POST-PROCESSING DEVICE

Abstract

Provided is a post-processing device including a first stacking member on which recording materials are stacked, an extension member that is connected to one end side of the first stacking member and that supports the recording material, and a second stacking member on which plural recording materials are stacked as a recording material bundle and which is placed so as to be movable in a direction intersecting a discharge direction of the recording material bundle, wherein the extension member is connected to the first stacking member so as to be non-rotatable in a direction approaching the second stacking member and be rotatable in a direction away from the second stacking member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-138516 filed Jul. 2, 2013.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a post-processing device.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a post-processing device including:

a first stacking member on which recording materials are stacked;

an extension member that is connected to one end side of the first stacking member and that supports the recording material; and

a second stacking member on which plural recording materials are stacked as a recording material bundle and which is placed so as to be movable in a direction intersecting a discharge direction of the recording material bundle,

wherein the extension member is connected to the first stacking member so as to be non-rotatable in a direction approaching the second stacking member and be rotatable in a direction away from the second stacking member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming system;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a main body of a post-processing device when viewed from the sheet discharge side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view in a state where an extension tray is connected to a top tray main body;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top tray main body;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the extension tray, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of connection hole portions;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main section for describing a method of connecting the top tray main body and the extension tray;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a top tray, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a state where the top tray has been rotated in a direction away from a stacker tray;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the post-processing device, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state where the top tray has been rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a post-processing device;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sheet stacking surface side of a top tray;

FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional schematic diagrams for describing the rotation of the top tray; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main body of post-processing device of a comparative example when viewed from the sheet discharge side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, the invention will be described in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and a specific example given below with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment and the specific example.

Further, in the following description using the drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio or the like of each dimension is different from reality, and illustration of members other than those necessary for description is appropriately omitted for ease of understanding.

In addition, in order to facilitate the understanding of the following description, in the drawings, a front-back direction is referred to as an X-axis direction, a left-right direction is referred to as a Y-axis direction, and an up-and-down direction is referred to as a Z-axis direction.

First Exemplary Embodiment

(1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming System

FIG. 1 is a schematic configurational diagram showing an image forming system 1 to which a post-processing device according to this exemplary embodiment is applied. The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an image forming apparatus 2 such as a printer or a copier, which forms an image by an electrophotographic method, and a sheet processing device 3 which performs post-processing on a sheet P with a toner image formed thereon by the image forming apparatus 2. Hereinafter, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming system 1 will be described referring to the drawing.

(1.1) Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 2

The image forming apparatus 2 is configured to include a control device 10, a sheet feeding device 20, a photoconductor unit 30, a developing device 40, a transfer device 50, and a fixing device 60. A transport device 100 is placed on the upper surface (in a Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 2, and the sheet P with an image recorded thereon is led to a post-processing device 200.

The control device 10 includes an image forming apparatus control section 11 which controls an operation of the image forming apparatus 2, a controller section 12 which prepares image data according to a print processing request, an exposure control section 13 which controls the lighting of an exposure device LH, a power supply device 14, and the like. The power supply device 14 applies voltage to a charging roller 32, a developing roller 42, a primary image transfer roller 52, a secondary image transfer roller 53, all of which will be described later, and the like and also supplies electric power to the exposure device LH.

The controller section 12 converts print information input from an external information transmission device (for example, a personal computer or the like) into image information for latent image formation and outputs a drive signal to the exposure device LH at a preset timing. The exposure device LH in this exemplary embodiment is configured by an LED head in which a Light Emitting Diode (LED) is placed linearly.

The sheet feeding device 20 is provided at a bottom portion of the image forming apparatus 2. The sheet feeding device 20 is provided with a sheet stacking plate 21, and the sheets P as a large number of recording media are stacked on the upper surface of the sheet stacking plate 21. The sheets P stacked on the sheet stacking plate 21 and determined in position in a width direction by a regulation plate (not shown) are drawn forward (in a −X direction) one by one from the upper side by a sheet drawing section 22 and then are transported to a nip portion of a registration roller pair 23.

The photoconductor units 30 are provided in parallel above (in the Z direction) the sheet feeding device 20, and each photoconductor unit 30 is provided with a photoconductor drum 31 as an image holding member which is rotationally driven. The charging roller 32, the exposure device LH, the developing device 40, the primary image transfer roller 52, and a cleaning blade 34 are arranged along a rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 31. A cleaning roller 33 which cleans the surface of the charging roller 32 is placed to face and be in contact with the charging roller 32.

The developing device 40 includes a developing housing 41 in which a developer is accommodated. The developing roller 42 placed to face the photoconductor drum 31 and a pair of augers 44 and 45 placed diagonally below the back surface side of the developing roller 42 and agitating and carrying the developer to the developing roller 42 side are placed in the developing housing 41. A layer regulating member 46 which regulates the layer thickness of the developer is placed in close proximity to the developing roller 42.

The respective developing devices 40 are configured in approximately the same configuration with the exception of a developer which is accommodated in the developing housing 41, and respectively form a yellow (Y) toner image, a magenta (NI) toner image, a cyan (C) toner image, and a black (K) toner image.

The surface of the photoconductor drum 31 which rotates is electrically charged by the charging roller 32 and an electrostatic latent image is formed thereon by latent image forming light which is emitted from the exposure device LH. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 31 is developed as a toner image by the developing roller 42.

The transfer device 50 includes an intermediate image transfer belt 51 to which the respective color toner images formed by the photoconductor drums 31 of the respective photoconductor units 30 are multiply transferred, the primary image transfer rollers 52 which sequentially transfer the respective color toner images formed by the respective photoconductor units 30 to the intermediate image transfer belt 51 (primary transfer), and the secondary image transfer roller 53 which collectively transfers the respective color toner images transferred to be superimposed onto the intermediate image transfer belt 51 to the sheet P that is a recoding medium (secondary transfer).

The respective color toner images formed on the photoconductor drums 31 of the respective photoconductor units 30 are sequentially, electrostatically transferred onto the intermediate image transfer belt 51 by the primary image transfer rollers 52 applied with a predetermined transfer voltage from the power supply device 14 and the like which is controlled by the image forming apparatus control section 11 (primary transfer), and thus a superimposed toner image in which the respective color toner images are superimposed is formed.

The superimposed toner image on the intermediate image transfer belt 51 is transported to an area (a secondary image transfer portion T) where the secondary image transfer roller 53 is placed, with the movement of the intermediate image transfer belt 51. If the superimposed toner image is transported to the secondary image transfer portion T, the sheet P is supplied from the sheet feeding device 20 to the secondary image transfer portion T in accordance with the timing. Then, a predetermined transfer voltage is applied from the power supply device 14 and the like which are controlled by the image forming apparatus control section 11 to the secondary image transfer roller 53, and the superimposed toner image on the intermediate image transfer belt 51 is collectively transferred to the sheet P which is sent out from the registration roller pair 23 and guided by a transport guide.

Residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34 and collected in a waste developer accommodating section. The surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is re-charged by the charging roller 32. In addition, a residue which is not removed by the cleaning blade 34 and is stuck to the charging roller 32 is trapped and accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller 33 which rotates in contact with the charging roller 32.

The fixing device 60 includes a fixing roller 61 and a pressure roller 62, and a nip portion N (fixing area) is formed by a pressure contact area between the fixing roller 61 and the pressure roller 62.

The sheet P with the toner image transferred thereto in the transfer device 50 is transported to the fixing device 60 by way of a transport guide in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The toner image of the sheet P transported to the fixing device 60 is fixed with the action of pressure bonding and heating by the pair of fixing roller 61 and pressure roller 62.

The sheet P with the fixed toner image formed thereon is guided by transport guides 65a and 65b and discharged from a discharge roller pair 69 to the transport device 100 placed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 2.

(1.2) Configuration and Operation of Sheet Processing Device

The sheet processing device 3 is provided with the transport device 100 which transports the sheet P output from the image forming apparatus 2 to the further downstream side, and the post-processing device 200 which includes, for example, a compile tray 210 that collects and bundles the sheets P, a stapling mechanism 220 (binding section) that binds the end portions of the sheets P, or the like.

The transport device 100 includes an inlet port roller 110 which receives the sheet P that is output through the discharge roller pair 69 of the image forming apparatus 2, a first transport roller 120 which transports the sheet P received by the inlet port roller 110 to the downstream side, and a second transport roller 130 which transports the sheet P toward the post-processing device 200.

The post-processing device 200 is provided with a first post-processing transport path S1 and a second post-processing transport path S2 on the downstream side of a receiving roller 201 which receives the sheet P from the transport device 100, and the first post-processing transport path S1 and the second post-processing transport path S2 are made so as to be selected by a post-processing switching gate G.

The first post-processing transport path S1 is connected to a top tray TR1, and the sheet P on which post-processing is not performed is discharged from the first post-processing transport path S1 by a discharge roller 202.

The post-processing device 200 is provided with the compile tray 210 which is provided on the downstream side of the second post-processing transport path S2 and collects and accommodates plural sheets P, and a discharge roller 204 which is a pair of rollers that discharges the sheet P toward the compile tray 210.

Further, the post-processing device 200 is provided with a paddle 207 which rotates so as to push the sheet P toward an end guide 210b of the compile tray 210, and a tamper 208 for aligning an end portion of the sheet P.

In addition, the post-processing device 200 includes the stapling mechanism 220 which binds an end portion of a sheet bundle PB accumulated on the compile tray 210, and the bound sheet bundle PB is transported and discharged by an eject roller (a sheet bundle transport roller) 209.

Then, the post-processing device 200 is provided with a stacker tray TR2 as a second stacking member on which the sheet bundles PB discharged by the eject roller 209 are stacked so that a user may easily take them.

(2) Configuration of Top Tray

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a main body of the post-processing device 200 when viewed from the sheet discharge side, FIG. 2B is a perspective view in a state where an extension tray TR1b is connected to a top tray main body TR1a, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top tray main body TR1a, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the extension tray TR1b, FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of connection hole portions 241R and 241L, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main section for describing a method of connecting the top tray main body TR1a and the extension tray TR1b. Hereinafter, the configuration of the top tray TR1 will be described referring to the drawings.

The top tray TR1 includes the top tray main body TR1a fixed to a main body frame FR of the post-processing device 200, and the extension tray TR1b connected to the top tray main body TR1a, and the sheets P discharged by the discharge roller 202 are stacked thereon.

A tray mounting plate 200a on which the stacker tray TR2 (described later) is mounted is placed below the top tray TR1 and moved up and down by a moving-up-and-down device (not shown) provided in the main body of the post-processing device 200.

(2.1) Top Tray Main Body

As shown in FIG. 3, the top tray main body TR1a has a positioning connection portion 233 on one end side and fixing portions 232R and 232L formed at side walls 231R and 231L on both end sides and is fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing device 200 by a known fastening member (a screw; not shown).

A support shaft 234 as a first support shaft portion to which the extension tray TR1b is connected is integrally formed on the other end side of the top tray main body TR1a. The support shaft 234 has a cylindrical cross-sectional shape at a portion thereof and a double D-cut surface 235 as a second support shaft portion is formed on one end side.

Further, on the upper surface of one end to which the extension tray TR1b is connected, a support portion 236 is formed so as to support the extension tray TR1b on which the sheets P are stacked, from below.

(2.2) Extension Tray

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connection hole portions 241R and 241L which are fitted to the support shaft 234 of the top tray main body TR1a are integrally formed on one end side of the extension tray TR1b.

Each of the connection hole portions 241R and 241L has a snap-fit portion 242 and a rotary support portion 243 as a first connection portion. The snap-fit portion 242 is fitted onto the double D-cut surface 235 formed at the top tray main body TR1a, and the rotary support portion 243 has a recessed portion cross-sectional shape and is fitted onto the support shaft 234 formed at the top tray main body TR1a.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the connection of the extension tray TR1b with the top tray main body TR1a, the snap-fit portion 242 and the rotary support portion 243 are brought into line with the support shaft 234 of the top tray main body TR1a and fitted thereon in a direction of an arrow A in FIG. 5 in a state where the extension tray TR1b is erected substantially vertically with respect to the top tray main body TR1a.

Thereafter, the top tray TR1 as a first stacking member is made by rotating the extension tray TR1b in a direction of an arrow B in FIG. 5 and making the extension tray TR1b be supported by the support portion 236 of the top tray main body TR1a from below.

(3) Operation of Post-Processing Device and Action of Top Tray

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the top tray TR1, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a state where the top tray TR1 has been rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2, FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the post-processing device 200, FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a state where the top tray TR1 has been rotated in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main body of a post-processing device 400 of a comparative example when viewed from the sheet discharge side.

Hereinafter, before an operation of the post-processing device 200 according to this exemplary embodiment is described, a problem of the post-processing device 400 as a comparative example, in which an extension tray TR10b is configured so as to be capable of being drawn out, will be described. In addition, in the following description, a constituent element common to that of this exemplary embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

(3.1) Post-Processing Device of Comparative Example

The post-processing device 400 is provided with a top tray main body TR10a fixed to a main body frame FR of the post-processing device 400, and the extension tray TR10b connected to the top tray main body TR10a. The extension tray TR10b is configured so as to be capable of being drawn out with respect to the top tray main body TR10a (refer to an arrow A in FIG. 11).

A stacker tray TR20 on which the post-processed sheet bundles PB are stacked is placed below a top tray TR10. The stacker tray TR20 is moved up and down by a moving-up-and-down device (not shown) provided in a main body of the post-processing device 400 (refer to an arrow B in FIG. 11).

In the post-processing device 400 configured in this manner, the sheets P are discharged to and stacked on the top tray TR10.

Further, for example, the sheet bundles PB accumulated on the compile tray 210 and bound by the stapling mechanism 220 are discharged by the eject roller 209 and stacked on the stacker tray TR20. Then, the stacker tray TR20 is configured so as to move up and down according to the height of the uppermost surface of the stacked sheet bundles PB.

The stacker tray TR20 configured in this manner moves up so as to approach the top tray TR10 after a user takes the discharged sheet bundle PB out.

On the other hand, in a case where the stacker tray TR20 moves up with a large amount of sheet bundles PB stacked thereon, there is a concern that the stacker tray TR20 may come into contact with the top tray TR10 fixed on the upper side thereof, thereby damaging the top tray TR10.

(3.2) Post-Processing Device of this Exemplary Embodiment

In the post-processing device 200 according to this exemplary embodiment, the extension tray TR1b is rotatably connected to the top tray main body TR1a fixed to the main body frame FR of the post-processing device 200, and the sheets P discharged by the discharge roller 202 are stacked thereon.

The stacker tray TR2 is placed below the top tray TR1 so as to be able to move up and down, and the sheet bundles PB discharged by the eject roller 209 are stacked thereon.

After the snap-fit portion 242 is fitted onto the double D-cut surface 235, an undercut is formed with respect to the cylindrical shape of the support shaft 234 of the top tray main body TR1a, whereby the extension tray TR1b is connected so as to be non-rotatable in a direction approaching the stacker tray TR2 and be rotatable in a direction away from the stacker tray TR2.

For this reason, in a state where the extension tray TR1b has been connected to the support shaft 234 of the top tray main body TR1a, for example, also in a case where the stacker tray TR2 moves from below, thereby coming into contact with the extension tray TR1b, the extension tray TR1b rotates in a direction away from the moving direction of the stacker tray TR2, whereby it is possible to prevent damage to or falling-off of the top tray TR1 (refer to FIG. 7B).

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a post-processing device 300 according to this exemplary embodiment, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sheet stacking surface side of a top tray TR100, and FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional schematic diagrams for describing the rotation of the top tray TR100. Hereinafter, the configuration and action of the top tray TR100 in the post-processing device 300 will be described referring to the drawings. In addition, in the following description, a constituent element common to that of the post-processing device 200 is denoted by the same reference numeral as that in the post-processing device 200 and the detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the post-processing device 300 according to this exemplary embodiment, the top tray TR100 is provided with a top tray main body TR100a rotatably placed at a main body frame FR of the post-processing device 300, and an extension tray TR100b connected to the top tray main body TR100a. The extension tray TR100b is configured so as to be capable of being drawn out with respect to the top tray main body TR100a.

Plural projection portions 303 are formed on one end side of the top tray main body TR100a, and the projection portions 303 are inserted into square hole portions (not shown) provided in a paper output wall portion 310 of a main body of the post-processing device 300, thereby serving as a rotary support portion of the top tray TR100.

As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, a leg portion 301 is integrally formed on the lower surface side (the back side of a sheet stacking surface) of the top tray main body TR100a. Further, a rotation receiving portion 302 is provided to be erect at the main body of the post-processing device 300.

In the post-processing device 300 configured in this manner, if the top tray main body TR100a receives contact from below, the top tray main body TR100a rotates from the lower side to the upper side in a range of an arrow C in FIG. 10B, and in a state where a leading end portion 301a of the leg portion 301 comes into contact with the rotation receiving portion 302, the rotation is stopped.

For this reason, also in a case where the stacker tray TR2 moves from below, thereby coming into contact with the top tray main body TR100a, the top tray main body TR100a rotates in a direction away from the moving direction of the stacker tray TR2, whereby it is possible to suppress damage to the top tray TR100.

The range of the arrow C in FIG. 10B may be set in a range capable of preventing damage when the top tray TR100 receives contact. By setting the range in a range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees as an example, it is possible to suppress damage to the top tray TR100 even in a case where the stacker tray TR2 comes into contact with the top tray TR100 side by moving by inertia after the movement stop of the stacker tray TR2 is detected.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A post-processing device comprising: a first stacking member on which recording materials are stacked;an extension member that is connected to one end side of the first stacking member and that supports the recording material; anda second stacking member on which a plurality of recording materials are stacked as a recording material bundle and which is placed so as to be movable in a direction intersecting a discharge direction of the recording material bundle, whereinthe extension member is connected to the first stacking member and configured to be rotatable in a direction away from the second stacking member when the second stacking member moves towards the first stacking member, anda rotation receiving portion is configured to hold the extension member erect when the extension member rotates.

2. The post-processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a support shaft that is provided at the first stacking member and to which the extension member is rotatably connected, whereinthe extension member has one end side on which a hole is formed, the hole being inserted into the support shaft,the support shaft includes a first support shaft portion, at least a portion of which has a cylindrical cross-sectional shape, and a second support shaft portion having a double D-cut cross-sectional shape, andthe hole includes a first connection portion having a recessed portion cross-sectional shape in which the first support shaft portion is inserted, and a snap-fit portion in which the second support shaft portion is inserted.

3. The post-processing device according to claim 2, wherein a cut surface of the double D-cut cross-sectional shape of the second support shaft portion is formed in a range greater than or equal to 90 degrees with respect to a rotation direction of the extension member with a state where the extension member is connected to the first stacking member so as to be non-rotatable in a direction approaching the second stacking member as a reference position.

4. (canceled)