JP3349044B2 - Recording medium cutting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording medium cutting apparatus for cutting a conveyed recording medium in a conveying direction in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium such as recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an output device of a computer or a work station, an ink jet type image forming apparatus for discharging ink to form an image on a recording medium such as recording paper conveyed in a predetermined conveying direction, or a toner is used. There is known an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image by using an electrophotographic method.
In these image forming apparatuses, in order to use large-size recording paper without waste, image information for small-size recording paper is efficiently arranged on one large-size recording paper, and divided into two or four parts. An image may be formed in each area. In such a case, the recording paper is usually cut for each area after image formation. As an apparatus for cutting a recording sheet, an apparatus for cutting a recording sheet in a recording sheet conveying direction and an apparatus for cutting a recording sheet in a direction perpendicular to the recording sheet conveying direction are known.

A cutting device that cuts a recording sheet in the recording sheet conveying direction generally includes two disk-shaped blades that cut the recording sheet while rotating while contacting the recording sheet. As one of such cutting apparatuses, two blades are arranged at positions facing each other with the recording paper sandwiched from above and below when not cutting the recording paper.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a contact-separation type cutting device that cuts a recording sheet by moving two blades to a position where the recording sheet is cut from above and below. In addition, a cutting device in which two disk-shaped blades are integrally formed is caused to stand by at a standby position in the width direction of the recording paper which does not hinder the conveyance of the recording paper, and from the standby position when cutting the recording paper. There is also known a moving type cutting position in which a recording sheet is cut by moving to a cutting position.

[0004]

Among the above-mentioned conventional cutting apparatuses, in the contact-separation type cutting apparatus, when the two blades are moved from a vertical position to a position where the two blades come into contact with the recording paper in order to cut the recording paper. It is difficult to align the two separately configured blades, and the desired positional relationship between the two blades cannot be obtained, so that the recording medium cannot be cut at an accurate position due to deviation from a regular cutting position, or the recording medium cannot be cut straight. There is a possibility that cutting cannot be performed.

[0005] Among the above-mentioned conventional cutting devices, in the moving type cutting device, since the two blades are integrally formed, the positional relationship between the two blades is guaranteed, but until the cutting device moves to the cutting position. And it takes a long time before cutting. The moving time to the cutting position becomes a greater problem for large-format recording paper having a large recording paper width.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a recording medium cutting apparatus capable of cutting a recording medium at an accurate position by shortening a time required for cutting the recording medium as compared with the related art. .

By the way, the cutting device of the contact / separation type which moves in the vertical direction described above requires a space in which the cutting device moves. This space is usually formed in a transport path on which the recording medium is transported. For this reason, there is a possibility that the recording medium being conveyed along the conveyance path may be caught on the boundary between the space and the main body of the image forming apparatus.

In view of the above circumstances, it is a second object of the present invention to provide a recording medium cutting apparatus capable of smoothly conveying a recording medium.

[0009]

A first recording medium cutting apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the first object forms an image on a recording medium conveyed to an image forming area where an image is formed. In a recording medium cutting device that cuts a recording medium being conveyed in an image forming apparatus and is disposed downstream of the image forming area in a recording medium conveyance direction, (1) the recording is performed while rotating in a predetermined rotation direction. A rotary blade that cuts a recording medium in the medium transport direction (2) A driven blade that cuts a recording medium in cooperation with the rotary blade while rotating while being in contact with the rotary blade (3) Both the rotary blade and the driven blade Holding means for rotatably holding the recording medium integrally and rotatably about a central axis of the rotary blade between a cutting position where the recording medium is cut and a non-cutting position where the recording medium is not cut. The holding means is the non-cutting position The holding means is changed from a non-cutting state to a cutting state by rotating the rotary blade in the predetermined rotation direction when being positioned at
When the holding unit is located at the cutting position, the rotating blade is rotated in a direction opposite to the predetermined rotation direction to thereby change the holding unit from a cutting state to a non-cutting state. It is a feature.

Here, (5) stopping means for stopping the holding means at the cutting position or the non-cutting position is provided, and (6) the stopping means also serves as position detecting means for detecting the position of the holding means. It is preferred that it is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium conveyed to an image forming area where an image is formed. A recording medium cutting device that cuts the recording medium being conveyed and that is disposed downstream of the image forming area in the recording medium conveyance direction. (7) In the recording medium conveyance direction while rotating in a predetermined rotation direction, Rotary blade for cutting a recording medium (8) A driven blade that cuts a recording medium in cooperation with the rotary blade while rotating following the rotary blade (9) Both the rotary blade and the driven blade are rotatable. A direction intersecting with the recording medium transport direction, which rotates integrally between the cutting position where the recording medium is cut and the non-cutting position where the recording medium is not cut around the central axis of the rotary blade while being held integrally. Holding to move Step (10) A discharge guide plate for guiding a recording medium in a discharge direction, in which a transfer opening for moving the holding unit is formed. (11) A region of the transfer opening other than a region occupied by the holding unit. And a recording medium transport plate that moves with the movement of the holding means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a recording medium cutting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a recording medium cutting apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a color plotter (hereinafter, referred to as a plotter) which is an example of an inkjet type image forming apparatus having an embodiment.

The plotter 1 is fixed to an upper part of a stand 2 with casters 2a. The plotter 1 is provided with an operation unit 3 for operating the plotter 1, and various switches and the like installed on the operation unit 3 instruct the paper size, online / offline, commands, and the like. Recording paper (an example of a recording medium) inserted into the recording paper insertion slot 4 from the direction of arrow A is conveyed into the plotter 1 based on an instruction from the operation unit 3, where a color image is printed and discharged. Is done.

Referring to FIG. 2, the recording paper transport path and the printing (image forming) process will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the path from insertion to ejection of the recording paper by cutting out the plotter of FIG.

The plotter 1 can print on a sheet-shaped recording paper inserted from the recording paper insertion slot 4 and on a recording paper (rolled paper 6) wound in a roll shape. Here, the conveyance path of the sheet-shaped recording paper inserted from the recording paper insertion slot 4 will be described.

The recording paper (for example, large-sized cut paper) is arranged on the cover 7 of the roll paper 6 and inserted into the recording paper insertion slot 4 in the direction of arrow A. The inserted recording paper passes between the cover 7 and the upper guide 8 and is rotatably fixed to the paper transport roller 10a and the upper transport roller support plate 11 rotatably fixed to the lower transport roller support plate 9. The sheet is conveyed above the printing plate 14 (an example of an image forming area according to the present invention) while being sandwiched between both the sheet conveying rollers 10 b and the driving roller 12. The recording paper that has passed above the printing plate 14 is thereafter discharged by being sandwiched between a discharge roller 20 and a spur 22 located above the discharge roller 20. The spur 22 is rotatably fixed to the spur plate 21.

The plotter 1 has a head carriage 16 which reciprocates in the direction of arrow B. The head carriage 16 includes a head holder 18, and the head holder 18 includes color inks (for example, cyan,
A plurality of print heads 19 containing magenta, yellow, and black inks are mounted. The head carriage 16 is fixed to a belt 17 hung on a carriage drive motor (not shown), and the belt 17 reciprocates in the direction of arrow B by forward and reverse rotation of the carriage drive motor. When the belt 17 reciprocates in the direction of arrow B, the head carriage 16 is also guided by the guide rail 24 and reciprocates in the direction of arrow B. Further, a recording medium cutting device 30 (FIG. 3) to be described later is located downstream of the image forming area in the recording paper transport direction (a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrow B and an example of the recording medium transport direction in the present invention). In FIG. 2, the moving opening 132 of the discharge guide 134 is provided.
(See FIG. 9) schematically shows the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34.

The recording paper is transported intermittently in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow B. When an image is formed on a recording sheet, the recording sheet is temporarily stopped, and while the head carriage 16 is reciprocated in the direction of arrow B, a portion of the recording sheet located in the image forming area is transferred from the print head 19 to the recording head. Discharge ink. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed by a predetermined length, and an image for the next band is formed on a new portion located in the image forming area. This operation is repeated over the entire length of the recording paper. Thus, a color image is formed on the recording paper. The recording paper on which the color image is formed is discharged along the discharge guide 134 while being sandwiched between the discharge roller 20 and the spur 22.

The recording medium cutting device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the recording medium cutting device when the rotary blade and the driven blade are located at the cutting position, as viewed from the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction.

As described above, the recording medium cutting device 30 is disposed downstream of the image forming area in the recording paper transport direction, and here, is disposed downstream of the discharge roller 20 and the spur 22 in the recording paper transport direction. Have been. The recording paper is conveyed to the recording medium cutting device 30 while being sandwiched between the discharge roller 20 and the spur 22, and is cut using this conveying force. Further, the recording medium cutting device 30 is provided inside a discharge guide 134 (see FIG. 2) and has side plates 36 and 38 described later.
Is about 40 mm × 30 mm, but is enlarged in FIG. 3 for explanation.

The recording medium cutting device 30 includes side plates 36 and 38 facing each other. Between the side plates 36 and 38, a recording medium cutting device main body (an example of a holding means according to the present invention) 40 in which both the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are integrally held rotatably is arranged. I have. Side plate 36,
A main shaft 39 serving as a central axis of the rotary blade 32 is rotatably fixed to 38. The main shaft 39 also serves as a rotation shaft of the recording medium cutting device main body 40. A mounting plate 42 is provided on the side plate 36.
A drive motor (which is an example of a drive unit according to the present invention) 44 is fixed to the mounting plate 42. A motor gear 46 is fixed to a rotation shaft of the drive motor 44. The motor gear 46 meshes with a main shaft gear 48 fixed to the main shaft 39, and the main shaft 39 is rotated by the rotation of the drive motor 44.

When the main shaft 39 is rotated in the direction of arrow C (an example of the rotation direction in the present invention) by the rotation of the drive motor 44, the recording medium cutting device main body 40 also turns in the direction of arrow C, and the recording medium cutting device is rotated. A stopper 41 formed on the main body 40 comes into contact with a stop plate 50 bridged between the side plates 36 and 38. As a result, the recording medium cutting device main body 40 moves and holds the both blades 32 and 34 to a cutting position where both the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 cut the recording paper. The state of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 at this time is a cutting state. Even if the blades 32 and 34 stop at the cutting position, the main shaft 39 continues to rotate due to the rotation of the drive motor 44, and the rotary blade 32 continues to rotate.

When the drive motor 44 continues to rotate, the spindle 39
And the rotary blade 32 continue to rotate, and the driven blade 34 that is in contact with the side surface of the rotary blade 32 is also driven to rotate, and the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 cooperate in the direction of arrow D (refer to the present invention). (This is an example of the recording medium transport direction).

Here, the positional relationship between the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the arrangement of the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34. FIG. 4A is a front view of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 viewed from the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction, and FIG. Figure,
(C) is a rear view, and (d) is a left side view. In FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The central axis of the rotary blade 32 is the main shaft 39, while the driven blade 34 has a central axis 34a substantially parallel to the main shaft with the cutting point interposed therebetween. When viewed from the direction of arrow D,
The driven blade 34 is arranged on the right side of the rotary blade 32, and the side surfaces of these blades are in contact with each other at the cutting point.

The manner in which the recording paper is cut will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the rotary blade and the driven blade cooperate to cut the recording paper. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. ing.

The driven blade 34 rotates in the direction of the arrow E following the rotary blade 32 that rotates in the direction of the arrow C, whereby the recording paper 52 is cut. Here, when viewed from the transport direction, the central axis (main shaft 39) of the rotary blade 32 is below the cutting point 54, while the central axis 34a of the driven blade 34 is above the cutting point 54. The cutting edge of the rotary blade 32 is above the cutting position 54, while the cutting edge of the driven blade 34 is below the cutting point 54. Therefore, the portion 52b of the recording paper 52 on the side of the driven blade 34 is pushed down by the driven blade 34 and guided downward (in the direction of arrow F). On the other hand, a portion 52a of the recording paper 52 on the side of the rotary blade 32 is pushed up by the rotary blade 32 and guided upward (in the direction of arrow G).
Thus, the cut portions 52a and 52 of the recording paper 52 are
By guiding b separately in the vertical direction, a tensile force acts on a portion of the recording paper 52 just before cutting, so that the recording paper 52 is easily cut.

Referring to FIG. 6, recording medium cutting device main body 4
A state where 0 is converted from the cut state to the non-cut state will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the recording medium cutting device when the recording medium cutting device main body 40 is in a non-cutting state.
The same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In order to change the recording medium cutting device main body 40 from the cutting state to the non-cutting state, the drive motor 44 is rotated so that the recording medium cutting device main body 40 rotates in the direction of arrow E.
To reverse. The rotation of the drive motor 44 causes the main shaft 39 to rotate.
Also rotates in the direction of arrow E. The main shaft 39 has a lever 58
Are rotatably fixed. A sensor bar 60 for turning on / off a sensor 62 for determining whether to rotate the drive motor 44 is formed at the left end of the lever 58 when viewed from the direction of arrow D. The drive motor 44 is configured to rotate and stop according to the ON / OFF of the sensor 62. As shown in FIG. 6, when the sensor bar 60 separates from the sensor 62, the sensor 62 is turned off, and the reverse rotation of the drive motor 44 stops.

The main shaft 39 is rotated by the reverse rotation of the drive motor 44.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow E, the recording medium cutting device main body 40 is rotated.
Also rotates in the direction of arrow E, and the lever hook 56 formed on the recording medium cutting device main body 40 hooks the lever 58 to rotate the lever 58. Thereby, the lever 58 is also moved by the arrow E
When the sensor bar 60 rotates to a position away from the sensor 62, the lever 58 contacts the hole end 38a (see FIG. 3) of the side plate 38 and cannot rotate. At the same time, the sensor 62 is turned off and the drive motor 44 is turned off. Stops,
The recording medium cutting device main body 40 also stops. When the recording medium cutting device main body 40 stops in this manner, the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are located at the non-cutting position. Here, the lever 58 also functions as the stopping means and the position detecting means according to the present invention.

When the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are located at the non-cutting position, the recording medium cutting device main body 40 is set at the cutting position.
Casing (which is an example of a guide portion according to the present invention) 40
The casing 40a guides the recording paper conveyed from the direction of arrow D in the paper discharge direction. When the casing 40a is located at the cutting position, the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are located at the non-cutting position and do not perform the cutting function. Further, since both the blades are on the back side of the recording medium transport surface, there is no possibility that the user accidentally touches the blades to cause injury.

As described above, when the main body 40 of the recording medium cutting device is rotated, the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are immediately rotated between both the cutting position and the non-cutting position. The blade 34 can be moved to the cutting position in a short time. The main body 40 of the recording medium cutting device holds both the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 and rotates about the main shaft 39, so that the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are configured as one set. Is ensured at a desired value, so that both the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are accurately moved to the cutting position. As a result, the recording medium can be cut at an accurate position, the cut surface is clean, and the cut line is straight. In addition, since the rotation of the rotary blade and the rotation to the cutting position are driven using the same motor, no separate motor is required, so that space and cost can be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 6 again, the movement of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in the direction of arrow B will be described.

The recording medium cutting apparatus main body 40 is movable in the direction of arrow B, and is configured so that the position where the recording paper is cut can be freely selected.

A moving motor mounting plate 64 is fixed to the side plate 36, and a moving motor 66 is mounted on the moving motor mounting plate 64. A wire pulley 68 is rotatably fixed to the rotating shaft of the moving motor 66. On the other hand, a wire pulley mounting plate 70 is fixed to the side plate 38, and a wire pulley 72 is rotatably fixed to the wire pulley mounting plate 70.

A wire 74 is hung on the wire pulleys 68 and 72. The two ends 74a, 74 of the wire 74
b is fixed to the moving body 78. A guide hole 78b is formed in the lower part of the moving body 78. This guide hole 78
b, a guide rail 80 fixed to the side plates 36 and 38;
The moving body 78 is guided by the guide rail 80 and moves. Further, a stay (not shown) fixed to the lower part of the moving body 78 by being hung on the side plates 36 and 38.
A sensor bar 78c for turning on / off a sensor 79 for determining whether to rotate the moving motor 66 is formed. The moving motor 66 is configured to rotate and stop in response to turning on and off of the sensor 79. Also,
The moving body 78 sandwiches a part of the main body 40 of the recording medium cutting apparatus. When the moving body 78 moves until the sensor 79 is turned on by the forward / reverse rotation of the moving motor 66, the main body of the recording medium cutting apparatus is moved. 40 also moves. As a result, the position at which the recording paper is cut in the direction perpendicular to the recording paper transport direction can be freely selected by changing the position and the number of the sensors 79. Also, since the recording medium cutting device is moved in a non-cutting state, this movement can be performed at all times regardless of whether the recording paper is being conveyed or printing (image formation), and the moving time of the recording medium cutting device is specially set. It is not necessary to provide.

A case in which the recording medium cutting device body 40 is moved by the moving body 78 to change the cutting position will be described. Here, the size of the recording paper is E size (914.4 mm ×
l2l9.2 mm), A0 size (841 mm x 118)
9mm) and B1 size (728mm × 1030m)
The following three cases will be described as examples.

In the plotter 1, it is assumed that each recording medium can be inserted in accordance with its long side, and the reference for matching the recording medium is provided on one side. When each recording medium is cut in half, the E size (914.4 mm × 1219.
2mm) is D size (609.6mm x 914.4m)
m) and A0 size (841 mm x 1189 mm)
Becomes A1 size (594 mm x 841 mm) and B1
Size (728mm × 1030mm) is B2 size (5
15 mm × 728 mm). Therefore, they are 609.6 mm, 594 mm, and 515 mm, respectively, from the reference side, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is 94.6 mm. For this reason, if the moving body 78 is configured to be movable by 95.0 mm, it is possible to cope with the cutting of the above three types of recording media.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a description will be given of a recording medium division guide member for dividing a cut recording sheet into upper and lower parts.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a recording medium division guide member, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the recording medium division guide member in an exploded manner.

The recording medium dividing guide member 90 includes the upper guide 1.
The center guide 110, the lower guide 120, and the middle guide 110 are combined, and are disposed downstream of the cutting point in the recording paper conveyance direction (the direction of arrow D).

The upper guide 100 guides a portion of the cut recording paper which is closer to the rotary blade 32 than a cutting point at which the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 contact the recording paper. Guide surface 102, rotary blade 32 and driven blade 34
Is formed with a cutter escape portion 104 that prevents the upper guide 100 from contacting the upper guide 100. The upper guide 100 has a mounting portion 106 for mounting the middle guide 110 to the upper guide 100.

The middle guide 110 has a guide surface 112 for guiding a portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the rotary blade 32 than the cutting point upward, and a cutting surface of the cut recording paper. A guide surface 114 for guiding a portion closer to the driven blade 34 than the point downward, and a cutter escape portion 116 for preventing the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 from contacting the middle guide 110 are formed.

The lower guide 120 is provided with a guide surface 122 for guiding a portion of the cut recording paper which is closer to the driven blade 34 than the cutting point, and a rotating blade 32 and a driven blade 34. A cutter escape portion 124 is formed so as not to contact the guide 120. Also, the lower guide 12
0 has an attachment portion 126 for attaching the middle guide 110 to the lower guide 120.

When the middle guide 110 is attached to the upper guide 100, an upper paper passage 130 is formed through which a portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the rotary blade 32 than the cutting point is passed. Therefore, the portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the rotary blade 32 than the cutting point is located between the rotary blade 32 and the cutting point.
Will be guided on the opposite side to the central axis of. When the middle guide 110 is attached to the lower guide 120, a lower paper path 140 is formed through which a portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the driven blade 34 than the cutting point is. Therefore, the portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the driven blade 34 than the cutting point is guided to the side opposite to the center axis of the driven blade 34 across the cutting point.

The recording paper conveyed in the direction of arrow D is cut by the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34, and a portion of the cut recording paper closer to the rotary blade 32 than the cutting point is the guide surface 102. , 112 are guided in the direction of arrow H and pass through the upper paper path 130. On the other hand, the portion of the cut recording paper that is closer to the driven blade 34 than the cut point is guided in the direction of arrow I by the guide surfaces 114 and 122 and passes through the lower paper passage 140. In this manner, the portion of the cut recording medium that is closer to the rotary blade than the cutting point and the portion of the cut recording medium that is closer to the driven blade than the cutting point are in opposite directions. Since the paper is guided and a pulling force acts on the part just before cutting, the recording paper is easily cut and cut by blades crossing each other,
It guides the leading edge of the recording paper, which is divided into upper and lower parts, smoothly, and the recording paper comes in contact with the blade shaft and its holding part,
It is possible to prevent the transportation from being hindered.

In the above example, the recording medium division guide member 90 is constituted by three parts, but may be constituted integrally. Although the recording paper is separated vertically after the cutting, it is preferable that the cut recording paper be on the same plane at a discharge port for discharging the recording paper. The reason for this is that an increase in the size of the paper discharge port is not desirable in design. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the inkjet type image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus but can be applied to an apparatus having a configuration in which a recording sheet is conveyed and cut.

A second embodiment of the recording medium cutting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the recording medium cutting apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view showing an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a JJ cross-sectional view of the recording medium cutting device of FIG. 9 and 10
Here, the same components as those in FIGS. 3 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The recording medium cutting device 130 includes a discharge guide plate 134 having a moving opening 132 formed therein for moving the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in which the rotary blade 32 and the driven blade 34 are integrally held rotatably. Have. Further, moving bodies 140 are fixed to both sides of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in the direction of arrow B. The moving body 140 moves in the arrow B direction along with the movement of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in the arrow B direction. Two recording medium transport plates 142 that move in the direction of arrow B as the recording medium cutting device body 40 moves in the direction of arrow B are fixed to both sides of the upper portion of the moving body 140. 9, the recording medium transport plate 14 on the left side of the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in FIG.
2 is omitted. The recording medium cutting device body 40
The conversion opening 144 is formed so that the cutting state can be changed from the cutting state to the non-cutting state.

Each recording medium transport plate 142 is provided with a moving opening 132 so that the moving opening 132 can be completely closed when the recording medium cutting device main body 40 moves to any end of the moving opening 132. 132 is longer than the length in the direction of arrow B. Each recording medium transport plate 142 moves while being guided by guide rails 136 and 138 formed inside the upper portion of the discharge guide plate 134. As the recording medium transport plate 142 moves in the direction of arrow B in this manner, an area other than the area occupied by the recording medium cutting device main body 40 in the moving opening is closed. As a result, the recording medium is smoothly conveyed without being caught in the opening 132 for movement. In FIG. 10, the two-dot chain line indicates the recording medium cutting device main body 40 ′ in the non-cutting state. When the recording medium cutting device main body is in the non-cutting state, the recording medium cutting device main body 40 is also a part of the recording medium transport plate. Act as

[0058]

As described above, according to the first recording medium cutting apparatus of the present invention, the holding means integrally holding the rotary blade and the driven blade is rotated by the driving means,
Since the holding means is changed from the non-cutting state to the cutting state and the recording medium is cut by the rotary blade, the time required for cutting the recording medium can be shortened as compared with the related art, and the recording medium can be cut at an accurate position. After the recording medium is cut, the recording medium cutting device can be positioned at the non-cutting position in a short time.

Further, a stop means for stopping the holding means at the cutting position or the non-cutting position is provided. If the stopping means also serves as a position detecting means for detecting the position of the holding means, the recording medium cutting means may be provided. Since the position of the apparatus can be accurately detected, the recording medium can be cut more accurately.

Further, the second recording medium cutting device of the present invention includes a discharge guide plate for guiding the recording medium in the discharge direction, and the opening for moving the cutting device of the discharge guide plate moves with the movement of the holding means. Therefore, the recording medium can be smoothly transported because the recording medium is closed by the recording medium transport plate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a color plotter that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a path from insertion of a recording sheet to ejection of the recording sheet, with the color plotter of FIG. 1 cut away.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the recording medium cutting device when a rotary blade and a driven blade are located at a cutting position.

4 (a) is a front view, FIG. 4 (b) is a right side view, FIG. 4 (c) is a rear view, and FIG. 4 (d) is a left side view showing the arrangement of a rotary blade and a driven blade.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a rotary blade and a driven blade cooperate to cut a recording sheet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the recording medium cutting device when the recording medium cutting device main body is located at a non-cutting position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a recording medium division guide member.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a recording medium division guide member in an exploded manner.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a recording medium cutting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the recording medium cutting apparatus taken along line JJ of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 plotter 30 recording medium cutting device 32 rotary blade 34 driven blade 40 recording medium cutting device main body 44 drive motor 90 recording medium division guide section 130 recording medium cutting device 132 moving opening 134 discharge guide plate 140 moving body 142 recording medium transport plate

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Gonsuke Inozuma 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo Inside Copia Corporation (72) Inventor Naoki Kiyohara 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo Inside Copier Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiichi 6-3-3 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka City, Tokyo Copier Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-154378 (JP, A) JP-A-59-59 164192 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B26D 1/00-1/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium conveyed to an image forming area where an image is formed,
In a recording medium cutting device arranged downstream of the image forming area in the recording medium conveyance direction for cutting the recording medium being conveyed, the recording medium is cut in the recording medium conveyance direction while rotating in a predetermined rotation direction. A rotating blade, a driven blade that cuts a recording medium in cooperation with the rotating blade while rotating in contact with the rotating blade, and both the rotating blade and the driven blade are integrally held rotatably. A holding unit that rotates between a cutting position where the recording medium is cut and a non-cutting position where the recording medium is not cut around the center axis of the rotary blade, and when the holding unit is located at the non-cutting position. The holding means is changed from a non-cutting state to a cutting state by rotating the rotary blade in the predetermined rotation direction, and when the holding means is located at the cutting position, the rotary blade is rotated in the predetermined rotation direction. A recording medium cutting device, comprising: a driving unit configured to change the holding unit from a cutting state to a non-cutting state by rotating the holding unit in a direction opposite to that of the recording medium. 2. A stopping means for stopping the holding means at the cutting position or the non-cutting position, wherein the stopping means also serves as a position detecting means for detecting the position of the holding means. 2. The recording medium cutting device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium conveyed to an image forming area where an image is formed,
In a recording medium cutting device arranged downstream of the image forming area in the recording medium conveyance direction for cutting the recording medium being conveyed, the recording medium is cut in the recording medium conveyance direction while rotating in a predetermined rotation direction. A rotating blade, a driven blade that cuts a recording medium in cooperation with the rotating blade while rotating following the rotating blade, and both the rotating blade and the driven blade are integrally held rotatably. Around the center axis of the rotary blade, a holding unit that moves between a cutting position where the recording medium is cut and a non-cutting position where the recording medium is not cut, and moves in a direction intersecting with the recording medium conveyance direction. A moving opening for moving the holding means is formed;
A discharge guide plate that guides a recording medium in a discharge direction; and a recording medium transport plate that moves with the movement of the holding unit and that covers a region other than a region occupied by the holding unit among the moving openings. A recording medium cutting device characterized by the above-mentioned.