紙上に下がって、用紙を給
紙位置に寄せる動作を、用紙の排出毎に繰り返す。こう
して中間トレイ上に全用紙のストックが終了すると、裏
面への画像形成の為の再給紙（最下部の用紙から中間ト
レイから排出する）が行われることになる。加圧部材１
０６が用紙上に下がって用紙を給紙ころ１１７に押し付
けて給紙が行われると、ベルトとローラとの組み合わせ
から成る分離部１１８により、セットされた複数枚の用
紙が一枚ずつに分離給紙されて、用紙搬送路１０７、搬
送路１１０を通り、画像形成部１０１の感光体１１１と
転写分離装置１１２により裏面にコピーされ、定着器１
１３で定着されて、両面にコピーされた用紙は排紙部１
１４から排紙される。そこで、このような両面にコピー
が多く作成されるようになったことに伴い、両面可能枚
数の増加の要請も多くなっている。然し、画像形成装置
で主に使用されているＦＲＲ分離方式又はベルト分離方
式によって、セットされた複数枚の用紙を最下部から一
枚づつ分離給紙する下給紙の場合は５０枚が限界であっ
た。Further, when the sheet P guided and conveyed to the intermediate tray side by the branching claw 115 is discharged onto the intermediate tray 102, the rear end pushing member 105 has an arrow B to prevent the sheet from jumping out of the intermediate tray 102. Since it is supported movably in the direction and is arranged in a vertically protruding posture, it is fixed at a predetermined position according to the size of the paper,
Prevents paper from jumping out. Intermediate tray 102 for paper P
When the upward discharge is completed, the pair of alignment plates 103a and 103b move inward in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A, close at the positions in contact with both edges of the sheet on the intermediate tray, and simultaneously move The operation of lowering the rollers 116 on the paper and bringing the paper to the paper feeding position is repeated every time the paper is discharged. When the stocking of all the sheets on the intermediate tray is completed in this way, refeeding (discharge from the lowermost sheet to the intermediate tray) for image formation on the back surface is performed. Pressing member 1
When the sheet is fed by pressing the sheet down onto the sheet feed roller 117 and the sheet feeding is performed, the separation unit 118 including a combination of a belt and a roller separates and feeds the set plurality of sheets one by one. The paper is passed, passed through the paper transport path 107 and the transport path 110, and is copied on the back surface by the photoconductor 111 of the image forming unit 101 and the transfer / separation device 112.
The paper fixed at 13 and copied on both sides
14 is discharged. Accordingly, with the increased number of copies made on both sides, there has been an increasing demand for an increase in the number of copies that can be made on both sides. However, in the case of bottom sheet feeding in which a plurality of set sheets are separated and fed one by one from the bottom by the FRR separation method or the belt separation method mainly used in the image forming apparatus, the limit is 50 sheets. there were.
【０００４】そこで、下給紙タイプでありながら５０枚
以上のスタックが可能な中間トレイを備えることによ
り、両面コピー枚数を増加させるようにした種々の画像
形成装置が提案されて公知である。例えば、中間トレイ
を複数段装備し、それぞれ行き先き指定及び給紙段とし
て指定が出来るようにすることにより、両面複写枚数を
増加することを可能にした画像処理装置は公知である
（特開昭６２−２９３２５８号の公報を参照）。又、両
面複写モード時の複写時間短縮を図る為に、中間トレイ
に送りこまれる用紙を検知して、給紙ローラと分離コロ
とが用紙後端を挟持したまま駆動を停止するための検知
信号を発生するセンサを設けるようにした技術も公知で
ある（特開平３−２２７８８６号の公報を参照）。更
に、中間トレイから再給紙される用紙束を弾性体の給送
量規制部材で上層部を規制しつつ、下層部のみを通過さ
せることで、用紙束の先端を楔形状になるようにして、
下送り給紙の信頼性を高めるようにした技術も公知であ
る（特開平５−１２４７７４号の公報を参照）。更に、
用紙が再給紙トレイに進入する毎に幅方向に進退移動す
るジョガフェンスに連動して回動する押さえ板が、ジョ
ガフェンスが用紙から離れたり近づく時に、用紙を上か
ら抑えつけたり離れたりするようにして、次の用紙が再
給紙トレイに進入しても再給紙トレイ上の用紙の搬送方
向の整合性を良くするようにした技術も公知である（特
開平５−１９３８１０号の公報を参照）。更に、一つの
中間トレイを複数に分割して用いることにより、使用頻
度の高いサイズの用紙の収納枚数を装置の大型化をまね
くことなく増やすことができ、また高速コピーの場合の
収納性の向上を可能にしたり、様々なサイズのシートを
中間トレイ上に位置決めした状態で保留し得るようにし
た技術も公知である（特開平６−４３７１０号、特開平
６−２８９６７１号等の公報を参照）。然し、従来のこ
のような画像形成装置においては、中間トレイを使用し
た両面コピーの枚数が増加すると、新たな装置、新たな
部材、新たなスペース等が必要になって大型化したり、
コスト高になるだけでなく、作動時間が長くなり画像形
成の生産性も悪く、駆動負荷も増加すると言う不具合が
生じていた。In view of the above, various image forming apparatuses have been proposed and known in which an intermediate tray capable of stacking 50 sheets or more while having a lower sheet feeding type is provided so as to increase the number of double-sided copies. For example, there is known an image processing apparatus in which a plurality of intermediate trays are provided, each of which can be designated as a destination and a paper feed tray, thereby increasing the number of duplex copies. 62-293258). Also, in order to reduce the copying time in the duplex copying mode, a sheet sent to the intermediate tray is detected, and a detection signal for stopping the driving while the sheet feeding roller and the separation roller sandwich the sheet trailing end is output. A technique for providing a sensor that generates the light is also known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-227886). Further, the sheet bundle re-fed from the intermediate tray is passed through only the lower layer portion while the upper layer portion is regulated by the feed amount regulating member of the elastic body, so that the leading end of the sheet bundle becomes wedge-shaped. ,
A technique for improving the reliability of the downward feed is also known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-124774). Furthermore,
A holding plate that rotates in conjunction with a jog fence that moves forward and backward in the width direction each time paper enters the re-feed tray ensures that when the jog fence moves away from or near the paper, it presses or separates the paper from above. A technique is also known in which the consistency of the conveyance direction of the sheet on the re-feeding tray is improved even if the next sheet enters the re-feeding tray (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-193810). reference). Further, by dividing one intermediate tray into a plurality of sheets, it is possible to increase the number of sheets of frequently-used size without increasing the size of the apparatus, and to improve storage capacity in the case of high-speed copying. There is also known a technique that allows the user to hold sheets of various sizes positioned on an intermediate tray (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-43710 and 6-289671). . However, in such a conventional image forming apparatus, when the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases, a new apparatus, a new member, a new space, and the like are required, and the size becomes large.
In addition to the increase in cost, the operation time is long, the productivity of image formation is low, and the driving load increases.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】前述した従来の画像形
成装置にあっては、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの
枚数が増加すると、新たな装置、新たな部材、新たなス
ペース等が必要になり大型化したり、コスト高になるだ
けでなく、作動時間が長くなり画像形成の生産性も悪
く、駆動負荷も増加すると言う問題があった。そこで本
発明の課題は、このような問題点を解決するものであ
る。即ち、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が増
加しても、新たな装置等を必要とせず大型化やコスト高
になることもなく、画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷
も増加しない画像形成装置を提供することを目的にして
いる。In the conventional image forming apparatus described above, when the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases, a new apparatus, a new member, a new space, and the like are required. In addition to the increase in size and cost, there is a problem that the operation time is long, the productivity of image formation is poor, and the driving load is increased. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. That is, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is increased, no new apparatus is required, the size and cost are not increased, the productivity of image formation is good, and the driving load is not increased. It is intended to provide a forming apparatus.
【０００６】[0006]
【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に、請求項１の発明は、用紙上に画像を形成する画像形
成部において片面に画像形成を受けた用紙を一時収納し
てから再び画像形成部に送り出して裏面に画像形成を行
わせる中間トレイを備えた画像形成装置において、上記
中間トレイに排出される片面画像形成済みの用紙の幅方
向両端縁に向けて進退移動することにより用紙束を整合
する一対の整合手段と、上記整合手段により整合される
複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けて収納する収納段
と、上記整合手段で整合された用紙束を給紙方向に移動
する移動手段と、上記移動手段により給紙位置に移動さ
れた用紙束の上面を加圧する加圧手段と、からなること
を特徴とする。請求項２の発明は、請求項１記載の画像
形成装置において、上記各整合手段は夫々収納段を有
し、各収納段は収納段下と収納段上の２段構成を有し、
各収納段下の対向間隙の底幅は、上記収納段上の対向間
隙の底幅よりも狭いことを特徴とする。請求項３の発明
は、請求項１又は２記載の画像形成装置において、上記
収納段から給紙される最終用紙を、下流側に位置する用
紙搬送路に設けた検知手段によって検知することを特徴
とする。請求項４の発明は、請求項１、２又は３記載の
画像形成装置において、上記一対の整合手段の内の一方
に設けた収納段は、上記収納段上の外側フェンス面が、
上記収納段下のフェンス面よりも幅方向外側に突出して
いることを特徴とする。請求項５の発明は、請求項１、
２、３又は４記載の画像形成装置において、上記加圧手
段が回動して上下方向位置を変更することにより、上記
画像形成部から中間トレイに向けて搬送されてくる用紙
の排紙方向を切り換え、中間トレイ上における用紙の収
納位置を、上記収納段下又は上記収納段上のいずれかに
切り換えることを特徴とする。請求項６の発明は、請求
項１、２、３、４又は５記載の画像形成装置において、
上記加圧手段は、上記収納段下に収納された用紙束の上
面を加圧することを特徴とする。請求項７の発明は、請
求項１、２、３、４、５又は６記載の画像形成装置にお
いて、上記移動手段は、収納段上に収納された用紙束の
先端縁を、給紙方向に向けて下方の用紙を先行させるよ
うな傾斜面を有することを特徴とする。According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet, temporarily storing the sheet on which an image has been formed on one side, and then resuming it. In an image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate tray that is sent to an image forming unit and forms an image on a back surface, the sheet is moved forward and backward toward both widthwise edges of the single-sided image-formed sheet discharged to the intermediate tray. A pair of aligning means for aligning the bundle, a storage stage for storing a plurality of bundles of sheets to be aligned by the aligning means in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and moving the bundle of sheets aligned by the aligning means in a paper feeding direction And a pressing means for pressing the upper surface of the sheet bundle moved to the sheet feeding position by the moving means. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, each of the aligning means has a storage stage, and each storage stage has a two-stage configuration above and below the storage stage.
The bottom width of the facing gap below each storage stage is narrower than the bottom width of the facing gap above the storage stage. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a final sheet fed from the storage stage is detected by a detection unit provided in a sheet transport path located downstream. And According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect, the storage step provided on one of the pair of alignment means has an outer fence surface on the storage step.
It is characterized by projecting outward in the width direction from the fence surface below the storage step. The invention of claim 5 is based on claim 1,
5. The image forming apparatus according to 2, 3, or 4, wherein the pressurizing means rotates to change the vertical position, thereby changing the discharge direction of the paper conveyed from the image forming section toward the intermediate tray. The switching of the sheet storage position on the intermediate tray is switched to either below the storage step or above the storage step. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect,
The pressure means presses the upper surface of the sheet bundle stored under the storage step. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect, the moving means moves the leading edge of the sheet bundle stored on the storage stage in the paper feeding direction. It is characterized in that it has an inclined surface such that the lower sheet is directed ahead.
【０００７】[0007]
【作用】上記のように構成された給紙装置は、請求項１
においては、画像形成部で片面に画像が形成された用紙
を一時収納した後に再び画像形成部に送り出す中間トレ
イを備えた画像形成装置に於て、中間トレイに装備した
整合手段にて整合する複数束の用紙を、上下の複数段に
分けた収納段に収納して給紙するようにしたので、中間
トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加したと
しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化
やコスト高になることもなく、画像形成の生産性も良
く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供すること
が出来る。請求項２においては、画像形成部で片面に記
録を受けた用紙を受入れて一時収納した後に再び画像形
成部に送り出す中間トレイを備え、複数束の用紙を上下
の複数段に分け、収納段下と収納段下の対向間隙の底幅
よりも広い対向間隙を有する収納段上に夫々収納して給
紙するようにしたので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピ
ーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置
等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高になることもなく、画
像形成の生産性も良くなり、用紙の移動距離とその駆動
所要時間も少なくなり駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装
置を提供することが出来る。According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device configured as described above.
In an image forming apparatus provided with an intermediate tray for temporarily storing a sheet on which an image is formed on one side in an image forming unit and then sending the sheet to the image forming unit again, a plurality of sheets aligned by an aligning means provided on the intermediate tray The bundle of sheets is stored in the upper and lower storage trays and fed, so even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, new devices such as alignment means are used. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not require a large size, does not increase the cost, increases the productivity of image formation, and does not increase the driving load. The image forming unit further includes an intermediate tray that receives the paper recorded on one side in the image forming unit, temporarily stores the paper, and then sends it out to the image forming unit again. And the paper is fed and stored on a storage stage having an opposing gap wider than the bottom width of the opposing gap below the storage stage, so even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases significantly, No new equipment such as alignment means is required, so that the size and cost are not increased, the productivity of image formation is improved, the moving distance of the paper and the required driving time are reduced, and the image does not increase the driving load. A forming apparatus can be provided.
【０００８】請求項３においては、中間トレイに排出さ
れた用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を上
下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙すると共に、
収納段から給紙される最終用紙を用紙搬送路に設けた検
知手段によって検知するようにしたので、中間トレイを
使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手
段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高にな
ることもなく、給紙動作が短縮されて画像形成の生産性
も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供する
ことが出来る。請求項４においては、中間トレイに排出
された用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を
上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙すると共
に、一方の整合手段を構成する収納段上を収納段下より
も幅方向外側に広くなるようにしたので、中間トレイを
使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手
段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高にな
ることもなく、画像形成の生産性も良く、整合手段の開
閉駆動が不要で駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提
供することが出来る。In the third aspect, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed, and
Since the last sheet fed from the storage tray is detected by the detection means provided in the paper conveyance path, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, a new device such as an alignment means is used. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that does not require a large size, increases the cost, does not increase the cost, increases the sheet feeding operation, improves the productivity of image formation, and does not increase the driving load. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed, and one of the aligning means is used. Because the upper part of the storage tray is wider than the lower part of the storage step in the width direction, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, new devices such as alignment means are required. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not increase the size and cost, has good productivity of image formation, does not require opening / closing drive of the alignment means, and does not increase the driving load.
【０００９】請求項５においては、中間トレイに排出さ
れた用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を上
下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙すると共に、
加圧手段の回動により用紙の搬送方向を切り換えて、収
納段下又は収納段上を選択するようにしたので、中間ト
レイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、
整合手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化になるこ
ともなく、各整合手段への用紙の切り換えを加圧手段で
兼用するから省スペースで低コストになり、画像形成の
生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提
供することが出来る。請求項６においては、中間トレイ
に排出された用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の
用紙を上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙する
と共に、加圧手段が収納段下に収納された用紙を加圧す
るようにしたので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの
枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が
必要でなく大型化やコスト高になることもなく、用紙の
ずれも防止され画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増
加しない画像形成装置を提供することが出来る。請求項
７においては、中間トレイに排出された用紙を整合手段
で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けた
収納段に収納すると共に、移動手段の前面に位置する傾
斜面で給紙方向に下方の用紙が先行するようにして給紙
するようにしたので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピー
の枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等
が必要でなく大型化やコスト高になることもなく、確実
に用紙の分離が行われ画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負
荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供することが出来る。According to a fifth aspect of the invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed,
By switching the transport direction of the paper by rotating the pressurizing means and selecting the lower or upper storage level, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased,
No new device such as alignment means is required and the size is not increased. Since the switching of the paper to each alignment means is also used by the pressing means, space saving and low cost are realized, and productivity of image formation is improved. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that does not increase the driving load. According to the sixth aspect, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed, and the pressurizing means is stored. Because the paper stored under the tray is pressurized, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases significantly, new equipment such as alignment means is not required and the size and cost increase. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which sheet displacement is prevented, image forming productivity is good, and driving load is not increased. 8. The inclined surface positioned at the front of the moving means, wherein when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of the sheets are stored in a plurality of upper and lower storing steps. Therefore, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, a new device such as an aligning device is required. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the paper is reliably separated, the image forming productivity is good, and the driving load is not increased without increasing the size and cost.
【００１０】[0010]
【発明の実施の形態】次に、本発明の実施の形態につい
て図面を参照して説明する。図１は本発明の一形態例の
画像形成装置の全体構成略図、図２は中間トレイ部の要
部斜視図である。同図に示す本発明の画像形成装置にお
いて、電子写真式の画像形成部１には、用紙（Ｐ）がペ
ーパバンク９から搬送路１０を通り搬送され、感光体１
１と転写分離装置１２との間位置において感光体上のト
ナー像を片面にコピーされ、定着器１３で定着されて、
片面コピーの場合は排紙部１４から排紙されて排紙トレ
イ上に収納される。他方、両面コピーを行う場合、用紙
（Ｐ）は、上記定着器１３で定着された後に、点線位置
に回動する分岐爪１５により中間トレイへ向かう経路に
案内されて中間トレイ２上に排出されて一時収納される
が、収納される直前に、整合手段３としての一対の整合
板３ａと整合板３ｂが矢印Ｃ方向の外側方向に移動して
開いて、用紙（Ｐ）の排出の障害にならないようになっ
ている。各整合板３ａ、３ｂは、いずれも収納段４（収
納段下４ａ、収納段上４ｂ）を有した階段状であり、中
間トレイ２に排出されて整合される複数束の用紙（Ｐ）
は、各整合板３ａ、３ｂに夫々設けられた下方の収納段
下４ａと、上方の収納段上４ｂとに、それぞれ上下に分
けて収納されるようになっている。Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of an intermediate tray unit. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a sheet (P) is conveyed from a paper bank 9 through a conveyance path 10 to an electrophotographic image forming unit 1,
The toner image on the photosensitive member is copied on one side at a position between the transfer separation device 1 and the transfer / separation device 12, and is fixed by the fixing device 13.
In the case of one-sided copying, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 14 and stored on a paper discharge tray. On the other hand, when performing double-sided copying, the paper (P) is fixed by the fixing device 13, and then guided to the intermediate tray 2 by the branching claw 15 rotating to the dotted line position and discharged onto the intermediate tray 2. Immediately before being stored, the pair of alignment plates 3a and 3b as the alignment means 3 move outward in the direction of arrow C and open just before being stored, thereby preventing the paper (P) from being discharged. It is not going to be. Each of the alignment plates 3a and 3b has a stepped shape having a storage step 4 (a storage step lower 4a and a storage step upper 4b), and a plurality of bundles of sheets (P) discharged to the intermediate tray 2 and aligned.
Are stored in a lower storage stage lower portion 4a and an upper storage stage upper portion 4b provided on each of the matching plates 3a and 3b, respectively.
【００１１】また、用紙（Ｐ）が分岐爪１５にてガイド
されて中間トレイ上に排出される時に、用紙（Ｐ）が中
間トレイ２から飛び出さないように、移動手段５の用紙
（Ｐ）の後端押し部材が矢印Ｄ方向に移動可能に垂直姿
勢で配置されていて、用紙（Ｐ）のサイズに合わせて、
所定の位置に固定されるようになっている。なお移動手
段５の前面は、傾斜面５ａとなっているため、中間トレ
イ２上の用紙束の積層状態もこの傾斜面の形状に整合し
た状態となって、セットされた下方の用紙（Ｐ）が給紙
方向に先行する楔形状となる。用紙（Ｐ）の中間トレイ
２への排出が終了すると、整合手段３としての一対の整
合板３ａ、３ｂは矢印Ｃ方向と逆方向の内側方向に移動
して閉じると同時に、寄せころ１６が軸１６ａを中心と
して回動して用紙上に下がって、用紙（Ｐ）を給紙位置
に寄せる動作を、用紙（Ｐ）の排出毎に繰り返す。中間
トレイ上へのストックが終了すると裏面への画像形成の
為の再給紙が最下部の用紙から行われることになる。回
動軸６ａを中心として上下動する加圧部材６が下がって
用紙（Ｐ）上を加圧すると同時に、用紙が給紙ころ１７
に押し付けられて給紙ころの回転により給紙が行われる
と、分離部１８（ベルト１８ａとローラ１８ｂから成
る）により、セットされた複数枚の用紙（Ｐ）を一枚ず
つに分離して、用紙搬送路７、搬送路１０を通り、画像
形成部１の感光体１１と転写分離装置１２により他面に
もコピーされ、定着器１３で定着されて、両面にコピー
された用紙（Ｐ）は排紙部１４から排紙される。Further, when the sheet (P) is guided by the branching claws 15 and discharged onto the intermediate tray, the sheet (P) of the moving means 5 is prevented so that the sheet (P) does not jump out of the intermediate tray 2. The rear end pushing member is arranged in a vertical posture so as to be movable in the direction of arrow D. According to the size of the sheet (P),
It is designed to be fixed at a predetermined position. Since the front surface of the moving means 5 has an inclined surface 5a, the stacked state of the sheet bundle on the intermediate tray 2 also matches the shape of the inclined surface, and the set lower sheet (P) Has a wedge shape preceding the paper feeding direction. When the discharge of the sheet (P) to the intermediate tray 2 is completed, the pair of aligning plates 3a and 3b as the aligning means 3 are moved in the inward direction opposite to the direction of arrow C and closed, and at the same time, the rollers 16 are rotated. The operation of rotating around the sheet 16a, moving down on the sheet, and moving the sheet (P) to the sheet feeding position is repeated every time the sheet (P) is discharged. When the stock on the intermediate tray is completed, refeeding for image formation on the back surface is performed from the lowermost sheet. The pressurizing member 6 that moves up and down around the rotation shaft 6a lowers and presses the paper (P), and at the same time, the paper is
When the sheet is fed by the rotation of the sheet feed roller while being pressed against the sheet, a plurality of set sheets (P) are separated one by one by a separation unit 18 (which is composed of a belt 18a and a roller 18b). The paper (P) copied on the other side by the photoconductor 11 of the image forming unit 1 and the transfer / separation device 12 through the paper conveyance path 7 and the conveyance path 10 and fixed by the fixing unit 13 to be copied on both sides is The paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 14.
【００１２】図３は中間トレイの全体詳細を示す正面図
であり、用紙（Ｐ）の後端押し部材（移動手段）５は、
使用される用紙（Ｐ）のサイズに合わせた所定の位置に
図示しない固定手段で固定されて待機している。最初
は、加圧手段６は、収納段４の下方の収納段下４ａ上に
用紙（Ｐ）は排出して収納されるので、回動軸６ａを支
点として回動して、図示の破線の回動位置に停止してい
る。例えば、収納段４の各々の収納段４ａ，４ｂ上に用
紙（Ｐ）が５０枚ずつ収納可能であるとすると、５０枚
まで収納段下４ａに収納される。収納される直前に、一
対の整合板３ａと整合板３ｂは、図示の前後方向の外側
方向に移動して、用紙（Ｐ）の排出の障害にならないよ
うに開いて、用紙（Ｐ）の排出が完了すると閉じて、寄
せころ１６が回動軸１６ａを支点として矢印Ｅ方向に回
動して下がって矢印Ｆ方向への回転によって、用紙
（Ｐ）を給紙位置に寄せる動作を、用紙（Ｐ）の排出毎
に繰り返えす。下方の収納段下４ａに用紙（Ｐ）が５０
枚まで収納されると、加圧手段６は、回動軸６ａを支点
として矢印Ｇ方向（下降方向）に回動して、図示の実線
の回動位置で、収納段下４ａに収納された用紙（Ｐ）を
加圧した状態となり、用紙（Ｐ）の上面を押すことで、
続いて行われる２段目の収納段上４ｂへの用紙（Ｐ）の
収納時に、整合板３ａ、３ｂの前後方向の開閉によっ
て、収納段下４ａに収納された用紙（Ｐ）がずれを起こ
すことを防止する。FIG. 3 is a front view showing the entire details of the intermediate tray. The rear end pushing member (moving means) 5 of the sheet (P) is
It is fixed at a predetermined position according to the size of the paper (P) to be used and is fixed by a fixing means (not shown) and stands by. Initially, the pressurizing means 6 discharges and stores the paper (P) on the lower storage stage 4a below the storage stage 4, so that the pressurizing unit 6 rotates about the rotation shaft 6a as a fulcrum, and Stopped at the pivot position. For example, assuming that 50 sheets (P) can be stored on each of the storage stages 4a and 4b of the storage stage 4, up to 50 sheets (P) are stored in the storage stage lower 4a. Immediately before being stored, the pair of alignment plates 3a and 3b move outward in the front-rear direction shown in the drawing, and open so as not to hinder the discharge of the paper (P), and discharge the paper (P). Is completed, the roller 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow E about the rotation shaft 16a as a fulcrum, and is lowered to rotate in the direction of arrow F to move the sheet (P) to the sheet feeding position. Repeat for each discharge of P). 50 sheets of paper (P) are stored in the lower storage step 4a.
When the sheets are stored, the pressurizing means 6 rotates in the direction of arrow G (downward direction) with the rotation shaft 6a as a fulcrum, and is stored in the storage step lower part 4a at the rotation position indicated by the solid line in the drawing. When the paper (P) is in a pressurized state and the upper surface of the paper (P) is pressed,
When the sheet (P) is subsequently stored in the second upper storage stage 4b, the paper (P) stored in the lower storage stage 4a is shifted by opening and closing the alignment plates 3a and 3b in the front-rear direction. To prevent that.
【００１３】加圧手段６が実線で示した下降状態にある
時に、中間トレイへ向かう用紙（Ｐ）の搬送路は、２段
目の収納段上４ｂの方向に切り換えられて、５１枚から
は、２段目の上方の収納段上４ｂに収納される。つま
り、加圧手段６の加圧部先端６Ａは三角形状となってお
り、破線で示した上昇位置にある時には、排出ローラ２
０から排出される用紙を収納段下４ａ上に排出すること
を妨げないが、実線で示すように下降した時には、排出
ローラ２０のニップ部から出た用紙は加圧部先端６Ａの
上面に沿って排出される為、収納段下４ａ上には排出さ
れない。その代わりに、加圧部先端６Ａの上面が用紙を
収納段上４ｂ上に導くようにその形状が設計されてい
る。また、図３から明らかなように、収納段下４ａ上に
積層される用紙束と、収納段上４ｂ上に積層される用紙
束の給紙方向位置はずれており、前者の方が先方側に突
出している。２段目の収納段上４ｂに用紙（Ｐ）を収納
する場合には、加圧手段６（加圧部先端６Ａの後端部）
と移動手段５との間の距離（ｌ）が、用紙（Ｐ）サイズ
よりも３ｍｍ程度長い位置となるように移動手段５が移
動して待機するので、寄せころ１６は動作しない。When the pressurizing means 6 is in the descending state shown by the solid line, the conveyance path of the sheet (P) toward the intermediate tray is switched to the direction of the second storage stage upper part 4b, and from 51 sheets. Are stored in the upper storage stage 4b above the second stage. In other words, the leading end 6A of the pressing portion of the pressing means 6 has a triangular shape.
0, but does not prevent the paper discharged from the lower side of the storage stage 4a, but when the paper descends as shown by the solid line, the paper coming out of the nip portion of the discharge roller 20 moves along the upper surface of the pressing portion tip 6A. And is not discharged onto the lower storage stage 4a. Instead, the shape is designed so that the top surface of the pressing portion tip 6A guides the sheet onto the storage step 4b. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the sheet bundle stacked on the lower storage stage 4a and the sheet bundle stacked on the upper storage stage 4b are displaced in the feeding direction, and the former is closer to the front side. It is protruding. In the case where the paper (P) is stored in the upper storage stage 4b of the second stage, the pressurizing means 6 (the rear end of the front end 6A of the pressurizing section)
The moving unit 5 moves and waits so that the distance (l) between the moving unit 5 and the moving unit 5 is about 3 mm longer than the size of the sheet (P), so that the approach roller 16 does not operate.
【００１４】１段目の収納段下４ａの排出時の移動手段
５の待機位置は、加圧手段６の先端（Ｈ）から同様に
（ｌ）だけ後方の位置にある。整合板３ａ、３ｂは、１
段目の収納段下４ａと同様に１枚毎に、図示の前後方向
へ開閉するにより、用紙を整合する。最終の用紙（Ｐ）
が収納されると、両面の給紙が始まり、１段目の収納段
下４ａの最下位の用紙（Ｐ）から給紙を行う。２段目の
収納段上４ｂに収納される用紙（Ｐ）束は、収納段上４
ｂにより仕切られている為、用紙（Ｐ）の自重の影響
を、１段目の収納段下４ａに収納される用紙（Ｐ）束に
与えない。１段目の収納段下４ａに収納された用紙
（Ｐ）束は、寄せころ１６の寄せ動作によってすでに給
紙位置に待機しており、加圧手段６も図示の実線の加圧
状態にある。The standby position of the moving means 5 at the time of discharging the first storage step lower part 4a is at a position (l) rearward from the tip (H) of the pressurizing means 6 similarly. The matching plates 3a and 3b
The sheets are aligned by opening and closing the sheet one by one in the same manner as the lower storage step 4a. Final paper (P)
Is stored, the two-sided paper feed is started, and paper is fed from the lowest sheet (P) in the lower first storage section 4a. The bundle of sheets (P) stored in the upper storage stage 4b is the upper storage stage 4b.
b, the weight of the paper (P) is not affected by the weight of the paper (P) on the bundle of paper (P) stored in the first storage lower stage 4a. The bundle of sheets (P) stored in the first lower storage section 4a is already waiting at the paper feeding position by the operation of moving the roller 16, and the pressurizing means 6 is also in a pressurized state indicated by a solid line in the drawing. .
【００１５】１段目の収納段下４ａに収納された用紙
（Ｐ）束の給紙の終了を、収納段下４ａに収納された用
紙（Ｐ）の収納枚数をメモリーし、両面の給紙枚数と比
較することで、１枚目の給紙される最終用紙（Ｐ）を検
知し、最終用紙（Ｐ）の先端を用紙搬送路７に設けた検
知手段８のセンサが検知すると、次に、上記加圧手段６
を回動軸６ａを支点として図示の矢印Ｇ方向の逆方向に
回動して上昇させて破線の状態にして、整合板３ａ、３
ｂを図示の前後方向に開くことによって、２段目の収納
段上４ｂに収納されていた用紙（Ｐ）束は、収納段下４
ａに落される。その直後に、整合板３ａ、３ｂを図示の
前後方向に再び閉じて、移動手段５を図示の矢印（Ｉ）
方向に図示しない駆動手段で移動することによって、用
紙（Ｐ）束が給紙位置に移動するようになっている。The end of the feeding of the bundle of sheets (P) stored in the lower storage stage 4a of the first stage is stored in the memory of the number of sheets of paper (P) stored in the lower stage 4a. By comparing with the number of sheets, the last sheet (P) of the first sheet fed is detected, and when the sensor of the detecting means 8 provided in the sheet transport path 7 detects the leading end of the last sheet (P), , The pressurizing means 6
Is rotated about the rotation shaft 6a as a fulcrum in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow G shown in the figure to raise it to the state shown by the broken lines, and the matching plates 3a, 3
b is opened in the front-rear direction shown in the drawing, the sheet (P) bundle stored in the upper
a. Immediately thereafter, the alignment plates 3a and 3b are closed again in the front-rear direction shown in the figure, and the moving means 5 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow (I).
The sheet (P) bundle moves to the sheet feeding position by moving in the direction by a driving unit (not shown).
【００１６】移動手段５は、矢印Ｉ方向の移動方向に傾
斜面５ａを有しているので、用紙（Ｐ）が収納段４の収
納段下４ａ、２段目の収納段上４ｂに収納された状態
で、下方の用紙（Ｐ）ほど、先端が給紙方向に先行して
収納されている。移動手段５が、矢印Ｉ方向の移動方向
に移動する際にも、２段目の収納段上４ｂに収納された
用紙（Ｐ）が、上記傾斜面５ａに倣って、給紙位置にお
いて分離に有利な状態を作りながら移動する。従って、
用紙（Ｐ）の移動距離は、約３０ｍｍ程度あれば上記挙
動の実現は可能であり、従来技術では用紙（Ｐ）のサイ
ズ以上、例えば、Ａ４横送りでは２１０ｍｍ以上必要だ
から、用紙（Ｐ）の移動距離とその駆動所要時間も少な
く、上記中間トレイ２を使用した両面コピーの用紙
（Ｐ）の枚数が増加しても、新たな装置等が必要でなく
大型化やコスト高になることもなく、給紙動作が短縮さ
れて画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画
像形成装置を提供することが出来るようになった。尚、
整合板３ａ、３ｂ等の給紙方向長さを延長することによ
って、用紙（Ｐ）のサイズの制約をうけない画像形成装
置を提供することも出来る。Since the moving means 5 has the inclined surface 5a in the moving direction in the direction of the arrow I, the paper (P) is stored in the lower storage stage 4a of the storage stage 4 and in the upper second storage stage 4b. In this state, the leading edge of the lower sheet (P) is stored in the paper feeding direction. Even when the moving means 5 moves in the moving direction of the arrow I, the paper (P) stored in the second storage step 4b is separated at the paper feeding position along the inclined surface 5a. Move while creating a favorable state. Therefore,
If the moving distance of the paper (P) is about 30 mm, the above-mentioned behavior can be realized. In the related art, the paper (P) needs to be larger than the size of the paper (P), for example, 210 mm or more in the case of A4 transverse feed. Even if the moving distance and the required driving time are small, and even if the number of sheets (P) of the double-sided copy using the intermediate tray 2 is increased, no new apparatus is required and the size and cost are not increased. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the paper feeding operation is shortened, the productivity of image formation is improved, and the driving load is not increased. still,
By extending the length of the alignment plates 3a and 3b in the sheet feeding direction, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is not restricted by the size of the sheet (P).
【００１７】図４の模式図によって、整合板３ａ、３ｂ
の図示の前後方向の開閉動作について、更に、詳しく説
明する。通常の用紙（Ｐ）の１枚毎の整合時は、用紙
（Ｐ）の幅（ｌ１）に対して、整合板３ａ、３ｂが前後
方向に開いた状態での幅（ｌ２）は、若干広く、例え
ば、（ｌ２）＝（ｌ１）＋１０（ｍｍ）である。２段目
の収納段上４ｂに収納されていた用紙（Ｐ）束を、収納
段下４ａに落すときは、用紙（Ｐ）の幅（ｌ１）に対し
て、上方の収納段上４ｂの対向間隙の底幅（Ｌ２）は、
若干広く、例えば、（Ｌ２）＝（ｌ１）＋５（ｍｍ）ま
で、整合板３ａ、３ｂは各々矢印Ｋ方向とＭ方向に開く
ようになっている。図示の状態は、２段目の収納段上４
ｂに収納されていた用紙（Ｐ）束を、収納段下４ａに落
すときの開いた状態を示す。そのとき、下方の収納段下
４ａの対向間隙の底幅（Ｌ１）は、上方の収納段上４ｂ
の対向間隙の底幅（Ｌ２）よりも狭く（Ｌ１＜Ｌ２）、
下方の収納段下４ａが用紙（Ｐ）とオーバラップ（Ｊ）
するように、下方の収納段下４ａの対向間隙の底幅（Ｌ
１）を決め、整合板３ａ、３ｂは各々矢印Ｋ方向の逆方
向とＭ方向の逆方向に閉じるときの障害にならないよう
になっている。Referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 4, the matching plates 3a, 3b
The opening / closing operation in the front-rear direction shown in FIG. At the time of alignment of each sheet of normal paper (P), the width (12) when the alignment plates 3a and 3b are opened in the front-rear direction is slightly wider than the width (11) of the paper (P). For example, (l2) = (l1) +10 (mm). When the sheet (P) bundle stored in the second storage stage upper 4b is dropped to the storage stage lower 4a, the upper storage stage upper 4b is opposed to the width (l1) of the sheet (P). The bottom width (L2) of the gap is
The alignment plates 3a and 3b are slightly open, for example, up to (L2) = (11) +5 (mm), so that the alignment plates 3a and 3b open in the directions of arrows K and M, respectively. The state shown is the upper part of the second storage stage 4
4B shows an open state when the bundle of sheets (P) stored in the storage tray b is dropped to the lower storage stage 4a. At this time, the bottom width (L1) of the opposing gap of the lower storage stage lower 4a is equal to the upper storage stage upper 4b.
Smaller than the bottom width (L2) of the facing gap (L1 <L2),
The lower storage stage lower 4a overlaps the paper (P) (J)
So that the bottom width (L
1) is determined so that the matching plates 3a and 3b do not become obstacles when closing in the opposite direction of the arrow K direction and the opposite direction of the M direction, respectively.
【００１８】図５は本発明の他の形態例の収納段の具体
的な動作説明図であり、この形態例では整合板３ａ，３
ｂの形状が異なっており、一方の整合板３ａの収納段上
４ｂは下側の収納段下４ａよりも外側に突出しており、
他方の整合板３ｂは、収納段下４ａの長さが内側に向か
って長い略コ字状を有している。図５（ａ）において、
収納段下４ａに用紙（Ｐ）を収納した場合の、整合板３
ａ、３ｂによる整合及び傾斜寄せころ１６ｂによる寄せ
る動作は、用紙（Ｐ）の１枚毎に行われるようになって
いる。収納段下４ａに用紙（Ｐ）の収納が終了すると、
２段目の収納段上４ｂに用紙（Ｐ）が収納される。その
とき、整合板３ａ、３ｂは閉じたままである。整合板３
ａ又は整合板３ｂのどちらか一方の用紙（Ｐ）の寄せ側
の面における、２段目の収納段上４ｂのフェンス面
（Ｎ）は、下方の収納段下４ａのフェンス面（Ｏ）より
も外側に、若干広く（寸法ｌ３分だけ）、例えば、５ｍ
ｍ（ｌ３＝５ｍｍ）広くなっているから、整合板３ａ、
３ｂは閉じたままでも、用紙（Ｐ）の排出の障害になら
ない。次に、傾斜寄せころ１６ｂで、フェンス面（Ｎ）
に寄せることにより、２段目の収納段上４ｂに用紙
（Ｐ）の収納が終了すると、収納段下４ａに収納された
用紙（Ｐ）束は給紙される。FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a specific operation of the storage stage according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the matching plates 3a, 3
The shape of b is different, and the upper storage step 4b of the one matching plate 3a protrudes more outward than the lower storage step lower 4a,
The other matching plate 3b has a substantially U-shape in which the length of the lower storage stage 4a is long toward the inside. In FIG. 5A,
Alignment plate 3 when paper (P) is stored in lower storage stage 4a
The alignment by a and 3b and the movement by the inclined roller 16b are performed for each sheet (P). When the storage of the paper (P) in the lower storage stage 4a is completed,
The sheet (P) is stored in the upper storage stage 4b of the second stage. At that time, the matching plates 3a and 3b remain closed. Matching plate 3
a or the alignment plate 3b, the fence surface (N) of the upper side of the second storage step 4b on the side of the paper (P) on the side closer to one of the sheets (P) is higher than the fence surface (O) of the lower storage step 4a. Also slightly outward (only for dimension 13), eg 5m
m (13 = 5 mm), the matching plate 3a,
Even if 3b is closed, it does not hinder the discharge of the sheet (P). Next, the inclined fence 16b, the fence surface (N)
When the storage of the paper (P) in the upper storage stage 4b of the second stage is completed, the bundle of paper (P) stored in the lower storage stage 4a is fed.
【００１９】図５（ｂ）において、収納段下４ａに収納
された用紙（Ｐ）束の給紙が終了すると、整合板３ａ、
３ｂは、各々矢印Ｋ方向とＭ方向に開き、２段目の収納
段上４ｂに収納されていた用紙（Ｐ）束が矢印Ｑ方向の
収納段下４ａに落ちて収納される。図５（ｃ）におい
て、収納段下４ａに落ちて収納された用紙（Ｐ）束は、
その幅方向位置が（ｌ３）分ずれているが、整合板３
ａ、３ｂが、各々矢印Ｋ方向の逆方向とＭ方向の逆方向
に閉じられることによって、収納段下４ａに落ちて収納
された用紙（Ｐ）束は、給紙直前には図示のように正し
い位置に移動するようになっている。In FIG. 5B, when the feeding of the bundle of sheets (P) stored in the lower storage stage 4a is completed, the alignment plate 3a,
3b is opened in the directions of the arrows K and M, respectively, and the sheet (P) bundle stored in the upper storage stage 4b of the second stage falls down and stored in the lower storage stage 4a in the direction of the arrow Q. In FIG. 5C, a bundle of sheets (P) dropped and stored in the lower storage stage 4a is:
Although the position in the width direction is shifted by (13), the alignment plate 3
a and 3b are closed in the opposite direction of the arrow K direction and the opposite direction of the M direction, respectively. It moves to the correct position.
【００２０】図６は中間トレイの平面図であり、傾斜寄
せころ１６ｂは、用紙（Ｐ）をフェンス面（Ｎ）に寄せ
られるように、給紙方向に対して若干、例えば約４度、
傾斜している。収納段下４ａに、用紙（Ｐ）を収納する
時には、移動手段５は矢印Ｒの位置にあり、排出された
用紙（Ｐ）は、傾斜寄せころ１６ｂによって、給紙位置
まで、閉じた一対の整合板３ａと整合板３ｂに向けて
（沿って）寄せられる。２段目の収納段上４ｂに、用紙
（Ｐ）を収納する時には、移動手段５は矢印Ｓの位置に
移動し、排出された用紙（Ｐ）を整合板３ａのフェンス
面（Ｎ）に寄せるのに充分な後退位置（距離（ｌ４）後
退した位置）まで排出する。次に、傾斜寄せころ１６ｂ
が下がって、用紙（Ｐ）を、整合手段３の整合板３ａの
フェンス面（Ｎ）に寄せながら、加圧手段６に突き当て
た後に（図３の状態）、上昇する。従って、２段目の収
納段上４ｂに収納される用紙（Ｐ）の整合に際しては、
整合板３ａ、３ｂを開閉する必要がないから、中間トレ
イ２を使用した両面コピーの用紙（Ｐ）の枚数が増加し
ても、新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高にな
ることもなく、画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増
加しない画像形成装置を提供することが出来るようにな
った。FIG. 6 is a plan view of the intermediate tray. The inclined rollers 16b are slightly inclined with respect to the sheet feeding direction, for example, about 4 degrees so that the sheet (P) can be moved toward the fence surface (N).
It is inclined. When the paper (P) is stored in the lower storage stage 4a, the moving means 5 is at the position of the arrow R, and the discharged paper (P) is closed by the inclined roller 16b to the pair of closed paper feed positions. It is moved toward (along) the matching plates 3a and 3b. When the sheet (P) is stored in the second storage step 4b, the moving means 5 moves to the position shown by the arrow S, and moves the discharged sheet (P) to the fence surface (N) of the alignment plate 3a. Is discharged to a retreat position (distance (14) retreat position) sufficient for Next, the inclined roller 16b
The sheet (P) comes down and is brought up against the pressurizing means 6 (state shown in FIG. 3) while approaching the fence surface (N) of the aligning plate 3a of the aligning means 3 (state in FIG. 3). Therefore, when aligning the paper (P) stored in the second storage step 4b,
Since there is no need to open and close the alignment plates 3a and 3b, even if the number of double-sided copy sheets (P) using the intermediate tray 2 increases, a new device is not required and the size and cost increase. As a result, an image forming apparatus with good image forming productivity and no increase in driving load can be provided.
【００２１】[0021]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、請求項１の発明に
よれば、画像形成部で片面に画像が形成された用紙を一
時収納した後に再び画像形成部に送り出す中間トレイを
備え、この中間トレイに排出された用紙を整合手段で整
合する際に、複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けた収納
段に収納して給紙するようにしたので、中間トレイを使
用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合手段
等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高になる
こともなく、画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加
しない画像形成装置を提供することが出来るようになっ
た。請求項２の発明によれば、中間トレイに排出された
用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を上下の
複数段に分けた収納段下と収納段下の対向間隙の底幅よ
りも広い対向間隙を有する収納段上に収納して給紙する
ようにしたので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚
数が大幅に増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が必
要でなく大型化やコスト高になることもなく、画像形成
の生産性も良く、用紙の移動距離とその駆動所要時間も
少なくなり駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供す
ることが出来るようになった。As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming section is provided with the intermediate tray for temporarily storing the sheet on which the image is formed on one side and sending it out to the image forming section again. When aligning the paper ejected to the tray by the aligning means, multiple bundles of paper are stored in the upper and lower storage tiers and fed, so the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which does not require a new device such as a matching unit even if the number of devices greatly increases, does not increase the size or increase the cost, improves the productivity of image formation, and does not increase the driving load. I can do it. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when aligning the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray by the aligning means, the bottom width of the storage space lower and the opposing gap under the storage stage in which a plurality of bundles of sheets are divided into a plurality of upper and lower stages. Because the paper is stored and fed on a storage stage with a wider facing gap, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases significantly, new devices such as alignment means are required. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not increase the size and cost, improves the productivity of image formation, reduces the moving distance of paper and the time required for driving the paper, and does not increase the driving load. .
【００２２】請求項３の発明によれば、中間トレイに排
出された用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙
を上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙すると共
に収納段から給紙される最終用紙を用紙搬送路に設けた
検知手段によって検知するようにしたので、中間トレイ
を使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増加しても、整合
手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高に
なることもなく、給紙動作が短縮されて画像形成の生産
性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供す
ることが出来るようになった。請求項４の発明によれ
ば、中間トレイに排出された用紙を整合手段で整合する
際に、複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収
納して給紙すると共に用紙の寄せ側における収納段上を
収納段下よりも幅方向外側に広くなるようにした（収納
段上のフェンスを収納段下のフェンスよりも幅方向外側
に突出させた）ので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピー
の枚数が大幅に増加したとしても、整合手段等の新たな
装置等が必要でなく大型化やコスト高になることもな
く、画像形成の生産性も良く、整合手段の開閉駆動が不
要で駆動負荷も増加しない画像形成装置を提供すること
が出来るようになった。According to the third aspect of the invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed and fed. Since the last sheet fed from the storage tray is detected by the detection means provided in the paper conveyance path, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, a new device such as an alignment means is used. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not require a large size, increases the cost, increases the productivity of the image forming operation, does not increase the driving load, and does not increase the size and cost. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed and fed. The upper side of the storage tier on the side is wider than the lower side of the storage tier in the width direction (the fence on the storage tier protrudes outward in the width direction than the fence below the storage tier), so both sides using the intermediate tray Even if the number of copies is greatly increased, new devices such as alignment means are not required, the size and cost are not increased, the productivity of image formation is good, and the opening and closing drive of the alignment means is unnecessary. An image forming apparatus that does not increase the driving load can be provided.
【００２３】請求項５の発明によれば、中間トレイに排
出された用紙を整合手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙
を上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収納して給紙すると共
に加圧手段の回動により収納段下又は収納段上を選択す
るようにした（加圧手段が中間トレイ上に排出されてく
る用紙の収納方向を上下に仕分ける役割を果たす）の
で、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に増
加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大型
化になることもなく、各整合手段への用紙の切り換えを
加圧手段で兼用するから省スペースで低コストになり、
画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像形
成装置を提供することが出来る。請求項６の発明によれ
ば、中間トレイに排出された用紙を整合手段で整合する
際に、複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けた収納段に収
納して給紙すると共に、加圧手段が選択した用紙が収納
される収納段下に収納された用紙を加圧するようにした
ので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅に
増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく大
型化やコスト高になることもなく、用紙のずれも防止さ
れ画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しない画像
形成装置を提供することが出来るようになった。請求項
７の発明によれば、中間トレイに排出された用紙を整合
手段で整合する際に、複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分
けた収納段に収納すると共に移動手段の傾斜面で給紙方
向に下方の用紙が先行するようにして給紙するようにし
たので、中間トレイを使用した両面コピーの枚数が大幅
に増加しても、整合手段等の新たな装置等が必要でなく
大型化やコスト高になることもなく、確実に用紙の分離
が行われ画像形成の生産性も良く、駆動負荷も増加しな
い画像形成装置を提供することが出来るようになった。According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in upper and lower storage stages and fed and fed. The lower stage or the upper stage is selected by the rotation of the pressurizing means (the pressurizing means plays a role of vertically separating the direction of storing the paper discharged onto the intermediate tray). Even if the number of used double-sided copies increases significantly, a new device such as alignment means is not required and the size is not increased, and the switching of the paper to each alignment means is also used by the pressure means. Space saving and low cost,
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that has good productivity of image formation and does not increase driving load. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored and stored in a plurality of upper and lower storage stages, and the paper is fed. The means pressurizes the paper stored under the storage stage where the selected paper is stored, so even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray increases significantly, new devices such as alignment means etc. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which does not require a large size and does not increase the cost, prevents displacement of sheets, improves productivity of image formation, and does not increase driving load. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the sheets discharged to the intermediate tray are aligned by the aligning means, a plurality of bundles of sheets are stored in the upper and lower storage steps and supplied on the inclined surface of the moving means. Since the lower sheet feeds in the paper direction so as to feed first, even if the number of double-sided copies using the intermediate tray is greatly increased, new equipment such as alignment means is not required and large It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the paper is reliably separated, the image forming productivity is good, and the driving load is not increased without increasing the cost and the cost.
【図１】本発明の実施の一形態例の画像形成装置の概略
を説明する説明図。FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】図１の画像形成装置の要部を説明する斜視図。FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
【図３】図１の画像形成装置の他の要部を説明する正面
図。FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating another main part of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
【図４】図１の画像形成装置の整合手段の構成及び動作
説明図。FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration and operation of a matching unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
【図５】(a) (b) 及び(c) は本発明の他の実施の形態例
の画像形成装置の要部を説明する図。FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams illustrating main parts of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
【図６】図５の形態例の平面図。FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;
【図７】従来の画像形成装置の概略を説明する説明図。FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating a conventional image forming apparatus.
【図８】従来の画像形成装置の要部を説明する説明図。FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part of a conventional image forming apparatus.
１ 画像形成部、２ 中間トレイ、３ 整合手段、３ａ
整合板、３ｂ 整合板、４ 収納段、４ａ 収納段
下、４ｂ 収納段上、５ 移動手段、５ａ 傾斜面、６
加圧手段、６ａ 回動軸、７ 用紙搬送路、８ 検知
手段、９ ペーパバンク、１０ 搬送路、１１ 感光
体、１２ 転写分離装置、１３ 定着器、１４排紙部、
１５ 分岐爪、１６ 寄せころ、１６ａ 回動軸、１６
ｂ 傾斜寄せころ、１７ 給紙ころ、１８ 分離部、１
０１ 画像形成部、１０２ 中間トレイ、１０３ａ 整
合板、１０３ｂ 整合板、１０５ 後端押し部材、１０
６ 加圧部材、１０７ 用紙搬送路、１０９ ペーパバ
ンク、１１０ 搬送路、１１１感光体、１１２ 転写分
離装置、１１３ 定着器、１１４ 排紙部、１１５分岐
爪、１１６ 寄せころ、１１７ 給紙ころ、１１８ 分
離部1 image forming unit, 2 intermediate tray, 3 alignment means, 3a
Alignment plate, 3b alignment plate, 4 storage stages, 4a storage stage below, 4b storage stage above, 5 moving means, 5a inclined surface, 6
Pressurizing means, 6a rotating shaft, 7 paper transport path, 8 detecting means, 9 paper bank, 10 transport path, 11 photoreceptor, 12 transfer / separation device, 13 fixing device, 14 paper discharge section,
15 Branch claw, 16 Roller, 16a Rotating shaft, 16
b Roller for tilting, 17 Roller for feeding paper, 18 Separation unit, 1
01 image forming unit, 102 intermediate tray, 103a alignment plate, 103b alignment plate, 105 rear end pushing member, 10
6 pressure member, 107 paper transport path, 109 paper bank, 110 transport path, 111 photoreceptor, 112 transfer / separation device, 113 fixing device, 114 paper discharge unit, 115 branch claw, 116 approach roller, 117 paper feed roller, 118 Separation unit
Claims (7)
いて片面に画像形成を受けた用紙を一時収納してから再
び画像形成部に送り出して裏面に画像形成を行わせる中
間トレイを備えた画像形成装置において、 上記中間トレイに排出される片面画像形成済みの用紙の
幅方向両端縁に向けて夫々進退移動することにより用紙
束を整合する一対の整合手段と、上記整合手段により整
合される複数束の用紙を上下の複数段に分けて収納する
収納段と、上記整合手段で整合された用紙束を給紙方向
に移動させる移動手段と、上記移動手段により給紙位置
に移動された用紙束の上面を加圧する加圧手段と、から
なることを特徴とする画像形成装置。An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet is provided with an intermediate tray for temporarily storing a sheet on which an image has been formed on one side and then sending the sheet again to the image forming section to form an image on the back side. In the forming apparatus, a pair of aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle by moving forward and backward toward both widthwise edges of the one-sided image-formed sheet discharged to the intermediate tray, and a plurality of sheets aligned by the aligning means A storage stage for storing a bundle of sheets in a plurality of upper and lower stages, a moving unit for moving the sheet bundle aligned by the aligning unit in a paper feeding direction, and a sheet bundle moved to a paper feeding position by the moving unit And a pressurizing means for pressurizing the upper surface of the image forming apparatus.
上記各整合手段は夫々上記収納段を有し、各収納段は収
納段下と収納段上の２段構成を有し、各収納段下の対向
間隙の底幅は、上記収納段上の対向間隙の底幅よりも狭
いことを特徴とする画像形成装置。2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Each of the alignment means has the above-mentioned storage stage, and each of the storage stages has a two-stage configuration below the storage stage and above the storage stage. An image forming apparatus, wherein the width is smaller than the bottom width of the gap.
いて、上記収納段から給紙される最終用紙を、下流側に
位置する用紙搬送路に設けた検知手段によって検知する
ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the last sheet fed from the storage stage is detected by a detecting unit provided in a sheet transport path located on the downstream side. Image forming device.
において、上記一対の整合手段の内の一方に設けた収納
段は、上記収納段上の外側フェンス面が、上記収納段下
のフェンス面よりも幅方向外側に突出していることを特
徴とする画像形成装置。4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage step provided on one of the pair of alignment means has an outer fence surface on the storage step and a storage step below the storage step. An image forming apparatus protruding outward in a width direction from a fence surface.
装置において、上記加圧手段が回動して上下方向位置を
変更することにより、上記画像形成部から中間トレイに
向けて搬送されてくる用紙の排紙方向を切り換え、中間
トレイ上における用紙の収納位置を、上記収納段下又は
上記収納段上のいずれかに切り換えることを特徴とする
画像形成装置。5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means rotates to change a vertical position, thereby conveying the image from the image forming section toward an intermediate tray. An image forming apparatus that switches a paper discharge direction of the received paper and switches a storage position of the paper on the intermediate tray to either below the storage stage or above the storage stage.
形成装置において、上記加圧手段は、上記収納段下に収
納された用紙束の上面を加圧することを特徴とする画像
形成装置。6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressing means presses an upper surface of a sheet bundle stored under said storage step. Forming equipment.
画像形成装置において、上記移動手段は、収納段上に収
納された用紙束の先端縁を、給紙方向に向けて下方の用
紙を先行させるような傾斜面を有することを特徴とする
画像形成装置。7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit moves a leading edge of a sheet bundle stored on a storage stage in a paper feeding direction. An image forming apparatus having an inclined surface such that a lower sheet advances.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25385996A JP3608759B2 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1996-09-04 | Image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25385996A JP3608759B2 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1996-09-04 | Image forming apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH1077139A true JPH1077139A (en) | 1998-03-24 |
| JP3608759B2 JP3608759B2 (en) | 2005-01-12 |
Family
ID=17257132
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP25385996A Expired - Fee Related JP3608759B2 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1996-09-04 | Image forming apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3608759B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7333765B2 (en) * | 2003-08-28 | 2008-02-19 | Funai Electric Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2009256108A (en) * | 2009-08-03 | 2009-11-05 | Ricoh Elemex Corp | Sheet aligning device |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR200465438Y1 (en) * | 2011-08-08 | 2013-02-19 | 유현기 | guide apparatus for wreath ribbon and wreath ribbon tray |
-
1996
- 1996-09-04 JP JP25385996A patent/JP3608759B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7333765B2 (en) * | 2003-08-28 | 2008-02-19 | Funai Electric Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2009256108A (en) * | 2009-08-03 | 2009-11-05 | Ricoh Elemex Corp | Sheet aligning device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3608759B2 (en) | 2005-01-12 |
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