JPH0848449A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an image forming apparatus in a face-down sheet discharge method, which can perform page alignment in the double-sided mode. [Construction] A guide plate 250 provided parallel to the upper part of a single-sided paper discharge tray 45 on which recording paper is discharged and a discharged paper P is stacked, and the paper P is conveyed to the guide plate 250 and guided. In order to switch back the paper P on the plate 250 and perform recording on the other surface, the paper conveyance device 200 having the rollers 202 capable of forward and reverse rotation for conveying the paper P again in the main body of the apparatus, and the second time. The reversing device 30 that reverses the paper P conveyed on the guide plate 250 with the recording surface facing down and discharges it to the discharge trays 330 and 350 for both sides.
With 0 and.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile or a copying machine, which can record an image on both sides of a recording medium (paper). The present invention relates to a page alignment technique for double-sided recording in a discharge type image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a face-down sheet discharge type image forming apparatus, when printing is performed from the first page when the duplex mode is executed, the second surface (second recording surface) is the lower surface and the sheets are stacked so that they are stacked on the tray. When removing, the bottom surface of the bottom sheet is 2
Page, top side is 1 page, bottom side of the paper is 4 pages, top side is 3
There was a problem in that the pages became different and the page order was disorganized as a whole, and it was necessary to re-align them later.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-13463 discloses a structure in which a sheet conveying path capable of double-sided recording is provided and a plurality of sheets can be present in the conveying path. If the sequence is not performed in the page sequence but is performed in a predetermined sequence, it is possible to align the pages of the recorded matter on the face-down discharge tray.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the size of the entire apparatus is increased by increasing the capacity of the memory and the size of the paper transport path, and the control of stopping the paper in the paper transport path is performed. There is a problem that the recording device becomes complicated and cannot be manufactured at a small size at low cost.

By the way, a printer is usually connected to a host computer, and when an image recording as an output of the printer is printed by the printer, it is usually executed from the first page. Face-down paper ejection is preferable, and face-up paper ejection is preferable for recording on both sides. In recent years, a digital copying machine has become widespread as a "composite machine", but a document image captured by a reading unit is printed by a printer and copied. This digital copier automatically sends sheet-like originals ADF
There is a case to attach. Depending on the ADF, there are two types, one is to send pages from the page after the original is set, and the other is to send pages from the first page. It is convenient in terms of alignment.

In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 64-40954, a double-sided device including a reversing unit, a conveying unit, and a driving unit is arranged below the main body of the recording apparatus, and a paper discharge (face down) is arranged above the main body of the recording apparatus. (For use). The face-up output tray is
It is disclosed that it is located between the double-sided device and the face-down discharge tray and protrudes from the main body of the device.
In the structure of this Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-40954,
Although the double-sided device is arranged below the device body, the face-up tray and the cassette are mostly projected from the device body, which causes a problem that the installation space becomes large.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is in a face-down sheet discharge system and can perform page alignment in the double-sided mode.

A second object of the present invention is to improve the operability and the usability both in the case of taking out the recording medium on which one-sided recording has been performed in the normal mode and at the time of taking out the recording medium on which double-sided recording has been performed in the double-sided mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the installation space.

[0010]

A first object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium which is disposed on an upper portion of a main body of an apparatus and which is ejected with a recording surface of a recording medium as a lower surface after recording is completed.
After recording on the discharge tray and one side of the recording medium,
In order to perform recording on the other surface, a paper transport device having a forward / reverse rotatable roller for transporting the recording medium into the main body of the device is again provided, and the paper is ejected from the rollers of the paper transport device to the upper part of the paper ejection tray. An image forming apparatus including a guide plate that guides a recording medium, the first means including a reversing device that reverses the recording medium being conveyed and discharges it to a second paper discharge tray above the guide plate. Achieved by

The above-mentioned second object is, in the first means,
This is achieved by the second means in which the first paper ejection tray and the second paper ejection tray are arranged in proximity to each other.

The above-mentioned third object is, in the first means,
This is achieved by a third means which is provided so that the second paper discharge tray fits within the size of the apparatus main body.

[0013]

In the first means, the first surface (the first recording surface) faces downward when the recording medium which has been double-sided recorded on the second discharge tray is reversed and discharged and stacked. ,
When the bundle of recording media is reversed after all the layers are stacked, pages are aligned in order from page 1.

In the second means, the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray are arranged close to each other, so that the recording medium on which single-sided recording has been performed in the normal mode and the recording medium on which double-sided recording has been performed in the double-sided mode are performed. In any case, the operability is improved.

In the third means, since the second paper discharge tray is prevented from protruding to the side portion of the apparatus body, the installation space can be reduced.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention when executing a single-sided mode, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention when performing a double-sided mode, and FIG. 3 is related to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the printer with a paper transport device removed.

First, the case where the printer does not perform double-sided copying will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 1,
Around the photoconductor 1 rotating in the direction of the arrow, the charging means 2,
A developing unit 4 and a transfer unit 7 for supplying a laser beam L from the laser optical system 3 and toner 5 to visualize the latent image on the photoconductor 1 are arranged. Further, the paper P in the paper cassette 20, which is arranged on the lower side in the drawing and is detachable in the direction of the arrow a, is supported by the intermediate plate 22, and is supported by the spring force (not shown) via the arm 21 and the paper feed roller. It is pressed against 24. A command is issued from a control unit (not shown) to rotate the paper feed roller 24, whereby the uppermost paper in the paper cassette 20 is conveyed to the registration roller 25 on the downstream side while the double feed is prevented by the separation pad 23. The image is sent to the transfer means 7 at a timing synchronized with the image on the photoconductor 1. The sheet P on which an image is obtained from the photoconductor 1 by the transfer unit 7 is further conveyed to the fixing unit 30, and is passed between a fixing roller 32 having a heater 31 built therein and a pressure roller 33 that is in pressure contact with the fixing roller 32. Is
The toner image can be fixed. After that, the paper P on which the image has been formed is discharged and placed on the discharge tray 45 with the image surface facing down by the discharge rollers 40. The ejected paper stopper 46 is movable in the direction of arrow b in order to correspond to the size of the ejected paper P. In a case 72 arranged on the left side of the image forming process section as seen in the drawing, an electric equipment / control device such as a power source 70 and a printed board 75 is housed. The controller board 80 is housed in another case 82 arranged above the case 72.

The operation surface is arranged on the right side as seen in the figure,
The operation panel 60 projects from the upper front surface of the exterior part 90 (the right end on the upper side of the apparatus in the figure), and the paper feed tray 50
Is rotatably attached by a pin 51.

When the paper feed tray 50 is not used, the paper feed tray 50 is held by the outer frame made of a magnetic material such as iron and the magnet catch Mg on the main body exterior cover 90 on the side of the main body of the apparatus, and is shown by the solid line in the figure. The storage state is as shown in. A mechanical latching means may be provided instead of the magnet catch Mg. When using the paper feed tray 50 equipped with the intermediate plate and the push-up spring, the paper feed tray 50 is rotated and set to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line. When a control unit (not shown) issues a command to prioritize paper feed from the paper feed tray 50 side, the paper feed roller 52 rotates and the uppermost paper in the paper feed tray 50 is
Transport space 100 while separation pad 53 prevents double feeding
As in the case of the sheet cassette 20, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 25, is timed, and is further delivered to the transfer unit 7 for image formation.

Next, the case of performing double-sided copying by the printer will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a member for double-sided copying is attached to the printer having the above structure, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the member is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the double-sided recording paper conveying device 200 has a substantially L-shaped box shape, and when the device is attached, the paper feed tray 50 is opened to the use position. It is set so as to cover the operation panel 60. An opening 220 is opened in the sheet conveying device 200, and the operation panel 60 is set at the time of setting.
Passes through the opening 220 and projects to a position where it does not hinder the operation, as shown in FIG. Guide pins 201, 201 arranged at both ends of the sheet transporting device 200 in a correctly set state are fitted into the openings 42, 42 on the apparatus main body side, respectively, and a groove (not shown) provided in the guide pin 201 is provided. Engages with a lock member (not shown) on the apparatus body side, and the sheet conveying apparatus 200 is fixedly held by the apparatus body.
When set in this way, the connector 44 on the apparatus main body side
Is connected to a connector (not shown) on the side of the sheet conveying device 200, and the control signal line is connected to the sheet conveying device 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the sheet conveying device 200, a pair of conveying rollers 203, 204 and 205 are arranged along an L-shape together with a guide 207 forming a conveying path, and further, a switching claw 201 and a forward / reverse direction. Possible switching roller 20
2 are located in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 40 of the apparatus main body. Further, the reversing device 300 is provided from the side part to the upper part of the sheet conveying device 200. This reversing device 300
A switching guide 305, a guide plate 310, a roller 320, and a paper discharge tray 330 are provided in the printer. Further, in the sheet carrying device 200, a carrying roller 203, guides 207 and 207, switching openings 230 and 240,
A transfer space 130 provided on the back side of the switching openings 230 and 240 (FIG. 3) and the operation panel 60, a paper discharge tray 350, a support member 351 that supports the paper discharge tray 350, and an exterior cover 210 are provided. .

Reference numeral 120 is an opening provided on the exterior portion 90 of the apparatus main body, and 250 is a guide plate disposed above the paper discharge tray 45.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. When performing double-sided recording, the paper P on which single-sided recording has been completed is ejected by the paper ejection roller
When it is sent out from 0, it is guided to the switching roller 202 by the switching claw 201 at the position shown by the solid line, and is guided onto the paper discharge tray 45 or the guide plate 250 above the paper discharge tray 45 which is attached together with the paper transport device 200. When the detection sensor (not shown) detects that the trailing edge of the paper has exited the discharge roller 40 and reached the switching claw 201, the switching roller 202 is reversed and the switching claw 201 is indicated by a dotted line. The paper P that has been switched to the position shown and most of which has exited the machine is switched back to guide 207, 207.
The space between them is conveyed by the conveyance roller 203. In the area of the transfer openings 230 and 240 (FIG. 3) of the sheet conveying device 200 and the conveying space 130 provided on the back side of the operation panel 60, the sheet P is changed in the conveying direction, passes the conveying rollers 204 and 205, and then passes through the apparatus. The paper P sent to the registration roller 25 through the opening 120 provided in the exterior portion 90 of the main body is subjected to the same process as the one-side recording at the beginning to record image information on another surface, and the switching roller 2 again.
It is discharged onto the guide plate 250 via 02. At this time, the switching guide 305 in the reversing device 300 rotates to the position indicated by the dotted line (by a driving means (not shown)), and the guide plate 310 and the roller 3
After 20, the sheets are stacked on the discharge trays 330 and 350 with the recording surface (the second page) recorded later being the upper surface.

As described above, in the present invention, the paper P discharged onto the double-sided paper discharge trays 330 and 350.
Are stacked with the first side (the first page, the third page, the fifth page, ...) Down, so that when all the sheets are stacked, the sheet bundles are turned upside down to be arranged in page order.

Even after the sheet conveying device 200 is attached, the sheet feeding tray 50 is not in use when it is not used, as shown in FIG.
00 of the outer cover 210 (FIG. 3). In addition,
It is desirable that the reversing device 300 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

In the embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the sheet P is disposed on the upper part of the main body of the apparatus, and after the recording is completed, the recording surface of the sheet P is the lower surface and the sheet P to be discharged is stacked. The paper tray 45 and the paper transporting device having the reversible rollers 202 for transporting the paper P in the main body of the apparatus again in order to print on one surface of the paper P and then to print on the other surface. 200 and a guide plate 250 that guides the paper P discharged from the rollers 202 of the paper transport device 200 above the paper discharge tray 45. In the image forming apparatus, above the guide plate 250, the paper that is being transported. Since the reversing device 200 that reverses P and discharges it to the double-sided paper discharge trays 330 and 350 is provided, the double-sided recorded paper P is reversed and stacked on the double-sided paper discharge trays 330 and 350. At the time of First recording surface) so facing down and reversing the bundle of sheets P in a few lamination whole,
It is possible to provide page alignment in order from page 1 and provide an image forming apparatus with excellent operability.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the single-sided paper discharge tray 45 and the double-sided paper discharge trays 330 and 350 are arranged close to each other, when the single-side recorded paper P is taken out in the normal mode and in the double-sided mode. In any case of taking out the paper P on which double-sided recording has been performed, the operability and usability can be improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the paper discharge trays 330 and 350 are provided so as to fit within the size of the apparatus main body, the paper discharge trays 330 and 350 are prevented from protruding to the side portion of the apparatus main body. Therefore, the installation space can be reduced.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the first surface (first recording surface) when the recording medium which has been reversed and double-sided recorded on the second paper ejection tray is discharged and stacked. When the bundle of recording media is inverted after all several layers are stacked, page alignment can be performed sequentially from page 1 and an image forming apparatus with excellent operability can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by disposing the first paper ejection tray and the second paper ejection tray in close proximity to each other, when the recording medium on which one-sided recording has been performed in the normal mode is taken out and on which both-sided recording is performed in the double-sided mode. In any case when the recording medium is taken out, operability and usability can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the second discharge tray is prevented from protruding to the side portion of the apparatus main body, so that the installation space can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when executing a single-sided mode.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention when executing the double-sided mode.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the printer according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a paper transport device removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 45 Paper discharge tray for one side 200 Paper transport device 202 Switching roller (roller) 250 Guide plate 300 Reversing device 330, 350 Paper discharge tray for both sides

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first paper ejection tray, which is disposed on an upper part of the apparatus main body and on which a recording medium to be ejected is placed with the recording surface of the recording medium as a lower surface after recording is completed, and one surface of the recording medium. After performing recording on the paper, a paper transport device having a forward / reverse rotatable roller for transporting the recording medium into the main body of the apparatus again in order to perform recording on the other surface, and the paper above the paper discharge tray. An image forming apparatus including a guide plate that guides a recording medium discharged from a roller of a conveying device, and a reversing device that reverses a recording medium being conveyed and discharges it onto a second discharge tray on an upper portion of the guide plate. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first paper ejection tray and the second paper ejection tray are arranged in proximity to each other. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second sheet discharge tray is provided so as to fit within the size of the apparatus main body.